L  1  B  HARY 

OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY 

or    ILLINOIS 

lUjI^'^iv  LIBRARY 

AT  l!i1JP<^  Champaign 

ILL  HIST.  SURVEY 


Kliiiott  Histiriui  Siinq 


f 


^, 


a^/" 


'Xo2<-'^->--c<^-t^^ 


HISTORY 


OF 


SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


iLLinsrois; 


TOGETHER  WITH  SKETCHES  OF  ITS  CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  TOWNSHIPS,  EDUCATIONAL, 

RELIGIOUS,  CIVIL,  MILITARY,  AND  POLITICAL  HISTORY  ;   PORTRAITS 

OF  PROMINENT  PERSONS,  AND  BIOGRAPHIES  OF 

REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


History  of  Illinois, 


EMBRACING  ACCOUNTS  OF  THE  PREHISTORIC  RACES,  ABORIGINES,  WINNEBAGO  AND 
BLACK  HAWK  WARS,  AND  A  BRIEF  REVIEW  OF  ITS  CIVIL, 
POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY  HISTORY. 


ILIliTJSTi^/.A.TElD. 


CHICAGO  : 
INTER-STATE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

1881. 


81'KlNGHEI.li  JOtKSAT.  CO., 

PRINTERS, 

BI'RISISFlEr.ll    ir.i.. 


H 


To    THE    Pioneers 


Sangamon    County 


THIS   VOLUME   IS 


RESPECTFULLY     DEDICATED, 

With  the  Hope  that  Your  Virtues  may  be  Emtji-ated, 

AND  Your  Toils  and  Sacrifices  duly  appbe- 

ciATED  BY  Coming  Generations. 


.r 


PREFACE 


The  importance  of  local  history  is  appreciated  more  to-day  than  ever  before.  A  general 
desire  is  being  manifested  by  the  people  to  preserve  the  records  made  by  the  pioneers,  in 
every  community.  In  obedience  to  this  universal  demand,  historical  firms  have  sprung  into 
xistence,  and  county,  city  and  town  histories  have  appeared  in  great  numbers  in  the  past 
■decade.  Knowing  that  Sangamon  County  afforded  an  abundance  of  material  for  an  interesting 
and  profitable  history,  the  InterStatk  Publishing  Co.,  in  the  Spring  of  1881,  placed  in  the 
field  a  corps  of  experienced  historians,  with  instructions  to  prepare  a  faithful  and  reliable  his- 
tory of  the  County. 

As  preliminary  to   the  work,  they  secured   the  co-operation  of   the  officers  of   the  Old  Set- 
;  tlere'  Society,  who   appointed   a   committee   to  read   and    revise  the  manuscript   of  the  general 
^  history,  and  a  like  committee  in  each  township,  to   examine  and  correct  the   history  of  the  re- 
spective townships.     With  but  one  or  two  exceptions,  every  man  thus  appointed  served  to  the 
bet^t  of  his  ability,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  choice  of  the  committees  is  shown  in  the  work  per- 
formed.    We  feel  confident  that  we  here  present  to  our  patrons  and  the  citizens  of  the  County, 
a  history  that   is  as  correct  as   can   be  made  at   this   day.     Special   care  was  taken    in  its  com- 
pilation, hundreds  of  men  and  women  being  interviewed,  and  every  source  of  information  can- 
vassed, that  facts  alone   should   be    incorporated   in  it.     The    manuscript   was  then  read   to  the 
^'■^littees,  and   time   given    to   make   such    corrections   as   they   deemed    necessary,   and   each 
™^.ber  was  urged   to   exercise   care,  and   not   to   be  backward   in   making    such   corrections  or 
^^^  suggestions  as  might  be  deemed   necessaiy  to  insure  correctness  and   add  to  the  value  of 
^work.     Our  thanks  are   certainly  due   to  these  men,  a   number  of   whom  spent   much  time, 
^^\    no  thought  of    other  reward    than    in    the  consciousness   of   a   duty  well    performed.      It 
^*^ld  be  utterly  impossible  to  mention  all  who  thus   labored,  and  who  did    all  in  their  power 
*^  nake  the  History  of   Sangamon    County  a  model   county  history.     But  we  must   not   forget 
"S.  John  T.  Stuart,  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee,  on  whose  advice  we  greatly  relied, 
^'^'  who  never  once  refused  to  aid  us  in  our  work,  treating  us  with  a  kindness  that  will  ever 
"^  appreciated,  furnishing    much    valuable    information    for   the  history,   and  speaking  a  good 
^°d  for  us  upon  every  occasion.     Hon.  William   H.  Herndon  also   deserves  great   credit.     On 
™'-:e  than  one  occasion  lie  walked  seven  miles  to  meet  with  the  committee  in  the  examination 
Jie  manuscript,  and  few  errors  escaped   his  notice,  especially  in  relation  to  facts  that  trans- 
P"";d   at  an  early  day.     Of   Hon.  Charles    H.  Lanphier,  we   can    say  that   few  men    are    better 
P*''ted  in  the  affairs  of  the  county,  especially  in  political  matters,  since  1840.     He  was  a  close 
"^^'der,  his  experience    in  newspaper  work  and   proof-reading  aiding   him    here,  and  he  did  not 


FKEFACE. 


fail  us  when  asked  to  pass  judgment  upon  the  manuscript.  If  not  present  when  the  iommit- 
tee  was  in  session,  he  would  take  the  manuscript  and  read  it  carefully,  noting  such  corections 
as  he  believed  it  right  and  proper  to  make.  Zimri  A.  Enos  and  John  DeCamp,  though 
active  as  those  mentioned,  yet  we  believe  it  can  be  said  of  them  ?■;  of  the  woman 
Scriptures,  that  they  "done  what  they  could."  Of  the  members  of  the  township  com  littees, 
thanks  are  especially  due  M.  G.  Wadsworth,  editor  of  the  Auburn  Citizen,  who  fwi  '  i 
much  valuable  information. 


rot  as 
in  the. 


R.  W.  Diller,  President  of   the   Old   Settlers'   Society,  was   indeed   a   friend   to   the 
prise.     He  entered   into  the  work  with   his  whole  soul,  and   it  appeared  that   he  could   a        '  ■ 
too  much  for  us.     Through  his  influence  much  valuable  information  was  obtained,  and  vnuai  ■ 
aid  was  rendered   by  him  to  us,  in   other  ways.     We  shall   always   kindly  remember  hiir    an  > 
ever  be  grateful  for  the  many  favors  shown  to  us.     James  H.  Matheny,  too,  we  can  nevi 
get.     It  mattered  not   how  busy  he  was,  he  always  found    time  to  render  us  all  the  aid  ;l.  ins 
power.     We  confess  that  we  have  at   times  felt  ashamed  that  we  were  compelled  to  call'  ui'.  »i 
him  so  often    for  information  ;   but  if  he  ever  felt   provoked   at   us,  he  never  showed   it  i 
action.      L.  H.  Tichnor,  County  Clerk,  with    his   deputy,  Mr.  Cleverly,  placed   us  under  man) 
obligations.     No  men  could  be  more  accommodating.     The  same  can  be  said  of  all  the  countv 
officers,  not  one  of  whom  showed   any  disposition  to  avoid  aiding  us  in  our  work.    The  State 
officers  were  also  as  accommodating  to  us  as  one  could  desire. 

J.  C.  Power,  author  of  the  "History  of  the  Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon  County,"  took 
great  pains  to  aid  us  in  our  work,  and  having  gone  over  much  of  the  ground  that  we  were 
compelled  to  travel,  his  advice  and  counsel  was  valuable.  Never  did  he  show,  by  word  or 
action,  that  he  believed  us  to  be  intruding  upon  his  rights,  but  seemed  at  all  times  to  raari- 
fest  great  interest  in  our  welfare,  and  expressed  an  ardent  desire  for  our  success.  Thf  '^'■■• 
tory  of  the  Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon  County  we  regard  as  the  best  work  of  its  kind  k 
to  us. 

The  press  of  the  county  is  also  entitled  to  our  special  gratitude.  Without  an  exce 
we  have  received  the  kindest  treatment  from  each,  their  tiles  being  placed  at  our  disposa 
from  which  we  gathered  much  of  the  information  contained  in  this  volume.  The  edit( 
the  various  papers  we  now  number  among  our  friends,  and  trust  that  the  kind  feeling; 
always  be  retained. 

In  conclusion,  we  will  say  that  our  work  is  now  done  ;  the  History  of  Sangamon  C 
you  have  placed  in  your  hands.  We  trust  that  you  will  be  well  pleased  with  it.  It  has 
in  a  measure,  to  us,  a  labor  of  love,  aud  the  pleasant  hours  that  we  have, spent  wit 
pioneers  of  old  Sangamon,  will  often  be  recalled,  and  the  remembrance  will  be  one  ( 
alloyed  pleasure. 

Ixtee-State  Publishing  Compait 


N 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


TABLE   OF  CONTENTS. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


rRODUCTORT 17 

The  Monnil  Builders 17 

Other  Races 18 

Itidiaoa— UliDois  CoDfederaey — Sterved  Rock 21 

Early  Discoveries— First  Seltlementa 22 

"angii-.h  Rale 23 

ienoral  Clark'.s  Exploits— County  of  Illinois 24 

N'orthwestern  Territory — Ortlioance  of  1787 25 

lllinoi.s    Territory— State    Organization— First  Constitu- 

I      tion— The  Winneha-^o  War 26 

1  Black  Hawk  War— Internal  Improvements 27 


Stupendous  System  of  Improvements  Inaugurated — Illi- 
nois and  Michigan  Canal— Panic— Repudiation  Advocated 

Mormon  War 

The  Battle  of  Nauvoo.  

Mexican  War .. 

The  War  for  the  Union ."..  ^ 

Governors  of  Illinois 

Lieutenant  Governors — Other  State  Officers...-, 

United  Stales  Senators , 

ReproHentatives  in  Congress 

Then  and  Now , 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  BEGINNING  45 

TheGarden  Spot  45 

First  White  Men  in  Sangamon  County 46 

-First  Settlement 4ri 

Other  Early  Settlers 47 

Area  and  Posititin  of  the  County 47 

y       Organization  of  the  County 47 

Acts  of  the  County  Commissioners -^ 48 

County  Coraniirtsioners  from  1S21  to  1849 50 

.      Board  of  Jngtices  50 

'——Township  Orjianization 50 

Rivers  and  Creeks  51 

Kavigation  of  the  Sangamon  River 51 

Creeks 54 

CHAPTER  II 

GEOLOGY 55 

CHAPTER  III. 

PIONEER  LIFE 60 

Early  Manners  and  Customs 60 

Character  of  the  Pioneers 62 

■—Clothing 62 

Weddings 65 

Shakes 66 

Wolf  Hunting 67 

Bee  Hunting    67 

Snakes 67 

Agriculture 67 

V — Religion 68 

CHAPTER  IV. 

JUDICIAL 70 

Probate  and  County  Courts 74 

CHAPTER  V. 

THE  BAR  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 76 

First  Decade 77 

James  Adams  77 

Jonathan  H  Pugh 77 

Thomas  M  Neale 77 

James  M.  Strode 77 

Williams.  Hamilton 78 

Thomas  Mofi'ett 78 

William  Menilel 78 

Samuel  McRoberts 78 

Alfred  W,  Cavarly , 79 

Benjaniio  Mills   79 

■John  Reynolds I 80 

fames  Turney '    ]  80 


Henry  Starr 

^George  Forquer 

Second  Decade 

Edward  J.  Phillips 

Edward  Jones 

Henry  E.  Dammer 

Stephen  T.  Logan 

David  Prickett. 

"-William  L.  May 

Dan  Stone  

Josephus  Hewett 

—David  B.  Campbell 

Antrim  Campliell 

A.  T.  Bledsoe 

Charles  R.  Wells 

Schuyler  Strong 

^Niuian  W.  Edwards 

Cyrus  Walker 

-  Abiaham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Dougla. 

-Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr 

-E.  D  Baker 

John  D.  Urquhart 

John  C.  Doremus 

Thikd  Dec  ade 

General  Shields 

Silas  AV.  Robbins  

Justin  Buttertield 

"  U.  F.  Linder 

Josiah  Lambom 

Levi  Davis 

A.  K.  Smede 

David  Logan 

William  1.  Ferguson 

Archibald  Williams 

<).  H    Browning 

William  A.  Miuahall 

Benjamin  West 

Isriiel  Crosby 

William  Walker 

Elliott  B.  Herndon 

Foritrn  Decade 

Thomas  Lewis 

J.  France 

D.  McWilliams 

A.  McWilliams 

C.  M.  Morrison 

William  Prescott 

L.  F.  McCrillis 

H   G.  Krynolds 

A    W.  Hayes 

S.  S  Wbitehurst 

PiKT}i  Decade 

Sixth  DEcahe .   — 


88 
:88 
88 
»S 
1.-8 
i89 
89 
i90 
190 
•;90 
190 
190 
590 
)90 
190 
190 
590 
190 
38191 
29191 
30192 
i9a 
,!92 
i99 
399 
;!99 
4S  399 
»  ;)99 
399 
;i99 
401 
401 
80  Ml 
80  401 


91 
91 
91 
M 
92 
92 
92 
9S 
93 


96 

96 
.  98 
-  »»" 

,  98 
98 

.102 
103 
104 
104 
105 
UU 
lOS 
105 
105 
iC." 
106 
106 
186 

.  1C6 
IDS 
107 
108 
108 
108 
109 
108 
108 
10^ 
1' 


402 
403 
403 

403 

4tl4 

404 

41)4 

404 

404 

40,5 

405 

407 

407 

40^ 

408 
408 
409 
'09 
4  "! 
41'.; 
419 
413 
413 
413 
414 
414 
414 
414 
415 
415 
4Ui 
416 


431 

4  31 

43J 

43-4 

,  .13',' 

440 

.  441 

.  441 

.  44-.; 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  YI. 

HE  BAR  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY  (continued) 110 

Seventh  Decade 110 

John  T.  Stuait 110 

Samuel  H.  Treat 114 

Beujamm  S.  Edwarda 115 

James  C  Conkling 115 

James  H.  Matheuy 116 

William  H.  Herntlon  llti 

Norman  M  Brc^dwell 119 

William  J.  Conkling 11!) 

John  E.  Rosette 1*20 

_'iiarle3  S.  Zaue 1-2U 

John  Alexander  McClernand -. 121 

Charles  A.  Keyea l-'U 

Christopher  C.  Brown \-22 

Eugene  L  Gross     I2\i 

Milton  Hay 12;( 

U'llliam  M   Springer 124 

William  E.  Shutt 1_'5 

Robert  L.  Mdiuire 125 

Leouidas  H    Bradley 125 

Isaac  K.  Bradley 125 

Thomas  G.  Prickett 125 

^4»»'i  mail  L.  Freeman. , 12(j 

Richiuoud  Wnloott. 126 

Thomas C.  Mather 126 

Clio  ton  L.  Coiikhng 126 

Llo.vd  F.  Hamilton 127 

James  W.  Patton 127 

Samuel  D.  Scholes, 127 

Alfred  d'endorff. 12? 

Henry  A.  Greene 128 

A.  iV.  J.Crook 12a 

J;-mes  C.  Kubinson 12!i 

Barnes  A.  Jveniedy 1211 

Charles  Philo  Kane 129 

John  C.  Lanpliier 129 

Henry  H.Rogers 130 

John  C.  Snigg 130 

Robert  H.  Hazlttt 130 

William  L.  ( ;  ross 1^(0 

John  M.  Palmer 130 

John  Mayo  Palmer 132 

George  W.  Murray 133 

Robert  W  Maxwell 133 

George  A.  Sanders , 133 

James  H.  Matheny,  Jr 133 

Henry  A.  Stevens 133 

James  E.  Dowling 133 

James  A.  Creighton 134 

John  M.  Creighton 134 

George  A.  Wood 134 

Thomas  Sterling 134 

Joseph  M    Grout 134 

AVilliam  Henry  Colby 134 

^William  F.  Herndon 137 

Henry  B.  Kane 137 

Frank  fl.  Jones 137 

John  A.  Chestnut 137 

Thomas  J.  Thompson 137 

Winfield  S.  Collins 13d 

William  A.Vincent 135 

Larue  Vredenburgh  138 

Alexander  H  Robertson 138 

William  T.  Houston ^ 138 

Albert  Sal'/enstein 138 

Frank  R.  Williams  138 

,— ??tiah  H.  Turner 139 

Edwin  C.  Haynie 139 

Waiter  B.  Wines 139 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
HE  FISHER  MURDER  CASE 140 


i 
< 

I 

c 
a 
f 
t 
t 

f 
tl 
a 

y 

Tji  CHAPTER  Vin. 

*^  RAILROADS 144 

o]  Wabash,  St.  Louis  S:  Pacific 114 

First  Locomotive  in  Springfield 145 

Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis 146 

Ohio  it  Mississippi 147 

lUiuoi.s  Central 147 

Springfield  A:  Northwestern 147 

Contemplated  Roads 148 

-V                                CHAPTER  IX. 
WARft.^... ......,_ 149 


List  of  Soldiers  in  Black  Hawk  AVar 162 

Reminiscence  of  the  Black  Hawk  War ."'.  165 

The  Mexican  War 157 

Roster  of  Mexican  War  Soldiers 168 

CHAPTER    X. 

REMINISCENCES no 

Cotton  Picking 179 

By  George  Brunk .'.'..  173 

Auburn  and  Viuciniiy  Forty  Tears  Ago,  by  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth 174 

By  S.  C.  Hampton 179 

By  R.  W.  Diller !..*.',!! !'.'.'.  180 

By  James  J.  Megredy i^i 

By  E.  H.  Beach ll"l"[[[  182 

By  Johns.  Condell.  Sr i83 

By  John  H.  Hanison 185 

By  W.  T.  Bennett .".'.'"*.'.'.  185 

By  George  P.  Weber '_ igg 

Pioneer  Women 157 

By  Mrs.  James  Parkinson  and  Mrs.  Sarah  King I8T 

By  Mrs.  Charlotte  Jacobs. 188 

By  Elizabeth  Harbour lei 

By  Eliza  Headley ",  191 

By  Mrs.  John  Lock , 193 

By  Mrs.  Robert  Burns ]  193 

By  Mrs.  Sarah  P.  Husband 193 

By  Mrs.  Ann  H.  McCormack 191 

Old  Settlers  of  Sangamon,  by  John  T.  Stuart 194 

By  Dr.  Alexander  bhields ..,  201 

PioLcers  and  Pioneering,  by  W.  H.  Herndon 206 

CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  PRESS 213 

U-— Ri.iNois  State  Journal 214 

Simeon  Francis 21G 

Josiah  Francis 217 

Allen  Francis .,  217 

W.  H.  Bailhache 218 

Edward  L.  Baker. ..',  218 

David  L.  Phillips 219 

Paul  Seiby 220 

Horace  Chapin 223 

Milton  F.  Simmons 223 

The  Daily  Journal 224 

The  Illinois  Refuhlican 224 

George  R.  AVeber 225 

Illinois  State  REiiisTER 225 

George  Walker 226 

Charles  H.  Lanphier 227 

John  W  Merritt 228 

Edward  L.  Merritt 229 

George  W  andJ.  R.Weber 229 

George  Smith 230 

H   W.  Clendenin 230 

Thomas  Rees 230 

Daily  Illinois  State  Re(;ister 232 

Sangamo  Momtok 232 

Saxoasio  Daily  Monitor. 235 

Thomas  W.  S.  Kidd 236 

The  Si'iaNOKiELD  Times 237 

S.  S  Brooks  237 

The  Masonic  Trowel 237 

-  H.  G.  Reynolds .  -237 

Illinois  State  Democrat 237 

The  tsuxiiAY  Mail. 237 

Illi.sois  Fueie  Press 237 

Fredeiick   Gebriog 238 

Staats  Wochenulait 238 

H.  Schlanee 238 

AiiiuUN  Citizen 238 

A.  B.  Stover 238 

Moses  G  Wads  worth 239 

The  Evenim;  Post .-, 239 

F.  11.  B.  McDowell 239 

S.  P.  v.  Arnold 2411 

Campaign  Paieks 240 

CHAPTER  XIL 

THE  REED  AND  DONNER  PARTY 241 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

POLITICAL 241> 

Official  Vote  of  Every  General  Election 272 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
NATIONAL.  STATE  AND  COUNTY  REPRESENTATION  27fl 

Na  riojJA  I.  Rei'uesemation 

Prenid-^n  t  <il' the  United  States 

United  Sittitcd  Consuia *. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


United  States  Assessor 278 

CiuiLii-essioual 278 

Sheibv  il.  Culloai 27J 

Si  ATE  KEI'ItESENTATlON 280 

Governor 280 

Secretary  of  State 280 

State  Auditors "iSO 

State  Treasurers  280 

Superintendents  of  Public  Instruction 280 

Attorney  Geneials 280 

State  Geologists 280 

Adjutant  Generals 280 

Senatorial  and  Representative 280 

County  Oi-ficehs 282 

County  Clerks ', 282 

Circuit  Clerks 282 

Recorders 282 

Probate  Judges 282 

County  Judges 282 

Sherifta 282 

Coroners 283 

Surveyors 283 

School  Commissioners 283 

Superintendents  of  Schools 28  i 

Prosecuting  Attorneys 282 

Treasurers 283 

CHAPTER  XV. 

REMOVAL  OF  THE  STATE  CAPITAL 284 

Building  of  a  new  State  House 287 

Law  providing  for  building  a  new  Capitol 288 

Efibrts  to  nullify  the  law  and  their  failure 28;i 

Laying  the  corner  stone 289 

Description  of  the  new  State  House 2t'9 

Work  completed 292 

Epitome  of  the  legislation  for  the  new  State  House 292 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

TEMPERAXCE  29« 

'.^-.Earlv  Temperance  movements 298 

,.  The  Washingtonians 298 

Constitution  of  the  Springfield  Washington  Temperance 

•         Society 299 

Washington  Song 300 

Sons  of  Temperance  300 

A  Grand  Jury's  Certificate 300 

Temple  of  Honor 303 

The  Maine  Law  303 

Good  Templars 303 

Wood  en's  Temperance  Crusade 303 

Red  and  Blue  Ribbon  Movement 304 

CHAPTER  XVIL 

THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION 30.=) 

Departure  of  Mr.  Lincoln 306 

Maior  GeneralJohu  A  McClernand 318 

The  Beginning  of  the  End, 3.=i2 

L-  Assassination  of  President  Lincoln 353 

The  End 360 

CHAPTER  XVm. 

THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION,  Continued 362 

Seventh  Infantry 362 

Ninth  Infantry 367 

Tenth  Infantry 367 

Eleventh  Infantry 371 

Twelfth  Infantry 371 

Fourteenth  In  fan  try 372 

Eighteenth  Infantry 374 

Niueteenth  Infantry 374 

Twentieth  Infantry 374 

Twenty-first  Infantry 374 

Twenty  second  Infantry 375 

Twenty  third  Infantry , 375 

Twenty  fourth    lufantrj' 375 

Twenty-seventh  Infantry 378 

Twenty -eighth  Infantry 378 

Twenty  ninth  Infantry 378 

Thirtieth   Infantry j, 382 

Thirty-second  Infantry 382 

ThirtVthird  Infantry 383 

Thirty-fourth  Infantry 384 

Tbirty-tlftb  Infantry 384 

Thirty  sixth  Infantry   384 

Thirt.y- eighth  Infantry ' 384 

Thirty-ninth  Infantry 387 

Forty-first  Infantry 387 

Forty-fourth  Infantry 387 

9— 


Forty-sixth  Infantry 387 

Forty-eighth  I nfanlry 387 

Forty -ninth  Infantry 387 

Fiftieth  Infantry 387 

Fifty-first  In  fan  try 387 

Fifty -second  Infantry 387 

Fifty-third  In  fantry , 387 

Fifty-fourth  Infantry 387 

Fifty-seventh  Intantry 387 

Fifty-eighth  Infantry 387 

Sixtieth  Infantry 388 

Sixty-second  Infantry 388 

Sixty-third  Infantry 388 

Sixty  fourth  lu  fan  try 388 

Sixty-eighth  Infantry 3c3 

Seventy -second  Infantry , 389 

Seventy  .third  Infantry , 389 

Seven ty -.vi xth  Infantry ' 390 

Soventy -seventh  Infantry 390 

Seventy  eighth  Infantry .' 390 

Eighty-fourlh  Infantry 390 

Ninetieth  In  fantry 390 

Ninety-first  Infantry 390 

Ninety-second  Infantry 390 

Ninety-fourth  Infantry 390 

Ninety-fifth  Infantry 390 

Ninety-seventh  Infantry 390 

One  Iluudred  and  First  Infantry 390 

One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Infantry 391 

One  Hundred  and  Seventh  Infantry 391 

One  Hundred  and  Eighth  Infantry 392 

One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth  Infauti'y 392 

One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Infantry 392 

One  Hundred  and  Filteenth  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-second  Infantry 399 

One  Hnnrtred  and  Twenty-thiid  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Infantry 399 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  Infantry 401 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Infantry 401 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Infantry 401 

One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Infantry 401 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-third  Infantry 402 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fourth  Infantry 403 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  Infantry 403 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  iufantiy 403 

One  Hundied  and  Fiftieth  Infantry 404 

One  Hundred  .and  Fifty-second  Infantry 404 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty- fonith  Infantry 404 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth  Infantry 404 

First  Cavalry 404 

Second  Cavalry 40.:) 

Third  Gavalrv 405 

Fourth  Cavalry 407 

Fifth  Cavalry 407 

Sixth  Cavalry. 408 

Seventh  Cavalry •103 

Eighth  Cavalry 408 

Ninth  Cavalry 409 

Tenth  Cavalry "09 

Eleventh  Cavalry 4  2 

Twelfth  Cavalry ■'I'-' 

Thirteenth  Cavalry 4 12 

Fifteenth  Cavalry 4  J^ 

Sixteenth  Cavalry ''13 

First  Artillery '•'3 

Second  Artillery ""< 

Chicago  Board  of  Trade  Battery 414 

Chicago  Mercantile  Battery 414 

Springfield  Light  Artillery  414 

Twenty  ninth  Colored  Infantry 415 

Recruits  for  Regular  zVrniy 415 

Nineteenth  United  States  Infantry 416 

Roll  of  Honor  «6 

Transfer  of  Battle  Flags 422 

CHAPTEE  XIX. 

OLD  SETTLERS'  SOCIETT 431 

Constitution  of  Old  Settlers'  Society 431 

First  Annual  Celebiation 433 

Address  of  James  H.  Matheny  432 

Re-organization  of  the  Society 439 

First  Annual  Meeting ^*0 

Second  Annual  Meeting j'jj 

Members  of  the  Society j"*! 

Third  Annual  Meeting *'^- 


\ 


10 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Address  of  Samuel 'Williams  442 

Fonrth  Anuiuil  Meeting 448 

Address  of  Governor  Palmer 451 

T'ifth  Annual  Meeting 4.^1 

Sixth  Annual  Meeting 452 

Addiessot'  (jovernor  Palmer 452 

AddressofD.  L  Phillips 453 

Seventh   Annual  Aleetiog 454 

Eighth  Annual  ileeting 454 

^'inth  Annual  Meetipg 455 

Address  of  William  H.  Herndon 455 

Tenth  Annual  ileoting 457 

Present  to  iuhn  Carroll  Power 457 

Eleventh  Annual  Meeting  458 

Address  of  Rev.  John  Slater 459 

Address  of  Rev.  W.  H.  Milhurn 459 

Address  ot  Rev.  Mr.  Short 459 

Twelfth  Annnal  Meeting 4til 

AddressofHon   Milton  Hay 462 

Thirteenth  Annua'  Meeting 465 

Address  of  Judge  Vandever 466 

Remarks  by  Hon.  James  C.  Robinson 467 

Fouileenlh  Annual  Meeiing.. 467 

Address  of  Welcome  by  John  B.  Miller 468 

Response  by  Mr.  Diller 468 

Address  by  Governor  S.  M.  Cnllom 468 

CHAPTER  X5. 

EBUCATIONAL 474 

Educational  Convpntion 4'-4 

Bioaraiihical  sketch  of  James  P.  Slade 4*7 

Commou  Schools 479 

Illinois  State  University 479 

Rev.  Francis  M.  Springer 481 

German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Concordia  Seminary 482 

Rev.  Mr.  Wyueken 482 

Prof.  H.  C.  Wvneken 483 

Prof  G.  Kroening 483 

Bettie  Stuart  Institute 383 

St.  Agatha's  School 484 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

ILLUSTRIOUS  A>'D  PROMINENT  DEAD 487 

Abraham  Lincoln 487 

Stejiben  A.  Douglas 501 

William  n   Bissell 505 

Governor  Uaiteson 506 

Richard  Yates : bil 

James  D.  Henry 508 

Andrew  McCormack 509 

Robert  L.  Wilson 509 

William  F.  Elkiu 510 

John  Calhoun 511 

General  E.  B.  Harlan 512 

General  I.  N.  Haynie 512 

Thomas  H.  Campbell 513 

Erastus  AVright 514 

Rev.  John  G.  Bergen,  D.  D 515 

Orlin  H.  Miner 519 

ArcherG  Herndon 519 

William  Butler 520 

Dr.  Gershom  Jayne 521 

Reuben  F.Ruth 521 

Charles  R.  Hurst 522 

Dr.  John  Todd 522 

J-K.  Dubois 522 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

DARK  DEEDS 624 

Murder  of  Mrs.  Van  Nov 524 

Xi'.Iingof  Dr.  Early 525 

Fatal  affray 525 

Murder  of  "George  Anderson 525 

Murder  at  Mechanicshurg 525 

Murder  of  an  Infant  Child 525 

Homicide  in  Chatham 526 

Tragedy  near  Camp  Butler 526 

Fatal  Affray 526 

Shocking  Murder 526 

Tra^redy  at  Camp  Butler 526 

KiUing'of  Wesley  Pileher 526 

Soldier  Shot  526 

Robberv  and  Murder  at  Pawnee 627 

Found  Dead 527 

Killinu  of  Joseph  Wsird 528 

Murdtrof  William  Mortar 528 

Doings  of  a  Desperado 528 

Murder  of  Sharon  Tyndale 528 


Killing  of  William  Kelley 529 

Murder  of  Henry  Stay 529 

Riot  at  Illiopolis I 529 

Murder  and  Suicide 530 

Uxoricide  and  Suicide 5oO 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

AUTHORS  AND  ARTISTS 531 

John  Carroll  Power 531 

Joseph  Wallace 533 

E.   L.  Gross 533 

W.L.Gros^    533 

Alexander  Davidson 533 

Dennis  Williams 533 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

MISCELLANEOUS 535 

The  Mormons : 535 

Shoolit  g  Stars 535 

Count V  Jail , 535 

Poetry 536 

California  Emigrants 536 

How  Mill  Privileges  were  secured 536 

The  Weather...  ."_ 537 

Mild   Winter 537 

The  Sudden  Change 537 

Snow  Blockade 538 

Almost  a  Tornado 538 

Rain  Storm 538 

Heavy  Storm  of  Wind  and  Rain 538 

Storm  at  William sviUe - 539 

Tornado  on  Sugar  Creek 539^ 

Cholera 539 

Shoemaking 539 

Matrimonial 540 

Rendition  of  a  Fugitive  Slave 541 

First  Entries  of  Land 541 

Death  of  a  Cetenarian 542 

Sangamon  County  Bible  Society 542 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

AGRICULTURE  A^D  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETIES... .  543 

Agricultural  Socieiies 545 

The  First  County  Fair 544 

Sangamon  County  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Aesccia- 

tion 545 

Sangamon  County  Agricultural  Board 545 

State  Fairs 5fO 

The  Ameiiian  Berkshire  Association 550 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

VARIOUS  THINGS 551 

The  Deep  Snow 551 

Railroad  Villages 552 

Hard  Times 55J 

The  First  Court  House 554 

The  Second  Court  House 5o5 

The  Third  Court  House 555 

The  Fourth  Court  House 555 

The  Fifth  Court  House 556 

Villages  and  Stations  in  the  County 556 

Table  of  Distances 5f6 

Railroad  Accident 556 

Tenible  Accident 557 

Feaiful  Railroad  Accident 557 

Steam  Boiler  ExpU'Sion 557 

Census  Reports 557 

Our  Legislators 558 

Assessments  for  1881 - 55& 

Distressing  Accident S58 

Two  Children  Killed  by  Lightning 55» 

Terr i tic  Explosion 561 

Withey  A:  I'ro.'s  Carriage  and  Wagon  Manufactory 576 

Sash  Manufactory 576 

Globe  Spice  Mills 576 

Springfield  Paper  Company 57ft 

Wagons  and  Carriages. -'-••  576 

Machine  Works 57ft 

Elevator  Mil. ing  Company 576 

Excelsior  Mills 577 

Home  Mills. 577 

PiiLting  and  Binding 577 

Boiler  and  Sheet  Iron  Works 578 

Springtield  Trunk  Manufactory 578 

Spriugtield  Woolen  Mills 578 

The  Port nguese 578 

Reminifceuce  of  EUjah  lies 5^ 

Springtield  Home  for  the  Friendless 583 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


11 


..  587 
. .  5B1 
..  562 


Western  Union  Telegraph ^°j 

United  States  Express  Company 3C< 

American  Express  Cempany =°i 

Schools 

Public  Schools 

A  Retrospect 

Sangamon  County  of  To-day 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

CITY  OF  SPRINGFIELD '^} 

lucoi'poration -gt^ 

TownOdicers kgg 

City  Charter S„, 

CityOllicers      i'jo 

Removal  of  the  Capital ^°° 

Speculation  and  Hard  Times =°" 

570 


Healthlulness  of  Springfield 

Springfield  to  a  Stranger ' ' ^ 

-Change  of  Name ,,. 

Growth  of  the  C'*"  ■" 

The  Post  Ollice 


Growth  of  the  City ^'' 

nniQ  Pnut  nn'icR,  _ ^LL 


Spriugfleld  as 


I  Manufacturing  Point . 


Illinois  W.-itch  Company ^^j 

.Etna  Iron  Winks    „. 


St.  Joseph's  Church 600 

English  I,uther.in »"'' 

German  LutliAran  Trinity "'" 

First  I'ortuguese  Presbyterian """ 

Second  Portuguese  Presbyterian 

German  Methodist 

Colored  Methodist  -.„ 

Plymouth  Brethren °{[J 

Stl  Paul's  Episcopal "J." 

Congregational ^J, 

Hebre w  Temple °  , 

Young  Men's  Christian  Association »" 

T..     U^..,,..  «+•  the   n.iarl  "14 


610 
BIO 

610 


57 
575 
575 
894 


Ide's  Machine  Works. 

The  Excelsior  Foundry -  -  - ■  ■  ■  ■    •;•  • ;  ■  -  ■  •  -  ■ 

Uooth  &  McCoskei's  Carriage  and  -Wagon  Manufactory... 

Teachers' Institutes ..-.. -„- 

Gr.aduates  of  the  High  School  =»^ 

Rev..T..hn  F.Brooks i;^^ 

Ursuline  Convent J.|  q 

Religious    .■■; ■ ,,gg 

First  Methodist  Episcopal """ 

Second  Methodist  Episcopal ^T'^ 

First  Presbyterian „g^ 

Second  Presbyterian ^^^ 

Third  Presbyterian jdU 

Central  Baptist '  g^ 

German  Baptist pgj, 

C'dored  Baptist pjg 

Christian -• :.■ "  *    cno 

Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception o^p 

German  Catholic 


613 

614 


623 
623 
624 
624 
624 


In  Honor  of  the  Dead 
First  Decoration  of  Graves 

Decoration  Day,  1881 .^^ 

AddressofKev  T.A.Parker °^^ 

Masonic f^qn 

Odd.Fellow.ship "„ 

Hebrew  Societies "" 

Knights  of  Honor 

Uniti^d  'Workmen 

Royal  Arcanum 

Anierican  Legion  of  Honor 

Other  Societies , '^^^ 

Newspapers ^.n-r 

TheCapital  Railway "tl 

Spriugfleld  City  Railway °%-i 

Citizen's  Street  Railway -- 

Spriugfleld  Library  Association °-" 

Illlnnia  State  Libiary ^^^ 

Banks (.07 

Ridgelv  National  Bank - • "*' 

Sprrngtiold  Maiine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company o^' 

FirsI.'National  Bank „"_ 

State  National  Bank g.^g 

Board  of  Trade g„g 

Fires  and  Fire  Department "„ 

The  City  of  the  Dead "^? 

Springfield  Waterworks "jj 

Artesian  Well ggjj 

Amusenifuts ^^'5 

Riogra])hic;il '  ,011 

The  Coloied  People 


TOWNSHU*  HISTOKIES. 


.    ,  745 

Anburn .jg^ 

Ball goa 

Buft'alo  Hart gj3 

Cartwright g27 

Chatham gg-^ 

Clear  Lake  g73 

Cotton  Hill ggo 

Cooper r gS3 

Curran gg.^ 

Fancy  Creek gj3 

Gardner ,,19 

lUiopolis 

ILLUSTKATIONS 


931 

Island  Grove ygg 

Loami 9^,3 

UechanicabTiTg g'g^ 

New  Berlin 9^4 

Pawnee ttg-y 

Koehesler jqjj^ 

Salisbury jqc^q 

Sprin-^field  ^q^q 

Talkin^ton jq^q 

Whea  t  field ^^045 

■Williams - 2051) 

Wooflside 


Bettie  Stnart  Institnte. 


435 


Sang.amon  County  Fair  Gronnds =^^ 

State  Capitol ,-- 

Map  of  Illinois "'' 

POKTK.MTS 


Starved  Rock 'iVkii'ii 

Map  of  Sangamon  County lo  auu 

National  Lincoln  Monument 


19 
16 
630 


Breckenridge,  Preston -  ', 

Buck,  Dr.  H.  B fli, 

Bergen,  Rev.  Geo ... 

Carpenter.  WiUiam ^' 

Cartwright,  Peter ■_■•;;  ^-^ 

Constant.J.  1 ^n. 

Caldwell,  Ben.  F =■; 

Davis,  Dr.  W.H •■" 

Diller  n.  W g^:] 

Tontch,  Thos. gj, 

FuUinwider,  J.N .j,,, 

Irwin,  Alex.  B ^j^ 

lies,  Eli.iah 31, , 

Irwin.  Robert j25 

Keyes,  J.  W ^t,., 

Loose,  J.  G...^ :;.  10i)5 

Lowder,  Geo.  W crAniiKni^re 

i^incoln,  Abraham frontibpiece 

Logan, Stephen  T  


207 
233 
319 


Lamb,  James 

Lanphier,  Chas.  H 

McClernand,  Gener.al  J.  A ^;^^ 

McCoy,  M.  D 7'„ 

McC.mnell.  E.  F gj. 

North,  Robert ^49 

Power,  George (|g 

Powtr,  William  D gjg 

Robinson,  Henson jg, 

Rnth,  R.  F .• ijgg 

Shepherd,  Thomas  C '  .jjj 

Saunders,  J.  R.- ^gg 

Shields.  Alexander g.jy 

Tracy,  Frank  W..-.. ";  gjj 

■Van  Deren,  Cy rns  W ^., 

■Williams,  Colonel  .John ^.j, 

■Williams,  Samuel ,,;.j 

Wohlgemuth,  Dr.  Henry 


10 


Add 
Foul 
Add 
Fitt 
Sixt 
Add 
Add 
Sere 
Eigl 
Nin 
Add 
Ten 
I'res 
Ele\ 
Add 
Add 
Add 
Twe 
Add 
Tbii 
Add 
Ken 
Fon 
Add 
Res 
Add 


EDUCi 
Edn 
Bioi 
Cou 
IlUi 
Rev 
Ger 
Kev 
Pro 
Pro 
Bet 
St.. 


ILLUS 
_,  Abi 
Ste] 
Wil 
Go\ 
Kic 
Jan 
An. 
Eol 
Wi 
Job 
Gei 
Gei 
Th. 
Ers 

E6' 

Or! 
Ar. 
Wi 
Dr. 
Ke 
Chi 
Dr. 
J.I 


DARK 
Ml 
Ki 
Fa 
Mt 
Ml 
Ml 
Ho 
Tr 
Fa 
Sh 
Tr 
Ki 
So 
Re 
Fc 
Ki 
M 
D< 
M 


Ikl 


I 


J»^C  OUPI  N 


JtCOJk'  T  O  O  M  E  ~-t  Y 


Di 


History  of  Illinois 


INTRODUCTORY. 


Illinois,  the  luurlli  State  in  the-  I'nion  in 
weallli,  population  anil  political  power,  lies  in  the 
very  heart  of  the  up[)er  valley  of  the  Mississii)pi. 
Stretching  over  Kve  degrees  of  latitude,  from 
:!T^  to  4-2i=,  it  has  considerable  diversity,  both  of 
soil  and  climate.  The  !)oun<lary  line  of  the  State 
is  about  twelve  hundred  miles.  From  the  point 
where  it  joins  the  Wisconsin  line  on  the  north- 
east. Lake  Michigan  Itounds  it  on  the  east  for 
tlfly  miles  to  the  tiortheast  corner  of  Indiana; 
1  hence  a  line  is  drawn  due  south  one  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  miles  to  the  Wabash  river. 
The  >Vabasli  and  the  Ohio  rivers  constitute  the 
remainder  ol'  tlie  eastern  and  southern  boundary, 
while  tin/  lordly  Mississippi  washes  its  entire 
western  border.  The  e.xtreme  length  of  the 
State  is  three  hundretl  and  seventy-eight  miles; 
the  extreme  breadth,  in  the  latitude  of  Danville 
and  Kushville,  is  two  hundred  and  ten  miles, 
and  the  average  breadth  is  about  one  hundred 
anil  tilty  miles. 

Illinois  contains  .j.5,-H»5  square  miles,  or  more 
than  35,00(1,(10(1  acres  of  laud.  Fully  two-thirds 
of  this  is  prairie,  and  nearly  all  of  it  is  suscepti- 
ble of  pro|ier  cultivation.  The  State  has  ten 
thousand  more  sijuare  miles  than  New  York  or 
Oliio,  and  is  larger  than  Pennsylvania  and  New 
Jersey  ciunbined,  and  is  almost  as  large  as  all 
the  New  England  States  taken  together. 

THE  MOUNI>BtILDEUS. 

That  Illinois  was  inhabited  by  a  race  of  men 
]irior  to  the  jiresent  Indian  race  that  yet  inhabit 
a  portion  of  the  I'nion  hardly  admits  of  a  doubt. 
It  is  clearly  demonstrated  by  the  well  authenti- 
cated acco((nts  of  discoveries  made  that  a  civil- 
ized jieople,  and  one  highly  cultivated,  once 
occupied  (he  great  prairie  State  and  vario((s  parts 
of  the  oo[[ntcy  now  constit((ting  the  American 
KiiioK,  but  the  date  of  their  rule  in  the  western 


world  i>  so  re(note  that  all  traces  of  this  history, 
progress  and  decay,  lie  buried  in  the  deepest 
obscurity.  This  pre-historic  race  is  known  as 
the  Mouud-liuilders,  from  the  numero([s  large 
mouudsof  earth-works  left  by  them.  Their  char- 
acter can  be  but  partially  gleaned  from  the  inter- 
nal evide([ces  and  ])ect[liarities  of  all  that  remains 
of  them — the  mo((nds.  Remains  of  what  were 
apparently  villages,  altars,  ten()iles,  idols,  cen[e- 
teries,  moindnents,  camps,  fortifications,  and 
pleasiu'e  grounds,  have  been  fouiid,  b((t  nothing 
showing  of  what  material  were  their  habitations. 

'i'he  ipieslion  as  to  the  origin  of  the  Mindul- 
Ibdlders  is  an  interesting  one.  If  they  were 
not  the  ancestors  of  tlie  Indians,  who  were  they';' 
Those  who  do  not  believe  in  the  common  |)arent- 
age  of  mankind  contend  that  they  were  an 
indigenous  race  of  the  western  hemisphere ; 
others  think  they  came  from  the  East,  and 
inuigine  they  are  coincident  with  the  religion 
of  the  Hindoos  and  Southern  'J'artars  and  the 
supposed  theology  of  the  ^lound-IJuilders. 
They  were,  no  doubt,  idolaters,  and  it  has  been 
coujectttred  that  the  sun  was  the  object  of  their 
adoration.  The  mo(tnds  were  generally  b((ilt  in 
a  sitt(ation  affording  a  view  <>i  the  rising  s([n; 
when  encloseil  in  walls  their  gateways  were 
toward  the  east;  the  ca\  es  in  which  their  dearl 
were  occasionally  buried  always  opened  in  the 
same  direction ;  whenever  a  mound  was  par- 
tially enclosed  by  a  semi-circular  pa\ement,  it 
was  on  the  east  side;  when  bodies  were  buried 
in  graves,  as  was  freijuently  the  case,  they  were 
laid  in  a  direction  east  and  west;  and,  tinally, 
medals  have  been  fou(nl  re]iresenting  the  sun 
and  his  rays  of  light. 

At  what  perioil  they  can[e  to  this  connti_\ ,  i.- 
likewise  a  matter  of  spectdalion.  l''rom  the 
comparatively  ruiie  state  of  the  arts  among 
them,   it  has  been   inferred   that  the  time  was 


IS 


niSTOK^'   <)[■    TLLTXOTS. 


very  remote.  Their  axes  were  of  stone.  Tlieir 
raiment,  judging  from  fragments  which  Iku  e 
been  (lisco\  ered,  consisted  of  the  bark  of  trees, 
interwoven  with  featliers;  and  their  military 
works  Were  sueh  as  a  people  would  erect  who 
had  just  j)asscd  to  the  pastoral  state  of  society 
from  that  dei)eudent  alone  upon  hunting  and 
Hshing. 

Tlic  uujunds  and  other  ancient  earth-works 
constniclcd  by  this  people  are  far  more  abund- 
ant tlian  generally  supposed,  from  the  fad  that 
while  some  are  quite  large,  the  greater  part  of 
them  arc  small  and  inconspicuims.  Along 
nearly  all  our  water  courses  that  are  large 
enough  Ic)  be  navigated  with  a  canoe,  the 
mounds  are  almost  invariably  found,  covering 
the  base  points  and  headlands  of  the  blutt's 
which  Ixniler  the  narrower  valleys;  so  that  when 
one  tinds  himself  in  such  positions  as  to  com- 
mand the  grandest  views  for  river  scenery,  he 
may  almost  always  discover  that  he  is  standing 
upon,  or  in  close  yiro.vimity  to,  some  one  or 
more  of  these  traces  of  the  labors  of  an  ancient 
people. 

One  of  the  most  singular  earth-works  in  the 
tState  was  found  on  the  top  of  a  ridge  near  the 
east  bank  of  the  Sinsiuawa  creek  in  the  lead 
region.  It  resembled  some  huge  animal,  tlie 
head,  ears,  nose,  legs  and  tail,  and  general  out- 
line of  which  being  as  perfect  as  if  made  by 
men  versed  in  modern  art.  The  ridge  on  Mhich 
it  was  situated  stands  on  the  prairie,  30U  yards 
wide,  100  feet  in  height,  and  rounded  on  the 
top  by  a  deep  deposit  of  clay.  Centrally,  along 
the  line  of  its  summit,  and  thrown  up  in  the 
form  of  an  embankment  three  feet  high,  ex- 
tended the  outline  of  a  ipiadrupcd  measuring 
•J.")()  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  end  of 
the  tail,  and  having  a  witith  of  18  feet  at  the 
center  of  the  body.  The  head  was  3.5  feet  in 
length,  the  ears  lo'feet,  legs  60  and  tail  7.5.  The 
curvature  in  both  the  fore  and  hind  legs  was 
natural  to  an  animal  lying  on  its  side.  The 
general  outline  of  the  Hgure  niost  nearly  resem- 
bled the  extinct  animal  known  to  geologists  as 
the  Megatherium.  The  question  naturally 
arises,  by  whom  and  for  what  purpose  was  this 
earth  figure  raiseir:*  Some  haye  conjectured 
that  inimbers  of  this  now  extinct  animal  lived 
and  roamed  over  tiic  )ir.tiries  of  Illinois  when 
the  MoundlSnihlers  first  made  their  appearanee 
on  the  iq)per  part  of  the  ^Iississip])i  ^'alley,  ami 
that  tlie  wonder  and  admiration,  excited  by 
the  colossal  dimensions  of  these  huge  creatures, 
found  some  expression  in  the  erection  of  this 
tigure.     The    bones   of   some    similar   gigantic 


animals    were    exhumed   on  this   stream   about 
t'lree  miles  from  the  same  place. 

Mr.  iSrcckenridgc,  who  examined  the  anti(|ui- 
ties  of  the  Western  country  in  1817,  speaking 
of  the  mounds  in  the  American  Bottom,  says: 
"The  great  numlier  and  extremely  large  size  of 
some  of  them  may  l)e  regarded  as  turnishing, 
with  other  circumstances,  evidences  of  their 
antiquity.  I  have  sometimes  been  induced  to 
think  that  at  the  period  when  they  were  con- 
structed there  was  a  popidation  here  as  numer- 
ous as  that  which  once  animated  the  borders  of 
the  Nile  or  Euphrates,  or  of  Mexico.  The  nnist 
numerous,  as  well  as  considerable,  of  these 
remains  are  found  in  precisely  those  i>arts  of 
the  country  wliere  the  traces  of  a  numerous 
population  mii^ht  be  looked  for,  namely,  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Oiiio  on  the  east  side  of  the 
]Mississipi>i,  to  the  Illinois  river,  and  on  tlie  west 
from  the  St.  Francis  to  the  Missouri.  I  am 
perfectly  satisfied  that  cities  similar  to  those  of 
aiu'ient  Mexico,  of  several  hundrid  thousand 
souls,  have  existed  in  this  country." 

OTiiEi!  i;aces. 

Following  the  Mound-Huilders  as  inhabitants 
of  North  America,  were  as  it  is  sujiposed,  the 
people  who  reared  the  magnificent  cities  the 
ruins  of  which  are  found  in  Central  America. 
This  people  was  far  nmre  civili/.ed  and  advanced 
in  the  arts  than  were  the  Mound-Builders.  The 
cities  built  by  them,  judging  from  the  ruins  of 
broken  columns,  fallen  arches  and  crumbling 
w-alls  of  temples,  palaces  and  jjyramids,  wliich 
in  some  places  for  miles  bestrew  the  ground, 
must  have  been  of  great  extent,  magnificent  ami 
vtry  populous.  "When  we  consider  the  vast 
period  of  time  necessary  to  erect  such  colossal 
structures,  and,  again,  the  time  reijuired  to 
reduce  them  to  their  jiresent  ruined  state,  we 
can  conceive  something  of  their  antiquity. 
These  cities  must  have  been  old  when  many  of 
the  ancient  cities  of  the  Orient  were  being  built. 

The  third  race  iuhal)iting  North  America  dis- 
tinct from  the  former  two  in  every  particular, 
is  the  present  Indians.  They  were,  when  visite<l 
bv  the  earlv  iliscoverers,  without  cultivation, 
refinement  or  literattire,  and  far  Viehind  the 
Mound-Builders  in  the  knowledge  of  the  arts. 
The  question  of  their  origin  has  long  interested 
archaeologists,  aad  is  the  most  ditticult  they  have 
been  called  \ipon  to  answer.  Of  their  prede- 
(^essors  the  Indian  tribes  knew  nothing:  they 
even  had  no  traditions  respecting  them.     It  is 


.MT?VtY' 


):V 


'J 
o 


!"l        I'rfS"^*' 


■■■111 


:!iilili!i!ii!i!'ii!:'ij^aTiiiiiiM»'£a:^^      _;._:_  _:iKi^. 


IIISToin    OK  ILLINOIS. 


21 


•  |nilc  certain  tliat  they  were  the  successors  of  a 
i-ace  whicli  had  entirely  passed  away  ages  before 
tile  discovery  of  tlie  New  World.  <)iie  hypo- 
thesis is  tiiat  the  Atiierican  Indians  are  an  origi- 
nal race  indigenous  to  the  Western  hemisphere. 
'I'hdse  who  entertain  this  view  think  their  pecu- 
liai-ities  of  jihysical  strtictiire  preclude  the  possi- 
liiiil\  (if  a  conuuon  parentage  with  the  rest  of 
mankind.  Proniiiient  among  those  distinctive 
traits  is  the  hair,  which  in  the  red  man  is  round, 
ill  the  wliite  man  oval,  and  in  the  black  man  flat. 
A  mure  common  supposition,  however,  is  that 
thtv  are  a  derivative  race,  and  sprang  from  one 
or  more  of  the  ancient  peoples  of  Asia.  This 
last  is  dmilitless  the  true  theory. 


INDIANS. 

When  Christopher  Columbus  had  tinallv  suc- 
ceeded in  demonstrating  the  truth  of  his  theory 
that  li\'  sailing  westward  from  Kurope  land 
would  he  discovered,  landing  on  the  Island  of 
IJermudahe  supposed  that  he  had  reached  the 
East  Indies.  This  was  an  error,  but  it  led  to 
the  adoption  of  tiie  name  of  "Indians"  i'ov  the 
iiiliabilants  of  the  newlv  discovered  country,  by 
wiiich  name  the  reil  men  of  America  liave  ever 
since  been  known . 

At  the  time  of  tlu'  discovery  of  Amei'ica  the 
Algompiins,  one  of  the  most  powerftd  tribes  of 
Inilians,  occupied  the  seaboard,  while  the  Iro- 
quois, another  great  tribe,  inhabited  the  country 
almost  surrounded  by  them.  The  Algonquins 
spread  over  vast  territory,  and  various  tribes  of 
Algoiupiiii  lineage  sprung  up  over  the  couiitr)', 
in  time  adopting  distinct  tribal  customs  and 
laws.  An  almost  continuous  warfare  was  car- 
ried oil  between  tribes,  but  when  tlie  white  men 
came  a  confederacy  nf  Indian  tribes  were 
funneil  and  every  foot  of  tei'ritory  was  fiercely 
ilispiited.  The  Algonquins  formed  tlie  most 
extensive  alliance  to  resist  the  encroachment  of 
the  whites,  especially  the  English.  Such  was 
the  nature  of  King  Pliilip's  war.  This  King, 
with  his  Algouqnin  braves,  sprea<l  terror  anti 
desolation  throughout  New  England.  With  tlie 
Algonquins  as  the  controlling  s])irit,  a  confed- 
eracy of  continental  })roportions  was  the  result, 
embracing  in  its  alliance  the  tribes  of  every 
name  and  lineage  i'rom  the  northern  lakes  to  the 
gulf,  I'ontiac,  ha\iiig  breatlieil  into  tliem  his 
implacable  hate  of  the  English  intruders, 
ordere<l  the  conflict  to  commence,  and  all  the 
iJritish  colonies  trembled  before  the  desolating 
fury  of  Indian  vengeance. 


ILLINOIS    I'ONFKDKRACV. 

The  Illinois  confederacy,  the  various  ti'ibes  of 
which  comprised  most  of  the  Indians  of  Illinois 
at  one  time,  was  composed  of  five  tribes:  the 
Tamaroas,  Michigan.s,  Kaskaskias,  Cahokas,  and 
Peorias.  The  Illinois,  Miamis  and  Delawares 
were  of  the  same  stock.  As  early  as  I(i7(l,  the 
priest,  Father  MaiMpiette,  mentions  fre(|uent 
visits  made  by  individuals  of  this  confederacy 
to  the  missionary  station  at  St  Esprit,  near  the 
western  extremit}'  of  Lake  Siqierior.  At  that 
time  they  lived  west  of  the  Mississippi,  in  eight 
villages,  whither  they  lia<l  been  driven  from  the 
shores  of  Lake  Michigan  by  the  Iroquois. 
Shortly  afterward  they  began  to  return  to 
their  old  hunting  ground,  and  most  of  them 
finally  settled  in  Illinois.  Joliet  and  Maniuelte, 
in  1673,  met  with  a  Ijaiul  of  them  on  their 
famous  voyage  of  discovery  down  the  Missis- 
sippi. They  were  treated  with  the  greatest 
hospitality  by  the  principal  chief.  On  their 
return  voyage  up  the  Illinois  river  they  stopped 
at  tlie  principal  town  of  the  confederacy,  situ- 
ated on  the  banks  of  the  river  seven  miles  below 
the  present  town  of  Ottawa.  It  was  tlien  (tailed 
Kaskaskia.  Marijuette  returned  to  the  village  in 
1075  and  established  the  mission  of  the  Immac- 
ulate Conceptriini,  the  oldest  in  Illinois.  When, 
in  1679,  LaSalle  visited  tlie  town,  it  had  greatly 
increased,  numbering  4(i(l  lodges,  and  at  the  an- 
nual assembly  of  the  dift^erent  tribes,  from  (j,000 
to  8,000  souls.  In  common  witli  other  western 
tribes,  they  became  involved  in  the  conspiracy 
of  Pqntiac,  altliough  displaying  no  very  great 
warlike  spirit.  Poutiac  lost  his  life  by  the 
hands  of  one  of  the  braves  of  the  Illinois  tribe, 
which  so  enraged  the  nations  that  had  followed 
him  as  their  leader  that  they  fell  upon  th('  Illi- 
nois to  avenge  his  death,  and  almost  annihilated 
them. 

STAliVKII  liol'K. 

Trailition  states  that  a  band  of  this  tribe,  in 
order  to  escape  the  general  slaughter,  took 
refuge  upon  the  high  rock  on  the  Illinois  river 
known  as  Starved  Rock.  Nature  has  made  this 
one  of  the  most  formidable  military  fortresses 
in  the  world.  From  the  watm's  which  wash  its 
liase  it  rises  to  .in  altitude  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  feet.  Three  of  its  sides  it  is  iin])os- 
sible  to  scale,  while  the  other  may  be  climbed 
with  difliciilty.  From  its  summit,  almost  as 
inaccessible  as  an  eagle's  nest,  the  valley  of  the 
Illinois  is  seen  as  a  landscape  of  exquisite 
beauty.     The  river  near  by  struggles   between  a 


32 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


number  of  \\()ii(le<l  islands,  while  further  below 
it,  cjuietlv  meanders  through  vast  meadows  till  it 
disappears  like  a  thread  of  light  in  the  dim 
distance.  On  the  summit  of  this  rock  the  Illi- 
nois were  besieged  bj-  a  superior  force  of  the 
Pottawattomies  whom  the  great  strength  of 
their  natural  fortress  enabled  them  to  keep  at  l)ay. 
Hunger  an<l  thirst,  however,  soon  accomplished 
what  the  array  was  unable  to  effect.  Surrounded 
by  a  relentless  foe,  without  food  or  water,  they 
took  a  last  look  at  their  beautiful  hunting 
grounds,  and  with  true  Indian  fortitude  laid 
down  and  di<'d  from  starvation.  Years  after- 
wards their  bones  were  seen  whitening  in  that 
place. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the 
remnants  of  this  once  powerful  confederacy 
were  forced  into  a  smaller  compass  around  Kas- 
kaskia.  A  few  years  later  they  emigrated  to 
the  southwest,  and  in  18.50  they  were  in  the 
Indian  Territory,  and  numbered  but  eighty-four 
persons. 

KAUI.Y    DISCOVEKIKS. 

Nicholas  Perrot,  a  Frenchman,  was  the  first 
white  man  to  visit  the  present  great  State  of 
Illinois.  In  the  year  1071  he  was  sent  to  Chi- 
cago l)y  M.  Talon,  Intendant  of  Caiia<la,  for  the 
purpose  of  inviting  the  Indians  to  a  ]>eaee  con- 
vention, to  he  hehl  at  Green  15ay.  'I'he  object 
of  this  convention  was  the  formation  of  a  |ilan 
for  the  exploration  of  the  Mississijipi  Ki\er. 
De  Soto,  the  S]ianish  explorer,  had  discovered 
the  river  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  years 
jireviously,  but  did  not  eit'ect  a  settlement  oi' 
explore  tile  country  any  further.  It  remained 
as  it  was  until  the  French  determined  to  visit 
it,  for  which  purpose  it  was  deemed  a  wise  ]>ol- 
iey,  as  far  as  possible,  to  secure  the  friendship 
and  co-o])eration  of  the  Indians  before  ventur- 
ing upon  an  enterprise  which  their  hostility 
might  render  disastrous.  A  ]ilan  was  accord- 
ingly arranged,  and  Louis  .loliet  joined  Father 
.laccpies  Maripiette,  at  the  .Tesuit  Mission,  on 
liie  Strait  of  Mackinaw,  and,  with  five  otiier 
Fi-enchmen  and  a  simple  outfit,  the  daring 
exploiters  on  the  ITIli  of  May,  1  (n^'.,  set  out  on 
liieir  ])frilous  voyage  to  discover,  the  Missis- 
sippi. Coasting  along  the  northern  shore  of 
Lake  jMichigan,  they  <'ntered  Green  IJay,  and 
jiassed  thence  up  Fox  River  and  Lake  ^Vin- 
nel)ago  to  a  village  of  the  Muscatines  and 
Miamis,  where  great  interest  was  taken  in  the 
expedition  by  the  natives.  With  gui<les  they 
proceeded  down  the  river.  Arriving  at  the 
portage,  they  soou   carried  their  light   canoes 


and  scanty  baggage  to  the  Wisconsin,  about 
three  miles  distant.  Their  guides  now  refused 
to  accomi)any  them  further,  and  endeavored,  by 
reciting  the  dangers  incident  to  the  voyage,  to 
induce  them  to  return.  They  stated  that  huge 
<lemons  <lwelt  in  the  great  river,  whose  voices 
could  be  heard  a  long  distance,  and  wlie 
engulfed  in  the  raging  waters  all  who  came 
within  their  reach.  They  also  represented  that 
if  any  of  them  should  escai)e  the  dangers  of 
the  river,  fierce  tribes  of  Indians  dwelt  upon  its 
banks  ready  to  complete  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion. They  proceeded  on  their  journey,  how- 
ever, and  on  the  I7th  of  .lune  pnshetl  their 
frail  barks  on  the  bosom  of  the  stately  JNIissis- 
sippi,  down  which  they  smoothly  glided  for 
nearly  a  liundred  miles.  Here  .Joliet  and  Mar- 
(puHte,  leaving  their  canoes  in  charge  of  their 
)nen,went  on^he  western  shore,  wliere  they  dis- 
covered an  Indian  village,  and  were  kindly 
treated.  Tliey  journeyed  on  down  the  un- 
known river,  passing  the  mouth  of  the  Illi- 
nois, then  running  into  the  current  of  the 
mn(bly  Missouri,  and  afterwards  the  waters  of 
the  Ohio  joined  with  them  on  their  journey 
southward.  Near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas, 
tbev  discovered  Indians  who  showed  signs  of 
hostility;  but  when  Manpiette's  mission  of 
peace  was  made  known  to  them,  they  were 
kindly  received.  After  jtroceeding  u]i  the 
Arkansas  a  short  distance,  at  the  advice  of  the 
natives  they  turned  their  faces  northward  to 
retrace  their  steps.  After  sevei-.ul  weeks  of  hard 
toil  they  reached  the  Illinois,  up  which  stream 
they  proceeded  to  Lake  Michigan.  Following 
the  western  shore  of  the  lake,  tlK'\-  entered 
Green  ]>ay  the  latter  part  of  Se]itrud)i'r,  hax  ing 
traveled  a  distance  of  2,.")()0  miles. 

FIRST    SETTLKMICNTS. 

On  his  way  up  the  Illinois,  .Manpiette  visited 
the  Kaskaskias,  near  what  is  nf)w  Utica,  in 
LaSalle  county.  The  following  year  he 
returned,  and  established  among  them  the  mis- 
sion of  the  Immaculate  Conce]ition.  This  was 
the  last  act  of  his  life.  He  died  in  Michigan, 
May  IS,  1075.  The  town  was  named  Kaskas- 
kia  by  Manpiette. 

The  first  military  occu]iation  of  tlu-  (-(Uintrx 
was  at  Fort  CrevecoMir,  elected  in  lOSli;  but 
there  is  no  evidence  that  a  settlement  was  com- 
menced there,  i>r  at  I'eoria,  on  the  lake  abo\  e, 
at  that  early  date.  The  first  settlement  of 
which  there  is  any  authentic  .account  was  com- 
menced with  the  building  of  Fort  St.  Louis,  on 
the  Illinois  river,  in  1082  ;    but  this  was  soon 


HI  STORY  OK  ILLINOIS. 


•2-:i 


al>aii(li)iUMl.  The  (il<lrst  |H'i-inaiK'iit  scUk'nuMit, 
licit  iiiily  in  Illinois,  lint  in  tlie  valley  of  the 
A[ississii>|)i,  is  at  Kaskaskia,  siluateil  six  miles 
aliove  the  inoiitii  of  the  Kaskaskia  river.  This 
was  settled  in  lO'.Ml  by  the  removal  of  the  mis- 
sion from  old  Kaskaskia,  or  Ft.  St.  Louis,  on 
(he  Illinois  river.  Cahokia  was  settle<l  about 
I  he  same  time.  The  reason  for  tlie  removal  of 
ihe  old  Kaskaskia  settlement  and  mission  was 
lirohalily  because  tlie  dangerous  and  dirticult 
loiitt!  by  Lake  Michigan  and  the  Chicago  port- 
age had  been  almost  abandoned,  and  travelers 
ami  traders  traveleil  down  and  up  the  Missis- 
si[ipi  by  the  Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  It  was 
renio\eil  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Mississipjii  in 
order  to  be  in  the  line  of  travel  from  t'anada  to 
Louisiana,  that  is,  the  lower  part  of  it,  for  it 
was  all  Louisiana  then  south  of  the  lakes. 
Illinois  came  into  possession  of  the  French  in 
lUSij,  and  was  a  dependency  of  Canada  and  a 
]i:irl  of  Louisiana.  During  tlie  ]ieriod  of 
French  rule  in  Louisiana,  the  population  prob- 
ably never  exceeded  ten  thousand  To  the  year 
I7:til  the  following  five  distinct  settlements 
were  made  in  the  territorj-  of  Illinois,  number- 
ing, in  population,  140  French  families,  about 
liiMi  "(•( inverted"  Indians,  and  many  traders; 
Cahokia,  near  tlie  mouth  of  Cahokia  creek,  and 
about  five  miles  bebiw  the  present  city  of  St. 
Louis;  St.  Philip,  about  forty-five  miles  ))elow 
('ahokia;  Fort  Chai'tres,  twelve  miles  above 
Kaskaskia;  Kasl<askia,  situated  on  the  Kaskas- 
kia river  six  miles  above  its  confluence  with  the 
.^[ississi|)pi,  ami  Prairie  dii  Roclier,  near  F^ort 
Cliartres.  Fort  Chartres  was  built  under  the 
direction  of  the  Mississi])pi  ('ompanviii  1718, 
and  was  for  a  time  the  headipiarters  of  llie  mil- 
itary conuiiandants  of  the  district  of  liiinois, 
ami  the  most  imiiregnable  fortress  in  North 
America.  It  was  also  the  center  of  wealth  and 
fashion  in  the  West.  For  about  eighty  years 
the  French  retained  peaceable  possession  of 
Illinois.  Their  amiable  dis]iosition  and  t.act  of 
ingratiating  themselves  with  the  Imlians  ena- 
bled them  to  escajie  almost  entirely  the  broils 
which  weakened  and  destroyed  other  colonies 
Whether  exploring  remote  rivers  or  traversing 
hunting  grounds  in  ]iursuit  of  game,  in  the 
social  circle  or  as  ])articipants  in  the  religious 
exer(^ises  of  the  church,  the  reil  men  became 
their  associates,  and  were  treated  with  the  kind- 
ness and  consideration  of  brothers.  F^or  more 
than  a  hundred  years  peace  between  the  white 
man  and  the  red  was  tinbroken,  and  when  at 
last  this  reign  of  harmony  terminated  it  was 
not  caused   by  the  conciliatory  Frenchman,  but 


by  the  blunt  and  stui'dy  Anglo-Saxon.  During 
this  century,  or  until  the  country  was  occupied 
bv  the  English,  no  regular  court  was  ever  iicld. 
When,  in  170.5,  the  country  passed  into  the 
bauds  of  the  F^nglish,  many  of  the  French, 
rather  than  submit  to  a  change  in  their  institu- 
tions, preferred  to  leave  their  homes  and  seek  a 
new  abode.  There  are,  however,  at  the  ]ireseiit 
time,  a  few  remnants  of  the  old  French  stock 
in  the  State,  who  still  retain  to  a  great  extent 
the  .ancient  habits  and  customs  of  their  fathers. 

KNIiLISIl    KILE. 

Ill  17.50  France  claimed  the  whole  v;illey  i>f 
the  Mississip])i,  and  England  the  light  to  cxteinl 
her  possessions  westward  as  far  .as  she  iiiiglil 
desire.  Through  colonial  controversies,  the  two 
mother  countries  were  ]irecii)itated  into  a  bloody 
war  within  the  Northwestern  Territory,  (4eorge 
Washington  firing  the  first  gun  of  the  militarv 
struggle  which  resulted  in  the  overthrow  of  the 
l*'reiicli  not  only  in  Illiiifiis.  but  in  North  jViner- 
ica.  The  French  evinced  a  determin,iti(jn  tn 
retain  control  of  the  territory  bordering  tlie 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  from  Canada  to  the  (iiiil, 
and  so  long  as  the  English  colonies  were  cmi- 
tined  to  the  sea-coast  there  was  little  reason  for 
controversy.  As  the  English,  however,  became 
acipiaimed  with  this  lieautiful  .and  fertile  ])or- 
tioii  of  our  country,  they  not  only  learned  the 
value  of  the  vast  territory,  but  also  r.  solved  to 
set  u]>  a  counter  claim  to  the  soil.  The  French 
establisheil  numerous  military  and  tra<ling  posts 
from  the  frontiers  of  Canada  to  New  Orleans. 
and  in  order  to  establish  also  their  claims  to 
jurisdiction  over  the  country,  they  carved  the 
lilies  of  France  on  the  forest  trees,  or  sunk 
plates  of  metal  in  the  ground.  These  measures 
did  not,  however,  deter  the  English  from  going 
on  with  their  explorations;  and  though  neither 
party  resorted  to  arms,  yet  the  conflict  was 
gathering,  and  it  was  only  a  (juestioii  of  time 
when  the  storm  should  burst  upon  the  frontier 
settlement.  The  French  liased  their  claims  ujion 
discoveries,  the  English  on  grants  of  territory 
extending  from  ocean  to  ocean,  but  neither 
party  jiaid  the  least  attention  to  the  ]irior  claims 
of  tlie  Indians.  From  this  position  of  affairs,  it 
was  evident  that  actual  collision  between  the 
contending  jiarties  woulil  not  much  longer  be 
deferred.  The  English  Government,  in  antici- 
pation of  a  war,  urged  tiie  (lovernor  of  \''irginia 
to  lose  no  time  in  building  two  forts,  which  were 
equipped  by  arms  from  England.  The  I"'reiich 
anticipated  the  Knglish,  and  gathered  a  consid- 
erable force  to  defend  their  possessions.     The 


■2i 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


(■roveriior  (It'teriniiuMl  to  sfiid  a  messenger  to 
the  nearest  French  post  and  demand  an  explana- 
tion. This  resolution  of  the  Governor  brought 
into  tlie  liistory  of  our  country  for  the  first  time 
the  man  of  all  othei's  whom  America  most  loves 
to  honor,  namely,  George  Washington.  He  was 
chosen,  although  not  yet  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  as  the  one  to  perform  this  delicate  and 
difficult  mission.  With  five  companions,  he  set 
out  on  November  10,  17.5:i,  and  after  a  perilous 
journey  returned  January  6,17.54.  The  strug- 
gle commenced,  and  continued  long,  and  was 
liloody  and  fierce;  l)ut  on  the  lOtli  of  October, 
I7(i"),  the  ensign  of  France  was  replaced  on  the 
ramparts  of  Fort  C'hartres  by  the  Hag  of  Great 
iJritain.  This  fort  was  the  depot  of  supplies 
and  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  the  united  forces 
of  the  French.  At  this  time  the  colonies  of  the 
Atlantic  seaboard  were  assembled  in  prelimin- 
ary congress  at  New  York,  dreaming  of  liberty 
and  independence  for  the  continent;  and  Wash- 
ington, who  led  the  expedition  against  the 
Fi'ench  foi'  the  English  king,  in  less  than  ten 
years  was  coniman<ling  the  forces  opposed  to 
the  Knglish  tyrant.  Illinois,  besides  heing  con- 
>trMctivelv  a  part  of  Floiida  for  over  one  hun- 
dr<'d  years,  during  which  time  no  Spaniard  set 
foot  upon  her  soil  or  rested  his  eyes  upon  her 
lieaiitiful  plains,  for  nearly  ninety  years  had 
liecn  in  the  actual  occupation  of  the  French, 
Ihcii-  puny  settlements  slumbering  (piietly  in 
colonial  dependence  on  the  distant  waters  of  the 
Kaskaskia,  Illinois  and  Wabash. 

<;kx.  i'lark's  exploits. 

The  Northwest  'IV'rritorv  was  now  entirelv 
under  English  rule,  and  on  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Revolutionarv  war  the  ISritish  held  everv 
post  of  importance  in  the  West.  While  the 
i-olonists  of  the  East  were  maintaining  a  tierce 
struggle  with  the  armies  of  England,  their  west- 
ern frontiers  were  ravaged  by  merciless  butch- 
eries of  Indian  warfare.  The  jealousy  of  the 
savage  was  aroused  to  action  by  the  rapid  exten- 
sion of  American  settlement  westward  and  the 
improper  influeiu-e  exerted  by  a  number  of  mili- 
tary posts  garrisoned  by  British  troo])s.  To 
prevent  indiscriminate  slaughter  arising  from 
the.se  causes,  Illim)is  became  the  theater  of  some 
of'  the  most  daring  exploits  connected  with 
American  history.  The  hero  of  the  achieve- 
ments l)y  which  this  bcautiftd  land  was  snatched 
as  a  gem  from  the  British  crown,  was  George 
Rogers  Clark,  of  \'irgiiiia.  He  had  closely 
Watched  the  movements  of  the  Britisli  through- 
out the  Northwest,  and  understood  their  whole 


plan;  he  also  knew  the  Indians  were  not  unani- 
mously in  accord  with  the  English,  and  there- 
fore was  convinced  that  if  the  British  couhl  be 
defeated  and  expelled  fi-om  the  Noi-thwest,  the 
natives  might  be  easily  awed  into  neutrality. 
Having  convinced  himself  that  the  enterjirise 
against  the  Illinois  settlement  might. easily  suc- 
ceed, he  repaired  to  the  capital  of  \'irgiiii.i. 
arriving  No\ember  5,  1777.  While  he  was  on 
his  way,  fortunately,  Burgoyne  was  <lefcatcil 
(October  17),  and  the  spirits  of  the  colonists 
were  thereby  greatly  encouraged.  Patrick 
Henry  was  Governor  of  Virginia,  and  at  once 
entered  heartily  into  Clark's  plans.  After  satis- 
tVing  the  \  irginia  leaders  of  the  feasibility  of 
his  jiroject,  he  received  two  sets  of  instructions, 
— one  secret,  the  other  open.  The  latter  author- 
ized him  to  enlist  seven  companies  to  go  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  serve  tliree  months  after  their  arriv.il 
in  the  West.  The  secret  order  authorized  him 
to  arm  these  troops,  to  procure  his  ))owder  and 
lead  of  General  Hand,  at  Pittsburg,  and  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  subjugate  the  country. 

Witli  these  instructions  General  Clark  repaired 
to  Pittsl)urg,  choosing  rather  to  raise  his  men 
west  of  the  mountains,  .as  he  well  knew  all  were 
needed  in  the  colonies  for  the  conflict  there. 
Enlisting  bis  men,  he  at  once  ])roceeded  to  carry 
out  his  instructions.  His  plan  was  to  go  bv 
water  as  far  as  Fort  ^lassac,  and  thence  marcli 
direct  to  Kaskaskia.  Here  he  intended  to  sur- 
](rise  the  garrison,  and  after  its  capture  go  to 
Cahokia,  then  to  A'incennes,  and  lastly  to 
Detroit.  Each  of  these  posts  were  in  imii  cap- 
tured. 

The  services  of  Clark  proved  of  essential 
advantage  to  his  countrymen.  They  discon- 
certed the  plans  of  Hamilton,  the  (Tovernor  of 
Detroit,  who  was  intending  to  m.ike  a  vigorous 
and  concerted  attack  upon  the  frontier,  and  not 
only  saved  the  western  frontier  from  depreda- 
tions by  thf  savages,  but  also  greatly  cooled  the 
ardor  of  the  Indians  for  carrying  on  a  contest 
in  which  they  were  not  likely  to  be  the  gainers. 
Had  it  not  been  for  this  small  army,  a  union  of 
all  the  tribes  from  Maine  to  Georgia  against  the 
colonies  might  have  been  effected,  and  the  whole 
current  of  (jur  history  clianged. 

t'OUNTV  OF  Il,I.INOIS. 

Ill  October,  1778,  after  the  successful  campaign 
of  Colonel  t'lark,  the  assembly  of  Virginia 
erected  the  conquered  country,  embracing  all 
the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river,  into 
the  county  of  Illinois,  which  was  doubtless  the 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


largest  idinily  in  the  world,  exceetliug  in  its 
dimensions  lliu  whole  oi'  Great  Britian  and  Ire- 
land. Tu  speak  more  definitely,  it  contained 
the  territory  now  enihraced  in  the  great  States 
of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Wiseonsin  and  JMic-li- 
isan.  On  the  iL'th  of  Decenilier,  ITTS,  .lohn 
Todd  was  ai)iiuinted  Lieutenant  Commandant  of 
this  connlv  liy  Patrick  Henry,  then  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  accordingly,  also,  the  first  of  Illi- 
nois county. 

NORTH  \\'ESTKI«M   TEUKITOUY. 

Illinois  continued  to  form  a  part  of  Virginia 
until  March  1,  17S4,  when  that  State  ceded  all 
the  territory  noi'th  o(  the  Ohio  to  the  United 
States.  Immediately  the  general  government 
proceeded  to  establish  a  form  of  government  for 
the  settlers  in  the  territories  thus  ceded.  This 
form  continued  until  the  passage  of  the  ordi- 
nance of  f7sT,  for  the  government  of  the  North- 
western Territory.  No  man  can  study  the  secret 
history  of  this  ordinance  and  not  feel  that  Prov- 
idence was  guiding  with  sleei)less  eye  the  des- 
tinies of  these  unhorn  Slates.  American  legis- 
lation has  never  achieved  anything  more  admir- 
aVile,  as  an  internal  goxcriimeiit,  than  this  com- 
prehensive ordinance.  Its  provisions  concern- 
ing the  distribution  of  ]iroperty,  the  principles 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty  which  it  laid  at  the 
foundation  of  the  communities  since  established, 
and  the  efficient  and  simple  organization  by 
which  it  created  the  first  machinery  of  civil  so- 
ciety, are  worthy  of  all  the  praise  that  has  ever 
been  given  them. 

OKUINANC'E  OK    1787. 

For  some  years  Thomas  Jett'erson  had  \:iinly 
tried  to  secure  a  system  of  government  for  the 
Northwestern  Territory.  He  was  an  emancipa- 
tionist and  favored  the  exclusion  of  slavery  from 
the  territory,  and  m  this  he  was  opi)osed  by  al- 
most the  entire  south.  In  .July,  1787,  Manasseh 
Cutler  ap|)eared  in  New  Y'ork  to  lobby  on  the 
question  of  organization  of  the  Northwestern 
Territory.  He  was  a  courtlygentleman  of  the  old 
style,  a  man  of  commanding  presence  and  of  in- 
viting face.  He  came  re]>resenting  a  Massachu- 
setts coin]iany  that  desire<l  to  purchase  a  tract  of 
land,  now  included  in  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of 
planting  a  colony.  This  c.om|)any,  togetliei-  with 
certain  speculators  in  New  Y'ork,  enabled  him  to 
represent  a  demand  for  5,.jii(i,UU0  acres.  The 
amount  thus  received  from  the  sale  of  this  land 
would  applv  towards  reducing  the  National 
debt,  which  .left'erson  was  anxious  should  be  j)aid 
as  soon  as  possible. 


Massachusetts  then  owned  the  territory  of 
^Laine,  which  she  was  crowding  on  the  market. 
She  was  opposed  to  opening  the  northwestern 
region.  This  tired  the  zeal  of  Virginia.  The 
South  caught  the  inspiration,  and  all  exalted 
Dr.  Cutler.  The  entire  South  rallied  around 
him.  ]Massachusetts  could  not  vote  against  him, 
because  many  of  the  constituents  of  her  mem- 
bers were  interested  [)ersonally  in  the  Western 
speculation.  Thus  Culler,  making  friends  in 
the  South,  and  doubtless  using  all  the  arts  of  the 
lobby,  was  enabled  to  command  the  situation. 
True  to  deeper  convictions,  he  dictated  one  of 
the  most  compact  and  finished  documents  of 
wise  statesmanship  that  has  ever  adoi-ned  any 
human  law  book.  He  borrowed  from  Jefferson 
the  term  '-Articles  of  Compact,"  which,  pre- 
ceding the  federal  constitution,  rose  into  the 
most  sacred  character.  He  then  followed  very 
closely  tlie  constitution  of  Massachusetts, 
adopted  three  years  before.  Its  most  prominent 
points  were  : 

1.  The  exclusiiin  of  slavery  from  the  terri- 
tory forever. 

■2.  Provision  for  public  schools,  giving  one 
township  for  a  seminary  and  every  section 
numberetl  10  in  each  township;  that  is,  one 
thirty-sixth  of  all  the  land  for  public  schools. 

:i.  A  ])rovision  prohibiting  the  adoption  of 
any  constitution  or  the  enactment  of  any  law 
thai  shoidd  nullify  pre-existing  contracts. 

Beit  forever  remembered  that  this  compacl 
declared  that  ''religion,  morality,  and  kiioNvl- 
edge  being  necessary  to  good  governnnMii  and 
the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the 
means  of  education  shall  always  be  encour- 
aged." Dr.  Cutler  [ilanted  himself  on  this  ])l!tt- 
form  and  wcudd  not  yield.  (Tiving  his  umpiali- 
tied  declaralion  that  it  was  that  or  nothing, — 
that  unless  they  could  make  the  lanil  desiralile 
they  did  not  want  it, — he  took  his  horse  and 
buggy  and  started  for  the  constitutional  conven- 
tion at  Philadelphia,  On  July  l^i,  17s7,  the  bill 
was  put  upon  its  jtassage,  and  was  unanimously 
adopted.  Thus  tlie  great  States  of  Ohio,  In- 
diana, Illinois,  Mii'higan,  and  Wisconsin,  a  vast 
empire,  were  ct)nsecrated  to  freeiloni.  inlelli- 
gen<-e,  and  morality.  Thus  the  great  heart  of 
the  nation  was  pre|iared  to  save  the  Union  of 
States,  for  it  was  this  act  that  was  the  salvation 
of  the  republic  and  the  destruction  of  slavery. 
Soon  the  South  saw  theii'  great  blunder  and 
tried  to  have  the  compact  repealed.  In  ISO", 
Congress  referred  it  to  a  committee,  of  which 
.lohn  Randolph  was  chairman.  He  reporle(l 
that  this  ordimtnce  was  a  compact  and  opposed 


26 


IIIST0[;Y  (»F-  ILLINOIS. 


i-fpual.     Thus  it  xiuuc],  a  rock  in  llit-  wav  of  the 
on-ni.shiny  st-a  uf  slavery. 

Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clair  was,  Ijy  Coiij^rcss, 
eleoted  (-JoNernor  of  this  vast  terrilo'rv. 

ILLINOIS  TEKRrrOEY. 

After  llie  division  of  the  Northwestern  Terri- 
tory, Illinois  became  one  of  the  countie.s  of  the 
Territory  (jf  Indiana,  from  wliieh  it  was  sepa- 
rated by  an  aet  of  Congress  February  :J,  ISOO, 
forming  the  Territory  of  IHinois,  with' a  popula- 
tion estimated  at  i),UUO,  and  then  ineluded  the 
Ijre.sent  State  of  Wisconsin.  It  was  di\  ided,  at 
the  time,  into  two  counties — St.  Clair  and  Ran- 
dolph. Jolin  IJoyle,  of  Kentuckv,  was  appointed 
(Tovernoi-,  by  tlie  President,  James  Madison, 
but  declininy,  Niniaii  Edwards,  of  the  same 
Slate,  was  then  appointed  and  served  with  dis- 
tinction ;  and  aftei;  the  organization  of  Illinois 
as  a  State  he  served  in  the  same  cajiacity,  liein" 
its  third   Governor. 

During  Governor  Edwards'  administration 
the  wav  of  1812  commenced,  and  the  few  whites 
in  the  State  had  to  contend  against  a  savage  foe 
incited  on  to  deeds  of  violence  by  the  British 
ollicers  sent  out  for  that  purpose.  The  mas.sacre 
at  Fon  Oearborn,  of  heljdess  prisoners,  by  the 
infuriated  Indians,  forms  a  black  jiage  in  the 
history  of  Illinois.  Several  expeditions  were 
put  on  foot  by  Governor  Edwards  against  the 
luilians,  and  in  the  various  campaigns  the  Gov- 
eiaiur  l)ore  an  honoraljle  and  heroic  part.  Peace 
c;inie  at^  last,  the  Indian  depredations  ceased, 
and  the  Territory  of  Illinois  was  again  on  the 
road  to  prosperity. 

.STATK  OltCAXIZAIION. 

In  Janiuiry  of  Isis  the  Territorial  Legislature 
forwarded  to  Nathaniel  Pope,  delegate  in  Con- 
gress from  Illinois,  a  petition  praying  for  admis- 
sion into  the  National  I'nion  as"  a  State.  On 
April  isth  of  the  same  year  Congress  passe<l 
the  enabling  act,  and  December  3,  after  the 
State  government  had  been  organized  and  Gov- 
ernor JJoud  had  signed  the  Constitution,  Con- 
gress by  a  resolution  declared  Illinois  to  be 
'■one  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and 
admitted  into  the  Union  on  an  e<pial  foolin"- 
with  the  original  States  in  all  respects."  "^ 

KIKST   rOXSTITUTIOX. 

In  .luly  and  August  of  1S18  a  convention  was 
held  at  Kaskaskia  for  the  pnr|)ose  of  drafting 
a  constitution.  This  constitution  was  not  sub^ 
mitted  to  a  voiiMd'  the  peoi)le  for  their  aj.pn.val 
or  ri'jection,  ii  being  well  known  that  they 
would   approve  it.     It    was  about   the    first    or- 


ganic law  of  any  State  in  the  Union  to  abolish 
imprisonment  for  debt.  The  first  election  under 
the  constitution  was  held  on  the  third  Thursday 
and  the  two  succeeding  days  in  September,  1818. 
Shadraeh  Bond  was  elected"  Governor,  and  Pierre 
Menard  Lieutenant  Governor.  Their  term  of 
ofWce  extended  four  years.  At  this  time  the 
State  was  divided  into"  fifteen  counties,  the  pop- 
ulation being  about  4(),UU0.  Of  this  number  l)y 
far  the  larger  portion  were  from  the  Soutlierii 
States.  The  salary  of  the  Governor  was  ;^l,00(i, 
while  that  of  the  Treasurer  was  >i.300.  The 
legislature  re-enacted,  verbatim,  the  Territorial 
Code,  the  penalties  of  wliich  were  unnecessarily 
severe.  Whipping,  stocks  and  pillory  wer'e 
used  for  minor  offenses,  and  for  arson",  rai)e, 
horse  stealing,  etc.,  death  by  hanging  was  the 
jienalty.  These  laws,  however,  were"  modified 
in  1S:.'1. 

The  legislature  first  convened  at  Kaskaskia, 
the  ancient  seat  of  empire  for  more  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years,  both  for  the  French 
and  Americans.  Provisions  Avere  made,  how- 
ever, for  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  government 
by  this  legislature.  A  ])laee  in  the  wilderness 
on  the  Kaskaskia  river  was  selected  and  named 
\  aiidalia.  From  \'anilalia  it  was  removed  to 
Springfield  in  the  year  fs:;;i. 

THE  \VlNNEIiA(;0   IVAK. 

The    Indians,   who    for    some    years   were  on 
peaceful  terms  with  the  whites,  became  troulik- 
some    in    182  7.      The    Winnebagoes,    Sacs  and 
Foxes   and  other  tribes  had  been  at  war  more 
than  a  hundred  years.     In  the  summer  of  1n27  a 
war  party  of  the  Winneliagoes  surprised  a  i)arty 
of  Chip2)ewas  and  killed  eTght  of  them.     Fou"r 
of  the  murderers  were  arrested  and  delivered  to 
the  Chii)])ewas,  by  whom  they  were  immediateh' 
shot.     This  was  the  first  irri"tation  of  the  Wiii- 
nebagoes.      lied   Bird,  a  chief  of  this  tribe,  in 
order  to  avenge  the  execution  of  the   four  war- 
riors of  his  own  people,  attacked  the  Chippewas, 
but  was  defeated  ;  and  being  determined  to  sat- 
isfy his  thirst  for  revenge  by  some  means  sur- 
prised and  killed  severarwhite  men.     Upon  re- 
ceiving intelligence  of  these  murders,  the  whites 
who  were  working  the  lead  mines  in  the  vicinity 
of   Gakna   formed   a  body   of   volunteers,   ami, 
re-inforced    by   a    company    of    United    Stales 
troops,  marched    into   the   country   of  the  ^^■ill- 
nebagoes.     To  save   their  nation    from   the  mis- 
eries of  war,  Red  Hird  and  six  other  men  of  his 
nation      voluntarily      surrendered     themsehes. 
Some   of    the    numln'r   were   executed,   some   of 
thciii  imjirisoiird  and   destined,  like  Ked  Bird, 


HISTORY   f)F  ILLINOIS. 


inn-liii-iously  to  jiiiii'  away  wilhiii  the  iiaiTow  foii- 
HiK's  of  a  jail,  wlioii  formerly  the  \ast  foi'ests 
liail  proven  loo  limited  for  them. 

I!I,A('K    HAWK    W'Ml. 

Ill  the  year  of  1  ^iU4  a  treaty  was  coiieliulecl 
between  tlie  liiiiteil  States  and  the  eliiefs  of  the 
Sac  and  Vox  rations.  Ouu  nhl  chief  of  thi' 
S.aes,  howevei'.  called  IJlack  Hawk,  who  hail 
fouLfht  with  ureat  bravery  in  the  service  of  (ireal 
JSi'ilain  diirinii'  the  war  of  181:.',  had  always  taken 
exceptions  to  this  treaty,  pronoiincinj;-  il  void. 
Ill  ls:ll  he  established  liimself,  with  a  chosen 
hand  of  warriors,  upon  tlu'  disputed  territory, 
ordering  the  whites  to  leave  the  country  at  once. 
The  settlers  coin])laining.  Governor  Reynolds 
ilispalclied  General  Gaines,  with  a  company  of 
rcLjuhirs  and  l,.>Oii  volunteers,  to  the  scene  of 
action.  Taklnsf  the  Indians  by  surprise,  the 
lroo|is  liurnt  their  villau'es  and  forced  them  to 
eonclitde  a  treaty,  by  which  they  ceded  all  lands 
east  of  the  ilississipjii,  and  agreed  to  remain  on 
the  western  side  of  the  river.  Necessity  forced 
the  proud  s])irit  of  JJlack  Hawk  into  submission, 
which  made  him  more  than  ever  determined  to 
be  avenged  ujion  his  enemies.  Having  rallied 
around  him  the  warlike  braves  of  the  Sac  and 
Fo.\  nations,  he  crossed  the  Mississippi  in  the 
sprini;  of  lX'-'r2.  I'lioii  learning  of  this  invasion. 
Governor  Reynolds  hastily  collected  a  body  of 
1,800  volunteers,  placing  them  under  command 
of  IJrigadier  General  Whiteside.  The  army 
marched  to  the  Mississippi,  and  having  reduced 
to  ashes  the  Indian  village  known  as  "'Proiihet's 
Town,"  proceeded  several  miles  up  the  river  to 
Dixon  to  join  the  i-egiilar  forces  under  General 
Atkinson.  They  found  at  Dixon  two  companies 
of  volunteers,  who,  sighing  for  glory,  were  dis- 
patched to  reconnoitre  the  enemy.  They  ad- 
vanced under  com'inand  of  Major  Stillnian  to  a 
small  creek,  afterwards  known  as  "Stillmaii's 
Run,"  and  while  there  encamped  saw  a  party  of 
mounted  Indians  at  a  distance  of  a  mile.  Sev- 
eral of  Stillman's  party  mounted  their  liorsesand 
charged  tlie  Indians,  killing  three  of  them,  but 
being  attacked  by  the  main  body,  under  IJlack 
Hawk,  they  were  routed,  and  by  their  precipi- 
tated flight  spread  such  a  jianic  through  tlie 
camp  that  the  whole  company  ran  off  to  Dixon 
as  fast  as  [lossilile.  On  their  arrival  it  was  found 
that  eleven  of  their  number  were  killed. 

In  June,  1832,  IJIack  Hawk,  with  a  liaiid  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  warriors,  attacked  Apjile 
River  Fort,  near  Galena,  defended  liy  twenty- 
live  men.  This  fort,  a  mere  palisade  of  logs, 
was  erected  to  -ifford  jirotection  to  the  miners. 

1  — 


Foi-  tifteen  consecuti\e  hours  the  garrison  bad 
to  sustain  the  assault  of  the  savage  eneiny;  but 
knowing  very  well  that  no  (|uarter  wouhl  be 
given  them,  they  fought  with  such  fury  aiul  des- 
peration that  tiie  Indians,  after  losing  many  of 
their  best  wari'iors,  were  compelled  to  retreat. 

New  forces  being  sworn  into  the  service.  Gen- 
erals Atkinson  and  Henry  determined  to  i<ursue 
the  retreating  foe.  They  followed  them  inlo 
Wisconsin,  and  hearing  that  iJlack  Hawk  was 
encamped  at  Rock  river,  at  the  Maniton  village, 
issued  orders  to  continue  the  pursuit.  The  offi- 
cers of  General  Henry  handed  to  liim  a  written 
)irotest;  but  he,  a  man  equal  to  any  emergency, 
ordered  the  officers  to  be  arrested  and  escorted 
to  General  Atkinson.  Wltliin  a  few  minutes 
after  the  order  was  given  the  officers  all  collect- 
ed around  the  General's  quarteri",  pledged  them- 
selves that  if  forgiven  they  would  return  to  duty 
and  never  do  the  like  again. 

The  battle  of  J5ad  Axe  immediately  followed, 
resulting  in  a  loss  to  the  Indians  of  three  hun- 
dred, besides  fifty  prisoners.  The  whites  had 
but  seventeen  killed  and  twelve  wounded. 
Black  Hawk,  with  twenty  of  his  braves,  es- 
caped, retreating  up  the  Wisconsin  river.  The 
W^innebagoes,  desiring  to  secure  the  friendship 
of  the  whites,  went  in  pursuit  and  captured  and 
delivered  them  to  General  Street,  the  irnited 
States  Indian  Agent.  Among  the  prisoners 
were  the  son  of  Black  Hawk  and  the  projihet  of 
the  tribe.  These,  with  Black  Hawk,  were  taken 
to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  were  soon  confined 
as  prisoners  at  Fortress  Monroe,  'i'hus  ended 
the  Black  Hawk  war 

INTERNAL    I.MCi;o\  UMJiNTS. 

At  the  general  election  in  IS.U  Joseph  Duncan 
was  chosen  Governor  by  a  handsome  majority. 
A  reckless  and  uncontrollable  desire  for  internal 
public  improvements  seized  the  minds  vi'  the 
peojjle.  In  his  message  to  the  legislature,  in 
1835,  Governor  Duncan  said:  "  When  we  loc>k 
abroad  and  see  the  extensive  lines  of  inter-com- 
munication penetrating  almost  I'veiy  section  of 
our  sister  States;  when  we  see  tlu'  c:iral-boat 
and  the  locomotive  bearing  with  seeming 
triumph  the  rich  productions  of  the  interior  to 
the  rivers,  lakes  and  ocean,  almost  .■uinihilating 
time,  burthen  ami  s]iace,  what  jiatriotic  bosom 
does  not  beat  high  with  a  laudable  ambition  to 
give  Illinois  her  full  share  of  those  advantages 
which  are  adorning  her  sister  States,  and  which 
a  magnificent  Providence  seems  to  iinite  by  a 
wondf'rful  adaptation  of  our  Avhole  country  to 
such  improvements V' 


28 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


STUrKN'DDUS    SYSTEM    OF    rurPROVEMENTS  l.NAUCU- 
BATEI). 

The  leLcislatuve  res]«)nfled  to  the  ai'dfiit  words 
of  the  Governor,  and  enacted  a  system  of  inter- 
nal imjjroveinents  witliout  a  parallel  in  the  ijran- 
denr  of  its  conception.  They  ordered  the  eon- 
struction  of  1,300  miles  of  railroad,  crossinji;  the 
State  in  all  directions.  This  was  surpassed  by 
the  river  and  canal  improvements.  Tliere  were 
a  few  counties  not  touched  by  the  railroad, 
river  or  canal,  and  they  were  to  be  comforted 
and  com)iensated  by  the  free  distribution  of 
ftL'Ot), 0(1(1  among  them.  To  inflate  this  baUoon 
beyond  credence,  it  was  ordered  that  work 
shoulil  c(>n\mence  on  both  ends"of  each  of  these 
railroads  and  rivers,  and  at  each  river  crossing, 
all  at  the  same  time.  This  provision,  which  has 
been  (;alled  the  crowning  folly  of  the  entire  sys- 
tem, was  the  result  of  those  jealous  combina- 
tions emanating  from  the  fear  that  advantages 
might  accrue  to  one  section  over  another  in  the 
commencement  and  completion  of  the  works. 
We  can  apjireciate  better,  perhaps,  the  magni- 
tude of  this  grand  system  by  reviewing  a  few 
tigiires.  The  debt  autlu)rized  for  these  improve- 
ments in  the  first  instance  was  ■'Sl(i,2:'.0,()(t(t.  Itut 
this,  as  it  was  soon  foimd,  was  based  upon  esti- 
mates at  least  too  low  by  half.  This,  as  we 
readily  see,  committed  the  Stale  to  a  liabilitv  of 
over  ^20,0(1(1,000,  ecpiivalent  to  -S200,ooii,oo6  at 
the  i)resent  time,  with  over  ten  times  the  popu- 
lation and  more  than  ten  times  the  wealth. 

S(U'li  stupendous  undertakings  by  the  State 
naturally  engendered  the  fever  of  speculation 
among  individuals.  That  particular  form  known 
as  the  town-lot  fever  assumed  the  malignant 
type  at  first  in  Chicago,  from  whence  it  spread 
over  the  entire  State  and  adjoining  States.  It 
was  an  epidemic.  It  cut  up  men's  farms  with- 
out regard  to  locality,  and  cut  up  the  purses  of 
the  ])urchasers  without  regard  to  conse((uenccs. 
It  was  estimati'd  that  building  lots  enough  were 
sold  in  Indiana  alone  to  accommodate  e\ei3' 
citizen  then  in  the  United  States. 

Chicago,  which  in  18:10  was  a  small  trading- 
post,  had  within  a  few  years  grown  into  a  city. 
This  was  the  starting  point  of  the  wonderful 
and  marvelous  career  of  that  city.  Improve- 
ments, unsur))assed  by  individual  "efforts  in  the 
annals  of  the  world,  were  then  begun  and  have 
been  maintained  to  this  day.  Though  visited 
by  the  terril)le  tire  ficmd  and  the  accumulation  of 
years  swejit  away  in  a  night,  yet  she  has  arisen, 
and  to-day  is  the  best  built  city  in  the  world. 
Reports  of   the   rapid    advivnce    of  property  in 


Chicago  sjiread  to  the  east,  and  thousands  poured 
into  her  borders,  bi-inging  money,  enterprise 
and  industry.  Every  shiji  that  left  her  i)ort  car- 
ried with  it  maps  of  splendidly  situated  towns 
and  additions,  and  every  vessel  that  returne<l 
was  laden  with  immigrants.  It  was  said  at  the 
time  that  the  staple  articles  of  Illinois  export 
were  town  plats,  and  that  there  was  danger  of 
crowding  the  State  with  towns  to  the  exclusion 
of  land  for  agriculture. 

ILLINOIS   AXIl  .MK'HIilAN   (_'ANAL. 

The  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  again  re- 
ceived attention.  This  enterprise  is  one  of  the 
most  important  in  the  early  development  of 
Illinois,  on  account  of  its  magnitude  and  cost, 
and  forming  as  it  does  the  connecting  link  be- 
tween the  great  chain  of  lakes  and  the  Illinois 
and  Mississippi  rivers.  (4overnor  l>ond,  the 
first  Governor,  recommended  in  his  first  mes- 
sage the  building  of  the  canal.  In  J<s2f  the 
legislature  appropriated  $f 0,000  for  surveying 
the  route.  This  work  was  perfoiined  l>y  two 
voung  men,  who  estimated  the  cost  at  *(H)0,o(io 
or  ^700,00(1.  It  cost,  however,  when  compleleil, 
i^8,000,0oo.  In  182.5  a  law  was  passed  to  incor- 
porate the  Canal  Company,  liut  no  stock  was 
sold.  In  fs2(i,  upon  the  solicilaliou  of  Daniel 
P.  Cook,  Congressman  from  this  State,  Congress 
gave  800,001)  acres  of  land  on  the  line  of  the 
work.  In  1828  commissioners  were  aj>pointed, 
and  work  commenced  with  a  new  survey  and 
new  estimates.  In  18.34-.5  the  work  was  again 
pushed  forward,  and  continued  until  1848,  when 
it  was  completed. 

TANIC: BEPlTDIArloN    ADVOCATED. 

Bonds  of  the  State  were  recklessly  disposed 
of  l)oth  in  the  East  and  in  Euro])e.  Work  was 
commenced  on  various  lines  of  railroad,  but 
none  were  ever  comjileted.  On  the  Northern 
Cross  Railroad,  from  Mercdosia  east  eight  milc<. 
the  first  locomotive  that  ever  turned  a  wheel  in 
the  great  valley  of  the  ^Mississippi  was  run 
The  d.ate  of  this  remarkable  e\  cut  was  Novein- 
lier  s,  I8:is.  Large  sums  of  money  were  being 
ex)iended  with  no  assurance  of  a  revenue,  ami 
consei)uently,  in  1840,  the  legislature  repealed 
the  improvement  laws  passed  three  years  pre- 
viously, not,  however,  initil  the  State  had  accu- 
mulated a  debt  of  nearly  -tlo,000,ooo.  Thus 
fell  the  most  stupendous,  extravagant  and  almost 
ruinous  folly  of  a  grand  system  of  internal  im- 
provements that  any  civil  community,  ]ierhaps, 
ever  engaged  in.  The  State  banks  failed,  specie 
was  scarce,  an  enormous  debt  was  accumulated, 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


•JO 


llie  inltTcst  of  which  cniihl  nol  \tv  [laid,  [)(_'(i|iK' 
wove  ilisa|i|)oiiiteil  in  the  accuimdatidii  of  wealtli, 
and  real  estate  was  worthluss.  All  this  had  a 
tendency  to  create  a  desire  to  throw  off  the 
lieavy  Imrden  of  State  debt  by  repudiation. 
This  was  Ixildly  advocated  by  some  leading 
men.  The  lair  tame  and  name,  liowever,  of  the 
Slate  was  not  tarnished  by  rej)udiati()n.  Men, 
true,  honest  and  able,  were  |ilaced  at  the  head  of 
affairs;  and  though  ihe  hours  were  dark  and 
gloomy,  and  tlie  times  most  trying,  yet  our 
grand  State  was  lirought  through  and  prospered, 
until  to-day,  after  the  expenditure  of  millions 
for  jiublic  inipr()V(:ments  aiul  lor  carrying  on 
the  late  war,  it  has,  at  present,  no  juiblic  debt 
whatever. 

MOIIMON     WAi:. 

In  April,  IWJO,  the  "  Laltcr-Day  Saints,"  or 
MoruKuis,  came  in  large  iiiiinbers  to  Illinois, 
and  purchased  a  tract  of  laud  on  the  east  .side 
of  the  .Mississip|)i  ri\er,  about  ten  miles  above 
Kciikuk  llcie  thcv  coniinenced  building  tbe 
c,ii\-  (if  \uii\(io.  A  ni(M'c  [licturesque  or  eligi- 
ble site  for  a  city  could  not  lia\e  been  selected. 

The  origin,  rapid  development,  and  prosper- 
ity of  this  religious  sect  are  the  most  remark- 
able ami  instructive  historical  events  of  the 
present  century.  That  an  obscure  individual, 
without  nionev,  education,  m-  res]jectaV)ility, 
should  persuade  hundreds  of  thousands  of  peo- 
ple to  believe  him  inspired  of  (-rod,  and  cause  a 
book,  contemptible  as  a  literary  production,  to 
be  received  as  a  continuation  of  the  sacred  rev- 
elation, appears  almost  incredible  ;  yet  in  less 
than  half  a  century,  the  discijiles  of  this  ob- 
scure imlividual  have  increased  to  hundreds  of 
thousands;  have  foumled  a  Slate  iii  the  distant 
wilderness,  and  compelled  the  government  of 
the  United  States  to  practically  re<-ognize  them 
as  an  indej)endent  people. 

The  fouiuler  of  Mormonism  was  Joseph 
Smith,  a  native  of  Vermont,  wlm  emigrated 
while  (|uite  young  with  his  father's  family  to 
western  New  York,  Here  his  youth  was  spent 
in  idle,  vagabond  life,  roaming  the  woods, 
dreaming  of  l)uried  treasures,  and  in  endeavor- 
ing to  learn  the  art  of  finding  them  by  the 
twisting  of  a  forked  stick  in  his  hands  or  Ijy 
looking  through  enchanted  stones.  Both  he 
and  his  father  became  famous  as  "water  wiz- 
ards," always  ready  to  point  out  the  sjiot  where 
wells  might  be  dug  and  water  found.  Such  was 
the  character  of  the  young  ])roHigate  when  he 
made  the  acipiaintance  of  Sidney  Kigdon,  a  per- 
ao.i  of  considerable  talent  and  Lnfuruiatiou,  who 


had  conceived  the  design  >>(  founding  a  new 
religion.  A  religious  romance,  written  by  JNIr. 
Spaidding,  a  Presliyterian  })reacher  of  Ohio, 
then  dead,  suggested  the  idea,  ami  tinding  in 
Smith  the  reipiisite  duplicity  and  cunning  to  re- 
duce it  to  practice,  it  was  agreed  that  he  should 
act  as  pro])het;  an<l  the  two  devised  a  story 
that  gold  ])lates  had  been  found  buried  in  the 
earth  containing  a  record  inscribed  on  them  in 
unknown  characters,  which,  when  deciphered 
by  the  power  of  inspiration,  gave  tlie  history  of 
the  ten  lost  tribes  of  Israel. 

After  their  settlement  in  and  altout  Nauvoo, 
in  Hancock  county,  great  depredations  were 
committed  by  them  on  the  "(icntiles."  The 
Mormons  had  been  received  from  Missouri  vvith 
great  kindness  bj-  the  people  of  this  State,  and 
every  possible  aid  granted  them.  The  depreda- 
ti(uis  committed,  however,  soon  made  them  odi- 
ous, when  the  question  of  getting  rid  of  them 
was  agitated.  In  the  fall  of  1841,  the  Governor 
of  Missouri  made  a  demand  on  Governor  Carlin 
for  the  arrest  and  delivery  of  Joe  Smith  as  a 
fugitive  of  justice.  Smith  was  subsequently 
arrested,  but  was  released  by  .rudge  Douglas, 
upon  the  ground  that  the  writ  had  once  been  re- 
turned before  it  had  been  e.Kecuted.  In  1842, 
he  was  again  arrested,  and  again  escaped.  Em- 
boldened by  success,  tlie  Mormons  became 
more  arrogant  and  overbearing.  Many  people 
began  to  believe  they  were  about  to  set  up  a 
government  for  themselves  in  defiance  of  the 
laws  of  the  State.  Owners  of  property  stolen 
in  other  counties  made  pursuit  into  Nauvoo, 
and  were  lined  by  the  Mormon  courts  for  dar- 
ing to  seek  their  property  in  the  holy  city. 
About  this  time  they  petitioned  Congress  to  es- 
tablish a  territorial  government  for  them  in 
Nauvoo. 

Smith  soon  began  to  play  the  t\  rant  over  his 
peoi>le.  Among  the  tirst  acts  of  this  sort  was 
an  attempt  to  take  the  wife  of  William  Law, 
one  of  his  most  talented  disciples,  and  make 
her  his  spiritual  wife.  He  established,  without 
authority,  a  recoi'der's  office,  and  an  office  to 
issue  marriage  licenses.  He  proclaimed  that 
none  could  deal  in  real  estate  or  sell  liquor  bi>t 
himself.  He  ordered  a  printing  office  demol- 
ished, and  in  many  ways  controlled  the  free- 
dom and  l»usiness  of  the  Mormons.  Not  onlj' 
did  he  stir  up  some  of  the  Mormons,  but  bj'  his 
reckless  disregard  for  the  laws  of  the  land 
raised  uj)  opposition  on  every  hand.  It  was  be- 
lieved that  he  instructed  the  Dauite  band, 
which  he  had  chosen  as  the  ministers  of  his 
vengeance,  that   no    blood,  except    that   of    the 


30 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


ciiiirch,  was  til  Uo  rcgardtMl  ;is  sacreil,  it'  it  coii- 
travciiL'd  llu'  uccDiniilishment  of  his  object.  It 
was  asserted  that  lie  inculcated  the  legality  of 
jfcrjury  and  other  crimes,  if  committed  to  ad- 
vance the  cause  of  true  lieliever.s;  that  (lod  had 
given  the  woi-l<l  .and  all  it  contained  to  his 
saints,  and  since  they  were  ke})t  out  of  tlieir 
rightful  inhei'itauce  liy  force,  it  was  no  moral 
offense  to  get  ])ossession  of  it  by  stealing.  It 
was  re|iorled  tliat  an  establishment  existed  in 
Naiivoo  for  the  manufacture  of  counterfeit 
money,  and  tliat  a  set  of  outlaws  was  main- 
taiinnl  for  the  purpose  of  putting  it  in  circula- 
tion. Statements  were  circulated  to  the  effect 
that  a  reward  was  offered  for  the  destruction  of 
the  Warsaw  Signal,  an  auti-Mormon  ])aper, 
and  that  Mormons  dispersed  over  the  countrj' 
tlireatened  all  jiersons  who  offered  to  assist  the 
eonstahle  in  the  execution  of  the  law,  with  the 
ileslruction  ol'  iheir  ]iroperty  and  the  murder  of 
tiu'ir  families.  There  were  rumors  also  .afloat 
that  an  alliance  had  been  formed  with  the 
western  Indians,  and  in  case  of  war  they  wouhl 
be  used  in  murdering  their  enemies.  In  short, 
if  oidy  one-half  of  these  reports  were  true,  the 
Mormons  must  have  been  the  most  infamous 
people  tiiat  ever  e\ist<'d. 

AVilliam  Law.  one  of  the  ])roprietors  of  the 
l)rinting  office  <lestroyed  by  Smith,  went  to  Car- 
tilage and  procure<l  a  writ  for  the  arrest  of  Smitli 
and  others  in  the  deed.  The  prophet,  liis 
brother  J  Fyruui.  and  others,  surrendered  them- 
selves ,at  Carttiage  .Tune  24,  1844,  on  a  charge  of 
riot,  and  all  entered  into  recognizance  before  a 
justice  of  tlie  ])eace  for  tlieir  appearance  at 
court.  They  were  again  arrested  and  thrown 
into  jirison  at  C'artliagc.  The  citizens  of  Han- 
cock, McDonough  an<l  Schuyler  counties  had 
assembled,  arnieil  and  ready  to  avenge  the  out- 
r.ages  that  had  been  committed  l)y  the  Mormons, 
(ireat  excitement  ))revailed.  All  were  anxious 
to  march  into  Nanvoo.  The  27th  of  June  was 
a|)p<iinted  lor  tlie  march,  but  Governor  F'ord, 
wlio  at  the  time  was  in  Carthage,  apjirehended 
trouble  if  the  militia  should  attempt  to  invade 
Nauvoo,  disl)anded  the  troops,  retaining  only  a 
guard  for  the  jail. 

(lovernin-  Ford  weut  to  Nauvoo  on  the  27th. 
'I'hc  same  morning  about t\vo  hundred  men  from 
Warsaw,  many  being  disguised,  hasteiieil  to 
Carthage.  On  learning  that  one  of  the  coni- 
j)anies  left  as  a  guard  had  disbanded,  and  the 
other  stationed  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from' 
the  jail  while  eight  men  were  left  to  guard  the 
prisoners,  a  communication  was  soon  e.stab- 
lislied     between    the    Warsaw     troops   and    the 


guard;  and  it  was  arranged  that  the  guard 
sliould  have  their  guns  charged  with  blank  c.irt 
ridges  and  fire  at  the  assailants  when  tliey 
attempted  to  enter  the  jail.  The  conspir.ators 
came  uji,  jumped  the  fence  around  the  jail,  were 
fired  upon  by  the  guard,  whicli,  according  to 
arrangement,  was  over])Owered,  and  the  assail- 
ants entered  the  prison  to  the  door  of  the  room 
where  the  two  prisoners  were  confined.  An 
attempt  was  made  to  break  o])eu  the  door;  but 
.loe  Smith,  being  armed  with  a  ])istol,  fired  he\- 
eral  times  as  the  dooi'  was  luirsted  o])en,  and 
three  of  the  ass.ailants  were  wounded.  At  the 
same  time  several  shots  were  tireil  into  the  room 
b_v  some  of  which  John  Taylor,  a  friend  of  the 
Smiths,  received  four  wounds,  and  liyruni  Smith 
was  instantly  killed.  Joe  Smith,  severely 
wounded,  attempted  to  escape  by  jumping  out 
of  a  second-.story  window,  but  was  ^o  stunne(l 
liy  the  fall  that  he  was  unable  1"  rise.  In  this 
position  he  was  dispatched  bybalK  slmt  through 
ins  body.  Thus  fell  Joe  Smith,  the  most  suc- 
cessful iinpo.ster  of  modern  times.  Totally 
ignorant  of  almost  every  fact  in  science,  as  well 
as  in  law,  he  made  up  in  constrnctiveness  anil 
natural  cunning  whatever  in  him  was  wanting 
of  instruction. 

Manv  feared  the  Mormons  would  assemhle 
in  force  and  attack  Carthage  for  the  pur]M)se  nf 
avenging  the  death  of  the  jjrojjhet.  Ibit  this 
was  never  done.  In  the  fall  of  1^4.')  a  cimven- 
tion,  consisting  of  delegates  from  eight  of  tin 
adjoining  counties  assembled  to  concert  meas- 
ures for  the  expulsion  of  the  Mormons  fnmi  the 
State.  The  Mormons  seriously  contemplated 
emigration  westward,  believing  the  times  fore- 
bode evil  for  them.  Accordingly,  iluring  the 
winter  of  1.'^4.5-'4(;,  the  most  stu])endous  prepara- 
tions were  made  by  the  Mornnins  for  rejnoval. 
All  the  princi])al  dwellings,  and  e\cn  the  tem- 
ple, were  converted  into  work-shops,  ami  licfiue 
spring,  12,0(10  wagons  were  in  readiness;  and 
by  the  middle  of  February  the  leaders,  with 
2,"ooo  of  their  followers,  had  crossed  the  Missis- 
sip]ii  on  the  ice. 

I'.efore  the  spring  of  1S4(;  the  majority  of 
Mormons  had  left  Nauvoo.  liut  still  a  large 
number  remaini'd. 

rUE   liATTI.E    OF  -XAUVliO. 

In  Septeml)er  a  writ  was  issued  against  sev- 
eral prominent  Mormons,  and  placed  in  the 
hands  of  John  Carlin,  of  Cartli.age,  for  execu- 
tion. Carlin  called  out  a  posse  to  help  inaki'  the 
arrest,  which  brought  together  ipiite  a  lai'ge 
lorce  in  the    lu'inhborliood   ol   Nauvoo.     Carliu, 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


31 


not  bi'iiiy  a  inilitar\'  man,  |)laceil  in  I'oinnuunl  cif 
tlie  jjosse,  tirst.,  l-roncral  Singleton,  and  after- 
ward Colonel  JJrockinan,  who  j)roceedi'd  to  in- 
vest tlie  city,  erecting  breastworks,  and  taking 
other  means  for  defensive  as  well  as  olfensive 
operations.  What  was  then  termed  a  battle 
next  took  place,  resulting  in  the  death  of  one 
^[orinon  and  the  wounding  of  several  others, 
and  loss  to  the  anti-JNIormons  of  tliree  killed  and 
four  wounded.  At  last,  through  the  interven- 
tion of  an  anti-iVrormon  committee  of  one  hun- 
ilred,  froui  (^uiney,  the  Mormons  and  their  allies 
were  induced  to  submit  to  such  terms  as  the 
posse  chose  to  dictate,  which  were  that  tlie  ]\Ior- 
mons  should  immediately  give  up  tlii'ir  arms  to 
the  (.^uincy  committee,  and  remove  from  the 
State.  The  trustees  of  the  church  and  live  of 
their  elerks  were  permitted  to  remain  for  tlie 
sale  of  Mormon  property,  ami  the  posse  were  to 
march  in  unmolested,  and  leave  a  sutiieient  force 
to  guarantee  the  performance  of  their  stipula- 
tions. Accordingl}',  the  constable's  posse 
mar(Oied  in  with  liroekman  at  their  head.  It 
consisted  of  about  SOU  armed  men  and  (Kin  or 
Ton  unarmed,  wlio  had  assembled  from  all  the 
country  around,  through  motives  of  enriosity,  to 
see  the  once  proud  city  of  Xauvoo  humbled  and 
delivered  u])  to  its  enemies  The}'  proceeded 
into  the  city  slowlj'  and  carefully,  examining  the 
way  for  fear  of  the  explosion  of  a  mine,  many  of 
which  bad  been  made  by  the  Mormons,  by  bnr- 
rying  kegs  of  powder  in  the  ground,  with  a  man 
stationed  at  a  distance  to  pull  a  string  commu- 
nicating with  the  trigger  of  a  percussion  lock 
afhxed  to  the  keg.  This  kind  of  a  contrivance 
was  called  by  the  Mormons  "hell's  half-acre." 
When  the  posse  arrived  in  the  city  the  leaders 
of  it  elected  themselves  into  a  tribunal  to  decide 
who  should  lie  force<l  away  and  who  remain. 
Parties  were  dispatched  to  hunt  for  fire-arms, 
and  for  Mormons,  and  to  bring  them  to  judg- 
ment. When  brought,  they  received  their  doom 
from  the  mouth  of  IJrockman,  Avho  sat  a  grim 
and  iinawed  tyrant  for  the  time.  As  a  general 
rule,  the  Mormons  were  ordered  to  leM\e  within 
ail  hour  or  two,  and  by  rare  grace  sonic  of  them 
were  allowed  until  next  day,  and  in  a  few  cases 
longer  time  was  granted. 

MKXKAN    WAi;. 

in  18-H;,  when  tiie  war  with  Mexico  eom- 
nu'iiced,  Illinois  sent  her  tpiota  of  six  I'eginients 
to  the  tented  field.  More  men  were  offered,  but 
only  the  six  regiments  could  be  accepted.  These 
six  shed  imperishable  honors,  not  onlv  upon  the 
State,  but  iip(iii  the  .\iiiericaii  Fuinu.      N'elerans 


never  fought  more  nobly  and  elfectively  than 
did  the  volunteers  from  Illinois.  At  the  lialtle 
of  IJuena  Vista,  by  the  coolness  and  bravery  of 
the  gallant  Second  regiment,  under  Colonel  l>is- 
scll,  the  day  was  saved.  The  conflict  began 
early  on  the  morning  of  February  liii,  is  (7,  and 
was  continued  till  nightfall  of  the  next  (hiy. 
The  solid  columns  of  the  enemy  were  hurled 
against  our  forces  all  day  hing,  but  were  met 
and  held  in  check  by  tlie  unerring  tire  of  our  mus- 
ketiy  and  artillerv.  A  |iortion  of  (Tcnei'al  Lane's 
division  was  driven  back  by  the  enemy,  \\lio  a](- 
])eared  in  such  formidable  numbers  as  to  be 
almost  irresistible.  At  tliis  time  the  Second 
Illinois,  under  Colonel  JJissell,  with  a  si|uadron 
of  cavalry  and  a  few  pieces  of  artillery,  came 
handsomely  into  action  and  gallantly  I'eceix  ed 
tlu^  concentrated  tire  of  the  enemy,  which  they 
returned  with  ileliberate  aim  and  terrible  effect; 
every  discharge  of  the  artillery  seemed  to  tear  a 
bloody  jiath  through  the  heavy  columns  of  the 
enemy.  -Says  a  writer:  "The  rajiid  musketry 
of  the  gallant  troojis  from  Illinois  poured  :i 
storm  of  lead  into  their  serried  ranks,  which  lit 
erally  strewed  the  ground  with  the  dead  ami 
dying."  J>ut,  notwithstanding  his  losses,  the 
enemy  steadily  advanced  until  oui' gallant  regi- 
ment received  tire  from  three  sides.  Still  tliey 
maintained  their  position  for  a  time  with  nn- 
tlin(Oiing  firmness  against  that  immense  iiost. 
At  length,  perceiving  the  danger  of  being  en- 
tirely surrounded,  it  was  determined  to  fall 
back  to  a  ravine.  Colonel  Uissell,  with  the  cool- 
ness of  ordinary  drill,  ordered  the  signal  "cease 
firing"  to  be  made;  he  then,  with  the  same  de- 
liberation, gave  the  command,  "Face  to  the 
rear,  battalion  about  face;  forward  march," 
whicli  was  executed  with  the  regularity  of  vet- 
erans to  a  point  lieyond  the  peril  of  being  out- 
flanked. Again,  in  obedience  to  eonimaml, 
these  brave  men  halted,  faced  about,  and  under 
a  murderous  tempest  of  bullets  from  the  foe,  re- 
sumed their  well-directed  tire.  The  conduct  of 
no  troops  could  have  l)eeii  more  admirable;  and, 
too,  until  that  day  they  had  never  been  under 
tire,  wlicn,  within  less  than  half  an  hour  eighty 
of  their  comra<les  dropjied  by  their  sides. 

From  Colton's  History  of  tlie  battle  of  Uiieiia 
Vista  the  following  extract  is  taken:  "  As  the 
enemy  on  our  left  was  moving  in  retreat  along 
the  head  of  the  plateau,  our  artillery  was  ad- 
vanced until  within  range,  and  o|ieiied  a  liea\y 
tire  ujion  him,  while  Colonels  Hardin,  Uissell, 
and  McKee,  with  tlieir  Illinois  ami  Iventiicky 
troops,  dashed  gallantly  forward  in  hot  pursuit. 
A   powerful   reserve    of  the   Mexican    arni\    w  a^ 


32 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


ilit'ii  just  t'lnerging  from  the  ravine,  wliere  it 
had  hi'eii  organized,  and  advanced  on  the 
phiteau,  oi)i)osite  the  head  of  the  soutliernmost 
goroe.  Those  wlio  were  giving  way  rallied 
(liiickly  upon  it;  when  the  whole  force,  thus  in- 
creased to  over  12,000  men,  came  forward  in  a 
perfect  blaze  of  tire.  It  was  a  single  column, 
(•<pmi)osed  of  the  l)est  soldiers  of  the  republic, 
luiviiig  for  its  advanccil  battalions  the  veteran 
reginieiits.  The  Kentucky  and  Illinois  troojis 
were  soon  obliged  to  give  ground  before  it  and 
seek  the  shelter  of  the  second  gorge.  The 
enemy  pressed  on,  arriving  opposite  the  head  of 
tlie  second  gorge.  One-lialf  of  the  column  sud- 
denly enveloped  it,  while  the  other  half  pressed 
on  across  the  plateau,  having  for  the  moment 
nothing  to  resist  tbem  but  the  three  guns  in 
their  front.  The  portion  that  was  immediately 
opposed  to  the  Kentucky  and  Illinois  troops, 
i-an  down  along  each  side  of  the  gorge,  in  which 
they  had  sought  shelter,  and  also  circled  around 
its  head,  leaving  no  i)Ossible  way  of  escape  for 
them  except  by  its  mouth,  which  opened  upon 
the  ro.ad.  Its  sides,  which  were  steep, — at  least 
an  angle  of  forty-five  degrees, — were  covered 
with  loose  pebbles  and  stones,  and  converged  to 
a  |ioint  at  the  bottom.  Down  there  were  our 
])oor  fellows,  nearlv  three  regiments  of  them 
(First  and  Secon<l  Illinois  and  Second  Ken- 
tucky), with  l)nt  little  opportunity  to  load  or  lire 
a  gun,  being  hardly  able  to  keep  their  feet. 
Above  the  whole  edge  of  the  gorge,  all  the  way 
around,  was  darkened  by  the  serried  masses  of 
the  enemy,  and  was  bristling  with  muskets  di- 
rected on  the  crowd  beneath.  It  was  no  time  to 
pause.  Those  who  were  not  immediately  shot 
diiwii  rushed  oti  toward  the  road,  their  number 
growing  less  and  less  as  thcv  went,  Kentuckians 
and  lUinoisans,  otficers  and  men,  all  mixed  up 
in  confusion,  and  all  ])ressing  on  over  tlie  loose 
pelililes  aii<l  r(dling  st(Hies  of  those  shelving, 
precipit(Uis  b.inks,  and  having  lines  and  lines  of 
the  enemy  liring  down  from  each  side  and  rear 
as  they  went.  Just  then  the  enemy's  cavalry, 
which  iiad  gone  to  the  left  of  the  reserve,  had 
come  over  the  spur  that  divides  the  mouth  of 
the  second  gorge  fmm  that  of  the  third,  and 
were  now  closing  up  tin-  only  door  through 
wiiich  there  was  the  least  shadow  of  a  chance 
for  their  lives.  Manv  of  those  ahead  endeavored 
to  force  their  way  out,  but  few  succeeded.  Tin; 
lancers  were  fully  six  to  one,  and  their  long 
weapons  were  already  reeking  with  blood.  It 
was  at  this  time  that  those  who  were  still  back 
in  that  dreadful  gorge  heard,  above  the  din  of 
the    musketry    and   the    shouts    of    the    euemv 


around  them,  the  roar  of  Washington's  Battery. 
No  music  could  have  been  more  grateful  to 
their  ears.  A  moment  only,  and  the  whole 
opening,  where  the  lancers  were  busy,  rang  with 
the  repeated  explosions  of  s](herical-case  shot. 
They  gave  wav.  The  gate,  as  it  were,  was  clear, 
andoutupon  the  road  a  stream  of  ourpoor  fellows 
issued.  They  ran  ])antingdown  toward  the  bat- 
tery, and  directly  un<ler  the  flight  of  iron  then 
passing  over  their  heads,  into  the  I'eti'eating 
caxalry.  Hardin,  Clay,  McKee,  Willis,  Zabris- 
kie,  Houghton, — but  why  go  on"::'  It  would  be  ;i 
sad  task  indeed  to  name  over  all  who  fell  during 
thi.s  twenty  minutes'  slaughter.  The  ulidie 
gorge,  from  the  plateau  to  its  mouth,  was 
strewed  with  our  dead.  All  dead!  No  wounded 
there — not  a  man;  for  the  infantry  had  rushed 
down  the  .sides  and  completed  llie  work  with  the 
bayonet." 

After  a  hard  tight  at  night  both  armies  hiid 
down  upon  their  arms  in  much  the  same  posi- 
tion as  in  the  morning.  However,  early  on  the 
following  morning,  the  glad  ti<linijs  were  heard 
amidst  our  army  that  the  enemy  ha<l  retreate(l, 
thus  again  crowning  the  American  lianners  with 
victory. 

In  adilition  to  Colonel  Hissel,  other  names 
that  shine  as  stars  in  this  war  are  Shields,  Maker, 
Harris,  Hardin,  Coffee — all  from  Illinois.  Such 
indeed  were  the  intrepid  valor  and  daring  cour- 
age exhibited  by  Illinois  volunteers  during  the 
Mexican  war  that  their  deeds  should  live  m  the 
memory  of  their  countrvmen  while  time  sh:ill 
l.ast. 

TIIK   WAR  FOR  THE  UNION. 

In  the  war  for  the  Union  n«  State  can  show  a 
more  glorious  record  than  that  of  Illinois.  Suiup- 
ter  was  tireil  u|)on  A|)r!l  12,  ls(Ji.  Two  days  af- 
ter President  Lincoln  issued  his  lirst  call  for  vol- 
unteers—  ('/■J,0(i()  in  numbers.  On  the  l.'Jth  (-ioi- 
ernor  Yates  issued  his  i>roclamatiiin  convening 
the  leglislature,  and  ordering  the  enlistmcTit  of 
six  regiments,  the  (piota  assigned  the  State.  The 
call  \<'as  no  sooner  ma<le  than  tilled.  Patriotism 
filled  every  heart.  The  farm,  the  work.shop,  the 
office,  the  pul|)it,  the  bar,  the  bench,  every  voca- 
tion in  life  ottered  its  best  men.  On  a.ssembling, 
the  legislature  authorized  the  raising  of  ten  ad- 
ditional regiments,  anticijiating  another  call. 
At  the  close  of  1801,  Illinois  hail  sent  to  the 
tield  nearly  .id, 000  men,  and  had  IT, odd  in  camp 
awaiting  marching  orders,  thus  exceeding  its  lull 
(|Uota  by  l."),(i(iO. 

In  .Iu"ly  and  August  of  1802,  the  Presi.leul 
called  for  600, out)  men — the  i|Uota  of  Illinois 
being  52,29t5— and  gave  until  August  ISth  as  the 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


33 


limits  in  wliicli  t lie  number  might  be  vaiscd  by 
voliinti'criiin',  Ml'tcr  which  a  a'rat't.  wouhl  be  or- 
(lereil.  The  State  had  ali-eady  furnished  l'7,l)(io 
in  excess  ot  her  ijuota,  ami  it  was  first  thought 
this  number  would  be  deducted  from  the  jiresent 
requisition,  but  that  could  not  lie  done.  Hut 
thirteen  days  were  granted  to  eidist  this  vast 
army,  which  had  to  come  from  the  farmers  an<l 
mechanics.  The  former  were  in  the  midst  of 
harvest,  but,  ins|)ired  l)y  love  of  country,  ovei- 
.50,(100  of  them  left  their  harvest  ungathered. 
their  tools  aiitl  theii'  benches,  the  j)lows  in  their 
furrows,  turning  their  bac-ks  on  their  homes, 
anil  before  eleven  days  had  expired  the  demands 
of  the  Government  were  met  anil  both  ijuotas 
tilled. 

The  war  went  on,  and  call  followed  call,  until 
it  began  l,o  look  as  if  there  would  not  be  men 
enough  in  all  the  Free  States  to  crush  out  and 
subdue  the  monstrous  war  ti'aitors  had  inaugtu'a- 
ted.  But  to  every  call  for  either  men  or  money 
there  was  a  willing  and  ready  response.  And  it 
is  a  boast  of  tlie  people  that,  had  the  supply  of 
men  fallen  short,  there  were  women  brave 
enough,  daring  enough,  patriotic  enough,  to  have 
offered  themselves  as  sacrifices  on  their  country's 
altar.  On  the  21st  of  December,  18(!4,  the  last 
call  for  ti-oops  was  made.  It  was  for  •jO0,00O. 
In  conseiiuence  of  an  imperfect  enrollment  of 
the  men  subject  to  military  duty,  it  became  evi- 
dent, ere  this  call  was  made,  that  Illinois  was 
furnishing  thousands  of  men  more  than  what  her 
quota  would  have  been,  had  it  been  correct.  So 
iflaring  had  this  disproportion  become,  that  un- 
der this  call  the  quota  of  some  districts  e.\ceed- 
ed  the  number  of  able-bodied  men  in  them. 

No  troo])s  ever  fought  more  heroically,  stub- 
bornly, and  with  better  effect,  than  did  the  boys 
from  the  "Prairie  State."  At  Pea  liidge,  T)on- 
elson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  luka,  Corinth,  Stone 
River.  Holly  Springs,  .(ackson,  Vicksburg,  Chic- 
aniauga.  Lookout  Mountain,  Murfreesboro,  At- 
lanta, Fraiddin,  Nashville,  Chattanooga,  and  on 
every  other  Held  where  the  clash  of  arms  was 
heard,  her  sons  were  foremost. 

The  people  were  liberal  as  well  as  i)alriotic; 
and  while  the  men  were  busy  enlisting,  organi/.- 
ing,  and  equij)ping  companies,  the  ladies  w(M'e 
no  less  active,  and  the  noble,  generous  work 
performed  by  their  tender,  loving  hands  de- 
serves mention  along  with  the  bravery,  devo- 
tion, and  i)atriotism  of  their  brothers  upon  the 
southern  fields  of  carnage. 

The  continued  need  of  money  to  obtain  the 
comforts  an*l  necessaries  for  the  sick  and 
wounded   of    our  armv  suggested   to  the   loyal 


women  of  the  North  many  and  various  devices 
for  the  raising  of  funds.  Every  city,  town,  and 
village  had  its  fair,  festival,  ]iicnic,  excursion, 
concert,  which  netted  more  or  less  to  the  cause 
of  hos])ital  relief,  according  to  the  jiopulalion 
of  the  place  and  the  amount  of  energy  and  ])al- 
riotism  displayed  on  such  occasions.  Ks- 
])ecially  was  this  characteristic  of  nurnwu  fair 
State,  and  scarcely  a  hamlet  within  its  borders 
w  hich  did  not  send  something  from  its  stores 
to  hosjjital  or  battlefield,  anil  in  the  larger 
towns  and  cities  were  well  oiganized  soldiers' 
aid  societies,  working  systematically  and  contin- 
uouslv  fron)  the  beginning  of  the  war  till  its 
close.  The  great  State  Fair  held  in  Chicago  in 
May,  ISOS,  netted  -tiloCOOO.  Homes  for  travel- 
ing soldiers  were  established  all  over  the  State, 
in  which  were  furnished  lodging  for  (JOO.OOO 
men,  and  meals  valued  at.  *2,."ii)0,ooO.  Food, 
clothing,  medicine,  hospital  di'licacit's,  reading 
matter,  and  thousands  of  other  articles,  were 
sent  to  the  boys  at  the  front. 

The  rebellion  ended  with  the  surrender  of 
Lee  and  Johnson,  in  Aj>ril,  IStJo,  and  as  soon  as 
possible  the  troops  were  di.sbanded.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  summary  of  troojis  furnished  by  the 
State:" 

Infanlrv l.S.-),lUt 

t'avalrv :«,0M2 

Arlillciy 7,27; 

Total a:in,:i()o 

i;OVEKN0RS    OF    ILLINOIS. 

Shadrach  Bond — Was  the  first  Governor-  of 
Hliuois  He  whs  a  native  of  Maryland  ai.d 
born  in  177:!;  was  raised  on  a  fai'm;  receivi'd  a 
common  English  education,  and  came  to  Illinois 
in  17'.t4.  He  served  as  a  delegate  in  C'ougress 
from  l.Sll  to  1S15,  where  he  procured  the  right 
of  jire-emption  of  ptd)lic  land.  He  was  elected 
Governor  in  1818;  was  beaten  for  Congress  in 
1.S24  by  Daniel  P.  Cook.  He  died  at  Kaskas- 
kia,  April  11,  1830. 

Eihntrd  CoUf. — Was  born  December  15,  1786, 
in  ^'irginia.  His  father  was  a  slave-holder;  gave 
his  son  a  collegiate  education,  and  left  to  him  a 
large  number  of  slaves.  These  he  lihcr^ilid, 
giving  each  head  of  a  family  160  acres  ol'  laud 
and  a  considerable  sum  of  money.  He  was 
President  Madison's  |)rivate  secretary.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  1819,  was  elected  (-Jovernor 
in  18iiL',  on  the  anti-slavery  ticket;  moved  to 
Philadelphia  in  18:1:3,  and  died  in  1808. 

Ni.nian  Edwards. — In  1809,  on  the  formation 
of  the  Territory  of  Illinois,    ]\Ir.  Edwards   was 


34 


TTTSTORY  OF  TTJJXOIS. 


;i|i|i<iiMU'il  GoviTiior,  which  jiositioii  he  retuiiu'il 
HMlH  llic  (irLi;aiiiz:it,i()ii  oi'  the  State,  when  lie  was 
^elll  li>  ihc  I'liited  States  Senate.  He  was 
olecud  (iciNiTiior  in  ISi'G.  He  was  a  native  of 
^Maryland  anil  horn  in  ITTo;  recei\eil  a  eolle- 
H'iate  eihieation;  was  Chief  Justice  of  Kentucky, 
•  uiil  a  Re|>uhliean  in  politics. 

./'(/(/(  Iivi/)tol<k — Wa*i  born  in  Pennsylvania 
in  17S8,  an(l  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in 
isiio,  anil  in  \x'-W  was  elected  (-Jovernor  on  the 
Di'iuocratic  lie  ket,  anil  afterwards  served  three 
terms  in  Conurcss.  He  recei\ed  a  classical  edu- 
ralioii.  yet  was  not  pnlished.  He  was  an  \dtra 
Democrat;  attended  the  Charleston  Conxention 
in  I  Slid,  and  urired  the  seizure  of  United  States 
arsi'nals  li\-  the  South.  He  ilied  in  186.5  at 
iJelievillc.  "childless. 

JiiM'jih  Dmioin. — In  1834  Joseph  Duncan  was 
elected  Governor  hy  the  Whiys,  althoug'h  for- 
merly a  Democrat.  He  had  previously  served 
four  terms  in  C'ongress.  He  was  born  in  Ken- 
lucky  in  17!)4;  had  but  a  limited  education; 
served  with  distinction  in  the  war  of  1812;  con- 
ducted ihe  campaign  of  1832  against  lilack 
Hawk,     lie  came  to   Illinois  when  quite  young. 

Tlii'iiKis  <  'arlm — Was  elected  as  a  Democrat 
in  )s:;s.  He  had  but  a  meagre  education;  held 
many  minor  offices,  and  was  active  both  in  the 
war  of  181i!  and  the  IJlack  Hawk  war.  He  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  I'iSO;  came  to  Illinois  in 
isii',  .ind  died  at  Carrollton,  February  14,  18.52. 

'I'liiiiiiiia  Ford — Was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
the  year  IsoO;  was  brought  by  his  widowed 
mother  III  Missouri  in  18U4,  and  shortly  after- 
wards to  Illinois.  He  received  a  good  educa- 
tion, studied  law;  was  elected  four  times  Judge, 
twice  ;is  Circuit  Judge,  Judge  of  Chicago  and 
Judge  of  Sui)reme  Court.  He  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor by  tlic  Dcmoeratic  party  in  1842;  wrote 
his  histor\-  of  Illinois  in  1^47,  and  died  in 
|S.5(). 

AiiijuMiis  C.  French — Was  born  in  New 
Hampsliire  in  1808;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
is:',  1,  and  shortly  afterwards  moved  to  Illinois, 
when  in  is4ti  he  was  elected  Go\ernor.  On  the 
.■ido|itioii  of  the  C'onstitution  of  1848  he  was 
again  I'hosen,  serving  until  1853.  He  was  a 
Dcnuicral  in  polities. 

■/lie/  A.  M<(tl('!<(iii — Was  born  in  Jetfelson 
county,  New  York,  in  isos.  His  fatiier  was  a 
farmer,  and  gave  his  son  oidy  a  common  school 
cdncalion.  He  first  entered  upon  active  life  as 
ii  small  tradesman,  but  suliseipiently  became  a 
large  contractor  and  manufacturer.     He  was  a 


hea\  y  contractor  in  building  the  canal.  He  was 
elected  Governor  in  1^52  u|ion  the  Democrtitii' 
ticket. 

William  H.  JBissell — \Vas  elected  liy  the  Re- 
publican party  in  1850.  He  had  jireviouslv 
served  two  terms  in  Congress;  was  colonel  in 
the  Mexican  war,  and  has  held  minor  otticial 
jjositions.  He  was  born  in  New  York  State  in 
1811;  received  a  common  education:  c.imr  to 
Illinois  early  in  life  and  engaged  in  tlie  nndical 
profession.  This  he  changed  for  the  law,  and 
became  a  noted  orator,  and  the  standard-bearer 
of  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois.  He  died 
in  18t)U,  while  Governor. 

liichard  Yules — "'The  Mar  Governor  of  Illi- 
nois," was  born  in  Warsaw,  Kentucky,  in  Isis; 
came  to  Illinois  in  1831;  served  two  terms  in 
Congress;  in  1800  was  elected  Governor,  and  in 
1805  United  States  Seiiatm-.  He  was  a  college 
graduate,  and  read  law  under  J.  J.  Hardin.  He 
rapidly  rose  in  his  chosen  profession  and  clianned 
the  people  with  oratory  He  tilled  the  gubern:i- 
torial  chair  during  the  trying  days  of  the  Re- 
bellion, and  by  his  energy  and  devotion  won 
the  title  of  "  War  Governor."  He  died  in  St. 
Louis  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  Senator. 

Jiickiird  J.  Oylesbji — Was  born  in  1824,  in 
Kentucky;  an  orphan  at  the  age  of  eight,  came 
to  Illinois  when  oidy  twelve  years  old.  He  was 
apprenticed  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade: 
worked  some  at  farming,  and  read  law  occasion- 
ally. He  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war  and  was 
chosen  First  Lieutenant.  After  his  return  he 
again  took  up  the  law,  but  during  the  gold  fever 
of  184!)  went  to  California;  soon  returned,  ami, 
in  1852,  entered  upon  his  illustrimis  political 
career.  He  raised  the  second  regiment  in  tlie 
State,  to  suppress  the  Reliellion,  and  for  gal- 
lantry was  ])roinoted  to  Major-General.  In  1.804 
he  was  elected  Governor,  and  re-elected  in  1872, 
and  resigned  for  a  seat  in  the  United  States 
Senate.  He  is  a  staunch  Re]iubliean.  and  re- 
sides at  Decatur. 

JoIdi  M.  I'(dincr — Was  born  in  Kentucky  in 
1817,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1831.  Hi-  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  183'.».  He  was  elected  to 
the  utlice  of  Probate  Judge  of  ^Macoupin  county, 
in  1S43;  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  in  1847,  County  Judge  in  is  til;  eli'<-- 
ted  to  the  State  Semite  in  1851  ;  member  of  the 
i'eaee  Conference  in  1861.  He  was  Colonel  of 
the  14th  Illinois  Infantry, and  rose  by  successive 
promotions  to  Major  General,  commander  of  the 
1 4th  Army  Corps,  and  afterwards  of  the  l)e])art- 
ment  of  Kentucky.  Was  Governor  Ifoiii  De- 
cember 1808  to  Januarv,  1873, 


O 


7^ 

c 
3 


o 


-r.i(^^'f    ..it^H^T-j 


»7;';;;'a ;  ;■ 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


37 


Slit'lh;/  Jf.  CiiHom — Was  born  in  Kentucky  in 
IS-iS;  studied  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
commenced  the  practice  oi'  his  profession  in 
ists;  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in 
1856,  and  again  in  1860.  Served  on  the  war 
commission  at  Cairo,  1862,  and  was  a  member 
of  tiie  3iJth,  40th  and  41st  Congress,  in  all  of 
whicii  he  served  with  credit  to  his  State.  He 
was  again  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in 
IsTl',  and  re-elected  in  1874,  and  was  elected 
<4o\ernor  of  Illinois  in  1876,  and  re-elected  in 
ls«0,  whicli  office  he  still  holds,  and  has  admin- 
istered with  marked  ability. 

LIEUTENANT  GOVERNORS. 

Pierre  Menard — Was  the  first  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor of  Illinois.  He  vfas  born  in  Quebec,  Cana- 
da, in  1767.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1790,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade  and  bscanie 
wealthy.  He  died  in  1844.  Menard  county  was 
named  in  his  honor. 

Addlphus  F.  Hubbard — Was  elected  Lieuten- 
ant Governor  in  18-32.  Four  years  later  he  ran 
for  Governor  against  Edwards,  but  was  beaten. 
__  William  Kinney — Was  elected  in  1826.  He 
was  a  Baptist  clergyman  ;  was  l)orn  in  Kentucky 
in  17S1,  find  came  to  Illinois  in  1798. 

Zadock  Case]! — Althciugh  on  the  opposition 
ticket  to  Governor  Reynolds,  the  successful 
Gubernatorial  candidate,  yet  Casey  was  elected 
Lieutenant  Governor  in  1830.  He  subsequently 
served  several  terms  in  Congress. 

Ale,r.ander  M.  Jenkhis — Was  elected  on  ticket 
with  Governor  Duncan,  in  1834,  by  a  handsome 
majority. 

S.  II.  Anderson — Lieutenant  Governor  under 
Governor  Carlin,  w^as  chosen  in  1838. .  He  was 
a  native  of  Tennessee. 

John  Moore — Was  born  in  England  in  1793; 
_came  to  Illinois  in  1830  ;  was  elected  Lieuten- 
ant Governor  in  1842.  He  won  the  name  of 
"Honest  John  Moore." 

Joseph  B.  Wells — Was  chosen  with  Governor 
French,  at  his  first  election  in  1846. 

William  McMiirtry — In  1848,  when  Governor 
French  was  again  chosen  Governor,  William 
McMurtry,  of  Knox  county,  was  elected  Lieuten- 
ant Governor. 

Gustainis  P.  Juerner — Was  elected  in  1852. 
He  was  born  in  Germany  in  1809.  At  the  age 
of  22  came  to  Illinois.  1872  he  was  a  candidate 
for  Governor  on  Liberal  ticket,  but  was  defeated. 

John  Wood — Was  elected  in  1856,  and  on  the 
death  of  (rovernor  ISissell  liecaiiie  Governor. 

Francis  A.  Ho'ffman — Was  chosen  with  Gov- 

■—5 


ernor  Yates,  in  1860.  He  was  born  in  Prussia 
in  1822,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1840. 

William  Bross — Was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
came  to  Illinois  in  1848,  was  elected  to  office  in 
18S4. 

John.  DoMjherty — Was  elected  in  186S. 

John  L.  Beoeridye — Was  chosen  Lieutenant- 
Governor  in  1872.  In  1873  Oglesby  was  elected 
to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  when  Beveridge  became 
Govenor. 

Audreir  Shnnian — Was  elected  November  7, 
ISUi. 

John  M.  Hamilton — Was  elected  in  1880,  and 
is  the  present  incumbent. 

SUPERINTENDENT  OF  I'UBLIC  INSTRUCTION. 

Ninian  W.  Ethvards 18o4-.56 

W.  H.  Powell 1857-58 

Newton  Batemaa 1859-75 

Samuel  iM.  Etter 1876-80 

.lames  P.  Shulc 1880 

ATTORNEY  GENERALS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1819 

William  Hears 1820 

Samuel   D.  Lockwood 1821-32 

.Tamos  Turney 1823-28 

Get>rge  Foi-quer 1829-32 

James  Semple 1833-34 

Niuiau  W.  Edwards 18.34-35 

.Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr 1835 

Walter  B.  Scales ' 1836 

Asher  F.  Liiider 1837 

George  AV.  Olney 1838 

Wiekliffe   Kitchell 1839 

.Tosiah  Lamborn 1841-43 

James  A.  McDoucall 1843-46 

David  B.  Campbell 1846 

[Office  abolished  aud  re-created  in  1867.] 

UobertCInaersnll 1867-68 

Washinctou'Bushncll 1869-72 

James  K.  Edsall 1872-80 

James  McCartney 1880 

TREASURERS. 

John  Thomas 1818-19 

R.  K.  MrLaui^hliu 1819-22 

Ebner   Field.' 1823-36 

James  Hall ,,   1827-30 

John  Dement 1831-36 

Charles  Gregory 1836 

John  D.  Whiteside 1837-40 

M.   Cari)enter 1841-48 

.lohn  Moore 1848-56 

James  Miller 1857-60 

William  Butler 1861-62 

Aleiander  Slarne 1863-64 

James  H.  Beveridge 186.5-66 

George  W.  Smith' 1867-68 

Erastus  N.  Bates 1869-78 

Edward  Uutz 1873-75 

Thomas  S.  Bidgeway 1876-77 

Edward  I{utz..' 1878-79 

John  C.  Smith 1879-81 

Edward  Rutz 1881 


38 


HISTOllY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


SECRETARIES  OF  STATE. 

EliasK   Kane 1818-23 

Samuel   I").  Lock  wood 1823-33 

David  Blackwi'll ISiii-,'! 

Morris  BirkliucU 1834 

George  Farqucr 1835-28 

Alexander  P.  Field 1829-40 

Stephen  A.  Douijla.s 1840 

Lyuian  Trumbull 1841-42 

Thompson  Campbell  184:3-40 

Horace  S.  Coolev 1846-45) 

David  L.  Gresj;  ". 1850-52 

Alexander  Starne 1853-56 

Ozias  il .  Hatch 1857-00 

Sharon  Tvndale 1865-08 

Edward  Knmmel 180!)-73 

George  H   Harlow 18T3-7!) 

Henry  D.  Dement ISSl 

AUDITORS. 

Elijah  V.  Berry 1818-31 

I.  T.  B  Stapp 1831-35 

Levi  Davis 1835-4J 

James  Shields 1841-43 

W  L.  D.  Ewing 1843-45 

Thompson  Campbell 1840 

.Tesse  K.  Dii bois 1857-04 

Orlin  H.Miner  1805-08 

Charles  E.  Lippincott 1809-76 

Thomas  B.  Needles 1877-79 

Charles  P.  Swigert 1881 

UNITED  STATES  SENATORS. 

Ninian  Edwards — On  the  organization  of  the 
State  in  1818,  Edwards,  the  popular  Territorial 
Governor,  was  chosen  Senator  for  tlie  sliort  term 
and  in  1819  re-elected  for  full  term. 

Jes.se  li.  T/tot)i(fs — One  of  the  Federal  Judges 
during  the  entire  Territoral  existence  was  chosen 
Senator  on  organization  of  the  State,  and  re- 
elected in  1S23,  and  served  till  1829. 

Jo/m  McLean — In  1824  Edwards  resigned, 
and  McLean  was  elected  to  till  his  unexpired 
term.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1791, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1815  ;  served  one  term  in 
Congress,  and  in  1839  was  elected  to  the  LTuited 
Stales  Senate,  but  the  following  year  died.  He 
is  said  to  have  been  the  most  gifted  man  of  his 
j)eriod  in  Illinois. 

Elias  Kent  Kane — Was  elected  November 
30,  1834,  for  the  term  beginning  March  4,  1S35. 
In  1830  he  was  re-electe"d,  but'died  before  the 
expiration  of  his  term.  He  was  a  native  of 
New  York,  and  in  1814  came  to  Illinois.  He 
was  tirst  Secretary  of  State,  and  afterward  State 
Senator. 

David  Jetoett  ]}aler—\\'B.n  appointed  to  till 
the  unexpired  term  of  John  jNIcLean,  in  1830, 
November  13,  but  the  legislature  refused  to 
endorse  the  choice.  BakerVas  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, born  in  1793,  and  died  in  Alton  in 
1869. 


John  31.  liobinson. — Instead  of  Baker,  the 
(irovernor's  appointee,  the  legislature  chose 
Robinson,  and  in  1834  he  was  re-elected.  In 
1843  was  elected  Supreme  Judge  of  the  Slate, 
but  within  two  months  died.  He  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois  while  ijuite 
young. 

William  L.  D.  Einn(j — "Was  elected  in  1835, 
to  till  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  death  of 
Kane.     He  was  a  Iventuckiau. 

Richard  M.  Young — Was  elected  in  1836, 
and  held  his  seat  from  March  4,  1837,  to  March 
4,  1S43,  a  full  term.  He  was  a  native  of  ]\en- 
tucky;  was  a  Circuit  Judge  before  his  election 
to  the  Senate,  and  Supreme  Judge  in  1842.  He 
died  in  an  insane  asylum  at  Washington. 

Samuel  Mc Roberts — The  first  native  Illinois- 
ian  ever  elevated  to  the  high  office  of  U.  S. 
Senator  from  this  State  was  born  in  1799,  and 
died  in  1843  on  his  return  home  from  Washing- 
ton. He  was  elected  Circuit  Judge  in  1834,  and 
March  4,  1841,  took  his  seat  in  the  \J.  S.  Senate. 

Sidney  Breese — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Sen- 
ate, Dec.  17,  1842,  and  served  a  full  term.  He 
was  born  in  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.  He  was 
Major  in  the  Black  Hawk  war;  Circuit  Judge, 
and  in  1841  was  elected  Supreme  Judge.  He 
served  a  full  term  in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  begin- 
ning March  4,  1843,  after  which  he  was  elected 
to  the  legislature,  again  Circuit  Judge,  and,  in 
1857,  to  the  Supreme  Court,  which  ]>osition  he 
held  until  his  death  in  187s. 

James  Semple — Was  the  successor  of  Samuel 
McRoberts,  and  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Ford  in 
1843.  He  was  afterwards  elected  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas — Was  elected  Uec.  14, 
1846.  He  had  jireviously  served  three  terms  as 
Congressman.  He  became  his  own  successor  in 
1853,  and  again  in  1859.  From  his  first  entrance 
in  the  Senate  he  was  acknowledged  the  peer  of 
Clay,  Webster  and  Calhoun,  with  whom  he 
served  his  first  term.  His  famous  contest  with 
Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Senate  in  1858  is  the 
most  memorable  in  the  annals  of  our  ct>untry. 
It  was  called  the  battle  of  the  giants,  and  re- 
sulted in  Douglas'  election  to  the  Senate,  and 
liincoln  to  tlie  Presidency.  lie  was  born  in 
Brandon,  Vermont,  April  23,  1813,  and  came  to 
Illinois  in  1833,  and  died  in  1861.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Secretary  of  State  by  Gov.  Carlin  in 
1840,  and  shortly  afterward  to  the  Supreme 
Bench. 

James  Shields — Was  elected  and  assumed  his 
seat  in  the  U.  iS.  Senate  in  1849,  March  4.     He 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


39 


I 


was  liiii-ii  ill  Irelniid  in  ISIO,  and  raiiic  \i>  tlic 
Unileil  Slales  in  1S:27.  He  served  in  llie  Mexi- 
can arm}',  was  elected  Senator  from  Wisconsin, 
and  in  IsTft  from  Missouri  for  a  short  term. 

Jyi/m<in  I'rmnhiill — Took  his  seat  in  the  V .  S. 
Senate  ALandi  4,  ISoT),  and  became  his  own  suc- 
cessor in  1S()].  He  liad  previously  served  one 
term  in  the  Lower  House  of  Congress,  and 
served  on  the  Supreme  Bench.  He  was  born  in 
Connecticut;  studied  law,  and  carae  to  Illinois 
early  in  life,  where  for  years  he  was  actively  en- 
gaged in  politics.     He  resides  in  Chicago. 

Orri/f  II.  lirownhui — Was  appointed  LT.  S. 
Senator  in  1801,  to  fill  the  seat  made  vacant  by 
the  death  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  until  a  Sena- 
tor could  be  regularly  elected.  Mr.  Browning 
was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Kentucky;  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  ISyi,  and  settled  in 
Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law,  and  was  instrumental,  with  liis 
friend,  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  forming  the  Re- 
publican i)arty  of  Illinois  at  the  Bloomington 
Convention.  He  entered  Johnson's  cabinet  as 
Secretary  of  the  Interior,  and  in  March,  1868, 
was  designated  by  the  President  to  perform  the 
duties  oif  Attorney  (-Jeneral,  in  addition  to  his 
own  as  Secretary  of  the  Interior  Department. 

Wnikini  A.  Itlchardsoii — Was  elected  to  the 
U.  S.  Senate  in  ISO:),  to  fill  the  unexpired  term 
of  his  friend,  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  He  was 
born  in  Fayette  county,  Ky., about  1810, studied 
law,  and  settled  in  Illinois;  served  as  captain  in 
the  Mexican  war,  and,  on  the  battle-field  of 
Buena  Vista,  was  promoted  for  bravery,  by  a 
unanimous  vote  of  his  regiment.  He  served  in 
the  Lower  House  of  Congress  from  1847  to 
18.50,  continually. 

liiehard  Y<(tes — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S. 
Senate  in  1865,  serving  a  full  term  of  six  years. 
He  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Nov.  27,  1873. 

.John  A.  Lor](in — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S. 
Senate  in  1871.  He  w^as  born  in  Jackson 
county,  111.,  Feb.  9,  1826,  received  a  common 
school  education,  aiid  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
the  Mexican  war,  where  he  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Regimental  (.Quartermaster.  On  returning  home 
he  studied  law,  and  came  to  the  bar  in  1852; 
was  elected  in  1858  a  Representative  to  the 
36th  Congress  and  re-elected  to  the  37th  Con- 
gress, resigning  in  1861  to  take  part  in  the  sup- 
pression of  the  Rebellion;  served  as  Colonel 
and  subse(|uently  as  a  Major  General,  and  com- 
manded, with  distinctiiui,  the  armies  of  the 
Tennessee.  He  was  again  elected  to  the  U.  S. 
Senate  in  1879  for  six  vears. 


Ddi'id  Ddi'h — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Sen- 
ate in  18'7'7  for  a  term  of  six  years.  He  was 
born  in  Cecil  county,  Md.,  Afarch  i),  1815,  grad- 
uated at  Kenyon  (^oUege,  Ohio,  studied  law, 
and  removed  to  Illinois  in  1835;  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  and  settled  in  Bloomington,  where  he 
has  since  resided  and  amassed  a  large  fortune. 
He  was  for  many  years  the  intimate  friend  and 
associate  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  rode  the  circuit 
with  him  each  year,  and  after  Lincoln's  election 
to  the  Presidency  was  .appointed  by  him  to  till 
the  position  of  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States. 

REPRESENTATIVES  IN    CONGRESS. 
FIFTEENTH     CONGRESS. 

.lohn  McLean 1818 

SIXTEENTH    CONGRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1819-20 

SEVENTEENTH    CONfiRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1831-23 

EIGHTEENTH  CONGRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1833-24 

NINETEENTH    CONGRESS. 

D.iniel  P.  Cook 1825-26 

TWENTIETH  CONGRESS. 

.losepli  Duncan 1837-28 

TWENTY-FIRST    CONGRESS. 

Joseph  Duncan 1829-30 

TWENTY-SECOND  CONGRESS. 

.ToKeph  Duncan 1831-33 

TWENTT-THIED    CONGRESS. 

.Jose])!!  Duncan 1833-34 

Ziidock  Casey 1833-34 

TWENTY-FOURTH  CONGRESS 

Zadoek  Casey 1835-36 

.lohn  Revnolds    1835-36 

Willi.inrL.  May 1835-36 

TWENTY-FIFTH    CONGRESS. 

Ziulock  Casey 1837-38 

.lohn  Revuokls 1837-38 

William'L.  May 1837-38 

TWENTY-SIXTH    CONGRESS. 

Ziuloek  Casey 1839-40 

.lohn  Kevnolds 1839-40 

.lohn  T.  Stuart 1839-40 

TWENTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS. 

Zadoek  Casey 1841-43 

.lohn  Reynolds 1841-42 

.lohn  T.  Stuart 1841-42 

TWENTY-EIGHTH  CONGRESS. 

Robert  Smith 1843-44 

Orlando  B.  Ficklin 1843-44 


40 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Stetihen  A.  Doui?las 1843-44 

John  A .  McClernand 1843-44 

Joseph  P.  Hoge 1843-44 

John  J.  Hardin 1843-44 

John  Wentvvorth         1843^4 

TWENTY-NINTH   CONGRESS. 

Robert  Smith 1845-4G 

Stephen  A.  Douglas 1845-46 

Urhindo  B.  FicUliu    184o-4(! 

John  J.  Hardin 1845 

Joseph  P.  Hos;e 1845-4G 

John  A.  McClernand 1845-40 

John  Wentworth 1845-40 

THIRTIETH  CONORESS. 

.Tohn  Wentworth 1847-48 

Thomas  J.  Turner 1847 

Abraham  Lincoln 1847-48 

John  A.  McClernand 1847-48 

Orlando  B.  Ficklin 1847-48 

Robert  Smith 1847-48 

William  A.  Richardson 1847-48 

THIRTY-FIRST  CONGRESS. 

John  A.  McClernand 1849-50 

John  Wentworth 18411-50 

Timothy  R.  Young 1849-50 

William  A.  Richardson 1849-50 

Edward  D.  Baker , 1849-50 

William  H.  Bissell 1849-50 

Thomas  L.  Harris 1849 

THIRTY-SECOND    CONGRESS. 

William  A.  Richardson 1851-52 

Thompson  CMniiibell 1851-52 

Orlando  B.  Firklin 1851-52 

John  Wentwortli 1851-52 

Richard  Yates 1851-52 

Richard  S.  .^laloney 1851-52 

Willis 1851-52 

AVilliam  H.  Hissell 1851-52 

THIRTY-THIKI)    CONGRESS. 

William  H.  Bissell 1853-54 

John  C.  Allen 1853-54 

Willis 1853-54 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1853-54 

Richard  Yates 1853-54 

Thompson  Campbell 1853-54 

.James  Kno.x 1853-.54 

Jesse  O.  Norton 1853-54 

William  A.  Richardson 1853-54 

THIRTY-KOUKTH    CONGRESS. 

Elilui  p.    Washburn 1855-50 

Lyman  Tiiimbvdl 1855-50 

James  H .  Woodworth 1 S55-50 

James  Knox 1855-50 

Thompson  Campbell ]855-5(i 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 18.55-5(i 

J.  L.  D.  Morrison 1855-50 

John  V.  Allen 1855-50 

Jesse  O.  Norton 1855-50 

William  A.  Richardson 1855-50 

THIRTY-FIFTH  C0N(;EESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1857-58 

Charles  D.  Hodges 1857-58 


William  Kellogg 1857-58 

Thompson  Campbell 1857-58 

.Tohn  F.  Farnsworth 1857-58 

Owen  Love  joy 1857-58 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 1857-58 

Isaac  N.  Morris 1857-58 

Aaron  Shaw 1857-58 

Robert  Smith 1857-58 

Thomas  L.  Harris 1857-58 

THIRTY-SIXTH  CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1859-60 

Jolm  A.  Logan 1859-00 

( )\vcn  Lovejo)' 1859-60 

John  A.  McClernand 1859-60 

Isaac  N.  Morris 1859-60 

John  F.  Farnsworth 1859-60 

Philip  B.  Fouke 1859-60 

Thomas  L.  Harris 1859-00 

William  Kellogg 18.59-00 

Jajiies  C.  Robertson 1859-00 

THIRTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1801-62 

James  C.  Robinson 1861-62 

John  A.  Logan 1861-62 

Owen  Loveioy 1861-63 

John  A.  McClernand 1861-02 

Isaac  N.  Arnold 1861-62 

Philip  B.  Fouke 1861-62 

William  Kellogg 1861-62 

Anthony  L.  Knapp 1861-62 

Willinni  A .  Richardson 1861-02 

THIRTY-EIGHTH  CONGEKSS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburn 1863-64 

Jesse  O.  Norton 1863-64 

James  C    Robinson 1803-64 

William  J.  Allen 1803-64 

Isaac  N    Arnold 1863-64 

John  R.  Eden 1863-64 

Lewis  W.   Ross 1863-04 

John  T.  Stuart 1803-64 

(jwen  Lovejoy 1863-64 

William  R.  Morrison 1863-04 

John  (^  Allen 1803-04 

John  F.  Farnsworth 1803-64 

Charles  W.  Morris 1803-04 

Eben  C.  IngersoU 1803-64 

Anthony  L.  Knapp 1863-64 

THIRTY-NINTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 18(!5-6(I 

Anthony  B.  Thornton 1865-06 

John  Wentworth 1865-66 

Abner  C.  Hardin 186.5-00 

Eben  C.  Ingcrsoll 1865-00 

Bar!  on  C.  Cook 1865-60 

Shelby  M.  Cullom 186.5-66 

John  F.  Farnsworth 18<!5-66 

J<hu  Baker 186.5-66 

Henry  P.  H.  Bromwell 186.5-66 

Andrew  Z.  Kuvkendall.  .     1865-66 

Samuel  S.  Marshall ^. 1865-66 

S.amuel  W.  Moulton 1865-66 

Lewis  W.  Ross 186.5-66 

FORTIETH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1807-08 

Abner  C.  Hardin 1867-68 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


41 


Eben  C.  Ingersoll 18C.7-6S 

Normnn  B.  Judd 18f>7-08 

Albert  (4.  Burr   18G7-68 

Barton  V.  Cook 1807-08 

Shelliv  M  C'ulloiii 1807-08 

John  P.  F:u-u9\vortli 1807-08 

Jehu  Balvei- 1807-08 

Henry  P.  H.  Bromwell 1807-68 

John  A.  Loiian 1807-08 

Saimicl  S.  Marshall 18()~-08 

Greeu  B.  Raum 1807-68 

Lewis  W.  Ross 1807-68 

FORTY-FIEST    CONGRESS. 

N'ornian  B.  Judd 180!)-70 

John  F.  Farnsworth lS0!)-7() 

H.  C.  Burchard 1809-70 

John  B.  Hawley 18flS)-70 

Eben  C.  Ingersoll 1800-70 

Barton  C.  Cook ]8(i!l-70 

Jesse  II.  Mo,)re l80!)-70 

Shelby  .\I.  C'uUoni 180'.)-7O 

Thomas  \V.  McNeely 1801)- 70 

Albert  O.  Burr ]80!)-7O 

Samuel  S.  Mai'shall    ..      1800-70 

John  B.  Hay 1800-70 

John  M.  Crebs 1800-70 

John  A.  Ijogan lH(iO-70 

KORiV-SECOND     COXCRESS. 

Charles  B,  Farwell 1871-73 

John  F.  Farnsworth 1871-72 

Horatio  ('.   liurehard , 1871-72 

John  I!.    Iliiwley 1871-72 

B I  ad  ton  1  N.  Stevens 1871-72 

Henry  Snapi) 1871-72 

Jesse  H.  Moore 1871-72 

James C.  Robinson 187.-72 

Thomas  W.  MoNeelv 1871-72 

Edward  Y.  Riee " 1871-72 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 1871-72 

John  B    H;iv 1871-72 

John  iM  Crebs 1871-72 

John  S.  Beveridgc 1871-72 

FORTV-TIIIRD    CONGRESS. 

» 

John  n.  Rice 1873-74 

Jasi)er  I) .  Ward 187;:i-74 

Charles   B.  Farwell 1873-74 

Siejihen  A.  Hurlbiit 1873-74 

Horatio  ('.  Burchard 1873-74 

John  B.  Hawley 1873-74 

Fraidilin  Corwin 1873-74 

Robert  M.  Knapp 1873-74 

James  C.  Robinson 1873-74 

John  B.  McNulta 1873-74 

Joseph  G.  Cannon _ 1873-74 

John  R.  Eden 1873-74 

James  S,  Martin 1873-74 

William  R.  Morrison ' 1873-74 

Creeubury  L.  Fort 1873-74 

Granville  Barrere 1873-74 

William  11.  Ray 1873-74 

Isaac  Clements 1873-74 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 1873-74 

FORTY-FOURTH    CONGRESS. 

Bernard  G.  Caullield 187.V70 

Carter  H.  Harrison l87.")-70 


Charles  B.  Farwell 1875-70 

Stephen  A.  Hiirlbut 1875-70 

Horatio  C.  Burchard 1875-70 

Thomas  J.  Henderson 1875-70 

Alexander  Campbell 1875-70 

Greenbury  L .  Fort ]  875-76 

Richard  H.  Whiting 1875-70 

John  C.  Bagby.  .  .  T 1875-70 

Scott  AVike 1875-70 

William  M.  Springer 1875-76 

.Vdlai  E.   Stevenson 1875-70 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1875-70 

John  R.  Eden 1875-76 

\V.  A.  J.  Sparks 1875-76 

William  R.  Morrison 1875-7<i 

William  Hartzell 1875-7(! 

William  B.  Anderson 1875-70 

FORTY-FIFTH    CONGRESS. 

William  Aldrieh 1877-78 

Carter  II    Hari'ison 1877-78 

Lorenzo  Breutano 1877-78 

William  Ijathrop 1877-78 

Horatio  C.  Burchard 1877-78 

Thomas  .1.  Henderson 877-78 

Philip  C.Hayes 1877-78 

Gi eenbury  L.  Fort 1877-78 

Thomas  A.  Boyd 18r7-78 

Benjamin  F.  Marsh 1877-78 

Robert  M.  Knapp 1877-78 

William  JI.  S])ringer 1877-78 

Thomas  F.  Tipton 1877-78 

Jose|ih  G.  Cannon 1877-78 

.lohn  R.  Eden 1877-78 

W.  A.  J.  Sparks 1877-78 

William  R.  Morrison 1877-78 

William  Hartzell 1877-78 

Richard  W.  Townshend 1877-78 

FORTY'-SIXTH    CONGRESS. 

William  Aldrieh 1870-80 

(.Jeorge  R.  Davis 1870-80 

1  linim  Barber 1879-80 

JohnC.  Sherwiu 1879-80 

R.  M.  A.  Hawk 1879-80 

Thonuis  J.  Henderson 1879-80 

Philip  C.  Hayes 1870-80 

Greenbury  L.  Fort 1870-80 

Thomas  A.  Boyd 1879-80 

Benjamin  F.  Marsh 1870-80 

.lames   W.  Singleton 1879-80 

William  M.  Springer 1870-80 

A.  E.  Stevenson 1879-80 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1879-80 

Albert  P.  Forsythe 1879-80 

W.  A.  J.  Sparks 1870-80 

William  R.  Morrison 1879-80 

John  R.   Thomas 1879-80 

R .  W    Townshend 1879-80 

.FORTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS. 

William  Aldrieh 1881-83 

Georuc  R.   Oavis 1881-82 

Charles  B    Farwell 1881-83 

John  C.  SluTwin 1881-83 

Robert  M.  A.  Hawk 1881-83 

Thomas  J.  Henderson 1881-83 

William  CuUen 1881-83 

Lewis  E.  Payson 1881-83 


49 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


John  H.   Lewis 1HS1-83 

Bciij.imiu  1'".  Maisli 1S81-82 

James  W.  Siun-Ieton 1881-83 

William   M.    S)iriii'''er 1881-82 

Dieliicli  C.  Smith 1881-83 

Joseiili  G    Caiimm 1881-83 

Samuel  \V.  Moulton 1881-83 

William  A.J.  Sparks 1881-83 

William  H ,  Jlonison 1881-83 

John  R.  Thomas : . . .  .1881-83 

R.  W .  Town.shend , .  1881-82 

THEN    AXD    XOW. 

Less  than  three-fourths  of  a  centtiry  ago  the 
Territory  of  Illinois  was  organized,  with  a  ])op- 
ulation  estimated  at  9,00(i;  to-day  it  numbers 
not  less  than  three  ami  one-half  millions — a 
greater  number  than  in  all  the  colonies  during 
the  Revolution.  When  organized,  steainboats 
had  never  traversed  its  waters;  railroads,  tele- 
graphs and  telephones  were  unknown;  to-day 
every  navigable  stream  is  alive  with  vessels  car- 
rying her  products  to  other  lands;  while  rail- 
roads traverse  every  county  and  almost  every 
township  in  the  State;  while  the  number  of 
miles  of  telegrai>h  wire  would  probably  encircle 
the  globe,  and  the  tele])hoiie  is  placed  in  thous- 
ands of  homes,  enabling  their  inmates  to  con- 
verse intelligiblv  with    parties  at   a  distance  of 


several  miles.  Then  the  liuiit  that  shone  out 
of  darkness  was  only  the  tallow-dip,  or  that 
furnished  from  blazing  h\gs  in  the  old-fashioned 
tire-places;  to-day,  after  having  displaced  the 
tallow-dip,  the  candle  and  the  common  house- 
lamp,  the  darkness  of  night  is  penetrated  by 
the  glare  of  gas  and  the  bright  rays  of  the  elec- 
tric light,  rivaling  the  light  of  day.  Then  agri- 
culture was  in  its  infancy,  it  being  possible  with 
the  machinery  then  used  only  to  raise  sufHcieiit 
crops  to  s>t]iply  the  wants  of  those  living  within 
its  boundary;  to-day,  with  the  improved  plows, 
the  stU-binding  reaper,  the  steam  thresher,  and 
other  improved  machinery,  Illinois  can  feed  a 
nation  of  50,000,000  of  people.  Then  the 
newspaper  was  a  rare  visitor  in  the  household; 
to-day  the  humblest  citizen  can  hartlly  exist 
without  his  daily  and  weekly  paper.  Then 
knowledge  was  possessed  by  few;  to-day,  by 
means  of  free  schools,  well  endowed  colleges 
and  other  influences,  there  is  no  excuse  for 
being  ignorant.  But  time  would  fail  to  com- 
]>are  the  advantages  of  to-day  over  that  of  the 
first  decade  of  the  present  century,  and  the  stu- 
dent of  history,  as  he  reads  of  the  progress 
7nade,  can  oidy  wonder  what  the  future  will 
reveal. 


# 


"tZ/ZoyrTLk/ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  I. 


IN  THE   ISEGINNING. 

When  the  Tenitoiy  of  Illinoi.-^  was  organized 
that  part  now  comprising  the  county  of  Sanga- 
mon was  an  unknown  wilderness  inhabited  only 
by  the   wild  beasts  of  the  forest,  wild  birds  of 
tlie  air,  and  no  less  wild  red  men,  who  roamed 
at  will  over  the  broad  prairies  and  through  the 
heavy  forests;  fishing  in  the  Sangamo,  or  hunt- 
ing the  game  that  everywhere  abounded,  seem- 
ingly caring  nothing  for  the  morrow,  and  only 
living  in  the  ever  present.     The  thought  of  the 
"pale-faces"  penetrating  this  beautiful  country 
had  not  yet  disturbed  them,  and  so  they  contin- 
ued on  in  their  daily  life  of  hunting  and  fishing, 
with  occasionally  a'short  war  between  tribes  to 
relieve  the  monotony  of  their  lives.     But  the 
lime  was  soon  to  come  when  they  were  to  sur- 
render  up  the   lands  and   move  on    toward  the 
setting  sun.     'J'he  time  was  soon  to  come  when 
all  nature  must  be  changed.     The  fair  prairies 
with  their  beautiful  flowers,  painted  only  by  the 
hand  of  God,  must  be  broken  up  l)y  the  husband- 
man, and  grain  lit  for  the   use  of  civilized  man 
sown  therein;  forests  were  to  be  felled  and  clear- 
ings made  that  the  art  of  man  could  be  exercised 
inthe  building  and  adornment  of  homes.     Thus 
it  was  in  1817  when  Robert  Pulliatn  erected  his 
cabin  upon  section  ^J:^—  ,  in  the  present  town- 
ship of  Ball.     Previous  to  this  time  the  soil  had 
been  unve.xed  by  the  plow  and  the  woodman's 
axe  had  never  been  heard.      The  cabin   of  the 
settler,  with  its  smoke  curling  heavenward,  and 
with  an  air  inviting  the  weary  traveler  to  come 
and  rest,  was  not  to  be  seen,  nor  even  the  faint- 
est trace  of  civilization  ;    but  instead,  boundless 
emerald  seas  and  luxuriant  grasses. 

These  the  gardens  of  the  deserts — these 

The  unshorn  fields,  boundless  and  heauiiful. 

And  fresh  as  the  young  earth,  ere  man  hud  sinned. 

Lo  !  they  stretch 
In  :iiry  uiulidntions  far  away 
As  if  the  ocean  in  the  gentlest  swell 
Stood  still,  with  all  his  rounded  billows  fixed, 
And  motionless  forever. 


TUE    GARDEN    SPOT. 

That  it  was  a  beautiful  country  is  the  testi- 
mony of  every  one  who  visited  it  at  an  early 
day.  In  proof  of  this  a  local  paper  on  one  oc- 
casion inserted  the  following: 

"Some  sixty  years  ago,  before  the  first  mile  of 
railroad  was  made,  while  the  Indian  still  lin- 
o-ered  in  Central  Illinois — when  the  turnpike 
road  from  Baltimore  and  Washington,  o\er  the 
mountains  to  the  Ohio  river,  was  the  great  nation- 
al highway  from  the  Eastern  to  the  infant  West- 
ern States,  and  when  four-horse  stage-coaches  for 
carrving  the  United  States  mails  and  passengers 
were  the  best  facilities  afforded  for  travel,  was 
the  time  the  facts  we  record  occurred. 

"Mercantile  agents, or  drummers, at  thatearly 
day    were    unknown.     Twice   a   year   Western 
merchants  went  East  to  replenish  their  stock  of 
goods.     The  stage-coaches  were  run  night  and 
day.travelingal)out  one  hundred  miles  in  twenty- 
four  hours.     About  the  time  we  speak  of  one  of 
these  elegant  stages  left  Baltimore  crowded  with 
Western     passengers,    mostly    merchants,   for 
Wheeling,  on  the  Ohio  river.     Having  traveled 
one  day  and  night,  they  were  crossing  the  mount- 
ains  slowly,  tired   and   sleepy.     Discussions  on 
various  topics  were  often  encouraged  to  enliven 
the  otherwise  tedious  hours.     On  this  occasion 
three   of    the    passengers  Avere   discussing   the 
claims  of  several  of  tlie  States  to   the'(4arden 
Spot  of  America,'  while  others  listened  or  slept. 
"  One  of  the  three  presented  the  claim  of  Lan- 
caster county,  Pennsylvania,  in  its  then  highly 
cultivated  condition;  its  rich  limestone  soil,  its 
beautiful  rolling  surface,  its  never  failing  har- 
vests, its  immense  barns,  etc. 

"The  second,  in  elegant  terms,  ))ortrayed  the 
region  round  about  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  for 
beauty  and  climate,  and  for  fertility  of  soil  and 
elegatit  imjirovements,  as  the  '(harden  S|)ot.' 

"Aiul  the  tliird gentleman  presented  and  ui'ged 
tUeclaiuiof  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  of  Virginia, 


4(i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  (^OUNTY. 


surrouiulecl  liy  tlie  mountains  and  watered  by  ten 
thousand  never  failing  springs  gushing  from  the 
mountains;  its  golden  harvests  of  grains  and 
luscious  fruits,  and  its  blooded  Hocks  upon  a 
thousand  hills. 

"This  interesting  discussion  was  suddenly 
stojiped  by  a  roughly  dressed  passenger,  in  a 
jeans  hunting  suit,  fringed,  who  had  been  sleep- 
ing and  snoring  for  an  hour  or  more.  With  an 
expression  of  terror  in  his  face,  he  declared  that 
something  serious  was  going  to  happen  the  stage. 
I've  had  a  remarkable  dream,  and  with  a  serious 
earnestness  eoiumenced  telling  his  dream  to  the 
anxious  passengers: 

'"I  dreamed  that  the  ^lorses  became  unman- 
ageable and  plunged  over  one  of  these  mountain 
precipices,  and  we  fell  and  rolled  several  hun- 
dred feet.  1  found  myself  struggling  in  a  very 
cold  stream  of  water,  but  gained  the  opposite 
shore.  I  looked,  and  behold,  I  seemed  to  be  in 
a  paradise— the  pi-ecincts  of  Heaven — the  trees, 
and  flowers  and  birds,  were  exceedingly  beautiful, 
and  at  a  little  distance  there  was  a  high  wall,  as 
if  built  of  precious  stones  or  rocks,  and  a  golden 
door  in  the  wall.  The  knob  of  the  door  seemed 
to  be  a  very  large  diamond,  glittering  as  a  star. 
I  concluded  I  was  in  the  spirit  world,  and  that 
the  golden  door  was  the  entrance  to  Heaven. 
Whife  thus  bewildered  this  gentleman  (jiointing 
to  one  of  the  trio  disputants)  appeared  and  walked 
to  the  golden  door.  He  knocked.  The  door  open- 
ed, and  a  glorious  personage  appeared,  whom  I 
was  im))ressed  to  think  was  St.  Peter.  '  Whence 
comest  thou?'  he  said  to  this  gentleman;  and  you 
answered  '  from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  he  said,  'enter.'  Then  came  this  othergentle- 
man  and  km)cked,  St.  Peter  opened  and  inijuired 
from  whence  he  came.  He  replied, '  f  roTu  Frank- 
fort, Kentucky.'  He  was  invited  to  enter.  And, 
after  a  long  while,  this  gentleman  (pointing  to 
the  third  of  the  trio)  hastened  to  the  door  and 
)-ap)ied.  The  door  was  ojiened  again,  and  St. 
Peler  appeared  for  the  third  time,  and  in(]uired 
from  what  part  of  the  earth  he  came.  He  said: 
'From  the  Valley  of  Virginia.'  And  he  was  per- 
mitted to  enter. 

'"The  more  I  looked  about  me  the  more  I 
became  enchanted.  I  heard  the  sweetest  music 
that  ever  fell  on  mortal  ears,  sounding  as  if  from 
over  the  wall,  and  I  passed  on  to  the  door  and 
rapped  with  a  small  silver  mallet,  that  seemed 
there  for  the  purpose.  St.  Peter  appeared. 
When  he  saw  me,  he  said,  in  sweetest  tones: 
'Whence  comest  thou?'  I  said, 'from  the  Sau- 
garao  country,  Illinois.  I  shall  never  forget  the 
candid  and  "kind  manner  St.  Peter  said:     'My 


friend,  I  advise  you  to  go  back,  as  there  is  no  such 
beautiful  land  in  Heaven  as  the  valley  drained  by 
the  Sangamo  river.  By  nature  it  is  the  Garden 
Spot  of  America,  and  by  the  art  of  man  is  des- 
tined to  become  the  Paradise  of  the  New  World 
— a  land  of  corn  and  wine,  and  though  the  first 
several  generations  of  settlers  may  have  to  toil, 
yet  before  the  tenth  genei-ation  shall  apjiear,  this 
wilderness  will  be  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose.' 
"The  early  settler  of  Sangamo  was  so  in- 
genious in  presenting  the  claim  of  Illinois  as 
containing  the  'Garden  Spot,'  that  it  was  unani- 
mously avvarded  to  it.  And  at  the  next  stoi)ping 
place  the  trio  treated  to  the  wine." 

I'IKST   WHITE   MEN    IN    SANGAMON    COVNTY. 

History  and  tradition  are  both  silent  as  to 
who  was  the  first  white  man  to  visit  this  country. 
The  early  French  explorers  came  within  a  few 
miles  of  its  border,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  they 
set  foot  within  it.  Following  only  the  courses 
of  the  great  rivers,  and  penetrating  inland  but 
a  shortdistance,  the  beautiful  Sangamo  country 
was  unperceived  by  them.  From  the  time  of 
their  visit  to  the  Mississi])pi  in  167:3,  a  century 
and  a  half  passed  before  Robert  Pulliam  in  his 
wanderings  came  upon  the  scene,  followed 
closely  by  Henry  Funderburk,  William  Dren- 
nan,  Joseph  Dodds,  James  McCoy  and  others. 

FIRST    SETTIiEMENT. 

In  1858,  on  the  organization  of  the  Old  Set- 
tlers' Society,  it  was  determined  to  have  the 
first  annual  celebration  on  or  near  the  site  of 
the  first  cabin  erected  in  the  county.  To  this 
end,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate 
the  claims  of  all  i)arties  to  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  settler.  After  much  investigation  that 
committee  decided,  on  the  evidence  of  the  fam- 
ily and  some  others,  that  Robert  Pulliam 
erected  a  cabin  in  the  fall  of  181U,  which,  with- 
out doubt,  was  the  first  built  in  the  county. 
Accordingly,  the  celebration  was  here  held.  So 
far  as  is  known,  no  one  at  that  time  disputed 
the  claim. 

It  is  now  claimed  by  the  descendants  of 
Henry  Funderburk  that  he  was  the  first  settler 
in  the  county;  that  he  arrived  in  the  spring  of 
1817,  and  raised  that  year  a  small  <piantity  of 
corn,  and  that  Pulliam  was  not  then  here. 
Their  claim  is  supported  by  Jacob  Ilinkle,  of 
Pawnee,  who  says  that  he  was  six  years  old 
when  his  father  arrived  in  the  county  in  the 
spring  of  1818;  that  he  well  remembers  seeing 
shocks  of  corn  on  Mr.  Funderburk's  place  which 
must  have  been  raised  the  year  previous. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


41 


Sixty-four  years  have  now  passed  since  the 
first  settlement  was  made,  and  there  is  not  liv- 
ing in  all  Sangamon  county  one  who  came  dur- 
ing the  years  1817  or  1818  who  was  a  man  or 
woman  grown  at  that  time.  Evidence  must 
now  be  taken  second-hand,  or  from  those  who 
were  very  small  when  brought  by  their  parents 
to  this  county.  It  cannot,  then,  be  wondered 
at  that  there  is  a  disagreement  ujjon  this  and 
many  other  points.  In  the  history  of  the  town- 
ship of  Ball  will  be  found  all  the  evidence  now 
attainable  with  reference  to  the  claims  of  Pul- 
liam,  and  in  the  history  of  Cotton  Hill  town- 
ship the  Funderburk  claim  is  set  forth.  The 
attention  of  the  reader  is  called  to  these  chap- 
ters. 

OTHER  EARLY   SETTLERS. 

In  the  spring  of  1818,  William  Drennan,  Jo- 
seph Drennan,  Joseph  Dodds,  Mr.  Vancil  and 
George  Cox  settled  in  township  14,  north  of 
range  5,  west,  in  what  is  now  Ball  township. 

James  McCoy  and  Levi  W.  Goodin,  in  the 
fall  of  1818,  settled  in  township  14,  range  4, 
but  moved  to  township  15,  range  4,  what  is  now 
known  as  Rochester  township.  Mr.  McCoy  and 
Mr.  Goodin  brought  their  wives,  who  were  the 
first  white  women  to  come  to  the  county  for  the 
purpose  of  making  it  their  home.  It  is  said 
that  but  six  women  came  that  year,  the  other 
four  being  wives  of  William  and  Joseph  Dren- 
nan, Mr.  Vancil  and  Joseph  Dodds. 

In  what  is  now  Auburn  township,  Jacob  Ellis, 
James  Black,  Samuel  Vancil,  and  John  Wallace 
settled  in  1818.  In  other  parts  of  the  county 
were  Zachariah  Peter,  Justice  Hinkle,  William 
Nelson,  Mason  Fowler,  Joseph  Dixon,  Joseph 
Neeley,  and  others. 

AREA  AND  POSITION  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Sangamon  county  is  centrally  situated,  north 
and  south,  in  the  State  and  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Menard  and  Logan  counties,  on  the 
south  by  Macoupin,  Montgomery  and  Christian 
counties,  on  the  east  by  Macon  county  and  on 
the  west  by  Morgan  county.  It  contains  an 
area  of  87.5  square  miles,  or  550,000  acres  of 
land. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

Sangamon  county  was  created  by  an  act  of 
the  legislature,  approved  January  30,  1821.  The 
following  is  the  act  in  question: 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  represented  in.  the  General  Assembly, 
That  all  that  tract  of  country  within  the  follow- 
ing   boundariesi,    towit;     Beginning    at    the    north- 

6— 


east  corner  of  township  twelve  north,  on  the 
third  principal  meridian,  thence  north  with  said 
meridian  to  the  Illinois  river,  thcnci'  down  the  middle 
of  said  river  to  the  mouth  of  Balance  or  Negro  creek, 
thence  up  said  crock  to  its  licad,  thence  through  the 
middJc  of  the  prairie  which  divides  the  waters  of  the 
Sangamon  and  Mauvcs  Torre  to  the  northwest  corner 
of  township  twelve  north,  range  seven  west,  of  the 
tliird  priueijuil  meridian,  tlienee  tast  along  the  north 
boundary  of  township  twelve  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, shall  constitute  a  sei)arate  county  to  be  called 
Sangamon. 

siiCTioN  2.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  so  soon 
as  the  county  commissioners  of  said  county  shall 
be  elected  and  duly  (pialitied  into  oflice,  they  shall  meet 
at  some  convenient  place  in  said  county  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  and  such  place  where  selected  by 
said  county  commissioners,  shall  be  the  temporary  seat 
of  justice  for  said  county,  until  otherwise  provided 
by  law;  Provided,  however,  that  it  any  settler  or  set- 
tlers, owner  or  owners,  of  the  place  so  selected  as  afore- 
said, shall  refuse  to  have  llie  temporary  seat  of  justiee 
lixed  on  his  or  her  or  their  imiirovements,  then  the 
said  commissioners  may  determine  on  such  other  place 
contiguous  thereto  as  they  may  deem  proper. 

Section  3.  Be  it  further  enacted,  That  said  county 
commissioners  shall  be  allowed  the  same  compensa- 
tion for  the  time  necessarily  employed  in  fixing  the 
temporary  seat  of  justiee  as  in  other  cases. 

Section  4.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  citizens 
of  Sangamon  county  are  hereby  declared  in  all  res- 
pects entitled  to  the  same  rights  and  privileges  as  are 
allowed  in  general  to  other  counties  in  this  State. 

Provided,  always,  That  in  all  cases  where  freehold- 
ers only  arc  capable  of  performing  any  duty,  or  are  en- 
titled to  any  privilege  ;  housekeepers  shall  for  all  such 
purposes,  be  considered  as  freeholders  in  the  said  San- 
gamon county,  and  shall  and  may  do  all  duties  ap- 
pertaining to   the   difi'erent  offices  in  the  county. 

Sections.  Be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  county 
of  Sangamon  shall  compose  a  part  of  the  first  judicial 
circuit  of  the  State. 

The  following  is  the  original  boundary  of  the 
county  as  thus  created  :  Commencing  at  the 
northeast  corner  of  Locust  tow'nshij),  in  Christ- 
ian county,  thence  north  to  a  ])oint  on  the  Illi- 
nois river  about  two  miles  west  of  the  city  of 
Peru,  thence  down  the  middle  of  said  river  to 
what  is  now  the  boundary  line  \,l)etween  Cass 
and  Morgan  counties,  thence  west  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  Morgan  county,  thence  south 
on  the  line  between  Morgan  and  Sangamon 
counties  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Otter  town- 
ship in  Macoupin  county;  thence  east  to  th6 
])lace  of  beginning.  It  will  be  seen  that  the 
boundaries  between  this  county  and  Morgan, 
Macoupin  and  Montgomery,  are  unchanged. 
The  original  metes  and  bounds  of  Sangamon 
county,  as  given,  embraced  the  following  coun- 
ties and  parts  of  counties  as  at  present  constitu- 
ted :  Part  of  Christian,  a  small  jiart  of  Macon 
all  of  Logan  part  of  McLean,  all  of  Tazewell,  part 
of  Woodford,  part  of  Marshall,  ]iart  of  Putnam, 
all  of  Mason,  all  of  Menard  aiid  all  of  Casi. 


48 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


The  territorj-  then  constituting  the  county  was 
thus  set  apart  by  law.  An  election  for  county 
officers  was  held  Monday,  April  2,  18lM.  At 
this  election  William  Drennan,  Zachariah  Peter 
and  Rivers  Cormack  were  elected  County  Com- 
missioners, met  the  next  day  and  took  the  oath 
of  office. 

ACTS  OF  THE  COUNTY   COMMISSIONERS. 

The  tirst  meeting  of  the  County  Commission- 
er's Court  waslield  at  the  liouse  of  John  Kelley, 
on  Tuesday,  April  :!,  1821  ;  there  being  present 
all  the  members  elect — William  Drennan,  Zach- 
ariah Peter  and  Eivers  Cormack.  After  taking 
the  oath  of  office  prescribed  by  law,  the  tirst 
business  was  the  appointment  of  a  clerk,  Cliarles 
R.  Matheny  being  honored  with  the  position. 
Mr.  Malheny  took  the  oath  of  office  and  entered 
into  bond  with  James  Latham  as  security  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties.  No 
further  business  was  transacted  at  this  time  and 
the  court  adjourned. 

The  second  special  term  was  held  at  the  same 
place,  on  the  Kith  day  of  April,  1821,  Zachariah 
Peter  and  William  Drennan  being  present 

John  SiiiUers  was  allowed  tlie  sum  of  ten  dol- 
lars for  carrying  the  election  returns  to  Vanda- 
lia.  then  the  cai)ital  of  the  State. 

J(jhn  Linsey,  Stephen  Stillman  and  John 
Robinson  were  nominated  to  the  Governor  as 
proper  persons  to  till  the  office  of  Justices  of  the 
Peace. 

James  Siwms  was  appointed  County  Treas- 
urer. 

The  Commissioners  wlio  were  appointed  by 
the  act  creating  the  county  to  select  a  temjiorary 
county-seat,  reported  as  follows  : 

"Whereas,  The  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  en- 
titled, 'un  act  establishing  the  County  of  iSangamo' 
requires  of  the  t'ounty  Commissioners  when  elected 
anil  qualitied  into  oftlee,  to  fix  a  temporary  seat  of  jus- 
tice for  said  county  ;  tlierefore,  we,  the  undersigned, 
County  Commissioners  of  said  county,  do  certify  that 
we,  after  full  examination  of  the  situation  of  the  jiopu- 
lation  of  said  county,  have  ti.xed  and  designated  a  cer- 
tain point  in  tlie  prairie  near  .Tohn  Kelley 's  tield  on 
the  waters  of  Spring  creek,  at  a  sialic  marked  Z.  D.,  as 
the  temporary  seal  of  justice  for  said  county,  and  do 
further  agiee  thai  llie  said  county-seat  be  called  and 
known  by  the  name  of  Springfield. 

■'  Given  under  oiu-  hand  tins  lOtli  day  of  April,  1821 . 

ZACHAliI.\H    PeTKH. 

William  Dkennan." 
The  ne.xt  meeting  of  the  board  of  County 
Commissioners  was  held  at  the  court  house  in 
Springfield,  June  4,  1821,  all  the  members  being 
present,  with  Charles  R.  Matheay,  Clerk,  au'd 
John  Taj^lor,  Siieriflf. 


From  the  records  the  following  is  extracted: 

"The  court,  pursuant  to  public  notice  given, 
procee<led  to  let  out  the  building  of  a  jail  to  the 
lowest  bidder,  which  was  cryed  off  to  Robert 
Ilambleton,  at  $84.75,  who  thereupon  entered 
into  an  agreement  with  the  aforesaid  Commis- 
sioners to  have  the  same  completed  by  the  first 
Monday  in  September  next. 

'•  Ordered,  that  W'illiam  Drennan  be  appointed 
guardian  for  George  Cox,  an  infant  under  the 
age  of  fourteen  years,  and  that  he  enter  into 
bond  in  one  hundred  dollars,  with  Rivers  Cor- 
mack as  security." 

Several  public  roads  were  ordered  laid  out  at 
this  session,  and  John  llamblin  and  David 
Black  were  appointed  constables. 

James  Simms  refusing  to  qualify  for  the  office 
of  treasurer,  George  llaworth  was  a))]iointed, 
and  was  duly  (jualified,  presenting  Zachariah 
Peter  and  Robert  PuUiam  as  security. 

In  order  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses  of 
the  county,  it  was  ordered  by  the  County  Com- 
missioners that  "the  Assessor,  in  assessing  the 
taxable  property,  assess  the  following  property, 
to-wit :  Horses,  neat  cattle,  wheel-carriages, 
stock  in  trade  and  distillery. 

The  county  was  divided  into  two  battalion 
districts  of  four  com])auies  each,  and  an  elec- 
tion ordered  for  militia  officers  in  each  district. 

A  special  term  was  next  held  July  16,  1821, 
the  members  of  the  court  all  being  present. 
The  only  l)usiness  transacted  l)eing  the  levying 
of  one-half  of  one  per  cent,  upon  all  taxable 
])roperty  "for  the  jturpose  of  procuring  public 
buildings  and  other  necessary  expenses  for  the 
year  1821." 

On  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1821,  the 
Commissioners  again  met  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 

Jacob  Ellis  was  allowed  the  sum  of  ^4.50  for 
a  judge's  seat  and  bar  in  the  court-house. 

Andrew  Orr,  Matthew  Higgins,  Norris  A. 
Thomas,  Jacob  A.  Millet  and  Robert  Hamilton 
were  appointed  constables,  each  of  whom  rjuali- 
tied  in  open  court. 

Jolm  Taylor  was  allowed  ^.'50. V.")  for  book  and 
stationery  furnished  the  clerk  of  the  court. 

At  a  term  held  December  3,  1821,  Robert 
Hamilton  was  allowed  the  sum  of  $84.75  for  the 
jail  built  by  him  for  the  use  of  the  county. 
J,  hn  Taylor,  sheriff  of  the  county,  protested 
against  receiving  the  jail  as  not  suitable;  but  his 
protest  was  not  heeded. 

Charles  R.  Matheny  was  allowed  187.50  for 
salary  as  clerk  o'  the  Circuit  Court,  and  for  sta- 
tionery furnished  for  the  year  1821;  Rivers  Cor- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


49 


lu.-ick  was  ;illci\vc'd  f^o  for  services  as  t'oiiiuiis- 
sioiier;  William  Drennan  and  Zacliariali  Peter 
each  ^Si)  for  services  as  Commissioners;  John 
Taylor  was  allowed  *50  as  salary  for  tlie  year 
1821. 

The  first  tavern  license  granted  by  the  Ixiard 
was  at  this  term,  Robert  Pi il Ham  being  ]iermitted 
to  engage  in  the  business  for  the  sum  of  ^:i  per 
year.  He  was  permitted  to  cliarge  the  following 
rates : 

Mfal  victu.als 2.5    cents. 

Bed.  per  iiisilit 124 

Feed  for  liorse 12i 

Keepins  horse  over  uight 3Ti       " 

Whisky,  per  half-pint Vil       " 

On  the  first  Monday  in  March,  1822,  the  court 
licensed  Elijah  Slater  to  "  keep  a  tavern  or  pub- 
lic liouse  of  entertainment  in  the  town  of  Spring- 
field." Whether  provisions  were  scarce,  or 
whatever  the  cause,  he  was  permitted  to  charge 
a  higher  rate  than  Mr.  Pulliam,  the  court  fixing 
the  following  prices: 

Meal  victuals ;-J7i  cents. 

Lodging 12i 

Biandv,  per  half-pint 35  " 

Wiue,"     "  "         , 2.5 

Hum,        "  •■         25 

Giu.  "  '■         18i  " 

Horse,  per  night 50  " 

Horse  feed 12 J  " 

Whisky,  per  half-pint 12i  " 

Tuesday,  March  5,  1822,  the  board  was  .again 
in  session,  at  which  time  it  was  "ordered  by  the 
court  that  the  treasurer,  in  assessing  the  prop- 
erty for  ta.xation  for  the  year  1822,  take  and 
include  all  personal  pro{)erty, goods  and  chattels 
of  whatsoever  kind  or  nature  the  same  may  be, 
including  all  the  personal  estate,  in  addition  to 
the  real  estate  made  taxable  by  law." 

Charles  R.  M.atheny  was  instructed  to  con- 
tract for  county  seals,  weights  and  measures  for 
the  use  of  tlie  county. 

Erastus  Wright  was  authorized  to  keep  a  ferry 
on  the  Illinois  river  at  Fort  Clark  (Peoria),  and 
was  permitted  to  charare  the  following  rates: 

For  man  and  horse,  or  single  person  or  horse,  25  cents. 

For  man  or  oilier  person 12^     " 

For  each  ox.  bull,  cow,  steer  or  heifer 12.}     " 

For  each  calf,   sheep  or  hog (ii     " 

Forearli  w.igon  cart,  sleigh,  sled  or  vehicle 

drawn  by  two  horses  or  two  oxen .50       " 

For  eaith  additional  span  or  yoke  of  horses  or 

oxen 2.5      " 

All  other  less  or  greater  number  of  persons  or  yokes 
or  parts  thereof,  in  the  same  proportion  as  above 
allowed. 

Thomas  Price  was  authorized  to  keep  tavern 
with  rates  as  already  given. 

Robert  Hamilton  was  appointed  treasurer  and 


entered  into  bond  with  .lohn  Scott  and  (reorge 
TIayworth  as  securities,  which  bond  was  ap- 
l)roved. 

At  the  June  term,  1822,  Aaron  and  Gideon 
Uawley  were  authorized  to  keep  a  ferry  across 
the  south  fork  of  the  Sangamo  river,  at  what 
was  known  as  Jarvis'  Ford.  The  following- 
rates  were  established: 

Each  man  or  other  person 6i  cents. 

For  man  and  horse 12i       "' 

Lead  horse  or  gelding 6J      " 

Bull,  cow  or  steer 6J 

Calf,  sheep  or  hog OJ- 

Wagon  and  two  horses  or  oxen 37+ 

Vehicle  drawn  by  one  horse 25 

Extra  teams  charged  in  projiortion  to  the  foregoing 
rates. 

The  sum  of  $12  was  allowed  Thomas  Smith 
for  a  stray  found  in  Springfield,  for  the  use  of 
the  county,  and  Andrew  Orr  was  api)ointed  to 
take  charge  of  the  same. 

Jn  July  the  Commissioners  were  again  in 
session. 

The  treasurer  was  authorized  and  ordered  to 
extend  a  tax  of  Hlh  cents  on  the  *100  on  .all 
taxable  property. 

At  the  annual  election  held  in  1822,  William 
Morgan  and  Samuel  Lee  were  elected  members 
of  the  board  vice  William  Drennan  and  Rivers 
Cormack. 

The  first  session  of  the  new  board  was  held 
on  the  second  day  of  September,  1822.  No 
business  of  any  special  importance  was  tran- 
sacted, and  the  court  adjourned  till  court  in 
course. 

The  next  meeting  of  the  court  was  held  in 
December,  at  which  time  Charles  R.  Matheny 
was  allowed  |!94  for  stationery  furnished  the 
county. 

Jacob  Ellis  was  allowed  ll  for  hinges  and 
hanging  the  court  house  door. 

At  the  March  term,  1824,  the  first  allowance 
for  paupers  was  made.  John  Orendorff  was 
allowed  $51.50  for  keeping  two  paupers  for  six 
months,  and  Nathan  Hussey  $20  for  keeping  one 
pauper  six  months. 

In  1825,  specie  must  have  been  scarce,  judg- 
ing from  the  fact  that  at  the  June  term  of  that 
year  all  allowances  were  made  "in  specie  or  its 
equivalent." 

At  the  July  term,  1825,  the  board  met  to  let 
the  building  of  a  new  brick  court  house,  but  the 
records  are  silent  as  to  any  action  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

At  the  September  terra,  same  year,  Thomas 
Clark  was  appointed  to  su])erintend  the  0])ening 
arul   improvment  of  the  navigation   of  the  San- 


50 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


gamoii  river,  a  subsci'iptioii  l)eing  raised  for  that 
purpose.  Subscribers  to  the  fund  were  allowed 
to  pay  their  subscription  in  labor  at  the  rate  of 
II  per  day. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  County  Commis- 
sioners'Court  was  held  November  5,  1849.  But 
little  business  was  transacted.  Their  term  of 
office  was  about  at  an  end,  being  succeeded  by 
the  board  of  justices. 

The  following  named  served  as  County  Com- 
missioners for  the  years  named,  and  is  a  com- 
plete list  from  the  organization   of  the  county: 

COCNTT  COMMISSIONERS. 

1821 — William  Drennan,  Zachariah  Peter  and  Rivers 
Cormack. 

1822 — William  Morgan,  Zachariah  Peter  and  Samuel 
Lee. 

1823— Same  as  above. 

1824 — William  Morgan,  Harry  Riggin  and  Zachariah 
Peter. 

1825— Same. 

1826 — Samuel  Lee,  William  Strawbridge  and  Bowlinii; 
Green. 

1827— Same. 

1828— Asa  8.  Shaw,  Zachariah  Peter  and  Josiah  B. 
Smith. 

1829— Same. 

1830 — Same.  Asa  A.  Shaw  resigning.  Garret  Elkin 
was  elected  to  fill  vacancy. 

1831— Same 

1832— Josiah  B.  Smith.  Thomas  Moflett  and  Reuben 
Harrison. 

1833— Same. 

1834— Thomas  Moffett,  Bartlett  Haley  and  Samuel 
Berry. 

183.5— Thomas  Jloftett,  Samuel  Berry  and  William 
G.  Cantrall. 

1836— Zachariah  Peter,  William  G.  Cantrall  and 
William  Hickman. 

1837— Same. 

1838 — John  Cooper,  Thomas  Sackett  and  Thomas 
Simpson. 

1839— Same. 

1840 — Thomas  Simpson,  Jolin  Cooper  and  Zachariah 
Peter. 

1841 — John  Cooper.  Zachariah  Peter  and  Samuel 
Wyckotr. 

1842 — Zachariah  Peter,  Samuel  Wyckotf  and  Willis 
H.   Groves. 

1843 — Same. 

1844 — Zachariah  Peter,  Abram  Foutch  and  John 
Dawson. 

184.^— Same. 

1  46 — .\bram  Foutch,  Thomas  Shepherd  and  John 
Dawson . 

1847— Same. 

1848— William  F.  Elkin,  Thomas  Shepherd  and 
Abram  Foutch. 

1849— Same. 

BOARD    OF  JUSTICES. 

In  1849,  the  county  government  was  vested 
in  a  Board  of  Justices,  consisting  of  a  county 
judge  and  two  asssociate  justices,  all  the  powers 
previously   lield    by    the  County  Commissioners 


being  transferred  to  them.  The  first  meeting  of 
the  Board  of  Justices  was  held  at  the  court  house 
in  Springfield,  Monday,  December  3,  1849. 
There  were  present,  Thomas  Moffett,  county 
judge;  Cyrus  W.  Yanderen  and  William  F.  El- 
kin, associate  justices.  The  unfinished  business 
of  the  County  Commissioners'  court  was  first 
taken  up,  and  then  the  new  board  proceeded  to 
the  transaction  of  all  business  brought  before 
them. 

In  1861  the  county  adopted  the  township  or- 
ganization law,  and  the  last  meeting  of  the 
Board  of  Justices  was  held  Thursday,  March 
14,  1861. 

The  following  named  composed  the  Board  of 
Justices,  each  serving  the  term  of  four  years. 

1849— Thomas  Moflett,  County  Judge;  William  F. 
Elkin,  Cvrus  W.  Vanderen,  Associate  Justices. 

18r33— John  W.  Taylor,  County  Judge;  Samuel  K. 
Swinglcy,  William  Armstrong,  Associate  Justices. 

1857— William  D.  Power,  County  Judge  ;  Moses  K. 
Anderson,  J.  A.  Bell,  Associate  Justices. 

TOWNSHIP  OBGANIZATIOX. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  Board  of  Jus- 
tices June  5,  1860,  praying  the  board  to  submit 
the  question  to  a  vote  of  the  people  for  the 
adoption  of  township  organization.  The  prayer 
of  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  the  subject 
was  ordered  submitted  to  the  people  at  the 
ne.xt  general  election,  held  Tuesday,  November 
0,  1800.  The  vote  was  canvassed  by  the  board 
in  December  following,  when  it  was  ascertained 
there  was  a  majority  of  859  votes  in  its  favor, 
out  of  a  total  vote  of  7,241.  The  board  there- 
upon appointed  John  S.  Bradford,  Joini  Gard- 
ner, Sen.,  and  Joseph  Campbell,  commissioners 
to  divide  the  county  into  towns,  in  accordance 
with  the  general  law  relating  to  township  organ- 
izations. At  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  lieid 
March  1,  1861,  the  commissioners  submitted 
their  report,  by  which  the  county  was  divided 
into  twenty-two  townships  under  the  following 
I  names: 
Auburn,  Island  Grove, 

Ball,  Loami, 

Buffalo  Ilart,  Mechanicsburg, 

Campbell,  Power, 

Cartwright,  Pawnee, 

Clear  Lake,  Rochester, 

Cooper,  Sackett, 

Cotton  Hill,  Springfield, 

Curran,  Talkington, 

Gardner,  Williams, 

Illiopolis,  Woodside. 

New  Berlin  has  since  been  formed  from  part 
of  Island  Grove,  Wheatfield  from  part  of  Illiop- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


51 


olis,  and  Capital  from  part  of  Springfield,  mak- 
ing a  total  of  twenty-tive  towns,  as  follows: 

Auburn,  embracing  all  of  township  13,  north 
of  range  6  west  of  the  third  principal  meridian, 
and  part  of  township  l.i,  north  of  range  5  west. 

Ball,  all  of  township  14,  north  of  range  5 
west. 

Bttjf'alo  Hurt,  all  of  township  17,  liorlh  of 
range  3  west. 

Chatham,  a\\  oi  townshi|i  14,   north  of  range 

6  west,  and  a  small  poition  of  township  14, 
north  of  range  5  west. 

Cartirriijht,  all  of  township  16,  north  of  range 

7  west,  and  fractional  parts  of  township  16  and 
17,  range  8  west. 

Clear  Lake,  all  of  township  16  north  of  range 
4  west. 

Cooper,  parts  of  township  14  and  15,  range  3 
west. 

Cotton  Hill,  all  of  township  14  north  of  range 
4  west. 

Curran,  all  of  township  1.5  north  of  range  6 
west. 

Gardner,  all  of  township  16  north  of  range  6 
west. 

Illiopolis,  parts  of  townships  16  and  17,  range 
1  and  2  west. 

Island  Grore,  part  of  township  15,  and  pans 
of  ranges  of  7  and  8  west. 

Loanii,  part  of  township  14  north,  and  parts 
of  ranges  7  and  8  west. 

Mechanicsburg,  all  of  township  16,  north  of 
range  3  west. 

Fancy  Creek,  parts  of  townships  17  and  18, 
north  of  range  .5  west 

Pavmee,  township  13  north,  and  parts  of 
ranges  4  and  5  west. 

Rochester,  township  15,  north  of  range  4  west. 

Salisbury,  a  part  of  township  17,  north  of 
range  6  west. 

Springfield,  township  16  north  of  range  5 
west,  except  the  territory  comprising  the  city  of 
the  same  name,  which  is  made  a  town  under 
the  name  of  Capital. 

Talki»gto)i,,  township  18  north,  and  parts  of 
ranges  7  and  8  west. 

Williams,  parts  of  townships  17  and  18,  north 
of  range  4  west. 

Woodside,  township  15,  north  of  range  5 
west. 

Wheatfield,  parts  of  townships  15,  16  and  17, 
north  of  range  2  west. 

New  Berlin,  townships  14  and  15,  and  parts 
of  ranges  7  and  8. 

Capital,  all  the  territory  lying  within  the  city 
of  Springfield. 


RIVEK    AND    CREEKS. 

Sangamon  county  is  well  supplied  with 
streams  of  living  water,  the  most  important  of 
which  is  the  Sangamon  river,  the  north  fork  of 
which  takes  its  rise  in  McLean  county,  and  pur- 
suing a  tortuous  course,  forms  the  southern 
boundary  line  of  Sangamon  along  Illiopohs 
and  part  of  Cooper  township,  enteiing  the 
county  on  section  15  of  the  last  named  town- 
ship, passing  through  it  and  Rochester  into 
Clear  Lake  township,  wiiere  it  is  joined,  on  sec- 
tion 27,  with  the  south  fork,  which  heads  in 
Shelby  county,  entering  Sangamon  on  section 
12,  Cotton  Hill  townshij),  and  passing  through 
Rochester  into  Clear  Lake.  The  two  forks 
uniting  as  stated,  pass  into  and  through  Spring- 
field, Gardner  and  Salisbury  townships,  from 
which  it  enters  Menard  county  from  section  22. 

For  many  years  the  river  retained  its  old  In- 
dian name  of  the  Sangamo,  but  it  was  finally 
dropped,  and  the  modern  name  adojited. 

NAVIGATION    OF    THE    SANOAiNIO    EIVIOR. 

The  boys  that  play  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Sangamo  river  in  this  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand,  eight  hundred  and  eighty-one  little 
dream  that  it  was  ever  thought  by  anyone  that 
the  river  was  a  navigable  stream,  much  less  that 
an  attempt  was  ever  made  to  run  a  steamer  on 
its  sluggisii  waters.     But  such  was  the  case. 

Before  the  days  of  the  iron  horse,  when  rail- 
roads were  comparatively  unknown,  many  at- 
tempts were  made  at  the  navigation  of  insig- 
nifieent  streams,  in  order  to  cheapen  transporta- 
tion.   Especially  was  this  true  in  new  countries. 

The  Sangamo  .Journal,  January  1ft,  1832,  after 
speaking  of  the  signs  of  an  early  spring  and 
the  preparation  for  ini|)rovement  going  on, says: 

"And  last,  not  least,  it  is  seriously  ])rojected 
by  our  fellow-citizen,  V.  A.  Bogue,  to  introdiu'e 
to  the  good  people  of  S])ringtield,  within  a 
month  or  so,  by  way  of  the  Sangamo  rivei-,  a 
steamboat,  which  will  be  laden  with  goods  for 
our  merchants.  We  have  strong  confidence  that 
the  undertaking  will  succeed.  We  will  not 
now  undertake  to  state  the  results  that  would 
benefit  to  this  village  and  county  from  the  com- 
plete success  of  this  experiment.  It  would  be 
worth  more  to  us  than  a  dozen  railroads — in  the 
newspa])ers.  Wasn't  our  inimitable  baid  pro- 
phetic when  he  said: — 

"Anil  I  will  make  our  Siinganio 
Outshine  in  verse,  the  famous  PoV" 

In  the  Journal  of  the  26th  of  January,  1832, 
appears  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bogue  in  reference  to 


52 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  proposed  trip  of  the   steamer  up  tlie  San- 
gamo.     He  says: — 

"I  am  well  aware  tliat  the  undertaking  is  dan- 
gerous, difficult  and  expensive — still  I  am  will- 
ing to  risk  ray  all  upon  it.  All  I  ask  is  the 
cheerful  and  hearty  concurrence  of  those  gen- 
tlemen who  must  be  more  interested  in  the  suc- 
cess than  I  am  or  can  be.~^  If  I  am  unfortunate, 
I  will  cheerfully  bear  the  loss;  if  I  am  success- 
ful, which,  God  willing,  I  have  little  doubt  every 
individual  in  that  fine  section  of /country  must 
feel  the  beneficial  effects  of  it.  \,The  concur- 
rence I  allude  to  is  to  advise  me  immediatelv  on 
receipt,  and  keep  me  advised  of  the  state  of  the 
river — what  probable  rise  may  be  expected 
alcove  low-water  mark — that  I  should  be  met  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river  by  ten  or  twelve  men, 
having  axes  witii  long  handles,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  some  exjierienced  man,  and  that  one  of 
the  men  should  be  one  of  those  who  has  most 
often  descended  the  river  with  tlatboats  (to  show 
the  course  of  the  stream).  I  shall  deliver  freight 
from  St.  Louis  at  the  landing  on  Sangamo  river, 
opposite  the  town  of  Springfield,  for  thirty- 
.seven-and-a-half  cents  per  hundred  pounds 

The  Journal  was  an  enthusiastic  friend  of  the 
project  of  the  navigation  of  the  river,  but  tem- 
pers its  enthusiasm  by  saying:  "It  would  be 
folly,  perhaps,  ever  to  anticipate  for  our  village 
advantages  from  steamboat  navigation  equal  to 
those  which  St.  Louis  has  derived  from  that 
source;  yet  such  anticipation  cannot  be  more 
chimerical  than  was.  the  project  of  running 
steamboats  from,  the  moutb  of  the  Ohio  to  St. 
Louis  in  1817." 

lu  the  Journal  of  February  16,  1832,  appears 
the  following  paragraph: 

"We  find  the  following  advertisement  in  the 
Cincinnati  Gazette  of  the  10th  ult.  We  hope 
such  notices  will  soon  cease  to  be  such  novelties. 
We  seriously  believe  that  the  Sangamo  river  can 
be  made  navigable  for  steamboats  for  several 
months  in  the  year.     Here  is  the  advertisement: 

UOR  SANGAMO  KIVER.  ILLINOIS— The  splendi.l  upper- 
-*-  uabiii  Hteamer,  TALISM.\N.  J  M.  POLLOCK.  Master,  will 
leave  for  Portland,  Sprio^lield,  od  the  Sangamo  river,  and  all  inter- 
mediate ports  anil  laBdiTi<;8,  say  Beardstown.  Xaples.  St.  Louis, 
Louisville,  on  Thursday.  Febni.ir.v  *2.  For  freight  or  passage 
apply  to  Captain  Vincent  A.  Bogue,  at  the  Broadway  Hotel,  or  to 
Allison  Owt-n. 

After  the  foregoing  notices  appeared  in  the 
Journal,  a  pul)lic  meeting  of  citizens  of  Spring- 
tield  was  held  February  14,  1832,  to  take  into 
consideration  what  measures  should  be  adopted 
to  assist  Mr.  Bogue  in  his  enterprise.  Elijah 
lies  was  elected  chairman,  and  William  Porter 
secretary.  On  motion  of  Dr.  Todd,  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolution  was  adopted: 


Whereas.  We  havp  learned  with  great  pleasure  that 
our  lonusman,  Mr.  Bogue,  is  about  lo  navigate  the 
Sangamo  river  in  a  steamboat. 

Resolred,  That  a  committee  of  three  citizens  be 
appointed  to  meet  him,  with  a  suitable  number  of 
hands,  and  render  him  all  the  assistance  we  are  capa- 
ble of,  or  on  the  failurf  of  Mr.  Bogue,  that  assistance 
be  atlorded  to  any  other  boat  wishing  to  engage  in  the 
enterprise. 

E.  D.  Taylor,  Washington  lies  and  T.  M. 
Neale  were  appointed  that  committee.  T.  Moff 
ett,  G.  Jayne,  and  D.  Dickerson  were  apjjointed 
a  committee  to  solicit  funds  to  carry  out  the 
foregoing  resolution. 

According  to  announcement  the  Talisman 
started  on  its  journey  from  Cincinnati,  and  after 
various  trials  succeeded  in  accomplishing  its 
object.  The  Journal  of  March  8,  announces  the 
arrival  of  the  steamer  at  Meredosia,  when  its 
further  progress  was  obstructed  by  ice.  In  its 
issue  of  March  29th,  it  says  : 

"On  Saturday  last  the  citizens  of  this  place 
(Springfield)  were  gratified  by  the  arrival  of  the 
steamboat  Talisman,  J.  W.  Pollock,  master,  of 
150  tons  burthens,  at  the  Portland  landing, 
opposite  this  town.  (Portland  was  at  the  south 
side  of  the  Sangamon  river,  between  where  the 
bridges  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  and  the  Gilmau, 
Clinton  &  Springfield  railroads  now  stand).  The 
safe  arrival  of  a  boat  the  size  of  the  Talisman, 
on  a  liver  never  before  navigated  by  steam,  had 
created  much  solicitude,  and  the  shores  for  miles 
were  crowded  by  our  citizens.  Her  arrival  at 
her  destined  port  was  hailed  with  loud  acclama- 
tions and  full  demonstrations  of  pleasure.  When 
Capt.  Bogue  located  his  steam  mill  on  Sanga- 
mo river,  twelve  months  ago,  and  asserted  his 
determination  to  land  a  steamboat  there  within 
a  year,  the  idea  was  considered  chimerical  by 
some,  and  utterly  impracticaljle  by  others.  The 
experiment  has  been  made,  and  the  result  has 
been  as  successful  as  the  most  enthusiastic  could 
expect ;  and  this  county  owes  a  deep  debt  of 
gratitude  to  Captain  Bogue  for  getting  up  the 
expedition,  and  his  never  tiring  and  unceasing 
efforts  until  the  end  was  accomplished.  Capt. 
Pollock,  who  is  nattirally  warm  and  enthusiastic, 
entered  fully  into  the  feeling  of  our  citizens, 
who  visited  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  render 
any  and  everj- assistance  in  their  power:  and 
much  credit  is  due  him  for  his  perseverance  and 
success.  The  boat  experienced  some  difficulty 
from  drifts,  and  leaning  timber  on  shore,  which 
made  her  trip  somewhat  tedious.  The  result 
has  clearly  demonstrated  the  practicability  of 
navigating  the  river  by  steamboats  of  proper 
size  ;  and  by  the  e.\penditure  of  ^2,000  in  remuv- 


HISTORY  (JF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


53 


ing  logs  and  drifts  and  standing  timber,  a  steam 
boat  of  80  tons  burthen  will  make  a  trip  in  two 
days  from  Beardstown  to  this  place.  The  citi- 
zens of  Beardstown  manifested  great  interest 
for  the  success  of  the  enterprise,  and  some  of 
them  accompanied  the  boat  until  the  result  was 
no  longer  doubtful.  Tliey  proposed  the  cutting 
of  a  communication  or  canal  from  the  bluffs 
to  their  landing — about  five  miles — whereby 
seventy-five  miles  of  navigation  may  be  saved, 
and  offered  one  thousand  dollars  to  assist  in 
completing  it.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  next 
legislature  will  afford  some  aid  in  making  the 
river  safe  and  pleasant  in  its  navigation.  Spring- 
field can  no  longer  be  considered  an  inland 
town.  We  have  no  doubt  but  within  a  few 
months  a  boat  will  be  constructed  for  the  special 
purpose  of  navigating  the  Sangamo  river.  The 
result  which  must  follow  the  suceesful  tei;mina- 
tion  of  this  enterprise  to  our  county,  and  tf» 
those  counties  lying  i«  its  neighliorhood,  it 
would  be  impossilile  to  calculate.  Here  is  now 
open  a  most  promising  field  for  the  exercise  of 
every  branch  of  honest  industry.  We  congratu- 
late our  farmers,  our  mechanics,  our  merchants 
and  professional  men,  for  the  rich  harvest  in 
prospect,  and  we  cordially  invite  emigrating  citi- 
zens from  other  states,  whether  rich  or  poor,  if 
so  be  they  are  industrious  and  honest,  to  come 
hither  and  partake  of  the  good  things  of  San- 
gamo." 

The  poets  of  the  day  immortalized  the  occa- 
sion in  verse,  while  the  ladies  gave  a  grand  ball 
in  honor  of  the  occasion.  The  .Journal's  poet, 
in  speaking  of  the  appearance  of  the  steamer, 
says : 

Say  ye,  boki  Spriugfiekl  nion.  the  sight — 

Did  it  not  give  you  vast  deliglitv 

And  you,  fair  dames,  your  comments  on  it, 

It  ahiiost  equalled  a  new  bonnet. 

Could  anything  be  so  bewitching — 

Lord,  Lord,  to  think  on't  sets  me  itching — 

That  is  in  rhy'ine,  my  iiretty  dears, 

As  some  one  says  some  other  wheres. 

Both  town  and  county  went  1o  see 

What  this  strange  animal  could  be  ; 

But  cautious  first,  and  by  degrees. 

The  suckers  peeped  behind  the  trees, 

'Till  more  familiar  grown,  they  chase 

And  boldly  stare  her  in  the  face. 

One  thought  it  might  be  Noah's  ark — 

No,  no,  another  did  remark, 

'Tis  only  Bngue's,  his  luck  to  try. 

Nor  need  he  here  a  dove  let  fly  ; 

He  only  fears  it  should  be  dry! 

The  news  to  Springfield  quickly  flew, 

And  all  the  folks  went  out  to  view 

So  strange  a  sight,  to  them  .so  new  ; 

Some  thought  the  world  was  at  an  end, 

And  Heaveri  iu  mercy  did  this  send 


To  save  the  chosen  people  in, 

Who  never  yet  committed  sin. 

Or  only  now  and  then  got  frisky 

When  broached  au  extra  tub  of  whisky. 

In  speaking  of  the  general  rejoicing  and  the 
ball  in  the  evening,  the  bard  continues: 

Heigh,  sirs,  but  I  forgot  to  tell 

That  great  rejoiciu.gs  here  befell. 

Such  stuffing — all  the  eggs  in  town 

I  do  believe  were  there  crammed  down, 

And  the  next  morn  old  Ned  (|uite  high, 

Had  risen  in  price,  antl  m)ne  to  buy. 

There  was  a  ball  at  night,  I  guess. 

For  th'  ladle's  sakes  it  couldn't  be  less — 

And  twenty  bachelors  they  say, 

Were  strung  on  Hymen's  noose  that  dav. 

Notwithstanding  all  this  general  rejoicing 
the  navigation  of  the  Sangamon  was  a  failure. 
The  Talisman,  on  account  of  low  water,  was 
unable  to  turn  around,  and  was  compelled  to 
back  out  of  the  stream.  Her  first  trip  was  her 
last.  She  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge  oppo- 
site St.  Louis,  in  the   latter  part  of   April,  1832. 

Even  as  late  as  18.53  a  small  steamer  came  up 
the  river  to  Peter.sbiirg,  which  caused  Simeon 
Francis,  who  felt  bound  to  make  the  Sangamon 
river  navigable,  write  as  follows,  under  date  of 
April  2.5,  1853: 

"It  lias  long  been  a  conceded  fact  by  those 
who  have  the  best  knowledge  on  the  subject, 
th.at  the  Sangamon  river  can  be  made  navigable 
for  a  small  class  of  steamers  five  or  six  months 
in  the  year.  Some  days  ago  the  steamer  Wave, 
Captain  Monroe,  arrived  at  Petersburg.  He 
found  no  difficulty  in  navigating  the  river  for 
want  of  water.  There  was  a  depth  of  four  feet, 
but  there  were  obstructions  fnmi  drifts  and  nar- 
row turns  that  could  readily  be  obviated.  He 
suii])oses  the  distance  by  the  Sangamon  river  to 
the  Illinois  from  Petersburg  is  about  ninety 
miles,  thirty  miles  of  which  will  need  improve- 
ment. This  improvement  should  be  done,  if  not 
by  the  State,  by  a  company,  who  should  be  au- 
thorized to  receive  tolls  for  boats.  We  believe 
tiie  legislature  has  authorized  a  company  to 
improve  the  Kaskaskia  river,and  tocharge  tolls. 
('aptain  Moore  has  navigated  the  last  mentioned 
river,  and  he  expresses  himself  decidedly  of  the 
opinion  that  the  Sangamon  is  a  better  river  for 
navigation  than  the  Kaskaskia. 

"We  learn  that  so  thoroughly  satisfied  are  the 
property  liolders  and  business  men  of  Petersburg 
of  the  feasibility  of  navigating  the  Sangamon  by 
steamboats,  and  the  great  benefit  that  would  re- 
sult to  that  section  of  country  from  a  steam- 
boat connection  with  other  navigable  streams, 
that  a  subscription  of  some  five  thousand  dollars 
has  already  been   raised  to  build  and  equip  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COVNTY. 


steamboat  for  the  especial  navigation  of  the 
Sangaiuon.  The  attempts  made  years  ago  for 
the  same  purpose  were  not  made  in  a  way  to  se- 
cure success.  The  company  will  be  able  to  avoid 
the  obstacles  which  defeated  the  project  on  a 
former  occasion.  As  one  of  the  means  for  de- 
veloping the  rich  resources  of  the  country  on  the 
Sangamon,  we  most  fervently  desire  that  the 
enterprise  may  be  successful." 

This  was  the  last  attempt  at  the  navigation 
of   the    river,    and    a    look   at   the    stream  in 


this  year,  1881,    will  convince  one  that  it  was 
wise. 

CREEKS. 

Sangamon  county  is  well  watered  by  many 
living  streams,  after  the  Sangamon  river  the 
most  important  being  Sugar  creek.  Lick  creek. 
Horse  creek,  Brush  creek,  Clear  creek.  Fancy 
creek,  Cantrall  creek,  Prairie  creek,  Richland 
creek.  Wolf  creek,  and  Spring  creek,  an  account 
of  each  being  found  in  the  township  history  of 
the  townships  through  which  the  flow. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


55 


Chapter   II. 


GEOLOGY. — BY    A.    H.    WOETHBN. 


The  Sangamon  river  traverses  the  entire  ex- 
tent of  the  county  from  east  to  west,  and  with 
its  tributaries  furnishes  a  reasonable  supply  of 
water  in  ordinary  seasons. 

This  stream,  as  well  as  its  main  afHuents,  are 
skirted  with  belts  of  excellent  timber,  which 
make  this  one  of  the  best/ timbered  counties  in 
the  central  portion  of  the  State.!  About  one- 
. third  of  the  county  was  originally  covered  with 
timber,\but  inuch  of  the  timbered  land  has  been 
cleared  up  and  brought  under  cultivation.) 

The  principal  varieties  of  tiinber  observed  in 
this  county  are  the  following;  and  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  list  embrace.s  nearly  every  variety 
of  forest  tree  that  is  to  be  found  in  the  central 
portion  of  the  State:\  sug;ir  and  white  maple, 
buckeye,  shellbark  hickory,  swamp  hickory, 
mocher  nut  and  thick  shellbark  hickory,  horn- 
beam, serviceberry,  backberry,  red  bud,  dog- 
wood, red  thorn,  black  thorn,  persimmon, 
waahoo,  white,  blue  and  black  ash,  coffee  nut, 
white  and  black  walnut,  mulberry,  sycamore, 
Cottonwood,  wild  plum,  wild  cherry,  crab  apple, 
white  oak,  scarlet  oak,  chestnut  oak,  laurel  oak, 
red  oak,  pin  oak,  swamp  white  oak,  bur  oak, 
sumac,  elder,  sassafras,  linden,  willow,  Ameri- 
can elm,  slippery  elm,  prickly  ash,  pawpaw,  red 
birch,  hazel,  spiceberry,  and  honey  locust.  '■ 

The  superficial  deposits  in  this  county  com- 
prise the  three  principal  divisions  of  the  Quat- 
truary:  alluvium,  leoss  and  drift.  Narrow  belts 
of  alluvial  bottom  skirt  the  Sangamon  through 
a  large  part  of  its  course  in  this  county,  but 
they  are  subject  to  be  annually  overflowed  by 
the  river  floods,  and  are  most  valuable  for  the 
heavy  growth  of  timber  they  sustain. 

The  leoss  covers  a  large  part  of  the  uplands 
to  the  dej)th  of  from  six  to  twenty  feet,  and  is 
composed  of  the  usual  marly  beds  of  buff  and 
gray  sands  and  sandy  clays.      Underneath  the 


surface  soil   at  Springfield  we  usually  meet  the 
following  successions  of  beds: — 

No.  1,  soil, 1    to    2  feet 

No.  2,  buff  colored  silicious  clay,     2-^  to    3  feet 

No.  3,  very  fine  gray  marlj^  sand,     3    to    4  feet 
No.  4,  brown  drift  clays,  usually 

extending  down  to  the  bed  rock,  30    to  40  feet 

Nos.  2  and  3  of  the  above  section  may  prop- 
erly be  referred  to  the  leoss,  and  at  several 
points,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  it  has  been 
found  to  contain  the  characteristic  shells  usually 
found  in  it. 

We  are  indebted  to  Mr.  .Joseph  Mitchell,  who 
has  dug  many  wells  in  the  northwest  part  of 
Sangamon  county  and  in  the  adjoining  portions 
of  Menard,  for  the  following  section -i  of  the 
beds  usually  passed  through  by  him: 

No.  1,  soil, 1    to    2jt  feet 

No.  2,  yellow  clay, 3    feet 

No.    3,    whitish    (gray)  jointed 

clay  with  shells, 5    to    8    feet 

No.  4,  black  muck,  with  frag- 
ments of  wood, 3    to    8    feet 

No.    5,  bluish    colored   boulder 

clay, 8    to  10    feet 

No.  6,  gray  hard-pan|(very  hard),  2     feet 

No.   7,  soft  blue  clay,    without 

boulders, 20    to  40    feet 

No.  3  of  this  section  is  undoubtedly  leoss, 
and  he  affirms  th.at  this  order  of  succession  was 
invariably  <>bserved|  at  many  different  localities 
in  that  portion  of  the  county,  the  black  mucky 
soil  always  appearing  immediately  below  the 
leoss,  and  varying  from  three  to  eight  feet  in 
thickness,  and  always  overlaying  the  true  drift 
or  boulder  clay.  This  old  soil  is  probably  the 
equivalent  of  a  chocolate-colored  band  a  foot 
or  more  in  thickness,  which  lies  at  the  base  of 
the  leoss  in  the  bluffs  at  Quincy. 


56 


HISTORY  OF  SANGA]V[ON  COUNTY. 


In  my  report  on  Adams  county,  published  in 
Vol.  IV,  page  45,  I  sugge.sted  that  the  layers  of 
chocolate  colored  soil  at  the  base  of  the  leoss 
might  be  the  equivalent  of  the  old  post  ter- 
tiary soil  penetrated  in  the  shaft  at  Coatsburg, 
and  in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  true  drift 
deposits  at  Quincy,  it  was  difficult  to  fix  the 
relation  which  this  chocolate-colored  soil  might 
hold  to  the  boulder  clays,  but  the  occurrence  of 
a  similar  deposit  at  so  many  different  localities 
in  this  county,  and  at  the  base  of  the  leoss  and 
always  al)0ve  the  boulder  clays  seem  to  indicate 
pretty  conclusively  that  the  stratum  of  Qiiiucy 
also  belongs  above  the  true  drift  and  to  a  more 
recent  period  than  that  penetrated  at  Coatsburg. 

These  two  ancient  soils,  the  one  at  the  base 
of  the  leoss,  and  the  other  below  the  boulder 
clay,  belong  to  distinct  and  widely  separated 
periods  aiul  indicates  two  distinct  emergencies 
of  the  surfaces  during  tbe  Quarternary  period 
and  the  lu-evalence  of  conditions  suitable  for 
the  growth  of  an  arboreal  vegetation. 

The  boulder  clays,  or  true  drift,  consists  for 
the  most  part  of  brown,  gravelly  clay  with  small 
boulders.  Occasionally  a  boulder,  two  feet  or 
more  in  diameter,  is  met  with  in  the  beds  of  the 
ravines,  but  they  are  not  common.  In  the  vicin- 
ity of  Springfield,  this  division  of  the  quarter- 
nary ranges  from  twenty  to  forty  feet  in  thick- 
ness, and  this  is  probably  not  far  from  its  average 
thickness  throughout  the  county;  but  at  some 
localities  there  is  a  blue  clay  or  hard  pan  below 
the  brown  clays,  which  attains  about  the  same 
thickness  as  the  former,  making  the  aggregate 
thickness  of  the  drift  wliei'e  fully  developed  from 
fifty  to  eighty  feet.  No  fossils  have  as  yet  been 
obtained  from  the  drift  in  this  county,  so  far  as 
I  am  aware,  though  the  tooth  of  a  mammoth  was 
found  some  years  ago  in  the  bluffs  of  the  Sanga- 
mon, and  near  the  surface,  and  probably  came 
from  beds  not  older  than  leoss. 

The  discovery  of  the  Niantic  mastodon,  some 
three  years  since,  between  Illiopolis  and  Nian- 
tic, and  just  over  the  Macon  county  line,  excited 
considerable  interest  when  the  discovery  was 
first  announceil,  and  I  visited  the  locality,  and 
was  present  wlien  a  part  of  the  bones  were  taken 
out.  The  discovery  was  made  on  the  farm  of 
William  P.  Correl!,in  sinking  a  stock  well  in  a 
wet,  spongy  piece  of  ground,  located  in  a  swale 
or  depression  of  tlif  surface  that  had  evidently 
once  been  a  pond  oi  water,  and  had  been  tilled 
up  by  the  wash  from  the  surrounding  highland, 
until  it  formed  a  morass  or  quagmire  in  dry 
weather. 


The  bones  were  about  four  feet  below  the 
surface  and  partly  imbedded  in  a  light,  gray 
quicksand  filled  with  fresh  water  shells,  J'lass- 
07-bis,  Cyd((s,  Physu,  etc.  Above  this  quicksand 
there  was  four  feet  of  black,  peaty  soil,  so  soft 
that  a  common  fence  rail  could  be  easily  pushed 
down  through  it.  The  quicksand  had  evidently 
once  formed  the  bottom  of  a  fresh  water  pond, 
fed  probably  by  springs  and  was  the  resort  of 
the  animals  whose  bones  were  found  here.  The 
first  bone  met  with  in  sinking  the  well  was  one 
of  the  tusks,  and  supposing  it  to  be  a  small  tree 
it  was  cut  in  two  with  an  axe  before  its  true  char- 
acter was  suspected.  The  other  tusk  was  taken 
out  whole,  and  measured  nine  feet  in  length 
around  the  curve,  and  about  two  feet  in  circum- 
ference where  it  was  inserted  in  the  skull. 
The  lower  jaw,  with  the  teeth  in  place,  and  the 
teeth  of  the  upper  jaw  and  some  of  the  smaller 
bones  were  also  found  in  a  good  state  of  preser- 
vation. 

A  line  pair  of  antlers  of  the  elk,  with  some 
other  bones  of  the  same  animal,  and  bones  of 
the  buffalo  and  deer  were  found  in  the  ])osition 
as  the  bones  of  the  mastodon,  but  the  bones  of 
the  smaller  animals,  although  im1>edded  at  the 
same  depth,  were  lighter  colored,  less  decayed, 
.and  appeared  to  have  been  buried  at  a  more  re- 
cent perioil. 

The  depth  of  the  (juicksand  was  not  fully  as- 
certained, but  it  was  probed  to  the  depth  of  two 
feet  or  more  without  reaching  a  solid  bottom. 

STRATIFIED    EOCKS. 

The  stratified  rocks,  outcropping  at  the  sur- 
face in  tliis  county,  all  belong  to  the  upper  coal 
measures,  and  overline  all  the  main  coal  seams 
worked  in  the  State.  The  lowest  beds  exposed 
in  the  county,  arc  found  on  the  Sangamon  river, 
near  the  Menard  line,  and  on  Richland  creek, 
one  of  the  southern  affluents  of  the  Sangamon, 
in  the  western  part  of  the  county. 

They  consist  mainly  of  sandstones  and  shales, 
including  the  horizon  of  the  Rock  creek  lime- 
stone, although  we  have  not,  as  yet,  seen  any 
out-crop  of  this  limestone  in  Sangamon  county. 
A  vertical  section  of  all  the  beds  exposed  on 
the  Sangamon  and  its  tributaries,  in  the  central 
and  western  portions  of  the  county,  would  show 
the  following  relative  position  and  thickness  of 
strata: — 

No.  1 ,  sandy  shales  and  soft  sand- 
stone,    1 5^  feet 

No.  -i,  hard  gray  limestone,  part- 
ly bleached, 10    to  12    feet 

No.  3,  black,  slaty  shale, 2    to    3    feet 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


No.  -I,  uluy  bliale, -1     to     0     teet 

No.  5,  brown,  calcareous  sand- 
stone, passing  into  ferrugin- 
ous limestt)ne, 4    to    5    feet 

No.  0,  clay  shales,  partly  bitu- 
minous,        i    to    0    feet 

No.  7,  hard  gray  limestone  (Car- 

linville  limestone), G    to    8    feet 

No.  8,  sandy  shales  and  soft  sand- 
stone,     30    to  40     feet 

No.    9,    argillaceous    limestone 

and  calcareous  shales, 2    to    3    feet 

No  1 0,  bituminous  shales, 1    foot 

No.  1 1,  coal  No.  8, 1     to    2    feet 

No.  1-2,  lire  clay, 2    to    3    feet 

No.  13,  impure  limestone, 2    to     3    feet 

No.  14,  sandy  shale  and  soft  sand- 
stones, with  local  bands  of  ar- 
gillaceousandbiuiniinoussliale,  50    to  GO    feet 

No.  15,  hard  gray  limestone,  ..  .      2    to    G    feet 

No.  IG,  shales — sandj',  argillace- 
ous and  bituminous,  with  thin 
seam  of  coal, 30    to  GO    feet 

The  beds  numbered  from  one  to  seven,  inclus- 
ive, of  the  above  section,  are  well  exposed  on 
Sugar  creek,  two  miles  north  of  Virden,  and 
thence  down  the  creek  to  the  crossing  of  the 
St.  Louis,  Alton  &  Chicago  Railroad,  between 
which  points  all  the  beds  included  in  these  num- 
bers outcrop  in  succession,  the  eastward  dip  of 
the  strata  being  somewhat  less  than  the  fall  of 
the  stream. 

The  upper  limestone  No.  2,  of  the  above  sec- 
tion is  well  exposed  near  the  bridge  on  the 
main  road  north  of  Virden,  and  has  been  quar- 
ried both  for  lime  and  building  stone.  The 
U])per  part  of  the  bed  is  a  nodular,  unevenly- 
bedded  rock,  partly  brecciated,  while  the  lower 
portion  is  more  evenly  bedded,  affording  a  tol- 
erably good  building  stone,  in  layers  from  four 
inches  to  a  foot  or  more  in  thickness. 

A  little  fartiier  up  the  creek  the  whole  mass 
becomes  brecciated  and  fragmentary,  and  quar- 
ries in  pebbly  fragments  suitable  for  m.acadam- 
izing  material. 

The  brown  ferruginous  bed.  No.  5,  of  the  fore- 
going section  is  a  hard,  massive  rock,  reseni- 
biing  the  limestone  at  Crow's  mill,  on  Sugar 
creek,  six  miles  south  of  Springfield,  of  which 
it  is  probalily  the  equivalent. 

It  contains  numerous  fossils,  amongwhich  are 
Productus  costatus,  P.  JVebrascensis,  -P'  Fratten- 
ioMus,  Spirifer  cameratus,  Athyris  subtili.Ui, 
Yerebratula  boviileus,  Pintia  jjer-acutn,  and  31;/- 
alina  mnplu.' 


The  limestone  No.  7,  of  the  foregoing  section 
is  not  fully  ex])Osed,  but  the  upper  layers  out- 
crop in  the  bed  of  the  creek  just  above  the  rail- 
road bridge,  in  pebbly  layers  not  unlike  the 
upper  layers  of  No.  2;  as  they  appear  above  the 
bridge  on  the  main  road  north  of  Virden.  This 
outcrop  is  very  similar  in  appearance  to  the 
upper  layers  of  the  Carlinville  limestone,  just 
below  Carr's  mill  on  Macoupiu  creek,  northeast 
of  Carlinville,  and  I  have  iio  doubt  but  this 
limestone  on  Sugar  creek  is  the  equivalent  of 
that.  Below  the  railroad  bridge  the  shale  un- 
derlying these  limestones  are  the  only  beds 
exposed  for  some  distance,  but  east  of  Auburn  the 
limestones  are  again  met  with,  and  are  found  in 
outcrops  from  this  point  to  Crow's  mill,  seven 
miles  south  of  Springfield,  where  the  rock  for 
the  old  State  House  was  obtained.  At  Pedde- 
cord's  quarries,  on  Sugar  creek,  the  State  House 
rock  is  well  exposed,  affording  the  following 
section: 

No.  1.   Thin  bedded  ferruginous 

limestone, 2    to    3    feet. 

No.   2.    Massive,   coarse-grained 

limestone, 4    feet. 

No.  3.  Clay  shale,  partly  bitumi- 
nous,   '. G    feet. 

No.  4.  Thin  bedded  limestone,  .  3  to  4  feet. 
No.  5.  Sandy  shale, 10    to  12    feet. 

The  material  for  the  old  State  House  was  ob- 
tained mainly  from  No.  2  of  the  foregoing  sec- 
tion, and  there  is  a  nearly  continuous  outcrop  of 
these  beds  from  this  point  to  Crow's  mill,  two 
miles  below,  where  the  old  State  House  quarries 
were  located. 

This  rock  is  a  coarse-grained,  brownish-gray, 
crinoidal  limestone,  almost  entirely  composed  of 
crinoidal  joints  and  the  calcareous  remains  of 
marine  mollusca,  cemented  together  by  calca- 
reous and  ferruginous  sediment. 

In  addition  to  the  fossils  already  enumerated 
as  occurring  in  this  liniestone  .at  the  locality 
north  of  Virden,  the  quarries  here  afford  numer- 
ous specimens  of  Hijrimpporu  mulUithcimatu, 
which  seem  to  belong  in  the  clay  shale  under  the 
limestone  No.  2  of  the  foregoing  section,  and,  so 
far  as  I  aiu  aware,  has  been  found  nowhere  else 
but  in  this  shale  in  Sangamon  and  Macoupin 
counties. 

Some  of  the  masses  obtained  on  Sugar  creek 
are  nearly  a  foot  in  diameter.  This  limestone 
has  also  afforded  fine  specimens  of  (Jladodus 
mortifer,  Petalodus  destructor,  and  Ci/athocri- 
tius  Snnrjamonensis.  This  rock  possesses  the 
same  lithological  characters,  and  att'ords  exactly 


58 


HISTORY  OF  SANOAMON  COUNTY. 


the  same  group  oi  fossils  as  the  upper  division  of 
the  main  limestone  at  La  Salle,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  they  are  stratigraphical  equivalents.  Be- 
low Crow's  mill  to  the  outlet  of  Sugar  creek 
into  the  Sangamon  river,  the  sandy  shales  and 
sandstones  intervening  between  this  limestone 
and  the  coal  outcroppings  at  Hewlett,  are  the 
only  beds  to  be  seen.  This  coal  seam,  numbered 
11,  in  the  general  section,  given  on  a  jireceding 
page,  ranges  in  thickness  from  eighteen  inches 
to  two  feet,  and  is  coal  No.  8,  of  our  general  sec- 
tion of  the  Coal  Measures,  given  in  Vol.  Ill, 
page  5,  of  these  reports.  It  outcrops  in  the 
bank  of  the  Sangamon  river  at  Howlett,  and  on 
Spring  creek  and  its  branches  north  and  west  of 
Springfield ;  and  previous  to  the  discovery  of 
the  heavy  beds  below  this,  it  was  extensively 
worked  in  strip  banks,  and  by  tunnels  along  its 
line  of  t)utcrop.  It  is  overlaid  by  a  calcareous 
shale,  and  argillaceous  limestone,  which  are 
wonderfully  rich  in  fossils,  and  have  afforded 
more  than  si.xty  species  of  shells,  corals  and 
crinoidia  characteristic  of  the  upper  coal  meas- 
ures. The  coal  is  underlaid  with  a  dark  bluish- 
gray  fire-clay  two  or  three  feet  in  depth,  below 
which  an  impure  nodular  limestone  is  some- 
times found,  but  more  frequently  the  fire-clay 
rests  directly  upon  the  sandy  shales  and  sand- 
stones below. 

At  Howlett,  the  argillaceous  limestone  over- 
laying this  coal  seam,  is  succeeded  by  sandy 
shales,  passing  upward  into  soft  jnucacous  sand- 
stones, which  outcrop  along  the  railroad  grades 
just  beyond  Camp  Butler,  and  contain  an  inter- 
calaled  seam  of  poor  coal  only  a  few  inches 
thick. 

The  limestones  of  Sugar  creek,  which  prop- 
erly overlay  this  sandstone,  are  not  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  Howlett,  Laving  been  probably  re- 
moved in  the  erasion  of  the  Sangamon  valley. 

Below  this  coal,  where  it  out-crops  west  of 
the  city,  we  find  a  bed  of  sandy  shale  and  sand- 
stone, from  thirty  to  forty  feet  thick,  that  lo- 
cally furnishes  some  building  stone  of  fair 
quality,  the  thickly  bedded  portions  being  partly 
concretionary  in  structure,  the  concretions  often 
attaining  a  diameter  of  five  or  six  feet  or  more. 
They  are  exceedingly  hard,  but  may  be  split 
into  blocks  of  suitable  size,  and  made  a  very 
durable  building  stone. 

At  Carpenter's  mill,  five  miles  north  of 
Springfield,  a  fine  exposure  of  the  sandstone 
underlaying  this  coal  may  be  seen  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  Sangamon,  where  it  forms  a  perpen- 
dicular cliff  more  than  fifty  feet  in  height.  The 
upper  and  lower  portions  of  the  formations  are 


thin  bedded  and  shaly,  but  the  middle  portions, 
nearly  twenty-five  feet  in  thickness,  is  in  tol- 
erably heavy  and  evenly  stratified  beds,  ranging 
from  six  inches  to  two  feet  or  more  in  thick- 
ness. These  layers  seem  to  harden  on  expos- 
ure, and  afford  a  very  good  building  stone. 

In  a  ravine,  a  little  to  the  west  of  the  mill, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  road,  the  coal  No.  11, 
of  the  foregoing  section,  and  overlaying  argil- 
laceous limestone,  were  found  well  up  towards 
the  top  of  the  hill,  and  apparently  above  the 
sandstone  exposure  at  the  bridge.  The  lime- 
stone here  contains  the  same  species  of  fossils 
so  abundant  in  the  roof  of  this  coal  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Springfield. 

The  coal  was  not  well  exposed,  but  does  not 
appear  to  be  more  than  a  few  inches  in  thick- 
ness, and  this  exposure  is  probably  on  or  near 
the  most  westerly  outcrop  of  the  seam  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river.  Among  the  fossils  com- 
mon in  the  limestone  and  shales  over  this  coal, 
the  Lopho2)hyllum  proUfermn  is  very  abundant, 
and  is  associated  with  Astartella  vera,  Pleauro- 
tomaria  spharnlata,  P.  Grayvillensis  P.  carbon- 
aria,  Bellerojihon  carbonaria,  B.  3Iontfortianus, 
B.  percarinatus,  B.  Stevensianus,  Leda  bella-ru- 
ffosa,  Niicida  ventricoHo,  Polyphenropsis  pe)-- 
acuta,  P.  nitidula,  Soleniscus  typicus,  Loxo- 
nema  rugosa,  L.  cerithifonnis,  3Iacrocheihis 
inhahilis,  31.  ponderosus,  M.  medialis,  M.  inter- 
adaris,  M. pidchella,  M.  ventricosus,Enonip}ialus 
ri/gosiis,  Productiis  longispinus,  P.  Nebruscensis, 
P.  PraUetiiamts,  Spirifer  cajneratvi<,  /S.  Ken- 
titckensis,  Athyris,  subtilita,  etc. 

The  Rock  creek  limestone  of  Menard  county, 
if  it  extends  this  far  to  the  eastward,  should  out- 
crop on  the  Sangamon  not  very  far  below  Car- 
penter's mill,  as  its  place  in  the  vertical  section 
is  between  coals  Nos.  1  and  8;  but  all  these  coal 
measure  limestones  are  somewhat  local  in  their 
development,  and  this  bed  has  not  been  met  with, 
so  far  as  I  know,  in  any  of  the  coal  shafts  sunk 
in  this  vicinity. 

The  main  coal  No.  5,  of  the  general  section  of 
the  coal  measures  in  the  central  and  western 
portions  of  the  State,  lies  about  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  feet  below  coal  No.  8,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Springfield,  and  two  hundred  to  two 
huiulred  and  ten  below  the  general  surface  level. 
A  boring  for  artesian  water  was  made  at  Spring- 
field in  1858,  and  was  carried  down  to  the  depth 
of  nearly  twelve  hundred  feet  without  finding 
water  that  would  rise  to  the  surface,  and  the 
parties  having  the  work  in  charge  reported  no 
coal  l)elow  the  small  seam  thirty  or  forty  feet 
below  the   surface,  though  it  was  evident,  from 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNT  V. 


59 


the  character  of  the  material  Lrought  up  with 
the  sand-pump,  that  they  must  have  passed 
througli  from  four  or  five  hundred  feet  of  coal 
measure  strata.  Subsequently,  in  a  boring  at 
Hewlett,  a  six-foot  seam  of  coal  was  found,  at  a 
depth  of  about  two  hundred  feet.  A  shaft  was 
immediately  sunk,  and  extensive  mining  opera- 
tions have  been  carried  on  there  to  the  present 
time.  The  boring  at  Springfield  not  only  passed 
through  this  seam,  but  all  those  underlaying  it, 
of  which  two  or  three  will  probably  be  found  of 
workable  thickness,  the  men  in  charge  of  the 


work  being  apparently  entirely  ui;conscious  of 
the  true  character  of  the  strata  through  which 
their  drill  passed.  If  this  woik  had  been  i)laced 
in  the  hands  of  competent  men,  and  an  accurate 
journal  of  the  boring  kept,  we  should  now  know 
exactly  what  our  coal  resources  are,  whereas 
nothing  was  known  in  regard  to  the  develop- 
ment of  the  lower  coals,  except  from  the  exami- 
nations of  their  outcrops  along  the  Illinois  river 
bluffs,  until  borings  at  Jacksonville  and  Chapin 
showed  the  existence  of  a  seam  at  those  points 
between  three  and  four  feet  in  thickness. 


60 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  III, 


PIONEER  LIFE. 


One  of  the  most  interesting  phases  of  national 
or  local  history  is  that  of  the  settlement  of  a 
new  country.  What  was  the  original  state  in 
which  the  pioneer  found  the  country,  and  how 
was  it  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose  ? 

Pioneer  life  in  Sangamon  county  finds  its 
parallel  in  almost  every  comity  in  the  State,  and 
throughout  the  entire  West.  When  Robert  Pul- 
liam  and  others  of  that  noble  band  of  pioneers 
settled  here,  they  found  an  unbroken  wilderness. 
Wild  beasts  and  but  little  less  wild  savages, 
roamed  at  will  over  the  prairies,  through  the  for- 
ests, and  along  the  waters  of  the  "Sain-quee- 
mon"  and  its  numerous  tributaries.  Forests 
wei-e  to  be  felled,  cabins  erected,  mills  built,  and 
the  river  and  creeks  made  to  labor  for  the  bene- 
fit of  mankind.  Tiie  beautiful  prairies  were  to 
be  robbed  of  their  natural  ornaments  and  the 
hand  of  art  was  to  assist  in  their  decoration. 
Who  was  to  undertake  this  work  ?  Are  they 
qualified  for  the  fask  V  What  will  be  the  effect 
of  their  labors  upon  future  generations? 

The  Sangamon  county  pioneers  had  many  dif- 
ficulties to  contend  with,  not  the  least  of  which 
was  the  journey  from  civilization  to  their  forest 
homes.  The  route  lay  for  the  most  part  through 
a  rough  countiy  ;  swamps  and  mai-shes  were 
crossed  with  great  exertion  and  fatigue  ;  rivers 
were  forded  with  difficulty  and  danger  ;  nights 
were  passed  on  open  prairies,  with  the  sod  for  a 
couch  and  the  heavens  for  a  shelter;  long,  weary 
days  and  weeks  of  travel  were  endured,  b\it 
finally  "  the  promised  land"  was  reached. 

EABlLY   MANNERS    AND    CUSTOMS. 

The  young  men  and  women  of  to-day  have 
little  conception  of  the  mode  of  life  among  the 
early  settlers  of  the  country.  One  can  hardly 
conceive  how  great  a  change  has  taken  place  in 
so  short  a  time.  In  no  respects  are  the  habits 
and  manners  of  the  people  similar  to  those  of 
sixty  years  ago.  The  clothing,  the  dwellings, 
the  diet,  the  social  customs,  have  undergone  a 


total  revolution,  as  though  a  new  race  had  taken 
possession  of  the  land. 

In  a  new  country,  far  removed  from  the  con- 
veniences of  civilization,  where  all  are  com- 
pelled to  build  their  own  houses,  make  their 
own  clothing  and  procure  for  themselves  the 
means  of  subsistence,  it  is  to  be  expected  that 
their  dwellings  and  garments  will  be  rude. 
These  were  matters  controlled  by  surrounding 
circumstances  and  the  means  at  their  disposal. 
Tlie  earliest  settlers  constructed  what  were 
termed  "three-faced  camps,"  or,  in  other  words, 
three  walls,  leaving  one  side  open.  They  are 
described  as  follows:  The  walls  were  built 
about  seven  feet  high,  when  poles  were  laid 
across  at  a  distance  of  about  three  feet  apart, 
and  on  these  a  roof  of  clapboards  was  laid, 
which  were  kept  in  place  by  weight  poles  placed 
on  them.  The  clapboards  were  about  four  feet 
in  length  and  from  eight  inches  to  twelve  inches 
in  width,  split  out  of  white  oak  timber.  No 
floor  was  laid  in  the  "camp."  The  structure  re- 
quired neither  door,  window,  or  chimney.  The 
one  side  left  out  of  the  cabin  answered  all  these 
purposes.  In  front  of  the  open  side  was  built  a 
large  log  heap,  which  served  for  warmth  in  cold 
v/eather  and  for  cooking  purposes  in  all  seasons. 
Of  course  there  was  an  abundance  of  light,  and. 
on  either  side  of  the  fire.  s]iace  to  enter  in  and 
out.  These  "three-faced  camps"  were  proba- 
bly more  easily  constructed  than  the  ordinary 
cabin,  and  was  not  the  usual  style  of  dwelling 
house. 

The  cabin  was  considei-ed  a  material  advance 
for  comfort  and  home  life.  This  was,  in  almost 
every  case,  built  of  logs,  the  spaces  between  the 
logs  being  filled  in  with  split  sticks  of  wood, 
called  "  chinks,"  and  then  daubed  over,  both 
inside  and  outside,  with  mortar  made  of  cl.ay. 
The  floor,  sometimes,  was  nothing  Hiore  than 
earth  tramped  hard  and  smooth,  but  commonly 
made   of    "puncheons,"  or  split  logs,  with  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lil 


split  side  turned  upward.  The  roof  was  made 
by  gradually  drawing  in  the  top  to  the  ridge- 
pole, and,  on  cross  pieces,  laying  the  "claji- 
boards,"  which,  being  several  feet  in  length,  in- 
stead of  being  nailed,  were  held  in  place  by 
poles  laid  on  them,  called  ''weight  poles," 
reaching  tlie  length  of  tlie  cabin.  For  a  fire- 
place, a  space  was  cut  out  of  the  logs  on  one 
side  of  the  room,  usually  about  six  feet  in 
leiigtli,  and  three  sides  were  built  up  of  logs, 
making  an  offset  in  the  wall.  This  was  lined 
witli  stone,  if  convenient;  if  not,  then  earth. 
The  Hue,  or  upper  part  of  the  chimney,  was 
built  of  small  split  sticks,  two  and  a  half  or 
three  feet  in  length,  carried  a  little  space  above 
the  roof,  and  plastered  over  with  clay,  and 
when  finished  was  called  a  "cat-and-clay  "  chim- 
ney. The  door  space  was  also  made  by  cutting 
an  aperture  in  one  side  of  the  room  of  the  re- 
quired size,  the  door  itself  being  made  of  clap- 
boards secured  by  wooden  pins  to  two  cross- 
pieces.  The  hinges  were  also  of  wood,  while 
the  fastening  consisted  of  a  wooden  latch  catch- 
ing on  a  hook  of  the  same  material.  To  open 
the  door  from  the  outside,  a  strip  of  buckskin 
was  tied  to  the  latch  and  drawn  through  a 
hole  a  few  inches  above  the  latch-bar,  so  tliat 
on  pulling  the  string  the  latch  was  lifted 
from  the  catcli  or  hook,  and  tlie  door  was 
opened  without  further  trouble.  To  lock  the 
door,  it  was  only  necessary  to  pull  the  string 
through  the  hole  to  the  inside.  Here  the  family 
lived,  and  here  the  guest  and  wayfarer  were  made 
welcome.  The  living  room  was  of  good  size, 
but  to  a  large  extent  it  was  all — kitchen,  bed- 
room, parlor  and  arsenal,  with  flitches  of  bacon 
and  rings  of  dried  pumpkin  suspended  from  the 
rafters.  In  one  corner  were  the  loom  and  other 
implements  used  in  the  manufacture  of  cloth- 
ing, and  around  the  ample  fireplace  were  col- 
lected the  kitchen  furniture.  The  clothing  lined 
one  side  of  the  sleeping  apartment,  suspended 
from  jtegs  driven  in  the  logs.  Hemp  and  flax 
were  generally  raised,  and  a  few  sheep  kept. 
Out  of  these  the  clothing  for  the  family  and 
the  sheets  and  coverlets  were  made  by  the 
females  of  the  house.  Over  the  door  was  placed 
the  trusty  rifle,  and  just  back  of  it  hung  the 
powder  horn  and  hunting  pouch.  In  the  well- 
to-do  families,  or  when  crowded  on  the 
ground  floor,  a  loft  was  sometimes  made  to 
the  cabin  for  a  sleeping  place  and  the  storage 
of  "traps"  and  articles  not  in  common  use. 
The  loft  was  reached  by  a  ladder  secured  to 
the  wall.  Generally  the  bedrooms  were  sep- 
arated  from    the    living-room  by   sheets    and 


coverlets  suspended  from  the  rafters,  but 
until  the  means  of  making  these  partition  walls 
were  ample,  they  lived  and  slept  in  the  same 
room. 

Familiarity  with  this  mode  of  living  did  away 
with  much  of  the  discomfort,  but  as  soon  as  the 
improvement  could  be  made,  there  was  added  to 
the  cabin  an  additional  room,  or  a  "double  log 
cabin"  being  sul)staiitialh-  a  "three-faced  camp," 
with  a  log  room  on  eacli  end  and  containing  a 
loft.  The  furniture  in  the  cabin  corresuonded 
with  the  house  itself.  The  articles  used  in  the 
kitchen  were  as  few  and  simple  as  can  be  imag- 
ined A  'Dutch oven"  or  skillet,  a  long-handled 
frying  pan,  an  iron  pot  or  kettle,  and  sometimes 
a  coffee-pot,  constituted  the  utensils  of  the  best 
furnished  kitchen.  A  little  later,  wlien  a  stone 
wall  formed  the  base  of  the  chimney,  a  long 
iron  '"crane"  swung  in  the  chimney  place,  wliich 
on  its  "pot-hook"  carried  the  boiling  kettle  or 
heavy  iron  pot.  The  cooking  was  all  done  on 
the  fire-place  and  at  the  fire,  and  the  style  of 
cooking  was  as  simple  as  the  utensils.  Indian, 
or  corn  meal,  was  the  common  flour,  which  was 
made  into  "pone"  or  "corn-dodger,"  or  "hoe- 
cake,"  as  the  occasion  or  variety  demanded. 
The  "pone"  and  the  "dodger"  was  baked  in 
the  Dutch  oven,  which  was  first  set  on  a  bed  of 
glowing  coals.  When  the  oven  was  filled  with 
the  dough,  the  lid,  already  heated  on  the  fire, 
was  placed  on  the  oven  and  covered  with  hot 
embers  and  ashes.  When  tlie  bread  was  done 
it  was  taken  from  the  oven  and  placed  near  the 
fire  to  keep  warm  while  some  other  food  was 
being  prepared  in  the  same  oven  for  the  foi-lh- 
comiiig  meal.  The  "hoe-cake"  was  prepared 
in  the  same  way  as  the  dodger — that  is,  a  still 
dough  was  made  of  the  meal  and  water,  and, 
taking  as  much  as  could  conveniently  be  held 
in  both  hands,  it  was  molded  into  the  desired 
shape  by  being  tossed  from  hand  to  hand,  then 
laid  on  a  board  or  flat  stone  placed  at  an  angle 
before  the  fire  and  patted  down  to  the  required 
thickness.  In  the  fall  and  early  winter,  cooked 
pumpkin  was  added  to  the  meal  dough,  giving 
a  flavor  and  richness  to  the  bread  not  attained 
by  the  modern  methods.  In  the  oven  from 
which  the  bread  was  taken,  the  venison  or  ham 
was  then  fried,  and,  in  the  winter,  lye  liominy, 
made  from  the  unbroken  grains  of  corn,  added 
to  the  frugal  meal.  The  woods  abounded  in 
honey,  and  of  this  the  early  settlers  had  an 
aVumdaiice  the  year  round.  For  some  years 
a('t(!r  settlements  were  made,  the  corn  meal 
l'<jrnierl  the  staple  commodity  for  bread. 

These  simple  cabins  were  inhabited  by  a  kind 


02 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAIMOX  COUNTY 


and  truc-liearted  people.  They  were  strangers 
to  niock-niodesty,  and  the  traveler  seeking  lodg- 
ings for  the  night,  or  desirous  of  spending  a 
few  days  in  the  comnuinity,  if  willing  to  accept 
the  rude  offering,  was  always  welcome,  although 
how  they  were  disposed  of  at  night  the  reader 
may  not  easily  imagine;  for,  as  described,  often 
a  single  room  would  be  made  to  serve  the  pur- 
pose of  kitchen,  dining-room,  sitting-room  and 
parlor,  and  many  families  consisted  of  six  or 
eight  persons. 

CHAKACTEK    OF    THE    PIONEERS. 

The  character  of  the  pioneers  of  Sangamon 
county  falls  properly  within  the  range  of  the 
historian.  They  lived  in  a  region  of  exuberance 
and  fertility,  where  Nature  had  scattered  her 
blessings  with  a  liberal  hand.  The  Sangamon 
river,  with  its  numerous  tributaries,  the  inex- 
haustible forest  su))ply,  the  fertile  prairie,  and 
the  many  improvements  constantly  going  for- 
ward, with  the  bright  prospect  for  a  glorious 
future  in  everything  that  renders  life  pleasant, 
combined  to  deeply  impress  their  character,  to 
give  them  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  an  independence 
of  feeling,  and  a  joyousness  of  hope.  Tliey  were 
a  thorough  admixture  of  many  nations,  charac- 
ters, languages,  conditions  and  opinions.  There 
was  scarcely  a  State  in  the  Union  that  was  not 
represented  among  the  early  settlers.  All  the 
various  religious  sects  had  their  advocates.  All 
now  form  one  society.  Says  an  early  writer  : 
"Men  must  cleave  to  their  kind,  and  must  be 
dependent  ujion  each  other.  Pride  and  jealousy 
give  way  to  the  natural  yearnings  of  the  human 
heart  for  society.  They  begin  to  rub  off  the 
neutral  i)rejudices  ;  one  takes  a  step  and  then 
the  other  ;  they  meet  half  way  and  embrace  ; 
and  the  society  thus  newly  organized  and  con- 
stituted is  more  lil)eral,  enlarged,  unprejudiced, 
and  of  course  more  affectionate,  than  a  society 
of  people  of  like  birth  and  character,  who  bring 
all  their  early  prejudices  as  a  common  stock,  to 
be  transmitted  as  an  inheritance  to  posterity." 

CLOTHING. 

The  clothing  of  the  early  pioneers  was  as 
plain  and  simple  as  their  houses.  Necessity  com- 
pelled it  to  be  in  conformity  to  the  strictest 
economy.  The  clothing  taken  to  the  new  coun- 
try was  made  to  render  a  vast  deal  of  service 
until  a  crop  of  flax  or  hemp  could  be  grown,  out 
of  which  to  make  the  household  apparel.  The 
prairie  wolves  made  it  difficult  to  take  sheej) 
into  the  settlements,  but  after  the   sheep   had 


been  introduced  and  f!ax  and  hemp  raised  in 
sufficient  quantities,  it  still  remained  an  arduous 
task  to  spin,  weave  and  make  the  wearing 
ai>parel  for  an  entire  family.  In  summer,  nearly 
all  iiersons,  both  male  and  female,  went  bare- 
footed. Buckskin  moccasins  were  much  worn. 
Boys  of  twelve  and  fifteen  years  of  age  never 
thought  of  wearing  anything  on  their  feet,  ex- 
cept during  three  or  four  months  of  the  coldest 
weather  in  winter.  Boots  were  unknown  until 
a  later  generation.  After  flax  was  raised  in  suf- 
ficient quantities,  and  sheep  could  be  protected 
from  the  wolves,  a  better  and  more  comfortable 
style  of  clothing  prevailed.  Manuel  and  linsey 
were  woven  and  made  into  garments  for  the 
women  and  children,  and  jeans  for  the  men. 
The  wool  for  the  jeans  was  colored  from  the 
bark  of  the  walnut,  and  from  this  came  the  term 
"butternut,"  still  common  throughout  the  West. 
The  black  and  white  wool  mixed,  varied  the 
color,  and  gave  the  name  "pepper-and-salt." 
As  a  matter  of  course  every  family  did  its  own 
spinning,  weaving  and  sewing,  and  for  years  all 
the  wool  had  to  be  carded  by  hand  on  cards 
from  four  inches  broad  to  eight  and  ten  inches 
long.  The  picking  of  the  wool  and  carding  was 
work  to  which  the  little  folks  could  help,  and  at 
the  proper  season  all  the  little  hands  were  en- 
listed in  the  business.  Every  household  had  its 
big  and  little  spinning-wheels,  winding-blades, 
reel,  warping-bars  and  loom.  The  articles  were 
indispensible  in  every  family.  In  many  of  the 
households  of  Sangamon  county,  stowed  away 
in  empty  garrets  and  out-of-the-way  places,  may 
still  be  found  some  of  these  almost  forgotten 
relics. 

The  preparations  for  the  family  clothing  usu- 
ally began  in  the  early  fall,  and  the  work  was 
continued  on  into  the  winter  months,  when  the 
whirr  of  the  wheels  and  the  regular  stroke  of 
the  loom  could  be  heard  until  a  late  hour  of  the 
night.  No  scene  can  well  be  imagined  so 
abounding  in  contentment  and  domestic  happi- 
ness. Strips  of  bark,  of  the  shell-bark  hickory, 
thrown  fror  time  to  time  in  the  ample  tire- 
place,  cast  a  ruddy,  flickering  light  over  the 
room.  In  one  corner,  within  range  of  the  re- 
flected light,  the  father  is  cobbling  a  well-worn 
pair  of  shoes,  or  trying  his  skill  at  making  new 
ones.  Hard  by,  the  young  ones  are  shellingcorn 
for  the  next  grist.  The  oldest  daughter  whirls 
the  large  spinning-wheel,  and  with  its  hum  and 
whirr  trips  to  the  far  side  of  the  room,  drawing 
out  the  thread,  while  the  mother,  with  the  click 
of  the  shuttle  and  the  measured  thump  of  the 
loom,  tills  up  the  hours — the  whole  a  scene  of 


»-fe^    m»f^. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


65 


iloiiin.slic  industry  and  happiness  rarely  elsewhere 
to  lie    iiiiiid. 

It  is  well  for  '•  Voung  America"  to  look  hack  on 
those  early  days.  It  involved  a  life  of  toil,  hard- 
ship, and  the  lack  of  many  comforts,  but  it  was 
the  life  that  made  men  of  character.  Sangamon 
county  to-day  has  no  better  men  than  the  imme- 
diate descendants  of  those  who  built  their  cabins 
in  t  e  forest,  and  by  patient  endurance  «  rough t 
out  of  the  wilderness  the  landmarks  for  a  pros- 
perous commonwealth.  One  of  these  writes  that 
"the  V)oys  were  required  to  do  their  share  of  the 
haril  labor  of  clearing  uj>  the  farm,  for  much  of 
the  country  now  under  the  plow  was  at  one  time 
heavily  timbered,  or  was  covered  with  a  dense 
thicket  of  hazel  and  young  timber.  Our  visits 
were  made  with  ox  teams,  and  we  walked,  or 
rode  on  horseback,  or  in  wagons  to 'meeting.' 
The  boys  'pulled,' '  broke'  and 'hackled'  fla.x, 
wore  tow  shirts,  and  imlulged  aristocratic  feel- 
ings in  fringed  'hunting-shirts'  and 'coon-skin 
caps,  'picked'  and  'carded'  wool  by  hand,  and 
'spooled'  and  '(piilled'  yarn  for  the  weaving  till 
the  back  ached.'" 

Industry  such  as  this,  supported  by  an  econ- 
omy and  frugality  from  which  there  was  then  no 
escape,  necessarily  brought  its  own  reward.  The 
hard  toil  made  men  old  before  their  time,  but 
beneath  their  sturdy  bio  as  they  saw  not  only 
the  forest  pass  away,  but  the  fields  white  with 
the  grain.  Change  and  alterations  were  to  be 
expected,  but  the  reality  has  distanced  the  wild- 
est conjecture;  and,  stranger  still,  multitudes 
are  still  living  who  witnessed  not  only  the  face 
of  nature  undergoing  a  change  about  them,  but 
the  manners,  customs  and  industries  of  a  whole 
people  almost  wholly  changed.  Many  an  old 
pioneer  sets  by  his  fireside  in  his  easy  chair, 
with  closed  eyes,  dreams  of  the  scenes  of  the 
long  ago. 

"The  voice  of  Nature's  very  self  drops  low, 

As  though  she  whispered  of  the  long  ago, 

When  down  the  wandering  stream  the  rude  canoe 

Of  some  loue  trap])er  glided  into  view. 

And  loitered  down  thi'  watery  pat    that  led 

Thro'  forest  depths,  that  only  knew  the  tread 

Of  savage  beasts,  and  wild  barbarians. 

That  skulked  about  with  blood  upon  their  hands 

And  murder  in  their  hearts.     The  light  of  day 

Might  barely  pierce  the  gloominess  that  lay 

Like  some  dark  pall  across  the  water's  face. 

And  folded  all  the  land  in  its  embrace; 

The  panther's  screaming,  and  the  bear's  low  growl, 

The  snake's  sharp  rattle,  and  the  wolf's  wild  howl, 

The  owl's  grim  chuckle,  as  it  rose  and  fell 

In  alternation  with  the  Indian's  3'ell, 

Made  tittiiig  prelude  for  the  gory  plays 

That  were  enacted  in  the  earlv  days, 

8— 


"  Now,  o'er  the  vision,  like  a  mirage,  falls 

The  old  log  cabin  with  its  dingy  walls, 

.Vnd  erippfed  chimney,  with  the  crulclelike  prop 

Beneath,  a  sagging  shoulder  at  the  top. 

The  'coon-skin,  battened  faston  either  side, 

The  wisps  of  leaf  tobacco,  cut  and  dried; 

The  yellow  strands  of  quartered  a|)ples  hung 

In  rich  festoons  that  tangle  in  among 

The  morning-glory  vines  that  clamber  o'er 

The  little  clapboard  roof  above  the  door  ;   . 

-Vgain,  thro'  mists  of  memory  arise 

The  simple  scenes  of  home  before  the  eyes  ; 

The  h.ippy  mother  luimmiug  with  her  wheel, 

'I'iie  dear  "old  melodies  that  used  to  steal 

So  drowsily  upon  the  summer  air. 

The  house'doghid  his  bone,  forgot  his  care, 

.\nd  nestled  at  her  feet,  to  dream,  perchance, 

.Some  cooling  dream  of  wintertime  romance. 

The  square  of  sunshine  through  the  open  door 

That  notched  its  edge  across  the  puncheon  tloor. 

And  made  a  golden  coverlet  whereon 

The  god  of  sTumber  had  a  picture  drawn 

Of  haliyhood,  in  all  the  loveliness 

Of  dimpled  cheek,  and  limli,  and  linscy  dress. 

The  bough-tilled  fireplace  and  the  mantle  wide. 

Its  lire-scorched  ankles  stretched  on  either  side, 

Where,  perchance  upon  its  shoulders  'neath  the  joists, 

The  old  clock  hiccoughed,  harsh  and  husky-voiced; 

Tomatoes,  red  and  yellow,  in  a  row, 

Preserved  not  then  for  diet  but  for  show  ; 

The  jars  of  jelly,  with  their  dainty  tops  ; 

Bunches  of  pennyroyal  and  cordial  drops, 

The  tlask  of  camphor  and  vial  of  squills, 

The  box  of  buttons,  garden  seeds  and  pills. 

And  thus  the  pioneer  and  helpsome  aged  wife 

Reflectively  reviews  the  scenes  of  early  life." 

\VEDl)IN(iS. 

The  wedding  was  an  attractive  feature  of 
pioneer  life.  There  was  no  distinction  of  life 
and  very  little  of  fortune.  On  these  accounts 
the  first  impressions  of  love  generally  resulted 
in  marriage.  The  family  establishment  cost  but 
little  labor — nothing  more.  The  marriage  was 
always  celebrated  at  the  house  of  the  bride,  and 
she  was  generally  left  to  coose  the  officiating 
clergyman.  A  wedding,  however,  engaged  the 
attention  of  the  whole  neighborhood.  It  was 
anticipated  by  both  old  and  young  with  eager 
expectation.  In  the  morning  of  the  wedding 
day  the  groom  and  his  intimate  friends  assem- 
bled at  the  house  of  his  father,  and  after  due 
preparation,  departed,  en  masse,  for  the  "  man- 
.sion"of  his  bride.  The  journey  was  some- 
times made  on  horseback,  sometimes  oti  foot, 
and  sometimes  in  farm  wagons  and  carts.  It 
was  always  a  merry  journey;  and  to  insure  mer- 
riment, the  bottle  was  always  taken  along.  On 
reaching  the  house  of  the  'bride,  the  marriage 
ceremony  took  place,  and  then  dinner  or  snp|ier 
was  served.  After  the  meal  the  dancing  com- 
menced, and  generally  lasted  until  the  follow- 
ing morning.     The  figures  of  the  dances  were 


6(5 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


three  aiul  fonr-liaiuled  reels,  or  square  sets  and 
jigs.  The  commenceiuent  was  always  a  square 
Your,  which  was  followed  by  what  pioneers 
called  "jigging;"  ihat  is,  two  of  the  four  would 
single  out  for  a  jig,  and  were  followed  by  the 
remaining  couple.  The  jigs  were  often  accom- 
panied wkh  what  was  called  "cutting  out,"  that 
is,  when  either  of  the  parties  be  ame  tired  of 
the  dance,  on  intimation,  the  place  was  sup- 
pi  ie<l  by  some  one  of  the  company,  without  in- 
terruption of  the  dance.  In  this  way  the  reel 
was  oftcTi  continued  until  the  musician  was  ex- 
hausted. About  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing a  deputation  of  young  ladies  stole  off  the 
bride  and  put  her  to  bed.  In  doing  this,  they 
had  to  ascend  a  ladder  from  the  kitchen  to  the 
upper  Hi)or,  which  was  composed  of  loose 
boards.  Here,  in  the  pioneer  bridal  chamber, 
the  young,  simple-hearted  girl  was  put  to  bed 
by  her  enthusiastic  friends.  This  done,  a  dep- 
utation of  voung  men  escorted  the  groom  to  the 
same  department,  and  placed  him  snugly  by  the 
side  of  liis  bride.  The  dance  still  continued, 
and  if  the  seats  were  scarce,  which  was  gener- 
ally the  case,  says  a  local  witness,  every  young 
man,  when  not  engaged  in  the  dance,  was 
obliged  to  offer  his  lap  as  a  seat  for  one  of  the 
girls;  and  the  offer  was  sure  to  be  accepted. 
During  the  night's  festivities  spirits  were  freely 
used,  but  schlom  to  excess.  The  infair  was  held 
on  the  following  evening,  where  the  same  order 
of  exercises  was  observed. 

SUAliES. 

Another  feature  of  pioneer  life  which  every 
old  settler  will  vividly  recall  was  the  "chills  and 
fever,"  •'  fever  and  ague,"  or  "  shakes,"  as  it  was 
variously  called.  It  was  a  terror  to  new-comers, 
for  in  the  fall  of  the  year  almost  everybody  was 
afflicted  with  it.  It  was  no  respector  of  per- 
sons ;  everybody  looked  pale  and  sallow  as 
though  frost-l)itten.  It  was  not  contagious,  but 
derived  from  impure  water  and  air,  which  was 
always  devcUn)ed  in  the  opening  up  of  a  new 
country  of  rank  soil  like  that  of  Sangamon 
county.  The  impurities  continued  to  absorb 
from  day  to  day,  and  from  week  to  week,  until 
the  whole  corporate  body  becomes  saturated 
with  it  as  with  electricity,  and  then  the  shock 
came ;  and  the  shock  was  a  regular  shake,  with 
a  fixed  beginning  and  ending,  coming  on  in 
some  cases  each  day,  but  generally  on  alternate 
days,  with  a  regularity  that  was  surprising. 
After  the  shakes  came  the  fever,  and  this  "  last 
estate  was  worse  than  first  ;"  it  was  a  burning 
hot  fever  anc]  lasted  for  hours.     When  you  had 


the  chill  you  couldn't  get  warm,  and  when  you 
had  the  fever  you  couldn't  get  cool.  It  was 
exceedingly  awkward  in  this  respect — indeed 
it  was.  Nor  would  it  stop  for  any  contin- 
gency— not  even  a  wedding  in  the  family  would 
stop  it.  It  was  imperative  and  tyranical.  When 
the  iippointed  time  came  around,  everything 
else  had  to  be  stopped  to  attend  to  its  demands. 
It  didn't  even  have  any  Sundays  or  holidays. 
After  the  fever  went  down  you  still  didn't  feel 
much  better,  you  felt  as  though  you  had  gone 
thrdugh  some  sort  of  a  collision,  threshing 
machine,  or  jarring  machine,  and  came  out  not 
killed,  but  next  thing  to  it.  You  felt  weak,  as 
though  you  had  run  too  far  aftei'  something, 
and  then  didn't  catch  it.  You  felt  languid, 
stujiid  and  sore,  and  was  down  in  the  mouth 
ami  heel  and  partially  raveled  out.  Your  back 
was  out  of  fix,  your  head  ached  and  your  appe- 
tite crazy.  Your  eyes  had  too  much  white  in 
them;  your  ears,  especially  after  taking  quinine, 
had  too  mueh  roar  in  them,  and  your  whole 
body  and  soul  \\ere  entirely  woe-begone,  discon- 
solate, sad,  poor  and  good  for  nothing.  You 
didn't  think  much  of  yourself  and  didn't  Ijelieve 
that  other  people  did  either;  and  you  didn't 
care.  You  didn't  quite  make  up  your  mind  to 
commit  suicide,  but  sometimes  wished  some 
accident  would  happen  to  knock  either  the  mal- 
ady or  yourself  out  of  existence.  You  imag- 
ined even  the  dogs  looked  at  jou  with  a  sort  of 
self-complacency.  You  thought  the  sun  had  a 
sort  of  sickly  shine  about  it.  About  this  time 
you  came  to  the  conclusion  that  you  would  not 
take  the  whole  State  as  a  gift;  and  if  you  had 
the  strength  and  means  you  would  pick  up  Han- 
nah and  the  baby,  and  your  traps,  and  go  back 
"yaiider"  to  "Old  Virginny,"  the  "Jarseys," 
Maryland,  or  "Pennsylvany." 

"And  to-day,  the  swallows  Hitting 
Round  my  cabin,  sec  me  sittins 
Moodily  within  the  sunshine, 

.Just  inside  my  silent  door, 
Waiting  for  the  '  ager,"  seemiug 
Like  a  man  forever  dreaming  ; 
And  the  sunlight  on  me  streaming 

Throws  no  shadow  on  the  tioor  ; 
For  1  am  too  thin  and  sallow 
To  make  shadows  on  the  tioor — 

Nary  shadow  any  more  ! " 

The  foregoing  is  not  a  mere  picture  of  the 
imagination.  It  is  simply  recounting  in  (piaint 
phrase  what  actually  occurred  in  hundreds'  of 
cases.  Whole  families  would  sometimes  be 
sick  at  one  time,  and  not  one  member  scarcely 
able  to  wait  upon  another.  Labor  or  exercise 
always  aggravated  the  malady,  and  it  took  Gen- 


HISTOHY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


67 


eral  Laziness  a  long  time  to  thrash  the  enemy 
out.  These  were  the  daj^s  for  swaHowing  all 
sorts  of  roots  and  "yarbs"  and  whisky  straight, 
with  some  faint  hope  of  relief.  Finally,  when 
the  case  wore  out,  the  last  remedy  got  the  credit 
of  the  cure. 

WOLF    HUNTING. 

In  early  days  more  mischief  was  done  by 
wolves  than  b}'  any  other  wild  animal,  and  no 
small  part  ot  their  mischief  consisted  in  their 
almost  constant  barking  at  night,  which  always 
seemed  menacing  and  frightful  to  the  settlers. 
Like  mosquitos,  the  noise  they  made  appeared 
to  be  about  as  dreadful  as  the  real  depredations 
they  committed.  The  most  effectual,  as  well  as 
the  most  e.xciting,  method  of  ridding  the  coun- 
try of  these  hateful  pests,  was  tliat  known  as 
the  "circular  wolf  hunt,"  by  which  all  the  men 
and  boys  would  turn  out  on  an  appointed  day, 
in  a  kind  of  circle  comprising  many  square 
miles  of  territory,  with  Jiorses  and  dogs,  and 
then  close  up  toward  the  center  field  of  opera- 
tion, gathering,  not  only  wolves,  but  also  deer 
and  many  smaller  "varmint."  Five,  ten,  or 
more  wolves,  by  this  means,  would  be  killed  in 
a  single  day.  The  men  would  be  organized 
with  as  much  system  as  a  small  army,  everyone 
being  posted  in  the  meaning  of  every  signal 
and  the  application  of  every  rule.  f-Juns  were 
scarcely  ever  allowed  to  be  brought  on  such 
occasions,  as  their  use  would  be  unavoidably 
dangerous.  The  dogs  wei'e  depended  upon  for 
the  final  slaughter.  The  dogs,  by  the  way,  had 
all  to  he  held  in  check  by  a  cord  in  the  hands 
of  their  keepers  until  the  Hual  signal  was  given 
to  let  them  loose,  when  away  they  W'ould  all  go 
to  the  center  of  battle,  and  a  more  exciting 
scene  would  followthan  can  easily  be  described. 

BEE    HUNTING. 

This  wild  recreation  was  a  ]>ecidiar  one,  and 
many  sturdy  backwoodsmen  gloried  in  excelling 
in  this  art.  He  would  carefully  watch  a  bee  as 
it  filled  itself  with  the  product  of  some  sweet 
flower  or  leaf  bud,  and  notice  particularly  the 
direction  taken  by  it  as  it  struck  a  "bee-line" 
for  its  home,  which,  when  found,  would  gener- 
ally be  high  up  in  the  hollow  of  some  tree.  The 
tree  would  be  marked,  and  in  the  fall  a  party 
would  go  and  cut  down  the  tree  and  capture  the 
honey  as  quick  as  i\iey  could  l)efore  it  wasted 
away  through  the  broken  walls  i^i  which  it  had 
been  so  carefullv  stowed  by  the  busy  little  bee. 
Several   a;aIlons   would   often  be  taken   from  a 


single  tree,  and  by  a  very  little  work,  and  pleas- 
ant at  iliat,  the  early  settlers  could  keep  them- 
selves in  honey  the  year  round.  Ky  the  time 
the  honey  was  a  year  old  it  would  turn  white 
and  granulate,  yet  be  as  good  and  healthful  as 
when  fresh.  This  was  called  by  some  "can- 
died" honey. 

SNAKES. 

In  pioneer  times  snakes  were  numerous,  such 
as  the  rattlesnake,  viper,  adder,  bloodsnake,  and 
many  varieties  of  large  blue  and  green  snakes, 
milksnake,  garter  and  watersnakes,  and  others. 
If,  on  meeting  one  of  these,  you  would  retreat, 
they  would  chase  you  very  fiercely;  but  if  you 
would  turn  and  give  them  battle,  they  would 
imnu'diately  turn  and  eraw'l  away  with  all  possi- 
ble speed,  hide  in  the  grass  and  weeds  and  wait 
for  a  "greener"  customer.  These  really  harm- 
less snakes  served  to  put  people  on  their  guard 
against  the  more  dangerous  and  venomous  kind. 
It  was  a  common  practice,  in  order  to  extermi- 
nate them,  for  the  men  to  turn  out  in  companies, 
with  spades,  mattocks  and  crowbars,  attack  the 
principal  snake  dens  and  slay  large  numbers  of 
them.  In  early  spring  the  snakes  were  some- 
what torpid,  and  easily  captured.  Scores  of 
rattlesnakes  were  sometimes  frightened  out  of  a 
single  den,  which,  as  soon  as  they  showed  their 
heads  through  the  crevices  of  tlic  rocks,  were 
dispatche<l,  and  left  to  lie  devoured  by  the  nu- 
merous wild  hogs  of  that  day.  Some  of  the 
fattest  of  these  snakes  were  taken  to  the  hou.se 
and  oil  extracted  from  them,  and  their  glitter- 
ing skins  were  saved  as  sjiecific  for  rheumatism. 
Another  method  for  the  destruction  was  to  fix  a 
heavy  stick  over  the  door  of  their  dens,  with  a 
long  grapevine  attached,  so  that  one  at  a  dis- 
tance could  plug  the  entrance  to  the  den  when 
the  snakes  were  all  out  sunning  themselves. 
Then  a  large  company  of  citizens,  on  hand  by 
appointment,  could  kill  scores  of  the  reptiles  in 
a  few  minutes. 

AGRICULTURE. 

In  the  earlier  settlements  of  this  section, 
ponds,  marshes  and  swamps  abounded  where 
to-day  are  found  cultivated  and  fertile  fields. 
The  low  and  flat  places  were  avoided  for  the 
higher  grounds,  not  only  on  account  of  the  wet- 
ness, but  for  sanitary  reasons.  Agricultural 
implements  were  necessarily  rude,  and  the  agri- 
culture of  a  corresponding  character.  The  plow 
used  was  called  a  "bavshare"  plow,  the  iron 
point  of  which  consisted  of  a  bar  of  iron  about 


68 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


two  feet  long,  and  a  broad  share  of  iron  welded 
to  it.  At  the  extreme  point  was  a  coulter  that 
passed  through  abeam  six  or  seven  feet  long,  to 
which  was  attached  handles  of  corresponding 
length.  The  mold-board  was  a  wooden  one  split 
out  of  winding  timber,  or  hewed  into  a  winding 
shape,  in  order  to  turn  the  soil  over.  In  the 
spring  time,  wlien  the  ground  was  to  be  prepared 
for  the  seed,  the  father  would  take  his  post  at 
the  plow,  an<l  the  daughter  possession  of  the 
reins.  This  is  a  grand  scene — one  full  of  grace 
and  beauty.  The  {)ioneer  girl  thinks  but  little 
of  tine  dress;  knows  less  of  the  fashions;  has 
probably  heard  of  the  opera,  but  does  not  under- 
stand its  meaning;  has  been  told  of  the  piano, 
but  has  never  seen  one;  wears  a  dress  "  buttoned 
up  behind  ;"  has  on  "  leather  boots,"'  and  "  drives 
plow  "  for  father.  In  the  planting  of  corn,  which 
was  always  done  by  hand,  the  girls  always  took 
a  part,  usually  dropping  the  corn,  but  many  of 
them  covering  it  with  the  hand-hoe. 

In  the  cultivation  of  wheat,  the  land  was 
plowed  the  same  as  for  corn,  and  harrowed  with 
a  wooden  toothed  harrow,  or  smoothed  by  drag- 
ging over  the  ground  a  heavy  brush,  weighed 
down,  if  necessary,  with  a  stick  of  timber.  It 
was  then  sown  broadcast  by  hand  at  the  rate  of 
about  a  bushel  and  a  quarter  to  the  acre,  and  har- 
rowed in  with  the  brush.  The  implement  used 
to  cut  the  wheat  was  either  the  sickle  or  the 
cradle.  The  sickle  was  almost  identical  with 
the  "  grass  hook  "  in  use,  and  the  cradle  was  a 
scythe  fastened  to  a  frame  of  wood  with  long, 
bending  teeth  or  strips  of  wood,  for  cutting  and 
laying  the  grain  in  swaths.  There  were  few 
farmers  who  did  not  know  how  to  swing  the 
scythe  or  cradle,  and  there  was  no  more  pleasant 
picture  on  a  farm  than  a  gang  of  workmen  in  the 
harvest  field,  nor  a  more  hilarious  crowd.  Three 
cradlers  would  cut  about  ten  acres  a  day.  One 
binder  was  expected  to  keep  up  with  the  cradle. 
Barns  for  the  storage  of  the  unthreshed  grain 
are  comparatively  a  "  modein  invention,"  and  as 
soon  as  the  shock  was  supposed  to  be  sufficiently 
cured,  it  was  hauled  to  some  place  on  the  farm 
convenient  for  threshing,  and  there  put  in  stack. 
The  threshing  was  performed  in  one  of  two  ways, 
by  flail  or  tramping  with  horses,  generally  the 
latter.  'J'he  flail  was  used  in  stormy  weather,  on 
the  sheltered  floor,  or  when  the  farm  work  was 
not  pressing;  the  threshing  by  tramping  com- 
monly in  clear  weather,  on  a  level  and  well 
tramped  clay  floor.  The  bundles  were  piled  in  a 
circle  of  about  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  diameter, 
and  four  to  six  horses  ridden  over  the  straw. 
One  or  two  hands  turned  over  and  kept  the  straw 


in  ])lace.  When  sufficiently  trampled,  the  straw 
was  thrown  into  a  rick  or  stack,  and  the  wheat 
cleared  by  a  "fanniiig-mill,"  or  sometimes,  be- 
fore fanning-mills  were  introduced,  by  letting  it 
fall  from  the  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet,  sub- 
jected to  the  action  of  the  wind,  when  it  was 
supiiosed  to  be  ready  for  the  mill  or  market. 

KELIGION. 

The  religious  element  in  the  life  of  the  pio- 
neer was  such  as  to  attract  the  attention  of 
tliose  living  in  more  favored  places.  The  pioneer 
was  no  hypocrite.  If  he  believed  in  horse-rac- 
ing, whisky-drinking,  card-playing,  or  anything 
of  like  character,  he  practiced  them  openly  and 
above  board.  If  he  was  of  a  religious  turn  of 
mind  he  was  not  ashamed  to  own  it.  He  could 
truthfully  sing 

"  I'm  not  ashumed  to  own  my  Lord, 
Or  bhish  to  speak  bis  name." 

But  the  pioneer  clung  to  the  faith  of  his 
fathers,  for  a  time,  at  least.  If  he  was  a  Pres- 
byterian he  was  not  ashamed  of  it,  but  rather 
prided  himself  on  being  one  of  the  elect.  If  a 
Methodist,  he  was  one  to  the  fullest  extent.  He 
prayed  long  and  loud  if  the  spirit  moved  him, 
and  cared  nothing  for  the  empty  forms  of  re- 
ligion. 

A  traveling  Presbyterian  minister,  visiting 
this  region  of  country  at  a  very  earlj^  day,  thus 
sjieaks  of  the  sectarian  feeling  which  then  ex- 
isted : 

"In  these  new  religions,  too,  of  the  most 
absolute  independence,  you  see  all  the  wander- 
ings of  human  thought,  every  shade  of  faith, 
every  degree  of  the  most  persevering  attach- 
ments to  preconceived  opinions.  You  see,  too, 
all  degrees  of  pretension  in  religion,  followed  by 
unhappy  manifestations  of  the  hollowness  of 
such  pretensions  You  meet,  it  is  true,  with 
more  cheering  circumstances,  and  we  sometimes 
are  able  to  see  that  which  westrongly  wish  tosee. 
At  one  point  you  meet  with  a  respectable  Meth- 
odist and  begin  to  feel  an  attachment  to  the 
profession.  He  next  meets  you  with  harmony 
and  co-operation  on  his  lips,  and  the  next  thing 
which  you  hear  is  you  are  being  charged  of 
being  a  fierce  Calvinist,  and  that  you  have 
preached  that  "hell  is  paved  with  infants' 
skulls."  While,  perhaps,  the  society  with  which 
you  are  connected  hear  from  an  opposite  quar- 
ter, and  from  a  pretended  friend,  that  in  such  a 
sermon  30U  departed  from  the  dicta  of  the  Great 
Master  and  ai'e  leading  the  people  to  the  gulf  of 
Armenianism.     The  Baptists  are  as  exclusive  as 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


69 


in  the  older  regions.  Even  among  our  own 
brethren,  it  is  well  known,  that  there  is  some 
feeling  of  a  (juestionable  nature,  some  rivalry 
between  the  pupils,  the  doctors  and  schools  of 
Andoverand  Princeton.  The  Cumberland  I'res- 
bj'terians,  with  all  the  freshness  of  a  new  sect, 
are  not  found  lacking  in  this  order  of  things. 
Lastly,  there  are  the  Catholics,  abundantly  more 
united  in  faith,  in  spirit,  and  in  purpdse  than  we 
are — who  claim  a  kind  of  proscriptive  right  to 
the  ground,  on  the  pretext  of  prior  possession. 
Add  to  these  the  followers  of  Elias  Smith,  and 
the  midtitudes  of  men  who  would  be  founders 
of  new  sects,  and  vou  will   have  some  idea   of 


the    sectarian    feelings  that  you    will    have  to 
encounter." 

But  these  sectarian  feelings  were  not  to  last. 
Separated  from  the  religious  influences  of  the 
land  of  their  birth,  and  seldom  hearing  the  gos- 
pel message,  they  were  literally  starving  for  the 
"bread  of  life,"  and  tie  worthy  minister  of 
whatever  denomination  that  chanced  to  call  re- 
ceived a  cordial  welcome.  The  best  the  early 
pioneers  had  to  give  was  at  their  service. 
All  they  required  was  that  the  ministers 
be  a  true  and  faithful  follower  of  Christ, 
and  preach  to  them  of  a  common  salva- 
tion. 


70 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  IV, 


JUDICIAL. 


When  the  Lord  placed  Adam  and  Eve  in  the 
garden  of  Eden  he  gave  unto  them  a  law,  requir- 
ing implicit  obedience,  on  pain  of  punishment 
for  transgression.  As  the  human  race  increased, 
other  laws  in  addition  to  those  given  in  the 
beginning  became  necessary.  The  formation  of 
laws  implies  there  shall  be  a  judge  and  a  place 
where  justice  shall  be  administered.  In  accord- 
ance with  this  fact  our  legislators,  on  the  forma- 
tion of  the  State  (Tovernment,  enacted  certain 
laws,  and  ordained  means  by  which  those  laws 
should  be  executed. 

The  first  Constitution  of  the  State  declared 
that  the  judicial  powers  of  the  State  should  be 
vested  in  one  Supreme  Court,  and  such  inferior 
courts  as  the  General  Assembly  should  from  time 
to  time  ordain  and  establish.  This  Supreme 
Court  consisted  of  a  chief  justice  and  three 
associates.  They  were  appointed  by  joint  ballot 
in  both  branches  of  the  General  Assembly,  and 
commissioned  by  thi;  Governor,  and  held  their 
offices  during  good  behavior,  until  the  ii»8t 
session  of  the  legislature  in  1824.  They  were 
recjuired  to  hold  tlie  circuit  courts  in  the  several 
counties  in  each  month,  and  at  such  times  as  the 
General  Assembly  should  by  law  prescribe.  The 
State  was  accordingly  divided  into  four  districts, 
and  by  an  act  approved  February  II,  1821,  San- 
gamon County,  together  with  St.  Clair,  Madison, 
Greene,  Pike  and  Montgomery  were  constituted 
the  First  .ludicial  Circuit,  and  John  Reynolds, 
Associate  .Fustice.  assigned  to  it. 

The  first  term  of  the  Sangamon  County  Cir- 
cuit Court  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Kelly, 
on  Monday,  JNIay  7,  1821.  There  were  present 
John  Reynolds,  judge;  Charles  R.  JMatheny, 
clerk;  .Tohn  Taylor,  sheriff;  Henry  Starr,  prose- 
cuting attorney,  yro  tein. 

The  following  list  of  grand  jurors  were  era- 
panneled  and  sworn:  Daniel  Parkinson,  foreman; 
Claybourn  .Tames,  Henry  iSrown,  .John  Darneille, 
Archibald    Turner,   William    Davis,    Abraham 


Ritchey,  Abraham  Carloek,  Levi  Harbour, 
George  Hayworth,  William  Eads,  Thomas 
Knotts,  .lames  McCoy,  James  Tweddel,  Aaron 
Hawley,  Field  James,  Mason  Fowler,  Isaac 
Keyes  and  Elias  Williams. 

Charles  R.  Matheny  presented  his  bond  and 
security  as  clerk,  which  was  approved  by  the 
court. 

.John  Taylor  presented  his  bond  as  sheriff, 
with  security,  which  was  approved  by  the  court. 

Suit  was  commenced  by  Samuel  L.  Irwin 
against  Roland  Shepherd,  for  trespass,  and  <lis- 
missed  at  plaintiff's  cost. 

Three  indictments  were  found  by  the  grand 
jury,  two  for  assault  and  batter}'  and  one  for 
riot,  trials  of  which  were  deferred  until  the  ne.xt 
term  of  court. 

This  completed  the  business  of  this  term  of 
court,  and  judge,  lawyers  and  spectators  all  ad- 
journed. 

.John  Reynolds,  who  presided  at  this  term  of 
court,  and  who  was  chief  justice  of  the  State  at 
the  time,  was  afterwards  Governor  of  the  State, 
and  is  familiarly  known  as  the  "Old  Ranger." 
He  was  a  man  of  strong  mind  and  strong  will 
power,  altliough  inclined  to  yield  somewhat  to 
make  himself  popular  with  the  people.  In  the 
history  of  the  bar  is  given  an  anecdote  showing 
to  what  e.xtent  he  would  go  to  keep  the  good 
will  of  another.  Judge  Reynolds  was  a  scliol- 
arly  man,  understanding  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages  (lerfectly.  He  is  the  author  of  a  his- 
tory of  Illinois. 

An  act  of  the  legislature  was  passed  and  ap- 
proved by  the  Governor  February  17,  1823,  by 
which  Montgomery  was  detached  from,  and 
Morgan  and  Fulton  added  to,  the  First  Judicial 
Circuit,  and  this  was  further  changed  December 
2it,  1824,  by  which  the  district  was  formed  of 
Sangamon,  Pike,  Fulton,  Morgan,  (Greene  and 
Montgomery  counties.  At  this  time  the  State 
was  divided'  into  live  circuits.     John  Vork  Saw- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


yer  was  appointed  to  the  first  circuit  composed 
of  the  counties  named. 

.John  York  Sawyer  was  a  remarkable  man,  re- 
markable at  least  for  weight,  David  Davis  being 
a  common  sized  man  by  iiis  side.  He  was  an 
ill-tempered  man,  too,  notwithstanding  his  size. 
While  he  was  on  the  circuit  the  law  provided 
for  whipping  men  for  petit  larceny.  Sawyer, 
says  Liiuier,  was  a  terror  to  all  such  offenders, 
and  was  fond  of  snapping  up  the  lawyers  who 
defended  theTu.  A  fellow  was  once  tried  before 
him  for  petit  larceny  and  convicted.  He  was 
defended  by  Alfred  W.  Cavarly,  who  moved  an 
arrest  of  judgment  aud  a  new  trial,  and  begged 
his  honor  to  allow  him  to  go  over  to  his  office 
and  get  some  authorities  which  he  wished  to  read 
in  support  of  his  motion. 

"  Oh,  certainly,  certainly," said  Sawyer  to  iiini, 
assuming  one  of  the  blandest  looks  possible, 
"The  court  will  wait  with  the  greatest  pleasure 
on  you,  Mr.  Cavarly." 

Cavarly  made  one  of  his  profoundest  bows 
and  retired.  Scarcely  had  he  left  the  court 
house  when  Sawyer  said  to  the  sheriff:  1 

"Mr.  Sheriff,  take  the  prisoner  out  to  yonder 
white  oak  tree -(pointing  to  one  through  a  win- 
dow which  was  back  of  him,  and  about  fifty 
yards  oft),  strip  him  to  the  skin,  and  give  him 
thirty-nine  lashes  on  his  back,  well  laid  on." 

The  shei  iff'  executed  the  sentence  of  the  court 
with  great  speed.  Sawyer  turned  around  and 
looked  out  of  the  window  while  it  was  being  ex- 
ecuted, and  in  a  loud  voice,  while  the  l)lood  was 
streaming  down  tlie  culprit's  back,  counted  the 
number  of  strokes  on  liis  fingers — one,  two,  three, 
and  so  on  up  to  thirty-nine.  The  sheriff'  washed 
the  back  of  the  prisoner,  reclothed  him,  and 
brought  him  into  court. 

He  was  scarcely  seated  wlien  Cavarly  made 
his  appearance  wi  h  his  arm  full  of  law  books, 
and  with  great  confidence  said  to  the  court: 

"  May  it  please  your  Honor,  I  am  now  pre- 
pared to  show  beyond  a  doubt  that  my  client 
has  been  wrongfully  convicted,  and  is  entitled 
to  a  new  trial." 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Cavarly,  go  on;  the  ct>urt 
will  hear  you  with  great  pleasure." 

Sawyer  had  the  malice  to  let  Cavarly  proceed 
and  read  authorities  for  some  time,  but  at  last 
interposed  ami  said: 

"Mr.  Cavarly,  yon  have  satisfied  the  court, 
and  if  you  desire  it  I  shall  grant  you  a  new 
trial." 

But  at  this  point  his  client  whispered  in  his 
car: 


"Don't  take  it,  Mr.  Cavarly,  or  they  will  whip 
me  again." 

The  court  went  on  to  finish  liis  reniaiks: 

"But  I  will  inform  you  that  your  client  has 
been  whipped,  and  received  thirty-nine  lashes 
on  his  ba'e  back,  well  laid  on,  for  I  saw  and 
counted  them." 

Cavarly  exclaimed  witli  great  indignalion: 

"This  is  an  outrage,  and  I  ))rotest  against 
such  conduct  on  the  part  of  a  court." 

"Oh,  Mr.  Cavarly,  you  have  a  right  to  pro- 
test. Clerk,  enter  Mr.  Cavarly's  protest  on  the 
record;"  and  turning  to  Mr.  Cavarly,  said: 
"Now,  Mr.  Cavarly,  fjring  on  your  corn  mer- 
cliant  (meaning  a  client  of  Cavarly's,  who  was 
charged  with  stealing  corn),  and  we  will  dispose 
of  him  as  we  have  with  your  hog  merchant" — 
the  man  who  had  been  whipped. 

Judge  Sawyer  has  long  since  been  dead. 

A  change  was  again  made  in  the  circuit  by 
an  act  approved  .January  12,  1827,  it  now  em- 
bracing Peoria,  t^ilton,  Schuyler,  Adams,  Pike, 
Calhoun,  Greene,  Morgan  and  Sangamon;  Sam- 
uel 1).  Lockwood  being  Judge  of  the  Circuit. 

In  January,  1S20,  Sangamon  county  still 
formed  part  of  the  first  circuit,  together  with 
the  counties  of  Pike,  Calhoun,  Greene,  Macou- 
pin, Morgan,  Macon,  and  Tazewell.  Two  years 
later  McLean  was  added  to  the  circuit.  No  fur- 
ther change  was  then  made  until  IKHr,,  when 
there  was  a  general  reorganization,  this  disti'ict 
remaining  the  same,  with  the  exception  that 
Pike  county  was  taken  from  it.  Stephen  T. 
Logan  was  elected  this  year,  and  served  with 
great  credit  to  himself  and  the  disti'ict  for  two 
years.  On  the  20th  day  of  March,  l.S:J7,  Wil- 
liam Brown  was  commissioned,  an<l  served  four 
months,  when  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr.,  was  duly 
commissioned.  Judge  Thomas,  of  whom  men- 
tion is  made  in  the  history  of  the  Bar,  resigned 
in  18:39. 

In  18.39,  a  new  Judicial  Circuit,  numbered  the 
eighth,  was  formed,  comprising  the  counties  of 
Sangamon,  McLean,  Macon,  Tazewell,  Menard, 
Logan,  Dane  (now  Christian)  and  Livingston. 
This  circuit  wa<  formed  by  act  of  the  legisla- 
ture approved  February  2.S,  1839.  Stephen  T. 
Logan,  a  few  days  sulisequently,  received  a  com- 
mission as  judge  of  the  circuit,  but  resigned 
the  office  in  about  three  months,  and  Samuel  IT. 
Treat  was  commissioned  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Judge  Treat  was  elected  and  recoinmissioned 
January  .30,  1840,  and  held  the  office  up  to  the 
time  of  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution  in 
1848.  A  sketch  of  Judge  Treat  will  be  found 
in  connection  with  the  bar  historv. 


Y2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAjNIOX  COT'NTY. 


By  the  constitution  of  1848,  the  State  was  di- 
vided into  nine  judicial  circuits,  in  each  of 
whicli  a  judge  was  elected  September,  1848. 
The  legislature  was  authorized  to  increase  the 
number  of  circuits  as  might  be  required.  No 
change  was  made  in  the  Eighth  Circuit,  of  which 
Sangamon  county  was  a  part. 

David  Davis  was  the  first  judge  elected  in 
this  circuit  under  the  new  constitution.  Judge 
Davis  is  a  native  of  Maryland.  After  graduat- 
ing at  a  New  England  college,  and  having 
stu<lied  law  with  a  noted  barrister,  he  came  to 
Illinois  when  quite  a  young  man  and  settled  in 
Pekin,  where  he  remained  about  one  year  and 
then  moved  to  Bloomington.  Here  he  opened 
a  law  office,  and  by  his  sagacity,  economy  and 
industry,  he  soon  won  his  way  to  respectable  in- 
dependence. In  his  Reminiscences  of  the  Bar, 
General  Linder  has  this  to  say  of  Judge  Davis: 

"For  his  promotion  to  the  circuit  judgeship, 
Mr.  Davis  was  largely  indebted  to  his  old  and 
tried  friend,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  to  the  eter- 
nal credit  of  Judge  Davis,  be  it  said,  he  never 
forgot  it.  Wiien  a  member  of  the  convention 
in  ISliU,  that  noniiiiated  the  Republican  candi- 
date for  President,  Judge  Davis  had  as  large,  if 
not  a  larger  share  in  bringing  about  the  nomi- 
nation of  j\Ir  Lincoln  than  any  other  member 
of  that  convention,  and  when  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
elected,  Davis  was  invited  to  accompany  him  to 
Washington  as  one  of  his  suite.  Mr.  Davis  is 
a  large  man — about  six  feet  high,  very  corpulent, 
and  weighing  some  three  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds.  He  accepted  Mr.  Lincoln's  invitation, 
and  being  somewhat  conspicuous  for  his  size, 
and  for  wearing  a  white  silk  hat,  the  aspirants 
for  office  perceived  by  the  attentions  paid  him 
by  Mr.  Lincoln  that  he  had  no  small  influence 
with  the  President-elect,  and  they  paid  about  as 
much  court  to  the  man  w  ith  the  white  hat  as 
to  Mr.  Lincoln  himself. 

"But  I  wish  to  go  back  to  the  time  when  he 
was  circuit  judge  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and 
Mr.  Lincoln  and  myself  both  practiced  in  his 
circuit — ]Mr.  Lincoln  in  the  whole  of  it,  and  I 
in  the  counties  of  Vermilion,  Edgar  and  Shelbj', 
and  occasionally  in  Champaign.  Judge  Davis 
was  a  very  impartial  judge,  and  though  not  in- 
tending to  show  a  preference  for  one  of  his 
lawyers  over  another,  such  was  the  marked  dif- 
ference he  showed  to  Mr.  Lincoln,  tiiat  Lincoln 
threw  the  rest  of  us  in  tlie  shade.  But  as  Mr. 
Linc<iln  could  not  take  both  sides  of  a  case,  An- 
thony Thornton,  myself  and  other  prominent 
lawyers,  were  employed  on  the  opposite  side  of 
cases  in  whicli  Mr.  Lincoln  was  engaged  on  one 


side  or  the  other.  Judge  Davis  always  treated 
me  with  great  kindness  and  consideration,  and 
I  wish  to  state  here,  before  going  further,  le.st 
the  reader  should  think  that  my  practice  was 
confined  to  cases  in  which  I  was  opposed  to  Mr. 
Lincoln,  that  in  weighty  and  hotly  contested 
cases  we  were  often  associated  together,  so  that 
I  cannot  say  tliat  I  was  at  all  damaged  by  the 
friendship  shown  for  him  tjv  his  Honor,  Judge 
Davis.  I  think  it  quite  likely  that  had  I  been 
]ilaced  in  the  same  relation  to  Mr.  Lincoln  that 
Judge  Davis  was,  I  should  have  shown  to  him 
the  same  consideratiim  as  was  showTi  him  by  his 
Honor,  Judge  Davis. 

"  Lincoln  and  myself  generally  put  up  at  the 
same  hotel,  and  frequently  slept  in  tiie  same 
room,  and  not  unfrequently  Lincoln  and  I 
occupied  the  same  bed.  Judge  Davis  was  too 
large  to  take  either  of  us  for  a  bed-fellow. 

"Among  the  most  pleasant  days  of  my  life  I 
recall  those  when  we  three  traveled  together 
from  Danville  to  Paris,  and  from  there  to 
Shelbyville.  The  courts  of  those  three  places 
lasting  on  an  average  from  two  to  three  weeks 
each.  Ah  I  what  glorious  fun  we  had  some- 
times! 

"I  will  give  a  little  incident  here  to  show 
the  eccentricity  of  Judge  Davis,  which  occurred 
at  the  Paris  Circuit  Court.  Judge  Harlan, 
who  was  then  judge  on  the  circuit  south  of 
here,  came  up  to  Paris  on  some  special  busi- 
ness of  his,  and  Judge  Davis,  observing  him 
in  the  court  house,  invited  him  to  come  up 
and  take  a  seat  on  the  bench  beside  him, 
which  Judge  Harlan  did;  and  while  there  a 
little  appeal  came  up,  in  which  there  was  only 
about  three  dollars  in  controversy,  in  which  I 
was  engaged.  I  read  a  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court  which  I  thought,  and  which  was  decis- 
ive of  the  case.  Judge  Davis  turned  to  Harlan 
and  whispered  in  his  ear,  as  I  afterwards 
learned  from  Judge  Harlan,  'Great  Godl' 
said  he,  '  for  a  lawyer  of  Linder's  age  and 
standing  to  read  a  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court  in  a  little  appeal  case  where  there  are 
only  three  dollars  in  dispute!'  He  neverthe- 
less gave  a  decision  in  favor  of  my  client. 

"Another  little  circumstance  I  will  relate, 
going  further  to  show  his  eccentricity  and  his 
friendship  for  me.  Some  time  in  the  year,  I 
think  of  1850,1  went  up  to  Springfield,  either 
on  a  visit  or  on  some  business  or  other,  when 
Judge  Davis  was  holding  his  court  there;  and 
I  had  landed  but  about  an  hour  when  the 
prosecuting  attorney,  hearing  that  I  was  in 
town,  came  and  employed  me  to  assist  him  in 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


73 


the  prosecution  of  a  woman  and  her  paramour 
for  the  murder  of  her  husband  by  the  admin- 
istration of  jioison.  As  I  entered  the  court 
room,  Judge  Davis  being  on  the  bench,  and 
perceiving  me  to  enter  the  room  with  my  pipe 
in  my  mouth,  said   in  an  audible  voice: 

'Mr.  Sheriff,  you  will  permit  no  one  to 
smoke  in  this  room  while  court  is  in  session 
except  General  Linder.' 

'•  It  created  quite  a  laugh  over  the  house,  and 
you  may  rest  assured  I  was  not  so  modest  or 
self-denying  as  to  refuse  to  take  advantage  of 
the  permission  thus  given  me  to  smoke  my 
pipe  during  the  progress  of  the  trial. 

"I  have  already  stated  that  Davis,  by  invita- 
tion of  Mr.  Lincoln,  went  with  him  to  Wash- 
ington, and  was  present  at  his  inauguration, 
and  I  was  informed  remained  there  for  some 
considerable  time.  And  although  he  held  no 
cabinet  office  under  Mr.  Lincoln,  yet  it  was 
pretty  well  known  that  Mr.  Lincoln  had  great 
confidence  in  Judge  Davis,  and  consulted  him 
on  public  affairs  fre<|uently  during  those  dark 
and  perilous  days  just  before  and  after  the 
war  commenced.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
Mr.  Lincoln  tendered  him  a  place  in  his  cabi- 
net, but  Judge  Davis  waited  for  a  safer  and 
more  permanent  jjlace.  His  ambition  was  to 
reach  the  Su]>reme  Bench  of  the  United  States, 
and  after  a  while,  a  vacancy  occurring,  Judge 
Davis  was  ajipointed  to  fill  the  place,  over  the 
heads  of  such  men  as  Salmon  P.  Chase  and 
other  formidable  aspirants.  His  nomination 
was  confirmed  by  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States.  He  has  made  a  most  excellent  judge, 
and  has  delivered  some  opinions  on  constitu- 
tional questions  which  have  given  him  a  national 
reputation. 

In  1877,  Judge  Davis  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate  for  the  term  of  six  years. 
In  the  Senate  he  has  occupied  an  independent 
position,  though  generally  acting  with  the  Demo- 
cratic members  of  that  body. 

By  an  act  approved  February  3,  1853,  the 
Eighth  Circuit  was  composed  of  the  following 
counties:  Sangamon,  Logan,  McLean,  Wood- 
fordj'Tazewell,  DeWitt,  Champaign  and  Vermil- 
ion. As  thus  constituted  it  remained  unchanged 
until  1857.  By  an  act  approved  February  11, 
1857,  Sangamon  county  was  made  part  of  the 
Eighteenth  Circuit,  together  with  the  counties  of 
Macoupin,  Montgomery  and  Christian. 

On  the  organization  of  this  new  circuit,  Ed- 
ward Y.  Rice  was  elected  and  served  as  judge  of 
the  circuit  until  1870.  Judge  Rice  was  elected 
to   this   office    from   Montgonierv   county,  and 

9— 


served  acceptably  during  the  continuance  of  the 
circuit.  He  is  a  man  of  clear  mind,  a  good  judge 
of  law,  his  judgment  rarely  being  reversed.  He 
was  appreciated  by  the  entii'e  bar,  not  only  of 
Sangamon  county,  but  of  the  circuit. 

In  1869,  Sangamon  county,  together,  with  Ma- 
coupin, embraced  the  Thirtieth  Judicial  Circuit. 
Benjamin  S.  Edwards  was  commissioned  judge 
of  the  circuit,  and  held  the  office  about  fifteen 
months  and  then  resigned.  While  on  the  bench 
he  was  quite  pojmlar  with  bar  and  people.  (See 
sketch  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the 
bar.) 

John  A.  McClernand  was  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy,  and  was  commissioned  July  12,1870. 
He  remained  in  the  office  until  the  expiration  of 
the  term.  A  sketch  of  Judge  McClernand  ap- 
jsears  in  connection  with  the  bar  history. 

The  General  Assembly,  by  an  act  approved 
March  28,  1873,  divided  the  State  into  twenty- 
six  judicial  circuits,  Sangamon  county,  together 
with  the  counties  oi  Macoupin,  Shellty,  Chris- 
tian, Fayette  and  Montgomery,  com]irising  the 
nineteenth.  Charles  S.  Zane,  of  Springfield, 
was  the  first  elected  judge  of  this  new  circuit. 

In  1877,  the  State  was  divided  into  thirteen 
judicial  circuits,  with  three  judges  in  each  cir- 
cuit. Horatio  M.  Vandeveer,  of  Taylorville, 
Charles  S.  Zane,  of  Springfield,  and  William  R. 
Welch,  of  Carlinviile,  were  the  three  elected  for 
the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit,  embracing  the  coun- 
ties of  Sangamon,  Christian,  Macoupin,  Shelby, 
Montgomery. 

Horatio  M.  Vandeveer  was  raised  in  Sangamon 
county,  but  removed  to  Christian  county  when 
a  young  man,  and  there  studied  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  He  was  elected  judge  of 
the  Twentieth  Judicial  Circuit  in  1873,  and  re- 
tained as  one  of  the  three  judges  of  the  newly 
organized  Fifth  Circuit.  Judge  Vandeveer  was 
highly  esteemed  by  the  bar,  and  made  an  excel- 
lent judge.  Before  being  elected  to  this  oflice 
he  served  a  term  in  the  legislature  very  accept- 
ably. He  declined  a  re-election  on  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term,  and  is  now  engaged  in  banking 
and  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Taylorville. 

William  R.  Welch  is  from  Carlinviile,  and  is 
recognized  by  the  bar  and  people  as  above  the 
average  ability  as  a  judge. 

Jesse  J.  Phillips  was  elected  in  1879,  and  is  a 
citizen  of  Ilillsboro.  He  has  had  but  a  short 
experience  as  judge,  but  has  served  very  accept- 
ably. During  the  war  he  was  recognized  as  a 
brave  and  gallant  officer,  the  Colonel  in  com- 
mand of  one  of  our  Illinois  regiments,  and  was 
wounded  two  or  three  times  during  the  service. 


74 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COl'KTY. 


PROBATE  AND  COUNTY  COUETS. 

Agreeable  to  an  act  of  the  legislature,  ap- 
proved February  10, 1821,  aCourtof  Probate  was 
established  in  this  county  and  James  Latliam 
was  duly  commissioned  Probate  Judge,  and  held 
the  first  term  of  court  June  4,  1881.  The  only 
business  transacted  this  day  was  to  issue  letters 
of  administration  to  Randolph  Wills  on  the 
estate  of  Daniel  Martin,  deceased. 

Court  met  and  adjourned  three  times,  after 
its  first  meeting,  without  transacting  any  busi- 
ness, until  August  2G,  1821,  when  the  filing  and 
recording  the  will  of  Peter  Lanterman  occupied 
the  attention  of  the  court  one  entire  day.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  first  will  given  in  the 
records  of  the  court: 

"Before  the  witnesses  now  present,  Louis  Bennett, 
in  perfect  memory,  does  give  to  tlie  daughters  of 
Kiikunciqui,  .Josett  Kakauoqui,  and  Lizett  Kalvanoqui, 
two  thousand  livres  each,  and  six  hundred  livres  for 
praj'es  for  his  father;  also,  six  hundred  livres  for  him, 
if  for  prayes,  and  thirty  dollars  for  prayes  promised, 
and  one  liundred  doUais  for  Kakanoqui,  the  rest  of  his 
money  to  be  given  to  his  brothers  and  sisters  of  Louis 
Bennett.  After  duly  hearing  read  over  before  the  wit- 
nesses now  present,  and  signing  the  same  will,  he  does 
voluntarily  ai)point  .Joseph  D.  Portecheron  and  Louis 
Pencoune.iu,  Sr.,  as  exacquators  of  his  will. 

his 

Lovis  X  Bennett. 
mark 
Joseph  D.  PouTEcnERON,  1 
Joseph  Dutti.e,  j 

his  I' Witnesses." 

Francois  X  Bakbonais, 
mark 

James  Latham,  the  first  Probate  Judge  of 
Sangamon  county,  was  born  in  Lotidon  county, 
Virginia,  October  25,  1768.  He  emigrated  when 
a  young  man  to  Kentucky,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Briggs  in  1792.  In  1819,  with  his 
family,  he  removed  to  Illinois,  and  settled  at 
Elkhart  Grove,  then  a  part  of  Sangamon,  but 
now  of  Logan  county.  As  already  intimated, 
on  the  organization  of  the  county  he  was  ap- 
pointed Prol)ate  Judge.  He  held  the  office  but 
a  few  months  and  then  resigned, having"  received 
the  appointment  of  Superintendent  of  the  In- 
-dians  around  Fort  Clark.  Soon  after  receiving 
this  appointment  he  removed  his  family  to  that 
place,  and  died  there  December  4,  1826. 

Zachariah  Peter  was  appointed  to  fill  the 
vacancy  occasioned  by  Judge  Latham's  resigna- 
tion, and  .served  about  one  year.  Zachariah 
Peter  was  a  Virginian  by  birth,  but  was  raised 
in  Kentticky,  where  he  was  married  to  Nancy 
Spaulding.  In  September,  1818,  Mr.  Peter  ar- 
rived in  Sangamon  county,  and  finding  an  emjjty 
f.abin  in  what  is  now   Ball  township,  he  moved 


his  family  into  it,  remaining  there  until  tlie  fol- 
lowing spring,  when  he  erected  a  cabin  for  him- 
self about  three  miles  north.  Mr.  Peter  was  one 
of  the  three  commissioners  appointed  to  locate 
the  temporary  seat  of  justice  for  Sangamon 
county,  and  filled  several  important  county 
offices,  serving  for  several  years  as  one  of  the 
board  of  County  Commissioners.  He  died  in 
Springfield,  August  5.  1864. 

Charles  R.  Matheny  succeeded  to  the  office  of 
Probate  Judge  in  1822,  and  held  the  office  for 
three  years.  Charles  R.  Matheny  was  br«rn  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia,  March  6,  1786.  Wiien 
a  young  man  he  went  on  a  visit  to  a  brotlier  in 
Kentucky,  and  was  there  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  jiroper  authorities  in  the  Methodist  Ejusco- 
pal  Church.  In  18U5  he  was  appointed  by  that 
body  as  missionary  to  a  portion  of  the  Illinois, 
but  then  known  as  the  Indiana  Territory.  He 
settled  in  what  is  now  St.  Clair  county,  and 
continued  for  some  years  to  preach  the  gospel. 
While  engaged  in  ministerial  duties,  he  read 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1817  he 
was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the  Ter- 
ritory. In  1821,  he  was  induced  by  the  tender 
of  the  office  of  County  Clerk,  County  Auditor  and 
Circuit  Clerk,  and  other  prospective  advantages, 
to  eouie  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  at  S))ring- 
field  in  the  spring  of  1821.  In  Springfield  and 
throughout  the  county  he  was  very  popular,  and 
received  many  favors  from  the  people.  He  was 
for  several  years  president  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  village  of  Springfield,  and  held  the 
office  of  County  Clerk  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred October  10,  18.39. 

James  Adams,  of  whom  mention  is  made  iti 
the  history  of  the  bar,  was  the  next  to  fill  the 
office  of  Probate  Judge,  his  commission  bearing- 
date  August,  1825.  Judge  Adams  held  the 
office  until  1843. 

Thomas  Moffett  was  elected  in  1843,  and 
served  until  1849. 

By  the  Constitution  of  1848,  counties  not  or- 
ganized under  the  Township  Organization  Law 
were  governed  by  a  Board  of  Justices,  consist- 
ing of  a  County  Judge  and  two  associates.  The 
County  Judge  performed  under  this  law  all  the 
duties  formerly  devolving  upon  the  Probate 
Judge.  Lender  this  act,  Thomas  Moffett  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  County  Judge,  and  served 
four  years.  (See  sketch  of  Judge  Moffett  in  bar 
history.) 

John  Wickliffe  Taylor  was  elected  to  succeed 
Judge  Moifett,  and  commenced  his  official  life 
in  December,  1853.  Judge  Taylor  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  after  his  marriage,  in  1833,  he 


U1S'1-()11V  or  SAXGA.MOX  COUNTY. 


moved  to  Springtield,  Illinois,  where  he  re- 
mained one  year,  and  then  settled  on  a  farm  in 
Cartwright  township,  where  he  was  livingatthe" 
time  of  ills  eleciion. 

William  I).  I'ower  was  elected  as  the  successor 
of  Judge  Taylur,  in  1857.  Judge  Power  was 
born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  May  2,  1821, 
and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Sangamon 
county  the  same  year.  Here  he  grew  to  man- 
hood, and  80  lived  as  to  merit  the  esteem  of  all 
who  knew  him.  In  1861  he  was  re-elected 
County  Judge,  and  died  in  office  March  2,  1863. 

Not  man  M.  Broadwell  was  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Judge  Power. 
He  served  out  the  term.  (See  sketch  in  bar 
history.) 

William  Prescott  was  the  successor  of  Judge 
Broadwell,  and  served  from  1865  to  1869.  (See 
sketch  in  bar  history.) 

A.  N.  J.  Crook  was  the  next  to  fill  the  office  of 
County  Judge.     He   was  elected  in  1869,  and 


served  four  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  bar 
of  Sangamon  county,  and  a  further  notice  of  him 
appears  in  that  connection. 

James  H.  Matheny  was  first  elected  county 
judge  in  1873,  and  re-elected  in  1877.  He  has 
made  an  extremely  pojmlar  judge.  (See 
sketch  in  connection  with  the  history  of  the 
bar.) 

When  the  county  adopted  the  township  or- 
ganization law  the  office  of  Associate  Justice  was 
abolished,  and  the  legislative  duties  performed 
by  the  County  Judge  and  associates  were  vested 
in  a  Board  of  Supervisors.  The  County  Judge 
W'as  still  retained  in  office  as  Judge  of  Probate. 

By  the  Constitution  of  1870  county  courts 
were  created  having  original  jurisdiction  in  all 
matters  of  probate,  and  made  a  court  of  record. 
By  an  act  of  the  legislature  it  has  been  given 
common  law  jurisdiction  to  the  amount  of 
$1,000.  A.  N.  J.  Crook  was  the  first  County 
Judc^e  under  the  new  law. 


T6 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  V. 


THE  BAR  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


The  Bar  of  Sangamon  county  has  ever  been  a 
subject  of  pride  among  her  citizens.  Some  of 
the  liest  legal  minds,  fairest  logicians  and  tinest 
orators  of  the  age  have  practiced  before  her 
courts,  many  of  whom  have  claimed  a  residence 
in  the  county.  In  reviewing  the  history  of  the 
Bar,  it  must  be  born,  in  mind  that  as  the  pros- 
perity and  well-being  of  ever}'  community  de- 
pends upon  the  wise  interpretation,  as  well  as 
upon  the  judicious  framing  of  its  laws,  it  must 
follow  that  a  record  of  the  members  of  the  Bar 
must  form  no  unimportant  part  in  the  county's 
history.  Upon  a  few  principles  of  natural  jus- 
tice is  erected  the  whole  superstructure  of  civil 
law,  tending  to  relieve  the  wants  and  meet  the 
desires  of  all  alike.  The  business  of  the  lawyer 
is  not  to  make  the  laws,  but  to  apply  them  to 
the  daily  affairs  of  men.  But  the  interests  of 
men  are  diversified,  and  where  so  many  inter- 
ests and  counter  interests  are  to  be  protected 
and  adjusted,  to  the  lawyer  and  the  judge  are 
presented  many  interesting  and  complex  prob- 
lems. 

Change  is  everywhere  imminent  The  la\\s 
of  yesterday  do  not  meet  the  wants  and  neces- 
sities of  the  people  of  to-day,  for  the  old  rela- 
tions do  not  exist.  New  and  satisfactory  laws 
must  be  established.  The  discoveries  in  the 
arts  and  sciences,  the  invention  of  new  contri- 
vances for  labor,  the  enlargement  of  industrial 
jjursuits,  and  the  increase  and  development  of 
commerce  are  without  precedence,  and  the  science 
of  law  must  keep  pace  with  them  all,  nay, 
it  must  even  forecast  the  event,  and  so  frame  its 
laws  as  will  most  adequately  subserve  the  wants 
and  provide  for  the  necessities  of  the  new  con- 
ditions. Hence  the  lawyer  is  a  man  of  to-day. 
The  exigencies  he  must  meet  are  those  of  his 
own  time.  His  capital  is  his  ability  and  indi- 
viduality. He  cannot  bequeath  to  his  successors 
the  characteristics  that  distinguished  him,  and  at 
his  going,  as  a  general  thing,  the  very  evidences 
of  his   work  disappears.     Anthony    Thornton, 


Presidentof  the  State  Bar  Association,  in  1878, in 
an  address  before  the  association,  thus  speaks  of 
the  lawyer:  "In  the  American  State  the  great 
and  good  lawyer  must  always  be  prominent,  for 
he  is  one  of  the  forces  which  move  and  control 
society.  Public  confidence  has  generally  been 
reposed  in  the  legal  profession.  It  has  ever 
been  the  defender  of  popular  rights,  the  cham- 
pion of  freedom,  regulated  by  law,  the  firm  sup- 
port of  good  government.  In  times  of  danger 
it  has  stood  like  a  rock  and  breasted  the  mad 
passions  of  the  hour,  and  firmly  resisted  tumult 
and  faction.  No  political  preferment — no 
mere  place — can  add  to  the  power  or  increase 
the  honor  which  belong  to  the  pure  and  edu- 
cated lawyer.  The  fame  of  Mansfield  and  Mar- 
shall and  Story  can  never  die.  'Time's  iron 
feet  can  print  no  )-uin-trace'  upon  their  charac- 
ter. Their  learning  and  luminous  exposition  of 
our  jurisprudence  will  always  light  our  path- 
way. It  is  our  duty  to  preserve  the  prestige  of 
the  profession.  The  past,  at  least,  is  secure;  the 
present  and  future  summon  us  to  action.  With 
the  progress  of  society,  and  tt  e  increase  of 
population,  wealth  and  trade,  varied  interests 
arise,  and  novel  questions,  requiring  more 
thought,  confront  us.  A  disregard  of  the  law 
has  been  developed,  crime  meets  us  unabashed, 
and  corruption  stands  unmasked  in  the  high 
places  of  the  land.  It  is  no  fancy  picture  that 
the  law  has,  to  some  extent,  lost  its  authority, 
and  it  is  only  the  shade  of  that  which  once  was 
great.  Hence,  new  duties  are  imi)osed,  and  a 
firmer  courage  is  required.  *  *  *  The  exal- 
tation of  the  profession  is  a  duty  enjoined  upon 
us.  It  is  a  debt  which  only  death  can  discharge. 
Lord  Bacon  has  said,  'every  man  is  a  debtor  to 
his  profession;  from  the  which,  as  men  of 
course  do  seek  to  receive  countenance  and 
])rofit,  so  ought  they  of  duty  to  endeavor,  them- 
selves, by  way  of  amends,  to  be  a  help  and 
ornament  thereto.'  Every  lawyer  is  a  debtor  to 
his  profession.     If  worthy,  it  gives  him  an  hon- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


11 


orable  character  and  high  position.  The  lawyer 
should  prize  and  love  his  profession.  He  should 
value  its  past  renown,  and  cherish  the  memory 
of  great  men  whose  gigantic  shadows  walk  by 
us  still.  He  should  love  it  for  the  intrinsic 
worth  and  innate  truth  of  the  fundamental 
truths  which  adorn  it." 

In  compiling  a  history  of  the  Bar  one  is  as- 
tonished at  the  small  amount  of  material  for  a 
memoir  of  those  « ho  have  been  so  intimately 
connected  with  and  exerted  such  influence  upon 
the  country's  welfare  and  progress.  Aside  from 
the  few  who  have  become  great,  whose  names 
are  emblazoned  on  history's  page,  but  little  is 
known  of  many  who  at  one  time  were  ver)' 
prominent  in  the  legal  profession  in  the  county. 
But  the  names  of  Lincoln,  Douglas,  Shields, 
Baker,  Logan,  Trumbull,  Hardin,  Breese,  Lock- 
wood,  Linder  and  scores  of  others  mentioned  in 
these  pages  will  always  find  a  place  in  their 
country's  history,  and  Sangamon  county  has 
reason  to  be  proud,  not  only  of  so  many  distin- 
guished sons,  but  of  the  many  others  who  have 
practiced   in  her  courts. 

I'lEST   DECADE. 

Sangamon  county  was  organized  in  1S21,  and 
in  the  decade  following,  the  names  of  Henry 
Starr.  John  Reynolds,  Sidney'  McRoberts.  Al- 
fred Cavarly,  William  Thomas,  Benjamin  Mills, 
William  A.  Hamilton,  William  Mendel,  James 
Adams,  Thomas  M.  Neale,  James  M.  Strode, 
Jonathan  H.  Pugh,  Thomas  Moffett,  John  T. 
Stuart,  S.  D.  Lockwood,  Judge  Smith,  Alfred 
Coles,  Mr.  Rogers,  James  Turney,  John  L. 
Bogardus,  David  Prickett  and  George  Forquer 
appeared  upon  the  dockets  of  the  court — an 
array  of  distinguished  names  which  would  be 
an  honor  even  to  the  Bar  of  to-day,  many  of 
whom  have  since  become  distinguislied,  and  few 
of  whom  are  now  living. 

James  Adams  is  the  pioneer  attorney  of  San- 
gamon county,  having  settled  in  Springfield  in 
18'21,  shortly  after  the  county  was  organized. 
Mr.  Adams  was  born  in  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
January  26,  l.sos,  from  which  ])lace  he  removed 
to  Oswego  county.  New  York,  in  ISOO,  and  from 
thence  to  Sangamon  county  as  already  stated. 
For  several  years  he  had  (|uite  an  extensive 
practice,  being  careful  and  painstaking  in  work- 
ing up  his  cases  and  in  his  clients' interests.  In 
182.3  he  was  appointed  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
was  elected  successively  for  many  years.  He 
took  part  in  the  Winnebago  and  Black  Hawk 
wars.      After  an  exciting  personal  canvass,  he 


was  elected  Probate  Judge  in  l»4l,  and  died  iu 
oflice  on  August  11,  184-3. 

Jonathan  H.  Pugh  was  the  second  attorney 
to  make  Sangamon  county  his  home.  He  ar- 
rived in  Spring-field  early  in  the  year  1823,  and 
at  once  secured  a  good  practice  for  that  day. 
In  the  first  decade  of  the  Bar  of  this  county, 
his  name  probaljly  appears  oftener  on  the 
docket  than  any  other  attorney.  Mr.  Pugh  was 
from  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  a  man  of 
brilliant  talents,  a  good  lawyer  for  that  time, 
and  one  whose  wit  never  failed  him  on  any 
occasion.  Before  a  jury  he  was  almost  invinci- 
ble. In  society  he  was  a  prime  favorite,  having 
remarkably  tine  conversational  powers.  Before 
coming  to  Sangamon  he  located  for  a  time  in 
Bond  county,  and  was  there  elected  to  the  legis- 
lature, lie  also  served  Sangamon  county  in 
tlie  Assembly  after  his  removal  here.  In  1831 
he  was  nominated  for  Congress,  and  made  the 
race  in  o)>posilion  to  ex-Governor  Duncan.  At 
this  time  the  question  of  internal  improvements 
was  being  agitated,  especially  the  building  of  a 
canal  from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Illinois  river. 
Governor  Duncan  was  a  strong  advocate  of  the 
canal,  while  Mr.  Pugh  advocated  the  building 
of  a  railroad,  and  was  probably  the  first  man  iu 
the  State  to  advocate  this  measure.  His  views 
upon  this  question  were  doubtless  one  cause  of 
his  defeat.  In  1833,  while  in  the  prime  of  life, 
Mr.  Pugh  "laid  down  life's  burden  and  passed 
over  to  the  other  side." 

Thomas  M.  Neale  was  born  in  Fauquier 
county,  Virginia,  in  1*796.  When  a  mere  child, 
he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Bowling  Green, 
Kentucky.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of 
1812,  he  enlisted  and  served  his  country  faith- 
fully as  a  common  soldier.  He  studied  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Bowling  Green.  In 
the  fall  of  1824  Mr.  Neale  arrived  in  Spring- 
field, and  at  once  commenced  the  practice  of 
law.  For  some  three  or  four  years  his  practice 
was  good.  In  the  campaign  against  the  Winne- 
bago Indians  in  1827,  he  was  the  colonel  in  com- 
mand of  all  the  infantry  companies.  After  the 
Black  Hawk  war.  Col.  Neale  was  elected  sur- 
veyor of  the  county,  and  one  of  his  first  acts 
was  the  appointment  of  Abraham  Lincoln  his 
deputy.  He  was  also  a  justice  of  the  peace  for 
many  years,  and  as  such  uniting  many  coujile  in 
marriage,  some  times  receiving  as  his  fee  only  a 
saddle  of  venison.  Mr.  Nrale  died  August  7, 
1840. 

Jamrs  M.  Strode  was  from  Kentucky,  ami 
made  his  first  appearance  before  tlie  Sangamon 
County  Courts  in  1823.     He  was  then  a  young 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAJMON  COUNT V 


man  of  fair  talents,  rather  showy  in  dress  and 
manners,  a  good  story  teller,  and  for  many  years 
was  quite  prominent  in  the  courts  of  the 
State.  Leaving  Springfield  he  settled  in  Galena, 
where  he  died. 

William  S.  Hamilton  was  a  son  of  the  noted 
Alexander  Hamilton,  of  New  York.  He  first 
ggured  in  the  courts  of  this  county  in  1825, 
though  he  was  probaljly  here  the  previous  year. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  intellectual  powers,  but 
was  unsteady  in  his  habits.  He  served  the 
county  one  year  in  the  legislature. 

Thomas  Moifett  was  from  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  Springfield  in  1826,  where 
he  engaged  in  teaching  school  and  devoting  his 
leisure  hours  to  the  study  of  law.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1828,  and  was  the  first  in 
the  county  to  receive  a  license  to  practice.  Mr. 
Mofl:'ett  was  orderly  sergeant  of  a  company  in 
the  Winnebago  war,  and  captain  of  a  company 
in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  served  two  years 
as  County  Commissioner,  and  from  1843  served 
as  Judge  of  the  Probate  Court.  Under  the 
constitution  of  1848  he  was  elected  County  Judge 
for  four  years.  While  not  taking  high  rank  as 
a  lawyer,  Mr.  Moffett  was  a  man  of  excellent 
judgment,  and  made  an  excellent  justice  of 
the  peace.  Probate  Judge  and  County  Judge. 
He  died  in  1877,  at  a  very  advanced  age.  He 
was  many  years  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church. 

William  Mendel  was  a  queer  genius,  not  much 
of  a  lawyer,  and  good  for  little  else,  unless  it 
should  be  for  being  very  witty.  He  occasion- 
ally failed  to  behave  himself  in  court  with  that 
decorum  demanded  of  the  profession,  and  con- 
sequently was  punished  therefor  by  the  presid- 
ing judge.  He  once  appeared  before  Judge 
Sawyer  and  behaved  himself  in  an  unbecoming 
manner.  The  judge  sentenced  him  to  jail  for 
the  night.  The  next  morning  on  going  to  the 
court  house  a  calf  was  discovered  in  the  judge's 
stand  and  a  lot  of  geese  in  the  jury-box,  with 
Mendall  addressing  them  in  an  impassioned 
manner.  The  judge  took  no  notice  of  the  indig- 
nity. 

Samuel  McRoberts  was  one  of  the  best  law- 
yers that  followed  the  circuitand  making  Sj)ring- 
field  a  point.  He  was  afterwards  Circuit  Judge, 
and  also  U.  S.  Senator  from  this  State.  He 
died  before  the  expiration  of  his  term.  He  was 
an  excellent  man  to  be  with  on  the  circuit,  serv- 
ing to  beguile  the  weary  hours  in  travelingfrom 
place  to  place.  U.  F.Linder,  whose  reminiscen- 
ces are  often  quoted  in  this  work,  says  he  could 
give  the  heartiest  laugh  when  amused,  of  any  man 


,he  ever  saw.  He  relates  the  following  incident 
that  transpired  on  one  occasion:  "Nearly  all  the 
lawyers  of  Judge  Harlan's  circuit  met  at  the  Ed- 
gar County  Circuit  Court,  among  the  rest,  Judge 
McRoberts  and  myself.  In  those  days  we  nearly 
all  roomed  together.  There  was  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Lodge,  who  was  a  bricklayer  by  trade, 
but  who  had  arisen  to  be  superintendent  of  a 
large  farm.  Lodge  was  in  the  habit  of  seeking 
every  ojjportunity  to  talk  with  the  judge  and 
lawyers,  and  would  generally  seize  and  run  away 
with  the  conversation.  One  day  he  came  in 
where  we  were  all  talking,  and  with  great  pom- 
posity and  egotism  told  us  that  he  had  a  water- 
melon-patch adjoining  the  road  from  Danville  to 
Paris;  that  he  was  one  day  sitting  on  his  piazza, 
which  overlooked  this  melon-patch.  While  sit- 
ting there  he  saw  a  gentleman  coming  along  in 
his  buggy,  and  when  he  got  opposite  the  melon- 
patch  he  jumped  out,  got  over  the  fence,  pulled 
one  of  his  finest  melons,  of  which  he  had  several 
thousand,  and  deliberately  commenced  eating  it. 
He  said  he  concluded  he  would  go  down  and 
have  a  talk  with  the  gentleman.  He  edified  and 
regaled  us  with  a  fine  moral  lecture  which  he 
delivered  to  the  stranger,  and  said  he  told  him 
that  if  he  had  come  and  asked  for  the  melon  he 
would  have  given  it  to  him;  and  said  that  he 
ended  by  walking  up  to  him  and  deliberately 
knocking  the  melon  out  of  his  hand.  He  said 
the  man  seemed  greatly  mortified,  aud  said  to 
him:  'Sir,  I  am  a  gentleman;  my  name  is 
Bishop,  a  commission  merchant  at  Evansville, 
Indiana.  In  my  native  State,  where  we  raise 
vast  quantities  of  melons,  it  is  not  thought  to  be 
a  serious  matter  or  a  crime  for  a  man  to  help 
himself  to  a  melon  by  the  wayside,  and  if  you 
feel  very  much  concerned  about  it  here  is  the 
payfor  it,'  pulling  out  his  purse.  Lodge  refused, 
as  he  told  us,  and  went  on  to  deliver  a  lecture 
to  Mr.  Bishop  on  the  rights  of  equality  of  men, 
saying  that  he  did  not  consider  that  it  conferred 
an  honor  on  bim,  that  a  commission  merchant 
or  anyone  else  should  take  one  of  his  melons 
without  leave.  Here  McRoberts  burst  out  in 
one  of  his  great  '  horse  laughs,'  which,  to  ap- 
preciate, should  be  heard: 

"'Hal  ha !  ha  ! '  says  he, '  that  reminds  me  of 
a  story  I  once  heard  of  William  the  Fourth,  when 
he  was  Prince  of  Wales.  He  was  traveling  in 
cog.  through  Canada,  and  at  Montreal  he  strayed 
into  a  tailor  shop,  where  the  tailor  and  his  wife 
were  both  sitting  on  the  counter  at  work ;  the 
tailor  with  crossed  legs  pressing  a  seam  with 
his  hot  goose,  and  his  wife  sewing  away  at  some 
garment  with  nimble  fingers.     Neither  seemed 


HISTORY  OK  SANGAMON  OOUNTY. 


79 


to  pay  much  attention  to  the  disguised  royal 
stranger,  when  William,  stepping  up  to  where 
the  woman  was  sitting,  turning  bis  head,  asked 
the  tailor  if  that  was  his  wife.  '  She  is  a  very 
pretty  woman,'  said  the  Prince,  and  pulling  her 
head  down  toward  him,  he  deliberately  kissed 
her,  and  turning  to  the  tailor  very  patronizingly 
said,  'Now,  sir,  you  will  have  the  honor  of  tell- 
ing your  children  that  your  wife  was  kissed  by 
the  King  of  England.  I  am  William,  the  Prince 
of  Wales,  and  heir-aj)parent  to  the  throne.'  The 
tailor  laid  down  his  goose,  put  on  his  slippers, 
jumped  off  the  counter,  and  catching  William 
by  the  shoulders  pushed  him  to  the  door  and 
gave  him  two  or  three  lusty  kicks  on  the  seat  of 
honor,  and  said,  'Now,  sir,  you  will  have  the 
honor  of  telling  your  subjects  that  in  one  of 
your  Majesty's  Provinces  you  had  your  posterior 
kicked  by  a  tailor.''  Lodge  looked  like  ho 
could  have  crawled  through  an  auger  hole,  and 
said  :  '  Judge  McEoberts,  I  hope  you  don't 
mean  to  say  there  is  the  same  disparity  between 
Bishop  and  myself  as  existed  between  the 
Prince  and  the  tailor!'  Whereupon  we  all 
burst  into  a  most  uproarious  tit  of  laughter, 
when  Lodge  left,  and  never  visited  us  again." 

Alfred  W.  Cavarly  is  a  man  well  known  by 
the  elder  members  of  the  Bar.  He  lived  in 
Greene  county  and  rode  the  circuit  or  which 
Sangamon  formed  a  part  for  many  years.  He 
was  considered  a  good  lawyer,  though  a  little 
egotistic.  He  always  rode  a  good  horse  in  his 
travels.  On  one  occasion  he  interposed  a  gen- 
eral demurrer  to  one  of  Mills'  pleadings,  and 
sought  thus  to  take  advantage  of  some  matter 
which  could  only  be  reached  by  special  demur- 
rer. When  Cavarly  discovered  that  he  could 
only  reach  the  defect  by  special  demurrer,  he 
insisted  that  his  was  a  special  demurrer  be- 
cause he  had  underscored  part  of  it.  Judge 
Lockwood  decided  against  him.  At  dinner  the 
same  day  at  which  the  Judge  and  members  of 
the  Bar  were  present,  Cavarly  sent  his  plate  to 
Mills  to  be  furnished  with  what  he  thought  was 
a  cut  of  venison.  Mills  sent  him  a  piece  which 
Cavarly  discovered  was  beef,  and  he  remarked, 
"Brother  Mills,  I  wanted  venison,  and  you  sent 
me  beef."  "Oh,"  said  Mills,  "underscore  it, 
Brother  Cavarly,  and  that  will  make  it  venison." 

Benjamin  Mills  was  one  of  the  ablest,  most 
learned  and  accomplished  lawyers  of  the  early 
Bar  of  this  State.  He  was  from  Massachusetts, 
highly  educated,  and  a  man  of  a  rare  style  of 
oratory,  through  which  there  ran  a  rich  vein  of 
wit  and  irony.  It  was  a  talent  he  often  indulged 
in  in  conversation.     He  rode  the  circuit  in  com- 


pany with  several  others  who  have  since  become 
prominent,  and  had  few  equals  to  contend  with. 
As  illustrative  of  his  wit  it  is  related  that  one 
day  when  he  was  in  his  cups  at  his  hotel,  he  was 
sitting  about  half  asleep,  when  Cavarly  stepped 
up  to  where  he  was  sitting  and  laid  his  hand  on 
Mills'  bald  head  and  remarked:  "Friend  Mills, 
you  have  quite  a  prairie  on  your  head."  "Yes, 
Cavarly,"  he  said,  "  and  do  you  know  the  differ- 
ence between  you  and  meV"  "By  no  means, 
Brother  Mills,"  said  he,  in  quite  a  patronizing 
manner.  "  Well,  I'll  tell  you,"  said  Mills,  "  my 
prairie  is  on  my  head,  but  yours  is  inside  your 
head." 

Mills  was  the  son  of  a  New  England  Presby- 
terian minister,  and  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early 
day,  when  tliere  was  a  law  authorizing  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  if  he  heard  a  man  swear,  even 
upon  the  streets,  to  go  to  his  office  and  enter  up 
a  tine  of  one  dollar  against  him.  Ben  was  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  was  one  day  taking 
his  glass  with  another  justice  of  the  peace  at  his 
hotel  in  Greenville,  Illinois,  when  he  happened 
to  let  slip  about  a  half  dozen  oaths.  His 
brother  justice  said  nothing  about  it  at  the  time. 
This  was  in  the  morning.  They  met  again  at 
the  same  place  in  the  evening  and  were  taking 
another  social  glass  together,  when  his  friend 
I'emarked : 

"  Brother  Mills,  you  swore  sereral  oaths  this 
morning,  and  you  know  the  law  makes  it  my 
duty  to  enter  a  fine  against  you  of  a  dollar  for 
each  oath." 

"  I  know  it,  my  brother,"  said  Mills,  "  and 
thought  of  it  as  I  went  to  my  office,  and  being 
a  justice  of  the  peace  myself,  I  entered  upon 
my  docket  a  tine  of  one  dollar  for  each  oath  I 
swore." 

"Oh,  w^l,"  said  his"  friend,  "  that  will  do. 
Come,  Brother  Mills,  let  us  have  another  glass." 
And  when  they  were  about  to  drink  it.  Mills 
remarked:  "But  you  know,  my  brother,  that 
the  policy  of  the  law  is  reformation  and  not 
vengeance,  and  feeling  that  object  has  been 
thoroughly  accomplished  in  my  case,  by  the  fine, 
I  am  now  considering  the  question  of  remitting 
it."  After  their  glass  and  a  hearty  laugh  they 
parted. 

Mr.  Mills  was  a  powerful  prosecutor.  At 
Edwardsville,  a  lawyer  named  Winchester,  killed 
a  man  named  Smith,  or  at  least  was  charged 
with  the  crime.  Mills  was  his  prosecutor.  Felix 
Grundy,  of  Tennessee,  then  one  of  the  greatest 
criminal  lawyers  in  the  southwest,  was  sent  for 
to  defend  Winchester.  The  prosecution  is  said 
to  have  been  one  of  the  ablest,  most  fearful  and 


80 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


terrible  ever  heard,  and  it  required  all  the  talent 
and  oratory  of  Grundy,  assisted  by  the  presence 
and  countenance  of  many  of  the  leading  attor- 
neys and  men  of  the  place  to  prevent  a  con- 
viction. 

Mr.  Mills  died  about  1S50. 

John  Reynolds  is  well  known  to  every  student 
of  the  history  of  Illinois,  having  been  Governor 
of  the  State,  member  of  Congress,  and  Judge  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois.  He  was  a  ripe 
scholar,  a  man  of  great  natural  ability,  yet  withal 
modest,  seeming  more  disposed  to  conceal  than 
to  blazon  forth  his  accomplishments  to  the  world. 
An  amusing  story  is  told  of  the  Governor  which 
occurred  while  holding  a  term  of  the  circuit 
court  at  Edwardsville.  At  that  term  a  man 
named  Green  was  tried  before  him  on  the  charge 
of  murder,  and  was  convicted.  Reynolds,  who 
was  always  seeking  popularity,  desired  the  ill 
will  of  no  one,  even  of  a  murderer,  and  after  the 
verdict  of  guilty  had  been  read  by  the  clerk  in 
open  court,  turned  to  Green,  his  face  all  beam- 
ing with  sympathy,  said: 

"  Mr.  Green,  I  am  truly  sorry  for  you;  the  jury 
have  found  you  guilty  of  murder,  and  I  suppose 
you  know  you  have  got  to  be  hung." 

"  Yes,  your  Honor,"  said  Green. 

"Mr.  Green,  I  want  you  to  understand  that 
this  is  none  of  my  work,  but  of  a  jury  of  your 
own  selection.  I  would  take  it  as  a  favor  of  you 
if  you  would  communicate  this  fact  to  your 
friends  and  relatives.  The  law  makes  it  mv 
duty  to  pass  sentence  upon  you  and  carry  out 
the  verdict  of  the  jury.  It  is  a  mere  matter  of 
form,  Mr.  Green,  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  and 
your  death  can  in  no  way  be  imputed  to  me. 
Mr.  Green,  when  would  you  like  to  be  hung?" 

"Your  Honor,"  said  Green,  "if  I  had  any 
choice  in  the  matter,  I  should  not  like  to  be 
hung  at  all;  but  as  it  seems  I  have  not,  I  have 
no  preference  of  one  time  over  another." 

Reynolds  then  turned  to  the  clerk  and  said: 

•'  Mr.  Conway,  look  at  the  almanac  and  see  if 
the  fourth  Friday  in  December  comes  on  Sun- 
day." 

Conway,  being  a  man  of  considerable  humor, 
gravely  turned  to  the  almanac,  and  then  looking 
up,  said: 

"  I  find,  your  Honor,  to  my  utter  astonish- 
ment, that  that  day  comes  upon  Friday  I" 

"Soil  does,  so  it  does,"  said  Reynolds.  Turn- 
ing to  Green,  he  said: 

"Mr.  Green,  the  sentence  of  the  court  is  that 
on  the  fourth  Friday  in  December,  between  the 
hours  of  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  and  four 


o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  sheriff  of  Madison 
county  will  take  you  from  the  jail  to  the  place  of 
execution,  and  there,  Mr.  Green,  I  am  sorry  to 
say,  he  will  hang  you  till  you  are  dead,  dead, 
dead,  and  may  the  Lord  have  mercy  upon  your 
soul.  And  don't  you  forget  it,  Mr.  Green,  that 
it  is  not  my  work,  but  that  of  the  jury  which 
tried  you." 

James  Turney's  name  appears  upon  the  rec- 
ords of  the  Sangamon  Circuit  Court  for  several 
years,  beginning  iu  1824.  He  was  aTennessean 
by  birth,  but  at  this  time  lived  in  Carrollton. 
lie  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  appearance,  of 
great  natural,  Avith  but  little  acquired  ability. 
When  Attorney-General  of  the  State,  it  is  said, 
that  such  was  the  reputation  which  had  preceded 
him  when  traveling  the  circuits,  that  many  men 
indicted,  came  into  court  and  confessed  guilty 
rather  than  stand  a  trial  with  him  as  prosecutor. 
He  was  a  natural  orator,  and  always  commanded 
the  most  profound  attention.  No  one  could  fail 
to  recognize  in  a  moment,  when  hearing  him 
speak,  that  he  was  a  man  of  considerable  genius 
and  talent.  He  served  the  State  as  Attorney- 
General  and  as  Commissioner  of  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  Canal.  He  was  also  State  Senator 
from  Greene  county. 

Henry  Starr,  at  a  very  early  day,  left  his  na- 
tive State  of  New  Hampshire  and  settled  in  Ken- 
tuck)',  where  he  taught  school  and  studied  law. 
After  lieing  admitted  to  the  Bar,  he  removed  to 
Edwardsville,  Illinois,  from  which  place  he  made 
his  semi-annual  trips  around  the  circuit,  his  name 
appearing  on  the  docket  of  Sangamon  Circuit 
Court  in  1822.  He  remained  in  the  State  but  a 
few  years  when  he  removed  to  Cincinnati,  and 
soon  was  recognized  as  a  leading  lawyer  of  that 
metropolis. 

George  Forquer,a  half-brother  of  ex-Governor 
Ford,  was  born  in  Uniontown,  Pennsylvania,  in 
179-t.  With  his  mother  and  half-brother  he 
moved  to  Monroe  county,  Illinois,  at  an  early 
day,  from  which  place  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  a  legislature.  In  1825  he  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Coles,  Secretary  of  State,  and  went  to 
Vandalia  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that 
office.  In  December,  1828,  he  resigned  the  posi- 
tion, and  in  January  following  was  appointed 
Attorney-General  by  Governor  Edwards.  Re- 
signing this  latter  office  the  same  year,  he  re- 
moved to  Springfield.  He  afterwards  repre- 
sented Sangamon  county  in  the  State  Senate, 
and  was  at  one  time  register  of  the  land  office  in 
Springfield.  He  was  considered  by  his  contem- 
])oraries  a  fair  lawyer  and  had  a  good  business. 
He  (lied  September  12,  18:38. 


oJZ^C/^  iT  oC^<^'C 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


83 


A  sketch  of  John  T.  Stuart,  who  hail  his  first 
casein  the  April  term,  1829,  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
and  who  is  at  present  actively  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Springfield,  appears  m  connection  with 
the  seventh  decade. 

As  illustrative  of  the  way  the  lawyers  followed 
the  circuit,  the  following  reminiscence  by  Judge 
William  Thomas,  of  Jacksonville,  is  here  given: 

"My  Kentucky  law  license  is  dated  July  5, 
1823  (granted  before  I  was  twenty-one).  My 
Illinois  license  is  dated  October,  1820.  The 
lirst  court  that  I  attended  in  Illinois  was  held  in 
this  place,  November,  1826;  John  York  Sawyer 
was  Circuit  Judge.  The  attorneys  i,n  attend- 
ance were,  John  Reynolds,  BellevilTe^;  James 
Turney,  Attorney  General,  and  Alfred  W.  Cav- 
arly,  of  CarroUton;  William  H.  Brown,  Benja- 
min JNIills  and  George  Forquer,  of  Vandalia; 
David  Prickett,  Edwardsville;  Murray  McCon- 
nell,  John  Turney  and  Benjamin  Cox,  of  this 
place;  Jonathan  H.  Pugh,  Thomas  M.  Neale 
and  James  M.  Strode,  of  Springfield.  The  bus- 
iness of  the  court  was  finished  in  less  than  a 
week,  and  the  next  and  last  court  held  by  Judge 
Sawyer  was  in  Sj)ringfield  in  the  same  month. 
With  two  exceptions,  McConnell  and  Cox,  the 
same  attorneys  were  in  attendance  at  Spring- 
field, with  the  addition  of  William  S.  Ilamil- 
ton,  General  James  Adams,  Thomas  Mofl:'ett,  of 
Springfield,  and  John   L.  Bogardus,  of  Peoria. 

"The  First  Judicial  Circuit  at  that  time  was 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Greene,  Morgan, 
Sangamon,  Peoria,  Fulton,  Schuyler,  Adams, 
Pike  and  Calhoun.  A  week  was  allowed  to  each 
term  of  the  court  in  Greene,  Morgan  and  San- 
gamon, and  half  a  week  in  each  of  the  other 
counties.  From  December,  1826,  to  March, 
1827,  I  was  employed  as  village  schoolmaster  in 
this  place.  In  the  spring  of  1827,  I  attended 
all  the  courts  in  this  circuit.  S.  J.  Lockwood, 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  was  required  to  hold  the 
courts  in  this  circuit — Greene,  Morgan  and  San- 
gamon, with  the  resident  attorneys — Reynolds, 
Turney,  Pugh,  Strode  and  Cavarly  from  other 
counties  being  in  attendance.  From  Sangamon 
we  went  to  Peoria,  Bogardus  resided  there  and 
kept  the  tavern.  There  was  another  attorney 
there  who  resided  on  the  lake  some  distance 
above  Peoria,  his  name  I  have  forgotten.  The 
Attorney  General  being  absent,  I  was  appointed 
to  represent  the  people.  Jacob  Funk  and  one 
Ogee,  having  been  indicted  for  an  affray,  to  the 
"terror  of  the  people,"  confessed  guilty,  were 
fined  a  small  sum,  and  each  paid  my  fee  of  $.5, 
with  which  I  paid  my  traveling  expenses  around 
the  circuit.     The  attorneys  present  at  this  court 

10— 


from  other  counties  were,  John  Turney,  James 
M.  Strode,  Jonathan  II.  Pugh  and  General 
James  Adams. 

"  From  Peoria  the  court  went  to  Fulton 
county,  Pugh,  Turney,  Adams  and  myself  being 
tlie  oidy  attorneys,  besides  a  resident  attorney 
whose  name  I  have  forgotton.  Judge  Phelps 
entertained  the  judge  and  Bar,  and  refused  pay. 
Here  I  was  employed  in  an  appeal  case,  which  I 
gained,  and  received  -So  for  ray  fee.  John  Tur- 
ney was  appointed  to  represent  the  people. 
There  was  no  criminal  case  for  trial.  From 
there  we  went  to  Schuyler  county,  our  horses 
swimming  Spoon  river,  and  we  crossed  in  a 
canoe.  There  we  found  at  the  county  seat  but 
two  f.amilies — Hart  Fellows,  clerk,  and  Terry, 
recorder.  Pugh  was  appointed  to  prosecute, 
but  there  was  no  criminal  case  on  tlie  docket — 
the  grand  jury  found  no  bills — and  after  the 
trial  of  a  few  appeal  cases  the  court  adjourned 
on  the  second  day. 

"From  that  county  we  went  to  Quincy,  trav- 
eling through  the  prairie  in  a  day,  distance 
sixty  miles,  with  no  roads.  I  think  there  was 
no  resident  attorney  at  Quincy.  We  met  there 
General  Hanson,  J.  W.  Whitney  and  J.  I.  Ross, 
of  Atlas,  Pike  county.  Here  I  was  appointed 
to  prosecute.  There  was  but  one  crinnnal  case 
tried,  the  pai-ty  was  convicted,  and  paid  my  fee 
of  $5.  From  that  county  we  went  to  Pike. 
There  we  met  the  Attorney  General  and  Mr. 
Cavarly  from  CarroUton,  and  Colonel  Jenkins 
from  Calhoun  county.  Captain  Leonard  Ross, 
then  sheriff  of  the  county,  entertained  the  court 
and  Bar,  refusing  pay.  He  was  one  of  nature's 
noblemen,  from  Massachusetts. 

"Three  days  were  occupied  with  the  business 
of  the  court,  and  then  we  went  to  Gilead, 
county  seat  of  Calhoun  county,  where  I  was  era- 
ployed  to  defend  a  doctor,  indicted  for  raurder 
— a  case  of  supposed  malpractice,  but,  in  fact,  a 
case  of  ignorance  and  malice.  In  employing 
me  he  said  that  1*20  was  all  he  had,  that  he  was 
in  feeble  health,  had  a  sick  family,  and  was  in 
destitute  circumstances.  I  agreed  to  defend 
him  for  the  $20,  being  satisfied  of  his  inno- 
cence and  of  his  extreme  poverty.  Upon  the 
trial  of  the  case  and  the  charge  of  tlie  court, 
the  jury  found  him  not  guilty.  More  than 
twenty  years  after  I  met  this  doctor  at  Spring- 
field, a  member  of  the  legislature.  He  was  still 
in  feeble  health,  remembered  and  recognized 
me,  but  I  did  not  him,  until  he  made  himself 
known.     There  the  circuit  ended. 

"The  resident  and  non-resident  attorneys 
who  practiced  in  this  circiiit,  say  in  May,  1827, 


84 


HISTORY  OK  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


were,  John  Reynolds,  Belleville;  James  Turney 
and  Alfred  W.  Cavarly,  CarroUton;  Benjamin 
Mills,  Vandalia;  Samuel  McRoberts,  Edwards- 
ville;  Murray  MeConnell,  John  Turney,  Benja- 
min Cox  and  William  Thomas,  Jacksonville; 
Jonathan  H.  Pugh,  William  S.  Hamilton,  James 
M.  Strode.  Thomas  M.  Neale,  General  James 
Adams  and  Thomas  Moffett,  Springfield;  John 
L.  Bogardus,  Peoria;  General  N.  Hanson,  James 
W.  Whitney  and  John  I  Ross,  Pike  county; 
Colonel  Jenkins,  of  Calhoun,  brother  of  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  Jenkins.  Of  all  these  attor- 
neys I  am  the  sole  survivor." 

SECOND    DECADE. 

In  the  second  decade,  from  IS.'il  to  1841,  an 
arra}'  of  names  appear,  some  of  whom  have 
made  a  reputation  that  is  world-wide.  For  char- 
acter, learning  and  ability  the  Bar  during  this 
decade  has  never  been  surpassed  either  in  San- 
gamon county  or  in  any  county  in  the  State,  and 
perhaps  not  in  the  Union.  At  what  Bar  will  be 
found  the  superior,  or  even  the  equal  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  James 
Shields,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  John  T.  Stuart,  Ed- 
ward Jones,  Dan  Stone,  Samuel  H.  Treat 
Ninian  W.  Edwards,  E.  D.  Baker,  Cyrus  Walker, 
Jesse  B  Thomas,  and  A.  T.  Bledsoe,  all  of 
whom  engaged  in  practice  and  often  appeared 
before  the  courts  of  Sangamon  county  during 
this  time?  Not  alone  as  attorneys,  but  as  states- 
men, the  greater  number  of  the  foregoing  were 
prominent  in  after  years.  James  C.  Conkling, 
who  was  cotemporary  with  those  named  says 
this  of  law  and  lawyers  at  that  time: 

'■  Forty  years  ago,  business  was  not  so  great 
in  extent  as  to  occupy  the  full  time  of  the  law- 
yer. Suits  were  not  so  numerous,  or  so  impor- 
tant, as  to  afford  a  support  for  himself  and  fam- 
ily. He  engaged  in  political  life  as  an  employ- 
ment, and  solicited  office  to  improve  his  slender 
income.  A  much  larger  number  of  the  promi- 
nent members  of  the  legal  profession  then 
became  members  of  the  State  Legislature  or  of 
Congress  than  at  present.  The  people  demanded 
their  political  services,  and  they  were  happy 
and  anxious  to  accommodate  the  people.  A 
political  contest  gave  them  notoriety  among  the 
masses,  and  afforded  them  an  opportunity  to 
display  their  abilities.  A  reputation  for  elo- 
■quence  and  skill  in  debate  was  a  recommenda- 
tion as  lawyers  in  the  practice  of  their  profes- 
sion. Hence  we  find  the  names  of  Reynolds, 
Edwards,  Cook,  Casey,  Breese,  Browning,  Har- 
din, Baker,  Williams,  Shields,  Douglas,  Trum- 
bull, Lincoln,  McClernand  and  numerous  others 


almost  as  frequently,  in  the  political  annals  of 
our  State,  as  upon  the  records  of  our  courts. 
As  lawyers  they  were  eminent:  as  statesmen 
many  of  them  became  illustrious." 

In  addition  to  those  named,  the  records  of  the 
courts  show  the  following  named  as  practicing 
here  between  the  years  18.31  to  1841:  Edward 
J.  Phillips,  Henry  E.  Dummer,  William  L. 
May,  Josephus  Hewitt,  Charles  Emerson,  David 
Prickett,  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  D.  B.  Campbell, 
Justin  Butterfield,  Antrim  Campbell,  John  D. 
Urquhart,  John  C.  Doremus,  James  C.  Conkling, 
Charles  R.  Wells,  Schuyler  Strong,  B.  S.  Ed- 
wards, and  W.  J.  Gatewood,  a  list  of  which  the 
Bar  of  any  county  might  be  proud. 

During  the  latter  part  of  this  decade,  the 
United  States  Circuit  Court  and  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois  were  removed  from  Vandalia 
to  Springfield.  Isaac  N.  Arnold,  in  an  address 
delivered  before  the  Illinois  State  Bar  Associa- 
tion, at  Springfield,  January  7,  1881,  says: 

"  I  wish,  with  the  graphic  power,  of  Sir  Walter 
Scott,  I  could  call  up  a  picture  of  the  United  States 
Circuit  Court  and  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois, 
and  the  lawyers  then  practicing  before  them,  as 
they  were  in  1839,  and  on  during  the  following 
years.  If  we  could,  in  fancy,  enter  the  United 
States  Circuit  Court  room  in  this  city,  in  June, 
18.39,  we  should  be  impressed  with  the  majestic 
figure,  imposing  presence  and  dignified  bearing 
of  the  presiding  judge,  John  McLean,  a  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  His 
person  and  face  were  often  compared  to  Wash- 
ington's— whom  he  is  said  to  have  strikingly  re- 
sembled." 

"  Nathaniel  Pope,  the  District  Judge,  was 
shorter  and  stouter  in  person,  more  blunt  and 
sturdy  in  manner,  and  not  so  familiar  with  the 
law  books,  the  cases,  and  literature  of  the  law, 
but  of  a  most  clear,  vigorous  and  logical  mind. 
If  we  enter  their  court,  then  held,  if  I  am  not 
mistaken,  in  one  of  the  churches  in  this  city,  we 
should  find  Ferris  Foreman,  then  United  States 
District  Attorney,  prosecuting  the  case  of  "  77/« 
United  States  vs.  Gratiot"  then  a  historic  name 
in  Missouri  and  the  Northwest,  in  a  case  arising 
under  a  lease,  by  the  Government,  of  a  portion 
of  the  lead  mines  of  Galena.  We  should  hear 
the  late  Judge  Breese  making  a  very  learned 
argument  for  the  defense.  If  we  lingered  until 
the  next  case  was  called,  we  should  hear  the 
sharp,  clear,  ringing  voice  of  Stephen  T.  Logan 
opening  his  case.  If  we  remained  until  the  trial 
ended,  we  should  concur  in  the  remark  that  tliis 
small,  red-haired  man,  inferior  in  person,  but 
with  an  eye  whose  keenness  indicated  his  sharp 


niSTORY  OF  SANOAMON  COUNTY. 


85 


and  incisive  intellect;  this  little  man,  take  him 
all  in  all,  was  then  the  best  nisi^^rhis  lawyer  in 
the  State,  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  his 
superior  anywhere.  Among  the  leading  practi- 
tioners in  the  court  in  Springfield  in  1839,  were 
Logan,  liincoln,  Baker,  Trumbull,  Buttertield  & 
Cotlins,  Spring  &  Goodrich,  Cowles  &  Kvuni, 
Davis,  Ilardin,  Browning,  and  Archy  W'illiams." 
"To  a  contemporary  of  those  early  members  of 
the  Bar,  the  roll  of  attorneys  admitted  in  those 
days  bring  up  sad  and  pleasant  memories.  On 
that  roll,  in  18-36,  you  iind  the  name  of  Thomas 
Drummond,  now  a  venerable  .Judge  of  the  North- 
ern District  of  our  State;  David  Davis,  late 
Judge,  and  now  Senator;  Archy  Williams  and 
Anthony  Thornton.  In  1837  I  find  the  names 
of  Abraham  Lincoln,  William  A.  Richardson, 
Lyman  Trumbull,  Mahlon  D.  Ogden,  Joseph 
Gillespie;  and  in  1838,  .Justin  Butterfield,  James 
A.  McDougall,  Hugh  T.  Dickey,  Schuyler  Strong, 
John  J.  Ilardin,  Judge  E.  Peck,  J.  Young  Scam- 
mon,  and  others,  and  from  that  time  on,  the 
names  become  more  numerous." 

Continuing  his  reminiscenses,  Mr.  Arnold  said: 
"  In  those  early  days  it  was  my  habit,  and  that, 
also,  of  those  practicing  in  the  LTnited  States 
Court,  to  come  to  Springfield  twice  each  year,  to 
attend  the  semi-annual  terms  of  court  held  in 
June  and  December.  We  made  our  trips  in 
Frink  &  Walker's  coaches,  and  I  have  known 
the  December  trip  to  take  five  days  and  nights, 
dragging  drearily  through  the  mud  and  sleet, 
and  there  was  an  amount  of  discomfort,  vexa- 
tion and  annoyance  about  it  sufficient  to  exhaust 
the  patience  of  the  most  amiable.  I  think  I 
have  noticed  that  some  of  my  impulsive  brethren 
of  the  Chicago  Bar  have  become  less  profane 
since  the  rail-cars  have  been  substituted  for  the 
stage-coaches.  But  the  June  journey  was  as 
agreeable  as  the  December  trip  was  repulsive. 
A  four-in-hand  with  splendid  horses,  the  best  of 
Troy  coaches,  good  company,  the  exhilaration  of 
great  speed  over  an  elastic  road,  much  of  it  a 
turf  of  grass,  often  crushing  under  our  wheels 
the  most  beautiful  wild  flowers,  every  grove 
fragrant  with  blossoms,  framed  in  the  richest 
green,  our  roads  not  fenced  in  by  narrow  lanes, 
but  with  freedom  to  choose  our  route;  here  ami 
there  a  picturesque  log-cabin,  covered  with 
vines;  the  boys  and  girls  on  their  way  to  the 
log-schools,  and  the  lusty  farmer  digging  his 
fortune  out  of  the  rich  earth.  Everything  fresh 
and  new,  full  of  young  life  and  enthusiasm, 
these  June  trips  to  Springfield  would,  I  think, 
compare  favorably  even  with  those  we  made 
to-day  in  a  luxurious  Pullman  car.     But  there 


were  exceptions  to  these  enjoyments;  sometimes 
a  torrent  of  rain  would  in  a  few  hours  so  swell 
the  streams  that  the  log  bridges  and  banks 
would  be  entirely  submerged,  and  a  stream  which 
a  few  hours  before  was  nearly  dry,  became  a 
foaming  torrent.  F'ording,  at  such  times,  was 
never  agreeable,  and  sometimes  a  little  dan- 
gerous. 

FORDIXe    SALT    CREEK. 

"I  recall  a  ludicrous  incident  on  our  way  to 
Springfield,  I  think,  in  June,  1842.  We  had  a 
coach,  crowded  with  passengers,  most  of  us 
lawyers,  on  our  way  to  the  United  States  Court. 
In  passing  from  Peoria  to  Springfield,  we 
attempted  to  ford  one  of  these  streams  which 
had  been  lately  raised  so  that  its  banks  were 
nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  apart.  When  we  had 
driven  half  across  the  horses  left  the  track,  got 
into  a  bad  slough,  and  were  stalled.  All  efforts 
to  extricate  the  coach  failed,  and,  at  length,  the 
driver  gave  up  the  attempt  in  despair;  said  he 
must  take  ofE  the  horses  and  go  to  the  next  sta- 
tion for  help;  those  who  chose  might  mount  a 
horse  and  ride  ashore;  or,  if  they  preferred, 
might  wade  ashore  or  stay  in  the  coach  until  he 
returned,  or  wait  until  another  coach,  which  was 
behind,  should  come  up;  we  might  wait  for  it, 
provided  we  were  not  carried  down  the  stream 
by  the  current.  Some  decided  to  try  their  for- 
tunes on  a  stage  horse;  others  stripped  off 
trousers,  boots  ond  stockings,  and  taking  their 
coat-tails  under  ther  arms,  started  to  wade  ashore. 
Old  Dr.  Maxwell  was  of  our  party,  a  very  stout 
gentleman,  with  short  legs,  and  weighing  near 
three  hundred  pounds.  The  doctor  sat  by  the 
window  of  the  coach,  grimly  watching  the 
various  groups,  and  turning  his  eyes  now  to  the 
equestrians,  and  now  to  those  buffeting  the  cur- 
rent on  foot,  and  envying  some  of  the  long- 
legged  gentlemen  who  were  struggling  towards 
the  shore.  Seeing  the  doctor  unusually  grave,  a 
friend  called  to  him: 

"  What  ig  the  matter,  doctor?  "  "  Why  don't 
you  come  on? '" 

"I  don't  like  the  aspect,"  said  he.  "The 
diagnosis  is  threatening.  My  legs  are  too  short 
to  wade,  and  there  is  not  a  horse  in  the  team  that 
can  carry  my  weight  through  this  current.  Sink 
or  swim;  survive  or  perish;  I  shall  stick  to  the 
ship." 

"  Well,"  replied  an  irreverent  and  saucy  young 
lawyer,  "  if  you  are  washed  away  and  cast  ashore 
by  the  current,  I  should  like  to  have  the  opinion 
of  Judge  Dickey  (not  the  present  Chief  Justice) 
whether  you  would  not  be  flotsam  and  Jetsum, 


86 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANCiAMON   COUNl'V. 


and  belong,  medicine  and  all,  to  the  sovereign 
people  of  Illinois?" 

"Fortunately,  our  driver  soon  returned  and  res- 
cued our  genial  doctor. 

"I  must  not  omit  to  mention  the  old-fashioned, 
generous  hospitality  of  Springfield — hospitality 
proverbial  to  this  day  throughout  the  Stale. 
Among  others,  I  recall,  with  a  sad  pleasure,  the 
dinners  and  evening  parties  given  by  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln. In  her  modest  and  simple  home,  everything 
orderly  and  refined,  there  was  always,  on  the  part 
of  bothhostand  hostess,  a  cordial  and  hearty  Wes 
tern  welcome,  which  )iut  every  guest  perfectly 
at  ease.  Mrs.  Lincoln's  table  was  famed  for  the 
excellence  of  many  rare  Kentucky  dishes,  and  in 
season,  it  was  loaded  with  venison,  wild  turkeys, 
prairie  chickens,  quail  and  other  game,  which 
was  then  abundant.  Yet  it  was  her  genial  man- 
ners and  ever-kind  welcome,  and  Mr.  Lincoln's 
wit  and  humor,  anecdote  and  unrivalled  conver- 
sation, which  formed  the  chief  attraction.  We 
read  much  of  "  merrie  England,"  but  I  doubt  if 
tliere  was  ever  anything  more  "merrie"  than 
Springfield  in  those  days.  As,  to-day,  I  walk  your 
streets,  and  visit  the  capital,  and  your  court 
rooms,  as  I  enter  the  old  home  of  Lincoln,  for 
the  first  time  since  1860,  memories  of  the  past 
come  thronging  back;  I  see  his  tall  form,  his 
merry  laugh  breaks  upon  my  ear;  I  seem  to  hear 
the  voice  of  Douglas,  of  Baker,  of  Hardin,  and 
of  Logan! 

"  How  are  we  startled  in  the  wind's  low  tones 
B^-  voices  that  are  gone." 

"Nor,  in  recalling  the  past,  must  I  forget  the 
hospitable  home  of  Judge  Treat,  who,  to-day,  as 
then,  in  his  ample  library,  may  well  say: 

"  That  place  that  does  contain, 
Mj  books,  the  best  companions,  is  to  me 
A  glorious  court,  where  hourly  I  converse 
With  the  old  sages  and  philosophers." 

At  this  time  I  he  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 
was  composed  of  four  judges,  three  of  whom 
were  Whigs,  and  the  fourth  a  Democrat.  When 
(Governor  Carlin  came  into  office  in  1838,  he 
claimed  the  right  to  appoint  a  new  secretary 
before  any  vacancy  e.visted.  He  nominated 
John  A.  McClcrnand;  l)iit  the  Senate,  by  a  vote 
of  twenty-two  to  eighteen,  declared  that  the  ex- 
ecutive did  not  possess  the  power  to  nominate  a 
secretary,  except  in  case  of  vacancy,  and  they 
therefore  rejected  the  nomination.  After  the 
adjournment  of  the  legislature  he  undertook  to 
appoint  McClernand  as  secretary,  who  thereupon 
demanded  possession  of  the  office,  but  was  re- 
fused.    McClernand  then  filed  an  information, 


in  the  nature  of  a  quo  warranto,  before  Judge 
Kreese,  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  Fayette  county, 
who  decided  in  his  favor.  Field  took  an  appeal 
to  the  Supreme  Court,  where  the  decision  was 
reversed.  Aside  from  the  political  questions 
involved,  the  case  was  of  considerable  import- 
ance. Able  counsel  appeared  on  each  side. 
For  the  appellant,  were  Cyrus  Walker,  Justin 
Buttertield  and  Levi  Davis.  For  the  ap])ellee, 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  James  Shields  and  Wick- 
liffe  Kitchell,  the  Attorney-General.  Wilson 
and  LiH-kwood,  the  Whig  judges,  concurred, 
and  Smith  dissented.  Brown  being  connected 
with  the  relator,  declined  to  sit  in  the  cause. 
The  court  decided  that  the  Governor  did  not 
possess  the  power  to  remove  the  Secretary  of 
State  at  his  pleasure;  that  when  that  officer  was 
once  appointed,  he  continued  in  office  during 
good  behavior,  or  until  the  legislature  limited 
the  term  or  authorized  some  public  functionary 
to  remove  him.  The  decision  caused  great  ex- 
citement in  political  circles  against  the  "Whig 
Court,"  because  it  prevented  the  Democrats 
from  occupying  one  of  the  principal  offices  of 
the  government;  and  it  had  a  considerable  influ- 
ence in  causing  the  reorganization  of  that  tri- 
bunal. 

Edward  J.  Phillips,  one  of  the  first  to  com- 
mence here  the  practice  of  law  in  the  second 
decade,  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  appearance, 
above  the  average  in  scholarship,  and  a  fine 
business  man.  He  continued  the  practice  of  his 
profession  but  a  short  time,  and  then  secured  a 
position  in  the  State  bank,  and  as  an  officer  of 
that  institution  was  exceedingly  popular  as  he 
was  also  in  social  life. 

Edward  Jones  commenced  the  practice  of  law 
in  Springfield  as  a  partner  of  George  Forqner. 
Edward  Jones  was  born  at  Georgetown,  D.  C, 
May  8,  1811.  He  commenced  his  education  at 
a  classical  academy  in  his  native  town,  and  made 
good  ])rogress  in  his  studies, but  having  a  strong 
predilection  for  military  life,  he  entered  a  select 
military  school  at  the  seat  of  the  National  Gov- 
ernment. After  completing  his  academic  studies, 
he  commenced  reading  law  in  the  office  of  John 
Marbury,  and  afterwards  attended  tlie  Virginia 
Law  School  at  Winchester.  He  was  admitted  to 
practice  at  the  Bar  in  March,  1830,  just  two 
months  before  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age. 
Being  of  an  active  and  energetic  temperament, 
he  turned  his  face  to  the  great  West,  and,  in  the 
following  May,  settled  in  Illinois,  fixing  his 
residence  at  Springfield. 

During  the  troubles  of  the  frontier  growing 
out   of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  he   exhibited   his 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


87 


naturnl  I'oiulness  for  military  life,  b}'  serving  in 
the  campaigns  of  1831  and  1832. 

In  the  spring  of  1834,  Judge  Lockwood  ten- 
dered liini  the  appointment  of  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  Tazewell  county,  ^nd  he  removed 
to  Pekin,  the  county  seat  of  that  county.  After 
holding  the  office  about  three  years  and  a  half, 
he  resigned  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law. 
This  he  continued  to  do  honorably  and  success- 
fully until  the  call  for  volunteers  in  the  Mexi- 
can war  in  June,  1840,  aroused  his  patriotic  feel- 
ings. He  at  once  raised  a  company,  which 
became  Company  F,  of  Colonel  Baker's  regi- 
ment. He  first  served  with  his  regiment  under 
General  Taylor  and  then  under  General  Scott. 
He  was  engaged  in  the  storming  of  Vera  Cruz 
and  the  memorable  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo.  The 
term  of  service  of  his  regiment  having  expired, 
he  was  reluctantly  comjielled  to  return  home. 
'  The  remaining  volunteers  of  that  regiment  have 
a  vivid  recollection  of  his  bravery,  fortitude, gen- 
erosity and  kindness,  as  well  as  military  skill. 

For  some  years  after  his  return  from  Mexico, 
and  until  his  health  failed  him,  he  was  a  success- 
ful practitioner.  Mr.  Jones  had  the  reputation, 
which  he  richly  deserved,  as  one  of  the  finest 
men  in  his  profession.  He  had  a  purely  legal 
mind,  and  this  natural  aptitude  he  had  diligently 
improved  by  his  professional  studies.  His 
knowledge  of  tlie  principals  and  practice  of  law 
was  so  intimate  and  thorough  that  he  could  give 
an  extemporaneous  opinion  upon  any  case  sub- 
mitted to  him,  and  it  was  very  seldom  that  an 
after  consultation  of  authorities  made  a  change 
of  opinion  necessary.  His  fame  as  a  special 
pleader  was  wide-spre.id.  He  was  considered  a 
Fabius  in  defense — being  remarkably  successful 
in  delaying  the  contest  till  the  m^ost  propitious 
m^onient. 

Edward  Jones  was  eminently  social  in  his  na- 
ture, and  was  surrounded  by  hosts  of  friends 
who  prized  his  society  to  the  'last.  Even  after 
his  health  had  so  far  failed  him  as  to  render  him 
Tintit  for  his  professional  duties,  his  friends  still 
crowded  their  business  upon  him.  His  attach- 
ment to  the  community  in  which  he  lived  was 
ardent  and  unchanging.  Whoever  traduced  it 
might  expect  to  meet  him  as  its  defender. 

Edward  Jones  died  December  20,1857,  and 
was  buried  in  Pekin,  Tazewell  county.  Tiie 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  Bar  in 
that  place  was  embodied  in  a  series  of  resolu- 
tions, one  of  which  said  :  "We  have  found  him 
a  noble  and  jiowerful  advocate,  scorning  to 
do  anything  unprofessional — eloquent,  profound 
in  argument,   unanswerable  in   reasoning,   and 


ever  successful  in  the  fierce  conflict  of  intellect 
with  intellect." 

Henry  E.  Dummer  was  a  man  of  superior 
talents,  a  tine  lawyer  and  scholar,  and  exceed- 
ingly refined  in  manner.  He  was  a  native  of 
Maine,  and  had  drifted  West  in  1832.  In  the 
spring  of  this  year  he  was  in  Cincinnati,  and 
noticing  the  advertisement  of  a  boat  going 
up  the  Sangamon  river,  determined  to  take 
passage  to  the  new  country.  Arriving  here  in 
due  time,  he  soon  formed  a  partnership  with 
John  T.  Stuart,  this  relation  continuing  but  a 
short  time.  After  dissolution  of  the  co-partner- 
ship, Mr.  Dummer  went  to  Jacksonville,  where 
he  remained  a  short  time,  and  then  drifted  on  to 
Beardstown.  In  this  latter  city  he  married,  set- 
tled down  and  became  eminently  successful  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  From  Beards- 
town  he  returned  to  Jacksonville  and  became 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Dummer,  Brown  & 
Kirby.     He  died  about  1877. 

Stephen  T.  Logan. — This  celebrated  lawyer 
and  jurist,  who  long  stood  at  the  head  of  the 
Illinois  Bar,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ken- 
tucky, on  February  24,  1800,  and  was  descended 
from  a  good  family  of  Scotch-Irish  origin.  He 
was  the  eldest,  and,  we  believe,  the  only  son  of 
David  Logan — a  man  of  strong  sense  and  ster- 
ling integrity,  who  died  about  the  year  1821. 
His  grandfather.  Colonel  John  Logan,  was  one 
of  the  leading  pioneers  of  Kentucky,  who  fig- 
ured prominently  in  the  Indian  wars  of  the 
period,  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1799,  and  held,  during  several 
years,  the  important  office  of  State  Treasurer. 
His  mother,  Mary  Trigg,  was  the  daughter  of 
Colonel  Stephen  Trigg  (a  native  of  Virginia), 
who  was  killed  at  the  memorable  battle  of  the 
Blue  Licks,  in  August,  1782. 

When  Stephen  Trigg  Logan  was  two  years 
old,  his  parents  removed  to  Lincoln  county, 
where  his  mother  died  a  few  years  later,  leaving 
him  a  half  orphan  at  a  tender  age.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  Frankfort,  Kentucky, 
where  he  was  also  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  that  Commonwealth, 
under  Martin  D.  Hardin,  father  to  Colonel  John 
.J.  Hardin,  of  Illinois.  In  1817  young  Logan 
went  to  Crlasgow,  the  seat  of  justice  of  Barren 
county,  and  studied  law  under  the  tuition  of 
his  uncle,  Judge  Christopher  Tompkins.  About 
two  years  afterward,  and  before  attaining  his 
majority,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  but  did 
not  immediately  commence  practice. 

On  June  25,  1823,  Mr.  Logan  was  married  to 
America  T.  Bush,  daughter  of  William  Bush, 


88 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Esq.,  of  Glasgow,  by  whom  he  had  eight  chil- 
dren—  four  sons  and  four  daughters  —  only  two 
of  whom  survive,  namely:  Sarah  (Mrs.  Lamon), 
and  Jennie  (JNIrs.  Coleman).  About  the  time  of 
bis  marriage  he  was  appointed  Commonwealth's 
Attorney  for  the  Glasgow  Circuit,  and  discharged 
the  responsible  duties  of  his  position  with 
marked  fidelity  and  ability. 

In  May,  1832,  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  at  Springlield,  where  he 
ever  afterward  resided.  Here  he  first  formed  a 
co-partnership  with  the  Hon.  William  S.  3Iay, 
and  resumed  the  active  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  the  spring  of  1833.  Subsequently,  at 
different  times,  he  was  associated  with  E.  1). 
Bakei,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  Milton  Hay. 

In  18o5  Logan  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Cir- 
cuit Judge,  and  remained  on  the  bench  two 
years,  when  he  resigned  and  resumed  legal  prac- 
tice. In  1839  he  was  again  elected  judge,  but 
declined  to  serve.  In  1842  he  was  elected  a 
representative  from  Sangamon  county  in  the 
Illinois  Legislature,  and  re  elected  in  1844  and 
184G,  serving  throughout  with  great  credit  and 
success.  In  1847  he  was  a  leading  member  of 
the  convention  which  formed  the  State  Consti- 
tution, popularly  known  as  the  Constitution  of 
1848.  During  the  latter  year  he  became  a  can- 
didate for  Congress  in  the  Springfield  district, 
in  opposition  to  the  late  Hon.  T.  L.  Harris.  In 
1854  Judge  Logan  was  again  returned  to  the 
legislature;  and  in  18C0  he  \\as  a  delegate  from 
the  State  at  large  to  the  Chicago  Republican 
Convention,  which  nominated  Mr.  Lincoln  for 
the  Presidency.  In  February  1861,  he  was  one 
of  the  five  Commissioners  from  Illinois  to  the 
National  Peace  Congress  at  Washington  city, 
and  distinguished  himself  by  his  eloquence  and 
patriotism  in  that  historic  assembly. 

Sulisequent  to  1861,  Judge  Logan,  having 
acquired  both  fame  and  fortune,  withdrew  from 
political  and  professional  life,  and  passed  the 
evening  of  his  days  in  dignified  retirement. 
His  death  occurred  after  a  brief  illness,  at  his 
residence  in  Springfield,  on  July  IT,  1880.  in  the 
81st  year  of  his  age.  His  obsequies  were  appro- 
propriately  celebrated  (the  religious  services 
being  conducted  by  the  Eeverend  J.  B.  Allen 
of  the  Christian  Church  ),  and  his  mortal  re- 
mains were  followed  to  their  last  resting  place 
in  Oak  Ridge  Cemeter)-,  by  a  large  concourse  of 
sorrowing  friends  and  legal  associates,  including 
many  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  the 
State. 

hrom  a  number  of  able  and  eloquent  memor- 
ial addresses,  delivered  by  representative  mem- 


bers of  the  Bar  and  judiciary  on  the  occasion  of 
his  decease,  we  have  selected  that  of  Joseph 
Wallace,  Esq.,  made  before  the  Common  Coun- 
cil of  Springfield,  which  presents,  perhaps,  the 
most  elaborate  and  comprehensive  analysis  of 
Logan's  character: 

Mr.  W.  said: — "  Sir,  an  old  and  eminent  citi- 
zen, a  great  lawyer,  one  whose  name  fills  a  large 
space  in  the  earlier  judicial  and  legislative 
annals  of  our  State,  has  gone  from  the  Sanga- 
mon County  Bar  to  the  Bar  of  God.  This  re- 
gretful event  was  not  wholly  unexpected  by  his 
family  and  most  intimate  friends,  and  yet  it  is 
difficult  to  realize  that  he  is  indeed  no  more. -In 
the  language  of  the  lamented  E.  D.  Baker,  'It 
is  not  fit  that  such  a  man  should  pass  unher- 
alded to  the  tomb  ;  it  is  not  fit  that  such  a  life 
should  steal  unnoticed  to  its  close;  it  is  not  fit 
that  such  a  death  should  call  forth  no  public 
lamentation.'  Nor  is  it  so.  The  public  press  of 
our  own  and  other  cities  have  already  published 
eloquent  and  appreciative  notices  of  the  distin- 
guished dead;  the  members  of  our  Bar  have  met 
in  solemn  conclave  and  placed  upon  record  their 
high  estimate  of  his  public  and  private  worth, 
and  now  we,  the  members  of  this  Council,  rep- 
resenting the  Capital  City  of  Illinois,  wherein  he 
made  his  home  for  nearly  fifty  years,  and  with 
whose  liistory  and  growth  he  was  prominently 
identified,  would  add  our  brief  yet  sincere  tribute 
to  his  memory. 

"  I  shall  not  enter  here  upon  any  recital  of  the 
events  of  Stephen  T.  Logan's  long  and  honorable 
life,  which  opened  February  24,  1800,  and  closed 
July  17,  1880;  but  I  may  be  permitted  to  offer  a 
hasty  review  of  his  personal  and  professional 
character,  and  to  cast  a  flower  on  his  bier,  even 
though  it  has  to-day  been  borne  in  sad  array 
through  the  portals  of  the  tomb. 

"  Whenever  called  upon  to  serve  his  fellow 
citizens  in  any  public  capacity,  he  responded  to 
that  call  in  a  manner  well  calculated  to  reflect 
honor  upon  himself  and  conserve  the  public 
weal;  but  at  no  time  in  his  history  was  he  a  pro- 
fessed politician  or  office  seeker.  He  never 
wrote  out  his  speeches  for  publication,  and  in- 
terspersed them  at  intervals  with  the  words 
'  cheers  '  and  '  ajiplause.'  He  never  ac([uired  the 
modern  art  of  manipulating  '  primaries '  and  '  cau- 
cuses.' He  had  '  no  hired  retainers,  no  paid  letter- 
writers,  no  array  of  college  companions  to  quote, 
commend  and  herald  his  fame  to  the  world.' 
He  had  little  taste  and  less  aptitude  for  the  '  out 
of  doors  management,  the  electioneering  leger- 
demain, and  the  wearisome  correspondence  with 
local  great  men' — all  of  which,  at  this  day,  are 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


89 


deemed  requisite  to  political  preferment  and 
success.  Nevertheless,  his  name  and  his  deeds 
are  inscribed  in  legible  characters  upon  the  offi- 
cial records  of  two  States,  and  the  inscriptions 
will  not  altogether  fade. 

"  The  controlling  attachment  of  Judge  Logan, 
however,  was  centered  in  the  law;  his  mind  was 
pre-eminently  a  legal  one,  and  his  political  ambi- 
tion was  rendered  subordinate  to  his  love  for  this 
science.  His  active  forensic  career  extended 
over  a  period  of  nearly  half  a  century,  the  larger 
part  of  which  was  passed  in  the  State  of  Illinois, 
and  in  this  city.  But  those  who  saw  him  only 
as  '  an  old  man  broken  by  the  storms  of  state,' 
can  form  no  just  idea  of  his  appearance  when,  in 
the  plenitude  of  his  physical  and  intellectual 
powers,  he  stood  forth  the  facile  prmceps,  the 
acknowledged  leader  of  the  Illinois  Bar. 

"A  celebrated  English  critic  (Hazlitt)  has 
said,  that  '  great  natural  advantages  are  seldom 
combined  with  great  acquired  ones,  because  they 
render  the  labor  requisite  to  attain  the  last,  super- 
fluous and  irksome.'  This  remark  is  not  inappli- 
cable to  Logan,  since  he  made  no  pretensions  to 
scholarship  in  any  pedantic  sense  of  the  term. 
He  never  collected  a  library  worthy  of  the  name, 
and  garnished  it  with  rare  and  costly  works. 
His  reading  was  neither  very  varied  nor  classical; 
his  researches  were  chiefly  in  the  line  of  his  pro- 
fession, '  but  therein  they  were  thorough.'  His 
superior  mental  endowments  enabled  him  to 
comprehend  on  a  cursory  examination  what 
would  require  ordinary  minds  protracted  labor 
to  master.  His  intellect  was  not  only  capacious 
and  vigorous,  but  it  was  emphatically  quick, 
keen  and  subtle,  and  having  been  early  accus- 
tomed to  habits  of  close  investigation,  he  could 
seize  upon  the  knottiest  problems  of  law  and  un- 
ravel them  with  the  greatest  facility.  Under 
his  magic  touch  '  all  doubt  and  difficulty  were 
at  once  dispelled;  and  the  naked  truth  stood  forth 
plainly  and  palp.ably  defined.' 

"In  a  court  of  justice,  and  especially  a  nisi 
prius  court,  Logan  seemed  most  at  home.  In- 
deed, there  was  something  exhilarating  to  him 
in  the  very  atmosphere  of  the  place.  Here  his 
exceptional  talents  were  displayed  in  their  best 
light,  and  here  he  might  be  studied  to  the  best 
advantage.  Entertaining  and  instructive  it  was 
to  observe  him  before  a  jury  engaged  in  the 
argument  of  some  important  cause.  Resting 
one  foot  upon  a  chair,  be  begins  with  a  fewcora- 
monplace  remarks,  uttered  in  a  clear  and  con- 
versational tone.  He  then  takes  up  the  leading 
facts  and  strong  points  of  his  case,  states  them 
with  singular  perspicuity  and  force,  dwells  on 


tbem  at  length,  and  presents  them  fi-um  every 
standpoint  favorable  to  his  client.  As  he  pro- 
gresses he  warms  to  his  work.  His  small  frame 
insensibly  assumes  a  more  erect  and  impressive 
attitude;  his  gestures  become  more  frequent;  his 
shrill  voice  is  pitched  to  a  higher  key;  his  gray 
eyes  glow  with  animation;  every  muscle  is  at 
jilay  and  every  energy  of  his  nature  is  aroused, 
while  words,  arguments,  illustrations,  appeals 
flow  in  torrents  from  his  lips.  At  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  speech  he  sinks  into  his  seat  in  a  pro- 
fuse perspiration  and  well  nigh  exhausted.  He 
leaves  little  else  to  be  said  on  his  side  of  the 
case,  for  he  has  covered  the  whole  ground. 

"  Some  French  writer  has  observed  that  '  noth- 
ing is  beautiful  but  what  is  natural.'  This  may 
well  ajiply  to  Logan's  style  of  speaking,  which 
was  formed  after  no  model  except  his  own,  yet 
was  beautiful  because  it  was  natural.  He  was 
accounted  an  eloquent  speaker,  though  his  elo- 
quence was  of  a  peculiar  kind  and  difficidt  to 
describe.  He  seemed  to  have  adopted  Chief 
.Justice  Marshall's  maxim,  and  'always  aimed  at 
strength.'  His  forte  was  reassuring,  but  it  was 
reason  imbued  with  intense  animation;  and  he 
drove  his  juries  to  conviction  as  much  by  the 
resistless  energy  of  his  style  as  by  the  lucidity 
and  compactness  of  his  logic.  His  temperament 
was  strongly  emotional;  and  in  the  defense  of 
persons  arraigned  for  high  crimes  and  misde- 
meanors, he  sometimes  touched  with  a  master- 
hand  those  secret  springs  of  feeling  and  passion 
that  lie  in  the  recesses  of  every  human  breast. 
Whenever  he  addressed  the  court  upon  any  ques- 
tions of  law,  pleading  or  practice,  he  was  heard 
with  eager  attention  by  his  brethren  of  the  Bar, 
because  he  threw  a  flood  of  light  upon  every 
legal  principle  he  discussed. 

"It  might  be  objected  to  Logan's  forensic 
eiforts,  particularly  his  jury  efforts,  that  they 
were  too  replete  with  iteration,  though  this  is  a 
fault  common  to  most  lawyers,  and  arises  partly 
from  the  nature  of  the  calling  itself.  More- 
over, juries,  as  a  rule,  are  not  composed  of  a 
trained  order  of  intellects,  and  hence  it  seems 
necessary  for  the  skillful  advocate  to  repeat 
over  and  re-combine  the  same  facts  and  sirgu- 
ments  in  a  variety  of  forms,  so  as  to  impress 
them  indelibly  upon  the  minds  of  those  ad- 
dressed, and  thus  secure  the  desired  verdict. 
One  secret  of  his  uniform  success  as  a  practi- 
tioner was  due  to  the  fact  that,  like  Choate,  he 
exerted  himself  to  the  utmost  in  almost  every 
suit  in  which  he  was  employed.  No  matter 
what  the  tribunal,  the  party  or  the  fee,  he  put 
forth  his  whole  strength,  summoning  to  his  aid 


90 


HISTORY  OF  SAN(iA3J()N   COLXTY. 


the  resources  of  his  legal  learning,  his  logic,  his 
wit  and  knowledge  of  men,  and  struggled  as  for 
life  for  the  mastery. 

"It  is  a  quality  of  superior  and  dominating 
minds  to  rely  upon  themselves,  and  to  take  the 
lead  in  whatsoever  enterprise  they  may  engage. 
Such  was  true  of  Logan.  It  mattered  not  what 
■was  the  character  and  standing  of  the  counsel 
associated  with  him  in  a  given  lawsuit,  he  occu- 
pied the  foreground,  and  on  him  rested  the 
chief  burden  of  the  controversy.  To  his  clients 
he  was  faithful  to  a  degree  that  knew  no 
bounds,  except  the  bounds  of  honor.  He  iden- 
tified himself  for  the  time  with  them,  made 
their  i  ause  his  cause,  and  their  interests  his 
own.  It  would  be  hard  to  determine  in  what 
particular  branch  of  jurisprudence  he  was  most 
proficient — whether  as  a  criminal,  a  common 
law,  or  a  chancery  lawyer — for  he  seemed  alike 
at  home  in  all,  and  in  all  he  shone  without  a 
peer.  But  few  men  in  this  country  have  ever 
brought  to  the  profession  of  the  Bar  so  many 
qualifications  to  ensure  success  as  he.  'Logan 
is  the  best  natural  lawyer  I  ever  knew,'  said  the 
late  Judge  McLean,  of  the  JJ.  S.  Circuit  Court, 
himself  a  jurist  of  the  soundest  judgment  and 
ripest  experience;  and  such  is  the  concurring 
testimony  of  all   his  immediate  contemporaries. 

''His  demeanor  at  the  Bar  was  neither  opin- 
ionative  nor  arrogant,  but  was  characterized  by 
a  proper  respect  for  the  rulings  of  the  court, 
and  by  an  otjliging  disposition  toward  his  pro- 
fessional associates.  Still,  his  temper  was  nat- 
urally choleric,  and  quick  to  resent  invidious  re- 
marks and  unprofessional  conduct  on  the  part 
of  opposing  counsel.  At  such  times  they  were 
certain  to  feel  the  sting  of  his  retorts,  keen  and 
j)ungent  as  the  rapier's  thrust. 

"  The  life  of  the  lawyer  in  full  practice  is  any- 
thing but  a  life  of  ease.  It  is  rather  one  of 
excitement  and  anxiety,  of  patient  investigation 
and  unremitting  toil,  spent  in  the  perusal  of 
authorities,  the  preparation  of  pleas  and  briefs, 
and  in  the  trial  or  adjustment  of  vexatious  and 
complicated  causes.  Hence,  in  time  he  becomes 
worn  out  with  the  corroding  cases  of  his  clients; 
and  when  the  silver  thread  of  life  is  at  last  sun- 
dered forever,  only  a  scanty  and  fragmentary 
record  remains  of  his  history.  'Probably  in  no 
department  of  life,'  says  an  able  writer,  '  is  there 
displayed  so  much  talent  which  leaves  no  lasting 
record.  The  shrewd  management  and  ready 
wit,  the  keen  retort,  the  deep  learning,  and  the 
impassioned  eloquence  of  the  accomplished  law- 
yer, all  come  in  play  and  tell  strongly  on  the 
result,  bnt  they  do  their  work  and  are  seen  no 


more;  felt  and  admired  at  the  time,  they  go  to 
make  up  the  contemporaneous  estimate  living  at 
the  jilace,  but  not  to  be  reproduced  for  other 
times  and  other  admirers.'  How  next  to  impos- 
sible, then,  in  a  mere  skeleton  sketch  like  the 
present,  to  recall  and  portray  those  '  nice  shades 
of  character  and  talent,  of  thought  and  feeling, 
of  look  and  gesture,  of  wit  and  pathos,  that  went 
to  form  the  sum  total  of  Stephen  Trigg  Logan's 
greatness  and  fame  as  a  lawyer. 

"During  the  first  year  of  the  troubled  admin- 
istration ot  the  late  President  Lincoln,  a  vacancy 
occurred  on  the  Supreme  Bench  of  the  L^nited 
States,  to  be  filled  b7  a  Western  jurist.  Where- 
upon, the  special  friends  of  Judge  Logan  recom- 
mended him  as  eminently  qualified  for  the  place; 
but  the  President,  for  reasons  satisfactory  to 
himself,  ignored  the  claims  of  his  old-time  friend 
and  law  paitner,  and  appointed  another  to  the 
judgeship.  Some  have  thought  that  Logan 
would  not  have  accepted  the  office  if  it  had  been 
tendered  him,  but  this  is  improbable.  Conscious 
of  the  possession  of  superior  abilities,  it  was  but 
natural  for  him  to  be  ambitious,  and  to  aspire  to 
some  commanding  height,  whence  he  could 
make  his  influence  felt  and  his  power  known  to 
tie  whole  country.  Had  he  been  raised  to  a 
seat  in  that  august  tribunal,  he  would  doubtless 
have  shone  as  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  in 
our  judicial  constellation,  and  his  recorded  opin- 
ions have  enriched  the  judicial  literature  of  the 
land.  But  the  sister  Fates  decreed  for  him  a 
less  conspicuous,  though  scarcely  less  useful 
destiny. 

"In  private  life  Logan  was  one  of  the  most 
exemplary  of  men.  Simple  in  his  tastes,  regu- 
lar in  his  habits,  unpretentious  in  his  manners, 
and  careless  of  his  attire,  he  lived,  moved  and 
acted  as  if  he  were  one  of  the  least  influential 
and  observed  of  mankind.  He  was  punctual 
and  exact  in  all  his  business  iransactions.  His 
maxim  was  to 'owe  no  man  anything,' and  to 
pay  as  he  went — a  most  excellent  Scriptural 
rule,  but  one  more  honored  in  the  breach  than 
the  observance.  He  was  also  a  man  of  unusually 
strong  local  and  domestic  attachments,  and, 
while  given  to  hospitality,  preferred  the  quiet 
of  his  own  fireside,  and  the  society  of  his  own 
family  to  that  of  all  others;  and,  as  a  corrollary 
to  this,  he  was  one  of  the  kindest  of  husbands 
and  most  indulgent  of  fathers. 

"In  conclusion  it  may  be  proper  to  say,  that 
in  his  riper  and  declining  years  he  experienced 
many  severe  afliictions.  He  outlived  the  major 
portion  of  his  immediate  family  and  kindred. 
He   lost,   in   succession,   all  four   of  his  sons, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


91 


whom  ho  hail  douhtless  hoped  wouhi  have  per- 
petuated his  name  and  fame  to  other  genera- 
tions. He  saw  his  loved  companion,  the  mother 
of  his  children,  borne  from  his  house  of  mourn- 
ing'to  the  house  appointed  for  all  living;'  he 
followed  two  of  his  amiable  daughters  in  sor- 
row to  the  tomb;  but  amid  all  these  domestic 
trials,  Logan  was  Logan  still;  and,  at  length, 
worn  out  by  the  trials  and  cares  and  conflicts  of 
this  sublunary  life,  he  bowed  his  withered  head 
in  submission  to  the  will  of  his  Creator,  and 
slept  with  his  fathers.  No  more  shall  we  see 
his  sliglit  form  and  sharply  chiseled  features  on 
the  busy  thoroughfares;  no  more  shall  we  meet 
him  in  the  bustling  courts  of  law,  so  long  the 
theatre  of  his  intellectual  struggles  and  tri- 
umphs; and  nevermore  shall  the  temples  of  jus- 
tice reverberate  with  the  tones  of  his  shrill, 
clear  voice;  for  that  heart  once  so  fiery,  and 
that  tongue  once  so  impassioned,  now  lie  pulse- 
less and  still  in  death. 

"Thus  one  after  another  these  relics  of  the 
past,  these  tottering  monuments  of  a  former  and 
perhaps  better  generation,  are  going  home  to 
the  silent  land  —  'to  that  shore  from  whose 
sands  is  never  heard  the  echo  of  retreating  foot- 
steps.' 'Thus,'  says  Irving,  'man  passes  away; 
his  name  gradually  perishes  from  record  and 
recollection;  his  history  is  a  tale  that  is  told, 
and  his  very  monument  becomes  a  ruin.'  But, 
sir,  I  will 

'No  farther  seek  his  merils  to  disclose, 
Nor  draw  his  frailties  from  their  dread  abode; 

There  Ihey  alilve  in  trembling  hopes  repose. 
The  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  God.'  " 

Hon.  David  Prickett,  prominently  identified 
with  the  early  history  of  Illinois  and  Sangamon 
county,  was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Georgia, 
September  21,  1800.  In  early  childhood  he  went 
with  his  parents  to  Kentucky,  and  a  few  years 
later  to  Edwardsville,  Illinois,  then  a  prominent 
town  of  this  State.  He  graduated  from  the  law 
department  of  Transylvania  University,  in  Lex- 
ington, Kentucky,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
at  Edwardsville,  Illinois,  November  1.5,  1821. 
Mr.  Prickett  served  as  the  first  Supreme  Court 
Reporter  of  Illinois,  was  for  a  time  Judge  of 
Probate  Court  of  Madison  county;  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  State  Legislature  in  1826,  when 
the  Capitol  was  at  Vandalia.  He  served  as  aide- 
de-camp  to  General  John  D.  Whiteside  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war  in  1831;  was  elected  State  At- 
torney in  1837  for  the  First  Judicial  Circuit  of 
Illinois,  composed  of  Pike,  Calhoun,  Greene, 
Morgan,  Sangamon,  Tazewell,  McLean,  Macon 
11— 


and  Macoupin  counties.  He  served  as  Treasurer 
of  the  Board  of  Canal  Commissioners  during  the 
construction  of  the  Michigan  and  LaSalle  canal 
in  1840;  in  1842  was  appointed  Director,  in  be- 
half of  the  State,  of  the  Slate  Bank  of  Illinois; 
was  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ten 
sessions;  and  was  serving  as  Assistant  Clerk  o'' 
the  House  of  Representatives  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  March  1,  1847.  He  dealt  considerably  in 
real  estate,  especially  city  property,  and  was 
joint  proprietor  in  haying  out  additions  to  sev- 
eral cities  in  Illinois.  Mr.  Prickett  married 
Charlotte,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Christiana 
Griffith,  of  Tazewell  county, on  January  24, 1834. 
She  was  born  March  9,  180G.  Their  marital 
union  resulted  in  five  children,  Christiana  G., 
Thomas  G.,  Gibson  R.,  Hannah  O.,  living,  and 
Susan,  deceased.  Mrs  Prickett  died  November 
2,  1876.  Her  father.  Dr.  Thomas  Griffith,  was 
one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Pekin,  Taze- 
well county. 

William  L.  May  is  a  Kentuckian  by  birth,  re- 
moving from  that  State  to  Edwardsville,  Illinois, 
from  thence  to  Jacksonville,  and  from  there  to 
Springfield,  in  1829,  having  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Receiver  of  the  Land  Office  in  the 
latter  place.  Here  in  1833  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Stephen  T.  Logan.  Mr.  May  was 
much  more  of  a  politician  than  a  lawyi^r,  and 
was  a  man  of  good  address  and  a  capital  stump- 
speaker.  In  1834  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 
and  again  in  1836.  In  1838  he  failed  of  receiv- 
ing the  nomination,  which  went  to  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  In  the  course  of  time  Mr.  May  re- 
moved to  Peoria,  and  from  thence  to  California, 
where  he  died. 

Dan.  Stone  became  a  member  of  the  Bar  of 
Sangamon  county  in  1833.  He  was  a  native  of 
Vermont  and  a  graduate  of  Middlebury  College, 
in  his  native  State.  He  afterwards  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati, studied  law  with  his  uncle,  Ethan  Stone, 
and  practiced  in  that  city  for  several  years,  and 
during  that  time  was  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture, and  also  a  member  of  the  city  council. 
On  his  removal  to  Springfield  he  at  once  took 
rank  with  the  best  lawyers.  He  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  legislature  in  1836,  and  was  one 
of  the  fainous  "  long  nine  "  members  of  that  body 
from  this  county.  While  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature he  received  the  appointment  of  Judge  of 
the  Circuit  Court,  and  was  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State  and  moved  to 
Galena.  In  1838  he  rendered  a  decision  with 
reference  to  the  vote  of  an  alien,  which  so  dis- 
pleased the  party  in  power  that  the  courts  were 
reorganized  by  the  legislature,  and  Judge  Stone 


92 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAiMON  COU^■TY. 


legislated  out  of  office.  He  soou  after  left  the 
State,  and  a  fewyears  later  died  in  Essex  county, 
New  Jersey. 

Josepbus  Ilewett  came  to  Springfield  about 
1830,  at  wbicb  time  be  was  a  Cbristian  preacber, 
an  eloquent  "defender  of  the  faitb  once  deliv- 
ered to  tbe  Saints."  He  read  law  witb  Judge 
Logan,  and  was  admitted  to  tbe  Bar  about  183+. 
In  1835  he  formed  a  partnership  witb  Cyrus 
Walker,  of  Macomb,  Mr.  Hewett  remaining  in 
Springfield  and  Mr.  Walker  in  Macomb,  but 
practicing  together  in  the  various  courts  of  tbe 
State.  Mr.  Hewett  became  one  of  the  most 
noted  lawyers  of  that  day,  and  is  spoken  of  by 
the  older  members  of  the  profession  as  a  man  of 
strong  mind  and  very  eloquent  in  his  pleadings. 
He  removed  from  Springfield  to  Mississippi, 
where  he  died  since  tbe  war. 

David  B.  Campbell  came  to  Springfield  in 
1838,  from  New  Jersey,  his  native  State.  He 
was  a  fair  lawyer  and  a  good  prosecutor,  serving 
as  Prosecuting  Attorney  from  1848  to  1856,  dy- 
ing in  ofiice  in  the  latter  year.  He  was  a  fair- 
minded  man,  and  while  Prosecuting  Attorney 
would  never  prosecute  one  charged  with  crime 
unless  thoroughly  convinced  of  his  guilt. 

Dave  Campbell  was  quite  a  joker,  and  a  good 
story  is  told  of  hira  and  one  Benedict,  of  which 
he  is  responsible,  it  appearing  in  his  "Reminis- 
cences" as  follows: 

The  hotels,  in  those  days,  I  remember,  being 
scarce  of  beds,  used  frequently  to  put  two  of  us 
lawyers  in  one  bed;  and  it  frequently  fell  to  the 
lot  of  Campbell  and  Benedict  to  occtipy  the  bed 
between  them.  One  day  I  heard  Campbell  say 
to  Benedict,  with  a  smirk  on  his  face: 

"  Benedict,  you  must  get  the  landlord  to  fur- 
nish you  a  bed  to  yourself." 

"Well,  suppose  he  hasn't  got  one,"  said 
Benedict. 

"  Then  you  must  sleep  on  the  floor,  or  get  the 
landlord  to  furnish  you  a  berth  up  in  his  hay- 
mow." 

"  What  is  your  objections  to  sleeping  with 
me.  General  David  Campbell?" 

"  Confound  you,"  replied  Campbell,  "  I  never 
did  sleep  with  you,  Ijut  I  have  lain  with  you.  To 
sleep  with  you  would  be  impossible.  You  snore 
like  a  cyclops,  and  your  breath  smells  so  of  mean 
whisky  that  I  would  as  soon  breathe  the  air  of  a 
charnel  house  and  live  in  reach  of  its  eternal 
stench  " 

"Well,"  said  Benedict,  "General  Campbell,  I 
■will  show  you  that  you  shall  sleep  with  me,  and 
if  either  of  us  has  to  sleep  on  the  floor  or  go  to 
the  hay-mow,  it  will  be  you  and  not  me." 


"Well,  well,"  responded  Campbell,  with  a 
sinister  smile  on  his  face,  "we  will  see  about  it." 

So  that  night  Dave  Campbell  went  to  bed 
earlier  than  usual,  and  so  about  twelve  o'clock  at 
night  along  comes  Benedict,  pretty  much  "  how- 
come-you-so."  Addressing  himself  to  Campbell, 
who  feigned  to  be  half  asleep,  he  said: 

"Hello,  therel  Dave,  lay  over  to  the  back  of 
the  bed,  and  give  me  room  in  front." 

Before  going  to  bed  that  evening  Dave  had 
armed  his  heel  by  buckling  on  it  one  of  his 
spurs.  When  Benedict  got  undressed,  even  to 
the  taking  off  of  his  drawers,  he  jumped  into 
bed  and  began  to  fondle  on  Campbell.  Dave 
quietly  drew  up  his  heel  that  had  the  spur  on 
and  planted  it  about  six  inches  above  Benedict's 
knee,  and  gave  it  a  turn  downwards,  crying, 
"  Get  up  there!  get  up  therel  "  as  though  he  was 
speaking  to  his  horse.  Benedict  gave  a  sudden 
leap  and  landed  about  the  middle  of  the  floor, 
crying  out  in  great  agony: 

"JesusI  the  fellow  has  got  the  nightmare  or 
delirium  tremens,  and  has  taken  me  for  his 
blamed  old  horse." 

Judge  Davis  and  Lincoln,  who  were  sleeping 
in  the  same  room,  could  stand  this  no  longer. 
They  burst  out  into  the  most  uproarious  laughter. 

Antrim  Campbell,  a  brother  of  David,  was 
l>orn  in  New  Jersey  in  1814.  He  came  to 
Springfie'd  in  1838,  and  entered  upon  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  In  1849,  he  was  appointed 
Master  in  Chancery  for  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Sangamon  county,  and  resigned  the  same  in 
1861,  when  he  received  the  appointment  of  Mas- 
ter in  Chancery  for  the  United  States  Circuit 
Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  Illinois. 
While  never  taking  high  rank  as  an  attorney, 
he  was  recognized  as  a  good  Master  in  Chan- 
cery and  an  excellent  business  man.  lie  died 
August  11,  1868. 

A.  T.  Bledsoe  was  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Sangamon  County  Bar  during  the  last  year  of 
its  Second  Decade  and  extending  nearly  through 
the  third.  He  came  to  Springfield  from  Greene 
county  in  1840.  While  a  young  man  he  grad- 
uated from  West  Point,  and  shortly  after  re- 
signed his  position  in  the  army,  studied  for  the 
ministry,  was  ordained  a  minister  in  the  Episco- 
palian Church.  Becoming  disatisfied,  he  resigned 
his  charge,  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  before  coming  to  S]iringfield.  On  his  ar- 
rival here  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Jesse 
B.  Thomas,  which  continued  about  a  year,  when 
he  became  a  partner  of  E.  D.  Baker.  Major 
Stuart  says  that  for  real  logic  he  was  tbe  strong- 
est man  at  this  Bar  at  that  time.     But  content- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COITNTY. 


93 


ment  was  not  »  ilh  him  a  cardinal  virtue.  He 
could  remain  in  one  position  but  a  short  time. 
He  was  an  author  of  several  scientific  works, 
which  were  well  received  by  the  learned.  Mr. 
Bledsoe  about  1850  drifted  Soutli,  was  President 
of  a  college  in  Mississippi  for  a  time,  and  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  was  professor  of  mathe- 
matics in  a  college  at  Charlotteville,  Virginia. 
Espousing  the  Southern  side,  he  was  made 
Assistant  Secretary  of  War,  but  becoming  con- 
vinced that  the  Southern  Confederacy  was  about 
to  collapse,  shortly  before  the  close  of  the  war, 
it  is  said  that  he  applied  to  his  old  friend  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States, 
for  a  pass  through  the  lines,  receiving  which  he 
came  within  the  Union  lines  and  soon  embarked 
for  Europe,  where  he  remained  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  Returning,  he  visited  his  old  friends 
in  Springfield,  then  again  went  South,  and  has 
since  died. 

Charles  R.  Willis  was  from  Connecticut,  was 
well  educated,  but  done  little  business  in  law. 
Soon  after  coming  to  Springfield  he  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business,  in  which  he  accumulated 
a  large  fortune.     He  died  many  years  ago. 

Schuyler  Strong  was  from  New  York,  and 
well  advanced  in  years  before  coming  to  Spring- 
field. In  his  native  State  he  was  regarded  as 
no  ordinary  lawyer,  and  was  recognized  as  the 
peer  of  any  when  he  arrived  here.  If  it  had 
not  been  for  one  grevious  fault,  so  common,  suc- 
cess would  have  crowned  his  every  effort.  He 
died  about  1845. 

Niuian  W.  Edwards  is  the  son  of  Ninian 
Edwards,  the  first  and  only  Territorial  Gover- 
nor of  Illinois.  He  was  born  April  15,  1809, 
near  Frankfort,  Kentucky.  His  father  at  that 
time  was  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Ap- 
peals of  Kentucky,  but,  receiving  the  appoint- 
ment of  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois, 
he  removed  with  his  family  in  June  following, 
to  Kaskaskia, its  capital.  When  the  proper  age, 
Ninian  W.  was  sent  to  Transylvania  University, 
and  graduated  in  the  law  department  of  that 
institution  in  1833.  Previous  to  his  graduation, 
and  in  1832,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
P.  Todd,  in  Lexington,  Kentucky.  Returning 
home  after  his  graduation,  he  commenced  the 
practice  of  law.  In  1834,  he  was  appointed  by 
Governor  Reynolds,  Attorney  General  of  the 
State,  and  was  shortly  afterwards  elected  by  the 
legislature.  The  law  requiring  the  Attorney 
General  to  reside  at  the  capital,  and  Mr.  Ed- 
wards not  liking  a  residence  in  Vandalia,  he 
resigned  the  office  in  February,  1835,  and 
shortly  afterwards  removed  to  Springfield.     In 


1836,  Mr.  Edwards  was  elected  one  of  the  Rep- 
resentatives in  the  legislature,  and  was  also  one 
of  the  "Long Nine," and  is  now,  in  1881,theonly 
one  living  of  the  number.  From  1836  to  1852, 
iNIr.  Edwards  served  in  the  legislature,  either  in 
the  Senate  or  House  of  Representatives,  being 
a  very  efficient  member,  lie  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention  which 
formed  the  constitution  of  1848.  In  1852  he 
was  appointed  Attorney  before  the  Board  of 
Commissioners  to  investigate  the  claims  of 
canal  contractors  against  the  State,  amounting 
to  over  $1,500,000.  In  1854  he  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  State  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  by  Governor  Matteson,  and  was  the 
first  incumbent  of  that  office.  He  was  retained 
in  this  office  by  the  legislature  until  1857.  Mr. 
Edwards  has  always  been  a  champion  of  free 
schools,  and  drafted  the  law  in  regard  to  them 
which  was  first  adopted  in  the  State.  In  1862, 
he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln,  LTnited 
States  Commissary.  Aside  from  his  official 
duties,  Mr.  Edwards  has  found  time  to  prepare 
a  history  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  including  the 
Life  and  Times  of  Governor  Edwards,  written 
on  tile  invitation  of  the  Illinois  State  Histori- 
cal Society.  It  is  a  valuable  work,  and  is  re- 
garded as  a  standard  on  the  subject  on  which  it 
treats.  As  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Edwards  ranked  high 
while  an  active  member  of  the  Bar,  and  even  at 
this  day  on  some  subjects  his  views  are  often 
sought  by  the  fraternity. 

Cyrus  Walker  was  a  Kentuckian  by  birth; 
studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  his 
native  State,  where  he  became  very  prominent, 
especially  as  a  criminal  lawyer.  On  account  of 
his  defense  of  a  murderer,  and  his  acquittal, 
whom  the  people  generally  thought  should  have 
been  hung,  Kentucky  became  uncomfortably 
warm  for  him,  so  that  he  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Macomb,  in  1833.  He  was  a  man  of 
strong  mind,  an  excellent  lawyer,  and  withal 
very  conscientious.  In  1835  he  was  a  partner  of 
Jose])hu8  Hewitt,  and  in  1839  with  James  C. 
Conkling.  His  business  was  very  extensive  for 
many  years  in  the  various  courts  of  Illinois.  He 
died  near  Macomb,  in  1876. 
'  In  1837,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar,  and  for  the  first  time  wrote  in  connec- 
tion with  his  name,  "Attorney  and  Counselor- 
at-Law."  While  living  in  Salem,  he  had  bor- 
rowed books  from  the  law  library  of  John  T. 
Stuart,  which  he  read  and  returned  as  the 
opportunity  occurred.  When  convinced  that  he 
could  stand  an  examination,  he  presented  him- 
self for  that  purpose,  and  was  duly  licensed  to 


94 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


practice  his  profession.  He  immediately  I'oimed 
a  partnership  with  Mr.  Stuart,  which  relation 
continued  about  two  years.  During  this  same 
year,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  became  a  citizen  of 
Springfield,  having  received  the  appointment  of 
Register  in  the  Land  Office.  He  soon  afterwards 
formed  a  partnership  with  John  D.  Urquhart 
for  the  practice  of  law,  and  here  commenced  the 
rivalry  of  these  two  great  men — Abraham  Lin- 
coln and  Stephen  A.  Douglas — men  whom  the 
world  delights  to  honor.  In  the  address  already 
quoted,  by  Isaac  N.  Arnold,  he  says: 

"When,  forty  years  ago,  the  Bar  used  to  meet 
here  at  the  capitol,  in  the  Supreme  and  Ll^nited 
States  Courts,  and  ride  the  circuit  in  our  differ- 
ent sections  of  the  State,  Lincoln  and  Douglas 
did  not  occupy  a  position  of  such  overshadowing 
importance  as  they  do  to-day.  They  did  not 
beat  us  in  our  cases  when  law  and  justice  were 
with  us,  and  we  did  not  realize  that  they  were  so 
greatly  our  superiors.  But  these  two  men  have 
passed  into  history,  and  justly,  as  our  great  rep- 
resentative men.  These  are  the  two  most  promi- 
nent figures,  not  only  in  the  history  of  Illinois, 
but  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  their  promi- 
nence, certainly  that  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  will  be  in- 
creased as  time  passes  on.  I  will,  therefore,  en- 
deavor to  give  such  rough  and  imperfect  outlines 
of  them  as  lawyers,  and  advocates,  and  public 
speakers,  as  I  can.  We,  who  knew  them  person- 
ally, who  tried  causes  with  them  and  against 
them,  ought,  I  think,  to  aid  those  who  shall  come 
after  us,  to  understand  them,  and  to  determine 
what  manner  of  men  they  were.  In  the  first 
place,  no  two  men  could  be  found  more  unlike, 
physically  and  intellectually,  in  manners  and  in 
appearance,  than  they. 

"  Lincoln  was  a  very  tall,  spare  man,  six  feet 
four  inches  in  height,  and  would  be  instantly 
recognized  as  belonging  to  that  type  of  tall, 
large-boned  men  produced  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  exhibiting  its 
peculiar  characteristics  in  the  most  marked  de- 
gree in  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and  Illinois. 

"  In  any  court  room  in  the  United  States  he 
would  have  been  instantly  picked  out  as  a  West- 
ern man.  His  stature,  figure,  dress,  manner, 
voice  and  accent  indicated  that  he  was  of  the 
Northwest. 

"In  manner  he  was  always  cordial  and  frank, 
and  although  not  without  dignity,  he  made 
every  person  feel  quite  at  his  ease.  I  think  the 
first  impression  a  stranger  would  get  of  him, 
whether  in  conversation  or  bv  hearing  him  speak, 
was,  that  this  is  a  kind,  frank,  sincere,  genuine 
man,  of   transparent  truthfulness  and  integrity; 


and  before  Lincoln  had  uttered  many  words,  he 
would  be  impressed  with  his  clear  good  sense, 
his  remarkably  simple,  homely,  but  expressive 
Saxon  language,  and  next  his  wonderful  wit  and 
humor.  Lincoln  was  more  familiar  with  the 
Bible  than  with  any  other  book  in  the  language, 
and  this  was  apparent,  both  from  his  style  and 
illustrations,  so  often  taken  from  that  Book.  He 
verified  the  maxim,  that  it  is  better  to  know 
thoroughly  a  few  good  books  than  to  read  many. 

"Douglas  was  little  more  than  five  feet  high, 
with  a  strong,  broad  chest,  and  strongly  marked 
features;  his  manners,  also,  were  cordial,  frank 
and  hearty.  The  poorest  and  hninblost  found 
him  friendly.  He  was,  in  his  earlier  years,  hale 
fellow  well  met  with  the  rudest  and  jioorest 
man  in  the  court  room. 

"Those  of  you  who  practiced  law  with  liim, 
or  ti'ied  causes  before  him  when  on  the  bench, 
will  remember  that  it  was  not  unusual  to  see 
him  come  off  the  bench,  or  leave  his  chair  at 
the  Bar,  and  take  a  seat  on  the  knee  of  a  fiiend, 
and  with  one  arm  thrown  familiarly  around  his 
friend's  neck,  have  a  friendly  talk,  or  a  legal  or 
political  consultation.  Such  familiarity  would 
have  shocked  our  English  cousins, and  disgusted 
our  Boston  brothers,  and  it  has,  I  think,  disap- 
peared. In  contrast  with  this  familiariiy  of 
Douglas,  I  remember  an  anecdote  illustrating 
Colonel  Benton's  ideas  of  his  own  personal  dig- 
nity. A  distinguished  member  of  Congress, 
who  was  a  great  admirer  of  Benton,  one  day 
approached  and  slapped  him  familiarly  and 
rudely  on  the  shoulder.  The  Senator  haughtily 
drew  himself  up,  and  said,  'That  is  a  familiar- 
ity, sir,  I  never  permit  my  fnends,  much  less  a 
comparative  stranger.  Sir,  it  must  not  be  re- 
peated.' 

"Lincoln  and  Douglas  were,  as  we  know, 
both  self-educated,  aud  each  the  builder  of  his 
own  fortune.  Each  became,  very  early,  the 
recognized  leader  of  the  political  (larty  to  which 
he  belonged.  Douglas  was  bold,  unfiinching, 
impetuous,  denunciatory  and  determined.  He 
possessed,  in  an  eminent  degree,  the  qualities 
which  create  personal  popularity,  and  he  was 
the  idol  of  his  friends.  Both  Lincoln  and 
Douglas  were  strong  jury-lawyers.  Lincoln,  on 
the  whole,  was  the  strongest  jury-lawyer  we 
ever  had  in  Illinois.  Both  were  distinguished 
for  their  ability  in  seizing  and  bringing  out, 
distinctly  and  clearly,  the  real  points  in  a  case. 
Both  were  very  happy  in  the  examination  of 
witnesses;  I  think  Lincoln  the  stronger  of  the 
two  in  cross-examination.  lie  could  compel  a 
witness  to  tell  thi'  truth  when   he  meant  to  lie. 


HISTORY  OP  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


95 


He  could  make  a  jury  laugh,  and,  generally, 
weep,  at  liis  pleasure.  Lincoln  on  the  right 
side,  and  especially  when  injustice  or  fraud 
were  to  be  exposed,  was  the  strongest  advocate. 
On  the  wrong  side,  or  on  the  defense,  where 
the  accused  was  really  guilty,  the  client  with 
Douglas  for  his  advocate  would  be  more  fortu- 
nate than  with  Lincoln. 

"Lincoln  studied  his  cases  thoroughly  and 
exhaustively.  Douglas  had  a  wonderful  faculty 
of  extracting  from  his  associates,  from  experts 
and  others,  by  conversation,  all  they  knew  of  a 
subject  he  was  to  discuss,  and  then  making  it  so 
thoroughly  his  that  all  seemed  to  have  origi- 
nated with  himself.  He  so  perfectly  assimi- 
lated the  ideas  and  knowledge  of  others  that  all 
seemed  to  be  his  own,  and  all  that  went  into  his 
mind  came  out  improved. 

"  The  ablest  argument  I  ever  heard  him  make 
was  in  the  case  of  Daniel  Brainar  vs.  The  Canal 
Trustees,  argued  at  Ottawa,  June,  1850,  reported 
in  12  111.  Reports,  488.  The  question  involved 
the  extent  of  the  right  of  pre-emption  by  set- 
tlers ujion  canal  lands,  within  the  city  of  Chi- 
cago. The  judges  were  Treat,  Trumbull  and 
Caton.  .Judges  Treat  and  Trumbull  concurred 
in  deciding  the  case  against  Douglas,  Judge 
Caton  dissenting.  He  made,  in  this  case,  one 
of  the  ablest  arguments  I  ever  heard  at  any 
Bar. 

"In  1841,  Mr.  Douglas,  being  then  not  quite 
twenty-eight  years  old,  was  elected  one  of  the 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  was  not  a 
profound  lawyer,  but  with  his  clear  common 
sense  and  incisive  mind,  alter  a  case  was  well 
argued,  he  always  knew  how  to  decide  it.  He 
held  the  position  of  Judge  for  about  two  years, 
and  was  then,  after  a  very  active  canv.as,  elected 
to  Congress  by  a  small  majority  over  O.  H. 
Browning.  From  this  time  until  his  death,  in 
the  early  summer  of  1861,  he  remained  in  Con- 
gress, serving  in  the  House  until  1840,  when  he 
was  elected  to  the  Senate,  of  which  he  continued 
a  member  to  the  time  of  his  death.  His  ablest 
speech  in  the  House  was  made  on  the  7th  of 
January,  1 844,  on  a  bill  to  refund  to  General 
Jackson  the  fine  imposed  upon  him  by  Judge 
Hall,  during  the  defense  of  New  Orleans.  In 
this  masterly  argument  he  took  the  then  bold 
and  novel  ground  that  the  fine  was  imposed  in 
violation  of  law.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that,  in  this 
speech,  Douglas  claimed  for  General  Jackson 
many  of  the  war-powers  exercised  by  President 
Lincoln  and  his  generals  during  the  rebellion, 
and  for  which  tlie  President  was  so  bitterly  de- 
nounced by  his  political  opponents.   This  speech 


gave  him  a  national  reputation.  After  the  death 
of  the  hero  of  New  Orleans  a  pamphlet  copy  of 
this  speech  was  found  among  Ins  papers,  with 
an  endorsement  in  Jackson's  hand-writing,  and 
signed  by  him,  in  these  words:  "■This  speech 
constitutes  my  defense.  Hay  it  aside  as  an  in- 
heritance for  tny  grand-children." . 

"Mr.  Lincoln  remained  in  active  practice  at  the 
Bar  until  his  nomination  for  the  Presidency  in 
1860.  His  reputation  as  a  lawyer  and  advocate 
was  rising  higher  and  higher.  He  had  a  large 
practice  on  the  circuit  all  over  the  central  part 
of  this  State,  and  he  was  employed  in  most  of 
the  important  cases  in  the  Federal  and  Supreme 
Courts.  He  went  on  special  retainers  all  over 
Illinois,  and  occasionally  to  St.  Louis,  Cincin- 
nati, and  Indiana.  His  law  arguments  ad- 
dressed to  the  judges  were  always  clear,  vigor- 
ous, and  logical;  seeking  to  convince  rather  by 
the  application  of  principle  than  by  the  cita- 
tion of  authorities  and  cases.  On  the  whole,  I 
always  thought  him  relatively  stronger  before  a 
jury  than  whh  the  court.  He  was  a  quick  and 
accurate  reader  of  character,  and  understood, 
almost  intuitively,  the  jury,  witnesses,  parties, 
and  judges,  and  how  best  to  address,  con- 
vince, and  influence  them.  He  had  a  power 
of  conciliating  and  impressing  everyone  in  his 
favor.  A  stranger  coming  into  court,  not  know- 
ing him,  or  anything  about  his  case,  listening 
to  Lincoln  a  few  moments,  would  find  himself 
involuntarily  on  his  side,  and  wishing  him  suc- 
cess. His  manner  was  so  candid,  so  direct,  the 
spectator  was  impressed  that  he  was  seeking 
only  truth  and  justice.  He  excelled  all  I  ever 
heard  in  the  statement  of  his  case.  However 
complicated,  he  woidd  disentangle  it,  and  pre- 
sent the  turning  point  in  a  way  so  simple  and 
clear  that  all  could  understand.  Indeed,  his 
statement  often  rendered  argument  unnecessary, 
and  often  the  court  would  stop  him  and  say,  "If 
that  is  the  case,  we  will  hear  tlie  other  side." 
He  had  in  the  highest  possible  degree  the  art  of 
persuasion  and  the  power  ot  conviction.  His 
illustrations  were  often  ijuaint  and  homely,  but 
always  clear  and  apt,  and  generally  conclusive. 
He  never  misstated  evidence,  but  stated  clearly, 
and  met  fairly  and  squarely  his  opponent's  case. 
His  wit  and  humor  and  inexhaustible  stores  of 
anecdote,  always  to  the  point,  added  immensely 
to  his  power  as  a  jury  advocate. 

The  last  case  Mr.  Lincoln  ever  tried  was  that 
of  Jones  vs.  Johnson,  tried  in  April  and  May, 
1860,  in  the  United  States  Circuit  Court,  at 
C'hicago.  The  case  involved  the  title  to  land  of 
very  great  value,  the  accretion  on  the  shores  of 


96 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Lake  Michigan.  During  the  trial,  Judge  Drum- 
mond  and  all  the  counsel  on  both  sides,  including 
Mr.  Lincoln,  dined  together  at  my  house.  Doug- 
las and  Lincoln  were  at  the  time  both  candi- 
dates for  the  nomination  for  President.  There 
were  active  and  ardept  political  friends  of  each 
at  the  table,  and  when  the  sentiment  was  pro- 
posed, "  May  Illinois  furnish  the  next  Presi- 
dent," it  was,  as  you  imagine,  drank  with  en- 
thusiasm by  the  friends  of  both  Lincoln  and 
Douglas./ 

Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr.,  was  a  nephew  of  the 
eminent  statesman  of  that  name,  a  former  United 
States  Senator,  and  well  known  in  the  early 
day.  He  was  an  attorney  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  and  succeeded  Ninian  W.  Edwards  as 
Attorney  General  of  the  State  in  1885.  In  18.37 
he  was  appointed  Circuit  Judge,  but  resigned 
after  the  expiration  of  two  years.  He  was  at 
one  time  a  partner  of  David  Prickett,  in  Spring- 
field, and  afterwards  of  William  L  May.  He 
finally  went  to  Chicago  and  died  there. 

E.  D.  Baker  came  to  Springfield  in  1835,  from 
Greene  county,  Illinois.  He  was  born  in  London, 
England,  February  24,  1811,  and  emigrated  with 
his  parents  to  America  shortly  after  the  close  of 
our  late  war  with  England,  and  after  remaining 
for  a  time  in  Philadelphia  he  came  west  and 
settled  in  Indiana,  and  from  thence  to  Illinois. 
He  early  manifested  a  strong  passion  for  books, 
reading  with  avidity  everything  on  which  he 
could  lay  his  hands,  particularly  history,  biogra- 
phy and  poetry.  Possessing  a  rare  aptitude  for 
acquiring  information,  a  ready  and  highly  reten- 
tive memory,  his  mind  soon  became  stored  with 
the  rich  treasures  of  literary  lore,  from  which, 
in  after  years,  he  drew  copiously  as  from  a  per- 
ennial fount.  At  Carrollton,  Greene  county,  Mr. 
Baker  studied  law  in  the  oiSce  of  A.  W.  Cavarly, 
serving  at  the  same  time  as  deputy  in  the  office  of 
the  County  Clerk.  As  soon  as  he  gained  a  super- 
ficial knowledge  of  the  science  of  law,  spurred 
on  by  necessity,  he  procured  a  license  and  com- 
menced practice.  Owing,  however,  to  his  youth, 
limited  legal  attainments  and  the  absence  of  in- 
fluential friends,  during  the  first  years  of  bis 
professional  life,  he  met  with  indifferent  success. 

While  in  Carrollton,  Mr.  Baker  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Lee.  Soon  after  marriage  he 
united  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  being 
naturally  of  an  impulsive  and  enthusiastic  tem- 
perament, he  was  very  zealous  in  the  discharge 
of  his  religious  duties,  became  an  able  exhorter, 
and  began  to  entertain  serious  thoughts  of  en- 
gaging in  regular  ministerial  work.  As  time 
passed,  his  mind  becoming  occupied  with  poli- 


tics, he  finally  ceased  his  connection  with  the 
religious  body.  While  an  active  member  of  the 
church,  he  first  discovered  that  boldness  of 
thought,  that  opulence  of  expression,  that  grace- 
ful and  persuasive  manner  of  speaking,  for  which 
he  became  so  justly  celebrated  in  after  life. 

Shortly'  after  coming  to  Springfield, Mr.  Baker 
associated  himself  in  the  practice  of  law  with 
Josephus  Hewett.  Subsequently,  he  entered 
into  partnership  with  Stephen  T.  Logan,  and 
for  a  short  time  with  Albert  T.  Bledsoe.  It  was 
here  that  Baker  first  applied  himself  seriously 
to  the  duties  of  his  profession,  and  here  he  won 
his  first  laurels  as  an  advocate.  Surrounded  by 
the  great  men  already  mentioned  as  comprising 
the  Sangamon  County  Bar  during  this  Decade, 
Baker  was  compelled  to  struggle  for  that  emi- 
nence in  his  profession  which  he  rapidly  at- 
tained. Although  disinclined  to  close,  continu- 
ous study,  and  often  negligent  in  the  preparation 
of  his  cases,  he  had  sufficiently  mastered  the 
principles  and  intricacies  of  the  law,  as  to  meet 
the  ordinary  requirements  of  practice,  and  his 
native  genius  supplied  any  deficiency.  His  con- 
fident, self-possessed  air  amidst  the  bustle  of  a 
court  of  law,  his  quickness  of  perception,  ready 
wit,  fertility  in  resources  and  ardent  eloquence, 
enabled  him  to  achieve  the  victory  in  spite  of 
the  most  determined  opposition  from  older  or 
more  experienced  antagonists.  In  jury  cases  he 
was  especially  successful,  for  in  these  he  was  less 
fettered  by  the  legal  forms  and  technicalities 
which  ordinarily  curb  the  reins  of  youthful  im- 
agination. Indeed,  a  jury  to  him  was  but|a  mini- 
ature popular  assembly,  before  which  he  could 
pour  out  his  argument  and  invective  at  will,  or 
indulge  in  those  exquisite  touches  of  pathos, 
which  failed  not  to  awaken  the  sympatby  and 
move  the  hearts  of  his  auditors.  Enterprising 
and  ambitious,  Mr.  Baker  early  directed  his 
attention  to  politics  as  opening  the  shortest  road 
to  preferment.  In  1837  he  was  elected  to  the 
General  Assembly  from  Sangamon  county  to  fill 
the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of 
Dan  Stone.  In  the  following  year  he  was 
re-elected.  In  the  campaign  of  1840  he 
took  an  active  part  in  the  support  of  General 
Harrison.  In  1844  he  was  elected  to  Congress, 
and  was  a  member  of  that  body  when  the  war 
with  Mexico  broke  out.  Returning  home  from 
Washington,  he  raised  a  regiment  and  was  com- 
missioned colonel.  In  this  war  he  earned  a 
re])utation  as  a  brave  and  gallant  commander. 

On  his  return  from  Mexico  he  removed  to 
Galena  and  was  there  re-elected  to  Congress. 
He  took  his  seat  the  second  time  in   December, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


97 


1849.  He  bore  an  active  if  not  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  debates  upon  those  grave  National 
issues,  which  formed  so  prominent  a  feature  in 
the  first  session  of  the  3lst  Congress.  He 
favored  some,  but  not  all  the  compromise  meas- 
ures passed  at  that  session.  The  annexed  para- 
graph, taken  from  a  speech  made  by  him  on 
these  historic  questions,  was  prophetic  of  his 
future  fate: 

"I  have  only  to  say  that  if  the  time  should 
come  when  dissension  rules  the  hour,  and  dis- 
cord reigns  supreme,  I  shall  be  ready  to  give  the 
best  blooil  in  my  veins  to  my  country's  cause. 
I  shall  be  prepared  to  meet  all  antagonists,  with 
lance  in  rest,  to  do  battle  in  every  land,  in  de- 
fense of  the  constitution  of  the  country,  which 
Lhave  sworn  to  support  to  the  last  extremity, 
against  disunionists  and  all  its  enemies,  whether 
North  or  South  —  to  meet  them  everywhere,  at 
all  times,  with  speech  or  hand,  with  word  or 
blow,  until  thought  or  being  shall  be  mine  no 
longer." 

In  18.52  Colonel  Baker  emigrated  with  his 
family  to  California  Establishing  himself  in 
San  Francisco,  he  once  more  commenced  the 
practice  of  law.  His  fame  as  an  advocate  and 
orator  had  preceded  him,  so  that  he  soon  found 
himself  in  the  midst  of  an  extensive  business. 
Almost  at  one  bound,  and  with  apparently  little 
effort,  he  rose  to  the  summit  of  his  profession, 
and  to  a  share  in  the  best  practice  of  the  courts 
of  that  youthful  commercial  metropolis.  Here 
it  was  that  he  achieved  his  highest  reputation 
as  a  lawyer,  and  perhaps  his  most  brilliant 
renown   as  an   orator. 

While  living  in  California,  he  early  identified 
himself  with  the  Free  Soil  movement.  When 
Senator  Broderick,  the  chief  of  the  Douglas 
Democracy  in  that  State  was  killed  in  a  duel 
with  Judge  Terry,  it  was  Colonel  Baker  that 
was  called  upon  to  deliver  the  funeral  oration, 
and  right  royally  did  he  perform  that  sad  duty. 
The  oration  has  seldom,  if  ever,  been  surpassed. 
Space  forbids  even  a  quotation  in  this  place. 

Shortly  after  the  unhappy  death  of  Broder- 
ick, Colonel  Baker  removed  to  Oregon.  Here 
he  was  soon  after  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate.  Returning  to  San  Francisco,  on  his 
way  to  the  East,  he  was  the  recipient  of  a  public 
ovation.  In  his  speech  upon  the  occasion,  he 
said: 

"As  for  me,  I  dare  not,  will  not,  be  false  to 
freedom.  Where  the  feet  of  my  youth  were 
planted,  there  by  freedom  my  feet  shall  ever 
stand.  I  will  walk  beneath  her  banner.  I  will 
glory  in  her  strength.     I  have  seen  her  in  his- 


tory struck  down  on  a  hundred  fields  of  battle. 
I  have  seen  her  friends  Hy  from  her,  her  foes 
gather  around  her.  I  have  seen  her  bound  to  a 
stake.  I  have  seen  them  give  her  ashes  to  the 
winds.  But  when  they  turned  to  exult,  I  have 
seen  her  again  meet  them  face  to  face,  resplend- 
ent in  comp  ete  steel,  brandishing  in  her  strong, 
right  hand  a  flaming  sword,  red  with  insuff- 
erable light.  I  take  courage.  The  people 
gather  around  her.  The  genius  of  America 
will  yet  lead  her  sons  to  freedom." 

In  December,  1860,  while  en  route  to  Wash- 
ington, Colonel  Baker  paid  a  hasty  visit  to 
Springfield,  where  he  was  honored  with  a  public 
reception.  On  behalf  of  the  citizens,  J.  C. 
Conkling,  in  a  neat  and  tasty  speech,  formally 
welcomed  him  to  the  scenes  of  his  early  labors 
and  triumphs.  The  Senator  elect  responded  in 
characteristic  style.  He  expressed  the  liviliest 
gratitude  at  the  heartiness  and  enthusiasm  with 
which  he  had  been  received  by  his  old  friends, 
without  distinction  of  party;  referring  in  touch- 
ing language  to  his  previous  history;  alluded  to 
the  wonderful  growth  and  prosperity  of  Illinois, 
and  of  the  great  West;  and  spoke  with  solici- 
tude of  our  National  difficulties  and  the  impend- 
ing civil  war. 

On  taking  his  seat  in  the  Senate,  Colonel 
Baker  entered  industriously  upon  the  discharge 
of  the  responsible  duties  of  his  station,  and 
ranked  from  the  outset  among  the  foremost 
orators  and  debaters  in  that  dignified  body. 
His  addresses  on  the  2d  and  :3d  days  of  January, 
1801,  in  reply  to  Judali  P.  Benjamin,  of  Louisi- 
ana, was  one  of  the  most  eloquent  delivered 
during  that  storm  period. 

On  the  20th  day  of  April,  a  few  days  after 
the  fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  Colonel  Baker  spoke  in 
New  York  City  to  one  of  the  largest  assem- 
blages ever  enchained  by  the  eloquence  of  a  sin- 
gle man.  In  closing  his  address,  he  dedicated 
himself  anew  to  the  service  of  his  country 
in  these  grandly  eloquent  words,  which  were 
greeted  with  tremendous  applause: 

"And  if,  from  the  far  Pacific,  a  voice  feebler 
than  the  feeblest  murmur  on  its  shores,  may  be 
heard  to  give  you  courage  and  hope  in  this  con- 
test, that  voice  is  yours  to-day.  And  if  a  man 
whose  hair  is  gray,  who  is  well  nigh  worn  out 
in  the  battle  and  toil  of  life,  may  pledge  him- 
self on  such  an  occasion,  and  to  such  an  audience, 
let  me  say,  as  my  last  word,  that  as  when  amid 
sheeted  tire  and  flame,  I  saw  and  led  the  hosts 
of  New  York,  as  they  charged  in  contest  upon 
a  foreign  soil  for  the  honor  of  your  flag,  so, 
again,  tf  Providence  shall  will  it,  this  feeble 


98 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


hand  shall  draw  a  sword  never  yet  dishonored — 
not  to  tight  for  distant  honor  in  a  foreign  land — 
but  to  tight  for  country,  for  government,  for 
Constitution,  for  law,  for  right,  for  freedom,  for 
humanity;  and  in  the  hope  that  the  banner  of 
our  country  may  advance,  and  wheresoever  that 
banner  waves,  there  may  glory  pursue  and  free- 
dom be  established." 

Colonel  Baker  at  once  raised  a  regiment, 
known  as  the  California  regiment,  and  entered 
the  service.  At  Ball's  BlulJ,  on  the  20th  day  of 
October,  1861,  he  fell  in  battle,  pierced  by  eight 
leaden  messengers  freighted  with  death,  from 
the  guns  of  the  advancing  foe.  Thus  heroically 
the  grand  and  gifted  Baker  fell. 

John  D.  Urquhartwas  from  Virginia,  and  came 
to  Springfield  about  1832.  lie  was  well  read  in 
the  law  and  in  the  general  literature  of  the  day. 
He  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school,  with  too 
much  retinement  to  adapt  himself  to  Western 
methods,  and  ttjerefore  achieved  no  success  as  a 
lawyer  at  the  Bar  of  Sangamon  county. 

John  C.  Doremus  was  from  New  Jersey,  and 
first  practiced  in  the  courts  of  this  county  in 
1838.  In  1840  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Schuyler  Strong,  which  continued  but  a  few 
moutiis.  He  never  attained  any  distinction  as  a 
lawyer,  and  early  in  1840  went  South,  studied 
theology,  and  became  minister  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  received  the  degree  of  D.D. 
He  died  some  years  ago. 

THIRD    DECADE. 

The  Third  Decade  shows  in  addition  to  the 
greater  number  of  those  of  the  Second,  the 
names  of  Silas  VV.  Robbins,  Charles  R.  Welles, 
Benjamin  West,  James  Shields,  William  A. 
Minshall,  Justice  Buttertield,  Justice  Butterfield, 
Jr.,  Levi  Davis,  A.  K.Smede,  James  H.Matheny, 
David  Logan,  E.  B  Herndon,  A.  Parker,  Wil- 
liam I.  Ferguson,  William  Walker.  William  H. 
Herndon,  Vincent  Ridgely,  U.  F.  Linder,  Josiah 
Lamborn,  Archibald  Williams,  O.  H.  Browning, 
Israel  Crosby,  Lyman  'rrumbull. 

What  Bar  in  all  the  Union  can  show  a  greater 
array  of  distinguished  names  than  the  foregoing, 
in  addition  to  the  best  of  the  Second  Decade 
who  still  continued  to  practice  before  the  courts 
of  the  county.  For  great  learning,  for  oratorical 
ability,  and  for  unsurpassed  statesmanship,  the 
Bar  during  this  Decade  has  never  been  surpassed. 
From  its  ranks  were  furnished  a  President  of 
the  Lhiited  States,  a  distinguished  candidate  for 
the  Presidency  whose  memory  will  always  be 
kept  green  by  lovers  of  the  L^nion,  several 
United  States  Senators,  one  Cabinet  Officer, 
several  members  of  Congress,    several  disting- 


uished officers  in  the  United  States  Army — all 
of  whom  were  honorable  men  reflecting  great 
credit  upon  the  profession  of  law  and  upon  the 
Bar  of  Sangamon  county. 

A  large  and  interesting  volume  could  be  writ- 
ten of  the  Bar  of  this  Decade,  but  in  this  volume 
space  forbids  more  than  such  individual  mention 
as  will  show  the  character  of  those  composing  it. 

CTeneral  Shields.* — Among  the  men  who  have 
conferred  lasting  celebrity  upon  the  Capital 
City  of  Illinois,  by  making  it  the  place  of  their 
temporary  or  permanent  abode,  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  and  distinguished  was  the  late  Gen- 
eral Shields — the  man  of  two  nationalities,  the 
\  eteran  of  two  wars,  and  the  Senator  from 
three  States. 

James  Shields  was  born  at  a  place  called  Dun- 
ganou,  county  of  Tyrone,  Ireland,  in  the  year 
1819.  Of  his  family  and  early  domestic  history, 
little  or  nothing  is  certainly  known;  though  he 
appears  to  have  enjoyed  fair  educational  advan- 
tages. With  that  inbred  and  irrepressible  spirit 
of  adventure,  which  formed  the  ruling  charac- 
teristic of  his  life,  he  emigrated  to  tlie  United 
States  while  still  in  his  minority,  and,  propably, 
first  landed  at  New  Orleans.  This  was  in  1826, 
or  thereabouts;  antl  in  no  long  time  afterward, 
we  find  him  located  in  Randolph  coiinty,  Illi- 
nois, engaged  in  the  vocation  of  teaching.  Sub- 
sequentty,  he  read  law,  was  admittted  to  the  Bar 
in  1832,  and  began  the  practice  of  that  profes- 
sion in  Kaskaskia — the  ancient  "seat  of  empire" 
of  Illinois  under  the  B'rench  Dominion. 

Gifted  from  the  outset  with  a  talent  for  pub- 
lic speaking,  and  all  the  elements  of  personal 
popularity,  we  next  find  our  young  adventurer 
at  Vandalia  (then  the  State  Capital),  represent- 
ing the  county  of  Randolph  in  the  lower  branch 
of  the  General  Assembly.  Here,  during  the 
memorable  session  of  1836-37,  he  first  met  Lin- 
coln, Douglas,  Hardin,  and  other  rising  politi- 
cians of  the  period,  with  whom  he  was  after- 
wards to  become  so  prominently  associated. 

In  March,  1841,  Mr.  Shields"  was  made  Au- 
ditor of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  took  up  his 
residence  in  Springfield,  to  which  place  the  seat 
of  government  had  been  removed  from  Vanda- 
lia by  act  of  the  legislature.  This  was  the  era 
of  general  financial  depression,  of  depreciated 
paper  money,  and  of  slow  recovery  from  panic; 
and  Shields'is  said  to  have  run  the  Auditor's 
office  almost  entirely  on  scrip.  It  was  during 
his  incumbency  of  this  office  that  he  became  in- 
volved in  the  personal  difficulty  with  Abraham 

*  Prepared  by  Joseph  Wullace. 


J^^a^M^f 


^1^-6^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


101 


Lincoln,  which  led  to'liis  challenging  the  latter 
to  mortal  combat.  Lincoln  accepted  the  chal- 
lenge, and  under  the  advice  of  his  friend  and 
second.  Dr.  Merriman,  selected  cavalry  broad 
swords  as  the  weapons  with  which  to  light. 
Such  a  choice  necessarily  gave  to  Lincoln,  who 
was  mucli  the  tallest  and  longest  armed  man  of 
the  two,  greatly  the  advantage.  But  our  chiv- 
alrous son  of  the  Emerald  Isle  was  not  disposed 
to  shrink  from  tbe  encounter,  whatever  might 
be  the  advantage  of  his  antagonist  in  point  of 
stature,  or  in  the  choice  of  weapons.  The  i)ar- 
ties  accordingly  repaired  to  Alton,  accompanied 
by  their  respective  seconds,  intending  to  light 
tlie  duel  on  the  narrow  tongue  of  land  between 
the  confluence  of  the  Mississippi  and  the  Mis- 
souri rivers.  But  through  the  timely  interven- 
tion of  common  friends,  the  difficulty  was  at 
last  amicably  adjusted,  without  the  shedding  of 
human  gore. 

On  August  16,  1843,  Shields  was  commis- 
sioned by  Governor  Ford  one  of  the  associated 
justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  but 
did  not  long  retain  his  seat  upon  the  bench; 
and,  in  April,  1845,  the  ermine  for  the  office  of 
Commissioner  of  the  General  Land  Office, 
which  post  he  held  for  nearly  two  years. 

The  outbreak  of  hostilities  with  Mexico,  in 
1846,  afforded  the  long-wished-for  opportunity 
of  gratifying  his  martial  tastes  and  ambition, 
and  constituted  the  turning  point,  so  to  speak, 
in  his  checkered  career.  Having  announced  his 
intention  of  taking  part  in  the  war,  he  was,  upon 
the  recommendation  of  the  Illinois  delegation  in 
Congress,  commissioned  Brigadier  General  by 
President  Polk.  Taking  the  field  under  General 
Scott,  Shields  led  the  Illinois  brigade  in  the  vic- 
torious rnarch  on  the  City  of  Mexico.  In  the 
battle  ot  Cerro  Gordo,  on  April  18,  1847,  he  was 
seriously  wounded  by  a  ball  which  passed 
through  one  of  his  lungs.  For  a  while,  it  was 
doubtful  if  he  could  survive;  but  he  did  recover 
so  as  to  resume  his  former  command,  and  served 
till  the  end  of  tbe  campaign.  At  the  sanguinary 
battle  of  Cherubusco,  fought  on  the  20th  of 
August,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  City  of  Mexico, 
General  Shields  led  the  Illinois  and  New  Eng- 
land brigades,  and  the  Palmetto  regiment,  in  the 
attack  upon  the  Mexican  reserve,  and  drove  the 
enemy  from  their  entrenched  position  back  into 
the  capital.  lie  also  fought  at  the  storming  of 
Chapultepec,  where  he  is  said  to  have  been  again 
wounded.  For  his  gallantry  in  these  several 
engagements,  he  was  brevetted  a  Major-General. 
Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  he  was  honor- 
■  ably  mustered  out  of  service,  and  returned  home 

12— 


to  receive  the  plaudits  and  rewards  of  his  country- 
men for  his  valorous  and  patriotic  services. 

Declining  the  appointment  of  Governor  for 
the  Territory  of  Oregon,  General  Shields,  daring 
the  wintei  of  1848-49,  was  elected  liy  the  Illinois 
Legislature  to  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate, 
which  he  held  for  the  full  term  of  six  years  from 
the  4th  of  March,  1849.  His  career  in  the  Sen- 
ate, though  not  so  brilliant  as  it  had  been  on  the 
"  tented  field,"  was  creditable  to  himself  and  to 
the  party  that  elected  him.  During  this  term, 
he  voted  for  the  Compromise  measures  of  1850, 
and  also  for  the  Nebraska  Bill. 

In  1855,  he  was  a  candidate  for  re-election, 
but  his  Democratic  friends  in  the  legislature 
found  it  necessary  to  concentrate  their  strength 
upon  Governor  Matteson,  in  order  to  defeat  the 
candidacy  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  the  latter,  seeing 
th.at  he  could  not  succeed,  finally  withdrew  in 
favor  of  Lyman  Trumbull,  who  was  thereupon 
elected  by  the  fusion  majority. 

Soon  after  this  defeat  (about  the  first  he  had 
sustained).  General  Shields  transferred  his  resi- 
dence to  the  State  of  Minnesota,  by  the  legisla- 
ture of  which  he  was  sent  to  the  United  States 
Senate  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  occupied  his  seat 
from  May  V2,  1858,  to  March  .3,  1859.  He  then 
went  to  California,  where  he  remained  for  a  year 
or  two.  What  were  his  motives  in  going  to  the 
Pacific  coast,  or  his  occupation  while  there,  do 
not  clearly  appear. 

When  the  long  threatened  civil  war  broke 
out,  General  Shields'  martial  spirit  was  again 
fully  aroused,  and  having  tendered  his  services 
to  President  Lincoln  they  were  accepted,  and  he 
was  made  a  Brigadier,  his  commission  dating 
August  19,  1861.  Early  in  1862,  he  was  assigned 
to  the  command  of  a  division  of  General  Bank's 
army,  operating  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  Va., 
and  commanded  at  the  battles  of  Port  Republic 
and  Winchester.  Some  time  in  1863,  General 
Shields,  owing  in  part  to  disability  consequent 
upon  the  wounds  he  had  received  in  former 
campaigns,  and  partly  to  his  having  been  over- 
looked in  the  matter  of  promotion  by  the  mili- 
tary authorities  at  Washington,  resigned  his 
commission  in  the  army,  and  settled  upon  a 
small  farm  in  Carroll  county,  Missouri.  About 
this  tinie,  he  appears  to  have  married  a  woman 
of  Irish  parentage;  but  the  union  was  not  pro- 
ductive of  any  addition  to  his  slender  fortune. 
His  experience  as  a  tiller  of  the  soil  was  not 
particularly  encouraging.  In  the  course  of  a 
public  lecture  in  one  of  our  eastern  cities,  he 
referred  to  himself  as  one  of  the  "  poorest  farm- 


102 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ei"s  in  Carroll  county,"  and  he  doubtless  told  the 
simple  truth. 

During  the  stormy  administration  of  Presi- 
dent Johnson,  Shields  was  elected  to  Congress 
from  one  of  the  Missouri  districts,  but  was  not 
allowed  to  take  his  seat  by  the  party  then  domi- 
nant in  the  House  of  Representatives.  In  1877, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Missouri  Legis- 
lature, and  about  the  same  time  was  appointed 
Adjutant  General  of  that  State. 

In  1878  he  was  brought  forward  in  connection 
with  the  office  of  doorkeeper  of  the  National 
House  of  Representatives;  and  the  Democratic 
majority  of  that  body  (as  a  mark  of  respect  for 
his  distinguished  services,  and  to  relieve  his  ne- 
cessities) voted  to  increase  his  pension  to  one 
hundred  dollars  per  month. 

During  the  winter  of  1878-79,  General  Shields 
was  elected  by  the  Missouri  Legislature  to  com- 
plete the  unexpired  portion  of  the  late  Senator 
Bogy's  term  in  the  United  States  Senate.  The 
term  was  quite  short,  (not  exceeding  six  weeks), 
but  it  conferred  upon  him  tlie  rare  honor  of  hav- 
ing been  a  Senator  from  three  States;  an  lionor 
such  as,  perhaps,  was  never  before  vouchsafed  to 
any  citizen  of  our  republic.  In  these  latter  years 
of  his  life,  he  traveled  more  or  less  extensively 
through  the  country,  lecturing  on  his  "Reminis- 
cences of  the  Mexican  war,"  and  also  upon  his 
"recollections"  of  the  eminent  statesmen  with 
whom  he  had  associated  in  the  Senate  in  ante- 
bellum days. 

At  length,  however,  after  a  singularly  event- 
ful and  romantic  career  of  nearly  three  score 
and  ten  years.  General  Shields  was  called  to 
meet  his  last  enemy  —  death.  On  the  night  of 
the  lirst  of  June,  1879,  he  died  suddenly  and 
peacefully  in  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  while  on  a  visit 
to  relatives  in  that  city.  It  was  the  opinion  of 
those  best  qualified  to  judge,  that  his  old  wound 
in  the  chest,  received  in  the  Mexican  war,  was 
the  primary  cause  of  his  unexpected  decease. 
His  remains  were  subsequently  removed  to  his 
home  at  Carrollton,  Missouri,  where  they  were 
interred  with  appropriate  civic  and  military 
honors. 

James  Shields,  strictly  speaking,  was  neither 
a  great  nor  a  learned  man,  yet  his  abilities  were 
far  above  the  average,  and  no  one  ever  made  a 
better  display  than  himself,  of  those  talents 
with  which  the  Creator  had  endowed  him.  He 
Avas,  in  a  certain  sense,  his  own  ancestor,  and 
not  for  him  was  intended  the  Latin  maxims, 
avito  viret  honora. 

In  stature  he  was  of  the  middle  size,  trim 
built,   raw-boned,   and   dark   complected,   with 


black  hairand  eyes,  and  prominent,  yet  regular, 
features.  His  carriage  was  at  all  times  erect 
and  soldier-like,  while  his  manners  were  pleas- 
ing and  "taking"  in  the  extreme.  As  a  speaker, 
he  was  graceful,  fluent,  witty  and  eloquent,  and 
his  tine  voice  had  just  enough  of  the  Irish 
brogue  to  give  it  flavor  and  richness  of  tone. 
No  more  captivating  speaker,  for  the  masses, 
ever  mounted  the  stump  in  Illinois,  unless  it 
may  have  been  the  lamented  Colonel  Baker. 

Shields  was  also  a  vain  man — especially  of 
his  martial  record — Ijut  his  vanity  was  of  the 
innocent  and  amiable  kind,  and  never  took  the 
form  of  offensive  and  overbearing  egotism.  He 
could  hardly  be  called  a  man  of  business  (being 
as  improvident  as  Oliver  Goldsmith),  and  was 
not  unfrequently  indebted  to  his  personal  or 
political  friends  for  pecuniary  aid.  Careless  of 
his  private  aft"airs,  he  went  up  and  down  the 
land,  like  a  knight  errant  of  old,  seeking  re- 
nown, and  finding  it,  in  diverse  ways,  and  in 
widely  dissimilar  spheres  of  human  endeavor. 

In  party  politics,  he  was  a  life-long  Democrat, 
but  he  ever  so  bore  himself,  amid  the  fiercest 
partisan  contests,  as  to  command  the  respect,  if 
not  admiration,  of  his  political  foes.  His  amor 
patriae  was  unbounded,  and  no  truer  patriot 
ever  raised  his  voice  in  the  American  Senate,  or 
unsheathed  his  sword  upon  the  blood-stained 
field  of  battle.  His  influence  over  his  fellow- 
citizens  of  Celtic  h'wth  was  great  and  durable, 
and  was  always  wielded  for  good,  since  in  all 
matters  of  public  policy  he  was  discreet  in 
council,  and  never  permitted  his  feelings  or  im- 
agination to  transcend  his  judgment. 

As  a  politician,  jurist,  warrior,  orator,  and 
Senator,  he  possessed  many  useful,  many  noble, 
and  many  brilliant  qualities;  and,  despite  the 
transitory  nature  of  that  which  we  call  fame, 
his  name  and  exploits  will  not  soon  be  forgotten 
by  his  admiring  countrymen.  But  the  valiant 
and  generous  hearted  Shields  is  in  his  grave; 
after  life's  fitful  fever,  "he  sleeps  well."  He 
has  "passed  into  that  still  country  where  the 
heaviest-laden  wayfarer  at  length  laj's  down  his 
load." 

"Long  shall  wc  seek  his  likeness — long  in  vain — 
And  turn  to  all  of  him  which  may  remain, 
Sighing  that  Nature  formed  but  one  such  man, 
And  broke  the  die  in  moulding — " 

Silas  W.Robbins  immigrated  from  Massachu- 
setts to  Kentucky  as  early  as  1825,  and  succeeded 
admirably  as  an  attorney  in  that  commonwealth, 
serving  some  years  as  a  Judge  of  one  of  the 
courts.  There  being  a  strong  prejudice  in  that 
State  against  Yankees,  he  left  about   1841  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


103 


came  to  Illinois  ami  settled  in  Springfield,  form- 
ing one  of  that  strong  force  of  attorneys  com- 
posing the  Bar  of  that  period.  He  was  an  ex- 
cellent lawyer,  and  soon  sticceeded  in  obtaining 
a  lucrative  practice,  which  continued  until  his 
retirement  in  1852.  Judge  Robbins  was  a  man 
of  high  temper  and  of  a  very  beligeront  disposi- 
tion, never  seeming  happy  or  contented  without 
a  "wee  bit  of  a  row"  on  his  hands.  He  could 
brook  no  restraints,  and  would  be  imposed  on 
by  no  one,  large  or  small.  In  1855  he  removed 
to  a  farm  a  short  distance  from  Springfield,  and 
there  died  about  1870. 

Justin  Buttertield  was  a  citizen  of  Chicago, 
and  often  appeared  in  the  Springfield  courts.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  learned,  talented  and  distin- 
guished members  of  the  Bar  duiingthis  Decade. 
A  case  in  which  Mr.  Butterfield  participated  is 
thus  described  by  Isaac  N.  Arnold: 

"In  December,  1842,  Governor  Ford,  on  the 
application  of  the  Executive  of  Missouri,  issued 
a  warrant  for  the  arrest  of  Joseph  Smith,  the 
Apostle  of  Mormonism,  then  residing  at  Nauvoo, 
in  this  State,  as  a  fugitive  from  justice.  He  was 
charged  with  having  instigated  the  attemjit,  by 
some  Mormons,  to  assassinate  Governor  Bogg, of 
Missouri.  Mr.  15ntterfield,  in  behalf  of  Smith, 
sued  out,  from  Judge  Pope,  a  writ  of  habeas 
corpus,  und  Smith  was  brought  before  the  United 
States  District  Court.  On  the  hearing  it  clearly 
appeared  that  he  had  not  been  in  Missouri,  nor 
out  of  Illinois,  within  the  time  in  which  the 
crime  had  been  committed,  and  if  he  had  any 
connection  with  the  oti'ense  the  acts  were  done 
in  Illinois.  Was  he,  then,  a  fugitive  from  jus- 
tice? It  was  pretty  clear  that,  if  allowed  to  be 
taken  into  Missouri,  moans  would  have  been 
found  to  condemn  and  execute  him.  The  Attor- 
ney-General of  Illinois,  Mr.  Lamborn,  appeared 
to  sustain  the  warrant.  Mr.  Butterfield,  aided 
by  B.  S.  Edwards,  appeared  for  Smith,  and 
moved  for  his  discharge.  The  Prophet  (so- 
called)  was  attended  by  his  twelve  Apostles  and 
a  large  number  of  his  followers,  and  the  case  at- 
tracted great  interest.  The  court-room  was 
thronged  with  prominent  members  of  the  Bar 
and  public  men.  Judge  Pope  was  agallantgen- 
tleman  of  the  old  school,  and  loved  nothing 
better  than  to  be  in  the  midst  of  youth  and 
beauty.  Seats  were  crowded  on  the  Judge's 
platform,  on  both  sides  and  behind  the  Judge, 
and  an  array  of  brilliant  and  beautiful  ladies  al- 
most encircled  the  court.  Mr.  Butterfield, 
dressed  a  la  Webster,  in  blue  dress-coat  and 
metal  buttons,  with  buff  vest,  rose  with  dignity 
and  amidst  the  most  profound  silence.    Pausing, 


and  running  his  eyes  admiringly  from  the  cen- 
tral figure  of  Judge  Pope,  along  the  rows  of 
lovely  women  on  each  side  of  him,  he  said: 

"May  it  please  the  Court: 

"I  appear  before  you  to-day  under  circum- 
stances most  novel  and  peculiar.  I  am  to  ad- 
dress the  'Pope'  (bowing  to  the  Judge)  sur- 
rounded by  angels  (bowing  still  lower  to  the 
ladies),  in  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Apostles,  in 
behalf  of  the  Prophet  of  the  Lord." 

"Among  the  most  lovely  and  attractive  of 
these  'angels'  were  the  daughters  of  Judge 
Pope,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Butterfield,  Mrs.  Lin- 
coln, Miss  Dunlap,  afterwards  Mrs.  General  John 
A.  McClernand,  and  others,  some  of  whom  still 
live,  and  the  tradition  of  their  youthful  beauty 
is  verified  by  their  lovely  daughters  and  grand- 
children. 

"  But  the  chief  actors  in  that  drama,  on  the 
issue  of  which  hung,  not  only  the  life  of  Smith, 
the  Prophet,  but  of  his  followers,  and  perhaps  the 
peace  of  two  States,  the  dramatis  persoa:  have  all, 
or  nearly  all  passed  away.  The  genial  and  learned 
Judge,  the  prisoner  and  his  able  counselor,  so 
full  of  wit  and  humor,  the  elociuent  Attorney- 
General,  the  Governors  of  both  States,  the  Mar- 
shal and  Clerk,  and  nearly  all  of  the  distin- 
guished lawyers  and  public  men — have  each  paid 
the  debt  of  nature." 

Mr.  Butterfield  was  a  native  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  1812,  he  was  in  some  oftice  in  that  State,  and 
opposing  the  war  it  destroyed  his  popularity. 
When  the  war  broke  out  between  this  country 
and  Mexico,  some  person  asked  him  if  he  was 
opposed  to  it.  "No,"  said  he,  "I  oppose  no  wars. 
I  opposed  one  war  and  it  ruined  me,  and  hence- 
forth I  am  for  vxir,  j^estilence  and  famine.^'' 

During  the  contest  between  Harrison  and  Van 
Buren  in  1840,  some  Federal  office-holder  met 
Butterfield  in  debate.  The  latter  ciiarged  the 
hard  times  that  then  afliieted  the  country  to  the 
course  pursued  by  the  Administration.  The 
office-holder  replied,  denying  that  there  was 
hard  times,  and  declared  that  he  never  saw  bet- 
ter times  in  his  life.  Butterfield,  in  his  rejoinder, 
used  the  following  language:  "Fellow-citizens, 
I  believe,  in  my  soul,  that  if  it  rained  fire  and 
brimstone,  as  it  did  at  Sodom  and  Gomorrah, 
these  locofocos  would  exclaim,  'What  a  refresh- 
ing shower  1'" 

Mr.  Butterfield  was  perfectly  familiar  with  the 
Scriptures  and  used  Scriptural  (piotations  and 
illustrations  with  great  effect.  While  he  was 
District  Attorney,  Ben  Bond  was  United  States 
Marshal,  and  as  two  of  his  brothers  were  depu- 


104 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ties,  and  were  quite  annoying  to  hhn,  his  patience 
at  one  time  being  tried  beyond  endurance.  He 
remarked  to  some  one:  "I  would  to  God  that 
not  only  Thou,  but  also  all  that  hear  me  this  day, 
were  both  almost  and  altogether,  such  as  I  am, 
except  these  Jionds.'" 

David  A.  Smith,  of  Jacksonville,  who  had  in 
some  way  incurred  the  displeasure  of  Butterfield, 
was  sitting  one  (hxy  in  the  United  States  Court 
room,  sleeping,  the  sun  shining  upon  his  bald, 
slick  head.  Some  one  directed  Butterfield's  at- 
tention to  him,  when  he  instantly  exclaimed,  in 
his  grutf  voice:  "The  light  shineth  upon  dark- 
ness, but  the  darkness  comprehended  it  not." 

The  best  Scriptural  illustration  made  by  But- 
terfield was  when  he  was  defending  the  consti- 
tutionality of  tlie  Shawneetown  Bank.  The 
Constitution  of  Hlinois  of  ]818,  provided  that 
there  should  be  no  bank  except  the  State  Bank 
and  its  branches,  and  also  the  banks  that  were 
then  in  existence.  The  Shawneetown  Bank  was 
chartered  before  that  time,  but  in  18:3.5  its  char- 
ter was  extended.  A  writ  of  quo  warranto  was 
sued  out  against  the  bank,  and  in  the  argument 
it  was  contended  by  counsel  who  sued  out  the 
writ,  that  the  extension  of  the  charter  was  in  fact 
the  creation  of  a  new  bank.  Butterfield  was 
restive  while  this  line  of  argument  was  being 
pursued,  and  he  arose  to  reply  with  aii  expres- 
sion of  contempt  upon  his  face.  He  said  he 
would  like  to  be  informed  by  the  gentlemen,  if 
they  had  met  with  it  in  their  reading,  which  he 
very  much  doubted,  however,  whether  when  the 
Lord  lengthened  out  the  life  of  Hezekiah  fifteen 
years  he  had  made  a  new  man,  or  was  he  the 
same  old  Hezekiah ! 

Of  Justin  Butterfield,  Jr.,  but  little  can  be 
said.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  1842,  a  young 
man  of  great  promise,  formed  a  partnership  with 
B.  S.  Edwards,  which  continued  about  one  year. 
He  returned  to  Chicago  on  the  dissolution  of  the 
co-partnership,  and  soon  afterwards  died. 

U.  F.  Binder  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and 
born  within  ten  miles  of  the  place  where  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  1835,  and  settled  in  Coles 
oounty,  but,  like  all  other  lawyers  of  that  day, 
traveled  the  circuit.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  lawyers  of  this  Decade,  and  the  party 
securing  his  legal  services  was  fortunate  indeed. 
As  an  orator  he  had  few  equals.  He  was  quick 
iu  repartee,  and  few  cared  to  encounter  him  in 
debate.  He  was  withal  a  trifle  vain,  but  just 
enough  to  spur  him  on  to  action. 

Josiah  Lamborn  was  one  of  the  best  lawyers 
that  figured  in  the  courts  of  Sangamon  county. 


Linder  says  of  him:  "  Intellectually,  I  know  no 
man  of  his  day  who  was  his  superior.  He  was 
considered  by  all  the  lawyers  who  knew  him  as 
a  man  of  the  tersest  logic.  He  couid  see  the 
point  in  a  case  as  clear  as  any  man  I  ever  knew, 
and  could  elucidate  it  as  ably,  never  using  a  word 
too  much  or  one  too  few.  He  was  exceedingly 
happy  in  his  conceptions,  and  always  traveled 
the  shortest  route  to  reach  his  conclusions.  He 
was  a  terror  to  his  legal  opponents,  especially  to 
those  diffusive,  wordy  lawyers  who  had  more 
words  than  arguments.  I  heard  Judge  Smith, 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  say  that  he  knew  of  no 
lawyer  who  was  his  equal  in  strength  and  force 
of  argument."  Lamborn  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  received  a  liberal  education.  He 
possessed  high  social  qualities,  and  his  conversa- 
tional powers  were  of  the  very  highest  order. 
As  a  prosecutor  he  was  a  terror  to  criminals. 
He  was  inclined  to  be  vindictive,  and  very  resent- 
ful of  any  slight  offered  him  by  an  opposing 
attorney.  On  one  occasion  he  was  prosecuting 
a  man  for  murder  in  Christian  county.  E.  D. 
Baker  was  defending.  In  the  course  of  the 
trial  Lamborn  asked  Baker  tc  yield  some  point. 
Baker  refusing,  he  turned  to  him  .and  said, 
"Baker,  I'll  hang  your  man."  In  his  speech  at 
the  close  of  the  testimony,  Baker  made  one  of 
his  most  powerful  pleas,  exciting  the  jury,  spec- 
tators, and  even  the  judge  to  tears.  He  closed 
with  a  brilliant  peroration,  such  as  he  only  could 
make.  When  he  sat  down  it  was  about  time  to 
adjourn  for  supper,  and  Lamborn  asked  an  ad- 
journment until  after  supper,  before  beginning 
his  closing  speech  for  the  prosecution.  His  re- 
quest was  granted.  After  supper  he  went  to  the 
sheriff  and  told  him  he  only  desired  one  candle 
to  be  placed  in  the  court  room,  and  that  in  a 
position  that  would  place  the  jury  in  the  shade. 
If  the  Judge  said  anything  about  the  matter,  the 
sheriff  was  to  inform  him  that  all  was  done  at 
Lamborn's  request.  At  the  hour  for  court  to 
convene  the  court  room  was  filled  to  hear  the 
prosecutor's  speech.  Lamborn,  who  was  slightly 
lame,  hobbled  into  the  room,  slowly  and  pain- 
fully, coughing  meanwhile  as  if  half  gone  with 
consumption,  thus  exciting  the  pity  of  both  the 
jury  and  spectators.  On  the  call  to  order  he 
passed  in  front  of  the  jury,  who  could  but  dimly 
witness  his  movements,  and,  placing  his  lame 
foot  upon  a  chair,  in  a  hollow  sepulchre  tone  of 
voice  said:  "  Whoso  sheddeth  man's  blood,  by 
man  shall  his  blood  be  shed."  He  then  stopped 
for  some  moments,  while  a  cold  chill  passed  over 
every  individual  in  the  audience.  Slowly  and 
painfully,   apparently,  he  resumed   his    speech. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


105 


taking  up  and  reviewing  the  points  in  the  case, 
aud  with  so  much  effect  that  at  its  close  the 
jurj-,  after  being  out  but  a  few  inomeins,  brought 
in  a  verdict  of  guilty,  and  the  man  was  con- 
demned to  be  hung. 

Lamborn  was  once  prosecuting  an  old  and 
gray-haired  man  for  stealing  hogs.  Stephen  T. 
Logan  was  defending  liim,  and  made  a  powerful 
plea  in  his  behalf,  describing  the  accused  as  a 
man  with  hair  blossoming  for  the  eternal  world, 
with  one  foot  in  the  grave  and  the  other  totter- 
ing upon  the  brink.  The  illustration  was  so  apt 
that  it  had  a  wonderful  effect  upon  the  jury 
which  was  quickly  dispelled  when  Lamborn  rose 
to  reply.  "Yes,  gentlemen  of  the  jury,"  said 
he,  "his  hair  is  whitening  for  that  place  which 
burns  with  liquid  fire;  one  foot  is  in  the  grave, 
and  the  other  is  in  his  neighbor's  hog  pen." 

Levi  Davis  came  to  Springfield  in  1839  as 
Auditor  of  the  State  and  served  until  1841,  when 
he  commenced  the  practice  of  law,  liaving  been 
admitted  to  the  Bar  before  his  appointment  as 
Auditor.  He  was  a  good  lawyer,  a  fine  business 
man,  courteous  and  affable  to  all  whom  he  met. 
He  removed  from  here  to  Alton,  where  he  now 
resides. 

A.  K.  Smede  was  a  young  but  highly  educated 
man  from  Mississippi  who  jjracticed  law  here 
between  1843  and  1S4.5.  He  never  met  with 
much  success  and  returned  to  his  native  State. 

David  Logan,  while  a  youth,  came  with  his 
father  to  Springfield,  here  studied  law  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1843.  He  was  the  son  of 
Judge  Logan  and  inherited  many  of  the  bril- 
liant qualities  of  his  father.  Ife  was  a  man  of 
very  superior  talents.  He  practiced  law  in  this 
circuit  tmtil  1847,  when  he  went  to  Oregon 
where  he  took  high  rank  as  a  criminal  lawyer, 
ol)taining  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  It  is 
related  that  after  he  had  become  well  estab- 
lished in  Oregon  his  father  was  desirous  of  his 
returning  home,  and  as  an  inducement  wrote 
him  that  if  he  would  come  he  would  take  him 
into  partnership.  The  young  man  answered  the 
letter,  thanking  his  father  very  kindly  for  his 
generous  offer,  and  closed  by  inviting  him  to 
Oregon,  and  as  an  inducement  offered  to  take 
him  into  partnership.  In  1800  on  the  election 
of  United  States  Sen,^tor,  he  secured  the  major- 
ity of  the  Republican  members  of  the  legisla- 
ture in  his  interest,  but  the  party  not  having  a 
majority,  the  Republicans  united  with  the  Doug- 
las Dentocrats  and  elected  E.  D.  Baker,  the 
Democrats  of  tliat  wing  feeling  favorably  dis- 
posed to  Colonel  Baker  for  his  gallant  defense 


of  Broderick.      Mr.  Logan  died  in   Oregon    in 
1874. 

William  I.  Ferguson  was  a  Pennsylvanian  by 
birth,  and  came  to  Springfield  when  a  mere 
child,  afterwards  studied  law  and  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  in  1843.  He  was  a  very  brilliant 
young  man,  and  a  first-class  forensic  lawyer. 
After  his  admission  to  the  Bar,  he  soon  secured 
a  good  practice,  and  for  some  time  held  the  oftice 
of  attorney  for  the  city  of  Springfield.  About 
the  year  1850  he  went  to  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  returned 
to  Springfield  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law. 
Becoming  dissatisfied  he  emigrated  to  Texas  in 
1853,  from  which  place  he  drifted  on  to  Cali- 
fornia. In  politics  Mr.  Ferguson  was  originally 
a  Whig,  and  afterwards  became  a  Democrat.  In 
California  he  took  an  active  part  in  politics  and 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  was  a  candi- 
date for  the  LTnited  States  Senate  in  1855,  but 
failed  of  an  election.  In  the  exciting  canvass 
growing  out  of  the  differences  between  the  Ad- 
ministration and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  1858, 
Senator  Broderick  was  the  leader  of  the  Douglas 
faction,  and  Mr.  Ferguson  was  a  staunch  adher- 
ent and  defender  of  Broderick  and  Douglas.  In 
his  defense  of  the  latter  he  incurred  the  dis- 
pleasure of  a  man  named  Johnson,  who  chal- 
lenged him  to  fight  a  duel.  The  challenge  was 
accepted  and  Ferguson  was  slain.  Colonel 
Baker  delivered  a  funeral  oration  over  his  dead 
body,  which  was  only  equalled,  a  few  months 
later,  by  delivering  the  oration  on  the  death  of 
Senator  Broderick,  who  fell  in  the  same  cow- 
ardly and  disgraceful  manner. 

Archibald  Williams,  of  Quincy,  was  fre- 
quently in  attendance  on  the  Springfield  courts 
at  this  time,  and  his  honest,  homely  features 
once  seen  were  never  forgotten.  He  was  one  of 
the  most  profound  lawyers  that  ever  practiced 
in  the  courts  of  the  State.  Linder,  in  his  "  Re- 
miniscences of  the  Bar,"  has  this  to  say  of 
Williams: 

"  He  was  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Legislature 
in  1836  and  1837,  and  of  the  same  House  with 
Lincoln,  Douglas  and  myself.  He  was  over  six 
feet  high,  and  as  angular  and  ungainly  in  his 
form  as  Mr.  Lincoln  himself;  aud  for  homeliness 
of  face  and  feature  surpassed  Mr.  Lincoln.  I 
think  I  never  saw  but  one  man  uglier  than 
Archie,  and  that  was  Patrick  11.  Darbey,  of 
Kentucky,  also  a  very  great  lawyer,  who  once 
had  a  brace  of  pistols  presented  to  him  by  a 
traveler  he  met  upon  the  road,  both  being  on 
horseback,  who  suddenley  stopped,  and  asked 
Darbey  to  stop  also,  and  said  to  the  latter  gen- 


106 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tleman:  "Here  is  a  brace  of  pistols  which  be- 
long to  you."  "  How  do  you  make  that  out?  " 
said  Darbey.  "  They  were  given  to  me  a  long 
time  ago  by  a  stranger,  who  requested  me  to 
keep  them  until  I  met  an  uglier  man  than  myself, 
and  I  have  carried  them  for  over  twenty  years ; 
and  I  had  begun  to  think  they  would  go  to  my 
heirs  when  I  died,  but  you  are  the  rightful 
owner  of  the  pistols.  I  give  them  to  you  as 
they  were  given  to  me,  to  be  kept  until  you  meet 
an  uglier  man  than  you  are,  and  then  you  will 
present  them  to  him;  but  you  will  die  the  owner 
of  the  property,  for  I  am  confident  there  is  not 
an  uglier  man  than  you  in  the  world,  and  the 
Lord  did  his  everlasting  best  when  he  created 
you." 

"Darbey  accepted  the  pistols,  and  I  never 
heard  of  them  passing  out  of  his  hands.  I 
know  not  what  might  have  occurred  had  he  and 
Archie  Williams  ever  met.  If  there  had  been 
a  jury  trial  of  the  right  of  property  between 
them,  I  think  it  altogether  likely  it  might  have 
resulted  in  a  'hung  jury.' 

"Archie  Williams  sat  near  Mr.  Lincoln  in  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  old  State  House  in  Van- 
dalia,  on  his  left,  and  I  remember  one  day  of  a 
friend  of  mine  asking  me  'who  in  the  world 
those  two  ugly  men  were.'  Archie  and  Mr. 
Lincoln  were  great  friends.  I  recollect  Mr.  Lin- 
coln asking  me  on  one  occasion  if  I  didn't  think 
Archie  Williams  was  one  of  the  strongest- 
minded,  clearest  headed  men  in  Illinois.  I 
don't  know  what  reply  I  made  at  the  time,  but 
I  know  Mr.  Lincoln  said  that  he  thought  him 
the  strongest-minded  and  clearest  headed  man 
he  ever  saw." 

Archie  Williams  has  long  since  passed  to  his 
reward,  but  he  has  left  a  noble  record,  and  one 
of  which  his  descendants  will  always  be  proud. 
He  made  the  race  for  Congress  in  1854  as  a  Free 
Soil  candidate,  but  failed  of  election.  When 
Lincoln  was  elected,  he  appointed  him  one  of 
the  Federal  Judges  of  Kansas. 

O.  H.  Browning  is  another  Quincy  lawj-er 
that  was  often  seen  before  the  courts  of  Sanga- 
mon County.  He  came  to  this  State  from  Ken- 
tucky. As  a  lawyer  and  a  statesman  he  ob- 
tained a  high  and  enviable  distinction.  He  was 
often  employed  in  the  largest  cases  before  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  and  the  United 
States  Courts.  He  was  appointed  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy in  the  United  States  Senate,  caused  by  the 
death  of  Senator  Douglas,  and  sensed  as  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior  under  President  Johnson. 

William  A.  Minshall,  of  Schuyler  county, 
first  figures  in  this  Bar  in  1841.     He  was  a  very 


able  lawyer  and  at  one  time  was  Judge  of  the 
Circuit  of  which  Schuyler  county  formed  a  part. 
Linder  says  of  him: 

"  Minshall,  I  believe,  was  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  studied  law  with  Judge  McLean.  In  his 
early  days  he  was  given  to  dissipation.  He 
courted  a  most  beautiful  woman,  and  on  propos- 
ing marriage  to  her,  she  promptly  rejected  him, 
on  the  strength  of  which  he  got  most  gloriously 
drunk,  and  in  his  crazy  mood  put  on  seven  clean 
shirts,  and  in  that  condition  went  over  to  see 
her  again,  letting  her  know  that  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  him  to  live  without  her.  The  young 
lady,  being  far  from  indifl'erent  to  the  suit  of 
Minshall,  finally  concluded  that  she  would  try 
and  make  a  man  of  him,  so  she  said  to  him: 
'Mr.  Minshall,  I  will  never  marry  a  drunkard, 
and  if  I  had  a  husband  and  he  should  become 
one,  I  would  leave  him  on  the  instant,  if  I  loved 
him  as  I  loved  my  life,  but  I  have  come 
to  the  conclusion  I  will  marry  you  on  one 
condition:  If  you  will  reform  your  habits,  and 
give  me  satisfactory  proof  of  the  same,  and 
make  a  solemn  vow  that  you  will  never  drink 
again.  So,  now,  you  go  home  and  divest  your- 
self of  all  those  shirts  but  one,  and  come  back 
in  a  month  from  now,  and  we  will  consummate 
this  agreement.'  Minshall  gladly  took  her  at 
her  word,  and  after  a  month's  probation  he  re- 
turned, took  the  vow,  and  they  were  married, 
and  he  religiously  lived  up  to  his  pledge  to  the 
day  of  his  death;  and  I  know  of  no  happier 
couple  than  they  were  in  the  whole  circle  of  my 
acquaintance.  He  had  a  reputation  of  being 
one  of  the  kindest." 

Benjamin  West  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1841,  and  settled  in  the  village  of  Rochester. 
He  was  a  man  of  fair  talents,  and  was  a  good 
lawyer.  In  1846  he  was  elected  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  died  before  the  expiration  of  his  term. 

Israel  Crosby  figured  here  during  this  Decade, 
but  did  more  in  the  real  estate  business  than  in 
law. 

William  Walker  studied  law,  and  was  here 
admitted  to  the  Bar.  He  soon  afterwards  went 
to  Camden,  and  from  thence  to  Havana,  Mason 
county.  From  the  latter  place  he  emigrated 
to  Missouri,  where  he  was  afterwards  elected 
Circuit  Judge.  He  was  regarded  as  above  the 
average  in  ability. 

Elliott  B.  Herndon  was  born  on  Silver  creek, 
Madison  county,  Illinois,  in  1820.  In  company 
with  his  parents,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county 
in  the  spring  of  1821.  His  j^arents  first  settled 
about  four  miles  northeast  of  Springfield,  and 
in   1823   erected  a  cabin  on  the  lot  where  Mr. 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


107 


Herndon  now  resides,  where  they  lived  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  Elliott  fi.  read  law  in 
Springfield,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the 
"winter  of  1S42-3,  and  was  one  of  the  three  first 
young  men  admitted  in  the  county.  He  at 
once  commenced  an  active  practice,  which  con- 
tinued until  1808,  when  he  retired,  but  resumed 
practice  in  1873,  continuing  until  1878,  when  he 
permanently  retired.  Joseph  Wallace,  in  a  local 
jjaper  issued  February,  1880,  thus  speaks  of  Mr. 
Ilerndon: 

"At  present  he  belongs  to  the  retired  list  of 
our  barristers,  and  enjoys  his  otiuin  cum  digni- 
tale;  but  still  appear.s  in  court  in  special  cases, 
and  his  opinion  is  often  sought  upon  difficult 
and  abstruse  questions  of  law.  He  has  always 
been  recognized  as  the  possessor  of  one  of  the 
soundest  legal  minds  at  our  Bar,  and  if  he  had 
been  prompted  more  by  the  spur  of  necessity, 
would  have  risen  to  yet  fiigherrank  as  a  lawyer. 

"Tliough  not  a  classical  scholar,  Mr.  Herndon 
is  a  person  of  wide  reading  and  multifarious 
knowledge.  He  is  fond  of  philosophizing,  that 
is,  of  penetrating  beneath  the  surface  of  things 
to  ascertain  their  hidden  origin  and  bearing. 
To  illustrate,  he  tells  us  that  he  read  through 
Don  (Juixote  three  times;  first,  for  the  storj-  or 
stories;  secondly,  for  the  humor  and  pathos; 
and,  thirdly,  for  the  deep  philosophy  and  in- 
sight into  human  nature  contained  in  that  in- 
comparable production.  He  is  also  an  earnest 
admirer  of  Shakespeare's  inimitable  creations, 
but  does  not  approve  of  the  lengths  to  which 
some  ingenious  commentators  go  in  searching 
after  new  and  far-fetched  interpretations  to  the 
text  of  that  author,  such  as  the  great  bard  him- 
self never  di-camed  of.  Among  his  other  ac- 
quirements, Mr.  Herndon  is  no  bad  judge  of 
horses  and  dogs,  and  he  is  (or  at  least  affects  to 
be)  skilled  in  gardening  and  horticulture." 

Politically,  Mr.  Herndon  is  a  Democrat  "of 
the  strictest  sect  of  our  religion."  For  many 
years  he  was  engaged  in  the  promulgation  of 
Democratic  doctrines,  both  from  the  stump  and 
through  the  press.  From  1857  to  1860  he  edited 
the  Illinois  State  Democrat,  J.  J.  Clarkson,  pro- 
prietor, a  paper  started  to  contend  for  Demo- 
cratic doctrine,  "  pure  and  undetiled,"  in  opposi- 
tion to  what  he  regarded  as  heresies  in  the 
Douglas  wing  of  that  party. 

Mr.  Herndon  has  held  several  very  important 
offices,  both  elective  and  appointed.  He  has 
served  as  City  and  County  Attorney,  United 
States  Attorney  for  the  Southern  District  of 
Illinois.  In  1858  he  was  appointed  Disbursing 
Agent  by  the  General  Government  for  Illinois. 


In  1876  Mr.  Herndon  was  married  to  Jerusha 
Palmer,  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  In  the  same 
article  already  quoted  Mr.  Wallace  further 
speaks  of  Mr.  Ilerndon: 

"  Physically  and  intellectually  he  is  quite  un- 
like his  brother,  William  H. — the  one  inheriting 
the  characteristics  of  the  mother,  while  the  other 
more  nearly  resembles  the  father.  In  person, 
Elliot  B.  is  of  medium  height,  broad  shouldered 
and  heavy  set,  with  a  tendency,  of  late  years,  to 
obesity.  His  cranium  is  massive  and  finely  de- 
veloped, and  his  face  square  rather  than  oval. 
His  style  of  speaking  is  deliberate  and  senten- 
tious, his  jestures  few,  and  his  voice  keen  and 
penetrating  rather  than  ore  rotundo. 

"In  manner  or  demeanor,  he  is  not  always  the 
same,  being  subject  to  moods.  Sometimes  he  is 
taciturn  and  morose;  at  other  times  talkative, 
jovial  and  full  of  anecdote,  yet  always  more  or 
less  sarcastic.  Upon  the  whole,  he  is  a  man  of 
marked  ability,  of  striking  individuality,  of  pro- 
nounced likes  and  dislikes,  and  of  sterling  integ- 
rity— in  a  word,  he  is  one  whose  place  at  the  Bar 
and  in  general  society,  if  once  made  vacant, 
could  hardly  be  supplied." 

FOURTH    DECADE. 

As  Springfield  and  Sangamon  county  increased 
in  population,  and  as  the  business  before  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  State  and  the  United 
States  District  Courts  increased,  the  resident 
members  of  the  Bar  became  more  numerous.  It 
will  therefore  be  seen  that  between  the  years  of 
1851  and  1861,  the  distinctive  local  Bar  was 
quite  large.  Many  who  had  been  following  the 
Circuit  had  ceased  their  attendance,  and  only 
appeared  before  the  courts  here  on  special  occa- 
sions. The  greater  number  of  those  heretofore 
mentioned  as  making  a  residence  in  Springfield, 
yet  remained  at  the  beginning  of  this  Decade, 
and  few  left  during  the  time.  The  Bar  was 
therefore  a  strong  one.  Among  those  who  fig- 
ured during  this  time  whose  names  have  not 
already  been  given  are  John  A.  McClernand,  L. 
B.  Adams,  N.  M.  Broadwell,  D.  A.  Brown,  W. 
J.  Black,  W.  J.  Conkling,  Primm  &  Gibson,  J. 
E.  Rosette,  J.  B.  White,  G.  W.  Shutt,  Thomas 
Lewis,  J.  France,  D.  Mc Williams,  Charles  W. 
Keyes,  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  L.  Rosette,  A.  Mc- 
VVilliams,  J.  R.  Thompson,  Charles  S.  Zane, 
William  Campbell,  J.  D.  Bail,  G.  W.  Besore, 
t!hristo)iher  C.  Brown,  John  E.  Denny,  Milton 
Hay,  L.  F.  McCrillis,  J.  W.  Moffett,  Cliarles  B. 
Brown,  S.  C.  Gibson,  T.  S.  Mather,  J.R.Mather, 
II.  G.  Reynolds,  E.  L.  Gross,  L.  C.  Boynton,  A. 
B.  Ives,  C.  M.  Morrison,  Joseph  Wallace,  Speed 
Butler,  E.  F.  Leonard,  William  Prescott. 


108 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Among  the  number  comprising  the  Bar  of  this 
Decade  will  be  noticed  the  names  of  some  who 
have  since  become  distinguished  as  statesmen 
and  others  whose  names  have  become  so  famil- 
iar to  every  reader  of  history  as  among  the  brave 
men  who  responded  to  their  country's  call  when 
traitors  sought  to  destroy  the  Union,  and  who 
became  as  adept  in  the  art  of  war  as  in  the 
intricacies  of  the  law.  Sangamon  County  fur- 
nished the  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  armies, 
one  of  whom  the  Bar  of  the  county  may  well  be 
proud,  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments,  the  great 
and  noble  Abraham  Lincoln.  P>om  the  Bar  of 
Sangamon  County  went  General  John  A.  Mc- 
Clernand,  a  brave  and  skillful  General  who  rose 
to  the  rank  of  a  Division  Commander,  Colonel 
James  H.  Matheny,  Colonel  L.  F.  McCrillis  and 
others.  Of  the  Bar  of  this  period  much  can  be 
said  and  only  that  which  is  good. 

Thomas  Lewis, — everybody  that  lived  in 
Springfield  during  this  Decade  knew  Tom, — was 
a  character  in  his  way.  Originally  a  shoe- 
maker by  trade,  lie  accummulated  some  money, 
engaged  in  banking,  and  then  studied  law;  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar,  and  practiced  for  a  time, 
though  he  secured  but  little  business.  To  crown 
all  he  became  a  newspaper  man  and  was  editor 
and  publisher  of  the  Illinois  Atlas  until  its  in- 
corporation with  the  Political  Crisis,  in  18V1. 
He  now  resides  in  Cairo. 

J.  France  was  a  man  well  advanced  in  years 
when  he  came  to  Springfield.  He  was  a  fair 
lawyer  and  had  a  good  practice  for  a  time. 

D.  McWilliams  was  a  young  man  and  had 
been  admitted  to  the  Bar  but  a  short  time  when 
he  came  here.  He  succeeded  in  securing  a  fair 
practice,  but  after  a  time  he  left  and  is  now  re- 
siding in  Piatt,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Bar  of  that  county. 

A.  McWilliams,  came  here  from  Bloomington 
where  he  was  regarded  as  a  very  talented  law- 
yer, and  had  fine  success  in  all  his  professional 
engagements.  The  same  success  attended  him 
here,  and  had  it  not  been  for  an  unfortunate 
temper  he  would  have  left  a  highly  honorable 
and  proud  record.  He  was  States  Attorney  one 
term.     He  died  in  1862,  near  St.  Louis. 

C.  M.  Morrison  was  one  of  the  most  talented 
young  men  that  have  practiced  in  the  court  of 
Sangamon  County.  He  was  from  Kentucky  and 
came  to  Springfield  about  1856.  He  very  soon 
secured  a  lucrative  practice  and  was  for  several 
years  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  this  district.  As 
a  prosecutor  he  had  few  superiors.  He  had  a 
frail  body  but  a  strong  mind.  He  died  in  the 
prime  of  life. 


William  Prescott  was  from  Wales,  read  law 
in  Springfield  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar 
about  1800.  When  the  war  broke  out  he  laid 
down  his  law  books  and  took  up  the  sword.  He 
served  as  Captain  in  one  of  the  companies  of 
the  130th  regiment.  While  in  the  service,  he 
was  captured  and  held  a  prisoner  of  war  for 
fourteen  months.  On  his  return  to  this  county 
he  was  elected  County  Judge  and  was  the  im- 
mediate predecessor  of  Judge  Matheny.  He  re- 
moved to  Chicago  about  1879. 

L.  F.  McCrillis  came  to  this  county  from  Cal- 
houn. While  a  resident  of  the  latter  county  he 
served  a  term  in  the  legislature.  He  was  re- 
garded as  a  good  lawyer.  On  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  he  offered  his  services  to  the  Gov- 
ernor and  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  one  of 
the  Illinois  regiments,  and  served  with  credit  in 
the  defense  of  his  country.  After  the  war  closed 
he  returned  to  Springfield  and  shortly  after 
made  a  business  trip  to  Washington,  and  while 
in  that  city  he  died  very  suddenly. 

H.  G.  Reynolds  was  better  known  as  a  Mason 
than  an  attorney.  He  was  for  some  years  pub- 
lisher of  the  Masonic  Trowel,  an  account  of  which 
is  given  under  the  head  of  "The  Press." 

A.  W.  Hayes  was  here  but  a  short  time,  and 
obtained  no  special  standing  as  an  attorney.  He 
now  resides  in  Kansas. 

S.  S.  Whitehurst  was  a  fair  lawyer  and  a  good 
business  man.  He  was  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court 
for  some  years.     He  is  now  dead. 

Lawrence  Weldon  was  a  good  lawyer,  and  was 
from  Bloomington. 

L.  M.  Phillips  came  from  Southern  Illinois, 
and  remained  but  a  few  years,  and  then  returned 
to  his  old  home.  He  was  a  fair  lawyer,  and 
secured  a  good  practice  while  here. 

C.  D.  Harvey  was  a  good  bankrupt  lawyer, 
and  had  a  good  practice  in  the  bankrupt  courts. 
He  only  remained  a  short  time,  when  he  re- 
moved to  California,  and  now  resides  there. 

Primm  &  Gibson  were  young  and  vigorous 
men,  who  turned  their  attention  principally  to 
the  land  business.     They  are  both  now  dead. 

William  Campbell  was  Irish  by  birth,  inherit- 
ing the  social  qualities  of  that  fun-loving  race. 
He  was  strong  before  a  jury,  having  the  natural 
eloquence  of  the  Irish.     He  died  some  years  ago. 

J.  D.  Bail  was  more  of  a  poet  than  a  lawyer, 
and  in  the  profession  was  scarcely  known. 

riFTH    DECADE. 

^  Whatever  may  be  said  of  the  Bar  of  Sanga- 
mon county,  it  cannot  be  said  that  it  has  ever 
deteriorated.     It  has  always  maintained  a  high 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


109 


standard  of  excellence.  While  it  may  be  true 
that  through  political  influence  some  of  those  of 
one  Decade  may  have  become  more  noted,  yet 
as  regards  standing  before  the  courts,  it  will  be 
seen  no  comparison  can  be  made  that  would  de- 
tract from  the  good  name  of  either.  The  Fifth 
Decade,  embracing  the  years  1801  to  18V1,  shows 
a  list  of  names  alike  creditable  to  the  jieriod  and 
to  the  excellent  standing  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Bar. 

Some  of  the  familiar  names  of  the  pre- 
vious Decade  have  disappeared,  of  wliicli  it 
might  be  said  that  some  bearing  them  have  re- 
moved to  other  points,  some  have  retired  from 
active  practice,  while  others  .still  are  now  prac- 
ticing before  a  higher  court  and  before  the  Bar 
of  Almighty  God.  Among  the  new  members  of 
the  ]5ar  of  Sangamon  county  during  this  Decade 
were  William  M.  Springer,  J.  K.  W.  Bradley, 
W.  P.  Olden,  A.  N.  J.  Crook,  James  E.  Dow- 
ling,  A.   W.   Hayes,    Richard   Wolcott,   L.   H. 


Bradley,  J.  A.  Chesnut,  J.  C.  Crowley,  Willi.am 
Fowler,  James  M.  Mason,  James  W.  Palton, 
Lawrence  Weldon,  L.  M.  Phillips,  George  C. 
Marcy,  William  E.  Shutt,  A.  Orendorff. 

■  SIXTH    DECADE. 

During  this  Decade  the  Bar  of  Sangamon 
County  was  increased  in  number  by  the  follow- 
ing named:  D.  T.  Littler,  J.  A.  Kennedy,  L.  F. 
Hamilton,  James  C.  Robinson,  A.  L.  Knapp, 
Bernard  Stuve,  Bluford  Wilson,  Loren  Hasson, 
Robert  Allen,  Thomas  C.  Austin,  John  F.  Bar- 
row, S.  D.  Scholes,  W.  P.  Emery,  Charles  H. 
Rice,  Charles  D.  Harvey,  Robert  H.  Hazlett, 
Robert  L.  McGuire,  John  M.  Palmer,  John 
Mayo  Palmer,  Alonzo  W.  Wood,  Charles 
W.  Brown,  Clinton  L.  Conkling,  Enoch  Har- 
pole,  W.  L.  Gross,  E.  D.  Matheny,  J.  C. 
Lanphier,  Henry  H.  Rogers,  George  A.  Sanders, 
J.  C.  Snigg,  Ezra  W.  White,  Charles  P.  Kane, 
Henry  Kane. 


13— 


110 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUN TV. 


Chapter  VI 


THE  BAR  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY— Continued. 


SEVENTH    DECADE. 

The  year  1881  is  the  beginning  of  the  Seventh 
Decade,  and  only  of  this  year  can  anything  be 
said  as  a  matter  of , history,  of  the  Bar  of  San- 
gamon. The  following  named  tirms  now  con- 
stitute the  resident  Bar  of  the  county:  L.  B. 
Adams,  John  F.  liarrow,  Bradley  &  Bradley, 
N.  M.  Broadwell,  Frank  W.  Ikirnett,  James  C. 
Conkliiig,  ^V.  J.  Conkling,  Collins  &  Sprague, 
A.  N.  J.  Crook,  J.  E.  DoWling,  Ninian  W.  ^Ed- 
wards, W.  P.  Emery,  Joseph  A.  Gill,  II.  S. 
Greene,  Gross  cfc  Conkling,  John  H.  Gunn.  Mil- 
ton Hay,  Ralph  W.  Havnes,  Hazlett  &  Kane, 
Herndoii  &  Colby,  W.  F.  Houston,  Frank  H 
Jones,  James  A.  Kennedy,  J.  R.  H.  King,  David 
T.  Littler,  Webber  E.  Loomis,  Jas.  H.  Matheny, 
Jas.  H  Matheny,  Jr.,  McClernand  &  Keyes,  Mc- 
Giiire,  Hamilton  &  Saltzenstein,  Murray  &  Tur- 
ner, Orendorff  &  Creighton,  Palmers,  Robinson 
&Shutt,  Patton  &  Lanjihier,  Rice  &  Trapp,  Rob- 
ertson &  Maxwell,  John  E.  Rosette,  Louis 
Rosette,  Sanders  «&  Williams,  Scholes  &  Mather, 
J.  B,  Scott,  I- red  E.  Smith,  John  C.  Snigg,  Ster- 
ling &  Grout,  H.  A.  Stevens,  Stuart,  Edwards  ifc 
Brown,  T.  J.  Thompson,  William  A.  Vincent, 
La  Rue  Vredenburg,  Joseph  Wallace,  E.  \V. 
White,  Bluford  Wilson,  Wines  &  Wickersham, 
Richmond  Wolcott,  Rogers  &  Kane. 

In  reviewing  the  history  of  the  Bar  of  to-day, 
it  must  be  born  in  mind  that  the  historian  is 
speaking  of  those  who  are  yet  living  and  in 
active  practice,  and  therefore  he  labors  under 
an  embarrassment  that  does  not  exist  when 
writing  of  parties  that  have  passed  away. 
Words  of  praise,  by  envious  ones,  are  apt  to  be 
construed  into  words  of  Hattery,  for  which 
reason  many  things  are  left  unsaid  which  are 
rightfully  due  the  parties  of  whom  the  historian 
is  writing.  In  the  following  sketches  care  has 
been  taken  against  such  use  of  terms  as  will 
lead  to  even  a  thought  of  flattery,  or  stating  an 
untruth,  with  the  idea  that  it  will  please  the  one 


of  whom  it  is  written,  even  if  it  does  not  offend 
others.  But  whatever  is  written  is  the  ojjinion 
of  the  historian,  who  reserves  the  right  to  speak 
as  he  may  think  best  of  each  individual.  The 
members  are  introduced  in  chronological  order, 
as  they  appeared  at  the  courts,  so  far  as  it  is 
really  known. 

John  T.  Stuart,  the  senior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Stuart.  Edwards  &  Brown,  was  born 
Noveinber  10,  1807,  in  Fayette  county,  about 
seven  miles  east  of  Lexington.  Kentucky.  He 
comes  of  good  old  Scotch-Irish  stock  and  has 
inherited  many  of  the  peculiarities  and  fine 
qualities  of  that  hardy  race.  Robert  Stuart,  the 
father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Rockbridge  county,  Virginia,  and  eaily  in  life 
adopted  the  profession  of  the  Christian  minis- 
try. He  removed  from  Virginia  to  Lexington, 
Kentucky,  and  became  a  professor  of  languages 
in  Transylvania  L'niversity.  While  a  professor 
in  this  institution,  he  was  there  married  to  Han- 
nah Todd,  daughter  of  General  Levi  Todd. 

During  the  earlier  years  of  his  life  John  T. 
Stuart  I'emained  with  his  parents  upon  a  farm, 
attending  the  common  schools  in  winter  and 
assisting  his  parents  in  the  summer  in  cultivat- 
ing the  soil.  While  yet  young  he  entered  Cen- 
tre College,  at  Danville,  Kentucky,  pursuing  a 
regular  classical  course,  and  graduating  from 
that  institution  when  but  nineteen  years  of  age. 
Immediately  upon  'graduating,  Mr.  Stuait  en- 
tered the  law  office  of  Judge  Breck,  in  Rich- 
mond, Kentucky,  and  for  two  years  pursued  his 
studies  under  that  eminent  barrister.  Having 
heard  much  of  the  "beautiful  country  of  the 
Sangamo,"  and  having  relatives  living  in  that 
favored  regior,  he  determined  to  emigrate  there. 
Starting  on  horseback,  he  first  made  his  way  to 
Frankfort,  Kentucky,  and  by  the  Supreme  Court 
of  that  State  was  licensed  as  an  "Attorney  and 
Counselor  at  Law."  In  ten  days  he  arrived  in 
Springfield,  weary  and  worn.     A  heavy  rain  had 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Ill 


fallen  the  moniiiig  of  hisari'ival  which  had  given 
to  the  lionses  of  the  village,  which  wore  gener- 
ally of  logs  (laul)ed  with  mud,  a  dreary  look, 
making  liini  feel  a  little  blue.  Uis  mind  reverted 
to  the  pleasant  home  which  he  had  left,  sur- 
rounded by  all  the  comforts  of  a  civilized  life, 
and  he  could  liut  wonder  what  the  future  would 
have  in  store  for  hini,  and  whether  the  joys  of 
the  future  would  compensate  for  the  pleasures 
left  behind. 

At  this  time  Mr.  Stuart  had  barely  attained 
his  majority,  and  in  looks  and  actions  had  re- 
tained much  of  the  boy  about  him.  He  was 
kindly  received  by  the  generous,  open-hearted 
people,  then  living  in  Springtield,  but  he  tells  a 
good  story  upon  himself  which  goes  to  show 
man's  judgment  is  not  always  infallible,  iiilly 
Fagin,  a  shrewd,  witty  Irishman,  as  all  Irishmen 
are,  met  liini  a  few  days  after  his  arrival,  and  as 
common  in  that  day,  began  to  question  liim  as 
to  his  past  and  future.  He  was  asked  where  he 
was  from,  what  he  was  here  for,  and  what  were 
his  expectations.  The  questions  were  all  an- 
swered as  well  as  ])0S8ible,  considering  the  sur- 
prise manifested  at  being  thus  quizzed  by  an 
entire  stranger.  "Now,"  says  Mr.  Fagin,  "would 
you  like  to  know  my  opinion  of  you?"  Mr. 
Stuart  replied  that  he  would  not  object  to  know- 
ing it.  "  Well,"  says  he,  "it  is  my  opinion  you 
may  be  a  pretty  tine  man,  but  you  stand  a 
mighty  poor  show  of  meeting  with  success  as  a 
lawyer."  Mr.  Stuart  lauglied,  but  said  nothing 
in  reply. 

The  attorneys  Mr.  Stuart  found  at  the  I>ar  on 
his  arrival,  were  James  Adams,  Thomas  M. 
Neale,  James  Strode,  Thomas  Moffett  and  Jona- 
than II.  Pugh,  men  of  mark  then,  but  all  of 
whom  have  since  died  and  have  almost  been  for- 
gotten, they  being  overshadowed  by  that  bril- 
liant galaxy  of  lawyers  that  came  a  few  years 
after. 

Hon.  Jose]>h  Gillespie  was  asked  to  give  his 
opinion  of  Mr.  Stuart  as  an  attorney.  The  fol- 
lowing was  his  reply; 

"  Colonel  John  T.  Stuart  may  be  emphatically 
denominated  the  Nestor  of  the  Bar  of  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  a  body  of  men  without  superiors, 
if  equals,  in  any  State  in  the  Union.  We  be- 
lieve there  is  but  one  man  now  living  in  Illinois, 
who  ante-dates  him  as  a  practitioner,  and  that 
man  is  William  Thomas,  of  Jacksonville.  John 
T.  Stuart  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  from  whence 
he  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1828,  and  located  in 
the  future  capital.  After  the  manner  of  the 
Kentucky  school,  he  was  thoroughly  grounded 
in  the  history  and  elementary  principles  of  the 


law,  whereby  he  was  enabled  to  elucidate  and 
apply  it  to  the  cases  which  miglit  arise  on  the 
circuit,  with  the  aid  of  such  authorities  as  one 
could  carry  in  his  head  and  saddle-bags.  John 
T.  Stuart  is  pre-eminently  a  man  of  reason,  and 
if  he  be  tried  by  the  maxim,  '  IJy  their  works 
shall  ye  know  them,'  he  will  come  out  all  rigiit. 
He  was  the  tutor  of  one  of  the  greatest  men  who 
ever  lived,  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  imbibed  his 
precepts,  principles  and  methods.  An  important 
part  of  Lincoln's  great  character  was  the  work  of 
John  T.  Stuart.  The  leading  traits  of  the  sub- 
ject may  be  summed  up  in  the  attributes  of  ster- 
ling integrity,  great  forecast,  and  strong  will. 
In  the  management  of  jirofessional  business,  he 
seeks  first  to  understand  his  own  side  of  the  case, 
and  next  to  penetrate  the  designs  of  his  adver- 
sary, in  which  he  never  fails.  He  keeps  his  own 
batteries  effectually  masked,  while  those  of  the 
opposite  side  are  closely  scrutinized.  He  knows 
their  calibre  and  position  completely.  It  was 
this  quality  which  made  him  so  eminently  suc- 
cessful as  a  politician.  Such  was  his  adroitness 
and  sagacity  that  his  adversaries  could  never 
comprehend  how  he  could  obtain  a  knowledge 
of  their  plans;  therefore  they  dubbed  him  "Jerry 
Sly."  No  one,  however,  ever  suspected  him  of 
even  the  slightest  breach  of  faith  or  dishonor- 
able dealing.  He  was  fastidiously  sincere  in  all 
his  professions  and  engagements.  There  was 
no  trouble  in  discerning  the  attitude  of  John  T. 
Stuart,  but  in  regard  to  his  plans,  either  political 
or  professional,  he  was  perfectly  inscrutable. 
Whatever  you  had  a  right  to  know  he  would 
communicate  with  the  greatest  cheerfulness;  but 
whatever  he  had  a  right  to  conceal,  no  man  could 
find  out.  Stuart  always  believed  in  the  efficacy 
of  labor,  and  worked  his  cases  well.  He  was 
eminently  conscientious  with  his  clients,  and 
never  allowed  them,  if  he  could  prevent  it,  to  go 
to  law  for  a  profitable  wrong  or  an  unprofitable 
right.  He  has  done  more  than  any  other  man 
in  the  State  to  discourage  frivolous  litigation. 
He  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  assisting 
young  men,  aiding  them  by  his  counsel  in  the 
management  of  their  cases,  and  by  inspiring 
them  with  confidence  and  laudable  ambition. 
His  veneration  for  the  profession  of  the  law  is 
very  great,  and  anything  like  unworthy  conduct, 
tending  to  lower  it  in  the  estimation  of  honor- 
able men,  calls  out  his  prompt  and  decided  ani- 
madversion. There  is  not  a  particle  of  envy  in 
his  composition.  He  deals  out  equal  and  im- 
partial justice  to  all  men.  He  scorns  everything 
like  ostentation  or  display,  and  desires  to  gain 
his  cases  upon  their  merits,  and  not  otherwise. 


112 


HISTORY  UF    SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


His  character  for  honesty  and  fair  dealing  gave 
him  a  power  few  hold  upon  courts  and  juries, 
and  made  him  almost  invincible.  He  has  i>assed 
now  into  the  sere  and  yellow  leaf,  and,  of  course, 
seldom  engages  in  the  active  duties  of  the  ))ro- 
fession;  but  his  old  clients  and  friends  cannot 
be  induced  to  dispense  with  his  counsel  and 
advice,  and  he  has  not  yet  been  permitted  to  doff 
the  harness  he  has  so  long  and  honorablv  worn. 
It  would,  perhaps,  be  enough  to  establish  the 
fame  of  John  T.  Stuart  upon  a  solid  and  endur- 
ing basis,  to  say,  as  can  be  truthfully  said  of 
him,  that  throughout  all  those  long  years  he 
practiced  with  and  was  the  recognized  peer  of 
such  men  as  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, Milton  Hay,  John  M.  Palmer,  and  a  host  of 
others  whose  lives  will  adorn  the  pages  of  our 
judicial  history  so  long  as  talent  and  worth  shall 
be  appreciated." 

In  politics,  Mr.  Stuart  is  a  disciple  of  Henry 
Clay,  and  therefore  a  Whig  of  the  old  school. 
He  loved  the  old  Whig  party  as  he  loved  his 
life,  and  has  scarcely  yet  realized  that  the  party 
is  dead.  In  1832,  when  but  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  he  was  elected  for  the  first  time  a  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature,  and  re-elected  in  }SSi. 
In  the  House  he  made  a  useful  member,  ever 
at  his  post,  and  ever  looking  forward  to  advance 
the  interests  of  his  constituents.  In  those  days 
the  question  of  internal  imjirovements  was  the 
leading  issue  before  tJie  people,  and  ]\[r.  Stuart 
strongly  advocated  every  measure,  that  in  his 
opinion,  would  tend  to  develop  the  indus- 
tries of  the  country.  It  may  be  well  to  remark 
here,  that  in  these  views  Mr.  Stuart  has  always 
been  consis'ent,  there  hardly  being  a  measure 
proposed  for  the  advancement  of  public  inter- 
ests but  what  has  found  in  him  a  strong  advo- 
cate. More  enterprises  of  a  public  character  will 
be  found  in  which  he  has  figured  than  any  other 
man  in  the  county. 

In  18-36,  Mr.  Stuart  was  nominated  by  his 
party  for  Representative  in  Congress,  and  made 
the  race  against  William  L.  May,  of  Springfield. 
In  this  race  Mr.  Stuart  was  beaten,  as  he  really 
expected  to  be,  he  making  the  race  with  a  view 
of  solidifying  his  party,  which  was  in  a  large 
minority  in  the  district,  and  doubtless  with  the 
hope  that  it  would  benefit  him  in  future  cam- 
l)aigns.  In  183s,  lie  was  again  nominated  in  op- 
position to  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  who  was  even 
then  developing  the  powers  which  afterwards 
made  him  so  famous,  and  the  leader  of  a  great 
party.  In  this  campaign  ]Mr.  Stuartwas  success- 
ful, and  therefore  became  a  member  of  the 
Twenty-fifth   Congress.     In   1840,  he  was  again 


a  candidate,  and  again  elected.  In  Congress, 
Mr.  Stuart  made  no  special  effort  to  become 
prominent,  being  content  to  be  recognized  as 
one  of  the  working  members  of  that  body,  Init 
that  he  was  not  without  infiuence  is  illustrated 
in  the  fact  that  he  secured  the  passage  of  an 
appi'opriation  for  a  harbor  at  Chicago,  the  first 
apiiro]jriation,  it  is  thought,  ever  passed  for  that 
jnirjiose.  The  member  from  Detroit,  Michigan, 
and  Mr.  Stuart  were  the  only  western  members 
securing  an  appropriation  that  session^ 

In  1842,  Mr.  Stuart  declined  a  re-election  to 
Congress  and  again  resumed  the  active  practice 
of  law;  but  in  1848,  he  was  prevailed  upon  to 
accejjt  the  nomination  for  State  Senator  in  the 
district  composed  of  the  counties  of  Sangamon, 
Mason  and  Menard.  He  served  the  term  of 
four  years  for  which  he  was  elected,  with 
marked  ability,  Imt  from  that  time  until  1802  he 
was  virtually  out  of  i)olitics,  though  a  firm  sup- 
porter of  Millard  Fillmore,  in  1856,  and  John 
Bell,  in  1860,  for  the  Presidency.  Fillmore  and 
Bell  were  both  old  Whigs,  and  while  represent- 
ing other  parties  and  running  upon  other  issues, 
he  yet  believed  them  to  be  sufficiently  imbued 
with  the  Whig  leaven  as  to  merit  his  earnest 
support. 

Mr.  Stuart  is  by  nature  a  conservative  man 
and  a  believer  in  the  Constitution  of  our  fathers. 
While  being  progressive  in  matters  affecting 
business  interests,  in  political  affairs  he  has  been 
favorable  to  no  change  that  would  violently 
affect  the  convictions  of  a  lifetime.  During  the 
dark  days  of  the  war,  it  was  always  his  earnest 
hope  that  President  Lincoln  would  pursue  a 
conservative  course.  He  believed  in  subduing 
the  rebellion,  and  in  a  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war,  but  desired  nothing  should  be  done  by 
the  L^nion  authorities  that  would  disarrange  the 
existing  order  of  things  —  the  war  must  be  car- 
ried on  in  a  Constitutional  way;  that  institution 
must  be  kept  inviolate  by  all  A'ho  had  swoi-n  to 
protect  it.  In  1862,  Mr.  Stuart  announced  him- 
self a  candidate  for  Congress  in  a  circular  ad- 
dressed '•  To  the  Voters  of  the  Eighth  Congres- 
sional District,"  in  the  following  terms: 

"  Fellow  Citizens:  I  announce  myself  a  can- 
didate to  represent  you  in  the  next  Congress.  If 
any  apology  is  needed  for  my  mode  of  doing  so, 
I  oft'er  it  in  the  following  facts:  My  political  life 
dates  back  to  a  time  anterior  to])arty  conventions, 
to  a  time  when  it  was  the  practice  of  myself  and 
others  to  come  before  you  for  your  suffrages 
self-nominated.  I  am  only  doing  now  what  I 
have  repeatedly  done  before,  when  I  announced 
myself   a   candidate   for  your   suffrages,   three 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


113 


times  for  Congress  and  as  often  for  the  legisla- 
ture. Again,  I  ever,  during  its  existence,  he- 
longed  to  the  Whig  party.  Since  the  dissolu- 
tion of  that  party,  I  h.ave  attached  myself  to  no 
other;  I,  therefore,  can  appeal  to  no  party  con- 
vention, and  nothing  is  left  to  me  but  to  declare 
myself  a  candidate  independent  of  any  party 
organization,  and  free  to  serve  my  country  in  sucli 
manner  as  duty  to  her  interests  may  dictate. 
Frankness  further  requires  me  to  say,  that  I  Ite- 
come  a  candidate  not  because  any  friends  have 
pressed  me  to  do  so,  but  because  my  own  incli- 
nations have  so  prompted,  stimulated  by  the 
hope  that  the  contingency  has  now  arisen,  or 
soon  will  arise,  when  I  may  be  of  service  to  our 
beloved  country  in  her  hour  of  trial,  and  aid  in 
preserving  that  glorious  Union  which  our  fathers 
formed.  I  aim  thus  to  discharge  the  obligations 
which  I  owe  to  the  country,  in  the  circumstan- 
ces in  which  it  is  placed.  Whether  you  will 
consider  it  to  be  your  duty  to  vote  for  or  against 
me,  is  a  question  for  you  to  decide.  Your  confi- 
dence would  be  a  source  of  great  gratification 
to  me. 

"I  am  for  'the  Union,  the  Constitution  and 
the  enforcement  of  the  laws.'  This  creed  ex- 
presses my  views  in  the  briefest  manner.  It  is 
appropriate  to  the  circumstances  of  the  country. 
I  believe  in  it  as  a  whole,  and  in  every  part, 
without  qualification  or  condition,  and  to  it  I 
pledge  myself  with  every  faculty  of  my  nature. 
I  believe  the  Union  which  our  fathers  formed 
was  designed  by  them  to  be  perpetual.  It  owes 
its  origin  to  a  patriotism,  statesmanship  and 
wise  forecast,  of  which  the  world  furnishes  few, 
if  any,  parallels;  it  has  been  most  benificient  in 
its  results;  it  has  secured  to  us,  as  a  nation,  in  a 
most  remarkable  degree,  the  blessings  of  civil 
liberty,  domestic  tranquility  and  safety  from 
foreign  aggression.  In  that  Union  has  been  our 
strength.  The  advantages  flowing  from  that 
Union,  coujjled  with  our  great  natural  gifts,  has 
secured  to  us  a  growth,  as  a  nation,  without  a 
parallel  in  the  history  of  the  world.  VV^ith  this 
Union  preserved  we  might  hope  to  transmit  all 
these  blessings  and  continued  prosperity,  to  the 
remotest  generations  of  our  posterity.  With 
the  Union  dissevered  our  hopes  can  linger  on  no 
such  glorious  vision.  After  so  sad  a  catastro- 
phe the  future  presents  our  once  united  and 
happy  country,  divided  into  two,  perhaps  many 
parts,  discordant,  warring,  drenched  in  fraternal 
blood,  and  finally  seeking  the  strong  arm  of  the 
despot  to  save  her  from  anarchy.  Such  has  been 
the  fate  of  other  republics.  God  grant  that 
such  may  not  be  ours,  or  that  of  our  children. 


Need  I  add  that  I  regard  it  to  be  my  duty,  as  it 
is  that  of  every  other  citizen,  to  maintain  and 
preserve  it.  Ilow  is  that  Union  to  be  maintained 
and  preserved?  I  answer,  by  the  use,  if  neces- 
sary, of  all  the  ample  powers  vested  by  the  Con- 
stitution in  the  General  Government.  Our 
Union  is  based  upon  a  written  Constitution, 
embodying  the  contract  by  which  the  people 
formed  a  perpetual  Union  and  erected  a  govern- 
ment limited  in  power  as  to  the  subject  matter 
for  its  exercise,  but  supreme  wherever  given. 
It  is  only  by  virtue  of  that  Constitution  th.at  the 
General  Government  can  claim  and  enforce  the 
obedience  of  all  the  parts  and  sections  of  the 
Union,  to  such  laws  and  acts  as  are  made  and 
done  in  pursuance  of  that  Constitution.  These 
powers  are  ample,  if  wisely  used.  Indeed,  we 
have  a  strong  government.  Tliat  Constitution 
provides  no  mode  of  dissolving  the  Union.  It 
has  no  sanction  for  secession.  Wiien,  therefore, 
the  people  of  the  South  m.ake  the  effort,  by 
force,  to  free  themselves  from  the  obligations 
which  they  owe  under  the  Constitution  to  the 
Union,  they  become  rebels  and  traitors,  seeking 
by  revolution  to  destroy  the  Unioti,  and  it  is  the 
right  and  becomes  the  duty  of  the  General  Gov- 
ernment, to  put  down  that  rebellion  and  stay 
that  revolution  by  the  use,  for  that  purpose,  of 
all  its  constitutional  powers.  Were  it  to  resort 
to  any  other  powers,  or  to  means  outside  of  the 
Constitution,  the  Government  would  itself  inau- 
gurate a  revolution.  The  Southern  revolution 
threatens  us  with  anarchy;  such  a  revolution  by 
the  Government,  would  lead  to  a  military  des- 
potism. I  refrain  from  the  discussion  of  past 
(juestions,  the  tendency  of  which  would  be  to 
irritate,  and  shed  no  light  upon  any  future  duty. 

"  Whatever  may  have  been  our  differences  of 
opinion  upon  such  past  questions,  the  one  great 
question  which  now  presses  upon  us  ought  to 
admit  of  no  differences  of  opinion.  In  the 
deadly  struggle  now  existing  between  the  Gov- 
ernment and  armed  rebellion  there  can  be  no 
other  alternative  left  to  all  such  as  would  pre- 
serve the  Union,  maintain  the  Constitution,  and 
enforce  the  laws,  but  to  fight  it  out  to  the  bitter 
end — fight,  not  to  gratify  a  long  pent-up  hatred 
and  desire  for  revenge — fight,  not  as  a  means  of 
accouiplishing  some  object  which  cannot  be 
done  under  the  Constitution,  but  fight  to 
conquer  a  peace — such  a  pe.ice  as  will  jjreserve 
the  integrity  of  the  Union  and  the  majesty  of 
the  Constitution  and  the  law — such  a  peace  as 
will  degrade  no  section  of  the  Union. 

"In  conclusion,  therefore,  if  I  should  become 
your  representative,  I  would  feel   it  to  be  my 


114 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


duty,  so  far  as  that  position  would  give  me  the 
power,  to  place  at  tlie  disposal  of  the  Executive, 
all  the  resources  of  the  Government,  required  to 
enable  him  to  exercise  his  constitutional  powers 
and  perform  his  duty  under  the  Constitution,  or 
to  add  to  the  comfort  or  efficiency  of  our  gallant 
soldiers  while  fighting  the  battles  of  the  Union. 

"One  thing  further  I  would  add,  not  neces- 
sary, perhaps,  in  this  connection,  but  I  wish  to 
say  it,  and  the  occasion  is  at  least  not  unfit. 
Mr.  Lincoln  and  myself,  as  most  of  you  know, 
have  been  closely  connected  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  by  manj-  ties,  the  recollec- 
tion of  which  is  very  dear  to  me.  Diiference 
in  political  opinion  since  1856,  has  in  no  wise 
diminished  my  respect  for  the  man,  or  the  un- 
bounded confidence  I  have  ever  bad  in  his  per- 
sonal integrity.  I  believe  he  entertains  an 
ardent  desire^  and  is  struggling  to  preserve  the 
Union  and  Constitution  as  our  fathers  made 
them;  and,  as  a  matter  of  feeling,  as  well  as 
duty,  I  would  rather  aid  than  embarrass  him  in 
all  such  efforts.  If  my  voice  could  now  reach 
his  ear,  I  vi^ould  be  glad  to  say  to  him:  Follow 
the  dictates  of  your  own  clear  head  and  pat- 
riotic heart,  and  preserve  the  Union  by  the 
ample  powers  conferred  upon  you  by  the  Con- 
stitution, and  repulse  from  you  any  faction,  if 
such  there  be,  which  would  goad  you  into  a 
resort  to  revolutionarj-  means;  and  for  a  Union 
and  a  Constitution  so  preserved,  history  will 
erect  monuments  for  you  by  the  side  of  Wash- 
ington. Your  obedient  servant, 

"  John  T.  Stu^et. 

"August  30,  1862." 

Mr.  Stuart  was  triumphantly  elected,  receiv- 
ing the  entire  Democratic  vote,  and  that  of  hun- 
dreds of  Republicans.  In  Sangamon  county, 
where  he  was  personally  known  by  every  voter, 
he  ran  far  ahead  of  his  ticket.  Tlie  people  be- 
lieved in  him,  trusted  in  him.  In  Congress  he 
endeavored  to  act  faithfully  to  his  convictions. 
The  Emancipation  Proclamation  of  President 
Lincoln  he  opposed,  for  the  reason  he  believed  it 
unnecessary,  and  the  objects  for  which  it  was 
issued  could  more  readily  be  attained  in  other 
ways.  It  is  due  to  him  to  say  that  he  now  be- 
lieves that  "all  was  for  the  best." 

In  1864,  Mr  Stuart  received  the  Democratic 
nomination  for  Congress,  but  was  defeated  by 
Shelby  M.  Cullom.  From  that  time  he  has 
ceased  to  take  an   active  part  in  political  life. 

It  may  truly  be  said  of  him  that  he  never  was 
a  politician  in  the  commonly  accepted  definition 
of  the  term.  Politics  with  him  is  the  science  of 
government,  and  in  his  entire  political  career  he 


has  endeavored  to  act  for  the  interests  of  the 
people  rather  than  that  of  party. 

As  already  stated,  Mr.  Stuart  has  always  taken 
an  active  part  in  all  mattei'S  of  public  interest. 
No  man  in  Sangamon  county  is  entitled  to  more 
credit  for  the  excellent  railroad  system  of  this 
county.  lie  has  been  i>rominently  identified 
with  each,  and  has  served  as  President  of  one  or 
more,  Director  and  Attorney  of  several  of  them. 
In  ISGtJ,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Spring- 
field City  Railway  Company,  President  of  the 
Springfield  Watch  Company  and  President  of 
the  Jjettie  Stuart  Board  of  Trustees.  He  was 
one  of  the  three  Commissioners  for  building  of 
the  new  State  House.  As  Chairman  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  of  the  National  Lincoln 
Monument  Association,  it  devolved  upon  him  to 
do  more  than  any  other  one  man  in  superintend- 
ing the  erection  of  that  monument  to  the  mem- 
ory of  his  life-long  friend,  Abraham  Lincoln. 

In  educational  matters  Mr.  Stuart  has  likewise 
been  prominently  identified.  The  old  Illinois 
State  University,  the  predecessor  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Concordia  College,  took  much  of  his 
time,  and  in  the  Bettie  Stuart  Institute  he  has 
ever  felt  great  interest. 

John  T.  Stuart  and  Marj-  V.  Nash,  a  daughter 
of  General  Frank  Nash,  and  niece  of  Judge 
Lockwood,  were  united  in  marriage  at  .Jackson- 
ville, Illinois,  October  25,  1887.  The  union  has 
been  a  happy  one.  Six  children  were  born  unto 
them  —  Bettie,  afterwards  the  wife  of  C.  C. 
Brown,  and  for  whom  the  Bettie  Stuart  Insti- 
tute is  named,  since  deceased;  John  T.,  Frank 
N.,  Virginia  L.,  Hannah  and  Robert. 

Socially,  there  is  nothing  to  be  said  of  Mr. 
Stuart  but  what  is  good.  As  a  husband  and 
father,  he  is  kind  and  affectionate;  as  a  neigh- 
bor, he  is  friendly  and  accommodating;  as  a 
citizen,  he  is  public  spirited  and  helpful.  The 
poor  in  him  have  always  found  a  friend,  the  cry 
of  distress  from  the  unfortunate  always  touches 
his  heart,  and  he  is  ever  ready  to  hearken  unto 
their  cry  and  minister  to  their  wants.  The 
young  love  him;  the  middle  aged  trust  him; 
the  old  lean  upon  him  as  a  friend;  and  all  trust 
him.  The  golden  rule  has  always  been  the  rule 
of  his  life.  He  has  shown  his  love  to  God  by 
his  love  of  his  fellow-man.  John  T.  Stuart  is  a 
grand,  good  man,  and  when  called  upon  by  the 
Judge  of  the  Universe  to  a  higher  court,  his 
place  here  will  remain  vacant;  it  cannot  be  filled 
and  he  will  not  be  forgotten. 

Samuel  II.  Treat,  Judge  of  the  United  States 
Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  Illinois,  is  a 
native  of  Otsego  county,    New  York,  and  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


]15 


born  in  1812.  lie  read  law  and  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  his  native  State;  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Springfield  in  1834,  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  the  city  ever  since.  In  18.38  he  was 
appointed  Circuit  Judge,  and  filled  the  office 
until  1841.  lie  was  then  elected  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  serving  till  18.55, 
when  he  was  chosen  to  the  Bench  of  the  United 
States  District  Court,  which  position  he  has  tilled 
with  distinguished  ability  for  more  than  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century.  Judge  Treat  is  admirably 
adapted,  both  by  nature  and  education,  for  the 
bench,  and  has  few  equals  in  the  judiciary  of 
this  country. 

Benjamin  S.  Edwards,  for  forty  jears  an  hon- 
ored member  of  the  Sangamon  County  Bar,  is 
the  youngest  son  of  Hon.  Ninian  Edwards,  the 
first  Governor  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois,  after- 
wards United  States  Senator  and  Governor  of 
the  State,  was  born  June  3,  1818,  in  Edwards- 
ville,  Madison  county,  Illinois.  He  graduated 
from  Yale  t-ollege  in  the  cla.ss  of  1838,  studied 
law  at  the  law  school  connected  with  that  college, 
in  1839,  completed  his  prei)aratory  studies  for 
the  profession  with  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Logan,  de- 
ceased, of  Springfield,  and  began  practicing  in 
March,  1840,  with  such  competitor.s  as  Abraham 
Lincoln,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  S.  T.  Logan,  E.  D. 
Baker,  Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Mr.  McDougal,  Mr. 
Lamborn,  and  other  legal  lights.  In  1843,  Mr. 
Edwards  entered  into  partnership  with  Hon. 
John  T.  Stuart,  in  Springfield,  which  still  exists, 
having  continued  thirty-eight  years.  He  has 
studiously  and  zealously  applied  himself  to  the 
jjrofession,  paying  little  attention  to  politics. 
He  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  in  1862,  representing  Sangamon 
county.  He  was,  without  his  knowledge  or  con- 
sent, nominated  for  Congress  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  in  1808,  and  greatly  reduced  the  ordinary 
Republican  majority,  thougli  opposed  to  Gover- 
nor Cullom  in  the  conte.st.  At  the  solicitation 
of  the  Bar  and  the  jteople,  Mr.  Edwards  became 
a  candidate  for  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court,  in 
1869;  w.as  elected,  and  discharged  the  judicial 
duties  with  satisfaction  to  lawyers  and  litigants. 
When  the  circuit  was  enlarged.  Judge  Edwards 
retired  from  the  bench,  and  has  since  devoted 
himself  entirely  to  legal  labors.  Judge  Edwards 
honors  the  profession  he  has  faithfully  repre- 
sented, for  more  than  forty  years,  and  has  won  an 
enviable  reputation,  both  as  a  superior  lawyer 
and  a  thorough  gentleman. 

James  C.  Conkling  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  October  13,  1816.  At  the  age  of  thirteen, 
he  entered   the   academy    at   Morristown,  New 


Jersey,  and  prepared  for  college.  He  entered 
Princeton  in  1833,  and  graduated  in  1835.  He 
then  entered  the  law  office  of  Henry  A.  Ford, 
and  read  law  for  three  years.  In  the  fall  of  1838, 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  licensed  by 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  the  following 
winter,  and  at  once  commenced  the  practice  of 
law.  Soon  thereafter  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  Cyrus  A.  Walker,  then  one  of  the  leading 
attorneys  of  the  State,  and  who,  though  living 
at  Macomb,  in  McDonough  county,  practiced  in 
the  courts  of  Springfield.  This  arrangement 
continued  for  about  two  years,  when  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  General  James  A.  Shields,  of 
Mexican  war  fame,  and  who  subsequently,  at 
intervals,  represented  three  States  in  the  United 
States  Senate. 

In  1845  Mr.  Conkling  was  elected  Mayor  of 
Springfield  and  served  one  term.  In  1851  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State, 
and  again  in  1866.  His  object  in  accepting  the 
nomination  was  forthe  purpose  of  securing  an  ap- 
propriation for  the  building  of  anew  State  House, 
and  by  that  means  forever  to  secure  Si)ringfield  as 
the  permanent  seat  of  government  of  the  State. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  the  ques- 
tion of  removal  was  being  agitated  by  the  press 
and  people  throughout  the  St.ate.  Peoria,  Bloom- 
ington,  Decatur,  Chicago  and  other  places  were 
anxious  to  secure  its  location.  A  new  State 
House  had  become  an  absolute  necessity,  the 
old  having  become  too  small  for  the  projjer 
transaction  of  business  of  the  State.  At  the  ses- 
sion of  the  legislature,  in  the  winter  of  1866-67, 
Mr.  Conkling  was  made  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  puidic  buildings,  and  also  chairman 
of  the  Judiciary  committee.  As  a  member  of 
the  former  he  drew  a  bill  for  an  appropriation, 
which  after  considerable  delay  was  reported  to 
the  House.  Here  the  fight  raged  furiously  be- 
tween friends  and  opponents  of  the  measure. 
Several  days  were  spent  in  discussion,  and  while 
one  of  the  opponents  of  the  measure,  who  had 
been  selected  to  close  the  debate,  was  making 
his  speech,  Mr.  Conkling  learned  the  bill  had  no 
enacting  clause,  the  engrossing  clerk  having  left 
it  off  the  bill  as  presented.  Calling  Isaac  Keys. 
Mr.  Conkling  proceeded  to  the  office  of  the  en- 
grossing clerk  and  com})elled  him  to  restore  the 
enacting  clause,  and  supply  words  that  had  been 
omitted  or  changed  from  the  original  bill.  Re- 
turning to  the  House  with  the  true  copy,  it  was 
given  to  the  clerk  and  the  vote  taken.  A  major- 
ity of  two  votes  was  obtained  for  the  bill.  Mr. 
Conkling  deserves  great  credit  for  his  efforts  in 


116 


HISTORY  OF  SANiiAMOX  COUNTY. 


this  connection.  He  had  to  tight  against  great 
odds.  Leading  men  in  Springfield  who  had 
been  working  for  montlis  to  the  same  end,  be- 
fore the  bill  was  pnt  upon  its  passage,  became 
discouraged  and  abandoned  the  field. 

In  1863  Mr.  Conkling  was  appointed  by  Gov- 
ernor Y'ates,  State  Agent  to  settle  the  claims  of 
the  State  against  the  general  government  for 
eqtiipments  furnished  volunteers.  The  duty  was 
performed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  State. 

As  a  lawyer,  31r.  Conkling  ranks  among  the 
ablest.  He  is  regarded  by  many  as  the  most 
eloquent  member  of  the  Bar  at  the  present  time, 
and  some  of  his  oratical  efforts  are  considered 
equal  to  any  of  the  productions  of  Edward 
Everett. 

James  C.  Conkling  and  Mercy  A.  Lovering 
were  united  in  marriage  September  21,  1841,  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland.  Five  children  were  born 
unto  them — Clinton  L.,  Charles,  James,  Annie 
v.,  and  Alice. 

James  C.  Conkling  is  a  man  of  great  enter- 
prise and  business  activity.  He  has  used  much 
of  his  wealth  in  building  enterprises  and  for  the 
encouragement  of  manufactures.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Springfield,  and  for  inany  years  has  been  a  rul- 
ing elder  in  that  body. 

James  H.  Matheny,  the  present  County  Judge 
was  born  in  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  October 
•30,  1818.  In  the  spring  of  1821  he  was  brought 
by  his  parents,  Charles  R.,  and  Jemima  Ma- 
theny, to  Springfield,  where  he  has  since  contin- 
ued to  reside.  He  now  lays  claim  to  be  the  old- 
est living  resident  of  the  city.  Judge  Mathe- 
ny's  life  has  been  an  active  one.  At  fifteen  years 
of  age  he  was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  Post- 
office  and  the  Recorder's  oftice,  transacting  the 
entire  business  of  each,  and  probably  having  a 
little  leisure  to  engage  in  such  sports  as  were 
common  to  the  youths  of  that  age.  It  is  well 
known  that  he  enjoyed  a  little  fun  when  a  boy, 
and  now  that  time  has  sprinkled  his  hair  with 
gray  he  still  enjoys  a  good  joke.  In  1839  he 
was  appointed  Deputy  Clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court  and  served  for  a  time.  In  1841  he  en- 
tered the  ofiice  of  Baker  &  Bledsoe  as  a  law 
student,  and  for  two  years  pursued  his  studies, 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1843.  Instead  of 
seeking  a  country  where  he  was  not  known,  he 
"hung  out  his  shingle''  in  Springfield,  where  he 
was  raised  and  where  he  was  known  by  almost 
every  one.  He  soon  secured  a  good  practice, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present,  he  has  never 
lacked  for  clients.  As  a  jury-lawyer,  he  ranks 
high,  and  has  been  retained  in  many  of  the  most 


prominent  cases  before  the  courts  of  Sangamon 
and  adjoining  counties.  He  is  an  effective 
speaker,  with  power  to  move  a  jury  at  will. 
His  perceptive  faculties  are  large,  and  he  can 
quickly  grasp  a  point  or  penetrate  the  aims  of 
an  adversary. 

In  1845  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Maria 
L.  Lee,  and  by  her  had  seven  children — Lee, 
Edward  Dow,  Lucy,  Nora,  James  H.,  Jr.,  Ralph 
C,  and  Robert  W. 

Judge  Matheny  has  held  many  important 
public  positions,  and  has  always  discharged  his 
trusts  in  a  faithful  manner.  In  addition  to 
those  already  mentioned,  he  was  a  memlier  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1848,  and  was 
elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  in  1852,  and 
served  one  term  of  four  years.  During  the  war 
he  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the 
loOth  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry.  After  the 
capture  of  Vieksburg  he  was  on  detached  duty, 
holding  military  courts  until  1864,  when  his  reg- 
iment was  consolidated  with  another,  and  he 
resigned.  In  November,  1873,  he  was  elected 
Judge  of  the  County  Court  of  Sangamon 
County,  and  re-elected  in  1ST 7,  without  opposi- 
tion. 

In  the  "good  old  days  of  the  Whig  party" 
Judge  Matheny  was  an  earnest  defender  of  its 
principles,  his  first  Presidential  vote  being  given 
for  William  Henry  Harrison  in  the  campaign 
of  1840.  During  that  campaign,  in  company 
with  nine  other  young  men,  he  made  a  trip  to 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  to  hear  Henry  Clay  speak. 
This  journey  required  about  five  weeks,  as  the 
party  went  in  their  own  private  conveyance  and 
camped  out  of  nights.  On  the  dissolution  of 
the  Whig  party.  Judge  Matheny  acted  for  a 
short  time  with  the  American  and  Republican 
parties,  but  on  account  of  the  conservative  ten- 
dency of  his  mind,  he  finally  drifted  into  the 
Democratic  ranks,  and  usually  voles  that  ticket. 
He  is  not  a  modern  politician  by  any  means, and 
never  has  antagonized  the  better  element  of 
opposing  parties.  When  running  for  office,  he 
invariably  leads  his  ticket,  in  consequence  of 
personal  popularity,  and  for  the  reason  he  does 
not  antagonize. 

In  the  meetings  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Society 
he  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest,  and  was 
selected  to  make  the  first  annual  address.  This 
address  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 
For  several  years  he  has  held  the  position  of 
Secretary  of  the  Society,  and  no  man  would  be 
missed  more  in  its  meetings. 

William  H.  Herndon  was  born  in  Greensburg, 
Kentucky,  December  25,  1818,  and  came  to  Illi- 


''■*% 


'S  ^t< 


L-'^>^>.  ■^0' 


\f'm 


QLicJ'  c//eo 


lIISTOIiY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


119 


iiois  in  1820,  and  Sangamon  County  in  1821,  in 
company  with  liis  parents.  .  The  schools  of 
Springfield  he  attended,  as  the  opportunity  of- 
fered, tmtil  1830,  when  he  entered  Illinois  Col- 
lege, at  Jacksonville,  but  only  attended  one 
year,  being  removed  by  his  father  in  conse- 
quence of  the  ^\.bolition  excitement  then  pend- 
ing, and  wiiich  resulted  in  the  death  of  Lovejoy, 
at  Alton.  The  elder  Herndon  was  inclined  to 
be  pro-slavery  in  his  views,  and  did  not  care  to 
have  his  son  have  Abolition  sentiments  instilled 
in  his  mind  by  the  professors  in  the  Jackson- 
ville institution.  It  is  probable,  judging  from 
later  events,  that  the  removal  was  accomplished 
when  it  was  too  late.  After  his  removal  from 
the  college,  lie  clerked  in  a  store  for  several 
years,  and  in  1842  entered  the  law  office  of  Lin- 
coln &  Logan,  where  he  read  two  years  and  was 
admitted  to  the  IJar  in  1844.  The  partnership 
of  Lincoln  &  Logan  now  being  dissolved,  Mr. 
Lincoln  and  Mr.  Ilerndon  became  partners,  a 
relation  which  was  never  formally  dissolved, 
and  which  existed  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Lin- 
coln, though  other  temporary  arrangements 
were  effected  by  !Mr.  Ilerndon  after  Mr.  Lincoln 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  Presidency.  The 
tirst  arrangement  was  a  partnership  with  L  has.  S. 
Zane,  which  continued  until  Mr.  Zane's  eleva- 
tion to  the  Bench,  when  a  partnership  was  en- 
tered into  with  A.  Orendorff,  which  continued 
until  Mr.  Herndon's  removal  to  the  country  in 
March,  1867.  Before  he  left  the  city,  he  wrote 
and  delivered  four  lectures  on  the  character  and 
life  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Mr.  Herndon  has  always  been  a  great  reader, 
and  the  questions  of  political  economy  and  the 
science  of  mind  have  ever  been  with  him  fa- 
vorite studies.  The  science  of  law  has  also 
been  an  interesting  study  to  him.  He  always 
desires  to  go  to  the  bottom  of  every  subject, 
and  wishes  to  reach  it  the  quickest  way  possi- 
ble. The  little  quibbles  of  the  shyster  disgusts 
him,  and  the  red  tajjeism  of  the  law  affords  him 
no  pleasure. 

In  the  days  of  the  old  Whig  party,  Mr.  Ilern- 
don was  an  advocate  of  its  principles,  and  the 
"hard  cider  campaign"  of  1840,  was  the  first  in 
which  he  participated,  lie  was  always  an  op- 
ponent of  slavery,  and  on  the  organization  of 
the  Republican  party  he  became  one  of  its 
strongest  advocates. 

Mr.  Ilerndon  has  never  been  an  office-seeker, 
and  the  public  positions  that  he  has  held  have 
come  to  him  unsought.  He  has  held  the  offices 
of  City  Attorney,  Mayor  of  Springfield,  Bank 
Commissioner  for   the    State,    under  Governors 

14— 


Bissell,  Yates  and  Oglesby,  besides  other  minor 
offices. 

William  H.  Herndon  and  Mary  J.  Maxcy  was 
married  in  Sangamon  County  March  26,  1840. 
They  have  had  six  children.  Mrs.  Herndon 
died  August  18,  1860,  and  Mr.  Herndon  was 
married  July  31,  1861,  to  Anna  Miles,  by  whom 
he  has  had  two  children. 

Personally,  Mr.  Herndon  has  the  good  will  of 
everyone  with  whom  he  is  acquainted  In  his 
life  he  endeavors  to  follow  the  golden  rule. 

Norman  M.  Broadwell,  attorney-at-law,  was 
born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in  1S25.  Bax- 
ter Broadwell,  his  father,  and  Mary  Lindley, 
both  New  Jersey  people  by  birth,  married  near 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  were  among  the  first  set- 
tlers in  Morgan  county,  where  they  died  a  num- 
ber of  years  ago.  Judge  Broadwell  received  his 
chief  literary  education  in  his  native  county; 
came  to  Springfield  and  commenced  reading  law 
with  Abraham  Lincoln  and  William  II.  Herndon, 
in  1851,  and  was  admitted  near  the  close  of  the 
same  year.  He  had  begun  the  study  of  medi- 
cine and  continued  it  some  months  previously, 
but  not  liking  it,  abandoned  the  idea.  Upon 
being  admitted  to  the  Bar,  Mr.  Broadwell  at  once 
entered  upon  practice,  which  he  has  zealously 
and  successfully  prosecuted,  with  but  slight 
interruptions,  nearly  a  third  of  a  century.  He 
has  had  several  law  partners  during  these  years, 
among  them  such  eminent  attorneys  as  Gov- 
ernor S.  M.  Cullom,  General  John  A.  McClernand 
and  Hon.  William  M.  Springer.  The  first  cause 
be  ever  tried  in  a  court  of  record,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln was  opposed  to  him  as  counsel,  and  the  last 
cause  Mr.  Lincoln  ever  tried  in  the  Springfield 
courts,  Mr.  Broadwell  was  his  associate  counsel. 
Judge  Broadwell  has  ever  been  an  ardent  de- 
votee of  his  profession,  which  he  honors,  and 
paid  little  attention  to  politics.  He. was,  how- 
ever, elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  the  fall 
of  1860,  from  the  Sangamon  county  district,  on 
the  Democratic  ticket,  being  the  only  successful 
candidate. of  his  party  in  the  county  that  year. 
In  18G2  he  was  elected  County  Judge,  served 
three  years,  and  was  chosen  Mayor  of  Spring- 
field in  1867,  and  re-elected  in  1869.  Judge 
Broadwell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Virginia 
lies,  in  Springfield,  in  18.56.  She  is  a  native  of 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  is  the  mother  of 
four  daughters  and  one  son.  Judge  Broadwell 
is  a  Past  Master  in  the  Masonic  Order. 

William  J.  Conkling  was  born  in  New  York 
City  in  1826;  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1831  and  to 
McLean  countj',  Illinois,  in  1839.  Attended 
Olierlin  College  for  a  time,  but  left  in  his  junior 


120 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMOX  COL'NTV. 


year.  Came  to  Springfield  in  1853,  read  law  for 
two  years  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar.  For 
some  years  he  had  a  lucrative  practice,  but  of 
late  years  he  has  devoted  himself  more  to  the 
real  estate  business. 

John  E.  Rosette,  lawyer,  is  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware, Ohio,  born  in  1823.  He  was  educated  in 
that  city,  and  read  law  there  with  Hon.  Charles 
Sweetzer,  an  ex-meraber  of  the  United  States 
Congress:  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  Columbus, 
Ohio,  in  1850,  and  located  in  practice  in  Find- 
lay,  Hancock  county.  Ohio.  During  the  several 
years  of  professional  life  in  that  place  he  was 
twice  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  the 
county.  From  thence  he  returned  to  Delaware; 
lived  there  nearly  three  years,  was  appointed 
Probate  Judge  of  the  county,  and  served  the  un- 
expired term  of  Judge  Fuller,  deceased.  In 
1 855.  upon  the  invitation  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Mr.  Rosette  removed  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
has  been  an  active  and  jirorainent  member  of 
Sangamon  County  Bar  for  twenty-six  years.  He 
came  to  this  count}"  a  Democrat  in  politics  ;  l>ut 
from  1856  has  been  identified  with  the  Republi- 
can party. 

Mr.  Rosette  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Taylor,  in  Findlay,  Ohio.  She  was  born 
in  Salem  that  State,  and  educated  there  in  a 
convent.  They  have  four  daughters;  two  mar 
ried  to  Captains  in  the  United  States  regular 
army  ;  the  eldest,  the  wife  of  Captain  L.  H. 
Rucker;  the  second  the  wife  of  Captain  F.  T. 
Bennett,  from  Toledo,  Ohio,  who  has  also  been 
Indian  Agent  at  Fort  Defiance,  for  several  years, 
the  only  instance  of  a  regular  army  officer  hold- 
ing that  office  at  the  same  time. 

Charles  S.  Zanc,  Judge  of  the  Nineteenth  Ju- 
dicial Circuit  of  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  Cumber- 
land county.  New  Jersey,  born  March  2,1831. 
Andrew  Zane,  fiis  father,  was  a  farmer,  and  mar- 
rie<l  Mai-y  Franklin,  whose  father  was  a  relative 
of  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin.  Mr.  Zane's  paternal 
grandfather,  with  two  brothers,  etiiigrated  from 
England  in  early  life.  Mr.  Zane's  boyhood 
and  youth  were  passed  on  his  father's  farm, 
the  time  being  divided  between  labor  and  attend- 
ance at  the  district  school.  In  April,  1850,  he 
came  to  Sangamon  County,  Illinois,  and  in  the 
employ  of  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright,  engaged  in 
liriekmaking  and  farming,  at  $13  a  month.  In 
the  winter  of  1852  he  rode  to  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  on  horseback;  returned  the  fol- 
lowing s]iring,  purchased  a  team,  and  spent  the 
summer  in  breaking  prairie.  In  the  autumn  of 
1852  he  entered  McKendree  College,  and  jiur- 
sued  a  course  of  study  for  three  years,  passing 


the  vacations  in  teaching,  which  he  continued 
after  leaving  college  while  reading  law.  Mr. 
Zane  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  J.  C.  Conk- 
ling  in  July,  1856;  completed  the  course  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the  spring  of  1857, 
and  opened  an  office.  He  was  elected  City  At- 
torney in  the  spring  of  1858,  and  reelected  in 
1860  and  1865,  each  term  being  one  year.  In 
the  spring  of  1861  Mr.  Zane  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  William  H.  Herndon,  former  law  part- 
ner of  Aliraham  Lincoln,  and  did  a  successful 
business  until  ISijSi,  when  the  firm  was  dissolved 
and  he  associated  himself  with  Hon.  Shelby  M. 
Cullom  and  George  O.  ^larcy.  This  relation 
was  continued  until  Mr.  Zane  was  elected  Circuit 
Judge  in  1873,  since  which  time  he  has  worn 
the  judicial  ermine  with  distinguished  ability. 
He  rendered  a  famous  decision  in  May,  1874,  in 
the  cause  of  The  Ptople  vs.  The  Chicago 
and  Alton  Railroad  Company,  in  which  it 
was  sought  to  recover  certain  penalties  in- 
curred by  a  breach  of  the  law  of  the  State  au- 
thorizing Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commission- 
ers to  fix  maximum  rates  of  freight  and  jtassenger 
tariffs,  in  which  the  attornevs  for  the  defense 
made  an  effort  to  transferthe  case  to  the  L'nited 
StatesCourt,  claiming  lack  of  jurisdiction  in  the 
State  courts,  and  in  which  he  ruled  that  it  was 
not  the  province  of  the  Federal  Courts  to  inter- 
fere with  the  inherent  judicial  rights  of  the 
State,  and  that  in  assuming  to  take  control  of 
such  causes  it  transcended  its  constitutional  ati- 
thority,  and  held  that  the  rights  and  powers  of 
the  States  and  the  people,  not  transferred  by 
the  Constitution  to  the  United  States,  are  just  as 
sovereign  and  sacred  as  are  those  of  the  United 
States.  Judge  Zane  refused  to  order  the  papers 
certified  to  the  Federal  court,  and  proceeded  to 
try  the  cause,  by  jury,  who  rendered  a  verdict 
of  >!400  against  the  defendant. 

Judge  Zane's  religious  views  are  liberal  and 
tolerant,  nearly  identical  with  the  doctrines  of 
the  Unitarian  Society.  He  is  a  great  admirer 
of  the  school  of  philosophy  of  which  Herbert 
Spencer  and  Mr.  Tyndall  are  able  exponents. 
Politically,  the  Judge  favors  a  bi-metalic  money 
standard,  a  free  banking  system,  and  a  tariff 
upon  the  luxuries  for  revenue. 

Judge  Zane  married  Miss  3Iargaret  Maxcy  in 
the  spring  of  1 859.  She  is  of  Kentucky  parent- 
age, born  in  Springfield  in  1835.  They  are  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  six  living.  The  eldest 
daughter,  ]\Iary  Farnetta,  is  the  wife  of  William 
Hinkle,  chief  clerk  in  the  State  Auditor's  office. 
The  eldest  of  their  four  sons,  Charles  W.,  is 
preparing  for  the  legal  profession,  as  is  also  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


121 


second  son,  John  Maxcy  Zane,  now  in  Micbigan 
University. 

John  Alexander  McClernand  is  the  only  child 
of  Dr.  John  and  Fatima  McClernand,  and  was 
born  in  Breckenridge  county,  Kentucky,  in  is  1-2. 
Four  years  later  his  father  died,  and  young  Mc- 
Clernand, being  made  of  that  stern  stuff  that 
overcomes  difficulties  and  surmounts  obstacles, 
had  succeeded  in  placing  himself  in  a  respect- 
able position  and  practice  in  the  legal  profession, 
at  the  early  age  of  twenty.  Meantime,  in  1S30, 
he  had  moved  with  the  family  to  Shawneetown, 
Illinois.  In  1832,  before  attaining  his  majority, 
he  volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  served  honorably  to  its  close.  This 
service  kindled  a  taste  for,  and  gave  him  a  knowl- 
edge of  military  tactics,  and  of  the  character  of 
men,  which  proved  important  factors  in  his  later 
career. 

In  183.5  Mr.  McClernand  established  the  first 
Democratic  journal  ever  ])ublished  in  Shawnee- 
town; and  the  same  year  re-commenced  the 
practice  of  law,  which  continued  with  success 
until  he  was  elected  to  U.  S  Congress  in  1843. 
In  1836  he  was  elected  to  the  Illinois  Legislature 
from  Gallatin  county.  During  this  session  he 
successfully  vindicated  President  Jackson  from 
charges  brought  against  him  by  Governor  Dun- 
can; and  also  advocated  that  mode  of  con- 
structing the  Illinois  &  Michigan  Canal  known 
as  the  "Deep  Cut"  plan,  which  was  finally 
adopted.  Mr.  ^McClernand  was  chosen,  by  the 
legislature  as  commissioner  and  treasurer,  which 
duties  he  so  faithfully  discharged  that  compli- 
mentary resolutions  respecting  his  services  were 
passed  in  a  number  of  pubic  meetings  held  at 
different  points.  In  1838  he  was  urged  to  be- 
come a  nominee  for  Lieutenant  Governor,  but 
declined  because  under  the  Constitutional  age — 
thirty  years.  At  the  same  Democratic  conven- 
tion which  offered  him  the  nomination  Mr.  Mc- 
Clernand prepared  and  offered  the  following 
resolutions: 

^^Hesolved,  That  the  Democratic  principle  is 
founded  on  an  imperishable  basis  of  truth  and 
justice,  and  perpetually  striving  to  sustain  soci- 
ety in  the  exercise  of  every  power  which  can 
promote  human  happiness  and  elevate  our  con- 
dition; that,  instead  of  warring  against  order 
and  encroaching  on  the  privileges  of  others,  the 
spirit  of  Democracy  maintains  an  active  prin- 
ciple of  hope  and  virtue. 

^'■Resolved,  That  we  recognize  no  power  but 
that  which  yields  to  the  restraints  of  duty  and 
is  guided  by  mind;  that  we  only  seek  to  obtain 
influence  by  means  of  free  conviction;  that  wc 


condemn  all  appeals  to  brute  force  and  the  ex- 
ercise of  violence;  and  that  our  only  means  of 
persuasion  are  reason  and  truth. 

'■'  Jiesolved,  That  our  just  claim  is  to  connect 
our  parly  with  the  cause  of  intelligence  and 
morality;  to  seek  the  protection  of  every  richt 
consistent  with  the  genius  of  our  Constitution 
and  the  spirit  of  tlie  age.  We  desire  to  extend 
moral  culture,  and  to  remove,  as  far  as  possible, 
all  ineiiualities  in  our  human  conditions  by  em- 
bracing all  improvements  which  can  ameliorate 
our  moral  and  polilic.'^l  state." 

In  18-40  Mr.  McClernand  was  again  returned' 
to  the  legislature  from  Gallatin  county;  was  re- 
elected in  1842;  and  as  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Finance  introduced  several  measures 
to  alleviate  the  existing  financial  troubles  of 
the  State,  which  he  attributed  to  the  defect- 
ive banking  system.  These  measures  were  all 
adopted.  In  1843,  while  still  a  member  of  the 
legislature,  he  was  chosen  Representative  to  the 
Twenty-eighth  Congress.  The  first  speech  he 
made  in  that  body  was  on  the  bill  to  refund  the 
fine  imposed  upon  Gen.  Jackson  by  Judge  Hall. 
During  the  same  session  he  delivered  a  speech 
on  the  Rock  Island  controversy,  which  was  ex- 
tensively published.  In  the  second  session  of 
the  same  Congress,  as  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Public  Lands,  he  brought  forward  a 
comprehensive  report,  accompanied  with  a  bill 
for  a  grant  of  land  to  aid  in  the  completion  of 
the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  the  time  for  hold- 
ing elections  had  been  changed,  and  Mr.  McCler- 
nand was  re-elected  to  Congress  in  1844.  He 
was  one  of  the  members  who  insisted  with  vehe- 
mence on  the  maintenance  of  the  claim  to  fifty- 
four  degrees,  forty  minutes  in  the  Oregon  con- 
troversy with  Great  Hritain.  He  voted  to 
sustain  the  President  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
Mexican  war,  by  granting  the  requisite  men  and 
means;  and  portrayed  the  beneficial  results  of 
that  war  in  a  speech  delivered  in  Congress  in 
June,  1846.  In  the  first  session  of  the  Twenty- 
ninth  Congress  he  prepared  with  great  labor  and 
introduced  a  bill  to  reduce  and  regulate  the  price 
of  public  lands.  In  the  ensuing  session,  as 
chairman  of  the  same  committee,  he  introduced 
a  bill,  which  became  a  law,  to  bring  into  market 
the  mineral  lands,  lying  around  Lake  Superior. 
During  the  same  session  he  was  called  upon  by 
the  Jackson  Monuiaent  committee  to  present 
their  memorial,  which  he  did,  and  his  eulogium 
upon  Jackson  was  highly  esteemed.  In  1848 
Mr.  McClernand  was  again  elected  to  Congress, 
but  not  without  opposition.     In  1849,  as  a  mem- 


HISTORY  OF  SAX(;A.M()N   COUNTY 


ber  of  a  select  committee  on  certain  ciiargcs 
preferred  against  President  Polk,  for  having 
established  a  tariff  of  duties  in  the  ports  of 
the  Mexican  Republic,  Mr.  McClernand  de- 
fended the  President  in  an  able  argument. 
In  1850,  at  the  instance  of  other  leading  men, 
he  prepared  and  offered  the  first  draft  of  the 
famous  Compromise  measures  of  that  year.  But 
the  same  subject  being  taken  up  in  the  Senate 
by  the  committee  of  which  Mr.  Clay  was  chair- 
man, he  prepared  the  bill  which  passed  both 
houses,  Mr.  McClernand  being  chairman  ol  the 
committee  of  the  whole  during  its  passage 
through  the  House.  He  delivered  an  elaborate 
speech  on  the  subject  during  that  session.  He 
also  during  that  session  drafted  the  bill  granting 
a  quantity  of  land  in  aid  of  the  construction  of 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  and  its  Chicago 
branch.  His  colleague,  Senator  Douglas,  being 
furnished  a  copy,  introduced  it  in  the  Senate, 
and,  with  amendments,  it  passed  both  houses 
and  became  a  law.  During  the  same  session  he, 
as  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Af- 
fairs, introduced  a  paper  for  the  regulation  of 
the  State  Department.  In  1851,  declining  re- 
election, he  retired  from  Congress,  after  a  flat- 
tering career  of  eight  years,  and  moved  to  Jack- 
sonville, Illinois.  The  following  year  he  was 
chosen  Presidential  Elector  for  the  second  time 
in  his  life,  and  supported  Pierce  and  King.  In 
1856  he  made  a  powerful  speech  at  Alton,  de- 
precating the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise, 
and  predicting  danger  to  the  country  as  the  con- 
sequence. In  1850  he  removed  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  where  he  soon  gained  a  prominent  po- 
sition as  a  lawyer  in  the  State  and  Federal  Courts. 
In  1869  he  was  elected  Representative  to  Con- 
gres.s,  to  till  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of 
Major  T.  L.  Harris.  In  1860  he  introduced  a 
bill  repealing  the  law  organizing  the  Territory  of 
Utah  and  merging  that  Territory  into  others. 
This  being  his  plan  for  overcoming  the  ascend", 
ancy  of  the  Mormons,  and  the  evils  of  polygamy- 
On  the  14th  of  January,  1861,  Mr.  McCler- 
nand delivered  a  speech  in  the  House,  on  the 
Union  and  the  phantom,  "Xo  Coercion,"  that 
for  historical  research,  comprehensiveness  and 
•exhaustive  argument,  has  few  equals  in  the 
annals  of  parliamentary  literature. 

In  1843,  after  his  first  election  to  Congress, 
and  before  taking  his  seat,  Mr.  ilcClernand 
married  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Colonel  Dun- 
lap,  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 

A  sketch  of  the  emminent  services  lendered 
the  Government  by  General  McClernand  during 


the  war  for  the  Union  will  appear  in  the  military 
chapter. 

Charles  A.  Keyes,  Attorney  and  Counselor-at- 
Law,  of  the  tirm  of  McClernand  ifc  Keyes,  South- 
west corner  Fifth  and  ^Yafhington  streets,  is  a 
native  of  Springfield,  Illinois, born  in  183l'  His 
parents,  James  \V.  and  Lydia  (Spickard)  Keyes, 
were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  came  to  Sangamon 
County,  Illinois,  in  1831,  and  are  both  living  on 
their  farm,  four  miles  northwest  of  the  Ci'ty  of 
S]iringtieliL  Charles  attended  the  city  schools, 
and  graduated  from  Illinois  College,  Jackson- 
ville, in  the  class  of  1854  ;  read  law  with  Elliott 
B.  Herndon,    and  was  admitted  to  the   Bar  in 

1856.  They  were  partners  at  one  time  for  two 
years.  With  that  exception  ]Mr.  Keyes  jii-acticed 
alone  until  the  present  co-partnei'slii)i  was  form- 
ed al)Out  eight  years  ago.  In  the  spring  of  1856 
he  was  elected  City  Attorney  and  re-elected  in 

1857.  In  1862-3  he  served  as  Representative  in 
the  legislature,  from  Sangamon  and  Logan 
counties.  He  was  appointed  Master  in  Chan- 
cery by  Judge  E.  Y.  Rice,  in  1807,  and  was 
twice  re-appuinted  by  Judge  B.  S.  Edwards  and 
Judge  J.  A.  McClernand,  serving  in  all  seven 
years  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Dem- 
ocratic Convention  that  nominated  Seymour  for 
President,  in  1868.  Mr.  Keyes  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Elizabeth  Lauman,  of  Xenia, 
Ohio,  in  1868.  Her  parents  were  early  settlers 
in  that  city.  The  fruit  of  this  union  is  two 
daughters  and  one  son. 

Christo]jher  C.  Brown,  Attorney-at-Law,  of 
the  tirm  of  Stuart,  Edwards  &  Brown,  the  oldest 
law  tirm  in  Illinois,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  now  a  part  of  Menard  county,  Illinois, 
on  the  21st  of  October,  1884.  His  father,  Wil- 
liam B.  Brown,  came  from  Kentucky  and  set- 
tled in  Sangamon  county  in  1832.  He  died  in 
1850.  C.  C.  Brown  attended  the  Springtield 
schools,  and  at  Greensburg,  and  the  Lutheran 
College  at  Hillsboro.  He  read  law  with  his 
brother,  David  A.  Brown,  in  Springfield,  then 
attended  the  Transylvania  Law  School  in  Lex- 
ington, Kentucky,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 

1858.  and  in  January,  1860,  became  a  paitner  in 
the  present  tirm,  having  been  active  in  the  pro- 
fession until  now.  While-he  has  been  an  earn- 
est worker  in  the  Democratic  party,  he  has  been 
a  candidate  for  no  political  favor.  Mr.  Brown 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Bettie,  daugh- 
ter of  Major  J.  T.  Stuart,  of  Springtield,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1859.  She  died  in  March,  186"9,  having  been 
the  mother  of  three  children,  one  deceased.  Mr. 
Brown  married  Carrie,  daughter  of  John  E 
Owsley,  of  Chicago,  in  1872,  by  whom  he  has  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


123 


son  and  daughter.    His  eldest  son,  Stuart  Brown, 
was  graduated  from  Princeton  College,  in  June, 

1881. 

Eugene  L.  Gross  was  born  December  25,  1836, 
in  Starkville,  Herkimer  coimty,  New  York,  and 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1844.  He 
received  an  academical  education,  and  subse- 
quently read  law  in  the  office  of  H.  G.  Reynolds, 
in  Knoxville,  Illinois,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  1857.  In  that  year  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Reynolds,  which  contimied  but  a 
a  few  months.  In  1858  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  opened  an  office,  and  here  practiced  his  j^ro- 
fession  until  his  death.  As  a  lawyer,  he  was 
regarded  by  both  the  members  of  the  Bar  and 
the  pulilic,  as  one  of  more  than  ordinary  al^ility. 
His  legal  attainments  were  quite  diversified, 
and  whether  pleading  before  a  jury,  or  present- 
ing his  case  for  the  consideration  of  the  learned 
judge,  he  alike  usually  convinced  both  that  liis 
position  was  right.  He  was  logical  in  his  rea- 
sonings and  drove  home  his  ideas  with  great 
force. 

In  1865  he  revised  the  City  Ordinances  of  the 
city  of  Springfield,  by  direction  of  the  Common 
Council.  This  was  his  first  literary  work.  In 
1868,  in  connection  with  his  brother.  Colonel 
William  L.  Gross,  with  whom  he  had  formed  a 
law  partnershii),  he  compiled  and  puljlished  the 
General  Statutes  of  the  State,  then  in  force.  In 
January,  1868,  they  compiled  and  published  a 
Digest  of  the  Criminal  Laws  of  the  State.  In 
1869  a  new  edition  of  the  General  Statutes,  in- 
cluding the  laws  of  1869,  were  published.  Dur- 
ing this  year  they  also  compiled  and  published 
an  index  to  the  Private  and  Special  Laws  of 
Illinois.  In  1872  they  compiled  and  published 
the  second  volume  of  Gross'  Statutes.  This 
ended  the  literary  labors  of  Mr.  Gross. 

Eugene  L.  Gross  and  Susan  L.  Zimmerman 
were  united  in  marriage  April  17,1860.  Four 
children  were  born  to  them  —  Leighla,  F^red, 
Susie,  and  Bessie. 

In  June,  1873,  finding  his  health  impaired, 
Mr.  Gross  started  on  horseback  from  Springfield 
and  traveled  through  the  Indian  Nation,  thence 
to  New  Mexico  and  Texas,  and  returned  by 
railroad  in  December  of  the  same  year.  The 
trip  failed  to  be  of  that  benefit  it  was  hoped. 
That  relentless  destroyer,  consumj)tion,  had 
fixed  its  hold  upon  him,  and  on  the  4th  day  of 
June,  1874,  lie  breathed  his  last. 

Mr.  Gross  was  never  an  aspirant  to  public  of- 
fice, l)eiug  contented  to  follow  the  profession  he 
had  selected  for  a  life  work.     In  politics  he  was 


always    a   thorough-going   Republican,  and  an 
earnest  advocate  of  the  principles  of  that  party. 

Milton  Hay  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ken- 
tucky, July  3,  1817,  and  emigrated  with  his 
father's  family  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  the 
year  1832.  Until  arriving  at  age,  he  labored  at 
different  avocations  for  his  father,  attending  the 
common  schools  at  intervals,  and  receiving  such 
education  as  such  schools  aft'orded  at  that  day. 
He  was  fond  of  reading,  and  devoted  the  inter- 
vals of  time  when  not  at  school  or  at  labor,  to 
the  reading  of  such  books  as  the  scanty  liliraries 
of  the  time  afforded.  With  James  H.  Matheny 
(now  Judge  Matheny)  and  others,  he  aided  in 
forming  the  first  society  of  a  literary  charac- 
ter ever  formed  in  Springfield,  the  Springfield 
Lyceum,  which  was  devoted  to  debating  dis- 
puted questions  and  the  reading  of  original 
essays.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Stuart 
&  Lincoln,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in  1840. 
He  begun  practice  at  Pittsfield,  Pike  ocunty, 
Illinois,  and  there  practiced  his  profession  until 
the  year  1858,  when  he  returned  to  Springfield, 
continuing  the  practice  of  liis  ]m)fession  until 
January,  1881,  when  he  retired  fioni  tlie  active 
practice  of  his  profession. 

He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  Cath- 
erine, the  daughter  of  James  Forbes,  of  Pitts- 
field,  died  in  1857,  leaving  two  children,  both 
of  whom  died  in  infancy.  In  1861,  he  married 
Mary  Logan,  eldest  daughter  of  Judge  Stephen 
T.  Logan.  She  died  in  1874.  Two  children 
survive,  born  of  this  marriage,  Kate  and  Logan 
Hay. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1872,  from  the  district  composed  of  the 
counties  of  Logan  and  Sangamon,  and,  altliough 
not  of  the  dominant  parly  in  the  Convention, 
was  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Rev- 
enue, and  served  on  the  Judiciary  Committee. 
He  actively  participated  in  all  the  proceedings 
of  that  body,  and  in  forming  the  new  Constitu- 
tion, which  was  subsequently  adopted  by  the 
l)eople.  In  1874  he  was  elected  as  a  Represent- 
ative of  Sangamon  county  to  the  legislature, 
and  acted  (after  the  death  of  Mr.  ]5ushnell)  both 
as  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  and  Revenue 
Committees  of  that  body.  He  was  one  of  the 
committee  of  five  appointed  by  the  legislature, 
to  revise,  in  conjunction  with  I\Ir.  Hurd,  the  laws 
of  the  State,  and  this  work  was  adopted  at  an 
adjourned  session  of  the  legislature.  Other 
than  as  here  stated  he  has  never  held  office,  pre- 
ferring the  practice  of  his  profession  to  the 
pursuit  of  office.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Hon.  William  M.  Springer,  present  member 
of  Congress  from  the  Twelfth  District  of  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Sullivan  county,  Indiana,  SOtli 
of  May,  1836.  When  twelve  years  old  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois.  There 
William  prepared  for  college  under  the  instruc- 
tions of  Dr.  Newton  Bateman,  then  teaching  in 
the  West  District  school  of  that  city.  He  en- 
tered Illinois  College,  but  owing  to  some  diffi- 
culty with  the  faculty  was  dismissed  from  the 
institution,  and  went  thence  in  the  spring  of 
185(3,  to  the  State  University  of  Indiana.  In 
1858  Mr.  Springer  returned  to  Illinois,  and  after 
studying  law  nearly  three  years  in  Lincoln,  was 
admitted  to  the  J>ar  in  1860.  The  same  year  he 
was  a  candidate  on  the  Democratic  ticket  for 
Representative  in  the  State  Legislature,  for  the 
district  composed  of  Logan  and  Mason  counties, 
but  was  defeated  by  Colonel  Robert  B.  Latham. 
In  1861  he  settled  in  Springfield,  and  soon 
formed  a  law  partnership  with  Hon.  N.  M. 
Broadwell,  and  Gen.  John  A.  McClernand,  the 
latter  of  whom  retiring  some  years  after,  the 
firm  continued  as  Broadwell  &  Springer.  Re- 
turning home  in  1870  at  the  close  of  a  two-year's 
tour  in  Europe,  tor  pleasure  and  the  improve- 
ment of  his  wife's  feeble  health,  Mr.  Springer 
was  elected  to  represent  Sangamon  County  in 
the  legislature.  That  being  the  first  after  the 
formation  of  a  new  Constitution.  Several  ses- 
sions were  held  during  18'70-'71  and  1871-72, 
and  a  complete  revision  of  the  Statutes  of  Illi- 
nois was  made  while  he  served  in  that  body. 

In  1374,  Mr.  Springer  was  elected  Represent- 
ative to  Congress  for  the  Twelfth  District,  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  Cass,  Christian,  Menard, 
Morgan,  Sangamon  and  Scott,  and  re-elected  in 
1876,  1878  and  1880,  being  nominated  the  first 
time  on  the  first  ballot,  and  each  subsequent 
time  by  acclamation,  the  delegations  from  each 
county  being  instructed  to  support  him.  This, 
in  the  face  of  the  fact  that  Sangamon  county  has 
furnished  the  Representative  from  this  district 
for  tweftty  years  consecutively,  speaks  well  for 
the  popularity  of  the  present  incumbent.  In  the 
Forty-fourth  Congress,  Mr.  Springer  was  a  mem- 
ber of  several  important  committees.  When  the 
bill  was  introduced,  in  that  session,  to  grant  a 
million  and  a  half  dollars  by  the  Government 
to  the  Centennial  Commissioners,  Mr.  Springer 
offered  an  amendment,  that  upon  the  close  of 
the  Exposition  and  the  sale  of  the  property,  the 
Government  should  be  reimbursed  by  that 
amount  from  the  proceeds  before  any  dividend 
could  be  made  to  the  stockholders.  The  bill 
became   a   law,   as   amecded.     The   Centennial 


Board  attempted  to  evade  the  payment  of  the 
money  into  the  LTnited  States  Treasury,  through 
a  supposed  defect  in  Mr.  Springer's  amendment 
clause,  but  he,  being  selected  by  the  Attorney- 
General  to  prosecute  the  cause,  fought  it  through 
the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  and  obtained 
a  verdict  sustaining  the  act,  and  recovering  to 
the  Government  fifteen  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars. For  this  valuable  labor  he  has  not,  as  yet, 
received  a  dollar  compensation,  though  he  has 
asked  Congress  to  allow  him  to  go  before  the 
Court  of  Claims  and  prove  the  value  of  his  ser- 
vices. 

In  the  Forty-fifth  Congress  Mr.  Springer 
served  on  several  prominent  committees,  among 
them  the  Potter  Election  Committee  and  the 
committee  to  investigate  Mr.  Seward's  official 
records  while  Minister  to  China,  and  which  re- 
ported twelve  articles  of  impeachment  against 
him.  In  the  same  Congress  Mr.  Springer  bolted 
the  caucus  nomination  of  his  party  and  supported 
General  Shields  against  Mr.  Field,  the  party 
nominee. 

He  was  the  only  Democratic  member  from  the 
Northwest  who  voted  against  the  Birchard  and 
Hardridge  resolutions,  declaring  that  neither  the 
courts  nor  Congress  possessed  the  power  to  dis- 
turb Mr.  Hayes'  Presidential  title,  his  action 
creating  great  excitement  at  the  time.  Mr. 
Springer  believed  that  a  wrong  had  been  done 
in  giving  Mr.  Hayes  the  Presidency,  while  he 
opposed  all  revolutionary  measures,  thought  the 
Government  had  the  power  to  right  that  wrong. 
Mr.  Springer  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee on  Elections  in  the  Forty-sixth  Congress, 
and  opposed  the  majority  of  his  party  in  their 
effort  to  unseat  Representative  W.  D.  Wash 
burne,  of  Minnesota,  and  substitute  Ignatius 
Donnelly  in  his  stead.  He  thought  the  claim  of 
Mr.  Donnelly  unjust  and  the  proceedings  dis- 
honest; and  although  great  pressure  was  brought 
to  bear,  through  threats  and  slanderous  charges 
of  bril)ery,  from  which  he  was  triumphantly  vin- 
dicated, to  coerce  him  to  support  the  measure, 
he  persistently  opposed  it,  and  was  conspicuous 
in  its  defeat.  The  object  of  the  movement  was 
to  secure  a  Democratic  majority  in  the  Iloiise, 
so  that  the  party  could  elect  the  President  in 
1880,  in  case  it  should  be  thrown  into  the  House 
of  Representatives. 

Mr.  Springer  married  the  daughter  of  Rev. 
Calvin  W.  Ruter,  a  prominent  Methodist  clergy- 
man of  Indiana.  Theyhave  but  one  child,  Wil- 
liam Ruter  Springer,  aged  eighteen  years,  who 
was  graduated  from  a  private  military  academy 
in  Virginia  in  1880.     Notwithstanding  her  deli- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1-25 


cate  health,  Mrs.  Springer  is  an  author  of  recog- 
nized ability.  The  most  noted  productions  of 
her  pen  are  "Beecli  Wood,"  which  appeared 
several  years  ago, and  "Self,"  published  in  1881, 
both  from  the  press  of  Lippincott,  of  Philadel- 
phia. She  has  also  contributed  a  number  of 
poems  to  the  columns  of  current  magazines. 

William  E.  Shutt,  Attorney,  of  the  law  firm  of 
Palmers,  Robinson  &  Shutt,  was  born  in  Water- 
ford,  Louden  county,  Virginia,  May  5,  1840. 
His  parents,  Jacob  and  Caroline  (Leslie)  Shutt, 
moved  to  the  city  of  Springfield  in  November, 
184'2.  They  were' natives  of  Louden  county, 
Virginia.  Father  died  here  in  1866,  mother  in 
in  1805.  Mr.  Shutt  was  educated  in  the  city 
schools,  and  read  law  with  Judge  James  H.  Ma- 
theny,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1862, 
commencing  practice  immediately.  In  1864  he 
was  elected  City  Attorney  on  the  Democratic 
ticket;  was  chosen  Mayor  of  the  city  in  1868,  by 
the  same  party  In  1874  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate,  for  four  years ;  and  was  re-elected 
in  1818,  his  oflicial  term  expiring  in  1882.  The 
law  firm  of  Robinson,  Knapp  &  Shutt  was  formed 
July  1,  1869,  composi^d  of  Hon.  James  C.  Rob- 
inson, Anthony  L.  Knapp  and  Mr.  Shutt;  and  has 
e.xisted  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Knapj),  in  May, 
1881,  after  which  Robinson  &  Shutt  formed  a  part- 
nership with  J.  M.  and  J.  Mayo  Palmer,  under 
the   firm  name  of  Palmers,  Robinson  &  Shutt. 

Robert  L  McGuire  of  the  firm  of  McGuire, 
Hamilton  &  Salzenstein,  is  a  native  of  Missouri, 
and  was  born  in  1833.  He  graduated  from  the 
Missouri  University  at  Columbia,  in  the  class  of 
1857.  Subsequently  he  followed  the  calling  of 
a  teacher.  In  1861  he  came  to  Springfield,  read 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1862.  He 
formed  a  partnership  with  James  H.  Matheny 
in  1866,  previous  to  which  time,  he  practiced 
law  alone.  This  partnership  continued  until 
1874.  In  May,  1878,  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  L.  F.  Hamilton,  and  later  Mr.  Salzenstein 
was  admitted,  forming  the  present  firm. 

Leonidas  H.  Bradley,  of  the  firm  of  Bradley 
&  Bradley,  Lawyers,  1174-  South  Fifth  street, 
was  born  in  Galia  count}',  Ohio,  July  23,  1841. 
He  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  sons  and  a  daugh- 
ter, of  Lewis  and  Nancy  C.  Bradley  ?«t;c  Kno.Y,  of 
New  York,  and  the  State  of  Delaware,  respec- 
tively. In  1852  they  moved  to  Clark  county, 
Illinois,  where  the  senior  Bradley  died  in  March, 
1880,  and  where  the  widow  and  several  of  the 
family  now  reside.  Leonidas  was  educated  at 
Marshall,  Illinois,  and  Ohio  Wesleyan  LTniver- 
sity,  in  Delaware,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
in  the  classical  course  in  1861,  being  less  than 


twenty  years  of  age.  He  at  once  commenced  the 
study  of  law  with  Judge  Charles  H.  Constable, 
in  Marshall,  Illinois;  in  August,  1862,  enlisted  as 
a  private  in  the  130th  Illinois  Infantry.  Upon 
the  consolidation  with  the  77th  regiment  he  was 
made  Quartermaster  Sergeant  and  filled  that 
office  till  discharged  after  the  close  of  the  war. 
In  October,  1865,  Mr.  Bradley  married  Miss  Abi- 
gal  L.,  daughter  of  Hon.  Uri  Mauley,  an  early 
settler  and  prominent  lawyer  of  Marshall.  Soon 
after  retiring  from  the  army  Mr.  Bradley  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar,  settled  in  Springfield  and 
formed  a  partnership  with  W.  P.  Olden,  which 
continued  till  June,  1872,  when  Mr.  Olden  retired 
and  Isaac  K.  Bradley  took  his  place.  Mr.  Bradley 
has  been  ardently  devoted  to  his  profession, 
paying  little  attention  to  politics,  but  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  in  1871, 
and  in  1872  chosen  to  the  City  Council;  was 
a  candidate,  against  his  wish,  for  County  Judge 
on  the  Republican,  ticket,  but  the  county  being 
stronglj'  Democratic,  was  beaten.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  United  States  District  Attor- 
ney in  1869,  did  efficient  service  in  prosecuting 
fraudulent  distillers  in  this  district;  resigned  in 
1871.  He  enjoys  an  extensive  practice  in  the 
Chancery  and  United  States  Courts.  His  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Manley  has  resulted  in  a  family 
of  three  sons  and  thi-ee  daughters,  one  of  the 
latter  deceased. 

Isaac  K.  Bradley  was  also  born  in  Galia  county, 
Ohio,  and  is  a  little  more  than  thirty-two  years 
old.  He  attended  school  at  Marshall  and  at  Leb- 
anon, Illinois,  completing  the  classical  course  in 
1869;  read  law  with  Messrs.  liradley  &  Olden, 
in  Springfield;  was  admitted  in  May,  1870;  be- 
gan practice  as  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of 
Bradley,  Olden  &  Bradley,  in  1871.  Since  Mr. 
Olden's  retirement,  the  following  year,  the 
brothers  have  continued  under  the  present  firm 
title,  and  have  a  large  law  business  in  the  several 
courts. 

Thomas  G.  Prickett,  lawyer,  is  the  second  of 
five  children  of  Hon.  David  and  Charlotte  G. 
Prickett,  and  was  born  in  Springfield,  December 
23,  1837.  He  was  educated  at  Charlottsville 
Seminary,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1858; 
entered  the  army  with  the  rank  of  Captain,  in 
1862;  served  about  two  and  one-half  years  on 
General  McClernand's  staff;  read  law  under  the 
preceptorship  of  General  John  A.  McClernand; 
graduated  with  the  title  of  Bachelor  of  Laws, 
from  the  law  department  of  Michigan  State  L^ni- 
versity,  in  1865;  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 
March,  1K65;  was  elected  City  Attorney  in  1866, 
and   again  in  1868.     Mr.  Prickett   was  elected 


126 


HISTORY  OF    SA^'GAMON  COUNTY. 


Alderman  from  the  Third  ward  in  1874,  and 
again  in  1876,  serving  four  yeais  in  all. 

The  two  brothers  and  two  sisters  own  and  re- 
side in  the  old  homestead,  opposite  the  State 
Capitol,  erected  by  Hon.  George  Forquer  over 
fifty  years  ago.  The  premises  include  three  acres 
of  land,  beautifully  situated  on  the  corner  of 
Capitol  avenue  and  Second  street. 

Norman  L.  Freeman  is  the  present  Reporter 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  which  office 
he  has  held,  by  appointment  from  that  court, 
since  April,  1863. 

He  is  a  native  of  Livingston  county.  New 
Y'ork,  and  was  born  May  9,  1823.  His  parents, 
Truman  Freeman  and  Hannah  Down,  were  na- 
tives of  New  Hampshire,  and  prior  to  their  re- 
moval to  the  State  of  New  York,  had  for  many 
years  been  residents  of  the  city  of  Concord. 
After  the  death  of  the  father,  in  1824,  the 
mother,  with  the  younger  members  of  her 
family,  moved  to  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  where 
she  resided  many  years.  While  a  mere  boy, 
young  Norman  entered  the  store  of  David 
Cooper,  a  leading  merchant  of  Detroit,  where  he 
remained  about  three  years.  Leaving  Detroit, 
he  spent  a  few  months  in  Cleveland,  as  a  clerk, 
and  then  entered  an  academy  near  that  city, 
from  which  he  passed  to  Ohio  University,  at 
Athens,  at  which  institution  he  completed  his 
literary  education.  L^pon  leaving  the  university, 
he  went  to  Kentucky,  and  for  several  years 
taught  school  in  the  vicinity  of  Lexington. 
While  still  a  teacher  he  pursued  his  law  studies, 
and  in  the  winter  of  1845-6  entered  the  law 
office  of  Kirtland  &  Seymour,  at  Waterford, 
New  York,  and  in  the  spring  of  1846  returned 
to  Kentucky,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  at  Lex- 
ington, and  began  practicing  his  profession  in 
Morganfield,  Union  county,  in  that  State.  In 
1849  he  was  married  to  Miss  Tranquilla  Riche- 
son,  daughter  of  Alfred  Richeson  and  Elizabeth 
Dabney  Williamson.  To  them  were  born  five 
children,  four  of  whom  survive,  three  daughters 
and  one  son.  In  1851  we  find  him  practicing 
his  profession  at  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  until  his  removal  to  Springfield  in 
1864.  In  1855  he  published  his  Digest  of  the 
Illinois  Reports,  in  two  volumes,  a  work  which 
went  far  to  establish  his  reputation  as  a  lawyer 
and  law  writer.  During  the  time  he  has  held 
his  present  office,  he  has  issued  sixty-six  volumes 
of  reports — a  greater  number,  it  is  believed,  than 
has  been  issued  by  any  other  American  reporter. 

Until  the  disorganization  of  that  party,  Mr. 
Freeman  was  a  Henry  Clay  Whig,  but  since  that 
time  his  political  affiliations  have  been  with  the 


Democracy.  Modest,  genial,  erudite— a  good 
lawyer,  an  excellent  Court  Reporter,  and  a  wor- 
thy citizen. 

Richmond  Wolcott  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  and 
Avas  born  in  Morgan  county,  January  10,  1840. 
He  was  educated  at  Jacksonville,  where  his  par- 
ents moved  at  an  early  day,  and  graduated  from 
Illinois  College  in  the  Class  of  1859.  In  1861, 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Tenth  Illinois 
Infantry;  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and 
then  Captain.  He  served  until  September,  1864, 
when  he  resigned  and  returned  to  Jacksonville, 
and  resumed  the  study  of  law,  which  he  com- 
menced before  he  entered  the  army.  In  June, 
1865,  he  was  admitted  to  practice,  and  at  once 
located  in  Springfield,  since  which  time  he  has 
actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 
He  married  Jennie  Salter,  July  ll,  1865,  by 
whom  he  has  had  two  daughters.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Wolcott  is  a  Republican. 

Thomas  C.  Mather,  of  Scholes  &  Mather,  has 
been  practicing  law  in  Springfield  since  the 
spring  of  1865,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the 
present  firm  since  1871.  He  first  read  law  with 
Hay,  CuUom  &  Campbell,  and  then  attended  the 
law  department  of  Michigan  State  University, 
where  he  completed  the  course  of  studies  in  that 
institution,  in  the  spring  of  1864.  He  then  en- 
tered the  office  of  a  law  firm  in  Chicago,  where 
he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of  this 
State,  and  at  once  returned  to  Springfield.  Mr. 
Mather  received  his  literary  education  in  the 
schools  of  Springfield,  and  a  partial  course  in 
Illinois  College,  at  Jacksonville.  His  parents 
dying  in  his  infancy,  he  was  reared  by  Colonel 
Mather,  since  deceased.  He  is  now  thirty-nine 
years  of  age,  and  since  infancy  his  home  has 
been  in  Sangamon  county. 

Clinton  L.  Conkling,  Attorney  and  Counselor 
at  law,  is  a  native  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  born 
October  16,  1843.  He  was  educated  in  Yale 
College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1864.  Clinton  studied  law  in  the  office 
of  his  father,  Hon.  James  C.  Conkling,  of 
Springfield,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in  the 
courts  of  Illinois,  November  23,  1866,  and  the 
United  States  in  January,  1867.  After  practic- 
ing a  few  years  he  turned  his  attention  to  the 
manufacturing  business,  but  in  1877  resumed 
the  duties  of  his  profession  to  which  he  now 
gives  his  whole  time,  devoting  special  attention 
to  chancery  and  real  estate  law,  and  to  the  set- 
tlement of  estates.  For  some  years  Mr.  Conk- 
ling was  secretary  of  the  Lincoln  Monument 
Association,  and  has  been  an  active  member  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


127 


the  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows  in  Central  Illi- 
nois, besides  being  idei'.titied  with  other  and 
similar  benevolent  societies.  He  has  also  been 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  the 
county,  two  terms.  In  his  real  estate  practice  he 
represents  large  land  interests  in  this  and  other 
States. 

In  1867  Mr.  Conkling  united  in  marriage  with 
j\Iiss  Georgie  Barrell,  and  they  now  have  a 
family  of  two  daughters,  Georgie  B.  Conkling, 
and  Kate  Conkling,  aged  eight  and  six  years  re- 
spectively. 

Lloyd  F.  Hamilton,  of  the  firm  of  McGuire, 
Hamilton  &  Salzenstein,  is  a  Kentuckian  by 
birth,  but  was  raised  in  Tazewell  county,  Illi- 
nois, his  mother  having  emigrated  to  tliat  count}^ 
while  he  was  yet  an  infant.  His  father  died 
before  they  came  to  this  State.  He  began  to 
study  law  in  1864,  with  .Judge  Schofield,of  Mar- 
shall, Illinois,  and  the  following  year  entered 
the  Law  Department  of  Michigan  University, 
where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then  entered 
the  Law  Department  of  the  Chicago  University, 
where  he  graduated  in  1866.  During  the  same 
year  he  passed  a  successful  examination  before 
the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois  and  was  admitted 
to  practice.  Selecting  Springfield  as  a  home,  he 
moved  to  that  city  and  opened  an  otliee 
and  has  since  continued  to  practice  here.  In 
1872  he  was  elected  States'  Attorney  and  served 
four  years,  and  was  highly  successful  as  a  pros- 
ecutor. Previous  to  this,  during  the  municipal 
year  of  1809-70,  he  was  City  Attorney  of  Spring- 
field. Mr.  Hamilton  has  studiously  devoted 
himself  to  the  pract^e  of  his  profession  and 
stands  well  with  the  Bar. 

James  W.  Patton  was  born  February  15,  1840, 
near  Auburn,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  When 
but  eight  years  ohl  his  father  died,  leaving  his 
mother  with  two  other  children  younger  than 
himself.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Eliza- 
beth A.  Moore,  and  she  now  resides  upon  the 
family  homestead  near  the  place  of  his  birth. 
His  grandfather,  .James  Patton,  was  among  the 
first  settlers  of  Sangamon  county,  having  emi- 
grated from  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  in  the 
spring  of  1820. 

Mr.  Patton  remained  with  his  mother  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  spent  two  or 
three  years  away  from  home  at  school.  Upon 
his  return  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  for  a 
while.  In  18(iO  he  entered  the  law  firm  of 
Messrs.  Hay  it  Cullora,  of  Springfield,  with 
whom  he  studied  until  admitted  to  the  Bar. 
After  that  he  was  engaged  with  his  brother, 
Matthew    Patton  in   merchandising  at   Auburn. 

15— 


At  the  Presidential  election  of  18G4,  he  was 
elected  one  ol  the  Kepresentativcs  of  Sangamon 
and  Logan  counties  to  the  legislature.  In  April 
1866,  he  located  in  Springfield,  and  commenced 
the  praciice  of  his  profession. 

December  ft,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Francinc 
E.  daughter  of  Hon.  Charles  II.  Lanphier,  of 
Springfield.  Mr.  Pattou  has  devoted  himself  to 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  in  which 
he  has  been  successful. 

Samuel  D.  Scholes,  of  the  firm  of  Scholes  & 
Mather,  is  a  native  of  Peoria  county,  Illinois, 
and  was  born  in  1841.  He  was  educated  in 
Antioch  College,  Yellow  Springs,  Ohio,  and 
began  reading  law  with  Johnson  &  Hopkins,  of 
Peoria.  When  the  war  commenced  he  enlisted 
and  served  as  Orderly  Sergeant  in  the  three 
months'  service,  and  afterwards  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  three  years'  service,  in  the  14  th 
Illinois  Infantry.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  in 
186.5,  he  again  returned  to  his  law  books,  and  in 
January,  1866,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and 
commenced  practice  in  Springfield.  In  1875  he 
received  the  appointment  of  Master  in  CHian- 
cery,  which  office  he  continues  to  hokl.  Since 
1871  the  present  law  firm  has  been  in  existence. 
Politically,  Mr.  Scholes  is  a  liepublican,  but  he 
has  never  been  actively  engaged  in  politics. 

Alfred  Orendorff,  Altorney-at-law,  was  born 
in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  29th  July,  1845. 
Joseph  Orendorft',  his  father,  was  a  North  Caro- 
linian by  birth,  but  came  to  Illinois  with  his 
parents  about  1819.  Christopher  Orendorff,  his 
father,  settled  on- Sugar  creek,  north  of  Spring- 
field, in  what  was  then  Sangamon,  now  Logan 
county,  and  liuilt  the  first  water-power  grist- 
mill in  that  part  of  the  country,  making  the 
burrs  of  boulders  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  mill.  Joseph  Orendorff  married  Elizabeth 
Stevens,  a  native  of  Henderson  county,  Ken- 
tucky. He  died  when  the  subject  of  this  biog- 
raphy was  a  lad  of  ten  summers,  and  his  widow 
removed  to  Lincoln,  Logan  county.  Alfred 
enjoyed  the  common  schools,  and  subsoipiently 
attended  the  Wesleyan  L^niversity  atJjincoln,  a 
year,  and  the  military  school  at  Fulton,  Illinois, 
a  short  time.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  gradu- 
ated from  the  Albany  Law  School,  and  spent 
the  succeeding  winter  in  Texas.  Returning  to 
Springfield  in  the  autumn  of  1867,  he  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  in  the  office  of  Herndon 
&  Zane;  and  upon  the  retirement  of  Judge 
Zane  from  the  firm,  the  law  partnership  of 
Herndon  &  Orendorff  was  formed,  and  con- 
tinued for  a  number  of  years.  June  22,  1870, 
Mr.   Orendorff    united  in   marriage  with   Miss 


128 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Julia,  daughter  of  Colonel  Joliu  Williams,  an 
early  settler  and  prominent  business  man  of 
Springfield.  In  1870  Mr.  Orendorff  was  nomi- 
nated by  the  Republicans  for  the  State  Senate, 
but  tbe  Democrats  being  largely  in  the  majority, 
he  was  beaten  by  their  candidate,  Hon.  Alexan- 
der Starne.  In  iB'ZS,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Democratic  Convention,  and  supported 
Hon.  Lyman  Trumbull  for  the  Presidency.  In 
1873  he  was  chosen  by  tlie  Liberals  as  candidate 
for  Representative  to  the  General  Assembly  of 
Illinois.  The  choice  being  ratified  by  the  Dem- 
ocrats, he  was  elected,  and  was  made  a  member 
of  the  .Judiciary  Committee  in  that  body,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  framing  the  Revised  Stat- 
utes, made  necessary  by  the  adoption  of  the 
new  Constitution.  I^  Orendorff  joined  the 
Odd  Fellows  in  1874;  has  filled  the  various 
offices  in  the  subordinate  lodge;  was  cliosen  Rep 
resentative  of  No.  465  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  held 
in  Peoria  in  1S75;  was  elected  Grand  Master  of 
the  State  in  1878,  and  is  now  Representative  to 
tlie  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  the 
World. 

The  la\p  firm  of  Orendorff  &  Creighton  was 
formed  in  1879.  It  lias  an  extensive  business, 
and  its  members  are  recognized  as  aniong  the 
most  successful  practitioners  at  the  Sjiringfield 
Bar. 

Henry  S.  Greene,  Attorney  for  the  Wabash, 
St  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway  Conipanj',  and 
member  of  the  late  prominent  law  firm  of  Hay, 
Greene  &  Littler,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1833. 
At  six  years  of  age  he  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and 
grew  to  manhood  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Ontario 
in  the  Dominion  of  Canada.  In  1857  he  came 
to  Illinois,  read  law  in  the  office  of  Lawrence 
Weldon,  at  Clinton,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar  in  .January,  1860.  Having  previously  ar- 
ranged to  become  a  law  partner  with  Hon.  C  .H. 
Moore,  of  Clinton,  Mr.  Greene  entered  into  and 
remained  in  that  relation  six  years.  Three 
years  after  his  admission  he  was  appointed  At- 
torney for  the  Chicago  and  Alton  Railroad  Com- 
panj-  for  the  counties  of  Logan  and  McLean, 
which  position  he  resigned  upon  moving  to 
Springfield  in  1868,  since  which  time,  his  law 
firm  has  been  counsel  for  the  company  in  San- 
gamon county,  he  still  retaining  that  relation. 
In  1860  Mr.  Greene  associated  himself  with  Mr. 
D.  T.  Littler  in  the  practice  of  law,  and  upon 
the  dissolution  of  the  firm  of  llay  &  Palmer  by 
the  election  of  the  latter  to  be  Governor,  Hon. 
Milton  Hay  became  a  partner,  the  firm  title 
changing  to  Hay,  Greene  &  Littler.  This  part- 
nership ceased  by  dissolution  January  1,  1881. 


For  a  number  of  years  this  firm  has  had  charge 
of  the  legal  business  of  the  Wabash  Railway 
Company  in  this  part  of  the  State.  Some  time 
previously,  and  since  their  separation,  Mr.  Greene 
has  been  the  General  Counselor  for  the  Wabash, 
St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway  Company  for  Illi- 
nois, where  it  owns  and  controls  by  lease  1,300 
miles  of  railroad  lines,  and  Consulting  Counsel 
for  the  outside  business  of  the  companv,  con- 
trolling in  all  3,000  miles  of  road. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  its  existence,  he 
was  retained  as  counsel  for  the  American  Union 
Telegraph  Company  in  its  extensive  litigation 
with  the  W^estern  Union  Company,  previous  to 
their  consolidation.  In  none  of  the  large  legal 
business  which  Mr.  Greene  has  done  for  corpora- 
tions, has  he  received  a  stated  salary,  but  simply 
a  fee  for  the  professional  labor  performed.  In 
view  of  the  great  demand  upon  his  time  and  en- 
ergies in  attending  to  the  legal  matters  of  these 
companies,  he  h.is  withdrawn  almost  entirely,  of 
late  years,  from  general  court  practice  at  the  Bar. 
The  rapid  growth  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  & 
Pacific  Company's,  by  absorption  and  construc- 
tion, in  the  last  few  years,  has  created  a  large 
volume  of  legal  business,  and  extended  his  duties 
until  they  are  larger  outside  of  the  State  than 
in  it. 

In  1863,  Mr.  Greene  was  appointed  District 
Attorney,  by  Governor  Yates,  for  the  Eighth 
Judicial  District,  composed  of  the  counties  of 
DeWitt,  Logan  and  McLean,  and  was  subse- 
quently elected  to  the  same  position,  but  re- 
signed to  take  his  seat  in  the  legislature,  in  1867, 
in  which  he  served  one  regulai  and  two  special 
sessions;  and  upon  moving  from  the  district,  re- 
signed before  the  close  of  his  term  of  office. 

In  the  fall  of  I  85  4,  before  leaving  Canada,  Mr. 
Greene  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Hogle,  born  in 
that  country,  of  New  Hampshire  parentage. 
Their  family  consists  of  one  daughter  and  one 
son.  In  politics,  Mr.  Greene  has  always  been  a 
firm  and  active,  but  not  radical.  Republican. 

A.  N.  J.  Crook  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  but 
was  reared  in  Indiana,  his  parents  removing  to 
that  State  in  his  childhood.  In  1856  he  came 
to  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to 
Sangamon  county  in  1S62.  He  spent  two  years 
in  Pike's  Peak,  Colorado.  After  reading  law 
for  a  time  with  Herndon  &  Zane,  he  was  admit- 
ted to  the  Bar  and  commenced  practice  in 
Springfield.  In  1869  he  was  elected  County 
Judge  and  served  four  years.  He  also  served 
as  a  member  of  the  32d  General  Assembly  from 
Sangamon  county.  He  is  a  staunch  Democrat 
and  an  active  worker  in  its  interests. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMO^'  COUNTY. 


1'29 


James  C  Kobinson,  of  the  tirm  of  Palmers, 
Robinson  &  Shutt  is  a  native  of  Edgar  county 
Illinois,  where  he  was  born  in  1824.  1^1  is  father, 
Richard  Robinson  was  a  North  Carolinian,  and 
married  Sally  Dixon,  and  moved  to  Clark 
county,  Illinois,  in  1820,  but  removed  to  Edgar 
county  shortly  after.  Subsequently  he  returned 
to  Clark  county  where  .lames  was  brought  up 
and  educated.  Mr.  Rol)inson  read  law'  in  Clark 
county,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  about  ISfiO, 
and  followed  his  chosen  profession  in  that 
county  until  18G9,  when  he  settled  in  Spring- 
field. 

Like  many  other  lawyers,  of  a  past  Decade, 
Mr.  Robinson  became  somewhat  of  a  politician, 
and  in  1858  was  elected  from  the  Clark  county 
District,  a  member  of  Congress.  He  was  re- 
elected in  1S60  and  1862.  In  1868,  he  was 
placed  in  nomination  by  his  party,  the  Demo- 
cratic, for  the  office  of  Governor,  in  opposition 
to  his  present  law  partner — John  M.  Palmer, 
but  was  defeated.  In  ]S7i)  he  was  nominated 
for  Congress  from  the  Springfield  District  and 
triumphantly  elected,  and  re-elected  in  1872. 

Soon  after  his  settlement  in  Springfield,  Mr. 
Robinson  formed  a  partnership  with  A.  L. 
Knapp,  and  subsequently  William  L.  Shutt  was 
admitted  a  member  of  the  firm.  The  firm  con- 
tinued in  existence  until  the  death  of  Mr. 
Knapp  in  the  summer  of  1881.  Soon  after  this 
a  partnership  was  effected  with  John  M.  and 
John  Mayo  Palmer,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Palmers,  Robinson  &  Shutt,  the  firm  being  one 
of  the  strongest  in  the  State.  The  new  firm 
now  enjoys,  as  the  old  one  did  for  many  years, 
an  extensive  practice,  especially  in  the  upper 
courts.  Mr.  Robinson  is  recognized  as  an  excel- 
lent jury-lawyer,  and  as  a  stump  speaker  has 
few  equals. 

James  A.  Kennedy,  attorney  at  law,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Huntingdon  —  now  Blair — county,  Penn- 
sylvania; was  born  in  18-33.  David  Kennedy 
and  Mary  A.  Miller,  his  parents,  were  also  of 
that  State.  They  came  to  Illinois  about  1840, 
and  settled  in  Calhoun  county,  where  Mr.  Ken- 
nedy died  soon  after.  They  had  three  children, 
of  whom  James  is  the  only  one  alive.  Soon 
after  his  father's  death,  the  family  moved  to  St 
Louis,  Missouri,  and  he  was  there  reared  and 
educated,  completing  a  course  in  the  St.  Louis 
University  in  18.52.  He  then  went  south  and 
engaged  in  teaching  school  in  New  Orleans  and 
interior  Louisiana,  until  1857.  Returning,  he 
remained  in  St.  Louis  till  the  following  year, 
then  located  in  Waterloo,  Monroe  county,  Illi- 
nois; read  law  with  Hon.  William  R.  Morrison, 


and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1859.  He  was 
elected  (.'ounty  Superintendent  of  schools  in 
1860,  and  tilled  the  office  by  successive  elections, 
eight  years.  He  was  appointed  Master  in  Chan- 
cery about  the  same  time,  and  held  that  positioii 
till  he  niiived  to  Sangamon  county  in  1.S70. 
Here  he  taught  the  first  year  as  assistant  in  the 
city  high  school,  at  the  close  of  which  he  opened 
a  law  office;  was  elected  city  attorney  on  the 
Democratic  ticket  in  1874;  the  following  year 
was  chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace  to  fill  a  va- 
cancy, W'as  re-elected  in  1877,  and  served  till 
May,  1881.  LIpon  retiring  he  resumed  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  now  serving  his 
second  term  as  supervisor  from  Capitol  town- 
ship; was  chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee, first  term,  is  now  at  the  head  of  Com- 
mittee on  Pauper  and  Poor  Accounts.  In  Jan- 
uary, is79,  he,  with  several  others,  printers,  is- 
sued the  "Catholic  News,"  a  weekly  publication, 
which  was  suspended  about  six  months  later, 
from  lack  of  proper  sup])ort.  In  1858  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Clara  Vanderburgt,  a  native  of  Bel- 
gium, Europe,  but  came  to  America  at  ten  years 
of  age.  They  have  two  adult  daughters'  Mary 
E.  and  Emma.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  member,  and 
for  several  years  was  successively  President 
and  Secretary  of  the  LTnion  of  the  Irish  Catho- 
lic ]?enevolent  Societies,  of  Springfield. 

Charles  Philo  Kane,  late  of  the  tirm  of  Haz- 
lett  &  Kane,  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Andrew  J.  Kane, 
who  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1830, 
and  Caroline  M.  Beers,  whose  parents,  Philo 
Beers  and  Martha  Stillman,  settled  in  this 
county  in  1820,  and  are  believed  to  have  been 
the  second  couple  married  in  Sangamon  county. 
Charles  was  born  in  Springtield,  December  25, 
]  850,  graduated  from  the   city  high   school   in 

1868,  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  August, 

1869,  with  Messrs.  Hay,  Greene  &  Littler,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  June  13,  1871.  May  1, 
187^,  he  opened  a  law  office  in  company  with 
his  liite  partner,  Rol)ert  H.  Ilazlett.  In  the 
spring  of  1878,  Mr.  Kane  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Citj- Attorney,  and  re-elected  in  1879 
and  I SSO,  retiring  from  the  oflice  May  1,  1881. 
He  is  a  Mason,  a  Past  Master  in  St.  Paul's  lodge. 
No.  500,  is  a  memlierof  Springfield  Chapter  No. 
1,  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  has  been  two  years 
Recorder  of  ElwoodCommandery  No.  C,  Knights 
Templar. 

His  ))arents  reside  in  Springtield;  father  was 
born  in  1818,  mother  in  1827. 

John  C.  Lanphier,  second  son  of  Hon.  Charles 
H.  Lanphier.  Born  October  19,  1850,  in  Spring- 
tield,  Illinois;   graduate   of   class   of    1866,    of 


loO 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Springlield  High  School.  Studied  law  with 
Robinson,  Knapp  &  Shutt  and  with  Morrison  & 
Patton.  Admitted  to  the  Bar  July  4,  1871. 
Practit-ed  in  Chicago  three  years.  Went  into 
partnership  with  James  W.  Patton  in  January, 
1875,  firm  of  Patton  &  Lanphier.  Married 
April  11,  1877,  to  Miss  Susie  C.  Young,  at  St. 
Louis,  Missouri. 

Henry  H.  Rogers  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  He 
came  to  Illinois  in  18C9,  and  settled  in  Lawrence 
county.  In  1872  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar, 
and  commenced  practice.  In  1875  he  caffe  to 
Springfield  and  opened  an  office.  For  about 
two  jears  he  was  a  partner  of  Henry  B  Kane, 
the  partnership  being  dissolved  on  the  election 
of  Mr.  Kane  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  the  spring  of  1881 . 

John  C.  Snigg,  lawyer,  220  South  Si-xth  street, 
was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  November,  1849; 
came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  ISSii. 
His  parents  were  Edward  Snigg  and  Margaret 
Murphy.  Ilis  education  was  chiefly  attained  in 
the  printing  office,  he  having  never  attended 
school  more  than  six  months  in  his  life.  Mr. 
Snigg  entered  the  office  of  the  Springfield  Reg- 
ister as  an  apprentice  boy  in  1802,  and  worked 
in  that  and  the  Journal  office  until  1871.  He 
began  reading  law  in  May  of  that  year,  in  the 
office  of  Robinson,  Knapp  &  Shutt,  and  carried 
newspapers  meantime  to  defray  current  expenses. 
Passed  his  first  examination  in  Michigan,  in 
1873,  and  received  license  to  practice  law; 
passed  another  examination  before  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois  in  June  of  the  same  year,  and 
commenced  practice  in  Springfield.  He  was 
elected  City  Attorney  in  1875,  and  re-elected  in 
1876  and  1877.  During  the  last  term  he  revised 
the  city  ordinances,  after  thirteen  years  without 
revision.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  Mr.  Snigg  was 
elected  Representative  to  the  legislature  on  the 
Democratic  ticket,  for  its  thirty -first  session. 

Robert  H.  Ha/.lett,  State's  Attorney  for  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  late  senior  member  of  the 
law  firm  of  flazlett  &  Kane,  is  the  second  child 
and  eldest  son  of  a  family  of  six  children — 
three  of  each  sex — of  William  P.  and  Zerelda 
Hazlett,  nee  Haggard, and  was  born  in  Christian 
county,  Illinois.  His  grandfather  Hazlett  came 
from  Western  Virginia,  and  settled  in  Spring- 
field in  1828,  his  father  being  then  but  seven 
years  of  age.  Some  years  later  the  family 
removed  to  Christian  county.  There  his  parents 
raariied  and  remained  until  1860,  when  they 
returned  to  Sangamon  county  an<l  settled  where 
they  now  reside,  four  niiles  west  of  Springfield. 
Robert  labored  on  the  farm  until  twenty  years 


old,  enjoying  the  educational  advantages  of  the 
city  schools  and  two  years  attendance  at  the  State 
Industrial  L'niversity  at  Champaign,  Illinois. 
He  read  law  in  the  ofliee  of  Herndon  &  Oren- 
doi'ff  in  Springfield,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
Bar,  March  6,  1873.  He  served  as  Deputy  Clerk 
in  the  office  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  a  time; 
and  in  May,  1874,  he  formed  a  law  partnership 
with  Charles  P.  Kane,  and  opened  an  office  for 
practice.  In  1876,  Mr.  Hazlett  was  elected 
State's  Attorney  for  Sangamon  county,  and  re- 
elected in  1880.  In  polities  he  is  Democratic, 
and  was  elected  on  that  ticket. 

William  L.  Gross  is  an  Attorney-at  Law,in  the 
active  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  city  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  conjunction  with  Clinton 
L.  Conkling,  under  the  firm  of  Gross  & 
Conkling.  Mr.  (Jross  is  a  native  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  was  born  in  Fairfield,  Herkimer 
count)',  on  the  21st  of  February,  1839.  His  fa- 
ther, Rev.  Allia  Gross,  a  minister  in  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  his  mother  Alathea  Smith  Gross, 
were  boru  in  Courtland  county.  New  York. 
Ti  e  family  came  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of 
1844,  making  the  journey  in  a  movers'  covered 
wagon.  They  first  settled  in  Canton,  Fulton 
county,  and  afterwards,  in  ls48,  moved  upon  a 
farm  in  Knox  county. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  William,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  having  passed  through  the 
public  schools  and  the  Academy,  engaged  in 
teaching,  and  whi'e  so  engaged  he  prosecuted 
his  law  studies.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 
Springfield  on  June  27,  1862,  and  at  once  enter- 
ed into  pratice  in  that  city  in  co-partnership  with 
his  brtither,  Eugene  L.  Gross,  Esq. 

In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Gross  entered  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Government,  and  in  September, 
1863,  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  ililitary 
Telegraphs  in  the  Department  of  the  Ohio.  Im- 
mediately following  this  appointment,  on  Octo- 
ber 27,  1863,  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Lincoln,  a  Captain  and  Assistant  (Quartermaster 
of  Volunteers,  and,  under  command  of  General 
Anson  Stager,  was  assigned  to  duty  in  the  De- 
partment of  the  Ohio,  as  ^Military  Superintend- 
ent Telegraphs.  In  the  discharge  of  this  duty 
he  was  engaged  till  Johnston's  surrender  in 
the  spring  of  186.5,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  relieving  Colonel 
W.  G.  Fuller,  and  took  control  of  Military  Tele- 
graphs in  that  entire  department.  While  in 
this  latter  department  he  was  a  member  of  Gen- 
eral Phil  H.  Sheridan's  military  family,  and  a 
member  of  his  staff.  He  was  twice  breveted, 
once  as  major  and  afterwards  as  lieutenant  colo- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


i:n 


nel,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  August, 
1866. 

From  that  time  till  February,  1868,  he  was 
engaged  in  the  civil  telegraphic  service,  succes- 
ively  as  Auditor  of  the  Southwestern  Telegraph 
Oonipany,  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  as  financial 
agent  of  the  Western  Union  Telegraph  Com- 
pany for  the  district  west  of  the  Missouri,  and 
as  Su])erintendent  of  the  Tariff  Bureau  of  that 
compat>y  in  New  York  City. 

Resigning  that  position  in  February,  1S68,  he 
returned  to. Springfield,  and,  resuming  his  busi- 
ness relations  with  his  Ijrolher,  E.  L.  Gross, 
became  an  active  member  of  the  Law  and  Law 
Publishing  firm  of  E.  L.  &  W.  L.  Gross,  so  well 
known  throughout  'his  State.  In  1868  the  firm 
issued  the  first  volume  of  Gross'  Statutes  of 
Illinois,  a  work  accepted  by  the  courts  and  Bar 
as  authority,  and  specially  legalized  by  an  act  of 
the  legislature.  The  following  year  a  second 
■edition  was  issued,  including  the  laws  of  1869; 
and  the  firm  also  issued  an  Index  to  all  the  Laws 
of  Illinois,  a  work  of  great  research,  minute 
detail  and  merit.  In  1872  the  second  volume  of 
Gross'  Statutes  apjjeared,  and  the  following  year 
the  firm  was  dissolved  by  the  retirement  of  the 
elder  brother  on  account  of  ill  health.  The 
publications  of  the  firm  were  continued  by  the 
fiubject  of  this  sketch,  and  in  1874  appeared  the 
third  volume  of  Gross'  Statutes.  Of  these  pub- 
lications it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  they 
were  acceptable  alike  to  the  courts,  the  Bar,  and 
the  people,  and  will  long  remain  models  of  their 
kind. 

Since  1874  Mr.  Gross  has  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  this 
city. 

lie  was  elected  Representative  from  Sanga- 
mon county  to  the  Thirty-First  General  Assem- 
bly, upon  the  Republican  ticket,  and  served  dur- 
ing that  session. 

In  January  1881  he  formed  the  law  partner- 
ship now  existing,  with  Mr.  Clinton  L.  Conk- 
ling,  one  of  the  leading  law  firms  of  Sangamon 
connty. 

Upon  the  organization,  in  January  1877,  of 
the  Illinois  State  Bar  Association,  Mr.  Gross  was 
elected  its  Secretary,  and  by  successive  elections 
still  holds  that  important  position. 

In  1864  Mr.  Gross  was  married  to  Miss  Althea 
Livingstone,  of  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  and 
to  tliem  have  been  born  two  children,  Edgar  S. 
and  Louise. 

John  McAuley  Palmer  was  born  in  Scott 
county,  Kentucky,  September  13,  1H17.  While 
yet  in  his  infancy,  he  was  taken  by  his  parents 


to  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1831,  when,  in  company  with  his 
parents,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Madi- 
son county.  At  this  time  he  was  in  his  four- 
teenth year,  with  but  little  education,  and  only 
such  as  was  derived  from  the  common  country 
schools  of  that  day.  About  two  years  after,  his 
mother  died  and  the  family  was  broken  up.  The 
old  college  at  Alton,  commenced  on  the  manual 
labor  plan,  was  started  at  this  time,  and  he  de- 
termined to  avail  himself  of  its  privileges.  For 
one  year  he  arose  at  daylight,  built  the  tires, 
swept  the  floors,  and  did  other  chores  until 
school  hours,  when  he  prosecuted  his  studies. 

Some  four  years  after  (in  1838),  while  travel- 
ing as  a  clock  peddler,  he  stopped  all  night  at  a 
hotel  in  Carthage,  Hancock  county.  A  friend 
accompanied  him  to  the  hotel,  and  the  two  were 
assigned  a  room  with  two  beds.  Late  in  the 
night  they  were  aroused  by  the  landlord,  who 
ushered  in  two  strangers.  "Sorry  to  waken 
you,  gentlemen,"  said  he,  "but  here  are  two 
strangers  who  want  a  bed.  You  two  must  sleep 
together,  or  share  your  beds  with  them."  Palmer 
turned  over,  rubbed  his  eyes,  and  saw  before 
him  a  short,  spare  man,  with  broad,  expansive 
forehead,  and  large,  luminous  eyes.  The  other 
was  taller,  tine-looking,  and  had  the  appearance 
of  being  a  college  professor.  The  tali  man  in- 
quired about  their  politics.  "Well,"  replied 
Palmer,  "  My  friend's  a  Whig,  and  I  am  a  Demo- 
crat." "You  take  the  Whig,  and  I'll  take  the 
Democrat,"  said  the  short  man.  They  got  into 
bed,  and  all  were  soon  sound  asleep.  The  next 
morning  Palmer  inquired  the  name  of  his  bed- 
fellow. It  was  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  the  Little 
Giant  of  the  West.  His  fellow-traveler  was 
John  T.  Stuart. 

In  1839,  Mr.  Palmer  went  to  Carlinville,  and 
entered  the  law  oflice  of  John  S.  Greathouse, 
and  commenced  the  study  of  law.  In  Decem- 
ber of  the  same  year  he  went  to  Springfield  to 
apply  for  license  to  practice.  The  court  appoint- 
ed Judge  Douglas  and  J.  Young  Soammon  to 
examine  him.  His  examination  was  satisfac- 
tory, Mr.  Douglas  remarking,  "You  may  not 
now  be  able  to  take  charge  of  important  law 
cases,  but  from  the  cut  of  your  features  and  set 
of  your  clothes,  you  soon  will  be."  In  the  even- 
ing Mr.  Palmer  took  a  stroll  around  town,  and 
into  a  church  used  as  a  State  House,  where  a  tall, 
long,  bony  man  was  entertaining  a  crowd  with  a 
speech  that  was  full  of  anecdote,  logic  and  com- 
mon sense.  He  inquired  his  name,  and  was  in- 
formed that  it  was  Abe  I^incoln.  The  next  day 
he  was  introduced  to  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  from  that 


132 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


day  to  the  death  of  Lincoln  they  were  warm 
personal  friends. 

Returning  to  Carlinville,  he  at  once  com- 
menced the  practice  of  law,  and,  although  he 
was  not  a  good  speaker,  he  soon  commanded  a 
lucrative  practice.  In  1840  he  supported  Van 
Buren  for  the  Presidency,  taking  an  active  part 
in  the  canvass. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  1842, he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  MelindaAnn  Neeley.  Two  weeks 
after  marriage  the  couple  went  to  housekeeping. 
The  whole  cost  of  furniture  and  everything  nec- 
essary to  go  to  housekeeping,  was  less  than  tifty 
dollars. 

While  a  strong  Democrat,  Mr.  Palmer  was 
always  an  anti-slavery  man,  and  when  the  Kan- 
sas-Nebraska act  of  1854  became  the  issue,  he 
sided  with  the  Anti-Nebraska  Democrats.  He 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  this  year,  which 
contained  four  Anti-Nebraska  Democrats.  A 
United  States  Senator  was  to  be  elected  in  place 
of  General  Shields.  The  Anti-Nebraska  Demo- 
crats held  the  balance  of  power.  Palmer  ottered 
to  go  into  the  Democraticcaucus, provided  fealty 
to  the  Kansas-Nebraska  act  was  withdrawn. 
His  otter  was  refused.  Shields  was  nominated 
by  the  Democrats,  Lincoln  by  the  Whigs,  and 
Palmer  ))Ut  Lyman  Trumbull  in  nomination  as 
the  representative  of  the  Anti-Nebraska  Demo- 
crats. Trumbull  was  elected.  Douglas  labored 
hard  with  Palmer  to  get  him  to  vote  for  Shields, 
and  both  in  the  wordy  contest  lost  control  of 
their  temper.  Doug'as  taunted  him  with  going- 
over  to  the  Aljolitionists,  and  said  he  could  till 
his  place  with  plenty  of  good  Whigs.  Palmer 
grew  hot  and  retorted,  "So  help  me  God,  I'll 
never  vote  for  Shields.  You  know  how  warmly 
I  have  supported  you.  You  now  tell  me  you  are 
willing  to  part  with  me, and  that  you  can  fill  my 
place  with  your  life-long  enemies.  You  demand 
that  I  shall  surrender  my  personal  independence 
and  manhood,  and  threaten  me  if  I  refuse.  From 
this  time  forward  I  will  tight  you,  and  will  never 
speak  to  you  until  you  are  beaten,  and  lose  your 
power  to  make  and  unmake  men."  The  friend- 
ship was  severed  and  not  renewed  until  1861, 
when  the  Governor  of  Illinois  sent  Palmer  to 
Washington  as  a  member  of  the  Peace  Confer- 
ence. The  morning  after  his  arrival  Douglas 
sent  a  card  to  his  room  requesting  an  interview. 
The  great  statesman  came  in,  and,  offering  his 
hand,  said:  "Well,  Palmer,  the  time  has  come 
when,  by  your  own  limitation,  we  are  to  be 
friends.  I  beat  you  a  long  time  ago,  but  it  has 
taken  you  a  long  time  to  beat  me.  I'm  glad  to 
.see  you."     "Yes,  Judge,"   said  Palmer,  "You 


were  a  thundering  hard  man  to  beat."  Douglas 
then  said:  "You  have  always  misunderstood  me. 
Years  ago  I  saw  that  Davis  and  others  meant 
disunion.  I  sought  to  force  the  issue  upon  them 
in  the  Lecompton  controversy,  aiid  would  have 
done  so  if  Buchanan  had  not  proven  false. 
Then,  there  was  Union  feeling  enough  even  in  the 
South  to  crush  them.  They  have  since  had  two 
years  to  educate  the  South  into  secession." 
Then  rising,  and,  in  a  solemn,  prophetic  voice, 
he  said:  "And  now  you  will  see  millions  of  men 
in  arms  before  the  question  is  settled." 

The  campaign  of  1856  was  the  first  in  which 
figured  the  newly  organized  Ivepublican  party. 
Palmer  gave  his  adhesion  to  that  party.  In 
1 860  he  did  much  service  in  the  election  of 
Lincoln  to  the  Presidency.  When  the  war  broke 
out.  Palmer  raised  the  14th  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
by  brave  and  gallant  deeds  was  promoted  to 
Major  General,  given  command  of  a  corps,  and 
afterwards  a  department. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  the 
practice  of  law,  and  in  1868  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State,  serving  four  years  with 
marked  ability.  On  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  ottice,  he  located  permanently  in  Springfield, 
and  is  now  an  active,  honorable  member  of  the 
Sangamon  County  Bar. 

John  Mayo  Palmer,  of  the  firm  of  Palmers, 
Robinson  <t  Shutt,  was  born  in  Carlinville,  Illi- 
nois, March  10,  1848.  He  is  the  son  of  John 
M.  and  Melinda  A.  (Neeley)  Palmer.  Young 
Palmer,  preparatory  to  his  collegiate  course,  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  his  native  city.  He 
then  entered  Blackburn  LTniversity,  and  subse- 
quently ShurtJeff  College,  Upper  Alton,  Illinois, 
where  he  retnained  four  years.  Desiring  to  be 
with  his  father  during  the  war,  he  left  college 
before  graduating,  and  never  returned.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  he  read  law  with  his  father, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the  summer  of 
1867.  He  then  entered  the  law  department  of 
Harvard  University,  Cambridge,  Massachusetts, 
and  in  June,  1868,  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
LL  B.  He  next  returned  home  and  commenced 
the  practice  of  law  in  Carlinville,  where  he  re- 
mained until  September,  1872,  when  he  moved 
to  Springfield  and  formed  a  partnership  with 
his  father,  and  has  since  been  an  active  member 
of  the  Sangamon  County  Bar.  During  his  legal 
practice  in  Carlinville  he  served  as  City  Attor- 
ney one  year.  After  his  removal  to  Springfield 
he  served  as  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  from 
1874  to  1877.  At  the  general  election  in  1876, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Illinois  Legis- 
lature by  the  Democratic  party,  with  which  he 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


133 


affiliates.  Jnhn  Mayo  Palmer  and  Ellen  Kob- 
ortson,  daughter  of  Dr.  W.  A.  and  Nannette 
(Ilolliday)  Robertson,  were  united  in  marriage 
in  Carlinville,  Illinois,  July  7,  1869.  Three 
children  have  resulted  from  this  union — John 
McAuley,  born  in  Carlinville,  April  23,  1870; 
Robertson,  born  in  Carlinville,  July  5,  1872; 
George  Thomas,  born  in  Springfield,  March  5, 
187.5.  Mrs.  Palmer  completed  her  education  at 
Monticello  Seminary,  Godfrey,  Illinois.  She  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

George  W.  Murray,  attorne^'-at-law,  was  born 
at  Covington,  Miami  county,  Ohio,  July  7,  1839. 
David  Murray,  his  father,  was  a  farmer,  residing 
near  Dayton.  George  was  educated  in  the  city, 
and  taught  school  four  years  before  beginning 
the  pursuit  of  law.  He  read  law  in  the  office  of 
General  Moses  B.Walker,  in  Dayton,  in  1859 
and  I860;  was  admitted  in  June,  1861,  and  com- 
menced practice  in  that  city.  Was  several  years 
a  member  of  the  City  Council  while  there.  In 
1874  Mr.  Murray  moved  to  Springfield,  Illinoi.s, 
and  has  since  been  an  active  member  of  the 
Sangamon  County  Bar.  In  April,  ls8l-,  he  en- 
tered into  co-partnership  with  Noah  II.  Turner, 
which  relation  still  exists.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  in  October,  1860,  he  married  Miss  Emma 
Neisbert,  of  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Robert  W.  Maxwell  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  December  13,  1845.  He  read  law  and 
graduated  from  the  law  department  of  Michi- 
gan University,  in  March,  1874.  In  June  fol- 
lowing he  was  licensed  to  practice  in  the  courts 
uf  Illinois.  In  1875  he  went  to  Decatur  and 
remained  over  three  years  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  Returning  to  Springfield,  he  opened 
an  office,  and  in  June,  18V9,  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Judge  Robertson.  He  affiliates  with 
the  Democratic  party,  and  has  been  somewhat 
active  in  local  politics,  but  was  never  a  candi- 
date for  office  save  that  of  City  Attorney  in  issi, 
but  was  beaten  by  a  combination  of  Republicans 
and  citizens. 

George  A.  Sanders,  Attorney-at-law,  of  the 
firm  of  Sanders  &  Williams,  National  Bank 
building,  was  born  in  Berkshire  county,  Mass., 
July  4,  18-!6;  graduated  from  Williams  College 
in  1861;  can^e  to  Illinois;  read  law  with  Messrs. 
Sweet  &  Orme  in  Bloomington,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  in  1864.  He  jiracticed  his 
profession  five  years  in  Centralia,  Illinois.  In 
1868  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  Electors 
for  General  Grant  for  the  Presidency.  In  the 
winter  of  1869-70  Mr.  Sanders  became  Assistant 
State   Treasurer,    which   position    he   filled  six 


years;  and  since  retiring  from  that  department, 
he  has  been  in  active  law  practice  in  Spring- 
field. He  entered  into  co-j)artnership  witti 
Frank  P.  Williams,  January  1,  1881.  Mr.  San- 
ders has  always  affiiliated  with  the  Republican 
party  and  been  an  active  worker  in  its  interests. 

James  H.  Matheny,  Jr.,  is  a  "native  to  the 
manor  born."  He  was  born  in  Si)ringfield,  Illi- 
nois, in  1856,  and  is  the  third  son  of  James  H. 
Matheny,  the  present  County  Judge  of  Sanga- 
mon county.  He  was  educated  in  the  city;  read 
law  from  1874  to  1876,  and  was  then  admitted 
to  the  Bar.  In  1877  he  opened  an  office  in 
Springfield,  and  has  since  devoted  himself 
closely  to  his  profession. 

Henry  A.  Stevens,  Lawyer,  office  110  North 
Sixth  street ;  was  born  in  Sheft'ord  county,  in  the 
Dominion  of  Canada,  July  17,  1847.  John  M. 
Stevens  was  a  native  of  New  Brunswick,  and 
married  Sibyl  Goddard,  a  Canadian  lady  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  one  of  their  family  of 
ten  living  children,  five  of  each  sex.  Three  of 
the  sons  are  lawyers,  and  one  a  physician  by 
profession.  Henry  was  educated  in  Canada  ami 
Vermont.  Came  to  the  United  States  in  186.5, 
to  Logansport,  Indiana,  in  1868,  and  to  Spring- 
field in  1869.  The  next  four  years  he  spent  in 
teaching  .school  and  reading  law.  From  the  fall 
of  1873  till  1877,  he  practiced  law  in  Monona 
county,  Iowa,  and  since  that  time  has  been  an 
active  member  of  the  Springfield  Bar.  In  the 
spring  of  1870,  Mr.  Stevens  was  made  a  Mason, 
in  Williamsville,  Sangamon  county,  and  is  now 
a  member  of  that  fraternity.  He  married  Miss 
Laura  Southwick,  m  Springfield,  in  the  spring 
of  1873.  Her  parents,  William  and  Louvioy 
Southwick,  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  in  lsl9, 
and  still  live  on  the  old  homestead,  entered  by 
his  father,  Jessie,  in  Woodside  township,  about 
seven  miles  southeast  of  the  city.  Mr.  and  iMrs. 
Stevens  have  one  daughter,  aged  seven  years,  and 
a  son  five  years  old.  Mr.  Stevens'  parens  immi- 
grated to  Illinois  in  1866,  and  now  reside  in 
Shelby  county. 

James  E.  Dowling,  Attorney  at  Law,  was 
born  in  Pine  Grove  near  Carlisle,  Pennsylvania, 
in  April,  1844,  and  is  the  only  living  son  of  a 
family  of  three  boys  and  five  girls,  of  Patrick 
J.,  and  Ann  Dowling,  who  were  born  and  married 
in  Ireland,  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  when  Mr. 
Dowling  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  When 
James  was  thirteen  years  old,  the  family  moved 
to  Freeport,  Stephenson  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  was  chiefly  educated,  graduating  from  the 
high  school  in  that  place  in  1860.  After  reading 
law    with    Thomas    J.    Turner,    of    Freeport, 


134 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


two  years,  he  attended  the  Albany  Law 
School,  New  York,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
May  '20,  18(i4.  He  located  in  practice  in  Peters- 
burg, Illinois,  was  chosen  Secretary  of  the  State 
Senate  for  the  session  of  1865-6,  at  the  close  of 
which  he  moved  to  Athens,  Menard,  county,  and 
there  practiced  law  eleven  years,  in  1877  here- 
moved  to  Springfield  where  he  has  been  active  in 
the  profession  since.  In  politics  Mr.  Dowling  is 
Republican,  and  \\as  quite  active  in  the  canvass 
in  5lenard  county,  previous  to  General  Grant's 
last  election  to  the  Presidency.  He  married 
Miss  Savilia,  daughter  of  James  G.  Davis,  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Menard  county,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1865.  They  have  a  family  of  three  sons 
and  six  daughters.  Mr.  Dowling  is  a  member 
of  Capital  City  Lodge  No.  38,  of  Ancient  Order 
of  United  Workmen. 

James  A.  Creighton,  lawyer,  of  Orendorjf  & 
Creighton,  northeast  corner  Washington  and 
Fifth  streets,  was  born  in  White  county,  Illinois, 
and  is  thirty-five  years  of  age.  He  was  graduated 
from  Southern  Illinois  College,  at  Salem,  in  June, 
1868;  read  law  with  C.  A.  Beecher,  in  Fairfield, 
Illinois,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  March, 
1870.  After  practicing  law  in  Fairfield  until 
April,  1877,  he  located  in  Springfield,  forming  a 
co-partnership  with  Mr.  A.  Orendorff,  which 
still  exists.  The  firm  has  a  fine  legal  business. 
John  M.  Creighton,  Mr.  C.'s  father,  was  also 
a  native  of  White  county,  Illinois,  born  in  1821; 
passed  his  whole  life  in  this  State,  and  died  in 
1869.  His  mother  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1824, 
and  is  still  living.  His  paternal  ancestors  were 
North  Carolinians,  and  his  maternal  ancestors 
from  Virginia. 

George  A.  Wood,  lawyer,  office  corner  Wash- 
ington and  Sixth  streets,  is  the  youngest  of  a 
family  of  six  children,  three  of  each  sex,  of 
Adolphus  Wood  and  Catharine  Carpenter,  and 
was  burn  in  January,  185S,  in  Springfield,  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois.  Adolphus  Wood  was  a 
native  of  York  State,  came  to  Sangamon  county 
in  an  early  day,  married  Miss  Carpenter,  who 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county  in  1820  —  her 
parents,  William  and  Margaret  Carpenter  having 
settled  here  that  year.  Mr.  Wood  died  January 
12,  1861.  His  widow  still  survives  and  resides 
in  Springfield.  Tlie  subject  of  this  article  hav- 
ing completed  a  course  in  the  city  schools,  at- 
tended the  law  department  of  Michigan  State 
University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  that  State  the 
.same  year.  Speiit  a  year  in  Chicago,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  of  Illinois  in  187s,  and  at 
once  opened  a  law  office  in  Springfield  where  he 


has   since   been   actively   engaged    in    his    pro- 
fession. 

Thomas  Sterling,  City  Attorney,  and  member 
of  the  law  firm  of  Sterling  &  Grout,  was  born 
in  Lancaster,  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  February 
21,  1851;  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Anna  (Kes- 
lar)  Sterling,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  moved  to 
McLean  county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  which  is  still 
their  home  Thomas  was  graduated  from  Wes- 
leyan  University  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  in 
June,  1875.  While  teaching  as  Principal  of  the 
schools  of  Bement,  Illinois,  in  J875-G,  he  read 
law  in  the  office  of  Judge  W.  G.  Cloyd;  came 
to  Springfield,  June  1,  1877,  and  entered  the  law 
office  of  Hay,  Greene  tfe  Littler;  was  admitted 
June  11,  1878,  and  commenced  practice  of  his 
profession  in  company  with  his  present  partner, 
J.  M.  Grout.  In  April,  1881,  Mr.  Sterling  was 
elected  City  Attorney  on  the  Republican  and 
Citizens'  tickets.  He  married  Miss  Anna  Dunn, 
of  Bement,  Illinois,  in  October,  1877.  He  is  a 
Master  Mason  in  St.  Paul's  Lodge  No.  500. 

Joseph  M.  Grout,  Attorney  and  Counselor  at 
Law,  corner  Washington  and  Sixth  streets,  is 
one  of  two  sons  of  Joseph  M.  Grout,  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  and  Priscilla  Thompson  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  born  near  Mechanicsburg,  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  in  1855.  Joseph  M. 
Grout,  Sr.,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  Presbyterian 
clergymen  in  Sangamon  county,  and  died  of  the 
cholera  in  1855,  before  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born,  and  his  mother  died  when  he  was  but 
ten  weeks  old.  He  was  taken  by  an  uncle  to 
Massachusetts,  where  the  first  eight  years  of  his 
life  were  passed.  Returning  to  Illinois,  he  was 
graduated  from  Illinois  College,  in  Jacksonville, 
in  the  class  of  1876;  came  immediately  to 
Springfield  and  commenced  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  Hay,  Green  &  Littler;  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar  in  1878,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  ye.ar 
entered  into  co-partnership  with  Thomas  Ster- 
ling, his  present  partner,  with  whom  he  read 
law,  and  was  admitted  in  the  same  c'ass.  INlr. 
Grout  is  Republican  in  politics,  but  has  never 
been  a  candidate  for  any  office.  He  was  united 
in  matrimony  with  Miss  Flora  Grubb,  of  Spring- 
field, in  1879. 

William  IJenry  Colby,  Lawyer,  of  the  firm  of 
Ilerndon  &  Colby,  was  born  in  Orange  county. 
New  York,  September  14,  1849.  James  Colby, 
his  father,  moved  his  family  to  Illinois  and 
settled  near  Chicago  the  same  year  of  William's 
l)irth.  His  father  died  there  in  1858,  and  his 
mother  in  1863.  William  came  to  Springfield 
in  March,  1863,  with  a  single  suit  of  clothes  and 
twenty-five  cents   in   his  pocket,  which  he  paid 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


137 


for  his  night's  lodging,  retiring  supperless.  He 
sought  and  obtained  employment  with  George 
JJergen,  a  farmer  near  the  city,  for  whom  he 
worked  nine  years,  the  first  eiglit  months  at  $(5 
per  month,  which  was  increased  in  after  years  to 
§25  per  month.  Prior  to  beginning  the  practice 
of  law,  he  leased  and  earned  on  a  part  of  Mr. 
Bergen's  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  he 
married  Henrietta  Gantrall,  of  Sangamon  county. 
He  commenced  reading  law  in  the  ofiice  of  Pat- 
ton  &  Lanphier  in  January,  1876,  and  was 
admitted  in  January,  1S78,  in  the  class  with  his 
]>resent  partner,  William  F.  Herndon.  They 
were  schoolmates  and  law  students  together. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colby  have  two  children,  Charles 
P.,  five  years  of  as,"e,  and  Henrietta,  three  years 
old. 

William  F.  Herndon  was  born  in  DeWitt 
county,  Illinois,  in  18-18;  is  the  eldest  of  three 
sons  and  five  daughters  of  Archer  G.  Herndon; 
was  educated  chiefiy  in  Springfield;  taught 
school  about  ten  years;  read  law  in  the  office  of 
CuUom.Scholes  ifc  Mather  in  187.5and  187(5;  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  January,  1878,  and  has 
since   been  in  practice  in  Springfield. 

In  September,  1871,  he  married  Mary  H. 
Bryant,  of  Sangamon  county,  who  has  borne  him 
one  son,  Edgar  B.  Mr.  Uerndon's  parents  have 
resided  in  Rochester  township,  Sangamon 
county,  many  years. 

Henry  B.  Kane  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, January  17,  1855.  His  father.  Elder  A. 
J.  Kane,  is  one  of  the  oldest  ministers  of  the 
Christian  Church,  in  this  county.  His  mother  is 
the  daughter  of  Philo  and  Martha  (Stillman) 
Beers,  supposed  to  be  the  first  couple  married  in 
the  county.  Mr.  Kane  graduated  in  the  Spring- 
field High  Sciiool,  in  1872.  In  1873,  he  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  -mail  carriers  in  the  city,  and 
served  three  and  a  half  years,  and  on  account  of 
ill-health  resigned.  He  read  law  during  that 
time,  utilizing  his  spare  hours  for  that  purpose, 
and  in  January,  1878,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar. 
He  then  entered  the  office  of  N.  W.  Branson, 
Register  in  Bankruptcy,  as  his  deputy,  and  re- 
mained with  him  until  the  law  was  repealed, 
about  a  year  after.  Subsequently  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  II.  H.  Rogers,  in  the  practii'o 
of  law.  which  continued  until  he  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  1881. 

Frank  H.  Jones  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  1854,  and  is  the  son  of  George  M.Jones, 
Clerk  of  the  A))pellate  Court,  in  Springfield.  He 
entered  Yale  College  in  1871  and  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1875.  Returning  to  Pike  county, be 
read    law  one   year  in  Pittsfield,  then   spent  a 

16— 


year  in  the  Law  Department  of  Columbia  Col- 
lege, and  a  year  in  liie  Chicago  Law  School.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the  spring  of  1878, 
and  immediately  opened  an  office  in  Pittsfield, 
where  he  remained  one  year,  and  then  came  to 
Springfield. 

John  A.  Chestnut,  attorney  and  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  January,  1816. 
James  Chestnut,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
South  Carolina,  of  Irish  descent,  and  married 
Elizabeth  Stevenson,  a  North  Carolina  lady. 
They  settled  near  \Vaverly,  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  in    1826,  where    Mr.  Chestnut  died  in 

1849,  and  his  widow  in  1833.  John  was  princi- 
pally educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ken- 
tucky; read  law  in  the  office  of  P.  H.  W^inchester, 
Carlinville,  Illinois,  and  was  admitted  in  Decem- 
ber, 1837,  to  practice  in  the  Illinois  Supreme 
Court,  and  in  1841,  to  the  LTnited  States  Courts. 
He  practiced  in  Carlinville  from  1837  till  1855, 
Governor  John  M.  Palmer  being  his  chief  cim- 
petitor.  He  then  abandoned  the  law,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  real  estate  and  banking  business  in 
that  place,  which  proved  so  successful  that  he 
retired  in  a  few  years  with  a  comfortable  com- 
petence, and  came  to  Springfield.  Here  Mr. 
Chestnut  made  some  investments  in  real  estate 
that  proved  unprofitable,  and  he  lost  consider- 
able. In  1867,  he  was  made  cashier  of  the 
Springfield  Savings  Bank,  holding  the  position 
till  May,  1872.  After  spending  a  year  in  the 
office  of  Stuart,  Edwards  &  Brown,  he  opened  a 
law  office  and  resumed  practice  in  1879.  In  the 
spring  of  18-^1,  he  was  elected  Justice  on  the 
Republican  and  Reform  tickets.     From  1838  to 

1850,  he  filled  the  office  of  County  Clerk  in  Ma- 
coupin county;  was  three  times  nominated  on 
the  old  Whig  ticket  for  the  legislature,  but  the 
party  being  in  the  minority,  failed  to  elect  their 
candidate.  He  declined  the  nomination  for  Con- 
gress in  1860.  Mr.  Chestnut  has  been  twice 
married,  first  to  Sarah  A.  Blair,  of  Greene  county, 
Illinois,  in  1844,  who  died;  and  in  1854  he  mar- 
ried Kate  N.  Corbett,  of  Jersey  county.  He  has 
one  daughter,  Leonora,  by  the  first  marriage, 
now  Mrs.  Tingley  S.  W^ood,  of  Leadville,  Colo- 
rado.    Mr.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Thomas  J.  Thompson,  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  Attorney-at-law,  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Margaret  Thompson,  nee  Coleman,  of  Irish 
nativity,  and  was  liorn  in  Philadeljihia,  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1853.  During  his  childhood  they 
moved  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  Thomas  at- 
tended the  public  school,  after  which  he  took  a 
course  in  Williams  C!ollege,  Massachusetts,  grad- 
uating in  the  class  of  1874.     He  taught  as  Prin- 


138 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


cipal  of  llic  U  illiainstown  Academy  out' year; 
then  returning  to  Ohio,  read  law  in  the  office  of 
Samuel  A.  Brown,  of  Springfield.  He  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  December  1878,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the  spring  of  1879,  since 
wliich  time  he  has  divided  his  attention  between 
professional  practice  and  stenographic  reporting 
of  court  proceedings,  until  elected  Justice  in  the 
spring  of  lssi,on  the  combined  vote  of  tlie  Citi- 
zen's and  Democratic  tickets.  Mr.  Thomj)son 
served  as  Secretary  of  the  Democratic  State 
Central  Committee  during  the  political  cam- 
paign of  1880.  Wlien  a  lad  in  school,  young 
Thompson  received  an  injury  through  the  rough 
conduct  of  a  fellow  pu))il,  which  rendered  him 
a  permanent  cripple,  resulting  in  the  shortening 
of  the  right  leg  some  three  inches.  He  posseses 
adaptation  both  by  nature  and  culture  for  the 
legal  profession,  and  gives  promise  of  a  success- 
ful career  at  the  B  ar. 

Winfield  S.  Collins,  lawyer,  is  the  son  of 
Horace  W.  Collins,  a  native  of  Champaign 
county,  Obio,  and  .Julia  E.  Sattley,  born  in  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois.  Her  father,  Robert  H. 
Sattley,  settled  in  the  county  in  a  very  early  day. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Cham- 
paign county,  Ohio,  March  30,  1848.  In  1855 
his  parents  moved  to  Johnson  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  labored  on  the  farm  till  twenty  one 
years  of  age,  then  set  about  earning  means  with 
■which  to  obtain  a  more  complete  education. 
He  taught  school  twelve  terms;  took  a  course  in 
Iowa  Agricultural  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  in  civil  engineering  in  theclassof  1876, 
with  distinguished  honors  as  a  draughtsman, 
having  won  the  prize  for  the  finest  piece  of  me- 
chanical drawing  at  a  State  exhibition.  In  the 
spring  of  1877,  Mr.  Collins  came  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  read  law  with  Robert  L.  McGuire  and 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts,  in  May, 
1879.  He  immediately  opened  an  office  in  the 
city,  and  began  the  business  of  his  profession. 
June  1,  1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Martin  Sprague,  wliich  still  continues. 

William  A.  Vincent  is  a  native  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  came  to  Sangamon  county  with  his 
parents  in  1868.  He  received  a  literary  educa- 
tion in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University, and  grad- 
uated from  the  Law  Department  of  Columbia 
College,  New  Jersey,  in  May,  1879.  Returning 
to  Springfield  the  same  month,  he  passed  an  ex- 
amination before  the  Supreme  Court  of  this 
State,  and  at  once  commenced  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  S|iringfield. 

Larue  Vredenburgh  was  born  in  Springfield 
in    1855,  graduated  from  Rutger's  College,  New 


Jersey,  in  1877;  read  law  in  Chicago,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  the  fall  of  1879,  and  has 
since  been  in  active  practice  in  Springfield. 

Alexander  H.  Robertson  is  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky and  a  graduate  in  both  the  Literary  and 
Law  De]iartments  of  Transylvania  University, 
in  that  State.  His  father  was  George  Robert- 
son, for  many  years  Chief  Justice  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  Kentucky,  and  Professor  in  the 
Law  Department  of  Transylvania  University, 
and  acknowledged  as  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers 
of  his  time  in  that  State.  In  1853  Alexander 
came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Jacksonville,  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  Subsequently  he 
returned  to  Kentucky,  where  he  remained  until 
1862,  during  that  time  serving  as  Judge  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  of  Lexington,  to  which 
office  he  was  elected  shortly  after  his  return. 
Coming  back  to  Illinois,  he  remained  for  a  time 
and  again  returned  to  Kentucky  to  look  after 
his  interests  in  that  State.  In  1879  he  came  to 
Springfield,  and  at  once  became  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Sangamon  County  Bar.  Judge  Rob- 
ertson, during  the  civil  war,  was  a  decided 
Union  man,  and  incurred  many  of  the  perils  and 
disadvantages  without  any  of  its  benefits.  His 
father  was  also  outspoken,  with  tongue  and  pen, 
in  defense  of  the  LTnion  .against  secession.  On 
coming  to  Springfield,  Judge  Robertson  formed 
a  partnershij)  with  R.  W.  Maxwell,  which  still 
continues. 

William  T.  Houston  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  his  parents  moving  here  in  1828.  He 
read  law  with  John  B.  Jones,  Taylorville,  Chris- 
tian county,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 
1878.  In  the  fall  of  1680,  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  opened  an  office.  He  served  in  the  army  as 
a  member  of  the  114th  Illinois  Infantry. 

Albert  Salzenstein,  of  the  firm  of  McGuire, 
Hamilton  &  Salzenstein,  is  a  native  of  Sanga- 
mon county.  After  graduating  in  the  Spring- 
field High  School  in  1876,  he  was  Assistant  Clerk 
of  the  Supreme  Court  about  eighteen  months, 
at  the  same  time  pursuing  the  reading  of  law. 
He  then  entered  the  office  of  L.  F.  Hamilton, 
and  continued  his  studies.  He  passed  examina- 
tion before  the  Supreme  Court  in  July,  ISSO,  but 
being  a  minor,  he  could  not  be  admitted.  In 
September  following,  he  attained  his  majority, 
and  opened  an  office  in  Springfield.  In  April, 
1881,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  present 
firm. 

Frank  R.  Williams,  of  the  firm  of  Sanders  & 
Williams,  is  a  native  of  New  York,  and  was 
educated  in  Cazinovia  Seminary,  in  that  State. 
He  afterwards  entered    the   law   department  of 


1I1ST(3IIY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


139 


Michigan  University,  and  graduated  in  1880. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  the  previous  Janu- 
ary, and  came  to  Springfiel<l  and  commenced 
practice.     The  firm  was  formed  .January  1,  1881. 

Noah  II.  Turner  comes  of  good  old  Irish  an- 
cestry and  a  long-lived  race,  and  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county.  He  read  law  with  L.  F. 
Hamilton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1880. 
He  formed  his  present  partnership  with  George 
W.  Murray  in  A])ril,  1S81. 

Edwin  C.  Ilaynie,  son  of  the  late  Adjutant- 
General  Haynie  and  Elizabeth  (Cooper)  Haynie, 
was  born  in  Salem,  Marion  county,  Illinois,  June 
27,  1856.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Springfield 
High  School,  of  the  class  of  1873;  Phillips' 
Academy,  Andover,  Massachusetts,  with  the 
class  of  187.5;  Yale  College,  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, in  the  class  of  1879;  Yale  Law  School, 
in  1881.  On  graduating,  he  secured  a  license  to 
practice,  and  is  now  a  member  of  the  Bar  of 
Sangamon  county.  Mr.  Haynie  was  married  in 
New  Haven,  Connecticut,  September  14,  1881, 
to  Minnie  Pierpont  Hall,  daughter  of  Lucius  W. 
Hall,  a  prominent  merchant  of  that  city,  and 
Elizabeth  (Shepherd)  Hall,  both  natives  of  Con- 
necticut. Mrs.  Haynie  is  a  graduate  of  a  class- 
ical institute  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  class  of 
1877. 


Walter  B.  Wines  was  bopn  in  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, October  10,  1848.  He  is  the  son  of 
Enoch  C.  and  Emma  S.  Wines,  natives  of  New 
Jersey  and  New  York  respectively.  He  entered 
Williston  Seminary,  East  Hampton,  Massachu- 
setts, at  an  early  age,  pre[iaratory  to  a  course  in 
Middlebury  College,  Middlebury,  Vermont,  in 
which  institution  he  graduated  in  the  classical 
course.  After  graduating  at  Middlebury  Col- 
lege, he  entered  the  Law  Department  of  Colum- 
bia College,  in  New  York,  and  graduated  in  the 
class  of  1871.  In  March,  1871,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  Bar,  and  commenced  practice  in  New  York 
city,  wliere  he  continued  until  March,  1879, 
when  he  moved  to  Springfield  and  became  iden- 
tified with  the  Bar  of  Sangamon  county.  At 
present  he  is  the  Special  Agent  of  the  United 
States  Census  Ofiice. 

Walter  B.  Wines  and  Annie  E.  Thornton,  of 
New  York,  were  married  March  16,  1869.  Mrs. 
Wines  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Bridget 
(Harrington)  Thornton,  the  former  a  native  of 
England  and  the  latter  of  Ireland.  Three 
children  have  been  born  unto  them — Annie  Ger- 
trude, Walter  Enoch  and  Edith  Mary.  Mrs. 
Wines  was  educated  in  the  convent  in  Burling- 
ton, Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wines  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  Church. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  VII 


THE  FISHER  MURDER  CASE. 


It  has  become  a  proverb  that  "truth  is  stran- 
ger than  fiction."  This  was  never  more  fully 
verified  than  in  the  events  here  related,  concern- 
ing three  brothers,  who  became  victims  to  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  cases  of  circumstantial 
evidence  on  record.  William,  Henry  and  Archi- 
bald Trayler,  were  each  born  in  Greene  county, 
Kentucky,  and  who  came  to  Illinois  about  the 
year  IS-ld.  William  settled  near  Greenbush, 
Warren  county,  about  one  hundred  miles  north- 
west of  Springfield.  Henry  settled  at  Clary's 
Grove,  Menard  county,  but  which  was  then  a 
part  of  Sangamon  county.  Archibald  settled  in 
Springfield,  and  engaged  in  business  as  a  car 
penter  and  builder.  He  owned  a  lot  on  the  cor- 
ner of  Adams  and  Third  streets,  and  built  thereon 
a  dwelling  house.  Being  a  bachelor,  he  rented 
the  house  to  his  partner,  Mr.  Myers,  and  boarded 
with  him.  The  three  brothers  were  each  sober, 
industrious  and  retiring  men,  there  being  noth- 
ing in  their  actions  that  would  give  rise  to  any 
remarks,  or  a  suspicion  that  they  would  be  guilty 
of  any  wrong-doing. 

Archibald  Fisher,  a  man  about  fifty  years  of 
age;  taught  school  in  Monmouth,  ^Varren  county, 
and  vicinity.  When  not  regularly  employed  in 
teaching,  he  worked  at  odd  jobs,  living  in  the 
families  of  those  who  employed  him.  He  was 
unmarried,  economical,  and  had  saved  up  a  few 
hundred  dollars,  and,  at  the  beginning  of  the 
.events  here  related,  he  was  boarding  at  the  house 
of  William  Trayler. 

Desiring  to  enter  some  land,  Mr.  Fisher,  in 
company  with  Mr.  Trayler,  started  together  for 
Springfield,  arriving  at  the  house  of  Henry 
Trayler  on  Sunday  evening.  The  next  morning, 
all  three  came  to  Springfield,  arriving  there 
about  noon,  Monday,  June  1,  1841,  and  stopped 
at  the  house  where  Archibald  Trayler  boarded. 
After  dinner  the  three  brothers  and  Fisher  left 
the  boarding  house,  in  company,  lor  the  purpose 
of  looking  about  the  town.     At  supper  time  the 


three  brothers  returned,  but  Fisher,  having  step- 
ped aside  as  they  were  passing  along  a  foot-path 
among  the  trees  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the 
city,  did  not  appear.  After  supper,  all  the  oth- 
ers went  in  search  of  him.  One  b}-  one  they 
returned  as  night  approached,  but  with  no 
tidings  of  Fisher.  The  next  morning  the  search 
was  continued,  but  up  to  noon  was  still  unsuc- 
cessful. 

William  and  Henry,  having  expected  to  leave 
early  that  morning,  expressed  their  intention 
of  abandoning  the  search  and  returning  home. 
This  was  objected  to  by  Archibald  and  those 
boarding  with  him  at  Mrs.  Myers',  as  it  would 
leave  Fisher  without  any  means  of  conveyance. 
They,  therefore,  continued  the  search  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day;  but  at  night,  William,  who 
evidently  was  greatly  disappointed  at  being  de- 
tained so  long,  unknown  to  Archibald,  hitched 
up  his  buggy  and  started  home.  Missing  him, 
and  learning  what  had  been  done,  Archibald 
followed  him  on  foot,  and  overtook  him  just  as 
he  was  entering  the  water  at  Hickox's  mill,  on 
Spring  creek,  near  where  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi 
railroad  now  crosses.  Remonstrating  with  him 
against  going  home  before  the  mystery  was 
cleared  up,  William  turned  'round  in  the  water, 
and  they  both  returned  to  Springfield.  Notwith- 
standing all  this,  William  and  Henry  started 
home  the  next  day. 

Up  to  this  time,  the  mysterious  disappearance 
had  attracted  but  little  attention.  Three  or  four 
days  later,  Henry  returned  to  Springfield  for  the 
purpose  of  continuing  the  search,  and  with  his 
brother  Archibald,  and  some  of  the  boarders, 
another  day  was  spent  in  the  search,  but  with- 
out avail,  when  Henry  concluded  to  cease  fur- 
ther efforts. 

On  Friday,  June  12,  James  W.  Keyes,  the 
Postmaster  at  Springfield,  received  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Tice,  postmaster  at  Greenbush,  Warren 
county,  stating   that   William   Trayler  had  re- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


141 


turned  home,  and  was  circulating  the  report  that 
Fisher  was  dead,  and  l)oasting  that  he  had 
willed  his  money  to  him,  and  that  he  had  gained 
about  fifteen  hundred  dollars  by  it — a  much 
larger  sum  than  Fisher  was  supposed  to  possess. 
Mr.  Tice  requested  the  Springtield  postmaster 
to  give  him  all  the  information  on  the  subject 
that  he  could.  The  contents  of  that  letter  were 
made  public,  and  the  excitement  became  wide- 
spread and  intense.  Springfield  had  now  a  pop- 
ulation of  about  two  thousand,  and  had  the  year 
previous  adopted  a  city  charter.  William  L. 
May  was  Mayor,  and  together  with  Josiah  Lam- 
born,  Attorney-General  of  the  State,  headed 
the  movement  to  ferret  out  the  mystery.  A 
large  company  was  raised  and  formed  into 
squads  and  marched  about  in  every  direction,  so 
as  to  leave  no  spot  unsearched.  Examinations 
■were  made  of  wells  and  every  conceivable  place 
where  a  body  might  be  concealed. 

In  the  search,  a  club  was  found  with  some  hair 
attached  to  it.  and  it  was  confidently  believed 
that  the  murder  had  been  committed  with  that 
weapon,  but  it  was  afterwards  demonstrated 
that  the  hair  was  from  a  cow.  This  search  was 
continued  until  Saturday  afternoon,  when  it  was 
determined  to  arrest  William  and  Henry  Tray- 
ler,  and  officers  started  for  them  on  Sunday 
morning.  Henry,  being  nearest,  was  brought 
to  Springfield  on  Monday.  The  Mayor  and 
Attorney-General  took  him  in  hand,  and  used 
every  device  to  elicit  information  of  the  sup- 
posed murder,  but  he  protested  his  innocence  of 
any  knowledge  on  the  subject.  He  was  re- 
minded that  the  circumstantial  evidence  was  so 
strong  that  he,  with  his  two  brothers,  would 
certainly  all  be  hung,  and  th.at  the  only  chance 
to  save  his  own  life  was  for  him  to  become  a 
witness  on  the  part  of  the  State.  He  withstood 
all  the  pressure  until  Wednesday,  the  seven- 
teenth of  the  month,  when,  protesting  his  own 
innocence,  he  stated  that  his  brothers,  William 
and  Archibald,  without  bis  knowledge  at  the 
time,  had  murdered  Fisher,  bv  hanging  him  to 
a  tree;  that  they  had  temporarily  concealed  the 
body;  that  immediately  [ireceding  the  departure 
of  himself  and  William  from  Springfield,  on 
the  second  or  third  of  June,  William  and  Archie 
communicated  the  fact  to  him,  and  engaged  his 
assistance  in  making  a  permanent  concealment 
of  the  bod)';  that  at  the  time  he  and  William 
left,  ostensibly  for  home,  they  did  not  take  the 
direct  road,  but,  wending  their  way  through  the 
streets,  entered  the  woods  at  the  northwest  of 
the  city,  and  that  on  ajjproaching,  where  the 
body  was  concealed,  he  was  placed  as  a  sentinel. 


He  then  entered  into  a  minute  description  of 
the  murder,  going  into  the  smallest  details. 
He  said  that  his  brothers  entered  a  thicket 
of  underbrush,  where  the  body  was  concealed, 
pl.aced  it  in  the  buggy,  moved  oiT  with  it  in  the 
direction  of  Hickox  mill-pond  on  Spring  creek, 
and  soon  after  returned,  saying  they  had  put  it 
in  a  safe  place;  that  Archibald  went  back  to 
town,  and  that  William  and  himself  found  their 
way  to  the  road,  and  proceeded  to  their  homes. 

Until  that  disclosure  was  made,  the  character 
of  Archibald  was  such  as  to  repel  all  suspicion 
of  his  com]ilicity  in  the  matter,  but  he  was  at 
once  arrested  and  hurried  to  jail,  which  was 
probably  the  best  thing  that  could  have  been 
done  for  him,  for  he  was  in  great  personal 
danger  from  the  infuriated  populace.  Search 
then  commenced  anew  for  the  body.  The  thicket 
was  found,  and  indications  of  a  struggle  under 
a  small  tree,  bent  over  as  though  the  hanging 
might  have  been  done  there.  A  trail  was  also 
visible,  as  though  a  body  had  been  dragged  to 
where  the  tracks  of  a  buggy  were  to  be  seen, 
tending  in  the  direction  of  the  mill  pond,  pre- 
viously spoken  of,  but  could  not  be  traced  all 
the  way.  At  the  pond,  however,  it  was  found 
that  a  buggy  had  been  down  into  the  water  and 
came  out  again.  Hundreds  of  men  were  en- 
gaged in  dragging  and  fishing  for  the  body. 
Ijecoming  impatient,  the  dam  was  cut  down  on 
Thursday  morning,  the  eighteenth  of  June,  and 
the  water  drawn  off,  but  no  body  found. 

About  noon  that  day  the  officers,  who  had 
gone  to  arrest  William  Trayler,  returned  with 
hira  in  custody,  acc()m])anied  by  a  gentleman 
who  called  himself  Dr.  Gilmore.  Then  it  was 
ascertained  that  William  Trayler  had  been  ar- 
rested at  his  own  house,  on  Thursday  the  six- 
teenth of  the  month, and  started  for  Springfield, 
stopping  at  Lewiston,  Fulton  county,  for  the 
night.  Late  in  the  night  Dr.  Gilmore  arrived 
there  and  told  the  officers  that  Fisher  was  alive 
and  at  his  hf)use;  that  he  had  followed  them  to 
give  the  information  so  that  the  prisoner  might 
be  released  without  further  trouble.  The  deputy 
sheriff — James  Maxcy  —  very  properly  refusetl 
to  release  him  on  the  word  of  an  entire  stranger, 
and  they  continued  tlieir  journey  to  Springfield. 

Dr.  Gilmore  told  the  officers  that  when  he 
heard  of  the  arrest  of  William  Trayler  for  the 
murder  of  Fisher,  he  was  a  few  miles  from 
home;  that  when  he  returned  to  his  own  house 
he  found  lisherthere;  thathe  would  have  taken 
Fisher  with  him  in  pursuit  of  the  officers  with 
the  prisoner,  but  that  the  state  of  Fisher's 
health  would  not  admit  of  it.     The  doctor  fur- 


142 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ther  said  thai  he  had  known  Fisher  for  several 
years,  and  that  he  was  subject  to  fits  of  tempo- 
I'ary  derangement  of  mind,  in  consequence  of 
an  injury  to  his  head,  received  in  early  life. 
The  doctor  still  further  stated  that  Fisher  told 
him  that  the  first  he  knew  after  visiting  Spring- 
field, he  found  himself  in  the  vicinity  of  Peoria. 
Being  nearer  to  his  home  than  to  Springfield,  he 
proceeded  at  once  to  Warren  county,  without 
the  slightest  thought  of  his  acts  leading  to  the 
injury  of  any  other  person. 

On  their  arrival  at  Springfield,  Dr.  Gilmore's 
statement  was  made  public,  and  at  first  the  peo- 
ple seemed  to  be  struck  dumb  with  astonish- 
ment. When  tlie  news  was  communicated  to 
Henry  Trayler,  in  the  jail,  he,  without  faltering, 
re-aflirmed  his  own  story  about  the  murder  of 
Fisher.  The  idea  was  at  once  taken  up  by  the 
crowd  that  Dr.  Gil  more  was  in  collusion  with 
the  murderers,  and  that  he  had  invented  that 
story  as  a  ruse  to  secure  their  release  and  escape. 
While  the  doctor  was  permitted  to  remain  at 
liberty,  he  was  regarded  with  strong  suspicion. 
About  3  o'clock  that  afternoon,  Mr.  Myers,  the 
partner  of  Archibald  Trayler,  started  with  a 
two-horse  carriage,  accompanied  by  Egbert  M. 
Mailory,  to  ascertain  whether  Fisher  was  alive 
or  not,  and  if  so,  to  bring  him  back  to  Spring- 
field. 

Without  waiting  for  the  return  of  Myers  and 
Mallor}',  the  Traylers  were  brought  before  the 
proper  officers  for  preliminary  examination,  on 
the  charge  of  the  murder  of  Archibald  Fisher. 
Henry  Trayler  was  introduced  on  the  part  of 
the  State,  and  on  oath  testified  that  his  brothers, 
William  and  Arichibald,  had  murdered  Archi- 
bald Fisher,  re-affirming  all  the  minutia  of  his 
former  statements,  and  at  the  close  bore  a  rigid 
cross-examination  without  faltering  or  exposure. 
It  was  also  proven  by  a  respectable  lady,  who 
was  well  actjuainted  with  Archibald,  that  on 
the  Monday  afternoon  of  Fisher's  disappear- 
ance, she  saw  Archibald  Trayler  and  another 
man,  who  she  identified  as  ^^'illiam  Trayler, — 
then  present — and  still  another,  answering  the 
description  of  Fisher,  all  enter  the  timber  ax  the 
northwest  of  town,  and  an  hour  or  two  lat^r, 
saw  the  two  former  return  alone.  Many  other 
witnesses  were  examined,  giving  a  combination 
of  testimony  that  seemed  to  weave  a  net-work 
of  circumstances  about  the  prisoners,  from 
which  it  would  appear  to  any  other  than  a  legal 
mind,  to  be  utterly  impossible  to  extricate  them. 
It  was  also  proven  that  Archibald  Trayler  had 
passed  an  unusual  number  of  pieces  of  gold 
coin.     The  buggy  tracks  in  the  mill  pond  were 


unexplained,  as  the  prisoners  were  the  only  jjer- 
sons  who  could  give  any  light  upon  that  subject. 
The  evidence  of  a  struggle  in  the  thicket,  under 
the  bending  tree,  where  the  hanging  was  sup- 
posed to  have  taken  place,  was  unexjilained, 
although  it  was  afterwards  proven  that  school 
children  had  been  using  the  tree  as  a  support  to 
a  swing.  These  and  many  other  points  of  evi- 
dence, the  intricacies  of  which  space  forbids 
that  I  should  follow  out,  were  before  the  courts. 

When  the  prosecution  had  introduced  all 
their  evidence  and  rested  the  case,  one  of  the 
attorneys  for  the  defense,  Hon.  Stephen  T. 
Logan,  arose,  and  with  every  eye  turned  toward 
him,  said  that  on  the  part  of  the  defendants,  he 
would  introduce  a  single  witness  only. 

Archibald  Fisher,  in  full  life  and  proper  per- 
son, was  then  conducted  slowl)'  into  the  jjresence 
of  the  court.  Messrs.  Myers  and  Mailory  had 
returned  late  in  the  evening  before — June  21st 
— with  Fisher,  and  the  friends  of  the  prisoners 
kept  him  secreted  until  the  proper  time.  The 
effect  may  be  imagined,  but  can  not  be  describ- 
ed. A  gentleman  who  was  cognizant  of  the 
proceedings  from  beginning  to  end,  and  who  is 
now  a  Judge  of  one  of  the  courts  of  Illinois,  de- 
scribing the  appearance  of  one  of  the  prisoners 
in  the  court  room,  says:  "Archibald  Trayler 
was  as  fine  looking  a  man  as  I  ever  saw.  When 
his  own  brother  was  testifying  that  he  was  a 
murderer,  he  stared  at  him  with  a  look  of  aston- 
ishment, settling  into  an  appearance  of  stoical 
indifference,  that  seemed  to  say, 'there  is  no  hope 
of  relief,  therefore  I  must  calmly  endure  the 
worst;'  but  when  the  man  he  was  accused  of  hav- 
ing murdered,  was  lead  into  his  presence,  he 
broke  down  and  gave  vent  to  his  feelings  in  a 
flood  of  tears,  followed  by  uncontrollable  fits  of 
sobbing  anrt  moaning." 

By  this  time  it  began  to  dawn  on  the  minds  of 
the  people  that  the  threats  of  death  to  all  three 
of  the  brotliers  had  so  wrought  on  the  mind  of 
Henry  Trayler  as  to  destroy  his  competency  as 
a  witness.  A  feeling  of  indignation  immediately 
sprang  up  against  May  and  Lamborn,  who  had 
led  in  the  prosecution,  and  it  only  lacked  a  bold 
leader  to  mob  and  hang  them.  The  feeling  was 
so  intense  that  Judge  Logan,  who  had  defended 
the  prisoners,  felt  it  his  duty  to  come  to  the  res- 
cue of  their  prosecutors.  He  made  a  pacific 
speech,  in  which  he  exhorted  all  to  abide  by  the 
laws.  It  had  the  desired  eft'ect,  and  all  dispersed 
without  violence. 

A  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Springfield 
was  held  on  the  evening  of  June  22,  1841,  to  ex- 
press   sympathy   with   the   brothers,    who   had 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


143 


passed  through  that  liery  ordeal,  and  particuhir- 
ly  with  their  fellow  citizen,  Archibald  Trayler, 
whose  character  had  never  been  tarnished  with 
the  slightest  shadow  of  reproach.  That  sympa- 
thy was  of  little  avail.  His  fine,  manly  counte- 
nance was  never  again  lighted  ui*  with  a  smile. 
'He  made  some  feeble  attempt  at  business,  but 
generally  wandered  about,  avoiding  all  society, 
pined  away,  and  died  in  less  than  two  years. 
One  who  knew  him  well  said:  "If  ever  a  man 
died  of  a  broken  heart  it  was  Archibald  Tray- 
ler." William  Trayler  died  in  less  than  a  year 
after  the  trial.  Henry  Trayler  lived  several 
years  after  the  death  of  his  brother,  but  was 
never  known  to  speak  of  the  mournful  event  af- 
ter his  departure  from  Springfield  at  the  close  of 
the  trial.  He  died  in  Menard  county.  It  is  said 
that  the  three  brothers  never  met  after  they 
passed  out  of  the  court  room. 


If  the  unhappy  and  afflicted  being  who  was 
the  innocent  cause  of  all  the  trouble,  had  wan- 
dered away  and  died  on  the  open  prairie,  much 
of  which  had  not  then  been  trod  by  the  foot  of 
man,  William  and  Archibald  Taylor  would,  be- 
yond a  reasonable  doubt,  have  been  executed  as 
his  murderers,  and  that  upon  the  force  of  sur- 
rounding circumstances  and  the  testimony  of 
their  own  brother,  who  would  doubtlessly  have 
become  hopelessly  insane,  caused  by  threats  to 
make  him  confess  a  crime  never  committed,  and 
afterwards  by  the  appalling  effects  of  his  own 
testimony.  The  world  would  probably  have 
looked  on  and  called  it  retributive  justice.  Such 
may,  and  doubtless  has  been,  the  effect  of  cir- 
cumstantial evidence  in  cases  where  the  truth 
was  never  known. 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  most  remarkable  affairs 
of  its  kind  on  record. 


,«^'. 


144 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  VIII 


RAILROADS. 


Sangamon  county  is  traversed  by  one  hundred 
and  tifty-four  miles  of  railroad,  represented  by 
six  lines.  The  citizens  of  no  county  in  the  State 
have  manifested  more  interest  in  the  subject, 
from  the  beginning  of  the  agitation  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  The  news  of  a  successful  construction 
of  a  road  in  the  East  had  no  sooner  become 
known  in  this  section  of  country,  before  it  was 
boldly  advocated  by  Jonathan  H.  Pugh  and 
others,  as  the  only  means  of  solving  the  trans- 
portation problem.  Of  course  the  advocates  of 
such  a  scbeme  were  regarded  by  some,  as  pos- 
sessing an  uuba'aiiced  mind,  still  they  did  not 
waver,  and  as  the  opportunity  presented  itself,  it 
was  forced  upon  the  attention  of  the  people. 

As  early  as  1833,  the  subject  of  railroad  build- 
ing was  introduced  into  the  General  Assembly, 
but  no  laws  were  enacted  at  that  time.  In  the 
winter  of  1835-(j  acts  were  passed  incorporating 
a  large  number  of  railroads,  as  well  as  for  the 
building  of  canals  and  other  internal  improve- 
ments. Capital  stock  amounting  to  §1 2,450,000 
was  authorized,  chietly  to  railroad  companies. 
The  internal  improvement  act  of  1837,  appropri- 
ated $10,:200,000  directly  from  the  State  Treas- 
ury. More  than  $9,000,000  of  this  sum  was  for 
railroads.  At  this  same  session,  private  laws 
were  enacted,  chartering  joint  stock  companies 
with  authorized  capital  stock  to  the  amount  of 
nearly  §S,000,000,  making  an  aggregate  of  about 
$30,000,000,  involved  in  efforts  to  legislate  rail- 
roads into  existence  in  the  State  of  Illinois  at 
that  early  day.  This  gigantic  system  of  inter- 
nal improvement  was  inaugurated  when  the 
country  was  but  sparsely  settled,  and  before  it 
was  in  a  condition  to  export  anything  that  would 
command  money.  The  people  imagined  them- 
selves rich,  because  the  whole  United  States, 
east,  west,  north  and  south,  wastlooded  with  irre- 
deemable paper  currency.  It  was  thought  there 
would  be  no  difficulty  in  negotiating  loans  to 
carry  forward  the  public  works. 


Soon  after  the  law  was  enacted,  certificates  of 
internal  improvement  stock  was  readily  taken, 
contracts  let,  and  work  commenced  at  various 
points  in  all  parts  of  the  State.  Millions  of  dol- 
lars were  squandered  in  this  way  before  the  au- 
tumn of  1837,  when  the  great  financial  crash, 
which  commenced  in  the  eastern  cities,  swept 
over  the  whole  United  States,  and  the  internal 
improvement  system  of  Illinois  went  down,  leav- 
ing the  State  in  what  was  thought  at  the  time,  to 
be  hopeless  bankruptcy. 

WABASH,    ST.  LOtnS    &    PACIFIC    KAILROAD. 

Among  the  first  lines  upon  which  work  was 
commenced  under  the  internal  improvement 
system,  was  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad.  The 
first  ground  was  broken  between  Jacksonville 
and  Meredosia,  on  what  was  called  Wolf  Run. 
It  was  about  six  miles  east  of  the  Illinois  river. 
This  was  early  in  the  spring  of  1S3/.  James 
Dunlap  and  T.  T.  January  were  the  contractors. 
In  the  spring  of  1838,  the  first  locomotive  ever 
brought  to  the  State,  came  up  the  Illinois  river 
on  a  steamboat,  and  was  landed  at  Meredosia. 
It  was  used  for  running  construction  trains  from 
that  time  forward.  This  engine  was  built  by 
Rogers,  Ketchum  ifc  Grosvenor,  of  Patterson, 
New  Jersey,  and  was  called  the  "Superior." 
The  road  was  so  far  advanced  that  the  loco- 
motive run  into  Jacksonville  in  the  latter  part 
of  1838,  or  early  in  1839. 

The  work  on  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad 
struggled  along,  after  the  internal  improvement 
system  had  ceased  in  nearly  every  other  part  of 
the  State.  After  it  was  put  in  running  order 
from  Meredosia  to  Jacksonville,  some  work  was 
done  between  the  latter  place  and  Springfield, 
but  for  a  year  or  two  it  moved  slowly.  In  some 
way  the  canal  fund  became  indebted  to  the  in- 
ternal improvement  fund.  On  the  26th  day  of 
February,  1841,  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly 
was  approved,  providing  for  the  completion  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


145 


the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  from  Springfield  to 
Jacksonville.  To  liquidate  ihe  indebledness  of 
the  canal  fund  to  the  internal  improvement  fund, 
1 1 00,000  of  canal  bonds  were  appropriated  to 
defray  the  expense  of  completing  that  part  of 
tlie  road.  The  Fund  Commissioner  was  author- 
ized and  instructed  to  enter  into  contracts  for 
the  work,  to  be  paid  for  with  the  canal  bonds, 
and  to  be  completed  in  one  year.  On  the  day 
following — February  27,  1841 — a  law  was  enact- 
ed requiring  the  Fund  Commissioner  to  advertise 
for  proposals  to  do  the  work.  He  was,  by  the 
same  law,  directed  to  take  charge  of  all  the  work 
between  Springfield  and  the  Illinois  river. 

FIRST    LOCOMOTIVE    IN    SPRINGFIELD. 

Before  the  road  was  completed  to  Springfield, 
another  locomotive  was  brought  on,  from  the 
works  of  M.  W.  Baldwin,  of  Philadelphia.  It 
was  called  the  "Illinois."  The  track  was  so  far 
completed  that  on  the  15th  of  February,  1842,  it 
entered  Springfield,  being  the  first  one  to  arrive 
in  the  city.  George  Gregory  was  the  engineer, 
and  T.  M.  Avei-Ut  the  fireinan.  The  track  was 
laid  along  Tenth  street  to  the  crossing  of  Adams. 
The  last  half  or  three-fouiths  of  a  mile  of  the 
track  was  only  the  wooden  stringers,  the  iron 
not  yet  having  been  spiked.  The  newspapers 
were  not  very  enterprising,  with  reference  to  the 
latest  news,  especially  when  it  is  considered  how 
wild  they  were  on  the  subject  of  railroads  only 
two  or  three  years  before. 

Ten  days  after  the  event,  February  25,  the 
following  item  appeared  in  the  Sangamo  Jour- 
nal: 

"The  railroiul  is  so  far  finished  tbat  the  locomotive 
occasioually  runs  vipoQ  it,  and  has  drawn  at  least  one 
heavy  load  of  produce  to  the  river.  Under  the  circum- 
stances of  the  times,  the  contractors,  Messrs.  Dull', 
Calhoun  &-  Company  liave  done  well  to  complete  it  thus 
early.  We  aulicipule  that  much  business  will  be  done 
on  this  road  in  the  spring." 

Again,  from  the  Journal  of  March  11: 

'•  Northern  Cross  Railroad. — We  have  neglected  to 
notice  that  the  railroad  from  this  plaice  to  Meredosia, 
on  the  Illinois  river,  has  been  completed  for  a  couple 
of  weeks  so  far  as  to  permit  the  passage  of  trains  of 
cars  through  the  whole  line.  The  locomotive  lias  now 
commenced  triiis  between  this  city  and  the  Illinois 
river;  and,  for  the  present,  we  understand  it  is  arranged 
that  the  locomotive  will  leave  this  city  every  Monday, 
Weduesda)'  and  Friday,  and  jMercdosia  every  Tuesday, 
Thursday  and  Saturday.  We  also  learn  that  the 
steamer  "Mungo  Park"  will  run  reg'ularly  between 
Meredosia  and  St.  Louis,  going  and  returning  three 
times  a  week,  so  as  to  connect  regularlj'  with  the  train 
of  cars.  This  arrangement  will  be  of  immense  utility 
to  our  citizens  and  the  traveling  community,  and  will 
furnish  the  easy  means  of  conveying  to  market  the 

17— 


produce   of  a  large  and  most    productive   region   of 
country." 

A  contrast  in  the  rate  of  speed  then  and 
now  will  be  shown  from  the  following  item 
from  Journal,  March  18,  1842: 

"On  Saturday  lust,  March  11,  the  cars  ran  from 
.Jacksonville,  thirty  tliree  and  a-half  miles,  in  two 
hours  and  eight; minutes,  including  stoppages.  It  is 
believed  that  the  distance  can  be  passe<l  uVer  in  one 
hour  and  a  half.  Trips  continue  to  be  made  three 
times  per  week." 

On  the  25th  of  March,  the  following  appeared 
in  the  Journal: 

"  Pleasure  trip. — On  Monday,  March  21,  a  large  party 
left  this  city  for  Jacksonville,  tilling  two  passenger 
cars  and  another  tilted  up  temporarily  for  the  band  of 
music.  They  speak  in  high  terms  of  Ihe  hospitality 
and  kindness  of  the  citizens  of  .Jacksonville,  of  the 
party  ihere,  and  the  pleasure  of  the  trip." 

In  that  paper  of  the  same  date  is  found  the 
following  item: 

"  During  the  few  days  the  Springfield  and  Meredosia 
railroad  has  been  in  operation,  and  before  the  public 
generally  were  aware  of  the  running  of  the  cars,  the 
receipts  from  passengers  alone  have  amounted  to  about 
seven  hundred  dollars." 

This  road  was  all  made  by  laying  long  pieces 
of  timber  lengthwise  with  the  track  —  cross 
pieces  were  placed  six  or  eight  feet  apart,  to 
keep  the  stringers  from  spreading — fiat  iron 
rails  were  spiked  on  to  the  pieces  of  timber,  and 
then  it  was  ready  to  receive  the  locomotive  and 
cars. 

After  running  awhile  the  engines  needed  re- 
pairing, and  the  track  became  uneven,  so  that 
the  cars  ceased  to  be  run  by  steam.  The  road 
was  then  leased,  and  mule  teams  took  the  place 
of  the  locomotives.  William  D.  Baxter  &  C!o. 
were  the  lessees. 

In  May,  1844,  in  the  Springfield  papers  ap- 
peared the  following  advertisement  of  the  road: 
NORTHERN  CROSS  RAILROAD. 


FROM  MEREDOSIA  TO  JACKSONVILLE   AND   SPHIN6FIELD. 


The  subscribers,  having  leased  the 
Illinois  Northern   Cross  Railway,  are 
-n''IL|  prepared  to  transiiort  produce,    mer- 
w w     chandise,  furniture,  etc.,  to  and  from 


the  above  mentioned  places,  on  terms  as  reasonable  as 
can  be  desired,  and  by  the  employment  of  faithful  and 
experienced  agents,  and  the  occupancy  of  safe  and  com- 
modious depots,  can  insure  all  requisite  care  and  atten- 
tion to  whatever  mav  be  entrusted  to  their  commission. 
"\VM.  D    BAXTER  it  CO., 

Receiving,  Forwarding  and  Commission  Merchants. 

Meredosia,  May  10,  1844. 

Refer  to  S.  M.  iMnsley  ■S:  Co.,  Mr.  .1.  Bunu,  Spring- 
field;  Mr.  .J.  G.  Lamb,  Alton  ;  Collier  &  Morrison,  Mr, 
J.  Simonds,  St.  J.ouis,  Mo  ;  Small  i  McGill,  New 
Orleans. 


146 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


After  becoming  quite  dilapidated,  a  law  was 
enacted  authorizing  tlie  sale  of  the  entire  road. 
The  sale  was  effected  for  a  mere  trifle,  with  the 
stipulation  that  the  parties  coming  in  possession 
of  it,  sliould  put  it  in  running  order,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  public.  The  road  was  sold 
in  1847,  and  was  afterwards  known  as  the  San- 
gamon &  Morgan  Railroad.  Other  changes  fol- 
lowed until  it  became  part  of  the  Toledo,  Wabash 
&  Western  Railroad,  and  as  such,  many  im- 
provements were  made  by  the  company  in  the 
operation  of  the  road.  In  1858  the  company 
located  their  repair  shops  in  Springfield,  thus 
giving  employment  to  a  large  number  of  em- 
ployes, who  made  here  their  home,  and  conse- 
quently added  much  to  the  trade  of  the  city. 
In  1869  new  buildings  were  erected  for  their 
rapidly  increasing  machine  works,  at  a  cost  of 
$75,000. 

In  1870  a  fine  passenger  depot  was  erected  in 
Springfield,  at  a  cost  of  636,000.  In  this  build- 
ing are  the  otBces  of  the  Division  Superintend- 
ent and  other  officers  of  the  road  located  here. 
A  freight  house  was  also  erected  the  same  year. 

In  1879,  the  Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western,  the 
Toledo,  Peoria  ct  Warsaw  and  severai  other 
roads  were  consolidated  under  the  name  of  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  «t  Pacific  Railway  Company. 
Although  the  details  of  the  consolidation  were 
agreed  upon  by  the  stockholders  in  November, 
1879,  the  business  of  the  new  company  did  not 
begin  until  January  1,  1880.  The  company  now 
own,  in  1881,  3,000  miles  of  railway,  and  expect 
to  secure  other  roads,  having  entered  into  con- 
tracts by  which  they  will  soon  come  into  their 
possession. 

CIlICArtO,   ALTON"  &   ST.  LOUIS. 

The  present  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Rail- 
road was  built  from  Alton  to  Springfield  under 
an  act  of  the  legislature,  passed  in  1847.  By 
this  act,  and  an  amendment  to  it,  the  line  of  the 
road  was  intended  to  run  by  way  of  Waverlv, 
in  Morgan  county,  and  New  Berlin,  in  Sanga- 
mon county.  John  T.  Stuart,  while  a  member 
of  tlie  State  Senate,  feeling  it  for  the  best  in- 
terest of  the  road,  as  well  as  for  the  general 
public,  introduced  an  amendment,  which  be- 
came a  law  January  -29,  1851,  by  which  the 
company  was  authorized  to  build  direct  from 
■Carliuville  to  Springfield. 

During  the  session  of  the  legislature  in  1848 
and  1849,  Mr.  Stuart  introduced  the  first  bill  to 
build  a  road  from  Springfield  to  Chicago,  and 
which  passed  ihe  Senate  and  was  then  sent  to 
the  House.  The  morning  after  its  passage,  Mr. 
Smith,  representing  Macon  in  the  Senate,  moved 


to  recall  the  bill  from  the  House,  assigning  as  a 
reason  that  it  was  passed  in  his  absence  and  was 
interfering  with  the  building  of  the  Great 
Western  and  the  proposed  Illinois  Central 
Railroad.  The  motion  of  Mr  Smith  prevailed 
and  the  bill  was  recalled  and  laid  upon  the 
table. 

At  the  ne.xt  session  of  the  Senate  in  1850-51, 
it  was  thought  prudent  to  pass  the  measure,  not 
as  a  whole,  but  in  sections,  owing  to  the  oppo- 
sition manifested  the  previous  session;  there- 
fore, Mr.  Stuart  introduced  "An  act  to  extend 
the  Alton  &  Sangamon  Railroad  Company,  in- 
corporated February  27,  1847,  which  was  passed 
and  became  a  law  February  11,  1851,  and  bv 
which,  authority  was  given  to  extend  the  road 
from  S|)ringfield  to  Bloomington,  and  under 
which  that  part  of  the  road  was  built. 

At  the  session  of  the  Senate  in  1852,  Mr. 
Gridley,  representing  McLean  county  in  that 
body,  introduced  a  liill,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  further  extend  the  road  from  Bloomington  to 
Joliet,  and  which  became  a  law  on  the  19th  of 
June,  1852,  and  under  which  that  part  of  the 
road  was  built.  By  further  legislation  it  was 
afterwards  extended  from  Joliet  to  Chicago.  By 
still  another  act,  authority  was  given  to  extend 
the  road  from  Alton  to  East  St.  Louis,  which,  in 
due  time,  was  built,  and  which  different  sec- 
tions now  compose  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St. 
Louis  Railroad. 

The  Chicago,  Alton  <fc  St.  Louis,  or  the  Alton 
&  Sangamon  Railroad,  by  which  it  was  then 
known,  was  completed  to  Springfield  in  1853, 
and  an  entertainment  was  given  in  that  city  by 
the  railroad  company,  to  a  party  of  excursionists 
from  St.  Louis  and  Alton.  The  steamboat  Cor- 
nelia left  St.  Louis  for  Alton  with  the  excur- 
sionists from  that  city,  at  six  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  Thursday,  October  G,  and  being 
joined  by  the  Alton  people,  proceeded  by  rail  to 
Springfield,  arriving  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  where 
a  sumptuous  dinner  awaited  them,  in  a  building 
erected  for  a  machine  shop.  Benjamin  Godfrey, 
of  Alton,  was  introduced  by  Virgil  IIickox,as 
one  through  whose  exertions  the  road  was 
chiefly  built.  After  a  brief  address  from  Mr. 
Godfrey,  and  speeches  from  some  others  of  the 
party,  and  dinner  had  been  partaken  of  by  all, 
the  train  moved  awav  with  its  four  hundred  pas- 
sengers on  the  return  trip.  This  was  an  import- 
ant event  in  the  history  of  Springfield,  as  it 
opened  direct  communications  with  Springfield 
and  the  South. 

On  the  18th  of  October,  1853,  the  road  was 
completed   to  Normal,  forming  a  junction  with 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


UV 


tlie  Illinois  Central,  by  which  passengers  could 
go  to  I-a  Salle,  and  from  there  to  Chicago  by 
the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Road.  This  opened 
lip  the  first  communication  from  New  York  city 
to  the  ^Mississippi  river.  On  the  4th  of  August, 
1854,  the  present  road  was  completed  through 
to  Joliet. 

15y  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  approved 
Februaiy  14,  1855,  the  name  of  the  company 
was  changed  to  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis,  and 
on  the  21st  of  January,  1857,  another  act  was 
passed,  changing  it  to  the  St.  Louis,  Alton  & 
Chicago  Railroad  Company.  February  I'J,  1859, 
the  name  was  changed  from  St.  Louis,  Alton  & 
Chicago,  to  Alton,  Chicago  &  St.  Louis.  On  the 
ISth  of  February,  1861,  it  was  again  changed, 
making  it  the  Cliicago  &  Alton. 

Coming  from  Chicago  to  St.  Louis,  the  road 
enters  Sangamon  cuunty  on  section  34,  townshij) 
18,  range  4  west,  Williams  township,  and  taking 
nearly  a  southwestern  course,  passing  through 
the  townships  of  Williams,  Springfield,  Wood- 
side,  Ball,  Chatham,  and  Auburn,  passes  into 
Macoupin  county  from  section  .34,  the  latter 
townsliip.  The  company  have  seven  stations  in 
this  county — Williamsville,  Sherman,  Spring- 
field, lies  Junction,  Woodside,  Chatham,  and 
Auburn. 

OHIO    &   MISSISSIPPI. 

A  charter  was  granted  to  the  Springfield  and 
Pana  Railroad  Company,  February  16,  1857,  but 
no  road  was  ever  built  under  that  charter.  The 
hard  times,  beginning  in  1867,  followed  closely 
by  the  war,  prevented  the  prosecution  of  the 
work.  On  the  16th  of  February,  1805,  another 
charter  was  granted  to  cover  the  same  ground, 
but  extending  further,  under  the  title  of  the 
Pana,  Springfield  and  Northwestern  Railroad 
Company.  Forty  miles  of  this  road — from 
Springfield  to  Pana — was  completed  and  opened 
for  business  in  March,  1870.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  1870,  it  was  put  under  contract  to  Beards- 
town,  with  the  intention  of  extending  it  to 
Keokuk,  Iowa.  The  extension  was  never  under- 
taken. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  approved 
March  5,  1867,  a  charter  was  granted  to  the  Illi- 
nois and  Southeastern  Railroad  Company.  This 
company  became  possessed  of  the  Pana,  Spring- 
field and  Northwestern  Railroad,  giving  it  a  line 
from  Shawneetown,  on  the  Ohio,  to  Beardstown, 
on  the  Illinois  river.  On  the  28th  day  of  Maicli, 
1872,  through  trains  commenced  running  fiora 
Shawneetown  to  Beardstown.  Subsequently,  the 
road  came  into  possession  of  the  Ohio  and  Miss- 


issippi Railroad  Company,  as  the  Springfield 
Division  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi, by  which  it 
is  now  operated.  The  headquarters  of  the  com- 
pany are  at  Cincinnati,  but  having  a  Division 
office  at  Springfield,  with  C.  M.  Stanton,  Division 
Superintendent. 

The  Ohio  and  Mississippi  enters  Sangamon 
county  on  section  4,  township  f  i,  north  of  range 
•3  west,  Cooper  township,  and  passes  through  the 
townships  of  Cooper,  Rochester,  Springfield, 
Gardner  and  Cartwright,  passing  into  Cass 
county  from  section  27,  township  17,  range  8 
west,  Cartwright  township.  The  road  has  eight 
stations  in  the  county — Breckenridge,  lierry, 
Rochester,  Springfield,  Bradford,  Farmingdale, 
Richland,  and  Pleasant  Plains. 

ILT.INOIS    CKNTIiAI.. 

The  Gilman,  Clinton  &  Springfield  Railroad 
Company  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  March  4,  1807.  An  organization 
was  effected  at  Clinton,  April  21,  1869.  Grad- 
ing was  commenced  near  Clinton,  July  4,  1870, 
and  from  that  time  until  the  close  of  the  work- 
ing season,  from  fifteen  to  eighteen  hundred 
men  were  employed  along  the  line.  Track  lay- 
ing was  commenced  at  Gilman,  February  19, 
1871.  The  entire  line  was  completed,  and  an 
excursion  train,  extemporized  at  Springfield,  vis- 
ited the  ruins  of  Chicago,  starting  from  Spring- 
field, Saturday  evening,  October  21,  but  the  road 
was  not  regularly  opened  for  business  until  De- 
cember .3,  1871.  Subsequently  the  road  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
Company,  and  is  now  operated  by  them  under 
the  name  of  the  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illi- 
nois Central. 

Entering  the  county  on  section  fifteen,  Buffalo 
Hart  township,  the  road  runs  southwest  through 
the  townships  of  Buffalo  Hart,  Williams,  Clear 
Lake  and  Springfield.  It  has  but  two  stations  in 
the  county  outside  of  Springfield,  in  Buffalo 
Ilart  township  and  Barclay. 

SPEINGFIELD    &    NORTHWESTERN. 

In  1809  a  charter  was  secured  for  a  new  road, 
under  the  name  of  the  Springfield  cfc  North- 
western, running  from  Springfield  to  Rijck 
Island.  A  contract  was  let  early  in  the  year 
J  871  from  Havana  to  Springfield,  and  work  was 
immediately  commenced,  and  continued  until 
some  time  duringthe  following  year,  completing 
a  track  from  Havana  to  Petersburg,  Menard 
county,  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles.  The 
contractors  then  failed,  and  other  parties  entered 
into  contract  to  continue  and  c<miplete  the  work 
to  Springfield.     This  last  party,  in  conse(|m'nee 


148 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  the  hard  times,  also  failed  in  the  fall  of  IS13, 
having  completed  the  road  to  Cantrall.  John 
Williams,  of  Springfield,  then  took  charge  of 
the  road,  and  in  1«74  had  the  cars  running  into 
the  city  of  Springfield.  In  1875  the  road  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  a  Receiver  and  subse- 
quently sold  under  mortgage,  and  purchased  by 
Colonel  Williams  for  the  benefit  of  the  bond- 
holders. In  1878  a  new  company  was  formed 
which  purchased  the  road  from  Williams  and 
electing  new  officers,  undertook  its  management. 
John  Williams  was  the  first  President  of  the 
new  company  and  was  succeeded  by  John  T. 
Stuart.  Subsequently  Charles  Ridgely  became 
the  owner  of  the  principal  part  of  the  stock,  and 
in  August,  1881,  he  sold  to  the  Wabash  Com- 
pany, and  it  is  now  a  part  of  that  system. 

CONTESrPLATED    EOAD.S. 

The  Peoria  &  Springfield  railroad  was  char- 
tered in  1871,  and  the  entire  line  was  let  under 
contract  for  grading  of  the  road,  in  1872.  Grad- 
ing was  commenced  at  the  Peoria  end  of  the 
road  and  it  was  completed  to  Pekin  in  1873. 
The  hard  times  of  that  year  caused  the  suspen- 
sion of  all  work,  and  it  has  since  been  entirely 


abandoned.  George  N.  Black,  John  Williams, 
John  T.  Stuart  and  James  C.  Conkling,  were 
among  the  directors  on  its  organization. 

The  Springfield  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  was 
projected  about  the  same  time  of  the  Peoria  & 
Springfield  road.  The  same  cause  is  given  for 
the  failure  of  both  enterprises — hard  times. 

The  Springfield,  Carrollton  &  St.  Louis  Rail- 
road Comjiany,  and  the  St.  Louis,  Jerseyville  & 
Springfield  Railroad  Company  were  each  organ- 
ized March  1,  1872.  Before  work  was  com- 
menced on  either  road  the  hard  times  of  1873 
set  in,  and  all  efforts  to  build  the  road  were 
abandoned.  In  1880  a  new  company  was  organ- 
ized, taking  the  old  name  of  St.  Louis,  Jersey- 
ville &  Springfield  Railroad  Company,  and  began 
the  construction  of  a  line  upon  the  old  route. 
In  1881  the  road  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Wabash  Company,  and  was  made  a  part  of  their 
system. 

The  Springfield  Southern  Railroad  Company 
was  organized  March  25,  1872,  and  the  Spring- 
field, Macon  &  Wabash  Railroad  Company, 
March  1,  to  take  effect  April  4,  1872.  No  effort 
was  made  to  build  the  roads  in  consequence  of 
the  depression  in  money  matters. 


HISTORY  OB^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


149 


Chapter  IX 


WARS. 


Since  the  organization  of  the  county,  its  citi- 
zens have  been  called  upon,  and  promptly  re- 
sponded, in  two  Indian  wars,  the  Mormon  and 
Mexican  wars,  and  the  war  for  the  Union. 

THE    WINNEBAGO    WAR. 

When  lead  was  discovered  in  the  region  of 
Galena,  and  it  was  found  profitable  to  mine  it, 
the  white  people  flocked  there  in  large  numbers. 
For  some  years  previous,  the  diiierent  Indian 
tribes  inhabiting  the  northern  part  of  Illinois 
and  Wisconsin  had  been  at  war  among  them- 
selves, and  in  the  spring  of  1827,  a  small  party  of 
Winiiebagoes  surprised  a  party  of  twenty-four 
Chippewas,  and  killed  eight  of  them.  The 
United  States  commander  at  Fort  Snelling  caused 
four  of  the  offending  Winnebagoes  to  be  arrested, 
and  delivered  to  the  Chippewas,  by  whom  they 
were  punished.  Red  Bird,  the  Chief  of  the 
iSioux,  while  acting  with  the  Winnebagoes,  in  an 
attempt  to  obtain  revenge  for  the  killing  of  the 
four  members  of  their  tribe,  was  defeated  by  the 
Chippewas.  He  then  determined  to  wreak  his 
vengeance  on  the  white  people,  who  had  assisted 
his  enemies  and  invaded  his  country.  On  the 
27th  of  June,  1827,  two  white  men  were  killed 
near  Prairie  DuChien,  and  on  the  30th  of  July, 
two  keel  boats,  carrying  supplies  to  Fort  Snell- 
ing, were  attacked,  and  two  of  the  crew  killed. 
The  news  soon  spread  among  the  settlers,  and 
upon  a  call  from  Governor  Edwards,  four  com- 
panies of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry  were  made 
up  in  Sangamon  county.  The  cavalry  company 
was  commanded  by  Edward  Mitchell,  and  the 
four  infantry  companies  by  Captains  Thomas 
Constant,  Reuben  Brown,  Achilles  Morris  and 
Bowling  Green.  The  whole,  under  command 
of  Colonel  Thomas  M.  Neale,  with  James 
D.  Henry,  as  Adjutant,  marched  to  Peoria, 
where  the  regiment  was  more  fully  organized, 
and  continued  on  to  Galena.     Before  their  ar- 


rival in  the  Indian  country,  Red  Bird,  with  six 
of  his  warriors,  voluntarily  gave  themselves  up 
to  the  United  States  forces,  under  General  Atkin- 
son, to  save  their  tribe  from  the  miseries  of  war. 
Thus  ended  the  campaign,  and  the  troops  from 
Sangamon  county  were  ordered  home. 

THE   BLACK    HAWK    WAR. 

In  1804,  a  treaty  was  made  with  certain  of  the 
Sac  and  Fox  Indians  by  General  Harrison,  at 
St.  Louis,  by  which  they  ceded  to  the  United 
States  all  their  lands  on  Rock  river,  and  much 
more  elsewhere.  This  treaty  was  confirmed  by  a 
part  of  the  tribe,  in  a  treaty  with  Governor 
Edwards  and  Augustus  Chouteau,  in  September, 
1815,  and  by  another  part,  in  a  treaty  with  the 
same  commissioners,  in  May,  1810.  These  treat- 
ies were  never  considered  binding  by  Black 
Hawk  and  other  chiefs  of  his  tribe  In  this  con- 
nection it  will  be  well  to  give  an  account  of 
Black  Hawk,  and  what  he  says  of  the  treaty  of 
1804.  From  a  work  published  by  J.  B.  Patter- 
son, of  Oquawka,  on  the  Black  llawk  war  the 
following  extract  is  taken: 

"  Black  Hawk,  whose  Indian  name  was  Muck- 
a-tan-wish-e-ke-ack-ke-ak  (meaning  ablack  liawk) 
was  born  at  the  Sac  village  ( the  site  of  this  vil- 
lage was  at  the  present  village  of  Camden,  at 
the  Rock  river  crossing  of  the  Peoria  and  Rock 
Island  Railroad),  on  Rock  river,  in  Illinois,  in 
the  year  of  1707.  His  father's  name  was  Py-esa. 
His  great-grandfather,  Na-na-ma-kee  (Thunder) 
was  born  near  Montreal,  Canada,  and  was  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  Sac  nation  by  a  Frenchman 
who  claimed  to  be  the  son  of  the  King  of 
France. 

"He  gave  them  many  presents,  such  as  guns, 
powder,  lead,  spears,  and  lances,  and  showed 
them  how  to  use  them  in  peace  and  war;  and 
also  cooking  utensils,  and  many  other  presents 
of   different  kinds.      He  afterwards  sailed   for 


i.-o 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


France,  promising  to   return   at  the  end  of  the 
twelfth  moon. 

"  They  continued  to  trade  with  the  French  for 
a  long  lime,  and  until  the  latter  were  overpow- 
ered by  the  LJritish.  After  that  event  several 
tribes  united  and  drove  the  Sacs  from  Montreal 
to  Mackinac,  and  thence  to  Green  Bay,  where 
they  formed  an  alliance  with  the  Fox  nation, 
and  then  retreated  to  the  Wisconsin,  and  tinally 
to  Rock  river,  from  which  they  drove  the  Kas- 
kaskias  and  commenced  the  erection  of  their 
village. 

"  Py-c-sa  succeeded  Na-nama-kee  as  war 
chief,  and  was  killed  in  an  engagement  with  the 
Cherokees,  who  largely  out-numbered  the  Sacs 
and  Foxes.  On  seeing  him  fall.  Black  Hawk 
assumed  command  and  fought  desperately  until 
the  enemy  retreated.  In  this  battle,  he  killed 
three  men  and  wounded  several  with  his  own 
hand,  the  enemies  loss  being  twenty-eight  and 
Black  Hawk's  being  only  seven.  After  this  en- 
gagement, he  fell  heir  to  the  grtat  medicine  bag 
of  his  tribe,  and,  after  a  season  of  live  years 
mourning,  with  blackened  faces,  they  deter- 
mined on  avenging  the  death  of  Py-e-sa,  by  the 
annihilation  if  possible  of  the  whole  Cherokee 
tribe,  and  took  out  a  strong  army  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

"Black  Hawk  succeeded  in  killing  many  of 
them  and  in  finally  driving  them  to  their  own 
country. 

"His  next  movement  w  as  against  the  Chippe- 
was,  Kaskaskias  and  Osages,  with  whom  he  had 
seven  regular  engagements,  with  a  loss  of  two  or 
three  hundred.  The  enemy  retired  and  Black 
Hawk  and  his  band  returned  to  their  village. 

"Sjiain  was  then  in  possession  of  St.  Louis  and 
all  the  country  south  and  west.  The  Indians 
congregated  at  St.  Louis  every  spring  for  many 
years  to  do  their  trading.  After  the  Louisiana 
purchase,  the  Spanish  withdrew  from  St.  Louis 
and  the  Americans  took  possession.  Soon  after 
Lieutenant  (subsecjuently  Geneial)  Zebulon  M. 
Pike,  with  an  escort  of  soldiers,  went  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  calling  on  the  chiefs  of  the  various 
tribes  that  dwelt  along  the  banks  of  the  Father 
of  Waters,  and  made  them  many  presents  in  the 
name  of  their  Great  Father,  the  President  of  the 
United  Stales,  who  he  told  them  would  always 
treat  them  well  if  they  would  listen  to  his  ad- 
vice. A  few  moons  later  a  Sac  Indian  killed  an 
American,  for  which  offence  he  wasarrested  and 
confined  in  the  pi'ison  at  St  Louis.  As  soon  as 
intelligence  of  the  murderer's  arrest  and  impris- 
onment reached  IjlackHawk,  be  called  a  council 
of  the  head  men  of  his  tribe  at  the  Sac  village 


to  talk  the  matter  over  and  consider  what  was 
best  to  be  done. 

"They  resolved  to  send  four  of  their  braves  to 
St.  Louis  to  compromise  with  the  authorities  by 
paying  the  relatives  for  the  man  killed — the  only 
way  with  them  for  saving  one  person  who  had 
killed  another.  Quash-qua-me  and  three  other 
men  of  the  tribe  were  chosen  to  go  on  this  mis- 
sion, the  result  of  which  was  thus  related  by 
Black  Hawk. 

"Quash-qua-me  and  his  party  remained  along 
time  absent.  They  finally  returned  dressed  in 
fine  coats  and  wearing  medals  and  encaniiied 
near  the  village. 

'■Early  the  next  morning  the  council  was  con- 
vened and  Quash-qua-me  and  party  came  in  and 
reported  the  result  of  their  mission. 

'"On  their  arrival  at  St.Louis,  they  reported  to 
the  American  chief  and  urged  the  release  of 
their  friend.  The  American  chief  said  his  gov- 
ernment wanted  more  land,  and  if  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  would  give  him  some  in  Illinois,  opposite 
Jefferson  (barracks),  they  would  release  the  im- 
prisoned Sac. 

"Qnash-quame  and  his  party  assented  to  this, 
and  signed  a  paper  by  making  their  marks. 
When  they  were  ready  to  leave,  their  friend  was 
released,  but  as  he  was  let  out  of  the  prison  he 
was  shot  dead.  This  was  the  treaty  ot  1804,  in 
which  all  iheir  country  in  Illinois  was  ceded  to 
the  United  States,  for  one  thousand  dollars  a 
year,  and  was  the  cause  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
as  the  chiefs  claimed  that  no  one  but  themselves 
and  head  men  had  authority  to  make  a  treaty." 

Under  this  treaty,  it  was  agreed  that  the  In- 
dians should  retain  possession  of  the  country 
until  it  was  wanted  for  white  occupancy. 

Black  Hawk  and  his  people  remained  in 
peaceful  possession  of  the  country  along  Rock 
river,  unlil  1830,  when  they  w^ere  notified  that 
they  must  move  across  the  Mississippi  river. 
They  complied  with  the  "  notice  to  quit,"  and 
crossed  over  the  Father  of  Waters  and  took  up 
their  abode  on  the  eastern  slope  of  Iowa,  in  what 
came  in  after  years  to  be  known  as  the  Black 
Hawk  ]>urchase,  or  forty-mile  strip. 

Rankling  under  what  Black  Hawk  believed 
to  be  a  wrongful  dispossession  of  their  homes 
along  Rock  river,  and  hunger  and  want  coming 
to  his  people  in  their  new  homes,  they  re-crossed 
the  Mississippi  in  the  spring  of  1831,  and  took 
possession  of  the  site  of  their  old  village  and 
corn  fields.  This  movement  of  Black  Hawk  ex- 
cited alarm  among  the  white  peoj)le  who  had 
settled  in  that  part  of  Illinois,  and  complaint 
was  made  to   Governor  Eevnolds,  of    Illinois, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY.. 


151 


against  their  presence.  The  coraplaiuts  lepre- 
senteil  that  the  Indians  were  insolent,  and  had 
comniitted  many  acts  of  violence.  Governor 
Ford  says  the  Indians  ordered  the  white  settlers 
away,  threw  down  their  fences,  unrooted  their 
houses,  cut  up  their  grain,  drove  oif  and  killed 
their  cattle,  and  threatened  the  people  with 
death  if  they  remained.  These  acts  of  the  In- 
dians were  considered  by  Governor  Reynolds  to 
bean  invasion  of  the  State.  He  immediately 
addressed  letters  to  General  Gaines,  of  the 
United  States  army,  and  to  General  Clark,  the 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  calling  upon 
them  to  use  the  influence  of  the  Government  to 
procure  the  peaceful  removal  of  the  Indians,  if 
possible:  at  all  events,  to  protect  the  American 
citizens  who  had  purchased  those  lands  from 
the  United  Stales,  and  were  now  about  to  be 
ejected  by  the  Indians.  General  Gaines  repaired 
to  Rock  Island,  and  btcoming  convinced  the 
Indians  were  intent  upon  war,  he  called  upon 
Governor  Reynolds  for  seven  hundred  mounted 
volunteers.  The  Governor  obeyed  the  requisi- 
tion, and  issued  a  call  upon  the  northern  and 
central  counties,  in  obedience  to  which  fifteen 
hundred  volunteers  rushed  to  his  standard  at 
Beardstown,  and  about  the  lOth  of  June  were 
organized  and  ready  to  be  marched  to  the  seat 
of  war.  The  whole  force  was  divided  into  two 
regiments, an  odd  battalion,  and  a  spy  battalion. 
The  First  Regiment  was  commanded  by  Colonel 
James  D.  Henry,  of  Si^ringtield. 

Black  Hawk,  becoming  convinced  tliat  he 
could  do  nothing  against  the  force  sent  against 
him,  retreated  across  the  river,  and  fearing  pur- 
suit from  General  Gaines,  returned  with  his 
chiefs  and  braves  to  Fort  Armstrong,  and  sued 
for  peace.  A  treaty  was  here  formed  witli  them, 
by  which  they  agreed  forever  to  remain  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  and  never  to  re-cross  it 
witliout  the  permission  of  the  President  or  the 
Governor  of  the  State.  The  treaty  of  1804  was 
thus  at  last  ratified  by  these  Indians.  Notwith- 
stan<ling  this  treaty,  early  in  the  spring  of  1832, 
Black  Hawk  and  the  disaffected  Indians  pre- 
pared to  re-assert  their  right  to  the  disputed 
territory. 

Governor  Reynolds,  as  soon  as  informed  of 
the  action  of  Black  Hawk,  issued  another  call 
for  volunteers.  General  Thomas  M.  Neale,  of 
the  State  militia,  received  the  following  order: 

To  General  T.  M.  Neale: — You  are  hereby 
commanded  to  cause  six  hundred  men  of  your 
command  to  meet  at  Beardstown,  on  the  2'Jd 
inst.,  without  fail.     I  have  ordered  the  Colonels 


of  your  brigade  to  furnish  their  proportion  of 
men  out  of  their  respective  regiments,  for  fear 
you  might  not  be  at  home.  You  will  call  on 
the  militia  nearest  the  rendezvous.  Each  com- 
])any  to  be  composed  of  fifty  men  and  to  elect 
its  own  ofiicers.  Mounted  volunteers  are  pre- 
ferred. If  none  such  will  offer  their  services, 
then  )-ou  are  to  draft,  which  I  hope  will  not  be 
the  case.  John  Reynolds, 

Commander  in  Chief. 

April  16,  18:32. 

The  Sangamo  Journal  of  this  period  contained 
many  articles  recounting  the  atrocities  commit- 
ted by  the  Indians.  The  excitement  ran  high 
and  every  able-bodied  man  was  ready  to  volun- 
teer. The  quota  of  this  county  was  easily 
raised.  As  a  specimen  of  the  war  poetry  of  the 
period  we  quote  the  following,  appearing  as 
original  in  the  Journal: 

SONG 

For  the  Seion.d  Expedition  against  Black  Hawk. 

Brave  Saiigamon  hath  armed, 
All  to  defend  her  right — 
Arouse,  ye  bold  Kentucky  boj'S, 
The  foremost  in  the  fitrlil! 

Away!    away!    away! 

The  flames  of  war  are  burning  red, 
The  naked  frontier  needs  your  aid! 
Huzza  for  okl  Kentiiek! 

Away!     away!     away! 

Virginia  and  fair  Tennessee, 
From  danger  never  known  to  flee, 
Show  Sangamo  your  pluck! 

Away!    away!     away! 

Now  old  Virginia's  hearts  of  fire, 
Who  in  the  battle  never  tire, 
Remember  Washington,  your  sire! 
Away!     away!     away! 

Ye  Yankee  boys  of  courage  true, 
Now  show  the  world  what  ye  can  do! 
And  make  the  Black  Hawk  tremble,  too! 
Away!     away!     away! 

Our  answer  is  the  rolling  drum — 
\^e  come!    we  come!    we  come! 
Forward!  our  course  is  to  the  West — 
The  warpath  is  no  place  of  rest! 
Away!     away!     away! 

The  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Virginia,  and  the 
few  "Yankee  boys"  then  living  here,  nobly  re- 
sponded, causing  grief  to  some  loving  wives, 
whose  husbands  were  thus  to  be  taken  from 
them,  probably  never  to  return.  Some  one 
whose  wife  was  thus  grieving,  relates  his  experi- 
ence through  the  columns  of  his  weekly  paper, 
as  follows: 


152 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Have  e're  you  seen,  when  you've  been  called 

To  scenes  of  arms  and  strife, 
The  tear  stand  trembling  in  the  eyes 

Of  your  beloved  wife? 

Have  you  seen  this,  then  heard  her  say 

With  faltering  voice — "My  dear, 
(Then  pausing  and  embracing  you) 

"  My  dear — don't  go — I  fear!" 

Ah,  have  you  seen  and  have  you  heard 

Her  urge  her  moving  plea — 
'■  I  tear  you'll  ne'er  come  back,  my  love. 

To  these  sweet  babes  and  me." 

Then  you  have  felt  what  I  have  felt, 

My  resolution  tried — 
But  bracing  up  my  nerves,  I  said, 

"  Dear  wife  don't  be  afraid. 

''We've  heard  of  fearful  massacres 

Of  fathers — mothers  slain — 
And  little  babes — as  small  as  ours 

All  mangled  on  the  plain! 

"  Then  ought  I  not,  with  sword  in  hand. 

Go  quickly  to  defend 
Those  little  babes  and  women,  who 

May  meet  such  direful  end?" 

She  nothing  said — but  while  I  spoke 

She  gentlj-  pressed  my  hand, 
And  ever  since  her  actions  say 

Go  now — defend  our  land. 

Speaking  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  Ford,  in 
his  "  History  of  Illinois, "  says: 

"Tlie  united  Sacs  and  Fox  nations  were  di- 
vided into  two  parties.  Black  Hawk  commanded 
the  warlike  band,  and  Keokuk,  another  chief, 
headed  the  band  which  was  in  favor  of  peace. 

"Keokuk  was  a  bold,  sagacions  leader  of  his 
people;  was  gifted  with  a  wald  and  stirring  elo- 
quence, sure  to  be  found,  even  among  Indians, 
by  means  of  which  he  retained  a  greater  part  of 
his  nation  in  amity  with  the  white  people. 

"But  nearly  all  the  bold,  ttirbulent  spirits, 
who  delighted  in  mischief,  arranged  themselves 
under  the  banner  of  his  rival.  Black  Hawk  had 
with  him  the  chivalry  of  his  nation,  with  which 
he  re-crossed  the  Mississippi  in  the  spring  of 
1832. 

"He  directed  his  march  to  Rock  river  in  the 
spring  of  1832. 

'"He  directed  his  march  to  the  Rock  country, 
and  this  time  aimed,  by  marching  up  the  river 
into  the  countries  of  the  Pottawottomies  and 
Winnebagoes,  to  make  them  his  allies.  Gover- 
nor Reynolds,  upon  being  informed  of  the  facts, 
made  another  call  for  volunteers.  In  a  few  days 
eighteen  hundred  men  rallied  under  his  banner 
at  Beardstown.  This  force  was  organized  into 
four  regiments  and  a  spy  battalion.      Colonel 


Dewit  commanded  the  First  Regiment,  Colonel 
Fry  the  Second,  Colonel  Thompson  the  Fourth, 
and  Colonel  James  D.  Henry  commanded  the 
spy  battalion.  The  whole  brigade  was  put 
under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Sam- 
uel Whiteside,  of  the  State  militia,  who  had 
commanded  the  spy  battalion  in  the  first  cam- 
paign. 

"On  the  2'7th  of  April,  General  Whiteside, 
accompanied  by  Governor  Reynolds,  took  up 
his  line  of  march.  The  army  proceeded  by  the 
way  of  Oquawka,  on  the  Mississippi,  to  the  mouth 
of  Rock  river,  and  here  it  was  agreed  between 
General  Whiteside  and  General  Atkinson,  of 
the  regidarg,  that  the  volunteers  should  march 
up  Rock  river  about  tifty  miles,  to  the  Prophet's 
town,  and  there  encamp,  to  feed  and  rest  their 
horses,  and  await  the  arrival  of  the  regular 
troops  in  keel  boats,  with  their  provisions. 
Judge  William  Thomas,  who  again  act^rd  as 
quartermaster  to  the  volunteers,  made  an  esti- 
mate of  the  amount  of  provisions  required  until 
the  boats  could  arrive,  which  were  supplied,  and 
then  General  Whiteside  took  up  his  line  of 
march. 

"But  when  he  arrived  at  the  Prophet's  town, 
instead  of  remaining  there,  his  men  set  fire  to 
the  village,  which  was  entirely  consumed,  and 
the  brigade  marched  on  in  the  direction  of 
Dixon,  forty  miles  higher  up  the  river. 

"When  the  volunteers  had  arrived  within  a 
short  distance  of  Dixon,  orders  were  given  to 
leave  the  baggage  w.agonsbehind,  so  as  to  reach 
there  by  a  forced  march.  And  for  the  relief  of 
the  horses,  the  men  left  large  cjuantities  of  pro- 
visions behind  with  the  wagons. 

"At  Dixon,|General  Whiteside  came  to  a  halt, 
to  await  a  junction  with  General  Atkinson,  with 
provisions  and  the  regular  forces;  and  from  here 
parties  were  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  .the  enemy 
and  ascertain  his  position.  The  army  here 
found    upon     its     arrival,    two     battalions     of 


mounted   volunteers,    consisting   of 


'.ir>    men, 


from  the  counties  of  McLean,  Tazewell,  Peoria, 
and  Fulton,  under  the  command  of  Majors  Still- 
man  and  Bailey.  'J  he  officers  of  this  force 
begged  to  be  put  forward  upon  some  dangerous 
service  in  which  they  could  distinguish  them- 
selves. 

"To  gratify  them  they  were  ordered  up  Rock 
river  to  spy  out  the  Indians.  Major  Stillman 
began  his  march  on  the  12th  of  May,  and  pur- 
suing his  w-ay  on  the  sotitheast  side,  he  came  to 
"Old  Man's"  creek,  since  called  "Stillman's 
Run,"  a  small  stream  which  rises  in  White  Rock 
Grove,  in  Ogle  county,  and   falls  into  the  river 


^^^. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


155 


near  Bloomingville.  Here  he  eucamped  just 
before  night;  and  in  a  short  time  a  party  of  In- 
dians on  horseback  were  discovered  on  a  rising 
ground  about  a  mile  distant  from  the  encamp- 
ment. A  party  of  Stillman's  men  mounted 
their  horses  without  orders  or  commander,  an<l 
were  soon  followed  by  others,  stringing  along 
for  a  (juarter  of  a  mile,  to  pursue  the  Indians 
and  attack  them. 

'•The  Indians  retreated  after  displaying  a  red 
flag,  the  emblem  of  defiance  and  war,  but  were 
overtaken  and  three  of  them  slain. 

"Here  Major  Ilackelton,  being  dismounted  in 
the  engagement,  distinguished  himself  by  a  com- 
bat with  one  of  the  Indians  in  which  the  Indian 
was  killed,  and  Major  Hackelton  afterwards 
made  his  way  on  foot  to  the  camp  of  General 
Whiteside. 

'Black  Hawk  was  nearby  with  his  main  force, 
and  being  prompt  to  repel  an  assault,  soon  ral- 
lied his  men,  amounting  then  to  about  seven  hun- 
dred warriors,  and  moved  down  upon  Major 
Stillman's  camp,  driving  the  disorderly  rabble, 
the  recent  pursuers  before  him.  These  valorous 
gentlemen,  lately  so  hot  in  pursuit,  when  the 
enemy  were  few,  were  no  less  hasty  in  their  re- 
treat, when  coming  in  contact  with  superior 
numbers.  They  came  with  their  horses  in  a  full 
run,  and  in  this  manner  broke  through  the  cam]) 
of  Major  Stillman,  spreading  dismay  and  terror 
among  the  rest  of  his  men,  who  immediately 
began  to  join  in  the  flight,  so  that  no  efliort  to 
rally  them  could  possibly  have  succeeded.  Major 
Stillman,  now  too  late  to  remedy  the  evils  of  in- 
subordination and  disorder  in  his  command,  did 
all  that  was  practicable,  by  ordering  his  men  to 
fall  back  in  order,  and  form  on  higher  ground  ; 
but  as  the  prairie  rose  behind  them  for  more 
than  a  mile,  the  ground  for  a  rally  was  never 
discovered  ;  and  besides  this,  when  the  men  once 
got  their  backs  to  the  enemy,  they  commenced  a 
retreat,  without  one  thought  of  making  a  further 
stand. 

"Aretreatof  undisciplined  militiafrom  the  at- 
tack of  a  superior,  is  apt  to  bo  a  disorderly  and 
inglorious  flight ;  and  so  it  was  here,  each  man 
sought  his  own  individual  safety,  and  in  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye  the  whole  detachment  was 
in  utter  confusion.  They  were  pursued  in  their 
flight  by  thirty  or  forty  Indians,  for  ten  or 
twelve  miles,  the  fugitives  in  the  rear  keeping 
up  a  flying  fire  as  they  ran,  until  the  Indians 
ceased  pursuing. 

"  But  there  were  some  good  soldiers  and  brave 
men  in  Stillman's  detachment,  whose  individual 
efforts  succeeded  in  checking  the  career  of  the 

18— 


Indians,  whereby  many  escaped  that  night  who 
would  otherwise  have  been  easy  victims  of  the 
enemy. 

"Among  these  wereMajorPerkins  and  Captain 
Adams,  who  fell  in  the  rear,  bravely  fighting  to 
cover  tlie  retreat  of  their  fugitive  friends. 

"But  Major  Stillman  and  his  men  pursued 
their  flight  without  looking  to  the  right  or  left 
until  they  were  safely  landed  at  Dixon. 

"The  party  came  straggling  into  camp  all  night 
long,  four  or  five  at  a  time,  each  fresh  arrival 
confident  that  all  who  had  lieen  left  behind  had 
been  massacred  by  the  Indians. 

"The  enemy  was  stated  to  be  just  l)ehind  in 
full  pursuit,  and  their  arrival  was  looked  for 
every  moment.  Eleven  of  Stillman's  men  were 
killed,  and  it  is  only  astonishing  that  the  num- 
ber was  so  few. 

"  It  is  said  that  a  big,  tall  Kentuckian,  with  a 
loud  voice,  who  was  a  colonel  of  the  militia,  but 
a  private  with.  Stillman,  upon  his  arrival  in 
oamp,  gave  to  General  Whiteside  and  the  won- 
der struck  multitude,  the  following  glowing  and 
bombastic  account  of  the  battle:  'Sirs,'  said 
he,  '  our  detachment  was  encamped  among  some 
scattering  timber  on  the  north  side  of  Old  Man's 
creek,  with  the  prairie  from  the  north  gently 
sloping  down  toward  our  encampment.  It  was 
just  after  twilight,  in  the  gloaming  of  the  even- 
ing, when  we  discovered  Black  Hawk's  army 
coming  down  upon  us  in  solid  column;  they 
displayed  in  the  form  of  a  crescent  upon  the 
brow  of  the  prairie,  and  such  accuracy  and  pre- 
cision of  military  movements  were  never  wit- 
nessed by  man;  they  were  equal  to  the  best 
troops  of  Wellington,  in  Spain.  I  have  said  that 
the  Indians  came  down  in  solid  columns,  and 
displayed  in  the  form  of  a  crescent;  and  what 
was  most  wonderful,  there  were  large  squares  of 
cavalry  resting  upon  the  points  of  the  curve, 
which  squares  were  supported  agpin  by  other 
columns  fifteen  deep,  extending  back  through 
the  woods  and  over  a  swamp  three-quarters  of 
a  mile,  which  again  rested  on  the  main  body  of 
Black  Hawk's  army, bivouacked  upon  the  banks 
of  the  Kishwakee.  It  was  a  terrible  and  a 
glorious  sight  to  see  the  tawny  warriors  as  they 
rode  along  our  flanks  attempting  to  outflank  us, 
with  the  glittering  moonbeams  glistening  from 
their  polished  blades  and  burnished  spears.  It 
was  a  sight  well  calculated  to  strike  consterna- 
tion in  the  stoutest  and  boldest  heart;  and  ac- 
cordingly our  men  soon  began  to  break  in  small 
scjuads,  for  tall  timber.  In  a  very  little  time  the 
rout  becume  general,  the  Indians  were  soon 
upon  our  flanks  and  threatened  the  destruction 


156 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  our  eiuire  detachiueut.  About  this  time, 
Major  Stillman,  Colonel  Stepbenson,  Major 
Perkins,  Captain  Adams,  Mr.  Hackleton,  and 
myself,  with  some  others,  threw  ourselves  into 
the  rear  to  rally  the  fugitives  and  protect  the 
retreat.  But  in  a  short  time  all  my  companions 
fell  bravely,  fighting  hand-to-hand  with  the  sav- 
age enemy,  and  I  alone  was  left  upon  the  field 
of  battle.  About  this  time  I  discovei'ed  not  far 
to  the  left,  a  corps  of  horsemen  which  seemed 
to  be  in  tolerable  order.  I  immediately  deployed 
to  the  left,  when,  leaning  down  and  placing  my 
body  in  a  recumbent  posture  upon  the  mane  of 
mv  horse,  so  as  to  bring  the  heads  of  the  horse- 
men between  my  eye  and  the  horizon,  I  discov- 
ered by  the  light,  of  the  moon  that  they  were 
gentlemen  who  did  not  wear  hats,  by  which 
token  I  knew  they  were  no  friends  of  mine.  I 
therefore  made  a  retrograde  movement  and 
recovered  my  positlonj  where  I  remained  some 
time  meditating  what  further  I  could  do  in  the 
service  of  my  countrv,  when  a  random  ball  came 
whistling  by  my  ear  and  plainly  whispered  to 
me.  '  Stranger,  you  have  no  further  btisiness 
here.'  Upon  hearing  this  I  followed  the  exam- 
ple of  my  companion  in  arms,  and  broke  for  the 
tall  timber,  and  the  way  I  ran  was  not  a  lit'le'." 

On  the  arrival  of  Major  Stillman's  command, 
at  Dixon,  a  council  of  war  was  held,  in  which  it 
was  agreed  to  march  early  the  next  morning  to 
the  fata)  field  of  that  evening's  disaster.  For 
some  time  the  soldiers  had  been  living  without 
any  regular  supplies,  but  Quartermaster  Thomas, 
anticipating  the  action  of  the  council,  went  out 
in  search  of  cattle  and  hogs,  and  before  daylight 
the  next  morning  the  army  was  supplied  with 
some  fresh  beef,  which  thej'  ate  without  bread. 
When  the  volunteers  arrived  upon  the  battle 
field  they  found  the  Indians  gone,  a  party  of 
seventy  of  them  soon  being  heard  of  as  having 
made  a  descent  upon  a  small  settlement  on  Indian 
creek,  a  tributary  of  Fox  river,  and  within 
fifteen  mile^i  of  Ottawa,  they  massacred  fifteen 
persons,  taking  two  young  ladies — Sylvia  and 
Rachel  Hall — prisoners.  The  young  prisoners 
were  hurried  by  forced  marches,  beyond  the  reach 
of  pursuit.  They  were  afterwards  purchased 
from  their  captors. 

Returning  to  Dixon,  General  Whiteside,  the 
next  day,  was  joined  by  General  Atkinson,  but 
the  time  of  many  of  the  volunteers  having  ex- 
pired, no  further  advance  could  then  be  made. 
The  Governor  had  previously  issued  orders  for 
raising  two  thousand  additional  volunteers,  to 
rendezvous  at  Beardstown  and  Hennepin.  A 
volunteer  regiment  of  those  just  discharged,  was 


organized  to  remain  in  defense  of  the  country 
until  the  new  troops  arrived. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  the  new  levies  had  ar- 
rived at  the  place  of  rendezvous,  and  were 
formed  into  three  brigades — General  Alexander 
Posey  commanding  the  first.  General  Milton  K. 
Alexander  the  second,  and  General  James  D. 
Henry  the  third.  On  the  march  each  brigade 
was  preceded  l)y  a  battalion  of  spies,  commanded 
by  a  major.  The  whole  volunteer  force  at  this 
time  amounted  to  three  thousand  two  hundred 
men,  besides  three  companies  of  rangers,  under 
the  command  of  Major  Bogart,  left  behind  to 
guard  the  frontier  settlements.  The  object  in 
calling  out  so  large  a  force  was  to  overawe  the 
Pottawatamie  and  Winnebago  Indians,  who 
were  hostile  in  their  feelings  towards  the  whites, 
and  much  disposed  to  join  Black  Hawk's  party. 

Before  the  new  army  could  be  brought  into 
the  field  the  Indians  had  committed  several  mur- 
ders. One  man  was  killed  on  Bureau  creek, 
some  seven  or  eight  miles  above  Princeton;  one 
in  Buffalo  Grove;  one  between  the  Fox  river 
and  the  Illinois;  two  about  six  miles  northwest 
of  Ottawa.  On  the  22d  of  May,  General  At- 
water  had  dispatched  Mr.  St.  Vrain,  the  Indian 
agent  for  the  Sacs  and  Foxes,  at  Rock  Island, 
with  a  few  men  as  an  express,  to  Fort  Armstrong, 
On  their  way  thither,  they  fell  in  with  a  party  of 
Indians,  led  by  a  chief  well  known  to  the  agent. 
This  chief  was  called  "The  Little  Bear."  He 
had  been  a  particular  friend  of  the  agent,  and 
had  adopted  him  as  a  brother.  Mr.  St.  Train 
felt  no  fear  of  one  who  was  his  friend,  and  who 
had  been  an  inmate  of  his  house,  and  who  had 
adopted  him  as  a  brother,  and  therefore  ap- 
proached the  Indian  with  the  greatest  confi- 
dence and  security.  The  treacherous  Indian, 
untrue  in  war  to  the  claims  of  gratitude,  friend- 
ship and  brotherhood,  no  sooner  got  him  in  his 
power  than  be  murdered  and  scalped  him  and 
all  his  party,  with  as  little  compassion  as  though 
he  had  never  known  him  or  professed  to  be  his 
friend. 

Not  long  after  the  new  forces  were  organized 
on  the  Illinois  river.  Black  Hawk,  with  a  hund- 
red and  fifty  warriors,  made  an  attack  on  Apple 
River  Fort,  within  twelve  miles  of  Galena,  and 
defended  by  about  twenty-five  men,  under  com- 
mand of  Captain  Stone.  This  fort  was  a  stock- 
ade of  logs  stuck  in  the  ground,  with  block- 
houses at  the  corners  of  the  square,  by  way  of 
towers  and  bastions.  It  was  made  for  the  pro- 
tection of  a  scattering  village  of  miners,  who 
lived  in  their  houses  in  the  vicinity  during  the 
day,  and  retired  into  the  fort  for  protection  at 


IIIS!()i;V  OK  SAXGA^LON  COUNTY. 


151 


night.  The  women  and  children,  as  usual  in 
the  day-time,  wore  abroad  in  the  village,  when 
three  men,  on  an  express  from  (Galena  to  Dixon, 
were  tired  iiiion  by  the  Indians,  lurking  in 
ambush  within  half  a  mile  of  the  village,  and 
retreated  into  the  fort.  One  of  them  was  wound- 
ed, but  his  companions  stood  by  him  nobly,  re- 
treating behind  him,  and  keeping  the  Indians  at 
bay  by  pointing  their  guns  first  at  one  and  then 
at  another  of  those  who  were  readiest  to  advance. 
The  alarm  was  heard  at  the  fort  in  time  to  rally 
the  scattered  inhabitants. 

The  Indians  soon  came  up  within  firing  dis- 
tance, and  then  commenced  a  fearful  struggle 
between  the  small  party  in  the  fort,  against  six 
times  .their  number  of  the  enemy.  The  Indians 
took  possession  of  the  log  houses,  knocked  holes 
in  the  walls,  through  which  to  fire  at  the  fort 
with  greater  security  to  themselves;  and  while 
some  were  firing  at  the  fort,  others  broke  the 
furniture,  destroyed  the  provisions,  and  cut  open 
the  beds  and  scattered  the  feathers  found  in  the 
houses.  The  men  in  the  fort  were  excited  to 
the  highest  pitch  of  desperation.  They  believed 
that  they  were  contending  with  an  enemy  who 
never  made  a  prisoner,  and  that  the  result  of  the 
contest  must  be  victory  or  death  to  them  and 
their  families.  The  women  and  children  mould- 
ed the  bullets  and  loaded  the  guns  for  the  men, 
who  fought  with  a  fury  caused  by  desperation 
itself.  The  loss  in  the  fort  was  one  man  killed 
and  one  wounded.  One  of  the  men  who  first 
retreated  to  the  fort,  immediately  passed  on  to 
Galena,  and  there  gave  the  alarm.  Colonel 
Strode,  who  commanded  in  Galena,  lost  no  time 
in  marching  to  the  assistance  of  the  fort,  but  be- 
fore his  arrival  the  Indians  had  raised  the  siege 
and  departed. 

About  the  time  of  the  siege  of  the  fort,  a 
party  of  Indians  made  an  attack  on  three  men 
near  Fort  Hamilton,  in  the  lead  mines.  Two  of 
the  men  were  killed,  while  the  other  escaped. 
General  Dodge,  of  Wisconsin,  who  happened 
to  arrive  at  the  fort  soon  after  with  twenty  men 
under  his  command,  made  quick  pursuit  after 
these  Indians,  who  were  chased  to  the  Pekaton- 
ica,  and  there  took  shelter  under  the  high  bank 
of  the  river.  General  Dodge  and  his  parly 
charged  upon  them  in  their  place  of  conceal- 
ment, and  killed  the  whole  party,  eleven  in  num- 
ber, with  the  loss  of  three  of  his  own  men, 
mortally  wounded,  and  one  who  afterwards  re- 
covered. 

The  Indians  had  now  shown  themselves  to  be 
a  courageous,  active,  and  enterprising  enemy. 
They  had  scattered  their  war  jiarties  all  over  the 


Nortli,  from  Chicago  to  Galena,  and  from  the 
Illinois  river  into  the  Territory  of  Wisconsin. 
They  occujiied  every  grove,  waylaid  every  road, 
hung  around  every  settlement,  and  attacked 
every  party  of  white  men  that  attempted  to 
penetrate  the  country.  Their  sujiremacy  in  the 
field,  however,  was  of  short  duration,  for  on  the 
20th,  21st,  and  22d  of  June,  the  new  forces  as- 
sembled on  the  Illinois  river,  were  put  in  motion 
l)y  General  Atkinson,  of  the  regular  army,  who 
now  assumed  command  of  the  whole. 

(xeneral  Atkinson,  having  heard  that  Black 
Hawk  had  concentrated  his  forces  at  the  four 
lakes  in  Wisconsin,  and  fortified  his  position, 
with  the  intention  of  deciding  the  fate  of  war 
by  a  general  battle,  marched  with  as  much  haste 
as  ])rudence  would  warrant,  when  invading  a 
hostile  and  wilderness  country  with  undisci- 
plined forces,  where  there  was  no  means  of  pro- 
curing intelligence  of  the  numbers  or  where- 
ai)outs  of  the  enemy. 

Eight  weeks  were  now  spent  in  a  fruit- 
search  of  the  enemy,  by  which  time  the  volun- 
teer force  through  one  cause  or  another,  had 
been  reduced  nearly  one-half,  aiul  such  was  the 
wastefulness  of  the  volunteers,  that  they  were 
frequently  one  or  two  days  short  of  provisions 
before  new  supplies  could  be  obtained.  At  this 
time  there  were  not  more  than  four  days'  ra- 
tions in  the  hands  of  the  commissary;  the  enemy 
might  be  weeks  in  advance;  the  volunteers  were 
fast  melting  away;  and  General  Atkinson  found 
it  necessary  to  disperse  his  command  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  supplies.  Colonel  Ewing's 
regiment  was  sent  back  to  Dixon;  General  Po- 
sey marched  to  Fort  Hamilton  as  a  guard  to  the 
frontier  country;  Henry,  Alexanderand  Dodge, 
with  their  commands  were  sent  to  Fort  Winne- 
bago; while  (-ieneral  Atkinson  himself  fell  back 
with  the  regular  forces  to  Lake  Koshkenong, 
where  he  proposed  to  remain  until  the  volunteer 
generals  could  return  with  supplies.  Henry  and 
Alexander  made  Fort  Winnebago  in  three  days, 
Major  Dodge  having  preceded  them  a  few  hours 
bv  a  forced  march,  which  so  crippled  his  horses 
that  many  of  them  were  unable  to  continue  the 
campaign. 

Two  days  were  occupied  at  the  fort  in  getting 
provisions,  on  the  last  of  which  the  Winnebago 
cliiefs  there  i-eported  that  Black  Hawk  and  his 
forces  were  encamped  at  the  Manitou  village, 
thirty-five  miles  above  General  Atkinson,  on  the 
Rock  river.  In  a  council  held  between  Henry, 
Alexander  and  Dodge,  it  was  determined  to  vio- 
late orders  by  marching  directly  to  the  enemy, 
with    the    hope    of    taking    him    by    surjtrise. 


158 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Twelve  o'clock,  on  the  15th  of  July,  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  hour  to  march.  General  Henry 
proceeded  at  once  to  re-organize  his  brigade, 
with  a  view  to  dis-encumber  himself  of  his  sick 
and  dismounted  men,  that  he  might  have  as  lit- 
tle as  possible  to  impede  the  celerity  of  his 
march.  General  Alexander  soon  announced 
that  his  men  were  unwilling  and  had  refused  to 
follow,  while  Major  Dodge  reported  his  horses 
so  much  disabled  by  their  late  march  that  he 
could  not  muster  a  force  worth  taking  along. 
General  Henry  was  justly  indignant  at  the  in- 
subordination and  defection  of  his  com- 
panions in  arms,  and  announced  his  pur- 
pose of  marching  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  alone, 
if  he  could  prevail  upon  but  fifty  men  to  follow 
him.  Directly  after  this  a  company  of  mounted 
volunteers,  with  fresh  horses  arrived  to^  join 
Major  Dodge,  then  making  his  force  of  men  and 
horses  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  number. 
General  Henry's  brigade,  exclusive  of  Dodge's 
battalion,  numbered  between  five  and  si.x  hun- 
dred, but  not  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty 
had  horses  fit  for  service.  On  returning  to  his 
own  brigade.  General  Henry  discovered  that  his 
own  men,  infected  by  association  with  those  of 
General  Alexander,  were  on  the  point  of  open 
mutiny. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith,  of  Fry's  regiment, 
presented  to  General  Henry  a  written  protest, 
signed  by  all  the  officers  of  the  regiment,  except 
the  Colonel,  against  the  intended  expedition; 
but  these  officers  had  to  deal  with  an  officer  of 
rare  abilities  as  a  commander  of  militia.  Gen- 
eral Henry  was  a  complete  soldier;  he  was  gifted 
with  uncommon  talent  of  commanding  with 
sternness,  without  giving  offense;  of  forcing 
men  to  obey  without  degrading  them  in  their 
own  estimation.  He  was  brave  without  rash- 
ness, and  gave  his  orders  with  firmness  and 
authority,  without  any  appearance  of  bluster. 
In  his  mere  person  he  looked  the  commander. 
In  a  word,  he  was  one  of  those  very  rare  men 
who  are  gifted  by  nature  with  the  power  to 
command  militia — to  be  at  the  same  time  loved 
and  feared,  and  with  the  capacity  of  inspiring 
the  soldiery  with  the  ardor,  impetuosity,  and 
honorable  impulses  of  their  commander.  Gen- 
eral Henry  made  no  other  reply  to  this  protest 
than  to  order  the  officers  under  arrest  for  mutiny, 
appointing  at  the  same  time  Collins'  regiment  as 
a  guard  to  escort  them  to  General  Atkinson 
Colonel  Smith,  in  great  trepidation,  protested 
that  he  did  not  know  what  the  paper  contained 
when  he  signed  it,  and  implored  the  (Teneral's 
permission  to  consult  a  few  moments  with  the 


officers  before  further  steps  were  taken.  This 
being  accorded,  in  less  than  ten  minutes  they 
were  all  collected  at  the  General's  quarters,  mani- 
festing the  utmost  contrition,  and  pledging 
themselves,  if  forgiven,  to  return  to  their  duty, 
and  never  be  guilty  of  the  like  offense  again. 
The  General,  than  whom  none  better  understood 
human  nature,  made  them  a  few  remarks,  tem- 
pered with  dignity  and  kindness.  The  officers 
returned  to  their  duty,  and  it  is  but  just  to  say, 
that  from  that  hour  no  men  ever  behaved  better. 

General  Henry  took  up  his  line  of  march  on 
the  1.5th  of  July,  accompanied  by  Poquette,  a 
half-breed,  and  the  "White  PaTnee,"  a  Winne- 
bago chief,  as  guides,  in  hunt  of  the  Indians. 
After  three  days'  hard  marching,  the  troops 
reached  the  Rock  river,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  19th,  everything  was  placed  in  readiness  for 
a  forced  march.  The  fresh  trail  of  the  enemy 
had  been  struck,  and  the  men  now  felt  in  better 
spirits,  and  were  inspired  with  a  lively  hope  of 
bringing  the  war  to  a  speedy  close.  In  the  after- 
noon.of  the  19th,  the  command  was  overtaken 
with  one  of  those  storms  common  on  the  prai- 
ries, which  lasted  until  two  o'clock  the  next 
morning.  The  men,  exhausted  with  fatigue, 
threw  themselves,  supperless,  upon  the  muddy 
earth,  covered  with  water,  for  a  little  rest.  The 
rain  made  it  impossible  to  kindle  a  fire  or  to 
cook,  so  that  both  officers  and  men  contented 
themselves  with  eating  some  raw  meat  and  some 
wet  flour,  which  was  converted  into  a  soft  dough 
by  the  drenching  rain. 

All  were  on  the  march  by  daylight  on  the 
morning  of  the  20th,  and  after  a  hard  march, 
encamped  at  night  upon  one  of  the  banks  of  the 
four  lakes,  near  where  the  Indians  had  encamped 
the  |)revious  night.  At  this  place  the  men  were 
able  to  make  fires  and  cook  their  suppers,  and 
this  they  did  with  a  hearty  good  will,  having 
traveled  about  one  hundred  miles  without  tasting 
anything  but  raw  food,  and  without  having  seen 
a  spark  of  tire.  That  night  they  lay  upon  the 
ground,  many  of  them  with  nothing  but  the  sky 
for  a  covering,  and  slept  soundly  and  sweetly. 
All  were  in  tine  spirits  and  high  expectations  of 
overtaking  the  enemy  the  next  day,  and  putting 
an  end  to  the  war  by  a  general  battle.  The 
march  was  continued  on  the  morning  of  the  21st. 
Major  William  Lee  D.  Ewing  commanded  the 
spy  battalion,  and  with  him  was  joined  the  bat- 
talion of  Major  Dodge,  of  Wisconsin.  These 
two  officers,  with  their  commands,  were  in  ad- 
vance, but  with  all  their  ardor,  were  never  able 
to  get  out  of  sight  of  the  main  body.  About 
noon  of  this  day  the  advance  guard  was  close 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  CODNTY. 


159 


upon  the  rear  guard  of  the  retreating  enemy. 
For  man}'  miles  before  they  were  overtaken  their 
broad  trail  was  strewn  with  camp  kettles  and 
baggage  of  various  kinds,  which  they  had 
thrown  away  in  the  hurry  of  their  flight.  By 
faint  attacks  the  Indians  kept  their  pursuers  in 
check  until  they  reached  the  broken  grounds  on 
the  bluffs  of  the  Wisconsin  river. 

About  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the 
2l8t,  while  the  advance  guard  was  passing  over 
some  uneven  ground,  through  the  high  grass 
and  low  timber,  they  were  suddenly  fired  upon 
by  a  body  of  Indians,  who  had  here  secreted 
themselves.  In  an  instant  Major  Ewing's  bat- 
talion dismounted  and  formed  in  front,  their 
horses  being  removed  to  the  rear.  The  Indians 
kept  up  a  fire  from  behind  fallen  trees,  and  none 
of  them  could  be  discovered  except  by  the  flash 
and  report  of  their  guns.  In  a  few  minutes 
General  Henry  arrived  with  the  main  body, 
when  the  order  of  battle  was  formed.  Colonel 
Jones'  regiment  was  placed  on  the  right,  Colonel 
Collins'  on  the  left,  and  Colonel  Fry's  in  the 
rear,  to  acta  s  a  reserve.  Major  Ewing's  battal- 
ion was  placed  in  front  of  the  line,  and  Major 
Dodge  on  the  extreme  right.  In  this  order  the 
forces  marched  into  battle.  An  order  was  given 
to  charge  upon  the  enemy,  which  was  promptly 
obeyed  by  Ewing's  battalion  and  by  Jones'  and 
Collins'  regiments. 

The  Indians  retreated  before  this  charge  ob- 
liquely to  the  right,  and  concentrated  their  main 
force  in  front  of  Dodge's  battalion,  showing  a 
design  to  turn  his  flank.  General  Henry  sent 
an  order  by  Major  McConnell  to  J\[ajor  Dodge, 
to  advance  to  the  charge;  but  this  officer  being 
of  the  opinion  that  the  foe  was  too  strong. for 
him,  requested  a  reinforcement.  Colonel  Fry's 
regiment  was  ordered  to  his  aid,  and  formed  on 
his  right,  when  a  vigorous  charge  was  made 
from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other. 

Colonel  Fry's  regiment  made  a  charge  into 
the  bush  and  high  grass,  where  the  Indians  were 
concealed,  and  received  the  fire  of  the  whole 
body.  This  fire  veas  briskly  returned  by  the 
forces  under  Fry  and  Dodge,  who  continued  to 
advance, the  Indians  standing  their  ground  until 
the  men  came  within  reach  of  them,  then  fell 
back  to  the  west,  along  the  high,  broken  bluffs 
of  the  Wisconsin,  only  to  take  a  new  position 
amongst  the  thickest  timber  and  tall  grass  in 
the  head  of  a  hollow,  leading  to  the  Wisconsin 
river  bottom.  Here  it  seemed  they  were  deter- 
mined to  make  a  firm  stand;  but,  being  charged 
upon  in  their  new  position,  by  Ewing's  bat- 
talion, and  by  Collins'  and  Jones'   regiments. 


they  were  driven  out  of  it,  some  of  them  being 
pursued  down  the  hollow,  and  others  again  to 
the  west,  along  the  Wisconsin  heights,  until 
they  descended  the  bluffs  to  the  Wisconsin 
bottom,  which  was  here  about  a  mile  wide  and 
very  swampy,  covered  with  a  thick,  tall  grass, 
above  the  men  on  horseback.  It  now  being 
dark,  further  pursuit  was  stopped,  and  General 
Henry  and  bis  forces  lay  upon  the  field  of 
battle. 

Early  next  morning.  General  Henry  advanced 
to  the  Wisconsin  river,  and  ascertained  that  the 
Indian^  had  all  crossed  it, and  made  their  escape 
into  the  mountains  between  that  and  the  Missis- 
sippi. The  Indian  loss  in  this  battle  of  the 
Wisconsin,  as  it  is  known  in  history,  was  sixty- 
eight  left  dead  on  the  field,  aixl  a  large  number 
wounded,  of  whom  twenty-five  were  afterwards 
found  dead  along  the  Indian  trail  leading  to  the 
Mississippi.  General  Henry  lost  one  man  killed 
and  eigiit  wounded.  The  small  loss  of  General 
Henry  is  accounted  for  from  the  fact  that  the 
Indians  had  been  trained  to  fire  at  an  elevation 
to  hit  men  on  horseback,  but  as  General  Henry 
had  dismounted  his  forces,  the  Indians  overshot 
them. 

In  the  various  histories  of  this  campaign. 
Major  Dodge  is  given  all  credit  for  the  success 
attained,  being  spoken  of  as  General  Dodge, 
when  it  is  well  known  that  he  only  comm.anded 
a  battalion,  and  was  ranked  by  several  oflicers, 
the  whole  force  being  under  command  of  Gen- 
eral Henrj'.  The  reason  of  this  is  that  all  the 
war  news  was  first  published  in  the  Galenian, 
then  the  only  newspaper  published  north  of 
Springfield,  either  in  Illinois  or  Wisconsin,  the 
editor  of  which.  Dr.  Philleo,  was  a  member  of 
Dodge's  battalion.  When  he  wrote  home  the 
news  to  be  published  in  his  paper,  he  never  men- 
tioned Henry,  except  as  a  subordinate,  or  any 
other  oflicer  except  Dodge.  His  letters  chroni- 
cled the  deeds  of  Major  Dodge  only,  and  by 
calling  him  General  Dodge  it  was  made  to 
appear  that  he  was  the  commander  of  the  whole 
brigade,  instead  of  a  single  battalion  attached 
to  it.  These  letters  were  copied  into  every 
newspaper  throughout  the  Union,  and  have 
formed  the  basis  of  all  the  histories  of  the  war, 
the  people  abroad  being  thus  deluded  into  the 
belief  that  Dodge  was  the  great  hero  of  the 
war.  Henry  was  lost  sight  of,  and  now  in  some 
histories.  Dodge  is  spoken  of  as  the  commander 
in  that  war,  thus  throwing  out  of  sight  both 
General  Henry  and  Atkinson,  as  well  as  General 
Zachary  Taylor,  who,  as  Colonel,  commanded 
the  regular  forces. 


160 


HISTORY  OF  .SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


The  day  after  the  battle  of  the  Wisconsin, 
for  want  of  pr9visions,  it  was  determined  to  fall 
back  to  the  Blue  Mounds.  Here  General  Henry 
was  joined  by  General  Atkinson  and  tLe  regu- 
lars, and  General  Alexander's  and  Posey's  bri- 
gades. 

After  spending  two  days  in  preparation  the 
whole  force,  now  under  command  of  General 
Atkinson,  was  again  on  the  march  in  pursuit  of 
the  Indians.  About  ten  o'clock  the  morning  of 
the  fourth  day  after  crossing  the  Wisconsin, 
General  Atkinson's  advance  reached  the  b  uft's 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi.  The  Indians 
.  had  reached  the  bank  of  the  river  some  time 
before.  Some  had  crossed,  and  others  were 
making  preparations  to  cross  it.  The  steamboat 
Warrior,  Captain  Throckmorton,  descended  to 
the  place  the  day  before.  As  the  steamboat 
neared  the  camp  of  the  Indians,  they  raised  a 
white  flag,  but  Captain  Thr<>ukmorton,  believing 
this  to  be  treacherously  intended,  ordered  them 
to  send  a  boat  on  board,  which  they  declined 
doing.  Allowing  them  fifteen  minutes  time  in 
which  to  remove  their  squaws  and  children,  he 
fired  upon  them  with  a  six-pounder,  and  contin- 
ued the  "  fight "  about  one  hour,  with  a  loss  to 
the  Indians  of  twenty-three  killed  and  a  large 
number  wounded.  Tlie  boat  then  fell  down  the 
river  to  Prairie  DuChien,  and  before  it  could 
return  the  next  morning,  the  land  forces,  under 
General  Atkinson,  had  come  up  and  commenced 
a  general  battle. 

The  Indians  were  encamped  on  the  banks  of 
the  INIississippi,  some  distance  below  the  mouth 
of  Bad-Axe  river.  Being  aware  that  General 
Atkinson  was  in  close  pursuit,  and  to  gain  time 
for  crossing  into  the  Indian  country,  west  of  the 
Mississippi,  they  sent  back  about  twenty  men  to 
meet  him,  with  instructions  to  commence  an  at- 
tack, and  then  to  retreat  to  the  river,  three  miles 
above  this  camii.  Accordingly,  when  General 
Atkinson  came  within  three  or  four  miles  of  the 
river,  he  was  suddenly  tired  upon  from  behind 
trees  and  logs,  the  very  tall  grass  aiding  the  con- 
cealment of  the  attacking  party.  General  At- 
kinson rode  immediately  to  the  scene  of  action, 
and  in  person  formed  his  lines  and  directed  a 
charge.  The  Indians  gave  way,  and  were  pur- 
sued by  General  Atkinson  and  all  the  army,  ex- 
cept Henry's  brigade,  which  was  in  the  rear, 
and  in  the  hurry  of  pursuit  left  without  orders. 
When  Henry  came  up  to  the  place  where  the 
attack  had  been  made,  he  saw  clearly  that  the 
wily  stratagem  of  the  untutored  savage  had  tri- 
umphed o\  er  tlie  science  of  a  veteran  General. 
The  main  trail  of  the  Indians  was  plainly  to  be 


seen  leading  to  the  river  lower  down.  He  called 
a  hasty  council  of  his  principal  officers,  and  by 
tbeir  advice,  marched  right  forward  upon  the 
main  ti-ail.  At  the  foot  of  the  high  bluff  bor- 
dering the  river  valley,  on  the  edge  of  a  swamp, 
densely  covered  with  timber,  driftwood  and  un- 
derbrush, through  which  the  trail  led  fresh  and 
broad,  he  halted  his  command  and  left  liis  horses. 
The  men  were  formed  on  foot  and  thus  advanc- 
ed to  the  attack.  They  were  preceded  by  an  ad- 
vance guard  of  eight  men,  who  were  sent  for- 
ward as  a  forlorn  hope,  and  were  intended  to 
draw  the  first  fire  of  the  Indians,  and  to  disclose 
thereby  to  the  main  body  where  the  enemy  was 
to  be  found,  preparatory  to  a  general  charge. 
These  eight  men  boldly  advanced  some  distance, 
rrntil  they  came  within  sight  of  the  river,  where 
they  were  fired  upon  by  about  fifty  Indians,  and 
five  of  the  eight  instantly  fell  dead  or  wounded. 
The  other  three,  protected  behind  trees,  stood 
their  ground  until  the  arrival  of  the  main  body 
under  General  Henry,  which  deployed  to  the 
right  and  left  from  the  centre.  Immediately  the 
bugle  sounded  a  charge,  every  man  rushed  for- 
ward, and  the  battle  became  general  along  the 
whole  line.  These  fifty  Indians  had  retreated 
upon  the  main  body,  amounting  to  about  three 
hundred  warriors,  a  force  equal,  if  not  superior, 
to  those  contending  against  them.  It  was  soon 
apparent  that  they  had  been  taken  by  surprise. 
They  fought  bra\-ely  and  desperately,  but  seem- 
ed without  any  plan  or  concert  of  action.  The 
bugle  again  sounded  a  charge.  The  Indians 
were  driven  from  tree  to  tree,  and  from  one  hid- 
ing place  to  another.  In  this  manner  they 
receded  step  by  step,  driven  by  the  advancing 
foe,  until  they  reached  the  bank  of  the  river. 
Here  a  desperate  struggle  ensued,  but  it  was  of 
short  duration.  The  bloody  bayonet,  in  the 
hands  of  excited  and  daring  men,  drove  them 
into  the  river,  some  of  them  trying  to  swim  it, 
while  others  took  shelter  on  a  small  willow 
island  near  the  shore. 

About  this  time  General  Atkinson,  with  the 
regulars,  and  Dodge's  battalion,  arrived,  followed 
by  Posey's  and  Alexander's  men,  but  the  main 
work  had  been  accomplished  before  they  came 
up.  It  had  been  determined  that  Henry's  men 
should  have  no  share  in  this  day's  glory,  but  the 
fates  taking  advantage  of  a  blunder  of  General 
Atkinson,  had  otherwise  directed.  After  the 
Indians  had  retreated  into  the  river  and  on  the 
island,  Henry  dispatched  Maj' r  McConnell  to 
give  intelligence  of  his  movements  to  his  com- 
mander, who,  while  pursuing  twenty  Indians  in 
another  direction,  had   heard  the   tiring   where 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


161 


Henry  was  eugaged.  General  Aikin.-tou  lel't  the 
pursuit  of  the  twenty  Indians,  and  hastened  to 
share  in  the  engagement.  lie  was  met  by 
Henry's  messenger  near  the  scene  of  action,  in 
passing  through  which,  the  dead  and  dying  In- 
dians lying  around  bore  frightful  evidence  of 
the  stern  work  which  had  been  done  before  his 
arrival.  However,  he  lost  no  time  in  forming 
his  regulars  and  Dodge's  battalion  for  a  descent 
upon  the  island.  These  forces,  together  with 
Ewing's  battalion  and  Fry's  regiment,  made  a 
charge  through  the  water  up  to  their  arm-pits  on 
to  tlie  island,  where  most  of  the  Indians  had 
taken  their  last  refuge.  All  the  Indians  who 
atterai)ted  to  swim  the  river  were  picked  off 
with  rifle«,  or  found  a  watery  grave  before  they 
reached  the  opposite  shore.  Those  upon  the 
island  kept  up  a  severe  iire  from  behind  logs  and 
driftwood  upon  the  men,  as  they  advanced  to 
the  charge,  but  most  of  them  there  secreted 
were  either  killed,  captured  or  driven  into  the 
water,  where  they  perished  miserably,  either  by 
drovvning,  or  the  still  more  fatal  rifle.  The  In- 
dian loss  in  this  battle,  known  as  the  battle  of 
Bad-A.\;e,  is  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  fifty 
killed,  as  many  more  drowned  in  the  river,  and 
fifty  prisoners  taken,  mostly  squaws  and  chil- 
dren. The  loss  of  the  whites  were  seventeen 
killed  and  twelve  wounded 

The  twenty  men  who  led  General  Atkinson 
astray,  were  led  by  Black  Hawk  in  person,  and 
as  soon  as  Atkinson  ceased  his  pursuit,  they  re- 
treated to  the  Dells  on  the  Wisconsin  river.  A 
number  of  Sioux  and  Winnebagoes  went  in 
pursuit  of  him,  headed  by  Decorah,  a  Winne- 
Ijago  chief,  and  captured  them  on  the  upper  Wis- 
consin river.  The  prisoners  were  brought  down 
to  Prairie  DuChien  and  delivered  up  to  General 
Street,  the  United  States  Indian  Agent.  Aicong 
the  number  captured  was  a  son  of  Black  Hawk, 
and  also  the  Prophet,  a  noted  chief,  who  form- 
erly resided  at  Prophet's  town,  in  Whiteside 
county,  and  wlio  was  one  of  the  principal  insti- 
gators of  the  war.  Thus  ended  the  Black  Hawk 
war.  The  militia  were  sent  to  Dixon  and  dis- 
charged. Black  Hawk  and  the  Prophet  were 
taken  east  and  confined  in  F'ortress  Monroe  for 
a  time.  On  the  4th  day  of  .June  they  were  set 
free.  Before  leaving  the  fort,  Black  Ilawk  de- 
livered the  following  farewell  speech  to  the 
commander: 

"  Brother,  I  have  come  on  my  own  part,  and 
in  behalf  of  my  companions,  to  bid  you  fare- 
well. Our  great  father  has  at  length  been 
pleased  to  permit  us  to  return  to  our  hunting 
grounds.    We  have  buried  the  tomahawk,  and  the 


sound  of  the  rifle  liereafler  will  uiily  bring  dealli 
to  the  deer  and  the  buffalo.  Brothers,  you  have 
treated  the  red  man  very  kindly.  Your  squaws 
have  made  them  presents;  you  have  given  them 
jjlenty  to  eat  and  drink  The  memory  of  your 
friendship  will  remain  till  the  Gieat  Spirit  says 
it  is  time  for  Black  Hawk  to  sing  his  death 
song.  Brother,  your  houses  are  as  numerous  as 
the  leaves  on  the  trees,  and  your  young  warriors 
like  the  san<ls  upon  the  shore  of  the  big  lake 
that  rolls  before  us.  The  red  man  has  but  few 
houses  and  few  warriors,  but  tlie  red  man  has  a 
heart  which  throbs  as  warmly  as  the  heart  of 
his  white  brother.  The  Great  Spirit  has  given 
us  our  hunting  grounds,  and  the  skin  of  the 
deer  which  we  kill  there  is  his  favorite,  for  its 
color  is  while,  and  this  is  the  emblem  of  peace. 
This  hunting  dress  and  these  feathers  of  the 
eagle  are  white.  Accept  them,  my  brother.  I 
have  given  one  like  this  to  the  White  (Xter. 
Accept  it  as  a  memorial  of  Black  Hawk.  When 
he  is  far  away  this  will  serve  to  remind  you  of 
him.  May  the  Great  Spirit  bless  you  and  your 
children.     Farewell." 

After  their  release  from  prison  they  were  con- 
ducted, in  charge  of  Major  Garland,  through 
some  of  the  principal  cities,  that  they  might 
witness  the  poAver  of  the  United  States  and 
learn  their  own  inability  to  cope  with  them  in 
war.  Great  multitudes  flocked  to  see  them 
wherever  they  were  taken,  and  the  attention 
paid  them  rendered  their  progress  through  the 
country  a  triumphal  procession,  instead  of  the 
transportation  of  prisoners  by  an  officer.  At 
Rock  Island  the  prisoners  were  given  their  lib- 
erty, amid  great  and  impressive  ceremony.  In 
1838  Black  Hawk  built  him  a  dwelling  near  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  and  furnished  it  after  the  manner 
of  the  whites,  and  eng.iged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  hunting  and  fishing.  Here,  with  liis 
wife,  to  wliom  he  was  greatly  attached,  he  passed 
the  few  remaining  days  of  his  life.  To  his 
credit,  it  may  be  said,  that  Black  Hawk  re- 
mained true  to  his  wife,  and  served  her  with  a 
devotion  uncommon  among  Indians,  living  with 
her  more  than  forty  years. 

Black  Hawk  died  October  .3,  1838. 

After  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  Con- 
gress voted  the  munificent  sura  of  twenty-one 
cents  a  day  to  the  volunteers.  The  Sangamo 
.Journal  protested  vigorously  against  such  injus- 
tice, urging  that  a  Congress  that  voted  each 
member  of  that  body  ^8  ]>ev  day  for  their  serv- 
ices, could  afford  to  be  a  little  more  liberal  with 
those  who  periled  their  lives  in  a  contest  with 
the  savage  Indians. 


162 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Forty-nine  years  have  now  passed  since  the 
events  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  yet  justice 
has  never  been  done  the  brave  men  who  partici- 
pated in  it,  by  the  United  States  Congress.  A 
few  of  the  men  participating  in  the  war  yet 
live — a  very  few.  Some  of  them  are  in  need  of 
the  necessaries  of  life,  and  yet  nothing  is  done 
for  them  by  representatives  who  annually  squan- 
der millions  of  the  people's  money.  Surely,  the 
time  has  come  when  something  should  be  done. 

Upon  the  return  of  the  Sangamon  county 
soldiers,  a  ball  was  given  in  Miller's  hotel  in 
Springfield,  "in  honor  of  General  James  I). 
Jlenry  and  the  brave  soldiers  lately  under  his 
command."  The  local  papers  chronicle  it  as  "a 
pleasant  affair." 

The  following  are  the  names,  compiled  from 
official  sources,  of  Sangamon  county  men  serv- 
ing in  this  war: 

CAPTAIN    CLAYWELl's    COMPANY. 

Ninety  Days  Men. 

CAPTAIN. 

Jesst.  Claywell. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT. 

.John  H.  Wilcoxen. 

SECOND   LIEUTENANT, 

Rcziu  H.  Constant. 

SERGEANTS. 

Archib'ild  Cass,  Valentine  R.  Mallory, 

Andrew  Moore,  Williimi  S.  Hussey, 

CORPORALS. 

Robert  L   Gott,  James  C.  Hagan, 

William  B.  Hagan,  John  McLemoor. 


PRIVATES. 


Anderson,  Alexander, 
Anderson,  Lewis  C, 
Anderson,  James, 
Anderson.  Washington, 
Burns,  John  R., 
Barnet,  William  I., 
Brewer,  John,  Jr., 
Barnet,  ^Villiam, 
Barnet,  Hugh, 
Cass,  Anderson  B  , 
Constant,  Nathan  E  , 
Constant,  Isaac 
Crocker,  Harvey, 
Copelaud,  John, 
Currey,  George, 
Dement,  William, 
Elliot,  Haddon, 
Elliot,  Richard, 
-Glenn,  David  A  , 


Green,  George, 
Helm,  Guy, 
Hagan,  Samuel  C, 
Hide,  John, 
Kclley,  Jeremiah, 
Langston,  James, 
Lucas,  Thomas, 
Martin,  Joseph, 
Neueane,  William  T., 
Prim.  Abraham, 
Powell,  John, 
Powell,  Hiram, 
Rogers,  William  F., 
Riddle,  James, 
Snelson,  John  W., 
Shearley,  James, 
Smith,  Joseph  I., 
Smith,  Philip, 
Stone,  William  A. 


PRIVATES. 


The  foregoing  received  paj^  for  services  ren- 
dered.    The  following  named  received  no  pay: 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT. 

Sowyel  Cox. 

CORPORALS. 

Nathan  Hussey,  Harrison  McGary. 


Brewer,  John,  Sr., 
Dooley,  Jeremiah, 
McGaiy,  Hugh, 
Pickrell,  Benjamin  F., 
Stone,  Caleb,' 


Smith,  Elicphas, 
Turner,  William, 
Waldr<in,  James, 
Wilcox,  Ei)hraim, 
Young,  Joseph  R. 


CAPTAIN    ALEXANDER    WHITE  S    COMPANY. 

Twenty  Bays  Men. 

CAPT.\IN. 

Alexander  White. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT. 

Tolben  Shipley. 

SERGEANTS. 

Ebenezer  Higgins,  Enl.  Perkins, 

John  Waggoner,  John  O.  Smith. 

CORPORALS. 

Hugh  Wilson,  Amzi  Doolittle, 

William  Wallace, 


PRIV 

Thomas  Willis, 
George  Middleton, 
James  Marfett, 
Elisha  Hickerson, 
Andrew  Turner, 
Abraham  Moore, 
Nathan  Kenedy, 
William  G.  Gerkius, 
Andrew  H.  Perkins, 
William  Cash, 
George  Bui'hanan, 
Hezekiah  Spillman. 
Riley  Driskell, 
Isaac  Stephens, 
"-John  R.  Atherton, 
Benjamin  Slitchler, 
Thomas  Wilson, 
Thomas  H.  Owens, 
John  M.  Forrest, 


ATES. 


John  Moflett, 
Davidson  Hibbert, 
Hugh  White, 
Daniel  Thompson, 
William  D.  Hickerson, 
Thomas  Brewer, 
Abraham  Lincoln, 
AVilliam  E.  Franklin, 
William  Sailors, 
William  Higgins, 
Johnson  Clark,  Sr., 
John  McKee, 
Samuel  Goodwin, 
Edward  White, 
James  Wilson, 
Joshua  Owens, 
Jacob  Compton, 
Hezekiah  P.  Bradley, 
Johnson  Clark,  Jr. 


CAPTAIN    L.    W.    GOODAN  S    COMPANY. 

Enlisted  April  2,  1832,  and  mustered  out  of 
the  service  May  28,  1832: 

C-APTAIN. 

L.  W.  Goodan. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT. 

John  Reed. 

SECOND   LIEUTENANT. 

William  Cantrall. 

SERCE-4NTS. 

Alford  Wood,  Hiram  Watson, 

John  Ridge,  Milton  Humes, 

CORPORALS. 

John  Kline,  William  Smith, 

James  B.  Jones,  George  E.  Cobenness, 

Moses  Brunts. 


PRIVATES. 


John  Baker, 
William  McCollister, 
William  Crow, 
William  Davenport, 
Beniamin  Sims, 
M.  C.  Kindle, 
Jesse  Darrow, 
John  Hurst, 


Asa  Easters, 
Moses  Brumfield, 
Richard  Queenston, 
Jefferson  Welch, 
George  Robison, 
Jesse  Said, 
Jacob  M .  Erby, 
Robert  Brassel, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


163 


James  Q.  Wills, 

Samuel  McKinsey, 

SECOND  lif.utenant; 

David  M.  Brink, 

William  E.  Wells, 

John  Hamback. 

Uriah  Maim, 

Reuben  King, 

SERGEANTS . 

William  Steele, 

Noah  Jcjnes, 

Corbin  C.  Judd, 

Harrison  McGary, 

James  Jones, 

Noah  Mason, 

John  Brewer, 

John  Retherf ord . 

Samuel  Malug.ni, 

Zaehariah  Malugon, 

Simeon  Bunts, 

Charles  Dawson, 

CORPORALS . 

Aclialis  ^I<jnis, 

Samuel  Rainer, 

Thomas  I.  Knox. 

.John  Wright, 

Jolin  B.  Brown, 

Reuben  Bradford, 

Seymour  R.  Van  Meter, 

Hugh  McGary. 

John  B.  liullege, 

Joseph  JlcCoy, 

PRIVATES. 

Simeon  Ditson, 

Harden  Thomas, 

Jlichael  Kilyon, 

Jeremiah  Kelly, 

Daniel  Goode, 

Jack  Kirk, 

James  Brown, 

John  Bracken, 

Nathaniel  Foster, 

Thomas  Sherill, 

John  Scroggins, 

John  Roger, 

William  Carpenter, 

James  Taylor, 

Samuel  AVade, 

Adam  Venus. 

Daniel  Kichardson, 

Edward  Jones, 

Joseph  Black, 

William  Clark, 

James  Baker, 

Elijah  lies. 

Jacob  Williams, 

John  jMartin, 

Jesse  Dotson, 

L.  D.  Matheny, 

Joseph  Wages, 

Archelaus  Demon, 

Joseph  Uolston, 

James  F.  Reed, 

Zachariah  Mouland, 

Joel  Miner, 

Samuel  Hamilton, 

P.  A.  Saunders, 

Jacob  Hilgou, 

William  White, 

John  Calhoun, 

D.  Dickisou, 

John  Rentop, 

Jesse  Iloruback, 

William  Constant, 

John  Keys, 

John  Bridges, 

William  Kelly, 

T.  M.  Neale, 

Joseph  Garrett, 

John  C.  Strader, 

Benjamin  Burck, 

Robert  Riehardson, 

E.  P.  Olesshart, 

Benjamin  Clurry, 

Jacob  Martin, 

BO.  Rusk, 

John  T.  Stuart, 

Lewis  Churchill, 

Clemans  Strickland, 

Miehael  Arehey, 

George  Glasscock, 

James  Smith, 

John  Ward, 

Vineon  Arehey, 

William  Patls, 

Jacob  G .  Warwick, 

Lewis  Barney, 

Matildas  Chilton, 

James  D.  Henry, 

George  B.  Lucas, 

Alfred  Powell, 

Samuel  0.  Neale, 

James  Sherell. 

Joseph  Rayborn, 

Solomon  Brundage, 

William  Lobb, 

Jesse  M.  Harrison, 

CAPTAItf    J.    M. 

barley's    COMPANY. 

.John  Ridgway, 

Squire  Foster, 

William  Crane, 

Robert  Hughs, 

Thirty  Days  Men. 

John  Musick, 

Samuel  Evans, 

(  AI'TAIN, 

Jacob  M.  Earley. 

Montgomery  Warwick, 
George  Green, 
Hugh  Burnett, 

Calahill  Stone, 
James  M.  Reed, 
Jefferson  Martin, 

FIRST 

LIEUTENANT, 

Charles  Turly, 

Jonathan  H.  Pugh, 

G.  W 

.  Glasscock. 

William  B.  Short, 

Zadock  Martin, 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT, 

Edward  Jones, 

George  W.  Glasscock, 

D. 

B.  Rusk. 

Joseph  F.  Ganard, 

Jamc-s  Taylor, 

JohnT.  Stuart, 

Ethelbert  J.  Oliphant, 

SERUEAHTS. 

Lorenzo  D.  Matheny, 

William  L.  Potts. 

Zachariah  Malugiu, 

JNoah  Mason, 

James  F.  Reed, 

P.  A.  Saunders, 

Jacob  Eby, 

W.  M.  Neale. 

David  Dickerson, 

John  ICeys, 

CORPORALS. 

Elijah  lies. 

W.  II.  Brents, 

William  Crow. 

PRIVATES. 

CAPTAIN   JAPHET   A. 

ball's  company. 

James  D.  Henry, 
Achilles  Morris, 
James  F.  Reed, 

Samuel  0.  Neale; 
A.  Lincoln, 
John  Paul, 

This  company  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States'  service  April  21,  1832,  and  mustered  out 

William  S.  Piekrel 

John  T.  Stuart, 

May  28,  1832. 

William  L.  Potts, 

John  Ij.  Stephenson, 

CAPTAIN. 

Jesse  Danon, 

L.  D.  Matheny, 

Japhet  A 

.  Ball. 

Joseph  3IcCoy, 

Adam  Smith, 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT. 

Hugh  McGary. 

Harrison  McGary, 

Alexander 

D.  Cox, 

Montgomery  Warrick,        John  C.  Warrick, 

B.  F.  Pickrell, 

John  Baker, 

SECOND    LIEUTENANT. 

George  Harrison, 

George  Stout, 

John  MeC 

onnack. 

John  Brewer, 

JR.  Loveless, 

SERGEANTS.       • 

R. 

J.  Gilbert. 

.Joseph  W.  Duncan, 

William  F.  Cox, 

James  McConuack, 

Charles  Day. 

CAPTAIN    JOHN 

DAWSON'.S    COMPANY. 

CORPORALS. 

This  company  served  from  April  21,  1832,  to 

Harvey  Graham, 
Thomas  .T.  Claik, 

John  M.  Barnes, 
Richard  Cox. 

May  28,  1882. 

PRIVATES. 

CAPTALN, 

Thomas  McKinney, 

Elder  Massec, 

Job     ' 

n  Dawson. 

Thomas  Gatton, 

Abram  Jjanterman, 

FIRST 

LIEUTENANT, 

.Jonathan  Coleman, 

Henry  Averill, 

William  Pickrell. 

Lewis  C.  Jones, 

Daniel  Ketehum, 

19— 


164 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


William  Mills. 
John  Brunstield, 
William  Gatliii, 
Barnabas  M.  Blue, 
Solomon  W.  Hawcs, 
Morris  R.  Moorick, 
Charles  Smith, 
John  Ball, 
Robert  B.  Sexton, 
John  Terry, 
John  Kendall, 
John  Gately, 
Abram  Howard, 
Robert  Patton, 

Thomas 


Joseph  Hazlett, 
William  Downer, 
John  Hutton, 
Nathan  H.  Spears, 
William  JlcConnack, 
Jesse  Mitts, 
Garrett  Tempe, 
James  Ward, 
Samuel  C.  Hampton, 
Moses  Wright, 
John  D.  Bagby, 
Thomas  Cook, 
Daniel  Waters, 
.John  Vincent, 
Swearingen. 


CAPTAIN   KEUBEN   BROWJj's    COMPANY. 

This  company  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  June  20,  1832,  and  mustered  out 
August  1(5,  1832. 

CAPTAIN. 

Reuben  Brown . 

FIRST    LIEUTENANT. 

William  Baker. 

SECOND   LIEUTENANT. 

Delos  Brown . 

SERGEANTa. 

Thomas  .Jones,  Samuel  E.  McKenzey, 

Evan  Morgan,  Nathaniel  Said. 

CORPORALS . 

Jessie  Said,  Rezin  Brown, 

John  Fagan,  James  B.  Jones. 


PRIV 

Archer,  Winston, 
Baker,  James, 
Baker,  Thomas, 
BroWD,  Jerry, 
Cartwright,  Peter, 
Delay,  Stephen, 
Donaldson,  Dudley, 
Durbin,  Edward, 
Douglass,  Thomas, 
Haggard,  James, 
Kendrick,  Samuel, 
Lucas,  Allen  B., 


ATES. 

Larkin,  Young, 
Martin,  Ralley, 
McKinzey,  Henry, 
Poor,  James  H., 
Porter,  William, 
Pulliam,  James, 
Piker,  John, 
Spillars,  AVilliamH., 
Staflbrd,  Daniel  S., 
St.  John,  Joseph, 
Trotter,  George, 
Williams,  Isaiah  B. 


CAPTAIN    THOMAS    MOFFETT  .S    COMPANY. 

This   company  served  from  June   4,  1832,  to 
August  IG,  1832. 

CAPTAIN. 

Thomas  Moffett. 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT. 

Shadrach  J.  Campbell. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT. 

James  Watson. 

CORNET. 

Gershom  Dovience. 

SERGEANTS. 

John  Oldfield,  Franklin  Williams, 

George  Lindsey,  William  C.  Stephenson. 

CORPORALS . 
John  Humphreys,  Nathan  Ralston, 

James  Campbell,  Jarrett  McKlnney. 


PRIVATES . 

John  Ridgeway,  Saddler,  Hill,  John  P., 
Jesse  H.  Sleat,  Farrier,       Latham,  John, 
David  Duncan, Trumpeter,  Lowe,  Richard, 


/.rmstrong,  Hugh  M. 
Atkinson,  Bushrod, 
Brazzle.  William, 
Ball,  Smith, 
Cooper,  W., 
Cannon,  Walter, 
Cabanass,  Zalialon  P., 
Durham,  Walter, 
Duncan,  .Joseph  W., 
Drcnnan.  A.  P., 
Elkin,  Garret, 
Epperson,  Thomas, 
Enix,  .James, 
Forbes,  R.  A., 
Golsondiner,  John  L., 
Glasscock,  Gregory, 

Watson, 


Levi,  John, 
Lane,  Jacob, 
Langley,  Robert, 
McAlister,  William, 
Moore,  .Joseph, 
Milts,  William, 
Norris,  Joseph, 
Paine,  Barzilla, 
Pulliam.  Martin  G., 
Pierce,  Philetus  G., 
Peter,  Samuel, 
Saunders,  Pressly, 
Smith,  Tillman, 
Smith,  John, 
Smith,  Adam, 
Stout,  George, 
Hiram. 


PROMOTED . 
John  Warnsing. 

RESIGNATIONS. 

David  Black,  First  Lieut.,  T.  Epperson,  2d  Serg't. 

DISCUARCiED. 

Joseph  Inslee,  Abler  Armisted, 

Thomas  Crom. 

CAPTAIN    J.    EBKy's    COMPANY. 

Captain  J.  Ebey's  company  served  from  the 
21st  day  of  April,  1832,  to  the  28th  day  of  May, 
1832. 

CAPTAIN. 

Jacob  Ebey . 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT. 

Edward  Shaw. 

SECOND   LIEUTEN.ANT. 

Winslow  M.  Neale. 

SERGEANTS . 

Thomas  J.  Marshall,  Davis  Meredith, 

James  B.  Gable,  David  S.  Collins, 

CORPORALS. 

Reese  Williams,  James  E.  Hawes, 

Harmon  Renshaw,  Wiley  Blunt, 


PRIVATES . 


Joseph  Drennan, 
Frederick  A.  Hamilton, 
Daiiiel  Hatan, 
Jackulin  Bashaw, 
Thomas  Sherill, 
JaOob  Ilinkle, 
St(^ilien  Hedrick, 
.James  E.  Byers, 
Thomas  Stout, 
James  Carver, 
John  G.  Newhouse, 
Joseph  Brown, 
Philip  Clark, 
Lawrence  McMenus, 
Granbury  B.  Jones, 
George  Catha, 
William  D.  Russett, 
Jesse  Byer, 
Obadiah  Rittenhouse, 


James  Harper, 
Samuel  Graham, 
John  llillis, 
William_  Hazlett, 
Adam  Vancil, 
Henry  Dickson, 
George  Milton, 
William  C.  Atwood, 
Daniel  McClies, 
William  Martin, 
John  Boyd, 
Urich  Wolverton, 
John  Whitmore, 
Milton  Torrill, 
Isaac  Clark, 
John  Collins, 
James  Rutlegc, 
George  W .  Foster, 
James  Taylor, 


HISTORY  OF  SANOAMON  COUNTY. 


KiS 


John  Davis, 
Felix  Herncion, 
Alfred  Hash, 


Samuel  B.  Scoole, 
John  Gnift, 
John  H.  Wi-isht. 


CAPTAIN   ABRAHAM    LINCOLN  S  COMPANY. 

The  compauy  commanded  by  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, afterwards  President  of  the  United  States, 
was  mustered  into  service  April  21,  1832,  and 
mustered  out  May  27,  1832. 

CAPTAIN, 

Abraham  Lincoln. 

FIRST  LIECTEX.\NT, 

Samuel  M.  Thompson. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT, 

John  Branuan. 

SERGEANTS, 

John  Armstrong,  TavinerB.  Anderson, 

George  W.  Foster,  Obadiah  Morgan. 

CORPORALS. 


Thomas  Comb, 
William  F.  BeiTy, 


John  Plaster, 
Alexander  Trent. 


PRIVATES . 


John  Erwin, 
Thomas  Pierce, 
Henry  Hadley, 
Calvin  Pierce, 
William  Kirkpalrick, 
Elijah  Pierce, 
Bordry  Mathews, 
Valentine  Crete, 
James  Simmons, 
Allen  King, 
David  Kankin, 
~Henry  Cox, 
Royal  Potter, 
Joseph  Holmier, 
Evan  T.  Lamb, 
John  M.  Rutlege, 
Usil  Meeker, 
Charles  Pierce, 
John  Y.  Lane, 
Royal  Clary, 
James  Yarilley, 
Michael  Plaster, 
William  Hobiner, 
William  Marshall, 
John  Jones, 

William 


John  H.  Houghton, 
Samuel  Lebb, 
Samuel  Diitten, 
Joseph  Lebb, 
Cyrus  Elmore, 
Lewis  W.  Farmer, 
E.  Sullivan, 
Charles  Sullivan, 
Hugh  Armstrong, 
.Joseph  Dobson, 
Urbin  Alexander, 
Merritt  M.  Carman, 
David  M.  Pantier, 
George  Warburton, 
Clardy  Barnette, 
_5Villiam  Cox, 
Richard  Jones, 
James  Clement, 
Richard  Lane, 
Pleasant  Armstrong, 
David  Rutlege, 
John  Mounce, 
Isaac  Anderson, 
William  Cummins, 
Travis  Elmore, 
Foster. 


CAPTAIN  ILES    COMPANY. 
CAPTAIN. 

Elijah  lies. 

FLRST  LIEUTENANT. 

Jesse  H.  Harrison. 

SERGEANTS. 

George  W.  Glasscock,         Zachariah  Milligent. 
Benjamin  Burch. 

CORPORALS. 

Alexander  Trent,  G.  W.  Foster. 

Jesse  Darrows. 

PRIVATES . 

Pressley  A.  Saunders,  A,  Lincoln, 

John  T.  Stuart,  Joseph  T.  Garrett, 


Asa  Estes, 
Jacob  M.  Earley, 
John  J.  (iatcly, 
,Iohn  Letcher, 
John  Kendall, 
William  McAllister, 
Jertersou  Welch, 
Noah  JIason, 
Samuel  O'Xeal, 
David  Dickinson. 
William  Kirkpatrick 
Samuel  Milligent, 
Achilles  Morris, 
James  F .  Reid, 
E.  P.  Oliphant, 
Lewis  Churchill, 
Joseph  McCoy, 

John 


James  D.  Henry, 
Michael  Arclier, 
John  Kirkpatrick. 
James  M.   Ward, 
Winston  M.  Nea'e, 
Jrhn  B.  Rutledge, 
John  Keys, 
Thomas  Long, 
Moses  Bieutz, 
Lorenzo  D.  Matheny, 

,  Thomas  Pierce, 

William  Crow, 
William  L.  Potts, 
Benjamin  Rusk, 
Wil'liain  S.  Pickrell, 
John  Brannan, 
Jacob  Eby, 

McAllister. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

William  Cummings,  Daniel  King, 

John  L  Gately,  Usel  Meeker, 

REMINISCENCE  OF  THE  BLACK  HAWK    WAR. 

In  the  fall  of  1881,  the  Sangamon  Monitor 
published  the  names  of  the  company  commanded 
by  Captain  lies,  which  drew  out  the  following 
from  the  pen  of  Major  John  T.Stuart, and  which 
was  written  for  and  printed  in  the  Monitor  : 

"Having  published  a  list  of  the  names  of  Ma- 
jor lies'  company  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  of 
1832,  you  would,  doubtless,  be  pleased  to 
know  something  of  the  history  of  that  company. 
The  volunteer  force  assembled  in  the  spring  of 
that  year,  under  the  orders  of  Governor  Rey- 
nolds, and  commanded  by  General  Whitesides  ; 
marched  to  Rock  Island,  and  tinding  that  the 
Indians  had  crossed  the  Mississippi  and  gone  up 
Rock  river,  followed  them  up  that  stream  with- 
out any  incident  worthy  of  note,  until  they  ar- 
rived at  Dixon's  ferry,  (now  Dixon). 

"Captain  Snyder's  company  had  been  detached 
across  Rock  river,  to  protect  Galena  and  its 
neighborhood,  but  no  news  had  reached  the 
camp  at  Ottawa  of  his  movements,  or  of  the  con- 
dition of  things  in  the  neighborhood  of  Galena. 
The  commanding  officers  at  Ottawa  were  very 
uneasy  and  anxious  to  communicate  with  Gale- 
na. While  in  camp  at  Dixon,  at  midnight  the 
army  was  aroused  by  the  news  of  the  defeat  at 
Stillman,  brought  lirst  by  one  and  then  another 
flying  from  the  battle  ground.  The  army  of 
General  Whitesides  in  the  early  morning,  took 
up  the  line  of  march  for  the  battle  ground,  and 
arrived  there  in  the  early  afternoon  and  found 
that  the  Indians  had  marched  up  Rock  river, 
leaving  their  dead  on  the  ground,  as  well  as  the 
killed  of  the  whites,  and  many  slaughtered 
horses,  making  a  sad  sight  to  behold.  White- 
sides'  army  buried  the  dead  and  marched  back 
to  Dixon. 


166 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


"The  term  of  service  of  the  volunteers  of  that 
army  was  about  to  expire  and  tliey  were  anxious 
to  return  home.  A  council  of  war  was  held  at 
Dixon,  in  which  it  was  debated  whether  to  pur- 
sue the  enemy  or  march  to  the  Illinois,  disband 
the  army  and  wait  tor  the  new  levies.  After  an 
angry  debate,  it  was  decided  to  march  to  Otta- 
wa, on  the  Illinois  river,  and  disband  the  army. 
Whitesides'  army  was  then  marched  to  Ottawa 
and  disbanded,  burying  on  the  route  Mr.  Katty 
and  others,  murdered  by  the  Indians  on  Fox 
river. 

"At  Ottawa  a  call  was  made  for  volunteers  to 
form  a  regiment  for  twenty  days,  to  protect  the 
northern  frontier  of  the  8tate  from  the  Indians 
during  the  time  that  would  elapse  before  the  as- 
sembling of  the  new  forces.  Among  those  who 
volunteered  were  the  men  whose  names  you  pub- 
lished as  composing  lies'  company,  and  who,  by 
common  consent,  elected  Elijah  lies  captain — a 
man  then  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  pojjular  as  a 
man  and  a  soldier. 

"Afterthe  disbandment  of  the  army  of  General 
Whitesides,  the  condition  of  the  scattered  set- 
tlements in  northern  Illinois  was  sad  indeed. 
Universal  terror  prevailed.  The  Indians,  victo- 
rious over  Stillman,  and  elated  by  their  victory, 
had  fallen  upon  the  settlements  on  Fox  river, 
and  at  other  places,  and  had  murdered  and 
scalped  some  and  carried  others  into  captivity. 
It  was  understood  they  were  scattered  in  small 
parties  from  the  neighborhood  of  Chicago  to  the 
Mississippi  river,  along  the  entire  line  of  fron- 
tier. Where  would  they  strike  next  ?  Would 
they  attack  Chicago,  or  fall  upon  the  defenceless 
settlers  on  the  borders  of  the  Illinois  river  and 
the  military  tract '?  Would  they  aim  to  cut  off 
Galena  from  support  and  attempt  to  capture  it? 
These  questions  may  seem  idle  now.  They  W'ere 
momentous  then. 

"It  soon  became  known  that  a  large  force  of 
Indians,  under  the  command  of  Black  Hawk, 
were  between  Rock  river  and  Galena,  and 
threatening  that  town,  then  having  about  four 
hundred  inhabitants. 

"  It  was  believed  to  be  an  expedition  of  much 
danger  and  hazard,  and  therefore  it  was  deter- 
mined to  call  for  volunteers.  Major  lies'  compa- 
ny volunteered  and  was  accepted.  After  due 
preparation,  that  company  began  its  march,  the 
bearer  of  important  dispatches.  It  camped  the 
first  night  at  a  grove  south  of  Dixon,  believed 
to  be  Chalong's.  The  next  day  it  swam  Rock 
river  at  Dixon,  thirsted  for  adventure  and  was 
ready,  anxious  for  the  fight.  They  had  confi- 
dence in  each   other,  and  in  their  modest,  but 


brave,  prudent  captain.  They  were  accom- 
panied by  General  James  D.  Henry,  going 
as  a  private,  but  also  acting  as  aid  to  the 
Captain,  then  believed  and  afterwards  proved 
to  be. 

"It  was  splendidly  armed;  it  was  composed  of 
first-class  material  of  men,  who,  if  not  brave, 
dare  not  be  cowards.  My  Captain  was  one  of 
the  best  Captains  of  his  time.  They  were  also 
accompanied,  as  a  volunteer,  by  a  Captain  in  the 
regular  army,  whose  name  the  writer  has  forgot- 
ten, and  thus  armed,  composed,  and  officered,  it 
is  believed  no  better  company  of  volunteer  mili- 
tia ever  marched  to  what  it  l)elieved  a  post  of 
danger  and  jiatriotic  duty. 

"  It  camped  the  second  night  at  Buffalo  grove. 
During  that  night  the  company  expected  an  at- 
tack from  the  Indians.  There  were  many  signs 
that  they  were  around  and  about  them,  and  once 
an  alarm  was  given,  and  the  company  mustered 
under  arms.  The  next  morning  the  company 
marched  towards  Galena,  and  entered  the  tim- 
bers of  Apple  creek  about  noon.  Here  an  In- 
dian pony  was  seen  running  at  large,  and  some 
of  the  boys  thought  to  capture  it;  but  the  Cap- 
tain, believing  that  it  had  been  let  loose  as  a 
decoy  to  induce  the  breaking  of  ranks,  and  to 
give  the  enemy  an  opportunity  to  make  an  at- 
tack, sternly  forbade  the  effort,  and  commanded 
to  close  the  ranks  and  be  ready. 

"The  company  pursued  its  march,  and  en- 
camped for  the  night  in  the  timbers  of  Apple 
creek,  about  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  from  Ga- 
lena, and  there  were  many  signs  that  they  were 
watched  and  followed,  but  the  company  was 
ever  ready  for  an  attack.  They  camped  that 
night  near  where  a  fight  had  taken  place  between 
the  Indians  and  Sneyder's  company  that  day  or 
the  preceding  night.  During  that  night  not  a 
man  doubted  but  that  the  Indians  would  make 
an  attack  before  morning.  The  company  was 
kept  under  arras  all  night,  and  constantly  drilled 
by  Henry  and  others,  and  picket  guards  placed 
all  around  the  encampment.  That  the  Indians 
were  all  around  the  encampment  was  very  mani- 
fest, and  the  writer  of  this,  who  stood  on  picket 
guard  during  most  of  that  night,  did  not  doubt 
but  that  he  heard  them  more  than  once;  but 
they  made  no  attack,  because  the  company  was 
too  well  prepared  to  receive  them.  Next  morn- 
ing the  company  marched  into  Galena,  delivered 
its  dispatches,  procured  all  desired  information, 
and  then,  in  the  same  good  order,  marched  back 
to  Ottawa,  and  was  disbanded.  Most  of  its 
members  enlisted  in  the  new  army,  and  in 
Early's  spy  company. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


iGi 


"That  the  Indians  wore  in  Apple  creuk  tim- 
bers, during  the  march  of  the  company  to  and 
from  Galena,  admits  of  no  doubt.  They  at- 
tacked, and  came  very  near  defeating  Sneyder's 
company,  or  part  of  it,  a  short  time  before  the 
company  marched  through  to  Galena.  They  at- 
tacked Stephenson's  company  a  short  time  after 
its  return  from  Galena,  and  not  long  after  at- 
tacked Dement.  These  attacks  were  made  when 
these  commands  were  at  a  disadvantage.  Why 
did  they  not  attack  lies'  company?  No  one  of 
that  company  doubted  but  that  they  were 
watched  and  followed  by  Indians,  from  the  time 
the  company  crossed  Rock  river  until  its  arrival 
at  Galena,  and  on  its  return,  seeking  an  oppor- 
tunity to  make  an  attack.  The  answer  is  that 
tlie  company  was  handled,  armed,  and  kept  such 
perfect  order  and  readiness  for  an  attack  that 
the  Indians  were  afraid  to  make  it. 

"The  publication  of  the  muster  roll  of  lies' 
comjiany  has  induced  this  hurried  notice  of  one 
of  the  almost  forgotten  incidents  in  the  early 
history  of  Illinois.  Most  of  lies'  company, 
after  well  si>ent  lives,  have  gone  to  the  grave, 
and  a  few  still  linger  on  its  brink.  They  were 
a  part  of  the  hardy,  brave  and  adventurous 
early  settlers  of  Illinois,  who  fought  and  drove 
off  the  Indians,  relieved  it  of  wolves  and  wild 
beasts,  built  its  first  bridges,  school  houses  and 
churches,  and  prepared  it  for  that  higher  civiliza- 
tion it  now  enjoys." 

TUE   MEXICAN    WAK. 

Texas,  under  Spanish  rule,  was  a  nearly  unin- 
habited part  of  Mexico,  lying  between  Louis- 
iana and  the  Rio  Grande  river.  It  was  a  fertile 
region,  with  a  fine  climate.  The  Spanish  posses- 
sors of  Mexico,  in  the  bigoted  and  bitter  spirit 
that  was  traditional  with  the  Spaniards  toward 
Protestants,  and  deeply  hostile  in  feeling  from 
the  rather  high-handed  and  vigorous  proceed- 
ings of  General  Jackson  before  and  after  the 
cession  of  Florida,  did  not  encourage  the  settle- 
ment of  Texas,  preferring  to  be  separated  by  a 
wilderness  from  the  United  States.  In  1821, 
the  Mexicans  finally  threw  off  the  Spanish  yoke, 
and  established  an  independent  government. 

About  this  time  the  Americans, and  especially 
those  of  the  South,  foreseeing  the  probable 
spread  of  the  northern  part  of  the  Rejiublic  to 
the  Pacific,  began  to  look  with  covetous  eyes 
upon  the  fine  savannas  of  Texas,  as  an  excellent 
field  for  land  speculations,  and  also  for  extend- 
ing the  southern  area,  so  as  to  keep  its  balance 
in  the  numljer  of  slave  States,  equal  to  the  free 
States  of  the  North.     It  was  believed  to  be  the 


plan  of  Mr.  Calhoun,  an  able  and  far-seeing 
statesman,  thoroughly  in  earnest  in  the  mainte- 
nance of  slavery,  and  the  political  equality  of  the 
slave  with  the  free  States.  Settlements  were  made 
by  people  from  the  United  States.  Ina  few  years 
they  grew  to  be  numerous,  and  came  in  contact 
with  the  rigid  Spanish  laws,  still  maintained  by 
tlie  Mexicans.  The  United  States  Government 
made  advances  toward  purchasing  Texas,  but 
the  JNIexicans  were  resolute  in  their  purpose  to 
hold  it,  and  bring  its  people  under  the  dominion 
of  strict  Mexican  law.  The  Americans  resisted 
this  with  the  settled  determination  of  ultimate 
separation  from  Mexico,  and  probable  annexa- 
tion to  the  United  States. 

The  Mexicans  undertook  to  reduce  them  to 
submission.  The  Texans,  supported  by  bold 
and  fearless  adventurers  from  the  southern 
States,  resisted.  The  war  commenced  October 
2,  1835,  by  a  battle  at  Gonzalez,  followed  by 
various  others.  On  the  2d  of  March,  ISoO,  the 
Texans  formally  declared  independence,  which 
they  maintained  by  force  of  arms.  On  the  3d 
of  March,  1837,  the  United  States  Government 
recognized  the  independence  of  Texas.  Eng- 
land did  the  same  in  1842.  Propositions  of  an- 
nexation had  been  made  to  Presidents  Jackson, 
Van  Buren,  and  Tyler,  successively,  l)y  the 
Texas  government,  but  as  often  rejected  by 
them,  as  tending  necessarily  to  a  war  with 
Mexico,  that  power  having  distinctly  and  repeat- 
edly declared  that  she  should  regard  such  a  step 
as  a  declaration  of  war. 

The  Democratic  party  regaining  the  ascen- 
dency in  the  election  of  1844,  made  this  annexa- 
tion one  of  the  issues  of  the  Presidential  cam- 
paign. A  majority  of  the  people  were  in  favor 
of  it.  The  Southern  view,  however,  was  not 
alone  in  its  influence  on  this  decision.  Indig- 
nities and  injuries  had  been  inflicted  by  the 
Mexicans  on  American  citizens  in  that  country  ; 
its  haughty,  exclusive  and  unfriendly  spirit 
awakened  strong  indignation;  and  the  Pacific 
coast  of  California,  with  the  mining  regions  of 
the  northern  interior  of  Mexico,  both  nearly  un- 
inhabited, were  objects  of  desire  to  the  Amei'i- 
can  people.  Thus  a  wish  to  extend  the  bounds 
of  the  Republic,  and  to  chastise  an  insolent 
neighbor,  comlnned  with  the  ardent  wishes  of 
the  pro-slavery  interest,  to  lead  the  nation  to 
determine  on  a  war,  somewhat  ungenerously, 
with  a  neighbor,  notoriously  too  weak  and  disor- 
ganized for  effectual  resistance  to  the  whole 
strength  of  the  United  States. 

On  the  12th  day  of  May,  1846,  Congress 
ordered  the    raising  of  50,000  men  and  voted 


3  68 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


§10,000,000,  to  cany  on  the  war.  A  requisition 
being  made  upon  the  Governor  of  this  State  for 
three  thousand  men,  a  call  was  issued  by  Gov- 
ernor Ford  upon  the  militia  of  the  State,  to 
volunteer  for  the  war.  John  J.  Hardin,  com- 
mander of  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  Third 
Division  of  Illinois  Militia,  also  issued  an 
address  to  those  who  had  served  under  him,  urg- 
ing them  to  respond  to  the  call.  He  closed  his 
address  by  saying  "The  General  asks  no  one  to 
go  where  he  is  not  willing  to  lead.  Let  volun- 
teers respond  by  enrolling  their  names  in  the 
service  of  their  coimtry." 

On  Saturday,  May  :^9,  184G,  a  public  meeting 
was  held  in  Springfield  addressed  by  Governor 
Ford,  Dr.  Merrynian,  D.  L.  Gregg,  T.  Campbell 
and  Abraham  Lincoln,  on  the  condition  of  the 
country,  and  the  necessity  of  prompt  and  united 
action  of  her  citizen  soldiery  to  sustain  her  na- 
tional character,  secure  our  national  lights,  as 
Avell  as  an  everlasting  peace.  The  speeches 
were  in  the  right  spirit  —  warm,  thrilling  and 
effective.  Some  seventy  men  responded  to  the 
call  and  volunteered  for  the  war.  A  glance  at 
the  names  of  those  from  this  county  will  reveal 
some  who  greatly  distinguished  themselves  and 
reflected  honor  upon  that  county  in  which  they 
resided. 

A  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  between  repre- 
sentatives of  the  two  governments,  February  2, 
1848,  and  formally  ratified  by  the  United  States 
government,  March  lOtli,  and  the  Mexican  gov- 
ernment, March  20th.  The  Mexicans  relin- 
quished all  claims  to  Texas  and  ceded  Upper 
California  and  New  Mexico  to  the  United 
States.  In  return  the  United  States  gave  them 
?!  18,500,000,  of  which  $3,500,000  was  due  by  a 
former  treaty  to  citizens  of  this  country,  and 
paid  them  by  our  government. 

Colonel  E.  D.  Baker,  who  wielded  the  pen 
equally  as  well  as  the  sword,  and  who  com- 
manded the  regiment,  largely  made  up  from 
Sangamon  cottnty,  contributed  to  the  press  of 
thatday,  the  following  poem: 

TO    THE    MEMOKV    OF    THE    DEAD    OF    THE    FOVRTH 
ILLINOIS    REGIMENT. 

Where  rolls  the  rushing  Rio  Grande, 

Here  peacefully  Ihey  sleep; 
Far  from  their  native  ^Northern  land, 

Far  from  the  fiiends  who  weep. 
Ko  rolling  drum  disturbs  iheir  rest, 

Beneath  the  sandy  sod — 
The  mould  lies  heavy  on  each  breast. 

The  spirit  is  with  God. 

They  heard  their  country's  call  and  came. 

To  battle  for  the  right; 
Each  bosom  tilled  with  martial  flame. 


And  kindling  for  the  fight, 
liight  was  their  measured  footstep,  when 

They  moved  to  seek  the  foe, 
Alas  that  hearts  so  tiery,  then. 

Should  soon  be  cold  and  low. 

They  did  not  die  in  eager  strife, 

Upon  a  well  fought  field; 
Not  from  the  red  wound  poured  their  life. 

Where  cowering  foemen  yield. 
Death's  ghastlj'  shade  was  slowly  cast 

Upon  each  manh'  lirow; 
But  calm  and  fearless  to  the  last, 

They  sleep  in  silence  now. 

Yet  shall  a  grateful  country  give 

Her  honors  to  their  name, 
In  kindred  hearts  their  memories  live, 

And  history  guard  their  fame. 
Nor  unremembered  do  they  sleep 

Ujion  a  foreign  strand, 
Though  near  their  graves  the  wild  waves  sweep. 

Thou  rushing  Rio  Grande. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  roster  as  fur- 
nished by  the  War  Department,  to  the  Governor 
of  this  State,  of  those  participating  in  the  war 
from  Sangamon  county: 

COLONEL   E.    D.    BAKEr's   REGIMENT. 
FIELD  AND  STAFF  OFFICERS. 

Colonel — Edward  D.  Baker. 

Adjutant— William  B.  Fondey. 

Sergeant  Major — James  H.  Merryman. 

Quartermaster  General — Richard  F.  Barrett. 

Commissary — John  S.  Bradford. 

COMPANY    A. 

CAPTAIN . 

Horatio  E.  Roberts. 

FIRST  LIEUTENANT. 

William  P.  Barrett. 

.SECOXD    LIEUTENANT. 

William  B.  Foudey. 

SERGEANTS. 

Dudley  Wickersham, 
Argyle  W .  Farr. 

CORPORALS. 

Thomas  Hessey,  Shelton  Ransdell, 

Edward  Conner,  Lawson  Thomas. 

MTSICL^N. 

William  C.  B.  Lewis. 

PRIVATES. 

Addison,  Grandison,  House,  Erasmus D., 
Ballard,  Christopher  A.,     James,  George, 

Balantine,  John  J.,  Keeling,  Singleton, 

Barrett,  James  A.,  Marsin,  Joseph, 

Brown,  William  W. ,  Millington,  AugustusO., 

Butler.  Joslma,  Murray,  Matthew, 

Buel,  Abel  M  ,  Peter,  Peter  0. , 

Cabanis,  ZebulonP.,  Ransdall,  James  B., 

Capoot,  John,  Rape  Henry, 

Chapman,  John,  Ryan,  Jackson. 

Crowl,  Upton,  Spottswood,  James  H., 

Darnell.  Harvey,  Smith,  Joseph  H., 

Feriill,  William  C,  Wickersham,  Wesley H. 


Walter  Davis, 
David  Logan, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


169 


Foster,  John  E., 
Funk,  George  W. . 
Frink,  .John""S., 
Gideon,  Alfred  L., 
Garrett.  Ezra  L. 
Haines,  Fletclier, 
Harwortli,  George, 


Wilkinson,  Keulieu, 
Wilcox,  Eiiliriaru, 
Watson,  Charles  F. 
Walls,  Levi  P  ,  • 
Whitehurst,  Thomi'S, 
Weber,  George  R., 
Yeakles,  Joseph, 


RESIGNED. 

Second  Lieutenant — .John  S.  Bradford. 

DISCH.\HGED 

Before  expiration  of  term  of  service. 

Joseph  B.  Perkins,  Samuel  Cole, 

George  W.  Hall,  Alexander  J.  Seehorn, 

George  C.  Whitlock,  Samuel  O.  White. 

Nicholas  Algaire,  John  C.  Butler, 

John  Dupuy,  Silas  Dowdall, 

Benjamin  F.  McDonald,  Marion  P.  JIatthews, 

Wiliiam  R.  Goodell,  Isaac  Davis, 

Preslf  J'  Ransdell,  James  A.  AVaugh, 

Hem-}-  Westbrook,  Jacob  Wise, 

Vincent  Ridgely,  William  W.  Pease, 

Joseph  H.  Fultz,  Levi  Gorlej-. 

tr.^nsperhed. 

James  H.  Merriman,  Richard  F.  Barrett. 

DE.\D. 

Henry  .1.  Moore,  James  Connelly, 

Joseph  Sfipp,  Daniel  Hokey, 

William  Hardin,  Joseph  Newman. 

Killed  at  battle  of  Cerre  Gordo. 
James  McCabe. 

COMPANY    B. 

SECOND  LIEUTENANT. 

William  L.  Duncan. 

SERGE.\NTS. 

B.  M.  Wyatt,  .John  D.  Lawder, 

E.  D.  Dtikshier,  Sanborn  Gilmore, 

CORPORALS. 

Samuel  Ogden,  John  G.  Cranmer, 

E.  W.  Nantz,  A.  J.  Mason. 

PRIVATES. 

Baldwin,  William  F.,  Jenkins,  .James  M., 

Baker,  Mason,  Johnston,  Thomas  P., 

Brumfield,  William,  Lash,  William, 

Burnett,  William,  Lanier,  William, 

Brown,  Isaac,  McCarroll,  Justus, 

Dodson,  lehabod,  Mclutyre,  R.  N., 

Depew,  James,  j\[itcliell,  Wilson, 

Elliott,  Edward,  Newton,  Ander.son, 

Good,  John,  Owen,  Thomas  J.  V., 

Gwinn,  AVilliam,  Palmer,  Allen, 

Graham,  Levi.  Rule,  Alexander, 

Glimpse,  .Joseph,  Series,  Julius  H., 

Graham,  Joseph,  Seaman,  S3ivanus, 

Guy,  R.  B.  R..  Stout.  .James, 

Harbard,  William,  Smock,  Fulcard, 

Harris,  A.  J.,  Tennis.  John  F., 

Hampton,  Felix  T.,  Vanhoru,  William  M., 

Harris,  J.  C,  Walker,  J.  E., 

H.all,  .John,  Walker,  John, 

Jones,  John,  Williams,  David, 
Williams,  Peter. 

RESIGNED. 

Captain  Garrett  Elkin,        Sec.  Lt.  J.  M.  Withers. 

DISCHARGED. 

Eskew,  James  W.  or  John  Reamer.  E.  C. 

H.,  Parks,  James  E., 

Savage,  Nicholas,  Haines,  Thomas  H., 

Fling,  Charles  H.,  Hall,  Samuel, 


Moor.Thiimas, 
Mahew,  David, 
Davis,  Wm.  S., 
Lash,  Henry, 
Miller,  James  M., 
Little,  William  I., 


D.iponte.  Durant, 
Johnson,  John  S.  W., 
Crumbaugh,  .John  F., 
Toppas,  William  A., 
Poindexter,  Clinton, 
Palmer,  Leroj'  G., 


Gwinn,  Alexander 

DEATHS. 

Lieut.  Andrew  J.  Wallace,  Andrew  .T.  Hodge, 
.John  Jlisncr.  George  Perry. 

E.  B.  Young,  JLirion  Wallace, 

George  Ruth. 

WOUNDED. 

John  D.  Lander,  James  Depew, 

John  Walker. 

COMPANY    D. 
FIRST   LIEUTENANT. 

Alfred  C.  Campbell. 

SECOND   LIEUTENANT. 

John  D.  Foster. 

SERGE.'i.NTS. 

Henry  M.  Spotswood,  David  Meigs, 

John"Davis,  Jonathan  Morris. 

CORPORALS. 

William  Campbell,  Thomas  Higgins, 

Chris.  C.  Holyer,  Hugh  Paul. 

PRIVATES . 

Alsbury,  Edward  R.,,  Jones,  T.  B., 

Bloyd,  James  B  ,  Kent,  Alexander, 

Cast,  Ai'chibald,  ICing.  John  W., 

Cutter,  William,  Morris,  Hamilton  R., 

Duulap,  James  T.,  Morris,  Randall  G  , 

Daly,  John,  Meigs,  Scverell, 

Darneille.  Harvey,  Odell,  John, 

Dodd,  John  C,    "  Philps,  Joshua, 

Dillman,  David,  Rhodes,  William  G., 

Duncan,  Jerome,  Shoemaker,  Thomas  C, 

Edwards,  David,  Short,  James  F., 

Emmett,  Robert  S.,  Shelton,  John, 

Foster.  Peyton,  Smith,  AlonzoH., 

Foster,  William,  Skinner.  John  H., 

Henwood,  William,  Tinker,  William, 

Hillyard,  James  P.,  Thompson,  Samuel  M., 

Howey,  Willi>tm,  Terpin,  James, 

Huckelbury,  .John,  Williams,  .John  R., 

Hutt'master,  Edward,  Wilcox,  I)aniel, 

Huti'master,  William,  Workman,  Benjamin, 

Hoskins,  John  S.,  Brauuan,  Josiah  . 

DISCHARGED. 

Joseph  Bridges,  'Samuel  Drennan, 

Newton  Dodds,  William  Penix, 

Levi  Campbell,  Riley  Cross, 

Asa  L.  Morris,  Logan  C   Snyder, 

Benjamin  Henwood,  Jett'erson  Finger, 

Daniel  Cross,  William  Terpin, 

William  Sampson,  William  Vermillion, 

David  Lind.say,  Ashley  Walker, 

LaFayette  McCrillis,  Joel  JI  Walker, 

Christoiiher  R  Pierce,  Rowan  I.  Short, 

Calvay  Sexton,  James  Morris, 

Benjamin  Sullivan,  Wilson  Robbins. 

DEAD. 

Captain  Achilles  Morris,     William  F,  Nation, 
.Jacob  Morris,  John  Hillyard, 

Henry  B.  Reed,  John  Allison, 

William  Morris,  .James  Jones, 

James  Harralson.  Morris  Shelton 

Samuel  JlcICee. 


IVO 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  X 


REMINISCENCES. 


lu  the  followingtchapter  is  presented  a  few 
pioneer  reminiscences,  in  most  cases  written  by 
pioneers  or  their  descendants.  In  no  case  has 
the  compiler  of  this  work  attempted  to  change 
the  diction  of  the  writers,  thus  giving  variety  to 
the  style  of  the  reminiscences  given. 

COTTON    PICKING. 

Previous  to  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow,  cot- 
ton Avas  raised  to  some  extent  in  Sangamon 
county,  and  it  was  once  thouglit  that  it  would 
be  a  profitable  article  to  raise  in  the  State.  Ex- 
Governor  John  Reynolds,  the  "  Old  Ranger,"  as 
he  was  familiarly  known,  contributed  the  fol- 
lowing to  the  State  Journal,  in  1867,  as  part  of  a 
series  of  articles  on  "  Pioneer  Times." 

"Cotton,  at  as  early  a  day  as  1800,  and  for 
many  years  after,  was  cultivated  to  a  considera- 
ble extent  in  Illinois.  My  father  had  resided  in 
Tennessee  previous  to  his  emigration  to  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  above  named,  and  we  were 
tolerably  well  acquainted  with  the  culture  of  cot- 
ton in  that  State.  At  that  time  I  had  often  heard 
it  computed,  that  an  acre  of  good  cotton  land  in 
Illinois,  would  yield  in  the  seeds,  ten  or  twelve 
hundred  pounds.  This  was  then  considered 
such  a  crop  as  would  justify  cultivation.  We 
cultivated  the  crop  in  Randolph  county,  where 
the  climate  is  more  congenial  to  its  growth  than 
the  north  of  the  State. 

"At  that  early  day,  more  than  half  a  century 
back,  the  disadvantages  in  the  article  of  cotton 
was  the  labor  in  picking  the  seeds  from  it  so  as 
to  prepare  the  cotton  for  the  spinning  wheels. 
There  were  then  no  improved  spinning  jennies 
invented,  and  the  old  fashioned  wheels  were  the 
only  means  of  preparing  the  threads  for  the 
looms.  Two  classes  of  wheels  were  used  at  that 
day;  the  little  wheel,  so  called,  was  turned  by 
the  spinner,  with  a  crank  on  an  axle   running 


through  the  centre  of  the  wheel.  The  other  was 
known  as  the  big  wheel.  The  person  spinning 
on  this  wheel  was  always  on  foot  and  in  motion. 
The  thread  was  drawn  out  as  the  motion  was 
given  to  the  wheel.  The  operator  on  the  little 
wheel  sat  still,  and  produced  the  motion  with 
their  feet.  The  big  wheel  gave  opportunity  for 
the  display  of  elegant  and  graceful  motions, 
which  I  have  often  seen  performed,  even  to  the 
steps  of  the  dance,  by  the  modest  and  pretty 
pioneer  lasses  of  the  olden  time. 

"  The  cotton  cloth  was  at  that  day  wove  in  the 
country,  or  at  least  so  far  as  Illinois  was  con- 
cerned, in  looms  worked  by  either  men  or 
women.  It  was  rather  an  art  or  trade  to  weave, 
and  people  thus  accomplished  traveled  frequently 
over  the  country  fof  work.  The  invention  of  a 
cotton  jenny,  made  with  wood  or  iron  rollers, 
was  subsequently  perfected,  which  aided  much 
in  extracting  the  seeds  from  the  cotton,  but  the 
great  invention  of  Whitney,  of  the  iron  saws, 
piopelled  by  horse  power,  laid  all  previous  dis- 
coveries in  the  shade  and  immortalized  the  in- 
ventor. That  illustrious  man  has  accomplished 
as  much  for  the  benefit  of  mankind  as  the  inven- 
tor of  the  steam  engine,  and  has  acquired  a  fame 
which  will  hand  his  name  down  to  posterity  as 
one  of  the  great  benefactors  of  the  human  race. 
It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  probably  two- 
thirds  or  more  of  the  human  race  are  clothed  in 
cotton,  and  that  before  this  invention,  cotton 
fabrics  were  almost  as  costly  as  silk. 

"In  the  pioneer  times  of  which  I  have  spoken, 
much  amusement  and  innocent  mirth  were  en- 
joyed at  the  "cotton  pickings,"  as  these  parties 
were  called.  The  whole  neighborhood  would 
assemble  on  these  occasions,  and  the  log  cabins, 
in  the  evening  of  a  winter's  night,  would  be 
brushed  uj)  to  perfect  neatness,  and  made  still 
more  attractive  by  the  large  fire  in  the  wooden 


"Tii0> 


\  < 


^^^— /  'li^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


173 


chimney,  with  rocks  under  the  fore  sticks  in 
place  of  andirons.  A  large  pile  of  cotton  wa.s 
spread  out  to  dry,  so  it  could  be  picked  the 
easier.  Generally,  two  sprightly  young  ladies 
were  elected  to  divide  the  heap  of  cotton,  and 
then  the  hands  began  to  pick  it;  so  that  a  con- 
test for  victory  would  excite  the  two  contending 
parties,  by  which  the  more  cotton  would  be 
picked,  and  with  additional  merriment.  The 
last,  indeed,  was  the  main  object  of  the  young- 
folks.  The  lady  leaders  chose  their  side  to  pick 
alternately,  and  then  a  general  tornado  of  ex- 
citement began — picking,  talking,  and  hiding 
the  cotton,  and  all  sorts  of  frolicking  in  the 
sphere  of  a  backwoods  cotton  picking.  A  per- 
fect equality  and  the  best  good  feeling  pervaded 
the  whole  company,  and  each  one  enjoyed  as 
much  innocent  merriment  as  is  generally  allotted 
to  man.  Art  or  improper  education  had  not 
spoiled  either  the  morals  or  the  symmetry  and 
beauty  of  their  persons;  but  the)'  exhibited  tlie 
superior  woikmanship  of  Nature  over  the  foolish 
fashions  of  wealth,  without  sense,  and  spurious 
refinement  without  taste.  The  words  of  Nature's 
poet  involuntarily  forces  itself  upon  us: 

"  '  Yes,  let  the  rich  deride  and  the  proud  disdain 
The  simple  blessings  of  the  lowly  train; 
To  me  more  dear,  congenial  to  my  heart, 
One  native  charm  than  all  the  gloss  of  art.'  " 

"Frequently,  at  these  gatherings,  the  young- 
sters presented  masterly  models  of  symmetry 
and  beauty,  and  such  that  neither  wealth  nor 
fashion  can  ever  surpass  But  as  the  pen  cannot 
describe  the  beauty  and  brilliancy  of  human  ex- 
cellence, the  comeliness  of  the  figures  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  Illinois  must  pass  away  and 
be  forgotten. 

"At  these  'cotton  pickings'  love  always  be- 
came the  ruling  theme,  as  this  passion  always 
will  occupy  the  virtuous  and  elevate  the  heart: 
and  many  a  pioneer  courtship  and  marriage  re- 
ceived their  date  from  some  such  gathering. 
But  those  happy  times  have  passed  away,  and 
tlie  race  has  now  well  nigh  passed  away  with 
thein." 

BY    GEOKGE    BRtlNIC* 

"I  emigrated  from  the  State  of  Ohio,  leaving 
Fort  Harrison  and  arriving  in  the, 'St.  Gamee 
country'  in  the  fall  of  1821,  making  the  first 
track  that  could  be  followed  to  the  forks  of  the 
'St.    Gamee'   to  the  head  of  the  Okaw. 

"The  first  cabin  I  saw  was  where  the  village  of 
Rochester  now  stands.      There  were  no  settlers 

♦Written  in  18.")9,  as  a  contribution  to  the  Old  Set- 
tlers' Association. 

20— 


on  the  north  fork  of  the  St.  Gamee,  except  a 
few  in  and  about  Mechanicsburg.  But  above 
that  point,  there  were  none  except  where  Decatur 
now  stands,  a  man  bj-  the  name  of  Stepliens 
having  made  a  settlement  there.  I  found  Elijah 
lies  and  Charles  R.  Matheny  where  is  now  the 
city  of  Springfield.  The  Kickapoos  were  here 
then,  and  I  have  had  many  a  social  hunt  with 
Bassena  and  Joe  JNluney,  the  chiefs  of  that  na- 
tion. 

"In  the  spring  of  1822,  myself  and  the  Ddlons 
raised  a  cabin,  broke  the  prairie  and  planted 
corn  in  Tazewell  county,  where  stands  the  town 
of  Dillon.  There  were  no  settlers  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Illinois  river  from  thence  to  the  lake, 
except  Mr.  Kinzie's,  where  the  city  of  Chicago 
now  stands. 

"On  my  return  I  crossed  the  Illinois  river  by 
putting  my  wagon  in  two  Indian  canoes  and 
swimming  my  horses  alongside.  On  the  west 
bank  I  found  Abner  Eads  and  another  settler. 
During  that  fall  the  land  in  Sangamon  county 
came  into  market.  The  first  entry  was  made  by 
Israel  Archer,  being  the  west  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  eight,  township  fourteen 
north,  range  four  west,  and  the  tract  of  land  on 
which  now  stands  the  present  Cotton  Hill  Meth- 
odist Church. 

"  It  is  well  known  now  that  Robert  Pulliam 
built  the  first  cabin  in  Sangamon  county.  The 
first  barn  was  built  by  Mr.  Rogers,  near  Athens, 
in  what  is  now  Menard  county. 

"In  the  spring  of  1826,  J.  Miller  and  myself, 
left  Sangamon  county  for  the  lead  mines  on 
Fever  river.  We  fitted  out  in  Peoria,  and 
started  in  a  northwest  direction,  carrying  our 
provisions  on  our  horses.  In  consequence  of 
being  unacquainted  with  the  route  we  missed 
our  course,  and  suffered  almost  starvation 
for  three  days — so  much  so  that  all  the  nour- 
ishment we  had  was  a  fish  about  as  long  as 
my  hand,  and  coffee  made  from  the  boiling  of  a 
coffee  sack.  With  hard  travel,  and  greatly 
fatigued,  we  reached  Fever  river  in  seven  days, 
where  we  found  a  few  miners.  I  believe  we 
were  the  first  from  Sangamon  county.  In  a  few 
days  we  heard  of  Lake  Phelps  being  there  also. 
I  am  not  able  to  say  whether  he  landed  previous 
to  us  or  not. 

"Much  has  been  said  about  the  origin  of  the 
word  '  Sucker,'  in  its  application  to  the  people 
of  Illinois.  Late  in  the  fall  of  that  year  I  was 
standing  on  the  levee,  in  what  is  now  Galena, 
watching  a  number  of  our  Illinois  boys  go  on 
board  a  boat  bound  down  the  river,  when  a  man 


IV-I 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


by  the  name  of  Walker,  a  Missourian,  stepped 
lip  and  said: 

"'Boys,  where  are  you  all  going?' 

The  ready  reply  was. 

"'We  are  going  home.' 

"'Well,'  said  he,  "you  put  me  in  mind  of  the 
'suckers' — up  in  the  spring,  and  down  in  tlie 
fall.' 

"Those  who  stayed  over  received  the  humble 
name  of  '  Badgers.'  That  was  the  first  time  I 
ever  heard  the  term  'sucker'  applied  to  the 
people  of  Illinois.  After  that,  all  lUinoisans 
were  considered  suckers,  and  when  Judge  Saw- 
yer came  to  the  mines,  he  was  called  'King  of 
the  Suckers.' 

"That  same  fall,  Van  Nov  was  hungiu  Spring- 
field, the  first  in  the  county. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1827,  a  great  number  of  Mis- 
sourians  came  to  the  mines.  The  Illinois  boys 
returned  the  compliment  of  the  Missourians  by 
saying  that  'Missouri  has  taken  a,  puke,''  and 
after  that  all  the  people  from  that  State  were 
called  '  Pukes.' 

'"At  this  time,  we  had  a  scrimmage  with  the 
Winnebago  Indians,  which  has  been  made  the 
subject  of  history.  I  returned  to  Sangamon 
countv  in  the  fall  of  182^^,  from  lay  northern 
tour. 

"The  winter  of  1830-31  was  the  winter  of  the 
deep  snow.  It  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
we  could  find  our  shocks  of  fodder,  they  were 
so  enveloped  in  the  snow.  My  father-in-law  lost 
his  life  in  the  snow-drifts  on  the  prairies  of 
Sangamon.  Game,  which  had  heretofore  been 
always  plenty,  was  nearly  destroyed  by  the  cold. 
Then  was  the  time  to  try  men's  metal.  The 
men  of  our  day  think  that  they  see  hard  times. 
They  forget  the  want  of  conveniences  and  pri- 
vations encountered  by  the  pioneers — oftentimes 
compelled  to  wade  through  the  streams  up  to 
the  arm-pi's  and  break  ice  to  get  the  teams 
across,  and,  to  cap  all,  to  ride  through  perfect 
fields  of  tire,  caused  liy  the  burning  grass  of  the 
prairies,  in  the  fall  and  winter,  and  lie  out  all 
night  wrapped  in  a  blanket  on  the  cold,  bleak 
prairies.  And  yet,  freed  as  is  the  present  gen- 
eration from  such  privations,  we  hear  more 
grumbling  from  them  than  from  men  who  had 
in  reality  to  earn  their  bread  by  the  sweat  of 
their  brow. 

"I  am  now  in  my  fifty-fifth  year,  and  claim  to 
be  the  father  of  eleven  children,  and  can  say 
with  certainty  that  I  have  never  been  intoxi- 
cated, have  never  used  tobacco  in  any  shape  or 
form,  or  any  narcotic,  and  never  was  sued  for 
debt  of  mv  own  contracting." 


AUBURN    AND     VICINITY    FOETV     YEARS    AGO BY 

M.    G.    WADSWORTH. 

"The  young  people  of  the  present  day  can  have 
but  inadequate  conception  of  the  ajipearance  of 
this  country  forty  years  ago.  The  prairies  were 
generalh'  a  trackless  waste,  save  the  Indian  trails 
that  were  still  \isible,  and  an  occasional,  and 
rarely  used  wagon  track.  The  settlements,  with 
very  rare  exceptions,  were  confined  to  the  timber 
line.  When  the  writer  first  knew  this  region, 
there  were  but  two  fields  fenced  between  Old 
Auburn  and  the  farms  along  Lick  Creek.  One 
of  them  belonged  to  George  Eastman,  on  the 
west  side  of  Panther  Creek,  (now  a  part  of  John 
L.  Mason's  farm),  and  the  other  was  owned  bv 
Piatt  S.  Carter,  now  of  Loami  township,  and  is 
included  iu  J.  M.  Locliridge's  farm.  No  one  re- 
sided on  either  of  these  jjlaces,  though  Mr. 
Carter  had  a  barn  built  and  an  unfinished  house, 
into  which  he  moved  the  following  winter.  The 
first  settlers,  who  were  almost  exclusively  from 
Virginia  and  Kentucky,  nniversally  selected  their 
land  with  a  view  to  its  contiguity  to  the  forests, 
and  embracing  a  good  proportion  of  the  same, 
not  seeming  to  think  it  probable  that  the  vast 
prairies  would  ever  be  occupied.  Indeed,  any 
man  who  bought  and  improved  land  out  in  mid- 
prairie,  at  that  day,  was  laughed  at  for  his  folly. 
He  labored  under  several  disadvantages,  it  is 
true.  The  wild  prairie  grass  growing  to  a  height 
of  five  to  seven  feet,  was  the  nursery  of  myriads 
of  horse  flies,  that,  in  hot  weather,  tortured  the 
stock  fearfully.  Then,  in  the  winter,  stock 
owned  by  prairie  farmers,  suffered  terribly  from 
the  bleak  winds,  as  hardly  any  one  had  anj-  bet- 
ter shelter  for  his  animals  than  a  rail  fence,  and, 
during  severe  weather,  if  not  kept  u]i,  they  would 
find  their  way  to  the  woods  for  comfort. 

"The  first  houses  were  all  unhewn  log  cabins. 
In  1840,  a  few  of  the  most  pi'osperous  had  begun 
to  'put  on  style,'  and  there  were  a  number  of 
story  and  a  half  mansions  of  hewed  logs.  Some 
people  even  were  so  extravagant  as  to  have  their 
houses  clapboarded,  and  there  were  in  Southern 
Sangamon  a  number  of  small  frame  houses,  and 
an  occasional  small  brick  building.  The  lumber 
used  at  that  day  was  all  hard  oak.  walnut,  cherry, 
ash,  sycamore.  Pine  lumber  had  not  been  intro- 
duced here,  there  being  no  railroads,  and  to  haul 
it  in  wagons  from  St.  Louis  or  Alton,  would  make 
it  an  expensive  luxury. 

"  Could  the  farmers  of  the  present  day  have  the 
privilege  of  comparing  the  stock  of  horses,  cattle 
and  swine  of  this  country,  of  forty  years  ago, 
with  that  of  the  present  day,  they  would  almost 


HISTORY  OF  SAN(;A^!(JX  COUNTY. 


175 


be  led  to  swallow  the  theory  of  evolution,  so  re- 
markable has  been  the  change  and  improvement. 
But  in  uo  direction,  perhaps,  has  there  been  so 
marked  a  progress  as  in  the  methods  of  farming 
and  implements.  My  recollection  extends  back 
to  the  time  when  plows  with  wooden  mould 
boards  were  used  altogether.  These  would  be 
considered  very  inefficient  implements  now,  but 
were  looked  upon  then  as  the  best  that  could  be 
devised.  But  few  of  them  would  '  scour,'  and 
the  plowman  was  compelled  to  keep  a  paddle 
hanging  to  one  of  the  handles,  to  clean  his 
plow  oft'  at  each  end,  or  ofteuer.  The  average 
depth  of  plowing  was  from  two  to  three  inches, 
and  the  slovenly  habit  of  '  cutting  and  cover- 
ing' (taking  several  inches  more  'land'  than  the 
plow  could  turn)  prevailed  with  most  farmers. 

"As  maikers  and  corn  planters  at  that  time 
were  unknown,  this  was  the  common  modus  op- 
erandi of  planting  corn:  A  man  with  a  pair  of 
horses  and  a  breaking  plow  'laid  oft''  the 
rows,  running  below  the  breaking,  in  order  to 
make  his  plow  'scour'  (the  cross  rows  having 
previously  been  made  with  a  single  corn  plow). 
The  dropper  followed  along  behind  with  the 
seed  in  a  basket  or  bucket,  and  another  man 
with  one  horse  and  a  shovel  plow,  or  '  bull 
tongue,'  which,  run  in  the  side  of  the  furrow, 
left  a  small  ridge  upon  the  seed.  By  this  slow 
process,  seven  to  ten  acres  could  be  planted  in  a 
day.  It  being  before  the  day  of  double  corn 
planters  and  of  cultivators,  either  a  one-horse 
'turning  plow'  or  a  shovel  plow  was  used  to 
'tend'  the  crop.  Twenty  to  twenty-five  acres 
was  all  that  one  hand  could  take  care  of,  and 
the  rule  was  to  plow  it  three  times.  Thirty 
bushels  per  acre  was  considered  a  fair  crop, 
though  hard  workers  made  their  land  produce 
forty  and  even  fifty  bushels. 

"  For  a  crop  of  oats,  as  the  previous  year's  corn 
stalks  were  usually  plowed  under,  rendering  the 
use  of  a  harrow,  to  cover  the  seed  and  smooth 
the  ground,  impracticable,  the  top  of  a  tree  was 
hitched  to  and  dragged  over  the  ground .  Wheat 
was  managed  the  same  way,  and,  of  course, 
failed  as  often  as  it  succeeded. 

"  At  the  time  here  spoken  of,  a  field  of  timothy 
grass  or  clover  was  a  rare  sight.  The  prairies 
yielded  innumerable  tons  of  wild  hay,  and  any 
man  could  have  all  he  wanted  for  tlie  cutting. 
There  was  no  mowing  machinery — the  good  old 
fashioned  scythe,  with  muscle  to  propel  it,  suf- 
ficed to  lay  from  one  to  two  acres  per  day,  and 
as  reapers  and  headers  were  as  yet  uninventcd, 
the  cradle  was  the  only  dependence  to  fell  the 
grain.      Threshing,    except   among   the    largest 


farmers,  was  done  upon  the  barn  floor,  two,  three, 
or  four  horses  walking  in  a  circle  over  the  grain 
until  it  was  separated  from  the  straw,  after 
which  it  was  cleaned  with  a  fanning  machine. 
If  a  man  had  no  barn  of  his  own  he  borrowed 
one  for  the  purpose. 

"Mules  had  not  come  into  use  at  that  time. 
Many  thought  it  wicked,  and  a  violation  of  the 
laws  of  nature  to  raise  them.  Mule  colts,  occas- 
ionally, might  be  seen,  but  they  were  sold  to 
some  buyer  for  southern  use,  and  taken  away 
generally  in  the  fall  after  foaling. 

"Much  of  the  breaking  was  done  by  oxen, 
nearly  every  farmer  owning  one  or  more  yoke  of 
these  slow  but  sure  beasts.  Raw  prairie  was 
always  broken,  at  that  day,  with  teams  of  three 
or  four  yoke,  which  would  turn  over  two  or 
three  acres  per  day. 

"  Forty  years  ago,  cooking  stoves,  save  an  occas- 
ional one  in  the  towns,  had  not  come  into  use. 
Everything  was  cooked  by  the  fireplaces,  which 
every  house  contained,  and  were  built  to  receive 
wood  three  or  four  feet  in  length.  Nearly  every- 
thing was  cooked  in  a  skillet  or  a  Dutch  oven, 
both  being  supplied  with  a  lid  with  a  raised  rim, 
upon  which  coals  were  piled.  It  was  hot  and 
laborious  work  for  the  women  to  cook  by  a  fire- 
place, but  the  meals  thus  prepared  were  not  to 
be  excelled. 

"Although  the  red  man's  camp-fire  at  the  time 
of  which  I  write,  no  longer  threw  its  ruddy  glare 
over  the  trunks  of  the  forest  monarch,  he  having 
some  years  previous  abandoned  this  for  more 
successful  hunting  ground,  much  wild  game  still 
lingered.  Deer  abounded  in  the  broad  prairies 
between  Apple  creek  and  the  east  of  Sugar 
creek,  and  I  have  frequently  seen  them  within  a 
mile  of  Old  Auburn,  and  have  seen  wolves  within 
the  limits  of  the  town.  Wild  turkeys  still 
abounded  in  the  woods,  in  their  season,  ftocks  of 
prairie  chickens,  vast  enough  to  darken  the  air 
as  they  flew,  might  be  seen  any  hour  in  the  day. 
Every  winter  the  sharp  shooters  of  this  commu- 
nity, would  make  up  parties  of  four  or  five  men, 
and  each  with  its  wagon  and  team,  bedding,  pro- 
visions, cooking  utensils,  rifles  and  amunition, 
would  drive  to  the  wilds  of  Christian  county, 
remain  five  or  six  days,  generally  returning  home 
with  six  or  eight  deer.  The  rifle  was  almost 
universally  used,  and  the  old  hunters  looked 
with  Bujirenie  contempt  upon  any  man  or  boy 
who  could  content  himself  with  a  shot-gun. 
Even  s<iuirrels,  prairie  chickens,  geese  and  ducks 
were  hunted  with  the  rifle. 

"The  clothing  of  the  early  resident  was  fash- 
ioned exclusively  of  homespun.     Every   farmer 


176 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


kept  sheep,  every  home  had  its  spinning  wheel, 
and  every  wife  and  daugliter  could  extract  music 
of  a  practical  nature  from  this  instrument. 
Looms  were  convenient  too.  The  men  and  boys 
all  wore  jeans,  either  yellow,  brown  or  blue,  and 
the  mothers,  wives  and  daughters  were  arrayed 
in  linsey,  visually  striped  or  checked.  At  the 
date  of  which  I  write,  calico  had  begun  to  be 
worn,  but  was  laid  aside,  for  woolen,  in  cold 
weather.  The  sturdy  pioneers  of  westei'n  or 
southern  origin,  looked  upon  the  eastern  men 
w  ho  occasionally  found  their  way  out  here, 
dressed  in  broadcloth  or  cassimere,  as  Yankee 
upstarts.  Indeed,  the  New  England  and  New 
York  emigrants  were  regarded  with  susijicion. 
Some  of  the  first  comers  were  clock  peddlers 
fiom  Connecticut,  who  fleeced  the  people,  and  a 
prejudice  was  engendered  that  did  not  entirely 
die  out  with  that  generation.  Besides  this  un- 
favorable imroduction,  inany  of  the  eastern  set- 
tlers came  hither,  full  of  conceit  about  methods 
of  farming,  and  undertook  to  give  their  new 
neighbors  the  benefit  of  their  experience,  not 
realizing  that  the  Illinois  prairies  required  quite 
different  treatment  from  New  England  hills.  I 
am  glad  to  say  that  the  feeling  thus  engendered 
has  almost  entirely  passed  away,  but  it  was 
quite  a  formidable  and  disagreeable  element  in 
society,  forty  years  ago. 

"Apropos  of  the  above,  the  western  people  of 
the  early  days,  entertained  a  supreme  contempt 
for  a  man  who  attended  to  the  milking.  The 
women  here  did  all  the  milking.  No  matter  if 
there  v)ere  three  or  four  men  about  the  house, 
and  but  one  hard  worked  woman,  the  former 
couldn't  degrade  themselves  by  adopting  this 
Yankee  innovation.  I  have  frequently  known 
young  men,  when  contracting  to  work  by  the 
month  on  farms,  to  ask  if  they  were  expected 
to  milk.  If  this  was  required,  either  negotia- 
tions were  broken  off,  or  several  dollars  were 
added  to  the  price. 

"The  young  i)eople  of  the  present  day,  at- 
tending school  in  nicely  painted  and  ornamented 
comfortable  structures,  furnished  with  all  the 
modern  educational  appliances,  woxdd  gaze  with 
astonishment  at  the  rude  and  crude  accommoda- 
tions of  two  score  years  agone.  At  that  time, 
there  were  four  schools  (taught  only  in  the 
winter,)  within  a  radius  of  a  few  miles  of  this 
place.  One  of  these  was  taught  in  the  Old 
Cumberland  church,  a  log  building,  four  miles 
norti  east;  there  was  one  in  Auburn,  a  rude 
frame  house  of  about  fourteen  by  sixteen  feet; 
a  small  brick  building  near  A.  S.  Orr's,  and  an- 
other two  miles  further  up  the  timber.     Both  of 


these  were  used,  when  necessary,  for  religious 
services  on  Sur.day,  as  there  were  no  meeting 
houses  on  the  timber  above  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  above  mentioned. 

"The  scholars  sat  upon  bare  benches,  made 
usually  of  slabs,  with  four  legs.  Many  of  the 
scholars  had  never  seen  or  heard  of  such  a  thing 
as  a  desk.  Reading,  spelling  and  writing,  with 
geography,  grammar  and  arithmetic,  for  the 
'advanced'  scholars,  constituted  the  studies. 
The  rod,  and  a  great  deal  of  it,  was  an  indis- 
pensable reliance  as  an  educator. 

"Singing  classes  were  sometimes  taught,  Mr. 
John  Baker,  of  Lick  Creek,  being  the  onlv 
teacher  within  reach.  lie  taught  vocal  music, 
by  the  'jiatent'  or  'buck-wheat'  notes,  the 
Old  'Missouri  Harmony'  being  the  work  gen- 
erally used,  the  major  pai't  of  whose  tunes  were 
in  the  minor  strain,  and  as  the  young  folks 
flocked  in  for  miles  around,  crowding  the  bouses 
where  they  were  held,  old  'Consolation,' 
'Ninety-Fifth,' 'Jefferson'  and  'Russia'  would 
waken  the  echoes. 

"At  that  day,  very  few  buggies  or  carriages 
were  seen.  Nearly  everybody  went  to  meeting 
on  horseback;  the  wives  frequenth^  riding  be- 
hind their  liege  lords.  Often  a  young  ladv  Mas 
taken  on  the  horse  behind  her  lover,  though 
each  girl  had  generally  a  steed  of  her  own.  A 
horse,  sadille  and  l)ridle  was  the  goal  of  every 
young  man's  or  woman's  desires,  when  growing 
up. 

"  Springfield  was  only  a  limited  market.  There 
being  no  means  of  transportation  from  there, 
there  was  no  demand,  save  a  local  one,  for  grain, 
pork  and  other  productions,  which  was  soon 
supplied.  I  have  known  corn  hauled  to  Spring- 
field, from  this  vicinity,  fourteen  or  fifteen 
miles,  and  sold  for  five  cents  a  bushel.  Of 
course,  none  but  a  renter  sorely  needing  monev, 
would  undertake  to  haul  corn  to  Springfield  at 
such  a  price. 

"Alton  was,  at  that  day,  the  princijial  market 
for  the  farmers  of  Central  Illinois.  It  wouldn't 
do  to  haul  corn  so  far,  at  ten  or  fifteen,  or  even 
twenty  cents  a  bushel,  so  the  corn  was  fed  to 
cattle  and  hogs,  mainly  to  the  latter,  large  droves 
of  which  were  driven  down  in  the  early  winter, 
a  number  of  neighbors  combining  together.  A 
wagon  was  driven  by  one  of  the  men,  in  which 
to  deposit  the  swine  that  might,  perchance, 
'breakdown.'  The  hog  drivers  walked.  These 
droves  were  sometimes  so  extensive  as  to  fill  the 
road  for  half  a  mile  or  more. 

"Oneof  the  pleasantest  episodes  of  the  writer's 
boyish  life,  was  a  trip  to  St.  Louis,  with  a  com- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


177 


pany  of  wagons,  during  the  Indian  sunnner  sea- 
son of  1841.  Tliere  were  some  ten  or  a  dozen 
wagon.s,  all  laden  with  wheat.  Provisions,  cook- 
ing utensils,  bedding  and  a  supply  of  horse  feed 
were  taken,  the  weather  being  so  tine  as  to  allow 
the  company  to  spread  their  couches  beneath  the 
wagons.  It  was  customary  to  take  bread  and 
pies  ready  baked;  with  sometimes  a  boiled  ham, 
but  coffee  was  made  and  meat  fried  by  the  tire, 
improvised  on  the  ground.  There  was  no  lack 
of  dry  fuel  along  the  road  in  the  woods,  and  no 
objection  to  its  being  picked  up.  After  the  men 
had  supped,  the  evening,  until  bedtime,  was 
spent  in  smoking  and  telling  yarns,  the  flicker- 
ing flames  throwing  a  ruddy  light  over  the  merry 
group.  Thecampingground  was  always  selected, 
if  possible,  in  the  woods.  These  trips,  going  and 
coming,  usually  occupied  about  a  week.  The 
teamsters  brought  back  groceries,  clothing  and 
other  family  necessities  for  themselves,  and  often 
loads  of  goods  for  the  Springfleld  merchants, 
receiving  so  much  for  each  hundred  pounds. 

"  Forty  years  ago,  the  people  of  this  vicinity 
were  just  beginning  to  taste  the  sweets  of  a  post- 
ofBce  close  at  home.  The  new  Springfield  and 
St.  Louis  stage-road,  running  through  Chatham 
and  Auburn,  had  recently  been  established.  The 
old  route  lay  through  Sugar  Creek  timber,  some 
two  or  three  miles  east  of  this.  The  "Sugar 
Creek  Postoflice"  had  been  kept,  until  this 
change,  at  John  L.  Drennan's,  which  was  a 
'stage  stand,'  as  the  place  was  called  where  the 
four  stage  horses  were  changed  on  each  trip  for 
fresh  ones.  By  this  arrangement,  Auburn  peo- 
ple were  five  miles  from  the  postofRce,  and  the 
residents  up  towards  the  head  of  the  timber, 
eight  to  ten  miles. 

'•At  that  time,  the  question  of  cheap  postage 
and  pre-payment  had  not  yet  engaged  the  atten- 
tion of  our  wise  men.  Letter  postage  was  all 
the  way  from  six  to  twenty-five  cents,  dependent 
upon  distance.  The  family  of  the  writer  had 
twenty-five  cents  to  pay  on  many  a  letter  from 
eastern  friends,  during  the  early  forties.  The 
mailing  business  was  much  more  complicated 
then  than  now,  for  all  letters  had  to  be  way 
billed,  and  each  letter's  destination,  rates,  etc., 
recorded  carefully  in  a  book  kept  for  the  pur- 
pose, which  contained  a  column  for  paid,  another 
for  unpaid,  and  another  for  free  letters. 

"  Forty  years  ago  there  was  but  one  steam  grist 
mill  in  the  county,  south  ©f  Springfield.  This 
stood  just  about  where  the  Chicago  &  Alton 
road  crosses  the  branch,  near  what  is  now  known 
as  Anderson  pond,  north  of  town.  The  engine 
and  works  in  the  mill  had  been  removed  from 


Waverly,  by  Asa  and  George  Eastman.  This 
mill  was  only  run  here  two  or  three  years,  I  be- 
lieve, and  the  works  were  transferred  to  Spring- 
field. The  building  was  occupied  for  several 
years  afterwards  by  David  Eastman  for  finishing 
leather,  he  having  a  tanyard  on  the  premises. 

"At  the  time  of  which  I  write,  there  were  two 
watermiils  in  this  township,  both  of  which 
ground  corn  and  wheat,  and  each  had  a  saw  mill 
connected  with  it.  One  of  these  was  owned  by 
Jacob  Ranch,  the  father  of  the  Ranch  boys,  and 
stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  creek,  nearly  op- 
posite the  present  Ranch's  mill.  The  other  mill 
was  owned  by  E.  &  W.  D.  Crow,  and  was 
located  due  west  of  Old  Auburn,  on  a  site  now 
owned  by  John  Garber,  just  northeast  of  his 
dwelling,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  creek. 
'Crow's  mill  pond'  was  a  favorite  resort  by 
crowds  of  men  and  boys,  on  summer  Saturday 
afternoons,  for  swimming  exercises.  The  swim- 
mers frequently  rode  their  horses  into  the  pond, 
and  the  steeds,  swimming  with  their  nude  riders, 
drew  out  great  applause  from  the  multitude  on 
the  banks. 

"  The  currency  of  the  country,  forty  years  since, 
was  quite  a  different  matter  from  that  of  the 
present  day.  'Wild-cat  money '  from  hundreds 
of  banks,  scattered  over  the  country,  was  in  cir- 
culation. Our  own  'State  bank  paper'  was 
largely  used,  but  there  was  a  discount  upon  it. 
Money  of  the  Missouri  bank  was  always  relia- 
ble, and  generally  preferred  to  gold.  In  silver, 
the  old  Spanish  coins  prevailed,  and  the  12-^  and 
6-^  cent  pieces  possessed  no  higher  value  than 
the  dimes  and  half  dimes.  They  were  distin- 
guished as 'long  bits'  and  'short  bits' — 'long 
picayunes'  and  'short  picayunes.'  Copper 
coins  were  not  used,  and  a  picayune  was  the 
lowest  sum  recognized.  If  an  article  wasn't 
worth  a  picayune,  it  wasn't  worth  anything.  I 
well  recollect  how  indignant  some  of  the  old 
residents  were  when  asked  to  pay  postage  on 
newspapers — two,  three  or  four  cents.  At  that 
time  the  privilege  of  franking  the  letters  was 
about  all  the  compensation  the  Auburn  post- 
master received  for  getting  up  to  '  change  the 
mail'  once  or  twice  in  the  night,  every  night  in 
the  year,  and  performing  the  duties  of  postmas- 
ter; yet  it  was  difficult  to  convince  some  of  these 
worthies  that  if  the  postmaster  didn't  collect  all 
the  moneys  due  the  department,  he  must  suffer 
loss. 

"  In  ]  840,  a  large  amount  of  land  in  the  country 
was  as  yet  unentered.  Thousands  of  acres  in 
the  broad  prairie  to  the  west  and  east  of  Sugar 
creek  timber  were  open  to  settlers,  at  $1.25  an 


IIS 


HISTORY  OV  SAN(^AMON  COUNTY. 


acre.  Most  of  the  land  aloDg  Panther  creek, 
however,  liad  been  entered  by  speculators.  John 
Griggs,  of  Philadelphia,  owned  immense  tracts, 
and  his  agent,  David  B.  Ayres,  at  Jacksonville, 
sold  it  to  settlers  at  §3  to  $5  per  acre.  Many  of 
the  farms  along  Panther  creek,  between  Irwin's 
(then  known  as  Harlan's)  grove  and  the  head, 
were  made  of  the  Griggs  land. 

"The  pioneers  supposed  that  the  value  of  lim- 
ber land  would  increase  indetinitely.  Hedges 
for  the  prairie  had  not  been  thought  of,  and 
there  was  no  knowledge  of  the  vast  fields  of  coal 
underlying  this  whole  expanse  of  country.  Con- 
setjuently,  believing  that  the  demand  for  wood 
for  fuel,  and  rails  for  fences,  must  constantly  in- 
crease as  the  prairies  became  settled,  they  held 
on  to  their  forest  acres  with  an  iron  grasp.  The 
discovery  of  coal  in  this  region,  and  the  utiliza- 
tion of  the  Bois  D'Arc  tree  for  hedges  on  the 
Western  prairies,  may  certainly  be  counted 
among  the  notable  events  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury. Could  our  fathers  have  been  told  that 
farms  of  whole  sections  could  so  easily  be  fenced, 
splendid  houses  huilt  and  provided  with  fuel, 
without  the  aid  of  wood  land,  they  would  have 
thought  it  incredible. 

"Pulmonary  consumption,  so  prevalent  now, 
was  almost  unknown  among  the  early  residents. 
Living  in  log  houses,  generally  unplastered,  with 
open  fireplaces,  they  breathed  pure  air,  and  hav- 
ing regular  sleep,  and  dressing  healthfully,  they 
were  afflicted  with  but  few  physical  ailments, 
save  malarial  ones. 

"There  were  but  few  holidays  in  the  early 
days.  But  little  notice  was  taken  of  the  Fourth 
of  July.  Frequently  the  riflemen  ot  the  neigli- 
borhood  would  gather  together  on  Christmas 
and  indulge  in  shooting  matches.  The  grandest 
day  in  the  year  to  both  men  and  boys  was  elec- 
tion day.  The  State  and  county  elections  of 
that  day  were  held  in  August.  This  being  be- 
fore the  day  of  township  organization,  this  elec- 
tion precinct  (Sugar.Creek  precinct),  comprised 
a  large  scope  of  country  —  indeed,  if  I  recollect 
rightly,  some  three  or  four  townshijis.  Forty 
years  ago,  the  voting  place  for  this  precinct  was 
John  L.  Drennan's,  (the  place  now  occupied  by 
Benjamin  F.  Drennan.)  Afterwards  it  was 
transferred  to  a  house  just  this  side  of  the  C.  P. 
Church.  Nearly  every  boy  in  the  precinct,  old 
enough  to  ride  a  horse,  accompanied  the  fathers 
or  brother,  and  all  sjient  the  day.  Liquor  was 
usually  available,  and  drunken  men  and  fights 
were  often  witnessed.  Horse  racing  was  a  com- 
mon pastime  at  elections.  Voting  was  a  slow 
and  tedious  process.     The  clerks  recorded  the 


name  of  the  voter,  and  after  it  the  name  of  each 
candidate  voted  for,  which  W'ere  called  out  by 
the  voter  in  rotation. 

"At  the  time  to  which  this  sketch  refers  — 
only  about  twenty-two  years  after  the  first  white 
man's  cabin  was  erected  in  'the  San-^aw2-ma 
country,'  as  the  early  comers  called  it,  most  of 
the  pioneers  were  yet  living  here,  mainly,  people 
in  the  prime  of  life.  They  were  an  honest, 
friendly,  unassuming,  industrious  class  of  peo- 
ple, generally,  who  were  content  to  make  a  fair 
living  and  keep  out  of  debt.  The  mania  for 
accumulating  illimitable  acres  had  not  yet  been 
developed.  No  man  felt  envious  of  another's 
prosperity.  There  was  no  desire  evinced  to 
overreach  a  neighbor  in  a  trade;  to  live  in  a  finer 
house,  or  to  dress  better  than  anyone  else.  The 
milk  of  human  kindness  permeated  society. 
The  people  were  hospitable  to  a  fault.  A  jjerson 
in  distress,  or  needing  help  in  any  form,  had  but 
to  signify  it  and  it  was  invariably  forthcoming. 

"The  first  comers  —  principally  from  the  hilly 
regions  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  were  enrap- 
tured with  the  beautiful  country  spread  out  be- 
fore them.  The  boundless  prairies  coated  with 
luxuriant  grass,  affording  faithful  indications  of 
the  marvellous  possibilities  of  crops  concealed 
beneath,  and  the  facility  with  which  they  could 
be  developed;  the  herds  of  deer  and  other  game 
that  roamed  the  plains  —  sights  so  dear  to  the 
hunter's  heart  —  led  the  pioneers  to  send  back 
enthusiastic  accounts  of  the  country  to  the 
friends  they  had  left  behind.  Their  attractive 
representations  brought  others,  and  'the  San- 
gam-ma  country'  came  to  be  known  as  the 
farmers'  paradise. 

"I  will  conclude  this  sketch  by  detailing  a 
case  of 

EARLY    RASCALITY. 

"In  the  winterof  1842  (I  think  it  was),  a  trunk 
belonging  to  a  mail  agent,  of  Springfield,  named 
Brown,  was  cut  from  the  rear  ])art  of  the  stage, 
while  it  was  crossing  the  bridge  over  Panther 
creek,  between  Maynard's  and  llarland's  Grove. 
The  coach  was  making  its  down  trip,  in  the 
night,  as  usual,  and  that  place  was  doubtless 
selected  for  the  deed  on  account  of  the  speed  of 
the  team  being  checked  while  crossing. 

"Crime  was  so  rare  a  thing  in  country  places, 
at  that  day,  that  the  affair  created  great  excite- 
ment throughout  the  country.  It  was  difficult, 
at  first,  to  obtain  a  clue  to  the  perpetrator, 
though  the  impression  prevailed  that  the  mis- 
chief had  been  done  by  some  one  living  in  the 
neighborhood.     The  trunk   contained  clothing, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAIMON  COUNTY. 


179 


some  specie,  some  counterl'eit  iiniiiey  (carrieil 
for  detective  purposes),  a  stock  of  tine  cigars  for 
Mr.  Brown's  own  smoking,  tfcc.  It  was  partly 
through  the  cigars  that  the  guilty  one  was  de- 
tected. Jolin  Kennedy,  a  young  man  of  about 
eighteen,  living  with  his  parents  on  the  Harlan 
place,  was  very  liberal  with  a  lot  of  fragrant 
Havanas  at  the  Cumberland  Church,  the  next 
Sunday,  dividing  them  around  among  the  irrev- 
erent boys  who  made  a  practice  of  going  punc- 
tually to  meeting,  and  remaining  out  of  doors, 
to  discuss  horseflesh  during  service.  The  writer 
had  the  pleasure  of  puffing  one  of  them,  and 
the  memory  thereof  is  still  fragrant — as  was  the 
cigar. 

•'The  trunk,  after  being  partly  rifled,  was  con- 
cealed in  a  corn  shock  in  the  field,  just  east  of 
the  bridge.  Several  more  little  things  shortly 
leaked  out,  that,  combined,  directed  suspicion 
to  the  riglit  i|uarter.  One  of  them  was  this: 
The  very  afternoon  of  the  robbery,  Kennedy 
was  at  the  postoffice  in  Auburn,  and  asked  Mr. 
Wadsworth,  the  postmaster,  what  time  the  stage 
came  doivn,  and  being  informed,  rode  off 
towards  the  north. 

"Evidence  being  deemed  suflicient,  a  warrant 
was  issued  and  served  by  Arny  R.  Robinson,  of 
Springfield,  then  an  officer.  Mr.  Brown  and 
another  man  accompanied.  Kennedy  denied  the 
theft  at  first,  but  being  confronted  by  the  testi- 
mony, soon  confessed  the  deed,  produced  the 
money,  and  led  his  captors  to  where  the  trunk 
was  hidden. 

"  Kennedy  was  consigned  to  jail,  and  before 
the  day  fixed  for  the  trial,  contrived,  witli  two 
fellow  prisoners  (one  confined  for  horse-stealing, 
the  other  for  Ijreach  of  trust),  to  escape.  They 
fled  west,  and  on  Spring  creek  two  of  them  stole 
a  horse  apiece,  and  made  their  way  to  St  Louis, 
A  description  of  two  of  the  fugitives  was  adver- 
tised, but  for  some  unaccountable  reason,  a 
description  of  Kennedy  was  omitted.  A  detec- 
tive saw  Kennedy  and  his  companion  in  a  bar- 
ber's shop,  recognized  the  latter  by  the  descrip- 
tion, and  took  him.  Kennedy  lost  no  time  in 
getting  out,  aboard  a  boat,  and  down  the  river. 
He  found  means  to  communicate  with  his 
family,  his  father  soon  followed,  and  in  a  few 
months  afterward,  the  remainder  of  the  family. 
They  settled  at  Natchitoches,  Louisiana. 

"  Kennedy  was  never  captured  for  the  above 
crime." 

BY  S.  C.  HAMPTON. 

"My  father,  Samuel  Hampton,  settled  in  Sanga- 
mon county  in  the  fall  of  1830,  near  Mechanics- 


burg,  and  removed  to  the  village  of  Sj)riiigfield, 
next  year.       We   lived  in  the  lower  rooms  of  a 
two-story  log  house,  and  Sullivan  Conant  occu- 
pied  the  upper  rooms  with  his  family,  having 
cume  from  Massachusetts  in  18-31.     Father  Con- 
ant says  his  wife  thought  she  could  scrub  her 
floor  as  they  did  in  their  native  home,  and  in  the 
attempt   almost   drowned    us   out  of   house   and 
home.     Mother  Conant  used  to  tell  that  one  of 
her  earliest  recollections  of   Springfield  was  a 
little   urchin,  with   a  black,  curly  head,  full  of 
mischievous  pranks.     That  curly  headed  boj'  and 
her  little  black  eyed  daughter,  in  their  manhood 
and  womanhood,  became    man  and   wife,   and 
under  the  blessing  of  a  kind   Providence,  have 
become  father  and  mother  of  a  large  family  of 
children,  and  been  blessed   with  a  liberal   share 
of  worldly  prosperity.     Five  of  our  children  still 
live,  two  are  dead.     Mother  Conant  lived  and 
died    a    christian,    many    years    ago.      Father 
Conant  still  lives,  four  score  and  one  years  of 
age,  a  well  preserved  man,  honored  and  blessed 
by  eight  living  children  and  many  grand-children, 
and  by  all  who  know  him.     One  of  the  earliest 
things  I  recollect  was,  we   lived  in  a  log  cabin 
near  the  old  cemetery.     We  slept  on  one  feather 
bed  and  covered  with  another  in  winter.     When 
we  had  a  drifting  snow-storm,  we  would  have  an 
extra  job  in  the  morning  of  shoveling  the  snow 
out  of  the  house,  but  the  children  enjoyed  better 
health  then  than  many  who  arc  confined  in  air- 
tight houses,  heated  with  air-tight  stoves.     On 
one  occasion,  Mr.  Erastus  Wright  gathered  all 
the  boys  in  town  and  had   them  clean  up   the 
court  house  yard,  and  after  the  job  was  done, 
took  us  down  to  old  Father  Dickey's  and  treated 
us  to  beer  and  cakes,  and  we  all  felt  happy  over 
it.     I  well  remember  the  immense  political  gath- 
ering of  1840,  with  its  log  cabin  on   wheels,  its 
hard  cider  barrels,  its  coonskins  and  live  coons 
grinning  over  the  dead  roosters  cari-ied  in  pro- 
cession.    I  well  remember  the  sad  day  in   1844, 
when,  in  attempting  to  raise  an  ash  pole,  it  fell, 
killing  Mr.   Brodie,  and  maiming   for  life  the 
brother  of  my  wife.     To  show  you  how  we  had 
to  work  and  how  we  were  paid,  I   will  relate  a 
little    of   mj^   experience.      I,    with    a   younger 
brother,  worked  on  a  brickyard  for  old  Mr.  Hay, 
who  long  ago  passed  away  to  his  rest.      It  took 
both  of  us  to  do  the  work  of  one  boy,  and  for 
this  we  got  twenty-five  cents  a  day  and  boarded 
ourselves.     Maiiy  a  day  have   I   worked   with  a 
chill   on,   and   then   lay   down    until   the  fever 
abated,  but  we  had  some  good  com])any.    Judge 
Milton   Hay   and   his  brothers,  J.  Addison  and 
Theodore,  moulded  the  brick,  while  we  ofl-bore 


180 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


them.  Money  was  scarce  then.  We  boys  hardly 
ever  saw  any,  except  once  in  a  while  we  would 
get  twenty-live  cents  to  go  to  a  show.  They 
would  make  us  take  orders  on  the  stores.  I 
recollect  one  show  that  came,  and  I  had  to  have 
a  decent  cap  to  go  with,  for  in  those  days  we  boys 
wore  seal  skins,  not  the  seal  of  to-day,  but  which 
looked  more  like  hog  skin  with  the  hair  cut 
short.  Well,  I  went  up  to  the  store  before 
breakfast  and  picked  out  a  cap  for  one  dollar; 
went  back  for  my  order,  and  when  I  returned 
the  proprietor  asked  one  dollar  and  twenty  cents 
as  soon  as  he  saw  the  order.  I  told  him  he  had 
offered  it  to  me  for  a  dollar.  He  said,  before 
breakfast  it  looked  like  rain,  and  that  they  would 
have  a  dull  day,  but  it  had  cleared  off,  and  they 
could  not  sell  so  cheap.  So  after  that  I  prayed 
for  dull  days  for  that  store." 

HONTIXG    BXPERIENCE    OF    R.    W.    DILLER. 

"In  regard  to  my  hunting  experience,  I  would 
say,  a  very  few  days  after  my  arrival,  November, 
1844,  my  brother-in-law,  Mr.  R.  F.  Ruth,  took 
me  in  his  buggy  just  south  of  where  the  Junc- 
tion coal  shaft  now  is,  to  try  my  hand  in  shoot- 
ing prairie  chickens.  The  birds  were  feeding  in 
a  corii  field,  and  as  it  was  near  sundown,  they 
commenced  their  flight  for  roosting  in  the  prai- 
rie. You  have  heard  of  'buck  ager;'  well,  I 
had  the  'chicken  ager,'  and  for  the  life  of  me  ! 
could  not  get  a  shot,  or  did  not  shoot  at  all.  Mr. 
Ruth  until  to-day  often  amuses  the  friends  by 
describing  my  effort — pointing  here,  then  there, 
mimicing  my  performances.  There  were  thous- 
ands of  them  flying  within  shot,  but  they  were 
bigger  game  than  I  was  used  to,  so  I  was  scared; 
but  I  got  bravely  over  that,  as  my  friends  can 
testify.  He  killed  several  of  them  as  they  lit 
on  the  trees,  while  I  found  a  flock  of  quail,  and 
peppered  them,  as  I  was  used  to  in  the  East. 
He  laughed  at  me  for  wasting  ammunition  on 
such  small  fry,  for  'we  net  them,'  he  said;  and  I 
afterward  found  such  was  the  case,  and  had 
much  sport  in  doing  so,  in  company  with  Robert 
Irwin,  Caleb  Eurchall,  John  C.  Spring,  Bella 
Webster,  S.  13.  Opdyck,  George  L.  Huntington, 
Captain  Diller,  Henry  Coon,  and  others,  and 
many  funny  incidents  could  be  related  happen- 
ing on  our  hunts. 

"The  shotgun  was  little  used  in  those  days; 
the  long-  barreled  Kentucky  rifle  was  the  old 
settler's  trusted  weapon,  with  which  many 
were  very  expert.  Uncle  Andy  Elliott  and 
William  Lockridge,  I  was  told,  could  tumble  a 
deer  at  full  speed  of  a  horse  and  deer,  nearly 
every  time.     I  saw  Uncle  Andy  do  it  once,  the 


ball  entering  the  head  just  below  the  horns.  I 
asked  him  if  he  aimed  for  that.  'Yes,  always,' 
was  his  answer;  still,  I  thought  it  rather  acci- 
dental. The  useful  bird  dog  was  little  used 
then,  Mr.  H.  N.  Ridgely  and  J.  C.  Spring  being 
the  only  possessors,  in  1S44-4.5,  of  one  each. 
Mr.  R.  used  to  tell  very  amusing  stories  of  the 
astonishment  the  farmers  would  express  when 
he  would  drive  up  and  put  his  dog  in  the  field, 
and  See  him  knock  chickens  right  and  left  on 
the  wing,  when  they  had  not  observed  any  birds 
before.  The  farmers  shot  them  only  in  the  win- 
ter, from  trees  and  fences.  The  winter  of  1844- 
45,  I  saw  prairie  chickens  shot  from  the  trees 
where  the  Governor's  house  now  stands.  As 
late  as  1850,  a  friend  of  mine  was  fined  for 
shooting  wild  pigeons  from  trees  where  Dr. 
Vincent's  house  now  stands.  In  1846,  Mr.  John 
Ives  got  a  pointer  dog,  and  in  1847,  I  brought 
from  the  East  my  black  setter,  'Jack,'  with  which 
I  killed  hundreds  of  chickens.  I  seldom  went 
further  than  the  machine  shop  and  Butler's  farm 
to  get  all  we  wanted  for  ourselves  and  neighbors. 
On  one  occasion,  as  I  was  riding  on  horseback, 
with  my  gun  and  dog,  hunting  (where  General 
John  Cook's  house,  on  Soutii  Fourth  street, 
stands),  in  company  with  two  young  farmers, 
'Old  Jack'  found  a  covey  of  chickens.  I  told 
them  if  they  would  hold  the  horse,  1  would  give 
them  a  mess  of  birds  to  take  home.  They 
looked  around  to  see  them.  I  walked  up  to 
where  the  dog  was  standing,  and  as  the  birds 
got  up,  I  killed  eight  or  nine  before  they  all  got 
away.  You  ought  to  have  seen  the  men's  eyes 
buck  out.  I  gave  them  two  apiece.  After 
thanking  me,  one  said:  'By  Jingo,  Tom,  I  mean 
to  have  a  dog  and  scattering  gun  right  away.' 

"The  first  deer  hunt  I  was  on,  was  on  the  4th 
day  of  July,  1840,  when  a  large  party  gathered 
early  in  the  morning  at  Uncle  Andy  Elliott's, 
now  First  street  and  North  Grand  Avenue.  The 
old  house  and  gate  posts  were  decorated  with 
antlers  of  deer,  skins  of  wolves,  foxes,  coon  and 
other  varmint — a  regular  hunter's  home — while 
the  hounds  lay  lazily  around,  waiting  patiently 
for  the  old  hunter  to  mount  his  horse,  and  when 
he  tooted  his  horn  tbey  bounded  and  howled 
like  wild.  The  party  consisted  of  Colonel  James 
Barrett,  R.  F.  Ruth,  Robert  Allen,  Charlie  Cliat- 
terton,  P.  C.  Johnson  old  man  Pe.ak  (the  baker), 
Harrison  Hammond,  Wm.  H.  Herndon,  Wes. 
and  Harrison  Elliott,  and  others  whose  names  I 
have  forgotten.  The  rendezvous  was  near  old 
Sangamon  Town,  where  a  wagon  with  cooking 
utensils  and  Mr.  Elliott  Herndon,  the  orator  of 
the   day,  had  preceded  us.     We  diil   not  carry 


HISTORY  OK  SAN(4AMON  COUNTV. 


181 


meat  in  those  days,  as  we  were  sure  of  getting 
enuugb  t)u  the  hunt.  We  started  through  the 
briisli  due  northwest,  and  the  hazel  come  up  to 
Elliott's  bouse.  We  had  gone  about  one-halt' 
hour  when  one  of  the  dogs  'give  tongue,' and 
then  the  whole  ]jack  burst  forth  in  one  grand 
harmony,  making  the  welkin  ring,  enthusing 
men  and  liorses  alike.  They  put  us  green  ones 
on  stands,  and  I  for  one  wished  most  heartily  the 
deer  would  not  come  by  me,  for  should  I  miss  it 
(and  the  way  I  felt  I  knew  I  would),  Barrett 
and  Elliott  would  have  worn  my  hat  off.  But 
luck  would  have  it,  that  old  fox,  Mr.  Peak — who 
could  beat  any  horse  in  the  timber  and  knew 
every  run-way — got  the  first  crack  at  it,  wound- 
ing and  making  the  deer  take  water  a  few  miles 
west  of  the  '  cut-off,'  and  he  was  soon  our  meat. 
He  was  carried  to  camp  and  dressed,  and  by 
twelve  o'clock  we  were  enjoying  the  feast.  It 
was  a  wonderful  day's  sport  forme — a  greenhorn. 
Wm.  Herndon  used  to  be  called  'Injin  Bill'  aixl 
'  Turkey  Bill,'  for  the  reason,  if  he  ever  got 
after  a  deer  or  turkey  he  was  always  sure  to  cap- 
ture it,  if  it  took  him  two  days.  He  was  so 
called  in  order  to  distinguish  him  from  another 
Wm.  Herndon,  a  brick  mason.  Deer  and  turkey 
were  quite  plenty  in  any  of  the  timber  within 
three  miles  of  town,  and  with  hounds,  hunters 
could  have  a  chase  any  day.  But  the  big  hunts 
of  two  weeks — when  they  would  kill  twenty  to 
fifty  deer — were  made  on  Flat  Branch,  Bear 
Creek  and  away  out  on  the  Okaw,  in  which  Mr. 
O.  Lewis,  Joshua  Amos,  X.  Divelbiss  and  others, 
were  prominent  actors. 

"I  will  relate  one  more  little  incident  and 
quit,  for  when  you  get  an  old  hunter  started,  he 
will  think -of  enough  to  till  a  whole  volume,  if 
you  would  let  him — interesting  enough  to  him, 
but  may  be  to  no  one  else.  In  the  winter  of 
1849,  Messrs.  Peak  and  Herndon  proposed  a 
hunt  on  Sugar  creek,  starting  in  at  what  is  now 
the  Model  Farm.  Harry  Myers,  I.  G.  Ives,  Cap- 
tain I.  R.  Diller,  and  myself  were  to  meet  them 
at  Newcomer's  Mill.  We  started  early  on  foot, 
and  when  we  got  to  the  bridge  heard  the  dogs 
running  through  Scattering  Point,  but  the  deer- 
dogs  and  men  crossed  far  above,  and  the  dogs 
took  the  deer  up  to  Hickory  Grove,  in  Christian 
county.  Our  party  ate  our  lunch,  drank  up  our 
'snake  bite  cure,'  shot  the  bottles  to  pieces,  and 
started  home  on  the  east  side  of  the  creek, 
hoping  to  find  a  flock  of  turkeys.  As  we  scat- 
tered through  the  brush,  it  was  not  very  long 
when  I  heard  my  brother — who  had  never  seen 
a  wild  deer  before — hallooing  for  dear  life.  He 
had  started  two  deer  with  immense  horns.     We 

21— 


all  run  for  a  clearing  to  get  a  shot.  I  happened 
to  strike  a  clear  place,  and  saw  the  two  deer 
bounding  along  about  forty  yards  from  me.  I 
had  a  small  double-barreled  shotgun.  I  let  go 
on  the  leader,  and  dropped  him  in  his  track, 
then  let  the  other  have  it,  and  down  he  came. 
My!  but  mj^  heart  burned  with  pride  as  I  run 
and  cut  their  throats.  I  thought  my  brother 
would  go  wild.  He  said  they  looked  as  big  as 
elephants,  and  was  so  frightened  he  forgot  he 
had  a  gun.  Two  of  us  packed  them  on  poles 
about  two  miles  to  Mother  Siiort's,  where  we  got 
a  team  to  bring  us  to  town.  W^hen  the  old  lady 
saw  the  little  gun,  and  was  informed  it  done  the 
work,  she  said:  'Young  man,  somebody  will 
have  to  set  up  with  you  to-night,  sure! '  So  they 
did;  those  two  deer  cost  me  a  heap  that  night,  I 
tell  you." 

BY  JAMES  J.  MEGREDY. 

"  My  father,  Enoch  Megredy,  with  his  family, 
left  Port  Deposit,  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  April 
1.5tli,  isy?,  and  after  a  very  interesting  trip  by 
land,  water  and  mud,  landed  in  Cass  county, 
Illinois,  near  Virginia,  at  the  home  of  his 
cousin,  Archibald  Job,  June  16th,  1837.  In  the 
spring  of  this  year  the  building  of  the  old  State 
House  was  commenced.  The  continuous  rainy 
weather,  and  the  imperfect  arrangements  for 
quarrying  the  stone  had  brought  the  work  to  a 
close  for  the  time  being.  Mr.  Job  was  one  of 
the  State  House  Commissioners,  and  my  father 
having  been  engaged  in  quarrying  granite  at 
Port  Deposit,  was  placed  at  once  in  charge  of 
the  State  House  quarries,  near  Crow's  Mill,  and 
moved  his  family,  consisting  of  twelve  persons, 
to  a  cabin  on  the  land  now  owned  and  occupied 
by  Mr,  Hexter,  six  miles  south  of  Springfield. 
The  cabin  was  about  fourteen  feet  square,  witli 
a  clapboard  addition  eight  by  twelve.  Cranes 
were  erected  for  raising  the  rock  from  the 
quarry  and  loading  the  wagons.  Of  this  year's 
work  the  basement  of  the  old  State  House  was 
built.  He  then  purchased  the  Z.  Peter's  farm, 
on  the  south  side  of  Lick  Creek,  six  miles  south 
of  Springfield,  February  2,  1838,  and  where  part 
of  the  family  still  reside.  My  father  was  a  lo- 
cal preacher  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  his  license 
dating  from  1828;  he  was  ordained  a  deacon  in 
183.5,  by  Bishop  Emory,  at  Philadelphia,  and 
ordained  an  elder  in  1840,  l)y  Bishop  Waugh,  at 
Springfield,  Illinois;  he  died  in  the  fifty-seventh 
year  of  his  age.  In  1839,  Old  Harmony  Church 
(near  the  present  Woodside)  was  built  of  tim- 
ber, hewed,  framed  and  weather-boarded  with 
nicely  shaved  clapboards;  it  had  seven  windows. 


182 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  eight  by  lea  glass,  twelve  panes  of  glass  in 
each  window;  the  pulpit  was  made  of  walnut, 
substantial  and  plain.  This  appointment  was 
styled  by  Rev.  James  Leaton,  the  Athens  of  the 
circuit.  *  *  *  In  those  days,  to  minister  to 
the  wants  or  comfort  of  new-comers  was  a  pecu- 
liar trait  in  western  character.  On  the  tirst  day 
after  moving  into  the  cabin,  an  old  gentleman, 
a  genuine  type  of  the  pioneer  class,  called,  say- 
ing that  he  heard  that  we  had  just  come  in  and 
were  strangers,  and  he  bad  come  over  to  see  if 
we  did  not  want  a  cow  for  the  summer,  as  he 
had  more  than  he  needed,  and  if  we  would  send 
over  we  should  be  welcome  to  one.  We  thanked 
the  old  gentleman  and  accepted  the  cow.  He 
said  she  was  the  best  cow  he  had,  and  'Chance' 
proved  ecpial  to  any  cow  we  have  had  since.  It 
was  a  fixed  fact,  that  when  one  or  more  of  the 
community  would  be  sick  with  chills  or  jaun- 
dice, or  something  else,  his  neighbors  would 
meet  and  take  care  of  his  harvest,  or  get  up 
wood,  or  repair  his  cabin,  or  plant  his  corn,  or 
whatever  was  necessary  to  be  done  for  the  com- 
fort of  his  family  or  himself.  In  this,  those 
grand  old  men  who  are  now  with  us,  and  those 
who  have  passed  away,  were  prompted  by  the 
noble,  self-sacriticing  women,  who  endured 
without  mourning  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life, 
and  encouraged  those  toil-worn  men  with  the 
prospect  of  a  happy  future  for  their  children. 
When  we  take  an  imaginary  inside  view  of  one 
of  the  cabins  and  its  fixtures,  and  remember 
that  it  was  sleeping  room,  dining  room,  parlor 
and  kitchen,  and  the  cooking  utensils  a  Dutch 
oven  and  a  skillet;  the  never-failing  pile  of  bed 
quilts  on  a  chair  in  one  corner;  the  loom  in  one 
end  of  the  porch,  with  a  piece  of  blue  jeans 
partly  woven;  the  lots  of  dresses  hanging  up 
against  the  wall;  the  snow  white  pillows  on  the 
bed,  and  the  floor  so  white;  such  an  air  of  com- 
fort and  satisfaction,  in  spite  of  all  the  inconve- 
nience, we  wonder,  mixed  with  much  fear,  if  any 
of  their  fair  daughters  could  duplicate  the  cabin 
comfort.  There  was  some  courting  then  among 
the  young  folks,  but  Ijeing  of  a  very  modest  and 
retiring  disposition  ourself,  we  were  ever  kept 
at  a  distance  by  the  favored  ones.  We  think 
the  facilities  for  courting  were  circumscribed — • 
top  buggies  and  long  hedged-in-lanes  and  senti- 
mental, sombre  evenings  for  airings  and  health 
exercise,  were  unknown.  Girls  rode  to  church 
or  town  in  the  big  wagon  with  their  parents 
generally,  but  those  that  could  afford  a  fine  sad- 
dle and  tine  blood  horse,  were  as  proud  of  the 
display  as  those  of  the  present  day  are  of  a 
gold  watch,  half  hidden   in   the  net  work  of  a 


side  pocket.  The  only  good  place  for  courting 
was  the  singing  school,  with  a  Missouri  Har- 
mony under  your  arm  as  a  passport,  you  could 
ride  up  to  the  fence  and  tie  your  horse  and  call 
at  the  door  with  some  assurance  and  ask  the 
young  lady  to  accompany  you,  which  was  gen- 
erally followed  by  the  question:  '  Will  your 
horse  carry  double'?'  Which  was  answered  in 
the  affirmative,  of  course,  which  we  are  sure 
was  not  always  strictly  true.  Unless  the  young 
lady  would  hold  on  mightily,  which  they  always 
did,  you  never  heard  of  one  being  thrown  off, 
and  would  get  to  the  log  school  house  safe 
enough,  and  back  again  all  right,  if  some  fellow 
didn't  cut  you  out  and  the  girl  give  you  the 
sack.  This  made  a  fearful  experience,  and  some- 
times a  fight,  but  notwithstanding  the  absence 
of  a  private  room,  top  buggy  and  long,  quiet, 
sombre  lanes  and  all  modern  appliances,  there 
was  scarcely  a  bachelor  to  be  found  in  the  coun- 
try—  ^Villiam  Vigal,  Esq.,  was  the  only  excep- 
tion we  think  of  just  now.  The  boys  and  girls 
got  married,  and  remained  married.  We  had 
no  divorces,  and  considered  it  far  better  to  fight 
it  out  on  the  old  plan  than  be  disgraced  by  a 
divorce,  and  we  recommend  the  old  plan  to  our 
friends  who  enjoy  the  benefits  of  refinement 
and  social  culture,  and  the  teaching  of  the  po- 
lite literature  of  the  present  day." 

BY    R.    n.    BEACH. 

"When  I  landed  in  Springfield,  in  the  fall  of 
1835,  the  centre  of  our  present  square  was  graced 
with  a  commodious  brick  court  house  of  very 
fair  dimensions.  The  court  houses  were  almost 
invariably  put  in  the  center  of  the  public 
squares,  and  every  town  that  was  theii  laid  out 
would  not  be  considered  complete  if  it  had  not 
a  i)ublic  square.  This  grew  out  of  what  then 
was  supposed  to  be  a  fact — that  every  town  in 
the  State,  great  or  small,  was  supposed  to  be  a 
candidate  in  the  near  future  for  the  county  seat. 
After  Springfield  had  acquired  the  distinction 
sought,  viz,  the  county  seat,  it  aspired  still 
higher,  and  put  out  its  feelers  for  the  State 
Caj)itol,  which  we  all  know  she  succeeded  in 
getting.  The  lower  story  of  our  court  house 
was  devoted  to  the  dispensation  of  justice, 
while  the  upper  one  was  let  out  for  offices.  Our 
present  State  Journal  was  at  that  time  printed 
there.  The  Bar  was  not  as  numerous  then  as  it 
is  at  present,  but  what  it  lacked  in  number,  it 
made  up  in  qualitv.  Among  the  shining  lights 
of  that  day  were  such  men  as  Lincoln,  Baker, 
Douglas,  Forquer,  and  others,  and  last,  but  not 
least,  Logan.     I  had  been   in   Sangamon  county 


HISTOIIY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


18:i 


but  a  short  time,  when  a  brother-in-law  from  the 
city  of  New  York  came  to  visit  me.  The  Rev. 
J.  G.  Bergen,  whom  we  all  know  as  a  genial, 
pleasant  gentleman,  was  showing  us  round 
the  then  small  village,  'doing  up  the  sights.' 
Among  other  places,  we  sauntered  into  the  court 
house.  The  court  was  in  session,  and  a  ease  was 
then  in  ])rogre8S.  Judge  Logan  was  on  the 
bench,  and  Mr.  Douglas  (the  'Little  Giant,'  as 
he  was  afterwards  called)  on  the  floor.  To  us, 
just  from  the  city  of  New  York,  with  the  sleek 
lawyers  and  the  prim  and  dignified  judges,  and 
audiences  to  correspond,  there  was  a  contrast  so 
great,  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  repress  a 
burst  of  laughter.  Upon  the  bench  was  seated 
the  judge,  with  his  chair  tilted  back  and  his  heel 
as  high  as  his  head, and  in  his  mouth  a  veritable 
corn  cob  pipe;  his  hair  standing  nine  ways  for 
Sunday,  while  his  clothing  was  more  like  that 
worn  by  a  woodchopjier  than  anybody  else. 
There  was  a  railing  that  divided  the  audience; 
outside  of  which  smoking  and  spitting  and 
chewing  of  tobacco  seemed  to  be  the  princijial 
employment.  I  remarked  to  Mr.  Bergen,  who 
sat  beside  me:  'That  is  a  strange  scene,  and 
not  like  the  courts  we  have  been  in  the  habit  of 
seeing,  and,  as  for  the  judge,  he  did  not  seem  to 
have  much  knowledge  or  be  of  much  force.' 
'Ah,  my  dear  sir,'  replied  Mr.  Bergen,  with  that 
peculiar  smile  and  comical  cast  of  countenance 
that  all  who  knew  him,  will  instantly  recollect, 
'He  is  a  singed  cat,'  and  we  passed  out  into  the 
open  air.  'A  singed  cat,' said  I  to  myself,  'I 
wonder  what  that  can  mean.'  The  expression, 
coupled  with  the  comical  look  Mr.  Bergen  gave 
as  he  said  it,  led  me  to  think  that  there  was  more 
in  it  than  met  the  ears.  After  walking  a  few 
steps,  I  said:  'Mr.  Bergen,  what  did  you  mean 
by  saying  that  that  judge  on  the  bench,  with 
that  old  overcoat  not  fit  hardly  for  anyone  to 
wear,  was  "a  singed  cat?"'  His  reply,  with 
another  of  those  comical  looks,  his  brow  drawn 
down,  and  his  chin  nearly  on  his  breast,  was: 
'I  mean  he  is  better  than  he  looks.'  In  a  short 
time  I  became  fully  convinced  that  it  was  not 
clothes  that  makes  the  man,  but  brains.  Judge 
Logan,  for  many  years  in  the  Springfield  Bar, 
was  a  giant  among  giants  in  the  legal  profes- 
sion." 

BY    JOHN    S.    CONDELL,    SR. 

"In  the  summer  of  18.3-3,  being  then  fifteen 
years  old,  I  left  the  paternal  home,  in  Philadul- 
phia,  and  in  company  with  my  oldest  brother 
( Tliomas  Condell),  started  for  Illinois,  which 
was  then  called  '  The  Far  West.'     As  it  was  be- 


fore the  days  of  railroads,  we  traveled  all  the 
way  over  the  mountains  to  Pittsburg,  and  thence 
to  Cincinnati,  in  the  old  fashioned  stage  coaches. 
The  cholera  was  then  prevailing  all  through  the 
West.  When  passing  through  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  other  towns  we  saw  yellow  flags  suspended 
from  dwellings,  denoting  the  presence  of  that 
dreadful  scourge. 

"  At  Cincinnati  we  embarked  on  a  steamboat 
for  St.  Louis.  Below  Louisville  there  were  but 
few  towns  or  improvements  on  the  river.  I 
can  never  forget,  neither  can  I  describe,  how 
strangely  I  was  impressed  by  the  wildness  and 
grandeur  of  the  scenery  on  the  river,  before  it 
had  been  molested  bj'  the  touch  of  man.  The 
primeval  forests  crowded  and  covered  the 
banks,  and  the  surface  of  the  stream  was 
the  home  of  wild  fowl  of  every  description. 
A  peculiar  stillness  brooded  over  the  scene, 
broken  only  by  the  splashing  of  the  steamer's 
wheel  and  the  jolly  song  of  the  firemen.  Seldom 
w  as  there  any  occasion  for  our  boat  to  stop,  ex- 
cept to  'wood  up.'  Then  we  would  take  a  ram- 
ble through  the  wild  woods,  gathering  nuts, 
grapes,  plums,  paw-paws  and  flowers. 

"After  reaching  St.  Louis,  we  again  took  stage 
to  Carrollton,  Greene  county,  where  we  began 
our  mercantile  career  in  Illinois.  There  I 
became  acquainted  with  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker, 
(who  was  killed  at  Ball's  Bluff,  during  the  late 
war).  He  was  then  a  resident  of  that  place. 
There  I  heard  some  of  his  first  efforts  in  elo- 
quence, both  at  the  bar  and  in  the  Christian 
church,  of  which  I  believe  he  was  then  a  mem- 
ber, lie  also  manifested  a  military  spirit  at  that 
early  day,  being  captain  of  a  company  of  militia, 
which  he  was  fond  of  training  and  parading. 
His  brother.  Dr.  Alfred  C.  Baker,  also  residing 
there,  was  a  man  having  as  high  sense  of 
honor  and  as  much  of  the  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness in  his  nature  as  any  man  I  ever  met.  There 
I  first  saw  Stephen  A  Douglas,  when  he  was 
quite  a  young  man,  as  he  traveled  around  the 
circuit  practicing  law.  His  dress  and  habits 
corresponding  to  the  surroundings  of  the  pioneer 
times.  I  often  saw  him  sitting  upon  the  ground 
in  the  court  house  square  eating  watermelons 
with  the  'boys'  and  entertaining  them  with  hi.s 
versatile  conversation.  There  I  first  saw  and 
found  an  early  friend  in  Dr.  .John  Hardtner  and 
his  family,  who  have  since  become  residents  of 
this  cit}'.  There  I  first  met  my  present  partner 
in  business,  Mr.  C.  M.  Smith;  at  that  early  day 
we  'were  boys  together,'  and  little  did,  or  could 
we  then  anticipate,  that  after  the  lapse  of  almost 
half  a  century  we  would  be  associated  together 


1S4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


in  business  in   this  city,  under  the  firm  name  of 
C.  M.  Smitli  &  Co. 

"In  the  fall  of  1840,  my  brother  Thomas  and 
myself  left  CarroUton  in  a  buggy,  with  a  view 
of  looking  for  a  better  location  for  business. 
We  started  north,  visiting  Jacksonville,  Spring- 
field, Decatur  and  Bloomington.  Finally,  we 
decided  to  make  Springfield  our  permanent 
home,  and  try  to  do  business  on  the  cash  princi- 
ple, under  the  firm  name  of  Condell,  Jones  & 
Co.  We  moved  to  Springfield  in  August,  1841. 
We  had  difficulty  in  finding  a  house  to  do  busi- 
ness in,  but  finally  rented  one  of  the  stores  in 
'Hoffman's  row,'  North  Fifth  street,  and  soon 
after  we  purchased  of  Mr.  Blankinship  the  build- 
ing still  standing  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
north  side  of  the  square,  and  continued  doing 
business  in  it  twenty-one  years.  It  was  the  first 
brick  building  on  the  north  side;  all  the  rest 
were  mostly  one-story  frame  structures,  and 
known  in  those  days  as  'Chicken  row.'  It  then 
required  six  or  more  weeks  to  get  goods  trans- 
ported from  the  East.  They  had  to  be  wagoned 
over  the  mountains  to  Pittsburg;  thence  by 
steamboats  to  St.  Louis  and  Beardstown,  and 
from  thence  to  this  city  by  transient  teams.  As 
but  little  manufacturing  was  then  in  existence 
in  the  United  States,  we  were  dependent  upon 
foreign  markets  for  most  of  our  goods;  hence, 
nearly  all  the  dry  goods  we  first  sold  here  were 
of  English  manufacture.  Muslins  and  calicoes, 
which  we  are  now  selling  at  six  and  eight  cents 
per  yard,  were  then  sold  at  25  to  31^  cents  per 
yard.  Most  of  the  woolen  goods  then  used  here 
were  spun  and  woven  by  the  women  of  Sanga- 
mon and  adjoining  counties.  Jeans,  flannels, 
linseys,  socks,  mittens,  rag  carpets,  tow  linen, 
men's  straw  hats,  etc.,  were  brought  to  the  stores 
in  abundance,  and  exchanged  for  groceries  and 
other  goods. 

"Peter  Cartwright,  the  old  pioneer  preacher, 
who  was  a  life-long  customer  of  ours,  never 
wanted  anything  out  of  a  store  but  a  black  silk 
cravat  and  a  bandana  silk  pocket  handkerchief; 
all  the  rest  of  his  wardrobe  was  the  product  of 
the  labor  and  skill  of  the  pioneer  women  of  San- 
gamon county. 

"The  ladies'  bonnets  first  brought  out  were 
somewhat  similar  in  size  and  shape  to  an  invert- 
ed coal  scuttle,  and  were  sold  at  eix  to  ten  dol- 
lars each.  Parasols  were  a  novelty,  and  not 
much  needed  in  the  days  of  large  sun-bonnets. 
However,  to  suit  the  times,  the  parasols  we  first 
brought  out  were  mostly  of  cotton  material,  on 
rattan  and  whalebone  frames.  We  sold  them  to 
the  mothers  of  some  who  are  now  the  wealthy 


and  fashionable  of  Sangamon  county,  and  at  that 
time  they  seemed  to  think  they  could  hardly 
afford  the  luxury  of  a  cotton  parasol.  In  those 
days  money  was  indeed  scarce;  what  little  there 
was,  mostly  found  its  way  to  the  land  office,  to 
pay  for  more  land.  Business  was  mostly  done 
on  a  credit  of  twelve  months;  settlements  made 
once  a  year,  either  at  Christmas  or  'hog  killing 
time  ' 

"Soon  after  commencing  business  in  Spring- 
field, we  established  a  branch  store  in  Decatur, 
managed  by  a  younger  brother  (Wm.  J.  Con- 
dell), who  is  still  living  there.  As  there  was 
very  little  money  in  cireulaticn,  and  no  outlet, 
whatever,  for  produce,  as  a  matter  of  necessity 
as  well  as  to  accommodate  the  farmers  of  Macon 
county,  we  exchanged  goods  with  tliem  for  their 
fall  wheat,  at  twenty-five  cents  per  bushel,  had 
it  wagoned  to  Springfield  at  five  cents  perlnishel, 
and  sold  it  to  J.  L.  Lamb  at  thirty  cents  per 
bushel,  and  were  glad  in  that  way  to  get  out  even 
on  our  speculation  in  wheat.  Mr.  Lamb  was  then 
proprietor  of  the  old  City  Mill,  on  South  Seventh 
street,  on  the  Town  Branch  as  it  then  was,  but 
both  the  mill  and  branch  have  long  since  disap- 
peared. In  connection  with  this  I  would  ask  the 
farmers  in  this  and  other  sections  of  the  State  to 
make  a  note  of  this  wheat  transaction,  occurring 
in  tlie  centre  of  the  most  fertile  portion  of  Illi- 
nois, and  learn  therefrom  how  much  they  are  in- 
debted to  railroads  for  present  prices  of  produce 
and  the  general  prosjjerity.  While  I  do  not  own 
a  dollar  of  railroad  stock  or  hold  a  pass  over  any 
road,  I  am  free  to  say  that  we  owe  an  immense 
debt  of  gratitude  to  the  men  who  projected  and 
built  our  railroads,  as  well  as  the  larger  class  who 
are  engaged  day  and  night  operating  them.  Let 
us  remember  that  as  they  have  been  in  the  past, 
they  will  ever  remain,  our  greatest  benefactors. 

"  Wliile  waiting  for  first  stock  of  goods  to  ar- 
rive, I  went  to  the  first  camp-meeting  I  ever  at- 
tended, then  being  held  on  the  'Old  Salem  camp 
ground,'  six  miles  west  of  this  city.  The  first 
day  I  went  there  I  found  I  was  a  stranger  among 
strangers,  and  as  niglit  came  on,  having  made  no 
ac<juaintance,  and  being  somewhat  timid  and 
backward,  I  got  no  supper  and  had  no  place  to 
sleep.  After  the  night  services  closed,  I  thought 
I  would  make  my  bed  on  the  straw  about  the 
preaching  stand  ;  but  while  sauntering  around  I 
found  an  old  empty  log  school  house,  which 
formed  a  part  of  the  inclosure,  and  into  it  I  went 
to  pass  the  night  alone.  On  one  of  the  puncheon 
benches  I  found  a  soft  hat,  and  lying  down  upon 
the  bench  I  placed  the  hat  under  my  head  for  a 
pillow  and  went  to  sleep   with   the   intention  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


185 


rising  before  any  one  else  would  be  stirring 
around,  and  see  wlicre  I  ha<l  made  my  resting 
place;  but  being  tired,  I  slept  so  soundly,  that 
when  I  awoke  the  sun  was  two  hours  high,  and 
I  discovered  a  boy  sitting  upon  the  doorstep 
patiently  waiting  for  his  hat,  which  was  under 
my  head. 

"Tnatdayl  formed  my  first  acquaintance  with 
some  of  the  early  settlers  of  Sangamon  county — 
the  Megredys,  Shepherds,  Swingleys,  Lyons, 
Hiekmans,  Tomlins,  Lightfoots  and  others  in 
the  country  ;  and  from  the  city.  Dr.  McNeil,  Rev. 
W.  T.  Bennett,  Geo.  R.  Weber,  Enos  M.  Henkle, 
Edmund  Roberts,  Noah  and  Charles  W.  Ma- 
theny,  Arny  Robinson,  Wra.  Dickey,  Thomas 
Lee,  Sr.,  and  Jas.  V.  Reed,  among  whom  I  was 
cordially  received  and  entertained.  ■ 

"There  was  a  young  lady  from  Williamsport, 
State  of  Maryland,  at  that  meeting,  with  the 
family  of  Judge  Swingley,  to  whom  three  years 
after  I  was  married,  although  at  that  time  I  had 
not  the  remotest  idea  of  what  the  future  had  in 
store  for  me.  I  had  no  thought  of  matrimony 
then,  and  was  only  interested  in  the  progress  of 
the  meeting.  In  those  days  there  was  more 
weeping  and  rejoicing  at  camp  meeting  than  we 
see  now.  I  wept  with  those  who  wept,  and  re- 
joiced with  those  who  rejoiced,  and  wished  the 
meeting  would  last  all  summer. 

"The  Spring  and  summer  of  1844  will  be  re- 
membered by  many,  as  one  of  the  most  gloomy 
and  disastrous  seasons  that  Sangamon  county 
ever  passed  through.  It  rained  almost  incess- 
antly all  through  the  spring,  until  some  time  in 
June.  The  whole  country  was  flooded  with 
water.  What  little  corn  had  been  planted  was 
mostly  drowned  out,  and  vegetation  wore  a 
sickly  hue.  It  was  a  year  of  short  crops,  long 
faces  and  general  depression.  Dullness  pre- 
vailed, and  business  men  had  more  leisure  than 
they  knew  what  to  do  with.  However,  I  turned 
it  to  good  account,  improving  the  leisure  and 
enlivening  the  dullness  by  a  courtship,  resulting 
in  securing  a  partner  for  life. 

"In  the  face  of  all  the  discouraging  prospects, 
all  the  shaking  of  heads  and  forebodings  of 
evil,  I  was  married  on  the  27th  day  of  June, 
1S44,  to  Miss  Bell  Rice,  at  the  residence  of  her 
brother-in-law.  Judge  Samuel  K.  Swingley,  six 
miles  south  of  Springfield.  In  going  to  and  re- 
turning from  the  wedding,  we  found  all  the 
prairie  from  town  to  Lick  creek  timber,  covered 
•vith  a  sheet  of  water,  and  much  of  the  way  it 
was  hub  deep.  That  event  proved  to  be  the 
wisest  proceeding  of  my  life,  and  I  close  these 


recollections  of  the  past  by  advising  young  men 
to  go  and  do  likewise." 

.JOHN    H.    HARRISON,    SON    OF    REUBEN    HARRISON, 
SALISBURY. 

"  I  was  born  in  the  county  of  Rockingham, 
State  of  Virginia,  April  C,  181.5.  My  father 
moved  to  Kentucky  in  1818,  living  there  four 
years,  and  then  moved  to  Sangamon  county  Illi- 
nois, settling  on  the  farm  on  which  I  have  ever 
since  lived,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1822. 
Everybody  was  poor,  as  is  the  case  in  every  new 
country,  but  we  enjoyed  life  as  much  then  as 
now.  We  had  time  to  visit  our  friends,  work 
our  little  farms,  hunt  game,  which  was  plenty, 
and  to  go  to  meeting  on  a  week  day.  We  did 
not  use  buggies  and  carriages  then.  All  travel- 
ing was  done  on  horseback.  It  was  not  uncom- 
mon for  a  man  and  his  wife  and  three  children 
to  get  on  one  horse  and  ride  three  or  four  miles 
to  visit  a  neighbor.  The  first  school  I  attended 
was  taught  in  a  house  built  of  round  logs  and 
without  any  windows.  All  the  light  we  had 
came  down  the  chimney.  The  next  spring  they 
cut  out  a  log  for  a  window  and  made  a  writing 
pesk  of  a  slit  slab,  which  they  placed  under  it. 
The  first  lot  of  hogs  we  raised,  father  sold  in 
Beardstown,  for  Si. 25  per  hundred.  But  several 
hogs  paid  for  four  acres  each  of  land,  on  which 
I  now  live.  About  the  10th  of  March,  1826, 
father  and  W.  B.  Renshaw  started  from  the 
mouth  of  Richland  creek,  for  New  Orleans, 
with  the  second  fiat  boat  load  of  corn  ever 
floated  down  the  Sangamon — Abraham  Sinnards 
took  the  first  one.  There  are  few  of  the  priva- 
tions now  felt  in  settling  a  new  country,  which 
we  felt  in  settling  this.  I  can  remember  when 
we  had  to  raise  and  prepare  everything  we  had 
to  eat,  make  everything  we  had  to  wear; 
and  every  kind  of  vessel  we  had  to  use.  The 
first  saw  mill  was  built  on  Richland  creek, 
below  the  mouth  of  Prairie  creek,  by  Reuben 
Fielding  and  Robert  Harrison,  in  1825.  Wil- 
liam and  T.  Kirkpatrick  built  a  horse  mill  in 
1822,  half  a  mile  southeast  of  Salisbury.  That 
was  the  only  place  we  could  get  flour  and  meal. 
It  took  two-thirds  of  a  bushel  of  wheat  or  five 
or  six  bushels  of  corn  to  pay  the  postage  on  a 
letter." 

BY  W.  T.  BENNETT. 

"I  was  born  near  Shepherdstown,  Jelferson 
county,  Virginia,  on  the  30th  of  November, 
1805.  In  1834  emigrated  to  the  west,  and,  in 
company  with  my  brother.  Van  S.  Bennett, 
reached  Springfield  on  the   Oih   day  of  Decern 


186 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ber,  and  registered  at  Captain  Whorton  Rans- 
dell's  Hotel,  an  old  gentleman  full  of  life  and 
gay  spirits,  and,  as  I  thought,  the  most  attentive 
and  accommodating  landlord  I  had  met  in  my 
travels. 

I  was  not  favorably  impressed  with  the 
appearance  of  Springfield  at  that  time,  and  did 
not  think  of  remaining  there  very  long,  but  I 
was  induced  to  commence  business,  and  re- 
ceived a  reasonable  share  of  patronage  from  the 
citizens.  As  I  became  acquainted  with  the 
people,  I  found  them  sociable  and  kind.  Every- 
body seemed  to  be  in  good  spirits  and  prosper- 
ing. I  became  attached  to  the  people  and  the 
place,  and  made  it  my  home  till  the  year  1850, 
when    I   entered    the    itinerant  ministry. 

The  first  Sabbath  I  spent  in  Springfield  I  attend- 
ed the  Methodist  church,  and  was  most  agreeably 
disappointed  in  the  appearance  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  in  the  eloquent  sermon  by  Rev  Joseph 
Edmonson,  of  precious  memory.  There  was  a 
flourishing  Sabbath  school,  under  the  superin- 
tendence, of  a  very  good  brother,  and  if  I  am 
not  mistaken,  James  H  ,  now  Judge  Matheny, 
when  but  a  boy,  was  reported  as  having  com- 
mitted to  memor3-  the  largest  number  of  verses 
in  the  New  Testament  of  any  of  the  scholars 
belonging  to  the  school.  The  memory  of  the 
warm  friends  with  whom  I  first  formed  an  ac- 
quaintance, I  still  cherish  with  feelings  of  pleas- 
ure and  sadness  —  Dr.  J.  M.  Early,  Charles  H. 
Matheny,  Esq.,  Nicholas  Garland,  Edward  Phil- 
lips, Edmond  Roberts,  Asbury  and  Cyrus  San- 
ders and  others.  These  have  all  passed  into  the 
silent  city  of  the  dead.  I  am  still  here,  in  the 
seventy-seventh  year  of  my  age,  and  since  the 
death  of  my  cousin,  William  A.  Bennett,  whom 
I  loved  as  a  brother,  I  begin  to  feel  lonely. 

In  1835,1  was  introduced  by  Rev.  Mr.  Edmond- 
son  to  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Roberts,  who  was  then  vis- 
iting Springfield,  whom  I  afterwards  courted  and 
married,  'i'he  most  of  our  courtship,  however, 
took  place  on  paper,  for  soon  after  our  acquaint- 
ance I  learned  of  the  death  of  my  brother-in- 
law,  George  W.  Shutt,  in  Shepardstown,  and  re- 
turned to  see  my  widowed  sister.  I  returned  to 
Springfield  in  the  spring  of  1836,  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Roberts  the  following  June,  in  the 
town  of  Ottawa,  Illinois.  The  fruit  of  our  mar- 
riage has  been  two  sons  and  five  daughters.  We 
have  buried  one  son  and  three  daughters.  The 
remaining  two  daughters  and  son  reside  in 
and  near  Mechanicsburg.  My  wife  and  self, 
and  youngest  daughter,  a  widow,  live  to- 
gether." 


BY    GEOKGE    P.    WEISEB. 

"  I  am  not  an  early  settler,  according  to  the 
ruling  of  the  association  of  that  name  in  the 
county,  as  my  days  on  the  earth  are  not  of  suf- 
ficient number  to  entitle  me  to  that  hoiuir. 
However,  am  a  descendant  of  one.  Was  born 
on  what  is  now  South  Sixth  street,  Springfield, 
111.,  about  two  score  years  ago.  And,  while  we 
know  nothing  of  our  ancestry  of  which  we  feel 
ashamed,  modesty  forbids  the  mention  of  what 
we  do  know.  Suffice  it  to  say  that,  whatever 
claims  we  may  have  to  the  succession  of  Euro- 
pean or  other  thrones,  or  rights  to  great  wealthy 
estates,  by  rules  of  descent,  are  dismissed. 
Have  lived  here  long  enough  to  witness  many 
important  changes.  Remember  when  I  knew 
the  face  and  name  of  every  man,  woman,  boy 
and  girl  in  Springfield;  also  most  of  the  '  country 
Jakes'  who  did  their  trading  there.  The  free 
school  system  has  grown  up  in  my  time,  and  if 
there  is  a  man  or  woman  in  the  county,  thirty 
years  of  age,  or  under,  who  cannot  read  and 
write,  some  one  is  greatly  at  fault,  and  should 
be  held  criminally  responsible,  except  in  case  of 
idiocy  or  j)hysical  disability.  Even  mutes  are 
not  excusable.  My  first  school  teacher  was  old 
Mr.  Parks,  but  do  not  remember  him  so  dis- 
tinctly as  good  Mrs.  Dean,  who,  shame  to  say  it, 
I  kicked  on  the  nose  with  the  first  boot  heel  I 
ever  wore,  while  she  was  plying  her  slijper 
where,  no  doubt,  it  was  needed.  Recollect  quite 
well  when  the  first  railroad  locomotive  came 
into  Springfield.  *  *  *  I  was  a  little  fellow, 
but  do  not  forget  when  the  troops  left  for  the 
Mexican  war,  nor  when  Tom  Hessey,  an  ac- 
quaintance of  my  folks,  returned,  having  been 
wounded  by  a  grape  shot,  which  he  brought 
home  with  him.  I  thought  Tom  was  a  hero 
and  a  martyr.  Wondered  if  we  should  ever 
have  another  war  that  would  afford  me  an 
opportunity  to  wear  the  dazzling  blue  with 
brass  buttons.  True,  that  grape  shot  and  Tom 
Hessey's  game  leg  would  come  up  sometimes, 
and  dampen  my  ardor.  It  came.  I  was  there. 
Saw  enough.  Came  home  without  glory,  be- 
cause I  had  the  good  fortune  to  bring  my  body 
intact.  The  public  demand  an  arm,  a  leg,  a 
hand;  or  there  is  no  reward,  no  compliment,  no 
cheer.  But  so  it  has  always  been,  perhaps 
always  will  be.  The  sacrifice,  not  the  service, 
is  what  we  applaud.  One  of  the  really  big 
things  in  the  way  of  advancement  was  the 
scouring  plows  made  by  old  John  TJhler,  on  the 
corner  east  of  where  the  town  clock  is  now 
located.     I   never  used  a  wooden  mould-board 


HISTOllY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


187 


plow,  but  in  my  tliirty  years  practical  experi- 
ence, have  used  many  different  kinds.  Plows  of 
recent  date  have  many  advant.ages,  but  I  have 
never  seen  a  plow  that  would  do  the  work  as 
well  as  the  old  Uhler  used  to  do  it. 

"The  improvements  in  the  way  of  farm  imple- 
ments is  a  matter  of  astonishment;  but  of  all  the 
improvements,  nothing  is  more  noticeable  or  im- 
portant to  an  agricultural  county  like  ours  than 
that  of  farm  animals.  While  all  kinds  have  been 
greatly  improved,  the  most  marked  improvement 
is  among  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep.  Horses  have 
been  by  no  means  neglected,  but  there  were 
some  good  horses  about  here  more  than  thirty 
years  ago.  Do  I  forget  Uncle  Peter  Van  Berg- 
en's 2:40  steppers?  Not  much.  You  never  saw 
me  sitting  in  Uncle  Peter's  sleigh,  behind  the 
first  string  team  ever  driven  in  Springfield  to  a 
cutter?  Bells,  little  and  big!  I  would  have 
guessed  more  than  a  million  in  number!  Talk 
about  the  wind.  Our  backs  to  it,  a  half  second 
the  start,  and  '  stand  from  under!'  I  was  a  very 
common  boy,  but  a  very  enthusiastic  one  about 
that  time  on  the  trotting  question.  My  father 
laughs  now  about  a  question,  or  rather  a  series 
of  them,  that  amused  him,  but  I  am  still  of  the 
same  opinion.  Said  I,  '  Father,  if  our  horse  was 
the  biggest  horse  in  the  world,  and  was  the  best 
looking  horse  in  the  world,  and  could  outrun 
any  other  horse,  and  could  trot  faster  than  any 
other  horse;  would  he  be  the  greatest  horse  in 
the  world — if  we  had  one?' 

"In  poultry  also,  the  improvement  is  very 
marked.  *  *  *  But  what  does  it  all  amount 
to?  Is  the  condition  of  the  human  family  really 
bettered  by  it?  Do  not  all  these  improvements 
bring  with  them  additional  demands  that  must 
be  complied  with?  Do  they  not  excite  a  spirit 
of  unrest,  jealousy  and  selfishness?  For  all  time 
man  has  been  about  the  same.  The  physical, 
social  and  moral  culture  of  man  brings  corres- 
pondingly increased  necessities  and  responsibili- 
ties. After  all,  much  of  the  labor-saving  ma- 
chinery in  use,  and  many  of  the  so-called  con- 
veniences are  over-estimated.  We  pay  for  all 
our  luxuries,  sometimes  dearly." 

riONEER    WOMEN. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Pioneers'  So- 
ciety, held  in  1879,  R.  W.  Diller  read  a  number 
of  letters  received  from  pioneer  women  of  the 
county.    The  following  were  among  the  number : 

MRS.  JAMES  PARKINSON  AND  MRS.  SAEAII  KINfi, 
OF  C0RRAN. 

"  Friend  Dillkr — In  response  to  your  request 
that  you  would  like  to  hear  from  the  women  por- 


tion of  the  old  setllei's  of  Sangamon  county,  we 
will  give  you  some  of  our  experience.  Our  father 
moved  from  Kentucky  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  year  1816  or  1817 — lived  there  till 
the  fall  of  1819;  then  moved  to  what  was  then 
called  the  Sangamo  country,  and  settled  on  Spring 
creek,  ten  miles  west  of  where  Springdeld  was 
afterwards  located.  Our  father  built  a  camp, 
which  we  lived  in  until  winter, — and  consider- 
able snow  and  very  cold, — then  built  a  cabin; 
had  to  thaw  the  snow  and  ice  off  the  boards  to 
lay  the  roof;  then  put  poles  on  to  hold  the  boards 
down.  That  done,  they  made  puncheons  and  laid 
part  of  the  floor,  and  put  up  bedsteads  of  some 
kind;  then  had  to  make  beds  under  the  bed- 
steads for  us  children  to  sleep  on,  there  being 
nine  children  and  three  grown  persons.  The 
caliin  where  there  was  no  floor,  we  used  for 
hearth  and  fire-place,  leaving  a  hole  in  the  roof 
for  the  smoke  to  go  out  at.  This  way  we  lived 
the  first  winter.  After  that  we  done  a  little  bet- 
ter ;  built  a  pen  at  one  end  of  the  house  for  the 
sheep,  to  keep  the  wolves  from  killing  them,  and 
the  wolves  serenaded  us  nearly  every  night.  The 
principal  part  of  the  provender  for  our  stock  was 
elm  and  lin  brush.  Our  men  would  cut  down 
trees  for  the  stock  to  eat  the  branches  and  bark 
off'.  Our  breadstuffs  had  to  be  brought  from 
near  St.  Louis,  about  one  hundred  miles.  It  was 
principally  corn  bread  made  up  with  cold  water 
and  baked  in  a  skillet  or  oven — was  commonly 
called  corn-dodger.  Our  meat  was  in  abundance, 
we  had  pork,  venison,  turkey  and  prairie  chicken 
and  wild  honey  for  all  that  was  out.  Had  coffee 
about  once  a  week,  generally  of  a  Sunday  morn- 
ing, the  bilance  of  the  time,  milk  and  water 
mixed.  This  was  for  the  first  season,  after  that 
we  had  enough  milk  without  mixing  it  with 
water.  As  for  our  clothes,  we  had  to  raise,  pick, 
spin  and  weave  cotton  to  make  clothes  for 
winter  and  summer;  we  also  made  linsey.  The 
first  indigo  we  had,  we  raised;  used  that,  shumach 
berries,  white  walnut  bark  and  other  barks  for 
coloring. 

"Now  for  the  cotton  picking.  Mother  would 
every  night  fill  a  pint  cup  full  of  cotton  in  the 
seed  for  each  one  of  us,  and  lay  it  down  before 
the  tire  and  tell  us  when  we  picked  it  we  could 
go  to  bed,  and  we  had  it  to  do.  Then  we  pitched 
in  and  warmed  our  cotton,  and  the  warmer  we 
made  it,  the  better  it  picked,  so  we  would  take  a 
good  sweat.  The  next  day  that  had  to  be  carded 
and  spun,  so  we  would  soap  the  cotton  some 
card  and  some  spin,  and  when  we  would  get 
enough  spun  and  colored  to  make  a  dress  apiece, 
we   would  put  it  in  the  loom  and  weave  it.     It 


188 


HISTOUY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


did  not  take  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  to  make  a 
dress,  uor  tliirty  or  forty  days  to  make  one, 
altbougbt  tliey  were  made  by  hand.  Now,  to 
give  you  a  more  perfect  idea  of  the  cloth  and 
fashion  of  our  dresses  at  that  time,  we  will  here 
show  you  a  sample  of  one  of  our  mother's 
dresses,  which  she  wore  about  fifty-five  years 
ago — not  only  mother,  but  some  of  the  rest  of 
us  young  ladies.  This  is  tlie  only  one  we  have 
saved,  it  being  our  mother's.  V\  e  have  often 
thought  and  talked  of  exhibiting  this  dress 
before  to  old  settlers'  meetings,  but  have  failed 
to  do  it,  but  when  our  friend  Dlller  gave  us  such 
a  pressing  invitation  to  take  a  part  in  contribut- 
ing to  the  entertainment,  we  could  resist  no 
longer,  so  we  thought  we  would  give  a  little 
sketch  of  our  doings  for  the  first  two  or  three 
years  in  this  count)'.  Now  for  our  calico  dresses. 
We  cannot  show  you  a  sample,  as  we  have  not 
saved  one  for  posterity,  but  it  would  be  some- 
thing similar  to  the  cotton,  one  in  number  of 
years  and  make.  Before  we  could  get  one  we 
had  to  make  jeans  and  swap  for  calico,  or  else 
dig  ginseng  and  sniat.  ^Ve  had  a  neighbor 
woman  who  had  a  small  baby,  and  had  no  cradle, 
and  she  conceived  the  idea  of  substituting  her 
apron  for  a  cradle;  tie  the  babj-  in  it,  then  the 
aj)ron  around  her  neck,  and  spun  on  the  big 
wheel  in  order  to  make  clothing  for  her  family. 
As  for  schooling,  that  was  not  very  much.  Our 
first  school  we  went  to  after  we  came  here  was 
four  miles,  taught  by  a  man  named  Andrew. 
Four  or  live  of  us  went  by  turns.  The  youngest 
was  nine  years  old.  Went  on  foot,  and  the  road 
was  a  path  through  the  high  grass  and  woods, 
and  the  stars  were  often  shining  when  we  got 
home,  and  there  were  wolves  and  panthers 
plenty.  They  were  frequently  seen,  and  you  can 
well  imagine  how  we  felt  when  the  stars  began 
to  shine.  The  oldest  ones  would  form  a  front 
and  rear  guaid,  and  put  the  smallest  in  the  mid- 
dle, and  hurry  them  along,  all  scared  nearly  to 
death.  Our  school  house  was  a  log  cabin;  the 
windows  were  big  cracks,  with  paper  pasted  over 
and  greased  to  give  light.  Our  seats  were  split 
logs,  with  legs  put  in  to  sit  on.  Our  church  was 
built  of  logs,  and  about  four  miles  from  us.  It 
was  a  Methodist  church,  and  when  we  had  com- 
pany we  went  on  foot,  one  behind  the  other  in 
the  path.  Mks.  James  Paekixson, 

Mks.  Sarah  King." 


MES.   CHAKLOTTE  JACOBS. 

LoAMi,  III.,  August  3,  1879. 
"  Ladies  and  Gentlemex: — I  was  born  April 
19, 1797,  in  Winchester,  Clark  county, Kentucky. 


My  maiden  name  was  Charlotte  Webb,  daughter 
of  Adin  and  Mary  Webb.  I  was  married  to 
Daniel  Jacobs  in  tlie  year  of  our  Lord  1818. 
We  lived  in  Kentucky  until  the  fall  of  1825. 
We  then  started  to  Illinois,  and  on  the  7th  of 
November  arrived  at  Lick  creek,  and  settled  on 
the  farm  that  we  have  ever  since  occupied. 
When  we  moved  to  Illinois  our  neighbors  were 
scarce.  Mr.  Lindley,  Mr.  Darneille,  Myers 
Campbell  and  my  husband,  with  their  families, 
moved  into  a  little  log  cabin,  fifteen  by  si.xteen, 
with  a  puncheon  floor  and  a  clapboard  door. 
The  chimney  had  no  back,  or  jams,  or  hearth. 
How  friendly  the  people  were  in  those  days. 
They  would  go  miles  to  sec  one  another,  and  to 
take  and  return  the  hearty  shake  of  the  hand. 
As  I  look  back  on  those  days,  I  think  of  them  as 
some  of  my  happiest  days.  You  must  know  that 
it  took  stout,  hearty  and  resolute  woman  to  set- 
tle a  wilderness  country  like  this  was,  and  to 
buffet  with  the  storms  of  life,  but  God's  hand 
was  over  all,  and  he  brought  us  safely  through. 
I  raised  a  large  family,  nine  daughters  and  two 
sons,  to  be  grown  and  married.  They  are  all 
living  and  doing  well.  My  children,  grand- 
children and  great  grand-chikiren  living,  are  one 
hundred  and  fourteen.  If  all  were  living  there 
would  be  one  hundred  and  thirty-six.  1  am 
now  in  my  eighty-third  year,  and  can  walk  with- 
out fatigue,  to  my  daughter's,  Mrs.  Frank  Dar- 
neille, about  two  miles,  and  I  feel  thankful  for 
my  good  health.  We  brought  only  one  chair 
with  us,  so  my  brother  made  one  for  himself  and 
my  husband,  with  a  gimlet  and  a  draw-knife  as 
the  only  tools.  I  have  the  gimlet  yet.  I  brought 
with  me  three  cows,  and  my  husband  bought 
five  hounds.  The  first  hogs  we  had  I  bought 
twelve  shoats,  and  paid  for  them  with  linsey  and 
jeans,  of  my  own  make.  We  had  to  raise  flax 
and  cotton  to  make  our  clothing.  I  made  every- 
thing that  we  wore.  I  even  made  my  towels 
and  table  cloths,  sheets  and  everything  in  the 
clothing  line.  I  have  some  of  my  towels  and 
table  cloths  yet,  and  one  sheet  of  my  last  flax 
spinning.  We  had  a  pretty  hard  time  for  a 
while,  but  we  worried  through.  Our  nearest 
trading  place  was  St.  Louis,  and  we  had  not 
much  money  to  buy  with.  We  had  to  go  to  '^he 
American  bottom  to  get  our  bread  stuff,  and  we 
paid  one  dollar  per  bushel  for  corn,  until  we 
raised  some.  Our  meat  was  principally  wild 
meat,  such  as  deers,  turkeys  and  prairie  chickens. 
We  put  up  with  anything.  What  we  could  not 
make  we  did  without.  I  made  a  churn  by  taking 
a  keg  and  knocking  one  end  out;  made  a  dasher  to 
fit,  and  presume  made  just  as  sweet  butter  then 


^■^9^ 


..-:y. 


/^A^o^^c/a^  .^^/^^c4f/^>(2^>, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


i5i 


as  our  women  do  now.  This  is  only  a  short 
sketch  of  my  early  life,  and  perha])s  some  of  the 
young  people  will  doubt  its  trutn.  iiut  if  you 
don't  believe  it,  I  can  refer  you  to  any  of  my  old 
neighbors.     Yours  respectfully, 

Charlotte  Jacobs." 


ELIZABETH  HARBOUR,  DAUGHTER  OF  SIMOK   LIND- 
LET. 

"I  was  born  September  4,  1803,  in  Christian 
county,  Kentucky.  I  came  to  Illinois  Territory 
in  1S07,  and  wintered  on  Wood  river,  in  what  is 
now  known  as  Madison  county.  I  then  moved 
to  Shoal  creek,  which  is  now  Bond  county. 
Remained  there  until  the  beginning  of  the 
war  of  1812,  when  my  father,  with  about 
forty  other  families,  went  into  the  fort  called 
Hill's  Station,  where  we  remained  until  peace 
was  declared.  Hill's  Station  was  near  where 
Greenville,  Bond  county,  now  is.  A  guard,  con- 
sisting of  the  militia  and  the  rangers,  was  kept 
to  guard  the  fort,  on  account  of  the  numerous 
Indians.  The  Indians  attacked  the  fort  four 
different  times.  The  fourth  time  the  Indians 
nearly  succeeded  in  their  attempt,  most  of  the 
militia  being  out  on  a  skirmish.  Thirteen  men 
went  out  in  the  morning,  and  only  thirteen  men 
remained  in  the  fort.  While  the  thirteen  were 
going  away,  they  were  attacked  by  the  Indians, 
who  were  lying  in  ambush,  and  the  Indians 
killed  four  and  wounded  one — Thomas  Hisijins. 
When  he  was  wounded,  he  attempted  to  reach 
the  fort,  but  he  was  overtaken  by  two  Indians. 
One  he  knocked  senseless  with  the  breech  of 
his  gun,  and  with  the  other  he  had  a  fist  light, 
but  men  from  the  fort  came  to  his  relief,  and  he 
reached  the  fort,  where  my  father  took  from 
him  seven  balls.  During  the  battle,  one  of  the 
women,  Lydia  Persley,  took  her  musket  and 
started  out  to  kill  an  Indian,  but  she  was  stopped 
at  the  gate  by  the  guard.  She  thought  her  hus- 
band had  been  killed,  and  she  wanted  to  seek 
revenge,  but  her  husband  was  not  killed.  Tliis 
attack  was  made  the  27th  of  August,  1813.  The 
tirst  murder  was  committed  about  two  and  a  half 
miles  from  my  father's  house,  at  one  of  our 
neighbors',  Mr.  Cox,  he  himself  being  killed  by 
the  Indians.  Rebecca,  his  sister,  killed  six  out 
of  the  seven,  while  they  attempted  to  enter  the 
house.  When  we  first  came  to  Shoal  Creek, 
game  was  abundant.  My  brother,  John  Lindley, 
and  another  man  killed  twenty-tive  deer  one 
morning  before  nine  o'clock.  They  took  only 
the  hams  and  hides,  which  they  took  to  St. 
Louis. 

22— 


"We  next  moved  to  what  is  now  known  as 
Madison  county,  on  Silver  creek,  near  what  is 
now  Lebanon,  where  we  remained  until  1820, 
when  we  came  to  Lick  creek,  what  is  now  San- 
gamon county,  which  then  consisted  of  Mason, 
Menard,  Cass,  Logan,  Tazewell  and  part  of 
(Jhristian,  a  small  part  of  Macon,  part  of  Mc- 
Lean, part  of  Woodford,  part  of  Marshall,  and 
part  of  Putnam.  When  we  came  there  were 
but  six  families  near  us  —  John  Darnielle,  Bar- 
ton Darneille,  John  Campbell,  John  Wycoff, 
Henry  Brown  and  Levi  Harbour.  Our  mill  was 
near  by  —  we  had  to  go  only  about  eighty  or 
ninety  miles,  but  shortly  after  there  was  a  horse 
mill  built  on  Sugar  creek.  The  Indians  were 
still  here  when  we  came,  but  they  were  some- 
what friendly  and  not  very  numerous.  I  was 
married  to  Samuel  Harbour  July  28,  182G;  have 
lived  in  the  same  place  ever  since,  and  raised 
nine  cliildren  to  be  men  and  women.  During 
the  time  I  had  many  hardships,  I  had  to  weave 
and  spin.  It  only  took  eight  yards  of  calico  to 
make  a  dress,  and  not  twenty-eight,  as  at  pres- 
ent. We  had  to  make  our  clothing  from  cotton, 
flax  and  wool.  During  the  winter  of  the  deep 
snow  when  we  got  out  of  meal,  we  had  to  use 
pounded  meal  and  live  on  hominy  until  we 
could  break  a  road  to  the  horse-mill.  When  we 
got  out  of  groceries  we  had  to  resort  to  the 
woods  for  sassafras  tea.  I  forgot  to  mention 
about  the  ranger  who  was  wounded  on  what  is 
now  supposed  to  be  Spring  creek,  and  was 
brought  to  Sulphur  Spring  on  Lick  creek,  where 
he  died  and  was  buried,  at  what  is  now  Sulphur 
Spring  Cemetery,  he  being  the  first  man  buried 
there.  I  am  nearly  seventy-six  years  old,  and 
have  a  very  sick  daughter  at  present;  my  mind 
being  flustrated  I  cannot  say  near  as  much  as 
I  could  otherwise.  This  being  a  very,  fiery  short 
sketch  of  the  troubles  I  have  witnessed.  I  sin- 
cerely hope  no  other  person  will  ever  have  to 
pass  through  the  many  hardships  which  I  have 
experienced.     Yours  respectfully, 

E.  Lindley." 


JAMES    AND    ELIZA    IIEADLEY. 

Chatham,  111.,  August  14,  1879. 

"  R.  W.  Diller  Esq. : — We  were  not  pioneers  of 
Sangamon  county,  but  were  pioneers  of  Vigo 
county,  Indiana,  and  as  my  wife  cannot  write,  I 
thought  I  would  write  a  few  lines  for  her  and 
myself.  Now  if  you  think  these  lines  will  add 
any  to  the  occasion,  all  right;  if  not,  throw  them 
into  the  waste  basket.  We  settled  sixteen  miles 
north  of  Terre  Haute,  in  the  fall   of  1819,   on 


192 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMOX  COUNTY. 


the  outskirts  of  civilization.  The  Indians  were 
quite  numerous  for  years  after,  and  quite 
troublesome,  being  terrible  beggars.  We  located 
on  up-land,  where  there  was  not  a  tree  cut,  and 
the  nettles  and  pea-vines  were  so  thick  that  we 
could  scarcely  see  the  ground,  so  we  took  a 
horse  and  brush  and  dragged  them  down  tor  a 
considerable  space  around,  went  to  work  and 
put  up  a  camp,  moved  into  it,  and  in  four  weeks 
moved  into  a  hewed  log  house,  nineteen  feet 
square,  iu  which  we  lived  the  next  winter  with- 
out a  chimney.  The  place  for  the  chimney  was 
cut  out  and  the  tire  just  outside,  but  we  were 
well  smoked  that  winter.  ,  While  this  work  was 
going  on,  we  had  to  grate  all  the  meal  for  quite 
a  large  family.  After  corn  became  too  liard  we 
used  the  hominy  mortar  and  pestle.  There  was 
no  mill  nearer  than  thirty-  miles,  and  then  of  a 
dry  season  it  could  not  grind.  A  miller  told  us 
once  to  live  on  faith  and  dumplings,  but  we  had 
nothing  to  make  dumplings  of.  For  clothing, 
many  of  the  boys  and  some  of  the  men  had  to 
wear  dressed  buckskin.  In  fact,  I  have  seen 
Randolph  Wedding,  of  Terre  Haute,  dressed  in 
buckskin  from  head  to  foot.  He  became  after- 
wards County  Judge." 

"And  now  a  word  about  Miss  Brown,  who  is 
now  Mrs.  Headley.  She  came  a  few  years  later 
from  old  Spencer  county,  Indiana,  a  poor  girl, 
working  about  from  place  to  place.  She  spent 
four  months  with  two  families,  and  received 
about  two  dollars.  She  often  washed  for  fami- 
lies, and  scrubbed  the  floor,  for  twenty -five 
cents.  After  she  became  older  and  more  experi- 
enced, never  received  to  exceed  seventy-five 
cents  per  week.  In  those  days  many  families 
made  their  own  cotton.  She  states,  when  she 
went  to  school  she  had  to  take  cotton  in  the  seed 
with  her,  and  pick  it  during  play  time.  When 
she  carded  and  spun  cotton,  six  cuts  were  a  day's 
work;  spinning  flax  or  wool,  twelve  cuts  were 
required  for  a  day's  work.  In  those  days  our 
girls  dressed  very  plainly.  I  never  knew  them 
to  train  their  silks  and  satins  in  the  dust.  Their 
every-day  dresses  were  homespun,  but  on  Sunday 
they  managed 'to  have  something  nicer.  She 
states,  when  she  went  to  meeting  she  has  often, 
in  warm  weather,  carried  her  shoes  and  stock- 
ings, and  when  near  the  place,  she  would  put 
them  on.  One  other  incident  I  will  mention.  I 
was  invited  by  an  uncle  of  mine,  where  she  was 
staying,  to  assist  him  to  bring  in  a  deer  he  had 
killed.  So  we  brought  home  the  deer,  quite 
tired  and  hungry.  Miss  Brown  stepped  around 
quite  lively,  and  soon  had  a  good  dinner  on  the 
table.     I  then  and  there  fell  in  love  with  her. 


and  have  loved  her  from  that  day  to  this.  She 
was  dressed  in  brown  linsey  on  that  eventful 
occasion. 

"  And  now  all  honor  and  God's  blessing  be  on 
the  old  pioneer  fathers  and  mothers,  who, 
through  great  difficulties,  sickness,  poverty  and 
privations,  laid  the  foundation  for  the  prosperity 
we  now  enjoy. 

James  and  Eliza  Headley." 


EXPEEIESCE  OF    MRS.    JOHN    LOCK,    WRITTEN  BY  A 
FEIEXD. 

"Rochester.  Ill  ,  July  .30,  1879. 
"  Friend  Diller: — At  your  request,  I  will  try 
and  give  you  a  brief  synopsis  of  my  experience 
during  the  primitive  times  of  Illinois,  when  San- 
gamon county  was  in  its  infancy.  I  will  com- 
mence with  an  item  of  chronology.  The  place 
of  my  nativity  was  Fassenburg,  Addison  county, 
Vermont,  August  31,  1802.  That  of  my  hus- 
band the  same,  January  10,  1799.  In  the  spring 
of  1832, 1  and  my  husband  first  made  our  advent 
on  these  broad  savannas.  Oh  I  what  changes 
have  swept  over  these  people  in  the  swift  flight 
of  time  since  that  day.  My  first  experience  upon 
landing  was  not  calculated  to  enliven  or  to  cheer, 
for  immediately  upon  our  arrival,  ere  we  had 
time  to  unburden  our  'prairie  steamer'  of  our 
little  effects,  my  husband  had  to  stand  the  con- 
scription for  the  Black  Hawk  war.  That  was 
indeed  a  sad  and  gloomy  beginning.  What  my 
feelings  were  under  those  trying  circumstances, 
none  can  know.  The  mental  anguish  that  I 
suffered,  tongue  cannot  tell  or  jien  describe. 
But  I  presume  that  it  was  a  necessity  to  expel 
from  this  beautiful  land  the  original  possessor, 
who,  by  his  numerous  and  cruel  outrages  had 
rendered  himself  obnoxious  to  the  march  of  in- 
tellect and  the  vanguard  of  civilization.  Ye  of 
Sangamon  of  1879,  who  prate  of  hard  times, 
what,  prithee,  would  you  think,  if  you  had  to 
remain  at  home  alone,  a  stranger,  in  this  vast. 
Vt'ilderness,  while  your  husband  went  to  St.  Louis 
in  a  two-horse  wagon  to  piurchase  corn  to  make 
meal  of,  to  satisfy  the  craving  of  nature?  There 
were  days  and  weeks  of  agony,  of  fear  and  sus- 
pense— not  knowing  at  what  moment  the  aborig- 
ines, who  were  still  in  contiguous  proximity  to 
us,  might  descend  and  desolate  our  homes. 
Those,  indeed,  were  days  of  action  and  of  vigi- 
lance, for  at  that  time  I  had  five  little  children 
to  guard,  and  the  hoarse  cry  of  the  wolf  was  the 
only  musical  instrument  Sangamon  furnished  to 
lull  them  to  sleep.  But  those  days  are  num- 
bered with  the  years  beyond  the  flood.  Great 
and  important  changes  have  taken  place  since 


HISTORY  OF  SANfiAirOX  COUNTY. 


19S 


that  period,  and  we  are  now  no  longer  necessi- 
tated to  array  ourselves  in  habiliments  of  our 
own  handicraft,  but  in  that  day  all  that  adorned 
our  persons  were  the  fabrics  wrought  by  our  own 
industry  on  the  loom.  Mothers  of  the  Sanga- 
mon of  to-day,  who  bedeck  your  little  ones  in 
costly  fabrics  that  outvie  the  floral  landscape, 
think  not  that  our  little  ones  were  less  near  and 
dear  to  us,  who,  fifty  years  ago,  clothed  them  in 
the  homespun  of  our  own  manufacture.  There 
may  be  in  this  assembly,  some  fair  exotics,  that 
will  smile  in  derision  at  this  humble  picture  of 
past  experiences  of  one  whose  sands  are  running 
low — whose  fastidiousness  may  be  horrified  to 
think  that  the  hardy  pioneers  of  Sangamon  had 
to  do  as  I  have  many  a  time — go  to  the  field, 
gather  corn  and  grate  it,  then  wait  till  the  cows 
come  up  at  night,  to  make  food  of  it.  And  we 
pronounced  it  good;  not  only  good,  but  very 
good.  At  that  time  ray  husband  plied  his  trade 
to  get  corn  to  live  on  while  he  raised  his  crop; 
and  the  first  and  most  important  order  that  he 
had  was  of  one  Roliert  Bell,  for  a  pair  of  boots, 
for  which  he  received  the  magnificent  compensa- 
tion of  three  pecks  of  copn  meal.  Thus  did  the 
early  settlers  of  Sangamon  learn  habits  of  econ- 
omy and  frugality,  and  by  patient  industry  their 
efforts  have  been  crowned  with  success;  for  now, 
verily,  the  wilderness  doth  blossom  as  a  rose. 
We  have  taken  the  bitter  with  the  sweet,  for 
adversity  is  a  stern  but  wholesome  teacher.  We 
have  suffered  greatly  at  times  from  the  malari- 
ous diseases  incident  to  this  latitude,  and  at  that 
time  our  scientific  resources  were  limited.  The 
fell  destroyer  of  mankind  has  visited  us,  and 
stolen  from  us  several  flowers  of  the  group 
which  we  had  gathered  around  us.  Thus  have 
we  struggled  on,  looking  forward  and  upward. 
We  have  seen  old  Sangamon  in  her  infant  wilder- 
ness; we  now  behold  her  in  all  her  pride  and 
grandeur,  with  her  star  of  destiny  still  in  the 
ascendant,  and  ranking  with  those  of  the  first 
magnitude.  What  the  next  turn  of  the  kaleido- 
scope will  bring  forth  for  us,  or  for  Sangamon, 
naught  but  the  future  will  reveal." 

Yours  truly,  Mrs.  John  Lock." 


MKS.  EOBEET  BURNS. 

Buffalo  Hart,  III.,  Aug.  19,  1879. 
"Mr.  Diller:  I  have  been  too  sick  since  re- 
ceiving your  request,  to  give  my  experience  as 
an  early  settler  of  Sangamon  county.  However, 
I  will  give  j'ou  a  few  incidents,  and  you  can  use 
them  as  you  think  best.  We  have  been  living 
here   on   this   farm    for    fifty-four    years    next 


October.  I  picked  cotton  out  of  the  boll,  then 
the  seed  out  of  it,  carded  and  spun  and  wove  the 
cloth  in  dresses  ;  also  made  shirts  from  it  for  Mr. 
Burns,  and  he  wore  them  several  years.  The 
first  dishes  I  purchased  in  Illinois,  rode  to 
Springfield  on  horseback,  taking  my  cloth  to  ex- 
change for  dishes.  When  returning  home  the 
prairie  was  discovered  burning.  Mr.  Burns  left 
me  to  put  the  fire  out.  My  horse  became  fright- 
ened, threw  me,  and  broke  all  my  dearly  bought 
dishes.  There  was  not  a  fence  or  stump  to  get 
on,  and  I  had  to  walk  several  miles.  At  last  I 
came  to  a  gopher  hill  and  mounted  again,  re- 
joicing that  I  had  escaped  without  seeing  a  wolf. 
We  were  here  during  the  deep  snow.  Our  house 
was  so  open  that  the  snow  blew  in  so  much  that 
we  could  track  a  rabbit  across  the  floor.  The  bed 
would  be  almost  covered  in  the  morning.  Prai- 
rie chickens  were  very  plenty  when  we  came. 
Mr.  Burns  made  me  a  trap,  and  I  amused  myself 
during  the  day  by  catching  and  dressing  the 
dainty  game.  The  first  table  in  the  Grove  was 
made  of  clapboards,  given  me  by  'Squire  Moore, 
about  six  months  after  we  came  ;  until  then  we 
ate  off  of  a  box.     We  had  no  chairs. 

"Mrs.  Robert  Burns." 
"P.  S.— The  dishes  I  bought  of  Major  lies." 


MRS.  SARAH  P.  HUSBAND,  OF  AUBURN. 

"Was  born  November  12, 1790,  in  South  Caro- 
lina. Her  parents  moved  in  1797  to  Kentucky, 
passing  by  way  of  Crab  Orchard  Fort,  stopping 
there  a  day  or  two  for  provisions,  protection 
from  Indians,  etc.,  and  going  thence  through 
Lexington  to  Christian  county,  where  the  family 
located.  The  journey  from  South  Carolina  to 
Kentucky  was  made  on  pack-horses,  several  per- 
sons riding  on  one  horse.  Sarah  and  another 
child  rode  with  their  mother  on  an  old  sorrel 
horse  named 'Jack.'  In  1811  she  was  married 
to  liarman  Husband  (who  died  near  Auburn, 
Illinois,  February  15,  1848).  The  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  Octo- 
ber, 1820.  Numerous  interesting  incidents  oc- 
curred on  the  journey,  but  only  one  will  be  men- 
tioned, viz:  While  crossing  the  Ohio  river  a 
young  calf  jumped  from  the  flat-boat;  my  hus- 
band seized  the  calf  by  one  ear  and  held  it  until 
the  boat  reached  the  shore.  The  calf  was  brought 
on  to  Illinois  and  did  its  part  in  stocking  the 
new  county  of  Sangamon.  Arriving  in  Sanga- 
mon county  the  family  settled  three  miles  east 
of  Auburn,  where  the  old  lady  still  resides,  aged 
eighty-nine  years,  and  still  active  and  anxious 
to  live  to  be  one  hundred  years  old.     Among 


194 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


early  incidents  it  may  be  related  that  the  Indians 
erected  on  the  homestead,  their  bark  wigwams, 
etc.,  and  hunted  over  the  farm.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  frequently  gave  them  corn  bread, 
having  no  wheat  bread  in  those  days.  While 
encamped  on  the  farm,  an  Indian  child  died,  and 
the  Indians  made  a  box  of  bark  in  which  they 
put  the  corpse  and  suspended  it  from  the  top  of 
a  tall  tree,  thus  keeping  it  until  the  tribe  was 
ready  to  return  to  the  burying  grounds.  Many 
other  incidents  occurred,  but  similar  ones  are 
familiar  to  all  early  settlers.  Corn  cakes  were 
baked  on  a  board  before  the  fire,  and  'hoe  cakes  ' 
were  so  called  because  they  were  cooked  on  an 
ordinary  hoe,  properly  cleaned  and  greased,  of 
course.  Mrs.  Harman  Husband." 


MRS.  ANN  H.   m'CORMICK 

Springfield,  111.,  August  5,  1879. 
"  Mr.  Diller,  Bear  Sir:—1  came  from  Green 
county,  Kentucky,  arriving  in  Springfield  May 
5, 1822,  and  have  resided  in  Sangamon  county  ever 
since,  making  fifty-seven  years  last  May.  The 
second  summer  we  lived  here  the  corn  was  killed 
by  frost,  and  during  the  summer  of  1823  we 
lived  mostly  on  green  corn,  potatoes  and  bread 
once  a  day.  I  remember  well  the  deep  snow, 
and  how  we  walked  over  stake  and  rider  fences 
on  the  snow.  At  that  time  I  lived  three  and  a 
half  miles  southeast  of  Springfield,  with  my 
father,  James  Short.  I  was  married  to  Andrew 
McCormick,  and  resided  in  Springfield  since  that 
time.  I  have  attended  several  Old  Settlers' 
meetings,  and  enjoyed  them  very  much,  and  I 
intend  meeting  my  old  friends  once  more  if  the 
weather  will  permit. 

Respectfully  yours, 

Ann  S.  McCormick." 


OLD  SETTLERS  OF  SANGAMON.* 

"In  the  fall  of  the  year  1828,  in  the  midst  of 
the  soft  and  mellow  Indian  summer,  the  speaker 
left  his  native  county  of  Fayette,  Kentucky,  emi- 
grating to  Springfield  Illinois,  and  traveling  on 
horseback,  in  two  days  arrived  at  Louisville,  and 
crossing  the  Ohio  river  struck  the  great  highway 
to  the  West,  running  from  Louisville  to  Vin- 
cennes  and  St.  Louis,  and  at  Maysville,  Illinois, 
branching  to  Central  Illinois,  known  then  as  the 
Sangamon  country. 

"  Having  entered  this  great  road, he  was  united 
to  that  mighty  stream  of  emigrants  moving  west- 

*An  address  delivered  by  Major  John  T.  Stuart  at 
the  Old  Settlers'  Reunion,  September  4,  1877. 


ward,  whose  mission  was  to  subdue  the  wilder- 
ness, to  found  States,  to  carry  forward  the  ban- 
ner of  civilization,  and  whose  sons  were  to  re- 
turn, at  no  very  distant  day,  in  arms  under  the 
gallant  Sherman,  to  save  the  LTnion  irom  disrup- 
tion, as  under  Hardin  and  Bissell  they  saved  the 
field  of  Buena  Yista — a  race  never  yet  defeated 
in  battle,  or  if  defeated,  who  never  knew  it. 

"That  moving  mass  was  composed  of  every 
specimen  of  humanity,  men,  women,  children, 
black  and  white,  old  and  young,  some  highly 
cultivated  and  refined,  others  at  the  very  lowest 
round  of  the  ladder  of  intellect  and  cultivation, 
and  of  every  intermediate  grade.  There  was  the 
man  of  middle  age,  who  had  filled  a  high  social 
position  in  his  native  State,  accompanied  by  a 
family  cultivated  and  refined,  on  the  way  to  the 
West,  to  retrieve  his  fallen  fortunes. 

"  There  were  young  girls,  then  obscure,  un- 
known, and  poorly  clad,  but  destined  to  till 
princely  mansions,  and  to  become  mothers  of  a 
race  of  fair  daughters  and  gallant  sons.  Young 
men  and  boys  were  there  who  in  their  new 
homes  would  fill  high  offices  of  State,  make  and 
enforce  laws,  and  impress  their  names  and 
genius  on  the  history  of  States  then  springing 
into  existence;  or  whose  destiny  would  be  to  fell 
the  forest,  to  reduce  the  prairie  to  cultivation, 
to  subdue  the  wilderness,  and  make  it  feed  its 
millions  of  happy  human  beings;  or  would 
become  lawyers,  doctors,  preachers,  teachers  and 
statesmen. 

"All  kinds  of  domestic  animals,  and  of  every 
age,  were  there,  intermingled  with  men,  women 
and  children,  following  the  family  wagon  or  car- 
riage. Every  conceivable  mode  of  conveyance; 
some  were  on  horseback,  or  in  carriages;  others 
in  wagons  of  every  variety,  and  many  on  foot. 
Onward  this  varied  mass  moved  by  day,  shout- 
ing, singing,  laughing,  jesting,  cursing,  cracking 
their  whi|)s,  hallooing  to  their  animals  to  press 
them  forward.  Merry  they  go,  save  here  and 
there  might  be  seen  some  serious  faces  of  those 
who  were  thinking  of  their  native  homes  and  ■ 
the  friends  they  had  left  behind  them. 

"And  to  the  traveler  on  horseback,  belated  in 
reaching  his  rest  for  the  night,  how  enchanting 
the  scene  as  he  rides  along.  The  camp-fires  blaz- 
ing everywhere,  along  the  road,  down  every 
brook  and  every  valley;  the  groups  around  the 
camp-tires,  and  at  the  evening  meal;  the  cattle 
and  horses  being  fed  at  the  wagon  trough,  or 
tethered,  or  wandering  about  browsing  on  grass 
or  shrubs;  the  whistle,"the  song,  the  merry  laugh, 
the  bustle,  the  salutation  to  the  passer-by, 
'Where  are  you  going,  stranger'?'     All  is  anima- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


195 


tion  and  joyous  life;  while  over  all  shines  the 
silver  moon  struggling  to  shed  her  silver  light 
through  the  hazy  Indian  summer  atmosphere. 
These  road  scenes,  altogether  made  a  spectacle 
never  to  be  forgotten,  and  the  like  of  which  will 
never  more  be  seen  east  of  the  Mississippi,  and 
j)erhaps  never  again  on  this  continent.  ^ 

"Near  Maysville,  Illinois,  the  road  separated, 
and  the  emigrant  train  divided,  part  taking  the 
road  for  St.  Louis,  and  part  for  Central  Illinois. 
And  now  the  Grand  Prairie  is  reached.  Pen 
cannot  describe  a  large  prairie;  it  must  have 
been  seen  to  be  appreciated ;  it  was  grand  and 
peculiar;  its  nakedness  of  everything  except  long 
grass  and  weeds,  seared  by  the  autumn  frosts, 
or  feeding  yon  long  line  of  fires,  or  waving  in 
the  breeze;  its  silence  disturbed  only  by  the 
Boise  of  small  insects,  the  whirr  of  the  prai- 
rie chickens,  or  the  sighing  of  the  breeze; 
its  boundless  extent,  appealing  to  the  im- 
agination; you  fancied  it  like  the  ocean;  its 
undulating  surface  resembled  the  waves;  the 
wavering  grass  is  the  water,  agitated  by  the 
wind;  yon  emigrant  wagon,  rising  the  distant 
hill,  is  the  ship  upon  the  crest  of  the  wave;  yon 
outline  of  timbers  is  the  rock-bound  coast;  but 
the  herd  of  deer,  which,  frightened  at  the  ap- 
proach of  man,  bounds  gracefully  away  to  yon- 
der hill,  and  stands,  with  head  and  tail  erect, 
gazing  at  you  with  large,  bright  eyes,  dispels  the 
dream. 

"As  I  am  trying  to  make  a  picture  of  things 
as  I  saw  them,  I  would  recall  to  the  memory  of 
old  settlers  some  of  the  scenes  they  witnessed 
when  first  crossing  this  same  Grand  Prairie,  if 
not  on  this,  on  some  other  ro.ad. 

"Riding  along  the  gently  rolling  prairie,  now 
you  descend  into  a  valley,  and  your  vision  is 
limited  to  a  narrow  circle.  Tliat  herd  of  deer 
has  taken  fright  at  your  coming,  quits  its  graz- 
ing on  the  tender  grass  of  the  valley,  and,  fol- 
lowing that  old  buck  as  leader,  runs  off  with 
heads  erect,  horns  thrown  back,  their  white  tails 
waving  in  the  air,  has  circled  around  until 
yonder  hillock  is  reached,  when,  turning  towards 
you,  they  gaze  with  their  dark,  bright  eyes,  as  if 
inquiring  why  you  have  invaded  their  free  pas- 
tures. As  you  ride  along,  the  rattlesnake  is 
stretched  across  the  road,  sunning  itself,  and  the 
prairie  wolf  takes  to  his  heels  and  gallops  off 
much  like  a  dog,  but  slowly,  as  if  to  show  you 
that  he  is  not  much  f  i  ightened.  That  flock  of 
prairie  chickens  has  taken  wings,  and  with  a 
whirr  flies  away,  and  now  has  alighted  yonder. 

"  And  now  you  have  reached  this  ridge, 
checking  your  horse  you  turn  in  your  saddle 


and  gaze  around.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  reach, 
and  bounded  only  by  the  horizon,  stretches  the 
undulating  prairie,  covered  with  grass  and  resin 
weed.  How  grand,  how  beautiful  the  view! 
IIow  like  the  sea  with  its  rolling  waves! 

"And  now  .again  you  have  been  overtaken  by 
night;  you  reach  that  other  hillock,  and  check- 
ing your  horse,  you  again  gaze  around  you. 
The  prairie  grass  is  on  fire,  here,  there,  every- 
where, all  around  the  horizon,  and  lighting  up 
tlie  whole  heavens.  The  scene  now,  how  unlike 
that  other,  but  still  how  grandly  beautiful!  A 
vision  of  wondrous  enchantment,  the  like  of 
which  is  now  gone  foi'ever.  Few  scenes  on 
earth  surpass  such  a  prairie,  either  in  the  bright 
sunshine  of  day,  or  when  in  the  night  blazing 
with  such  flres. 

"I  have  since  stood  at  the  foot  of  one  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  lifting  its  lofty  head  amid 
the  clouds,  its  sides  massive,  rugged,  treeless, 
without  insect  or  fowl,  silent  as  the  grave.  The 
scene  of  the  mountains  and  of  the  prairie  are 
widely  difi^erent.  The  one  grand  and  full  of 
life,  but  impressing  the  first  beholder  with  a 
sense  of  beauty;  the  other  silent,  grand,  sub- 
lime, and  impressing  its  first  beholder  with  a 
sense  of  wonder  and  awe,  but  alike  suggestive 
of  the  thought  that  none  but  God,  One,  Al- 
mighty, Allwise,  could  make  them,  and  with 
wonder  that  anyone  could  doubt  it,  or  believe 
that  they  came  into  existence  by  chance,  by  evo- 
lution or  the  aggregation  of  sentient  particles 
of  matter. 

"The  night  of  the  tenth  day  of  his  journey 
the  speaker  passed  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Hus- 
bands, on  Sugar  creek,  in  Sangamon  county, 
and  early  next  morning  was  passing  along  the 
road  through  the  S2>ringfield  prairie,  and  about 
where  the  junction  now  is.  What  a  difference 
between 'now' and 'then!'  Now  may  be  seen 
by  one,  passing  by  the  Junction,  long  lines  of 
freiglit  and  passenger  cars  on  the  two  roads 
crossing  at  that  point  from  North  to  South,  and 
from  East  to  West. 

"There  is  the  coal  shaft,  the  noise  and  smoke 
of  its  engine,  and  the  huts  of  the  miners;  there 
are  in  view  the  spires  and  curling  smoke  of  the 
Capital  City;  all  around  are  well  cultivated 
farms,  well  stocked  with  fine  cattle,  and  every- 
where around  are  life,  activity,  and  progress. 

"Then  all  around  was  unbroken  ))rairie,  the 
home  of  the  wolf,  the  deer,  and  the  prairie 
fowl;  unmarked  by  civilization  or  cultivation, 
except  the  scattering  farms  and  houses  along  the 
timber.  The  dwellers  in  those  houses,  if  then 
asked,   would    have    informed    you   that   the.se 


ine 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


prairie  lands  would  never  be  purchased  of  the 
General  Government,  that  they  were  not  worth 
the  taxes  and  would  ever  remain  pasture 
grounds  for  those  owning  the  lands  near  the 
timber. 

"Traveling  thence  north,  nothing  yet  met  the 
eye,  except  the  wild  prairie,  and  its  boundary  of 
timber,  and  on  that  boundary  on  the  ea.st,  the 
farms  of  Washington  lies  and  of  Mason  and 
Plank,  and  on  the  west,  of  Little  and  Lindsay. 
At  the  distance  of  one  mile  the  high  ground  was 
reached,  the  rim  of  the  valley  in  which  Spring- 
field was  situated,  where  now  runs  the  South 
Avenue.  Thence  descending  into  the  valley,  the 
only  additional  improvements  to  be  seen  were 
the  faims  of  Lanterman  and  LanswcU  on  the 
west,  and  of  Charles  R.  Matheny  on  the  east, 
where  ]\[rs.  Robert  Irwin  now  lives,  and  of  Mas- 
ters, in  front  of  the  traveler. 

"Passing  the  Masters  farm  on  the  left  (now 
Moran's  addition),  and  the  house  of  the  Masters, 
near  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Humphrey,  and  cross- 
ing the  open  prairie,  the  road  running  nearly 
where  are  now  the  residences  of  Mrs.  Chestnut 
and  N.  W.  Edwards,  to  the  grove  afterwards 
known  as  Mather's  grove,  where  the  new  Slate 
House  is  being  built,  and  following  the  road 
west  of  Mather's  grove,  with  the  grove  on  the 
right,  and  on  the  left  the  corn-field  of  Major 
lies  (now  Edwards  <fc  Mather's  addition),  to  the 
eminence,  where  now  stands  the  residence  of  the 
late  Mr.  Tyndale,  the  little  village  until  then  hid 
by  the  timber  and  brushwood  along  the  town 
branch,  first  burst  upon  the  view. 

"Reining  in  the  horse,  pausing  on  that  emi- 
nence, to  take  a  survey,  the  eye  rested  upon  a 
dense  grove  of  Black  Jack,  and  undergrowth, 
east  and  west,  all  along  the  town  branch,  cover- 
ing the  entire  hill  on  which  Mr.  Lamb's  house  is 
situated,  while  in  front  lay  the  little  village  of 
Springfield,  made  up  of  a  string  of  small  houses, 
mainly  extending  three  blocks,  along  Jefferson 
street,  from  First  to  Fourth  streets,  with  some 
few  scattered  elsewhere. 

"The  houses  were  generally  small,  unpainted, 
and  some  daubed  with  mud;  the  rain  of  the 
morning  had  given  to  all  a  dreary  and  cheerless 
look,  bringing  a  fit  of  blues  to  one  who  remem- 
bered the  pleasant  home  of  his  boyhood,  and 
then  surveying  for  the  first  time,  the  home  of 
his  manhood,  which  then  promised  so  little  and 
has  jiroved  so  full  of  happiness. 

"The  village  of  Springfield  was  built  in  a  ^•al- 
ley  about  two  miles  wide;  it  was  drained  by  a 
stream,  since  known  as  the  Town  Branch,  which 
heads  in  the  southeast  corner  of  the  city,  and 


runs  west-northwest,  and  empties  into  Spring 
creek.  Into  the  Town  Branch  on  either  side,  in 
flood  time,  at  intervals  of  three  or  four  hundred 
yards,  the  water  had  washed  deep  gullies,  or 
ruts,  which  drained  the  entire  valley  into  the 
Town  Branch,  one  of  these  wet  weather  drains 
ran  from  the  northeast  corner  of  the  square  to 
the  southwest  corner,  ard  thence  to  the  Town 
Branch,  near  the  railroad  bridge. 

"This  surface  drainage  has  entirely  disap- 
peared, being  displaced  by  the  admirable  under- 
ground drainage  adopted  by  the  city.  On  both 
sides  of  the  Town  Branch  as  high  as  Sixth 
street,  was  a  dense  forest  of  small  trees  and 
undergrowth,  the  harbor  of  deer  and  wolves. 
The  remains  of  this  forest  may  be  seen  in  the 
yards  of  Mrs.  Goodell,  of  the  Governor's  Man- 
sion, and  of  Mr.  Eastman.  Parallel  with  the 
Town  Branch  are  two  ridges,  the  rims  of  the 
valley,  at  an  elevation  of  from  twenty  to  thirty 
feet  aijove  the  branch.  The  North  and  South 
Avenues  run  very  nearly  upon  the  summit  of 
these  ridges. 

"The  central  points  of  intercourse,  at  that 
day,  in  the  Northwest,  were  St.  Louis  on  the 
south,  and  the  lead  mines  near  Galena  on  the 
north;  and  the  leading  road  of  the  Northwest 
was  between  these  two  points.  The  road  from 
Vincennes  b)'  the  way  of  Yandalia,  united  vith 
this  road  at  Macoupin  point,  and  entered  Spring- 
field as  above  described,  over  the  hill  where  the 
new  State  House  is  building,  and  running  on 
First  street,  to  Jefferson,  and  passing  the 
Abrams  Hotel,  the  principal  hotel  of  the  city, 
on  the  corner  of  First  and  Jefferson,  continued 
on  Jefferson  to  Fourth  street,  where  the  St. 
Nicholas  now  stands,  there  turning  to  the  north, 
in  a  nearly  straight  line, to  the  present  residence 
of  Mr.  Converse,  thence  to  the  Sangamon  river, 
very  nearly  on  the  line  of  the  present  road,  and 
thence  north  by  Music's  Bridge  andPeoiia  to 
Galena.  This  was  then  called  the  Fort  Clark 
road.  The  next  road  in  importance  was  the 
road  to  Beardstown,  which  running  west  on  • 
Jefferson  street  and  crossing  the  Town  Branch 
at  the  tan-yard  and  old  mill,  followed  very 
near  the  present  line  of  road  to  Beardstown. 
The  east  and  west  road  from  Jacksonville,  very 
near  its  jsresent  line,  united  with  the  Beardstown 
road  at  the  Town  Bianch  and  passed  thii  ugh 
Springfield  on  Jefferson  street  to  the  scjuare,  and 
thence  east  through  an  open  prairie,  and  ciossed 
Sugar  creek,  near  Major  lies'  farm. 

"In  1818,Elisha  Kelly  visited  the  present  site 
of^Springfield,  there  then  being  no  white  inhabi- 
tants north   of  Edwardsville.     He  was  phased 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


197 


with  the  situation  because  it  abounded  with 
ii-amo  and  was  a  good  hunting  ground.  He  re- 
turned to  North  Carolina  and  induced  his  fainily 
connection  to  move,  and  in  the  year  1,819  John 
Kelly  built  a  cabin  north  of  the  Town  Branch, 
near  where  it  is  crossed  by  Jefferson  street,  the 
present  site  of  the  residence  of  General  Ander- 
son. With  John  lived  his  father  and  several 
unmarried  brothers.  William  Kelly  built  a 
cabin  north  of  John,  on  a  tract  owned  after- 
wards by  Archer  G.  Herndon,  now  the  residence- 
of  C.  A.  Gehrman,  the  merchant.  Andrew 
Elliot  built  still  further  north  at  the  place 
where  he  died,  now  Elliot's  addition;  all  these 
cabins  were  near  the  timber  of  the  Town 
Branch.  These  were  the  first  settlers  of  Spring- 
field, if  not  of  Sangamon  county.  It  may  well 
be  wondered  why  those  primitive  settlers,  hav- 
ing the  choice  of  the  whole  country,  should 
select  these  inferior  sites  for  cultivation,  rather 
than  the  higher  and  better  lands  in  the  vicinity. 
The  answer  is  found  in  the  wants,  and  opinions 
of  that  early  day.  They  needed  water  and  fuel, 
these  were  found  on  the  Town  Branch.  They 
needed  shelter  from  the  wind,  they  found  it  in 
the  timber  of  Town  Branch;  above  all  other 
things,  they  wanted  a  good  hunting  ground; 
that  they  also  found  on  the  Town  Branch  and 
Spring  creek,  one  of  the  very  best  of  hunting 
grounds,  and  moreover  in  the  opinion  of  the 
early  settlers,  they  who  occupied  the  land  bord- 
ering on  the  timber,  would  become  practically, 
the  owners  of  the  outside  prairie,  as  their  pasture 
ground  forever. 

On  the  28th  day  of  October,  1828,  he  entered 
Springfield  by  First  to  Jefferson  street.  At  the 
crossing  of  First  and  Jefferson,  looking  west,  on 
the  margin  of  the  timber  and  Town  Branch, 
stood  the  old  horse-mill  of  John  Taylor,  then 
abandoned,  and  the  tan-yard  of  William  Proc- 
ter, now  living  at  Lewiston.  Both  of  these 
buildings  were  on  the  north  of  Jefferson  street, 
and  intermediate  between  them  and  First  street 
was  a  corn  field.  On  the  south  side  of  Jeffer- 
son, and  west  of  First  street,  stood  the  houses  of 
John  Sherril,  a  shoemaker,  and  John  Moor,  who 
had  married  Mrs.  Ilawley,  the  estimable  mother 
of  E.  B.  Hawley  and  Isaac  Hawley;  and  west 
of  Moor  were  the  cabins  of  Uncle  Billy  Fagan 
and  of  William  Baker.  Going  thence  east  on 
Jefferson  street,  first  stood  the  hotel  of  Mr. 
Abrams,  on  the  south  side,  and  adjoining  was 
the  dwelling  and  store  of  John  Taylor,  next  the 
Buck  Tavern,  kept  by  Andrew  Elliot,  next  the 
grocery  and  adjoining  dwelling  of  William  Car- 
penter.    On  the  opposite  side  of  Jefferson  was 


first  what  was  once  the  old  tavern,  but  then  the 
dwelling  of  Colonel  Cox  and  family.  Next  east 
were  five  or  six  small  two-room  frame  buildings, 
with  ends  to  the  street:  the  first  occupied  by 
Jessie  Cormack  in  the  front  room  as  a  tinner's 
shop,  while  Asa  S.  Shaw  occupied  the  rear  room 
as  a  justice's  office;  next  was  the  store  house  of 
Mordecai  Mobley;  next  the  grocery  of  Ebenezer 
Capps,  and  the  two  next  on  the  corner  were 
occupied  as  the  store  of  General  James  D. 
Henry,  with  Philip  C.  Latham  as  clerk.  Follow- 
ing east  on  Jefferson  and  across  Second  street, 
at  the  corner,  on  the  right,  stood  the  store  where 
Elijah  lies  sold  goods,  and  .John  Williams  per- 
formed well  the  duties  of  clerk.  The  family  of 
Major  lies  resided  in  the  same  house.  Next  was 
a  two-story  log  house,  in  the  lower  room  of 
which  Jabez  Capps  had  a  shoemaker's  shop,  the 
upper  room  being  the  residence  of  his  family. 
Opposite,  on  the  north  side  of  .Jefferson,  and  on 
its  corner  with  Second  street,  stood  a  small  log 
house,  occupied  as  a  store  and  dwelling  by 
Archer  G.  Herndon;  next  east  was  a  two-room 
frame  house,  with  end  to  the  street,  the  front 
room  occupied  by  Hooper  Warren  as  a  printing 
ottice,  and  the  rear  room  as  the  dwelling  of  his 
family;  next,  and  on  an  eighty-foot  lot,  stood  a 
two-story  house,  with  two  rooms  below,  with  a 
hall  between,  occupied  as  a  residence  by  Paschal 
P.  Enos  and  his  family,  except  the  east  lower 
room,  which  was  used  as  a  land  office.  Contin- 
uing east  on  Jefferson,  and  crossing  Third  street, 
and  as  you  looked  south  on  Third,  not  far  from 
t'ne  south  end  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Depot, 
stood  another  two-room  frame  building,  with 
end  to  Third  street,  occupied  by  a  carpenter 
named  Fowler  as  a  residence;  next  was  Levi 
Goodin  in  a  cabin  on  the  south  side  of  Jefferson, 
while  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  .Jefferson,  on 
the  south  side,  stood  the  residence  of  General 
.James  Adams.  On  the  north  side  of  Jeffer- 
son, between  Third  and  Fourth  streets,  stoo<l  a 
double  log  building,  the  residence  of  Gorden 
Abrams.  Next,  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and 
.Jefferson,  stood  the  residence  and  shop  of  Dr. 
Jayne.  This  house  still  stands,  and  is  occupied 
by  Mr.  Baum  as  a  stone  and  marble  establish- 
ment. Still  going  east  on  Jefferson,  and  cross- 
ing Fourth  street  to  the  right,  on  the  eightj'-foot 
lot  on  which  the  St.  Nicholas  now  stands,  was  a 
two-story  double  log  house,  the  residence  of 
Charles  Boyd,  a  tailor.  On  the  north  side  of 
Jefferson,  and  opposite  to  Jioyd,  was  the  resi- 
dence of  Thomas  Strawbridge  and  his  sister, 
Mrs.  Anderson.  Jacob  Plank  resided  in  a  two- 
room  frame  house,  on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and 


198 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Jefi'ersou,  and  crossing  Sixth  street,  on  the 
corner  lot  of  Jefferson  and  Fifth  streets  stood 
the  blacksmith  shop  of  John  White,  and  his 
residence  adjoining.  On  the  opposite  side 
was  the  cabin  of  the  Tuckers,  and  these 
were  the  last  houses  on  East  Jefferson. 
Crossing  to  Washington  street,  and  beginning 
again  on  First  street  and  moving  east  be- 
tween First  and  Second  and  on  the  block 
south  and  on  the  site  of  the  present  residence 
of  Major  Orendorff,  stood  a  two-story  frame 
house,  the  best  in  the  village,  the  then  residence 
of  Dr.  John  Todd.  This  frame  house  was  after- 
wards removed  and  still  stands  nearly  opposite, 
aei'oss  the  street.  Going  still  east  on  Washing- 
ton near  the  corner  of  Washington  and  Third 
and  near  the  present  site  of  I  he  flouring  mill, 
stood  a  log  cabin,  the  residence  of  Polly,  a  col- 
ored woman,  and  her  family.  Still  east,  on  the 
corner  of  Washington  and  Fourth,  stood  a  double 
frame  house  then  occupied  as  a  residence  by  Joe 
Thomas,  afterwards  purchased  by  and  made  the 
residence  of  Dr.  John  G.  Bergen,  while  on  the 
same  block,  and  near  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Fifth,  stood  the  residence  of  Asa  S.  Shaw. 
On  the  opposite  block,  and  on  the  corner  where 
now  stands  the  Chenery  House,  there  stood  the 
cabin  of  a  colored  woman,  called  familiarly 
Aunt  Creecy,  and  these  were  the  only  houses  on 
Washington  street.  There  were  but  two  houses 
of  Adams  street,  the  blacksmith  shop  of  Aleck 
Humphreys,  and  his  residence  adjoining,  situ- 
ated on  the  corner  of  Adams  and  Third,  on  the 
north  side,  opposite  to  the  Episcopal  Church, 
and  the  residence  of  Dr.  Garrett  Elkin,  on  the 
two  lots  on  the  south  side  of  Adams,  where  it 
corners  with  Sixth  street,  now  occupied  by  the 
magnificent  stores  of  C.  M.  Smith  and  others, 
the  very  centre  of  business.  Washington  lies 
and  family  live  in  a  two-room  frame  house  on 
the  corner  of  Monroe  and  Fourth  streets,  the 
present  site  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church. 
Rivers  McCormack,  a  Methodist  circuit  rider, 
had  built  and  lived  in  a  cabin  on  Monroe,  on 
part  of  the  Tyndale  hill,  but  he  had  ceased  to 
occupy  it.  Fronting  the  public  square,  on  the 
corner  of  Sixth  and  Adams,  stood  a  two-story 
frame  building,  the  lower  rooms  of  which  were 
nsed  as  a  court  room,  while  the  upper  was  used 
by  Charles  R.  JVIatheny  as  a  clerk's  office.  Front- 
ing the  public  sipiare  on  the  west,  and  on  the 
lotfnow  occupied  by  Joel  L>rown  as  a  book  and 
drug  store,  stood  another  two-room  frame  house, 
with  end  to  the  street,  then  occupied  by  Dr. 
Darling  as  a  family  residence.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  public  square  was  the  whipping-post. 


I  saw  two  men  punished  at  the  whipping  post. 
The  last  was  named  Watson,  who  was  sentenced 
to  receive  eighty  lashes  for  an  attempt  to  rob 
Mr.  Bouge.  General  Henry,  the  sheriff',  inflicted 
the  jjunishment,  and  it  was  doubted  by  those 
who  saw  it,  whether  Heniy  or  Watson  suffered 
most.  Henrj-  was  very  pale,  and  I  hope  never 
to  see  another  such  a  sight.  I  believe  I  have 
enumerated  all  the  buildings  in  the  village  of 
Springfield;  all  north  of  Jefferson,  all  east  of 
Sixth  street,  and  south  of  Adams,  except  as 
above  mentioned,  was  unbroken  prairie,  except 
that  Charles  R.  Matheny  and  family  lived  on 
the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Cook  streets,  now  the 
residence  of  Mrs.  Irwin,  and  there  cultivated 
about  forty  acres;  and  Edward  Mitchell  resided 
with  his  family  northeast  of  the  public  scjuare, 
on  a  small  farm,  which  afterwards  was  laid  out 
into  Mitchell's  addition. 

"The  town  of  Springfield  then  had  not  exceed- 
ing five  hundred  inhabitants,  and  they  were 
from  every  section  and  State  in  the  Union,  gen- 
erally young  people,  except  where  the  father  or 
grandfather  had  come  out  with  some  younger 
branch  of  his  family.  They  were,  as  a  rule, 
poor,  and  had  moved  West  to  better  their  for- 
tunes. It  required  some  courage  and  nerve  then 
to  emigrate  to  the  West,  and  therefore  they 
were  generally  energetic  and  enterprising.  They 
were  persons  who  had  come  from  good  families 
East;  had  seen  good  society,  and  were  as  well 
educated,  cultivated  and  refined  as  were  the  in- 
habitants of  towns  of  the  same  size  East  or 
West.  All  had  traveled  more  or  less  to  reach 
Illinois,  and  some  had  come  from  the  remote 
States.  This  gave  them  an  advantage  over  citi- 
zens of  the  old  States,  in  the  knowledge  of  men 
and  things  which  travel  brings  along  with  it. 
All  were  on  ecpiality,  the  only  distinction  arising 
from  superior  intelligence  or  bettor  moral  char- 
acter. This  equality  rendered  them  social,  hos- 
pitable and  kind  to  each  other,  and  ready  to 
receive  strangers  with  open  arms.  Their  social 
intercourse  was  free  from  forms  and  restraint, 
which  wealth  and  more  extended  social  circles 
bring  along  with  them.  They  met  together  on 
the  street,  in  the  offices,  or  around  the  family 
circle,  and  were  happy  in  their  intercourse  with 
each  other.  The  young  lady  who  wished  to 
have  company  in  the  evening  did  not  send  out 
elegant  cards,  but  placed  a  lighted  candle  in  her 
window;  the  young  men,  collected  around  the 
four  corners  at  the  crossings  of  Second  and 
Jeff'erson,  would  see  the  light,  accept  the  invita- 
tion, and  assemble  for  social  enjoyment.  I  re- 
member well  the  first  time  this  occurred  after 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


199 


my  arrival.  Miss  Clarissa  Benjamin,  now  Van 
Bergen,  placed  her  candle  in  the  window  of  the 
parlor  room,  above  the  store  of  Major  lies.  I'liil. 
Latham  gave  notice  by  exclaiming:  '  Boys,  Clar- 
issa's candle  is  in  the  window;  let  us  go  over.' 
The  young  men  assembled  there,  and  found 
Miss  Clarissa  Benjamin,  Misses  Hannah  and 
Margaret  Taylor,  the  Misses  Dryers,  and  Miss 
Jane  Bergen.  It  was  a  pleasant,  social  evening, 
and  these  ladies  were  as  handsome,  refined,  and 
entertained  as  well  and  gracefully,  as  the  young 
ladies  of  the  present  day. 

The  people  then  in  Springfield  were  moral 
and  honest;  there  was  little  stealing  or  cheating. 
There  was  no  occasion  then  to  lock  up  the  doors 
and  bar  the  windows  at  night;  they  had  no  fear 
of  sleeping  with  all  open.  The  use  of  ardent 
spirits  was  perhaps  more  general  then  than  now, 
but  there  was  less  drunkenness.  To  drink  was 
then  fashionable,  and  the  wonder  is  that  all  did 
not  become  drunkards.  I  have  remarked  that 
all  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  who  habitually 
used  ardent  spirits,  and  especially  those  who 
used  them  to  excess,  have  made  no  mark  in  the 
world,  but  died  young,  and  are  forgotten;  while 
the  sober  men,  as  a  rule,  have  become  heads  of 
large  and  respectable  families,  lived  respectably, 
and  contributed  to  the  building  up  of  the  city 
and  the  advancement  of  all  its  social  interests. 

"  Grouping  the  business  men  of  that  day,  the 
lawyers  were  Gen.  James  Adams,  Gen.  Thos.  M. 
Neale,  Col.  James  Strode,  Thomas  Mottitt  and 
Jonathan  II.  Pugh,  men  of  mark  then,  but  now 
all  dead  and  forgotten,  overshadowed  by  that 
brilliant  galaxy  of  lawyers,  their  successors, 
which  adorned  the  Sangamon  Bar  between  the 
years  1830  and  1840.  The  physicians  were  Dr. 
John  Todd,  Dr.  Gershom  Jayne,  Dr.  Garret 
Elkin,  Dr.  Epliram  Darling.  They  were  good 
physicians  in  any  country,  were  men  of  intelli- 
gence, estimable  in  all  their  social  relations ;  be- 
sides they  were  men  of  splendid  physique,  and 
able  to  endure  the  ai'duous  labor  of  the  practice 
of  the  day  which  required  them  to  ride  night 
and  day,  on  horseback  or  in  the  sulky,  for  fifty 
miles  around.  The  merchants  were  Elijah  lies, 
Gen.  Henry,  Mordecai  Mobley,  John  Taylor, 
Archer  G.  Herndon,  while  Ebenezer  Capp  kept 
the  grocery;  they  were  all  good  men  then,  and 
enjoyed  the  confidence  of  the  community 
Charles  R.  Matheny  was  clerk  of  the  Circuit  and 
County  courts,  and  in  fact  filled  all  the  offices  of 
the  county.  He  emigrated  from  Virginia,  was 
a  lawyer  by  education  and  a  Methodist  preacher 
by  practice.  He  had  been  Clerk  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  a  member  of  that  body. 

23— 


He  was  a  good  and  useful  man,  had  a  jjleasant, 
smiling  countenance,  beaming  with  benevolence 
as  if  the  light  of  Heaven  was  shining  on  him,  sing- 
ling him  out  from  the  others.  Jonathan  H.  Pugh 
was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky;  a  lawyer  by 
profession.  Emigrating  to  the  West,  he  settled 
in  Bond  county,  Illinois  ;  removed  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  about  the  year  1824,  where  he  lived  un- 
til his  death  in  18-34.  He  was  possessed  of  a 
remarkably  pleasant  address,  and  was,  in  the  fall 
of  182S,  the  most  prominent  and  popular  man  in 
Northern  Illinois.  He  had  a  good  and  showy 
intellect,  was  brilliant  in  his  wit,  and  sparkling 
repartee,  and  for  his  social  qualities  was  beloved 
by  his  friends.  He  was  ambitious,  and  was 
elected  three  times  as  a  Representative  in  the 
legislature.  He  was  a  candidate  for  Congress 
in  1832,  and  defeated  by  Gov.  Duncan.  His 
mortification  was  so  great  that  he  surrendered 
t(j  a  habit  which  became  his  fatal  enemy,  died 
about  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and  fills  an 
unknown  grave. 

"  General  James  D.  Henry  was  a  shoemaker  by 
trade,  which  he  followed  at  Edwardsville;  re- 
moved to  Springfield,  and  became  a  merchant; 
was  sheriff  of  the  county  two  or  three  terms; 
was  first  a  Colonel  and  then  a  Brigadier  General 
in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  at  the  battle  of 
Wisconsin  proved  himself  the  hero  of  that  war. 
He  was  a  man  of  good  understanding,  of  fine 
person,  brave  and  generous,  of  wonderful  mag- 
netic influence  and  power  to  attach  men  to  him. 
He  went  to  New  Orleans  in  the  spring  of  1834 
for  bis  health,  and  died  and  was  buried  there. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  could  have  been 
elected  to  any  office  in  the  gift  of  the  people  of 
Illinois,  and  the  only  question  he  debated,  was 
whether  in  the  election  of  1834,  he  would  be  a 
member  of  Congress  or  Governor.  He  died  aged 
about  forty  years,  possessed  of  a  good  constitu- 
tion and  a  bright  future  before  him,  the  victim 
of  the  same  bad  habit.  Asa  S.  Shaw  was  from 
the  State  of  New  York,  where  he  had  been  a 
merchant  and  failed;  settling  at  Springfield  he 
became  emphatically  the  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
possessed  of  a  very  strong  intellect,  good  judg- 
ment, and  superior  business  qualifications,  and 
capable  of  great  usefulness;  but  he,  too,  suc- 
cumbed in  the  meridian  of  life  to  the  same  fatal 
enemy. 

"I  have  singled  out  these  three  men  because 
they  were  my  friends,  to  whom  I  was  fdncerely 
attached,  and  whose  memory  to-day,  after  ihe 
lapse  of  more  than  forty  years,  is  still  green  and 
fragrant,  and  I  mean  no  wrong  to  them  when  I 
would  use  this  occasion  to  impress  upon  all,  and 


200 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


especially  upon  the  young,  that  ardent  spirits, 
habitually  used,  will  soon  become  the  master  of 
the  man;  will  undermine  the  strongest  constitu- 
tion; it  will  quench  the  brightest  genius;  blight 
the  fairest  prospects,  and  will  dig  for  him  an 
early,  if  not  a  dishonorable  grave. 

"No  attempted  picture  of  Springfield  would 
be  complete  in  which  Major  Elijah  lies  had  not 
a  prominent  place.  Emigrating  from  Bath 
county,  Kentucky,  to  Missouri  in  ISIS,  and  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1821,  where  he  yet  lives, 
at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years,  when  the  site 
of  Spriiigtield  was  a  prairie,  with  the  exception 
of  the  cabins  of  the  Kellys  and  of  Elliott.  He 
became  a  boarder  in  the  cabin  of  John  Kelly, 
and  then  repeatedly  saw  Elliott  and  one  of  the 
Kelly's  return  in  the  morning  from  hunting  up 
the  town  branch,  with  a  deer  which  had  been 
shot  near  where  the  Governor's  house  now  stands, 
and  off  which  he  breakfasted.  He  opened  a 
store  and  sold  goods  for  many  years;  was  a  Major 
in  the  Winnebago  war,  and  a  captain  of  a  spy 
company  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  served 
the  county  of  Sangamon  two  terras  in  the  State 
Senate,  and  could  have  served  longer  had  he  not 
preferred  to  retire.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
proprietors  of  the  town,  and  at  that  early  day 
contributed  largely  to  its  growth,  while  his 
home,  presided  over  by  his  estimable  wife,  as- 
sisted Ijy  her  graceful  sister.  Miss  Benjamin,  was 
the  pleasant  resort  of  the  young  people.  By  his 
sagacity  and  industry  he  has  acquired  a  large 
fortune,  without  wrong  or  suspicion  of  wrong  to 
any  one.  His  name  was  without  a  stain — modest 
and  unassuming,  through  his  long  life,  he  has 
had  the  love  and  respect  of  his  friends,  and  now, 
amid  the  sorrows  of  his  old  age,  has  the  respect 
and  sympathy  of  the  entire  community. 

"Sangamon  county  was  settled  originally, 
with  some  exceptions,  by  a  class  of  men  known 
on  the  frontiers  as  bee-hunters;  men  who  were 
the  advance  guard  of  emigration,  following  fast 
upon  the  flight  of  the  bees.  These  were  a  hardy 
and  honest  race  of  men,  who  loved  adventure, 
the  freedom  and  independence  of  frontier  life, 
and  did  not  love  to  be  crowded  by  close  neigh- 
bors, or  offended  by  the  accompaniments  of  civi- 
lization. This  class  would  emigrate  to  a  new 
country,  establish  a  claim  of  some  sort  to  a  piece 
of  land,  build  a  cabin,  raise  corn  enough  to  feed 
their  horses  and  hogs,  and  for  bread,  and  si)end 
the  leisure  time  hunting  and  fishing,  and  when  a 
sec(^nd  and  better  class  of  emigration  flowed  in, 
would  sell  out  their  claims  and  move  still  further 
west  to  the  still  advancing  frontier.  That 
change,  to  a  great  extent,  had  taken    place  in 


Sangamon  in  the  fall  of  lS2S,and  was  then  going 
on.  The  bee-hunters  were  going  west  to  Brown, 
Adams  and  Pike  counties,  Illinois;  then  to  Iowa 
and  Missouri,  and  are  doubtless  still  hunting  the 
frontier,  if  indeed  there  is  now  any  frontier. 
Their  place  had  been  supplied,  and  was  being 
supplied  by  emigrants  of  a  difierent  class,  from 
almost  every  State  in  the  Union,  but  principally 
from  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Virginia  and  the  New 
England  States. 

"Those  caine  mostly  from  the  middle  classes 
of  society,  which  embraces  the  bone  and  sinew 
of  every  country.  They  were  generally  from 
the  mountainous  sections,  and  were  large  in  per- 
son, moral,  honest,  and  hospitable;  the  latch- 
string  of  their  door  was  always  out.  They  were 
manlj',  brave,  generous,  frank;  when,  with  a 
warm  smile  on  their  face,  they  clasped  their 
hands  in  yours,  you  instinctively  felt  the  heart 
went  with  it.  These  early  settlers  of  Sangamon 
were  a  race  of  good  and  noble  men,  worthy  to 
be  the  fathers  of  our  great  country,  and  their 
sons  should  remember  their  ancestry,  and  never 
disgrace  them. 

"As  the  result  of  their  labors,  early  toils  and 
hardships,  we  have  the  great  county  of  Sanga- 
mon, with  its  wealthy,  thriving,  peaceful  and 
happy  neighljorliood.  I  say  peaceful,  and  in 
proof,  I  would  mention  the  fact  that  the  law 
docket  of  Sangamon  has  always  shown  less  liti- 
gation than  other  counties.  It  is  sometimes  said 
that  the  <locket  of  a  county  is  a  very  true  index 
of  its  wealth  and  business;  not  so  with  Sanga- 
mon. In  wealth  and  business,  and  traffic,  it  will 
compare  favorably  with  any  other  county  in  the 
State. 

"It  may  be  invidious  to  single  out  any  of  these 
early  settlers,  as  all  cannot  be  mentioned  here, 
but  as  representatives  of  the  wholt^,  I  would 
mention  the  Darnells,  the  Wycoffs,  the  Mc- 
Gwins,  the  Morris's,  the  Kinneys,  the  Cloyds,  of 
Lick  creek;  the  Pattons,  the  Husbands,  the 
Crows,  the  Fletchers,  the  Drennans,  the  Dodds, 
and  Isaac  Keys,  of  Sugar  creek ;  the  Elkius,  the 
Constants,  the  McDaniels.  the  Pickrells,  and  the 
Dawsons,  of  the  North  Fork  ;  the  Casses,  the  . 
Burns,  the  Lawsons  and  St.  Clairs,  of  Buffalo 
Hart ;  the  Cantralls,  the  Councils,  the  Powers, 
of  Fancy  Creek ;  the  Irwins,  the  Cartwrights, 
the  Carsons,  the  Purviances,  the  Andersons  and 
the  Harrisons,  of  Richland  ;  the  Sims,  the  Mc- 
Coys, the  Morgans,  and  the  Earnests,  of  Spring 
creek;  and  the  Beekenridges,  the  Bakers,  the 
Neals,  and  the  Staffords  and  Sattlys,  of  Fork 
Prairie ;  Samuel  Williams,  the  Fouches,  the  El- 
lises,  the  Yates,  the  Wilcoxes,  of  Island  Grove ; 


IIlSTOliY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


201 


the  lies,  Charles  R.  jVIatheriy,  Drs.  Todd,  Jayne 
and  Elkin,  Pascal  P.  Enos,  John  Taylor,  Archer 
G.  Herndon,  Philip  C.  Latham,  John  Williams, 
Gen.  Henry  and  Jonathan  H.  Pugh,  and  Peter 
VanBergen,  of  Springiield. 

"Further  singling  out,  I  would  present  to  your 
memory  as  a  fair  sample  of  the  whole.  Captain 
John  Durneil,  a  man  about  six  feet  in  height, 
handsome  and  well-foimed,  easy  in  his  manner, 
because  by  nature  a  gentleman,  frank,  generous 
and  true;  you  felt  in  his  presence  as  witli  one 
who  was  every  inch  a  man. 

"These  early  settlers,  I  owe  them  much,  when 
almost  a  boy  and  a  stranger  they  received  me 
with  open  arms,  and  have,  in  a  thousand  ways, 
showered  upon  me  favors  beyond  my  deserts;  I 
owe  them  a  large  debt  of  gratitude,  and  would 
do  all  I  might  to  honor  their  memories.  Most 
of  them  are  dead  and  gone,  and  I  hope  have 
settled  for  all  time,  in  a  better  country,  around 
the  throne  of  God,  and  along  the  banks  of  the 
'lieautiful  river.'  Some  few  of  us  old  settlers 
still  linger  on  these  coasts  of  Time;  one  by  one 
they  are  passing  away,  and  those  of  us  who 
remain  are  fas>t  liecoming  strangers  amid  the 
new  generations  around  us. 

"We  are  t.anght  in  the  story  of  the  Cross,  and 
we  believe  that  a  great  scheme  of  redemption 
has  been  provided  for  our  race  by  the  Great 
Father,  and  if  we  do  our  duty  here  to  our  coun- 
try, our  fellow  men,  and  to  our  God,  that  some- 
where in  His  great  universe  a  heaven  has  been 
provided  as  our  happy,  eternal  home,  and  the 
thought  is  a  consoling  one,  that  although  fast 
becoming  strangers  here,  yet,  when  we  cross  the 
great  river  of  Time  which  divides  that  happy 
land  from  ours,  we  will  meet  more  friends  than 
we  leave  behind  us;  that  we  will  know  them, 
and  they  us;  and  that  then  the  reunion  of  old 
settlers  will  be  jovous,  complete,  and  without 
end." 

BY    DR.    ALEXANDER    SHIELDS. 

"It  is  said  that  I  first  breathed  the  atmosphere 
in  the  year  of  1797,  in  Franklin  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. Although  I  was  there  at  the  time, 
and  took  an  active  part  in  the  affair,  I  have  no 
recollection  of  the  transaction,  and  have  to  de- 
pend on  the  declaration  of  others  for  the  truth 
of  my  statement. 

"  I  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  until  al)out 
eighteen  years  of  age;  went  to  a  common  school 
in  the  winter;  did  all  kinds  of  work  that  is  done 
on  a  farm,  and  that,  I  believe,  gave  me  a  strength 
and  vigor  of  constitution  that  has  enabled  me  to 
resist  the  physical  elements  with  which  we  are 


surrounded,  and  are  at  constant  war  against  the 
functions  of  life.  At  eighteen,  I  became  im- 
pressed with  an  ardent  desire  to  acquire  knowl- 
edge; went  nine  months  to  a  Latin  school; 
pursued  my  studies  with  a  resolution  that  knew 
no  failure,  and  at  the  expiration  of  seven  years, 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  my  literary  pursuits,  I  read  a  motto 
that  was  placed  over  the  door  of  a  heathen  tem- 
ple— 'Genosko  se  auto'  (Know  thyselt) — that 
made  a  strong  impression  on  my  mind.  I  be- 
came fascinated  with  the  idea  of  knowing  my- 
self. Anatomy  and  physiology  appeared  to  be 
the  proper  branches  for  that  purpose,  conse- 
quently I  devoted  myself  to  the  study  of  medi- 
cal science,  and  after  the  lapse  of  seven  years, 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
Philadelphia,  in  183.3. 

"During  all  these  years  I  never  thought  of 
the  'mighty  dollar,'  only  when  necessity  forced 
it  upon  me.  It  will  appear  from  these  state- 
ments that  I  did  not  creep  in  at  the  back  door 
and  foist  myself  on  the  profession,  without,  at 
least,  making  an  effort  to  acquire  a  knowledge 
of  the  high  and  responsible  duties  pertaining  to 
it.  I  devoted  myself  two  years  to  my  profes- 
sion in  Pennsj'lvania,  and  then  directed  my  des- 
tiny toward  the  setting  sun,  in  the  Far  A¥est. 
IJefore  bidding  a  long  farewell  to  good  old 
Pennsylvania,  I  will  state  a  couple  of  incidents 
that  occurred  during  my  stay  in  Pittsburg.  In 
1S24,  General  Lafayette  and  son  visited  Pitts- 
burg, and  the  city  became  wild  with  enthusiasm. 
Of  course  he  was  tendered  the  hosjiitality  of  the 
city.  The  reception  was  grand  and  imposing. 
At  least  one  hundred  thousand  people  gave  him 
an  enthusiastic  welcome.  I,  in  conjunction  with 
thousands  of  others,  had  the  pleasure  of  shaking 
his  hand.  It  is  human  nature  to  f'pel  ])leasure 
in  shaking  hands  with  a  patriot  like  Lafayette. 

"The  other  incident  was  a  visit  of  Uenry 
Clay,  Secretary  of  State,  under  John  Q.  Adams. 
His  reception  was  cold,  and  forbidding;  in  fact 
the  people  were  bitterly  opposed  to  him  in  con- 
sequence of  his  vote  in  favor  of  Adams  against 
General  Jackson.  A  few  friends  called  to  see 
him  at  his  hotel,  and  being  enlisted  in  his  favor, 
induced  others  to  call,  until  it  became  general; 
strange  to  say,  he  'swallowed'  all  that  called  to 
see  him.  He  remained  four  or  five  days,  and 
visited  our  manufacturing  establishments,  and 
the  tables  were  turned  so  much  in  his  favor  that 
a  yiulilic  dinner  must  be  tendered.  There  were 
no  jiublic  buildings  suitable,  and  Henry  Ilold- 
shi])  was  requested  to  give  the  use  of  his  pa])er 
mill,  one  day  for  the  purpose.      Rapp,  the  he.ad 


202 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  a  colony,  eighteen  miles  below  Pittsburg, 
sent  up  two  or  three  barrels  of  wine  for  the  oc- 
casion. The  building  was  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  We  had  a  feast  worthy  the  city,  and 
worthy  the  man  to  whom  it  was  given.  JVIany 
toasts  were  given  and  drank;  finally,  a  toast  was 
given  in  honor  of  Henry  Clay,  and  his  respond- 
ing closed  the  feast.  The  toast  was  as  follows, 
as  near  as  I  can  recollect:  '  Here's  to  Henry 
Clay,  of  Kentucky,  who  on  his  way  home  from 
Washington,  stopped  at  Pittsburg,  and  had  the 
power  to  stop  Henry  lloldship's  paper  mill  one 
entire  day,  which  never  stopped  before  on  any 
occasion.' 

"He  (Clay),  boldly  went  over  his  ])olitical 
actions,  in  relation  to  Adams,  and  declared  he 
would  do  so  again  under  the  same  circumstan- 
ces. Such  eloquence  I  never  heard;  such  en- 
thusiasm I  never  saw;  perhaps  the  wine  helped 
to  increase  it. 

"Early  in  April,  lS:i5,  I  got  on  board  a  steam- 
boat for  St.  Louis;  remained  there  a  few  days; 
wandered  about  seeing  the  country,  and  at  last 
wound  up  my  travels  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  on 
the  loth  of  May,  1835.  The  next  day  it  com- 
menced raining  and  rained  about  forty  days  and 
nights,  until  the  prairie  east  of  town  was  about 
a  foot  deep  with  water,  and  no  outlet;  the  water 
disappeared  by  evaporation  and  sinking  in  the 
soil.  The  sidewalks  were  composed  of  mud 
about  three  inches  deep,  and  when  crossing  the 
streets,  we  rolled  our  pantaloons  above  our  boots 
and  waded  through.  Disgusted  with  the  mud, 
I  went  up  north  to  a  place  called  Tremont,  a 
town  of  stakes  and  grass.  A  colony  from  the 
east  had  purchased  of  the  Federal  Government 
a  quantity  of  land  about  three  months  before, 
laid  out  a  town,  and  called  it  Tremont.  A  part 
of  the  colony  were  living  in  their  stables  whicli 
they  buili  first,  and  carpenters  were  busy  fram- 
ing their  houses.  They  received  me  very  kindly 
and  expressed  a  desire  for  me  to  locate  there,  to 
examine  the  location  of  their  town,  and  pick 
out  a  lot  anywhere  not  already  taken.  I  com- 
menced taking  a  view  of  the  place,  and  every 
few  minutes  a  rattlesnake  gave  me  warning  to 
keep  off,  and  I  abandoned  the  examination. 
They  declared  that  their  object  was  to  settle  the 
country  and  develope  the  resources  of  the  soil; 
that  speculation  with  them  was  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. I  made  choice  of  a  lot,  perhaps  the  one- 
eighth  part  of  an  acre,  on  the  northeast  corner 
of  the  square.  I  a])})lied  to  the  agent  for  his 
terms  for  the  lot.  He  proposed  to  let  me  have 
the  lot  for  $200,  twenty  cash,  give  note  tor  §180, 
drawing  twelve  per  cent,  interest,  and  bind  my- 


self to  put  a  house  on  worth  -^li.OOO.  I  de- 
nounced them  as  a  setof  speculators  and  gougers; 
mounted  my  horse;  hastened  to  Springfield,  re- 
gardless of  the  mud. 

"When  I  returned  to  Springfield  greatchanges 
had  taken  place ;  the  sidewalks  and  streets  ■«  ere 
dry  and  pleasant.  The  waters  had  subsided 
within  the  banks  of  the  streams,  and  sickness  to 
a  great  extent  set  in,  in  consequence  of  decaying 
vegetable  matter;  intermittent,  remittents  and 
typhoid  fevers  prevailed,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  that  summer  was  known  by  the  name  of 
the 'sickly  season.'  I  hung  out  my  'shingle,' 
and  was  called  upon  to  see  a  sick  family  near 
Clear  Lake,  and  had  to  cross  the  river  at  Den- 
ma's  ferry,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above 
Riverton  ;  after  being  ferried  over  three  or  four 
days,  I  concluded  to  ford  the  stream.  I  had  a 
very  spirited  'nag,'  and  strange  as  it  may  apyiear, 
I  rode  with  a  spur  on  my  heel.  When  I  reached 
the  river  a  large  drove  of  cattle  were  entering 
the  water,  and  a  man  was  mounted  on  a  very 
large  ox  in  front.  I  went  into  the  water  about 
twenty  yards  above.  The  water  rose  to  the  sides 
of  my  'nag,'  and  I  raised  my  feet  to  avoid  get- 
ting wet ;  sunk  the  spur  into  her  flank  :  she  made 
a  sudden  spring  forward,  and  pitched  me  over 
her  head  into  the  stream.  I  requested  the  man 
on  the  ox  to  come  and  take  me  on  behind  him ; 
he,  with  a  grin  and  squeaking  voice,  informed 
me  that  his  horse  wouldn't  carry  double.  Tliere 
I  was  baptized  a  citizen  of  Sangamon  county, 
and,  by  some  superior  power,  have  remained  so 
to  this  time. 

"In  the  summer  of  1835,  the  State  Bank  and 
branches  went  into  operation.  We  had  State 
banks,  local  banks,  and  'wild  cat  banks,'  and 
paper  money  was  as  plenty  as  blackberries. 
Times  were  prosperous,  and  the  people  entered 
the  public  lands  to  a  great  extent  with  paper 
money,  causing  serious  loss  to  the  Government. 
In  1836,  General  Jackson  issued  a  specie  circu- 
lar, requiring  the  lands  to  be  paid  for  in  specie. 
This  caused  a  run  on  the  banks,  and  in  a  little 
while  all  the  banks  in  the  country  burst  up  and 
went  to  'pot.'  Our  currency  became  worthless; 
distress  and  hard  times  came  upon  us;  business 
of  all  kinds  was  depressed,  and  I  bought  corn  in 
Springfield,  delivered  at  five  cents  per  bushel. 
The  State  also  commenced  building  railroads. 
Every  road  must  be  completed  at  the  same  lime; 
consequently,  in  a  little  while  she  became  bank- 
rupt in  the  sum  of  seventeen  millions,  and  no 
roads.  Another  question  enlisted  the  public  mind. 
The  temporary  seat  of  government  at  Vandalia 
was  about  expiring,  and  the  permanent  location 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


203 


was  agitated  with  a  great  deal  of  zeal  by  differ- 
ent parties.  We  had  the  celebrated  '  long  nine' 
to  engineer  our  claims.  They  finally  accom- 
plished the  end  by  Springfield  giving  a  bribe,  in 
the  name  of  a  bonus,  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  to 
the  State.  The  County  Commissioners  donated 
to  the  State  the  public  square,  and  the  building 
of  a  State  House  commenced.  The  legislature 
met  in  the  churches  and  passed  laws  for  the 
good  of  the  people.  Springfield  numbered  at 
that  time  perhaps  six  or  seven  hundred  people, 
and  being  simply  a  corporation,  it  must  be  ele- 
vated to  the  name  of  a  city.  A  charter  is  framed, 
and  presented  to  the  legislature  for  its  sanction. 

"The  Framers  of  the  Charter  found  that  there 
would  be  considerable  opposition  to  it,  when 
submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  inserted  a 
clause  excluding  all  unnaturalized  citizens  from 
voting  for  or  against  its  adoption,  when,  at  that 
time,  persons  that  were  here  six  months  were 
entitled  to  vote,  even  for  President  of  the  United 
States.  Colonel  Baker  was  a  member  of  the 
legislature,  and,  as  I  understood,  voted  for  it, 
with  this  objectionable  clause  in  it.  That  gave 
rise  to  a  difficulty  between  him  and  me  that  has 
never  been  understood.  He,  being  an  English- 
man, from  the  same  country  where  two  of  my 
brothers-in-law  came  from,  excluded  them  from 
voting.  I,  boiling  over  with  indignation  at  the 
idea  of  his  excluding  his  own  countrymen  from 
voting,  declared  that  I  would  challenge  his  vote. 
He,  being  aware  of  the  fact,  came  on  the  day  of 
election  prepared  with  his  father's  naturalized 
papers,  which  naturalized  him,  he  being  a  minor 
at  the  time.  When  he  came  to  vote,  I  chal- 
lenged it,  and  that  gave  rise  to  a  good  deal  of 
insulting  language.  At  length,  he  used  an  ex- 
pression that  was  not  true,  and  I  called  him  a 
liar.  That  ended  the  war  of  words.  Ho  then 
requested  me  to  go  out  on  the  street,  and  he 
would  Mick'  me  as  soon  as  he  polled  his  vote. 
I  went  out  and  waited  for  him.  When  he  came, 
he  quietly  asked  what  I  said  at  the  polls.  I  said 
he  was  a  liar.  Expecting  him  to  strike  with  his 
right,  he  gave  me  a  lick  with  his  left  fist,  on  the 
side  of  my  head,  that  knocked  me  wild;  then 
the  'ball'  opened.  I  tried  for  some  time  to  hit 
him,  but  he  fended  off  so  well  that  I  was  unable 
to  touch  him. 

"  His  fist  was  soft;  my  head  was  hard,  and  by 
the  time  he  raised  some  five  or  six  knots,  his  fist 
was  useless.  Unable  to  hit  him  with  my  fist,  I 
changed  my  tactics,  and  commenced  kicking. 
After  two  or  three  kicks  he  caught  mv  foot  and 
hoisted  me  over;  while  falling  I  caught  him  and 
drew  him  down  upon  me,  and  then  reached  to 


get  him  by  the  throat,  and  my  thumb  landed  in 
his  eye.  I  concluded  to  let  it  remain  there. 
The  Democr.ats  thought  I  might  'tight  it  out  on 
this  line  if  it  took  all  summer,'  but  the  Whigs 
thought  differently,  and  pulled  \is  apart,  and 
that  pulled  my  thumb  out  of  his  eye.  This 
affair  closed  up  by  each  of  us  paying  fifteen  dol- 
lars for  fracturing  the  law.  I  can  justly  say  that 
Colonel  Baker  was  a  most  eloquent  and  for- 
midable political  opponent,  and  three  or  four 
months  after,  when  our  passions  cooled  down,  we 
shook  hands  and  made  friends,  and  then  I  came 
to  the  conclusion  we  had  both  been  a  pair  of 
great  fools. 

"The  charter  was  adopted,  and  William  May 
was  elected  Mayor  of  the  city.  Josiah  Lamborn 
was  States  Attorney.  At  that  time  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Archibald  Trayler,  as  upright  and 
good  a  citizen  as  can  be  found  anywhere,  lived 
there.  William  Trayler  and  his  Ijrother,  with 
them  a  man  named  Fisher,  came  on  a  visit  to 
their  brother,  Archibald  Trayler,  who  lived 
near  Captain  Ransdell's  Hotel.  The  captain  had 
a  niece  living  with  him,  and  William  Trayler 
had  an  inkling  towards  her,  and  the  captain  was 
bitterly  opposed  to  him,  and  set  spies  to  watch 
their  movements.  Their  movements  were  mys- 
terious, as  usual  when  a  woman  is  mixed  up  in 
the  affair. 

"  Two  of  the  Traylers  and  Fisher  were  seen 
going  northwest  into  the  timber  and  remained 
there  some  time;  at  length  two  returned,  and 
Fisher  was  not  with  them;  the  next  day  the 
Traylers  started  for  home,  and  took  the  same 
route  through  the  timber,  and,  according  to  the 
spies,  wound  round  in  by-roads  until  finally  they 
came  into  the  Beardstown  road.  F'our  or  five 
days  after,  the  Traylers  came  back  in  search  of 
Fisher.  This  gave  rise  to  the  suspicion  that 
Fisher  had  been  foully  dealtwith,  and  caused  the 
greatest  excitement  among  the  people,  William 
May  and  Lamborn  engineered  the  matter;  seized 
the  Traylers,  and  had  the  timber  searched  for 
four  or  five  days,  in  order  to  find  Fisher.  They 
soon  found  the  place,  where  it  was  supposed 
Fisher  was  killed,  and  search  was  continued  in 
order  to  find  the  body.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
third  day,  I  went  down  in  the  timber,  and  met 
two  men,  who  inquired  if  I  had  seen  the  place 
where  Fisher  had  been  killed,  I  replied  that  I 
had  not;  they  then  led  me  into  the  brush  about 
fifty  yards,  where  there  was  a  circular  spot,  per- 
h.'i])s  twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  cleared 
off,  and  near  the  center  was  a  stump  with  a  num- 
ber of  sprouts  growing  round  it,  and  close  by 
the  stump  there  was  an  impression  in  the  soil, 


204 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


resemblins^  exactly  what  the  back  of  a  man's 
head  would  make  in  falling  with  considerable 
force.  Directly  after,  Dr.  Merriman  and  six  or 
eight  others  came  into  the  circle  opposite;  some 
one  wondered  if  there  was  any  hair  or  blood 
about  the  stump;  Dr.  Merriman  examined  it 
critically  on  his  hands  and  knees;  no  hair  or 
blood  was  found,  the  nest  day  quantities  of  hair, 
even  the  man's  whiskers,  were  found  about  the 
stump. 

"In  the  evening  I  went  down  town,  and  the 
street  opposite  the  Mayor's  oflBce  was  crowded 
with  people,  and  Lamborn  among  them.  Being 
well  acquainted  with  him,  he  took  me  to  one 
side,  and  informed  me  that  he  had  told  William 
Trayler  that  he  had  testimony  to  hang  the  whole 
three  of  them,  and  the  only  way  of  escape  was 
to  turn  State's  evidence;  he  became  so  alarmed 
that  he  was  willing  to  give  testimony  to  the  kill- 
ing of  Fisher.  The  next  morning,  I  and  five  or 
six  others  went  to  the  lower  road  to  see  Hickox's 
mill  pond  opened,  in  order  to  find  Fisher.  When 
opposite  the  spot  where  Fisher  should  have  been 
killed,  a  young  man  came  running  down,  shout- 
ing 'they  found  plenty  of  hair,  even  the  man's 
whiskers.'  I  informed  him  that  game  would 
not  work,  as  Dr.  Merriman  had  examined  the 
spot  the  evening  before,  and  no  hair  could  be 
found.  This  circumstance  led  to  the  suspicion 
that  a  conspiracy  had  been  formed  to  encompass 
the  death  of  Archibald  Trayler.  Five  or  six 
hundred  people  met  at  the  mill.  William  May 
mounted  a  log  and  made  a  speech,  urging  the 
necessity  of  drawing  off  the  water,  in  order  to 
find  the  body.  It  was  a  dry  season,  and  water 
was  valuable  to  Hickox.  I  opposed  it,  without 
first  paying  a  just  compensation.  He  then  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  five,  Morris  Lindsay, 
chairman,  to  wait  on  Hickox  and  ascertain  the 
damage.  Two  hundred  dollars  were  demanded. 
The  committee  reported,  and  May  thought  it 
too  high,  and  sent  them  back  with  instructions 
to  offer  fifty  dollars  or  nothing;  so  Hickox  was 
compelled  to  submit. 

"When  the  water  was  reduced  about  four 
feet,  we  went  up  to  where  the  Beardstown  road 
crossed  the  sti'eam,  and  a  number  went  into  the 
water  in  search  of  the  body;  the  crowd  on  the 
bank  and  Archibald  Trayler,  under  bonds,  stood 
off  about  forty  yards  from  the  crowd,  a  forlorn 
spectator  of  the  scenes.  I  went  to  him,  with 
the  desire  to  find  out  what  grudge  May  and 
Lamborn  had  against  him;  but  he  appeared  so 
depressed  that  I  gave  it  up  and  went  back  to  the 
crowd  on  the  bank.  It  so  happened  that  I  had 
lost  an  axe  at  that  point,  in  getting  ice,  and  I 


proposed  to  give  a  dollar  to  the  man  that  would 
find  it,  and  that  they  would  be  more  likely  to 
find  the  axe  t han  Fisher.  They  looked  '  daggers ' 
at  me,  and  a  low  miirmur  went  through  the 
crowd,  and  I  discovered  my  imprudence  when 
it  was  too  late.  About  sundown  we  left  without 
Fisher.  When  we  arrived  at  Springfield,  a 
doctor  in  the  vicinity  of  Wm.  Trayler's  home, 
hearing  of  the  excitement,  was  there  declaring 
that  Fisher  w^as  at  home  and  well.  They  seized 
the  doctor,  declared  him  an  accomplice,  and  de- 
manded that  Fisher  must  be  presented  in  per- 
son. Archibald  Trayler's  partner  and  Mr.  John 
Maxcy,  I  was  informed,  went  for  Fisher.  They 
returned  late  in  the  evening,  and  the  next  day 
the  trial  came  on.  After  an  elaborate  train  of 
circumstantial  evidence,  together  with  Wm. 
Trayler's  positive  testimony,  were  given,  .Tudge 
Logan,  Archibald  Trayler's  attorney,  stated  that 
he  would  introduce  just  one  witness.  He  made 
a  sign,  and  introduced  Fisher,  to  the  consterna- 
tion of  all  present. 

"The  result  was  that  Archibald  Trayler's  use- 
fulness was  destroyed,  and  he  wandered  about 
like  a  person  in  a  dream.  About  two  years 
after,  a  messenger  came  for  me  at  twelve  o'clock 
at  night,  to  see  Trayler,  who  was  very  sick;  when 
I  saw  him  he  was  exhausted,  and  in  a  few  hours 
departed  this  life.  The  plain,  natural  and  just 
solution  of  this  mysterious  affair  appears  to  be 
simply  this.  Wm".  Trayler  had  a  great  fancy  for 
Capt.'Ransdell's  niece,  and  she  had  a  fancy  for 
him,  and  the  Captain  was  intensely  opposed  to 
it.  Trayler  was  determined  to  steal  the  girl, 
and  she  was  willing  to  be  stolen,  and  in  order  to 
be  prepared  for  the  theft,  the  three  men  went 
down  into  the  timber  to  find  if  there  were  any 
by-roads  that  would  lead  into  the  Beardstown 
road  ;  then  Fisher  is  sent  home  on  foot,  and  ar- 
rangements made  with  the  girl  to  meet  him  in 
thetimber.  When  he  departed  for  home  he  took 
that  direction,  and  the  girl  being  unable  to  es- 
cape the  vigilance  of  the  Captain  and  his  spies, 
did  not  appear ;  after  waiting  a  reasonable  time, 
he  then  went  to  the  Beardstown  road  on  his  way 
home. 

"This  unfortunate  affair  bad  a  good  deal 
of  truth  and  falsehood  mixed  up  together,  and 
demonstrates  that  when  people  become  greatly 
excited  they  lose  all  their  reasoning  powers; 
that  mobs  and  strikes  and  factions  are  developed 
in  like  manner  ;  that  they  contain  more  or  less 
fanatics,  and  cannot  possibly  exist  without  lead- 
ers, and  when  political  factions  become  strong 
in  numbers  they  are  dangerous  to  civil  govern- 
ment. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


205 


"  From  the  fourth  of  March,  1837,  to  the  fourth 
of  March,  18-tl,  Van  Buren  was  President.  The 
State  was  sunk  to  the  lowest  depths  of  embar- 
rassment; she  could  not  pay  the  interest  on  her 
bonds;  they  depreciated  to  a  mere  nominal  value; 
emigration  ceased,  and  repudiation  appeared  to 
be  inevitable.  Governor  Ford  then  made  ar- 
rangements to  call  a  convention,  to  amend  the 
Constitution  so  as  to  provide  for  the  payment  of 
the  interest  and  principal  of  the  State  debt. 
The  convention  provided  that  two  mills  on  the 
dollar  (twenty  cents  on  the  hundred  dollars)  of 
the  State  tax  should  be  set  apart  for  the  express 
purpose  of  paying  the  interest  and  principal  of 
the  State  debt.  It  was  submitted  to  a  vote  of 
the  people  and  adopted.  The  people  declared, 
by  their  vote,  we  will  pay  the  debt,  to  the  last 
dollar,  let  it  cost  what  it  will.  That  act  of  the 
people  fixed  the  destiny  of  the  State;  the  bonds 
began  to  rise;  emigration  flowed  in,  and  wealth 
increased  to  such  an  extent  that  Governor  Mat- 
teson,  in  his  last  message  to  the  legislature,  de- 
clared that  from  the  ratio  of  increasing  popula- 
tion and  wealth,  the  State  of  Illinois  would  not 
owe  a  dollar  in  1868.  The  increase  in  popula- 
tion and  wealth  was  even  greater  than  Matteson's 
estimate.  Notwithstanding,  when  1868  came 
around  we  were  millions  in  debt.  It  is  said  the 
State  is  now — 1881 — out  of  debt;  but  the  people, 
failing  to  profit  by  experience,  and  getting  rail- 
roads on  the  brain,  have  embarrassed  counties 
and  towns  to  a  great  extent. 

"In  1840,  the  Democratic  party  nominated 
Van  Buren  a  second  term  for  President,  and  the 
Whig  party,  General  Harrison  for  the  same 
office.  In  that  campaign,  the  leading  principles 
of  the  Whigs  were  'coon-skins,  log  cabins,  with 
the  string  of  the  latch  never  pulled  in,  and  hard 
cider;  two  dollars  a  day  and  roast  beef.'  The 
side  issues  were  the  extravagance  of  the  White 
House,  with  its  gold  spoons,  and  a  high  protect- 
ive tariff  on  foreign  importations.  A  member 
of  Congress,  by  the  name  of  Evans,  made  a 
speech  in  favor  of  protective  tariff ;  it  was 
printed  in  pamphlet  form,  and  sent  broadcast 
over  the  country;  the  Whigs  thought  it  a  'stun- 
ner,' and  exulted  to  a  great  extent  over  it.  There 
was  a  Democrat  over  the  Illinois  river,  named 
Bob  Burton,  who  had  a  mill,  and  the  Whigs 
thought  to  convert  him,  if  he  would  read  the 
speech;  after  reading  it  carefully  he  made  a 
new  toll  dish,  according  to  the  reasoning  in  the 
speech,  double  the  size  of  the  one  ho  used,  and 
he  called  it  Whig,  the  other  he  called  Demo- 
crat. He  placed  them  side  by  side,  and  when  a 
Whig  came  he  pointed  out  the  two  measures, 


and  informed  him  that  he  would  toll  his  corn 
with  the  Whig  measure  because  it  was  ma'le  ac- 
cording to  Evans'  speech,  and  that  is,  the  bigger 
the  toll  the  less  you  pay  for  grinding,  and  the 
more  meal  you  get.  It  was  said  that  he,  by  this 
practical  illustration  of  the  speech,  converted  a 
number  of  Whigs  to  the  Democratic  party. 
The  speech  appeared  to  be  a  tissue  of  sophistry, 
and  the  gist  of  it  was  simply  this,  the  higher 
the  prices,  the  more  you  paid  for  merchandise, 
the  less  it  cost  you. 

"In  this  campaign, great  excitement  prevailed 
over  the  country.  A  man  came  to  Springfield, 
announced  himself  as  'General  John  Ewing, 
from  Vincennes,  Indiana,'  and  challenged  the 
whole  Democratic  party  on  the  issues  of  the 
day,  threatening  to  annihilate  it  by  the  power  of 
his  eloquence.  The  leaders  of  the  party,  Ed- 
wards, Stewart,  Baker,  Lincoln,  and  Logan,  as 
talented  men  as  Indiana  or  any  other  State  in 
the  Union  could  boast  of,  concluded  to  let  this 
boaster  try  his  hand.  We  had  Douglas  and 
Calhoun.  We  pitted  Douglas  against  him.  At 
that  time  there  was  no  'red  tape,'  as  it  is  now,  in 
our  public  meetings.  The  contesting  parties 
arranged  and  timed  their  speaking.  In  this 
case,  each  one  was  to  speak  an  hour  alternately,* 
and  be  timed  by  one  from  each  party;  to  begin 
at  eight  o'clock,  adjourn  at  twelve;  meet  at  two, 
and  continue  to  sundown  each  day,  until  the 
contest  would  be  ended.  At  the  close  of  the 
fifth  day,  'General  John  Ewing,  from  Vincennes, 
Indiana,'  threw  up  the  '  sponge,'  and  a  vigorous 
shout  was  given  by  the  Democrats.  On  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  public  scjuare  stood  a 
market-house.  There  we  met,  and  each  speaker, 
mounted  on  a  butcher-block,  rolled  out  his  elo- 
quence. E.  D.  Baker,  mortified  at  Ewing's 
defeat,  mounted  a  butcher-block,  and  began  to 
address  us.  We  protested  that  that  game  of 
'two  pluck  one'  could  not  be  tolerated.  He 
persisted,  and  immediately  the  cry  was  raised, 
'Pull  him  down,' 'Pull  him  down.'  At  length 
he  yielded,  otherwise  it  would  have  ended  with 
a  number  of  broken  heads.  General  Harrison 
was  elected;  but  the  'two  dollars  a  day  and 
roast  beef,'  promised  the  laboring  man,  never 
came. 

"In  18-t-t  I  became  impressed  with  a  strong 
desire  to  live  in  the  country;  I  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land,  eight  miles  southeast  of  Spring- 
field, and  in  the  spring  of  184.5  moved  on  it,  and 
then  commenced  farming  and  the  practice  of 
medicine;  right  here  I  made  the  great  mistake 
of  my  life,  when  I  left  Sjiringtield.  It  is  thought 
by  many,  that  if  a  doctor  locates  in  the  country. 


206 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


he  loses  all  the  brains  and  mental  acquirements 
he  ever  had,  as  if  location  determined  a  man's 
ability,  when,  in  fact,  the  most  notorious  'quacks' 
that  disgrace  the  profession,  congregate  in  cities 
and  towns. 

"The  National  Democratic  Convention  nomi- 
nated James  K.  Polk  in  184-t,  under  the  opera- 
tion of  the  two-thirds  rule,  and  many  Democrats 
were  enquiring  'who's  James  K.  Polk?'  demon- 
strating the  fact  that  an  obscure  man  was  put  in 
nomination,  and  the  prominent  leading  men  of 
the  party  cast  aside.  Having  studied  Thomas 
Jefferson's  doctrines  of  a  Republican  form  of 
government,  his  great  fundamental  principle, 
that  the  fairly  expressed  will  of  a  majority  of 
the  people,  expressed  their  sovereign  v:ill,  and 
that  the  minority  should  yield  implicit  obedience 
to  the  will  of  the  majority,  I  opposed  the  two- 
thirds  rule  as  a  direct  violation  of  his  principles, 
and  being  a  zealous  and  sincere  friend  of  Stephen 
A.  Douglas,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  he 
never  could  be  President  under  its  operation. 
The  South,  being  in  a  large  minority,  dictated 
terms  to  the  North  through  its  power,  and  the 
North  yielded  for  the  sake  of  power  and  control 
^of  the  Government. 

"In  1S52,  General  Pierce  was  nominated,  an- 
other obscure  candidate,  and  Douglas'  political 
head  cut  off.  My  zeal  for  Douglas  carried  me,  a 
'high  private,'  beyond  the  bounds  of  discretion, 
and  caused  me  to  offer  a  series  of  resolutions,  in 
a  county  convention,  denouncing  the  two-third 
rule  as  anti-Republican,  anti-Democratic;  and, 
to  my  utter  astonishment,  the  friends  of  Douglas 
voted  them  down,  and  denounced  them  'another 
firebrand.'  The  resolutions,  seventeen,  are  re- 
corded in  the  Sangamon  Journal  of  October, 
1852.  I  felt  then  that  Douglas  might  justly 
exclaim,  in  the  language  of  Julius  Ca3sar,  'May 
the  gods  protect  me  from  my  friends,  and  I'll 
take  care  of  my  enemies.'  This  action  of  mine 
brought  me  in  'bad  odor'  with  a  number  of 
Democrats,  and  'if  I  did  not  like  the  way 
they  conducted  political  affairs,  I  was  po- 
litely invited  to  leave  the  party.'  I  had,  at  that 
time,  great  faith  in  the  party,  and  did  not  feel 
justified  in  leaving.  In  1850,  the  National  Demo- 
cratic party  nominated  James  Buchanan,  one  of 
the  prominent  leaders,  who  afterwards  turned 
out  to  be  a  kind  of  a  milk  and  water  'dough- 
face,' butsuited  the  South,  as  it  was  preparing  to 
bring  on  a  crisis.  In  1860,  it  met  at  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  and  it  was  said  that  Douglas  re- 
ceived a  majority  on  the  first  ballot,  but  the  two- 
third  rule  defeated  him  in  getting  the  nomina- 
tion.    The  friends  of  Dousjlas  clung  to  him  with 


great  firmness,  as  it  was  the  last  chance,  but 
they  were  ten  or  twelve  years  Vjehind  time. 

"The  South  was  preparing  for  rebellion,  and 
Douglas  was  too  patriotic,  too  energetic,  too  firm 
a  man  to  be  at  the  head  of  the  Government.  The 
consequence  was  that  the  convention  burst  into 
two  factions,  the  South  and  the  North  ;  they  ad- 
journed to  meet  again  in  Baltimore.  When  they 
met  there  the  friends  of  Douglas  would  not  yield, 
and  they  burst  up  again,  and  each  faction  nomi- 
nated its  candidate;  the  South,  Breckenridge, 
and  the  North,  Douglas.  It  appeared  to  me,  from 
the  aspect  of  affairs,  that  it  was  impossible  to 
elect  Douglas,  and  when  Lincoln  was  nominated, 
I  then  placed  my  hope  in  his  election  to  save  the 
Union,  and  bid  a  longfarewell  to  the  Democratic 
party.  Some  men  boast  that  they  never  changed, 
that  is,  they  never  split  their  ticket  when  a  con- 
vention told  them  who  they  should  vote  for,  and 
aspirants  for  office  frequently  use  it  as  an  argu- 
ment in  their  favor.  It  is  an  old  saying  that 
'  wise  men  change,  but  fools  and  idiots  never 
change.''  If  a  man  discovers  that  he  is  in  error, 
it  is  his  right,  it  is  his  duty  to  change  ;  but  if  a 
man  changes  through  sordid,  selfish  motives,  he 
is  dishonest  and  corrupt. 

"The  Republican  party  had  a  grand  rally  on 
the  eighth  of  August,  1860,  in  honor  of  Lincoln, 
and  a  procession  said  to  be  eight  miles  long  was 
formed.  Mr.  Armstrong,  a  manufacturer,  had  a 
platform  on  a  wagon  and  a  loom  with  a  web  in 
it;  in  passing  Lincoln's  house,  a  tailor  took  his 
measure ;  cloth  was  woven,  and  a  pair  of  panta- 
loons made  and  presented  to  him  on  the  return 
of  the  procession.  In  that  procession  I  carried 
a  banner  with  the  motto:  'Free  labor  elevates, 
Slave  labor  degrades  '  " 

PIONEERS   AND  PIONEERING. 

The  following  is  a  portion  of  a  lecture  deliv- 
ered by  William  II.  Herndon,  shortly  after  the 
close  of  the  rebellion.  In  the  Life  of  Lincoln, 
by  Mr.  Holland,  the  biographers  used  these 
words:  "When  inefficient  men  become  very 
uncomfortable,  they  are  quite  likely  to  try  emi- 
gration as  a  remedy.  A  good  deal  of  what  is 
called  the  pioneering  spirit,  is  simply  the  spirit 
of  discontent."  Mr.  Herndon  combats  this  idea 
in  this  address,  which  was  re-delivered  at  Sweet 
Water,  Menard  county,  Illinois,  at  the  Old  Set- 
tlers' meeting,  August  31,  1881: 

"There  have  been  four  distinct  and  separate 
waves — classes  of  men,  who  have  followed  each 
other,  on  the  soil  we  now  daily  tread.  The  first 
is  the  Indian.  The  second  is  the  bee  and  beaver 
hunter,  the  embodied  spirit  of  western  and  south 


\f^ 


i   lx\\ 


\\ 


-*(y^  '^ 


Cvfe/z^^v 


^ .  c?^  ^^^U-t^A 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


209 


western  pioneering;  they  roam  with  tlie  first 
class,  nomads,  wandering  Gipsies  of  the  forests 
and  the  pains.  The  third  class,  with  sub-classes 
and  varieties,  is  composed  of  three  distinct  varie- 
ties of  men,  coming  as  a  triple  wave.  The  first 
is  the  religious  man,  the  John  the  Baptist, 
preaching  in  the  wilderness;  the  second  is  the 
honest,  hardy,  thrifty,  active  and  economical  far- 
mer, and  the  third  class  is  composed  of  the  wild, 
hardy,  honest,  genial  and  social  man — a  mixture 
of  the  gentleman,  the  rowdy  and  roysterer; 
•  they  are  a  wild,  rattling,  brave,  social  and  hos- 
pitable class  of  men;  they  have  no  economy, 
caring  only  for  the  hour,  and  yet  thousands  of 
them  grow  rich;  they  give  tone  and  caste  and 
character  to  the  neighborhood  in  spite  of  all  that 
can  be  done;  they  are  strong,  shrewd,  clever  fel- 
lows; it  is  impossible  to  hate  them,  and  impossi- 
ble to  outwit  or  whip  them.  The  fourth  class, 
with  sub-classes  and  varieties,  have  come  among 
us  seeking  fortune,  position,  character,  power, 
fame,  having  ideas,  philosophy,  gearing  the 
forces  of  nature  for  human  uses,  wants  and  pur- 
poses. They  come  from  the  east,  the  middle 
states,  from  the  south ;  they  come  from  every 
quarter  of  the  globe,  full  grown  men.  Here  are 
the  English  and  the  German,  the  Scotch  and  the 
Irish,  the  French  and  the  Scandinavian,  the 
Italian,  the  Portuguese,  the  Spaniard,  Jew  and 
Gentile;  and  here  and  there  and  everywhere  is 
the  universal,  the  eternal,  indomitable  and  ine- 
vitable "Yankee,"  victorious  over  all,  and  I  as  a 
"  Sucker,"  say  welcome  all.  All,  all,  however, 
have  their  divine  purposes  in  the  high,  deep, 
broad  and  wide  extended,  the  sublime  economy 
of  God. 

"I  am  necessitated,  as  it  were,  in  self-defense, 
to  speak  some  words  of  the  second  and  third 
class,  with  sub-classes  and  varieties.  The 
fourth  class  needs  none.  The  original  west- 
ern and  southwestern  pioneer — -the  type  of 
him  is  at  times  a  somewhat  open,  candid, 
sincere,  energetic,  spontaneous,  trusting,  tol- 
erant, brave  and  generous  man.  He  is  hos- 
pitable in  his  tent,  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  stars  in  the  heavens,  by  which  he  travels, 
more  or  less;  he  is  acquainted  with  all  the  dan- 
gers of  his  route  —  horse  iiesh  and  human  flesh. 
He  trusts  to  his  own  native  sagacity  —  a  keen 
shrewdness,  and  his  physical  power — his  gun 
and  dog  alone.  This  original  man  is  a  long, 
tall,  lean,  lank  man;  he  is  a  cadaverous,  sallow, 
sunburnt,  shaggy-haired  man,  his  face  is  very 
sharp  and  exceedingly  angular;  his  nose  is  long, 
pointed,  and  keen,  Roman  or  Greek  as  it  may 
be;  and  his  eyes  are   small,  grey  or  black,  and 

2i— 


sunken,  are  keen,  sharp  and  inquisitive,  pierc- 
ing, as  if  looking  through  the  object  seen,  and 
to  the  very  background  of  things;  he  is  sinewy 
and  tough,  cahu  or  uneasy,  according  to  circum- 
stances; he  is  all  bone  and  sinew,  scarcely  any 
muscle;  is  wise  and  endless  in  his  determina- 
tions—  obstinate.  He  wears  a  short  linsey-wol- 
sey  hunting  shirt,  or  one  made  from  soft  buck 
or  doeskin,  fringed  with  the  same;  it  is  buckled 
tightly  about  his  body.  His  moccasins  are 
made  of  the  very  best  heavy  buck.  His  trusty 
anil  true  rille  is  on  his  shoulder  or  stands  by  his 
side,  his  chin  gracefully  resting  on  his  hand, 
which  covers  the  muzzle  of  the  gun.  The  gaunt, 
strong,  hungry  cur,  crossed  with  the  bull  dog, 
and  liis  hound,  lie  crouched  at  his  feet,  their 
noses  resting  on  and  between  their  fore  jiaws, 
thrown  straight  out  in  front,  ready  to  bound, 
seize  master  and  defend.  The  lean,  short,  com- 
pact, lough  and  hardy,  crop-eared,  shaved-niane 
and  bob-tailed  pony  browses  around,  living 
where  the  hare,  the  deer,  mule  or  hardy  moun- 
tain goat  can  live.  It  makes  no  difference  where 
night  or  storm  overtakes  him,  his  wife  and 
chddren  sleep  well  and  sound,  knowing  that  the 
husband,  the  father,  protector  and  defender,  is 
safe  from  all  harm.  He  sleeps  on  his  rifie  for 
pillow,  his  right  hand  awake  on  the  long,  sharp, 
keen  hunting-knife  in  the  girdle,  carved  over 
and  over  with  game  and  deer.  The  will  in  the 
hand  is  avyike.  Such  is  the  conscious  will  on 
the  nerve  and  muscle  of  the  hand,  amid  danger 
of  a  night,  placed  there  to  watch  and  ward 
while  the  general  soul  is  asleep,  that  it  springs 
to  defense  long  before  the  mind  is  fully  con- 
scious of  the  facts.  How  grand  and  mysterious 
is  mind!  The  family  makes  no  wild  outcry  — 
'  He's  shot  or  lost!'  This  man,  his  trusty  long 
rifle,  his  two  dogs — one  to  fight  and  one  to 
scent  the  trail — the  long,  sharp  and  keen 
butcher  knife,  that  never  holds  fire  or  flashes  in 
the  pan,  are  equal  to  all  emergencies.  As  for 
himself,  his  snore  on  the  grass,  or  brush-pile, 
cut  to  make  his  bed,  testify  to  the  soul's  con- 
scious security.  Whether  in  a  hollow  tree  or 
log,  or  under  and  beneath  the  river's  bank  for 
shelter  —  screen  or  fort  —  in  night  or  daytime, 
his  heart  beats  calm;  he  is  a  fatalist,  and  says 
'what  is  to  be  will  be.'  He  never  tires,  is  cjuick 
and  slirewd,  is  physically  powerful,  is  cunning, 
suspicious,  brave  and  cautious  alternately  or  all 
combined,  according  to  necessity.  He  is  swifter 
than  the  Indian,  is  stronger,  is  as  long-winded, 
and  has  more  brains  —  much  more  brains.  This 
man  is  a  bee-hunter,  or  trapper,  or  Indian 
fighter.     Ileis  nervous, uneasy, and  quite  fidgety 


210 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


in  the  village  where  he  goes  twice  a  year  to  ex- 
change his  furs  for  whisky,  tobacco,  powder, 
Hints  and  lead.  lie  dreads,  does  not  scorn  our 
civilization.  Overtake  the  man,  catch  him,  and 
try  to  hold  a  conversation  with  him,  if  you  can. 
His  eye  and  imagination  are  on  the  chase  in  the 
forest,  when  you  think  you  are  attracting  his 
simple  mind.  He  is  restless  in  eye  and  motion 
about  towns  and  villages;  his  muscles  and  nerves 
dance  an  uneasy,  rapid,  jerking  dance  when  in 
presence  of  our  civilization.  He  is  suspicious 
here,  and  dangerous  from  his  ignorance  of  the 
social  world.  This  man  is  a  man  of  acts  and 
deeds,  not  of  speech;  he  is  at  times  stern,  silent, 
secretive  and  somewhat  uncommunicable.  His 
words  are  words  of  one  syllable,  sharp  nouns 
and  active  verbs  mostly.  He  scarcely  ever  uses 
adjectives,  and  always  replies  to  questions  asked 
Lira — 'yes,' '  no,' 'I  will,' 'I  won't.'  Ask  him 
wliere  be  is  from,  and  his  answer  is  —  'Blue 
Ridge,'  '  Cumberland,'  '  Bear  creek.'  Ask  him 
where  he  kills  his  game,  or  gets  his  furs,  and 
his  answer  ever  is — 'Illinois,'  'Sangamon,' 
'S.alt  creek.'  Ask  him  where  he  is  going  — 
'Plains,'  'Forest,'  'Home,'  is  his  unvarying 
answer.  See  him  in  the  wild.s,  as  I  have  seen 
him,  strike  up  with  his  left  hand's  forefinger  the 
loose  rim  of  his  old  home-made  or  other  hat. 
that  hangs  like  a  rag  over  his  eyes,  impeding 
his  sight  and  perfect  vision,  peering  keenly  into 
the  distance  for  fur  or  game,  Indian  or  deer. 
See  him  look  and  gaze  and  determine  what  the 
thing  seen  is  —  see  him  at  that  instant  stop  and 
crouch  and  crawl  toward  the  object  like  a 
hungry  tiger,  measuring  the  distance  between 
twig  and  weed  with  his  beard,  so  as  to  throw  no 
shadow  of  sensation  on  the  distant  eye  of  foe 
or  game  —  the  thing  to  be  crept  on  and  inevita- 
bly killed.  See  him  watch  even  the  grass  and 
brush  beneath  his  feet,  as  he  moves  and  treads, 
that  no  rustle,  or  crack  or  snap,  shall  be  made 
by  which  the  ear  of  foe  or  game  shall  be  made 
aware  of  his  danger.  See  him  wipe  off  and 
raise  his  long  and  trtisty  gun  to  shoulder  and 
to  cheek  —  see  him  throw  his  eye  lockward  and 
along  the  barrel  —  watch  him,  see  first  upcoil  of 
smoke,  before  the  crack  and  ring  and  roll  and 
roar  comes.  The  bullet  has  already  done  its 
work  of  death.  Caution  makes  this  man  stand 
still  and  reload  before  moving  a  foot.  Then  lie 
eyes  the  dead  keenly.  'There's  danger  in  the 
a]>parent  dead,'  he  whispers  to  himself,  cocks 
his  gun  and  walks,  keeping  his  finger  on  the 
trigger. 

"The  third  class  which  I  am  about  to  describe 
—  the  brave,  rollicking  roysterer — is  still  among 


us,  though  tamed  by  age  into  a  moral  man.  He 
is  large,  bony,  muscular,  strong  almost  as  an  ox. 
He  is  strongly,  physically  developed.  He  is 
naturally  strong-minded,  naturally  gifted,  brave, 
daring  to  a  fault.  He  is  a  hardy,  rough-and- 
tumble  man.  He  has  a  strong,  quick  sagacity, 
tine  intuitions,  with  great  good  common  sense. 
He  is  hard  to  cheat,  hard  to  whip,  and  still 
harder  to  fool.  These  people  are  extremely 
sociable  and  good  natured — too  much  so  for 
their  own  good,  as  a  general  rule.  They  are 
efficient,  ready,  practical  men.  and  are  always 
ready  for  any  revolution.  I  wish,  I  am  anxious, 
to  defend  these  men,  as  well  as  the  God-given 
spirit  of  pioneering.  One  of  the  writers  on  Mr. 
Lincoln's  life  says,  in  speaking  of  Thomas 
Lincoln,  'When  inefficient  men  become  very 
uncomfortable,  they  are  quite  likely  to  try  emi- 
gration as  a  remedy.  A  good  deal  of  what  is 
called  the  pioneer  spirit  ;'^<  simjihj  the  spirit  of 
shiftless  discontent.^  But  more  of  this  hereafter, 
not  now  and  just  here. 

"  These  men,  especially  about  New  Salem,  could 
shave  a  horse's  main  and  tail,  paint,  disfigure, 
and  offer  for  sale  to  the  owner,  in  the  very  act 
of  inquiring  for  his  own  horse,  that  knew  his 
master,  but  his  master  recognizing  him  not. 
They  could  hoop  up  in  a  hogshead  a  drunken 
man,  they  being  themselves  drunk,  put  in  and 
nail  down  the  head,  and  roll  the  man  down  New 
Salem  hill  a  hundred  feet  or  more.  They  could 
run  down  a  lean,  hungry  wild  pig,  catch  it.  heal 
a  ten-plate  stove  furnace  hot,  and  putting  in  the 
pig,  could  cook  it,  they  dancing  the  while  a 
merry  jig.  They  could,  they  did,  these  -very 
things  occasionally;  yet  they  could  clear  and 
clean  a  forest  of  Indians  and  wolves  in  a  short 
time;  they  could  shave  off  a  forest  as  clean  and 
clear  as  a  man's  beard  close  cut  to  his  face:  they 
could  trench  a  pond,  ditch  a  bog  or  lake,  erect  a 
log  house,  pray  and  fight,  make  a  village  or  cre- 
ate a  State.  They  would  do  all  for  sport  or  fun, 
or  from  necessity — do  it  for  a  neighbor — and 
they  could  do  the  reverse  of  all  this  for  pure  and 
perfectly  unalloyed  deviltry's  sake.  They  at- 
tended church,  heard  the  sermon,  wept  and 
prayed,  shouted,  got  up  and  fought  an  hour,  and 
then  went  back  to  prayer,  just  as  the  spirit 
moved  them.  These  men — I  am  speaking  gen- 
erally— were  always  true  to  women — their  fast 
and  tried  friends,  protectors  and  defenders. 
There  are  scarcely  any  such  on  the  globe  for 
this  virtue.  They  were  one  thing  or  the  other 
— praying  or  fighting,  creating  or  destroying, 
shooting  Indians  or  getting  shot  by  whisky,  just 
as  they  willed.     Though  these  men  were  rude 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


211 


and  rough,  though  life's  forces  ran  over  the 
edge  of  its  bowl,  foaming  and  sparkling  in  pure 
and  perfect  deviltry  for  deviltry's  sake,  yet  place 
before  them  a  poor,  weak  man,  who  needed  their 
aid,  a  sick  man,  a  man  of  misfortune,  a  lame 
man,  a  woman,  a  widow,  a  child,  an  orphaned 
little  one — then  these  men  melted  up  into  sym- 
pathy and  charity  at  once,  quick  as  a  flash,  and 
gave  all  they  hatl,  and  willingly  and  honestly 
toiled  or  played  cards  for  more.  If  a  minister 
of  religion  preached  the  devil  and  his  lire,  they 
would  cry  out,  '  To  your  rifles,  oh  boys,  and  let's 
clean  out  the  devil,  with  his  fire  and  all;  they 
are  enemies  to  mankind.'  If  the  good  minister 
preached  Jesus,  and  him  crucified,  with  his  pre- 
cious blood  trinkling  down  the  spear  and  cross, 
they  would  melt  down  into  honest  prayer,  pray- 
ing honestly,  and  with  deep  feeling  and  humil- 
ity, saying  aloud,  'would  to  God  we  had  been 
there  with  our  trusty  rifles,  amid  those  murder- 
ous Jews.' 

'•I  wish  to  fjuote  the  author's  sentence  again. 
It  read.s:  'When  inefficient  men  become  very 
uncomfortable,  they  are  quite  likely  to  try  emi- 
gration as  a  remedy.  A  good  deal  of  what  is 
called  the  'pioneer  spirit,'  is  siinj^ly  the  spirit 
of  shiftless  discontent.''  Here  are  two  distinct 
allegations,  or  assertions,  rather  charges:  first, 
that  the  inefficient  men, through  the  spirit  of  dis- 
content at  home,  emigrate  as  a  remedy  for  that 
uncomfortableness;  and, second,  that  a  good  deal 
of  the  spirit  of  pioneering  comes  from  the  spirit 
of  sldftless  discontent.  I  wish  to  say  a  few 
words  on  this  sentence,  first,  as  to  tact,  and 
secondly,  as  to  principle.  It  is  not,  I  hope, 
necessary  for  me  to  defend  the  particular  man 
spoken  of — Thomas  Lincoln,  the  father  of  Pres- 
ident Lincoln.  It  is  not  necessary  that  I  should 
flatter  the  pioneer  to  defend  him,  yet  I  feel  that 
other  men  and  women  in  New  England,  possibly 
in  Europe,  may  be  grossly  misled  by  such  an  as- 
sertion, such  an  idea,  as  is  contained  in  this  sen- 
tence. It  is  admitted  bj'  me  that  man's  condi- 
tion at  home  sometimes  is  exceedingly  uncom- 
fortable. To  throw  oft'  that  condition  of  un- 
comfortableness, is  the  sole,  only,  and  eternal 
motive  that  prompts  and  drives  men  and  women 
to  pioneering.  Men  of  capacity,  integrity,  and 
energy — for  such  are  the  generality  of  pioneers 
in  the  West — emigrate  to  this  new  land  from 
their  old  homes,  not  because  they  are  inefficient 
men,  men  unable  to  grapple  with  the  home  con- 
dition, but  rather  because  they  refuse  to  submit 
to  the  bad  conditions  at  home.  Their  manly 
souls  and  indomitable  spifits  rise  up  against  the 
cold,    frigid,   despotic   oaste   crystalizations    at 


home — a  glorious  rebellion  for  the  freedom  of 
man.  All  men  emigrate  from  their  liomes  to 
new  lands  in  hope  of  bettering  their  conditions, 
which  at  home  are  sometimes  chafingly  uncom- 
fortable. The  spirit  of  pioneering  is  not  a  spirit 
of  shiftless  discontent,  nor  any  part  of  it,  but  is 
the  creating  spirit,  a  grand  desire,  wish,  and  will 
to  rise  u])  in  the  scale  of  being.  It  lias  moved 
mankind — each  man  and  woman — since  God 
created  man  and  woman  and  placed  them  on  the 
globe,  with  genius  in  their  heads  and  hope  and 
faith  in  their  souls.  God's  intentions,  purposes, 
and  laws,  as  written  on  the  human  soul,  forever 
interpret  themselves  thus:  'My  child,  my  good 
children,  man,  woman,  and  child,  each  and  all — 
hope,  struggle;  I  am  with  you,  and  will  forever 
be;  go  on,  go  upward,  go  westward,  go  heaven- 
ward, on  and  on  forever.'  Good  men  and 
women  do  not,  from  the  spirit  of  shiftless  dis- 
content, (piit  the  sacred  ashes  of  the  dead  loved 
ones,  and  wildly  rush  into  a  cold,  damp,  un- 
cleared, gloomy,  unsettled,  wild  wilderness, 
where  they  know  they  must  struggle  with 
disease,  poverty,  nature,  the  wild  wolf  and 
wilder  men,  and  the  untamed  and  ungeared  ele- 
ments of  nature,  that  sweep  everywhere  uncon- 
fined.  They  do  not  go  for  game,  nor  sport,  nor 
daring  adventure  with  wild  beast,  nor  daring 
sport  with  wilder  men.  They  go  or  come  at 
God's  command — 'Children,  my  good  children, 
and  all,  man,  woman,  and  child,  all,  all — hope, 
struggle,  to  better  your  condition — onward,  for- 
estward,  upward — and  on  and  on  forever,  or 
miserably  perish,  and  <juit  the  globe,- to  be  re- 
peopled  by  better  beings.'  Men,  tender  and 
lovely  women,  do  not  quit  their  homes,  where 
are  comforts,  luxuries,  arts,  science,  general 
knowledge,  and  ease,  amid  the  civilized  and  civ- 
ilizing influences  at  home,  to  go  westward,  from 
a  spirit  of  shiftless  discontent.  What!  are  these 
brave  men  and  women  all  through  the  West, 
and  such  as  these  the  world  over,inefficient  men, 
inactive  consumers,  unenergetic  inetflcients,  lazy 
and  do-nothing  people,  bursting  westward  from 
the  spirit  of  sliiftless  discontent,  where  they  in- 
voluntarily clap  their  hands  to  tlieir  heads,  and 
spasmodically  feel  for  their  crowns,  in  order  to 
preserve  their  scalps,  as  the  quick  flash  and  flre- 
steel  gleam  of  the  Indian's  knife  glints  and 
glistens  against  the  western  sky!  What!  are 
Grant  and  Jackson,  Douglas  and  Benton,  Clay 
and  Lincoln  inefficient  men,  coming  v^est  from 
the  spirit  of  shiftless  discontent^''  Is  tire  effi- 
ciently hot":'  Is  lightning  efficiently  active?  Is 
nature  efficiently  creative,  massing  and  rolling 
up  all  these  visible  worlds  to  heat  and  life  and 


212 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


light,  and  holding  them  suspended  tliere  by 
God's  will — called  by  men  gravity — for  a  human 
idea's  sake?  If  these  things  are  so,  then  these 
men  and  women  whom  I  have  described,  the 
pioneers,  with  their  brave  hearts  and  their  defi- 
ant and  enduring  souls,  are  and  were  efficient 
men  and  women — etticiently  warm,  for  they  con- 
sumed and  burnt  the  forest,  and  cleared  and 
cleaned  it.  They  had  and  have  energy  and  cre- 
ative activity,  with  capacity,  honesty,  and  valor. 
They  created  States,  and  hold  them  to  the 
Union,  to  liberty,  and  to  justice.  They  and 
their  children  after  them  can  and  do  jioint  with 
the  highest  pride  and  confidence,  to  the  deep, 
broad-laid,  tolerant,  generous,  magnanimous 
foundations  of  these  mighty  several  Western 
States,  whereon  our  liljerty  and  civilization  so 
proudly  and  firmly  stand,  that  they, the  pioneers, 
in  the  spirit  of  pioneering  embodied  in  them, 
made  and  created,  and  hold  up  to  light  and  heat 
and  life,  suspended  there  rolling,  by  the  electro- 
magnetic power  of  the  intelligent  popular  will. 
"My  defense  has  ended.  The  wild  animals 
that  [>receded  the  Indians  are  gone,  the  Indian 
treading  closely  on  their  heels.  The  red  man 
has  gone.  The  pioneer,  the  type  of  him,  is 
gone,  gone  with  the  Indian,  the  bear,  and  the 
beav^er,  the  buffalo  and  the  deer.  They  all  go 
with  the  same  general  wave,  and  are  thrown 
high  on  the  beach  of  the  wilderness,  by  the 
deep,  wide  sea  of  our  civilization.  He  that 
trampled  on  the  heels  of  the  red  man,  with  his 
wife  and  children,  pony  and  dog,  are  gone,  leav- 
ing no  trace  behind,  lie  is  the  master  of  the  bee 
and  beaver,  the  Indian  and  the  bear,  the  wolf 
and  buffalo.  He  and  they  are  gone,  never  to 
return.  God  speed  them  on  their  way,  their 
journey  and  destiny.  As  path-makers,  blazers, 
mappers,  as  fighters  and  destructives,  they  have 
had  and  have  their  uses  and  purposes  in  divine 
plan.  Such  are  succeeded  by  the  Armstrongs, 
the  Clarys,  the  Rutledges,  the  Greens,  Spears, 
and  Lincolns,  who  too  have  had  their  uses  and 
purposes  in  the  great  idea,  and  are  succeeded  by 
others,  now  among  us,  who  are  forces  in  the 
same  universal  ])lan.  And  let  us  not  complain, 
for  the  great  Planner  knows  and  has   decreed 


what  is  best  and  wisest  in  his  grand  and  sublime 
economies.  The  animal  is  gone;  the  Indian  is 
gone.  The  trapper,  bee  and  beaver  hunter  is 
gone — all  are  gone.  A  few  of  the  third  class 
still  remain  among  us,  standing  or  leaning  like 
grand,  gray  old  towers,  with  lights  on  their 
brow,  quietly  inclining,  leaning,  almost  dipping 
in  the  deep,  the  unknown,  the  unknowable  and 
unfathomable  deeps  of  the  future,  that  roll 
through  all  time  and  space,  and  lash  up  against 
the  Throne.  Tbey  did  not  come  here  from  the 
spirit  of  shiftless  discontent,  nor  shall  they  take 
up  their  soul's  greatest  pioneer  march  on  to  God, 
through  the  cowardly  spirit  of  shiftless  discon- 
tent. They  are  fast  going  one  by  one.  Respect 
them  while  living,  reverence  them  when  dead, 
and  tread  lightly  on  their  sacred  dust,  ye  all. 
The  children  of  such  may  be  trusted  to  preserve 
and  hand  down  to  all  future  time  what  they 
created,  wrought  and  planted  in  the  forest.  The 
fourth  class  is  ready  to  clasp  hands  with  the 
third,  taking  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  liberty,  sa- 
cred as  Heaven.  We  thus  come  and  go,  and  in 
the  coming  and  going  we  have  sliaded — risen 
up,  progressed — during  these  various  and  varied 
waves  of  immigration,  with  their  respective 
civilizations,  through  force,  cunning  and  the 
rifle,  to  dollars,  the  steam  engine,  and  the  idea. 
We  have  moved  from  wolf  to  mind.  We  have 
grown  outward,  upward,  higher  and  better,  liv- 
ing generally  in  more  virtue,  less  vice,  longer 
and  more  civilized,  freer  and  purer,  and  thus 
man  ever  mounts  ujiward.  So  are  the  records 
of  all  time." 

In  concluding  his  address,  Mr.  Ilerndon  gave 
a  description  of  Illinois,  giving  its  geography, 
length,  breadth,  its  good  people,  etc.  He  de- 
clared that.  Illinois  was  the  real  Eden  of  the 
world,  and  that  the  central  portion  of  Illinois 
was  the  best  part  of  that  Eden.  He  closed  by 
showing  by  facts  and  figures  the  extent  of  the 
Union,  its  area  in  1790  and  its  area  in  1880; 
said  that  its  present  population  of  fiftj'-one  mil- 
lions would  be  increased  in  1901  to  one  hundred 
millions  of  souls — the  wisest,  most  intelligent, 
richest,  bravest  and  most  patriotic  people,  as  a 
mass,  on  the  face  of  the  globe. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


213 


Chapter  XI 


THE  PRESS. 


There  is  no  instrumentality,  not  even  except- 
ing the  Pulpit  and  the  Bar,  which  exerts  sucli  an 
influence  upon  society  as  the  Press  of  the  land. 
It  is  th(;  Archimedian  lever  that  moves  the  world. 
The  talented  minister  of  the  gospel  on  the  Sab- 
bath day  preaches  to  a  few  hundred  people ;  on 
the  following  morning  his  thoughts  are  repro- 
duced more  than  a  thousand  fold,  and  are  read 
and  discussed  throughout  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land.  The  attorney  at  the  bar,  in  thrill- 
ing tones,  pleads  either  for  or  against  the  crimi- 
nal arraigned  for  trial,  often  causing  the  jury  to 
bring  in  a  verdict  against  the  law  and  the  testi- 
mony in  the  case.  His  words  are  reproduced 
in  every  daily  reached  by  the  telegraphic  wire, 
and  his  arguments  are  calmly  weighed  by  unpre- 
judiced men  and  accepted  for  what  they  are 
worth.  The  politician  takes  the  stand  and  ad- 
dresses a  handful  of  men  upon  the  political  ques- 
tions of  the  day  ;  his  speech  is  reported  and  read 
by  a  thousand  men  for  every  one  that  heard  the 
address.  Suddenly  the  waters  of  one  of  our 
mighty  rivers  rises,  overflowing  the  land  for 
miles  and  miles,  rendering  thousands  of  people 
homeless  and  without  means  to  secure  their  daily 
bread.  The  news  is  flashed  over  the  wire,  taken 
lip  by  the  Press,  and  known  and  read  of  all 
men.  No  time  is  lost  in  sending  to  their  relief 
— the  Press  has  made  known  their  wants  and 
they  are  instantly  supplied.  "Chicago  is  on  fire  ! 
Two  hundred  millions  worth  of  property  de- 
stroyed! Fifty  thousand  ]jeople  rendered  home- 
less!" Such  is  the  dread  intelligence  pro- 
claimed by  the  Press.  Food  and  clothing  are 
hastily  gathered,  trains  are  chartered,  and  the 
immediate  wants  of  the  sufferers  are  in  a  measure 
relieved. 

The  power  for  good  or  evil  of  the  Press,  is  to- 
day unlimited.  The  short  comings  of  the  poli- 
tician are  made  known  through  its  columns;  the 
dark  deeds  of  the  wicked  are  exposed  ;  and  each 


fear  it  alike.  The  controlling  influences  of  a 
Nation,  State  or  county  is  its  Press,  and  the  Press 
of  Sangamon  county  is  no  exception  to  the  rule. 
Since  Hooper  Warren  started  the  Sangamo 
Spectator,  in  1826,  the  Press  of  Sangamon  county 
has  been  an  important  factor  in  all  things  tend- 
ing to  the  general  welfare  of  the  county.  Not 
only  in  the  county,  but  throughout  the  State  its 
influence  has  been  recognized  and  .acknowledged, 
and  even  beyond  the  borders  of  the  State  has  its 
opinions  been  eagerly  sought  after,  especially  in 
the  political  world. 

The  local  Press  is  justly  considered  among  the 
most  important  institutions  in  every  city,  town 
and  village.  The  people  of  every  community 
regard  their  particular  newspaper  or  newspapers 
as  of  peculiar  value,  and  this  not  merely  on  ac- 
count of  the  fact  alreadj'  alluded  to,  but  because 
these  papers  are  the  repositories  wherein  are 
stored  the  facts  and  the  events,  the  deeds  and 
the  sayings,  the  undertakings  and  achievements 
that  go  to  make  up  final  history.  One  by  one 
these  things  are  gathered  and  placed  in  type ; 
one  by  one  the  papers  are  issued ;  one  by  one 
these  papers  are  gathered  together  and  bound, 
and  another  volume  of  local  and  general,  indi- 
vidual and  local  history  is  laid  away  imperish- 
able. The  volumes  thus  collected  are  sifted  by 
the  historian,  and  the  book  for  the  library  is 
ready.  The  people  of  any  city  or  town  naturally 
have  a  pride  in  their  home  paper. 

As  already  intimated,  the  Sangamo  Spectator 
was  the  first  newspaper  jirinted  in  Sangamon 
county.  Hooper  Warren,  who  had  been  pub- 
lishing a  paper  at  Edwardsville,  called  the 
Edwardsville  Spectator,  removed  his  oftice  to 
Springfield  in  the  winter  of  1S2G-7,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  issuing  from  that  place.  So 
far  as  is  known  not  a  copy  of  the  paper  is  now 
in  existence.  Mr.  Warren,  in  a  letter  to  P.  P. 
Enos,    Secretary   of   the    Old   Settlers'  Society, 


214 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


dated  October  20,  1859,  says  of  this  paper:  "It 
■was  Imt  a  .small  affair,  a  medium  sheet,  worked 
by  myself  alone  most  of  the  time,  until  I  made 
a  transfer  of  it  in  the  fall  of  1828  to  S.  Mere- 
dith." Mr.  "Warren  was  considered  a  good 
■writer,  an  intelligent  man,  but  a  not  very  suc- 
cessful manager. 

The  Springfield  Journal  and  Sangamo  Gazette 
■was  built  upon  the  ruins  of  the  Spectator,  the 
first  number  bearing  date  February  16,  1829. 
This  number  was  chiefly  occupied  with  the  mes- 
sage of  Governor  Ed^wards.  It  ■was  a  five  col- 
umn folio,  •well  edited,  but  never  received  sufli- 
cient  encouragement  to  make  it  a  paying  institu- 
tion, and  therefore  after  the  expiration  of  a  few 
months  it  ceased  to  exist. 

The  Illinois  Herald  was  the  next  attempt  in 
the  newsiiaper  line,  and  was  commenced  some 
time  in  the  year  1830.  Samuel  S.  Brooks  and 
Mr.  Fleming  were  the  publishers,  Mr.  Brooks 
being  the  editor.  Like  the  previous  attempt  in 
the  business,  the  Herald  was  short-lived,  going 
out  with  the  melting  of  the  big  snow. 

ILLINOIS    STATE   JOURNAL. 

On  the  10th  day  of  November,  1831,  the  first 
number  of  the  Sangamo  Journal  made  its  ap- 
pearance, with  S.  &  J.  Francis,  editors  and  pub- 
lishers. The  paper  was  a  six-column  folio,  and 
presented  a  neat  appearance.  The  salutatory  of 
the  editors  was  short,  containing  no  special 
promises  easily  broken.  Says  the  editors:  "We 
know  that  it  is  usual  on  occasions  like  this  to 
eulogize  the  advantages  of  the  Press — to  make 
promises  that  can  never  be  realized.  All  we 
have  now  to  say  is — give  us  a  fair  opportunity; 
and  we  doubt  not  that  the  reasonable  wishes  and 
expectations  of  our  patrons  will  be  gratified. 
We  have  cheerfully  embarked  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Journal,  a  good  portion  of  the  little 
means  at  our  command,  with  a  firm  determina- 
tion to  apply  ourselves  to  the  duties  of  our  office 
with  unremitting  industry,  and  it  now  rests  with 
others  to  say  whether  our  hopes  shall  be  blasted, 
or  our  exertions  rewarded  with  the  cheering  con- 
fidence and  patronage  of  the  citizens  of  this  part 
of  Illinois."  In  addition  to  the  salutatory  ap- 
pears well  written  editorials  on  the  "Missouri 
Election,"  in  which  strong  ground  is  taken  in 
favor  of  a  national  bank,  ))rotective  tariff  and  in- 
ternal improvements;  "TheEatonian  Contro- 
versy," a  controversy  that  arose  in  regard  to  the 
exclusion  of  Mrs.  Eaton,  the  wife  of  a  member 
of  President  Jackson's  cabinet,  from  Washing- 
ton society;  "Calhoun  on  Nullification,"  "Anti- 
Tariff  Convention,"  and  several  shorter  articles. 


A  fair  number  of  advertisements  appeared, 
among  them  being  one  of  Mr.  Wadley,  in  which 
he  proposed  to  show  his  mode  of  teaching  Eng- 
lish grammar;  John  Williams,  II.  F.  Hill  &  Co., 
H.  Yates,  William  P.  Grimsley,  Jabez  C.apps, 
Bell  &  Tinsley,  Thomas  D.  Potts,  general  mer- 
chandise; H.  M.  Armstrong  &  Co.,  hat  manu- 
factory; E.  S.  Phelps,  watch  repairing;  John  II. 
Ebey,  potter's  ware;  Bennett  C.  Johnson,  gro- 
ceries and  liquors;  Drs.  Merryman  &  Rutledge, 
physicians,  Smith  &  Moffett,  cabinet  makers, 
and  several  legal  notices. 

The  first  issue  of  the  paper  was  creditable  to 
the  proprietors.  The  types  were  good,  the  mis- 
cellany well  selected,  the  editorial  vigorous  and 
to  ihe  point.  The  pledge  modestly  implied  in 
their  salutatory  was  more  than  fulfilled,  as  the 
early  history  of  the  paper  proved.  This  paper, 
thus  founded  in  a  new  country,  had  many  serious 
obstacles  to  overcome;  but  its  twenty-four  col- 
umns of  reading  matter  went  out  among  the 
people  every  week,  and  by  their  excellence  won 
the  favor  of  all  readers.  These  men,  who  had 
made  Springfield  their  home,  and  had  embarked 
in  this  enterprise,  were  determined  to  succeed, 
and  they  did.  Their  office  was  in  a  two-story 
brick  building,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Wash- 
ington and  Fifth  streets.  Here  they  put  up 
their  cases,  fixed  their  primitive  press,  issued 
their  paper,  and  waited  for  the  verdict  of  the 
people.  That  verdict  was  not  favorable  at  first, 
but  the  decision  was  speedily  reversed.  It  must 
be  remembered  that  the  Sangamon  county  of 
that  time  was  not  the  Sangamon  county  of  to- 
day. It  included  the  present  counties  of  Logan, 
Mason,  Menard  and  Cass,  with  portions  of  Mor- 
gan, Christian,  McLean  and  Marshall.  The  in- 
habitants were  few  and  scattered,  the  population 
of  Springfield  being  only  about  six  hundred. 
Mail  facilities  were  of  the  poorest  description. 
There  were  no  railroads,  and  no  telegraphs. 
The  wagon  roads  were  unimproved,  and  con- 
stantly liable  to  the  damaging  effects  of  wind 
and  water.  The  mails  were  brought  in  stages — 
sometimes  on  horseback — from  Vandalia,  then 
the  capital  of  the  State,  and  from  Edwardsville, 
Carrollton  and  Terre  Haute.  The  people  were 
without  news,  and,  from  habit,  were  willing  to 
remain  so.  A  newspaper  was  not  a  necessity 
then,  as  now,  and  the  new  paper  especially  was 
not  acceptable.  The  inhabitants  of  Central 
Illinois  at  that  time  were  chiefiy  from  the  South- 
ern States.  The  new  paper  was  edited  by  Con- 
necticut "Yankees."  That  was  enough.  Even 
in  those  days  a  Yankee  was  distasteful  to  people 
from    South  of   the  Ohio.     Certain    persons  at 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


215 


once  raised  a  cry  against  the  paper,  and  went  so 
far  as  to  say  tliere  some  people  in  the  county 
who  would  not  give  the  Francis  brothers  a  place 
to  be  buried  in,  if  it  was  known  where  they 
came  from.  Prejudice  was  tlius  fed,  and  the 
hundred  and  fifty  names  on  their  subscription 
book  did  not  receive  speedy  increase.  But  the 
curiosity  of  the  people  was  at  last  excited  by  the 
reports  about  the  paper  and  its  proprietors,  and 
many  new  subscribers  came  in,  who  "wanted  to 
take  the  thing  just  to  see  what  it  was."  The 
result  was  natural.  Each  person  for  his  two 
dollars  and  a  half  received  fifty-two  papers  filled 
with  good  reading.  They  were  pleased,  sub- 
scribed again,  and  told  their  friends  to  do  like- 
wise. The  storm  was  thus  weathered,  and  the 
prosperous  future  of  the  Journal  established. 

It  has  already  been  stated,  the  first  number  of 
the  Journal  was  issued  November  10, 1S.31.  The 
paper  was  full  of  news.  The  very  latest  from 
Washington  and  New  York  was  from  two  to 
three  weeks  old;  from  St.  Loui.s  four  days,  and 
the  last  from  England  was  dated  September  9. 
The  clippings  were  from  papers  published  weeks 
before,  and  just  at  hand,  while  the  letters  of 
correspondents  had  been  longer  on  the  way  from 
different  parts  of  the  country  than  a  letter  now 
is  in  going  from  New  York  to  Omaha.  Yet  it 
was  news,  the  latest  news,  and  relished  as  much 
by  tlie  readers  as  the  Washington,  London  or 
St.  Petersburg  telegrams  in  our  morning  papers 
of  events  happening  the  evening  before. 

In  principles  the  Journal  was  from  its  com- 
mencement the  opposer  of  the  Democratic  party. 
It  was  Whig  throughout  during  the  existence  of 
the  party.  In  1832  it  mainly  supported  Henry 
Clay  for  the  Presidency,  fought  its  battle  to  the 
best  of  its  ability,  and  submitted  to  defeat  with 
the  expression,  "The  Presidential  game  is  up  and 
the  day  is  not  ours."  It  opposed  the  spirit  of 
nullification  with  its  might.  It  advocated  all 
needed  reforms,  supported  all  measures  of  public 
improvement,  and  sought  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  all  classes  of  society. 

The  partnership  between  S.  &  J.  Francis  con- 
tinued until  February  21,  1835,  when  J.  Francis 
retired.  Simeon  Francis  continued  as  sole  propri- 
etor until  April  28,  1838,  when  Allen  and  J.  New- 
ton Francis  were  admitted  to  the  firm,  which 
took  the  name  of  S.  Francis  &  Co.  The  young 
men  learned  the  printing  trade  in  the  Journal 
office,  and  were  therefore  not  strangers,  at  least 
to  the  local  patrons  of  the  paper. 

The  manner  of  conducting  a  newspaper  at 
that  early  day  was  not  such  as  it  is  at  the  present 
time.     The   patronage  of  the   office    was  neces- 


sarily limited,  and  it  became  necessiry  at  times 
for  the  proprietor  to  be  editor,  compositor,  devil, 
and  man-of-all-work  generally.  Under  the  head 
of  "  Editorial  Comforts,"  Mr.  Francis  thus  nar- 
rates his  experience  for  one  day:  "  Editor  at 
the  case.  Enters  A.  'I  wish  to  get  a  handbill 
printed  immediately.  I  intend  to  give  them 
scoundrels  their  dues.'  'It  is  impossible,  sir,  we 
have  as  much  as  we  can  do  until  Monday.' 
'Confounded  strange  if  I  ain't  allowed  to  defend 
myself.  Will  you  do  it  then? '  '  Yes,  and  sooner 
if  in  our  power.'  Goes  out  in  a  huff.  Click, 
click,  click,  goes  the  type.  A  pause  of  ten  min- 
utes. Enters  a  lad.  '  Pa  wants  the  last  hand- 
bill printed  to-day.  [  It  was  during  a  political 
campaign,  and  candidates  were  setting  forth 
their  claims  by  means  of  handbills.]  'We  have 
printed  no  handbills  to-day — we  are  sorry  we 
can't  supply  your  father  with  a  new  handbill.' 
Click,  goes  the  type,  and  after  a  free  breathing 
of  an  hour,  B.  comes  in  in  great  flurtation.  '  Sir, 
I  want  you  to  keep  my  manuscript  out  of  sight, 
and  not  give  a  copy  of  my  bill  to  any  human 
being  until  you  deliver  the  same  to  myself.' 
'Very  w^ell,  sir.'  Exit  last  visitor.  Again  the 
operation  of  setting  type  is  resumed.  'Mr.  F.' 
says  another  visitor,  'have  you  any  news  of  the 
cholera?  '  'None  in  particular.  We  believe  the 
atmosphere  is  choleric'  'Have  you  any  hand- 
bills that  I  havn't  seen?'  'We  don't  know;  all 
we  have  are  on  the  line.  Help  yourself.'  'Gond 
morning,' as  C  enters  the  office.  'I  have  pre- 
])ared  a  communication  for  your  columns,  at  the 
request  of  several  friends,  and  which  I  think  is 
perfectly  unexceptionable.  It  reads:' — (Reads 
part  of  the  commtinication.)  The  writer  then 
states  that  the  remainder  of  his  article  is  made 
up  of  an  argument  founded  on  divers  considera- 
tions, designed  to  show  that  '  Old  Mac'  should 
be  made  Governor.  We  regretted  to  state  to  our 
friend  that  we  could  not  possibly  publish  his 
communication — our  columns  were  then  filled, 
corrected  and  ready  for  the  press.  'Well,  sir,  it 
will  create  a  rumpus  among  Mac's  friends.'  'We 
do  not  see  how  we  can  avoid  it.'  '  Have  you 
done  my  bill?'  'No,  sir.'  '  There  are  six  men 
waiting  for  it.  Can  you  have  it  done  in  two 
hours?'  'It  cannot  be  done  before  ten  o'clock 
at  night.'  Leaves  grumbling.  'Well,  you  must 
be  making  your  fortunes.'  'Making  our  for- 
tunes! Do  you  suppose  that  money  is  any  con- 
sideration for  the  mental  torture  we  are  com- 
pelled to  suffer?'  'Mr.  F.,  I  want  to  have  added 
a  little  to  your  account  against  me.  I  suppose 
you  v.-ould  as  lief  print  for  me  as  anybody.  I  want 
to  have  you  get  my  bill  done  so  I  can  start  for 


216 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Athens  early  iu  the  morning.  Only  two  short 
certificates,  with  a  few  remarks.  '  We  can't 
possibly  do  your  work  until  Monday.'  '  Can't 
you  do  it?  '  'It  is  impossible.'  'Well,  then  I 
must  wait  until  Monday.'  Enters  M.  in  great 
haste.  'If  there  should  be  a  handbill  printed 
against  me  I  want  you  to  give  me  a  chance  to 
make  an  immediate  reply.'  'You  must  wait 
your  turn.'  'What!  do  you  intend  to  deny  me 
the  use  of  your  press?'  'No,  sir;  we  only  intend 
to  give  every  man  his  regular  chance.'  Such  is 
the  epitome  of  our  editorial  history  for  one  day. 
We  retire  at  ten  o'clock — to  sleep  on  a  '  bed  of 
I'oses'  which  Guatemozin  would  have  hardly  en- 
vied— but  supported  by  the  consideration  that 
amid  all  the  conflicting  views  and  passions  of 
the  parties  by  which  we  are  surrounded,  we 
have  aimed  to  do  right." 

On  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  October,  1835,  the 
Journal  was  enlarged  to  a  seven  column  folio 
and  otherwise  improved.  No  further  change 
was  made  in  the  paper  until  the  death  of  J.  New- 
ton Francis,  which  occurred  on  the  tenth  day  of 
November,  1843.  Mr.  Francis  had  started  out 
on  a  business  tour  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State,  and  had  taken  his  rifle  with  him  to  be- 
guile the  hours  of  his  journey.  While  near 
Monticello,  he  saw  some  game,  and  springing  out 
of  the  vehicle  in  which  he  was  riding,  he  drew 
the  rifle  toward  him  by  the  barrel,  when  it  ac- 
cidentally exploded,  carrying  the  charge  into  the 
neck,  causing  instant  death.  Simeon  Francis, 
the  elder  brother,  had  this  to  say  of  the  deceased: 
"We  know  it  might  well  be  left  to  another  hand 
to  record  his  virtues.  They  are  written  in  our 
heart.  Yet  why  should  we  not  give  expression 
to  thoughts  common  to  all  who  knew  him?  He 
was  manly  and  generous  and  just;  in  his  friend- 
ship, firm ;  in  his  duties,  constant ;  in  his  man- 
ners, frank ;  in  his  feelings,  kind.  No  man  was 
more  free  from  selfishness,  and  falsehood  was 
utterly  foreign  to  his  nature.  He  died  young, 
but  he  has  left  a  void  in  society,  which  will  not 
be  easily  filled  ;  and  in  the  circle  of  his  friends 
and  kindred  there  is  a  grief  which  words  cannot 
describe.  We  have  seen  him  grow  from  youth 
to  manhood  and  take  his  place  in  the  business 
and  conflict  of  life.  Together  we  have  struggled 
with  misfortune,  and  rejoiced  in  prosperity.  To- 
gether we  have  formed  jjlans  for  the  future, 
which  death  has  dashed  in  pieces ;  and  now, 
whatever  of  trial  or  disaster  is  in  store  for  us, 
must  be  sustained  without  the  aid  of  his  counsel, 
or  the  consolations  of  his  sympathy.  But  all 
these  words  are  vain.  He  is  dead  !  Already  the 
mould  rests  upon   his  bosom,  and  to-night  the 


wind  sighs  mournfully  over  his  grave.  When 
the  bitterness  of  grief  is  past,  his  friends  will 
feel  a  mournful  pleasure  in  speaking  of  his 
blameless  life  and  upright  character;  and  to 
hearts  that  are  quivering  with  anguish  now,  it 
will  be  a  consolation  to  feel  that — 

'  The  ashes  of  the  just 
Smell  sweet,  and  blossom  in  the  dust.' 

The  name  of  the  firm  as  publishers  of  the 
Journal  rem.ained  unchanged,  it  being  continued 
by  S.  and  A.  Francis,  under  the  firm  name  of  S. 
Francis  &  Co.  In  September,  1847,  the  name  of 
the  paper  was  changed  from  Sangomo  to  Illinois 
Journal,  and  Albert  T.  Bledsoe  became  asso- 
ciated with  Simeon  Francis  as  editor.  This  re- 
lation was  continued  for  some  time. 

In  1835,  the  Francis  brothers  erected  a  two- 
story  frame  building,  forty-four  by  twenty  feet, 
on  the  lot  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Washington 
and  Sixth  streets.  This  was  the  first  Journal 
building,  and  was  occupied  for  about  eighteen 
years,  until  the  completion  of  a  new  and  better 
building  erected  on  North  Sixth,  between  Wash- 
ington and  Jefferson,  and  used  until  November, 
1879. 

On  the  twenty-third  day  of  September,  1847, 
the  name  of  the  paper  was  changed  to  the  Illinois 
Journal,  and  on  the  thirteenth  of  August,  1855, 
to  the  Illinois  State  Jounal,  its  present  name. 

Simeon  Francis  was  born  in  Wethersfield, 
Connecticut,  May  14,  1796.  At  an  early  age  he 
entered  a  printing  office  in  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, and  served  a  regular  apprenticeship; 
after  which,  in  company  with  Mr.  Clapp,  he 
published  a  paper  in  New  London,  in  the  same 
State.  After  his  marriage  in  New  London,  he 
sold  his  interest  in  the  newspaper,  and  moved 
to  Buffalo,  New  York,  where  he  formed  a  part- 
nership under  the  firm  name  of  Lazevell  & 
Francis,  and  published  the  Buffalo  Emporium, 
until  it  was  forced  to  suspend  in  1828,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  excitement  in  reference  to  the  ab- 
duction of  Morgan, charged  against  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  of  which  Mr.  Francis  was  a  member. 
In  1831,  he  came  to  Springfield,  and  soon  after 
engaged  in  the  publication  of  the  Journal.  On 
retiring  from  the  Journal,  Mr.  Francis  started 
the  Illinois  Farmer,  which  he  continued  as  pub- 
lisher and  then  editor  for  some  three  years.  In 
1859,  he  closed  his  business  in  Springfield,  and 
moved  to  Portland,  Oregon.  Here  he  engaged 
in  the  publication  of  the  Oregon  Farmer,  and 
was  President  of  the  Oregon  State  Agricultural 
Society.  In  1861,  President  Lincoln  appointed 
him  Paymaster  of  the  L^nited  States  Army,  with 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


211 


residence  at  Fort  Vancouver,  Washington  Ter- 
ritory. Tliis  position  lie  held  until  IbTU,  when 
he  was  retired  on  half  pay.  Ue  then  returned 
to  Portland,  Oregon,  where  he  died  October  25, 
1S72. 

Josiah  Francis  was  born  January  17,  1804,  at 
Weatherstield,  Connecticut.  After  severing  his 
connection  with  the  Journal,  he  was  married  to 
Margaret  Constant,  near  Athens,  Illinois,  and  in 
1836  engaged  in  taercantile  pursuits  in  Athens. 
While  tiiere,  he  represented  Sangamon  county 
in  the  State  Legislature,  in  1840.  A  few  years 
later,  he  returned  to  Springfield,  and  was  elected 
Sheriff  of  Sangamon  county,  and  still  later 
Mayor  of  Springtield.     He  died  in  1867. 

Allen  Francis,  brother  of  Simeon,  and  asso- 
ciate in  the  publication  of  the  Journal,  was  born 
in  Wetherstield,  Connecticut,  April  12,  181.5, 
and  came  to  Springtield  in  1834,  and  sub- 
sequently entered  into  partnership  with  his 
brothers.  He  remained  in  connection  with  the 
office  until  its  disposal  to  Baker  &  Bailhache. 
He  was  married  December  25,  1838,  in  Spring- 
field, to  Cecilia  B.  Duncan,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children.  Mr.  Francis  was  for  several  years  a 
member  of  the  City  Council  of  Springfield, 
from  the  first  ward.  He  erected  the  old  Journal 
buildings  on  Sixth  street,  north  of  the  square. 
In  1861,  President  Lincoln  appointed  him  Consul 
at  Victoria,  Vancouver's  Island.  He  left  for 
that  point  February,  1862,  and  remained  in 
official  connection  until  1871,  when  he  resigned, 
and  with  his  two  sons  engaged  in  the  fur  trade 
with  the  Indians,  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

In  July,  1855,  Messrs.  Francis  sold  the  estab- 
lishment to  Bailhache  &  Baker,  who  had  formerly 
been  publishers  of  the  Alton  Telegraph.  In 
their  valedictory  the  publishers  say:  "On  an 
occasion  like  this — on  leaving  a  business  and  an 
establishment  in  which  we  have  been  engaged 
the  best  years  of  our  lives — we  might  say  much. 
We  indeed  feel  that  it  is  our  privilege  to  do  so; 
but  we  will  only  now  say  that  we  have  labored 
for  what  we  conceived  the  best  interests  of  our 
town,  our  State  and  our  common  country,  and 
for  the  success  of  Whig  principles,  which  we  be- 
lieved were  connected  with  those  interests.  Our 
work,  our  labors,  are  before  the  public.  We  will 
not  say  that  we  have  not  erred,  and  that  often. 
We  would  not  be  mortals  if  we  had  not.  If  we 
have  injured,  we  ask  to  be  forgiven.  If,  on  the 
whole,  we  have  merited  favor,  we  ask  that  our 
labors  be  kindly  considered." 

On  assuming  control  of  the  Journal  the  new 
publishers  said:  "  While  we  are  well  aware  that 
there  .are  few  callings  or  professions  so  thank- 

25— 


less,  so  little  appreciated  or  so  little  understood, 
as  that  of  the  conductor  of  the  public  Press, 
we  believe  there  is  no  newspaper  in  the  State 
which  has  since  its  establishment  sust.-iined  itself 
so  uniformly,  'borne  its  faculties  so  meekly,'  as 
the  Illinois  .Journal,  and  the  simple  fact  that  it 
has  been  in  profitable  existence  for  fully  twenty- 
four  years,  under  the  retiring  proprietors,  speaks 
for  them  a  volume  of  commendation.  In  taking 
upon  ourselves  the  ownership  and  management 
of  the  Illinois  Journal,  we  dare  promise  but  little. 
Our  own  experience  tells  us  that  it  will  be  difti- 
cult,  if  not  impossible,  to  please  or  meet  the 
views  of  all;  for  in  these  days  of  political  free- 
dom, every  man  thinks  independently  and  acts 
for  himself.  We  shall,  however,  give  our  undi- 
vided attention  to  making  the  Journal  an  inter- 
esting newspaper,  which  will  not  be  exclusively 
devoted  to  mere  politics,  but  which  will  likewise 
advocate  and  sustain  all  the  great  interests  of 
society,  and  lend  its  aid  to  the  cause  of  virtue, 
morality  and  education.  In  its  politics,  the 
Journal  will  continue  to  wear  much  the  same 
general  features  which  have  distinguished  it  in 
the  past,  but  in  its  strictures  upon  the  present 
administration,  or  upon  the  tendency  of  the 
measures  of  opposing  parties,  it  will  be  found 
occupying  national  conservative  ground,  in  eveiy 
emergency  upholding  the  Constitution  and  the 
Union,  and  opposed  to  fanaticism  and  extreme 
views,  'vherever  they  may  be  found.  The  most 
casual  observer  cannot  fail  to  perceive  that  the 
political  cauldron  is  at  the  present  time  in  a 
state  of  violent  commotion.  Into  what  distinc- 
tive forms  the  elements  will  eventually  be  re- 
solved, cannot  now  be  determined;  but  in  every 
event  we  shall  do  battle  fearlessly  and  independ- 
ently for  the  right,  exposing  error  and  falsehood 
wherever  they  may  show  their  heads,  and  ap- 
proving and  encouraging  what  is  good  and  true 
in  all  political  organizations." 

As  stated  in  their  salutatory,  the  political  ele- 
ments at  this  time  were  in  a  state  of  violent 
commotion.  The  Whig  party  was  in  process  of 
disintegration;  the  American  or  Know-Nothing 
party,  which  had  been  formed  some  years  pre- 
vious, was  gaining  strength,  especially  in  the 
South;  the  newly  organized  Republican  or  Anti- 
Nebraska  party  was  absorbing  all  the  anti- 
slavery  elements  in  the  Whig  and  Democratic 
parties,  and  much  ill-feeling  was  engendered  in 
consequence  of  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Com- 
promise. The  Journal,  under  its  new  manage- 
ment, was  rather  cautious  in  the  expression  of 
its  views.  Its  sympathies  were  doubtless  with 
the  American  party,  and  on  the  nomination  of 


■2is 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Millard  Fillmore  for  the  Presidency  by  that 
party,  it  advocated  his  endorsement  by  all  the 
elements  opposed  to  the  Democracy.  As  the 
canvass  proceeded,  the  anti-slavery  views  of  the 
editors  were  strengthened,  and  when  .John  C 
Fremont  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans,  it 
instantly  hoisted  his  name,  and  became  an  earn- 
est and  enthusiastic  advocate  of  his  election. 
From  that  time  to  the  present,  the  Journal  has 
never  wavered  in  its  advocacy  of  Republican 
principles. 

Baker  &  Bailhache  continued  in  partnership 
as  publishers  of  the  Journal  until  December, 
1862,  when  Mr.  Bailhache  received  a  Govern- 
ment appointment,  and  sold  his  interest  to  D.  L. 
Phillips,  who  continued  its  publication  under 
the  firm  name  of  Baker  and  Phillips. 

W.  H.  Bailhache  was  born  in  Chilicothe,  Ohio, 
in  1825,  and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Alton, 
Illinois,  when  quite  a  small  boy.  He  received  a 
thorough  English  education  in  Shurtleff  College, 
at  Alton,  and  when  about  eighteen  years  old 
entered  his  father's  office  to  learn  the  trade  of 
printer.  Subsequently  he  became  associated 
with  his  father  in  the  publication  of  the  Alton 
Telegraph.  As  alre.ady  stated,  he  came  to 
Sprirgfield  in  1S55,  and  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  Journal.  He  served  in  the  army  as  Assist- 
ant Quartermaster,  with  rank  of  Captain,  and 
was  with  the  Array  of  the  Tennessee.  After 
his  retirement  from  the  Journal,  he  went  to 
Quincy,  and  engaged  in  the  newspaper  business 
for  a  time,  and  finally  received  an  appointment 
in  the  (^)uartermaster's  Department,  and  is  now 
at  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1859,  to  a  daughter  of  General  M.  Bray- 
man. 

Edward  L.  Baker  was  born  in  Kaskaskia,  Illi- 
nois, June  3,  1829.  He  was  educated  at  Shurt- 
leff College,  Upper  Alton,  and  graduated  in 
1847.  After  graduating,  he  read  law  two  years 
with  his  father,  David  J.  Baker,  after  which  he 
attended  Harvard  Law  School,  graduated  there- 
from, and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1855,  at 
Springfield.  After  leaving  he  returned  to  Al- 
ton, which  had  been  his  home  for  some  years, 
and  in  connection  with  W.  H.  Bailhache,  he 
published  the  Alton  Telegr.aph  for  some  five 
years.  In  1857,  as  already  stated,  he  became 
part  owner  and  editor  of  the  Illinois  State  Jour- 
nal. In  1869  he  was  appointed  United  States 
Assessor  for  the  Eighth  District  of  Illinois,  re- 
maining in  that  office  until  it  was  abolished.  In 
December,  1873,  he  was  appointed  United 
States  Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres,  Argentine  Re- 
public, S.  A.,  which  office  he  still  retains. 


When  Mr.  Phillips  became  connected  with 
the  Journal,  it  was  at  a  time  when  our  army  had 
suffered  several  defeats  and  treason  was  ram- 
pant.    In  his  salutatory,  he  said: 

"  I  am  a  cordial  supporter  of  the  jjresent  ad- 
ministration —  as  I  would  be  of  any  other  in  its 
hour  of  trial  and  peril  —  and  in  favor  of  em- 
ploying all  the  means  known  to  the  Constitu- 
tion and  laws  to  suppress  effectual ly  and  forever, 
the  existing  rebellion  against  the  Government. 
In  the  prosecution  of  the  war  I  recognize  no 
distinction  between  Democrats  and  Republicans 
in  arms  against  the  assassins  who  are  attempt- 
ing to  destroy  the  heritage  bequeathed  to  us  by 
our  fathers,  and  seal  up  in  endless  night  all 
hopes  of  human  progress  and  human  liberty. 
The  meed  of  praise  will  be  alike  given  to  men 
of  all  parties  who  peril  their  lives  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  that  government  which  we  hold  as 
a  common  trust  for  posterity.  I  am  a  Repub- 
lican, yet  I  pledge  myself  to  no  stereoty])ed  line 
of  politics.  The  future  is  too  dark  and  uncer- 
tain to  define  with  any  degree  of  certainty,  a 
political  course  to  be  pursued  by  any  true  lover 
of  his  country,  other  than  so  far  as  I  have  al- 
ready indicated.  My  best  efforts  will  be  em- 
ployed in  giving  the  public  a  paper  free  from  the 
taint  of  treason,  corruption  and  immorality,  and 
unalterably  devoted  to  the  interests  of  our 
brave  Illinoisans  who  are  shedding  imperishable 
lustre  ujion  our  arms  in  all  parts  of  the  Repub- 
lic, cursed  with  the  views  of  secession  and  re- 
bellion." 

On  the  28th  of  August,  18(35,  W.  H.  Bail- 
hache, having  retired  from  the  army,  purchased 
a  share  in  the  Journal,  and  again  became  identi- 
fied with  the  paper.  Previous  to  this,  however, 
the  legislature  of  1803  passed  an  act  incorpor- 
ating the  .Journal  Company,  and  in  February  of 
that  year  the  company  was  organized  and  some 
twenty  thousand  dollars  in  stock  issued.  Baker 
and  Phillijis  retained  by  far  the  larger  portion 
of  this,  and  the  paper  as  before  was  published 
in  their  name,  the  entire  management  of  the 
concern  being  in  their  hands. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  1866,  Mr.  Phillips 
retired  from  the  Journal,  disposing  of  his  stock 
to  Mr.  Bailhache.  In  his  valedictory  he  said: 
"While  I  have  been  connected  with  the  Journal, 
we  have  ])assed  through  a  great  civil  war — a  war 
for  the  Union  ruade  by  our  fathers — a  war  in 
defense  of  humanity,  law,  and  order,  and  against 
disunion,  barbarism,  and  universal  disorder. 
The  .Journal  in  the  darkest  hour  of  the  past  four 
years  has  never  faltered  in  its  stern,  unfiagging 
support  of  the  Government,  the  vigorous  prose- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


219 


ciition  of  the  war,  and  words  of  cheer  to  the 
brav^  men  who  saved  the  Nation.  It  will  be 
my  proud  recollection  that  in  those  long,  dreary 
years  of  blood  and  carnage,  not  one  disloyal 
sentence  eve*'  found  utterance  in  the  columns  of 
the  Journal,  nor  one  discouraging  word  to  the 
heroic  men  who  fought  the  great  battles  of  the 
Union." 

Baker  and  Uailhache,  as  principal  stock- 
holders, continued  the  publication  of  the  Jour- 
nal until  February,  1S73,  when  Mr.  Eailhache 
retired,  and  the  stock  was  purchased  by  Edward 
L.  Baker,  D.  L.  Phillips,  Charles  Edwards,  and 
J.  D.  Roper.  Mr.  Phillips  was  elected  Presi- 
dent, Mr.  Baker  Secretary,  and  jMr.  Roper  Treas- 
urer. No  further  change  was  made  in  the  man- 
agement until  September,  1878,  when  the  stock 
of  the  company  was  purchased  l)y  Paul  Selby, 
M.  F.  Simmons,  and  H.  Chapin. 

David  L.  Phillips,  who  so  long  held  the  posi- 
tion of  managing  editor  of  the.  Journal,  was  of 
Welsh  descent,  his  parents  emigrating  from  that 
country  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  David 
L.  was  born  October  28,  1823,  near  the  present 
town  of  Marion,  Illinois.  In  common  with  the 
mass  of  young  men  of  that  time,  he  had  only 
those  opportunities  of  education  afforded  by  the 
common  schools  of  the  period,  which  were  none 
of  the  best;  but,  gifted  with  an  active  mind  and 
a  strong  thirst  for  knowledge,  he  made  such 
good  use  of  them  by  study  during  the  winter, 
while  laboring  on  the  farm  cluring  the  summer, 
that  by  the  time  he  had  attained  to  manhood,  he 
was  fitted  to  teach,  and  acquitted  himself  with 
credit  in  that  profession  for  several  years. 
About  that  time  the  learned  and  able  Dr.  John 
M.  Peck,  the  distinguished  pioneer  teacher  and 
preacher  of  the  I5aptist  denomination,  was  in 
the  very  prime  of  his  manhood  and  usefulness, 
and  from  the  seminary  which  he  founded  at 
Rock  Spring  was  exerting  a  vast  influence  upon 
the  young  men  of  the  State,  and  even  in  other 
States.  It  was  no  doubt  due  to  the  direct  influ- 
ence of  this  able  and  gifted  man, that  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  years  young  Phillips  was  received 
into  the  Baptist  Church,  and  some  two  years 
later  entered  the  ministry  of  that  denomination 
with  all  the  zeal  and  fervor  peculiar  to  his  youth 
and  sanguine  temperament.  He  remained  in 
this  profession  probably  eight  years,  teaching 
and  preaching  at  intervals  in  St.  Clair,  Wash- 
ington, Union,  and  perhaps  other  counties  in 
Southern  Illinois.  In  the  early  part  of  his 
career  as  a  minister,  he  was  married  to  ]Miss 
Charlotte  Tate,  of  St.  Clair  county,  who  still 
survives  him,  and   the  young  couple  began  life 


together  at  Elkton,  in  Washington  county.  Air. 
Phillips  possessed  elements  which  made  him  a 
popular  pulpit  orator,  and  it  is  not  too  mucli  to 
say  that  his  zeal,  earnestness,  and  enthusiasm 
had  attracted  attention  to  him  widely  in  that 
section  of  the  State.  This  flnally  resulted  in 
his  being  called  to  take  charge  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Jonesboro,  where  he  acquitted  himself 
with  his  usual  ability. 

About_18.5-t,  having  withdrawn  from  the  charge 
of  the  church  at  Jonesboro,  on  account  of  a  dis- 
agreement on  political  questions,  Mr.  Phillips 
became  associated  with  the  management  of  the 
Jonesboro  Gazette,  then,  as  it  is  now,  a  Demo- 
cratic paper.  The  excitement  over  the  "  Kansas- 
Nebraska  Bill,"  removing  the  restriction  against 
the  introduction  of  slavery  north  of  the  parallel 
of  thirty-six  degrees  and  thirty  minutes — known 
as  the  "  Missouri  Compromise," — was  at  its 
height,  and  Mr.  Phillips  took  strong  ground 
against  it.  Into  this  contest  he  entered  with  all 
the  fervor  of  an  ardent,  zealous  nature.  As  a 
result  he  soon  found  himself  .arrayed  against  his 
party  as  he  had  previously  been  against  his 
church.  His  partner  withdrew  and,  for  a  time, 
the  Gazette  dispensed  to  its  readers  the  most 
radical  Republican  doctrine,  although  the  Re- 
publican party  had  not  then  been  organized. 

One  of  the  earliest  acts  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  after 
his  accession  to  the  Presidency,  was  to  appoint 
Mr.  Phillips  United  States  Marshal  for  the 
Southern  District  of  Illinois,  to  which  position 
he  was  re-appointed  in  1865.  He  continued  to 
hold  the  office  until  removed  by  Andrew  John- 
son in  1806.  The  administration  of  this  oflice 
during  the  dark  and  troublous  period  of  the  war, 
brought  Mr.  Phillips  in  close  and  intimate  re- 
lations with  the  most  trusted  and  confidential 
agents  of  the  Government,  and  imposed  upon 
him  many  delicate  and  responsible  duties,  in  the 
discharge  of  which  he  was  not  found  wanting, 
in  either  ability,  courage  or  integrity. 

In  the  fall  of  18Y5  Mr.  Phillips  made  a  visit 
to  California,  spending  seven  months  in  that 
region.  He  bore  a  commission  as  Special  Agent 
of  the  Treasury  Department,  onpowering  him 
to  enquire  into  tlie  management  of  custom 
houses  and  internal  revenue  ofiices  in  that  sec- 
tion of  the  Union.  During  his  stay  on  the 
Pacific  Coast,  he  wrote  a  series  of  letters  to  the 
Journal,  descriptive  of  ])laces  visited,  scenery, 
climate,  customs,  and  public  works,  which  were 
subse(|uently  issued  in  book  form,  and  which 
impart  a  more  vivid  and  comprehensive  idea  of 
that  interesting  region  than  can  be  obtained 
from  almost  any  other  source.     The  following 


220 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAM(JX  CorX'I'Y 


touching  extract  is  from  a  letter  bearing  date 
January  1,  ISTG: 

"  Since  my  last  letter  was  finished,  another 
year  has  been  numbered  with  the  unreturning 
past.  Its  joys  and  sorrows,  its  successes  and 
failures,  its  lights  and  shadowFi,  are  all  garnered 
in  the  storehouse  of  Eternity.  Each  of  my  read- 
ers, and  the  writer  of  these  Pacific  Coast  letters, 
stand  another  year  nearer  the  portals  of  the  Un- 
known. But,  through  the  infinite  goodness, 
mercy  and  wisdom  of  God,  while  our  steps  may 
be  sobered  and  our  gray  hairs  increased,  we  are 
permitted  to  look  outward  and  onward  to  the 
end,  stimulated  by  hope  and  unawed  by  fear; 
standing  in  the  right  as  it  is  given  us  to  see  it, 
and  rejoicing  in  the  evening  glories  of  the  nine- 
teenth century.  Renewing  my  faith  in  the 
fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man, 
from  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  I  send  to  my  read- 
ers, and  the  tens  of  thousands  of  good  friends 
and  loved  ones  of  and  about  whom  my  thoughts 
are  busy  to-day,  my  ardent,  earnest  wishes  for  a 
happy  New  Year  for  them  and  theirs." 

In  the  fall  of  1876,  Mr.  Phillips  received  the 
Republican  nomination  for  Congress,  but  was 
defeated,  the  district  being  overwhelmingly 
Democratic.  Ilis  canvass  was  an  able  one,  and 
as  a  slight  appreciation  of  his  services,  he  was 
appointed  Postmaster  of  Springfield,  by  Presi- 
dent Hayes. 

Paul  Selby,  in  a  "Memorial  Address  on  the 
Life,  Character  and  Public  Services  of  David  L. 
Phillips,"  delivered  before  the  Illinois  State 
Press  Association,  held  at  Springfield,  February 
16,  1881,  pays  him  the  following  tribute: 

•'  With  the  exception  of  about  two  years, 
between  the  early  part  of  1868,  up  to  his  retire- 
ment from  the  Journal,  in  1878,  it  was  my  for- 
tune to  be  associated  with  Mr.  Phillips  almost 
continuously.  The  opportunity  I  thus  had  of 
knowing  our  brother  journalist  has,  I  think, 
given  me  the  right,  as  well  as  the  ability,  to 
speak  of  him  as  a  man,  as  a  journalist,  as  a  poli- 
tician, and  as  a  public  officer.  In  all  that  period, 
our  friendly  relations  were  never  mterrupted  for 
a  moment.  It  was  necessary  that,  in  such  a  re- 
lation, there  should  be  mutual  trusts  and  confi- 
dences; in  these  he  was  never  found  wanting. 
AVhatever  may  have  been  his  imperfections — 
and  he  was  a  man,  and  no  man  is  perfect — he 
was  as  true  in  his  journalistic  relation  to  those 
associated  with  him  as  he  was  patriotic  in  his 
political  relations,  and  honest  and  faithful  in 
the  discharge  of  his  official  duties. 

"Mr.  Phillips  was  essentially  a  self-educated, 
self-made  man.     While,  with  the  majority  of  the 


youth  of  his  day,  he  possessed  few  advantages  in 
early  life,  he  distanced  the  great  mass  of  his 
associates  in  the  progress  which  he  made  and 
the  results  he  achieved.  He  was  entitled  to  all 
the  more  credit  for  what  he  accomplished, 
though  his  achievements  were  necessarily  un- 
equal. He  possessed  natural  qualities  of  intel- 
lect which  fitted  him  for  wide  and  profound 
research.  Ilis  official  duties  during  most  of  the 
period  when  he  was  associated  with  the  public 
Press,  did  not  permit  him  to  engage  in  general 
journalism  for  any  length  of  time.  His  tastes 
led  him  rather  into  special  fields.  In  these  he 
was  full,  comprehensive  and  exhaustive.  In- 
clined to  the  discursive  and  florid  in  style,  a 
strong  and  vivid  imagination  still  enabled  him 
to  clothe  his  thoughts  in  a  garb  which  never 
failed  to  command  the  attention  of  the  reader, 
whether  the  latter  agreed  with  him  or  not.  He 
was  never  dull  or  prosaic — never  wrote  common- 
place merely  t6  till  up  the  page,  but  his  utter- 
ances came  from  a  mind  overflowing  with  living 
facts  and  arguments.  Gifted  with  a  memory 
that  surprised  those  who  knew  him  by  its 
extraordinary  sweep  and  tenacity,  his  mind  was 
the  repository  of  an  amount  of  knowledge  of 
men  and  things,  gained  from  reading  and  ob- 
servation, possessed  by  few  men  of  his  time." 

Mr.  Phillips  died  in  Springfield,  June  19, 
ISSO. 

Under  the  management  of  the  present  pro- 
prietors, the  Journal  has  been  made  a  success  in 
every  particular,  and  the  office  is  well  supplied 
with  material  for  any  kind  of  work,  from  a  visit- 
ing card  to  a  mammoth  poster. 

Paul  Selby,  editor-in-chief  of  the  Illinois  Slate 
Journal,  was  born  in  Pickawav  countv,  Ohio, 
July  20,  1825.  His  father,  Dr.  William  H.  Selby, 
was  a  native  of  Anne  Arundel  county,  Maryland, 
while  his  mother,  Mary  (Young)  Selby,  was  born 
at  Fairfield,  Connecticut.  The  former  grew  to 
manhood,  when,  having  qualified  himself  for  the 
practice  of  medicine,  he  removed  to  Western 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance 
of,  and  married.  Miss  Young,  whose  parents  had 
emigrated  to  tlniontown,  in  the  latter  State, 
while  she  was  yet  in  her  infancy.  Soon  after 
marriage,  the  young  couple  removed  to  Eastern 
Ohio,  residing  for  a  time  at  Zanesville,  Marietta 
and  Mt.  Vernon,  in  that  State.  During  their 
residence  at  the  latter  place.  Dr.  Selby  engaged 
for  a  time  in  the  mercantile  business.  The  war 
of  1812-15,  with  England  being  then  in  progress, 
he  went  as  surgeon  with  a  body  of  volunteers 
raised  for  the  relief  of  the  scattered  remnants  of 
General  St.  Clair's  defeated  army. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


221 


Some  years  after  the  close  of  the  war  the 
Selbys  removed  to  Pickaway  county,  where  the 
subject  of  this  sketcli  was  born,  being  the  fifth 
of  a  family  of  six  children  (tive  sons  and  one 
daughter),  all  of  whom  grew  to  manhood  and 
womanhood,  but  of  whom  he  is  now  the  only 
survivor.  In  18.3'7  the  family  moved  West,  set- 
tling in  the  DesMoines  Valley  ( Van  Buren 
county),  in  what  was  then  the  Territory  of  Iowa. 
Both  in  Ohio  and  Iowa,  Dr.  Selby  pursued  the 
business  of  a  farmer,  and  thus  Paul  grew  ujj  as 
m.ost  farmers'  sons  do — working  upon  the  farm 
in  summer  and  going  to  school  in  the  winter, 
when  opportunity  offered — though  his  parents 
being  intelligent,  reading  people,  his  advantages 
may  have  been  somewhat  better  than  the  aver- 
age. The  common  schools,  especially  in  the  lat- 
ter State,  were  none  of  the  best,  but  furnished 
the  only  educational  advantages  then  open  to 
him  except  those  which  he  enjoyed  at  home  or 
hy  means  of  independent  study,  until  after  he  had 
reached  manhood. 

In  1843,  Paul's  father  died,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  h£  left  home  to 
make  his  way  in  the  world,  and  while  contribut- 
ing to  the  su]>port  of  his  mother,  determined  to 
acquire  an  education.  The  following  winter  and 
sjsring  were  spent  in  teaching  in  Washington 
county,  Illinois,  when,  more  liberal  inducements 
being  offered  him,  he  removed  to  Madison 
county,  where  he  engaged  in  the  same  occupa- 
tion, lie  spent  about  three  years  in  Madison, 
half  of  the  time  being  at  the  same  place,  a  few 
miles  above  St.  Louis,  on  the  Alton  road.  In 
1848,  having  acquired  some  means,  he  determined 
to  carry  out  his  long  cherished  purpose  of  ac- 
quiring a  more  liberal  education,  and  then  went 
to  JacKsonville,  entering  Illinois  College  for  a 
classical  course.  Here  he  remained  three  and  a 
half  years,  but  before  the  expiration  of  his  course 
{in  March,  18.52,)  he  formed  a  business  connec- 
tion for  the  publication  of  the  "Morgan  (now 
Jacksonville)  Journal,"  assuming  editorial  charge 
as  successor  to  Col.  E.  R.  Roe,  late  Marshal  of 
the  Southern  District  of  Illinois.  He  then  had 
no  intention  of  abandoning  his  studies,  but  find- 
ing his  time  fully  occupied,  he  reluctantly  with- 
drew from  college  in  the  middle  of  his  junior 
year,  though  subsequently  honored  by  his  Alma 
3Iater  with  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 

Mr.  Selby's  connection  with  the  "Morgan 
Journal "  continued  nearly  seven  years,  covering 
a  period  of  great  political  excitement  and  agita- 
tion, during  which  the  Republican  party  came 
into  existence.  Though  a  Whig  in  politics,  his 
tastes  were  rather  literary  than  political,  and  he 


preferred  an  independent  position  in  journalism. 
This  was  in  part  due  to  the  fact  that  he  foresaw 
the  breaking  up  of  the  organization  of  parties, 
which  occurred  on  the  passage  of  the  bill  re- 
moving the  restriction  against  the  admission  of 
slavery  north  of  thirty-six  degrees  thirty  min- 
utes, introduced  by  Mr.  Douglas.  New  ques- 
tions having  thus  been  brought  to  the  surface,  he 
entered  with  zeal  into  their  discussion,  and,  as  was 
inevitable,  soon  took  a  position  on  the  side  of 
the  Republican  party  —  in  fact,  was  among  the 
first  to  be  identified  with  the  new  party  organi- 
zation in  Central  Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  185.5, 
the  paper  with  which  Mr.  Selby  was  connected, 
suggested  a  meeting  of  the  anti-Nebraska  edi- 
tors of  the  State,  to  be  held  at  some  central  j)oint 
in  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  form  and 
direction  to  the  sentiment  of  the  new  party  and 
agreeing  upon  some  general  line  of  policy.  The 
suggestion  was  approved  by  others,  and  in  the 
next  few  months  the  proposition  took  form,  the 
convention  being  called  at  Decatur,  February 
22,  1850.  When  the  convention  met,  in  view  of 
his  agency  in  securing  it,  Mr.  Selby  was,  by 
unanimous  consent,  chosen  to  preside  over  its 
deliberations.  lu  an  address  delivered  by  him 
before  the  Illinois  Press  Association,  at  its 
winter  meeting  held  at  Springfield,  February 
0,  1879,  under  the  title  of  "A  Quarter  of  a  Cen- 
tury of  Journalism,"  he  made  the  following  al- 
lusion to  this  assemblage  as  an  incident  in  the 
political  and  journalistic  history  of  the  State: 

"On  the  22d  day  of  February,  1856,  an  Edito- 
rial Convention  of  a  somewhat  different  charac- 
ter was  held  at  Decatur,  in  this  State.  The 
number  in  attendance  was  small — not  amount- 
ing to  over  fifteen  or  twenty,  all  told  —  a  sort  of 
"forlorn  hope,"  so  to  speak  —  but  they  assisted 
to  set  in  motion  agencies  which  have  left  their 
impress  on  the  political  history  of  this  State 
and  the  Nation.  The  Convention  was  composed 
of  representatives  of  newspapers  opposed  to  the 
so-called  Kansas-Nebraska  Bill,  which  had 
passed  Congress  in  1854,  and  which  had  pro- 
duced a  degree  of  popular  excitement  seldom 
known  in  the  previous  history  of  the  country, 
proving  a  fore-runner  of  the  war  of  the  rebel- 
lion which  followed  a  few  years  later.  It  was 
called  for  the  purpose  of  outlining  a  policy  for 
the  Anti-Nebraska  party — as  the  opponents  of 
the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  called 
themselves  —  and  was  one  of  the  first  and  most 
effective  steps  towards  the  formal  organization 
and  consolidation  of  the  Republican  party  of 
the  State,  which  took  place  in  May  following. 
The  printed  record  does  not  show  a  full  list  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  names  of  those  present,  but  from  the  list  of 
committees  and  officers  I  am  able  to  find  the 
following:  V.  Y.  Ralston,  Quincy  Whig;  Dr. 
C.  H.  Eay,  Chicago  Tribune;  O.  P.  Wharton, 
Rock  Island  Advertiser;  T.  J.  Pickett,  Peoria 
Republican;  George  Schneider,  Chicago  Staats 
Zeitung;  Charles  Faxon,  Princeton  Post;  A  N. 
Ford,  Lacon  Gazette;  B.  F.  Shaw,  Dixon  Tele- 
graph; W.  J.  Usrey,  Decatur  Chronicle;  Paul 
Selby,  .Jacksonville  Journal. 

A  pl.atform  was  adopted  at  this  meeting  which 
would  now  be  regarded  as  very  conservative 
Republicanism,  but  it  was  assailed  by  the  oppo- 
sition Press  of  the  day  as  the  wildest  Radical- 
ism—  or  ratber  "abolitionism."  Resolutions 
were  adopted  recommending  that  a  State  Dele- 
gate Convention  be  held  at  Bloomington,  May 
29th  following,  for  the  purpose  of  organization, 
and  a  State  Central  Committee  was  appointed 
to  fix  an  apportionment  of  delegates  and  issue 
the  formal  call.  That  Committee  performed  its 
duty;  the  convention  was  held  at  the  time  and 
place  designated;  General  John  M.  Palmer, 
then  a  rising  young  Lawyer  and  liberal  politi- 
cian of  Carlinville,  present  proprietor  ot  the 
Register  in  this  city,  presided;  a  ticket  com- 
posed of  General  W.  H.  Bissell,  for  Governor; 
Francis  Hoffman,  (afterwards  replaced  by  Hon. 
John  Wood,  of  Quincy,)  for  Lieutenant  Gover- 
nor; O.  M.  Hatch,  for  Secretary  of  State;  Jesse 
K.  Dubois,  for  Auditor;  James  Miller,  for  Treas- 
urer, and  W.  H.  Powell,  for  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction,  was  put  in  nomination  and 
was  elected  in  November  following.  And  thus 
the  Republican  party  sprang  at  once  into  polit- 
ical ascendancy  in  this  State  —  an  ascendancy 
which  it  has  never  since  wiiolly  lost." 

In  May,  1858,  while  still  residing  at  Jackson- 
ville, Mr.  Selby  was  married  to  Miss  Erra  A. 
Post,  an  amiable  and  worthy  young  lady  who 
had  been  a  pupil,  and  for  a  time,  a  teacher  in 
the  Female  Seminary  at  that  place.  During  the 
following  fall  he  severed  his  connection  with 
the  Jacksonville  Journal,  and  the  next  spring 
removed  to  Springfield,  where  he  spent  the  sum- 
mer of  1859.  Though  not  immediately  connected 
with  the  Press  during  this  period,  he  did  con- 
siderable political  writing  for  the  State  Journal, 
and  otherwise.  One  of  his  principal  labors  dur- 
ing this  summer  was  the  jireparation  of  a  pamph- 
let giving  the  history  ot  the  celebrated  "Canal 
Scrip  Fraud"  which  was  brought  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  public  soon  after  the  retirement  of 
Joel  A.  Matteson  from  the  Governorship  of  the 
State.  This  pamphlet  was  widely  distributed 
throughout  the  State,  and  exerted  no  small  in- 


fluence upon  the  elections  of  the  next  few  years. 
In  September,  1859,  in  compliance  with  the 
urgent  solicitation  of  friends  already  in  the 
South,  Mr.  Selby  accepted  an  invitation  to  take 
charge  of  a  boys'  school  at  Plaqucmine,  Louisi- 
ana, and  removed  there  with  his  family.  After 
remaining  here  one  year  he  was  offered  strong 
inducement  to  take  charge  of  an  institution  for 
the  education  of  young  ladies  and  gentlemen,  at 
Amite  City,  in  the  same  State,  which  he  ac- 
cepted. Before  the  close  of  this  year,  the  war 
between  the  North  and  South,  which  had  been 
gradually  coming  on,  opened  with  all  its  bitter- 
ness and  fury.  Perceiving  tliat  he  could  no 
longer  be  of  any  service  there  in  the  profession 
which  he  bad  chosen,  and  that  the  safety  ot 
himself  and  family  would  be  in  peril  by  longer 
remaining  in  the  South,  at  the  close  of  the  term 
of  1800-61,  Mr.  Selby  determined  to  return  to 
the  North,  and  disposing  of  what  property  he 
could,  and  leaving  his  library,  which,  in  the  con- 
dition of  the  country  at  that  time,  could  not  be 
transported,  and  wliich  was  plundered  and  scat- 
teicd  during  the  war,  on  the  evening  of  the  3d 
of  July,  ISGi;  he  left  Nfw  Orleans  for  Illinois. 
The  journey  was  made  by  railroad,  by  way  of 
Columbus,  Kentucky,  and  Cairo,  though  many 
persons  then  seeking  to  reach  the  North  were 
meeting  with  serious  trouble,  and  all  communi- 
cation was  cut  off  between  Columbus  and  Cairo, 
by  the  seizure  of  the  steamer  running  between 
those  two  places,  by  the  rebels,  a  few  days  after. 
Almost  immediately  after  his  arrival  in  Spring- 
field, leavinghisfamily  here,  Mr.  Selby  returned 
to  Cairo,  to  accept  a  position  which  had  been 
tendered  him  in  the  employment  of  the  Govern- 
ment. 

After  a  stay  at  Cairo  of  about  eight  months, 
and  a  short  period  spent  in  the  Transportation 
Department  at  Paducah,  Kentucky,  during  which 
the  movement  up  the  Tennessee  river  to  Pitts- 
burg Landing  took  j)lace,  jMr.  Selby  returned  to 
Springfield,  and  in  July  following  was  offered 
and  accepted  a  position  upon  the  editorial  de- 
partment of  the  State  Journal,  which  continued 
unbroken  up  to  November,  1865.  At  this  time 
he  was  called  to  suffer  a  deep  affliction  in  the 
loss  of  his  wife.  His  household  having  been 
broken  up,  he  severed  his  connection  with  the 
Journal,  and  soon  after  went  to  New  Orleans, 
where  he  spent  the  winter.  Returning  north  in 
June,  1806,  after  a  few  weeks'  rest,  he  was  of- 
fered and  accepted  a  position  on  the  editorial 
staff  of  the  Chicago  Evening  Journal,  but  soon 
after  taking  a  similar  position  on  the  Chicago 
Republican  now  the  Inter-Ocean. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


223 


In  1868,  Messrs.  D.  L.  Phillips  and  William 
H.  Dailhacbe,  of  the  State  Journal,  purchased  the 
Whig,  at  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Selby  was  in- 
vited to  take  editorial  charge  of  it.  Subse- 
quently he  became  the  successor  of  Major  Bail- 
bache  in  proprietorship  of  the  Whig,  at  the 
same  time  retaining  the  position  of  managing 
editor.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1873,  the  Whig 
was  sold  to  its  present  proprietors,  when  Hon. 
E.  L.  Baker,  editor  of  the  State  Journal,  having 
been  appointed  Consul  to  Buenos  Ayers,  Mr. 
Selby  was  offered  his  old  place  upon  the  Journal. 
He  accepted,  entering  on  his  duties  January  1, 
1874,  and  his  connection  with  the  paper  has  re- 
mained unbroken  eversince.  In  September,  1878, 
the  Journal  became  the  property  of  the  "Spring- 
field Journal  Publishing  Company,"  of  which  Mr. 
Selby  is  a  member,  being  a  director  and  secretary 
of  the  board.  Mr.  Selby  was  married  a  second 
time  in  December,  1870,  to  Mrs.  M.  J.  Hitchcock, 
a  gifted  lady  of  Quincy,  who  still  survives.  Two 
daughters  born  to  him  of  his  first  wife  still  live; 
but  a  daughter  and  a  son  born  to  him  of  his  pres- 
ent wife,  died  in  December,  1878,  within  a  few 
days  of  each  other. 

In  June,  1880,  Mr.  Selby  received  from  Presi- 
dent Hayes  the  appointment  of  Postmaster  for 
the  city  of  Springfield,  in  place  of  Hon.  D.  L. 
Phillips,  deceased,  entering  upon  the  duties  of 
the  office  July  4,  and  on  the  assembling  of  Con- 
gress, in  December,  was  nominated,  confirmed 
and  re-commissioned. 

Horace  Chapin,  Treasurer  and  Business  Mana- 
ger of  the  Journal,  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Massachusetts,  December  27,  1827,  and  emi- 
grated to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in  1851,  and 
settled  near  the  present  village  of  Chapin,  the 
junction  of  the  Wabash  and  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton and  Quincy  Railroads.  The  early  life  of 
Horace  was  spent  on  his  father's  farm,  and  in 
attending  the  public  schools  and  academy  of 
his  native  place.  On  coming  to  Morgan,  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  connection  with  his  brother 
Lyman,  whicli  occupation  he  continued  until 
August,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in 
Company  K.,  Twenty-Seventh  Illinois  Infantry. 
On  the  election  of  officers  of  the  company,  Mr. 
Chapin  was  elected  First  Lieutenant.  The  regi- 
ment shortly  after  was  ordered  to  Cairo,  where 
it  Ijecame  a  part  of  General  McClernand's 
brigade.  After  the  battle  of  Belmont,  Lieuten- 
ant Chapin  was  promoted  to  Captain  of  Company 
D.  During  the  three  years  of  his  service.  Cap- 
tain Chapin  participated  in  many  of  the  im- 
portant battles  of  the  war,  including  Island  No. 
10,  Union  City,  Farmington,  Corinth,  Nashville, 


Liverne,  Franklin,  Stone  River  and  Chicamauga. 
In  the  battle  of  Chicamauga,  Captain  Chapin  lost 
a  leg,  and  was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Nashville, 
where  he  remained  four  months  and  then  re- 
ceived a  furlough  home.  He  was  mustered  out 
of  service  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  September, 
1864,  his  term  of  service  having  expired.  In 
1865  he  moved  to  Jacksonville,  and  in  April, 
1867,  received  the  appointment  of  Postmaster  of 
that  city,  which  position  he  held  for  four  years. 
About  the  time  of  his  appointment  of  Postmaster, 
he  jmrchased  an  interest  in  the  Jacksonville 
Journal,  but  was  not  actively  engaged  in  its 
management  until  his  retirement  from  the  post- 
office.  Captain  Chapin  severed  his  relationship 
with  the  Journal  in  1876.  On  the  formation  of 
the  present  State  Journal  Company  he  was 
elected  Treasurer  and  Business  Manager,  which 
position  he  yet  retains. 

Horace  Chapin  and  Augusta  Swazey,  of 
liucksport,  Maine,  were  united  in  marriage 
January  9,  1859,  at  St.  Anthony,  Minne- 
sota. 

Captain  Chapin  was  originally  a  Whig,  and 
was  afterwards  identified  with  the  Free  Soil 
movement.  On  the  organization  of  the  Repub- 
lican party,  he  became  an  active  worker  in  its 
ranks,  and  no  man  has  ever  been  a  more  enthus- 
iastic one. 

Milton  F.  Simmons,  President  of  the  State 
Journal  Company,  was  born  in  Schoharie  county, 
New  York,  December  21,  1842.  He  received 
an  academical  and  collegiate  education  in  his 
native  State,  and  subsequently  read  law  with 
Lyman  Tremaine,  of  New  York  City,  and  was 
there  admitted  to  the  Bar.  After  receiving  a 
license  as  an  attorney,  he  moved  to  Mexico, 
Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  practice  for  some 
six  years,  with  success.  In  1871,  he  ]iurc.hased 
the  office  of  the  Mexico  Messenger,  which  paper 
he  edited  and  published  until  his  removal  to 
Jacksonville, Illinois, in  1876.  While  in  Mexico 
he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature,  and 
served  one  session.  On  his  arrival  in  Jackson- 
ville, he  became  associated  in  the  publication 
of  the  Jacksonville  Journal,  which  relation 
continued  until  1878,  when  he  came  to 
Springfield,  and  became  one  of  the  Journal 
Company. 

Milton  F.  Simmons  and  Philena  Eliza 
Humphrey  were  maiTied  at  Mexico,  Missouri, 
November  11,  1867.  Four  children  have 
resulted  from  this  union  —  Ida  Mabel,  Anna 
Maggie,  Minnie  Myrtle,  and  Katie  Maud. 

Mr.  Simmons  has  always  been  a  Republican 
in  politics. 


224 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


THE  DAILY  JOURNAL. 

The  Journal  first  appeared  as  a  daily  Monday, 
June  13,  1848,  containing  twelve  columnt*, 
twelve  inches  long.  That  paper  printed  the  first 
telegraphic  dispatch  ever  received  directly  by 
the  Press  in  Springfield.  Diminutive  as  was 
the  sheet,  its  advent  marked  a  new  era  in  the 
history  of  the  Press  of  that  city.  It  seemed  a 
hazardous  undertaking  to  establish  a  daily,  but 
the  paper  met  with  immediate  support,  and  when 
but  eleven  days  old  was  enlarged  to  a  sixteen 
column  sheet,  of  respectable  size.  Its  news  col- 
umns were  well  filled,  and  in  all  respects  it  was 
fully  up  to  the  demands  of  the  times.  It  was 
issued  in  the  evening,  as  most  of  the  mails  left 
early  in  the  morning,  and  the  clumsy  hand  press 
could  not  have  a  morning  paper  ready  in  time. 

The  conduct  of  a  daily  at  that  time  was  widely 
at  variance  with  what  it  is  to-day.  Printing  ap- 
pliances were  unwieldy;  labor  was  scarce;  ex- 
penses heavy,  and  the  people  at  large  found  a 
weekly  enough  for  their  wants.  Notwithstand- 
ing these  and  other  obstacles,  the  Journal  suc- 
ceeded well.  On  the  first  of  January,  1850,  the 
daily  was  again  enlarged,  by  increasing  the 
length  of  its  columns  and  adding  four  to  their 
number.  No  change  was  made  thereafter  until 
the  22d  of  December,  1853,  when  it  was  again 
enlarged.  It  then  became  a  twenty-four  column 
paper.  These  changes  were  made  to  meet  the 
demands  of  advertisers.  Again  about  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war,  first  to  a  seven  and  then  an  eight- 
column  folio.  This  form  was  continued  until 
July,  1880,  when  it  was  changed  to  a  six-column 
quarto,  its  present  form. 

THE    ILLINOIS    REPUBLICAN. 

The  Republican  was  established  May,  1835, 
by  John  A.  Roberts  and  George  R.  Weber,  who 
coniinued  its  publication  until  the  summer  of 
1839.  The  Republican  was  a  firm  supporter  of 
the  Jackson  policy,  and  dealt  some  powerful 
blows  to  the  opposition.  It  was  a  fearless  and 
radical  sheet  in  its  utterances,  and  gave  no  un- 
certain sound.  Its  enemies  always  knew  where 
to  find  it.  In  the  spring  of  1837,  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  was  appointed  by  President  Van  Buren, 
Register  of  the  Land  Office  at  Springfield,  and 
thus  became  a  resident  of  the  place.  At  this 
time  he  was  very  boyish  in  appearance  and  man- 
ner; was  a  ready  wit,  and  a  bold  and  fluent 
speaker.  He  made  politics  his  chief  study,  to 
the  neglect  of  his  profession.  He  wrote  much 
for  the  columns  of  the  Republican,  which  ap- 
peared both  as  editorial  and  communicated.  The 
paper,  in  political  circles,  was  therefore  generally 


regarded  as  the  organ  of  young  Douglas.  Under 
the  nom  de  plume  of  an  "Old  Settler,"  a  well 
known  citizen  of  Springfield  contributed  to  a 
local  paper  of  the  city,  in  1871,  the  following 
interesting  reminiscence  of  the  Republican,  and 
Stephen  A.  Douglas'  connection  with  it: 

"A  law  providing  for  the  removal  of  the  seat 
of  government  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield 
had  passed  the  legislature  of  1835-36,  and  three 
commissioners  appointed  to  superintend  the 
building  of  a  new  State  House  at  the  latter 
place.  Dr.  Henry  was  the  acting  commissioner. 
He  was  an  able  political  writer,  and  contributed 
largely  to  the  columns  of  the  Sangamo  Journal, 
both  editorially  and  otherwise;  hence,  the  news- 
paper fights  of  that  day  between  the  Journal 
and  Republican,  were  mainly  between  Douglas 
and  Dr.  Henry,  as  the  champion  writers  of  their 
respective  parties. 

"Douglas,  in  several  anonymous  communica- 
tions, attacked  Dr.  Henry  as  acting  State  House 
Commissioner,  denouncing  him,  with  much  bit- 
terness, as  being  unqualified  for  the  position, 
and  burlesquing  many  of  his  official  acts,  advis- 
ing the  Governor  to  remove  him  for  incompe- 
tency, and  to  appoint  a  practical  builder — -a 
mechanic  or  architect,  as  doctors  and  lawyers 
knew  but  little  about  building  State  houses. 
Dr.  Henry  and  many  of  his  friends,  believing 
Douglas  to  be  the  author  of  the  offensive  arti- 
cles, determined  to  demand  the  name  of  the 
author  by  calling  on  the  editor.  A  committee 
was  appointed  for  that  purpose,  which,  armed 
with  cane  and  pistols,  waited  upon  the  editor 
(until  then  supposed  to  be  a  meek  man),  and 
made  the  demand.  Douglas  happened  to  be  in 
the  printing  office  when  the  committee  arrived. 
The  demand  was  made  with  threats  and  a  flour- 
ish of  the  cane,  when  the  meek  man  of  the  press 
planted  his  fist  in  the  face  of  the  chairman  of 
the  committee,  informing  him  that  he  was  re- 
sponsible for  everything  that  appeared  in  his 
paper.  The  committee  was  thus  dispersed. 
Douglas  being  an  eye-witness  of  the  disastrous 
defeat  of  the  committee,  gave  a  highly  colored 
description  of  what  had  occurred  in  the  next 
paper,  which,  when  the  paper  appeared,  resulted 
in  a  determination  of  certain  aggrieved  parties 
to  destroy  the  printing  establishment  of  the  Illi- 
nois Republican. 

"On  the  evening  of  June  27,  1837,  while  the 
editor  and  hands  were  at  supper,  a  mob  appeared 
before  the  office  door  which  was  locked.  The 
leader,  being  the  Sheriff  of  the  county  on  a 
'spree,'  picked  up  a  stick  of  cord  wood  and 
burst  open  the  door,  and  ordering  his  men  to 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


225 


tlirow  the  printing  materials  into  the  street, 
promising  to  pay  all  damages.  By  this  time  the 
Weber  brothers  —  three  in  number  —  Douglas, 
Dr.  Early  (afterwards  assassinated),  and  a  few 
others,  rushed  into  the  office,  and  kicked  and 
flung  the  mobocrats  from  the  building.  Several 
other  personal  conflicts  ensued.  The  next  day 
the  mob  rallied  and  made  another  attack,  in 
which  the  leader  of  the  mob,  the  Sheriff,  was 
stabbed,  and  fainting  fell,  covered  with  blood, 
he  was  carried  home.  Thus  ended  the  mob. 
These  things  gave  notoriety  to  the  paper.  The 
spicy  and  able  articles  of  Douglas,  like  pure  and 
good  Democratic  seed  sown  in  good  ground, 
resulted  in  his  nomination  for  Congress  by  the 
Democratic  party  of  the  Third  Congressional 
District." 

George  R.  Weber  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  May  29,  1808.  He  was  taken,  when 
an  infant,  to  Shepherdstown,  Virginia,  by  his 
parents, and  remained  thereuntil  after  he  reached 
his  majority.  In  1832,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Susan  Shepherd,  and  soon  after  moved  to  New 
York  City,  where  his  wife  soon  died.  Mr. 
Weber  then  returned  to  Shepherdstown,  and 
from  there  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  arriving 
here  April  15,  1835.  He  was  married  in  Spring- 
field to  Catherine  Welch,  by  whom  he  had  eight 
children.  Mr.  Weber  learned  the  trade  of  a 
printer  before  coming  to  Springfield,  and  has 
worked  at  the  case  oflE  and  on  for  a  period  of 
nearly  sixty  years.  In  1839,  he  suspended  the 
Republican,  and  shortly  after  became  a  part- 
ner in  the  Register,  retaining  his  connection 
therewith  until  1846,  when  he  sold  out  to  Mr. 
Walters,  and  enlisted  in  Company  A,  4th  Illi- 
nois Infantry,  under  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker. 
While  encamped  on  the  Rio  Grande,  in 
Mexico,  news  of  Mr.  Walter's  death  "reached 
there,  and  Mr.  Weber,  being  interested  in  the 
State  printing,  it  became  necessary  that  he 
should  return.  Accordingly  he  was  detailed  to 
return  home  with  those  soldiers  who  were  unfit 
for  duty,  and  was  never  recalled.  After  the 
time  expired  for  which  he  was  elected  Public 
Printer,  he  severed  his  connection  with  the 
office,  and  moved  to  his  farm. 

Mr.  Weber  served  six  months  as  State  Com- 
missary, in  our  late  civil  war,  and  was  subse- 
quently appointed  as  Commissary  at  Camp  But- 
ler, which  position  he  retained  until  the  close  of 
the  rebellion. 

i»LINOIS    STATE  REGISTER. 

The  Illinois  State  Register  was  started  in 
Vandalia,  February,  1836,  under  the  name  of  the 

26— 


Illinois  State  Register  and  Vandalia  Republi- 
can, by  William  Walters.  Mr.  Walters  was  a 
native  of  Delaware,  and  for  some  years  was  a 
journeyman  printer  in  Washington  City,  and 
foreman  in  the  office  of  the  old  National  Intel- 
ligencer. While  occupying  this  position  he 
contributed  a  number  of  articles  to  the  Press  of 
that  day,  and  thus  attracted  the  notice  of  the 
Democratic  or  Jackson  members  of  Congress 
from  this  State.  Desiring  a  strong  newspa])er 
advocate  of  the  Jaeksonian  school  at  the  capital 
of  the  State,  Mr.  Walters  was  induced  to  make 
the  venture.  He  arrived  in  Vandalia  in  .Jan- 
uary, 183G,  and  on  the  10th  of  February,  the  first 
number  of  the  new  paper  appeared.  At  this 
time  Judge  John  York  Sawyer  was  publishing 
the  Illinois  Advocate  at  Vandalia,  and  was  State 
Printer.  Judge  Sawyer  died  during  this  year, 
and  the  Advocate  suspended  publication. 

The  legislature,  at  its  session  of  1830-37, 
elected  Mr.  Walters  State  Printer,  and  made 
the  Register  the  official  paper  of  the  State. 
During  this  session  the  vote  was  taken  on  the 
removal  of  the  State  capital  to  Springfield,  and 
carried. 

In  1839,  the  ofiBces  of  the  State  Government 
were  removed  to  Springfield,  and  were  followed 
a  few  weeks  later  by  the  State  Register,  Mr. 
Walters  removing  the  office  to  this  city.  Here 
the  paper  assumed  the  double  name  of  Illinois 
State  Register  and  People's  Advocate,  with 
William  Walters  and  George  R.  Weber  as  edi- 
tors and  publishers.  The  name  of  the  Advocate 
w.is  (juietly  dropped  out  some  monthii  after- 
wards, and  the  name  of  Illinois  State  Register 
alone  .ippeared  as  the  name  of  the  paper.  The 
first  number  of  the  Register  printed  in  Spring- 
field, dated  August  10,  1839,  made  the  following 
announcement: 

"To  ouK  Patrons: — We  have  the  pleasure  to 
address  the  patrons  of  the  State  Register  from 
Springfield,  the  new  seat  of  Government  of  the 
State  of  Illinois.  The  most  of  our  readers 
are  aware  that,  until  within  a  few  weeks  past, 
the  Illinois  Republican  (the  leading  and  spirited 
Democratic  paper)  has  been  published  in  this 
place  for  several  successive  years.  The  removal 
of  the  seat  of  Government  to  Springfield  made 
it  the  duty  of  the  public  printer  to  remove  with 
it;  and  hence,  as  there  was  not  a  probable 
demand  for  two  Democratic  papers  in  the  same 
place,  Mr.  Weber,  the  editor  of  the  Republican, 
discontinued  that  journal,  and  purchased  an  in- 
terest in  this  paper.  The  change  will,  no  doubt, 
be  advantageous  to  our  subscribers.  To  the 
subscribers    of     the    Illinois    Republican,   this 


•220 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


paper  -will  henceforth  be  sent,  unless  otherwise 
instructed  by  them." 

In  184.5,  Mr.  Weber  sold  his  interest  in  the 
Register  to  his  partner,  Mr.  Walters,  who  con- 
tinued it  until  1846,  when  the  war  with  Mexico 
broke  out,  when  he  leased  the  office  to  diaries 
H.  Lanphier,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  in 
the  Second  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers.  Mr. 
Walters  confidently  expected  the  position  of 
Major  of  the  regiment,  but  it  was  given  to  an- 
other. Ills  friends  in  Washington, learning  this 
fact,  secured  a  commission  as  Commissary  for 
him,  and  mailed  it  to  him  at  St.  Louis.  Mr. 
Walters  never  lived  to  reach  the  front,  but  died 
in  St.  Louis  before  the  departure  of  the  regi- 
ment. 

Mr.  Walters  was  a  very  able  political  writer, 
and  was  very  popular  with  the  people;  and  his 
loss  was  deeply  felt. 

On  the  death  of  Mr.  Walters,  Charles  H.  Lan- 
phier became  proprietor  of  the  office,  and  con- 
tinued the  publication  of  the  paper  one  year, 
when  he  associated  with  himself  George  Walker, 
and  the  Register  was  published  from  1846  to 
January  1,  18.58,  by  Lanphier  &  Walker,  when 
Walker  withdrew,  as  appears  from  the  follow- 
ing: 

Dissolution    op    Partnership. — Notice    is  berebj' 

given  tluit  the  partnership  under  the  style  of  Lanphier 

&  Walker,  in  the  printing  business  and  publication  of 

the  Illinois  State  Kegister,  is  this  day  dissolved,  by 

■  mutual  consent.        *       *       * 

Chas.  H.  Lakphier, 
.Tan.  1,  18o8.  Geo.  Walker. 

George  Walker  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1821, 
and  in  1836  came  with  his  parents  to  Belvidere, 
Illinois,  His  father  was  the  original  proprietor 
of  that  town.  Mr.  Walker  came  to  Spvingfield 
at  an  early  day;  studied  law  with  Ebenezer  Peck, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Subsequently,  he 
was  appointed  deputy  by  Mr.  Peck,  who  received 
the  appointment  of  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
He  acted  as  Deputy  Clerk  until  1847,  when  he 
became  connected  with  the  Register,  as  editor 
and  publisher. 

Mr.  Walker  was  a  fine  scholar  and  a  brilliant 
writer.  While  he  wrote  or  spoke  in  a  manner 
not  to  be  misunderstood,  he  was  choice  of  his 
words,  and  every  sentence  showed  the  scholarly 
man.  After  retiring  from  the  Register,  he  en- 
gaged in  no  active  business,  and  died  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Lanphier,  in  1864. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  in  1861,  the 
following  article  appeared  in  the  Register,  from 
the  pen  of  Charles  II.  Lanphier,  on  the  duty  of 
the  hour: 


"The  fratricidal  blow  has  been  struck!  Civil 
war  is  upon  us.  The  rebels  have  opened  their 
batteries  upon  Fort  Sumter,  and  the  prospect  of 
a  long  and  bloody  strife  is  before  us.  It  has 
come  as  the  consequence  of  causes  so  often  and 
emphatically  deprecated  by  Democrats  and  other 
conservative  men — as  the  consequence  of  sec- 
tional agitation  by  Northern  and  Southern  ex- 
tremists. But  it  is  useless  and  unprofitable  now 
to  discuss  the  causes  which  have  placed  the 
country  in  its  present  unhappy  condition.  The 
Government  has  been  resisted  in  the  perform- 
ance of  its  legal  functions.  Rebels  to  the  Na- 
tional authorities  have  tired  upon  the  flag  of  the 
country,  and  assaulted  one  of  its  garrisons,  when 
an  effort  was  being  made  to  re-inforce  and  pro- 
vision the  noble  Anderson  and  his  gallant  little 
band.  Most  gallantly  have  they  resisted;  bravely 
have  they  defended  their  country's  flag  and  their 
country's  rights.  But  they  have  been  overcome 
by  the  superior  force  that  has  surrounded  them. 

"The  news  has  been  productive  of  the  most 
intense  feeling  and  excitement  here,  as  it  will 
be  throughout  the  land,  but  whatever  may  be 
men's  opinions  as  to  the  causes  which  have 
brought  war  upon  us,  there  is  but  one  feeling, 
and  that  is  in  behalf  of  the  Government  and 
the  flag  of  the  Union.  This  is  as  it  should  be. 
With  the  true  patriot,  whatever  may  be  his 
opinions  of  the  causes  of  war  with  his  country's 
enemies,  he  is  for  his  country  and  his  country's 
flag;  and  his  hearty  support,  morally, and  physi- 
cally if  necessary,  should  be  rendered  to  the 
country's  cause." 

In  an  article  on  "The  National  Trouble,"  the 
editor  says: 

"We  are  jn'oud  to  record  that  Douglas  and 
his  counsels,  now  that  blows  have  ensued,  are 
with  the  Government.  Ever  faithful,  ever  true, 
the  champion  of  popular  rights  is  for  the  cause 
of  his  country — of  the  Constitution  and  law. 
Whatever  may  be  our  party  leanings,  our  party 
principles,  our  likes  or  dislikes,  when  the  con- 
test opens  between  tBe  country,  between  the 
Union,  and  its  foes,  and  blows  are  struck,  the 
patriot's  duty  is  plain — take  sides  with  the  stars 
and  stripes!  As  lUinoisans,  let  us  rally  to  one 
standard.  There  is  but  one  standard  for  good 
men  and  true.  Let  us  be  there.  Through  good 
and  through  evil  report,  let  us  be  there  — tirst, 
last,  and  all  the  time." 

L^pon  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Walker,  Edward 
Conner  was  associated  with  Mr.  Lanphier  in  the 
publication  of  the  Register  until  June  10,  1859, 
when  the  following  announcement  was  made: 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


DissoIjDTION  of  Co-PARTNERSiirp. — Notice  is  Iicrcby 
given  that  the  partnership  in  the  publication  of  the  Illi- 
nois State  Register,  heretofore  existing  under  the  name 
of  Lanphierifc  Conner  is  dissolved  b_v  mutual  consent. 
The  business  will  hereafter  be  conducted  by  Chas.  II. 
Lanphier.  Ch.\s.  11.  L.\ni'iiiek, 

June  10,  185!).  Edwahd  Connek. 

Mr.  Lanpliier  alone,  continued  the  pul)lication 
of  the  Ivegister  until  180-1,  when  he  sold  out  to 
certain  parties  and  the  "Illinois  State  Register 
Printing  Company"  was  organized,  with  George 
Judd,  Esq.,  business  manager,  and  I.  N.  Iliggius 
editor.  (Mr.  I.  N.  Higgins  is  now  editor  of  the 
Morning  Call,  San  Francisco.) 

Charles  H.  Lanphier  was  born  in  Alexandria, 
Virginia,  April  14,  1820.  His  father,  Robert 
Goin  Lanphier,  was  a  native  of  the  same  place. 
His  grandfather,  Goin  Lanphier,  was  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  that  ancient  town.  He  was  of 
Irish  birth,  coining  to  Virginia  an  infant,  with 
his  father,  Thomas  Lanphier,  in  the  year  17:12, 
from  County  Cork,  Ireland,  where  the  family 
(French  Hugenots)  had  emigrated  in  1050.  At 
the  age  of  four  years,  the  parents  of  Charles  H. 
Lanphier  removed  to  Washington  City,  where 
Mr.  Lanphier  received  a  plain,  English  educa- 
tion, in  the  primary  schools  of  the  day.  In 
May,  1830,  just  turning  his  sixteenth  year.  Mr. 
Lanphier  came  to  Illinois  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  William  Walters,  who,  in  January  of  that 
year,  had  established  the  Illinois  State  Register 
at  Vandalia,  then  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
State.  Mr.  Lanphier  entered  that  establishment 
as  an  apprentice  to  the  printing  trade,  and  when 
the  paper  was  moved  to  Sjiringtield,  he  cnme 
with  it.  Completing  his  apprenticeship,  he  con- 
tinued in  the  concern  as  printer,  clerk  or  re- 
porter, until  1840.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Mexican  war,  Mr.  Walters  entered  the  vol- 
.ixnteer  army,  leaving  Mr.  Lanphier  in  charge 
of  the  paper  as  editor  and  manager.  Mr.  Wal- 
ters died  at  St.  Louis,  soon  after  bis  regiment 
reached  there,  en  route  for  Mexico.  Mr.  Lan- 
phier then  attained  the  proprietorship  of  the 
paper.  At  the  next  session  of  the  legislature 
(1840-7)  he  was  elected  Public  Printer,  being 
the  last  person  to  fill  that  office,  which  was  there- 
after abolished  by  constitutional  provision.  In 
1847  he  took  into  partnership,  in  the  publication 
of  the  Register,  Mr.  George  Walker,  one  ol  the 
most  accomplished  scholars  and  jf)urnalists  of 
his  day.  This  partnership  continued  until  .Jan- 
uary, 1858,  when  Mr.  Walker  withdrew,  and 
Mr.  Lanphier  continued  the  publication  of  the 
paper,  until  the  fall  of  1803,  when  he  sold  out 
the  establishment,  after  a  connection  with  it  of 
nearly  twenty-eight    years.      In    1800,    on    the 


breaking  out  of  the  Southern  rebellion,  Mr. 
Lanphier  was  appointed  by  Governor  Yates  a 
member  of  the  "Board  of  Army  Auditors,"  in 
connection  with  Judge  Willi?m  Thomas,  of 
Jacksonville,  and  Hon.  James  H.  Woodworth, 
of  Chicago.  In  1804,  Mr.  Lanphier  was  elected 
Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  of  Sangamon  county, 
and  in  1808,  was  re-elected.  Before  the  expira- 
tion of  his  last  term,  in  1873,  Mr.  Lan])hier  was 
nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for 
State  Treasurer,  but  with  his  whole  party,  was 
defeated. 

In  February,  1840,  Mr.  Lanphier  was  mar- 
ried to  Margaret  T.  Crenshaw,  daughter  of 
.John  Hart  Crenshaw,  of  Gallatin  county,  Illi- 
nois, one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  State,  set- 
tling witii  his  parents  and  family  in  that  comity 
in  the  year  1812,  from  North  tiarolina.  After 
the  adoption  of  the  present  city  charter,  Mr. 
Lanphier  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  City 
Council  for  three  terms,  and  as  Chairman  of  the 
Ordinance  and  School  Committees,  was  largely 
instrumental  in  shaping  the  city  laws  und(  r  the 
new  charter,  and  in  organizing  the  present  sys- 
tem of  city  schools.  During  the  ascendancy  of 
the  Democr.atic  party  in  the  State,  as  the  editor 
of  its  leading  exponent  at  the  Capital,  Mr.  Lan- 
phier bore  a  conspicuous  part,  and  through  the 
Register,  was  influential  in  shaping  the  policies 
of  the  State.  Contemporary  and  intimate 
friend  of  Judge  Douglas  during  his  whole  pul 
lie  career,  he  was  an  earnest  champion  in  nearly 
all  his  public  efforts,  sharing  his  confidence  and 
possessing  his  highest  respect  and  esteem.  As 
editor  of  the  Register,  while  it  was  controlled 
by  him,  he  was  bold  and  fearless  in  giving  ex- 
pression to  his  views  of  men  and  principles. 
His  quick  perception  enabled  him  to  judge  al- 
most unerringly  of  the  motives  of  the  former, 
and  while  respectful  to  his  opponents,  if  he 
thought  them  sincere,  he  was  unsparing  in  his 
criticism  of  those  he  believed  tinprincipled  and 
corrupt.  His  integrity  was  unquestioned  and  in 
these  days,  when  venality  so  far  pervades  the 
Press,  however  lamentable  the  contemplation,  it 
would  not  be  time  illy  spent,  to  compare  the 
course  of  the  Register  under  his  management 
with  the  latter  day  political  journalism.  As  a 
writer,  Mr.  Lanphier  was  terse  and  ])ointed  in 
style.  He  never  indulged  in  fanciful  phrases  at 
the  expense  of  clear,  lucid  expression.  When 
he  meant  to  say  a  thing  he  said  it,  and  there 
could  be  no  misunderstanding  his  meaning.  In 
short,  his  entire  editorial  career  was  as  able  and 
consistent  as  his  private  life  has  been  upright 
and  honorable. 


228 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


In  December,  1864,  J.  W.  Merritt  &  Sons  pur- 
chased the  Register,  and  by  them  it  was  con- 
tinued something  less  than  two  years,  when  J. 
W.  Merritt  retired,  and  the  paper  was  then  run 
by  E.  L.  Merritt  ifc  Bro.,  as  publishers,  with  J. 
W.  Merritt,  editor,  and  E.  L.  Merritt,  associate 
editor.  In  1873,  on  account  of  advanced  age, 
J.  W.  Merritt  resigned  editorial  charge,  and  E. 
L.  Merritt  became  editor  in-chief. 

In  June,  1877,  E.  L.  Merritt  &  Bro.,  disposed 
of  their  interest  to  a  stock  company  composed 
of  John  M.  Palmer,  E.  L.  Merritt,  J.'M.  Higgins 
and  John  Mayo  Palmer,  forming  the  State  Reg- 
ister Printing  Company. 

John  VV.  Merritt  was  born  in  New  York  City 
July  4,  1806,  and  died  November  10,  1878.  The 
Register,  with  which  he  was  so  long  connected 
as  editor,  thus  speaks  of  the  man: 

"John  W.  Merritt  was  born  in  New  York  City 
in  1806,  and  had  the  benefit  of  a  common  school 
education.  Before  arriving  at  manhood  he 
evinced  a  decided  literary  taste,  and  his  contribu- 
tions to  the  magazine  and  newspapers  of  the 
time  were  greatly  admired.  He  studied  law  and 
built  up  a  very  lucrative  practice  in  connection 
with  Hon.  James  T.  Brady,  the  profits  of  which 
were  invested  in  real  estate.  He  made  himself 
independent  at  a  comparatively  early  period  in 
life,  and  was  in  a  fair  way  to  become  wealthy 
when  the  financial  revulsion  of  1837,  in  a  short 
time  destroyed  the  value  of  bis  earnings  and  in- 
vestments. That  he  must  have  been  greatly 
disheartened  by  his  misfortunes  seems  certain, 
but  it  is  true  that  none  of  his  most  intimate 
friends  ever  heard  him  repine.  With  his  wife 
and  a  young  dependent  family  he  removed  with 
the  remnant  of  his  goods  to  St.  Clair  county,  in 
this  State,  in  1841.  His  culture  and  energy  soon 
gained  him  friends,  and  he  purchased  the  Helle- 
ville  Advocate,  which  paper  he  conducted  with 
considerable  success  from  1848  to  1851.  He  also 
carried  on  a  farm,  and  wrote  letters  for  New 
York  papers  and  contributed  to  eastern  maga- 
zines. During  this  period,  also,  he  wrote  and 
published  a  novel  called  Shubel  Darton.  The 
style  of  this  work  now  seems  antiquated,  and  its 
construction  more  complicated  than  pleases 
modern  taste,  but  the  plan  of  the  story  shows 
considerable  skill,  and  the  composition  is  remark- 
able for  power  in  many  passages.  About  this 
time  he  formed  a  strong  personal  friendship  for 
Judge  Breese,  which  continued  to  the  close  of 
Breese's  life. 

"  Some  years  later,  Mr.  Merritt  moved  to  Salem 
and  established  the  Advocate,  which  paper  he 
conducted  for  many  years,  and  where  he  had  his 


sons  instructed  in  the  art  and  mystery  of  print- 
ing. In  1861,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Constitutional  Convention,  and  in  1862,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  legislature.  In  1864,  the  State  Regis- 
ter, as  the  organ  of  the  Democracy  of  the  State, 
suffered  the  fate  of  tlie  party  it  had  so  long 
represented.  The  efforts  of  powerful  political 
opponents,  and  the  treachery  of  pretended  ad- 
herents, had  reduced  the  party  to  what  seemed  a 
hopeless  minority,  and  upon  the  State  Register 
fell  the  stigma  of  copperheadism  and  disloyalty. 
Mr.  Merritt  resolved  to  attempt  the  task  of  re- 
establishing the  paper,  and  supported  by  his  son, 
took  editorial  charge  January  1,  1865.  The  en- 
terprise was  not  a  prudent  one,  but  it  was  gal- 
lantly undertaken,  and,  like  most  bold  projects, 
succeeded.  By  hard  work,  and  by  the  aid  of 
business  skill  and  editorial  talent,  the  paper  was 
set  upon  its  feet  again. 

"For  some  years  Mr.  Merritt  conducted  the 
editorial  columns  of  the  Register  with  great 
ability;  and  although  it  may  be  said  that  he  was 
not  always  temperate  in  his  expressions,  the 
fault  will  be  pardoned  by  those  who  know  how 
high  the  tide  of  political  and  personal  feeling 
swelled  after  the  war  was  closed.  For  some 
years,  in  addition  to  editorial  duty  on  the  Regis- 
ter, Mr.  Merritt  supplied  the  St.  Louis  Republi- 
can with  its  Springfield  correspondence.  But 
years  of  great  labor  began  at  last  to  tell  against 
the  veteran,  and  in  lb 73,  he  retired  from  active 
duty,  and  since  then  has  spent  his  time  in  well 
earned  and  honorable  repose.  His  children  are 
Hon.  Thomas  E.,  who  for  several  terms  has  rep- 
resented his  district  in  the  House  of  Represent- 
atives, and  who  was  at  the  late  election  chosen  a 
State  Senator;  General  Wesley,  who  graduated 
at  West  Point  in  1861,  and  who  rose  to  distinc- 
tion in  the  Union  army,  and  who  is  Colonel  of 
the  Fifth  United  States  Cavalry;  John  II.,  who 
at  one  time  was  editor  of  a  Democratic  paper  at 
Carlinville,  and  who  is  now  one  of  the  editors  of 
the  Marion  County  Herald;  Charles  W.,  who,  in 
1873,  was  appointed  a  Second  Lieutenant  in  the 
Ninth  United  Slates  Cavalry;  Edward  L.,  of  this 
city;  Joi5eph  D.,  clerk  of  the  Southern  Peniten- 
tiary; and  William  W.,  conductor  on  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  Railroad,  and  two  daughters. 

"In  politics,  Mr.  Merritt  was  a  sound,  uncom- 
promising Democrat  of  the  old  school,  and  his 
faith  he  never  hesitated  to  declare  or  defend.^ 
He  lived  his  allotted  period  in  the  fear  of  God, 
and  always  acted  with  due  regard  to  the  rights 
of  man.  He  commanded  the  respect  of  his 
fellow-men  by  adherence  to  principle,  and  he 
won  many  friends  through  life.     He  was  a  de- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


229 


voted  membar  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  he 
died  in  its  full  communion,  and  in  an  abundant 
faith  in  its  doctrines.  The  world  is  better  for 
his  life  and  actions,  and  those  who  survive  him, 
though  not  able  to  surpass  him  in  ability,  may 
emulate  his  virtues,  respect  his  integrity,  and 
learn  an  example  by  his  industry.  The  Slate 
Kegister  casts  its  sprig  of  rue  and  myrtle  on  the 
bier  of  one  of  its  most  able  and  brave  of  the 
long  succession  of  its  editors." 

The  Salem  Advocate,  in  its  obituary  notice  of 
Mr.  Merritt,  says:  "  John  W.  Merritt  is  dead, 
but  his  amiable  character  and  kind  acts  will  long- 
be  cherished  and  remain  green  in  the  memory  of 
those  wjio  knew  him  best.  He  had  hosts  of 
friends,  whose  hearts  are  saddened  because  he 
has  been  called  from  the  busy  scenes  of  earth. 
But  all  should  rejoice  that  he  has  entered  upon 
a  life  beyond  death's  dark  river,  in  the  ever- 
green shades  of  Heaven's  rich  domain.  He  was 
pleasant,  courteous  and  genial  in  manners,  and 
his  friendship  extended  to  men  in  all  the  walks 
and  stations  of  life." 

Edward  L.  Merritt  was  born  June  2.5,  18.36, 
in  New  York  City,  and  came  with  his  parents 
to  this  State  in  1841.  He  receive(i  but  few 
advantages  in  the  way  of  an  education  in  the 
public  or  private  schools,  the  whole  time  of 
his  attendance  probably  not  exceeding  twelve 
months.  But  at  a  very  early  age  he  was  placed 
in  the  "  Poor  Man's  College,"  a  printing  office, 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  printer.  His  lirst  work 
at  the  case  was  when  about  eleven  years  of  age, 
in  the  office  of  the  Belleville  Advocate.  When 
his  father  removed  to  Salem  and  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  Salem  Advocate  he  took 
a  position  in  that  office,  and  soon  became  a 
thorough,  practical  printer.  Subsequently  and 
previous  to  1 8.58,  he  served  about  four  years  as 
Civil  Engineer  on  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Rail- 
road. In  1858,  in  connection  with  one  of  his 
l)rothers,  he  became  the  proprietor  of  the  Salem 
Advocate,  his  father,  J.  W.  Merritt  resuming 
\  editorial  charge.  In  1861,  E.  L.  Merritt  became 
sole  proprietor  of  the  paper,  continuing  its  pub- 
lication until  he  became  connected  with  the  pub- 
lication of  the  St.ate  Register.  As  already  stated, 
as  editor  and  publisher  Mr.  Merritt  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Register  for  many  years,  and  as 
such  became  known  not  only  throughout  the 
State  but  throughout  the  Union,  the  Register 
always  being  the  recognized  organ  of  the  party 
of  the  State. 

In  1866,  President  Johnson  appointed  Mr. 
Merritt  United  States  Pension  Agent.  Being 
an  avowed  Democrat,  it  is  thought  his  appoint- 


ment had  much  to  do  witii  hasiewiug  the  pass- 
age of  the  tenure-of -office  act,  necessitating  the 
presentation  of  his  name  to  the  United  States 
Senate  for  confirmation.  It  was  accordingly 
sent  in;  and  that  body  being  strongly  Repub- 
lican, he  was  rejected.  It  was  again  sent  in  by 
the  President,  and  again  rejected.  The  third 
time  did  the  President  present  the  name  of  Mr. 
Merritt  for  confirmation,  and  the  third  time  was 
it  rejected.  No  other  reason  was  assigned  for 
his  rejection,  but  that  he  was  not  of  the 
political  faith  to  suit  the  majority.  His  ability 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  was  not 
doubted. 

In  1875,  Mr.  Merritt  was  appointed  a  member 
of  the  School  Board  of  Springfield ;  was  re-ap- 
pointed in  1878,  and  again  in  1881,  for  the  term 
of  three  years. 

On  December  13,  1879,  the  sale  of  the  State 
Register  to  Geo.  W.  Weber,  J.  R.  Weber,  3.  H. 
Oberly  and  Chas.  Edwards,  was  consummated. 
Mr.  Oberly  did  not  remain  in  the  new  company, 
which  was  organized  January  5,  1880,  with  Geo. 
W.  Weber  as  president.  The  editorial  chair 
was  temporarily  filled;  and  finally,  the  permanent 
editorial  arrangement  was  announced,  in  the  state- 
ment that  thereafter  the  paper  would  be  "  edited 
by  the  proprietors."  George  W.  Weber  was  the 
acknowledged  editor-in-chief,  and  succeeded  in 
making  an  interesting  paper. 

George  W.  and  J.  R.  Weber  are  the  sons  of 
George  R.  Weber,  the  founder  of  the  Republi- 
can, and  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  the 
Register,  on  its  removal  from  Vandalia.  They 
were  both  born  in  Springfield,  and  are  both 
practical  printers.  George  W.  has  had  much 
experience  in  editorial  life,  having  edited  the 
Taylorville  Democrat  for  some  time,  and  assist- 
ed on  other  papers.  He  is  a  ready  and  graceful 
writer. 

The  Illinois  State  Register  has  been  owned 
and  published  since  June  18,  1881,  by  Messrs. 
Smith,  Clendenin  &  Rees,  who  purchased  it  of 
Governor  Palmer  and  the  old  State  Register 
Company. 

The  firm  as  above  named  is  constituted  of 
George  Smith,  Henry  W.  Clendenin,  and 
Thomas  Rees.  These  gentlemen  are  all  old 
newspaper  men,  having  been  engaged  in  edi- 
torial and  practical  work  in  the  States  of  Ohio, 
Illinois,  Iowa,  and  Missouri  for  from  twenty  to 
thirty  years.  For  the  past  five  years,  they  have 
been  engaged  in  publishing  the  Keokuk  (Iowa) 
Daily  and  Weekly  Constitution,  whicli  under 
their  management  became  the  leading  Demo- 
cratic paper  of   Iowa.     Mr.  Clendenin  acted  as 


230 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


editor-in-chief    of    the    Constitution   under    his 
firm's  proprietorship. 

George  Smith  was  born  in  Newark,  Oliio,  Feb- 
ruary 28,  ISl'T.  He  began  his  career  as  a  printer 
and  pnblislier  early  in  life.  He  has  followed  it 
without  variation  until  the  present  time.  Mr. 
Smith  has  no  superior  as  a  journalist  in  his  de- 
partment. He  brings  to  the  Register  the  ex- 
perience of  thirty-five  years  and  the  natural 
energy  and  acquired  skill  that  always  placed 
him  at  the  top  in  every  newspaper  enterprise 
with  which  he  has  been  connected.  Mr.  Smith 
has  general  supervision  of  the  practical  depart- 
ment of  the  Register. 

H.  W.  Clendenin  was  born  in  Bedford  county, 
Pennsylvania,  August  1,  1838.  His  father,  Sam. 
M.  Clendenin,  an  old-line  Jeffersonian  Demo- 
crat, removed  to  Iowa  in  1839,  and  settled  at 
Burlington,  where  he  occupied  various  offices  of 
trust  and  profit  in  the  gift  of  the  Democracy. 
Mr.  Clendenin  received  an  academical  educa- 
tion at  Burlington,  and  sei'ved  his  time  as  a 
printer  on  the  Burlington  Hawkeye,  which  was 
under  the  management,  a  portion  of  the  time,  of 
James  M.  Broadwell,  a  brother  of  Judge  Broad- 
well,  of  Springfield.  Mr.  Clendenin  has  occu- 
pied various  practical  and  editorial  positions  in 
this  and  other  States.  He  had  charge  of  the 
Metamora  (Illinois)  Sentinel  for  one  year,  and 
of  the  Burlington  (Gazette  for  "about  the  same 
length  of  time.  He  entered  the  armj-  from 
Philadelphia,  enlisting  in  the  Twentieth  Penn- 
svlvaiiia  Infantry,  serving  a  portion  of  his  time 
under  General  McClellan.  Mr.  Clendenin  has 
editorial  charge  of  the  Register  as  editor-in- 
chief,  the  same  position  he  occupied  on  the  Con- 
stitution. His  articles  attract  attention,  and  are 
widely  quoted;  and  under  his  management  the 
Register  is  fast  attaining  the  leading  position 
which  it  should  occupy  as  the  central  organ  of 
the  Illinois  Democracy. 

Thomas  Rees  comes  of  a  family  of  journalists. 
His  father,  the  late  Wm.  Rees,  Sr.,  was  an  editor 
of  many  years  standing,  and  several  of  his 
brothers  are  at  present  following  the  "art  pre- 
servative of  all  arls"  in  different  portions  of  the 
West.  Mr.  Rees  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, May  13,  1850,  and  came  with  his  father 
to  the  West  when  a  small  child.  He  served  his 
time  as  a  practical  printer  in  his  brother's  office 
at  Keokuk.  Since  his  manhood  he  has  ever  oc- 
cupied responsible  positions  in  connection  with 
various  newspapers  in  Missouri  and  Iowa.  When 
the  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  which  own 
the  Register,  purchased  the  Keokuk  Constitution, 
he  became  business  manager,  and    has   gained 


and  deserves  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the 
best  business  managers  in  the  West.  He  occu- 
pies the  position  of  business  manager  of  the 
Register,  and  under  his  skillful  and  honorable 
tactics  the  business  department  of  tlie  paper  is 
kept  up  to  the  highest  and  most  successful 
standard.  The  Begister,  under  its  present  pro- 
prietors, has  been  improved  in  every  department, 
until  it  is  one  of  the  handsomest,  ablest  and  best 
conducted  papers  in  the  State.  The  daily  has  a 
large  and  increasing  circulation.  The  proprie- 
tors have  enlarged  the  weekly  to  an  eight  col- 
umn quarto,  each  page  being  twenty  by  twenty- 
six  inches  in  size — eight  pages,  eight  columns  to 
a  page.  A  new  dress  has  been  put  on.  It  is  now 
the  largest  paper  in  the  State,  not  excepting  the 
Chicago  papers;  and  will  bear  comparison  in  ap- 
pearance, make-up  and  general  character  of  its 
contents  with  any  paper  in  the  country.  No  men 
ever  met  with  a  warmer  or  more  cordial  reception 
than  they  met  from  the  people  and  Press.  Every 
Democratic  paper  in  the  State  felt  and  expressed 
satisfaction  that  the  recognized  organ  of  the 
party  at  the  State  Capital  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  men  with  capital,  brains  and  backbone 
to  make  the  paper  a  true  representative  and 
worthy  exponent  of  Democratic  views.  The 
Republican  papers,  while  not  wishing  them  any 
success  politically,  wished  them  every  pecuniary 
success.  In  the  "Proprietor's  Announcement," 
the  publishers  said: 

"  In  assuming  control  of  the  Illinois  State 
Register,  its  new  proprietors  take  off  their  hats 
to  the  citizens  of  Springfield  and  the  peojile  of 
Illinois,  in  acknowledgment  that  they  are  the 
obedient  servants  of  a  great  constituency,  en- 
trusted with  the  guardianship  of  great  interests. 
We  profoundly  feel  the  importance  of  our  new 
position.  We  do  not  mean  to  be  prolific  in 
promises,  nor  boastful  of  our  ability;  but  we 
desire  with  becoming  modesty  to  take  posses- 
sion of  a  field  of  labor  that  has  been  enriched 
and  adorned  by  the  culture,  the  talents  and  the 
genius  of  the  distinguished  gentlemen  who 
have  preceded  us  in  conducting  the  paper  during 
the  many  years  of  its  useful  life.  The  responsi- 
bilities of  conducting  the  Register,  in  view  of 
its  past  history  and  the  important  possibilities  of 
the  future,  are  manifold  and  great,  and  in 
assuming  them  we  shall  endeavor  to  perform  the 
duties  devolving  upon  us  with  earnestness,  zeal, 
industry  and  courage.  In  doing  this  we  trust 
too,  and  are  confident  we  shall,  receive  the 
cordial  support  and  warm  sympathy  of  the  busi- 
ness community  and  the  citizens  of  Springfield 
and  the  State  of  Illinois. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


231 


"  We  have  purchased  the  Register  and  paid 
for  it.  It  is  our  pi'operty  so  far  as  the  material 
is  concerned;  but  in  a  broader,  wider  sense  we 
want  the  Register  to  be  the  people's  paper.  We 
intend  to  be  its  defender  of  tlieirriglits  andacon- 
'  server  of  their  interests  in  every  contest  waged 
against  the  people,  either  by  monopolizing  cor- 
porations, corrupt  political  parties  or  selfish  in- 
dividuals. Above  capital,  above  parties,  above 
the  most  conspicuous  man  or  men,  above  the 
Nation  with  a  big  N,  tower  the  PEOPLE,  every 
letter  big,  every  right  belonging  to  them  in- 
violable. We  are  convinced  that  it  is  not  only 
important,  but  absolutely  essential  to  the  safety 
of  the  republic  and  to  the  preservation  of  the 
liberties  of  the  people  that  pure  Democratic 
principles  shall  prevail.  We  shall  maintain  the 
courage  of  our  convictions.  The  Register  will, 
therefore,  ever  be  found  advocating  those  pure 
and  patriotic  Democratic  principles,  handed 
down  through  generations  of  freemen  from  the 
founders  of  the  republic.  In  doing  this,  it  shall 
respect  those  who  honestly  differ  with  it  as  to 
methods.  While  waging  an  tmrelenting  war- 
fare upon  every  form  of  encroachment  upon 
popular  liberty  as  a  Democratic  paper,  it  will 
recognize  that  in  every  party  there  are  good  and 
pure  men,  battling  for  what  they  conceive  to 
be  the  best  interests  of  humanity,  and  will 
deal  courteously  with  its  unerring  opponents. 
Strongly,  intensely  Democratic,  the  Register 
will  be  the  organ  of  no  man  or  set  of  men. 
With  cliques  and  factions  it  will  hold  no  fellow- 
ship. 

"The  new  proprietors  of  the  Register  have 
come  to  Springfield  to  become  citizens  and  to 
identify  themselves  with  the  interests  of  the 
city,  the  county  and  the  State.  The  '  Springfield 
idea' and  the 'Illinois  idea' will  be  the  object 
of  our  most  earnest  exertions.  Our  eft'orts  will 
be  largely  devoted  to  making  the  Register  a 
valuable  local  paper — an  indispensable  visitor 
at  every  home  in  the  city,  and  a  most  influential 
factor  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  city 
and  State.  We  come  among  the  people  of  this 
section  of  the  State  comparative  strangers,  but 
with  such  indorsements  as  but  few  newspaper 
men  have  ever  received  at  the  hands  of  a  gener- 
ous Press  throughout  the  states  of  Illinois,  Iowa 
and  Missouri.  We  are  confident  we  shall  soon 
feel  at  home,  locally  and  socially.  We  shall 
strive  to  prove  worthy  of  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  the  people. 

"The  business  of  the  Register  will  be  con- 
ducted on  business  principles.  Thomas  Rees, 
the  junior  member  of  the  firm,  becomes  man- 


ager, and  will  make  his  own  aunouncemenls  in 
the  local  department  of  the  [taper.  Mr.  George 
W.  Weber,  who  has  filled  the  editorial  chair  for 
a  year  and  a  half,  retires,  and  H.  W.  Clendenin 
becomes  managing  editor.  Mr.  Weber  has  our 
best  wishes  for  success  in  whatever  field  he  may 
select. 

"No  change  is  contemplated  in  the  local 
or  mechanical  departments,  except  that  Mr. 
George  Smith,  the  senior  proprietor,  will  have 
general  supervision  of  the  mechanical  work  of 
the  establishment." 

As  soon  as  all  necessary  arrangements  could 
be  completed,  both  the  Daily  and  Weekly  Reg- 
ister appeared  in  new  type,  presenting  a  very 
handsome  appearance.  The  weekly  was  en- 
larged to  an  eight  column  quarto,  making  it  the 
largest  paper  in  the  State. 

As  a  printing  office,  the  Illinois  State  Register 
establishment  is  mammoth  and  complete.  It 
occupies  a  building  erected  especially  for  the 
business,  fronting  on  Monroe  street,  between 
Fifth  and  Sixth,  and  extending  back  to  the  alley, 
one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  feet.  On  the 
ground  floor  are  located  the  business  office,  sub- 
scription department,  job  room,  press  room, 
stock  room,  and  boiler  room;  also  a  fire-proof 
vault  for  the  preservation  of  the  files  of  the 
paper.  On  the  floor  above  are  located  the  edi- 
torial rooms,  and  back  of  same,  the  composing 
room.  The  building  is  well  lighted  with  win- 
dows on  both  sides  the  entire  length,  and  heated 
by  steam,  conveyed  in  pipes  throughout  the 
entire  structure.  In  addition  to  the  newspaper, 
an  extensive  book  and  job  business  is  carried  on, 
which  gives  employment  to  a  large  number  of 
persons. 

The  whole  establishment  is  laid  out  on  a  scale 
for  carrying  on  a  large  business.  The  press 
room  is  supplied  with  six;  first-class  presses,  a 
steam  paper  cutter,  and  other  suitable  conveni- 
ences. Four  of  the  presses  are  expensive  cylin- 
der machines,  three  being  of  the  world-renowned 
rioe  pattern. 

There  are  about  forty  hands  employed  in  the 
business,  besides  a  corps  of  correspondents  scat- 
tered throughout  the  country.  The  pay-roll  is 
in  proportion  to  the  business  carried  on,  and 
amounts  to  thousands  of  dollars  more,  every 
year,  than  the  amount  collected  from  the  citi- 
zens of  Springfield;  so,  that  the  city  is  con- 
stantly receiving  a  greater  financial  benefit  from 
the  Register,  than  the  Register  receives  from 
all  the  people  living  in  the  city, — to  say  nothing 
of  the  indirect  benefit  that  a  live  paper  is  to  any 
community. 


232 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


The  Daily  Register  is  issued  every  day  in  the 
week,  except  Monday,  and  the  Weekly  is  issued 
every  Wednesday. 

Under  the  management  of  Smith,  Clendenip. 
&  Rees,  the  daily  has  more  than  doubled  its  cir- 
culation, and  the  already  large  list  of  the -weekly 
has  received  many  new  names.  The  list  will  be 
at  least  trebled  the  first  year. 

DAILY    ILLINOIS    STATB   REGISTER. 

The  Daily  Register  was  commenced  in  1848, 
and  its  history  is  substantially  that  of  the  weekly, 
already  given.  The  same  editors  and  publishers 
of  the  one  have  been  publishers  of  the  other. 
It  is  now  under  the  control  of  Smith,  Clendenin 
<&  Rees;  a  large  eight-column  folio,  printed  on 
new  type,  and  filled  each  day  with  general  and 
local  news.  In  every  department  it  shows  good 
management  and  business  tact. 

SANGAWO    MONITOR. 

On  the  first  day  of  May,  1873,  the  first  num- 
ber of  the  Sangamo  Monitor  appeared,  with  T. 
W.  S.  Kidd,  editor  and  proprietor.  The  Moni- 
tor presented  a  very  neat  appearance,  being  an 
eight-column  folio,  and  filled  well  with  readable 
matter.  The  editor  was  well  known  to  every 
citizen  of  Springfield  and  Sangamon  county, 
and  not  altogether  unknown  throughout  the 
State,  especially  by  those  having  had  business  in 
the  United  States  Court  or  the  Supreme  Court  of 
this  State,  having  been  Crier  of  the  United 
States  District  Court  for  many  years.  Being  a 
capital  story-teller,  of  the  Lincoln  school,  he 
made  many  friends.  Of  course  the  people 
looked  for  something  spicy  in  the  newspaper 
line,  nor  were  they  disappointed.  The  saluta- 
tory of  the  editor  read  as  follows: 

"  We  would  rather  the  readers  of  the  San- 
gamo Monitor  would  watch  the  course  pursued 
for  the  first  year  of  its  existence  and  draw-  their 
own  conclusions  in  reference  to  our  position  on 
matters  tf  public  interest,  than  to  set  ourselves 
about  defining  the  same.  Custom  has  made  the 
practice  of  newspapers  foreshadowing  the  course 
pursued  by  them,  obligatory  upon  us  to  intimate 
where  we  may  be  found  on  the  questions  of  the 
day. 

"We  vi/l  be  independent — we  ico»j'<  occupy 
a  neutral  position  on  any  question,  if  we  have 
concluded  as  to  the  right  course.  We  know  the 
truthfulness  of  the  old  adage,  '  Wise  men 
change,  fools  never,' too  well  however  to  say 
that  we  will  not  change  front  on  matters  of  pub- 
lic interest,  when  convinced  of  error. 

"  Our  predilictions  may,  and  as  all  well  know 


will,  have  much  to  do  in  forming  our  opinion  on 
public  topics,  and  \ie  are  perfectly  willing  to 
tiust  them.  American  all  over,  in  our  National 
pride — Democratic  (  not  in  a  partisan  sense)  to 
the  marrow-,  in  our  sentiments  and  principles, — 
educated  by  an  honest  w-oman,  and  naturally 
disposed  to  take  the  golden  rule  as  our  guide, 
and  the  side  of  the  underdog  in  the  fight,  in  the 
relations  of  life,  we  will  ask  an  indulgent  public 
to  credit  us  in  the  outset  with  a  reasonably  good 
basis,  on  which  they  can  rest  assured  that  the 
chances  for  our  being  right  in  the  main  aie  at 
least  good.  '  No  pent  up  Utica'  shall  confine 
our  power  to  wield  what  influence  we  have  on 
the  side  of  the  people.  Springing  ourselves 
from  the  forge,  used  to  the  hard  knocks  of  the 
apprentice,  then  the  jour,  and  lastly  having 
'  bossed'  ita  little,  we  think  we  possess,  in  a  rea- 
sonable degree,  such  sympathies  as  will  lead  us 
not  to  forget  the  'pit  from  whence  we  have  been 
digged.' 

"Politically,  the  honest  man,  when  placed  by 
his  party  friends  upon  a  ticket,  or  struggling  in- 
dependently for  a  place  in  the  service  of  the 
people,  can  fully  expect  justice  at  our  hands, 
while  the  manipulator  of  cliques  and  the  cat's- 
paw  of  rings,  need  expect  no  mercy,  let  him  be 
the  nominee  of  any  convention  held  by  whatso- 
ever party.  We  naturally  detest  deceit, whether 
practiced  by  cliques  or  individuals,  under  the 
cloak  of  religion,  politics,  law,  or  morals,  and 
we  intend  to  w-age  war  against  all  such  with  all 
the  energy  and  vim  of  our  nature,  regardless  of 
greenbacks  or  relations,  leaving  consequences  to 
take  care  of  themselves. 

"In  a  word,  the  Monitor  will  aim  to  be  jiist 
what  its  name  indicates,  watching  the  acts  and 
doings  of  the  world  at  large,  and  reporting  the 
same  with  impartial  truthfulness  to  the  readers 
every  week;  the  iron-clad  and  double-turreted 
coaster,  watching  our  National  and  State  pros- 
perity; ready  with  shot  and  shell  to  do  battle 
for  the  'greatest  good  for  the  greatest  number.'" 

The  Monitor  from  the  beginning  has  made 
war  against  monopolies,  and  in  favor  of  the 
rights  of  the  people.  Starting  at  "a  time  when 
the  people,  especially  the  farming  community, 
had  raised  the  standard  of  anti-monopoly,  the 
Monitor  naturally  sided  with  those  battling  for 
this  cause,  and  its  columns  will  bear  witness  of 
the  many  points  made  in  defense  of  the  doc- 
trines advocated. 

In  the  fall  election,  in  1873,  the  Monitor  ad- 
vocated the  election  of  the  Democratic  nomi- 
nees, and  has  since  continued  to  support  the 
men  of  that  party,  though  feeling  and  exercis- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


285 


iiig  the  liberty  of  criticising  the  acts  of    every 
public  officer. 

The  Monitor  was  started  under  what  might  be 
termed  very  unfavorable  circumstances.  Pos- 
sessed of  but  little  capital,  as  regards  dollars 
aud  cents,  but  with  plenty  of  pluck  and  perse- 
verance, its  editor  and  publisher  has  triumphed 
over  every  obstacle,  and  has  made  the  Monitor 
a  success  in  every  particular.  Few  daily  or 
weekly  papers  in  tliis  country  have  been  estab- 
lished without  sinking  a  large  amount  of  capi- 
tal, but  the  Monitor  can  boast  of  no  such  expe- 
rience. From  the  start,  it  lias  had  a  living 
patronage,  and  from  its  profits  has  been  gath- 
ered together  the  material  of  a  complete  news- 
paper and  job  office.  Both  the  daily  and  weekly 
pay  the  publisher  a  fair  profit,  having  each  a 
large  circulation  and  a  good  advertising  patron- 
age. 

SA.NGAMO    DAILY    MOMITOR. 

The  Sangamo  Daily  Monitor  made  its  first 
appearance  Thursday,  June  '28,  1877.  The  fol- 
lowing characteristic  editorial  appeared  in  the 
first  number: 

"Shake — Fathers,  Give  Us  a  Grif — Sons, 
Pass  Us  Your  Paw — Mothers,  Accept  Our 
Most  Profound  Bow — Sisters,  We  Embrace 
You— R  Delicate  Duke — Bless  and  Believe 
Us,  FOR  Wb  Mean  Business. — Like  the  gaily 
bedecked  merry-maker  of  the  big  show,  we 
bounce  into  the  ring  of  daily  journalism,  hoping 
to  be  able  to  hold  our  own  for  another  '  thirty 
days"  trip  into  the  sea  of  journalistic  troubles, 
and  a  daily  change  of  programme.  We  have 
grown  tired  of  seeing  and  unfolding  our  bosom 
and  budget  to  you  but  once  a  week.  We  want 
to  talk  to  you  daily,  and  tell  you  all  we  know  of 
war,  of  crops,  of  politics,  of  religion,  of  law,  and 
what  we  have  heard  in  our  rambles,  about  news 
and  matters  transpiring  during  the  fast-unfold- 
ing events  of  twenty-four  hours.  We  have 
grown  chafed  and  weary  of  seeing  those  whom 
we  hope  to  stir  up  to  a  little  more  evidence  of 
life,  have  six  words  to  our  one,  when  'talk's 
cheap,'  and  printers  can  be  had  for  nothing; 
when  paper-makers  and  tj'pe  foundries  furnish 
freely  and  gratis,  and  when  close  corporated 
monopolistic  champions  of  the  freedom  of  the 
Press  are  gaining  such  enviable  notoriety  by 
furnishing  news  to  the  people  at  a  penny  a  line. 

"We  are  among  you.  You  all  know  us,  and 
can  trust  us  or  not,  as  you  like;  of  this  we  have 
no  fear.  Our  motto,  '  Do  your  best,  with  cor- 
rect motives;  then  let  the  consequences  lake 
care  of  themselves,'  has  seen  us  through  so  far, 
and  we  hope  will  to  the  end.     We  propose  to 

27— 


take  a  hand  in  '  posting  the  people,'  not  to  preju- 
dice them,  but  letting  everybody  know  what 
everybody  else  is  doing  who  don't,  won't  or  can't 
behave  themselves  according  to  the  old  ten, 
or  new  or  eleventh  commandment.  Naughty 
humanity,  behave  yourself,  if  you  don't  desire  a 
blast  from  the  Monitor.  '  Hold  your  horses,' 
fast  youth,  or  crooked  beauty,  unless  notoriety 
is  more  precious  than  the  quiet  calm  of  virtue's 
peaceful  abode,  and  the  joy  of  domestic  felicity 
irksome  to  the  speed  of  untamed  nature,  when 
without  the  balance  wheel  of  wisdom  and  the 
pleasure-producing  quality  of  proper  motive. 
Remember  us  editorially,  bearing  in  mind  the 
fact  that  if  you  desire  your  hens  to  be  emulated, 
'lay  your  largest  egg'  on  our  editorial  table. 
We  are  ever  ready  to  chronicle  events;  our  jour- 
nalism teaches  us  a  broader  and  more  general 
definition  than  the  style  of  making  readitig  only 
to  the  few,  'personal'  distinction  to  feicer,  while 
those  upon  whom  the  smile  of  total  endorsement 
is  to  be  'smolen'  are  fewest.  If  you  want  to 
know  a  little  bit  of  everything,  dive  into  your 
breeches  pocket,  get  a  three-cent  piece,  and  stop 
the  cry  of  the  newsboy  by  buying  a  Daily 
Monitor. 

"  We  ask  and  shall  expect  your  encouragement, 
not  as  a  craven,  but  as  an  honest  man  who  knows 
he  will  give  an  equivalent  in  every  respect.  It 
may  seem  a  trifle;  it  is — but  remember  your  '  lit- 
tles'are  our 'nickels,'  and  while  you  are  many 
and  we  few,  a  stoppage  of  your  little  for  a  week 
or  two,  by  enough  of  you,  might  make  a  hole  big 
enough  to^ink  even  a  Monitor.  Much  depends 
upon  trifles  in  this  world;  the  ocean  would  cut 
but  a  sorry  figure  swimming  fellows  like  our 
Grant  or  Tom  Hendricks  to  England  to  show 
our  bully  old  relative  how  we  have  'skipped  out' 
of  our  'short  frocks  and  things'  since  we  swelled 
up  his  left  optic  in  1812,  if  not  for  trifles;  and  a 
great  many  big  fellows  around  our  own  neighlior- 
hood  were  onceverytriflinglittle  trifles.  'Des|)ise 
not  the  day  of  small  things!'  Small  beginnings 
make  heavy  endings,  as  the  fellow  said  of  the 
avalanche;  and  it  may  be  that  the  little  Monitor 
may  yet  be  big  enough  to  defy  a  torpedo.  Give 
us  your  hand;  your  helping  hand  is  the  one 
asked  for — we  have  several  of  another  kind  now 
pressing  close  on  our  skirts — and  it  might  be 
while  entertaining  the  Monitor  you  may  be  en- 
tertaining several  small  angels  in  disguise,  float- 
ing around  the  homes  and  firesides  of  the  boys 
depending  for  their  bread  upon  the  success  of 
this  enterprise. 

"  For  ourselves,  we  are  carrying  a  big  load, 
going  up  a  steep  hill,  and  each  little  fifteen  cent 


336 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


drawback  is  '  tlie  feather  that  breaks  the  camel's 
back'  of  our  success,  and  the  welfare  of  our  set 
of  printers.  When  we  get  to  the  level  plain  and 
the  load  is  not  so  burdensome,  we  will  have  lots 
of  time  and  take  bushels  of  pleasure  in  returning 
you  our  grip  of  satisfaction  at  your  action  bj'  our 
frequent  notices  of  your  'style,'  business,  'gait,' 
etc.,  in  an  occasional  send-off  on  business,  pleas- 
ure, when  you  marry,  run  for  ofhce,  trade  horses, 
swap  dogs,  or  get  into  jail.  We  stand  ready 
with  the  Monitor  to  fight  to  the  l)lue  for  the 
honest  in  life  matters,  whether  clothed  in  'pur- 
ple or  line  linen,'  or  the  scanty  wardrobe  of  a 
tramp,  while  you  live,  and  when  dead  will  do 
jusl  as  we  would  you  should  do  with  us,  bury 
our  faults  and  foibles,  and  string  together  among 
life's  cherished  ornaments  the  sparkling  beads 
of  worth  found  in  every  nature.     Shake!" 

Thomas  W.  S.  Kidd,  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Monitor,  was  born  in  New  Castle,  Delaware, 
October  22,  1K28.  His  parents  were  John  and 
Ann  (Smith)  Kidd,  both  natives  of  Delaware, 
but  of  Irish  descent.  His  grandfather  Kidd, 
■was  a  farmer,  and  grandfather  Smith,  a  Presby- 
terian minister.  Both  families  came  across  the 
water  on  the  same  vessel;  being  four  months  on 
the  ocean.  The  mother  of  Thomas  died  about 
three  years  after  his  birth,  quite  suddenly  after 
giving  birth  to  his  only  brother;  and  his  father, 
about  one  year  after,  partly  from  a  cold  con- 
tracted by  exposure,  and  partly  by  grief  from 
the  loss  of  his  wife. 

On  the  death  of  his  father,  young  Kidd  was 
taken  by  a  most  estimable  aunt,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Mc- 
Pherson.  Remaining  in  New  Castle  about  one 
year,  the  family  moved  to  Quarryville,  where 
his  aunt  had  taken  the  contract  to  board  a  large 
number  of  hands  who  were  employed  by  the 
Government,  in  getting  out  stone  for  the  Dela- 
ware Breakwater,  then  being  constructed  by  the 
Government.  Here  they  remained  four  years, 
and  where  Thomas  attended  a  school  about  six 
weeks,  which  comprised  the  entire  time  spent  in 
the  school  room.  Returning  to  New  Castle 
v\'hen  he  was  about  nine  years  old,  he  spent  the 
next  four  years  in  sucli  labor  as  a  boy  could  do, 
in  order  to  help  the  family  to  a  comfortable  ex- 
istence. In  18+0.  the  family  moved  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  Thomas  engaged  as  an  errand- 
boy  in  a  merchant-tailoring  establishment,  and 
served  about  two  years.  At  this  establishment 
T.  S.  Arthur  and  other  literary  celebrities  were 
wont  to  congregate,  and  young  Kidd,  in  listen- 
ing to  their  conversation,  first  conceived  the 
idea  of  learning  something  of  books  and  of  the 
world.     At  the  expiration  of  his  two  years'  ser- 


vice as  an  errand-boy,  he  entered  the  printing 
office  and  stereotype  foundry  of  John  Fagin,  to 
learn  the  trade.  At  this  time  he  could  scarcely 
read,  and  knew  nothing  at  all  about  writing. 
By  patient  endeavor  he  learned  to  read  well  and 
write  a  fair  hand,  and  before  many  months  ex- 
pired he  was  made  one  of  the  pi'oof-readers  in 
the  establishment;  but  the  life  of  a  printer  did 
not  suit  him.  He  had  for  many  years  a  desire 
to  learn  the  trade  of  a  machinist,  and  when  two 
years  had  passed  of  his  printer's  life,  he  ran 
away  to  Wilmington,  Delaware,  and  applied 
for  a  situation  in  the  railroad  and  machine  shops 
of  that  city.  He  was  told  they  could  not  give 
any  attention  to  his  application  without  recom- 
mendations. He  then  went  on  foot  to  New 
Castle  and  asked  old  friends  of  his  father,  and 
those  who  had  known  him  when  a  small  boy,  to 
recommend  him.  This  they  did ;  and  armed 
with  his  recommendations  he  returned  to  Wil- 
mington, to  be  told  that  he  must  wait  three 
weeks  before  an  opening  could  be  made.  This 
he  could  not  do;  he  was  away  from  home,  with- 
out money  and  without  friends.  Starvation  was 
staring  him  in  the  face;  he  must  get  work — and 
at  once,  lie  therefore  bound  himself  to  the  firm 
of  Hollingsworth  &  Teas,  to  learn  the  trade  of 
blacksmith  and  machinist.  IJefore  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  service  the  firm  failed,  and 
he  then  engaged  with  Elliott  &  Huston,  loco- 
motive builders,  of  Wilmington.  Here  he  re- 
mained until  1849,  when  he  received  an  invita- 
tion from  Mr.  Hollingsworth,  who  had  removed 
to  Chicago,  to  come  to  that  city  and  take  charge 
of  the  iron-shops  that  he  was  about  to  establish. 
He  accepted  the  invitation  and  entered  upon  the 
work,  where  he  remained  a  short  time,  and  then 
received  and  accepted  the  appointment  of  trav- 
eling agent  of  an  agricultural  firm.  In  this  line 
of  business  he  continued  with  success  until  1857 
— save  for  a  short  period  in  1853— t,  when,  his 
health  having  failed  him,  he  returned  to  his  old 
home  in  Delaware.  While  east  he  was  married, 
July  1854,  to  Charlotte,  daugiiter  of  Jesse  Jan- 
ney,  of  Cecil  county,  Maryland.  Six  children 
have  been  born  unto  them,  two  of  whom  are 
now  living — Lizzie  G.  and  Presco  Wright. 

In  February,  1856,  Mr.  Kidd  brought  his 
family  to  Springfield,  where  they  have  since 
continued  to  reside.  In  1857,  he  served  as 
bailiff  in  the  United  States  Marshal's  office. 
In  1858,  he  was  elected  Coroner  and  was  also 
appointed  Deputy  Sheriff.  In  the  winter  of 
1858-9  and  1859-60,  he  served  as  Sheriff  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Illinois.  In  1860,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by   Judge  Treat,  Crier   of  the  United 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


States  District  Court,  which  position  lie  contin- 
ued to  liold  until  the  spring  of  1877.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  offices  mentioned,  Mr.  Kidd  served 
as  Assessor  in  Springfield  for  a  period  of  fifteen 
years,  and  Collector  by  election,  two  years. 

While  serving  as  Deputy  Sheriff,  Mr.  Kidd 
read  law,  and  passing  a  successful  examination 
before  Judge  Walker,  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
was  licensed  to  practice.  He  never  opened  an 
office  and  tells  upon  himself  that  he  never  had 
but  two  cases,  in  the  latter  one  he  took  offense 
at  the  answers  of  a  colored  witness,  and  struck 
him  over  the  head  with  an  iroii  square,  and  was 
fined  by  the  Justice  of  the  Peace  three  dollars 
for  contempt  of  court.  He  then  retired  from 
active  practice. 

As  a  writer  ]Mr.  Kidd  has  a  peculiar  style  of 
his  own.  He  follows  the  model  of  no  man. 
When  he  writes  a  sentence,  no  man  can  mistake 
its  meaning.  It  is  plain  and  to  the  point,  yet  so 
worded  that  it  cannot  be  thought  to  be  from  the 
pen  of  another. 

THE    SPRINGFIELD    TIMES. 

In  1844,  the  Democratic  party  in  Sangamon 
county  was  somewhat  divided  on  purely  local 
issues.  The  Register  espousing  the  side  of  one 
faction,  left  the  other  without  representation. 
This  necessitated  the  starting  a  second  Demo- 
cratic paper  in  Springfield,  and  S.  S.  Brooks, 
who  in  1829-30  published  the  Illinois  Herald, 
was  induced  to  make  the  venture.  The  new 
paper  was  called  the  Springfield  Times.  It  was 
a  small  folio  sheet,  but  edited  with  the  vim 
characteristic  of  the  Brooks  family,  who  w'ere 
born  newspaper  men.  The  Times  only  existed 
about  one  year,  the  party  not  being  able  to  sup- 
port two  organs,  and  the  breaches  in  the  party 
being  healed.  Mr.  Brooks,  though  an  excellent 
newspaper  man,  was  no  business  manager,  and 
never  succeeded  in  his  chosen  profession.  An 
old  man,  he  wandered  back  to  Springfield  occa- 
sionally, and  worked  at  the  case  in  the  Register 
and  other  offices,  to  secure  a  livelihood  for  him- 
self and  family. 

THE   MASONIC   TROWEL. 

Harmon  6.  Reynolds,  the  founder  and  editor 
of  the  Masonic  Trowel,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
Masons  in  the  State,  having  taken  his  degrees 
in  Warsaw  Lodge,  in  1843.  He  was  Grand 
Marshal  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1848,  and  was 
elected  Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
and  Chapter,  and  continued  as  Grand  Secretary 
of  the  Lodge  until  1851.  In  1868,  he  was 
elected  Grand  Master,  and  held  this  position  for 


two  years.  He  remained  Secretary  of  the  Grand 
Chapter  until  ISGf).  He  assisted  in  the  initia- 
tory work  of  forming  the  Grand  Council  of 
Royal  and  Select  Masters,  and  was  the  first 
Recorder  of  that  body.  Mr.  Reynolds  has  been 
Master  of  three  lodges,  and  High  Priest  of  three 
Chapters,  and  was  first  Commander  of  El  wood 
Comraandery  No.  6,  of  this  city.  All  of  which 
positions  he  tilled  with  credit  to  himself  and 
honor  to  the  fraternity.  He  also  received,  in 
1854,  the  thirty-second  degree  of  the  Ancient 
Scottish  Rites,  and  the  thirty-third  in  Boston,  in 
1864.  In  1858,  he  located  in  this  city,  and 
established,  in  1862,  the  Masonic  Trowel,  with 
which  paper  he  retained  his  connection  until 
1808.  He  has  always  had  the  editorial  control 
of  its  columns,  and  his  labors  therein  h.ave  re- 
dounded to  the  general  welfare  and  prosperity 
of  the  craft  at  large.  By  the  fire,  on  the  jiight 
of  the  22d  of  February,  by  which  the  Trowel 
was  destroyed,  he  was  stripped  of  every  dollar 
of  his  earthly  possessions. 

ILfclNOIS    STATE    DEMOCRAT. 

In  1857  a  paper  under  the  above  name  was 
started  in  Springfield  by  J.  J.  Clarkson,  with 
Elliott  B.  Herndon,  editor.  As  its  name  implies 
it  was  a  Democratic  paper,  and  was  started  to 
combat  the  heresies  supposed  to  exist  in  a  por- 
tion of  the  Democratic  party,  headed  by  Stephen 
A.  Douglas.     It  lived  about  three  years. 

THE    SUNDAY    MAIL. 

This  was  a  five  column  quarto,  issued  every 
Sunday  morning  by  The  Mail  Company,  and 
was  well  filled  with  local  news.  It  was  short- 
lived. 

ILLINOIS  FREI  PRESSB. 

Many  attempts  have  been  made  to  publish  a 
German  paper  in  Springfield,  but  until  the  Frei 
Presse  was  started,  all  prior  to  that  had  proven 
failures.  On  the  eleventh  day  of  January,  1872, 
Edward  Rummel,  then  Secretary  of  State,  com- 
menced the  publication  of  the  Frei  Presse,  an 
eight  column  folio,  in  support  of  the  Liberal 
movement  then  being  advocated  by  such  men  as 
Horace  Greeley,  Charles  Sumner,  John  M.  Pal- 
mer and  others.  Mr.  Rummel  only  retained  con- 
nection about  three  months,  and  then  sold  to 
Gehring  it  Hotze,two  practical  German  printers. 
Mr.  Gehring  assumed  editorial  control  of  the 
paper,  and  has  since  continued  to  act  as  manag- 
ing editor.  The  success  of  the  paper  was  assured 
from  the  start,  the  Germans  largely  supporting 
the  new  movement.  It  has  had  a  uniform,  steady 


i'3S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


growth,  and  is  not  only  regarded  as  the  most 
successful  German  paper,  but  is  said  to  be  the 
most  successful  German  or  English  paper  in 
Springfield.  The  office  is  well  supplied  with 
type  and  presses,  and  does  a  general  book  and 
job  business  in  connection  with  the  publication 
of  the  paper.  After  a  time,  Mr.  Hotze  retired, 
and  Mr.  Gehriug  became  sole  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. 

Frederick  Gehring  was  born  in  Baden,  Ger- 
many, March  4,  18+1.  His  early  life  was  spent 
in  that  country,  in  attendance  upon  the  common 
and  high  schools.  Id  1856,  he  came  to  America, 
and  settled  in  Lafayette.  Indiana,  where  he  en- 
tered a  German  newspaper  office,  to  learn  the 
trade  of  a  printer.  Here  he  remained  about 
three  years,  and  then  went  to  Indianapolis  and 
worked  as  a  journeyman  printer.  From  Indian- 
apolis he  drifted  on  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was 
when  the  war  for  the  L^nion  commenced.  Re- 
turning to  Indianapolis,  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  the  Fifteenth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served 
three  years,  being  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Stone  river.  On  his  recovery  he  was  placed 
on  detached  duty,  where  he  remained  until  the 
close  of  his  term  of  enlistment,  when  he  was  dis- 
charged. Returning  to  Indianapolis,  he  served 
for  some  years  as  local  editor  of  the  Telegraph, 
ci  that  city,  and  for  about  six  months  as  po- 
litical editor  of  a  German  paper.  On  the  19ih 
day  of  October,  1805,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Kathrina  May,  of  Indianapolis.  They 
have  had  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  now 
living — two  boys  and  one  girl.  In  April,  1872, 
Mr.  Gehring  and  his  family  came  to  Springfield, 
and  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Frei  Presse. 
In  1874  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature, by  the  combined  Liberal  and  Democratic 
vote,  and  was  classed  in  the  House,  politically, 
as  a  Democratic-Liberal.  He  now  claims  to  be 
a  Liberal-Democrat,  and  the  Frei  Presse  as  a 
Liberal-Democratic  paper.  lu  the  legislature, 
he  was  placed  on  the  committee  on  mines  and 
mining,  the  committee  on  printing,  and  also  ou 
education.  The  committee  on  mines  and  mining 
framed  the  law  that  was  passed  regulating  the 
government  of  mines.  Mr.  Gehring  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  Turn-Verien.  He 
was  the  originator  of  the  Building  Associations 
of  Springfield,  and  has  taken  great  interest  in 
their  work.  He  is  a  good  writer,  and  a  prac- 
tical business  man. 


STAATS    WOCHENBI.ATT. 


The    Staats    Wochenblatt   is    a    large  seven 
column  quarto,  and  was  established  in  the  fall 


of  1878,  its  first  number  bearing  date  November 
21.  H.  Schlange  is  the  editor  and  proprietor. 
The  Wochenblatt  has  been  a  success  from  the 
start,  it  now  having  a  bona  tide  ciiculatiou  of 
fifteen  hundred  copies  weekly.  Mr.  Schlange 
was  born  November  16,  1844,  at  Hanover,  Ger- 
many. As  soon  as  sufficiently  advanced  he 
entered  the  Jacobson  Institute,  where  he  re- 
mained until  he  was  sixteen  j'ears  of  age.  He 
then  entered  the  army  as  a  private,  and  passed 
the  various  grades  of  promotion  until  he  was 
made  Assistant  Quartermaster.  In  1865  he  came 
to  America  and  landed  at  New  York  in  the  early 
part  of  December,  where  he  remained  a  few 
days  and  proceeded  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  his 
destination,  arriving  there  January  2,  1866. 
At  Springfield,  he  learned  the  trade  of  cigar- 
maker,  and  continued  in  that  business  until  he 
established  the  Wochenblatt,  in  1878.  At  this 
time  there  was  no  Republican  German  paper  in 
Springfield,  and  Mr.  Schlange  thought  it  to  be  a 
good  opportunitv  to  establish  one.  '1  he  result  has 
more  than  exceeded  his  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions. Mr.  Schlange  and  Anna  Ahrtns  were 
married  in  Lincoln,  Illinois,  February  25,  1868. 
Two  children  have  been  born  unto  them — 
August  and  Lena. 

AUBURN  CITIZEN. 

In  1873  Lowdermilk  it  Stover  commenced  the 
publication  of  the  Auburn  Herald,  a  six  column 
folio.  The  paper  was  started  mainly  for  the 
purpose  of  affording  the  business  men  of  Auburn 
an  advertising  medium,  but  the  citizens  believed 
it  should  be  something  more,  and  therefore  the 
experiment  was  tried  of  giving  the  community  a 
good  local  paper.  Not  having  an  office  of  their 
own,  the  printing  was  done  in  Yirden  at  the 
office  of  the  Yirden  News,  and  the  paper  circu- 
lated from  Auburn.  After  the  expiration  of 
about  five  months,  a  stock  company  was  formed 
for  the  purchase  of  office  material,  and  the  outfit 
was  purchased  of  the  Yirden  News  in  August, 
1874,  M.  G.  Wadsworth,  of  Auburn,  and  W.  F. 
Thompson,  of  Yirden,  becoming  publishers,  by 
piirchase  from  the  stock  company. 

A  sketch  of  the  senior  proprietor  of  the  Her- 
ald— W.  W.  Lowdermilk— will  be  found  in  con- 
nection with  the  History  of  Auburn.  A.  B. 
Stover,  the  junior,  came  from  Havana,  Illinois. 
He  was  at  one  time  editor  of  the  Mason  County 
Herald.  When  he  came  to  Auburn  he  engaged 
as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store,  retaining  con- 
nection after  engaging  in  editorial  work.  He 
was  an  easy  and  fluent  writer.  After  the  Herald 
changed  hands,  he  made  a  profession  of  religion 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


239 


and  conducted  a  series  of  meetings  in  Auburn 
with  great  success.  He  was  induced  to  go  before 
the  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  by  that  body  was  licensed  to  preacli 
the  Gosjjel.  He  is  a  good  talker  and  is  now 
meeting  with  success  in  the  ministry. 

When  Wadsworth  c%  Thompson  became  the 
pro]irietors  of  the  Herald  they  rented  a  room  in 
the  bank  building  and  continued  its  publication. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  second  volume  the 
name  was  changed  to  the  Auburn  Citizen,  and 
tlie  paper  enlarged  to  a  seven  column  folio.  The 
following  spring  the  senior  bougiit  out  the  junior 
partner's  interest,  and  has  since  been  sole  pro- 
prietor. The  Citizen  was  enlarged  to  an  eight 
column  folio  April  22,  1880,  and  changed  to  a 
five  column  quarto,  December  9,  1S80.  The 
Citizen  has  no  political  bias,  its  special  mission 
being  local  news.  It  is  at  present  the  only  paper 
published  in  Sangamon  county  outstde  of  Spring- 
field. 

Moses  G.  Wadsworth  was  born  in  Hallowell, 
Kennebec  county,  Maine,  February  .3,  1826,  and 
is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  F.  Wads- 
worth. His  parents  were  of  English  and  Welsh 
origin,  the  father  being  descended,  on  the 
father's  side,  from  Peregrin  White,  the  first 
wliite  child  born  in  America.  Moses  G.  came 
to  Illinois,  in  his  fifteenth  year  with  his  parents, 
settling  in  (old)  Auburn,  where  the  parents  are 
still  living,  the  father  in  his  eighty-third  and 
the  mother  in  her  eiglitieth  year.  They  have 
resided  in  the  same  house  about  thirty-eight 
years.  Moses  G.  Wadsworth  was  married  in 
September,  1849,  to  Elizabeth  F.  Wheeler,  of 
Macoupin  county,  who  died  in  May,  1857,  leav- 
ing five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  He 
was  married  again  in  November,  18(52,  to  Mary 
E.  Day,  of  Chatham,  who  has  borne  him  seven 
cliildren,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Until  after 
the  death  of  his  first  wife,  Mr.  Wadsworth  fol- 
lowed farming.  After  that  he  worked  princi- 
pally at  carpenter  work,  until  his  connection 
with  the  Auburn  Herald  (afterwards  Citizen,)  in 
1879.  He  was  clerk  of  his  township  three 
years;  assessor  one  year,  and  tax  collector  nine 
years.  He  has  been  school  trustee  ten  or  more 
years,  and  Secretary  of  Ark  and  Anchor  Lodge 
of  Masons,  eleven  years. 

THE   EVENING    POST. 

The  only  evening  paper  at  present  published 

vin  Springfield,  was  established  in  January,  1880, 

the  first   number  being  issued   on  the  3d.     Its 

publication  was  decided   upon    by  a  number  of 

printers  and   newspajier  men   of    the  city,  who 


were  out  of  employment  at  tbe  time,  caused  by 
a  strike   in  the  composing  room  of  tbe  Register 
oflice.    There  being  no  evening  paper  in  the  city, 
they  decided  to  occupy  the  field,  and  incorpo- 
rated the  Capital  Co-operative  Publishing  Corn- 
pan)-,  with  a  capital  of  §1,000,  which  was  subse- 
quently increased  to  12,000.    Charles  W.  Bovard, 
F.  II.  i>.  McDowell,  Andrew  McWeeney,  J.  II. 
Dnggan,  W.  H.  Mursinna,  William  F.   Aitken, 
T.  F.  Harrington,  J.  M.  Higgins,  Louis  Souther, 
and   Louis  Schuckers,  were  the  original  stock- 
holders.   F.  H.  B.  McDowell  was  elected  editor- 
in-chief,  with  J.  M.  Higgins  and  Louis  Souther 
as  associates.     During  the  first  month,  Messrs. 
Souther  and   Higgins  withdrew  fiom   the  com- 
pany.     Mr.  McDowell   continued   as   editor-in- 
chief  until  the   latter  part  of  May  in  that  year, 
when,    owing   to   a   dissatisfaction    among    the 
stockholders  and  a  desire  on  their  part  to  sus- 
tain the  pi'inciples  of  the  Greenback  party,  he 
withdrew.     At  that  time,  the  paper  had  become 
well    established,    and    its   circulation    was    the 
largest  it  attained  during  the  year.     Mr.  J.  K. 
Magie  was  elected  editor-in-chief,  on   Mr.  Mc- 
Dowell's withdrawal,  and  occupied  that  position 
until  August  1,  when,  the  business  of  the  paper 
having  been   badly  damaged   by  his  administra- 
tion, at  the  request  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
Mr.  McDowell  again  assumed  its  management, 
and  he  now  owns  nearly  all   the    stock  of   the 
company.      The   paper   is   a    handsome   seven- 
column  folio,  having  been  enlarged   from  a  six- 
column  folio  on  the  16th  of  October,  1881.     Its 
political    tone    is   of    the    stalwart    Republican 
order,  and  it  exerts  no  little  local  influence.     Its 
circulation  is  largely  among  the  working  classes. 
Its  subscription  price  is  $5  per  year. 

Among  those  who  have  contributed  to  the 
success  of  the  paper,  a  mournful  tribute  is  due 
to  the  late  Henry  6.  Fitzhugh,who  died  Novem- 
ber 15,  1880,  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years,  at 
the  time  of  his  death  being  its  city  editor.  He 
was  one  of  the  brightest  young  journalists  the 
city  has  ever  produced,  and  his  sad  death,  after 
a  short  illness  of  pneumonia,  was  a  shock  to  all 
who  knew  him.  His  remains  were  interred  at 
Oak  Ridge. 

The  present  editorial  staff  of  the  paper  is 
composed  of  F.  H.  B.  McDowell,  S.  P.  V. 
Arnold,  and  L.  M.  Snell. 

Mr.  McDowell  was  born  at  Freeport,  Illinois, 
January  7,  18-54.  Compelled  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen to  leave  the  High  School,  by  the  necessity 
of  his  earnings  for  the  su])port  of  his  father's 
family,  he  entered  the  office  of  the  Freeport 
Bulletin,  in  March,  18G8,  as  an  apprentice,  and 


240 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


acquired  the  printer's  trade.  In  January,  1872, 
he  left  his  home  for  Chicago,  where  ho  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1870,  working  at  his  trade  in 
the  Chicago  Tribune  composing  room.  In  No- 
vember of  that  year  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  W.  W.  Lewis  in  the  publication  of  the 
Carroll  County  Gazette, at  Lanark,  Illinois.  The 
partnership  continued  until  February,  1878, 
when  Mr.  Lewis  retired,  and  he  continued  its 
publication  until  January,  1879,  when  he  dis- 
posed of  the  paper  and  removed  to  Chicago.  In 
September  of  that  year  he  was  elected  Secretary 
of  the  State  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  which 
position  he  now  holds.  He  was  married  to 
Anna  Magnusson  Jewett,of  Chicago,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1876. 

S.  P.  V.  Arnold,  associate  editor  and  business 
manager  of  the  Post,  was  born  in  Steubenville, 
Ohio,  in  1854,  where  he  resided  until  twelve 
years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  Columbus, 
Ohio.  He  was  educated  at  Otterbein  Univer- 
sity, at  Westerville,  Ohio,  and  graduated  at  the 
National  Normal  School,  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  in 
1875.     Previous    to    and    after    graduating,    he 


taught  school  for  seven  years.  In  the  fall  of 
1878,  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and  established  the 
American  Trade  Journal,  which  he  continued 
until  August,  1881,  when  he  sold  his  interest  in 
the  paper  and  came  to  Springfield,  and  became 
connected  with  the  Post  as  associate  editor  and 
business  manager. 

CAMPAIGN    PAPERS. 

Many  campaign  papers  have  been  issued  in 
Springfield;  the  most  noted  of  which  were  the 
'•Old  Soldier,"  published  in  1840,  by  the  Whig 
general  committee;  and  the  "Old  Hickory," 
published  by  the  Democratic  general  commit- 
tee. Each  of  these  papers  had  a  circulation  of 
35,000  copies,  and  were  very  effective  campaign 
sheets,  and  will  readily  be  called  to  mind  by  the 
old  settler. 

The  "  Conservative  "  was  a  seven-column  folio, 
issued  during  the  presidential  campaign  of  1856, 
and  supporting  Millard  Fillmore  for  the  presi- 
dency. It  was  edited  by  a  committee  of  the 
Springfield  Fillmore  Club,  and  was  an  interest- 
ing political  sheet. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


241 


Chapter    XII. 


REED  AND  DONNER  EMIGRANT  PARTY. 


Since  the  discovery  of  the  New  World  by 
Christopher  Columbus,  there  has  ever  seemed 
a  disposition  to  push  on  toward  the  setting  sun. 
Like  the  story  told  children  of  the  sack  of  gold 
placed  at  the  termination  of  the  rainbow,  which 
creates  an  earnest  desire  in  their  hearts  to  secure 
the  treasure,  so  there  appears  before  the  eyes  of 
all  men,  in  dazzling  splendor,  visions  of  untold 
wealth  and  honors,  to  be  secured  in  the  great 
West. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1846,  a  party  was  organ- 
ized in  this  county  for  California  and  the  Pacific 
coast.  Gold  had  not  then  been  discovered,  but 
a  knowledge  of  the  beautiful  Sacramento  valley 
had  been  obtained,  and  it  was  thought  a  home 
could  there  be  made  which  would  be  delightful 
and  pleasing  to  all.  The  party  left  Springfield 
April  14,  1846,  full  of  hope  and  spirit,  looking 
forward  to  the  time  when  they  should  reach 
their  destinations  and  be  at  rest.  Little  did 
they  anticipate  the  trials  and  tribulations  that 
awaited  them  as  they  passed  over  the  mountains 
and  across  the  great  American  Desert.  When 
they  left  Springfield,  the  party  numbered  thirty- 
four  persons.  The  following  named  were  among 
the  number: 

James  K.  Reed  and  Mrs.  Margaret  W.  Reed, 
his  wife,  with  their  four  children,  Virginia 
E.  B.,  Martha  J.,  James  P.,  Jan.,  and  Thomas 
K.;  also  Mrs.  Sarah  Keyes,  the  mother  of  Mrs. 
Reed. 

George  Donner  and  Mrs.  Tanisen  Donner,  his 
wife,  with  their  five  children,  Elitha  C,  Leanna 
C,  Francis  E.,  Georgiana  and  Elizabeth  P. 

Jacob  Donner  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Donner,  his 
wife,  with  their  five  children,  Isaac,  Lewis, 
Samuel,  George  and  Mary;  also  William  and 
Solomon  Hook,  children  of  Mrs.  Donner  by  a 
former  marriage. 

There  were  also  Milford  Elliott — often  men- 
tioned as  Milton  Elliott — James  Smith,  John 


Denton,  Eliza  and  Bayless  Williams,  Walter 
Herron  and  Hiram  O.  Miller.  There  were  some 
others,  but  I  have  been  unable  to  learn  their 
names. 

Leaving  Springfield,  their  first  point  of  desti- 
nation was  Independence,  Missouri,  where  they 
were  to  m.ake  the  final  preparation  for  crossing 
the  plains.  They  were  joined  at  various  points 
by  parties  from  other  places,  as  follows: 

From  Lacon,  Illinois:  Jay  Fansdick  and 
Mrs.  Sarah  Fausdick,  his  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Graves,  with  their  eight  children,  Frank,  Mary, 
William,  Ellen,  Lavina,  Nancy,  Jonathan  and 
Elizabeth.  Mrs.  Fausdick  was  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graves. 

From  Iowa:  Patrick  Brien  —  spelled,  in  some 
places,  Brein  and  Breen  —  Margaret  Brien,  Mar- 
garet J.,  John,  Edw.ard,  Patrick  Jun.,  Simon, 
James  and  Peter  Brien,  and  Patrick  Dolen. 

From  Belleville,  Illinois:  J.  P.  Eddy,  Mrs. 
Eddy  and  W.  II.  Eddy. 

From  St.  Louis,  Missouri:  William  Foster, 
Mrs.  Foster  and  George  Foster;  and  from  Ray 
county,  Missouri:  William  McCutchen,  Mrs. 
McTutchen  and  Harriet  McCutchen. 

From  Tennessee:  Lemuel  Murphy,  Mrs.  Mur- 
phy, Lander,  Mary,  William  and  Samuel  Mur- 
phy; William  Pike,  Cynthia  Pike  and  N.  Pike. 

From  Germany:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kiesberger, 
or  Keysburg,  B.  and  L.  S.  Keysburg.  Mrs. 
VVolfinger,  Mr.  Rhinehart,  Mr.  Spitzger  and 
Carl  Berger. 

From  Springfield,  Ohio:     Samuel  Shoemaker. 

From  Chicago,  Illinois:     C.  T.  Stanton. 

At  Independence  the  party  laid  in  their  .sup- 
plies for  the  long  journey  across  the  plains.  At 
that  time  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  emi- 
grants should  travel  together  in  large  bodies  in 
order  to  protect  themselves  from  the  Indians, 
and  it  was  never  safe  to  start  until  the  arrass  had 


242 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sufficiently  grown  to  afford  subsistence  for  the 
cattle. 

Early  in  May  the  journey  hegan  from  Inde- 
pendence. No  trouble  was  experienced  until 
they  came  to  Big  Blue  river,  four  miles  above 
its  mouth.  They  found  the  stream  quite  full, 
and  had  to  provide  themselves  with  rafts  before 
crossing.  Just  before  reaching  this  place,  Mrs. 
Keyes,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Reed,  became  ill,  and 
while  here,  on  the  morning  of  May  2fl,  breathed 
her  last.  All  work  was  suspended  and  each  per- 
son vied  with  the  other  in  rendering  to  her  the 
last  tribute  of  respect.  A  neat  coffin  was  con- 
structed, the  remains  placed  in  it  and  buried  on 
a  beautiful  elevation,  near  a  burr-oak  tree.  Re- 
ligious services  were  conducted  by  a  minister 
present  with  the  party.  The  grave  was  sodded 
and  the  tree  made  to  serve  the  purpose  of  a  head- 
board.    On  it  was  cut  the  following  inscription: 

"Sarah  Keys,  aged  70  years.    Died  29th  May,  1846. 
From  Springfield,  Illinois." 

At  the  foot,  a  coarse  white  stone,  resembling 
marble,  was  placed,  containing  the  words: 

"Mrs.  S.  Keys.     Aged  70  years." 

Flowers  and  young  cedars  were  placed  at  the 
head  and  foot  of  the  grave. 

Between  Independence  and  Blue  river  the 
Reed  and  Donner  party  fell  in  with  Colonel  W. 
H.  Russell  and  company,  who  had  left  Inde- 
pendence a  few  days  before  them.  Passing  Blue 
river,  they  all  traveled  together  until  they  reach- 
ed Little  Sandy  river,  where  a  separation  took 
place,  the  majority  of  them  going  to  Oregon; 
Colonel  Russell  heading  the  latter.  The  day 
after  the  separation  the  Reed  and  Donner  party 
elected  George  Donner,  Captain,  and  from  that 
time  it  was  known  as  the  "Donner  Company." 
They  continued  their  journey  up  the  valley  of 
the  Platte  river,  passing  P'ori  Laramie  and  cross- 
ing the  Rocky  Mountains  to  Fort  Bridger  with- 
out any  serious  mishap.  This  had  occupied  the 
entire  summer.  They  tarried  at  the  Fort  four 
days.  Letters  had  been  left  here  for  the  party, 
warning  them  against  taking  the  Hasting's  Cut- 
Off,  and  advising  them  to  go  by  the  Foit  Hall 
route.  The  latter  was  an  established  and  well 
known  route,  but  much  longer  than  the  former, 
and  required  a  detour  to  the  northwest.  The 
Hasting's  Cut-Off  passed  through  Webber's 
canyon  to  the  south  end  of  the  great  Salt  Lake, 
near  where  the  city  of  Salt  Lake  has  since  been 
built.  This  route  being  more  direct  and  some 
three  hundred  miles  shorter,  was  an  inducement 
to  emigrants  to  go  that  way.     Unfortunately,  the 


letters  were  not  delivered,  and  the  Donner  party 
concluded  to  take  the  shorter  route. 

Approaching  the  mouth  of  the  Webber  can- 
yon, they  found  a  letter  sticking  in  the  top  of  a 
sage  bush  from  Hastings,  the  discoverer  of  the 
new  route.  He  was  then  piloting  a  company 
through,  and  proposed  to  the  Donner  Company 
that,  if  they  would  send  messengers  for  him,  he 
would  return  and  pilot  them  through  a  better 
way  than  the  one  by  which  they  were  directed. 
In  response  to  the  letter.  Reed,  Stanton  and  Mc- 
Cutchen,  of  the  Donner  party,  hastened  on  to 
accpt  the  offer  of  Mr.  Hastings.  The  latter  then 
came  back  part  of  the  way  and  after  piloting-the 
three  men  a  few  miles,  gave  them  directions, and 
returned  to  the  first  party  he  was  piloting 
through.  Reed,  Stanton  and  McCutchen  then 
returned  to  their  own  party,  and  all  went  to  work, 
and  by  digging  and  cutting  timber,  made  a  road 
passing  to  the  south  end  of  Salt  Lake,  crossing 
the  outlet  of  the  lake,  now  called  the  river  Jor- 
dan. Passing  to  the  northwest  around  the  lake, 
they  were  detained  a  few  days  by  the  death, 
from  consumption,  of  Mr.  Halloran,  one  of  the 
company. 

A  few  more  days'  travel  brought  them  to  the 
springs  where  they  were  to  provide  water  and 
grass  for  crossing  Hasting's  Desert,  an  akaline 
desert,  destitute  of  water  and  vegetation.  They 
were  led  to  believe  it  was  less  than  fifty  miles 
across,  but  it  proved  to  be  nearer  eighty.  It  was 
understood  that  they  must  travel  day  and  night, 
stopping  only  long  enough  to  feed  and  water 
the  cattle.  When  aboiit  two-thirds  of  the  way 
across,  the  stock  manifested  signs  of  being  ex- 
hausted, and  Mr.  Reed  vas  requested  to  go  for- 
ward until  he  found  water  and  then  report. 
After  traveling  about  twenty  miles  he  found 
water,  and  returning,  about  eleven  o'clock  at 
night,  he  met  his  teamsters  driving  the  cattle, 
having  left  their  wagons.  After  directing  them 
how  to  proceed,  he  went  on  to  meet  his  family 
and  the  remainder  of  the  company.  Soon  after 
leaving  his  teamsters  one  of  tiieir  horses  sunk 
down  in  the  road,  and  while  they  were  endeav- 
oring to  raise  it,  the  cattle  scented  the  water, 
scattered,  and  nine  yoke  of  them  were  never 
found.     Oidy  one  ox  and  one  cow  remained. 

About  daylight  tlie  next  morning,  Mr.  Reed 
succeeded  in  reaching  his  family,  and  found 
them  alone,  the  remainder  of  the  party  having 
continued  their  journey,  none  of  them  having 
taken  their  teams  from  the  wagons  except  Mr. 
Reed's  men.  Not  knowing  that  his  cattle  were 
lost,  Mr.  Reed  waited  with  his  family  all  day, 
expecting  some  of   his  men  to  return  and  haul 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


243 


them  to  water.  Not  receiving  any  inforuiatioii, 
and  their  supply  of  water  being  nearly  gone,  he 
started  with  his  family  on  foot,  carrying  his 
youngest  child  in  liis  arms.  In  the  course  of  the 
night  the  children  became  exhausted,  so  they 
spread  a  blanket  on  the  ground  and  all  lay  down 
on  it,  covering  themselves  with  shawls.  A  cold 
wind  commenced  blowing  soon  after  they  lay 
down,  and  the  children  could  only  be  kept  warm 
by  having  their  four  dogs  lie  down  against  them 
outside  the  shawls. 

About  daylight  they  moved  on,  and  soon  came 
to  a  wagon  which  belonged  to  Jacob  Donner 
and  which  contained  his  family,  Mr.  Donner 
having  gone  forward  for  water.  He  soon  after 
returned  and  took  his  own  and  Mr.  Reed's 
family  to  the  source  of  the  supply,  where  they 
remained  in  cami)  for  about  one  week,  spending 
the  time  in  searching  for  the  lost  cattle.  The 
search  was  unavailing,  it  being  believed  the 
Indians  had  secured  all  of  them.  Mr.  Reed,  as 
soon  as  he  became  convinced  his  cattle  could 
not  be  found,  divided  among  others  his  pro- 
visions, except  what  he  could  haulin  one  wagon, 
and  leaving  seven  wagons  on  the  plains,  the 
party  again  resumed  their  journey.  Winter  was 
close  upon  them  and  the  party  was  hundreds  of 
miles  from  any  human  habitation. 

After  proceeding  some  days  on  their  journey 
it  was  found  that  provisions  were  running  short. 
An  estimate  was  made  of  the  quantity  it  would 
take  for  each  family.  It  was  now  proposed  by 
Mr.  Reed,  that  two  of  the  number  should  hur- 
riedly proceed  forward  to  Captain  Sutter's,  in 
California,  and  secure  supplies,  Mr.  Reed  becom- 
ing personally  responsible  for  the  payment. 
William  McCutchen,  of  Missouri,  and  Mr.  Stan- 
ton, of  Chicago,  volunteered  for  this  purpose. 
They  started  upon  their  journey  and  weeks 
passed  without  any  tiding  from  them.  It  was 
now  suggested  that  Mr.  Reed  go  in  advance  to 
see  what  had  become  of  them,  and  hurry  up 
supplies. 

At  this  time  the  two  Donner  families  were  in 
advance  of  the  main  body.  Walter  Herron  was 
with  the  Donner's  and  when  Mr.  Heed  over- 
took them,  Herron  volunteered  to  go  with  him, 
which  offer  was  accepted.  Having  but  one 
horse,  they  rode  by  turns.  Their  provisions  giv- 
ing out,  they  traveled  for  days  without  food, 
except  wild  geese  and  other  game  which  they 
occasionally  killed  on  Truckee  river.  When 
they  reached  the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains,  Her- 
ron wanted  to  kill  the  horse,  and  Mr.  Reed  per- 
suaded him  from  it  by  agreeing  to  kill  him 
rather  than  perish  with  hunger.     That  afternoon 

28— 


Herron  became  delirious  for  want  of  food. 
They  found  five  beans.  Herron  ate  three  of 
them,  and  Reed  the  other  two.  The  next  morn- 
ing they  came  upon  some  abandoned  wagons, 
which  they  ransacked,  but  failed  to  find  any 
food.  Taking  the  tar-bucket  from  one  of  the 
wagons,  and  scraping  the  tar  from  tlie  bottom, 
Mr.  Reed  discovered  a  streak  of  rancid  tallow 
in  the  bottom,  which  lie  made  known  to  Herron, 
who  swallowed  a  piece  about  the  size  of  a  wal- 
nut without  giving  it  a  smell.  He  swallowed  a 
second  piece,  and  wanted  more,  which  Mr.  Reed 
refused  to  give  him,  having  himself  eaten  some 
which  made  him  deathly  sick.  They  soon  after 
descended  into  Bear  river  valley,  where  they 
found  some  emigrants  in  wagons,  who  gave 
them  food  and  relieved  their  sufferings.  They 
there  met  Mr.  Stanton  and  two  Indians  sent  by 
Captain  Sutter  to  aid  in  carrying  provisions. 
Mr.  Reed  was  so  emaciated  that  Mr.  Stanton 
did  not  recognize  him  until  they  had  conversed 
with  each  other  several  minutes.  The  next 
morning,  October  23, 18-46,  each  party  continued 
their  journey.  Mr.  Reed  went  on  to  Captain 
Sutter's,  wliere  he  secured  thirty  horses,  one 
mule  and  two  Indians  to  aid  him  in  bringing  out 
the  sufferers.  He  was  joined  by  Mr.  McCutchen, 
who  had  been  separated  from  Mr.  Stanton  by 
sickness.  With  some  flour  and  meat  they 
started  to  meet  the  suffering  emigrants  in  the 
mountains.  After  weeks  spent  in  unavailing 
efforts,  they  had  to  return,  as  men  and  horses 
sank  out  of  sight  in  the  snow.  It  was  evident 
that  nothing  could  be  done  until  spring,  the 
mountaineers  all  being  absent  fightingMexicans, 
the  war  with  Mexico  having  commenced  the 
year  before,  and  the  natives  of  Spanish  and 
Indian  blood  having  expressed  a  determination 
to  exterminate  the  Americans. 

Snow  commenced  falling  the  latter  part  of 
October,  and  caught  the  whole  party,  not  in  a 
body,  but  scattered  along  some  distance,  the  ex- 
tremes being  probably  a  day's  journey  apart. 
The  following  journal,  kept  by  one  of  the  suf- 
ferers, includes  the  time  from  October  .31,  IS-tO, 
to  March  1,  184*7,  and  is  from  the  Illinois  State 
Journal,  of  September  16,  1847: 

Tkuckee's  Lake,  November  20,  1846. — Came 
to  this  place  on  the  31st  of  last  month;  went 
into  the  Pass,  the  snow  so  deep  we  were  unable 
to  find  the  road,  and  when  within  three  miles 
from  the  summit,  turned  back  to  this  shanty,  on 
Truckee'sLalce.  Stanton  came  up  one  day,  after 
we  arrived  here;  we  again  took  our  teams  and 
wagons,  and  made  another  unsuccessful  attempt 
to  cross  the  mountains,  as  it  continued  to  snow 


244 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


all  the  time.  We  now  have  killed  most  part  of 
our  cattle,  having  to  remain  here  until  ne.xt 
spring,  and  live  on  lean  meat,  without  bread  or 
salt.  It  snowed  during  the  space  of  eight  days, 
with  little  intermission,  after  our  arrival,  though 
now  clear  and  pleasant,  freezing  at  night;  the 
snow  nearly  gone  from  the  valleys. 

JVov.  21 — Fine  morning,  wind  northwest; 
twenty-two  of  our  company  about  starting  to 
cross  the  mountains  this  day,  including  Stanton 
and  his  Indians. 

JVov.  22 — Froze  hard  last  night;  fine  and  clear 
to-day;  no  account  from  those  on  the  mountains. 

JVov.  23 — Same  weather,  wind  west;  the  ex- 
pedition across  the  mountains  returned  after  an 
unsuccessful  attempt. 

JVov.  2.5 — Cloudy;  looks  like  the  eve  of  a 
snow  storm;  our  mountaineers  are  to  make  an- 
other trial  to-morrow,  if  fair;  froze  hai'd  last 
night. 

JVov.  26. — Began  to  snow  last  evening;  now 
rains  or  sleets;  the  party  do  not  start  to-day. 

JVov.  29 — Still  snowing;  now  about  three  feet 
deep;  wind  west;  killed  my  last  oxen  to-day; 
gave  another  yoke  to  Foster;  wood  hard  to  be 
got 

iVb?j.  SO^Snowing  fast;  looks  as  likely  to  con- 
tinue as  when  it  commenced;  no  living  thing, 
without  wings,  can  get  about. 

Dec.  Instill  snowing;  wind  west;  snow  about 
six  or  six  and  one-half  feet  deep;  very  difficult 
to  get  wood,  and  we  are  completely  housed  up; 
our  cattle  all  killed  but  two  or  three,  and  these, 
■with  the  horses  and  Stanton's  mules,  all  sup- 
posed to  be  lost  in  the  snow;  no  hopes  of  find- 
ing them  alive. 

Dec.  3 — Ceased  snowing;  cloudy  all  day;  warm 
enough  to  thaw. 

Dec.  4 — Beautiful  sunshine;  thawing  a  little; 
looks  delightful,  after  the  long  storm;  snow  sev- 
en or  eight  feet  deep. 

Dec.  5 — The  morning  fine  and  clear;  Stanton 
and  Graves  manufacturing  snow-shoes  for  an- 
other mountain  scramble;  no  account  of  mules. 

Dec.  8 — Fine  weather;  froze  hard  last  night; 
wind  southwest;  hard  work  to  find  wood  suf- 
ficient to  keep  us  warm,  or  cook  our  beef. 

Dec.  9 — Commenced  snowing  about  eleven 
o'clock;  wind  northwest;  took  in  Spitzer  yester- 
day, so  weak  that  he  cannot  rise  without  help, 
caused  by  starvation.  Some  have  a  scant  supply 
of  beef;  Stanton  trying  to  get  some  for  himself 
and  Indians;  not  likely  to  get  much. 

Dec.  10 — Snowed  fast  all  night,  with  heavy 
squalls  of  wind;  continues  to  snow;  now  about 
seven  feet  in  depth. 


Dec.  14 — Snows  faster  than  any  previous  day; 
Stanton  and  Graves,  with  several  others,  making 
preparations  to  cross  the  mountains  on  snow 
shoes;  snow  eight  feet  on  a  level. 

Dec.  16 — Fair  and  pleasant;  froze  hard  last 
night;  the  company  started  on  snow  shoes  to 
cross  the  mountains;  wind  southeast. 

Dec.  11- — Pleasant;  William  Murphy  returned 
from  the  mountain  party  last  evening;  ]>avles8 
Williams  died  night  before  last;  Milton  and 
Noah  started  for  Donner's  eight  days  ago;  not 
returned  yet;  think  they  are  lost  in  the  snow. 

Dec.  19 — Snowed  last  night;  thawing  to  day; 
wind  northwest,  a  little  singular  for  a  thaw. 

Dec.  20 — Clear  and  pleasant;  Mrs.  Reed  here; 
no  account  from  Milton  yet;  Charles  Berger  set 
out  for  Donner's;  turned  back,  unable  to  pro- 
ceed; tough  times,  but  not  discouraged;  our 
hopes  are  in  God.     Amen! 

Dec.  21 — Milton  got  back  last  night  from 
Donner's  camp;  sad  news;  Jacob  Donner,  Sam- 
uel Shoemaker,  Rhinehart  and  Smith  are  dead; 
the  rest  of  tliem  in  a  low  situation;  snowed  all 
night,  with  a  strong  southwest  wind. 

Dec.  23 — Clear  to-day;  Milton  took  some  of 
his  meat  away;  all  well  at  their  camp.  Began 
this  day  to  read  the  "thirty  day's  Prayers;"  Al- 
mighty God  grant  the  requests  of  unworthy 
sinners! 

Dec.  24 — Rained  all  night  and  still  continues; 
poor  prospect  for  any  kind  of  comfort,  spiritual 
or  temporal. 

Dec.  25 — Began  to  snow  yesterday;  snowed 
all  niglit  and  snows  yet,  rapidly;  extremely  dif- 
ficult to  find  wood;  offered  our  prayers  to  God 
this  (Christmas)  morning;  the  prospect  is  ap- 
palling, but  we  trust  in  Him. 

Dec.  27 — Cleared  off  yesterday;  continues 
clear;  snow  nine  feet  deep;  wood  growing 
scarcer;  a  tree,  when  felled,  sinks  into  the  snow, 
and  is  hard  to  be  got  at. 

Dec.  30 — Fine  clear  morning;  froze  hard  last 
night;  Charles  Berger  died  last  evening  about 
ten  o'clock. 

Dec.  31 — Last  of  the  year;  may  we,  with  the 
help  of  God,  spend  the  coming  year  better  than 
we  have  the  past,  which  we  propose  to  do  if  it 
be  the  will  of  the  Almighty  to  deliver  us  from 
our  present  dreadful  situation;  Amen.  Morn- 
ing fair,  but  cloudy;  wind  east-by-south;  looks 
like  another  snow^  storm;  snow  storms  are  dread- 
ful to  us;  the  snow  at  present  is  very  deep. 

i/rtM.  1,  1847 — We  pray  the  God  of  mercy  to 
deliver  us  from  our  present  calamity,  if  it  be 
His  holy  w'ill.  Commenced  snowing  last  night, 
and  snows  a  little  yet;  provisions  getting  scant; 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


245 


dug  up  a  hide  from  under  the  snow  yesterday; 
have  not  commenced  on  it  yet. 

Jan.  •'! — Fair  during  the  day;  freezing  at 
niglit;  Mrs.  Reed  talks  of  crossing  the  moun- 
tains with  her  children. 

Jan.  4 — Fine  morning,  looks  like  spring;  Mrs. 
Reed  and  Virginia,  Milton  Elliott  and  Eliza 
Williams  started  a  short  time  ago,  with  the  liope 
of  crossing  the  mountain;  left  the  children 
here;  it  was  difficult  for  Mrs.  Reed  to  part  with 
them. 

Jan.  6 — Eliza  came  back  from  the  mountains 
yesterday  evening,  not  able  to  proceed;  the 
others  kept  ahead. 

Jan.  8 — Very  cold  this  morning;  Mrs.  Reed 
and  others  came  back,  could  not  find  their  way, 
ou  the  other  side  of  the  mountains;  they  have 
nothing  but  hides  to  live  on. 

Jan.  10 — Began  to  snow  last  night;  still  con- 
tinues; wind  west-north-west. 

Jan.  13 — Snowing  fast;  snow  higher  than  the 
shanty;  it  must  be  thirteen  feet  deep;  cannot 
get  wood  this  morning;  it  is  a  dreadful  sight 
for  us  to  look  upon. 

Jan.  14 — Cleared  off  yesterday;  the  sun  shin- 
ing brilliantly  renovates  our  spirits;  praise  be 
to  the  God  of  Heaven. 

Jan.  15 — Clear  day  again;  wind  northwest; 
Mrs.  Murphy  blind;  Lanthron  not  able  to  get 
wood;  has  but  one  axe  between  him  and  Kies- 
burg;  it  looks  like  another  storm;  expecting 
some  account  from  Sutter's  soon. 

Jan.  17 — Lanthron  became  crazy  last  night; 
provisions  scarce;  hides  our  main  subsistence; 
may  the  Almighty  send  us  help. 

Jan.  21 — Fine  morning;  John  IJattise  and 
Mr.  Denton  came  this  morning  with  Eliza.    She 

will  not  eat  hides;  Mrs. sent  her  back  to 

live  or  die  on  them. 

Jan.  22 — Began  to  snow  after  sunrise;  likely 
to  continue;  wind  north. 

Jan.  23 — Blew  hard  and  snowed  all  night;  the 
most  severe  storm  we  have  experienced  this 
winter;  wind  west. 

Jan.  20 — Cleared  up  yesterday;  to-day  tine 
and  pleasant,  wind  south;  in  hopes  we  are  done 
with  snow  storms;  those  who  went  to  Sutter's 
not  yet  returned;  provisions  getting  scant;  peo- 
ple growing  weak;  living  on  small  allowance  of 
hides. 

Jan.  28 — Commenced  snowing  yesterday  — 
still  continues  to-day.  Lewis  (Sutter's  Indian,) 
died  three  day's  ago;  food  growing  scarcer; 
don't  have  tire  enough  to  cook  our  hides. 

Jan.  30 — F'air  and  pleasant;  wind  west;  thaw- 
ing in  the  sun;  John  and  Edward  Breen  went  to 


Graves'  this  morning;  the seized  on  Mrs. 

goods  until   Ihej'   would   be    paid;   they 

also  took  the  hides  which  herself  and  family 
subsisted  upon;  they  retained  two  pieces  only, 
the  balance  they  have  taken.  You  may  judge 
from  this  what  our  fare  is  in  camp;  there  is 
nothing  to  be  had  by  hunting  yet,  perhaps  there 
soon  will  be. 

Jan.  31 — The  sun  does  not  shine  out  brilliant, 
this  morning;  froze  hard  last  night;  wind  north- 
west. Lanthron  Murphy  died  last  night  about 
one  o'clock;  Mrs.  Reed  went  to  Graves'  this 
morning,  to  look  after  goods. 

Feb.  5 — Snowed  hard  until  twelve  o'clock  last 
night;  many  uneasy  for  fear  we  shall  all  perish 
with  hunger;  we  have  but  little  meat  left,  and 
only  three  hides;  Mrs.  Reed  has  nothing  but 
one  hide,  and  that  is  on  Graves'  house;  Milton 
lives  there,  and  will  likely  keep  that;  Eddy's 
child  died  last  night. 

Feb.  6 — It  snowed  faster  last  night  and  today 
than  it  has  done  this  winter  before;  still  con- 
tinues, without  intermission;  wind  southwest; 
Murphy's  folks  and  Kiesburg  say  they  cannot 
eat  hides;  I  wish  we  had  enough  of  them;  Mrs. 
Eddy  is  very  weak. 

Feb.  7 — Ceased  to  snow  at  last;  today  it  is 
quite  pleasant;  McCutchen's  child  died  on  the 
second  of  this  month. 

Feb.  8 — Fine,  clear  morning;  Spitzer  died  last 
night;  we  will  bury  him  in  the  snow;  Mrs.  Eddy 
died  on  the  night  of  the  seventh. 

Feb.  9— Mr.  Pike's  child  all  but  dead;  Milton 
is  at  Murphy's,  not  able  to  get  out  of  bed;  Kies- 
burg   gets  up;  he  says  he  is  not  able;  Mrs. 

Eddy  and  child  were  buried  to-day;  wind  south- 
east. 

Feb.  10 — Beautiful  morning;  thawing,  in  the 
sun;  Milton  Elliott  died  last  night,  at  Murphy's 
shanty;  Mrs.  Reed  went  there  this  morning,  to 
see  after  his  effects;  J.  Denton  trying  to  borrow 
meat  for  Graves;  had  none  to  give;  they  had 
nothing  but  hides;  all  are  entirely  out  of  meat; 
but  a  little  we  have;  our  hides  are  nearly  all  eat 
up.  With  God's  help,  spring  will  soon  smile 
upon  us. 

Feb.  12 — Warm,  thawy  morning. 

Feb.  14 — Fine  morning,  but  cold;  buried  Mil- 
ton in  the  snow.     John  Denton  not  well. 

Feb.  15 — Morning  cloudy  until  nine   o'clock, 

then  cleared  off  warm.     Mrs. refused  to 

give  Mrs. any  hides.     Put  Sutter's  pack 

hides  on  her  shanty,  and  would  not  let  her  have 
them. 

Feb.  16 — Commenced  to  rain  last  evening,  and 
turned  to  Snow  during  the  night,  and  continued 


246 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


until  morning;  weather  changeable — sunshine, 
then  light  showers  of  hail,  and  wind  at  times. 
We  all  feel  very  unwell;  the  snow  is  not  getting 
much  less  at  present. 

Feb.  19 — Froze  hard  last  night.  Seven  men 
arrived  from  California  yesterday  evening  with 
provisions,  but  left  the  greater  part  on  the  way. 
To-day  it  is  clear  and  warm  for  this  region ;  some 
of  the  men  have  gone  to  Donner's  camp;  they 
will  start  back  on  Monday. 

Feb.  22 — The  Californians  started  this  morn- 
ing, twenty-four  in  number,  some  in  a  very  weak 
state;  Mrs.  Kiesburg  started  with  them,  and  left 
Kiesburg  here,  unable  to  go;  buried  Pike's  child 
this  morning  in  the  snow;  it  died  two  days 
ago. 

Feb.  2.3 — Froze  hard  last  night;  to-d.ay  pleas- 
ant and  thawy — has  the  appearance  of  spring, 
all  but  the  deep  snow;  wind  south-southeast; 
shot  a  dog  to-day  and  dressed  his  flesh. 

Feb.  2.5 — To-day  Mrs.  Murphy  says  the  wolves 
are  about  to  dig  up  the  dead  bodies  around  her 
shanty,  and  the  nights  are  too  cold  to  watch 
them,  but  we  hear  them  howl. 

Feb.  26 — Hungry  times  in  camp;  plenty  of 
hides,  but  the  folks  won't  eat  them;  we  eat  them 
with  tolerable  good  appetite,  thanks  be  to  the 
Almighty  God.  Mrs.  Murphy  said  here  yester- 
day that  she  thought  she  would  commence  on 
Milton  and  eat  him;  I  do  not  think  she  has  done 
so  yet;  it  is  distressing.  The  Donners  told  the 
California  folks,  four  days  ago,  that  they  would 
commence  on  the  dead  people,  if  they  did  not 
succeed  that  day  or  the  next  in  finding  their  cat- 
tle, then  ten  or  twelve  feet  under  the  snow,  and 
did  not  know  the  spot  or  anywhere  near  it;  they 
have  done  it  ere  this. 

Feb.  28 — One  solitary  Indian  passed  by  yes- 
terday; came  from  the  lake;  had  a  heavy  pack 
on  his  back;  gave  me  five  or  six  roots,  resemb- 
ling onions  in  shape;  tasted  some  like  a  sweet 
potato,  full  of  tough  little  fibres. 

Feb.  29 — Ten  men  arrived  this  morning  from 
Bear  Valley,  with  provisions.  We  all  leave  in 
two  or  three  days,  and  cache  our  goods  here. 
They  say  the  snow  will  remain  until  June. 

The  above  mentioned  ten  men  started  for  the 
valley  with  seventeen  of  the  sufferens;  they  trav- 
eled fifteen  miles  and  a  severe  snow  storm  came 
on ;  they  left  fourteen  of  the  emigrants,  the 
writer  of  the  above  journal  and  his  family,  and 
secceeded  in  getting  in  but  three  children.  Lieu- 
tenant Woodworth  immediately  went  to  their 
assistance,  but  before  he  reached  them  they  had 
eaten  three  of  their  number,  who  had  died  fi-om 
hunger  and  fatiarue;   the  remainder  Lieutenant 


Woodworth's  party  brought  in.  April,  1847,  the 
last  member  of  the  party  was  brought  to  Captain 
Sutter's  Fort.  It  is  utterly  Impossible  to  give 
any  description  of  the  sufferings  of  the  company. 
Your  readers  can  form  some  idea  of  them  by 
perusing  the  above  diary.     Yours,  etc., 

George  McKinstry,  Jr. 

Fort  Sacramento,  April  2*7,  1847. 

The  emigrants  thus  caught  in  the  mountains 
died,  one  by  one,  until  thirty-six  of  the  eighty- 
one  who  left  Independence  in  the  spring  with 
such  high  hopes,  literally  starved  to  death.  The 
following  are  the  names  of  those  from  Sangamon 
county: 

George  Donner  and  his  wife,  IMrs.  Tamsen 
Donner;  Jacob  Donner  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Donner;  her  son,  William  Hook,  sometimes 
called  William  Donner;  the  three  sons  of  Jacob 
Donner  and  wife,  Isaac,  Lewis  and  Samuel; 
four  unmarried  men,  Bayless  Williams,  Mi) ford 
Elliott,  James  Smith  and  John  Denton,  miihiny 
a  total  of  tinelve  from  Sangamon  county  who  per- 
ished  from  e.i'posiire  and  wmit  of  food. 

J.acob  Donner  died  among  the  first.  He  was 
a  tender-liearted,  conscientious  man,  and  it  is  at- 
tested that  his  death  was  caused  more  by  grief 
at  the  present  and  prospective  sufferings  of  his 
family,  than  from  disease  or  want  of  food. 
George  and  Jacob  Donner  were  members  of  the 
Gern»an  Prairie  Christian  Church.  The  five 
surviving  children  of  George  Donner,  and  the 
three  surviving  children  of  Jacob  Donner  and 
wife,  with  their  descendeuts.  are  among  the 
most  respected  citizens  of  California.  It  is 
thought  Mrs.  George  Donner  was  a  native  of 
New  England — Maine — and  was  a  lady  in  the 
highest  sense  of  the  word.  Some  of  the  citizens 
of  Sangamon  county  remember  her  especially  on 
account  of  her  perfect  self-control  and  power  to 
govern.  She  taught  school  in  the  vicinity  of 
Auburn  when  it  was  more  unusual  for  a  lady  to 
teach  than  it  is  now.  Some  almost  full  grown, 
rough,  uncouth  young  men  were  in  her  school, 
and  yet  she  would  govern  them  as  thoroughly  as 
if  they  were  children.  This  self-control  seems 
never  to  have  left  her.  According  to  the  testi- 
mony of  Mr.  Reed,  who,  after  his  own  family 
had  been  rescued,  visited  the  two  camps  of  the 
Donners,  to  find  Mrs.  Jacob  Donner  and  George 
Donner  helpless,  and  no  means  of  removing 
them.  They  were  prepared  to  leave  provisions, 
and  a  man  at  each  camp  to  care  for  the  sick,  and 
used  every  argument  to  induce  Mrs.  George 
Donner  to  go  with  them,  but  with  the  full 
knowledge  of  the  probabilities  that  she  would 
lose  her  own  life,  she  utterly  refused,  prefering 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


247 


to  meet  death  in  the  discharge  of  her  duty  to  her 
husband  ratlier  than  save  her  own  life  by  seem- 
ing to  abandon  him  in  his  hour  of  peril;  and  so 
she  died,  as  truly  a  martyr  as  though  she  had 
been  burned  at  the  stake. 

Other  acts  of  heroisms  are  too  numerous  to 
mention,  but  the  following  will  suffice: 

Hiram  O.  Miller  proved  to  be  courageous  and 
efficient  through  all.  Milford  Elliott  could  have 
saved  his  own  life,  and  having  neither  wife, 
children  or  any  other  blood  relative  among  the 
sufferers,  no  blame  could  have  been  laid  to  his 
charge  if  he  had  saved  himself  by  pushing 
through,  but  he  would  not  abandon  helpless 
women  and  children,  and  his  life  paid  the  for- 
feit. The  Eddy  family,  of  Belleville,  Illinois, 
was  totally  obliterated. 

All  that  is  known  of  C  T.  Stanton  is  that  he 
was  from   Chicago,  Illinois.     History  does  not, 
very  probably,  record    the    name    of  a   greater 
hero.     It  does  not  appear  that  he  was  in  any 
way  related,  or  even  acquainted,  with  one  of  the 
sufferers  previous  to  their  departure  from   the 
States.     He  aided  many  of  them  on  their  way, 
and   after    their   calamities    came    upon    them 
pushed    his    way   through    the    mountains   and 
reached  Sutter's  fort,  where  he  was  absolutely 
safe;  but  he  knew  there  were  men,  women  and 
children  perishing  with  cold  and   hunger,  and 
knowing  this,  there  was  no  rest  for  him.     He 
secured  supplies  of  food  and  mules,  enlisted  the 
sympathies  of  two  of    the  unlettered    children 
of  the  forest,  and  all  pushed  on,  days  and  weeks, 
through  storms  and  snow-drifts,  until  even  the 
two  savages,  prompted  by  Mm,  fell  a  fiacritice  in 
the  cause  of    humanity.     Savages,   did   I   say? 
I  reverently  withdraw  the  word.     Their  conduct 
would  put  to  shame  thousands  who  have  been 
reared  under  the  best  of    Christian  influences. 
There   can    be   no   more   exalted    evidence    of 
humanity  than  to  give  one  life  with  the  hope  of 
rescuing   others   from    impending   death.      Mr. 
Stanton   was  one  of   the  party  of  fifteen  who 
attempted  to  pass  out  of  the  mountains,  starting 
December   16,   1846.     He  was   weak   and  ema- 
ciated, as  all  were,  and  on  the  twenty-first  of 
December  became  snow-blind,  and   that  night 
failed  to  reach  the  camp.     The  whole  party  lay 
in  camp  the  next  day  waiting  for  him,  but  he 
never  came.     A  party  of  men  who  went  in  the 
mountains  the  next  summer  to  bring  out  the 
goods  belonging  to  the  Douner  and  Graves  chil- 
dren, found  his  bones  at  the  very  tree  where 
they  left  him  on  the  twenty-first  of  December. 
They  were  chewed  and  broken  in  small  pieces. 
The  only  way  they  could  recognize  them  to  be 


Stanton's  was  by  a  letter  from  his  sister  in  one 
of  his  pockets,  with  some  tobacco,  the  latter 
having  prevented  the  wild  beast  from  destroy- 
ing every  evidence  of  identity.  There  was  also 
a  instol  that  had  been  loaned  to  Stanton  by  Mr. 
Fallen,  the  man  who  found  his  remains.  No 
one  of  those  who  perished  was  more  sincerely 
mourned  by  the  survivors  than  Mr.  Stanton. 
Mr.  Reed  left  this  testimony  to  his  worth: 
"Poor  Stanton,  who  had  no  relative  in  the  cara- 
van to  draw  him  back,  but  from  the  noble  dis- 
position he  had,  and  the  kind  feelings  he 
entertained  for  myself  and  family,  and  another 
person  who  had  befriended  him,  induced  him  to 
return  with  provisions,  and  he  lost  his  life  as  a 
noble  PHILANTHROPIST.  *  *  *  His  kindness 
saved  my  little  ones  from  starvation." 

As  already  stated,  James  F.  Reed,  after  he  had 
been  baffled  in  his  attempt  to  reach  the  camp  of 
the  suft'eririg  emigrants,  had  returned  to  Captain 
Sutter's,  where  he  became  satisfied  that  it  would 
be  utterly  impossible  to  do  anything  more  for 
them  until  spring.     He  was  advised  by  Captain 
Sutter  to  proceed  to   Yerba  Bueno — now  San 
Francisco  —  and  make  his  case  known  to  the 
naval    officer   in    command.      Arriving   at   San 
Jose,  he  found  the  San  Francisco  side  of  the  bay 
occupied  by  Mexicans.     Here  he  joined  a  com- 
pany of  volunteers,  and  took  part  in  the  battle 
of    Santa    Clara;    that  opened  the  way  to  San 
Francisco.     There  he  was  enabled  to  raise  by 
voluntary  contributions,  |1,000  in  the  town  and 
$:300  from  the  sailors  in  port,   with    which   he 
purchased  supplies,  which  were  placed  on  board 
a  schooner,  in  command  of  Midshipman  Wood- 
worth,  who  took  all  to  the  mouth    of  Feather 
river,  where  men  and  horses  were  procured  for 
carrying  relief  to  the  emigrants.     On  their  way 
to  the  camp  they  met  a  party  coming  out  with 
women  and  children,  among  them  Mr.  Reed's 
wife  and  two  children,  his  other  two  children, 
Martha   and   Thomas   K.,   having   been  left  in 
camp  in  charge  of  a  Mr.  Glover  of  the  rescuing 
party,  who  volunteered  to  stay  with  and  care  for 
them,  assuring  Mrs.  Reed   that  he  was  a  Free 
Mason  and  knew  her  husband  to  be  such,  and 
th.at  he  would  rescue  her  children  or  die  in  the 
attempt.    He  was  as  good  as  his  word,  protected 
and    cared    for   the    children    until    they   were 
rescued  by  their  father,  and  soon  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  family  were  re-united  and  rejoicing 
over  their  great  deliverance.     Mr.   Reed's  was 
the   only    entire    family   who    left    Sangamon 
county,  all  the  members  of  which  lived  to  reach 
their  destination,  and  they  did  it  without  any 
one   of  them  being   driven  to  the  necessity  of 


248 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


eating  bnman  flesh.     It  seems  the  more  wonder-  ' 
fill   that   they    should    all    have  lived   through, 
when  their  natural  protector  was  separated  from 
them  so  much  of  the  time. 

The  scene  of  the  great  suffering  just  described 
began  west  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  in  a  salt 
desert,  and  extended  hundreds  of  miles  west- 
ward, over  a  succession  of  mountain  ranges, 
running  princiiJally  north  and  south,  known  as 
the  Sierra  Nevada  mountains.  Localities  could 
not  then  be  descril>ed,  except  by  natural  boun- 
daries, such  as  mountains  and  valleys.  The 
territory  then  belonged  to  Mexico,  and  the  suf- 
fering and  destitution  that  met  the  emigrants 
seemed  only  a  realization  of  what  might  reason- 
ably be  expected  in  leaving  the  land  of  the 
Stars  and  Stripes  to  come  under  the  sway  of  the 


benighted  Mexican  Hag.  But  the  old  adage 
that  "  the  darkest  hour  is  just  before  the  break 
of  day,"  has  been  fully  realized  in  this  case  to 
those  who  survived.  The  war  they  found  in 
the  Sacramento  valley,  waged  by  Mexico  for  the 
avowed  purpose  of  exterminating  the  few  scat- 
tered Americans  on  the  Pacific  coast,  termin- 
ated in  that  whole  region  of  country  being  ceded 
to  our  government.  Then  followed  the  dis- 
covery of  gold,  the  influx  of  Americans,  and  the 
organization  of  the  States  of  California  and 
Oregon,  and,  a  few  years  later,  Nevada.  The 
locality  of  the  closing  scene,  the  camp  where 
the  Donners  died,  is  marked  by  a  small  body  of 
water  among  the  mountains,  now  known  as 
Lake  Donner,  in  the  western  part  of  the  State 
of  Nevada. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


249 


Chapter  XLIL 


POLITICAL. 


Like  all  other  intelligent  communities  in  the 
United  States,  the  people  of  Sangamon  county 
Lave  participated  with  earnestness  in  the  various 
political  contests  that  have  agitated  the  country 
at  large,  and  have  had  also  their  own  local  polit- 
ical agitations.  In  the  following  pages  the 
attempt  is  made  to  briefly  shovv  the  various 
issues  that  have  entered  into  the  campaigns,  fol- 
lowing the  whole  with  the  official  vote  of  every 
general  election,  giving  only  the  principal  offi- 
cers voted  for,  as  showing  the  condition  of  the 
various  parties  the  time  mentioned.  A  volume 
could  easily  be  written  the  size  of  this  work, 
upon  the  political  history  alone  of  Sangamon 
county.  Centrally  situated,  and  for  almost  half 
a  century  its  chief  city  being  the  capital  of  the 
State,  the  greater  number  of  the  political  con- 
ventions have  been  held  here.  From  this  point, 
therefore  radiate  the  great  political  measures 
that  agitate  the  people  of  the  State,  and  their 
influences  are  first  felt  in  this  county. 

1824. — The  first  political  question  at  issue  this 
year,  was  that  of  a  Constitutional  Convention. 
This  Convention  was  called  for  the  purpose  of 
amending  the  Constitution,  permitting  slavery 
in  the  State.  In  this  county  the  friends  ot  a 
free  State  were  successful.  The  following  is 
the  vote: 

For  Convention 15.3 

Against  Convention "722 

569 
There  were  four  Presidential  candidates  this 
year:  Andrew  Jackson,  John  Q.  Adams,  Wil- 
liam H.  Crawford,  and  Henry  Clay.  The  can- 
didates for  county  officers  were  numerous,  there 
being  five  for  Sheriff,  and  four  for  Coroner. 
John  Taylor  was  the  successful  candidate  for 
the  former  office,  and  James  McNabb  for  the 
latter. 

1826. — Local  officers  were  elected  this  year. 
Elijah  lies  was  elected  State  Senator  over  Ed- 
ward Robinson  by  a  majority  of  213. 


1828. — Another  presidential  year,  the  candi- 
dates being  Andrew  Jackson  and  John  Quincy 
Adams,  the  latter  being  a  candidate  for  re-elec- 
tion. The  usual  number  of  candidates  for  local 
offices  were  before  the  people,  and  the  canvass 
was  quite  spirited.  The  total  vote  polled  in 
Sangamon  county  was  1,219,  against  875  in 
1824.  James  D.  Henry  was  the  successful  can- 
didate for  Sheriff  and  Philip  Fowler  for  Cor- 
oner. 

18:30. — Local  officers  alone  were  to  be  elected. 
.James  D.  Henry  was  the  successful  candidate 
for  Sheriff',  receiving  a  majority  of  1,50:3  over 
George  Power. 

18:32. — The  parties  this  year  were  known  as 
the  Jackson  Republicans  and  the  National  Re- 
j)ublicans.  Andrew  Jackson  was  the  candidate 
of  the  former  for  re-election  to  the  Presidency, 
and  Henry  Clay  the  latter.  The  issues  were 
those  of  national  internal  improvements,  pro- 
tection to  domestic  manufactures,  the  United 
States  bank  and  reform.  The  party  supporting 
Henry  Clay  favored  a  United  States  bank,  a 
protective  tariff  and  a  system  of  internal  im- 
provements by  the  general  government.  .Joseph 
Duncan  was  the  candidate  of  the  Jackson  party 
for  Congress,  and  Jonathan  H.  Pugh  of  the 
Clay  party.  No  county  conventions  were  held, 
but  a  large  number  of  candidates  were  in  the 
field  for  the  various  offices  to  be  filled.  Hand- 
bills were  freely  circulated  setting  forth  the 
claims  of  each  to  office,  or  showing  the  unfitness 
of  opposing  candidates.  The  .Jackson  party 
was  successful  both  in  August  and  November. 
During  this  year  that  portion  of  Sangamon, 
afterwards  stricken  off  as  the  county  of  Menard, 
began  to  agitate  the  question  of  a  separation, 
ami  presented  Abraham  Lincoln  as  their  candi- 
date for  the  Legislature.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  very 
])i)palar,  and  obtained  nearly  the  entire  vote  of 
that  section,  but  was  defeated  by  the  Jackson 
men,  who  had  a  large  m.ajority  in  the  county, 
and  Mr.  Lincoln  being  an  ardent  Clay  man. 


250 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1834:. — State  and  county  officers  were  to  be 
elected.  For  Governor  there  were  four  candi- 
dates— Joseph  Duncan,  William  Kinney,  James 
Adams  and  R.  K.  McLaughlin.  For  county 
officers  their  name  is  legion.  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  a  candidate  for  Representative  in  the  legis- 
lature, and  was  elected  by  a  handsome  majority, 
receiving  a  larger  vote  than  any  of  his  colleagues 
on  the  ticket.  At  his  old  home  in  Salem  he 
was  called  upon  for  a  speech,  and  replied  in  the 
following  characteristic  manner : 

"  Gentlemen,  Fellow  Citizens: — I  presume  you 
all  know  who  I  am.  I  am  humble  Abraham 
Lincoln.  I  have  been  solicited  by  many  friends 
to  become  a  candidate  for  the  legislature.  My 
jjolilics  are  short  and  sweet,  like  an  old  woman's 
dance.  I  am  in  favor  of  a  national  bank.  I  am 
in  favor  of  the  internal  improvement  system 
and  a  high  protective  tariff.  These  are  my 
sentiments  and  political  principles.  If  elected, 
I  will  be  thankful.  If  not,  it  will  be  all  the 
same." 

The  political  issues  were  the  same  as  in  1832. 
The  opposition  to  the  Jackson  men  were  called 
Whigs  in  this  campaign.  State  issues  of  im- 
portance, were  the  construction  of  the  Illinois 
and  Michigan  canal  and  other  internal  improve- 
ments. The  canvass  was  quite  spirited  all  over 
the  State,  resulting  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Dun- 
can as  Governor.  The  question  of  the  removal 
of  the  State  Capital  from  Vandalia  was  sub- 
mitted to  the  people.  In  this  county  the  vote 
stood  as  follows: 

For  Springfield 2,261 

For  Alton 10 

For  Centre 21 

For  Vandalia 1 

For  Peoria 3 

For  Jacksonville 1 

1835. — The  year  was  remarkable  for  the  ex- 
citement which  existed  in  relation  to  the  local 
election.  At  this  time  a  re-organization  of 
parties  was  begun,  looking  to  the  Presidential 
election  the  following  year.  A  considerable 
portion  of  the  Clay  or  Whig  party,  represented 
by  George  Forquer  and  Peter  Cartwright,  went 
over  to  the  opposition,  while  a  portion  of  the 
Jackson  men,  or  Democrats,  rejiresented  by  John 
Dawson  and  others,  coalesced  with  the  Clay  men, 
which  led  to  a  very  animated  contest.  E.  D. 
Taylor  and  George  Forquer  each  resigned  their 
seats  in  the  State  Senate.  Archer  G.  Herndon, 
(anti-Van  Buren),  and  John  Calhoun,  Democrat, 
were  nominated  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  the  former,  and  Job  Fletcher 


and  Peter  Cartwright  the  latter.  Regular 
county  officers  were  to  be  elected,  and  the  usual 
number  of  self-sacriticing  individuals  presented 
their  names  for  the  suffrage  of  the  people.  The 
political  issues  were  unchanged,  but  Jackson 
men  were  now  known  as  Democrats  and  the  ojj- 
position  as  Whigs;  though  as  the  latter  names 
were  not  familiar  to  the  people,  the  two  parties 
were  frequently  spoken  of  as  Jackson  or  Van 
Buren  men,  and  White  men.  The  names  of 
Martin  Van  Buren  and  Hugh  L.  W^hite  being 
presented  by  their  respective  parties  for  the 
Presidency  in  1836.  The  canvass  in  iSangamon 
county  was  an  exciting  one,  each  party  using  its 
utmost  endeavor  to  be  successful  before  the  peo- 
ple. John  Calhoun  and  Peter  Cartwright  had 
been  sent  as  delegates  to  a  State  Convention  at 
Vandalia,  which  endorsed  the  candidacy  of  Van 
Buren,  and  had  there  pledged,  so  far  as  they 
were  able,  the  vote  of  this  county  for  that  gen- 
tleman. The  opposition  took  up  the  challenge 
thus  offered,  and  therefore  the  intense  excite- 
ment.    The  Whigs  were  triumphant. 

1836. — Party  lines  were  now  pretty  strongly 
drawn,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
country.  Martin  Van  Buren  was  the  nominee 
of  the  Democracy  for  the  Presidency,  and  Wil- 
liam H.  Harrison  was  the  candidate  of  the 
Whigs  for  the  same  office.  John  T.  Stuart  had 
been  nominated  by  the  Whigs  and  William  L. 
May  by  the  Democrats  for  Representative  in 
Congress,  from  the  Third  Congressional  Dis- 
trict, of  which  Sangamon  county  formed  a  part. 
These  gentlemen  both  resided  in  Springfield 
and  were  representative  men  of  their  respective 
parties.  Mr.  May  was  elected.  The  Whig  can- 
didates for  State  Senators  and  Representatives 
were  each  elected.  In  the  legislature  they  were 
know  as  the  "Long  Nine,"  being  nine  in  num- 
ber, the  aggregate  height  of  all  being  fifty-four 
feet.  It  is  but  just  to  say  of  these  men  that 
they  were  giants  in  intellect  as  well  as  in  stat- 
ure. Several  <>f  the  number  made  national 
reputations.  Every  candidate  on  the  Whig 
ticket  received  a  majority  in  this  county. 

1837. — The  State  bank  question  was  the  prin- 
cipal political  issue  in  1837.  The  hard  times  so 
severely  felt  by  the  peojale  caused  a  great  de- 
sire for  more  currency  as  the  remedy  for  all 
financial  ills.  There  being  no  National  or  State 
ticket  to  be  elected,  there  was  but  little  political 
excitement.  Both  parties  had  put  forward  rea- 
sonably good  men  for  the  local  offices  to  be 
filled,  it  was  not  a  canvass  on  which  political 
calculations  could  be  based;  therefore  represen- 
tatives of  both  parties  were  elected.     The  ques- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


251 


tion  of  slavery  now  began  to  be  agitated,  ami 
judging  from  the  following  record  of  a  public 
meeting  held  at  Springfield,  it  would  appear  the 
Abolition  leaven  was  working  in  old  Sangamon: 

"At  a  meeting  of  citizens  of  Springfield,  con- 
A'ened  at  the  court  room,  on  Monday,  October 
23,  1837,  Judge  Thomas  C.  Brown  was  called  to 
the  chair  and  I.  S.  Britton  appointed  Secretary. 
The  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

'■^ Hesoloed,  That  the  efforts  of  the  Abolition- 
ists in  this  community  are  neither  necessary  nor 
useful. 

"Resolved,  That  as  citizens  of  a  free  State 
and  a  peaceful  community,  we  deprecate  any  at- 
tempt to  sow  discord  among  us,  or  to  create  an 
excitement  as  to  Abolition  which  can  be  pro- 
ductive of  no  good  result. 

"Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meet- 
ing the  doctrine  of  the  immediate  emancipation 
of  the  slaves  in  this  country  (although  promul- 
gated by  those  who  profess  to  be  Christians)  is 
at  variance  with  Christianity,  and  its  tendency 
is  to  breed  contention,  broils,  and  mobs;  and  the 
leaders  of  those  calling  themselves  Abolitionists 
are  designing,  ambitious  men,  and  dangerous 
members  of  society,  and  should  be  shunned  by 
all  good  citizens." 

In  honor  of  the  Whig  victory  in  New  York 
this  year,  the  Sangamo  .Journal  proposed  a  grand 
illumination,  by  setting  on  fire  the  prairies  of 
the  entire  north  part  of  the  State.  It  had  an 
illustration  of  a  vessel  "bound  for  the  deserts  of 
Arabia." 

1838. — Cyrus  Edwards  was  the  Whig  candi- 
date, and  Thomas  Carlin  the  Democratic  candi- 
date, for  Governor  of  the  State.  John  T.  Stuart 
and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  were  opposing  candi- 
dates for  Congress  from  the  Third  District. 
The  local  tickets  were  composed  of  good  men, 
and  a  strong  effort  was  put  forth  by  both  parties 
for  victory.  Mr.  Stuart  was  elected.  In  this 
county  the  Whigs  were  successful  by  handsome 
majorities.  The  vote  of  the  county  was  the 
largest  in  its  history,  being  3,271. 

1839. — This  year  only  local  officers  were  to  be 
elected,  and  the  political  views  of  the  candidates 
were  hardly  considered, — though  each  party  had 
a  full  set  of  officers  in  nomination.  Charles  R. 
Matheny,  Whig  candidate  for  County  Clerk,  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  702,  while  James  Ad- 
ams, Democrat,  for  Probate  Judge,  liad  a  ma- 
jority of  38. 

1840. — No  previous  political  campaign  in  the 
history  of  this  country  can  be  compared  with  the 
"hard-cider  campaign"  of  1840.  William  H. 
Harrison  was  for  the  second    time  honored  by 

29— 


his  party — the  Whig — with  a  nomination  for  the 
Presidency,  Martin  Van  Buren  was  nominated 
by  the  Democracy  for  re-election.  The  hard 
times  that  existed  during  the  entire  administra- 
tion of  Van  Buren  caused  many  to  desire  a 
change,  with  the  hope  that  a  change  in  the  po- 
litical administration  of  the  Government  would 
bring  about  prosperity.  Taking  advantage  of 
this  state  of  affairs,  the  Whigs  seemed  to  be 
inspired,  and  went  into  the  campaign  with  such 
spirit  as  almost  paralyzed  their  opponents,  al- 
though they  made  a  gallant  fight.  The  publish- 
ers of  the  Sangamo  Journal  issued  a  campaign 
paper  called  the  Old  Soldier,  which  was  circu- 
lated largely  throughout  the  State,  and  which 
exerted  much  influence  in  the  campaign.  The 
publishers  of  the  Register,  not  to  be  outdone, 
also  issued  a  campaign  paper,  called  Old  Hick- 
ory. Mass  meetings,  held  at  central  points, 
were  attended  by  thousands  of  people;  many 
coming  a  longdistance  in  lumber-wagons,  camp- 
ing out,  and  enduring  many  hardships, — but  en- 
thusiastic in  the  cause.  Campaign  songs  were 
introduced,  and  doubtless  contributed  much  to 
inspire  the  people,  and  in  the  election  of  Harri- 
son. As  a  specimen  of  the  songs  of  the  time, 
the  following  are  given,  the  first  being  a  contri- 
l)ution  to  the  Old  Soldier,  by  a  Sangamon  county 
poet  too  modest  to  append  his  name: 

A    GOURD    OF    HARD    CIDER. 

Let  Frenchmen  drink  claret  and  sweet  muscadine, 
And  Germans  drink  Hoclc  on  the  banks  of  the  Rhine; 
But  give  me  to  quaff,  with  friends  warm  and  true, 
A  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe . 

John  Bull  may  get  drunk  on  his  beer  and  his  gin, 
Till  he  can't  leave  his  seat  or  spit  over  his  chin; 
But  if  that's  in  the  world  on  which  I'd  gel  blue, 
'Tis  a  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe. 

Let  the  Don  swill  his  port,  and  smoke  his  cigar, 
And  Pisanos  suck  Tiffin  and  drink  "  Bolivar;" 
But  we  in  log  cabins  such  imsh  will  eschew, 
For  a  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe. 

With  praties  and  whisky  let  Pat  fill  his  maw. 
And  Donald  get  blind  on  his  smoked  esquebaugh — 
McFiugal  ne'er  drank,  nor  did  Brian  Boru, 
A  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe. 

In  the  White  House,  VanBuren  may  drink  his  cham- 
paign, 
And  have  himself  toasted  from  Georgia  to  Maine; 
But  we  in  log  cabins,  with  hearts  warm  and  true, 
Drink  a  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe. 

Old  .Jove  has  drank  Nectar  for  time  and  a  day. 
To  drown  the  dull  cares  of  his  heavenly  sway; 
But  if  he'd  be  wise,  he'd  try  something  new — 
Drink  a  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Hurnih  fur  old  Tip  1— from  his  side  we'll  not  shrink- 
To  our  rights,  and  our  laws,  and  our  country,  we'll 

drink, 
Success  to  the  banner  of  "  red,  white,  and  blue," 
In  a  gourd  of  hard  cider  t'  old  Tippecanoe . 


SONG    OF    TIPPECANOE. 

Air — Old  Rosin  the  Bow. 

Come,  let  us  all  join  in  a  chorus. 

And  shout  it  along  as  we  go — 
Our  song  the  bright  prospect  before  us. 

And  the  hero  of  Tippecanoe. 

When  the  savage  invaded  our  border. 
And  thousands  most  shockingly  slew, 

He  drove  them  with  death  and  disorder, 
On  the  banks  of  the  Tippecanoe. 

Wlien  the  British  and  Indians  united. 
Believing  they'd  conquer  their  foe, 

Most  bravely  Fort  Meigs  saw  recited 
The  scenes  of  old  Tijipecanoe. 

For  an  age  he  had  served  them  in  earnest, 

And  ever  was  faithful  and  true; 
And  our  country's  now  reaping  the  harvest 

Which  was  planted  by  Tippecanoe. 

From  seclusion  the  people  now  call  him, 

To  come  out  before  them  anew; 
For  one  single  term  to  iiistal  him 

Our  President — Tijirjiecanoe . 

The  Vannies  have  chuckled,  denying 

That  Harrison  ever  will  do; 
But,  astounded  they  hear  the  whole  Nation 

Hurrah  for  old  Tippecanoe. 

The  Republican  banner  is  waving. 

Unfurling  its  folds  to  the  view; 
Patriots!  let  your  motto  be  "Union," 

And  rally  round  Tippecanoe. 

The  first  Whig  County  Convention  was  held 
at  Springtiehl,  Saturday,  .March  14,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  nominating  candidates  for  the  various 
offices  to  V)e  filled  at  the  ensuing  election  in 
August.  As  setting  forth  the  views  of  the  party 
in  this  county, the  following  resolutions, adopted 
by  this  convention,  are  appended: 

"Whereas,  The  friends  of  Constitutional 
Government,  based  upon  just  and  equitable 
principles,  have  reached  a  ground  upon  which 
they  can  meet — a  ground  on  which  all  personal 
preferences,  prejudices  and  partialities,  as  well 
as  all  petty  differences  growing  out  of  sectional 
interests,  may  be  laid  aside  —  when  all  may 
unite  with  a  common  purjiose  and  for  the  com- 
mon good  by  rallying  round  their  country's  ban- 
ner, now  so  gloriouslj-  streaming  in  the  breeze. 
And, 

"Whereas,  a  voice  has  come  up,  'like  the 
sound  of  many  waters,'  from  all  parts  of  our 
common    country,   declaring  that  misrule  shall 


end — that  the  Constitution  shall  be  restored — 
that  Executive  power,  which  for  the  last  three 
years  has  been  extending  its  baneful  and  blight- 
ing influences  over  the  land  shall  be  confined 
within  its  proper  limits — and  he  who  has  defiled 
the  temple  of  our  liberties — who  has  plundered 
the  people's  treasury,  and  is  now  fast  reducing 
the  hard-working  men  of  this  country  to 
beggary — and  who  is  now  seeking  through  the 
aid  of  his  army  of  office-holders,  to  '  rear  on  the 
ruins  of  the  Republic  the  throne  of  his  despot- 
ism,' shall  give  up  the  place  to  which  he  has 
crawled  through  the  favoritism  of  his  'illustrious 
predecessors,'  and  which  he  never  could  have 
reached  through  the  unbiased  suffrages  of  a  free 
people. 

'■^  Mesolved,  therefore,  That  without  regard  to 
the  original  preferences  of  some  of  us,  and  look- 
ing only  to  the  good  of  our  State  and  Union, 
we  will  cordially  and  zealously  support  the  nom- 
inees of  this  convention,  and  hereby  solemnly 
pledge  ourselves  to  use  all  fair  and  honorable 
means  to  secure  their  election. 

"  Hesoliwd,  That  William  H.  Harrison — the 
son  of  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence — the  favorite  aid-decamp  of 
Wayne  in  the  battles  which  broke  the  Indian 
power  in  the  West — the  first  delegate  of  this 
western  empire  in  Congress;  and  as  such,  the 
author  of  the  present  land  system  of  the  United 
States — the  Governor  of  the  Northwestern  Ter- 
ritory for  many  years — the  victorious  General 
who  conducted  our  armies  to  victory  and  glory  at 
Tippecanoe,  Fort  Meigs  and  the  Thames — 'who 
has  fotight  more  battles  than  any  other  Ameri- 
can General  of  his  time  and  has  never  been 
defeated' — the  eloquent  champion  of  Republi- 
can principles  for  many  years  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  the  Senate  of  the  Union — 
our  Minister  to  Columbia,  and  there,  as  every- 
where, strengthening  and  sustaining  the  cause  of 
Republican  Government;  we  recognize  the  hero 
and  statesman,  who  has  spent  more  than  forty 
years  in  the  service  of  his  country  in  the  highest 
offices,  and  when  the  mission  was  done  retired 
from  them  all  successively  and  pure,  like  Cin- 
cinnatus,  and  like  Cincinnatus,  poor. 

"liesolved,  That  the  election  of  Harrison  and 
Tyler  would  emancipate  the  land  from  the  Cata- 
lines  who  infest  it;  would  restore  it  to  pros- 
perity and  peace,  and  bring  back  the  times 
when  good  measures,  good  principles  and  good 
men  would  control  the  administration  of  our 
government." 

The  result  of  the  campaign  in  this  county 
was  the  triumph  of  the  Whigs,  every  candidate 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


253 


upon  their  ticket  being  elected  by  majorities 
ranging  from  407  to  1,111. 

1841. — lu  tliis  county,  County  Commissioners 
and  a  School  Commissioner  were  to  be  elected. 
A  member  of  Congress  was  also  to  be  elected 
from  this  district.  John  T.  Stuart  was  the 
candidate  of  the  Whigs  for  re-election,  and  J. 
H.  Ralston  made  the  tight  on  the  part  of  the 
Democracy.  Mr.  Stuart  was  successful  in 
county  and  district.  The  Whig  county  ticket 
was  also  successful. 

1842. — Joseph  Duncan  this  year  received  the 
nomination  of  the  Whig  parly  for  Governor, 
and  Thomas  Ford  that  of  the  Democrats  for  the 
same  office.  With  the  exception  of  Lientenant- 
Governor,  this  was  the  only  State  office  to  be 
filled.  Full  tickets  for  county  officers,  including 
State  Senators  and  Representatives,  were  made 
by  both  parties.  The  entire  Whig  ticket  was 
elected  in  the  county,  but  the  Democratic  State 
ticket  was  successful,  Ford  being  elected  Gov- 
ernor. 

1843. — A  number  of  congressmen  and  county 
officers  were  to  be  elected  this  year.  Mr.  Stuart 
declining  a  re-nomination  for  Congress,  John  J. 
Hardin,  who  was  afterwards  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Buena  Vista,  Mexico,  was  nominated  by  the 
Whigs.  He  was  opposed  by  James  A.  Mc- 
Dougal,  on  the  part  of  the  Democrats.  Mr. 
Hardin  was  elected.  Both  parties  placed  full 
county  tickets  in  the  field,  and  a  spirited  can- 
vass took  place  on  the  part  of  the  friends  of 
each.  The  Whig  ticket  was  again  successful, 
electing  every  officer  by  an  average  majority  of 
600. 

1844. — A  Presidential  campaign  is  always 
more  or  less  exciting,  the  desire  for  office  being 
almost  innate  in  the  mind  of  every  American 
citizen.  Those  in  possession  of  the  offices  pro- 
pose to  retain  them  if  in  their  power,  while  those 
out  of  office  will  ever  make  a  fight  for  their  pos- 
session. James  K.  Polk  received  the  Democratic 
nomination  for  the  Presidency,  and  Henry  Clay 
that  of  the  Whigs.  It  could  not  be  expected 
the  campaign  would  be  as  spirited  as  that  of 
1840.  While  some  large  meetings  were  held, 
there  were  none  to  compare  with  those  of  the 
previous  campaign.  The  total  vote  was  not  so 
great  as  in  1840,  it  being  three  thousand  two 
hundred  and  eight  against  three  thousand  two 
hundred  and  forty-nine.  Henry  Clay  carried  the 
county  by  a  majority  of  four  hundred  and  sixty- 
six.  E.  D.  Baker  was  the  Whig  nominee  for 
Congress,  and  John  Calhoun  that  of  the  Democ- 
racy. Both  gentlemen  were  talented,  fine  speak- 
ers,  and   aft'brded    much    satisfaction    to    their 


hearers  in  listening  to  their  tiiglits  of  eloquence. 
The  Democratic  rallying  cry  in  this  campaign 
was  "  54:40,  or  tight."  The  Democrats  of  Spring- 
field, early  in  the  campaign  erected  a  hickory 
pole  in  front  of  the  Register  office,  and  the 
Democratic  ladies  of  the  city  made  and  presented 
a  magnificent  fiag  to  the  Democratic  Association, 
bearing  upon  its  ample  folds  the  names  Polk 
AND  Dallas  upon  one  side,  on  the  other  their 
watchword,  '-Texas  and  Oregon."  The  Whigs, 
at  a  much  greater  expense,  raised  an  ash  pole 
two  hundred  and  fourteen  feet  high,  in  front  of 
the  Journal  office,  and  from  its  lofty  top  flung 
to  the  lireeze  a  banner  with  the  names  of  Clat 
AND  Feelingiiuysen.  On  the  day  firstappoiiited 
for  the  raising  the  city  was  crowded  with  dele- 
gates from  all  parts  of  the  State,  expecting  a 
grand  occasion  for  congratulation;  but  early  in 
the  attempt  to  raise  the  pole,  the  stay  ropes  of 
a  derrick  broke,  killing  a  Mr.  Brodie  instantly, 
and  badly  crippling  William  Conant.  In  a 
moment  of  excitement,  without  proper  examina- 
tion, one  of  the  speakers  proclaimed  to  the  crowd 
that  the  Democrats  had  cut  the  ropes  and  killed 
their  friends.  The  evil  one  now  seemed  to  pos- 
sess the  people.  Democrats  and  Whigs  alike,  and 
the  immense  crowd  swayed  to  and  fro  wild  with 
wrath,  while  curses  loud  and  deep  sounded  the 
tocsin  of  alarm.  The  editors  of  the  Journal  soon 
issued  an  extra,  explaining  the  cause  of  the 
ropes  breaking,  exonerating  everybody.  This 
allayed  the  excitement.  New  ropes  were  after- 
wards secured  and  the  pole  went  grandly  up. 

The  following  reminiscence  of  the  tragic 
event  enacted  on  the  streets  of  Springfield,  on 
the  occasion  of  the  first  attempt  at  raising  the 
ash-pole,  written  by  an  old  settler,  was  published 
in  the  State  Journal  in  the  summer  of  1881 : 

In  the  year  1844,  during  the  Presidential  cam- 
paign, the  most  intense  excitement  existed  be- 
tween the  contending  political  factions  in  this 
State  and  city.  Mass  meetings  were  being  held 
day  and  night  in  every  precinct,  and  the  orators 
of  both  parties,  there  being  but  two  in  the  field — 
the  Whig,  headed  by  Clay  and  Fi'elinghuysen, 
and  the  Democrat,  with  Polk  and  Dallas  as  their 
candidates — vigorously  advocating  the  claims  of 
their  respective  party  creeds  and  candidates. 
Each  party  vied  with  the  other  in  creating  the 
largest  possible  amount  of  enthusiasm,  and  often 
charges  and  counter-charges  of  foul  play  were 
indulged  in.  The  Democrats  had  adopted  the 
hickory  as  emblematic  di.  their 

ELASTICITY    AND    T<JUGHNESS, 

whilst  the  ash  was  the  favorite  bi  the  Whigs,  as 
typical  of  the  home  of  "  Harry  of  thfexWest,"  as 


254 


HISTOIIY  OF  SANGAIMDN   COUNTY. 


the  people  fondly  loved  to  call  the  Whig  candi- 
date for  the  Presidenc}',  whose  home  was  called 
Ashland.  Some  time  in  the  month  of  July,  1844, 
the  Democrats  erected  in  front  of  the  office  of 
the  State  Register,  then  published  by  Walters  & 
Weber,  on  Adams  street  near  Fifth,  a  shellbark 
hickory  pole  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height, 
with  the  bark  remaining  intact.  The  Democrats 
were  jubilant;  and  tar  barrels,  boxes  and  other 
combustibles  were  consumed  on  the  public 
square,  amidst  speeches  and  songs  and  music 
by  "  Balling's  Dutch  Band."  Balling  will  be 
remembered  as  the  eccentric  organist  at  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Whigs,  not  to  be  outdone  in  the  matter 
of  flag-staffs,  procured  the  necessary  spars  of 
ash,  and  a  large  force  of  carpenters  was  at  once 
set  to  work,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Henry 
Dresser,  the  architect.  The  work  occupied  sev- 
eral days,  and  the  timbers  were  prepared  on 
Sixth  street  near  Washington. 

At  that  time  the  old  State  House  grounds  were 
unfenced,  and  were  filled  with  stones,  which 
were  being  dressed  for  the  porticoes  of  the 
building.  Farmers  hitched  their  teams  amongst 
the  stones,  and  the  old  pump  near  the  north 
front  of  the  building  was  in  constant  demand. 
A  farmer  had  purchased  some  Spanish  flies  of 
P.  C.  Cannedy,  and  carlessly  placed  the  package 
on  top  of  the  pump,  w'hilst  he  procured  a  drink 
of  water.  The  package  slipped  down  the  purapl 
The  farmer  was  frightened,  and  slipjied  out  of 
town  without  informing  any  one  of  the  circum- 
stance.    Of  course, 

THE    WATER    WAS    POISONED, 

and  the  workmen  on  the  new  pole,  who  drank 
freely  of  the  water,  were  seriously  affected  by 
the  poison,  although  no  lives  were  lost.  The 
pump  was  prompth"  locked  by  IMike  McNamara, 
the  State  House  janitor,  and  further  trouble 
averted.  At  ouce  there  was  a  cry  from  a  few 
foolish  fellows,  "The  pump  has  been  poisoned 
by  the  Democrats."  This  incident  occurred 
about  two  weeks  before  the  contemplated  erec- 
tion of  the  pole,  and  created  the  most  intense 
excitement.  Finally, the  auspicious  day  arrived, 
August  3,  1844 — thirty-seven  years  ago  to-day — 
when  the  Whig  pole  was  to  be  erected.  The 
Journal  office  was  in  an  old  frame  Vjuilding  on 
the  east  side  of  Sixth  street,  where  Eldridge  & 
Conant's  furniture  store  now  stands.  Simeon 
Francis  was  the  editor  and  publisher.  South  of 
the  Journal  otfice  was  the  marble  yard  of  Cap- 
tain Adam  Johnson.  Opposite  the  Journal  office, 
in   the  middle  of   the  street,  stood  the  market 


house  and  calaboose,  or  city  prison.  At  a  point 
south  of  the  market  house,  and  in  the  middle  of 
the  street,  the  foundation  for  the  new  pole  had 
been  prepared.     This  was 

A   MASSIVE    STKUCTURE 

of  timbers  and  stone  sunk  twelve  feet  under 
ground.  The  pole  was  an  octagon,  dressed, 
j'iry-mast  rigged,  and  stood  216  feet  above  the 
ground.  A  working  derrick  stood  near  the  foot 
of  the  staff',  which  lay  in  a  direction  pointing 
toward  the  old  ('ourt  House.  A  derrick  mast 
eighty  feet  high  stood  near  the  east  sidewalk,  ■ 
and  was  to  bear  the  strain  of  the  immense  flag- 
staff as  it  was  being  erected  Captain  Francis 
F.  Sampson,  a  retired  sea-captain,  and  Mr.  John 
Brodie,  a  Scotchman  fifty  years  old,  and  a  stone 
mason,  whose  vard  and  residence  was  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Third  and  Adams  streets, 
were  selected  to  rig  the  ropes  and  tackle  of  the 
derricks. 

A  preliminary  test  of  the  strength  of  the  guy 
ropes  attached  to  the  derrick  mast  was  made 
early  in  the  morning,  and  under  the  strain  the 
east  guy  rope  broke  twice,  but  the  breaks  were 
spliced,  and  the  derrick  caused  to  lean  slightly 
to  the  east,  thus  throwing  the  strain  on  the  west 
rope.  A  hitch  occurred  in  the  block  at  the  top 
of  the  derrick,  and  Mr.  Brodie  went  aloft  to 
adjust  it.  Mr.  William  S.  Conant,  eldest  son  of 
Mr.  Sullivan  Conant,  then  an  active  lad  of 
eighteen,  went  up  to  assist  Mr.  Brodie,  and  to 
carry  up  a  rope  sling,  which  had  fallen  from 
aloft,  striking  Mr.  Charles  Fisher,  hurting  him 
slightly.  An  immense  throng  of  people  had 
gathered  from  the  city  and  surrounding  coun- 
try, and  a  company  of  Whig  lads  were  just 
passing  through  Johnson's  stone-yard  from  the 
Journal  office,  when  a  cry  of  horror  went  up 
from  the  crowd,  ''  the  derrick  is  falling,"  and 
the  stentorian  voice  of  "Old  Rube  Redford" 
was  heard  :  "Jump  for  your  lives."  The  writer 
of  this  was  with  the  procession  of  lads  and  wit- 
nessed with  horror 

THE    TRAGIC    SCENE, 

which  left  a  lasting  impression  upon  his  mind. 
Young  Conant  ran  down  the  cleats  a  few  feet, 
and  then  sprang  into  the  air  from  a  height  fully 
sixty  feet,  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  falling 
with  a  sickening  thud  near  the  west  uidewalk. 
Poor  Brodie  appeared  paralyzed,  and  clung  to 
the  derrick,  which  in  its  fall  crushed  him  to  the 
earth  a  shapeless  corpse.  Young  Conant  was 
tenderly  borne  to  the  house  of  his  father,  on 
South  Fifth  street,  accompanied  by  hundreds  of 


niSTORY  OF  SANOAMON  COIFNTY. 


sympathizing  friends.  Every  physician  in  town 
was  promptly  on  hand.  Drs.  Merriman, 
Cabanis,  Todd,  Helm,  Wallace,  Jayne,  ^McNeil, 
Henry,  Shields  and  Frazer  were  particularly 
prominent  in  the  tender  of  their  services.  On 
examination  it  was  found  that  the  unfortunate 
youth  had  sustained  the  fracture  of  several  ribs 
and  a  compound  fracture  of  the  right  ankle,  the 
bones  piercing  the  Hesh,  and  had  actually  been 
driven  deep  into  the  ground.  Mr.  Conant  was 
confined  to  his  bed  for  more  than  two  months, 
but  finally  recovered  with  a  lame  ankle,  which 
kept  him  on  crutches  for  more  than  two  years, 
and  he  is  to  this  day  lame  in  that  foot,  and  at 
times  suffers  some  pain.  At  one  time  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  amputate  the  foot,  but  by 
the  skill  of  Drs.  Merriman  and  Cabanis  the 
member  was  saved.  After  the  accident  the  cry 
went  up  that  the  Democrats  had 

CUT  TUE  GUY  ROPES, 

but  honest  men  scouted  the  idea  as  atrocious. 
Then  it  was  said  that  Mr.  Firodie  had  acci- 
dentally cut  the  rope  with  a  hatchet,  but  he  had 
neither  hatchet  or  knife  with  him.  The  facts 
were  that  the  dense  throng  had  crowded  on  to 
the  west  guy  rope  and  had  drawn  the  derrick 
from  a  perpendicular,  and  the  strain  was  too 
much  for  the  east  guy  rope,  which  had  been 
already  twice  broken,  and  it  again  parted,  caus- 
ing the  derrick  to  fall.  The  clubs  of  both  politi- 
cal parties  passed  resolutions  of  sympathy  for 
the  unfortunate  young  man.  Mr.  E.  B.  Hern- 
don,  President  of  the  Young  Men's  Democratic 
Club,  exerted  himself  to  render  the  patient 
every  assistance  possible.  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
almost  constantly  by  the  sick  bed,  whilst  such 
men  as  Colonel  E.  I).  Baker,  John  C.  Calhoun, 
Caleb  Birchall,  Robert  Irwin,  James  H.  Matheny, 
B.  S.  Edwards,  W.  P.  Grimsley  and  many  other 
prominent  citizens  of  both  parties  cheerfully 
attended  to  the  wants  of  the  sick  man.  As  soon 
as  he  was  able  to  leave  the  house,  Mr.  Lincoln 
took  young  Conant  to  a  Whig  demonstration  in 
Jacksonville,  making  the  journey  by  easy  stages 
in  a  carriage. 

In  1849  Mr.  Conant  removed  to  Petersburg — 
entering  into  the  furniture  business.  He  still 
resides  in  that  thriving  suburban  village,  and 
devotes  his  time  to  his  lovely  Rose  Hill  Ceme- 
tery. 

THE    BEAUTIFUL   ASH-POLE 

was  safely  erected  soon  after  the  accident,  and 
remained  until  after  the  election  in  November, 
when  it  was  taken  down,  as  fears  of  its  safety 


from  winter  storms  were  entertained.  A  Hag 
and  a  streamer  150  feet  long  Hoaled  from  the 
staff.  They  were  made  by  the  ladies  of  the  city 
and  presented  to  the  Whigs.  The  streamer,  on 
which  was  inscribed  tiie  word  "  Union,"  was 
subsequently  presented  to  Mr.  Conant,  and  it  is 
still  in  his  possession,  in  a  good  state  of  preser- 
vation. An  admirable  campaign  glee  club, 
under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Robert  Irwin, 
afforded  the  vocal  music  for  the  Whigs  in  that 
campaign,  whilst  "Jack"  Hough  was  the  leader 
of  a  brass  band,  in  opposition  to  "  Old  Ball- 
ings." 

1846.— T.  M.  Kilpatrick  received  the  Whig 
nomination  for  Governor,  and  A.  C.  French  was 
honored  bv  the  Democratic  party  for  the  same 
office.  Before  the  people  Mr.  French  was  suc- 
cessful. Abraham  Lincoln  was  placed  in  nomi- 
nation for  Congress  by  the  Whigs  of  the  Sev- 
enth District,  and  Peter  Cartwright  was  his 
Democratic  opponent.  The  Free  Soil  party, 
which  was  trying  to  force  itself  into  notice, 
honored  E.  Wolcott  with  their  votes.  Lincoln 
and  Cartwright  made  a  thorough  canvass  of  the 
district,  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Mr. 
Lincoln.  Sangamon  county,  as  usual,  gave  its 
vote  to  the  Whig  party,  the  entire  county  ticket 
being  elected  by  an  average  majority  of  .500. 

1848. — The  first  measure  before  the  people 
was  a  vote  on  the  new  Constitution,  which  had 
been  prepared  by  a  convention  elected  for  that 
purpose  the  previous  year.  The  vote  in  this 
county  was,  for  the  Constitution,  1,817;  against, 
200.  Zachary  Taylor,  the  hero  of  Buena  Yista, 
was  placed  in  nomination  for  the  Presidency,  by 
the  Whigs;  Lewis  Cass,  the  eminent  Statesman 
of  Michigan,  by  the  Democrats;  and  Martin 
Van  Buren,  by  the  Free  Soil  party.  For  Con- 
gress, Stephen  T.  Logan,  of  Springtield,  and 
Thomas  L.  Harris,  of  Petersburg,  were  the 
nominees  of  the  Whig  and  Democratic  parties, 
respectively.  Mr.  Harris  was  elected,  but  Mr. 
Logan  carried  this  county  by  a  majority  of  26.3 
votes.  John  T.  Stuart  was  the  Whig,  and  J. 
W.  Barrett,  the  Democratic  candidate  for  State 
Senator,  Mr.  Stuart  receiving  a  majority  of  3:^7. 
Hut  little  interest  was  manifested  in  the  cam- 
paign, comparatively,  except  for  Congress,  and 
the  vote  was  If'ss  than  in  1844,  being  less  than 
:i,200.  The  Whig  county  ticket  was  again  suc- 
cessful. 

1850. — T.  L.  Harris,  of  Petersburg,  was  nomi- 
nated by  the  Democrats  for  re-election  to  Con- 
gress, and  was  opposed  by  Richard  Yates,  the 
nominee  of  the  Whigs.  In  this  county  but  little 
interest  was  manifested,  there  being  but  a  few 


250 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


county  officers  to  be  elected.  Scarcely  more 
than  three-fourths  of  the  vote  was  polled,  the 
Whigs  being  again  triumphant,  electing  all  their 
officers,  and  giving  Yates  330  majority  for  Con- 
gress. 

1852. — The  Whigs  again  placed  in  the  field  as 
their  nominee  for  the  Presidency,  a  military 
chieftain,  one  who  in  the  war  of  1S12  and  in  the 
Mexican  war,  distinguished  himself  in  a  manner 
as  to  win  the  praise  of  the  whole  country — Gen- 
eral Wintield  Scott.  He  was  confronted  by 
Franklin  Pierce,  who,  though  ranking  as  General, 
was  not  considered  the  military  hero  as  was  Gen- 
eral Scott.  U  he  Free  Soil  party,  though  having 
DO  hopes  of  electing  their  ticket,  placed  John  P. 
Hale  in  the  field  as  a  candidate  for  the  same 
office.  For  Governor,  Joel  A.  Matteson  was  the 
Democratic  candidate,  and  Edwin  B.  Webb  the 
Whig,  and  Mr.  Knowlton  the  Free  Soil.  The 
Whigs  of  the  Nation,  though  having  an  excellent 
man  as  their  standard-bearer,  were  discouraged, 
and  in  this  campaign  fought  as  though  they  had 
no  hopes  of  success.  In  this  county  is  found  an 
exception  to  this  fact.  Here  the  canvass  was 
quite  spirited,  each  party  placing  their  most 
popular  men  in  the  field  for  local  offices.  Rich- 
ard Yates  was  re-nominated  by  his  party  for 
Congress,  and  was  opposed  by  John  Calhoun  on 
the  part  of  the  Democrats.  Mr.  Yates  was  suc- 
cessful in  the  district,  carrying  Sangamon  county 
by  a  majority  of  780.  The  entire  Whig  county 
ticket  was  successful  by  increased  majorities 
over  1850. 

1853. — There  were  neither  State  or  National 
offices  to  be  tilled  this  year,  and  but  tew  county 
offices.  The  Democracy,  for  the  first  time  in 
many  years,  succeeded  in  obtaining  control  of 
some  of  the  county  offices,  electing  their  candi- 
date for  County  Judge  by  a  majority  of  143,  and 
the  Treasurer  by  05  votes.  Noah  W.  Matheny, 
the  Whig  candidate  for  Coimty  Clerk,  had  614 
majority.  The  vote  jjolled  was  very  light,  being 
only  2,244,  against  3,723  in  1852.  "Notwith- 
standini^  the  general  unconcern  of  the  people, 
there  were  evidences  of  the  coming  storm  in  the 
political  world,  and  some  uneasiness  was  shown 
by  those  having  a  true  appreciation  of  the  state 
of  affairs.  The  secession  leaven  was  already  at 
work  in  the  Southern  States,  and  wise  men  were 
seeking  to  avert  the  calamity  which  was  likely 
to  overtake  the  Government. 

1854. — New  questions  now  arose  growing  out 
of  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  and 
the  passage  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill.  The 
Whig  party,  unable  to  recover  from  its  defeat 
in  1852,  had  been  slowly  disintegrating  and  had 


almost  ceased  to  exist.  The  Democratic  party 
was  divided  on  the  new  issues.  For  some  years 
a  new  l)aity  had  been  struggling  for  an  exist- 
ence, based  on  questions  of  nationality,  and 
known  as  the  American  or  Know  Nothing  parly. 
In  the  Southern  States  it  had  made  considerable 
progress,  absorbing  the  greater  number  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Whig  party.  In  the  North  it  had 
also  quite  a  large  membership,  and  if  the  issues 
attending  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise 
had  not  been  suddenly  thrust  upon  the  pet'ple, 
the  new  party  would  have  been  become  a  very 
important  factor  in  the  politics  of  the  country, 
if  it  had  not  obtained  control  of  the  Govern- 
ment. Early  in  the  year,  Judge  Douglas  in- 
troduced a  bill  into  Congress  and  supported  it 
on  the  ground  that  it  was  simply  an  assertion  of 
the  great  principle  of  the  right  of  the  people  to 
govern  themselves.  This  bill  is  known  as  the 
Kansas-Nebraska  bill.  In  1820,  on  the  admis- 
sion of  the  State  of  Missouri  into  the  Union,  a 
bill  was  passed  by  Congress  known  as  the 
Missouri  Compromise,  and  which  prohibited 
slavery  in  any  Territory  north  of  thirty-six 
degrees,  and  thirty  minutes,  north  latitude,  per- 
mitting its  existence  south  of  that  line.  By  the 
passage  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  this  com- 
promise measure  would  be  repealed,  and  the 
territories  north  of  the  line  mentioned  would  be 
thrown  open  to  slavery.  The  question  was 
thoroughly  agitated  in  and  out  of  Congress, 
those  favoring  the  bill  claiming  it  was  an  act  of 
justice  to  the  people  and  would  forever  settle 
the  question  of  slavery  by  relegating  it  to 
the  peojile  of  the  other  territories,  who  alone 
were  directly  interested  in  it.  If  they  desired 
slavery  they  could  have  it;  if  not,  they  could 
prohibit  it  by  law.  The  opponents  of  this  bill 
contended  its  provisions  were  alone  favorable  to 
friends  of  slavery,  that  as  long  as  any  part  of 
the  country  had  territorial  existence,  or  under 
territorial  government  it  could  not  prohibit 
slavery;  it  was  only  on  its  admission  as  a  State 
that  it  could  say  whether  or  not  it  would  have 
slavery. 

The  bill  was  passed  but  the  agitation  did  not 
cease,  but  rather  increased.  As  representing  the 
views  of  the  opponents  of  the  bill,  the  follow- 
ing preamljle  and  resolutions,  jiassed  at  a  meet- 
ing in  Alton,  are  given: 

"  Whereas,  A  great  wrong  has  been  done  to 
the  people  of  the  free  States  of  the  Union,  by 
the  recent  action  of  Congress  in  the  passage  of 
the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  thereby  repealing  so 
much  of  the  Missouri  Compromise  Act  of  March 
3,  1820,  as  forever  prohibits  'slavery    and  in- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


'357 


voluntary  servitude,  otherwise  than  iu  llie  iiuu- 
islunent  of  crimes,  whereof  tlie  party  shall  have 
been  duly  convicted,  in  all  that  territory  ceded 
to  the  United  States  by  France,  under  the  name 
of  Louisiana,  which  lies  north  of  thirty-six  de- 
grees thirty  minutes  north  latitude,  not  included 
in  the  limits  of  the  State  of  Missouri ;'  and  by 
such  repeal  opening  all  that  vast  region  of  coun- 
try, long  consecrated  to  freedom,  to  the  admission 
of  human  slavery,  in  disregard  of  a  solemn 
compact  entered  into  upwards  of  thirty-four 
years  ago,  between  the  free  and  slave-holding 
States,  and  during  all  that  time  quietly  acqui- 
esced in  and  sacredly  observed  by  the  parties  to 
the  same  ;  therefore,  be  it 

"  liesoli'ed,  That  negro  slavery,  as  existing  in 
any  of  the  States  of  the  Union,  is  not  a  domestic 
institution  only,  but  is  a  political  institution,  in 
which,  as  such,  the  free  and  slaveholding  States 
are  alike  interested  ;  and  this  must  ever  be  the 
case  80  long  as  the  slaves  are  counted  as  they 
now  are,  in  the  apportionment  of  the  representa- 
tives in  Congress — the  loss  of  power  in  the  for- 
mer being  in  the  same  ratio  with  the  gain  to  the 
latter. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill, 
now  the  organic  law  of  these  Tei-ritories,  per- 
mits the  introduction  of  slavery  into  them,  but 
gives  the  people  no  power  to  exclude  it  during 
the  existence  of  the  territorial  form  of  govern- 
ment, and  instead  of  favoring  popular  sov- 
ereignty, virtually  denies  its  exercise;  and  thus 
the  rejection  of  the  amendment  offered  in  its 
passage,  distinctly  conferring  the  right  on  the 
people  to  admit  or  exclude  slavery,  abundantly 
proves,  and  the  doctrine  of  non-intervention,  so 
loudly  proclaimed  in  its  advocacy,  has  been 
studiously  excluded,  and  this  law  is  praised  for 
what  it  does  not  contain. 

"  liesolved,  That  fidelity  to  the  cause  of 
African  slavery,  at  this  time  regarded  in  certain 
quarters  as  an  indispensable  test  of  Democracy, 
is  not  so  held  by  us;  that  free  America  is  un- 
worthily employed  in  forging  shackles  for  the 
unoffending  inmates  of  the  house  of  bondage. 

"  Resolved,  That  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and 
James  Shields,  our  Senators  in  Congress,  have, 
by  voting  for  the  passage  of  the  Kansas-Ne- 
bras'^a  bill,  betrayed  the  trusts  reposed  in  them, 
acted  in  total  disregard  of  the  interests  of  this 
State  and  of  the  whole  Union,  forfeited  the 
confidence  of  the  people,  and  deserve,  as  they 
doubtless  will  receive,  the  condemnation  of  all 
upright  and  fair-minded  men.  Their  course  on 
this  subject  has  been  taken  on  their  own 
responsibility,   and    can   receive    no    palliation 


from  the  sham  iiulorsemeiit  of  t'lcir  pliant  tools 
in  our  legislature. 

"Resolved,  That  in  this  matter  we  will  know 
no  party  other  than  the  one  opposed  to  the  great 
wrong  which  has  been  perpetrated  upon  us  in 
the  passage  of  this  bill;  and  will  vote  at  the  en- 
suing election  for  no  person  to  represent  us  in 
the  General  Assembly,  who  is  not  known  to  be 
apposed  to  this  measure,  and  opposed  to  the  ap- 
pointment to  office  of  those  who  have  voted  in 
its  favor. 

"Resolved,  That  we  hail  as  the  truest  and  most 
erticient  effort  to  secure  the  privileges  of  '  life, 
liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,'  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  Territories  of  Kansas  and  Nebraska, 
the  movement  to  people  those  Territories  with 
free  men;  and  further, 

"Resolved,  That  we  will  co-operate  with  the 
friends  of  freedom  at  a  distance,  for  the  purpose 
of  facilitating  the  transit  of  emigrants  to  those 
Territories." 

Although  there  was  but  a  single  State  officer 
to  be  elected  this  year,  the  canvass  was  spirited 
in  consequence  of  the  excitement  attending  the 
])assage  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill.  The 
Democratic  State  Convention  endorsed  the  action 
of  their  representatives  in  the  passage  of  this 
bill,  and  endorsed  the  measure  as  a  righteous 
and  just  one.  The  opposition  rallied  under  the 
banner  of  "Anti-Nebraska,"  the  conventions  be- 
ing usually  called  of  those  opposed  to  the  bill, 
though  sometimes  they  took  the  name  of  "Peo- 
ple's Conventions." 

On  the  adjournment  of  Congress,  Judge  Doug- 
las came  home  and  at  once  took  the  stump  in 
advocacy  of  the  measure.  He  was  opposed  by 
Abraham  Lincoln,  who  even  then  was  recognized 
as  the  leader  of  the  opposition.  Joint  debates 
were  held  by  these  men  in  several  places,  and 
their  power  was  generally  conceded.  A  legisla- 
ture was  to  be  elected  that  should  choose  a 
United  States  Senator  in  place  of  James  Shields, 
whose  term  would  expire  March,  18.55.  The 
issues  were  sharply  defined.  The  doctrine  af- 
firmed in  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill  was  to  be 
approved  or  condemned.  The  Whigs  almost 
unanimously  took  ground  against  the  bill  and 
formed  the  nucleus  of  the  new  party,  being  re- 
inforced by  many  Anti-Slavery  or  Free-Soil 
Democrats.  Still  there  was  no  real  union  formed. 
In  places  where  the  Whigs  were  in  the  majority, 
or  formed  a  powerful  minority,  they  nominated 
a  Whig  candidate  for  the  legislature,  who  was 
generally  supported  by  the  Anti-Nebraska  Demo- 
crats. Where  the  Free-Soil  Democrats  were 
numerous  enough  thev  nominated  a  candidate. 


258 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


who  was  aoceplaWe  to  and  received  the  general 
support  of  the  Whigs.  The  result  of  the  election 
was  the  success  of  the  opposition  to  the  regular 
Democracy. 

In  this  county,  under  name  of  the  People's 
Party,  the  opj)osition  united,  defeating  the  reg- 
ular Democrats  and  electing  their  entire  ticket. 

Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  T.  Logan  were 
elected  members  of  the  legislature.  The  Assem- 
bly was  pretty  evenly  divided ;  a  few  Anti-Ne- 
braska Democrats  holding  the  balance  of  power. 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  the 
United  States  Senate.  Believing  his  chance  of 
election  good,  with  the  aid  of  the  Anti-Nebraska 
Democrats,  and  thinking  he  could  work  to  a 
better  advantage  among  these  if  not  himself  a 
member  of  the  Assembly,  he  refuse.!  to  qualify, 
and  a  special  election  was  called  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. Norman  M.  Broadwell  was  nominated 
by  the  opposition  to  the  regular  Democracy,  and 
they  having  a  large  majority  in  the  county,  it 
was  intimated  that  no  ticket  would  be  run  by 
the  latter.  The  day  of  the  election  came  round. 
In  the  meantime,  the  Democratic  leaders  con- 
ferred together,  and  agreed  to  place  in  nomina- 
tion Jonathan  McDaniel,  an  estimable  farmer, 
living  in  the  northeast  part  of  the  county,  and 
provided  themselves  with  tickets,  which  they 
distributed  quietly  among  the  faithful,  with  in- 
structions to  as  quietly  vote  it.  The  Whigs, 
Americans  and  Anti-Nebraska  Democrats  knew 
nothing  whatever  of  this  matter  until  about 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon — too  late  to  be  of 
benefit  to  them.  The  Democrats  polled  almost 
their  full  vote,  while  that  of  the  opposition  was 
light,  as  they  imagined  they  had  a  clear  field. 
Mr.  McDaniel  was  elected. 

This  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  opposition  endan- 
gering their  ascendency  in  the  coming  legis- 
lature, and  subjecting  the  local  leaders  to  a  deal 
of  joke  and  ridicule,  on  the  part  of  their  Demo- 
cratic opponents,  who  had  been  so  successful  in 
the  adoption  of  "know-nothing"  tactics.  Con- 
sidering the  genial,  amiable  character  of  Mr. 
Lincoln,  who  was  the  chief  sufferer  by  the  "fu- 
sion "  defeat,  on  the  morning  following  the  elec- 
tion, he  met  Mr.  Lanjihier,  of  the  State  Regis- 
ter, on  the  street,  and  with  that  peculiar  wriggle 
of  the  body  when  he  had  a  joke  to  recount,  he 
called  out:  "Charlie,  do  yoti  remember  Monte- 
cue  Morris?"  "Oh,  yes,  very  well,"  said  I^an- 
phier.  "Well,"  said  Mr.  Lincoln,  "Montecue 
was  a  private  in  Mr.  Baker's  regiment  in  the 
Mexican  war.  The  regiment  was  lying  on  the 
Rio  Grande,  Governor  Moore,  in  command,  Baker 
having   gone   to  Washington   to   get  the   boys 


some  new  clothes.  By  some  means  a  few  of  the 
boys  had  got  possesion  of  a  barrel  of  cider,  and 
setting  it  up  in  their  tent,  were  selling  it  out  at 
twenty  cents  a  drink,  and  were  doing  a  land  of- 
fice business,  when  Morris  applied  to  Governor 
Moore  for  permission  to  move  his  tent,  which 
was  granted,  and  the  tent  was  backed  u)3  against 
the  one  which  had  been  imjjrovised  as  a 'gro- 
cery,' whereupon  Morris  tapped  the  other  end  of 
the  cider  barrel,  and  peddled  the  liquor  from 
his  tent  for  teyi  cents  a  drink,  and  got  away 
with  a  good  deal  of  it  before  detected.  That  is 
the  way  you  fellows  served  us  yesterday.  You 
beat  our  'know-nothing'  allies  at  their  own 
game."  Turning  away,  he  remarked,  with  a 
wriggle:  "It  is  very  funny,  is  this  election  re- 
sult, but,  Charlie,  it  hurts." 

18&5. — The  opposition  this  year  generally 
assumed  the  name  Republican,  a  name  adopted 
in  a  few  States  the  year  previous.  The  first 
great  fight  of  the  year  was  in  the  General 
Assembly  on  the  election  of  United  States  Sena- 
tor. James  Shields  was  the  candidate  of  the 
regular  Democracy,  Abraham  Lincoln  of  the 
WhigB,  and  Lyman  Trumbull  of  the  Anti- 
Nebraska  Democrats.  While  the  Whigs  were 
Anti-Nebraska  in  their  views,  Mr.  Lincoln  could 
not  rally  to  his  support  the  Anti-Nebraska  Demo- 
crats. The  two  houses  of  the  Assembly  met  in 
joint  session  Thursday,  February  8,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  ballot.  The  first  ballot  resulted  as 
follows:  James  Shields,  41;  Abraham  Lincoln, 
44;  Lyman  Trumbull,  5;  William  Kellogg,  2; 
G.  A.  Koerner,  2;  Cyrus  Edwards,  Joel  A.  Mat- 
teson,  O.  B.  Fickliu,  William  B.  Ogden  and 
William  A.  Deming,  one  each.  The  second  bal- 
lot resulted  the  same  as  the  first.  Nine  ballots 
were  taken  without  a  choice,  the  Anti-Nebraska 
Democrats  holding  the  balance  of  power  and 
voting  regularly  tor  Lyman  Trumbull.  Mr. 
Lincoln,  realizing  the  hopelessness  of  the  con- 
test, urged  his  friends  to  vote  for  Trumbull. 
The  tenth  ballot  was  then  taken,  resulting  in  the 
election  of  Trumbull  by  the  following  vote: 
Lyman  Trumbull,  50;  Joel  A.  Matteson,  47; 
Archibald  Williams,  1.  The  last  vote  was  cast 
by  Louis  H.  Waters,  of  McDonough  county. 

The  only  election  held  this  year  was  in  May, 
for  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  In  this  con- 
test politics  were  not  taken  into  consideration. 
Stephen  T.  Logan  and  O.  C.  Skinner  were  the 
candidates.  The  vote  in  this  county  stood  as 
follows:  Skinner,  2,518;  Logan,  1,420.  At  the 
same  time  an  election  was  held  on  the  question 
of  a  "Maine  law,"  resulting  as  follows:  For  the 
law,  1,745;  against,  2,349. 


;,.ii».fA'y*""' 


e^<?t^. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


261 


During  the  year  there  was  trouble  in  Kansas 
growing  out  of  the  slavery  question,  there  being 
an  immense  emigration  to  the  State  from  the 
North  and  from  the  South.  Emigrants  from  the 
South  were  intent  on  fastening  slavery  upon  the 
territory,  which  effort  was  furiously  resisted  by 
the  free  State  men.  Blood  was  spilt  upon  many 
occasions,  and  the  excitement  was  kept  at  fever 
heat  for  many  long  months.  Nor  was  the  excite- 
ment contined  to  the  territory,  but  the  question 
was  taken  up  and  discussed  in  every  State  in  the 
Union.  By  its  opponents,  the  trouble  was  all 
charged  to  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compro- 
mise and  the  passage  of  the  now  celebrated 
Kansas-Nebraska  bill.  The  trouble  did  not  cease 
with  the  expiration  of  the  year. 

1856. — Former  issues  dividing  the  political 
parties  had  disappeared,  and  new  issues  were 
being  rapidly  formed.  The  Whig  party  had 
ceased  to  exist,  and  on  its  ruins  had  been  erected 
two  other  parties,  one  having  for  its  central 
truth  opposition  to  the  further  extension  of 
slavery,  and  the  other  that  American-born  citi- 
zens must  rule  America.  These  parties  had,  of 
course,  absorbed  many  of  the  members  of  the 
old  Democratic  party.  The  American  party, 
not  being  opposed  to  slavery,  or,  at  least,  mak- 
ing no  opposition  to  it,  either  in  the  States  in 
which  it  existed,  or  the  newly  formed  Terri- 
tories, where  it  had  been  made  subject  to  ad- 
mission by  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compro- 
mise, had  become  a  numerous  body  in  the  South, 
with  many  adherents  in  the  North.  The  Repub- 
lican j):irty,  basing  its  claims  for  popular  suffrage 
upon  its  advocacy  of  freedom  in  the  Territories, 
was  not  permitted  an  existence  in  the  Southern 
States,  and  of  necessity  was  confined  to  the 
North. 

Early  in  the  year,  the  American  party  met 
in  National  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  and 
placed  in  nomination  for  the  Presidency  and 
Vice  Presidency,  Millard  Fillmore,  of  New 
York,  and  Andrew  .Jackson  Donelson,  of  Ten- 
nessee. Subsequently,  James  Buchanan,  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  .John  J.  Breckenridge,  of 
Kentucky,  were  placed  in  nomination  by  the 
Democracy  for  the  same  offices.  The  Republi- 
cans gave  to  the  people  John  C.  bremont,  of 
California,  and  William  L.  Dayton,  of  New 
Jersey,  as  their  candidates  for  the  Presidency 
and  Vice  Presidency.  The  campaign  through- 
out the  State  and  Nation  was  an  exciting  one, 
the  three  parties  being  represented  in  all  the 
Northern  States  by  electoral  tickets,  and  the  Re- 
publican in  two  or  three  Southern,  in  addition  to 
the  Northern  ones.     In  the  State  campaiarn  \Vil- 

30- 


liam  11.  Bissell  was  placed  in  nomination  by 
the  Repulilicans,  William  A.Richardson  by  the 
Democrats,  and  Buckner  S.Morris  by  the  Amer- 
icans, for  the  office  of  Governor.  In  Sangamon 
county,  the  Republicans  and  Americans  united 
on  county  officers,  electing  all  their  nominees 
but  one — the  Circuit  Clerk. 

The  citizens  of  Sangamon  county,  being 
largely  from  the  Southern  States,  did  not  spon- 
taneously enter  into  the  Republican  movement. 
Many  old  Whigs  at  once  drifted  into  the  Demo- 
ocratic  party,  making  up  the  loss  of  its  members 
who  had,  on  account  of  the  slavery  ijuest  ion  and 
the  foreign  element,  united  with  the  newly-or- 
ganized Republican  and  American  parties. 

1857. — The  year  following  a  Presidential  elec- 
tion is  generally  a  dull  one,  politically;  the  peo- 
ple being  disposed  to  give  the  new  administra- 
tion fair  play,  and  waiting  to  see  its  policy  de- 
veloped. 

Only  county  officers  were  to  be  elected;  con- 
sequently the  campaign  was  more  personal  than 
political.  It  now  seemed  to  be  conceded  the  po- 
litical fight  was  hereafter  to  be  between  the  Re- 
publicans and  the  Democrats.  The  nominee  of 
the  former  party  for  the  Presidency  the  previous 
year  receiving  a  majority  of  the  popular  vote, 
though  not  elected,  inspired  the  party  to  new 
zeal,  and  caused  the  latter  to  direct  all  its  efforts 
against  it.  The  American  party,  especially  in 
the  North,  was  daily  losing  ground;  its  mem- 
bers forsaking  it  for  the  Democratic  or  Repub- 
lican parties,  as  their  views  of  public  policy  in- 
spired them.  In  Sangamon  county,  so  far  as 
political  action  could  be  said  to  enter  into  the 
campaign  this  year,  was  between  the  Republi- 
cans and  Democrats;  the  latter  electing  their  en- 
tire ticket,  save  County  Clerk,  the  personal  pop- 
ularity of  Noah  W.  Matheny  enabling  him  to 
be  successful  by  a  large  majority. 

1858. — The  attempt  to  fasten  upon  the  people 
of  Kansas,  a  Consitution  known  as  the  Lecoinp- 
ton  Constitution,  by  the  Pro-Slavery  men  of  that 
State,  assisted  by  the  Buchanan  administration, 
caused  a  division  in  the  ranks  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  throughout  the  Union.  Especially 
was  this  great  wrong  resisted  by  the  great 
majority  of  the  party  in  this  State,  led  by 
Stephen  A.  Douglas.  The  senatorial  term  of 
Mr.  Douglas  would  expire  March,  1859,  and  a 
legislature  was  to  be  elected  who  should  choose 
his  successor.  Mr.  Douglas  was  a  candidate  for 
re-election.  By  general  consent,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln was  chosen  by  the  Republicans  as  his 
opponent.  Sidney  Breese  was  likewise  an- 
nounced as  a  candidate  by  that  portion   of  the 


26-2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAJIOK  COUNTY. 


Democratic  party  favorable  to  the  administra- 
tion in  its  contest  over  the  Lecompton  Constitu- 
tion. 

On  the  21st  of  April,  pursuant  to  a  call  issued 
by  Alexander  Starne,  of  Springfield,  Chairman 
of  the  Democratic  State  General  Committee, 
representatives  of  the  Democratic  party  met  in 
convention  at  the  State  House  in  Springtield, 
for  the  purpose  of  nominating  candidates  for 
State  officers,  to  be  elected  the  following  Novem- 
ber. The  Buchanan  wing  of  the  party  met  in 
the  Senate  chamber  and  was  called  to  order  by 
John  Dougherty,  of  Union  county,  who  read  the 
call  of  the  General  Committee.  Dr.  Le  Roy,  of 
Grundy,  was  made  Chairman.  Returning  thanks 
for  the  honor  conferred,  the  Doctor  then  said: 

'•  The  enthusiasm  you  manifest  is  satisfactory 
evidence  that  the  National  Democratic  party 
'  still  lives'  in  Illinois,  and  although  a  few  may 
falter,  still  the  hard-fisted  Democracy  are  sound 
to  the  core;  and  in  November  next  they  will 
speak  in  thunder  tones  to  the  factionists  and 
disorganizers,  who  would  ruthlessly  divide  and 
defeat  us,  to  please  man  worshipers  at  home  or 
abroad.  As  to  him  who  has  heretofore  led  us 
to  Tictory,  but  for  ambitious  aims,  now  sides 
with  the  enemy,  all  we  have  to  say  for  him  is — 

■• '  Slowly  and  sadly  we  lay  him  down, 
From  the  field  of  his  fame  fresh  and  gory, 

We  carve  not  a  line,  we  raise  not  a  stone, 
But  leave  him  alone  in  his  glory.'  " 

Colonel  Dougherty  being  called  upon  for  a 
speech  said  that  for  the  first  time  in  many  years 
the  party  was  callecl  upon  to  face  division  in  its 
own  ranks,  but  they  must  not  swerve  from  their 
principles  even  if  opposed  by  those  who  should 
be  their  proudest  defenders.  The  principles  of 
the  Democratic  party  were  the  same  as  for  thirty 
years,  and  one  of  the  cardinal  of  these  was  the 
rights  of  each  and  any  State  or  any  Territory 
to  mould  the  institution  under  which  they  are 
to  live.  He  ridiculed  the  idea  that  the  Lecomp- 
ton Constitution  was  the  result  of  fraud  and 
charged  the  Douglas  Democrats  with  having 
asserted  there  was  no  foundation  for  any  such 
claims.     ■ 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  a  plat- 
form embracing  substantially  the  following 
points:  1.  Adherence  to  the  Cincinnati  plat- 
form and  the  principles  enunciated  therein.  2. 
The  Territories  being  common  property,  every 
citizen  of  the  Union  had  a  right  to  dwell  "therein, 
and  have  with  him  any  property  he  may  possess, 
including  slaves.  3.  A  Territory  applying  for 
admission  to  the  Union,  having  the  requisite 
number  of  inhabitants,   and  having  adopted  a 


Constitution,  Republican  in  form,  should  be  ad- 
mitted, with  or  without  slavery,  as  the  people  of 
the  Territory  may  determine.  4.  Endorsement 
of  a  portion  of  a  speech  of  Senator  Douglas,  de 
daring  that  if  any  citizens  of  Kansas  should  re- 
frain from  voting  for  Constitutional  delegates, 
and  a  Constitution  should  be  adopted  repugnaut 
to  their  feelings,  they  alone  should  be  to  blame. 
5.  Resolution  condemning  the  course  of  Senator 
Douglas  in  opposingthe  National  Administration 
and  apparently  affiliating  with  the  Republican 
party.  6.  Laudatory  of  President  Buchanan  in 
his  course  with  reference  to  Kansas  affairs.  7. 
Greeting  to  Democratic  Conventions  in  other 
States.  8.  Thanking  that  portion  of  the  Press 
of  the  State  that  had  sustained  the  President's 
course. 

No  nominations  were  made,  and  the  convention 
adjourned  to  meet  June  8. 

The  Douglas  wing  of  the  party  met  in  the 
Representatives  Hall  of  the  State  House,  and 
was  called  to  order  by  A.  Starne,  Chairman  of 
the  General  State  Committee.  This  convention 
was  more  numerously  attended,  having  delegates 
from  every  county  in  the  State.  John  Moore 
wag  made  Chairman.  The  committee  on  resolu- 
tions subse(]uently  appointed,  made  the  follow- 
ing report,  which  was  unanimously  adopted: 

'^Hesolved,  That  the  Democratic  party  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  through  their  delegates  in  gen- 
eral convention  assembled,  do  re-assert  and  de- 
clare the  principles  avowed  by  them  when,  on 
former  occasions  they  have  presented  their  can- 
didates for  popular  suffrage. 

'■'■Resolved,  That  they  are  unalterably  attached 
to,  and  will  maintain  inviolate,  the  principles 
maintained  by  the  National  Convention  at  Cin- 
cinnati, in  June,  1856. 

"liesolved,  That  the  platform  of  principles 
established  by  the  National  Democratic  Conven- 
tion, at  Cincinnati,  is  the  only  authoritative  ex- 
position of  Democratic  doctrines,  and  we  deny 
the  right  of  any  power  on  earth,  except  a  like 
body,  to  change  or  interpolate  that  platform,  or 
to  prescribe  new  and  different  tests,  that  they 
will  neither  do  it  themselves  or  permit  it  to  be 
done  by  others;  but  will  recognize  all  men  as 
Democrats  who  stand  by  and  uphold  Democratic 
principles. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  organization  of  States 
the  people  have  a  right  to  decide  at  the  polls 
upon  the  character  of  their  fundamental  law, 
and  that  the  experience  of  the  past  year  has 
conclusively  demonstrated  the  wisdom  and  pro- 
priety of  the  principle  that  the  fundamental  law 
under  which  a   Territory  seeks  admission  into 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


2(;:! 


the  Union  should  be  submitted  to  the  people  of 
such  Territory  for  their  ratification  or  rejection 
at  a  fair  election,  to  be  held  for  that  purpose, 
and  that  before  such  Territory  is  admitted  as  a 
State  such  fundamental  laws  should  receive!  a 
majority  of  the  legal  votes  cast  at  such  election; 
and  they  deny  the  right  and  condemn  the 
attempts  of  any  convention  called  for  the  pur- 
pose of  framing  such  a  constitution  to  impose 
the  instrument  formed  by  them  upon  the  people 
against  their  known  will. 

'■'■  Resolved,  That  a  fair  application  of  those 
principles  requires  that  the  Lecomi)ton  Consti- 
tution should  be  submitted  to  a  direct  \oteof 
the  actual  inhabitants  of  Kansas,  so  that  they 
may  vote  for  or  against  that  instrument,  before 
Kansas  shall  be  declared  one  of  the  States  of 
the  Union,  and  that  until  it  shall  be  ratified  by 
the  people  of  Kansas  at  a  fair  election,  held  for 
that  purpose,  the  Illinois  Democracy  are  un- 
alterably opposed  to  the  admission  of  Kansas 
under  ttiat  constitution. 

"  liesoli'ed,  That  we  heartily  approve  and  sus- 
tain the  manly,  firm,  patriotic  and  Democratic 
position  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Isaac  N.  Mor- 
ris, Thomas  L.  Harris,  Aaron  Shaw,  Robert" 
Smith  and  Samuel  S.  Marshall,  the  Democratic 
delegation  of  Illinois  in  Congress,  upon  the 
question  of  the  admission  of  Kansas  under  the 
Lecompton  Constitution,  and  that  by  their  firm 
and  uncompromising  devotion  to  Democratic 
principles,  and  to  the  cause  of  justice,  truth, 
right  and  the  people,  they  have  deserved  our 
admiration  and  increased,  if  possible,  our  confi- 
dence in  their  integrity  and  patriotism,  and 
merited  our  warm  approbation,  our  sincere  and 
hearty  thanks,  and  shall  receive  our  earnest 
support. 

"  Resolved,  That  in  all  things,  whenever  the 
National  administration  sustain  and  carry  out 
the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  Cincinnati  platform  and  affirmed 
in  their  resolutions,  it  is  entitled  to  and  will 
receive  our  hearty  support." 

The  administration,  even  at  this  early  date, 
had  began  a  system  of  removals  from  office  of 
all  opposed  to  its  policy.  In  view  of  this  fact. 
Judge  Drummond,  of  Chicago,  introduced  the 
following  resolution: 

'■'■Resolved,  That  this  convention  view  with  re- 
gret the  course  pursued  by  the  present  Admin- 
istration in  removing  good  men  from  office  for 
the  expression  of  ojjiniou  upon  any  given  propo- 
sition." 

The  resolution  was  promptly  tabled,  thus 
showing  the  conservative  character  of  those  as- 


sembled, and  their  desire  to  preserve  harmony  as 
far  as  possible. 

W.  B.  Fondey,  of  Sangamon  county,  was 
nominated  for  State  Treasurer,  and  J.  P.  Brooks, 
of  Knox  county,  for  Superintendent  of  Public 
Schools. 

The  Administration  Democrats  again  met  in 
convention  pursuant  to  adjournment,  June  9, 
and  re-affirming  their  former  declarations  they 
nominated  John  Dougherty,  of  Union  county, 
for  State  Treasurer,  and  John  Reynolds,  of  St. 
Clair,  for  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools. 

The  Republican  State  Convention  met  in 
Springfield  June  16,  and  was  largely  repre- 
sented. The  following  is  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Resolutions,  and  submitted  as 
their  "declaration  of  principles:" 

"We,  the  Republicans  of  Illinois,  in  conven- 
tion assembled,  in  addition  to  our  previous  af- 
firmations, make  the  following  declaration  of 
principles: 

"  1.  We  re-affirm  our  devotion  to  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  country  and  to  the  Union  of  the 
States,  and  will  firmly  and  steadily  resist  all  at- 
tempts for  the  perversion  of  the  one,  or  the  dis- 
ruption of  the  other.  We  recognize  the  equal 
rights  of  all  the  States,  and  avow  our  readiness 
and  willingness  to  maintain  them,  and  disclaim 
all  intention  of  attempting,  either  directly  or 
indirectly,  to  assail  or  abridge  the  rights  of  any 
of  the  members  of  the  Confederacy,  guaranteed 
by  the  Constitution,  or  in  any  manner  to  inter- 
fere with  the  institution  of  slavery  in  any  State 
where  it  exists.  Nevertheless,  we  hold  this 
Government  was  instituted  for  freemen,  and 
that  it  can  be  perpetuated  and  made  to  fulfill 
the  purposes  of  its  organization  only  by  devot- 
ing itself  to  the  promotion  of  virtue  and  intel- 
ligence among  its  citizens,  and  the  advancement 
of  their  prosperity  and  happiness,  and  to  these 
ends  we  hold  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Govern- 
ment so  to  reform  the  system  of  disposing  of 
the  public  lands  as  to  secure  the  soil  to  actual 
settlers,  and  wrest  it  from  the  grasp  of  men 
who  speculate  in  the  homes  of  the  people,  and 
to  corporations  that  lock  it  up  in  dead  hands  for 
enhanced  profits. 

"2.  Free  labor  being  the  only  true  supjiort 
of  Republican  institutions,  our  Government 
should  maintain  its  rights,  and  we  therefore 
demand  the  improvement  of  our  harbors  and 
rivers,  which  freight  the  commerce  of  the  West 
to  market,  and  the  construction  of  a  central 
highway  to  connect  our  trade  with  the  Pacific 
States  as  rightful  encouragement  to  home  indus- 
try; and   inasmuch  as    we   now  compete  in  the 


264 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


markets  of  the  country  against  the  products  of 
unpaid  labor  at  depreciating  prices,  it  is  there- 
fore eminently  unjust  that  the  National  Admin- 
istration should  attempt,  by  coercion,  to  extend 
a  servile  system  in  the  Territories,  or  by  patron- 
age, to  perpetuate  slavery  in  the  States. 

"  3.  The  present  administration  has  proven 
recreant  to  the  trusts  committed  to  its  hands, 
and  by  its  extraordinary,  corrupt,  unjust  and  un- 
dignified exertions,  to  give  effect  to  the  original 
intention  and  purposes  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska 
bill,  by  forcing  upon  the  people  of  Kansas, 
against  their  will,  and  in  defiance  of  their  known 
and  earnestly  expressed  wishes,  a  constitution 
recognizing  slavery  as  one  of  their  domestic  in- 
stitutions, it  has  forfeited  all  claim  to  the  sup- 
port and  confidence  of  the  friends  of  free  men, 
free  labor,  and  equal  rights. 

"  4.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Government,  faith- 
fully and  diligently  to  execute  all  cur  treaty 
stipulations,  and  to  enforce  all  our  laws  for  the 
suppression  of  the  slave  trade. 

"5.  That  while  we  deprecate  all  interference 
on  the  part  of  political  organizations  with  the 
action  of  the  judiciary,  if  such  action  is  limited 
to  appropriate  sphere,  yet  we  cannot  refrain 
from  expressing  our  condemnation  of  the  prin- 
ciples and  tendencies  of  the  extra-judicial  opin- 
ions of  a  majority  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  in  the  matter  of 
Dred  Scott,  wherein  the  political  heresy  is  put 
forth,  that  the  Federal  Constitution  extends 
slavery  into  all  the  Territories  of  the  Republic, 
and  80  maintains  it,  that  neither  Congress,  nor 
the  people,  through  their  Territorial  legislatures, 
can  by  law  abolish  it;  we  hold  that  Congress  has 
sovereign  power  over  the  Territories,  and  has 
the  right  to  govern  and  control  them  whilst  they 
remain  in  a  territorial  condition,  and  that  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  General  Government  to  protect 
the  Territories  from  the  curse  of  slavery,  and  to 
preserve  the  public  domain  for  the  occupation  of 
free  men  and  free  labor,  and  we  declare  that  no 
power  on  earth  can  carry  and  maintain  slavery 
in  the  States  against  the  will  of  their  people  and 
the  provisions  of  their  constitutions  and  laws; 
and  we  fully  indorse  the  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  our  own  State,  which  declares  that 
property  in  persons  is  repugnant  to  the  consti- 
tution and  laws  of  Illinois,  and  that  all  persons 
within  its  jurisdiction  are  presumed  to  be  free, 
and  that  slavery,  where  it  exists,  is  a  municipal 
regulation,  without  any  extra  territorial  opera- 
tion. 

"6.  The  policy  of  this  Government  should 
be  to  live  on   terms  of  peace  and  amity  with  all 


the  nations  of  the  earth,  so  far  as  it  can  be  done 
consistently  with  our  National  honor  and  in- 
terests; and  to  enter  into  entangling  alliances 
with  none.  Our  intercourse  with  all  other  na- 
tions should  be  conducted  upon  principles  of 
exact  and  exalted  justice,  and,  whilst  firmly 
maintaining  our  own  rights,  we  should  carefully 
avoid  any  invasion  of  the  rights  of  others,  and 
especially  those  of  weaker  nations:  Our  com- 
merce ought  to  be  protected  from  wanton  inter- 
ruption, and  our  commercial  marine  from  inva- 
sion and  search;  and,  whilst  we  would  deplore 
the  necessity  of  war  with  any  of  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  we  will  still  firmly,  zealously,  and  pat- 
riotically sustain  the  Government  in  any  just 
measures  which  it  may  adopt  to  obtain  redress 
for  injuries  and  indignities  which  may  hereto- 
fore have  been  inflicted  upon  our  citizens  navi- 
gating the  seas,  or  which  may  be  necessary  to 
secure  them  against  a  repetition  of  like  injuries 
in  the  future." 

James  Miller  was  nominated  for  State  Treas- 
urer, by  acclamation,  and  Newton  Bateman  for 
State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 
After  the  nomination  of  the  candidates  and  the 
adoption  of  their  declaration  of  principles,  the 
Convention  passed  the  following  resolution, 
amidst  shouts  of  applause: 

"  Hesoh-ed,  That  Abraham  Lincoln  is  the  first 
and  only  choice  of  the  Republicans  of  Illinois, 
for  the  United  States  Senate,  as  the  successor  to 
Stephen  A.  Douglas." 

In  the  evening,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  called  upon  to 
address  the  Convention,  which  he  did  in  his  own 
peculiar,  happy  style.  In  that  speech  he  re-af- 
firmed the  doctrine  that  "a  house  divided  against 
itself  cannot  stand,"  applying  it  to  the  divided 
state  of  the  country  upon  the  slavery  question. 
In  thus  giving  expression  to  this  thought,  many 
Republicans  thought  Mr.  Lincoln  had  injured 
his  own  cause  and  that  of  the  party. 

On  the  24th  day  of  July,  Mr!  Lincoln  ad- 
dressed a  challenge  to  Mr.  Douglas  for  a  joint 
debate  during  the  campaign.  In  consequence 
of  previous  appointments,  Mr.  Douglas  declined 
meeting  him  on  all  occasions  during  the  cam- 
paign, but  suggested  one  meeting  in  each  Con- 
gressional District.  The  arrangement  was  made, 
and  seven  joint  discussions  were  held.  No 
political  debate,  before  or  since,  ever  created 
such  an  interest,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  they  have 
ever  been  equaled.  They  were  printed  and  cir- 
culated as  campaign  documents  in  several  States, 
and  were  ever  quoted  as  authoritative  exposition 
of  the  political  questions  of  the  day,  from  the 
standpoints  of    the  resisective  speakers  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


265 


party  represented  by  each.  The  interest  mani- 
fested iu  this  campaign  by  the  people  of  Illinois 
was  equal  to  that  of  a  Presidential  campaign; 
nor  was  the  interest  alone  confined  to  the  State, 
but  all  over  the  Union,  men  were  observing  the 
contest  with  an  eagerness  never  before  mani- 
fested in  a  State  election.  It  was  the  prelimi- 
nary skirmish  preceding  the  great  battle  for  the 
Presidency  in  186(.).  To  the  people  of  Sanga- 
mon county,  this  campaign  was  of  special  in- 
terest. One  of  the  senatorial  candidates  was  a 
citizen  of  this  county,  and  had  developed  from 
the  backwoods  surveyor  to  the  statesman  with  a 
National  reputation,  an  orator  of  great  abilit)-, 
and  one  who  was  rapidly  taking  a  position 
among  the  leading  men  of  the  Nation;  the  other 
had  been  a  citizen  for  several  years;  was  then  a 
leader  of  a  great  party,  with  a  personal  follow- 
ing equaled  by  no  American  statesman  save 
Henry  Claj^;  a  prominent  candidate  for  the 
Presidency,  and  who  was  known  as  the  "Little 
Giant."  Lincoln,  in  Sangamon  county,  was 
doubtless  the  favorite,  as  he  was  daily  brought 
face  to  face  with  the  people,  and  with  his  great 
heart  succeeded  in  winning  their  love. 

On  Saturday,  prior  to  the  annual  election,  the 
Republicans  had  announced  a  last  grand  rally  .at 
Springfield,  to  be  addressed  by  Lincoln  and 
others.  The  weather  during  the  week  was 
unpropitious,  the  rain  having  fallen  almost  inces- 
santly, but  still  the  crowd  came,  one  train  of 
thirty-two  cars  coming  from  McLean  and  Taze- 
well counties. 

Speaking  in  reference  to  this  debate,  in  an 
address  before  the  State  Bar  Association,  Jan- 
uary 7,  1881,  Is.aac  N.  Arnold  says: 

"The  two  most  prominent  men  in  Illinois,  at 
that  time,  were  Douglas  and  Lincoln.  Each  was 
in  the  full  maturity  of  his  powers,  Douglas  being 
forty-five  and  Lincoln  forty-nine  years  old. 
Douglas  had  for  years  been  trained  on  the  stump, 
in  the  lower  house  of  Congress,  and  in  the  Sen- 
ate, to  meet  in  debate  the  ablest  speakers  in  the 
State  and  Nation.  For  years  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed, on  the  floor  of  the  capitol,  to  encounter 
the  leaders  of  the  old  Whig  and  Free-Soil  par- 
ties. Among  them  were  Seward,  and  Fcssenden, 
and  Crittenden,  and  Chase,  and  Trumbull,  and 
Hale,  and  Sumner,  and  others,  equally  eminent, 
and  his  enthusiastic  friends  insisted  that  never, 
either  in  single  conflict  or  when  receiving  the 
assault  of  a  whole  party,  had  he  been  dis- 
comfited. His  style  was  bold,  vigorous  and 
aggressive,  and  at  times  defiant.  He  was  ready, 
fertile  in  resources,  familiar  with  political  his- 
tory, terrible  in  denunciation,  and  handled  with 


skill  all  the  weapons  of  debate.  His  iron  will, 
restless  energy,  united  with  great  personal  mag- 
netism, made  him  very  popular;  and  with  these 
qualities  he  had  indomitable  physical  and  moral 
courage,  and  his  almost  uniform  success  had 
given  him  perfect  confidence  in  himself. 

"  Lincoln  was  also  a  thoroughly  trained 
speaker.  He  had  contended  successfully,  year 
after  year,  at  the  bar  and  on  the  stump,  with  the 
ablest  men  of  Illinois,  including Lamborn,  Logan, 
John  Calhoun  and  others,  and  had  often  met 
Douglas  himself — a  conflict  with  whom  he 
always  rather  courted  than  shunned.  Indeed, 
these  two  great  orators  had  often  tested  each 
other's  power,  and  whenever  they  did  meet,  it 
was,  indeed,  'Greek  meeting  Greek,'  and  the 
'  tug  of  war'  came,  for  each  put  forth  his  utmost 
strength. 

"  In  a  speech  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in  1  856,  he  made 
the  following  beautiful,  eloquent,  and  generous 
allusion  to  Douglas.  He  said:  'Twenty  years 
ago.  Judge  Douglas  and  I  first  became  ac- 
quainted; we  were  both  young  then,  he,  a  trifle 
younger  than  I.  Even  then,  we  were  both  am- 
bitious, I,  perhaps,  quite  as  much  as  he.  With 
me,  the  race  of  ambition  has  been  a  failure. 
With  him,  it  has  been  a  splendid  success.  His 
name  fills  the  Nation,  and  it  is  not  unknown  in 
foreign  lands.  I  afl:ect  no  contempt  for  the 
high  eminence  he  has  reached;  so  reached  that 
the  oppressed  of  my  species  might  have  shared 
with  me  in  the  elevation,  I  would  rather  stand 
on  that  eminence  than  wear  the  richest  crown 
that  ever  pressed  a  monarch's  brow.' 

"We  know,  and  the  world  knows,  that  Lin- 
coln did  reach  that  high,  nay  far  higher  emi- 
nence, and  that  he  did  reach  it,  in  such  a  way 
that 'the  oppressed' did  share  with  him  in  the 
elevation. 

"Such  were  the  champions  who,  in  1858,  were 
to  discuss  before  the  voters  of  Illinois,  and  with 
the  whole  Nation  as  spectators,  the  political 
questions  then  pending,  and  especially  the 
vital  questions  relating  to  slavery.  It  was  not 
a  single  combat,  but  extended  through  a  whole 
campaign,  and  the  American  people  paused  to 
watch  Its  progress,  and  hung,  with  intense  in- 
terest, upon  every  movement  of  the  champions. 
Each  of  these  great  men,  I  doubt  not,  at  that 
time,  sincerely  believed  he  was  right.  Douglas' 
ardor,  while  in  such  a  conflict,  would  make  him 
think,  for  the  time  being,  he  was  right,  and  I 
know  that  Lincoln  argued  for  freedom  against 
the  extension  of  slavery,  witli  the  most  profound 
conviction  that,  on  success,  hung  the  fate  of  his 
country.      Lincoln   had    two    advantages   over 


266 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Douglas;  lie  had  the  best  side  of  tlie  question, 
and  the  best  temper.  He  was  always  good  hu- 
mored, always  had  an  apt  story  for  illustration, 
while  Douglas,  sometimes,  when  hard  pressed, 
was  irritable. 

"Douglas  carried  away  the  most  popular  ap- 
plause, but  Lincoln  made  the  deeper  and  more 
lasting  impression.  Douglas  did  not  disdain  an 
immediate  ad  cuptandum  triumph,  while  Lin- 
coln aimed  at  permanent  conviction.  Sometimes, 
when  Lincoln's  friends  urged  him  to  raise  a 
storm  of  applause,  which  he  could  always  do, 
by  his  happy  illustrations  and  amusing  stories, 
he  refused,  saying  the  occasion  was  too  serious, 
the  issue  too  grave.  '  I  do  not  seek  applause,' 
said  he,  '  nor  to  amuse  the  people,  I  want  to 
convince  them.' 

"It  was  often  observed  during  this  canvass, 
that,  while  Douglas  was  sometimes  greeted  with 
the  loudest  cheers,  when  Lincoln  closed  the  peo- 
ple seemed  solemn  aud  serious,  and  could  be 
heard,  all  through  the  crowd,  gravely  and  anx- 
iously discussing  the  topics  on  which  he  had 
been  speaking. 

"  Douglas,  by  means  of  a  favorable  appor- 
tionment, succeeded  in  securing  a  majority  of 
the  legislature,  but  a  majority  of  the  vote  was 
with  Lincoln.  These  debates  made  Douglas 
Senator,  aud  Lincoln  President.  There  was 
something  magnetic,  something  almost  heroic, 
in  the  gallantry  with  which  Douglas  threw  him- 
self into  this  canvass,  and  dealt  his  blows  right 
and  left,  against  the  Republican  party  on  one 
side,  and  Buchanan's  administration,  which 
sought  his  defeat,  on  the  other.  The  Federal 
patronage  was  used,  by  the  unscrupulous  Slidell, 
against  Douglas — but  in  vain;  a  few  were 
seduced,  but  the  mass  of  the  Democratic  party, 
with  honorable  fidelity,  stood  by  him.  This  can- 
vass of  Douglas,  and  his  personal  and  immediate 
triumph,  in  being  returned  to  the  Senate,  over 
the  combined  opposition  of  the  Republican 
party,  led  by  Lincoln  and  Trumbull,  and  the 
administration,  with  all  its  patronage,  is,  I 
think,  the  most  brilliant  personal  triumph  in 
American  politics.  If  we  look  into  English 
struggles  on  the  hustings  for  its  parallel,  we  find 
something  with  which  to  compare  it,  in  the  late 
triumph  of  Mr.  Gladstone.  If  we  seek  its  coun- 
terpart in  military  history,  we  must  look  into 
some  of  the  earlier  campaigns  of  Napoleon,  or 
that  in  which  Grant  captured  Vicksburg. 

"Douglas  secured  the  immediate  object  of  the 
struggle,  but  the  manly  bearing,  the  vigorous 
logic,  the  honesty  and  sincerity,  the  great  in- 
tellectual powers  exhibited  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  pre- 


pared the  way,  and  two  years  later  secured  his 
nomination  and  election  to  the  Presidency.  It 
is  a  touching  incident,  illustrating  the  patriotism 
of  both  these  statesmen,  that,  widely  as  they 
had  differed,  and  keen  as  had  been  their  rivalry, 
just  as  soon  as  the  life  of  the  Republic  was  men- 
aced by  treason,  they  joined  hands  to  shield  and 
save  the  country  they  loved." 

1859. — A  member  of  Congress  and  county 
officers  were  to  be  elected  this  year.  While  no 
such  interest  was  manifested  as  in  the  year  pre- 
vious, still  it  could  not  be  said  the  campaign 
was  a  listless  one.  The  trouble  growing  out  of 
the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  Compromise,  and  the 
consequent  re-opening  of  the  slavery  question, 
was  still  the  theme  upon  the  lips  of  everyone. 
The  Southern  States,  becoming  alarmed  at  the 
rapid  growth  of  the  Republican  party,  were 
already  threatening  secession  in  case  of  the  suc- 
cess of  that  party  in  a  National  contest.  The 
breach  between  Douglas  and  his  followers  and 
the  Southern  Democracy  was  widening  daily, 
though  many  in  each  wing  of  the  party  hoped 
against  hope  that  all  differences  would  be  settled 
prior  to  the  great  campaign  of  1860.  The 
American  party  was  being  slowly  dissolved,  and 
a  new  party  was  being  formed,  composed  of 
many  of  its  members,  and  known  as  the  Union 
party.  Like  the  American  party,  its  greatest 
strength  was  in  the  South. 

John  A.  McClernand  was  the  Democratic 
nominee  for  Congress  in  this  District,  and  John 
M.  Palmer  the  Republican.  Both  were  strong 
men.  McClernand  was  the  successful  candidate. 
In  this  county  his  majority  was  401  out  of  a 
total  vote  of  5,233.  For  county  officers  only 
Republicans  and  Douglas  Democrats  were  nom- 
inated, the  latter  being  successful  in  every  in- 
stance. 

1860. — The  political  campaign  of  1860  has 
never  had  its  parallel  in  the  history  of  this  Gov- 
ernment. There  seemed  to  be  no  cessation  in 
the  political  excitement  began  in  1858,  culmin- 
ating in  the  election  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas  to 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  which  placed 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  the  front  rank  as  a  political 
speaker  and  debater,  worthy  the  attention  of  the 
greatest  statesmen  in  the  land.  Defeated  for 
the  Senate,  Mr.  Lincoln's  name  was  prominently 
mentioned  in  connection  with  the  Presidency. 
In  1859  the  newspapers  of  the  Eastern  States, 
especiall)'  in  New  England,  favorably  spoke  of 
him  as  a  candidate  for  either  the  first  or  second 
place  on  the  ticket.  Prior  to  this,  several 
Western  journals  had  placed  his  name  at  the 
head  of  their  columns,  and  "Honest  Old  Abe" 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


267 


was  ]iraiised  and  said  to  be  the  only  man  that 
would  surely  lead  the  party  to  victory.  Early 
in  January  the  Republican  Club,  of  Springtield, 
was  changed  into  a  "  Lincoln  Club,"  and  re- 
solved to  use  every  honorable  means  to  secure 
his  nomination  for  the  Presidency.  The  State 
Journal,  under  date  of  January  IS,  1860,  says  of 
Mr.  Lincoln's  candidacy: 

"  As  a  matter  of  National  policy,  we  believe 
that  the  next  President  of  the  United  States 
should  come  from  the  Western  States,  and  no 
State  is  more  deserving  of  the  honor  of  sending 
forth  the  Republican  champion  for  that  high 
office  than  that  one  which  has  been  the  great 
political  battle-ground  of  the  country  for  the  last 
four  years.  *  »  *  *  Abraham  Lincoln 
has  arrived  at  that  period  of  life  when  man's 
mental  and  physical  faculties  are  in  their  prime. 
God  gave  him  a  mind  of  unusual  strength,  and 
time  and  labor  and  study  have  made  him  one  of 
the  great  men  of  the  land.  The  purity  of  his 
patriotism,  his  incorruptible  integrity,  and  his 
ability  to  sustain  himself  and  the  country  in  any 
position  in  which  he  is  placed,  no  one  who 
knows  him  can  for  a  moment  doubt.  The  peo- 
ple of  Illinois  are  justified  in  their  determina- 
tion to  place  the  name  of  their  distinguished 
citizen  before  the  country  for  the  highest  honors 
in  the  Nation's  gift.  They  do  it  because  they 
know  him;  because  they  have  confidence  in  him 
as  a  man  for  the  times;  because  with  him  in  the 
Presidential  chair  the  rights  of  the  people  of  all 
the  States  will  be  secured,  respected  and  main- 
tained; because  he  interprets  the  constitution 
as  did  our  fathers,  who  made  it  and  illustrated 
it  in  their  acts;  because  he  is  a  conservative 
National  Republican.  The  Great  West  will' 
give  a  telling  vote  at  the  next  Presidential  elec- 
tion, and  the  candidacy  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
will  secure  that  vote  for  the  Republicans  beyond 
controversy.  With  him  as  our  standard  bearer, 
we  are  sure  of  all  the  Northwestern  States,  ex- 
cept Missouri,  and  the  Republicans  of  other 
States  could  not  cast  their  votes  for  a  worthier, 
or  abler,  or  more  available  man.  The  enthusi- 
asm wiiich  his  name  excites  all  over  the  country, 
since  his  powerful  and  most  eloquent  vindica- 
tion of  the  great  Republican  cause  in  this  State, 
shows  that  he  has  become  the  Nation's  man  and 
a  tower  of  strength  to  the  party  whose  leader  he 
is  now  regarded.  The  Republicans  of  Illinois 
will  sustain  and  support  with  their  full  strength 
the  Presidential  nominee  of  the  Chicago  Con- 
vention, whoever  he  may  be;  but  they  respect- 
fully, 3'et  earnestly,  call  upon  the  Republicans 
of  the   LTnion  to  weigh  the  claims,  estimate  the 


ijualitications  and  availability,  and  consider  the 
fitness  and  propriety  of  giving  the  nomination 
to  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illinois." 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  the  meeting  of  the 
Republican  National  Convention  at  Chicago, 
Mr.  Lincoln's  popularity  increased.  The  friends 
of  every  Presidential  candidate  desired  he  should 
have  the  second  place  on  the  ticket  with  their 
favorite, and  he  was  acknowledged  second  choice 
of  all  for  the  first  place.  The  State  Republican 
Convention,  held  at  Decatur  in  May,  passed  the 
following  resolution: 

^^ Resolved,  That  Abraham  Lincoln  is  the  choice 
of  the  Republican  party  of  Illinois  for  the  Presi- 
dency, and  the  delegates  from  this  State  are  in- 
structed to  use  all  honorable  means  to  secure  his 
nomination  by  the  Chicago  Convention,  and  to 
vote  for  him  as  a  unit." 

An  incident  occurred  at  this  convention  worthy 
of  mention.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  invited  to  take  a 
seat  upon  the  platform.  He  had  hardly  done  so, 
amid  the  wildest  enthusiasm,  when  Mr.  Oglesby, 
of  Decatur,  announced  to  the  delegates  that  an 
old  Democrat  of  Macon  county,  who  had  grown 
gray  in  the  service  of  that  party,  desired  to  make 
a  contribution  to  the  convention,  and  the  offer 
being  accepted,  forthwith  two  old-time  fence 
rails,  decorated  with  flags  and  streamers,  were 
borne  through  the  crowd  into  the  convention, 
bearing  the  inscription: 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 

The  Rail  Candidate 
For  Peesidekt  in  1860. 
Two  riiils  from  a  lot  of  three  thousand 
made  in  1830  by  Thomus  Hanks  and  Abra- 
ham Lincoln — whose  father  was   the  first 
pioneer  of  Macon  county. 


The  effect  was  electrical.  One  spontaneous 
burst  of  applause  went  up  from  all  j)arts  ol  the 
"wigwam,"  which  grew  more  and  more  deafen- 
ing as  it  was  prolonged,  and  which  did  not 
wholly  subside  for  some  minutes.  Of  course 
"Old  Abe"  was  called  out,  and  made  an  explana- 
tion of  the  matter.  He  stated  that  some  thirty 
years  previous,  he  stopped  with  his  mother's 
family  for  one  season  in  what  is  now  Macon 
county;  that  he  built  a  cabin,  split  rails  and  cul- 
tivated a  small  farm  down  there.  These  rails, 
he  was  informed,  were  taken  from  the  fence 
around  that  farm,  but  whether  they  were  or  not, 
he  had  mauled  many  and  better  ones  since  he 
had  grown  to  manhood.  The  cheers  were  re- 
newed when  he   had  finished  his  remarks,  and 


268 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


doubtless  many  persoDs  present  constrasted  the 
present  position  of  the  noble,  self-taught,  self- 
made  statesman  and  patriot,  whose  name  was 
mentioned  in  connection  with  the  highest  office 
in  the  gift  of  the  people,  with  that  of  the  hum- 
ble rail-splitter  of  thirty  years  previous. 

In  the  Chicago  Convention  it  was  plain  to  see 
■who  was  the  favorite  of  the  lookers-on.  Every 
mention  of  Lincoln's  name  was  received  with 
cheer  after  cheer.  Three  ballots  were  taken, 
Mr.  Lincoln  receiving  a  majoritj'  of  the  whole 
votes,  and  was  made  the  unanimous  choice  of 
the  convention  amidst  the  most  intense  enthusi- 
asm. Hannibal  Hamlin,  of  Maine,  was  selected 
as  the  candidate  for  Vice  President. 

As  may  well  be  supposed  the  result  of  the 
nomination  was  hailed  with  delight  by  the  nom- 
inee's old  friends  and  neighbors.  They  crowded 
around  him,  shook  him  warmly  by  the  hand,  and 
congratulated  him  on  his  success.  Cannons  were 
tired,  speeches  made,  and  a  general  time  of 
rejoicing  was  indulged  in. 

While  the  Republicans  of  Illinois  were  so 
active  in  behalf  of  their  favorite,  "  Honest  Old 
Abe,"  the  friends  of  the  "Little  Giant"  were 
not  idle.  Every  effort  was  being  put  forth  to 
secure  his  nomination  at  Charleston  for  the  office 
of  President  of  the  United  States.  The  Demo- 
cratic State  Convention  of  this  State  instructed 
its  delegates  to  vote  unanimously  and  make 
every  honorable  effort  to  secure  his  nomination. 
The  Charleston  Convention  was  an  unfortunate 
one.  Meeting  in  the  city  of  Charleston,  South 
Carolina,  April  2.3,  the  convention  remained  in 
session  ten  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time 
no  nomination  was  made,  many  of  the  delegates 
from  the  Soutiiern  States  withdrawing.  The 
rule  of  the  National  Democratic  Convention 
required  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  entire  body 
for  any  candidate  to  secure  his  nomination.  So 
many  delegates  withdrawing,  after  taking  fifty- 
seven  ballots,  it  was  found  impossible  for  any 
candidate  to  secure  that  number.  An  adjourn- 
ment was  then  had  to  lialtimore,  June  lU. 

At  this  latter  place  the  convention  assembled 
pursuant  to  adjournment,  but  even  here  no  agree- 
ment could  be  reached  between  the  factions. 
After  a  six  days'  meeting  Stephen  A.  Douglas 
was  nominated  for  President  and  Benjamin 
Fitzpatrick,  of  Alabama,  for  Vice  President. 
The  nomination  of  Douglas  was  received  with 
very  great  enthusiasm.  Mr.  Fitzpatrick  declin- 
ing, Herschel  V.  Johnson,  of  Georgia,  was  sub- 
stituted.    Mr.  Johnson  accepted  the  nomination. 

A  portion  of  the  Convention  seceded,  and 
holding  another  Convention  June  23,  nominated 


John  C.  Breckenridge,  of  Kentucky,  for  Presi- 
dent, and  Joseph  Lane,  of  Oregon,  for  Vice 
President. 

A  "Union"  convention  met  at  which  John 
Bell,  of  Tennessee,  was  nominated  for  President, 
and  Edward  Everett,  of  Massachusetts,  for  Vice- 
President. 

With  four  Presidential  candidates  in  the  field, 
the  exciting  questions  growing  out  of  the  insti- 
tution of  slavery,  the  threats  of  disunion  by  a 
portion  of  the  South,  in  the  event  of  the  election 
of  Lincoln,  tended  to  make  the  campaign  one  of 
great  interest.  "  Wide- Awake  "  clubs,  and  or- 
ganizations of  "  Hickory  Boys,"  on  the  part  of 
the  Republicans  and  Douglas  Democrats,  re- 
spectively, tended  to  increase  the  excitement. 
Large  and  enthusiastic  meetings  were  held  by 
each  party  in  all  the  leading  towns  and  cities, 
and  even  in  many  of  the  smaller  villages.  The 
names  of  the  "Rail-Splitter"  and  the  "Little 
Giant"  evoked  the  greatest  enthusiasm.  The 
excitement  was  scarcely  equaled  in  1840. 

As  already  intimated,  Sangamon  county  had 
special  claims  upon  the  two  leading  candidates 
for  the  Presidency,  and  thus  felt  highly  honored. 
Hardly  a  day  passed  but  meetings  were  held  by 
one  or  the  other  party,  and  frequently  by  both. 
The  vote  in  the  county  was  the  largest  ever  cast, 
and  was  very  close.  Douglas"  majority  was  42 
over  Lincoln;  Yates,  for  Governor,  had  S  ma- 
jority over  Allen,  a  number  of  Bell,  or  Union 
men  casting  their  votes  for  him.  For  county 
officers,  the  Republicans  were  generally  success- 
ful, receiving  the  votes  of  the  Union  men. 

The  result  of  the  general  election  was  the  ele- 
vation of  Lincoln  to  the  Chief  Magistracy  of 
the  Nation.  The  Republicans  were  jubilant, 
especially  in  old  Sangamon,  the  home  of  Lin- 
coln. A  grand  jubilee  meeting  was  held  in 
Springfield  in  a  style  never  before  equaled.  The 
reporter  of  the  State  Joiirnal  became  entranced, 
as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  description  of 
the  illumination,  from  his  pen: 

"Never  did  the  city  of  Pekiu,  iu  all  the  glory  aud 
'  feast  of  lanterns,'  as  It  is  quaintly  called  by  the 
Chinese,  present  such  a  striking  and  gorgeous  display 
as  did  the  city  of  Springfield  last  night.  Standing  at 
the  head  of  a  person  was  forcibly  reminded  of  the 
metaphor  of  a  sea  of  tire  rising  and"  falling,  variegated 
as  the  rainbow,  anon  a  huge  wave  of  blood  red  fire, 
now  a  ripple  of  faint  blue  and  j-ellow,  and  then  again 
the  steady  swell  of  strong,  w'hite  light.  The  many 
colors  gave  a  fantastic  and  unreal  hue  to  the  surround- 
ing and  enthusiastic  crowd.  The  splendor  and  effect 
of  the  grandly  brilliant  scene  is  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  pen"  The  State  House,  rising  in  all  the  effulgence 
of  its  illuminated  splendor,  seemed  like  some  vision 
evoked  from  fairy-land  by  the  wand  of  the  enchanter. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


269 


Never  before  has  Springfield  been  decked  in  such  mag- 
nificent hues.  Not  only  did  the  streets  present  a 
most  dazzling  eti'eca,  but  the  whole  Heavens  seemed 
ablaze  with  tlie  continual  discharge  of  rockets,  Roman 
candles,  and  the  slow  combustion  of  Bengal  lights. 
The  streets  were  as  bright  and  light  as  under  the  full 
rays  of  the  noou-day  sun.  The  illumination  of  last 
night  will  never  be  forgotten  in  the  annals  of  Spring- 
field, and  will  in  future  time  be  referred  to  as  one  of 
the  most  brilliant  events  in  its  history." 

1861. — The  war  for  the  Union  was  now  in  full 
progress,  and  little  interest  was  manifested  in 
ordinary  political  matters;  only  questions  grow- 
ing out  of  the  secession  of  the  ttouthern  States 
was  worthy  of  attention.  No  State  officers 
were  to  be  elected,  and  the  contest  for  county 
officers  was  not  of  a  nature  to  draw  out  a  full 
vote.  The  opposition  to  the  Democracy  took 
the  name  of  "  Union."  Only  4,353  votes  were 
polled,  against  7,361  in  1860.  The  Democrats 
elected  William  D.  Power,  County  Judge,  and 
William  W.  Warren,  Surveyor.  The  Union 
men  elected  Noah  W.  Matheny,  County  Clerk, 
and  Fresco  Wright,  Treasurer. 

1862. — The  election  this  year  was  a  more  im- 
portant one,  and  almost  a  full  vote  was  polled. 
State  and  county  officers  were  to  be  elected. 
Alexander  Starne  was  the  Democratic  candidate 
for  State  Treasurer,  against  William  Butler, 
Union;  .John  T.  Stuart,  one  of  the  most  popular 
men  in  Sangamon  county,  announced  himself  an 
independant  candidate  for  Congress  having  for  an 
opponent,  Leonard  Swett.  Full  county  tickets 
were  nominated  by  both  parties.  During  this 
year  the  Union  army  met  with  many  reverses, 
and  a  somewhat  gloomy  feeling  pervaded  the 
minds  of  the  people.  When  the  election  came 
ofE  each  party  stood  by  its  candidates,  for  the 
campaign  had  aroused  party  feeling  intensely. 
The  Demcrats  succeeded  in  carrying  the  county, 
by  majorities  ranging  from  816  to  1,262. 

1863. — This  was  an  "off  year,"  in  politics, 
and  only  county  officers  were  to  be  elected.  The 
Union  ticket  was  successful  throughout,  elect- 
ing the  candidates  on  it  by  majorities  panging 
from  242  to  302. 

1864. — The  campaign  this  year  was  one  of 
much  earnestness  and  feeling.  Abraham  Lin- 
coln was  the  Republican  or  Union  candidate  for 
re-election  to  the  Presidency,  and  associated 
with  him  as  a  candidate  for  Vice-President,  was 
Andrew  Johnson,  the  distinguished  Unionist  of 
Tennessee.  George  B.  McClellan  and  George 
H.  Pendleton  were  the  Democratic  candidates 
for  President  and  Vice-President.  James  C. 
Robinson  was  the  Democratic  and  R.  J.  Oglesby 
the  Kepublitan  candidates  for  Governor.     John 

31— 


T.  Stuart  was  nominated  for  re-election  to  Con- 
gress, and  placed  in  opposition  was  Shelby 
M.  CuUom.  Both  tickets  were  exceptionably 
strong  and  the  full  vote  of  the  State  and  county 
was  polled.  In  Sangamon  county  there  was  an 
increase  over  1860.  "  The  question  during  the 
campaign  was  substantially  whether  President 
Lincoln  should  be  sustained  in  his  course  in  the 
prosecution  of  the  war.  The  Democrats  carried 
the  county  by  a  majority  of  380  for  McClellan. 

1865. — When  the  regular  fall  election  was 
held,  the  war  w'as  over,  and  many  of  the  brave 
Union  soldiers  had  returned,  but  there  being 
only  county  officers  to  elect,  the  vote  was  light, 
being  5388  against  7519  in  1864.  The  Union 
ticket  was  successful  over  the  Democratic  by 
majorities  ranging  from  254  to  462. 

1866. — The  issues  which  now  divided  parlies 
arose  from  the  work  of  reconstruction  of  the 
States  lately  in  rebellion.  The  election  was  an 
important  one,  and  party  spirit  once  more  ran 
high.  George  W.  Smith  was  the  Republican 
candidate  for  State  Treasurer,  and  Jesse  J. 
Phillips  the  Democratic.  Shelby  M.  Cullom 
was  re-nominated  for  Congress,  and  was  opposed 
by  E.  S.  Fowler,  Democrat.  The  Democrats 
carried  the  county,  electing  every  officer  save 
Sheriff,  Samuel  Shoup,  Republican,  being 
elected.  The  opposition  to  the  Democratic 
party  resumed  the  name  of  Republican  this 
year. 

1867. — Another  light  vote  this  year,  only 
county  officers  being  voted  for,  and  no  special 
political  discussions  being  held.  The  Republi- 
can candidate  for  Treasurer  was  elected  by  21 
majority,  and  their  candidate  fop-  Surveyor  by  a 
majority  of  18. 

1868. — This  year  brought  with  it  another 
Presidential  campaign.  The  Republican  Na- 
tional Convention  met  in  Chicago  and  placed  in 
nomination  LTlysses  S.  Grant,  the  victorious 
Union-General,  associating  with  him  Schuyler 
Colfax,  of  Indiana.  The  Democratic  National 
Convention  nominated  Horatio  Seymour  and 
Francis  P.  Blair,  Jr.,  for  President  and  Vice- 
President.  John  R.  Eden  was  the  Democratic 
and  John  M.  Palmer  the  Republican  candidate 
for  Governor.  Benjamin  S.  Edwards  was  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  Congress.  He  had  for 
an  opponent  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  who  was  re- 
nominated by  the  Republicans.  For  county 
officers,  Charles  H.  Lanphier  was  the  Democratic 
nominee  for  Circuit  Clerk,  and  opposed  by  J.  V. 
Mahoney,  Republican.  D.  Brown,  Democrat, 
and  John  McConnell,  Republican,  were  the  nomi- 
nees for  the  office  of  Sheriff.     The  campaign  was 


270 


HISTORY  OF   SANGA]\[0]Sr  COUNTY. 


one  of  great  activity.  Each  party  was  well  or- 
ganized, and  both  had  hopes  of  victory.  In  this 
county  great  interest  was  manifested.  The 
Democrats  were  here  successful,  electing  every 
candidate  on  their  county  ticket. 

1S69. — Light  vote  at  the  fail  election  for 
county  officers.  The  Democrats  were  successful 
in  electing  their  entire  ticket,  with  the  exception 
of  County  Clerk — Noah  W.  Matheny,  who  had 
so  long  held  the  office,  being  elected  by  206  ma- 
jority." ^  ■  _ 

1870. — A  State  Treasurer  and  State  Superin- 
tendent of  Public  Schools  were  to  be  elected. 
In  addition  to  the  nominations  made  by  Demo- 
crats and  Republicans,  the  Temperance  men,  or 
Prohibitionists,  nominated  a  State  and  county 
ticket,  but  their  strength  was  limited,  the  high- 
est vote  being  polled  by  Mr.  Owen,  candidate  for 
Sheriff,  he  receiving  51  votes.  About  a  two- 
thirds  vote  was  polled. 

1871. — A  Member  of  Congress  from  the  State 
at  lai-ge  was  to  be  elected  this  year,  but  this  fact 
was  not  sufficient  to  draw  out  a  full  vote,  the 
number  polled  being  even  less  than  the  year  pre- 
vious. S.  S.  Hayes  was  the  Democratic  and  J. 
L.  Beveridge  the  Republican  candidate  for  the 
office.  The  total  vote  for  Member  of  Congress 
was  5,83.3,  of  which  Mr.  Hayes  received  3,053 
and  Mr.  Beveridge  2,7i^O.  The  Democratic  can- 
didates for  county  officers  were  elected,  their 
candidate  for  Sheriff  receiving  55  majority  and 
Surveyor  442  majority. 

]872. — The  movement  known  as  the  Liberal- 
Republican  had  a  large  influence,  politically, 
this  year,  having  virtually  dictated  the  Demo- 
cratic nomination  for  the  Presidency,  and  the 
platform  of  jirinciples  on  which  the  campaign 
against  the  Republican  party  -was  dictated.  The 
Liberal-Republicans  were  those  connected  with 
the  Republican  party  who  were  opposed  to  any 
extreme  measures  in  the  reconstruction  of  the 
Southern  States,  and  who  believed  the  time  had 
come  when  past  issues  should  be  forgotten,  and 
new  issues  formed;  that  the  hand  of  reconcilia- 
tion should  be  offered  the  South,  and  a  tmited 
country,  working  together  to  build  up  the  waste 
places  of  the  South.  Many  of  the  most  able 
men  of  the  Republican  party,  including  Horace 
Greeley,  Charles  Sumner,  Lyman  Trumbull, 
John  M.  Palmer,  and  others,  united  in  this 
movement.  In  this  county,  the  year  previous, 
a  paper  had  been  commenced  by  Geo.  R.  Weber 
&  Son,  called  The  Political  Crisis,  which  advo- 
cated the  views  of  this  wing  of  the  party.  In 
May,  a  National  convention  was  held  by  the 
Liberal-Republicans,  in  Cincinnati,  which  nom- 


inated Horace  Greeley  for  President,  and  B. 
Gratz  Brown  for  Vice  President.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  synopsis  of  the  resolutions  adopted: 

1.  Equality  of  all  men  before  the  law;  equal 
and  exact  justice  to  all,  without  regard  to  race, 
color  or  previous  condition. 

2.  Opposition  to  the  re-opening  of  all  ques- 
tions settled  by  the  Xlllth,  XlVth  and  XVth 
amendments  to  the  Constitution. 

3.  Demand  for  the  immediate  and  absolute 
removal  of  all  disabilities  imposed  on  account 
of  the  rebellion.  i 

4.  Local  self-government;  supremacy  of  the 
civil  over  the  military;  and  demand  for  the  lar- 
gest individual  liberty  consistent  with  public 
order. 

5.  Denunciation  of  the  existing  system  of 
civil  service. 

6.  Demand  for  a  system  of  Federal  taxation 
which  should  not  unnecessarily  interfere  with 
the  industries  of  the  people;  reference  ot  the 
tariff  to  the  Congressional  Districts. 

7.  Demand  for  civil  service  reform,  and  for 
the  election  of  President  for  a  single  term  only. 

8.  Maintenance  of  public  credit  and  denun- 
ciation of  repudiation. 

9.  A  speedy  return  to  specie  payment. 

10.  Thanks  to  the  citizen-soldiers  and  sailors 
of  the  Republic. 

11.  Opposition  to  further  grants  to  railroads. 

12.  Cultivation  of  friendship  with  all  nations; 
regarding  alike  dishonorable,  either  to  demand 
what  is  not  right,  or  submit  to  what  is  wrong. 

The  Democracy  in  convention  ratified  the 
nominations  of  Greeley  and  Brown,  and  adopted 
the  platform  of  the  Liberals.  The  Republicans 
re-nominated  President  Grant,  and  associated 
with  him  on  the  ticket  Henry  Wilson,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, for  Vice-President.  The  disaffection 
among  the  Democrats  in  consequence  of  the 
nomination  of  Horace  Greeley,  a  life-long  politi- 
cal enemy,  was  so  great  that  a  third  ticket  was 
nominated,  at  the  head  of  which  was  Charles 
O'Connor,  the  distinguished  lawyer  of  New 
York.  This  third  ticket  had  very  little  strength 
in  this  county  or  State,  the  disaffection  among 
the  Democrats  leading  principally  to  the  refusal 
to  attend  the  polls  or  to  vote  at  the  election. 
The  vote  was  not  so  large  as  at  the  Presidential 
election  in  1868,  notwithstanding  the  county 
had  increased  in  poj)ulation.  Gustavus  Keener, 
a  Liberal  Republican,  was  nominated  and  sup- 
ported by  the  Democracy,  while  R.  J.  Oglesby 
was  the  Republican  nominee  for  Governor. 
James  C.  Robinson  and  M.  H.  Chamberlain 
were   the   Democratic   and    Rejiublican    candi- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


271 


dates  respectively  for  Congress.  The  Demo- 
crats, or  Liberals,  were  successful  in  this  county 
by  fair  majorities. 

1873. — This  year  county  officers  alone  were  to 
be  elected.  A  new  party  had  been  born,  known 
as  the  Independent  Anti-Monopoly  party,  and, 
therefore,  three  tickets  were  placed  in  the  field 
for  the  suffrages  of  the  voters.  Notwithstand- 
ing this  fact,  the  vote  was  light,  being  only 
about  two-thirds  of  the  full  vote.  James  H. 
Matheny,  a  very  popular  Democratic  candidate, 
was  nominated  by  the  Democrats  and  elected 
County  Judge  by  1,312  majority.  Noah  \V. 
Matheny,  first  elected  in  1843  (having  held  the 
office  by  appointment  since  1830),  and  re-elected 
every  four  years  thereafter,  was  again  re-nom- 
inated by  the  Republicans,  and,  for  the  first 
time,  was  defeated,  his  opponent  receiving  151 
majority.  The  Anti-Monopoly  ticket  polled  a 
small  vote,  Mary  J.  Howard,  for  County  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Schools,  receiving  303  votes, 
the  highest  on  the  ticket. 

1874. — The  failure  of  the  Liberal  Republicans 
and  the  depression  of  the  times  forced  other  is- 
sues before  the  people.  An  organization  known 
as  the  Patrons  of  Llusbandry,  having  for  its  ob- 
ject a  union  among  farmers  for  self-protection, 
and  the  advancement  of  agricultural  interests,  had 
sprung  into  existence.  Much  complaint  had 
heretofore  been  made  against  unjust  monopolies 
in  the  manufacture  of  implements  used  by  the 
farmers,  as  well  as  the  extortions  of  the  rail- 
roads in  carrying  produce.  The  Patrons  of 
Husbandry  attempted  through  their  order  to 
regulate  these  wrongs.  Among  other  things 
looking  to  this  end,  was  the  establishment  of 
Grange  stores  and  an  effort  to  purchase  all 
goods  used  by  its  members  at  wholesale  prices. 
This  arrayed  against  the  order  the  large  mer- 
cantile class  of  the  country,  small  tradesmen, 
and  manufacturers  generally.  While  never  in- 
tended as  a  political  organization,  and  the  dis- 
cussion of  politics  being  prohibited  by  its  rules, 
its  individual  membership,  when  they  found 
they  were  placed  in  opposition  to  the  mercantile 
and  other  classes  mentioned,  naturally  found 
themselves  allied  together,  and  an  appeal  was 
thus  made  to  that  final  settlement  of  all  difficul- 
ties—  the  ballot  box.  It  was  thus  the  Anti-Mo- 
nopoly party  came  to  exist. 

Charles  Carroll  was  the  Democratic,  Thomas 
S.  Ridgeway,  Eepublican,  and  David  Gore,  the 
Anti-Monopoly  candidates  for  the  office  of  State 
Treasurer.  For  Congress,  William  M.  Springer, 
Andrew  Simpson,  and  J.  B.  Turner,  were  the 
candidates  reppectively  of  the  Democrats,  Re- 


publicans, and  Anti-Monopolists.  Each  of  the 
three  parties  nominated  county  tickets.  For 
State  officers  the  Democrats  were  successful  and 
also  in  one  county  office.  For  Sheriff',  the  Re- 
publicans succeeded  in  electing  L.  II.  Ticknor. 
The  highest  vote  polled  by  theAnti-Monopo- 
lists  was  on  State  Treasurer.  David  Gore  secur- 
ing 718  votes. 

1875. — No  interest  was  manifested  in  the  elec- 
tion this  year,  county  officers  only  to  be  elected. 
The  Anti-Monopoly  men  made  no  nominations, 
leaving  the  field  to  the  Republicans  and  Demo- 
crats. The  latter  were  successful  in  the  smallest 
vote  polled  in  the  county  for  several  years. 

1876. — The  election  this  year  was  for  National, 
State  and  county  officers.  Rutherford  B.  Hayes 
and  William  A.  Wheeler  were  the  Republican 
candidates  for  President  and  Vice-President, 
while  Samuel  J.  Tilden  and  Thomas  A.  Hen- 
dricks received  the  nomination  of  the  Democratic 
party  for  the  same  offices.  Peter  Cooper  was  the 
nominee  of  the  Independents  or  Anti-Monopo- 
lists for  President.  The  hard  times  which  be- 
gan in.  1873  had  a  perceptible  effect  upon  this 
campaign.  The  Democratic  party,  which  for 
some  years  had  been  acting  on  the  defensive, 
when  not  allied  to  some  other  political  body, 
now  assumed  the  aggressive,  and  under  the  ban- 
ner of  "Tilden  and  Reform,"  forced  the  Republi- 
cans in  the  defensive.  On  the  part  of  the  Demo- 
crats the  campaign  was  boldly  conducted,  tliough 
it  cannot  truthfully  be  said  that  Tilden  was  the 
choice  of  the  Democracy  of  the  Nation,  especially 
of  the  Western  element  of  the  party.  For  Gov- 
ernor, Lew.  Steward  received  the  nomination  of 
both  the  Independents  and  Democrats.  He  was 
opposed  by  Shelby  M.  CuUom,  of  Springfield,  on 
the  part  of  the  Republicans.  The  contest  for 
this  office  was  quite  animated,  the  two  contestants 
making  a  personal  canvass  throughout  the  whole 
State.  In  this  county  the  vote  was  the  largest 
ever  cast,  the  Democratic  candidates  each  re- 
ceiving a  majority  of  the  votes  over  his  opponent. 
Tilden's  majority  over  Hayes  was  994,  while. Mr. 
Elliott,  Democratic  candidate  for  Sheriff,  re- 
ceived a  majority  of  1,682. 

1877. — The  Anti-Monopoly  party  was  now- 
absorbed  by  the  newly  organized  Greenback 
party.  L.  H.  Ticknor  was  the  Republican,  C.  R. 
Hurst  the  Democratic,  and  A.  F.  Carpenter  the 
Greenback  candidate  for  County  Clerk.  Mr. 
Ticknor  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  88.  D. 
Paulen,  Republican,  was  elected  over  E.  R. 
Perkins,  Democrat,  for  the  office  of  County 
Treasurer.  For  School  Superintendent,  P.  J. 
Rourke,  Democrat,  was  re-elected. 


272 


HISTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


1878. — In  this  county  three  tickets  were  placed 
in  the  field,  by  the  Democratic,  Republican  and 
National  parties  respectively.  While  a  full  vote 
was  not  polled,  the  canvass  and  election  was 
quite  exciting.  There  was  also  considerable 
scratching  of  tickets  on  personal  grounds.  The 
National  party  polled  nearly  eight  hundred 
votes  in  this  election.  While  the  Democrats 
had  a  majority  of  some  seven  hundred  on  a 
strict  party  vote,  the  Republicans  succeeded  in 
electing  their  candidate  for  Sheriff  by  162  votes, 
and  Coroner  by  320.  The  Democrats  elected 
their  candidate  for  the  State  Senate  by  1053 
votes. 

1879. — Only  county  officers  were  to  be  voted 
for,  and  consequently  the  canvass  was  spiritless, 
and  a  personal  matter  only.  D.  Paulen,  Repub- 
lican, was  elected  Treasurer,  and  Graham,  Demo- 
crat, Surveyor. 

1880. — The  campaign  began  quite  early  this 
year,  especially  among  aspirants  for  office  and 
their  friends.  The  preliminary  canvass  for  the 
nomination  grew  quite  warm,  as  both  the  Re- 
publicans and  Democrats  were  alike  confident 
they  would  succeed  in  the  National  struggle. 
James  A.  Garfield  received  the  Republican 
nomination  for  President,  and  associated  with 
hira  on  the  ticket  was  Chester  A.  Arthur  for 
Vice-President;  Winfield  S.  Hancock  was  nom- 
inated for  President  by  the  Democrats,  and 
with  him  was  William  H.  English  for  Vice- 
President;  James  B.  Weaver  and  Gen.  Chambers 
for  President  and  Vice-President  respectively  on 
the  National  ticket.  The  canvass  was  pushed 
with  vigor,  the  Democratic  and  Republican  par- 
ties each  using  their  utmost  endeavors  to  be 
successful.  The  National  party,  under  the  lead 
of  Weaver,  also  endeavored  to  increase  its  vote, 
Mr.  Weaver  making  speeches  in  more  than  half 
the  States  in  the  Union.  In  this  county  the 
Democracy  were  successful  by  majorities  rang- 
ing from  259  to  1,368. 

1824— CONSTITUTIONAL  CONVENTION. 

For  Convention 153 

Against  Convention 723         569 

August,  1824. 

Sheriff. 

John  Taylor 445         279 

Andrew  Orr 166 

Davids.  Taylor 118 

Rivers  Cormacli 55 

Thomas  Constant 6 

Coroner. 

.Tames  McNabb 306  20 

Abrani  Hathaway 286 

Thomas  L,  Ross." 83 

.Joseph  Thomas 39 


August,  1826. 

State  Senator. 

Elijah  lies 643         213 

Edward  Robinson 439 

August,  1828. 

Sheriff. 

James  D.  Henry 621            41 

Archer  G.  Herndon 580 

James  Collins 18 

Coroner. 

Philip  Fowler 677         612 

Jeckoniah  Langston 65 

C.  R.  Gatlan 2G 

Charles  D.  Nichols 8 

August,  1830. 

Sheriff. 

James  D.Henry 1647        1503 

George  Power 144 

John  L.  Thompson 33 

August,   1833. 
Congress. 

Joseph  Duncan 1509         884 

Jonathan  H.  Pugh 635 

Senator. 

George  Porqucr 1086              9 

William  F.  Elkin 1077 

Sheriff. 

J.  D.  Henry 3087       2006 

S.  Morris 81 

Coroner. 

J.  Shepherd 981         698 

A .  Trent 383 

M.  Thomas 104 

A.  Gulliher 23 

November,  1833. 

President. 

Andrew  Jackson 1035         225 

Henry  Clay 810 

August,   1834. 

Oovernor. 

Joseph  Duncan 897          313 

William  Kinney •    684 

James  Adams 593 

R.  K.  McLaughlin 45 

Congress. 

William  L.May 1378          606 

Benjamin  Mills 772 

State  Senator. 

Edmund  D.  Taylor 1188         130 

William  F.  Elkin 1058 

Sheriff. 

Garrett  Elkin 783          147 

Benjamin  Talbott 635 

David  Dickinson 623 

T.  D.  Potts 206 

Coroner. 

Andy  Orr 977          404 

,Tohn  Lindsay 573 

G.  M.  Saunders 248 

.1.  H.  Shepherd 84 

N.  Y.  Young 38 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


273 


August,  1835. 

State  Senator. 

(To  fill  vacancy.) 

Archer  G.  Herndon,  Whig 1324         340 

John  Calhoun,  Democrat 1078 

Representatiiie . 

(To  fill  vacancy.) 

Job  Fletcher,  Whig 1469         530 

Peter  Cartwright,  Democrat 939 

Benjamin  Talbott,  Whig .' 1146          774 

Edward  Mitchell 372 

James  Adams 244 

Martin  M.  Morgan 142 

James  Campbell 146 

William  L.  Towkles 25 

William  Herudon 99 

Andrew  Orr 53 

Surveyor. 

T.  M.  Neale,  Whig 1596        1060 

Reuben  Harrison,  Democrat 563 

Parnall  Hamilton 189 

Coroner. 

J.  Langston 614          115 

J.  H.  Shepherd 999 

G.  Dickerson 419 

B.  Dunn 83 

August,  1836. 

Congreu. 

John  T.  Stuart,  Whig 1639          543 

William  L.  May,  Democrat 1096 

State  Senator. 

Job  Fletcher,  Whig 1570         411 

M.  K.  Anderson,  Democrat 1159 

Sheriff. 

Garrett  Elkin,  Whig 1563         413 

Taylor,  Democrat 1149 

Coroner. 

J.  Langston,  Whig 1066          660 

S.  C.  Hampton,  Democrat ...  406 

David  W.  Clark 287 

Scattering 34 

November,   1836. 

William  II.  Harrison,  Whig. . . .' 1403          560 

Martin  Van  Buren  ,  Democrat 903 

August,  1837. 

County  Clerk. 

Charles  R.  Matheny 1559        1399 

Campbell 160 

Probate  Judge. 

James  Adams 1035         233 

A.  G.  Henry ,  793 

County  Treaswer. 

John  Constant 859          516 

Dickinson 343 

Shepherd 354 

August,  1838. 
O over  nor. 

Cyrus  Edwards,  Whig 1856         455 

Thomas  Carlin,  Democrat 1401 


Congress. 

.John  T.  Stuart,  Whig 1783          395 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Democrat 1488 

State  Senators 

A.  G.  Herndon,  Democrat 1476           47 

Bowling  Green,  Whig 1429 

Sheriff. 

Garrett  Elkin 1437          971 

James  Shepherd 1166 

F.  Vaughn 598 

August,  1839. 

Probate  Judge. 

James  Adams,  Democrat 1183           38 

R.  L.  Wilson,  Whig 1145 

County  Clerk. 

C.  R.  Matheny,  Whig 1552          762 

C.Arnold,   Democrat 790 

County  Treasurer. 

J.  M.  Bradford,  Whig 1051          158 

T.  Lewis,  Democrat 893 

J.  P.  Langford,  Democrat 251 

County  Surveyor. 

Thomas  M.  Neale,  Whig 1361          367 

R.  HaiTison,  Democrat 994 

August,  1840. 

Sheriff. 

W.  F.  Elkin,  Whig 1734         407 

T.  Levfis,  Democrat 1317 

Coroner. 

3.  Langston 1819 

County  Treasurer. 

C.  Arnold,  Whig 1758        1111 

C.  M.  Polk 647 

November,  1840. 
President. 

William  H .  Harrison,  Whig 3000         751 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Democrat 1249 

August,  1841. 

Congress. 

John  T .  Stuart,  Whig 1563         575 

J.  H.  Ralston,  Democrat 988 

August,  1842. 

Oovernor. 

Joseph  Duncan,  Whig 1588         371 

Thomas  Ford,  Democrat 1217 

State  Senator. 

Reuben  Harrison,  Whig 1411          730 

Samuel  Grubb,  Democrat 781 

William  G.  Cantrall 193 

Sheriff. 

William  F.  Elkin,  Whig 1406            32 

John  B.  Weber,  Democrat 1374 

Coroner. 

Jeckoniah  Langston,  Whig.    1485  298 

John  Cooper,  Democrat 1187 

August,  1843. 
Congress. 

John  J.  Hardin,  Whig 1694  504 

James  A.  McDougal,  Democrat 1190 


-214 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


k 


Probate  Judge. 

Thomas  Moftett,  Whig 1G85          643 

E.  Roberts,  Democrat 1043 

County  Clerk. 

N.  W.  Matheny,  Whig 3013        1109 

Hatch 843 

Treasurer. 

A.  Y.  Ellis,  Whiff 1460           !I3 

T.  Talbott,  Democrat 1367 

Surceyor. 

John  B.  Watson,  Whig 1738         639 

Foster,  Democrat     1088 

August,  1844. 

Congress. 

E.  D.  Baker,  Whig 1708         373 

John  Calhoun,  Democrat 1335 

Sheriff. 

William  Harvey,  Whig 1643  37!) 

John  B.  Weber,  Democrat 1363 

Coroner. 

J.M.  Nealc,  Whig 1760         498 

Moss  Ballard,  Democrat 1363 

NOVEMBER,  1844. 
President. 

Henry  Clay,   Whig 1837         466 

James  K.  Polk,  Democrat 1371 

August,  1846. 

Governor. 

E.  M.  Kilpatrick,    Whig 1421  .386 

A.  C.  French,  Democrat 1035 

Congress. 

A.  Lincoln,  Whig 15.35          690 

Peter  Cartwright,  Democrat 845 

E.   Wolcott.,1 14 

Sheriff'. 

William  Harvey,  Whig 1365  378 

Robert  Allen,  Democrat 987 

Co7-oner. 
J.  W.  Neale,  Whig 1531 

March,  1848. 

For  the  New  Constitution 1817        1617 

Against  the  New  Constitution 200 

August,  1848. 

Congress. 

S.  T.  Logan,  Whig 1649         263 

T.  L.  Harris,  Democrat 1386 

State  Senator. 

J.  T.  Stuart,  Whig 1671  327 

J.  W.  Barrett,  Democrat 1344 

Sheriff'. 

C.  Arnold,  Whig 1843  687 

Thomas  Long,  Democrat 1165 

Coroner. 

J.  W.  Neale,  Whig 1881  572 

A.  C.  Campbell,  Democrat 1309 

November,  1848. 
President. 

Zacbary  Taylor,  Whig 1943  607 

Lewis  Cass,  Democrat 1336 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Free-Soil 47 


November,  1850. 

Co  71  gr  ess. 

Richard  Yates,  Whig 1651  336 

T.  L.  Harris,  Democrat 1315 

Sheriff: 

Josiab  Francis,  Whig 1676  408 

Isaac  Curran,  Democrat 1268 

Coivner. 

J.  W.  Neale,  Whig 1660         385 

S.  T.  Boyd,  Democrat 1275 

November,  1853. 

Winfleld  Scott,  Whig ' 2135         519 

Franklin  Pierce,  Democrat 1606 

John  P.  Hale,  Free  Soil 22 

&overnor. 

Edwin  B.  Webb,  Whig 2317         602 

Joel  A.  Matteson,  Democrat 1015 

L.  B.  Kuowlton,  Free  Soil 21 

Congress. 

Richard  Yates,  Whig 2236  780 

John  Calhoun,  Democrat 1456 

Circuit  Clerk. 

James  H.  Matheny,  Whig 2186  651 

Edward  Jones,  Democrat 1537 

Sheriff. 

Charles  Arnold,  Whig 2188         671 

Munson  Carter,  Democrat 1517 

November,  1853. 

Coiinty  Judge. 

J.  W.  Taylor,  Democrat 1206         143 

T.  G.  Taylor,  Whig 1063 

County  Clerk. 

N.  W.  Matheny,  Whig 1428  613 

^W.  Lavely.  Democrat 816 

Treasurer. 

J.  Divelbiss,  Democrat 1170  65 

W.  O.  Jones,  Whig 1105 

November,  1854. 

State  Treasurer. 

James  Miller,  Anti-Nebraska 2025         493 

J.  Moore,  Democrat 1533 

Congress. 

Richard  Yates,  Anti-Nebraska 2166  756 

T.  L.  Harris,  Democrat 1410 

Mat,  1855. 

Judge  of  Supreme  Court. 

O.  C.  Skinner 2518        1098 

Stephen  T.  Logan 1430 

Prohibition . 

Against  Prohibition 2349         604 

For  Prohibition 1745 

November,  1856. 

President . 

James  Buchanan,  Democrat 2475  86S 

Millard  Fillmore,  American 1612 

John  C.  Fremont,  Republican 1174 

Ooeernor. 

William  A.  Richardson,  Democrat 2519  387 

William  H.  Bissell,  Republican 2232 

B.  S.  Morris,  American 390 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


275 


Congress. 

John  Williams,  Republican 3751  277 

Thomas  L.  Huiris,  Democrat 2474 

(Jireuit  Clerk. 

Fresco  Wrieht,  Democrat 2646  115 

William  O.  Jones,  Republican 2531 

Sheriff. 

John  Cook,  Republican 2.538  49 

Morris  Lindsey,  Democrat, 2489 

Coroner . 

James  Walker,  Republican 2664         157 

O.  W.  Browning,  Democrat 2507 

November,  1857. 

County  Judge. 

Win .  D.  Power,  Democrat 2010  120 

Wm.  F.  Elkin,  Republican 1890 

Count!/  Clerk. 

N.  W.  Matheny,  Republican 2214  527 

Jacob  Shutt,  Democrat 1687 

Surveyor. 

Joseph  Ledlie,  Democrat 2095         250 

Z.  A.  Enos,  Republican 1845 

Treasurer. 

Wm.  T.  Barrett,  Democrat 2098         309 

C.  S.  Cantrall,  Republican 1789 

November,  1858. 
State  Treasurer. 

W.  B.  Fondey,  Douglas  Democrat 3078         342  ■ ' 

James  Miller,  Republican 2726 

John  Doughert}',  National  Democrat. ..        138 
Conr/ress. 

T.  L.  Harris,  Douglas  Democrat 3010  281 

J.  H.  Matheny,  Republican 2739 

J.  L.  McConnell,  National  Democrat..        113 

Sheriff. 

Joseph  B.  Firkins,  Douglas  Democrat.  2984         165 

J.  W.  Smith,  Republican 2819 

MoiTis  Lindsay,  National  Democrat. . . .        144 

Coroner. 

T.  W.  S.  Kidd,  Douglas  Democrat. . . .  3041  384 

William  Fierce,  Republican :   2757 

Reddick  Ridgely,  National  Democrat, .         137 

November,  1859. 

Congress. 

J.  A.  McClernand,  Democrat 2817  401 

J.  !M.  Falmer,  Republican 2416 

School  Commissioner . 
J .  S.  Bradford,  Democrat 2768  263 

F .  Springer,  Republican 2506 

l^reasurer. 
W.  T.  Barrett,  Democrat 2777         303 

G.  R.  Weber,  Republican 3475 

Surveyor. 

W .  M .  Warren,  Democrat 2672  95 

Z.  A.  Enos,  Republican 2577 

November,  1860. 

President . 

Stcnhen  A.  Douglas,  Democrat 3598            42 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Republican 3556 

John  Bell,  Union 130 

John  C.  Breckcnridge,  Democrat 77 


Goecriiiir. 

Richard  Yates,  Republican 3609             8 

J.  C.  Allen,  Democrat 3601 

Scattering 131 

Congress. 

J.  A.  McClernand,  Democrat 3639              1 

Henry  Case,  Republican 3638 

Circuit  Clerk. 

S.  S.  Whitehurst,  Republican 3775         275 

Charles  H.  Lanphier 3500 

Thomas  Crafton,  Union 37 

Sheriff'. 

J.  W.  Smith,  Republican 37.53         233 

Joseph  Campbell.  Democrat 3519 

Washburn,  Union 24 

Coroner. 

John  Hopper,  Republican 3614           17 

John  Constant,  Democrat 3597 

Barton,  Union 60 

NovE^rBER,  1861. 
County  Judge. 

William  D.  Fower,  Democrat 2493         633 

Munson  Carter,  Union 1860 

County  Clerk. \ 

Noah  W.  Matheny,  Union 2323         148 

John  J.  Hardin,  Democrat 2175 

Treasurer. 

Fresco  Wright,  Union 2313  150 

William  Lavely,  Democrat 3163 

Surceyor. 

William  M.  Warren,  Democrat 3349  236 

Nicholas  Strott,  Union 2113 

NOVBMBEK,    1862. 

State  Treasurer. 

Alexander  Starne,  Democrat 2643         882 

William  Butler,  Union 2761 

Congress. 

John  T.  Stuart,  Democrat 3845         263 

Leonard  Swett,  Union 3583 

State  Senators. 

Colby  Knapp,  Democrat 3616         808 

S.  M.  Cullom,  Union 3808 

Sherif. 

Hicks,  Democrat 36()6        1040 

T.  W.  S.  Kidd,  Union 2636 

November,  1863. 
Treasurer. 

Isaac  A.  Hawley,  Union 3705         242 

James  W.  Keys,  Democrat 2463 

School  Commissioner. 

N.  W.  Miner,  Union 3733  369 

C.  G.  French,  Democrat 34.53 

Surveyor. 

Ira  A .  Merchant,  Union 3734         302 

.Joseph  Ledlie,  Democrat 3433 

November,  1864. 

President. 

George  B.  McClellan,  Democrat .3945  380 

Abraham  Lincoln,  Union  Republican. .       3.505 

Ooeernor . 

James  C.  Robinson,  Democrat .'!941  368 

R,  J.  Oglesby,  Union  Republican 3578 


276 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Congress. 

John  T.  Stuart,  Democrat 3909         399 

S.  M.  Cullom,  Union  Republican 3610 

Circuit  Clerk. 

C.  H.  Lanpliier,  Democrat 3867  331 

Presco  Wright,  Union  Republican 3646 

Sheriff. 

William  T.  Craf ton.  Democrat 3943         386 

W.  v.  Greenwood,  Union  Republican . .       35j7 

Coroner. 

Francis  Hudson,  Democrat 3927         350 

Zebulon  Bell,  Union  Republican 3577 

NoATiMBER,   1865. 
County    Clerk. 

N.  W.  Mathenj',  Union 2925  462 

William  Hurtle,  Democrat 2463 

Treasurer. 

J.  G.  Ives,  Union 2820         254 

R.  W.  Diller,  Democrat 2566 

Surveyor. 

J.  W.  Paulen,  Union 2819  275 

Adolph  Scwartz,  Democrat 2544 

School  Superintendent. 

O.  S.  Webster,  Union 2836         303 

George  C.  Rogers.  Democrat 2534 

NOVEMBEK,  1866. 

State  Treasurer. 

Jesse  J.  Phillips,  Democrat 4146  ,         68 

Geo.  W.  Smith,  Republican 4078 

Congresa. 

E.  S.  Fowler,  Democrat 4142  72 

S.  M.  Cullom,  Republican 4070 

Sheriff'. 

Samuel  Shoup,  Republican 4118  14 

J.  B.  Perkins,  Democrat 4104 

Coroner. 

G.  W.  Graham,  Democrat 4134  55 

Henry  G.  Smith,  Republican 4079 

NoVEMBEK,  1867. 
Treasurer. 

R.  C .  Kelly,  Democrat 3340  979 

H .  VanMeter,  Republican 2361 

Surveyor. 

S  A.  Graham,  Democrat 3383         983 

S.  D.  Scholes,  Republican 2351 

November,  1868. 
President. 

Horatio  Seymour,  Democrat 4875  464 

U.  S.  Grant,  Republican 4411 

Oovernor. 

John  R .  Eden,  Democrat 4882         404 

John  M.  Palmer,  Republican 4418 

Congress. 

Benjamin  S   Edwards,  Democrat 4989  091 

Shelby  M.  Cullom,  Republican 4298 

Circuit  Clerk. 

C.  H.  Lanphier,  Democrat 4621  31 

J.  V.  Mahoney,  Republicafl 4590 

Sheriff. 

Dwight  Brown,  Democrat 4719  231 

John  McConnell,  Republican 4498 


Coroner. 

A.  J.  Ross,  Democrat 4872         486 

John  Hopper,  Republican 4886 

NOYEMBER,  1869. 
County  Judge. 

A.  N.  J.  Crook,  Democrat 3314  71 

William  Prescott,  Republican 3243 

County  Clerk. 

Noah  W.  Matheny,  Republican 3486         468 

P.  J.  Rourke,. Democrat 3038 

Treasurer . 

O .  R.  Baker,  Democrat 3376         206 

Allen  Buckner,  Republican 3170 

Surveyor . 
Charles  W.  Hoerrmann,  Democrat 3439         315 

F.  J.  Blain,  Republican 3134 

..  November,  1870. 
State  Treasurer. 

Charles  Ridgelv,  Democrat 3794         846 

E.  N.  Bates,  Republican 2948 

Hammond,  Temperance 17 

Congress. 

James  C.  Robmson,  Democrat 3895        1084 

Jonathan  Merriam,  Republican 2811 

G.  W.  Minier,  Temperance 34 

Sheriff'. 

Andrew  McConnell,  Democrat 8733         813 

W.  W.  Lowdermilk,  Republican 2920 

Eugene  J.  Owen,  Temperance 51 

Coroner. 

Edward  Bierce,  Democrat 3798          861 

Levi  J.  Conant,  Republican 2983 

November,  1871. 

Congress . 

S .  S.  Hayes,  Democrat 3053  373 

J .  L .  Beveridge ,  Republican 3780 

Treasurer. 

O.  R.  Baker,  Democrat 2927  55 

S.  N.  Shoup,  Republican 2873 

Surveyor . 

Joseph  Ledlie.  Democrat 3131  443 

Rezin  Constant,  Republican 2689 

November,  1873. 

President. 

Horace  Greeley,  Liberal 4383         238 

U.  S.  Grant,  Republican 4149 

Charles  O'Connor,  Democrat 69     ^^ 

Gocernor. 

Gustavus  Kocrner,  Liberal 4483         312 

Richard  J.  Oglesby,  Republican 4171 

Congress. 

James  C.  Robinson,  Democrat 4519         352 

M.  H.  Chamberlin,  Republican 4167 

Circuit  Clerk. 

James  A.  Winston,  Democrat 4456  336 

O.  S.  Webster,  Republican 4280 

S?ieriff. 

William  T.  Barrett,  Democrat 4536  552 

James  Ii'win,  Republican 3984 

Coroner . 

Edward  Bierce,  Democrat 4434  930 

Theophilus  Rubly,  Republican 4225 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


•211 


November,  1873. 

('ou/tti/  Judge. 

James  11.  Jlatheuy,  Demo'cral 3639        1313 

Lfoiiidiis  II.  Bi-iuik'y,  Republicau 2327 

B.  Slave 92 

Comity  Clerk. 

Joliu  J .  Hardin,  Democrat 3078          151 

Noah  W.  Matheny,  Republicau 2927 

James  Martin 70 

E.  R.  Perkins,  Democrat 3054          241 

S.  N.  Sboup,  Republicau 2813 

Preston  Breckenridge 146 

School  ISuperintendent . 

P.  J.  Rourke,  Democrat 3971          316 

Williaiu  E.  Purcell,  Republican 2055 

31ary  J.  Howard,  Independent 303 

NOVEMBEU,  1874. 

State  Treasurer . 

Charles  Carroll,  Democrat 3699          564 

Thomas  S.  Ridgc\vay,  Republicau 3135 

David  Gore,  Anti-Monopoly 718 

Congress. 

William  M.  Springer,  Democrat 3574          294 

Andrew  Simpson,  Republican 3280 

J.  B.  Turner,  Anti-Monopoly .558 

Sheriff. 

P.  O'Connor,  Democrat 3296 

L.  H.  Ticknor,  Republican 3605          309 

J.  J.  Megredy,  Anti-iuoaopoly 535 

Coroner. 

Edward  B.  Bierce,  Democrat 3698         615 

J.  D.  Brantner,  Republican 3083 

R.  B.  Bell,  Anti-Monopoly 622 

NOVKMBER,    1875. 

Trcct  siivcT 

Johu  Nuckolls,  Democrat '. 2557          280 

Charles  S.  Cantrall,  Republican.    2377 

Surveyor. 

William  Connelly.  Democrat 2072          .521 

William  D.  Clark,  Republican 3151 

NovEjrBEB,  1876. 
President. 

Samuel  J.  Tildcn,  Democrat ."i841          994 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes,  Republican 4847 

Governor. 

L.  Steward,  Democrat 5713          698 

S    M.  Cullora,  Republican .j014 

Congress . 

Wm.  M.  Snriugei-,  Democrat 5899        1059 

D.  L    Phillips,  Republican...   4840 

Circuit  Clerk . 

J    A.  Winston,  Democrat 5649          .5-10 

H.  C.  Watson,  Republican 5109 

Sheriff. 

Temp.  Elliott,  Democrat 6175        1683 

C.  II.  Hatry,  Republican 4493 

Coroner. 

E.  B.  Bierce,  Democrat 5708          7.54 

C.  Sampson,  Republicau 49.54 


November,  1877. 

County   Clerk. 

L.  H.  Ticknor,  Republican 3118            88 

C.  R.  Hurst,  Democrat 3030 

A.  F.  Carpenter,  (Treenback 1309 

T  TGdiSUVBV 

D.  Pauleu,  Republican 3889          369 

E.  R.  Perkins,  Democrat 3420 

School  Superintendent. 

P.  J.  Rourke,  Democrat 4169        1345 

W.  S.  Remiue,  Vnion 3934 

November,  1878. 

State  Trea.mrer. 

John  C.  Conkrite,  Democrat 4253          .593 

John  C.  Smith,  Republican 36.59 

Congress. 

William  M.  Springer,  Democrat 4269          739 

John  Cook,  Republican 3.530 

State  Senator. 

G.  W.  Shutt,  Democrat 4.503        1053 

Jacob  Beck,  Rej)ublican  3450 

Bernard  Stuve,  National 760 

Sheriff'. 

Samuel  N.  Shoup,  Republican 4213          102 

Temp  Elliott,  Democrat 40.50 

William  R.  Crenshaw.  National 489 

Coroner. 

Garrett  Elkin,  Republican 4090         330 

E.  B.  Bierce,  Democrat 3770 

E.  A.  McDaniels,  National 774 

NovEnnjER,  1879. 

Treasurer. 

D.  Paulen,  Republican  3588          149 

Michael  Luby,  Democrat 3436 

Surveyor. 

Samuel  A.  Graham,  Democrat 3669          313 

Z.  A.  Euos,  Republican 3356 

November,  1880. 

Winfield  S.  Hancock,  Democrat 6196          720 

James  A.  Garfield,  Republicau .5476 

James  B.  Weaver,  Greenback 338 

Governor. 

Lyman  Trumbull,  Democrat 6203          794 

Shelby  M.  Cullom,  Republican .5476 

A.  J.  Streeter,  Greenback 234 

State's  Attorney . 

R.  H.  Hazlett,  Democrat 6314          837 

Thomas  Sterling,  Republican 5477 

Circuit  Clerk. 

Edward  R.  Roberts,  Democrat 6556        1368 

John  Upton,  Republican 5188 

Sheriff. 

Hampton  Gibson,  Democrat 6210          800 

Andrew  Kapp,  Republican 5410 

William  Poor,  Greenback 186 

Coroner . 

E.  B.  Bierce,  Democrat 5944          2-59 

Edward  S    McDermolt,  Republican.  . .  5685 


32— 


278 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XIV, 


NATIONAL,  STATE  AND  COUNTY   REPRESENTATION. 


Sangamon  county  has  reason  to  be  proud  of 
the  distinguished  men  who  have  served  the 
county,  State  or  Nation.  Whether  at  home  or 
abroad,  representatives  from  this  county  have 
served  with  honor  to  themselves  and  to  the 
county  in  which  a  home  was  claimed. 

NATIONAL  REPRESENTATION. 

President  of  the  United  States. 
Abraham  Lincoln,  the  fifteenth  President  of 
the  United  States,  was  elected  to  that  office 
November,  1860,  and  was  inaugurated  March  4, 
1861.  He  was  again  re-elected  November,  1864, 
and  inaugurated  March  4,  1865;  he  was  struck 
down  by  the  hands  of  an  assassin  on  the  even- 
ing of  April  14,  1865,  and  died  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  fifteenth.  Not  alone  the  county, 
but  theState,  Nation,  and  world  delights  to  do 
him  honor. 

United  States  Consuls. 

Edward  L.  Baker,  for  many  years  editor  of 
the  Illinois  State  Journal,  was  appointed  United 
States  Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres,  Argentine  Re- 
public, South  America,  in  December,  1873,  and 
yet  tills  the  position  with  credit  to  himself  and 
the  Government  he  represents. 

United  States  Assessor. 
Edward  L.  Baker,  appointed  in  1869,  and  con- 
tinuing until  the  office  was  abolished. 
Congressional. 

\Y  hen  Sangamon  county  was  organized,  the 
State  was  entitled  to  but  one  Representative  in 
Congress,  Daniel  P.  Cook,  of  Kaskaskia,  holding 
the  office,  to  which  he  was  first  elected  in  1818, 
on  the  admission  of  the  State  into  the  Union. 
Mr.  Cook  served  a  period  of  nearly  nine  years, 
from  December,  1S18,  to  March,  1827.  He  was 
a  man  of  more  than  ordinarv  ability. 


Joseph  Duncan  succeeded  Daniel  P.  Cook,  and 
took  his  seat  at  the  first  session  of  the  Twentieth 
Congress,  in  1827.  He  represented  the  State 
three  terms,  or  until  March,  1833. 

In  the  winter  of  1831-2  the  legislature  of  the 
State  made  an  apportionment,  dividing  it  into 
three  districts,  Sangamon  county  forming  a  part 
of  the  Third.  In  August,  1832," Joseph  Duncan, 
of  Jacksonville,  was  elected  to  represent  the 
district,  and  served  from  the  beginning  of  his 
term,  March,  1833,  to  August,  1834,  when  he  re- 
signed his  seat  to  accept  the  office  of  Governor, 
to" which  he  had  been  elected.  William  L.  May, 
of  Springfield,  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
and  was  re-elected  to  the  Twenty-fourth  and 
Twenth-fifth  Congress.  Mr.  May  was  succeeded 
by  John  T.  Stuart,  who  was  elected  to  the  Twen- 
ty-sixth and  Twenty-seventh  Congress,  serving 
from  1839  till  1843. 

In  1842,  the  State  was  divided  into  seven  Con- 
gressional Districts,  Sangamon  county  being 
placed  in  the  Seventh.  John  J.  Hardin,  of  Jack- 
sonville, was  elected  to  represent  the  district  in 
the  28th  Congress,  and  Edward  D.  Baker,  of 
Springfield,  in  the  29th.  Before  the  expiration 
of  his  term,  Mr.  Baker  resigned  to  accept  the 
Colonelcy  of  a  regiment  in  the  Mexican  war; 
and  John  Henry,  of  Jacksonville,  was  elected  to 
fill  the  vacancy.  Abraham  Lincoln  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  30th  Congress;  Thomas  L.  Har- 
ris, of  Petersburg,  the  31st  Congress;  and  Rich- 
ard Yates,  of  Jacksonville,  the  32d  Congress. 

In  1852  another  apportionment  was  made,  and 
Sangamon  county  became  a  part  of  the  Sixth 
District.  Richard  Yates,  of  Jacksonville,  was 
the  first  elected  to  represent  this  new  district, 
and  took  his  seat  March,  1853,  as  a  member  of 
the  33d  Congress.  He  was  succeeded  two  years 
later  by  Thomas  L.  Harris,  of  Petersburg,  who 
served  two  terms.  John  A.  McClernand,  of 
Springfield,  was  Mr.  Harris's  successor,  and  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


279 


in   turn   succeeded    by  A.  L.  Ivnapp,  of  Jersey- 
ville,  who  served  in  the  3Tth  Congress. 

In  1862,  Sangamon  county,  under  the  new 
apportionment  act,  was  made  a  part  of  the  Eighth 
Congressional  District,  and  was  represented  in 
the  38th  Congress  by  John  T.  Stuart.  In  the 
39th  Congress  the  county  was  represented  by 
Shelby  M.  Cullom,  of  Springfield,  who  was  re- 
elected in  1866  and  1868,  serving  in  the  40lh 
and  -list  Congress  with  great  ability.  Mr.  Cul- 
lom was  succeeded  by  James  C.  Robinson,  who 
served  in  the  42d  Congress. 

Another  apportionment  was  made  in  1872,  the 
State  then  being  entitled  to  nineteen  Representa- 
tives. Under  this  act  Sangamon  county  became 
a  part  of  the  Twelfth  District,  and  was  repre- 
sented in  the  43d  Congress  by  James  C.  Robin- 
son, of  Springfield.  Mr.  Robinson  was  succeeded 
by  William  M.  Springer,  of  Springfield,  who 
was  first  elected  in  1874,  and  re-elected  in  1876, 
1878  and  1880,  serving  in  the  44th  and  45th 
Congress,  and  is  now  serving  in  the  46th  Con- 
gress. 

Shelby  M.  Cullom,  the  first  and  only  Governor 
elected  from  Sangamon  county,  Illinois  was 
born  in  Wayne  county,  Kentucky,  November 
22,  1829,  whence  his  father  moved  to  Tazewell 
county,  Illinois,  in  1830.  Having  been  reared 
and  schooled  in  this  State  he  is  to  "all  intents 
and  purposes"  a  native  lUinoisan.  Until  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  worked  with  his  father 
on  the  farm,  attending  the  district  schools  in  the 
winter.  When,  by  superior  application  and 
ability  he  became  sufficiently  advanced,  he 
assumed  the  duties  for  a  while  of  a  teacher,  and 
having  received  a  careful  preparation  by  teach- 
ing and  hard  study,  his  collegiate  course  was 
completed  at  Mount  Morris  University. 

In  1854  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
studied  law  in  the  office  of  Stuart  and  Edwards, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1 855,  and  shortly 
after  was  elected  City  Attorney  of  Springfield. 
In  1856  he  took  an  active  part  in  the  Presiden- 
tial campaign  of  that  year  as  a  supporter  of 
Millard  Fillmore  for  the  Presidency.  By  the 
American  party  he  was  nominated  for  the  lower 
branch  of  the  legislature,  endorsed  by  the  newly 
organized  Republican  party,  and  triumphantly 
elected.  In  1860  he  was  again  elected  and  made 
Speakerof  the  House.  In  1862  he  was  appointed 
by  President  Lincoln  on  a  commission  with  Gov- 
ernor Boutwell  and  Charles  A.  Dana  to  examine 
into  the  accounts  of  Quartermasters  and  Com- 
missioners, and  pass  upon  claims  allowed  by 
them.  In  1864  he  was  elected  to  represent  the 
Eighth  District  of  Illinois  in  the  United  States 


Congress,  and  was  elected  for  two  successive 
terms.  During  that  time  he  » as  chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  Territories,  and  as  such  re- 
ported a  bill,  of  which  he  was  the  author,  for 
the  suppression  of  jjolygamy  in  tiie  Territory  of 
Utah,  which  became  a  law.  He  also  secured  the 
appropriations  for  the  erection  of  the  United 
States  Court  House  and  Postoffice  in  Springfield, 
at  a  cost  of  $320,000.  In  1872  he  was  again 
elected  to  the  legislature,  and  chosen  Speaker 
of  the  House  for  the  second  time.  He  was  also 
elected  in  1874.  In  1876  he  received  the  nom- 
ination of  his  party — the  Republican — for  the 
office  of  Governor,  and  was  triumphantly 
elected,  having  received  alarger  vote  than  Presi- 
dent Hayes,  or  any  other  man  on  the  State 
ticket.  After  serving  four  years  he  was  re-nomi- 
nated and  elected. 

As  a  member  of  the  legislature  he  was  distin- 
guished as  one  of  its  fairest,  most  impartial  and 
dignified  presiding  officers.  He  won  golden 
opinions  from  all  sides.  As  a  member  his  action 
was  always  on  the  side  of  economy,  freedom 
and  e(jnal  laws  for  all. 

In  Congress  he  was  attentive  to  duty,  indus- 
trious, and  highly  influential.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  advocacy  of  the  reconstruction  meas- 
ures, and  in  favor  of  adopting  the  XIII,  XIV 
and  XV  amendments  of  the  Constitution. 

In  the  administration  of  the  State  Govern- 
ment as  its  Chief  Executive,  Governor  Cullom 
has  displayed  qualities  of  the  highest  statesman- 
ship. Since  he  came  into  office  the  State  debt, 
which  then  amounted  to  $1,500,000,  has  been 
liquidated.  State  taxes  have  been  reduced. 
Every  department  of  the  State  Government  has 
been  economically  administered.  In  no  case 
have  the  expenses  been  allowed  to  exceed  the 
appropriations.  No  public  moneys  have  been 
diverted  from  their  proper  uses,  aud  no  misap- 
propriations or  defalcations  have  been  commit- 
ted or  even  charged  upon  any  public  officer. 

In  his  office  and  athis  home.  Governor  Cullom 
is  a  model  gentleman.  Always  accessible,  he  is 
courteous  and  kind  to  every  visitor.  He  is  no 
lover  of  red  tape,  neither  does  he  affect  the  ways 
of  the  aristocrat.  In  all  the  years  of  his  public 
service  his  life  has  been  pure  and  upright.  His 
integrity  and  honesty  stand  before  the  world 
untarnished  and  unimpeachable. 

Shelby  M.  Cullom  has  been  twice  married; 
first  to  Hannah  M.  Fisher,  December  12,  1855, 
who  died  March  17,  1861;  second,  to  Julia 
Fisher,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife,  May  5,  1863. 
By  his  first  wife  he  had  two  daughters — Ella 
and  Carrie. 


280 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


STATE  REPRESENTATION. 

Governor. 
Shelby  M.  Cullora  was  the  first  and  only  Gov- 
ernor elected  from  Sangamon  county.  Mr.  Cul- 
lom  was  elected  November,  1876,  and  was  in- 
augurated January  8,  IHll;  he  was  re-elected  in 
1880,  and  inaugurated  January  10,  1881.  He  has 
made  a  popular  and  efficient  Governor.  See 
sketch. 

Secretary  of  State. 

George  Forquer  was  appointed  to  this  office 
by  Governor  Cole,  .January  lY,  1825,  and  served 
until  December  1,  1828. 

State  Auditor. 

Orlin  H.  Miner,  elected  in  November,  1864, 
and  (jualified  December  12,  1864,  served  the  full 
term  of  four  years. 

State  Treasurer. 

William  Butler,  appointed  September  a,  1859, 
to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of 
James  Miller, of  McLean  county;  elected  Novem- 
ber, 1860,  and  qualified  January  14,  1861,  served 
until  .January,  1862. 

Alexander  Starne,  elected  November,  1862, 
and  <iualified  January  12,  186:3,  serving  till  the 
end  of  his  term. 

Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  present  school  system, 
Ninian  W.  Edwards  was  appointed  as  the  first 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction.  He  quali- 
fied and  commenced  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  the  office  March  24,  1854.  Mr.  Edwards 
served  with  remarkable  ability  until  January  12, 
1857,  when  he  was  succeeded  bv  William  H. 
Powell. 

John  P.  Brooks  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1862, 
and  qualified  .January  12,  1863,  and  served  two 
years. 

Newton  Bateman  was  elected  to  succeed  Mr. 
Brooks  in  tlie  fall  of  1864.  He  was  qualified 
January  10,  1865.  Re-elected  in  1866  and  1870, 
serving  until  the  expiration  of  his  term,  January 
11,  1875.'  Mr.  Bateman  was  one  of  the  most 
pojjular  and  efficient  Superintendents  in  the  State. 
He  is  now  President  of  the  Knox  College,  at 
Galesburg,  Illinois. 

Attorney  Generals. 

Ninian  W.  Edwards  was  appointed  to  this 
office  September  1,  1834.  He  was  then  elected 
by  the  people,  but  resigned  February  7,  1835. 

David  B.  Campbell  was  elected  in  the  fall  of 
1846,  (pialified  December  21,  of  the  same  year. 


State  Geologist. 

The  first  to  fill  this  office  was  Joseph  G.  Nor- 
wood, of  Sangamon  county,  who  was  appointed 
July  21,  1851. 

William  Billington  was  appointed  April  26, 
1864. 

Adjutant  General. 

Moses  K.  Anderson  received  the  appointment 
of  Adjutant  General,  December  16,  1839,  and 
served  until  April  31,  1857,  a  period  of  nearly 
eighteen  years. 

Thomas  S.  Mather  was  appointed  October  28, 
1858,  vice  Kinney,  deceased,  and  served  until 
November  11,  1861. 

Hubert  Dilger  was  the'  next  appointed  from 
Sangamon  county,  his  commission  bearing  date 
M.ai'ch  24,  1869.  " 

Edwin  L.  Higgins  succeeded  General  Dilger, 
January  24,  1873,  and  served  until  July  2,  1875, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Hiram  Hilliard,  of 
Cook  county. 

Senatorial  and  Jiepresentative. 

On  the  organization  of  the  county,  it  was 
given  one  State  Senator  and  one  Representa- 
tive in  the  General  Assembly.  Stephen  Still- 
man  was  elected  State  Senator,  and  James  Sims 
Representative. 

Fourth  General  Assembly. — Senator,  Stephen 
Stillman;  Representative,  William  S.  Hamilton. 

Fifth  General  Assembly. — The  representation 
of  this  county  was  now  fixed  at  one  Senator  and 
three  Representatives.  The  following  named 
were  elected:  Senator, Elijah  lies;  Representa- 
tives, Job  Fletcher,  Mordecai  Mobley,  Jonathan 
H.  Pugh. 

Si.vih  General  A.-<seinbly. —  Senator,  Elijah 
lies;  Representatives,  Peter  Cartwright,  Wil- 
liam F.  Elkin,  Jonathan  H.  Pugh. 

Seventh  General  Assembly. — Senator,  Elijah 
lies;  Representatives,  John  Dawson,  Jonathan 
H.  Pugh,  Edmund  D.  Taylor. 

EightJt  General  Asstmbly. — The  county  was 
now  entitled  to  two  Senators  and  four  Repre- 
sentatives, and  were  represented  as  follows: 
Senators,  George  Forquer,  Elijah  lies;  Rej)re- 
sentatives,  Peter  Cartwright,  Achilles  Morris, 
John  T.  Stuart,  Edmund  D.  Taylor. 

Ninth  General  Assembly. — "The  county  now 
had  four  Senators  and  four  Representatives,  as 
follows:  Senators,  Job  Fletcher,  George  For- 
quer, Archer  G.  Herndon,  Edmund  D.  Taylor; 
Representatives,  William  Carpenter,  John  Daw- 
son, Abraham  Lincoln,  John  T.  Stuart. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


281 


Tenth  General  Assembly. — Sangamon  county 
was  now  entitled  to  two  Senators  and  seven  Rep- 
resentatives, and  elected  a  body  of  men  that  was 
then  and  has  since  been  known  as  the  "  Long 
Nine,"  the  combined  height  being  fifty-four  feet. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  "  Long 
Nine:"  Senators,  Job  Fletcher,  Archer  G.  Hern- 
don;  Representatives,  John  Dawson,  Ninian  W. 
Edwards,  William  F.  Elkin,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Andrew  McCormack,  Daniel  Stone*,  Robert  L. 
Wilson.  When  Vandalia  was  selected  as  the 
State  Capital  there  was  a  provision  in  the  law 
that  it  could  not  be  removed  for  twenty  years. 
]5efore  the  expiration  of  that  time,  it  was  gen- 
erally conceded  that  it  must  be  moved  farther 
north.  Springfield  was  a  candidate  for  the  capi- 
tal, and  the  members  of  the  legislature  from 
Sangamon  county  were  chosen  with  direct  refer- 
ence to  this  subject.  The  subject  of  internal 
improvements  was  now  being  vigorously  agi- 
ated,  and  the  legislature  of  1836-7  was  largely 
devoted  to  business  of  that  kind.  In  order  to 
accomplish  this  legislation,  a  good  deal  of  "log- 
rolling" was  done;  that  is,  a  member  having  a 
pet  project  would  agree  with  another  that  if  he 
would  vote  for  some  bill  in  which  he  was  partic- 
ularly interested  that  he  would  return  the  favor. 
The  ''Long  Nine"  did  nut  ask  much  for  their 
section  in  the  way  of  internal  improvements,  but 
they  never  lost  an  opportunity  to  make  a  vote 
for  the  removal  of  the  capital  to  Springfield. 
As  is  well  known,  they  were  successful  in  their 
efforts,  and  Springfield  was  selected  as  the 
capital. 

Eleventh  General  Assembly. — Senators,  Job 
Fletcher,  Archer  G.  Herndon;  Representatives, 
Edward  D.  Baker,  John  Calhoun,  John  Dawson, 
Ninian  W.  Edwards^,  William  F.  Elkin,  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  Andrew  McCormack. 

Tvelfth  General  Assembly. — Sangamon,  Me 
nard,  Logan  and  Christian  were  now  made  one 
Senatorial  Di+ttrict,  with  two  Senators,  and  San- 
gamon county  was  continued  a  Representative 
l)i8trict,  with  five  Representatives.  The  follow- 
ing were  elected:  Senators,  Edward  D.  Baker, 
Archer  G.  Herndon ;  Representatives,  James  M. 
Bradford,  James  N.  Brown,  John  Darneille, 
Josiah  Francis,  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Thirteenth.  General  Assembly. — Senators,  Ed- 
ward D.  Baker,  Reuben  Harrison;  Representa- 
tives, James  N.  Brown,  William  Caldwell, 
William  Hickman,  Stephen  T.  Logan. 

■"■Resigned  and  Thomus,!.  Nance  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy. 

fllesigued  and  Edward  D.  Baker  elected  to  fill 
vacancy. 


Fourteenth  General  Assembly. — Senator,  Nin- 
ian W.  Edwards;  Representatives,  Job  Fletcher, 
William  D.  Herndon,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Joseph 
Smith. 

Fifteenth  General  Assembly. —  Senator,  Nin- 
ian "W.  Edwards;  Representatives,  James  N. 
Brown,  Rezin  H.  Constant,  Stephen  T.  Logan, 
Benjamin  West. 

Sixteenth  General  Assembly. —  Under  the  Con- 
stitution of  1848,  the  State  was  divided  into 
Senatorial  and  Represent.ative  Districts,  each 
district  having  a  number  assigned  it.  There 
were  twenty-five  Senatorial  and  fifty-four  Rep- 
resentative Districts,  Sangamon  county,  with 
Mason  and  Menard,  was  made  the  Twelfth  Sena- 
torial and  Twenty-sixth  Representative  District.^, 
and  was  entitled  to  one  Senator  and  two  Repre- 
sentatives. The  following  named  served  in  this 
Assembly:  Senator,  John  T.  Stuart;  Repre- 
sentatives, Ninian  W.  Edwards,  John  W. 
Smith. 

Seventeenth  General  Assembly. — Senator,  John 
T.  Stuart;  Representatives,  Preston  Breoken- 
ridge,  James  C.  Conkling. 

Eighteenth-  General  Assembly. — Senator,  Jas. 
M.  Ruggles,  of  Mason  county;  Representatives, 
Pascal  P.  Enos,  James  M.  Brown. 

Nineteenth  General  Assembly. —  Under  the 
apportionment  act  of  February  27,  1854,  the 
representation  in  the  General  Assembly  were 
twenty-five  Senators  and  seventy-five  Represen- 
tatives. Sangamon  and  Morgan  counties  were 
made  the  Fifteenth  Senatorial,  and  entitled  to 
one  Senator;  Sangamon  alone  constituted  the 
Twenty-sixth  Representative  District,  with  two 
Representatives.  In  this  Assembly  the  county 
was  represented  as  follows:  Senator,  Joseph 
Morton,  of  Morgan  county;  Representatives, 
Stephen  T.  Logan,  Jonathan  McDaniel. 

Twentieth  General  Assembly.  —  Senator,  Cy- 
rus W.  VanDeren;  Representatives,  James  J. 
Mogrody,  Shelby  M.  CuUom. 

Tmenty-frst  '  General  Assembly.  —  Senatoi-, 
Cyrus  W.  VanDeren ;  Representatives,  James 
W.  Barrett,  Daniel  Short. 

Tirenty-second  General  Assembly.  —  Senator, 
William  Jayne;  Representatives,  Shelby  M. 
Cullom,  Norman  M.  Broadwell. 

Tirenty-third  Gener&l  Assembly. —  By  act  of 
January'  31,  1861,  the  representation  was  fixed 
at  twenty-five  Senators  and  eighty-five  Repre- 
sentatives, with  twenty-five  Senatorial  and  sixty- 
one  Representative  Districts.  Sangamon,  Logan 
and  Tazewell  formed  the  Eleventh  Senatorial, 
and  Sang.amon  and  Logan  the  Twenty-fifth  Rep- 
resentative  District,  with  two  Representatives. 


282 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


In  this  assembly  it  was  represented  as  follows: 
Senator,  Colby  Knapp,  of  Logan;  Representa- 
tives, Ambrose  M.  Miller,  of  Logan;  Charles  A. 
Keyes,  of  Sangamon. 

Twenty-fourth  General  Assembly. — Senators, 
John  B.  Cohrs,  of  Tazewell;  Ambrose  M.  Miller, 
of  Logan;  James  W.  Patton,  Sangamon. 

Ticenty-Jift  h  General  Assembly. —  Senator, 
John  H.  Cohrs,  of  Tazewell;  Representatives, 
James  C.  Conkling,  of  Sangamon;  William  Mc- 
Galliard,  of  Logan. 

'Twenty-sixth  General  Assembly. —  Senator, 
Aaron  B.  Nicholson,  of  Logan;  Representatives, 
John  Cook,  of  Sangamon;  Silas  Beason,  of 
Logan. 

Twenty-secenth  General  Assembly. — Senators, 
Aaron  B.  Nicholson,  of  Logan;  Alex.  Starne, 
of  Sangamon;  Representatives,  Charles  H.  Rice, 
WUliam  M.  Springer,  Niniau  R.  Taylor.  This 
representation  was  under  the  apportionment 
made  under  Constitution  of  ISTo,  whicli  pro- 
vided that  at  its  first  session  under  that  Consti- 
tution the  Senate  should  consist  of  fifty  mem- 
bers, being  two  from  each  distiict  under  the 
Constitution  of  18-48.  Sangamon  was  therefore 
continued  as  a  part  of  the  Eleventh  Senatorial 
District,  but  was  made  the  Forty-third  Repre- 
sentative District,  with  three  Representatives 
elected  under  the  minority  representative  plan. 

TiceiHy-eighth  General  Assimbly. — Senator, 
Alexander  Starne;  Representatives,  Alfred  Oren- 
dorf,  Milton  Hay,  Shelby  M.  Cullom.  This  rep- 
presentation  was  under  the  apportionment  of 
1872,  which  divided  the  State  into  fifty  one  Sen- 
atorial Districts,  each  of  which  was  entitled  to 
one  Senator  and  three  Representatives,  the  latter 
elected  under  the  plan  of  the  minority  represen- 
tation. Sangamon  county  was  made  the  Thirty- 
First  Senatorial  District. 

Ttrenty-ninth  General  Assembly. —  Senator, 
William  E.  Shutt;  Representatives,  Joseph  L. 
Wilcox,  Fred.  Gehring,  Shelby  M.  Cullom. 

Thirtieth  General  Assembly. — Senator  Wil- 
liam E.  Shutt;  Representatives,  John  Foutch, 
John  Mayo  Palmer,  DeWitt  W.  Smith. 

Thirty-Jirst  General  Assembly. — Senator,  Wil- 
liam E.  Shutt,  Representatives,  William  I>. 
Gross,  John  C.  Snigg,  Carter  Tracy. 

Thirty-second  General  Assembly. —  Senator 
William  E.  Shutt;  Representatives,  A.  N.  J. 
Crook,  D.  W.  Smith,  James  M.  Garland. 

COUNTY    OFFICERS. 

The  following  embraces  a  complete  list  oi 
County  Officers  from  1821  to  1881  inclusive. 
As  sketches  of  the  greater  number  of  the  men 


appear  elsewhere  in  this  work,  it  is  needless  to 
say  more  in  this  connection  than  that  the  list 
embraces  the  names  of  some  of  the  most  honor- 
able men  that  have  lived  in  Sangamon  county, 
men  who  have  honored  the  office  as  well  as 
being  honored  by  the  office.  The  year  follow- 
ing the  name  is  that  in  which  the  party  was 
commissioned,  the  time  of  service  being  until 
his  successor  qualitied. 

County  Clerk. 

Charles  R.  Matheny,  1821. 
Noah  W.  Matheny,  1839. 
John  J.  Hardin,  1873. 
Louis  H.  Ticknor,  1877. 

Circuit  Clerh. 

Charles  R.  Matheny,  1821. 
William  Butler,  — . 
John  C.  Calhoun,  — . 
Benjamin  Talbott,  1848.* 
James  H.  Matheny,  1852. 
Presco  Wright,  1856. 
Stephen  S.  Whitehurst,  1860. 
Charles  H.  Lanphier,  1864. 
James  A.  Winston,  1872. 
Edward  R.  Roberts,  1880. 
Mecorder. 
Charles  R.  Matheny,  1821. 
Edward  Mitchell,  1827. 
Benjamin  Talbott,  1835. 

Probate  Judge. 

James  Latham,  1821. 
Zachariah  Peter,  1821. 
Charles  R.  Matheny,  1822. 
James  Adams,  1825. 
Thomas  Mofiett,  1843. 

Cou7ity  Judge. 
Thomas  Moffett,  1849. 
J.  Wick.  Taylor,  1853. 
William  D. "Power,  1857. 
Norman  M.  Broadwell,  1863,  vice  Power,  de- 
ceased. 

William  Prescott,  1865. 
A.  N.  .J.  Crook,  1869. 
.lames  H.  Mathenv,  1873. 
'Sheriff. 
John  Taylor,  1821. 
James  D.  Henry,  182S. 
Garrett  Elkin,  1834.     May. 
do.  1834.     Aug. 

William  F.  Elkin,  1840. 

*  From  this  time  the  Circuit  Clerk  is  made  ex-oflicio 
Recorder,  the  latter  office  being  abolished. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


283 


William  Harvey,  1844. 
Charles  Arnold,  1S4&. 
Josiah  Fianois,  1850. 
John  B.  Weber,  1854. 
John  Cook,  1850. 
Joseph  B.  Perkins,  1858. 
John  W.  Smith,  1860. 
Milton  Hicks,  1862. 
William  P.  Crafton,  1864. 
Samael  Shoup,  1866. 
Dwight  Brown,  1868. 
Andrew  B.  McConnell,  18'70. 
Louis  H.  Ticknor,  1874. 
Temp.  Elliott,  1876. 
Samuel  N.  Shoup,  1878. 
Hampton  Gibson,  1880. 

Coroner. 

Joseph  Dickson,  1821. 
Matthias  Eads,  1822. 
James  C.  McNabb,  1824. 
John  Howard,  1827.     Resigned. 
Joseph  Thomas,  1827. 
Philip  Fowler,  1828. 
James  Walters,  1828. 
James  Shepherd,  1830. 
Andrew  Orr,  1834. 
J.  Langston,  1835. 
James  W.  Neale,  1844. 
James  Walker,  1852. 
Thos.  W.  S.  Kidd,  1858. 
John  Hopper,  1860. 
J.  T.  Underwood,  1862. 
Francis  M.  Hudson,  1864. 
George  W.  Graham,  1866. 
Andrew  J.  Ross,  1868. 
Edward  B.  Bierce,  1870. 
Garrett  El  kin,  is  7  8. 
Edward  B.  Bierce,  1880. 

Sm-veyors. 
James  C.  Stephenson,  1821. 
John  Calhoun,  1833. 
Thomas  M.  Nea,l,  1835. 
John  B.  Watson,  1840. 
Joseph  Ledlie,  1849. 
Ziniri  A.  Enos,  1854. 
Joseph  Ledlie,  1857. 
William  M.  Warren,  1859. 
Ira  Merchant,  1803. 
Jacob  W.  Paulen,  1865. 
Samuel  A.  Graham,  1867. 
C.  W.  Herman,  1869. 


.Foseph  Ledlie,  1S71. 
Will.  A.  Connelly,  1875. 
Samuel  A.  Graham,  1879. 

/School  Conunissioners. 
J.  S.  Britton,  1853. 
Francis  Springer,  1857. 
John  S.  Bradford,  1859. 
N.  W.  Miner,  1863. 

Superintendent  of  Schools. 
O.  S.  Webster,  1865. 
W.  Burgett,  1869. 
Patrick  J.  Rourke,  1873. 

Prosecuting  Attorneys. 

Samuel  D.  Lockwood,  1821. 
James  Turney,  1823. 
George  Forquer,  1829. 
John  J.  Hardin,  1833. 
Stephen  A.  Douglas,  1835. 
David  Prickett,  1837.   , 
David  W.  Woodson,  1838. 
David  B.  Campbell,  1839. 
A.  Mc Williams,  1855. 
Ward  H.  Lamon,  1856. 
James  B.  White,  1857. 
Cincinnatus  M.  Morrison,  1864. 
Lloyd  F.  Hamilton,  1872. 
Robert  H.  Hazlett,  1876. 

Treasurers. 
William  Hay  worth,  1821. 
Adam  Hamilton,  1822. 
Adam  Hamilton,  1823. 
William  S.  Hamilton,  1824. 
Andrew  Orr,  1824. 
John  Taylor,  1825. 
James  Collins,  1827. 
Benjamin  Talbott. 
J.  R.  Young. 
James  M.  Bradford. 
David  Dickerson. 
.lohn  Constant. 
A.  Y.  Ellis. 

William  T.  Barrett,  1857. 
Isaac  A.  Ilawley,  1863. 
John  G.  Ives,  1865. 
Richard  C.  Keily,  1867. 
O.  R.  Baker,  1869. 
John  M.  Nuckolls,  1875. 
Debold  Paulen,  1877. 


284 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter   XV. 


REMOVAL  OF  THE  STATE  CAPITAL. 


The  first  capital  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois 
was  the  old  French  village  of  Kaskaskia,  the 
oldest  permanent  settlement  of  the  Mississippi 
valley.  On  the  occasion  of  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  the  present  magnificent  State  House, 
Judge  Caton  described  the  building  used  as  the 
capitol  when  the  Territorial  Government  was 
organized,  in  the  following  manner:  "It  was  a 
rough  building  in  the  center  of  a  square  in  the 
village  of  Kaskaskia,  the  ancient  seat  of  the 
Western  Empire  for  more  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  years.  The  body  of  the  building  was  of 
uncut  limestone,  the  gable  and  roof  of  the  gam- 
brel  style  of  unpainted  boards  and  shingles,  with 
dormer  windows.  The  lower  floor,  a  long,  cheer- 
less room,  was  fitted  up  for  the  House,  while  the 
Council  sat  in  the  small  chamber  above.  This 
venerable  building  was,  during  the  French  occu- 
pancy of  the  country,  prior  to  1763,  the  head- 
quarters of  the  military  commandant.  Thirty 
years  ago,  the  house  was  a  mass  of  ruins,  and  to- 
d.ay,  probably,  there  is  not  a  stone  left  to  desig- 
nate the  spot  where  it  stood."  That  building 
was  the  capitol  during  the  territorial  existence 
of  Illinois,  and  the  State  Government  was  also 
organized  in  it. 

The  Constitution  of  1818,  on  the  formation 
of  the  State,  made  it  obligatory  upon  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  to  petition  Congress  for  a  grant 
of  land  upon  which  to  locate  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment for  the  State.  In  the  event  of  the 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  being  granted,  a  town 
was  to  be  laid  out  on  said  land,  which  town 
should  be  the  seat  of  governmetit  of  the  State 
for  twenty  years.  The  land  was  granted.  "At 
the  session  of  1819,  in  Kaskaskia,  five  Commis- 
sioners were  appointed  to  select  the  land  appro- 
j)riated  by  Congress  for  the  State  Capital." 
The  Commissioners  made  their  selections  fur- 
ther up  the  Kaskaskia  river.  Having  selected 
the  site,  the  Commissioners  were  sorely  puzzled 


in  their  efforts  to  select  a  name  that  should  be 
so  euphonious  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
whole  world.  Governor  Ford,  in  his  history  of 
Illinois,  gives  the  following  humorous  account 
of  the  way  it  was  done:  "  Tradition  says  that  a 
wag,  who  was  present,  suggested  to  the  Com- 
missioners that  the  '  Vandals  '  were  a  powerful 
nation  of  Indians,  who  once  inhabited  the 
banks  of  the  Kaskaskia  river,  and  that  '  Van- 
dalia,'  derived  from  the  name,  would  perpetuate 
the  memory  of  that  extinct  but  renowned  peo- 
ple. The  suggestion  pleased  the  Commission- 
ers, the  name  was  adopted,  and  they  thus  proved 
that  .the  cognomen  of  their  new  city — if  they 
were  fit  representatives  of  their  constituents — 
would  better  illustrate  the  character  of  the 
modern,  than  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  the 
country." 

Having  located  and  named  their  town,  it  was 
at  once  laid  out,  and  the  dense  growth  of  tim- 
ber cut  away,  and  a  two-story  frame  building 
erected  on  the  square  set  apart  for  the  State 
Capitol.  The  building  was  placed  on  a  rough 
stone  foundation  in  the  center  of  the  square, 
and  was  of  very  rude  workmanship.  The  lower 
floor  was  for  the  House  of  Representatives,  and 
the  upper  divided  into  two  rooms,  the  largest 
one  for  the  Senate,  and  the  smaller  one  for  the 
ottice  of  Secretary  of  State.  The  State  Auditor 
and  Treasurer  occupied  detached  buildings.  The 
archives  of  the  State  were  removed  from  Kas- 
kaskia to  Vandalia  in  December,  1820.  That 
wooden  State  House  was  turned  a  few  years 
later,  and  a  much  larger  one  built  of  brick  on 
the  same  ground.  The  rapidity  with  which 
emigration  filled  up  the  northern  portion  of  the 
State  made  it  apparent,  long  before  the  twenty 
years  it  was  to  remain  at  Vandalia  expired,  that 
it  would  be  necessary  to  remove  the  capital  fur- 
ther north,  and  as  early  as  1832  the  (jnestion 
began   to  be  agitated  in  the  General  Assembly. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


285 


At  the  session  of  1832-38,  an  act  was  passed 
submitting  the  question  to  the  people,  naming 
six  places  which  could  be  voted  for  as  the  seat 
of  Government — Springfield,  Jacksonville,  the 
Centre,  Alton,  ^'andalia,  and  Peoria.  It  will  be 
seen  that  four  of  the  places  named  lie  in  the 
centre,  or  north  of  the  centre,  of  the  Stale. 
The  northern  and  central  people  voting  each 
the  object  of  their  choice,  would  thus  l)e  di- 
vided. 

A  meeting  was  held  at  the  Court  House,  in 
Springfield,  January  4,  183-t,  presided  over  by 
Dan  Stone,  with  Edward  Jones  as  Secretary. 
The  object  of  the  meeting,  which  was  composed 
of  citizens  of  the  entire  county,  was  to  have  a 
concert  of  action  among  citizens  north  of  Van- 
dalia  and  north  and  east  of  Alton,  in  reference 
to  the  removal  of  the  State  Capital.  The  act 
authorizing  a  vote  upon  the  subject  only  required 
plurality  of  the  vote  cast  instead  of  a  majority, 
for  any  one  of  the  six  places  named  in  order  to 
elect.  This  would  permit  a  minority  of  a  little 
over  one-sixth  of  the  voters  of  the  State  to  select 
the  capital.  Resolutions  were  passed  at  this 
meeting  recommending  that  the  north,  northeast 
and  nonhwest  counties  in  the  State  hold  a  gen- 
eral convention  at  Rushville,  Schuyler  county, 
on  the  first  Monday  in  April,  1834,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  agreeing  upon  one  of  the  four  places 
named  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  to  he 
voted  for  as  the  seat  of  Government.  John  T. 
Stuart,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Peter  Cartwright, 
George  Forquer,  E.  D.  Taylor,  and  Samuel  Mor- 
ris were  appointed  to  represent  Sangamon  county 
in  the  convention,  provided  one  should  be  called. 
Simeon  Francis,  L)an  Stone,  George  Forquer, 
John  T.  Stuart,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  and  C.  R. 
Matheny  were  appointed  a  committee  on  corres- 
pondence, and  were  directed  to  prepare  an  ad- 
dress to  the  citizens  of  the  counties  specified  in 
the  call. 

The  subject  created  some  little  ill-feeling,  the 
attacks  of  the  newspapers  south  and  southwest 
being  directed  towards  Springfield.  An  article 
appeared  in  the  Sangamo  Journal  favoring 
Springfield  and  signed  "  People."  The  Alton 
paper,  believing  the  author  of  the  article  to  be  a 
citizen  of  Sangamon  county,  replied  in  the  fol- 
lowing strain,  the  capitals  and  punctuation  marks 
being  as  they  appear  in  that  paper: 

"The  GEOGRAPHICAL  CENTER  has  been 
fairly  chased  to  the  moon — VANDALIA  has 
experienced  the  desolation  of  Tadmor — ALTON 
is  doomed  to  utter  extinction.  Tremble,  now, 
O,  JACKSONVILLE!  and  be  thou  mightily 
afraid,  0,  PEORIA!  For  ye,  too,  are  soon  to  be 

33— 


visited  in  wrath  by  these  excentrically  '  centri- 
fugal' '  People' — of  Sangamon.  Then  destruc- 
tion will  come  upon  you  like  a  whirl-wind,  and 
your  names  be  forever  blotted  from  the  face  of 
the  map." 

It  being  evident  the  vote  of  the  people  would 
not  be  considered  binding  by  the  next  legisla- 
ture, many  places  throughout  the  State  refused 
to  vote  upon  the  question.  The  result  of  the 
vote  was  that  Vandalia  had  a  small  m.ijority 
over  Springfield,  but  only  one-fifth  the  votes 
polled. 

The  legislature  of  1836-7,  would  be  called 
upon  to  settle  the  question  of  the  capital,  and 
accordingly  in  the  selection  of  Senators  and 
Represeutatives  in  the  General  Assembly  from 
this  county,  men  were  chosen  whom  it  was 
thought  would  work  for  the  interests  of  Spring- 
field. That  the  selection  made  was  a  wise  one 
the  results  sufficiently  testify.  They  were  the 
most  remarkable  delegation  from  any  one  county 
to  the  General  Assembly,  being  much  taller 
than  the  average  of  human  stature.  Some  of 
them  were  less  and  some  more  than  six  feet,  but 
their  combined  height  was  exactly  fifty-four 
feet.  They  were  then  and  are  yet  spoken  of  as 
the  "Long  Nine."  The  names  of  those  in  the 
Senate  were  Archer  G.  Herndon  and  J<:ib 
Fletcher;  in  the  House,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
Ninian  W.  Edwards,  John  Dawson,  Andrew 
McCormick,  Dan  Stone,  William  F.  Elkin  and 
Robert  L.  Wilson.  One  or  two  were  as  tall,  but 
none  taller,  than  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  quoting 
his  own  language,  was  "six  feet  four  inches, 
nearly."  It  was  known  that  a  movement  would 
be  made  to  re-locate  the  State  Capital.  The 
"Long  Nine"  were  united  for  securing  it,  and 
nothing  could  turn  one  of  them  from  their  jnir- 
pose.  They  were  ready  to  yield  anything  else, 
but  when  any  other  point  was  yielded,  it  secured 
votes  for  Springfield  as  the  capital.  Their 
opportunities  were  great.  The  people  of  Illi- 
nois were,  at  that  time,  almost  insane  on  the 
subject  of  internal  improvements.  Not  one  in 
ten  thousand  of  them  had  ever  seen  a  railroad, 
but  they  had  heard  of  them,  and  thought  the 
prairies  of  Illinois  the  best  place  in  the  world 
to  build  them.  The  first  movements  began  in 
the  General  Assembly  in  1834,  but  the  first 
charter  was:  "An  act  ro  incorporate  the  Chicago 
and  Vincennes  Railroad  Company,  with  an 
authorized  capital  of  13,500,000  and  was  ap- 
proved January  17,1835.  Within  a  year  char- 
ters were  granted  for  building  railroads  in  the 
State,  of  which  the  combined  capital  .-luthorized 
was  118,200,000.      Not  a  mile   of  railroad  was 


286 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ever  buiii  uiiilci-  any  of  these  charlers.  liefore 
tbe  next  sessiou,  the  legislature  realized  there 
were  no  capitalists  to  build  railroads,  and  a  new 
system  was  inaugurated.  An  act  was  passed 
and  approved  February  27,  1837,  entitled:  "An 
act  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system 
of  internal  improvement."  Two  supplementary 
acts  were  passed  and  approved  March  4,  18::7. 
The  object  of  these  acts  was  to  construct  public 
works  at  the  expense  of  the  State  in  all  parts  of 
the  same. 

While  the  internal  improvement  bill  was 
pending  the  "Long  Nine"  were  busy.  They 
said  liule  in  locating  proposed  railroads,  but 
would  assist  other  localities,  where  votes  could 
be  secured  for  locating  the  Capital  at  Springfield. 
The  result  was  the  passage  of  ''An  act  to  per- 
manently locate  the  seat  of  government  for  the 
State  of  Illinois,"  which  was  approved  February 
25,  1837.  The  law  provided  for  a  joint  session 
of  the  two  Houses  on  the  2r)th  of  the  same 
month  to  select  a  situation.  An  appropriation 
of  §50,000  was  made  to  commence  building  the 
State  House.  The  law  also  declared  that  no 
place  should  be  chosen  unless  its  citizens  con- 
tributed at  least  i;oO,000  to  aid  in  the  work,  and 
not  less  than  two  acres  of  land  as  a  site  for  the 
Capital.  When  the  two  houses  assembled  on 
the  twenty-eighth,  the  question  was  decided  by 
the  following: 


Ballotinirs. 


1st. 


2d.  3d.    4th. 


Springfield. . 
Jacksonville 
Vandalia  .  . .  . 

Peoria 

Alton 

Illiopolis. . .  . 
Scattering  . . 


3o 

43 

53 

14 

15 

9 

16 

15 

16 

16 

12 

11 

15 

16 

14 

10 

7 

3 
15 

25 

73 

1 

15 


That  settled  the  question  and  Springfield  was 
declared  to  be  the  future  Capital  of  the  State. 

A  supplemental  act  was  passed  on  the  third 
of  March  authorizing  the  Commissioners  of  San- 
gamon county  to  convey  the  land  to  the  State  as 
a  site  for  the  new  edifice.  It  also  named  A.  G. 
Henry,  of  Sangamon;  Archibald  Job,  of  Cass, 
and  SVilliam  Herndon,  of  Sangamon,  as  Com- 
missioners, who  were  authorized  and  empowered 
to  superintend  the  work  of  erection.  It  was 
expected  the  new  capital  would  be  completed  in 
time  for  the  first  meeting  of  the  legislature  in 
Springfield,  which  was  fixed  for  the  special  ses- 
sion  of    1839-40.      Finding  that   the   building 


could  not  be  sufficiently  advanced,  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  on  Fourth  street,  was 
secured  as  Representatives'  Hall.  The  building 
was  then  quite  new,  and  was  by  far  the  largest 
church  edifice  in  the  central  and  whole  northern 
part  of  the  State.  It  was  built  of  brick,  stood 
a  few  feet  north  of  the  site  of  the  present  mag- 
nificent Second  Presbyterian  Church,  until  the 
latter  was  erected.  The  old  building  was  torn 
down  in  the  summer  of  1875.  The  Methodist 
Church  was  used  for  the  Senate  Chamber,  and 
the  Episcopar  Church  for  the  Supreme  Court, 
both  wooden  buildings.  The  legislature  first 
convened  in  special  session  December  t),  1839. 

It  was  thought  by  many  to  be  unreasonable, 
to  require  a  little  town  of  eleven  hundred  in- 
habitants, struggling  with  the  disadvantages  of 
a  new  country,  to  pay  the  f50,000  pledged. 
During  that  special  session,  Hon.  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  then  a  member  from  Morgan  county, 
proposed  to  bring  in  a  bill  releasing  Springfield 
f rt  m  the  payment  of  the  same.  The  sterling 
honesty  of  Abraham  Lincoln  manifested  itself 
on  this,  as  on  all  other  proper  occasions.  He 
interposed  his  objections,  although  he  fully  ap- 
preciated the  kindly  feelings  that  prompted  the 
proposal, — but  he  insisted  that  the  money  should 
be  paid.  Arrangements  were  entered  into  for 
paying  it  in  three  installments.  The  two  first 
payments  were  made  without  any  great  diffi- 
culty, but  the  third  pressed  more  heavily,  as  the 
financial  crash  that  swept  over  the  whole  United 
States  while  the  new  State  House  was  in  course 
of  construction  impoverished  many.  Under 
these  circumstances,  it  became  necessary  to  bor- 
row the  money  to  make  the  last  payment,  from 
the  State  Bank  of  Illinois.  A  note  for  the  amount 
was  signed  by  one  hundred  and  one  citizens,  and 
deposited  with  the  Bank;  the  money  drawn,  with 
which  Internal  Improvement  scrip,  or  stock,  was 
purchased  and  paid  into  the  State  Treasury;  thus 
paying  the  last  installment  in  the  State's  own 
evidence  of  indebtedness.  From  that  time,  it 
was  a  matter  between  the  Slate  Bank  and  the 
citizens  who  signed  the  note.  Soon  after  the 
note  was  given  the  bank  failed,  and  some  of  the 
payments  were  made  in  the  depreciated  paper  of 
the  bank,  for  which  it  had  received  par  value 
when  it  was  paid  out.  The  original  note  is  pre- 
served in  the  Kidgely  National  Bank,  but  the 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  same: 

"|!16,666.67.        Springfield,  March  22,  1830. 

"One  year  after  date,  we,  the  undei'signed,  or 
either  of  us,  promise  to  pay  to  the  President, 
Directors  and   Company  of  the    State   Bank  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


'2S-I 


Illinois,  sixteen  thousand, six  hundred  and  sixty- 
six  dollars  and  sixty-seven  cents,  for  value  re- 
ceived, negotiable  and  payable  at  the  bank,  in 
Springfield,  with  interest  until  paid, at  the  rate  of 
six  per  cent  urn  per  annum,  payable  semi-annually." 

John  Hay,  L.  Iligby, 

Joseph  Thayer,  'William  Thornton, 

M.  O.  Reeves,  W.  P.  Grimsley, 

William  Wallace,  John  B.  Watson, 

C.  II.  Ornisby,  Thomas  Mather, 

Tho.  Houghan,  D.  Prickett, 

J.  Calhoun,  Josiah  Francis, 

Washington  lies,  Joel  Johnson, 

0.  K.  Francis,  Wm.  S.  Burch, 

C.  R.  Matheny,  William  Butler, 

P.  C.  Canedy,  Jos.  Klein, 

P.  C.  Latham,  A.  G.  Henry, 

Ninian  W.  Edwards,  John  T.  Stuart, 

Jonas  Whitney,  Moses  Coffman, 

George  Pasfield,  B.  C.  Webster, 

S.  M.  Tinsley,  Ephriam  Darling, 

.lona.  Merriam,  Ira  Sanford, 

Charles  Arnold,  John  L.  Turner, 

Joshua  F.  Amos,  Sullivan  Conant, 

And.  McClellan,  Alexander  Shields, 

A.  Trailor,  C.  C.  Phelps, 
R.  B.  Zimmerman,  William  Hall, 
James  L.  Lamb,  M.  L.  Knapp, 
J.  M.  Shackleford,  B.  Ferguson, 
Benjamin  Talbott,  Jesse  Cormack, 

B.  C.  Johnson,  Thomas  Moffatt, 
.lohn  F.  Rague,  Simeon  Francis, 
Nathaniel  Hay,  Robert  Irwin, 
Virgil  Hickox,  George  Trotter, 
Stephen  T.  Logan,  Robert  Allen, 
James  R.  Gray,  J.  Adams, 

J.  S.  Britton,  W.  B.  Powell, 

K.  C.  Thompson,  E.  M.  Henkle, 

James  W.  Keyes,  Wm.  Porter, 

Wra.  H.  Marsh,  W.  Ransdell, 

Joshua  S.  Hobl)S,  John  G.  Bergen, 

B.  S.  Clement,  Erastus  Wright, 

John  Todd,  E.  D.  Baker, 

A.  Lincoln,  Garrett  Elkin, 

John  Capps,  Alexr.  Garrett, 

Gershom  Jayne,  T.  M.  Neale, 

William  G.  Abrams,  Dewey  Whitney, 

M.  Mobley,  Foley  Vaughn, 

Abner  Y.  Ellis,  N.  A.  Rankin, 

S.  H.  Treat,  Elijah  lies, 

Henry  F.  Luckett,  James  P.  Langford, 

Henry  Cassequin,  J.  M.  Cabaniss, 

James  Maxcy,  Z.  P.  Cabaniss, 

E.  G.  Johns,  Amos  Camp, 

Thos.  J.  Gofortli,  Benj.  F.  Jewett, 
W.  M.  Cowgill. 


From  a  footing  up  of  the  principal  and  inter- 
est on  one  side  of  the  note,  the  final  settlement 
appears  to  have  been  made  February  IP,  1846. 
The  principal  and  interest  to  tliat  time  was 
$17,918. 

Soon  after  the  legislature  adjourned  at  Van- 
dalia,  in  March,  1837,  and  the  members  returned 
to  their  homes,  a  public  festival  was  given  in 
Springfield  in  honor  of  the  new  legislation  for 
the  removal  of  the  capital.  Among  the  toasts 
and  speeches  that  followed  the  dinner,  were  the 
two  following: 

By  Abraham  Lincoln,  Esq.:  "All  our  friends — 
they  are  too  numerous  to  mention  now,  inJivid- 
ually,  while  there  is  no  one  of  them  who  is  not 
too  dear  to  be  forgotten  or  neglected." 

By  S.  A.  Douglas,  Esq.:  "The  last  winter's 
legislation — May  its  results  prove  no  less  bene- 
ficial to  the  whole  State  than  they  have  to  our 
town." 

A  tradition  still  lingers  here  that  something 
stronger  than  water  was  used  in  drinking  the 
toasts  on  that  occasion,  as  there  was  not  a  man 
to  be  found  after  the  festival  that  could  tell  who 
made  the  last  speech,  and  that  important  fact  is 
lost  to  history. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  to  superintend 
the  building  at  once  entered  upon  the  discharge 
of  their  duties,  and  on  the  fourth  of  July,  18.37, 
the  corner-stone  of  the  State  House  was  laid 
with  grand  civic  and  military  demonstrations. 
After  it  had  been  lowered  to  its  place  in  the 
wall,  E.  I).  Baker  delivered  an  eloquent  address 
appropriate  to  the  occasion.  It  was  estimated 
that  the  building  would  cost  1130,000,  but 
-1240,000  was  expended  before  it  was  comjjleted 
according  to  the  original  design.  When  at  last 
completed  it  was  looked  upon  with  wonder  and 
admiration  by  the  people.  It  was  thought  to  be 
so  large  that  it  would  answer  all  the  purposes  of 
the  State  for  all  time  to  come. 

HUILDING    OF    A    NEW    STATE    HOU.SE. 

The  growth  of  the  State,  between  the  years 
1840  and  1865,  was  remarkable,  and  long  before 
this  time  it  became  apparent  that  a  new  State 
House  was  demanded  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  oflicers  and  public,  and  for  the  preservation 
of  the  public  records.  There  began  to  be  intima- 
tions thrown  out,  that  when  the  (|uestion  of  a  new 
building  came  up  for  legislation,  other  impor- 
tant towns  would  endeavor  to  bring  an  influence 
to  bear  in  favor  of  a  re-location  and  removal  of 
the  capital.  The  citizens  of  Springfield  and  San- 
gamon county  fully  realized  the  difiioulties 
and  dangers  of  the  agitation  of  the  question  of  a 


288 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COlNTV. 


new  building;  and  although  the  use  of  the  old 
was  felt  to  be  an  obstacle  to  the  growth  of  the 
city,  yet  many  felt  disposed  to  put  off  the  evil 
day  as  long  as  possible.  From  a  pamphlet  his- 
tory of  Springfield,  by  J.  C.  Power,  publislied 
in  1871,  the  following  is  extracted: 

"  During  the  summer  of  1866,  Hon.  James  C. 
Conkling  became  a  candidate  for  a  seat  in  the 
lower  branch  of  the  General  Assembly,  with  the 
view  of  making  the  sul)ject  of  building  a  new 
State  House  a  prominent  question  before  the 
legislature,  if  elected.  Mr.  Conkling  went  be- 
fore the  people  upon  this  question  and  the  pol- 
itics of  the  day,  and  was  elected, — although  his 
opponent  was  friendly  to  the  move  for  a  new 
State  House,  also.  The  election  was  held  in  No- 
vember, 1866. 

"  Hon.  John  S.  Bradford  was  Mayor  of  Spring- 
field, at  the  time,  and  in  consequence  of  the  gen- 
eral feeling  on  the  State  House  question,  he, 
soon  after  the  State  election,  sent  out  private  in- 
vitations to  some  forty  or  fifty  of  the  most  prom- 
inent business  men,  to  meet  him  on  a  certain 
evening,  in  a  hall  named  in  the  invitation.  When 
they  were  assembled,  Mayor  Bradford  was  called 
on  to  preside,  and  state  the  object  of  the  meeting. 
He  informed  them  that  it  was,  to  hold  a  consul- 
tation with  reference  to  bringing  the  subject  of 
building  a  new  capitol  for  the  State  before  the 
General  Assembly,  for  its  action  at  the  approach- 
ing session.  After  the  delivery  of  a  brief  ad- 
dress by  the  Mayor,  a  general  interchange  of 
views  followed,  when  it  was  found  that  the  feel- 
ing was  almost  unanimous  in  favor  of  action. 
By  subsequent  meetings,  and  consultations  with 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  Sangamon  county, 
and  the  city  authorities  of  Springfield,  those  two 
organizations  were  ready  to  purchase  the  old 
State  House  for  the  use  of  the  county  and  city, 
in  the  event  of  the  General  Assembly  deciding 
to  erect  a  new  one. 

LAW    PROVIDING    FOR    BUII.DING    A    NEW  CAPITOL. 

Accordingly,  when  the  legislature  assembled, 
Mr.  Conkling  presented  a  bill  providing  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  State  Capitol  at  Springfield, 
and  laid  it  before  the  House  of  Representatives 
early  in  the  session.  It  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Public  Buildings;  and,  after  re- 
maining in  their  hands  several  weeks,  during 
which  time  some  changes  were  made,  the  prin- 
cipal one  being  an  increase  of  the  amount  to  be 
paid  for  the  old  State  House,  it  was  reported 
back  to  the  House,  with  the  unanimous  recom- 
mendation that  it  be  adopted.  It  passed  both 
Houses,  and   was  approved   by  Governor  R.  J. 


Oglesby,  February  25,  1867,  with  a  supplement- 
ary act  two  days  later. 

This  law  provided,  first,  for  the  conveyance 
by  the  Governor  of  the  public  square,  contain- 
ing two  and  a  half  acres  of  land,  with  the  State 
House  upon  it,  to  Sangamon  county  and  the  city 
of  Springfield,  in  consideration  of  ^200,000,  to  be 
paid  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  for  the  further 
consideration  that  the  city  and  county  cause  to 
he  conveyed  to  the  State  a  certain  piece  of  land, 
described  by  metes  and  bound,  in  the  bill,  and 
containing  between  eight  and  nine  acres,  upon 
which  to  erect  the  new  State  House.  This  bill 
also  provides  that  the  State  shall  have  the  use  of 
the  old  State  House  until  the  new  one  is  com- 
pleted. The  land  was  secured  at  a  cost  to  the 
city  of  $70,000,  and  conveyed  to  the  State;  the 
$200,000  was  paid  by  the  county,  and  that 
amount,  with  $2.50,000  more  to  be  drawn  from 
the  State  treasury,  making  1(450,000,  was  apj)ro- 
priated  to  commence  the  work. 

It  is  proper  here  to  state  that  the  $200,000, 
paid  nominally  for  the  old  State  House,  was 
really  in  consideration  that  a  new  one  was  to  be 
built.  The  people  of  Sangamon  count)'  would 
now  much  prefer  to  re-convey  it  to  the  State,  if 
they  could  have  refunded  the  >;200,000  with  the 
$80,000  interest,  that  the  money  has  been  worth 
during  that  time;  then  they  could  build  a  Court 
House  much  more  to  their  liking,  for  a  much 
smaller  amount  of  money. 

It  is  a  matter  in  which  the  people  have  a  right 
to  feel  an  honest  pride,  that  while  other  towns 
and  cities  in  different  parts  of  the  State  have 
!  made  liberal  offers  to  secure  the  location  of  some 
I  State  institution,  only  to  evade  its  provisions, 
and  in  the  end  leave  the  State  to  make  up  their 
deficiencies,  Springfield  and  Sangamon  county 
have  redeemed  evety  pledge  they  have  made  to 
the  i)eople  of  the  State.  Upon  this  subject  they 
invite  the  closest  scrutiny. 

In  the  law,  seven  men  were  named  as  Com- 
missioners, to  sui)erintend  the  erection  of  the 
new  State  House,  and  disburse  the  funds  appro- 
priated for  that  purpose.  They  were  instructed 
to  advertise  for  plans  and  specifications,  for 
thirty  days,  in  two  daily  papers  each,  in  Spring- 
field and  Chicago,  and  one  each,  in  Philadelphia 
and  New  York.  After  waiting  three  months 
they  were  to  notify  the  Committees  on  Public 
Buildings  as  provided  by  law,  who  were  to 
unite  with  the  Commissioners  in  adopting  a 
design.  The  Commissioners  were  to  be  gov- 
erned by  the  plan  so  adopted,  and  the  total  cost 
of  the  building  was  not  to  exceed  $.3,000,000. 
March    5,    1867,    they   advertised    "Notice    to 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


289 


Architects,"  offering  $3,000  to  the  architect 
whose  design  should  be  adopted  for  the  new 
State  House,  and  asking  for  plans  and  specifica- 
tions to  be  submitted  for  their  inspection. 


EFFORTS      TO 


NULLIFY      THE      LAW 
FAILURE. 


AND      THEIR 


A  writ  of  quo  warranto — or  an  inquiry  as  to 
tlieir  right  or  authority  to  act — was  issued 
against  the  Commissioners,  from  the  Superior 
Court  of  Ciiicago,  May  13,  1S67,  on  the  relation 
of  Mathew  Latiin,  and  judgment  of  ouster  was 
entered.  The  Commissioners  appealed  to  tlie 
Supreme  Court,  and  the  decision  was  reversed 
at  Ottawa,  in  September  of  that  year.  The 
Commissioners  having  advertised  for  proposals 
before  the  commencement  of  the  suit,  and  hav- 
ing named  the  1.5th  of  July  as  the  time  for  in- 
specting the  designs,  and  being  deprived  of  the 
power  to  act  by  the  decision  of  the  Superior 
Court  of  Chicago,  placed  both  themselves  and 
architects  in  an  awkward  position.  The  Su- 
preme Court,  however,  came  to  their  relief  by 
giving  special  permission  to  tiie  Commissioners 
to  call  to  their  assistance  the  Committees  on 
Public  Buildings,  as  provided  by  law,  and  the 
inspection  took  place  as  previously  intended,  on 
the  loth  of  July,  in  the  Senate  Chamber  at 
Springfield.  A  large  number  of  designs  were 
submitted  to  their  inspection,  and,  after  mature 
deliberation,  that  presented  by  J.  C.  Cochrane, 
of  Chicago,  was  adopted. 

The  Commissioners,  being  compelled  to  re- 
main inactive  until  after  the  meeting  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  in  September,  it  was  too  late  in 
the  season  to  do  anything  more  than  prepare  for 
active  business  the  next  year.  Tlieir  first  act 
after  the  decision  of  the  Snpreme  Court  re-in- 
stating them  was  on  the  8th  of  November, 
when  they  issued  an  advertisement  for  sealed 
proposals  to  do  the  excavating,  and  furnish  cer- 
tain descriptions  of  stone. 

January  14,  1868,  John  C.  Cochrane  was  ap- 
pointed architect  and  superintendent,  and  a  con- 
tract entered  into  for  that  purpose.  January  18, 
a  contract  was  made  with  N.  Strott,  of  Spring- 
field, for  the  e.vcavation;  and  January  20th,  with 
R.  W.  McClaughry  &  Co.,  of  Hancock  county, 
for  stone  to  build  the  foundations.  Broken 
stone,  for  concrete,  was  purchased,  readv  <leliv- 
ered,  of  J.  J.  &  W.  H.  Mitchell,  of"  Alton. 
March  2.5th,  a  contract  was  made  with  Barnard 
&  Gowen,  of  Chicago,  to  do  the  mason  work. 

MAIJNITUDE    OF    THE    WORK. 

The  magnitude  of  the  enterprise  may  be  in- 
ferred from  the  fact  that  the  parties  who  fur- 


nished the  foundation  stone  gave  security  in 
the  penal  sum  of  |!550,00O  for  the  performance 
of  contract,  and  those  w^ho  do  the  mason  work 
a  penal  sum  of  1200,000.  Excavating  was  com- 
menced early  in  the  spring,  but  owing  to  the 
excessive  rains  the  ground  was  not  in  a  proper 
condition  to  commence  laying  stone  until  June 
11,  1868.  From  that  time  until  cold  weather 
put  a  stop  to  it,  the  work  was  prosecuted  vigor- 
ously, and  a  part  of  the  foundation  was  brought 
to  a  level  with  the  surface  during  the  month  of 
September. 

LAYING    CORNER    STONE. 

The  Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  the  State  of 
Illinois  was  invited  by  the  Commissioners  to 
assemble  the  craft  for  the  purpose  of  laying  the 
corner  stone  of  the  new  State  House  with  the 
imposing  ceremonials  of  the  order.  The  invita- 
tion was  accepted,  and  October  5  set  apart  as 
the  time  at  which  it  w-as  to  take  place.  A  stone 
was  prepared,  eight  feet  long,  four  feet  wide 
and  three  feet  deep,  with  a  recess  for  receiving 
such  articles  as  it  was  thought  desirable  to  de- 
posit. A  catalogue  of  them  would  fill  one  of 
these  pages. 

The  day  was  bright  and  cheerful,  and  the  pro- 
cession the  largest  that  had  ever  been  seen  at 
the  Capital  of  the  State,  except  at  the  obsequies 
of  President  Lincoln  in  May,  1865.  Masons 
were  present  from  all  parts  of  the  State,  of  all 
degrees,  from  Master  Mason  to  Knight  Templar. 
After  the  corner  stone  had  been  tested  by  the 
implements  of  the  order,  and  pronounced  well 
formed,  true  and  trusty,  it  was  placed  in  its 
proper  position  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
building.  An  eloquent  oration  was  then  deliv- 
ered by  Hon.  John  D.  Caton,  of  Ottawa.  The 
ceremonials  having  closed,  the  craft  and  others 
present  were  called  from  labor  to  refreshment, 
and  all  repaired  to  the  "  Rink"  to  partake  of  a 
sumptuous  collation  prepared  by  the  Lelands. 
After  dinner  the  multitude  dispersed  to-  their 
homes,  to  treasure  up  the  memories  of  the  day 
as  one  of  the  most  pleasant  waymarks  of  their 
lives. 

DESCRIPTION    OF    THE    NEW    STATE    HOUSE. 

Without  regard  to  such  technicalities  as  would 
be  pleasing  to  architects,  I  shall  endeavor  to 
describe  the  edifice,  in  such  language  as  will  be 
most  easily  understood  by  the  common  reader. 
The  ground  plan  is  in  the  form  of  a  great  cross, 
and  the  superstructure  is  in  the  style  called  the 
classic  order  of  architecture.  It  so  blends  the 
ancient  and  modern  art  of  building  as  to  secure 
the  greatest  strength  and  solidity  and  yet  pre- 


290 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


serve  an  exterior  appearance  eo  light  and  airy 
as  to  be  jjleat^ant  to  the  eye.  The  giand  cut- 
lines  are,  total  length  from  north  to  south,  three 
hundred  and  fil'ty-nire  feet,  exclusive  of  the 
porticos,  which  adds  twenty  feet  to  each  end. 
From  east  to  west  it  is  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
six  feet,  with  twenty  feet  additional  in  the 
grand  portico  at  the  east  end,  which  is  the  prin- 
cipal front.  Tliere  is  an  excavation  underground 
ot  ten  feet  depth,  throughcut  entire  area.  It  is 
designed  by  the  architect  for  the  heating 
apparatus,  the  storage  of  fuel  and  other  heavy 
articles.  So  much  of  the  floor  as  is  used,  is  to 
be  covered  with  concrete. 

The  next  above  tliis  is  the  first  story;  it  is 
nineteen  feet  high,  and  entirely  above  ground. 
The  floor  of  this  stoiy  is  supported  by  brick 
archfs;  and  in  tlie  halls  the  aiches  are  double, 
one  being  two  feet  below  the  other,  to  form  via- 
ducts to  supply  the  rooms  with  fresh  air.  A 
layer  of  conciete  covers  the  entire  ana  cf  the 
aicheii,  and  upon  this,  imbedded  in  cement,  is 
laid  the  niaible  flcois  throughout. 

On  this  floor  we  find  private  rocms  for  the 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  committee 
rooms.  The  largest  portion  of  tliis  flotr  is  de- 
voted to  the  storage  of  stationery,  printing  paper, 
and  all  aiticlts  connected  with  or  used  in  any 
other  part  of  the  building.  One  of  these  rocrus 
is  for  the  stoiage  of  geological  specimens,  and 
another  for  geological  artists.  One  or  more  is 
for  the  Adjutant-Generars  office  and  museum. 
This  story,  in  addition  to  the  windows  on  all 
sides,  is  lighted  by  a  glass  ceiling  in  the  centre, 
which  forms  the  floor  of  the  rotunda  above. 

Above  this  is  the  principal  stoiy,  which  is 
twenty-two  feet  and  a  half  ficm  floor  to  ceiling. 
On  this  floor  is  the  main  corridor,  running  the 
entire  length  of  the  building  from  north  to 
south,  and  the  grand  corridor  crossing  it  at  right 
angles  under  the  dome,  and  extending  across  the 
building  from  east  to  west.  The  main  corridor 
is  ao'J  feet  long,  twenty-four  feet  wide  and 
twenty-two  and  a  half  feet  high- 

The  sides  of  the  main  corridor  will  be  finished 
with  marble  jiilasters  projecting  from  the  walls, 
thus  forming  panels.  The  entire  walls  on  both 
sides,  consisting  of  pilasteis  with  their  caps  and 
bases,  panels  and  their  borders,  and  door  finish, 
are  all  to  be  of  variagated  marble,  and  the  ceil- 
ing to  be  frescoed.  The  grand  corridor,  entend- 
ing  from  the  oast  poi;tico  to  the  grand  stairway 
in  the  western  wing,  isso  called  in  consideration 
of  its  great  width — thirty-two  feet — and  because 
the  pilasters  are  more  massive  and  the  finish 
more  elaborate  than  in  the  main  corridor. 


The  rooms  on  the  floor  described  are  to  be 
used  as  follows:  Governor's  reception  ard  pri- 
vate rooms;  cflice  of  the  Secretary  of  State;  of 
the  Treasurer  of  Stale,  and  of  the  Auditor  of 
Public  Accounts;  Superintendent  of  Public  In- 
struction;Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction's 
library;  law  library;  State  document  libiary;  At- 
torney Geneial's  oflice;  Supreme  Court  loom; 
Supieme  Couit  Clerk's  office;  four  massive  stone 
fire-proof  vaults,  and  the  Stale  Treasurers  bur- 
glar-proof safe.  The  Stale  Geologist's  mu.«eum 
is  just  over  the  State  Geologist's  store-icom,  in 
the  first  story,  with  which  it  is  connected  by  a 
private  staiiway;  State  Geologist's  office.  ^^  ith 
all  these,  there  are  the  necessary  water  closets, 
wash  rooms,  private  oftitts,  and  the  grand  stair- 
way, which  leads  to  the  stoiy  above.  1  his  flight 
is  to  be  made  of  Tennessee  marble,  the  steps 
each  sixteen  feet  long. 

The  floors  of  this  story  are  supported  by 
wrought  iron  beams,  properly  braced  with  angle 
irons,  all  well  secured  with  rivets.  The  sj  aces 
between  the  wrought  iron  beams  are  filled  with 
brick  arches,  the  whole  of  which  is  covered  with 
concrete,  having  wooden  strips  imbedded, to  hold 
the  wooden  floors,  in  the  rooms  only.  The  floors 
in  the  halls  and  coriidors  are  all  maible,  chequer- 
ed by  alternate  squares  of  different  colors. 

The  principal  entrance  is  at  the  east  side,  by 
an  immense  flight  of  stone  steps,  seventy-three 
feet  wide,  landing  in  a  grand  portico. 

We  will  ascend  the  front  steps,  enter  the  east 
portico,  pass  along  the  grand  corridor,  over  the 
glass  floor  in  the  rotunda,  and  continue  west  to 
the  foot  of  the  grand  staiiway,  which  we  ascend 
to  half  the  height  of  the  story,  then  turn  about, 
either  to  the  right  or  left,  and  ascend  to  the  sec- 
ond principal  story.  The  floor  of  this  story  is 
constructed  exactly  as  the  one  described  below. 
Keep  in  mind  that  the  entire  edifice  retains  the 
foim  of  a  grand  cross — first  story,  principal 
story,  and  second  principal  story.  It  is  the  floor 
of  the  latter  on  w  hich  we  are  now  standing. 

This  story  is  forty-five  feet  from  floor  to  ceil- 
ing. Let  us  enter  the  north  angle  or  arm  of  the 
cross.  Here  we  find  the  Senate  Chamber,  sixty- 
two  by  seventy-fiva  feet,  with  the  desk  of  the 
presiding  officer  at  the  north  side.  In  the  ex- 
treme nortli  end  of  this  wing,  we  find  rooms 
properly  arranged  for  the  Speaker,  Chief  Clerk, 
Enrolling  and  Engrossing  Clerks,  Seargeant-at- 
Aims,  postdfice,  and  folding  room;  with  corri- 
dors on  the  east  and  west  sides. 

We  will  now  pass  out  south,  around  the  ro- 
tunda, and  across  the  corridor  into  the  liall  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  in  the  soiitl.em 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


291 


angle  of  the  building.  This  hall  is  sixty-six  by 
one  l^.undred  feet,  with  Speaker's  desk  at  the  south 
side.  The  desks  here,  as  in  the  Senate  Chamber, 
are  in  a  semi-circular  form.  Here  we  find,  under 
somewhatdifferentarrangements, rooms  attached 
for  the  same  oflioes  as  those  connected  with  the 
Senate  Chamber.  In  both  halls  there  are  cloak 
rooms,  wash  rooms  and  water  closets  conveniently 
attached.  Both  are  lighted  in  the  day  time, 
principally  tlirough  the  roof. 

The  east  wing  has  rooms  for  the  Canal  Com- 
missioners and  committee  rooms,  with  cloak  and 
other  necessary  rooms  attached.  Between  these 
rooms  and  the  rotunda  there  is  a  lobby  26xlO-t 
feet,  extending  across  the  wing  from  north  to 
south. 

The  west  wing  has  rooms  for  the  State  Library, 
the  Librarian,  a  reading  room,  and  an  audience 
room  each  for  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. 

The  Senate  Chamber  and  Representatives' 
Hall  have  each  a  gallery,  extending  around  three 
sides,  half  way  from  floor  to  ceiling.  A  portion 
of  the  gallery  in  each  house  is  set  apart  for  the 
use  of  reporters  of  the  press.  On  a  level  with 
the  galleries,  a  floor  extends  over  all  the  office 
rooms  connected  with  both  houses,  the  Gov- 
ernor's rooms,  State  Library,  reception  rooms, 
and  all  except  the  two  legislative  halls.  This 
floor  is  divided  into  a  great  number  of  small 
rooms,  for  the  use  of  committees  of  both  houses, 
and  is  designated  the  gallery  story. 

To  impress  it  on  the  mind,  I  will  here  reca- 
pitulate, that  the  body  of  the  edifice  above 
ground  consists  of  the  first  story,  principal  story, 
second  principal  story,  and  gallery  story. 

The  roof  on  all  the  wings  is  of  the  Mansard 
style,  covered  with  slate  on  the  sides  and  copper 
on  top.  Above  all  this  rises  the  stately  dome, 
surmounted  by  a  lantern  with  a  ball  ori  the  pin- 
nacle, three  hundred  and  twenty  feet  from  the 
natural  surface  of  the  earth,  being  forty -three  feet 
higher  than  theCa])itol  at  Washington.  The  lan- 
tern is  sixteen  feet  wide,  and  twenty-four  feet 
from  bottom  to  top.  The  frame  work  is  of  iron 
and  the  sides  of  glass.  The  floor  of  the  lantern 
will  be  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet  above  the 
surface  of  the  earth.  An  iron  stairway  ascend- 
ing inside  the  dome  will  afford  access  to 
the  lantern.  The  means  of  communicating 
between  the  basement  story  and  the  legis- 
lative halls  will  be  by  the  grand  stairway  and 
two  other  public  and  three  private  stairways. 

In  addition  to  this,  there  will  be  two  steam 
hoisting  apparatus,  or  elevators,  by  means  of 
which  perso)is  can  ascend  or  descend  from  one 


III  another  of  the  fioors,  by  simply  stepping  on 
and  off  a  platform. 

For  heating  and  ventilating  the  building,  there 
will  be  ten  boilers,  forty-eight  inches  in  diame- 
ter, and  twelve  feet  long.  A  steam  engine  of 
twenty  horse-power  will  be  used  for  running  the 
elevator,  and  a  fan,  twelve  feet  in  diameter,  to 
produce  sufficient  circulation  of  air  to  ventilate 
the  building  in  a  proper  manner.  There  will  be 
193,500  lineal  feet  of  ]iipe,  used  to  conduct  the 
steam  to  all  parts  of  the  building. 

The  principal  material  used  in  the  edifice  is 
cut  stone.  Of  this  there  will  be  nearly  three- 
quarters  of  a  million  cubic  feet,  including  the 
loundation.  About  one-half  the  stone  is  finely 
dressed,  or  planed.  This  does  not  include  the 
marble,  of  which  there  is  an  enormous  (juantity. 
In  addition  to  the  stone  in  the  walls,  there  will 
be  about  twenty  millions  of  brick.  Of  wrought 
iron  there  will  be  one  million,  four  hundred  and 
fourteen  thousand,  one  hundred  and  one  pounds, 
or  one  thousand,  two  hundred  and  seven  tons; 
and  of  cast  iron  three  million,  three  hundred 
and  seventy-three  thousand,  four  hundred  and 
fifty-six  pounds,  or  one  thousand,  eight  hundred 
and  thirty-six  and  one-half  tons. 

The  rotunda  is  seventy-six  feet  in  diameter; 
from  the  glass  floor,  where  the  grand  and  main 
corridors  cross  each  other,  to  the  fresco  painting, 
just  beneath  the  dome  will  be  two  hundred  and 
seventeen  feet  without  any  obstruction  to  the 
view  whatever. 

The  three  porticos,  at  the  north,  south,  and 
east  sides,  are  to  have  ten  columns  each.  These 
columns  are  to  be  forty-five  feet  high,  without 
the  plinth  block,  which  is  four  feet  high.  The 
base  and  cap  pieces  are  to  be  cut  separate;  the 
two  make  nine  feet  of  the  height.  Deduct  this 
from  forty-five,  leaves  thirty-six  feet  as  the 
height,  and  four  and  a  half  feet  diameter,  as  the 
dimensions  of  the  columns.  Thirty  of  these 
are  to  be  cut  in  single  pieces  each,  from  stone  in 
the  quarr)^,  if  any^  such  can  be  found. 

Let  us  take  our  position  in  front  of  the  east 
portico.  It  is  ninety  feet  wide.  From  each  of 
the  front  corners  rises  a  turret  to  the  height  of 
one  hundred  and  thirty-two  feet.  That  on  the 
right,  or  to  the  north,  is  to  be  surmounted  by  a 
statue  of  Lincoln,  and  the  one  on  the  left,  or  to 
the  south,  by  a  statue  of  Douglas.  This,  as  I 
have  stated,  is  the  principal  front,  or  entrance. 

I  have  thus  described,  from  the  working 
drawings  and  the  book  of  specifications  of  Coch- 
rane &  Piquenard,  superintending  architects,  the 
merest  outline  of  the  new  Capitol  of  Illinois, 
now  in  course  of  construction,  as  it  will  appear 


292 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


when  completed.  Let  us  see  what  has  been  done 
towards  carrying  out  the  designs  laid  down  on 
the  trestle-board. 

WOEK    COMrLETED. 

The  excavation  for  the  foundation  on  which 
the  great  dome  is  to  rest  is  twenty  five  feet  be- 
low the  natural  surface  of  the  ground,  and  at  the 
bottom  is  a  solid  ledge  of  stone.  The  area  is 
circular,  and  is  ninety-two  and  one-half  feet  in 
diameter.  The  foundation  was  commenced  by 
covering  the  entire  space,  to  an  average  depth 
of  six  feet,  with  concrete — that  is,  broken  stone, 
cement,  clean  sharp  sand,  and  water.  This  con- 
crete receives  the  heavy  stone  walls,  of  an  av- 
erage of  seventeen  feet  in  thickness,  till  brought 
to  the  level  of  the  first  floor,  which  is  twenty- 
four  feet  above  the  concrete.  These  walls  are 
not  made  of  heavy  stone  on  the  outside  and 
tilled  in  with  small  ones,  but  they  are  all  large; 
some  of  them  two,  three,  and  four  tons  weight, 
each.  Think  of  the  thickness  of  the  walls, 
standing  on  a  solid  ledge  of  limestone,  and  per- 
haps you  can  comprehend  their  solidity! 

The  excavation  for  the  outer  walls  around  the 
entire  building  is  twelve  feet  beneath  the  sur- 
face, and  nine  feet  wide.  The  walls  are  com- 
menced with  two  feet  depth  of  concrete  all  over 
the  bottom.  They  are  eight  feet  and  eight  inches 
wide  at  the  bottom,  and  run  up,  with  offsets,  to 
six  feet  three  inches  at  the  ground-line.  Parts 
of  the  walls  are  seven  feet  nine  inches  at  the 
bottom,  tapered  to  five  feet  four  inches;  and  yet 
other  portions,  ten  feet  and  eleven  inches  at  the 
bottom,  and  eight  feet  six  inches  at  the  top,  or 
natural  surface  of  the  ground.  The  stones  in  all 
the  foundation  are  large.  Not  a  single  one  is 
put  in  place  by  hand — they  are  all  moved  by 
steam  derricks.  One  of  these  machines  will  take 
a  stone  of  many  tons  weight,  lift  it  from  the 
ground,  swing  it  to  its  place  on  the  wall,  and  lay 
it  down  as  easy  and  gently  as  a  child  would  take 
a  peach  from  the  Hoor  and  lay  it  on  a  table. 

The  foundation  was  commenced  by  laying  the 
first  stone  June  11, 1868,  and  finished  in  August, 
1869.  This  includes  the  foundation  for  the  dome 
and  the  outer  walls  around  the  entire  building — 
two  hundred  and  sixty-six  by  three  hundred  and 
tifty-nine  feet,  with  all  the  buttresses  on  the 
outside  and  the  inside  walls  and  piers.  The  su- 
perstructure to  rise  on  these  walls  is  to  be  of 
heavy  stone,  with  brick  backing.  To  the  top  of 
the  first  story,  which  is  twenty-five  feet  above  the 
ground-line;  they  are  five  feet  thick.  All  the 
walls  are  now  completed  to  that  height.    Viewed 


from  all  sides,  now,  it  begins  to  disclose  its  vast 
proportions. 

From  the  top  of  the  basement  story  to  the 
cornice,  sixty  feet,  the  walls  are  to  be  four  feet 
thick.  The  brick  backing  is  so  constructed  as 
to  make  them  hollow,  for  the  purpose  of  keeping 
the  interior  dry. 

W.  D.  Clark  is  the  assistant  superintendent, 
under  the  architects.  He  has  done  the  civil  en- 
gineering, also;  having  set  every  stake  and  laid 
every  line. 

A  great  outcry  has  been  made  by  some  par- 
ties that  the  work  was  defective.  Those  who 
make  such  charges  are  either  ignorant  of  what 
they  say  or  write,  or  they  have  some  less  worthy 
object  in  view  than  to  subserve  the  interests  of 
the  State.  To  those  who  know  Mr.  Clark,  such 
a  charge  seems  utterly  absurd.  They  would  be 
no  more  surprised  to  hear  that  he  had  put  his 
hand  in  the  fire  without  an  object,  than  to  learn 
that  he  had  permitted  a  piece  of  defective  ma- 
terial or  workmanship  to  eiiter  into  the  con- 
struction of  the  edifice. 

The  entire  outer  surface  of  the  building, below 
the  Mansard,  will  be  planed  Illinois  limestone. 
It  is  taken  from  the  quarries  near  Joliet.  By  a 
law,  enacted  in  1800,  the  work  of  preparing  the 
stone  is  confined  to  the  convicts  in  the  State 
penitentiary.  The  contractors  have,  at  all  times, 
promptly  discharged  their  obligations. 

EPITOME     OF    THE     LEGISLATION    FOR     THE     NEW 
STATE  HOUSE, 

The  laws  of  February  25  and  27,  1867,  to  pro- 
vide for  the  erection  of  a  new  State  House,  ap- 
propriated 84.50,000  to  begin  the  work;  declared 
that  the  total  cost  should  not  exceed  |;.3,000,000; 
named  seven  Commissioners  and  one  Secretary 
to  carry  out  the  law;  limited  the  amount  of  ex- 
penditures and  liabilities  they  should  incur 
within  the  amount  appropriated,  and  declared 
that  everything  in  excess  of  that  should  be 
deemed  unlawful. 

Laws  of  March  11  and  27,  1809, -legislated 
the  seven  Commissioners  and  Secretary  out  of 
office;  provided  for  the  appointment  of  three 
Commissioners,  by  the  Governor;  ordered  that 
all  stone,  iron,  and  labor  for  the  new  State 
House  that  could  be  procured  at  the  peniten- 
tiary, in  Joliet,  should  be  obtained  there,  and  at 
no  other  place;  required  the  new  Commissioners 
to  have  a  new  copy  of  plans,  specifications,  and 
estimates  made  in  detail;  and  when  completed, 
to  notify  the  Committees  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  Representatives  on  Public  Buildings 
and   State  Librarv.     And  said  Committee  were 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


2D3 


instructed  to  hold  a  joint  session,  to  examine 
the  plans,  specifications,  and  estimates;  and  in 
the  event  of  their  being  satisfied  that  the  build- 
ing conld  be  completed  within  the  limit  of 
$3,(.)0U,00O,iu  addition  to  what  had  already  been 
expended,  tliey  were  to  order  the  Commissioners 
to  proceed;  appropriated  $650,000,  to  be  used  in 
carrying  forward  the  work  on  the  new  State 
House,  but  prohibited  the  use  of  it  until  the 
above  conditions  were  complied  with. 

Under  the  law  of  March  II,  1869,  Governor 
Palmer  appointed  Jacob  Bunn,  James  C.Robin- 
son and  James  H.  13everidge  as  Commissioners 
to  continue  the  work  of  constructing  the  new 
State  House.  The  board  organized  April  12, 
1869,  by  electing  Jacob  Bunn  President  and 
James  H.  Beveridge  Secretary.  The  Commis- 
sioners at  once  caused  detailed  plans,  specifica- 
tions and  estimates  for  continuing  the  work  on 
the  new  State  House  to  be  prepared  by  the 
superintending  architects.  They  notified  the 
committees  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, and  a  joint  session  was  held  in  the 
Senate  Chamber  at  Springfield,  April  aT,  1869, 
and  a  copy  of  the  plans  and  specifications  was 
laid  before  them.  At  a  meeting  of  the  com- 
mittees, on  the  lath  of  May,  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  State  House  Commis- 
sioners be  and  they  hereby  are  authorized  to 
complete  the  foundation  of  the  new  State  House 
under  existing  contracts,  and  to  expend  the 
balance  of  the  appropriation  first  made,  or  as 
much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  pur- 
pose." 

The  work  was  commenced  immediately  and 
the  foundation  completed  early  in  August,  as 
previously  stated. 

The  total  estimates  of  the  superintending 
architects,  submitted  with  plans  and  specifica- 
tions, amounted  to  $2,650,885.  Tbe  joint  com- 
mittee deemed  it  advisable  to  have  the  opinions 
of  parties  who  were  not  interested,  called  to 
their  assistance  Augustus  Bauer  and  Asher  Car- 
ter, architects,  and  W.  C.  Deakman,  master 
builder,  all  of  Chicago,  and  had  them  make  an 
estimate  in  detail,  according  to  the  same  plans 
and  specifications,  and  their  estimate  was 
$2,737,940.86 — no  greater  difference  in  propor- 
tion than  two  bidders  would  make  on  almost  any 
piece  of  work. 

The  joint  committee  did  not  complete  their 
investigations  until  August  26,  1869.  They 
then  ordered  the  Commissioners  to  go  forward 
with  the  work  according  to  the  plans  and  specifi- 
cations,  with  certain  alterations    recommended 

34— 


by  the  superintending  architects  and  master 
builder.  They  publicly  expressed  the  belief 
that  it  could  be  finished  within  the  $3,000,000, 
and  that  "when  completed  it  would  be  a  beauti- 
ful, convenient  and  permanent  structure,  worthy 
of  the  State." 

Thus  the  best  part  of  another  season  passed 
away  with  such  hindrances  as  prevented  the 
Commissioners  from  prosecuting  the  work  as 
energetically  as  they  desired  to  do. 

The  Convention  called  by  the  people  of 
Illinois,  for  the  purpose  of  framing  a  new  Con- 
stitution for  the  State,  recognized  the  fact  that 
the  Capital  had  been  permanently  located  at 
Springfield  by  legal  authority,  and  that  a  posi- 
tive law  required  the  work  of  all  State  oflicers 
and  all  legislative  enactments  to  be  done  at 
Springfield,  as  the  Capital;  and  that  laws  had 
been  passed  by  two  previous  legislatures,  making 
large  appropriations  of  money  for  building  a 
new  edifice  in  which  to  tiansact  the  business  of 
the  State;  and  that  a  design  had  been  adopted 
on  a  scale  of  grandeur  and  magnificence  in  pro- 
portion to  its  wealth  and  influence,  deemed  it 
wise  to  insert  a  clause  in  the  new  Constitution 
to  guard  against  abuses  too  often  practiced  in 
connection  with  works  erected  at  Dublic  expense. 

The  Constitutional  (yonvention,  therefore,  in- 
serted under  the  miscellaneous  head  the  fol- 
lowing: 

"  Section  33.  The  General  Assembly  shall 
not  appropriate  out  of  the  State  Treasury,  or 
expend  on  account  of  the  new  Capitol  grounds, 
and  construction,  completion  and  furnishing  of 
the  State  House,  a  sum  exceeding,  in  the  aggre- 
gate, three  and  a  half  millions  of  dollars,  inclu- 
sive of  all  appropriations  heretofore  made, 
without  first  submitting  the  proposition  for  an 
additional  expenditure  lo  the  legal  voters  of  the 
State,  at  a  general  election,  nor  unless  a  majority 
of  all  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  shall  be  for 
the  proposed  additional  expenditure." 

With  this  provision  in  the  new  Constitution, 
it  was  submitted  to  the  people  July  2,  1870,  and 
adopted  by  an  overwhelming  majority. 

The  appropriation  of  February  25,  1807,  was 
$450,000,  and  that  of  March  11,  1869,  |i650,Oao, 
making  a  total  of  $1,100,000. 

The  expenditures  have  been  as  follows: 

From  begiunins  to  December  30,  1808 $354,126  12 

From  December  30,  1868,  to  March  11,  1869.      16,657  07 

Total    expenditures    by    first    Board    of 

seven  Commissioners $370,783  29 

The  Board  of  three  Commissioners  appointed 
by  Governor  Palmer,  under  the  law  of  March 


294 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


11,    18611,  Lave  carried    the  work  forward,  and 
their  expenditures — 

To  No%'ember  30,  1869,  were $156,876  76 

From  November  30,  1869,  to  November  30, 

1870 377,543  13 

From  November  SO,  1870,  to  February  1, 

1871 77,918  79 

Total  to  February  1,  1871 |883,131  87 

From  February  1  to  April  14,  1871 53,096  91 

Due  for  iron  on  the  way  from  Belgium. . . .      13,895  30 

Total $949,114  08 

There- is  due  on  existing  contracts,  for  mate- 
terials  and  for  work,  enough  to  bring  the  total 
expenditure  up  to  about  $1,000,000,  leaving 
about  §100,000  of  the  appropriation  of  1869 
unexpended. 

Early  in  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly, 
which  convened  January  4,  1871,  a  bill  was 
introduced  in  the  Senate,  appropriatiiig  §600,000 
to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  new  State  House. 
It  passed  that  body  by  a  very  small  number  of 
dissenting  votes.  In  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives it  was  read  a  first  and  second  time,  and 
ordered  to  a  third  reading,  but  was  not  reached 
in  the  regular. order  of  lousiness,  when  the  legis- 
lature adjourned  temporarily,  on  the  seventeenth 
of  April. 

The  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly  being 
biennial,  each  alternate  year  brings,  to  a  large 
extent,  a  new  class  of  men  together  in  the  legis- 
lative halls.  The  public  has  been  so  accus- 
tomed to  hear  of  fraud  in  connection  with 
buildings  of  this  kind,  that  men  coming  for  the 
tirst  time,  and  looking  upon  the  collossal  pro- 
portions of  this  edifice,  take  it  for  granted  that 
there  must  be  jobs  and  peculations,  and,  without 
investigating  the  subject,  there  are  always  those 
who  are  ready  to  cry  out,  "Rings!  Rings! 
Steals!     Steals!" 

By  these  devices,  one  of  the  two  years  con- 
nected with  each  legislature  has  been  frittered 
away  from  the  commencement,  and  this  order 
of  things  seems  destined  to  continue.  From 
this  cause  the  year  1867  was  one  of  inactivity: 
in  1868,  work  was  done;  1869  was  one  of  idle- 
ness; 1870  work,  and  1871  is  likely  to  be  one  of 
idleness  also. 

Tlie  Commissioners,  Jacob  Bunn,  James  C. 
Rol)inson  and  James  H.  Bevcridge  have  jjassed 
through  two  years  of  investigation  out  of  the 
four  since  the  work  commenced,  and  in  eacli  in- 
stance have  emerged  from  the  ordeal  without 
the  smell  of  fire  upon  their  garments.  Should 
the  present  year  prove  to  be  one  of  inactivity,  it 
will  be  no  fault  of  theirs;    and  their  works  are 


the  only  vindication  they  need,  concerning 
which  they  take  pleasure  in  giving  all  the  in- 
formation in  their  power. 

The  following  quotation  from  the  law,  which 
has  been  strictly  complied  with  in  every  particu- 
lar, is  a  sufficient  refutation,  in  the  estimation 
of  all  honest  men,  of  the  ridiculous  charge  that 
Mr.  Bunn  is  using  the  money  appropriated  for 
building  the  State  House  in  his  banking  busi- 
ness: 

"The  accounts  of  the  expenditures  of  said 
commissioners  shall  be  certified  by  said  commis- 
sioners, or  a  majority  of  them,  and  the  Secretary 
of  State,  and  approved<  hij  the  Governor.  The 
Auditor  shall  thereupon  draw  his  warrant  upon 
the  Treasurer  therefor,  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
fund  herein  before  provided,  in  favor  of  the 
parltj  to  whom  the  accounts  shall  be  duey 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  Mr.  Bunn,  like  all 
other  citizens,  cannot  receive  a  dollar  of  the 
State  House  money  except  for  services  rendered, 
or  materials  furnished,  and  then  only  when  his 
bill  is  allowed  by  his  associates  in  office,  certified 
by  the  Secretary  of  State,  and  approved  by  the 
Governor. 

It  will  not  be  considered  exaggeration  by  any 
man  who  has  honestly  endeavored  to  obtain  cor- 
rect information  on  the  subject,  for  me  to  say 
that  the  work  on  the  new  State  Housre  has  been 
as  well  done,  and  the  duties  of  all  connected  with 
it  as  faithfully  discharged,  as  they  have  been  with 
any  similar  undertaking  on  tlie  American  Conti- 
nent. 

It  \vill  be  such  a  magnificent  structure,  and  so 
well  adapted  to  the  uses  for  which  it  is  designed, 
that  the  people  can  afford  to  be  patient.  The 
work  is  now  about  one-third  done,  and  if  this 
should  prove  to  be  the  last  year  of  idleness,  it 
may  yet  be  completed  in  time  to  use  it  in  cele- 
brating the  first  Centennial  of  American  Inde- 
jjendence.  It  will  be  well  worthy  of  such  a 
christening. 

Some  changes  were  made  in  the  plans  as  given 
by  Mr.  Power  in  the  foregoing  statement.  The 
excavation  underneath  the  building  for  the  heat- 
ing apparatus  was  never  used,  but  a  building 
was  erected  for  that  purpose  about  one  block 
north.  The  room  over  the  State  Geologist's 
store  room  is  now  used  by  the  Agricultural  De- 
partment, and  the  Geologist's  museum  occupies 
the  room  intended  for  the  library.  The  library 
room  is  now  between  the  Secretary  of  State's 
office  and  the  Index  Department  of  that  office. 
There  are  only  two  galleries  in  each  Represen- 
tatives' Hall  and  Senate  Chamber.  The  gallery 
ou  the  north,  in  the  Representatives'  Hall,  is  de- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


295 


signed  as  a  ladies'  gallery,  and  the  one  on  the 
south  for  gentlemen.  The  gallery  on  the  south 
in  the  Senate  Chamber  is  for  the  ladies,  and  the 
one  on  the  north  for  gentlemen.  The  Reporters' 
stands  are  on  each  side  of  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  and  President  of^the  Senate  respectively. 
The  building  has  never  been  entirely  com- 
pleted, but  has  been  occupied  since  1877.  In 
1876  the  question  was  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the 
people  as  to  whether  an  additional  appropriation 
should  be  made  of  $500,000  to  complete  the 
building.     In   consequence   of  the   hard   times 


then  existing,  and  the  fact  that  many  were  preju- 
diced against  the  State  Capital,  a  majority  of 
the  people  voted  against  the  appropriation. 
Since  that  time  an  area  of  prosperity  has 
dawned  upon  the  people,  and  many  thousands 
have  visited  the  Capital  building,  and  went 
away  resolved  should  the  question  again  be  sub- 
mitted, to  vote  for  the  appropriation.  Com- 
pleted according  to  the  plans  given  in  the  fore- 
going pages  the  State  House  will  be  an 
ornament  to  the  State  and  the  pride  of  the 
people. 


290 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter    XVI. 


TEMPERANCE. 


The  cause  of  temperance  is  one  that  has 
always  enlisted  the  services  of  the  moral  and 
benevolent  of  earth.  As  far  back  as  the  history 
of  the  world  can  be  traced,  intemperance  has  ex- 
isted. Laws  have  been  promulgated  against  it, 
warnings  have  been  given  over  and  over  again, 
and  yel  man  will  continue  to  use  the  intoxicat- 
ing cup,  notwithstanding  Solomon,  the  wise 
man,  has  said,  "  Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine 
when  it  is  red,  when  it  givetb  the  color  in  the 
cup,  for  at  last  it  biteth  like  a  serpent  and  sting- 
eth  like  an  adder,"  and  a  greater  than  Solomon 
has  added,  "That  no  drunkard  can  inherit  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 

In  the  first  half  of  the  present  century,  but 
few  large  distilleries  existed,  while  every  neigh- 
borhood must  have  its  "still."  A  new  settle- 
ment was  no  sooner  formed  than  an  enterprising 
individual  would  erect  his  still,  and"  commence 
the  manufacture  of  whisky,  pure  and  unadulter- 
ated. The  surplus  corn  of  the  country  could  be 
used  in  no  other  way;  at  least,  such  was  thought 
to  be  the  case.  Every  merchant  advertised 
whisky  as  one  of  the  specialties  of  his  store. 
The  whisk)-  jug  was  thought  to  be  an  indis])ens- 
able  help  in  the  harvest  field,  or  at  house-rais- 
ings, log-rollings,  and  corn-huskings;  nor  was 
the  decanter,  with  its  exhilarating  contents,  gen- 
erally wanting  at  social  gatherings.  Liquor 
bought  by  the  gallon,  and  even  by  the  barrel, 
was  kept  in  the  house  for  daily  use.  Before 
partaking  of  breakfast,  the  glass  was  passed 
around  and  ])artaken  of,  to  give  an  appetite, 
and  in  the  evening  it  was  used  as  a  "night-cap" 
Ijefore  going  to  Led.  When  bittered  by  some 
herb  or  drug,  it  was  used  as  a  sovereign  rem- 
edy for  most  of  the  ailments  flesh  is  heir  to,  and 
often  as  a  preventive.  Liquor  being  one  of  the 
specialties  in  the  early  country  stores,  some 
merchants  were  wont  to  treat  their  customers, 
especially  when   making  large  bills,  and   often 


previous  to  purchasing,  in  order  to  sharpen  their 
appetite  for  trading.  One  store  at  the  county 
seat  was  in  the  habit  of  treating  a  customer 
every  time  a  purchase  was  made,  be  it  large  or 
small.  An  old  toper,  taking  advantage  of  the 
generosity  of  the  proprietor,  had  occasion  to 
make  a  great  many  small  purchases,  then  help- 
ing himself  from  the  decanter  placed  at  the  dis- 
posal of  customers.  His  calls  became  so  fre- 
quent as  to  become  a  bore  to  the  young  salesman 
in  the  store,  a  nephew  of  the  proprietor.  The 
young  man  determined  to  try  the  "heroic  rem- 
edy "  on  the  old  toper,  to  cure  him  of  his  fre- 
quent visits.  Accordingly,  on  one  occasion,  just 
about  the  time  he  was  expecting  the  regular 
visit  of  the  man,  he  emptied  all  the  whisky  out 
of  the  decanter  but  enough  for  one  dram. 
Preparations  were  no  sooner  made  than  in  came 
the  visitor.  Purchasing  a  small  plug  of  tobacco, 
he  stepped  around  and  picked  up  the  decanter. 
Noticing  the  small  quantity  in  it,  he  said: 

"Charley,  the  decanter  is  nearly  empty." 

"Yes,"  replied  the  clerk,  "  but,  never  mind; 
there  is  enough  for  one  dram.     Help  yourself." 

The  man  poured  out  all  there  was,  and  drank 
it  down  almost  at  a  gulp.  He  no  sooner  done 
so  than  he  had  an  urgent  call  out  in  the  rear  of 
the  house.  The  young  clerk  had  placed  a  drop 
of  croton  oil  in  the  decanter.  The  store  lost  a 
customer  and  the  young  man  received  a  glorious 
thrashing  from  his  uncle. 

As  already  stated,  whisky  was  generally  con- 
sidered necessary  at  every  house-raising.  It 
must  be  borne  in  mind  by  the  reader  that  in  the 
early  day  the  houses  built  were  invariably  of  hewn 
orround  logs,  and  it  required  the  assistance  of  a 
large  number  of  men  to  erect  one.  The  necessity 
of  having  a  supply  of  whisky  at  these  raisings 
often  put  the  pioneer  to  considerable  inconve- 
nience, and  occasionally  delayed  the  raising  a 
much  longer  time  than  desired.  As  an  illustration : 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


297 


Maxwell  Campbell,  of  Cartwright  township, 
came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  lt^2o.  He 
was  so  poor  that  he  raised  his  tliree  tirst  crops 
with  a  single  ox,  which  he  used  for  all  purposes 
as  he  would  a  horse,  riding  him  to  market, 
grinding  his  grain  with  hira  in  a  horse-mill,  an<l 
then  carrying  it  home  on  its  back.  He  first 
built  a  small  cabin,  then  prepared  hewn  logs  for 
a  much  larger  one.  They  were  hauled  to  the 
site  of  the  proposed  building,  and  there  laj^  for 
two  years  for  the  reason  that  he  had  no  money 
to  buy  whisky  for  the  raising.  He  bad  bought 
a  blind  horse  for  five  dollars  in  trade.  Tlie 
horse  had  a  bell  on  it  which  Mr.  Campbell  sold 
for  two  gallons  of  whisky,  and  was  thus  enabled 
to  raise  his  house. 

Dawson  McGinnis  came  to  the  county  in 
1827,  and  like  nearly  all  other  early  settlers,  he 
was  poor  in  this  worlds  goods,  but  rich  in  faith 
of  the  "good  time  coming."  He  prepared  liis 
logs  for  his  cabin  and  hauled  them  up  to  tlie 
place  where  it  was  to  be  erected.  I>y  that  time 
all  his  money  was  gone  except  a  twenty-five  cent 
piece.  He  did  not  like  to  part  with  his  last  cent, 
not  knowing  where  the  next  was  to  come  from, 
but  it  was  the  universal  custom  to  have  whisky 
at  the  raisings.  The  raising  was  delayed  for  a 
time,  hoping  to  find  some  waj'  to  obtain  the 
whisky  and  save  the  money.  The  thought  was 
entertained  of  inviting  the  neighbors  to  assist 
without  the  accustomed  stimulant,  though  it  was 
doulttful  if  they  would  come.  Consulting  with 
his  wife,  the  two  decided  that  even  though  they 
responded  to  the  call  and  helped  them  he  would 
always  be  regarded  as  the  stingiest  man  in  the 
whole  county,  and  that  it  would  be  better  to 
part  with  the  money  than  to  have  such  a  name. 
The  whisky  was  purchased  and  the  house  raised. 

While  intemperance  largely  exists,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  it  has  greatly  decreased  within  the 
present  generation.  According  to  population 
there  are  not  as  many  drunkards,  nor  is  there  as 
much  iiijuor  consumed  as  a  third  or  a  half  cen- 
tury ago.  This  leads  to  the  further  declaration 
that  can  well  be  substantiated,  that  the  eflForts 
put  forth  by  the  temperance  people  in  times 
past  have  not  proven  a  failure.  That  organiza- 
tions have  flourished  for  a  time  and  then  cease 
to  exist  ])roves  nothing.  These  organizations 
were  but  human  instrumentalities  brought  forth 
by  the  necessities  of  the  hour,  their  design  being 
to  accomplish  a  certain  purpose  then  apparent. 
It  is  not  to  be  expected  that  they  will  be  as  en- 
during as  the  hills,  or  so  strong  that  "  the  gates 
of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  them."  If  they 
accomplish   a  good  work  for  the  time,  well  and 


good.  If  it  be  found  that  there  is  a  radical 
defect  in  their  organizations  necessitating  a 
change,  let  it  be  made,  and  let  it  not  be  imagined 
because  they  are  defective  and  have  not  accom- 
plished all  the  good  their  most  sanguine  sup- 
porters anticipated,  that  nothing  has  been  done. 
All  over  the  country  can  be  found  sober,  honest 
and  good  men,  who,  but  for  the  effort  put  forth 
by  the  members  of  some  temperance  organiza- 
tion that  has  ceased  to  exist,  would  now  Ull  a 
drunkard's  grave. 

Whisky,  in  the  early  day,  was  generally  sold 
for  cash — all  other  goods  on  credit.  Of  course 
it  was  not  expensive,  as  a  good  <piality  could  be 
purchased  for  two  or  three  shillings  per  gallon. 
Occasionally  some  impecunious  persons,  desiring 
to  go  on  a  spree,  and  having  no  money,  were  re- 
quired to  resort  to  their  wits  to  procure  the 
li<iuid  fluid.  A  good  story  is  told  of  a  crowd 
who  were  so  situated.  One  of  their  number  got 
a  jug,  and,  filling  it  about  half  full  of  water, 
went  to  a  grocery  and  called  for  a  quart  of 
whisky,  remarking  that  some  of  the  boys  wished 
to  have  a  little  fun,  but  didn't  have  (piitc  whisky 
enough.  The  whisky  was  drawn  and  the  man 
picked  up  the  jug  and  started  for  the  door,  with- 
out saying  a  word  about  paying  for  it.  The  pro- 
jirietor  told  him  to  come  back,  as  whisky  was 
cash.  The  man  replied  that  he  had  no  money. 
"Well,  you  can't  have  the  whisky  then,"  was  the 
answer.  Appearing  mad,  the  man  stepped  back, 
and  with  an  oath,  told  the  proprietor  to  take  his 
old  whisky.  The  cpiart  was  drawn  out  of  the 
jug,  when  it  was  again  taken  to  the  public  well, 
and  more  water  put  in.  A  second  grocery  was 
visited,  another  quart  of  whisky  dra\yn  and 
emptied  back.  Again  he  went  to  the  well  for 
more  water,  and  a  third  place  was  visited,  and  a 
half  gallon  was  called  for,  poured  in  the  jug  and 
drawn  off.  The  man  appeared  mad,  but  it  was 
just  what  he  desired  should  be  done;  so  he  left 
the  third  place  with  a  half  gallon  as  good  whisky 
as  the  merchant  poured  back  in  his  barrel  from 
the  jug.  This  was  a  first-class  article,  and  the 
l)oys  were  thus  afforded  a  rare  chance  for  a  good 
drunk,  after  the  most  approved  style. 

Although  the  whisky  of  that  early  day  was 
said  to  be  pure,  yet  it  would  "  make  the  drunk 
come;"  men  would  become  shiftless  from  its 
continual  use;  houses  would  be  neglected; 
heart-broken  and  sorrowing  wives,  ragged  and 
hungry  children  existed,  and  all  from  the  use  of 
rum. 

Notwithstanding  whisky  is  thought  to  be  a 
preventive  for  nearly  every  disease,  it  has 
been  proven   by  actual  statistics  to  be  a  source 


298 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  disease,  tlie  habitual  drinker  being  more 
liable  to  attack  from  various  diseases  than  the 
total  abstainer.  Especially  has  this  been  proven 
to  be  the  case  in  diseases  of  an  epidemic  nature, 
such  as  cholera. 

The  Temperance  Recorder,  November  6, 
1832,  contains  what  it  says  is  "An  authentic 
record  of  deaths  by  cholera  in  the  city  of 
Albany,  from  the  commencement  to  the  cessa- 
tion of  daily  reports,  in  the  summer  of  1832, 
omitting  all  under  the  age  of  sixteen  years  " 
Nine  physicians  testify  to  the  truth  of  the 
record.  The  following  is  an  abstract  from  the 
report: 

Whole  number  of  deaths 336 

Intemperate 1 40 

Free  drinkers 55 

Moderate  drinkers,  mostly  habitual 131 

Strictly  temperate 5 

Members  of  temperance  societies 2 

Idiot 1 

Unknown 2 

336 

EARLY  TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS. 

During  the  summer  of  1829,  Dr.  Jayne  placed 
in  the  hands  of  ReV.  J.  G.Bergen,  a  copy  of  Dr. 
Lyman  Beeeher's  six  sermons  on  intemperance, 
which  he  read  one  by  one  to  the  people  on  six 
successive  Sabbath  afternoons.  Curiosity  about 
drunkenness  in  the  East  brought  the  people  out. 
Mr.  Bergen  prepared  the  constitution  of  a  tem- 
perance society,  and,  after  reading  that  well- 
known  tract,  "  Putnam  and  the  Wolf,"  invited 
the  congregation  to  sign  the  pledge.  Eleven 
persons  put  down  their  names  In  a  short  time 
there  were  more  than  fifteen  hundred  signers  in 
the  county.  This  was  the  iirst  temperance 
society  in  Central  Illinois,  and  probably  the 
first  in  the  State. 

In  1834,  a  society  known  as  the  Springfield 
Temperance  Society  was  in  existence.  This 
society  pledged  its  members  to  "abstain  from  the 
use,  and  use  all  lawful  means  to  put  a  stop  to 
vending  and  drinking  distilled  ardent  spirits." 
This  society  was  comjiosed  only  of  adults.  At 
the  same  time  a  juvenile  temperance  society 
was  organized,  showing  the  people  realized  the 
truth  of  the  old  proverb  that  "  an  ounce  of  pre- 
vention is  worth  a  pound  of  cure,"  and  were  de- 
termined to  use  every  means  to  prevent  the 
young  from  forming  habits  of  intemperance. 

A  county  temperance  society  was  organized 
about  this  time,  under  the  name  of  the  "Sanga- 
mon County  Temperance  Society,"  with  branch 
societies  in  the  various  townships  and  villages 


in  the  county.  The  local  papers  of  the  period 
failed  to  record  the  proceedings  of  any  of  the 
meetings,  until  1837,  when  an  account  of  an  an- 
nual meeting  held  in  Springfield,  February  28, 
is  given.  At  this  meeting,  the  following  named 
officers  were  elected:  Chas.  R.  Matheny,  Presi- 
dent; Thomas  Moflfett  and  C.  B.  Francis,  Vice- 
Presidents;  S.  M.  Sill,  Secretary;  John  Dickey, 
Treasurer. 

THE    WASHINGTONIANS.  . 

In  the  month  of  December,  1841,  some  men 
from  Alton  came  to  Springfield  to  inaugurate 
the  new  temperance  reform,  which  began  its 
career  in  the  winter  previous,  in  the  city  of  Bal- 
timore, and  had  spread  like  wildfire  all  over  the 
land.  Success  had  crowned  the  efforts  of  the 
workers,  from  the  commencement  of  their  la- 
bors. The  places  in  which  their  meetings  were 
held  were  crowded  to  suffocation.  Like  the 
Athenians  of  old,  many  attended  out  of  curi- 
osity, desiring  to  "  know  what  these  babblers 
had  to  say."  The  plea  they  presented  was  such 
as  to  appeal  to  the  heart  and  reason  of  everyone. 
A  local  paper  under  date  of  December  31,  1841, 
says: 

"The  cause  goes  gloriously  on.  The  society 
in  this  city  has  more  than  three  hundred  and 
fifty  members.  The  spirit  seems  to  have  been 
caught  in  the  neighboring  settlements  of  this 
county.  At  two  small  gatherings  near  Spring- 
field, about  one-half  of  the  persons  present  joined 
the  standard  of  reform. 

"A  Christmas  like  that  just  passed  was  never 
before  witnessed  here.  Our  streets  the  whole 
day  were  free  from  exhibitions  which  before  had 
been  common;  not  an  intoxicated  man  was  seen 
on  them;  and  those  who  had  once  spent  the  day 
in  drinking  and  carousals,  enjoyed  it  most  hap- 
pily in  the  society  of  their  families.  What  a 
change!  What  happiness  to  themselves  and  to 
those  whose  weal  and  woe  are  committed  to 
their  charge! 

"Not  a  Washingtonian  has  flinched  the  fiery 
trial  he  has  been  compelled  to  undergo.  Though 
the  desire  to  indulge  in  former  courses  in  some 
instances,  we  may  well  suppose,  has  been  ter- 
rible, yet  bravely  and  triumphantly  they  have 
borne  themselves  up  against  it.  They  have  proved 
themselves  worthy  soldiers  of  the  immortal  chief- 
tain whose  banner  waves  over  them. 

"  What  is  strange,  singular,  and  not  to  be  won- 
dered at,  all  our  Washingtonians  seemed  to  have 
been  imbued  with  the  missionary  spirit,  and  all 
are  engaged  with  their  might  in  urging  on  the 
great  work  of  reform.     It   is   the   talk   of  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


299 


mechanic's  bench,  the  slaughtei--hoiise,  ihu  wood- 
cutter's stand,  tlie  merchant's  couater.  Few,  in- 
deed, there  are  that  are  not  aiTected  by  its  influ- 
ence. May  the  spirit  progress  until  it  extends 
over  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  land!  This 
reform  is  producing  a  most  kindly  feeling  among 
our  citizens.  A  class  of  meu  who  felt  they  were 
degraded  almost  beyond  the  reach  of  hope;  that 
their  condition  could  not  be  changed,  and  who 
Lad  been  inclined  to  look  upon  those  who  had 
by  industry,  sobriety  and  economy,  rendered 
themselves  more  comfortable  and  happy  than 
they  were,  with  jealousy  and  distrust  if  not  with 
liate,  under  the  iuHuence  of  this  reform,  find 
themselves  surrounded  with  friends  where  they 
did  not  expect  them,  and  the  sympathies  and 
well-wishes  of  all  enlisted  in  their  behalf.  Need 
we  wonder  that  such  a  state  of  things  opens 
almost  a  new  world  upon  the  reformed?  That 
their  step  is  light,  that  their  heart  is  filled  with 
hope,  and  that  those  who  are  connected  with 
them  by  the  endearing  ties  of  wife,  children, 
parent,  or  brother,  are  rejoicing  almost  'with  joy 
unspeakable?'  It  is  so.  Every  man  among  us 
gee  it — and  feels  it — and  blesses  the  day  when 
the  three  Baltimoreans  raised  the  banner  of 
'Washington  Reform.'" 

The  meeting  for  the  organization  of  the  so- 
ciety was  hekf  Monday  afternoon,  December  12, 
1841 .  Messrs.  Todd.  Webster,  Powell,  Matheny 
and  Pease  were  appointed  a  committee  to  nomi- 
nate ofhcers.  They  reported  the  following 
named,  who  were  duly  elected: 

President. — William  D.  llerndon. 

Vice-President.—  Gould  Butler,  W.  W.  W.at- 
son,  and  Jesse  B.  Thomas. 

Directors. — A.  R.  Robinson,  Thomas  J.  Tur- 
ley,  Allen  Francis,  Frederick  C.  McComas, 
Strother  J.  Jones. 

Recording  Secretary. —  William  W.  Pease. 

Corresponding  Secretary. —  James  H.  Ma- 
theny. 

Treasurer. — William  Lavely. 

A  committee  on  Constitution  was  appointed 
who  reported  the  following: 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  SPRINGFIELD  WASHINGTON 
TEMPERANCE    SOCIETY. 

We,  the  friends  of  temperance  in  the  city  of  Spring- 
fieki,  who  have  signed  the  pledge  of  the  Washington 
TeniiKTiince  Society,  believe  that  when  men  have  so 
far  indulged  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquor  as  to 
render  themselves  wretched  and  miserable,  and  in 
many  cases  their  families  destitute  and  unhappy,  that 
thcy"may  and  can  be  ledeemed  and  reinstated  lo  com- 
fort, peace  and  happiness  by  the  aid  and  assistance  of 
their  fellow  men.      And  being  desirous  to  preserve  in- 


violate our  own  pledge,  and  to  sec  every  man  in  our 
community,  as  well  as  the  whole  couiitry,  rescued 
from  that" degradation,  which  sooner  or  later  awaits 
tliose  who  continue  to  indulge  in  the  accursed  draught, 
and  believing,  as  we  do,  that  in  union  alone  there  is 
safety,  do  associate  ourselves  under  the  following  Con- 
stitution. 

Article  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  First 
Springfield  Washington  Temperance  Society. 

Art.  2.  This  Society  shall  give  no  preference  to 
anj-  political  party  or  religious  sect,  but  its  sole  object 
sh.all  be  to  advance  the  cause  of  temperance,  and 
especially  direct  its  efforts  to  the  redemption  of  our  fel- 
low men  who  have  been  degraded  by  the  use  of  intoxi- 
cating liquors. 

Art.  3.  Any  person  having  signed  the  Washington 
Temperance  Pledge  in  this  city,  and  who  adheres 
strictly  to  the  same,  shall  be  a  member  of  this  Society, 
and  if"  any  one  shall  be  so- unfortunate  as  to  violate 
said  pledge,  his  case  shall  be  brought  before  the 
Society,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  use  every  other 
means  to  restore  him  before  he  shall  be  expelled. 

[Articles  4,  6,  6,  7  and  8  refer  to  the  officers, 
their  duties,  and  to  time  of  meetings,  and  amend- 
ments to  the  constitution,  how  made.] 

Art,  9.  No  political  or  religious  question  shall  be 
discussed  at  any  meeting  of  this  Society;  and  no  per- 
son shall  be  permitted  to  take  any  part  in  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  meeting,  or  address  the  Society,  except 
those  who  have  signed  a  Washington  Temperance 
pledge,  unless  they  be  specially  invited  by  the  Society. 

The  pledge  adopted  by  the  Society  was  a  very 
simple  one,  as  follows: 

The  undersigned,  being  desirous  of  carrying  out  the 
lu-inciplcs  of  temperance,  do  pledge  our  honor  that  we 
will  abstain  from  all  intoxicating  drinks: 

The  Society  proposed  to  be  charitable  and 
mission.ary,  as  witness  the  following  resolutions, 
passed  at  one  of  its  meetings: 

liesolved.  That  the  Society  pledges  itself  to 
assist  the  members  of  this  Society  and  their  fam- 
ilies, who  may  now  or  hereafter  be  in  necessi- 
tous circumstances. 

liesolved,  That  the  President  be  authorized  to 
appoint  delegates  to  explain  the  objects  and  prin- 
ciples of  this  Society  in  the  neighboring  settle- 
ments, and  that  such  delegates  report  their  pro- 
ceedings and  the  results  of  their  labors,  at  the 
regular  meetings  of  this  Society. 

It  will  be  observed  that  reformation  seemed 
to  be  the  watchword  of  the  Society — to  restore 
to  their  families,  and  to  society  in  general,  those 
who  had  fallen.  The  mantle  of  charity  was  to 
be  thrown  around  a  weak  brother  who  violated 
I'.is  pledge,  and  every  effort  was  to  be  made  to 
restore  him,  and  to  help  him  keep  inviolate  his 
sacred  obligation,  rather  than  to  expel  him. 

The  following  touching  song  was  a  favorite 
with  the  Washiugtonians: 


300 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


WASHINGTON  SONG. 


Tune — ■'  There's  nae  Luck  About  the  Hvnsc. 


And  are  ye  sure  the  uews  is  true, 

And  are  ye  sure  he's  t-ignedV 
I  can't  believe  the  joyful  tale, 
And  leave  mj-  fears  behind. 
If  John  has  signed  and  drinks  no  more, 

The  happiest  wife  am  I 
That  ever  swept  a  cottage  hearth, 
Or  sung  a  lullaby. 

For  there's  nae  luck  about  the  house. 

There's  been  nae  luck  at  a'; 
And  gone's  the  comfort  of  the  house 
Since  he  to  drink  drink  did  fa". 

Oh!  yes,  we're  sure  the  news  is  true; 

Indeed,  your  John  has  signed; 
This  happy  day  you'll  never  rue, 

Nor  past  misfortunes  mind. 
Your  John  has  signed  and  drinks  no  more. 

The  hapniest  man  is  he 
That  ever  sat  in  cottage  door. 
Or  loved  a  bonny  e'e. 

There  was  nae  luck  about  the  hotise. 

Tlicrc  was  no  luck  at  a'; 
But  comfort  now  will  bless  the  house. 
And  fortune  soon  will  fa'. 

Whose  eye  so  kind,  whose  hand  so  strong. 

Whose  love  so  nue  will  shine, 
If  he  have  lieut  his  hand  and  heart 

The  total  pledge  to  sign? 
But  what  puts  doubting  in  xay  heart':' 

I  trust  he'll  taste  no  more; 
Be  still,  be  still,  my  beating  heart — 
Hark  I  hark!  he's  at  the  door. 

For  there's  nae  luck  about  the  house. 

There's  been  nae  luck  at  a'; 
And  gane's  the  comfort  of  the  house 
Since  he  to  drink  did  fa'. 

'Tis  true,  'tis  true,  my  lovely  Kate, 

The  total  pledge  I've  signed; 
No  longer  I'm  iutemiierate. 

No  more  to  shame  consigned. 
Let  not  distrust  your  heart  affect, 

I'll  never  taste"  it  more; 
This  sacred  pledge  I'll  e'er  respect. 
And  run  a  dift'erent  score! 

There  was  no  luck  about  the  house. 

There  was  no  luck  at  a'; 
But  comfort  now  will  bless  the  house. 
And  fortune  soon  will  fa'. 

Now  blessings  on  the  helping  liands 

That  sent  thee  back  to  me; 
Haste,  haste,  ye  little  ones,  and  run, 

Your  father's  face  to  see. 
And  now  I'm  sure,  my  John,  you've  signed. 

And  I  am  sure  'tis  patt, 
That  mine's  the  happiest,  brightest  home, 
On  Temperance  shores  at  last. 

There  was  no  luck  about  the  house. 

But  now  'tis  comfort  a'. 
And  heaven  preserve  your  own  gude  man. 
That  he  mav  never  fa'. 


As  an  organization,  the  Washingtonian  Socie- 
ties of  Sangamon  county,  liave  long  since  ceased 
to  e.xist,  but  there  are  living  to-day,  some  whom 
but  lor  the  pledge  signed  in  the  winter  of  1841 
and  18-12,  would  doubtless  be  tilling  to-day 
drunkard's  graves. 

A    GRAND    JUKy's    certificate. 

At  the,  March  term,  1843,  of  the  Circuit 
Court,  of  Sangamon  county,  an  unusual  number 
of  indictments  were  found,  and  previous  to  their 
adjournment  the  members  comprising  that  body 
left  the  following  upon  record: 

"  We,  the  undersigned,  members  of  the  Grand 
.Jury  of  the  county  of  Sangamon,  State  of  Illi- 
nois, at  the  March  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  of 
said  County,  believe,  from  the  investigations  had 
before  us,  that  most,  if  not  all,  the  crimes  aiid 
misdemeanors  which  have  been  brought  before 
this  jury,  had  their  tirst,  if  not  immediate  cause, 
in  intemperance." 
.  William  Butler,foreman,  Y.  Hay, 
B.  A.  Watson,  _  Abner  Hiddle, 

David  Newson,  James  Stephenson, 

John  Branson,  John  Broachvell, 

Gershom  Keyes,  E   G.  .Johns, 

James  (4.  Webb,  W.  Armstrong, 

William  II.  Marsh,  P.  C.  Latham, 

Robert  Irwin. 
One   of  the  jury    made   the   following   state- 
ment:    '"I,  S.    Britton,  believes  that   intemper- 
ance   is   the   means   from   which   many   of  the 
crimes  that  came  before  the  jury,  originated." 

SONS    OF    TEMPEEANCE. 

After  the  Washingtonians  came  the  Sons  of 
Temperance,  an  organization  having  for  its 
motto,  "Love,  Purity,  and  Fidelity."  The  "Sons" 
were  composed  of  males  above  the  age  of 
eighteen,  auci  held  their  meetings  in  secret,  be- 
lieving that  they  could  more  fully  carry  out  the 
object  of  the  order.  To  enable  the  wives  and 
daughters  of  members  to  engage  in  the  good 
work,  the  "  Daughters  of  Temperance"  were  or- 
ganized; and  for  the  benefit  of  males  between 
the  age  of  fourteen  and  eighteen,  the  "  Cadets 
of  Temperance"  were  organized.  Thus  every 
member  in  the  family  were  secured  as  workers 
in  the  good  cause.  The  "Sons"  formed  their 
first  Division  in  this  county  in  1848,  and  for 
many  years  were  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

As  already  stated  the  motto  of  the  order  is 
'Love,  Purity  and  Fidelity."  The  three  divine 
principles  enunciated  by  this  motto  are  poet- 
icall}'  expressed  in  the  following. 

Three  sunny  islets  on  life's  river. 
Three  golden  arrows  in  life's  quiver. 


J, 


Robert  Irwi 


N 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


303 


Three  stars  that  uever  fade  or  dim, 
Three  notes  that  angels  love  to  hymn. 
Three  charms  that  guard  the  heart  from  sorrow, 
Three  whispers  of  a  brighter  morrow; 
Three  links  th.it  bind  with  silken  bands, 
Three  words  whose  might  should  rule  all  lands. 
Three  life  preservers  on  Time's  ocean, 
Three  voices  'mid  that  heart's  commotion; 
Three  fragrant  flowers  most  fair  to  see, 
Three  garlands  twining  round  life's  tree; 
Three  gems  of  pure  etherial  light. 
Three  paths  still  lovelj-,  pure  and  bright; 
Three  rays  of  light  from  Heaven's  throne, 
Where  naught  but-happincss  is  known. 

TEMPLE  OF  IIONOE. 

Almost  contemporaneou.s  with  the  Sons  of 
Temperance  was  the  Temple  of  Honor,  which 
combined  the  principles  of  temperance  with  the 
benevolent  features  of  such  organization  as 
the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows.  Every  person 
desiring  to  become  a  meml)er  of  the  order 
had  to  be  proposed  for  membership  and  was 
required  to  be  of  the  reqnisite  age  and  in  good 
health.  A  fair  degree  of  success  attended  this 
order. 

THE    MAINE  LAW. 

Sliortly  after  tlie  passage  of  the  prohibitory 
liquor  law  in  the  State  of  Maine,  the  question 
of  a  similar  Jaw  began  to  be  agitated  in  this 
State.  In  Sangamon  county  it  bad  many  and 
strong  advocates,  among  whom  were  B.  S.  Ed- 
wards, S.  W.  Rol)bins,  James  H.  Matheny,  J.  T. 
Stuart,  and  others. 

In  January,  185-3,  a  State  Convention  was  held 
in  Springfield,  at  which  were  representative  men 
from  all  parts  of  the  State.  Judge  Lockwood 
presided,  and  S.  W.  Robbins,  of  Springfield, 
was  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents.  B.  S.  Edwards 
made  an  eloquent  and  logical  address,  which 
met  the  approbation  of  all  in  attendance.  The 
convention  petitioned  the  General  Assembly, 
which  was  then  in  session,  for  the  submission  of 
a  prohibitory  law  to  the  people  for  adoption  or 
rejection.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was 
granted  and  the  question  was  voted  upon  a  few 
months  after.  The  people  were  not  then  ready 
for  the  law  and  it  was  defeated,  Sangamon 
county  giving  a  majority  against  the  law. 

GOOD    TEMPLARS. 

The  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars 
originated  in  1851,  and  was  the  outgrowth  of  a 
desire  to  unite  all  the  members  of  a  family  in 
one  Older,  and  with  the  laudable  object  of  "sav- 
ing the  fallen  and  preventing  others  from  fall- 
ing." It  may  be  said  the  latter  object  has  been 
more  fully  met  in  this  order  than  in  any  other 

35— 


temperance  organization.  "Here  you  find  the 
entire  family  united  around  one  common  altar." 
Many  of  the  strong  temperance  advocates  to-day 
were  in  early  life  initiated  in  this  beautifid  and 
noble  order,  and  had  the  principles  of  temper- 
ance thoroughly  inculcated  in  their  mind  before 
habits  of  intemperance  were  formed.  They  bless 
the  day  they  were  made  "Templars;"  and  even 
if  not  actively  engaged  in  the  work,  they  pray 
the  blessings  of  God  to  rest  upon  the  order. 

The  first  lodge  of  Good  Templars  was  in- 
stituted, in  this  county,  about  the  year  1855, 
since  which  time  the  order  here  has  had  seasons 
of  prosperity  and  seasons  of  adversity.  Like  all 
other  human  organizations,  its  members  at  times 
are  enthusiastic,  and  work  together  in  harmony, 
and  success  therefore  attends  their  eveiy  move- 
ment. Again,  divisions  occur;  the  members  re- 
fuse to  co-operate  with  one  another, — and  the 
order  takes  a  backward  stride. 

women's  temperance  crusabe. 

In  the  winter  of  187.3,  a  movement  was  inau- 
gurated in  Ohio,  which  was  denominated  the 
"Women''s  Temperance  Crusade,"  from  the  fact 
that  a  few  noble  women,  despairing  of  success 
for  the  cause  of  temperance  as  advocated  and 
enforced  by  the  professed  temperance  people, 
proceeded  to  try  the  efficacy  of  prayer.  Bands 
of  praying  women  visited  the  various  salootis  in 
the  neighborhood,  and  the  songs  and  prayers 
forced  the  rum-sellers  to  close  their  shops.  Their 
very  earnestness  had  its  effect  upon  all  classes 
of  society,  and  men  and  women  who  were  luke- 
warm in  the  cause  became  aroused,  and  renewed 
their  fight  against  the  enemy.  The  "crusade" 
spread  with  great  rapidity  throughout  the  whole 
North.  The  movement  had  been  as  startling  in 
its  character  as  a  clap  of  thunder  from  a  clear 
sky,  and  the  cloud  which  had  been  at  first  no 
bigger  than  a  man's  hand  had  suddenly  over- 
spread the  whole  heavens.  The  opjionents  to 
the  reform  all  claimed  to  be  friendly,  but — they 
thought  some  other  method  of  bringing  it  about 
preferable.  Moral  suasion  was  urged  as  the  one 
sure  remedy,  and  the  I'quor  sellers  wanted  their 
opponents  to  be  careful  to  keep  within  the 
bounds  of  the  law.  Mrs.  Emma  Malloy,  who 
took  a  very  active  part  in  the  movement,  and 
who  for  many  years  has  been  a  worker  in  the 
cause  of  temperance,  said  that  she  was  often 
asked  what  she  thought  of  the  movement,  but 
hesitated  to  give  a  reply,  lest  her  answer  should 
be  less  reverent  than  the  subject  seemed  to 
demand.  She  could  not  doubt  but  the  move- 
ment was  a  natural  revulsion,  an  eruption  of  the 


304 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


smoideruig  tirus  Unit  for  centuries  past  had  been 
pent  up  in  tlie  lieart  of  woman.  She  could  not 
doubt  but  that  the  hand  of  God  had  shaken 
these  internal  fires,  and  coulcl  only  gaze  with 
awe  and  reverence  at  the  mighty  upheaving  that 
thrilled  the  Nation  from  center  to  circumfer- 
ence. She  was  convinced  that  woman  was  not 
satisfied  to  sit  with  folded  hands  while  the  first- 
born of  the  Nation  was  being  slain,  while  the 
fairest  and  purest  of  every  household  in  the  land 
were  the  victims  of  the  fell  destroyer.  The 
heart  of  woman  had  thrilled  with  silent  anguish; 
she  had  wept  her  night  of  sorrow  through;  and 
now  had  arisen  the  host  of  Israel.  The  foe  was 
being  routed.  "  The  glad  dawn  whose  early 
twilight"  all  had  been  gazing  down  the  centuries 
of  Time  to  see,  had  come. 


RED    AND    BLUE    KIMHON    MOVEMENT. 

The  next  movement  in  behalf  of  temperance 
was  that  known  as  the  "  Red  Ribbon  move- 
ment," which  was  the  direct  result  of  the 
women's  crusade.  An  interest  had  been  awak- 
ened throughout  the  land  in  the  cause  of  tem- 
perance by  the  crusade,  but  many  who  were  not 
religiously  inclined,  or  who  were  conscientiously 
opposed  to  the  work,  as  performed  by  the 
women,  were  yet  ready  to  embrace  some  other 
method  that  would  lead  to  good  results.  At 
the  opportune  moment  the  Red  Ribbon  move- 
ment was  set  on  foot,  and  rapidly  spread 
throughout  the  land.  Sangamon  county  was 
behind  no  other,  and  red  and  blue  ribbon  clubs 
were  formed  in  nearly  every  village  in  the 
county,  as  well  as  in  the  city  of  Springfield. 


HISTORY  OK  SANGAMON  COL^NTY. 


305 


Chapter  XVII, 


THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION. 


The  institution  of  slavery  was  always  a  source 
of  trouble  between  the  free  and  slave-holding 
States.  The  latter  were  always  troubled  with 
the  thought  that  the  former  would  encroach  upon 
their  rights,  and  nothing  could  be  done  to  shaken 
this  belief.  Compromise  measures  were  adopted 
from  time  to  time  to  settle  the  vexed  question  of 
slavery,  but  the  fears  of  the  slaveholders  were 
only  allayed  for  a  short  time.  Threats  of  seces- 
sion were  often  made  by  the  slaveholding  States, 
but  as  some  measure  of  a  conciliatory  character 
was  passed,  no  attempt  was  made  to  carry  their 
threats  into  execution.  Finally  came  the  repeal 
of  the  Missouri  Compromise  and  the  adoption  of 
a  measm-e  known  as  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill. 
This  bill  opened  certain  Territory  to  slavery 
which  under  the  former  act  was  forever  to  be 
free.  About  the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act, 
the  AVhig  party  was  in  a  state  of  dissolution,  and 
the  great  body  of  that  party,  together  with  cer- 
tain Democrats  who  were  opposed  to  the  Kansas- 
Nebraska  l)ill,  united,  thus  forming  a  new  party 
to  which  was  given  the  name  of  Republican, 
having  for  its  object  the  prevention  of  the  further 
extension  of  slavery.  The  people  of  the  South 
imagined  they  saw  in  this  new  party  an  organ- 
ized effort  not  only  to  prevent  the  extension  of 
slavery,  but  that  which  would  eventually  be  used 
to  destroy  slavery  in  such  States  in  which  it  al- 
ready existed. 

In  18 GO,  four  Presidential  tickets  were  in  the 
field.  Two  of  these  candidates  were  from  Illinois, 
one  of  whom  was  a  citizen  of  Springfield  and  the 
other  had  been  Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  can- 
didate of  the  Republicans,  Stephen  A.  Douglas 
of  the  National  Democrats,  John  C.  Brecken- 
ridge  of  the  Pro-Slavery  interests,  and  John  Bell 
of  the  Union.  The  Union  party  was  composed 
principally  of  those  who  had  previously  affiliated 
with  the  American  or  Know-Nothing  party. 
Early  in  the  campaign  there  were  threats  of 
secession  and  disunion  in  case  of  the  election  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  but  the  people  were  so  accus- 


tomed to  Southern  bravado  that  little  heed  was 
given  to  the  bluster. 

On  the  twentieth  of  December,  18G0,  South 
Carolina,  by  a  convention  of  delegates,  declared 
"That  the  Union  now  existing  between  South 
Carolina  and  other  States  of  North  America  is 
dissolved,  and  that  the  State  of  South  Carolina 
has  resumed  her  position  among  the  Nations  of 
the  earth  as  a  free,  sovereign  and  independent 
State,  with  full  power  to  levy  war  and  conclude 
peace,  contract  alliances,  establish  commerce, 
and  do  all  other  acts  and  things  which  indepen- 
dent States  may  of  right  do." 

On  the  twenty-fourth.  Governor  Pickens  is- 
sued a  proclamation  declaring  that  "South  Caro- 
lina is,  and  has  a  right  to  be,  a  free  and  indepen- 
dent State,  and  as  such  has  a  right  to  levy  war, 
conclude  peace,  negotiate  treaties,  leagues  and 
covenants,  and  to  do  all  acts,  whatever,  that 
rightfully  appertain  to  a  free  and  independent 
State." 

On  the  26th,  Major  Anderson  evacuated  Fort 
Moultrie,  and  occupied  Fort  Sumter.  Two 
days  previously  he  wrote  President  Buchanan's 
Secretary  of  War,  John  B.  Floyd,  as  follows: 
"  When  I  inform  you  that  my  garrison  consists 
of  only  sixty  eft'ective  men,  and  that  we  are  in 
very  indifferent  works,  the  walls  of  which  are 
only  fourteen  feet  high,  and  that  we  have  within 
one  hundred  and  sixty  yards  of  our  walls,  sand 
hills  which  command  our  works,  and  which 
afford  admirable  sites  for  batteries  and  the 
finest  coverts  for  sharpshooters,  and  that  besides 
this  there  are  numerous  houses,  some  of  them 
within  pistol  shot,  you  will  at  once  see  that,  if 
attacked  in  force,  headed  by  any  one  but  a  sim- 
pleton, there  is  scai'cely  a  possibility  of  our 
being  able  to  hold  out  long  enough  for  our 
friends  to  come  to  our  succor."  His  appeals  for 
re-inforcements  were  seconded  by  General  Scott, 
but  unheeded  by  President  Ijuchanan,  and  en- 
tirely ignored  by  John  B.  Floyd,  Secretarv  of 
War. 


306 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY 


On  the  28lb,  South  Carolina  troojjs  occupied 
Fort  Moultrie  and  Castle  Pinckney,  and  hoisted 
the  Palmetto  Hag  on  the  ramijarts.  On  the 
29th,  John  B.  Floyd  resigned  his  place  in  Bu- 
chanan's Cabinet,  charging  that  the  President, 
in  refusing  to  remove  Major  Anderson  from 
Charleston  harbor,  designed  to  plunge  the 
country  into  civil  war,  and  added:  "  I  cannot 
consent  to  be  the  agent  of  such  a  calamity." 
On  the  same  day  the  South  Carolina  Commis- 
sioners presented  their  official  credentials  at 
Washington,  which,  on  the  next  day,  were  de- 
clined. 

On  the  second  day  of  January,  1861,  Georgia 
declared  for  secession,  and  Georgia  troops  took 
possession  of  the  United  States  arsenal  in 
Augusta  and  Forts  Pulaski  and  Jackson.  Gov- 
ernor Ellis,  of  North  Carolina,  seized  the  forts 
at  Beaufort  and  Wilmington  and  the  arsenal  at 
Fayetteville.  On  the  evening  of  the  4th,  the 
Alabama  and  Mississippi  delegations  in  Con- 
gress telegraphed  the  conventions  of  their  re- 
spective States  to  secede,  telling  them  there  was 
uo  prospect  of  a  satisfactory  adjustment.  On 
the  7th,  the  conventions  of  Alabama,  Mississippi 
and  Tennessee  met  in  secession  conclave.  On 
the  9th,  Secretary  Thompson  resigned  his  seat  in 
the  Cabinet  on  the  ground  that,  contrary  to 
promises,  troops  had  been  sent  to  Major  Ander- 
son. On  the  9th,  the  Star  of  the  West,  carrying 
supplies  and  re-inforcements  to  Major  Ander- 
son, was  tired  into  from  Morris  Island,  and 
turned  homeward,  leaving  Fort  Sumter  and  its 
gallant  little  band  to  the  mercy  of  the  rebels. 
On  the  same  day  the  ordinance  oi  secession 
passed  the  Mississippi  convention.  Florida 
adopted  an  ordinance  of  secession  on  the  10th 
and  Alabama  on  the  11th.  The  same  day  (the 
1 1  th)  Thomas,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  re- 
signed, and  the  rebels  seized  the  arsenal  at 
Baton  Rouge,  and  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  Fort 
Pike,  at  the  Lake  Ponchartrain  entrance.  Pen- 
sacola  navy  yard  and  Fort  Barrancas  were  sur- 
rendered to  rebel  troops  by  Colonel  Armstrong 
on  the  13th.  Lieutenant  Slemmer,  who  had 
withdrawn  his  command  from  Fort  McRae  to 
Fort  Pickens,  deKed  Armstrong's  orders,  and 
announced  his  intention  to  "  hold  the  fort "  at 
all  hazards.  The  Georgia  convention  adopted 
an  ordinance  of  secession  on  the  19th.  On  the 
20th  Lieutenant  Slemmer  was  beseiged  by  a 
thousand  "allied  troops"  at  Fort  Pickens. 
Louisiana  adopted  an  ordinance  of  secession  on 
the  25th.  On  the  1st  of  February  the  rebels 
seized  the  United  States  mint  and  custom  house 


at  New  Orleans.  The  Peace  Convention  assem- 
bled at  Washington  on  the  4th,  but  adjourned 
without  doing  anything  to  quiet  the  distu.rl)ed 
elements.  On  the  9th,  a  provisional  constitution 
was  adopted  at  Montgomery,  Alabama,  it  being 
the  Constitution  of  the  LTniled  States  "recon- 
structed "  to  suit  their  purpose.  Jefferson 
Davis,  of  Mississippi,  was  chosen  President,  and 
Alexander  H.  Stevens,  of  Georgia,  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  "  Confederate  States  of  North 
America."  Jeff.  Davis  was  inaugurated  on  the 
18th,  and  on  the  25th  it  was  learned  that  Gen- 
eral Twiggs,  commanding  the  Department  of 
Texas,  had  basely  betrayed  his  trust,  and  that 
he  had  surrendered  all  the  military  posts,  muni- 
tions and  arms  to  the  authorities  of  Texas. 

PEPAETURE  OF  MR.  LINCOLN. 

The  time  appointed  for  Mr.  Lincoln  to  leave 
Springfield  for  Washington  was  Monday,  Feb- 
ruary" 11,  at  8  o'clock,  A.  w.  Long  before  the 
hour  appointed,  hundreds  of  his  friends  and 
fellow  citizens,  without  distinction  of  party,  as- 
sembled at  the  station  of  the  Great  Western 
Railway  to  tender  him  their  respects,  grasp  once 
more  that  honest  hand,  and  bid  him  God  speed 
on  his  eventful  journey.  A  subdued  and  re- 
spectful demeanor  characterized  the  vast  assem- 
blage. All  seemed  to  feel  that  they  were  about 
to  witness  an  event  which,  in  its  relations  to  the 
future,  was  of  no  ordinary  interest. 

At  precisely  five  minutes  before  eight  o'clock, 
Mr.  Lincoln,  preceded  by  Mr.  Wood,  of  New 
York,  slowly  made  his  way  from  his  room  in  the 
station,  through  the  expectant  masses  which  re- 
spectfully parted  right  and  left  at  his  approach, 
to  the  car  provided  for  his  use.  At  each  step 
of  his  progress  towards  the  car,  friendly  hands 
were  extended  for  a  last  greeting.  On  reaching 
the  platform  of  the  car,  ^Ir.  liincoln  turned 
towards  the  people,  removed  his  hat,  paused  for 
several  seconds,  till  he  could  control  his  emo- 
tions, and  then  s'owly,  im))ressively,  and  with 
profound  emotions,  uttered  the  following  words: 

"Friends,  no  one  who  has  ever  been  placed  in 
a  like  position  can  understand  my  feelings  at 
this  hour,  nor  the  oppressive  sadness  I  feel  at 
this  parting.  For  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury I  have  lived  among  you,  and  during  all 
that  time  I  have  received  nothing  but  kindness 
at  your  hands.  Here  I  have  lived  from  my 
youth  until  now,  I  am  an  old  man.  Here  the 
most  sacred  ties  of  earth  were  assumed;  here 
all  my  children  were  born;  and  here  one  of 
them  lies  buried.  To  you,  dear  friends,  I  owe 
all  that  I  have,  all  that   I  am.     All   the  strange. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


307 


checkered  past  seems  to  crowd  now  upon  my 
mind.  To-day  I  leave  you;  I  go  to  assume  a 
task  more  difficult  than  that  which  devolved 
upon  General  Wa.shington.  Unless  the  great 
God  which  assisted  him,  shall  be  with  and  aid 
me,  I  must  fail.  But  if  the  same  omniscient 
mind  and  the  same  Almighty  arm  that  directed 
and  protected  him,  shall  guide  and  support  me, 
I  shall  not  fail,  I  shall  succeed.  Let  us  all  pray 
that  the  God  of  our  fathers  may  not  forsake  us 
now.  To  him  I  commend  you  all.  Permit  me 
to  ask  that  with  equal  sincerity  and  faith  you 
will  all  invoke  His  wisdom  and  guidance  for 
me.  With  these  few  words  I  must  leave  you  — 
for  how  long  I  know  not.  Friends,  one  and  all, 
I  must  now  bid  you  an  affectionate  farewell." 

It  was  a  most  impressive  scene.  Those  who 
had  known  Mr.  Lincoln  for  years;  who  had 
heard  him  speak  upon  many  different  occasions, 
never  saw  him  so  profoundly  affected,  nor  did 
he  ever  utter  an  address,  which  seemed  so  full  of 
simple  and  touching  eloquence,  so  exactly 
adapted  to  the  occasion,  so  worthy  of  the  man 
and  the  hour.  Although  it  was  raining  fast 
when  he  began  to  speak,  every  hat  was  lifted, 
and  every  head  bent  forward  to  catch  the  last 
words  of  the  departing  chief.  When  he  said, 
witli  the  earnestness  of  a  sudden  ins]Hration  of 
feeling  that  with  God's  help  he  should  not  fail, 
there  was  an  uncontrollable  burst  of  applause. 

At  precisely  eight  o'clock,  city  time,  the  train 
moved  off,  bearing  Sangamon  county's  most  hon- 
ored son  to  the  scenes  of  his  future  labor.  Few 
stops  were  made  before  reaching  Indian.apolis, 
but  large  crowds  had  assembled  at  every  station, 
with  the  hope  of  catching  sight  of  "Honest 
Old  Abe."  At  Indianapolis,  from  the  balcony 
of  the  Bates  House,  to  a  crowd  of  twenty  thou- 
sand persons,  the  President-elect  delivered  his 
first  address,  as  follows: 

"Fellow-citizens  of  the  State  of  Indiana:  I  am 
here  to  thank  you  for  this  magnificent  welcome, 
and  still  more  for  the  very  generous  support  given 
by  your  State  to  that  political  cause  which  I  think 
is  the  true  and  just  cause  of  the  whole  country 
and  the  whole  world.  Solomon  says  there  is  a 
time  to  keep  .silence, — and  when  men  wrangle  by 
the  mouth,  with  no  certainty  that  they  mean  the 
same  thing,  it  perhaps  were  as  well  they  would 
keep  silent. 

"The  words  coercion  and  invasion  are  much 
used  in  these  days,  and  often  with  some  temper 
and  hot  blood.  Let  us  make  sure,  if  we  can, 
that  we  do  not  misunderstand  the  meaning  of 
those  who  use  them.  Let  us  get  exact  defini- 
tions of  these  words, — not  from  dictionaries,  but 


from  the  men  themselves,  who  certainly  depre- 
cate the  things  they  represent  by  the  use  of  the 
words.  What,  then,  is  coercion?  What  is  in- 
vasion';' Would  the  marching  of  an  army  into 
South  Carolina  without  the  consent  of  the  peo-, 
pie,  and  with  hostile  intent  toward  them,  be  in- 
vasion? I  certainly  think  it  would;  and  it  would 
be  coercion,  also,  if  the  South  Carolinians  were 
forced  to  submit.  But  if  the  United  States 
should  merely  hold  and  retake  its  own  forts 
and  other  property,  and  collect  duties  on  foreign 
importations,  or  even  withhold  the  mails  from 
places  where  they  were  habitually  violated, — 
would  any,  or  all  of  these  things  be  invasion,  or 
coercion?  Do  our  professed  lovers  of  the  Union, 
who  spitefully  resolve  that  they  will  resist  co- 
ercion and  invasion,  understand  that  such  things 
as  these  on  the  part  of  the  United  States  would 
be  coercion  of  a  State?  If  so,  their  idea  of  the 
means  to  preserve  the  object  of  their  great  affec- 
tion would  seem  to  be  exceedingly  thin  and  airy. 
If  sick,  the  little  pill  of  the  homo-opathic  would 
be  much  too  large  for  it  to  swallow.  In  theii' 
view,  the  Union,  as  a  family  relation,  would  seem 
no  longer  to  be  a  regular  marriage,  but  rather  a 
sort  of  free-love  arrangement,  to  be  maintained 
only  on  passional  attraction. 

"By  the  way,  in  what  consists  the  special  sac- 
redness  of  a  State?  I  speak  not  of  the  position 
assigned  to  a  State  in  the  Union  by  the  Consti- 
tution— for  that,  by  the  bond,  we  all  recognize; 
that  position,  however,  a  State  cannot  carry  out 
of  the  Union  with  it.  I  speak  of  that  assumed 
primary  right  of  a  State  to  rule  all  which  is  less 
than  itself,  and  ruin  all  that  is  larger  than  itself. 

"  If  a  State  and  county  in  a  given  case  should 
be  equal  in  extent  of  territory,  and  equal  in 
number  of  inhabitants,  in  what,  as  a  matter  of 
principle,  is  the  State  better  than  the  county? 
Would  an  exchange  of  names  be  an  exchange 
of  rights  upon  principle?  On  what  rightful 
princijile  may  a  State,  being  not  more  than  one- 
fiftieth  part  of  a  Nation  in  soil  and  population, 
break  up  a  Nation,  and  then  coerce  a  proportion- 
ately larger  sub-division  of  itself  in  the  most 
arbitrary  way?  What  mysterious  right  to  play 
tyrant  is  conferred  on  a  district  of  country 
with  its  people,  by  merely  calling  it  a  State? 
Fellow  citizens,  I  am  not  asserting  anything: 
I  am  merely  asking  (juestions  for  you  to  con- 
sider.    And  now  allow  me  to  bid  you  farewell." 

At  Cincinnati,  Columbus,  Pittsburg,  Albany, 
New  York  City,  Newark,  Trenton,  Philadel- 
phia and  Harrisbtirg,  Mr.  Lincoln  had  magnifi- 
cent receptions,  and  addressed  large  crowds  of 
people,   calling    upon    them    to    stand    by    the 


308 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Union,  the  Constitution  and  the  laws.  At  Har- 
risburg  a  change  of  piogi-amme  on  the  part  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  was  decided  upon.  A  special  dis- 
patch to  the  New  York  Times  thus  narrates  the 
facts  in  the  case: 

"On  Thursday  night,  after  he  had  retired  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  aroused  and  informed  that  a 
stranger  desired  to  see  him  on  a  matter  ol  life 
or  death.  He  declined  to  admit  him  unless  he 
gave  his  name,  which  he  at  once  did.  Such 
prestige  did  his  name  cany,  that  while  yet  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  disrobed,  he  granted  an  interview 
to  the  caller.  Prolonged  conversation  elicited 
the  fact  that  an  organized  body  of  men  had  de- 
termined that  Lincoln  should  not  be  inaugu- 
rated, and  that  he  should  never  leave  Baltimore 
alive,  if  indeed  he  ever  entered  it.  The  list  of 
names  of  the  conspirators  presented  a  most 
astonishing  array  of  persons  high  in  Southern 
confidence,  and  some  whose  fame  is  not  con- 
lined  to  this  country  alone.  Statesmen  laid  the 
plan,  bankers  endorsed  it,  and  adventurers  were 
to  carry  it  into  effect.  As  they  understood  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  to  leave  Harrisburg  at  nine  o'clock 
this  morning  by  special  train,  and  the  idea  was, 
if  possible,  to  throw  the  train  from  the  track  at 
some  point  where  they  would  rush  down  a  steep 
embankment  and  destroy  in  a  moment  all  on 
board.  In  case  of  failure  of  this  project,  the 
plan  was  to  surround  the  carriage  on  the  way 
from  depot  to  depot  in  Baltimore,  and  assassi- 
nate him  with  a  dagger  or  pistol  shot.  So 
authentic  was  the  source  of  information,  Mr. 
Lincoln,  after  advising  with  his  friends  was 
compelled  to  make  arrangements  that  would 
subvert  the  plans  of  his  enemies.  He  did  not 
want  to  yield,  and  Mr.  Sumner  actually  cried 
with  indignation." 

Mr.  Lincoln  arrived  at  Washington  on  Satur- 
day, the  twenty-third — twelve  days  after  he  left 
Springfield — and  in  advance  of  all  expectations. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  inaugurated  March  4,  1S61, 
in  front  of  the  Capitol,  the  inauguration  cere- 
monies being  witnessed  by  a  vast  concourse  of 
people  Before  taking  the  oath,  Mr.  Lincoln 
pronounced  in  a  clear,  ringing  voice,  his  in- 
augural address,  to  hear  which  there  was  an  al- 
most painful  solicitude,  to  read  which  the  whole 
American  }>eople  and  the  civilized  world  awaited 
with  irrepressible  anxiety.  With  that  address 
and  the  administration  of  the  oath  of  office,  the 
people  were  assured.  All  doubt,  if  any  had  pre- 
viously existed,  was  removed.  In  the  hands  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  the  people's  President,  and 
himself  of  the  peojile,  the  Government  was  safe. 


Traitors  were  still  busy  plotting  and  planning. 
Troops  were  mustering  in  all  the  seceded  States. 
On  Friday,  April  12,  the  surrender  of  Fort 
Sumter,  with  its  garrison  of  sixty  effective  men, 
was  demanded  and  bravely  refused  by  the  gal- 
lant Major  Anderson.  Fire  was  at  once  opened 
upon  the  helpless  garrison  by  the  rebel  forces, 
numbered  by  thousands.  Resistance  was  useless, 
and  at  last  the  National  colors  were  hauled 
down,  and  by  traitor  hands  were  trailed  in  the 
dust.  On  Sunday  morning,  the  14th,  the  news 
of  the  surrender  was  received  in  all  the  principal 
cities  of  the  L'nion.  That  was  all,  but  that  was 
enough.  A  day  later,  when  the  news  was  con- 
firmed and  spread  through  the  country,  the 
patriot  people  of  the  North  were  startled  from 
their  dreams  of  the  future — from  undertakings 
half  completed — and  made  to  realize  that  behind 
that  mob  there  was  a  dark,  deep,  and  well  or- 
ganized purpose  to  destroy  the  Government, 
rend  the  Union  in  twain,  and  out  of  its  ruins 
erect  a  slave  oligarchy,  wherein  no  one  would 
dare  question  their  right  to  hold  in  bondage  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  men  whose  skins  were 
black.  Their  dreams  of  the  future — their  plans 
for  the  establishment  of  an  independent  con- 
federacy— were  doomed  from  their  inception  to 
sad  and  bitter  disappointment.  Everywhere 
north  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line  the  voice  of 
Providence  was  heard: 

"Draw  forth  your  million  blades  as  one; 
Complete  the  battle  now  begun! 
God  fights  with  ye,  iind  overhead 
Floats  the  dear  banner  of  your  dead. 
They  and  the  glories  of  the  Past, 
The  Future,  dawning  dim  and  vast. 
And  all  the  holiest  hopes  of  Man, 
Are  beaming  triumphant  in  your  van. 

"Slow  to  resolve,  be  swift  to  do! 
Teach  ye  the  False  how  fight  the  True! 
How  buckled  Perfidy  shall  feel 
In  her  black  heart  tlie  Patriot's  steel; 
How  sure  the  bolt  that  .lustice  wings; 
How  weak  the  arm  a  traitor  brings; 
How  mighty  they  who  steadfast  stand 
For  Freedom's  tiag  and  Freedom's  land!  " 

On  Monday,  April  15,  President  Lincoln  issued 
the  following  proclamation: 

"Whereas,  The  laws  of  the  L^nited  States 
have  been  for  some  time  past,  and  are  now,  op- 
posed, and  the  execution  thereof  obstructed,  in 
the  States  of  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  Florida, 
Mississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Texas,  by  combina- 
tions too  powerful  to  be  suppressed  by  the  ordi- 
nary course  of  judicial  proceedings,  or  by  the 
powers  vested  in  the  marshals;  now,  therefore, 
I,  Ai;K.^iiAJt  LixcoLN,  President  of  the  United 
States,  by  virtue  of  the  power  in  me  vested  by 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


309 


the  Oonstitution  and  the  laws,  have  ihoiiglit  to 
call  forth,  and  hereby  do  call  forth,  the  militia 
of  the  several  States  of  the  Union,  to  the  num- 
ber of  seventy-tive  thousand,  in  order  to  sup- 
press said  combinations,  and  to  cause  the  laws 
to  be  dul)^  executed. 

"The  details  for  this  subject  will  be  imme- 
diately communicated  to  the  State  authorities 
through  tlie  War  Department.  I  appeal  to  all 
loyal  citizens  to  favor,  facilitate,  and  to  aid  this 
effort  to  maintain  the  honor,  the  integrity,  and 
existence  of  our  National  Union,  and  the  perpe- 
tuity of  popular  government,  and  to  redress 
wrongs  already  long  endured.  I  deem  it  proper 
to  say  that  the  first  services  assigned  to  the 
forces  hereby  called  forth,  will  probably  be  to 
rej^ossess  the  forts,  places,  and  property  which 
have  been  seized  from  the  Union;  and  in  every 
event  the  utmost  care  will  be  observed,  consist- 
ently with  the  objects  aforesaid,  to  avoid  any 
devastation,  any  destruction  of  or  interference 
with  property,  or  any  disturbance  of  peaceful 
citizens  in  any  j)art  of  the  country;  and  I  hereby 
command  the  persons  composing  the  combina- 
tions aforesaid,  to  disperse  and  retire  peaceably 
to  their  respective  abodes,  within  twenty  days 
from  this  date. 

"Deeming  that  the  present  condition  of  public 
affairs  presents  an  extraoi'diuary  occasion,  I  do 
hereby,  in  virtue  of  the  power  in  me  vested  by 
the  Constitution,  convene  both  Houses  of  Con- 
gress. The  Senators  and  Representatives  are, 
therefore,  summoned  to  assemble  at  their  re- 
spective chambers  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  on 
Thursday,  the  fourth  day  of  July  next,  then  and 
there  to  consider  and  determine  such  measures 
as  in  their  wisdom  the  public  safety  and  interest 
may  seem  to  demand. 

"In  witness  thereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
hand  and  caused  the  seal  of  the  United  States  to 
be  affixed. 

"Done  at  the  city  of  Washington,  the  fifteenth 
day  of  A])ril,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  sixty-one,  and  of  the  in- 
dependence of  the  United  States  the  eighty- 
fifth. 

By  the  President:  Abeaham  Lincoln. 

Wm.  H.  Skward,  Secretary  of  State." 

The  last  word  of  this  proclamation  had 
scarcely  been  taken  from  the  electric  wire  be- 
fore the  call  was  filled.  Men  and  money  were 
counted  out  by  hundreds  and  thousands.  The 
people  who  loved  their  whole  country  could  not 
give  enough.  Patriotism  thrilled  and  vibrated 
and  pulsated  through  every  heart.  The  farm, 
the  workshop,  the  office,  the  pulpit,  the  bar,  the 


bench,  the  college,  the  school  house — every  call- 
ing offered  its  best  men,  their  lives  and  fortunes 
in  defense  of  the  government's  honor  and  unity. 
Party  lines  were  for  the  time  ignored.  Bitter 
words,  spoken  in  moments  of  political  heat, 
were  forgotten  and  forgiven,  and,  joining  hands 
in  a  common  cause,  tliey  repeated  the  oath  of 
America's  soldier  statesman:  "  2>' y  the  Great 
-Eternal,  the  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved!'''' 

Seventy-five  thousand  men  were  not  enough 
to  subdue  the  rebellion.  Nor  were  ten  times 
that  number.  The  war  went  on,  and  call  fol- 
lowed call,  until  it  seemed  as  if  there  were  not 
men  in  all  the  free  States  to  crush  out  the  rebel- 
lion. But  to  every  call  for  either  men  or  money 
there  was  a  willing  and  a  ready  response.  The 
gauntlet  thrown  down  by  the  traitors  of  the 
South  was  accepted;  not,  however,  in  the  spirit 
which  insolence  meets  insolence,  but  with  a 
firm,  determined  spirit  of  patriotism  and  love  of 
country.  The  duty  of  tlie  President  was  plain 
under  the  Constitution  and  laws,  and,  above  and 
beyond  all,  the  people,  from  whom  all  jjolitical 
power  is  derived,  demanded  the  suppression  of 
the  rebellion,  and  stood  ready  to  sustain  the 
authority  of  their  representative  and  executive 
officers  to  the  utmost  extremity. 

In  the  apportionment  of  troops  covered  by 
President  Lincoln's  proclamation,  it  was  found 
that  the  quota  of  Illinois  would  be  six  regiments, 
of  which  fact  Governor  Yates  was  advised  by 
receipt  of  the  following  telegram: 

"Washington-,  April  15,  1861. 
His  Excellency,  Richard  Yates: 

Call  made  on  you  by  to-night's  mail  for  si.x 
regiments  for  immediate  service. 

Simon  Cameron, 
Secretary  of  War." 

Immediately  upon  receipt  of  the  foregoing 
dispatch,  Governor  Yates  issued  the  following 
proclamation : 

"Springfield,  Illinois,  April  15,  1861. 
I,  Richard  Yates,  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  vested  in  me 
by  the  Constitution,  hereby  convene  the  legisla- 
ture of  the  State,  and  the  members  of  the  Twen- 
ty-second session  of  the  General  Assembly  are 
hereby  required  to  be  and  appear  in  their  re- 
spective places,  at  the  Capitol,  on  Tuesday,  the 
twenty-third  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1861,  for  the 
purpose  of  enacting  such  laws  and  adopting  such 
measures  as  may  be  deemed  necessary  upon  the 
following  subjects:  The  more  perfect  organiza- 
tion and  equipment  of  the  militia  of  the  Slate, 
and  placifig  the  same  upon  the  best  footing  to 


n  1  o 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


vender  assitstance  to  the  general  Government  in 
preserving  the  Union,  enforcing  the  laws  and 
protecting  the  property  and  right's  of  the  people; 
also  the  raising  of  such  money  and  other  means 
as  may  be  required  to  cany  out  the  foregoing 
objects;  and,  also,  to  provide  for  the  expense  oi 
such  session. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  hereunto  set  my  hand, 
and  cause  the  great  seal  of  the  State  to  be  here- 
unto affixed  at  the  city  of  Springfield,  the  fif- 
teenth day  of  April,  A.  D.,  1861. 

By  order  of  the  Governor:     Rich'd  Yates. 

O.  M.  Hatch,  Secretary  of  State." 

Allen  C.  Fuller,  of  Boone  county,  was  ap- 
pointed Adjutant-General.  General  Order  No. 
1  was  issued  on  the  15th,  from  headquarters  at 
Springfield,  directing  all  commandants  of  di- 
visions, brigades,  regiments  and  companies,  to 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  for  actual  service; 
and  on  the  16th,  Order' No.  2  provided  for  the 
immediate  organization  of  six  regiments,  and 
within  ten  days  more  than  ten  thousand  men 
had  offered  their  services;  and  in  addition  to  the 
force  despatched  to  Cairo,  more  than  the  full 
quota  was  in  camp  at  Springfield. 

The  readiness  with  which  the  first  call  was 
made,  together  with  the  embarrassments  which 
surrounded  President  Lincoln  in  the  absence  of 
sufficient  laws  to  authorize  him  to  meet  the  un- 
holy, unlooked-for  and  unexpected  emergency — 
an  emergency  that  had  never  been  anticipated 
by  the  wisest  and  best  of  America's  statesmen, 
together  with  an  under-estimate  of  the  magni- 
tude of  the  rebellion,  and  a  general  belief  that 
the  war  could  not  and  would  not  last  three 
months,  checked,  rather  than  encouraged  the 
patriotic  ardor  of  the  people.  But  few  of  the 
men,  comparatively  speaking,  who  volunteered 
in  response  to  President  Lincoln's  call  for  sev- 
enty-five thousand  men  for  three  months,  were 
accepted.  But  the  time  soon  came  when  there 
was  a  place  and  a  musket  for  every  man.  Call 
followed  call  in  quick  succession,  until  the  num- 
ber reached  the  grand  total  of  3,339,748,  as  fol- 
lows: 

April  1.5.  1861,  for  three  months    75,000 

May  4,  1861,  for  live  years 64,748 

July,  1861.  for  three  years 500,000 

July  18,  1862,  for  three  years ;WO,000 

August  4,  1862,  for  nine  months 300,000 

June,  1863,  for  three  years 300,000 

October  17,  1863,  for  three  years !  .  :iiio!(lOO 

February  18,  1864,  for  three"  years 500,000 

July  10,  1864,  for  three  years 'JOOJlOO 

July  16,  1864,  for  one,  two  and  three  years.  . .  50O,(i(l() 

December  21,  1864,  for  three  years 300,000 

3,3:39,748 


When  the  news  came  that  the  rebels  had  fired 
upon  Fort  Sumter — that  the  first  overt  act  had 
been  committed,  indignation  filled  the  heart  of 
everyone;  and  when  the  news  came  that  the  gal- 
lant Major  Anderson  had  surrendered — that  the 
Star-spangled  Banner  had  by  traitor  hands  been 
trailed  in  the  dust,  all  jjarty  feelings  were  laid 
aside,  and  the  people  of  Sangamon  county,  with 
those  of  all  the  loyal  States  of  the  Union,  were 
united  together  as  one,  and  each  and  everyone 
determined  that  the  insult  should  be  wiped  out, 
and  that  traitors  should  receive  a  just  punish- 
ment. 

A  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Spring- 
field was  called  for  Monday  evening,  April  16, 
which  was  to  be  addressed  by  John  A.  McCler- 
nand,  Lyman  Trumbull  and  others.     To  suit  the 
convenience  of  the  speakers,  it  was  postponed 
until  the  following  evening,  on  which  occasion 
thousands  of  excited  citizens  assembled  to  listen 
to  the  addresses.     The  meeting  was  organized 
by  calling  N.  M.  Broadwell  to  the  chair.     Mr. 
]jroadwell  accepted  the  honor  in  a  patriotic  and 
eloquent  speech,  which   was  loudly  applauded. 
A  secretary  was  appointed,  and  also  a  committee 
on  resolutions,  composed  of  the  following  named 
gentlemen:    Charles   H.    Lanphier,    Edward  L. 
Baker,  Charles  A.  Keyes,  N.  W.  Matheny,  H. 
G.  Reynolds,  E.  B.  Hawley,  B.  A.  Watson,  C. 
L.  Morrison,  T.  J.  V.  Owen  and  J.  Bunn.    While 
the  committee  were  out  Mr.  McClernand  took 
the  stand  by  invitation,  and  was  received  with  a 
storm  of  applause.     He  gave  a  full  history  of 
the  secession  movement,  and  pronounced  seces- 
sion a  dastardly  and  cowardly  way  to  commit 
treason.     He  said  he  had  been  a  Democrat  and 
was  one  now,  but  that  he  would  sacrifice  party 
on  the  altar  of  his  country.      He  painted  the 
evils  of  secession  with  the  hand  of  a  master — 
pointed  out  the  way  to  defeat  it,  and  closed  with 
a  powerful  appeal  to  stand  untlinchingly  by  their 
Government  and  their  flag.     He  was  frequently 
and  loudly  cheered. 

Senator  Trumbull  was  next  called  out,  and  was 
greeted  with  loud  applause.  He  made  a  strong, 
telling  speech,  and  roused  the  enthusiasm  of 
the  people  to  the  highest  pitch.  Speaking  of  this 
Government  defending  itself  and  defending  the 
Capital  against  the  traitors,  he  said  he  scorned 
the  idea  of  this  great  Government  defending 
itself  against  secessionists.  "Let  us,"  said  he, 
"make  them  defend  Montgomery  and  Charles- 
ton." This  sentiment  was  responded  to  by  the 
vast  audience  by  wild  cheering,  which  lasted  for 
some  minutes.  Mr.  Trumbull  closed  by  intro- 
ducing Captain  Wyatt,  of  Logan   county,  who 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


311 


had  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  and  ten- 
dered them  to  the  Governor.  Mr.  Wyatl  was 
received  with  loud  8hout.s  of  applause.  He  said 
he  did  not  come  to  make  a  speech;  he  did  not 
come  to  see  the  people,  but  he  did  come  to  see  to 
it  that  his  company  was  received.  He  said  he 
was  not  a  man  of  words,  but  a  man  of  action. 
Others  might  talk;  he  was  going  to  act  for  his 
country.  He  made  a  good  speech,  and  at  its 
close  the  crowd  gave  him  three  cheers. 

The  following  resolutions  were  reported  by 
the  Committee,  and  unanimously  adopted: 

"  liesah'ed,  That  the  Union  of  the  Slates,  in 
the  spirit  of  the  Constitution,  and  the  just  ad- 
ministration and  observance  of  its  laws,  are  in- 
dispensable to  the  preservation  of  the  liberties 
and  happiness  of  the  people. 

"Hesolved,  That  the  Union  of  these  States 
was  intended  by  them  all  to  be  a  perpetual 
Union,  and  that  no  power  is  reserved  to  any 
State  te  withdraw  from  the  compact,  except  in 
the  manner  prescribed  by  the  Constitution. 

"  Jiesolved,  That  the  attempt  now  being  made 
to  dissolve  the  Union  and  destroy  the  Govern- 
ment by  the  array  of  military  force,  the  seizure 
of  arsenals  and  public  property,  the  firing  upon 
and  capturing  the  forts  and  ships  of  the  Govern- 
ment, the  shedding  of  blood,  and  the  dishonor- 
ing of  the  National  flag,  is  revolutionary  and 
treasonaljle,  and,  if  successful,  will  reduce  the 
Nation  to  anarchy,  demoralization,  and  endless 
civil  war. 

"Jiesolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Govern- 
ment to  maintain  its  Constitutional  authority 
throughout  its  entire  jurisdiction  by  all  proper 
means  of  compromise  and  conciliation;  and 
when  these  fail,  by  the  military  power  at  its 
command. 

^'  Resoloed,  That  the  Mississippi  is  a  great  Na- 
tional highway,  in  which  the  States  of  the 
Northwest  have  a  right  which  they  will  not 
suffer  to  be  disturbed  or  impaired  by  the  at- 
tempted jurisdiction  of  any  State  or  power 
whatever. 

^^  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  all  patriotic 
citizens  of  Illinois,  without  distinction  of  party 
or  sect,  to  sustain  the  Government  through  tii'e 
peril  which  now  threatens  the  e.vistence  of  the 
Union,  and  of  our  legislature  to  grant  such  aid 
of  men  and  money,  as  the  exigency  of  the  hour 
and  the  patriotism  of  our  people  shall  demand. 

"Resolved,  That,  while  we  recognize  the  duty 
of  thus  sustaining  the  Government  and  preserv- 
ing the  Constitution,  we  shall  continue  to  seek 
a  restoration  of  peaceful  relations  between  the 
States;  and  we  earnestly  recommend  that  a  Na- 

30— 


tional  Convention  be  called,  for  a  final  adjust- 
ment in  a  Constitutional  manner,  the  diOiculties 
now  disturbing  the  peace  and  endangering  the 
liberties  of  our  beloved  country."    • 

The  Zouave  Grays,  under  command  of  Captain 
.John  Cook,  ofi^ered  their  services  on  Tuesday, 
and  were  accepted  by  the  Governor.  This  was 
the  iirst  company  from  Sangamon  county,  and 
the  first  on  the  Adjutant  General's  roll  from  the 
State. 

Jacob  Bunn,  N.  H.  Ridgely  and  the  Marine 
and  Fire  Insurance  Company,  principal  banking 
institutions  in  Springiield,  patriotically  ofi:'ered 
to  Governor  Yates  a  loan  of  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  to  facilitate  necessary  preparations 
for  organizing  and  collecting  the  State  troops  to 
aid  in  suppressing  the  rebellion.  The  war 
spirit  was  evidently  high.  The  Journal,  under 
date  of  April  20,  only  five  days  after  the  issu- 
ance of  the  proclamation,  said: 

"  Springfield  is  ablaze  with  excitement.  Flags 
are  fl3'ing  all  over  the  city;  the  martial  music  of 
drum  and  fife  resounds  wherever  we  turn  our 
steps;  companies  are  being  drilled  in  almost 
every  hall  of  sutticient  capacity,  and,  in  fact, 
appearances  indicate  that  something  is  going  to 
be  done.  Numbers  are  employed  on  military 
duty,  and  iind  scope  for  the  development  of  all 
their  energies.  Prominent  men  from  difterent 
parts  of  the  State  are  here,  aiding  by  every 
means  in  their  jjower,  of  advice  and  otherwise, 
the  Executive  in  the  discharge  of  his  official 
functions." 

A  second  company,  under  command  of  Cap- 
tain Sands,  was  accepted  from  this  county,  but 
the  good  work  did  not  cease.  The  City  Council 
of  Springfield,  with  commendable  liberality,  ap- 
propriated $10,000  from  the  city  treasury  for  the 
purpose  of  defraying  expenses  attending  the 
equipment  of  volunteers  and  for  the  support  of 
their  families  while  absent.  The  offer  of  the 
bankers  of  Springfield  was  accepted  by  Governor 
Yates,  who  addressed  them  the  following  letter: 

"Executive  Office,  ) 

SrijixGFrELD,  111,  April  18,  1861.  \ 

To  Messrs.  J.  Jiun7i,  JV.  H.  Ridgely  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  Marine  Fire  Insurance  Company: 
Gextlemen: — Your  communication  of  the 
lYth  inst.,  tendering  to  me,  and,  through  me,  to 
the  State  of  Illinois,  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  as  a  loan  to  facilitate  necessary 
preparations  for  the  organizing  and  collecting 
of  the  State  troops  to  put  down  resistance  to  the 
laws  and  open  rebellion,  has  been  duly  re- 
ceived. 


01 -J 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Your  generous  offer  is  gratefully  accepted, 
and  permit  me  to  express  to  you,  on  behalf  of 
the  State,  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  devotion 
you  have  shown  to  the  honor  of  our  noble  State 
and  our  common  country  in  this  hour  of  peril. 
Your  patriotic  act  will  be  a  worthy  example  to 
other  citizens,  and  will  ever  be  a  source  of  ])ride 
to  yourselves  and  your  families,  as  well  as  to 
your  fellow-citizens.  With  the  wish  that  the 
great  unanimity  of  sentiment  respecting  the  up- 
holding of  our  Union  and  the  laws  of  our  conn- 
try,  and  the  many  generous  acts  of  patriotic 
citizens,  denoting  a  spirit  of  earnestness  and 
self-devotion,  will  have  a  most  favorable  effect 
in  lestoring  peace  and  prosperity  to  the  coun- 
try. I  remain,  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

EicuAED  Yates,  Governor. 

On  Tuesday  night,  April  23,  the  first  troops 
left  Springiield  for  the  seat  of  war.  Says  a  local 
reporter,  under  date  April  24: 

"The  scene  at  the  Great  Western  Eaih-oad 
depot  last  night  was  worthy  the  pencil  of  an 
artist.  Two  companies  from  (^uincy,  two  from 
Jacksonville,  and  a  squad  of  artillery,  with  three 
guns  and  fifty  men,  the  entire  command  num- 
bering nearly  five  hundred  men,  fully  equip])ed 
for  active  service,  left  under  sealed  orders.  Be- 
fore leaving,  the  detachment  was  formed  into 
line,  when  tlie  officers  received  their  commissions 
and  were  sworn  in.  and  a  few  touching  and  ap- 
propriate remarks  were  made  by  Captain  Pren- 
tiss, who  commanded  the  battalion.  These  com- 
panies were  the  flower  of  the  camp,  well  drilled, 
soldierly,  and  fully  qualified  to  defend  the  honor 
of  our  country.  The  Star  Spangled  Banner  was 
snng  with  thrilling  effect,  and  the  soldiers  took 
their  place  in  the  cars  amid  the  hearty 'God  bless 
them'  of  the  crowd.  In  the  gray  of  the  night 
the  scene  was  sublimely  impi'essive.  The  half 
repressed  ardor  of  the  troops,  fully  alive  to  the 
responsibilities  devolving  upon  them,  sadly  re- 
gretful of  the  causes  which  necessitated  their 
services,  but  sternly  resolved  to  allow  no  traitor 
hands  to  tarnish  the  glory  of  the  starry  flag  which 
waved  over  them;  the  earnest  farewells  to  part- 
ing friends — greetings,  perhaps,  the  last  they 
would  be  permitted  to  exchange  on  earth,  all 
combined  to  impress  beholders  with  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion.  The  feeling  aroused 
in  the  North  carries  with  it  a  deep  significance. 
Anger  slow  to  be  called  forth,  only  excited  after 
long  and  patient  forbearance,  not  loud  nor  noisy 
in  its  demonstration,  but  irresistible  in  its  force 
as  the  cataract  of  Niagara,  more  terrible  than 
the  temjjcsts  of  the  Heaven — this  was  what  we 


saw  manifested  last  night.  There  was  no  hot- 
spur courage  in  that  detachment,  which  flames 
up  in  an  instant  and  exhausts  itself  as  speedily; 
but  a  deep,  quiet  consciousness  of  wrongs  too 
long  endured,  and  which  are  now  to  be  redressed. 
These  troops  do  not  go  out  to  fight  for  the  sup- 
port of  Illinois,  or  for  the  North,  or  for  any  sec- 
tion of  the  United  States,  but  for  the  Star 
Spangled  Flag,  under  whose  folds  they  were 
born,  and  which  they  love  better  than  their 
lives." 

The  first  of  the  Sangamon  county  men  to  leave 
for  the  front  was  on  Saturday  morning,  April  27, 
when  Colonel  Cook's  regiment  took  its  departure. 
Says  the  Same  reporter  already  quoted: 

'■At  an  early  hour  Saturday  morning,  April  27, 
the  depot  of  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis 
Railroad  was  crowded  with  men,  women  and 
children,  assembled  to  bid  good-bye  to  the 
Springfield  boys  of  Colonel  Cook's  regiment, 
which,  it  was  understood,  was  to  leave  at  eight 
o'clock.  The  troops  left  the  camp  at  seven 
o'clock,  proceeded  to  the  arsenal,  where  they 
were  provided  with  arms,  and  thence  marched 
to  the  depot,  where  they  were  drawn  up  in  line 
on  Jefferson  street,  and  received  the  greetings 
of  their  friends  and  loved  ones.  The  drenching 
rain  which  fell  all  the  morning  did  not  seem  in 
the  least  to  dampen  the  ardor  of  the  soldiers,  or 
prevent  the  ladies  from  crowding  through  the 
muddy  streets  to  bid  them  good-bye.  For  about 
two  hours  and  a  half  they  stood  in  the  shower, 
giving  frequent  vent  to  their  patriotism  and 
variety  to  the  occasion  bj-  loud  cheering,  the 
train  having  orders  to  leave  at  ten  o'clock.  Our 
readers  can  fancy  the  leave-taking — we  cannot 
attempt  to  portray  it — for  what  pen  can  paint 
the  feelings  which  swelled  the  hearts  of  fond 
mothers,  sisters  and  wives  as  they  bade  farewell 
to  those  they  loved  so  dearly,  not  knowing 
whether  they  would  ever  again  be  permitted  to 
meet  on  earth? — or  who  can  depict  the  emotions 
of  those  gallant  boys,  in  whose  breast  patriotism 
and  love  for  their  country's  honor  struggled  with 
regrets  at  their  separation  from  those  so  closely 
entwined  around  their  hearts?  Those  who  were 
])resent  felt  all  this  deeply,  and  theie  are  few  in 
all  our  broad  State  who  read  these  lines  who 
have  not,  within  the  last  few  days,  been  wit- 
nesses of  similar  scenes, and  who  cannot,  in  some 
measure,  appreciate  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion. 
At  length  the  companies  were  all  seated  in  the 
cars,  and  as  the  long  train  swept  gradually  from 
the  dejjot,  drawn  by  two  powerful  locomotives, 
which  never  before  bore  a  freight  so  precious, 
the  air  was  rent  by  the  loud  shouts  of  the  crowd 


HISTORY  0F<^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


;'l:5 


on  the  platform,  united  with  those  of  the  men  in 
the  cars.  The  old  toast,  'Woman,  God  bless 
her!'  wbich  we  have  all  drank  so  often,  came 
forcibly  to  the  minds  of  all,  for  with  Spartan 
firmness,  those  women,  who  all  had  on  the  reced- 
ing train  some  son,  or  brother,  or  some  '  dearer 
one  and  nearer  one,'  with  the  strong  heart  of 
patriotism,  wept,  but  consented  to  the  sacrifice 
for  their  country's  sake.  Forever  bless  their 
noble  hearts  1" 

The  patriotism  was  not  confined  to  the  aged. 
A  little  daughter  of  J.  C.  Luce,  only  about  seven 
years  of  age,  told  her  mother  she  was  deter- 
mined to  enlist  for  \  soldier  —  saying  that 
although  she  could  not  carry  a  musket  and  shoot, 
she  could  take  care  of  the  wounded  soldiers; 
make  bandages  and  lint,  read  to  them  when  rest- 
less, or  write  home  to  their  friends  their  last 
wishes  if  they  were  about  to  die.  As  she  was 
so  extremely  in  earnest  about  the  matter,  she 
was  allowed  to  go  to  Colonel  Williams'  office, 
who  put  her  name  down,  and  told  her  she  was 
the  first  female  volunteer  he  had  on  his  list.  She 
went  home  really  thinking  she  had  enlisted  for 
the  war,  gathered  up  from  the  neighbors  all  the 
old  sheets  they  would  spare  her,  which  she  made 
into  bandages — several  hundred  in  all  —  for  the 
surgical  department.  There  was  something 
deeply  touching  in  the  artless  conduct  of  the  lit- 
tle girl — so  young,  yet  so  earnestly  anxious  to 
do  something  to  relieve  the  suffering  of  the 
wounded  soldiers  her  fancy  had  painted  on  the 
black  canvass  of  battle. 

The  year  18G2  was  a  dark  one  for  the  Union 
armies.  Defeated  in  the  field  and  hanassed  by 
enemies  in  the  rear,  many  friends  of  the  Union 
were  discouraged.  Even  in  Sangamon  county 
were  to  be  found  many  who  believed  that  the 
war  was  prosecuted  in  vain  and  that  some  com- 
promise or  peace  measures  should  be  adopted. 
The  Government  was  urgently  calling  for  volun- 
teers, and  enlistments  were  slow.  At  this  junc- 
ture war  meetings  were  held  all  over  the  county 
and  every  effort  was  made  to  awaken  a  more 
lively  interest  and  to  secure  enlistments.  At 
Chatham,  on  the  evening  of  July  19,  an  enthu- 
siastic meeting  was  held  and  the  following  reso- 
lutions adopted: 

"  liesolved,  That  this  meetlEg  is  of  the  opinion 
that  the  war  against  treason  and  rebellion  should 
be  prosecuted  with  the  utmost  vigor,  and  that 
the  sword  should  not  be  sheathed  until  the 
authority  of  the  Federal  Government  is  restored 
to  its  former  power  and  glory. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  meeting 
are  due  to  the  Governor  of  this  State   for  his 


untiring  exertions  in  behalf  of  the  troops  on  the 
battletield,  and  for  his  zeal  in  making  arrange- 
ments for  the  new  troops  required  by  ihe  recent 
call  of  the  President,  and  this  meeting  pledges 
itself  to  render  him  all  the  support  in  its  power 
toward  crushing  out  the  rebellion." 

This  meeting  was  but  one  of  many,  ail  breath- 
ing the  same  spirit,  showing  a  detcnnination  to 
stand  by  the  Government  to  the  end. 

Some  time  in  the  fall  of  this  year  President 
Lincoln  issued  a  proclamation  stating  that  upon 
the  first  day  of  January,  186.3,  he  would  issue 
a  Proclamation  of  Emancipation  of  the  slaves 
in  those  States  engaged  in  the  rebellion,  if,  in 
the  meantime,  they  did  not  return  to  llieir  alle- 
gience  to  the  General  Government.  The  rebel 
States,  paying  no  heed  to  the  note  of  warning, 
the  proclamation  was  accordingly  issuerl.  ]\'lany 
loj'al  men  throughout  the  North  doubted  the  pro- 
priety and  even  the  authority  of  the  President 
in  this  matter.  Meetings  were  held  approving 
and  denouncing  the  act  throughout  the  Union. 
In  Springfield  a  large  meeting  was  held  on  Sat- 
urday evening,  January  10,  1803,  which  was  ad- 
journed till  Thursday,  the  l.^th,  which  v  as  ad- 
dressed by  several  eminent  speakers  who  had 
formerly  acted  with  both  parties,  when  the  io\- 
lowing  resolutions  were  adopted: 

^^liesolved,  That  in  the  present  condition  of 
our  National  affairs,  and  in  the  existence  of  the 
troubles  which  surround  our  country,  it  is  the 
dnty  of  all  good  citizens  cordially  to  support 
the  National  and  State  Administrations,  and 
that  we  hereby  offer  to  the  Administration  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  Richard  Yates,  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  our  earnest  and  cordial  sup- 
port in  the  efforts  of  their  respective  Adminis- 
trations to  put  down  the  present  most  infamous 
rebellion. 

"liesolvecl,  That  while  we  admit  that  during 
the  present  terrible  and  unjustifiable  rebellion  it 
would  be  impossible  for  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  discharge  his  duties  so  as  to 
satisfy  all  the  people  of  the  LTnited  States,  yet 
as  he  is  the  officer  invested  with  the  constitu- 
tional power  to  act  as  the  Government  in  put- 
ting down  the  present  rebellion,  which  is  seek- 
ing our  overthrow,  it  becomes  the  duty  of  all 
loyal  citizens  to  strengthen  the  President's  arm 
for  the  contest,  and  to  give  him  that  material 
moral  aid  and  support,  regardless  of  mere  party 
differences  of  opinion,  that  will  be  effectual  to 
put  down  insurrection  and  sustain  our  Govern- 
ment—  and  we  hold  that  no  man  can  be  regarded 
as  a  lover  of  his  country  who  will  not  make  any 


314 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  tOlNTY. 


sacrifice  that  is  needed  to  sustain  tlie  Govern- 
ment under  whicli  lie  lives. 

^'  Jiesolved,  That  it  is  the  first  and  highest 
duty  of  the  National  Governmeut  to  crush  out 
the  existing  rebellion;  that  our  own  happiness, 
prosperity,  and  power  as  a  people,  and  the  fate 
of  Republican  institutions  throughout  the 
world  are  involved  in  this  great  issue;  and  in 
order  to  accomplish  that  result,  it  is  both  the 
right  and  duty  of  the  Government  to  use  all 
means  recognized  by  the  laws  of  civilized  war- 
fare. 

"Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  of  our  fathers 
and  the  irrepealable  laws  of  nature  unite  in  in- 
dissoluble bonds  the  Great  Northwest  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi  and  the  eastern  sea- 
board; that  we  should  be  ready,  if  need  were, 
to  crush  secession  in  the  east,  as  in  the  south; 
and  that  w^e  will  never  consent  to  a  dissolution 
of  the  Union,  or  to  an  abandonment  by  the  Na- 
tional Government  of  its  constitutional  authority 
over  any,  the  least  portion  of  our  territory. 

'■liesolved,  That  we  have  no  terms  of  compro- 
mise to  propose  to  rel)els  in  arms;  that  we  should 
regard  propositions  by  the  loyal  States  for  a  ces- 
sation of  hostilities  as  both  fruitless  and  humili- 
ating, and  that  any  settlement  of  our  National 
troubles  by  species  of  concession  to  the  rebels,  or 
by  any  mode  short  of  an  unconditional  suppres- 
sion of  the  rebellion,  would  be  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  principle  of  secession,  and  would  be 
ottering  a  premium  to  treason  for  all  time  to 
come. 

'■^Jlesolved,  That  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
Stales  confers  upon  the  Government  of  the  same, 
all  the  powers  necessary  to  the  effectual  suppres- 
sion of  the  rebellion,  and  to  punish  the  rebels  for 
avidation  of  their  allegiance,  and  to  this  end 
it  may  deprive  them  of  life,  liberty  or  property, 
if  required,  in  its  judgment;  and  that  an  im- 
periou.s  necessity  demanded  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States  the  issuing  of  his  proclama- 
tion of  freedom  to  the  slaves  in  rebellious  States 
and  parts  of  States,  and  we  pledge  ourselves  to* 
sustain  him  in  the  same. 

"Jicsolccd,  That  the  President,  as  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  army,  and  executive  head  of  the 
Government,  has  the  same  undoubted  right  to 
suspend  the  writ  of  habeaa  corpus,  during  an 
armed  rebellion,  as  General  Jackson  had  to  sus- 
pend that  writ  in  New  Orleans;  that  even  if  in- 
dividual cases  of  hardship  have  occurred  in  con- 
sequence of  false  information  furnished  to  the 
Government,  which  it  had  good  reason  to  be- 
lieve to  be  true,  still  no  thoroughly  loyal  citizen, 
who  earnestly  desires  the  suppression  of  the  re- 


bellion, would  seek,  for  such  causes,  to  create 
disaffection  among  the  people  towards  the  Gov- 
ernment, or  to  make  them  believe  their  liberties 
are  in  danger;  and  that  we  have  yet  to  bear  of 
the  first  truly  loyal  man  who  believes  himself  in 
danger  of  military  arrest  or  imprisonment  in  the 
so-called  bastiles. 

" -Resolved,  That  the  late  State  Government  of 
Virginia,  having  treasonably  abdicated  its  legit- 
imate authority,  the  same  devolved  upon  that 
portion  of  her  citizens  which  organized  a  loyal 
Government  in  that  section  of  her  territory 
where  they  could  safely  assemble,  and  that  such 
loyal  Government  was  invested  with  the  whole 
power  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  had  the 
rightful  authority  under  the  National  Constitu- 
tion, with  the  sanction  of  Congress,  to  consent 
to  the  formation  of  a  new  State,  carved  out  of 
its  territory. 

"■^liesolved,  That  the  courts  of  the  United 
States  would  be  wholly  inefficient  to  maintain 
its  authority  against  rebels  in  arms,  and  that  the 
only  mode  in  which  the  rebellion  can  be  put 
down  is  through  the  military  arm  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, and  that  the  proper  duty  of  our  courts 
is  to  follow,  and  not  precede,  our  armies,  and 
that  we  will  hail  the  day  when  military  aid  can 
be  dispensed  with  in  the  administration  of  our 
affairs,  and  the  civil  authority  restored  to  its 
wonted  supremacy. 

'' Iiesoh'ed.  That  the  Democratic  principle  that 
the  frequency  of  elections  and  of  submission  to 
j  the  will  of  the  people  as  expressed  at  the  ballot 
box,  dispenses  entirely  with  the  necessity  of 
forcible  revolution  to  correct  any  real  or  fancied 
errors  of  administration,  and  this  fact  takes 
away  all  excuse  for  those  who  seek  to  inaugurate 
a  state  of  anarchy  or  rebellion, and  invests  their 
crime  with  a  ten-fold  atrocity. 

"liesolved,  That,  the  gallant  sons  of  Illinois 
who  have  gone  forth  to  fight  our  battles,  have 
achieved  for  themselves  and  their  State  imper- 
ishable renown;  that  the  page  which  shall  record 
their  deeds  will  be  among  the  brightest  of  our 
country's  history,  and  having  sealed  their  hatred 
of  treason  by  the  baptism  of  the  battlefield, 
they  will,  upon  their  return,  pronounce  at  the 
ballot-box  their  condemnation  of  all  men  who 
have  dared  to  express  a  covered  sympathy  with 
traitors  or  to  denounce  the  sacred  cause  for 
which  they  have  shed  their  blood." 

Among  the  speakers  at  the  meeting  was 
Colonel  Cummings.  He  said  that  he  appeared 
before  them  as  a  Democrat — always  had  been 
and  was  still  a  Democrat;  but  like  a  certain  old 
Roman,  his  "voice  was  still  for  war."     He  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


315 


therefore  a  war  Democrat,  and  was  iu  favor  of 
pushing  tlie  war  with  the  utmost  power  of  the 
Governient  until  the  unholy  rebellion  should  be 
put  down  and  an  honorable  peace  secured.  _He 
fully  endorsed  the  resolutions,  and  if  he  desired 
any  chang  •  iu  them  it  would  be  simply  to  add 
'•My  country,  right  or  wrong."  After  referring 
to  the  snsiiensio^i  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus, 
and  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  and  defend- 
ing the  right  of  the  President  to  suspend  the 
one  and  issue  the  other,  the  Colonel  referred  to 
a  suggestion  that  had  found  its  way  into  print 
that  New  England  should  be  thrown  off  and  a 
Western  Conlederaey  formed.  "Another  posi- 
tion," said  be,  "  occupied  by  some  of  these  g(yi- 
tlemen,  is  their  expressed  desire  to  cast  off 
New^  England  and  form  a  Western  Confederacy. 
And  just  here  I  would  like  to  know  who  of 
these'genlleraen  is  to  be  the  President  of  this 
new  Government.  This  (juestion  may  be  some- 
what significant  as  applied  to  these  men.  But 
■why  cast  off  New  England  with  all  her  glorious 
deeds  and  memories?  The  officers  and  soldiers 
of  New  England  have  done  their  duty  nobly; 
have  done  what  no  one  of  these  gentlemen  have 
done— taken  up  arms,  and  on  the  battlefield  de- 
fended the  Government  against  its  traitorous 
enemies.  Witness  the  devotion  of  General  But- 
ler, General  Banks,  and  the  host  of  loyal  hearts 
from  New  England,  while  traitors,  both  North 
and  South,  have  been  doing  their  utmost  to 
destroy  the  Government,  and  tell  me  if  New 
England  deserves  to  be  cast  out  of  the  Union? 
In  addition  to  all  this,  Illinois  has  reason  to  be 
proud  of  New  England,  for  she  gave  us  that 
great  statesman,  that  stern  and  unflinching 
patriot,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  whose  name  will 
live  and  be  honored  in  Illinois  for  all  time. 
Besides  all  this,  we  h.ave  the  fraternal  greeting 
of  New  England  to  Illinois,  at  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson: 

"  O,  gales  that  dash  thf  AlUiutic's  swell 
Along'  our  rot  ley  shores! 
Whosothundcr  diapason  well 
Kew  England's  glad  huzzahs — 

"  Baar  to  the  prairies  of  the  West 
The  echoes  of  our  joy, 
The  praj'er  that  springs  in  every  breast, 
'  God  bless  thee — Illinois.' 

"  Oh!  awful  hours,  when  grape  and  shell 
Tore  through  the  unflinching  line; 
Stand  firm,  remove  the  men  who  fell, 
Close  up  and  wail  the  sign. 

"It  came  at  last,  'Now,  lads,  the  steel!' 
The  rushing  hosts  deploy; 
'Charge,  boys!'  the  broken  traitors  reel — 
Ilui-rah  for  Illinois! 


"  Iu  vain  the  rampart,  Donelson, 
The  living  torrent  bars; 
It  leaps  the  wall,  the  fort  is  won, 
Up  go  the  stripes  and  stars. 

"  The  proudest  mother's  eyelids  fills 
As  dares  her  gallant  boy; 
And  Plymouth  Rock  and  Bunker  Hill 
Yearn  to  thee,  Illinois  " 

The  Colonel  concluded  his  speech  amid  loud 
and  long  continued  applause.  Springfield  and 
Sangamon  county  had  spoken  for  the  Union. 

The  year  1863  witnessed  an  effort  on  the  part 
of  many  to  secure  peace  between  the  States. 
On  the  iTth  of  June  a  mass  convention  was 
held  at  Springfield,  presided  over  by  Senator 
Richardson,  which  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion: 

"  liesolved.  That  the  further  offensive  prosecu- 
tion of  this  war  tends  to  subvert  the  Clonstitii- 
tion  and  the  Government,  and  entails  upon  this 
nation  all  the  disastrous  consequences  of  misrule 
and  anarchy.  That  we  are  in  favor  of  peace 
upon  the  basis  of  a  restoration  of  the  Union, 
and  for  the  accomplishment  of  which  we  pro- 
pose a  National  Convention  to  settle  upon  terms 
of  peace,  which  shall  have  in  view  the  restora- 
tion of  the  Union  as  it  was,  and  the  securing  by 
constitutional  amendments  such  rights  to  the 
several  States  and  people  thereof  as  honor  and 
justice  demand." 

The  effect  of  this  meeting  was  to  rouse  the 
unconditional  Union  men  to  renewed  action. 
A  mass  convention  was,  therefore,  called  and 
held  in  Springfield,  Thursday,  September  3, 
which  was  addressed  by  a  number  of  the  most 
eminent  men  of  the  country,  among  whom  were 
Zaehariah  Chandler,  of  Michigan;  J.  R.  Doo- 
little,  of  Wisconsin,  and  General  McClernand, 
of  Springfield.  Strong  resolutions  were  adopted 
pledging  .all  to  faithfully  stand  by  the  Govern- 
ment until  the  last  traitor  was  disarmed. 
Among  the  resolutions  were  the  following: 

^' Resolved,  Th&t  we  will  lay  aside  all  party 
questions  and  forget  all  party  prejudices,  and 
devote  ourselves  unreservedly  to  the  support  of 
our  Government,  until  the  rebellion  shall  be 
finally  and  forever  crushed. 

'•Tiesofoec?,  That  whatever  else  may  die,  the 
Union  shall  live,  to  perpetuate  civil  liberty; 
whatever  else  may  perish,  the  Govornment  shall 
survive  in  all  its  Constitutional  integrity;  what- 
ever else  may  be  destroyed,  the  Nation  shall  be 
preserved  in  its  territorial  unity;  and  to  this  end 
we  pledge  anew  our  lives,  our  foitunes,  and  our 
sacred  honor." 

In  the  winter  of  18C:!-4  much  was  done  in 
Springfield  in  aid  of  soldiers'  families.     On  Sat- 


31G 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


uvday,  December  12,1863,  the  farmers  of  the 
county,  notwithstanding  the  condition  of  the 
roads,  hauled  to  the  city  and  distributed  among 
the  needy,  ninety-three  loads  of  wood.  The 
Board  ol  Supervisors  during  the  fiame  winter 
ajjpropriated  $5,000  to  aid  the  suffering. 

The  gallant  Seventh  Regiment,  an  account  of 
whose  departure  to  the  seat  of  war  is  given  on 
a  preceding  page,  in  December,  1863,  re-enlisted 
as  veterans,  and  in  January  following,  received  a 
furlough  to  visit  their  homes.  On  Monday,  Jan- 
uary 18,  the  regiment  arrived  in  Springtield. 
At  an  early  hour  that  morning,  flags  were  flung 
to  the  breeze  from  many  of  the  business  houses 
and  oflices  around  the  square,  and  also  from  pri- 
vate dwellings,  in  anticipation  of  the  arrival  of 
the  regiment.  At  about  two  o'clock  the  boom- 
ing of  cannon  and  the  ringing  of  bells  an- 
nounced the  fact  they  were  near  at  hand.  The 
streets  were  immediately  crowded  with  men, 
women,  and  children,  all  surging  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Great  Western  depot,"  to  witness  the 
debarkation  of  the  regiment  from  the  cars  and 
their  march  to  the  State  House.  So  great  was 
the  interest  felt  to  see  this  veteran  an'd  gallant 
regiment,  that  had  sustained  the  flag  of  the 
country  with  so  much  honor  to  themselves  and 
the  State,  that  the  teachers  of  the  public  schools 
allowed  their  pupils  to  go  to  the  place  of  ren- 
dezvous to  gratify  their  curiosity. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  cars  at  the  depot,  cheer 
after  cheer  was  given  to  the  veterans.  After 
leaving  the  cars,  they  formed  into  line,  and  were 
escorted  by  the  Fire  Department,  preceded  by 
bands  of  music,  to  the  Hall  of  Representatives. 
The  galleries  were  crowded  with  ladies,  to  give 
the  veterans  a  patriotic  welcome  home  to  Illi- 
nois. After  the  arrival  at  the  Hall,  Governor 
Yates  was  introduced  to  the  regiment  and  large 
audience  present.  Three  cheers  were  proposed 
for  Governor  Yates  and  three  cheers  for  the 
"Old  Seventh,"  which  were  given  with  a  will. 

The  Governor  addressed  the  assembly  in  a 
speech  of  about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  in 
length,  in  which  he  spoke  of  the  regiment  as 
being  one  of  the  first  that  entered  the  field  at 
the  call  of  the  country  —  their  gallantry  in  many 
a  hard-fought  field,  and  welcomed  them  home  to 
Illinois.  At  the  close  of  the  Governor's  speech, 
General  John  Cook  was  called  for,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  address  them  in  a  speech  of  about  one 
hour  in  length,  in  which  he  gave  a  history  of 
the  regiment  from  the  time  of  its  organization 
and  its  march  from  Camp  Yates  to  that  time. 
Colonel  Rowett,  commander  of  the  regiment, 
was   next  called  to  the  stand,  and  delivered  a 


brief  and  appropriate  speech,  in  which  he 
thanked  the  citizens  of  Springfield  for  their 
friendly  welcome,  as  being  totally  unexpected, 
not  having  heard  anything  about  the  matter 
until  about  twelve  miles  ot  the  city.  He  said 
the  question  of  re-enlisting  was  propounded  on 
the  22d  of  December,  and  the  regiment  said  as 
Dave  Lee  said,  "they  would  not  stop  fighting 
until  the  rebels  did  first."  They  did  not  say  as 
some  others  did,  "that  they  had  tried  it  for  two 
years  and  nine  months,  and  now  let  otheis  try 
it,"  but  they  were  determined  to  fight  until  this 
rebellion  was  crushed  out.  His  remarks  were 
received  with  much  applause.  Major  Estabrook 
delivered  a  short  and  telling  speech  which  was 
well  received.  The  exercises  were  interspersed 
with  several  patriotic  airs  from  the  band  present, 
which  added  much  to  the  interest  of  the  occa- 
sion. 

Never  was  there  a  more  cordial  and  heart-felt 
reception  than  was  extended  by  the  citizens  of 
Springfield  to  this  veteran  regiment.  They 
seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  their  expression 
of  gratitude  to  the  brave  men  who  had  risked 
their  lives  in  the  defense  of  their  country  and 
homes.  The  regiment  brought  with  them  the 
National  colors  of  the  regiment,  riddled  and 
torn  with  shot  and  shell,  showing  the  deadly 
nature  of  the  conflict  in  which  they  had  been 
engaged. 

During  the  year  1864,  a  Presidential  campaign 
occurred,  in  which  the  issues  virtually'  were: 
Shall  the  Government  be  sustained  in  the  prose- 
cution of  the  war?  The  result  of  the  election 
was  such  as  to  nerve  the  President  to  renewed 
action.  Several  calls  were  made  for  volunteers 
which  were  quickly  responded  to,  and  vigorous 
measures  were  pursued  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
war. 

The  "  Ladies'  Loyal  League  of  Springfield  " 
was  organized  May  13,  1863.  Two  hundred  and 
sixteen  names  were  enrolled  at  the  first  meeting. 
At  the  expiration  of  the  first  year  it  numbered 
five  hundred  and  twenty-nine.  From  the  an- 
nual report  of  the  secretary,  Mrs.  Paul  Selby,  in 
1864,  the  following  extract  is  taken: 

"At  its  first  organization,  the  League  was 
simply  designed  as  an  associated  expression  of 
loyal  sentiment,  in  which  its  members  pledged 
themselves  to  an  'unconditional  support  to  the 
National  Government  in  its  present  struggle 
against  rebellion,  and  to  do  whatever  may  lie 
in  their  power  for  the  maintenance  of  our  Gov- 
ernment and  the  Union.'  Beyond  this,  it  had 
no  distinctive  object.  But  'faith  without  works 
is  dead.'     It  soon  became  evident  that,  to  give 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


317 


vitality  to  the  organization  and  fulfill  the  design 
of  its  creation,  it  must  have  some  object  for 
wliich  to  labor.  This,  indeed,  was  required  by 
our  further  ]jledge  to  '  encourage  our  brave  sol- 
diers in  the  iield  by  the  language  of  patriotism, 
and  to  soothe  the  anguish  of  the  sick  and 
wounded  by  deeds  of  kindness;  to  discounten- 
ance every  tendency  to  disloyalty,  and  to  evince 
on  every  proper  occasion  our  determination  to 
eland  by  the  flag  of  the  Union;  to  honor  those 
who  bravely  hazard  their  lives  in  its  defense, 
and  to  express  our  abhorrence  of  every  enemy, 
open  or  disguised,  who  would  trail  its  proud 
glory  in  the  dust.'  This  requires  something 
more  than  professions — it  requires  action. 

"In  looking  around  for  a  field  of  operations, 
one  opened  to  us  at  the  very  outset.  In  our 
midst  were  many  families  of  those  who,  having 
patriotically  ofEered  themselves  upon  the  altar 
of  their  country,  had  been  compelled  to  leave 
those  dependent  upon  them  illy  provided  to  carry 
on  the  '  battle  of  life '  in  their  absence.  The  diffi- 
culty of  their  situation  was  still  further  increased 
by  the  expeditions  continually  advancing  farther 
and  farther  into  the  enemy's  country,  separating 
soldiers  still  farther  from  their  families,  and  ren- 
dering communication  from  them  less  frequent; 
from  the  unfre(juent  visits  of  paymasters  to  dis- 
tant commands,  often  leaving  the  men  compos- 
ing them  un])aid  for  several  months  at  a  time; 
b)'  the  fortunes  of  war,  resulting  in  the  capture 
and  protracted  imprisonment  of  many  of  our  sol- 
diers; and  last,  and  saddest  of  all,  the  surrender 
of  the  lives  of  many  in  protecting  that  flag 
which  they  had  volunteered  to  defend.  The  field 
here  opened  was  a  wide  one, — and  it  exjianded 
as  we  proceeded  to  explore  it. 

"The  county  Board  of  Supervisors  had  already 
done  much  to  prevent  distress  which  must  other- 
wise have  resulted,  among  this  class  of  persons, 
by  liberal  appropriations  of  money;  but  it  was 
practically  impossible  that  this  system  should 
reach  some  of  the  most  deserving  cases.  In 
some  cases,  those  who  needed  and  deserved  as- 
sistance most,  were  most  reluctant  in  making 
their  condition  known.  Committees  were  there- 
fore appointed  in  the  various  wards  of  the  city, 
to  seek  out  and  investigate  cases  requiring  at- 
tention. Besides,  there  were,  almost  weekly,  ar- 
riving ipany  individuals  and  families  from  the 
rebel  States — refugees  from  their  homes  on  ac- 
count of  Union  principles.  These  often  came 
among  us  in  actual  want  of  the  common  neces- 
sities of  life,  food  and  clothing — penniless,  sick, 
dispirited,  and  suffering.  Their  condition  ap- 
pealed to  every  loyal   heart,  and   to  the  best  of 


our  ability  we  have  en  leavorcd  t  >  cxlrud  to 
them  some  portion  of  the  aid  to  which  they 
stood  in  need. 

"  In  this  field,  so  nearly  allied  to  that  of  the 
noble  organization  of  patriotic  and  Christian 
women,  the  Ladies'  Soldiers'  Aid  Society,  we 
have  labored  for  a  year  past,  as  we  hope,  not 
without  results  for  good.  Up  to  the  first  of 
June,  when  our  fiscal  year  closed,  as  shown  by 
the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  the  League  has  re- 
ceived into  its  treasury  $81  T. 90,  of  wliich  §794.35 
have  been  expended.  About  seventy-five  per- 
sons and  families  have  received  aid  from  the 
association.  This  does  not  include  donations  of 
dry  goods,  groceries,  shoes,  clothing,  etc.,  to  the 
amount  of  several  hundred  dollars,  contribu- 
tions from  various  sources  during  the  year. 

"  It  is  proper  in  this  connection  to  state  that 
the  Ladies'  Loyal  League  of  Springfield  is  purely 
a  local  organization,  and  that  its  revenue  has 
been  derived  solely  from  the  citizens,  churches, 
etc.,  of  Springfield  and  its  immediate  vicinity. 
In  no  case  has  it  received  contributions  from 
distant  parts  of  the  States. 

"  In  these  times,  when  our  country  is  passing 
through  the  perils  of  the  most  causeless,  wicked 
and  most  stupendous  rebellion,  there  seems  to 
be  an  especial  demand  for  associated,  organized 
effort.  While  the  husbands,  brothers,  sons  and 
fathers  of  the  loyal  women  of  America  are 
liaring  their  breasts  to  the  foe  upon  the  field  in 
defense  of  our  homes  and  all  we  hold  most  dear, 
is  it  not  fitting  we  should  do  our  part  by  en- 
deavoring to  lighten  the  burdens  of  war,  to  re- 
lieve the  fatherless  and  the  widow,  to  encourage 
and  sustain  the  soldier  as  ho  goes  to  meet  the 
enemies  of  our  country.  We  have  done  little, 
it  is  true,  in  comparison  with  what  was  de- 
manded of  us.  The  demand  for  effort  still  re- 
mains. May  it  be  said  of  each  of  us,  '  She  has 
done  what  she  could.'  Mrs.  P.  Selby, 

Secretary  Ladies'  Loyal  League." 

For  1804-5  the  following  named  officers  were 
elected:  Mrs.  S.  H.  Melvin,  President;  Mrs. 
John  P.  lleynolds  and  Mrs.  McCulloch,  Vice 
Presidents;  Mrs.  R.  S.  Lord,  Treasurer;  Mrs. 
Paul  Selbv,  Secretary;  Mrs.  L.  Niles,  Mrs.  H. 
Post,  Miss  R.  H.  Beach,  Mrs.  G.  S.  Mendell, 
Mrs.  J.  K.  Dubois,  Mrs.  R.  B.  Zimmerman,  Mrs. 
James  L.  Lamb,  Mrs.  M.  Brayman,  Mrs.  A.  M. 
Gregory,  Mrs.  George  Boynton,  Mrs.  L.  M. 
Snell,  Mrs.  J.  G.  Ives,  Managers. 

The  year  1865  opened  auspiciously  for  the 
Union  armies.  Evidences  that  the  rebels  were 
weakening  were  daily  shown.  In  order  to  make 
one  last  grand  effort  to  suppress  the  rebellion, 


318 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAxMON  COUNTY. 


President  Lincoln  issued  his  proclamation  for 
more  men,  and  ordered  a  draft  if  not  complied 
■with  by  February  15.  Pre^  ions  to  this  time, 
Sangamon  county  had  honored  every  call  and 
had  always  an  excess.  In  order  to  provide  for 
this  last  call  wilhout  resort  to  a  draft,  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  were  called  together  and  passed  a 
series  of  resolutions,  among  which  was  the  fol- 
lowing: 

"jResolred,  That  the  county  of  Sangamon, 
State  of  Illinois,  in  its  corporate  capacity,  will 
pay  a  bounty  of  §500  to  each  volunteer  who  may 
enlist  and  be  properly  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  and  duly  credited  to  any  sub-dis- 
trict in  said  county,  in  arrears  under  said  call; 
that  the  said  county  will  pay  a  like  bounty  of 
$500  to  any  man  who  has  heretofore  or  who  may 
hereafter  furnish  a  substitute,  who  has  been  or 
who  shall  hereafter  be  accepted,  mustered  into 
the  service,  and  duly  credited  to  any  sub-district 
in  said  county  in  arrears  under  said  call;  and 
that  said  county  will  pay  a  like  bounty  of  8500 
to  any  man  who  may  be  drafted  in  said  county 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  un- 
der said  call." 

N.  W.  Matheny.  X.  M.  Broadwell  and  J.  G. 
Ives  were  authorized  to  negotiate  a  loan  for  the 
county  to  enable  it  to  pay  the  bounty  offered. 

MAJOE-GENEEAL   JOHN  ALEXANDEE    M'CLEENANt). 

Every  public  man  becomes,  in  the  highest  and 
most  sacred  sense,  the  embodiment  of  his  con- 
stituents, whose  number  expands  in  direct  ratio 
with  the  dimensions  of  the  position  he  is  called 
to  fill  and  the  height  he  attains  as  a  representa- 
tive of  the  ideas,  desires  and  interests  of  a  peo- 
ple. He  being  thus  an  epitome  of  the  commu- 
nity. State  or  Nation  whose  servant  he  is,  his  acts 
and  his  life  become  the  property  of  the  common- 
wealth with  whose  history  his  deeds  are  inter- 
woven. Biography,  then,  of  every  public  man 
is  history  ;  and  so  inierblended  is  it  with  the 
important  events  of  this  American  Republic  that 
the  complete  biographies  of  a  score  of  its  repre- 
sentative officials  would  furnish  a  pretty  satis- 
factory history  of  the  Nation.  The  biography 
of  Maj.  Gen.  John  A.  Mct'lernand  is  of  this 
character.  Being  a  citizen  of  Sangamon  county, 
the  military  life  of  Gen.  McClernaud  will  be  of 
interest  to  every  citizen  of  the  county,  especially 
as  it  embraces  several  campaigns  and  many  bat- 
tles in  which  Sangamon  county  men  participated. 
John  Alexander  McClernand  is  the  only  child 
of  John  and  Fatima  McClernand,  and  was  born 
in    Breckenridge    county,    Kentucky,   in    1812. 


Soon  after  thebirth  of  John,  the  family  removed 
to  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  where  subsequently 
the  elder  McClernand  died,  his  son  then  being 
only  four  years  of  age. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  eminent  men, 
though  frequently  devoid  of  interest,  is  often 
pregnant  with  instruction.  We  shall  be  pre- 
pared to  form  some  estimate  of  the  energy  and 
indomitable  will  of  young  McClernand  when  we 
reflect  that  at  the  early  age  of  twenty,  he  had 
already  overcome  difficulties  which  weaker  minds 
would  have  shrunk  from  as  insurmountable,  and 
that  he  was  in  consequence  enabled  to  take  a 
respectable  position  at  the  bar  in  the  practice  of 
the  legal  profession.  The  same  year,  1832,  he 
volunteered  as  a  private  in  the  Black  Hawk 
War,  where  he  served  with  honor  till  its  close. 
In  his  experience  in  the  field,  he  laid  that  foun- 
dation of  military  knowledge,  and  gained  that 
practical  insight  into  human  character,  which 
have  been  so  valuable  to  him  in  after  life,  and 
which,  in  the  rebellion  enabled  him  to  serve 
his  country  so  well  in  the  important  positions 
which  he  was  called  upon  to  fill,  first  as  a 
Brigadier,  and  subsequently,  as  a  Major  Gen- 
eral. 

In  1S35  he  established  the  first  Democratic 
press  that  ever  existed  in  Shawneetown;  and  in 
the  same  year  re-commenced  the  practice  of  law, 
which  he  continued  with  success,  up  to  the  time 
of  his  election  to  Congress,  in  1843. 

In  1836,  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Legisla- 
ture, from  the  county  of  Gallatin.  In  this  ses- 
sion he  successfully  vindicated  the  character  of 
the  President  (Jackson),  from  certain  charges 
preferred  against  him  by  Governor  Duncan.  In 
this  session  he  also  advocated  that  mode  of  con- 
structing the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  which 
was  kno^vn  as  the  "Deep  Cut  Plan,"  and  which 
was  finally  adopted.  He  was  elected,  we  believe, 
unanimously,  by  the  legislature,  as  Commis- 
sioner and  Treasurer  of  the  canal,  and  so  faith- 
ftdly  did  he  discharge  the  duties  confided  to 
him,  that  various  public  meetings  throughout 
the  country  complimented  him  by  resolution, 
recognizing  the  value  of  his  services. 

In  1888  he  was  urged  by  his  friends  to  accept 
the  nomination  for  Lieutenant  Governor,  but 
declined,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  undei-  the 
Constitutional  age — thirty  years. 

Among  the  resolutions  adopted  at  the  same 
convention  in  which  he  was  offered  the  nomina- 
tion for  Lieutenant  Governor,  Mr.  McClernand 
prepared  and  offered  the  following,  which  he 
regarded,  most  justly,  as  breathing  the  spirit  of 
true  Democracy: 


-t- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


321 


"  Resolved,  That  the  Democratic  principle  is 
founded  on  an  imperishable  basis  of  truth  and 
justice,  and  perpetually  striving  to  su^5tain  society 
in  the  exercise  of  every  power  which  can  pro- 
mote honor  or  happiness,  and  elevate  our  condi- 
tion; that,  instead  of  warring  against  order,  and 
encroaching  on  the  privileges  of  others,  the 
spirit  of  Democracy  maintains  an  active  princi- 
ple of  hope  and  virtue. 

'■•  lieaolced,  Tliat  we  recognize  no  power  but 
that  which  yields  to  the  restraints  of  duty,  and 
is  guided  by  mind:  That  we  only  seek  to  obtain 
influence  by  means  of  free  conviction;  that  we 
condemn  all  appeals  to  brute  force  and  the  exer- 
cise of  violence,  and  that  our  only  means  of  per- 
suasion are  reason  and  truth. 

'■'■  Itesolved,  That  our  first  aim  is  to  connect 
our  party  with  the  cause  of  intelligence  and 
morality;  to  seek  the  protection  of  every  right 
consistent  with  the  genius  of  our  Constitution 
and  the  spirit  of  the  age.  We  desire  to  extend 
moral  culture,  and  to  remove,  as  far  as  possible, 
all  inequalities  in  our  human  condition,  by  em- 
bracing all  improvements  which  can  ameliorate 
our  moral  and  political  state." 

These  resolutions  tell  their  own  story,  and 
they  have  only  to  be  read  to  be  appreciated  by 
all  lovers  of  liberty,  all  true  Democrats  every- 
where. They  are  chiefly  remarkable  as  emanat- 
ing from  so  young  a  mind,  and  they  are  appli- 
cable to  all  times  and  all  circumstances: — for 
though  they  were  written  some  forty  years 
ago,  when  the  political  atmosphere  was  calm  and 
serene,  they  yet  embody  the  only  principles  on 
which  a  free  government  can  stand  anywhere. 
For  these  reasons,  and  because  these  principles 
have  actuated  their  author  through  his  whole 
life,  both  civil  and  military,  as  this  record  will 
attest,  they  demand  our  highest  consideration 
and  respect. 

In  1840  INIr.  McClernand  was  elected  a  «econd 
time  to  the  legislature  from  the  county  of  (lal- 
latin.  In  this  session,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  Theophilus  W.  Smith,  took  ex- 
ception to  some  remarks  made  V)y  Mr.  McCler- 
nand in  a  debate  on  a  reform  of  the  Judiciarj', 
and  sent  a  challenge  to  Mr.  McClernand,  which 
he  accepted;  but  the  Judge  failing  to  appear, 
the  meeting  did  not  take  place. 

In  18:39  Mr.  McClernand  was  nominated  by  a 
State  Convention,  as  one  of  the  electors  to  su])- 
j)ort  Van  Buren  and  Johnson  in  the  Presidential 
election.  The  result  was  a  majoiity  of  al)out 
four  thousand  votes  for  \'an  Ijiiren  and  Johnson 
in  that  part  of  the  State. 

37— 


Mr.  McClernand  was  re-elected  to  the  legisla- 
ture in  1842,  from  the  county  of  Gallatin.  As 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Finance,  he 
brought  forward  several  measures  calculated  to 
relieve  the  State  from  those  financial  troubles 
which  he  attributed  to  the  banking  system;  and 
he  had  the  good  fortune  to  see  all  these  meas- 
ures adopted. 

lu  184:3,  while  still  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture, he  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the 
Twenty -eighth  Congress. 

Before  taking  his  seat,  he  married  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Colonel  Dunlap,  of  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  of  one  of  the  most  reputable  and  influ- 
ential families  in  the  State. 

His  first  speech  in  Congress  was  on  the  bill 
to  refund  the  fine  imposed  on  General  Jackson 
by  Judge  Hall,  and  it  evinced  the  warm  affec- 
tion which  he  had  cherished  for  that  illustrious 
man. 

During  the  same  session,  he  delivered  a 
speech  on  the  Rock  Island  controversy,  which 
was  very  extensively  published. 

During  the  second  session  of  the  same  C'on- 
gress,  as  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Puljjic 
Land,  he  brought  forward  a  comprehensive  and 
interesting  report,  accompanied  by  a  bill  for  a 
grant  of  land  to  and  in  completion  of  the  Illi- 
nois and  Michigan  canal. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  a  change  in  the 
usual  time  for  holding  elections  had  been  made, 
and  Mr.  McClernand  was  re-elected  to  Congress 
in  1844. 

He  was  one  of  the  members  who  insisted  on 
the  maintenance  of  the  extreme  claim  to  fifty- 
four  degrees,  forty  minutes,  in  the  Oregon  con- 
troversy with  Great  Britain;  and  he  was  earn- 
estly bent  on  its  assertion.  As  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Public  Lands,  he  brought  for- 
ward a  bill,  accompanied  by  a  re[)ort,  to  grant 
to  the  State  of  Tennessee  the  public  lands  of 
the  United  States  lying  within  her  borders. 
This  bill  became  a  law. 

He  gave  a  zealous  support  to  the  Administra- 
tion in  its  measures  touching  the  Mexican  war. 
He  voted  to  place  at  the  disposal  of  the  Execu- 
tive all  the  men  and  money  required  to  give  suc- 
cess to  our  arms.  His  views  as  to  the  justice  of 
the  war,  the  plan  of  prosecuting  it,  and  its  con- 
sequences, were  fully  exjdained  in  a  speech  de- 
livered by  him  in  Congress  on  the  16th  of  June, 
1846. 

During  the  first  session  of  the  Twenty-ninth 
Congress,  he  lirought  forward  the  bill  to  reduce 
and  graduate  the  price  of  the  public  lands,  u]ion 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  principles  ami  details  of  which  he  had  he- 
stowed  much  labor  and  retiection. 

In  the  ensuing  session,  as  C'hairnian  of  the 
same  Committee,  he  took  an  active  part  in  favor 
of  the  bill  to  bring  into  market  the  mineral 
region  lying  around  Lake  Superior,  valuable  for 
its  extent  and  the  quantity  and  rich  quality  of 
the  copper  found  there.    This  bill  became  a  law. 

During  the  same  session,  he  was  called  upon 
by  the  Jackson  Monument  Committee  to  present 
their  memorial,  which  he  did.  On  that  occasion, 
he  pronounced  a  eulogy  on  (ieneral  Jackson, 
which  was  highly  esteemed,  and  an  extract  from 
which  we  give  below. 

"This  is  not  the  occasion  to  pronounce  a  for- 
mal eulogy  on  the  man  whose  last  aspirations 
were  for  the  welfare,  the  glory  and  happiness  of 
his  country.  But  I  may  be  allowed  to  say,  that 
Andrew  Jackson  was  a  man  of  no  common 
order.  Left  fatherless  and  friendless  in  his 
youth,  he  w'rote  the  word  excelsior  on  his  crest, 
and  pushed  his  way  upward  and  onward  to  power 
and  distinction,  from  the  rank  of  a  private  to 
that  of  a  general,  and  fi'om  the  position  of  a 
citizen  to  that  of  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Re- 
public. The  name  of  Jackson,  the  indomitable, 
the  strong  willed,  the  honest,  the  unflinching, — 
the  man  of  iron, — has  become  a  household  word 
to  his  countrymen — an  invocation  of  patriotism 
and  duty  to  all  lands.  What  he  said  and  did  is 
written  in  that  word  of  wordsand  deeds  accumu- 
lated from  the  wisdom  and  heroism  of  ages;  and 
as  a  lesson  and  incentive  of  posterity,  it  will  re- 
main written  forever.  Endowed,  perhaps,  with 
a  less  bold  and  subtle  philosophy  than  Jefferson, 
with  a  less  dazzling  and  theoretic  genius  than 
Napoleon,  he  was  the  equal  of  either  in  energy 
and  concentration  of  purpose — the  superior  of 
both  in  the  attribute  of  common  sense.  His 
principles  were  lofty  and  stern — proof  alike 
against  power  and  corruption.  Like  Susticles,  he 
could  have  written,  unmoved,  the  ballot  of  his 
own  ostracism,  or  watched  by  the  flickering 
torches  of  night,  nntempted  over  the  treasure 
which  strewed  the  field  of  Plato.  As  a  General 
he  was  active  and  daring,  yet  vigilant  and 
judiciary;  to  constancy  and  fortitude  he  added 
impetuous,  almost  romantic  valor.  At  the  bat- 
tle of  New  Orleans,  he  won  the  crowning  glory 
of  his  military  career.  There  he  confirmed  the 
great  truth  proclaimed  upon  the  classic  plains  of 
Marathon — the  pre  eminence  of  free  States  in 
defense  of  their  hearth-stones  and  independ- 
ence, over  the  unwieldj-  empires  of  crowned 
conquerors.  As  it  is  the  habit  of  a  free  people 
to  delegate  great   authority  to  one  man  who  is 


the  retlex  of  the  popular  will— the  individualized 
Agora,  through  which  the  voice  of  the  Nation 
is  heard,  not  only  in  the  present,  but  in  after 
times  also,  so,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered,  that 
Jackson,  with  such  qualities  as  he  possessed, 
should  have  been  that  man  to  the  people  of  his 
time.  The  pride  we  feel  in  the  man  is  not  a 
partizau  pride;  it  arises  from  what  he  did  for 
his  country.  There  is  no  vandal  hand  to  tear 
away  the  first  leaf  in  chaplet  of  lauiels,  and  the 
smoke  of  destruction  which  was  to  obscure  his 
fame  has  passed  away  for  ever." 

In  1840  JNIr.  McClernand  was  elected  a  third 
time  to  Congress,  and  this  time  also  without  op- 
position. In  the  course  of  the  following  sum- 
mer, he  was  frequently  called  upon  to  address 
the  soldiers  returning  from  the  war.  At  a  pub- 
lic dinner  given  in  Fairfield,  to  celebrate  the 
return  of  our  Illinois  Volunteers,  being  called 
upon,  he  delivered  an  address  which  thus  con- 
cludes: 

"Now,  gentlemen,  in  conclusion,  allow  me  to 
exhort  you  to  support  our  civil  institutions,  as 
one  of  the  highest  duties  encumbent  on  citizens 
antl  patriots.  Study  and  understand  their  two- 
fold character.  Remember  that  they  are  both 
local  and  general.  State  and  Federal;  and  to 
what  is  Federal  accord  the  things  which  are 
Federal,  and  to  what  is  State  the  rights  of  the 
States.  In  short,  uphold  the  whole  system  of 
confining  the  action  of  the  several  parts  to  their 
appointed  spheres.  Thus  guarded  "and  pro- 
tected, the  Union  will  long  endure  as  the  ark  of 
our  political  safety.  Like  the  grain  of  mustard 
seed  compared  in  the  parable  to  the  Kingdom 
of  God,  it  will 'grow  and  continue  to  grow, 
until  its  shadow  shall  cover  the  whole  earth." 

In  18-fS  Mr.  McClernand  was  re-elected  to 
Congress,  though  not  without  opposition. 

In  1S49,  as  a  member  of  a  select  committee 
on  certain  charges  against  President  Polk  for 
having  established  a  tariff  of  duties  in  the  posts 
of  the  Mexican  Republic,  Mr.  McClernand,  in 
a  minority  report  on  behalf  of  himself  and  Mr. 
Venable,  another  member  of  the  committee,  de- 
fended the  action  of  the  President  with  great 
power  and  incontrovertible  argument. 

In  1850,  at  the  instance  of  other  leading  men, 
Mr.  McClernand  prepared  and  offered  the  first 
draft  of  the  famous  compromise  measures  of 
that  year.  But  the  same  subject  being  taken 
up  in  the  Senate  by  the  committee  of  which  Mr. 
Clay  was  the  chairman,  who  reported  a  bill 
which  passed  both  Houses.  Mr.  McClernand 
])resided  in  a  committee  of  the  whole  during 
its   progress  through  the    House.     During   this 


HISTORY  OF  SANOA.AK^N  COUNTY. 


3-2:' 


session   Mr.  MoC'leniand  delivered   an  elaborate 
speech  on  the  same  subject. 

He  also,  at  the  same  session,  drafted  tli(3  bill 
granting  a  quantity  of  land  in  aid  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  Illinois  Central  Kailroad  and  its 
Chicago  branch.  His  colleague.  Senator  Doug- 
las, being  furnished  with  a  copy,  introduced  it 
into  the  Senate,  and,  with  amendments,  it  passed 
both  Houses  and  became  a  law. 
—.In  the  same  year  and  during  the  same  ses- 
sion, as  chairman  of  the  Ilotise  Committee  on 
Foreign  Affairs,  he  brought  forward  a  plan  for 
the  re-organization*of  the  State  Department. 

In  1851,  declining  re-election,  he  retired  from 
Congress,  after  eight  years'  faithful  service  and 
a  most  brilliant  and  successful  career  in  the 
cause  of  his  country  and  of  good  government, 
and  removed  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 

In  1852  he  was  chosen  a  second  time  an 
Elector  for  President  and  Vice-President,  and 
voted  for  Pierce  and  King. 

In  1856  he  made  a  powerful  speech  at  Alton, 
Illinois,  deprecating  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri 
Compromise,  and  predicting  danger  to  the  coun- 
try as  its  consequence. 

This  speech  produced  a  great  sensation  at  the 
time,  and  provoked  the  wrath  of  many  of  the 
Democratic  leaders.  Mr.  McClernand  being 
asked  how  he  dared  to  give  expression  to  such 
heterodo.xical  sentiment,  answered,  that  it  was 
"because  he  esteemed  his  country  and  bia  fame 
of  higher  value  than  the  interests  of  party." 

In  1856,  he  removed  to  Springfield,  the  capital 
of  Illinois,  and  soon  gained  a  commanding  po- 
sition in  the  State  and  Federal  Courts. 

In  1858,  he  wrote  a  letter  on  the  Kansas  im- 
broglia,  which  was  extensively  circulated. 

In  1859,  he  was  elected  from  the  Capital  to 
the  popular  branch  of  Congress,  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy caused  by  the  death  of  Major  T.  L.  Har- 
ris. 

In  1860,  he  introduced  a  bill  repealing  the  law 
organizing  the  Territory  of  Utah,  and  merging 
that  Territory  in  others.  This  was  his  plan  for 
overcoming  the  ascendancy  of  the  Mormons, 
and  arresting  the  evils  of  polygamy. 

But  on  the  14th  of  January,  1861,  he  deliv- 
ered a  speech  in  the  House  of  Representatives 
on  the  Union  and  the  phantom  of  "no  coer- 
cion" while  from  its  comprehensiveness,  its 
accurate  historical  research,  its  close  and  conclu- 
sive argument,  cannot  be  surpassed  and  scarcely 
equalled  in  the  whole  range  of  parliamentary 
literature.  Those  who  wish  to  make  themselves 
familiar  with  this  great  subject  and  its  masterly 
treatment,  ought,   by  all   means,  to  peruse  the 


speech  as  it  was  delivered.  We  shall  only  be 
able  to  give  one  or  two  passages  here  which  ap- 
l)ears  to  us  perfect  of  their  kind,  and  very  gems 
of  patriotism  and  eloquence.  Mark  the  foltow- 
ing: 

"No!  the  Mississippi  valley  is  a  geographical 
unit.  Its  grand  river,  with  its  intersecting  tribu- 
taries, reaching  out  in  every  direction  to  its  ut- 
most limits,  is  the  hand  of  Almighty  God  bind- 
ing it  together  in  one  homogeneous  and  complete 
whole.  It  is  an  organic  body,  inseparable  except 
by  violence  to  the  laws  of  nature,  and  those  other 
laws  of  commerce,  education  and  society,  which 
are  the  necessary  results  of  the  former.  Let  it 
be  divided  to-day,  and  ere  long,,  when  the  frenzy 
of  the  hour  shall  have  subsided,  its  dismem- 
bered parts  will  cleave  together  again  by  irre- 
sistible attraction;  will  reunite  as  the  lips  of  an 
incised  wound,  by  the  just  intention.  A  higher 
law  than  the  slave-law  must  control  the  destiny 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  the  law  of  mutual 
attraction  and  cohesion.  I  say  this  in  no  offen- 
sive, but  in  a  philosophical  sense,  and  the  recon- 
struction jobbers  of  the  da)',  if  they  would 
make  permanent  work,  must  bear  it  in  mind." 

Again,  hear  him  on  the  subject  of  "coercion." 

"  VVe  hear  the  clamor  of  'coercion'—  of  co- 
ercion of  States.  What  is  the  foundation  for 
this  clamor?  Do  the  friends  of  the  Union  pro- 
pose to  invade  South  Carolina  for  the  jmrpose 
of  subjugating  her  people?  Do  they  propose 
to  force  them  to  send  her  members  of  Congress 
back  here,  or  to  perform  any  other  active  Fed- 
eral duty"r'  Not  so!  All  we  propose  is  to  pro- 
tect the  property  and  jurisdiction  of  the  United 
States  by  defensive  measttres,  no  more.  Is  that 
coercion? 

"Again,  sir,  is  it  coercion  of  a  State,  for  us  to 
do  that  we  are  sworn  to  do  —  to  support  the 
Constitution  and  the  laws  and  treaties  of  the 
United  States?  Is  it  coercion  for  us  to  main- 
tain possession  of  the  treasures  and  other  prop- 
erty of  the  United  States?  To  stay  the  violent 
and  lawless  hand  that  would  tear  down  the  noble 
structure  of  our  Government?  Nay,  more,  is  it 
coercion  for  us  to  let  the  flag  of  the  Cnion 
stand  upon  the  bosom  of  our  countiy  where  our 
fathers  planted  it?  To  let  the  eagle  of  America 
sweep  with  buoyant  wing  the  entire  domain  of 
this  great  Nation.'  Is  this  coercion?  W^hy,  sir, 
it  is  a  perversion  of  all  language,  a  mocking  of 
all  ideas  to  say  so!  Rather  is  it  coercion  for  a 
Slate  to  require  us  to  submit  to  her  spoliation  of 
I  lie  posts,  arsenals,  dock-yards,  custom  houses, 
post  offices  and  the  arms  and  munitions  of  the 
United    States.      Such    submission,   sir,    in    niy 


324 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COl'XTY. 


opinion,  would  be  in  the  last  degree  reprehensi- 
ble and  disgraceful.  Utter  imbecility  alone  can 
tolerate  it,  and,  if  this  be  the  condition  of  our 
G(Tvernmeut,  let  us  at  once  abolish  it,  and  pro- 
claim to  the  world  the  sad  fact  that  the  last  and 
most  auspicious  experiment  of  free  Government 
has  signally  failed!" 

In  April,  18(il,  at  the  instance  of  Governor 
Yates,  Mr.  McClernand  being  still  a  member  of 
Congress,  accompanied  an  armed  volunteer  force 
from  the  Capital  of  Illinois  to  Cairo  and  occu- 
pied that  place. 

\Vhile  tliere,  he  caused  the  steamers  passing 
from  St.  Louis  to  Louisville  and  other  interme- 
diate points  in  Missouri  and  Kentucky,  to  be 
brought  to  at  Cairo,  and  thus  he  wrested  from 
rebel  agents  a  considerable  quantity  of  arms  and 
munitions  designed  for  rebel  use. 

While  at  Cairo,  he  took  great  pains  to  inform 
himself  respecting  the  condition  of  affairs  in 
the  southwest.  He  learned  that  there  was,  as 
yet,  no  rebel  force  either  at  Mem]»his,  Corinth, 
Columbus  or  Madrid;  and  that  public  sentiment 
was  still  fluctuating  between  treason  and  loyalty, 
and  that  the  most  favorable  opportunity  for 
striking  a  decisive  blow  in  the  interest  of  the 
Union  was  still  open. 

Hastening  back  to  Springfield,  he  laid  this 
important  fact  before  Governor  Yates,  and  draw- 
ing up  a  plan  of  operations,  accompanied  the 
Governor  to  Washington,  and  laid  it  before  the 
President,  and,  at  the  instance  of  the  latter,  be- 
fore Scott,  the  General  in  Chief. 

It  would  have  been  well  for  the  interests  of 
the  country,  had  Mr.  McClernand's  plan  been 
carried  out  at  that  time.  But  Kentucky  neutral- 
ity seemed  to  stand  in  the  way,  until  those 
strongholds  were  seized  and  fortified  by  the 
enemy.  Then,  indeed,  the  Government  and  the 
whole  country  awoke  to  a  full  sense  of  their 
importance,  and  no  wonder;  for  before  they 
could  be  removed,  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Forts 
Henry  and  Donelson,  the  fields  of  Shiloh  and 
Madrid,  the  naval  battle  of  Memphis,  and  the 
sieges  of  Island  No.  Ten  and  of  C'orinth,  had  to 
be  fought,  all  of  which  might  have  been  saved, 
if  Mr.  McClernand's  prudent  counsel  had  been 
followed  in  time. 

In  July,  1861,  Mr.  McClernand  took  his  seat 
in  Congress,  and  was  active  and  influential  in 
inspiring  and  arming  the  Nation  for  the  approach- 
ing conflict.  With  this  view,  he  offered  the  fol- 
lowing preamble  and  resolution  : 

"Whereas,  A  portion  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  in  violation  of  their  constitutional 
obligations,  have  taken  up  arms  against  the  Na- 


tional Government,  and  are  now  striving,  by 
aggressive  and  iniquitous  war,  to  overthrow  it 
and  break  up  the  Union  of  these  States ;  there- 
fore, 

"■Jiesolved,  That  this  House  hereby  pledges 
itself  to  vote  any  amount  of  money,  and  any 
number  of  men  that  may  be  necessary  to  insure 
a  speedy  and  efiicient  suppression  of  such  rebel- 
lion, and  the  permanent  restoration  of  Federal 
authority  every  where  within  the  limits  and 
jurisdiction  of  the  ITnited  States." 

In  the  following  month  (August  4th),  iu  com- 
mon with  his  colleagues  from  Illinois,  he  was 
called  upon  by  the  President,  to  recommend  to 
him  a  list  of  names  for  appointment  as  Briga- 
diers, and  to  fix  the  order  of  their  rank.  All  his 
colleagues  united  in  recommending  him  for  the 
first  appointment ;  but,  refusing  to  recommend 
himself,  and  joining  with  the  others  in  recom- 
mending U.  S.  Grant,  the  latter  thus  gained 
seniority  of  rank. 

Immediately  resigning  his  seat  in  Congress, 
Mr.  McClernand  returned  to  Illinois,  with  writ- 
ten authority  to  raise  a  brigade.  His  influence 
soon  brought  to  his  aid  men  of  the  highest  char- 
acter. There  was  considerable  competition  to 
join  his  command;  and  before  the  expiration  of 
August,  he  was  ordered  to  Cairo  by  Major  Gen- 
eral Fremont. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1861,  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral McClernand  assumed  command  at  Cairo, 
and  within  two  hours  afterwards  he  had  pro- 
vided the  outfit  and  transports  for  the  expedi- 
tion which  resulted  in  the  occupation  of  Padu- 
cah  by  General  Grant. 

While  at  Cairo,  he  inspired  the  soldiers  with 
a  laudable  ambition  to  excel  in  drill  and  in  dis- 
cipline. LTnder  his  command,  Cairo  itself  be- 
came one  of  the  most  orderly  and  temperate 
cities  of  the  Union. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  he  embarked  his 
brigade  at  Cairo,  under  orders  to  descend  the 
Mississippi  and  make  a  demonstration  against 
Belmont,  on  the  Missouri  shore,  opposite  Co- 
lumbus, in  Kentucky.  On  the  7th  he  disem- 
barked his  forces,  about  a  mile  and  a  fourth 
above  Belmont,  and  advanced  rapidly  upon  that 
place.  Several  times  he  rallied  his  men  and  led 
them  to  the  charge  in  person.  Several  times  he 
rode  between  the  hostile  lines,  and  encouraged 
his  men  by  his  presence  and  example.  His  sad- 
dle harness  was  torn  in  several  places  by  hostile 
bullets;  his  horse  was  wounded  in  two  places; 
one  of  his  aides  was  killed,  and  the  horses  of  the 
others  killed  or  wounded  under  them. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


325 


The  enemy,  after  Laving  been  driven  from 
their  works,  and  their  camp  burned,  were  heavily 
reinforced  fiom  Columbus,  and  intercepted  the 
Union  forces  on  their  return  to  their  transports. 
Another  battle  must  now  be  fought,  to  extricate 
our  forces  from  perilous  position, — and  our  little 
band  of  lieroes  proved  themselves  equal  to  the 
emergency.  They  fought  with  a  valor  and  des- 
jieration  th^it  would  do  honor  to  veterans;  and 
after  a  terrible  struggle  gained  the  landing,  where 
our  transports  were  waiting  to  receive  them. 
General  McClernand,  with  Ca])tains  Schwartz 
and  Hatch,  were  the  last  to  embark,  and  they 
remained  on  shore  till  the  last  transport  was 
being  pushed  off. 

In  January,  1862,  General  McClernand  made 
an  armed  reconnoissance  of  the  enemy's  strong- 
hold, at  Columbus.  This  expedition  was  de- 
signed as  a  diversion  in  favor  of  General  Buell, 
who  was  expected  to  attack  Johnson,  at  Bowling 
Green,  and  it  caused  a  rebel  force  to  evacuate 
Camp  Beauregard,  in  Tennessee,  destroy  a  rail- 
road bridge  across  Obien  river,  and  to  seek  shel- 
ter within  the  fortifications  of  Columbus;  and 
by  it  the  dormant  Union  feeling  in  the  hearts  of 
the  people  was  greatly  encouraged. 

In  February,  1862,  General  McClernand,  com- 
manding a  division,  led  the  advance  of  the  fleet 
of  transports  up  the  Tennessee  river;  and  on  the 
6th  of  that  month,  co-operating  with  the  Mis- 
sissippi flotilla  under  Commodore  Foote,  moved 
by  land  upon  Fort  Henry.  That  fortress,  as- 
sailed in  front  by  gunboats,  and  threatened  in 
the  rear  by  the  rapid  advance  of  McClernand, 
wai^^bandoned  by  the  enemy;  leaving  seven- 
teen heavy  guns  to  fall  into  our  possession,  be- 
sides eight  field  pieces,  abandoned  in  their  flight 
before  the  rapidly  advancing  forces  of  General 
McClernand. 

On  the  11th  of  February,  McClernand  led  the 
advance  against  Fort  Donelson,  and  on  the 
following  day  attacked  and  drove  in  the  enemy's 
pickets. 

On  the  fall  of  Fort  Henry,  the  rebel  troops 
that  had  evacuated  that  position  rushed  across 
the  peninsula  to  Fort  Donelson,  a  distance  of 
some  ten  or  twelve  miles,  adding  their  strength 
to  the  already  powerful  garrison  at  that  point. 

General  Huokner  had  been  in  command  of  that 
piist;  General  Pillow,  from  Columbus,  had  al- 
ready been  ordered  to  strengthen  him,  and  Gen- 
eral Floyd  was  also  ordered  to  proceed  imme- 
diately to  Donelson  with  heavy  reinforcements. 
Guns,  ammunition,  and  all  the  necessary  material 
of  war,  were  sent  there  in  great  abundance  from 
Nashville.     The  rebels  had  made  their  prepara- 


tions for  a  long  and  desperate  struggle;  and  on 
the  13th  of  February  there  were  assembled  with- 
in the  ramparts  not  less  than  twenty  thousand 
troops.  They  were  commanded  by  Generals 
Floyd,  Pillow,  Buckner  and  Bushrod  R.  John- 
son.    Floyd  held  the  chief  command. 

These  rebel  forces,  sheltered  as  they  were  be- 
hind the  works  of  Fort  Donelson,  ought  to  have 
successfully  resisted  three  or  four  times  their 
number  of  an  enemy  in  the  open  field, — yet  the 
Union  forces,  which  did  not  much  exceed  those 
of  the  rebels  in  number,  in  an  incredibly  short 
time  overpowered  the  garrison  and  (occupied  the 
fortress,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  enemy  to 
repel  their  attack.  We  shall  soon  see  by  what 
agency  this  was  effected. 

The  disposition  of  the  Union  troops  was  as 
follows:  General  McClernand's  division  consti- 
tuted the  right  wing  of  the  besieging  forces,  and 
Lay  to  the  west  and  south  of  the  fortifications; 
General  Smith's  division  occupied  the  left  wing, 
menacing  the  foe  to  north  and  west.  As  yet, 
there  was  no  center;  this  was  to  be  occupied  by 
the  troops  which  were  expected  in  the  transports, 
on  their  way  with  the  gunboats.  The  two  wings 
of  McClernand  and  Smith,  together,  constituted 
a  force  of  twenty  thousand  men,  with  seventeen 
batteries  of  artillery  and  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
hundred  cavalry.  The  two  wings  touched  each 
other,  and  at  that  central  point,  directly  west  of 
the  fort,  General  Grant  established  his  head- 
quarters. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  13th,  "The 
Carondolet,"  one  of  the  gunboats,  arrived,  and 
the  entire  fleet  about  midnight,  when  the  work 
of  disembarking  the  troops  and  stores  com- 
menced. By  noon  of  Friday,  14th,  the  troops, 
ten  thousand  in  number,  were  landed  and 
marched  to  join  their  comrades,  and,  under  Gen- 
eral Lew  Wallace,  formed  the  center  of  the  be- 
sieging force. 

The  morning  of  Saturday,  15th,  opened  cold 
and  gloomy.  A  snow  had  fallen.  The  condi- 
tion of  both  armies  was  miserable;  that  of  the 
rebels  desperate.  They  were  now  surrounded 
on  all  sides.  They  were  shut  in  from  re-in- 
forcements  and  supplies.  During  the  night  the 
rebel  officers  held  a  consultation  and  decided  on 
a  sortie.  For  this  purpose,  under  the  veil  of 
darkness  and  the  storm,  they  massed  nearly 
their  entire  force  upon  the  southern,  or  left 
wing  of  the  fortifications.  They  also  quietly 
moved  several  of  their  batteries  to  this  position. 
It  was  their  plan  to  cut  through  the  National 
line  at  this  point.  The  line,  thus  broken  and 
thrown  into   disorder,  would   be   compelled    to 


32C 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


make  a  sudden  change  of  position.  In  the  con- 
fusion of  this  change  they  were  to  be  attacked 
botli  in  front  and  flank  and  driven  back  to  the 
outpqsts.  The  rebels  hoped  thus  to  effect  a  safe 
retreat  to  the  South  by  cutting  their  way  through 
our  lines. 

The  National  army  enclosed  the  rebel 
fortifications  in  the  foim  of  a  crescent.  The 
extreme  left  touched  the  river  on  the  north  at 
the  point  where  the  transports  landed.  The  ex- 
treme right  touched  upon  Indian  creek,  at  tliat 
time  unfordable,  on  the  south,  and  that  creek 
emptied  itself  into  the  Tennessee  river  less  than 
half  a  mile  from  the  point  touched  by  the  right 
wing.  As  before  stated.  General  McClernand 
was  in  command  of  the  right  wing,  General 
Smith  of  the  left,  and  General  Lew  Wallace  of 
the  center. 

Aljout  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  loth 
(Saturday)  the  enemy,  with  nearly  triple  of  Mc- 
Clernand's  men,  has  made  a  furious  attack  on 
his  line,  in  order  to  effect  their  purpose  of  cut- 
ting their  way  through  his  command  and  making 
their  escape. 

The  enemy's  habit  of  massing  his  forces  and 
precipitating  them  upon  a  single  point  was  not 
so  familiar  to  our   Generals  at  that  time  as   it 
afterwards  became,  and  no  precautions  had  been 
taken  to  provide  against  or  counteract  it.     On 
the   contrary.  General  Grant  had   given  orders 
on  the   i)revious  day  to  Generals  Wallace  and 
Smith   not  to  move  from  their  re.spective  posi- 
tions on  any  account  whatever  until  they  should 
hear  from  him,  and  it  unfortunately  happened 
at  this  particular   juncture  that  he  was  absent 
from  his  headi]uarters  to   consult   Commodore 
Foote  at  the  landing  respecting  a  renewal  of  the 
assault  by  the  gunboats.     The  consequence  was 
that    (General    McClernand,    with    an    effective 
force   under  ten  thousand  men,  had  to  sustain 
the   brunt  of  the  battle,  unsupported,  from   the 
early  dawn  until    1  o'clock  p.  m.,  not  a  solitary 
shot  having  been  fired  from  any  other  part  of 
our  lines.     On    him,  therefore,  and    his  heroic 
soldiers  alone,  rested  the  whole  burden  of  this 
terrible    conflict   for   more   than    seven   dreary 
hours,  and   impartial  history  will  attest  how  he 
and  his  men  bore  themselves  during  this  fiery 
ordeal,  so  trying  to  the  spirit  of  the  man   and 
the  soldier.     ^J'hey  came  out  of  that  ordeal  like 
gold    })urifled   in  the   furnace,  and  by  it   were 
enabled  to  ])rove  their  undying  patriotism,  their 
unconquerable    valor !     Had    they   wavered    or 
faltered    never  so   little   on   th.at  occasion,  the 
battle  was  lost,  and  the  great  glory  of  the  cap- 
ture of  Donelson  would  have  eluded  our  grasp. 


Hear  what  Abbott  says  on  this  subject  in  his 
History  of  the  Civil  War,  volume  1,  page  4G7: 

"Our  troops,  as  usual,  we'te  outnumbered,  but 
they  fought  with  a  bravery  never  surpassed  by 
veterans.  Even  the  foe  was  constrained  to  do 
homage  to  their  valor.  Notwithstanding  the 
vastly  superior  force  of  the  enemy,  and,  though 
unsupported  by  adequate  artillery,  the  National 
troops  drove  their  assailants  back  twice  almost 
into  their  intrenchments." 

Though  General  McClernand's  urgent  appeals 
for  re-inforcements  were  unanswered,  owing  to 
the  absence  of  General  Grant,  still  he  fought  on 
intrei)idlv  against  his  overwhelming  assailants, 
until  the  woods  and  thickets  in  his  front  were 
riddled  and  whitened  with  bullets,  and  the  line 
which  he  and  the  enemy  held  alternately  was 
strewn  with  the  dead  bodies  of  friend  and  foe. 
The  rebel  General,  Pillow,  in  his  official 
report  of  this  transaction,  bears  witness  to  the 
indomitable  bravery  and  perseverance  of  our 
troops  on  this  occasion.     He  says: 

"The  enemy  did  not  retreat,  but  fell  back, 
contesting  every  inch  of  ground." 

And  Abbott, "in  his  History  of  the  Civil  War 
in  America,  says,  speaking  of  this  battle: 

"For  five  hours,  the  blood-red  tide  of  b.attle 
surged  to  and  fro.  For  a  long  time, one  brigade 
of  General  McClernand's  division. underColonel 
Oglesby,  had  to  meet  the  whole  force  of  the 
battle  alone.  General  McClernand  sent  to  Gen- 
eral Wallace  for  re-inforcements,  but  he  had  re- 
ceived his  instructions.  General  Wallace,  how- 
ever, forwarded  his  request  to  headquarters. 
General  Grant  was  not  there." 

General  Grant,  having  at  length  made  his  ap- 
pearance, and  re-inforcements  arriving  about  the 
same  time,  the  enemy  were  driven  back  within 
their  intrenchments,  and  next  morning  (Sunday, 
16th)  they  surrendered  unconditionally,  and 
were  made  prisoners  of  war. 

General  McClernand's  forces  having  mainly 
fought  this  glorious  battle,  suffered,  conse- 
quently, the  greatest  loss  in  killed  and  wounded, 
nearly  everv  fifth  man  being  found  on  the  list  of 
killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 

The  personal  bravery  of  General  McClernand 
throughout  the  whole  of  this  terrible  conflict 
was  so  conspicuous  that  the  members  of  his  staff 
frequently  remonstrated  with  him  for  exposing 
himself  so  recklessly  to  the  bullets  of  the  foe; 
but  on  such  occasions  he  would  .answer  that  "it 
was  a  case  of  desperation,  and  that  desperation 
knows  no  reserve."  When  his  officers  sent  in 
dispatches,  stating  that  they  were  hard-]]ressed, 
he  would   dash  fearlessly  among  the  men,  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


327 


Ijy  liLs  courage  and  exattujle  sliiiiiiiaU'  lln.'ia  tu 
perform  their  duty,  exhorting  them  to  maintain 
their  ground  at  all  hazards,  "till  General  Grant 
or  ve-int'orceraeiits  should  arrive.'' 

This  forcibly  reminds  us  of  the  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington and  the  British  army  at  Waterloo. 
Whilst  the  Duke's  soldiers  were  being  mowed 
down  by  the  French  artillery,  and  it  seemed  to 
some  of  his  staff  impossible  that  the  troops  could 
maintain  their  ground  much  longer,  the  Duke 
kept  looking  at  his  watch,  and  was  heard  to  ex- 
claim: "Would  to  God,  that  either  night  or 
Blucher  would  arrive!"  Then,  turning  to  his 
ofticers,  he  exclaimed:  "Well,  gentlemen,  in 
any  event,  we  must  not  submit  while  a  man  of 
us  remains!  What  would  they  say  of  us  in  Eng- 
land?" 

Immediately  after  the  battle  of  Fort  Douelson 
General  McCleriiand  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Major  General. 

March  -Ith,  1862,  the  division  of  General  Mc- 
Clernaiid  was  ordered  to  march  for  the  Tennes- 
see river,  and  it  arrived  at  Pine  Landing  on  the 
5th.  On  the  10th,  he  moved  up  the  river  and 
arrived  at  Savannah,  Tennessee,  on  the  same  day. 

March  '26th,  General  McClernand  had  as- 
cended to  Pittsburg  Landing,  and  encamped 
near  the  west  bank  of  the  Tennessee  river, 
twenty  miles  from  C-orinth,  where  the  rebels 
were  in  large  numbers.  On  the  27th  he  wrote 
to  (General  Grant,  urging  him  to  come  up  from 
Savannah  and  see  that  a  proper  disposition  of  the 
divisions  were  made  to  meet  the  contingency  of 
an  attack. 

On  the  6th  and  7th  of  April,  1862,  was  fought 
and  won  for  the  Union  cause,  the  celebrated 
battle  of  Shiloh,  a  victory  like  that  of  Fort  Don- 
elson,  snatched  from  the  jaws  of  defeat. 

The  forces  of  the  rebels  wore  over  eighty 
thousand,  and  some  say  one  hundred  thousand, 
while  the  LTnion  forces  on  the  ground  did  not 
exceed  forty  thousand. 

The  attack  was  sudden  and  unexpected.  The 
rebels  had  concentrated  an  overwhelming  force, 
according  to  their  usual  tactics,  for  the  purpose 
of  crushing  out  the  small  body  of  Union  troops 
in  advance  of  the  main  army,  and  thus  securing 
an  easy  victory  over  the  remainder;  and  it  is 
almost  a  miracle  that  they  did  not  succeed,  and 
that  our  forces  were  enabled  to  escape  utter  an- 
nihilation. But  the  same  unflinching  courage 
which  had  saved  them  before,  came  to  their 
succor  once  again,  and,  by  the  same  almost  su- 
perhuman exertions,  saved  them  from  destruc- 
tion. 


When  (-Jeneral  Mc(«'lerriand  had  been  aroused 
by  the  heavy  sound  ot  flring  in  his  fiont,  and 
oljserved  the  enemy  to  dash  through  the  posi- 
tions of  General  Prentiss,  he  at  once  realized 
the  danger,  and  instantly  prepared  to  meet  it. 
Addressing  a  few  brief  but  burning  words  to 
his  soldiers,  to  inspire  them  with  courage  and 
arouse  their  patriotism,  and  seizing  a  standard 
and  waving  it  in  the  breeze,  he  led  his  men  to 
the  attack.  A  terrible  struggle  ensued.  But  it 
will  be  more  satisfactory  if  we  give  here  a  few 
extracts  from  General  McClernand's  ofticial  re- 
port of  this  great  battle.     He  says: 

"Before  my  left,  consisting  of  the  Third 
Brigade,  could  form  for  the  snpjiort  of  General 
Sherman,  the  enemy  had  pierced  General  Pren- 
tiss' line,  afterwards  taking  him  and  a  number 
of  his  men  prisoners,  and  rapidly  forcing  back 
General  Sherman's  left  wing,  was  pressing  on 
my  left  with  a  mass  five  regiments  deep,  bearing 
the  American  flag. 

"Discovering  that  this  honored  emblem  was 
not  borne  by  General  Prentiss'  retiring  forces, 
but  was  used  by  the  enemy  as  a  means  of  decep- 
tion, I  ordered  the  Third  Brigade  to  form  in 
line  of  battle,  fronting  the  enemy's  advance, 
nearly  at  a  right  angle  with  General  Sherman's 
line.  But  before  the  order  had  been  fnlly  exe- 
cuted, the  enemy  had  appeared  within  short 
musket  range,  and  opened  a  deadly  fire  upon  us. 

"  Colonel  Raith,  commanding  the  Third  Brig- 
ade, ordered  a  charge  upon  the  enemy,  in  which 
he  fell  mortally  wounded,  whilst  encouraging 
his  men  by  his  heroic  and  daring  example.  Sev- 
eral other  oflicers  besides  were  killed  or  wounded 
in  this  charge. 

"The  situation  of  the  Third  JJrigade  was  now 
most  critical.  Generals  Prentiss"  and  Thomas' 
Divisions  had  retired,  leaving  the  Brigade  ex- 
posed to  a  combined  attack  of  the  forces  of 
Beauregard  and  Polk,  which  were  sweeping 
I'ound  on  the  right  and  left.  In  obedience  to 
my  command,  the  Brigade  fell  back,  under  the 
orders  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Engleman,  about 
three  hundred  yards,  and  re-formed  in  front  of 
my  headquarters,  joining  the  Second  Brigade, 
under  Colonel  C.  C.  Marsh. 

"The  action,  both  by  infantry  and  artillery, 
now  became  desperate  all  along  the  line.  Our 
forces,  however,  were  overborne  by  superior 
numbers,  which  still  continued  to  flank  the  right 
of  my  line.  Burrough's  battery  was  soon  lost, 
including  seventy  horses  killed. 

"  Wholly  unsupported  on  my  left,  to  save  my 
command   from   being   surrounded,  I  ordered  it 


328 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  fall  back  about  200  yards,  and  to  form  at  a 
right  angle  witti  the  centre  of  my  camp. 

"Making  another  stand  upon  the  ground  here 
indicated,  the  contest  was  carried  on  for  some 
time  by  infantry  and  artillery.  Trees  of  con- 
siderable size  were  cut  oif  or  scathed  by  the 
rounded  shot  of  opposing  batteries,  and  consid- 
erable loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  sustained 
on  both  sides. 

"At  length,  checking  the  enemy  in  front,  I 
pressed  the  advantage,  driving  him  back  some 
distance,  but,  re-inforced  by  fresh  troops,  his 
wavering  lines  were  strengthened,  and  com- 
menced turning  my  right  and  left,  driving  me 
back  about  two  hundred  yards,  to  the  fourth 
position,  in  an  open  road,  skirting  an  open  field. 

"Here  I  was  joined  by  the  Forty-third  Illi- 
nois, by   a  portion   of    'i     battery,  by    a 

portion  of  Taylor's  battalion,  and  by  a  portion 
of  Sherman's  division,  and  the  contest  was 
again  renewed  with  increased  fury  on  both 
sides. 

"Continuing  the  sanguinary  engagement,  until 
several  regiments  of  my  division  had  exhausted 
their  ammunition,  and  its  right  flank  had  been 
borne  back  and  was  in  danger  of  being  turned, 
the  remainder  of  my  command,  with  the  excep- 
tion hereinafter  noticed,  also  fell  back  to  the 
camp  of  the  first  brigade.  Here  the  portion 
which  had  first  fallen  back  re-formed,  in  obedi- 
ence to  ray  orders,  parallel  with  the  camp  and 
fronting  tlie  approach  of  the  enemy  from  the 
west,  while  the  other  portions  formed  at  a  right 
angle  with  it,  still  parting  the  approach  of  the 
enemy  from  the  south.  It  was  ten  o'clock  p.  m., 
when  my  fifth  line  had  thus  been  formed. 

"I  kept  the  enemy  in  check  for  some  time  by 
the  tire  of  my  batteries.  Detained  from  a  direct 
advance,  he  moved  a  considerable  force  to  the 
right  flank,  with  the  evident  intention  to  turn 
my  left.  To  defeat  this  purpose,  I  ordered  my 
command  to  fall  back  in  the  direction  of  the 
landing,  across  a  deep  hollow,  and  to  re-form  on 
the  east  side  of  another  piled  on  the  skirt  of  a 
wood.     This  was  my  sixth  line. 

"Here  we  rested  a  half  hour,  continuingto  sup- 
ply our  men  with  ammunition,  until  the  enemy's 
cavalry  were  seen  rapidly  crossing  the  field  to 
the  charge.  Waiting  until  they  had  api)roached 
within  some  thirty  paces  of  our  line,  I  ordered  a 
fire,  which  was  delivered  with  great  coolness 
and  destructive  effect.  First  halting,  then  waver- 
ing, they  turned  and  fled  in  confusion,  leaving 
behind  them  a  number  of  riders  and  horses  dead 
on  the  field. 


"In  the  meantime,  strengthened  by  large  rein- 
forcements the  enemy  continued  his  endeavors 
to  turn  the  flanks  of  my  line,  and  to  cut  me  off 
from  the  landing.  To  prevent  this,  I  ordered 
my  left  to  fall  back  a  short  distance  and  form 
an  obtuse  angle  with  the  centre,  opposing  a 
double  front  facing  the  enemy's  approach.  Tlius 
disposed,  my  left  held  the  enemy  in  check  while 
my  whole  line  slowly  fell  back  to  the  seventh 
position. 

"  Here  I  re-formed  the  worn  and  famishing 
remnant  of  my  division,  on  favorable  ground, 
along  a  north  and  south  road;  supported  on  my 
right  by  fragments  of  General  Sherman's  di- 
vision, and  on  my  left  by  the  Fifteenth  and 
Forty-sixth  Illinois,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Veatch,  acting  Brgadier.  Hastily  completing 
this  disposition,  I  ordered  up  McAlister's  bat- 
tery, which  took  position  about  the  center  of  my 
line,  supported  by  the  Eighteenth  Illinois,  Cap- 
tain Anderson,  Company  F,  commanding.  The 
Seventh  Illinois  being  separated  from  the  Sec- 
ond Division,  was  formed  by  me  as  a  reserve. 

"The  enemy  renewed  the  contest  by  trying  to 
shell  us  from  our  position.  McAlister's  battery 
replied  with  great  spirit — first  alone,  and  soon 
after  in  conjunction  with  another  battery,  whose 
name  was  unknown  to  me.  Attempting  so  often 
in  vain  to  turn  the  flanks  of  my  line  and  gain  its 
rear,  the  enemy  now  gave  evidence  of  a  change 
of  tactics.  Led  by  the  Louisiana  Zouaves,  he 
advanced  in  heavy  column  to  break  our  center, 
while  we  awaited  his  approach  within  sure 
range,  and  opened  a  terrible  fire  upon  him.  The 
head  of  his  advancing  column  wbs  instantly 
mowed  down.  The  remainder  of  it  swayed  to 
and  fro,  a  few  moments,  and  then  turned  and 
fled.  This  second  success  in  the  two  last  en- 
gagements terminated  a  struggle  of  ten  and  a 
half  hours'  duration,  namely:  from  six  o'clock 
a.  m.  to  four  and  a  quarter  p.  m.,  and  saved  our 
army,  transports  and  all,  from  capture." 

Such  is  the  simple  but  thrilling  language  in 
which  the  narrative  of  that  terrible  conflict  is 
given  by  one  who  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  it, 
and  who  might  justly  say,  '' Qunetjiie  ipse  mis- 
serruna  vkli  et  quorum  jKirs  niac/na  fui." 

The  last  paragraph,  in  particular,  is  sublime, 
and  reminds  us  more  of  the  echo  of  Bunker  Hill 
than  anything  else  we  remember  in  history: 
"  We  awaited  his  approach  within  sure  range, 
and  opened  a  terrible  tire  upon  him.  The  head 
of  his  (ulvuHcing  column  was  instantly  mowed 
down;  the  retyiainder  of  it  swatjed  to  and  fro, 
for  a  few  moments,  and  then  turned  andjfed!''' 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


32'.i 


It  is  not  necessary  to  give  further  details  of 
this  terrible  battle.  It  is  known  to  all,  tliat  our 
array,  being  reinforced,  attacked  the  enemy  next 
morning  and  drove  him  from  the  field, — but  it 
is  also  known  tliat  our  victory  was  purchased 
dearly. 

All  comment  on  this  great, battle  seems  to  us 
superfluous.  We  will  venture  the  remark,  how- 
ever, that  on  no  former  occasion  in  this  war,  or 
in  the  annals  of  history  were  otHeers  and  men 
more  severely  tested,  as  to  every  quality  which 
consitutes  the  soldier  and  the  man,  then  onr 
officers  and  men  were  tested  in  those  two  days' 
bloody  conflict  at  Shiloh. 

After  the  victory  of  Shiloh,  preparations  were 
made  to  advance  upon  Corinth.  General  Mc- 
Clernand's  command  was  increased,  by  General 
llalleck's  order,  to  a  corps.  This,  together  with 
his  former  command  constituted  the  army  corjis 
of  reserve. 

Our  troops  advanced  cautiously  upon  Corintli, 
and  after  a  smart  skirmish  with  a  remnant  of 
the  enemy,  purposely  detached  from  their  main 
body  to  deceive  us,  they  took  possession  of 
Corinth,  without  further  resistance,  as  it  had 
been  evacuated  by  the  enemy.  This  conspicu- 
ous event  occurred  on  the  30th  of  May,  1SG2. 

By  the  12th  of  June,  General  McClernand's 
forces  had  seized  Bethel,  Jackson,  Bolivar,  Som- 
erville,  and  occupied  all  the  country  between 
Pittsburg  Landing  and  Memphis,  establishing 
order  and  quieting  the  fears  of  the  inhabitants. 

August  28th  Major  General  McClernand  left 
Jackson,  Tennessee  to  report  to  Governor  Yates, 
of  Illinois,  to  assist  in  raising  and  organizing 
the  new  levies  of  that  year.  Not  long  after  he 
left,  the  enemy  returned  to  West  Tennessee, 
seized  Jackson  and  the  railroads,  stopped  navi- 
gation on  the  Tennessee  river,  and  puslied  their 
incursions  almost  to  Columbus. 

Shortly  after  reporting  to  Governor  Yates  in 
Illinois,  General  McClernand  repaired  to  Wash- 
ington, by  order  of  the  Governor,  on  some  busi- 
ness connected  with  the  War  Department 
respecting  the  organization  of  the  troops. 

While  at  Washington,  General  McClernand 
paid  his  respects  to  the  President,  and  in  the 
course  of  conversation,  he  pointed  out  to  Mr. 
Lincoln,  the  necessity  of  opening  the  Missis- 
sippi, at  an  early  day,  to  the  traffic  of  the  great 
Northwest. 

The  President  seemed  pleased  with  the  famil- 
iarity displayed  by  the  General  with  this  sub- 
ject, and  invited  him  to  reduce  his  ideas  to  writ- 
ing, to  which  he  gladly  consented,  and  on  the 
2Sth  of  Septemljer,  submitted  to  Mr.  Lincoln  an 

38— 


elaborate  paper,  setting  fortli  and  explaining  his 
view  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  war  in  the 
Southwest,  and  again  urging  the  speedy  organ- 
ization of  an  expedition  to  carry  these  views 
into  execution. 

This  document  being  the  real  motive  jiower 
of  the  advance  upon  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hud- 
son, is  destined  to  become  of  great  historical 
imjiortance,  inasmuch  as  it  changed  completely 
the  war  policy  of  the  Government,  in  that  sec- 
tion of  the  country,  substituting  a  war  of  aggres- 
sion on  the  vital  and  vulnerable  points  of  the 
enemy,  for  that  desultory  and  inefficient  border- 
warfare  which  had  previously  been  the  rule. 

We  shall  here  submit  an  epitome  of  that 
document,  which  will  embrace  its  essential 
points  in  as  small  a  compass  as  possible. 

"  Carry  the  war  into  the  heart  of  the  rebellion, 
as  the  surest  way  of  crushing  it  out  and  of 
opening  the  Mississippi  river. 

"  The  opening  of  that  river  is  itself  an  essen- 
tial step  towards  crushing  the  rebellion. 

"  It  is  important  in  a  military  point  of  view: 

"  First — As  affording  cheap  and  easy  com- 
munication between  our  troops  scattered  along 
the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries,  and  would 
facilitate  their  concentration  at  any  given  point. 

"  Second — As  cutting  off  all  communication 
between  the  rebels  to  the  east  and  west  of  that 
river." 

"Commercially,  the  whole  Nation  is  deeply 
interested  in  the  free  and  unobstructed  naviga- 
tion of  the  Mississippi  river,  but  more  immedi- 
ately and  intimately  is  the  great  Northwest 
concerned  in  that  important  movement.  The 
people  of  the  whole  Mississippi  valley  are  pain- 
fully alive  to  this  subject.  They  have  not  yet 
complained  in  this  matter;  they  have  sym- 
pathized with  the  Administration  in  the  diffi- 
culties with  which  it  had  to  contend,  and,  there- 
fore, refrained  from  selfishly  obtruding  their 
own  grievances  upon  its  attention.  Nay,  they 
are  grateful  for  what  the  Government  has  done, 
rather  than  complaining  of  what  it  has  left  un- 
done. 

"Yet,  it  is  true  that  this  river,  which  carries 
annually  on  its  bosom  a  commerce  amounting  to 
1(150,000,000,  is  virtually  closed  and  rendered 
useless  by  an  insignificant  garrison  at  Vicks- 
burg, so  that  the  products  of  agriculture  have 
been  accumulating  in  the  hands  of  the  producers, 
until  they  have  become  well  nigh  worthless. 

"If  this  continues,  general  bankrujitcy  must 
ensue,  and  the  Government  itself  must  suffer 
from  the  inability  of  the  people  to  contribute  to 
its  support.     No    wonder  the  people,  in   large 


330 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


as.seiublif^s,  siiouUl  cry  out  earueslly  tor  a  relief 
wliich  they  would  bail  with  such  delight.  If 
this  is  not  conceded,  have  we  not  reason  to  fear 
a  violent  popular  reaction  unfavorable  to  the 
success  of  our  arms  and  the  cause  which  they 
are  upholding? 

"In  order,  then,  to  remove  all  ol)struetion8  to 
navigation,  a  force  of  sixty  thousand  men  should 
■  descend  the  Mississippi  in  transports,  convoyed 
by  gunboats,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Yazoo  river, 
and  ascend  that  river  to  the  first  eligible  landing 
on  its  south  bank. 

'•This  column,  assisted  l>y  the  gunboats,  should 
then  seize  Vicksburg,  and,  having  garrisoned 
that  place,  should  advance  upon  .Jackson,  the 
capital  of  Mississippi,  only  forty-five  miles  dis- 
tant, and,  having  in  like  manner  seized  and 
fortified  that  city,  it  should  re-open  the  railroad 
to  New  Orleans.  Our  forces  at  the  latter  place 
might  co-operate  with  this  column  in  effecting 
this  object, 

"The  column  should  next  push  forward  to'the 
junction  of  the  Southern  Mississippi  and  Ohio 
and  Mobile  railroads,  at  the  town  of  Meridan, 
seventy-five  miles  east  of  Jackson,  where  it 
would  be  within  threatening  distance  of  both 
Mobile  and  Montgomery,  the  capital  of  Ala- 
bama. Having  secured  their  places,  our  forces 
should  establish  a  depot  of  military  stores  at 
Mobile,  only  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  miles 
by  railroad  from  Montgomery,  and  this  latter 
place  is  only  seventy-five  miles  from  Opilika, 
near  the  western  boundary  of  Georgia,  a  most 
important  place,  for  at  Opilika  the  whole  rail- 
road system  of  the  Southern  States  converges 
into  the  Montgomery  and  West  Point  railroad, 
which  is  one  of  the  two  links  connecting  that 
system  by  rail  with  the  Gulf  system.  By  seiz- 
ing this  place,  the  Atlantic  communication  by 
rail  between  the  revolted  States,  east  and  west, 
would  be  severed. 

"To  aid  this  enterprise  a  Federal  force  should 
be  advanced  from  Port  Royal  into  the  interior, 
and  naval  demonstrations  ought  to  be  made 
along  the  Southern  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast. 
The  Union  forces  now  in  West  Tennessee  or  a 
portion  of  those  in  Kentucky,  might  be  sent  to 
seize  the  noticeable  railroad  triangle,  of  which 
Boyce  and  Dal  ton  are  the  base,  and  Cleveland 
on  the  Tennessee  and  Georgia  railroad  is  the 
apex.  This  would  greatly  facilitate  the  move- 
ment upon  Vicksburg.  This  auxiliary  move- 
ment is  deemed  indispensable,  unless  the  column 
operating  against  Vicksburg  should  be  increased 
to  more  than  (50,000  men. 


"The  seizure  of  the  above  mentioned  triangle 
would  place  our  army  in  a  favorable  position  to 
march  South  on  Rome,  in  Georgia,  one  of  the 
piincipal  arsenals  and  manufactories  of  arms  in 
the  revolted  States,  or  it  might  thence  march 
northward  on  Knoxville,  in  Tennessee. 

"Tlie  two  railroads  above  alluded  to  are  the 
umbilical  cords  of  the  two  systems,  and  form 
their  onlj'  band  of  union.  By  cutting  these  a 
serious  blow  would  be  struck  at  the  rebellion. 

"Experience  proves  that  the  rebellion  cannotbe 
conquered  by  a  desultory  border  warfare.  This 
can  onl)-  be  done  by  destroying  the  enemy's 
railroad  communications,  and  by  aggressive  war 
upon  his  vital  parts.  These  are  in  the  Gulf 
States — the  home  and  the  first  love  of  the  arch- 
traitor  who  initiated  our  present  National  diffi- 
culties. Strike  home  a  deadly  blow  on  these 
States,  and  the  rebellion  will  be  virtually  sub- 
dued " 

Such,  substantially,  was  the  plan  of  opera- 
tions which  General  McClernand  laid  before  the 
President  and  Secretary  Stanton,  both  of  whom 
entirely  coincided  with  the  General  in  his  views, 
and  promised  to  give  his  plan  due  consideration 
at  an  early  day.  But  the  General-in-Chief,  for 
some  reason,  appeared  unwilling  to  consider 
the  plan,  pretending  he  was  otherwise  engaged. 
This  delayed  the  execution  of  the  plan  consid- 
erably. 

General  McClernand,  however,  persevered 
against  all  obstacles,  declaring  that  something 
must  be  done  for  the  relief  of  the  great  North- 
west, and  so  urged  the  matter,  that  Mr.  Stanton 
at  length  informed  him  that  an  expedition  of 
land  and  naval  forces  would  be  organized  for  the 
purpose  of  opening  the  Mississippi  river,  and 
that  the  land  forces  would  for  the  present  con- 
sist of  thirty  thousand  men. 

On  examination,  however,  it  was  found  that 
no  forces  could  be  spared  from  their  present 
positions,  and  that  a  new  force  must  be  raised 
for  the  purpose:  so  that  the  Mississippi  expedi- 
tion was  on  the  point  of  being  abandoned  for  the 
present. 

But  this  would  not  satisfy  General  McCler- 
nand. lie  again  urged  on  the  President  and 
Secretary  of  War,  the  absolute  necessity  of  the 
expedition,  and  so  far  prevailed,  that  they  agreed 
to  draft  a  confidential  but  conditional  document, 
ordering  Major-General  McClernand  to  organize 
the  troops  remaining  in  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Iowa,  and  such  as  should  be  raised  by  volunteer- 
ing and  draft,  and  to  forward  them  to  such  point 
as  may  be  designated  by  the  General-in-Chief, 
that  an  expedition  may  be  organized  under  Gen- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


S-M 


eral  McClernand's  command  against  Vioksburg, 
and  to  clear  the  Mississippi  river  and  open  navi- 
gation to  New  Orleans.  Tlie  forces  thus  organ- 
ized, however,  were  "subject  to  the  designation 
of  the  General-in-Chief,  according  to  such  ex- 
igencies as  the  service,  in  his  judgment,  may 
require." 

The  day  after  receiving  this  order,  IVIajor- 
General  3IcClernand  left  \Vashington  and  ar- 
rived at  Indianapolis  on  the  twenty-third  of 
October,  where  he  found  Governor  Morton  dis- 
posed to  aid  him  in  organizing  the  contemplated 
expedition;  as  he  afterwards  found  Governors 
Yates  and  Kirkwood,  of  Illinois  and  Iowa. 

In  the  short  f.pace  of  sixteen  days,  General 
McClernand  had  forwarded  from  the  different 
camps  in  Illinois,  six  regiments  of  infantry  and 
one  six  gun  battery,  to  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

From  Indiana,  five  regiments  of  infantry;  from 
Iowa,  three  had  Ijeen  forwarded  to  Columbus, 
Kentucky. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  was  another  regi- 
ment of  infantry  in  Illinois  under  marching  or- 
ders; and  three  others  in  the  same  State  were 
ready  for  muster,  and  two  other  regiments  of 
infantry  in  Iowa. 

Tliis  great  activity  in  those  three  States,  and 
the  rapidity  with  which  these  preparations  were 
urged  forward,  demonstrated  the  energy  and  zeal 
of  the  General,  as  well  as  of  the  different  Gov- 
ernors and  State  officers  engaged  in  them,  and 
clearly  illustrates  the  deep  interest  which  the 
people  of  the  northwest  felt  in  the  re-opening  of 
the  "Father  of  Waters"  to  lawful  navigation  and 
commerce. 

The  Secretary  of  War  relied  largely  on  Gen- 
eral McClernand's  personal  influence  in  the 
West,  as  well  as  in  the  local  interest  manifested 
in  the  expedition,  for  filling  up  the  ranks  with 
the  elite  of  our  western  soldiers;  nor  was  he  mis- 
taken. Men  came  forward  in  great  numbers  to 
enlist  under  the  banner  of  a  General  who  had 
distinguished  himself  in  the  Hails  of  Congress 
as  their  Representative,  and  who  still  Tiiore 
recently  had  won  well  merited  fame  and  glory 
on  the  bloody  battle  fields  of  his  country.  Forty 
thousand  troops  were  raised  in  thirty-five  days. 

15ut  General  McClernand,  fearing  that  after 
all  the  project  might  be  abandoned,  and  believ- 
ing that  General  Halleck  had  disposed  of  the 
troops  I'aised  for  the  expedition,  in  some  other 
wa)';  and  moreover,  understanding  that  in  an- 
swer to  General  t-iranl's  encpiiry  respecting  the 
command  of  these  troops,  General  Ilalleck  re- 
plied that  he  (Grant)  should  have  the  command 
of  them.     For  these  reasons,  General   McCler- 


nand expressed  his  views  and  feelings  in  a  re- 
marl<ab!e  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  which 
we  can  only  give  here  a  brief  synopsis: 

"  The  avidity  of  the  people  for  carrying  out 
this  expedition  exposes  all  charged  with  it  to 
the  consequences  of  popular  fury,  if  they  fail  in 
carrying  it  out. 

"if,  from  any  cause,  it  has  become  an  uncer- 
tainty or  shall  be  long  delayed,  I  trust  you  will 
cut  my  supposed  connection  with  it,  and  order 
me  to  other  duty  in  the  field  at  once. 

"  By  the  blockade  of  the  Mississij)jii.  the  peo- 
ple have  but  one  outlet  open  to  them — that  by 
the  lakes  and  railroads  alone.  By  combinations 
or  otherwise,  close  corporations  controlling  these 
outlets  have  raised  freights  so  as  to  stop  ship- 
ments or  sacrifice  traders.  The  mono]iolists  are 
interested  in  continuing  the  blockade.  The  peo- 
ple, therefore  are  not  disposed  to  brook  fmher 
delay  in  removing  that  obstacle;  indeed,  such 
delay  maj'  add  another  geographical  question  to 
the  one  which  is  now  undergoing  the  arbitra- 
ment of  arms.  Already  there  are  those  who 
look  beyond  Federal  authority  to  secure  the 
freedom  of  the  Mississippi  river.  The  resent- 
ment of  the  peojile  will  be  inflamed  by  dema- 
gogues, to  array  them  against  the  peojjle  of  the 
East,  on  the  pretended  ground  that  the  interests 
of  the  latter  induce  them  to  favor  the  blockade 
of  the  Mississippi. 

"  This  sentiment  is  criminal,  we  must  pre- 
serve the  Union  and  the  Government.  Yet  wise 
Statesmen  will  not  overlook  the  ditticulties  and 
dangers  which  surround  them. 

"Let  me,  therefore,  appeal  to  you  and  the 
President,  to  do  something,  and  that  quickly,  to 
avert  the  rising  storm,  etc." 

General  McClernand,  hearing  from  \  arious 
rumoi's  and  newspaper  reports,  that  his  com- 
mand of  the  expedition  had  been  given  to 
another,  repeatedly  telegraphed  to  Washington 
to  ascertain  the  truth.  At  length,  after  much 
painful  suspense,  he  was  relieved  of  duty  at 
Springfield,  and  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Grant,  for  "  the  purpose  specified  in  an  order  of 
the  General-in-Chief." 

On  his  arrival  at  Memphis,  General  Hurlbut, 
who  was  in  command,  there  informed  him  that 
General  Grant  had  abandoned  his  plan  of  ad- 
vancing upon  Oxford,  Mississippi,  having  been 
compelled  to  fall  back  to  Holly  Springs,  forty- 
five  miles  distant  from  Memphis.  General  Mc- 
Clernand now  received  a  communication  from 
General  Grant,  to  the  eflrect  that  ordei-s  assign- 
ing liira  (General  McClernand)  to  the  immecliate 
command  of  the  expedition,  had  been  forwarded 


:j:VJ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  Memphis.  General  Grant  .also  reni.avked,  that 
he  had  received  information  from  rebel  sources, 
that  Sherman  had  already  attacked  and  captured 
Vicksburg. 

The  orders  of  General  Grant  were  received 
by  General  McClernand  on  the  29th.  They  con- 
sisted of  two  letters;  one  dated  Oxford,  Missis- 
sippi, December  18,  1862,  informed  General 
McClernand  of  his  appointment  to  the  com- 
mand of  an  army  corps  in  Grant's  department, 
giving  him  command  of  the  Mississippi  river  ex- 
pedition; and  orders  that  the  written  instruc- 
tions given  General  Sherman,  shall  be  turned 
over  to  McClernand  on  his  arrival  at  Memphis. 
The  other  letter  of  General  Grant's  was  dated 
at  Flolly  Springs,  December  25,  and  was  directed 
"to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Expedition 
Down  the  River." 

Leaving  Memphis  on  the  30th,  General  Mc- 
Clernand arrived  at  Millikin's  Bend  next  day,  a 
few  miles  north  of  Vicksburg.  Here  General 
Sherman  came  on  board  the  Tigress  to  turn 
over  bis  instructions  to  the  proper  commander 
of  the  expedition  and  to  consult  him  regarding 
further  operations  of  the  army.  Here,  for  the 
first  time.  General  McClernand  was  made  aware 
of  the  real  condition  of  the  army  which  had 
been  assigned  to  his  command  by  the  President 
and  Secretary  of  War.  General  Sherman  had 
left  Memphis  on  the  20th  of  December,  had 
attacked  the  enemy  in  his  strongly  fortified 
position  along  Chickasaw  bayou  on  the  28th, 
and  had  been  badly  handled  and  repulsed  with 
heavy  loss. 

Various  opinions  respecting  this  expedition 
have  been  entertained.  The  prevailing  one  is 
that  it  was  gotten  up  without  proper  care,  and 
was  at  once  sent  South  to  escape  General  Mc- 
Clernand and  capture  Vicksburg  before  the  lat- 
ter could  arrive  and  take  the  command. 

There  seems,  certainly,  something  suspicious 
in  this  whole  transaction,  as  can  readily  be  seen 
by  what  follows: 

The  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  bearing 
date  October  21st,  1862,  an  order  endorsed  by 
the  President,  authorizes  the  Mississippi  expedi- 
tion, and  assigns  General  McClernand  to  the 
command  of  it.  On  the  16th  of  December, 
General  McClernand,  hearing  that  he  was  super- 
seded in  the  command,  addressed  a  dispatch  to 
the  Secretary  of  War,  inquiring,  "Is  this  so? 
and  shall  it  be  so?"  On  the  21st  of  December 
General  McClernand  received  the  te'egram  from 
General  Halleck,  dated  the  18th,  by  which  he 
was  informed  that  he  (Halleck)  had  "  trans- 
mitted   a  dispatch  to  General  Grant  assigning 


the  latter  to  the  general  command  of  the  expedi- 
tion, and  (Toneral  McClernand  to  the  immediate 
command  of  the  land  forces  composing  the 
same." 

It  is  notorious  that  prior  to  the  16th  of  De- 
cember, a  portion  of  the  forces  sent  on  by  Gen- 
eral McClernand  for  his  expedition  were  de- 
tached from  General  Grant's  army  and  marched 
under  General  Sherman  to  Memphis,  prepara- 
tory to  embarkation  for  Vicksburg.  It  appears, 
therefore,  conclusively  that  lK)th  Generals  Grant 
and  Sherman  had  received  their  orders  in  the 
premises  before  the  date  of  General  McCler- 
nand's  dispatch  lo  the  Secretary  of  War,  re- 
questing to  be  informed  whether  or  not  he  had 
been  superseded  in  the  command  of  the  expedi- 
tion. This  injustice  to  General  McClernand  is 
still  further  demonstrated  by  the  dispatches 
which  passed  between  General  Grant  and  Hal- 
leck. First  comes  Grant's  dispatch  to  Halleck, 
dated  Oxford,  Miss.,  December  Sth,  1862: 

"  General  Sherman  will  command  the  expedi- 
tion down  the  Mississippi.  He  will  have  a 
force  of  forty  thousand  men;  will  laud  above 
Vicksburg,  at  the  Yazoo,  if  possible,  and  cut 
the  Mississippi  central  wall,  etc.  I  will  co- 
operate with  him,  etc.,  etc. 

Now  hear  a  portion  of  General  Halleck's  dis- 
patch, dated  at  Washington,  December  Tth,  to 
which  the  above  dispatch  of  Grant  is  an  answer: 

"General  Grant: — The  capture  of  Grenada 
may  change  our  plans  in  regard  to  Vicksburg." 

Yes,  the  whole  affair  of  the  capture  of  Vicks- 
burg had  been  planned  and  nrramjed  between 
these  two  Generals,  who  determined  that  a  citi- 
zen General  should  have  nothing  to  do  with  it  if 
possible,  but  they  did  not  disdain  to  seize  upon 
the  ideas  and  plans  of  another  and  appropriate 
them  to  their  own  use,  with  a  view  of  claiming 
all  the  honors  and  all  the  rewards. 

We  have  still  another  link  of  evidence,  in  the 
instructions  given  Sherman  by  General  Grant, 
and  dated  also  at  Oxford,  Mississippi,  Decemlier 
S,  1S62: 

"General: — You  will  proceed  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible  to  Memphis,  Tennessee.  On 
your  arrival,  you  will  assume  command  of  all 
the  troops  there.  As  soon  as  possible,  move 
with  them  down  the  river  to  tlie  vicinity  of 
Vicksburg,  and,  with  the  co-operation  of  the 
gunboat  fleet,  under  Flag  Officer  Porter,  proceed 
to  the  reduction  of  that  place,  in  such  a  manner 
as  circumstances  and  your  own  judgment  may 
dictate,"  etc. 

The  above  authentic  documents  prove  clearly, 
that  long  before  the  16th  of  December,  namely, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


333 


on  tlie  7th  and  Sth,  the  plan  of  attack  upon 
Vickslmrg  liad  been  matured  between  Generals 
Ilalleck  and  Grant,  and  the  instructions  for  car- 
rying- it  out  issued  to  General  Sherman  by  Gen- 
eral (4rant. 

On  the  tth  of  January,  1863,  (leneral  Mc- 
Clernand,  having  verified  the  condition  of  the 
army,  assumed  the  command  of  it. 

The  .original  plan  of  General  Grant  having 
entirely  failed  in  the  execution,  and  his  instruc- 
tions not  providing  for  any  contingencies,  the 
question  arose,  what  was  to  be  done  with  the 
army  composing  the  Mississippi  river  expedi- 
tion? General  McClernand,  in  a  letter  to  Gen- 
eral Grant,  proposed  the  following  programme 
for  the  reduction  of  Vicksburg: 

"Make  Memphis  the  base  of  operations,  put 
the  railroad  from  Memphis  to  Grenada  in  run- 
ning order,  push  forward  the  columns  to  the 
latter  ])lace,  and  to  Jackson,  marching  upon  the 
rear  of  Vicksburg,  while  the  forces  here  and 
those  below  Port  Hudson  co-operate  by  such 
demonstrations  as  may  be  found  practicable." 

IJul  General  Grant,  being  hundreds  of  miles 
to  the  northward,  and  his  communications  with 
the  Mississippi  river  being  interrupted  by  gue- 
rillas, was  not  expected  to  be  able  to  respond  to 
these  propositions  for  several  weeks.  Hence, 
General  McClernand  was  left  to  act  according 
to  his  own  judgment,  and  he  decided  not  to  lie 
idle  at  Milliken's  Bend,  waiting  orders,  but  to 
improve  the  moral  condition  of  his  ai'my,  and 
stimulate  its  martial  spirit,  bj'  striking  a  decis- 
ive blow  at  the  enemy  near  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas  river,  who  were  endangering  our  line 
of  communication  between  Memphis  and  Vicks- 
burg. 

This  movement,  as  well  as  the  battle  of  Ar- 
kansas Post,  which  resulted  from  it,  are  minutely 
and  eloipiently  described  in  the  official  report  of 
General  McClernand.  Want  of  space  prevents 
us  from  giving  anything  more  than  a  mere  syn- 
opsis. 

Gpneral  McClernand  and  his  army  safely  ar- 
rived at  the  mouth  of  White  river  on  the  8th  of 
January,  1863.  Ascending  the  Arkansas  river, 
and  landing  at  Notuh's  farm,  on  the  left  bank, 
on  the  9th,  the  work  of  disembarking  was  busily 
continued  till  noon  of  the  next  day. 

In  the  meantime,  General  McClernand,  accom- 
))ainod  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Schwartz,  of  his 
staff,  had  reconnoitered  the  river  road  and  a 
portion  of  the  levee,  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of 
Fort  Hindman  (better  known  as  Arkansas  Post). 
There  they  discovered  that  the  enemy  was  aban- 
doning a  line  of  rifle  pits  about  half  a  mile  above 


the  levee,  under  stress  of  the  fire  of  one  of  our 
gunboats.  Passing  a  cold  night  without  fires  or 
tents,  in  a  position  near  enough  to  attack  the 
fort,  our  chilled  but  faithful  men  were  greeted 
by  a  bright  and  genial  sunshine  on  the  morning 
of  the  11th. 

By  ten  and  a  half  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  two  corps 
were  ready  to  commence  the  attack.  General 
Steele's  division  formed  the  extreme  right  of  the 
line  of  battle,  reaching  near  the  bayou.  General 
Stuart  and  General  A.  J.  Smith's  divisions  were 
formed  on  its  left.  One  brigade  of  General  Os- 
terhaus's  division  formed  the  extreme  left  of 
the  line,  resting  upon  the  river,  in  full  view  of 
the  fort.  Another  brigade  of  the  same  division 
was  held  in  reserve,  while  the  remaining  brigade 
was  disposed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

On  the  previous  day  (General  McClernand  had 
reijuested  Rear  Admiral  Porter,  commanding 
the  Mississippi  squadron,  to  advance  the  gnn- 
boats  and  open  fire  on  the  enemy's  works,  for 
the  purpose  of  diverting  his  attention,  while  the 
land  forces  should  gain  the  positions  assigned 
to  them.  Promptly  complying,  the  Admiral 
adv.anced  his  boats  and  opened  a  terrible  can- 
nonade upon  the  fort,  which  continued  an  hour 
and  more,  and  until  after  nightfall  of  the  10th. 
The  different  batteries  of  artillery  were  judici- 
ously arranged  in  suitable  positions,  and  the 
cavalry  were  disposed  in  the  rear,  with  orders  to 
force  all  stragglers  to  return  to  their  ranks. 
Such  was  the  disposition  of  the  forces  of  (4en- 
eral  McClernand  on  the  eve  of  the  battle  of 
Arkansas  Post.  On  the  other  hand,  the  posi- 
tion of  the  enemy,  naturally  strong,  was  one  of 
his  own  choosing. 

Post  Arkansas,  a  small  village,  the  county 
seat  of  Arkansas  county,  is  situated  on  elevated 
ground,  above  the  reach  of  floods,  and  defining 
for  some  miles  the  left  bank  of  the  river.  It 
was  settled  by  the  French  in  168.5,  is  fifty  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  river,  one  hundred  and 
seventeen  below  Little  Rock,  and  is  surrounded 
by  a  fruitful  country,  abounding  in  cattle,  corn 
and  cotton. 

Fort  Hindman,  a  square,  full  bastioned  fort, 
was  erected  within  the  village,  upon  the  banks 
of  the  river,  at  the  head  of  a  bend  resembling  a 
horseshoe.  The  exterior  sides  of  the  fort,  be- 
tween the  salient  angles,  were  each  three  hun- 
dred feet  in  length,  the  face  of  the  bastion  two 
feet  seven  inches  of  an  exterior  side,  and  the 
perpendicular  one-eightb.  The  pai'apet  was 
eighteen  feet  wide  on  top,  the  ditch  twenty  feet 
wide  on  the  ground  level  and  eight  feet  deep, 
with  a  slope  of  four  feet  base. 


3:54 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


A  "  banquette  "  for  infantry  was  constructed 
around  the  interior  slope  of  the  parapet;  also 
three  platforms  for  artillery  in  each  bastion  and 
one  in  the  curtain  facing  north.  On  the  south- 
ern face  of  the  northeastern  bastion  was  a  ease- 
mate  containing  a  nine-inch  columbiad.  A  simi- 
lar casemate  containing  an  eight-inch  colum- 
biad was  constructed  on  the  curtain  facing  the 
river,  and  another  nine-inch  columbiad  was 
mounted  on  the  salient  angle  of  the  southeast 
bastion,  on  a  "centre  pivot"  barbette  carriage. 
All  these  guns  command  the  river  below  the 
fort. 

Besides  these  there  were  four  three-inch  Par- 
rott  guns,  and  four  six-pounder  iron  smooth-bore 
guns,  mounted  on  field  carriages  on  the  plat- 
forms in  the  fort,  which  also  contained  a  well- 
stored  magazine,  several  frame  buildings  and  a 
well. 

General  McClernand,  having  completed  his 
arrangements,  notified  the  Admiral  to  open 
fire  on  the  fort,  and  that  he  (McClernand) 
would  advance  to  the  attack  of  the  enemy's 
ranks. 

At  1  o'clock  p.  m.  accordinglj",  the  gunboats 
opened  tire,  immediately  followed  by  the  tire  of 
artillery  along  the  right  wing  of  the  land  forces, 
and  soon  after  by  the  fire  of  artillery  along  the 
left  wing.  By  1:30  o'clock  p.  ra.  Morrey  and 
Thayer's  brigades  and  the  two  Smiths'  brigades, 
of  Sherman's  corps,  had  gained  position  in  a 
belt  of  woods,  extending  quite  to  the  enemy's 
rifle  pits.  Checked  here  for  a  time  by  a  severe 
fire  of  musketry  from  the  enemy's  works,  they 
boldly  resumed  and  continued  the  advance,  sup- 
ported by  a  reserve  brigade,  until  they  had  ap- 
proached within  short  musket  range  of  the  ene- 
my's lines. 

The  artillery  kept  up  a  brisk  tire  on  the  fort 
for  some  time.  Webster's  twenty-jsound  Par- 
rott  guns  on  the  river  bank  completely  en- 
tilated  the  two  faces  of  the  northeastern  bastion, 
some  of  their  shots  penetrated  the  embrasures  of 
the  casemates,  and  with  others  from  the  gun- 
boats contributing  to  silence  the  gun  inside  of 
it,  also  the  lighter  guns  in  the  northern  curtain 
and  the  gun  en  harbette  in  the  southeastern  bas- 
tion, which  appeared  to  be  above  the  elevation 
of  the  gunboats'  tire. 

About  3:30  o'clock  p.  m.,  when  the  enemy's 
guns  were  silenced  by  the  continued  fire  of  the 
artillery  and  the  gunboats.  General  McClernand 
ordered  an  assault,  which  after  a  severe  but  in- 
effectual struggle  of  the  enemy,  terminated  in  a 
formal  surrender  of  the  post,  its  armament,  gar- 
rison and  all  its  stores. 


Thus,  at  4:30  o'clock  p.  m.,  after  three  hours 
and  a  half  of  hard  fighting,  the  Union  forces  en- 
tered and  took  possession  of  all  the  enemy's  de- 
fences. 

Seven  stands  of  colors  were  captured,  includ 
ing  the  garrison  flag.  Besides,  we  captured  five 
thousand  prisoners,  seventeen  pieces  of  cannon, 
large  and  small,  ten  gun  carriages  and  eleven 
limbers,  three  thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  ex- 
clusive of  many  lost  or  destroyed,  one  hundred 
and  thirty  swords,  fifty  Colts'  pistols,  forty  cans 
of  powder,  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty  rounds  of 
shot,  shell  and  canister  for  ten  and  twenty-pound- 
er Parrott  guns,  three  hundred  and  seventy-tive 
shells,  grape  stands  and  canister,  forty-six  thou- 
sand rounds  of  ammunition  for  small  arms,  five 
hundred  and  sixty-three  animals,  together  with 
a  considerable  quantity  of  quartermaster's  and 
commissary  stores  fell  into  our  hands.  One 
hundred  and  seventy  wagons  and  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  stores  were  destroyed  for  want  of 
means  to  bring  them  away. 

Our  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  was 
nine  hundred  and  seventy-seven,  while  that  of 
the  enemy  was  much  larger. 

Although  this  victory  of  Arkansas  Post  was 
a  most  brilliant  and  decisive  one,  and  second 
only  to  that  of  Fort  Donelson,  it  was  by  no 
means  approved  of  by  General  Grant,  the  com- 
mander of  the  department,  who  could  not  (or 
would  not,)  see  the  benefits  derived  therctiom. 
He  peremptorily  ordered  General  McClernand, 
who  had  intended  to  attack  Little  Rock  next,  to 
return  with  his  army  to  Young's  Point  to  dig 
canals.  Thus  this  tine  army,  which  by  itsbrilliant 
success  at  Post  Arkansas,  been  partially  recov- 
ered from  the  consequences  of  its  disastrous  de- 
feat under  General  Sherman,  at  Vieksburg,  was 
again  forced  to  forego  all  hope  of  actual  service 
for  the  present. 

Under  these  depressing  circumstances,  how- 
ever, it  was  some  consolation  to  (General  Mc- 
Clernand and  his  noble  army,  to  know  that  their 
success  were  acknowledged  and  appreciated  by 
the  President,  by  the  Governor  of  Illinois,  and 
by  the  loyal  masses  over  the  whole  Union,  and 
this  reflection  caused  them  to  be  of  good  cheer. 
Mr.  Lincoln  had  expressed  his  thanks  to  General 
McClernand  and  his  brave  troops  "for  this  great 
victory  gained  at  a  time  when  disaster  after  dis- 
aster was  befalling  our  armies,"  closing  his  let- 
ter of  gratitude  with  these  remarkable  words: 
"Your  success  on  the  Arkansas  was  both  bril- 
liant and  valuable,  and  is  fully  appreciated  by 
the  country  and  the  Government." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


335 


liow  coii.sulatiug  also  was  the  kind  and  en- 
couraging letter  of  Governor  Yates,  of  Illinois, 
to  our  brave  soldiers  and  thoir  beloved  General. 
He  says: 

"I  regard  the  victory  of  Arkansas  Post, 
gained  under  the  energetic  generalship  of  a  dis- 
tinguished officer  and  citizen  of  Illinois,  as  sec- 
ond in  importance  and  consequences  to  that  of 
Fort  Donelson,  in  which  that  officer  also  ))romi- 
nently  participated.  Fort  Donelson  and  Arkan- 
sas Post,  my  dear  General,  I  regard  as  the  two 
great  positive  victories  of  the  war  in  the  West." 

General  McClernaud  and  his  troops  were  now 
em])loyed,  neither  gloriously  nor  even  usefully 
in  digging  a  canal  which,  after  all  the  labor  ex- 
pended on  it,  turned  out  to  be  totally  insufficient 
for  the  purpose  intended.  In  this  fruitless  lal)or 
they  spent  their  precious  time  up  to  the  29th  of 
March,  1863. 

After  many  fruitless  attempts  to  penetrate  the 
State  of  Mississippi  above  Vicksburg,  and  to 
turn  the  rear  of  that  city,  it  became  a  question 
of  the  highest  importance,  whether  a  point  be- 
low, on  the  Mississippi  river,  might  not  be 
reached,  and  a  way  thus  opened  to  the  attain- 
ment of  the  same  end. 

General  McClernand's  corps  was  fortunately 
in  a  favorable  condition  to  test  the  question, 
and  only  await  an  opportunity  to  do  so.  The 
General  himself,  sharing  in  the  feeling  of  his 
troops,  was  rejoiced  when  he  obtained  permis- 
sion to  cross  the  peninsular  from  Milliken's 
Bend  to  New  Carthage. 

Accordingly,  on  the  L'9th  of  March  1863,  a  de- 
tachment of  infantry,  artillery  and  cavalry  was 
ordered  to  march  on  to  Richmond,  Louisiana. 
These  soon  dislodged  the  garrison  and  occupied 
the  place,  capturing  a  few  of  the  enemy  in  their 
retreat.  This  victory  cut  off  all  supplies  to 
Vicksburg  from  that  fertile  region  of  country 
traversed  by  the  Texas  river,  and  the  Bayou 
Macon. 

On  the  night  of  the  3d  of  April,  abridge  two 
hundred  feet  in  length,  was  thrown  across 
Roundaway  bayou,  at  Richmond,  and  a  way 
opened  by  which  the  troops  were  rapidly  moved 
forward  and  so  disposed,  as  to  hold  the  only 
practicable  land  route  between  Milliken's  Bond 
and  Smith's  Plantation,  two  miles  north  of  New 
Carthage.  Meantime,  old  roads  were  repaired, 
new  ones  constructed,  boats  were  built  for  the 
transportation  of  men  and  supplies,  twenty  miles 
of  levee  sleeplessly  guarded  day  and  night,  and 
every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  the  rising 
flood  from  breaking  through  the  lines  and  en- 
gulfing the  whole  army. 


Having  taken  possession  uf  New  Carthage, 
and  driven  the  enemy  in  several  skirmishes  from 
positions  which  they  had  occupied  to  oppose  the 
advance  of  our  troops,  on  the  29th  of  April, 
General  McClernand  euibarked  the  greater  por- 
tion of  his  forces  in  stpamers  and  barges,  for 
Grand  Gulf,  which  place  he  had  previously 
reconnoitered,  and  found  it  to  be  a  place  of 
great  strength.  The  gunboats  were  steamed 
toward  the  Gulf,  and  closely  approaching  the 
enemy's  batteries  opened  fire  upon  them,  while 
our  troops  held  themselves  in  readiness  in  the 
transports  to  push  forward  and  disembark,  the 
moment  the  enemy's  water  batteries  should  be 
silenced.  But  the  gunboats  had  to  be  with- 
drawn after  a  bombardment  of  five  hours  and  a 
half,  the  principal  batteries  not  having  been 
silenced,  and  several  of  the  gunboats  being 
badlj'  crippled. 

But  though  foiled  here,  a  footing  must  be 
gained  at  some  other  point,  and  Bruinsburg 
was  decided  upon.  Hence  General  McClernand 
embarking  his  corps  once  more  on  the  30th, 
proceeded  to  that  place  and  disembarked  before 
noon.  He  then  pushed  on  by  a  forced  march  as 
far  as  possible,  in  order  to  surprise  the  enemy 
next  day  in  his  position  near  Port  Gibson,  to 
prevent  him  destroying  the  bridge  over  Bayou 
Pierce,  on  the  roads  leading  to  Grand  Gulf  and 
to  Jackson. 

BATTLE    OF    POET    GIBSOX. 

About  one  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  1st 
of  May,  1863,  the  advance  of  General  McCler- 
nand's  column  was  attacked  near  Magnolia 
Church,  thirteen  miles  beyond  Bruinsburg,  and 
lour  from  Port  Gibson,  by  a  light  fire  of  the 
enemy's  infantry  and  soon  after  by  his  artillery. 

This  attack  was  repulsed,  and  the  General, 
coming  up  about  dawn,  learned  of  a  negro  that 
the  enemy  was  in  force  in  his  front  and  intended 
to  accept  battle.  By  personal  observation  this 
was  found  to  be  correct,  so  preparations  were 
made  accordingly. 

It  would  be  impossible  in  our  brief  space  to 
give  a  detailed  account  of  this  great  battle  and 
brilliant  victory  of  our  armies;  suffice  it  to  say 
that  after  many  hours  of  hard  and  obstinate 
fighting  on  both  sides,  the  enemy  was  finally 
driven  from  his  first  position  with  the  loss  of 
four  hundred  prisoners,  two  staml  of  colors,  two 
twelve  pound  howitzers,  three  caissons  and  a 
considerable  quantity  of  ammunition.  About 
this  time  Major  General  Grant  arrived  on  the 
Held  of  action,  from  Bruinsburg. 

The  second  position  taken  by  the  enemy  was 
stronger  than  the  first.     It  was  a  creek  bottom 


336 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


covered  with  trees  and  underbrush,  the  approach 
to  which  was  through  open  fields  and  rugged  and 
exposed  hill  slopes.  Here  General  Hovey  and 
Carr's  divisions  again  encountered  the  enemy. 
A  hot  engagement  ensued,  the  result  of  which 
was  to  force  the  enemy,  back  with  considerable 
loss  upon  his  center.  Here,  with  a  large  con- 
centration of  forces,  he  renewed  the  attack,  but 
after  an  obstinate  struggle  he  was  again  beaten 
back  upon  the  high  ri  ige  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  bottom  and  within  a  mile  of  Port  Gibson. 

At  dawn  on  the  morning  of  the  2d,  General 
McClernand's  whole  corps  triumphantly  entered 
Port  Gibson,  through  which  place  the  enemy 
had  ded  the  night  before,  burning  the  bridge 
across  the  Bayou  Pierre  in  his  rear. 

The  battle  of  Port  Gibson  was  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  most  lirilliant  aehievments  of  the  war, 
and  it  was  highly  important  as  determining  the 
splended  series  of  successes  which  followed.  It 
continued  twelve  hours,  and  cost  us  eight  hun- 
dred and  three  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  three  stand  of 
colors,  SIX  pieces  of  cannon,  three  caissons,  a 
quantity  of  ammunition,  a  number  of  small  arms, 
and  five  hundred  and  eighty  prisoners.  Their 
loss  in  killed  and  wounded  must  have  been  con- 
siderable. 

One  of  the  immediate  results  of  this  battle  was 
the  evacuation  of  Grand  Gulf,  only  seven  miles 
distant  from  Port  Gibson.  A  naval  force  took 
possession  of  the  Gulf  without  resistance. 

BATTLE    OF    CHAMPIOS    HILL. 

On  the  3d,  General  McClernand's  corps,  in 
obedience  to  orders,  left  Port  Gibson  and 
marched  on  the  Raymond  road  to  Willow 
Springs;  on  the  6th,  to  Rocky  Springs;  on  the  8th, 
to  Little  Sand,  and  on  the  9th,  to  Big  Sand;  on 
the  11th,  it  marched  to  Five-mile  Creek,  and  on 
the  12th,  to  Fourteen-mile  Creek,  subsisting  dur- 
ing the  last  thirteen  days  on  six  day's  rations 
and  what  scanty  supply  the  country  afforded; 
was  wholly  without  tents  and  almost  without 
cooking  utensils;  yet  was  cheerful  and  prompt 
in  the  discharge  of  every  duty. 

Jackson,  the  capital  of  Mississippi,  had  been 
the  objective  point,  but  hearing  that  the  enemy 
were  advancing  from  Vicksburg  and  had  crossed 
the  Big  Black,  General  Grant  had  changed  the 
objective  point  to  Edwards  Station,  a  point  on 
the  Yicksburg  &  Jackson  Railroad,  nearly  mid- 
way between  these  two  places,  and  towards  this 
point  accordingly  the  several  divisions  were  or- 
dered to  march. 


In  executing  that  order  the  enemy's  pickets 
were  encountered  on  the  fifteenth,  about  four 
miles  from  Edward's  station,  at  a  place  named 
Midway,  or  Champion  Hill,  from  the  fact  of  its 
being  half  way  between  Jackson  and  Yicksburg, 
and  the  reputed  property  of  a  citizen  named 
Champion. 

Here  the  two  hostile  armies  encountered  each 
other,  and  at  11  o'clock,  a.  m.,  the  engagement 
became  general  all  along  the  lines,  and  ci  ntin- 
ued  to  rage  with  increasing  fury,  till  noon,  when 
the  enemv  were  driven  back  with  great  slaughter, 
leaving  in  our  hands  about  three  hundreil  pris- 
oners and  eleven  pieces  of  cannon.  But,  being 
reinforced,  and  rallying,  he  renewed  the  conflict 
with  great  fury  and  bore  heavily  on  our  men  in 
turn,  particularily  on  General  Hovey's  division 
of  McClernand's  corps.  That  officer  being  hard 
pressed,  called  for  the  support  of  a  division  of 
MePherson's  corps,  which,  however,  was  too 
long  delayed.  When  it  finally  came  it  also  was 
borne  back  slowly,  however,  and  disputing  evei-y 
inch  of  ground,  till  our  men  reached  the  brow 
of  the  hill. 

Here  they  rallied  and  checked  the  advance  of 
the  enemy,  and  a  heavy  blow  was  struck  by 
General  Hovey,  which  seemed  to  retrieve  the 
fortunes  of  the  day  on  this  part  of  the  field. 

By  similar  exertions  in  other  parts  of  the 
field,  the  enemy  was  at  length  beaten  at  all 
points,  and  fled  in  confusion,  the  main  body 
along  the  road  to  Yicksburg,  a  fragment  to  the 
left  of  this  road,  the  former  hotly  pursued  by 
General  Carr's  division,  the  latter  by  Lindsay's 
and  Burbridge's  brigades,  until  night  closed  in; 
each  taking  many  prisoners. 

The  loss  sustained  by  General  McClernand's 
corps  in  this  memorable  battle  was  one  thou- 
sand three  hundred  and  thirty-three  in  the 
aggregate,  exclusive  of  General  Blair's  loss,  of 
which  no  report  had  been  received. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  have  been  very 
great  in  killed  and  wounded.  A  large  number 
of  small  arms  were  also  taken,  in  addition  to  the 
captures  already  mentioned. 

BATTLE  OF  BIG  BLACK. 

At  3:30  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  17th 
of  May,  1863,  General  McClernand's  corps  again 
resumed  the  advance  on  the  road  to  Black  river 
bridge,  six  miles  distant. 

On  the  way,  General  Carr's  division  leading, 
captured  a  number  of  prisoners,  and  upon  Hear- 
ing a  spot  of  wood  marking  the  enemy's  posi- 
tion, encountered  and  drove  back  his  pickets. 

Passing  to  the  further  end  of  the  wood,  the 
enemy    was   discovered   in   force,   strongly   en- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


337 


trenched,  General  Carr's  division  having  entered 
the  wood,  was  immediately  formed  in  obedience 
to  General  MoCUernand's  order.  General  Law- 
ler's  brigade  on  the  right,  resting  its  flank  near 
Big  Ulack,  and  (4eneral  Benton's  brigade  on  the 
left,  and  the  right  of  the  railroad.  The  differ- 
ent batteries  of  artillery  were  placed  in  coni- 
man<liiig  positions,  and  the  action  soon  became 
general. 

After  some  further  arrangements  had  been 
made,  the  right,  center  and  left  of  General  Mc- 
Clernand's  corps  engaged  the  enemy  with  in- 
creased effect.  General  Lawlor,  aided  by  another 
division,  dashed  forward,  under  a  heavy  tire, 
across  a  ravine  and  narrow  field,  and  with  fixed 
bayonets,  carried  the  enemy's  works,  routing 
them  and  capturing  many  prisoners.  This  bril- 
liant achievement  determined  the  success  of  the 
day.  Fleeing  towards  a  steamer  which  formed 
a  bridge  across  Big  Black,  most  of  the  enemy 
escaped  to  the  commanding  bluff  on  the  other 
side,  while  others,  hotly  pursued  by  Benton's 
brigade,  and  the  right  of  Lindsay's,  were  cut  off 
from  that  escape,  and  were  made  prisoners. 

No  victory  could  have  been  more  complete. 
The  enemy  burnt  the  bridge  on  which  he  had 
pa?sed,  also  two  other  steamers,  and  the  railroad 
bridge.  About  one  thousand,  five  hundred  j)ri8- 
oners,  with  their  arms,  fell  into  our  hands, 
eighteen  pieces  of  cannon,  and  a  considerable 
quantity  of  ammunition  and  cotton.  A  number 
of  the  enemy  were  found  dead  upon  the  field, 
but  his  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  could  not  be 
ascertained. 

The  loss  on  the  part  of  the  Union  army  was 
limited  to  General  McClernand's  corps,  which 
alone  were  engaged  in  this  battle.  The  loss  was 
in  all,  three  hundred  and  seventy-three  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing. 

A  bridge  having  been  hastily  thrown  across 
the  Big  Black  on  the  night  of  the  17th,  General 
McClernand  crossed  next  day,  and  took  up  his 
line  of  march  for  Vicksburg,  only  twelve  miles 
distant. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  General 
McClernand,  accompanied  by  his  staff,  made  a 
personal  reconnoisance  of  the  approaches  to 
Vicksburg. 

The  enemy's  defenses  consisted  of  an  ex- 
tended line  of  rifie-pits,  occupied  by  infantry, 
and  covered  with  a  number  of  strong  earth- 
works, occupied  by  artillery  so  arranged  as  to 
command,  not  only  the  approaches  by  the 
ravines  and  ridges  in  front,  but  also  each  other. 

■  39— 


THE    SIEGE    OF    VICKSBURG. 

In  obedience  to  orders,  General  McClernand's 
corps  moved  forward,  and  in  conjunction  with 
the  other  corps  of  the  army,  commenced  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  about  0:30  o'clock  a.  m. 
Skirmishers  were  thrown  forward,  who  engaged 
the  enemy's  skirmishers,  and  artillery  was  opened 
from  the  most  commanding  positions  upon  the 
enemy's  works,  and  a  body  of  infantry  observed 
between  them  and  Burbridge's  brigade,  on  the 
right. 

About  10:30  o'clock  an  order  caine  from 
Major  General  Grant  to  all  the  corps  command- 
ers to  gain  as  close  a  position  as  possible  to  the 
enemy's  works,  until  i  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  at  that 
hour  to  fire  three  volleys  from  all  their  pieces  in 
position,  when  a  general  charge  of  all  the  corps 
along  the  whole  line  should  be  made.  Another 
advance  was  accordingly  made  by  all  the  oor])s, 
and  the  ground  gained  was  firmly  held,  but  the 
enemy's  works  were  not  carried.  A  number  of 
brave  officers  and  men  fell  in  this  advance. 

Lively  skirmishing  continued  during  the  two 
following  days  ('iOth  and  21st),  and  a  nearer  ap- 
proach to  the  enemy's  works  was  made.  On  the 
evening  of  the  21st,  General  McClernand  re- 
ceived an  order  from  Major  General  Grant,  to 
the  following  effect: 

"A  simultaneous  attack  will  be  made  to-mor- 
row, at  10  o'clock  a.  m.,  by  all  the  army  corps 
of  this  army.  During  the  day,  army  corps  com- 
manders will  have  examined  all  practical  routes 
over  which  troops  can  possibly  pass.  They  will 
get  in  position  all  the  artillery  possible,  and 
gain  all  the  ground  thev  can  with  the  infantry 
and  skirmishers.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing a  vigorous  attack  will  be  commenced  by  ar- 
tillery and  skirmishers.  The  infantry,  with  the 
exception  of  reserves  and  skirmishers,  will  be 
placed  in  columns  of  platoons,  or  by  a  flank  if 
the  ground  will  not  admit  of  a  greater  front, 
ready  to  move  forward  at  the  hour  designated, 
when  all  will  start  at  quick  time,  with  bayonets 
fixed,  and  march  upon  the  enemy  without  firing 
a  gun,  until  the  outer  works  are  carried.  Skir- 
mishers will  advance  as  soon  as  possible  after 
the  heads  of  columns  pass  them,  and  scale  the 
walls  of  such  works  as  may  confront  them." 

General  McClernand  communicated  General 
Grant's  order  to  his  division  commanders  the 
same  evening,  and  used  every  possible  exertion 
in  order  to  secure  success. 

Five  minutes  before  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  his  col- 
umns of  attack  moved  forward,  and  within  fif- 
teen minutes,  Lawler's  and  Landrum's  brigades 


338 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


had  caniud  ilie  tliich,  slope  and  basiiou  of  a 
fort.  Some  of  the  men  rushed  into  the  fort, 
where  they  found  a  piece  of  artillery,  and  saw 
the  men  who  had  served  it  %scapin<j  behind  an- 
other defence.  All  these  daring  men  were  shot 
down,  except  Sergeant  Josej)h  Griftith,  of  the 
Twenty-second  Iowa,  who,  recovering  from  the 
stunning  effects  of  a  shot,  seized  his  loaded  mus- 
ket, and  captured  and  brought  away  thirteen 
rebels,  who  had  returned  and  discharged  their 
pieces.  We  are  happy  to  say  that  this  heroic 
soldier  has  been  since  promoted.  The  colors  of 
the  One  hundredth  and  thirtieth  Illinois  were 
planted  upon  the  counterscarp  of  the  ditch, 
while  those  of  the  Forty-eighth  Ohio  and  Sev- 
enty-seventh Illinois  waved  over  the  bastion. 

The  above  particulars  we  have  gleaned  from 
General  McClernand's  valuable  report  to  Gen- 
eral Grant.  We  shall  give  the  remainder  of 
what  we  have  to  say  on  this  subject  in  his  own 
words.     He  continues: 

"Within  fifteen  minutes  after  Landrum's  suc- 
ce.ss,  Benton's  and  Burbridge's  brigades,  fired 
by  the  example,  rushed  forward  and  carried  the 
ditch  and  slope  of  a  heavy  earthwork  and 
planted  their  colors  on  the  latter.  Crowning 
this  brilliant  feat  with  a  ])ai'allel  to  Sergeant 
Joseph  <Tritiith's  daring.  Captain  White,  of  the 
Chicago  Mercantile  Battery,  carried  forward  one 
of  his  pieces  by  hand,  (juite  to  the  ditch,  and 
double-shotting  it,  tired  into  an  embrasure;  dis- 
abling a  gun  in  it  nearly  ready  to  be  discharged, 
and  scattering  death  and  dismay  among  the  rebel 
cannoneers. 

"  Men  never  fought  more  gallantly,  nay,  more 
desperately.  For  more  than  eight  long  hours 
they  maintained  their  ground  with  death-like 
tenacity.  Neither  the  blaziugsun  nor  the  deadly 
tire  of  the  enemy  shook  them.  Their  constancy 
and  valor  filled  me  with  adpiiration.  The  spec- 
tacle was  one  never  to  be  forgotten.      *         * 

"Alarmed  for  his  safety,  the  enemy  hastened 
to  mass  large  numbers  from  his  right  and  left 
on  my  front.  *  *  All  my  forces  were  now 
engaged.  Failure  and  loss  of  m)-  hard  won  ad- 
vantages became  imminent. 

"Advising  General  McArthur  (who  was  on 
his  way  from  Warrenton)  of  the  state  of  affairs, 
I  requested  reinforcements,  and  notified  General 
Grant  of  the  fact.  At  1 1  o'clock  a.  m.,  I  also  in- 
formed him  that  I  was  hotly  pressed.  *  *  * 
Again,  at  12  o'clock,  that  I  was  in  jiartial  pos- 
session of  two  forts,  and  suggested  whether  a 
vigorous  push  ought  not  to  be  made  all  along 
our  lines. 


"Responsively  to  these  dispatches,  General 
Grant  directed  me  to  communicate  with  General 
McArthur,  to  use  his  forces  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, and  informed  me  that  General  Sherman 
was  getting  on  well.  This  dispatch  was  dated 
2:30  o'clock  p.  m.  About  the  same  time,  I  re- 
ceived information  that  General  Quimby  was 
coming  to  my  support.      *         *  *  * 

"  But  McArthur's  division  being  several  miles 
distant,  did  not  arrive  till  next  day;  two  brigades 
of  General  Quimby's  division  coming  up  late  in 
the  evening,  and  much  exhausted,  their  services 
were  not  available,  and  night  set  in  and  termi- 
nated the  struggle  before  either  of  these  brigades 
could  be  fully  applied;  indeed,  before  one  of 
them  was  entirely  formed.  My  loss  during  this 
memorable  day  comprised  three-fourths  of  my 
whole  loss  before  Vicksburg.  My  whole  loss 
was  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  eightv- 
seven,  in  killed,  w^ounded  and  missing." 

On  the  30th  of  May,  General  McClernand 
issued  a  congratulatory  order  to  his  troops,  which 
was  highly  creditable  to  him  and  to  them,  but 
which  seemed  not  to  have  been  so  well  received 
by  the  General-in-Chief,  on  the  ground  that 
General  McClernand's  Adjutant  had  neglected 
to  furnish  General  Grant  with  a  copy.  This 
omission  was  made  the  pretext  for  the  dismissal 
of  General  McClernand  from  his  command,  and 
f c  r  his  banishment  from  the  department. 

This  congratulatory  address  is  one  of  the  most 
soul-stirring  and  powerful  war  papers  we  have 
ever  perused,  but  it  must  be  read  entire  in  order 
to  be  appreciated,  and  it  will  not  bear  to  be  cut 
up  into  fragments. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  General  McClernand  re- 
ceived the  following  dispatch  from  General 
Grant : 

"General: — Inclosed  I  send  you  what  purports 
to  be  your  congratulatory  address  to  the  Thir- 
teenth Army  Corps.  I  would  respectfully  ask 
if  it  is  a  true  copy.  If  it  is  not  a  correct  copy, 
furnish  me  one  by  bearer,  as  required  by  the 
regulations,  cfcc." 

To  this  General  McClernand  replied  as  fol- 
lows, on  the  same  day: 

"Major  Gkneeai,  Grant: — I  have  just  re- 
turned. The  newspaper  slip  is  a  correct  copy  of 
my  congratulatory  order.  No-  721.  I  am  pre- 
pared to  maintain  its  statements.  I  regret  that 
my  Adjutant  did  not  send  you  a  copy  promptly, 
and  I  thought  he  had." 

The  following  order,  dated  the  same  day,  was 
the  reply  received  by  General  McClernand: 

"  Major  General  John  A.  McClernand  is 
hereby  relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Thir- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


teentli  Army  t'oi'i)s.  He  may  proceed  to  a.iij 
point  lie  may  select  in  the  State  ot'  Illinois,  and 
report  by  letter  to  the  headqnarters  of  the  army 
for  orders.  Major  General  E.  O.  C.  Ord  is 
hereby  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Thir- 
teenth Army  Corps,  subject  to  the  approval  of 
the  President,  and  will  immediately  assume 
charge  of  tlie  same  " 

To  this  General  McClernand  replied  that, 
having  been  appointed  by  the  President  to  the 
command  under  a  definite  act  of  Congress,  he 
might  justly  challenge  General  Grant's  authority 
in  the  premises,  but  forbore  to  do  so  for  the 
present.  He  also  wished  that  any  statement  of 
fact  in  his  congratulatory  order,  to  which  excep- 
tions might  be  taken,  should  be  made  the  sub- 
ject of  investigation,  not  doubting  the  result. 

On  the  '23d  of  .lune.  General  McClernand 
addressed  a  letter  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  which  sets  forth  the  facts  of  his  removal, 
and  enters  at  some  length  into  its  pretended 
cause.  He  is  at  a  total  loss  to  account  for  the 
fact  that  he  has  been  dismissed,  and  says  he  is 
in  doubt  as  to  what  the  real  cause  of  his  dis- 
missal was:  "If  my  Adjutant  delayed  sending 
a  copy  of  a  harmless  order,  I  was  ignorant  of  it, 
and  avowed  my  right  at  it.  *  *  *  It  was 
impossible  for  me  personally  to  superintend  the 
routine  of  the  Adjutant's  office.  The  contents 
of  the  order  (issued  to  my  soldiers)  were  true, 
and  reflected  on  no  one,  and  were  couched  in  no 
hurtful  language.  General  Grant  could  only 
have  arrested  and  tried   me  if  I  had  offended. 

*  *  *  I  ask  for  redress  and  that  justice 
whicli  it  is  the  right  of  the  humblest  citizen  to 
demand,  and  which  it  is  the  bounden  duty  of 
those  having  the  power  to  afford. 

"  I  challenge  an  investigation  both  of  General 
Grant's  conduct  and  my  own,"  commencing 
with  Belmont  and  terminating  with  Vicksburg, 
and  he  asks,  indignantly,  "If  I  was  worthy  to 
be  trusted  in  leading  the  advance  to  Belmont, 
to  Fort  Henry,  to  Donelson,  to  Port  (iibson,  to 
Champion  Hill  and  to  Big  Black;  if  I  planned 
the  successful  battles  of  Arkansas  Post,  Port 
Gibson,  C'hanqiion  Dill  and  Big  Black,  and 
gained  the  largest,  perhaps,  the  only  mea^^re  of 
success  at  Vicksbutg  on  the  22d;  if,  in  all  these 
battles,  I  either  bore  the  brunt  or  a  material 
part;  if  only  two  days  before  my  dismissal  and 
banishment  General  Grant  deemed  himself  justi- 
fied in  adding  one  division  certainly  and  two 
other  divisions  contingently  to  my  command, 
making  it  larger  than  the  two  others  in  my  corps 
combined,  why  should  I  have  been  prescribed 
at  the  moment  when  it  was  supposed   ^'ickburg■ 


must  fall,  and  the  Mississippi  river  expedition, 
which  I  had  early  advocated,  if  not  originated, 
would  soon  l)e  crow'ned  with  success"?  What- 
ever may  be  said  to  the  contrary,  I  am  in  no 
wise  responsible  for  the  failure  at  Vicksburg. 
General  Grant  planned  that  assault,  and  is  alone 
responsible.  *  *  *  Many  of  his  ablest  offi- 
cers deemed  it  unwise  and  fatuitous.  They 
could  not  see  that  an  assanlt  by  an  attenuated 
line  of  attack  on  the  most  elaborate  works  ever 
seen  on  this  continent  could  eventuate  in  suc- 
cess." 

In  answer  to  various  letters  from  General  jMc- 
Clernand,  he  received  from  the  Secretaiy  of 
War  a  communication  dated  Washington  City, 
August  -29,  18G3.     The  following  is  an  extract: 

"The  President  instructs  me  to  say  that  no 
charges  against  you  have  come  to  his  knowledge 
requiring  an  investigation  by  a  court  of  inquiry, 
nor  have  any  been  made  against  General  Grant 
which  in  his  judgment  require  such  an  investi- 
gation. An  investigation,  therefore,  will  not  be 
ordered." 

General  McClernand  then  requested  an  inves- 
tigation of  his  own  conduct  as  a  United  States 
officer  in  the  present  war,  or  if  that  may  not  be, 
of  his  conduct  in  connection  with  the  Missis- 
sippi river  expedition,  or  that  from  Millikin's 
Ijend  around  to  Vicksburg,  and  resnlting  in  the 
fall  of  that  place. 

In  answer  to  this  reasonable  application,  Mr. 
Stanton  says: 

"The  President  directs  me  to  say  that  a  court 
of  inquiry,  in  hearing  any  one  of  the  su1)jects 
specified  in  that  letter,  would  withdraw  from  the 
field  many  officers  whose  presence  is  indispensa- 
ble to  the  service.  For  these  reasons,  he  de- 
clines, at  present,  your  application." 

A  personal  appeal  was  made  to  the  Presi- 
dent, to  which  he  replied  that  he  was  very 
"grateful  for  his  services  and  the  early  interest 
which  he  took  in  the  life-and-death  struggle  of 
the  Union;  that  no  charges  requiring  the  inter- 
ference of  a  court  of  in(|uiry  had  been  brought 
against  him;  that  General  Grant's  statements  of 
his  reasons  for  dismissing  General  McClernand 
he  (Mr.  Lincoln)  had  never  seen  nor  sought  to 
see;  that  his  interference  between  them  could 
not  but  be  of  evil  effect,  and  that  it  was  better 
to  leave  it  where  the  law  of  the  case  had  placed 
it;  that  the  permanent  estimate  of  what  a  Gen- 
eral does  in  the  field  is  fixed  by  the  'cloud  of 
witnesses'  who  have  been  with  him  in  the  field, 
and  that,  relying  on  these,  he  who  has  the  right 
needs  not  to  fearl" 


340 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COFNTY. 


In  his  report  of  tlif  operations  of  the  22d, 
General  Grant  intimated  that  the  position 
which  he  occupied  at  the  time  gave  him 
a  better  opportunity  of  observing  the  move- 
ments of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps  than  the 
commander  of  it  enjoyed.  He  says:  "I  could 
not  see  McClernand's  possession  of  forts,  nor 
necessity  for  reinforcements,  as  he  had  repre- 
sented, up  to  the  time  I  left,  which  was  between 
twelve  m.  and  one  p.  m.,  and  I  expressed  doubts 
of  their  correctness, — which  doubts  the  facts  sub- 
sequently, but  too  late,  confirmed." 

Now,  to  this.  General  McClernand  replies: 

'•  General  Grant  was  about  a  mile  and  a-half 
to  the  right  of  my  position,  which  was  a  com- 
manding one — only  five  or  six  hundred  yards  in 
the  rear  of  the  center  of  my  advance  and  of  the 
enemy's  works.  I  did  see  Hags  of  my  corps 
planted  on  the  enemy's  works,  and  did  see 
officers  and  men  of  my  command  enter  them, 
and  rebel  captives  brought  out  by  them." 

General  McClernand  proves  these  statements 
by  testimony,  in  addition  to  General  Lawler's 
dispatch,  stating  that  "we  ought  to  have  rein- 
forcements," and  to  that  of  Colonel  J.  Landrum, 
commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  both  of  whose 
commands  formed  one  of  General  McClernand's 
columns  of  attack — who  (Landrum)  says  "our 
men  are  holding  the  flanks  of  the  fort  in  our 
front,"  we  will  here  submit  a  few  extracts  from 
the  letters  of  respectable  gentlemen  who  were 
eye  witnesses  to  what  they  attest. 

W.  M.  Stone,  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-second 
Iowa,  says:  "I  was  in  command  of  the  Twen- 
ty-second Iowa,  which  regiment  was  in  the 
Second  brigade.  Fourteenth  division  of  the 
Thirteenth  army  corps.  On  the  evening  of  the 
21st  of  May,  I  was  served  with  a  notice,  (or 
coi)y)  of  an  order  directing  the  assault  to  be 
made  next  day,  at  10  a.  m.  I  was  informed  by 
my  brigade  commander.  General  Lawler,  that  I 
would  have  the  advance,  and  that  I  could  ap- 
proach any  point  of  the  enemy's  works  I  con- 
sidered the  most  salient,  and  in  any  form  I 
thought  proper.  Between  sundown  and  dark  I 
went  up  to  within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy's 
lines.  My  observation  satisfied  me  that  the  fort 
next  the  railroad  could  be  carried  more  easily 
and  with  less  sacrifice  than  any  other  point  in 
our  front,  and  I  determined  to  direct  my  regi- 
ment against  it.  I  took  my  regiment  over  the 
hill  in  front  of  Maloney's  siege  battery  that 
night,  and  had  it  in  readiness  for  the  morning's 
work. 

"  At  a  little  before  10  o'clock  next  morning, 
liy  my  time,  I  received  the  order  to  advance,  and 


I  did  so  immediately  and  directly  against  the 
fort,  *  *  and  within  ten  minutes  from  the 
time  we  started,  my  men  entered  it  and  held  it 
to  my  knowledge  for  over  an  hour.  The  fort 
was  small  and  the  open  space  inside  very  limited, 
and  but  few  men  could  innd  room  in  it. 

"When  the  enemy  were  driven  from  the  fort, 
they  also  retired  from  the  rifle-pits,  on  our  right 
between  that  and  the  railroad.  The  Eleventh 
Wisconsin  had  also  advanced  against  the  second 
fort,  some  three  hundred  yards  from  the  first 
one,  and  I  saw  the  enemy  leave  that  one.  They 
also  retired  from  the  pits  between  the  two  forts, 
and  went  down  the  hill  into  tlie  ravine  beyond, 
toward  the  city.  I  stood  with  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Dunlap,  of  the  Twenty-first  Iowa,  on 
the  highest  and  most  exposed  point,  near  the 
fort.  We  saw  them  leave,  and  conversed  about 
it.  I  sent  word  back  to  General  Carr  to  send 
me  a  brigade  and  I  would  hold  the  works;  I  re- 
garded the  thing  as  easily  done.  I  do  not  know 
that  my  message  reached  the  General.  I  then 
regai'ded  the  door  to  Yicksburg  as  opened,  and 
so  said  to  Colonel  Dunlaj).     *     *     *     * 

"I  ordered  the  (folor-bearer  of  the  Seventy- 
seventh  Illinois  to  bring  up  his  colors,  as  mine 
were  down  in  the  hollow  on  the  left,  and  my 
own  men  planted  them  on  the  top  of  the  fort. 
Soon  after  this  my  own  colors  were  brought  up 
and  placed  beside  them.  They  remained  there, 
to  my  knowledge,  till  six  o'clock  in  the  evening. 
"  Had  we  been  reinforced  at  any  time  before 
noon  by  a  fresli  brigade,  I  have  no  doubt  that 
the  whole  arm^'  could  have  gone  into  Yicksburg. 
I  stated  this  opinion  to  several  after  I  went  back. 
Tiiere  were  no  interior  works  at  that  time  in  the 
rear  of  the  works  we  held,  as  I  could  see  far  be- 
yond. Maloney's  batter}-  of  siege  guns  was  about 
five  hundred  yards  directly  in  the  rear  of  our 
position,  and  commanded  a  fine  view  of  all  our 
movements.  I  do  not  know  where  General  Mc- 
Pherson's  headquarters  were,  but  I  should  think 
there  was  no  point  from  which  our  operations 
could  have  been  so  correctly  observed  as  from 
this  battery.  General  Grant  was  at  or  near  Mc- 
Pherson's  headquarters  according  to  his  reumt. 

W.  M.  Stoxe, 
Late  Colonel  Twentj'-sccond  Iowa." 
JIarvey    Graham,   Lieutenant-Colonel  of    the 
Twenty-second  Iowa,  says: 

"  It  is  my  firm  conviction  and  belief  that  had 
the  Thirteenth  Army  corps  been  re-inforced  by  a 
few  brigades,  thus  enabling  you  to  send  support 
to  the  front,  the  success  of  your  command  would 
have  been  complete.  Yictory  was  in  your  hands, 
but  was  wrested  from  you  by  superior  numbers." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


341 


In  factjColoiiul  Graham  coiitirms  the  testimony 
of  Colonel  Stone  in  every  particular,  so  that  it 
would  be  1)ut  repeating  the  same  thing  to  give 
his  letter  in  full.  So  does  Major  Atherton,  of 
the  Twenty-second  Iowa.  Sargeant  Rugg, 
Company  A,  Seventy-seventh  Illinois  Infantry, 
certifies  that  he  saw  the  flags  of  the  Seventy- 
seventh  planted  on  the  rebel  forts,  and  that  the 
National  colors  were  afterwards  carried  in  and 
captured,  together  with  a  number  of  men,  after 
nigh 'fall. 

To  all  this,  add  the  testimony  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Warmoth,  Captain  Mason,  Captain 
Blount,  of  the  Seventeenth  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  a  whole  "cloud  of  other  witnesses" 
too  numerous  to  mention,  but  which  may  be 
con.sulted  in   General   ilcClernand's  Protest. 

We  here  subjoin  a  brief  synopsis  of  General 
McClernand's  summing  up  of  this  evidence.  lie 
says: 

"These  documents  not  only  prove  all  I  have 
denied  or  approved,  but  they  prove  more.  They 
prove  the  promptness  of  my  assault;  the  planting 
of  my  colors  on  the  enemy's  works,  and  their 
occupation  by  my  men;  that  prisoners  had  been 
captured  and  brought  out  of  the  fort  assaulted 
by  Lawler  and  Landrum;  that  an  oflicer  lirought 
word  to  me  afterwards  that  the  same  fort  was 
ours  and  that  it  should  not  l)e  further  fired  upon. 
That  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham,  of  the  Twenty- 
second  Iowa,  wrote  a  note  inside  the  fort  stating 
it  was  ours,  and  that  the  Twenty-second  Iowa 
advanced  against  one  fort  and  the  Eleventh  Wis- 
consin against  another;  that  Colonel  Stone  saw 
this  himself,  and  saw  the  enemy  retire  from 
both. 

"They  prove  that  I  could  have  used  more  men 
in  making  my  assault  (which  General  Grant  de- 
nies,) and  with  timely  reinforcements  would 
have  crowned  with  success;  that  my  position 
was  much  more  favorable  than  General  Grant's 
for  seeing  what  was  going  on  in  front  of  my 
lines;  that  my  position  was  near  the  center  of 
my  line  and  only  five  or  six  hundred  yards  from 
the  enemy's  works,  while  that  of  General  Grant 
was  about  a  mile  and  a  half,  to  the  right  of  my 
position;  that  my  dispatches  to  General  Grant 
were  a  qualification  rather  than  an  exaggeration 
of  my  success;  and  that  the  reinforcements, 
finally  ordered  by  General  Grant,  did  not  arrive 
in  time. 

"  General  Grant  says  that  the  works  entered 
by  Sergeant  Griffith,  from  their  position,  could 
give  no  practical  advantage,  unless  others  to  the 
right  and  left  of  it  were  seized  and  held  at  the 
same  time. 


"Is  not  this  assertion  too  broad'::'  Is  not  this 
as  much  as  to -saj';  that  no  practical  advantage 
could  have  been  derived  from  taking  any  part 
less  than  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  works  at 
once  *  *  that  the  only  condition  of  our  suc- 
cess was  the  impossible  one  of  carrying  the 
whole  of  the  enemy's  line,  which  was  larger 
than  our  own,  at  once,  and  consequently,  that 
our  attack  must  have  been  by  line  instead  of  by 
column,  as  he  directed;  and  yet,  strange  enough, 
he  censures  me  for  asking  the  co-operatioji  of  a 
simultaneous  attack,  according  to  the  terms  of 
his  original  plan,  and  without  which,  according 
to  his  own  admission,  no  practical  advantage 
could  have  resulted  from  Griffith's  partial  suc- 
cess. By  his  own  showing,  I  only  asked  for 
what  his  original  plan  promised,  and  what,  by 
his  own  admission,  was  neccessary  to  our  suc- 
cess. 

"This,  of  itself,  is  a  sufficient  refutation  of 
the  charge,  that  what  I  asked  for  makes  me  re- 
sponsible for  the  increase  of  our  mortality  list 
by  full  fifty  per  cent.  No!  General  Grant's 
order  of  the  21st  of  May  makes  him  responsible, 
not  only  for  my  loss,  but  for  our  whole  loss. 
He  knew  well  our  diminished  numbers,  then 
exhausted,  and  the  roughness  of  the  ground, 
and  he  had  at  least  a  partial  knowledge  of  the 
enemv's  strong  position.  This  order  for  the  as- 
sault of  the  22d,  was  deemed  by  all  judges  as 
an  unfortunate  one,  and  more  likely  to  bring 
disaster  upon  ourselves  than  upon  the  enemy." 

General  McClernand's  removal  struck  the  offi- 
cers and  men  of  his  command  with  astonish- 
ment and  surprise.  When  they  heard  of  it  they 
rushed  in  crowds  to  his  tent,  and  many,  with 
tears  in  their  eyes,  expressed  their  deep  sym- 
pathy, and  they  presented  a  written  address  to 
their  General,  replete  with  confidence  and  regard. 

But  his  friends  and  former  constituents  at 
home  were  no  less  surprised  and  grieved  at  this 
event  than  the  brave  soldiers  and  officers  who 
were  so  long  his  comrades  and  the  sharers  of 
his  toils  and  dangers.  The  people  were  anxious 
and  impatient  to  learn  the  cause,  and  hundreds 
of  his  townsmen  flocked  to  his  mansion  to  ascer- 
tain it,  but  the  General  was  careful  not  to  utter 
a  word,  or  even  a  hint,  that  might  implicate  his 
military  superiors  in  blame.  He  merely  assuied 
his  friends,  and  they  believed  him,  that  he  had 
faithfully  discharged  his  duty  to  his  country, 
and  had  done  no  act  of  which  he  or  they  coidd 
feel  ashamed,  and  that  he  hoped  a  speedy  inves- 
tigation, which  he  had  petitioned  for,  would 
re-instate  liim  in  his  proper  position  before  the 
country  and  the  world. 


342 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


General  McClernand  was  invited  to  speak  at 
various  public  meetings,  and  wherever  he  went 
he  was  received  with  marks  of  approbation  and 
enthusiastically  cheered  for  the  noble  and 
patriotic  course  he  had  pursued. 

So  long  as  our  noble  language  shall  endure, 
his  great  speech  at  Indianapolis,  on  the  20th  of 
August,  1863,  will  be  read  with  admiration  and 
delight  by  every  lover  of  liberty  and  pure  demo- 
cratic government  in  the  country  or  in  llie 
world.-  We  cannot  find  space  for  this  speech, 
and  it  must  be  read  entire  to  do  it  justice.  We 
must,  however,  give  one  brief  extract: 

"It  is  said,  however,  that  we  cannot  conquer 
the  rebellion.  And  indeed  is  that  so?  Is  it  not 
an  insult  to  loyal  men  and  to  the  North  to  say 
80?  What!  twenty  millions  of  freemen  not 
able  to  uphold  the  Constitution  and  the  laws 
against  the  efforts  of  eight  millions  of  rebels? 
What!  the  right,  backed  by  wealth  and  power 
and  National  renown,  not  able  to  put  down  the 
enemy?  What!  a  people  who  have  voluntarily 
poured  out  their  blood  and  treasure,  as  the  peo- 
ple of  the  North  have  done,  not  able  to  vindi- 
cate their  superiority  in  this  contest?  He  who 
says  so,  if  not  a  traitor  himself,  is  not  in  sympa- 
thy with  the  earnest,  enthusiastic,  determined 
masses  of  the  North. 

"When  and  where  were  North  men  finally 
subdued?  Neverl  Their  arms  conquered  the 
'  Roman  World.'  Their  enterprise  compassed 
the  globe  itself.  Their  genius  is  dispelling  the 
superstition  of  ages,  and  everywhere  illuminat- 
ing the  path  of  man  to  a  higher  and  nobler  civ- 
ilization. As  the  great  blazing  orb  of  day  itself, 
tiey  have  coursed  the  earth  and  left  a  radiance 
behind,  tracing  in  light  the  track  of  their  glor- 
ious transit." 

The  following  extract  from  the  Jacksonville 
Journal,  will  illustrate  the  popular  feeling  to- 
wards General  McClernand  at  that  time.  This  is 
a  report  of  a  mass  meeting  held  in  that  town 
in  the  summer  of  1863,  for  the  purpose  of  giving 
the  General  a  reception  after  his  removal  from 
his  command  before  Vicksburg.  The  Journal 
says: 

"His  (McClernand's)  exposition  of  the  objects 
of  the  Union,  the  causes  of  the  war,  the  end, 
objects  and  deep  criminality  of  the  conspirators, 
of  the  infamy  atd  final  utter  ruin  of  all  who 
eilhtr  cooperate  or  sympathise  with  tbem, 
whether  in  the  North  or  South,  was  truthful  and 
just  in  all  points,  statesmanlike  and  philosophi- 
cal, and  in  many  points  peculiarly  eloquent  and 
fervid." 


His  letter  to  the  President,  taken  in  connec- 
tion with  the  well  known  subsequent  events  in 
his  military  career,  clearly  show  that  the  great 
Northwest  owe,  to  say  the  least,  as  much  to  Gen- 
eral McClernand,  for  the  opening  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river  and  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  as  to  any 
other  man. 

Innumerable  testimonials  of  the  same  kind 
might  be  added,  had  we  the  space  to  record  them. 

Having  long  waited,  in  the  hope  that  some 
inquiry  should  be  made  into  the  case,  and  that 
justice  should  be  done  to  him,  and  having  re- 
ceived no  answer  from  Washington  to  his  pro- 
test up  to  the  15th  of  Deceml)er,  he  frequently 
urged  his  friends  to  remind  the  President  of  his 
case.  Governor  Vates,  being  in  Washington, 
called  the  attention  of  the  President  to  General 
McClernand's  protest,  who  replied  that  he  had 
not  yet  read  it,  but  that  he  would  do  so  as  soon 
as  he  got  time. 

At  last  he  wrote  the  following  letter  to  the 
Hon.  Lyman  Trumbull: 

"Sprimgfield,  111  ,  December  15,  186:J. 
Hon.  Ijyman  Tnunhull,  U.  IS.  Senator: 

Deak  Sir: — I  believe  you  are  aware  of  the 
reason  that  has  restrained  me  from  resigning 
my  military  commission.  It  is  because  friends, 
both  of  the  President  and  myself, have  protested 
against  it.  I  have  been  led  to  believe  that  both 
were  averse  to  such  a  step.  If  I  am  mistaken 
in  this,  so  far  as  the  President's  views  are  con- 
cerned, or  if  I  am  not  to  be  made  useful  by 
being  assigned  to  an  active  command,  I  wish  to 
know  it.  In  either  case,  I  shall  resign,  and  re- 
lieve both  the  President  and  myself  from  fur- 
ther trouble.  I  think,  however,  that  the  Presi- 
dent should  indemnify  my  public  character  by 
placing  it  in  as  favorable  a  light  as  he  found  it. 
Let  him  say  to  the  i)eople  I  have  done  well,  or 
show  wherein  I  have  done  ill.  If  he  has  read 
the  papers  I  have  forwarded  to  him,  he  must  be 
convinced  that  gross  and  cruel  injustice  has  been 
done  to  me.  If  he  would  summon  me  before 
him,  I  doubt  not  that  I  would  be  able  to  turn 
the  tables  upon  my  enemies.  Can  you  enlighten 
me  upon  this  point?  If  the  task  is  not  an  un- 
gracious or  troublesome  one,  oblige  me  by  doing 
so.  Yotir  obedient  servant, 

Joiix  A.  McCleenaxd." 

To  the  above  letter,  General  McClernand  re- 
ceived the  following  answer,  dated  at  Washing- 
ton, December  20,  1863: 
'■'■Mdjor-Generiil  John  A.  McClernand: 

My  Dear  Sir: — I  had  had  a  conversation 
with  the  President  in  regard  to  your  position, 
before  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  15th. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


34.'! 


The  President  is  aware  that  ynii  lia\e  bteu 
unjustly  treated,  and  in  reply  to  my  suggestion 
that  he  ought  to  do  something  for  you,  slated, 
that  when  he  got  another  matter  oft'  his  hands 
(alluding  to  the  Missouri  troubles),  he  would  see 
what  could  be  done  for  you.  Hon  J.  Gillespie 
was  present  at  the  interview,  and,  should  you 
meet  him,  he  may  be  able  to  tell  you  moi'e  par- 
ticularly what  occurred,  though  I  have  given  you 
the  purport.  I  shall  endeavor  to  see  the  Presi- 
dent again  at  an  early  day. 

Yours  very  truly,         Lyman  Trumbull." 

Here  we  see  the  impression  which  the  perusal 
of  General  McClernand's  protest  made  on  Mr. 
Lincoln — an  impression  which  it  cannot  fail  to 
make  on  every  impartial  reader.  It  convinced 
him  that  General  MeClernand  had  been  "un- 
justly treated,"  and  induced  him  to  say  that 
when  he  got  another  matter  oft"  his  hands,  he 
would  see  wliat  could  be  done  for  him. 

Believing  himself  without  any  hope  of  redress, 
and  being  unwilling  to  receive  pay  any  longer 
for  services  which  were  merely  nominal,  he  came 
to  the  conclusion  to  tender  his  resignation,  and 
he  did  so  accordingly  on  the  fourteenth  of  Jan- 
uary, 1864. 

The  resignation  of  General  MeClernand  was 
not  received,  and  he  soon  afterwards  was  or- 
dered to  report  to  General  Banks,  and  returned 
to  the  command  of  his  old  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps. 

The  campaign  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  calls 
for  some  general  observations.  As  a  military 
conception  it  was  bold  and  far-reaching.  It 
united  the  perceptions  of  tlie  statesman  with  the 
skill  of  the  practical  military  strategist.  Itse.xe- 
cution  was  marked  with  unfailing  vigor  and  per- 
sistency amid  trying  difficulties  and  critical 
perils.  It  comprised  a  rapid  succession  of  vic- 
tories, adding  to  the  glory  of  the  Union  armies. 
The  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Raymond,  Jacksoti, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  and  the 
surrender  of  Vicksburg  fell  within  a  shorter 
space  of  time  than  the  battles  of  Lodi,  Castig- 
lione.  Areola,  and  the  surrender  of  Mantua,  and 
when  distance  of  time  shall  have  clothed  them 
with  the  colors  of  vivid  imagination,  they  will 
be  taken  to  denote  a  campaign  as  brilliant  as 
that  of  the  French  in  Italy,  in  IVGB,  led  by  Gen- 
eral Bonaparte. 

General  MeClernand  was  as  much,  if  not 
more,  identified  with  the  authorship  and  execu- 
tion of  the  movement  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg 
as,  or  than,  was  any  other  commander.  Hence, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  many  persons  should 
have  murmured  at  his  sudden  and  peremptory 


L'xclusicin  fioui  participation  in  llie  tii'a!  not  of 
the  drama,  realized  in  the  downfall  of  N'icks- 
burg.  Nor  is  it  surprising  that  many  loyal  and 
distinguished  men  should  have  desired  and  re- 
joiced at  his  restoration  to  active  military  duty. 
The  public  is  often  just  when  individuals, 
swayed  l>y  j)assion,  prejudice  or  envy,  are 
unjust. 

It  followed,  by  order  of  President  Lincoln, 
communicated  by  Mr.  Stanton,  Secretary  of 
War,  that  General  MeClernand  was,  in  fact, 
restored  to  active  command.  This  order  bore 
date  of  the  2.3d  of  January,  1864,  and  directed 
General  MeClernand  to  report  for  duty  to  Major 
General  Banks,  commanding  the  Department  of 
the  Gulf.  This  order  reached  General  MeCler- 
nand at  Springfield,  Illinois,  on  the  Olst.  Tid- 
ings of  the  fact  were  eagerly  'welcomed  by  the 
press  and  the  people.  To  give  expression  to 
the  prevailing  sentiment,  an  ovation  was  impro- 
vised, which  was  to  take  place  at  the  hall  of  the 
House  of  Representatives.  The  hall,  at  an  early 
hour,  was  filled  with  military  and  non-military 
attendants,  including  many  ladies.  Captain 
Isaac  Keyes  officiated  at  Chairman,  and  Presco 
Wright  and  L.  M  Snell  as  Secretaries.  General 
John  Williams  and  Colonel  Dudley  Wicker- 
sham,  Hons.  Charles  S.  Zane,  H.  G.  Fitzhugh 
and  Charles  W.  Mathenj',  and  H.  C.  Myers  and 
L  Coleman  were  appointed  a  committee  to  wait 
on  General  MeClernand  and  escort  him  to  the 
hall.  While  the  committee  was  away  on  its 
errand,  bands  discoursed  martial  music,  and  the 
Union  Glee  Club  sang  patriotic  songs  for  the 
entertainment  of  the  audience.  Upon  the  return 
of  the  committee  with  General  MeClernand, 
accompanied  by  Governor  Yates,  Colonel 
Mathony,  Colonel  Mudd,  Major  Schwartz,  Hon. 
J.  Grimshaw,  Hon.  O.  H.  Hatch,  Hon.  J.  K. 
Dubois  and  other  distinguished  men,  and,  on 
the  subsidence  of  the  applause  evoked  by  their 
appearance,  Hon.  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  in  pursu- 
ance of  previous  appointment,  rose  and  said: 

"General  McCLernand: — Your  friends  and 
fellow-citizens  in  this  city  have  been  informed 
to-day  that  you  were  about  to  leave  for  the 
scenes  of  war.  They  are  here  now  in  haste 
to  testify  to  their  appreciation  of  your  merits 
and  valuable  services  in  this  terrible  crisis  of 
our  country. 

"The  loyal  people  of  this  city  and  State,  aye, 
and  Nation,  have  waited  long  and  impatiently 
to  hear  the  announcement  that  you  were  again 
))ermitted  to  take  the  field  in  defense  of  the  old 
flag  and  the  free  institutions  of  our  land.  They 
have  sometimes  felt  that  the  Government,  witji 


344 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


that  great  and  good  man,  our  President,  at  its 
head,  was  failing  to  recognize,  in  some  instances, 
its  truest  patriots  and  defenders;  but  true  to  his 
nobler  impulses  and  generous  heart,  Mr.  Lincoln, 
though  slow  sometimes,  as  we  think,  always  sees 
and  protects  the  right;  and  to-night  you  are  on 
the  eve  of  leaving  our  city  to  report  to  General 
Banks. 

"Sir:  Your  neighbors  and  friends  here  re- 
member well  your  bravery  and  patriotism,  as 
displayed  in  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Fort  Henry, 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Arkansas  Post,  and  the  rapid 
series  of  battles  fought  by  you  and  the  brave 
boys  in  your  command  prior  to  the  memorable 
siege  of  Vicksburg.  The  people  of  Springfield 
and  Illinois  are  proud  to  know  that  they  have 
brave  Generals  as  well  as  humble  soldiers,  who 
never  turn  their  backs  to  traitors.     *       *       * 

"  It  is  no  flattery  to  you,  sir,  to  say  that  we 
feel  and  know  that  you  have  done  much  towards 
maintaining  the  Government.  In  the  halls  of 
Congress,  when  the  rebellion  first  began  to 
threaten,  your  Toice  was  loudly  heard  in  behalf 
of  the  Government.  From  your  official  position 
as  a  legislator,  you  went  to  the  battle-field 
impelled  by  the  same  patriotic  desire.  From 
the  battle-field,  with  the  smoke  of  battle  still 
upon  you,  you  returned  home  under  orders, 
where  your  energy  and  ability  have  done  much 
to  kindle  a  burning  patriotism  in  the  hearts  of 
the  brave  boys  of  the  Prairie  State.  You  go 
again  to  the  field.  The  good  will  of  the  loyal 
people  of  this  State  will  follow  you;  they  will 
watch  your  movements  with  interest;  and  when 
you  have  finished  your  military  career,  and  this 
war  is  over  and  the  country  saved,  we  shall  be 
glad  to  welcome  you  liome  again  with  new  and 
brighter  laurels  upon  your  liead." 

This  address  struck  the  key-note  of  both  the 
General's  and  the  people's  temper,  and  was  loudly 
applauded. 

The  General's  reply  was  spontaneous  and  char- 
acteristic. He  said,  in  substance:  "You  have 
been  pleased,  sir,  to  allude  to  my  services  in  the 
field,  and  the  regard  in  which  I  am  supposed  to 
be  held  by  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  I  have 
only  to  say  that  I  have  tried  to  do  my  duty,  in 
all  circumstances,  and  that  I  am  rejoiced — not 
so  much  on  my  own  account  as  on  that  of  our 
common  country — that  that  corps  has  i-endered 
valuable  and  victorious  service  in  its  behalf. 
None  could  have  borne  themselves  more  bravely 
and  nobly  than  the  ofticers  and  men  of  that  corps 
under  my  command.  ■  At  the  call  of  duty,  the 
corps  always  advanced  fearlessly  and  witli  alac- 
rity, in   the  face  of  danger  and  death.     It  has 


passed  the  ordeal  of  many  battles,  and  still  sur- 
vives, though  with  decimated  numbers;  to  add, 
with  opportunity,  to  its  hard-won  laurels.  Com- 
posed of  western  men,  for  the  most  part,  it  will 
continue  to  be,  I  doubt  not,  a  faithful  exemplar 
of  western  spirit  and  character.  All  that  I 
claimed  for  it  in  the  bloody  assault  upon  the 
defences  of  Vicksburg  was  performed  by  it, — 
and  the  statements  seen  to  the  contrary  are  en- 
viously false. 

"  I  liope,  sir,  the  future  will  afford  no  cause  of 
regret,  either  to  you  or  anyone,  for  the  honor 
conferred  on  me  by  this  popular  demonstration, 
for  which  I  return  my  sincerest  thanks. 

"  I  assure  you  no  efi^ort  or  sacrifice  of  mine 
shall  be  spared  to  merit  your  continued  regard 
and  confidence,  and  to  push  on  the  great  cause 
of  our  country  to  a  successful  termination — a 
cause  for  which  each  and  all  of  us  should  be 
willing  to  devote  our  lives  and  fortunes,  if  neces- 
sary.    Adieu,  my  friends." 

When  the  prolonged  and  rapturous  applause 
with  which  the  General's  remarks  were  received 
had  subsided.  Colonel  Loomis  reported  from  a 
committee,  a  series  of  resolutions  which  were  of- 
fered as  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting, 
upon  the  subject  to  wliich  they  relate.  They  are 
couclied  in  the  following  terms: 

"Whereas,  Our  distinguished  townsman  and 
friend.  Major  General  John  A.  McClernand,  is 
about  to  leave  us  to  assume  an  important  com- 
mand assigned  him  by  tlie  President  in  the  De- 
partment of  the  Gulf,  be  it 

"liesolved.  That  we  remember  his  history  as  a 
Representative  of  Illinois  in  the  councils  of  the 
Nation,  as  one  who  dignified  tlie  position  with 
all  the  qualities  of  a  just  and  able  statesman;  one 
who,  when  the  dignity  and  honor  of  the  Govern- 
ment were  assailed  and  the  perpetuity  of  the 
Nation  endangered  by  traitors,  was  among  the 
very  first  to  raise  his  voice  to  sustain  the  legally 
constituted  authorities  and  to  demand  the  rigid 
enforcement  of  the  laws,  regardless  of  past 
political  associations,  personal  prejudices  or 
private  interest,  and  in  his  bold  and  manly  sup- 
port of  the  Government  before  tlie  people  to 
prove  that  of  all  else,  he  loved  his  country  best. 

^'■Resolved,  That  after  voluntarily  suri>endering 
liis  seat  in  Congress,  and  taking  up  the  sword  in 
defense  of  the  position  he  there  assumed,  we 
have  watched  his  course  in  rallying  his  friends, 
the  people,  to  the  battle  standard  of  the  Union, 
his  command  in  the  army  of  the  W^est  on  those 
fields  which  have  made  the  luster  of  our  arms 
imperishable,  with  feelings  of  the  profoundest 
a;ratitude. 


9  fr  /  (^^/c  ba  cy  i^,  nM,/c 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


347 


"Jiesolved,  That  our  most  earnest  sympathy, 
wishes  and  prayers  accomi)any  him  from  home 
and  friends  to  tlie  scenes  of  future  conflict.  Ilis 
past  services,  his  name  and  fair  fame  will  be  re- 
membered as  among  the  names  whom  a  loyal 
people  will  delight  to  honor." 

The  final  resolution  expressed  hearty  commen- 
dation and  approval  of  the  President's  order  as- 
signing General  McClernand  to  a  prominent 
position  in  General  Bank's  command,  and  antici- 
pated their  cordial  co-operation  to  conserve  the 
interests  of  Constitutional  Government  and 
human  freedom. 

Governor  Yates,  Colonel  Matheny,  Hon.  Jack- 
son Grimshaw  and  others,  followed  in  glowing 
tributes  to  the  services  rendered  by  General 
McClernand,  at  and  since  the  commencement  of 
the  war;  and  to  the  gallantry  and  unwavering 
constancy  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps.  The  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  in  the  same  spirit  they 
breathed,  that  is  with  unanimous  acclaim. 

We  have  dwelt  upon  these  incidents  as  evi- 
dencing what  was  the  co-temporaneous  opinion 
of  eminent  and  well  informed  men  in  respect 
to  General  McClernand's  military  merits,  and 
the  unexpected  order  that  retired  him  for  a  time, 
from  the  command  of  the  Thirteenth  Corjis  and 
active  service  in  the  field,  and  so  barred  him 
from  sharing  the  final  fruits  and  glory  of  the 
memorable  campaign  against  Vicksburg.  We 
have  dwelt  upon  them  to  vindicate  the  trnth  of 
history,  and  to  dispel  the  vague  and  groundless 
rumors,  which  passing  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
have  long  clouded  the  path  of  an  honest  and 
deserving  man,  whose  life  and  services  are 
worthy  of  a  place  in  the  history  of  the  Nation, 
as  well  as  of  Illinois. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  General  McClernand 
reported  in  person  to  General  Banks,  at  his 
headquarters  in  New  Orleans. 

On  the  20th,  General  Banks  made  the  follow- 
ing order: 

"By  the  direction  of  the  President,  Major 
General  John  A.  McClernand,  United  States 
Volunteers,  will  relieve  General  E.  O.  C.  Ord,  in 
command  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps." 

On  the  23d,  General  McClernand  issued  the 
following  order: 

"Headquarters  Tiiieteenth  Army  Corps:— 
The  undersigned  hereby  resumes  command  of 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  All  officers  on|staff 
duty  at  these  headquarters,  except  Major  General 
Ord's  personal  staff,  will  continue  in  discharge 
of  their  present  duties  until  otherwise  ordered. 

"  Comrades  !  In  thus  renewing  our  former 
relations,  I  cannot  forbear  the  expression  of  ray 

40— 


gratification  at  so  welcome  an  event.  The 
memories  of  our  common  trials  and  successes  in 
the  service  of  our  beloved  country  have  en- 
deared you  to  me.  I  never  will  cease  to  admire 
your  heroism  and  applaud  your  virtues.  Arkan- 
sas Post,  Richmond,  New  Carthage,  Port  Gib- 
son, Grand  Gulf,  Champion  Hills  and  Big  Black 
are  so  many  testimonials  to  your  gallantry  and 
good  conduct.  These  brilliant  victories,  rapidly 
achieved,  together  with  the  triumph  of  ]Major 
General  Banks  in  reducing  Port  Hudson,  re- 
opened the  Mississippi  river  to  the  pining 
commerce  of  the  grateful  millions  who  inhal)it 
its  valley.  Your  assaults  of  the  19th  and  22d  of 
May  uj)on  the  defenses  of  Vicksburg,  will  ever 
justly  rank  among  the  prodigies  of  military 
daring  and  constancy.  All  that  I  claimed  for 
you  in  that  and  other  respects,  in  my  congratu- 
latory order  of  the  30th  of  last  May,  stands  un- 
shaken by  time  and  official  scrutiny.  Indeed, 
its  contents,  as  the  plain  and  simple  truth,  have 
become  a  part  of  the  authentic  history  of  the 
war.  That  I  was  not  permitted  to  share  in  the 
consummation  of  the  Mississippi  campaign,  by 
leading  you  into  Vicksburg,  is  my  misfortune, 
rather  than  my  fault.  My  non-participation  in 
that  memorable  event  was  involuntary  and  con- 
strained, and  is  deeply  regretted  by  me. 

"  I  am  profoundly  thankful  to  the  President 
that  he  has  interposed  to  restore  us  to  each  other, 
after  a  separation  that  has  been,  to  me,  so  long 
and  painful.  Your  services,  meantime,  in  this 
department  are  unfamiliar  to  me,  but  I  doubt 
not  that  they  are  worthy  of  your  antecedents,  of 
the  character  of  the  distinguished  commander 
whom  I  succeed,  and  of  the  able  and  successful 
chief  of  this  important  department. 

"Comrades!  New  fields  of  duty  and  peril  are 
before  us.  Let  us  hasten  to  make  them  historic 
with  the  valor  and  success  of  American  arms. 
Our  cause  is  a  just  one;  approved,  as  we  trust, 
by  God  and  the  civilized  world.  Our  country- 
men are  spectators  of  our  conduct;  their  hearts 
throb  in  unison  with  our  ardor,  our  courage,  and 
our  devotion.  Let  us  not  disappoint  their  just 
expectations." 

This  stirring  appeal  was  not  miscalculated;  a 
pre-existing  military  and  popular  sentiment  in 
New  Orleans  was  eager  to  welcome  it.  General 
McClernand's  arrival  at  that  city  was  hailed  with 
congratulations,  notably  by  a  body  of  the  Second 
Illinois  Cavalry,  which  had  re-enlisted,  and  was 
about  to  return  on  leave  of  absence  to  their 
homes. 

The  General  returned  their  congratulations  in 
brief  but  grateful  terms;  "  wishing  them  a  safe 


348 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


trip  home,  a  happy  time  there,  a  speedy  return, 
and  the  country  an  early  and  permanent  peace." 

The  press  echoed  the  feeling  of  the  rank  and 
tile  and  the  people;  announcing  the  "  expectation 
that  he  would  resume  command  of  the  corps; " 
adding,  "  Nothing  could  be  more  eminently 
proper.  No  commander  ever  enjoyed  the  con- 
fidence and  affection  of  his  men  to  a  greater  ex- 
tent. And  the  confidence  was  mutual.  It  was 
the  Thirteenth  Corps  that  won  the  General's 
laurels,  and  it  was  under  his  gallant  leadership 
that  the  corps  became  immortal." 

The  General,  however,  found  that  the  corps 
had  been  dismembered,  and  scattered  in  detach- 
ments all  the  way  from  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Rio  Grande.  This  was  a  painful  vicissitude  to 
veterans  who  had  so  long  maintained  an  intact 
organization,  and  who  were  wedded  to  each  other 
by  the  memories  of  their  common  sufferings  and 
glory. 

General  Banks  was  now  busied  with  prepara- 
tions for  the  Red  river  expedition.  General 
McOlernand,  meanwhile,  was  informing  himself 
of  the  condition  and  particular  geographical 
dispositions  of  the  different  detachments  of  the 
corps,  and  desired,  if  it  might  be,  that  these  de- 
tachments should  be  re-combined  for  effective, 
independent,  co-operative  service.  But  contrary 
to  his  desire,  it  fell  out  that  shortly  before  Gen- 
eral Banks  embarked  for  the  Red  river  expedi- 
tion, he  ordered  General  McClernand  to  proceed 
to  Matagorda  Island  and  assume  the  control  of 
military  affairs  on  the  coast  and  frontier  of 
Texas,  and  after  arriving  there  to  visit  the  sev- 
eral principal  points  occupied  by  the  United 
States  forces,  and  to  report  frequently  and  fully 
to  the  department  headquarters,  making  such 
suggestions  as  he  may  deem  for  the  good  of  the 
service. 

In  order  to  a  full  apprehension  of  the  latent 
as  well  as  the  express  import  of  this  order,  it  is 
necessary  to  indulge  at  least  a  partial  survey  of 
the  cotemporaneous  situation  within  and  on  the 
coast,  and  southern  frontier  of  Texas.  Within, 
loyal  citizens  were  hunted  down  as  wild  beasts 
by  marauding  bands  of  rebels.  Often  they 
were  murdered  without  regard  to  age  or  sex; 
often  their  dwellings  were  burned;  often  they 
were  impressed  into  the  rebel  army;  in  short, 
ever  exhibition  of  patriotism,  either  by  act  or 
word  was  visited  with  a  swift  and  vengeful  ex- 
piation.    Hope  was  yielding  to  despair. 

On  the  coast,  and  across  the  Rio  Grande,  a 
stealthy  but  extensive  trade  was  carried  on  in 
the  exchange  of  cotton  for  arms  and  munitions, 
which  were  used  to  sustain  the  rebellion.     This 


trade  was  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  war,  and 
President  Lincoln's  proclamation   of  blockade. 

Civil  war  was  distracting  and  desolating 
Mexico;  a  civil  war,  waged  on  the  one  side  by 
the  Emperor  Maximillian,  supported  by  the  arms 
of  the  disaffected  Mexicans  and  the  French — the 
whole  deriving  its  inspiration  from  Napoleon 
III.;  on  the  other  side  by  the  Republic  of 
Mexito,  represented  by  President  Juarez.  The 
imperial  forces  of  Maximillian,  flushed  with 
success,  were  sweeping  down  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
driving  before  them  the  tottering  and  fleeing 
government  of  the  republic,  and  must  soon,  if 
not  arrested,  confront  the  United  States  forces 
on  the  narrow  line  of  that  stream.  The  "Mon- 
roe doctrine,"  a  traditional  American  protest 
against  the  extension  of  the  monarchical  systems 
of  the  Old  World  to  the  Western  Continent, 
and  dedicating  that  continent  to  the  destiny  of 
popular  government  was  in  these  events  already 
violated,  and,  as  was  believed,  perhaps,  by  the 
great  body  of  the  American  people,  because  our 
own  domestic  strife  invited  it  by  opportunity 
and  a  supposed  immunity. 

At  the  sime  time  a  horde  of  the  most  turbu- 
lent and  dissolute  characters  of  Texas,  congre- 
gated at  Metamoras,  Mexico,  in  view  of  the 
United  States  forces,  was  conspiring  by  offensive 
bearing  and  the  calumnies  of  a  press  in  that 
citv,  inspired  and  owned  by  themselves,  to  em- 
broil the  United  States  with  the  Imperial  Gov- 
ernment of  Maximillian  and  Napoleon.  In  these 
delicate  and  fortuitous  circumstances,  an  act  of 
portentious  iuterferance,  a  random  shot,  nay  any 
untoward  accident  might  suffice  for  that  pur- 
pose, or  to  entail  some  other  unhappy  complica- 
tion. 

Thus  General  Banks'  order  virtually  charges 
General  McClernand  with  the  part  and  responsi- 
bilities of  a  publicist  and  diplomatist  and  a  com- 
mander. He  was  to  make  suggestions  on  pass- 
ing and  possible  events  which  might  enter  into 
the  motives  or  action  of  his  government  in  mo- 
mentous affairs  afl'ecting  the  peaceful  or  bellig- 
erant  relations  of  nations. 

Crossing  the  Gulf,  he  arrived  at  Matagorda 
Island  on  the  Sth  of  March,  established  his  head- 
quarters there,  saw  the  outpost  at  Indianola 
withdraw'n  in  obedience  to  General  Bank's  or- 
der, reorganized  the  forces  so  withdrawn  with 
those  on  the  island  into  brigades,  and  a  division, 
assifrnina:  to  each  a  commander,  drove  back  the 
reconnoitering  parties  of  the  enemy,  and  sent 
counter  parties  of  reconnoisance  into  the  inte- 
rior, established  relays  of  mounted  couriers 
from  his  headquarters  twenty   miles  to  the  foot 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


340 


of  the  island,  to  bring  information  of  any  hos- 
tile attempt  to  cross  by  a  shallow  reef  from  the 
mainland  to  the  rear  of  his  camj'j,  offered  the 
refuge  of  this  camp  to  fugitive  loyalists,  aug- 
mented his  supplies,  and  on  the  30th  embarked 
with  his  staff  on  the  steamer  Clinton,  for  other 
posta.  On  the  same  day  the  vessel  was  driven 
by  a  gale  on  the  bar  off  Arkansas  Post,  and 
probably  would  have  been  lost  in  sight  of  other 
wrecks,  but  for  the  assistance  lent  by  the  Gen- 
eral and  his  staff  to  the  officers  and  crew  of  the 
vessel.  After  seven  hours  peril,  the  vessel  es- 
caped and  anchored  over  night  in  a  neighboring 
pass. 

On  the  three  succeeding  days,  the  General 
visited  the  posts  respectively  on  Mustang  Island 
and  at  Brazos,  Santiago,  and  Point  Isabel,  in- 
sjjecting  them  and  their  garrisons,  and  re- 
viewing the  latter,  and  left  such  orders  as 
their  condition  and  service  seemed  to  re- 
quire. 

The  ruins  of  the  works  commemorative  of 
General  Taylor  and  the  war  with  Mexico,  were 
viewed  by  General  McC'leruand  hard  by;  but, 
on  a  survey  of  the  situation  and  relations  of  the 
post  at  Point  Isabel,  he  determined  to  abandon 
it,  and  build  a  railroad  from  Brazos  to  a  point 
on  the  Rio  Grande  below  Brownsville,  for  the 
transportation  of  troops  and  stores,  and  as  an- 
swering a  better  purpose. 

On  the  2d  of  April,  he  arrived  by  stage  at 
Clarksville,  an  American  town  nearly  opposite 
Bagdad  in  Mexico.  At  Clarksville,  he  saw  off' 
the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  a  fleet  of  mer- 
chant vessels  flying  the  flags  of  different  nations, 
and  waiting,  presumably,  for  cargoes  of  contra- 
band cotton,  brought  to  Metamoras  and  Bagdad, 
from  Texas.  He  also  saw  a  French  ship  of  war 
riding  at  anchor,  and  learned  that  another  had 
the  day  before  sent  a  small  boat  around  with  a 
cannon  to  sound  the  approach  to  the  mouth  of 
that  river.  These  circumstances  were  viewed 
by  him  as  carrying  a  sinister  and  ominous  im- 
port, but,  much  to  his  satisfaction,  he  found  a 
United  States  man-of-war  on  the  look-out  for 
what  might  happen. 

After  inspecting  the  garrison  at  Clarksville, 
and  impressing  the  officer  in  charge  of  it  with 
the  impoi'tance  of  vigilance  and  flrmness  in  the 
discharge  of  his  trust,  he  resumed  his  journey 
by  stage,  and  arrived  at  Brownsville  at  8  o'clock 
that  night.  Here  he  heard  of  mutual  estrange- 
ment and  suspicions  between  General  Herron, 
who  was  in  immediate  command  on  the  frontier, 
and  Cortina,  who  was  Governor  and  Com- 
mandant of  the  State  of  Tamaulipas. 


On  the  -id.  General  McClcrnand  determined 
on  rebuilding  old  Fort  Brown  upon  a  larger 
scale  of  area  and  defences,  in  order  to  meet  the 
contingency  of  any  attack  which  the  Mexicans, 
French  and  Confederates  might  make  collect- 
ively or  separately,  and  also  appointed  a  review 
of  the  troojis  for  the  same  day  and  invited  Gov- 
ernor Cortina  to  visit  it,  who,  accepting  the 
invitation,  did  so,  accompanied  by  his  civil  and 
military  staff's.  The  review  was  of  the  second 
division  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  consisting  of 
infantry,  cavalry,  artillery  and  engineers,  assem- 
bled near  old  Fort  Brown,  wearing  new  unilornig 
and  carrying  bright  arms.  The  appointments  of 
the  corps  were  complete.  It  passed  in  review  in 
splendid  style,  and  executed  several  manceuvers 
with  practiced  skill  and  promptitude.  Governor 
Cortina  was  delighted,  and,  turning  to  General 
McClernand,  exclaimed:  "Oh I  that  our  forces 
were  so  perfectly  equipped.  Then  we  would  be 
able  to  turn  back  the  tide  of  victory  against  the 
Imperialists." 

The  military  exercises  flnished,  the  Governor 
and  his  staff'  returned  with  General  McC'lernand 
and  a  number  of  his  officers  to  partake  of  a  ban- 
quet, which  had  been  ordered  by  the  latti  r,  and 
had  been  spread  by  a  German  comrade  and 
admirer  of  General  Houston,  of  Texan  renown. 
Confidence  now  restored  between  the  military 
authorities  on  both  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
the  Governor  the  next  day  sent  an  invitation  to 
the  General  and  his  staff  and  other  officers  to 
partake  of  a  State  dinner  at  Metamoras,  the 
capital  of  Tamaulipas,  and  they,  accepting,  were 
met  by  the  Governor,  attended  by  his  staff  and 
a  cavalry  guard,  at  the  river  and  escorted  to  the 
city,  amid  the  acclaim  of  church  bells  and 
salvos  of  artillery.  The  banquet  was  a  sumptu- 
ous and  elegant  one,  and,  when  it  was  over,  the 
General  unbelted  his  sword,  and,  advancing  iu 
the  presence  of  the  assembly,  presented  it  to  the 
Governor,  remarking  that  "it  was  offered  as  a 
token  of  his  personal  sympathy  for  the  cause  of 
the  Mexican  Republic,  and  in  the  belief  that  it 
would  be  as  faithfully  used  in  that  cause  as  it 
bad  been  in  the  cause  of  the  American  Union.'" 
The  effect  was  electrical,  the  spectators  enthusi- 
astically approved,  and  the  Governor  himself, 
falling  upon  the  General's  breast,  passionately 
replied:  "I  will  try  to  prove  myself  worthy  of 
the  gift  and  the  honor  it  imparts.  We  are 
friends  to  the  death.  1  ofl'ered  my  services  to 
the  Union  cause  in  the  beginning.  I  will  offer 
them  again,  with  those  of  my  adherents  who 
will  not  fall  away,  if  the  French  should  unha]i- 
pily  drive  me  out  of  my  country.     I  am  familiar 


35U 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


with  Texas,  aud  can  be  useful  to  you  there." 
The  banquet  was  supplemented  with  a  magnifi- 
cent ball  at  the  palace,  attended  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, wife  and  daughter,  aud  all  the  elite  of  the 
city.  At  a  late  hour  the  dancing  ceased,  and 
the  General  and  his  parly  were  escorted  back  to 
the  river  with  the  same  state  they  had  been 
escorted  from  it.  On  the  way  back  the  General, 
reverting  to  the  strained  state  of  the  Mexican 
finances,  urged  the  Governor  to  seize  and  sell 
the  large  stores  of  cotton  at  Metamoras,  and 
turn  the  money  received  into  the  public  treasury 
for  public  use,  and  to  banish  from  the  city  the 
turbulent  host  of  American  rebels  that  infested 
it.  The  Governor  replied,  "  He  had  the  good 
will  to  do  so,  but  whether  of  his  own  motion 
was  a  delicate  question."  Resuming  the  sub- 
ject next  day,  through  one  of  his  ofHcers,  he 
offered  to  send  an  agent  with  any  that  the  Gen- 
eral might  send,  to  urge  it  upon  the  favorable 
consideration  of  the  Government,  then  at  Mon- 
terey, and,  as  an  evidence  of  his  earnestness, 
without  delay  repressed  rebel  machinations  and 
disorders  at  Metamoras.  Governor  Hamilton 
and  Colonel  Haynes,  both  of  Texas,  by  appoint- 
ment of  General  McClernand,  and  joined  with 
an  agent  appointed  by  Governor  Cortina,  pro- 
ceeded to  Monterey  on  this  mission,  of  which, 
under  date  of  the  27th,  near  Brownsville,  Col- 
onel Haynes  made  fiill  report,  from  which  we 
take  the  following  extract: 

"In  an  interview  with  the  President  (Juarez), 
at  which  was  present  the  Secretary  of  the  Treas- 
ury, I  urged  upon  him  the  importance  to  their 
Government  of  availing  themselves  of  your 
proposition,  and  represented  to  them  the  open 
violation  of  the  laws  of  neutrality  long  con- 
tinued on  this  frontier,  in  furnishing  the  rebels 
■with  arms,  ammunition,  and  all  supplies  of  war; 
and  that  the  continuance  of  this  trade  through 
their  territory  was  not  calculated  to  increase  the 
good-will  which  yourself,  as  well  as  the  great 
body  of  the  people  felt,  in  this  country,  for  the 
Mexican  nation  in  its  struggle  for  nationality. 

"The  President  replied  that  no  trade  in  ar- 
ticles contraband  of  war  should  hereafter  be  car- 
ried on,  and  that  such  trade  heretofore  had  been 
the  work  of  Governor  Yidanri,  in  contravention 
of  orders  from  the  Supreme  Government;  but  as 
for  the  seizure  of  cotton  in  Mexico,  for  reasons 
already  given,  that  could  not  be  done. 

"A  few  days  after,  I  requested  an  audience 
with  General  Negrete,  the  Alinister  of  War,  to 
whom  I  stated  that,  as  he  was  a  soldier,  I  should 
speak  more  freely.  *  *  *  j  represented  to 
him  the  injury  done  us  by  the  immense  supplies 


of  material  of  war  which  had  been  openly  car- 
ried into  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  through  Meta- 
moras and  Monterey,  and  that  so  far  as  we  could 
see  there  had  been  no  diminution  of  these  sup- 
plies; that  such  trade  could  but  be  offensive; 
*  *  *  that  both  cities  were  filled  with  rebel 
agents  and  sjjies,  some  of  them  wearing  the 
rebel  uniform;  that  they  had  been  allowed  to 
establish  a  newspaper  at  Monterey,  to  misrepre- 
sent and  malign  our  government;  that  commis- 
sioners had  been  received  and  treated  with  about 
the  cotton  trade;  *  *  that  this  cotton  be- 
longed to  the  rebel  Government,  notwithstand- 
ing any  flimsy  pretense  of  ownership  on  the  part 
of  private  owners  *  *  .  I  represented  *  * 
the  friendly  feeling  existing  in  our  country  to- 
wards his;  *  and  asked  him,  if  the  cotton 
should  be  seized  by  force,  *  *  if  his  Gov- 
ernment would  consider  the  seizure  an  act  of 
hostility?  His  reply  was,  'We  would  have  to 
make  a  great  outcry  about  it,  but  not  a  musket 
should  be  fired.'" 

Colonel  Haynes  adds  that  intelligence  of  the 
object  of  his  mission  having  in  some  way  trans- 
pired, it  was  jealously  and  actively  opposed  by 
interested  agents  waiting  about  the  government. 

General  McClernand  left  Krownsville  on  the 
8th  with  the  intention  of  early  returning  and  re- 
suming the  work  which  he  had  commenced  or 
projected  at  that  place,  and  arrived  at  Matagorda 
on  the  9th. 

On  the  iTth,  an  order  came  from  General 
Banks  to  General  McClernand,  much  to  the  sur- 
prise of  the  latter,  that  he  should  hasten  with  re- 
inforcements and  report  to  former,  wherever  he 
should  be  found  on  the  Red  river.  Crossing  the 
Gulf  with  the  First  Division  of  the  Thirteenth 
Corps,  to  New  Orleans,  General  McClernand 
learned  there  the  details  of  the  failure  of  the  Red 
river  expedition,  and  the  fearful  decimation  of 
a  detatchment  of  that  corps  as  one  of  its  calam- 
itous incidents.  Re-embarking  at  New  Orleans 
on  river  transports,  he  arrived  at  Alexandria, 
Louisiana,  with  the  First  Division  about  night- 
fall of  the  24th,  and  immediately  reported  the 
fact  to  General  Banks,  who  welcomed  him  in 
terms  of  surprise  and  compliment.  The  same 
night  he  disembarked  his  forces  and  marched  to 
the  front.  Fortunately,  he  arrived  in  time  to 
assist  in  the  work  of  averting  further  disaster. 

On  the  26th,  he  advanced  his  forces,  and  cov- 
ered the  retreat  of  a  cavalry  picket,  of  which 
he  caused  report  to  be  made  to  General  Banks, 
as  also  of  his  purpose  to  accept  or  force  an  en- 
gagement with  their  pursuers.  General  Banks 
at  first  sent  a  message  of  approval,  but  followed 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


351 


it  by  another,  ordering  General  MoClernand  to 
fall  back  with  his  forces  to  a  defensive  line  quite 
near  Alexandria.  Had  this  engagement  trans- 
pired, there  is  persuasive  reason  to  l)elieve  that 
it  would  have  issued  in  a  victory,  reversing  the 
current  of  the  campaign,  and  redeeming  its 
character,  for  it  was  a  fact,  subsequently  ascer- 
tained, that  only  a  portion  of  the  rebel  forces 
lingered  about  Alexandria,  while  the  I'est  bad 
been  sent  in  two  detachments — one  to  cooperate 
with  General  Price  in  Arkansas,  the  other  to  cut 
our  communication  by  water  below  Alexandria. 
Beating  the  force  lingering  about  Alexandria, 
we  could  have  turned  upon  the  one  descending 
by  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and  beaten  it 
also,  and  then  have  marched  into  Texas  to  meet 
General  McGruder,  or  into  Arkansas  to  co-op- 
erate with  General  Steele  against  Price  at  our 
discretion.  In  other  words,  opportunity  served 
for  a  venture  to  cut  oft"  the  enemy's  forces  in  de- 
tail. This  was  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of 
the  General's  part  in  the  great  campaign  upon 
the  Cumberland,  the  Tennessee,  the  Arkansas, 
and  Mississippi.  Without  daring,  great  oppor- 
tunities are  sometimes  lost. 

The  evacuation  of  Alexandria  was  now,  no 
doubt,  in  the  contemplation  of  General  Banks, 
but  an  obstacle  presented  itself,  which  deeply 
agitated  the  minds  of  all.  The  Red  river  was 
subsiding,  and  the  Mississippi  Flotilla,  moored 
above  the  rapids  near  Alexandria,  unless  it  was 
extricated  before  the  evacuation  took  place, 
must  be  left  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Such  a  catastrophe  would  have  sent  a  shudder 
through  the  minds  of  all  loyal  men.  It  engaged 
General  McClernand's  anxieties,  in  common 
with  those  of  the  whole  army;  and,  although  he 
was  now  confined  to  his  tent  by  severe  sickness, 
he  lent  his  co-operation,  through  the  skill  and 
energy  of  his  pioneer  corps  and  a  regiment  of 
Wisconsin  infantry  in  the  work  of  extrication, 
which  was  finally  crowned  with  success,  amid 
great  joy. 

About  the  12th  of  May,  the  curtain  dropped 
upon  the  painful  scene  of  evacuation,  and  the 
gunboats  and  the  army  started  on  their  doleful 
return  to  the  Mississippi.  At  the  same  time 
General  McClernand  was  carried  on  stretchers 
on  board  a  transport,  already  crowded  with  the 
sick  and  wounded,  and  accompanying  female 
nurses,  started  down  the  Red  river  for  New 
Orleans.  Intelligence  of  the  boat  and  of  the 
identity  of  the  boat  carrying  him,  had  in  some 
way  as  was  subsequently  learned,  reached  the 
rebels,  who  waylaid  the  boat  for  some  distance 
and  fired  into  it   from  the  cover  of  trees   and 


houses.  The  pilot  was  wounded  and  replaced 
by  another,  and  men  and  women  terrified  by  the 
danger,  resorted  to  the  General  lying  helpless  on 
his  cot,  with  an  appeal  to  order  the  colors  to  be 
struck,  and  the  boat  to  be  landed  and  surren- 
dered. Instead,  he  ordered  that  a  wall  of  boxes, 
beds,  and  chairs  should  be  raised  on  the  guards 
and  about  the  pilot  house  as  adelense,  and  that 
the  boat  should  continue  her  passage  until  she 
escaped  or  went  to  the  bottom.  This  ended  the 
(juestion  of  surrender,  and  the  boat  kept  on  her 
way  to  Fort  de  Busse,  where  the  General  was 
transferred  to  a  hospital  boat  and  carried  to  New 
Orleans.  For  a  while  after  his  arrival  there, 
his  physicians  despairing  of  his  recovery,  he 
beckoned  them  to  him  and  whispered:  "Take 
courage,  I  am  not  dead  yet,  but  with  help  will 
recover."  He  lingered  there,  however,  until  the 
12th  of  June,  when  he  was  borne  on  stretchers 
to  a  steamer  and  carried  by  it  to  Illinois. 

When  he  had  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to 
resume  service,  he  asked  to  be  re-assigned  to  duty 
in  the  field  or  permitted  to  raise  and  command  a 
special  corps  to  itinerate  the  Mississippi  between 
St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans  on  armed  steamers, 
for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  commerce  of 
that  river,  and  to  relieve  and  remit  to  their 
several  organizations  in  the  field  the  multitude 
of  garrisons  disposed  along  that  river.  Waiting 
for  a  reply  and  receiving  none,  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  of  July  he  tendered  his  resignation,  but 
failing  to  be  assigned  to  duty  and  the  tender  of 
his  resignation  not  being  accepted,  he  renewed 
the  latter  in  November,  1865,  putting  it  upon  the 
ground,  among  others,  that  he  was  "unwilling to 
retain  an  office  without  opportunity  to  exercise 
its  functions."  His  resignation  was  finally  ac- 
cepted. 

Thus  ceasing  his  connection  with  the  military 
service,  he  addressed  himself  to  the  task  of 
regulating  his  private  affairs,  and  in  ISTO  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  the  law.  In  the  same  year 
he  was  invited  by  the  Legal  Bar  of  Springfield 
to  become  a  candidate  for  Judge  of  the  Circuit 
Court,  and,  accepting  the  invitation,  was  elected 
to  that  station  without  opposition. 

As  Judge  he  evinced  the  same  qualities  of 
diligence  and  readiness  that  had  characterized 
him  as  a  commander.  His  learning,  abilities, 
and  impartiality  were  admitted;  and  clearing  the 
docket,  encumbered  with  cases  which  had  been 
accumulating  for  years,  he  ceased  his  judicial 
functions  in  June,  1873. 

In  187G,  as  President  of  the  Democratic  Na- 
tional Convention  at  St.  Louis,  he  delivered  an 
address  which,  for  both  style  and  matter,  was 


352 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


much  admired  and  commended;  and  in  1878,  as 
marshal  of  the  day,  he  conducted  the  ceremonies 
which  signalized  the  transfer  of  the  colors  and 
battle  flags  of  the  Illinois  Volunteers  from  the 
old  Arsenal  to  the  hall  prepared  for  their  re- 
ception in  the  new  State  House,  and  on  tlie  same 
occasion  delivered  an  eloquent  address. 

THE    BEGINNING    OF   THE    END. 

On  Monday  morning,  April  3,  1865,  at  eight 
o'clock,  General  Weitzel  entered  the  city  of 
Richmond,  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  it  having 
been  evacuated  by  the  rebels  the  day  previous. 
The  news  was  quickly  flashed  over  the  wires, 
and  before  night  of  that  day  it  was  known  all 
over  the  land  that  Richmond  was  ours,  and  the 
tinal  victory  was  near  at  hand.  Richmond,  the 
seat  of  rebel  power,  the  stronghold  of  rebel 
armies,  after  having  been  fortified  by  every  aji- 
pliance  of  skill  and  science,  and  having  with- 
stood all  the  assaults  of  the  Union  armies  for 
four  years — had  at  last  fallen! 

There  was  great  rejoicing  in  every  city,  vil- 
lage and  hamlet  throughout  the  country,  and 
nowhere  more  so  than  in  the  homes  of  the  loyal 
citizens  of  Sangamon  county.  But  this  was  only 
the  beginning  of  the  good  news.  Every  suc- 
ceeding day  brought  the  cheering  news  that  other 
rebel  strongholds  bad  fallen;  thousands  of  pris- 
oners had  been  captured,  and  the  rebels  had  been 
disheartened.  No  one  doubted  the  dark  war 
cloud  had  been  pierced  by  the  sunlight  of  peace 

On  Sunday,  April  9,  General  Lee  surrendered 
his  entire  army  to  General  Grant,  and  on  the 
morning  of  the  10th,  the  State  Journal  celebra- 
ted the  victory  in  startlinghead  lines,  as  follows: 

victory! 

glory  to  god  in    the  highest. 

peace  and  eood  avill. 

the  beginning  of   the  end. 

LEE    StTEEENDBRED. 

HIS    WHOLE    ARMY    CAPTURED. 

LAST    ACT    IN    THE    GRAND    DRAMA. 

THE    UNION     TRIUMPHANT. 

TREASON    CRUSHED. 

A  mass  meeting  was  called,  in  the  following 
terms,  for  Monday  evening,  to  celebrate  the  vic- 
tories: 


"The  loyal  citizens  of  Springfield  and  vicinity 
who  rejoice  over  the  recent  success  of  the  Union 
armies  in  Virginia,  and  their  triumph  over  the 
hosts  of  treason  and  rebellion,  and  who  would 
do  honor  to  the  names  of  Grant,  Sheridan,  and 
their  brave  compeers,  whether  oflicers  or  sol- 
diers, and  to  all  others,  both  of  the  army  and 
navy,  who  have  contributed  in  any  way  to  those 
glorious  successes,  are  invited  to  assemble  at  the 
State  House,  this  (Monday)  evening,  April  10, 
for  the  purpose  of  commemorating  the  capture 
of  Richmond  and  the  brilliant  victories  lately 
won.  Let  the  thunder  of  the  cannon,  the  ring- 
ing of  the  bells,  the  brilliant  display  of  fire- 
works, processions,  music,  bon-fires  and  illumin- 
ations test  the  joy  of  the  people. 

"There  will  be  speaking  in  the  Representa- 
tive Hall  and  the  rotunda  of  the  State  House,  by 
the  following  gentlemen:  Governor  Oglesby, 
General  Isham  N.  Haynie,  Hon.  Shelby  M.  Cul- 
lom,  Colonel  James  II.  Matheny,  Hon.  James  C. 
Conkling,  Hon.  William  H.  Herndon,  John  E. 
Rosette,  Charles  S.  Zane  and  E.  L.  Gross. 

"Let  all  turn  out  to  do  honor  to  our  'brave 
boys  in  blue,'  and  exchange  congratulations  in 
view  of  a  speedy  return  of  permanent  peace, 
with  the  Union  preserved,  the  Constitution 
vindicated,  rebellion  punished  and  freedom 
triumphant." 

When  the  foregoing  call  was  issued  it  was  not 
known  that  General  Lee  had  surrendered, 
although  the  call  and  the  news  of  the  surrender 
were  published  in  the  same  paper.  As  soon  as 
the  fact  was  known,  however,  at  a  very  early 
liour  Monday  morning,  all  business  came  to  a 
standstill;  flags  leaped  as  if  by  magic  from  pub- 
lic buildings  and  private  residences  all  over  the 
city.  One  hour  later,  and  the  business  houses 
about  the  square  were  principally  closed,  and 
almost  the  entire  population  sought  the  square 
and  public  thoroughfares  to  congratulate  each 
other  on  the  glorious  news  that  came  borne  on 
the  wires  from  Old  Virginia.  Another  hour  and 
the  excitement  became  intense;  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  citizens  knew  no  bounds,  and  their  feel- 
ings found  expression  in  hurrahs  and  songs,  pro- 
cessions of  various  kinds,  and  to  make  the  J^cene 
more  joyous,  the  church  and  fire  bells  rang  a 
merry  peal,  which  was  kept  up  for  some  hours, 
until  the  whole  air  was  filled  with  the  many 
sounds  of  a  general  jubilee.  Flags  were  attached 
to  houses,  horses  vehicles,  hats,  coats,  and 
finally  almost  every  j)lace  where  a  flag  could  be 
displayed.  Flags  were  seen  upon  houses  wliere 
they  were  never  seen  before.  The  enthusiasm 
was  contagious. 


HISTORY  OB^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


353 


At  about  -^  o'clock  tlie  Pioneer  Fire  DeparL- 
ment,  preceded  by  a  band  of  music,  the  Pioneer 
Hose  Company,  the  Journal  Cart,  with  a  fine 
escort  with  Hags,  and  the  Star  of  the  West  Hose 
Company,  appeared  in  procession  upon  the 
streets  and  marched  around  the  square  and 
through  several  of  the  principal  streets.  This 
was  an  impr(unpt>i  procession  and  attracted  con- 
sideraljle  attention. 

Dui-ing  the  afternoon  a  novel  sight  appeared 
upon  the  public  square,  which  elicited  shouts 
and  the  applause  of  the  multitude.  The  show 
consisted  of  a  large  mule  covered  with  a  blanket, 
bearing  the  inscriptions,  on  one  side,  "Jeff 
Davis'  Last  Ride,"  and  on  the  other  "Jell  Davis 
and  Suit,"  while  over  the  tail  of  the  animal 
hung  the  inscription,  "Lee's  End."  Upon  the 
mule  was  mounted  an  individual  personating 
Jeff  Davis,  and  by  his  side  walked  an  attendant 
in  mask  and  wearing  ragged  regimentals,  fol- 
lowed by  a  forlorn  looking  escort.  Shouts  arose 
from  every  quarter  wheie  Jeff  and  his  attendant 
passed.  There  also  appeared  a  company  in 
black  masks,  beaded  by  a  "six  foot"  fellow  in 
a  blue  mask,  on  horseback,  who  marched  his 
brigade  from  point  to  point,  much  to  the  amuse- 
ment of  the  crowd.  H.acks,  buggies,  wagons 
and  drays,  filled  with  a  joyous,  jubilant  set  of 
fellows,  waving  flags,  singing,  and  shouting, 
were  driven  around  the  square. 

The  square  was  profusely  ornamented  with 
flags  and  drapery  of  red,  white,  and  blue.  Among 
the  most  conspicuous  houses  decorated  were 
those  of  Stuart  &  Lutz,  Matheny  &  Co.,  C. 
M.  Smith  ife  Co.,  J.  Thayer  &  Co.,  R.  F.  Ruth, 
E.  B.  Hawley  &>  Co.,  Kimber  &  Ragsdale, 
C.  A.  Gehrman,  John  Williams  &  Co.,  and 
Hamraerslougli  Bros.  The  headquarters  of  Ad- 
jutant General  Uaynie,  Marshal  Keys,  and  Cap- 
tain Campbell  were  most  beautifully  decorated 
with  flags.  Governor  Oglesby  displayed  from 
his  mansion  the  gallant  Eighth  regiment  flag, 
under  which  he  and  his  regiment  fought  at  Fort 
Donelson.  From  the  former  residence  of  Pres- 
ident Lincoln,  a  splendid  flag  was  displayed.  ■ 

At  about  four  o'clock  the  Twenty- fourth  Mich- 
igan regiment  arrived  from  Camp  Butler,  under 
command  of  Brigadier  General  Morrow,  and 
marched  around  the  square,  preceded  by  the 
splendid  post  band  of  Camp  Butler,  and  after- 
wards paraded  the  State  House  yard,  where  they 
were  addressed  by  Governor  Oglesby  and  Brig- 
adier General  Morrow. 

About  half-past  six  o'clock,  a  salute  of  twenty 
guns  was  fired,  after  which  there  was  a  grand 
display  of    fireworks.      Immediately   after   the 


tireworks,  the  Fire  Department  \v\i\  a  grand 
parade  and  torchlight  procession,  in  which  all 
the  companies  of  the  Fire  Department  joined, 
also  a  large  number  of  the  Fenian  Brotherhood, 
wearing  their  badges  and  carrying  a  banner 
which  elicited  the  admiration  of  all.  "Old 
Bob,"  a  splendid  old  horse  of  dark  bay  color, 
with  the  eye  of  an  eagle,  swelling  nostrils,  and 
a  proud  and  elastic  step,  formerly  the  property 
of  President  Lincoln,  was  led  in  the  procession 
by  a  colored  groom.  He  attracted  a  large  share 
of  attention,  from  the  fact  tliat  he  h.ad  carried 
President  Lincoln  many  hundred  miles  during 
his  political  campaign.  "Old  Bob'.' sported  a 
rich  blanket  of  red,  white,  and  blue,  thickly 
studded  with  flags,  and  bearing  the  inscription, 
"Old  Abe's  Horse."  The  flags  were  nearly  all 
secured  by  the  people  as  mementoes. 

About  8  o'clock  a  large  and  enthusiastic  meet- 
ing was  held  at  Representatives'  Hall,  addressed 
by  those  mentioned  in  the  call.  Never  was  such 
enthusiasm  and  joy  manifested  as  on  this  oc- 
casion. The  day  will  long  be  remembered  by 
the  citizens  of  Springfield. 

The  general  Government  now  issued  orders  to 
stop  drafting  and  recruiting,  believing  the  war 
to  be  almost  at  an  end.  General  Johnston  with 
his  command  was  the  only  considerable  force 
our  army  now  had  to  contend.  True,  scattered 
detachments  of  rebel  forces  were  throughout 
the  South,  but  the  number  was  small.  After 
considerable  negotiations,  Johnston  surrendered 
his  forces  on  the  28th  day  of  April,  on  the  same 
terms  granted  to  Lee. 

ASSASSINATION    OF    PRESIDENT  LINCOLN. 

Amid  all  the  rejoicing  over  the  evacuation  of 
Richmond,  the  capture  of  Lee,  and  other  Union 
victories,  the  startling  intelligence  was  flashed 
across  the  continent  that  President  Lincoln  was 
assassinated.  Instantly  every  expi'ession  of  joy 
vanished,  and  sorrow  tilled  the  hearts  of  all. 
Abraham  Lincoln,  the  great,  the  noble  and  good, 
struck  down  by  the  hand  of  an  assassin!  The 
news  was  too  dreadful  to  believe,  and  each  hoped 
against  hope  there  was  some  mistake  in  the  in- 
telligence. The  news  was  received  in  Spring- 
field at  a  very  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th  of  April,  and  spread  rapidly  through  the 
city.  Citizens  began  to  gather  upon  the  streets, 
listening  to  the  dispatches,  or  discussing  the 
horrible  details.  The  minds  of  loyal  men  and 
women  were  overwhelmed  with  mingled  horror 
and  sorrow,  in  view  of  the  event  which  had  de- 
deprived  them  of  a  valuable  friend  and  former 
townsman,  and  the  Nation  of  an  honored  and 


354 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


patriotic  President.  Before  8  o'clock  the  news 
had  spread  generally  through  the  city.  The 
business  houses  which  had  been  opened  were, 
by  common  consent,  closed  almost  immediately, 
and  the  stillness  of  the  Sabbath  prevailed,  ex- 
cept as  indicated  in  the  anxious  faces  and  hur- 
ried inquiries  upoB  the  streets. 

As  soon  as  the  telegraph  office  opened,  the 
anxiety  to  procure  further  details  became  in- 
tense, and  the  appearance  of  the  bulletins  was 
awaited  with  impatient  and  eager  interest.  Soon 
came  the  intelligence  that  tiie  President  was 
dead.  All  feared  the  worst,  but  still  clung  to 
hope.  The  announcement  fell  with  a  crushing- 
weight  upon  all  loyal  hearts,  though  all  had  rea- 
son to  expect  the  event.  By-and-bye  there  came 
a  rumor  that  Secretary  Seward  was  dead  also. 
All  felt  that  the  Nation  had  suffered  the  loss  of 
two  of  its  noblest  leaders.  Then  came  the 
rumor  that  Booth,  the  assassin  of  the  President, 
had  been  captured.  This,  though  unconfirmed, 
gave  great  satisfaction.  In  the  afternoon  the 
intelligence  came  that  Mr.  Seward  was  not  dead, 
and  that  his  wounds  were  not  considered  mortal. 
This  relieved,  to  some  extent,  the  painful  anxiety 
that  pressed  upon  all. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  President  Lincoln  be- 
came known,  the  principal  business  houses  were 
draped  in  mourning.  Flags  were  draped  and 
placed  at  half  mast,  and  various  other  emblems 
of  the  general  sorrow  were  displayed.  Among 
the  buildings  draped  were  the  State  House,  and 
offices  of  the  different  State  officers:  the  head- 
quarters of  General  Cook,  commanding  the  dis- 
trict, of  General  Oakes,  Assistant  Provost  Mar- 
shal General  of  the  State,  and  of  Captain 
Keyes,  Provost  Marshal  of  the  District;  the  hall 
of  the  Fenian  Brotherhood  and  Union  League; 
the  Postoffice,  the  chambers  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil, all  the  business  houses  on  the  public  square 
and  principal  streets,  the  principal  hotels, 
churches,  the  houses  of  the  different  lire  compa- 
nies, newspaper  offices  and  the  Soldiers'  Home. 
In  many  cases  black  was  gracefully  intertwined 
with  white  or  the  National  colors.  Much  the 
larger  portion  of  private  houses  were  similarly 
draped,  or  bore  some  emblem  of  mourning. 
The  bells  of  the  different  churches  and  engine 
houses  were  tolled  during  the  morning.  At  the 
State  Arsenal  the  cannon  were  tastefully  draped 
with  the  American  flag,  and  over  the  entrance 
the  stars  and  stripes  were  artistically  arranged 
and  draped  in  mourning,  whilst  from  the  flag- 
staff floated  a  dark  colored  pennant  at  half  mast. 
The  whole  city  presented  a  funeral  aspect,  as  if 
the   Death   Angel   had   taken    a  member  from 


every  family.  Never  was  there  a  day  of  such 
universal  solemnity  and  sadness  seen  in  this  or 
any  other  city. 

A  meeting  of  the  City  Council  was  held  in 
the  morning,  and  in  rosjjonse  to  a  call  issued  in 
the  course  of  the  forenoon,  a  very  large  and 
solemn  meeting  of  citizens  assembled  at  the 
State  House,  to  take  into  consideration  the  ter- 
rible calamity  that  had  befallen  the  city  and 
Nation.  At  12  o'clock,  ra.,  the  meeting  was 
called  to  order  by  Hon.  S.  M.  Cullom,  who  said: 

•'■  Felloic- Citizens: — We  are  met  together  to 
mourn  over  a  great  calamity.  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, your  fellow  citizen,  who  went  out  from 
this  city  four  years  ago,  called  by  the  American 
people  to  preside  over  the  Nation,  is  no  more. 
He  has  been  stricken  down  by  the  hands  of  a 
dastardly,  bloody  assassin.  In  view  of  the  long 
acquaintance,  and  the  sympathy  existing  be- 
tween that  great  and  good  man  and  our  fellow 
citizen,  .1.  K.  Dubois,  I  nominate  him  to  preside 
over  our  meeting." 

The  nomination  was  unanimously  confirmed 
by  the  meeting,  and  upon  assuming  the  chair, 
Mr.  Dubois  spoke  briefly  and  pertinently,  allud- 
ing to  the  long  and  friendly  intercourse  between 
himself  and  the  lamented  dead. 

The  following  named  were  chosen  Vice  Pres- 
idents of  the  meeting:  Stephen  T.  Logan,  John 
Williams,  William  b.Elkin,  Elijah  lies,  N.  H. 
Ridgely,  E.  B.  Hawley,  Thomas  Condell,  James 
L.  Lamb,  Gershom  Jayne,  Richard  Latham,  A. 
G.  Herndon,  Rev.  Albert  Hale,  and  Rev.  J.  6. 
Bergen.  For  Secretaries,  were  chosen  James  C. 
Conkling,  E.  L.  Baker,  and  E.  L.  Merritt. 

John  T.  Stuart  addressed  the  audience,  con- 
doling with  it  upon  the  deep  grief  which  had 
befallen  the  American  people,  and  relating  some 
interesting  circumstances  connected  with  his 
last  interview  with  the  martyr  President.  On 
his  motion,  the  following-named  were  .appointed 
a  Committee  on  Resolutions:  John  T.  Stuart, 
S.  M.  Cullom,  S.  H.  Treat,  Milton  Hay,  Law- 
rence Weldon,  William  Jayne,  O.  M.  Hatch,  B. 
S.  Edwards,  and  Alexander  Starne.  The  com- 
mittee, thereupon,  after  retiring  a  few  minutes, 
reported  the  following,  which  were  adopted: 

"Whekeas,  We  have  learned  by  telegraph 
from  the  City  of  Washington  of  the  assassina- 
tion of  President  Lincoln; 

"And,  wiiERBASjWe,  his  neighbors  and  friends, 
regard  his  death  as  a  great  and  irreparable  Na- 
tional calamity. 

"Jiesolved,  therefore,  That  we,  his  neighbors 
and  friends,  without  distinction  of  party,  forget- 
ting  all    past   differences  of    opinion,  unite  in 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


355 


solemn  accord  in  the  expression  of  our  deep 
sympathy  for  his  family,  his  friends,  our  coun- 
try, and  the  peace  of  mankind,  for  this  his  un- 
timely death,  in  this  hour  of  our  country's 
struggle,  when  were  to  be  called  into  exercise 
those  high  (jualities  of  head  and  heart  which 
have  endeared  him  as  a  man,  and  made  him 
distinguished  as  a  President. 

'■^Resolved,  That  since  the  unexampled  success 
of  our  arms,  we  have  with  patriotic  pride  be- 
held indications  upon  the  part  of  Mr  Lincoln 
of  a  policy  of  restoration  and  reunion,  in  the 
consummation  of  which  the  peace  of  the  conn- 
try  and  the  wonted  National  integrity  would 
again  be  restored  to  our  stricken  Union. 

^^ Resolved,  That  in  this  National  bereavement 
it  is  the  duty  of  all  good  citizens  to  rely  with 
confidence  and  hope  on  the  over-ruling  Provi- 
dence of  God,  preserve  calmness,  and  faithfully 
submit  and  adhere  to  the  sovereign  laws  of  the 
land. 

"i^eso/uerf,  That,  inasmuch  as  this  city  has  for 
a  long  time  been  the  home  of  the  President,  in 
which  he  has  graced  with  his  kindness  of  heart 
and  honesty  of  pur])ose  all  the  relations  of  life, 
it  is  appropriate  that  its  'city  of  the  dead' 
should  be  tlie  final  resting  place  of  all  that  on 
earth  remains  of  him  that  is  mortal,  and  to  this 
end  we  respectfully  request  the  appointment  of 
a  committee  on  the  part  of  the  City  Council,  to 
act  in  conjunction  with  the  Governor  of  the 
State,  with  a  view  of  bringing  his  remains  for 
interment." 

The  City  Council,  at  a  called  meeting,  passed 
the  following  resolutions: 

"WiiEKEAS,  A  sad  and  deplorable  calamity 
has  befallen  the  Nation  in  the  violent  death  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United 
States, 

"Whereas,  It  becomes  us,  a  people,  to  bow 
solemnly  in  awe  to  the  mysterious  dispensations 
of  Providence;  and, 

"Wheeeas,  To  us  the  sudden  dispensation 
may  seem  dark  and  inscrutable,  and,  trusting  as 
we  do  in  the  guardian  kindness  of  Him  who 
'holds  the  Nations  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand;' 
therefore,  be  it 

^'■Resolved  by  the  Common  Council  of  the  CUi/ 
of  Springfield,  That  we,  in  common  with  every 
true  American  heart,  deplore  the  sad  calamity 
befallen  us  as  a  people,  and  join  the  universal 
sorrow  that  hangs  upon  the  Nation  to-day,  like 
the  pall  of  death. 

"Resolved,  That  in  this  terrible  hour  of  sad- 
ness and  gloom,  when  darkness  shadows  the 
counsels  and  judgments  of  men,  and  a  strange 

41— 


and  unnatural  fear  is  chilling  every  heart,  and 
fearful  forebodings  of  coming  disaster  gather 
gloomily  about  us,  it  becomes  us  to  turn  trust- 
ingly and  hopefully  to  the  God  of  Nations,  and 
in  liuml)leness  and  humility  receive  the  stroke  of 
His  chastening  rod;  but  yet  feeling  an  abiding 
faith  that  in  this,  the  hour  of  our  desolation,  that 
He  will  be  to  us,  for  all  time  to  come,  '  'as  the 
shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land." 

"Resolved,  That  although  the  murderous  hand 
of  treason  has  stricken  to  death  the  chosen  Ex- 
ecutive of  the  Government,  yet  the  Government 
itself  '  still  lives,'  and  will  live,  as  the  glorious 
embodiment  of  political  life,  liberty,  and  human 
hope. 

"Resolved,  That  we,  the  Common  Council  of 
the  City  of  Springfield,  deeply  sympathize  with 
the  bereaved  family,  and  much  deplore  the  heavy 
loss  which  they  have  sustained  in  the  unexpected 
and  sudden  death  of  a  husband  and  father. 

"Resolved,  That  the  City  Council  Chamber  be 
clothed  in  mourning  for  sixty  days. 

"Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  City 
Council  wear  the  usual  badge  of  mourning  for 
sixty  days." 

On  a  preceding  page  is  given  the  address  of 
the  martyr  President  on  taking  his  departure  for 
Washington.  The  scene  at  the  depot  w^as  an 
impressive  one.  The  simple  and  touching  elo- 
quence of  the  great  and  good  man  saddened 
every  heart  and  moistened  every  eye,  and  many 
turned  away,  as  the  train  moved  off,  with  mis- 
givings and  forebodings  for  the  future.  He  was 
as  he  said,  "going  to  assume  a  task  more  difficult 
than  that  which  devolved  upon  Washington." 
The  oppressive  sadness  which  seemed  to  hang 
over  him  was  shared  by  many  friends.  There 
seemed  to  be  prophecy  in  the  last  sentence  of 
his  speech — "With  th.ese  few  words  I  must  leave 
you,  for  hoio  long  I  know  not.  Many  felt  that 
they  were  portentous  of  the  dreadful  death  which 
at  last  overtook  him.  Mr.  Lincoln  never  re- 
turned to  the  city  of  his  adoption  alive. 

"  Bow  low  your  heads. 
Prone  ou  the  earth,  and  grovel  in  the  dust! 

Bow  low  your  heads — 
The  last  sad  tribute  to  the  good  and  just! 

Bow  low  your  heads! 
The  greatest  grief  that  e'er  befell  mankind 
Lies  on  the  heart,  and  preys  upon  the  mind ! 

"  Weep  for  the  loss, 
O  Freedom!  of  thy  greatest  champion. 

Weep  for  the  loss, 
O  Greatness!  of  thy  brightest  diadem. 

Weep  for  thy  loss, 
O  Honesty  and  Truth!    O  Patriot  Worth! 
Thy  loss  and  ours — the  loss  of  all  the  earth. 


356 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"  A  Natiou's  tears 
Bedew  the  bier  whereon  his  dust  doth  lay; 

x\.  Nation's  tears 
Are  hallowed  in  their  contact  with  his  clay. 

A  Nation's  tears 
From  it's  deep  heart  upwell  in  bitter  woe. 
Nor  seeks  to  check  their  still  increasing  flow. 

"  O  Martyr  pure, 
Thy  country's  altar's  sanctified  anew: 

O  martyr  pure, 
Slain  for  thy  love  and  faith  unto  the  true. 

O  martyr  pure, 
As  thou  hast  died  for  Freedom,  so  do  we, 
Her  children,  dedicate  our  lives  to  thee!" 

On  Wednesday,  April  19,  the  funeral  obse- 
quies of  President  Lincoln  occurred  in  Wash- 
ington. In  accordance  with  the  recommenda- 
tions of  the  Acting  Secretary  of  State  at  Wash- 
ington, and  the  proclamation  of  Governor 
Oglesby,  services  for  the  purpose  of  solemnizing 
the  occasion,  were  held  at  the  First  Presbyterian, 
Second  Presbyterian,  Third  Presbyterian,  Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  North  Baptist,  German  Catholic, 
English  Lutheran  and  First  Baptist  Churches. 
All  places  of  business  were  closed. 

It  having  been  announced  that  the  remains  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  would  be  brought  to  Springtield  for 
interment,  in  accordance  with  a  universally  ex- 
pressed desire,  it  was  arranged  that  the  funeral 
train  should  make  stops  at  several  points  on  the 
road  in  order  to  give  the  people  an  opportunity 
of  viewing  the  lifeless  body  of  him  who  was  of 
the  people,  and  whom  the  people  loved.  At 
Baltimore,  Harrisburg,  Philadelphia,  New  York, 
Albany,  Buffalo,  Cleveland,  Columbus,  Indian- 
apolis and  Chicago,  many  thousands  turned  out, 
public  and  private  buildings  were  draped  in 
mourning,  and  such  honors  were  paid  to  the 
dead  as  were  never  given  any  hero  of  ancient  or 
modern  times. 

Extensive  preparations  were  made  in  Spring- 
field to  receive  and  deposit  in  their  last  resting 
place  the  remains  of  one  they  loved  so  well. 
Thursday,  May  4th,  was  appointed  for  the  fun- 
eral. On  the  previous  day  the  long  funeral 
train  arrived.  Never  was  there  a  day  in  the  an- 
nals of  the  city  so  fraught  with  solemn  interest. 
A  day  in  which  the  remains  of  the  beloved 
Chief  Magistrate  of  a  great  people  were  returned 
to  the  midst  of  his  friends  and  neighbors,  who 
loved  and  revered  him  through  a  long  life,  for 
final  sepulchre.  All  former  demonstrations  on 
the  death  of  great  and  good  men  were  insig- 
nificant compared  with  the  grief  and  sorrow  on 
this  occasion.  The  day  broke  bright  and  beau- 
tiful upon  the  vast  crowds  which  at  an  early 
hour  had  sought  the  city  to  witness  the  return 


of  all  that  was  mortal  of  the  late  President. 
Long  previous  to  the  time  appointed  for  the  ar- 
rival of  the  remains,  crowds  of  people,  number- 
ing thousands,  were  gathered  at  the  Chicago  & 
Alton  depot,  and  along  the  line  of  the  road  for 
a  long  distance.  Every  building  and  house-top 
in  the  vicinity  was  covered  with  anxious  and 
solemn  men,  eager  to  see  the  funeral  train. 
Never  was  there  such  an  assemblage  gathered 
under  such  solemn  circumstances.  Every  class 
was  represented  in  the  throng  of  human  beings 
and  intense  was  the  feeling  and  anxiety  that  had 
called  them  together. 

Previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  funeral  train, 
minute  guns  were  being  fired  by  a  section  of 
Battery  K,  Second  Missouri  Light  Artillery. 
The  deep  booming  of  the  guns  gave  a  solemn 
interest  to  the  scene. 

The  funeral  train  had  been  announced  to  ar- 
rive at  8  o'alock  a.  m.,  but  did  not  make  its  ap- 
pearance until  a  few  minutes  before  9  o'clock. 
When  the  "pilot  engine,"  dressed  in  mourning, 
made  its  appearance,  which  was  understood  to 
precede  the  funeral  train  by  ten  minutes,  the 
feelings  of  the  people  were  intense,  but  only 
manifested  by  the  almost  breathless  silence 
which  pervaded  the  vast  crowd. 

Just  previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  train,  which 
consisted  of  nine  cars  beautifully  draped  in 
mourning,  one  of  which  contained  the  remains 
of  the  late  President,  the  committee  of  recep- 
tion, the  military,  and  the  members  of  the  sev- 
eral delegations  made  their  appearance  and 
formed  according  to  programme  on  Jefferson 
street,  under  direction  of  General  Cook.  The 
remains  were  then  transferred  from  the  funeral 
car  to  the  beautiful  hearse  tendered  by  the  Mayor 
of  St.  Louis  to  the  Mayor  of  Springfield,  drawn 
by  six  superb  black  horses,  draped  in  mourning 
and  wearing  plumes  upon  their  crests.  The 
hearse  was  also  draped,  the  corners  being  sur- 
mounted with  black  plumes,  the  whole  present- 
ing a  solemn  and  magnificent  spectacle. 

After  the  procession  was  formed  it  proceeded 
to  the  Hall  of  Representatives,  where  the  ca- 
tafalque, resting  on  the  dais  underneath  the 
canopy,  and  opened  by  the  embalmer,  after 
which  the  guard  of  honor  took  their  stations 
around  the  remains,  guards  being  placed  in  va- 
rious parts  of  the  hall  and  at  the  entrances.  The 
coffin,  when  opened,  revealed  the  marked  and 
well-known  features  of  the  noble  dead,  which 
wore  a  calm  expression,— and  had  it  not  been 
for  a  slight  discoloration  of  the  face,  it  would 
have  appeared  as  though  he  had  "fallen  into  a 
a  quiet  sleep." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


357 


At  a  few  minutes  past  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  the 
arrangements  having  been  completed,  the  vast 
crowd  was  admitted  to  review  the  remains.  In 
doing  so,  they  entered  at  the  north  entrance  of 
the  capitol,  and  passing  through  the  Hall,  along 
the  side  and  around  the  head  of  the  coffin,  thence 
into  the  rotunda,  leaving  by  the  south  door.  It 
was  estimated  that  twenty-five  thousand  persons 
entered  the  Hall  in  the  course  of  ten  hours. 

The  scene  inside  the  Hall  was  most  solemn 
and  impressive;  the  elegance  and  appropriate- 
ness of  the  decorations,  the  rich  catafalque  un- 
derneath a  splendid  canopy,  the  silent  dead,  the 
officers  and  guard,  making  up  a  sad  picture.  The 
decorations  were  in  most  excellent  taste;  the 
general  arrangement  being  such  as  to  make  them 
correspond  with  the  room,  which  is  a  semi-circu- 
collonade  of  eleven  Corinthian  columns,  support- 
ing a  half-dome,  the  straight  side  being  toward 
the  west,  in  the  centre  of  which  was  the  Speak- 
er's chair  (which  was  removed  for  the  occasion). 
At  the  apex  of  the  dome  was  a  rising  sun,  radi- 
ating to  the  circumference.  On  the  floor  a  dais 
was  erected,  ascended  by  three  steps;  on  the 
dais,  a  hexagon  canopy  supported  on  columns 
twelve  feet  high,  the  shaft  covered  with  black 
velvet,  the  capitals  wrought  in  white  velvet, 
with  silver  bands  and  fillets;  the  canopy  rising 
seven  feet  in  the  centre,  tent-shaped,  covered 
with  heavy  black  broadcloth  in  radiating  slack 
folds,  surmounted  at  the  apex  and  at  each  angle 
with  heavy  black  plumes  with  white  centre, 
with  draped  eagle  on  the  center  of  each  crown- 
mould;  the  cornice,  corresponding  with  the  cap- 
itals, covered  with  black  velvet,  the  moulding 
and  bands  of  silver;  the  lining  of  the  canopy 
was  of  white  crepe,  in  radiating  folds  over  blue, 
thick  set  with  stars  of  silver,  with  black  velvet 
and  silver  fillets  inside  the  cornice;  between 
columns  a  rich  velvet  valance,  in  folds,  with 
heavy  silver  fringe,  from  under  which  depended 
velvet  curtains  extending  from  each  column 
two-thirds  of  the  distance  from  the  capitals  to 
the  cornice,  looped  with  bands,  the  whole 
so  disposed  as  to  exhibit  both  columns  and  cap- 
itals inside  and  out.  The  effect  of  the  canopy, 
with  its  supports  and  drapery,  was  very  impos- 
ing, the  whole  being  unique  and  elegant,  com- 
bining lightness  with  massiveness  with  great 
effect.  Twelve  brilliant  jets  of  gas,  burning  in 
globes,  shining  from  the  columns,  lit  the  in- 
terior, reflecting  from  the  folds  of  the  canopy  a 
soft  and  pleasing  light. 

The  catafalque  was  covered  with  black  velvet, 
trimmed  with  silver  bands,  and  adorned  with 
thirty-six  stars  of   burnished  silver — twelve   at 


the  head,  and  twelve  at  each  side.  The  floor  of 
the  dais  was  covered  with  evergreens  strewn 
with  white  flowers.  The  steps  of  the  dais  were 
covered  with  massive  broadcloth  drapery,  bor- 
dered with  silver. 

The  columns  of  the  llall  were  draped  with 
black  crepe,  and  the  capitals  festooned  and  en- 
twined with  the  same,  and  ornamented  with 
rosettes.  The  cornice  was  appropriately  draped, 
and  bearing  around  the  entire  circumference,  in 
large,  white  letters, on  a  black  ground,  the  words 
of  President  Lincoln  at  Independence  Hall, 
Philadelphia,    February    22,    1861:       "Sooxek 

THAN  SUREENDBK  THESE  PRINCIPLES,  I  WOULD 
BE    ASSASSINATED    ON    THE     SPOT."       In    front    of 

the  gallery,  were  black  velvet  panels,  nine  feet 
by  two  and  a  half,  having  silver  bands  and 
fringe,  with  crossed  olive  branches  in  the  center. 
Above  the  gallery  were  looped  curtains  of  black 
crepe,  extending  around  the  semi-circle.  Below 
the  gallery  were  white  crepe  curtains,  with  black 
looped  upon  it.  Each  column  was  ornamented 
l)y  a  beautiful  wreath  of  evergreens  and  white 
flowers. 

On  the  top  of  the  gallery,  and  extending 
around,  was  a  wreath  of  evergreens.  The  Cor- 
inthian cornice  is  continued  on  the  west,  at  each 
side,  twenty-three  feet,  toward  the  center,  sup- 
ported by  pillars  of  the  same  order,  the  space 
between  being  surmounted  by  an  obtuse  arch, 
reaching  within  one  foot  of  the  apex,  projecting 
six  inches,  leaving  a  depression  resembling  a 
panel,  thirty-three  feet  wide  by  thirty-seven  feet 
high  at  the  extreme  height.  In  the  upper  por- 
tion of  this  was  placed  a  blue  semi-circular  field, 
sixteen  feet  across,  bearing  stars  six  inches  in 
diameter,  and  from  which  radiated  the  thirteen 
stripes  of  the  American  flag  in  delicate  crepe, 
two  feet  wide  at  the  circumference  of  the  blue 
field,  increasing  in  width  to  five  feet  at  the  ex- 
treme lower  angle,  breaking  on  the  dais  below, 
and  the  pilasters  on  either  side,  the  whole  sur- 
mounted by  cloud  work  in  blue  and  black  crepe, 
and  so  disposed  as  to  correspond  with  the  blue 
field,  stars,  and  radiated  panel  of  the  ceiling. 
The  center  red  stripe  falls  opposite  the  opening 
in  the  curtains  at  the  head  of  the  catafalque. 
On  the  cornice,  each  side  of  the  flag  work,  were 
jjlaced  two  mottoes,  corresponding  to  that  on 
the  semi  circular  cornice,  forming  together  one, 
in  these  words:  "Washington  the  Father; 
Lincoln  the  Savior."  A  life-sized  portrait  of 
Washington,  the  frame  draped  in  blue  crepe, 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  catafalque.  The  in- 
terior decorations  were  perfected  under  the  di- 
rection  of    G.    F.    Wright,   the   catafalque   by 


35S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNT V. 


Colonel  Schwartz,  and  the  exterior  of  the  build- 
ing b)-  E.  E.  Myers. 

The  coffin  was  probably  the  handsomest  ever 
constructed  in  this  country.  It  was  mahogany, 
lined  with  lead,  and  covered  with  black  cloth  of 
the  richest  and  most  expensive  quality,  heavily 
fringed  with  silver,  with  four  silver  medalions 
on  each  side  in  which  were  set  the  handles. 
The  outside  of  the  coffin  was  festooned  with 
massive  silver  tacks,  representing  draperj-,  in 
each  fold  of  which  was  a  silver  star,  the  outer 
edges  adorned  with  silver  braid,  with  five  tas- 
sels, five  inches  in  length,  each  side  having 
upon  it  four  massive  handles,  and  at  the  head 
and  foot  were  stars.  Upon  the  top  was  a  row 
of  silver  tacks,  extending  the  entire  length  on 
both  sides,  about  two  inches  from  the  edge. 
Upon  the  center  was  a  silver  plate  encircled  by 
a  shield,  formed  also  of  silver  tacks,  and  the 
face  lid  and  top  were  united  with  five  silver 
stars.  The  inside  of  the  face  lid  was  raised 
white  satin,  the  centre  piece  being  trimmed  with 
black  and  white  silk  braid  festooned  at  each 
corner  with  four  silver  stars. 

The  buildings  around  the  public  square,  and 
a  large  majority  of  the  private  residences  of  the 
city,  were  beautifully  draped,  manifesting  the 
sorrow  of  the  people  at  the  tragic  death  of  a 
loved  one.  The  late  President's  house  was 
tastefully  decorated  with  the  National  mourn- 
ing colors  and  evergreens.  It  was  visited  by 
many  visitors  from  abroad.  The  following- 
poem,  without  credit,  was  published  in  the 
Journal: 

"  LixcoLNl  thy  Country's  Savior,  hail! 
We  bid  thee  welcome,  but  bewail; 
Welcome  unto  thy  chosen  home; 
Triumphant,  glorious  dost  thou  come. 

•'  Before  the  rebels  struck  the  blow 
That  laid  thee  in  a  moment  low, 
God  gave  thy  wish:  it  was  to  see 

OUB  USION  SAKE,  OtIR  COCKTET  FREE. 

"  A  country  where  the  gospel  truth 
Shall  reach  the  heart  of  age  and  youth, 
And  move,  unchained,  in  majesty, 
A  model  land  of  liberty. 

"When  Jacob's  bones,  from  Egypt  borne. 
Regained  their  home,  the  people  mourn. 
Great  mourning  then  at  Ephron's  cave. 
Both  Abraham's  and  Isaac's  grave. 

"  Far  greater  is  the  mourning  now; 
Our  laud  one  emblem  wide  of  woe; 
And  where  thy  rothn-car  appears. 
Do  not  the  people  throng  in  tears? 

"  Thy  triumph  of  a  thousand  miles, 
Lilie  eastern  conqueror  with  his  spoils — 
A  million  hearts  thy  captive  led, 
All  weeping  for  their  Chieftain  dead. 


"  Thy  chariot,  moved  with  eagle's  speed 
Without  the  aid  of  prancing  steed. 
Has  brought  thee  to  thy  destined  tomb; 
Springfiefd,  thy  home,  will  give  thee  room. 

''Lincoln,  the  martyr,  welcome  home! 
What  lessons  blossom  on  thj'  tombv 
In  God's  pure  truth  and  law  delight, 
With  firm  unwavering  soul,  do  right. 

'•  Be  condescending,  kind  and  just; 
In  God's  wise  counsels  put  thy  trust. 
Let  no  proud  soul  e'er  dare  rebel. 
Moved  by  vile  passion  sprung  from  hell. 

"  Come,  sleep  with  us  in  sweet  repose. 
Till  we,  as  Christ  from  death  arose. 
Shall  in  His  glorious  image  rise 
To  dwell  with  Him  beyond  the  skies." 

The  crowd  iu  Springfield  on  this  occasion 
was  very  great.  Thousands  could  not  obtain  a 
place  to  lay  their  head  during  the  long  night  of 
Wednesday,  May  3.  All  night  long  the  sound 
of  tramping  feet  was  heard  upon  the  pavement 
as  the  weary  night  watches  wore  away.  The  in- 
terest to  see  the  remains  was  unparalleled,  and 
ere  it  was  light  upon  Thursday  morning,  the 
crowd  was  pressing  in  long  columns  toward 
Representatives  Hall.  At  about  10  o'clock,  a. 
m.,  the  coffin  was  closed,  and  the  beloved  feat- 
ures were  shut  out  from  the  people  forever. 
While  these  preparations  were  being  made  a 
choir  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  singers  assem- 
bled on  the  steps  of  the  Capitol,  and  under  the 
direction  of  Professor  Meissner,  sang  "Peace, 
troubled  soul,"  by  Paesillo.  The  harmony  was 
very  fine  and  it  had  a  solemn  but  pleasing 
effect.  As  the  remains  were  being  brought  out 
of  the  Capitol  to  be  placed  in  the  hearse,  the 
choir  sang  with  fine  effect,  Pleyel's  hymn, 
"Children  of  the  Heavenly  King." 

After  the  remains  were  placed  in  the  hearse, 
the  procession  was  formed  and  wended  its  way 
to  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery.  It  was  one  of  the 
most  imposing  ever  seen  in  this  country-  On 
its  arrival  at  the  cemetery,  the  remains  were 
placed  in  the  tomb,  after  which  the  choir  sang 
the  "Dead  March  in  Saul" — "Unveil  thy  Bo- 
som." Rev.  Albert  Hale  then  made  an  eloquent, 
feeling  and  appropriate  prayer,  after  which  the 
choir  sung  the  following  dirge,  composed  for 
the  occasion.  Music  by  George  F.  Root;  words 
by  L.  M.  Dawes.  It  was  sung  with  much  feel- 
ing and  effect: 

FAREWELL,  FATHER,  FRIEND  AND    GUARDIAN. 

'•  All  our  laud  is  draped  in  mourning. 

Hearts  are  bowed  and  strong  men  weep; 

For  our  loved,  our  noble  leader, 
Sleeps  his  last,  his  dreamless  sleep. 

Gone  forever,  gone  forever, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


359 


Fallen  by  a  traitor's  haiul; 
Thou.s;h  preserv'd  his  dearest  treasure, 
Our  redecm'd  beloved  land. 
Rest  in  peace. 

''Through  our  night  of  bloody  struggle, 
Ever  dauntless,  firm  and  true, 
Bravely,  gently  forth  he  led  us. 

Till  the  morn  burst  on  our  view — 
Till  he  saw  the  day  of  trivunpli. 
Saw  the  field  our  heroes  won; 
Then  liis  houor'd  life  was  ended. 
Then  his  glorious  work  was  done. 
Rest  in  peace. 

"  When  from  mountain,  hill  and  valley, 
To  their  homes  our  brave  boys  come. 
When  with  welcome  notes  we  greet  them; 

Song  and  cheer  and  peeling  drum-; 
When  we  miss  our  loved  ones  fallen. 

When  to  weep  we  turn  aside; 
Then  for  him  our  tears  shall  mingle, 
He  has  suft'ered — he  has  died. 
Rest  in  peace. 

"  Honoi'd  leader,  long  and  fondly 
Shall  thy  mem'ry  cherished  be; 
Hearts  shall  bless  thee  for  their  freedom. 

Hearts  unborn  shall  sigh  for  thee; 
He  who  gave  thee  might  and  wisdom, 

Gave  thy  spirit  sweet  release; 
Farewell,  Father,  friend  and  guardian. 
Rest  forever,  rest  in  peace.     « 
Rest  in  peace." 

A  portion  of  Scripture  was  then  read  by  Rev. 
N.  W.  Miner,  after  which  the  choir  sang,  "  To 
Thee,  O  Lord,"  from  Oratorio  of  St.  Paul.  The 
President's  last  Inaugural  was  read  by  Rev.  A. 
C.  Hubbard,  when  the  choir  sang  the  dirge, 
"As  when  Thy  cross  was  bleeding,"  by  Otto. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  singing,  Bishop  Simp- 
son delivered  a  most  eloquent  funeral  oration, 
which  was  listened  to  with  marked  attention,  and 
at  its  conolu.sion,  "Over  the  Valley  the  Angels 
Smile,"  was  sung.  After  a  few  remarks  by  Dr. 
Gurley,  the  following  hymn  and  doxology  was 
sung: 

FtlNERAL   HYMN. 

"Rest,  noble  martyr!  rest  in  peace; 

Rest  with  the  true  and  brave. 
Who,  like  thee,  fell  in  Freedom's  cause. 

The  Nation's  life  to  save. 

"  Thy  name  shall  live  wliile  time  endures. 

And  men  shall  say  of  thee, 
'  He  saved  his  country  from  its  foes, 

And  bade  the  slave  be  free.' 

"These  deeds  shall  be  thy  monument. 

Better  than  brass  or  stone; 
They  leave  thy  fame  in  glory's  light, 

Unrival'd  and  alone. 

"  This  consecrated  spot  shall  be 

To  Freedom  ever  dear. 
And  Freedom's  sons  of  every  race 

Shall  weep  and  worship  here. 


' '  O  God !  before  whom  we,  in  tears. 

Our  fallen  Chief  deplore; 
Grant  that  the  cause,  for  which  he  died, 

May  live  tor  evermore." 

DOXOLOGY. 

"To  the  Father,  Sou,  and  Holy  Ghost, 

To  God  whom  we  adore, 
Be  glory  as  it  was,  is  now. 

And  shall  be  evermore." 

After  benediction  by  Rev.  P.  D.  Gurley,  the 
troops  and  the  lire  department  re-formed  and 
marched  back  to  the  city,  where  they  were  dis- 
missed to  their  respective  headquarters.  Thus 
ended  the  obsequies  of  the  late  President  Abra- 
ham Lincoln. 

THE     END. 

While  the  funeral  obsecpiies  of  President  Lin- 
coln were  taking  place,  our  armies  were  fast 
gathering  around  the  rel)el  hosts,  and  seldom  a 
day  passed  but  more  or  less  of  them  were  cap- 
tured. Jeff  Davis,  the  rebel  chief,  fled  from  the 
capital  of  the  Confederacy,  Lee  was  a  prisoner, 
and  Johnston  surrounded.  A  few  days  more  and 
both  Davis  and  Johnston  were  captured,  and 
with  their  capture  the  Confederacy  collapsed. 
Regiment  after  regiment  of  Illinois  troops  were 
dispatched  to  Camp  Butler  for  final  p.Tyraent, 
and  discharged  during  the  summer  and  early 
fall.  A  royal  welcome  did  they  receive.  The 
noble  ladies  of  Springfield  who  labored  earnestly 
and  zealously  to  relieve  their  wants  while  in  the 
field,  now  sought  to  show  their  regard  by  kind 
and  thoughtful  attention  on  their  return.  On 
the  fourth  day  of  July  it  was  planned  to  cele- 
brate the  day  by  a  public  reception  and  welcome 
to  the  returning  soldiers.  On  that  day,  at  an 
early  hour,  people  began  to  arrive  from  the  sur- 
rounding country,  and  by  nine  o'clock  the 
streets  wore  the  appearance  of  a  gala-day.  About 
half  past  nine  oclock,  a  train  of  forty  cars, 
drawn  by  two  locomotives,  filled  with  soldiers 
from  Camp  Butler,  arrived  in  Springfield,  where, 
after  forming  in  line,  they  marched  to  the 
square,  and  from  thence  to  Wright's  Grove, 
west  of  the  city.  On  arriving  at  the  Grove,  the 
soldiers  were  marched  to  the  speakers'  stand, 
when  after  prayer  by  Rev.  Albert  Hale,  J.  C. 
C'Onkling,  President  of  the  day,  introduced  Gov- 
ernor Oglesby,  who  spoke  substantially  as  fol- 
lows: 

"Mr.  President,  Fellov^  Soldiers  and  Fellow 
(Mizens: — The  pleasant  duty  of  extending  a 
welcome  to  these  brave  soldiers  has  devolved 
upon  me,  and  when  this  duly  is  performed  you 
will  listen  to  a  prayer  and  oration;  and  when 
this  part  is  over,  the  fair  ladies  and  citizens  of 


360 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


this  place  have  cordially  invited  you  to  a  good 
dinner,  if  not  our  best  in  all  respects,  it  is  good 
for  the  stomach.  On  the  4th  day  of  Jvily, 
1860,  found  us  at  peace  with  all  the  world  and 
ourselves.  We  had  been  progressing  in  every- 
thing that  constitutes  a  great  people.  Intellec- 
tual and  material  wealth  had  made  us  one  of  the 
lirst  Nations  of  the  earth. 

"The  4th  day  of  July,  18C1,  found  us  at  peace 
with  the  world  but  at  war  with  ourselves.  This 
year  thirteen  States,  under  the  erroneous  doc- 
trine of  State  rights,  that  a  man's  allegiance  to 
his  State  took  precedence  of  his  allegiance  to 
his  Government,  seceded  from  the  Union,  on 
what  they  called  the  ordinance  of  secession.  On 
the  21st  day  of  July,  we  stood  dishonored  be- 
fore the  world  by  the  events  of  Bull  Run.  Our 
beautiful  and  loved  flag  was  dishonored  and 
trailed  in  the  dust. 

"The  4th  of  July,  1862,  found  us  in  better 
condition.  We  had  captured  Fort  Donelson, 
had  obtained  possession  of  Kentucky,  most  of 
Tennessee,  and  had  opened  the  Mississippi 
river  two  hundred  and  forty  miles  below  Cairo. 
A  large  number  of  the  bravest  and  best  men  of 
the  country  had  responded  to  their  country's 
call  and  had  gone  forth  to  fight  its  battles. 

"The  4th  of  July,  1863,  found  us  in  posses- 
sion of  Vicksburg:  we  had  won  the  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  and  taken  many  important  points. 
The  disgrace  of  Bull  Run  had  been  wiped  from 
our  flag,  and  the  seven  days'  battle  and  defeat 
had  been  wiped  out,  the  rebels  had  been  whip- 
ped. We  now  held  the  rebels  by  the  neck  by  a 
cord  of  American  soldiers,  and  they  were  pulling 
the  cord  at  both  ends." 

Continuing,  the  Governor  spoke  in  glowing 
and  elocpient  terms  of  the  4th  of  July,  1864, 
when  Grant  swept  the  country,  and  with  the 
army  of  the  Potomac,  held  the  rebels  as  in  a 
vise.  The  fourth  of  July,  1865,  was  glorious. 
Glory  to  God,  said  he,  for  the  grandeur  and  hap- 
piness of  our  condition;  and  thanks  to  the  brave 
men  as  instruments  in  carrying  forward  the 
great  work  of  redeeming  the  country.  Their 
names  were  written  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful 
people,  and  should  be  inscribed  on  tablets  of 
marl)le  and  of  iron  in  testimony  of  their  great 
and  glorious  services.  He  welcomed  them  home 
from  the  bottom  of  his  heart — he  welcomed  them 
home  in  the  name  of  the  city  and  its  brave  and 
generous  people.  His  duty  was  done;  he  did  not 
come  to  advise  them  in  relation  to  their  deport- 
ment, or  to  tell  them  to  be  good  citizens,  but  to 
tell  them  they  were  among  men  and  women  who 
respected  and  honored  them  as  the  brave  defend- 


ers of  their  country.  Without  the  presence  of 
the  brave  soldiers,  the  people  would  not  be  so 
happy  to-day.  He  referred  in  eloquent  terms  to 
the  principles  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, and  asked  them  if  they  could  stand  upon 
the  platform  therein  contained,  as  applied  to 
rebels  and  traitors?  We  will  hold  them,  he 
said,  as  we  hold  the  rest  of  mankind:  enemies  in 
war;  in  peace,  friends.  As  for  himself,  he  was 
not  exactly  prepared  for  it — not  exactly  cool 
enough — could  not  adopt  it  just  then.  For  the 
last  four  years  they  had  been  at  war;  they  were 
his  enemies,  and  he  would  think  about  adopting 
the  sentiment  hereafter.  He  closed  his  remarks 
amid  the  greatest  applause. 

After  the  Veteran  Reserve  Band  had  dis- 
coursed some  fine  music,  the  President  of  the 
day  introduced  Robert  J.  Ingersoll,  who  de- 
livered an  oration  such  as  only  he  could  deliver, 
after  which  a  benediction  was  pronounced  by 
Rev.  N.  W.  Miner,  and  the  soldiers  formed  in 
line  and  marched  to  the  tables,  where  a  grand 
charge  was  made  upon  the  good  things  provided 
for  the  occasion,  and  all  felt  h.appy  and  thankful 
for  the  blessings  received  and  that  the  "cruel 
war"  was  over. 

After  dinner,  a  large  number  of  citizens  as- 
sembled at  the  stand,  where  a  number  of  toasts 
were  read,  among  which  were  the  following: 

"  The  Day  we  Celebrate. — The  principles  of 
liberty  promulgated  in  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, by  our  fathers  of  1776,  have  been 
triumphantly  vindicated  by  their  heroic  children; 
and  we  meet  in  1865  to  rejoice  in  the  fact  the 
inspired  maxims  of  that  immortal  instrument 
are  no  longer  'glittering  generalities,'  but  the 
assured  and  absolute  basis  of  the  Government, 
and  destined  so  to  be,  to  the  latest  generation." 

"  The  /Soldiers  of  Illinois. — In  vindicating 
the  honor  of  the  flag  and  preserving  the  Na- 
tional Union,  they  have  conferred  immortal 
honor  upon  their  State." 

To  this  sentiment  General  Brayman  responded 
in  some  eloquent  and  appropriate  remarks,  in 
the  course  of  which  he  alluded  to  the  lofty  pat- 
riotism and  self-denying  spirit  which  led  the 
volunteer  soldiers  to  enlist  in  the  great  work  of 
redeeming  their  country.  He  referred  to  the 
glorious  day  which  was  being  celebrated,  and  to 
a  restored  country  and  a  free  people.  His  refei'- 
ence  to  the  noble  and  brave  soldiers  of  Illinois 
was  just  and  flattering  to  them  and  the  State 
they  represented.  To  the  memory  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  he  paid  a  just  and  eloquent  tribute  — 
no  circumstances  could  daunt  him;  he  was  equal 
to  every  emergency. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


361 


"  Tlie  Lmjal  Women  of  the  North. — Tlieir 
persistent  devotion  to  the  cause  of  their  coun- 
try— their  patient  endurance,  unwearied  labors, 
heroic  sacrifices,  and  inspiring  cheerfulness  and 
hope  through  the  long  midnight  of  agony  and 
woe — all  this  is  at  once  the  most  beautiful  and 
sublimest  spectacle  of  the  war.  God  bless  and 
reward  the  loyal  women  of  America."' 

Captain  George  R.  Weber  responded  to  the 
foregoing  toast  in  some  eloquent  and  appro- 
priate remarks,  which  were  received  with  great 
applause: 

"  The  Patriotic  Soldiery  of  Illinois. — Their 
patient  endurance  and  impetuous  valor  have 
shed  imperishible  lustre  ujjon  the  arms  of  the 
State  that  delights  to  do  them  honor — braver 
and  truer  men  never  trod  on  battle-field  —  wel- 


come, thrice  welcome  from  the  fields  of  their 
renown." 

Colonel  George  H.  Harlow  responded  in  ap- 
propriate remarks: 

"  Our  Fallen  Heroes. — We  miss  them  here  to- 
day. 'They  sleep  their  last  sleep,  they  have 
fought  their  last  battle;  no  sound  can  awaken 
them  to  glory  again'  —  but  shrined  in  the  hearts 
of  a  grateful  people,  their  names  and  deeds 
shall  live  in  immortal  glory." 

This  sentiment  was  received  in  silence. 

'^Richard  Yates. — The  'Cour  de  Leon'  of  the 
Union  hosts  of  Illinois,  during  the  four  years  of 
war.  Traitors  hated  him  as  Governor;  they 
will  hate  him  worse  as  United  States  Senator." 

This  sentiment  was  received  with  immense 
cheering,  and  music  by  the  band. 


362 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XVIII. 


THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION— Continued. 


A  history  of  Sangamon  county,  without  a  rec- 
ord of  her  brave  sons  in  the  field,  would  indeed 
be  incomplete.  The  reader  can  well  understand 
the  historical  sketches  of  the  regiments  must  be 
short;  and  even  then,  only  those  can  be  given 
that  are  represented  by  any  considerable  num- 
ber of  men  from  Sangamon  county.  A  full  and 
complete  list  of  soldiers  from  the  county  is 
given,  as  far,  at  least,  as  can  be  compiled  from 
the  Adjutant-General's  reports.  .When  possible, 
the  list  of  the  various  regiments  have  been  re- 
vised by  some  one  familiar  with  the  names. 

SEVENTU    INFANTRY. 

The  Seventh  Infantry  Illinois  Volunteers  is 
claimed  to  be  the  first  regiment  organized  in 
the  State  of  Illinois,  under  the  first  call  of  the 
President  for  three  months'  troops.  The  Seventh 
was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at 
Camp  Yates,  Illinois,  April  'J5,  1861,  by  Captain 
John  Pope,  U.  S.  A.;  was  forwarded  to  Alton, 
St.  Louis,  Cairo  and  Mound  City,  where  it  re- 
mained during  three  months'  service. 

The  Seventh  was  re-organized,  and  mustered 
for  three  years'  service  July  25,  1861,  by  Captain 
T.  G.  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.;  proceeded  to  Ironton, 
Missouri,  and  joined  the  command  of  Brigadier 
General  B.  M.  Prentiss,  August  23,  1861 ;  march- 
ed to  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  where  it  re- 
mained some  time;  Colonel  Cook  commanding 
post.  The  garrison  consisted  of  a  brigade:  Sev- 
enth and  Twenty-eighth  Illinois  and  McAllis- 
ter's battery.  General  Grant  commanded  the 
District  of  Cairo. 

Was  with  the  reconnoitering  expedition  under 
General  Grant,  in  the  rear  of  Columbus,  Ken- 
tucky. During  the  battle  of  Belmont,  was  sent 
to  Elliott's  MiUs,  just  above  Columbus.  On 
February  3,  1 802,  embarked  for  Fort  Henry, 
and  on  the  12th  for  Fort  Donelson;  taking  part 
in  the  investment  and  siege  of  tliat  place,  Feb- 


ruary 13,  14  and  15,  and  was  in  the  last  charge 
on  the  left  of  the  enemy's  works.  At  Donelson, 
the  regiment  was  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel Babcock.  Colonel  Cook  was  commanding 
Third  Brigade,  Second  Division;  Major  General 
C.  F.  Smith  commanding.  Loss,  three  killed, 
including  the  gallant  Captain  Mendall,  of  Com- 
pany I,  and  nineteen  wounded. 

February  21,  1802,  left  Fort  Donelson  for 
Clarksville,  Tennessee,  Major  Rowett  command- 
ing; Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock,  absent — 
sick  and  Colonel  Cook  commanding  brigade. 
Ordered  to  Nashville,  and  afterwards  to  Pitts- 
burg Landing,  where  it  arrived  February  22, 
1862.  Was  engaged  continually,  April  Band  7, 
at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  under  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Rowett,  Colonel  Babcock  being 
absent — sick,  and  Colonel  Cook  having  been 
promoted  to  Brigadier  General  on  the  21st  of 
March. 

Loss  at  battle  of  Shiloh. — Two  commissioned 
officers  and  thirteen  men  killed,  and  seventy- 
nine  wounded. 

Was  engaged  up  to  May  30,  with  Third  bri- 
gade, Second  division,  and  in  centre  of  right 
wing,  moving  upon  Corinth — meanwhile  having 
several  skirmishes  with  the  enemy.  On  evacua- 
tion of  Corinth  May  30,  by  the  enemy,  the 
regiment  marched  to  Farmington  and  Boone- 
ville  Mississippi,  repairing  roads  and  bridges 
and  returned  to  Corinth  June  11,  1802.  At  bat- 
tle of  Corinth,  October  3  and  4,  1862,  the  regi- 
ment was  engaged  both  days  entire,  on  right  of 
Third  brigade  and  still  in  Second  division. 
Colonel  Babcock  was  in  command.  On  5th  of 
October  marched  in  pursuit  of  enemy  as  far  as 
Ruckerville  and  returned  on  10th. 

Loss  at  Corinth. — Two  commissioned  officers 
and  six  men  killed,  forty-six  wounded.  Also 
twenty-one  prisoners,  who  were  afterward  ex- 
changed and  returned  to  duty. 


m 


\*1 


'■•in  i. 


1^ 

i'        i        '^ 


C 


//^ — 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


365 


Decbiuliur  is,  niaiched  to  Lexington  Missouri, 
iu  pursuit  of  guerrillas,  April  10,  1803,  marched 
with  General  Dodge's  command  through  luka, 
Glendale  and  Ijiirnsville  to  Bear  Creek,  on  the 
iVlabama  line. 

On  17th,  deployed  as  skirmishers,  drove  the 
enemy  from  the  creek,  and  as  soon  as  the  cav- 
alry had  crossed,  companies  C  and  K  pushed  for- 
ward at  a  double  quick,  in  support  of  a  battery. 

The  remainder  of  the  brigade  then  crossed, 
and  moving  forward  to  Cherokee,  engaged  the 
rebels.  The  Seventh  on  the  right  killed  twelve 
of  the  enemy,  and  captured  two  prisoners.  At 
dark  retired,  and  next  morning  removed  back  to 
Bear  Creek. 

April  25,  again  moved  forward  to  Tuscumbia, 
and  the  same  evening  to  South  Florence,  joining 
the  Ninth  Illinois  (mounted)  infantry.  The 
next  day,  moved  with  main  column  to  Town 
creek.  April  28,  crossed  Town  creek,  and  drove 
the  enemy  three  miles,  and  remained  on  tlie 
ground  during  the  second  night  with  the  Second 
Iowa  infantry.  On  29th,  re-crossed,  and  re- 
turned to  Corinth  with  the  command,  arriving 
May  2.  Loss  during  this  expedition,  one  man 
killed — accidentally  shot. 

May  12  to  June  8,  1863, guarded  railroad  from 
Bethel  to  Jackson,  Tennessee.  June  18, mounted 
by  order  of  Major  General  Dodge,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month  was  scouting  through 
West  Tennessee.  July  7  to  9,  on  scout.  July 
26  to  August  5,  on  expedition,  under  command 
of  Colonel  Kowett,  of  the  Seventh,  capturing 
forty-two  prisoners,  including  one  Colonel  and 
two  Captains,  and  many  horses  and  mules.  Lost 
one  man,  accidentally  killed.  Again  went  out 
with  100  men  of  the  Tenth  Missouri  cavalry. 
Had  several  skirmishes,  and  captured  twenty 
prisoners. 

September  26,  commenced  a  four  days'  expe- 
dition with  the  Seventh  Kansas  cavalry.  Colonel 
Rowett  in  command.  Had  some  very  brisk 
skirmishes,  and  captured  thirty  prisoners  and 
several  horses  and  mules.  October  4,  relieved 
Eighteenth  Missouri  at  Chervalla,  and  was  again 
relieved  on  the  28th. 

October  26,  proceeded  to  luka.  Here  guarded 
approaches  until  the  6th  of  November,  when 
marched  to  Eastport,  and  crossing  the  Tennessee 
river,  moved  on  flanks  of  Dodge's  command,  cap- 
turing horses,  etc.,  and  fighting  guerrillas  until 
November  1 2,  when  camped  at  Fulaska.  Novem- 
ber 17  to  19,  scouted  to  and  beyond  Lawrence- 
burg,  capturing  thirty  prisoners.  December  10, 
ordered  on  scout  toward  Shreve  creek  and  Flor- 
ence,.Alabama.     Engaged  Moreland's  battalion, 

42— 


and  captured  thirty-tive  prisoners,  including  four 
commissioned  otficers. 

The  enemy  left  eight  dead  on  the  field,  and 
many  wounded. 

Jk'sides  the  above  skirmishes  and  marches, 
detachments  of  the  regiment  had  been  con- 
stantly employed  carrying  dispatches,  and  have 
had  many  small  skirmishes,  captured  many  pris- 
oners, etc.  December  22,  1803,  tlie  regiment  re- 
enlisted  as  Veteran  Volunteers,  and  January  7, 
1864,  started  to  Springfield  for  the  Veterans' 
furlough. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  July  9,  1865, 
at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  arrived  at  Camp 
Butler,  July  12,  1865,  for  final  payment  and  dis- 
charge. 

In  the  three  months'  service,  Sangamon  county 
was  represented  by  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment 
and  Companies  G  and  I.  In  the  three  year.s' 
service  it  had,  when  organized,  the  Colonel, 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  Surgeon,  and  a  large  num- 
ber of  men,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  accompanying 
roster. 

The  promotions,  during  the  service,  of  men 
from  Sangamon  county,  in  the  Seventh  Infantry, 
was  as  follows:  Colonel  Cook,  to  Brigadier 
General;  Andrew  J.  Babcock,  from  Lieutenant 
Colonel  to  Colonel;  Edward  S.  Johnson,  from 
First  Lieutenant  to  Captain,  and  then  Major; 
Thomas  N.  Francis,  from  Second  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant and  Adjutant;  Solomon  T.  Flint,  from 
Sergeant  Major  to  First  Lieutenant;  Benjamin 
F.  Smith,  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  then  to  Gen- 
eral Cook's  staff;  Edward  R.  Roberts,  from  Sec- 
ond to  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain;  Alexander 
Adams,  to  Second  Lieutenant;  John  E.  Sullivan, 
from  Sergeant  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant 
and  Captain;  Joseph  S.  Fisher,  to  Second  Lieu- 
tenant; William  E.  Norton,  from  private  to  First 
Lieutenant. 

ROSTER  OP  THREE   MONTHS'  MEN. 

Beuimental  Officers. 
Colonel— Jolin  Cook 

COMPANY  O. 

Officers. 
Captain — William  Sauds 
First  Lieutenant — Daniel  L   CanfieUl 
Second  Lieutenant — Walter  G.  Kerch eval 
First  Serrjeant. 
Henry  W.  Allen 
Sergeants. 
Robert  D.  Walker  George  Sloan 

Adam  E.  Vi'oorman 

Cm'i^oraln. 
John  W.  Tomlinson  William  Grissom 

George  W.  Tipton  M.  Belleville  GrifBn 


360 


IlISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COTXTY. 


John  L.  Kain 


Musicians. 

Irenus  P.  Howell 


Privates. 

Adlong,  Lewis  Lowe,  Charles  C. 

Brown,  Chai-les  N.  McCray,  William  B. 

Brown,  Frederick  C.  Mayers,  George 

Barr,  Henry  C.  Mantle,  John 

Bedy,  Patrick  L.  Marshall  Jeremiah 
Burgoon,  Columbus  W.      Morgan,  Byron  E. 

Barr,  William  A.  Morgan,  John  W. 

Cantrall.  George  W.  Oats,  James 

Deck,  Valentine  Pilcher,  John 
Drake,  Henry  B            '       Pebham,  William  B. 

Daly,  John  Rush,  Archer  H. 

Dunlap,  John  K.  Rueker,  Alexander 

Early,  William  A  Renne,  James  S. 

Edwards.  Archie  L.  Sanders,  William 

Farmer.  Samuel  L,  Short,  James  L. 

Fink.  Earnest  Schwitzer,  John 
Foster.  William              ^^cott,  Walter  M. 

Garnett,  George  Shepherd,  Oscar  F. 

Gambrel,  Joseph  C.  Stone,  John  B. 

Haselrigc,  Ashton  Sturmer.  Jamep,  B. 

Hobbs, "William  M.  Tipton,  Isaac  H. 

Hivil}',  Adam  Troy,  James 

Hanon,  Andrew  J.  Tomlinson.  William  D. 

Haines,  Benjamin  K.  Tavlor,  John  W. 

Hudson,  Frank  M.  Walsh,  Walter 

Hurd,  Stephen  William,  Thomas  J. 

Howell,  Stephen  S.  Wilcox,  John  H. 

Hempstead,  Georae  Wacherlee,  George 

Haines.  William  F.  Wood,  Albert  S. 

James,  AYilliam  Wood,  Bazzle  M. 

Keplet.  Matthias  Walters,  James  A. 
Kilhnanin,  James  A. 

COMr.\SY   I. 

Officers. 
Captain — Andrew  J.  Babcock 
First  Lieutenant-  Thomas  G.  Moffatt 
Second  Lieutenant — Noah  E.  Mendell 

First  Sergeant. 
Edward  S.  Johnson 
Sergeants. 
John  C.  Reynolds  William  A.  Dubois 

Henry  C.  Vanhoti' 
Corporals. 
Edward  R.  Roberts  Thomas  L.  Bishop 

John  H.  Canfield  John  M.  Pearson 

Musicians. 

Albert  M.  Kane  Alexander  Adams 

Pficates. 

Armstrong.  John  W.  Morris,  Thomas  A. 

Alden,  William  McClease,  John 

Alsop,  Henry  Mclntire,  Marshall  M. 

Arnold,  Alfred  V.  Nixon,  William  A. 

Butler,  Thomas  H.  Norton,  Luke 

Butts,  Thomas  Newman,  William 

Boring,  William  Naval,  Joseph  D. 

Clark,  William  H.  Opdvkc,  Thomas  G. 

Cook,  Thomas  H.  Post',  Truman  S. 

Caultield.  JohnC.  Polusky   Daniel  R. 

Decker.  JohnC.  Rerse,  Lanson 

Dickcrson.  Samuel  Ruth,  J.  Diller 

Early,  Charles  J.  Rubv,  Andrew  M. 

Fesscnden,  George  T.  Russell,  Samuel  H. 

Francis,  Thomas  N.  Kiley,  Asher  B. 

Ferguson,  Robert  I.  Richmond,  John  S. 


Fisher,  Joseph  S. 
Fox,  James 
Gourley,  Charles  S. 
Green,  Francis  M. 
Gregory,  Peter  F. 
Gibson,  John 
Hickox,  Silas  W. 
Higgins,  Edwin  L. 
Heskitt,  Benjamin  L. 
Ide,  Albert  L. 
Johns,  Chester 
Jayne,  Henry 
Klippel,  Jacob 
Keslin,  George  W. 
Keefner.  George 
Lawhead,  Charlis  C. 
Manning,  George  G. 


Strickland,  Edward  P. 
Sullivan,  John  E. 
Spriggs,  Frederick  R. 
Saunders,  Henry  A. 
Shankland,  John  H. 
Steel,  Ruben  M. 
Sweainguin,  Thomas  A. 
Stockdale,  William  G. 
Thorpe.  Thomas 
Trcman,  Ortin 
Taylor.  Charles  A 
Uhler,  Martin  J. 
Wells,  Charles  H. 
Wilson,  William  S. 
Wyatt,  Frank 
Williams,  Louis 


ROSTER  OF  THREE  TEARS'  MEN. 

Regimental  Officers. 
Colonel — John  Cook. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  —Andrew  J.  Babcock 
Surgeon — Richard  Metcalf. 
First  Assistant  Surgeon — James  Hamilton 
First  Assistant  Surgeon — Elijah  P.  Burton 

COMPAI^Y  C. 

Officers. 
First  Lieutenant — F^dward  R.  Roberts 

Privates. 
Campbell,  John  H.  Thayer,  Clarence  C. 

COMPANY  «. 
Officers. 
Caplain — Henry  W.  Allen. 
First  Lieutenant — George  W.  Tipton 
Second  Lieutenant — Adam  E.  Vrooman 

COMPANY    I. 

Officers. 
Captain— N(iah  E   Mindell 
First  Lieutenant — Edward  S.  Johnson 
Second  Lieutenant — Newton  Francis 

First  Sergeant. 
John  E.  Sullivan 

Sergeants. 
Joseph  S.  Fisher  Luke  Norton 

Charles  H.  Traver  John  H.  Shankland 

Co7'porals. 
William  H.  Clark  Jacob  Klippel 

William  Bming  John  W.  Campbell 

Charles  J.  Myers  Charles  M.  Fellows 

William  B.  Baker  Ouen  Gunstunson 

Wagoner. 
Joseph  O.  Pulliam 
Privates. 
Baker.  D.  J.  Mav,  John 

Bollyjack,  John  McAtti,  Thomas  J. 

Brown,  J.  V.  Millaid,  Lawrence  J. 

Bussnan,  (Jeorge  W.  Miller.  Peter 

Barren,  Henry  C.  McGinnis,  Marcus  F. 

Bruce.  Henry  E.  Morgan,  Byron  E. 

Cameron,  William  Nelson,  John 

Campbell,  Anderson  A.      Norton,  William  E. 
Craven,  James  O'Harra   John 

Crowlev,  Patrick  O'Keep,  David 

Daniels   Seth  J.  Philli|is.  Jf.hn  M. 

Davis,  William  Porter,  Ole 

Edwards,  Elbert  Pyle,  Lorenzo 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


30 : 


Edwards,  William  M. 
Ecker,  Willium  J. 
Elder,  Samui'l 
Flint,  Solomon  F. 
Flannagau,  Thomas  J. 
Gambrel,  James  L. 
Hamilton,  Heury  H. 
Hamilton,  Seth 
Heskell,  Ueuj.  L. 
Hill,  Thomas 
Hilling,  Gustave  F. 
Marsh,  George 
MeDonald,  Dugald 

CONSOLIDATION   OF 

Seryeants. 

William  Sanders  Isaac  H.  Tipton 

Charles  Lewis 

C'07-purals. 

George  T.  Sayles  Thomas  J.  Robinson 

William  H.  Lowe 

Privates. 


Rape,  James  H. 
Rapplye.  Levi  A. 
Rosier"  William  V. 
Rogers,  William  S. 
Royal,  Thomas  M. 
Sargent,  William  J. 
Stouebarger,  Geo.  W. 
Tipton,  Bryant 
Toner,  Michael 
Unkle}',  John 
Walsh,  Michael  L. 
Wallens,  Robert  G. 

COMPANIES   I   AND   G. 


Brown,  William,  jr. 
Baldwin,  William  A. 
Bailey,  James  L. 
Bashaw,  Hiram 
Brown,  Fred  C. 
Daly,  John 
Dougherty,  John  H. 
Hillis,  Joshua 
Mitts,  Thomas  J. 
Nicholson,  William  G. 
Schuler,  John 
Thomas,  Silas 
Williams.  Albert  C. 
Dehiny,  Thomas 
Duffy.  Patrick 
Ely,  John  L. 
Forman,  Thomas 
Francis,  Charles  S. 
Gibland,  John 
Gunstouson,  John 
Hervey,  George  M. 
Helms,  Isaac 
Hillis,  Joshua  W. 
Humi)hries,  Urias 
Half,  James  B. 
O'Conner,  Michael 
Picott,  Edmund 
Phelps,  Jonathan  C. 
Parker,  Jacob  J. 
Pletz,  Andrew 
Ryan,  James 
Rosback,  Peter, 


Riggans,  Nathaniel 


Robinson,  William  L. 
,Scott,  Alfred  W. 
Sollars,  William 
Smith,  Andrew 
Tipton,  George  W. 
Tipton,  Landon  P. 
Tomlinson,  John  W. 
Ungles,  Squire. 

COMPANY   K. 

Privates. 
Hoges,  James  McCully,  Richard 

Gaggard,  Samuel  Valentine,  Harvey  L. 

JJnaasignid . 
Showalter,  Thomas 


Workman,  James  G. 
.Vndrews,  James 
Ball,  James  P. 
Billen,  Robert  I. 
Brasstield,  .lames  T. 
Crowley,  William 
Ciowlcy,  James 
Camp,  Alvah 
Cincier,  Anthony 
Jensou,  Owen 
Johnson,  John  W. 
Kilgore,  Jas.  W. 
Karns,  Lewis 
Kent,  James  H. 
Kaine,  John 
Lacy,  James 
Leonard  George 
Massey,  William  T. 
McLellaud,  Thomas  J. 
McLelland,  Robert  W. 
Meyer,  Lewis 
Nelson,  Ole 
Nichols,  David 
Newman,  William  H. 
Vesey,  Georsre 
VanTassell,  W'lliam 
Wallace   William  F. 
Walker,  David 
Walker,  Robert 
Walker,  William 
Wyatt,  Benjamin  F. 
Gunstonson,  Owen 
Kepple,  Jacob 
Lowe,  William  H. 
Marsh,  George 
Pulliam,  Josejih  O. 
Shankhmd,  John  H. 
Thomas,  Silas 
Williams,  Albert  C. 
Tomlinson,  Thos,  U.  B. 


NINTH    INFANTBY. 

Sangamon  county  was  represented  in  this  regi- 
ment by  but  few  men,  as  given  below.  James 
Oates  was  promoted  from  Sergeant  to  Second 
and  then  First  Lieutenant.  The  following  are 
the  names  of  those  from  this  county: 

COJIPAXT  p. 

Seryean t . 

Thomas  C.  Kidd 

Corporals. 

Robeit  Crump 

COMPANY   I. 

Private . 
Jones,  John 

COMPANY   K. 

Sergeant. 

James  Gates 

Corporals . 

James  Troy 
Prioates. 

George  Kirsch 
August  Meisel 


R.  J.  Simpkins 


George  Meyers 


Tomlinson,  Wm. 
Jones,  John 


TENTH    INFANTRY. 

Company  I  of  this  regiment,  in  tlie  three 
months'  service,  was  from  this  county;  but  as 
re-organized  for  the  three  years'  service,  but  few 
men  went  out.  from  here.  The  following  is  the 
original  roster  of  names  from  Sangamon  countv: 

COMPANY   I. 

Officers . 
Captain — Caleb  Hopkins 
First  Lieutenant — James  P.  Flood 
Second  Lieutenant — Wills  Bertram 

First  Sergeant 
Bartram  Ward 

Sergeants. 
Alexander  Bush  Isaac  Bigelow 

Jacob  Scott 


John  J.  Bobbins 
Abel  Putney 


Allender,  Samuel 
Avenniti,  Thomas 
Bowers,  Amos 
Billington,  James 
Barr,  James 
Burchelburg,  Rudolph 
Brown,  William  W. 
Bowers,  George 
Bowen,  Patrick 
Bass,  Hugh 
Bowcn,  Lawrence 
Beerup,  Charles 
ChicK,  Robert 
Conway,  Peter 
Clark,  James 


Corporals 

Robert  A.Connelly 
Fredrick  Ilartwick 
Privates. 

Kriugbourn,  Richard 
Lee,  Fredrick  W. 
Louridge,  Edward 
Murry,  Thomas  C. 
Maginis,  .John 
Mclntyrc,  Thomas  C. 
McCarty,  James 
Mock,  Jacob  Y. 
Marvin,  George  H. 
Metlock,  John 
Metlock,  Micajah 
Mosher,  Lang 
Moore,  William 
McCanley,  Patrick 
Pringle,  John 


.368 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Culver,  Pliineas  N. 
Crosby,  James 
Connell,  Thomas  N. 
Cole,  Edgar 
Davis,  Napoleon 
Dunn,  John 
Edmons,  John  W. 
Fox,  Thomas 
Frank,  John  W. 
Garner,  Elijah 
Galvin,  Daniel 
Gibson,  Benjamin 
Grimsley,  James 
Grisom,"  Albert  N. 
Hays,  William 
Johnson,  George  W. 
Kennedy,  Thomas  W. 


Pringle,  James 
Pratt,  Charles  L. 
Penney,  Nicholas 
Roach,  Henry 
Rogers.  A.  W . 
Reynolds,  Thomas  M. 
Robertson,  Jesse 
Spath,  George 
Seaman,  Joseph 
Sharp,  Henry 
Sweeny,  James 
St.  John,  Francis 
Tedrow,  William  L. 
Welland,  Christopher 
Wheeler,  F.  G. 
White,  Edward  H. 
West,  Charles. 


TENTH  BEGIMENT THREE  YEARS. 

Officers. 
Lieutenant — Richmond  Wolcott 

Privates. 
McConnell,  Zacheus  Mappin,  John  J. 

Tuthill,  George  W. 

ELBVENTH    INFANTRY. 

In  the  tliree  months  service  of  the  Eleventh 
infantry,  Sangamon  county  is  quoted  with  the 
following  named: 

COJir.YNY  B. 

Officers . 

Captain — Frederick  W.  Shaw 

First  Lieutenant — Grccnbiiry  L.  Fort 

Second  Lieutenant — John  M.  McClanahan 

First  Sergeant. 

Thomas  Ellis 

Sergeants. 
Merwin  Black  Henry  Burk 

Benjamin  F.  Blackstone 

Corporals. 
Ralph  S .  Tuttle  George  Wright 

Samuel  Cutler  Richard  H.  Maxwell 


Israel  Coburn 


Musicians. 

Albert  W.  Gore 

Privates. 


Addingtou,  Willian  8. 
Buck,  Jerry  M. 
Boice,  Welcome  H. 
Bauer,  John 
Blanchard,  Natlianicl 
Bender,  James  T. 
Bomnier,  .John 
Barnhart,  .Jacob 
Carney,  James  T. 
Carmichael,  Isaac 
Corrigan,  .John 
Corrington,  George  D. 
Drake,  Andrew 
Dean.  Samuel  B. 
Elsenhawer,  Casper 
For,  Amos 
Fuller.  John  W. 
Felmou,  William 
Gay,  George  W 
Gray,  Thomas 


McDonald,  Arthur 
McKinzie,  .John 
McMahon,  Daniel 
McAuley,  Robert  P. 
Newport,  Thomas  E. 
Offg,  George  E. 
Powers  Alexander 
Piatt,  James 
Peck,  Warren 
Ryan,  Charles 
Rump,  Harmon 
Rump,  August 
Rogers,  Michael 
Sebring.  .James  JM. 
Scholl,  Philip 
Shaw,  Georsre  B. 
Smitli.  .John  A. 

-^cott,  AY  alter 

— Scott,  Alonzo 
Steua'cr.  David 


Hatton,  Andrew 
Hess,  Alexander 
Hurlbut,  Egbert  R 
Hurlbut,  Willis 
Howcr,  Solomon  H. 
Hall.  Peter  A. 
Jenkins,  Edwin 
Justice,  Harvey 
Jones,  Fred  B, 
Kuhl,  Jacob 
Lewis,  Thomas  N. 
Liend,  John  W. 
Lynn.  George 
Latourette,  .Joseph 
Leighton,  Andrew  J. 
Moren,  Terrence 
Murry,  Elijah 
Miller,  John  W. 
Morley,  Howard  C. 
Maurice,  AVilliam  6. 
Madden,  James  H. 
McDonald,  Cbarles 


Sewall,  Martin  W. 
Thompson,  Henrj'B. 
Traver,  Jesse 
Traver,  Harvey  W. 
Traver,  August  P. 
Tompson  James 
Varuey,  Horace  A. 
Vanantwert,  Hiram 
Wies,  Peter 
Wilson,  Cornelius 
Wright,  Calvin 
Wright,  Daniel  W. 
Walker,  Joseph 
Wiar,  Solomon 
Wyner,  John  M. 
Wesley,  James  W. 
Worley  Loren  A. 
Wilcox.  Alfred  B. 
Wright,  James  W. 
Walker  Anderson 
Zimmerman,  Franc 


COMPANY  c. 

Officers. 

Captain — Aaron  L.  Rock  wood 
First  Lieutenant — S.  P.  Jones 
Second  Lieutenant — J.  C.  Jewell 

First  Sergeant. 
George  C.  McKee 

Sergeants. 
John  F.  Whitney  Hugh  F.  McWilliams 

George  W.  Lewis 

Corporals. 
Antony  AV.  Young  William  J.  Ribley 

Charles  Arthur  William  Howe 

ifusician. 
Marcus  Perry 

Privates. 


Andiisch,  Anton 
Bluthart.  Adolphus 
Burnet,  Franklin 
Buckle V,  Benjamin 
Baker,  Peter 
Burk.  Edmou  H. 
Brookins,  William  A. 
Bartlett.  AA'illiam 
Clark,  ThcmiasH. 
Carter,  Richard  H. 
Christy,  Robert  H. 
Cain,  James 
Cameron,  Robert  A. 
Crabtrec,  George  W. 
Clements,  John  M. 
Cameron.  William 
Dailcy,  John  R. 
Eagle,  Theodore 
Egger,  AVilliam 
Free,  Leroy 
Fowler,  Oscar  B. 
F.ilkncr.  Agaris 
Golan,  Henry 
Groch,  Jacob 
House,  Robert  .1. 
Hamilton,  .James 
Hathaway,  Val.  E. 
Harratt,  James  F. 


.Jehu,  Robert 
Jolliff,  Elijah 
Keller,  Jacob 
ICatthoft'er,  John  O. 
Kies.  Josiah 
Lents,  Charles 
Leiter,  Charles 
Lane,  William 
Moffltt,  Tunis  A. 
Morris,  Franklin 
Moore,  Joseph 
McWilliams,  John  S. 
Nelms,  Archie  T. 
Perry,  John  S. 
Parkhurst,  Byron  AY. 
Purdie.  Joseph 
Pugh,  Joseph  AY. 
Pitts,  Joel 
Pride.  AVilliam 
Pettchcr.  George 
Roper,  Charles^A. 
Smith,  Henry  AV. 
Smith.  JIartin  A. 
Sinclair.  James  J, 
Smith.  John  F. 
Snyder.  Henry  F. 
Seawell,  Densey 
Teets.  Benjamin  F. 


1116TOUY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


369 


Houston,  Jolm  B. 
Hutter,  William 
Hadsall,  Daniel  W. 
Hanson,  Thomas 
Hill,  James  L. 
Hoskins,  William  A. 
Hamilton,  William  G. 
Jolinsou,  Alonzo 


Taylor,  Thomas  B. 
Thomas.  John  E. 
Teichuer,  Theodoi-e 
Willis,  Spelluuiu  F. 
Walden,  Jesse 
Watson.  James  M. 
Walsh,  Ravmon 
Willis,  Th'cophilus  F, 


COMPANT   D. 

Officers . 

Captain— Garret  Nevius 

First  Lieutenant— Rhensdyne  A.  Bird 

Second  Lieutenant— William  D.  E.  Andrus 

First  Serjeant. 

Henry  H.  Dean 

Sergeants. 

Randolph  D.  Hobart  James  H.  Manny 

Charles  B.  Hull 


Edward  F.  Lugrin 
Thomas  Anyon 


Corporals . 


Orin  C.  Town 
Frederick  Brown 


John  A.  Hobart 


Musicians. 

Mills  F. 

Privates . 


Needham 


Arnold,  Charles  E. 
Atkins.  William 
Bander,  Leander 
Barker,  Alfred 
Bryan,  Thomas  J. 
Butolph.  David  U. 
Brown,  Henry  L. 
Beatson,  John 
Brown,  Alpheus  D. 
Blakesley,  Alpheus  M. 
Brown,  George  C; 
Bentson,  Benjamin 
Beddoes,  Thomas 
Cole,  Thomas  W. 
Cram,  Orin  W. 
Clark,  Andrew 
Champlain,  Bradford  A. 
Coolina-,  Henry  W. 
Chirk,  Ervin  E. 
Clark,  William  W. 
Comptom,  Richard  A. 
Crooker.  Philip 
Clark,  Charles  D. 
Darling,  George  W. 
Dolphin,  George  E. 
Daggett,  Elisha  S. 
Dunham,  Charles  L. 
Davis,  John  L. 
Davis,  Nathan  A. 
Eaton,  Charles  B. 
EUi  on.  Judson  A. 
Elliott,  John 
Engalls,  Peter 
Frost,  William  D. 
Gifford,  Almond 
Hemcnw.iy.  Harvey 
Holmes,  Derastus 
Hosmer,  Simon 
Hawkinson,  Charles 
Hest,  Leoren  I?. 
Horsman,  Fiederick  I. 
Hit-'.ieOL'l  .  (;   Jiro-.re 


Love,  Harrington 
Lee,  Daniel  E. 
Mosher,  Neri  R. 
McGuire,  John 
Maguirc,  George  W. 
Magee,  Edward  E. 
Manlove,  George  J. 
Manchester,  George  W. 
Mesick,  William  L. 
Pittenaer,  Charles 
Price,  Charles  W. 
Pitne}-,  Levi 
Posson.  Frederick  L. 
Pierce,  Luman  G. 
Penoyer,  Floyd  B. 
Peake,  Rudolph  W. 
Putnam,  William  M. 
Reberts,  Charles 
Reckard,  Walter 
Strunk.  Shepard  P. 
Schlimt,  Louis 
Shields,  Joseph 
Stevens,  Erai-tus  C. 
Skeed,  William  H. 
Strong,  Henry  P. 
Stearns,  Ambrose 
Southgate,  J.  Muny 
Shanir.  Christopher  C. 
Stevens,  James  M. 
Stevens,  Thomas  A. 
Smith,  Edwards. 
Swift,  Edwin 
Thomas,  Edward  P. 
Van  Patten,  Riley 
Wagner,  John 
Whitney,  Rufus  Jj 
Warticld,  John  W. 
Warner,  Jolin 
Winter,  William 
Wilkin,  Georce 
Weed,  William  G.  D. 
AVakenian.  Frances  B. 


COMPANY   E. 

Officers  . 
Captain— Thomas  E.  G.  Ransom 
First  Lieutenant— Loyd  D.  Waddell 
Second  Lieutenant— Alvin  H.  Morey 

First  Sergeaiit. 

Harrison  C.  Vore 

Sergeants. 

William  Murdock  Schuyler  Bascome 

Jo  W.  Lcith 

Corporals. 
Milliffan  Reed  Henry  Armstrong 

John^Goodbake  Christian  Monroe 

Musicians. 
James  McQuillin  Henry  M.  Ricker 

Privates . 


Armstrong,  Edwin  N. 
Booth,  Edward  W. 
Baker,  Bolin 
Brown,  Amos 
Breese,  Jacob 
Beach,  Franklin 
Craig,  William  C. 
Craig,  Thomas  W. 
Cook,  Jacob  A. 
Cansey,  John  W.  D'F. 
Carter,  Joazer  A. 
Comfort,  John 
Cram,  George  W. 
Chase,  David  W. 
Davidson,  LaFayette  L. 
Driskell,  Jeremiah 
Dolson,  James 
Dolson,  Oscar 
Dixon,  William  H. 
Daggett,  Charles  R. 
Day,  Charles 
Ervin,  James  M. 
Fancher,  Isaac  J. 
Fuller,  Nelson  W. 
Goodrake,  Solomon 
Gumaue,  James 
Harrison,  William 
Hall,  Franklin 
Humphrey.  Luther  L 
Hopkins,  L'a 
Halsted,  William 
Jenkins,  Thomas  R. 
Johnson,  Hiram 
Johnson,  Carrol  T. 
Jarrett,  William  C. 


Jones,  George  W. 
Kelly,  Thomas  S. 
Lacey.  Thomas  S. 
Lacey,  William  F. 
LeBron,  Lawrence 
Long,  Jonathan 
Langdall,  Richard 
Mathis,  George  W. 
Moriu,  John 
Maybry,  Jam*s  C. 
McCon'key,  Theodious 
Miller.  August 
Maber,  Steven 
McGirt,  Michael 
Nifong,  Walter 
Pieronette,  Charles 
Ransom,  Fred  E. 
Rushin,  Robert 
Richardson,  Daniel  L. 
Rockwood,  William  D. 
Reese,  B.  Franklin 
Stewart,  Edwin  B. 
Sim,  Thomas  F. 
Stevens,  Henry  C. 
Simonton,  Joseph 
Shatl'cr,  Simon  C. 
Smith,  Samuel 
Smith,  William  C. 
Shirts,  George 
Troter,  Dantel 
Williamson,  Silas 
Woolsey,  James  H. 
Wallace,  John 
Wells,  Harry  H. 
Ziller,  Benjamin 


COMPANY  F. 

Officers . 
Captain — William  T.  Hojikins 
First  Lieutenant — Samuel  Elton 
Second  Lieutenant — George  S.  Doane 

First  Sergeant. 
Philip  Salbach 

Sergeants. 

Robert  E^  Rogers  William  Armstrong 

William  W.  Webber 

Cor2)orals. 

George  H.  Hopkins  Job  P.  Dodge 

JohnS.  Fairman  C.  Henry  Mellvain 

3fiisicians. 
William  D.  Field  'I'liomns  FToyt 


370 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Privates 
Abbott.  Wesley  L. 
Abbott,  John 
Brodt,  Peter 
Bnuisbuw,  Robert  R. 
Bradsliaw,  Francis  M 
Berrisford,  William 
Barber,  Robert  (J. 
Boyle,  Frank 
Blair,  Cyrus 
Better,  Fritz 
Brunk,  William 
Beckwith,  Samuel  H. 
Bardwcll,  David 
Clark,  John 
Carpenter,  Marion 
Carney,  John 
Comegys,  David  W. 
Clapp^  Elmer  F. 
Dedsall,  Martin 
Darvean,  Louis  D. 
Dove,  Henrj' 
Davis,  Henr}' 
Dispennett,  John 
Freeman,  William 
Frary,  George  B. 
Fey,  Henry 
Fisk,  Charles  W. 
Pry,  Philip 
Gutzwiller,  Joseph 
Gibson,  William  S. 
Hochkiss,  Charles  T. 
Henr}',  Martin 
Hughes,  Thomas 
Harvey,  Michael 
Heth,  Isaac 
Horsley,  George  W. 
Jones,  Lewis 
Johnson,  William  C. 
Johnston,  Peter 
Kappet,  Sebastian 
Litsey,  William 
Linsciay,  Davis  W. 
Lyne,  John 


Lyon,  Edward 
Longhead,  Thomas 
Liddle,  John 
Leith,  Thomas 
Lawton,  Joseph 
Malcolm,  Stephen  R. 
Moody,  George  W. 
Maycroft,  William  T. 
Jlarshall,  Thomas 
Murdock,  William 
Norman,  Hcnrj'  H. 
Noel,  William 
Plumblcy,  Guv  W. 
Rider,  William  H. 
Robinson,  Charles 
Robb,  John  W. 
Rugg,  Isaac 
SmaTl,  Rut'us  M. 
Sherman,  Stephen  R. 
Stevens,  Alonzo 
Skinner,  Morgan  A. 
Stocker,  William 
Scott,  Francis  A. 
Stocker,  Charles 
Shutte.  William 
Sutherland,  Mathias  K. 
Thompson,  Fredrick  E. 
Throckmorton,    James. 
Towns.  Joshua  C. 
Twitchell,  Napoleon  L, 
VanValkenburg,  B.  J. 
Watkius,  John 
Watkins,  William  Pitt 
Whelan,  James 
Walroth,  George  A. 
Walsh,  Thomas 
Welch,  John  W, 
White,  Harrison 
AVilliams,  Curtis 
AVilliug,  James  T. 
Weldon,  James 
Washburn,  Oscar 


COMPANY   G. 

Officers. 
Captain — J.  Warren  Filler 
First  Lieutenant — John  H.  J.  Lacey 
Second  Lieutenant — George  W.  Parks 

First  Sergeant. 
Albert  W.  Lecrosse 

Sergeanis. 
Merritt  B.  Redding  James  H.  Sprinkle 

Clarence  Laird 
Corporals. 
David  P.  Murphy  William  J  Boyce 

George  E.  Abbott  Hiram  A.  W.  Newcomb 

Musicians. 
Vincent  A.  Wright  Josiah  Buckner 

Privates. 
Ashbaugh„William  W.     Miller,  John  W. 


Asberrv,  Cornclious  G. 
Barkley,  John  F. 
Brewster,  George  W. 
Bean,  George  W. 
Bumgardner,  Wm.  M, 


Martin,  John  T. 
Martin,  Darrell 
Moore  Calvin 
Meek  William 
McLarun,  John  C. 


Bumgardner,  Andrew  J. 
Bumgardner,  Isaiah 
Batey,  William  C. 
Bailey,  Wyatt 
Bailey,  Nathaniel  M. 
Buurk,  Thomas 
Combs.  Andrew 
Carpenter,  Isaac  F. 
Carroll,  John  R. 
Caldwell.  Henry  D. 
Carol!,  George  R.  D. 
Coleman,  Benjamin  A. 
Carey,  Robert  T. 
Cooley,  John  J, 
Ducher,  John  H, 
Delebaugh,  James  C. 
Daner,  David  J. 
Elliott,  Augustus  L, 
Francisco,  Samuel 
Forest,  Daniel 
Gintor,  William  O, 
Hughcj,  Henry  H. 
Hammond,  Russel  B. 
Henrj-,  Aaron  A. 
Hukin,  Joseph 
Kellogg,  Joseph 
Kershuer,  John  W. 
Lee.  Lucious  L, 
Leathornian,  Daniel 
Lecrnne,  William  C. 
Laj',  J,')hn  W. 


Murphy,  William  B. 
^Iilk'r,"George  W. 
Mintou,  James 
Mulliner,  Liberty  P. 
Nelson,  Jonathan  R. 
Pinstou,  Louis  L. 
Paik  Jimatban  E. 
Parks,  Lafayette  A. 
Parks,  William  H. 
Parks,  Samuel  A. 
Parish,  Wickham 
Proiila,  Frank 
Phillips,  William  R. 
Peters,  John 
Skipper,  Nathan 
Schooley,  Fidellu.^s  B. 
Shore,  Amansel  L. 
Storms.  John  N. 
Short,  William 
Smith,  John  H. 
Schneithergan,   Harmon 
Taylor,  George  N. 
Unspaw,  M  ichael 
Wrigh-,  Morgan  W. 
Wilson,   William 
Wallace,  David  R. 
Wilcox,  AVilliam 
Weston,  John 
Wise,  Simon 
Welker,  Marvin 


COMTANY   11. 


Captain — Theodore  C.  Gibson 

First  Lieutenant — Benjamin  F.  Hochkiss 

Second  Lieutenant — Douglas  Hasseman 

First  Sergeant. 

QuincyD.  Whitman 

Sergeants. 

James  H.  Leland  Alex  H.  Carpenter 

Charles  Huston 

Corporals . 

William  P.  Gregg  Seldon  B.  Griswold 

George  J.  Cloud  Henry  A.  Jackson 

Musicians . 
Jeremiah  Sample  Cyrus  Leland 

Privates . 


Armstrong,  William  S. 
Allen,  Warren 
Andress,  Charles  A. 
Allen,  Jeremiah 
Bardeeu,  Henry  F. 
Baldwin,  Samuel  B. 
Barber,  Eliphalct 
Barber,  Moses 
Brush,  David  T. 
Camphell,  Emery  J. 
Curtis,  John 
Collins,  Henry 
Clark,  DorrM. 
Dean.  Josiah  W. 
Gillham,  Orsimus  B. 
Hudson,  William  L. 
Hammond,  John 
Hililis,  Lac}- 
HopkiLs,  Alonzo 


Miller,  Harrison  J. 
Macomber,   William  S. 
Murdock,  David 
Melaise.  Charles 
Morse,  Willard  N. 
Nicholson,  Stephen 
Olmstead  Samuel  B. 
Phelps,  Fletcher  R.  H. 
Pratt,  Charles  R. 
Rood,  James  P. 
Ready  Jesse 
Rowe.  James  L. 
Romary,  Henry 
Sample.  Joseph 
Spradling,  Enoch  J. 
Snelling,"John  A. 
Slattery,  Daniel 
Smith,  James  M. 
Sanderson.  Oliver 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


371 


Jolmsou,  Kichard 
Johnsou,  Darlingtou 
Kellogs,  George 
King,  Rielianl  W. 
Kennedy,  Lewis  N. 
Lauigan,  James  A. 
Lewis,  William  A. 
Lewis,  Geoi'ge 
Ladd,  Ei'Hstus  E. 
L'ncoln,  Edward 
Marstnn.  James  Jr. 
Morse,  Charles  C. 
Mason.  James  P. 
McLaury.  Hamilton  S. 


Stewart.  Wdliam  K. 
Spiller,  John 
Pmirnotl'  Alexander 
Toombs,  George  B. 
Ternarjf,  John  W. 
Wiram.  Caleb 
Wakefield,  George  W. 
Wickersham.  Ewing  M. 
Wentz,  George  G. 
Weeks,  Thomas 
Wara,  George  W. 
Wilkinson,  William 
AVooden,  George  S. 
Whipple,  Josiah  L. 


COMPANY  I. 

Officers. 

Captain — William  L.  Gibson 
First  Lieutenant— Joseph  E.  Skinner 
Second  Lieutenant— E.  A.  Mullett 
First  Ser grant. 
Charles  Stout 
Sergeants . 
Orville  K.  Powers  Cyrus  E.  Dickey 

Patrick  Buckley 
Ciirporali. 
AbnerW.  Hollister  James  Cameron 

Ralph  W.  Buchanan  Henry  Mayo 

Mudciaiis. 
Wilson  L.  Suiilh  Alfred  J.  Doolittle, 

Pricates. 


Barney,  Thomas 
Ba-ritt,  Mor"is 
Brundaffer.  Charles  F. 
Baker,  t.  Spencer 
Collins.  Nathmiel 
Cooper,  George  A. 
Clarke,  Charles 
Crawford,  Henry  B. 
Coffin,  Francis  M. 
Cavarly,  Henry 
Doty.  John  S.  H. 
Dewev,  William  F. 
Deniinens,  William 
Dewev,  Ransom  P, 
Denni'son.  William  H. 
Donnar,  William 
Elting,  William 
Ebersol,  Albert  H. 
Elder,  Peter 
Elder,  William  A. 
Eberhard,  Norval  W. 
Fredenburgh,   Henry 
Febus,  James  H, 
First,  Joseph 
Guard,  Henry 
Graham   John 
Grant,  Orrin  B. 
Gurrv,  John 
HamUtou.  Henry 
Hinm  in,  Charles  P. 
Harmony.  Webster 
Hall.  Augustus  S. 
Harris.  John  D. 
Kuapp,  William  H. 
King,  Fraiiris 
Kellogg,  Frank 
Kneadler,  John  J. 
Lewis,  Ebcne/.er 


Lathrop.  Francis 
Lane,  Samuel 
Lammey,  William 
Lawrence.  Phillip 
Meanney,  Richard 
Mallett."  George  H 
McCormick,  Bruce 
Martin,  Charles 
Korton,  Henry 
Nichols,  James  H. 
Pickens,  Theodore  L.  W. 
Parker,  Samuel 
Reedy,  Thomas 
Roberts.  John  Q. 
Reed,  Franklin 
Reed,  Elias  P. 
Russell,  James  M. 
Stout.  James 
Simp- on,  Robert 
-Scott,  John 
Stumph  Elisha  H. 
Smith,  Jarvis  B. 
Swap,  Andrew 
Shaw,  Charles  M. 
Skinner.  Charles  J. 
Strawn,  Christopher  C. 
Schermerhorn,  Edward 
Sergeant,  Henry  B. 
Tanibling,  Villroy  A. 
Tompson,  Levant  M. 
Vallearean,  Gustavus 
Van  Doren,  Lucus  W, 
Van  Dorean,  Chester  W. 
Wyman,  Peter 
Widneer,  John  H. 
Williams,  Lewis 
Wilson,  Homer  A. 
Wright,  Henry  Q. 


ELEVENTH     IN1''ANTI!V. 

Sangamon  county  bad  but  two  representatives 
in  tliis  regiment,  both  privates, 

Dearborn,  Prank  Murray,  John  B. 

TWELFTH    INFANTRY. 

In  this  regiment  of  tliree  months'  men  Sanga- 
mon county  was  represented  as  follows: 

COMPANY    E. 

Officers. 

Captain — Vincent  Ridgely 

First  Lieutenant— John  W.  Fisher 

Second  Lieutenant— Nathaniel  Sanford 

Fimt  Sergeant. 
Henry  V.  Seller 

Sergeants. 
Quincy  J.  Drake  Henry  E.  Blynn 

JohnW.  Neal. 

Corporals . 
Henry  C.  Harding  Francis  M,  Ewing 

Joshua  M.  Hogan  Samuel  A.  Lodge 

Mu.ncians . 
James  H.  Smith  James  Cofield 


Priv 
Athor.  Nathaniel  D, 
Appleby.  Robert 
Baker,  Henry 
Beyles.  Henry  C. 
Blackm.ir,  Daniel  B. 
Ronser,  William  H 
Bowders,  J.  H. 
Bush,  Franklin  L 
Campbell,  John  F 
Celvin,  Amos 
Clark,  Elisha 
Craig,  Samuel 
Cassell,  Augustus 
Davis,  Henry  W. 
Dewey,  Isaac  M. 
Dowdess.  Edward  P. 
Drinkell,  Jonathan  M. 
Dole.  William  R. 
Dickinson,  William  W 
Elliott,  Robert  J. 
Elliott,  Ira  K. 
Elliott,  George  W. 
Elliott,  William  J. 
Flood,  James 
Foulke.  William  L. 
Gooldy,  Oscar  H, 
Goodman,  John 
Hannah,  .lohn  W. 
Hartley.  Marshall  A. 
Hartley,  AVilliam,  jr. 
Hall,  Henry  B. 
Heuson,  AVilliani  J. 


'ates. 

Hansam   Adam 
Huntine,  Charles  H. 
Johnson,  Leonard  M. 
Koho,  Benjamin  E 
Koogle,  John  A. 
Link,  John  E. 
Lycan,  Leander. 
Long,  Stroder  M, 
Legrange,  Jacob  S. 
Miller.  Joseph  F. 
Mallonee,  Wm.  A. 
McDonald,  Wm 
McElvey,  Nathaniel 
Moss,  Washington 
Moss,  John  C. 
>  eeley.  Wm,  M. 
Nelson,  Joseph  K. 
Osborne.  Francis  M. 
Patton,  Benjaiaiin  B. 
Phillips,  Charles  H. 
Parish,  David  C. 
Ruby,  George  D. 
Ruuion.  Jesse  R. 
Stout,  Cyrus 
Smith,  Williamson 
Simpkins,  Wm.  H. 
Sanders.  Hiram  V. 
Trevis,  Bill  D.  T. 
Varicc.  James  A. 
White.  George  W. 
Wallace.  John 
Wyeth.  James 
York,  Henry  C. 


In  the  three  years'  service  were: 

Carporiil. 
John  L.  Wilson 


Privates. 


John  S.  Williams 


Lloyd  Killby 


372 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


FOTRTEENTU    INFAHTEY. 

The  following  named  form  the  quota  of 
Sangamon  county  in  the  Fourteenth  Regiment: 

Regimental  Officers. 
Surgeon — George  T.  Allen 
Surgeon — Benjamin  F.  Stephenson 

COMPANY   G. 

Officers. 
Captain — Louis  C.  Reiner 
First  Lieutenant — Adam  Smith 
Second  Lieutenant — Jacob  Rlppstein 

First   Sergeant. 
Fredrick  Steinly 

Sergeants. 

Charles  Shevan 

Corporals. 

Casper  Resser 
Max  Helmick 
August  Barthling 

Wagoner. 
Christ  Heinemann 

Musician. 
George  Luero 

Privates. 

Schoenthal,  William 
Schluter,  Christ 
Segen,  Adolph 
Stroish,  Charles 
Schldler,  Jacob 
Strop,  Helnrlch 
Simon,  Frank 
Walk,  Nicholaus 
Hauenstein,  Jacob 
Koehler,  Carl 
Sanders,  Andreas 
Schnldler,  Jacob 

Beeruits. 
Barthume,  William  Lemmer,  Paul 

Grebe,  Balthasar  Stuber,  Frederick 

Hauenstein,  Jacob  Schafer,  Joseph 

Jake,  Jacob  Sanders,  Andreas 

Kibele,  Osc&r 

COMrANY  H. 

Keeton,  Samuel 

COMPANY   I. 

Barger,  William  F.  Neal,  William  A. 

VETERANS. 
COMPANY  B. 

Yakel,   Jacob 

COMPANY  D. 

Havenster,  Jacob  Reed,  John 

Koehler,  Carl 

COjrPANY  B. 

Quiun,  Andrew 

In  the  line  of  promotions  from  the  men  of 
this  county  are  the  following:  George  T.  Allen, 
from  regimental  to  brigade  surgeon;  Balzer 
GrebS;  from  the  ranks  of  Second  Lieutenant. 

This  regiment  was  first  called  into  the  State 
service  for  thirty  days  under  the  "Ten  Regi- 
ment Bill."     It  rendezvoused   at  Jacksonville, 


Charles  Milde 

Phillip  Bell 
George  Remhart 
Henry  Apt 


Alberto,  Fred 
Falk,  Johanu 
Gutzman,  August 
Hees,  George 
Huberty,  Matthias 
Kniesel,  Charles 
Klein.  Louis 
Myers,  Frank 
Miller,  John 
Preisser,  John 
Ruemlm,  Fred 
Schwartz,  Fred 


Illinois,  and  was  mustered  into  the  seivice  of 
the  Slate  for  thirty  days,  on  the  4th  of  May, 
1861. 

On  the  25th  of  the  same  month  it  was  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  for  three 
years,  by  Captain  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Camp  Duncan, 
Jacksonville,  until  the  latter  jjart  of  June,  for 
instructions;  then  proceeded  to  Quincy,  Illinois, 
and  from  thence  to  Missouri,  July  5,  where,  in 
connection  with  the  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
it  did  good  service  in  keeping  down  the  rebel- 
lion. 

The  forces  under  Martin  E.  Green,  were  dis- 
persed, and  James  Green,  United  States  Senator, 
a  fomenter  of  secession,  was  captured  and 
paroled.  The  regiment  left  RoUa,  Missouri,  for 
Jefferson  City,  accompanying  General  Fremont 
on  his  memorable  campaign  to  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, after  General  Price;  then  returned  and 
went  into  winter  quarters  at  Otterville. 

In  the  month  of  February,  18C2,the  regiment 
was  ordered  to  Fort  Donalson,  where  it  arrived 
the  day  subsequent  to  its  surrender;  was  brig- 
aded with  the  Fifteenth  and  Forty-sixth  Illinois, 
and  Tweiity-tifth  Indiana,  and  assigned  to  the 
Second  brigade.  Fourth  division,  under  Briga- 
dier Geneal  Stephen  A.  Hurlburt. 

In  the  meantime.  Colonel  Palmer  had  been 
promoted,  and  Major  Hall,  Seventh  Illinois  cav- 
alry, originally  Captain  of  one  of  the  compa- 
nies, had  been  promoted  to  Colonel. 

From  Fort  Donalson  the  regiment  proceeded 
to  Fort  Henry,  where  it  embarked  on  transports 
and  proceeded  up  the  Tennessee  river  to  Pitts- 
burg Landing. 

In  the  sanguinary  engagements  of  the  6th  and 
7th  of  April,  when  the  regiment  first  smelt 
powder  from  the  enemy,  the  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  fully  one-half  the  command  en- 
gaged. The  colors  which  came  out  of  this 
bloody  confiict,  with  fortj'-two  bullet  holes 
through  them,  fully  attest  the  gallantry  of  the 
command  in  the  memorable  struggle.  In  the 
grand  charge  on  the  enemy,  of  April  7th,  which 
was  the  consummation  of  that  splendid  victory 
over  the  hosts  of  rebels,  the  Fourteenth  Illinois 
was  in  the  advance  and  led  by  Colonel  Hall. 
In  the  otficial  report  of  General  Veach,  com- 
mander of  the  brigade,  to  which  the  Fourteenth 
was  attached,  the  following  language  is  era- 
ployed.  "  Colonel  Hall,  of  the  Fourteenth  Illi- 
nois, led  with  his  regiment  that  gallant  charge 
on  Monday  evening,  which  drove  the  enemy  be- 
yond our  lines  and  closed  the  struggle  of  that 
memorable  day. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


373 


The  I'egimeiit  took  an  active  part  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth.  After  the  evacuation,  it  jiro- 
ceeded  to  IVIenipiiis,  and  tlience  to  Ijoliver,  'I  en- 
nessee. 

October  4,  18ii3,  the  Fourth  Division,  under 
General  llurlbut,  was  ordered  to  proceed  to 
Corinth,  as  a  "forlorn  hope,"  to  relieve  the  be- 
leaguered garrison  at  that  place;  but  the  gallant 
liosecrans,  before  Corinth  was  reached,  had  al- 
ready severely  punished  the  enemy,  and  the 
"  forlorn  hope "  met  the  retreating  rebels  at 
the  village  of  Metamora,  on  the  Hatchie  river. 
In  the  glorious  victory  that  followed  eight 
hours'  hard  fighting,  the  Fourteenth  Illinois 
well  sustained  its  reputation  earned  at  Shiloh. 

The  regiment  constituted  a  part  of  the  right 
wing  of  Grant's  army,  in  the  march  into  Nor- 
thern Mississippi,  through  Holly  Springs,  to  Ya- 
conee  Patalfa,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
the  lamented  McPherson.  VanDorn  having  re- 
captured Holly  Springs,  and  General  Sherman 
being  unable  to  effect  a  dislodgment  of  the 
rebels  from  Vicksburg,  Grant's  army  was  obliged 
to  retreat;  and  on  January  18,  1863,  the  Four- 
teenth Illinois  went  into  winter  quarters,  at  La- 
Fayette,  Tennessee. 

Early  in  the  spring  the  command  was  ordered 
to  Vicksburg,  where  it  took  part  in  the  siege  of 
that  stronghold  until  its  final  fall,  July  4,  1863. 
Also,  accompanied  the  expedition  to  Jackson, 
Mississippi;  taking  part  in  the  siege  until  its 
evacuation. 

In  August,  proceeded  to  Natchez,  and  formed 
part  of  tlie  force  which  marched  across  the 
great  swamps  of  Northeastern  Louisiana,  to  Har- 
risonburg, on  Wichita  river,  and  captured  Fort 
Beauregard,  where,  the  spring  before,  the  ram 
"  Queen  of  the  West "  had  been  sunk.  It  ac- 
companied General  Sherman  on  his  Meriden 
raid.  After  the  return,  a  large  portion  re-en- 
listed as  veterans, — though  its  time  would  have 
expired  in  a  few  months.  Returning  from  the 
North,  where  it  had  been  on  veteran  furlough, 
it  formed  a  part  of  the  army  in  the  advance  on 
Atlanta. 

Here  the  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  Illinois 
Veterans,  ever  together  since  the  fall  of  180:.', 
sharers  of  each  others'  sorrows  and  joys,  weary 
marches  and  honorably  earned  laurels,  were  con- 
solidated into  the  "  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth 
Illinois  Veteran  Battalion." 

The  battalion  was  detailed  to  guard  railroad 
communications  at  and  near  Ackworth,  Georgia, 
a  most  important  aud  dangerous  duty,  as  it  was 
the  only  route  by  which  General  Sherman  could 
supply  his  immense  army  with  subsistence,  etc. 

43— 


In  the  month  of  October,  1S64,  when  the  rebel 
General  Hood  made  his  demonstration  against 
Sherman's  rear,  a  large  number  of  the  battalion 
were  killed  and  the  major  part  of  the  balance 
were  taken  prisoners  and  sent  to  Andersonville 
prison.  Those  who  escaped  capture  were 
mounted,  and,  on  the  grand  marcli  to  the  sea, 
acted  as  scouts,  and  were  continually  in  the  ad- 
vance, being  the  first  to  drive  the  rebel  pickets 
into  Savannah,  Georgia. 

During  the  long  and  weary  march  through 
North  and  South  Carolina,  the  battalion  was  on 
duty  day  and  night,  being  constantly  in  the 
presence  of  the  enemy,  gaining  notoriety  as 
skirmishers.  The  battalion  was  the  first  to 
enter  Cheraw,  South  Carolina,  and  Fayetteville, 
North  Carolina,  and  also  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Bentonville. 

"At  Goldsborough,  North  Carolina,  in  the 
spring  of  1865,  the  battalion  organization  was 
discontinued,  a  sufficient  number  of  organized 
companies  of  recruits  having  arrived  by  way  of 
New  York  and  Morehead  City,  North  Carolina, 
to  fill  up  the  two  regiments,  Colonel  Hull 
again  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
Fourteenth. 

After  the  capitulation  of  Johnson,  the  regi- 
ment marched  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where,  on 
the  24th  of  May,  it  took  part  in  the  grand  re- 
view of  Sherman's  army.  It  afterwards  pro- 
ceeded by  rail  and  river  to  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
thence,  by  river,  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas; 
thence  marched  to  Fort  Kearney,  Nebraska  Ter- 
ritory, and  Itack. 

Mustered  out  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas, 
September  16,  1865,  arriving  at  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, September  22,  1865,  where  it  received  final 
payment  and  discharge. 

The  aggregate  number  of  men  who  have  be- 
longed to  this  organization  was  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  eighty,  and  the  aggregate 
mustered  out  at  Fort  Leavenworth  was  four  hun- 
dred and  eighty.  During  its  four  years  and  four 
months  of  arduous  service,  the  regiment  marched 
four  thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety  miles; 
traveled  by  rail,  two  thousand  three  hundred  and 
thirty  miles,  and  by  river,  four  thousand  four 
hundred  and  ninety  miles,  making  an  aggregate 
of  eleven  thousand  six  hundred  and  seventy 
miles. 

Sangamon  county  was  represented  by  men  in 
Companies  G  H  and  I,  the  greater  number  being 
in  Company  G.  Only  one  promotion  made; 
Balger  Grebe  being  promoted  from  private  to 
Second   Lieutenant. 


374 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


EICHTEEXTFl  IXFANTRY. 
Adjutant— William  B.  Fondey, 

EE-OEGANIZED    EIGHTEENTH   INEANTET. 

Lieutenaut  Colonel— Jules  C.  Weber. 
Private — Nelson  Judd. 

JJISETEEXTH    INFAXTKY. 

This  regiment  was  raised  in  the  summer  of 
1861,  and  in  the  organization  were  the  following 
named  from  Sangamon  county: 

Officers. 
First  Assistant  Surgeon— Preston  H.  Bailhaclie. 

COMPANY   E. 

Uorporals. 
William  Davidson  James  McGraw 

Priiatts. 


Atwood,  Amos 
Barr,  Thomas 
Blackney.  Samuel 
Cuuuing'Uam,  Edward  S. 
Elraore^Travis 
Grove,  Augustus 
Kelley,  Martin 
McOuirc,  John 
McEvoy,  Daniel 


Murphy,  William 
O'Brien,  Daniel 
Patterson,  William 
Pettit,  William  C. 
Strong,  Stephen 
SchmVdt,  Philip 
Thrasher,  James  H. 
Witherow,  Isaac  N. 
Walsh,  Thomas  C. 


Wignall,  Thomas 


Griffin,  Samuel 
Kellog,  Oscar  D 
Monteire,  Cornelius  W 
Moor,  Christopher 
McCormack,  Andrew 
Myers,  James 


COMPANY   P. 

PrivatC'i. 

Mitchell,  Henry 
Rhinebarger,  Ira  D. 
VanBrunt,  John 
Wentworth.  John 
Welch,  William 
Zane,  William 


TWENTIETH    INFANTRY 

Privates. 
Holloway,  John 


Sweeney,  Thomas 


TWENTY-FIRST    INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  is  known  as  General  Grant's 
regiment,  and  did  noble  service  during  the  war. 
Sangamon  county  had  a  few  representatives  in 
six  of  its  ten  companies,  as  follows: 


Ruby,  John 
Lee,  Robert  S. 


COMTANY  A. 

Privates. 

Wise,  .John  T. 
Woodman,  Ehvood 


COMPANY   B. 

Prieates. 
Biglow%  William  U.  Wright,  Richard 

Lake,  Andrew  J."  Filson,  James 

COMPANY    C. 

Privates. 
Britt,  Patrick  Nicholson,  Robert 

Bannoii,  John  Harker,  Silas 

Jackson,  Andrew  W  Byrne,  Charles 

McLaughlin,  John  Fiuey.  Patrick 

Mayuehan,  Michael 


COMPANY   D. 

Private . 
Rhinebarger,  William 

COMPANY  F. 

Privates . 
Burn,  John  Goodenough,  Elliott 

Carver,  William  Pigit  Leander 

Doneges,  Killian  Prestof,  William 

COSrPANY  G. 

Privates. 
Pierson,  Silas  C.  Sutherland,  John 

Romang,  Christopher  Houlhi,  Larry 

COMPANY    H. 

Privates. 
Cope,  Peter  W.  Miller,  Jacob 

Harnady,  Noah  Ross,  Joshua  B. 

Unassigned. 

Davis,  E.  H. 

HISTORICAL    MEMORANDA BY     LIEUTENANT-GEN- 
ERAL U.  S.  GRANT. 

I  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Twenty-first 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  by  Governor  Richard 
Yates,  some  time  early  in  the  month  of  June, 
1861,  and  assumed  command  of  the  regiment  on 
the  16th  of  that  month.  The  regiment  was 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  month. 

Being  ordered  to  rendezvous  the  regiment  at 
Quincy^  Illinois,  I  thought  for  the  purpose  of 
discipline  and  si>eedy  efficiency  for  the  field,  it 
would  be  well  to  march  the  regiment  across  the 
country,  instead  of  transporting  by  rail. 

Accordingly,  on  the  :^d  of  July,  1861,  the 
march  was"  commenced  from  Camp  Yates, 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  continued  until  about 
three  Guiles  beyond  the  Illinois  river,  when  dis- 
patches were  received,  changing  the  destination 
of  the  regiment  to  Ironton,  Missouri,  and  direct- 
ing me  to  return  to  the  river  and  take  a  steamer, 
which  had  been  sent  there  for  the  purpose  of 
transporting  the  regiment  to  St.  Louis.  The 
steamer  failinsc  to  reach  the  point  of  embark- 
ment,  several  days  were  here  lost.  In  the  mean- 
time, a  portion  of  the  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
under  Colonel  Smith,  were  reported  surrounded 
bv  the  enemy  at  a  point  on  the  Hannibal  tfc  St. 
Joseph  railroad,  west  of  Palmyra,  and  the 
Twenty-first  was  ordered  to  their  relief. 

Under  these  circumstances,  expedition  was 
necessary;  accordingly,  the  march  was  aban- 
doned, and  the  railroad  was  called  into  reijuisi- 
tion. 

Before  the  Twenty-first  reached  its  new  desti- 
nation, the  Sixteenth  had  extricated  itself.  The 
Twenty-first  was  then  kept  on  duty  on  the  line 
of  the  Hannibal  &  St.  Joseph  railroad  for  about 
two  weeks,  without,  however,  meeting  an  enemy 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sn 


or  ail  incident  wonh  relating.  We  did  make 
one  march,  however,  during  that  time  from  Salt 
river,  Missouri,  tn  Florida,  Missouri,  and  re- 
turned in  search  of  Tom  Harris,  who  was  re- 
ported in  that  neighborhood  with  a  handful 
of  rebels.  It  was  impossible,  however,  to  get 
nearer  than  a  day's  march  of  him. 

From  Salt  river,  the  regiment  went  to  Mexico, 
Missouri,  where  it  remained  for  two  weeks; 
thence  to  Ironton,  INIissouri,  passing  through  St. 
Louis  on  the  Ttli  of  August,  where  I  was  as- 
signed to  duty  as  a  BrigadierGeiieral,  and  turned 
over  the  command  of  the  regiment  to  that  gal- 
lant and  Christian  officer,  Colonel  Alexander, 
who  afterwards  yielded  np  his  life,  whilst  noblj' 
leading  it  in  the  Ijattle  of  Chickamauga. 

U.  S.  Gkant, 
Lieutenant  General. 

The  Seventh  Congressional  District  Regiment 
was  organized  at  Mattoon,  Illinois,  on  the  9th 
of  May,  1861.  On  the  15th  of  May,  it  was  mus- 
tered into  the  State  service  for  thirty  days,  by 
Captain  U.  S.  Grant. 

On  the  2Sth  of  June,  it  was  mustered  into 
United  States  service  for  three  years,  by  Cap- 
tain Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.,  with  Captain  U.  S.  Grant 
as  Colonel.  Colonel  Grant  was  commissioned 
Brigadier  General,  August  6,  18(31,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  W.  S.  Alex- 
ander, who  was  killed,  September  20,  1863,  at 
Chicamauga.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1861,  the 
regiment  marched  for  Mosoure.  On  the  22d, 
arrived  at  Mexico,  where  it  remained  until  Aug- 
ust 6,  when  it  proceeded  by  rail  to  Ironton,  Mis- 
souri. October  20,  marched  from  Ironton,  and 
on  the  21st  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fred- 
ricktown.  Remained  at  Ironton  until  January 
29,  1802.  Marched  with  General  Steele's  expe- 
dition to  Jacksonsport,  Arkansas,  where  it  was 
ordered  to  Corinth,  via  Cape  Girardeau.  Ar- 
rived at  Hamburg  Landing,  May  24,  lb 62.  On 
the  evacuation  of  Corinth,  pursued  the  enemy 
from  Farmington,  Mississippi,  to  Booneville. 
Returning  from  the  pursuit,  it  formed  a  i)art  of 
an  expedition  to  Holly  Springs.  On  the  14th  of 
August,  1862,  was  ordered  to  join  General  Huell's 
array,  in  East  Tennessee.  Marched  via-  East- 
port,  Mississippi;  Columbia,  Tennessee;  Flor- 
ence, Alabama;  Franklin,  Murfreesboro  and 
Nashville,  Tennessee;  and  arrived  at  Louisville 
September  27,  1862.  Engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Perryville,  October  8,  and  Chaplin  Hill.  Com- 
pany F,  Captain  David  Blackburn,  was  the  first 
in  Perryville.  From  thence  marched  to  Crab 
Tree  Orchard  and  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky, 
and  to  Nashville,  Tennessee. 


When  the  army  iiiaii'lieil  fmm  Nashville, 
December  20,  1802,  this  regiment  formed  a  part 
of  the  Second  Brigade,  First  Division  Twen- 
tieth Army  Corps,  and  was  in  the  skirmish  at 
Knob  Gap. 

On  December  30,  in  connection  with  Fifteenth 
Wisconsin,  Thirty-eighth  Illinois,  and  One  Hun- 
dred-and-First  Ohio,  it  had  a  severe  engagement 
with  the  enemy  near  Murfreesboro,  where  it 
charged  the  famous  Washington  (rebel)  Light 
Artillery,  twelve  Parrott  guns,  and  succeeded  in 
driving  every  man  from  the  battery,  when  it  was 
compelled  to  fall  back  by  a  division  of  rebel 
infantry.  During  the  battle  of  Murfree.sboro  it 
was  fiercely  engaged,  and  did  gallant  duty,  los- 
ing more  men  than  any  other  regiment  engaged. 

The  Twenty-first  was  with  General  Ro^ecrans' 
army  from  Murfreesboro  to  Chattanooga,  and 
was  engaged  in  a  severe  skirmish  at  Liberty  Gap, 
June  25,  1863.  Was  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  Septemlier  19th  and  20th,  where 
it  lost  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight  officers  and 
men. 

Colonel  Alexander  being  killed,  and  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  McMackin  being  wounded,  Captain 
C.  K.  Knight  took  command  of  the  regiment. 

After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  the  Twenty- 
first  was  attached  to  First  Brigade,  First  Divis- 
ion,Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  remained  at  Bridge- 
port, Al.abama,  during  October,  November,  and 
December,  1 863. 

Mustered  out  December  16,  1865,  at  San  An- 
tonio, Texas.  Arrived  at  Camp  Butler  January 
18,  1860,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

TWENTY-SECOND  INFANTEY. 

Prhate. 
Herman  Bellett 

TWENTY-THIKD    INFANTRY. 

Private . 
Michael  Burke. 

TWENTY-SIXTH    INFANTEY. 

The  following  named  compose  those  credited 
to  Sangamon  county  in  the  report  of  the  Adju- 
tant General,  at  the  close  of  the  war: 
Sergeant  Majors. 
James  W  Booker  Robert  0.  Reed 

Principal  Mu»icianx. 
Morgan  Beldon 

COMPANY  B. 

Private. 
Slater,  Albert  S. 

COMPANY  D. 

Officers. 
Captain — John  B.  lliiiris 
First  Lieutenant — William  W.  Foutcb 
Second  Lieutenant— George  W.  Kerlin 


376 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


First   Sergeant. 
A  sail  ('arson 

Sergeants. 
John  S.  Riclimond  James  W.  Booker 

Robert  C.  Reed  James  Malyon 

Corporals. 
Ezra  Bradford  James  E.  Stice 

Thomas  W.  Harmon  William  R.  Clark 

William  H.  H.  Cline  John  S.  Wilson 

Richard  L.  Ballard  Thomas  Westfall 


Morsran  Belden 


Musicians. 

Richard  F. 

Prirates. 


Ellis 


Arloth,  Augustus 
Bruner,  John 
Boehme,  Conrad 
Bingham,  John 
Burns,  Andrew 
Baine,  Jesse 
Breeden,  Russell 
IJlanej-,  Joseph  H. 
Cole,  John 
Carson,  Townscnd 
Clark,  James  L. 
Conrad,  Ilenrj- 
Canon,  Patrick 
Clark,  Andrew 
Dehiney,  William 
Diehl.  Cinly 
Fugate,  John  W. 
Foster.  Isaac 
Grant,  Horatio  W. 
Gil|)in,  John  H. 
Gilpin.  James 
Gill.  Michael 
Gebhart.  John 
Harris,  John 
Hammonds,  John  A. 
Hammonds,  John 
Harvey.  John 
Hansen,  Ole  A. 


Hicks,  Charles  W. 
Jenlnns,  John  H. 
King.  Samuel  Noble 
Maxwell,  Abner  Y. 
Morris,  Edward  T. 
Meacham,  Meredith  I 
Malm,  Thomas 
Owen,  Napoleon 
Proctor,  William  H. 
Pease,  Calvin  A. 
Riley,  William 
Slosser,  Andrew 
-Scott,  David  R. 
Snider,  Leonard  N. 
Simpson,  Jackson  B. 
Sheets,  Isaac 
Sneider,  Peter 
Seal,  Moreland 
Seelig,  Franz 
Smith,  William 
Williams,  Reuben  C. 
Wilson,  Ellas  H. 
Wilson,  Robert  J. 
Welch,  Wdliam  H. 
Wilson,  Charles 
Yates,  James  H. 
Zane,  George  B. 


Veterans 


Booker,  James  W. 
Bradford,  Ezra 
Blaney,  Joseph  II. 
Belden,  Morgan 
Bruden,  Russell 
Clark,  William  R. 
Cline.  William  H.  II. 
Corson,  Townscnd 
Clark,  James  L. 
Canon,  Patrick 
Clark,  Andrew 
Diehl,  Cinlcy 
(iilpin,  John  H. 
Gilpin,  James 
Gebharl.  Jolin 
Hicks,  Charles   W. 
Ilanunnnds.  John   A, 
Morris,  Edward  T. 

Recruits. 
Avenz,  Roliert  W  Erickson,  William 

Corson.  Richard  Havs,  James 

Chiik,  John  R.-  Richaids,  James  P. 

Costlcy,  William  Jl.  Reed,  Wiley  J. 

Eaton.  Horace  G.  Starks.  Homer  E. 


Meacham,  Meredith  L. 
Malyon.  James 
Malin.  Thomas 
Richmond,  John  S. 
Riley,  William 
Snider,  Leonard  N. 
Sheets,  Isaac 
Snyder,  Peter 
Seal,  Moreland 
AVcstfall.  Thomas  F. 
Wilson,  Elias  H. 
Wilson,  Robert  J. 
Wilson.  John  S. 
Wilson,  Charles 
}yelch,  William  H. 
Yates.  James  H. 
Zane,  Georae  B. 


COMPANY   E. 

Private.  ' 

Seeker,  Mathias. 

COMPANY   F. 

Private, 
Whalen,  George. 

COMPANY  G. 

Privates. 
Arnold,  John  A.  Garrett,  Georce 

Wells,  William 

Vnussigned. 
Flemming,  Fred  I.  Proutz,  William  H. 

The  following  promotions  were  made  of  San- 
gamon county  men:  John  B.  Harris,  from  Cap- 
tain to  Major;  Morgan  Belden,  from  Mn.sician 
to  Adjutant;  Samtiel  N.  King,  from  private  to 
Second  and  First  Lietitenant;  George  W.  Ker- 
lin,  from  Second  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  Cap- 
tain; John  S.  Eichmond,  from  Sergeant  to  Cap- 
tain; Calvin  A.  Pease,  from  private  to  Second 
and  First  Lieutenant;  William  H.  H.  Cline, 
from  Corporal  to  First  Lieutenant;  Ashel  Cor- 
son, from  Sergeant  to  Second  Lieutenant; 
James  W.  Booker,  from  Sergeant  to  Captain. 

The  Twenty-sixth  Infantry,  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, was  mustered  into  the  LTnited  States' 
service,  with  seven  companies  at  Camp  Btitler, 
Illinois,  August  31,  1861,  and  were  ordered  to 
Quincy,  Illinois,  for  the  jn'otection  of  that 
place.  Not  having  been  armed,  the  regiment 
did  general  duty  with  hickoiy  cluLs. 

During  the  autumn,  the  regiment  did  duty  on 
the  Hannibal  &  St.  Joe  Railroad,  and  were 
armed  with  old  English  Tower  muskets — Colo- 
nel John  Mason  Loomis,  commanding  post  at 
Hannibal. 

Prior  to  January  1,  1862,  three  more  compa- 
nies were  raised,  completing  the  organization. 
February  19,  1862,  left  Han'nibal,  Mtssouri,  for 
the  South,  stopping  at  Commerce,  where  the 
regiment  was  assigned  to  Brigadier  General  J. 
B.  Plummer's  brigade.  Brigadier  General  Schuy- 
ler Hamilton's  division.  Major  General  John 
Pope's  corps. 

Arriving  at  New  Madrid,  March  3d,  and  were 
engaged  in  action  there.  Marched  to  Point 
Pleasant,  and  arriving  on  the  6th,  engaged  rebel 
gun  boats,  sharp  shooters,  and  prc'vented  the 
landing  of  the  enemj'. 

Marched  to  intercept  the  Hying  enemy  from 
Island  No.  H).  and  assisted  in  caj)turing  many 
prisoners. 

After  remaining  some  time  at  New  Madrid, 
joined  an  expedition  against  Fort  Pillow.  Re- 
turning, proceeded  up  the  Ohio  and  Tennessee 
rivers  to  Ilamburc:  Landing.     Took  part  in  the 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


siege  of  Corinth.  May  8  and  9,  were  engaged 
at  Farniiiiglon,  the  regiment  kising  five  liiiled 
and  tliirty  wounded.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles 
H.  Tinkhain  was  among  the  wounded. 

Colonel  Loomis  commanded  brigade,  and  Gen- 
eral Stanley  the  division.  May  28,  engaged  the 
enemy  one  mile  from  Corinth,  the  regiment 
losing  four  killed  and  twenty-five  wounded. 
Major  Gilmore  was  wounded. 

Company  G,  of  the  Twenty-sixth,  was  the 
first  to  enter  Corinth  on  evacuation  by  enemy. 
Engaged  iu  pursuit  to  Boonville,  and  returned 
to  Clear  Creek,  four  miles  from  Corinth.  June 
23,  onlered  to  Danville,  Mississippi,  where  it  re- 
mained till  AugustlS,  1861, at  which  time  joined 
brigade  commanded  by  Colonel  R.  C.  Murphy 
(Eighth  Wisconsin),  and  marched  for  Tuscum- 
bia.  Arrived  2l8t.  September  8,  with  Forty- 
seventh  and  Twenty-sixth,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Tinkhara  commanding.  Marched  to  Clear 
creek. 

September  18,  marched  for  luka;  19th,  were 
engaged  with  the  enemy  in  a  brigade  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  A.  Mower,  of 
the  Eleventh  Missouri.  Enemy  evacuating  in 
the  night,  it  joined  in  piirsuit,  arriving  at  Corinth 
October  o,  and  participating  in  the  battle  of 
Corinth. 

After  the  battle,  followed  the  retreating 
enemy  as  far  as  Ripley,  ten  days  afterward  arriv- 
ing again  at  Corinth,  where  it  stayed  until  No- 
vember 2.  Marched,  via  Grand  Junction,  Holly 
Springs,  and  Lumpkins  Mill, toward  Tallahatchie 
river,  the  enemy  being  fortified  on  south  side  of 
river.  Regiment  was  here  detailed  to  guard  a 
commissary  train  to  TTudsonville,  during  the 
trip  losing  two  men  killed  and  two  wounded,  by 
guerrillas. 

Ordered  to  Holly  Springs  for  guard  duty; 
thence  to  Oxford,  Mississippi,  where  remained 
until  December  20. 

Ordered  to  Holly  Springs,  to  prevent  the  cap- 
ture of  that  place.  On  21st,  reached  that  place, 
enemy  having  fled.  Remained  here  during  the 
j'ear.  Colonel  Loomis  commanding  the  post,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Gilmore  as  chief  of  out- 
posts. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1S6:),  the  post 
at  Holly  Springs  was  broken  up,  and  the  army 
fell  back  to  Lagrange,  Tennessee,  where  the 
regiment  was  assigned  to  duty  as  provost  guard, 
Colonel  Loomis  commanding  the  post.  Here  it 
remained  until  March  8th. 

March  3,  the  regiment  was  biig.ided  with  the 
Nineteenth  Illinois, Twelfth  and  One  Hundredth 
Tndinnn,  Colonel  Lo-^rais,  commnnding. 


March  8th,  the  brigade  marched  from  La- 
grange to  Collierville,  Tennessee,  where  they 
remained  three  months,  engaged  in  fortifying 
the  place  and  defending  the  railroad  against 
guerrillas  and  bushwhackers. 

June  7th,  left  Collierville  for  Memphis.  The 
following  day  they  embarked  for  Harnes'  Bluff. 
The  regiment  subsequently  went  into  camp  at 
Oak  Ridge,  where  it  remained  until  after  the 
fall  of  Vicksburg. 

On  the  afternoon  of  July  4th,  started  in  pur- 
suit of  the  retreating  forces  of  General  John- 
son. The  siege  of  Jackson  was  marked  by  se- 
vere skirmishing,  in  one  of  which  Captain 
James  A.  Dugget,  of  Company  C,  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  round  shot  through  the  breast,  and  a 
number  of  men  were  killed  and  wounded. 
About  the  22d  of  July,  began  the  march  back 
to  Vicksburg,  and  when  the  troops  crossed  Black 
river  they  went  into  camp  for  the  summer. 
Sei)tember  28.  the  camp  was  broken  up  and  the 
regiment  marched  into  Vicksburg  and  there  em- 
barked for  Memphis,  where  it  arrived  on  the  7th 
of  October. 

Here  a  few  days  was  given  for  the  purpose  of 
outfitting  the  men,  preparatory  for  the  long 
march  across  the  country  from  Memphis  to 
Chattanooga,  to  relieve  the  besieged  Army  of 
the  Cumberland. 

The  march  began  at  8  a.  m.,  October  11th. 
Arrived  at  liridgeport,  November  1.5th,  and  on 
the  24th  and  25th,  took  an  active  part  in  the 
battle  of  Mission  Ridge,  losing  in  killed  and 
wounded,  one  hundred  and  one  ofhcers  and 
men.  Among  the  officers  severely  wounded 
were.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gill  more.  Captain 
James  P.  Davis,  company  B,  Adjutant  Edward 
A.  Tucker,  and  Lieutenant  William  Polk,  com- 
pany B. 

The  next  morning  started  before  daylight  in 
pursuit  of  the  defeated  and  flying  enemy,  fol- 
lowed them  to  Rmgold,  Georgia;  burnt  the 
Ijridges  and  destroyed  the  railroad;  then  re- 
turned to  make  the  march  of  two  hundred  miles, 
without  supplies,  cooking  utensils,  camp  equip- 
ages or  change  of  clothing,  to  the  relief  of  Gen- 
eial  Bunsides,  atKnoxville.  Returned  to  Bridge- 
])ort  in  the  latter  part  of  December;  were  re- 
clothed,  paid  off,  and  marched  to  Scottsboro, 
Alabama,  and  went  into  winter  quarters. 

On  the  let  of  January,  1864,  there  were  five 
liundrc'd  and  fifteen  men  jrresent  for  duty,  of 
whom  four  hundred  and  sixty-three  re-enlisted 
as  veterans.  Of  sixty-one  men  present  in  com- 
pany K,  sixty  re-enlisted.  January  12,  started 
home  on   veteran   furlough.     At  the   expiration 


378 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  furlough,  returned  to  the  field  with  ranks 
well  tilled  with  recruits.  Arrived  .at  Scotsboro' 
March  3,  and  remained  until  May  1,  when  it 
started  on  the  great  Atlantic  campaign.  The 
regiment  was  actively  engaged  in  all  the 
marches,  skirmishes  and  battles  which  finally 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  Atlanta.  On  the  3d 
of  August,  a  detail  of  nine  hundred  men  was 
made  from  the  division  to  charge  the  enemy's 
skircuish  line.  The  charge  was  to  be  made  over 
an  old  field,  covered  with  high  grass,  a  distance 
of  about  four  hundred  yards.  When  the  signal 
was  given,  the  men  started  on  a  keen  run  for  the 
rebel  works.  John  II.  Wilson,  of  company  D, 
which  was  raised  in  Sangamon  county,  a  stout, 
active  fellow,  out-ran  the  rest,  and  soon  found 
himself  in  front  of  a  rebel  pit,  which  had  been 
concealed  by  the  tall  grass,  tilled  with  seventeen 
men  and  a  commissioned  otficer.  He  drew  up 
his  musket,  and  told  them  "to  tight  or  run,  and 
that  blamed  quick."  All  surrendered  except 
the  officer,  who  started  to  run,  when  Wilson  shot 
him  It  was  laughable  to  see  "  Buck,"  as  he 
was  called,  marching  back  with  his  seventeen 
prisoners.  By  order  of  General  Logan,  he  re- 
tained the  ofiicer's  sword  and  a  fine  Whitney 
rifle,  found  in  the  pit,  and  now  has  them  at 
home  as  mementoes  of  his  gallantry.  After  the 
fall  of  Atlanta  most  of  the  old  officers  were 
mustered  out  at  the  expiration  of  their  term  of 
service.  Only  two  of  the  original  officers  re- 
mained, one  of  whom,  Captain  Ira  J.  Bloomfield, 
company  K,  was  made  Colonel  of  the  regiment. 

About  the  same  time,  the  Fourth  Division, 
Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  was  broken  up,  and  the 
regiment  was  transferred  to  the  First  Division 
of  the  same  corps,  with  which  it  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  The  regiment  did  some 
hard  marching;  following  Hood  up  toward  Chat- 
tanooga, and  off  into  Northern  Alabama;  thence 
returned  to  Atlanta;  were  paid  and  re-clothed, 
preparatory  to  "  marching  through  Georgia." 

The  Twenty-sixth  was  engaged  in  the  action 
of  Griswoldville,  siege  of  Savannah  and  capture 
of  Fort  McAlister.  A  short  time  after  the  fall 
of  Savannah,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Beau- 
fort, South  Carolina,  and  remained  on  duty  there 
and  at  Port  Royal  Ferry,  until  the  commence- 
ment of  the  northward  march  through  the  Caro- 
linas.  Were  among  the  first  regiments  into  Col- 
umbia, und  were  hotly  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Bentonville.  Here  the  regiment  was  ordered  to 
carry  the  bridge,  across  Mill  creek,  which  was 
strongly  guarded  by  the  enemy.  The  regiment 
charged,  and  carried  it,  but  lost  a  number  of 
good   men.     Sergeant   Smith,   of   Company   K, 


color-bearer,  was  charging,  at  the  head  of  the 
column,  across  the  bridge,  and  was  shot,  the 
colors  falling  into  the  stream.  The  enemy 
rushed  forward  to  secure  them,  but  Lieutenant 
Webster,  with  Company  E,  charged,  drove  them 
back,  and  saved  the  colors.  Colonel  Bloomfield 
had  his  horse  shot  under  him,  and  narrowly 
escaped  himself.  Remained  at  Goldsboro,  North 
Carolina,  a  few  days;  and  April  10,  began  the 
march  against  Raleigh.  Left  Raleigh,  May  1, 
for  Washington,  via  Richmond.  Participated 
in  the  grand  revievi^  at  Washington.  Trans- 
ported by  rail  to  Parkersburg,  Virginia;  thence 
by  boat  to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  it  re- 
mained in  camp  until  July  20,  1S65,  when  it  was 
mustered  out  of  service  and  started  for  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 
July  2S,  the  regiment  was  paid  off  and  dis- 
banded. 

The  regiment  had  marched  during  its  four 
years  of  service,  six  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
thirty-one  miles;  fought  twenty-eight  hard  bat- 
tles, besides  innumerable  skirmishes.  They 
were  permitted  by  the  orders  of  the  command- 
ing Generals  to  place  upon  their  banner,  "New 
Madrid,"  "  Island  No.  10,"  "  Farmington,"  "  Siege 
of  Corinth,"  "  luka,"  "  Corinth,  3d  and  4th  Oc- 
tober, 1862,"  "Holly  Springs,"  "Vicksburg," 
"Jackson,  Miss.,"  "Mission  Ridge,"  "Resacca," 
"Kenesaw,"  "Ezra  Church,"  "Atlanta,"  "Jones- 
boro,"  "Griswoldville,"  "McAlister,"  "Savan- 
nah," "Columbia,"  "Bentonville." 

TWBNTT-SEVEXTH    INFANTBT. 

Regimental  Officers. 
Major — Hall  Wilson 
Adjutant— Henry  A.  Rush 
Surgeon — Henry  C.  Barrell 

Priiates. 
Campbell,  John  G.  Lynch,  Patrick 

Castello,  Michael  Orr,  Archibald  B. 

Hammann,  Frederick 

TWEXTY-EIGIITIl  INFANTRY. 

Private. 
George  Strode. 

TWBNTY-iaNTH  INFANTET, 

Sangamon  county  had  about  one  hundred  men 
in  this  regiment,  distributed  as  follows: 

Begimental  Officers. 
Major^ — Mason  Brayman 
Fife  Major — Joseph  F.  Foultz 

COMPANY   A. 

Pricate. 
Gentry,  David  C. 

COMPANY  C. 

Private. 
Frame,  James  J. 


HISTORY  OP^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


37  0 


COMPANY  D. 


Pricates. 


Brown,  George  W. 
Gholsom,  Williim  T. 
Glasscock,  John  J. 
Henr}-,  Charles 
Humphreys,  George  W. 
Henson,  Thomas 
Luther,  Martin 
JMoblej',  James  C. 
O'llain,  John 


Rodgers,  David 
Rodgcrs,  Williams 
Sanders,  James  W. 
Vinson,  Robert  D. 
Vinson,  Elias  D. 
Vinson,  David 
Varrover,  Wui.  P.  C. 
Webb,  Asa 
Webb,  Benjamin  A. 


COMPANY  E. 


Easley,  Ambrose 

COMPANY   O. 


Pr 

Baker,  James 
Edwards,  Charles 
Edwards,  Milton 
Haney,  John 
Kiser,  Daniel 
Quigley,  Phillip  C. 
Starkey,  Jesse 
Williams,  McDonald 
Yates,  James  A. 
Boleryjaek,  John  E. 
Bowers,  George 
Cook,  Charles, 
Davis,  Alfred 


ioates. 

Edwards,  John 
Earless,  Columbus 
Greer,  William  H. 
Greer,  William 
Harvey,  Felix  A. 
Hunt,  Thomas 
Joyner,  Archibald  W. 
Kiser,  Williim  P. 
McGhee.  George 
Porter,  Thomas  J. 
Payncr,  James  J. 
Tarrant,  William  H. 
Trousdale,  William  A. 


COMPANY  I. 

Officers. 
Captain — Augastus  O.  Millington 
First  Lieutenant — Marshall  M.  Mclntire 
Second  Lieutenant — Samuel  H.  Russell 

First  Sergeant. 
Truman  L.  Post. 

Corporals. 
Joseph  C.  Campbell  Marion  T.  Huston 

William  Smith  Josiah  Cox 

Samuel  Fairbanks 

Musicians. 

Alvah  Doud 

Privates. 


Herbert,  Thomas 
Mullott,  John 
May,  Jacob 
McDonald,  John 
O'Donnell,  Andrew 
Parker,  John  L. 
Pollard,  James 


Porterfield,  L.  Y. 
Smith,  Henry 
Smith,  Julius  B. 
Thornton,  Richard 
Vaughn,  Crawford 
Woods,  John  M. 


Veterans. 

Barkhurst,  Nathan  Hofer,  Frank 

Carter,  John  Webb,  James 

Fairbanks,  Samuel 

COMPANY   K. 

Private. 
Campbell,  Andrew  B. 
C')iassigned. 

Nash,  JohnT. 
Pearson,  Wiliam 
Scott,  Lewis 


Fulk,  Kelson  S. 
Hall,  William  J. 
Little,  Henry  C. 
Moore,  Alfred 


As  reported  to  the  Adjutant  General,  the  fol- 
lowing were  the  promotions  of  Sangamon  county 


men:  Ma.son  Brayman,  from  Major  to  Colonel 
and  Brigadier  General;  Samuel  li.  Russell,  from 
Second  to  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain;  Truman 
S.  Post,  from  Sergeant  to  Second  and  First 
Lieutenant  and  Captain. 

mSTORT    OF    TWENTY-NINTH    INFANTRY'. 

The  Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Volunteers  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  August  19,  1861,  by  Captain  T. 
G.  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A.,  and  was  commanded  by 
Colonel  James  S  Reardon,  and  was  assigned  to 
the  brigade  of  Brigadier  General  John  A.  Mc- 
Clernand. 

Early  in  September  it  was  ordered  to  Cairo. 
In  October,  formed  a  part  of  an  expedition  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  R.  J.  Oglesby,  to  Bloom, 
Missouri.  In  January,  lS(j'2,  regiment  was  as- 
signed tp  the  brigade  of  Colonel  R.  J.  Oglesby, 
(Eighth,  Eighteenth,  Twenty-ninth,  Thirtieth 
and  Thirty-lirst  Illinois),  and  division  Brigadier 
General  MeClernand.  This  command  was  the 
first  to  enter  Fort  Henry  after  its  evacuation. 

In  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  the  brigade 
formed  the  extreme  right  of  the  line  of  invest- 
ment, meeting  the  enemy  first  and  fighting  them 
longer  than  any  o'her  portion  of  the  army. 
Regiment  lost  one  hundred  men  killed,  of  which 
thirty  were  killed  on  the  field. 

March  1,  1S62,  regiment  was  assigned  to  Co- 
lonel L.  F.  Ross'  Brigade,  composed  of  the  Sev- 
enteenth, Twenty-ninth,  Forty-third  and  Forty- 
ninth  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  proceeded  to  Sa- 
vannah, Tennessee.  Twentieth  of  March,  pro- 
ceeded to  Pittsburg  Landing.  April  1st,  Cap- 
tain E.  M.  Ferrill  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  vice  Dunlap,  resigned.  The  regiment 
bore  a  most  honorable  part  in  the  battle  of  Shi- 
loh,  April  6  and  1,  1802.  With  an  effective 
strength  of  four  hundred  men,  it  lost  one 
hundred  killed  and  wounded. 

April  15,  1862,  Major  M.  Brayman  was  pro- 
moted Colonel  viee  Reardon,  resigned.  Regi- 
ment was  constantly  engaged  during  the  siege 
of  Corinth,  May,  1862.  June  6,  was  assigned 
to  brigade  of  Colonel  C.  C.  Marsh,  composed  of 
the  Eleventh,  Twenty-ninth,  Thirtieth  and 
Thirty-first  Illinois,  and  during  the  month  m.ade 
frequent  incursions  into  VTest  Tennessee.  Oc- 
tober 1,  sent  to  reinforce  General  llosencrans  at 
Corinth.  Arriving  too  late  for  the  battle, 
formed  to  advance  of  the  advance  of  pursuit  to 
Ri])ley,  Mississippi,  and  returned  to  Jackson. 

September,  25,  Lieutenant  Colonel  C.  M.  Fer- 
rill, promoted  Colonel  vice  M.  Brayman,  pro- 
moted Brigadier  General. 


380 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Adjutant  Loren  Keut,  promoted  Lieutenant 
Colonel. 

December  1,  regiment  proceeded  to  rear  of 
General  Grant's  army,  at  Cold  Water,  Missis- 
sippi, and  shortly  afterwards  went  into  camp  at 
Holly  Springs.  On  18tb  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Kent,  with  two  companies  (D  and  K,)  went  to 
Jackson,  Tennessee,  to  protect  that  place. 

December  20,  Colonel  R.  C.  Murphy,  of  the 
Eighth  Wisconsin  Volunteers,  surrendered  Holly 
Springs  to  rebel  General  Van  Dorn,  in  a  most 
cowardly  and  disgraceful  manner.  Eight  com- 
panies of  the  regiment  were  paroled  and  sent  to 
Benton  Barracks.  The  camp  and  garrison  equip- 
age and  books  and  records  of  the  Twenty- 
ninth  were  destroyed. 

The  eight  paroled  companies  were  kept  at 
Benton  Barracks  until  July,  1863,  when  they 
were  exchanged  and  returned  to  duty.  .The  two 
remaining  companies  were  assigned  to  the 
Western  Navy  in  February,  1863,  where  they 
served  with  distinction  during  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  losing  one  olKcer  and  several  men  in 
running  the  batteries  at  Vicksburg  and  Grand 
Gulf.   '^ 

October  16,  1863,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Kent 
was  relieved,  at  his  own  request,  as  Provost 
Marshal  General  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  assumed  command  of  his  regiment,  which 
was  assigned  to  General  Logan's  Division  of  the 
Seventeenth  Army  Corps. 

October  19,  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-first 
Illinois  volunteers  was  consolidated  with  the 
Twenty-ninth,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Kent 
promoted  Colonel,  vice  Colonel  Ferrell,  re- 
signed. 

December  1,  1803,  moved  to  Natchez,  and  re- 
mained on  garrison  duty.  In  January,  180-t,  the 
regiment  re-enlisted,  and  was  mustered  as  vet- 
erans; and  July  19,  received  veterans'  furloughs 
from  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Moved  from  Springfield,  August  22,  1804,  and 
arrived  at  Natchez  the  last  of  the  month,  and 
remained  until  October,  then  moved  to  the 
mouth  of  White  river,  having  been  assigned  to 
Third  brigade  reserve  corps.  Military  Division 
of  West  Mississippi.  A  short  time  afterward 
was  ordered  to  Memphis,  and  thence  to  Paducah, 
arriving  October  20,  1864,  for  protection  of  Ken- 
tucky from  enemy's  cavalry,  which  appeared  on 
tlie  border.  November  26,  embarked  for  Mem- 
phis, camping  in  that  city  November  29.  De- 
cember 21,  marched  with  expedition  into  the  in- 
terior of  Tennessee. 

Hard  marching,  cold  weather,  and  bad  roads. 
Returned  December  31.     January  1,  180.5,  em- 


barked for  New  Orleans.  Camped  above  the 
city  at  Kenner  on  the  .sth. 

February  11,  assigned  to  Third  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  Colonel  Kent 
commanding  brigade,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
J.  A.  Callicott  comniandins:  regiment.  Em- 
barked  for  Mobile.  Lauded  at  Dauphin  Island 
on  loth  February.  March  17,  embarked  for 
Fort  Morgan,  and  landing,  bivouacked  on  the 
beach.  During  eight  succeeding  days,  were 
toiling  over  almost  impassable  roads  to  Spanish 
Fort,  arriving  on  tlie  26th.  Took  an  active  part 
in  the  siege.  Moved  to  Fort  Blakely  April  2, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  whole  siege,  supjjorting 
the  charge  made  by  our  Second  brigade  on  the 
9th,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  entire 
rebel  army.  Regiment  lost  during  the  cam- 
paign twenty-six  men  killed  and  wounded. 

April  10,  marched  for  Mobile.  Arrived  on  the 
12th,  and  remained  in  camp.  June  26,  embarked 
on  steamship  Scott  for  Texas.  Arrived  off  Gal- 
veston July  1.  The  sea  being  quite  rough,  two 
or  three  days  were  required  to  disembark.  Soon 
after  were  ordered  to  Millican,  Texas,  on  Texas 
Central  Railroad;  arriving  on  the  9th. 

July  20,  Regimental  Headquarters  moved  to 
Hempstead;  two  companies  remaining  at  Milli- 
can, two  at  Brenham,  and  one  at  Beaumont. 

The  regiment  being  in  Provisional  Division 
Department  of  Texas;  Major  General  F.  Steele 
commanding,  the  regiment  reported  to  Major 
General  J.  A.  Mower,  commanding  Eastern  Dis- 
trict of  Texas,  until  November  0,  1865,  when  it 
was  mustered  out  of  the  LTnited  States  service. 
B.  W.  Ladd,  Ninty-eighth  Ohio  and  A.  C.  M. 

Placed  en  route  for  the  State, November  8,  and 
arrived  26th,  receiving  final  pay  and  discharge 
November  28,  1865. 

HISTORY    OF    THIRTIETH    INFANTRY. 

The  Thirtieth  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers, 
was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  August 
28,  1801,  Colonel  P.  B.  Fouke  commanding. 

September  1,  1861,  moved  to  Cairo,  Illinois, 
and  was  assigned  to  Brigadier  General  McCler- 
nand's  Brigade.  Brigadier  General  \J .  S.  Grant, 
commanding  District  of  Cairo,  and  Major  Gen- 
eral John  C.  Fremont,  commanding  Department 
of  Missouri.  October  22,  went  on  scout  into 
Kentucky,  near  Columbus.  November  7,  was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Belmont.  The  regiment 
did  gallant  service  during  this  action,  and  cap- 
tured the  celebrated  "Watson's  New  Orleans 
Battery." 

Januar}-  10,  1862,  moved  from  Cairo,  on  recoii- 
noisance  into  Kentucky,  and  returned  on  the  22d. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


3S1 


F(.'l)nuiry  I,  moved  up  Tennessee  river;  Otli, 
was  in  tlie  attack  and  taking  of  Fort  Henry,  in 
Colonel  Oglesby's  brigade.  Was  engaged  in 
the  siege  and  taking  of  Fort  Donelson,  i:!th, 
14th  and  loth  of  February,  \S&2. 

Ai  rived  at  Pittsburg  Landing  April  25.  Took 
part  in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  in  Colonel  Logan's 
brigade.  June  4  and  5,  marched  from  Corinth 
to  Jjeihel;  on  the  8ih,  occupied  Jackson,  Tennes- 
see; i:ith  and  14th  of  August,  marched  to  Este- 
naula,  and  31st  to  Denmark. 

Sej)tember  1,  1802,  marched  toward  Meriden 
Station  on  the  Mississippi  Central  Railroad,  and 
about  four  miles  from  that  place  met  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  six  thousand  strong,  nnder 
General  Armstrong,  and  after  four  hours  of  hard 
fighting,  drove  the  enemy  from  tlie  field,  gain- 
ing a  brilliant  victory. 

The  Thirtieth  was  commanded  by  Major  War- 
ren Shedd,  Colonel  Dennis  commanding  brigade 
of  Twentieth  aud  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry, 
one  section  Schwartz's  Illinois  Battery,  Captain 
Foster's  company  of  Independent  Ohio  Cavalry, 
and  thirty-four  men  of  Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
On  2d  September,  marched  to  Mendon;  3d  to 
Jackson,  2d  of  November  marched  to  La- 
grange. On  11th  marched  toward  Water  Valley, 
Mississippi,  arriving  December  19;  21st,  marched 
for  Memphis,  Tennessee,  arriving  January  19, 
1863.  Were  stationed  at  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
in  Colonel  Leggett's  brigade.  Major  General 
Logan's  division.  Major  General  McPherson's 
corps. 

February  22,  1863,  moved  to  Lake  Providence, 
Louisiana.  Moved  soon  after  to  Vista's  Planta- 
tion. 

April  1 7,  to  Milliken's  Bend.  Louisiana.  Joined 
Grant's  army  and  moved  to  Bruinsburg,  Missis- 
sippi—  crossing  Mississippi  river.  May  1st 
moved  to  Thompson's  Hill,  moved  to  Ilankiu- 
son's  Ferry,  on  Black  river;  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  en  route.  Moved  to  Raymond,  Missis- 
sippi, engaged  in  the  battle  of  Raymond,  May 
12.  Moved  via  Clinton  to  Jackson.  Pursued 
the  retreating  enemy  after  their  defeat  of  1  4th 
of  May. 

May  10,  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Champion 
Hill,  losing  heavily.  Crossed  Black  river  with 
the  army,  and  arrived  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg 
19th  of  May,  1803. 

May  25,  moved  with  expedition  to  Mechanics- 
burg,  under  General  Blair.  Returning  actively 
participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  until 
June  23,  and  then  moved  to  Black  river,  under 
General  Sherman,  to  watch  the  rebel  General 
Johnston. 

44— 


Moved  with  General  Sherman's  army  to  Jack- 
son, and  assisted  in  the  investment  of  that  place, 
after  which  the  regiment  moved  to  Vicksburg, 
ariiviiig  July  25.  Remained  in  camp  until 
August  20,  when  it  moved  to  Monroe,  Louisi- 
ana, returning  on  the  28th. 

October  14,  moved  under  General  McPherson 
toward  Canton,  Mississippi.  Was  in  engage- 
ment at  Ragachitta  creek.  Returned  same  mouth. 

January  I,  1864,  mustered  in  as  a  veteran  or- 
ganization; 10th,  moved  with  expedition  nj)  the 
Mississippi  river  against  guerrillas,  and  returned 
on  15th.  February  3,  lett  Vicksburg  on  Meri- 
den campaign,  under  General  Sherman. 

Participated  in  several  skirmishes  with  the 
enemy,  and  arrived  at  Meriden,  February  15. 
Returned  March  3.     Distance,  300  miles. 

March  5,  left  Vicksburg  on  veteran  furlough 
to  Illinois,  arriving  at  Camp  Butler  March  12. 
April  18,  left  Camp  Butler,  and  on  the  2Stli 
left  Cairo  with  "Tennessee  River  Expedition," 
under  General  W.  Q.  Gresham. 

Arrived  at  Clifton,  Tennessee,  on  the  30th. 
March  5,  marched  via  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  and 
Athens,  Alabama,  to  Huntsville,  Alabama.  May 
25,  moved  to  Decatur,  crossing  the  Tennessee 
river  on  2'7th.  Thence  i!*'«  Warrentown,  Ala- 
bama, to  Rome,  Georgia;  thence  via  Kingston, 
joining  General  Sherman's  "Grand  Army"'  at 
Ackworth,  June  8.  On  10th,  moved  to  Big 
Shanty,  and  commenced  skirmishing  with  th^ 
enemy.  On  the  2'7th,  moved  out  to  make  a 
demonstration  in  front,  losing  about  20  killed 
and  wounded. 

On  the  night  of  July  2,  moved  with  Seven- 
teenth Army  Corps  to  the  right  of  General  Sher- 
man's, and  on  the  5th  moved  to  Nickajack  creek; 
9th,  regiment  sent  to  guard  Department  Head- 
quarters. 

On  12th,  moved  to  Sweet  Water  creek.  July 
17, moved  toward  Decatur  via  Marietta,  crossing 
the  Chattahoochie  at  Roswell's,  and  arriving  at 
Decatur  on  20th. 

Was  in  battle  of  July  21  and  22,  and  lost 
heavily,  and  were  actively  engaged  until  the  fall 
of  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro.  Camped  at  East 
Point  September  6th.  October  4,  1864,  moved 
uiU'thward  in  the  pursuit  of  General  Hood,  via 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  to  Resaca,  and  returned  to 
Smyrna  Camp  Ground  via  Galesville,  Alabama, 
arriving  November  5. 

November  13,  moved  to  Atlanta,  and  on  the 
15th  moved  with  General  Sherman's  army  in  the 
"  March  to  the  Sea; "  participating  in  the  cap- 
ture of  Savannah,  Georgia,  December  21.  Left 
Savannah  January  4,  1865,  and  moved  by  water 


382 


HISTORY  OP  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  Beaufort,  South  Carolina.  Left  Beaufort 
January  13,  and  participated  in  the  capture  of 
Pacotaligo,  on  the  15th.  Remained  at  Paco- 
taligo  until  3tith;  then  marched  with  Sherman's 
arm}'  to  Gohlsboro,  North  Carolina,  where  the 
regiment  arrived  March  25,  1SG5.  Was  engaged 
during  the  march  in  the  capture  of  Orangeburg, 
Columbia,  Cheraw,  South  Carolina,  and  Fayette- 
ville,  North  Carolina;  besides,  destroying  rail- 
road track,  etc. 

April  10,  moved  to  Raleigh,  arriving  there  on 
the  I4ih,  and  remained  in  camp  until  the  surren- 
der of  the  rebel  army  under  General  Johnson. 

April  29,  marched  northward,  via  Richmond, 
to  Ale.xandria,  Virginia,  arriving  May  I'J. 

The  regiment  took  part  in  the  grand  review. 
May  24,  1865,  at  Washington,  D.  C;  camped 
near  Washington;  and  left  June  7,  via  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  railroad,  arriving  at  Parker's, 
Virginia,  on  the  9lh.  Proceeded  by  steamboat 
to  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  remained  at  Louis- 
ville. Mustered  out  of  LTnited  States  service 
July  17,  1865,  by  First  Lieutenant  Aug.  P. 
Noyes,  A.  C.  M.,  Third  Division,  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps. 

Arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  July  20. 
Received  final  payment,  and  discharged  July 
27,  18IJ5. 

TIIIRTIBTH     INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Atigust  28,  1861,  and  commanded  by  Colonel  P. 
B.  Fouke.  The  following  named  men  ^ere 
from  Sangamon  county: 

COMPANY  B. 

OJficers. 

Oiptain — lohii  P.  Davis 

First  Lieutenant — William  R.  Goodell 

Second  Lieutenant — William  HufEmasster 

First  Sergeant. 

Allison  AV\  Cheeney 

Sergeants. 
David  P.  Colburu  Isom  Cotlett 

William  H.  Sowell  Henry  Taylor 

Corporals 
Charles  L.  Stevenson  Stephen  Workmao 

Di.vid  S.  Alexander  Heniy  C.  Neal 

John  D.  Vauderiu  Jeremiah  D.  Sanborn 

Marcus  Liudsay 

Musician. 
Arthur  Harmond 

Privates 

Adwull,  John  McKee,  William  D. 

Alsbury,  Cliarles  McMan,  Robert 

Alsbury,  William  Martin,  Arthur 

Brown,  Daniel  McClure,  Anderson  J. 

Brown,  Mason  JIurdocli,  Albert 

Burk,  Pati'ick  Murdock,  Jacob  C. 

Collier,  Henry  M.  Pearce,  Israel  F. 


Cawthornc,  Chapman 
Cassity,  JohnF. 
Covington,  Jesse  H. 
Davenjjort,  James  H. 
Davis,  James  N, 
Eaton,  Sidncv  W. 
Fisher,  John'B. 
Greening,  James 
Hinton,  John  R. 
Kenney,  Lorenzo 
Kellams.  Calvin  D. 
Lyons,  Myron  D. 
Landers,  James  P. 

I  'etc 
Adwell,  John 
Brown.  Da^iiel 
Burke,  Patrick 
Colburn,  David  P. 
Covington,  Jesse  H. 
Fitzgerald,  James 
Fowls,  Henry 
Greening,  James 
Hammond,  Arthur  C. 
Huff,  John  S. 
Landers,  James  P. 

Mccr 
Allen,  Robert  H. 
Hrister,  Joseph 
Barnes,  William  A. 
Colburn,  Francis  L. 
Colburn,  John  W. 
Dawson,  Aaron  J. 
Dodd,  William  N. 
Eppler,  Herman  6. 
Edwards,  Achilles 
Greening,  John  W. 
Holley,  Marsliall  B. 
Hilderman,  William 
Henry,  AVilliam 
Hall,  .John  C. 
Hatch,  Charles  W. 
Kinney,  Martin  V. 
Kitchen,  John  T. 
Lucas,  Edward  W. 
Lambert,  Joseph 
Lane,  AVilliaiu 
Large,  John  H, 
Landers,  William 


Phelps,  Austin 
Retherford,  Martin  V. 
Ray,  George  W. 
Robertson,  Hamilton 
Smith,  George  P. 
Shumate,  Joseph  M. 
Tungate,  William  M. 
Taylor,  George 
Veach,  Samuel 
Veach,  Jame^  F. 
Vermillion,  Charles  W. 
Workman,  Samuel  M. 
Wycoti',  John  M. 

rans. 

Lucas,  Edward  W. 
Murdeck,  Albert 
Murdock.  Jacob  C. 
Pillion,  Thomas 
Pierce,  Israel  F. 
Ray,  George  W. 
Retherford,  Martin  V. 
Shumate,  Joseph  M. 
Taylor,  George  A. 
Vermillion,  Charles  W. 
Veatch,  Samuel 

nits. 

Large,  Stephen 
MiUer,  William 
McGinnis,  Irvin 
MoiTis,  William  H. 
Maxcy,  Richard  H. 
Norris,  Edward  A. 
Price,  Andrew  J. 
Porter,  Henry 
Reynolds,  George  W. 
Seids,  Samuel  H. 
Stratton,  Joseph  C. 
Swink.  H.  William 
Smith,  John 
Summers,  Elijah  C. 
Shetters,  Slartin  V. 
Slintland,  F.  M. 
Taylor,  Eli 
Underwood,  Jesse  T. 
Wyckafl,  Henry  C. 
Workman,  David 
Williamson,  Erastus 
Young,  Edward  A. 


COMPANY  n. 

Lanhan,  William  X.  Woodruff,  Robert  M. 

Rinker,  John  Beadleston,  John 

Lewis,  Listen  L. 

COMPANY   I. 

Burk,  Benjamin  F.  Buck,  Benjamin  F. 

McClease,  John 

COMPANY   K. 

Weldon,  Henry  C. 
Unassigncd. 
Green,  Albert  Greer,  Martin 

THIRTY-SECOND    INFAXTKY. 

Privates. 
Ames,  Fisher  Parslej',  William  K. 

Johnson,  George  K.  Sarrell,  William  T. 

Kalaim,  Thomas  J.  Wood,  John 

McCoimack,  Thomas 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


3S3 


TIIIRTY-THIEl)  INFANTRY. 

In  this  regiment  will  be  found  the  following 
named  who  represent  the  county: 

COMPANY  c. 

Privates. 
Barnes,  Robert  A.  Hodge,  Richard 

Ducoing,  Henry  Hungerford,  Thomas  J. 

GrabendiUc,  Hiram 

COMPANY  1). 

Sergeants. 
Cleophas  Breckearidgc 

Corporal. 
Simpson   Driscoll 

Musician. 
James  Bateman 
Privates. 
Driscoll,  Lewis  Farmer,  Ephraim 

George,  William  Havener,  Wesley 

Holland,  Aaron  Howard,  Thomas  D. 

Loyd,  Reuben  Little,  .lohn 

%       Martin,  William  Martin,  Isaac 

Morgan,  Tarthus  McDonald,  .James 

Pelliam,  Daniel  C.  Ross,  John  W. 

Tafl,  James  W.  Willis,  James  D. 

Willis,  Adam  Wackley,  George 

William,  George  Timothy,  Regan 

Baleman,  James  Batemau,  James 

Grady,  Robert  M.  Kelly,  Thomas 

Schorndorf,  Charles 

Recruits. 
Baker,  Walter  Carter,  Alfred 

Driskell,  .Joseph  Donnabarger,  John 

Elkin,  John  H.  Estell,  William  H. 

Howey,  Lewis  Harris,  William  W. 

Hammond,  George  F.  Havenar,  Samuel 

Jones,  Haskins  Leary,  Richard 

Lemon,  John  Mosteller,  John 

McCoy,  Samuel  Nettleton,  Stephen 

Pike,  Thomas  liosengrant,  Hiram  H. 

COMPANY  I. 

Privates. 
Jenkins,  Mark  Maag,  Charles  W. 

Dwire,  John  Wilkinson,  William  H. 

COMPANY  K. 

Officers. 
First  Lieutenant—  William  A  -Nixon 

First  Sergeant. 
Edward  Higgins 

Privates. 
Kent,  Daniel  Kilgore,  William  H, 

Hinchie,  James  M.  Luce,  Henry 

The  following  promotions  were  made:  Hiram 
H  Rosengrant,  private, to  Captain;  Wm.  George, 
private,  to  Second  Lieutenant;  Wm.  A.  Nixon, 
First  Lieutenant,  to  Captain;  Edwin  L.  Higgins, 
sergeant,  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant  and 
Captain. 

The  Thirty-third  Illinois  Volunteers  was  or- 
ganized at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  the  month 
of  September,  1861,  by  Colonel  Chas.  E.  Hovey, 


and  mustered  into  the  United  Slates  service,  by 
Captain  T.  G.  Pitcher,  U.  S.  A. 

September  20,  moved  to  Ironton  Missouri,  via 
St.  Louis.  Remained  at  Ironton  during  the  win- 
ter, with  occasional  scouts  into  the  country.  On 
one  of  these,  the  battle  of  Fredricktown  was 
fought;  Company  A  on  the  skirmish  line. 

March,  1862,  moved  with  the  command  of 
General  Steele,  southward;  ptissing  into  Ar- 
kansas at  Pitman's  Ferry,  and  marching  ina  Po- 
cahontas and  Jacksonport,  to  P>atesville,  where 
it  joined  General  Curtis'  army;  thence  via  Jack- 
son, Augusta  and  Clarendon,  to  Helena.  Was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Cache,  and  in  many 
skirmishes.  At  the  battle  of  Cotton  Plant,  Com- 
pany A  on  the  skirmish  line,  met  and  checked  a 
charge  of  two  thousand  Texas  Rangers.  During 
July  and  August,  were  camped  twenty  miles 
west  of  Helena,  and  engaged  in  eight  expedi- 
tions up  and  down  the  river.  September  1 ,  was 
moved  up  the  river  to  Sulphur  Springs,  and 
thence  to  Pilot  Knob,  where  it  arrived  the  mid- 
dle of  October,  1862.  November  15,  moved  to 
VanBuren,  Arkansas, in  Colonel  Harris'  Biigade, 
Brigadier  General  W.  P.  Benton's  Division,  of 
General  Davidson's  Corps.  Made  winter  cam- 
paign in  Southeast  Missouri;  passing  through 
Patterson,  VanBuren,  West  Plains,  Eminence 
and  Centerville,  and  returned  to  Bellevue  Val- 
ley, near  Pilot  Knob,  about  March  1,  186'^. 

The  Thirty-third  was  then  ordered  to  Ste. 
Geneveive,  Missouri,  where,  with  the  command, 
it  embarked  for  Millikin's  Bend,  Louisiana. 
Attached  to  the  First  Brigade,  First  Division, 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  it  was  engaged  in  all 
its  battles;  particip.ating  in  the  Port  Gibson, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  assault 
and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  the  siege  of  Jack- 
son. 

In  August,  moved  to  New  Orleans  with  the 
Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  In  October,  with  brig- 
ade of  Colonel  Shunk,  Eighth  Indiana,  Major 
General  C.  C.  Washburne's  Division  and  Major 
General  E.  O.  C.  Ord's  Corps,  engaged  in  the 
campaign  up  the  Bayou  Teche;  returned  to 
New  Orleans  in  November.  Thence  ordered  to 
Brownsville,  Texas;  but  before  landing,  were 
ordered  to  Arkansas  Pass. 

Disembarked  on  St.  Joseph  Island ;  marched 
up  St.  Joseph  Island  and  Matagorda  Island  to 
Saluria;  participating  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Es- 
peranza.  Thence  moved  to  Indianola  and  Port 
Lavaca 

The  First  Brigade;  while  on  the  main  land  of 
Texas,  was  commanded  by  Brigadier  General 
Fit/.  Henry  Warren. 


384 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


January],  1804  the  regiment  le-enlisted  as 
veterans,  and  March  14th,  reached  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  and  received  veteran  furloughs.  April 
18,  1804,  the  regiment  was  re-organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  and  proceeded  to  New  Orleans, 
via  Alton  and  St.  Louis — arriving  on  the  29th, 
and  camping  at  (.'arrollton. 

May  17,  ordered  to  Brashear  City,  Louisiana. 
Soon  after  its  arrival  the  regiment  was  scattered 
along  the  line  of  the  road  as  guard,  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  Companies  F,  C  and  K,  at  Bayou 
Boeuf;  company  I,  Bay')u  L'Ours;  companies  A 
and  D,  at  Tigerville;  company  G,  at  Chacahoula; 
company  E,  Terre  Bonne;  company  B,  at  Bayou 
Lafourche  and  Bayou  des  Allemands;  company 
H,  Boutte;  regimental  headquarters  at  Terre 
Bonne.  The  district  was  called  the  "  District  of 
Lafourche,"  commanded  by  Brigadier  General 
Hubert  A.  Cameron.  Headquarters  at  Thibo- 
daux.  September  17,  1864  the  non-veterans  of 
the  regiment  were  started  home  via  New  York 
City,  in  charge  of  rebel  prisoners,  and  were 
mustered  out  at  Camp  Butler,  about  October  11, 
1864. 

March  2,  1805,  were  ordered  to  join  the  Six- 
teenth Army  Corps.  Near  Boutte  Station  the 
train  was  thrown  from  the  track,  and  nine  men 
were  killed  and  seventy  wounded.  On  the  ISth 
the  regiment  embarked  on  Lake  Ponehartrain, 
for  Mobile  expedition.  Company  K  remaining 
behind  to  guard  transportation,  joined  the  regi- 
ment April  11,  at  Blakely;  moved  via  Fort 
Gaines  and  Navy  C-ove,  landed  on  Fish  river, 
Alabama,  and  marched  with  General  Canby's 
army  up  east  side  of  Mobile  Bay.  The  regiment 
was  in  the  First  brigade.  Colonel  W.  L.  Mc- 
Millian,  Ninety-Fifth  Ohio;  Fii-st  Division,  Gen- 
eral J.  McArthur;  Sixteenth  Ai-my  Corps,  Major 
General  A.  J.  Smith. 

March  27  arrived  in  front  of  Spanish  Fort, 
the  main  defense  of  Mobile,  and  until  its  cap- 
ture, April  8,  was  actively  engaged. 

After  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  marched  April 
13,  186.5,  with  Sixteenth  Corps,  for  Montgomery, 
Alabama,  where  it  arrived  on  the  2.5th,  and  en- 
camped on  the  Alabama  river.  Here  it  received 
the  news  of  Lee  and  Johnston's  surrender,  after 
which  its  operations  were  not  of  a  hostile 
character.  May  10,  marched  to  Selma,  and  May 
17,  by  rail,  to  Meridian,  Mississippi.  Here  re- 
mained. In  the  latter  part  of  July  the  regiment 
was  filled  above  the  maximum  by  men  trans- 
ferred from  Seventy-second,  One  Hundred  atid 
Sevcnleeii'li,  One  Hundrtd  and  Twenty- 
second,  and  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth 
Illinois. 


Moved  to  Vicksburg  April  14,  1805,  and  re- 
mained at  that  place  until  mustered  out  of  ser- 
vice, November  24,  1865,  and  ordered  to  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

THIRTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

Privates. 

Duffey,  James  M.  Har"is,  William  H. 

Hair,  Patrick 

TIIIETY-FIFTII    INFANTRY. 

Prifiites. 
Cunuiughani,  Arthur  Keuscy,  John  T. 

Johnson,  Jauies 

THIRTY-SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

Private. 
Peter  Larson 

THIRTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

The  Thirty-eighth  Infantry,  organized  late  in 
the  summer  of  1861,  contained  the  following 
named  men  from  Sangamon  county: 

Regimental  Officers. 
Sur.eeou — Henry  C.  Barrel! 
Adjutant — Arthur  Lee  Bailhachc 
Commissary  Sergeant — John  C.  Young 

COMPANY  A. 

Officers. 
Captain — Henry  N.  Alden 
First  Lieutenant — George  H.  Alcoke 

Sergeants. 
Charles  H.  Egleston  John  Carr 

Corporals. 
Andrew  Farley  Chavles  Hoxworth 

.lohu  Young  Bengamiu  Egleston 

Pembroke  J.  Patterson      John  Nutt 

Musician . 
Thomas  J.  Robertson 

Privates. 
Allison,  Jan.es  M.  INorton,  James 

Burke,  Patrick  Peddicard,  Barney 

Briggs,  Henry  Rcnsler,  John 

Bloomer,  Christopher  Ryan,  Daniel 

Carrigan.  Edward  Rouch,  Michael 

Clancy,  Patrick  Rollins,  Gilbert 

Clare,  Daniel  Rahuer,  William 

Daws,  Henry  Ringhouser,  Theoilore 

Day,  Thomas  Rav,  Josejih 

Dillon,  Daniel  Smith,  Joshua 

Howey,  Thomas  Smith,  Charles  H. 

Hogau,  ,Iohn  Sheenhan,  Thomas 

Heinphill,  .James  Shoenuiker,  Augustus 

.lones.  ^Newton  C.  Theilen,  George 

.ludge,  John  Tobin,  Piitrick 

Killinirer,  Jacob  S.  Venemer,  Theodore 

Kohl,  Nicholas  Welsh,  William 

Lightfoot,  Reuben  11.  Owens,  Henry  C. 

Lawyer,  John  W.  Richards,  John  C. 

MeCandless.  Robert  Robertson,  Thomas  J, 

McElroy,  John  Woodford,  Samuel 

McCasland,  Thomas 

Rei-ruits. 
Brewer,  James  D.  Mulqueere,  Patrick 

Campbell,  Robert  J.  McPhersou,  John 


IIISTOKV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


385 


Carey,  Joseph  L. 
Curren,  Owl'u 
Carlin,  Thomas  B. 
Dougherty,  Tliomas 
Haud,  Jaiiics 
Harrisou.  William 


Reynolds,  Reuben  A. 
Rice,  Zebedee  H. 
Rice,  Joshua  M. 
Rude,  Samuel  W. 
Waddle,  James 
Walker,  James 


Moore,  Charles,  or  Jas.       AVoolford,  Samuel 

COMPANY  B. 

Private. 
Lowerly,  John 

COMPANY  c. 

Serrjeant. 
Peter  Conway 

Prieales. 
Anderson,  John  Filzpatrick,  Patrick 

Campbell,  J'iseph  Fox,  Charles 

COMPANY  D. 

Pri  gates. 
Goodman,  Joseph  Warien,  Christopher  C. 

COMPANY  I. 

Prirate. 
Stephenson,  Lee  T. 

The  following  were  the  promotions  of  men 
from  this  county:  Henry  N.  Alden,  from  Caji- 
tain  to  Major;  Charles  Fox,  from  private  to 
First  Lieutenant. 

HISTOKY  or    THE    TIlIRTY-EKillTII   INFANTRY. 

The  Thirty-eighth  Infantry,  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, was  organized  at  Camp  IJutler,  Illinois,  in 
September,  1861,  by  Colonel  William  I'.  Carlin. 
September  20,  was  ordered  to  Pilot  Knob,  Mis- 
souri, receiving  its  arras  en  route.  Colonel  Car- 
lin was  placed  in  command  of  the  post.  Octo- 
ber 20,  marched  to  Frederiektown,  and  21st  was 
engaged  in  the  battle  at  that  place,  with  the 
enemy  under  Jeff  Thompson. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Pilot  Knob  during 
the  winter.  March  3,  1862,  moved  to  Reevers' 
Station  on  Black  river.  March  31,  regiment 
removed  from  Reevers'  Station  to  Doniphan,  and 
April  17,  crossed  Currant  river  on  2 Ist  reached 
Pocaliontas,  Arkansas.  April  30,  marched  for 
Jacksonport,  Arkansas,  May  10,  the  Twenty- 
first  and  Thirty-eighth  were  ordered  to  Cape 
Girardeau,  Missouri,  two  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  distant.  This  march  was  made  in  ten 
days,  a  day  and  a  half  of  which  time  was  spent 
ferrying  Black  and  Current  rivers.  May  24,  ar- 
rived at  Ilanibuig  Landing,  moved  to  the  front, 
and  were  before  Corinth  during  the  last  days  of 
the  siege. 

Was  in  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division,  left 
wing,  Army  of  the  Mississippi,  C^olonel  Carlin 
commanding  brigade,  Brigadier  General  Jeff  C. 
Davis  commanding  division,  and  Major  C4eneral 
John  P..pe. 


Marched  to  Danville,  Booneville,  back  to 
Corinth,  and  to  Jacinto.  During  the  last  of 
June  marched  to  Ripley,  and  returned  by  forced 
marches.  Remained  in  camp  till  August  14, 
when  marched  with  the  division  to  join  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio,  under  General  Buell.  Pass- 
ing through  luka,  Mississippi,  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee at  Eastport;  then  marched  to  Louisville, 
arriving  September  26,  1862,  liaving  marched 
night  and  day  about  five  hundred  miles.  Octo- 
ber 1,  marched  from  Louisville  in  the  Thirty- 
first  Brigade.  October  6,  engaged  in  battle  of 
Perryville,  JVIajor  D.  II.  Gilman,  commanding, 
and  captured  an  ammunition  team,  two  caissons 
and  about  one  hundred  prisoners.  Was  hon- 
orably mentioned  in  General  Mitchell's  report  of 
the  battle.  Joined  in  pursuit  of  Bragg  as  far 
as  Crab  Orchard,  and  then  marched  through 
Lancaster,  Danville,  Lebanon,  and  Bowling 
Green,  to  Edgefield  Junction,  near  Nashville. 
Went  on  a  scout  to  Ilarpeth  Shoals  with  Fif- 
teenth Wisconsin,  and  returned  November  20, 
having  destroyed  a  large  cjuantity  of  salt,  and 
captured  a  rebel  wagon  train  and  one  hundred 
horses  and  mules. 

Advanced  from  Nashville,  December  26,  1862, 
and  with  the  brigade  charged  a  battery  at  Knott 
Gap  and  captured  two  guns.  Regimental  loss, 
three  killed  and  eight  wounded.  Engaged  in 
the  battle  of  Stone  River  from  December  30, 
1862,  till  January  4,  1868. 

December  31st,  the  brigade  was  heavily  en- 
gaged, and  repulsed  three  heavy  charges  and 
held  the  position  until  the  enemy  having  driven 
Johnston's  Division,  came  heavily  on  the  flank 
and  forced  the  line  to  retire.  Regiment  lost  in 
engagement  thirty-four  killed,  one  hundred  and 
nine  wounded,  and  thirty-four  missing.  Regi- 
ment at  Murfreesboro  until  June.  Meantime 
the  riglit  wing  was  changed  to  the  Twentieth 
Army  (Jorps. 

When  the  enemy  advanced  on  Tuilhoma,  the 
Twentieth  Army  Corps  moved  on  Liberty  Gap, 
and  engaged  the  enemy,  June  24ih,  2.")th  and 
26th;  on  the  25th  tlie  Thirty-eighth  was  or- 
dei'ed  to  relieve  Seventy-seventh  Pennsylvania, 
of  General  Willick's  brigade,  who  were  hotly 
pressed  by  the  enemy.  The  Thirty-eighth 
charged  across  a  plowed  field,  under  heavy  fire, 
and  drove  the  enemy  from  their  works,  captur- 
ing the  flag  of  the  Second  Arkansas. 

June  26th,  skirmished  with  the  enemj'  all 
day,  losing  three  killed  and  nineteen  wounded. 
That  night  the  enemy  withdrew. 

Marched  through  JManchester  and  camped  at 
Winchester,  Tennessee.  Au£ru«t  1  7, 1863,  crossf  d 


386 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  Cumberland  Mountains  to  Stevenson,  Ala- 
bama. Thirtieth,  crossed  Tennessee  river  at 
Carpenter's  Ferry.  Crossed  Sand  Mountain 
and  camped  in  Wills  Valley.  September  crossed 
Lookout  Mountain  and  camped  at  Broomtown 
Valley,  about  fifty  miles  south  of  Chattanooga. 
September  13th  and  14th,  re-crossed  Lookout 
Mountain  to  "Wills  Valley;  16th  ascended  Look- 
out Mountain,  and  marched  twenty-live  miles 
on  the  top  to  Stevens'  Gap.  Seventeeth,  en- 
tered McLemore's  cave  and  laid  in  line  of  bat- 
tle before  Dry  Gap,  in  Pigeon  mountains.  On 
the  19th,  entered  the  ba'ttle  of  Chickmauga, 
near  Gordon's  Mills;  double-quicking,  a  line  was 
formed  under  fire,  and  was  hotly  engaged  until 
dark. 

September  20th,  was  moved  to  the  left 
wing  into  position  at  10  a.  m.,  and  was  heavily 
engaged.  The  enemy  pressing  through  a  gap 
made  by  the  withdrawal  of  General  Woods' 
Division,  forced  the  line  back,  and  the  brigade 
narrowly  escaped  capture.  Was  reformed  on 
the  hills  in  the  rear  of  the  battle  ground  and 
marched  toward  Rossville.  Was  then  marched 
toward  the  right,  where  General  Thomas  was 
continuing  the  fight.  ■  After  dark,  returned  to 
Rossville.  Loss,  Lieutenant  Colonel  D.  H.  Gil- 
mer, killed,  and  Major  Alden  severely  wounded; 
of  three  hundred  and  one  men  who  entered  the 
fight,  one  hundred  and  eighty  were  killed, 
wounded  or  missing.  September  21st,  Captain 
W.  C.  Harris  took  command  of  regiment,  and 
on  the  22d  moved  into  Chattanooga  and  re- 
mained till  the  last  of  October,  working  on 
fortifications,  etc. 

The  Twentieth  Army  Corps  was  broken  up 
and  the  Thirty-eighth  Illinois  was  assigned  to 
the  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Fourth  Army 
Corps. 

October  25,  186-3,  marched  to  Bridgeport, 
Alabama,  and  went  into  winter  quarters. 

January  26,  1864,  moved  through  Chatta- 
nooga to  Ooltawah.  On  the  night  of  February 
17th,  moved  out  with  a  detachment  of  Fourth 
Michigan  Cavalry,  and  at  daylight  surprised  and 
captured  a  rebel  outpost  a  few'miles  from  Dal- 
ton,  Georgia,  and  returned  to  camp  in  the  after-' 
noon. 

February  29,  1864,  the  regiment  re-enlisted, 
and  was  mustered  March  16,  1864.  Started  for 
Illinois,  March  28th.  Arrived  at  Springfield 
April  8th.  Rendezvoused  at  Mattoon.  May 
14ih,  moved  from  Mattoon  to  Louisville.  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  W.  T.  Chapman  took  command 
of  the  regiment  at  Louisville,  May  17th.  Ar- 
rived at  Nashville  2l8t. 


On  the  22d,  a  train  bearing  part  of  the  regi- 
ment was  thrown  from  the  track  by  a  torpedo 
and  several  men  injured. 

JMay  27,  left  Chattanooga  for  Ackworth  with 
a  drove  of  cattle,  which  was  increased  at 
IJesaca  to  1,700  head.  On  9th,  rejoined  the  bri- 
gade; 10th,  moved  upon  the  enemy  at  Pine  Top; 
engaged  at  Pine  Top  till  18th,  and  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  until  July  3.  July  5,  reached  the 
Chattahoochie  river,  and  crossed  it  on  the  I2th 
at  Power's  Ferry;  20th,  crossed  Peach  Tree 
creek,  and  on  the  22d  threw  up  works  before 
Atlanta;  26th,  moved  to  works,  protecting  rear 
and  left  of  lines;  August  2.5,  withdrew  from 
lines  in  night,  and  26lh  was  rear  guard  and  had 
a  brisk  skirmish;  September  1,  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Jonesboro;  September  2,  moved  to 
Lovejoy,  and  on  the  8th  the  regiment  camped  at 
Atlanta. 

Loss  of  the  Thirty-eighth  in  the  campaigH, 
four  killed,  thirty-six  wounded,  three  missing. 

October  3,  marched  in  pursuit  of  Hood  to 
Gaylorsville.  Alabama,  and  after  halting  a  few 
days,  marched  to  Chattanooga,  arriving  October 
30,  1864. 

October  31,  the  First  Brigade  started  as  escort 
to  wagon  train  of  Fourth  Corps  for  Huntsville. 
The  remainder  of  the  corps  going  by  rail, 
crossed  the  Cumberland  Mountains  at  Tantallon, 
and  rejoined  the  corps  at  Pulaski,  Tennessee, 
November  12,  1864. 

November  22,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Chapman 
died,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Captain 
xV.  M.  Pollard. 

Arrived  at  Columbia,  Tennessee,  November 
24,  and  November  25  and  26,  threw  up  works 
and  skirmished  with  the  enemy.  Crossed  Duck 
river  on  the  night  of  27th,  and  next  day  threw 
up  works  on  left  tlank.  Withdrew  iu  the  night 
and  marched  through  Spring  Hill,  passing  a 
large  rebel  camp.  Marched  alongside  the  train 
to  Franklin,  with  rebel  cavalry  on  the  flank; 
30th,  entered  Franklin.  About  half  past  four 
the  enemy  advanced,  driving  in  our  skirmishers, 
but  were  driven  back  by  the  main  line.  With- 
drew at  midnight,  and  crossing  the  Harpeth 
river,  reached  Nashville.  December  1,  was 
occupied  in  building  fortifications  and  doing 
outi^ost  duty.  On  15th  was  placed  in  position 
near  the  Hardin  pike,  and  at  4  p.  m.  were  in  the 
cliarge  on  Montgomery  Hill,  and  among  the 
first  to  enter  the  enemy's  works;  was  in  the 
reserve  line  and  joined  in  pursuit,  when  the 
enemy's  line  was  broken;  was  in  pursuit  to 
Lexington,  Alabama.  Arriving  at  Huntsville 
January  5,  1865,  and  remaining  until  March  13, 


IirSTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


387 


1865,  Lieuleiiaiit  Colonel  EJ.  Colyer  taking 
command  February  1. 

March  i:-!,  proceeded  to  Strawberry  Plains, 
Tennessee;  on  24th  moved  to  Lick  creek.  April 
3,  brigade  was  ordered  on  an  expedition  to 
Ashviile,  North  Carolina;  returned  1  Ith,  and  on 
20th  took  cars  for  Nashville.  June  Vth,  the 
non-veteran  regiments  having  been  mustered 
out,  the  Twenty-first  and  Thirty-eighth  were 
assigned  to  Second  Brigade,  Colonel  J.  B.  C. 
Leeman  commanding. 

June  17,  moved  to  Johnsonville;  19th  em- 
barked on  Steamer  Palestine,  and  on  2.5th 
landed  at  New  Orleans.  July  12,  embarked  on 
steamer  Clinton,  and  landed  at  Indianola,  Texas, 
15th;  1 7th  marched  to  Green  Lake.  August  8 
and  9,  marched  tlirough  Victoria  and  camped 
on  the  (Taudaloupe  river.  December  31,  18G5, 
regiment  mustered  out  and  ordered  to  Spring- 
field for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

THIRTY-NINTH    INFANTEY. 


Privates, 


Barley,  .lolin  T. 
Ilauuns,  Daniel 
Ilashman,  [^ewis 
O'llarni,  James 


Rush,  James 
Taj-lor,  John 
Woods,  William 
Wyatt,  Edward 


FORTY-FIRST    INFANTRY. 

Sergeant . 
Simon  R.  Applctou 
Privates. 


Kelley,  James 
Kins,  Robert  N. 
Krone,  De  Witt  C 
Majors,  Charles  M. 


Becktel,  Victor 
Cochran,  Henry  N. 
Harrington,  Cornelius 
Hendriek,  David  N. 
Hill,  William  W. 


FOETY-FOUETII  INFANTRY. 

Private. 
Paul  L.  Sleiuman 

FORTY-SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

Private. 
Charles  H.  Clay 

FOETY-EKJHTH   INFANTRY. 

Officer, 
Adjutant — William  Prescott 

Privates. 
Austin,  Joshua  McKinncy,  Israel 

Campbell,  John  A.  Osborne,  John 

Mitchell,  John  G,  Scott,  Miles 

Mitchell,  Samuel  S.  Walters,  Moses 

Mitchell,  David  M. 

FORTY-NINTH    INFANTRY. 

Privates. 


Bensinser,  Emil 
Bivmingiiam,  Michael 
Gray,  William  J. 
Grove,  Jolin  H. 
Harrison,  William 


Herman  Michael 
Manzy,  Robert  G. 
Moore,  Charles 
Jlurjihy,  Patrick 
Ton.pkins,  Benjamin 


FIFTIETH    INFANTRY. 

Offiar. 
First  Lieutenant — Charles  J.  Earley 

Prirnte. 
John  Brewer 

FIFTY-FIEST    INFANTRY. 

Private. 
Theodore  Franz  Veitz. 

FIFTY-SECOND    INFANTRY. 

Private. 
Carl  Stern 

FIFTY-THIRD    INFANTRY. 

About  a  score  of  men  from  Sangamon  were 
in  this  regiment,  as  follows: 


COJITANY   (4 


EliasT.  Lee 
Bochtel,  Victor 
Blaukenship,  Robert  W. 
Baughman,  Daniel 
Baughman,  Jacob 
Borin,  John  T. 
Cochran,  Henry  N. 
Craig,  John  A. 
Clink,  William 
Crane,  Benjamin  F. 
Diclierson,  Samuel 
English,  James  D. 


Fulton,  Alpheus 
Flock,  AndrcAV 
Goodnight.  John 
Housley,  Presly  D. 
Hendricks,  David  W. 
Hill,  William  W. 
Havener.  Mitchell  R. 
Kridcr,  Calvin 
Miller,  Henry  C. 
Patrick,  Henry  L. 
Rickard,  Robert  W, 


COMPANY   K. 


Plummer,  Nathan 
Wilson,  Washington  A. 


Krome,  Dewitt  C. 
Kelly,  James 

FIFTY'-FOUKTII    INFANTRY. 

Privates. 
Brown,  David  Goodsby,  William 

FIFTY-SEVENTH    INFANTRY' . 

Privates. 

Anderson,  August  Massej',  John 

Anderson,  John  G.  Nord,  John  M. 

Burnison,  Eric  Palmer,  John 

Johnson,  Charles  J.  Slygh,  Henry  S. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

In  companies  A,  B,  C,  E,  F,  I,  and  K,  will  be 
found  men  credited  to  this  county,  as  follows: 

COMPANY   A. 

Privates. 

McGowau,  Milton  B. 
Musiol,  James 

COJIPANY  B. 

Private. 
Scott,  Samuel 

COMPANY  c. 

Private. 
Clark,  .Joseph 

COMPANY  B. 

Privates. 

Marquart,  Adolpli 
Mar(|uarl.  Gustave 


Fahey,  John 


Clark,  John  P. 
Curtis,  Francis  M. 


388 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Crosby,  Daniel 
Flanigau,  Peter 
Harley,  John  11. 
Holmes,  John 
Kole,  Fredrick 
Matlock,  William  M. 


Six,  George  W. 
Spellman,  John 
Taylor,  Alvin 
Wagner,  August 
Walters,  William 
Wilkinson,  William 


COMPANY   F. 

Privates. 
Bell,  Joseph  Duback,  Fredrick 

Cooper,  Henry  Falls,  McCharles 

DickmauD,  Henry  Hender,  John 

Young,  Adam 

COMPANY  I. 

Pricate. 
Rooney,  Felix 

COMPANY    K. 

Pricatea. 
Brennan,  John  Tinsman,  Cliarles  E. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH   INFANTRY   (cOIlSolidated). 

In   the  consolidated  Fifty-eighth,  Sangamon 
county  has  credit  for  the  following  names: 

COMPANY   A. 

Attwood,  Amos  Ivin,  James  E. 

McGowan,  Milton  B. 

COMPANY   B. 

Officer. 
Second  Lieutenant — Jacob  Rippstein 

Corporal . 

William  Fouke 

Pricates. 

Burr,  Lyman  Scofield,  Joseph 

Edmuns,  Andrew  J.  Sheppard,  Obediah 


COMPANY'   C. 


Clark,  Joseph 
Kitchen,  Amos 


Miller,  Perry 
Young,  Adam 


COMP.\NY   D. 


Corporals . 
John  H.  Harley  Mathias  Glasener 

William  M.  Mattock  August  Homan 

Pricates. 


McCawley,  George 
Marquart,  Adolph 
Marquart,  Gustave 
Pilgram,  John 
Sassa,  Charles 
Ste|)hen,  Christian 
Waddle,  James 
Wilkinson,  William 


Alexander,  Lasser 
Dunlen,  Charles 
Flannagau.  Peter 
Griffin.  Charles 
Harrington,  George  W 
Jones,  William  H. 
Kuger,  Eustice 
Lungner,  Oscar 

Vnassigned. 
Rice,  Nat.  Shea,  John 

Wines,  Geo.  W. 

SIXTIETH    INFAXTRY. 

Privates. 
Bergerback,  Hammond      Coltes,  William 

SIXTY-FIRST    INFAXTRY'. 

Officer. 
Major — Simon  P.  Ohr 

Private. 
Charles  McDanlels. 


SIXTY-SECOND    INFANTRY. 

Officers. 
Adjutant — Edmund  R.  Wiley 
Second  Lieutenant — Philip  C.  Suit 

Priride.'i. 
Dutton,  William  Miller,  William  W. 


Flood,  Joseph 
Lewis,  Paul 
Lewis,  Neriah 
McCleave,  Hiram 


Moore,  William 
Pennell,  Evander 
Pennell,  William 


SIXTY-THIRD    INFANTRY. 

Pricate. 
Robert  L.  Leggett. 

SIXTY-FOURTH    IXFANTRY. 

In   this   regiment   are    found  the    following 
named  from  Sangamon: 

Regimental  Officers. 
Major — Frederick  W.  Malteson. 
COMP.VNY  c. 

Offi'cer. 
Captain — Christian  B.  Keasey 
Privates. 


Ball,  Joseph 
Booth,  Wesley 
Burns,  Thomas 
Bell,  John  F. 
Brady,  Bernard  B. 
Ballweabner,  John 
Boyd,  James  H. 
Burke,  Patiick 
Collins,  John 
Capps,  Jtisiah 
Ciiniicll\ ,  James 
Elder,  John  W. 
Fry,  John 
Foley,  Patrick 
Horner,  Thomas  P. 
Hilgenberg,  Wilhelm 
Henry,  Thomas 
Hadley.  John  H. 


Hadley,  Robert 
Henderson,  Charles 
I  awler,  Michael 
McKeown,  Michael 
Murphj' ,  John  W. 
Kicholson,  William  J. 
O'Conner,  Willis 
O'Meara,  John 
Probaker,  John 
Smith,  George  A. 
Shelley,  John 
Vance,  Joseph 
Washburne,  Erastus  P. 
Wallace,  Nels  S. 
Wright,  Marion 
Wiciiser,  Frederick 
Whitconib,  John  W. 
White,  Jonathan  R. 


Veterans 

Brady,  Bernard  D.  Probaker,  John 

Bullweabner,  John  Seamon,  Isaac  W. 

Collins.  John  Smith,  Thomas  J. 

Conlcy,  James  Washburne,  Erastus  P. 

Delhi,  Daniel  Wrekser,  Frederick 
Lawler,  Jlichael 

COMPANY   F. 

Pricates. 
Johnson,  William  Pedro,  Daniel 

Jones,  Thomas  Somer,  Frederick 

McGuire,  Frank  Scott,  John  C. 

Parker,  John  O. 

C05IPANY  H. 

Private. 
Gibbons,  William  R. 

Unassigned. 
Smith,  William  Webber,  John  H. 

SIXTY-EIGHTH  INFANTRY. 

Second  Lieutenant — S.  Wheaton  West 

Pricate. 
Joseph  D.  Beaver 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


389 


SEVENTY-SECOND  IXFANTEY. 

Prii'ates. 
Banicklow,  Jumes  T.  Hungurfuid,  Thomas 

SEVENTY-THIRD   INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  is  largely  represented  by  San- 
gamon county  men,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  fol- 
lowing: 

COMPANY  A. 

First  Lieutenant — Edward  W.  Bassett 
Second  Lieutenant — Thomas  (4.  Underwood 

First  Sergeant. 

Emanuel  Cross 
Sergeants. 
Thomas  W.  Fortune  Charles  B.  Mantle 

Samuel  C.  Bobbins  Jacob  A.  Lindsay 

Uorporal.'i. 
John  L.  Hesser  Pierson  H.  Keiser 

James  T.  Armstrong  William  S.  Bullard 

•      Thomas  C.  Perry  Oliver  McDauiel 

James  Kelly 

Musicians. 
Jacob  W.  Ayres  Erastus  Jackson 

Privates. 
Aylsworth,  Varnum  T.        McDauiel,  C.  B. 


Beaver,  Harues  J. 
Bechtel,  David  H. 
Baker,  Richard 
Baker,  Thomas 
Bird,  Richard  C. 
Baughman,  Joseph 
Blaukenbaker,  John  S. 
Chambers,  Jeremiah  M. 
Cautrill,  Edward 
Cass,  Henry  M. 
Crone,  Nelson 
Copple,  Alfred 
Constant,  William  R. 
Fletcher  David  C. 
Ferguson,  Samuel 
Fortune,  Francis  A. 
Grillitts,  John  W. 
Gadberry,  William 
Hudson,  Joe 
Hudson,  Philo  D. 
Hudson,  George 
Hampton.  Harrison  P. 
Hampton,  Preston  B. 
Haddeu,  Wdliani  H. 
Huckelberry,  John  W. 
Hiatt,  A.  B. 
Hirst,  John  W. 
Humphrey,  Jesse 
Huckelberry,  Eli  L. 
Hartmau,  Frederick  W. 
Heiss,  M.  L.  D.  M. 
Johnston,  William  H. 
Kizer,  John  S. 
Kidd,  James  M. 
Lanterman,  John  L. 
Langley,  John  C. 
Miller,  Benjamin 
Maxwell,  William  H. 


McGrath,  Andrew 
Meredith,  AVilliam  N. 
McElfresh,  John  T. 
Miller,  Isaac 
Marion,  John 
McCurdy,  Robert 
Montgomery,  William 
Misner,  Christopher 
Mantle,  John 
Mergenthaler,    William 
Neer,  Lewis 
North,  John  W. 
Neer,  William 
Oliver,  Richard  B. 
O'Neil,  James 
Powell,  Samuel  B. 
Prior,  Isaiah  T. 
Rufle,  Jacob 
Ridgway,  Alexander 
Rutherford,  John  T. 
Robbins,  John  A. 
Ridgway,  Samuel  F. 
Sanders,  William  J. 
Sanders,  Jesse 
Spitler,  John 
Sprinkle  James  A. 
Shrake,  Stephen  E. 
Shrake,  George 
Shrake,  Emanuel 
Shade,  John  T. 
Shambliii,  James  W. 
Short,  Stephen  A. 
Tall,  William 
Taff  William  H„ 
Tally,  John 
Williams,  Joseph 
Withrow,  Milton 
Watkins,  John  M. 


Recruits. 
Bullard,  William  H.  Perry,  Andrew  J. 

Gray,  John  Robertson,  Charles 

45— 


COMPANY   B. 

Officers. 
Captain— Wilder  B.  M.  Colt 

Vorporid . 
Thomas  P.  Wiight 

Privates. 
BfU,  Siniou  P.  Wright,  Alexander H. 

COArPANY    E. 

Priimte . 
McKnight,  William 

COIIPANV    K. 

Second  Lieutenant — Edwin  Alsop 
COMPANY   (;. 
Privates. 

Connover,  William 
Jourdou.  William  H.  H. 
McCormack, William  H. 
Price,  James  L. 
Sinclare,  John 
Vannattan   Norman   A. 
Bartram,  Wells 
Ilogan  Patrick 


Arnold,  Robert 
Hudson,  Ivan  D. 
Lemon,  Frederick 
O'Flaherty,  James 
Robinson,  Benjamin 
Vannaltan,  Joseph 
Welcome,  Jacob 
Emery,  Josiah 


COMPANY   H. 

Musicians. 
Theodore  C.  Northcott      Mull,  John  M. 

COMPANY   I. 

Officer. 
Second  Lieutenant— James  M.  Turpin 

First  Sergeant. 
Adna  Phelps 

Sergeants. 
John  N.  Williams  William  V.  Greenwood 

Elisha  T.  McComas  William  B.  Crocker 

Corporals. 
David  Cook  Daniel  G.  Foster 

Thomas  N.  Baker  Green  W.  Ansbrey 

Alexander  M.  Cassity         David  S.  Burton 
Calvin  J.  Hinman 

Musician . 
James  O.  Weir 

Wagoner. 
Charles  R.  Campbell 


Privates. 


Anderson.  Benjamin  M. 
Baker,  Cyrus  W. 
Beaslcy,  Henderson 
Clark,  Ashford  W. 
Currey,  Clark  S. 
CofEman,  Hiram  T. 
Clower,  John  C. 
Colburn,  Gilbert  O. 
Drennau,  John  S. 
Dennina,  William  H. 
Dodd,  AVilliam  H. 
Dodd,  William  S. 
Denny,  James  W. 
Emmons,  Leonidas  W. 
Foster,  John  R. 
Foster,  Samuel  G> 
Fortner,  William 
Fortner,  Wiley 
Fortner,  James 
Fenstermaker,  Henry 


Harper,  George  W. 
Hall,  John  W. 
Inglish,  William  F. 
.loy,  William  E, 
Jay,  James  M. 
Joy,  John  W. 
Joy,  Joseph  O . 
Kelley,  Francis  M, 
Lacey,  William  K, 
Luckey,  John 
Lyon,  Jason 
Laudgrebe,  George  P. 
Mills,  James 
Miller,  AVilliam  G. 
McClure,  James  C. 
McLaughlin,  Hugh 
Moxson,  Cole 
Osborn,  James  W. 
Parrish,  Andrew  J. 
Pettis,  Morgan  B. 


390 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  t'Ol'XTY. 


Fisher,  Isaac  N. 
Fislur,  Jolui  W. 
Gainblu,  William  C. 
Greenwood,  Thomas 
Gould,  Luelus  F. 
Hall,  Henry  H. 
Herley,  Jauies  P. 


Roberts,  Robert  R. 
Savage,  Miles  O. 
Strickland,  Theodore  F. 
Tya=,  George 
Thorp,  Eleven  C. 
Tur|iin,  William  A. 
Wliitine.  Jacob  N. 


Unassigned. 
Helley,  William  N.  Kelley,  Jersey 

The  proiuotions  were  as  follows:  Emanuel 
Cross,  Sergeant,  to  Second  and  First  Lieuten- 
ant and  Captain:  Edward  W.  Bennett,  First 
Lieutenant  to  Captain;  Thomas  W.  Fortune, 
Sergeant  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant:  Pier- 
son  H.  Kiser,  I'rom  Corporal  to  First  Lieutenant; 
Edwin  AUsop,  Second  Lieutenant  to  Captain; 
James  M.  Tur]iin,  Second  to  First  Lieutenant; 
Adua  Phelps,  Sergeant  to  Second  and  First 
Lieutenant. 

ME,MORA>:iiA  OF  SEVENTV-TIIIED  EEGIMEXT. 

The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  in  August,  J8G2,  and  immediately 
became  part  of  General  Buell's  army.  Fought 
nobly  at  Perryville;  finished  under  General 
Thomas  at  Nashville.  The  Seventy-third  Illi- 
iKjis  ^"olunteer  Infantry  was  in  every  battle 
fought  by  the  Array  of  the  Cumberland  from 
October,  186-2,  until  the  rout  of  General  Hood's 
army,  at  Nashville,  and  the  winding  up  of  the 
whole  matter. 

The  dead  of  this  regiment  are  found  at  Per- 
ryville, Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Mission 
Ridge,  away  in  East  Tennessee,  and  then  in  the 
suci^ession  of  battles  from  Chattanooga  to  the 
fall  of  Atlanta.  When  Sherman  pushed  down 
south,  the  Seventy-third  remained  with  General 
Thomas.  It  formed  a  part  of  Opeiidyke's 
brigade  at  Franklin,  which  saved  the  day  and 
gave  liim  his  star,  and  lost  its  last  man  killed  in 
driving  Hood's  army  from  Nashville.  It  has 
more  than  once  been  complimented  by  its  gen- 
erals. It  lost  heavily  in  Murfreesboro,  Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary  Ridge  and  Franklin.  It  had 
two  Majors  and  two  Adjutants  killed  and  nearly 
every  officer  of  the  regiment  wounded  at  some 
one  time — several  of  them  many  times.  It  left 
the  State  one  of  the  largest  and  returned  one  of 
the  smallest  regiments. 

Its  officers  and  men,  and  esi)ecially  the  men, 
have  never  been  surpassed  for  bravery,  indur- 
ance  and  devotion  to  the  country.  Probably 
two-thirds  of  the  organization  wasted  away, 
either  by  disease,  death  or  battles  during  the 
three  years'  service. 

SEVENTY-SIXTH    IN  EANTRY. 

Officer. 
Major— William  A.  Dubois 


SEVENTY-SEVENTH    INFANTKY. 

Officer. 
First  Lieutenant — John  W.  Paulon 

SEVENTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY'. 

Officer. 
Second  Lieutenant — Isaac  N.  Kincheloe. 

EIfiHTY--rOUETH    INFANTEY". 

Pricates. 
Camiibell.  Alford  Draybring,  Henry 

NINETIETH    INFANTRY. 

COJIPAKY   F. 

Ojlicer 
Second  Lieutenant — William  While 

Sergeant. 
Thomas  White 

CorporaU. 
James  O'Donnell  Michael  Mahoney 

John  Kellej' 
Pricates. 
Buike,  Edward  Ho\Tard,  Ulick 

Barry,  Daniel  Kelley,  William  P. 

Durkin,  Patrick  Mathews,  Alexander 

Fayhee,  Patrick  Moore.  Alexander 

Foster,  William  Purcell,  Henry 

Gilmore,  James  Quirk,  Jeremiah 

NINETY-FIRST    INFANTRY". 

Pricfttes. 
Lane,  Alexander  Malcolm,  Joseph 

NINETY-SECOND    INFANTRY. 

COMPANY  D. 

Pricttci. 

Norton,  Edward  W.  Remlc\-.  Henry 

Rector,  Frederick  Shafer"  Sheldon  W. 

Reed,  James  L.  Wilcoxon,  George  I. 

COMPANY   E. 

Privates. 
Alaban,  Elaxis  O'Kane,  William 

Brubaker,  Jacob  Portncr,  Samuel 

Delmar,  William  Spriugntr,  George  A. 

Johnson,  Lewis  Schwininser,  Casper 

Lyle,  Robert  W. 

COMPANY   H. 

Privates. 
Tilton,  Alonzo  F.  Tilton,  George  W. 

Tagney,  John 

NINETY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 

Privates. 
Carrier,  Lemuel  Johnson,  George  W. 

Jacobson,  Charles  Killer,  John 

NrNETV-FlFTH    INFANTRY. 

Pricate . 
Henry  Hart 

NINETY-SEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

Private. 
John  Krims 

ONE    HI  NllRED    AND    FIRST    INFANTKY. 
COirPANY  <i. 

First  Sergeant. 
Cvrus  D.  Curtiss 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


391 


Rubeu  C.  Goss 
Francis  H.  Weiii]ile 

Boyd,  Aadii'w  . 
Burch,  William 
Bcsou,  Jiinies  K. 
Bushncll,  Lyman  S. 
^cott,  .Tolin  W. 
Duwiin,  .loliii 
FarnuT,  (,;Uarles  A. 
Fitzgerald,  Francis 
Kirwan,  Lovrcuce 


Corporals 


Adoniram  Carter 
William  Dwyer 
Prirates. 

Masters,  Chauiicy  M. 
Mil  ledge,  Stephen  S. 
McPlierson 
Neecet,  James  II. 
Sackett,  Harvey  L. 
Salter,  Charles  W. 
Vannote,  Charles 
White,  William 


COMP^VNY  n. 

Privates. 
Roberts,  John  II.  Brodrie,  George 

UiMssigned. 
Honskeer,  George 


ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SIXTH    INFANTRY. 

COMPANY   A. 

Officers. 
Captain — Henry  Yates  Jr. 
First  Lieutenant— George  W.  Harmon 
Second  Lieutenant — Horace  O.  Clark 
First  Sergeant. 
John  W.  Foster. 
Sergeants. 
Andrew  F.  Hunter  John  J.  Phillips 

John  W.  Shuff  William  Earnest 


Edwin  Batty 
James  R.  Grant 
Eli  A.  Boutwell 
Thomas  Pollock 

John  Blair 


Blaney,  Edward  B 
Bair,  Charles  W. 
Bellows,  Charles  S, 
Bennett,  John  J. 
Brewer,  Augustus 
Bucher,  Moses 
Blaue,  Samuel 
Clark,  Thomas  A. 
Carlock,  Ahraluim 
Craig,  William 
Caskien,  John 
Comer,  John  F. 
Cockerel,  Jesse 
Davis,  Martin 
Day,  Edward 
Day,  William 
Dowes,  Jonathan 
Dibert,  John 
Eaton,  Henry  P. 
Farley,  James  H. 
Green,  William 
Graves.  Thomas 
Heredeth,  WMUiam 
Hensou,  William 
Joice,  Thomas 


Corporals. 

Newcomb,  J.  Demary 

John  A.  Dodd 

John  Claw.son 

Levi  McNeely 
Musicians. 

Geoige  P.  Wagner 
War/oner. 
John  Moore 
Privates. 

Kirby,  Edward 

Kirby,  Langford 

Logan,  James 

Myers,  Henry  K. 

Ma.xwell,  Ludlow 

McDaniel,  James  B. 

McDaniel,  James 

Mcachem,  William  B. 
P.  Meaehem,  Lewis  A. 

Morris,  Edwin 

McLaughlin,  Thomas  Y. 

McMann,  Edward 

Moore,  Wilson 

Meigs,  AbnerG. 

Nicholson,  George R. 

Reagor,  AVilliam 

Roth,  Christian 

Rude,  Alexander  R. 

Roe,  Salem  J. 

Suter,  Henry 

Sands,  Ezra  B. 

Smith,  Noah  F. 

Suter,  John  R. 

Sheets,  Thomas  W. 

Steveson,  Gilmore  R. 


Kirk,  James 

Knows,  Wesley 
Knows,  William  K. 
Kent,  John 

Bonnei',  Dwight 
Bell,  Thomas  M. 
Crayto,  Alfred 
Hall,  Charles  B. 
Knows,  Cyrus 
King,  Robert 


Sikes,  Joseph 
Taylor,  Henry  H. 
Wili'ox,  Jciliii  F. 

''/■/u'/s. 

Patten,  Samuel 
Palmer,   Artluu- 
Scott,  Daniel  H. 
Smith,  (ieoiiie  T>. 
Sikes,  Edwin 
Taylor,  (TCorge  .V, 


McLaughlin,  Christopher  Yates,  Marshall 
Marshall,  Henry  C. 

COMPANY    B. 

First  Sergeant. 
David  H.  Harts 

Sergeant. 
George  L.  Barney. 
Corporals . 
John  F.  McWilllams  McWilliam,  T.  H. 

Samuel  Musick  Bolt,  Benjamin 

James,  Benjamin  F.  Manlieh,  John  C. 

Shepard,  Leander  Covert,  Joh])  J. 

COMPANY   I. 

Pricate. 
Murphy,  James  H. 

Tlie  promotions  of  Sangamon  county  men  were 
as  follows:  Henry  Yates,  from  Captain  to  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  and  Colonel;  George  W.  Ilarman, 
Lieutenant,  to  Captain;  John  W.  Slniff,  Sergeant, 
to  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain;  .Toliii  J.  Phil- 
lip.s,  Sergeant,  to  First  Lieutenant;  Thomas  Pol- 
lock, Corporal,  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant; 
A.  J.  Henths,  Sergeant,  to  Second  Lieutenant; 
David  H.  Harts,  Sergeant,  to  Second  and  First 
Lieutenant  and  Captain. 

HISTORY    OF    THE    ONE     HUNDRED    AND    SI.XTH    IN- 
FANTRY. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Lifantry  Illinois 
Volunteers  was  organized  at  Lincoln,  Illinois,  in 
August,  1862,  by  Colonel  Robert  B.  Latham,  and 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  Septem- 
ber 18,  1862.  Moved  from  camp  November  7, 
1862,  via  St.  Louis,  to  Columbus,  Kentucky,  ar- 
riving November  10;  from  thence  moved  to  .lack- 
son,  Tennessee.  Colonel  M.  K.  Lawler  com- 
manded the  Post  of  Jackson,  and  JJrigadier 
General  J.  C.  Sullivan  the  District. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service 
July  12,  1865,  at  Pine  Blulf,  Arkansas,  and  ar- 
rived at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  July  24,  186.5, 
where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    .SEVENTH    INFANTRY. 

Privates. 
Bishop,  David  Hull,  Isaac  H. 

Carter,  Thomas  W.  Hull,  Henrv  H. 

Ellis,  Henry  A.  Howell,  Willitun  B. 

Ellis,  LeGrand  Miller,  John  W. 


392 


llIiSTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Porter,  Alexander  M. 
Richards,  John  W. 
Spangler,  John  B. 


Frazier,  Stephen  R. 
Haines,  Levi 
Haines,  John 
Henlhorn,  James  P. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    EIGHTH    INFANTRY. 

*  Privates. 

Gue,  William  F.  Summers,  Andrew 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIRTEENTH    INFANTRY. 

In  this  regiment  will  be  found  the  following- 
named: 

COMPANY  A 

Whittemorc,  Joseph 

roMPAKY  c. 


Bowman,  AVilliam  H 
Dooley,  James 
Hirllahi,  Christian 
Kenna,  John 
Kavanaugh,  Michael 
Mullhollen,  John  K. 
Nelson,  Samuel 


Dooley,  James 


Hurt,  James  A. 
Pettis,  Martin 
Pike,  Thomas 


Hnrt,  James 


Rogers,  Martin  W. 
— Scott,  John 
Statler,  Martin  W. 
Schlipf,  Charles 
Schlipf,  Gotleib 
Saunders,  Alviu 
Vere,  Toney 

COMPANY   D. 

Hamilton,  James 

COMPANY  F. 

Nicholes,  William 
Wood,  Isaac 

COMPANY   I. 

Strode,  George  W. 
Wines,  George  W. 


COMPANY   K. 

Kroncc,  William  Marm,  William 

Brerz,  Christian  Price,  D.  L. 

ONE  HUNDRED   AND  FOURTEENTH  INFANTRY. 

This  regiment  may  properly  be  termed  a  San- 
gamon county  regiment,  as  both  officers  and 
men  are  principally  from  this  county.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  original  roster: 

Be(jimental  Officers. 
Lieutenant  Colonel — John  F.  King- 
Adjutant — William  H.  Latham 
Quartermaster — George  W.  Mober 
First  Assistant  Surgeon — Alvin  S.  French 
Second  Assistant  Surgeon — Henry  VanMetcr 
Sergeant  Majors. 
John  C.  Sprigg  James  F.  McNeill 

Commissary  Sergeant. 
William  H.  Planck 

llospitdl  Steicard. 
Alvin  S.  French 
Musicians. 
George  D.  Ferris  Martin  C.  Bridges 

COMPANY  li. 

Officers. 
Captain — Benjamin  H.  Ferguson 
First  Lieutenant— Edward  P.  Strickland 
Second  Lieutenant — Joseph  D.  Zeigler 

First  Sergeant. 
Samuel  Lewis 


Sergeants. 
Asher  Riley  Madison  Batterton 

William  H.  Meriweather    James  W.  Dodds 

Corporals. 
C4eorge  W.  Smith  Ashbill  H.  Soles 

John  Peunick  Robert  Batterton 

William  T.  Duncan  Ira  Emerson 

William  L.  Thornton  John  C.  Hughes 

Musicians. 
Martin  V.  Bridges  Randolph  Lucllam 


Privates. 


Askins,  Joseph  .1. 
Ashford,  Samuel  F. 
Allen,  Robert 
Bolin,  Jolin 
Bradford,  Virgil 
Beirstadt,  Charles 
Ball,  Smith 
Baker.  Jackson 
Ball,  Thomas  H.  B. 
Bcerup,  Thomas 
Conner,  Monroe 
Cheney,  Leander 
Capron,  William  C. 
Conner,  Napoleon 
Clavier,  Peter 
Connelly,  Michael  C. 
Drennon,  George  L. 
Drennon,  William  M. 
Deneberger,  David 
Dickerson,  Benjamin 
Dunham,  Nathaniel  L. 
Evans,  Aquilla 
Evans,  Franklin 
Fitzsimmons,  James 
Fletcher.  Benjamin  F. 
Grissom,  (Jeorge  W. 
Griffith,  Willimai 
George,  William  J. 
Goodman,  John  P. 
Gordon,  Joel 
Huber,  William 
Hood.  William  F. 
Hill,  JolmD. 
Hoy.  James  M. 
Hall,  Andrew 


Hall,  James 
HicKs,  .Tesse  V. 
Humphrey,  Walter 
Hart,  James  M. 
Johnson,  Needham  R. 
Keischling,  George  S. 
Ludlam,  Learning 
Leise,  William 
Laudcrmilk,  Wilson 
Levi,  Louis 
McDermott,  John 
Nelson,  Louis 
Ncwlan,  William  G. 
Ogg,  William  L. 
Pulliam,  James  H. 
Pools,  Charles 
Patten,  Robert  S. 
Ransom,  Edward  H. 
Raematt,  William 
Stephens,  John  H. 
Smith,  Peter 
S:hmidt,  Frederick  G. 
Smith,  William 
Smith,  George 
Smith.  James 
Thomas.  William  H. 
Todd,  Martin  V. 
Thompson,  John 
Terrell,  Ephraim 
White,  William 
Wilson,  James 
Williar,  John  F. 
Watson.  Samuel  P. 
Willis,  William  T. 
Widerfelt,  Theodore  L. 


Recruits. 
Bradley.  Allen  Miller,  George  W. 

Bridges,  Willis  Roberson,  Lriah 

Bowman,  t  harles  II.  Seamon,  David 

Lockridge,  John  W. 

COMPANY  C. 

Officers  . 
Captain— William  Mallory 
First  Lieutenant— Orame!  H.  Able 
Second  Lieutenant — Jesse  Cantiall 
First  Sergeant. 
Irwin  Johnson 
Sergearvts. 
Henry  F.  Brown  William  Cant  rail 

Albert  A.  Caulrall 

Corporals. 

William  King  William  II.  Holland 

JIunson  Headrick 

Musicians. 

Judy  II.  Banister  James  Hall 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


393 


I'ri 
Blue,  William  M 
Britton,  Willium  T. 
Burch,  Benjamin 
Bryant.  Homer  N. 
Barnes,  Allen. 
•  'onnington,  James 
Cahill,  Matthew 
Cantrall,  .Tohn  P. 
Cautral.  Ilii-am 
Council,  Hard.v  F.  M 
Council.  William  C. 
Cover,  Francis 
Downs,  James 
Frisby.  Charles 
Grove,  John  H. 
Gillespie,  Bjron 
Geiiiian,  Ilenr}' 
Hunt,  James 
Horubaker,   William 
Jones,  Charles  S. 
Kinnamou,  Andrew  J. 
Kinnamou,  Anthony  W 
Lytle,  Simeon 
Lawrence,  William 
Mitchell,  James  H. 
Major,  George 
Moore,  Charles  H. 
Milts,  John 
May,  William 

Ilecr 
Brown,  James  B. 
Buniford.  William 
Cover,  Addison 


vates. 

jrcClelland.  Thomas  S. 

Martin,  George 

Milliugcr.  Samuel 

Nelson.  John 

Parks,  Henij' 

Parker.  Charles  S. 

Staples,  William 

Saft'ord,  Jerome  B. 

Stephens,  John 

Smith,  William  O. 

Smith,  John 

Stanlifcld,  Martin  B. 

Steflcn,  Henry  C.  F. 

Samson,  William 

Samson,  Charles  H. 

Samson.  John  W. 

Sebriney,  Peter 

Sheehan,  John 

Simons,  .Joseph 

Tufts.  Charles  C. 

Tuttle.  Sylvanus 

Thomas.  Elisha 

Wilson,  Clinton 

Wilson,  John  W. 

Yokum,  William,  jr. 

Yokum,  Jefferson 

Crabbs,  Edward  M. 

Headrick.  William 

McCoy.  William 
■uits. 

Hoffman,  Jaiues  C. 

Seyes,  Benjamin  F. 

Saiford,  Edward  B. 


Albert,  Henry 
Aldrich,  Percival  L. 
Auxier,  Benjamin  L 
Armstrong,  .Tames 
Baker,  William  H. 
Bell.  James  T. 
Bradshaw,  Thomas 
Breckenridge,  Prcs., 
Cantrall,  Edward  T. 
Daigh,  George  W. 
Daj-.  Daviil  G, 
Deardoff,  George 
Downing,  Virgtl  S. 
Fe-ris.  Gcorire  D. 


COMPANY  E. 

Officers. 
Captain — Samuel  N.  Shoup 
First  Lieutenant — Adam  Hiveh' 
Second  Lieutenant— Louis  R.  Hedrick 

First  Sergeant. 
Samuel  H.  Moores 

Sergeants. 
Ashley  Pettibone  Davis  L.  Rusk 

James  W.  Southwick  Peter  Hertle 

Corporals. 
George  W.  Friend  Moses  A.  Jones 

Charles  Merridith  Thomas  B   Dcardolf 

George  B.  Boyd  Joseph  Breckcnridgc 

Davis  W.  Lawley  John  W.  Tafl' 

Musician. 
Edward  Perncll 

Privates 

Menary,  Jesse  C. 
Milslagle,  WilUam 
McConahay,  .John  B. 
McLaughlin,  William 
Orr,  William  H, 
Owens,  Eugene 
Owens,  William 
jr.      Persouett,  Marshall 
Personclt,  Jasper 
Personcitt,  Charles  E. 
Petticord,  Higginson 
Porter,  John  H. 
Prunk.  Charles  J 
Rhodes,  William  IC. 


Franklin,  Luther 
Prey,  John  F. 
Fudge.  George  W. 
Punderburk,  Alexander 
Gray.  William  S 
Grew,  Elias 
Hamilton,  Andrew  S. 
Henderson,  Grandcrson 
Ilendorson,  Peter 
lliiiiiins,  William  A. 
Hill,  William  F. 
Howey,  Preston 
Humphries,  Thomas  E. 
Hurdle,  Henry  H. 
Johnson.  Elias  J, 
King,  William 
Lawrence,  Henry  F. 
Lemons,  Joseph 
Mathews,  John  P. 
Mahar,  Robert 


Ridseway,  Oliver 
Ridgeway,  Thomas  J. 
Safley,  John  H. 
Smith,  Charles 
Smith,  Jesse  D. 
Snodgrass,  Elie  D. 
Southwick,  William  H. 
South.  Leonard 
Tobin,  Isaac  R. 
Vigal,  John  F. 
Von  Feldcn,  Harmon  H. 
Wallace. Benjamin  F. 
Wells,  John 
Welch,  James  G. 
Westbrook,  Barnet 
Williams,  James  H. 
Wilson.  William  S. 
Wills,  Nathan 
Woodson,  David 


Recruits. 


Bell,  Stephen 
Clark,  George  E 
Endimon.  Christian  J. 
Funderburk,  William  F. 
George,  James  M. 
Henderson.  Martin 
Lawley,  James  P 
Lawley,  Elijah  D 


Moncv,  Perrv 
Phillips,  Wifliam  H. 
PortertieUl,  William  H. 
Persouett,  George  W. 
Rusk,  Archibald  H. 
Ryan,  John 
Simpson.  William 
Young,  James  M . 


COMPAHY  P. 

Captain — Absalom  Miller 
First  Lieutenant— Willett  B.  Thylor 
Seryeant. 
A.  Newton  Parvance 

Musician. 
Jacob  Brown 


Prie 
Bohnert,  Daniel 
Campbell,  Jasper  I. 
Corson,  Charles  P. 
Campbells,  John  H. 
Combs,  N.  H. 
Hurd,  John  A. 
Harrison,  Reuben  H. 
Hollingshcad,  Henry  W 
Holeman,  Franklin 
Ice,  Fredrick 
Kcarns,  Perrj'  A. 


ates. 

Mostellcr,  James  M. 
Mosteller,  Jolin 
Miller,  Riley  G. 
Penney,  William  H. 
Sharon,  James  W. 
Willis,  John  M 
Plunket,  John  N. 
Stone,  Cyrus  F. 
Screpter,  Holland  M. 
Stevenson,  John  C. 
Y'oakum,  Thomas 


COMPANY  G. 

0-fficers. 
Captain — John  L.  Wilson 
First  Lieutenant — Henry  L.  Vanhoif 
Second  Lieutenant — John  S.  Canlield 

First  Seryeant. 
Alonzo  H   Church 
Seryeants. 
Eugene  D.  Whitmore         Joseph  F.  Fowks 
Thomas  L.  Bishop  James  Lake 

Corporals. 
Frank  A.  Morton  Pembrrok  J,  Patterson 

John  C.  Sprigg  William  II.  Planck 

Milton  Woodruff  Alvin  S.  French 

Manuel  DeFreitas  Nathan  Constant 

Musicians. 
Amos  W.  Shick  ClayNewlon 


:un 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Prit 
Adams,  Charles 
Arinstrona;,  Leander 
Black,  Walter  C. 
Black,  Francis  J. 
Buck,  John 
Brown,  Albert 
Bowser,  John 
Barclay,  James  H. 
Barr,  Thomas  C. 
Carnell,  Simon  C. 
Cotton,  Frederick  J. 
Craig,  Henry  H. 
Craig,  KolfcVt  A. 
Christler,  Philip 
Chenery,  Cyius  E. 
DeFreitas,  Joseph 
DcFreitas,  Thomas  J. 
DeFreitas,  Francis 
DeFreitas,  Frank  F. 
DeFreitas,  Antonio 
Donner,  George 
Devvyer,  John" 
Elkin,  William  L. 
Fox,  Summers 
Ferrarer,  James 
Fowkes,  John  F. 
Gleuen,  William  J. 
Gomes,  John  D. 
Haynes,  Henry 
Houston,  William  T, 
Higgins,  Alexander  Df 
Ingles,  William  V. 
Knell',  Benjamin  F. 


•ates. 

Knights,  Luman 
Kalb,  John  W. 
Kalb,  Daniel  G. 
Kalb,  James  W. 
Lake,  John  S. 
Mooney,  Thomas 
McCleese,  Henry 
McMann,  James 
Moore,  James  I. 
McNeill,  James  F. 
Nappier,  John 
Nappier,  Wren 
Kichohon.  Philip  W. 
Pearson,  Theodore  F. 
Planck,  Charles  E. 
Rea,  J.  Hlbert 
Reis,  Peter 
Runkles,  John  T. 
Robinson,  Daniel  A.  J. 
Shriver,  Joseph 
Simmons,  Levi 
Soost,  Wilhelm 
Shick,  Urias 
Todd,  James  T. 
Tipper,  Joseph 
Trumbull,  George  R. 
Vasconcellas,  Antonio 
Welsh,  Josiah 
Wells,  Chauncey  W. 
West,  William  D. 
Wiley,  Alexander  C. 
Workman,  John  W. 


RecruitB. 


Brown,  James  B. 
Burkliart,  John 
Dinkle,  George  J. 
Elliott,  Robert 
Ferguson,  Robert  I. 
Goodness,  Augustus 


Ham,  John  W. 
Kalb,  William  E. 
Leeson,  George  E. 
Moody,  Cadwell 
Owen,  James 
Ramey,  Moses  M. 


COMPANY  n. 

Officers . 
Captain— George  W.  Bailey 
First  Lieutenant — Jerome  M.  Foster 
Second  Lieutenant — Charles  W.  Stanton 
First  Sergeant. 
William  H.  Peinte<- 

Sergeants. 
John  I.  Sbanahan  John  W.  Sexton 

Lomana  L.  Scott  David  M.  Tosh 

Corporals. 
Isaac  Miller  Jeremiah  Plew 

Jeremiah  Robbins  James  Grant 

John  Hale  Benjamin  Green 

George  W.  Parvin  John  R.  Wells 

Musicians . 
Jesse  Lucas  Jonathan  Palmer 


Privates. 


Bruce,  Benjamin 
Ballorby,  Thomas 
Beriy,  Charles 
Bridges,  Willis 
Bryan,  James 
Bowman,  Charles  H. 
Campbell,  William 
Cooley,  Willis 


Kinney,  Joseph 
Lamb,  John 
Largant,  Marion 
Lacy,  Jacob 
Lacy,  John 
Leggett,  Joseph 
Lockriage,  John 
Meecham,  Joshua 


Chadsey,  James  M. 
Coleman,  Thaddeus 
Conner,  Wilson 
Constant,  Adam  H. 
Duncan,  James 
Drone,  Isaac 
Drone,  Eli 
Drone,  Milton 
Donnar,  James  W. 
Donaldson,  Andrew  J 
Eckler.  Edward 
Evans,  William 
Frederick,  Simon 
Goodman,  George  W. 
Goodman,  Martin 
Goodman,  John 
Goolc,  Lewis  W. 
Herron,  Joseph 
Hampton,  William 
Hurst,  Robert 
Hopwood,  Nicholas 
Hensley,  Robert 
Hensley,  Lorenzo  D. 


McKee,  Samuel 
McKee,  Arlhui- W, 
Monroe,  I  alvin 
Maloney,  Michael 
Parish,  James 
Plunket,  John  N. 
Rob,  Pleasant 
Spencer,  John 
Shanks,  Samuel 
Speaker,  Jacob 
Snelson,  H.impton 
Sneed,  William 
Smith,  Patrick 
Sears,  Benjamin 
Sergeant,  George 
Scripture,  Morrison  R. 
Seaman,  David 
Tungate,  William 
Tyler,  James  S. 
Van  Meter,  Thomas 
Vandergraft,  Henry 
Yocum,  Jesse  J. 
Yocum,  Henry 


Recruits . 


Barker,  Andrew  J. 
Bashaw,  William 
Broddrick,  George  H. 
Campbell,  Robert 
Cantield,  Isaac  J. 
Chane^',  Alexander 
Gunterman,  Willis  or  Wm. 


Hicks,  Boice  S. 
Palmer,  Hiram 
Robinson,  Richard 
Thornlcy,  John 
Thomas,  Clemant 
Workman.  William  S. 
Winters,  Andrew  J. 


COMPANY  I. 

Captain — John  Gibson 

First  Lieutenant — Egbert  O.  Mallory 

Second  Lieutenant — Daniel  Bailey 

First  Sergeant. 

James  D.  Malory 

Sergeants. 

John  Dougherty  Benjamin  F.  Clark 

John  Allen  Jlelvin  King 

Corporals. 
James  A.  Haggard  Job  Alien 

Abuer  T.Ford  Robert  Gibson 

Eli  C.  Herbert  Daniel  Spencer 

Samuel  Woodron  Henry  Mi.  son 

Mimeians. 
John  Finfrock  Thomas  A.  King 

Privates. 


Atkinson,  Robert  V. 
Alexander,  James  O. 
Allen,  Andrew 
Anderson,  George  W. 
Biock,  Elias 
Brock,  William  H. 
Beadle,  William 
Bull,  William 
Cooley,  David  I. 
Caveiider,  Henry 
Cantrall,  George  W. 
Constant,  Alfred  S. 
Dawson,  Lewis 
Dunaway,  William 
Dearborn.  George  W. 
Dail,  Jackson 
Doughei  ty,  George 
Fox,'  Melvin 


Nutt,  William 
Neer,  Henry  C. 
Norrred,  Charles  H. 
Nutt,  Joseph 
Parent,  William 
Penman,  Richard  W. 
Rodgers,  Samuel 
Richardson,  James 
Runnells,  Jesse 
Rennells,  Willis 
Rubison,  Wilham  B. 
Ridgeway,  George 
Robinson,  John  F. 
RichI,  John 
Randall,  George  W. 
Scroggin,  James 
Snodgrass,  John 
Snodgrass,  Ambrose 


lllsrollV   OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


395 


Fenton,  Josuiih 
Gilisou,  Hugli 
Giiffitts,  Asbery 
(ji'enniug  Gushcm 
Houston.  .T  ilui  A. 
Haacy,  Jot.ii 
Howard,  Cliai'les 
Jnhnsou,  Urrcn  D. 
Johnsou,  Isaac  N. 
Knox,  James  M. 
Liisbousrli.  .Tercmiab 
Law,  Mark 
Marl  in.  Holjert 
Mills,  John  A. 
Morsan,  John  W. 
Miller,  Charles  E. 
Mj'er.  John 
McCune,  William 


Sansbury,  Samuel 
Slater,  Isaac 
Scrog.gin,  Jetferson  T. 
Scroggin,  Bar  ion 
Sayle,  Amos 
Stone.  Amos  B. 
Sanders,  Alvesoiis  E. 
Turley,  William 
Trotter,  William 
Trotter,  George 
Thomas,  Levi 
Thomas,  Joseph 
Viar,  William 
Warren,  William 
Workman,   William  H. 
Woodruft",  Cornelius 
Workman,  Henry  C. 
Workman,    Edward   A. 


llecruits. 
Alexander.  William  Hit.  Gobin,  Davis  H. 
Barnes,  Thomas  F.  Lo\claee,  Jasper  N. 

Constant,  Adam  H.  Mann,  Thomas  H. 

Cooley,  Jo-epli  T.  Mann,  William 

Dickson,  Elien  Neely,  James  H. 

Elter,  Paris  O'Conner,  Isaiah  G 

Ford,  Sylvester 

The  promotions  were  as  follows:  John  F. 
King.  Lieutenant  Colonel  to  Colonel;  Samuel 
N.  Slioup,  Captain  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  and 
Colonel;  Oramel  IL  Abel.  First  Lieutenant  to 
Acijntanl;  Henrj'L.  Vanhoft',  First  Lieutenant  to 
Adjutant;  Henry  VanMeeter,  Second  Assistant 
to  Surgeon;  Edward  P.  Strickland,  First  Lieu- 
tenant to  Captain;  Joseph  D.  Zeigler,  Second  to 
First  Lieutenant;  Jesse  Cantrall,  Second  to  First 
Lieutenant;  Irwin  Johnson,  Sergeant  to  Second 
and  First  Lieutenant;  Adam  Ilivel,  First  Lieu- 
tenant to  Captain;  Louis  R.  Iledrick,  Second  to 
First  Lieutenant;  James  W.  Southwick,  Ser- 
geant to  First  Ijieutenant;  John  S.  Caulfield, 
Second  to  First  Lieutenant;  Egbert  O.  Mallory, 
First  Lieutenant  to  Captain;  Daniel  Eailey, 
Second  to  First  Lieutenant;  James  D.  Mallory, 
Sergeant  to  Second  Lieutenant.* 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment, 
Illinois  Volunteer  Lifantry,  was  organized  in 
the  months  of  July  and  August,  and  mustered 
into  the  United  States'  service  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  September  18,  1862. 

Conipanies  A  and  D  were  from  Cass  count}', 
Companies  B,  C,  E,  G,  H  and  I  from  Sangamon 
county,  Companies  F  and  K  from  Menard 
county.  The  regiment  left  Camp  Butler  for 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  November  8,  1862,  arriv- 
ing November  16th,  and  remained  there  on 
picket  duty  until  November  2(ith.  It  then 
started  on  the  Tallahatchie  campaign,  being  at- 
tached to  the  First  Brigade  of   Brigadier  Gen- 

*Mr.  Mallory  returned  his  commission, 


eral  Luman's  Division.  Arrived  at  G  dlege 
Hill,  Mississippi,  December  4th,  where  it  re- 
mained until  December  23d.  Then  left  for 
Jackson,  Tennessee,  which  was  threatened  by 
the  rebel  General  Forrest,  where  it  arrived  after 
two  weeks'  very  hard  marching,  on  January  8, 
1863,  and  remained,  doing  picket  duty,  until 
February  nth.  It  then  returned  to  Memphis, 
doing  guard  duty  on  the  Memphis  &  Charleston 
railroad. 

On  March  17,  the  regiment  left  Memphis  on 
transports,  bound  down  the  river.  Ordered  to 
Young's  Point,  Louisiana,  where  it  arrived  April 
2,  and  was  assigned  to  the  First  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  commanded  by 
Major  General  W.T.  Sherman,  and  ordered  into 
camp  at  Duckport,  Louisiana. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  the  regiment  left  for  Vicks- 
burg,  and  on  May  14,  was  engaged  in  the  battle 
of  Jackson,  Mississippi.  Loss,  five  men  killed 
and  wounded. 

Arrived  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  May  18,  and 
participated  in  the  siege;  loss,  twenty  men  killed 
and  wounded.  On  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg, 
the  regiment  was  ordered  to  move  against  the 
rebel  General  Joe  Johnston,  who  retreated  to 
Jackson,  Mississippi,  during  the  siege  of  which 
place  the  loss  of  the  regiment  in  killed  and 
wounded  was  seven  men.  .When  Johnston  evacu- 
ated Vicksburg,  they  followed  him  as  far  as 
Brandon,  and  then  returned  to  Camp  Shennan, 
near  Vicksburg;  and  remained  there  doing  ])icket 
duty  until  September  3.  While  in  camp  there, 
Colonel  Judy  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  in 
command  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  King. 

The  regiment  was  then  ordered  to  Oak  Ridge, 
Mississippi,  and  while  doing  picket  duty  there, 
had  several  skirmishes  with  guerrillas.  Lieuten- 
ant McClure,  Company  A,  was  killed  and  two 
men  captured  while  on  duty.  While  there  the 
regiment  participated  in  two  scouts. 

About  the  20th  of  November,  left  on  trans- 
ports for  Memphis,  and  and  on  the  26tli  of  No- 
vember, went  on  provost  duty  there. 

F^ebruary  5,  1864,  regiment  left  on  a  scout, 
and  engaged  the  enemy  at  Wyatt,  Mississippi; 
enabling  the  cavalry  under  General  W.  S.  Smith 
to  cross  the  Tallahatchie  river  above,  at  New 
Albany.  Then  returned  to  Memphis,  and  went 
again  on  provost  duty. 

April  20,  went  on  another  scout,  under  Gen- 
eral Sturgis.  After  a  couple  of  weeks'  hard  march- 
ing returned  to  Mem})his,  ar.d  was  put  on  jiicket 
duty. 

June  1,  went  out  again  under  (ieneral  Sturgis, 
and  engaged  the  enemy  under  Generals   Forrest 


39(j 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  Let',  at  Guntown,  Mississippi.  Tlie  action 
commenced  eailj-  in  the  afternoon  between  the 
enemy  and  the  advance  cavalry. 

The  infantry  was  immediately  hurried  for- 
ward, at  more  than  double  quick,  for  about  three 
miles,  and  the  day  being  one  of  excessive  heat, 
numbers  fell  from  the  ranks  from  fatigue  and 
sunstroke. 

Almost  exhausted,  the  troops  were  pushed 
into  the  fight,  and,  after  a  severe  engagement  of 
five  or  six  hours,  the  lines  were  everywhere 
repulsed,  and  commenced  falling  back.  The 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  remained  as  rear 
guard,  assisting  in  holding  the  enemy  in  check 
during  the  whole  of  the  first  night's  retreat. 

The  regiment  lost  out  of  three  hundred  and 
ninety -five  men,  two  hundred  and  five  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing. 

Assistant  Surgeon  A.  S.  French  was  here 
killed,  while  nobly  performing  the  duties  of  his 
position.  Among  the  wounded  were  Adjutant 
Henry  L.  VanhoflP,  Captain  J.  M.  Johnson  of 
Company  A,  and  Lieutenant  T.  S.  Berry  of 
Company  D;  Lieutenants  E.  P.  Strickland  and 
J.  D.  Zergler  of  company  D,  captured. 

The  regiment  again  fell  back  to  Memphis, 
and  after  two  weeks'  of  picket  dutj",  left  again 
under  General  A.  J.  Smith,  for  Tupelo,  Missis- 
sippi. 

On  July  1 3,  the  brigade  to  which  the  regi- 
ment was  attached  was  surprised  by  the  enemy, 
near  Harrisville,  Mississippi,  and,  after  a  sharp 
engagement,  the  rebels  were  repulsed  and  driven 
back,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  receiv- 
ing the  thanks  of  the  brigade  commander,  on 
the  field,  for  the  gallant  and  effective  charge 
made  by  it.  On  the  next  morning  the  fight  was 
renewed,  the  rebels  being  repulsed  in  repeated 
charges  made  during  the  day  and  succeeding 
night.  The  next  day — the  object  of  the  expe- 
dition having  been  accomplished — the  troops 
started  back  to  Memphis,  and,  on  going  into 
camp  in  the  evening,  were  attacked  by  the 
reliels,  under  General  Forrest. 

The  regiment  participated  in  the  charge  by 
which  the  enemy  was  driven  from  the  field. 
Captain  Berry,  of  Company  D,  who  was  com- 
manding the  regiment,  and  Lieutenant  Chadsey, 
commanding  Company  H,  were  quite  severely 
wounded. 

The  regiment  lost  in  these  engagements,  in 
killed  and  wounded,  forty  men.  Returning  to 
Memphis,  the  regiment  remained  there  until 
August,  when  it  went  out  under  General  A.  J. 
Smith  on  another  expedition  into  Mississippi, 
Major  J.  M.  McLean  commanding  (Lieutenant 


Colonel  King  being  sick),  and  upon  its  roiuru 
to  Memphis  was  sent,  under  General  Joseph 
Mower,  to  report  to  General  Steel  at  Diivall's 
Bluff,  Arkansas. 

Went  into  camp  at  Brownsville,  Arkansas, 
leaving  there  after  General  Price;  marched  to 
Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  in  seventeen  davs,  on 
ten  days'  rations,  arriving  October  6th.  It  then 
embarked  on  transports  for  Jefferson  City,  Mis- 
souri, and  disembarking,  under  command  of 
Major  McLean  (having  left  Lieutenant  Colonel 
King  sick  at  St.  Louis),  was  transported  liy  rail 
to  Otterville.  Then  continued  the  pursuit  by 
long  and  tedious  marches  to  Kansas  City,  at 
which  point  was  ordered  to  St.  Louis,  arriving 
there  November  loth.  The  regiment  was  then 
ordered  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  the  battles  of  the  loth  and  16th  of 
December,  making  several  charges  during  the 
engagements.  The  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth was  attached  to  McMillan's  Brigade,  Mc- 
Arthur's  Division  of  General  A.  J.  Smith's  Corps, 
which  brigade  was  specially  complimented  in 
General  Thomas'  report  to  the  war  department, 
for  charging  and  capturing  the  salient  point  of 
the  enemy's  line. 

In  making  this  charge  a  rebel  battery  was 
captured,  which  Captain  John  M.  Johnson  with 
a  few  men  of  the  regiment,  and  some  involun- 
tary assistance  compelled  from  some  captured 
rebels,  immediately  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
retreating  ranks  of  the  enemy,  aiding  materially 
in  their  disorder  and  capture. 

The  loss  of  the  regiment  was  fifteen  men  in 
killed  and  wounded — Captain  J.  M.  Johnson, 
of  Company  A,  commanding  regiment,  being 
slightly  wounded.  The  regiment  was  engaged 
in  the  pursuit  of  Hood's  forces  as  far  as  Pul- 
aski, Tennessee. 

It  then  went  by  transports  from  Clifton,  Ten- 
nessee, to  Eastport,  Mississippi,  and  was  de- 
tached at  that  place  as  pontooneers  of  Sixteenth 
Army  Corps.  Left  Eastport  on  transports  Feb- 
ruary 9,  IS65,  for  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  ar- 
riving there  February  22. 

On  March  23,  embarked  on  steamer,  at  Lake 
Ponchartrain,  for  Spanish  Fort,  Alabama,  and 
was  engaged  during  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  King  having  resigned,  and 
Major  McLean  having  died.  Captain  S.  N.  Shoup, 
of  Company  E,  here  received  a  commission  as 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Captain  J.  M.  Johnson, 
of  Company  A,  as  Major. 

On  the  night  of  the  13th  of  April  the  regi- 
ment was  to  attack  Forts  Tracy  and  Hugee,  sit- 
uated in  Mobile  Bay.    The  movement  was  made 


'/ 


^. 


HISTORV  OF  SANUAMON  COUNTY. 


399 


in  pontoon  boats,  and  on  arriving  as  the  forts, 
they  were  found  to  have  been  just  evacuated. 

After  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  the  regiment 
marched  to  Montgomery,  Ahi.;  arriving  April 
24,  and  bridging  the  Alabama  river  with  pon- 
toons, and  remained  on  duty  at  the  bridge,  when 
it  was  ordered  to  Vicksburg,  Mississippi,  for 
muster-out.  The  regiment  was  mustered  out 
of  the  United  States  service  August  3,  1865. 

Arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  August  7, 
and  received  tinal  payment  and  discharge  Aug- 
ust 15,  181)5. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTEENTU    INFANTRY. 
COJIPANY   K. 

[Offircr. 
Second  Lii^uteaant— Phillip  Riley 
Sergeant. 
John  Morgan 

Corporals. 
James  Strode  William  Bailey 

Wagoner. 
Francis  B.  Aldrich 


CO.MPANV  C. 

Sergeant. 
Samuel  R.  Whittakcr 

COMPANY   A. 

Private. 
Molts,  George  W. 

COMPANY  B. 

Privates. 
Ikerd,  Logan  H.  Baisley,  John  S. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTIETH    INFANTRY. 

Officer. 
Surgeon — James  Hamilton. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-SECOND     INFANTRY. 
COMPANY   G. 


Privates. 


Allison,  James  M. 
Brezendine,  James  R 
Center,  Edward 
Demen.  Daniel 
Durtnall,  John 
Edens,  William  B 
Finfrook,  Isaiah 
Gamble,  Andrew 
Gates,  Frank  .W. 
Goltra.  George  W 
Hargis.  Thomas  J. 
Hendec.  Peter 
Judd,  Nelson  H. 
Meagher,  Michael 
Newhart,  Lawrence 
Neale,  John  W. 


Neale,  Samuel 
O'Brien,  Thomas 
Plunkett,  James 
Pickering.  Thomas 
Reynolds,  John  T. 
Reipe,  Frederick 
Roberts,  James  R. 
Stafford.  Edwin  D. 
Strode,  John  A. 
Smith,  William  J. 
Stajjlcs,  William 
Walker,  John 
Walters,  William  M. 
Waterhouse,  George  C. 
WelLs,  William 
Ferguson.  John  D. 


Philip  Riley  was  promoted   from   Second  to 
First  Lieutenant  and  Captain. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    SIXTEENTH    INFANTKY. 

First  Sergeant. 
William  N.  Streeter 
Privates. 
Graham,  Thomas  Havener,  Joseph 

COMPANY   H. 

Private. 
Raymond,  John  C. 

COMPANY   I. 

l^ivates. 
Collens,  E.  R.     "  Yongcr,  Josiah 

YoDger,  John  Q. 

ONE      HUNDRED      AND     SEVENTEENTH     INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  B. 

Prveate. 
Shepherd,  George 

iO— 


Privates. 


Bcatty,  John 
Baird,  John 
BeiTy,  James  F. 
Clark,  Francis  H. 
Campbell,  Edward 
Campbell,  Charles  W. 
Jones,  George  H. 
Moffett,  John  B. 


Miller,  Alfred 
Vansil,  Charles  M. 
Vansil,  William  M. 
Warwick.  George  E. 
Warwick.  Daniel  H. 
Babbitt,  Francis  C. 
Evers,  Henry  B. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWENTY'-THIED  INFANTRY. 
COMPANY   I. 

Private. 
Highland,  Samuel 

ONB    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY'-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY   C. 

Officers. 
Captain— Henry  L."  Field 
First  Lieutenant— John  W.  Terry 
Second  Lieutenant— James  Rickey 
First  Sergeant. 
Lewis  Dorian 


John  Vierbone 

P.  H.  Conant 
LoydM.  Kilby 


Sergeants. 

C.  M.  Cassett 

Corporals. 

Noah  Hodge 
Joseph  E.'Wood 

Musician. 
B.  E.  Bartlett 


Wagoner. 
Solomon   Fullenwider 


Pr 

Allender,  Samuel  S. 
Burrows,  Charles  H. 
Burrows,  Jones  H. 
Brown,  Conrad 
Butler,  R.  C. 
Beaid,  R.  N. 
Cook,  J.  J. 
Culver,  J.  L. 
Coward,  D.  C. 
Converse,  C.  H. 
Cadwalader,  Eli 
Crane,  Levi 
Constant,  James 
Eubank,  J.  J. 
Fleming,  John  S. 
Gregg,  Reuben 


irates. 

Grubcndyke,  William 
Grubcndyke,  George 
Hawker,  David 
Havener,  John 
Hansel,  J.  P. 
Lee,R.  M. 

Lauhem,  George  W. 
Miller,  B.  F. 
Manning,  William 
Manning,  Matthew 
Ross,  Thomas 
Stll.  L.  D. 
Shinkle,  F.  A. 
Stoker,  F.  M. 
Tindalc,  Robert 
Wickersham,  W.  11. 


400 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Recruits. 
Booth,  Timothy  Hainline,  Edward 

Duquoin,  Henry  Hodge,  Richard 

Folds,  Elisha  McCrelis,  Mason 

Grabendike,  Hiram  Van  Winkle,  H.  M. 

COMPANT   D. 

Privates. 
Kelley,  Edward  Parker,  Sylvester 

COMPACT   K. 

Officers. 
Second  Lieutenant — Stephen  N.  Sanders 

First  Sergeant. 
William  H.  Carter 
Sergeants. 
Levi  Mengal  Peter  C.  Rape 

Corporals . 
Wesley  Hudgens,  Benjamin  K.  Proctor 

Thomas  J.  Sanders  Balaam  N.  Brown 

Prirates. 

Lusk,  Absalom 
Mengal,  Ethan  M. 
Norton,  Daniel 
Ovley,  Newton  A. 
Proctor,  Jacob  B. 
Robinson,  John  M. 
Rape,  Alfred  N. 
Shultz,  Johnson  F. 
Trousdale,  William 
Wilburn  Thomas  H. 
Williams,  Presley  E. 


Able,  John  C. 
Brooks,  William  H. 
Bradley,  Philip  W. 
Campbell,  William 
Craddock,  William  A. 
Easley  John  Y. 
George,  James  W. 
Hudson,  Shepherd 
Hallcy,  Fountain  W. 
Harden,  Joseph  B. 
Harden,  George 
Loft's,  John 

Recruits. 
Lupton,  Job  S.  Sanders,  John  F. 

McByres,  George  Sanders,  Andrew  D. 

Sanders,  Martin  L.  Wilkinson,  Henry  A. 

Henry  L.  Field  was  promoted  from  Captain 
to  Major;  Lewis  Uorlon,  Second  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant; Stephen  N.  Sanders,  Second  to  First 
Lieutenant,  and  Captain. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  Li- 
fantry  Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  in  September,  1862,  by 
Colonel  Thomas  J.  Sloan,  and  was  mustered  in 
September  10,  by  Lieutenant  DeCourcey.  Moved 
from  Camp  Butler,  October  6,  arriving  at  Jack- 
son, Tennessee  on  the  9th  and  was  assigned  to 
Third  Brigade,  First  Division,  Thirteenth  Corps. 

On  the  28th,  drove  the  enemy  across  the  Tal- 
lahatchie, and  advanced  to  the  Yocona  river. 
The  regiment  was  in  First  Brigade,  Colonel 
John  E.  Smith;  Third  Division,  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral John  A.  Logan,  commanding;  Seventeenth 
Army  Corps,  Major  General  James  B.  McPher- 
8on  commanding.  December  24th,  arrived  at 
the  Tallahatchie  river,  and  January  7,  186:),  at 
Lagrange.  Brigadier  General  I.  N.  Haynie 
took  command  of  the  brigade. 

On  the  2.Sd  of  February,  1863,  moved  down 
the  river,  from  Memphis  to  Lake  Providence. 
On  March   15,  Colonel   Sloan  took  command  of 


the  brigade,  and  on  the   iVth  went  into  camp  at 
Berry's  Landing. 

April  18,  moved  to  Milliken's  Bend.  On  the 
2oth  commenced  the  campaign  against  \'icks- 
burg.  On  the  30th  crossed  the  river,  sixty  miles 
below  Vicksburg,  and,  May  1,  was  engaged  at 
Thompson's  Hill. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth  was  en- 
gaged in  the  battles  of  Raymond,  May  12;  at 
Jackson,  14th;  at  Champion  Hills,  16th;  and 
during  the  entire  siege  of  Vicksburg,  including 
the  charge  on  the  fortifications.  May  22,  and  as- 
sault on  Fort  Hill,  June  26.  During  the  latter 
part  of  the  siege.  Brigadier  General  M.  D.  Leg- 
gett  commanded  the  brigade.  On  the  31st  of 
August,  went  on  campaign  to  Monroe,  Louisiana, 
Brigadier  General  John  D.  Stephenson  com- 
manding. 

October  1 4,  went  with  McPherson's  campaign 
to  Brownville,  and  was  in  the  battle  at  that 
place  October  16  and  17. 

On  November  7,  moved  camp  to  Black  river. 
On  the  25th  of  November,  the  regiments  of  the 
First  Brigade,  viz:  Twentieth,  Twenty-ninth, 
Thirty-first,  Forty-fifth  and  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty  fourth  Illinois,  and  Twenty-third  Indi- 
ana, engaged  in  a  prize  drill,  the  Thirty-first  Illi- 
nois excelling  in  drill,  and  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-fourth  in  picket  duty,  etc.  But  at 
a  subsequent  contest  for  a  prize  banner,  offered 
by  Brigadier  General  Leggett,  commanding  di- 
vision, the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fourth 
received  the  banner,  inscribed  "Excelsior  Regi- 
ment, Third  Division,  Seventeenth  Army  C<)rj)S," 
from  the  hands  of  Major  General  McPherson, 
for  excelling  in  soldiery  appearance,  discipline, 
and  drill. 

On  February  3,  1864,  commenced  the  raid  to 
Meriden.  On  the  14th,  had  a  severe  skirmish 
with  the  enemy  at  Chunkey  Station.  Returned 
to  Vicksburg,  March  4th.  On  May  4th,  under 
Brigadier  General  McArthur,  moved  toward 
Benton  and  Yazoo  City.  Was  engaged  at  Ben- 
ton on  the  7th  and  10th,  and  returned  on  the  21st. 

From  July  Ist  to  9th,  the  regiment  moved 
with  General  Slocum  on  his  Jackson  campaign, 
and  was  engaged  in  the  sharp  tights  at  Jackson 
Cross  Roads,  July  5th  and  7th. 

From  October  14th  to  26th,  was  in  campaign 
to  White  river  and  Memphis.  Remained  at 
Vicksburg  on  provost  duty  t'ebruary  25,  1865, 
when  the  regiment  moved  to  New  Orleans,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  Third  Brigade,  Colonel 
James  A.  Geddes,  Eighth  Iowa,  commanding; 
Third  Division,  Brigadier  General  Carr  com- 
manding. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


401 


On  March  12th,  embarked  for  Mobile.  Moved 
to  Dauphine  Island  and  uj)  Fish  River  and  com- 
menced siege  of  Spanish  Fort,  March  29th. 

The  I'egiment  was  the  ext,reme  left  of  the  in- 
vesting line,  and  with  one-half  dejiloyed  as 
skirmishers,  drove  the  enemy  vrithin  their  forti- 
fications. 

The  brigade  consisted  of  Eighth  Iowa,  Eighty- 
first,  One  Hundred  and  Eighth  and  One  Hund- 
red and  Twenty-fourth  Illinois,  and  was  en- 
gaged until  the  surrender  of  the  fort.  On  the 
13th  of  April,  started  for  Montgomery. 

On  July  17,  1S65,  the  regiment  started  home 
for  muster-out.  Arrived  at  Chicago,  Illinois, 
August  3d,  and  was  mustered  out  August  15, 
18G5,  by  Captain  George  W.  Hill,  United  States 
Army. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  K. 

Private. 
Jenkins,  William  F. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-EIGHTH    INFANTRY'. 
COSlPANY  I. 

Privates. 
Hall,  James  M  O'Conner,  Michael 

Maloney,  Thomas  Smith,  Milton 

Stanton,  Charles 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND    TWENTY-NINTH    INFANTRY. 
CO.MTANY   D. 

Private. 
Green,  William  M. 

ONE    UCNDRED    AND    THIRTIETH    INFANTRY. 

Regimental  Officer. 
Lieuteant  Colonel — James  H.  Matheny 

COMPANY   A. 

Officer. 
First  Lieutenant— Anderson  J.  Smith 

Private. 
Sabine,  Sheridan 

COMPANY  n. 
Officers. 
Captain — William  Preseott 
First  Lieutenant — Francis  M.  Pickrell 
Second  Lieutenant — Jacob  W.  Paulin 

Sergeants. 
Frank  Rice,  James  B.  Johnson 

Thomas  Thorpe  Daniel  L.  Dunlap 

Corporals. 
Samuel  Grubb,  Jf.,  Orrin  S.  Webster 

Kuoch  P.  White  Charles  L.  Stevenson 

Ezekiel  Malone  Peter  Babeuf 

George  W.  Council  Perry  Sapp 

Musicians. 
Amos  Baiimgardner  Alpheus  Karns 

Wayoner. 
William  Hms.s 


Pricati^s. 


Albright,  Charles 
Baker,  Thomas 
Baljeuf.  Julius 
Beck,  Alfred  W. 
Beck,  William 
Beach,  Edward  M. 
Blazier,  Piersou  R. 
Bowman,  George 
Brown,  William 
Bi-arthwood,  William 
Bird,  David  R. 
Bruns,  Henry  E. 
Cochran,  James  A. 
Crissey,  Stephen  T. 
Conover,  Henry  J. 
Cummins,  William 
Dickerson.  Alexander  C. 
Darden,  Thomas  J. 
Davis,  Alfred 
Drennim,  James  W. 
Enos,  William  S. 
Fletcher,  Benjamin  F. 
Fitter,  John 
Garner,  Elijah 
Goflnett,  Celestine 
<TOor,  John 
Hendricks,  John  R. 
llickmuu,  William  H. 
Heuton,  James  J. 
Irvine,  Jolm 
Johnson,  William 
Johnson,  Thomas 
Johnson,  John  Hk 


Kalb,  William  A. 
Koerner,  John 
Letterman,  Andrew 
Morion,  Thomas  H. 
Martin,  Patrick 
McHSiunis,  Smith  R. 
McGinnis,  John 
McKeever,  Thomas 
McMuiray,  George L. 
Milner,  Robert 
Powell,  William  M. 
Riddle,  Hamilton  R. 
Riddle,  Francis  A. 
Raylield,  John 
Ranee,  Henry  J. 
Rogers,  William  H. 
Reeves,  William  H. 
Rutenberg,  Frederick 
Somar,  William 
Sallie,  William  H. 
Shelton,  John  R. 
Smith,  Abram 
Simms,  John 
Steelman,  Thomas  B. 
Steelman,  Andrew  S. 
Volz,  Georte 
VanDoren,  Ebenezer  H. 
Whiteman,  Thomas  J. 
Ward,  William 
Yocum,  George  S. 
Yocum,  Jacob 
Yocum,  James  W. 


Recruits. 


Ankrom,  William  H. 
Ankrom,  Jacob  R. 
Carlwright,  Henrv  C. 
CowgilC  William  "B. 
Dickerson,  Duke 


Frederickson,  John 
Gains,  William 
Kelley,  Martin 
Montanya.  John  C. 
Ramstee,  J.  J. 


COMPANY  D. 

Corporal. 
John  Hazlett 

Private. 
Berry  Jacob 


Wilkerson,  John 


COMPANY  G. 

Privates. 


Waugh,  James 


COMPANY   1. 

Corporals. 
Manuel  F.  Gomes  William  R.  Dickenson 


Beardon,  Simeon 
Barrett,  Frank 
Beach,  Job  A. 
De  Santos,  Antone 
Defratus,  Jeston 
Dickerson,  John 
Eckler,  Robert 
Eckler,  William  H. 
Francis,  Vincent 
Frank,  Emanuel 
Feriea,  Augustus 
Flowers,  George 
Farley,  Ji^mes 


Privates. 


Gomes,  Joseph 
Gains,  William  P. 
Howey,  Robert 
3Iurphy,  Michael 
McKay,  Donald 
Nonts,  Theodore 
Ornilles,  Julius 
Retind.  .\nto.  Defrastus 
Ro3'er,  Jesse 
Royer,  John  C. 
Sowciby,  William  H. 
Vila,  John 
Vira,  Joseph 


40:2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Martin,  .Tolm  P.  Watls,  John  C. 

Sims,  Tlionias  A.  Wiikersou,  J.  T. 

Waugli,  James  A.  Wilson,  James  N. 

Unassigned. 
Carl,  Frank  Johnson,  Peter 

French,  Lyman  B.  Moore,  Stephen  W. 

Howard,  Joseph  '  Maberry,  George 
Hussey,  Stephen  A.  O'Connell,  James 

Husse'y,  William  F.  Rogers,  Charles  A. 

Jackson,  George 

The  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  Infantry 
Illinois  Volunteers  was  organized  at  Camp  But- 
ler, Illinois,  in  October,  1862,  by  Colonel  Na- 
thaniel Niles,  and  was  mustered  in  October  25. 
Moved  from  Camp  Butler  November  10,  and 
arrived  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  on  the  18th,  and 
»  was  assigned  to  provost  duty. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service 
August  15,  1SG5,  at  New  Orleans,  Louisiana, 
and  arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  August  26,  1865, 
where  it  received  linal  payment  and  discharge. 

William  Prescott  was  promoted  from  Captain 
to  Major;  Jacob  W.  Purlin,  Second  to  First 
Lieutenant. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  THIETY-THIED  INEANTKT 

Regimental  Officers. 
Adjutant— William  I.  Allen 
Q,  M.  Sergeaiit. 
Francis  A.  Vickery 

Principal  Musicians . 
John  G.  Ives. 

COMPAir?  A. 

Officers. 
Captain — Norman  B.  Ames 
First  Sergeant. 
James  F.  Cantield 

Sergea/its. 
Marion  T.  Ilutson  John  M.  Amos 

James  S.  Harkey 

Corporals. 
William  M.  Babcock  Benjamin  F.  Neher 

John  T.  Anderson  Dallas  J  McGraw 

Orren  Curvey  Joseph  Snape 

Mc.  C.  Webb  Andrew  Moore 


Privates. 


Armstrong,  Albert  H. 
Abrams,  Charles 
Aptisdel,  Willard 
Ayers,  Sylvauus  D. 
Black,  Albert  M. 
Brooker,  Orlando  W. 
Brownlie.  George  D. 
Bull,  Boswell 
Broadwell,  Willis  P. 
Bancroft,  Coburn 
Buckman,  Benjamin 
Baker,  John  A. 
Brougham,  Henry 
Collins,  William 
Conner,  William  H. 


Lockridge,  James  M. 
Miller,  James  W. 
McCoy,  Thomas 
Montgomery,  Hiram 
Slegredy,  Charles 
Moore,  Volney 
Mitchell,  William 
Morse,  Robert  E. 
Magee,  Uriah 
Netf,  Jonathan 
Prather,  William  D. 
Price,  Phillip  K. 
Pratt,  Charles 
Pulliam,  John  R. 
Peacock,   Benjamin  F. 


Cook,  Albert  G. 
Crouch,  William  H. 
Dobbins,  Nicholas  W. 
Douglass,  George 
Dun  ton,  Rufus  S. 
Day,  Robert 
Elkin,  Edwin  S. 
Flynn,  Patrick 
Francis,  Charles  S. 
Gourley,  Albert  F. 
Gist,  Albert 
Gist,  Mordecal 
Goodrich,  Charles  H. 
Huntington.  George  L 
Hedrick,  William 
Humphrey,  Squire  H. 
Humphreys  Zachery 
Irwin,  Washington 
Ives.  John  G. 
Jackson,  William  W. 
Kent,  Josiah  P. 
Kimble,  Newton 
Lawson  James  T. 

COMPANY  E. 

Officers. 
Captain— Wilson  A.  Duggan 
First  Lieutenant— John  O.  Piper 
Second  Lieutenant— Columbus  Woods 


Poley,  Joseph 
Ransom,  Isaac  N. 
Roberts,  Charles  D. 
Robb,  David 
Reynolds,  H.  G. 
Springer,  Charles  W. 
Shellhouse,  Charles  M. 
Schaffer,  Joseph 
Stone,  James  A. 
Seaman,  Charles 
Smith,  John 
Smith,  Daniel  F. 
Snider,  James 
Stults,  Silas 
Stone,  Charles  O. 
Trumbo,  James  P. 
Thomas,  Clement 
Turner,  Samuel  B. 
White,  James  H.  B. 
Wilson,  Samuel  L. 
Wallace,  Samuel  R. 
Whitmer,  Charles 


First  Sergeant. 
Lewis  E.  Garrett 


Joseph  Wickersham 
Frederick  Hartwick 


Sergeants 


Abner  Coats 
Hezekiah  C.  Clark 


Corporals. 
Francis  A.  Sampson  William  H.  Walker 

George  Spath  Peter  Boggs 

Privates. 


Brewer,  James 
Bynum,  Isaac  N. 
Cannon,  Theron 
Cotterman,  Andrew 
Childers,  William 
Detheridge,  Joseph 
Dempsy,  John 
Decounter,  Frederick 
Elmore,  Nelson 
Elkin,  Charles 
Englebright,  Henry 
Finch,  Maicus 
Fox,  Smith 
Green,  William 
Gudrum,  Herbert 
Getherdf.,  Malon 
Grinnell,  George  B. 
Harris,  George  W. 
Howell,  Pierson 
Hays,  William 
Judd,  Harvey 
Johnson,  B.  F. 
Johnson,  George  R. 
Kavanaush,  Dan 


King  Charles 
Liver,  Joseph 
McKinnie,    William   A. 
^Masterson,  Henrj-  C. 
McCorniick,  Henry  R. 
Neal,  John  M. 
Neer,  James 
Pea,  Tnomas  F. 
Pettibone,  Sanford 
Robinson,  Richard 
Smith,  Noah 
Shumate,  Hiram 
Shark,  Emanuel 
Salts,  William 
Shocky,  Joseph 
Torrence,  Charles 
Turpin,  Charles 
Thorp,  John  A. 
Thomas,  William 
White,  John  W. 
Whitney,  Joseph  B. 
Weber,  George 
Warden,  Stephen 


COMPANY   I. 

First  Sergeant. 

William  T.  Wylie 

Sergeants. 

William  W.  Judd  Ebenezer  H.  Welch 

George  Clemens  Albert  D.  Miller 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


403 


Corporals. 
Josepli  R  Miller  Simon  R.  Cuthern 

Alli/n  C.  Constunt  Edward  H   Culver 

Cliaik'S  Stai>  es  AVilliam  Conwell 

William  A.  Ycamans  William  H.  Miller 

Privates. 


Allen,  Charles 
Anderson,  Mathew 
Branson,  William  II 
Barrett,  William  B. 
Banc.  John 
Barr,  Melitus  E. 
Blaelvburn,  James  F. 
Cogdel,  Tarltou 
Can  by,  Thomas  L. 
Cass,  Hardin 
Crosswaith,  Albert  S. 
Cover,  Addison 
Davis,  Isaac 
Duskiu,  Robert  B. 
Duff,  James 
Davis,  Lewis 
Davis,  J.  J. 
Elmore,  Travis 
Faith,  JohnB. 
Frudenberger,  Edward 
Gibson,  Augustus 
Goff,  John  A. 
Gabbart,  Thomas 
Green,  Scott, 
Garner,  Anderson 
Hopkins,  George  W. 
Hussey,  Stephen  A. 
Hickman,  James  F. 
Hotl'man,  James  C. 
Houscr,  John  H 
Hewett,  Samuel  P. 
Hannon,  Calvin  G. 


Lewis,  William  H. 
Loekard,  Granville 
H.     ilorgan  John  R. 

Morgan,  Charles  F. 
Mori  is,  Ilaidin  R. 
Matthews,  William  H. 
Myers,  John  L 
McGowen,  Luke 
Oliver.  James  F. 
Cleston,  Oie 
Perry,  Charlie 
Perry,  Charlie  B. 
Priuim,  James  D. 
Palmer,  Charles  H. 
Pry  or,  Isaiitfi  T. 
Reimers,  John  P. 
Randall,  Julius  H. 
Ray,  Henry 
Smith,  Joseph 
Schmicky.  William 
Smith,  Newton  W. 
Stein  burger,  Wm.  W. 
Strode,  John  D. 
Samples,  William  T. 
Twiner,  Andrew 
Tilford,  Alexander 
Vaunatton,  Thomas 
Vlcrebone,  Wm.  C. 
Weese,  Patterson 
Walters,  John  M. 
Wells,  Jordan  W. 
Yocum,  William  S. 


COMPAST  K. 

Private. 
Way,  John  C. 

HISTORY    OF    ONE     HUNDRED    AND    THIRTY-THIRD 
nSIFANTRY. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-third  Infan- 
try, Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  by  Colonel  Thaddeus  Phillips, 
and  mustered  in  lor  one  hundred  days  May  31, 
1864. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  moved  to  Rock  Island 
Barracks,  and  was  assigned  to  duty,  guarding 
prisoners  of  war.  The  regiment  performed  the 
duty  faithfully  and  efficiently  during  its  term  of 
service. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1864,  was 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Camp  Butler,  Illi- 
nois. 

ONE    HUNDEED    AND   THIRTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  G. 

Private. 
Drinkle,    Philip 


ONE    lUNDREn    AND    FOKTV  FilTlI    INFANTRY. 

(lOO  Days.) 

COMPANY   E. 

Privates. 
Cooley,  Joseph  T.  Ladien,  August 

Doake,  Thomas  B.  McGraw,  John 

Henaricks,  Joseph  Miller,  John  H 

Rubey,  Charles 

COMPANY  G. 

Private. 
Johnson,  Geoige 


COMPANY   n. 

Privates. 


Hoffman,  Philip 
Hillman,  John  A. 
Jones,  Jesse 


Bishop,  Josiah  M. 
Constant,  James  H. 
Deny,  Joseph 

COMPANY   K. 

Private. 
Wilson,  Andrew  W. 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FORTY-FOURTH  INFANTRY. 
COMPANY   K. 

Officer. 
Second  Lieutenant— George  Q.  Allen.  (Promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant.) 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FORTY-FIFTH  INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  A. 

Officers. 
Captain— William  E.  Weuholz 
First  Lieutenant — James  W.  Howard 

First  Sergeant. 
J.  W.  Kellogg 

Sergeants. 
James  Ellis  James  Hall 

Levi  Cohn  Rufus  W.  Parks 

Corporals. 
Andrew  J.  Woodside  Albert  D.  Miller 

Felix  Armitage  Henry  Austin 

William  Ashley 

Musicians. 
John  Leary  Christopher  Showalter 

Wagoner. 
Hiram  Wells 


Privates . 


Ausliu,  Henry 
Brown,  Jacob 
Brown,  Thomas 
Brooks,  Samuel  J. 
Baker,  Thomas 
Coney,  Patrick 
Cole,  James 
Corcoran,  William 
Campbell,  William  J. 
Copple,  William 
Dill,  Augustus 
Duby,  Joseph  H.  or  A. 
Driscoll,  Michael 
Drafton,  William 
Egbert,  George  A. 
Folt7.,  Benjamin 
Giles,  William 
Gilmore,  James 


Jackson,  Joshua 
.lackson,  Jordan 
Keat  ng,  Thomas 
Lee,  James  E. 
LoA'ry,  AVilliam 
Locker,  John  E. 
Maley,  Willinm 
Martin,  George 
Mooney,  Thomas 
Moody,  Oscar 
McCune,  James 
Reid,  Charles  J. 
Robinson,  George 
Shipley,  Jesse  J. 
.Steward.  William 
Stone,  William 
St.  Clair,  Lewis 
Smith,  John  W. 


-tO-J- 


HISTORY  OF  SANOAMON  COUNTY. 


Goodrun,  Herbert  Schaal,  August 

Holmes,  John  Wells,  Jeremiah 

Huddleston,  Samuel  Wells,  Jordan  W. 

Iluddlcstoa,  William  N.  Wilkinson,  Christopher 

Huddleston,  John  W.  Yeager,  John 
Jones,  John 


Bond,  John 
Copple,  Morgan 


Recruits. 

Demp^ey,  John 
Kent,  Thomas 


COMPANY  F. 

Private. 
Jenkins,  Isaac  K. 

COMr.U^T   I. 

Pricate. 
Hardin,  Ricliard 

The  One  Hundred  and  Forty-inntb  Infantry 
Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Camp  But- 
ler, Illinois,  on  February  II,  l.'^Go,  by  Col.  Wil- 
liam C.  Kuefl'ner,  and  mustered  in  for  one  year. 
On  February  1 4,  moved  to  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
and  from  thence  to  Chattanooga.  Was  assigned 
by  Major  General  Steadman  to  duty  guarding 
railroads.  On  May  1,  was  assigned  to  Colonel 
Felix  Prince  Salm's  Second  Brigade,  Second 
Separate  Division,  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
and  on  the  2d,  moved  to  Dalton,  Georgia.  On 
July  6,  moved  to  Atlanta.  On  26th,  being 
assigned  to  duty  in  the  Fourth  sub-district  of 
Allatoona,  it  was  assigned  to  guard  duty  in  that 
district. 

Mustered  out  January  2T,  1860,  at  Dalton, 
Georgia,  and  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
where  it  received  final  payment  and  discharge. 

OSE    HUNDRED    AND    FIFTIETH    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  I. 


Privates. 


Cahill,  Leo 
Davis,  George  W. 
Prince,  James  S. 


Lowder,  William  P. 
Shryer,  James  H. 
Wright,  William  H. 


ONE    HUNDRED   AJSD    FIFTY-SECOND  INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  A. 

Sergeants. 
Hiram  F.  Sibley  Lycurgus  S.  McNeely. 

Privates. 
Bancroft,  Coburn  Phillips,  Andrew  J. 

Flemmmc,  John  Pilcher,  William 

Griffin,  Hugh  F.  Propst,  Edward  A. 

Gibbs,  William  Reeves,  Abraham  B. 

Hornback.  William  Reed,  Andrew  J. 

Hatfield,  Francis  W.  Rourke,  John 

Irwiu,  Julius  H.  Stine,  Gabriel 

Leach,  Eugene  T.  Slocum,  George  B 

Malty,  Curtis  J.  Sherfield,  Jordan 

Nichols.  Andrew  J. 

COMPANY  B. 

Sergea  n  t. 
George  W.  Clouser 


Corporals. 

Peter  L    Edwards  William  F.  F    Smith 

Robert  Weller 

Musicians. 
Randolph  Cook  Edward  M.  Humphrey. 

Anderson,  William  T.  Plumb,  William  B. 

Burns,  Robert  Porteas,  James 

Bishop,  William  H.  Smith,  David 

Cady,  Dyer  D.  Smith.  Roystou 

Crumbaker,  Marion  V.  Stcjihens,  David  C. 

Clark,  John  W.  Sackett,  Joseph 

Dowell,  Thomas  Smith,  Matthias 

Dowell,  John  L.  Shrake,  Samuel  M. 

Fisher,  John  Sjiawr,  William 

Gibson,  James  Thompson,  Louis  C. 

Hamilton.  Joshua  P.  Thompson,  Charles 

Holmes,  Horatio  Vance,  or  Nance,  Albert 

Hopkins,  Alvertus  White,  James  T. 

Herbert,  William  O.  Wright,  David  A. 

Henline,  Salathiel  Wright,  Josiah  W. 

McMackiu.  Henry  C.  Waldon,  William 

McFarland,  Warren  Weed,  Charles 

Mucan,  Richard  Young,  James 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-second  Infantry, 
Illinois  Volunteers,  was  organized  at  Camp  But- 
ler, Illinois,  by  Colonel  Ferdinand  D.  Stephen- 
son, and  was  mustered  in  February  IS,  1865,  for 
one  year. 

On  February  20th,  moved  to  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee, and  thence  to  TuUahoma,  reporting  to 
Major  General  Millroy,  February  28,  1865. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  of  service  to 
date,  September  11,  1865,  at  Memphis,  Tennes- 
see, and  arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 9, 1865,  when  it  received  its  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge. 

ONE     HUNDRED     AND     FIFTY-FOURTH      INFANTRY. 
COMP.VSy   Iv. 

Privates . 
Ames,  John  Grace,  John 

Brown,  William  Jlarrety,  John 

Cliflbrd,  James  Murphy,  Andrew  W. 

Culvertson,  George  W.       Williams,  Charles 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND   FIFTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  F. 

Privates. 
O'Neal,  Frank  Woods,  George  W. 

COMPANY  G. 

Privates. 
Clark,  John  Cunningham,  Theodore 

Clark.  Daniel  Connely,  Thomas 

COMPANY  K. 

Prieates. 
Lamb,  Robert  G.  White,  Joshua 

FIRST   CAVALRY. 
COMTANY   V. 

Officers. 
Captain— John  Burnap 
First  Lieutenant  — Garrett  Elkin 
Second  LioUenant — lohn  C.  Parks 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


405 


First  Sergeant. 
Daniel  S.  Whittenh.all 

Q.  ^f.  Serneant. 
David  W.  Thomas 
Sergeants. 
John  Q.  A.  Floyd  Thomas  B.  Brown 

Peter  Jjivergood  Frederick  Henry 

Corporals . 
John  F.  Pritchard  Ileaton  Hill 

George  Breckenbauuh        AV'iUiam  Grabam 
William  H.  H.  Center         Jacob  Newman 
H.  L.  Hinman  Robert  A.  Jones 

Buglers. 
Napoleon  B.  Utt  Charles  J.  Scbryver 

Saddler. 
William  Barnhill 

,    Wagoner. 
Nicholas  Prater 
Blaeksmiths. 
Charles  Gathard  Cyrus  Youst 

Privates. 


Armstrong,  Samuel  a' 
Barrj-,  William 
Brown,  John  H. 
Burdoas,  John 
Coles,  William  E. 
Cole,  Stephen  D. 
Curtis,  Charles  A. 
Dibble,  Emery 
Easley,  Thomas  H. 
Ernst,  John 
Ervin,  John 
Foster,  Miner  A. 
Frey,  George  W. 
Gilmore,  Henry 
Harris,  Charles  F. 
Haas,  Michael  J. 
Herndon,  Edward  6. 
Johnson,  Irvin 
Kiser,  James 
Lindsay,  John  D. 
Lee,  Thomas  W. 
Layton,  Charles 


Recrtdts 


Brickley,  John 
Biggins,  Patrick 
Biaker,  Joseph 
Brown,  Orlando 
Bane,  George  W. 
Boone,  William 
Cahill,  Michael 
Cheslev,  Ed.  A. 
Cord,  .j.  J. 
Claik,  William  H. 
Chandler,  Jasper 
Caykendall,  John  R. 
Caykendall,  H.  G. 
Deal,  John 
Emery,  Josiah 
Emery,  Perry 
Fitzpatrick,  Sol 
Flynn,  Dennis  R. 
Goughran,  John 
Grubb,  James 
Graham,  George  W. 
Graham,  John  J. 


Lane,  Abram  B. 
Lisk,  Frank 
Lewis,  Andrew 
Mahan,  Charles 
Mathews,  Henry 
McCoy,  Peter 
McGuire,  Barney 
Mej'er,  William  H. 
Penny,  Jacob  W. 
Pinckard,  Thomas  S. 
Russell,  John 
Stevens,  John  J. 
Spring,  John  W. 
Thompson,  Andrew  J. 
Taylor,  Richard  8. 
Wall,  Johnson  C. 
Waddle,  Alfred 
Whi  taker,  James 
Welch,  Ebenezer  H. 
Wright,  Marion 
Wallace,  Nels  S. 
Zimmerman,  George 

Lindsay,  Thomas  J. 
Leiand,  John  T. 
Leclair,  Francis 
McCormack,  John 
Melville,  Charles 
Alurray,  David 
McCluskey,  James 
McGurk,  James 
McCoy,  Robert 
Moore,  William  E. 
Neal,  Richard 
Oliver,  George  H. 
Philips,  George  G. 
Parsons,  Francis  M. 
Palmer,  James  R. 
Phillips,  James 
Rea"ding,  David  T. 
Reading,  Theodore  A. 
Skinkle,  William 
Smith,  Louis  D. 
Smith,  Robert  C. 
Sullivan,  Thomas  H. 


Hubbel,  Charles  N. 
Hancock,  Lyman  D. 
Helvey,  Sj'lvester 
Hutchison,  Amos  0. 
Johnson,  John 
Knight,  James  W. 
Knox,  David  A. 
Lobdill,  Orin  L. 
Lance,  Daniel  D. 


S-ir«flpld.  Patrick 
Southwick,  Adam 
Spiece.  John 
Thompson,  Andrew  J. 
Tiusley,  .lumes 
Whitney,  Jacob 
Welch,  John  S, 
West,  Benjamin  F. 
West,  John 


SECOND    (CAVALRY. 

Regimenltil   Officers. 
Adjutant — Will iam  Stadden 
Chaplain — James  R.  Locke 

COMPANY  A. 

Private. 
Sanford,  Richmond 

COMPANY   E. 

Private. 
Cox,  Ambrose  M. 

cojrp.\NY  p. 
Privates. 
Cline,  Simeon  Fairehild,  John 

Fisher,  Hiram  Nesbit,  William 

McKean,  Zadoc 

COWP.VNY  II. 

Offieer. 
Second  Lieutenant — John  C.  Reynolds 

Blacksmith. 
John  Q.  Hinz 

COMPANY    I. 

Private. 
Martin,   George 

COMPANY  K. 

Private. 
Specht,  James  W. 

Uvassigned. 
Harris,  William  H. 

Thomas  S.  Pinckard  was  promoted  from  pri- 
vate to  First  Lietitenant;  .John  Q.  A.  Floyd,  Ser- 
geant to  First  Lieutenant. 

TIIIED    CAVAI.RY. 

Regimental  Officers. 
Lieutenant  Colonel — Lafayette  McCrillis 
Major — John  McConnell 
Quartermaster — John  B.  Brice 

COMPANY  B. 

Officers. 
First  Lieutenant — Andrew  J.  Taylor 
Second  Lieutenant— Joshua  Tuthill 

First  Sergeant. 

Joshua  Tuthill 

Sergeants. 

Richard  H.  Ballinger  Jesse  W.  Bice 

James  W.  Kincaid  John  B.  Bierce 

Harrison  L.  Bruce 

Corporals. 
Talcott  Norton  William  R.  McGready 

Sheridan  S.  Sabine  Archer  H.  Rush 

William  J.  Brown  Benjamin  H.  Hailey 

Alfred  W.  Parsons 


400 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Bufjltr. 
Archibald  Gantiemont 


Privates 


Allen.  'William  E 
Aldricli,  Washington 
Bierce,  Edward  B. 
Bruce,  Arba  H. 
Brooks,  Jlerchant  J. 
Buck,  Jeremiah 
Byers,  Joseph  W. 
Brewer,  William  M. 
Cassidy,  Henry  C. 
Connors,  Michael 
Curtis,  Harvey  S. 
Ebcrhhrd,  Henry  A 
Fauchilds,  Isaac  B. 
Fehr,  Henry 
Gorham,  David 
Greenstreet,  Sephaniah 
Hailey,  Edward 
Harding,  Howard 
Hawley,  David  C. 
Hoffman,  Jolm 
Hewitt,  Samuel  J.  C. 
Hillmau,  Charles 
Henderson,  Edwin 
Henderson,  Joel 
Henderson,  Edward  F. 
Hurd,  Stephen 
Hamilton,  James 
Highlands,  Samue 


A 

Highlands,  John  W. 

BecruiU 
Allen,  William  B.  Harvey,  James 


Jones,  Andrew  J. 
Knop,  Joseph  H 
Kneedy,  William  D. 
Lake,  John  F. 
Little,  Joseph  A. 
Lampson,  Morris  C. 
Mitchell.  John 
McElwain,  Thomas 
McCue,  Thomas 
Mills,  Abraham  G. 
O'Xeil,  William 
Owen,  Nathan 
Parsons,  William 
Purvis,  Smith 
Purvis,  Isaac 
Purvis,  Francis  M. 
Rhodes,  Thomas  B. 
Ritter,  William 
Rodgers,  John 
Stake,  George  E. 
Stewart,  WiUiam  A. 
Southwick,  David 
Schmitzer,  John 
Schich,  John  J. 
Taylor.  Samuel  H. 
Von  Daken,  Charles 
Waggoner,  Christian 
Wetss,  Gottleib 
Whitney,  Barney  C. 


Armstrong,  John  W. 
Armstrong.  John  A. 
Allen.  Isaac 
Buzzard,  Otho 
Buthe,  Thomas  S. 
Bailey,  Charles  W. 
Davis,  John  W. 
Graves,  Marshall 
Hewitt,  Alden  W. 
Ham,  William  P. 


Lawhend,  Charles  C. 
Norton,  Charles  F. 
Richster,  John  P. 
Sweet,  John  T. 
Sweet,  William 
Sweet.  Marion  A. 
Stevivens,  John  P. 
Wickner,  Henry 
Winters,  Frederick 
Williams,  Reason 


Doolev,  John 


COMPA>fY  E. 

Privates. 

Garrett,  David 
Yates,  Simeon 

COMPANY  c. 

Private . 
Parsley,  William  N. 

COMPANY   H. 

Private. 
Ross,  Lyman 

COMPANY   M. 


Alson,  Moses  D. 
Chatam,  Thomas 
Howard,  Samuel 
Heintz,  John 
Laughlin,  Archy, 
Merrvman.  James 


Privates. 


O. 


Roach.  David 
Roe,  Robert 
Perrymau,  James 
Kins,  Nelson  L. 
Siillivau,  William  H. 
Williams,  James  W. 


COMPANY  G. 

Sarat,  John  Fletcher  Frame.  Henderson 

McCaslim,  Manon  S.  Ugg,  George  W. 


Reese,  James 
Wilson.  Samuel 
Marshall.  James 
Hill,  James 
Haskell,  William 
Paddock,  Frederick 


Sullavin,  Adam 
Daugherty,  James 
Williams,  And)' 
Hill,  Thomas 
Mooney,  James. 
Taylor,  William 


Tlie  Third  Regiment  of  Cavalry  wa.-i  organ- 
ized at  Camp  Butler,  Illinoi.s,  by  Colonel  E.  A. 
Carr,  in  August,  1801. 

The  regiment  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
September  25th.  October  1st,  moved  up  the 
Missouri  river  to  Jefferson  City,  and  from  thence 
marched  to  Warsaw,  arriving  October  11th. 

On  the  2.3d,  marched  toward  Springfield,  Mis- 
souri, in  Colonel  Carr's  Brigade,  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Asboth's  Division.  On  November  2d,  Gen- 
eral Hunter  took  command  of  the  Army.  On 
November  13th,  the  First  and  Second  Battalions 
moved  with  the  army  on  Roila,  Missouri.  The 
Third  Battalion,  Major  Ruggles  commanding, 
remained  with  Siegel's  Division,  and  was  the 
last  to  leave  Springfield. 

Arriving  at  Rolla,  November  19th,  the  regi- 
ment remained  until  December  29th,  when  it 
moved  in  the  advance  of  General  Curtis'  Army 
for  the  Southwest.  On  February  llth,  the  reg- 
iment in  Carr's  Division  moved  to  Marshfield, 
and  on  the  1  3th  to  near  Springfield,  where  cav- 
alry fought  the  first  engagement  and  won  the 
first  victory  of  Curtis'  campaign. 

On  February  U,  1862,  occupied  Springfield, 
Missouri.  On  the  15th,  came  up  with  Price's 
retreating  army,  at  Crane  creek,  capturing  some 
prisoners.  On  ISth,  at  Sugar  creek,  Arkansas, 
the  Third  Battalion  participated  in  a  cavalry 
charge,  routing  the  enemy.  On  the  20th,  the 
Second  liattalion  marched  to  Cross  Hollows, 
and  on  March  5th  fell  back  to  Pea  Ridge.  On 
the  (5th,  the  First  and  Third  Battalions  marched 
with  Colonel  Vandever's  Brigade  from  Hunts- 
ville,  forty-eight  miles. 

On  the  7th,  the  First  and  Third  Battalions  in 
Dodge's  Brigade,  and  the  Second  in  Vandever's 
were  engaged  all  day,  losing  ten  killed  and  forty 
wounded. 

March  19lh,  moved  to  Keetsville.  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  McCrillis  and  Major  Hubbard  ar- 
rived and  went  on  duty.  April  10th,  arrived  at 
Forsyth,  and  on  9th  moved  to  West  Plains,  and 
May  1st  started  for  Batesvil'e,  arriving  on   3d. 

On  May  U,  1S62,  moved  to  \An\e  Red  river. 
On  25th,  while  crossing  White  river.  Captain 
McLelland  and  five  men  were  drowned.  On 
June  4,  the  regiment  fell  back  to  Fairview. 

On  the  Tth,  Captain  Sparks,  with  si.\-tv-si.x 
men,  was  surrounded  by  three  hundred  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


407 


enemy's  cavalry,  and  cut  his  way  out,  losing 
four  wouiuU'il  anil  four  prisoners. 

Returned  to  Halesville  on  the  lltli.  June  11, 
marched  to  Jacksonport.  July  5,  moved,  with 
the  army,  for  Helena,  where  it  arrived  on  the 
loth,  and  went  into  camp.  During  the  stay  at 
thi.s  point,  detachments  of  the  regiment  were 
sent  on  scouts  and  expeditions  to  different 
places,  including  Captain  Kirkbridge's  raid  to 
St.  Francis  river,  and  live  companies  with  Gen- 
eral Hovey'sraid  to  Grenada,  Mississippi. 

December  23,  1862,  six  companies,  B,  C,  D,  IT, 
I  and  L,  Captain  Kirkbridge  commanding,  em- 
barked for  Yicksbiirg,  under  Major  General  \Y. 
T.  Sherman. 

Companies  E  and  G  were  on  duty  with  Gen- 
Carr,  at  St.  Louis.  Companies  A,  K,  F  and  M, 
Captain  Carnahan  commanding,  reported  to 
Brigadier  General  Steele,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Yazoo  river. 

At  Chickasaw  Bayou,  the  regiment  was 
detailed  as  pickets  and  escorts  for  commanding 
generals,  and  did  good  service  in  the  disastrous 
attack  on  Vicksburg.  Companies  A,  K,  L  and 
M,  being  the  last  to  embark  after  battle. 

In  the  Spring  of  1S63,  Colonel  McCrillis,  with 
a  battalion,  moved  to  Memphis,  leaving  C-om- 
pany  L,  as  escort  to  Major  General  McClernand 
and  Cai)tain  Carnahan,  with  Companies  A,  G, 
K  and  E,  with  Brigadier  General  P.  J.  Oster- 
haus  and  the  Thirteenth  Corps.  This  battalion 
took  part  in  the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Cham- 
pion Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  and  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg. 

August  16,  1863,  reporting  to  Major  General 
N.  P.  Banks,  was  assigned  to  Brigadier  General 
Lee's  Cavalry  Division,  and  took  part  in  the 
Western  Louisiana  campaign,  and  at  Vermilion- 
ville,  Opelousas  and  Carrion  Crow  Bayou. 

In  December,  1864,  Major  O'Connor  took 
command  of  the  battalion,  and  it  moved  to  Port 
Hudson,  and  thence  to  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
rejoining  the  regiment.  The  regiment  had 
meantime  participated  in  the  battles  of  Tupelo, 
Okolona  and  Guntown,  Mississippi. 

During  the  month  of  July,  a  large  portion  of 
the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  veterans.  The  non- 
veterans  under  Major  O'Connor  were  stationed 
as  garrison  at  Germantown,  Tennessee.  In  July, 
1864,  a  portion  of  the  regiment.  Captain  Carna- 
han commanding,  went  on  a  scout  through  west- 
ern Kentucky.  August  24,  the  non-veterans 
having  been  mustered  out,  the  veterans  were 
consolidated  into  a  battalion  of  six  companies, 
and  C'aptain  Carnahan  promoted  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel. 

47— 


On  Sejileniber  l'7,  tliey  left  Memphis  and 
crossed  the  Tennessee  at  Clifton,  and  confronted 
Hood's  army.  Fell  back  skinnisliing,  and  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Lawrenceburg,  Spring  Hill, 
Campl)ellville,  and  Franklin. 

On  December  15,  in  the  First  Brigade,  Fifth 
Division,  Brigadier  General  Hatch  commanding, 
was  on  the  right  of  the  army  when  it  turised  the 
enemy's  left,  and  was  first  in  the  enemy's  works. 

In  January,  186.5,  the  enemy  having  been 
driven  across  the  Tennessee,  the  cavalry  under 
General  Wilson  camped  at  Gravelly  Springs, 
Alabama,  and  in  February  moved  to  Eastport. 

In  May,  moved  to  St!  Louis,  Missouri,  and 
thence  to'St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  reporting  to  Major 
General  Curtis. 

On  July  4,  started  on  an  Indian  expedition 
over  the  plains  of  Minnesota  and  Dakota — north 
to  the  British  lines,  and  south  and  west  to  Devil's 
Lake  and  Fort  Bartholet — and  returned  to  Fort 
Snelling,  October  1.  Arrived  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  October  13,  1865,  and  was  mustered  out 
of  service. 

The  promotions  from  Sangamon  county  were 
as  follows:  Lafayette  McCrillis,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  to  Colonel;  Jesse  W.  Bice,  Sergeant  to 
First  Lieutenant,  Captain  and  Major;  Joshua 
Tuthill,  Second  to  First  Lieutenant;  Harrison  L. 
Bruce,  Sergeant  to  Second  and  to  First  Lieuten- 
ant; James  W.  Kincaid,  Sergeant  to  Second 
Lieutenant. 

FOURTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY  D. 

Privates. 

Higley,  Theodore  F. 

COMPANY   E. 


Burerc,  .John 


Officer. 
Lieutenant — Simon  String. 

COMPANY   I. 

Prieate. 
Stewart,  Andrew  J. 

COMPANY  L. 

Private. 
Taylor,  WiUium  II. 

COMP.\NY    M. 

Privates. 
Eiseubise,  Nicholas  W.      O'Brien,  Michael 
Prill,  Peter 

Unassigned. 
Flaniiagun,  Jacksou  Sidner,  James 

FIFTH   CAVALRY. 

Regimental  Officers. 
Colonels— Hall  Wilson. 

John  McConnell. 
Major— Speed  Butler. 


4((s 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  C'OINTY. 


COMPANY   B. 

Privates. 
Cothirn,  William  R.  Foley,  Edward 

Wise,  Charles 

COMPANY  c. 

Privates. 
Duffy,  James  Smith,  William 

Florey,  Oscar  J.  P.  Smith,  Benjamin 

COMPAMY   E. 

Prii'ate. 
Fory,  George 

COMPANY   F. 

Private. 
Meires,  Henrj" 

COMPANY   G. 

Privates. 
Houston,  Robert  R.  Johnson, ^William  T. 

COMPANY   I. 

Prirate. 
Leonard,  William 

COMPANY   L. 

Private. 
Boker,  Charles  M. 

COMPANY  M. 

Private. 
Davis,  Willard  C. 

Unassigneft . 
Lewis,  William  H. 

SIXTH  CAVALRY. 
COMPANY   C. 

Privates. 
Flynu,  Patrick  Montgomery,  Samuel 

Bockewitz,  William  Werner,  Christopher 

Weicken,  Frederick 

COMPANY   D. 

Privates. 
Mullens,  David  Redicker,  Henry  W. 

COMPANY   L. 

Privates. 
Anderson,  George  W.         Dennis,  Isaac  N. 
Lombard,  Harvey  Randle,  Charles  W. 

Unassigned. 
Kelley,  John 

SEVENTH    CAVALRY. 

COMPANY  A. 

Privates. 
Wilder,  Edward  C.  Wood,  William  R. 

COMPANY  B, 

Corporals. 

W.  M.  Sturdevant. 
Privates. 

Dennis,  Cornell  A. 
Hemmingway,  Chas.  ': 


John  N.  Worden 


Solomon,  Shafer 
Hughes,  Levi 
Cross,  Edwin 
Reis,  Peter 


BufHugton,  William 
Halt,  George  S. 


Recruits. 


Allen,  Thomas 
Bartley,  David  L. 
Birge,  Robert  or  Albert 
Barton,  Sylvester 
Baker,  George 
Buffington,  Jonas 
Cross.'Charles  E. 
Davis,  Joseph  M. 
Fifield,  John  C, 
Hodgdon,  Isaac  H. 
Hyde,  Joseph 
Hough,  James 
Johnson,  James  H. 
Kcene}',  La  W. 


McGuire,  John 
Miller,  Henry 
Monroe,  Henry 
Pratt,  Calvin 
Pratt,  Arthur  R. 
Rogers,  Dochter 
Rose,  Warren  C. 
Rhau,  Peter 
Shultz,  Abraham 
Stull,  William 
Selemier  Henry 
Schriner,  Frederick 
Titus,  Alfred 
Tiffany,  David 


COMPANY  E. 

Privates. 

Avery,  William  McCurd3',  James  H. 

Dailey,  Michael  Niman,  John  D. 

Dennis,  Jerry  Pruitt,  Daniel  B 

Dorance,  John  Potter,  Thomas  G. 

Phillbrick,  George  Higginson,  Henry 

Sutton,  Alexander  Lay,  Jasper 

COJIPANY  F. 

Privates. 
McCoukey,  Latham  A.         Foulds,  Henry 
Smith,  Thomas  Warnick,  John  R. 

Dingee,  Edgar  H. 

COMPANY  G. 

Private. 
Gleason,  Samuel 

COMPANY  H. 

Private. 
Fetters,  William  H. 

COMPANY  I. 

Private. 
Davis,  William 

COMPANY    K . 
Oficer. 
Second  Lieutenant — Henry  Jaynes 

Privates. 
Fox,  Thomas  Whitmore,  James  C. 


Coffen,  Hiram 


COMPANY  I,. 

Privates. 

Sperline 
Scott,  Patrick 

COStPANY   M. 


Lewis  G. 


Privates. 

Adams,  Robert  L.  Moates.  George  W. 

Dupue,  William  H.  McManus,  Peter 

Frink,  Horace  R.  Strang,  William 

Gaylord,  A.  C.  Spellman,  Thomas 

Mason,  Edward  Winter,  Isaac 

Unas.%igned. 

Davis,  Elias  Smith,  Gage 

Haselton,  Eugene  A.  Short,  John 

Lynch,  James  L,  Steele,  Willi;int 

Liber,  Joseph  F.  Wells,  Joseph 

O'Harra,  William  ^lietmore,  James  C. 
Smith,  William  M. 

EIGHTH    CAVALRY. 

Unassigned. 
Brennan,  Charles  J. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


409 


NINTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY  I). 

P  He  ate. 
Wesley,  Johnson 

COMPANY  E. 

Pricates. 

Edsell,  Thomas  Newbeny,  Leonidas 

Swauke,  Benjamin 


Bruster,  Albert 
Clinton,  John  H. 
Cheatham,  Willis 
Fowler,  Josiah 
Fulford,  Oliver  C. 
Layman,  James 
Lee,  James  M. 
McBride,  Patrick 


COMPANY    K. 

Pricates. 

McBride,  John 
Mc'5ride,  Lewis  M. 
Miller,  DeWitt  C. 
Massa,  Jesse 
Pierce,  James  K. 
Porter,  John 
Turner,  Josiah 


COMPANY   I,. 

Privates. 
Giflord,  Daniel  A.  Henson,  John  R. 

Gifford,  Albert  A.  Ward,  Solomon  R. 

U/iassigned. 
Ballard,  John  Jarrett,  William 

Cross,  James  Preston,  Hiram 

Sommers,  Samuel 

TENTH    CAVALRY. 

Regimental  Officers. 
Colonel — John  A.  Barrett 
Lieutenant  Colonel — Dudley  Wickersham 
Major — Joseph  8.  Smith 
Adjutant — James  Sluart 
Surgeon — Augustus  A.  Shutt 
Quartermaster — John  H .  Barrett 
Chaplains — Francis  Springe" 
Julies  Elliott 

Battalion  Officers. 
.\djutant — Eli  H.  Hosea 
Quarteimasters — Daniel  L.  Canfleld 
John  P.  Kavauaugh 

COMPANY  A. 

Officers. 
Captain — Garrett  El  kin 
First  Lieutenant — Alfred  A.  North 

First  Sergeant. 
Thomas  O'Connor 

Sergeants. 
Julius  Eliott  Thomas  H.  Butler 

Richard  Large 
Corporals. 
John  H.  Morgan  Green  Campbell 

Bugler. 
Edward  Mosteller 


Privates. 


Bowman,  John 
Blackburn,  Michael 
Dunham,  Albert  H. 
Ernest,  John 
Ellison,  James 
Gutt,  John 
Kindred,  James 
Large,  Lewis 


Sesron,  Albert 
Segwick,  Fredrick 
Sullivan,  Timothy 
Sharnell,  John 
Wilkins,  Andrew  T. 
Wills,  James 
Dunn,  George  B. 
Kyes,  James 


Monoirhau.  Dennis 
Maione,  Jordan 
Malone,  Francis  JM. 
Ross,  James  C. 
Reed,  Charles  C. 
Rhodes,  James 

Re: 
Alfred  James 
Boutwell,  Milo 
Campbell,  Wiley 
Campbell,  Franklin 
Cumming,  Andrew 
Field,  Wesley 
Foster,  Norman  F. 
Gallighan,  Michael 
Johns,  Joseph  C. 


Laige,  Richard  G. 
McGath,  James 
JIasterson,   William   H. 
Kussell,  Samuel  F. 
Redmon,  William 
Wood,  William 
•ruits. 

Keegan,  Lawrence 
Melville,  Charles 
Murphy,  Michael 
Murphy,  Patrick 
Nagangust,  George 
O'Brien,  John 
Pelham,  J<ihn  H. 
Sackett,  Enos  or  Amos 
White,  Francis 


COMPANY  B. 

Officers . 
Captain— Samuel  N.  Hitt 
First  Lieutenant — Agustus  A.  Shutt 

First  Sergeant. 
Thomas  J.  Hughey 

Sergeants. 
James  L.  Short  John  6.  S|iriuger 

Warren  J.  Parks 
Corporals. 
Robert  A.  Lockridge  Byron  L.  Crouch 

Archy  L  Edwards  Andrew  J.  West 

Samuel  L.  Farmer  George  Roberts 

Buglers. 
Edward  J.  Short  George  F.  McReyuolds 

Farrier. 
John  McCarty 

Wagoner. 
Benjamin  F.  Hutton 

Privates. 


Barbree,  William 
Breckenridge,  Hugh 
Cassity,  Levi 
Campbell,  Samuel 
Clark,  Henry  R. 
Codlield,  Enoch 
Conolly,  Bernard 
DufE,  Abram 
Dufl,  Abraham 
Davis,  John,  Jr 
Drenuan,  Andrew 
Drenuan,  Smith 
Dean,  Dwight 
Enix,  Thomas  F. 
Estis,  Nathaniel  G. 
Flowers,  Aaron  A. 
Flowers,  James  A. 
Filer,  Josiah 
Garvey,  Martin 
Harris,  William  H.  H. 
Headley,  Daniel  S. 
Headley,  James  G. 
Hill,  John  W.  C. 
Hill,  PaulH. 
Hoi  lis,  John 
Hutton,  JSoah  M. 
Knotis,  Joseph 
Lewtamayer,  Max 
Liston,  Jesse 
Lowin,  Benjamin  F. 


Ransom,  William  A. 
Reed,  Martin  V.  B. 
Romeril.  Fletcher 
Roody,  Thomas  P. 
Roberts,  Erastus 
Reager,  David 
Shutt,  Carroll  O.  S. 
Simmington,  John  L. 
Smith,  Abram 
Steel,  Heury 
Suuthwick,  Adam 
Sargeaut,  John  W. 
Sargeaut,  William  H. 
Sharp,  Sanford 
Sharper,  Lsaac  B. 
Silloway,  Levi 
Taylor,  George  W. 
Tii)ton,  Silas 
Veatch,  James  M. 
Vredeuburg,  Thomas  S. 
Warren,  Henry 
Wickersham,  Noah  S. 
Williams,  Samuel 
Wardlow,  James 
Butler,  James  E. 
Bates,  DeWitt 
Edwards,  Archy  L. 
McMuUen.  Samuel 
Mayer,  Michael 
McReyuolds,  George  F. 


410 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Lockrige,  Marion  G. 
Myers,  John  A. 
Mathews,  Nonnan  C. 
McGill,  James 
O'Brien    Patrick 
Park,  George 
Parkinson.  John 
Quinn,  Joliu 

Barlire,  John  A. 
Cronch,  Daj'tonJ. 
Gary,  Thomas  L 
Gary,  George  W. 
Dullard,  James 
Duff,  George 
Dull'.  Richard  R. 
Day,  John  W. 
Edwards,  James  J . 
Enciish,  Charles  W 
Edwards.  William  E. 
Ezell,  George 
Fortune,  William  J 
Foriunc,  Willbert  E. 
Greenwood,  Chris.  C. 
Grovenke.  Charles 
Gregory,  Henry 
Groaner,  Thomas 
Greenwood,  George 
Groaner,  Zaek 
Hodgarson  Young  M. 
H  irris,  AVilliam 
Hill,  Chri'  topher 
Hill,  Andrew 
H  uisfhev,  Thomas  J. 
Hearly,  Patrick 
Harrison,  George 
Kelley,  Patrick 
Kavanaugh,  John  P. 


MeKee,  James  S. 
McKee,  John  B. 
Park,  Warren  J. 
Roberts,  George 
Short,  Edward 
Tuttle,  David  B. 
West,  Andrew  J. 
Westbrook,  Joseph 

Kelley,  Michael 
Kelley,  Thomas  J. 
Little,  Alson  J. 
McMullen,  Samuel 
McCue,  John 
McCoy,  AlfredJ 
McMurry,  Elihu 
McDermott,  Edwin  S. 
Morgan,  John  F. 
Miller.  R.  E. 
O'Neal,  John 
Palmer,  ^  illiam 
Phillips,  Thomas 
Riley,  Tnomas 
Robertson,  John 
Rannebarger,  Philip 
Ranuenbarger,  Joseph 
Rollins,  Martin 
Short,  William 
Smitters,  Samuel 
Smitters,  Noah 
Spellea}%  James 
Torrence,  William  A. 
Teel,  James  E. 
Vredenburg,  John  S. 
Whalen,  John 
Withrow,  Isaac  K. 
Walker,  Samuel 


COMP.\NY   C. 

Oficer. 
First  Lieutenant — Hiram  C.  Walker 

Privates. 
Harris,  Almeron  N.  Walker,  Elmer  AV. 

COMPANY  D. 

Officers  . 
Captain — William  Sands 
First  Lieutenant — Richard  C.  Keilev 


Privates. 


Averate,  Nathan  W. 
Burnes,  James 
Cox,  Frederick 
Clarke,  Wesley 
Dovle,  James 


Dingman,  Richard 
Ford,  William 
McCoiTuick,  John 
Morgan,  Norman 
Stoneheart,  Albert 


COMPANY  E. 

Pritaten. 
Brewster,  John  Kirk,  Michael 

Cassell,  Frederick  Nottingham,  Almeron 

Esdale,  Harvey 

Reeruits. 

Jones,  John  P. 

Karnes,  David  H. 

Murdock,  George  W. 

Patrick,  John  M. 

Ward,  Thomas 


Anderson,  Barret 
Ford   George 
Howey,  Edwin  E. 
Holden,  Edward  M. 
Harmer.  James  M. 


COMPANY   F. 

Privates. 
Dallas,  George  M.  Welch,  Mathew 

Davis,  Dallas  Blatmer,  Adolpli 

G'Brian,  John  Hofierkamp,  Herman 

COMPANY  G. 

First  Sergeant. 
Augustus  F.  Mj'ers 

Quartermaster  Sergeant. 

Frederick  R.  Sprigg 

Sergeants. 

Wm.  A.  Montgomery  John  C.  Decker 

Corporals. 

Joshua  W.  Short 
Alexander  Rucker 
Charles  H.  Judd 


Henry  Alsop 
Thomas  F.  Henry 
William  Blytlie 


Frederick  Tropp 


Buglers. 


Privates. 


Samuel  R.  Gordon 


Adlonn',  Lewis 
Barr,  William  A. 
Brunn,  August 
Brooks,  Jefferson  J. 
Bishop,  Caleb  E. 
Cantrell,  Thomas  J. 
Chambers,  Edward  R. 
Casnet,  Franklin 
Clark,  William 
Conner.  William 
Camp,  George  W. 
Dysert,  John  Z. 
Freeman,  William  W. 
H'Uis,  Alexander 
Hoffman,  Geoi'ge 
Hays,  William 
Herndon,  James  N. 
Hosea,  William 
Hall,  Benjamin 
Hoffman,  Christian 
Kibby,  Converse 


King,  John 
Koch,  Simon 
Lasuer,  William 
Litterscheit,  Ferdinand 
Lewis,  James 
Maughor,  John 
McKinney,  Thos.  L.  S. 
McCarty,  Thomas 
Maloney,  Timothy 
McCarty,  Thomas 
Mills,  Marcus  R. 
Prince,  William  P. 
Raumbarger,  John 
Reynolds,  John 
Russell,  John 
Seaman,  George 
Seaman,  Joseph 
Spengler,  Philip 
Spaulding,  John 
Trovfer,  John  E. 


Arreghi,  Antonio 
Blyth,  William 
Barr,  William  A. 
Clark,  William 
Camp,  George  W. 
Evans,  William 
Elgan,  William 
Fagan,  John  F. 
Hoffman,  George  ' 
Hibbs,  James 
Judd,  Uz 
Judd,  Charles  H. 
King,  John 
Lanterman,  John  H 
Lasure,  William 


Veterans. 

Mills,  Marcus  R. 
Marker,  William  H. 
Magary,  Robert  F. 
Meyeis,  Augustus  F. 
Morris,  George  H. 
Maloney,  John 
Manghar,  Patrick 
Quinn,  Dennis 
Reynolds,  John 
Robinson,  George  H. 
Sprigg,  Fridcrick  R. 
Spengler,  Phili]i 
Sheiry,  Daniel 
Seaman,  .loseph  A. 
Tomliuson,  Elisha 


Recruits. 


Abbott,  Thomas  D. 
Burt;  Henry 
Bowers,  Asa 
Bancroft,  George 
Burgess,  John 
Brown,  James  or  John 
Crowder,  Henry 
('am]),  AVilliam  .1. 
Diukle,  John  A. 
Evans,  William  D. 


Morris,  George 
Morris,  Eli  t. 
Martin,  John 
Robinson,  George  H. 
Renne.  James 
Shtviry,  Daniel 
Strode,  William  B. 
Tomlinson.  Elisha 
Tomlinson.  James 
Tomlinson,  L.  A. 


HISTORV  OF  SANUAMON  COUNTY. 


411 


Fagan,  John  F. 
Fagan,  Biiie  H. 
Kesler,  Aliraham 
Keiser  or  Ki/.er,  John 
Lewis,  David 
Manghar,  Pal  I'ick 


Wai-ilhaui;li,  Ricliaid  E. 
Weber,  John  H. 
Weber,  Charles  K. 
Youug,  Lysauder  B. 
"Youuger,  John  Q. 


COMPANY    II. 

Oficers. 
Captain— Thomas  S.  Craftou 
Second  Lieutenant— John  W.  Craftou 

First  Sergeant. 
James  B.  Campbell 
Quartermaster  Sergeaiit. 
Tavncr  B.  Pierce. 

Sergeants. 
William  Grisson  A.  B.Rogers. 

Corporals,  'i 
Joseph  Gumbrel  Edward  11.  Woods 

Peter  Bradley  William  Riley 

Buglers. 

Charles  Fox  John  Bell 

Prieates. 

Beard,  Martin  Murray,  Davis 

Burton,  George  Walker,  William  M. 

Brewster,  John  Peters,  Jacob 

Carney,  John  Moore,  John  R. 

Cline.'John.  Pilcher.  A.  M 

Freeman,  William  II.  Pilcher,  James  W. 

Harme,  John  Pilcher,  John 

Johnson,  Joseph  Rolierts,  William 

Leab,  Louis  Sampson,  William 

Lay  ton,  James  Searle,  E.  J. 

MuelUestou,  J.  B.  Webster,  Bradley  B. 

Miller,  Frederick  Young,  James  C. 

McGinnes.  Samuel  Young,  John  W. 
McDonald,  John  or  E.  J. 

Veterans. 

Bell,  John  Sampson,  William 

Campbell,  James  B.  Tippey,  Lerov 

Freeman,  William  H.  Vermillion,  William 

Gambrell,  Joseph  Wood,E.  H. 

Harmes,  .John  Young,  JohnW. 

Koontz,  John  Young,  James  C 
Riley,  William 

Becruits. 

Britt,  John  W.  Deck  Valentine. 

Burton,  Jas.  or  Henry  I.  Dyer    Thomas  E. 

Craftou,  Newton  R.  Gambrell,  Andrew  J. 

Carter,  William  Koontz,  John 

COMPANY    I. 

Oficers. 
First  Lieutenant — Daniel  I.  Canfield 
Second  Lieutenant — John  G.  Springer 
Prii-ates. 
Wright,  Jonathan  Robins,  Samuel 

Wallace,  Nathan 

COMPANY-    K. 

Pritate. 
Neil,  Jacob  S. 

COMPANY   I.. 

Offii-ers. 
Captain — Thomas  V.  Wilson 
First  Lieutenant — John  G.  Roberts 
Second  Lieutenant — Thomas  D.  Vredcnburgh 


Sergeants. 
Andrew-  J.  Ma.xfield  Heury  S.  C.  Sanders 

Prieates. 
Becraft,  Walter  Gravat,  Charles  P. 

Becraft,  George  Johnston,  James  K.   P. 

Beard,  Walter  W.  Kelly,  Michael 

Carpenter,  Levi  Kelly,  Thomas 

Connelly,  Samuel  Mathews,  Aaron  V. 

Cook,  Levi  Moon,  John  B. 

Evans,  Joseph  Sw\ss,  John 

Recruits. 
Gilman,  Nathan  Miller,  William  H. 

Andrews,  Jacob  Talbot,  Thomas 

Conner,  David  C.  Winsur,  George  W. 

Guthen,  James  G. 

COMTANT   M. 

oncers. 
First  Lieutenant — ^Elhanen  J.  Seaile 
Second  Lieutenant — Silas  Hickox 
Privates. 
Buckley,  Newton  Conner,  Richard 

Bishop,  Caleb  E,  Dunn,  Eleuezer 

Leonard,  Benjamin  Fields,  James 

Garbin  William  Hall.  Sylvester 

Hasenbrig,  William  H.       Malone,  James  H. 

Unassigned. 
Bennett.  James  Pace,  Elisha  L. 

Brown,  James  Ross,  Lyman  O. 

Bell,  John  A.  Smith,  James 

Brewer,  Isaac  Sutton,  Anton 

Ba,sher,  William  S.  Seligman,  Martin 

Barnes,  Warner  Sprague,  Robert 

Baker,  John  W.  ^^cott,  John 

Clark,  John  Stark,  Henry 

Elliott,  James  H.  Schenkle,  John  W. 

Fo.x,  Joseph  B.  VanDorf  Edward 

Farlaud,  James  O.  Veatch,  Joel 

Grant,  Charles  P.  Weber,  Joseph 

Larney,  Owen  W.  Webb,  Joseph 

Mikesell.  Simou  Weber,  James  W. 

Martin,  Henry  Webb,  Stephen  G. 

Nolan  William  H.  Young,  Francis 

O'Conner,  John  Yost,  Cyrus 

Of  Sangamon  county  men,  the  following  pro- 
motions were  made:  Dudley  Wicker.sliam,  from 
Lieutenant  C'olonel  to  Colonel;  James  Stuart, 
Adjutant  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Colonel; 
Samuel  N.  Hitt,  Captain  to  Major  and  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel;  Marshall  L.  Stephenson,  Major 
and  Colonel  Arkansas  Volunteers;  Gideon 
Brainard,  to  Adjutant;  Henry  Turney,  Battal- 
ion Adjutant;  Thomas  D.  Vredenburgh,  Second 
to  First  Lieutenant,  Battalion  Adjtitant  and 
Major;  Thomas  O'Conner,  Sergeant  to  Second 
and  First  Lieutenant  and  Captain;  Joseph  C. 
Johns,  Private  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant; 
l>yron  L.  Crouch,  Corporal  to  Second  and  First 
Lieutenant  and  Captain;  John  S.  Vredenburgh, 
Private  to  Second  and  First  Lieutenant  and 
Captain;  John  P.  Kavanaugli,  J'rivate  to  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant;  James  E.  Butler,  Private  to 
Second  Lieutenant;  William  Sands,  Richard  C. 
Keiley,  First  Lieutenant  to  C.iptain;  William  A. 


412 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Montgomery,  Sergeant  to  First  Lieutenant; 
Alexander  Eucker,  Corporal  to  Second  Lieuten- 
ant; Tabner  B.  Pierce,  Quartermaster  Sergeant 
to  First  Lieutenant,  Captain  and  Major;  Barton 
W.  Fox,  Private  to  Second  Lieutenant;  Jobn 
A.  Koontz,  Private  to  Second  Lieutenant;  Jobn 
G.  Roberts,  First  Lieutenant  to  Captain;  El- 
banen  J.  Gearle,  First  Lieutenant  to  Captain, 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  First  Arkansas  regiment. 

ELEVENTH  CAVALRY. 
CO>rPANY  U. 

Privates. 
Green,  Aaron  Herwig,  Augustus 

Haines,  William  A.  Whitney,  Sylvester 

COirPANY  c. 

Privates. 
George,  George  Foster,  Charles  A. 

COMPANY  D. 

Privates. 
Lairmore,  Green  N.  Moore,  William 

COMPANY  F. 

Privates. 
Mackey,  Patrick  Venters,  John  H. 

Matthews,  Thomas 

COMPANY   K. 

Private. 
Strock,  Abraham 

COMPANY   M. 

Privates. 
Cudney,  Ezekiel  Love,  Benjamin  F. 

Unassigned. 
Alden,  Frank  Bandal,  George 

Goodwin,  Charles  Wood,  Robert  G. 

Mclntyre,  Charles  E. 

TVi'ELFTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY  A. 

Privates. 
Kelly,  John  M.  Ashton,  James 

Small,  Cypreon  P.  Small,  Rual  A. 

COMPANY  B. 

Privates. 
Resse,  Louis  Necknich,  Conrad 

COMPANY  c. 

Privates. 
Barney,  Henry  Dyson,  William  J. 

Lamberton,  Jeremiah  Walcott,  Enos 

Drurey,  Richard  A.  Majors,  Richard 

COMPANY   D. 

Privates. 

Hatch,  Eugene  A.  B. 

COMPANY   E. 

Privates. 

Hudson,  Arthur 
Jnrebest,  Julius 
Moore,  Oliver 
Reed,  Benjamin 


COJfPASY   F. 

Privates. 


Dowmie,  John 


Bedard,  Flavian 
Butcher,  Nelson 
Flemming,  Edward 
Gardner,  James 


Huitt,  Jonathan  N 
Curvey,  Owen 
Lewis,  David 
Ogg,  James  A. 
Saiiders,  Stephen  N. 
Wilson,  Samuel  L. 


B. 


Lane,  Andrew 


Gilliland,  Joseph 
Wallis,  Richard 
Easley,  Robert  H 
Lewis,  Samuel 
Phelps,  John  W. 
Wilson,  Cyrus  A. 

COjrPANY   0. 

Private. 
Hensley,  Roben 

COMPANY  K. 

Privates. 

McConahey,  Frederick 

COMPANY  M. 

Private. 
Tennis,   Franklin 

Vnassinyed. 
Bessy,  Washington  Eckhart,  George 

Orrick,  Henry  C. 

THIRTEENTH    CAVALRY. 
COMPANY  C. 

Private. 
Miller,  Charles 

COMPANY   G. 

Corporals. 
James  T.  Roach  Richard  D.  Roberts 

Blacksmiths. 
Enoch  Kents 

Privates. 


Belk,  Chamberlain 
Brown,  Joshua  B. 
Creek,  Samuel  J. 
Draper,  John 

Egan,  Michael 
Gibbs,  Charles  N. 
Granke,  John 
Granke,  Frederick 
Groves,  Joseph 


Herdman,  Daniel  ] 
Jones,  Thomas 
Jones,  Charles  H. 
Jones,  Timothy 
Jones,  Edward 
Runyon,  Gilbert 
Shepard,  Thomas 
West,  Richard 
Chance,  Joseph 


Tribble,  Allen  B. 

THIRTEENTH  CAVALRY — (CONSOLIDATED), 

Officer. 
Adjutant— George  F.  Williams 

FOUETEENTH    CAVALRY. 

Officer. 
Surgeon — Preston  H.  Bailhache 

COMPANY  B. 

Teamster. 
John  Oetter 

Private. 
Smith,  Joseph 

COMPANY  D. 

Officers. 

Captain — Ebeuezer  L.  Foote 

First  Lieutenant — Thomas  L.  Masters 

Second  Lieutenant — John  Miller 

Corporals. 
Benjamin  F.  Bradt  Frank  Martin 

John  Rogan 


UISTORY  OF  SANGA]\ION  COUNTY 


413 


Wagoner. 
John  L.  Dow 

Privates. 
Atkinson,  John  Hamilton,  John 

Butler,  Alliert  O.  McDonald,  John  A. 

Bower,  Henry  Smith,  William 

Fowler,  John"  Turner,  John  J. 

Ooyer,  Chyles  B. 

COMPANY  L. 

Privates. 
Richmomi,  Charles  C.         Valentine,  Silas 

KllTEENTH    CAVALRY. 

Officers. 
Adjutants— Nathaniel  C.  Mitchell 

Louis  Souther 
Quartermaster — Samuel  Stewart 

COMPANY  D. 

Private. 
Eubanks,  Charles 

COMPANY   :. 

Private . 
Jackson,  Samuel 

SIXTEENTH    CAVALRY'. 

Officer. 
Surgeon — Nathaniel  W.  Webber 

COMPANY  D. 

Privates. 

Barrett,  John  Obielhi,  John 

Dluffosih,  Joseph  Obsten,  Frank 

Frey,  Albeit  Peregs,  Giovanni 

Guhlke,  Jolin  Kzeppa,  John 

Gollar,  John  Renser,  Louis 

Garvel,  Josp|)h  Rummel,  Fredrick 

Gohmert,  William  Schroeter,  Gottlieb 

Hahn,  Peter  Schildknicht,  Gustave 
Hanensteiu,  Cornelius        Schweikardt,     Fredrick 

Kazmazcck,  John  Woelfel,  Richard 

Kiolbassa,  Ignatz  Zowata,  Vincent 

Lundzin,  George  EUcr,  Maximillian 

COMPANY   E. 

Officer . 
Commissary  Sergeant — Julius  Miller. 

Privates. 
Frass,  Louis  Fritz,  Joseph 

Wohringer,  Freidrick 

COMP.ANY  G. 

Officer. 
Second  Lieutenant — Adolph  Slreiber. 
Pricatts. 
Bowler,  William  Straber,  Adolph 

Ballow,  Anderson  J.  Sidner,  James 

Kummell,  Christian  Colburn,  Thomas 

Nelson,  John  Phillips,  or  Phelps,  D. 

Russing,  Louis 

COMPANY  H. 

Privates. 

Hurmanns,  Hubert  Hcnni,  Jacob  F. 

l\urn,  John  Kaiser,  Balthaser 

Kroschcl,  Louis  Larkin,  Thomas 

Milton,  Napoleon  B.  Weiss,  Otto 

Williams,  Jesse  D.  White,  George 

Bundensteiu,  Theo   G,  Colby,  Smith 

.Tohnson,  Edward  Myers,  Andrew  N. 


COMPANY     I. 

Private. 
Dunn,  Robert  T. 

COMPANY   K. 

Privates. 
Brown,  Jacob  Crawford,  William 

McCabe,  Patrick  Claywell,  Francis M  . 

COMPANY    L. 

Corporal. 
Otho  L.  McLain 

Privates. 

Anderson,  Begaleel  B.  Rudd,  Thaddeus 

Ashby,  John  Taylor,  William 

Bradford,  William  C.  Taylor,  Alexander 

Durvilbes,  George  Phillips,  William  H.  S. 

Derby,  Lemuel  L.  Weaver,  David 

Dooley,  James  Watts,  William 

Fagan,  James  Robinson,  Albert  T. 

COMPANY  M. 

Corporal. 
Lewis  A.  Townbridge. 
Musician. 
John  Saberville.  ' 

Prioates. 
Butler,  Pleasant  G.  Edwards,  William  H. 

Franco,  Bernado  Ganoue,  John 

O'Hara,  James  Stevens,  Albert  S. 

Smith,  William  Wright,  Marion 

George,  Coleman  C.  Martin,  John  E. 

McCoy,  Samuel  Robinson,  James 

Petteboue,  Elias  ^\  illiams,  Elias 

Unassiyned. 
Kelley  Michael 

rlRST    ARTILLERY'. 

BATTERY   D. 

Privates. 
Brockway,  Nelson  B.  Hickey,  Bartholomew 

BATTERY   E. 

Private. 
Briggins,  Patrick 

BATTERY   P. 

Privates. 
Losee, Joseph  P.  Lewis,  George  J. 

Brock,  Andrew  Mit.s,  Thomas  J. 

Blair,  William  McCoy,  Martin 

Dally,  Thomas  NcManus,  Michael 

Driscoll,  David  Phillips,  William 

Eads,  Nathan  G.  Renland,  Peter 

Gleiuson,  Peter  Risley,  Ezra  B. 

Horen,  Charles  Risley,  John  W. 

Haight,  Eugene  N.  Schuyler,  Elam  A. 

Hartford,  Perry  Tober,  Joseph 

Weaver,  George 

BATTERY   G. 

Officer. 
Captiiiu — Arthur  O'Leary 
Privates. 
Romange.  John  Eberhardl,  George 

Miller,  James  S. 

BATTERY   H. 

Officers. 
Captain — Axel,  Silfverspari  c 
Second  Lieutenant — Edwaid  Ailams 


414 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


BATTERY  Q. 

Privates. 
Tliouiiison,  John  Bond  James 

BATTEKY  M. 

Private. 
McAllister,  John  G. 
Vnansifjnerl. 
Gugeike,  Conrad  Mullen,  Daniel 

Goss,  Victor  Sheehan,  John 

Gudgel,  Thomas  Sullivan,  John 

Hoffman,  Samuel  Wynne,  Hugh 

Wardaugh,  George 

SECOXD   ARTILLBEY. 

Retjimental  Officers. 
Colonel— Thomas  S.  Mather 
Majors — Adolph  Schwartz 

James  P.  Flood 
Adjutant— Isaac  N.  Higgins 

Private. 
Triebel,  William 

BATTERY   C. 

Officers. 
Captain — Caleb  Hopkins 
First  Lieutenant — James  P.  Flood 
Second  Lieutenant — Alexander  Bushby 

Sergeant  Major. 
Elijah  V.  Moore 
Sergeants. 
Eben  Willey  Thomas  Mclntyre 

Corporals . 
James  Pringle  James  Ban' 

Napoleon  Davis 

BATTERY  D. 

Private. 
Brennenstall,  R.  R. 

BATTERY   F. 

Privates. 
Cowardin,  John  Cooper,  D. 

Layhaner,  Jeremiah  Peterling,  John  J. 

BATTERY  H. 

Privates . 
Ball,  Emery  S.  Hartman,  Augustus 

Ashurst,  Perry  Ritcher,  Otto 

BATTERY  I. 

Privates. 
Fanning,  John  or  Jahue      Murphy,  Samuel  S. 

BATTERY   K. 

Privates . 
Stmgler,  John  M.  Bassett,  Marquis 

Reynolds,  George  D.  Wallace,  John 

BATTERY   L. 

Private . 
Riggs,  Daniel  V. 
Unassigned. 
Galligan,  Michael  Smith,  John  L. 

CHICAGO  BOARD  OF  TRADE  BATTERY. 

Private . 
Lynch,  Michael 


CHICAGO  MERCA^;TILE   ISATTERY. 


Prii: 
Crosby,  John  F. 
Bell,  William 
Beckerabaugh,  George 
Burns,  Francis 
Billington,  James 
Barr,  Henrj'  C. 
Culver,  Phineas  N. 
Ca3-hoe,  John  R. 
Doselbeit,  John 
Denny,  AVilliam 
Drennan,  Delos 
Hookins,  Charles 


atcs. 


Haynes,  John  G. 
Hayues,  Benjamin  K. 
Howell,  Steiihtn  S. 
Parrish,  Samuel 
Putney,  Abel 
Smith,  .John 
Smith,  Robert 
Saunders, Richard  or  D'd 
Tabor,  Delonna 
Wellaud,  Chris 
Barr,  James 
Suttle,  John  A. 


Peer  aits. 


Babcock,  Jasper  D. 
Chriswell,  Samuel  F. 
Clay,  Heni-y 
Delay,  William 
Durbin,  Gabriel 
Garner,  Isaac  N. 
Haines,  Francis 
Harris,  Jopriah 
Harris,  Nodley 


Howard,  Mortica 
Harney,  John 
Price,  James 
Pulley.  Francis  M. 
Robbins,  John  J. 
Short,  William 
Shields,  Charles 
AVood,  Thomas 
Yocum,  Robert  F. 


SPRINGFIELD  LIGHT  ARTILLERY. 

Officers. 
First  Lieutenant — Edward  B.  Stilling 
Second  Lieutenant — Louis  D.  Rosette 

Sergeant  Major. 
Louis  B.  Smith 

First  Sergeant. 
Alexander  Busby 

Q.  M.  Sergeant. 

William  E.  Fitzhugh 

Sergeants. 

Ward  Bartram  August  Schilds 

John  McCormack 

Corporals. 
Marcel  DuBoice  John  W.  Spring 

Charles  Layton  Isaac  Vaughn 

Jacob  S.  Newman 

Guidon. 
Asa  W.  Mason 
Arlificei's. 
Orin  S.  Lobdell  Patrick  Ring 

Bugler. 
Adolph  Traurig 

Wagoner. 
Thomas  Fox 


Privates . 


Bahn,  Charles    i-  < 
Barry,  Henry  E. 
Baumuuk,  Henry 
Bourke,  Michael  J 
Burgess,  Rit^xard  V. 
Burns,  Barney 
Burch,  George 
Burns,  John 
Chick,  Robert 
Colvin,  Robert 
Cottet,  Jules 
Cull,  Michael 
Cullum,  Joseph 


Henry,  Levi  E. 
Irwin,  James 
Knight,  James  W. 
Laswell.  James 
L3'ons,  James 
Aleyer,  James 
Mentemever,  Chas. 
Millette,  Frank 
Miller,  Jacob 
McClure,  William 
O'Brien,  James 
Pilcher,  William  S. 
Pitman,  James  G. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


415 


Djuuelly,  Eihvard  C. 
Donnelly,  John  T. 
Faddis,  Huiiry  S. 
Fcrrell,  William  C. 
Fullei-,  Miner  S. 
Flood,  Albert 
Gordon,  John  II. 
Hartniiin,  John 
Harman,  Peter 
Hiflchee,  William  W. 


Schlemraer,  John 
Segin,  Henry 
Shipton,  Thomas 
Stevanson,  James 
Vliet,  Joseph 
Werts,  .John 
Williams,  William  T. 
Wales,  William  F. 
Wall,  Johnson  C. 
Wright,  William  J. 


Eecruits. 

Butler,  David  McCandlass,  James   A. 

Crafts,  Lewis  W.  Morehead,  William 

Caldwell,  John  McKeever,  Thomas 

Davis.  Henry  McFall,  John 

Donlan,  John  Marrin,  Conner 
Doran,  James  or  John  E.Pritchard,  John  F. 

Downey,  Patrick  Pendergast,  Thomas 

Elder,  Hugh  A.  Peabody,  Edwin  R. 

Estes,'  John  Russell,  John  J. 

Hilve  tz  or  Helvety  Ragan,  Timothy  O. 

Victor.  F.  Ryan,  James 

Hayes,  John  Shields,  John  C. 

Jacobs,  Daniel  Smith,  George  M. 

Johnston,  Charles  Smith,  James  G. 

Kinsley,  William  Smith,  John  H. 

King,  Ale.xander  J.  Smith,  Benjamin  F. 

Kiley,  John  Smith,  Thomas  H. 

List,  Nicholas  Squires,  Thomas  B. 

This  battery  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler, 
Illinois,  by  Captain  Thomas  P.  Vaughn,  and 
was  known  as  the  "  Springfield  Light  Artillery." 
It  was  mustered  in  August  21,  1862. 

November  1,  moved  to  Columbus,  Kentucky, 
and  on  the  8th,  to  Bolivar,  Tennessee.  Decem- 
ber 18,  moved  to  Jackson  with  the  command  of 
Brigadier  General  M.  Brayman.  Was  engaged 
in  several  expeditions  from  Jackson  during  the 
winter.  On  June  6,  1863,  left  Bolivar,  and  was 
stationed  on  the  Memphis  &  Charleston  railroad 
— one  section  at  Moscow,  Lieutenant  Thomas 
commanding;  one  at  Germantown,  Lieutenant 
Slillings  commanding,  and  one  at  Collierville, 
Lieutenant  Colby  eommanding. 

On  June  20Lh,  the  battery  was  united,  and 
assigned  to  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  Colonel  James  M.  True 
commanding  brigade,  and  started  for  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas,  and  participated  in  its  capture 
September  10,  186:^. 

One  section  of  the  battery,  Lieutenant  Colby 
commanding,  was  ordered  to  Lewisburg,  where 
it  remained  until  March  16.  1864.  The  battery 
was  then  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  First 
Division,  Seventh  Army  Corps. 

It  then  moved  with  General  Steele's  expedi- 
dition  to  Camden,  Arkansas,  participating  in 
the  several  skirmishes  of  the  campaign,  and  the 
battles  of  Prairie  D'Arm  and  at  Jenkin's  Ferry, 
when   the  battery,  being  with    tlie    rear  guard, 

48— 


at    midnight,   repelled   a   cavalry    oh.arge    with 
grape  and  canister. 

Returned  to  Little  Rcjck  May  3,  1864,  and 
remained  until  ordered  to  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Was  mustered  out  June  30,  1805. 

TWENTY-NINTH     COLOEEU    INFANTRY. 
COMPANY  D. 

Privates. 
Hodge,  Willis  See,  James 

Waddle,  John 

FIRST   ARMY    CORPS. 
COMPANY  1. 

Privates. 
Maul,  Henry  Masters,  William 

Bassett,  Francis  E. 

COMPANY   7. 

Privates. 
Willis,  George  W.  Frazier,  John  F. 

Ilolliugsworlh,  William      Henry,  John 

COirPANY   11. 

Private. 
Sauford,  Edmund 

EECEUITS    FOE   EEGULAK    ARMY. 
THIRTEENTH   U.  S.  INFANTRY. 

Privates. 

Armstrong,  Robert  Leahaua,  Jeremiah 

Austion,  Oliver  Lynam,  Zenas  6. 

Anderson,  John  Maa,  John 

Ballard,  George  W.  Moore,  John 

Blair,  Robert  Moore,  Thomas 

Buchanan,  Isaac  Morgan,  William 

Brister.  John  Mirl,  Jacob 

Barker,  Charles  McCambridge,     Patrick 

Bargei,  John  R.  Mc Andrews,  Michael 

Bourke,  Patrick  Miller,  Wilhelm 

Callingburg,  Louis  Mahoney,  Michael 

Canterbury,  James  A.  Morgain,  James 
Cumming,  George  A.  P.      McDonald,  William 

Calvert  Thomas  O'Brien,  Maurice 

Curry,  Aaron  O'Neill,  William 

Chapman,  Isaac  Perrinne,  Erastus 

Conner,  John  O.  Pilcher,  Newton  J. 

Deerner,  Orlin  H.  Pillion,  Thomas 

Dome,  James  Rull,  Jacob 

Fitzsimmons,  Michael  Reid,  Cyrus  M. 

Finney,  Dennis  Sidener,  Samuel  W. 

Fleck,  William  Snider,  Lo  lis 

Fletcher,  Fisher  F.  Slawson,  Howard  F. 

Gallagher,  Patrick  Stearns,  John 

Howard,  Thomas  H.  Shipley,  James  R. 

Hinkle,  William  H.  Shafuer,  George 

Heudley,  John  Shortzer,  Joseph  G. 

Hughes,  William  Spears,  Myron 

Higgins,  Silas  C.  Scull,  William 

Holsey,  John  H.  Smith,  George  P. 

Hargraves,  Henry  Turner,  William  H. 

Johnson,  William  J.  Troy,  James 

Jackson,  George  W.  Tipple,  Henry 

Jones,  Lewis  Thurston,  Frank 

Johnson,  John  A.  Wood,  John 

Keel,  William  Way,  Allen  W. 

Kendall,  George  W.  Willis,  William 

Laccy,  James  Wells,  James 

Loveless,  George  W.  Watkins,  John  W. 
Lashlev,  Samuel  C. 


416 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COrNTY. 


NINETEENTH   UNITED   STATES   INFANTKY. 

Private. 

Walsh,  John 

Hospital  Steward  United  States  Army. 

Robinson,  James 

ROLL    OF    HONOR. 

"It  is  sweet  and  honorable  to  die  for  one's 
country."  Thus  it  can  be  written  over  the 
graves  of  many  thousands  of  men  who  now 
sleep  the  "sleep  of  death"  in  soldiers'  graves. 
Sangamon  county  has  furnished  her  quota  of 
noble  dead,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
roll,  embracing  names  of  some  of  the  bravest 
and  best  of  her  sons.  They  are  gone,  but  their 
names  are  reverently  remembered  by  a  grateful 
people.  They  are  gone,  but  their  deeds  are  re- 
membered. Let  them  sleep  on,  while  their 
praises  are  being  sung  through  all  coming  time. 
Following  are  the  names: 

Abraham  Lincoln,  President  of  the  United  States  and 
Commander-in-Chief. 

Colonel  Simon  P.  Ohr,  died   September  14;  1S64. 

Major  Frederick  W    Matteson,  died   August  8,  1S62. 

Captb'in  Henry  W.  Allen,  killed  by  a  Sergeant, 

Captain  John  E.  Sullivan,  killed  in  action,  October 
5,  1S64. 

Captain  Noah  E    Mendell,  killed  ai  Fort  Donelson. 

Capta  n  Edwin  Allsop,  killed  in  battle.  December  31, 
1S62. 

Lieutenant  Adam  E.  Vrooman,  died  at  Cape  Gi- 
rardeau, Missouri,  September,  1S61. 

Lieutenant  William  W.  Foutcb.  deceased. 

Lieutenant  Marshall  M.  Mclntire,  killed  at  Fort 
Donelson 

Lieutenant  John  F.  Cassity.  Died. 

Lieutenant  John  P.  Kavanaugh,  killed  in  battle, 
August  27,  1S63, 

Lieutenant  Edward  Adams,  killed  July  10,  1863. 

Lieuienant  E'ijah  V.  Moore,  killed  February  s,  1863. 

Lieutenant  William  Bishop,  killed  in  battle,  Septem- 
ber 20,  1S63. 

Lieutenant  William  Earnest,  died  July  14,  1863. 

Lieutenant  Thomas  J.  Williams,  died  at  Cotton  Hill; 
Illinois,  NoTember5,  1862. 

Surgeon  Alvin  .S  French,  killed  at  Guntown,  Missis- 
sippi, June  10,  i8(')4. 

Adiutant  Arthur  Lee  Bailhache,  died. 

Adjutant  William  11.  Latham,  died  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  December  21,  1862. 

Atkinson,  [ohn,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Sep- 
tember 25,  1864. 

.\lden,' Frank,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  March 

I,  i86v 

Anderson,  Benjamin  M  ,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennes- 
see, Januarv  1,  1S63. 

Ashbill,  H.  Soles,  died  .-it  Memphis,  April  30,  1864. 

.-Vshford,  Samuel  F.,  died  at  Memphis,  November  25, 
1862. 

Allen,  Robert,  died  at  Memphis,  September  13,  1S64. 

Armstrong,  James,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois, 
October  3.  iS62' 

Avlesworlh,  Ezra  M.,  First  Sergeant,  killed  at 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1S63. 


Avaritt,  Nathan,  killed  at  Duvall's  BluiT,  Arkansas, 
August  8,  1S63. 

Alfred,  James,  died  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  June  2, 
1S62. 

Alison,  Moses  D  ,  died  at  Rolla,  Missouri,  December 
18,  1861. 

Boardman,  Moses,  died  at  Camden,  Arkansas,  April 
22,  1864. 

Bushby,  Alexander,  died  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  July 
2r,  1864. 

Burgess,  Richard  V.,  died  at  Bolivar,  Tennessee, 
March  19,  1863. 

Bollyjack,  John,  killed  at  Shiloh.  April  6,  1S62. 

Brown,  J.  V,  died  at  Mound  City,  November  27,  1S62. 

Ballard,  Richard  L  ,  killed  at  Mission  Ridge,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1S63. 

Bruden,  Russell,  killed  at  Ressaca.  Georgia,  Mav  13, 
1S64. 

Brown,  Mason,  died  at  Monterey,  Tennessee,  June 
4,  1S63. 

Burk,  Benjamin  F  ,  died  at  Andersonville  prison, 
August  15,  1S64. 

Brodenck,  Goorge  II.,  died  at  Davis'  Mills,  Missis- 
sippi, Januarv  I,  1S63. 

Bmkhart,  John,  killed  at  Guntown,  Mississippi,  June 
10,  1S64. 

Brewer,  James  D.,  died  at  Danville,  Virginia — pris- 
oner of  war. 

Bu'us,  Thomas,  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  Febru- 
ary 29,  1S64 

Burricklow,  James  T,,  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
March  t2,  1S65. 

Blankenship,    Robert    W.,  died    in   Indiana,  Mav  2- 

Bartram,  Wells,  died  at  Bairdstown,  Kentucky, 
October  12,  1862. 

Bucher,  Moses  O.,  died  at  Paducah,  Kentucky,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1863. 

Bowman,  William  H.,  died  at  Memphis,  August  16, 
1864 

Bowman,  Charles  H.,  died  at  Memphis,  September 
6,  1S63. 

Blue,  William  M.,  killed  at  Guntown,  Mississippi, 
June  10,  1S64, 

Bunifoo-d,  William,  killed  at  Tupelo,  Mississippi, 
July  13,  1864. 

Breckenridge,  Joseph,  died  in  Christian  county,  Illi- 
nois, October  31,  1863. 

Black,  Francis  J.,  died  near  Vicksburg,  July  4.  1863. 

Berrv,  Charles,  died  at  Memphi-;,  December  5,  1864. 

Brock,  Elias,  died  at  Memphis,  December  5,  1S62. 

Bradshaw,  Thomas,  died  at  Duckport,  Louisiana, 
May  4,   1S64. 

Burton,  George,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  No- 
vember I,   1863. 

Baird,  John,  killed  in  action  at  Parker's  Cross  Roads, 
Tennessee,  December  31,  1S62. 

Bailev,  William,  died  at  Tullahoma,  T  ,  .\ugust  31, 
1863 

Burge,  lohn.died  at  Memphis,  March  7,  1S64. 

Bufiington,  William,  killed  by  guerillas  near  Phila- 
delphia, Mississippi,  April  24,  1S63. 

Boutwell,  Milo,  died  at  Oldtown  Landing,  Arkansas, 
September  22,   1863. 

Brum,  August,  died  at  Oldtown  Landing,  Arkan-i-as, 
September  11,  1862. 


HISTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


417 


Bvers,  Joseph  W.,  died  at  Helena,  Arkansas,  Novem- 
ber I,  1863. 

Buff,  Henrj,  died  at  Van  Biireii  Hospital,  Louisia.na, 
June  27,  1S64. 

Beard,  Martin,  died  at  Bloomfield,  Ari  ansas,  Sep- 
tember 6    1S63. 

Crawford,  William,  died  in  AmJersonville  prison 
June  15,  1S64. 

Colburn,  William,  dif-d  in  Andersonville  prison 
Augnst  14,  1S64. 

Colburn,  Thomas,  died  in  Andersonville  prison 
June  20,  1864. 

Craven,  James,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  1862. 

Chriswell,  Samuel  F.,  died  at  Fort  Oonelson,  Decem- 
ber 29,  1864. 

Combs,  Silas  T.,  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  De- 
cember 31,  1S63. 

Cope,  Peter  W.,  died  in  Richmond  prison  Decem- 
ber 6,  i86j. 

Carson,  Townsend,  killed  at  Dalla?,  Georgia,  May 
27,  1864, 

Canon,  Patrick,  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June 
14,  1864. 

Campbell,  Joseph  C,  died  at  Chatham,  Illinois,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1863. 

Cox,  Josiah,  died  April,  1862. 

Carter,  Alfred,  died  at  New    Orleans,  April  18,  1865. 

Carrigan,  Edward,  died  January  13,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Clark,  Benjamin  F.,  died  at  Nlemphis,  February  28, 
1865. 

Clare,  Daniel,  died  January  30,  1863,  of  wounds    . 

Campbell,  Joseph,  died  Reeve's  Station,  Missouri, 
March  17,   1S62. 

Carv,  Joseph  L.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison. 

Cooper,  Henry,  killed  at  Yellow  Bayo.i,  Louisiana, 
May   18,  1864. 

Currexi,  Owen,  died  in  Andersonville  prison. 

Crone,  Nelson,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenne  see,  January 

2S,  1S63. 

Colburn,  Gilbert  O.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison 
Julv  i.  1864. 

Clark,  Thomas  A.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
October  17,  1863. 

Conley,  James,  died  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  February 

10,  1864. 

Cantrall,  William,  died  at  Memphis,  July  9,  1864. 

Chrietler,  Philip,  died  at  Vicksburg,  November  9, 
1863. 

Corson,  Charles  P.,  killed  at  Tupelo,  Mississippi, 
Julv  13,  1864. 

Cantrall,  Albert  A.,  died  at  Wilmington,  Nor'h 
Carolina,  March  2,  1865.  Caused  by  starvation  while  in 
rebel  prison. 

Cantrall,   Edward  T.,  fifer,  died   at    Vicksburg,  July 

1 1,  1863. 

Conner,  Wilson,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  October  29 
1862. 

Cooley,  Willis,  died  at  Memphis,  April  21,  1S64. 

Cantrall,  George,  W  . ,  died  at  Chickasaw  Springs, 
June  29,  1863. 

Center,  Edward  R.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison, 
September  i,  1S64. 

Copple,  William,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  8, 
1865. 

Copple,  Morgan,  died  at  Chalanooga,  March  5,  1S65. 

Clark,  William  H.,  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mo., 
June  29,  1S62. 


Crosp,  Edwin, died  at  Farminglon,  Miss.,  July  iS,  1862. 
— Cox,  Frederick,  died  at  Duvall's  Bluff.  Ark  .June  27, 
1S63. 

Campbell,  Samuel,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  October 
29,  1S62. 

Chambers,  Edward  R.,  died  at  Liille  Rock,  Ark., 
October  15,   1S64. 

Charles  Fox,  died  at   Bayou  Metre,    Ark.,   September 

14,  1S63. 

Campbell,  Joseph,  died  at  Springfield,  111  ,  March  28, 
1S64. 

Derby,  Lemuel  C  died  at  Richmond,  Va.,  July  16, 
1S64,  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Dooley,  James  R.,  died   in   Andersonville  prison,  July 

15,  1S64. 

Davis,  William,  died  at  Springfield,  111  ,  May  21,  1S63. 

Carev,  Ira,  killed  at  AUatoona  Pass,  Ga.,  October  5, 
1S64. 

Delaney,  William,  died  at  Danville,  Miss.,  fuly  11, 
1S63. 

Driscoll,  Simpson,  killed  at  Vicksburg,   May  21,  1863. 

DriscoU,  Lewis,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  December  5, 
iS6t. 

Dwire,  John,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  30,  1SC3. 

Daws,  Henry   died  in   Andersonville  prison. 

Daugherty,  John,  died  at  Memphis,  July  20,  1864,  of 
wounds. 

David  Cook,  died  at  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1S63,  of  wounds. 

Dodd,  William  H.,  died  at  Perryville,  Kv.,  October 
8,  1S62. 

Deardoff,  Thomas  B.,  died  at  Memphis  May  S,  1S64. 

DeFreitas,  Frank,  F.,  killed  at  Nashville,  December 
15,   1S64. 

Darden,  Thomas  J.,  died  at  Memphis,  Februarv  23, 
1S63. 

Dickenson,  Alexander  C.,died  at  St.  Louis,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1S63. 

Davis,  John  W.,  died  at  home,  August  21,  1863. 

Davis,  Willard  D.,  died  at  Vicksburg,  November  30, 
1S64 

Duff",  Abraham,  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  February  iS.  1S62. 

Early,  Ambrose,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May  10,  1S62 

Eckl'er,  Edward,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  III,  January 
24,  1S64. 

Edmans,  Andrew  J.,  Died  at  Camp  Butler,  111.,  Janu- 
ary 13,  1865. 

Emerson,  Ira,  died  May  16,  1865, 

Evans,  Aquille,  died  at  Memphis,  May  6,   1864. 

Easley,  Thomas  H.,  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  March 

14.  1862. 

Edwards,  James  J.,  died  at  Ilazlewood,  Mo.,  March 
7,  1863. 

Evans,  Joseph,  died  at  Quincy,  111.,  February,  20,  1S62. 

Frey,  Albert,  Sergeant,  died  in  Andersonville  prison, 
April  13,  1864. 

Fowler,  John,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  April  13, 
1S64. 

Frass,  Louis,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  April  8, 
1864 

Fox,  Thomas,  drowned  in  Arkansas  river,  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  March  I2,  1863. 

Fuller,  Miner  S.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  July  3, 
1864. 

Flanagan,  Thomas  J.,  died  at  Fort  Holt,  Ky.,  October 

15,  1S61. 


41  N 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COLrNTY. 


Farmer,  Thomas,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  November  lo, 
iS6i. 

Farmer,  Ephraim,  died   at    Ironton,  Mo.,  November 
28.  1S61 

Fisher,  John  B.,  died  at  Cairo,  December  13,  1S61. 
Franklin,  Luther,  died  June  10,  1S64,  of  wounds. 
Fortune,  Francis  A.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1863. 

Foster,  Daniel  G.,died  at  Chicaraauga,  September  20, 
1863,  of  wounds. 

Foster,  John  R.,  died  at  Chickamauga,  September  20, 
1S63.  of  wounds. 

Frisbv,  Charles,  died  at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  Febru- 
ary 3,  1S63. 

Fullenwider,  Solomon,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois, 
January  10,  1864. 

Flemming,  John,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  July 
S,  1865. 

Fisher,   Hiram,  died  February  6,  1S64. 
Fehr,  Henrv,  died  at  Black  River  Bridge.  Mississippi, 
July  25.  1S63.' 

Frink,  Horace,  died  at   Okalona,  Mississippi,  June  14, 
1S65. 
Foley.  Edward,  died  at  Vicksburg,  September  lo,  1864. 
Fagan,  Brice  H.,  died  at  Little   Rock,  Arkansas,  De- 
cember 10,  1863. 

Fanchilds,  Isaac  B.,  died  June  28,  1862,  of  wounds. 
Goyer,  Charles    B.,    died    at   Jeffersonville,    Indiana, 
April  7,  1863 

Gleason,  Peter,  died  at  Athens,  Illinois,  September 
22,  1S63 

Gambrel,  James  L.,  died  at  Camp  Dennison,  Ohio, 
Mav  7,  1S62. 

Griffin,  Samuel,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  31, 
1S62. 

Gibland,  John,  killed   at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April   5, 
1862. 
Galigan,  Michael,  died  September  24,  1863. 
Grubendyke,  died  June  27,  1863,  of  wounds. 
Garner,  Elijah,  died  at  Memphis,  January  29,  1863. 
Goffnett,    Celestine,   died    at   CarroUton,    Louisiana, 
September  14,  1S63. 

Gorham.  David,  died  at  St.  Louis,  October  6,  1862. 
Green.    William    M.,   killed    at   Peach    Tree    Creek, 
Georgia,  July  20,  1864. 

Grithtts,  Asbery,  died  at  Memphis,  May  iS,  1864. 
Griffitts,  John  W.,died  September  20, 1863,  of  wounds. 
Greenwood.  Thomas,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
January  16,  1863. 

Gordon,  Jackson,  supposed  to  be  dead. 
Greer,  Martin,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  March  31,   1864. 
Griffith,  William, died  at  Memphis,  January  6,  1864. 
Gholson,  William  T.,  died  July  7,  1S63. 

Goodenough,  Elliott,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December 
30,  1862. 

Henslev,  Robert,  died  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  Marcli 
28,  1862.-' 

Haight,  Eugene  N.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee. 

Hartford,  Perrv,  died  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  July  12, 
1S62. 

Hickev,  Bartholomew,  died  at  Vicksburg,  August  24, 
1S62. 

Hamilton,  Seth,  killed  atShiloh,  April  6,  1S62. 

Humphries.  Urias,  drowned  in  New  river.  South  Car- 
olina, Januars',  1S65. 

Hammonds  John,  died  at  Grand  Junction,  Tennessee, 
November  17,  1S62. 


Henson,  Thomas,  died   at  Vicksburg,   November   25, 
1863. 

Holland,  Aaron,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  21,  1S63. 
Harris,  William    H.,  died   at    Murfreesboro,  July    13, 
1863. 

Hensley,  Lorenzo  D.,  died  at  Memphis,  November  in, 
1S63. 

Harrington,  George  W.,  died   at  Montgomery,  Ala- 
bama, February  5,  iS6i^. 

Hemphill,  James,  died  at  Atlanta,  November  10,  1863, 
prisoner  of  war. 

Hudson.  Philo  D.,  killed  at  Franklin, Tennessee,  No- 
vember 30,  1864. 

Hudson,  George,  died  at  Chattanooga,  June  10,  1864, 
of  wounds. 

Hudson,  Iven  D  ,  died   at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  No- 
vember 28,  1862. 

Herley,  James  P.,  died   at  Nashville,   December    3, 
1862. 

Heredith,  William,  died  at    Memphis,   September   iq, 
1S63. 

Henson,  William,  died  at   Berlin,   Illinois,  September 
17,  1S63. 

Hadley,  John  H.,    died  at  Ruft's   Mills,  Georgia,  Julv 
4,  1S64. 

Henderson,  Granderson,  died  at  Jackson.  Tennessee, 
March  8,  1863. 

Headrick,    Munson,  died   at   Vicksburg,  October   12, 
186:5. 

Hull,    Henry   H.,  died   at   Knoxville,  Tennessee,  De- 
cember 19,  1863. 

Hurd,  John,  died   at   Duckport,  Louisiana,  June   17, 
1S63. 

Hawker,  David   Cor.,  died   at  Vicksburg,  November 
24. 1S63. 

Houston,  John  A,  died   at    Springfield,  Illinois,  May 
22,  1S63. 

Hendrick,  John    R.,  died    at    Camp   Butler,   Illinois, 
March  14,  1864. 

Hickin,  William   H,,  died   at   Memphis,  Januarv  20, 
1863. 

Henline.  William   O.,  died   at   Nashville,   Tennessee, 
April  26, 1862. 

Harris,   George    W.,   died   at   Rock   Island,    Illinois. 
August  26,  1S64. 

Heaton,  Hill,  died  of  wounds  received  at   Lexington, 
Missouri,  September  iS,  1861. 

Hurd,  Stephen,  died  at  Memphis,  September  12,1862. 
Ham,  William  P.,  died  May  11,  1S62. 
Harvey,  James,  died   at  Arkansas   Post,  January  ii, 
1863. 

Holt,  George  8.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Octo- 
ber 27,  1864. 

Hughes,  Levi,  killed  at  Summerville,  T.,  December  26, 
1S63. 

Harrison,  George,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  April 
27,  1S64. 

Headly,  Daniel   S.,  killed   at   Mud  Town,  Arkansas, 
December  30,  1862. 

Henry.  Thomas  F.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May,  1862. 
Hillis",  Alexander,   died   at  Memphis,   September   14, 
1S63. 

Ingles,  Williaiji  V.,  died   at   Springfield,  October   12, 
1862. 

Inglish,  William  F.,died  at  Chickamauga,  eeptember 
20.  1863,  wounds. 

Ice,  Fredrick,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May  8,  1S63. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


419 


Jones,  James,  died  at  Helena,  Arkansas,  October  2, 
1S62. 

Jarnagin,  Spencer   L  ,  died   at   Mound   City,  Illinois, 
December  15,  1S62. 

Johnson,  John  W.,  killed  at   Alatoona  Pass,  October 
4,  1864. 

Johnson,  Giles,  died  at  Fort  Holt,  Kentucky,  January 
29,  1S62. 

Jones,  Moses  A.,  died  at  Memphis,  January  10,  iS(']3. 

lourdan,  William    H.   H.,  died    at   Tenn,   March    iS, 
1S63. 

Johnson,  William,  died  atTuscum  creek,  June  i,  1S63, 
of  wounds. 

James   W.    Dodds,   killed    near    Tupelo,   Mississippi, 
July  15,  1S64. 

Johnson,  Orrin  D., died  at  Memphis, January  iS,  1864. 

[ohnson,  Thomas,  died  at   New  Orleans,  October  30, 
1S63. 

Johnson,  Joseph,  died  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  May, 
1862. 

Kroschel,  Louis,  died   in  Andersonville  prison,  April 
15,  1S64. 

Kelly,   Martin,    Accidentally    killed    on    the   Ohio   & 
Mississippi  railroad,  September  17,  1861. 

Kalb,  William   E.  B.,  killed  at  Guntown,  Mississippi, 
June  10,  1S64. 

Kavanaugli,  Michael,  died    at   Selma,   Alabama,  No- 
vember 1 1,  1864. 

Kearns,   Perry  I.,  died  at   Mobile,  Alabama,  August 
,  10,  1S64,  while  j>risoner  of  war,  of  wounds. 

Kneff,  Benjamin    F.,  died   near  Vicksburg,  August  3, 
1863. 

Kalb,  James  F.,  killed   near   Tupelo,  Mississippi,  July 
15,  1S64. 

Killinger,  Jacob  S.,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

Kohl,  Nicholas,  died  January  iS,  1S63,  of  wounds. 

Kidd,  James  M.,  died   at  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky, 
November  3,  1S62. 

Kilby,  Loyd   M.,  died   at   Lagrange,  Tennessee,  De- 
cember 7,  1862. 

Kalb,  William  A.,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  May  19,  1863. 

Knop,  Josepli   H.,  died   at   Helena,  Arkansas,  August 
10,  1S62. 

Kelly,  Michael,  died   at  Little    Lock,  Arkansas,  De- 
cember 12,   1863. 

Koch,  Bimon,  died   at    Springfield,  Missouri,  June    i, 
1S62. 

Kelley,  Thomas  J  ,   killed   at    Marshville,    Missouri, 
October  22,  1S62 

Lewis,  Charles,  killed  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  April  6, 
1862 

Lane,  William,  died  at  New  Albany,  Indiana,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1864. 

Loyd,  Reuben,  died  at  Ironton,  Missouri,  November 
5,  1861 . 

Lamb,  John,  died  at  Duckport,  Louisiana,  June  28, 
1863 

Lake,  James,  died  at  Mobile,  Alabama,  June  24,  1S64, 
o     wounds. 

Ligtitfoot,  Reuben  H.,  died  January  5,  1863,  wounds. 

Lan  erman,  John    L.,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tennes- 
see, April  3,  iSfi3. 

Lewis,  Paul,  died  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  August  5, 
1S64. 

Lands,   Ezra  B.,  died  at   Duvall's  Bluff,  Arkansas, 

September  S,  1865. 


Landlam,  Leaming,  died  at  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
March  24,  1S65,  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Lytle,  Simon,  died  in  rebel  prison  at  Florence,  South 
Carolina,  February  7    1S65. 

Lawrence,  Henry  F.,  dird  at  Memphis,  May  10,  1S64. 
Lanheni,  George  W  ,  died  June  27,  1863    of  wound< 
Lottis,  John,  died  at  Memphi-,  February  21,  1863. 
Little,  Joseph  A.,  died  at  Helena,  Arkansas,  October 
12,  1S62. 

Lockridge,  Robert  A.,  died  at  Marshfield,  Missouri, 
November  iS,  1862. 

Lowin,    Benjamin,  died   at  Glasgow,   Iowa,  July   5, 
1SG2. 
Lewis.  James,  died  at  St.  Louis,  December  29,  1S62. 
Mason,  Henry,  died  at  Chickasaw  Springs,  June  7, 
1S63. 

Mclntyre,  Charles  E.,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois. 
MrCoy,  Samuel,  died  at  Annapolis,  Maryland,  April 
2,  1864. 

McManus,    Michael,     died    at     Springfield,    Illinois, 
April  8,  1864. 

McCormick,  John,  drowned  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
March  12,  1863^ 

Mrntemeyer,  Charles  F.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkan- 
sas, September  13,  1S63,  of  wounds. 

Myr-,  Charles  J.,  killed  at   Altoona  Pass,   Georgia, 
Ocob''r  5,  1864. 

Morgan,   Byron    E.,    died   at    Louisville,    Kentucky 
April  22,  1862. 

McGraw,  James,  killed  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  Sep- 
tember 12,   1S62. 

Mclnarny,    Patrick,  died  January     1st,    1863,    from 
wounds. 

Maxwell,  Abner  Y.,died  at  Berlin,  Illinois,  Decem- 
ber 26,  1863. 

McGhee,  George,  died  at  Jackson,  Tennessee,  Octo- 
ber 23,  1862. 

Murdock    Albert,  killed  near  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July 
22,  1864. 

Miller,  William,  died  at  Vicksburg,  March  14,  1S64. 
Maag,  Charles  W.,  killed  at  Vicksburg  May  22,  1863. 
McDonald,  James,    died   at  Pilot    Knob,    Missouri, 
January  4,  1863. 

McCasland,  Thomas,  killed  at  Stone  River,  Decem- 
ber ^i,  1862. 

Mulqueen,  Patrick,  died  at  Nashville,  November  15, 
1S63,  of  wounds. 

McP'erson,  John,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

Misner,    Christopher,   d'ed   at  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
December  2,   1S62. 

McCormack,    William  H.,   died  at  Nashville,  Ten- 
ncsee,  August  5,  1864. 

Mantle,  Charles  B.,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December 
31.  1S62. 

McComas,  Elisha  T.,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  January 
6,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Mills,    James,  died  at   Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Matthew,  Alexander,   killed   at  Mission  Ridge,  No- 
vember 21;.  1S63 

Malcomb,  Joseph,   died    at    New  Orleans,   March  i, 
1864 

Moore.  John,  died  at   Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  Novem- 
ber 6,  1S64 

Morris,   Edwin,  died  at    Berlin.   Illinois,    October  8, 
1(^63. 


4:^0 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


McDaniels,   James,    died    at    Little  Rock,   Arkansas, 
October  iS,  1863. 

McClure,   Hiram,   died    at    Kenton,  Tennessee,  No- 
vember 2S,   1S62, 

Miller,  George    \V  ,   died    at    Camp    Butler,  Illinois. 
February  6,  1865. 

Murray,  Jesse   C,    died  at  Memphis,  December  23, 
1S63 

Morgan,  George  W.,  died  Eastpoi-t,  Mississippi,  Jan- 
uary 21,  iS5s 

Mathews,  John   P  ,  died  in   Sangamon  county,  Illi 
nois,  November  30,  1S63. 

Morton.  Frank   A.,  died   a'  Carlinville    Illinois,  Oc- 
tober 16   1S62. 

Milton,   Woodrutr,    killed    at    Guntown,    Mississippi. 
June  10,  1S64. 

Moore,    lames   L.,   killed    at    Guntown,    Mississippi, 
June  iS,  1864. 

McC  eese.  Henry,    died   at  Springfield,  Illinois,  Oc- 
tober 12,  1S62. 

MrCaWey,  Geo'ge,  k'lled  at  Fort  Blakely,  Alabama, 
April  5.  1S65. 

Manning,  Matthe^',  killed  at  Spanish  Fort.  Alabama, 
April  6.  1S63. 

.Miller,  Alfred,  died  at  Memphis, Tennessee. 

Mengal,  Levi  B.,  died  at  Le  Providence,  Louisiana, 
April  12,  1S62. 

McKean,    Zadock,    died    at    Baton  Rouge,  April   15, 
1S6;,  -  f  wounds. 

Miller,  William  H.,  died  at  Rock  Island,  August  2S, 
1S64 

>Ia'one,  Francis  M,,  died  at  Li'tle  Rock,  Arkansas, 
September  15,  1S63. 

Malone   Joshua,  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Missouri, 
March  28,  1S62. 

Myers   John  A  .  died  at  Benton  Barracks,  Missouri, 
April  t  f,  1862. 

Mathews    N'^rman  C  ,  died  Rochester,  lUinoi.s,  Jan- 
uarv  13.  1S64. 

McGinnis,  Samuel,  died  at  Camp  Butler.  Illinois,  Jan- 
uary 27,  1864. 

Nicho's.  David,  died  near  Corinth,  Mississippi,  June 
2,  1S62. 

Nutt.  John,  died  June  3,  1S63.  of  wounds. 

Napper,    Wren,    died    near    V'icksburg,    October    2, 
1S62. 

Nicholson.  George  R.,  died  at  Pine  Bluft",  Arkfinsas, 
November  22,  1864. 

Nelson.   Samuel    died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  Sep- 
tember 5.    1S64. 

Newhart     Lawrence,   died  at    Franklin,    Tennessee, 
March  30.  1S63, 

Niman,  John    D.,  died  at  Ea-tport,  Mississippi,  May 
13.  1865. 

Newberry.  Leonidas,   died    at  Eas'port,  Mississippi, 
April  19.  1865. 

Obiella,  John,  died  in   Anderst  nville  prison.  June  24. 
1S64. 

Obsten,  Frank,  dieH   in    Andersonvil'e  prison,  June 
15,  1S64. 

O'Biien.  James,  died  at  Little  Rc<:k,  Arkansas,  No- 
vember ."^,  1863. 

O'Brian,  Daniel,  died  Chattanroga,  October  i.  1S62. 

Owen,    Napoleon,    died  at   Farmineton,  Mississippi, 
July  12,  1S62. 

Owens.   Ilenrv  C,  killed  before  Atlanta.  August  6. 
1S64. 


O'Neill,  James,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  -zi 
1S62. 

Orr.  William  H,  died  at  Memphis,  Tenne.^^^ee,  De- 
cember 25,  1863. 

Osborn,  John,  died  at  Fort  Henry,  March  $,  1S62. 

Phillips,  or  Phelps,  D..  killed  in  action  near  Tunnel 
Hill,  Georgia,  May  12,  li)64. 

Pettibone,  Elias,  died   at  Richmond,  Virginia.  March 

13,  1864,  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Phillips,  William  H.  S.,  Corporal,  died  in  Anderson- 
ville  prison,  April  10,  1S64. 

Pitman,  James  G.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
February  20,  1865. 

Porter.  Ole,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson. 

Picott,  Edmund,  killed  at  Mifflin,  Tennessee.  October 
1,1865. 

Pitts,  Francis  G.,  died  at  Monterey,  Tennessee.    June 

14,  1S62. 

Prestof,  William,  died  January  12,  1863. 
Peddicord,  Barney,  killed  at  Liberty  Gap,  Tennet-see, 
June  26.  1863. 

Parker,  John  L.,   killed   at   Fort  Donelson,  February 

15,  1863. 

Pierson,  Silas  C,  died  at  Danville,  Virginia,  Febru- 
ary 27,  1863. 

Price,  James  L.,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  51. 
1862. 

Patten,  Samuel,  died  at   Memphis.  February  2^,  1S64. 

Parker,  Charles  L.,  First  Sergeant,  died  in  rebel 
prison  at  Cahawba,  Alabama,  March  4,  1S65. 

Parks,  Henry,  died  at  Chickasaw  Bluft",  May  28,  1S63. 

Pernell,  Edward,  died  at  home,  November  13,  1863 

Penny,  William  H.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison, 
February  26,  1865. 

Pointer,  William  A.,  died  at  Memphis,  April  17, 
1864. 

Proctor,  Benjamin  K.,  died  at  home,  Jul v  31,  1864. 

Palmer,  James  R., killed  at  Lexington,  Missouri,  Sep- 
tember 20.  1 86 1. 

Plum,  William  B.,  died  at  Tullahoma,  Tennessee, 
March  10.  1865. 

Potter,  Thomas  G..  died  October  23,  1862. 

Rezeppa,  John^  died  in  Georgia,  about  July,  1S64. 

Runyon,  Gilbert,  died  at  Jetterson  Barracks.  March 
22    1862. 

Robinson,  James,  returned  prisoner,  died  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  April  10,  1865. 

Rudd,  Thaddeus,  died  in  Andersonville  prison.  June 
10,  1864. 

Riggand,  Nathaniel  D.^  killed  at  Springfield,  .April 
25,  1864. 

Ross,  Joshua  B.,  died  March  16,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Ruby,  John,  killed  a'  Stone  River,  December  31,  iS62> 

Rinker,  John,  died  at  Vicksburg,  September  13,  1863. 

Ross,  John  W.,  died  at  Vicksburg,  May  29,  1863,  of 
wounds. 

Rhodes,  William,  died   at  Memphis,  March  19,  1S63. 

Robbins,  Samuel  C,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March 
30,  1863 

Robinson,  Benjamin  C,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
January  6.  1863. 

Rude  Alexander  R.,  died  at  Memphis,  August  8,  1863. 

Raematt,  William,  died  at  Memphis,  November  15, 
1862. 

Randall,  Gfeorge  W.,  killed  near  Tupelo.  Miss.  July 
15,  iSt>4. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


421 


Rutenberg,  Frederick,  died  at  Memphis,  January  20, 
1863. 

Ranee,  Henry  J.,  killed  at  Vickfeburg,  May  22,  1S63. 

Ross,  Lyman,  died  at  Memphis,  March  5,  1864,  of 
wounds. 

Reis,  Peter,  died  in  Rebel  prison. 

Roberts,  Erastus,  died  at  Auburn,  III.,  December  1, 
1S63. 

Robertson,  John  H.,  killed  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
September  10,  1863. 

Schwpikardt,  Frederick,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee, 
Julv  S,  1S64,  of  wounds. 

See,   James,  died  at  Point  of  Rocks,  Virginia,  March 

3,  1865- 

Saunders,  Richard,  or  David,  died  at  Fort  Donelson, 

May  4,  1S64. 

Squires,  Thomas  B  ,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
Novembei"  16,  1865. 

Smith,  William,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  August 
3.  1S64. 

Smith,  Martin,  died  at  Fort  Henry,  Tennessee,  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1862. 

Schweirtz,  Frederick,  killed   at  Shiloh,  April  7,  1S62. 

Strenz,  Stephen,  died  at  Cnattanooga   October  i,  1S62. 

Segen,  Adolph,  died  Septembers,  1S63. 

Simpson  ,  Jackson  B.,  died  at  Farmington,  Mississippi, 
May  19,  1S62. 

Scott,  David  R.,  died  at  Island  Grove,  Illinois,  May 
iS,  1S62. 

Smith,  William,  died  at  Farmington,  Mississippi, 
May   15,  1S62. 

Shetters,  Martin  V.,  died  August3,  1864,  of  wounds 

Swink.  William  H.,  died  at  Vicksburg,  September 
6,  1S63. 

Smith,    Julius  B.,  died  January  5,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Shick,  Amos  W.,  died  at  Duckport,  Louisiana,  April 
22,  1S63. 

Stephens,  John  H.,  died  in  the  i-ear  of  Vicksburg, 
May  20,  1S65. 

Sinclair,  John,  died  near  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee, 
February  20,  1863. 

Scmidt,  Frederick  G.,  killed  at  Guntown,  June  10, 
1S63. 

Samuel,  H.  Moses,  died  at  Young's  Point,  Aoril  14, 
1S63. 

Smith.  William   O.,  died   at   home,  October  15,  1862. 

Sampson,  John  W.,  died  at  Florence  .South  Carolina, 
Febiuary  15,  IS65,  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Sebrinev,  Peter,  died  at  Duckport,  Louisiana,  May  i, 
1S63. 

Seves,  Benj.  F.,  died  February  26,  1S65,  of  wounds 

Simpson,  William,  died  at  J.ackson,  Tennessee,  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1S63. 

Smith.  Patrick,  died  in  Andersor.ville  prison,  Octo- 
ber  iv  1S64. 

Slianks,  Samuel,  died  at  Oak  Ridge,  Mississippi,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1863. 

Sliriver,  Josiah,  killed  near  Tepulo,  Mississippi,  July 
13.  1S64. 

Spencer,  Daniel,  killed  at  Guntown,  Mississippi,  June 
12.  1S64. 

Simmons,  Levi,  died  at  St.  Louis,  June  4,  1S63. 

Snodi;rass,  Ambrose,  died  at  Annapolis,  Maryland, 
December  2,  18(34.  while  a  paroled  prisoner  of  war. 

Scroggin,  Jefterson  T.,  killed  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
December  16,  1864 


Strode,  James  B.,  killed  at  Clncnmniiga.  SejiU-mber 
20.  1S63. 

Sell,  L.  D,,  died  on  the  steamer  Crescent  City,  July 
9,  1S63. 

Southwick,  Adam,  died  at  Rolla,  Missouri,  May  6, 
1862 

Sullivan,  Timothy,  died  on   hospital   boat,  September 

2,  1S62. 

Spaulding,  John,  died  near  Old  Town  Landing,  Ar- 
kansas, August  15,  1862. 

Seaman,  George,  died  at  St.  Louis,  November  4.  1S62. 

Sharper,  Isaac  B.,  died  June  5,  1S62. 

Simniington,  John  S.,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas. 
October  9    1S63,  of  wounds. 

Swim.  John,  died  at  Quincy,  May  15,  1865. 

Tribble,  Allen  B.,  died  at  St.  Louis,  November  25, 
1S62. 

Townbridge,  Louis  A.,  Corporal,  died  at  Anderson- 
ville prison,  April  6.  1S64. 

Thorn,  fohn  L.,  killed  at  Jonesville,  Virginia,  January 

3,  1864. 

Tober,  Joseph,  died  in  Tennessee,  December  31, 1864. 
Titus,  Alfred,  died   at  HuntsvlUe,   Alabama,    August 

Thompson,  Andrew  J.,  died  at  Benton  Barracks, 
March,  1S62. 

Tabor,  Delonna  B.,  drowned  at  Paducah,  Kentucky. 
October  3,  1S61. 

Tipton,  Isaac  H.,  died  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  April 
2,  i.%2. 

Tatl',  James  W.,  died  at  Ironton,  Missouri,  October 
30.  2861. 

Tobin,  Patrick,  died  January  17,  1S63,  of  wounds. 

Tavlor,  Alvin,  died  in  Louisana,  April  17,  1S64. 

Thomas,  C.  Perry,  died  in  Rebel  prison  at  Richmond, 
Virginia,  January  21,  1864. 

Tyas,  Goorge,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1862. 

Turpin,  William  A.,  died  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
December  26,  1862. 

Thorp,  Eleven  C,  died  at  Resaca,  March  14,  1864,  of 
wounds. 

Thornton,  William  L.,  died  at  Holly  Springs,  Missis- 
sippi, December  10,  1862. 

Tufts,  Charles  C.J  died  at  Vicksburg,  November  3, 
1863 

Tuttle,  Sylvanus,  Corporal,  killed  at  Vicksburff,  May 
19,  1863. 

Trev,  John  F.,  died  at  Mound  City,  Illinois  August 
1 1 ,  1 863 . 

Tosh,  David  M.,  died  at  Jackson,  Tennessee,  March 
16.  1S63. 

Trappe,  or  Taafe,  John,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkan- 
sas, May  5,  1865. 

Trotter,  William,  died  at  Memphis,  March    17,   1S63. 

Ungles,  Squire,  died  at  Mound  City,  November  i, 
iSf)i. 

Valentine,  Silas,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  Jan- 
uary 23,  1864. 

Venters,  John  H.,  died  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  Mav 
21,  1865. 

Vaughn,  Tsaac,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  Octo- 
ber 25,  1862. 

VanBrunt,  fohn,  died  November  27,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Vinson,  Elias  D.,  died  at  Mound  City,  April  20, 
1S63. 


42-2 


HISTORV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Vaughn,  Crawford,  died  at  Mound  City,  January  i^, 
1S62. 

Vermillion,  Charles  W.,  died  at  Nashville,  October 
15,  1S64. 

Vere,  Toney,  died  at  St.  Louis,  March  11,  1864. 

Vrooman,  Adam  E,  died  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri, 
Se,)tember.  1S61. 

Vigal,  John  F.,  killed    while   in   action,  July  15,  1S64. 

Vierbona,  John,  died  May  12,  1863,  of  wounds. 

Vira,  John,  died  at  St.  Louis.  October  5,  1863. 

Wright,  William  J.,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois, 
January  22,  1S64. 

Wilson,  Cyrus  A.,  died  at  New  Orleans,  August  12, 
1864. 

Wall,  Johnson  C,  died  at  Little  Rock,  Arkansas, 
April  24,   1S65. 

Weiss,  Otto,  Corporal,  died  in  Andersonville  prison, 
August  3,  1865. 

Weaver,  David,  died  in  Andersonville  prison,  Aug- 
ust 5,  1S64. 

Watts,  William  W.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison 
July  16,  1S64. 

Walsh,  Thomas  C.  died    April    10,  1S63,  of  wounds 

Williams,  Reuben  C,  died  at  Farmington.Mississippi, 
May  15,  1862. 

Woolman,  Elwood,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December 
31,  1862. 

Wise,  John  T.,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December  31, 
1862. 

Workman,  Samuel  M.,  died  at  Cairo,  February  10, 
1S62. 

Weldo.i,  Henry  C,  killed  at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July 
22,  1S64. 

Wackley,  George,  died  at  Vicksburg,  May  27,  1S63, 
of  wounds. 

Wcstbrook,  Barnet,  died  at  Memphis,  March  i:;, 
1865. 

Williams,  Joseph,  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June 
27,  1864. 

Weir,  James  O.,  died  at  Chaltarocga,  Cctcl:er7,  1S63 
of  wounds, 

Wells,  William,  killed  at  Resaca.  Georgia,  May  13. 
1864. 

\Vilcox,  John  F. ,  died  at  Brownsville,  Arkansas,  Au- 
gust 20,  IS64. 

Wood,  Isaac,  died  at  Memphis,  June  10,  1S64. 

Weber,  John  II.,  accidentally  shot  August  11,  1864, 
at  Bayou  Metre,  Arkansas 

Wilderfelt,  Theodore  L.,  died  at  Memphis,  Noveniber 
30,  1863. 

Willis^   William  T.,  died  June  10,  1864,  of  wounds. 

Wilson,  John  W.,  died  at  home,  October  14,  1862. 

Wills,  Nathan,  died  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
November  14, 1362. 

Willis,  John  M.,  died  at  Duckport,  Louisiana,  March 

5.  i8f'3- 

Welsh.  Josiah,  died  at  Mobile,  Alabama,  August  10, 
1864,  of  wounds. 

Workman,  John  W.,  died  at  Memphis,  January  ^, 
1863. 

Woodson,  Samuel,  died  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  January 
20,  i86j. 

Ward.  William,  died   at   St.  Louis,  October  27,  1S63. 

Williams,  Reason,  died  at  Port  Hudson,  Louisana 
April  25,  1S63. 

Wise,  (harlcs,  killed 'near  Jackson.  Mississippi,  July 

6,  1864. 


Wills,  James  D.,  died  at  Springfield,  Missouri,  June 
22,  1862. 

Wilkins,  Andrew  T.,  died  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1864. 

Williams,  Samuel,  died  at  Brownsville,  Arkansas 
September  7,  1863. 

Young.  Ly Sander  B.,  died  at  Young's  Point,  Louis- 
iana, June  25,  1863. 

Yates,  Simeon,  died  at  RoUa,  Missouri,  February  8, 
1862. 

Yonger,  Josiah,  killed  at  Vicksburg,  July  2,  1863. 

Yocum.  Jesse  J.,  died  at  Memphis,  March  11,  1864. 

TRAN.SFER  OF  THE  BATTLE  FLAGS. 

When  the  boys  came  marching  home  they 
brought  with  them  their  war-worn  battle  flags, 
and  deposited  them  in  the  State  Arsenal.  When 
ilie  new  State  House  was  built,  a  room  was  pre- 
))ared  as  a  memorial  hall,  in  which  were  to  be 
deposited  the  flags  and  such  trophies  that  were 
captured  or  collected  during  the  war. 

A  grand  re-union  of  the  boys  in  blue  was 
made  the  occasion  for  the  transfer  of  the  flags 
and  trophies.  Grand  preparations  were  made 
and  a  programme  of  ceremonies  was  arranged, 
and  Thursday,  May  23,  1878,  was  appointed  the 
day  in  which  the  transfer  -would  be  made. 
Thousands  of  boys  in  blue  and  citizens  were 
upon  the  street  at  an  early  hour.  The  Illinois 
National  Guards  and  the  Veterans  were  formed 
in  line.  Shortly  after  noon  the  column  moved, 
headed  by  the  Marshal-in-(Jhief,  Major  General 
John  A.  McClernand,  and  his  aides.  Then 
came  the  Second  Brigade  I.  N.  G.,  as  escort, 
with  Brigadier  General  Reece  and  his  staff;  the 
brigade  being  composed  of  the  Fifth  Regiment, 
Colonel  J.  H.  Barkley,  commanding,  and  com- 
panies above  noted  of  other  regiments,  and  a 
section  of  Captain  Mack's  Battery,  another  sec- 
tion being  engaged  firing  a  National  salute. 

The  Second  Division,  General  John  McCon- 
nel,  Marshal,  was  composed  of  representatives 
of  the  First  to  the  Seventeenth  Cavalry,  and 
presented  a  fine  appearance.  Besides  the  di- 
vision commander  and  staff,  there  were  sixty- 
four  cavalrymen  in  line. 

The  Third  Division  (artillery)  was  commanded 
by  General  Thomas  S.  Mather,  who,  with  his 
aides  and  command,  marched  in  line.  They 
were  representatives  of  the  First  and  Second 
Regiments,  Vaughn's,  Henshaw's,  the  Mercan- 
tile, and  the  Board  of  Trade  Batteries  and  the 
Artillery  Brigade.  Following  came  the  surviv- 
ing members  of  Governor  Yates'  War  Adminis- 
tration and  the  orators  of  the  day,  in  carriages. 
After  the  Fifth  Regiment  band,  came  the  First 
and  largest  division,  commanded  by  Major  Gen- 
eral   John   M.    Palmer,   with    General    Richard 


^=^^^-^6^ 

^^. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAAtON  COUNTY. 


425 


Kowelt  ;iiul  other  prominent  military  officers  as 
aides. 

The  Infantry  division  included  niinierous  rep- 
resentatives trniu  every  Illinois  regiment,  ex- 
cept the  C^ne  Ihuidred  and  Third.  The  men 
marched  with  tlie  old  time  military  "swins;." 
In  the  line,  and  noticeable,  was  a  one-legged 
veteran,  John  T.  Sergeant  of  the  Thirty-second, 
whose  other  leg  was  left  on  the  battle  field  at 
Shiloh.  Ho,  with  a  cripple  in  the  Artillery 
Division,  attracted  more  than  ordinary  attention 
on  the  line  of  march.  The  infantry,  exclusive 
of  division  and  staff  officers,  numbered  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-four  men,  and  there  were 
also  in  line  thirty-two  veterans  of  the  Twenty- 
ninth  United  States  Infantry,  colored. 

Colonel  Dudley  Wickersham  commanded  the 
next  division,  which  was  cimposed  of  eighteen 
veterans  of  the  Mexican  war,  twenty-seven  of 
the  Black  Hawk  and  Winnebago  wars,  and 
twenty-seven  veterans  of  other  States,  among 
the  number  a  Massachusetts  officer,  who  had 
served  on  General  Benjamin   F.  Butler's  staff. 

The  cohmin  moved  according  to  the  order  of 
march  previously  announced.  Along  the  line 
there  was  waving  of  handkerchiefs  from  the 
windows  of  private  residences,  and  every  dem- 
onstration of  pleasure  in  the  presence  of  the 
veterans.  In  passing  Ex-Mayor  Jayne's  resi 
dence,  where  a  handsome  portrait  of  Governor 
Yates  was  conspicuously  displayed  and  decorated, 
there  were  cheers  all  along  the  line.  The  pro- 
cession then  moved  south  and  baited  at  the 
State  Arsenal,  where  the  old  battle  flags  were 
delivered  to  the  veterans,  and  many  of  them 
receiving  the  colors,  were  those  who  had  borne 
them  amid  the  carnage  of  battle. 

While  the  flags  were  being  delivered,  the 
bauds  played  the  Star  Spangled  Banner  and 
other  national  airs,  and  there  was  much  enthus- 
iasm, which  a  heavy  rain  shower  that  suddenly 
set  in  did  not  dampen.  From  the  Arsenal,  the 
procession  moved  south  on  Fifth  street,  and 
turning  to  Eighth,  the  old  Lincoln  home  was 
passed,  amid  cheers  all  along  the  line.  Turn- 
ing west  again,  the  column  passed  througli  the 
Executive  Mansion  grounds.  Governor  Culloni 
and  his  staff  reviewing  the  same  from  the 
steps.  The  procession  then  moved  direct  to  the 
State  House.  The  Artillery  Division  had  re- 
ceived a  recruit  by  the  way,  in  the  person  of 
Master  Tingley  W^ood,  Jr.,  who  wore  a  small, 
but  regulation,  heavy  artillery  uniform. 

Upon  arrival  at  the  Capitol,  when  the  Gov- 
ernor and  staff,  with  General  A.  C.  Ducat  and 
staff,  revifiwed  the  troops,  from  the  east  corri- 

49— 


dor  steps,  the  veterans  formed  en  masse, 
'■bunching  colors,"  in  front  of  tiie  principal 
entrance,  and  were  surrounded  by  the  Illinois 
National  Guard.  The  colors  being  massed, 
CMiief  JMarshal  McCleriiand  made  his  report  to 
the  Governor,  in  the  following  eloquent  re- 
marks ; 

'•  Govkr;noi{; — As  Marshal  of  the  day,  I  have 
the  honor  to  report  to  your  Excellency  that, 
agreeable  to  arrangement,  I  have  brought  the 
treasured  flags  and  trophies,  lately  lodged  in 
the  ])ublic  arsenal,  to  this  place.  It  remains  for 
the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  formally  and 
officially,  to  present  them  to  your  Excellency, 
for  such  order  for  their  final  disposition  as  your 
Excellency  may  he  pleased  to  make.  This  said, 
I  may  be  permitted  to  add  that,  in  the  part  as- 
signed to  me  on  this  occasion,  I  have  had  the 
hearty  co-operation  of  a  body  of  the  veterans  of 
the  several  wars,  and  of  a  portion  of  the  organ- 
ized militia,  who  attend  the  veterans  as  an 
honorary  escort.  Honor  to  both  !  While  the 
militia,  by  their  soldierly  bearing,  attest  the 
signal  zeal  applied  by  your  Excellency  to  foster 
the  martial  spirit  of  Illinoisans,  the  veterans,  on 
their  part,  afford  an  expressive  memorial  of  duty. 
victoriously  performed  in  the  times  that  tiled 
men's  souls.  It  is  true,  some  of  them  are 
maimed  of  an  arm,  or  a  leg,  or  an  eye;  that 
some  of  them  are  wrinkled  by  age  and  the  wear 
and  tear  of  long  and  arduous  campaigns,  yet 
they  are  here  once  more,  to  lift  their  loving  and 
moistened  eyes  upon  the  tattered  ensigns  which 
they  undauntedly  upheld  amid  the  fire  and 
thunder  of  siege  and  battle.  Alas !  many  of 
their  former  comrades  are  absent.  Where  are 
they  V  Silence  answers  :  they  are  dead  !  Let 
us  pause  to  dwell  for  a  moment  upon  the  mem- 
ories of  at  least  a  few  of  these.  Foremost  of 
this  revered  list  is  Abraham  Lincoln,  variously 
the  poor  and  friendless  boy,  the  genial  com|)au- 
ion,  the  able  lawyer  and  dialectician,  the  wary 
statesman,  the  patriotic  President,  the  honored 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of 
the  LTnited  States.  Jackson,  "the  military," 
one  of  his  predecessors,  had  aforetime  sup- 
pressed the  seed  of  disunion,  taking  the  spe- 
cious form  of  nullification,  by  the  threat  of  de- 
fiance; but,  in  later  and  more  disorderly  times, 
something  more  was  required  to  cut  off  this 
second  growth.  Lincoln,  the  man  of  peace  and 
gentleness,  was  equal,  nay,  superior  to  the 
emergency.  With  one  hand  he  scattered  the 
sivarming  assailants  of  the  Union;  with  the 
other,  he  raised  up  an  enslaved  race  to  freedom 
aud  e(iiiality  before  the  law.     Thus,  at  the  same 


42() 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUXTY. 


time  performing  a  double  act  of  salvation, 
national  and  individual,  unsurpassed  in  the 
annals  of  man.  His  sentiments  were  in  accord 
with  his  deeds.  He  taught  the  doctrine  of  the 
broadest  democracy  :  that  ours  was  '  a  govern- 
ment of  the  people,  by  the  people,  for  the 
people.' 

"He  exemplified  the  broadest  precepts  of 
humanity,  '  Charity  for  all:  malice  toward  none.' 
His  tragic  martyrdom  struck  the  Nation  dumb, 
while  it  completed  the  pathos  of  his  life 
and  character.  Illustrious  man!  his  name  will 
ring  through  the  coming  ages  as  one  of  the 
noblest  of  liberators  and  benefactors. 

"Another  of  the  worthy  dead  is  Richard  Yates, 
a  remarkable  man.  To  portray  his  character  is 
a  difKcnlt,  if  not  an  impossible  task.  It  was  a 
mosaic;  its  shades  set  out  its  brighter  hues  in 
striking  and  lustrous  relief.  He  was  a  man  to 
be  judged  by  his  own  standard.  He  was 
chivalrous  and  honorable;  impulsive  and  gener- 
ous; ardent  and  imaginative,  ambitious  and 
patriotic.  Viewing  everything  from  an  eleva- 
tion, he  clothed  it  with  the  classic  beauty  of  his 
own  ideals.  His  eloquence  was  as  the  harp  in- 
laid with  gems,  and  strung  with  strands  of  gold 
to  the  softest  or  wildest  melody.  At  times  it 
swayed  the  Senate;  at  times  it  stirred  or  stilled 
the  wondering  multitude.  Executive  vigor  and 
determination  won  for  him  the  title  of  the 
great  War  Governor  of  Illinois.  His  virtues 
noticed,  his  iniirraaties  are  not  denied.  He  had 
his  faults,  but  they  were  the  excess  and  reaction 
of  an  excitable  and  impressionable  nature;  of  a 
preternaiural  exultation  and  perturbation  of 
mind  and  sense,  born  of  a  stormy  period  of  con- 
flicting ideas,  sentiments  and  opinions.  It  was 
of  him  like  ilie  great  bard  of  Avon  sung,  'A 
rarer  spirit  never  did  steer  humanity;  but  you 
Gods,  you  will  give  us  faults  to  make  us 
mortals.' 

"  Wallace,  Ransom,  Raith,  Mudd,  Schwartz 
and  a  host  of  others  are  also  dead.  Braver  and 
truer  men  never  lived.  Not  a  few  of  us  here 
have  seen  them  kindled  with  the  intoxicating 
transport  of  the  conflict;  have  seen  them  mount 
the  deadly  breach,  deliver  and  resist  the  head- 
long onset  and  conquer,  w-hen  all  was  upon  the 
hazzard.  No  more  shall  we  receive  and  return 
soldierly  congratulations.  No  more  shall  we 
hear  them,  with  laughing  jest,  recount  their  des- 
perate encounters  and  hairbreadth  escapes.  No 
more  lihall  we  see  them,  until  we  have  passed 
that  bourne  from  which  no  traveler  returns. 
Our  tears  bedew  their  graves,  which  are  strewn 
with  the  garlands  of  our  afflictions.   The  triumph 


of  their  country  shall  be  indistinct  yet  eloquent 
memorials  to  future  generations.  War  over,  let 
the  bitterness  which  engendered  it  pass  away 
forever.  Peace  returned,  let  all  our  paths  be 
now  the  paths  of  peace.  Let  all  our  councils, 
North  and  South,  East  and  West,  everywhere 
through  our  broad  land,  which  extends  from 
ocean  to  ocean,  be  the  counsels  of  accord,  fra- 
ternity and  unity." 

Adjutant  General  Hilliard  followed  briefly  in 
formal  presentation  of  the  flags,  and  the  Gov- 
ernor responded  with  the  following  address,  be- 
ing frequently  interrupted  by  applause: 

"  General  and  Soldiers  of  Illinois  and  of  the 
Union:  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  address 
you  for  a  few  minutes  on  this  interesting  occa- 
sion. I  have  not  words  to  express  to  you  the 
feelings  of  my  heart  as  I  stand  before  you.  As 
you  have  said  you  are  here  in  response  to  orders 
and  invitations,  bringing  with  you  those  price- 
less battle  flags,  which  you  have  carried  before 
on  many  a  bloody  battle  Held,  and  clung  to  in 
victory  and  defeat. 

"I  recognize  among  you  men  who,  as  soldiers, 
served  the  country  in  the  early  history  of  our 
State,  in  the  Klack  Hawk  war,  clearing  the  way 
in  this  garden  region  of  the  West  for  the  civil- 
ization which  followed,  and  which  we  now  enjoy. 
The  colors  you  carried  there  have  decayed  and 
gone.  I  see  before  me  soldiers  who  were  in  the 
Mexican  war.  who  volunteered  to  defend  our 
National  honor.  Your  flags  and  banners,  too, 
are  gone.  The  numbers  of  patriotic  men  who 
served  the  country  in  the  wars  with  the  Indians 
and  with  Mexico,  are  comparatively  few.  Your 
ranks  are  thinned  out  in  the  march  of  time,  and 
in  a  few  more  years  your  patriotic  record  alone 
will  be  left  to  tell  the  story  of  your  devotion  to 
your  country.  It  will  not  be  long  before  the 
men  who  fought  by  the  side  of  Hardin,  Harris, 
Baker,  Bissell,  and  Shields  on  the  field  of  Buena 
Vista,  all  of  whom  were  as  brave  and  patriotic 
men  as  ever  stepped  to  the  music  of  the  Union, 
and  all  but  the  last  of  whom  have  long  since 
rendered  their  account  to  the  great  Ruler  of 
men  and  nations,  and  the  last  of  whom  is  now  a 
living  example  of  courage,  energy,  and  patriot- 
ism, will  pass  away,  and  history  will  take  their 
places,  to  tell  the  generations  to  come  what  they 
did  in  response  to  their  country's  call.  I  see 
before  me  not  a  few,  but  thousands  of  citizen 
soldiers,  who  were  in  the  last  great  war — men 
who  fought  for  the  integrity  of  the  Union 
against  a  causeless  and  wicked  rebellion.  You 
come  here  to-day,  carrying  with  you  your  old 
flags  and   banners.     Your  presence  as   old  sol- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


49'i 


diers  speaks  lomler  and  stronger  to  the  people  of 
the  State  and  Nation  than  words.  \'olurafcs 
would  not  Cdutaiii  all  your  presence  implies 
About  thirteen  years  ago  you  were  returning 
home  alter  years  of  struggle  with  the  enemy. 
The  ranks  of  your  companies  and  regiments  | 
were  depleted.  You  came  back  to  your  State, 
whose  honor  and  glory  you  so  nobly  sustained, 
tired,  worn  out,  and  sick,  yet  with  buoyant 
hearts,  because  j'ou  were  coming  home  to  your 
families  and  friends  with  victory  inscribed  on 
your  banners  and  the  integrity  of  our  grand  old 
Union  established.  You  had  these  old  flags 
with  you  then.  As  now,  they  were  tattered  and 
torn — blood-stained — some  of  them  nearly  shot 
away.  Many  of  them  had  been  presented  to 
you  by  your  wives,  sisters,  and  friends  when  you 
started  to  the  war.  You  brought  them  back, 
and  as  one  regiment  after  another  came  home 
and  was  mustered  out,  you  placed  those  colors 
in  the  old  arsenal  in  charge  of  Adjutant-General 
Haynie,  a  gallant  soldier,  now  gone  to  his  long- 
home,  where  they  have  remained  until  today. 

"The  Constitution  and  laws  of  our  State  re- 
quire that  the  military  recoj-ds,  banners  and 
relics  of  the  State  shall  be  preserved  as  an  en- 
during memorial  of  the  patriotism  and  valor  of 
Illinois.  In  obedience  to  these  provisions,  and 
for  the  safe-keeping  of  the  flags,  the  time  has 
come  for  transferring  them  to  a  safer  place.  You 
now  place  them  where  they  will  remain  and  be 
cared  for,  and  safely  guarded,  aye,  for  genera- 
tions to  come. 

"They,  and  you  who  carried  them  in  the  time 
of  National  peril,  represent  the  life,  the  integ- 
rity of  the  Nation.  The  history  of  our  State 
chronicles  three  struggles  in  which  Illinois  men 
took  part:  The  war  with  the  Indians,  in  1.S12; 
the  Mexican  war,  in  1846-7;  and  the  great  civil 
war,  in  1861-.5,  besides  the  Mormon  and  Winne- 
bago wars.  Nations,  as  a  rule,  do  not  become 
established  on  right  principlesand  great,  without 
struggles  in  which  the  power  of  the  sword  is  in- 
voked. Our  Government  has  not  been  an  e.\- 
ception  to  the  rule.  Its  progress  and  develop- 
ment has  met  with  resistance.  Civilization  never 
makes  progress  without  opposition.  Its  victories 
are  all  won,  and  the  condition  of  the  world  im- 
proved only  by  the  brave  men  pressing  forward 
in  support  of  right  principles,  and  by  hard  flght- 
ing  at  every  step.  Such  men  are  benefactors  of 
the  race.  When  Government  is  assailed  it  must 
be  defended,  or  fall;  and  the  men  who  take  their 
lives  in  their  hands,  and  go  forth  to  defend  their 
country  and  flag,  and,  as  in  the  late  great  war, 
defend  liberty  and  the  Union  and  raise  the  civ- 


ilization of  the  people  to  a  higher  plane,  are 
truly  benefactors  of  the  race,  and  entitled  to  the 
eternal  gratitude  of  their  fellows.  You  represent 
every  struggle  in  which  the  country  has  been 
engaged  since  Illinois  became  a  State.  You  have 
successfully  defended  the  Nation's  life  and 
bono)-.  I  look  upon  these  i)ld  battle  flags  as  you 
carry  them  the  last  time.  They  represent  the 
gli>ry  and  nationality  of  our  country.  The 
American  flag  is  dear  to  every  patriotic  heart  in 
the  land,  but  those  flags  and  banners  are  dearer 
to  you  who  carried  and  followed  them  on  the 
march  and  tteid,  than  to  anyone  else. 

"That  flag  is  respected  everywhere,  on  land 
and  sea.  It  represents  power;  it  represents 
Union  and  Liberty,  and  it  represents  'a 
government  of,  by  and  for  the  people.'  W^hile 
you  are  engaged  in  the  pleasant  duty  of  trans- 
ferrinar  the  flags,  banners  and  relics,  \ou  are 
doubtless  remembered  of  the  time  when  y  u  en- 
listed for  the  war;  you  are  reminded  of  the  old 
rallying  song: 

'We  will  lally  'round  tlie  flag,  boys, 

We  will  niUy  ouce  again, 
Shouting  the  lialtle  ciy  of  Freedom.' 

And  that  other  song: 

'We  are  coming  Father  Abraham, 
Three  hundred  thousand  strong.' 

"You  are  reminded  of  the  battles  in  which  you 
fought;  of  the  gallant  comrades  who  fell  by 
your  side;  of  the  wonderful  escapes  you  made; 
of  the  terrible  sufferings  you  endured  in  hospital 
and  prison,  and  of  the  victories  you  won.  Y.ou 
will  think  over  the  long  list  of  battles,  among 
which  are,  Belmont,  Donelson,  Pittslnirg  Land- 
ing, Vicksburg,  Arkansas  Post,  Pea  Ridge, 
Perryville,  Nashville,  Chickamauga,  Mission 
Ridge,  Lookout  Mountain,  Corinth,  Atlanta,  and 
the  Grand  March  to  the  Sea,  and  the  hundreds 
of  terrible  struggles,  Kast  and  South,  which  I 
cannot  stop  to  enumerate. 

"As  you  hold  those  banners  you  are  reminded 
of  the  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  other 
brave  Illinoisans  who  went  out  with  you,  and  of 
the  long  death-roll  of  gallant  boys  who  never 
returned.  As  you  stand  here  you  think  of  the 
gallant  and  eloquent  War  Governor,  Richard 
Yates,  the  soldiers'  friend,  and  the  members  of 
his  administration,  Dubois,  Butler,  Hatch  and 
Bateman,  two  of  whom,  with  him,  have  passed 
away;  you  do  not  forget  that  other  great  and 
good  man,  the  dearest  son  of  our  noble  State,  a 
martyr  to  the  cause  of  Liberty  and  Union,  who 
was  your  Commander-in-Chief,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, whose  ashes  rest  beneath  a  monument  near 
by,  reared  by  patriotic  people.      I  am  reminded 


428 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


of  those  beautiful  words  uttered  by  him, 
wliicli  cannot  fail  to  touch  the  heart  of  every 
niiiii,  'The  mystic  chords  of  memory  stretching 
fioin  every  battle-field  and  patriot  grave  to 
every  living  heart  and  hearthstone  all  over  this 
broad  land,  will  yet  swell  the  chorus  of  the 
Union  when  again  touched,  as  surely  they  will 
be,  by  the  better  angels  of  our  nature.'  \Vhat 
poetry,  sweetness  and  music  in  these  lines. 

"But  I  must  not  prolong  my  remarks.  Upon 
the  close  of  these  proceedings,  the  curtain 
dro])s,  and  the  last  act  is  ended  of  the  great 
drama  in  which  you  have  taken  so  noble  a  part. 
May  your  services  and  sacrifices  never  be  needed 
again  to  preserve  the  integrity  of  our  Nation. 
A  portion  of  the  Illimiis  National  Guanl,  more 
than  half  of  whom  are  old  soldiers  and  served 
with  you,  have  done  themselves  and  you  the 
honor  of  coming  here  to  serve  as  your  escort, 
while  you  are  performing  this  last  service  to 
your  old  flags  and  banners.  They  are  in  the 
service  of  the  State  and  ready  at  a  moment's 
notice,  over  six  thousand  strong,  to  do  duty  as 
.soldiers,  either  for  the  State  or  Nation,  if  their 
services  shall  be  required  to  maintain  the  public 
peace.  Now,  soldiers,  I  will  detain  you  no 
longer.  I  welcome  yon,  one  and  all,  to  the  Cap- 
ital of  our  State,  and  the  Adjutant  General,  by 
your  aid,  will  place  the  colors  and  trophies  you 
hear  in  the  apartments  designed  for  them,  where 
they  will  be  diligently  cai-ed  for  and  guarded,  I 
trust,  so  long  as  they  shall  endure." 

After  the  speech  of  Governor  Cullom,  Gen- 
eral Palmer  was  called  for,  but  not  immediately 
res|i()nding,  General  C.  E.  Lippincott  was 
calk'(l,  and  was  received  with  much  favor.  He 
isaiii: 

••The  voice  of  these  flags  is  eloquent  beyond 
any  need  or  any  power  of  human  words.  "  We 
will  do  well  simply  to  pause,  in  the  first  still 
hour  that  shall  come  to  us,  and  listen  to  the 
solemn  teaching  of  these  battle  worn  Hags. 
Tliey  are  not  merely  ashen  staves  upon  which 
flaunt  lieavy  silks,  adorned  with  stripes  and  bear- 
ing golden  stars  which  catch  the  eye  when  they 
are  unfurled  to  the  breeze  of  Heaven,  and  by 
their  beauty  waken  the  beholder's  admiration. 
Beautiful  as  is  the  flag  of  our  country  among  all 
tile  banners  of  the  Nations  of  earth,  its  chief 
excellence  is  in  the  noble  history  of  which  it  is 
the  result,  and  the  lofty  ideas  and  principles  of 
which  it  is  the  symbol.  Its  history  may  be  said 
to  have  its  beginning  on  that  day  when  force 
wasfiist  challenged  by  right,  and  to  represent 
the  long  struggle  of  the  people  against  those 
who  for  asres   had  set  themselves  against  '  the 


strong  upward  tendencies  of  the  Godlike  soul  of 
man  ' 

"  It  was  the  beautiful  flower  of  freedom  which 
burst  in  beauty  upon  the  world's  sight  when, 
after  so  many  years  of  slavery,  the  sublime  words 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  rang  out 
from  the  American  Congress  upon  the  world: 
'We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that 
man  was  created  equal  and  endowed  by  the 
Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights,  among 
which  are  life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happi- 
ness.' 

"Coming  into  existence,  as  it  appears,  without 
a  known  designer,  it  made  its  way  by  sheer  force 
of  its  beauty  and  appropriateness,  to  the  hearts 
of  our  struggling  fathers — preferred  everywhere 
to  all  emblems  suggested  by  influence,  and  de- 
vised by  the  trained  taste  of  many  eminent  per- 
sons. It  was  baptized  in  the  blood  by  Wash- 
ington, and  adopted,  almost  in  the  present  form, 
by  the  Congress  of  the  Colonies.  It  became,  at 
last,  when  the  revolution  was  over,  when  the 
weakly  confederation  of  separate  States  had 
given  away  to  the  cohesive  Government  of  the 
United  States,  it  became  one  Nation's  flag  as 
soon  as  our  Nation  was  born.  Co-equal  with 
our  Government  in  its  history,  it  has  been,  and 
is,  let  us  pray  and  believe  it  ever  will  be,  the  flt 
and  perfect  emblem  of  all  the  holy  ideas  which 
are  woven  into  our  Nation's  structure,  and  make 
the  enduring  rock  on  whii'h  it  is  founded.  Such, 
friends  and  comrades,  is  my  idea  of  the  American 
flag.  Such  my  notion  of  its  sacred  history  and 
of  its  holy  symbolic  character.  But  we  are  es- 
pecially here  to-day  to  look  on  these  flags,  to  bear 
them  to  their  resting  place,  and  to  take  into  our 
hearts  the  esj)eciai  lessons  which  they  teach. 

"Oh!  but  it  does  seem  to  me  that  words  are 
idle  and  worse  than  weak.  How,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  these  memorials  of  the  constancy  of 
Illinois  in  the  times  which  tried  tiie  temper  of 
States  and  of  men,  can  anyone  talk  as  it  deserves 
of  that  recent  history 'r*  So  recent  is  it,  that  to 
the  men  and  women  of  my  age,  and  even  those 
much  younger,  it  is  still  a  part  of  our  present 
life,  and  the  pulses  of  our  hearts  beat  in  quick 
response  to  every  mention  and  memoiy  of  the 
great  drama;  not  as  something  of  the  past,  but 
as  if  its  crowded  incidents  were  now  about  ns 
and  before  us  and  with  and  of  us,  making  the 
life  that  we  live,  the  emotions  which  we  feel, 
in  the  very  present  and  actual  now. 

"Again  comes  to  us  the  thrill  of  horror  as  the 
wires  bear  us  word  that  the  flag  is  fired  upon. 
Again  comes  to  us  the  resolve  that  the  holy 
symbol  shall  not  be  disgraced,  nor  the  principles 


HISTOKV  OF  SANGAiMON  COUNTY. 


4-29 


whose  triumph  it  means  be  lost  to  our  country 
or  to  mankiml.  Again  we  are  in  the  midst  of 
the  enlhusiasiii  and  high  devotion  of  an  aroused 
people.  Again  we  feel  how  patriotism  elevates 
and  ennoUles  individuals;  how  it  sanctities  the 
hearthstone,  making  it  the  very  altar  of  God; 
how  it  gives  to  beauty  a  lovelier  glow,  to  love 
an  added  sweetness,  and  to  manhood  the  conse- 
cration of  a  purer,  a  nobler,  and  a  stronger  aim. 
Again  we  hear  the  tread  of  the  mustering 
thousands,  and  are  in  sympathy  with  the  no- 
bility of  tliat  time  of  unselfishness  and  higli  de- 
votion. Again  we  realize  the  trials  of  the 
tedious  caniji  and  the  weary  march.  Again  our 
hearts  beat  high  and  fast  with  the  tierce  fever 
and  e.vulting  joy  of  battle.  Again  we  melt  in 
sorrow  at  the  sound  of  the  muffled  drum,  and 
slied  bitter  tears  at  the  gaps  in  our  battle  lines, 
and  li'arn  a  new  and  deeper  love  of  country  as 
we  realize  how  much  rich  and  manly  blood  its 
redemption  has  cost.  Yesl  Let  the  common- 
wealth kee[)  these  torn  and  sacred  rags  with 
tender  care.  They  aie  sacred.  Around  their 
ashen  staves  have  been  clasped  brave  hands  of 
the  noble  sons  of  Illinois,  who  thought  their 
life  blood  none  too  precious  to  be  spilt  in  their 
defense;  and  as  the  storm  of  battle  surged 
along  the  line  of  those  who  fought  to  save  the 
Nation's  Me,  the  iron  hail  fell  thickest,  and 
noble  blood  was  shed  freely  under  the  immedi- 
ate shadow  of  these  Hags.  Noble  men,  with 
hearts  treasuring  the  deepest  love  of  home,  and 
the  tenderest  thoughts  of  the  maiden  to  whom 
their  deep  failh  was  plighted,  and  beating  with 
perfect  consciousness  of  the  ability  to  win  their 
way  to  the  high  place  of  honor  among  men, 
have  grasped  these  Hags  and  carried  them  with 
firm  step,  and  Hashing  eye,  and  exalting  joy 
into  the  proud  triumph  of  a  certain  death.  Yes, 
keep  them  with  proudest  care,  for  they  are  not 
emblems  of  tlie  freedom,  the  power,  the  saved 
unity  of  our  Nation;  but  of  a  heroism  loftier 
and  purer  than  ever  before,  since  history  began, 
was  embodied  in  an  army,  and  triumphed  in  the 
achievements  of  battle. 

"  Let  any  one  who,  since  the  war,  has  been 
led  away  by  the  seductions  of  selfish  ambition 
to  desert  his  comrades  and  talk  nonsense — be 
that  deserter  private  or  president — say  what  he 
will;  we  know,  and  the  world  knows,  and  all 
the  future  shall  know,  that  there  was  a  differ- 
ence in  the  inspiration  and  the  heroism  which 
widely  distinguished  those  who  fought  under 
these  Hags,  and  those  like  them  from  other 
States,  and  that  other  and  brave  army  which 
fought  under  a  hostile  flag  to  destroy  what  these 


banners  soared  over  a  thousand  battle-fields  to 
maintain  and  preserve. 

"No  one  can  yield  readier  praise  and  honor 
than  I  can,  and  do,  to  the  bravei'v  and  high  per- 
sonal gallantry  of  those  whose  mistaken  cause 
went  down  before  these  Hags.  But  their  lost 
cause  was  a  wrong  cause,  and  the  world  while  it 
remembers  and  admires  forever  the  brave  devo- 
tion of  those  who  fought  for  it,  will  yet  remem- 
ber that  their  blood  was  vainly  shed  to  establish 
a  Government  wliose  corner  stone  should  have 
been  slaverj',  and  tha^  their  cause  was  trampled 
into  the  red  mire  of  battle  for,  those  who  fought 
to  preserve  and  luaintain  the  life  of  the  Republic, 
wiiose  only  life  is  freedom.  These  flags  are  the 
emblem  of  no  hate,  no  animosity,  no  feeling  of 
sectional  or  individual  superiority.  The  language 
which  they  hold,  the  lesson  which  they  teach, 
with  all  the  force  of  all  their  associations,  is  the 
lesson  of  brotherly  love  for  all  who  dwell  under 
the  flag  of  our  Nation. 

"  These  flags, about  whom  we  can  almost  fancy 
still  cluster  the  spirits  and  cling  the  affections  of 
those  who  died  under  them,  speak  in  one  voice 
to  the  hearts  of  men  all  over  our  broad  land  ex- 
horting all,  of  every  State,  to  sink  every  smaller 
and  more  ignoble  feeling  in  one  of  confidence 
and  respect  for  each  other,  as  comrades  of  the 
army  of  the  present  and  the  future,  whose  tie  is 
that  of  a  common  patriotism,  and  whose  de- 
votion is  to  a  saved,  a  restored,  and  forever 
united  Nation." 

Governor  Palmer  then  responded  to  repeated 
calls  in  a  few  extempore  remarks,  as  follows : 

■'The  Governor,  very  sensibly,  deprecated 
any  further  prolonging  of  the  ceremonies  in 
speech-making,  as  the  boys  were  already  im- 
patient for  dinner.  He  remarked,  that  as  he 
had  observed  the  flags  taken  from  their  late 
depository  and  borne  through  the  streets  to 
Memorial  Hall,  which  the  people  of  the  State 
had  jirepared  for  these  mementoes,  he  had  felt 
that  the  occasion  was  one  so  grand  as  to  be  be- 
yond the  reach  of  oratory.  A  more  sublime 
triumph  could  not  be  desired  than  would  be 
won  by  him  who  could,  in  fitting  language, 
descrilie  the  emotions  the  appearance  of  these 
flags  awakened  in  every  mind  and  every  patriotic 
heart.  These  banners  were  mementoes  of  the 
greatest  and  most  dreadful  struggle  this  Nation 
ever  had,  or  ever  could  pass  through.  Seventeen 
3'ears  had  i)assed  away  since  he,  and  many  of  those 
who  now  confronted  him,  had  sworn  to  uphold 
these  banners  and  these  things  they  symbolized. 
They  had  gone  out,  and  in  battle  uphold  them. 
Many   of  them    had    been    l)\'    'anurl    liiimls  t^* 


4.30 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


valor  given,'  and  had  floated  bravely  over  en- 
sanguined fields.  To-day  would  see  them  con- 
signed to  their  final  resting  place  to  be  no  more 
disturbed.  The  ceremony  is  emblematic  of 
tho.se  that  finally  would  finish  the  career,  in 
this  life,  of  all  who  took  part  in  the  tremendous 
drama  of  which  this  was  the  closing  scene." 

The   following  poem,    by    Lieutenant    S.    F. 
Flint,  of  Gale.sburg,  ot  the  Yth,  was  read: 

THE    MUSTEE    OF    THE    FtAG. 

"  O,  comrades,  such  a  liay  as  this, 

Of  solemn  and  exultant  tears. 
For  what  we  meet,  and  what  we  miss. 

Comes  not  again  in  all  the  years. 

"  Go  bring  them  out,  their  tattered  strands, 
They  shall  their  own  brave  story  tell. 

Unroll  them  all  with  reverent  hands, 
The  old  flags  that  we  knew  so  well. 

"Aye,  lift  them  up!    A  few  fair  stars. 
Flash  from  their  iaded  field  of  blue. 

Gleaming  amid  the  rents  of  soars. 
When  the  wild  leaden  storm  tore  through. 

"They  catch  the  breeze!    They  hail  the  sky, 
Stained-fhorn-out  with  a  Iook  as  proud 

As  where  ot  old  they  stre;imed  on  high 
Like  rainbows  o'er  the  battle  cloud. 

"  There  spoke  the  guns!    Do  I  not  dream? 

Comrades,  fall  in  and  forward  all! 
Did  I  not  hear  their  eagles  scream 

An  answer  to  that  fearful  call? 

"Nay,  that  is  past,  thank  God!    No  more 
We  wait  for  that  deep  echoing  boom 

To  mark  dauntless  eagle's  soar — 

Close  up  the  ranks — and  march  to  doom! 

"  Then  let  their  war-worn  glories  float 

And  fondle  with  the  breeze  of  spring: 
And  let  the  glad  procession  shout — 
^     Drums  roll  and  crash  and  cymbals  ring. 

"  Sound,  bugles,  sound  the  rallying  call, 
And  wal<e  again  the  thundering  gun. 

So  few!  so  few?    Where  are  thej'  all? 
Fall  in,  you  men  of  sixty-one! 

"  From  Georgia's  bare  and  gullied  steeps. 

To  Carolina's  wilds  of  sand; 
From  Mississippi's  forests  deep. 

To  Patoniac's  storied  strand. 


"  On  the  green  hills  of  Cumberland, 
By  the  Tone  streams  of  Tennessee, 

They  rise  a  grim  and  shadowy  band — 
Their  silent,  sad  salute  I  see. 

"  'On  duty,'  speaks  that  silent  sign, 

Until  the  last  great  reveille, 
And  this  stern  message  down  the  line 

Breaths  from  that  mighty  grave  to-day. 

"  So  bear  them  on  and  guard  them  well 

In  yonder  proud  Memorial  Hall; 
The  flag — the  cause  for  whieh  we  fell — 

Swear,  brothers,  it  shall  never  fall. 

"  Stand  up,  despite  the  shattered  limb. 

Here  is  a  creed  we  all  believe: 
Dash  oS  the  tears  of  eyes  that  swim, 

Aye,  reck  not  of  one  empty  sleeve. 

"  No  traitor  hand  its  dory  mars. 

While  yet  a  man  is  still  alive 
Who  bore  the  banner  of  the  stars 

From  sixty-one  to  sixty-five." 

The  Veterans  then  entered  the  State  House 
basement  from  the  north  entrance,  and  the  flags 
were  deposited  in  Memorial  Hall,  in  the  racks 
prepared  foi-  them.  Dinner  followed,  and  the 
Veterans  and  National  Guards  surrounding  the 
immense  tables  were  served  with  a  bountiful 
repast  of  substantial  food,  by  the  ladies,  who 
were  heartily  cheered  for  efficiency  in  dispensing 
the  supplie.s  of  the  commissary  department.  An 
idea  of  the  extent  of  this  grand  camp-fire  lunch 
may  be  gained  wnen  it  is  stated  that  the  troops 
were  furnished  with  eighteen  barrels  of  coffee. 
Upwards  of  three  thousand  one  hundred  were 
served. 

The  dinner  over,  the  Veterans  and  the  (-Juards- 
men  were  dismissed,  and  visited  the  State 
House  throughout,  and  other  points  of  interest 
about  the  city,  thus  occupying  the  time  until 
the  evening  festivities.  Through  the  corridors 
in  the  State  House,  the  Fifth  Regiment  Band 
playing  in  the  rotunda,  the  Veterans  and  ladies 
promenaded,  and  at  a  late  hour  dancing  was  in- 
dulged in  quite  extensively. 

Thus  ended  the  re-union  and  transfer  of  battle 
flags.  That  these,  nor  similar  flags,  will  have 
again  to  be  unfurled  in  a  like  cause,  is  the  sin- 
cere prayer  of  every  loyal  heart. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


431 


Chapter  XIX. 


OLD  SETTLERS'  SOCIETr. 


A  society  for  the  preservation  of  historical 
events  of  a  Nation,  State,  county  or  town,  is  a 
commendable  atfair.  The  lessons  of  the  past 
teach  us  the  duties  pertaining  to  the  future.  The 
fires  of  i)atriotism,  the  love  of  country  or  of 
home  is  strengthened  by  a  narration  of  such  im- 
portant events  as  tend  to  stir  the  blood  or  quicken 
to  life  those  divine  affections  in  man.  Many  a 
youth  has  chosen  the  Hie  of  a  soldier  from  read- 
ing accounts  of  tlie  great  battles  and  glorious 
deeds  of  an  Alexander,  a  Hannibal,  a  Napoleon, 
a  Wellington,  or  our  own  brave  and  noble  Wash- 
ington. The  lists  of  statesmen  have  been  aug- 
mented by  the  example  of  a  Pitt,  a  Webster,  a 
Clay,  or  Calhoun.  Patriotism  and  love  of  country 
have  been  awakened  by  reading  the  sublime  ut- 
terances of  Patrick  Henry,  John  Adams,  Thomas 
Jefferson,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  The  love  of  home,  love  of  parents  and 
kindred  have  been  strengthened  by  oft-told  tales 
of  the  aged  father  or  mother,  especially  of 
that  pioneer  father  and  mother  who  toiled 
early  and  late,  hard  and  long,  in  order  to 
give  their  descendants  the  priceless  boon  of  a 
home  of  plenty  and  of  peace,  of  refinement 
and  love  lor  God  and  humanity. 

In  the  spring  of  1859,  Pascal  P.  Enos,  a  well- 
beloved  pioneer,  who  now  sleeps  the  "  sleep  of 
the  just,"  and  who  is  gratefully  remembered  by 
thousands  in  Sangamon  county,  circulated  the 
following  call : 

Old  Settlers'  Meeting.— The  uudersigned,  desir- 
ous of  preserving  the  earl}'  history  of  the  city  of  Spriug- 
field  aud  of  Sangamon  county,  now  known  iu  a  great 
degree  to  a  few  pioneers,  would  suggest  a  meeting  at 
the  Court  House,  on  the  first  day  of  June,  of  all  the 
settlers  who  became  residents  of  the  county  previous 
to  ''the  winter  of  the  deeji  snow"  (1830-31),  for  the  pur- 
pose of  organizing  a  permanent  society  in  furtherance 
of  this  object. 

Pascal  P.  Enos, 
A.  G.  Bergen, 
Elijah  lies, 
N.  W.Mathenv. 


Pursuant  to  the  call,  a  meeting  was  held  June 
1st,  and  adjourned  to  the  15th,  at  which  time 
the  society  was  fully  organized  and  the  follow- 
ing constitution  was  adopted: 

Article  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  ''Old 
Settlers'  Society  of  Sangamon  County,"  and  .shall  have 
for  its  object  the  collection  and  preservation  of  the 
early  history  of  Sangamon  county  and  the  citj-  of 
Springfield. 

Article  i!.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  con- 
sist of  a  President,  two  Vice  Presidents,  Correspond- 
ing Secretary,  Recording  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  who 
shall  hold  their  oflices  until  their  successors  are  elected. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  call  all  meet- 
ings of  theSocietj'  and  preside  at  the  same,  and  in  his 
absence  this  shall  be  performed  by  one  of  the  Vice 
Presidents. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Recording  Secretary  to 
keep  a  record  of  the  Society's  proceedings,  and  pre- 
serve all  manuscripts,  papers  and  books  belonging 
to  the  society,  and  to  keep  a  book  in  which  all  qualified 
persons  desirous  of  becoming  members  may  enroll  their 
names. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  CoiTsspondiug  Secretary 
to  attend  to  the  correspondence  of  the  Society  and  to 
preserve  the  same. 

Article  3.  AM  persons  residents  of  Sangamon 
county  previous  to  "the  winter  of  tlie  deep  snow," 
viz:  1830-81,  are  qualified  for  membership  in  this  So- 
ciety, and  after  the  first  day  of  January,  1S60,  ajqili- 
cants  for  membership  must  show  a  residence  of  twen- 
ty-flve  years  previous  to  the  time  of  application.  The 
roll  of  the  Society  shall  con.s»itute  the  only  evidence 
of  membership. 

Article  4.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  an- 
nually on  the  first  Jlonday  in  .Tune,  and  sliall  be  de- 
cided by  a  majority  of  members  voting,  and  iu  the 
same  manner  at  any  meeting  of  the  Society.  Notice 
at  a  former  meeting  having  been  given,  this  constitu- 
tion may  be  altered,  amended  or  abolished,  and  a  code 
of  by-laws  may,  in  the  same  manner  and  at  any  meet- 
ing, be  adopted,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Society, 

Until  the  first  Monday  in  June,  the  offices  of  this 
Societ}'  shall  he  filled  as  follows: 

Thomas  Moll'ett,  President, 

Elijah  lies  and  A.  G.  Herndou,  Vice  Presidents. 

Pascal  P.  Enos,  Recording  Secretary. 

N.  W.  Matheny,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

E.  B.  Hawley,  Treasurer. 

Article  5. ,  181 — ,  the  day  on  which  the 

first  c  ibin  was  erected  in  Sangamon  county,  shall  be 


432 


HISTORY  OF  SANCiAMON  COUNTY. 


know  11    in   the   iiroceedings  of  this  Societj'  as    "Old 
Settlers'  Day,"  and  shall   be  annually  celebrated. 

It  will  be  observed  thei'e  is  a  blank  left  in 
the  last  article.  A  committee  was  appointtd 
to  iiKiiiire  on  what  day  the  tirst  cabin  was 
erected,  which  committee  afterwards  reported, 
and  it  was  decided  that  October  20,  of  each 
year,  should  be  celebrated  as  "Old  Settlers' 
Day,'"  in  honor  of  the  tirst  cabin  in  the  county 
having  been  raised  by  Robert  Pulliam,  October 
20,  is'io. 

The  committee  having  decided,  a  call  was 
issued  for  the 

FIRST    ANNUAL    CELEBRATION. 

The  locality  selected  for  the  occasion  of  the 
celebration  was  very  properly  the  spot  upon 
which  the  tirst  house  in  the  limits  of  tte  county 
was  erected,  being  on  Sugar  creek,  about  twelve 
miles  south  of  Sprinjifield,  and  four  miles  south- 
east from  Chatham,  on  section  twenty-one, 
township  fourteen,  iK-rth  of  range  five  west 
The  exact  date  on  which  tlie  cabin  was  com- 
menced or  raised,  is  not  known,  but  the  state- 
ment was  made  by  Martin  Pulliam,  a  son  of 
Robert  Pulliam,  that  it  was  in  October,  1S16. 
It  was  put  up  by  Mr.  Pulliam  for  the  purpose 
of  sheltering  himself  and  four  hired  men  while 
herding  cattle  during  the  following  winter.  In 
the  winter  of  1817-18,  the  Indian.s  burned  out 
the  range,  and  Mr.  Pulliam  did  not  bring  his 
family  to  the  place  until  May  L'6,  1S18.  Mean- 
while another  cabin  had  been  put  up  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  distant,  by  Mr.  Shellhouse,  and  there 
he  temporarily  lodged  his  family. 

The  spot  pointed  out  on  which  the  Pulliam 
cabin  stood,  is  in  an  immense  grove  of  asli,  oak 
and  sugar  trees,  a  number  of  which  have  since 
fallen  and  their  trunks  cumber  the  ground. 
The  cabin  was  about  sixteen  feet  square,  and 
fronted  east,  with  the  chimney  on  the  south 
side.  Tlie  ground  slopes  off  towards  the  north- 
east and  drain ijig  into  Sugar  creek,  which  is 
but  a  short  distance  from  it.  No  trace  in  1859 
■was  remaining  of  the  house,  except  a  small 
mound,  showing  where  the  chimney  stood,  and 
a  little  hollow  showing  where  there  was  a  cellar. 
Several  trees,  ten  or  twelve  inches  thick,  are 
growing  on  the  spot.  To  the  south  was  pointed 
out  where  an  apple  nursery  was  planted  by  Mr. 
Pulliam  in  the  spring  of  It  17,  and  the  trunk  of 
an  old  burr  oak  of  immense  size,  which  still 
lays  there,  was  said  to  have  been  used  as  a  por- 
tion of  the  fence  which  inclosed  the  patch. 
The  Pulliam  cabin  was  long  and  familiarly 
known   as  the  "Sugar    House,"  from    the  fact 


mad< 


e    in     It 


sul)<eijuelit 


that     sugar    \ 
years. 

The  weather  on  the  occasion  of  this  tiri-t  cele- 
bration was  gloriously  fine  the  day  being  a 
sample  of  the  glorious  "Indian  summer"  days, 
and  the  number  of  jjersons  brought  together 
was  probably  not  less  than  fifteen  hui  dred, 
among  whom  were  many  of  the  pioneers  of 
Sangamon  county. 

The  exercises  of  the  day  were  commenced  by 
a  procession  formed  at  the  edge  of  the  timl)er 
and  headed  by  a  band  of  music  engaged  for  the 
occasion.  Making  a  circuit  through  the  timber, 
the  procession  marched  to  the  identical  spot 
where  the  first  cabin  had  been  erf  cted.  Two 
wagons  had  been  placed  over  the  spot,  in  which 
the  officers  of  the  society,  the  orator  of  the  day, 
and  invited  guests,  had  arranged  themselves. 
Jiwlge  Moffett  then  called  the  meeting  to  order, 
and  the  festival  was  opened  by  prayer  by  Rev. 
Mr.  Prentiss,  Presiding  Elder  of  the  Springfield 
Methodist  Episcopal  Circuit.  The  invocation 
of  the  reA'erend  gentleman  was  singulai'ly  beau- 
tiful and  appropriate  to  the  occasion,  and  in  the 
solemn  forest  which  surrounded,  seemed  to  touch 
a  chord  in  the  breast  of  all  who  were  present. 
The  band  then  started  up  "Three Cheers  for  the 
Red,  White,  and  Blue,"  after  which  James  H. 
Matheny,  the  orator  of  the  day,  was  introduced. 
As  well  for  its  appropriateness  and  eloquence, 
as  for  its  being  a  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
day,  the  address  is  here  given.  Said  Mr.  Ma- 
theny: 

^^ Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — We  meet  to-day  for 
a  singular  purpose.  We,  the  remnant  spared 
by  time  fi'om  an  alnxost  forgotten  past,  meet  to 
revive  fading  reminiscences  of  other  days — 
meet  to  re-kindle  recollections  almost  extinct. 
We  come  with  varied  emotions.  Some  of  you, 
almost  at  the  foot  of  life's  hill,  look  back  and 
upward  at  the  path  you  have  trod,  while  others, 
who  have  just  reached  life's  summit,  gaze  down 
into  the  valley  of  tears  with  many  a  hope  and 
fear.  Y^ou,  gray-headed  fathers,  you  have  done 
your  work;  you  have  done  it  well;  and  now,  as 
the  sunset  of  life  is  closing  around  you,  you  are 
given  the  rare  boon  of  enjoying  the  fruits  of 
your  own  labor.  Y'ou  can  see  the  land  won  b^- 
your  good  right  arm  from  its  wilderness  state, 
and  from  a  savage  foe,  pass  to  the  hands  of  your 
children,  and  your  children's  children,  literally, 
'a  land  flowing  with  milk  and  honey' — a  land  over 
which  hovers  the  white- robed  angels  of  Religion 
and  Peace — a  land  fairer  and  brighter  and  more 
glorious  than  any  other  land  beneath  the  blue 
arch  of  Heaven.     You  have  done  your  work  well. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


43:1 


and  wlieii  tlie  time  of  rest  shall  come,  you  will 
sink  to  the  dreamless  repose  with  the  calm  con- 
sciousness of  duty  done. 

"  In  this  iiour,  let  memory  assert  her  strongest 
sway — tear  aside  the  ihin  veil  that  shrouds  in 
gloom  the  tnisty  past —call  up  before  you  the 
long-forgotten  scenes  of  years  ago — live  over 
once  again  the  toils,  the  struggles,  the  hopes 
and  fears  of  other  days.  Let  this  day  be  a  day 
sacred  to  the  memorv  of  the  olden  time.  In 
thrt  olden  time,  there  are,  no  doubt,  scenes  of 
sadness,  as  well  as  of  joy.  Perhaps  you  remem- 
ber standing  by  the  bedside  of  a  loved  and 
cherished,  but  dying,  wife — one  who,  in  the 
days  of  her  youth  and  beauty,  when  you  pro- 
posed to  her  to  seek  a  home  in  a  new,  wild 
land,  took  your  hand  in  hers  and  spoke  to  you 
in  words  like  these:  'Whither  thou  goest,  I 
will  go,  and  where  thou  lodgest,  I  will  lodge; 
thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my 
God;  where  thou  diest,  will  I  die,  and  there  will 
I  be  buried — the  Lord  do  so  to  me  and  more 
also,  if  aught  but  death  part  me  and  thee.'  Or, 
perhaps,  some  brave  boy,  stricken  down  in  the 
pride  of  his  strength;  or  some  gentle  daughter, 
fading  away  in  her  glorious  beauty;  or  some 
little  prattling  babe,  folding  its  weary  eyes  in 
the  'dreamless  sleep.'  If  so — if  there  are  mem- 
ories like  these,  and  the  unbidden  tear  wells  up 
to  the  eye,  let  it  come,  and  to-day  one  "and  all 
shed  a  tear  or  two  to  the  memory  of  the  '  loved 
and  lost.' 

"It  is  not  my  purpose  to  deal  in  historical 
facts  connected  with  the  early  settlement  of  this 
county.  These  are  now  being  gathered  by  other 
hands,  and  will,  in  due  time,  be  given  to  the 
world.  To  one  event  I  am  permitted  to  allude, 
and  that  one  is  the  fact  that  we  this  day 
commemorate  the  building  of  the  first  log  cabin 
in  the  county  of  Sangamon. 

"Forty-two  years  ago  the  stillness  of  the  un- 
broken forest  was  startled  by  the  clangor  of  an 
axe  in  a  strong  man's  hands.  That  day  he  had 
rested  from  a  weary  journey,  but  as  he  stood 
and  gazed  upon  the  beauty  of  the  strange  wild 
scene  ab  ut  him,  there  arose  a  longing  in  his 
heart  to  linger  there.  With  that  class  of  men 
to  whom  he  belonged,  to  decide  was  to  act. 
Soon  his  weary  team  was  loosened  from  their 
heavy  load,  and  as  we  have  said,  the  clangor  of 
his  axe  rung  out,  wild  and  clear,  and  some  biave 
old  tree  that  had  stood  the  storms  of  a  hundred 
years,  crashed  headlong  to  the  earth.  Weary- 
ing of  his  toil  for  that  day,  the  camp-fire  was 
kindled,  and  the  rude  evening  meal  prepared 
and  partaken  of,  and  he  laid  himself  down  to 

50— 


sleep.  We  do  not  know  whether  in  that  stilly 
hour,  when  all  alone  with  nature  and  nature's 
God,  he  formally  kneeled  down  upon  the  green 
earth  and  offered  up  a  prayer  foi'  protection 
through  the  lonely  hours  of  that  first  night  in 
tiie  strange  land  to  which  he  had  come,  but  we 
feel  that  there  must  at  least  have  been  in  his 
heart  a  calm  and  unshaken  trust  that  the  guard- 
ian care  of  a  kind  Providence  was  around  about 
him,  to  shieUl  and  protect  him  from  every  harm. 
This  was  a  singularly  marked  characteristic  of 
the  early  pioneers  of  the  West.  They  had 
'faith  in  (Tod  ' — an  unswerving  trust  in  His 
Providence.  The  stern  faith  of  our  fathers,  and 
the  calm,  gentle  trust  of  our  mothers,  in  an 
over-ruling  Providence,  presents  a  broad  con- 
trast to  the  hesitating  belief  of  their  child- 
ren. I  have  always  thought  that  the  most  beau- 
tiful of  all  life's  mysteries,  is  that  calm  and 
unshaken  trustfulness  in  a  kind  Providence, 
that  cheers  and  sustains  in  the  darkest  h'Hir; 
that  brings  a  ray  of  sunshine,  hidden  though  it 
be  to  the  outer  world,  to  the  saddest  and  loneliest 
of  hearts — an  abiding  faith  that  a  kind  Father 
is  ever  guarding,  witli  a  sleepless  watchfulness, 
the  welfare  of  his  wandering  children.  I  low 
desolate  would  earth  be  without  this  beauiilul 
faith  in  the  Providence  of  God. 

"  Wonderful  are  the  changes  that  forty  years 
have  made  since  that  lone  man  halted  his  weary 
team  on  that  autumn  evening.  The  wilderness 
that  then  lay  before  him  in  its  unbroken  solitude, 
now  blooms  and  blossoms  as  the  rose;  the  red 
Indian  has  gone  from  his  favorite  hunting 
ground,  far  toward  the  setting  sun;  the  buffalo, 
in  his  untamed  wildness,  is  roaming  over  other 
lands,  and  the  frightened  elk  has  wandered 
away  from  his  accustomed  haunts.  All  has 
changed!  Gould  that  old  man  now  come  from 
his  silent  grave,  with  what  a  wondering  awe 
would  he  gaze  upon  the  scene  that  now  meets 
our  vision.  Let  us  call  him  from  his  lonely  bed, 
let  us  arouse  him  from  his  dreamless  sleep.  In 
imagination  I  can  see  him  coming — in  fancy's 
ear  I  hear  his  solemn  tread.  Slowly  he  comes, 
with  uncertain  tread,  as  though  seeking  for  the 
old  familiar  pathway;  now  he  stands  by  my 
side;  now  he  is  gazing  upon  the  forms  before 
him.  Ah,  see!  With  a  mournful  shake  of  the 
head  he  turns  away.  The  old  familiar  faces, 
where  are  they"::'  Alas!  too  many  have  gone 
away,  and  gone  forever,  and  strange  forms  now 
fill  their  places;  and  now,  witli  wearied,  disap- 
pointed look  he  goes  back  to  his  dreamless  bed. 
Sleep  on,  old  man,  sleep  quietly.  There  are 
many  here  who  still  remember  thee,  and  it  may 


4:U 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMOX  COUNTY. 


be  that  on  some  other  day,  these  strangers  whom 
you  pioneered  to  this  goodly  land,  will  gather 
about  your  humble  grave,  and  erect  some  monu- 
ment telling  to  coming  generations  where  you 
are  sleeping  the  '  dreamless  sleep.' 

"A  wondrous  change,  indeed,  has  come  since 
that  autumn  day.  What  was  then  a  wild  and 
unbroken  wilderness,  is  now  the  smiling  home 
of  thousands,  blest  with  all  that  makes  life  joy- 
ous and  bright.  Cities  have  sprung  into  existence 
since  that  day;  churches  upon  every  hand  point 
their  spires  heavenward;  the  whitened  school 
house  is  to  be  seen  in  well  nigh  every  grove; 
the  busy  hum  of  traffic  and  trade  burdens  the 
very  air;  and  the  sweet  laugh  of  merry-hearted 
children  tloats  like  music  upon  every  breeze. 
Ah,  yes!  a  change  indeed,  a  change  glorious 
beyond  all  conception.  It  is  well  for  the  world's 
development  that  man  is  a  creature  of  change; 
that  he  is  never  satisfied  with  the  present,  but  is 
always  struggling  for  better  things  in  the  com- 
ing future.  It  is  this  restless  principle  in  man's 
nature  that  is  ever  promiiting  him  to  seek  in 
new  scenes  happiness  that  older  places  seem  to 
denv  him.  So  strong  is  the  principle  in  some 
men  that  everything  else  in  life  bends  to  it.  The 
ties  of  home,  kindred  and  friends  are  readily 
torn  asuniler;  the  familiar  places  of  childhood 
are  ahaiidoned  forever;  the  comforts  and  lux- 
uries of  life  are  scornfully  trodden  underfoot, 
and  alone,  or  perhaps  only  accompanied  by  wife 
and  child,  they  strike  out  into  unti'odden  paths 
in  the  still  further  West,  to  battle  until  life's 
close  with  the  rough  realities  of  a  fresher  and 
newer  existence.  And  what  is  it,  where  man  is? 
What  matter  the  circumstances  surrounding 
him?  Happiness  is  not  a  creature  of  time,  cir- 
cumstance or  place;  man  can  be  happy  in  any 
spot  upon  which  shines  God's  bright  sun,  and  in 
everv  land  can  he  find  a  home. 

''Asomewhat  varied  life,  checkered  with  much 
of  sunshine,  and  some  little  of  shade,  has  fully 
taught  me  this  one  truth,  that 'tis  home  where 
the  heart  is — 'tis  home,  and  only  home  where 
the  loved  ones  dwell.  It  is  a  matter  of  small 
moment  what  our  outward  surroundings  are  — 
whether  in  the  untrodden  wild,  or  in  the  city 
full,  whether  the  rude  log  cabin  or  the  costly 
palace  shelter  ns  from  the  beating  storm; 
whether  we  are  arrayed  in  'purple  and  fine 
linen,'  or  clothed  in  the  humble  garb  of  poverty; 
all  these  matter  but  little  if  the  heart  is  within 
ns;  if  the  loved  ones  surround  us,  it  is  home 
wherever  we  are.  What  is  all  life  worth,  un- 
brightened  by  home's  glad  sunshine?  How  poor 
an  exchange  does  he  make,  who  barters  the  calm 


contentment  of  a  peaceful  home  for  the  honors, 
the  distinctions  and  riches  of  earth?  How 
worse  than  dross  are  all  these,  when  after  years 
of  weary  toil  we  gain  them.  How  the  tired 
heart  pauses  on  its  weary  way,  and  with  many  a 
sad  regret,  feels  that  it  is  bartering  the  true  joys 
of  life  for 'dead  sea  apples,' that  turn  to  ashes 
and  bitterness  on  the  lips. 

•'It  will  be  the  fulfillment  of  a  beautiful  hope, 
if  the  hour  shall  ever  come,  when  everv  man 
and  woman  in  all  our  broad  land,  shall  own 
some  spot,  no  matter  how  small,  hallowed  by  the 
name  of  home.  It  Vould  be  a  time  of  wondrous 
beauty;  all  earth  would  put  on  a  happy  smile; 
songs  of  gentle  melody  would  roll  on  from  hill- 
top and  valley,  gathering  force  and  power,  until 
at  last  they  would  swell  into  one  perpetual  an- 
them of  gladness  and  joy,  for  it  is  a  truth  that 
well-nigh  .all  that  is  glorious  in  life  emanates 
from  a  love  of  home.  Man  with  unfaltering 
heart  and  unwearied  arm  is  toiling  ever  to  dec- 
orate and  embellish  the  chosen  spot,  and  woman, 
with  her  gentle  voice  and  beautiful  smile,  is 
there  to  cherish  and  sustain  in  every  weary 
hour. 

"  This  earth  is  full  of  music;  glad  songs  are 
continually  welling  up  from  happy  hearts,  but 
the  best  of  them  all,  the  one  that  nestles  closer 
and  fondlier  around  every  heart,  is  the  gentle 
strain  of  'Home,   Sweet  Home.' 

"Nor  has  the  physical  earth  alone  changed. 
Man,  in  his  social,  moral  and  civil  aspect,  has 
felt  the  infiuence  of  thirty  years,  and  yielded  to 
an  irresistible  tide  of  an  onward  progress.  How 
changed  in  a  social  point  of  view.  Then  a  broad 
humanity,  like  golden  sunshine,  rested  upon 
whole  communities.  The  kindly  sympathies  of 
the  human  bosom  held  full  sway.  If  it  was  not 
an  age  of  mind  it  at  least  was  an  age  of  heart. 
If  misfortunes  came  sudden,  swift  and  sure, 
warm  hearts  and  strong  hands  came  unasked  to 
sympathize  and  assist.  Then  the  latch  string 
always  hung  on  the  outside  of  the  batten  door; 
now  it  is  not  only  pulled  in,  but  the  panel  door 
is  bolted  on  the  inside.  If  a  neighbor's  house 
then  took  tire  and  burned  up,  they  came  for 
miles  around  and  built  him  another;  now  the 
unfortunate  victim,  whose  house  is  consumed,  is 
simply  turned  over  to  the  tender  mercies  of  the 
insurance  agent. 

"Men  sickened  and  died  then  and  whole  com- 
munities came  with  solemn  tread  and  followed 
them  to  the  rude,  unfenced  graveyard,  and 
although  the  dead  was  placed  in  a  rough,  un- 
planed  oaken  coffin,  yet  weeping  friends,  with 
their  own  hands,  bore  the  loved  form  and  laid 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4:i5 


it  inside  its  last  resting  place,  and  witli  uncovered 
heads  stood  aioiind  until  friendly  hands  had 
heaped  up  the  little  mound  above  wliere  tlie 
loved  one  was  laid.  Now  men  die  and  a  rose- 
wood coffin,  lined  with  costliest  silks  and  satin, 
receive  their  remains;  they  are  borne  to  the 
fashionable  l)uryivig  ground  in  a  hearse  all 
decked  with  waving  plumes;  a  half  dozeri  or  so 
of  the  costliest  carriages  in  the  community  carry 
a  few  acquaintances  to  the  graveyard;  they  are 
lowered  to  their  narrow  bed,  and  at  tlie  first 
rumble  of  a  clod  upon  the  coffin  lid,  the  living 
all  hurry  away,  and,  without  thought  of  the  one 
just  gone,  plunge  into  the  busy  whirl  of  life. 

"In  those  days  there  were  such  things  as  boys, 
not  merely  boys  in  size,  but  in  character  and 
thought.  Pure  specimens  of  unadulterated 
nature  in  her  roughest  and  most  uncouth  form. 
We  have  no  such  things  now  as  boys — they  have 
been  entirely  superseded  by  a  new  genius  denom- 
inated young  gentlemen.  The  real  boy  is  a  lost 
race — as  totally  extinct  as  the  mysterious  ani- 
mals of  the  past,  about  which  geologists  tell  us. 
I  would  give  a  good  deal  to  once  again  see  a  real 
bona  fide  boy,  such  as  lived  in  Springfield  thirty 
years  ago,  when  I  was  one  of  that  now  extinct 
species — but  they  are  all  gone.  I  never  expect 
to  see  one  again;  yet  I  love  to  think  of  them.  I 
love  to  call  up  reminiscences  of  my  boyish  days. 
I  love  to  think  of  the  unsophisticated  trustful- 
ness of  our  natures,  of  our  abiding  faith,  that 
everything  in  life  was  earnest,  true  and  beatuiful. 

"One  little  circumstance  comes  to  memory  that 
will  perhaps  better  illustrate  the  unsophisticated 
nature  of  the  boys  of  thirty  years  ago,  than  any 
words  that  I  can  employ.  The  rumor  one  day 
went  abroad  through  our  boyisli  community  that 
a  stranger  boy  liad  come  to  town  with  his  father, 
who  had  just  moved  from  tlie  East,  but  what  was 
startling  and  totally  incomprehensible  to  us  was, 
according  to  the  same  rumor,  he  absolutely  wore 
broadcloth  clothes;  this  was  asking  a  little  too 
much,  more  than  we  could  believe.  Our  loftiest 
ambition,  our  wildest  dream  had  never  gone  be- 
yond a  wool  liat  and  a  mixed  jeans  coat.  It  is 
true  that  we  had  heard  of  broadcloth;  we  knew 
there  was  such  a  thing;  we  knew  that  preachers, 
doctors,  and  lawyers  sometimes,  but  only  upon 
rare  occasions,  wore  it;  but  to  be  told  that  a  boy, 
no  bigger  than  ourselves,  wore  broadcloth,  it  was 
entirely  too  much.  The  news  spread  rapidly 
from  boy  to  boy;  the  excitement  ran  higher  and 
higher;  night  after  night  we  met  to  talk  over  the 
wonderful  news,  and  finally  we  resolutely  re- 
solved that  if  such  a  wonderful  thing  was  true, 
we  must  see  and  know  it  for  ourselves.     This 


I  was  on  Saturday  night.  We  had  been  told  that 
the  stranger  boy  would  go  to  meeting  Sunday 
with  his  broadcloth  coat  on;  we  knew  the  route 
he  would  take;  and  a  committee  of  three  was  ap- 
pointed to  hi<ie  in  a  corner  oi'  the  fence,  near 
whicli  he  would  pass,  and  see  if  the  wonderful 
story  could  be  true,  and  then  report  to  u-^.  The 
balance  of  us  were  to  wait  in  an  old  mill  until 
the  tiuth  should  be  known.  The  three  went 
forth  upon  their  mission;  we  waited  in  silence 
for  their  return.  Shortly  they  came;  we  saw  at 
once  by  their  solemn,  awe  struck  countenances 
that  the  truth  had  been  told  us,  and  one  by  one 
we  left  the  old  mill  and  passed  to  our  homes, 
perfectly  satisfied  that  a  superior  being  was  in 
our  midst.  This  was  thirty  years  ago,  but  all  of 
us,  since  that  day,  have  fully  learned  the  true 
estimate  to  place  upon  broadcloth,  iiii>el  and 
show. 

"What  a  change  thirty  years  has  made  in  the 
worship  of  God.  Come  go  with  me,  and  let  us 
visit  one  of  the  old-time  meetings.  It  is  a  beauti- 
ful sunshiny  day,  and  as  we  go  up — 

'  We  strike  into  the  pathway  all  worn  hi  the  sod. 
By  the  people  who  went  up  to  theworship  of  God.' 

"  It  is  a  rude,  rough  looking  building:  yet  let 
us  enter.  Step  lightly,  for  there  are  no  carpets 
to  deaden  the  sound  of  our  feet.  Up  the  rough 
aisle,  towards  the  pulpit  we  make  our  way;  upon 
every  side  they  are  moving  and  inviting  us  to  a 
seat.  Now  let  us  sit  down  —  the  rough  old  liench 
is  rather  rude,  and  don't  you  lean  back,  for  you 
may  fall  into  somebody's  lap.  Now  look  around 
at  the  congregation;  scan  well  their  faces  and 
tell  me  what  they  came  here  for.  You  answer 
promptly  and  at  once:  'They  came  here  to  wor- 
ship God.'  See  the  humble  preacher  rise  from 
his  seat,  hear  him  line  out  the  grand  old  hymn: 

"  'God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way 
His  wonders  to  perform, 
He  plants  His  foot  upon  the  se;i, 
And  rides  upon  the  storm.' 

"With  one  accord  they  rise  to  their  feet  and 
pour  forth  the  untaught  melody  of  grateful 
hearts.  The  song  is  ended,  and  'Let  us  pray' 
falls  solemnly  upon  every  ear,  as  they  kneel  be- 
fore their  God,  and  when  the  preacher's  earnest 
lips  pronounce  the  'amen,'  it  is  echoed  back 
from  every  heart.  And  now  listen  to  the  simple 
story  of  a  Redeemer's  love,  told  with  a  kindling 
fervor  that  warms  and  electrifies  every  soul. 
Now  the  benediction  is  given,  and  they  wend 
their  way  homward,  happier  and  better  men  and 
women. 

"Now  let  us  visit  one  of  modern  fashionable 
churches.     We  ascend  marblei  steps;  wide,  fold- 


4;J6 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ing  doors  open  to  give  entvance;  we  are  tread- 
ing down  the  carpeted  aisle;  not  a  soul  moves 
upon  their  tushioned  seats  to  bid  us  welcome; 
not  a  pew  door  opens  to  bid  us  enter.  At  the 
extreme  back  end  of  the  church  we  noticed 
some  uncushioned  seats  unoccupied;  let  us  go 
back  and  take  a  seat  there;  we  retrace  our  steps. 
It  is  true  we  can't  hear  much  way  back  here, 
but  then  we  can  see.  Now  look  around  upon 
this  congregation;  scan  well  their  faces  and  tell 
me  for  what  purpose  they  came.  You  answer 
promptly  and  at  once,  '  To  see  and  be  seen.' 
Now  look  at  that  pulpit,  all  dressed  in  crimson 
and  purple;  its  occupant  casts  one  glance  over 
the  congregation,  to  see  if  they  are  all  looking 
at  hi  ml"  With  what  a  studied  grace  he  rises  to 
his  feet;  how  gracefully  he  pulls  that  cambric 
handkerchief  from  his  pocket  and  wipes  the 
imaginary  perspiration  from  his  brow;  how 
ponipousiy  he  unclasps  that  golden  bound  hymn 
book  and  reads — 

"  'Vain,  delusive  world,  adieu,  with   ull   of  creature 

good, 
Ouly  Jesus  I  pursue,  who  bought  me  with  His  blood; 
All  "thy  pleasures  I  forego— I  trample  on  thy  wealth 

and  pride, 
Ouly  .lesus  will  I  know,  and  Jesus  crucified.' 

"  And  the  choir  takes  u])  the  song,  and,  with 
faultless  execution,  renders  the  music  to  perfec- 
tion. Now  the  minister  again  rises  with  the 
same  studied  grace,  and  daintily  opens  the  gor- 
geously emhoWd  Bible,  and  turns  it  over,  leaf 
by  leaf,  until  the  sought  for  passage  is  found. 
He  then  runs  his  eye  over  the  gorgeous  decora- 
tions of  his  church,  all  painted  and  frescoed 
until  even  the  innocent  walls  are  made  to  de- 
ceive you;  and  then  turn  over  his  gay  and 
worhlly  audience,  and  then  in  tones  that  really 
sounds  serious,  reads — 

"  'Vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity.' 

"  And  then  proceeds  to  deliver  a  learned  dis- 
course on  the  sinfulness  of  earthly  vanity; 
warns  his  hearers  to  guard  against,  as  deadly 
sins,  'the  lusts  of  the  eye  and  the  pride  of 
life.' 

"The  ambition  of  the  fashionable  minister 
of  our  day  seems  to  prompt  them  to  be  brilliant 
and  witty,  rather  than  good.  The  simple  truths 
to  be  taiighl  are  lost  in  metaphysical  fogs.  The 
humble  narrative  of  the  child  in  the  manger 
can  be  told  only  in  the  jargon  of  the  schools, 
adorned  with  all  the  graces  of  oratory.  The 
beautiful  prayer  of  our  Saviour  is  simple  and 
unmeaning,  in  their  estimation,  unless  embel- 
lished with  rhetorical  flourishes.  Their  own 
pravers  are   nothing   more  nor   less  than    abre- 


viated  orations.  Y''ou  may  listen  to  one  of  their 
sermons  from  the  text  to  its  close,  and,  although 
they  kindle  up  your  fancy,  draw  largely  upon 
your  imagination,  appeal  logically  to  your  judg- 
ment, yef  so  far  as  any  effect  upon  your  heart  is 
concerned,  it  will  not  have  any.  You  may  say 
^vhat  you  please  about  it,  deny  it  as  much  as 
you  may,  yet  nevertheless  it  is  true,  that  under 
the  inrtiieiice  of  modern  progress,  religion  itself 
is  losing  all  its  old  vitality,  and  is  fast  becom- 
ing a  matter  of  tinsel,  parade  and  show.  It 
will  take  but  little  more  of  the  religions  pro- 
gress of  the  present  day  until  you  will  hear 
these  gay  worshipers  in  their  magniticeut  temples 
denying  scornfiiUy  that  their  Savior  ecer  slept 
in  a  manger. 

'•Now  let  us  for  a  little  while  contemplate 
mankind  in  a  civil  point  of  view.  What  a  sad 
change  thirty  years  has  made  in  the  polities  and 
politicians  of  our  land.  Perhaps  in  this  point 
of  view  the  change  has  been  more  marked  and 
the  contrast  more  painful  than  in  any  other 
aspect  in  which  that  change  or  that  contrast  can 
be  viewed.  At  that  age  there  was  an  unsophis- 
ticated notion  prevailing  that  offices  were  cre- 
ated for  the  benefit  of  "the  people,  rather  than 
for  the  benefit  of  the  office-holder.  They  had 
another  quaint  and  curious  idea,  and  that  was, 
that  '  honesty  was  the  best  policy'  even  in  pol- 
tics,  as  well  as  it  was  in  morals.  There  is  an- 
other curious  fact  illustrated  in  their  life,  tha,t 
they  were  so  foolishly  patriotic  that  they  posi- 
tively loved  their  coiintry  better  than  they  loved 
themselves.  There  is  another  thing,  perhaps 
more  wonderful  still,  and  that  is  that  the  peo- 
;  pie  of  that  day  really  thought  that  an  integrity 
;  of  character  .and  an  honesty  of  purpose  were 
I  necessary  characteristics  in  a  political  leader. 
We  of  course  laugh  at  such  crude  and  unsophis- 
ticated notions  as  these.  Such  political  verdancy 
is  really  refreshing  in  this  age  of  intellectual 
progress.  All  such  ideas  as  these  we  have  long 
since  buried  in  the  tomb  of  old  fogyism.  But 
seriously,  the  only  thing  perhaps  at  which  an 
American  citizen  "should  blush  or  be  ashamed  of, 
in  this  our  day,  is  the  party  politics  of  the  age, 
and  their  embodiment,  the  very  patriotic  politi- 
cian, and  it  is  very  difficult  to  decide  whether 
one  should  laugh"or  cry  over  their  recklessness 
and  folly. 

"  I  am  disposed  to  look  upon  the  great  mass 
of  the  party  politics  of  the  present  day,  classi- 
fied by  whatever  name  you  choose,  as  a  great 
pool  of  festering  iniquity,  and  I  hesitate  not  to 
say  that  if  left  to  politicians  alone,  this  glori- 
ous confederacv  would   soon   be  shivered   to   a 


IlIs^(>u^  ()!•"  san(;am()N  couxtv. 


4:11 


thousand  fragments.  The  only  thing  necessary 
to  perfect  in  its  corruption  the  seething  caul- 
dron of  the  witches  in  Macbeth,  would  be  to 
throw  in  a  specimen  or  two  of  politicians,  taken 
from  each  of  the  great  parties  of  the  country. 
It  would  then  be  ready  for  the  most  horrid  con- 
jurations. 

"I  thank  God,  however,  that  those  who  traffic 
and  trade  in  politics  have  but  little  to  do  with 
the  prosperity  of  the  country;  that  it  is  an  in- 
creasing, swelling  tide  that  rolls  on  with  orwith- 
out  them.  Yet  these  creature  politicians  have 
their  uses;  they  are  an  exhaustless  source  of 
amusement  to  tbe  great  thinking  mass  of  the 
land.  And  they  are  useful  in  another  respect; 
they  are  living  monuments,  warning  us  how 
frail  a  thing  poor  human  nature  is.  Go  to  Wash- 
ington City,  and  hear  them  rant  and  mouth  their 
fiery  denunciations.  They  seem  to  think  that 
they  are  the  people;  that  they  are  not  only 
the  source  of  power,  but  the  j)ower  itself;  they 
seem  to  forget  that  they  are  but  the  creatures  of 
a  day;  they  cease  to  remember  that  they  are  but 
bubbles  blowr.  into  shape  and  dimension  by  the 
popular  lireath.  One  party  proposes  a  measure, 
the  other  for  that  reason  onl}'  0|ipi>ses  it,  and  in 
their  mad  fury,  they  threaten  that  if  that  meas- 
ure does  or  does  not  become  a  law,  that  they 
will  dissolve  the  Union!  Let  them  dare  try  it, 
and  they  will  find  that  the  people, their  masters, 
will  have  something  to  say  about  it. 

"Politics  at  tbe  present  day  has  got  to  be  a 
species  of  trade,  and  it  is  so  recognized  and 
classified  by  all.  We  speak  of  a  good  farmer,  a 
skillful  mechanic,  a  successful  lawyer,  and  a 
shrewd  politician.  When  you  go  to  erect  a 
dwelling  house  or  procure  the  building  of  ma- 
chinery, you  naturally  select  the  most  skillful 
mechanic  of  your  acquaintance.  So  when  party 
leaders  have  any  new  move  to  make,  or  any 
office  to  fill,  tliey  of  course  select  their  shrewd- 
est politician  ;  not  him  who  is  the  purest  patriot  ; 
the  truest  man  ;  not  him  who  will  best  manage 
the  affairs  of  the  country,  but  him  who  will  give 
to  his  party  what  his  whole  country  has  a  right 
to  claim — his  every  energy.  Now  it  is  well  that 
all  this  matter  be  perfectly  understood.  Every 
body  knows,  so  far  as  the  great  prosperity  of 
the  country  is  concerned,  that  politics,  in  its 
party  sense,  means  just  notliini;  at  all,  and 
every  body  equally  well  knows  that  the  patriot- 
ism of  party  is  nothing  but  the  patriotism  of 
self.  Hence  from  all  this,  nothing  really  injur- 
ious can  ever  result  to  the  welfare  of  the  country. 
The  merchant  and  the  politician  alike,  unmo- 
lested, go  into  the  market  ;  the  merchant  traffics 


and  e.vchanges  his  goods  and  wares  for  produce 
and  money,  and  the  politician  barters  and  sells 
his  principles  for  office  and  place.  It  is  alike 
expected  of  both  and  recognized  only  in  the 
light  of  a  business  transaction. 

"  If  you  will  permit  me  to  illustrate  by  a  figure, 
I  will  compare  this  Republic  to  a  brave  oak  tree 
towering  in  m.ajestic  beauty  above  some  green 
and  flowery  plain,  wooing  to  its  gentle  sliade  all 
way-worn  and  storm-tossed  wanderers.  Beneath 
its  'boundless  contiguity  of  shade,'  millions  of 
earth's  wearied  ones  are  reposing  in  calm  dig- 
nity— joyous,  happy  and  free.  Occasionally 
the  winds  come,  and  even  the  storms  shout 
through  the  topmost  branches  of  that  brave  tree, 
and  these  branches  may  lash  each  other  in  wild 
confusion.  Yet  at  the  base  it  stands  unmoved, 
and  those  that  are  reposing  beneath  are  scarcely 
conscious  of  the  storm  above.  It  would  be 
amusing,  yet  profitable,  to  spend  a  little  season 
in  analyzing  the  peculiarities  presented  to  our 
gaze  in  and  about  the  tree.  Let  us  for  a  moment 
or  two  turn  aside  and  gaze  upon  the  scene. 

"How  proudly  and  how  grandly  that  brave 
tree  rears  itself  aloft.  No  dead  or  withered 
twig  mars  its  green  and  vigorous  beauty,  and  on 
its  topmost  bough  the  Eagle  —  Liberty's  own 
bird  —  makes  its  eyrie.  Beneath  its  broad  and 
genial  shade,  see  those  teeming  millions  of 
nature's  noblemen,  illustrating  and  developing 
the  glories  of  God's  own  work.  Acknowledg- 
ing no  master  save  the  Eternal  One,  they  stand 
up  unawed  and  froiit  the  eternal  stai'S  —  tramp- 
ling in  the  dust  the  hoary  falsehood  that  kings 
rule  by  divine  right.  Chaining  mind  to  the  car 
of  labor  they  have  become  gods,  and  the  wild 
elements  cower  in  submissive  subserviency  to 
their  will.  At  the  farmer's  magic  touch  the 
green-robed  earth  pours  forth  her  million  treas- 
ures. From  the  brain  of  the  mechanic  the  al- 
most thinking  machine  leaps,  like  Minerva,  from 
tlie  hand  of  Jove,  full  armed  to  do  battle  as 
man's  servant  in  life's  contest.  These  are  they 
that  repose  at  the  base  of  that  glorious  tree, 
calm  in  the  consciousness  of  their  own  power, 
and  these  are  they  who  will  gtiard  it  from  every 
iiarm  and  guard  it  forever. 

"But  now  cast  your  eye  to  the  higher  branches 
and  amuse  yourselves  with  the  antics  of  the  po- 
litical monkeys  who  have  scrambled  to  the  top. 
See  them  leap  from  limb  to  limb,  and  you  may 
bet  your  life  that  the  limb  to  which  they  leap  is 
the  one  where  tlie  acorns  grow.  See  how  fierce 
and  savage  they  get;  how  they  sua])  and  snarl 
at  one  another;  how  they  tug  and  toil  and  sweat 
to  iiusli  and   iiull  each  other  olV  lln'  limbs  where 


43.S 


HISTORY  OF  SAXGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  acorns  are.  and  I  think  the  fact  is  now  pretty 
fully  demonstrated  that  the  only  beauty  that 
they  see  in  our  grand  old  oak  is  that  it  bears 
acorns.  For,  take  the  most  fierce  and  savage  of 
them  all,  and  feed  hira  well  on  them,  and  in  a 
wonderfully  short  period  all  his  ferocity  will 
vanish  away,  and  he  will  'coo  you  gently  as  a 
sucking  dove.' 

"Politics,  in  its  truer  and  better  sense,  is  un- 
questionably the  liighest  earthly  duty  of  man, 
and  more  especially  is  this  true  in  this  land  of 
ours,  where  the  people  are  the  whole  source  from 
which  emanates  political  power.  It  is  not  only 
their  privilege  but  their  earnest  duty  to  grapple 
with  and  thoroughly  master  every  new  thought 
or  principle  enunciated  or  proclaimed  in  the 
world  of  politics.  He  who  does  less  than  this 
falls  short  of  discharging  his  whole  duty  as  a 
member  of  a  free  community.  When  I  say  that 
we  should  all  be  politicians,  I  desire  no  one  to 
understand  me  as  meaning  that  we  should  sink 
ourselves  into  the  miserable  blind  partisan  —  the 
mere  follower  in  the  party  camp — the  mere 
worshipper  of  the  god  of  party  —  but  I  mean 
that  more  noble  thing,  thinking  and  acting  for 
ourselves  like  men  who  are  really  free. 

"  To  the  people  of  this  country  a  great  trust  has 
been  committed  —  to  their  keeping  the  Ark  of 
Human  Liberty  has  been  intrusted.  Let  us 
watch  it  with  a  jealous  care;  guard  it  with  a 
sleepless  eye;  never  let  the  miserable,  crawling 
demagogue,  whose  only  aim  is  self,  lay  his  un- 
hallowed hands  upon  it. 

"  There  are  those  who  have  thought  that  when 
official  corruption  should,  unabashed,  rear  its 
miscreated  front  in  the  high  places  of  govern- 
ment, and  official  purity  becomes  contaminated 
with  the  baser  passions  of  the  heart,  that  the 
inevitable  consequence  would  be  the  total  sub- 
version and  destruction  of  our  Republic,  and 
they  point  to  tl  e  ruined  and  decayed  govern- 
ments of  the  old  world  to  prove  the  truth  of 
their  position.  Yet,  I  apprehend  that  their  con- 
clusions are  false,  because  they  are  grovmdless. 
Between  this  government  and  the  governments 
of  the  old  world  no  analogy  can  fairly  be 
drawn— their  inception  is  totally  different. 
There,  power  descends  from  the  throne — here,  it 
ascends  from  the  people.  It  is  true  that  when 
the  source  of  power  in  a  government  becomes 
corrupt  it  must  fall,  and  it  is  equally  true  that  so 
long  as  the  seat  of  power  in  a  government 
remains  true  to  itself  it  will  stand.  Hence  the 
conclusion  is  irresistible  that  this  government 
will  live  until  the  people  themselves  become 
al)ased  and  corrupt  —  and  that  can  never  be.    At 


least  it  can  never  be  until  religion  and  intelli- 
gence, the  guardian  angels  of  a  free  people, 
leave  our  shores  forever.  And  it  cannoi  be  that 
they  will  ever  depart.  It  cannot  be  thai  igno- 
rance and  infidelity  will  ever  descend  ujion  this 
bright  land  and  brood  over  it  with  their  gloomy 
wings.  If  religious  altars  are  ever  thrown  down 
and  the  light  of  intelligence  extinguished,  then 
it  may  be  that  those  bright  guardians  of  free- 
dom's temple  will  prepare  to  wing  their  ever- 
lasting flight;  and  sad,  strangely,  wildly  sad, 
will  be  that  hour.  'Piles  of  clouds  whose  dark- 
ness will  be  palpable,'  even  in  the  midnight, 
will' brood  upon  the  saddened  earth.  'Let  us 
go  hence,'  will  be  their  song  of  sorrow.  'Let 
us  go  hence,'  will  swell  out  in  mournful  cadence 
upon  the  starless  air.  'Let  us  go  hence,' will 
be  reverberated  by  the  sad  echoes  of  the  moun- 
tains, and  all  earth  shall  darken  in  the  rayless 
night  of  despotism. 

"  Yet,  wherefore,  thoughts  like  these — for  us 
no  such  gloomy  fate  awaits  our  coming.  Our 
country  is  the  final  earthly  home  of  truth  and 
liberty.  Here  they  make  their  last  great  stand; 
here  they  are  preparing  themselves  for  their 
great  mission,  the  regeneration  of  the  earth; 
here  they  are  arming  themselves  for  their  last 
great  battle;  here  they  are  forging  the  thunder- 
bolts that  are  to  shatter  to  fragments  the  bul- 
warks of  tyranny. 

"  Although  I  have  said  and  siioken  as  I 
believed  when  I  said  it,  that  politics  and  politi- 
cal leaders,  in  the  main,  have  become  corrupt, 
yet  it  is  a  pleasure  to  have  the  privilege  of 
truthfully  saying  that  there  are  some  exceptions 
to  this  general  rule.  You  will  find  them  in  the 
various  political  parties  of  the  day.  Differing 
though  they  do  upon  matters  of  lesser  import, 
yet  agreeing  in  the  one  great  desire  for  the  pros- 
perity and  glory  of  our  common  country.  These 
amid  the  general  corruption,  stand  like  the 
Abdial  of  old,  amid  the  faithless,  faithful  still — 
stand  like  lighthouses  amid  the  general  gloom, 
and  serve  as  beacon  lights  by  which  Freedom 
guides  her  bark  through  the  gathering  storm. 
And  it  is  for  us  to  gather  around  such  men 
wherever  found,  and  by  whatever  jiarty  name 
they  may  be  called,  and  to  do  to  them  as  was 
done  to  the  Prophet  of  old,  hold  up  their  hands 
while  they  prophecy  against  the  enemies  of  our 
country,  and  so  long  as  we  do  this  we  shall  tri- 
umph over  every  foe. 

"  It  is  a  matter  of  no  great  import  what 
are  the  slightest  changes  in  the  written 
parchment  laws  of  a  country,  free  and  en- 
liu;htened  like  ours.    It  is  still  less  a  matter  what 


llISroKV   OF  SAX(iAM()N  COUNTY. 


439 


pai'ty  man  guides  autl  controls  its  political 
destiny;  lor  after  all,  the  great  unwritten  com- 
mon laws  of  truth,  .religion  and  freedom  that 
find  their  home  in  the  American  heart,  gives 
shape  and  direction  to  our  onward  march,  and 
will  guide  us,  even  in  freedom's  glorious  path- 
way. 

"  God  has  .stamped  in  every  enlightened  soul 
these  great  truths — to  be  happy  you  must  be 
free,  and  to  be  free  you  must  be  virtuous.  By 
the  light  of  these  great  truths  let  us  ever  walk, 
and  the  accumulating  glories  of  our  after  history 
shall  gleam  in  unclouded  splendor,  brightened 
by  the  smiles  of  an  approving  God,  and  we 
shall  become  to  the  political  what  the  sun  is  to 
the  physical  world,  a  light,  a  joy,  and  a  glad- 
ness. We  shall  becoma  the  pillar  of  cloud  by 
day,  and  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  pioneering 
the  nations  of  earth  through  the  wilderness  of 
despotism  to  freedom's  promised  land." 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Matheny's  address 
Erastus  Wright  was  called  out  and  gave  the 
origin  of  the  name  "Suckers,"  as  applied  to  the 
people  of  this  State.  When  Mr.  Wright  con- 
cluded Judge  Moffett  gave  an  account  of  the 
origin  and  aims  of  the  society. 

At  half  past  twelve  o'clock  dinnei'  was  an- 
nounced, and  the  procession  was  again  formed 
and  marched  to  the  tables  which  were  mist 
bountifully  spread  with  substantial  food  and 
relishes,  furnished  by  the  people  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. The  dinner  was  eaten  with  much  rel- 
ish, and  it  was  an  interesting  sight  to  notice  the 
genial  and  pleasant  convers.ation  of  the  pioneers. 
The  toi)ic  discussed  was  "old  times,"  and  each 
pioneer  had  some  anecdote,  or  incident,  or  scrap 
of  history  to  tell. 

As  soon  as  the  wants  of  the  inner  man  had 
been  supplied,  the  meeting  again  organized  and 
Martin  G.  Pulliam,  a  son  of  the  first  settler,  was 
called  out.  He  stated  his  father's  first  place 
was  Henry  county,  Virginia.  Tie  emigrated  to 
Kentucky,  and  from  that  to  this  State,  to  what 
is  now  Madison  county,  but  which  was  then  St. 
Clair,  whence  he  came  in  181U  to  the  "  Sanga- 
mo"  country.  His  father  had  six  children  — 
Nancy,  who  marled  John  Bronnell,  of  Macoupin 
county;  Martin  G.  Pulliam,  of  Sangamon;  Mary, 
wife  of  Mr.  Ferris,  who  renioveil  to  Iowa;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  S.  Peters;  and  George 
Washington  Pulliam,  the  youngest,  who  was 
born  in  the  shell-house  cabin,  which  formerly 
stood  only  a  few  hundred  yards  distant. 

Mr.  Pulliam  said  he  was  tifty-lwo  years  old  on 
the  17th  of  Sej)tember;  that  he  had  seven  sons 
and  five  daughters,  and  eleven  grand   children; 


that  he  had  not  an  unsuuud  tnoth  in  his  head; 
that  he  had  never  smt)ked  a  pipe  or  a  cigar,  or 
used  a  quid  of  tobacco  in  his  life;  and  for  many 
years  had  not  tasted  a  drop  of  intoxicating  liq- 
uors. He  said  he  was  born  about  five  miles 
from  Alton,  on  the  old  Ed  wards  ville  road;  he 
could  just  remember  that  when  a  boy,  the  In- 
dians came  down  and  murdered  many  of  the 
whites  of  the  settlement,  among  others  the 
family  of  Abel  Moore.  The  men  were  shot  in 
the  field  while  they  were  ])lowing.  They  then 
went  to  the  house  and  tomahawked  the  women, 
who  were  boiling  soap,  and  the  children  were 
put  in  soap  kettles  and  boiled  up.  This  hap- 
pened only  one  mile  from  his  f.ather's  house. 

E.  D.  Taylor,  of  Chicago,  though  a  former 
citizen  of  Sangamon,  Munson  Carter,  Dr.  Shields, 
Elder  Prentice,  and  P.  P.  Enos  made  remarks, 
and  the  crowd  was  then  adjourned. 

RE-ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    SOCIETY. 

The  year  following  the  first  annual  celebiation 
of  the  society  was  that  of  ISffO.  The  political 
excitement  at  that  time  being  so  high,  it  was 
deemed  best  to  postpone  the  annual  meeting. 
The  war  following,  in  1861,  continuing  over  four 
years,  it  was  impossible  to  gather  men  and 
women  together  for  seasons  of  rejoicing  while 
fathers,  husl)ands  and  brothers  were  upon  the 
tented  field,  hourly  exposed  to  dangers  incident 
to  a  time  of  war.  Even  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  it  required  time  for  the  minds  of  men  to 
assume  their  regular  channels.  In  18(38,  the  fol- 
lowing call  was  issued  and  signed  by  the  names 
accompanying  it: 

"For  the  purpose  of  renewing  old  associations 
and  reviving  recollections  of  the  distant  past,  the 
undersigned  propose  and  suggest  that  on  the 
twentieth  d.ay  of  August  next,  the  old  settlers 
and  pioneers  of  the  county  meet  at  Clear  Lake. 
The  reunion  will  be  a  happy  one — the  place 
selected,  one  of  the  most  desirable  in  the  county. 
All  persons  will  bring  refreshments  with  them. 
The  selection  of  the  grounds  and  other  arrange- 
ments will  be  attended  to  by  the  '  old  settlers  ' 
residing  in  the  neighborhood  of  Clear  Lake. 
George  L.  Huntington  N.  W.  Matheny 
N.  B.  Whitesides  Charles  Arnold 

John  Wilson  S.  G.  Jones 

David  Crouch  Peyton  L.  Harrison 

John  F.  King  James  II.  Matheny 

O.  P.  Hall     "  Daniel  Pea 

C'.  C.  Brown  Jacob  N.  Fullenwider 

William  Lavely  J.  Bunn 

George  Woods  John  Uider 

John  T.  Stuart  Thomas  Moffett 


440 


HISTORY  OK    SANGAMOX  COUNTY. 


E.  Kreigh 
E.  B.  Aerndon 
I.  C.  Bone 
Edward  Georsje 


B.  S.  Edwards 
H.  G.  Fitzhngii 
A.  B.  Irwin 
S.  I.  Harrison 


Preston  Breckenridge      C.  B.  Stafford 
S.  G.  Nesbitt  R.  S.  Coats 

August  5,  1868." 

The  meeting  was  accordingly  lield,  and  of  the 
re-organized  society  may  properly  be  termed  the 

FIRST    ANNfAL    MEETING. 

The  beautiful  park  on  the  east  side  of  Clear 
Lake  was  the  place  selected  for  the  occasion, 
and  by  10  o'clock  a  large  crowd  had  assembled, 
including  old  and  young. 

After  music  by  the  Washington  Silver  Cornet 
Band,  Strother  Jones,  of  Dawson,  called  the 
meeting  to  order,  and  a  prayer  was  offered  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Stafford.  At  the  close  of  the  prayer, 
Munson  Carter,  of  Rochester,  was  introduced, 
and  proceeded  to  make  an  interesting  address, 
in  the  course  of  which  he  related  many  inci- 
dents of  his  early  life  and  first  appearance  in 
Sangamon  county.  He  said  that  twenty-eight 
years  ago  the  20th  of  August,  he  opened  a 
school  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Clear  Lake, 
and  those  who  saw  the  place  'rom  1840  to  1843, 
little  expected  to  see  a  gathering  like  the  one 
now  on  the  shores  of  Clear  Lake.  He  referred 
to  Sangamon  county  as  being  the  first  in  the 
State  in  all  that  constitutes  agricultural  wealth. 
Cook  county  exceeds  it  in  commercial  wealth, 
but  in  nothing  else.  He  was  proud  to  say  that 
he  lived  in  Sangamon  county.  He  remembered 
with  pleasure  the  first  days  he  spent  in  this  lo- 
cality. He  was  a  Yankee,  and  did  not  deny  his 
colors.  He  was  then  a  young  pedagogue;  but 
the  first  days  he  spent  in  Clear  Lake  were  the 
bread  and  butter  days  of  his  life.  Then  the 
people  liad  great  hearts,  and  liberal  hospitality 
prevailed,  and  the  people  were  glad  to  entertain 
strangers  without  price.  In  this  connection,  he 
referred  to  the  early  times,  when  farmers  cut 
their  wlieat  with  a  sickle,  and  the  neighbors 
aided  each  other  in  the  work.  Those  were  good 
days,  and  remembered  with  pleasure  by  those 
now  present. 

David  England  -was  next  introduced.  He 
stated  tbat  in  the  spring  of  1819,  his  father  set- 
tled on  what  was  then  called  Higgins'  creek, 
now  Cantrall's  creek.  He  was  born  in  1811,  in 
Kentucky,  and  went  witlihis  father  to  Ohio,and 
from  that  State  came  to  Sangamon  county.  He 
renieml)ered  passing  through  the  locality  now 
called  Springfield,  where  there  were  then  a  few 


Indian  wigwams.  There  is  a  tie,  he  said,  be- 
tween the  old  settlers,  fresh  and  strong  to-day. 
He  referred  to  the  time  when  his  father, 
Stephen  England,  would  call  a  few  of  tlie  set- 
tlers together  and  preach  to  them  the  word  of 
God,  and  as  he  warmed  up  with  his  subject,  he 
would  pull  oft'  his  coat.  Frequently  there  would 
be  Indians  present  at  these  meetings.  He  also 
referred  to  the  conduct  of  the  settlers  towards 
emigrants.  They  were  supplied  with  corn  and 
wlieai,  as  tlieir  necessities  required,  without 
money  and  without  price.  If  a  family  were 
sick  with  the  ague,  they  were  cared  for.  But 
things  are  changed  with  the  increase  of  popula- 
tion. He  spoke  of  the  time  when  men  who 
lived  within  six  or  ten  miles  were  considered 
neiglibors.  Then  they  had  wild  honey  and  an 
abundance  of  fresh  fish  for  the  taking.  Then 
no  man  was  charged  for  entertainment — all  was 
free.  In  this  connection,  he  referred  to  the 
great  contrast  between  the  present  and  past  with 
respect  to  churches  and  schools.  He  closed 
with  wishing  that  the  children  of  the  settlers 
and  their  cliildren's  children  might  live  to  enjoy 
the  advantages  which  came  from  increased  in- 
telligence of  the  people  in  religion  and  all  the 
arts  of  civilization. 

George  Anderson,  of  Springfield,  and  Samuel 
Williams,  of  Rochester,  made  appropriate  re- 
marks, and  the  meeting  adjourned  for  dinner,  a 
proceeding  that  few  generally  objected  to. 

After  dinner.  Preston  Breckenridge  was  called 
out,  and  commenced  with  referring  to  the  time 
he  came  from  Kentucky,  and  in  this  connection 
told  many  anecdotes  illustrating  the  state  of 
society  at  that  time.  When  he  came  to  Illinois, 
Sangamon  county  was  about  forty-nine  miles 
square,  and  in  1834  he  did  not  think  there  were 
as  many  people  in  Sangamon  county  as  there 
were  people  on  the  grounds  to-day.  People  had 
then  to  get  seasoned  to  fever  and  ague,  for 
everybody  had  it,  and  when  he  inquired  how 
long  it  required  for  a  person  to  get  seasoned,  he 
was  informed  nine  years,  but  in  his  case  it 
required  fifteen  years.  He  said  that  in  18-35 
there  was  rainy  weather  for  nearly  forty  days. 
There  were  about  forty-two  deaths  l)etween 
Buckheart  Grove  and  the  South  Fork  between 
October,  1834,  and  October,  1835.  Then  we 
had  no  ready-made  coffins,  and  when  he  first 
saw  an  advertisement  of  ready-made  cotfins  he 
thought  the  man  wanted  everybody  to  die. 
They  had  to  hunt  then  forplanks  for  coffins. 
He  had  known  two  persons  to  be  buried  in  one 
grave.  The  people  should  be  thankful  that 
they  had  passed  from  the  times  of  1834-5-0. 


HISTORY  OF  SAXGAMOX  COUNTY. 


441 


Al  this  stagf  of  the  ]irooeediiigs  a  beautiful 
boqiiet  was  presented  to  Irwin  Piilhaiii,  the  old- 
est settler  i)reseiit. 

James  H.  Maheny  was  the  next  speaker.  He 
began  by  saying  that  he  did  not  know  when  he 
came  to  the  county,  but  his  first  recollection  was 
that  he  was  here.  His  father  came  to  Spring- 
field in  1821,  and  the  change  since  that  time 
had  been  great  and  wondrous.  From  a  wild 
waste,  beauty  iiad  sprung  into  existence.  He 
had  been  in  various  sections  of  the  country,  and 
in  all  ills  wanderings  he  had  found  no  place  like 
Sangamon  county.  H  he  did  not  know  to  the 
contrary,  he  should  think  the  Garden  of  Eden 
had  been  located  here,  and  he  wondered  that  a 
man  could  be  seduced  from  it  by  an  apple.  He 
said  that  the  first  child  born  in  Springfield  was 
that  day  being  borne  to  her  long  home  —  Mrs. 
Lyman  Trumbull,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Gershora 
Jayne.  We  were  all  passing  away,  and  soon 
those  that  know  us  would  know  us  no  more. 

The  meeting  was  in  every  respect  a  success. 
Strother  G.  Jones  was  elected  President. 

SECOND    ANNUAL    MEETING. 

The  second  regular  annual  meeting  was  held 
at  Clear  Lake,  August  20,  1860.  The  meeting 
was  called  to  order  by  S.  G.  Jones,  President, 
and  an  appropriate  pra3'er  was  offered  liy  Rev. 
Mr.  Holton,  of  Springfield. 

Rev.  J.  G.  Bergen,  of  Springfield,  w.as  intro- 
duced, and  said  he  loved  to  see  both  old  friends 
and  young  ones,  for  he  loved  them  all.  He  re- 
counted scenes  of  his  early  life,  and  pointed  to 
changes  which  time  had  wrought  in  the  fair, 
bright  and  beautiful  Sucker  State.  In  his  youth 
it  required  a  year  and  a  half  to  circumscribe 
the  world,  and  now  seventy  days  suffice  to  ac- 
complish that  object.  A  mighty  God  controlled 
all  things,  and  in  His  hands  the  prosperity  and 
glory  of  the  land  were  unchangeably  fi.ved. 

Rev.  C  B.  Stafford  then  spoke.  He  had  known 
this  country  as  a  howling  wilderness,  and  in  his 
boyhood  nothing  but  the  whoop  of  the  Indians 
and  howl  of  wolves  were  heard.  Now  see  the 
change  which  had  taken  place  in  forty-eight 
years.  When  he  first  came  to  this  countiy  ho 
rocked  his  child  in  a  sugar  trough.  They  were 
compelled  to  plow  corn  at  night,  for  the  prairie 
flies  nearly  tortured  their  horses  to  death  during 
the  day.  It  took  three  persons  then  to  jilant  a 
row  of  corn — now  we  farm  on  a  different  scale. 
We  should  love  God  for  his  good  work. 

David  England  was  introduced.  He  remarked 
that  in  the  sjiring  of  1820  his  father  built  a 
church — the  first  in  the  county.  Provisions 
then  had  to  be  hauled  one  hundred  miles.   Where 

51— 


the  State  House  now  stands,  deer  were  as  plenty 
as  in  the  far  west  to-day,  and  they  were  here 
killed  every  day.  His  father  married  Philo 
Beers  to  Miss  Stillman,  and  he  believed  it  was 
the  first  marriage  in  the  county.  It  was  a  won- 
derful event  when  it  happened. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  England's  remarks 
dinner  was  announced,  and  the  meeting  adjourned 
for  that  purpose. 

After  dinner.  Rev.  J.  W.  Taylor,  of  IlliopoHs, 
Preston  Breckcnridge  and  James  H.  Matheny 
made  some  excellent  remarks. 

The  following  named  officers  were  elected: 
Preston  Breckenridge,  President;  Samuel  Pres- 
ton, S.  G.  Jones,  Vice  Presidents;  John  F.King, 
Secretary. 

MEMBERS    op    THE    SOCIETV. 

The  following  named  enrolled  their  names  as 
members  of  the  Society,  annexing  thereto  the 
place  of  their  nativ'ity,  and  the  year  in  which 
they  came  to  Sangamon  county: 

B.  Turley,  Sangamon,  1831. 
Thomas  Correll,  Teutucky,  1830. 
M.  O.  Reeves,  Ohio,  1830. 
H.  C.  Myers,  Pennsylvania,  1836. 

B.  C  Simpson,  New  Jersey,  1835. 
JohuC.  Woltz,  Virginia,  1840 
John  W.  Newman, "Tennessee,  1828. 
R.  H.  Withrow,  Kentucky,  1825. 
Nancy  Giger,  Tennessee,  1820. 

M.  D.  Eigmau,  Saugamou  county,  1831. 

T.  J.  V.  Owen,  Sangamon  county,  1824. 

James  Hcrron   Kentucky,  1833. 

V.  C.  Wilson,  Ohio,  1828. 

J.  M.  Wise,  Sangamon,  county,  1827. 

John  D   Keeiij-,  Sangamon  county,  1839. 

George  Power,  Kentucky,  1821. 

C.  Hopkins,  Massachusetts,  1830. 
David  England,  Ohio,  1819. 

J.  W.  Elliott,  Sangamon  county,  1822. 

Davis  Meredith,  Ohio,  1829. 

John  S.  Hillman,  Pennsylvania,  1827. 

A.  Knott,  Viriiinia,  1818! 

E.Porter,  Ohio,  1831. 

G.  Keyes,  Virginia,  1830. 

G.  J.  Fletcher,  Kentucky,  1830. 

J.  II.  FuUenwider,  Kentucky,  1834. 

Isaac  Taylor,  Kentucky,  1818. 

N.  B.  Whiteside,  Kentucky,  1831. 

J.  N.  Fullcnwider,  Kentucky,  1834. 

Samuel  Ray,  Kentucky,  1825. 

W.  T.  Bashaw,  Kentucky,  1829. 

Jacob  Baker,  Kentucky,  1828. 

G.  W.  Puffenbarger,  Maryland,  1839. 

John  Langer,  Ohio,  1846. 

Preston  Breckenridge,  Kentucky,  1834. 

15.  A.  Giser,  Sangamon  county,  1837. 

G.  II.  Miller,  Kentucky,  1830. 

G.  M.  Saunders,  Kentucky,  1828. 

Polly  Miller,  Kentucky,  1830. 

Anna  .lones,  Sangamon  county,  1828. 

.1.  W.  Keyes,  Virginia,  1831. 

Mary  McClees.  England,  1820. 


441.' 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Sarah  Hobbius,  KeutucUy,  1839. 

Lucy  Rubiuson,  Sangamon  county,  1820. 

Rebecca  Burnes,  Kentucky,  1830. 

E.  A.  Dickerson,  Kentucky,  1831. 

Edward  Clark,  England,  1819. 

Sarah  Donner,  Kentucky,  1830. 

J.  M.Loi;aD,  Kentucky,"l840. 

Felix  Carver,  Ohio.  18^0. 

Elizabeth  W.  Logan,  Kentucky,  1819. 

Thomas  Rucker,  Kentucky,  1833. 

Mrs.  L.  M.  Ridiicway,  Kentucky,  1837. 

W.  T.  Jones,  Kentucky,  1834. 

Lucy  Jones,  Kentucky,  1836. 

Daniel  Morgan,  Ohio,  1836. 

J.  McBride,  Kentucky,  1837. 

^y.  R.  Brassfield,  Kentucky,  1833. 

D.  P.  Robinson,  Kentucky^  1821. 
J.  C.  Sutton,  ISew  Jersey,  1839. 
'C.  Corrcll,  Illinois,  1839. 

John  Williams,  Kentucky,  1834. 
C.  W.  Matheny,  Illinois,  1831. 
W.  S.  Pickreli,  Illinois,  1838. 
George  Fisher,  Pennsylvania.  1840. 
J.  S.'Sauuders,  Kentucky,  1824. 
P.  A    Saunders,  Illinois,  1838. 
Hugh  Turner,  Indiana,  1819. 

E.  Whipple,  Illinois,  1835. 
Oatley  Miller,  Illinois,  18.30. 

C.  S.  Churchill,  Kentucky,  1838. 

Daniel  Taylor,  Illinois,  1839. 

S.  G.  .Jones,  Kentucky,  1836. 

J.  M.  Wise,  Sangamon,  county,  1837. 

Linsey  Ridgeway,  Kentucky,  1839. 

A.  Cooper.  Tennessee,  1833. 

William  Withrow,  Kentucky,  1824. 

Thomas  Cloyd,  Kentucky,  1824. 

Thomas  .V.  King,  Kentucky,  1831. 

Samuel  Houston,  Virginia,"  1838. 

G.  Groves.  Pennsylvania.  1836. 

G.  Baker,  Kentucky,  1838. 

J.  G.  Caldwell,  Kentucky,  1841. 

O.  F.  Matthew,  Indiana,"  1833. 

Wilbam  Yoacum,  Kentucky,  1828. 

J.  Warden,  Virginia,  1835. 

J.  W.  Taylor,  Kentucky,  1833. 

THIRD     ANNUAL    MEETING. 

The  annual  meeting  for  1870  was  held  on  the 
31st  day  of  August,  at  Clear  Lake.  A  much 
larger  attendance  of  old  people  were  present 
than  at  any  former  meeting.  The  day  was  warm 
and  pleasant,  making  the  shade  of  the  grove 
delightful. 

At  about  10  o'clock  the  meeting  was  called  to 
order  by  S.  G.  Jones,  and  Rev.  Francis  Springer 
was  introduced.  After  imploring  Divine  guid- 
ance upon  the  meeting,  Mr.  Springer  proceeded 
to  address  the  audience.  His  remarks  took  a 
wide  range  with  reference  to  the  progress  of  the 
country. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Springer's  address. 
General  Anderson  svas  introduced  and  made  a 
speech  in  which  he  reviewed  the  organization  of 
the  county,  and  related  several  anecdotes  illus- 
trating early  times  in  Sangamon  county.     He 


stated  that  he  came  to  this  county  in  1829  and 
had  830  in  money  when  he  came.  He  borrowed 
money  to  pay  for  the  first  eighty  acres,  for  which 
he  paid  fifty  per  cent,  interest.  In  the  course  of 
his  remarks,  he  gave  an  account  of  how  he 
labored  in  the  field  while  his  wife  worked  in  the 
house  manufacturing  cloth  to  clothe  the  chil- 
dren. He  had  raised  twelve  children,  and  had 
been  able  to  give  each  one  a  home  and  had 
enough  for  himself. 

Elisha  Price,  of  Menard,  next  made  a  few  re- 
marks, when  David  England  was  introduced, 
and  made  a  characteristic  speech.  He  was  fol- 
lowed in  turn  by  Samuel  A.  Grubb,  of  Spring- 
field; Samuel  Williams,  of  Rochester;  Thomas 
Bond,  of  Taylorville;  Joab  \Vilkinson,  of  Macon 
county,  and  Job  Fletcher.  The  following  is  the 
address  of  Mr.  Williams: 

INCIDENTS     AND     ITEMS     OF     FRONTIER     LIFE,     BY 
SAMUEL    WILLIAMS. 

"  I  was  born  in  Windsor  county,  State  of  Ver- 
mont, on  the  24th  day  of  April,  A.  D.  1800. 
When  I  was  about  four  years  of  age,  my  father, 
with  his  family,  emigrated  to  Essex  county,  in 
the  State  of  New  York.  But  few  improvements 
had  been  made  among  the  forests  and  there  were 
still  some  deer  in  the  woods,  and  I  remember 
that,  after  a  long  chase,  my  father  and  several 
of  the  neighbors  killed  a  large  moose. 

"During  the  summer  of  1806  I  attended 
school  three  months.  I  was  present  on  the  day 
of  the  great  eclipse  of  the  sun,  when  stars  were 
seen. 

"In  the  summer  of  1S07  my  father  removed 
again,  to  Tioga  county,  Pennsylvania;  where  the 
improvements  were  small  and  some  considerable 
distance  apart. 

"After  remaining  in  this  place  some  over  one 
year,  my  parents,  with  their  four  children,  started 
for  the  West. 

"  Marvelous  stories  were  told  by  persons  from 
their  recent  travels  in  the  new  State  of  Ohio. 
Such  wheat,  rye,  oats  and  corn  had  never  before 
been  seen  as  grew  on  Sciota  and  Miami  river 
bottoms.  They  said  that  they  grew  so  high  and 
thick  that  if  a  hen  were  thrown  into  the  field  of 
grain,  there  would  be  no  possible  chance  for  it 
ever  to  get  out  by  its  own  exertions,  and  the 
coi;ii  grew  so  large  and  high  that  when  the 
women  went  for  roasting  ears  they  had  to  take 
an  axe  and  cut  down  the  stalks  before  they  could 
obtain  a  supply.  One  morning,  my  father  re- 
turned from  the  lower  part  of  town,  and  said  to 
his  family,  'I  have  sold  the  wagon  and  horses, 
and  engaged  our  passage  on  a  boat  to  Ohio,  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


443 


by  night  we  had  embarked,  with  two  otlier  fam- 
ilies. After  numerous  delays,  we  disembarked, 
five  miles  above  Cincinnati.  We  lived  three 
years  on  the  Little  Miami  river,  two  or  three 
miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Here,  in 
1810  and  1811,  between  spells  of  the  ague,  I 
went  to  school,  three  months  more,  at  a  distance 
of  three  miles. 

"In  1812,  my  father  removed  to  Butler  county, 
near  Oxford.  The  timber  was  tall,  large,  and  of 
very  thick  growth,  and  ray  younger  brother  and 
myself  wefe  engaged  in  chopping  and  clearing 
most  of  the  time  for  several  years, 

"One  spring,  I  remember  taking  part  in  eigh- 
teen log-rollings.  It  was  the  custom  to  select 
two  cap'tains,  and  they  to  choose  their  men;  then 
the  ground  was  card uUy  divided  into  two  parts. 
Three  or  four  gallons  of  whisky  were  furnished 
by  the  proprietors  of  the  premises,  as  was  said, 
to  make  the  men  better  aide  to  endure  the  toil 
of  the  day. 

"There  was  generally  considerable  ambition  as 
to  who  was  to  get  done  first.  When  all  was 
completed,  the  proprietor  was  generally  called 
on  to  furnish  a  bucket  of  eggnog,  as  a  sequel  to 
the  occasion. 

"  There  were  no  temperance  societies  then; but, 
seeing  the  evil  resulting  from  the  prevailing 
custom  of  dram  drinking,  I  determined  never 
to  indulge  in  the  useless  and  pernicious  habit. 
The  sneers  and  taunting  remarks  that  I  had  to 
endure  on  these  and  other  public  occasions,  as 
being  the  only  one  who  would  neither  taste  the 
raw  liquor  or  any  of  its  combinations,  may  not 
be  imagined.  But,  though  strictly  temperate 
for  more  than  half  a  century,  I  think  my  health 
will  compare  very  favorably  with  anyone  who 
has  used  it  for  any  length  of  time.  During  the 
year  1814,  I  attended  school  three  or  four 
months  more.  At  the  end  of  the  term,  I  could 
read  readily  and  spell  better  than  some  of  my 
mates  who  had  more  favorable  opportunities. 

"I  could  not  write  very  much,  and  had  only 
proceeded  as  far  as  simple  reduction  in  arithme- 
tic; but  resolved  to  improve  my  stock  of  knowl- 
edge. During  the  winter  I  usually  labored  at 
chopping ;  at  night  I  would  take  home  a  load  of 
hickory  bark,  for  a  light;  and  after  my  brothers 
had  retired  I  would  frequently  spend  three  or 
four  hours  at  my  studies,  four  or  five  hours  of 
sleep  being  as  much  as  I  required  out  of  the 
twenty-four. 

"I  also  improved  other  spare  minutes  at 
my  studies  or  in  trying  my  skill  on  mechanical 
principles,  such  as  cross-bars,  wind-mills,  etc., 
etc. 


"My  stock  of  tools  consisted  of  a  Barlow 
knife  and  a  gimlet.  On  June  29,  181 Y,  I  con- 
fessed my  faitb  in  Christ,  and  was  baptized  into 
Ilis  church. 

"In  1819,  my  father  emigrated  to  Indiana, 
where  he  settled  near  the  head  of  a  stream  called 
the  '  Little  Flat  Rock.'  There'  were  no  persons, 
except  one  family,  living  within  six  miles  of  us. 
"In  the  spring  of  1821,  my  father  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  situated  iu 
the  north  part  of  the  bounty  tract,  between  the 
Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  Having  made 
the  purchase,  he  commenced  making  jirepara- 
tions  to  move  to  it,  as  early  in  the  fall  as  possi- 
ble. 

"During  the  intervening  time,  an  old  acijuaint- 
ance  of  my  father,  in  Ohio,  living  on  Blue  river, 
named  Elias  Thompson,  concluded  to  accom- 
pany us  to  the  State  of  Illinois.  Some  time 
early  in  September,  Orange  Babbit,  a  brother- 
in-law  of  Mr.  Thompson,  on  his  way  with  his 
family  from  New  York  to  Illinois,  called  on  Mr. 
Thompson  and  insisted  that  he  should  make  im- 
mediate preparations,  and  with  bis  laniily,  ac- 
company him  to  Illinois,  which,  after  some  medi- 
tation, he  concluded  to  do.  My  father  was  not 
ready;  he  had  several  head  of  cattle,  l)esides  his 
two  ox-teams,  and  Mr.  Thompson  had  several 
head  of  cattle  and  some  hogs  which  he  wished 
to  take  along.  After  consultation,  it  was  deter- 
mined that  the  stock  shouhl  be  put  together, 
and  that  I  should  accompany  Mr.  Thompson  and 
Mr.  Babbit  and  assist  in  driving  the  stock,  while 
the  range  by  the  way  was  still  good.  .Aly  father 
and  the  rest  of  the  family  to  follow  as  soon  as 
possible. 

"So,  being  ready,  we  started  with  one  ox-team 
and  Mr.  Babbit's  fatigued  two-horse  team,  he 
had  driven  from  New  York;  so  we  could  make 
but  moderate  progress.  After  some  days'  travel 
we  reached  the  White  river,  and  saw  as  we 
passed  down  its  bottoms  that  quite  a  number  of 
persons  had  settled  here  at  different  points. 
They  had  suffered  much  from  ague,  and  some 
had  left  their  bouses  vacant  and  returned  to 
their  old  homes.  After  leaving  White  river  the 
next  we  arri:\'ed  at  was  Terre  Haute,  then 
known  as  Fort  Harrison.  We  had  to  lay  by 
here  for  repairs  to  our  wagons  and  recruit  the 
teams,  for  it  rained  more  or  less  for  seventeen 
days,  making  the  roads  very  bad. 

"  When  ready  we  started  again,  crossed  the 
Wabash  river,  and  after  traveling  a  few  miles 
through  timber,  we  came  to  the  edge  of  the 
prairie   just  at  sunset,  on  a  beautiful   October 


444 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


evening.  I  thought  it  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
sights  1  ever  saw. 

"The  next  inoi-ning  we  commenced  crossing 
the  pi-airie.  For  a  road  we  had  only  the  track 
mxde  by  a  party  who  had  preceded  us  perhaps 
not  more  than  four  or  live  weeks,  and  after 
several  days'  travel,  we  arrived  at  a  grove  on  a 
high  eminence  in  the  prairie.  The  growth  was 
almost  exclusivel}'  lynn,  and  many  of  the  trees 
had  been  peeled  by  the  Indians;  I  have  since 
been  informed  that  this  was  a  camping  place 
during  the  war  of   1812. 

"The  next  evening  we  arrived  at  a  beautiful 
grove  on  tiie  principal  branch  of  the  Okaw.  We 
arrived  among  almost  suli'ocating  clouds  of 
smoke,  which  arose  from  the  immense  amount 
of  burning  grass,  set  on  lire  for  hunting  pur- 
poses, by  a  large  party  of  Indians,  most  of  whom 
encamped  in  the  grove  not  far  from  our  wagons. 
They  were  very  civil. 

"The  next  evening  a  little  after  dark  we  arrived 
at  the  Nonh  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river. 

"After  perhaps  about  three  days'  drive  we  came 
to  the  head  of  some  timber  on  a  considerable 
stream  of  water,  aj>proaching  the  North  fork 
fi-omtlie  south,  perhaps  nearly  opposite  Decatur. 

"Next  ninrht  we  camped  at  the  head  of  the 
timber  on  Mosquito  creek.  One  blustry  day's 
travel  more  brought  us  to  the  beautiful  grove  of 
large  timber  near  the  head  of  the  Buck-heart 
creek.  After  a  late  start  in  the  morning,  on  ac- 
count of  rain,  when  we  had  traveled  five  miles 
or  more  the  way  the  track  led  us,  about  sun-set 
the  hogs  held  up  their  heads  and  all  started  to 
the  south  on  a  running  gait  for  a  mile  or  more. 
I  endeavored  in  vain  to  stop  them,  when  in  the 
dusk  of  the  evening,  to  my  great  surprise,  I 
came  to  a  fence,  around  a  field  of  Illinois  corn. 
It  was  situated  near  Campbell's  point,  in  Chris- 
tian county.  The  teams  soon  came  up.  Mr. 
Titus  Gragg,  who  lived  there,  received  us  very 
kindly,  and  we  slept  in  a  house  that  night,  the 
first  one  we  had  seen  since  we  left  the  Wabash 
river. 

"From  Mr.  Gragg's  we  crossed  the  south  fork 
of  the  Sangamon  river  and  Clear  creek,  and  tar- 
ried over  night  with  Mr.  Jacob  Gragg,  who  then 
lived  about  a  half  a  mile  south-east  of  where 
Breckenridge'.s  mill  now  stands. 

"Next  day  we  passed  on  to  Mr.  Henry  Funder- 
burk's,  on  Horse  (•reek. 

"Aftei' careful  in<juiry,  we  could  learn  nothing 
of  a  road  leading  to  the  military  bounty  lands, 
or  even  to  the  Illinois  river,  and  the  range  hav- 
ing been  killed  by  hard  frosts,  we  concluded  to 
spend  the  wintei' somewhere  in  the  neighborhood. 


"Mr.  Thompson  stopped  at  Gideon  Ilawley's, 
on  the  west  side  of  the  south  fork  of  the  Sang- 
amon river. 

"Mr.  Babbit  made  an  arrangeraentwith  the 
widow  Knotts,  living  on  the  west  side  of  Stigar 
creek,  to  gather  her  line  field  of  corn  for  lier  for 
one-fourth  of  the  crop,  she  to  find  him  house 
room  for  his  family.  I  accepted  Mr.  Babbit's 
proposal  to  winter  with  him,  and  to  assist  him 
in  gathering  the  corn.  My  part  was  sufficient 
to  winter  the  seventeen  head  of  cattle  which  I 
had  driven  from  Indiana. 

"Mr.  Draper  and  family  wintered  in  a  small 
log  cabin  near  Mr.  Funderburk's.  Under  the 
puncheon  floor  a  former  occupant  had  dug  a 
large  hole,  as  a  repository  for  potatoes.  In  this 
Mr.  Draper,  being  short  of  bedding,  put  a  quan- 
tity of  prairie  hay,  and  at  night  he  would  raise 
up  the  end  of  one  of  the  broad  hewn  puncheons 
and  put  his  children  down,  where,  ameng  the 
hay,  they  would  sleep  soundly  till  morning. 
Thus  it  was  that  a  Boston  merchant's  family 
spent  their  first  winter  in  Illinois.  I  think  Mr. 
Draper  w'ent  to  Morgan  county,  where,  as  I 
heard  a  year  or  two  after,  he  filled  the  office  of 
sherifl:  with  much  ability,  and  I  have  never  been 
able  to  hear  from  or  see  him  or  his  family  since. 

"On  our  way  to  Mrs.  Knott's  residence,  Mr. 
Babbitt  obtained  a  supply  of  cornmeal  at  a  band 
horse  mill,  owned  by  Mr.  Joseph  Drennan;  the 
meal  cost  twenty-five  cents  per  bushel. 

"  Having  arrived  at  winter  quarters,  Mr.  Bab- 
bitt and  I  commenced  gathering  corn.  On  un- 
favorable days  for  gathering  corn,  we  made  rails 
for  a  Mr.  Pulliam.  Such  rails  as  pleased  him 
(large  ones)  we  made  for  thirty-seven  and  a  half 
cfents  a  hundred,  in  trade,  and  found  ourselves. 

"After  the  corn  was  gathered,  I  called  in  one 
evening  at  Mr.  PuUiam's,  where,  for  the  first 
time,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  introduced  to 
Mr.  Charles  Wright  (a  brother  of  Mr.  Erastus 
Wright,  of  Springfield,  111.),  who  was  soon  to 
commence  teaching  school  near  the  band-mill 
spoken  of  before.  In  course  of  my  conversa- 
tion with  him,  I  told  him  that  for  years  I  had 
regretted  my  inability  to  attend  school,  as  my 
inclination  to  become  a  good  scholar  was  very 
great,  and  it  was  now  seven  years  since  I  had 
been  able  to  go  even  a  single  day.  I  found  Mr. 
Wright  a  very  affable  man.  He  invited  me  to 
attend  his  school  whenever  I  could,  if  for  only 
a  few  days  at  a  time;  he  would  consider  it  a 
pleasure  to  render  me  all  the  assistance  he 
could. 

"I  attended  twenty-one  days,  and  found  him 
to  be  an  excellent  teacher.      I  improved  very 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


445 


much  in  m}-  reading,  writing  and  spelling 
during  my  iwenty-one  days.  While  attending 
schooT,  I  would  take  my  arithmetic  and  slate 
home  with  me  and  cover  it  with  examples, 
which  I  would  carry  to  Mr.  Wright  for  his 
examination,  after  which  I  was  ready  for  another 
day's  hard  labor. 

"From  the  comniencement  of  the  single  rule 
of  three  to  ihat  of  square  root,  I  did  every  ex- 
ample by  rule,  with  but  little  assistance.  With 
this  start,  I  was  able,  by  the  assistance  of  the 
rules  in  mj-  arithmetic,  to  pass  through  ex- 
change, the  cube  root,  and  other  succeeding 
rules  without  assistance. 

"In  January,  my  parents  and  a  family  named 
Deardoft'  and  George  Brunk  arrived.  They  en- 
countered a  severe  storm,  and  with  much  diffi- 
cult)' escaped  losing  their  way  on  the  smooth 
burnt  prairie,  on  the  day  of  their  arrival  at  the 
large  grove  above  the  Okaw  timber. 

"In  the  spring  of  182l',  my  father  rented  a 
part  of  a  farm  in  Fork  Prairie,  of  Field  Jarvis. 
(He  measured  six  feet  and  eleven  inches  in 
height.)  The  premises  now  belong  to  Robert 
Beil  (the  south  part  of  his  farm). 

"  During  the  summer,  my  brother  Joseph  broke 
thii'ty-six  acres  of  prairie  for  Mr.  Jarvis,  for 
$1.50  per  acre,  in  trade. 

"There  were  many  swarms  of  bees  here  in  the 
timber  in  1822,  not  having  been  hunted  out  so 
early  in  this  part  of  the  State  as  the  north  part. 
Early  this  spring,  my  father  and  I  concluded  on 
a  bee  hunting  excursion.  Being  ready,  we  put 
into  a  covered  wagon  two  large  new  vessels,  as  a 
repository  for  honey,  two  or  three  buckets,  some 
cooking  utensils,  provisions,  corn  for  the  oxen, 
axes,  a  tent  cloth,  some  dressed  buckskin,  and 
thread  to  repair  torn  pants,  two  or  three  books, 
etc.  About  the  iOth  of  March,  we  started  east. 
The  first  night,  we  encamped  in  the  Buck  Hart 
grove,  the  second  night  on  Mosquito  creek,  op- 
posite to  ihe  two  mounds  in  the  prairie.  The 
next  day  being  too  cold  for  bees  to  fly,  we  passed 
on  to  the  creek  before  spoken  of,  entering  into 
the  north  fork  from  the  south.  Here  we  pitched 
our  tent,  and  remained  three  or  four  weeks,  not 
more  than  one  or  two  days, or  parts  of  days,  in  a 
week  being  warm  enough  for  bees  to  fly. 

"My  father  usually  kept  camp,  assisted  in 
cutting  trees,  etc.,  but  I  did  the  hunting. 

"In  the  timber  on  this  stream,  I  found  thirty 
or  thirty-three  bee  trees. 

"  Here,  on  one  very  favorable  day,  I  found 
ten,  the  greatest  number  I  ever  found  on  one 
day,  the  common  average  on  good  days  being 
from  two  to  seven. 


"We  returned  home  with  about  forty-tive 
gallons  of  honey,  and  fifty  or  sixty  pounds  of 
beeswax. 

"  Soon  after  our  ari-ival  at  home  I  went  to 
town  to  sell  the  wax,  in  company  with  two  or 
three  other  persons.  This  was  my  first  visit  to 
Springfiehl.  The  south  fork  of  the  Sangamon 
was  high.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  I  saw  Mr. 
Edward  Clark  and  his  brother  Philip.  They 
with  several  hands,  were  busy  preparing  timbers 
for  their  mill.  They  sent  over  a  man  and  their 
canoe  to  assist  us  in  crossing.  We  had  to  swim 
our  horses  over  by  the  side  of  the  canoe,  one  at 
a  time.  When  all  was  over  we  proceeded  on 
to  town.  Mr.  Elijah  lies  was  the  only  merchant 
here  then;  he  kept  his  store  in  a  log  house,  some 
distance  northwest  of  what  afterwards  became 
the  public  square.  I  found  him  at  leisure,  he 
was  quite  social,  and  we  soon  made  a  trade,  he 
giving  me  twenty-live  cents  per  pound,  chiefly 
in  goods.  There  was  not  more  than  a  dozen 
houses  in  town,  if  that  many.  In  the  fall,  my 
father  and  I  went  out  again  to  hunt  bees;  camp- 
ing the  flrst  nights  at  the  same  localities  as  in 
the  spring.  We  proceeded  on  slowly,  hunting 
up  the  North  Fork  timber  till  we  came  to  the 
place  where"  we  struck  it  when  moving.  The 
bees  were  not  plenty  on  this  stream;  we  found 
about  forty  bee-trees  this  time.  My  father  was 
unwell  here  for  several  days,  which  detained  us 
longer  than  we  had  anticipated. 

"There  was  much  rainy  weather  at  this  time. 
During  the  first  afternoon  of  our  encampment 
here,  a  Pennsylvania  Dutchman  arrived  at  our 
camp  on  horseback,  in  a  drenching  rain.  He 
was  on  his  way  to  the  Military  Tract,  to  ex- 
amine a  piece  of  land.  He  passed  the  night 
with  us,  and  seemed  quite  intelligent  on  general 
matters,  but  was  much  discouraged. 

"Looking  down  the  bluft'  at  the  North  Fork  he 
enquired  its  name.  On  being  told,  he  seemed 
much  dejected,  and  exclaimed,  in  his  Dutch  ac- 
cent: "If  that  is  the  Sangamon  river,  of  which 
I  heard  so  much,  I  was  badly  deceived."  He 
was  on  the  point  of  turning  back  for  home  when, 
from  the  number  of  his  land,  my  father  thought 
it  might  be  valuable,  and  pursuaded  him  to  go 
and  see  it. 

"He  went  on  and  found  it  a  valuable  tract  in 
the  Ross  settlement,  about  twelve  or  fifteen 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  Spoon  river. 

"He  returned  the  day  before  we  were  intending 
to  return  home.  He  was  in  good  spirits,  now 
that  his  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  were  valua- 
ble, and  he  intended  to  make  his  final  home 
there.     He  was  very  thankful  to  my  fathei'  for 


440 


HISTORY  OF  SANUAMON  C^OUNTY. 


liis  advice,  and  in  the  niorniiig,  after  breakfast, 
we  bade  each  other  a  friendly  adieu,  he  starting 
for  his  home  and  we  for  ours. 

"  Duringall  ourtravelsof  these  two  excursions 
we  saw  no  white  man  save  the  Dutchman.  On 
the  fourth  day  of  March,  1823,  my  father  and  I 
started  east  for  another  bee-hunt.  The  third 
day  being  warm,  I  found  three  trees  on  Mosquito 
creek,  near  its  head.  From  this  point  we  struck 
oft"  to  the  right  of  the  North  Fork  and  found 
seventy  trees  on  the  first  branches  of  the  Okaw, 
or  Kaskaskia,  river.  We  cut  forty  and  left  three 
others  to  stand  till  fall.  In  August  my  father 
died,  and  in  the  fall  one  of  my  brothers  accom- 
panied me  to  cut  the  bee-trees  left  standing  in 
the  spring.  In  the  spring  and  fall  of  1824,  I 
went  in  the  employ  of  Mr.  Thompson  to  hunt 
bees. 

"I  think  at  the  end  of  the  season  we  came  out 
even,  finding  one  hundred  and  fifty  trees  each. 
If  Major  lies  has  his  oldmerchantile  books  they 
will  show  that  Mr.  Thompson  and  I  dealt  with 
him  on  a  liberal  scale  in  bees-wax.  In  all  our 
hunting  this  year  for  miles  up  and  down  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  the  Okaw,  we  found  no  place 
where  a  white  man  had  either  settled  or  com- 
menced an  improvement.  We  admired  much 
of  the  beautiful  prairie  situated  on  the  east  and 
south  sides  of  the  North  Fork,  and  some  sit- 
uated on  the  Okaw;  but  we  entertained  no  idea 
that  one  hundredth  part  of  what  we  saw  would 
sell  for  Congress  prices  during  a  common  life 
time. 

"  So  much  in  reference  to  bee-hunting,  and 
the  uninhabited  country  of  Central  Illinois,  seen 
between  the  spring  of  1822,  and  fall  of  1824. 

"Late  in  the  fall  of  1822,  my  father  and  I 
started  on  foot  for  the  military  bounty  land  to 
examine  the  land,  and  ascertain  the  situation  of 
the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acre-tract,  purchased 
while  in  Indiana.  We  passed  north  from 
Springfield,  crossed  the  Sangamon  river  at  the 
ferry,  near  where  the  bridge  was  afterwards 
built.  Then  we  soon  turned  to  the  left  and 
crossed  Salt  creek  near  its  mouth. 

"Not  far  from  this  we  saw  the  ashes,  yet 
fresh,  where  a  Mr.  Hawley  had  encamped  on  his 
way  to  convey  a  widow  woman  to  some  place, 
but  in  attempting  to  ascertain  the  depth  of  the 
ford,  was  drowned.  Though  I  had  never  seen 
the  man,  my  sympathy  went  out  to  his  bereaved 
family  when  they  heard  the  sad  news.  We 
went  on  till  near  the  Illinois  river,  where  we  saw 
a  man,  but  he  could  tell  us  little  about  the  coun- 
try. He  thought  there  might  be  one  or  two  set- 
tlers on  the  south  side  of  the  Spoon  river,  eight 


or  ten  miles  above  its  mouth,  he  was  not  certain. 
We  had  with  us  some  provisions,  a  gun,  a 
hatchet,  and  a  pocket  compass. 

"When  we  arrived  at  the  Illinois  river  we  got 
some  Indians  to  take  us  over  in  a  canoe.  The 
laud  we  wished  to  see  lay  in  township  twelve 
north,  range  two  west,  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  thirteen.  We  traveled  west  from  the 
river  for  some  distance,  and  after  a  long  search 
in  the  timber  found  a  surveyor's  corner.  I  knew 
how  the  sections  were  numbered,  beginning  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  each  township.  On  ex- 
amination, I  found  we  were  abont  sixty  miles 
south  of  the  land. 

"Mr.  Babbit's  land  lay  in  town,  five  or  six 
north,  range  two  east.  We  got  to  it,  finding  it  a 
rather  broken,  hickory  and  oak  land.  It  ap- 
peared poor  to  us  and  so  we  reported  it  to  him, 
but  perhaps  it  is  valuable  now.  Our  provisions 
run  short,  and  finding  no  game,  we  turned  down 
Spoon  river  but  could  find  no  houses.  We  tried 
to  cross  over  to  the  Ross  settlement,  but  the 
river  was  very  high,  running  swiftly  over  the 
bottoms,  and  we  could  not  cross,  so  we  conclu- 
ded to  return;  and  re-crossed  the  Illinois  river 
where  we  did  before.  We  had  now  traveled 
sixty  or  seventy  miles,  over  the  military  lands. 
Part  of  our  route  was  over  rough,  broken  tim- 
bered land,  and  part  over  rolling  prairies.  We 
did  not  see  one  white  man  or  a  house,  west  of 
the  river.  From  this  point  we  returned  home 
by  the  same  road  that  we  came. 

"Sometime  in  September,  1825, 1  started  alone 
to  see  the  military  lands.  I  rode  part  of  the 
way  this  time,  and  besides  other  necessary- 
things  took  a  hatchet  with  me,  to  cut  oft'  the 
new  growth  which  now  partly  covered  the  sur- 
veyor's marks.  I  crossed  the  Illinois  and  Spoon 
rivers,  near  the  mouth  of  the  latter,  and  passed 
the  night  at  a  house,  perhaps  twelve  miles  dis- 
tant on  my  way. 

"In  the  night  my  horse  escaped  and  could  not 
be  found  in  the  morning.  So  with  mj-  hatchet 
and  some  provisions,  I  started  on  foot  to  prose- 
cute my  purpose.  I  found  the  way  rather  rough 
for  some  distance  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Spoon 
river  and  some  of  its  tributaries,  but  as  I  passed 
further,  I  found  beautiful,  rich  rolling  prairies, 
extending  far  to  the  north,  intersected  occasion- 
ally with  points  of  timber.  After  miles  of  travel 
I  arrived  at  a  small  stream  of  water  surrounded 
by  beautiful  timber,  and  running  a  northwest, 
course  for  several  miles. 

"After  searching  sometime  in  the  timber  I 
found  a  surveyor's  line,  traced  it  on  west,  to  a 
corner  stone,  and  found  I  was  six  miles  east  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


447 


the  southeast  corner  of  the  land  which  I  wished 
to  see.  I  had  to  guess  as  nearly  as  I  could 
where  the  land  la}'.  I  passed  on  until  I  supposed 
I  had  reached  the  center  of  the  tract.  The 
stream  I  supposed  to  be  a  branch  of  Henderson 
river,  passed  tlirough  the  land;  it  was  here  about 
twelve  or  thirteen  inches  deep,  with  a  swift  cur- 
rent. It  was  now  growing  dark,  my  tinder  had 
become  damp  and  with  only  my  knife  and  flint 
I  could  not  start  a  lire,  and  being  unable  to  do 
better,  I  laid  down  by  the  side  of  a  big  fallen 
tree  with  a  light  blanket  over  me,  in  a  rain 
storm  till  morning.  When  I  arose,  so  far  as  I 
could  ascertain,  there  was  no  settlement  or  road 
leading  in  the  direction  of  this  land  nigher  than 
thirty-five  or  forty  miles;  hence,  the  idea  of  at- 
tempting to  settle  on  it  under  existing  circum- 
stances, while  good  land  was  plenty  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  seemed  to  me  to  be  unadvisable. 

"  On  my  return,  having  walked  a  hundred 
miles  or  more,  and  camped  out  every  night,  I 
was  glad  to  obtain  my  horse  again.  The  man  at 
whose  house  I  staid  over  had  found  it  soon  after 
I  left.  After  two  or  three  days  travel  I  reached 
home  not  caring  much  for  the  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  except  that  it  had  been  the  primary 
means  of  inducing  us  to  leave  the  back  country 
for  the  beautiful  State  of  Illinois.  These  events 
all  occurred  before  the  close  of  the  fall  season  in 
1825. 

"Among  the  numerous  privations  endured  by 
some  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Sangamon  county, 
none  was  felt  more  sensibly  than  the  lack  of 
schools.  In  different  localities  one  or  two  fam- 
ilies might  be  found  having  few  or  many  child- 
ren. The  parents  felt  anxious  to  see  their  intel- 
lectual faculties  cultivated;  l)ut  what  were  they 
to  do?  three  or  five  children  were  too  few  to 
constitute  a  school.  In  connection  with  this,  if 
in  some  neighborhoods  a  small  school  could  be 
made  up,  where  was  a  competent  teacher  to  be 
found  to  in  struct  them"?  But  this  state  of  things 
could  not  long  last  in  Sangamon  county.  Em- 
igrants were  coming  in  from  both  the  Southern 
and  Eastern  States,  and  children  in  sufficient 
numbers  to  make  up  schools  would  not  long  be 
lacking. 

"In  the  summer  of  1824,  Daniel  Parkinson 
and  one  or  two  others  insisted  that  I  should  teach 
their  children.  I  was  aware  that  my  limited  ed- 
ucation and  experience  rendered  me  inadequate 
to  perform  so  great  a  task,  and  1  expressed  my 
feelings  freely  to  Mr.  Parkinson.  In  reply  he 
said  that  the  few  children  in  the  neighborhood 
greatly  needed  instruction;  that  the  niostof  them 
had  never  been  to  school,  and  that  to  teach  them 


to  read  and  spell  was  all  that  was  necessary  in 
the  i)resent  instance.  After  some  hesitation  I 
consented  to  teach  for  a  few  days — not  for  any 
limited  time. 

"  With  a  little  band  of  ten  or  twelve  dutiful 
children  I  labored  for  the  space  of  three  months. 
Tiie  children  madegood  progress  in  their  studies, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  school  I  had  the  pleasure 
to  know  that  my  employers  were  well  satisfied. 

"Mr.  Parkinson,  Mr.  Warwick,  and  one  or 
two  others  were  patrons  of  the  school.  Also 
Francis  Cooper,  -who  afterwards  married  George 
Dickson,  attended. 

"  I  placed  but  little  confidence  in  the  predic- 
tions of  some  that  in  process  of  time  the  inex- 
perienced teacher  would  liecome  a  good  school- 
master. 

"About  this  time  Mr.  Parkinson  loaned  me 
Lindley  Murray's  Grammar  to  peruse;  it  was  the 
first  grammar  I  think  that  I  ever  held  in  my 
hands. 

"  I  soon  saw  that  it  would  afford  me  much  use- 
ful knowledge,  so  purchased  it  for  my  own  pri- 
vate use,  not  supposing  at  the  time  I  would  ever 
teach  again. 

"Late  in  November,  1823,  Mr.  Thomas  Black, 
who  lived  on  Sugar  creek,  r,ent  word  that  he 
wanted  to  see  me.  I  went  and  found  him  in  his 
cornfield,  with  his  boys,  busily  engaged  gathering 
corn.  He  was  glad  to  see  me,  and  said  he  had 
heard  of  ray  teaching  in  the  'forks'  (of  the 
Sangamon  river),  and  had  sent  for  me.  He  went 
on  to  state  that  there  were  several  children  in 
the  neighborhood  who  ought  to  be  at  school,  but 
not  persons  enough  who  would  send  to  make  up 
a  school  by  subscription.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, he  had  concluded  to  hire  some  one  to 
teach  three  months  for  the  benefit  of  his  own 
children  and  others  that  could  be  induced  to 
attend.  lie  proposed  if  I  would  teach  to  give 
me  -112  in  trade  per  month  and  board  me,  I  to 
teach  all  children  that  should  attend  for  a  term 
of  three  months.  I  told  Mr.  Black  that  my 
opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education  had 
been  very  unfavorable,  so  much  so  that  I  knew 
I  was  not  well  prepared  to  teach  school.  He 
thought  as  none  of  the  children  were  far  ad- 
vanced, and  the  most  of  them  would  have  to 
commence  with  the  a,  b,  c's,  I  would  be  fully 
competent  to  teach  the  school.  After  some 
hesitation  I  accepted  the  offer. 

"About  the  1st  of  Deceml)er,  1823,  I  com- 
menced. I  cannot  now  recollect  the  names  of 
the  persons  who  sent  to  this  school,  but  will 
name  those  who  are  remembered:  Thomas 
Black,  James  Patton,  William  Woods,  Herman 


44« 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Ilusbaiuls,  Widows  Paine  and  Stout,  Mr.  Crow 
and  Noah  Mason.  Besides  these,  Ezekiel  Dren- 
nan  (son  of  old  William  Drennan)  attended 
most  of  the  winter  and  Charles  D.  Nuckolls 
several  days;  most  of  the  scholars  called  him 
Dab  Nuckolls.  Such  orderly  and  studious 
scholars  as  attended  this  school  are  a  credit  to 
any  community.  I  now  considered  my  position 
as  a  very  responsible  one,  and  I,  not  to  betray 
such  confidence  as  had  been  reposed  in  me, 
therefore  improved  my  spare  hours  in  studying 
my  grammar,  dictionary  and  other  availalle 
helps,  that  I  might  improve  myself  and  be  the 
better  able  to  teach  my  pupils. 

In  December,  1824,  1  commenced  a  school  on 
Horse  creek.  The  employers'  names  were,  as 
far  as  I  can  remember:  Joseph  Dickson,  Henry 
Funderburk,  Mr.  Neely,  two  of  the  Fergusons, 
Mordecai  Hamilton,  Elias  Thompson  and  James 
Snodgrass,  Jr.  Besides  these,  some  other  per- 
sons sent  occasionally. 

"In  the  summer  of  1825  I  taught  in  the' South- 
wick  settlement.  The  employers  were  Mr. 
Southwick,  Dexter  Pease,  William  Seeley,  Zack- 
ariah  Peter,  Mr.  Stout,  Widow  Paine,  Mr.  Twist, 
and  a  Mr.  Harty.  I  still  remember  with  pleasure 
many  agreeable  hours  spent  with  my  employers 
around  their  social  firesides. 

"In  December,  1825,  ray  brother  Elias  and  I 
concluded  to  go  to  Edwardsville  to  see  a  man 
who  had  advertised  some  land  to  sell  in  the  Mili- 
tary Tract.  We  hoped  to  be  able  to  obtain  some 
on  terms  within  our  reach,  and  if  we  did  not  suc- 
ceed in  this,  we  would  search  for  employment 
for  which  we  could  obtain  our  pay  in  money; 
there  being  no  chance  to  obtain  money  in  San- 
gamon. With  some  j)rovisions  in  an  old  knap- 
sack, and  between  two  and  three  dollars  in 
money,  and  not  a  garment  except  those  in  use, 
we  started  on  a  clear  bnt  cold  December  day  for 
Edwardsville.  W^e  reached  Macoupin  point  late 
in  the  afternoon,  but  thought  we  could  make  the 
nearest  point  on  the  St.  Louis  (twelve  miles  dis- 
tant) road  before  daik,  but  got  on  the  wrong 
road  and  had  to  travel  about  eight  or  ten  miles 
farther,  when  we  came  to  a  Mr.  Stewarts,  seven 
miles  from  Hillsboro;  we  enquired  how  far  we 
were  from  Macoupin  Point,  and  he  said  twenty- 
one  miles.  The  reason  I  inention  this  is  to  show 
how  far  it  was  in  1825  from  Macoupin  Point  to 
the  first  house  on  the  Hillsboro  road.  As  we 
proceeded  toward  Edwardsville  the  houses  be- 
came rather  more  frequetit.  On  inquiry  we 
found  that  the  man  we  had  come  to  see  was  not 
at  home,  and  as  we  could  get  nothing  to  do,  we 
proceeded  on  toward  St.  Louis;  the  weather  be- 


ing very  cold.  We  tarried  over  night  at  a  house 
in  the  Great  American  Bottom,  but  could  hear  of 
no  demand  for  labor  in  this  neighborhood,  so 
started  the  next  morning  for  St.  Louis.  When 
we  arrived  at  Wiggins'  ferry,  opposite  St.  Louis, 
we  found  we  would  have  to  wait,  as  the  boat 
could  not  cross  on  account  of  running  ice  in  the 
river.  W^e  here  met  Governor  Edwards,  who 
was  very  talkative  and  jolly.  The  Governor 
came  to  us  and  asked  us  where  we  were  going, 
and  where  we  were  from":'  When  I  had  told 
him  what  had  induced  us  to  leave  our  home  in 
Sangamon,  he  said  as  it  was  now  winter,  and  as 
there  are  many  blacks  in  St.  Louis,  I  think  the 
chances  for  employment  there  must  be  unfavor- 
able; but  times  are  good  down  Missouri,  at  the 
lead  mines,  on  Sandy  creek,  thirty-five  or  forty 
miles  below  St.  Louis,  and  I  think  you  can  do 
better  there,  as  labor  is  in  demand.  We  told 
him  that  we  were  used  to  hard  labor,  but  that  we 
had  heard  that  there  were  many  rough  characters 
at  the  mines,  so  felt  a  degree  of  hesitancy  a4)0ut 
going  to  that  place. 

"The  Governor  replied:  'I  am  aware  that 
what  you  say  is  true,  but  I  think  you  can  do 
well  at  the  mines;  industrious  men  who  are 
quiet,  will  find  friends,  and  be  respected  there, 
and  he  added:  I  am  acquainted  with  Mr.  Glas- 
gow and  Bryant,  proprietors  at  the  Sandy  Mines, 
and  if  you  will  conclude  to  go  down  I  will  write 
a  line  or  two  to  them,  and  state  your  case  to 
them.' 

"After  some  consultation  with  Ellis,  we  con- 
cluded to  go  to  the  mines.  To  think  that  so  in- 
telligent a  man  as  Governor  Edwards  should 
manifest  so  warm  an  interest  in  behalf  of  two 
youthful  strangers,  was  very  encouraging  to  us. 

"After  taking  leave  of  the  Governor  we 
started  for  the  lead  mines.  About  night  of  the 
second  day  we  arrived  at  the  ferry  opposite  the 
Herculaneum.  The  ice  was  still  running  in  the 
rivei-,  in  the  morning.  After  some  delay  we 
crossed  and  reached  the  mines,  eight  miles  dis- 
tant, in  good  time.  We  staid  there  fifteen 
months,  cutting  cord  wood  and  working  in  the 
lead  mines.  We  then  went  to  Galena,  where  we 
staid  two  years  and  nine  months,  making  in  all 
about  four  years  we  were  in  the  mines." 

FOURTH  ANNUAL  MEETING. 

Cherry  grove,  or  Irwin's  grove  was  selected 
as  the  place  for  the  fourth  annual  meeting  of 
the  Old  Settlers  of  Sangamon  county.  Cherry 
grove  is  a  beautiful  and  romantic  spot,  contain- 
ing forty  acres  of  most  magnificent  timber,  per- 
fectly cleared  from  undergrowth  and  brush,  and 


\ 


hi 


.'^ 


"^^^  m-^ 


^.■^r^-^^r?-^- 


HISTORY  OK  SAXGAMON  COUNTY. 


4ol 


pieseuiiug  a  deep,  unbroken  sliade,  witli  a  car- 
pet iiiuler  your  feet  of  the  deepest  green.  The 
speakers'  stand  was  beautifully  decorated  with 
wreaths,  evergreens  and  bloomiu';-  tlo  vers,  over 
which  tioated  that  grand  old  Ijanner,  the  stars 
and  stripes.  A  large  nunil)er  of  dignified  look- 
ing old  settlers,  attired  in  their  best,  and  appear- 
ing as  young  as  the  youngest  settlers  in  the 
crowd,  graced  the  ])lalforni.  Among  others 
were  William  Drennan,  \Vilson  Dodds,  Elijah 
lies,  S.  G.  Nesbitt,  Samuel  Cloyd,  Samuel  Grubb, 
John  B.  Weber,  J.  C.  Bone,  Henry  Convei-se, 
Isaac  and  E.  B.  Hawley,  Jacob  Ball,  R.  Coley, 
George  Miller,  Job  Fletcher,  Robert  Wilburn, 
James  Parkinson,  D.  Wadsworth,  Jaines  W. 
Patton,  Squire  Campbell,  E.  Barnes,  George 
Weaver,  P.  Wyman,  James  Scott,  Uriah  Mann, 
D.  H.  Shennan,  Joel  Johnson,  J.  R.  Coleman, 
John  Brovvnell,  Davis  Meredith,  John  DeCamp 
and  William  Sutton,  together  with  Mother 
Archer,  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  who  has 
lived  in  the  county  since  \S2l,  making  her  the 
oldest  lady  settler. 

■  After  |)rayer  by  Daniel  Wadsworth,  the  Pres- 
ident, Preston  Breckenridge,  called  the  meeting 
to  order  and  expressed  his  gratification  at  meet- 
ing so  many  old  friends.  Samuel  Williams  was 
then  introduced  and  made  a  few  remarks,  after 
which  John  M  Palmer  was  introduced  and  pro- 
ceeded to  deliver  one  of  his  happiest  and  most 
effective  speeches.  He  said  it  was  a  true,  sin- 
cere pleasure  to  be  present  at  this  meeting.  He 
saw  gentlemen  before  him  who  had  known  this 
county  when  it  contained  less  than  three  hun- 
dred people;  when  Springfield  existed  only  in 
name.  We  can  hardly  comprehend  the  past 
and  its  difference  from  the  present.  Y'^oung 
ladies  can  hardly  comprehend  that  the  women 
of  other  days  could  be  beautiful,  wearing  oidy 
their  own  hair,  and  yet  those  women  were  as 
lovely  as  those  of  to-day.  Thank  God,  this 
idea  will  last  for  a  life-time.  We  see  not  the 
change  in  the  faces  of  those  we  love,  but  love 
them  more  and  more  as  time  goes  steadily  on. 
He  knows  a  wealthy  citizen  of  Sangamon  who 
came  here  on  foot,  with  only  a  horse,  axe  and 
gun.  /hat  was  the  stuff  of  the  old  settlers. 
We  love  and  honor  the  memory  and  associa- 
tions of  men  of  the  past,  for  they  are  worthy 
our  love  and  respect.  At  one  time  in  his  life  he 
thought  the  driver  of  a  six-horse  team  occupied 
the  highest  position  in  the  world.  He  had  been 
strongly  democratic  in  his  opinions  in  regard  to 
the  rights  of  the  people,  among  which  were  cut- 
ting timber  where  they  wished,  and  taking  up 
hogs  running  at  large.     The  people  in  early  days 

52— 


considered  this  legitimate,  and  he  must  confess 
at  this  time  he  thought  so  to.  He  remembered 
how  sparking  was  performed  forty  years  ago, 
and  ha<l  taken  a  part  in  it  himself.  The  best 
plan  was  to  take  a  sweet  young  lady  behind  you 
on  horseback,  and  this  method  was  thought 
style.  H  you  had  no  horse,  you  must  do  your 
sparking  iu  some  other  style,  for  it  had  to  be 
done.  He  wore  a  linsey  coat  down  to  his  knees, 
and  his  father  a  dress  coat,  brass  buttons,  and  a 
bell-crowned  hat.  He  granted  the  superiority  of 
the  educational  advantages  of  to-day,  yet  educa- 
tion could  not  make  purer,  sterner,  better  men 
than  the  men  of  the  past.  Now  the  noblest  of 
all  colleges,  the  common  school,  is  open  to  all, 
and  God  bless  the  efforts  of  our  young  men  to 
make  themselves  great  and  good.  His  reading 
book  was  called  "Citizen  of  the  World,"  and 
each  scholar  read  such  works  as  he  could  get. 
He  remembered  the  singing  schools,  when  the 
girls  sang  "fine  hand,"  and  squealed  high  up. 
The  men  who  are  passing  are  worthy  the  imita- 
tio  L  of  the  present  generation,  and  it  was  his 
fervent  {)rayer  that  they  would  follow  the  bright 
example  set  them  by  their  fathers,  who  had  gone 
before.  The  Governor  concluded  with  a  bril- 
liant and  touching  tribute  to  the  old  settlers, 
and  was  greeted  at  its  close  with  three  hearty 
cheers. 

A  letter  of  regret  was  read  from  John  A.  Mc- 
Clernand,  and  short  speeches  were  made  by 
James  H.  Matheny  atid  John  T.  Stuart.  The 
following  resolution  was  then  adopted: 

"  Jiesolved,  That  whereas  his  Excellency,  the 
Governor,  an  eminent  statesman  and  profound 
lawyer,  in  his  address  this  morning,  clearly 
showed  that  two  of  the  old  settlers  of  this 
county,  to-wit:  Weber  and  Hawley,  were  not 
entitled  to  vote,  in  consequence  of  their  being 
unnaturalized  citizens,  not  having  had  the  ague 
or  chills  and  fever  during  their  residence  of 
forty-nine  or  fifty  years;  that  it  respectfully 
requests  that  his  Excellency,  the  Governor,  and 
all  good  citizens,  unite  in  using  their  influence 
in  effecting  the  passage  of  an  act  of  the  next 
legislature  of  the  State,  whereby  the  said  par- 
ties may  be  properly  entitled  to  the  lights  of 
franchise." 

Preston  Breckenridge  was  re-elected  Presi- 
dent; Noah  Mason,  Vice  President,  and  Thomas 
Parks,  Secretary. 

FIFTH    ANNUAL    JfEETIN(i. 

The  thirtieth  day  of  August,  ]87'2,  was  the 
day  set  apart  for  the  fifth  annual  meeting  of  the 
Old  Settlers'  Society.  On  that  day  the  pioneers 
again  met  together. 


4  5i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


As  a  change  in  the  usual  programme,  the  so- 
ciety prooeeded  at  once  to  the  election  of  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year.  Job  Fletcher  was  elected 
President,  with  seventy  Vice  Presidents,  and 
Noah  W.  Matheny,  Secretary.  After  dinner, 
General  John  A.  McClernand  was  introduced  and 
spoke  about  three-fourths  of  an  hour  in  a  chaste 
and  eloquent  style.  The  next  speech  was  by 
Rev.  William  J.  Rutledge.  He  said  that  thirty- 
three  years  before  he  had  run  a  saw-mill  on 
Spring  creek  and  sawed  stringers  used  in  laying 
the  track  of  the  first  railroad  ever  built  in  the 
State  of  Illinois.  The  latter  part  of  his  speech 
was  exceedingly  humorous  and  closed  amid  a 
roar  of  laughter.  Major  Elijah  lies  then  took 
the  stand  and  in  a  conversational  way  related 
many  interesting  incidents  of  his  experience 
among  the  early  settlers.  He  was  followed  by 
Rt'vs.  J.  D.  Randall,  of  Edwardsville,  and 
"William  S.  Prentice  and  F.  II.  Wines,  of  Spring- 
field. George  R.  Weber  made  the  closing  speech, 
and  the  meeting  adjourned. 

SIXTU    ANNUAL   MEETING. 

This  meeting  was  hold  at  Irwin's  grove,  near 
Pleasant  Plains,  August  29,  187;^.  Job  Fletcher 
called  the  meeting  to  order,  and  John  Slater,  of 
Pleasant  Plains,  delivered  an  address  of  wel- 
come. John  M.  Palmer  was  the  first  speaker. 
He  said: 

"  Fifty  years  may  be  easily  spoken — it  is  easy 
to  pronounce  the  words — yet  the  term  includes 
the  lifetime  of  the  majority  of  men  and  women 
of  the  country,  and  speaks  the  entire  history  of 
the  State.  It'  I  inquire  what  was  the  condition 
of  the  country  fifty  years  ago,  Major  lies,  or 
other  ladies  and  gentlemen  here,  could  tell;  yet 
if  I  were  to  tell  the  young  people  here  of  the 
comforts  and  conveniences  of  those  early  times, 
they  wouldn't  believe  it. 

"You  have  now  more  comforts,  but  no  more 
happiness,  than  had  we;  you  have  a  great  many 
things  to  be  thankful  for,  and  so  had  we;  and 
you  have  things  to  make  you  uncomfortable  that 
we  didn't  have.  Look  over  the  young  ladies' 
t  iL'sjery  of  to-day — the  flounces,  the  ruffles,  and 
— Tdon't  know  what  you  call  them.  Thirty  or 
forty  years  ago,  we  didn't  have  them,  and  didn't 
even  know  what  they  were.  Now  a  young 
gentleman  and  lady  about  getting  married,  or, 
iailier,  just  married,  require  a  house  with  six 
rooms,  while  we  had  no  trouble,  forty  or  fifty 
years  ago,  getting  along  with  but  one  room,  and 
to  have  two  rooms  and  a  kitchen  was  considered 
extravagant.  Then  we  had  only  an  axe,  a  saw, 
and  an  augur  with  which  to  build  a  house;  then 


these  tools  composed  a  full  carpenter's  kit;  and 
we  sometimes  had  only  the  axe  and  saw. 

"Now,  I  will  just  make  two  heads  to  my 
speech,  and  will  speak  to  the  young  first;  they 
will  be  the  old  settlers  hereafter.  The  number 
behind  you,  young  people,  is  becoming  more 
numerous,  and  the  number  before  you  less.  By 
and  by,  you  will  go  into  an  audience,  and  find 
j'ourself  among  the  oldest.  It  was  so  in  my  case. 
I  used  to  find  myself  in  an  audience  when  I  was 
among  the  youngest;  then  again  I  would  find 
myself  younger  than  a  few  present;  but  now  it 
is  frequently  occurring,  in  a  chance  meeting, 
that  I  am  the  oldest  in  the  party.  I  said  a  little 
while  ago  that  the  young  here  wouldn't  believe, 
if  told  what  the  country  was  forty  or  fifty  years 
ago,  and  the  reason  is  plain.  A  boy  here  cannot 
realize  a  country  without  railroads,  for  since  his 
childhood  he  has  seen  the  railroad.  Young 
people  can't  realize  the  fact  that  forty  or  fifty 
years  ago  men  traveled  by  'taking  a  point,' for 
there  were  no  roads,  and  by  thus  sighting  a  di- 
rection, made  their  way.  I  have,  myself,  within 
forty  years,  sighted  a  point,  and,  as  it  were; 
struck  out  on  a  'bee  line,'  meeting  plenty  of 
deer  on  the  prarie;  but  there  are  no  deer  now. 

No,  the  young  people  cannot  realize  this.  I 
came  into  Madison  county  forty-two  years  ago. 
It  was  not  common  to  be  sued  then;  it  was  con- 
sidered disreputable,  and  a  suit  was  called  a 
'  patch  upon  the  back.'  To  have  a  mortgage 
upon  your  farm  was  whispered  around  as  a 
calamity.  The  habits  of  life  then  were  frugal 
and  simple,  and  the  people  were  simple  and 
plain,  and  perhaps  as  corrupt  as  now.  I  was 
talking  to  a  gentleman,  the  other  day,  who  was 
speaking  of  the  corruption  now,  and  its  lack  in 
the  past;  but,  as  I  said  to  him,  there  was  nothing 
to  steal  but  a  horse.  A  horse  then  was  the  most 
valuable  property,  and  if  a  man  stole  a  horse, 
he  was  apt  to  hear  of  it  again;  then  the  means 
of  catching  a  thief  were  more  simple  and  direct 
than  now.  Horse  theft  was  a  capital  offense, 
and  killing  a  man  a — serious  offense." 

Referring  to  domestic  experiences  of  forty 
years  ago,  the  Governor  said: 

"  The  houses  of  that  day  were  not  like  those 
of  the  present.  I  recollect  of  but  one  brick  house 
between  Madison  and  Sangamon — it  was  near 
where  Waverly  now  stands.  [  Water  was  here 
handed  the  speaker  in  a  gourd,  and  drinking  it, 
he  remarked  it  smacked  of  old  times.]  In  those 
days  when  a  young  couple  married,  the  neigh- 
bors turned  out  to  make  boards  for  the  house, 
and  puncheon  floors  wei'e  put  down.  Still  the 
couples   were  happy;   as   happy  as  couples  are 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


453 


now.  Now  when  a  young  couple  marry,  the  car- 
penters come,  and  the  upholsterers,  and  prepare 
the  house,  and  thousands  of  dollars  are  sjtent  in 
fixing  it,  and  often  with  regret  that  there  was  no 
more  money  to  spend. 

"I  recollect  attending  a  wedding  party  when  I 
was  quite  a  young  man.  There  was  no  band, 
but  instead,  the  real  old-fashioned  orthodox  fid- 
dle. After  dancing  all  night,  my  feet  were  quite 
sore  in  the  morning,  but  I  had  enjoyed  rnyself. 
The  reason  my  feet  were  sore  was  because  I 
danced  in  my  bare  feet;  but  my  partner  did  the 
same.  There  was  a  story  told  about  finding  toe 
nails  upon  the  fioor  ( it  was  a  puncheon  floor ) — 
but  I  didn't  believe  the  story. 

"You  young  ladies  and  gentlemen  have  ideas 
about  social  pleasures  that  we  knew  nothing 
about.  You  have  carriages;  and  coming  here 
to-day  I  noticed  one  young  lady  and  gentleman 
riding  on  horseback,  but  they  had  two  horses. 
We  didn't  do  that  way,  one  horse  only  being 
used,  and  the  girl  was  taken  up  behind.  I  well 
recollect  the  pleasantest  ride  I  ever  had  in  my 
life.  I  had  the  finest  horse,  but  as  the  saying 
was,  it  was  a  'borred  one.'  I  took  the  girl  to 
church,  seven  miles,  and  she  rode  behind  me.  I 
felt  ticklish  and  bashful  and  so  was  she,  and  she 
could  hardly  take  hold  of  me  at  first  to  hold  on, 
but  she  got  used  to  it,  as,  nearing  the  church, 
she  found  others  mounted  the  same  way.  There 
was  always  a  strife  as  to  who  had  the  prettiest 
girl  and  the  best  horse,  but  I  always  thought  I 
was  ahead  in  that  respect.  Now  we  couldn't 
ride  double,  as  the  lady  is  even  larger  than  my- 
self, and  I  am  no  pigmy;  and  we  couldn't  get  a 
horse  to  carry  us.  But  now  let  a  gentleman  ask 
a  young  lady  to  ride,  and  she  will  say,  'Where 
is  the  buggy?'  I  didn't  know  what  a  buggy  was 
then;  I  knew  about  a  'Dearbon'  and  a  'gig.' 
The  first  gig  I  ever  saw  Judge  Smith,  of  Madi- 
son, owned.  I  was  proud  when  I  got  a  gig  after- 
wards. I  got  it  when  at  court  in  Montgomery 
county,  and  was  so  proud  that  I  got  my  wife  a 
new  dress  that  cost  $4.50,  and  there  was  seven 
yards  in  it." 

Referring  to  the  arduous  duties  of  the  pioneer 
wives,  to  whom  he  paid  a  glorious  tribute,  the 
Governor  related  an  anecdote  of  a  woman  re- 
turning to  Tennessee,  who  declared  that  "Illi- 
nois was  a  good  place  for  men  and  horses,  but 
the  devil  on  women  and  oxen." 

Addressing  the  early  settlers,  the  Governor 
said: 

'•We  had  indeed  our  troubles  and  trials,  and 
the  abandoned  graves  of  early  settlers  are  a  part 
of  our  early  history;   for  we  sorrowed   then  as 


now.  We,  too  shall  pass  away,  and  fifty  years 
from  now  these  young  people  will  meet  here  to 
tell  the  young  people  of  that  day  the  customs,  then 
doubtless  considered  outlandish,  of  this  time. 
Civilization  will  continue  to  advance.  We  can 
scarce  conceive  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences 
of  the  next  fifty  years,  but  I  do  not  wish  to  see 
it.  I  do  not  wish  to  be  trampled  upon  by  the 
rapidly  advancing  strides  of  civilization;  audit 
is  a  dispensation  of  Providence  that  having 
acted  our  part,  having  fulfilled  our  destiny,  hav- 
ing done  that  work  which  was  set  apart  for  us 
to  do,  we  can  then  depart  and  peacefully  pass  to 
the  other  .shore.  To  the  old  women  let  me  say: 
No  wives  ever  so  well  acted  their  parts  as  the 
wives  of  the  pioneers;  and  passing  away  they 
will  not  be  forgotten.  So  of  the  pioneers — not 
in  monuments,  but  in  more  lasting  memoirs,  the 
works  which  'live  after  them,'  will  their 
memories  be  cherished  by  their  descendants  for 
whom  they  have  worked." 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  Governor  Palmer's 
address,  and  music  by  the  band.  Captain 
Fletcher,  the  president  of  the  society,  with 
humorous  allusion  to  the  food  of  other  days — 
venison,  corn  bread  and  onions,  and  that  about 
noon  was  the  old  settlers'  dinner  hour,  declared 
the  celebration  adjourned  for  dinner. 

Among  the  old  settlers  present  at  this  meet- 
ing were  Mrs.  Peter  Cartwright,  Mrs  Richard 
Latham,  Mrs.  James  Parkinson,  Elijah  lies, 
John  Williams,  M.  K.  Anderson.  Job  Fletcher, 
Martin  Heuber,  S.  M.  Wilson,  Edwin  Perkins, 
Joel  Johnson,  George  R.  Weber,  the  Mathenys, 
and  others. 

After  dinner  D.  L.  Phillips  was  introduced, 
and  said: 

"  If  I  live  a  month  or  two  longer  I  shall  have 
lived  in  the  State  fifty  years,  and  my  memory 
goes  back  to  the  time  of  the  cotton  gins.  I  re- 
member the  removal  of  the  seat  of  government 
from  Vandalia  to  Springfield;'  and  I  recollect, 
too,  the  grumbling  of  the  people  when  it  was 
said  that  the  capital  had  been  removed  way  up 
in  the  Indian  country. 

"  I  remember  the  picking  of  flax  and  of  cotton, 
and  the  meeting  at  night  for  that  purpose.  The 
wearing  apparel  of  that  period,  to  which  allus- 
ion has  been  made,  I  do  not  forget.  There  were 
no  schools  then.  Governor  Palmer  has  spoken 
of  the  young  men  of  the  present  day,  felicitously 
situated  with  reference  to  educational  facilities, 
and  as  they  are;  but  the  youth  of  those  days 
struggled  hard  for  an  education.  It  was  not  an 
illiterate  age,  nor  an  age  of  ignorance  or  lack 
of  mental  culture.     I  have  no  reputation  to  lose 


4.54 


IIIS'I'OKY   OF  SANGAMON   COUNTV. 


in  saying  that  I  never  went  to  school  three 
luoinhs  in  my  life. 

''  Governor  Palmer  referred  to  the  felicitous 
situation  of  the  young  men  of  the  present  day 
in  other  respects.  Do  they  recollect  the  hard- 
ships of  the  past?  I  have  seen  young  men  and 
women  who  had  walked  bare-footed  to  the  church 
door  putting  on  and  lacing  their  shoes  previous 
to  entrance. 

"  The  tribute  ]>aid  to  the  wives  of  pioneers, 
by  Governor  Palmer,  thrilled  me.  Hi.s  eulogy 
of  the  liard-working  women  of  that  day  I  most 
heartily  endorse,  because  in  these  days  there  is 
a  tendency  on  the  part  of  the  people  to  degrade 
the  working  women,  to  characterize  the  attend- 
ance to  domestic  duties  as  domestic  servitude." 

Referring  to  the  moral  and  religious  influences 
of  that  day,  the  speaker  eloquently  paid  tribute 
to  it: 

"  They  were  religious  in  the  primitive  and  or- 
thodox manner.  Why,  had  it  been  announced 
that  the  great  man,  the  pioneer  preacher,  whose 
lionored  remains,  I  understand,  lie  in  your  vi- 
cinity, would  preach  upon  a  certain  occasion, 
not  a  house,  not  a  barn,  scarcely  any  building 
would  contain  the  people  who  would  flock  to 
hear  him  expound  the  gospel.  How  different 
now  in  this  materialistic  age  I  Who  cares  who 
preaches  next  Sunday  in  Springfield?  How  fewl 
Is  the  fame  of  your  preacher  so  limited? 
Then  you  heard  nothing  of  the  protoplastic 
theories  of  this  materialistic  age.  'Twas  reli- 
gion puie  and  simple  then.  To  the  moral 
ideas  of  that  time,  thus  inculcated,  is  due  the 
prosperity  of  Illinois,  and  I  bear  testimony  to 
that  fact. 

"  The  early  settlers  in  these  manifold  trials 
grappled  with  the  Indians;  grappled  with  dis- 
eases and  overcome  them.  They  spent  honored 
and  glorious  lives,  and  who  does  not  honor  those 
who  have  placed  this  State  fourth  in  the  Union, 
with  more  acreage  under  cultivation  than  any 
other  State,  and  given  it  better  settlers  than 
the  State  ever  before  had.  For  all  this  you  are 
indebted  to  the  old  settlers  at  this  re-union  to-day. 

"  May  the  departure  of  the  old  settlers  be  a 
jieaceful  one,  and  may  we  gather  at  the  river 
and  be  permitted  to  enter  the  shining  gates  upon 
the  other  side." 

Russel  Godfrey,  of  Menard  county;  John 
Thompson,  of  Cass  county;  R.  W.  Diller,  of 
S|iringlield;  Isaac  Cogdell,  of  Menard  county; 
M.  K.  Anderson  and  George  R.  Weber,  each 
made  remarks. 

S.  M.  Wilson,  of  Pleasant  Plains,  was  elected 
President;  James  Parkinson,    of   Curran,   Vice 


President;   Noah   W.  Matheny,    of  Springfield, 
Secretary. 

SEVENTH   ANNUAL    MEETING. 

The  seventh  annual  meeting  of  the  society 
was  held  September  10,  1874.  Crow's  mill,  a 
most  romantic  spot,  situated  about  eight  miles 
southeast  of  Springfield,  was  the  place  selected. 
The  day  was  excessively  warm,  but  still  all 
seemed  to  enjoy  themselves  well.  In  a  dense 
and  beautiful  grove  the  stand  was  erected.  Upon 
the  stand  were  seated  many  of  the  oldest  and 
best  known  citizens  of  the  county,  among  whom 
were  R.  W.  Diller,  George  Gregory,  A.  B.  Ir- 
win, Craig  White,  S.  G.  Jones,  Davis  Meredith, 
Joseph  Meredith,  William  Burtle,  J.  W.  Keyes, 
Dr.  Shields,  S.  G.  Nesbitt,  Philomen  Stout,"  M. 
Wilmot,  Preston  Breckenridge,  D.  Funderburk, 
Job  Fletcher  and  Jacob  N.  Fullenwider. 

The  first  speaker  introduced  was  the  genial 
and  popular  old  settle)',  James  H.  Matheny. 
The  Judge  was  in  his  happiest  vein,  and  ap- 
peared fully  to  enter  isto  the  spirit  of  the  occa- 
sion. His  speech  was  one  of  his  best  and  hap- 
piest efforts,  replete  with  wit,  poetry  and  senti- 
ment, overflowing  with  genuine  and  pure 
eloquence.  It  sparkled,  it  flashed  and  dashed 
full  of  happy  conceits  ar.d  beautiful  thoughts. 
He  recalled  the  days  of  the  early  settlement  of 
the  county;  paid  an  eloquent  and  deserving  tri- 
bute to  the  old  settler;  spoke  of  his  privations 
and  trials,  and  gave  him  all  due  and  proper 
credit  for  his  exertions,  his  efforts  and  his  toils. 

John  M.  Palmer,  Andrew  Simpson,  William 
M.  Springer,  Joseph  Meredith  and  Mr.  Slater 
were  called  out,  and  responded  with  appropriate 
remarks. 

William  Burtle  was  elected  President  for  the 
ensuing  year;  A.  B.  Irwin  and  Davis  Meredith, 
Vice  Presidents;  N.  W.  Matheny,  Secretary. 

EIGHTH    ANNUAL   MEETING. 

CantraU's  Grove,  in  the  north  part  of  the 
county,  was  the  place  selected  for  the  eighth  an- 
nual meeting,  and  Menard  county  old  settlers 
had  been  invited  to  meet  with  the  old  settlers  of 
Sangamon.  The  meeting  was  late  in  being 
called  to  order.  Rev.  Mr.  Vawter,  of  Cantrall, 
delivered  the  address  of  welcome  and  offered 
prayer. 

Governor  Palmer  was  the  first  speaker.  After 
a  general  introductory^  the  Governor  made  some 
home  thrusts  in  opposition  to  the  fulsome  flat- 
tery often  indulged  in  on  old  settlers'  days.  He 
quoted  and  expanded  upon  a  remark  of  Judge 
Gillespie  that  they  miglit  talk  now-a  days  about 
"  women's  rights,"  but  it  took  the  old  settlers  to 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


455 


do  justice  to  the  question;  for  a  striking  charac- 
teristic of  the  old  settler  was  an  indisposition  to 
meddle  in  the  affairs  of  women,  who,  in  these 
days,  were  quite  secure  in  all  their  prerogatives. 
Who  ever  knew  an  old  settler  to  do  his  wife's 
milking,  or  to  lend  her  any  help  whatever  about 
the  house? 

Isaac  Cogdell,  of  Menard  county,  was  the 
next  speaker,  and  was  followed  by  D.  L.  Phillips. 
The  last  speaker  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  the 
old  settler,  and  also  to  the  civilization  of  the 
nineteenth  century.  "For  this  sturdy  civiliza- 
tion," said  the  speaker,  "we  are  indebted  to  the 
old  settler  more  than  we  know.  But  the  life  of 
an  old  settler  was  at  best  but  a  hard  one;  de- 
prived of  the  advantages  of  free  schools  and 
condemned  to  labor.  Governor  Palmer,  in  his 
speech,  had  ascribed  happiness  to  the  old  set- 
tlers; but  they  could  not  be  so  happy  as  now 
under  more  favorable  circumstances,  and  in  fact 
they  did  not  expect  it.  The  very  preaching  of 
that  day  was  of  trials  and  troubles,  and  tlie 
necessity  for  submission.  A  gloomy,  sombre 
view  of  life  was  taken,  and  the  teachings  of 
that  dav  was  to  expect  no  ease  or  comfort  here, 
but  to  fook  for  it  beyond."  The  speaker  com- 
pared the  lack  of  advantages  for  farming  as  late 
even  as  the  period  of  1840,  with  the  facilities 
now  offered  for  the  production  of  crops;  and  his 
account  of  going  to  mill,  in  his  boyhood,  astride 
of  a  bag  of  corn,  to  wait  all  day  and  all  night 
for  his  grist,  was  well  told. 

Elder  John  England,  of  Ogle  county,  in  re- 
sponse to  a  call,  said  that  he  would  indulge  in  a 
few  off-hand  remarks.  This  gathering,  said  he, 
was  one  of  old  settlers.  His  father  had  come 
here  in  181S,  and,  had  he  time,  he  would  like  to 
recount  incidents  connected  with  his  playing 
with  Indian  boys — for  fear  of  Indians  was  not 
then  one  of  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  pioneer 
times.  The  old  settlers  met  now  to  show  what 
it  cost  to  lay  the  foundation  of  such  a  civiliza- 
tion as  the  present.  They  often  went  to  church 
bare-footed,  and  like  Governor  Palmer,  he  was 
proud  of  his  first  pair  of  boots,  which,  by  the 
way  had  been  made  for  him  by  Wyatt  Cantrall, 
now  here  on  the  platform.  Hospitality  distin- 
guished the  early  settler,  as  well  as  liberality  of 
religious  sentiment.  A  traveling  preacher  was 
gladly  entertained,  his  denomination  not  asked, 
and  he  was  received  by  all  as  a  brother. 

James  C.  Conkling  next  mounted  the  stand 
and  delivered  a  short,  but  excellent  address. 

Alexander  B.  Irwin  was  elected  President, 
and  E.  C.  Matheny,  Secretary. 


NINTH    ANNUAL     MKETIN(i. 

The  ninth  annual  re-union  of  old  settlers  was 
held  at  the  Fair  Ground,  near  Springfield,  August 
31,  ISVfi,  and  attracted  an  audience  numbering 
thousands.  Among  the  old  settlers  occupying 
places  in  and  about  the  stand  were  R.  A.  llaz- 
lett,  W.  T.  Boyer,  Albion  Knotts,  George  Mc- 
Daniels,  S.  T.  Cantrall,  J.  W.  Jones,  H.  U:Lyon, 
Moses  Laswell,  Horace  Ilickox,  J.  R.  Sanders, 
W.  A.  Whiteside,  Mrs.  J.  R.  Sanders,  George  B. 
Merryman,  Mrs.  George  B.  Merryman,  James  M. 
Reed,  John  Sims,  M.  K.  Anderson,  J.  H.  Fullen- 
wider,  S.  Wood,  E.  R.  Perkins,  John  M.  Matthew, 
W.  H.  Ilerndon,  J.  H.  Matheny,  John  North,  S. 
E.  WilcoxRon,  Goodrich  Lightfoot,  Samuel  Mil- 
ler, E.  F.  McConnell,  George  R.  Weber,  W.  H. 
Marsh,  C.  S.  Cantrall,  A.  R.  Robinson,  II.  Alkire, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sellers,  John  Capps,  William 
Shumate,  Joseph  Shepherd,  R.  D.  Brown,  John 
Busher,  William  S.  Burch,  Preston  Brecken- 
ridge,  Mrs.  N.  J.  Le  Claire,  D.  P.  Robinson, 
Russell  Godby,  James  Good,  J.  D.  McMurray, 
James  Parkinson,  J.  M.  Cartmell,  J.  H.  Ellis, 
Samuel  Fredge,  M.  A.  Cartwright,  A.  J.  Kane, 
John  De  Camp,  William  A.  Grant,  Isaac  Beriy, 
John  Williams,  J.  L.  Shinkle  and  others. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  M.  K. 
Anderson,  who  introduced  James  H.  Matheny, 
who  made  one  of  his  old-fashioned  speeches. 
Alfred  OrendorflF  was  next  introduced.  He  re- 
ferred in  glowing  terms  to  the  progress  being 
made  in  the  development  of  the  country,  and  the 
part  the  pioneers  had  taken  in  the  work.  "  Illi- 
nois," said  he,  "the  State  they  had  reclaimed 
from  Indian  barbarism  to  civilization  had  a 
grand  history,  and  especially  so  Central  Illinois. 
The  State's  career  of  prosperity  now  ranked  it 
third  in  the  Union.  But  look  at  her  men;  look 
at  her  brilliant  coterie  of  intellect  which  thirty 
years  ago  moved  amid  these  scenes — Baker,  the 
orator  and  soldier;  the  gallant  Shields;  our  own 
Judge  Logan,  still  with  us,  the  illustrious  lawyer 
of  that  time;  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  the  statesman 
and  patriot,  whose  last  act  was  to  sacrifice  parti- 
sanship in  the  interest  of  patriotism;  and  then 
Lincoln,  a  name  synonymous  through  the  world's 
greatness,  with  honor  and  fidelity  and  goodness; 
a  name  reflecting  the  world's  honor  upon  this 
section  of  country.  With  such  a  history  Sanga- 
mon county  should  be  proud  and  go  on  in  its 
career  of  prosperity." 

William  H.  Ilerndon,  the  next  speaker,  had 
never,  save  last  year,  attended  the  Old  Settlers' 
re-union.  He  came  now  prei)ared  to  speak  in 
his  own  way.  On  behalf  of  the  President  of 
the  Society  he  extended  a  hearty  welcome  to  all 


356 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


present.  "Look  into  the  history  of  Sangamon 
county.  Geographically,  it  is  about  the  centre 
of  Illinois,  and  nearly  the  centre  of  the  United 
States.  Here  is  fertility  of  soil  greater  than 
elsewhere,  and  people  the  equal  of  any.  But 
this  was  not  always  so.  The  advantages  now 
enjoyed,  our  prosperous  condition,  was  largely 
due  to  the  pioneers  who  coming  here  grappled 
with  the  trials  incident  to  a  pioneer's  life.  It 
took  men  and  women  of  nerve  to  battle  with 
life  in  the  wilderness,  and  the  result  of  that  bat- 
tling was  seen  here  to-day  in  our  pi'osperity  and 
the  happy  presence  of  the  old  settlers  and  their 
decendants.  It  was  well.  The  like  of  such  pi- 
oneers we  should  never  see  again,  unless  in  the 
far  west."  The  speaker  illustrated  the  trials  of 
pioneer  life  by  an  incident  in  his  childhood's 
days,  when,  his  father  being  absent,  his  mother, 
by  almost  superhuman  exertions,  saved  her  fam- 
ily from  an  attack  of  an  Indian  war  band.  Al- 
luding to  the  mode  of  life  in  early  days,  he  said 
crime  was  almost  unknown;  social  life  was  char- 
acterized by  the  largest  hospitality  to  strangers. 
Now  selfishness  ruled — "  every  man  for  himself." 
Early  religious  effort  was  fervent;  men  and 
women  were  unmistakably  pious;  there  was  true 
worship.  Now  we  mainly  worship  form  and 
fashion  rather  than  the  Deity.  He  paid  a  high 
compliment  to  the  missionary  zeal  of  Peter  Cart- 
wright,  one  of  whose  sons  occupied  a  place  on 
the  platform.  There  were  now  great  changes; 
but  having  faith  in  an  illimitable  Supreme  Being, 
he  hoped  the  changes  might  be  improvement, 
opening  to  a  grander  sphere.  Specifically  allud- 
ing to  these  changes,  Mr.  Herndon  said: — "Now 
let  us  look  at  some  of  these  changes,  wonderful 
changes  that  have  taken  place  since  the  county 
of  Sangamon  was  organized.  First  let  us  look 
at  this  question  commercially,  and  to  do  so  wc 
will  take  the  substance  of  a  merchant's  adver- 
tisement in  the  Sangamon  Journal  of   1836: 

NEW  STORE. 

"  'The  undersigned  will  keep  constantly  on  hand  a. 
splendid  ussoitraent  of  dry  goods,  hardware,  cutlery, 
groceries,  drugs,  medicines,  boolis,  boots  and  shoes, 
harness  and  saddles,  queensware,  glassware,  nails, 
iron  chains,  etc.,  etc.,  which  will  be  sold  cheap  for 
cash  or  country  produce,  such  as  beeswax,  dry  hides, 
feathers,  butter,  bacon,  pork,  etc.,  etc' 

"  Now  what  a  change.  Dry  goodsj  groceries, 
hardware,  etc.,  are  sold  in  separate  stores.  The 
old  kind  of  stores  are  split  up  into  specialties, 
where  only  one  thing  is  sold,  such  as  drugs, 
boots  and  shoes.  Instead  of  being  merchants  of 
all  things  they  are  merchants  of  but  one.  Thus 
professions,  trades,  callings  of  every  sort  divide, 


split  and  develop  into  a  special,  and  here  lies  the 
cause,  so  to  speak,  of  the  progress  of  mankind. 
"Agriculturally,  the  sickle  gave  its  place  and 
power  to  the  cradle,  and  it  in  time  gave  its  place 
and  power  to  the  reaper.  The  woo<len  mould 
board  plow  gave  place  to  the  iron  one,  and  the 
common  little*bar  shear  gave  place  to  the  shovel, 
and  it  to  the  double  shovel,  and  it  in  turn  to  the 
cultivator.  The  short,  old  Dutch-English  scythe 
gave  place  to  the  blacksnake,  and  it  in  turn  gave 
up  its  place  to  the  mower.  In  these  cases,  as  in 
a  thousand  others,  the  muscles  of  man  was  re- 
lieved by  the  muscles  of  the  horse  and  the  pow- 
ers generated  by  mechanics,  and  so  it  is  and 
ever  will  be,  and  yet  we  in  the  West  are  hewers 
of  wood  and  drawers  of  water,  and  yet  I  dare 
not  say  'and  so  it  is  and  ever  will  be.'  God 
forbid.  The  wooden  flail  gave  place  to  the 
treading,  round-going  ox,  and  he  to  the  thresher. 
The  cotton  sheet,  in  a  storm  of  wind,  cleaning 
the  grain,  was  succeeded  by  the  fanning  mill, 
and  all  these  gave  up  their  place  and  power  to 
the  threshers.  The  wooden  rake  has  been  suc- 
ceeded by  the  horse  rake.  The  whip-saw  has 
given  up  the  ghost  before  the  mill-saw ;  the 
muscles  of  man  to  the  forces  of  nature.  Origi- 
nally in  the  West  the  ox  did  all  the  work;  he 
hauled  everything,  worked  everywhere,  and  at 
all  times  ;  he  hauled  goods  from  St.  Louis  at  one 
dollar  per  hundred,  and  from  Beardstown  at 
forty  cents  per  hundred  ;  he  plowed,  threshed, 
hauled,  tread  the  mill ;  if  not  obedient  was 
goaded  and  whipped  by  their  angry  masters,  and 
for  his  great  services  was  fattened,  killed. and 
eaten  by  those  whom  he  had  enriched.  God,  it 
is  said,  is  merciful  to  man,  but  how  is  it  with  the 
poor  ox?  It  was  once  shortly  and  pungently 
said  that  'Illinois  was  hell  on  oxen  and 
women.'  The  ox-mill  and  the  horse-mill,  as 
well  as  the  water-mill,  that  ground  out  every 
hour  about  as  much  as  a  good  hazle-splilting  sow 
with  a  litter  of  pigs  could  eat,  has  succumbed — 
has  all  been  surpassed  by  the  steam  mill  grind- 
ing out  its  thousand  barrels  daily.  The  mode 
of  travel,  originally,  was  by  two-horse  stage;  it 
was  followed  by  the  four-horse  stage,  with  two 
seats,  and  it  by  the  nine  passenger.  Now  our 
mode  of  travel  is  by  rail  on  iron  tracks,  and 
driven  by  steam,  having  many  cars,  with  thous- 
ands of  seats  and  carrying  thousands  of  passen- 
gers across  the  continent  in  a  few  days.  We 
now  live  by  steam,  and  die  and  write  our  will  by 
electricity.  The  flax  wheel  and  the  large  wool 
and  cotton  spinning  wheels,  as  well  as  the  hand 
loom,  driven  by  the  hand  and  foot  of  woman, 
have  all  in  their  place  given  way  to  the  power 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


457 


loom,  etc.,  driven  by  steam.  You  know  the  lit- 
tle wheel,  the  larger  one  and  the  hand  loom, 
how  they  all  used  to  whirl,  whiz,  sing  and  slam 
and  crash,  arid  you  know  the  loom  house  where 
it  used  to  stand,  and  know  how  it  looked,  and 
saw  your  old  mothers  sitting  there  toiling  away 
night  and  day  shoving  the  shuttle.  Do  you? 
If  so,  remember  the  past,  and  the  good,  gone 
up,  up  to  Heaven.  The  little  old  log  cabin,  with 
deerskin  door,  clapboard  roof,  puncheon  floor, 
stick  chimneys,  daubed  with  clay  and  straw, 
covered  with  boards  taken  from  the  oaks  by 
hands,  and  held  down  by  weight-poles,  have 
given  place  to  palaces,  so  to  speak.  The  old  log 
school  house,  with  slab  benches,  puncheon  floors, 
greased  paper  for  glass,  together  with  the  ill- 
natured  school  master,  with  his  ferule  and  whip, 
thank  God,  are  gone,  and  in  their  place  we  have 
schools  and  colleges  on  every  hand.  Our  court 
house,  costing  some  170,  has  been  succeeded  by 
one  costing  some  $200,000.  Our  State  house, 
costing  some  -S3, 000  or  $t,000,  has  been  suc- 
ceeded by  one  coating  as  many  millions.  Origi- 
nally, we  sent  letters  and  messages  by  horse, 
now  we  send  them  by  steam  and  electricity,  as 
it  were,  beating  in  speed,  time  itself.  So  wo, 
have  lived,  are  living,  and  will  continue  to  live. 
The  past  is  nothing,  the  present  is  nothing,  the 
great  future  will  be  all.  Man,  the  race  of  man, 
is  but  in  its  infancy — is  a  mere  child,  yet  rocked 
in  the  cradle  of  Mother  Nature.  The  world  is 
young,  time  is  long,  and  the  race  eternal,  with 
iiubounded  forces.  His  capacity  has  no  bounds, 
and  his  progress  no  limit.  He  will  master  every- 
thing but  the  unmasterable,  know  everything 
but  the  unknowable.  He  will  be  free  and  un- 
fettered in  all  the  walks  of  life  or  drench  the 
world  in  blood.  He  will  bo  master  of  himself  ; 
he  will  have  no  fetters  on  his  limbs,  his  tongue, 
nor  his  brain,  nor  his  business;  he  will  be  master 
of  the  forms  of  matter  and  the  forces  of  nature; 
he  will  make  these  work  for  him,  toil  for  him, 
gi'oan  and  sweat  and  bleed  for  him,  so  to  speak, 
while  he  climbs  towards  his  anticipated,  looked- 
for  heaven." 

On  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Herndon's  address, 
the  meeting  adjourned  for  dinner,  after  which 
short  speeches,  recounting  the  time  of  their  ar- 
rival, reminiscences  of  their  early  life  here,  and 
amusing  anecdotes,  were  delivered  by  George 
R.  Weber,  Godbey,  D.  W.  Clark,  M.  K.  Ander- 
son and  others. 

Ale.vander  B.  Irwin  was  re-elected  President; 
M.  K.  Anderson,  Vice-President;  E.  C.  Matheny, 
Secretary. 


TEXTH  ANNUAL  MEEriXC. 

The  tenth  re-union  was  held  at  Loami,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1877.  The  number  estimated  present 
on  the  occasion  was  from  five  to  seven  thousand. 
The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  William 
McGinnis,  and  prayer  offered  by  Rev.  J.  G. 
White.  James  M.  Turpin  delivered  the  address 
of  welcome.  John  T.  Stuart  was  then  intro- 
duced as  the  orator  of  the  day.  The  address  of 
Mr.  Stuart  will  be  found  on  page  194. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Stuart's  address,  Al- 
exander B.  Irwin,  of  Pleasant  Plains,  delivered 
one  of  his  pleasant,  ott'-hand  talks.  After  din- 
ner R.  W.  Diller  read  one  of  Will  Carlton's 
poems,  "  Betsy  and  I  are  out,"  in  a  style  that 
would  have  done  credit  to  a  professional  elocu- 
tionist. 

Preston  Breckenridge,  an  ex-President  of  the 
society,  and  John  Carroll  Power,  the  historian, 
were  introduced  together.  Mr.  Breckenridge 
said:  "Mr.  Power,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  pre- 
senting you,  on  behalf  of  myself  and  other 
friends  of  yours  among  the  early  settlers,  with 
a  copy  of  Webster's  Unabridged  Dictionary,  as 
a  slight  token  of  your  herculanean  labor  of 
writing  and  publishing  your  History  of  the 
Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon  County."  Then, 
turning  to  the  audience,  he  continued  by  express- 
ing the  opinion  that  it  had  no  ecpial  in  any 
county  in  the  State,  and  jterhaps  not  in  the 
United  States,  and  that  in  fifty  years  from  now^ 
it  would  be  consulted  with  even  greater  interest 
than  at  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Power  responded  by  saying  that  he  was 
placed  in  a  position  requiring  him  to  make  an 
Old  Settler's  speech,  a  thing  that  he  never  ex- 
jjected  to  do  in  his  life,  that  he  could  not  do  the 
subject  justice,  but  that  he  would  treasure  the 
work  as  a  reminder  of  two  of  the  most  pleasant 
years  of  his  life  —  the  two  years  spent  in  visit- 
ing from  house  to  house  among  the  early  set- 
tlers, while  gathering  material  for  the  history. 
"Ordinarily,"  said  he,  "I  would  recommend 
every  family  in  the  United  States  to  supply 
themselves,  first,  with  the  Bible  and  then  with  a 
copy  of  this  dictionary;  but  for  Sangamon 
county  a  good  library  would  be  a  copy  each  of 
the  Bible,  Dictionary,  and  the  History  of  the 
Early  Settlers  of  this  county." 

Characteristic  speeches  were  then  made  by 
Reverends  J.  G.  White  and  J.  L.  Crane.  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Harbour  was  introduced  and  some 
events  of  her  life  related  by  William  McGinnis. 
At  ten  years  of  age  she  was  with  her  parents  in 
Hill's  Fort,  near  what  is  now  Greenville,  Bond 
county,  and  witnessed  the  fight  that  took  place 


45S 


IIISTOKV  OK  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


there  August  27,  1814,  when  the  Indiaus  under- 
took to  capture  the  fort.  She  saw  Thomas  Hig- 
giiLs  as  near  sliot  and  cut  to  pieces  as  a  man 
Could  bo  and  live;  she  also  saw  John  Journey, 
John  Grates,  and  Major  William  Hewitt  killed, 
the  latter  of  whom  was  in  command  of  the  fort. 
Mrs.  Harbour  had  with  her  the  chain  used  by 
her  father,  Simon  Lindley.  After  the  town  of 
Springfield  was  laid  out  there  was  a  discrepancy 
between  that  town  and  the  former  town  of  Cal- 
houn. Mr.  Lindley  was  called  on  to  re-survey  it, 
which  he  did,  harmonizing  all  differences.  She 
keeps  that  chain  as  an  heirloom.  Mrs.  Harbour 
also  remembers  the  Indian  ranger  who  died  and 
was  buried,  September,  1813,  at  Sulphur  Springs 
cemetery.     His  name  was  William  Hewitt. 

Davis  Meredith  was  elected  President,  and  E. 
C.  Matheny,  Secretary  for  the  ensuing  year. 

ELEVENTH    ANNUAL    MEETING. 

The  following  account  of  the  Old  Settlers' 
Meeting,  on  the  occasion  of  the  eleventh  annual 
meeting,  held  at  Pleasant  Plains,  August  22, 
1878,  is  taken  from  the  Sangamo  Monitor,  and 
was  doubtless  written  by  the  editor: 

"The  day  was  only  a  little  too  hot  for  com- 
fort, but  pleasant  when  the  shade  was  found, 
and  the  cooling  breezes  fanned  the  brow  and 
converted  the  shade  of  the  tall  trees  of  the 
forest  into  bowers  of  comfort.  These  retreats 
for  the  weary  ones  who  sought  them  to  rest 
their  bones  or  talk  over  events  and  stir  up  mem- 
ories full  of  pleasure  to  both  the  narrator  arid 
listener,  were  perfect  havens  of  rest  to  many  an 
old  settler  on  the  occasion. 

"The  grounds  had  been  well  selected  and  but 
few  j)laces  present  so  many  natural  invitations 
to  partake  of  its  shades  and  grassy  carpet,  to 
enjoy  the  gentle  zephyrs  that  waft  themselves 
through  the  magnificent  foliage  as  that  of  the 
grove  selected  by  the  committee  for  the  purpose 
of  celebrating  tlie  nineteenth  anniversary  of 
the  organization  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Association 
of  Sangamon  county.  The  stand  stood  in  the 
south  of  the  amphitheatre,  protected  from  the 
rays  of  Old  Sol,  and  decorated  with  green  boughs 
and  emblems  of  the  free.  It  was  so  arranged  as 
to  accommodate  the  patriarchal  portion  of  the 
association,  and  those  who  were  to  take  part  in 
the  services  to  add  another  pleasure  to  declining 
days  and  a  new  ray  of  hope  to  fading  lives. 

"On  the  right  were  seated  the  choir,  selected 
and  trained  for  the  oecasio'n  by  Professor  Griffin, 
one  of  the  most  indefatigable  and  patient  vocal 
instructors  in  the  county.  This  choir  is  made 
up  of  not  a  few  who  have  made  reputation  for 


voice  and  musical  talent,  in  other  days  and  on 
similar  occasions.  Its  composition  is  as  follows: 
Miss  Fannie  Meredith,  organist;  leading  so- 
prano, Miss  Ida  Crow,  Misses  IJelle  Johnson, 
Ettie  Shoup,  Lizzie  Stout  and  Mollie  Forbes; 
alto.  Misses^  Delia  Herndon  and  S.  J.  Ijockridge; 
tenor,  Clark  Dr.agoo,  Will  Knotts,  \Villiam 
Dodds  and  J.  R.  Lockridge;  basso,  C.  C.  and  E. 
R.  Headley,  Job  Megrady  and  George  Harnett. 
During  the  day's  performance  the  choir  per- 
formed in  a  most  decidedly  musical  and  popular 
manner  the  following  programme:  'Glory  to  the 
New  Born  King,'  'Love  Divine,'  'The  Hunters,' 
'Pilgrim  Fathers,'  'Hold  Your  Head  Up  Like  a 
Man,'  'My  Boyhood,'  and  closed  the  day  with 
'  Merrily  Onward  We  Bound.'  Too  much  can- 
not be  said  of  the  pleasure  contributed  by  these 
ladies  and  gentlemen  in  the  exercise  of  a  talent 
which  none  who  heard  their  efforts  can  refuse 
to  accord  to  each  of  them. 

"On  the  left  sat  the  'cause  of  it  all,'  the  ven- 
erable and  honorable  landmarks  of  the  past  to 
whom  the  present  are  indebted  for  all  the  glory 
of  a  Christianized  civilization.  As  they  sat 
there  with  uncovered  craniums,  some  of  them  as 
hairless  as  a  billiard  ball,  others  with  silvered 
strands  flowing  as  gracefully  as  the  flaxen  wave- 
lets from  the  head  of  infancy,  a  new  veneration 
for  age  seemed  to  possess  the  youthful  portion 
of  the  vast  throng  as  they  would  speak  the  names 
of  their  grand  sires  in  the  most  reverential  tones 
of  affection  and  tenderness. 

"  We  saw  there  the  venerable,  and  we  might 
add  handsome.  President  of  the  Association, 
Davis  Meredith,  Esq., with  the  honors  of  forty- 
nine  Illinois  winters  whitening  his  locks.  Pres- 
ton Breckenridge,  Esq.,  with  forty-four  years  of 
labor  in  the  soil  of  Suckerdom  to  entitle  him  to 
honor  from  her  sons  and  daughters;  and  Joshua 
Dillon,  John  Miller,  Nathan  Carson,  Maxwell_ 
Campbell,  William  Eatterton,  Isaac  Wallace," 
Abner  Knotts,  John  Gaines,  James  Parkinson, 
Jacob  Epier,  Samuel  Williams,  Robert  Cum- 
mings,  R.  W.  Diller,  the  patriarchal  Captain  Job 
Fletcher,  and  the  returned  pilgrim  to  other  lands, 
who  fifty  years  since  was  the  ruling  spirit  of  the 
young  and  vigorous  manhood  of  Springfield, 
i\Iajor  Mobley,  and  Alexander  Irwin,  John  Har- 
rison, Logan  McMurry,  B.  E.  Baker,  William  M. 
Butler,  John  Slater,  Mat  Cartwright,  Thomas 
and  John  Garrett,  two  of  as  noble  representa- 
tives from  the  Isle  Erin  as  ever  made  a  track  in  a 
furrow  and  lived  to  enjoy  the  fruit  of  their  hon- 
est toil.  And  there  sat  John  Lightfoot  with  the 
flowing  beard,  the  youngest  old  man  in  America, 
and  the  tall   form  of  William   Yates   was  seen 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


459 


looming  above  the  others,  and  D.  G.  Kalb,  the 
well  pi'oserved  old  settler  of  JRound  Prairie. 
These  were  on  the  stand  as  specimen  bricks 
from  the  'Kiln  of  Time'  during  the  times  that 
might  well  be  said  to  have  'tried  men's  souls.' 
These  were  not  all  of  the  'old  folks  at  home' 
who  had  come  out  to  the  'Eating  Bee'  at  the 
Plains,  and  as  we  stroll  around  the  grounds  we 
shall  try  to  introduce  some  of  them  to  you. 

"It  is  a  little  remarkable  that  it  should  be, 
and  not  so  much  to  be  w(  ndered  at  either,  that 
all  ])icnics  must  be  decorated  with  chin  music. 
But  it  is  deplorably  the  case  that  the  programme 
of  fifty  years  since  must  still  be  religiously  ad- 
hered to,  if  it  'break  a  trace.'  The  speaking 
was  not  so  numerous  as  it  should  have  been,  al- 
though some  of  the  very  best. 

"The  Rev.  Jolin  Slater  was  never  more  happy 
than  when  welcoming  the  vast  crowd  to  the  hos- 
pitality of  his  fellow  citizens  of  the  Plains  and 
the  Association.  We  have  such  an  utter  repug- 
nance to  the  publication  of  speeches  on  such 
occasions  that  we  never  allow  ourselves  to  take 
more  than  outlines,  on  the  principal  that  they 
are  made  like  Tom  Lewis'  butter  used  to  be 
made — for  present  use — and  those  not  there 
were  the  losers,  while  those  who  heard  them  are 
satisfied.  Brother  Slater's  speech  was  well- 
timed,  sensible  and  well  spoken,  just  as  those 
who  know  him  would  expect  him  to  perform  a 
task  of  the  kind,  and  we  will  cover  the  whole 
case  in  a  word,  when  we  say  it  was  pleasing  to 
those  who  heard  it  and  detracted  no  laurel  from 
the  Rev.  Johns'  brow,  earned   in   days  gone  by. 

"Judge  Matheny  was  an  '  Old  Settler'  in  earn- 
est, dealing  in  reminiscences  of  the  days  of 
puncheon  floors  and  honest  people,  delivered  in 
the  conversational  or  narrative  style.  It  wasftill 
of  the  most  graphic  and  pleasing  incidents  of 
men  and  the  times  and  held  his  audience  like  a 
vice.  We  have  too  much  regard  for  Colonel 
Matheny  to  mar  the  pleasure  he  gives  an  audi- 
ence of  any  character  by  attempting  to  place  on 
paper  the  peculiar  phraseology  and  the  more  pe- 
culiar Matheny-oratory  with  which  he  gives  his 
speeches  to  his  hearers. 

"Of  him  it  may  be  said  more  truthfully  than  of 
any  other  speaker  we  now  have  in  reraemljrance, 
'his  speeches  must  be  heard  to  be  fully  and  de- 
servedly appreciated.' 

"If  success  in  first  forcing  the  human  face  into 
its  greatest  length  by  some  serious  line  into 
which  he  may  choose  to  lead  his  listeners;  then 
spreading  their  mouths  like  the  lease  of  a  poor 
man  from  ear  to  ear,  now  o'ercasting  their  face 
with  the  most  sympathizing  cast  of  countenance 

53— 


and  causing  the  briny  messengers  of  grief  to 
chase  each  other  down  the  furrowed  and  fatcheek 
alike,  then  banishing  gloom  as  the  God  of  day 
would  the  mist  of  a  foggy  morn,  is  effective 
speaking,  then  our  County  .Judge  and  cherished 
Matheny  is  your  man;  but  dont  ask  the  Monitor 
man  to  waste  time  and  printers'  ink  in  an  effort 
to  report  him.  We  will  leave  that  to  newspa- 
pers who.'-e  reporters  believe  in  quantity  and 
not  quality. 

"Mr.  James  Stout's  recitation  was  well  done, 
well  received,  and  reflected  credit  on  the  good 
taste  of  the  gentleman,  both  in  the  selection  and 
recitation  of  the  poem. 

'"Out  of  the  old  house  into  the  new,'  by  the 
worthy  son  of  a  noble  sire,  Rev.  W.  H.  Milburn, 
the  '  sightless  orator  of  America,'  whose  face 
and  form  begin  to  show  the  marks  of  time — 
since  he  first  aroused  in  the  souls  of  his  hearers 
of  years  ago,  a  holy  love  and  veneration  for  the 
God  in  whose  service  he  had  embarked — was 
among  the  many  attractive  features.  He  is  still 
the  soul  of  eloquence,  the  fountain  of  oratory, 
who  with  his  mine  of  finished  gems,  when  un- 
locked by  the  key  of  some  soul-inspiring  theme, 
has  astonished  thousands  in  his  native  laud,  and 
by  our  neighbors  over  the  waves  which  separate 
the  continents,  established  his  repute  as  one  of 
the  most  gifted  of  America's  orators. 

"As  we  beheld  him  in  his  graceful  gestures 
with  his  rivited  audience  hanging  on  every  word 
uttered,  leaning  to  catch  his  brilliant  gems  of 
thought  as  they  left  him  clothed  in  the  most  at- 
tractive style,  we  scai'cely  knew  which  to  most 
admire,  the  genius  of  the  speaker  or  the  respect- 
ful attention  of  his  hearers.  His  speech  fur- 
nished food  for  thought,  which  we  doubt  not 
will  be  carried  to  many  a  home,  and,  like  the 
bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  the  work  of  the 
'blind  man  eloquent'  will  be  seen  growing  in 
many  a  homestead  when  he  has  filled  the  meas- 
ure of  his  days  and  gone  to  gaze  upon  the  scenes 
of  Heaven,  of  which  the  beauties  he  is  now  de- 
prived of  seeing  are  but  the  faintest  type. 

"Rev.  Mr.  Short,  of  Jacksonville,  we  learned, 
made  another  speech  after  the  meeting  had  been 
announced  as  closed,  and  many  had  gone,  but 
which  we  also  were  informed  was  well  received. 
These  comprised  the  services  at  the  stand,  ex- 
cept in  one  particular.  The  music  of  Butler's 
Band  was  no  small  factor  in  making  the  attrac- 
tions at  that  and  other  points  during  the  day. 
The  band  was  out  in  full  force,  and  never  played 
better  to  a  more  admiring  crowd.  Indeed,  the 
performance  at  the  Old  Settlers'  pic-nic  would 
have  been  tame,  had  it  not  been  for  the  inspir- 


460 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


iiig  notes  from  ibe  instnimeutal  efforts  of  this 
reputable  band.  Their  playing  was  timely,  music 
appropriate,  and  in  no  company  of  players  can 
be  found  those  more  proficient  in   their  calling. 

M'HAT    OF    THE    DIXXEE? 

"Ahl  gentle  reader  of  the  Monitor,  this  ac- 
count would  be  incomplete  and  a  failure,  most 
inglorious,  did  we  allow  the  very  thing  above 
all  others  for  which  the  Old  Settlers  and  the  new 
settlers  were  bent  on  doing  in  style  when  they 
started  for  tlie  grounds  on  yesterday  morning. 
To  get  a  good  view  of  an  Old  Settlers'  pic-nic, 
or,  in  fact,  any  kind  of  a  picnic,  you  have  got 
to  take  them  at  feeding  time.  Now,  to  do  this, 
by  a  hungry  reporter,  is  no  small  task.  It  re- 
quires a  i^ood  deal  of  self-sacritice,  and  as  news- 
paper men  are  supposed  by  some  people  to  sub- 
sist on  wind,  we  thought  we  would  not  rob  them 
of  the  delusion,  by  being  caught  in  an  attempt 
to  fill  our  yearning  vacuum.  We  took  a  cold 
snack  from  our  friend,Tom  White,  of  the  Plains, 
and  with  Faber  in  hand  and  Ed.  Bierce  to  hold 
copy,  we  made  a  dash  around  to  see  who  was 
there  and  what  they  ate. 

"  W.  G.  and  Oscar  and  Aunt  Jane  Purvines,E. 
S.  Bone,  and  Tom  White  were  trying  to  fill 
Uncle  Joe  Ledlie,  Ed.  Bierce,  and  the  hungri- 
est-looking newspaper  man  on  the  ground.  They 
were  abundantly  repayed, however, by  the  solemn 
style  of  the  newspaper  man's  vote  of  thanks  for 
their  success  in  astonishing  Bierce  with  a  square 
meal,  and  fattening  Uncle  Joe  until  his  best 
friends  fail  to  recognize  him.  Mr.  Sam  Valen- 
tine and  family  were  hiding  chicken  on  the 
double  quick  style,  with  a  board  fence  to  keep 
them  away  from  Ben  Trenary,  Billy  Parker,  A. 
C.  Smith,  and  their  families,  consisting  of  about 
forty-seven  young  Rock  Creekers,  all  in  good 
health. 

"Then  we  spied  Charlie  Watson  and  his  esti- 
mable better  half,  fooling  away  about  sixty-five 
pounds  of  wholesome  and  delicious,  in  an  effort 
to  inflate  Ezra  White,  Garret  Elkin,  and  a  squad 
of  'Pharaoh's  lean  kine'  of  folks  of  the  Ed. 
Bierce  stripe  of  eaters. 

"There  sat  Jack  Gardner  and  his  family,  en- 
gaged in  a  similar  sport.  Then  we  ran  head 
first  against '  Hi' Gardner,  trying  to  get  rich 
keeping  boarding  house  with  Ben  Caldwell, 
Colonel  Mobley,  Henry  Latham,  Will  Gardner, 
of  Chatham,  and  all  their  families,  particularly 
Henry  i^atham's.  As  we  left  the  scene,  we 
pitied  Miss  Kendel,  Miss-  Gardner,  and  some 
young  lady  friends  who  were  well-nigh  worked 
out  in  their  effort,  and  Ben  Caldwell's  little 
blonde  baby  crying  for  more. 


"And  there  sat  John  Hardin  and  Billy  Barrett 
foraging  on  one  of  Sangamon's  cleverest  men, 
Wm.  Stitt,  who  had  called  to  his  aid  Berryman 
Hurt,  Esq.,  and  still  failed,  for  Hardin  was  coax- 
ing our  old  friend  Epler,  whose  white  table  cloth 
gleamed  with  chicken  and  ham,  to  give  him  a 
drum-stick  to  chew  on.  Had  it  not  been  for 
Squire  Hamilton,  Purvines,  Ware,  and  their 
families,  who  protected  friend  Epler,  we  guess 
John  would  have  got  enough. 

"There  sat  J.  P^  Smith,  Joe  Hayes,  Dr.  Ather- 
ton,  Dan  Staples,  of  Beardstown,  a  relic  of  the 
Black  Hawk  times,  and  Johnny  Wolgamot,  with 
their  families,  looking  for  all  the  world  as  if  they 
had  been  boarding  with  Noah  in  the  Ark,  and 
the  provisions  had  given  out  after  twenty  days 
of  the  storm. 

"  Here  we  are  in  front  of  Will  Converse  and 
Tom  Little,  and  the  old  gentleman,  Henry  Con- 
verse, with  children,  grand-children,  and  great 
numbers  of  children,  swinging  in  a  hammock, 
and  eating  '  yaller-legs,'  until  they  all  looked  like 
Methodist  preachers,  particularly  Grandpa  Tom. 

"  'How  are  you?'  said  we,  as  approaching  a 
nest  of  croics  with  more  mooves  than  any  county 
can  turn  out,  and  more  to  eat  than  would  have 
fed  a  whole  company  of  clever  folks  like  'em. 

"  Then  we  saw  Old  Man  Yeakle  and  Squire 
Waddle  trying  to  outeat  Hardy  Conant.  Captain 
Bradford  was  at  the  same  time  performing  a 
friendly  otiSce  in  helping  a  lady  friend  who  had 
eaten  until  she  got  down  with  the  exercise. 

"  If  one  desired  to  see  a  company  of  '  old  set- 
tlers' when  they  tackled  a  table,  behold  the  array: 
Captain  L.  Smith,  George  McMurphy,  F.  B. 
Smith,  S.  L  Lindsey,  B.  O.  Pearl  and  Cash 
Lynch,  assisted  by  several  other  good  judges  of 
'wittles  well  done'  —  of  the  female  persuasion. 
Ahl  there  is  my  friend  H.  Fayart,  and  our  friend 
Shibley  and  their  families,  taking  the  rural  snack 
and  washing  it  down  with  pure  juice  of  tlie 
grape.  '  No,  I  thank  you,  we  have  had  our  din- 
ner or  you  bet  we  would;'  and  we  pass  on. 

"  Ed.  Elkin  and  Joe  Reavely,  Will  Mowery 
and  Harm  Gatteu,  and  several  other  fellows  just 
as  hungry  looking  as  Ed.,  are  making  the  grub 
look  as  if  the  table  had  been  struck  by  a  tor- 
nado, and  no  help  arrived. 

"  Then  John  Harnett,  J.  H.  Classpill,  Rev. 
Wilson  and  Professor  Griffin  had  been  running 
a  boarding  house  for  the  tuneful  ones  who  fur- 
nished the  music.  But  it  was  no  go.  Mrs.  Pond 
and  Miss  Annie  Wilson,  and  Thomas  Wilson, 
the  Grand  Marshal,  all  looked  weary  in  well  do- 
ing, and  the  voice  of  the  singer  still  sang  for 
more. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4G1 


"Here  is  Our  Own  Humphrey,  of  FarmiDg- 
dale,  with  his  happy  family  under  a  tree,  hiding 
a  few  things  of  a  delicious  flavor  to  stay  nature. 

"Pearson  K'>n,  Martin  Rites,  W.  J.  Shroyer 
and  several  others  are  trying  the  game  little 
game  on  themselves. 

"Look  what  an  appetite  for  the  good  things 
Hense  Robinson  still  possesses. 

■"  Who  said  Judge  Malheny  w'as  backward  or 
diffident  in  the  presence  of  a  spring  chicken 
when  robbed  of  its  clothing? 

"But  here  is  the  place  to  get  a  nice  dinner. 
It  is  on  watermelon,  or  at  least  that  is  all  the 
Monitor  man  saw  them  investigating  when  he 
took  a  view  of  their  table,  about  eleven  feet 
long  and  covered  with  melons.  Misses  Ida 
Hughes,  Frankie  London,  Helen  Sanders,  Dora 
Adams,  and  her  sisters,  Miss  Caddie  Priest,  and 
Messrs.  Saunders,  Dow  Matheny,  M.  Furlong, 
Sam  Runyan,  and  Elliott,  all  taking  melon 
straight. 

"We  became  so  tired  watching  others  we 
give  it  up  before  we  got  aionnd,  and  concluded 
to  stand  and  see  who  were  there  and  what  they 
were  at.  Old  settlers  began  to  crowd  around  us, 
who  we  failed  to  see  on  the  stand,  and  many  was 
the  grasp  of  the  hand  we  gave  and  took  as  we 
met  our  friend  Captain  R.  H.  Constant,  of  Black 
Hawk  fame.  There  goes  Bob  Pirkins.  Here 
comes  Bill  Springer,  as  happy  as  a  new  nominee. 
Henry  Converse  shakes  with  Hardin  Ellmore, 
S.  Q.  Harrison  passes  looking  as  young  as  he 
did  twenty  years  since. 

"We  spied  Wm.  Lynn,  Riley  Pirkins,  Wm. 
Houghton  and  '  Hickory,'  his  brother,  Squire 
Fink,  and  Ellis  Wilcox  with  his  cane,  and  Henry 
Foster,  George  Harmon,  both  no  older,  only 
more  hairless;  Isaac  Hawley  and  Billy  Burch, 
from  the  city;  Peter  Cox,  from  Ball;  Billy 
Brown,  who  must  now  be  considered  an  O.  S., 
from  Berlin;  Newt.  Purvanse,  Thomas  Watts, 
and  here  comes  George  Trumbo  and  our  friend 
Hall,  from  Mechanicsburg.  How  do  you  do,  Mr. 
Arnold  and  M.  A.  Carter,  of  the  Plains.  John 
Hardin  is  now  an  O.  S.;  and  so  also  is  Harness 
Trumbo  and  Henry  Bugg,  'Brug.'  Pirkins  and 
J.  B.  Pirkins  when  he  can  boast  of  a  big  grand- 
son. 

"Here  is  Thomas  Hessy  and  John  DeCamp 
and  Zim  Enos  and  Doc.  Jayne  —  all  rijte  Old 
S.'s.  So  is  Tom  Averett  and  Tom  Talbot.t,  and 
'Doc'  with  his  family  of  great  big  sons  and 
lovely  daughter. 

"Here  is  Mrs.  Dillon  and  Mrs.  Renshaw  and  a 
whole  host  of  old  ladies  whose  venerable  appear- 
ance bears  evidence  of  having  seen  this  world 


away  back  at  a  period  which  makes  them  count 
their  days  by  the  seventy  and  eighty  years. 

"There  stands  Joshua  F.  Amos,  one  of  the 
first  carpenters  that  ever  struck  Springfield; 
James  L.  Hill,  John  Fagan,  C.  W.  VanDeren  and 
Christian  Crow,  from  Cass  county;  and  there  is 
Ed  Watts  and  his  family,  and  our  farmer  friend, 
Elliott  B.  Herndon,  Esq.,  who,  with  his  better 
half,  had  viewed  the  land  between  Springfield 
and  the  plains  behind  the  faithful  horse.  Here 
comes  John  A.  Miller,  of  Rochester,  and  Ira 
Winchell,  the  honest  smith,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ben- 
nett, from  east  of  the  city,  and  here  is  our  friend 
J.  M.  Turpin,  from  Loami,  and  W.  F.  Foley,  B. 
F.  Short  and  B  F.  Cummings,  who  were  both 
born  about  the  same  time  and  came  to  the  State 
together. 

"And  here  is  a  whole  batch  we  struck  from 
Rochester:  M.  D.  McCoy,  George  Green,  Wm. 
Derry,  Wm.  Whiteside,  J.  T.  Twist,  Wm  Taft, 
J.  S.  Highmore,  D.  T.  Ott,  J.  Alcott,  H.  John- 
son, H.  Fairchild,  J.  Poifenbarger,  Dr.  Habcock, 
N.  Campbell,  S.  Williams,  C.  Ilumphiy,  J.  Gra- 
ham, G.  Forden,  John  Johnson,  11.  Clark,  Sam- 
uel Johnson,  J.  Everhart,  Joe  Miller,  George 
Deyo,  N.  Deyo. 

"Young  settlers  who  demanded  some  of  our 
attention  while  passing  around:  Miss  Dora 
Bennett  and  the  Misses  Bevens,  Jas.  A.  Wins- 
ton, Dr.  C'orrell,  Mrs.  McElhany,  Miss  IJurchett, 
Mrs.  Sibley,  Mrs.  Fayart  and  Mrs.  Cross  —  pass- 
ing around  on  a  review  of  the  outside  world, 
wherein  peanuts,  pop-corn,  patent  blacking, 
horse  swings  and  rope-walking  were  the  attrac- 
tions, and  in  which  they  were  joined  by  nearly 
the  entire  young  settlers  and  all  of  the  old. 

"Mrs.  S.  H.  Richardson,  the  Misses  Fink,  our 
old  friends  of  twenty  years  since,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Edwin  Tomlin,  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Harrison  and  her 
two  single  daughters  and  married  one,  Mrs. 
Beekman.  The  very  prince  of  old  settlers,  Noah 
Mason,  Esq.,  and  Ben.  Caldwell  and  Al.  Watts 
trying  to  find  out  which  of  the  babies  had  the 
blondest  head  of  hair.  Marshal  Stevens  and 
our  very  clever  young  lady  friends,  Miss  Julia 
Routh  and  Julia  Frohner,  Mrs.  Whitcomb,  Mrs. 
Maxwell  and  the  venerable  wife  of  the  new 
President  of  the  society,  Mrs.  Campbell,  Bob 
Hazlett  and  Miss  Belle  Bradford  and  a  thousand 
others  we  have  not  room  to  name." 

Maxwell  Campbell  was  elected  President  of 
the  society  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  James  li. 
Matheny,  Secretary. 

TWELFTH    ANNUAL    MEETING. 

The  following  is  the  Illinois  State  Register's 
account  of  this  meeting: 


462 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"  The  annual  reunion  of  the  Sangamon  County 
Old  Settlers'  Society  was  held  on  Wednesday, 
the  i'Ollx  ult.,  in  Abell's  grove,  just  north  of  the 
pleasant  village  of  Rochester,  and  it  proved  to 
be  a  grand  siiccess  in  every  point  of  view.  The 
day  was  tine,  although  a  trifle  warm,  the  attend- 
ance was  immense,  and  the  exercises  were  of  a 
more  interesting  character,  if  possible,  than  is 
usual  on  such  occasions.  The  committee,  as- 
sisted by  the  good  people  of  Rochester,  had  made 
ample  preparations  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  crowd.  A  stand  for  the  speakers  and  musi- 
cians had  been  erected,  seats  sufficient  to  accom- 
modate a  large  number  of  people  were  in  position, 
and  a  number  of  barrels  of  ice  water  had  been 
provided.  The  people  from  the  surrounding 
country  came  flocking  in  at  quite  an  early  hour 
in  the  forenoon;  a  large  crowd  went  out  on  the 
Ohio  &  Mississippi  road  on  the  nine  o'clock 
train,  another  on  the  ten-thirty  train,  and  still 
another  on  the  one  p.  m.  train.  The  appearance 
of  the  ground  did  not  differ  materially  from 
what  one  is  accustomed  to  see  on  such  occasions. 
There  were  acres  of  horses  and  vehicles,  and 
'oceans'  of  people  —  old  people,  middle  aged 
people,  young  people,  men,  women  and  children 
—  rich  men  and  poor  men,  stylishly  dressed 
women,  with  the  flush  of  health  on  the  cheek 
and  the  s]iarkle  in  the  eye — women — good  old 
mothers  of  Israel,  with  furrowed  cheek  and  age- 
dimmed  eye.  Then  there  were  the  usual  number 
of  refreshment  stands  and  catch-penny  contriv- 
ances that  have  been  so  often  seen  and  just  as 
often  described,  and  upon  which  we  do  not  pro- 
pose to  dwell,  preferring  to  talk  more  particu- 
larly of  the  old  people  and  the  exercises  in 
which  they  were  interested. 

"  On  and  immediately  around  the  stand  were 
many  old  men  and  women,  to  whom  we  are  in- 
debted for  much  of  the  civilization  that  we  now 
enjoy.  Among  the  number,  the  Register  reporter 
noticed  Mesdames  Daniel  Barr,  John  Cassity, 
John  Lock,  David  Crouch,  Melvina  Miller,  Polly 
Bashaw,  Jane  Butler,  Eliza  Taft,  Polly  Tor- 
rance, Rachel  Poffenbarger,  Eliza  Miller, 

liBvi, Cloyd,  Julia  Johnson,  N.  Harris,  Le- 

vissa  Richards,  —  Taylor  (Taylorville), 

Rape.  Messrs.  Munsen  Carter,  D.  G.  Kalb, 
Andry  Kalb,  Rev.  S.  M.  Smith,  M.  K.  Anderson, 
(i.  Goodridge,  John  Lightfoot,  Moses  Laswell, 
R.  W.  Diller,  Alexander  B.  Irwin,  N.  Harris, 
Noah  Mason,  Davis  Meredith,  Andrew  Hollen- 
bock,  I.  A.  Hawley,  Samuel  Grubb,  George 
Poffenbarger,  John  T.  Stuart,  Preston  Breckin- 
ridge, J.  G.  Ransom,  E.  Sanders,  Charles  Lamb, 
James  Magredy,  W.  R.  Ford,  James  Bell,  B.  A. 


Giger,  George  Green,  L.  Ridgeway,  S.  R.  San- 
ders, Rev.  A.  Hale,  Abner  Knotts,  Henry  John- 
son, A.  Barber,  Daniel  Wadsworth,  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth,  Harness  Trumbo,  Samuel  Williams,  Dr. 
Able,  Dr.  Babcock,  J.  M.  Morse,  Moreau  Phil- 
lips, L.  P.  Matthews,  J.  E.  McCoy,  M.  D.  Mc- 
Coy, John  Lock,  Strother  Jones,  William  Shu- 
male,  C.  W.  Van  Deren,  Isaac  Watts,  L^riah 
Maun,  J.  Palmer,  Henry  Converse,  John  De 
Camp,  Philemon  Stout,  and  last,  but  not  least, 
the  venerable  John  T.  IJenham,  bending  beneath 
the  weight  of  ninety-one  years,  and  who  was 
doubtless  the  oldest  man  on  the  ground. 

"The  exercises  at  the  stand  commenced  at 
about  half-past  ten  or  eleven  o'clock.  M.  D.  Mc- 
Coy called  the  assemblage  to  order,  and  a  choir, 
led  by  Mr.  McCoy,  sa'ig,  with  fine  effect,  'All 
hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name.'  Then  Rev.  G. 
W.  Dungan,  pastor  of  the  Rochester  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  invoked  the  blessings  of 
Almighty  God  upon  those  present,  and  upon  the 
occasion,  after  which  the  choir  sang 'Rock  of 
Ages;'  then  Dr.  E.  R.  Babcock,  of  Rochester, 
delivered  a  neat  address  of  welcome.  Alex.  B. 
Irwin,  of  Pleasant  Plains,  one  of  the  vice  presi- 
dents of  the  society,  then  took  charge  of  the 
meeting,  having  been  requested  to  do  so  by 
President  Campbell,  who  was  absent.  After  a 
few  preliminary  remarks,  he  introduced  Hon. 
Milton  Hay  as  the  orator  of  the  day,  and  that 
gentlemen  proceeded  to  deliver  a  highly  inter- 
esting and  instructive  address,  of  which  we  can 
present  but  a  brief  .synopsis. 

"  The  speaker  said  the  printed  programme  ad- 
vertising an  '  oration'  from  h  m,  on  this  occasion, 
was  all  wrong.  He  had  promised  only  to  make 
a  short  talk.  Judge  Matheny  should  be  called 
upon  personally  to  make  good  the  promise  set 
out  in  the  programme,  as  he  was  abundantly 
able  to  do  it.  Addressing  himself  to  the  occa- 
sion, he  said:  'The  Old  Settlers'  Society  of 
Sangamon  had  now  become  one  of  the  perma- 
nent institutions  of  the  county,  as  it  rightfully 
should  be.  It  might  have  been  the  idea  of  the 
founders  of  the  society  that  it  was  to  be  kept  up 
only  as  long  as  the  few  pioneers  who  began  our 
earliest  settlements  should  survive,  but  we  ha\  e 
outgrown  that  idea.  As  one  generation  succeeds 
another,  the  elder  generation  yet  upon  the  stage 
of  life  would  alwajs  constitute  and  bear  the  re- 
lation of  'old  settlers'  to  the  new  growth  of  pop- 
ulation. In  that  sense  we  should  always  have 
old  settlers  amongst  us,  and  hence  we  would 
have  the  elements  and  material  for  an  old  set- 
tlers' society.  In  the  process  of  time  the  society, 
it  is  true,   would  lose  its  characteristic  of  being 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


463 


composed  of  the  first  settlers,  l)ut  it  could  still 
retain  its  characteristic  of  being  old  settlers. 
The  old  as  well  as  the  poor,  we  shall  always 
have  with  us. 

"In  this  comparatively  early  history  of  the 
society,  however,  we  had  the  advantage  of  hav- 
ing amongst  us  as  yet,  so  that  we  meet  them, 
face  to  face,  a  few  of  the  very  earliest  pioneers; 
men  and  women  who  had  stood,  as  it  were,  upon 
Mount  Pisgah,  and  gazed  upon  the  trackless 
prairies  and  forests  of  these  regions;  men  who 
saw  that  the  land  was  fair  and  who  were  the 
first  to  enter  upon  it  and  take  possession.  The 
experience  of  these  old  settlers  was  an  experi- 
ence that  no  other  generation  of  settlers  could 
possibly  have.  At  that  early  day  these  regions 
were  not  considered  so  inviting  as  to  cause  any 
rush  or  haste  in  their  settlement.  A  few  located 
doubtingly  and  cautiously,  and  these  at  consid- 
erable intervals  of  time.  It  was  no  pai't  of  the 
expectation  of  these  pioneers  that  they  would 
realize  suddenly  great  wealth  or  great  success  of 
any  kind  by  being  the  first  upon  the  ground. 
But  little  information  had  been  disseminated  as 
to  the  chaiac'.e/  of  the  country,  but  there  was  a 
general  impression  that  its  characteristics  were 
those  of  a  desert. 

"There  was  doabt  and  question  then  as  to 
wnether  a  prairie  country  was  inhabitable.  The 
means  and  modes  of  access  to  the  country  were 
slow  and  difficult,  and  only  those  were  tempted 
to  come  who  were  already  frontier  men,  or  who 
lor  some  exceptional  reason  preferred  the  free 
life  of  a  wilderness  to  the  comforts  of  the  older 
>etlled  parts  of  the  country.  There  was  at  that 
day  no  rusliing  tide  of  emigration  from  all  [larts 
of  the  world.  There  were  no  speculators,  land 
grant  railroad  com]>anies,  and  newspapers  en- 
gaged in  'whooping  up'  the  country.  There 
were  many  discomforts  and  deprivations  which 
the  early  settler  had  to  undergo;  but  there  were 
compensations  also.  The  early  settler  was  al- 
most 'monarch  of  all  he  surveyed.'  He  could 
enjoy  the  great  natural  beauty  of  the  primitive 
scenery  of  the  country,  before  it  was  broken  and 
profaned  by  roads,  buildings  and  fences.  He 
iiad  no  disagreeable  neighbors  to  fret  or  annoy 
him.  With  his  gun  and  faithful  dog  for  com- 
panj',  and  the  wild  game  all  around  him,  he 
cared  nothing  for  the  society  of  men.  Of  course 
only  a  class  of  men  who  had  long  habituated 
themselves  to  a  life  on  the  outer  borders  of  civ- 
ilization could  enjoy  such  a  life  in  its  full  per- 
fection. 

"In  process  of  time  came  a  class  who  desired 
progress  in  improvements  and  civilization,  and 


these  men  began  the  work.  Not  content  with 
building  for  themselves  the  cabin  to  live  in,  they 
built  the  early  log  school  houses  and  churches. 
Thej'  began  the  work  of  cultivating  the  soil  for 
something  more  than  their  own  personal  wants; 
of  opening  farms  and  laying  out  roads.  Then 
began  the  location  of  trading  points  and  towns, 
and  traders  and  mechanics  came  in  to  supply  the 
wants  of  population.  And  so,  stej)  by  step,  l)op- 
ulation  and  improvement  slowly  increased.  All 
this,  however,  had  progressed  under  circumstan- 
ces in  which  the  primitive  condition,  habits  and 
usages  still  largely  prevailed.  Our  trading  was 
mostly  a  system  of  barter;  an  exchange  of  one 
article  of  produce  for  another;  of  corn  for  cat- 
tle, or  cattle  for  horses,  and  of  the  produce  of 
the  farm  for  labor,  manufactures  or  merchandise. 
Money  as  a  medium  of  exchange  was  scarcely  to 
be  had,  and  hence  but  little  was  used.  All  this 
belonged  to  the  period  anterior  to  the  introduc- 
tion of  railroads.  With  the  facilities  aflForded 
by  railroads  for  reaching  quickly  the  great  mark- 
ets, came  cash  buyers  and  ready  sales.  These 
iron  rails  not  only  connected  us  with  the  com- 
mercial world,  but  along  then?  came  the  quick- 
ened pulsations  of  a  more  commercial  life.  This 
quick  and  ready  intercourse  with  the  commercial 
world,  soon  aflected  our  old  halnts  and  usages, 
our  fashions  and  modes  of  doing  business.  We 
set  about  to  adapt  ourselves  to  a  changed  condi- 
tion of  affairs. 

"  We  were  somewhat  unconscious  of  the  ex- 
tent of  these  changes  as  they  occurred,  but  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years,  we  opened  our  eyes 
widely  to  the  fact.  Then  we  began  sadly  to  re- 
call the  old  days  and  the  old  times.  Then  we 
began  to  look  around  for  the  remnant  of  that 
pioneer  band  of  'early  settlers,'  whose  exper- 
ience and  memory  of  a  far  different  condition 
of  things  would  prove  interesting  to  a  genera- 
tion which  knew  nothing  of  that  by-gone  time, 
but  from  tradition.  It  was  then  the  idea  was 
conceived  of  bringing  those  'old  settlers'  to- 
gether once  a  year,  to  talk  over  the  old  times, 
and  refresh  each  others'  memories  with  the  old 
time  experiences  and  incidents. 

"As  before  remarked,  our  changed  life  and 
habits  was  the  result  of  many  causes  operating 
through  a  space  of  years;  yet  some  of  these 
causes  were  so  powerful  and  direct  in  their  oper- 
ation as  work  material  changes  in  a  very  short 
period. 

"If  the  speaker  were  going  to  fix  a  period  or 
dividing  line  in  point  of  time  between  the  new 
and  the  old,  so  far  as  this  region  of  the  country 
was  concerned,  it  would  be   at  the  introduction 


464 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  railroads.  Undoubtedly  to  this  was  attribut- 
able the  greatest  changes  in  the  material  condi- 
tion and  usages  of  this  part  of  the  country. 

"The  effect,  was  marked  and  direct  upon  al- 
most every  pursuit  and  calling  of  life.  Old 
habits  and  old  industries  to  a  great  extent  dis- 
appeared on  the  appearance  of  the  locomotive. 
Some  were  dropped  and  lost  sight  of;  others 
greatly  changed  in  the  manner  of  pursuit  or 
performance.  Not  only  our  home-made  manu- 
factures, but  our  home-made  life  and  habits  in 
a  great  measure  disappeared.  The  ox  and  the 
Carey  plow,  the  spinning  wheel  and  the  loom, 
disappeared  together.  We  began  to  build  houses 
of  a  different  style  and  with  different  materials. 
We  farmed  not  only  with  different  implements 
but  in  a  different  mode.  Then  we  began  to  in- 
quire what  the  markets  were,  and  what  product 
of  the  farm  we  could  raise  and  sell  to  the  best 
advantage.  The  farmer  enlarged  his  farm,  and 
no  longer  contented  himself  with  the  land  that 
himself  or  his  boys  could  cultivate,  but  he  must 
have  hired  hands  and  hired  help  to  cultivate  his 
enlarged  possessions. 

"  Then  it  was  our  families  discovered  their 
inability  to  do  the  housework  of  the  family,  and 
required  hired  assistance.  Customs  in  religious 
exercises  even  underwent  a  change.  The  '  forty- 
minute'  sermon  began  to  be  preached;  men  and 
women  no  longer  divided  off  on  each  side  of 
the  church;  the  minister  ceased  to  line  off  the 
hymn  for  the  congregation,  and  the  congrega- 
tion quit  singing.  'Choirs'  and  fiddles  made 
their  first  appearance  in  the  churches. 

"Almost  concurrently  with  the  introduction 
of  railroads,  it  was  discovered  that  the  school- 
master was  abroad  in  the  land.  Our  free  com- 
mon school  system  had  its  origin  about  the  same 
period.  Along  with  the  new  impetus  given  to 
the  material  condition  of  the  country,  and,  as  it 
were,  hand  in  hand  with  it,  came  the  free  com- 
mon school  system,  to  give  new  development 
and  growth  to  the  mental  and  intellectual  life  of 
the  country. 

"The  old  schoolmaster  and  the  old  school 
books  were  either  discarded  or  put  under  new 
regulations,  so  that  a  new  generation  was  rap- 
idly growing  up  that  had  learned  to  scout  at 
"Webster's  spelling  book  and  Daboll's  arith- 
metic. 

"Very  iew  of  the  boys  of  this  generation 
know  anything  of  that  bad  boy  who  was  found 
in  the  apple  tree  stealing  apples,  as  told  in  Web- 
ster, and  none  of  them  would  pay  any  attention 
to  the  excellent 'moral' with  which  the  story 
concluded. 


"But  the  common  school  system,  enlisting,  as 
it  did,  in  its  organization  and  machinery, a  large 
portion  of  the  adult  population,  as  well  as  teach- 
ers and  children,  wonderfully  increased  the 
mental  activity  of  the  country. 

"Turning  to  the  characteristics  of  the  early 
settlers,  the  speaker  said  it  was  a  mistake  to 
characterize  them  as  containing  all  the  virtues 
enjoined  in  the  decalogue.  There  were  good 
men  and  bad  men  amongst  them.  So  far  as 
morals  were  concerned,  they  might  be  de^:cribed 
as  an  average  lot  of  humanity,  but  they  were 
mostly  men  of  strong  and  marked  traits  of 
character.  They  had  the  vices  and  virtues  pecu- 
liar to  men  whose  lives  had  been  spent  upon  the 
frontiers.  Self-reliance,  bravery,  fortitude  and 
shrewdness  of  judgment  were  striking  character- 
istics. With  these  there  was  a  general  kindli- 
ness of  disposition,  which  the  necessities  of  their 
situation  called  into  frequent  exercise.  Notwith- 
standing all  this,  however,  the  inherent  mean- 
ness and  vice  of  the  human  character  frecjuently 
manifested  itself.  Some  were  given  to  brawls 
and  violence;  some  were  malicious,  and  would 
vent  their  malice  in  slandering  a  neighbor  or  in- 
juring his  property.  The  early  records  of  our 
courts  show  that  much  of  the  litigation  of  that 
early  period  arose  from  these  causes.  This  was 
the  character  of  litigation  in  which  our  early 
lawyers  won  their  renown.  In  case  of  victory 
the  fee  was  not  great,  but  the  glory  was.  Still 
it  was  true  that  there  were  better  types  of  old 
settlers — men  whose  lives  were  blameless,  and 
who  furnished  no  grists  to  the  lawyers  or  the 
courts  unless  in  self  protection.  These  were  the 
men  who  were  laying  well  the  foundations  of  a 
future  orderly  and  peaceable  community;  whilst 
others  might  be  engaged  in  brawls,  these  were 
engaged  in  founding  the  church  and  the  school 
house.  In  any  ret^ections  cast  upon  anj'  portion 
of  the  early  settlers,  it  must  be  understood  that 
this  did  not  include  the  women  of  that  day. 
There  is  great  concurrence  in  all  the  testimony 
we  have  of  that  period  that  the  patient,  untiring 
devotion  of  the  women  of  that  day,  to  all  the 
duties  of  their  situation,  was  without  e.xception; 
and  that  the  failings  and  shortcomings  of  many 
a  trifling  husband  were  more  than  supplied  by  a 
patient  and  industrious  wife  and  mother. 

"The  speaker  discussed  the  useful  as  well  as 
pleasureable  purposes  that  the  Old  Settlers'  So- 
ciety could  accomplish,  and  argued  that  the  so- 
ciety should  perpetuate  itself  and  become  perma- 
nent. 

■'  However  this  might  be,  he  hoped  that  so  long 
as  any  of  those  entitled  to  be  considered  genu- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


465 


ine  'early  settlers'  were  living,  these  annual 
meetings' should  be  held,  and  be  the  occasion  for 
the  meeting  ami  commingling  of  all  those  men 
and  women,  yet  upon  the  stage,  whose  bravery, 
fortitude,  patience  and  industry,  and  whose  trials, 
hardships  and  virtues,  had  laid  firmly  the  foun- 
dations of  society  here.  Let  those  who  have 
come  after,  meet  with  them  on  these  occasions, 
and  let  this  latter  generation  see  with  their  own 
eyes  these  early  pioneers,  and  hear  with  their 
own  ears  the  experiences  of  these  men  and 
•women,  to  the  end  that  the  memory  of  those 
early  days  might  be  handed  down  to  posterity." 
"At  theconclusionof  Mr.  Hay'saddress,  which 
was  listened  to  with  the  closest  attention  by  a 
large  proportion  of  the  assembly.  Acting  Presi- 
dent Irwin  announced  that  a  recess  would  be 
taken  for  dinner,  and  then  the  contents  of  sun- 
dry huge  baskets  and  boxes  were  dragged  to 
light,  a  number  of  tables  were  improvised,  and 
these  were  filled  with  almost  everything  that 
good  Sangamon  county  farmers'  wives  could 
prepare  with  which  to  tempt  the  human  appe- 
tite. At  one  of  these,  that  prepared  by  the 
family  of  Uncle  Pres.  Breckinridge,  of  Cotton 
Hil',  the  Register  representative  and  his  'better 
half  were  fortunate  enough  to  be  entertained. 
It  was  a  right  royal  feast  and  no  mistake — 
cli'<'kens,  sliced  ham,  choice  bread  and  butter, 
jellies,  preserves,  pickles,  everything,  in  fact, 
that  could  be  desired,  and  while  the  ladies  were 
preparing  the  feast  the  jovial,  whole-souled  Uncle 
Pres.  was  scouring  the  grounds  in  search  of 
hungry  people  to  feed.  Nobody  declined  an  in- 
vitation from  such  a  source,  ot  course,  and  his 
spread  was  speedily  surrounded.  His  daughter, 
Mrs.  Lucy  1).  Hunter,  and  his  daughters-in-law, 
Mesdames  Lillie  and  Hugh  Breckenridge,  as- 
sisted by  other  members  of  the  family,  grace- 
fully dispensed  the  hospitalities,  and  succeeded 
admiral)ly  in  their  very  evident  determination  to 
make  their  guests  feel  'at  home.'  Uncle  Pres. 
presided  with  his  usual  urbanity,  and  all  satisfied 
the  cravings  of  their  appetites  to  the  fullest  ex- 
tent. There  were  at  the  table  Mrs.  Louisa 
Stokes,  Mrs.  Bashaw,  Mrs.  Sophia  Thomas,  Miss 
Elizabeth  Evert,  two  daughters  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Johnson,  Mr.  Will  Berry,  Mr.  Ben  W.aters,  Mr. 
I.  Siokes,  Mr.  William  Stoneberger,  Mr.  Samuel 
Williams,  Mr.  S.  P.  Mathews,  Mr.  William  D. 
Hunter,  Dr.  Abel.  Roland  Thomas,  Alex.  Breck- 
inridge, Harder  Breckinridge,  Cleophus  Breck- 
inridge, M.asters  Arthur  Abel,  Taylorville,  ]>ur- 
tie  Breckin.iidge,  Ida  and  Inez  Breckinridge, 
and  other  grandchildren  too  numerous  to  men- 
tion.    There   were   many  other  fine  spreads  by 


hospitable  people.  Mesdames  Neal  and  St.  Clair, 
of  Rochester,  had  a  fine  table,  and  entertained 
largely  in  splendid  style." 

THIRTEENTH    ANNUAL    RE-UNION.* 

"The  place  selected  for  this  year's  meeting  was 
the  grove  back  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Daniel 
•Tones,  in  Cotton  Hill  township, five  miles  south- 
east of  Crow's  Mill.  Mr.  Jones  and  his  family 
had  done  all  that  was  possible  to  provide  for 
the  comfort  and  convenience  of  those  attending, 
and  they  are  deserving  of  the  highest  praise  for 
the  generous  hospitality  extended  to  all  comers. 
But  it  was  impossible  to  render  the  place  se- 
lected a  satisfactory  one,  in  such  a  dry  season 
and  u))on  such  a  hot  day.  It  must  be  admitted 
that  the  old  settlers  are  relieved  of  many  annoy- 
ances by  holding  their  re-unions  at  some  distance 
away  from  town  and  from  a  railroad,  so  that  no 
one  ought  to  grumble  at  the  inconvenience  ne- 
cessitated in  reaching  the  location  chosen.  Of 
course,  all  the  roads  were  terribly  dusty,  but  a 
refreshing  breeze  afforded  compensation  for  all 
annoyances.  LTpon  the  roads  leading  to  and 
through  the  grounds,  however,  the  dust  was 
much  worse  than  upon  any  of  the  roads  outside, 
and,  the  grove  being  situated  down  in  a  hollow, 
the  heat  was  insufferable.  Owing  to  the  unus- 
ual drouth,  the  water  supply  was  cut  off,  and  the 
management  were  only  able,  by  making  great 
exertions,  to  supply  the  throng  of  suffering  hu- 
manity with  an  occasional  drink  of  water.  As 
a  result,  everybody  was  decidedly  uncomfortable 
throughout  the  day,  and  felt  much  more  as  if 
they  had  become  for  the  time  being  veritable 
pioneers  than  as  if  they  were  enjoying  a  social 
holiday.  But  it  nmst  not  be  imagined  from 
what  has  been  said  that  the  aff'air  was  not  a  suc- 
cess, for  it  certainly  was  a  decided  success,  'de- 
spite all  these  drawbacks  and  others  that  could 
be  mentioned.  The  attendance  was  very  large, 
but  there  was  no  opportunity  of  fairly  estimat- 
ing the  number  present.  The  woods  were  liter- 
ally full  of  horses  and  vehicles  of  every  descrip- 
tion, and  this  made  it  very  evident  that  a  very 
large  number  of  persons  were  present.  But  at 
no  time  was  the  crowd  about  the  speaking  stand 
particularly  large,  the  visitors  being  scattered 
all  over  the  grounds,  wherever  shady  nooks 
could  be  found,  enjoying  themselves  socially. 
As  usual,  the  affair  partook  largely  of  a  social 
character,  although  the  programme  at  the  stand 
was  carried  out  successfully  and  very  satisfac- 
torily.    But  the  real  attraction  of  the  gathering, 


*From  the  Illinois  State  Journal. 


4G0 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  most  of  the  attendants,  was  the  opportuui- 
ties  it  afforded  of  renewing  old  acquaiutauces, 
and  of  rehearsing  again  and  again  with  them 
the  oft-told,  hal  ever  interesting,  stories  of  trials 
encountered  and  difiiciilties  overcome  by  the 
sturdy  pioneers  of  Sangamon  county.  Hot  as 
it  was  in  the  shady  grove,  the  veterans  couKl  re- 
member almost  innumerable  occasions  wlien 
they  suffered  much  more,  and  the  frequent  men- 
tion of  the  ever-memorable  'deep  snow'  seemed 
to  occasionally  impart  a  rather  refreshing  frig- 
idity to  the  atmosphere. 

"Springdeld  was  not  as  well  represented  as 
usual,  though  quite  a  good  delegation  was  pres- 
ent. The  gathering  was  largely  composed  of 
the  farmers  of  the  county,  who  were  accom- 
panied by  their  families,  to  whom  the  occasion 
afforded  a  well-earned  and  well-deserved  day  of 
recreation.  Among  the  old  settlers  in  attend- 
ance, were  noticed  the  following,  the  figures  in- 
dicating the  time  of  their  arrival. 


R.  AV.  Diller,  1844. 
TUompsou  Spicer,  1833. 
.Joshua  Porter,  1826, 
Wm.  .J.  Wheeler,  1853. 
JoliQ  H.  Pauline.  1855. 
N.  J.  IqsIc}',  1832. 
Jacob  Easinger,  1850. 
Alexander  Jones,  1849. 
M.  A.  Davis,  1854. 
Maw  .\UQ  Williams,  1835. 
Philomon  Stout.  1836. 
Anna  Salisch,  1836. 
Garred  Young,  1837. 
Joseph  Dodds,  1834. 
Caroline  Plummer,  1834. 
Z.  Buitle,  1826. 
n.  R.  Thaver,  18.2. 
Robert  Blue,  1842. 
John  Harnett,  1854. 
Joseph  Ledlie,  1846. 
Robert  E.  Berry,  1840. 
James  L.  Korris,  1835. 
J.  M.  Maniu,  1835. 

F.  M.  Xeal,  1832. 

G.  W.  Poffenberger,  1839. 
J.  M.  Millslegle,  1838. 


W.  V.  Greenwood,  1826. 
W.  W.  Header,  1839. 
D.  J.  Drennan. 
Thos.  B.  Shepherd,  1836. 
M.  A.  James,  1827. 
A.  Breckenridge,  1834. 
J.  H.  Herman,  1831. 
Wilson  Brownell,  1825. 
J.  W.  Shake,  1829. 
W.  W.  Crowl,  1845. 
H.  W.  Walker,  1828. 
Joseph  Bean,  1828. 
Robert  L.  Pirkins,  1825. 
Jacob  Henkle,  1825. 
Wm.  H.  Vigal,  1832. 
John  White,  1840. 
W.  H.  Boyd,  1837. 
Horace  Wells,  1850. 
George  H.  Miller,  1838. 
J.  W.  Haines,  1826. 
Ale.v.  B.  Irwin,  1820. 
Daniel  Jones,  1825. 
Noah  Mason.  1824. 
A.  T.  Thompson,  1836. 
J.  C,  Bone,  1824. 
J.H.  Matheny,  1821- 


"The  public  exercises  took  place  at  the  stand 
constructed  for  the  purpose,  which  had  been 
placed  in  a  good  position  in  a  shady  grove. 
This  temporary  structure  was  occupied  by  the 
band,  the  singers  and  several  of  the  older  per- 
sons present.  At  the  back  was  displayed  a  ban- 
ner bearing  the  words,  'Welcome  Old"  Settlers.' 
Evergreens  were  wreathed  above  and  about  the 
stand,  and  the  whole  was  surmotmted  by  a  large 
Hag.  This  platform  was  surrounded  during  the 
exercises  by  an  intensely  interested  gathering, 
conspicuous  among  whom  were  a  number  of  the 
oldest  settlers  in  the  county. 


"  The  exercises  of  the  day  began  with  music 
by  the  band,  after  which  Mr.  John  B.  Weber  of 
Pawnee,  delivered  the  reception  address,  appro- 
priately welcoming  the  members  of  tlie  society, 
their  families  and  friends,  and  members  present. 
'Brookfield'  was  well  rendered  by  the  choir,  and 
prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Josiaii  Porter. 

"The  exercises  were  conducted  under  the  ef- 
Hcient  management  of  the  President  of  the  so- 
ciety, Mr.  R.  W.  Diller,  of  this  city,  who  next 
delivered  the  President's  address.  "  A  synopsis 
would  fail  to  do  justice  to  this  address,  which 
was  given  in  happy,  conversational  style,  and 
was  replete  with  entertaining  reminiscences  and 
sensible  suggestions. 

"After  singing  by  the  choir,  Mr.  John  Harri- 
son, of  Pleasant  Plains,  made  a  brief  address. 
^Ir.  Harrison  has  lived  upon  the  same  farm  for 
fifty-seven  years,  and  knows  all  about  the  trials 
and  experiences  of  Sangamon  county's  early 
pioneers.  The  county  was  almost  a  wilderness 
when  he  first  arrived,  and  six  months  before  that 
time  those  residing  in  his  neighborhood  were 
obliged  to  go  eighty  miles  to  mill.  He  related 
several  interesting  stories  about  the  mills  of 
those  early  days,  and  told  how  the  pioneers  were 
obliged  to  carry  scythes,  with  which  to  cnt  grass 
for  temporarj'  bridges  across  the  numerous 
sloughs  that  were  not  bridged.  Mr.  Harrison 
concluded  by  extolling  the  advantages  now  pos- 
sessed by  Illinois  and  especially  by  Sangamon 
county,  saying  that  he  was  unable  to  see  why 
any  farmer  should  desire  to  go  West  after  gold, 
because  the  products  of  the  farms  of  this  coun- 
try were  much  more  valuable  than  all  the  gold 
and  silver  in  all  the  hills  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  were  easier  to  get  at. 

"Judge  H.  M.  Vandever,  of  Christian  county, 
then  gave  the  audience  one  of  the  most  unique 
specimens  of  oratory,  if  such  it  can  be  called, 
which  the  writer  has  ever  listened  to.  He  speaks 
forcibly,  though  with  considerable  effort,  and 
seemed  determined  to  convince  his  hearers  that 
he  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  'good  old 
times,'  and  customs  of  the  past.  In  fact,  he 
seemed  to  be  rather  indignant  because  people 
lived  more  comfortably  in  these  days  than  did 
the  early  pioneers.  The  object  of  his  remarks, 
so  far  as  they  could  be  understood,  seemed  to  be 
to  imjjress  his  hearers  with  the  thought  that  the 
early  pioneers  went  forth  animated  by  a  deter- 
mination to  conquer  all  the  earth,  fearing  neither 
man,  flesh  or  the  devil:  and  that  their  descend- 
ents  ought  to  be  inspired  by  the  same  feelings. 
They  heard  too  much  of  the  great  achievements 
of  great  men   which  were   not  possible  to  ordi- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4G7 


nary  people,  and  thought  too  little  of  the  prac- 
tical benefits  to  he  derived  from  the  early  expe- 
riences of  their  own  ancestors.  The  Judge's 
address  seemed  tu  please  the  audience. 

"  The  election  of  officers  being  next  in  order, 
was  disposed  of  by  re-electing  the  present  efficient 
President  and  Secretary,  Mr.  Diller  and  Judge 
Matheny,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Weber.  After  more 
music,  'the  best  of  all,'  the  dinner  hour,  was  an- 
nounced, and  soon  all  were  engaged  in  supplying 
the  wants  of  the  inner  man.  None  were  allowed 
to  go  hungry,  and  those  who  had  not  provided 
themselves  with  baskets  were  hospitably  and 
bountifully  cared  for  by  the  generous  farmers, 
whose  picnic  dinners  are  always  remembered 
with  pleasant  recollections  by  those  who  partake 
of  them.  At  two  o'clock  a  larger  audience  than 
before  assembled  to  listen  to  Hon.  Jas.  CT.  Rob- 
inson, of  this  city. 

"After  the  usual  musical  introductory,  Mr. 
Robinson  made  a  rather  brief  address,  which 
proved  very  entertaining,  being  interspersed 
with  characteristic  anecdotes.  He  reviewed  the 
great  changes  that  had  taken  place  since  the  day 
when  tiie  early  pioneers  settled  in  the  county, 
and  eulogized  the  moral  character,  integrity  and 
industry  of  the  early  settlers,  in  whose  footsteps 
the  rising  generation  could  follow  with  profit. 

"  Mr.  Robinson's  remarks  closed  the  regular 
programme,  but  the  audience  were  not  ready  to 
disperse,  and  willingly  listened  to  brief  recitals 
of  their  early  experiences  by  Mr.  Van  Deren,  of 
Chatham,  and  Mr.  Baker,  of  Christian  county. 
The  choir  was  then  called  upon  for  several  songs, 
which  were  enjoyed  more  than  any  other  feature 
of  the  programme,  and  President  Diller  was  at 
last  reluctantly  compelled  to  declare  the  exer- 
cises of  the  day  ended. 

"Many  of  those  in  attendance  immediately 
made  a  break  for  their  homes,  while  others  re- 
mained to  indulge  in  social  converse  with  neigh- 
bors and  friends,  preferring  to  drive  home  after 
sundown,  by  which  time  the  grove  was  deserted, 
and  the  hundreds  who  had  participated  in  the  re- 
union had  separated,  to  await  the  coming  of  the 
next  reunion." 

FOURTEENTH    ANNUAL    MEETING. 

A  two  days'  session  was  decided  upon  for  the 
meeting,  and  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  August 
24th  and  25th,  the  time,  and  Salisbury  the  place, 
for  the  Fourteenth  Annual  Re-union. 

The  accommodations  in  the  way  of  tents  for 
those  who  wished  to  sleep  upon  the  grounds  the 
first  night,  were  ample.  The  tents,  which  were 
of    the   regular   army   make,  water-proof,   were 

54— 


erected  on  the  outskirts  of  the  grounds,  and  all 
were  occupied  with  as  jolly  and  happy  a  class  of 
people  as  has  been  seen  in  many  a  year. 
It  was  no  camp-meeting  crowd,  if  we  may  judge 
by  the  music,  sentiment  of  songs,  and  the  local 
speeches  lieard  from  the  occupants  up  to  the 
small  hours  of  the  morning.  Everything  was 
orderly  during  the  night,  but  simply  a  little 
jolly.  "Uncle  Joe"  seemed  to  be  popular  upon 
the  grounds,  judging  from  the  loud  calls  made 
for  him  during  the  night. 

The  speaker's  stand  was  erected  in  a  small 
depression  and  slope,  with  plenty  of  shade,  the 
seats  being  after  the  usual  style  on  such  occa- 
sions— planks  laid  upon  logs.  The  stand  was 
prettily  ornamented  with  colored  paper  in  lace 
patterns,  and  in  front  bore  the  inscription: 
"Welcome  to  the  Old  Settlers,"  surrounded  with 
a  very  neat  design.  The  young  ladies  of  Salis- 
bury probably  had  a  hand  in  the  decoration  of 
the  stand.  Several  large  and  beautiful  bouquets 
graced  the  table  in  front  of  the  stand 

At  about  eight  o'clock  Wednesday  evening,  the 
first  exercises  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Meeting  for 
1881,  were  held  by  the  few  who  were  present. 
The  audience  numbered  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  or  two  hundred  The  exercises  were  some- 
what informal,  as  they  were  intended  to  be,  and 
consisted  of  some  fine  singing  by  a  company  of 
young  ladies  and  gentlemen  from  Pleasant 
Plains,  under  the  leadership  of  Professor  W.  B. 
Griffin,  all  doing  credit  to  themselves  and  their 
teacher.  Several  amusing  stories  were  told  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Clark,  Squire  Parkinson  and  R.  W. 
Diller,  of  Springfield,  all  illustrating  some  inci- 
dent in  their  early  life  and  the  customs  and 
habits  of  the  people  of  the  country  some  forty 
or  fifty  years  ago.  Those  who  know  the  speak- 
ers can  appreciate  somewhat  the  amusement 
afforded  the  crowd  on  the  occasion.  The  meet- 
ing adjourned  by  singing  the  Doxology,  "  Praise 
God,"  etc. 

Mr.  Diller  announced  a  prayer  meeting  for 
the  morning,  at  seven  o'clock,  after  which  the 
audience  dispersed  to  their  respective  tents,  but 
probably  not  to  sleep  until  towards  morning. 

On  the  morning  of  the  second  day  the  over- 
cast sky  and  the  mutterings  of  the  distant 
thunder  and  flashes  of  lightning,  gave  indica- 
tions of  rain  at  an  early  hour,  but  none  came  as 
expected.  At  9  o'clock  the  sun  showed  itself 
through  the  clouds.  At  an  early  hour  the 
people  began  to  arrive.  The  old  settlers  were, 
of  course,  important  personages;  you  could  tell 
one  as  far  as  you  could  see  him,  by  his  digni- 
fied bearing  and  apparent  good  feeling  which 


-K5S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lighted  up  his  (.'ountenance.  Their  comely  wives 
shared  in  the  general  good  feeling  which  pre- 
vailed, and  without  them  the  interest  would  van- 
ish Most  of  the  early  settlers  came  to  the 
gathering  in  their  carriages,  drawn  by  a  pair  of 
over-fed  horses,  a  striking  contrast  to  the  mode 
of  traveling  sixty  years  ago,  when  the  convey- 
ance was  on  horseback,  with  saddle  and  pillion. 
Tliey  have  a  right  to  be  proud  of  their  success 
in  life,  which  they  suffered  so  much  to  attain. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  John  II. 
Harrison,  and  Elder  Stevens  made  a  prayer  ap- 
propriate for  the  occasion.  Singing  was  fur- 
nished by  a  choir  led  by  Professor  Griffin. 

Mr.  John  li.  Miller  made  the  address  of  wel- 
come, but  would  not,  he  said,  make  a  speech. 
He  asked  the  question,  "  Why  have  we  come 
here  —  why  leave  our  homes  and  gather  under 
this  shade?  We  have  come  to  meet  each  other 
—  to  see  and  be  seen.  But  we  should  have  this 
in  moderation.  This  is  an  Old  Settlers'  meeting, 
of  Sangamon  county."  He  spoke  of  the  aston- 
ishment of  an  Englishman  who  should  meet  us 
here  for  the  first  time;  we  should  have  to  explain 
the  matter  to  him.  In  this  connection  he  refer- 
red to  the  changes  that  had  occurred  in  the  last 
two  hundred  years.  The  red  man  had  changed; 
the  canoe  had  given  place  to  the  steamboat. 
And  this  change  had  changed  the  whole  world, 
ill  an  important  sense.  Who  has  made  this 
change?  It  had  been  caused  by  the  old  settlers; 
but  they  will  soon  pass  away.  We  have  some 
of  them  here  to-day,  and  give  them  a  cordial 
welcome,  and  will  give  them  that  reverence 
which  we  should  do  under  the  circumstances. 
We  say  again,  we  give  you  all  a  cordial  welcome 
to  Salisbury.'" 

KESPONSE. 

Mr.  R.  W.  Diller  made  the  response  in  be- 
half of  the  old  settlers.  He  thanked  the  gen- 
tleman for  the  kind  words  of  welcome.  He  was 
not  an  old  settler,  but  he  had  drifted  into  it;  he 
had  been  here  only  thirty-two  years,  but  Mr. 
Harrison,  who  is  here,  had  been  here  sixty-two 
years.  He  here  referred  in  an  interesting  man- 
ner to  the  improvements  —  railroads,  sewing  ma- 
cliiiies,  and  all  kinds  of  machinery.  All  these 
changes  had  been  made  in  about  thirty  years, 
and  perhaps  in  thirty  years  from  this  we  may  be 
going  to  Philadelphia  in  a  balloon.  We  cannot 
t(ll  what  may  come.  He  then  referred  to  the 
last  night's  meeting.  He  then  said  that  of  the 
twenty-five  vice-presidents  of  the  society,  all  are 
alive  —  not  one  has  been  taken,  and  most  of  them 
are  here,  for  which  he  was  most  thankful.  Af- 
ter some  remarks  about  how  the  meeting  hap- 


pened to  be  changed,  etc.,  he  spoke  in  compli- 
mentary terms  of  the  forthcoming  History  of 
Sangamon  County,  and  advised  all  the  people  to 
have  one  of  them  when  published.  He  closed 
with  wishing  that  all  might  have  a  good  time, 
and  bid  all  good-bye. 

The  response  was  followed  by  a  song  by  the 
choir. 

Mr.  Harrison  then  came  forward  and  said  he 
was  an  old  settler.  His  father  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  he  came  here  on  the  4th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1S22,  and  had  lived  at  the  same  spot  since 
that  time.  He  lived  in  a  log  house  of  one  room, 
IS  by  2-2.  We  entered  the  loft  by  a  ladder, 
which  was  placed  outside.  The  number  of  per- 
sons that  lived  in  that  room  the  first  winter,  was 
ten  grown  persons  and  six  children.  We  live  a 
little  better  now,  and  have  grown  some  since 
that  time.  Mr.  Harrison  then  introdnced  Mr. 
Jacob  Hinkle,  the  oldest  settler  of  Sangamon 
county.  He  came  here  with  his  father  in  1818, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  eleven  children,  and  is 
the  only  one  living.  He  lives  on  the  same  place 
where  he  came  to  first,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
the  old  settlers'  meeting  he  would  never  have 
have  seen  this  portion  of  Sangamon  county,  and 
was  surprised  to  know  there  was  such  land  in 
this  section. 

GOV.  s.  M.  cullom's  speech. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  Mr.  R.  W. 
Diller,  President  of  the  society,  introduced 
Governor  S.  M.  CuUom,  who  commenced  by  say- 
ing: 

"  J!/r.  President,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen. — I  am 
with  you  to-day  in  response  to  an  invitation  to 
attend  the  annual  reunion  of  the  old  settlers  of 
Sangamon  and  Menard  counties.  It  is  the  first 
time  in  my  life  that  I  have  appeared  before  an 
audience  of  old  settlers  to  make  an  old  settlers' 
speech.  I  was  informed  that  I  was  invited  to  be 
present,  not  as  governor,  but  as  Shelby  M.  Cul- 
lom.  I  thank  my  old  friends  for  the  complment 
of  the  invitation  and  the  manner  of  giving  it. 

"  This  is  an  old  settlers'  meeting.  What  kind 
of  a  meeting  could  be  more  enjoyable  if  we  enter 
into  the  true  spirit  of  it  as  we  may.  Such  occa- 
sions should  be  entirely  free  from  unnecessary 
restraints  and  conventionalities;  every  man, 
woman  and  child  should  feel  at  home.  Let  the 
old  fashioned  hearty  friendship  be  stirred  up 
to-day.  Let  a  spirit  of  good  will  be  rekindled 
upon  the  altar  of  our  hearts. 

"  I  come  here  to  have  a  good  time  with  the 
people  I  have  lived  among  now  for  twenty-eight 
years.     Some  times  I  think  the  influence  of  our 


HISTORY  OK  SAXGA^rON  OOUNTY. 


4G0 


civilization  as  it  grows  older,  to  some  extent 
smothers  out  that  warm-hearted,  active  sympa- 
thizing spirit  for  our  neighbors  and  friends  that 
used  to  burn  brightly  in  the  hearts  of  the  people 
of  this  country.  We  go  along  now  a  days  and 
meet  our  neighbors,  and  under  the  pressure  of 
business  and  money  making  and  fashion,  we 
scarcely  speak  to  our  best  friends.  The  country 
people  are  not  quite  so  indifferent.  You  cherish 
the  habits  and  friendships  of  your  fathers,  but 
not  so  to  the  same  extent  in  our  cities.  There 
is  not  enough  of  hearty  social  feeling  among  the 
people  of  these  days  of  high  pressure,  any  where. 
The  result  is  the  very  fountains  of  our  better 
natures  are  in  danger  of  being  dried  up.  Unless 
we  keep  alive  our  friendships  and  attach- 
ments we  will  scarcely  know  after  a  while 
whether  we  have  any  friends  we  care  for,  and 
when  people  get  to  that  point  they  will  surely 
have  no  friends  who  will  care  for  them. 

"If  there  is  anything  which  makes  life  worth 
"the  struggle,  it  is  the  sympathetic,  the  social 
part  of  our  natures,  the  feeling  that  all  the 
world  is  akin,  the  feeling  that  there  are  warm 
hearts  in  the  breasts  of  God's  noble  men  and 
women  beating  in  sympathy  with  our  own. 
Smother  out  this  part  of  our  natures  and  the 
world  would  be  cold  and  gloomy,  and  humanity 
would  dwarf  into  liitleness,  and  soon  become 
utterly  selfish  and  mean.  Then,  fellow-citizens, 
old  settlers  and  young,  let  us  renew  our  friend- 
ships to-day,  and  we  will  leave  here  better  men 
and  women,  feeling  better  satisfied  with  our- 
selves and  the  world  around  us. 

"What  is  the  significance  of  the  term,  an  old 
settlers'  meeting?  It  does  not  mean  simply  a 
gathering  of  persons  who  have  lived  to  a  good 
old  age  in  the  community,  though  many  of  you 
who  laear  the  distinction  of  being  an  old  settler, 
are  now  bending  beneath  the  weight  of  many 
years,  and  your  ranks,  as  you  have  heard  to-day, 
are  being  thinned  each  year  by  the  Silent  Reaper. 
In  the  sense  in  which  the  term  is  used  to-day,  it 
means  more — it  means  a  gathering  of  pioneers 
in  the  community.  Many  of  you  may  justly  be 
called  pioneers  in  this  region  of  country.  Pio- 
neers cannot  be  found  in  the  older  States  of  the 
East.  There  the  proverbial  oldest  inhabitants 
came  into  the  world  and  passed  his  life  amid 
scenes  of  advanced  civilization  and  crowded 
population.  He  sees  about  him,  in  his  old  age, 
the  same  familiar  objects  that  crowd  the  recol- 
lection of  his  youthful  days;  the  home  his  father 
lived  in  he  perhaps  lives  in.  The  farm  where 
his  father,  and  possibly  his  grandfather,  passed 
their   lives,  he   is   laboring   on    and   getting  a 


scanty  reward  for  his  toil.  The  stories  of  hard- 
ships endured  by  the  pioneei'  settlers  of  those 
old  States  live  in  history  and  in  family  tradition, 
but  the  men  and  women  enduring  the  hardships 
are  gone;  they  are  not  there  to  tell  the  story. 
Not  so  in  our  State.  Some  of  the  gray-haired 
men  before  me  to-day  have  seen  this  county,  now 
smiling  with  civilization,  in  which  only  bold, 
hardy  spirits,  men  with  brave  hearts  and  strong 
arms  ventured  to  make  a  home.  When  we  listen 
to  the  statements  of  these  men  and  women,  who 
have  lived  in  Illinois  and  Sangamon  and  Menard 
counties  forty,  and  fifty,  and  some  of  them  nearly 
sixty  years,  who  came  when,  in  a  large  part  of  the 
State,  the  red  man  made  his  home,  when  on  our 
prairies  there  could  scarcely  be  found  the  foot- 
prints of  civilization,  and  then  look  about  us 
and  see  our  State  vast  as  an  empire,  filled  with 
populous  cities,  covered  with  fruitful  farms,  its 
territory  crossed  and  re-crossed  by  thousands  of 
miles  of  railroads,  and  reflect,  that  the  span  of 
a  single  life  has  marked  all  these  vast  changes, 
what  a  suggestion,  yes,  what  an  exhibition  of 
rapid  growth  and  progress.  Some  of  you  oldest 
people  have  seen  it  all.  It  has  been  the  growth 
of  fifty  years. 

"  I  know  that  much  has  been  said  about  our 
rapid  growth,  but  I  fancy  it  is  a  subject  which 
never  ceases  to  be  of  interest,  and  we  cannot 
study  it  without  profit.  One  of  the  chief  ob- 
jects of  these  gatherings  is  to  keep  alive  the 
memories  of  the  primitive  days  of  our  State 
and  to  impress  their  lessons  upon  those  who  are 
to  come  after  us.  I  do  not  think  I  am  a  very 
old  man  and  technically  I  am  not  an  old  settler  of 
Sangamon  or  Menard  county,  though  when  my 
father  and  mother  came  to  this  State  with  their 
family,  now  nearly  fifty-one  years  ago,  and  set- 
tled in  Tazewell  county,  it  was  only  three  years 
after  it  was  taken  off  of  Sangamon  and  made  a 
county  of  itself.  So  you  see,  my  friends,  I  am 
a  tolerable  old  settler  after  all." 

After  referring  to  the  organization  of  the 
county,  the  Governor  continued: 

"The  first  men  who  ever  resigned  office  in 
this  county  were  Matheny,  Kelly  and  Latham. 
The  first  election  ever  held  in  the  county  was  in 
1821,  at  John  Kelly's  house.  The  first  road 
located  was  from  Springfield  to  Jacksonville. 
The  first  bridge  was  over  the  Sangamon.  In 
1829,  the  State  made  an  appropriation  of  $1,000 
to  improve  the  navigation  of  the  Sangamon. 
One  steamboat  got  to  Springfield,  or  as  near  as 
the  river  runs  to  it,  but  had  to  back  out  in  order 
to  get  away,  which  ended  the  business  of  navi- 
gating the  Sangamon. 


470 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  t  OUNTY. 


"But  I  was  talking  about  the  changed  condi- 
tion and  the  growth  in  this  country.  'When 
you  and  I  were  young'  we  found  our  pastime  in 
hunting  and  fishing,  in  log  rollings  in  corn 
huskings  and  quilting  bees.  When  the  young 
people  I'orty  or  fifty  years  ago  danced,  they 
danced,  not  in  a  stiff,  delicate  sort  of  a  way,  but 
they  danced  in  earnest.  Do  you  remember  how 
long  it  took  the  old  fiddler  to  tune  up  and  how 
impatient  you  were  to  begin.  In  those  days 
everybody's  house  was  open  to  all  and  all  were 
welcome,  and  w  hen  we  went  visiting  we  went  in 
earnest, taking  along  the  whole  family.  I  think 
the  dinners  our  mothers  used  to  get  up  when 
the  friends  would  come  in  were  better  than  we 
often  see  in  these  days.  Everything  cooked  was 
set  on  the  table  at  once,  and  everybody  helped 
themselves.  In  those  days  when  anybody  got 
religion  and  joined  the  church,  you  could  hear 
him  tell  about  it  a  mile  off.  The  preachers  of 
those  days  were  their  own  educators  and  they 
were  mightily  in  earnest.  They  meant  what 
they  said  and  said  what  they  meant.  The  late 
Peter  Cartwright,  for  example,  whose  old  home 
in  which  he  lived  for  more  than  a  half  century, 
is  near  by.  They  belonged  to  the  church  mili- 
tant and  were  as  ready  for  a  fight,  if  that  was 
required  to  keep  down  the  unruly,  as  they  were 
for  a  sermon.  They  were  full  of  zeal  and  served 
the  Lord  fervently,  and  helped  to  sow  the  seeds 
of  temperance  and  truth,  which  are  bearing  good 
fruit  to-day. 

"Let  us  look  a  little  at  the  history  of  our 
State. 

"Illinois  became  a  Sovereign  State  in  1818, 
with  a  population  of  fifty  thousand,  nine  hund- 
red souls.  It  i§  now  the  fourth  state  in  the  Na- 
tion and  the  census  of  1880  shows  a  population 
of  over  three  millions.  But  its  present  proud 
position  has  not  been  reached  unhindered  by 
serious  obstacles. 

"  Early  in  its  history,  financial  troubles  encum- 
bered its  progress  and  tested  to  the  utmost  the 
wisdom  and  sagacity  of  the  statesmen  of  that 
day.  Many  of  you  older  men  remember  well 
the  dark  days  wlien  a  cloud  of  debt  hung  over 
US  that  for  a  time  seemed  as  though  it  would 
break  in  an  overwhelming  storm,  when  muttered 
talk  of  repudiation  became  almost  outspoken. 
J>ut  you  remember  liow  those  mutterings  were 
smothered,  how  the  legislature  and  the  people 
dcclaied  in  favor  of  the  honest  discharge  of  all 
just  obligations.  And  to-day,  as  a  State,  we  may 
j)roudly  look  the  world  in  the  face,  for  we  owe 
no  man. 


"  The  vast  system  of  internal  improvements 
which  involved  the  State  so  deeply  in  debt,  the 
digging  of  the  canal  and  the  attem])t  at  building 
railroads  has  been  looked  upon  as  a  great  error 
on  the  part  of  the  statesmen  of  those  days,  and 
while  it  is  true  they  undertook  enterprises  out  of 
all  proportion  to  their  resources,  time  has,  in  a 
measure,  vindicated  the  far  reaching  wisdom  of 
their  acts,  for  our  rapid  growth  and  develop- 
ment are,  in  no  small  degree,  due  to  these  im- 
provements. 

"  The  privations  which  the  early  settlers  in 
eastern  states  endured  and  which  are  recorded  in 
history,  were  repeated  in  the  experience  of  those 
who  ventured  to  make  a  home  in  Illinois  in  its 
earliest  days.  But  the  Jesuit  missionaries  who 
came  first  to  Illinois  with  the  purpose  of 
Christianizing  the  Indians,  and  the  traders  and 
adventurers  who  soon  followed  them,  repoi'ted  a 
land  fairer  and  more  blessed  in  soil  and  climate 
than  any  under  the  sun,  and  soon,  bold  hardy 
men  were  willing  to  brave  the  dangers  and  hard- 
ships of  a  frontier  life  in  order  to  live  in  and 
develop  a  land  so  fair.  It  was  not,  however, 
until  the  twenties  and  thirties  that  the  develop- 
ment of  Illinois  fairly  began.  By  that  time  the 
hunter's  suit  and  coon-skin  cap  had  given  away 
to  the  home-spun  garments;  villages  and  soon 
cities  had  taken  the  place  of  the  Indian  camp. 
A  few  school  houses  were  built  which  supplied 
the  bare  necessities  of  the  people.  In  1825  the 
State  first  undertook  the  establishment  of  com- 
mon schools  by  appropriating  %-2  out  of  every 
hundred  of  State  revenue  for  school  purposes, 
which  was  divided  j)ro  rata  between  the  counties 
as  now.  The  free  school  system  amounted  to 
very  little,  however,  until  in  1855  when  a  new 
start  was  taken.  We  have  a  grand  system  now. 
We  have  forty  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
sixty-four  public  schools  in  the  State,  over  twen- 
ty-two thousand  teachers,  and  seven  hundred 
and  four  thousand  one  hundred  and  four  pupils. 
Up  to  the  year  1S50,  Illinois  had  only  one  rail- 
road, fifty-five  miles  long.  In  182."  Chicago  was 
a  village  of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty-four 
people.  Governoi'  Reynolds,  I  believe,  described 
it  as  a  little  village  on  Lake  Michigan,  in  Pike 
county. 

"  A  story  is  told  of  Governor  Reynolds,  that 
when  he  opened  the  first  circuit  court  as  judge 
in  his  county,  the  sheriff  went  into  the  court 
yard  and  said:  'Boys,  come  in,  our  John  is  go- 
ing to  hold  court.'  I  believe  it  is  related  of  him 
also  that  when  he  had  to  pronounce  a  sentence 
of  death  upon  a  man  found  guilty  of  murder, 
he  said  to  him,  'Mr.  Green,  the  jury  in  their 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4'71 


verdict  say  you  are  guilty  of  murder,  and  the 
law  says  you  are  to  be  hung.  Now,  I  want  you 
and  your  friends  down  on  Indian  creek  to  know 
that  it  is  not  I,  but  the  jury  and  the  law  who 
condemn  you.  When  would  you  like  to  be 
hung?' 

"My  friends,  this  section  of  the  State  has  long 
been  noted  for  its  fertility  and  attractiveness. 
As  early  .as  the  war  of  1812,  the  troops  and 
rangers  in  their  expeditions  against  the  Indians 
on  Peoria  Lake,  noted  the  country  of  Sangamon 
as  one  of  great  fertility.  The  Indians  appreci- 
ated this,  for,  in  the  Pottawattamie  tongue,  San- 
gamo  means 'the  country  where  there  is  plenty 
to  eat.'  Tlie  'St.  (Tamo  Kedentry,'  as  it  was 
called,  became  famous,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
ISl'J,  Mr.  Kelly,  with  his  family,  camped  on 
Spring  creek,  near  the  present  location  of  Spring- 
field. In  May,  1821,  a  term  of  court  was  held 
in  his  cabin.  In  1823,  the  public  lands  having 
been  surveyed,  a  town  was  laid  out  and  called 
Calhoun,  but  as  the  settlers  came  in  that  name 
was  dropped  and  the  name  of  Springfield 
adopted. 

"Fellow  citizens,  you  have  lived  in  the  world's 
greatest  period  of  advancement,  you  have  seen 
the  transformation  produced  l*)'  the  engine  and 
the  iron  wheel  over  iron  roads;  the  invention  of 
the  telegraph  and  its  controlling  power  in  busi- 
ness and  commerce,  so  that  at  any  time  during 
the  day  we  may  know  the  markets  of  London, 
Paris  and  New  York,  the  three  great  centers  of 
the  world.  By  the  telephone,  friends  may  hold 
c  jmmunion  with  friends  miles  apart  in  their 
own  voice.  By  rail  we  may  travel  at  any  speed 
up  to  sixty  miles  an  hour.  All  these  discoveries 
and  improvements  you  liave  witnessed. 

"In  the  political  world  you  have  seen  vast 
changes,  a  great  civil  war,  a  country  saved,  slav- 
ery abolished,  the  Constitution  amended,  and 
one  of  your  own  old  settlers  of  Sangamon,  whom 
you  all  knew,  elected  President  of  the  United 
Slates.  You  have  seen  the  capital  of  our  own 
State  removed  from  Vandal ia  to  Springfield, 
yon  have  seen  the  states  grow  from  twenty  to 
thirty  eight,  and  you  have  seen  great  improve- 
ment in  agriculture.  The  improvement  in  agri- 
cultural imj)lements  is  wonderful.  You  ride  and 
cut  and  bind  your  grain,  you  ride  and  cut  your 
grass,  you  ride  and  plow,  and  three  men  with 
your  ju'esent  advantages  can  do  more  than  a 
diizen  forty  years  ago. 

'The  world,  mv  friends,  has  made  its  greatest 


eap  of  progress  within  the  last  forty  or  fifty 
.ears.  It  is  as  if  some  magician's  hand  had 
cast   a   spell   of  improvement   over  the   age   in 


y 


which  we  live,  and  had  called  forth  all  the 
mighty  engines  of  mother  nature  to  make  the 
world  grow  as  it  never  did  before. 

"  Illinois  has  been  peculiarly  fortunate  in  the 
possession  of  a  class  of  pioneer  citizens  and 
statesmen  far  above  the  average  of  men.  The 
first  settlers  of  this  country  were  remarkable 
men,  strong  in  intellect,  strong  in  will,  and  up- 
right in  character.  The  State  has  been  greatly 
favored  and  honored  by  the  men  who  have  been 
prominent  as  its  lawyers  and  statesmen.  With 
such  men  as  Edwards,  Cook,  Bond,  Coles,  Pope, 
Breese,  Duncan,  Thomas,  and  Lockwood,  and 
Lincoln,  Logan,  Douglas,  Browning,  Hardin, 
Bissell,  Yates,  Stuart,  Harris,  Shields,  Dement, 
and  a  host  of  others  I  might  name,  the  prosper- 
ity and  greatness  of  our  State  was  firmly  secure. 

"They  all  helped  to  mould  our  early  institu- 
tions. They  left  the  impress  of  their  thoughts 
and  lives,  not  only  to  adorn  the  annals  of  our 
own  State,  but  to  add  new  luster  to  the  historic 
page  of  the  Nation  and  the  world. 

"But,  fellow-citi/.ens,  I  must  close.  We  have 
a  great  county.  State,  and  country.  It  is  our 
duty  to  take  care  of  the  inheritance  handed 
down  to  us,  for  those  who  are  to  come  after  us. 

"Our  State  and  Nation  have  a  grand  future. 
I  have  briefly  referred  to  the  growth  and  prog- 
ress of  our  State,  but  it  has  only  fairly  entered 
upon  its  career  of  prosperity.  Soon  we  shall 
pass  off  the  stage,  our  children  will  take  our 
places.  When  fifty  years  more  shall  have 
passed  away,  may  it  be  truly  said  of  us,  as  we 
say  of  our  fathers  and  mothers  who  have  gone, 
that  we  were  worthy  of  our  time  and  country." 

The  speech  of  the  Governor  was  listened  to 
with  marked  attention,  and  was  received  with 
applause. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  Governor's  speech, 
the  meeting  adjourned  until  two  o'clock  for  din* 
ner,  after  singing  the  Doxology,  "  Praise  (Tod, 
from  whom  all  blessings  flow." 

After  dinner,  the  meeting  was  again  called  to 
order,  when  the  election  of  officers  took  place 
R.  W.  Diller  and  James  II.  Matheny  were  each 
re-elected  President  and  Secretary,  together  with 
the  following-named  Vice  Presidents: 

Moses  G.  Wads  worth.  Auburn;  Davis  Mere- 
dith, Ball;  John  T.  Constant,  Buffalo  Lleart; 
John  T.  Stewart,  Capital;  James  Parkinson, 
Curran;  John  Wilson,  Clear  Lake;  Alex  Irwin, 
Cartwright;  Daniel  G.  Jones,  Cotton  Hill;  Cyrus 
VanDeren,  Catham;  Daniel  Waters,  Cooper; 
J.  Ray  Dunlap,  Fancy  Creek;  David  Talbott, 
Gardner;  Samuel  O.  Maxcy,  Island  Grove; 
Charles  Cactrall,  Illiopolis;  Joseph  L.   Wilcox^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Loami;  Oliver  P.  Hall,  Mechanicsburg;  Thomas 
Ray,  New  Berliu;  John  B.  Weber,  Pawnee; 
Milton  D.  McCoy,  Rochester;  Goodrich  Light- 
foot,  Si)ringtield;  M.  A.  Stevens,  Salisbury;  John 
Ennis,  Talkington;  George  Pickrell,  Wheatfield, 
Isaac  J.  Taylor,  Williams;  Harness  Trumbo, 
Woodside. 

Mr.  Kennedy,  of  Springfield,  was  then  intro- 
duced and  proceeded  to  address  the  meeting, 
and  we  regret  we  can  only  give  a  very  imperfect 
synopsis  of  it. 

The  address  carried  the  old  settlers  back 
two  hundred  years  ago,  when  Marquette  ex- 
plored the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers,  and 
interviewed  the  Indian  savages  living  on  their 
borders.  He  then  portrayed  the  saintly  charac- 
ter of  the  Jesuit  missionary — the  first  to  plant 
the  cross  on  the  wilderness  of  the  northwest, 
and  elevating  the  mind  to  the  noblest  concep- 
tions of  the  future  life.  Allusion  was  made  to 
the  stand  taken  by  the  French  settlers  of  Kas- 
kaskia,  who,  under  the  direction  of  Father  Gi- 
bault,  welcomed  with  hospitable  hearts.  General 
Clark  and  his  distressed  regiment,  and  rendered 
valuable  assistance  in  the  colonial  struggle  for 
freedom.  These  were  worthy  of  the  highest 
gratitude — first  to  the  pioneer  missionary,  and 
second  to  the  French  settlers,  closely  allying 
them  with  the  Illinois  settlers  of  the  present. 

Mr.  M.  A.  Stevens,  of  Salisbury,  was  next 
introduced  and  addressed  the  people  briefly  up- 
on matters  of  interest  to  the  old  settlers  present. 
He  was  happy  to  see  so  many  present,  both  old 
and  young.  The  young  to  honor  the  old  set- 
tlers, and  the  old  to  see  and  greet  each  other  as 
old  friends.  He  referred  to  the  land  marks  of 
the  old  settlers  on  every  hand  —  schools,  churches 
and  other  institutions.  He  closed  with  words 
of  welcome  to  the  old  settlers  to  Salisbury. 

James  H.  Matheny  then  came  forward  and 
made  a  characteristic  speech.  We  can  only  give 
a  brief  synopsis:  He  said  he  did  not  know  as 
he  could  be  heard,  as  he  was  not  in  a  very 
good  condition,  as  they  could  all  see  that  he  had 
more  cheek  than  the  government  allowed.  He 
was  proud  of  Salisbury,  for  in  this  meeting  they 
had  done  honor  to  themselves.  He  spoke  of  the 
time  when  he  and  others  of  his  friends  were 
boys,  and  related  some  amusing  anecdotes  that 
set  the  audience  in  roars  of  laughter.  He  also 
told  of  bow  the  boys  obtained  money  to  go  to 
shows;  they  dug  'ginseng'  to  the  amount  of 
twenty-five  cents,  and  then  they  were  sure  of  the 
show,  particularly  if  it  was  in  summer — if  in  the 
winter,  it  was  not  so  sure.  He  then  spoke  of  the 
advances  that  had  been  made  in  all  affairs  of 


domestic  life — and  cited  as  illustrations  the  food 
seen  on  the  tables,  etc.,  set  uimn  the  grounds  to- 
day. He  related,  with  inimitable  humor,  his 
first  visit  to  St.  Louis,  and  his  experience  at  the 
Planters'  House  with  a  bill  of  fare,  and  the  mis- 
takes he  made  in  calling  for  food  by  the  aid  of 
this  bill  of  fare.  He  then  spoke  eloquently  of 
the  advancement  of  our  country  and  the  people, 
making  it  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  glorious 
lands  in  the  world.  None  could  compare  with  it 
in  all  that  made  a  people  happy.  He  was  glad 
to  be  here  once  more,  and  to  meet  old  friends; 
it  was  to  him  the  happiest  day  of  the  year;  but 
he  understood  well  that  the  time  was  not  far 
distant  when  he  would  not  be  here.  He  had  a 
list  of  the  names  of  the  old  settlers  who  had  gone 
to  the  other  country,  and  soon  others  would  fol- 
low, and  the  band  of  old  settlers  would  be  thin- 
ned one  by  one. 

The  closing  remarks  were  eloquent  and  touch- 
ing, and  were  received  with  great  applause. 

Mr.  Alexander  Irwin  then  made  a  report  of 
the  deaths  of  old  settlers  in  Pleasant  Plains, 
Cart  Wright  township. 

jNIaxwell  Campbell;  born  in  Cobarrus  county, 
North  Carolina,  October  29,  1'795;  departed  this 
life  August  10,  1881;  aged  about  eighty-six 
years. 

Mrs.  A.  W.  Hays;  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
Lancaster  county;  married  in  May,  1834;  died  in 
March,  1881;  aged  sixty-seven  years  and  four 
months. 

Horace  Ploward;  born  in  Vermont,  April  9, 
1803,  and  departed  this  life  May  4,  1881;  aged 
seventy-eight  years  and  one  month. 

Thomas  Mostiller;  born  October  8,  1S07,  in 
Butler  county,  Ohio;  married  in  Franklin  county, 
Indiana;  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in 
1830;  died  February  22,  1881;  aged  seventy-four 
years. 

Mark  A.  Mowrey;  born  July  12,  1815,  in 
Smithtield,  Rhode  Island;  married  August  13, 
1840;  settled  in  Sangamon  county  in  1849;  died 
April  24,  1881;  aged  sixty-five  years,  nine  months 
and  eighteen  days. 

Mrs.  Anna  M.  Johnson;  born  in  Champaign 
county,  Ohio,  June  6,  1830;  departed  this  life 
April  9,  1881;  aged  forty-four  years,  ten  months 
and  three  days. 

After  reading  the  list  he  made  a  humorous 
but  brief  speech  about  our  country,  which  was 
well  received  by  the  audience,  but  for  want  of 
space  we  must  omit  even  a  synopsis. 

General  Anderson  came  forward,  and  said 
that  he  probably  had  as  much  vanity  as  anyone, 
but  he  had  not  vanity  enough  to  attempt  to  make 


IIISTORV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


413 


a  speecli,  and  lie  would  not  do  it.  He  would 
say  that  he  had  been  here  over  lifty  years,  and 
had  seen  all  incidents  to  a  settler's  life.  He 
borrowed  money  to  purchase  his  first  eighty 
acres.  He  gave  an  interesting  account  of  how 
he  was  obliged  to  do  in  early  days,  and  closed 
with  giving  some  good  advice  to  the  young 
people  present,  and  closed  by  thanking  all  for 
their  attention. 

Hon.  James  H.  ^[atheny  offered  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolutions,  which  were  unan- 
imouslj-  adopted: 

Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United 
States  has  been  shot  down  by  the  hand  of  a  cow- 
ardly assassin,  and  now  lies  in  a  critical  condi- 
tion at  the  Executive  Mansion, 

Resolved,  Tiiat  the  old  settlers  and  friends 
assembled  deeply  de|>lore  the  calamity  which 
seems  about  to  befall  the  country — a  calamity 
which  would  be  none  the  less  deplorable  than 
the  assassination  of  our  old  friend  and  pioneer 
settler,  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Resolved,  That  our  prayers  will  ascend  to  the 
Throne  of  Grace  for  his  speedy  recovery,  and 


that  our  deepest  sympathies  be  e-vtended  to  his 
family  and  to  the  Nation,  in  this,  their  great 
affliction. 

At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings  Mr.  L.  Hu- 
ber.  of  Cartwright  township,  exhibited  an  in- 
strument little  known  at  the  present  day,  called 
a  "  hackle,"  which  he  found  here  when  he  came 
in  1855.  The  instrument  was  used  in  prepar- 
ing flax  and  hemp.  It  excited  considerable  atten- 
tion. 

President  Diller  then  made  some  compli- 
mentary remarks  in  relation  to  the  meeting  in 
Salisbury.  He  had  not  seen  a  drunken  man  dur- 
ing the  meeting,  which  had  not  occurred  at  any 
other  meeting,  and  he  was  proud  of  Salisbury, 
and  her  citizens  had  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
meeting.  In  conclusion  he  told  the  people  that 
they  coidd  go  home,  as  the  old  settlers'  meeting 
for  1881  was  closed,  or  in  other  words  was  ad- 
journed. 

The  old  settlers,  after  a  general  hand- 
shaking, left  for  their  respective  homes  with 
pleasant  thoughts  of  the  old  settlers'  meeting 
for  1881. 


474 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XX. 


EDUCATIONAL. 


Few  even  of  the  older  States  of  the  Union 
have  an  educational  history  more  rich,  varied  and 
instructive  than  that  of  Illinois.  When  that  his- 
tory shall  be  written  and  due  honor  shall  be 
given  to  those  who  have  raised  the  State  to  the 
high  position  •which  she  now  holds,  worthy  men- 
tion shall  be  made  of  that  association  of  young 
men,  who,  early  in  18:29,  while  pursuing  their 
studies  in  Y'ale  College,  devoted  themselves  to  a 
life-work  in  the  cause  of  education  and  religion 
in  the  then  new  State  of  Illinois.  The  names  of 
those  seven  men  were  Mason  Grosvenor,  Theron 
Baldwin,  John  F.  Brooks,  Elisha  Jenney,  AYil- 
liam  Kirby,  Asa  Turner  and  Julian  M.  Sturte- 
vant.  The  first  fruits  of  their  exertions  was  the 
establishment  of  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville. 
The  after  fruits  of  their  united  and  individual 
action,  both  general  and  special,  cannot  be  esti- 
mated. 

The  first  educational  convention  in  the  State, 
was  held  at  Vandaiia,  Februai-y  13, 1833,  by  gen- 
tlemen from  different  parts  of  the  State,  desirous 
of  encouraging  education  and  especially  common 
schools.  After  an  address  on  education  by 
James  Hall,  an  association  was  organized  un- 
der the  title  of  the  "  Illinois  Institute  of  Educa- 
tion." An  effort  was  made  to  procure  statistics 
and  information  in  regard  to  schools  and  the 
condition  of  education,  but  with  little  success. 

A  second  convention  was  held  at  Vandaiia, 
December  5  and  6, 1834,  at  which  sixty  delegates 
were  present  from  over  thirty  counties  of  the 
State,  principally  members  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, then  in  session,  among  whom  were 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and 
others,  whose  names  became  well  known  in  the 
State.  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards  was  chosen  Presi- 
dent, and  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Secretary. 
Through  the.  influences  of  this  convention  some 
important  changes  wei'e  effected  in  the  previous 
school  laws  of  the  State,  of  1845,  1829  and  1838. 


In  February,  1841,  was  formed  the  "Illinois 
State  Education  Society  "  at  Springfield,  "to  pro- 
mote by  all  laudable  means,  the  diffusion  of 
knowledge  in  regard  to  education;  and  especially 
to  render  thesystem  of  common  schools  through- 
out the  State'as  perfect  as  possible."  Its  first 
officers  ■^'ere  Hon.  Cyrus  Edwards,  President; 
Col.  Thomas  Mather,  Hon.  Williain  Thomas, 
Hon.  S.  H.  Treat,  Dr.  ^V.  B.  Eagan  and  Onslow 
Peters,  Vice-Presidents;  A.  T.  Bledsoe  and  C. 
R.  Wells,  Secretaries;  and  P.  C.  Canedy,  Treas- 
urer. A  memorial  was  prepared  and  jiresented 
to  the  legislature  then  in  session,  urging  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  State  School  Superintendent,  and 
other  amendments  to  the  school  system.  A  new 
school  law  was  passed,  which,  however,  embraced 
but  few  of  the  desired  improvements. 

Another  effort  was  made  by  the  friends  of 
popular  education  to  secure  through  the  legisla- 
ture of  1843,  the  establishment  of  the  office  of 
Superintendent  of  Schools,  which  was  now  re- 
garded as  essential  to  a  comprehensive  system  of 
public  instruction.  Petitions  in  this  behalf 
were  widely  circulated  for  signatures,  but  it 
was  found  that  the  people  generally  were  them- 
selves opposed  to  the  change,  chiefly  on  the 
ground  of  supposed  expense,  and  consequently 
nothing  was  done  by  the  legislature.  Notwith- 
standing this  ill  success,  it  was  believed  by  many 
that  the  time  was  ripe  for  the  proposed  measure, 
and  that  a  general  convention  should  be  called 
together,  of  the  right  men,  not  for  investigation 
and  discussion  merely,  but  to  devise  a  system  of 
common  schools  that  might  be  recommended 
with  confidence  to  the  succeeding  legislature. 
The  proposition  was  very  favorably  received, 
and  an  appointment  was  made  for  a  convention 
of  delegates,  teachers  and  friends  of  education, 
to  meet  at  Peoria,  October  9,  1844. 

The  convention  was  not  largely  attended,  but 
was    unanimous    in   favor   of  a   State    Superin- 


c^yy 


^^^/^ a^~/h-^^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


477 


teudency,  and  taxation  for  the  support  of  schools. 
A  plan  of  school  system  was  drawn  up  and  a 
long  and  able  memorial  to  the  legislature  pre- 
pared by  a  committee.  The  proposed  bill  was 
explained  and  sustained  by  J.  S.  Wright  before 
the  legislative  committee.  The  result  was  a 
general  revision  of  the  school  laws,  and  the  pas- 
sage of  an  act  making  the  Secretary  of  State 
ex-officio  Superintendent  of  Schools,  authorizing 
special  taxation  for  Bchool  purposes,  and  intro- 
ducing other  decided  improvements  upon  the 
former  system. 

An  educational  convention  met  in  Springfield, 
December  16th,  iVth,  19th  and  23d,  1846.  Va- 
rious topics  of  educational  interest  were  dis- 
cussed and  a  committee  instructed  to  memorialize 
the  legislature  for  amendments  to  the  school 
law,  especially  in  making  the  school  superin- 
tendency  a  distinct  office  to  be  filled  by  the 
legislature. 

A  convention  met  at  Springfield  January  loth 
to  18th,  during  the  session  of  the  legislature. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  memo- 
rial to  the  legislature  and  draft  a  bill  for  a 
school  law  that  should  embrace  the  following 
principles:  That  the  property  of  the  State  should 
be  taxed  to  educate  the  children  of  the  State; 
that  the  office  of  State  Superintendent  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction  should  be  separate  and  distinct 
from  every  other  office;  that  the  County  Com- 
missioners should  receive  reasonable  compensa- 
tion for  their  services  as  ex-officio  County  Super- 
intendents of  Schools;  and  that  a  portion  of  the 
college  and  seminary  funds  should  be  devoted  to 
aid  in  the  education  of  common  school  teachers. 
These  several  principles  were  now  for  the  first 
time  pressed  upon  the  attention  of  the  legisla- 
ture, but,  though  the  school  law  was  revised  at 
this  session,  the  system  was  left  essentially  as  it 
was  before. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  ISCiS,  there  was 
convened  at  Bloomington  an  educational  con- 
vention, composed  more  strictly  of  teachers, 
superintendents  and  commissioners  of  schools 
and  other  friends  of  popular  education.  Com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  petition  the  legisla- 
ture for  a  State  Superintendent  of  Schools,  for 
the  establishment  and  Bujjport  of  a  Normal 
School,  and  a  school  system  without  taxation. 

The  petition  was  at  last  favorably  received  by 
the  General  Assembly,  and  a  separate  depart- 
ment of  education  was  created,  and  Hon.  Ninian 
W.  Edwards,  of  Springfield,  was  appointed  the 
first  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction, 
by  whom  a  free  school  law  was  prepared,  which, 
in  its  main  features,  is  in  force  to-day.     Thus,  a 

55— 


citizen  of  Sangamon  county  became  the  author, 
virtually,  of  our  common  school  law. 

The  present  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools 
is  James  P.  Slade.  Shortly  after  his  election  to 
the  position,  a  teacher  wrote  the  New  England 
.Journal  of  Education  of  him  as  follows: 

'•We  have  a  new  State  Superintendent  —  a 
teacher,  and  the  choice  of  the  teachers.  We 
are  so  elated  at  this  victory  of  the  profession 
over  politicians,  that  I  want  to  tell  you  some- 
thing of  our  new  chief. 

"James  P.  Slade  has  long  been  a  familiar  name 
upon  the  rolls  of  our  State  Teachers'  Association 
and  of  our  State  Association  of  County  Super- 
intendents. Always  present  at  their  meetings, 
always  performing  with  marked  ability  every 
duty  assigned,  he  has  long  been  accounted  one 
of  the  '  stand-bys;'  executive  committees  knew 
that  when  they  placed  his  name  ujjon  the  pro- 
gramme they  were  sure  of  a  good  exercise.  His 
business  capacities  were  so  generally  recognized, 
that  since  a  time  to  which  the  memory  of  man 
(or  woman)  runneth  not  to  the  contraiy,  he  has 
been  treasurer  of  both  these  State  Assfic'ations. 
He  has  also  filled  acceptably  other  offices,  usu- 
ally those  requiring  much  hard  work  and  making 
very  little  show;  and  this  is  characteristic  of  the 
man.  He  is  a  quiet,  diffident  man,  never  put- 
ting himself  forward,  unless  there  is  some  hard 
work  to  be  done  which  nobody  else  is  ready  to 
undertake.  He  is  not  a  college-bred  man;  but 
so  far  from  boasting  of  it,  as  some  so-called  self- 
made  men  do,  he  feels  it  to  be  a  disadvantage, 
and  all  his  life  has  regretted  that  the  circum- 
stance of  his  early  years  forbade  his  receiving 
that  thorough  mental  training  which  a  good  col- 
lege can  give.  But  he  is  a  born  student,  and 
his  whole  life  has  been  given  to  study, —  the 
study  of  books,  of  nature,  and  of  men.  Thus, 
outside  of  college  walls,  he  has  gained  that  men- 
tal discipline  which  some  fail  to  gain  even 
within  them.  That  he  has  gained  this  is  attested 
by  the  fact  that  he  holds  a  State  certificate  for 
Illinois,  and  that  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 
was  conferred  upon  him  in  187:3  by  ShurtleflF 
College. 

"  Mr.  Slade  was  born  in  Westerlo,  Albany 
county.  New  York,  February  9,  1837.  His  father 
was  a  farmer  in  very  moderate  circumstances. 
The  story  of  his  boyhood,  is  the  familiar  one  of 
the  struggle  between  an  intense  desire  for  an 
education  and  hard,  unrelenting  poverty.  Only 
a  few  months  each  year  could  he  go  to  school; 
the  rest  of  the  time  was  spent  in  work  upon  the 
farm.  The  spring  he  was  seventeen  his  school- 
time  was    extended  two  months,  dtiring  which 


478 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


time  he  attended  the  Chesterville  Academy,  two 
miles  from  home,  boarding  at  home  and  doing 
chores  nights  and  mornings.  That  summer, 
while  helping  to  gather  the  scanty  harvest  from 
the  not  over-generous  soil  of  a  small  farm,  he 
persuaded  his  father  to  send  him  to  school  the 
following  winter.  The  necessary  money  must 
be  borrowed;  but  the  boy,  who  had  already  de- 
termined what  should  be  his  life-work,  promised 
to  repay  all  with  interest  as  soon  as  he  could 
earn  enough,  by  teaching  to  do  so.  As  a  result, 
he  spent  six  months  (1854-5)  as  a  student  in 
Fairfield  Seminary,  Herkimer  county,  New 
York.  In  the  spring,  being  now  eighteen  years 
old  he  commenced  teaching;  for  his  first  five 
months  of  pedagogic  labor  he  received  -?80  and 
'  boarded  round.'  The  following  winter  was 
.spent  in  teaching,  and  the  spring  found  him 
a  .student  in  Hudson  River  Institute,  at  Clave- 
rack. 

"The  summer  vacation  was  spent,  as  usual,  in 
the  harvest  field.  In  September,  1856,  antici- 
pating Greeley's  advice,  he  went  west  to  Belle- 
ville, St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  which  has  ever 
since  been  his  home.  In  less  than  a  month  he 
secured  a  country  school  for  nine  months,  receiv- 
ing a  salary  of  $35  per  month.  The  next  fall, 
being  then  but  twenty  years  of  age,  he  was 
made  teacher  of  the  grammar  school  of  Belle- 
ville. From  that  time  toa,his  he  has  been  con- 
stantly and  closely  connected  with  these  schools, 
rising  by  sheer  force  of  merit  to  the  highest  ed- 
ucational positions  in  his  city  and  county,  as 
now  he  has  risen  to  the  highest  in  his  adopted 
State. 

"The  circumstances  connected  with  his  elec- 
tion as  Principal  of  the  High  School  are  sug- 
gestive. By  agreement,  each  member  of  the 
Board  made  out  a  list  showing  his  choice  of 
teachers.  On  comparing  these  lists,  made  with- 
out any  consultation  together,  it  was  found  that 
each  had  the  name  of  James  P.  Slade  as  Prin- 
cipal of  the  High  School.  This  result  was  a 
complete  surprise  to  Mr.  Slade,  who  thus,  at 
twenty-four,  was  put  in  this  responsible  position. 
He  filled  it  with  marked  success.  Before  me,  as 
I  write,  lie  letters  from  some  of  his  old  pupils, 
and  these  give,  perhaps  imconsciously  to  their 
writers,  a  better  idea  of  Mr.  Slade  as  a  teacher 
than  any  words  of  mine  can  do.  Says  one: 
'  Ke  honestly  and  conscientiously  dealt  with  his 
pupils,  with  a  view,  not  only  to  their  intellect- 
ual, but  also  to  their  moral,  advancement.' 
Under  date  of  July  19,  1866,  one,  just  entering 
upon  a  university  course,  says:  'I  think  the 
principle  he  inculcated  of  knowing  the  why  and 


the  wherefore  of  things,  and  of  getting,  not  so 
much  what  the  book  said,  but  the  sense,  the  root 
of  a  thing,  will  be  of  great  use  to  me  at  the  uni- 
versity. Among  the  most  important  things 
learned,  or  partially  learned,  while  in  his  school, 
is  the  science  of  study,  the  manner  of  getting 
lessons,  or,  rather,  the  science  of  applying  one's 
mind  to  the  investigation  of  a  subject.' 

"We  could  give  pages  of  such  testimony, 
were  there  room. 

"  Mr.  Slade  continued  principal  of  the  High 
School  for  six  years;  then  (1807)  he  was  ap- 
pointed County  Superintendent  to  till  a  vacancy. 
At  the  expiration  of  this  term,  1809,  he  was 
elected  for  the  full  four  years'  term,  by  a  major- 
ity of  more  than  1,'200  votes  over  two  competi- 
tors. These  six  years  were  devoted  to  the  super- 
vision and  visitation  of  the  schools  of  St.  Clair 
county,  and  they  wrought  wonders  in  those 
schools.  He  was  re-appointed  principal  of  Belle- 
ville High  School,  and  continued  to  hold  this 
position  until  after  his  nomination  for  the  office 
to  which  he  has  just  been  elected. 

"But  the  county  could  not  spare  his  services. 
The  County  Superintendent  died  about  a  year 
after  his  election,  and  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
persuaded  Mr.  Slade  to  take  that  position  again; 
he  did  so,  served  out  that  term,  and  at  the  two 
elections  since  he  has  been  re-elected  by  over- 
whelming majorities. 

"This  is  his  record  since,  as  a  boy  of  nine- 
teen, he  came  into  our  State:  One  year's  teach- 
ing in  a  country  school;  fifteen  years  in  the 
Belleville  schools,  eleven  of  them  as  Principal 
of  High  School;  ten  years  County  Superintend- 
ent, six  of  these  years  devoting  his  whole  time 
to  the  supervision  of  county  schools,  four  of 
them  serving  both  as  Principal  of  High  School 
and  as  County  Superintendent.  That  he  is  a 
faithful  and  successful  worker  is  proved  by  the 
fact  that  he  was  retained  in  the  same  schools  so 
long,  never  leaving  one  situation  except  for  one 
higher. 

"  From  the  time  he  first  commenced  teaching, 
Mr.  Slade  has  been  a  constant  subscriber,  and  of 
late  years  a  valued  contributor,  to  one  or  more 
educational  journals.  Of  his  work  in  State  and 
county  educational  gatherings  I  have  before 
spoken.  He  has  also  attended  several  meetings 
of  the  National  Association,  and  counts  it  as  one 
of  his  greatest  privileges  that  at  the  meeting  at 
St.  Louis  he  saw  and  heard  Horace  Mann.  He 
is  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  the  Southern  Illi- 
nois Educational  Association,  which  has  done  so 
much  for  the  cause  of  education  in  our  '  Egypt.' 
He  has  attended  each  of  its  three  annual  meet- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


479 


ings,  and  been  once  its  Secretary  and  once  its 
President. 

"  So  much  for  the  professional  record  of  our 
chief.  In  business  capacity  and  executive  ability 
he  also  stands  approved. 

"  His  personal  characteristics  command  the  re- 
spect of  ail,  and  the  tender  devotion  of  those  who 
know  him  best.  He  is  a  man  of  tine  presence, 
and  impresses  you  at  once  as  a  gentleman  and  a 
scholar.  So  modest  is  he  that  he  says,  '  Of  three 
things  I  am  certain:  1.  I  am  not  a  great  scholar; 
2.  I  am  neither  a  rapid  nor  a  skillful  writer;  ■^. 
I  am  neither  fluent  or  eloquent  in  speech.'  But 
we,  looking  upon  his  work  with  unprejudiced 
eyes,  know  that  he  underrates  his  own  abilities, 
and  feel  sure  that,  as  Dr.  Bateman  predicts,  'he 
will  justify  the  reasonable  expectations  of  the 
many  good  men  who  are  looking  to  him  with 
confidence  and  hope.'" 

Progress  in  this  county  is  nowhere  better  illus- 
trated than  in  connection  with  our  Public 
Schools.  In  the  early  day  good  schools  were 
like  "angel  visits,  few  and  far  between,"  and  it 
was  considered  very  fortunate  indeed  if  an  op- 
portunit}-  was  olTered  for  obtaining  even  the  rudi- 
ments of  a  common  school  education.  A  person 
competent  to  teach  the  three  branches,  common- 
ly and  sarcastically  spoken  of  as  the  three  "  Rs," 
"Reading,  'Riting  and  'Rithmetic,"  could  sel- 
dom be  obtained.  Some  of  the  few  scattered 
settlements  could  not  afford  to  employ  a  teacher, 
and  were  therefore  compelled  to  do  without,  or 
send  their  children  through  the  timber  or  across 
the  prairie  to  some  more  fortunate  settlement 
where  a  school  was  in  operation.  Some  were 
sent  a  distance  of  six  to  nine  miles,  walking  the 
entire  distance  morning  and  night  of  each  day, 
in  order  that  they  might  avail  themselves  of  the 
opportunity  of  acquiring  a  little  knowledge  of 
their  mother  tongue,  and  thus  tit  themselves  for 
the  duties  of  life.  How  different  now!  In  every 
township  there  are  from  seven  to  eleven  schools 
in  successful  operation.  Competent  teachers  are 
employed,  many  of  whom  have  spent  years  in 
fitting  themselves  for  their  vocation,  and  who 
make  teaching  a  profession,  by  preparing  them- 
selves as  thoroughly  for  this  work  as  the  lawvcr, 
doctor,  pr  divine  are  presumed  to  do. 

The  description  given  elsewhere  of  the  old 
log  houses  will  answer  for  the  old-fashioned 
school  house.  The  school  furniture  was  slab 
seats  for  the  scholars,  a  three-legged  stool  and  a 
hazel  or  birch  rod  for  the  teacher.  As  for  books, 
but  few  were  needed,  the  less  the  better,  as  the 
teacher  could  get  along  the  more  readily.  The 
walls  of  the  school  room  were  decorated  by  the 


artistic  hands  of  the  scholars,  with  drawings  of 
the  teacher,  instead  of  being  hung  with  such 
beautiful  and  instructive  maps  as  are  now  found 
in  all  our  school  buildings.  Instead  of  the  beau- 
tiful specimens  of  penmanship  now-a-days  set 
for  our  children  to  copy,  teachers  were  then  em- 
ployed who,  in  many  cases  could  scarcely  write 
their  own  names.  Altogether,  in  the  light  of  to- 
day, the  schools  of  forty  and  fifty  years  ago 
were  very  dreary  affairs. 

Bj-  law,  the  sixteenth  section  of  every  town- 
ship was  to  be  used  for  school  purposes,  but 
there  being  little  or  no  sale  for  land,  and  the 
government  price  of  ^51.25  per  acre  being  all 
that  could  be  realized  from  its  sale,  the  income 
to  be  derived  from  it  could  amount  to  but  little. 
Subscription  schools,  therefore,  had  to  be  de- 
pended upon. 

It  was  not  until  after  the  passage  of  the  law 
framed  by  Hon.  Ninian  W.  Edwards,  that  much 
was  done  in  behalf  of  the  free  common  schools. 
The  various  townships  in  the  county  were  at 
once  re-districted,  and  a  thorough  system  of  pop- 
ular education  was  undertaken.  In  the  quarter 
of  a  century  that  has  jmst,  much  has  been  done. 
School  houses  have  been  erected  at  almost  every 
crossroad,  and  the  advantages  of  the  common 
school  system  are  now  appreciated  by  all. 

For  the  year  ending  June,  1881,  as  gleaned 
from  the  report  of  the  County  Superintendent 
of  Public  Schools,  there  were  twenty-seven 
thousand,  three  hundred  and  thirty-eight  per- 
sons under  twenty-one  years  of  age;  between 
six  and  twenty-one,  there  were  eighteen  thous- 
and, eight  hundred  and  sixty.  There  were  en- 
rolled in  the  public  schools,  eleven  thousand, 
one  hundred  and  forty-one  pupils.  There  were 
one  hundred  and  fifty-two  male  and  one  hundred 
and  eighty-five  female  teachers  employed.  Of 
brick  school  houses,  there  were  thirty-four;  of 
frame,  one  hundred  and  fifty.  The  highest 
monthly  wages  paid  male  teacher,  was  -tlSO  per 
month;  highest  paid  female  teacher,  |>80;  lowest 
paid  male,  $2.5;  lowest  paid  female,  ^20.  The 
estimated  value  of  the  school  property  outside 
of  Springfield  was  $196,440.  Estimated  value 
of  school  property  in  Springfield,  $120,000. 

ILLINOIS    STATE    UNIVERSITY. 

The  Literary  and  Theological  Institute  of  the 
Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  at  Hillsboro,  was 
incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Illi- 
nois, January,  1847,  and  immediately  went  into 
ojieration.  The  institution  was  divided  into 
two  separate  departments,  the  one  collegiate, 
and  the  other  theological,  and  so  independent  of 


43(1 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


each  other,  that  donations  could  be  made  to 
eithtr  dej)ai'tment,  and  the  donors  have  assur- 
ance ti.at  their  gifts  woukl  be  appropriated  to 
the  object  designated.  While  the  theological 
seminary  was  designated  for  the  special  benefit 
of  young  men  who  were  desirous  of  qualifying 
themselves  for  the  ministry  in  the  Lutheran 
Church,  the  collegiate  department  was  open  to 
all  alike,  without  any  discrimination  as  to  re- 
ligious profession,  provided  only  that  their  de- 
portment be  conformable  to  the  moral  principles 
and  precepts  which  are  universally  acknowl- 
edged by  Christians  of  all  denominations. 

The  college  began  operation  in  1S49,  and 
issued  its  first  annual  catalogue  August,  1850. 
It  had  fair  success  during  its  existence  in  Hills- 
boro,  but  believing  a  better  field  to  be  open  in 
Springfield,  those  most  interested  in  its  pros- 
)ierity  secured  the  passage  of  an  amendment  to 
the  charter,  permitting  its  removal  to  the  latter 
))iace  atid  changing  its  name  to  Illinois  State 
University.  Among  those  instrumental  in  its 
removal,  living  in  Springfield,  and  who  became 
members  of  its  first  Board  of  Trustees,  were 
James  C.  Conkling,  John  T.  Stuart,  Eljah  lies, 
John  M.  Burkhardt,  E.  R.  Wiley,  Thomas 
Lewis,  Jacob  Divelbiss,  David  Miller,  John  B. 
Weber,  Revs.  James  Smith,  Albert  Hale,  R.  V. 
Dodge,  Francis  Springer,  Edmund  Miller,  S.  W, 
Harkey,  and  C.  B.  Tbummel.  John  T.  Stuart 
was  elected  President  of  the  Board;  Rev.  A.  A. 
Trimper,  Secretary;    Thomas  Lewis,  Treasurer. 

The  following  named  constituted  the  faculty 
as  first  organized:  Rev.  Francis  Springer,  M.A., 
President  and  Professor  of  Political  and  Moral 
Science;  Rev.  S.  W.  Harkey,  D.D.,  Professor  of 
Christian  Theology  and  Natural  Science;  Rev. 
Edmund  Miller,  M.A.,  Professor  of  Mathematics 
and  Principal  of  the  Preparatory  Department; 
Rev.  C.  B.  Thummel,  M.A.,  Prof  essor  of  .Ancient 
and  Modern  Languages. 

The  college  commenced  operations  April,  1852, 
in  the  building  formerly  occupied  by  the  Mechan- 
ics' Union,  and  now  used  as  a  church  by  the 
German  Lutherian  Church.  A  new  edifice  was 
at  once  placed  in  process  of  construction,  occu- 
]iying  a  beautiful  and  commanding  site  about 
one  mile  northeast  of  the  public  square.  The 
spot  selected  is  high  and  healthy,  having  an 
elevation  of  twenty  feet  above  that  of  the  old 
State  House.  The  edifice  as  originally  designed 
was  to  be  of  brick,  four  stories  in  height,  the 
main  centre  being  70x65  feet,  with  wings  on 
each  side  41  feet  wide,  or  a  total  frontage  of  152 
feet,  the  whole  to  cost  §36,000.  Only  the  main 
centre  was  ever  completed. 


The  trustees  in  their  first   annual  announce- 
ment thus  addressed  the  public: 

"  The  trustees,  animated  by  a  patriotic  desire 
to  render  the  institution  to  which  their  cases  are 
devoted,  alike  the  honest  pride  of  the  State,  and 
honorable  to  themselves,  are  resolved  to  do  all 
in  their  power,  not  only  to  furnish  suitable  build- 
ings, but  also  to  supply  the  most  accomplished 
and  experienced  instructors,  and  the  best  means 
for  the  literary  and  scientific  improvement  of  the 
students.  It  is  designed  to  carry  into  effect,  as 
soon  as  possible,  that  provision  of  the  charter 
which  authorizes  the  trustees  to  establish  separate 
departments  of  the  learned  professions,  the 
science  and  arts,  including,  besides  the  usual 
departments  of  Theology,  Medicine  and  Law,  a 
department  of  Mechanical  Philosophy,  and  also 
of  Agriculture.  The  object  to  be  attained  is  the 
establishment  of  a  University  fully  capable  of 
furnishing  to  all  the  great  interests  and  jiursuits 
of  man,  the  rich  blessings  which  learning,  science 
and  skill  can  impart.  But  the  trustees  do  not 
venture  to  make  this  statement  of  their  purposes 
and  wishes  for  the  sake  of  conveying  an  impres- 
sion that  they  are  already  in  possession  of  the 
pecuniary  means  which  such  an  enterprise  re- 
quires. On  the  contrary,  they  desire  to  be  un- 
derstood rather  as  making  an  appeal  to  the  pub- 
lic for  liberal  and  generous  donations  to  enable 
them  to  carry  forward  to  successful  com)iletion 
an  undertaking  which  necessities  of  an  intelli- 
gent and  rapidly-  increasing  community  urgently 
demand.  It  will  be  perceived,  also,  that  the 
trustees  have  a  just  appreciation  of  their  respon- 
sibilities, and  of  the  wants  which  the  public 
mind  expect  them  to  supply.  In  order  to  fulfill 
their  mission  by  a  proper  discharge  of  their  legal 
incorporation,  they  must  rely  on  the  intelligence 
and  philanthrophy  of  their  fellow  man  for  the 
requisite  funds  and  other  needful  co-opera- 
tion." 

The  first  session  of  the  college  occupied  but 
a  part  of  the  year.  Seventy-nine  students  were 
enrolled.  The  second  year,  ending  June  '29, 
1853,  witnessed  an  enrollment  of  one  hundred 
and  forty-four  students,  a  gratifying  increase. 
The  Mechanics'  Union  Building  was  still  occu- 
pied, the  new  edifice  not  being  completed.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  of  1853,  President  Springer  and 
Professor  Harkey  were  engaged  in  collecting 
funds  to  finish  the  building. 

For   the    coming   year   the    faculty   were  the' 
same    as    the   year   previous,   save    Rev.  Daniel 
Garber,  A.  B..  was  substituted  for  Rev,  (;.  B. 
Thummel,  as  Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  Lan- 
guages. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4ST 


The  Buramer  of  1854,  found  the  college  build- 
ing still  uncompleted,  but  it  was  finished  in  time 
lor  oecupano)-  that  fall.  The  number  of  the 
students  for  tlie  year  1853-4  was  one  hundred 
and  sixty. 

In  the  year  1855,  on  account  of  a  disagree- 
ment in  some  matters.  President  Springer  re- 
signed, and  Rev.  S.  W.  Harkey  performed  the 
duties  of  President.  In  the  fall  of  1856,  the 
faculty  wa-<  composed  of  the  following  named: 
Rev.  S.  W.  Harkey,  D.  D.,  President,  jyro  tern, 
Professor  of  Theology,  Mental  and  Moral 
Science,  Belles  Leltres  and  the  German  Lan- 
guages; Rev.  Edmund  Miller,  A.  M.,  Professor 
of  Mathematics;  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Suesserott, 
A.  M.,  Professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  Languages; 
Ale.xander  Pollack,  Professor  of  History,  and 
Principal  of  the  Koglish  and  Business  Depart- 
ments. 

In  the  summer  of  1858,  the  Faculty  elected 
Rev.  William  M.  Reynolds,  D.  D.,  President, 
and  he  was  inaugurated  and  delivered  an  excel- 
lent address  July  29,  1858.  The  faculty  was 
then  composed  as  follows:  Rev.  W.  M.  Rey- 
nolds, President,  Professor  of  Intellectual  and 
moral  Philosophy;  S.  W.  Ilarkey,  D.  D.,  Pro- 
fessor of  Belles  Lettres  and  German  Language 
and  Literature;  Rev.  B.  C.  Suesserott,  A.  M., 
J'lofessor  of  Ancient  Languages;  Rev.  L.  P. 
Esbiorn,  Professor  of  Scandinavian  Languages 
and  Literature,  Chemistry;  H.  Croll,  A.  M.,  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy; 
Alexander  Pollock,  Principal  of  the  English 
Dejiartment  and  Assistant  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics; J.  G.  Auglade,  Professor  of  French  and 
Spanish. 

After  this  time  the  University  did  not  seem 
to  prosper  so  well,  but  it  continued  to  struggle 
along  until  l.SiiT,  when  it  ceased  to  be  run  as  a 
University.  But  there  has  never  been  a  time 
when  a  scliool  of  some  kind  has  not  been  in 
existence  in  the  building.  Ilie  deed  conveying 
the  land  re(|uires  that  a  school  shall  be  main- 
tained, or  the  title  to  the  property  shall  revert  to 
the  original  heirs  of  the  donor,  Pascal  P.  Enos. 

Between  18ti7  and  1874  the  title  in  the  prop- 
erty was  vested  in  Rev.  Mr.  Passavant,  of  the 
Pittsburg  Synod,  and  by  him  transferred  to  the 
Missouri  Synod  of  the  German  Evangelical 
Lutheran  Church. 

Rev.  Francis  Springer,  D.D.,  the  first  Presi- 
dent of  the  Illinois  State  University,  was  born 
March  19,  1810,  at  Roxbury,  Franklin  county, 
Pennsylvania.  When  a  young  man  he  learned 
the  business  of  sign  and  ornamental  painting. 
He  received  his  literary  education  in   Pennsyl- 


vania College,  and  his  theological  studies  were 
))ur8ued  at  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the 
Lutheran  Church,  both  located  at  Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania.  He  also  studied  under  two  dis- 
tinguished ministers,  one  at  Otsego,  and  the 
other  at  Schohaire,  New  York.  He  paid  his  ex- 
penses by  occasionally  working  at  his  trade  and 
teaching  school.  He  was  licensed  to  jjreach  by 
the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod  of  Maryland, 
October  18,  18:36,  and  was  ordained  by  the  same 
body,  October  17,  18:37.  He  was  married  April 
11,  18:37,  to  Mary  Kriegh,  at  Clear  Springs, 
Washington  county,  Maryland.  He  taught 
school  and  preached  in  that  vicinity  from  Octo- 
ber, 18:30,  for  about  two  and  a  half  years.  They 
moved  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  arriving  May, 
18.39.  In  1847  he  moved  to  Ilillsboro,  Illinois, 
and  in  1855  moved  back  to  Springfield. 

Rev.  Francis  Springer  commenced  teaching 
soon  after  his  arrival  in  Springfield,  and  contin- 
ued to  teach  and  preach  until  1847,  when  he 
moved  to  Hillsboro,  Illinois,  as  President  of 
Hillsboro  College.  That  institution  was  moved 
to  Springfield  in  1852,  as  Illinois  State  Uni- 
versity. These  were  both  under  the  direction 
and  patronage  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  re- 
signed in  1855.  He  was  afterwards  school  com- 
missioner of  Sangamon  county,  and  was  Super- 
intendent of  Schools  for  the  city  of  Springfield, 
which  position  he  resigned,  and  became  chaplain 
of  the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  soon  after  the  be- 
ginning of  the  rebellion  in  1861.  A  short  time 
after  the  battle  of  Prairie  Grove,  Arkansas  — 
December  7,  1862  —  he  united  with  Dr.  James 
Johnson  in  raising  a  loyal  regiment  in  Arkansas, 
of  which  he  became  chaplain.  It  was  the  First 
Arkansas  Infantry.  He  was  appointed  in  1863 
post  chaplain  at  I'ort  Smith,  which  he  held  until 
1867,  when  he  resigned,  and  returned  to  his 
family,  at  Springfield.  In  1870  he  moved  to  Ir- 
ving, Montgomery  county,  Illinois,  and  contin- 
ued preaching  until  the  fall  of  ,1873,  when  he 
was  elected  superintendent  of  schools  for  Mont- 
gomery county,  with  his  office  at  Hillsboro,  Illi- 
nois. 

In  the  summer  of  1881,  Mr.  Springer  returned 
to  Springfield.  He  continues  to  preach  as  op- 
portunity offers,  believing  the  minister  of  God 
should  always  be  faithfully  employed.  Rev. 
Francis  Springer  is  a  man  of  lively  symjjathy 
with  the  rest  of  mankind,  without  regard  to  race, 
color,  nationality  or  religion.  lie  has  large 
faith  in  the  perfectability  of  the  human  race  bj' 
means  of  the  labors  and  experiences  of  the  life 
that  now  is,  and  the  hereafter.  His  orthodoxy, 
as  a  religious  man,  does  not  descend  to  the  min- 


48  L» 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  OOUNTY. 


ute  particulars  of  a  creed,  but  confides  mainly 
in  the  cardinal  fact  of  Christianity,  that  the  only 
true  enobling  of  the  race  nmst  be  wrought  out 
under  the  recognized  leadership  of  the  world's 
Redeemer  "  the  Christ  of  God." 

The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  con- 
ferred on  Rev.  Francis  Springer  in  1869,  by 
Wittenturg  College,  Springfield,  Ohio. 

GERMAN       EVANGELICAL      LUTHERAN      CONCORDIA 
SEMINARY. 

This  institution  of  learning,  the  successor  of 
the  Illinois  State  University,  is  the  outgrowth  of 
a  similar  institution  started  in  Fort  Wayne  many 
years  ago. 

In  1838  Wyneken  came  from  Germany  to 
America  and  settled  in  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana, 
where  he  was  subsequently  ordained  a  minister 
in  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church, 
and  as  such  for  several  years  acted  as  a  mis- 
sionary in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  the  southern  part 
of  Michigan,  traveling  almost  constantly,  preach- 
ing the  word  wherever  he  went. 

In  1844  he  put  in  practical  operation  a  scheme 
he  had  for  the  education  of  young  men  and  pre- 
paring them  for  the  sacred  ministry.  Two 
young  men  placed  themselves  under  his  iniitruc- 
tion  that  year,  and  traveled  with  him  wherever 
called,  studying  as  the  opportunity  was  afforded 
them,  and  receiving  the  instruction  of  the  zealous 
missionary.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
flourishing  Concordia  University  now  in  exist- 
ence in  Fort  Wayne.  The  two  young  men  thus 
instructed  became  zealous  and  eflicient  workers 
in  the  Master's  cause.  One  of  them  died  a  few 
years  since,  the  other  yet  labors  "in  season  and 
out  of  season"  in  preaching  the  '-glad  tidings  of 
salvation." 

In  1845  Mr.  Wyneken  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  a  church  in  Baltimore,  where  he  re- 
mained five  years.  In  1850  he  was  called  to  St. 
Louis,  and  soon  after  elected  President  of  the 
Joint  Missouri  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod,  and 
as  such  removed  to  Fort  Wayne,  a  more  central 
location,  from  which  place  he  visited  the 
churches  throughout  the  bounds  of  the  Synod, 
and  where  good  could  be  accomplished.  In 
this  office  he  seived  for  several  years  with 
profit  to  the  people  and  churches  within  his 
charge.  In  1864  he  accepted  a  call  from  a 
church  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  where  he  labored  for 
eleven  years.  On  account  of  failing  health  the 
congregation  sent  him  to  California  in  1875, 
where  it  was  thought  he  might  be  restored  to 
health  and  future  usefulness.  Early  in  May, 
1876,  he  made  all  arrangements  to  return  home. 


and  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  while  dressing 
himself,  he  fell  over  on  the  bed  and  soon  ex- 
pired. His  last  work  on  earth  was  done,  and  he 
was  called  to  his  reward. 

In  addition  to  the  institution  of  learning  in 
Fort  Wayne,  which  grew  from  the  humble  be- 
ginning as  stated  to  the  rank  of  a  university,  the 
Missouri  Synod  opened  a  school  in  the  interior 
of  Missouri,  which  was  subsequently  moved  to  St. 
Louis,  a'ld  became  the  present  German  Evangel- 
ical Lutheran  College.  Students  in  both  these 
institutions  became  so  numerous  they  could  not 
be  accommodated,  and  the  property  of  the  old 
Illinois  State  University  being  for  sale  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  purchase  it.  Preparatory 
to  this  end,  early  in  January,  1874,  about  sev- 
enty-five pupils  were  transferred  to  this  place, 
imder  charge  of  Professor  Kroening.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1874,  the  deed  to  the  property  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Missouri  Synod,  under  whose  charge 
the  three  institutions  are  conducted.  Professor 
Kroening  remained  in  charge  until  the  fall  of 
1875,  when  all  needful  preparations  had  been 
made  to  carry  on  a  successful  school.  The  fac- 
ulty as  organized  at  this  time  consisted  of  Pro- 
fessor A.  Cramer,  Director,  who  for  twenty-five 
years  previous  had  been  connected  either  at  Fort  ^ 
Wayne  or  St.  Louis;  Professor  H.  C.  Wyniken,  ■ 
second  theological  Professor,  and  Professor  G.  * 

Kroening,  in  the  Preparatory  Department.  These 
gentleman  yet  remain  in  the  institution,  and 
in  addition  in  the  fall  of  1881,  J.  S.  Simon,  for 
twenty-eight  years  teacher  in  the  senior  class  of 
the  parochial  school  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Congregation  at  Monroe,  Michigan,  was  called 
as  assistant  Professor  in  the  Preparatory  De- 
partment, and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of 
his  duties,  November  1 . 

Since  the  property  passed  into  the  hands  of 
the  present  operators,  the  buildings  and  grounds 
have  been  greatly  improved,  four  new  residences 
for  the  faculty  have  been  built,  and  other  good 
work  accomplished.  As  fast  as  means  are 
secured  other  improvements  will  be  made. 

The  college  is  supported  by  donation  thr-ough 
various  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Churches 
throughout  the  United  States,  and  a  student 
upon  entering  must  state  his  firm  determination 
to  become  an  espouser  of  the  doctrines  to  which 
the  church  adheres,  and  must  have  had  a  three 
years'  course  in  a  preparatory  college  situated 
at  Fort  AVayne,  Ind.  Its  future  is  easily  to  be 
seen,  with  an  attendance  of  nearly  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  students,  and  yearly  growing  in 
proportion,  it  promises  in  the  near  future  to 
r-ank  among  the  first  of  its  kind  in  the  State, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


483 


and  it  is,  in  reality,  to  be  hoped  that  these  most 
sanguine  expectations  will  be  verified.  Let  the 
good  work  commenced  proceed  and  bear  its 
fruit. 

Rev.  A.  C'ramer,  D.  D.,  Director  of  Concordia 
Seminary,  was  born  in  Germany. 

Rev.  II.  C.  Wyneken  was  born  in  Fort 
Wayne,  Indiana,  December  15,  lS4-t.  He  is  the 
son  of  Rev.  Mr.  \Vynekcn,  a  sketch  of  whom 
has  already  been  given  in  connection  with  this 
article.  The  younger  Wyneken  went  with  his 
parents  to  the  various  places  already  mentioned, 
save  California.  While  living  in  St.  Louis,  he 
attended  the  (German  Lutheran  Parochial  School, 
and  also  the  English  High  School.  He  entered 
Concordia  College,  in  St.  Louis,  in  18.58,  and 
subsequently  was  transferred  to  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana,  where  he  graduated  in  1865.  He  then 
entered  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Ger- 
man Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  in  St.  Louis, 
and  pursued  a  three  years'  course,  graduating  in 
1868.  He  was  prepared  to  accept  a  call  from 
some  congregation,  but  on  account  of  ill  health 
was  sent  to  Europe,  in  January,  1869,  where  he 
remained  nearly-  two  years.  On  his  return  he 
was  called  as  an  assistant  pastor  to  his  father, 
from  the  church  in  Cleveland  Ohio,  and  was 
duly  ordained  December  18,  1870.  He  remained 
at  Cleveland  until  his  removal  here  in  January, 
18  76. 

Professor  Wyneken  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Couradine  Schilling,  of  Bremen, 
Europe,  June  29,  1871,  by  whom  he  has  had  live 
children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living. 

Like  his  father,  Professor  Wyneken  is  a  thor- 
ough worker,  and  in  addition  to  his  labors  in 
the  school  room,  acts  as  a  missionary  among  the 
Germans  in  the  neighborhood  of  Springfield, 
and  among  the  colored  people  of  the  city.  He 
has  managed  for  some  time  a  Sundaj^  School  for 
the  latter  in  the  College  chapel,  having  some 
thirty  to  forty  pupils  in  attendance 

Professor  G.  Kroening  was  born  in  Martin- 
ville,  Niagara  county.  New  York,  March  ;3,  1851. 
He  is  of  German  descent,  his  parents  emigrating 
from  the  latter  country,  and  settling  in  Martins- 
ville, in  1845,  When  ten  years  of  age,  he  com- 
menced attending  the  common  schools  of  Mar- 
tlTisville,  where  he  continued  for  live  years,  and 
then  spent  three  years  in  assisting  his  father  in 
agriculture  and  other  pursuits,  at  the  expiration 
of  which  time  he  entered  CH)ncordia  Seminary, 
in  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana,  where  he  remained  six 
years,  and  entered  the  Concordia  College  at  St. 
Louis,  and  studied  theology  for  two  years.  In 
January,  1874,  he  accepted  the  professorship  in 


the    Seminary,    and   was    iunuediately    sent   to 
Springfield  as  already  stated. 

BETTIE  STUART  INSTITUTE,  SPRINGFIELD. 

This  institution,  though  drawing  pupils  from 
all  parts  of  the  Union,  may  from  its  influence 
be  emphatically  called  a  home  school,  was  organ- 
ized by  Mrs.  M.  McKee  Homes,  a  lady  well  and 
favorably  known  throughout  the  West  as  a  suc- 
cessful instructor  of  young  girls.  The  building 
that  she  first  occupied  being  inadequate  to  her 
wants,  and  a  number  of  her  patrons  recognizing 
her  executive  ability  and  superior  fitness  for 
conducting  a  Young  Ladies'  Seminary,  made  ar- 
rangements to  provide  for  her  a  suitable  build- 
ing. To  accomplish  this,  in  1879,  a  Board  of 
Trustees  was  incorporated  under  the  general 
State  law  for  academies.  The  names  of  the  in- 
corporators were:  Hon.  John  T.  Stuart,  J.  Bunn, 
Hon.  J.  C.  Conkling,  Hon.  John  A.  Chestnut, 
John  Williams,   and  C.  C.  Brown. 

The  residence  of  Mr.  C.  C.  Brown  was  pur- 
chased, added  to  and  remodled.  The  institution 
was  named  "Bettie  Stuart  Institute,"  in  honor 
of  the  memory  of  the  late  Mrs.  C.  C.  Brown, 
the  lovely  and  accomplished  daughter  of  the 
Hon.  John  T.  Stuart.  So  far  as  the  educational 
work  of  the  school  is  concerned,  it  has  been 
under  the  sole  control  of  Mrs.  Homes,  who  has 
done  her  work  faithfully  and  thoroughly.  She 
has  called  to  her  aid  the  best  teachers  in  every 
department  of  study.  Some  of  the  most  efficient 
she  found  in  Springfield,  others  have  come  from 
the  best  schools  of  this  country  and  P]urope.  A 
characteristic  feature  of  the  Board  of  Instruc- 
tion is  a  union  of  feeling,  and  a  concentration 
of  interest  in  the  work  they  have  undertaken  to 
accomplish. 

A  high  grade  of  scholarship  has  been  estab- 
lished and  maintained  in  every  department.  A 
diploma  fromthis  school  entitles  the  holder  to  a 
high  degree  of  respect.  It  signifies  that  she  has 
attained,  in  all  the  varied  studies  of  a  four  years' 
course,  a  satisfactory  proficiency;  that  her  at- 
tendance during  that  time  has  averaged  well, 
and  that  her  deportment  has  been  above  re- 
proach. Considering  the  fact  that  the  institu- 
tion has  been,  thus  far,  self-supporting,  its  suc- 
cess and  efficiency  are  wonderful.  The  annual 
average  attendance  has  been  over  a  hundred,  and 
it  has  already  graduated  sixty-four  young  ladies, 
several  of  whom  are  sustaining  a  high  reputation 
as  teachers,  while  many  more  are  presiding  with 
dignity  over  their  own  households.  To  show 
how  important  a  factor  this  school  is  in  educa- 
tional   matters,   we   quote    (from   memory)    the 


4s-t 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


words  of  a  distinguished  diviDe,  formerly  of 
Springfield,  uttered  in  a  sermon  preached  to  his 
people:  "Few  realize  how  much  Springfield 
owes  to  Mrs.  Homes'  school.  It  has  raised  the 
standard  of  scholarship  and  laid  the  foundations 
for  a  broad  culture,  and  where  it  has  taken  one 
pupil  out  of  the  Public  Schools,  it  has  put  twenty 
in,  by  awakening  a  more  wide-spread  interest  in 
the  subject  of  education.  Among  the  graduates 
are  the  daughters  of  many  whose  names  are  in- 
dissolubly  connected  with  the  history  of  the 
State  in  its  various  interests,  military,  political, 
financial  and  religious.  Indeed,  the  school  rep- 
resents in  its  patronage,  all  the  professions  and 
industries.  Its  founders  and  supporters  are  a 
class  of  people  calculated  to  give  added  tone 
and  dignity  to  its  character,  and  it  will  doubtless 
be  cherished  with  pride  by  the  State,  as  it  is 
now,  by  its  capital  city  —  Springfield. 

The  following-named  compose  he,  present 
Board  of  Trustees:  Hon.  John  T.  Stuart,  John 
A.  Chestnut,  Colonel  John  Williams,  Hon. 
Shelby  M.  Cullom,  Hon.  J.  C.  Conkling,  Dr.  A. 
W.  French,  Jacob  Bunn,  Hon.  Milton  Hay. 

The  following  named  comprise  the  faculty  of 
the  institution  for  1881-2: 

Mrs.  M.  McKee  Homes,  Principal,  Morals  and 
Metaphysics. 

Miss  Margerie  Constant,  History,  Rhetoric, 
and  English  Literature. 

Miss  Clara  H.  Page,  Mathematics. 
Miss   Lucy   A.  Du  Bois,  Latin  and  Natural 
Sciences. 

Mrs.  Mary  S.  Wolcott,  Natural  Sciences  and 
Intermediate  Department. 

Miss  Kate  Constant,  Principal  of  the  Pri- 
mary Department. 

Miss  Margaret  Leeds  (part  of  the  year),  Pri- 
mary Department. 

Miss  Lucy  M.  Latham  (part  of  the  year),  Pri- 
mary Department. 

Miss  Marion  Hall  Drawing  and  Painting. 
Professor    B.    Meissner,    Vocal    and    Instru- 
mental Music. 

M'me  Kaufmann,  German. 
Miss  Mary  L.  McKee,  Elocution. 
Mrs.  M.  McKee  Homes, French. 
The  graduates  of  the  institution  residing  in 
Sangamon  county  are  as  follows: 


Anna  E.  Keyes,  1873 
Carrie  Post,  1873 
Hannie  Stuart,  1873 
Mimie  Whitehurst,  1873 
Sallie  I.  Bunn,  1874 


Mary  Steele  Bradford,  1878 
Katharine  L.  Fox,  1878 
L3-dia  C.  Hampton,  1878 
Mary  N.  McRoberts,  1878 
Sallie  B.  Perkms,  1878 


Emily  G.  Canfield,  1871 
Letdtia  Brown,  1872 
:Mary  E.  Haynie,  1873 
Elma  L.  Keuchler,  1872 
Kate  Lewis,  1872 
Emma  BurkUardt,  1873 
Sarah  E.  Fassett,  1873 
Ilia  French,  1873 


Minnie  H.  Post,  1875 
Mary  E.  Watts,  1875 
UlaraM.  Brown,  1870 
EllaM.  Kimble.  1876 
Kittie  Cora  Clark,  1877 
Leonora  Huntington,  187 
Maiy  Lewis,  1877 
Martha  Hyde  Lord,  1877 


Katie  J.  Chatterton,  1874  Carrie  L.  Wickei  sham,  1878 

Alice  Conkling,  1874  Mary  Farnetta  Zane,  1878 

Ella  G.  Conklins,  1874  Annie  Broadwell,  1879 

Lina  K.  DarnielTe,  1874  Adelia,  Dubois,  1879 

Ella  C.  Foster,  1874  Sonera  French,  187!) 

Eva  C.  Greene,  'J874  Eloise  Anna  Griffith,  1879 

Emma  B.  Hickox,  1874  Mary  Herman,  1879 

Ida  May  Braslield,  1875  Bertha  E.  Merriman,  1879 

Ella  Cullom,  1875  Judeah  M.  Robinson,  1879 

Carrie  Cullom,  1875  Arabella  L.  Seaman,  1879 

Jessie  M.  Day,  1875  Jesse  L.  Palmer,  1880 

Fannie  French,  1875  Fannie  Matheny,  1881 

The  Bettie  Stuart  Institute  is  situated  on 
Fourth  street,  near  the  Executive  Mansion,  and 
in  the  most  beautiful  and  eligible  part  of  the 
city.  The  grounds  are  ample,  and  the  building 
is  large,  commodious  and  well  ventilated. 

No  better  recommendation  of  the  school  can 
be  desired  than  the  record  of  the  past  thirteen 
years.  In  this  time  it  has  graduated  more  than 
sixty  young  ladies,  whose  symmetrical  develop- 
ment of  intellectual  and  moral  character  fits 
them  equally  for  society  and  the  responsibilities 
of  life.  While  aiming  at  thoroughnesss,  the 
personal  peculiarities  of  pupils  are  also  studied, 
and  the  course  of  instruction  adapted  to  indi- 
vidual needs.  The  highest  advancement  of 
scholars  must  ever  be  dependent  upon  an  intel- 
ligent and  sympathetic  analysis  of  individual 
character. 

All  the  pupils  of  this  school  have  written 
examinations  the  first  Wednesday  of  each 
month,  and  oral  at  the  close  of  each  term.  The 
pupils  are  not  only  made  familiar  with  the  con- 
tents of  their  text  books,  but  are  taught  to  apply 
the  principles  there  learned  and  to  reason  inde- 
pendently. A  special  advantage  of  the  Bettie 
Stuart  Institute  over  boarding  schools  in  general, 
is  its  home-like  character.  Not  content  with 
mere  intellectual  development,  special  attention 
is  given  to  the  social  and  moral  culture  of  the 
pupils.  A  symmetrical  Christian  womanhood 
is  the  end  desired  in  the  system  of  education 
pursued.  Parents  may  feel  in  leaving  their 
daughters  at  the  Bettie  Stuart,  that  none  of  the 
home  comforts  will  be  missed  by  them;  that 
their  health  will  be  carefully  watched  over,  and 
that  loving  interest  will  be  given  them. 
ST.  agatha's  school. 
This  institution  of  learning  commenced  oper- 
ations in  1881,  and  is  under  the  supervision  of 
Rt.  Rev.  George  F.  Seymour,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  A., 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese. 


4i<6 


HISTORY  OB^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


St.  Agatha's  School  is  admirably  situated  in  the 
central  part  of  the  city.  It  is  on  the  same  street 
with  the  State  House,  and  is  in  the  midst  of  a 
beautiful  lawn  and  garden  of  over  three  acres  in 
extent,  affording  the  advantages  of  the  country 
in  the  very  heart  of  the  city,  sectiring  the  best 
air  and  opportunities  for  exercise  for  the  pui>il8. 
The  house  is  large,  dry,  well  ventilated,  and  ev- 
ery attention  paid  to  the  health  and  comfort  of 
the  pupils.  Misses  Murdoch  and  Dusinberre 
give  careful  attention  to  the  thorough  education 
of  those  confided  to  their  care;  and  the  disci- 
pline fii-m,  though  gentle.  All  the  usual  branches 
are  taught,  and  it  will  be  the  constant  aim  of  the 
Principals  to  sustain  a  high  standard  of  scholar- 


ship. The  Primary  Department  receives  care- 
ful attention;  and  in  it,  French  and  drawing  are 
taught  without  extra  charge.  Unusual  advant- 
ages are  enjoyed  for  the  study  of  Natural  Sci- 
ences, and  an  experienced  and  accomplished 
teacher  has  been  secured  for  that  department. 
St.  Agatha's  School  will  not  only  afford  its  pu- 
pils a  thorough  course  in  the  ordinary  branches 
of  education  under  experienced  and  efficient 
teachers,  but  it  will  do  this  under  the  eye  of  the 
Church,  and  in  connection  with  that  moral  and 
religious  training  which  is  of  the  very  first  im- 
portance in  the  formation  of  a  true  and  lofty 
womanhood.  The  school  will  embrace  three 
courses — Primary,  Academic  and  Collegiate. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


487 


Chapter  XXI. 


ILLUSTRIOUS  AND  PROMINENT  DEAD. 


"  Earth  to  earth  and  dust  to  dust"  is  the  com- 
mon lot  of  all  men.  Neither  rank  nor  station  in 
life  will  exempt  one  from  a  call  from  that  grim 
monster,  Death.  His  call.s  are  made  to  suit  the 
pleasure  of  none.  He  comes  unbidden,  and  often 
chooses  the  fairest  and  the  best.  In  this  chapter 
are  given  a  few,  and  but  a  few,  of  the  illustrious 
and  prominent  men  of  Sangamon  county  who 
h.ave  been  summoned  to  a  brighter  world,  and 
whose  memories  are  cherished  by  those  who  re- 
main this  side  the  "  valley  and  sh.adow  of  death." 

ABRAHAM   LINCOLN. 

Abraham  Lincoln,  the  great  and  the  good,  the 
martyr  President.  The  historian,  in  the  neces- 
sarily short  sketches  given,  can  but  feel  his  in- 
ability to  do  justice  to  so  worthy  a  name.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  December,  1850,  to  Jesse  W.  Fell,  of 
Bloomington,  Illinois.  The  letter  was  not  writ- 
ten for  publication,  but,  containing  the  only 
words  ever  written  by  Mr.  Lincoln  of  himself 
and  family,  are  worthy  of  preservation: 

"I  was  born  February  1-2, 1 809,  in  Hardin  county, 
Kentucky.  My  parents  were  both  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, of  undistinguished  families — second  fami- 
lies— perhaps  I  should  say.  My  mother,  who  died 
in  my  tenth  year,  was  of  a  family  of  the  name 
of  Hanks,  some  of  whom  now  reside  in  Adams, 
and  others  in  Macon  counties,  Illinois.  My 
paternal  grandfather,  Abraham  Lincoln,  emi- 
grated from  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  about 
1781  or  '82,  where,  a  year  or  two  later,  he  was 
killed  by  Indians,  not  in  battle,  but  by  stealthy 
when  he  was  laboring  to  open  up  a  farm  in  the 
forest.  His  ancestors,  who  were  Quakers,  went 
to  Virginia  from  IJerks  county,  Pennsylvania. 
An  effort  to  identify  them  with  the  New  Eng- 
land family  of  the  same  name  ended  in  nothing 
more  definite  than  a  similarity  of  Christian 
names  in  both  families,  such  as  Enoch,  Levi, 
Mordecai,  Solomon,  Abraham,  and  the  like. 


"My  father,  at  the  death  of  his  father,  was  but 
six  years  of  age,  and  he  grew  up  literally  with- 
out education.  He  removed  from  Kentucky  to 
what  is  now  Spencer  county,  Indiana,  in  my 
eighth  year.  We  reached  our  new  home  about 
the  time  the  State  came  into  the  Union.  It  was 
a  wild  region,  with  many  bears  and  other  wild 
animals  still  in  the  woods.  There  I  grew  up. 
There  were  some  schools,  so  called,  but  no  quali- 
fication was  ever  required  of  a  teacher  beyond 
"readin',  'ritin',  and  cipherin"  to  the  rule  of 
three.  If  a  straggler,  supposed  to  understand 
Latin  happened  to  sojourn  in  the  neighborhood, 
he  was  looked  upon  as  a  wizard.  There  was  ab- 
solutely nothing  to  excite  ambition  for  educa- 
tion. Of  course,  when  I  came  of  age,  I  did  not 
know  much;  still,  somehow  I  could  read,  write, 
and  cipher  to  the  rule  of  three,  but  that  was  all. 
I  have  not  been  to  school  since.  The  little  ad- 
vance I  now  have  upon  this  store  of  education,  I 
have  picked  up  from  time  to  time,  under  the 
pressure  of  necessity. 

"  I  was  raised  to  farm  work,  which  I  continued 
till  I  was  twenty-two.  At  twenty-one  I  came  to 
Illinois,  and  passed  the  first  year  in  Macon 
county.  Then  I  got  to  New  Salem,  at  that  time 
in  Sangamon,  now  in  Menard  county,  where  I 
remained  a  year,  as  a  sort  of  clerk  in  a  store. 
Then  came  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  I  was 
elected  Captain  of  Volunteers,  a  success  which 
gave  me  more  pleasure  than  any  I  have  had 
since.  I  went  the  campaign,  was  elated;  r.an 
for  the  legislature  the  same  year — 1832 — and 
was  beaten,  the  only  time  I  ever  have  been 
beaten  by  the  people.  The  next,  and  three  suc- 
ceeding biennial  elections,  I  was  elected  to  the 
legislature.  I  was  not  a  candidate  afterwards. 
During  this  legislative  period  I  had  studied  law, 
and  removed  to  Springfield  to  practice  it.  In 
184C,  I  was  once  elected  to  the  lower  house  of 
Congress;  was  not  a  candidate  for  re-election. 
From    1840    to    18.54,   both  inclusive,  practiced 


4SS 


lll.yiUKV  OF  SANGA.MOX  COrXTV 


law  more  assiduously  than  ever  before.  Always 
a  Whig  in  politics,  and  generally  on  Whig  elec- 
toral tickets,  making  active  canvasses;!  was  los: 
ing  interest  in  politics,  when  the  repeal  of  the 
Missouri  Compromise  aroused  me  again.  NVliat 
I  have  done  since  then  is  pretty  well  known. 

"If  any  personal  description  of  me  is  thought 
desirable,  it  may  be  said,  I  am  in  height,  six 
feet  four  inches,  nearly,  lean  iu  flesh,  weighing 
on  an  average  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds, 
dark  comj>lexiou,  with  coarse  black  hair  an<l 
gray  eyes;  no  other  marks  or  brands  recollected. 
'•Yours,  very  truly, 

"A.  Lincoln." 
Ron.  J.  W.Fell. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  always  active  in  public  af- 
fairs, and  was  always  an  acknowledged  leader. 
As  he  remarked  in  nis  letter,  the  repeal  of  the 
Missouri  Compromise  aroused  him,  and  he  united 
with  others  in  the  foriraiion  of  the  Republican 
party,  becoming  its  acknowledged  leader.  In 
1858,  he  was  a  candidate  for  United  States  Sen- 
ator, to  succeed  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  whose  term 
was  drawing  to  a  close.  Contrary  to  the  usual 
custom  with  candidates  for  that  office,  instead  of 
aiming  to  influence  the  members  of  the  legisla- 
ture, by  whose  votes  the  choice  is  made,  the  con- 
test was  brought  directly  before  the  people,  in 
order  to  influence  their  action  in  choosing  mem 
bers  of  the  legislature,  who  were  to  choose  a 
United  States  Senator.  That  led  to  seven  joint 
debates  between  Mr.  Lincoln  and  Mr.  Douglas, 
in  different  parts  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  Mr. 
Douglas  was  elected  as  his  own  successor,  but 
Mr.  Lincoln's  speeches  in  that  campaign  gave 
him  a  National  reputation,  and  proved  that  his 
understanding  of  the  slavery  question  was  more 
clear  and  comprehensive  than  that  of  any  other 
man  in  the  Nation.  This  led  to  his  being  chosen 
by  the  Republican  National  Convention,  which 
assembled  in  Chicago  in  June,  1860,  as  the  can- 
didate of  that  party  for  the  oftice  of  President 
of  the  United  States.  After  an  exciting  cam- 
paign, he  was  triumphantly  elected,  in  Novem- 
ber of  that  year,  and  inaugurated  at  Washing- 
ton, March  4,  ISGl.  It  is  unnecessary  to  follow 
his  career  during  the  long  and  bloody  war  that 
followed.  In  that  struggle,  he  placed  his  reli- 
ance upon  the  Almighty  God,  as  is  clearly  shown 
in  the  following  letter,  written  in  September, 
18(34,  to  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends: 
"Executive  MAX.sroN,  / 

"Washington,  September  4,  1804.  \ 
"Eliza  P.  Gurney: 

"Mt  Esteemed  Friend — I  have  not  forgot- 
ten— probably  never  shall  forget — the  very  im- 


pressive occasion  when  yo  usulf  and  friends  vis- 
ited me,  on  a  Sabbath  forenoon,  two  years  ago; 
nor  has  your  kind  letter,  written  nearly  a  year 
later,  ever  been  forgotten.  In  all,  it  has  been 
your  pur[)ose  to  strengthen  ray  reliance  on  God. 
I  am  much  indebted  to  the  gO"d  Christian 
people  of  this  country  for  their  constant  prayers 
and  consolations;  and  to  no  one  of  them  more 
than  yourself.  The  purposes  of  the  Almighty 
are  perfect,  and  must  prevail,  although  we  err- 
ing mortals  may  fail  to  accurately  perceive  them 
in  advance.  We  hoped  for  a  happy  termination 
of  this  terrible  war  long  before  this;  but  God 
knows  best,  and  has  ruled  otherwise.  We  shall 
yet  acknowledge  His  wisdom  and  our  error 
therein.  Meanwhile,  we  must  work  earnestly 
in  the  best  light  He  gives  us,  trusting  that  so 
working  still  conduces  to  the  great  ends  He  or- 
dains. Surely,  He  intends  some  great  good 
to  follow  this  mighty  convulsion,  which  no 
mortal  could  make,  and  no  mortal  could  stay. 

"Your  people,  the  Friends,  have  had,  and  are 
having,  a  very  great  trial.  On  principle  and 
faith,  opposed  to  both  war  and  oppression,  they 
can  only  practically  oppose  oppression  by  war. 
In  this  hani  dilemma,  some  have  chosen  one 
horn,  and  some  the  other.  For  those  appealing 
to  me  on  conscientious  grounds,  I  have  done, 
and  shall  do,  the  best  I  could  and  can,  in  my 
own  conscience,  under  my  oath  to  the  law. 
That  you  believe  this,  I  doubt  not;  and,  believ- 
ing it,  I  shall  still  receive,  for  our  country  and 
myself,  your  earnest  prayers  to  our  Father  in 
Heaven.  Your  sincere  friend, 

"A.  LnsrcoLN." 

No  man  ever  discharged  his  duties  more  hon- 
estly, more  faithfully,  than  did  Abraham  Lin- 
coln. With  a  heart  full  of  tender  mercy,  be 
loved  all  mankind,  and  knowingly  would  wrong 
no  man.  The  South  never  had  a  more  trusty 
friend,  and  in  his  death  they  lost  one  who  could 
and  would  have  done  them  more  good  than  pos- 
sible for  any  other  man.  On  the  evening  of 
April  14  1S65,  while  in  attendance  on  a  per- 
formance at  Ford's  Theater,  in  Washington,  he 
was  shot  down  by  the  hands  of  a  cowardly  assas- 
•^ifi,  and  breathed  his  last  on  the  morning  of  the 
loth.  An  account  of  the  deep  grief,  the  respect 
paid  his  memory,  the  great  funeral  cortege  reach- 
ing from  the  Capital  of  the  Nation  to  his  late 
home  iu  Springfield,  will  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  work.  His  remains  now  lay  in  a  beautiful 
tomb,  erected  by  a  grateful  people,  in  Oak 
Ridge  Cemetery,  and  is  annually  visited  by 
thousands  of  people. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


480 


The  following  tribute  to  his  menioiy  is  em- 
bodied in  an  address  liy  Isaac  N.  Arnold,  a  life- 
long friend  of  Lincoln,  before  the  Royal  Histor- 
ical Society,  of  London,  England,  and  is  worthy 
of  its  author  and  the  subject  treated: 

"The  noblest  inheritance  we  Americans,  derive 
from  our  British  ancestors  is  the  memory  and 
example  of  the  great  and  good  men  who  adorn 
your  history.  They  are  as  much  appreciated  and 
honored  on  our  side  of  the  Atlantic  as  on  this. 
In  giving  to  the  English-speaking  world,  Wash- 
ington and  Lincoln  we  think  we  repay,  in  large 
part,  our  obligation.  Their  pre-eminence  in 
American  history  is  recognized,  and  the  repub- 
lic, which  the  one  founded  and  the  other  pre- 
served, has,  already,  crowned  them  as  models 
for  her  children. 

"  In  the  annals  of  almost  every  great  Nation 
some  names  appear  standing  out  clear  and  prom- 
inent, names  of  those  who  have  inHnenced,  or 
controlled,  the  great  events  which  make  up  his- 
tory. Such  were  Wallace  and  Bruce,  in  Scot- 
land, Alfred  and  the  Edwards,  William  the  Con- 
queror, Cromwell,  Pitt,  Nelson  and  Wellington, 
in  England,  and  such  in  a  still  greater  degree 
were  VVashington  and  Lincoln. 

"  I  am  here,  from  near  his  home,  with  the 
hope  that  I  may,  to  some  extent,  aid  you  in 
forming  a  just  and  true  estimate  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  1  knew  him,  somewhat  intimately,  in 
private  and  public  life  for  more  than  twenty 
years.  We  practiced  law  at  the  same  bar,  and, 
during  his  administration,  I  was  a  member  of 
Congress,  seeing  him  and  conferring  with  him 
often,  and  therefore,  I  may  hope  without  vanity, 
I  trust  that  I  shall  be  able  to  contribute  some- 
thing of  value  in  enabling  you  to  judge  of  him. 
We  in  America,  as  well  as  you  in  the  old  world, 
believe  that  "blood  will  tell;"  that  it  is  a  great 
blessing  to  have  had  an  honorable  and  worthy 
ancestry.  We  believe  that  moral  principle, phy- 
sical and  intellectual  vigor  in  the  forefathers  are 
qualities  likely  to  be  manifested  in  the  descend- 
ants. Fools  are  not  the  fathers  or  mothers  of 
great  men.  I  claim  for  Lincoln,  humble  as  was 
the  station  to  which  he  was  born,  and  rude  and 
rough  as  were  his  early  surroundings,  that  he 
had  such  ancestors.  I  mean  that  his  father  and 
mother,  his  grandfather  and  grandmother,  and 
still  further  back,  however  humble  and  rugged 
their  condition,  were  physically  and  mentally 
strong,  vigorous  men  and  women;  hardy  and  suc- 
cessful pioneers  on  the  frontier  of  American  civ- 
ilization. They  were  among  the  early  settlers  in 
Virginia,  Kentucky  and  Illinois,  and  knew  how 
to  take  care  of  themselves  in  the  midst  of  diili- 


culties  and  perils;  how  to  live  and  su^cceed  when 
the  weak  would  perish.  These  ancestors  of  Lin- 
coln, for  several  generations,  kept  on  the  very 
crest  of  the  wave  of  Western  settlements — on 
the  frontier,  where  the  struggle  for  life  was  hard 
and  the  strong  alone  survived. 

'•  His  grandfather,  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  his 
father,  Thomas,  were  born  in  Rockingham 
C'Ounty,  Virginia. 

"About  1781,  while  his  father  was  still  a  lad, 
his  grandfather's  family  emigrated  to  Kentucky, 
and  was  a  contemporary  with  Uaniel  Boone,  the 
celebrated  Indian  fighter  and  early  hero  of  that 
State.  This,  a  then  wild  and  wooded  territory, 
was  the  scene  of  those  tierce  and  desperate  con- 
flicts between  the  settlers  and  the  Indians  which 
gave  it  the  name  of  '  The  dark  and  Vjloody 
ground.' 

"When  Thomas  Lincoln,  the  father  of  the 
President,  was  six  years  old,  his  father  (Abraham, 
the  grandfather  of  the  President,)  was  shot  and 
instantly  killed  by  an  Indian.  The  buy  and  his 
father  were  at  work  in  the  corn-field,  near  their 
log-cabin  home.  Mordecai,  the  elder  l)rother  of 
the  lad,  at  work  not  far  away,  witnessed  the  at- 
tack. He  saw  his  father  fall,  and  ran  to  the 
cabin,  seized  his  ready-loaded  rifle  and  springing 
to  the  loop-hole  cut  through  the  logs,  he  saw  the 
Indian,  who  had  seized  tiie  boy,  carrying  him 
away.  Raising  his  rifle  and  aiming  at  a  silver 
medal,  conspicuous  on  the  breast  of  the  Indian, 
he  instantly  fired.  The  Indian  fell,  and  the  lad, 
springing  to  his  feet,  ran  to  the  open  arms  of 
his  mother,  at  the  cabin  door.  Amid  such 
scenes,  the  Lincoln  family  naturally  produced 
rude,  rough,  hardy,  and  fearless  men,  familiar 
with  wood-craft;  men  who  could  meet  the  ex- 
tremes of  exposure  and  fatigue,  who  knew  how 
to  find  food  and  shelter  in  the  forest;  men  of 
great  powers  of  endurance — brave  and  self-reli- 
ant, true  and  faithful  to  their  friends  and  dan- 
gerous to  their  enemies.  Men  with  minds  to 
conceive  and  hands  to  execute  bold  enterprises. 

"  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  grand-father, 
Abraham  Lincoln,  is  noted  on  the  surveys  of 
Daniel  Boone  as  having  purchased,  of  the  gov- 
einment,  five  hundred  acres  of  land.  Thomas 
Lincoln,  the  father,  was  also  the  purchaser  of 
government  land,  and  President  Lincoln  left,  as 
a  part  of  his  estate,  a  quarter-section  (  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres),  which  he  had  received 
from  the  LTnited  States,  for  services  rendered  in 
early  life  as  a  volunteer  soldier  in  the  Black 
Hawk  Indian  war.  Thus  for  three  generations 
the  Lincoln  family  were  land  owners  directly 
from  the  government. 


490 


HISTORY  (3F  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"  Such  was  the  lineage  and  family  from  which 
President  Lincoln  sprung.  Such  was  the  environ- 
ment in  which  his  charactei  was  developed. 

'■  He  was  born  in  a  log  cabin,  in  Kentucky,  on 
the  12th  of  February,  1809. 

"  It  will  aid  you  in  picturing  to  yourself  this 
young  man  and  his  surroundings,  to  know  that 
from  boyhood  to  the  age  of  twenty-one,  in  winter, 
his  head  was  protected  from  the  cold  by  a  cap 
made  of  the  skin  of  the  coon,  fox,  or  prairie 
wolf,  and  that  he  often  wore  the  buckskin 
breeches  and  hunt  ng-shiit  of  the  pioneer. 

''  He  grew  up  to  be  a  man  of  majestic  stature 
and  Herculean  strength.  Had  he  appeared  in 
England  or  Normandy,  some  centuries  ago,  he 
would  have  been  the  founder  of  some  great 
Haronial  family,  possibly  of  a  Royal  dynasty. 
He  could  have  wielded,  with  ease,  the  two- 
handed  sword  of  Guy,  the  great  Earl  of  War- 
wick, or  the  battle-axe  of  Richard  of  the  Lion- 
heart. 

HIS    EDUOATIOX    AND    TRAINING. 

"The  world  is  naturally  interested  in  knowing 
what  was  the  education  and  training  which  fitted 
Lincoln  for  the  great  work  which  he  accom- 
plished. On  the  extreme  frontier,  the  means  of 
book-learning  was  very  limited.  The  common 
free  schools,  which  now  closely  follow  Ihe  heels 
of  the  pioneer  and  organized  civil  government, 
and  prevail  all  over  the  United  States,  had  not 
then  reache<l  the  Far  West.  An  itinerant  school- 
teacher wandered  occasionally  into  a  settlement, 
opened  a  private  school  for  a  few  months,  and, 
at  such,  Lincoln  attended  at  different  times  in 
all  about  twelve  months.  His  mother,  who  was 
a  woman  of  practical  good  sense,  of  strong 
physical  organization,  of  deep  religious  feeling, 
gentle  and  self-reliant,  taught  him  to  read  and 
write. 

Although  she  died  when  he  was  only  nine 
years  old,  she  had  already  laid  deep  the  founda- 
tions of  his  excellence.  Perfect  truthfulness 
and  integrity,  love  of  justice,  self-control,  rev- 
erence for  God,  these  constituted  the  solid  basis 
of  his  character.  These  were  all  implanted  and 
carefully  cultivated  by  his  mother,  and  he  always 
spoke  of  her  with  the  deepest  respect  and  the 
most  tender  affection.  'All  that  I  am,  or  hope 
to  be,'  said  he,  when  President,  'I  owe  to  my 
sainted  mother.' 

"He  early  manifested  the  most  eager  desire  to 
learn,  but  there  were  no  libraries  and  few  books 
in  the  back  settlements  in  which  he  lived. 
Among  the  stray  volumes,  which  he  found  in 
the  possession  of  the  illiterate  families  by  which 
he  was  surrounded,  were  .(Esop's  Fables,  Bun- 


yan's  Pilgrim's  Progress,  a  life  of  Washington, 
the  poems  of  Burns,  and  the  Bible.  To  these 
his  reading  was  confined,  and  he  read  them 
over  and  over  again,  until  they  became  as 
familiar  almost  as  the  alphabet.  His  memory 
was  marvelous,  and  I  never  yet  met  the  man 
more  familiar  with  the  Bible  than  Abraham 
Lincoln.  This  was  apparent  in  after-life,  both 
from  his  e  mversation  and  writings,  scarcely  a 
speech  or  State  paper  of  his  in  which  illustrations 
and  allusions  from  the  Bible  cannot  be  found. 

"While  a  young  man,  he  made  for  himself,  of 
coarse  paper,  a  scrap-book,  into  which  he  copied 
everything  which  particularly  pleased  him.  He 
found  an  old  English  grammar,  which  he  studied 
by  himself;  and  he  formed,  from  his  constant 
study  of  the  Bible,  that  simple,  plain,  clear  An- 
glo-Saxon style,  so  effective  with  the  people. 
He  illustrated  the  maxim  that  it  is  better  to 
know  thoroughly  a  few  good  books  than  to  skim 
over  many.  When  fifteen  years  old,  he  began 
(with  a  view  of  improving  himself)  to  write  on 
various  subjects  and  to  practice  in  making  polit- 
ical and  other  speeches.  These  he  made  so 
amusing  and  attractive  that  his  father  had  to 
forbid  bis  making  them  in  working  hours,  for, 
said  he,  'when  Abe  begins  to  speak,  all  the 
hands  flock  to  hear  him.'  His  memory  was  so 
retentive  that  he  could  repeat,  verbatim,  the  ser- 
mons and  political  speeches  which  he  heard. 

"While  his  days  were  spent  in  hard,  manual 
labor,  and  his  evenings  in  study,  he  grew  up 
strong  in  body,  healthful  in  mind,  with  no  bad 
habits;  no  stain  of  intemperance,  profanity  or 
vice  of  any  kind.  He  used  neither  tobacco  nor 
intoxicating  drinks,  and,  thus  living,  he  grew  to 
be  six  feet  four  inches  high,  and  a  giant  in 
strength.  In  all  athletic  sports  he  had  no  equal. 
I  have  heard  an  old  comrade  say,  '  he  could  strike 
the  hardest  blow  with  the  woodman's  axe,  and 
the  maul  of  the  rail-splitter,  jump  higher,  run 
faster  than  any  of  his  fellows,  and  there  were 
none,  far  or  near,  who  could  lay  him  on  his 
back.'  Kind  and  cordial,  he  early  developed  so 
much  wit  and  humor,  such  a  capacity  for  narra- 
tive and  story-telling,  that  he  was  everywhere  a 
most  w'elcome  guest. 

A    LAND    SURVEYOR. 

"Like  Washington,  he  became,  in  early  life,  a 
good  practical  surveyor,  and  I  have,  in  my  li- 
brary, the  identical  book  from  which,  at  eight- 
een years  of  age,  he  studied  the  art  of  survey- 
ing. By  his  skill  and  accuracy,  and  by  the  neat- 
ness of  his  work,  he  was  sought  after  by  the  set- 
tlers, to  survey  and  fix  the  boundaries  of  their 
farms,  and  in  this  way,  in  pari,  he  earned  a  sup- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


491 


poll  while  he  studied  law.  In  1S3V,  self-taught, 
he  was  admitted  and  licensed,  by  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois,  to  practice  law. 

A    LAWYER. 

"It  is  difficult  for  me  to  describe,  and,  per- 
haps, more  difficult  for  you  to  conceive  the  con- 
trast when  Lincoln  began  to  practice  law,  be- 
tween the  forms  of  the  administration  of  justice 
in  Westminster  Hall,  and  in  the  rude  log  court- 
house of  Illinois.  I  recall  to-day  what  was  said 
a  few  years  ago  by  an  Illinois  frientl,  when  we 
visited,  for  the  first  time,  Westminster  Abbey, 
and  as  we  passed  into  Westminster  Hall.  'This,' 
he  exclaimed,  'this  is  the  grandest  forum  in  the 
world.  Here  Fox,  Burke,  and  Sheridan  hurled 
their  denunciations  against  Warren  Hastings. 
Here  Brougham  defeated  Queen  Caroline.  And 
this,'  he  went  on  to  repeat,  in  the  words  of 
Macftuley,  (words  as  familiar  in  America  as  here) 
'  This  is  the  great  hall  of  William  Rufus,  the 
hall  which  has  resounded  with  acclamations  at 
the  inauguration  of  thirty  kings,  and  which  has 
witnessed  the  trials  of  Bacon  and  Somers  and 
Stafford  and  Charles  the  First.'  '  And  yet,'  I 
replied,  'I  have  seen  justice  administered  on  the 
prairies  of  Illinois  without  pomp  or  ceremony, 
everything  simple  to  rudeness,  and  yet,  when 
Lincoln  and  Douglas  led  at  that  bar,  I  have  seen 
justice  administered  by  judges  as  pure,  aided  by 
advocates  as  eloquent,  if  not  as  learned,  as  any 
who  ever  presided,  or  plead,  in  Westminster 
Hall.' 

"  The  common  law  of  England  (said  to  be 
the  perfection  of  human  wisdom)  was  adminis- 
tered in  both  forums,  and  the  decision  of  each 
tribunal  were  cited  as  authority  in  the  other; 
both  illustrating  that  reverence  for,  and  obedi- 
ence to,  law,  which  is  the  glory  of  the  English- 
speaking  race. 

"Lincoln  was  a  great  lawyer.  He  sought  to 
convince  rather  by  the  application  of  principle 
than  by  the  citation  of  authorities.  On  the 
whole,  he  was  stronger  with  the  jury  than  with 
the  court.  I  do  not  know  that  there  has  ever 
been,  in  America,  a  greater  or  more  successful 
advocate  before  a  jury,  on  the  right  side,  than 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  had  a  marvelous  power 
of  conciliating  and  impressing  everyone  in  his 
favor.  A  stranger  entering  the  court,  ignorant 
of  the  case,  and  listening  a  few  moments  to  Lin- 
coln, would  find  himself  involuntarily  on  his 
side  and  wishing  him  success.  He  was  a  quick 
and  accurate  reader  of  character,  and  seemed  to 
comprehend,  almost  intuitively,  the  peculiarities 
of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His 
manner  was  so  candid,  his  methods  so  direct,  so 


fair,  he  seemed  so  anxious  that  truth  and  jui-tice 
should  prevail,  that  everyone  wished  him  success. 
He  excelled  in  the  statement  of  his  case.  How- 
ever complicated,  he  would  disentangle  it,  and 
present  the  important  and  turning  point  in  a  way 
so  clear  that  all  could  understand.  Indeed,  his 
statement  often  alone  won  his  cause,  rendering 
argument  unnecessary.  The  judges  would  often 
stop  him  by  saying,  'If  that  is  the  case,  lirother 
Lincoln,  we  will  hear  the  other  side.' 

"  His  ability  in  examining  a  witness,  in  bring- 
ing out  clearly  the  important  facts,  was  only  sur- 
passed by  his  skillful  cross-examinations.  He 
could  often  compel  a  witness  to  tell  the  truth 
where  he  meant  to  lie.  He  could  make  a  jury 
laugh,  and  generally  weep,  at  his  pleasure.  On 
the  right  side,  and  when  fraud  or  injustice  were 
to  be  exposed,  or  innocence  vindicated,  he  rose 
to  the  highest  range  of  eloquence,  and  was  irre- 
sistable.  "  But  he  must  have  faith  in  his  cause  to 
bring  out  his  full  strength.  His  wit  and  humor, 
his  quaint  and  homely  illustrations,  his  inex- 
haustible stores  of  anecdote,  always  to  the  point, 
added  greatly  to  his  power  as  a  jury  advocate. 

"He  never  mis-stated  evidence  or  misrepre- 
sented his  opponent's  case,  but  met  it  fairly  and 
squarely. 

"He  remained  in  active  practice  until  his 
nomination,  in  May,  1860,  lor  the  Presidency. 
He  was  employed  in  the  leading  cases  in  both 
the  Federal  and  State  Courts,  and  had  a  large 
clientage,  not  only  in  Illinois,  but  was  freijuently 
called,  on  special  retainers,  to  other  States. 

AN    ILLINOIS    POLITICIAN. 

"By  his  eloquence  and  popularity  he  became, 
early  in  life,  the  leader  of  the  old  Whig  party,  in 
Illinois.  He  served  as  member  of  the  State 
Legislature,  was  the  candidate  of  his  party  for 
speaker,  presidential  elector,  and  United  States 
Senator,  and  was  a  member  of  the  lower  house  of 
Congress. 

SLAVERY. 

"When  the  independence  of  the  American  Re- 
public was  established,  African  slavery  was 
tolerated  as  a  local  and  temporary  institution. 
It  was  in  conflict  with  the  moral  sense,  the  re- 
ligious convictions  of  the  people, and  the  political 
principles  on  which  the  government  was  founded. 

"But  having  been  tolerated,  it  soon  became  an 
organized,  aggressive  power,  and,  later,  it  became 
the  master  of  the  government.  Conscious  of  itB 
inherent  weakness,  it  demanded  and  obtained 
additional  territory  for  its  expansion.  First,  the 
great  Louisiana  territory  was  purchased,  then 
Florida,  and  then  Texas. 


49:2 


HISTORV  UF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"By  the  repeal,  in  1854,  of  the  prohibition  of 
slavery  north  of  the  line  of  thirty-six  degrees, 
thirty  minutes  of  latitude  (known  in  America  as 
the  'Missouri  Compromise'),  the  slavery  ques- 
tion became  the  leading  one  i  i  American  politics, 
and  the  absorbing  and  exciting  topic  of  discus- 
sion. It  shattered  into  fragments  the  old  con- 
servative Whig  party,  with  which  Mr.  Lincoln 
had,  theretofore,  acted.  It  divided  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  new  parties  were  organized  upon 
issues  growing  directly  out  of  the  question  of 
slavery. 

"The  leader  of  that  portion  of  the  Democratic 
party  which  continued,  for  a  time,  to  act  with  the 
slavery  party,  was  Stephen  Arnold  Douglas,  then 
representing  Illinois  in  the  United  States  Senate. 
He  was  a  bold,  ambitious,  able  man,  and  had, 
thus  far,  been  uniformaly  successful.  He  had 
introduced  and  carried  through  Congress,  against 
the  most  vehemeat  opposition,  the  repeal  of  the 
law,  prohibiting  slavery,  called  the  Missouri 
Compromise. 

THE    CONTEST    BETWEEN    FREEDOM    AND    SLAVERY 
IN  THE    TERRITORIES. 

"  The  issue  having  been  now  distinctly  made 
between  freedom  and  the  extention  of  slavery 
into  the  teri'itories,  Lincoln  and  Douglas,  the 
leaders  of  the  Free-soil  and  Democratic  parties, 
became  more  than  ever  antagonized.  The  con- 
flict between  freedom  and  slavery  now  became 
earnest,  tierce  and  violent,  beyond  all  previous 
political  controversies,  and  from  this  time  on, 
Lincoln  plead  the  cause  of  liberty  with  an  energy, 
ability  and  eloquence,  which  rapidly  gained  for 
him  a  national  reputation.  From  this  time  on, 
tlirough  the  tremendous  struggle,  it  was  he  who 
grasped  the  helm  and  led  his  party  to  victory. 
Conscious  oi  a  great  cause,  inspired  by  a  gener- 
ous love  of  liberty,  and  animated  by  the  moral 
sublimity  of  his  great  theme,  he  proclaimed  his 
determination,  ever  thereafter, '  to  speak  for  free- 
dom, and  against  slavery,  until  everywhere  the 
sun  shall  shine,  the  rain  shall  fall,  and  the  wind 
blow  upon  no  man  who  goes  forth  to  unrequited 
to  1.' 

THE  LINCOLN  AND  DOUGLAS  DEBATE. 

The  great  debate  between  Lincoln  and  Doug- 
las, in  1858,  was,  unquestionably,  both  with 
reference  to  the  ability  of  the  speakers  and  its 
influence  upon  opinion  and  events,  the  most  im- 
portant in  American  history.  I  do  not  think  I 
do  injustice  to  others,  nor  over-estimate  their  im- 
portance, when  I  say  that  the  speeches  of  Lin- 
coln published,  circulated  and  read  thi-oughout 
the  Free  States,  did  more  than  any  other  agency 


in  creating  the  public  opinion,  which  prepared 
the  way  for  the  overthrow  of  slavery.  The 
speeches  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  and  those  of 
Senator  Sumner,  were  more  learned  and  scholar- 
ly, and  those  of  Lovejoy  and  Wendel  Phillips 
were  more  vehement  and  impassioned;  Senators 
Seward,  Chase  and  Hale  spoke  from  a  more  con- 
spicuous forum,  but  Lincoln's  speeches  were  as 
philosophic,  as  able,  as  earnest  as  any,  and  his 
manner  has  a  simplicity  and  directness,  a  clear- 
ness of  illustration,  and  his  language  a  plainness, 
a  vigor,  an  Anglo-Saxon  strength, better  adapted 
than  any  other,  to  reach  and  influence  the  under- 
standing and  sentiment  of  the  common   people. 

"At  the  time  of  this  memorable  discussion, 
both  Lincoln  and  Douglas  were  in  the  full  ma 
turity  of  their  powers.  Douglas  being  forty-five 
and  Lincoln  forty-nine  years  old.  Douglas  had 
had  a  long  training  and  experience  as  a  popular 
speaker.  On  the  hustings  (stump,  as  we  say  in 
America)  and  in  Congress,  and  especially  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  he  had  been  accustomed 
to  meet  the  ablest  debaters  of  his  State  and  of 
the  Nation. 

"  His  friends  insisted  that  never,  either  in  con- 
flict with  a  single  opponent,  or  when  repelling 
the  assaults  of  a  whole  party,  had  he  been  dis- 
comfited. His  manner  was  bold,  vigorous,  and 
aggressive.  He  w^as  ready,  fertile  in  resources, 
familiar  with  political  history,  strong  and  severe 
in  denunciation,  and  he  handled,  with  skill,  all 
the  weapons  of  the  dialectician.  His  iron  will, 
tireless  energy,  united  with  physical  and  moral 
courage,  and  great  personal  magnetism,  made 
him  a  natural  leader,  and  gave  him  personal 
popularity. 

"  Lincoln  was  also  now  a  thoroughly  trained 
speaker.  He  had  contended  successfully  at  the 
bar,  in  the  legislature,  and  before  the  people, 
with  the  ablest  men  of  the  West,  including 
Douglas,  with  whom  he  always  rather  sought 
than  avoided  a  discussion.  But  he  was  a  courte- 
ous and  generous  opponent,  as  is  illustrated  by 
the  following  beautiful  allusion  to  his  rival, 
made  in  1856,  in  one  of  their  joint  debates. 
'  Twenty  years  ago.  Judge  Douglas  and  I  first 
became  acquainted;  we  were  both  young  then; 
he  a  trifle  younger  than  I.  Even  then,  we  were 
both  ambitious,  I,  perhaps,  quite  as  much  as  he. 
With  me,  the  race  of  ambition  has  been  a 
flat  failure.  With  him,  it  has  been  a  splendid 
success.  His  name  tills  the  Nation,  and  is  not 
unknown  in  foreign  lands.  I  aft'ect  no  contempt 
for  the  high  eminence  he  has  reached;  so 
reached,  that  the  oppressed  of  my  species  might 
have  shared  with  me  in  the  elevation.  I  would 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


493 


rather  stand  on  that  eminence  than  wear  the 
richest  crown  that  ever  pressed  a  monarch's 
brow.' 

"We  know,  and  the  worki  knows,  that  Lin- 
coln did  reach  that  high,  nay,  far  higher  emi- 
nence, and  that  lie  did  reach  it  in  such  a  way 
that  the  '  oppressed' did  share  with  him  in  the 
elevation. 

"Such  were  the  champions  who,  in  1858,  were 
to  discuss,  before  the  voters  of  Illinois,  and  with 
the  whole  Nation  as  spectators,  the  political  ques- 
tions then  pending,  and  especially  the  vital  ques- 
tions relating  to  slavery.  It  was  not  a  single 
combat,  but  extended  through  a  whole  cam- 
paign. 

"On  the  return  of  Douglas  from  Washington, 
to  Illinois,  in  July,  1858,  Lincoln  and  Douglas 
being  candidates  for  the  Senate,  the  former  chal- 
lenged his  rival  to  a  series  of  joint  debates,  to 
be  held  at  the  principal  towns  in  the  State.  The 
challenge  was  accepted,  and  it  was  agreed  that 
each  discussion  should  occupy  three  hours,  that 
the  speakers  shouhl  alternate  in  the  opening  and 
the  close  —  the  opening  speech  to  occupy  one 
hour,  the  reply  one  hour  and  a  half,  and  the 
close  half  an  hour.  The  meetings  were  held  in 
the  open  air,  for  no  hall  could  hold  the  vast 
crowds  which  attended. 

"  I  1  addition  to  the  immense  mass  of  hearers, 
reporters,  from  all  the  principal  newspapers  in 
the  country,  attended,  so  that  the  morning  after 
eac'i  debate,  the  speeches  were  published,  and 
eagerly  read  by  a  large  part,  perhaps  a  majority 
of  all  the  voters  of  the  United  States. 

'■The  attention  of  the  American  people  was 
thus  arrested,  and  they  watched  with  intense  in- 
terest, and  devoured  every  argument  of  the 
champions. 

"  Each  of  these  great  men,  I  doubt  not,  at  that 
time,  sincerely  believed  he  was  right.  Douglas' 
ardor,  while  in  such  a  conflict,  would  make  him 
think,  for  the  time  being,  he  was  right,  and  I 
know  that  Lincoln  argued  for  freedom  against 
the  extension  of  slavery  with  the  most  profound 
conviction  that  on  the  result  hung  the  fate  of 
his  country.  Lincoln  had  two  advantages  over 
Douglas;  he  had  the  best  side  of  the  question, 
and  the  best  temper.  He  was  always  good 
humored,  always  had  an  apt  story  for  illustra- 
tion, while  Douglas  sometimes,  when  hard 
pressed,  was  irritable. 

"  Douglas  carried  away  the  most  jjopular  ap- 
plause, but  Lincoln  made  the  deeper  and  more 
lasting  impression.  Douglas  did  not  disdain  an 
immediate  ad  captanduin  triumph,  while  Lincoln 
aimed    at    permanent    conviction.      Sometimes, 

37 — 


when  Lincoln's  friends  urged  him  to  raise  a 
storm  of  applause  (which  he  could  always  do 
by  his  happy  illustrations  and  amusing  stories), 
he  refused,  saying  the  occasion  was  too  serious, 
the  issue  too  grave.  'I  do  not  seek  applause,' 
said  he,  'nor  to  amuse  the  people,  I  want  to 
convince  them.' 

"It  was  often  observed,  during  this  canvass, 
that  while  Douglas  was  sometimes  greeted  with 
the  loudest  cheers,  when  Lin9oln  closed,  the 
people  seemed  solemn  and  serious,  and  could  be 
heard,  all  through  the  crowd,  gravely  and  anx- 
iously discussing  the  topics  on  which  he  had 
been  speaking. 

Douglas  secured  the  immediate  object  of  the 
struggle,  but  the  manly  bearing,  the  vigorous 
logic,  the  honesty  and  sincerity,  the  great  intel- 
lectual powers,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  pre- 
pared the  way,  and,  two  years  later,  secured  his 
nomination  and  election  to  the  Presidency.  It 
is  a  touching  incident,  illustrating  the  patriotism 
of  both  these  statesmen,  that,  widely  as  they  dif- 
fered, and  keen  as  had  been  their  rivalry,  just  as 
soon  as  the  life  of  the  Republic  was  menaced, 
by  treason,  they  joined  hands  to  shield  and  save 
the  country  they  loved. 

"The  echo  and  prophecy  of  this  great  debate 
was  heard,  and  inspired  hope  in  the  far-off 
cotton  and  rice-fields  of  the  South.  The  toiling 
blacks,  to  use  the  words  of  Whittier,  began 
hopefully  to  pray: 

"  '  We  pray  de  Lord.     He  gib  us  signs 
Dat  some  day  we  be  free, 
De  Norf  wind  tell  it  to  de  pines, 
De  wild  duck  to  de  sea. 

"  '  We  tink  it  when  de  church-bell  ring, 
We  dream  it  in  de  dream, 
De  rico-bird  mean  it  when  he  sing, 
De  eagle  when  he  scream.' 

THE  COOPBB-INSTITUTB  SPEECH. 

"In  February,  1860,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  called  to 
address  the  people  of  New  York,  and,  speaking 
to  a  vast  audience,  at  the  Cooper  Institute  (the 
Exeter  Hall  of  the  United  States),  the  poet  Bry- 
ant presiding,  he  made,  perhaps,  the  most  learned, 
logical,  and  exhaustive  speech  to  be  found  in 
American  anti-slavery  literature.  The  question 
was,  the  power  of  the  National  Government  to 
exclude  slavery  from  the  Territories.  The  orator 
from  the  prairies,  the  morning  after  this  speech, 
awoke  to  find  himself  famous. 

"He  closed  with  these  words,  'Let  us  have 
faith  that  right  makes  )iiight,  and  in  that  faith 
let  us,  to  the  end,  do  our  duty  as  we  understand 
it.' 


494 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


"  This  address  was  the  carefully  finished  pro- 
duct of,  not  an  orator  and  statesman  only,  but 
also  of  an  accurate  student  of  American  history. 
It  confirmed  and  elevated  the  reputation  he  had 
already  acquired  in  the  Douglas  debates,  and 
caused  his  nomination  and  election  to  the  Presi- 
dency. 

"If  time  permitted,  I  would  like  to  follow  Mr. 
Lincoln,  step  by  step,  to  envimerate  his  measures 
one  after  another,  until  by  prudence  and  courage, 
and  matchless  statesmanship,  he  led  the  loyal 
people  of  the  Republic  to  the  final  and  complete 
overthrow  of  slavery  and  the  restoration  of  the 
Union. 

"From  the  time  he  left  his  humble  home  in 
Illinois,  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  power, 
the  political  horizon  black  with  treason  and  re- 
bellion, the  teriffie  thunder  clouds, — the  tempest 
which  had  been  gathering  and  growing  more 
black  and  threatening  for  years,  now  ready  to 
explode, — on  and  on,  through  long  years  of 
bloody  war,  down  to  his  final  triumph  and 
death — what  a  drama!  His  eventful  life  ter- 
minated by  his  tragic  death,  has  it  not  the  dra- 
matic unities,  and  the  awful  ending,  of  the  Old 
Greek  tragedy? 

HIS    FAREWELL    TO    HIS    NEIGHBORS. 

"I  know  of  nothing  in  history,  more  pathetic 
than  the  scene  when  he  bade  good-bye  to  his  old 
friends  and  neighbors.  Conscious  of  the  diffi- 
culties and  dangers  before  him,  difficulties  which 
seemed  almost  insurmountable,  with  a  sadness 
as  though  a  presentment  that  he  should  return 
no  more  was  pressing  upon  him,  but  with  a  deep 
religious  trust  which  was  characteristic,  on  the 
platform  of  the  rail-carriage,  which  was  to  bear 
him  away  to  the  Capital,  he  paused  and  said, 
'No  one  can  realize  the  sadness  I  feel  at  this 
parting.  Here  I  have  lived  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  Here  my  children  were  born,  and 
here  one  of  them  lies  buried.  I  know  not  how 
soon  I  shall  see  you  again.  I  go  to  assume  a 
task  more  difficult  than  that  which  has  devolved 
upon  any  other  man  since  the  days  of  Washing- 
ton. He  never  would  have  succeeded  but  for  the 
aid  of  Divine  Providence,  upon  which,  at  all 
times,  he  relied.  *  #  *  I  hope  you,  my  dear 
friends,  will  all  pray  that  I  may  receive  that  Di- 
vine assistance,  without  which  I  cannot  succeed, 
but  with  which,  success  is  certain.' 

"And  as  he  waved  his  hand  in  farewell  to  the 
old  home,  to  which  he  was  never  to  return,  he 
heard  the  response  from  many  old  friends, '  God 
bless  and  keep  you.'  '  God  protect  you  from  all 
traitors.'    His  neighbors  '  sorrowing  most  of  all,' 


for  the  fear  '  that  they  should    see   his   face   no 
more.' 

HIS    INAUGURAL    AND    APPEAL    FOR    PE.VCE. 

"  In  his  inaugural  address,  spoken  in  the  open 
air,  and  from  the  eastern  portico  of  the  capitol, 
and  heard  by  thrice  ten  thousand  people,  on  the 
very  verge  of  civil  war,  he  made  a  most  earnest 
appeal  for  peace.  He  gave  the  most  solemn  as- 
surance, that  '  the  property,  peace,  and  security 
of  no  portion  of  the  Rejiublic  should  be  endan- 
gered by  his  administration.'  But  he  declared, 
with  firmness,  that  the  Union  of  the  States  must 
be  'perpetual,'  and  that  he  should  'execute  the 
laws  faithfully  in  every  State.'  '  In  doing  this,' 
said  he,  '  there  need  be  no  blood  shed  nor  vio- 
lence, nor  shall  there  be,  unless  forced  upon  the 
National  Authority.'  In  regard  to  the  difficul- 
ties which  thus  divided  the  people,  he  api)ealed 
to  all  to  abstain  from  precipitate  action,  assur- 
ing them  that  intelligence,  patriotism,  and  a  firm 
reliance  on  Him,  who  had  never  yet  forsaken 
the  Republic,  '  were  competent  to  adjust,  in  the 
best  way,  all  existing  troubles.' 

"  His  closing  appeal,  against  civil  war,  was 
most  touching,  'In  your  hands,'  said  he,  and  his 
voice,  for  the  first  time  faltered,  'In  your  hands, 
and  not  in  mine,  are  the  momentous  issues  of 
civil  war.'  *  *  'You  can  have  no  con- 
flict without  Ijeing  yourselves  the  aggressors.' 
*  *  'I  am,'  continued  he,  '  loth  to 
close,  we  are  not  enemies,  but  friends.  We 
must  not  be  enemies,  though  passion  may  strain 
— it  must  not  break  the  bonds  of  affection.' 

"  The  answer  to  these  appeals  was  the  attack 
upon  Fort  Sumter,  and  immediately  broke 
loose  all  the  maddening  passions  which  riot  in 
blood  and  carnage  and  civil  war. 

"  I  know  not  how  I  can  better  picture  and 
illustrate  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  of  public 
feeling,  at  that  time,  than  by  narrating  two  or 
three  incidents. 

BOUSLAS'  PROPHBCT,  JANUARY  1,  1861. 

"In  January,  1861,  Senator  Douglas,  then 
lately  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency,  with  Mrs. 
Douglas,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  fascinat- 
ing women  in  America,  a  relative  of  Mrs.  Madi- 
son, occupied,  at  Washington,  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  block  of  dwellings,  called  the  '  Min- 
nesota Block.'  On  New  Year's  day,  1861,  Gen- 
eral Charles  Stewart,  of  New  York,  from  whose 
lips  I  write  an  account  of  the  incident,  says: 

" '  I  was  making  a  New  Year's  call  on  Senator 
Douglas;  after  some  conversation,  I  asked  him: 

'"  What  will  be  the  result,  Senator,  of  the  ef- 
forts of  Jefferson  Davis,  and  his  associates,  to 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


495 


divide  the  Union?'  We  were,'  said  Stewart, 
'  sitting  on  the  sofa  together,  when  I  asked  the 
question.  Douglas  rose,  walked  rapidly  up  and 
down  the  room  for  a  moment,  and  then  pausing, 
he  exclaimed,  with  deep  feeling  and  excitement: 

'"The  C'otton  States  are  making  an  eii'ort 
to  draw  in  the  Border  States,  to  their 
schemes  of  Secession,  and  I  am  but  too  fearful 
they  will  succeed.  If  they  do,  there  will  be  the 
most  fearful  civil  war  the  world  has  ever  seen, 
lasting  for  years.' 

"  Pausing  a  moment,  he  looked  like  one  in- 
spired, while  he  proceeded:  'Virginia,  over  yon- 
der, across  the  Potomac,'  pointing  toward  Ar- 
lington, 'will  become  a  charnel-house — but  in 
the  end  the  Union  will  triumph.  They  will 
try.'  he  continued,  'to  get  possession  of  this 
Capital,  to  give  them  prestige  abroad,  but  in 
that  efEort  they  will  never  succeed;  the  North 
will  rise  en  masse  to  defend  it.  But  Washing- 
ton will  become  a  city  of  hospitals,  the  churches 
will  be  used  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  This 
house,'  he  continued,  '  the  Minnesota  Block  will 
be  devoted  to  that  purpose  before  the  end  of  the 
war.' 

"  Every  word  he  said  was  literally  fulfilled  — 
all  the  churolies  nearly  were  used  for  the 
wounded,  and  the  Minnesota  Block,  and  the 
very  room  in  which  this  declaration  was  made, 
became  tlie  'Douglas  Hospital.' 

"  '  What  justiiication  for  all  this?  '  said  Stew- 
art. 

"  '  There  is  no  justification,'  replied  Douglas. 

"  '  I  will  go  as  far  as  the  Constitution  will  per- 
mit to  maintain  their  just  rights.  But,'  said  he, 
vising  upon  his  feet  and  raising  his  arm,  'if  the 
Southern  States  attempt  to  secede,  I  am  in  favor 
of  their  having  just  so  many  slaves,  and  just  so 
much  slave  territory,  as  they  can  hold  at  the 
point  of  the  l:)ayonet,  and  no  more.' 

WILL    THE    NORTH    FIIUItV 

"Many  Southern  leaders  believed  there  would 
be  no  serious  war,  and  labored  industriously  to 
impress  this  idea  on  the  Southern  people. 

'■  Benjamin  F.  Butler,  who  as  a  delegate  from 
Massachusetts,  to  the  Charleston  Convention, 
had  voted  many  times  for  Breckenridge,  the  ex- 
treme Southern  candidate  for  President,  came  to 
Washington  in  the  winter  of  1800-1,  to  inquire 
of  his  old  associates  what  they  meant  by  their 
threats. 

" '  We  mean,'  replied  they,  '  we  mean  Separa- 
tion— a  Southern  Confederacy.  We  will  have 
our  independence,  a  Southern  government — 
with  no  discordant  elements. 


"'Are  you  prepared  for  warV  said  Butler, 
coolly. 

'"Oh,  there  will  be  no  war;  the  North  won't 
fight. 

'"The  North  will  fight,'  said  Butler,  'the 
North  will  send  the  last  man  and  expend  the  last 
dollar  to  maintain  the  government. 

"  '  But,'  replied  Butler's  Southern  friends,  'the 
North  can't  fight — we  have  too  many  allies  there. 

'"You  have  friends,' responded  Butler,  'in  the 
North  who  will  stand  by  you  so  long  as  you 
fight  your  battles  in  the  Union,  but  the  moment 
you  tire  on  the  flag,  the  North  will  be  a  unit 
againt  you.'  'And,'  Butler  continued, '  you  may 
be  assured  if  war  comes,  slavery  ends.' 

THE  SPECIAL    SESSION    OF    COUGRESS,    JULY,    1861. 

"On  the  brink  of  this  civil  war,  the  President 
summoneil  Congress  to  meet  on  the  4tli  of  July, 
1861,  the  anniversary  of  our  Independence. 
Seven  States  had  alread)'  seceded,  were  in  open 
revolt,  and  the  chairs  of  their  representatives,  in 
both  Houses  of  Congress,  were  vacant.  It  need- 
ed but  a  glance  at  these  so  numerous  vacant  seats 
to  realize  the  extent  of  the  defection,  the  gravity 
of  the  situation,  and  the  magnitude  of  the  im- 
pending struggle.  The  old  pro-slavery  leaders 
were  absent.  Some  in  the  reltel  government  set 
up  at  Richmond,  and  others  marshalling  troops 
in  the  field.  Hostile  armies  were  gathering,  and 
from  the  dome  of  the  Capital,  across  the  Poto- 
mac, and  on  towards  Fairfax,  in  Virginia,  could 
be  seen  the  Confederate  flag. 

Breckenridge,  late  the  Southern  candidate  for 
President,  now  Senator  from  Kentucky,  and  soon 
to  lead  a  rebel  army,  still  lingered  in  the  Senate. 
Like  Cataline  among  the  Roman  Senators,  he 
was  regardedVith aversion  and  distrust.  Gloomy 
and  perhaps  sorrowful,  he  said,  'I  can  only  look 
with  sadness  on  the  melancholy  drama  that  is 
being  enacted." 

"Pardon  the  digression,  while  I  relate  an  inci- 
dent which  occurred  in  the  Senate,  at  this  special 
session. 

"  Senator  Baker,  of  Oregon,  was  tnaking  a 
brilliant  and  impassioned  replj^  to  a  speech  of 
Breckenridge,  in  which  he  denounced  the  Ken- 
tucky Senator  for  giving  aid  and  encouragement 
to  the  enemy  by  his  speeches.  At  length  he 
paused,  and,  turning  toward  Breckenridge,  and 
fixing  his  eye  upon  him,  he  asked,  'What  would 
have  been  thought  if,  after  the  battle  of  Cann;v, 
a  Roman  Senator  had  risen,  amidst  the  conscript 
Fathers,  and  denounced  the  war,  and  opposed  all 
measures  for  its  success?' 


490 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"  Baker  paused,  and  every  eye  in  the  Senate, 
and  in  the  crowded  galleries  was  fixed  upon  the 
almost  solitary  Senator  from  Kentucky.  Fessen- 
den  broke  the  painful  silence  by  exclaiming,  in 
low  deep  tones,  which  gave  expression  to  the 
thrill  of  indignation,  which  ran  through  the 
hall,  'He  would  have  been  hurled  from  the  Tar- 
peian  Rock.' 

"  Congress  manifested  its  sense  of  the  gravity 
of  the  situation  by  authorizing  a  loan  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  dollars,  and  em- 
powering the  President  to  call  into  the  field  five 
hundred  thousand  men,  and  as  many  more  as  he 
might  deem  necessary. 

SUEKENDER    OF   MASOX    AND    SLIDELL. 

"  No  act  of  the  British  Government,  since  the 
'stamp  act'  of  the  Revolution,  has  ever  excited 
such  intense  feeling  of  hostility  toward  Great 
Britain,  as  her  haughty  demand  for  the  surrender 
of  Mason  and  Slidell.  It  required  nerve,  in  the 
President,  to  stem  the  storm  of  popular  feeling, 
and  yield  to  that  demand,  and  it  was,  for  a  time, 
the  most  unpopular  act  of  his  administration. 
But  when  the  excitement  of  the  day  had  passed, 
it  was  approved  by  the  sober  judgment  of  the 
Nation. 

"Prince  Albert  is  kindly  and  gratefully  re- 
membered in  America,  where  it  is  believed  that 
his  action,  in  modifying  the  terms  of  that  de- 
mand, probably  saved  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  from  the  horrors  of  war. 

LINCOLN    AND    THE    ABOLITION    OP    SLAVERY. 

"When,  in  June,  1858, at  his  home,  in  Spring- 
field, Mr.  Lincoln  startled  the  people  with  the 
declaration,  'This  government  cannot  endure, 
permanently,  half  slave  and  half  free,'  and 
when,  at  ihe  close  of  his  speech,  to  those  who 
were  laboring  for  the  ultimate  extinction  of 
slavery,  he  exclaimed,  with  the  voice  of  a 
prophet,  'We  shall  not  fail;  if  we  stand  firm,  we 
shall  not  fail.  Wise  councils  may  accelerate,  or 
mistakes  delay,  but,  sooner  or  later,  the  victory 
is  sure  to  come;'  he  anticipated  success,  through 
years  of  discussion,  and  final  triumph,  through 
peaceful  and  constitutional  means,  by  the  ballot. 
He  did  not  foresee,  nor  even  dream  (unless  in 
those  dim,  mysterious  shadows,  which  some- 
times startle,  by  half  revealing  the  future),  his 
own  elevation  to  the  Presidency.  He  did  not 
then  suspect  that  he  had  been  appointed  by- 
God,  and  should  be  chosen  by  the  people,  to  pro- 
claim the  emancipation  of  a  race,  and  to  save 
his  country.  He  did  not  foi'esee  that  slavery 
was  so  soon  to  be  destroyed,  amidst  the  flames 
of  war  which  itself  kindled. 


HIS    MODERATION. 

"He  entered  upon  his  administration  with  the 
single  purpose  of  maintaining  National  unity, 
and  many  reproached  and  denounced  him  for 
the  slowness  of  his  anti-slavery  measures.  The 
first  of  the  series  was  the  abolition  of  slavery  at 
the  National  Capital.  This  act  gave  freedom  to 
three  thousand  slaves,  with  compensation  to 
their  loyal  masters.  Contemporaneous  with  this, 
was  an  act  conferring  freedom  upon  all  colored 
soldiers  who  should  serve  in  the  Union  armies, 
and  upon  their  families.  The  next  '^'as  an  act, 
which  I  had  the  honor  to  introduce,  prohibiting 
slavery  in  all  the  Territories,  and  wherever  the 
National  Government  had  jurisdiction.  But  the 
great,  the  decisive,  act  of  his  administration, 
was  the  'Emancipation  Proclamation.' 

EMANCIPATION    PROCLAMATION. 

"  The  President  had  urged,  with  the  utmost 
earnestness,  on  the  loyal  slaveholders,  of  the 
Border  States,  gradual  and  compensated  emanci- 
pation, but  in  vain.  He  clearly  saw,  all  saw, 
that  the  slaves,  as  used  by  the  Confederates, 
were  a  vast  power,  contributing  immensely  to 
their  abilit)'  to  carry  on  the  war,  and,  that 
by  declaring  their  freedom,  he  would  convert 
millions  of  freedmen  into  active  friends  and 
allies  of  the  Union.  The  people  knew  that  he 
was  deliberating  upon  the  question  of  issuing 
this  Emancipation  Proclamation.  At  this  crisis, 
the  Union  men  of  the  Border  States  made  an 
appeal  to  him  to  withhold  the  edict,  and  8ufi:er 
slavery  to  survive. 

"They  selected  John  J.  Crittenden,  a  ven- 
erable and  eloquent  man,  and  their  ablest  states- 
man, to  make,  on  the  floor  of  Congress,  a  public 
appeal  to  the  President  to  withhold  the  procla- 
mation. Mr.  Crittenden  had  been  Governor  of 
Kentucky,  her  Senator  in  Congress,  Attorney- 
General  of  the  United  States,  and  now,  in  bis 
old  age,  covered  with  honors,  he  accepted,  like 
John  Quincy  Adams,  a  seat  in  Congress,  that  in 
this  crisis  he  might  help  to  save  his  country. 

"He  was  a  sincere  Union  man,  but  believed 
it  unwise  to  disturb  slavery.  In  his  speech,  he 
made  a  most  eloquent  and  touching  appeal, 
from  a  Kentuckian  to  a  Kentuckian.  He  said, 
among  other  things,  'There  is  a  niche,  near  to 
that  of  Washington,  to  him  who  shall  save  his 
country.  If  Mr.  Lincoln  will  step  into  that 
niche,  the  fowider  and  the  preserver  of  the  Re- 
public shall  stand  side  by  side.  *  *  Owen 
Lovejoy,  the  brother  of  Elijah  P.  Lovejoy,  who 
had  been  mobbed  and  murdered,  because  he 
would  not  surrender   the    liberty  of    the   press 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


497 


replied  to  Crittenden.  After  his  brother's  mur- 
der, kneeling  upon  the  green  sod  which  coveied 
that  brother'is  grave,  he  had  taken  a  solemn  vow 
of  eternal  wur  upon  slavery.  Ever  after,  like 
Peter  the  Hermit,  with  a  heart  of  fire  and  a 
tongue  of  lightning,  he  had  gone  forth,  preach- 
ing his  crusade  against  slavery.  At  length,  in 
his  reply,  turning  to  Crittenden,  he  said,  'The 
gentleman,  from  Kentucky,  says  he  has  a  niche 
for  Abraham  Lincoln,  where  is  itV 

"Crittenden  pointed  toward  Heaven. 

''Lovejoy  continuing  said,  '  He  points  upward, 
But,  sir!  if  the  President  follows  the  counsel  of 
that  gentleman,  and  becomes  the  perpetuator  of 
slavery,  he  should  point  downward,  to  some  dun- 
geon in  the  temple  of  Moloch,  who  feeds  on  hu- 
man blood,  and  where  are  forged  chains  for  hu- 
man limbs;  in  the  recesses  of  whose  temple 
woman  is  scourged  and  man  tortured,  and  out- 
side the  walls  are  lying  dogs,  gorged  with  human 
flesh,  as  Byron  describes  them,  lying  around  the 
walls  of  Stambool.'  'That,'  said  Lovejoy,  '  is  a 
suitable  place  for  the  statue  of  him  who  would 
perpetuate  slavery.' 

" '  I,  too,'  said  he,  '  have  a  temple  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  but  it  is  in  freedom's  holy  fane,  *  * 
not  surrounded  by  slave  fetters  and  chains,  but 
with  the  symbols  of  freedom — not  dark  with 
bondage,  but  radiant  with  the  light  of  liberty. 
In  that  niche  he  shall  stand  proudly,  nobly, 
gloriously,  with  broken  chains  and  slaves  whips 
beneath  his  feet.  *  *  That  is  a  fame 
worth  living  foi',  aye,  more,  it  is  a  fame  worth 
dying  for,  though  that  death  led  through  Geth- 
semene  and  the  agony  of  the  accursed  tree.'     * 

"  '  It  is  said,'  continued  he,  '  that  Wilberforce 
went  up  to  the  judgment  seat  with  the  broken 
chains  "of  eight  hundred  thousand  slaves!  Let 
Lincoln  make  himself  the  Liberator,  and  his 
name  shall  be  enrolled,  not  only  in  this  earthly 
temple,  but  it  shall  be  traced  on  the  living  stones 
of  that  temple  which  is  reared  amid  the  thrones 
of  Heaven.' 

"  Lovejoy's  prophecy  has  been  fulfilled — in 
this  world — you  see  the  statues  to  Lincoln,  with 
broken  chains  at  his  feet,  rising  all  over  the 
world,  and — in  that  other  world — few  will  doubt 
that  the  prophecy  has  been  realized. 

"  In  September,  1862,  after  the  Confederates, 
by  their  defeat  at  the  great  battle  of  Aniietam, 
had  been  driven  back  from  Maryland  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, Lincoln  issued  the  Proclamation.  It  is  a 
fact,  illustrating  his  character,  and  showing  that 
there  was  in  him  what  many  would  call  a  tinge 
of  superstition,  that  he  declared,  to  Secretary 
Chase,  that  he  had  made  a  solemn  vow  to  God, 


saying,  '  If  General  Lee  is  driven  back  from 
Pennsylvania,  I  will  crown  the  result  with  the 
declaration  of  freedom  to  the  slave.'  The  final 
Proclamation  was  issued  on  the  first  of  January, 
lSti.3.  In  obedience  to  an  American  custom,  he 
had  been  receiving  calls  on  that  New-Year's-day, 
and,  for  hours,  shaking  hands.  As  the  paper 
was  brought  to  him  by  the  Secretary  of  State,  to 
be  signed,  he  said,  'Mr.  Seward,  I  have  been 
shaking  hands  all  day,  and  my  right  band  is 
almost  paralyzed.  If  my  name  ever  gets  into 
history,  it  will  be  for  this  act,  and  my  whole  soul 
is  in  it.  If  my  hand  trembles  when  I  sign  the 
proclamation,  those  who  examine  the  di>cument 
hereafter  will  say,  'he  hesitated.' 

"Then,  resting  his  arm  a  moment,  he  turned 
to  the  table,  took  up  the  pen,  and  slowly  and 
firmly  wrote  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  smiled  as, 
handinsr  the  paper  to  Mr.  Seward,  he  said,  'that 
will  do> 

"  From  this  day,  to  its  final  triumph,  the  tide 
of  victory  seemed  to  set  more  and  more  in  favor 
of  the  LTnion  cause.  The  capture  of  Vicksburg, 
the  victory  of  Gettysburg,  Chattanooga,  Chica- 
mauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge, 
Sheridan's  brilliant  campaign  in  the  Valley  of 
the  Shenandoah;  Thomas'  decisive  victory  at 
Nashville;  Sherman's  march,  through  the  Con- 
federacy, to  the  sea;  the  capture  of  Fort  McAl- 
lister; the  sinking  of  the  Alabama;  the  taking  of 
Mobile,  by  Farragut;  the  occupation  of  Colum- 
bus, Charleston,  Savannah;  the  evacuation  of 
Petersburg  and  Richmond;  the  surrender  of  Lee 
to  Grant;  the  taking  of  Jefferson  Davis  a  pris- 
oner; the  triumph  everywhere  of  the  National 
Arms;  such  were  the  events  which  followed 
(though  with  delays  and  bloodshed)  the  '  Proc- 
lamation of  Emancipation. 

THE  AMENDMENT  TO  THE   CONSTITUTION. 

"  Meanwhile  Lincoln  had  been  triumphantly 
re-elected.  Congress  had,  as  before  stated,  abol- 
ished slavery  at  the  Capital,  prohibited  it  in  all 
the  Territories,  declared  all  negro  soldiers  in 
the  Union  armies,  and  their  families  free,  and 
had  repealed  all  laws  which  sanctioned  or  recog- 
nized slavery,  and  the  President  had  crowned 
and  consummated  all,  by  the  Proclamation  of 
Emancipation.  One  thing  alone  remained  to 
perfect,  confirm,  and  make  everlastingly  perma- 
nent these  measures,  and  this  was  to  embody  in 
the  Constitution  itself,  the  prohibition  of  slavery 
everywhere  within  the  Republic. 

"  To  change  the  organic  law,  required  the 
adoption  by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  a  joint  resolu- 
tion, by  Congress,  and  that  this  should  be  sub- 


498 


HISTORY  OK  SANGAMON  COlNTY. 


mitted   to,   and   ratified   by   two-thirds    of    the 
States. 

"The  President,  in  his  annual  message  and  in 
personal  interviews  with  members  of  Congress, 
urged  the  passage  of  such  resolution.  To  test  the 
stiength  of  the  measure,  in  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, I  had  the  honor,  in  February,  1864, 
to  introduce  the  following  resolution: 

" '  Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  should  be 
80  amended  as  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  United 
States  wherever  it  now  exists,  and  to  prohibit 
its  existence  in  every  part  thereof  forever.' 
(Cong.  Globe,  vol  50,  p.  659).  This  was  adopted 
by  a  decided  vote,  and  was  the  first  resolution 
ever  passed  by  Congress  in  favor  of  the  entire 
abolition  of  slavery.  But  although  it  received  a 
majority,  it  did  not  receive  a  majority  of  two- 
thirds. 

"The  debates  on  the  Constitutional  Amend- 
ment (perha])S  the  greatest  in  our  Congressional 
history,  certainly  the  most  important  since  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution)  ran  through  two 
.sessions  of  Congress.  iCharles  Sumner,  the 
learned  Senator  from  IVIassachusetts,  brought  to 
the  difcussion  in  the  Senate,  his  ample  stores  of 
historical  il'ustration,  quoting  largely  in  its  favor 
frem  the  historians,  poets  and  statesmen  of  the 
past. 

"The  resolution  was  adopted  in  the  Senate  by 
the  large  vote  of  ayes,  38;  noes,  6. 

"In  the  lower  House,  at  the  first  session,  it 
failed  to  obtain  a  two-thirds  vote,  and,  on  a  mo- 
tion to  reconsider,  went  over  to  the  next  session. 

"Mr.  Lincoln  again  earnestly  urged  its  adop- 
tion, and,  in  a  letter  to  Illinois  friends,  he  said, 
'  The  signs  look  better.  *  *  *  Peace 
does  not  look  so  distant  as  it  did.  I  hope  it  will 
come  soon,  and  come  to  stay,  and  so  come  as  to 
be  worth  keeping  in  all  future  time.' 

"I  recall,  very  vividly,  my  New  Year's  call 
upon  the  President,  January,  1864.     I  said: 

•"I  hope,  Mr.  President,  one  year  from  to-day 
I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  congratulating  you 
on  the  occurrence  of  three  events  which  now 
seem  probable.' 

"'What  are  they?'  inquired  he. 

"'1.  That  the  rebellion  may  be  entirely 
crushed. 

"'2.  That  the  Constitutional  amendment, 
abolishing  and  prohibiting  slavery,  may  have 
been  adopted. 

"'3.  And  that  Abraham  Lincoln  may  have 
been  re-elected  President.' 

"'I  think,'  replied  he,  with  a  smile,  'I  would 
be  glad  to  accejit  the  first  two  as  a  compromise.' 

"General  Grant,  in   a  letter,  remarkable  for 


that  clear  good  sense  and  practical  judgment 
for  which  he  is  distinguished,  condensed  into  a 
single  sentence  the  political  argument  in  favor 
of  the  Constitutional  Amendment,  'The  North 
and  South,'  said  he,  'can  never  live  at  peace  with 
each  other  except  as  one  Nation  and  that  without 
slavery.' 

gaefield's  speech. 

"I  would  be  glad  to  quote  from  this  great  de- 
bate, but  must  confine  myself  to  a  brief  extract 
from  a  speech  of  the  present  President,  then  a 
member  of  the  House.  He  began  by  saying, 
'Mr.  Speaker,  we  shall  never  know  why  slavery 
dies  so  hard  in  this  Republic,  and  in  this  Hall, 
until  we  know  why  sin  outlives  disaster  and 
Satan  is  immortal.'  *  *  '  How  well  do 
I  remember,'  he  continued,  'the  history  of  that 
distinguished  predecessor  of  mine,  Joshua  R. 
Giddings,  lately  gone  to  his  rest,  who,  with  his 
forlorn  hope  of  faithful  men,  took  his  life  in  his 
hands  and,  in  the  name  of  justice,  protested 
against  the  great  crime,  and  who  stood  bravely 
in  his  place  until  his  white  locks,  like  the  plume 
of  Henry  of  Navarre,  marked  where  the  battle 
of  freedom  raged  fiercest.'  *  *  '  In  its 
m'ad  arrogance,  slavery  lifted  its  hand  against 
the  Union,  and  since  that  fatal  day  it  has  been  a 
fugitive  and  a  vagabond  upon  the  earth.' 

"  LTp  to  the  last  roll-call,  on  the  question  of 
the  passage  of  the  resolution,  we  were  uncertain 
and  anxious  about  the  result.  We  needed  Demo- 
cratic votes.  W^e  knew  we  should  get  some,  but 
whether  enough  to  carry  the  measure,  none  could 
surely  tell. 

"As  the  clerk  called  the  names  of  members, 
so  perfect  was  the  silence  that  the  sound  of  a 
hundred  pencils  keeping  tally  could  be  heard 
through  the  Hall. 

"Finally,  when  the  call  was  completed,  and 
the  vSpeaker  announced  that  the  resolution  was 
adopted,  the  result  was  received  by  an  uncon- 
trollable burst  of  enthusiasm.  Members  and 
spectators  (  especially  the  galleries,  which  were 
crowded  with  convalescent  soldiers)  shouted  and 
cheered,  and  before  the  Speaker  could  obtain 
quiet,  the  roar  of  artillery  on  Cajtitol  Hill  pro- 
claimed to  the  City  of  Washington,  the  passage 
of  the  resolution.  Congress  adjourned,  and  we 
hastened  to  the  White  House  to  congratulate  the 
President  on  the  event. 

"He  made  one  of  his  happiest  speeches. 
In  his  own  peculiar  words,  he  said,  'The  great 
job  is  finished.'  'I  cannot  but  congratulate,' 
said  he, 'all  present,  myself,  the  country,  and 
the  whole  world  on  this  great  moral  victorv.' 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


499 


PERSONAL    CIIARACTEEISTICS. 

"And  now,  with  an  attempt  to  sketch  very 
briefly  some  of  his  peculiar  pei'sonal  character- 
istics, I  must  cii'se. 

"This  great  Hercules  of  a  man  had  a  heart  as 
kind  and  tender  as  a  woman.  Sterner  men 
thought  it  a  weakness.  It  saddened  him  to  see 
others  suffer,  and  he  shrunk  from  inflicting  pain. 
J.,et  me  illustrate  his  kin<hu'ss  and  tenderness  by 
one  or  two  incidents.  One  summer's  day,  walk- 
ing along  the  shaded  path  leading  from  the  Ex- 
ecutive Mansion  to  the  War  Oflice,  I  saw  the 
tall,  awkward  form  of  the  President,  seated  on 
the  grass  under  a  tree.  A  wounded  soldier, 
seekuig  back  pay  and  a  pension,  had  met  the 
President,  and,  having  recognized  him,  asked 
his  counsel.  Lincoln  sat  down,  examined  the 
papers  of  the  soldier,  and  told  him  what  to  do, 
sent  him  to  the  proper  bureau  with  a  note,  which 
secured  prompt  attention. 

"After  the  terribly  destructive  battles  be- 
tween Grant  and  Lee,  in  the  Wilderness  of  Vir- 
ginia, after  days  of  dreadful  slaughter,  the  lines 
of  ambulances,  conveying  the  wounded  from 
the  steamers  on  the  Potomac  to  the  great  field 
hospitals  on  the  heights  around  Washington, 
would  be  continuous — one  unbroken  line  from 
the  wharf  to  the  hospital.  At  such  a  time,  I 
have  seen  the  President,  in  his  carriage,  driving 
slowly  along  the  line,  and  he  looked  like  one 
who  had  lost  the  dearest  members  of  his  own 
family.  On  one  such  occasion,  meeting  me,  he 
stopped  and  said:  '  I  cannot  bear  this;  this  suf- 
fering, this  loss  of  life — is  dreadful.' 

"  I  recalled  to  him  a  line  from  a  letter  he  had 
years  before  written  to  a  friend,  whose  great 
sorrow  he  had  sought  to  console.  Reminding 
him  of  the  incident,  I  asked  him:  'Do  you  re- 
member writing  to  your  suffering  friend  these 
■words : 

'  "And  this,  too,  shall  piss  away, 
Never  fear.     Victory  will  come".' 

"In  all  his  State  papers  and  speeches,  during 
these  years  of  strife  and  passion,  there  can  be 
found  no  words  of  bitterness,  no  denunciation. 
When  others  railed,  he  railed  not  again.  He 
was  always  dignified,  magnanimous,  patient, 
considerate,  manly,  and  true.  His  duty  was 
ever  performed,  'with  malice  toward  none,  with 
charity  for  all,'  and  with  'firmness  in  the  right 
as  God  gives  us  to  see  the  right.' 

NEVER  A  DEMAGOGUE. 

"Lincoln  was  never  a  demagogue.  He  re- 
spected and  loved  the  people,  but  never  flattered 
them.     No  man    ever   heard  him    allude  to  his 


humble  life  and  manual  labor,  in  a  way  to  obtain 
votes.  None  knew  better  than  he,  that  splitting 
rails  did  not  qualify  a  man  for  public  duties. 
He  realized  painfully  the  defects  of  his  educa- 
tion, and  labored  diligently  and  successfully  to 
supply  his  deficiencies. 

HI.S  CONVBESATION. 

"He  had  no  equal  as  a  talker  in  social  life. 
His  conversation  was  fascinating  and  attractive. 
He  was  full  of  wit,  humor  and  anecdote,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  original,  suggestive  and  in- 
structive. There  was  in  his  character  a  singular 
mingling  of  mirthfulnessand  melancholy.  While 
his  sense  of  the  ludicrous  was  keen,  and  his  fun 
and  mirth  were  exuberant,  and  sometimes  almost 
irrepressible;  his  conversation  sparkling  with 
jest,  story  and  anecdote  and  in  droll  description, 
he  would  pass  suddenly  to  another  mood  and 
become  sad  and  pathetic — a  melancholy  expres- 
sion of  his  homely  face  would  show  that  he  was 
'  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief. 

HIS  STORIES. 

"The  newspapers,  in  America,  have  always 
been  full  of  Lincoln's  stories  and  anecdotes, 
some  true  and  many  fabulous. 

"  He  always  had  "a  story  ready,  and,  if  not,  he 
could  improvise  one,  just  fitted  for  the  occasion. 
The  following  may,  I  think,  be  said  to  have  been 
ada))ted: 

"An  Atlantic  port,  in  one  of  the  British 
provinces,  was,  during  the  war,  a  great  resort 
and  refuge  for  block.ade-runners,  and  a  large 
contraband  trade  was  said  to  have  been  carried 
on  from  that  port  with  the  Confederates.  Late 
in  the  summer  of  18(54,  while  the  election  of 
President  was  pending,  Lincoln  being  a  candi- 
date, the  Governor-General  of  that  province, 
with  some  of  the  principal  officers,  visited 
Washington,  and  called  to  pay  their  respects  to 
the  executive.  Mr.  Lincoln  had  been  very  much 
annoyed  by  the  failure  of  these  officials  to  en- 
force, very  strictly,  the  rules  of  neutrality,  but 
he  treated  his  guests  with  great  courtesy.  After 
a  pleasant  interview,  the  Governor,  alluding 
to  the  approaching  presidential  election,  said, 
jokingly,  but  with  a  grain'  of  sarcasm,  'I  under- 
stand, Mr.  President,  everybody  votes  in  this 
country.  If  we  remain  until  November  can  we 
vote?' 

"  'You  remind  me,'  replied  the  President,  'of 
a  countryman  of  yours,  a  green  emigrant  from 
Ireland.  Pat  arrived  in  New  York  on  election 
day,  and  was,  perhaps,  as  eager  as  Your  Excel- 
lency to  vote,  and  to  vote  early  and  late  and 
often.    So,  upon  his  landing  at  Castle  Garden,  he 


500 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


hastened  to  the  nearest  voting  place,  and,  as  he 
approached,  the  judge,  who  received  the  baHots, 
inquired,  'who  do  you  want  to  vote  for?  on 
which  side  are  youV  Poor  Pat  was  embar- 
rassed, he  did  not  know  who  were  the  candi- 
dates. He  stopped,  scratched  his  head,  then, 
with  the  readiness  of  his  countrymen,  he  said: 

"'I  am  foment  the  government,  anyhow. 
Tell  me,  if  your  Honor  plases,  which  is  the 
rebellion  side,  and  I'll  tell  you  how  I  want  to 
vote.  In  old  Ireland  I  was  always  on  the  rebel- 
lion side,  and,  by  Saint  Patrick,  I'll  stick  to 
that  same  in  America.' 

'•  'Your  Excellency,'  said  Mr.  Lincoln, '  would, 
I  should  think,  not  be  at  all  at  a  loss  on  which 
side  to  vote!' 

THE  BOOKS    HE    READ. 

"  The  two  books  he  read  most  were  the  Bible 
and  Shakspeare.  With  them  he  was  familiar, 
reading  and  quoting  from  them  constantly. 
Next  to  Shakspeare,  among  the  poets  was 
Burns,  with  whom  he  had  a  hearty  sympathy, 
and  upon  whose  poetry  he  wrote  a  lecture.  He 
was  extremely  fond  of  ballads,  and  of  simple, 
sad  and  plaintive  music. 

"  I  called  one  day  at  thft  White  House,  to  in- 
troduce two  officers  of  the  Union  army,  both 
Swedes.  Immediately  he  began  and  repeated 
from  memory,  to  the  delight  of  his  visitors,  a 
long  ballad,  descriptive  of  Norwegian  scenery, 
a  Norse  legend,  and  the  adventures  of  an  old 
Viking  among  the  fiords  of  the  North. 

"  He  said  he  read  the  poem  in  a  newspaper, 
and  the  visit  of  these  Swedes  recalled  it  to  his 
memory. 

"  On  the  last  Sunday  of  his  life,  as  he  was  sail- 
ing up  the  Potomac,  returning  to  Washington 
from  his  visit  to  Richmond,  he  read  aloud  many 
extracts  from  Macbeth,  and,  among  others,  the 
following,  and  with  a  tone  aud  accent  so  impres- 
sive that,  after  his  death,  it  was  vividly  recalled 
by  those  who  heard  him : 

"  '  DuucaQ  is  in  his  grave; 
After  life's  fitful  fever,  he  steeps  well ; 
Treason  has  done  his  worst;  nor  steol,  nor  poison, 
Malice  domestic,  foreign  levy,  nothing, 
Can  touch  him  further! ' 

"  After  his  assassination,  those  friends  could 
not  fail  to  recall  this  passage  from  the  same  play: 

"  '  This  Duncan 
Hath  borue  his  faculties  so  meek,  hath  been 
So  clear  in  his  sreat  office,  that  his  virtues 
Will  plead  like  anfrels,  trumpet- tongued  against 
The  deep  damnation  of  his  taking  ofl'.' 

HIS    RELIGION. 

'"  It  is  Strange  that  any  reader  of  Lincoln's 
speeches  and  writings  should  have  had  the  hardi- 


hood to  charge  him  with  infidelity, but  the  charge, 
having  been  repeatedly  made,  I  reply,  in  the 
light  of  facts  accessible  to  all,  that  no  more 
reverent  Christian  (not  excepting  Washington) 
ever  tilled  the  chair  of  President.  Declarations 
of  his  trust  in  God,  his  faith  in  the  efficacy  of 
prayer,  pervade  his  speeches  and  writings.  From 
the  time  he  left  Springfield,  to  his  death,  he  not 
only  himself  continuedly  prayed  for  Divine 
assistance,  but  never  failed  to  ask  the  prayers  of 
others  for  himself  and  his  country. 

"His  reply  to  the  negroes  of  Baltimore,  who 
in  1864,  presented  him  with  a  beautiful  Bible,  as 
an  expression  of  their  love  and  gratitude,  ought 
to  have  silenced  all  who  have  made  such  charges. 
After  thanking  them,  he  said:  'This  great  book 
is  the  best  gift  God  has  giren  to  man.  All  the 
good  from  the  Savior  of  the  world  is  communi- 
cated through  this  book.' 

"  When  a  member  of  Congress,  knowing  his 
religious  character,  asked  him  '  why  he  did  not 
join  some  church?'  Mr.  Lincoln  replied:  'Be- 
cause I  found  difiiculty,  without  mental  reserva- 
tion, in  giving  my  assent  to  tlieir  long  and  com- 
plicated confessions  of  faith.  When  any  church 
will  inscribe  over  its  altar  the  Savior's  condensed 
statement  of  law  and  gospel,  '  Thou  shalt  love 
the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  with  all 
thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind,  and  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself,'  that  church  will  I  join  with  all 
my  heart.' 

V\'HAT  HE  ACCOMPLISHED. 

"  Let  us  try  to  sum  up  in  part  what  he  accom- 
plished. 

"  When  he  assumed  the  duties  of  the  execu- 
tive, he  found  an  empty  treasury,  the  National 
credit  was  gone,  the  little  nucleus  of  an  army 
and  navy  scattered  and  disarmed,  the  officers, 
who  had  not  deserted  to  the  rebels,  strangers; 
the  party  which  elected  him  in  a  minority  (he 
having  been  elected  only  because  his  opponents 
were  divided  between  Douglas,  Breckenridge 
and  Everett),  the  old  Democratic  party,  which 
had  ruled  most  of  the  time  for  half  a  century, 
hostile,  and  even  that  part  of  it  in  the  North, 
from  long  association,  in  sympathy  with  the  in- 
surgents; his  own  party  made  up  of  discordant 
elements,  and  neither  he  nor  his  party  had  ac- 
quired prestge  and  the  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple. It  is  the  exact  truth  to  say  that  when  he 
entered  the  White  House  he  was  the  object  of 
personal  prejudice  to  a  majority  of  the  Ameri- 
can people,  and  of  contempt  to  a  powerful 
minority.  He  entered  upon  his  task  of  restor- 
ing the  integrity  of  a  broken  Union,  without 
sympathy   from   any    of    the   great   powers   of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


501 


Western  Europe.  Those  which  were  not  hostile 
manifested  a  cold  neutrality,  exhibiting  toward 
hira  and  his  government  no  cordial  good-will, 
nor  extending  an)-  moi-al  aid.  Yet,  in  spite  of 
all,  he  crushed  the  most  stupendous  rebellion, 
supported  by  armies  more  vast,  by  resources 
greater,  and  an  organization  more  perfect,  than 
ever  before  undertook  the  dismemberment  of  a 
Nation.  He  united  and  held  together,  against 
contending  factions,  his  own  party,  and  strength- 
ened it  by  securing  the  confidence  and  winning 
the  support  of  the  best  part  of  all  parties.  He 
composed  the  quarrels  of  rival  generals;  and  at 
length  won  the  respect  and  confidence  and 
sympathy  of  all  Nati  ns  and  peoples.  He  was 
re-elected  almost  liy  acclamation,  and  after  a 
series  of  brilliant  victories,  he  annihilated  all 
armed  opposition.  n>i  led  the  people,  step  by 
step,  to  emancipation,  and  saw  his  woik  crowned 
by  an  amendment  of  the  Cmstitution,  eradicat- 
ing and  prohibiting  slavery  forever  throughout 
the  Republic. 

"  Such  is  a  brief  and  imperfect  summary  of  his 
achievements  during  the  last  five  years  of  his 
life.  And  this  good  man,  when  the  hour  of 
victory  ciiiie,  made  it  not  the  hour  of  vengeance, 
but  of  forgiveness  and  reconciliation. 

"  Tiiese  five  years  of  incessant  labor  and  fear- 
ful responsibility  told  even  upon  liis  strength 
and  vigor.  He  left  Illinois  for  the  Capital  with 
a  frame  of  iron  and  nerves  of  steel.  His  old 
friends  who  had  known  him  as  a  man  who  did 
not  know  what  illness  was;  who  had  seen  him  on 
the  prairies  before  the  Illinois  Courts,  full  of 
life,  genial,  and  sparkling  with  fun;  now  saw  the 
wrinkles  on  his  forehead  deepened  into  furrows 
— the  laugh  of  the  old  days  lost  its  heartiness; 
anxiety,  responsibility,  care,  and  hard  work  wore 
upon  him,  and  his  nerves  of  steel,  at  times,  be- 
came irritable.  He  had  had  no  respite,  had 
t;iken  no  holidays.  When  others  fled  away  from 
the  dust  and  heat  of  the  Capital,  he  stayed.  He 
would  not  leave  the  helm  until  all  danger  was 
past,  and  the  good  ship  of  state  had  made  her 
port. 

''  I  will  not  dwell  upon  the  unutterable  sorrow 
of  the  American  people,  at  his  shockiug  death. 
But  I  desire  to  express  here,  in  this  great  City  of 
this  grand  Empire,  the  sensibility  with  which 
the  people  of  the  United  States  received,  at  his 
death,  the  sympathy  of  the  English-speaking 
race . 

"That  sympathy  was  most  eloquently  ex- 
pressed by  all.  It  came  from  Windsor  Castle  to 
the  White  House;  from  England's  Widowed 
Queen  to  the  stricken  and  distracted  widow  at 

58— 


Washington.  From  Parlianient  to  Congress, 
from  the  people  of  all  this  magnificent  Empire, 
as  it  stretches  round  the  world,  from  England  to 
India,  from  Canada  to  Australia,  came  words  of 
deep  feeling,  and  they  were  received  by  the 
American  people,  in  their  sore  bereavement,  as 
the  expression  of  a  kindred  race. 

"I  cannot  forbear  referring  in  particular  to 
the  words  spoken  in  Parliament  on  that  occasien, 
by  Lords  Russell  and  Derby,  and  especially,  by 
that  great  and  picturesque  leader,  so  lately 
passed  away,  Lord  Beaconstield.  After  a  dis- 
criminating eulogy  upon  the  late  President,  and 
the  expression   of  profound  sympathy,  he  said: 

"  '  Nor  is  it  possible  for  the  people  of  Eng- 
land, at  such  a  moment,  to  forget  that  he  sprang 
from  the  same  fatherland  and  spake  the  same 
mother  tongue.' 

"God  grant  that,  in  all  the  unknown  future, 
nothing  may  ever  disturb  the  friendly  feeling 
and  respect  which  each  Nation  entertains  for  the 
other.  May  there  never  be  another  quarrel  in 
the  family." 

STEPHEN    A.    DOUGLAS. 

Stephen  Arnold  Douglas  was  born  April  23, 
1813,  at  Brandon,  Vermont,  "a  good  State  to 
emigrate  from,"  as  he  said.  His  father,  who 
died  when  Stephen  was  an  infant  of  three  months, 
was  a  physician  of  considerable  emimence,  and 
a  native  of  New  York.  His  grandfather  was  a 
Pennsylvanian  and  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution, 
being  with  Washington  at  Valley  Forge  and  at 
Yorktown.  His  great  grandfather  was  also  na- 
tive born,  but  the  remote  ancestry  was  from  Scot- 
land, and  it  has  been  said,  traceab'e  to  the  blood 
of  the  Douglas'.  In  youth,  Stephen  received 
the  ordinary  school  education  of  his  native 
State,  and  was  an  apt  and  diligent  pupil.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen,  unable  to  gratify  an  ardent 
desire  to  prepare  for  college,  owing  to  his  moth- 
er's straightened  circumstances,  he  apprenticed 
himself  to  the  cabinet  trade.  In  eighteen  months 
afterwards,  finding  it  too  hard  for  his  constitu- 
tion, he  abandoned  it  and  entered  the  academy 
at  Brandon.  The  folloM'ing  year,  his  mother 
having  married  a  Mr.  Granger,  whose  son  had 
])reviously  married  his  eldest  sister,  the  family 
removed  to  Canadagua,  New  York.  Here  Stephen 
resumed  his  academical  course,  and  also  com- 
menced to  read  law.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he 
started  West  to  seek  an  eligible  location.  At 
Cleveland  he  was  long  detained  by  sickness. 
Recovering,  he  went  to  C'incinnati,  and  thence 
bv  river  to  St.  Louis,  finding  his  way,  late  in  the 
fall  of  1833,  to  the  village  of  Winchester,  Scott 


50:i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


county,  Illinois,  whither  he  walked  from  Jack- 
sonville, in  quest  of  a  school  to  teach,  his  ex- 
chequer being  reduced  to  thirty-seven  and  a  half 
'cents.  His  first  work  was  clerking  at  a  vendue, 
which  yielded  him  six  dollars,  but  he  obtained, 
shortly  after,  a  school  of  forty  pupils  at  three 
dollars  a  quarter.  He  kept  up  his  law  studies 
meanwhile,  and  the  following  March  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court  sitting  at 
Vandalia.  He  now  partook  himself  to  the 
practice  of  the  law,  and  speedily  won  distinc- 
tion in  his  profession.  Within  a  year  of  his 
admission  to  the  bar  lie  was  twenty-two  years 
old,  he  was  chosen  by  the  legislature,  Attorney- 
General  of  the  State.  In  lSa6  he  was  elected  to 
the  legislature  from  Morgan  county,  being  the 
youngest  member  in  that  body.  At  this  session 
the  Internal  Improvement  folly  of  the  State  was 
entered  upon.  In  183V  he  was  appointed  by 
Van  Buren,  Register  of  the  Land  Office  at  Spring- 
field. The  same  year  he  was  nominated  for 
Congress,  and  at  the  election  of  August,  1838, 
came  within  five  votes  of  an  election  out  of 
thirty-six  thousand  cast,  his  opponent  being  the 
Hon.  John  T.  Stuart,  Whig.  He  now  devoted 
himself  assiduously  to  his  new  profession,  and 
proved  himself  an  able  lawyer  and  successful 
advocate.  His  tact  and  skill  in  the  examination 
of  witnesses  was  unrivalled.  In  1S40  he  entered 
with  great  ardor  into  the  exciting  Presidential 
campaign,  canvassing  the  State  thoroughly  by  ad- 
dressing two  hundred  and  seven  meetings  in  fa- 
vor of  Van  Buren.  Upon  the  meeting  of  the 
legislature  in  December  of  that  year  he  w'as  ap- 
pointed Secretary  of  State  by  Governor  Carlin, 
who  was  unable  to  withstand  the  pressure  in  his 
favor.  During  the  session,  from  partisan  mo- 
tives, the  Supreme  Court  was  re-organized,  in 
which  Douglas  took  an  active  part  through  lobby 
addresses,  etc.,  and  was  also  elected  to  a  seat 
upon  the  bench,  rendering  the  court  Democratic. 
The  Supreme  Judges  had  to  perform  circuit  duty, 
Douglas  being  assigned  to  the  Quincy  District. 
In  the  fourth  volume  of  the  "Law  Reporter," 
Boston,  1842,  may  be  found  a  letter  from  a  law- 
yer, who  had  emigrated  to  Illinois,  giving  the 
following  description  of  him  on  the  bench: 
'•The  Judge  of  our  circuit  is  S.  A.  Douglas,  a 
youth  of  twenty-eight,  who  was  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  Congress  in  1838,  in  opposition  to 
J.  T.  Stuart,  the  late  member.  He  is  a  Ver- 
nionter,  a  man  of  considerable  talent,  and  in 
the  way  of  dispatching  business,  is  a  perfect 
'  steam  engine  in  breeches.'  This  dispatch  is 
the  only  benefit  our  circuit  will  derive  from  tiie 
change.     He   is  the  most  democratic   Judge   I 


ever  knew.  While  a  case  is  going  on  he  leaves 
the  bench  and  goes  among  the  people  and  mem- 
bers of  the  bar,  takes  a  cigar  and  has  a  social 
smoke  with  them,  or  often  setting  in  their  laps, 
being  in  person  five  feet  nothing,  or  thereabouts, 
and  probably  weighing  about  one  hundred 
pounds.  I  have  often  thought  we  should  cut  a 
queer  figure  if  one  of  our  Suffolk  bar  should  ac- 
cidentally drop  in." 

But  Douglas'  manners  upon  the  bench  were 
unexceptional.  He  was  studious,  clear,  compre- 
hensive and  expeditious,  and  it  may  be  said  that 
a  more  popular  judge  never  wore  the  ermine  in 
this  State,  notwithstanding  his  youth  and  slight 
figure. 

In  1834,  he  was  first  elected  to  Congress  by  a 
majority  of  about  four  hundred.  He  was  twice 
re-elected,  his  majority  being  increased  each 
time — the  last  time  to  three  thousand.  In  the 
lower  house  he  is  said  to  have  been  cautious 
and  sparing  of  debate,  studious  and  closely  ob- 
servant, and  when  he  did  arise  for  a  speech,  it 
wag  apt,  forcible  and  to  the  purpose.  Hih  early 
education  was  not  so  thorough  and  scholaristic 
as  it  might  have  been,  as  he  well  knew,  but  this 
fact  could  never  have  been  gathered  from  his 
speeches.  Ashamed  to  be  either  uninformed  or 
misinformed,  he  was  a  studious  toiler  throughout 
his  busy  and  boisterous  political  life,  amidst  all 
its  engrossing  cares  and  unceasing  occupation, 
and  a  wide  and  varied  reader  of  history  and  its 
kindred  of  politics  and  law.  Contact  with  pub- 
lic affairs  gave  scope  to  his  understanding  and 
depth  to  his  judgment,  and  his  knowledge  be- 
came vast,  complete  and  accurate.  One  of  his 
first  masterly  efforts  in  Congress  to  attract  Na- 
tional attention  was  his  speech  on  the  bill  to  re- 
fund to  General  .Jackson,  the  fine  imposed  upon 
him  for  placing  New  Orleans  under  martial  law 
at  the  time  of  the  battle  in  its  defence  on  the  8th 
of  January,  1812.  The  venerable  hero  of  that 
glorious  event  subsequently  thanked  Douglas  for 
this  able  vindication,  saying,  "  I  know  when  I 
proclaimed  and  enforced  martial  law  that  I  was 
doing  right;  but  never  until  I  read  your  speech, 
could  I  express  the  reasons  which  actuated  my 
conduct."  In  1847,  Douglas  entered  the  Senate, 
which  was  the  arena  of  his  hurculean  labors. 
His  name,  young  as  he  was,  became  speedily  as- 
sociated with  the  greai  National  issues  which 
affected  the  destiny  of  this  people.  He  moulded 
and  gave  them  direction  in  public  affairs.  Be- 
tween the  aggressions  of  the  South  and  the  resis- 
tance of  the  North  over  the  angry  subject  of  sla- 
very in  our  Territories,  it  has  been  said  that  there 
is  no  escape  from  the  conclusion  that  the  genius 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


503 


of  Douglas  offered  the  only  peaceable  solution 
of  a  common  National  ground  upon  which  all 
could  meet  in  the  theory  of  Territorial  sover- 
eignity. To  it,  through  his  labors,  the  Demo- 
cratic party  was  committed  in  1850,  gained  a 
triumph  at  the  polls  and  there,  was  basely  betray- 
ed by  Buchanan  and  the  South.  But  Douglas 
was  true  and  faithful  to  the  last  and  defended  it 
whenever  and  wherever  assailed.  And  while  he 
was  personally  pursued  by  bitter,  implacable, 
open  political  opponents,  his  dai-ling  idea  which 
was  empire  or  ruin  with  him,  was  more  grossly 
betrayed  by  perfidious  friends  who  rode  into 
power  upon  it. 

The  most  striking  peculiarity  in  the  physiijue 
of  Mr.  Douglas  was  his  stature,  which  was  great- 
ly below  the  medium  height — not  above  five  feet. 
His  trunk  was  ample,  compact  and  erect,  with 
full  chest  and  square,  well  defined,  though  not 
broad  shoulders;  but  his  extremities  were  dis- 
proportionately short.  In  the  latter  years  of  his 
life  he  grew  stout,  though  not  obese.  His  figure 
would  have  been  fatal  to  the  divinity  of  the  Ap- 
pollo  Belvidere.  While  his  diminutive  stature 
would  arrest  attention,  his  facile  and  natural 
dignity  of  manner,  not  to  say  grace,  with  an  air, 
as  if  borne  to  command,  would  cause  idle 
curi<5sity  in  the  contemplation  of  his  person  to 
])ass  into  speedy  forgetfulness  by  the  respect  and 
atteution  which  he  inspired.  His  splendid  head, 
covered  with  a  heavy  suit  of  ilark  hair,  nicely 
poised  upon  his  shoulders,  and  connected  by  a 
short  neck,  was  massive  in  its  brain  development, 
conveying,  under  animation,  the  impression  of 
almost  infinite  power.  The  ample  forehead  was 
squarely  bui  t  up  over  the  wide  arches  of  his 
heavy  brows,  under  which  rolled  a  pair  of  large, 
restless,  deep-set,  dark  blue  eyes,  capable  of 
shooting  out  glances  of  electric  fire,  when  under 
the  impulse  of  the  powerful  brain  battery  back 
of  them.  His  nose  was  broad  and  short;  flaring 
nostrils,  denoting  coolness  and  courage.  At  its 
junction  with  the  projecting  forehead  it  left  a 
peculiar  transverse  crease.  His  mouth  was 
ample,  cleanly  cut,  with  lips  finely  arched,  and 
whole  evincing  decision,  and  by  the  depressions 
at  the  angles,  conveying  a  mingled  idea  of  sad- 
ness nnd  disdain.  His  chin,  backed  by  a  firm 
jaw,  squared  well  to  the  general  outline  of  his 
face,  indicating  ardor,  strength  and  vigor.  He 
wore  no  beard,  but  presented  smoothly  shaven 
cheeks  and  handsome  throat,  with  slight  double 
chin.  The  general  contour  of  his  face  was  regu- 
lar, and  its  muscles  wonderfully  mobil*-,  giving 
a  pleasing  and  winning  countenance.  His  com- 
plexion, though  somewhat  dark,  with  his  usually 


good  health,  was  clear;  the  exuberance  of  his 
animal  sjjirits  was  extraordinary.  He  was  of 
the  vital  temperament.  Such  is  a  brief  physical 
description  of  the  "Little  Giant." 

This  soubriquet  originated  very  early  in  his 
public  life.  In  1833,  President  Jackson  added 
to  his  refusal  to  re-charter  the  United  States 
Bank,  the  removal  of  the  deposits.  Great  was 
the  consternation  of  the  people,  and  a  general 
panic  prevailed.  Party  feeling  ran  extremely 
high,  the  President's  supporters  were  unsettled 
in  their  views,  and  thousands  differed  with  him 
on  these  measures.  Douglas  had  just  located  at 
Jacksonville  and  opened  a  law  office  in  a  room 
in  the  court  house.  The  Whigs  of  Morgan 
county,  from  their  number  and  standing,  were 
arrogant  and  audacious  in  their  denunciation  of 
the  Administration.  Douglas  mingled  freely 
with  the  people,  who  usually  crowded  the  county 
seat  on  Saturdays,  and  among  them  was  out- 
spoken in  his  approbation  of  the  acts  of  the  Ad- 
ministration. He,  and  the  editor  of  the  Demo- 
cratic paper  at  Jacksonville,  deeming  it  advisa- 
ble to  rally  the  undecided,  effect  an  organization 
of  the  Administration  party,  and  define  its  posi- 
tion, in  opposition  to  the  views  of  many  friends, 
called  a  mass  meeting,  and  prepared  a  set  of 
resolutions  endorsing  the  bank  policy  of  the 
Administration.  On  the  day  of  the  meeting  the 
court  house  was  thronged  with  peo])le  of  both 
parties.  Douglas  being  comparatively  a  stranger, 
declined  to  offer  resolutions,  but  as  it  soon  be- 
came apparent  unless  he  did,  it  woidd  not  be 
done,  he  boldly  advanced  and  read  them,  follow- 
ing with  a  few  brief  explanatory  remarks.  Im- 
mediately upon  his  conclusion,  Josiah  Lamborn, 
a  Whig  of  great  influence  and  oratorical  powers, 
attacked  the  resolutions  and  their  reader  in  a 
severe  and  caustic  manner.  The  blood  of  Doug- 
las was  up;  this  was  his  first  political  effort,  but 
he  met  his  antagonist  with  such  arguments,  so 
vehement  and  effective,  that  the  excitement  of 
his  friends  reached  the  highest  point  of  endur- 
ance; they  cheered,  seized  and  bore  him  aloft 
through  the  crowd  and  around  the  public  square, 
in  gratitude  and  admiration,  applying  to  him 
such  complimentary  titles  as  "high  combed 
cock,"  "little  giant,"  etc.,  which  last,  by  its  pe- 
culiar appropriateness,  adhered  to  him  to  the 
last.  His  effort  that  day,  in  a  measure,  changed 
the  political  destiny  of  Morgan  county.  It  was 
long  remembered,  and  the  old  veterans  of  Mor- 
gan always  held  that  Douglas  never  equalled 
this  speech  of  March,  1834. 

As  an  orator,  Douglas  possessed  the  peculiar 
magnetism  of  imparting  to  his  auditory  the  hue 


504 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  his  sentiments  and  views,  swaying  their  will, 
or  directing  their  sensibility,  at  pleasure.  He 
aflfected  no  Senatorial  airs,  betrayed  no  aristo- 
cratic spirit,  but  naturally  and  easily  identified 
himself  with  the  democracy.  He  had  been  the 
genial  companion  of  many  an  early  pioneer,  and 
his  intimate  knowledge  of  the  people  and  sym- 
pathy with  them  enabled  him  on  the  stump  to 
convey  to  their  common  understanding,  in  their 
own  accustomed  vehicles  of  thought,  his  reas- 
onings upon  the  political  questions  of  the  day, 
often  enforcing  and  clenching  an  argument  to 
those  who  remembered  the  frontier  times,  by  a 
peculiar  border  Mgure,  carrying  conviction  to 
their  minds,  as  evinced  by  a  spontaneous  out- 
burst of  applause  at  frequent  intervals.  But 
his  most  inseparable  attributes  were  rapidity 
and  boldness  of  thought,  and  his  dexterity  in 
debate,  of  which  he  became  a  consummate  mas- 
ter, cropped  out  early  in  life,  giving  promise  of 
unequaled  power  in  liis  first  efforts  on  the  stump. 
He  had  the  faculty  of  summoning  all  his  mental 
resources  with  a  promptitude  which  served  ad- 
mirably the  occasion,  even  if  required  instantly, 
in  reply  to  a  powerful  antagonist  in  the  Senate. 
Therefore,  while  his  forte  lay,  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent, in  his  matchless  power  upon  the  hustings, 
he  swayed  a  no  less  power  in  the  caucus  or  the  au- 
gust Senate. 

His  manner  of  treating  a  subject  was  bold  and 
independent,  always  striking  the  hard  and  strong 
points.  To  halting  friends,  he  appeared  at  times 
to  be  overbearing,  and  there  was  a  vein  of  cold 
irony  in  his  nature,  which,  with  a  defiant  tone 
in  his  remarks,  a  haughty  manner,  and  a  curling 
lip,  sunk  deep  into  the  heart  of  an  enemy.  En- 
ergy and  activity,  courage  and  fortitude,  were 
of  the  essence  of  his  nature.  The  assaults  that 
would  excruciate  some  men  only  excited  a  smile 
of  derision  on  his  intrepid  face.  Elastic  in  both 
body  and  mind,  he  was  capable  of  performing 
an  incredible  amount  of  political  labor  in  the 
open  field.  Thus,  with  sagacity  as  if  inspired 
by  genius,  a  mind  matured  by  careful  study,  a 
judgment  clear  and  decisive,  a  courage  which 
shrank  from  no  danger,  amounting  at  times  to 
apparent  audacity,  yet  always  tempered  with 
discretion;  a  will  to  yield  to  no  ditiiculty,  and 
unappalled  by  any  obstacle;  appreciation  of  the 
people,  and  the  faculty  to  lead  them,  Douglas 
was  a  statesman  of  the  very  first  order. 

To  further  illustrate  Douglas'  power  among 
the  ))eople  we  give  the  following  graphic  sketch, 
by  the  editor  of  the  Newburyport  (Mass.)  Herald, 
who  was  a  fellow  passenger  in  the  cars  with  Mr. 
Douglas,  through  Illinois,  on  occasion  of  opening 


the   Ohio  and  Mississippi  Railroad,  and   after- 
ward: "That  man    with   a   big,  round    head,  a 
brow  almost  as  broad  as  Webster's,  and  a  quick, 
active  eye  that  rolls  under  the  heavy,  projecting 
brow,  watching  every  other  man,  and  not  allow- 
ing a  motion  to  escape  him;  with  arms  too  short 
for  his  body,  which  is  full  and  round,  as  though 
it  never  lacked  the  juices  that  supply  life,  and 
with  small,  duck  legs,  which,  had  they  grown  as 
thick  as  his  back-bone  (and  they  woidd,  probably, 
if  Providence  had  not  foreseen  that  he  would 
want  back-bone  more  than  legs  in  his  battle  of 
life),  would  have  made  him  of  respectable  stat- 
ure— that  little  man  is  no  less  than  the  great 
politician  of  the  West,  who  has  attracted  more 
attention  in  the  last  four  years  than  any  other 
man  of  the  Nation,  and  done  more  to  give  direc- 
tion to  public  affairs  than  even  the  President, 
with  a  million  and  a  half  of  voters  at  his  back, 
and    the    army,   navy,   and   treasury   of    North 
America   at    his   command.      It   is   the   '  Little 
Giant,'  Stephen    A.    Douglas,    with   whom    we 
parted  company   at   Vincennes,   and    who    has 
slowly  come  along,  feeling  the  public  pulse  to 
learn  the  political  health  of  the  '  Suckers,'  up 
to    Springfield,   the  capital  of  the  State.      The 
means  of  success  in  Senator  Douglas  are  very 
apparent.     First,  he  is  really  and  intellectually 
a  great   man.     Eastern   people,  who  view  him 
only  as  a  low  politician,  should  disabuse  their 
minds  in  relation  to  one  who  is  to  exercise  a 
wide  influence  in  the  affairs  of  the  country,  and, 
very  probably,  for  he  is  yet  young,  to  be  the  head 
of  the  Republic.     He  is  massive  in  his  concep- 
tions, broad  and  comprehensive  in  his  views,  and 
in  a  good  measure  is  endowed  with   all   those 
powers  of  mind  that  make  a  statesman. 

"But  he  is  greater  still  in  energy  of  character. 
There  are  those  that  think  that  a  defeat  of  him 
next  year  would  be  his  death  in  politics;  but  the 
man  who  sprung  from  a  cabinet-maker's  shop  in 
Vermont,  and  without  father  or  friend  worked 
his  way  to  an  honorable  place  upon  the  bench  of 
judges,  who  entered  Illinois  with  less  than  fifty 
cents  in  money,  and  not  one  cent  in  credit,  and 
has  acquired  great  wealth,  and  the  highest  sta- 
tion and  influence,  is  not  ready  to  be  whipped 
out.  But  if  he  is  great  in  mind,  and  greater  in 
energy,  he  is  greater  in  those  winning  manners 
for  which  the  world  calls  him  a  demagogue. 
Scarcely  a  man,  woman  or  child  in  the  cars  es- 
capes his  attention,  or  passed  by  unspoken  to. 
At  one  moment  he  talks  with  the  old,  stern- 
visaged  politician,  who  has  been  soured  by  a 
thousand  defeats  and  disappointments;  in  the 
next  to  that  well-formed  and  genial  Kentuckian, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


505 


who  has  just  .sought  a  free  Stale;  now  he  sitf? 
down  with  tlie  little  girl  approaching  her  teens 
and  asks  of  her  school  studies;  and  he  pats  the 
little  boy  on  the  head,  and  in  presence  of  his 
mother  and  proud  father  ( what  father  is  not 
proud  to  see  his  boy  noticed?)  says  a  word  of 
his  mild  eyes  and  glossy  locks.  Again  the  lady 
is  approached  with  a  fair  word  and  a  bland 
smile,  and  goes  home  pleased  to  tell  her  father 
how  he  looks,  and  then  half  a  dozen  are  about 
him,  all  standing  together.  He  can  talk  religion 
with  the  priest  as  well  as  politics  with  the  states- 
man; he  can  congratulate  the  newly  appointed 
Buchanan  office-holder,  who  has  surplanted  his 
friend,  tell  the  displaced  frien<l  of  the  good 
time  coming,  when  his  wing  shall  be  up;  and  at 
every  station,  more  regularly  than  the  conductor, 
Mr.  Douglas  is  upon  the  platform  with  a  good- 
bye to  the  leaving,  and  a  welcome  to  the  depart- 
ing traveler — a  shake  of  the  hand  with  one  man 
that  stands  at  the  depot,  and  a  touch  of  the  hat 
to  another.  He  knows  everybody;  can  tell  the 
question  that  effects  each  locality;  call  the  name 
of  every  farm  owner  on  the  way;  tell  all  tr.avel- 
ers  something  of  the  homes  they  left,  that  they 
never  knew  themselves,  and  suggest  what  place 
they  deserve  in  Heaven.  Now,  such  a  man  as 
that,  in  contact  with  everybody,  knowing  every- 
body, and  at  the  bottom,  wrapped  up  with  the 
idea  of  prefeiment,  power  and  dominion  among 
men  is  not  easily  to  be  put  down;  and  his  op- 
ponents might  as  well  believe  at  once,  that  when 
they  tight  him  they  tight  a  strong  man — a  little 
giant  indeed.  He  would  be  popular  in  Boston 
or  anywhere  else,  and  half  the  '  three  thousand 
clergymen'  he  denounced  would  have  their 
hearts  stolen  if  he  could  speak  to  them  a  half 
hour." 

Douglas'  speeches  contain  few  rhetorical 
flourishes.  But  they  are  models  of  exact  lan- 
guage, orderly  and  systematic  in  thought,  full 
and  comprehensive  in  grasp.  There  is  never  a 
strained  effort  at  mere  beauty  of  word  painting. 
The  architecture  of  his  sentences,  as  well  as  the 
ideas  are  solid,  massive  masonry,  with  broad 
foundation  laid  on  firm  rock,  and  the  details  and 
working  plans  so  accurate  as  to  be  perfect  in 
their  adaptation,  with  nothing  amiss  or  foreign 
and  no  .^iurplus  or  waste  material.  So  well  and 
thoroughly  are  his  sentences  woven  together 
that  it  is  difficnlt  to  extract  from  his  speeches 
any  separate  sentence  conveying,  te.xt-like,  a 
summary  of  the  whole.  While  they  are  com- 
plete they  yet  seem  parts  necessarily  connected 
with  the  whole.  His  arguments  succeed  each 
other  like  the  weighty  blows  of  an  enormous 


trip-hammer,  shaping  the  subject  in  hand  with 
irresistible  power,  llattening  the  points  opposed 
to  him,  and  possibly  the  adversary  under  its 
mighty  tilts. 

In  the  circle  of  Washington  life,  Douglas, 
with  the  honors  of  a  Senator,  appeared  with  a 
natural  grace  and  dignity  rarely  excelled.  At 
the  social  board,  or  in  dinner-table  conversation, 
Colonel  Forney,  in  his  sketches  of  public  men, 
says:  "Douglas  was  almost  unrivalled.  His 
repartee  was  a  flash,  and  his  courtesy  as  knightly 
as  if  he  h.ad  been  born  in  the  best  society." 

Stephen  A.  Douglas  died  in  Chicago,  June  3, 
1861. 

WILLIAM  H.  BISSELL. 

Though  not  a  resident  of  Sangamon  county 
until  called  to  fill  the  gubernatorial  chair,  Jan- 
uary, 1857,  he  then  made  choice  of  it  as  his 
future  home,  and  here  in  the  beautiful  cemetery 
near  Springfield,  where  lie  othermen  of  Nati.nal 
fame,  his  body  lies  buried,  while  his  spirit  rests 
in  a  fairer  world. 

William  H.  IJissell  was  born  in  Hirtwick, 
Otsego  county.  New  York,  April  ■^r>.  iyi  1.  He 
was  self-educated,  attending  school  in  the  sum- 
mer and  teaching  in  the  winter.  Upon  reach- 
ing manhood,  he  studied  medicine,  a'  d  grad- 
uated in  1834,  at  a  medical  college  in  Philadel- 
phia. Subsequently  he  removed  to  Jefferson 
county,  in  this  State,  in  1838,  but  was  prostrated 
shortly  after  his  arrival,  which  Uied  up  what 
scanty  means  he  had,  and  so  far  discouraged 
him  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  enlisting  in 
the  United  States  army,  but  was  unable,  on  ac- 
count of  debility,  to  pass  examination  Cross- 
ing over  from  Jeiierson  Barracks  to  Monroe 
county,  he  secured  a  school,  which  he  soon, 
however,  relinquished,  and  commenced  with 
success  the  practice  of  his  proiession,  at  Water- 
loo. In  1840,  he  was  brought  out  by  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  and  after  an  active  canvass,  elected 
a  repiesentative  in  the  legislature,  redeeming 
Monroe  county  from  the  control  of  the  Whigs. 
He  at  once  acquired  a  reputation  in  the  legisla- 
ture as  a  ready  and  vigorous  debator,  and  upon 
returning  home  he  was  persuaded  by  his  friends 
to  study  the  profession  of  the  law.  Upon  be- 
ing admitted  t  >  the  bar,  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  General  Shields,  and  removed  to 
Belleville.  In  1844,  he  w.is  elected  State's  At- 
torney for  that  circuit,  and  at  once  distinguished 
himself  as  an  eloquent,  successful  and  honor- 
able proscutor.  In  1846,  upon  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Mexican  War,  he  enlisted  as  a  volunteer 
and  was  elected  Captain  of  one  of  the  St.  Clair 
county  companies,  and  was  subsequently  chosen 


o06 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Colonel  of  the  Second  Illinois  regiment  without 
opposition.  His  services  in  that  war,  and  es- 
pecially in  the  hard  fought  battle  of  Buena 
Vista,  are  well  known  to  every  reader  of  Amer- 
ican history.  In  1848,  he  was  elected  a  Repre- 
sentative in  Congress  of  the  Eighth  District, 
without  opposition;  was  re-elected  in  1850,  with- 
out oppo.sition;  and  was  again  re-elected  in  1852. 
During  the  winter  of  1851,  he  was  taken  sick 
with  partial  j)aralysis,  which  continued  to  afflict 
him  till  the  day  of  his  death.  He  was  so  much 
indisposed  in  the  summer  of  1854,  when'  the 
Kansas-Nebraska  bill  was  under  discussion  in 
Congress,  that  he  was  not  able  to  take  his  seat; 
but  he  was  opposed  to  that  measure, and  declared 
tliat  if  his  vote  would  defeat  it,  he  would  insist 
on  being  carried  to  the  House  that  he  might 
cast  it.  In  1850,  without  any  solicitation  on 
his  part,  he  was  unanimously  nominated  by  the 
Republican  convention  for  Governor  of  the 
State,  and  elected  over  his  Democratic  competi- 
tor, William  A.  Richardson.  To  the  duties  of 
tliis  office  he  was  devoting  his  undivided  atten- 
tion at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Governor  liissell  was  twice  married;  first,  in 
1839,  to  a  daughter  of  John  James,  of  Monroe 
county.  Two  daughters  were  the  issue  of  this 
iinion.  He  was  married  the  second  time  to 
Elizabeth  Kane,  a  daughter  of  Elisha  Kent  Kane, 
of  Kaskaskia,  a  former  United  States  Senator. 

The  life  of  William  H.  Bissell  was  brilliant, 
honorable,  and  full  of  service.  In  every  position 
in  which  he  was  placed,  he  not  only  ably  and 
nobly  sustained  himself,  but  reflected  luster  upon 
his  adopted  State.  As  a  professional  man,  as  a 
soldier,  as  a  legislator,  as  an  executive  officer,  he 
was  faithful,  capable,  honest  and  chivalrous.  He 
was  a  politician,  but  despised  demagogism.  He 
was  a  statesman  of  enlarged  views,  and  vigor  of 
mind  which  comprehended  and  was  able  to  apply 
the  true  principles  of  government.  The  dis- 
tressing disease  which  made  him  a  cripple  dur- 
ing the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  was  the  only 
]ireventative  to  the  attainment  of  still  higher 
honors.  But  for  that  he  would  in  all  probability 
have  received  the  Republican  nomination  for  the 
Presidency  in  1856.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
elocutionary  powers,  and  there  was  a  vein  of 
scathing  and  burning  satire  which  occasionally 
run  through  his  speeches.  He  was  brave  to  a 
fault.  As  already  intimated,  in  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista  he  won  imperishable  honors.  In 
this  battle  Jeff  Davis  commanded  a  regiment  of 
Mississipjji  troops.  After  the  war,  Davis,  in  the 
United  States  Senate,  made  a  speech  in  which 
he  attempted  to  claim  for  his  regiment  the  glory 


which  truly  belonged  to  the  Illinois  troops,  and 
especially  to  Bissell's  regiment.  Bissell,  being 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  called 
the  attention  of  that  body  to  Davis'  speech,  and 
administered  to  him  a  withering  rebuke,  and 
charged  him  with  deliberate  slander.  Davis 
then  sent  him  a  challenge,  which  he  promptly 
accepted,  and  having  the  choice  of  weapons  and 
the  distance,  selected  muskets  loaded  with  buck- 
shot, at  a  distance  of  twenty  paces.  The  friends 
of  both  parties  interfered,  and  the  matter  was 
amicably  settled. 

William  H.  Bissell  died  in  Springfield,  March 
18,  1860,  and  was  buried  in  Hutchinson's  (.'eme- 
tery.  Subseipiently  his  body  was  removed  and 
interred  in  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  and  a  beautif id 
monument  erected  over  the  grave,  which  attracts 
the  attention  of  every  visitor. 

GOVBENOR    MATTESON. 

Joel  A.  Matteson  was  born  August  8,  1808,  in 
Jefferson  county.  New  York,  whither  his  father 
had  removed  from  Vermont,  three  years  liefore. 
His  father  was  a  farmer  in  fair  circumstances, 
but  a  common  English  education  was  all  that 
his  only  son  received.  Joel  first  tempted  for- 
tune as  a  small  tradesman  in  Prescott,  Canada, 
before  his  majority.  He  returned  thence  home, 
entered  an  academy,  taught  school,  visited  the 
large  Eastern  cities,  improved  a  farm  his  father 
had  given  him,  made  later  a  tour  south,  worked 
there  in  building  railroads,  experienced  a  storm 
on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  visited  the  gold  dig- 
gings of  Northern  Georgia,  whence  he  returned, 
via  Nashville,  to  St.  Louis,  and  through  Illinois 
to  his  father's  home,  and  married.  In  18.3.3, hav- 
ing sold  his  farm,  he  removed,  with  his  wife  and 
one  child,  to  Illinois,  and  took  a  claim  on  gov- 
ernment land  near  the  head  of  Au  Sable  river, 
in  the  present  Kendall  county.  At  the  time, 
there  was  not  exceeding  two  neighbors  within  a 
range  of  ten  miles, and  only  three  or  four  houses 
between  his  location  and  Chicago.  He  opened 
a  large  farm.  His  family  was  boarding  twelve 
miles  away  while  he  erected  a  house  on  his  claim, 
sleeping,  during  this  time,  under  a  rude  pole 
shed.  Here  his  life  was  placed  in  imminent 
peril  by  a  huge  prairie  rattlesnake  sharing  his 
bed.  In  1835,  he  bought  largely  at  the  govern- 
ment land  sales.  During  the  specidative  real 
estate  mania,  which  broke  out  at  Chicago  in 
1863,  and  spread  all  over  the  State,  he  sold  his 
lands  under  the  inflation  of  that  period,  and  re- 
moved to  Joliet.  In  1838,  he  became  a  heavy 
contractor  on  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal. 

Upon  the  completion  of  his  job  in  1841,  when 
hard  times  prevailed,  business  at  a  stand,  con- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


507 


tracts  paid  in  State  scrip;  when  all  the  public 
works,  except  the  canal  were  abandoned,  the 
State  offered  tor  sale  seven  hundred  tons  of  rail- 
road iron,  which  was  purchased  by  Matteson  at 
a  great  bargain.  This  he  shipped  and  sold  at 
Detroit,  realizing  a  very  handsome  profit,  enough 
to  pay  off  his  canal  debts,  and  leave  him  a  sur- 
plus of  several  thousand  dollars.  His  enterprise 
next  prompted  him  to  start  a  woolen  mill  at 
Joliet,  in  which  he  prospered,  and  which,  after 
successive  enlargements,  became  an  enormous 
establishment.  In  1842  he  was  first  elected  a 
State  Senator,  but,  by  a  bungling  appointment, 
John  Pearson,  a  senator  holding  over,  was  found 
to  be  in  the  same  district,  and  decided  to  be  en- 
titled to  represent  it.  Matteson's  seat  was  de- 
clared vacant.  Pearson,  however,  with  a  noble- 
ness diilicult  to  appreciate  in  this  day  of  greed 
for  office,  unwilling  to  represent  his  district 
under  the  circumstances,  immediately  resigned 
his  unexpired  term  of  two  years.  A  bill  was 
passed  in  a  few  hours  ordering  a  new  election, 
and  in  ten  day's  time,  Matteson  was  returned, 
re-elected,  and  took  his  seat  as  Senator.  From 
his  well  known  capacity  as  a  business  man,  he 
was  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Finance,  a  position  which  he  held  during  this 
half  and  two  full  succeding  senatorial  terms, 
discharging  its  important  duties  with  ability  and 
faithfulness.  Besides  his  extensive  woolen  mill 
interest,  when  work  was  resumed  on  the  canal 
under  the  new  loan  of  §1,600,000,  he  again  be- 
came a  heavy  contractor,  and  also  subsequently 
operated  largely  in  building  railroads.  He  had 
shown  himself  a  most  energetic  and  thorough 
business  man. 

Matteson's  forte  was  not  on  the  stump;  he 
had  not  cultivated  the  art  of  oily  flattery,  or  the 
falculty  of  being  all  things  to  all  men.  His 
qualities  of  head  took  rather  the  direction  of 
efficient  executive  ability;  his  turn  consisted  not 
so  much  in  the  adroit  management  of  party,  or 
the  powerful  advocacy  of  great  governmental 
principles,  as  in  those  more  solid  and  enduring 
operations  which  cause  the  physical  develop- 
ment and  advancement  of  a  Slate  —  of  com- 
merce and  business  enterprise,  into  which  he 
labored  with  success  to  lead  the  people.  As  a 
politician  he  was  just  and  liberal  in  his  views, 
and  both  in  official  and  private  life  he  stood  un- 
tainted and  free  from  blemish.  As  a  man,  in 
active  benevolence,  social  virtues  and  all  the 
amiable  qualities  of  neighbor  or  citizen,  he  had 
few  superiors.  His  messages  present  a  per- 
spicous  array  of  facts,  as  to  the  condition  of  the 
State,  and  are  often  couched  in   elegant  diction. 


The  helm  of  State  was  confided   to  no  unskill- 
ful hands. 

Governor  Matteson  died  in  Springfield. 

RICHARD    YATES. 

Richard  Yates  was  born  January  18,  ISIS,  on 
the  banks   of  the  ()hio  river,  at  Warsaw,  Galla- 
tin   county,    Kentucky.      His   father,    in    1831, 
moved    to    Illinois,  and   settled  (after  stopping 
for  a  time  in  Springfield)  at  Island  Grove,  San- 
gamon  county.      Here,  after  a,tteuding  school, 
Richard  joined  the  family.      Subsequently,   he 
entered  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville,  where, 
in    18-37,   he  graduated,  with   first   honors.     He 
chose  for  his  profession  the  law,  the  Hon.  J.  J. 
Hardin   being  his  instructor.      After  admission 
to  the  Bar,  he  soon  rose  to  distinction  as  an  ad- 
vocate.    Gifted  with  a  fluent  and  ready  oratory, 
he  soon  appeared  in  the  political   hustings,  and, 
being  a  passionate  admirer  of  the  great  Whig 
leader  of  the  West,  Henry  Clay,  he  joined   his 
political   fortunes  to  the   party  of  his  idol.     In 
1840,  he  engaged  with  great  ardor  in  the  excit- 
ing "hard  cider  campaign  "  for  Harrison.     Two 
years  later,  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature,  and 
such  was  the  fascination  of  his  oratory,  ihat  by 
1850,  his  large  Congressional  district,  extending 
from  Morgan  and  Sangamon  north,  to  include 
La  Salle,  unanimously  tendered  him  the  Whig 
nomination.     His  opponent  of  the  Democratic 
party  was  Major  Thomas  L.  Harris,  a  very  pop- 
ular man,  who  had  won  distinction  at  the  battle 
of  Cerro   Gordo,  in  the  late  war  with   Mexico, 
and  who,  though   the    district  was  Whig,  had 
beaten  for  the  same  position,  two  years  before, 
the  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Logan,  by  a  large  majority. 
The  contest  between  Yates  and  Harris,  animat- 
ing and  persevering,  resulted  in  the  election  of 
the  former.     Two  years  later,  the  Democracy 
ungenerously  thrust   aside    Major   Harris,    and 
pitted  John  Calhoun  against  Yates,  and,  though 
Calhoun  was  a  man  of  great  intellect,  and,  when 
aroused,  of  unsurpassed  ability  as  a  political  de- 
bater— whom   Mr.  Lincoln   had  said  he   would 
dread  more  in  debate  than  any  man  in  Illinois — 
the  result  was  as  before.     It  was  during  Yates' 
second   term    that   the    great  Congress,  against 
which   he  early  arrayed  himself,  and  took    de- 
cided  and   advanced  anti-slavery  ground,  in    a 
speech  of  rare   oratory  and  remarkable  power, 
which  gained  him  National  reputation,     but  we 
have  seen  that  at  the  formation  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  the  Whigs  of  Central  Illinois,  unwil- 
ling to  join  their  fortunes  with  a  sectional  party, 
went  with   the  Democracy,  and  in  1854,  Major 
Harris  being  again  his  opponent  for  Congress, 


508 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


Yates  was  defeated  on  the  Nebraska  issue,  by 
only  about  two  hundred  votes,  in  the  district 
which  had  given  Pierce,  two  years  before,  two 
tliousand  majority  over  Scott.  Six  years  later, 
he  was  elected  Governor  l)y  the  party,  for  the 
aid  in  the  formation  of  which  he  had  suffered 
this  defeat. 

Richard  Yates  occupied  the  chair  of  State 
during  the  most  critical  period  of  our  country's 
history.  In  the  fate  of  the  Nation  was  involved 
the  destiny  of  the  States.  The  life  struggle  of 
the  former  derived  its  sustenance  from  the  loy- 
alty of  the  latter.  The  position  of  Governor  of 
a  great  State  was,  therefore,  important  and 
responsible,  as  it  was  capable  of  being  exerted 
for  vast  good  or  immense  evil.  Need  it  be  said 
that  in  this  trying  period  he  discharged  his  duty 
with  patriotic  fidelity  to  the  cause  of  the  Nation? 
Governor  Yates  had  many  valuable  attributes 
for  his  high  station  in  this  ordeal  of  the  country. 
His  loyalty  was  as  undoubted  as  it  proved  itself 
true.  He  was  the  close  personal  friend  of  Presi- 
dent Lincoln,  llis  ardent  devotion  to  the  Union 
was  founded  upon  a  deep  love  for  it.  While 
he  had  been  early  identified  with  the  formation 
of  the  Republican  party,  he  had  not  been  con- 
nected with  the  old  Abolitionists,  among  wliora 
were  persons  who  preferred  the  success  of  their 
hobby  to  the  safety  of  the  Union.  But  above 
all,  he  had  a  deep  hold  upon  the  affections  of 
the  people,  won  by  his  moving  eloquence  and 
genial  manners.  He  inspired  strong  attachments 
among  his  partisan  friends.  Nature  had  fasli- 
ioned  him  to  be  admired  by  the  masses.  Hand- 
some, erect  and  symmetrical  in  person,  with  a 
winning  address  and  a  magnetic  power,  few  men 
possessed  more  of  the  elements  of  popularity. 
His  oratory,  into  the  spirit  of  which  he  entered 
with  apparent  forgetfulness  of  self  was  scholarly 
and  captivating,  tfie  liearer  hardly  knowing  why 
he  was  transported.  Though  less  logical  than 
eloquent,  he  reasoned  well,  and  always  inspired 
deep  and  enduring  partisan  attachments.  He 
was  social  and  convivial  to  an  eminent  degree, 
traits  of  character  which,  however,  were  sub- 
jected to  little  of  puritanical  denial;  but  in  the 
very  excesses  of  his  appetites  he  has  carried 
with  him  the  sympatliies  of  the  people,  almost 
irrespective  of  party,  on  account  of  his  many 
nnble  attributes  of  head  and  heart. 

The  very  creditable  military  efforts  of  this 
State  during  the  war  of  the, rebellion,  in  putting 
lier  quotas,  aggregating  the  enormous  number  of 
two  hundred  thousand  soldiers,  in  the  field,  were 
ever  promptly  and  ably  seconded  by  his  Excel- 
lency;   he  was  ambitious  to  debcrve  the  title  of 


the  soldier's  friend.  His  proclamations  calling 
for  volunteers  are  impassionate  appeals,  urging 
the  duties  and  requirements  of  patriotism  upon  the 
people;  and  his  special  messages  to  the  last  Dem- 
ocratic legislature  of  this  State,  pleading  material 
aid  for  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  of  Illinois 
regiments,  breathe  a  deep  feivor  of  noble  senti- 
ment and  feeling  rarely  ecjualled  in  beauty  or 
felicity  of  expression.  Generally  his  messages  on 
political  or  civil  affairs  were  able  and  compre 
hensive;  though  on  these  subjects,  particularly 
the  former,  his  style  is,  perhaps,  too  florid  and 
diffuse.  There  were  no  State  civil  events  of  an 
engrossing  character  during  Governor  Yates'  ad- 
ministration. Two  years  of  it,  however,  were 
replete  with  partisan  quarrels  of  great  bitterness, 
during  the  sitting  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion of  1862,  and  the  sessions  of  the  last  Demo- 
cratic legislature  in  18G:J,  which  latter  body  he 
finally  squelched  by  his  act  of  prorogation. 

Mr.  Yates  was  subsequently  elected  United 
States  Senator,  and  served  the  full  term  of  six 
years  with  great  ability.     He  died  in  St.  Louis. 

JAMES  D.  HENRT. 

James  D.  Henry  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
Being  compelled  to  labor  for  his  support  from 
early  childhood,  he  was  barely  able  to  read  and 
write  when  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  manhood. 
In  182?,  he  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled  at 
Edwardsville,  where  he  labored  as  a  mechanic 
during  the  day  and  attended  school  at  night. 
He  next  engaged  in  merchandizing  there,  and  in 
1826  moved  to  Springfield,  where  he  continued  in 
the  same  business,  and  was  soon  after  elected 
sheriff  of  Sangamon  county.  While  discharg- 
ing his  duties  as  sheriff,  the  Winnebago  war  of 
18^7  came  on.  A  battalion  of  four  companies 
was  raised,  and  under  command  of  Colonel 
Thomas  M.  Neale,  with  Mr.  Henry  as  Adjutant, 
started  in  pursuit  of  the  savages.  Six  of  the 
leaders  gave  themselves  up,  and  thus  ended  the 
campaign. 

When  tho  Black  Hawk  war  began  in  1831, 
Adjutant  Henry  was  appointed  to  command  the 
first  of  two  battalions  from  Sangamon  county. 
The  Indians  retreated  before  the  soldiers  crossed 
the  Mississippi  river,  and  the  chiefs  returned  and 
made  a  treaty  of  peace  June  30,  1831.  In  the 
spring  of  1832,  when  the  chief,  Black  Hawk 
again  commenced  hostilities.  Colonel  Henry  was 
once  more  appointed  to  command  a  battalion; 
but  before  meeting  the  enemy,  the  term  of  en- 
listment of  the  whole  eighteen  hundred  men  in 
the  field  expired.  A  regiment  was  immediately 
organized  oi  those  among  the  disbanded  forces 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


')((9 


who  were  willing  to  volunteer  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  the  savages  in  check  while  more  perma- 
nent forces  could  be  raised.  Colonel  Henry 
acted  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  this  temporary 
organization.  Three  thousand  two  hundred  men 
were  raised,  ami  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henry  was 
appointed  General  of  the  third  brigade  of  twelve 
hundred  men.  General  Henry  commanded  in 
the  battle  <  f  Wisconsin,  July  2] ,  and  the  battle  of 
Bad  Axe,  August  ?,  1832,  winning  both  battles, 
which  terminated  the  war.  He  had  achieved 
these  victories  against  not  only  the  wishes,  but 
machinations,  of  the  officers  of  the  regular  army. 
On  his  return  from  the  scene  of  conflict,  the 
citizens  of  Springtield  gave  him  a  public  recep- 
tion in  recognition  of  his  services;  but  owing  to 
his  extreme  sensitiveness  in  presence  of  the  la- 
dies, he  never  entered  the  apartment  presided 
over  by  them.  The  exposures  and  hardships  of 
the  campaign  brought  on  disease  of  the  lungs, 
and  he  went  South,  hoping  by  spending  the  fol- 
lowing winter  in  a  warm  climate  to  avert  its  ef- 
fects; but  it  was  too  late.  He  died  March  4, 
1834,  in  New  Orleans.  Such  was  his  singular 
modesty  that  those  in  whose  hands  he  fell  for 
the  closing  scenes  of  his  life,  did  not  know  until 
after  his  death  that  he  was  General  Henry,  the 
hero  of  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Governor  Ford, 
in  his  Historj'  of  Illinois,  speaks  of  General 
Henry  as  the  idol  of  the  people,  and  says:  "  If  he 
had  lived  he  would  have  been  elected  Governor 
of  the  State  in  1834,  by  more  than  twenty  thou- 
sand majority;  and  this  would  have  been  done 
against  his  own  will,  by  the  spontaneous  action 
of  the  people." 

ANDKBW     m'CORMACK. 

Andrew  McCormack,  one  of  the  celebrated 
"Long  Nine"  members  of  the  legislature  from 
Sangamon  county,  was  born  in  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee, April  27,  1801.  His  father  was  born  near 
Dublin,  Ireland,  and  his  mother  (whose  maiden 
name  was  McFarren,)  came  from  the  north  of 
Ireland.  They  were  Protestants,  and  left  their 
native  country  during  the  rebellion  of  1788,  and 
were  married  in  America.  They  moved  with 
their  family  from  Nashville,  Tennessee,  to  Flem- 
miug  county,  Kentucky,  and  Mr.  McCormack 
died  there  about  1815,  leaving  the  family,  con- 
sisting of  the  mother,  four  brothers  and  three 
sisters,  to  the  care  of  Andrew.  He  managed  to 
keep  them  together  until  they  were  able  to  take 
care  of  themselves.  Being  studiously  inclined, 
he  worked  in  the  day  and  studied  at  night.  He 
brought  his  mother  and  all  the  children  to  San- 
gamon county  about  1820,  settling  on  Fancy 
creek.     Shortly  after  he  went  to  work  in  the  Ga- 


lena  lead  mines,  and  during  some  Indian  troub- 
les there,  he  was  Captain  of  a  company  of  vol- 
unteers. On  his  return  he  moved  to  Springfield, 
and  was  married  July  27,  1834,  on  Sugar  creek, 
to  Ann  S.  Short. 

Andrew  McCormack  was  a  stone-cutter  and  a 
brick-mason.  He  represented  Sangamon  covinty 
in  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  one  of  the 
"Long  Nine."  He  was  mayor  of  the  city  for 
1843  and  1844,  and  was  a  man  of  great  jihysical 
strength,  standing  six  feet  two  and  a  half  inches 
in  height,  and  weigliing  two  hundred  and  eighty 
pounds. 

Andrew  McCormack  died  in  Springfield,  Janu- 
ary 24,  1857. 

BORERT    ]..   WILSON. 

Another  of  the  "  Long  Nine"  was  Robert  L. 
Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Pennsylvania,  September  11,  1805.  His  parents 
were  Scotch-Irish,  their  ancestors  having  emi- 
grated from  Scotland  and  settled  near  the  city  of 
Belfast,  soon  after  the  conquest  of  Ireland  by 
Oliver  Cromwell,  in  the  sixteenth  century.  In 
1778  they  sailed  for  America,  settling  in  York 
county,  Pennsylvania.  In  1782,  they  moved 
to  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  pack 
horses,  as  there  had  not  then  been  any  roads 
made  across  the  Allegheny  mountains.  From 
Washington  county,  where  the  subject  of  our 
sketch  was  born,  the  family  moved  in  1810  to 
Zanesville,  Ohio,  where  his  father  died  in  1821, 
and  Robert  L.,  then  sixteen  years  of  age,  deter- 
mined to  educate  himself.  He  first  qualified 
himself  for  teaching  a  country  school,  and  taught 
until  he  laid  up  some  money,  witli  which  he 
entered  Franklin  College,  Ohio.  He  sustained 
himself  during  his  college  course  in  the  same 
way,  and  graduated  in  four  years.  In  the  fall  of 
1831  he  went  to  Kentucky,  where  he  taught  an 
academy  and  studied  law.  He  was  married 
March  28,  1833,  in  Sharpsburg,  Bath  county, 
Kentucky,  to  Eliza  J.  Kincaid,  and  admitted  to 
the  bar  as  an  attorney  at  law.  They  soon  after 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in 
the  fall  of  1833,  at  Athens.  That  not  now  being 
a  part  of  Sangamon  county,  he  would  not  prop- 
erly be  included  as  an  early  settler  of  this  county, 
but  his  having  been  one  of  the  "  Long  Nine  "  is 
sufficient  reason  for  including  his  sketch  here. 
Mr.  Wilson  was  elected  in  August,  1836,  as  one  of 
the  seven  Representatives  of  Sangamon  county, 
who,  with  the  two  Senators,  made  up  what  was 
known  as  the  "Long  Nine"  who  served  in  the 
legislature  of  1836,  '37,  and  secured  the  removal 
of  the  capital  of  Illinois  from  Vandalia  to  Spring- 
field.     He   moved    with   his  fainilv   from  San- 


510 


HISTORY  OP    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


gamoii  county  in  1840,  to  Sterling,  Whiteside 
county. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Wilson  moved  to  Sterling,  lie 
was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  to 
which  office  he  was  elected  live  times,  serving 
continuously  until  December  1,  1860.  Eight 
years  of  that  time  he  served  as  Probate  Judge. 
He  was  in  W^ashington,  D.  C,  when  Fort  Sum- 
ter fell,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  a  battalion 
commanded  by  Cassius  M.  Clay,  and  cailed  the 
Clay  Guard.  It  numbered  four  hundred,  mo.stly 
non-residents,  and  acted  as  night  police,  guard- 
ing the  city  at  the  most  critical  time  in  its  his- 
tory. As  soon  as  the  New  Y^ork  Seventh  Regi- 
ment reached  W^ashington,  the  Clay  Guard  was 
relieved  and  mustered  out.  Mr.  Wilson  retwrned 
to  Sterling,  Illinois,  and  assisted  in  raising  Com- 
pany A,  Thirty-fourlh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  was 
elected  Captain, but  declined  in  favorof  the  First 
Lieutenant.  He  started  for  W'ashington  on  the 
fourth  of  July,  and  called  on  President  Lincoln 
on  the  seventh  to  tender  his  services  in  any  ca- 
pacity where  he  could  be  useful.  Mr.  Lincoln 
said  he  had  made  out  a  list  of  his  old  friends 
before  leaving  Springfield,  that  he  might  ap- 
point them  to  office,  and  said,  "I  have  appointed 
all  down  to  your  name.  Now,  what  do  you 
wishV"  Mr.  Wilson  said  he  thought  he  could 
discharge  the  duties  of  quartermaster.  Mr. 
Lincoln  said,  "I  can  do  better  than  that  for  you," 
and  made  him  paymaster.  His  appointment 
was  made  out  on  the  sixth,  and  he  was  confirmed 
by  the  Senate,  August  7,  1861.  He  was  placed 
on  duty  at  Washington  City,  and  was  soon  af- 
terward ordered  to  St.  Louis.  In  the  two  suc- 
ceeding years  he  paid  out  nearly  four  million 
dollars,  principally  in  the  West  and  South.  Af- 
ter the  fall  of  Vicksburg  he  was  ordered  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Colonel  for  meritorous  services.  He  was 
mustered  out  November  15,  1865.  During  his 
four  years  and  four  months  service  he  received 
and  disbursed  about  seven  million  dollars,  to 
near  one  hundred  thousand  soldiers,  without  a 
shadow  of  suspicion  against  his  character. 

On  the  10th  of  May,  1875,  he  started  alone  on 
a  trip  of  observation  and  sight-seeing  in  Europe. 
He  left  New  Y'^ork  on  the  steamer  Rbein,  one  of 
the  Bremen  line.  He  arrived  at  Southampton 
May  20lh,  and  in  London  the  same  day,  where 
he  spent  one  week  visiting  objects  of  interest. 
From  London  to  Dover,  crossing  the  Straits  to 
Calais,  France,  thence  by  way  of  Bolougne  and 
Amiens  to  Paris,  with  its  three  millions  of  iu- 
habitanls.  He  spent  three  weeks  in  Paris, 
sight-seeing  and  gleaning  knowledge  from  every 


source.  From  Paris  he  went  by  way  of  Fon- 
tainblue  up  the  river  Seine,  through  Mount 
Cenis  tunnel  to  Turin,  Italy,  and  through  Genoa, 
Pisa,  Leghorn  and  other  Italian  cities  to  Rome, 
where  he  spent  two  weeks  visiting  objects  of 
historic  interest.  From  Rome  he  went  south  to 
Naples,  passed  Appi  Forum  and  the  three  tav- 
erns. He  visited  Mount  Vesuvius,  and  looked 
into  its  crater  of  boiling  lava.  Spent  one  day 
each  at  Pompeii  and  Herculaneum,  and  return- 
ing to  Rome,  went  to  Florence,  where  he  spent 
a  few  days.  Crossed  the  Appenines  to  Venice, 
the  city  built  two  miles  from  the  shore,  in  the 
Adriatic  sea.  Ascended  the  river  Po,  through 
Lombardy,  and  the  city  of  Verona,  to  Milan. 
Crossed  the  Alps  by  way  of  the  Simplon  Pass, 
reaching  an  altitude  of  twelve  thousand  feet 
above  the  sea.  Descended  the  river  Rhose  and 
Lake  Geneva  to  the  city  of  Geneva  and  Berne, 
the  capital  of  Switzerland.  From  there  he  re- 
turned to  Paris,  thence  to  London,  where  he 
spent  two  weeks  more.  Visited  other  parts  of 
England,  thence  to  Edinburg,  Stirling  and  many 
points  of  interest  in  Scotland.  Went  through 
Ireland  and  Wales,  thence  to  Liverpool.  Sailed 
on  the  steamer  Baltic  to  New  York  and  home. 
He  was  four  months  out,  at  a  total  cost  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

Mr.  Wilson  died  in  Whiteside  county  in  1880. 

WILLIAM    F.    ELKIN. 

William  F.  Elkin  was  born  April  13,  1792,  in 
Clarke  county,  Kentucky.  In  1811  he  moved 
to  Xenia,  Ohio,  and  was  there  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Constant.  In  1820,  the  family  moved  to 
Brownsville,  Indiana,  and  then  to  Sangamon 
county,  in  1825.  In  1828, Mr.  Elkin  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  legislature,  and  served  one 
term.  In  1831,  he  raised  a  company  and  was 
Captain  of  it  in  the  Black  Hawk  W^ar  of  that 
year.  He  was  again  elected  to  represent  the 
county  in  the  legislature  in  1836  and  in  1838, 
and  was,  consequently,  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture that  enacted  the  law  for  the  removal  of  the 
capital  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield,  and  there- 
fore one  of  the  "Long  Nine''  from  Sangamon 
county.  His  last  labors  in  the  legislature  was  at 
its  first  meeting  in  Springfield  in  called  session, 
December  9,  1839.  In  1840  and  1842  he  was 
elected  sheriff  of  Sangamon  county.  He  was 
appointed  Register  of  the  United  States  Land 
Office  at  Springfield,  in  September,  1861,  by  his 
old  "Long  Nine"  colleague,  Abraham  Lincoln. 
In  1867  he  moved  to  Decatur,  but  held  the  office 
in  Springfield  until  1872,  when  he  resigned. 

William  F.  Elkin  died  about  1878. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


511 


JOHN    CALHOUN. 

Though  not  a  citizen  of  Sangamon  county  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  John  Calhoun  lived  so 
long  here,  and  was  so  well  and  favorably  known 
that  a  sketch  of  him  is  not  out  of  place  in  this 
connection. 

John  Calhoun  was  born  October  14,  1808,  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  in  1821  accompanied 
his  father  to  the  Mohawk  Valley,  in  New  York. 
After  finishing  his  studies  at  the  Canajoharie 
Academy,  he  studied  law  at  Fort  Plain,  both  in 
Montgomery  county.  In  1830  lie  came  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  resumed  the  study  of  law, 
sustaining  himself  by  teaching  a  select  school. 
He  took  part  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1831-2, 
and  after  its  close,  was  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor of  the  State,  Surveyor  of  Sangamon 
county.  He  induced  Abraham  Lincoln  to  study 
surveying,  in  order  to  become  his  deputy.  From 
that  time  the  chain  of  friend.ship  between  them 
continued  bright  to  the  end  of  their  lives, 
although  they  were  ardent  partizans  of  different 
schools  of  yjolitics. 

John  Calhoun  entered  the  political  field  in 
1835,  being  the  Democratic  candidate  that  year 
for  the  State  Senate  of  Illinois,  but  there  being 
a  Large  Whig  majority  in  the  county,  he  was 
defeated  by  Archer  G.  Herndon.  In  1838  he 
was  elected  to  represent  Sangamon  county  in 
the  State  legislature.  In  1841  he,  with  John 
Duff,  completed  the  railroad  from  Jacksonville 
to  Si>ringtield,  being  the  first  to  reach  the  State 
Capital.  In  1842  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  Sangamon  county,  by  Judge 
Treat.  In  1844  he  was  one  of  the  Presidential 
Electors  of  Illinois  for  President  Polk.  In  1849- 
'50-'51,  he  was  successively  elected  mayor  of 
Springfield.  In  1852  he  was  one  of  the  Presi- 
dential Electors  of  Illinois  for  President  Pierce, 
and  was  selected  by  his  colleagues  to  cany  the 
vote  to  Washington  City.  In  1854  he  was  ap- 
pointed, by  President  Pierce,  Surveyor  General 
of  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  and  moved  his  family 
to  Kansas. 

Here  he  entered  a  political  field  with  new  and 
exciting  sectional  elements.  He  was  elected  a 
delegate  to  the  convention  that  framed  what  has 
passed  into  history  at  the  Lecompton  Constitu- 
tion. He  became  the  President  of  that  body, 
which  was  composed  of  unscrupulous  pro-slavery 
adventurers,  with  a  small  number  of  conserva- 
tive members,  among  whom  was  the  President. 
That  odious  instrument  would  have  been  adopted 
by  the  convention  without  submitting  it  to  a 
vote  of  the  people,  had  it  not  been  for  the  deter- 
mined opposition    of   President   Calhoun,    who 


threatened  to  resign,  and  opposed  it  by  every 
method  in  his  power,  unless  it  was  submitted; 
and  when  it  came  to  the  polls  he  voted  against 
ado])ting  the  pro-slavery  clause.  That  instru- 
ment provided  that  the  President  of  the  conven- 
tion should  count  the  vote  and  report  the  result. 

Soon  after  this  duty  was  discharged  he  started 
for  Washington  City,  leaving  all  the  returns  and 
papers  relating  to  the  election  with  one,  L.  A. 
McLane,  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Surveyor  General's 
office.  He  has  been  described  as  "A  brilliant 
clerk,  but  vain,  vacillating  and  ambitious  of  do- 
ing smart  things,  and  economical  of  the  truth 
generally."  The  instructions  given  to  him  by 
General  Calhoun  before  starting  east,  was  to  af- 
ford every  facility  to  any  body  of  respectable 
men  to  examine  the  returns,  as  evidences  of  dis- 
satisfaction were  already  apparent,  and  the  con- 
viction soon  became  general  that  a  stupendous 
fraud  had  been  committed  against  the  ballot. 
Soon  the  excitement  became  intense,  endanger- 
ing the  lives  of  some  of  the  conspicuous  actors, 
and  McLane  became  alarmed.  General  Thomas 
L.  Ewing,  Jr.  and  Judge  Smith  called  upon  him, 
with  a  letter  from  Mr.  Calhoun,  instructing  the 
clerk  to  let  those  gentlemen  examine  the  returns. 
Mr.  McLane  falsely  stated  to  Messrs.  Ewing  and 
Smith  that  the  returns  were  not  in  his  posses- 
sion; that  General  Calhoun  had  taken  them 
with  him  when  he  left  for  Washington.  A  few 
evenings  later,  McLane  attended  a  ball  at  Law- 
rence, where  he  was  plied  with  good  cheer,  at- 
tentions and  flattery,  so  grateful  to  his  appetite 
and  vanity,  and  after  becoming  mellow  by  the  oc- 
casion, a  Lawrence  belle,  acting  the  pan  of 
Delilah,  drew  from  him  the  secret  of  the  coveted 
papers.  The  next  day  he  was  called  upon  by  a 
committee  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  who 
demanded  the  returns,  when  he  again  denied 
having  them  in  his  possession.  He  was  then 
summoned  before  a  committee  of  the  legislature, 
and  there  stated  under  oath  thatGeneral  Calhoun 
had  taken  the  returns  with  him.  The  cross-ques- 
tions revealed  to  him  the  fact  that  the  Lawrence 
belle  had  betrayed  him.  Realizing  his  position, 
he  returned  that  night  to  Lecompton,  and  with 
a  few  cronies,  put  the  returns  in  a  candle  box 
and  buried  it  under  a  wood  pile.  A  porter  in 
the  Surveyor-General's  office,  by  the  name  of 
Charles  Torrey  who  had  for  a  long  time  acted 
as  a  spy  for  the  enemies  of  General  Calhoun, 
watched  the  operation,  and  gave  the  informa- 
tion. A  company  of  men  from  Lawrence  soon 
after  unearthed  the  box  and  bore  away  the  prize. 

The  exposure  of  McLane's  villainy  was  now 
complete,  and  he  precepitately  fled  the  Territory, 


51-2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


with  a  mob  iu  close  pursuit.  Thus  the  odium  of 
the  dastardly  acts  of  this  man  were  unjustly 
visited  upon  General  Calhoun.  Unijialified 
abuse  and  misrepresentations  were  lieaped  upon 
him,  and  spread  broadcast  over  the  country  by 
the  press.  That  broke  down  his  spirits,  and  he 
soon  after  left  the  Territory,  went  to  St.  Joseph, 
Missouri,  and  died  there.  He  deserved  a  better 
fate.  He  was  a  man  of  genial,  hopeful,  generous 
temperament;  ever  ready  to  serve  or  defend  a 
friend,  but  rarely  defending  himself,  except  on 
the  spur  of  the  moment;  of  great  ability,  and  for 
a  time  was  the  best  political  orator  in  the  State 
of  Illinois.  He  was  brilliant,  but  deficient  in 
practical  application.  President  Lincoln  has 
been  heard  to  say  that  John  Calhoun  was  the 
strongest  man  he  had  ever  met  on  the  stump: 
that  he  could  manage  Douglas,  but  that  Calhoun 
always  gave  him  his  hands  full. 

As  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Calhoun  was  always  regarded 
by  his  brother  attorneys  as  one  of  the  most 
talented  of  the  many  bright  legal  lights  of  the 
Sangamon  County  Bar.  Mr.  Calhoun  died  Octo- 
ber 25,  1859,  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 

(iENERAL  E.   B.   HAELAIf. 

Emory  B.  Harlan  was  born  at  West  Union, 
Ohio,  on  the  IfJth  day  of  December,  1839.  H' 
father,  Enoch  Harlan,  was  a  member  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  hence  his  early  education 
was  in  that  rigorous  school.  He  graduated  at 
an  Ohio  college,  and  removed  with  his  father's 
family  to  Marion  county,  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 

Ac  ihe  outbreak  of  the  war  lie  was  residing  in 
Salem,  Illinois,  and  being  of  an  ardent  tem)iera- 
ment  and  patriotic,  in  August  1861  he  answered 
the  call  of  his  country.  He  enlisted  in  the  49th 
Infantry,  and  won  renown  and  successive  pro- 
motions. Appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of  Com- 
pany D.,  49th  Illinois  Infantry,  December  30, 
1801;  in  the  succeeding  February  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  First  Lieutenancy  of  that  company. 
On  June  17,  1863  he  was  detailed  by  order  of 
General  Grant  as  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant 
General,  Fourth  Brigade,  First  Division,  Six- 
teenth Army  Corps,  and  reported  for  duty  to 
Brigadier  General  Hugh  Ewing,  at  Louisville, 
Kentucky.  In  February,  1866,  when  Major- 
General  John  M.  Palmer  took  command  of 
the  Department  of  Kentucky,  Captain  Harlan 
was  made  Adjutant-General  of  the  department, 
with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  May  22, 
1866  he  received  the  brevet  rank  of  Major,  a 
week  later  the  brevet  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel, and  on  August  2S,  1866,  he  was  brevetted 
Brigadier  General  of  Volunteers.  All  his  ad- 
vancements having  been  in   recognition  of   his 


meritorious  and  faithful  services.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  was  tendered  a  commission  in  the 
regular  army,  Ijut  declined  it,  took  up  his  resi- 
dence with  his  father  then  at  Decatur,  and  com- 
menced the  practice  of  law.  On  the  4th  of  July, 
1864,  he  married,  at  Salem,  Illinois,  Miss  Mary 
A.  Crandwell,  who  survives  him.  In  1869,  Gov- 
ernor Palmer  remembering  his  faithful  services 
during  the  war,  called  General  Harlan  to  the 
position  of  Private  Secretary,  and  he  remained 
so  during  Governor  Palmer's  term  of  oflBce. 
Conceiving  a  taste  for  literary  work,  he  largely 
abandoned  the  law  to  enter  the  newspaper  field, 
and  became  Springfield  correspondent  to  the 
Chicago  Tribune  and  the  Evening  Journal,  of 
that  city.  In  this  enlarged  field  of  usefulness  he 
labored  with  zeal  and  faithfulness.  He  became 
associated  with  the  Journal  as  its  legislative  re- 
porter and  in  his  connection  with  the  press  gen- 
erally, developed  a  marked  degree  of  ability,  at- 
taining recognition  and  eminence  among  the  res- 
ident members  of  the  fraternity  as  an  indefatiga- 
ble worker,  alive  to  the  duties  of  correspondent, 
and  especially  as  a  gatherer  of  news.  In  personal 
and  social  relations  he  was  one  whom  to  know 
was  to  honor  and  admire,  and  those  with  whom 
his  profession  called  him  to  intimate  association 
cherished  for  him  the  strongest  feelings  of  pier- 
sonal  regard. 

In  the  varied  relations  of  life  he  was  re 
spected,  as  a  citizen  honest  and  upright;  a  gen 
tleman  whose  influence  was  most  happy.  His  do- 
mestic life  was  one  of  unalloyed  happiness  and 
his  thoughtfulness  and  consideration  of  his  family 
often  found  expression,  during  the  last  few  days 
of  his  life,  to  those  who  waited  by  his  bedside 
ministering  to  his  wants  with  watchful  eyes  and 
willing  hands,  in  the  vain  hope  of  postponing 
the  fatal  hour. 

In  the  inner  home  circle,  where  his  warm  im- 
pulses, his  generous  feelings,  his  purity  of  life, 
the  attributes  of  a  loving  husband  and  father, 
were  best  known  and  appreciated,  his  death  is  a 
bereavement  indeed.  Cut  down  in  the  midst  of 
a  career  of  usefulness,  in  the  prime  of  life,  he 
leaves  to  mourn  his  irreparable  loss  a  devoted 
wife  and  four  children. 

General  Harlan  died  in  Springfield,  November 
20,  1875.  Resolutions  of  respect  were  passed 
by  representatives  of  the  press,  the  Knight 
Templars  and  other  organizations.  Rev.  James 
A.  Reed  delivered  the  discourse  at  his'  funeral, 
and  he  was  buried  by  the  Knight  Templars. 

GENEEAL  I.  N.  HAYNIE. 

Isham  Nicholas  Haynie  was  born  on  the  18th 
of  November,  1824,  near  Dover,  Tennessee,  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ol.', 


emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1S30, 
settling  in  Marion  county,  where  both  his  par- 
ents still  reside.  He  began  the  study  of  law  in 
June,  1844,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in 
March,  1846. 

In  1847,  when  volunteers  were  called  out  for 
the  Mexican  war,  he  volunteered,  and  was  com- 
missioned by  Governor  French  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  Company  C,  Sixth  Illinois,  commanded 
by  Colonel  E.  W.  B.  Newby.  He  was  mustered 
in  at  Alton,  in  May,  1847,  and  served  till  the 
close  of  the  war,  in  1848,  being  mustered  out 
October  12.  He  then  resumed  the  practice  of 
law  at  Salem,  and  in  1850  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Illinois  Legislature,  served  during  the 
sessions  of  1851,  '52.  In  lb52,  he  graduated  at 
the  Louisville  University,  with  the  highest 
honors  of  the  law  class,  and  thereupon  resumed 
the  practice  of  law,  until  185G,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  at 
Cairo,  and  removed  his  residence  thither. 

In  1860,  he  was  nominated  on  the  Douglas 
ticket  for  Presidential  Elector  from  the  old  Ninth 
District,  and  vigorously  canvassed  his  district  for 
Douglas  and  Democracy. 

He  retired  from  the  bench  in  1861,  and  soon 
after  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  declared 
in  favor  of  administration  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  and 
warmly  supported  him  to  the  day  of  Mr.  Lincoln's 
death. 

In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  raised  and  organized 
the  Forty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1861,  was  commissioned  by  Governor 
Yates  as  its  colonel. 

In  November  he  reported  with  his  regiment 
to  General  Grant,  at  Cairo,  and  accompanied  the 
army  into  Tennessee.  He  was  at  the  taking  of 
Port  Henry,  and  in  the  first  assault  upon  Fort 
Donelson,  February  13,  1862,  commanded  a  bri- 
gade. On  the  loth,  his  regiment  formed  a  part 
of  the  brigade  of  the  lamented  W.  H.  L.  Wal- 
lace, and  remained  on  the  field  until  ordered  to 
withdraw. 

At  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he  was  severely 
wounded  while  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  but 
resumed  command  on  the  twenty-third  of  May 
following,  and  took  part  in  the  investment  of 
Corinth. 

In  the  summer  of  1862,  he  ran  as  the  war  can- 
didate for  Congress,  in  the  Ninth  District,  and 
was  defeated  by  only  seven  hundred  votes — the 
former  Democratic  majorities  in  the  District  be- 
ing one  thousand  three  hundred,  or  more. 

During  the  balance  of  the  summer  of  1862  he 
was  in  command  of  a  brigade  and  the  post  of 
Bethel,  Tennessee,  near  Corinth.     He   was  ap- 


pointed Brigadier  General,  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  in 
November,  1862,  and  served  until  March  4,  1863, 
when  the  failure  of  the  Senate  to  act  on  the  ap- 
pointment, made  the  same  expire  by  limitation. 
He  resumed  the  practice  of  law  until  December, 
1864,  and  in  the  following  month  was  appointed, 
by  Governor  Oglesby,  Adjutant  General  of  the 
State. 

General  Haynie  was  entirely  a  self-made  man. 
Until  twenty  years  of  age  he  was  reared  to  hard 
labor  on  a  farm,  and  thereafter  prosecnted  his 
studies  and  profession  with  no  other  aid  than  the 
means  which  he  had  himself  earned.  He  was  a 
successful  man,  as  is  testified  by  a  handsome 
private  fortune,  and  by  an  honoied  name  as  a 
citizen,  a  lawyer  and  a  soldier. 

General  Haynie  died  at  Springfield  in  1868, 
and  his  liody  was  laid  away  to  rest  by  the  mem- 
bers of  St.  Paul's  Lodge,  No.  500,  A.  F.  and  A. 
M.,  of  which  body  he  was  a  member. 

THOMAS    H.    CAMPBELL. 

Thomas  H.  Campbell  was  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  is  of  Irish  descent,  his  father,  Wil- 
liam Campbell,  being  born  in  the  northern  part 
of  Ireland,  and  emigrating  to  America  the  be- 
ginning of  the  present  century.  Thomas  H.  was 
born  May  21,  1815.  In  his  youth,  he  emigrated 
i,b  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Randolph  county,  and 
^jbsequently  moved  to  Perry  county,  in  the 
same  State.  Mr.  Campbell  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Catherine  E.  McDougall,  in  Jackson- 
ville, Illinois,  October  25,  1845.  Four  children 
were  born  unto  them — Jeannette  IL,  Thomas 
H.,  James  W.,  and  Treat.  The  daughter  died. 
Thomas  H.  Campbell  died  in  Springfield,  Satur- 
day, November  22,  1862,  and  was  buried  on 
Monday  following,  from  St.  Paul's  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  he  had  long  been  a  member. 

For  many  years,  Mr.  Campbell  had  been 
afllicted  with  an  asthmatic  affection,  and  during 
the  year  previous  to  his  death  he  suffered  greatly 
from  it.  He  had  for  some  time  been  in  Wash- 
ington, where  he  was  engaged  in  business  for 
the  State,  but  was  compelled  to  return  home,  on 
account  of  his  illness. 

In  1842,  Mr.  Campbell  was  called  into  the 
office  of  Auditor  of  State,  as  Chief  (Jlerk,  under 
General  Shields,  then  Auditor. 

He  continued  in  that  position  under  General 
Ewiiig,  upon  whose  death  Mr.  Campbell  was  ap- 
pointed Auditor,  by  Governor  Ford.  The  suc- 
ceeding legislature,  in  1846,  elected  Mr.  Camp- 
bell to  the  office,  and  in  1848,  when  it  was  made 
elective  by  the  people,  he  was  again  chosen,  and 
again  in  1852,  holding  the  position  until  Janu- 
ary, 1857,  eleven  years,  during  which  period  of 


51  + 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


official  tliily  he  won  the  oontidence,  respect,  and 
esteem  of  the  people  of  the  entire  State,  for 
his  unbending  integrity  of  character,  and  the 
marked  ability  with  which  he  performed  his 
public  duties.  Indeed,  he  obtained  a  command- 
ing reputation,  through  his  official  intercourse 
with  the  authorities  of  other  States,  throughout 
the  country,  for  his  administrative  talent  in  the 
particular  line  of  official  duty  which,  for  so  long 
a  time,  devolved  upon  him.  His  name  was  a 
synonym  for  promptness,  systematic  exactness, 
and  unbending  integrity  of  purpose. 

What  A/.ariah  Flagg  has  ever  been  in  New 
York,  Thomas  Campbell  has  been  in  Illinois. 
Because  of  these  qualifications  he  was  selected 
by  the  present  State  authorities  to  adjust,  with 
the  General  Government,  the  vast  and  complica- 
ted accounts  of  the  State,  growing  out  of  the 
Illinois  war  expenditures;  and  for  nearly  a  year 
past  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  service,  but  was 
compelled  to  leave  it  and  return  home,  because 
of  his  increasing  ill  health.  To  him  more  than 
to  all  others,  is  due  the  credit  of  getting  our 
State  accounts  with  the  government  into  their 
present  favorable  condition.  In  his  social  rela- 
tions Mr.  Campbell  possessed  the  esteem  of  all. 

Though  an  earnest,  consistent,  radical  Demo- 
crat, his  genial  nature,  his  courteous  deportment 
and  his  acknowledged  integrity,  ever  stood  a  bar 
to  acrimonious  relations  with  political  opponents, 
in  public  or  private  station.  The  good  man  and 
true,  the  breath  of  aspersion  never  lell  on  him. 
All  acknowledged  his  public  and  private  worth, 
all  esteemed  him  for  his  many  virtues,  and  all 
mourn  his  demise  as  a  heavy  loss  to  society. 

EEASTUS     AVEIGHT. 

Erastus  Wright  was  born  Januarj-  21,  1779,  at 
Bernardstown,  Massachusetts.  The  family  is  a 
'very  ancient  one  for  New  England.  Erastus  left 
a  history  of  the  family,  which  ue  always  kept 
written  up,  giving  the  genealogy  of  the  family 
for  nearly  two  and  a  half  centuries,  beginning 
with  Deacon  Samuel  Wright,  who  came  from 
England  and  settled  at  Springfield  Massachu- 
setts, in  1641. 

The  parents  of  Erastus  Wright  left  Bernards- 
town,  Massachusetts,  and  went  to  Derby,  Ver- 
mont, in  1802,  that  being  at  the  time  pioneer 
ground.  Erastus  remained  with  his  father  on 
the  farm,  with  no  other  advantages  for  educa- 
tion than  the  country  schools  afforded,  until  the 
spring  of  1821,  when  he  started  West,  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother,  Charles.  They  traveled 
by  such  means  as  the  country  afforded  before 
the  days  of  canals  and  railroads,  until  they 
reached   Butfalo,  New  York.     There  they  em- 


barked on  a  schooner  for  Fort  Dearborn,  now 
Chicago,  Illinois.  From  Fort  Dearborn  they 
started  on  foot,  making  a  preliminary  survey  of 
the  route  now  occupied  by  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  canal,  touching  the  Illinois  river  near 
where  LaSalle  now  stands.  They  then  descended 
the  Illinois  river  to  Fort  Clark,  now  Peoria,  and 
from  there  to  Elkhart  Grove,  where  Judge 
Latham  resided.  On  their  way  south  they  stop- 
ped on  Fancy  creek,  in  what  is  now  Sangamon 
county,  at  the  house  of  John  Dixon,  who  was 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  county,  but 
who  afterwards  went  north  and  laid  out  the 
town,  now  city,  of  Dixon,  on  Rock  river.  From 
there  they  came  to  Springfield,  arriving  Novem- 
ber 21,  1821.  It  had  been  selected  as  the  county 
seat  on  the  10th  of  April  before,  but  there  had 
not  been  any  town  laid  out.  A  log  court  house 
had  just  been  completed.  Mr.  Wright  describes 
the  town,  as  it  first  appeared  to  him,  in  these 
words: 

"Elijah  lies  had  about  five  hundred  dollars 
worth  of  goods  in  a  log  cabin,  ten  by  fourteen; 
Charles  R.  Matheny  and  Jonathan  Kelley  lived 
in  log  cabins  not  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant. 
The  Indians — Kickapoos  and  Potawatamies — 
often  came  along  in  squads,  and  when  others 
had  built  cabins  near,  called  the  place  'log 
town.'  " 

Mr.  Wright  went  with  Judge  Latham  from 
Springfield  to  Elkhart  Grove  and  taught  school 
there  during  the  winter  of  1821-2.  He  bought 
a  claim  of  Levi  Ellis  and  entered  it  as  soon  as 
it  came  into  the  market  in  1823.  From  notes 
on  the  fly-leaf  of  a  New  Testament,  in  the 
handwriting  of  Mr.  Wright,  he  says:  "I  built 
the  first  frame  house  in  what  is  now  the  city  of 
Springfield." 

In  1824,  he  built  a  park,  and  traded  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Schuyler  county  for  an  elk. 
Old  citizens  remember  that  Mr.  Wright  rode 
that  elk,  and  drove  it  in  harness,  the  same  as  a 
horse,  though  he  says  in  a  note  that  he  was 
rough  to  ride,  and  not  very  kind  in  the  harness. 
Mr.  Wright  spent  three  or  four  years  in  the  lead 
mining  region  of  Illinois  and  W^isconsin,  and 
while  there  laid  out  the  town  of  Mineral  Point, 
Wisconsin,  using  a  bed  cord  for  his  chain.  He 
was  married  June  15,  1831,  in  Fulton  county,  to 
Jane  Gardner,  whose  parents  were  from  Sara- 
toga, New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright  had 
three  children. 

Erastus  Wright  was  one  of  the  earliest  teach- 
ers in  Sangamon  county,  and  taught  for  many 
years.  For  ten  years  he  filled  the  office  of  School 
Commissioner   of    Sangamon    county.      During 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


515 


thai  time  a  large  amount  of  money,  derived  from 
the  sale  of  government  laud  for  school  purposes, 
passed  through  his  hands.  He  was  one  of  the 
earliest  Abolitionists,  and  was  always  fearless  in 
advocating  its  doctrines.  He  acquired  consider- 
able wealth,  and  was  liberal  towards  all  benevo- 
lent objects,  and  every  public  enterprise  was 
sure  to  elicit  his  co-operation. 

Erastus  Wright  died  in  Springfield,  Novem- 
ber 21,  1870. 

REV.  JOHN  G.  BERGEN,  D.  D. 

No  more  honored  name  is  contained  in  this 
chapter  than  that  of  the  one  whose  name  heads 
this  sketch. 

John  G.  Bergen  was  born  November  27,  1790, 
at  Hightstown,  Middlesex  county,  New  Jersey. 
His  parents  were  George  I.  and  Rebecca  (Combs) 
Bergen,  the  former  a  descendant  of  the  Bergen 
family  of  Norway,  and  the  latter  of  the  Combs 
family  of  Scotland. 

Dr.  Bergen's  education  began  at  Cranberry,  in 
the  parochial  academy,  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Camp- 
bell. A  few  years  later,  when  his  father,  under 
the  pressure  of  business  perplexities,  removed  to 
Somerset  county,  he  attended  the  academy  at 
Baskin  Ridge,  presided  over  by  Dr.  Finley,  in 
which  the  Rev.  Philip  Lindsley,  afterwards 
President  of  the  University  of  Nashville,  was 
tutor.  Dr.  Finley  was  the  father  of  the  coloni- 
zation movement,  a  scheme  kindly  meant,  but 
impossible  of  execution,  as  the  event  has  shown, 
to  which,  nevertheless.  Dr.  Bergen  gave  his 
life-long  adherence;  so  deep  were  the  impres- 
sions made  upon  his  mind  in  his  youth.  Mr. 
Lindsley  first  awakened  in  him  a  taste  for  read- 
ing, by  putting  in  his  hands  the  Arabain  Nights, 
then  Don  Quixote,  then  Gil  Bias;  and  afterward 
more  solid  books — Ramsey's  American  Revolu- 
tion, Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  Gillie's 
History  of  Greece,  Anicharses'  Travels,  Fergu- 
son's Roman  Republic,  Rollin's  History,  Plu- 
tarch's Lives,  Gibbon's  Decline  and  Fall  of  the 
Roman  Empire,  Robertson's  Charles  V.,  Mexico, 
and  South  America,  and  other  works  of  similar 
character. 

In  1806,  he  entered  the  junior  class  at  Prince- 
ton College,  from  which  he  subsequently  grad- 
uated. 

In  March,  1810,  Mr.  I>ergen  was  appointed 
tutor  in  Princeton  College,  an  honor  which  he 
declined  at  first,  but  was  subsequently  induced 
to  accept. 

In  1811,  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the 
Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick.  In  September, 
1812,  he  resigned  his  tutorship  to  enter  upon  the 
duties  of  the  saored  calling.     On  the  following 


Saturday,  with  a  letter  of  introduction  in  his 
pocket,  he  set  out  for  Madison,  New  Jersey, 
then  called  Bottle  Ilill,  forty  miles  from  Prince- 
ton, and  twenty  miles  west  of  New  York  City. 
The  deacon  to  whom  his  letter  was  addressed 
made  his  appearance  unshaved,  in  shirt  sleeves 
and  bare  feet,  but  treated  him  kindly.  Mr.  Ber- 
gen {jreached  on  Sunday;  a  congregational  meet- 
ing was  called  for  Monday;  on  Tuesday  one  of 
the  elders  came  to  Princeton,  and  after  making 
such  inquiries  as  he  saw  fit,  an  official  letter  was 
placed  in  Mr.  Bergen's  hands  on  Wednesday, 
informing  him  that  it  was  the  unanimous  desire 
of  the  congregation  that  he  should  consider  him- 
self a  candidate  for  settlement.  He  returned  to 
Madison,  spent  two  Sabbaths  and  the  interven- 
ing week  there,  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  and 
on  the  first  Monday  in  December  the  Presbytery 
of  Jersey  met  at  Morristown,  four  miles  from 
Madison,  to  examine  him  for  ordination.  After 
a  most  thorough  examination,  he  was  ordained. 
Here  he  remained  for  about  sixteen  years,  and 
in  that  time  .accomplished  a  vast  amount  of  good. 

In  consequence  of  some  trouble  in  the  church, 
of  which  he  was  in  no  sense  responsible,  and 
also  from  the  fact  that  manv  of  his  relatives 
had  moved  West,  Mr.  Bergen  resolved  to  follow 
them.  He  therefore  asked  the  Presbytery  to 
dissolve  his  pastoral  relations  with  the  congrega- 
tion, which  was  accordingly  done  Sejjtember  10, 
1828.  » 

On  Monday,  September  22,  in  the  presence  of 
an  assembled  multitude,  man_y  of  whom  followed 
him  for  ten  miles,  before  they  could  say  fare- 
well, he  took  his  departure  for  Illinois.  The 
journey  occupied  forty  days.  He  made  a  short 
stop  at  Rock  Springs,  St.  Clair  county,  where 
his  mother  resided,  and  where  he  found  Rev. 
John  M.  Peck  teaching  in  his  seminary.  The 
seminary  building,  as  Mr.  Bergen  saw  it,  was  a 
small,  frame  building,  covered  with  clap-boards, 
unfurnished,  and  served  for  a  school,  a  church  and 
a  seminary,  vi'hence  preachers  of  the  gospel  were 
to  emanate.  In  this  house  he  preached  twice, 
the  Sabbath  after  his  arrival,  using  notes,  which 
led  to  a  long  and  friendly  discussion,  in  which 
Mr.  Peck  told  him  that  "everybody  in  the  West 
shoots  flying."  At  Rock  Spring  he  found  a 
letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Ellis,  urging  him  not  to  de- 
lay around  St.  Louis,  but  to  come  immediately 
north  to  Sangamon.  On  Monday,  Mr.  Bergen 
and  his  family  called  on  Governor  Edwards,  at 
Belleville,  and  found  the  household  in  mourning 
for  his  son-in-law,  Hon.  Daniel  P.  Cook,  the  first 
Attorney  General  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and 
afterward  its  only  member  in  the  National  Con- 


516 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


gress.  Mr.  Bergen  preached  that  uight  in  Belle- 
ville, at  a  private  house.  On  Tuesday,  he  drove 
into  St.  Louis,  a  dirty,  dilapidated  old  French 
town,  of  bad  repute,  with  a  population  of  seven- 
teen hundred  inhabitantii.  By  Saturday  night, 
he  reached  Jacksonville,  where  half  a  dozen  log 
houses  and  a  log  school  house  constituted  the 
entire  village.  There  he  found  Mr.  Ellis  expect- 
ing him,  and  received  a  hearty  welcome.  "When 
I  received  your  letter,"  he  said,  "it  was  the  first 
ray  of  light  which  dawned  on  me  for  the  two 
years  I  have  been  laboring  almost  alone  in  this 
region  of  moral  desolation.  Come  in,  ray  brother, 
you  and  yours,  and  God  bless  you,  and  make  you 
a  blessing." 

This  Mr.  Ellis  was  one  of  seven  Presbyterian 
ministers,  five  of  whom  were  in  the  southern 
portion  of  the  State,  who  with  Mr.  Bergen  were 
organized  into  a  Presbytery  the  following  spring. 
He  originally  preached  in  Kaskaskia,  but  re- 
moved to  .T.-icksonville  in  the  spring  of  1828. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Michigan,  where 
he  died,  in  1855. 

On  Monday,  Mr.  Bergen  parted  with  his  fam- 
ily, they  to  accompany  his  parents  home,  twelve 
miles  north  of  Jersey "Prairie;  he,  to  Springfield, 
where  he  was  hospitably  received  by  Major  lies, 
then  recently  married,  and  one  of  the  four  origi- 
nal proprietors  of  the  town,  of  whom  he  is  the 
only  survivor.  The  town,  when  Mr.  Bergen 
came  to  it,  numbered  about  two  hundred  inliabi- 
tants,  and  thirty-five  log  houses,  with  a  few 
frame  dwellings,  not  more  than  four  or  five, 
painted  in  frorTt  only.  The  school  house  was  a 
small  frame  building,  with  broken  door,  broken 
windows,  broken  benches — a  high  seat  in  one 
end — a  floor  almost  as  dirty  as  a  pig-sty — the 
whole  elevated  on  blocks  as  if  to  give  free  room 
for  the  hogs  to  root  under  the  floor— standing  on 
the  east  side  of  the  square.  A  Presbyterian 
church  had  previously  been  organized  here.  Dr. 
Jayne  helped  him  to  get  one  of  the  six  frame 
houses  in  which  to  live. 

Two  weeks  later,  after  a  fit  of  sickness  at 
Jersey  Prairie,  followed  by  the  sickness,  first  of 
one  of  his  children  and  then  of  his  wife,  he 
took  up  his  abode  in  his  new  home.  His  cousin 
visited  him  in  December,  and  on  opening  the 
door,  lifted  up  both  hands,  exclaiming,  "  Why, 
my  cousin  !  "  as  he  saw  boxes  in  the  room  where 
the  family  lived  and  slept-  and  cooked,  tilled  up 
with  harness,  and  two  great  dressed  hogs  which 
had  been  bought  and  given  them,  lying  on 
another  box,  with  their  mouths  wide  open,  with 
a  Lrreat  cob   in  them.     Said  Mr.   Bergen   in  his 


cheerful  wav,  "Come  in,  come  in,  cousin!  Never 
mind  it!"     It  was  the  way  of  the  county. 

Mr.    Bergen  called    on   every   family   in  the 
town,   whether  members  of  any  church  or  not. 
he  announced  from  the  pulpit  that  he  had  come 
to  live,  labor  and  die  among  his  people.    On  the 
second   Sabbath    in  December,   notices  having 
previously  been  given  through  the   county,  he 
administered  the  communion;   and  at  the  close 
of  the  service,  announced  that  he  had  come  with 
his  family  to  seek  a  home  here — not  to  make  an 
experiment,  but  to  plant  with  their  planting  and 
to  grow  with  their  growth.     He  thought  they 
ought  to  do  one  thing  without  delay.      "  Let  us 
rise  up  and  Vmild  a  house  for  God!"     He  invited 
all  who  were  disposed  to  do  so,  to  meet  the  next 
evening  in  the   school    house,  to  deliberate  and 
conclude  upon  it.     The  meeting  was  held,  and 
a  building  committee  was  appointed,  consisting 
of    John    Todd,   Gershom   Jayne,    Washington 
lies,  David  Taylor,  John  Motiitt,   Samuel  Reed 
and  Elijah  Slater.     In  a  few  days  over  six  hund- 
red dollars  was  subscribed — a  more  liberal  act 
for  the  times  than  a  hundred  thousand  dollars 
would   be    to-day.      Mr.    Bergen   wrote    to   the 
Secretary  of  Mission;   his  appeal  was  j)ublished 
in  the  Home  Missionary,  and  he  received  two 
hundred  dollars  as  the  response.     He  and  Dr. 
Jayne  then  "  scoured  the  town,"  secured  a  sub- 
scription of  twelve  hundred  dollars  in  all,  and  it 
was  decided  to  build  of  brick.  Thomas  Brooker, 
a  brick-maker  and  stone-mason  was  sent  for  from 
Belleville,  to  do  the  work. 

The  church  was  completed  in  due  time,  and 
here  Mr.  Bergen  labored  for  many  years,  the 
pastoral  relation  continuing  till  1848,  when  he 
resigned.  With  his  resignation  his  active  life 
ceased.  From  this  time  he  devoted  himself  to 
writing  for  the  press  and  to  missionary  effort 
among  feeble  churches,  here  and  there.  During 
the  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  Illinois,  up  to  this 
time,  about  five  hundred  members  had  been  re- 
ceived into  the  church  in  Springfield,  and  six 
churches  organized  in  the  county.  He  had  ex- 
pended during  his  ministry  here  more  than  four 
thousand  dollars  of  his  private  property.  Many 
wondered  whether  he  would  not  live  to  regret 
his  resignation;  but  he  never  did. 

During  the  closing  years  of  his  life,  he  organ- 
ized a  number  of  additional  churches.  Several 
times  he  was  chosen  commissioner  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  where,  in  1861,  the  year  of  the 
war,  he  voted  for  what  are  known  as  the  Spring 
resolutions.  In  1854,  the  degree  of  doctor  of 
divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Centre  Col- 
lege, at  Danville,  Kentucky.     He  was  for  many 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


519 


years  a  director  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
the  Northwest,  at  Chicago.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  reunion  movement  in  the  church,  and 
attended  the  tirst  preliminary  meeting  of  the 
two  branches  held  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  at 
the  second  Presbyterian  church,  Bloomington, 
Illinois,  in  April,  1865.  He  was  again  made 
moderator  of  the  re-united  Synod  of  Central 
Illinois,  in  July,  1870,  at  its  first  meeting  in  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church,  Bloomington. 

Dr.  Bergen  was  called  to  his  rest,  Wednesday, 
January  17,  1872.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  all 
his  life  went  about  doing  good. 

ORLIN    H.    MINER 

Orlin  H.  Miner  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont, May  13,  1825,  where  he  resided  with  his 
parents  until  18.34  when  they  removed  to  Ohio. 
He  came  to  Chicago  in  1851,  and  worked  there 
at  his  trale  of  watch-making  for  a  short  time, 
when  he  i amoved  to  this  city,  and  was  employed 
by  Mr.  C4eorge  W.  Chatterton,  Sr.  In  the  spring 
of  184')  he  went  to  Costa  Rica,  Central  America, 
and  was  with  General  William  Walker  at  Gray- 
town.  After  the  capture  of  Graytown,  he 
returned  to  the.United  States,  stopping  a  short 
time  in  New  Orleans,  and  then  returning  to  this 
city,  and  again  working  for  Mr.  Chatterton,  and 
afterward  for  Ives  &  Curran,  at  watch-making. 
In  1S)7,  when  Jesse  K.  Dubois  was  installed  as 
Auditor  he  entered  the  office  as  clerk,  which 
position  he  retained  until  1864,  when  he  was 
nominated  on  the  Republican  ticket,  for  Auditor 
and  elected,  and  served  until  1868.  During  his 
connection  with  the  office  as  clerk,  he  had  almost 
the  entire  responsibility  of  the  office,  and  after 
his  election  gave  his  personal  attention  to  every 
detail  of  the  work.  During  the  rebellion  Mr. 
Miner  was  one  of  Gov.  Yates'  most  trusted  ad- 
visers. 

After  his  retirement  from  the  Auditor's  office, 
Mr.  Miner  deioted  his  attention  to  his  personal 
business,  and  was  noted  for  the  active  interest 
he  took  in  all  public  enterprises  calculated  to 
build  up  the  interests  of  the  city,  He  was  one 
of  the  first  to  assist  in  the  organization  of  the 
Springfield  Iron  Company,  and  continued  a 
Director  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Miner  was  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity.  He  was  elected  Secretary 
of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons  in  October,  1868, 
and  was  re-elected  each  successive  year  until 
1873,  Tvhen  he  declined  a  re-election.  In  1877 
he  was  appointed  Grand  Treasurer,  to  fill  a  va- 
cancy, was  elected  to  that  position  in  1878,  and 
again  in  1879,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  held 
that  position,  also  that  of  Grand  Treasurer  of 

no— 


the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter.  He  was  also  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Scottish  Rite  of  Ma- 
sonry, being,  with  Gen.  J.  C.  Smith,  the  only  thir- 
ty-three degree  member  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

As  already  stated  above,  Mr.  Miner  ever  took 
an  active  interest  in  all  public  affairs,  and  was 
known  and  esteemed  as  an  enterprising  citizen. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  earnest  promoters  of 
the  Board  of  Trade,  and  was  elected  Secretary 
at  the  first  meeting,  and  so  long  as  his  health 
permitted,  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the  work 
of  getting  that  body  into  running  order.  His 
business  experience  and  sagacity  was  recognized 
by  all,  and  his  opinion  on  matters  of  finance  was 
always  sought  and  considered  by  his  acquaint- 
ances. 

As  a  husband,  father,  neighbor  and  friend  no 
man  ever  lived  who  was  more  loved,  esteemed 
and  respected  than  Orlin  H.  Miner. 

Mr.  Miner  died  in  Springfield. 

ARCHER    rj.  HERNDON. 

Archer  G.  Herndon,  one  of  the  celebrated 
"Long  Nine"  members  of  the  legislature  from 
1836  to  1838,  was  born  in  Culpepper  county,  Vir- 
ginia, February  13,  1795.  When  about  ten 
years  of  age,  in  company  with  his  parents,  he 
removed  to  Green  county,  Kentucky,  where  his 
youth  and  eai'ly  manhood  was  spent,  and  where, 
in  1816,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Johnson,  whose  maiden  name  was  Day. 
Four  children  were  born  unto  them^Williara 
H.,  Elliott  B.,  Archer  G.,  and  Nathaniel  F.,  of 
whom  the  latter  died  when  about  seven  years 
old.  The  others  grew  to  manhood,  sketches 
of  whom  will  te  found  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herndon  moved  from  Kentucky 
to  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1820,  and  remained 
one  year  in  Madison  county,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1821,  arrived  in  Sangamon  county,  settling  on 
what  is  now  known  as  German  Prairie,  about 
five  miles  east  of  Springfield.  Here  they  re- 
mained until  their  removal  to  Springfield,  in 
1S25. 

From  1825  to  1836  Mr.  Herndon  was  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  trade  in  Springfield,  in  which 
business  he  was  quite  successful.  Within  that 
time  he  erected  a  tavern  in  the  place  and  tended 
to  the  wants  of  the  traveling  public. 

Archer  G.  Herndon  was  a  Democrat  of  the 
old  school,  and  lived  and  died  in  the  faith  of 
that  party.  An  Abolitionist,  in  his  eyes,  was  a 
man  not  to  be  trusted  in  any  capacity. 

Mr.  Herndon  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  State  in  1834,  and  served  two  years. 
In  1836  he  was  elected  a  State  Senator,  and  re- 


520 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


elected  in  1838  and  1840,  serving  six  years  in 
all.  In  tlie  legislature  he  was  an  active  and 
influential  member,  and  served  with  credit  to 
himself  and  his  constituents.  In  the  contest  on 
the  removal  of  the  capital  from  Vandalia  to 
Springfield  he  was  one  of  the  most  active  of  the 
nine.  In  1842  he  was  appointed  Receiver  of 
Publjc  Moneys  in  the  Land  Office  at  Spring- 
field, and  served  until  1849,  discharging  the 
duties  in  a  faithful  and  satisfactory  manner. 

When  Mr.  Herndon  arrived  in  Sangamon 
county  he  was  almost  if  not  quite  penniless, 
but  by  industry,  fortunate  investments,  and 
economy,  he  accumulated  a  handsome  fortune. 

Archer  G.  Herudon  died  in  Springfield,  Jan- 
uary 3,  18C7. 

VCILLIAM    liUTLEE. 

One  of  the  most  noted  of  the  local  politicians 
of  Sangamon  county,  if  not  of  the  State,  was 
William  Butler,  who  was  born  December  15, 
1797,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky.  During  the 
war  of  1812,  he  was  selected  to  cany  important 
dispatches  from  the  Governor  of  Kentucky  to 
General  Harrison,  in  the  field.  He  traveled  on 
horseback,  and  made  the  trip  successfully,  al- 
though he  was  but  fifteen  years  of  age.  When 
a  young  man,  he  was  employed  in  the  iron  works 
of  Tennessee,  and  after  that  was  deputy  of 
the  Circuit  Clerk  for  Adair  county,  Kentucky. 
While  thus  engaged,  he  made  the  acquaintance 
of  a  young  lawyer,  afterward  the  venerable  Judge 
Stephen  T.  Logan,  of  this  city.  The  friendship 
thus  formed  continued  through  life.  Mr.  Butler 
spent  a  portion  of  his  time  as  clerk  on  a  steam- 
boat. In  1828,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
and  purchased  a  farm  in  Island  Grove.  On  that 
farm  Lis  father,  Elkanah  Butler,  lived  and  died. 
William  Butler  came  to  Springfield,  and  was 
soon  after  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
by  his  early  friend.  Judge  Logan,  March  19, 
1836,  and  resigned  March  22,  1841.  He  was  ap- 
pointed, by  Governor  Bissell,  State  Treasurer, 
August  29,  1859,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  resignation  of  State  Treasurer  Miller.  He 
was  elected  to  the  same  office  in  1860,  for  two 
years.  William  Butler  and  Elizabeth  Rickard 
were  married  December  18,  1832.  They  had 
three  children — Salome  E.,  Speed,  and  Henry 
Wirt. 

As  stated,  Mr.  Butler  was  a  noted  local  poli- 
tician, and  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  could  come 
nearer  predicting  the  result  of  an  election,  in 
either  county.  State,  or  Nation,  than  any  man  re- 
siding here. 

Mr.  Butler  was  in  his  personal  appearance: 
rather  more  than  average  height;  not  heavy,  but 


compactly  built;  light  and  wary  in  his  step; 
active  in  his  movements;  and  of  great  strength 
and  power  of  endurance  for  one  of  his  weight. 
lie  had  a  high  and  ample  forehead,  a  thoughtful 
and  serene  brow,  a  bright  searching  eye,  a  mouth 
of  inflexible  decision,  a  serious  face,  and  general 
aspect  of  features  which  marked  him  as  a  man 
of  purpose  and  resolution.  His  fine  presence 
and  his  whole  manner  in  business  and  social 
intercourse  showed  the  individuality  of  his  char- 
acter, which,  with  his  habitual  self-respect  and 
self-possession  at  all  times,  whether  in  the  ordi- 
nary walk  of  life  or  in  great  emergencies,  made 
him  a  noted  man.  Pie  was  endowed  with  great 
mental  and  physical  courage;  prompt  in  forming, 
and  resolute  in  carrying  out  any  purpose  or  plan 
of  action  on  which  he  had  decided.  He  never 
sought  to  be  conspicuous — hated  shams  and  des- 
pised hypocracy.  He  never  pretended  to  be 
V.  hat  he  was  not;  not  at  all  credulous,  but  rather 
inclined  to  be  distrustful  of  human  nature,  yet 
when  anyone  had  once  gained  his  respect  and 
confidence,  he  was  to  them  a  true,  faithful  and 
steadfast  friend — to  be  ever  relied  on  in  the  hour 
of  peril  or  adversity. 

From  1840  to  1870,  during  a  period  of  thirty 
years,  the  most  exciting  and  perilous  years  of 
the  Nation,  William  Butler  was  one  of  the  most 
active  and  influential  men  in  the  State  of  Illinois; 
a  Whig  up  to  the  dissolution  of  that  party,  and 
then  a  Republican  during  the  rest  of  his  life. 
His  advice  was  always  sought'^id  usually  acted 
on  by  the  leading  public  men  of  the  State.  Mr. 
Butler  never  sought  office;  the  public  positions 
which  he  held  were  tendered  him  without  solici- 
tation on  his  part.  He  much  preferred  to  use 
his  influence  to  decide  who  should  and  who 
should  not  be  placed  in  office,  and  his  potent  aid 
was  usually  decisive  of  the  result. 

A  more  honest  custodion  of  the  public  funds 
never  held  the  position  ol  State  Treasurer.  Dur- 
ing the  rebellion  his  official  position  gave  him 
grand  opportunities  for  serving  his  State  and 
.Nation.  He,  in  connection  with  the  Him.  Jesse 
K.  Dubois  and  O.  M.  Hatch,  formed  the  cabinet 
of  Governor  Richard  Y^ates,  who  was  pre-emin- 
ently the  great  War  Governor  of  the  Republic. 

Mr.  Butler,  at  a  very  early  day,  discerned  the 
great  possibilities  which  belonged  to  the  chai- 
acter  and  abilities  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  When 
he  was  a  poor  and  comjjaratively  friendless 
young  man,  Mr.  Butler  gave  him  a  home  in  his 
family,  when  he  moved  to  Springfield  to  com- 
mence the  practice  of  law.  He  remained  a  mem- 
ber of  the  household  until  the  day  of  his  mar- 
riage. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


591 


Mr.  Butler,  in  conjunction  with  David  Davis, 
O.  H.  Browning  and  Stephen  T.  Logan,  was 
largely  instrumental  in  placing  Lincoln  in  nom- 
ination for  the  Presidency,  at  Chicago,  in  1860. 

Mr.  Butler  was  so  mixed  up  in  the  excitement 
and  difficulties  connected  with  the  Shields  and 
Lincoln  challenge  for  a  duel,  that  he  received  a 
challenge  from  General  James  Shields,  which 
challenge  was  promptly  accepted.  The  time, 
distance  and  weapons  promised  a  fatal  result  to 
one  or  both  parties.  The  affair  was  settled,  and 
both  men  lived  to  render  great  service  to  their 
country. 

William  Jiutler  died  January  11,  1876,  in 
Springfield,  and  his  remains  lie  interred  in  Oak 
Ridge  Cemetery. 

DE.  GERSHOM   .TAYNE. 

Gershom  Jayne,  son  of  Jotham  Jayne,  was  born 
in  October,  1791,  in  Orange  county,  New  York. 
He  served  as  surgeon  in  the  war  of  1812,  then 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
Cayuga  county,  in  his  native  State.  He  removed 
to  Illinois  in  1819,  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
county,  where  he  continued  to  practice  in  Spring- 
field for  forty-seven  years.  When  he  commenced 
his  vocation  here,  he  was  the  first  practitioner 
this  far  north  in  the  State. 

At  that  early  day  the  practice  of  medicine  was 
exceedingly  laborious.  Dr.  Jayne  was  indefati- 
gable. He  often  rode  fifteen  and  twenty  miles 
to  see  a  patient,  and  some  times  as  much  as  sixty 
miles,  and  that  in  all  kinds  of  weather.  Those 
who  employed  him  could  depend  on  his  punctu- 
ality, notwithstanding  the  wide  extent  of  his 
medical  practice.  He  fulfilled  his  engagements 
at  the  hour  appointed,  day  or  night.  His  prac- 
tical acumen  was  as  marked  as  his  fidelity.  His 
judgment  was  rarely  at  fault.  Always  moderate 
in  his  charges,  he  was^very  benevolent  to  the 
poor.  In  politics,  he  belonged  to  the  Whig 
party,  and  afterwards  acted  with  the  Republican 
party.  He .  never  sought  office,  but  being  ap- 
pointed, without  any  solicitation  on  his  part,  by 
Governor  Ninian  Edwards,  as  one  of  the  first 
Commissioners  of  the  Illinois  &  Michigan  canal, 
he  accepted  and  acted  in  that  capacity.  As  a 
Christian,  he  never  united  with  any  denomina- 
tion ;  his  large  head  and  broad  views  refused  to 
subscribe  to  any  sectarian  creed.  He  was 
familiar  with  the  Scriptures  and  an  attentive 
listener  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  He  was 
the  friend  of  the  church  and  the  school-honse, 
and  cordially  contributed  of  his  means  to  the 
support  of  both. 

He  was  a  great  reader,  and  possessed  a  retentive 
memory.     Poetry  was  his  especial  delight,  and 


he  knew  how  to  quote  it  readily  and  wiUi  effect. 
The  great  aim  and  object  of  his  life  was  in  the 
line  of  his  chosen  profession,  to  that  he  gave  the 
enthusiasm  and  energy  of  an  acute  mind  and  a 
sound  body, — his  practice  was  large  and  reasona- 
bly lucrative — his  career  was  eminently  succesful. 

He  was  married  to  Sibyl  Slater  in  1822,  whose 
father,  Elijah  Slater,  had  moved  from  Massachu- 
setts. Of  their  six  children  born  to  them,  four 
were  reared  to  adult  age.  The  oldest  child, 
Julia  Maria,  married  Senator  Lyman  Trumbull, 
the  oldest  son.  Dr.  William  Jayne,  adopted  the 
profession  of  Medicine,  as  also  Dr.  Henry  Jayne. 
Mary  Ellen,  the  youngest  daughter,_z-esides  in 
Springfield. 

Gershom  Jayne  died  in  18(57,  and  his  wife  in 
1878.     Both  are  buried  in  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery. 

REUBEN  F.  RUTH. 

Reuben  F.  Ruth,  for  some  years  President  of 
the  Marine  Bank  of  Springfield,  w-as  born  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  26, 1815. 
His  parents  were  also  natives  of  the  Keystone 
State.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  sad- 
dlery and  harness  trade  in  Lancaster  City,  and  in 
the  spring  of  18.38,  in  company  with  several 
other  young  men,  started  West.  Landing  in 
Beardstown,  Illinois,  in  August  of  that  year, 
with  a  small  stock  of  saddlery  material,  he  be- 
gan business  there,  but  in  April,  18'39,  he  came 
to  Springfield,  Sangamon  county,  and  opened  a 
small  shop  on  Washington  street.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  the  south  side  of  the  squ.are, 
and  there  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  saddles 
and  harness  successfully  until  1861,  when  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  C.  R.  Hurst,  and  as 
the  firm  of  Hurst  &  Ruth,  eng.aged  in  the  sale 
of  dry  goods,  continuing  the  manufactory  also, 
until  1875.  He  then  sold  his  interest  to  his 
partner  and  retired  from  the  firm.  On  May  5, 
1868,  Mr.  Ruth  was  elected  President  of  the 
Marine  Bank  of  Springfield,  and  filled  the  posi- 
tion with  credit  and  satisfaction  till  his  death. 
August  11,  1841,  he  united  in  marriage  with 
Maria  W.  Diller,  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 
She  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  of  that  State, 
July  20,  1817.  Two  sons  were  the  fruit  of  their 
union — J.  Diller  Ruth,  born  June  14,  1842,  and 
R.  Francis  Ruth,  born  May  8, 1856.  In  August, 
1877,  Mr.  Ruth  formed  a  partnership  with  the 
younger  son,  and  embarked  in  the  hardware 
business,  the  partnership  continuing  up  to  the 
time  of  his  decease,  and  under  the  direct  man- 
agement of  the  junior  partner. 

Mr.  Ruth  had  little  taste  for  public  life,  but 
was  induced  to  serve  one  term  as  City  Alder- 
man, and  four  years  as  Water  Works  Commis- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sioiier.  He  was  a  careful,  prudent,  but  energetic 
business  man,  devoid  of  all  ostentation  and 
affectation,  but  possessed  of  that  sterling  man- 
hood which  commanded  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
Ten  years  after  settling  in  Springfield,  he  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  remained  a 
member  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died 
after  a  brief  illness,  with  dropsy  of  the  heart, 
on  the  morning  of  September  28,  1881.  Mrs. 
IMaria  W.  D.  Ruth  died  May  28,  1870,  and  the 
elder  son,  J.  Diller  Ruth,  died  in  New  Orleans, 
February  23,  1879.  He  married  Anna  Bacon, 
of  Petersburg,  Illinois,  whom  he  left  a  widow 
with  one  daughter,  Georgiana  Ruth. 

CHAKI.ES  K.   HUEST, 

One  of  Springfield's  prominent  citizens  and 
representative  business  men,  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  September 
30,  1811;  came  to  Springfield  in  March,  1834, 
and  soon  after  entered  the  employ  of  Bell  & 
Linsley,  dry  goods  merchants,  as  clerk.  Some 
years  later  he  bought  the  dry  goods  store  of 
Joshua  F.  Speed,  and  continued  in  the  business 
as  sole  or  joint  proprietor  until  the  fall  of  1877. 
During  his  commercial  career  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  E.  D.  Taylor  for  some  years,  and  fifteen 
years  with  R.  F.  Ruth,  in  the  firm  of  Hurst  & 
Ruth.  He  finally  closed  out  the  business  to  R. 
F.  Herndon  &  Co.,  and  purchasing  an  interest  in 
the  West  End  coal  mine,  a  mile  and  a  half  east 
of  the  city,  and  engaged  in  the  business  of 
mining  and  shipping  coal.  The  first  two  years, 
Mr.  Hurst  was  jointly  interested  with  A. 
Starne,  but  in  May,  1879,  he  bought  his  partner 
out  and  continued  sole  owner  till  his  death,  on 
June  16,  1881. 

Soon  after  locating  in  Springfield,  Mr.  Hurst 
married  Miss  Ann,  daughter  of  Colonel  John 
Taylor.  Seven  children  were  born  of  their  union, 
six  of  whom,  three  of  each  sex,  survive,  namely, 
Jennie  E.,  Anna  W.,  Georgia  S.,  Charles  H., 
Edward  S  ,  and  Huizinga  M.  Mr.  Hurst" served 
eight  consecutive  years  as  city  alderman,  and  was 
Chairman  of  the  Finance  committee  during  the 
whole  time.  He  was  also  Water  Works  Commis- 
sioner three  years.  He  was  methodical,  prompt 
and  reliable  in  business,  possessed  of  unswerv- 
ing integrity  of  character,  cordial  and  modest  in 
manners,  and  was  closely  identified  with  the 
prosperity  and  growth  of  Springfield.  Since 
Mr.  Hurst's  decease  the  coal  mining  interest  have 
been  conducted  by  the  widow  and  the  three  sons. 
From  eighty  to  a  hundred  men  are  employed. 
The  product  of  the  mine  is  sold  in  the  city  and 
at  points  along  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad. 


DE.  JOHN  TOUD. 

John  Todd  was  born  April  27,  1787,  near  Lex- 
ington, Fayette  county,  Kentucky.  He  was 
among  the  earliest  graduates  of  Transylvania 
University  at  Lexington.  He  ne.xt  entered  the 
Medical  University  of  Philadelphia,  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  graduated  there.  Dr.  Todd  was  mar- 
ried July  1,  1813,  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  to 
Elizabeth  Smith,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Blair 
Smith,  D.  D.  She  was  born  April  18,  1793,  in 
Philadelphia.  Her  mother  was  a  daughter  of 
General  Nash,  a  leader  in  the  American  Revolu- 
tion from  Virginia.  Dr.  Todd  was  appointed 
Surgeon  General  of  the  Kentucky  troops  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  was  at  the  battle  and  massacre 
of  the  river  Raisin,  in  Canada,  where  he  was 
captured.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Lexing- 
ton and  practiced  there.  He  was  for  a  short 
time  at  Bardstown,  Kentucky,  and  from  there, 
in  1817,  moved  to  Edwardsville,  Illinois.  In 
1827  he  was  appointed  by  President  John  Quincy 
Adams,  Register  of  the  United  States  Land  Of- 
fice, at  Springfield,  and  at  once  moved  there. 
He  remained  in  office  until  he  was  removed 
solely  for  political  reasons,  by  President  Jackson 
in  1829. 

On  his  arrival  in  Springfield,  and  while  dis- 
charging the  duties  of  his  office.  Dr.  Todd  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  When 
he  retired  from  office  he  devoted  his  whole  time 
to  practice,  and  obtained  many  patients  through- 
out the  county,  and  even  in   adjoining  counties. 

Dr.  Todd  was  a  man  of  fine  physique,  of  ro- 
bust constitution,  and  one  suited  to  endure  the 
hardships  of  a  pioneer  life,  or  practice  among 
pioneers. 

Dr.  Todd  was  a  liberal  man  in  his  dealings 
with  his  fellow-man.  He  was  ever  ready  to  do 
them  a  good  turn,  and  his  home  was  thrown 
open  to  all,  and   all  received  a  hearty  welcome. 

In  his  later  life  he  was  an  earnest  and  devoted 
Christian,  and  for  some  years  was  a  ruling  elder 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Springfield. 
He  died  January  9,  1865. 

J.    K.    DUBOIS. 

Jesse  Kilgore  Dubois  was  born  in  Lawrence 
county,  Illinois,  January  14,  1811.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Bloomiugton,  Indiana,  taking  a  classical 
course  in  the  college  at  that  place,  but,  having 
married,  he  left  school  a  few  months  before  the 
time  that  he  would  have  graduated.  He  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  legislature  from  Law- 
rence county,  Illinois,  before  he  was  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  and  was  several  times  re-elected  to 
the  same  office  from  that  county.  He  was  also  a 
justice  of  the  peace  there  for  several  years.      In 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


523 


1841  he  was  appointed  Commissioner  of  the 
Land  Office  in  Palestine,  and  served  four  years, 
in  that  time,  disposing  of  millions  of  acres  of 
land.  Soon  after  he  was  appointed  Receiver  of 
the  Land  Office  at  that  place,  and  tilled  the  posi- 
tion four  years.  In  1S56,  he  was  elected  Auditor 
of  State,  and  commenced  the  duties  of  that  office 
in  January,  1857.  He  was  re-elected  in  1860, 
and  served  until  the  expiration  of  his  second 
term,  in  all  four  years.  He  declined  a  re-nomina- 
tion  in    1664,    and   shortly    after  leaving  the 


Auditor's  office,  formed  a  business  relation  with 
Mr.  Hawley,  in  the  insurance  business,  which 
was  continued  for  some  time.  After  his  removal 
to  Springfield,  he  purchased  a  small  farm  ad- 
joining the  city,  where  he  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  Mr.  Dubois  died  in  November, 
1876. 

Jesse  K.  Dubois  was  an  honest,  upright  man, 
a  firm  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  a  Mason  of  high  rank,  and  also  an 
Odd  Fellow. 


5 -J  4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XXII, 


DARK  DEEDS. 


'•Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  is  a  Divine  precept.  Its 
obligation  is  incumbent  upon  every  one.  Not- 
withstanding this,  since  the  day  that  Cain  slew 
his  brother  Abel,  crime  has  been  rife  in  the  land. 
Laws  are  passed  and  heavy  penalties  are  inflicted 
upon  the  guilty,  yet  crime  does  not  cease  to  exist. 
Neither  the  terrors  of  this  world  or  that  which 
is  to  come  deters  the  determined  and  wicked 
man  from  taking  the  life  of  a  fellow-being.  San- 
gamon county  has,  with  every  other  county  in 
the  State,  been  the  theater  of  bloodshed,  and 
however  distasteful  the  task  may  be,  it  is  a  part 
of  the  historian's  duty  to  record  the  dark  deeds 
that  have  been  committed;  not  to  pander  to 
taste  of  a  depraved  people  for  the  sensational, 
but  as  a  warning  alike  to  the  pure,  and  those  who 
have  niuider  in  their  heart.  The  first  case  in 
which  life  was  taken  was  that  of  the 

MUKDKK    OF   MKS.    VANNOY. 

On  the  morning  of  August  27,  1826,  Nathaniel 
VanNoy,  in  a  fit  of  drunken  frenzy,  killed  his 
wife.  He  was  arrested  and  lodged  in  jail  the 
same  night.  The  sheriff  at  once  notified  Judge 
Sawyer,  who  at  once  called  a  special  session  of 
the  Circuit  Court.  A  grand  jury  was  empanneled 
and  sworn,  who  found  a  true  bill  of  indictment 
against  him.  The  following  named  composed 
this  jury:  Gersham  Jayne,  foreman;  Stephen 
Stillman,  John  Morris,  John  Stephenson,  jr., 
James  White,  Thomas  Morgan,  James  Stewart, 
Jacob  Boyer,  Robert  White,  John  N.  Moore, 
William  Carpenter,  Jesse  M.  Harrison,  Robert 
Cownover,  James  Turley,  Aaron  Houton,  John 
Young,  John  Lindsay,  Charles  Boyd,  William 
O.  Chilton,  Job  IJurdan,  Hugh  Sportsman,  Abram 
Lanterman.  The  bill  of  indictment  was  pre- 
sented to  the  court,  and  a  petit  jury  was  then 
called,  consisting  of  the  following  named:  Bowl- 
ing Green,  foreman;  Samuel  Lee,  Jesse  Arm- 
strong.   I-evi    W.    Gordon.   Thomas    I.    Parish, 


Erastus  Wright,  William  Vincent,  Philip  I. 
Fowler,  John  L.  Stephenson,  Levi  Parish.  James 
Collins,  George  Davenport. 

The  jury  were  sworn,  and  the  trial  commenced 
on  the  28th.  James  Turney,  Attorney  General 
of  the  State,  acted  for  the  people,  and  the  accused 
was  defended  by  James  Adams  and  Jonathan 
H.  Pugh,  both  of  Springfield.  A  verdict  of 
guilty  was  rendered  on  the  29th,  and  sentence 
pronounced  the  same  day,  that  the  condemned 
man  be  hungNovember  26,  1826.  Thus  in  less 
than  three  days  was  the  murder  committed,  the 
murderer  tried  and  condemned  to  be  hung.  The 
sentence  was  carried  out,  at  the  time  appointed, 
in  the  presence  of  almost  the  entire  community. 
The  execution  took  place  about  where  the  State 
House  now  stands.  Many  are  yet  living  who 
witnessed  the  summary  disposal  of  the  first  mur- 
derer in  what  was  then  Sangamon  county. 

Just  before  the  execution  VanNoy  sent  for  Dr. 
Filleo  and  enquired  of  him  if  a  man  could  be 
brought  to  life  after  he  had  been  hung.  The 
doctor  replied  that  if  the  neck  escaped  disloca- 
tion, and  that  if  the  condemned  person  did  not 
hang  too  long  there  was  a  possibility  that  by  the 
galv.anic  battery,  life  could  be  restored.  Van- 
Noy then  told  him  that  if  he  could  be  brought 
to  life  that  he  would  be  willing  to  pay  a  reason- 
able sum,  but  otherwise  the  doctor  might  have 
his  body  for  dissection.  The  doctor  told  him  to 
lean  forward  when  the  wagon  was  driven  from 
under  him,  and  that  he  consequently  would  have 
an  easy  fall.  He  followed  the  doctor's  advice 
and  his  neck  was  not  broken.  The  sheriff,  how- 
ever, fearing  that  he  would  come  to  life,  kept 
him  hanging  nearly  an  hour,  and  when  he  was 
taken  down  his  soul  was  too  far  in  the  land  of 
the  spirits  to  be  called  back.  Dr.  Filleo  made 
the  attempt  notwithstanding,  and  when  he  ap- 
plied the  galvanic  battery,  the  nerves  of  the  dead 
man  twitched  spasmodically  several  times  in 
quick  succession.     There   was  no   life    in  them 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


225 


and  tbey  only  moved  in  obedience  to  tlie  power- 
ful battery  that  was  brought  to  bear  upon  them. 

KILLING  OF  DE.  KAKLl". 

On  Wednesday,  March  14,  1838,  while  Dr. 
Jacob  M.  Early  was  sitting  in  a  room  at  Spotts- 
wood  Hotel,  Henry  B.  Truett  entered  and  took 
a  seat  nearlj-  opposite  and  fixed  his  eye  upon  the 
doctor,  who  did  not  seem  to  notice  him.  They 
remained  in  this  situation  until  all  the  gentlemen 
present,  ten  or  twelve  in  number,  left  the  room, 
but  one,  when  Truett,  rising  to  his  feet,  ad- 
dressed the  doctor,  asking  him  if  he  was  the 
author  of  a  resolution  passed  at  a  convention  in 
Peoria,  disapproving  of  his  (Truett's)  nomina- 
tion as  Register  of  the  Land  Office  at  Galena, 
and  adding  that  he  was  informed  that  he  was. 
In  reply  the  doctor  asked  Truett  who  was  his 
informant,  to  which  Truett  replied  that  he  was 
not  at  liberty  to  tell.  Dr.  Early  then  informed 
Truett  that  he  declined  to  say  whether  he  was 
or  was  not  the  author  of  the  resolution.  With 
an  oath  Truett  pronounced  the  doctor  a  liar  and 
scoundrel.  To  this  the  doctor  replied  tliat  he 
wanted  no  difficulty  with  him  and  could  not  lis- 
ten to  his  abuse.  Truett  repeated  his  remark 
and  added  with  an  oath,  the  epithets,  coward  and 
hypocrite.  Dr.  Early  then  arose  from  his  seat 
and  took  up  a  chair.  Truett  immediately  stepped 
to  the  opposite  side  of  the  room,  passing  around 
the  doctor,  and  drawing  a  rifle  pistol  fired,  then 
letting  the  pistol  drop  to  the  floor,  he  escaped 
from  the  house.  The  ball  entered  the  left  side 
of  Dr.  Early,  passed  through  the  lower  part  of 
the  stomach  and  liver,  and  was  taken  out  on  the 
right  side  nearly  opposite  where  it  entered.  The 
doctor  survived  the  wound  until  Saturday  night 
following,  when  he  expired.  Truett  was  arrested 
and  had  his  trial  at  the  October  term  following, 
the  jury  bringing  in  a  verdict  of  "not  guilty." 
The  prisoner  was  therefore  discharged. 

FATAL   AFFRAY. 

Delos  W.  Brown,  of  Springfield,  and  John 
Glascock,  of  Menard  county,  got  into  a  quarrel 
at  the  Springfield  Coffee  House,  in  Springfield, 
Monday  evening,  October  3,  1853.  Both  hiid 
been  drinking  quite  freely.  Glasscock  threat- 
ened to  whip  Brown,  at  the  same  time  shaking 
his  fist  in  the  latter's  face.  Brown  retreated  a 
little  way,  and  as  the  proprietor  attempted  to  in- 
terfcie,  Glasscock  caught  him  and  pulled  him 
into  the  room.  In  the  confusion  Glasscock  re- 
ceived three  severe  cuts  with  a  knife  in  the 
hands  of  Brown,  and  fell  to  the  floor  and  died 
within  ten  minutes.  Brown  was  arrested,  a  pre- 
liminary hearing  was  held,  and  he  was  bound 


over  to  the  Circuit  Court  on  a  charge  of  man- 
slaughter, with  bail  fixed  at  two  thousand  dol- 
lars. He  ran  ott'  and  forfeited  his  bond.  His 
property  was  sold  to  discharge  his  recognizance. 

MURDER    OF     i;EORGE    ANDERSON. 

On  the  night  of  May  15,  1856,  George  Ander- 
son was  found  dead  near  his  house  with  a  wound 
upon  the  liack  of  his  head.  There  was  intense 
excitement  in  regard  to  the  case,  it  being  thought 
by  many  that  death  was  not  caused  by  the  blow 
on  the  head,  but  by  poison  administered  by  his 
wife;  therefore  she  was  arrested,  as  was  also 
Theodore  Anderson,  who  was  supposed  to  be 
implicated  in  the  case.  A  preliminary  examin- 
ation was  held  a  few  days  afterwards  before 
Justices  Adams  and  King,  of  Mrs.  Anderson. 
She  was  prosecuted  by  A.  McWilliaras  and  ably 
defended  by  Antrim  Campbell  and  B.  S.  Ed- 
wards. The  speech  of  the  latter  in  the  case  is 
said  to  have  been  an  able  one.  The  testimony 
at  this  examination  was  sulficient  to  convince 
the  Justices  that  death  was  the  result  of  a  blow 
and  not  by  poison,  and  Mrs.  Anderson  was 
therefore  acquitted.  When  the  Circuit  Court 
convened  in  June  following,  Mr.s.  Anderson  was 
indicted  by  the  grand  jury,  and  Theodore  Ander- 
son was  likewise  indicted.  Subsequently  both 
were  tried  and  acquitted. 

MURDER    AT    MECHANICSBURH. 

In  October,  1856,  two  Germans,  giving  their 
names  as  Rudolph  and  Henry,  were  engaged  for 
several  days  in  cutting  corn  near  that  place.  On 
Monday,  October  20,  they  went  to  a  drinking 
establishment,  and  remained  there  until  Wednes- 
day. On  the  morning  of  that  day,  they  started 
out  together  on  a  hunt,  and  in  a  few  hours  after 
Rudolph  returned  to  the  house  alone,  saying 
that  Henry  had  got  tired,  and  stopped  to  rest. 
Rudolph  then  settled  his  bill,  and  left.  On  Sat- 
urday following,  the  body  of  Henry  was  found 
in  the  timber,  half  eaten  up  by  the  hogs.  His 
head  was  badly  smashed  and  broken  in.  A  cor- 
oner's jury  was  summoned,  and  elicited  the  fore- 
going facts,  and  its  verdict  was  that  the  deceased 
came  to  his  death  by  injuries  inflicted  by  some 
person  unknown.  It  is  stated  he  had  consider- 
able money  upon  his  person,  which,  it  is  thought, 
prompted  Rudolph  to  commit  the  murder. 

MURDER  OF  AN  INFANT  CHILD. 

Some  time  in  March,  1856,  an  infant  was  dis- 
covered in  the  country,  some  distance  from 
Springfield,  near  the  roadside,  dead,  with  a  hand- 
kerchief tied  over  its  mouth,  showing  the  cause 
of  death  to  be  from  smothering.     Maria  House 


5l'0 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


was  arrested  for  the  crime,  and  after  a  full  and 
patient  hearing  before  Judge  Rice,  the  jury 
brought  in  a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty,"  and  the 
prisoner  was  discharged. 

HOMICIDE    IN    CHATHAM. 

On  the  night  of  Tuesday,  January  1*7,  1860,  a 
dance  was  held  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Newland, 
on  Lick  creek,  Chatham  township.  George  S. 
Pulliam,  Mr.  Newland,  and  another  person  were 
in  a  room  talking  about  a  tight  which  was  to 
occur  the  next  day,  when  Pulliam  offered  to  bet 
a  certain  sum  of  money  on  his  favorite.  At  this 
point,  Richard  R.  Whitehead  came  into  the 
room.  A  dispute  immediately  occurred  between 
Pulliam  and  Whitehead,  and  the  lie  passed  be- 
tween them.  Blows  were  also  passed,  White- 
head striking  with  his  fist,  and  Pulliam  with  a 
bowie  knife.  Whitehead  was  struck  three  times, 
twice  on  the  head,  and  once  on  the  breast,  the 
last  stroke  causing  his  death  in  a  few  minutes. 
Pulliam  was  arrested  and  lodged  in  jail.  On 
Thursday,  May  10,  1860,  Mr.  "Pulliam  was  ar- 
raigned for  trial.  J.  B.  White,  Prosecuting  At- 
torney, W.  II.  Herndon  and  J.  E.  Rosette  ap- 
peared for  the  people,  and  Stephen  T.  Logan 
and  Matheny  &  Shutt  for  the  defense.  The  case 
was  ably  argued,  and  at  its  conclusion,  after  an 
absence  of  two  hours,  the  jury  brought  in  a  ver- 
dict of  guilty  of  manslaughter,  and  Pulliam 
was  sentenced  to  the  State's  prison  for  seven 
years.  Subsequently  pardoned  by  Governor 
Yates. 

TRA(iKDY  NBAR  CAMP  BUTLER. 

In  October,  1861,  six  soldiers  went  to  the 
house  of  a  German  living  near  the  camp,  and 
while  four  of  them  were  on  the  outside,  two  of 
them  entered  the  house,  and  it  is  alleged,  at- 
tempted to  violate  the  person  of  a  thirteen-year- 
old  daughter  of  the  owner  of  the  house,  when 
he  seized  a  billet  of  wood  and  made  an  on- 
slaught on  them,  killing  one  outright  and  badly 
using  up  the  other.  Coroner  Hopper  held  an 
inquest  and  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  justi- 
fiable homicide. 

FATAL    AFFRAT. 

Two  rebel  prisoners  at  Camp  Butler,  named 
Dawson  and  Kcndrick,  got  into  a  quarrel  Satur- 
day, May  3,  1862,  when  Kendrick  seized  a  large 
stick  and  struck  Dawson  a  heavy  blow,  from  the 
effect  of  which  he  died  in  about  two  hours. 
Kendrick  was  delivered  over  to  the  civil  author- 
ities of  the  county  for  trial.  An  indictment 
was  found,  and  he  was  tried  for  crime.  The 
jury  failed  to  agree,  and  the  case  was  subse- 
()iiently  nolle  prosequied. 


SHOCKING  MURDER. 

On  the  morning  of  July  4,  1862,  a  man  was 
found  dead  on  the  sidewalk  on  North  Sixth 
street.  Upon  examination  his  face  was  found 
to  be  fearfully  mangled,  and  an  unloaded  single 
barrel  pistol  lying  near  by.  The  presumption 
was  that  the  man  had  committed  suicide.  An 
inquest  was  held  and  the  body  identified  to  be 
that  of  Charles  Remsey,  a  German.  The  body 
was  buried  but  subsequently  disinterred,  and 
a  more  thorough  examination  was  held,  the  ver- 
dict of  the  Coroner's  jury  being  that  he  came 
to  his  death  by  the  hands  of  some  person  or 
persons  unknown. 

TRAGEDY    AT    CAMP    BUTLER. 

Thomas  Vines,  a  teamster  in  the  employ  of 
the  United  States  Quartermaster  Department, 
was  killed  at  Camp  Butler,  Tuesday,  November 
4,  1862.  He  had  been  engaged  in  hauling 
baggage  from  the  camp  to  the  railroad,  when  an 
officer  ordered  his  arrest  on  some  pretext.  The 
team  of  the  man  became  frightened,  and  run- 
ning through  the  camp,  an  order  was  given  to 
fire  on  him  Some  fifteen  or  twenty  shots  were 
tired,  one  taking  effect  in  the  neck,  killing  him 
instantly. 

KILLING    OF    WESLEY    PILCHEB. 

On  Tuesday,  March  17,  1863,  as  Lieutenant 
Emery  P.  Dustin,  in  company  with  a  triend,  was 
conducting  two  deserters  to  Camp  Butler,  while 
near  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  in  Springfield,  he 
witnessed  an  affray  between  Wesley  Pileher  and 
a  man  by  the  name  of  O'Hara,  the  former  un- 
mercifully beating  the  latter.  O'Hara  was  call- 
ing for  the  police,  when  Dustan  interfered, 
Pileher  then  turning  upon  him  began  to  admin- 
ister the  same  punishment  to  him,  when  Dustan 
backed  out,  at  the  same  time  warning  Pileher  to 
cease  his  attacks,  or  he  would  be  tempted  to 
injure  him.  Pileher  being  enraged  followed 
Dustan  for  some  distance,  when  the  latter  pulled 
a  revolver  and  shot  him  dead.  Dustan  was  at 
once  arrested  and  taken  before  Esquires  Adams 
and  Hickman,  who,  after  hearing  the  case,  bound 
him  over  to  the  courts.  The  military  authorities 
interfering  Dustan  was  taken  out  and  tried  by 
court  martial  and  acquitted. 

SOLDIER    SHOT. 

William  Keily,  of  Company  K.,  Tenth  Illi- 
nois Cavalry,  while  the  company  was  encamped 
at  Camp  Butler,  in  company  with  another  sol- 
dier, was  creating  some  disturbance  in  the  board- 
ing house  of  Mrs.  Horry,  on  North  Fifth  street, 
having  broken  one  of  the   windows,  when  the 


IIISTORV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


527 


pi-ovost  guard  went  to  the  house  and  arrested 
the  two  men.  On  tbeir  way  to  headquarters,  and 
when  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  Keily, 
who  had  been  drinking,  drew  his  revolver  and 
fired  two  shots  at  one  of  the  guards,  one  of  the 
shots  cutting  the  hair  on  the  side  of  his  he.ad. 
Two  of  the  gu.ards  immediately  tired,  killing 
Keily  instantly,  one  ball  passing  through  his 
breast  and  the  other  through  his  hips. 

EOBBERY  AND  MURDER  AT  PAWNEE. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  March  7,  1865,  a  man 
called  at  the  residence  of  James  Bodge,  a  mer- 
chant at  Pawnee,  and  requested  him  to  go  to  the 
store  as  he  wished  to  purchase  some  tea  and 
coffee.  Mr.  Bodge  complied  with  his  request, 
and  while  doing  up  the  articles  John  Saunders 
came  into  the  store  and  purchased  a  can  of 
oysters  and  soon  left.  On  going  out  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  man,  who  stepped  out  of  the  store 
and  spoke  to  his  horse,  as  though  he  feared  it 
would  get  awiiy.  As  he  did  so,  another  person, 
an  accomplice,  stepped  into  the  store,  and  point- 
ing a  pistol  at  Mr.  Bodge,  with  an  oath,  told  him 
to  surrender.  Mr.  Bodge  replied,  "I  do  surren- 
der, but  don't  shoot  me!"  The  robber  then  de- 
liberately took  Mr.  Bodge's  pocket  book,  con- 
taining -^500,  walked  out  of  the  store,  mounted 
his  horse,  and,  in  company  with  another  person 
who  was  with  him,  rode  away.  As  they  left  the 
store  one  of  the  party  shot  and  instantly  killed 
Mr.  Saunders. 

While  some  of  the  citizens  were  gathered 
around  the  body  of  Mr.  Saunders,  the  robber 
who  first  entered  the  store  came  near  with  re- 
volver in  hand  and  imjuired,  "who  did  if?"  and 
immediately  mounted  his  horse  and  joined  his 
accomplices.  The  desperadoes  acted  with  great 
coolness  and  deliberation.  The  citizens  of  the 
place  were  so  astounded  at  the  hellish  deed  that 
the  murderers  were  permitted  to  escape. 

After  a  few  months  had  passed  Barney  Van- 
arsdale  was  arrested  in  Iowa,  and  confessed  to 
the  crime  of  killing  Mr.  Saunders.  He  was 
brought  to  Springfield.  In  bis  confession  Van- 
arsdale  accused  Nathan  Trayler  and  Hezekiah 
Sampley  of  being  accomplices.  They  were  both 
arrested,  and  on  a  preliminary  examination  were 
bound  over  to  the  Circuit  Court  in  sums  of 
12,000  each. 

James  Lemon  was  afterwards  arrested  for  the 
same  crime,  and  at  the  May  term,  1866,  of  the 
Circuit  Court  of  the  county,  both  Vanarsdale 
and  Lemon  were  arraigned  for  trial.  Milton 
Hav  was  assigned  by  the  court  to  defend 
Lemon,  while  James  H.  Matheny  was  employed 


by  friends  of  the  accused,  to  defend  Vanarsdale. 
The  defense  was  such  as  could  be  expected  from 
such  eminent  counsel,  and  everything  that  could 
be  done  was  done  for  the  prisoners,  but  without 
avail.  Twelve  good  and  true  men  found  them^ 
guilty  by  their  own  confessions,  and  they  were 
sentenced  to  death. 

On  Friday,  June  1,  they  were  brought  into 
the  court  room,  and  Judge  Rice,  after  a  solemn 
and  impressive  prayer  had  been  ottered  up  by 
Rev.  W.  S.  Prentiss,  pronounced  the  sentence  of 
death,  and  sentenced  them  to  be  hung  within  the 
walls  of  the  prison  or  the  enclosed  yard,  on  Fri- 
day, June  22,  1866,  The  Judge  concluded  his 
address  to  them  with  the  awful  sentence:  "May 
God  have  mercy  on  your  souls.  No  earthly  hope 
now  remains  for  you;  may  you  direct  your  atten- 
tion to  Him  who  alone  can  save,  and  who  spoke 
pardon  and  peace  to  the  dying  thief  upon  the 
cross." 

In  the  absence  of  Governor  Oglesby,  Lieuten- 
ant Governor  Bross  granted  a  reprieve  till  Fri- 
day, July  20,  1866.  Before  the  arrival  of  the 
day  the  sheriff  made  all  preparation  for  the  exe- 
cution, hoping  meanwhile  the  Governor  would 
commute  the  sentence  to  imprisonment  for  life. 
But  it  was  deemed  best  by  that  officer  not  to  in- 
terfere with  the  sentence  of  the  court. 

All  hope  of  commutation  of  sentence  having 
passed,  at  their  request,  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  supper  was  administered  to  the  con- 
demned, after  which  the  black  cay)  was  placed 
over  their  faces,  shutting  out  their  last  sight  of 
earth,  a  prayer  was  made,  the  drop  pulled,  and 
the  souls  of  Vanarsdale  and  Lemon  went  out 
to  meet  that  of  their  victim. 

FOUND    DEAD. 

On  Sunday,  January  21,  1866,  as  two  boys 
were  playing  near  the  northeast  part  of  the  city 
they  found  a  pocket-book  and  a  man's  coat  cov- 
ered with  blood.  Giving  information  to  their 
father,  James  Minsel,  the  latter,  accompanied 
by  a  friend,  repaired  to  the  spot,  and  while  ex- 
amining the  coat  noticed  a  dog  standing  over  a 
man's  body  a  few  yards  away.  On  approaching 
the  body,  they  found  it  lying  face  downward, 
partially  covered  with  snow,  and  giving  evidence 
that  it  had  been  foully  dealt  with.  The  dead 
man  was  frozen  and  had  evidently  been  killed  a 
couple  of  days.  A  jury  was  summoned  by  the 
coroner  and  an  inquest  held.  An  examination 
of  the  body  disclosed  the  fact  that  the  man  had 
been  murdered  in  a  manner  horrible  to  contem- 
plate. A  ball  from  a  navy  revolver  had  passed 
through  his  neck,  severing  the  jugular  vein,  and 


528 


IIISTOIIY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


another  bail  entered  the  back,  passed  throngb 
the  body,  and  came  out  near  the  nipple  of  the 
right  breast.  Either  of  these  wounds  would 
have  caused  his  death.  Three  other  bullets  had 
entered  the  body  just  below  the  right  shoulder. 
In  addition  to  these  wounds,  six  stabs  were 
found  from  a  large  knife  in  the  back,  one  in  the 
right  arm,  two  in  the  breast,  and  another  in  the 
back  of  the  head.  More  than  one  person  must 
have  been  concerned  in  the  murder,  as  the 
wounds  showed  the  attack  to  have  been  made  in 
front  and  rear  at  the  same  time..-  The  man's 
name  was  afterwards  ascertained  to  be  Henry 
Aholtz,  a  member  of  the  Second  Illinois  Cavalry. 
His  murderers  were  never  known. 

KILLING    OF   JOSEPH    WABD. 

Joseph  Ward  on  Wednesday,  November  20, 
1867,  visited  a  saloon  on  Jefferson  street,  and 
being  slightly  intoxicated,  soon  got  into  a  quar- 
rel with  Fritz  Triever,  the  barkeeper  of  the  es- 
tablishment. During  the  altercation,  it  was  i-e- 
ported  that  Ward  drew  a  knife,  but  without  at- 
tempting to  use  it.  Triever,  on  being  informed 
that  Ward  had  a  knife  in  his  hand,  took  up  a 
club  and  struck  Ward  several  blows  over  the 
head,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  the  next 
morning.     Triever  was  arrested. 

MURDER   OF   WILLIAM   MOETAR. 

Zachariah  Brock  had  been  drinking,  and  on 
Saturday,  August  1,  1868,  came  to  the  shop  of 
William  Mortar  and  began  to  quarrel  with  him. 
Mortar  picked  up  a  wagon  spoke,  probably  with 
the  intention  of  defending  himself,  but  on 
second  thought  threw  it  down,  and  began  trying 
to  pacify  him.  Brock  advanced,  picked  up  the 
spoke,  and  struck  Mortar  over  the  head.  The 
victim  was  carried  into  the  house  and  died  the 
following  Tuesday. 

DOINGS    OF    A    DESPERADO. 

On  Saturday,  May  28,  18T0,  one  of  those  ter- 
rible tragedies,  which  for  a  time  throw  a  com- 
munity into  a  state  of  excitement,  occurred  at 
Springfield.  For  some  days  previous,  the  sur- 
veyors of  the  Northwestern  Railroad  had  been 
engaged  in  surveying  a  route  through  the  city. 
On  Friday,  the  27th,  Coburn  Bancroft,  becoming 
desperate  at  the  thought  that  his  mother's  prop- 
erty would  be  taken  for  railroad  purposes,  fired 
a  revolver  at  the  surveyors  two  or  thres  times, 
but  without  effect.  A  waTrant  was  sworn  out 
and  two  or  three  policemen  started  to  arrest 
young  Bancroft.  The  police  soon  found  him 
and  attempted  his  arrest,  but  the  offender  backed 
into  a  corner  of  the  room   and  swore   that  he 


would  kill  the  first  man  who  attempted  to  lay 
hands  on  him.  Finding  the  man  desperate,  re-in- 
forcements  were  sent  for,  when  another  effort 
was  made  to  effect  his  arrest,  but  Bancroft  defied 
them  and  stood  his  ground.  Not  wishing  to 
injure  the  man,  the  police  retired,  hoping  to 
effect  his  arrest  at  another  time  when  it  could  be 
done  without  endangering  the  lives  of  any. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  Louis  Souther, 
local  editor  of  the  Register,  went  to  the  house 
of  Bancroft  for  the  purpose  of  securing  his 
statement,  and  was  met  by  Bancroft  with  an 
oath  and  a  threat  to  kill  him.  Knowing  the 
desperate  character  of  the  young  man,  Mr. 
Souther  retreated,  but  was  followed  by  the  des- 
perado, who  fired  upon  him,  wounding  him  in 
the  arm. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  Bancroft 
left  his  house,  and  returning  about  four  o'clock, 
he  met  Alonzo  McClure,  the  man  who  swore  out 
the  warrant  against  him,  accompanied  by  a 
friend.  Addressing  McClure,  Bancroft  asked 
him  if  he  was  the  one  who  swore  out  a  warrant 
against  him,  and  having  satisfied  himself,  step- 
ped back  and  picked  up  the  lead  of  a  brick- 
layer's plumb  and  threw  it  at  McClure,  who  re- 
treated a  few  steps  and  then  drew  a  revolver 
and  tired  five  shots  at  Bancroft  without  effect. 
Bancroft  then  drew  his  revolver  and  fired  four 
shots  at  McClure,  two  of  which  took  effect.  He 
then  proceeded  deliberately  to  his  mother's 
house,  went  to  his  room,  and  commenced  load- 
ing his  pistol. 

Several  men  witnessed  the  fight  between  Ban- 
croft and  McClure,  and  the  news  rapidly  spread 
and  soon  a  large  crowd  was  collected  around  the 
Bancroft  residence.  The  young  desperado  sat 
by  a  window,  and  playing  a  violin,  defied  the 
crowd.  The  sheriff  and  a  number  of  police 
officers  were  present.  After  trying  in  vain  to 
gel  him  to  surrender  without  farther  trouble,  he 
was  fired  upon  by  the  Chief  of  Police,  of  Spring- 
field, D.  C.  Robbins,  the  ball  taking  effect,  and 
from  which  he  died  in  about  fifteen  minutes. 

The  Coroner  cal'ed  a  jury,  and  investigated 
the  case,  fully  exonerating  Captain  Robbins 
from  all  blame.  Notwithstanding  this,  the 
grand  jury  found  a  bill  of  indictment  against 
him,  and  he  was  subsequently  tried  and  ac- 
quitted. 

JIURDEK    OF    SUAEON    TYNDALE. 

On  Saturday  morning,  April  29,  1871,  Sharon 
Tyndale,  ex-Secretary  of  State,  was  loully  mur- 
dered, near  his  residence,  on  Adams,  between 
First  and  Second  streets.  It  appears  that  Mr. 
Tyndale  had  arisen  shortly  after  one  o'clock  a. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


529 


m.jto  take  the  train  for  St.  Louis.  His  intention 
was  probably  Icnown  by  his  murderers,  who  lay 
in  wait  for  him,  and  who  committed  the  hellish 
deed  for  the  sake  of  a  few  paltr}'  dollars  upon 
his  person.  The  body,  when  found,  exhibited  a 
severe  and  deep  wound  upon  the  left  side  of  the 
face,  extending  from  the  forehead  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  cheek.  It  had  the  appearance  of 
having  been  made  by  a  heavy  club.  On  the 
right  side  of  the  head,  and  just  back  of  the  ear, 
was  another  wound,  caused  by  a  pistol  bullet  of 
large  calibre.  A  probe  inserted  by  a  physician 
showed  that  the  ball  passed  upward,  toward  the 
top  of  the  head,  and  that  its  effects  were  pnjba- 
bly  instantaneously  fatal,  as  a  pool  of  blood  was 
found  upon  the  ground  immediately  underneath 
the  wound,  indicating  that  the  murdered  man 
must  have  died  immediately,  as  no  traces  of 
blood  were  found  elsewhere. 

KILLING    OF    WILLIAM    KELLEY. 

The  beautiful  little  village  of  Pleasant  Plains 
would  hardly  be  expected  to  be  the  scene  of  a 
bloody  murder  On  the  evening  of  September 
25,  1871,  while  j\[rs.  Rhoda  Elmore,  Anderson 
Harris,  and  William  Kelly  were  sitting  at  the 
supper  table,  a  knock  was  heard  at  the  door, and 
in  response  to  the  request,  "  Come  in,"  Peter  L. 
Harrison  opened  the  door,  and  at  once  com- 
menced firing  upon  Kelly  with  a  revolver. 
Kelly  arose  from  the  table,  and,  picking  up  a 
chair,  started  in  the  direction  of  Harrison,  and 
succeeded  in  pushing  him  outside  the  door  and 
shutting  it.  He  then  started  towards  a  door  in 
the  o])posite  side  of  the  room,  and  on  reaching 
it  fell,  and  soon  after  expired.  Harrison  was 
afterwards  arrested,  and  an  indictment  found  by 
the  grand  jury.  A  change  of  venue  was  taken,  to 
Christian  Co.,  where  he  was  tried  and  acquitted. 

MURDER    OF    HENRT   STAY. 

On  Saturday  night,  March  23,  1S72,  Henry 
Stay  called  at  the  saloon  of  Edwin  Slater,  on 
Monroe  street,  Springfield,  about  1 1  o'clock,  and 
called  up  Mr  Slater  who  lives  over  the  saloon, 
and  who  had  retired  for  the  night,  asking  him  to 
come  down  as  he  wished  to  pay  him  some  money, 
remarking  that  he  had  better'take  it  then  as  he 
might  spend  it.  Slater  came  down,  and  opening 
the  door  of  the  saloon,  let  in  Stay,  who  paid  him 
the  promised  money,  after  which  Slater  gave  him 
something  to  drink.  After  drinking  Stay  started 
to  leave,  when  Edward  Duffey  came  to  the  door 
and  asked  to  be  admitted.  He  was  let  in,  and 
being  an  acquaintance  of  Stay,  the  two  pleasantly 
conversed  for  awhile,  when  Stay,  in  a  kind  of 
jolly  way,  took  hold  of  Duffy  and  the  two  com- 


menced scuffling,  during  which  Duffey  was  rather 
roughly  thrown  to  the  floor  Slater,  the  saloon- 
keeper, then  said  to  Stay:  "Don't  handle  DufEey 
so  roughly,  for  he  is  an  older  man  than  you." 
Stay,  who  was  feeling  jolly,  helped  Duffey  upon 
his  feet.  Duffey,  on  getting  upon  his  feet, 
appeared  to  be  angry,  and  told  Stiy  that  he  would 
not  submit  to  such  treatment,  and  drew  a  re- 
volver. Stay,  when  he  saw  the  revolver,  said: 
"You  had  better  put  that  pistol  up,"  appearing 
as  though  he  did  not.think  Duffey  would  use  it. 
Duffey  then  stepped  back  a  couple  of  steps  and 
fired,  the  ball  sti iking  Stay  in  the  left  side  and 
in  the  regi  n  of  the  heart.  Stay  fell  upon  the 
floor,  and  Duffey,  as  quick  as  thought,  turned 
and  fired  at  Slater,  the  ball  striking  on  the  point 
of  the  right  shoulder,  making  an  ugly  flesh 
wound.  Slater,  on  finding  that  he  was  wounded, 
cried  out:  "For  God's  sake,  don't  shoot  any 
more  "  Duffey  replied,  "I  won't,"  and  immedi- 
ately fled. 

An  alarm  was  immediately  given,  and  the 
police  at  once  responded  to  the  call.  The 
coroner  was  summoned,  the  evidence  taken,  and 
a  v«rdict  rendered  in  accordance  with  the  fore- 
going facts. 

RIOT    AT   ILLIOPOLIS. 

On  Saturday,  July  6,  1872,  as  Taylor  Dicker- 
son  was  walking  home  with  a  young  lady,  .some 
one  threw  a  bunch  of  flre-crackers  behind  the 
couple,  which  excited  the  anger  of  Dickerson, 
and  the  next  day,  in  speaking  of  the  affair,  he 
said  if  he  knew  who  done  it  he  would  give  him 
a  thrashing.  Carlyle  Cantrall  then  stepped  for- 
ward and  said  that  he  was  the  man  who  commit- 
ted the  deed.  Dickerson,  nothing  daunted, 
pitched  in;  result  was  a  terrible  fight,  which, 
before  it  was  ended,  resulted  in  a  half  dozen 
others,  friends  of  both  parties  taking  a  band,  in 
which  Cantrall  and  his  friends  were  badly  whip- 
ped. Of  course  the  tight  was  the  town  talk,  and 
the  result  was  the  personal  friends  arrayed  them- 
selves into  factions,  and  by  manj'  hard  and  bitter 
words,  added  fuel  to  the  flame.  On  Saturday, 
July  20,  Cantrall  went  to  the  village,  accom- 
))anied  by  some  friends,  two  of  whom  were 
named  Kendall.  Their  appearance  was  the  sig- 
nal for  a  row,  in  which  Dickerson  was  badly 
beaten.  All  that  afternoon  and  until  late  in  the 
evening,  the  village  was  a  perfect  pandemonium. 
Late  in  the  evening  the  Kendalls  started  home, 
accom]>anied  by  a  cousin,  when  Dr.  .1.  M.  Burch 
stepped  up  and  attempted  to  arrest  them.  The 
Kendalls  put  whip  to  their  horses  and  attempted 
to  escape.  Dr.  Burch  ordered  them  to  halt  or 
he   would  shoot.       This   command   he    repeated 


5:!0 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


three  times  without  effect,  and  then  tired,  the 
ball  taking  off  two  fingers  of  Kendall's  cousin 
and  entered  the  left  side  of  Kendall  near  the 
spine,  and  lodging  in  the  abdomen.  The  shot 
had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  whole  party  was 
arrested.  Kendall  died  a  few  days  afterward 
from  the  effect  of  the  wound. 

Dr.  Burch  was  arrested,  waived  an  examin- 
ation, and  gave  bail  in  the  sum  of  1.5,000  fur  his 
appearance  at  the  next  term  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
at  which  time  he  was  tried  and  acquitted. 

MURDER    AND    SUICIDE. 

On  Saturday,  June  14,187.3,  Milburn  Suther- 
land Tayleur,  a  man  ol  mixed  blood  (negro  and 
Indian),  shot  and  instantly  killed  a  colored  man, 
named  William  Brown,  ^^ith  whom  he  had  a 
quarrel.  Coroner  Bierce  was  at  once  notified, 
and  started  to  arrest  Tayleur,  accompanied  by 
several  men,  whom  he  summoned  for  the  occa- 
sion. Seeing  Tayleur  in  a  field,  he  called  upon 
him  to  surrender,  when  Tayleur  placed  his  gun 
against  his  own  breast,  and  leaning  over  it, 
pulled  the  trigger,  the  shot  penetrating  his  body 
near  the  heart.  He  instantly  fell,  but  survived 
long  enough  to  make  a  statement  acknowledging 
that  he  had  killed  Brown. 

UXORCIDB  AND  SUICIDE. 

The  Illinois  State  Journal,  of  October  -27, 
18S1,  contained  the  following: 

"A  couple  who  were  married  in  Loami  town- 
ship about  a  year  ago,  under  circumstances  not 
wholly  devoid  of  romance,  were  irrevocably 
divorced  Tuesday  night.  A  year  ago  John  H. 
Hudson,  an  old  bachelor  farmer,  was  married  to 
Mrs.  Gilpin,  widow  of  Enoch  Gilpin,  in  Loami 
township.  Both  of  them  were  well  known  and 
well  liked.  Mrs.  Hudson  was  possessed  of  con- 
siderable property,  but  her  husband  was  com- 
paratively a  poor  man.  While  gossips  have  for 
some  time  whispered  the  story  that  they  were 
having  some  misunderstanding  about  property, 
it  was  generally  believed  they  were  living  agree- 
ably together.  Under  these  circnmstances  the 
neighbors  were  unprepared  to  hear  the  news  of 
the  shocking  tragedy  which  occurred  at  the 
Hudson  house  Tuesday  night,  the  details  of 
which  show  that  while  Hudson  was  generally 
recognized  as  a  peaceable  and  quiet  man,  he  was 
a  perfect  devil  when  aroused.  The  first  horri- 
fying rumor  that  came  with  shocking  signifi- 
cance was  that  John  Hudson, had  killed  his  wife 
with  a  spade,  and  then  hung  himself.  The  news 
reached  this  city  about  noon  yesterday,  and 
many  people  who  knew  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hud- 


son refused  at  first  to  believe  it.  The  scene  of 
the  tragedy  was  an  out  of  the  way  place,  being 
seven  or  eight  miles  from  a  railway  station,  and 
it  was  difficult  to  get  a  connected  history  of  the 
affair.  After  long  and  tedious  search  by  the 
Journal  reporters,  the  following  story  was  ob- 
tained: 

Hudson  and  his  wife  had  retired  to  their  room 
about  10  o'clock,  Tuesday  night.     Whether  they 
had  any  difficulty  before  retiring  was  not  learned, 
but  a  few  minutes  afterward  the  sharp  crack  of 
a  revolver  was  heard  by  Hudson's  sister  and  the 
hired  girl.      They  ran  to  Mrs.  Hudson's  assist- 
ance and  succeeded  in  disarming  the  infuriated 
husband,  who  had  vainly  attempted  to  shoot  his 
wife.     Summoning  all  of  his  strength,  Hudson 
released  himself  from  the  ladies,  and  clutching 
his  wife,  dragged  her  out  of  the  house  some  dis- 
tance, where  he  struck  her  several  times  with  a 
spade,  which  happened  to  be  withm  his  reach. 
Leaving  his  wife  lying   upon    the  ground,   her 
battered    and    scarred    face   looking   up    in    the 
moonlight,  while  the  warm  blood  spurted  out  of 
three  ghastly  skull  wounds,  Hudson  fled  to  the 
home  of  his  brother,  where  he  related  the  story 
of  his  hideous  crime.     Horrified  beyond  expres- 
sion, the   brother  hurried    to   the  scene  of  the 
ghastly  deed,    and  found  the  story   he  was  loth 
to  believe  was  only  too  true.     After  attending 
to  the  wants  of  the  almost  lifeless  woman,  the 
brother  returned  to  find  the   murderer,  but  he 
had   disappeared.     Early  yesterday  morning  his 
lifeless  body  was  found  hanging  to  an  apple  tree 
in  the  orchard,  where,  probably  overcome  by  the 
enormity  of  his  crime,  he  had  ended  the  tragic 
story  by  taking  his  own  life.     The  real  cause  of 
this   horrible    butchery  could  not  be  definitely 
learned.     It  was  thought  by  some  people  that  it 
arose  out  of  some  difficulties  in  regard  to  the 
property,  while  others  seemed  to  think  Hudson 
was  jealous  of  his  wife,  though  no  foundation 
was  given  for  the  latter  story.     It  is  not  known 
clearly  whether  the  crime  was  premeditated,  or 
the  result  of  a  sudden  and  insane  passion.   There 
are  some  circumstances  that  point  toward   the 
former  theory.     Mr.  Flowers,  who  resides  at  the 
village  of  Loami,  several  miles  from  the  Hudson 
place,    stated    that   he    had    not   heard    of    the 
tragedy,  but  said  that  he  had  loaned  a  revolver 

to  Hudson  Monday  afternoon,  Hudson  informinsr 

I'll  •  1 

him  that  he  was  going  to  take  some  money  with 

him   to  buy  cattle  and  wanted  the  revolver  to 

protect    himself.      Another  gentleman    said    he 

saw  Hudson  about  4  o'clock  Monday  afternoon, 

and  he  had  agreed  to  buy  some  cattle  from  him. 

The  unfortunate  woman  died  the  next  day. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


531 


Chapter    XXIII. 


AUTHORS  AND  ARTISTS. 


Sangiimon  county  has  not  taken  the  advance 
stride  in  the  world  of  letters  and  art  as  it  has  in 
politics  and  the  business  interests  of  her  citizens. 
Still  there  are  a  few  who  deserve  special  men- 
tion in  this  connection. 

JOHN    CAEEOLL    POWER. 

From  the  United  States  BiographiLal  Dic- 
tionary. 

John  Carroll  Power  was  born  September  ]  9, 
1819,  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  between 
Flemingsburg  md  Mt.  Carmel.  His  grandfather, 
Joseph  Power,  with  six  brothers  older  than  him- 
self, were  all  living  near  Leesburg,  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  and  all  became  soldiers  in  the 
cause  of  freedom.  Some  of  the  elder  brothers 
served  through  the  whole  seven  years'  struggle 
for  independence,  the  younger  ones  entering  the 
army  as  soon  as  they  arrived  at  a  suitable  age. 
Joseph  was  but  sixteen  years  old  when  he 
enlisted,  and  that  was  during  the  last  year  of 
the  war.  He  was  married  a  few  years  later,  and, 
in  1793,  started  with  his  wife,  children  and 
household  goods,  on  pack-horses,  and  in  company 
with  several  other  families  crossed  the  Allegheny 
mountains  to  Pittsburg.  They  descended  the 
Ohio  river  in  boats,  landing  at  Limestone,  now 
Maysville,  and  afterw.ards  settled  in  what  be- 
came Fleming  county,  Kentucky. 

John  Power,  the  second  son  of  Joseph,  born 
November,  1787,  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
was  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
He  was  a  farmer  in  comfortable  circumstances 
and  the  owner  of  a  few  slaves ;  but  with  his 
numerous  family  he  could  not  s  nd  his  children 
from  home  to  acquire  that  education  which  is 
now  to  be  obtained  in  district  schools,  within  the 
reach  of  all;  consequently,  this  son,  of  whom 
we    write,   giew   to   manhood    without  having 


mastered  more  than  the  simplest  rudiments  of 
the  English  language. 

Like  many  other  men  who  have  struggled 
against  adverse  circumstances,  he  commenced 
his  education  at  a  period  of  life  when  he  should 
have  been  in  possession  of  it  He  takes  pleasure 
in  attributing  to  a  great  extent  the  measnre  of 
success  he  has  attained,  both  morally  and  men- 
tally, to  his  selection  of  a  wife.  He  was  married 
May  14,  1845,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Harris.  The 
marriage  was  solemnized  about  twenty-six  miles 
below  Cincinnati,  in  Aurora,  Indiana.  Miss 
Harris  was  born  there  October],  1824,  of  English 
parentage. 

Her   grandfather,  on  the   maternal  side,  was 
the  Rev.  John  Wadsworth,  who  was  rector  of 
a  single  parish  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
near  Manchester,  England,  more  than  a  third  of 
a  century.  His  daughter  Catalina  was  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  Power- 
On  her  father's  side,  the  history  reaches  back 
to  her  great-grandfather,  William  Fox,  who  was 
a  wholesale  merchant  in  London.     He  was  also 
a  deacon  of  a  Baptist  church  in  that  city.     By 
his  business  travels  he  became  conversant  with 
the  illiterate  and  destitute  condition  of  the  poor 
people  of  the  kingdom,  and  made  an  effort  to 
induce  Parliament  to  establish  a  system  of  free 
school?;  but  failing  in  that,  he  next  undertook 
to  persuade  his  friends  to  unite  with  him  in  or- 
ganizing and  supporting  a  system  of  week-day 
instruction  to  extensive  "that  every  person  in  the 
kingdom  might  be  taught  to  read    the  Bible." 
When  he  had  gone  far  enough  to  realize  that  the 
magnitude   of  the  work  was  almost   appalling, 
his    attention   was  providentially  drawn  to  the 
consideration  of  Sunday  schools,  in  order  to  de- 
termine whether  or  not  they  would  answer  the 
same  purpose.     Becoming  convinced  that  they 
would,  he  zealously  adopted  the  latter  plan,  and 


532 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


on  the  Vth  of  September,  1775,  he  organized  in 
the  city  ot  London,  the  first  society  in  the  world 
for  tlie  dissemination  of  Sunday  schools.  That 
society  stood  for  eighteen  years  without  a  rival, 
and  during  that  time  it  was  instrumental  in 
establishing  Sunday  Schools  wherever  Christian 
missions  liad  unfurled  the  banner  of  the  Cross. 

\\'illiam  Fox  had  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters. The  eldest  daughter,  Sarah,  became  the 
wife  of  Samuel  Harris,  a  druggist  in  London. 
They  had  a  son  and  daughter.  The  son,  William 
Tell  Harris,  was  married  April  24,  1821,  in  Eng- 
land, to  Catalina  Wadsworth,  daughter  of  Rev. 
John  Wadsworth,  as  already  stated.  They  came 
to  America  soon  after  their  marriage,  and  settled 
in  Aurora,  Indiana.  They  have  both  been  dead 
many  years.  Their  only  living  child,  Sarah  A., 
was  educated  at  private  schools,  and  a  four  years' 
course  in  Granville  Female  Seminary,  an  institu- 
tion under  the  auspices  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  fit  Granville,  Ohio,  from  which  she 
graduated  in  1842.  After  her  marriage  to  Mr. 
Power,  in  1845,  at  his  request  she  directed  his 
studies,  and  when  he  began  to  write  for  publica- 
tion slie  became  his  critic;  in  that  way  render- 
ing the  best  possible  assistance,  which  she  con- 
tinues to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Power  was  brought  up  a  farmer,  but  en- 
gaged in  other  pursuits  a  number  of  years,  al- 
wavs  cultivating  habits  of  study  and  occasional 
writing,  but  without  any  thought  of  becoming 
an  author  until  well  advanced  in  life.  He  met 
with  serious  reverses  about  the  beginning  of  the 
great  rebellion;  and  at  its  close,  finding  himself 
in  possession  of  a  few  thousand  dollars,  determ- 
ined to  return  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  ac- 
cordingly removed  to  Kansas,  purchased  a  farm 
and  prosecuted  the  tilling  of  it  for  three  years. 
The  grasshoppers  destroyed  the  crops  of  186G  and 
1867,  and  the  drought  of  1868  made  almost  a  to- 
tal loss  of  those  three  years,  with  all  the  expense 
of  farming.  In  April,  18G9,  he  accepted  the 
first  and  only  offer  he  ever  received  for  his  farm, 
returned  to  Illinois,  and  since  that  time  has  de- 
voted himself  almost  exclusively  to  literary  pur- 
suits. 

His  pri/.e  essay  on  Self -Education,  for  which 
the  Illinois  State  Agricultural  Society  awarded 
him  a  ])reniium  in  1808,  was  revised  and  publish- 
ed in  "  Harkness'  Magazine;"  the  editor  express- 
ing the  opinion  thatthose  who  read  it  would  find 
it  "  one  of  the  most  profitable,  instructive  and 
mentally  invigorating  essays  they  ever  read." 

His  "History  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of 
Sunday  Schools,"  published  in  18(54,  by  Sheldon 
&  Company,  New  York,  was  his  first  publication 


in  book  form.  It  is  the  only  connected  history 
of  that  noble  branch  of  Christian  work  ever  at- 
tempted, and  appears  by  common  consent  to  be 
accepted  as  the  standard  authority  on  that  sub- 
ject. Mr.  Power  has  written  several  books  and 
pamphlets  on  various  local  subjects;  also  maga- 
zine articles  on  a  great  variety  of  topics. 

An  open  letter  by  him  to  the  Postmister 
General,  on  the  subject  of  addressing  mail 
matter,  is  a  brief  and  interesting  magazine 
article  Some  of  his  ideas  are  quite  novel,  and 
will  bear  investigation.  The  main  point  he  aims 
to  enforce  is,  that  all  mail  matter  should  be 
addressed  by  first  writing  the  name  of  the  State 
in  full,  next  the  county,  then  the  postoffice,  and 
end  with  the  name  of  the  person  t  r  firm  expected 
to  receive  it;  thus  reversing  the  order  practiced 
from  time  immemorial.  He  considers  that  essay 
his  contribution  to  the  great  American  Cen- 
tennial. 

Perhaps  his  most  finished  work  is  his  monu- 
mental edition  of  the  "Life  of  Lincoln."  It  is  a 
fitting  tribute  to  the  Nation's  Martyred  Dead. 
His  style  is  peculiarly  clear,  concise  and  original. 
He  treats  every  sulaject  most  thorouehly  and 
comprehensively,  yet  with  an  ease  and  grace  of 
manner  that  charms  the  reader.  A  gentleman 
of  the  highest  literary  atiainments,  connected 
with  Madison  LTniversity,  Hamilton,  New  York, 
in  a  note  to  the  publishers,  says  :  "I  have  read 
your  'Life  of  Lincoln'  by  Power.  It  has  the 
charm  of  a  novel." 

The  work  upon  which  Mr.  Power  gave  more 
time  than  any  other,  was  the  "  History  of  the 
Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon  County."  This 
work  required  four  years  of  hard,  earnest  labor, 
and  is  of  itself  a  monument  to  the  literary  skill 
of  the  author.  It  is  doubtful  whether  a  better 
work  of  its  kind  was  ever  issued.  The  citizens 
of  Sangamon  county  owe  him  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude which  it  is  doubtful  will  ever  be  repaid. 
Posterity  will  give  him  credit  for  a  work  in- 
valuable to  the  descendants  of  the  early  settlers 
whose  live 5  are  recorded. 

Since  the  completion  of  the  monument  to  the 
memory  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  the  removal 
of  his  remains  thereto,  Mr.  Power  has  been  the 
custodian,  and  the  pleasure  of  a  visit  to  the 
sacred  spot  is  enhanced  by  his  narration  of  all 
the  facts  in  relation  to  the  building  of  the  monu- 
ment, the  figures  placed  thereon,  the  attempt  to 
steal  the  remains,  and  an  account  of  the  relics 
placed  in  the  monumental  chamlier.  On  dull 
days  and  as  the  opportunity  occurs  Mr.  Power  in- 
dulges in  literary  work. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


533 


JOSKPU    \YAI.I.ACE, 

tbe  fourth  son  of  James  and  Mary  Wallace,  was 
born    in   Gallatin    (now  Carroll )   coiiiitv,    Ken- 
tucky, September  30,  1834,  and  when  two  years 
of  age   removed   with    his  parents  to  Jefferson 
county,  Indiana.     lie  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
received  a  common  school  and  collegiate  educa- 
tion.    In   1856   he  commenced  reading  law  in 
Madison   Indiana,   under  tbe  tuition    of  Judge 
Charles  E.   Walker.     Remaining  ihere  for  one 
year,  he    removed  to   Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
completed  his  preparatory  course  of  study  in  the 
office  of  Messrs.   Stuart   &  Edwards.     In  1858 
Mr.  W.  was  licensed  as  an  attorney-at-law,  and 
shortly  afterward   opened   an  office  and  began 
practice.     In  1866  lie  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
Police  Magistrate  for  the  city  of  Springfield,  and 
served  continously  for  eiglit  years,  after  which 
he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.     In 
1879  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil, in  which    body  he  has    since   industriously 
servedas  Chairman  of  tiie  Ordinance  Committee. 
With  his  other  pursuits,  Mr.  W.  has  blended 
a  decided  taste  for  letters  and  literary  composi- 
tion, and  during  the  last  ten  years  has  written  a 
good  deal  for  the  press,  chiefly  ujjon  biographi- 
cal and  historical  subjects.     Perhaps  his  most 
noted  production   is  his   Life  of  General  E.  D. 
Baker.     Mr.tWallace  has  also  prepared  a  Memo- 
rial Life  of  Judge  Stephen  T.  Logan,  written  at 
the  request  of   the  family,  and  which   will  be 
published  for  private  circulation.     He  has  also 
in  manuscript  "The  Life  of   Stephen   A.Doug- 
las," which  will  probably  be  brought  out   in  the 
near  future.     Being  an  ardent  disciple  of  Doug- 
las, the  volume  will  doubtless  be  of  great  inter- 
est, and  be  pleasing  and   profitable  to  all.     The 
author  of  this  volume   is  indebted  for  several 
sketches  to  Mr.  Wallace. 

E.    L.    GROSS. 

A  sketch  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Gross  is  found  in 
connection  with  the  Bar  history.  His  <>-reatest 
literary  work  was  the  compilation  of  the  Statutes 
of  the  State.  Mr.  Gross  was  an  easy  and  forci- 
ble writer  and  a  hard  and  methodical  worker. 
No  effort  on  his  part  would  be  spared  to  make 
everything  perfect  that  he  undertook..  He  died 
almost  before  his  powers  were  fully  developed. 

W.    L.    GROSS. 

W.  L.  Gross  is  a  brother  of  E.  L.,  and  a  co- 
laborer  with  him  in  the  preparation  of  Gross' 
Statutes.  As  a  sketch  of  Mr.  Gross  appears  in 
connection  with  the  Bar  history,  it  is  unneces- 
sary   to  add  anything  in  this  connection,  save 


that  the  Colonel  handles  a  ready  pen  and  is  an 
easy,  yet  forcible,  writer. 

ALEXANDER    I)A\  IDSON 

was  born  in  Taylor  county,  West  Virginia,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1826.  He  received  his  ed'ucation  in 
Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  and  began  at  once  the 
profession  of  a  teacher,  a  profession  which  he 
has  substantially  followed  since  he  left  college. 
In  1870  he  received  an  apjwintment  in  the  office 
of  the  United  States  Inspector,  and  the  same 
year  commenced  the  compilation  of  a  History 
of  Illinois.  In  1871,  he  associated  with  himself 
in  this  work,  Bernard  Stuve,  a  gentleman  of  tine 
literary  taste.  The  work  was  completed  and 
published  by  the  authors  in  1873,  and  was  well 
received  by  both  press  and  people.  It  has  been 
more  extensively  sold  than  any  historv  of  the 
State  yet  published.  Mr.  Davidson,  while  en- 
gaged in  literary  work  and  teaching,  has  given 
some  attention  to  mechanism  and  has  turned  out 
some  work,  invention  of  his  brain,  several  of 
which  are  worthy  of  special  mention.  Mr.  Dav- 
idson is  yet  a  citizen  of  Springfield. 

DENNIS    WILLIAMS. 

Dennis  Williams,  the  well  known  crayon  art- 
tist  of  Springfield,  was  born  in  Burton,  Clayton 
county,  Mississippi,  December  25,  1853.  His 
mother  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  but  sold  and 
taken  South  and  made  to  do  duty  in  the  cotton 
fields.  The  first  recollections  of  Dennis  was 
riding  behind  his  mother,  on  a  mule,  to  the  cot- 
ton fields  in  the  early  morning  and  returning  late 
in  the  evening,  and  of  playing  with  other  boys 
of  his  age  about  the  old  plantation.  When  about 
six  or  seven  years  of  agehe  was  set  to  picking 
cotton  and  thought  it  sport  for  a  while,  but  soon 
found  his  mistake,  but  there  was  no  way  of 
avoiding  it — work  he  must. 

The  war  breaking  out,  the  slaves  of  the  South 
waited  patiently  but  anxiously  for  the  coming  of 
the  Yankees,  and  for  their  "day  of  jubilee." 
Their  faith  was  strong  that  their  deliverance  was 
at  hand,  and  the  armies  of  the  North  had  no 
sooner  invaded  the  soil  of  Mississippi  than  the 
"contrabands"  broke  for  the  Union  lines. 
Among  the  first  to  bid  farewell  to  "  Massa  and 
Missus  "  was  the  mother  and  step-father  of  Den- 
nis, accompanied  by  their  son.  The  first  point 
made  was  Carson's  Landing,  from  whence  they 
were  sent  to  Ilaine's  Bluff,  Mississippi,  where 
they  were  all  taken  sick  with  the  fever.  As  soon 
as  tiiey  were  able,  they  were  sent  on  to  Vicks- 
burg,  then  invested  by  the  armies  under  General 
Grant.     After  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  they 


534 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


remained  in  that  city  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  they  came  to  Springfield,  arriving  here 
May,  1865. 

While  in  Vicksburg,  the  mother  of  Dennis 
taught  him  his  letters,  and  it  was  her  anxiety  to 
give  him  an  education  that  caused  the  family  to 
turn  their  faces  northward.  On  arriving  at 
Springfield,  he  was  soon  placed  in  school,  his 
first  master  being  Thomas  York.  Dennis  says 
he  shall  always  remember  his  first  teacher,  as  he 
on  one  occasion  gave  him  enough  to  cause  him 
to  never  forget  him.  He  considers  him  a  hard 
master. 

When  first  given  a  primer,  Dennis  felt 
happy,  the  picture.?  of  dogs,  cats  and  other  ani- 
mals at  once  arrested  his  attention,  and  these 
small,  if  not  rude  pictures,  first  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  life  of  an  artist. 

In  1869  he  besan  to  draw  upon  the  blackboard 
straight  and  parallel  lines,  cubes  and  such  things, 
and,  in  18*70,  he  made  his  first  crayon  sketch  — 
the  head  of  James   Fisk,   of  New    York.     The 
picture  was  pronounced  a  good  one  for  the  first 
attempt,  and   was    placed  on    exhibition   in  the 
window  of  Simmons'  book  store.     Shortly  after 
this   he    abandoned    the    idea   of    becoming   an 
artist,  there  being  so  much   to  discourage  him. 
He  was  a  poor,  ignorant  colored  boy,  one  com- 
pelled to  earn  his  living  by  the  low  occupation 
of  a  boot-black.     The   people  among  whom  he 
lived,  with  a  few  honorable  exceptions,  sneered 
at  his  pretensions.  The  idea  of  a  "little  nigger" 
becoming  an  artist — it  was  preposterous!     But 
the  artistic  aspiration  was  in  him;  the  desire  to 
become  an  artist  must  be  appeased,  and  he  again 
took  up  his  pencil.     Frequently  he  would  go  to 
some   studio  to  see   how  others  drew  portraits 
and  would  be  driven  away  by  the  artists     No 
one    would  give  him  encouragement.     Still  he 
would  not  despair.     He  secured  a  room  in  the 
rear  end  of  a  building  on  the  southeast  corner 
,  of  the  square,  and  when  released  from  his  daily 
labor  of  blacking  boots,  he  would  repair  to  it, 
and  as  best  he  could,  copy  some  rude  picture  he 
picked  up,  or  the  cheap   lithographs  sold  in  the 
book  stores.   To  this  day  he  has  never  witnessed 
another  sketch   a  portrait,  nor  has  he  received 
instructions  from   another   in    drawing.     He  is 


self-taught  and  self-made  in  every  sense  of  the 
word. 

In  the  fall  of  1874,  he  placed  some  of  his 
sketches  on  exhibition  at  the  county  fair,  and 
was  rewarded  with  three  premiums,  two  being 
for  portraits,  and  one  for  a  landscape  scene. 
While  these  pictures  were  on  exhibition,  he 
could  not  refrain  his  curiosity  from  listening  to 
the  remarks  made  al)0ut  the  work,  and  now  qui- 
etly laughs  at  the  criticisms  he  overheard.  The 
people  generally  would  not  believe  the  pictures 
were  the  work  of  a  "  nigger."  It  was  too  much, 
to  tax  their  credibility  so  much.  But  the  criti- 
cisms were  generally  of  a  friendly  nature,  and 
he  felt  encouraged  thereby. 

The  first  picture  that  he  ever  made  and  sold 
was  a  portrait  of  General  Grant,  and  sold  to 
Colonel  Robert  Andrews,  General  Superinten- 
dent of  the  Wabash  Railroad,  at  Toledo,  Ohio. 
Colonel  Andrews  paid  him  $5  for  it.  Since  then 
he  has  made  portraits  for  Governor  Cullom, 
James  A.  Connelly,  United  States  District  At- 
torney, Coles  county;  Judge  O.  L.  Davis,  of  the 
Appellate  Court;  L.  C.  Collins,  Cook  county; 
R.  W.  Miles,  Knox  county;  O.  F.  Ottman,  Stark 
county;  R.  L.  McKinlay,  Edgar  county;  Thomas 
P.  Rogers,  McLean  county;  W.  S.  Hunter,  R. 
W.  Diller,  E.  A.  Snively,  Springfield,  and  many 
others.  His  work  is  now  scattered  through  al- 
most every  State  in  the  Union,  and  even  in  the 
Old  World.  In  the  winter  of  1880-81,  he  made 
pictures  of  Lieutenant  Governor  Hamilton  and 
Speaker  Thomas,  of  the  Thirty-second  General 
Assembly,  both  of  which  were  purchased  by 
their  respective  Houses.  The  press  of  Chicago, 
St.  Louis,  and  other  places  highly  complimented 
this  work. 

Mr.  Williams  received  premiums  at  the  San- 
gamon county  fairs  of  1874,  1875,  1876,  1877, 
and  at  the  State  Fair  of  1880.  At  this  latter  fair, 
he  received  two  diplomas  and  a  silver  medal. 
The  diplomas  were  for  the  best  portraits  in 
crayon  and  pastel,  the  medal  for  the  best 
crayon. 

In  the  life  of  Mr.  Williams,  is  another  illustra- 
tion of  what  it  is  possible  for  one  to  do  in  this 
free  land.  Born  a  slave,  a  boot-black  in  his  youth, 
to-day  ono  of  the  best  crayon  artists  in  this 
country;  and,  to  crown  all,  truly  self-made. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


535 


Chapter  XXIV. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


In  this  chapter  is  presented  a  large  number  of 
historical  points,  too  short  each  for  a  chapter, 
yet  of  sufficient  interest  and  importance  to  be 
inserted  in  the  work. 

THE    MORMONS. 

On  their  expulsion  from  the  State  of  Missouri, 
a  number  of  this  peculiar  sect  wlio  style  them- 
selves the  Latter-Day  Saints,  settled  in  Sanga- 
mon county.  Among  their  number  was  a  young 
man  named  .James  C.  Brewster.  In  1842,  this 
Brewster  published  what  he  termed  one  of  the 
last  books  of  the  Bible,  written  by  himself  when 
divinely  inspired.  The  publication  having  been 
circulated  among  ihe  Mormons  at  Nauvoo,  the 
Nauvoo  Times  and  Seasons,  Joe  Smith's  organ, 
gave  notice  that  no  one  but  Smith  was  permitted 
to  be  inspired,  and  that  the  work  in  question 
was  a  perfect  humbug. 

In  1845,  it  appears  the  church  in  Springfield 
had  seceded  from  thechurch  in  Nauvoo,  and  had 
set  up  young  Brewster  as  its  prophet.  His  rev- 
elations at  this  time  had  become  quite  numerous. 
Among  one  of  the  ])rophecies  of  Brewster,  was 
one  in  relation  to  the  death  of  Joseph  and  Hy- 
rum  Smith.  This  prophecy  being  literally  ful- 
filled, caused  many  to  unite  their  fortunes  with 
him,  and  "contend  for  the  faith"  as  promul- 
gated by  him.  During  this  year  Brewster  issued 
what  purported  to  be  the  lost  book  of  Esdeas, 
in  which  was  clearly  fortold  the  destruction  of 
Nauvoo. 

SHOOTING    STARS. 

The  "shooting  stars"  of  183-3  will  ever  be  a 
mystery  to  many,  and  many  will  continue  to  be- 
lieve it  was  a  fulfillment  of  the  prophecy  of 
Christ,  that  "the  stars  should  fall  from  Heaven 
before  that  great  and  notable  day  of  the  Lord's 
coming."  The  Sangamo  Journal,  under  date  of 
November  10,  says: 

"  An  extraordinary  phenomenon  was  observed 
in  the  Heavens  on  Tuesday  night,  November  12. 
02— 


At  3  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  whole  atmosphere  was 
lit  up  by  what  appeared  to  be  the  falling 
of  myriads  of  meteors,  or  what  was  commonly 
called  'shooting  stars.'  At  times  the  appearance 
was  not  inaptly  compared  to  the  falling  of 
a  shower  of  fire.  The  air  was  entirely  calm  and 
free  from  clouds.  The  scene  presented  was  one 
of  extraordinary  sublimity,  and  must  have 
escited  intense  admiration  in  all  who  beheld  it." 
The  .Tournal,  in  its  issue  of  December  7,  gives 
an  illustration  of  the  meteors  and  extracts  from 
New  York  and  Philadelphia  papers  showing 
that  the  phenomenon  was  not  local  in  its  charac- 
ter, but  extended  over  the  entire  LTnion. 

COUNTY    .TAIL. 

A  local  reporter  visiting  the  jail  in  1860,  thus 
writes :  "  One  of  the  prisoners  is  a  little  old 
man  who  has  become  quite  a  fixture  in  the  jail. 
His  first  name  is  Peter.  About  seven  years  ago 
he  was  arrested  for  stealing  a  lot  of  copper  pipe. 
When  his  trial  was  called  in  the  Circuit  Court 
his  counsel  made  a  rather  novel  plea — that  the 
pipe  was  real  estate — and  the  jury  taking  that 
view  of  the  case  gratified  Peter  by  acquitting 
him.  We  are  not  informed  of  the  singular 
process  by  which  copper  pipe  was  reduced  to 
real  estate,  but  Peter's  counsel  explained  the 
matter  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  jury. 
Peter  was  not  long  afterwards  arrested  for  steal- 
ing hams  from  a  smoke-house.  Fortune  was 
against  him  for  a  short  time  in  that  matter,  for 
he  was  found  guilty  of  burglary  and  sentenced 
to  one  year  in  the  penitentiary  ;  but  his  counsel 
applied  for  a  new  trial,  on  the  ground  that  his 
client  had  not  committed  burglary — the  law 
saying  nothing  about  burglary  in  connection 
with  unlawful  entry  into  a  smoke  house  !  Peter's 
counsel  made  a  good  point,  and  a  new  trial  was 
ordered.  It  is  supposed  that  Peter  would  have 
been  tried  at  the  next  term  of  court  for  larceny — 
and  it  is  (qually  certain  that  he  would  have  been 


6:it5 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


convicted — but  before  the  opening  of  court  the 
principal  witness  went  crazy  and  was  sent  to 
Jacksonville.  So  Peter  got  out  of  that  i-crape. 
His  next  arrest  was  on  account  of  old  copper. 
We  believe  he  admitted  that  1  e  took  the  metal, 
but  excused  himself  by  saying  that  he  could  not 
keep  from  sttaling  copper  or  brass  when  he  had 
half  chance.  His  prospect  for  a  residence  in  the 
penitentiary  was  quite  flatterirg.  until  his  coun- 
sel proved,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  jury,  that 
the  copper  was  not  worth  a  farthing  more  than 
four  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents.  He  was 
provided  with  board  and  lodgings  in  the  county 
jail  for  six  months,  and  not  long  after  the  expi- 
ration of  his  term  of  imprisonment,  he  was 
arrested  for  removing  hides  from  the  bodies  of 
three  deceased  steers,  and  appropriating  them  to 
his  own  use.  He  was  bailed  out  of  jail,  com- 
promised the  matter,  and  kept  it  out  of  court. 
He  is  now  in  jail  for  stealing  two  brass  scale 
beams.  He  values  them  at  the  price  of  old  brass, 
but  others  say  they  are  worth  not  less  than  ten 
dollars  apiece.  He  has  been  in  jail  ten  times — 
six  times  for  larceny,  and  four  times  for  selling 
liquor  contrary  to  law." 

POE— TRY. 

'Twas  in  the  year  of  thirty-six, 

A  traveler  young  and  strong, 
Tried  to  pass  through  Illiuois, 

And  force  his  way  along. 

The  mud  and  sloughs  he  heeded  not 

In  his  firm  onward  course; 
But  as  he  traveled  to  the  north, 

The  roads  grew  worse  and  worse. 

But  still  being  bent  his  way  to  force. 

And  onward  still  move — 
Muddy  and  tired,  on  Friday  night, 

He  arrived  at  Irish  Grove. 

But  here  his  onward  course  was  stopped, 

For  more  than  a  long  week, 
By  the  depth  of  mud  in  the  cursed  sloughs. 

And  the  waters  of  Salt  Creek. 

This  seemed  at  first  to  give  him  pain, 

For  sorely  did  he  grieve; 
But  when  the  waters  did  dry  up. 

He  hated  much  to  leave. 

How  came  it  that  this  wild  young  man 

Who  loved  so  well  to  rove. 
Should  love  to  linger  at  this  place. 

The  pleasant  Irish  Grove? 

He  said  'twas  because  the  folks  were  kind, 
And  they  all  pleased  him  well. 

And  something  else,  but  what  it  was 
I  could  not  make  him  tell. 

('Twas  a  gal.) 

I  used  to  try  him  very  hard. 
And  when  brought  to  the  test. 


He  said  if  there  had  Ijeeu  no  pre  emption  right, 
The  Grove  he  would  not   haveleft. 

(Told  you  so.) 

I've  seen  him  often  since  that  time. 

He  says  I've  far  to  rove; 
But  go  where  I  will  I  can't  forget 

My  friends  in  Irish  Grove. 

CALIFORNIA    EMIGRANTS. 

Sangamon  county  furnished  its  quota  of  emi- 
grants to  California,  in  the  days  immediately  fol- 
towing  the  discovery  of  gold  in  that  far-off  laud. 
A  company  was  organized  called  the  Illinois 
and  California  Mining  Mutual  Insurance  Com- 
pany, which  left  Springfield,  Tuesday,  March  27, 
1849.  The  following  named  composed  the  com- 
panv : 

B'.  a.  Watson 


C.  E.  White 
Albert  Sattley 
Benjamin  b .  Taylor 
E.  Fuller 

William  B.  Broadwell 
W.  P.  Smith 
B.  D.  Reeves 
William  Odenheimer 
Henry  Dorand 
E.  T.  Cabaniss 


T.  BillsoD 
Lewis  Johnson 
John  llodham 
Richard  Hodge 
Jacob  Uhler 
B.  R.  Biddle 
J.  B.  Weber 
John  B.  Watson 
F.  S.  Dean 
T.  J.  Whitehurst 


HOW'    MILL    PRIVILEGES    WERE    SECURED. 

When  a  party  desired  to  build  a  dam  across  a 
stream,  he  was  required  to  go  before  the  court 
and  ask  that  a  writ  of  ad  quad  damnum  be  is- 
sued summoning  a  jury  of  twelve  men,  who 
should  view  and  assess  whatever  damages  might 
be  caused  from  the  dam  by  reason  of  overflow 
of  the  water.  As  an  illustration  of  the  course 
usually  pursued,  the  following  report  is  ap- 
pended: 

"We,  the  undersigned,  jurors,  being  sum- 
moned and  impanneled  by  Andrew  Orr,  Esq., 
Deputy  Sheriff  in  and  for  the  county  of  Sanga- 
mon, by  virtue  of  a  writ  of  ad  quad  dain?ium, 
issued  by  the  Clerk  of  the  County  Commission- 
ers' Court  in  and  for  said  county,  and  directed  to 
the  Sheriff'  of  said  county,  on  the  application  of 
Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  to  erect  a  mill-dam  on  the 
northw  est  fractional  quarter  of  section  number 
three,  in  township  number  sixteen,  north  of 
range  number  six,  west  of  third  principal  merid- 
,ian,  across  Prairie  creek;  after  being  duly  assem- 
bled and  impanneled  upon  the  premises,  and 
being  charged  by  the  said  Andrew  Orr,  Esq., 
Deputy  Sheriff',  as  aforesaid,  impartially  and  to 
the  best  of  our  skill  and  judgment,  to  view  the 
land  proposed  for  an  abutment,  and  to  locate 
and  circumscribe  by  metes  and  bounds  one  or 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COLTNTY, 


537 


two  acres  thereof,  having  due  regard  therein  to 
the  interest  of  both  parties,  and  to  examine  the 
land  above  and  below  the  property  of  others 
which  may  probably  overflow;  and  all  springs 
that  may  be  overflowed  by  the  same,  and  ap- 
praise the  same  accordingly  to  its  true  value,  re- 
port that  we  have  diligently  inquired  into  and 
examined  the  same,  above  and  below  the  point 
at  whic  >  said  mill-dam  is  proposed  to  be  erected, 
and  find  that  the  land  on  both  sides  of  said 
stream,  together  with  the  bed  thereof,  where 
said  dam  is  proposed  to  be  erec  ed,  belongs  to 
the  said  Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  and  that  by  erect- 
ing a  dam  no  more  than  ten  feet  high,  the 
height  said  dam  is  to  be  as  contemplated  by  said 
Thomas  Kirkpatrick,  and  estimated  by  us,  no 
springs,  either  above  or  below  said  dam  will  be 
overflown  bj'  reason  of  the  erection  of  the  same, 
and  that  no  injury  will  result  to  the  property  of 
any  individual  or  individuals  whatever  by  reason 
thereof;  and  we  also  believe  that  the  erection  of 
said  dam  and  mills  thereon,  would  be  a  matter 
of  general  utility  to  the  neighborhood,  saving 
and  excepting  a  quantity  of  laud  owned  by  Wil- 
liam Kirkpatrick,  lying  above  the  place  where 
the  proposed  dam  is  to  be  erected,  which  is  sub- 
ject to  being  overflowed  by  reason  of  the  erec- 
tion of  said  mill-dam,  and  we  assess  the  damages 
by  reason  thereof  at  twenty  dollars. 

Given  under  our  hands  this  10th  day  of  March, 
1S24. 

William  Brisbin  Robert  Penny 

Strother  Ball  John  Duncan 

John  Ray  David  Smith 

Washington  Hornbuckle     David  Bogan." 

THE    WEATHER. 

The  weather  is  always  a  fruitful  topic  for  dis- 
cussion. The  editor  of  a  local  newspaper,  when 
he  can  find  no  other  subject  upon  whicli  to  write, 
always  has  a  fruitful  theme  in  the  weather.  lie 
can  praise  it  if  it  is  tine,  grumble  at  it  if  bad. 
Friends  or  strangers,  when  meeting,  always  dis- 
cuss the  weather.  Lovers,  when  too  bashful  to 
discuss  siicli  themes  as  are  ever  nearest  their 
hearts,  talk  sheepishly  about  the  weather.  The 
historian,  neglecting  this  important  theme,  would 
be  guilty  of  an  unpardonable  sin.  Therefore  it 
is  a  pleasing  duty  to  record  the  following  facts 
with  relation  to  the  weather,  as  illustrating  how 
it  has  behaved  itself  in  the  three-score  years  of. 
the  organized  existence  of  the  county: 

MILD    WINTER. 

The  winter  of  1832-33  was  as  mild  as  the 
winter  of  1830-31  was  severe.  The  Sangamo 
Journal  for  January  5,  1832,  says: 


"The  season  is  certainly  remarkable.  —  For 
several  days  past  we  have  had  no  frosts,  and  the 
weather  has  been  as  mild  as  the  latter  part  of 
April  usually  is.  We  hear  the  ^'melifluous 
notes'  of  frogs;  the  grass  has  started  in  many 
parts  of  the  prairies;  in  the  bottoms  the  May 
apple  has  sprouted  from  one  to  three  inches;  and 
most  kinds  of  cattle  do  well  without  feeding. 
Plowing  is  going  on  in  the  vicinity  of  town. 
We  have  some  fears  the  warm  weather  will 
cause  the  wheat  to 'joint.'  To  prevent  this, 
whenever  it  can  be  done,  the  wheat  should  be 
fed  down  by  calves,  &c.  No  doubt  those  of  our 
citizens  who  left  us  for  Arkansas  last  summer 
are  congratulating  themselves  on  the  tine  cli- 
mate of  that  country,  while  they  suppose  the 
Illinoisans  are  buried  in  snow  and  sutt'ering  from 
cold  weather.     .Joy  remain  with  them." 

THE  SUDDEN  CHANGE. 

The  sudden  change  in  the  weather  which  oc- 
curred December  20,  1836,  is  vividly  impressed 
upon  the  minds  of  many  of  the  old  settlers  of 
Sangamon  county.  There  were  several  inches 
of  snow  upon  the  ground,  and  early  in  the 
morning  rain  began  to  fall,  continuing  for  some 
hours,  and  turning  the  snow  into  slush.  Wash- 
ington Crowder,  at  present  an  old  citizen  of 
Springtield,  then  living  about  four  miles  south- 
west of  the  city,  about  eleven  o'clock  started  to 
the  city  to  procure  a  marriage  license.  Mr. 
Crowder  carried  an  umbrella  to  protect  himself 
from  the  rain,  and  wore  an  overcoat  reaching 
nearly  to  his  feet.  When  he  had  traveled  some- 
thing like  half  the  distance,  and  had  reached  a 
point  about  four  miles  south  of  Springtield,  he 
had  a  fair  view  of  the  landscape,  ten  or  twelve 
miles  west  and  north.  He  saw  a  very  dark  cloud, 
a  little  north  of  west,  and  it  appeared  to  be  ap- 
proaching him  very  rapidly,  accompanied  by  a 
teriffic,  deep  bellowing  sound.  He  thought  it 
prudent  to  close  his  umbrella,  lest  the  wind 
should  snatch  it  from  his  hands,  and  dropped 
the  bridle  reins  on  the  neck  of  his  horse  for  that 
purpose.  Having  closed  the  umbrella  and  put 
it  under  his  arm,  he  was  in  the  act  of  taking 
hold  of  the  bridle  rein,  when  the  cold  wave 
struck  him.  At  that  instant  water  was  dripping 
from  everything  about  him,  but  when  he  drew 
the  reins  taut,  ice  rattled  from  them.  The  water 
and  slush  almost  instantly  turned  to  ice,  and 
running  water  on  sloping  ground  was  congealed 
as  suddenly  as  molten  lead  would  harden  and 
form  in  ridges  if  poured  on  the  ground.  Mr. 
Crowder  expressed  himself  quite  sure  that  with- 
in fifteen  minutes  from  the  time  the  cold  blast 


538 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


reached  bim  his  horse  walked  on  toj)  of  the 
snow  and  water,  so  suddenly  did  it  freeze.  When 
he  arrived  in  Springfield  he  rode  up  to  a  store 
at  the  west  side  of  Fifth  street,  between  Adams 
and  Monroe,  a  few  doors  south  of  where  Bunn's 
bank  now  stands.  He  attempted  to  dismount, 
but  was  unable  to  move,  his  overcoat  holding 
him  as  firmly  as  though  it  had  been  made  of 
sheet  iron.  He  then  called  for  help,  and  two 
men  come  out,  who  tried  to  lift  him  off,  but  his 
clothes  were  frozen  to  the  saddle,  which  they 
ungirthed,  and  then  carried  man  and  saddle  to 
the  tire  and  thawed  them  asunder.  After  becom- 
ing sufficiently  warm  to  do  so,  Mr.  Crowder  went 
to  the  County  Clerk's  office,  obtained  his  license, 
and  by  driving  his  horse  before  him,  returned  to 
where  he  had  started  in  the  morning.  The  next 
day  he  started  on  horseback,  but  found  the  trav- 
eling so  difficult  on  the  ice  that  he  dismounted, 
tied  up  the  bridle,  left  his  horse  to  find  the  way 
back  home,  and  went  on  foot  to  the  house  of  his 
affianced,  where  he  was  married  at  the  time  ap- 
pointed. Mr.  Crowder  admits  that  it  was  a  very 
thorough  test  of  his  devotion,  but  it  must  be 
conceded  that  he  proved  himself  equal  to  the 
emergency. 

The  velocity  of  the  cold  wave  is  not  known. 
Preston  Breckenridge  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that 
it  moved  at  the  rate  of  about  seventy  miles  an 
hour.  At  the  time  he  says  he  had  just  taken 
his  dinner,  and  was  sitting  near  a  window, 
between  1  and  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  in 
view  of  a  pool  of  water,  ten  or  twelve  inches 
'deep.  He  heard  a  terrific  roaring  sound.  Sud- 
denly the  rain  ceased,  and  it  became  quite  dark. 
The  first  touch  of  the  blast  scooped  all  the 
water  out  of  the  pool.  Some  of  it  returned, 
but  in  a  moment  it  was  blown  out  again,  and 
scattered  in  frost  and  ice,  leaving  the  pool 
empty,  and  the  bottom  frozen  dry.  He  says  it 
had  been  raining  slowly  all  the  fore  part  of  the 
day  and  so  warm  that  he  thinks  a  thermometer 
would  have  stood  as  high  as  forty  degrees  above 
zero,  possibly  higher,  and  that  the  first  touch  of 
the  tempest  would  have  brought  it  down  to  zero 
in  a  second  of  time. 

SNOW    BLOCKADE. 

On  Wednesday  evening,  December  30,  1863,  a 
snow  storm  set  in  which  continued  all  night  and 
during  the  greater  portion  of  the  next  day,  com- 
pletely blockading  all  the  public  highways  and 
all  the  railroads  leading  into,  Springfield.  The 
embargo  on  travel  continued  for  five  days,  dur- 
ing which  time  there  was  but  one  mail  received 
in  the  city  from  the  east  and  one  from  the  west. 
It  was  the  worst  storm  for  many  years  previous. 


ALMOST    A    TORNADO. 

On  Friday  night,  December  23,  1871,  a  heavy 
rain  passed  over  Springfield,  accompanied  by 
thunder  and  lightning.  The  next  morning  all 
was  beautiful,  but  about  nine  o'clock,  dark,  heavy 
clouds  came  up,  the  wind  began  to  rise,  and 
gradually  increased  to  a  gale,  and  at  ten  o'clock 
it  swept  over  the  city  with  such  force  as  to  un- 
roof houses,  knock  down  chimneys  and  signs, 
and  destroy  several  buildings.  The  rink,  erected 
at  a  cost  of  812,000  in  1807,  was  leveled  with  the 
ground;  the  Rolling  Mill  was  destroyed,  as  was 
also  the  round-house  of  the  Gilman,  Clinton  & 
Springfield  Railroad  Company.  The  damage 
done  amounted  to  several  thousand  dollars,  but 
no  lives  were  lost. 

RAIN   STORM. 

"Old  Probability"  foretold   a  rain  storm  for 
Saturday,  June   1,  1872,  and,  according  to  pro- 
gramme, it  came,  and  the  "oldest  inhabitant" 
had  to  give  it  up  —  that  he  could   not  remember 
its  equal.     At  eight  o'clock,  p.  m,  the   storm  in 
all  its  fury  burst  upon   the   city  of  Springfield, 
the  flashes  of  lightning  being  dazzling  and  al- 
most incessant,  accompanied  by  the  sharp,  crack- 
ling reports  and  roar  of  Heaven's  musketry  and 
artillery.     From  eight  o'clock  p.  m.,  Saturday, 
until  three  o'clock  a.  m.,  Sunda}^,  there  did  not 
seem  to  be  a  moment's  cessation  of  the  outpour- 
ing   of    rain    from    the    "open    flood-gates   of 
Heaven."     The  falling  of  the  rain  sounded  more 
like  the  "noise  of  many  waters,"  pouring  over  a 
cataract,  and  soon  the  streets  were  full  of  water 
which    could    not   be   carried  off    by  the   over- 
charged  sewers,  and   the  pressure  on   these  was 
so  great  as  to  cause  much  damage  to  them.     Cel- 
lars were  soon  full,  and  in  some  instances  poured 
into  the  sleeping  apartments  and  drove  the  in- 
mates to  more  comfortable  quarters.     The  town 
branch,  or  main  sewer,  large  enough  to  allow  a 
double  team  and  wagon  to  he  driven  into  it,  was 
soon  filled  with  water,  which  poured  out  into  the 
northwest.     Ponds,  which    for   years    had   been 
dry,  were  filled  with  water,  and"  the  placid  San- 
gamon was  made  a  roaring,  dashing  river. 

HEAVY  STORM  OF  WIND  AND  RAIN. 

On  Friday  evening,  August  3,  1860,  a  heavy 
storm  of  wind  and  rain  passed  over  Springfield, 
resulting  in  a  great  deal  of  damage.  Before 
seven  o'clock  its  approach  was  indicated  by  the 
dark  masses  of  clouds  rolling  up  from  the  west, 
covering  the  whole  earth  with  their  gloomy 
darkness.  Their  pent-up  fury  burst  a  few  min- 
utes after  seven,  and  in  a  few  minutes  it  was 
raging    with    terrific   power.       Buildings    were 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


539 


blown  down  and  unroofed,  trees  were  uprooted, 
and  shrubbery  and  grain  prostrated  to  the  earth. 
An  accompaniment  of  Heaven's  artillery  added 
to  the  terrible  effect  of  the  storm.  Withey 
Brothers  had  their  carriage  manufactory  blown 
down,  entailing  a  loss  of  about  112,000  upon 
them.  The  building  was  a  large  three  story 
brick.  This  was  the  heaviest  loss  experienced 
by  any  one  man  or  firm.  Many  others  were 
damaged  in  amounts  ranging  from  one  to  five 
hundred  dollars. 

STORM    AT    WILLIAMSVILLB. 

A  terrific  storm  passed  over  Willianisville  and 
vicinity,  Friday,  May  14,  1858.  It  spent  its 
greatest  force  about  one  and  a  half  miles  north 
of  the  village,  striking  with  all  its  force  the 
dwelling  of  Evans  Britton,  and  utterly  demol- 
ishing the  entire  premises.  The  family,  consist- 
ing of  Mr.  Britton,  wife,  child,  and  a  hired  man, 
were  all  in  the  second  story,  and,  strange  to  say, 
neither  of  them  were  instantly  killed,  although 
Mr.  Britton  was  dangerously  wounded,  his  wife 
seriously  hurt,  but  not  dangerously,  the  child 
slightly,  and  the  hired  man  badly  hurt.  The 
foundation  timbers  of  the  house,  being  of  solid 
oak,  eight  inches  square,  and  thirty  feet  long, 
were  carried  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  from  where  the  house  stood.  The  storm 
was  accompanied  with  very  heavy  hail,  damag- 
ing the  windows  of  every  house  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  a  perfect  deluge  of  rain  carried  off 
nearly  every  bridge  in  the  surrounding  country. 

TOBNADO    ON    StTGAE   CREEK. 

On  Thursday,  May  26,  1859,  a  tornado  passed 
over  a  portion  of  this  county  on  Sugar  creek, 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  Rochester.  Its  course 
was  toward  the  northeast,  and  its  violence  was 
so  great  as  to  entirely  demolish  the  residence  of 
James  Bell,  a  two-story  house.  It  also  tore  the 
roof  from  the  mill  of  Ranny  &  Bell,  both  of 
whom  were  within  and  seriously  injured.  The 
house  of  Mr.  Patterson  was  blown  down,  but  no 
one  injured.  Mr.  Higgins'  house  shared  the 
same  fate,  while  the  barn  of  Mr.  Peddecord  was 
destroyed.  Two  boys  who  were  in  the  barn 
were  blown  some  distance,  but  received  no  in- 
juries. Mr.  Highman's  barn  was  prostrated,  and 
Mr.  Inslee's  orchard  completely  destroyed,  and 
his  house,  one  and  a  half  stories  high,  built  of 
logs,  was  blown  away,  nothing  being  left  Ijut  tlie 
foundation  logs.  Large  hickory  trees,  two  feet 
in  diameter,  were  twisted  off  like  pipe  stems.  It 
was  fortunate  no  loss  of  life  occurred. 


CHOLERA. 

In  1832,  that  dreadful  disease,  Asiatic  cholera, 
broke  out  in  the  county,  and  before  its  ravages 
were  checked  twenty-two  deaths  occurred.  The 
physicians  of  the  county,  including  Drs.  John 
Todd,  Gershom  Jayne,  J.  M.  Early,  Ephraim 
Darling,  E.  H.  Merryraan,  T.  Hurghan,  Garret 
Elkin  and  James  R.  Gray,  issued  an  address  to 
the  people  of  the  county  in  which  they  discussed 
the  question  at  some  length  of  the  origin  of  the 
disease  and  its  treatment,  including  measures  to 
prevent  its  spread.  In  1833,  it  again  appeared, 
but  only  two  or  three  cases  were  reported,  neith- 
er of  which  were  fatal.  In  1851,  the  county  es- 
caped having  the  disease,  notwithstanding  it 
spread  almost  throughout  the  entire  country,  but 
in  1854  it  appeared  much  to  the  alarm  of  the 
citizens,  but  without  fatal  results. 

SHOEMAKING. 

It  is  reported  by  Albion  Knotts  that  when  his 
father  came   to  this  country,  in  1819,  he   soon 
learned  that  the   next  supply  of  shoes  for  his 
family  would  have  to  be  manufactuied  by  him- 
self, although  he  had  never  made  a  shoe.     Tliis 
discovery  was  barely  made  when  be  found  that 
he  must  produce  the  leather  also,  as  there  were 
no  tanners  in  the  country.     He  first  cut  down  a 
large  oak  tree,  peeled  oft"  the  bark  and  laid  it  up 
to  dry.     He  dug  a  trough  in  the  log  as  large  as 
it  would  make  for  a  tan-vat.     He  then  gathered 
up    all   the  hides   he   could   obtain.     The  next 
question  was  how  to  remove  the  hair.     It  was 
known  that  it  could  not  be  done  by  regular  tan- 
ners' process,  both  for  want  of  the  ])roper  ma- 
terials, and  the  knowledge  in  using  them.  Some 
person    suggested   that   it, might  be  done    with 
water  and  ashes,  but  great  caution  would  be  nec- 
essary, lest  the  solution  be  made  too  strong.     In 
that  event  it  would  ruin  the  hides.     In  his  ex- 
treme caution  he  did  not  make  it  strong  enough, 
and  so  removed  but  a  little  more  than  half  the 
hair.     In  place  of  grinding  the  bark  he  beat  it 
upon  a  stump  with  the  poll  of  an  axe.     He  then 
put  the  hides  in  the  trough,  covered  them  with 
the  pulverized  bark,  put  on  weights  to  keep  the 
mass  down,  and  filled  the  trough    with  water, 
changing  the  bark  several  times  during  the  sum- 
mer.    As  winter  approached  he  took  the  hides 
out,   though   not   more   than   half    tanned,  and 
made  them  into  shoes.     He  made  them  on  what 
was  called  the  stitch  down  plan.    That  is,  in  place 
of  turning  the  upper  leather  under  the  last,  it 
was  turned  outward  and  sewed  with  a  straight 
awl  through    the  upper  and  sole.     This  would 
make  a  walk  around  the  shoe  thata  mouse  might 


540 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


travel  on.  It  wa.s  frequently  the  case  that  awls 
could  not  be  obtained.  Then  they  would  take  a 
common  table  fork,  break  off  one  of  the  tines, 
and  sharpen  the  other  for  the  awl.  Shoes  made 
as  I  have  described,  with  the  upper  leather  hair 
side  out,  not  more  than  half  of  it  removed,  and 
without  any  blacking,  would  certainly  look  very 
odd.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  above 
is  a  fair  description  of  the  iirst  tanning  and  shoe- 
making  ever  done  in  Sangamon  county. 

MATRIMONIAL. 

When  Adam  was  created  and  placed  in  the 
garden  of  Eden,  a  help-meet  was  provided  for 
him  in  the  per.son  of  Eve.  This,  therefore,  is 
the  natural  state  of  man.  The  married  state  is 
a  solemn  one  and  should  be  sacredly  protected. 
"  What  Ood  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man 
tear  asunder."  In  various  lands  the  marriage 
rite  is  solemnized  in  different  ways,  and  by  dif- 
ferent ceremonies;  in  all  the  acts  of  the  con- 
tracting parties  must  be  understood  by  each 
and  by  the  community  in  which  they  live, 
as  being  a  mutual  agreement  to  hold  the 
relation-*  towards  one  another  as  man  and  wife. 
In  this  State  a  license  has  always  been  required, 
or  in  lieu  thereof,  for  many  years,  a  couple 
could  be  married  by  publishing  their  intentions 
through  a  public  asssembly.  It  is  stated  that 
even  in  Sangamon  county,  it  was  customary  in 
order  to  save  the  license  fee  for  parties  desirous 
to  wed  to  have  an  announcement  made  three 
times,  on  Sunday,  before  the  congregation  with 
whom  they  were  in  the  habit  of  worshiping. 

The  first  marriage  that  appears  on  the  record 
books  of  this  county  was  solemnized  April  20, 
182],  more  than  sixty  years  ago.  The  parties 
were  William  Moss  and  Peggy  Sims.  They 
were  married  by  Abraham  Sinnard,  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  by  virtue  of  a  license  issued  under 
the  official  seal  of  Charles  R.  Matheny,  Clerk  of 
the  county.  It  was  the  first  marriage  solemn- 
ized in  the  county  subsequent  to  its  organ- 
ization. 

In  the  early  days  of  this  county,  young  men 
and  maidens  were  not  married  in  the  grand 
style  which  usually  characterizes  marriages  of 
the  present  time.  They  did  not  wait  for  riches 
to  come  bef'  re  marriage,  as  is  generally  the 
present  custom,  but  married  and  lived  in  simple 
and  comfortable  style,  and,  generally  lived  hap- 
pily and  gained  the  respect  of  their  neighbors 
by  attending  to  their  own  business.  There  were 
no  "diamond  weddings"  in  those  days,  and  the 
extravagance  that  often  now  attends   the  mar- 


riage ceremony  was  unheard  of.  The  old  folks 
were  plain,  economical  and  hospitable  people, 
and  the  young  folks  were  imbued  with  the  same 
attributes  that  characterized  their  fathers  and 
mothers.  They  were  willing  to  commence 
housekeeping  in  a  style  corresponding  with  their 
means,  trusting  to  the  future  for  larger  houses 
and  more  expensive  furniture. 

It  would  doubtless  be  of  interest  to  many  to 
give  the  record  of  marriages  for  the  first  five  or 
six  years  of  the  county's  existence,  but  they  are 
too  numerous,  therefore  only  the  first  year  is 
here  given  as  taken  from  the  record  in  the  office 
of  the  County  Clerk: 

William  Moss  and  Peggy  Sims,  by  Abraham 
Sinnard,  J.  P.,  April  20,  1821. 

Jesse  Cormack  and  Nelly  Robinson,  by  Zach- 
ariah  Peter,  J.  P.,  May  10,  1821. 

Thomas  Perkins  and  Anna  Durham,  by  Abra- 
ham Sinnard,  J.  P.,  April,  1821.  In  lieu  of  a 
license  issued  by  County  Clerk,  public  announce- 
ment was  made  of  the  intended  marriage  of  this 
couple. 

William  C.  Brown  and  Patsy  Vincennes,  by 
Rev.  James  Sims,  February  18,  1821. 

Jesse  Burvard  and  Betsy  Anderson,  by  Rev. 
James  Sims,  March  2tj,  1821. 

David  Barnes  and  Acsah  Andrews,  by  Rev. 
Stephen  England,  March  1.5,  1821. 

James  Pervine  and  Mary  Cox,  by  Rev.  James 
Sims,  August  2,  1821. 

George  Ruby  and  Nancy  Mathias,  by  Rev. 
James  Sims,  October  7,  1821. 

John  Brownell  and  Nancy  Pulliam,  by  Zach- 
ariah  Peter,  J.  P.,  November  29,  1821. 

Shadrach  Reddick  and  Nelly  Smith,  by  Zach- 
ariah  Peter,  J.  P.,  November  6,  1821. 

Edward  Clark  and  Sally  Sincy,  by  Rev.  Rivers 
Cormack,  December  16,  1821. 

Thomas  Howey  and  Peggy  Snodgrass,  by  Rev. 
Rivers  Cormack,  December  16,  1821. 

Charles  Orendorf  and  Matilda  Stringtield,  by 
Rev.  Stephen  England,  April  5,  1821.  This 
couple  were  also  announced  to  be  married  in- 
stead of  securing  a  license. 

Henry  Morgan  and  Lucy  Simms,  by  Abraham 
Sinnard,  J.  P.,  November's,  1821. 

Hezekiah  M.  Herbert  and  Elizabeth  Carlock, 
by  Abraham  Sinnard,  J.  P.,  October  27,  1821. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of 
marriages  contracted  from  1821  to  1880,  in- 
clusive: 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNT Y^ 


541 


1831 

25 

1852 

280 

1822 

29 

1853 

1854 

1855 

303 

1823  

37 

346 

1824 

43 

344 

1^2")    

36 

1856 

1857 

362 

1826 

48 

371 

1827 

55 

1858 

414 

1828 

97 

1859 

385 

1829 

116 

1860 

346 

1830 

121 

128 

1861 

369 

1831 

1863 

298 

1832 

141 

158 

1S63 

388 

1833 

1864 

1865 

447 

1834 

194 

474 

1835 

181 

1866 

643 

1836 

199 

1867 

1808 

597 

1837   

225 

187 

53o 

1838 

1869 

513 

1839 

2'7 

1870 

444 

1840  

205 

1871 

1872 

1873 

445 

1841  

173 

442 

1843 

213 

481 

1843 

201 

1874 

456 

1844  

173 

....,  ....179 

1875 

485 

1845 

1876 

475 

1846  

167 

1877 

461 

1847 

184 

1878 

464 

1848  . 

231 

1879 

1880 

.  .  .  .  482 

1849 

246 

496 

1850 

238 



1851 

325 

Total 

17  029 

A  glance  at  the  foregoing  figures  shows  con- 
clusively tbat  the  matrimonial  market  is  affected 
hy  the  state  of  the  times.  In  1837  hard  times 
set  in,  but  this  county  was  not  visibly  affected 
until  the  following  year.  For  ten  years  business 
of  all  kinds  was  dull  and  many  were  forced  into 
bankruptcy.  It  will  be  seen  that  it  took  ten 
years  to  restore  the  normal  condition  of  the  mat- 
rimonial market.  Again  in  1858,  banks  suspend- 
ed and  a  season  of  depression  set  in  and  fewer 
marriages  were  contracted  for  several  years. 
Still  again  in  1874,  the  same  state  of  affair  exist- 
ed. The  war,  too,  caused  a  falling  off  in  tue 
number  of  marriages  annually  contracted,  but  in 
1860,  when  the  boys  got  home,  there  were  a  larger 
number  of  licenses  issued  by  the  county  clerk 
than  in  any  year  since  the  organization  of  the 
county. 

RENDITION  OF  A  FUGITIVE  SLAVE. 

The  rights  of  property  in  slaves,  and  the  appli- 
cation of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  were  often 
contested  in  the  courts  of  the  Northern  States, 
previous  to  the  rebellion  of  the  slave-holding 
States.  As  late  as  February,  1860,  a  case  was 
tried  in  Springfield  before  United  States  Com- 
missioner Corneau,  on  the  application  of  George 
M.  Dickinson,  of  Shelby  county,  Missouri,  for  the 
delivery  of  a  fugitive  slave,  which  he  claimed 
was  his  properly. 


At  the  opening  of  the  ease,  W.  A.  Herndon, 
one  of  the  counsel  for  the  fugitive,  moved  a  post- 
ponement of  a  few  days,  giving  as  a  reason  for 
his  motion,  that  he  expected  papers  from  Quincy 
that  would  prove  the  negro  a  free  man.  He  ad- 
vocated the  motion  with  eloquence,  and  made 
an  affidavit  setting  forth  the  facts  he  expected 
to  prove.  He  also  offered  the  negro's  affidavit, 
but  the  Commissioner  refused  to  receive  it,  and 
overruled  the  motion  for  a  continuance. 

The  counsel  for  the  claimant  introduced  two 
witnesses,  both  of  whom  swore  positively  that 
the  smiling  African  before  them  was  the  prop- 
erty of  George  M.  Dickinson,  of  Shelby  county, 
Missouri,  and  that  he  ran  away  some  time  dur- 
ing the  fall  of  1857.  Their  testimony  was  very 
direct,  and  the  cross-examinations  did  notj  tend 
to  weaken  it.  One  of  the  witnesses  said  the 
negro  had  a  slight  defect  in  one  of  his  legs,  and 
therefore  the  counsel  for  the  claimant  asked  the 
negro  to  take  a  short  walk.  Chairs  were  accord- 
ingly set  aside  and  a  clear  way  made  for  him, 
but  when  he  was  told  by  one  of  his  counsel  that 
he  could  walk  or  sit  still,  just  as  he  pleased,  he 
said  that  he  would  rather  remain  in  his  seat. 

The  defense  called  several  witnesses,  but  the 
e\  idence  did  not  go  to  prove  that  the  negro  had 
lived  here  prior  to  the  time  of  his  alleged  de- 
parture from  Missouri.  At  the  conclusion  of  the 
testimony,  the  counsel  for  the  claimant  asked 
that  the  negro  be  delivered  by  the  Commissioner 
to  the  custody  of  Mr.  Dickinson.  Mr.  llerndon 
rose  and  said  that  no  proof  had  been  offered  of 
the  existence  of  slavery  in  Missouri,  and  he 
thought  that  the  Commissioner  had  no  right  to 
presume  from  historical  knowledge  that  Missouri 
was  a  slave  State.  He  spoke  at  considerable 
length,  and  bis  remarks  in  favor  of  the  poor 
outcast,  for  whom,  as  he  bitterly  said,  he  was 
only  allowed  to  appear  by  courtesy,  touched  the 
hearts  of  a  large  majority  of  his  hearers.  John 
E.  Rosette  followed  in  behalf  of  the  slave,  tak- 
ing the  same  groutid  as  Mr.  Herndon,  that  clear 
proof  was  necessary  that  Missouri  was  a  slave 
holding  State,  and  quoted  from  the  Fug  tive 
Slave  Law  to  make  his  position  good. 

George  F.  Pearson,  counsel  for  the  claimant, 
followed  Mr.  Rosette,  and  on  the  conclusion  of 
his  speech  the  Commissioner  decided  to  deliver 
the  negro  to  Mr.  Dickinson. 

FIRST    ENTRIES    OF    LAND. 

Although  Sangamon  county  was  settled  as 
early  as  1817,  yet  the  land  did  not  come  into 
market  until  1823.  The  first  entry  was  made  by 
Israel  Archer,  being  the  west  half  of  the  north- 


542 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


west  quarter  of  section  eight,  township  four- 
teen, north  of  lange  fourteen  west,  on  the  6th 
day  of  November,  1823.  Mason  Fowler,  on  the 
same  day,  made  the  second  entry,  being  the  east 
half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  twenty- 
seven,  township  fourteen,  north  of  range  four 
west.  The  next  day — November  Y,  1823 — Elijah 
lies,  Thomas  Cox,  John  Taylor,  and  Pascal  P. 
Enos  entered  the  four  quarter  sections  on  which 
the  city  of  Springfield  now  stands. 

DEATH  OP  A  CENTENAEIAN. 

On  Sunday  night,  July  1,  1855,  Archibald 
Turner  died,  aged  106  years  and  17  days.  Mr. 
Turner  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to 
this  country  when  a  young  man,  and  at  an  early 
day  to  Sangamon  county.     He  was  an  excellent, 


unobtrusive  and  Christian  man,  and  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  many 
years. 

SANGAMON    COUNTY   BIBLE    SOCIETY. 

The  dissemination  of  the  word  of  God  early 
enlisted  the  attention  of  the  good  people  of  this 
county,  and  a  branch  of  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety was  organized  here  as  early  as  1824.  For 
fifty-seven  years  the  Society  has  had  an  organ- 
ized existence,  the  good  accomplished  by  which 
will  never  be  known  in  this  world.  Thousands 
of  Bibles  and  Testaments  have  been  distrib- 
uted in  the  county  and  many  have  been  permit- 
ted to  read  the  word  who  would  never  had 
access  to  it,  but  through  the  enterprise  of  this 
Society. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


543 


Chapter    XXV. 


A^GRIGOLTURE  AND  AGRIGULTUKAL  SOCIETIES. 


Sangamon  county  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
best  agricultural  counties  in  the  State.  The 
county  was  originally  settled  by  men  trained  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  the  larger  part  being  immi- 
grants from  the  South.  They  brought  with 
them  but  little  capital — in  many  instances  only 
sufficient  to  buy  the  land  on  which  they  located. 
However,  they  brought  with  them  that  which 
is  better  than  money — industrious  habits;  and 
under  the  guiding  influence  of  a  superior  intel- 
ligence, they  soon  brought  their  lauds  into  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  so  that  to-day  Sanga- 
mon county  occupies  the  proud  position  of  being 
one  of  the  best  agricultural  counties  in  the 
State,  and  where  it  pays  to  farni. 

Few  counties  in  the  State  as  large  as  Sanga- 
mon but  have  more  land  not  fit  for  cultivation. 
The  proportion  of  unimproved  land  here  is  quite 
small.  In  many  counties  along  the  margin  of 
the  streams,  after  extending  back  for  more  than 
a  mile,  the  land  is  unfit  for  cultivation,  but  not 
so  in  Sangamon.  Along  the  banks  of  its  river 
and  principal  creeks,  lie  some  of  the  most  pro- 
ductive farms  in  the  county. 

Among  the  products  of  Sangamon  county,  as 
well  as  throughout  the  Union,  corn  takes  the 
precedence  as  being  the  most  profitable  and  pe- 
culiarly adapted  to  the  soil.  Winter  wheat,  next 
to  corn,  is  the  most  important  grain  raised  in 
the  county.  In  its  early  history  abundant  crops 
were  raised,  with  scarcely  a  failure,  but  finally, 
for  some  cause,  little  could  be  raised,  and  it  be- 
came exceedingly  unprofitable  to  sow  the  grain. 
In  the  last  decade  a  change  has  again  occurred 
and  winter  wheat  has  again  got  to  be  one  of  the 
staple  productions  of  the  county.  In  1880  there 
were  planted  one  hundred  and  twenty-three 
thousand  eight  hundreil  and  forty-two  acres  of 
corn;  and  fifty-five  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  acres  of  wheat  were  sown.     In  that 

fi3  — 


year  it  was  estimated  that  the  corn  crop  would 
produce  fifty  bushels  to  the  acre,  a  total  of  six 
million  one  hundred  and  ninety-two  thousand 
one  hundred  bushels;  wheat  was  estimated  at 
twenty  bushels  to  the  acre,  or  one  million  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  one  hundred  and 
sixty  bushels. 

When  considered  in  connection  with  the  arti- 
ficial grasses,  and  the  nourishment  and  improve- 
ment it  affords  to  the  live  stock,  especially  the 
horse,  this  grain  may  be  considered  as  one  of 
the  most  important  here  produced.  Its  yield  is 
generally  abundant  and  profitable.  The  usual 
yield  is  from  thirty-five  to  fifty  bushels  per 
acre.  In  1880  there  were  sown  twelve  thousand 
four  hundred  and  sixty-six  acres,  which  yielded 
forty  bushels  per  acre,  a  total  of  four  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  thousand  six  hundred  and  forty 
bushels. 

In  1880,  there  were  twenty-two  thousand  three 
hundred  and  thirty-two  acres  in  timothy  meadow, 
which  yielded  a  ton  and  a  half  to  the  acre. 

In  addition  to  those  articles  already  mentioned 
every  product  peculiar  to  this  latitude  is  raised 
here,  including  rye,  barley,  Irish  and  sweet 
potatoes,  and  buckwheat,  there  being  soil  in  the 
county  peculiarly  adapted  to  each. 

In  fruit  much  is  being  done,  almost  every 
farmer  devoting  a  few  acres  to  its  cultivation. 
Almost  every  variety  of  apple  adapted  to  this  cli- 
mate is  raised  here,  while  peaches,  pears,  plums, 
grapes  and  other  small  fruit  conie  in  for  a  share 
of  attention. 

AGRICULTURAL     SOCIETIES. 

The  isolated  occupation  of  the  farmer  causes 
him  to  act  slowly  in  availing  himself  of  the  gen- 
erally conceded  advantages  of  association  and 
co-operation.  But  at  a  very  early  day  begin- 
nings were  made  by  our  Illinois  farmers  in  that 


644 


HISTOKV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


direction.  Woods,  in  bis  "  Two  Years'  Resi- 
dence in  the  Settlement  on  the  English 
Prairie,  in  the  Illinois  Country,"  says,  writ- 
ing in  1820:  "An  agricultural  society  was 
established  last  year  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and 
Mr.  Birbeck  made  President.  It  held  its  lirst 
meeting  in  Kaskaskia;  but  whether  there  has 
been  any  other  meeting  I  do  not  know."  Faux, 
in  his  "Memorable  Days  in  America,"  writing 
from  the  Wabash  country,  under  date  November 
24,  1819,  says  of  Morris  Birback:  "lie,  only  a 
few  days  since,  returned  from  a  tour  throng  Illi- 
nois, by  way  of  Kascasky,  where  he  was  chosen 
President  of  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Illinois, 
one  grand  object  of  which  will  be  to  rid  the 
State  of  stagnant  waters."  This  fixes  the  date 
of  organization,  but  does  not  indicate  who  were 
the  other  officers. 

The  Edwardsville  Spectator,  printed  on 
May  IGth,  1820,  contains  a  letter  to  Henry  S. 
Dodge,  Secretary  of  the  Agricultural  Society  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  from  Curtis  Blakeman,  of 
Madison  county,  who  gives  an  account  of  a  crop 
of  corn,  of  between  nine  and  ten  acres;  yield- 
ing one  hundred  and  twenty  bushels  to  the  acre. 
From  this  it  is  supposed  Mr.  Dodge  was  the 
first  Secretary  of  the  organization.  The  same 
paper,  of  the  date  of  February  26,  1822,  con- 
tains an  essay  by  Dr.  Wordsworth,  "read  before 
the  Agricultural  Society  of  the  Ssate  of  Illinois, 
on  the  10th  of  December  last  (1821  )"  The  of- 
ficers of  the  Society,  elected  December  8,  182.3, 
were:  Edward  Coles,  President;  Shadrach  Bond, 
Vice  President;  Abner  Field,  Second  Vice  Pres- 
ident; William  M.  Brown,  Secretary;  Elijah  C. 
Berry,  Treasurer;  and  a  committee  of  corres- 
pondence, consisting  of  William  S.  Hamilton, 
Ezra  Baker,  A.  W.  Edwards,  George  Churchill 
and  David  Blackwell.  One  of  these,  George 
Churchill,  writing  many  years  afterwards,  said: 
"The  members,  becoming  tired  of  keeping  up 
their  organization,  turned  over  their  surplus 
funds  to  the  Sunday  school  agent  (Rev.  J.  M. 
Peck,)  and  disbanded." 

A  second  Illinois  State  Agricultural  Society 
was  organized  at  Springfield,  about  the  begin- 
ning of  1841.  At  a  meetingheld  in  January,  of 
that  year,  James  M.  Bradford  presided,  and  John 
S.  Wright  was  Secretary.  James  N.  Brown,  of 
Island  Grove  township,  Sangamon  county,  re- 
ported a  constitution,  which  was  discussetl  and 
adopted.  On  the  fifteenth  of  January,  another 
meeting  was  held  and  Mr.  Brown  reported  a  list 
of  officers:  William  Wilson,  of  White  county. 
President;  Isaac  S.  Biitton,  of  Sangamon,  Sec- 
retary;   John  Williams,  Sangamon,  Treasurer. 


If  this  Society  ever  held  an  exhibition  it  cannot 
be  learned  from  any  records  left  by  it. 

About  this  time, County  Agricultuial  Societies 
were  organized  all  over  the  Slate,  among  others, 
one  in  Sangamon  county,  which  gave  some  two 
or  three  annual  exhibitions  and  then  fai  ed. 

THE    FIRST    COUNTY    FAIE. 

In  relation  to  the  first  Agricultural  Fair  held 
in  Sangamon  county,  the  following  interview  is 
taken  from  the  Sangamo  Monitor,   August   19, 

1881: 

"'Speaking  of  our  county  fair,"  said  the  ven- 
erable Major  Arny  Robinson,  to  a  newspaper  re- 
porter yesterday  afternoon,  as  they  both  were 
sitting  in  a  room  in  the  third  story  of  the  State 
House,  with  their  feet  upon  the  table,  enjoying 
the  refreshing  breeze  that  came  in  at  the  spac- 
ious window,  'I  think  I  am  entitled  to  a  compli- 
mentary ticket  to  the  fair  this  fall,  and  those  fel- 
lows ought  to  give  it  to  me.' 

"'How  so?'  queried  the  newspaper  man.' 

"'  Why,  I  was  the  Secretary  of  the  first  board 
of  agriculture  and  the  first  fair  held  in  this 
county,'  replied  the  Major. 

'■  This  was  .something  new  to  the  itemizer,  and 
without  taking  out  his  book  and  pencil,  to  alarm 
the  gentleman  over  the  fact  that  be  was  going  to 
get  in  print,  the  request  was  made  that  he  recite 
as  much  of  the  circumstances  as  he  could  call  to 
mind. 

"  '  Well,'  said  Amy, 'that  was  a  long  time  ago, 
and  a  man  as  old  as  I  am,  is  apt  to  forget  a  great 
deal.  The  society  was  organized  in  the  spring 
or  summer  of  1837.  I  was  Secretary,  Isaac  S. 
Britton  was  President,  and  if  I  remember  right- 
ly, Sanford  Watson  was  the  Treasurer.  There 
were  not  a  great  many  in  the  society,  and  of 
those,  I  call  to  mind,  Logan  Hall,  Charles  R. 
Malheny,  William  S.  Pickrell  and  Jesse  Pick- 
rell.  There  were  others,  of  course,  but  of  them 
all, I  am  the  only  one  living.  The  fair  was  held 
in  September,  1837 — the  exact  date  of  course  I 
don't  remember — in  lies'  pasture,  and  at  that 
time  the  pasture  was  a  right  smart  distance  from 
the  town.  The  fair  lasted  three  or  four  days 
and  there  was  a  pretty  good  turn  out  of  the  peo- 
ple from  the  country  and  every  body  in  town 
went.  Of  course  we  had  no  booths  then,  or  a 
high  board  fence  enclosing  the  grounds,  as  the 
boys  in  those  days  had'nt  been  educated  to  crawl- 
ing through  hog  holes  and  spyingover  the  fence. 
The  fence  around  the  pasture  was  a  common  rail 
fence,  any  body  could  have  stood  on  the  outside 
and  seen  the  whole  show,  but  they  did'nt  do  that 


HISTORV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


545 


kind  of  business.  They  all  went  to  the  gap,  paid 
their  twenty-five  cents  and  went  in.' 

'"Those  bringing  stock  to  exhibit  would  tie  in 
the  corner  of  the  fence  and  then  when  the  time 
for  making  the  awards  came,  we  would  say  to 
some  fellow,  '  Here!  you  bring  up  your  cows, 
hogs,  horses,  etc.,'  and  after  passing  inspection 
a  ribbon  was  always  put  on.' 

"  'At  that  fair  was  the  first  Berkshire  sow,  I 
ever  saw,  and  the  first  one  I  guess  in  this  section 
of  the  country.  It  was  the  property  of  Miss 
Lucretia  Watson.  She  has  been  married  a  long 
time,  but  I  declare  I  have  forgotten  to  whom. 
Well,  everything  at  the  fair  had  to  have  a  name, 
and  Lucretia  came  to  me  for  a  name  for  the  sow. 
It  was  a  mighty  pretty  animal,  but  I  didn't 
know  what  name  to  give  it.  However,  as  she 
insisted,  I  named  it  Sally  Snooks,  and  I  guess 
you  can  set  it  down  as  the  first  Berkshire  having 
a  name  in  the  county.' 

"  '  Well,'  spoke  the  reporter,  after  Arny  had 
raised  up  in  his  seat  to  be  more  comfortable, 
'  why  didn't  you  keep  it  up':" 

"  '  Well,  that  is  something  I  cannot  tell.  The 
fair,  as  I  said,  lasted  about  four  days,  and  after 
that  the  whole  thing  fell  through.'" 

SANGAMON   COUNTY   AGRICULTURAL  AND    MECHAN- 
ICAL AS.SOCIATION. 

The  Sangamon  County  Agricultural  and 
Mechanical  Association  was  organized  October 
1,  1853,  and  incorporated  by  act  of  legislature, 
approved  February  11,  ISbS.  They  held  a  very 
interesting  and  successful  exhibition  at  Spring- 
field in  1852,  but  in  consequence  of  the  State 
Fair  being  held  at  Springfield  in  1863  and  1854, 
it  held  no  exhibitions  those  years.  The  society 
purchased  twenty  acres  of  land  west  of  the  city, 
on  which  they  erected  buildings  and  other 
accommodations  for  the  fair,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 
In  1854,  the  officers  were  :  James  McConnell, 
President  ;  Henry  Jacoby  and  James  N.  Brown, 
Vice  Presidents  ;  John  Williams,  Treasurer  ; 
T.  G.  Taylor,  Recording  and  Corresponding 
Secretary. 

This  society  held  annual  meetings  for  many 
years  with  great  success,  their  exhibitions  for 
some  years  being  equal  to  those  of  the  State 
Fairs.  For  some  cause,  the  society  disbanded 
in  18G9,  and  no  further  exhibitions  were  held 
by  it. 

SANGAMON  COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL  BOARD. 

But  it  could  not  be  expected  that  a  county 
the  size  of  Sangamon,  with  all  its  wealth  and 
indomitable  pluck,  would  be  without  its  annual 


fair.  Accordingly,  in  1871  a  new  organization 
was  effected,  known  as  the  Sangamon  County 
Agricultural  Board,  which  at  once  took  steps  to 
continue  the  annual  exhibitions.  The  following 
Constitution  was  adopted  December  8, 1871,  and 
amended  March  27,  1876.  As  amended  it  reads 
as  follows :  • 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  1. — This  association  shall  be  known 
as  the  Sangamon  County  Agricultural  Board. 

Article  2. — The  objects  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Agricultural  Board  shall  be  to  promote 
the  general  welfare  of  the  industrial  classes,  and 
to  add  to  the  wealth  and  attraction  of  Sangamon 
count_y  by  fostering  and  encouraging  the  sciences 
of  Agriculture,  Horticulture,  Mechanics,  Mining 
and  Fine  Arts,  as  provided  in  ''  An  act  to  create 
a  Department  of  Agriculture  in  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois," approved  April  17,  1871;  and  acts  amend- 
atory thereto. 

Articlb  .3. — Section  1.  The  officers  of  thi.s 
Board  shall  consist  of  a  President,  one  Vice 
President  from  each  township  in  the  county, 
(said  Vice  Presidents  to  be  the  Supervisors),  and 
five  (5)  Directors,  (three  of  whom  shall  reside 
outside  the  city  of  Springfield ),  a  Secretary  and 
a  Ti'easurer. 

Section  2.  Said  officers  ( except  Vice  Presi- 
dents) shall  be  chosen  biennially,  by  ballot,  at 
the  Fair  Grounds,  on  Wednesday  of  the  Fair, 
and  hold  office  for  two  years  from  the  first  day 
of  January  thereafter,  or  until  their  successors 
are  elected.  Polls  for  said  election  to  be  open 
from  nine  a.  m.  to  four  p.  m. 

Where  ballots  are  cast  for  two  or  more  per- 
sons for  the  same  office,  the  one  receiving  the 
highest  number  of  votes  shall  be  declared  elected. 

Section  3.  Duties.  The  duties  of  the  officers 
hereby  created  shall  be  those  usually  performed 
by  officers  in  similar  positions,  and  that  may  be 
assigned  them  by  a  majority  of  the  Executive 
Committee  present  and  voting. 

Section  4.  Vacancies.  In  case  of  a  vacancy 
in  the  office  of  President,  from  any  cause,  the 
duties  of  such  officer  may  be  performed  by  such 
one  of  the  Executive  Committee  as  may  be  se- 
lected. 

Article  4. — Section  1.  The  Executive  Com- 
mittee shall  consist  of  the  President,  Secretary, 
Treasurer,  and  five  Directors,  a  m.ajority  of  whom 
shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of 
business  and  ihe  management  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Agricultural  Board,  and  control  the  fi- 
nances of  the  same. 

Section  2.  They  shall  have  power  to  expel 
officers, for  good  and  sufficient  cause,  to  be  spread 


546 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


upon  their  jomnal,and  to  till  vacancies  in  their 
number,  arising  from  any  cause. 

Sectjon  S.  They  shall  have  power  to  enact 
By-Laws  for  the  government  of  their  meetings, 
and  those  of  the  Board,  and  to  make  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  management  of  its  Fairs  and 
to  prescribe  the  requirements  for  membership  in 
the  Sangamon  County  Agricultural  Board. 

Article  5.  This  Constitution  cannot  be  altered 
or  amended  without  a  majority  vote  by  ballot,  of 
all  stockholders,  and  shall  be  altered  only  at  the 
time  of  holding  the  bi-ennial  election. 

Notice  signed  by  at  least  twenty-five  stock- 
holders, of  any  proposed  change  in  the  Consti- 
tution, must  be  given  the  Executive  Committee, 
who  shall  publish  the  same,  in  at  least  one 
Springfield  paper,  thirty  days  before  the  bi-en- 
nial election. 

BY-LAWS. 

Art.  I.  This  Board  shall  consist  of  such  cit- 
izens of  the  county  or  State,  as  shall  subscribe 
and  pay  for  one  or  more  shares  of  the  capital 
stock  of  this  Board. 

Art.  II.  The  officers  of  this  Board  shall  be 
a  President,  one  Vice  President  from  each  town- 
ship in  the  County,  (said  Vice  Presidents  to  be 
the  Supervisors  in  ottice),  a  Secretary,  a  Treas- 
urer and  five  Directors,  three  of  whom  shall  re- 
side outside  the  City  of  Springfield. 

Art.  III.  There  shall  be  an  annual  meeting 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Board,  in  the 
City  of  Springfield,  the  first  Wednesilay  in 
January,  of  each  year. 

Special  meetings  may  be  convened  by  the 
President,  when  he  may  deem  it  necessary,  or 
upon  request  of  two  or  more  members  of  the 
Executive  Committee. 

Art.  IV.  The  President  shall  be  ex-officio 
President  of  the  convention  of  stockholders,  for 
the  election  of  ofticers  of  the  Sangamon  County 
Agricultural  Board. 

It  shall  be  his  duty  to  preside  at  all  meetings 
of  the  Board,  to  preserve  order  and  to  enforce 
these  rules. 

He  shall  sign  all  orders  upon  the  Treasurer, 
except  as  hereinafter  provided,  before  the  same 
shall  be  payable,  aiad  generally  discharge  the 
duties  pertaining  to  his  position  in  deliberate 
bodies. 

Art.  V.  The  Vice  Presidents  are  charged 
with  the  interests  of  the  Board  in  the  townships 
in  which  they  respectfully  reside,  and  they  will 
constitute  a  medium  of  communication  between 
the  Board  and  the  general  public. 

Art.  VI,  Any  member  of  the  Executive 
Committee  shall  be  eligible  to  the  position  of 


President  jpro-tempore,  and  the  acts  of  such 
officer  in  the  absence  of  the  President  shall  be 
valid. 

Art.  VII.  The  Treasurer  shall  have  charge 
of  all  moneys  under  the  control  of  the  County 
Agricultural  Board,  and  the  collection  of  all 
stocks  as  the  Board  may  prescribe,  and  pay  out 
the  sums  only  upon  vouchers,  approved  by  the 
President  and  countersigned  by  the  Secretary, 
or  signed  by  the  Auditing  Committee. 

He  shall  give  bonds  with  approved  security, 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties  as  Treas- 
urer, and  for  the  safe  custody  of  funds  in  his 
hands,  in  such  amounts  as  the  Executive  Board 
may  require. 

He  shall  receive  from  the  Auditing  Com- 
mittee such  tickets  as  may  be  provided  for  by 
the  Board,  and  give  his  receipt  for  the  same,  as 
for  money  received,  and  shall  superintend  the 
sale  of  the  same,  under  such  rules  as  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  may  prescribe. 

He  shall  furnish  annually  to  the  Executive 
Committee,  a  detailed  statement  of  the  finances, 
giving  the  sums  and  sources  of  money  coming 
into  his  hands,  and  produce  properly  signed 
vouchers  for  all  sums  paid  out  by  him. 

Art.  VIII.  When  cash  premiumsareawarded 
by  the  board,  they  shall  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer, 
on  checks  drawn  by  the  Secretary  upon  him, 
which  checks  when  properly  endorsed  and  paid, 
shall  be  the  Treasurer's  vouchers  for  the  same. 

Art.  IX.  The  Secretary  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Agricultural  Board  shall  keep  the 
minutes  of  all  meetings  of  the  Board  and  Ex- 
ecutive Committee^shall  have  charge  of  the 
records — attend  to  the  correspondence  of  the 
Board,  and  shall  act  as  Secretary  of  the  conven- 
tion of  stockholders  for  the  election  of  members 
of  the  Board. 

He  shall  provide  a  suitable  ballot-box  and  a 
list  of  stockholders  of  the  Board,  and  keep  a 
correct  record  of  the  vote  of  the  convention  for 
the  election  of  officers  and  directors. 

He  sball  prepare  the  annual  report  to  be  sent 
to  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  and  shall  per- 
form such  other  duties  as  may  be  prescribed  by 
the  County  Agricultural  Board. 

Art.  X.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  ap- 
point two  stockholders  to  act  as  an  Auditing 
Committee,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  audit  all  bills 
of  indebtedness  incurred  during,  or  in  imme- 
diate preparation  for  the  Fair;  and  no  such  bill 
sball  be  paid  unless  it  has  been  audited  by  said 
committee.  They  shall  have  exclusive  charge  of 
the  gates  and  keepers  and  all  tickets  for  the 
same,  except  complimentary,  and  turn  the  same 


o+.S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


over  to  the  Treasurer,  taking  his  receipt  therefor 
as  for  money  in  the  amount  represented  by  said 
tickets,  and  shall  settle  with  that  oflBcer  at  the 
close  of  all  Fairs. 

Art.  XI.  All  reports  of  committees  shall  be 
in  writing,  and  shall  be  entered  in  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Board,  or  kept  on  file  by  the  Secretary. 

Art.  XII.  The  Board  of  Directors,  shall,  at 
the  lime  of  making  out  premium  lists  of  Fairs, 
appoint  one  Superintendent  to  each  class,  or  de- 
partment; tljey  shall  also  appoint  a  superintend- 
ent to  take  charge  of  the  purchase  and  distribu- 
tion of  forage  and  litter  and  water,  for  stock  on 
exhibition. 

They  shall  also  appoint  a  Superintendent  of 
Grounds,  who  shall  have  charge  of  the  police, 
also  a  Marshal  of  the  Ring,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  keep  order  in  the  exhibition  ring,  amphi- 
theater, and  announce  awa''ds. 

Among  those  contributing  to  the  Association, 
and  thus  becoming  members  of  the  Board,  were 
the  following  named  stockholders. 

SANGAMON  COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL   BOARD. 


Adams,  J.  H. 
Ackerm;iu  ifc  Nolte 
Alexander,  David 
Alvey,  J.  W. 
Anderson,  M.  K. 
Auxier,  Benj.  L. 
Averill.  CUnrles  G. 
Ayres,  B.  W. 
B  Jllou,  George  A. 
Barber,  A.  J. 
Barkley,  J.  H. 
Barnes,  Ezra,  Sr. 
Beard,  William 
Beerup,  Charles 
Bell,  J  H. 
Bell,  Melviu 
Benjamin,  S. 
Bennetl,  Ed.  W. 
Bennett,  William  A. 
Bennelt,  Mrs.  William  A, 
Bennett,  W.  E. 
Berry,  J.  A. 
Bierce,  E.  B. 
Bigelow,  J.  K. 
Bird,  Jacob 
Black,  George  N. 
Blood,  George  L. 
Bolingcr,  G.  W. 
Bourne,  J.  M. 
Boyd,  Ilution 
Bradford,  J.  S. 
Bradford,  Mrs.  J.  S. 
Bradley,  L.  H. 
Bradley,  Mrs.  L.  H. 
Bradv,  Thomas 
Brasstield,  W.  R. 
Brennan,  P. 
Bretz,  John 
Bressmer,  John 
Bridges,  James 


Bridges,  Jeptha 
Brin'kerhoff,  G.  M. 
Brinkerhoff,  Mrs.  G.  M. 
Britten,  Evan 
Britten,  Henry 
Britten,  J.  M. 
Brock,  Daniel 
Brooks,  J.  W. 
Brown,  B.  W. 
Brown,  C.  S. 
Brown,  Dwight 
Brown,  George  H. 
Brown,  William 
Browning,  A.  M. 
Bullard,  John 
Bullard.  Wesley 
Bunn,  Alice  E. 
Bunn,  Elizabeth  J. 
Bunn,  George  W. 
Bunn,  Henry 
Bunn,  Jacob,  Jr. 
Bunn,  Jacob,  Sr. 
Bunn,  J.  W. 
Bunn,  Sallie  J. 
Bunn,  W.  F. 
Burke,  George  W. 
Byerline.J.  G. 
Caldwell,  B.  F. 
Caldwell,  G.  M. 
Caldwell,  Mrs.  G.  M. 
Campbell,  W.  K. 
CantcrbeiTy,  O.  P. 
Carpenter,"George 
Carter,  P.  S. 

Chatterton,  George  W.,  Jr. 
Chenery,  C.  E. 
Chenery,  James  H. 
Chenery,  J.  L. 
Chenerv,  J.  W. 
Chenery,  T.  W. 


Chenery,  W.  D. 
Chenery,  Mrs.  W.  D. 
Chesnut,  J.  A. 
Clark,  E.  J. 
Cline,  William 
Cloyd,  Matthew 
Coleman.  Jennie  B. 
Coleman.  L.  H. 
Condcll,  M.  B. 
Conkling  &  Hall 
Constant,  J.  H. 
Constant,  John  T. 
Constant,  W.  F. 
Constant,  W.  S. 
Converse,  A.  L. 
Converse,  Henry 
Converse,  W.  O. 
Converse,  Mrs.  W.  O, 
Cooper,  Med. 
Correll,  Cornelius 
Correll,  D.  S. 
Correll,  H.  O. 
Correll,  Thomas 
Council,  George  W. 
Council,  John 
Council,  Robert 
Creaiy,  John 
Crenshaw  Bros, 
Cross,  E. 

Crowley,  Charles  O. 
Cullom,  S.  M. 
CuiTier,  J   H. 
Currier,  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Currier,  S.  W. 
Curry,  John 
Curry,  R.  L. 
Dalby,  Joel 
Darneille,  J.  M. 
Dawson,  B. 
Day,  Geo    W. 
Day,  R.  &  M. 
Dewitt,  J.  A. 
Dubois,  J.  K. 
Dunlap,  J.  R. 
Dunnick,  Nicholas 
Eielson  &  Rhodes 
Elkin,  Arthur 
Elmore,  H.  H. 
Elliott,  Temp. 
England,  M.  R. 
Enos,  Zimri  A. 
Enos,  Mrs.  Zimri  A. 
Epling,  W.  A. 
Fagan,  Geo. 
Fafr,  A. 
Fassett,  Frank 
Fayart,  H. 
Ferguson,  B.  H. 
Fisher,  A.  H. 
Fisher,  J.  B. 
Flagg,  C. 
Fletcher,  Benj. 
Fleury,  Frank 
Foster,  Jacob 
Foutch,  John 
Fox,  B   F. 
Francis,  Josiah 
Franz,  B. 
Freeman.  C.  W. 
Frood,  John 


Fullinwider,  J.  N. 
FuUinwider,  Mrs.  J.  N. 
Garland,  A.  M. 
Garland,  J.  M. 
Gardner,  Hiram', 
Gatton,  G.  E. 
Gallon,  J.  N. 
Gehrmann,  C.  A. 
Gilbrelh,  W.  C. 
Gillett,  Leslie 
Gilpin,  Enoch 
Glasscock,  James  B. 
Glasscock,  Thomas 
Glasscock,  Travis 
Glidden  &  Co. 
Grant,  David 
Gray,  B.  C. 
Green,  Fred 
Green,  H.  S. 
Greenwood,  Jas.  W. 
Grimsley,  W.  P. 
Gross,  W.  L. 
Groves,  G.  A. 
Grubb,  Amos 
Haines,  B.  F. 
Haines,  Mrs.  Harriet 
Hall,  Chas.  B. 
Hall,  D.  S. 
Hall,  D    H. 
Hall,  E.  A. 
Hall,  J.  A. 
Hall,  U    P. 
Hamilton,  L.  F. 
Happer,  A.  F. 
Harlow,  R.  A. 
Harris,  Charles 
Harris,  W.  P. 
Harts,  P.  W. 
Harvey,  C.  D. 
Hay,  M. 
Hays,  W.  S. 
Hedges,  C.  C. 
Helmle,  C.  A. 
Henkle,  J.  C. 
Herndon,  E.  B. 
Herndon,  R.  F. 
Hickey.  D. 
Hickox,  C.  V. 
Hickox,  M. 
Highmore,  J.  S. 
Hilt,  S.  N. 
Hoflerkamp,  H. 
Hofferkamp,  J.  H. 
Holland,  W.  H. 
Holly,  W.  H. 
Hood,  Samuel 
Howard,  P. 
Howeistine,  Henry 
Huber,  F. 
Hudson.  J.  L. 
Huflaker,  W.  B. 
Huffman,  L.  F. 
Hussev,  W.  S. 
Hulton,  T.  J. 
Ide,  A.  L. 
lies,  Edward 
lies,  Elijah.  Sr. 
lies,  Elijah  F. 
lies,  Mrs.  Mildred 
Jayne,  Wm. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


549 


Johnsoa,  Henry 
Johnson,  J.  B. 
Johnson,  Joel 
Johnson,  Lewis 
Jones,  David  G. 
Jones,  Geo.  B. 
Jones,  J.  B. 
Jones,  J.  W. 
Jones,  S.  H. 
Jones,  Win.  H. 
Journal  Company 
Kidd,  T.  W.  S. 
Kimber  &  Ragsdale 
King,  J,  U. 
King,  Thomas  S. 
Kinney,  Henry 
Keazer,  Reuben 
Kessberger,  August 
Keyes,  Chaa.  A. 
Knapp,  A.  L. 
Knight,  Ira 
Kreisecker,  D.  C. 
Kusel,  J.  A. 
Lake,  Ellen  M. 
Lake,  John  S. 
Lake,  Mrs  Julia 
Lake,  T.  W. 
Lanphier,  Chas.  H.,  Jr. 
Latham,  Geo.  C. 
Latham,  H.  C. 
Lawler,  James 
Lawrence,  R.  D. 
Loepke,  C. 
Leaverton,  Wilson 
Leland,  Horace 
Leonard,  Jacob 
Lester,  James 
Level,  J.  M. 
Lewis,  John  M. 
Lewis,  John  P. 
Lewis,  O. 

Lightfoot,  Goodrich 
Lightfoot,  Wm.  H. 
Little,  G. 
Little,  S.  N. 
Little,  T.  S. 
Little,  Mrs,  T.  S. 
Littler,  D.  T. 
Long,  Chas.  H. 
Liose,  Mrs.  J.  G. 
Xoose,  Joseph 
Lyon,  H.  D. 
Malone,  A.  C. 
Marsh,  W.  H. 
Mason,  J.  A. 
Mason,  John  L. 
Mason,  Noah 
Mason,  Seth 
Mason,  W.  T 
Matheny,  C.  W. 
Miitheny,  James  H. 
Matheny,  Noah 
Mathers,  Thomas  C. 
McClelland,  John 
McClelland,  Robert  Jr. 
McClelland,  Thomas 
McCleruand,  John  A. 
McConnell,  A.  B. 
McConnell,  John 


McCreary,  John 
McDaniels,  George 
McGinnis,  John 
McGinnis,  W.  W. 
McKinney,  Chas.  E. 
McKinney.  W.  P. 
McKinstry,  O.  H. 
McTaggart,  I). 
McTaggart.  R. 
McVeigh,  B.  F. 
Merriman,  George 
Merritt,  E.  L.,  &  Bro. 
Mester,  Herman 
Metzger,  George 
Miller,  Charles 
Miller,  Mis.  Fannie 
Miller,  H. 
Miller,  J.  A. 
Miller,  Joseph 
Million,  J.  L. 
Mills,  Charles  F. 
Mills,  Mrs.  Charles  F. 
Mitts,  Carlyle 
Mitts,  J.  T. 
Moore,  M.  M. 
Morgan,  Jacob 
Mount,  Charles  E. 
Mourer,  Georae  W. 
Mueller,  H.  E. 
Myers,  Davidson  &  Henley 
Myers,  Frank 
Myers,  Pat 
Neal,  F.  M. 
Neilson,  Archie 
Nesbitt,  S.  G. 
Nuckols,  T  J. 
Ordway,  Walter 
OrendorfE,  A. 
Orendorff,  Mrs.  Julia 
Ott,  Daniel  A. 
Palmer,  John  M. 
Pastield,  George 
Pasfield,  Hattie 
Patton,  James  W. 
Paulen  Debold 
Pearer,  J.  M. 
Perkins,  J.  B. 
Perkins,  R.  L. 
Perkins,  T.  M. 
Pheasant,  Samuel 
Pickrell,  Frank 
Pickrell,  George 
Pickrell,  Watson 
Pickrell,  Wm. 
Pierson,  J.  G. 
Pollaid,  James  A. 
Poorman,  J.  M.,  Sr. 
Post,  C.  R. 
Power,  George,  Sr. 
Power,  J.  E. 
Prather,  John,  Jr. 
Pralher,  S.  E. 
Price,  J.  F. 
Priest,  John  W. 
Primm,  E. 
Primm,  Mrs.  E. 
Putnam,  Jonathan    • 
Pyle,  Lawson 
Radcliff,  C.  C. 


McCoy,  M.  D. 
Rankin,  Mrs.  S.  J. 
Rankin,  W   L. 
Reece,  J.  N. 
Reilly,  Charles 
Richardson,  Ada 
Richaidson,  Emma 
Richardson,  W.  D. 
Richardson,  Mrs.  W. 
Ridgely,  Charles 
Kidgely,  Henry 
Ridgely,  N.  H. 
Ridgely,  Wm. 
Rippon,  John 
Riser,  P.  H. 
Roberts  &  Finley 
Robinson,  Hanson 
Rosenwald,  S. 
Ross,  W.  R. 
Ruckel.  J. 
Rupp,  Philip 
Ruth,  R.  F. 
Ruiz,  Edward 
Sackett.  C.  C. 
Salter,  J.  D.  B. 
Salzenstein,  E. 
Saunders,  A.  H. 
Saunders,  H.  A. 
Saunders,  J.  R. 
Saunders,  Milton 
Schceneman,  John 
Scholes,  Samuel  D. 
Srhuck,  J.  H, 
Shirle}',  John 
Shoup,  Samuel  N. 
Shammel,  George 
Shutt,  W.  E. 
Sims,  A.  M 
Simmons,  Frank 
Simpson,  William 
Suiithers,  M. 
Smith,  CM. 
Smith,  D.  W. 
Smith  &  Hay 
Smitn,  J.  D. 
Smith,  John  D. 
Smith,  John  T. 
Smith,  J.  Taylor 
Smith,  J.  S. 
Smiih,  Lloyd  B. 
Smith,  Samuel 
Smith.  Thomas 
Spath,  George 
Springer,  Phil.  M. 
Sialey,  W.  H. 
Starne,  A. 
Starne,  C.  A. 
Stchhins,  O.F. 


Rames,  J.  O. 

Stuve,  Bernard 
Taylor,  F.  K. 
Taylor,  Isaac  J. 
Thayer,  E.  R. 
Thompson,  A.  F. 
Thompson,  A.  T. 
Thompson,  Harvey 
D.      Timothy,  C   D. 
Tracy,  Carter 
Tracy,  Frank  W. 
Trimble,  Mrs.  B.  J. 
Trimble,  Geo. 
Troxell,  C    C. 
Trumbo,  Hirness 
Turner,  Charles  M. 
Twist,  John  A. 
VanBergen,  Peter 
Vance,  Ira  W. 
VanDuyn,  G.  A.  &  Co. 
Vanmctir,  C.  C. 
Vanuicter,  J.  R. 
Vincent,  John  A. 
Vredenliurg,  Peter 
Wadsworlh.  M.  G. 
Walther  &  Hecht 
Ward.  W.  D. 
Wardner,  Henry 
Warren,  Phil. 
Warren,  W.  M. 
Watson,  Chailes  F. 
Watson,  Harry  C. 
Watts,  A,  B. 
Watts,  Edwin 
Weber,  Geo.  P. 
Werner,  Charles 
Westenbereer,  G. 
White,  E.  W. 
Wickersham,  D. 
Wiggins,  N.  B. 
Witbur,  Stephen  H. 
Wilcox,  J.  L. 
Williams,  Albert  P. 
Williams,  George 
Williams,  Henry  C. 
Williams,  John 
Williams,  John  E, 
Williams,  Mrs.  Lydia 
Wilms,  F. 
Wilson,  F.  J. 
Wilson,  J,  W. 
Wilson,  John 
Winston.  James  A. 
Withey,  George 
Withey,  W.  H. 
Wohlgemuth,  H. 
Wolcutt,  Richmond 
Wolf,  C.  &  Co. 
Woltz,  John  C. 
Wood,  George 
Yocum,  Wm. 
Zane,  Chas.  S. 
Zeigler,  Harry  T. 
Zirnmerman,  R.  B. 


Steele,  R.  C. 
Steiger,  C.  F,  &  Brother 
Steinbocmer,  A.  W. 
Stern,  Solomon 
Slout,  James  M. 
Strodtman,  J.  G. 
Stuart,  J.  T.  Jr. 

The  first  President  of  this  society  was  J.  B. 
Perkins,  who  served  two  years,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Piatt  S.  Carter,  and  he  by  John   A. 


550 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


McCleniand,    and    then    George    Fickrell    was 
elected. 

The  followiug  named  constitute  the  present 
officers: 

President — Geo.   Pickrell Wbeatfield 

Secretary— Phil  M.  Springer Springfield 

Treasurer — E.  A.  Hall     Springfield 

VICK-PBESIDENTS. 

J.  A.  Able , Auburn 

A.  R    Biadeen     Springfield 

Geo.  Carpenter Capital 

P.  S.  Carter Loami 

C.  L.  Conkling Capital 

M.C.Connelly Capital 

J.  D.  Crabb Woodside 

H.  R.  Davis Pawnee 

J.  B.  Dodd Talkington 

Biyant  Fay , Island  Grove 

Wni.   Finney Rochester 

C.  VHsS- Sherman 

Anton  Frey Curran 

Frank  Godlcy Capital 

S.  A.  Grubb Clear  Lake 

O.  P.  Hall Mechanicsburg 

Owen  Hanratty Capital 

G.  L.  Harnberger Cartwriaht 

W.  F.  Herndon Capital 

W.  F.  Irwin Salisbury 

J.  A.  Kennedy Sprinefleld 

S.  T.  Matthew "Ball 

Thos.  Mnnce Wheatfield 

D.  W.  Peden Illiopolis 

J.  W.  Priest Caoital 

W.  B.  Robinson Buffalo  Hart 

Hartman  Speugle Cotton  Hill 

B.  F.  Talbott Capital 

E.  N.  Thayer Chatham 

N    H.  Turner Gardner 

Wm.  M.  Warren New  Berlin 

O.  S.  Web.ster Williams 

J.  W.  Wigginton Cooper 

DIRECTORS. 

Geo.  M.  Caldwell Williamsville 

S-  N.  Hitt New  Berlin 

J.  B.  Perkins Woodside 

Jacob  Leonard Sherman 

J.  S.  Highmore '  .  Rochester 

Annual  exhibitions  have  been  held  since  1871, 
by  tlie  new  society,  with  the  exception  of  the 
years  1879  and  1880,  when  the  State  Agricultural 
Society  held  fairs  on  the  grounds. 

Tlie  Board,  on  its  organization,  leased  from 
the  county  the  old  Poor  Farm,  near  Springfield, 
wliich  have  been  fitted  up  in  handsome  style 
and  very  convenient. 

STATE    FAIRS. 

The  first  two  exhibitions  of  the  Illinois  State 
Agricultural  Society,  in  the  years  1853  and  1854, 
were  held  at  Springfield.  Also  the  fairs  of  1879 
and  1880.  Each  of  these  exhibitions  were  a 
decided  success.  To  Simeon  Francis,  a  Sanga- 
mon county  citizen,  is  due  the  credit  of  the 
organization   of  the  society  and    succtss  of  its 


first  exhibitions,  probably  more  than  any  other 
man. 

THE    AMERICAN    BERKSHIRE    ASSOCIATION. 

The  American  Berkshire  Association  was 
organized  February  25,  1875,  its  object  being  to 
collect,  revise,  preserve  and  publish  the  history, 
management  and  pedigree  of  pure-bred  Berk- 
shire swine. 

On  the  18th  of  March,  1879,  the  Association 
was  incorporated  as  a  stock  company  under  the 
laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  Charles  F.  Mills 
was  elected  President;  Philip  M.  Springer,  Secre- 
tary, and  H.  L.  Sanford,  of  Logan  county, 
Treasurer.  Vice  Presidents  were  chosen  in 
nearly  every  State  in  the  Union  and  also  in 
Canada,  England  and  Ireland,  to  represent  the 
interests  of  the  Association. 

Under  the  careful  management  of  its  efficient 
and  faithful  officers,  the  Association  has  achieved 
a  decided  and  well-deserved  success.  The  public 
registry  of  swine  was  a  new  project  and  deemed 
altogether  impracticable  by  many  engaged  in 
the  breeding  and  rearing  of  hogs.  To-day,  fol- 
lowing the  example  of  the  American  Berkshire 
Association,  the  breeders  of  a  number  of  other 
classes  of  swine,  as  also  of  sheep,  have  organized 
for  the  purpose  of  recording  stock  of  their 
respective  breeds. 

Thousands  of  dollars  are  lost  to  farmers  and 
stockmen  every  year  by  the  injudicious  selection 
of  breeding  animals.  One  of  the  most  common 
mistakes  is  that  of  using  sires  of  unknown 
ancestry.  There  i.s  no  longer  any  excuse  for 
this.  In  the  purchase  of  Berkshires  particu- 
larly, all  who  will  may  readily  avail  themselves 
of  the  advantages  presented  by  the  American 
Berkshire  Record,  published  by  the  Association, 
for  securing  well-bred  stock.  In  making  addi- 
tions to  herds  already  started,  or  in  founding 
new  herds,  well  advised  breeders  use  no  other 
than  well-bred  pedigreed  animals. 

The  American  Berkshire  Record  is  the  ac- 
knowledged authority  in  matters  of  Berkshire 
pedigrees  wherever  this  breed  of  swine  is 
known.  The  four  volumes  already  published 
contain  a  fund  of  information  invaluable  to 
breeders.  In  these  will  be  found  in  addition  to 
the  pedigrees  of  the  best  families  of  Berkshires 
in  the  world,  premium  essays  and  other  valuable 
treatises  on  swine;  also  the  table  of  characteris- 
tics and  the  standard  of  excellence,  together 
with  many  illustrations  of  representative  ani- 
mals. 

Philip  M.  Springer,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  is 
still  the  Secretary  and  chief  executive  of  the 
Association  and  editor  of  the  Record. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


551 


Chapter  XXVI 


VARIOUS  THINGS. 


THE    DEEP  SNOW, 

The  following  highly  graphic  description  of 
the  deep  snow  of  1830-31,  was  written  as  a  con- 
tributiou  to  the  Old  Settlers'  Society  in  1858,  by 
Rev.  J.  G.  Bergen,  and  no  apology  need  be 
offered  for  its  insertion  in  this  connection  : 

"Steeped  in  the  heat  of  July — thermometer 
ranging  ninety  degrees — strange  time  to  write 
about  snow.  Write  about  the  hot  season, 
thunder-storms,  tornadoes,  sunstrokes,  not  so 
strange.  We  live  on  neutralized  contrasts,  and 
take  pleasure  in  them.  We  think  and  move  also 
by  associations.  The  deep  snow  of  the  winters 
of  1S30-31,  of  Illinois,  associates  itself  now  by 
two  facts.  It  comes  in  regular  course.  It  was 
made  also  the  limitation  point  of  the  late  meet- 
ing of  old  settlers  in  Springfield,  at  which  time 
we  had  a  good  time  in  general,  and  appointed  a 
committee  to  ascertain  the  facts  of  the  log -house 
times — -memorable  days  of  hospitality  and 
security. 

"The  deep  snow  is  chronicled  in  the  memory 
of  the  old  settlers  of  Sangamon.  They  talk  of 
it  as  when  a  child  ;  soldiers  of  the  old  French 
war  in  Canada,  under  Wolfe,  talked  of  the 
depth  and  heights  of  the  snow  in  the  forests  of 
New  York  in  1760,  and  the  consequent  sufferings 
of  the  Provincial  troops  on  their  return  home. 
They  talk  of  it  as  our  Revolutionary  fathers 
talked  of  the  memorable  snow  winter  of  1779  in 
New  Jersey. 

''The  autumn  of  1830  was  wet,  and  the 
weather  prevailingly  mild  until  the  close  of 
December.  Christmas  Eve  the  snow  began  to 
fall.  That  night  it  fell  about  a  foot  deep.  It 
found  the  earth  soft,  grass  green,  and  some 
green  peach  leaves  on  the  trees.  The  day  was 
mild.  The  snow  contributed  greatly  to  the 
amusement  of  the  boys,  and  called  forth  the 
hilarity  of  all  who  had   sleighs  or  sleds,  or  who 

(M— 


could  rig  a  'jumper'  with  a  store-box  or  a  crate. 
Bells  of  any  description,  if  not  in  the  cutter, 
were  hung  on  the  horses  by  ropes  or  twine.  The 
straps  of  bells  we  brought  from  New  Jersey 
were,  I  believe,  the  first  and  only  straps  here  at 
the  time.  They  were  freely  at  the  service  of 
Drs.  Todd  and  .Jayne,  who  were  famous  for  fast 
horses,  if  not  good  sleighs.  They  were  famous 
horsemen,  hardy  and  hard  drivers. 

"As  the  snow  fell  night  after  night,  and  week 
after  week,  these  implements,  if  they  lost  in 
novelty,  gained  in  utility.  Serious  preparations 
were  made  by  increasing  the  size  and  strength  of 
the  sleighs  and  doubling  teams,  to  break  the  way 
to  mill  and  woods,  for  household  bread,  fuel, 
corn  and  provender.  Mr.  Enos,  one  of  the 
wealthiest  men  of  the  place,  and  Receiver  of 
Public  Moneys,  turned  out  with  a  great  sled  and 
two  yoke  of  oxen,  to  haul  wood  to  the  destitute. 
With  wolf-skin  cap  on  head,  with  Yankee  frock, 
buttoned  up  close  to  the  neck  behind,  reaching 
below  his  knees,  belted  over  a  great  coat  beneath, 
with  legging  protectors  and  ox-goad  in  hand,  he 
rolled  up  the  bodies  and  limbs  of  trees,  some  of 
them  more  than  fifty  feet  long,  to  the  door  of 
the  writer,  for  which  he  and  his  family  shall 
receive  our  thanks  while  life  shall  last.  The 
same  kind  act  he  did  to  many  others.  His 
timber  was  nearest  to  the  town.  Woodmen 
felled  the  trees,  rolled  them  on  the  sled,  and  the 
benevolent  veteran  left  them  at  our  doors. 

"Snow  succeeded  snow,  interchanged  with 
sleet  and  fine  hail,  which  glazed  and  hardened 
the  surface.  Nine  long  weeks  witnessed  this 
coming  deep  snow,  until  in  all  these  parts  its 
depth  averaged  from  four  to  five  feet.  Woe 
was  the  day  when  sleds  met  on  the  single 
beaten  track!  The  plunging  of  horses,  overturn- 
ing of  loads — not  to  speak  of  the  screams  of 
the  belles  within,  the  laughs  of  young  America, 
or  the  wrath  of  the  teamsters.     Many  were  the 


bh-i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


joyous  rides  the  two  doctors,  with  four  horses  to 
their  sleighs,  gave  the  young  people.  Sometimes 
a  day  was  spent  going  to  Sangamon  town  for  a 
barrel  of  flour,  only  seven  miles,  or  five  to 
Clark's.  They  made  separate  trips  to  Jackson- 
■ville  as  a  matter  of  amusement,  to  take  or  bring 
some  storm-bound  friends.  Once,  with  a  bevy 
of  ladies,  one  of  them^  fresh  from  Boston,  the 
party  had  all  sorts  of  a  time.  Though  the  des- 
cription of  these  rides,  as  given  at  the  time,  is 
vivid  in  my  recollection,  I  shall  leave  them  to 
the  imagination  of  the  reader,  with  the  rough, 
roomy  sleigh,  covered  with  buffalo  robes,  tilled 
to  overflowing  with  hale,  happy  companions,  be- 
hind four  fiery  hoises,  clamping  their  bits  in 
their  mouths,  ready  for  a  plunge.  The  driver 
cracks  his  whip,  the  belle  jingle,  as  the  merry 
party  sings  out,  and  they  are  off — sometimes  in 
deep  drifts  where  they  founder,  snow  within, 
snow  without,  snow  everywhere,  cold  cutting  the 
face,  drifts  blinding  the  eyes,  horses  rearing  and 
plunging,  at  times  drawing  their 'slow  length' 
wearily  along. 

"During  the  long  nine  weeks  the  thermometer 
ranged  close  to  zero;  a  few  times  it  went  twenty 
below,  and  the  water  dropped  from  the  eaves 
only  two  days,  so  intense  was  the  continuous 
cold.  When  the  snow  fell  there  was  no  frost  in 
the  ground;  the  sap  of  the  trees  had  not  been 
forced  by  the  cold  to  the  roots.  The  conse- 
quence was  the  peach  trees  were  invariably 
killed;  apple  trees  and  nurseries  mostly  shared 
the  same  fate.  The  summer  before,  I  had  seen 
wagon  loads  of  peaches  in  some  orchards.  Such 
a  sight  has  never  greeted  our  eyes  since,  in  these 
parts. 

"  Great  hardships  were  endured  that  winter 
by  men  and  beasts.  When  the  snow  came  it 
found  most  of  the  corn  standing  on  the  stalks. 
The  fall  had  been  so  warm  and  wet  that  the 
farmers  had  a  better  reason  than  common  to  in- 
dulge the  careless  habit  of  leaving  their  corn  in 
the  field,  to  be  gathered  in  winter,  when  they 
wanted  it.  The  snow  became  so  deep,  the  cold 
so  intense,  the  crust  at  times  so  hard,  and  the 
people  were  so  unprepared  for  such  an  extreme 
season,  that  it  became  almost  impossible  in  many 
parts  of  the  country  to  obtain  bread  for  family 
use,  though  amid  stacks  of  wheat  and  fields  of 
corn.  Water-mills,  scarce  and  small  as  they  were, 
were  frozen  and  stopped  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  time.  If  the  one-horse  'corn-cracker,' 
for 'dodgers,'  or  the  inclined  wheel  of  the  ox- 
mill  could  go,  it  was  with  great  difficulty;  and 
many  lived  so  far  from  these  it  was  impossible 
to  go  to  them.  Many  had  no  road  and  no  ability 


to  make  one  through  the  depths  of  snow;  and 
those  who  had,  were  compelled  to  make  them 
over  and  over  again,  in  consequence  of  the  drift 
filling  the  track,  or  a  new  supply  from  the 
clouds. 

"Hundreds  of  hogs  and  fowls  perished.  Horses 
and  cattle  were  in  many  instances  turned  into 
the  corn  fields.  Prairie  chickens,  whose  habit, 
as  is  well  known,  is  to  roost  on  the  ground,  per- 
ished that  winter  in  such  number,  we  feared  the 
race  of  this  fine  bird  would  become  extinct. 
When  their  time  of  roost  come  they  would  light 
upon  the  snow,  if  the  crust  would  bear  them;  or 
if  its  bosom  was  soft,  plunge  into  it,  and  spend 
the  night  as  on  the  earth;  but  if  a  heavy  fall  of 
snow  come  that  night,  especially  if  it  were  coat- 
ed with  a  crust  of  ice,  as  often  happened,  the 
poor  imprisoned  things  were  locked  ii.,  and 
thousands  and  thousands  perished." 

RAILROAD  VILLAGES. 

Railroad  villages  are  camparatively  a  recent 
feature  in  village  building.  They  usually  begin 
with  a  depot,  followed  by  a  postoffice,  a  black- 
smith shop  and  the  contents  of  a  couple  of  ped- 
dler's packs  duly  distributed  upon  a  half  dozen 
shelves,  and  there  they  are  born,  christened  and 
waiting  to  grow.  The  trains  run  to  and  fro  and 
the  passengers  see  the  little  groups  clustered 
round  the  track  and  wonder  what  they  do  there, 
and  why  they  do  not  go  on  with  the  train.  By 
and  by  houses  get  to  be  an  epidemic  and  up  they 
go,  here  and  there  and  all  about.  Streets  are 
staked,  lots  are  measured  and  a  public  square  is 
reserved,  and  they  have  a  justice,  and  a  doctor, 
and  a  young  lawyer,  and  "stated  preaching" 
once  in  two  weeks.  That's  a  pretty  good  begin- 
ning, but  its  only  a  beginning.  A  young  sopho- 
more, out  of  funds,  and  looking  for  a  place  to 
teach  a  winter's  school,  gets  off  a  straggling  train 
some  day.  Everybody  knows  he  is  there.  He 
reached  there  at  two  o'clock,  and  by  half  past 
three  everybody  knows  who  he  is,  and  what  he 
is,  and  whence  he  is,  and  the  'squire  sees  him 
and  the  doctor  shows  him  around  the  town, 
waves  his  hand  towards  the  prairie  and  dilates 
upon  its  resources;  towards  the  town  and  pro- 
nounces a  eulogy  upon  its  enterprise,  and  the 
young  man  is  charmed,  and  over  the  stone  he 
climbs  at  once  up  one  flight  of  stairs  into  a  "high 
school." 

Things  go  on  bravely,  and  a  public-spirited 
individual,  who,  as  he  says,  has  more  room  than 
he  wants,  gets  the  painter— for  meanwhile  such 
an  artisan  has  taken  passage  in  the  village  en 
route  to  greatness — to  emblazon  his  name  in  very 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


553 


black  letters  u|jon  a  very  white  board,  and  there 
is  general  rejoicing  at  the  new  "hotel,"  where  the 
lawyer  argues  with  the  storekeeper  nightly,  while 
the  doctor  completes  the  triangle  upon  the  des- 
tiny of  the  world  in  general  and  Depotdom  in 
particular. 

What  they  lack  now  is  a  newspaper.  By-and- 
bye  an  old  press  is  for  sale  in  a  neighboring  town 
and  a  "tramping  jour"  has  stranded  upon  their 
beach,  and  the  lawyer  promises  to  write  their 
"leaders,"  the  doctor  their  obituaries,  the  school- 
masters do  the  puzzles  and  the  poetry,  while  the 
blacksmith  and  the  merchant  promise  to  be  lib- 
eral patrons  in  the  way  of  advertising.  The 
paper  appears  —like  the  village,  it  is  small,  but 
with  the  village  it  grows. 

The  trains  use  to  whistle  and  ring  and  barely 
slacken  their  speed.  Now,  they  stop  altogether, 
for  there  are  more  to  get  off  and  more  to  get  on. 

The  tavern-keeper  takes  a  State  map  of  a  ped- 
dler, who  happened  to  be  his  guest  over  a  rainy 
Sunday,  discovers  that  Depotdom  is  the  geograph- 
ical center  of  the  country.  There  is  an  immense 
agitation.  The  seat  of  justice,  justice  herself, 
scales  and  all  must  be  removed  thither.  They 
work  at  it,  electioneer  about  it,  bid  for  it  and 
gat  it. 

Now  the  huddle  is  a  village;  now  the  village  is 
a  town;  now  the  town  is  a  shire-town;  now  the 
shire-town  is  a  city.  The  blacksmith  shop  has 
grown  into  a  half  dozen  factories;  the  lawyer  is 
multiplied  by  ten,  and  the  doctor  by  six,  and  the 
storekeeper  knocks  down  his  prices  to  compete 
with  nineteen  new  comers.  And  all  this  is  ac- 
complished through  the  influence  of  railroads 
and  locomotives  within  the  space  of  two  or  three 
years. 

The  lawyer  is  a  county  judge,  the  doctor  has 
grown  rich,  the  blacksmith  is  mayor,  and  the 
sophomore  is  married  and  settled.  They  have 
a  lyceum  and  a  library,  and  a  liltle  daily  that  re- 
gales its  readers  with  a  whole  column  of  city 
items.  How  they  talk  of  "our  city!"  They 
are  no  longer  villagers  and  pagans.  They  are 
citizens. 


HARD    TIMES. 


The  effect  of  the  hard  times  throughout  the 
United  States,  beginning  in  1837,  was  not  felt 
in  this  county  until  the  following  year.  From 
that  time  until  about  the  year  1845,  our  people 
experienced  greater  financial  embarrassment 
than  at  any  time  in  the  previous  history  of  the 
county.  Money  was  an  almost  unknown  com- 
modity, all  business  being  transacted  through 
the  means  of   trade  or  barter.     A  would  trade 


B  flour  for  its  value  in  meal;  B  would  trade  C 
a  yoke  of  oxen  for  a  horse;  D  would  trade  E  a 
half  dozen  hogs  for  a  cow,  ifcc.  If  money 
enough  could  be  raised  to  pay  the  general  taxes, 
a  man  considered  himself  fortunate.  Many 
were  the  straits  to  which  the  people  were  led  to 
make  both  ends  meet,  and  many  laughable  inci- 
dents are  narrated  of  the  crooks  and  turns  that 
were  made — incidents  that  are  laughable  to  us 
now,  but  were  serious  matters  at  that  time. 
Notes  were  given  for  value  received,  payable  in 
a  cow,  or  a  horse,  or  other  property,  and  when 
the  note  came  due,  and  collection  was  to  be 
made,  it  would  sometimes  be  hard  for  one  party 
or  tke  other  to  make  proof  of  it  being  that 
which  was  described  in  the  note.  Many  notes 
were  hold,  without  attempting  to  make  collec- 
tion, in  the  hopes  that  better  times  would  dawn 
upon  the  country,  and  their  makers  be  able  to 
pay  the  money. 

During  these  hard  times  the  price  of  such 
articles  as  the  people  here  had  to  buy,  rapidly 
advanced,  while  that  of  which  they  had  to  sell 
as  rapidly  declined.  New  Orleans  sugar  sold  at 
sixteen  and  two-thirds  cents  per  pound;  coffee, 
twenty-five  cents;  calico  or  prints,  fifty  cents  per 
yard;  hogs  brought  from  one  dollar  to  one  dol- 
lar and  twenty-five  cents  per  hundred  pounds; 
wheat,  twenty  cents  per  bushel. 

In  a  general  way,  Ford,  in  his  "History  of 
Illinois,"  well  describes  the  existing  order  of 
things  in  this  county  at  that  time.  On  pages 
96-99,  will  be  found  the  following: 

"Commerce  from  1818  to  1830  made  but  small 
progress.  Steamboats  commenced  running  on 
the  Western  waters  in  1816,  and  by  the  year 
1830  there  were  one  or  two  small  ones  running 
on  the  Illinois  river  as  far  up  as  Peoria 
and  sometimes  further.  The  old  keel-boat  navi- 
gation had  been  disused,  but  as  yet  there  was  so 
little  trade  as  not  to  call  for  many  steamboats  to 
supply  their  place.  The  merchants  of  the  vil- 
lages, few  in  number  at  first,  were  mere  retailers 
of  dry  goods  and  groceries;  they  purchased  and 
shipped  abroad  none  of  the  productions  of  the 
country,  except  a  few  skins,  hides  and  furs,  and 
a  little  tallow  and  beeswax.  They  were  sus- 
tained in  this  kind  of  business  by  the  influx  of 
immigrants,  whose  money  being  paid  out  in  the 
country  for  grain,  stock  and  labor,  furnished  the 
means  of  trade.  The  merchant  himself  rarely 
attempted  a  barter  business,  and  never  paid  cash 
for  anything  but  his  goods.  There  was  no  class 
of  men  who  devoted  themselves  to  the  business 
of  buying  and  selling,  and  of  making  the  ex- 
changes of  the  productions  at  home  for  those 


554 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  other  States  and  countries.  The  great  ma- 
jority, in  fact,  nearly  all  the  merchants,  were 
mere  blood-suckers,  men  who,  with  very  little 
capital,  with  small  stock  of  goods,  and  with 
ideas  of  business  not  broader  than  these  ribbons, 
nor  deeper  than  these  colors,  sold  for  money 
down,  or  on  credit  for  cash,  which,  when 
received,  they  send  out  of  the  country.  Since 
their  time  a  race  of  traders  and  merchants  have 
sprang  up  who  use  the  money  they  receive 
in  purchasing  the  wheat,  corn,  beef  and  pork  of 
the  farmers,  and  ship  these  articles  to  the  east- 
ern cities. 

"  Mather,  Lamb  &  Company,  late  of  Chester, 
in  Randolph  county, but  now  of  Springfield,  were 
the  first  to  engage  in  this  business,  and  they 
were  led  to  it  by  the  refusal  of  the  United  States 
Bank,  at  St.  Louis,  to  grant  them  the  usual  facil- 
ities of  trade.  As  they  could  got  no  accommo- 
dation from  the  bank,  they  fell  upon  this  course 
to  avoid  going  to  St.  Louis  to  purchase  eastern 
exchange. 

"  The  money  they  received  being  again  paid 
out,  remained  in  the  country  and  the  products 
went  forward  in  its  place  to  pay  for  stock  of 
goods.  The  traders  in  this  way  made  a  profit 
on  their  goods  which  they  brought  into  the  State, 
and  another  profit  on  the  produce  which  they 
sent  out  of  it. 

"  But,  as  yet,  the  merchant  generally  had 
neither  the  capital  nor  the  talent  for  such  a  busi- 
ness, and  it  was  not  until  a  more  recent  period — 
upon  the  going  down  of  the  United  States  Bank, 
the  consequent  withdrawal  of  facilities  for  ex- 
change in  money,  and  the  high  rates  of  exchange 
which  came  in  with  local  banks  of  doubtful 
credit — that  they  have  been  very  extensively 
forced  into  it.  When  they  no  longer  could  get 
either  money  for  remittances  to  these  eastern 
creditors,  or  bills  of  exchange,  except  at  ruinous 
rates  of  premium,  they  at  once  saw  the  advan- 
tage of  laying  out  the  local  currency  received  for 
their  goods  in  purchasing  the  staples  of  the 
country  and  forwarding  them  in  the  place  of 
cash.  In  very  early  times  there  were  many 
things  to  discourage  regular  commerce.  A  want 
of  capital;  a  want  of  capacity  for  the  business; 
the  want  of  a  great  surplus  of  productions,  the 
continual  demand  for  them  created  by  emigrants 
and  facility  of  carrying  on  a  small  commerce 
with  the  money  supplied  by  emigration  alone, 
all  stood  in  the  way  of  regular  trade. 

"New  Orleans,  at  that  time,  was  our  principal 
market  out  of  the  State.  It  was  then  but  a  small 
city,  and  shipped  but  a  trifle  of  the  staple  arti- 
cles of  Illinois  to  foreign  countries.     Such  ship- 


ments as  were  made  to  it  were  intended  for  the 
supply  of  the  local  market,  and  here  the  Uli- 
noisanshadto  compete  with  Kentucky,  Ohio,  In- 
diana, Tennessee  and  Missouri.  Any  temporary 
scarcity  in  this  market  was  soon  supplied,  and 
the  most  of  the  time  it  was  completely  glutted. 
"  For  want  of  merchants  or  others  who  were 
to  make  a  business  of  carrying  our  staples  to 
market,  our  farmers  undeitook  to  be  their  own 
merchants  and  traders.  This  practice  prevailed 
extensively  in  the  western  country.  A  farmer 
would  produce  or  get  together  a  quantity  of  corn, 
flour,  bacon  and  such  articles.  He  would  build 
a  flat-bottomed  boat  on  the  shores  of  some  river 
or  large  creek,  load  his  wares  in  it,  and,  await- 
ing the  rise  of  water,  with  a  few  of  his  negroes 
to  assist  him,  would  float  down  to  New  Orleans. 
The  voyage  was  long,  tedious  and  expensive. 
When  he  arrived  there  he  found  himself  in  a 
strange  city,  filled  with  sharpers  ready  to  take 
advantage  of  his  necessities.  Everybody  com- 
bined against  him  to  profit  by  his  ignorance  of 
business,  want  of  friends  or  commercial  connec- 
tions, and  nine  times  out  ten  he  returned  a  bro- 
ken merchant.  His  journey  home  was  performed 
on  foot,  through  three  or  four  nations  of  Indians, 
inhabiting  the  western  parts  of  Mississippi,  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky.  He  returned  to  a  desolate 
farm,  which  had  been  neglected  since  he  was 
gone.  One  crop  was  lost  by  absence,  and  an- 
other by  taking  it  to  market.  This  kind  of  bus- 
iness was  persevered  in  astonishingly  for  several 
years,  to  the  great  injury  and  utter  ruin  of  a 
great  many  people." 

THE   FIRST    COURT    HOUSE. 

The  first  County  Commissioners  took  the  oath 
of  office  on  the  third  day  of  April,  1821,  and  one 
week  after  met  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a 
temporary  seat  of  justice.  On  that  same  day 
they  made  the  following  contract  for  the  erection 
of  a  court  house. 

"Article  of  agreement  entered  into  the  10th  day  of 
April,  1H~'1,  between  John  Kelley  of  the  county  of 
Sangamon,  and  the  undereigned  County  Commission- 
ers of  said  county.  The  said  Kelley  agrees  with  said 
Commissioners  to  build  for  the  use  of  said  county,  a 
court  house  of  the  following  description,  to-wit:  The 
logs  to  be  twenty  feet  long,  the  house  one  story  high, 
plank  floor,  a  good  cabin  roof,  a  door  and  window  cut 
out,  the  worU  to  be  completed  by  the  first  day  of  May 
next,  for  which  the  said  Commissioners  promise,  on 
the  part  of  the  county,  to  pay  said  Kelley  forty-two 
dollars  and  fifty  cents.  Witness  our  hands  the  day  and 
date  above. 

John  Kelley, 
Zachariah  Peter, 
WrLLiAM  Drennan." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


555 


The  foregoing  contract  was  merely  for  the 
erection  of  the  buililing.  To  Jesse  lii'evard  was 
let  the  contract  for  finishing  the  same  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms: 

"  Jesse  Brevard  agrees  with  the  County  Commission- 
ers to  finish  the  court  house  in  the  following  manner, 
to-wit:  To  be  chinked  outside  and  daubed  inside. 
Boards  sawed  and  nailed  on  the  inside  cracks,  a  good, 
sufficient  door  shutter  to  be  made  with  good  plank  and 
hung  with  good  iron  hinges,  with  a  latch.  A  window 
to  be  cut  out,  faced  and  cased,  to  contain  nine  lights, 
with  a  good  sufficient  shutter  hung  on  the  outside.  A 
good,  sufhcient  wooden  chimney,  built  with  a  good 
sufficient  back  and  hearth.  To  be  finished  by  the  first 
of  September  next.  Jesse  Bkevard." 

The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  including  a 
Judge's  seat  and  bar,  was  $72.50.  (  See  engrav- 
ing)- 

THE    SECOXI)    COURT    HOUSE. 

On  the  passage  of  the  act  in  1824,  defining  the 
bottndaries  of  the  county,  commissioners  were 
selected  to  permanently  locate  the  county  seat. 
As  already  stated  Springfield  was  selected.  At 
the  July  term,  1825,  the  County  Commissioners 
passed  an  order  that  the  county  proceed  to  build 
a  court  house,  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  $3,000, 
provided  one-half  the  expense  be  made  up  by 
subscription.  It  was  to  be  of  brick,  two  stories 
high.  The  effort  to  raise  the  money  by  suliscrip- 
tion  proving  a  failure,  the  building  was  not 
erected.  But  the  old  log  court  house  was  too 
small  and  inconvenient,  and  another  building 
must  be  provided.  Accordingly,  in  September, 
1825,  a  contract  was  made  for  the  erection  of  a 
frame  building,  which,  when  completed,  cost 
the  sum  of  |519.  The  new  frame  house  was 
built  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Adams  and 
Sixth  streets,  and  was  erected  by  Thomas  M. 
Neale.  The  contract  for  the  chimney  was  let  to 
Joseph  Thomas. 

THIED    COURT   HOUSE. 

On  the  6th  day  of  February,  1830,  John  Todd, 
Asa  S.  Shaw,  and  Garret  Elkin  were  appointed 
by  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  to  contract 
for  the  building  of  a  brick  court  house  on  the 
public  square,  to  be  constructed  after  the  plans 
furnished  by  John  MoflFett  and  David  S.  Taylor. 
The  agents  were  authorized  and  instructed  to 
superintend  the  construction  of  the  building, 
subject  to  orders  from  the  court.  On  the  3d  of 
March,  the  Commissioners  reported  to  the  court 
that  they  had  entered  into  contract  with  two 
parties,  one  for  the  brick  work,  at  $4,641,  the 
other  for  the  wood  work,  at  |2,200,  making  a 
total  of  $6,841.  This  building  was  completed 
early  in  1831.     It  was   a  square  building,  two 


stories  high,  hip  roof,  with  a  cupola  rising  in  the 
center. 

FOURTH  COURT  HOUSE. 

A  special  term  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  was  held  on  Saturday,  April  5,  1845,  to 
take  into  consideration  the  proposition  for  the 
purchase  of  ground  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
court  house.  The  County  Attorney,  Stephen  T. 
Logan,  was  instructed  to  purchase  lots  of  James 
Dunlap  and  Robert  Irwin,  on  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  the  square,  provided  a  good  deed  could 
be  made  by  the  parties.  The  ground  was  pur- 
chased and  a  contract  entered  into  with  Henry 
Dresser,  on  the  11th  day  of  April,  1845,  for  the 
construction  of  the  building. 

From  the  time  the  brick  court  house  was 
erected,  all  the  business  of  the  town  collected 
around  the  square.  When  Springfield  was  se- 
lected as  the  future  capital  of  the  State  in  1837, 
with  a  pledge  to  raise  $50,000  to  assist  in  build- 
ing the  State  House,  also  to  furnish  the  land 
upon  which  to  place  it,  it  was  not  an  easy  matter 
to  agree  upon  a  location.  If  land  was  selected 
far  enough  from  the  existing  business  to  be 
cheap,  then  the  $50,000  could  not  be  raised; 
those  already  in  business  around  the  square  re- 
fused to  contribute,  because  the  State  House 
being  so  much  larger  and  more  attractive,  would 
draw  the  business  after  it,  thus  injuring  the 
value  of  their  property.  After  discu,ssing  the 
question  in  all  its  bearings,  it  was  found  that 
the  only  practicable  way  to  settle  the  question 
was  to  demolish  the  court  house  and  use  the 
square  for  the  State  House.  Then  those  around 
it  would  contribute  to  the  $50,000  fund  to  the 
extent  of  their  ability. 

The  court  house  was  accordingly  removed 
early  in  1837,  and  work  on  the  State  House  com- 
menced. This  square,  with  the  court  house  and 
other  buildings  on  it,  were  valued  at  the  time  at 
about  $16,000. 

Having  thus  summarily  disposed  of  their 
court  house,  and  having  engaged  to  do  so  much 
towards  building  the  State  House,  the  people  of 
Sangamon  county  were  unable  to  undertake  the 
building  of  another.  To  supply  the  deficiency, 
the  county  authorities  then  rented  a  building 
that  had  been  erected  for  a  storehouse  by  the 
Hon.  Ninian  W.  Edwards.  This  building,  at 
the  west  side  of  Fifth  street,  five  doors  north  of 
Washington,  was  used  as  a  court  house  for  about 
ten  years. 

Having  such  a  large  amount  of  money  to  raise 
for  the  payment  on  the  State  capital,  the  county 
was  unable  to  do  anything  towards  the  building 


55fi 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  a  new  court  house  at  the  time,  and  the  finan- 
cial crisis  of  1837  coming  on,  it  was  not  until 
1845  that  an  effort  was  made  to  erect  a  new 
building.  As  already  stated,  a  contract  was 
now  made  for  a  building,  the  cost  of  which  was 
to  be  ^9,080.  It  was  erected  according  to  con- 
tract, and  occupied  until  the  purchase  from  the 
State  of  the  old  capital  building,  when  the 
offices  were  removed.  Subsequently  the  court 
house  was  sold,  and  a  fine  brick  block  now 
occupies  its  site. 

FIFTH   COURT  HOUSE. 

The  f]<"th  court  house  is  the  old  State  House, 
purchased  of  the  State,  for  the  sum  of  $200,000. 
To  this  sura  might  be  added  $70,000  paid  by  the 
city  for  the  grounds  of  the  new  State  House, 
which  was  a  part  of  the  contract  by  which  the 
old  building  was  surrendered. 

VILLAGES    AND    STATIONS     IN    THE    COUNTY. 

Distances  from  Spriyigfield. 


PLACES.  MILES. 

Auburn , 15 

Barclay 8J 

Bates 13 

Berlin 13i 

Bradford.  S 5 

Breckeni'idge 13 

Buffa.10  14 

Buffalo  Hart 13 

Cantrall lOJ 

Chatham S) 

Clarksville 12 

Cora,  S 6J 

Curran 9 

Dawson 11 

Farmingdale,  S 8J 

German  Prairie,  S 4 

llliopolis 33 

Island  Grove 19 

.Junctiou 2 


PLACES.  MILES. 

Lanesville 17 

Loami 18 

Lowder 28 

Mechanicsburg 14 

New  Berlin . . ." Hi 

Pawnee , 17 

Pleasant  Plains 17 

Richland 12 

Rivcrton 7 

Rochester 8 

Rolling  Mills,  S 2 

Salisbury 12 

Sangamon,  S 5 

Sanger,  S 6 

Sherman 8 

Water  Works,  S 4 

Williamsville 13 

Woodside,  S 6 


TABLE  OF  DISTANCES  PEOM  SPRINGFIELD  TO 


Alton 72 

Amboy 1.51 

Aurora 180 

Batavia 187 

Belleville 110 

Bt'lvidere 240 

Bloomiugton h^ 

Braidwood 124 

Bashnell 89 

Cairo 245 

Canton 100 

Carbondale 188 

Carllnville 38 

Centralia 132 

Champaign 85 

Charleston V. . . . .  92 

Chicago :  ....185 

Clinton 43 

Danville 112 

Decatur 39 

Dixou 103 


DuQuoin 168 

East  St.  Louis 95 

EdwardsviUe 90 

Effingham 108 

Elgin 227 

ElPaso 77 

Evauston 196 

Freeport 198 

Fulton 201 

Galena 249 

Galva 157 

Galesburg 116 

Genesee 179 

Jacksonville 34 

Jerseyville 92 

Joliet 147 

Kankakee 136 

Kewanee 146 

La  Salle 119 

Lincoln 28 

Litchfield 59 


Macomb 100 

Mattoon 81 

Mendota 135 

Moline 183 

Monmouth 116 

Morris 1.57 

Murfrcesboro 185 

Ottawa 134 

Pana 43 

Paris 118 

Pekin 79 

Peoria 89 

Peru 121 


Pinceton  157 

Quincv 113 

Rockford 226 

Rock  Island 180 

St.  Charles 191 

Sterling 175 

Streator 108 

Taylorville 27 

Urbana 87 

Warsaw 135 

Waukegan 220 

Wilmington 132 

Woodstock 236 


RAILROAD  ACCIDENT. 

On  Saturday  night,  August  16,  1873,  a  passen- 
ger train  and  coal  train  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton 
Railroad  collided  near  Lemont,  the  boilers  of 
the  engines  of  both  trains  exjiloding  and  fatally 
scalding  about  sixtj^  pei.sons,  four  of  whom  were 
citizens  of  S.angamon  county. 

John  W.  Smith,  was  taken  to  Chicago,  where 
he  died  Monday,  August  18. 

J.  R.  Fleury,  died  a  few  hours  later  than  Mr. 
Smith. 

Noah  Divelbiss,  jr.,  and 'William  Little  died, 
not  long  surviving  the  accident. 

The  remains  of  the  four  were  brought  to 
Springfield  and  the  funeral  services  of  the  entire 
number  took  place  in  the  rotunda  of  the  State 
House.  Previously  the  City  Council  and  citi- 
zens met  and  passed  resolutions  of  sympathy. 
During  the  funeral  hours  business  of  all  kinds 
was  suspended.  A  song,  inscribed  to  the  friends 
of  the  deceased,  written  by  Mrs.  Albert  Smith, 
was  sung  on  the  occason.  The  words  are  as 
follows: 

"God  of  the  mourner!  if  among  Thy  angels. 
One  there  may  be  more  pitiful  than  all, 
Tell  them  that  here  full  many  a  heart  is  breaking, 
Tell  them  that  here  we  groan  beneath  a  pall. 

"  Fierce  is  the  tempest  raging  all  around  us. 

Many  the  burdens  that  we  bear  to-day. 
But  Thou  art  mighty,  merciful  and  tender, 
Come  and  sustain  us,  in  Thine  own  best  way. 

"Hast Thou  not  said  Thy  grace  is  all  sufficient. 
Canst  Thou  not  wipe  each  falling  tear  away? 
See,  Lord,  we  come  with  hearts  all  crushed  and 
bleeding. 
Bind  up  our  wounds  and  comfort  us  we  pray. 

"Death,  like  an  arn\y  bearing  swords  and  banners, 
Bore  ofl'  our  loved,  without  one  farewell  said, 
Heedless  alike  of  all  our  tears  and  sighing. 
Trampled  them  low,  with  swift,  relentless  tread. 

"  Thou  W'ho  dost  smitt  not  willingly  but  sadly. 

Thou  who  dost  hold  our  loved  ones  in  Thy  hand, 
Grant   us,   though    here  no   good-bye    word   was 
spoken, 
A  glad  good- morning  in  the  Better  Laud." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


557 


Appropriate  remarks  were  made  by  Rev.  A. 
Hale,  Kev.  H.  W.  Evrest,  and  Governor  Bever- 
idge.  An  immense  crowd  followed  the  remains 
to  the  grave. 

John  W.  Smith  was  one  of  the  well  known 
and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Springfield  for 
a  perio^l  of  forty  years.  He  was  born  in  Shelby 
county,  Kentucky,  in  1820,  and  with  his  parents 
removed  to  this  county  in  1833.  His  early  life 
was  that  of  all  pioneers,  battling  with  adversity, 
poverty  and  privation.  His  perseverance  enabled 
him  to  overcome  all  obstacles  in  the  rugged  path 
of  life;  his  integrity  insured  for  him  the  respect 
and  merited  the  confidence  of  all.  He  held 
many  public  offices  with  honor  to  himself  and 
credit  to  his  constituents.  In  1852,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  legislature,  sheriff  in  18G0,  and 
in  1862,  was  first  elected  mayor  of  Springfield. 
Under  President  Lincoln  he  held  the  office  of 
Collector  of  Internal  Revenue,  and  was  by  Gov- 
ernor Oglesby  appointed  a  State  House  Commis- 
sioner in  1805,  and  served  in  that  capacity  a 
short  time.  Further  political  preferment  he  ob- 
tained by  being  elected  mayor  of  Springfield  in 
18'71  and  re-elected  in  1872.  He  was  also  ap- 
pointed warden  of  the  Penitentiary  by  Governor 
Beveridge,  May,  1873,  which  position  he  credit- 
ably filled  until  his  untimely  death,  August  18, 
1873,  occasioned  by  injuries  received  in  the  rail- 
road accident  on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad. 

TERRIBLE    ACCIDENT. 

Friday  morning,  November  29,  1872,  a  terri- 
ble explosion  took  place  at  the  mills  of  the  Spring- 
field Iron  Company.  The  rolling  mills,  in  order 
to  keep  pace  with  its  rapidly  accumulating  orders 
for  work,  had  been  running  their  mills  to  its  full 
capacity  night  and  day,  and  on  the  morning 
mentioned,  Thomas  Robinson,  who  had  special 
chargeof  a  battery  of  seven  boilers,  each  of  which 
was  twenty-eight  feet  long  and  forty-two  inches  in 
diameter,  in  which  steam  is  generated  for  a  half 
dozen  engines  located  in  various  parts  of  the 
mill,  was  on  duty.  At  four  o'clock,  just  as  one 
gang  of  hands  were  relieving  another,  a  terrific 
explosion  took  place,  shattering  the  boiler-house, 
and  throwing  down  the  smoke  stack,  turning  the 
boilers  upsidedown  and  end  for  end,  and  killing 
Robinson  instantly  and  scalding  J.  C.  Miller  in 
a  terrible  manner.  There  were  other  workmen 
injured  in  various  ways,  but  none  fatally.  The 
cause  of  the  explosion  was  in  not  paying  atten- 
tion to  the  condition  of  the  water  in  the  boilers. 

FEARFUL    RAILROAD    ACCIDENT. 

The  Express  train  going  north  on  the  Chicago 
&  Alton  Railroad,   Thursday,    April  12,    1660, 


met  with  a  fearful  accident,  the  only  wonder 
being  that  the  loss  of  life  was  not  much  greater. 
Traveling  at  the  rate  of  about  twenty-five  miles 
an  hour,  it  had  just  reached  the  bridge,  about 
three  miles  north  of  Springfield,  when  the  tim 
bers  of  the  structure  gave  way,  precipitating  the 
train  some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  into  the  stream- 
bed  below.  The  bridge  was  constructed  upon 
trestle-work  and  was  about  two  hundred  feet 
long.  It  was  broken  down  about  halt  its  length. 
The  accident  happened  when  the  locomotive 
had  reached  about  half  the  length  of  the  bridge, 
it  going  down  at  that  point.  The  tender  lay 
under  the  locomotive  and  the  baggage  car  jam- 
med up  against  it.  All  the  cars  of  the  train 
went  down  the  embankment  and  all  were  badly 
smashed  up,  but,  strange  to  say,  only  two  per- 
sons were  killed,  though  a  number  received 
injuries. 

STEAM  BOILBK  EXPLOSION. 

On  Wednesday,  March  5,  1856,  both  flues  of 
the  boiler  in  Huntington's  planing  mill  exploded 
with  terrible  force,  throwing  a  portion  of  the 
boiler  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
yards,  and  entirely  demolishing  the  smoke-stack 
and  shed  under  which  the  boiler  rested.  George 
K.  Johnson  and  Mr.  Wilson  were  seriously  in- 
jured by  the  catastrophe. 

CENSUS    REPORTS. 

TOWNSHIPS.  1880  1870 

Auburn 8,085  1,.303 

Ball 1,048  !I89 

BufialoHait > 570  538 

Cartwright 2,0.50  1,851 

Chatham 1,377  1,460 

ClearLake 3,033  1,566 

Cooper 871  785 

Cotton  Hill 1,150  754 

Curran            1,068  1,000 

FaucyCveek 1.307  1,195 

Gardner 1,265  1,270 

llliopolis 1,323  1,829 

IshuKlGrove 1,003  1,099 

Loami 1,556  1,460 

Mechanicsburg 1,784  1,443 

NewBeilin 964  954 

Pawuee 1,133  1,393 

Rochester 1,320  1,440 

Salisbury 691  698 

Sp.ingfield 3,486  2,447 

Caplt  Si 19,763  17,364 

Talkington 1,064  973 

Wheattield 773      

Williams 1,667  1,379 

Woodside 1,638  1,385 

"toTo! 52,993      46,353 

This  is  a  gain  in  ten  years  of  six  thousand,  six 
hundred  and  forty-one,  or  fourteen  and  one-third 
per  cent.,  a  very  reputable  showing,  when  it  is 


558 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


considered  that  from  1873  to  1877,  tbe  city,  in 
common  with  her  neighbors,  suffered  a  decrease, 
in  consecjiience  of  the  great  financial  depression 
of  the  times. 

A  few  of  the  townships  have  fallen  off,  and 
others  appear  to  have  done  so,  when,  in  fact, 
they  have  gained.  Auburn  has  acquired  twelve 
square  miles  of  territory  from  Pawnee,  so  that, 
instead  of  Pawnee  losing,  the  two  townships 
together  have  acquired  nearly  twenty-four  per 
cent. 

Capital  township  corresponds  exactly  with  the 
city  of  Springfield,  and  in  1870  the  per  cent,  of 
gain  is  nearly  fourteen. 

Wheatfield  township  has  been  organized  from 
lUiopolis  since  1870,  so  that  the  gain  of  Illiopo- 
lis,  as  it  then  existed,  is  over  fourteen  per  cent. 

OUR   LEGISLATORS. 

As  is  well  known,  the  sessions  ef  the  legisla- 
ture last  much  longer  than  the  average  citizen 
thinks  they  ought.  The  following  song,  written 
as  a  parody  on  the  familiar  temperance  song, 
"Father,  dear  father,  come  home  to  me  now,"  is 
supposed  to  have  been  written  by  the  wife  of  a 
rural  member,  who  neglects  his  farm  and  family, 
by  remaining  at  the  Capital  too  long  in  the 
spring: 

"Husband,  dear  Uushaud   come  home  to  me  now, 

From  the  cily  and  State  House  so  warm, 
'Tis  lonely  without  j'ou,  why  do  you  not  come 

And  see  to  the  things  on  the  farm? 
You  told  me  when  you  were  elected  last  fall, 

If  I  would  but  once  let  you  go. 
You'd  surely  return  before  April  was  past. 

And  1  really  believed  'twould  be  so. 

Come  home!  Come  home!  Come  home! 
Dear  husband,  kind  husband,  come  home. 

"Husband,  dear  husband,  come  home  to  me  now. 

Come  home  e're  the  spring  time  is  through; 
The  old  brindle  cow  has  got  a  white  calf, 

And  the  young  lambs  are  bleating  for  you. 
The  hens  have  been  setting  a  fortnight  or  more, 

They  soon  will  be  oft"  with  their  broods, 
The  old  speckled  turkey  has  stolen  her  nest 

Away  in  the  brakes  or  thp  woods. 

"Husband,  dear  husband,  come  home  to  me  now, 

The  garden  needs  spading  for  peas. 
The  boys  should  be  picking  up  stones  iu  the  lot, 

And  you  should  be  trimming  the  trees. 
When  will  you  get  through  with  bills  and  resolves, 

Stop  talking  of  license  and  rum. 
Of  railroads  and  tunnels,  and  other  such  things, 

And  tend  to  your  business  at  home? 

"Husband,  dear  husband,  don't  write  to  me  more 

Of  the  theater,  lobhj'  and  club. 
Nor  dinners  you  have  eaten  at  Parker's  and  Young's 

But  hurry  awaj'  from  the  hub. 
Yes,  hurry  back  home,  your  Betsy  is  sad, 


Her  heart  so  honest  and  true; 
All  winter  she's  slept  in  the  bed  room  alone, 
And  say,  dear  husband,  have  you? 

"Husband,  dear  husband,  come  home  to  me  now. 

Come  home,  while  the  birds  sing  in  May, 
And  let  not  the  smiles  in  the  gallery  there 

Distract  you,  or  tempt  you  to  stay. 
The  voice  of  your  Betsy  is  calling  you  now, 

Come  home;  for  you  know  what  it  means, 
I'm  getting  quite  nervous  about  you — come  home! 

And  we  will  have  cow-slips  for  greens. 
Come  home!  Come  home!  Come  home! 
Dear  husband,  kind  husband,  come  home! 

Assessments  for  1881. 


TowDBhips. 

Lands. 

Lots. 

Personal. 

Tolal. 

Illiopolis 

1349,680 

$40,1.50 

1124,905 

1514,735 

AVheatfield. . . 

372,030 

87.411 

4.59,441 

Cooper 

295,843 

7,657 

69,340 

372,840 

Mec'anicsb'rg 

443,995 

50,024 

1.56,207 

6.50,226 

Buffalo  Hart.. 

236,760 

41,426 

278,186 

Pawnee 

414,285 

10,4.54 

100,940 

.525,679 

Cotton  Hill  .  . 

295,3.50 

70,942 

366,293 

Rochester. . . . 

399,.543 

ii,34i 

89,971 

500,8,55 

Clear  Lake. .  . 

325,916 

31,671 

140,440 

498,427 

Williams 

510,315 

51,475 

144,271 

706,061 

Ball  

349  680 

63  726 

413,406 
562,978 

Woodside 

449,978 

43,285 

69,715 

Fancy  Creek. 

554,168 

9,. 580 

129,844 

693,593 

Auburn 

581,716 

55,573 

1&4,795 

793,084 

Chatmam .... 

415,850 

16,144 

76,727 

508,731 

Curran 

367,487 

2,462 

110,261 

480,310 

Gardner 

460,575 



92,829 

553,304 

Salisbury  .... 

85,416 

5,950 

25,818 

117,184 

Talkington.. . 

458,042 

6,717 

104,101 

568.860 

Loanii 

432,718« 

7,392 

86,107 

.526,217 

New  Berlin. . 

310,311 

29,650 

90,540 

430,  .501 

Island  Grove. 

356,462 

15,607 

119,506 

491,635 

Cartwright. . . 

1.053,610 

34,210 

207,44:3 

1,295,263 

Capital 

488,380 

175,500 

258,769 

933,649 

*Springfield . . 

8,731,900 

1,521,963 

5,343,863 

»Cltyof. 

DISTRESSING    ACCIDENT. 

On  Sunday,  May  12,  1867,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  W. 
West  visited  Ilowlett's  flouring  mill  to  witness 
the  operation  of  the  machinery.  In  passing  a 
large  driving  gear,  to  which  were  attached  sev- 
eral smaller  wheels,  Mrs.  West's  dress  caught  in 
the  larger  gear,  and  although  her  husband  caught 
her  and  attempted  to  draw  her  out,  she  was 
wrenched  from  his  grasp,  crushed  among  the 
wheels  and  instantly  killed. 

TWO  children  killed  by  liuhtnixg. 

A  rain  and  hail  storm  occurred  at  Springfield, 
Wednesday  night,  February  16,  1870,  and  dur- 
ing the  storm  four  children  of  Elder  George 
Brent,  pastor  of  the  African  Baptist  Church, 
were  lying  upon    the  floor   asleep,  between  the 


^4 


^^Ci^^^iriAy^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


561 


stove  and  wall,  the  lightning  ran  down  the  flue, 
striking  two  of  the  children  and  killing  them  in- 
stantly. The  two  other  children,  and  three  other 
persons  who  were  in  the  room  at  the  time, 
althougli  partially  stunned,  were  uninjured.  No 
marks  of  the  de.struetive  current  could  be  found 
upon  the  bodies  of  the  two  children  killed. 

TERRIFIC     EXPLOSION. 

On  Thursday  morning,  September  5,  1867, 
the  boiler  of  the  City  Mill,  of  E.  R.  Hickox, 
exploded,  entirely  destroying  the  mill,  and  com- 
pletely demolishing  the  office,  engine  house  and 
machinery.  The  explosion  was  of  such  force  as 
to  entirely  fill  the  air  in  the  vicinity  with 
timbers,  boards,  shingles  and  fragments  of  the 
boiler.  The  re])ort  and  concussion  were  like  the 
discharge  of  a  cannon,  shaking  the  buildings 
and  windows  several  blocks  off  like  an  earth- 
quake. Five  persons  were  in  the  mill  at  the 
time  of  the  explosion,  but  no  one  was  killed. 
The  loss  was  estimated  at  $1 5,000. 

A  RBTKOSPECT. 

One  hundred  years  ago  the  Revolutionary 
war  was  in  progress.  A  small  colony  of  fearless 
men  were  battling  for  their  rights  with  one  of 
the  most  pow'erful  nations  of  the  earth.  Thir- 
tee  I  States,  extending  back  from  the  sea-coast 
but  a  short  distance,  with  but  three  million  in 
all,  of  men,  women  and-  children,  white  and 
co'ored,  comprising  the  whole.  The  great  West 
was  unknown.  True,  a  few  adventurous  spirits 
had  pushed  their  way  through  this  uninhabitable 
waste,  and  in  the  came  of  the  King  of  France, 
proclaimed  it  part  of  that  realm  ;  but  in  their 
wildest  imagination  it  is  doubtful  if  ihey  ever 
conceived  the  idea  that  in  less  than  a  century 
of  time  it  would  be  inhabited  by  a  thrifty,  en- 
terprising race,  and  be  the  most  productive 
region  of  the  world. 

Seventy-two  years  ago,  less  than  three-fourths 
of  a  century,  the  Territory  of  Illinois  was 
organized,  with  Ninian  Edwards  as  its  first 
Governor. 

Sixty-three  years  ago  the  State  government 
was  organized  and  Illinois  entered  upon  a  new 
period  of  its  existence.  At  this  time  only  the 
southern  portion  of  the  State  had  been  settled, 
the  fair  prairies  of  the  central  and  northern  part 
remaining  as  they  came  from  nature's  hand. 

Sixty-five  years  ago  Robert  Pulliam  erected  a 
cabin  and  remained  some  months  in  what  is  now 
Ball  township. 

Sixty  years  ago  the  county  of  Sangamon  was 
organized,  containing  at  the  time  less  than  five 

r>5— 


hundred  inhabitants.  Sixty  years — from  1821  to 
1881 — with  its  joys  and  sorrows,  its  trials  and 
disappointments,  have  passed  into  history.  The 
old  and  middle-aged  of  the  first  years  of  the 
history  of  the  county  have  passed  away.  They 
fought  a  good  fight  in  reclaiming  waste  places; 
they  finished  their  course,  and  now  rest  from 
their  labors,  while  "their  works  do  follow  them." 
The  young  of  that  day  are  now  aged  men  and 
women,  who  have  lived  to  see  the  wilderness 
"  blossom  as  the  rose,"  and  now  calmly  await 
the  summons  to  "  come  up  higher." 

Sixty  years  ago  there  was  not  a  water  or  a 
steam  mill  in  Sangamon  county,  all  supplies  of 
flour  and  meal,  save  the  little  ground  on  the  old 
band  mills,  were  brought  from  Edwardsville  or 
St.  Louis.  At  that  time  but  one  church  edifice 
and  a  very  small  one  at  that,  was  in  all  the 
county.  The  people  here  were  separated  from 
friends,  with  no  convenient  means  of  communi- 
cation. The  railroad,  the  telegraph,  the  tele- 
phone and  the  phonograph  were  unknown.  Mail 
communications  were  not  established,  and  the 
nearest  post  office  was  Edwardsville. 

Fifty-six  years  ago  Springfield,  a  village  of  a 
dozen  log  cabins,  was  selected  as  a  permanent 
county  seat. 

Fifty-five  years  ago,  Hooper  Warren  estab- 
lished the  Sangamon  Spectator  in  Springfield, 
the  first  paper  in  Sangamon  county. 

Fifty-one  years  ago  the  early  settler  enjoyed 
the  pleasures  of  the  "  deep  snow,"  an  experience 
in  his  history  that  he  loves  to  relate  to  the  won- 
der and  amazement  of  the  younger  generation. 
Fifty  years  ago  Sangamon  county  was  called 
upon  to  furnish  its  quota  for  the  first  campaign 
against  Black  Hawk,  and  nobly  did  the  men  re- 
spond. 

Forty-nine  years  ago  the  second  call  was  made 
for  men  to  drive  out  and  capture  the  noted  Black 
Hawk  and  his  men,  and  Sangamon  county  re- 
sponded by  sending  an  army  of  her  bravest  and 
best  men,  and  to  whom  belongs  the  honor 
of  his  defeat  and  capture. 

Forty-five  years  ago  Sangamon  county  sent 
nine  of  her  best  men  as  representatives  in  the 
General  Assembly,  with  instructions  by  all  fair 
and  honorable  means  to  secure  the  removal  of 
the  State  Capital  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield. 
The  instructions  were  implicitly  carried  out  and 
the  Capital  secured.  All  honor  to  the  "  Long 
Nine." 

Forty-two  years  ago  the  Capital  was  removed 
from  Vandalia  to  Springfield. 

Forty  years  ago  the  whistle  of  the  first  locomo- 
tive was  heard  in  Springfield. 


662 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Forty-one  years  ago  the  great  "  hard  cider 
campaign "  was  in  progress  and  "  politics  run 
wild." 

Thirty-five  years  ago  the  war  with  Mexico 
was  in  progress,  a  war  which  resulted  in  the  ac- 
quirement of  much  territory,  including  Califor- 
nia, the  Eldorado  of  the  west. 

TwentT-three  years  ago  the  greatest  political 
debate  in  the  history  of  the  world  was  held  be- 
tween Lincoln  and  Douglas,  a  debate  which  elec- 
ted Douglas  Senator,  and  Lincoln  President. 

Iwenty-one  years  ago,  after  one  of  the  most 
exciting  political  campaigns  in  the  history  of 
the  country,  Abraham  Lincoln,  a  favorite  son  of 
Illinois,  was  elected  to  the  highest  office  in  the 
gift  of  the  American  people. 

Twenty  years  ago  the  news  was  flashed  over 
the  wires  that  ths  rebels  had  made  an  attack 
upon  Fort  Sumter  and  compelled  its  surrender. 
Immediately  the  call  was  issued  for  75,000  men, 
and  supplemented  a  few  days  afterwards  for 
300,000  more.  The  brave  sons  of  Sangamon 
county,  ever  ready  to  respond  to  their  country's 
call,  rushed  to  the  front,  and  upon  the  fierce 
tattle-fields  of  the  South  many  ot  them  poured 
out  their  life's  b^ood. 

Sixteen  years  ago  the  lifeless  body  of  the 
great  and  good  Lincoln  was  brought  back  to  that 
city  and  county  he  loved  so  well,  and  the  whole 
Nation  mourned. 

Sangamon  county  in  the  past  has  alwaj's  taken 
an  advanced  position.  Never  has  it  taken  a 
backward  step.  Whether  in  the  cause  of  reli- 
gion, temperance  or  education,  it  has  always 
stood  in  front.  Its  history  is  full  of  important 
events.  From  the  lessons  of  the  past  the  duties 
of  the  future  are  made  plain.  May  the  lessons 
be  well  learned,  and  may  all  profit  thereby. 

SANGAMON    COUNTY    OF    TO-DAY. 

As  it  is  impossible  for  the  pen  of  the  historian 
to  do  justice  to  the  past,  even  so  will  we  fail  to 
properly  present  the  Sangamon  county  of  to- 
day. No  county  in  the  State  can  show  a  better 
record.  In  its  churches,  its  schools,  its  manu- 
facturing interests,  its  public  and  private  build- 
ings, in  fact  everything  that  goes  to  show  a 
progressive  people,  it  has  taken  a  leading  posi- 
tion. It  has  to-day  an  incorporated  city,  having 
a  population  of  25,000  inhabitants,  ten  incorpo- 
rated and  as  many  unincirporated  villages.  It 
has  a  population  of  55,000  thrifty  and  enter- 
prising pei  pie. 

In  the  early  day,  citizens  of  Sangamon  county 
met  for  worship  in  school  houses,  barns,  or  pri- 
vate dwelling  houses,  anywhere  they  were  per- 
mitted, and  glad  were  they  of  the  opportunity. 


To-day  churches  are  upon  every  hand,  from  the 
plain,  unpretending  frame,  where  a  few  zealous 
men  and  women  gather  together  "in  the  name 
of  Jesus,"  to  the  imposing  brick,  with  bells  peal- 
ing forth  a  joyous  welcome  to  one  and  all,  come 
and  "  drink  of  the  waters  of  life." 

The  old  log  school  house  has  long  since  been 
displaced,  and  to-day  are  found,  especially  in  the 
larger  villages  and  the  city  of  Springfield,  school 
buildings  of  handsome  architectural  appearance, 
costing  many  thousands  of  dollars  each.  The 
comfort  of  pupils  has  been  secured  by  the  intro- 
duction of  suitable  seats  and  desks.  Maps, 
globes,  philosophical  apparatus,  music,  libraries, 
commodious  play-grounds,  well  ventilated  apart- 
ments, beautiful  plants  and  flowers,  all  are  used 
as  accessories,  and  the  result  is  a  humanizing  in- 
fluence. A  large  revenue  derived  from  taxation 
is  annually  raised,  suflicient  to  maintain  a  schol- 
arly corps  of  teachers.  In  addition  to  the  public 
schools,  the  Catholics  and  Lutherans  have  paro- 
chial schools,  the  Lutherans  have  a  flourishing 
seminary,  the  Ursuline  Sisters  (  Catholics  )  have 
a  fine  institution  of  learning  in  connection  with 
the  convent  in  Springfield,  the  Episcopal  breth- 
ren have  in  operation  a  school  in  the  city,  and 
last,  but  not  least,  Mrs.  McKee  Homes'  school, 
the  Bettie  Stuartlnstitute,  is  in  amost  flourishing 
condition.  It  will  thus  be  seen  the  educational 
interests  of  the  county  are  well  provided  for. 

Sangamon  county  boasts  of  another  civilizing 
influence  in  her  newspapers — ten  weekly  and 
four  daily;  all  of  them  well  and  ably  edited,  a 
credit  to  their  publishers  and  to  their  patrons. 

In  manufactures,  Sangamon  county  of  to-day 
is  making  rapid  strides.  The  rolling  mills,  the 
watch  factory,  the  railroad  machine  shops,  the 
iron  foundries  and  other  industries,  are  a  credit 
to  the  county.  Thousands  of  men  and  women 
find  employment  in  these  various  factories,  and 
many  thousands  of  dollars  worth  of  material  are 
annually  turned  out. 

In  agriculture  and  horticulture,  Sangamon 
county  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  all  the  coun- 
ties in  the  State  of  Illinois.  Little  vacant  land 
is  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  the  county,  and  almost 
every  acre  is  under  cultivation.  The  corn  crop 
never  fails,  wheat  seldom,  and  all  other  kinds  of 
grain  and  fruit  do  well. 

Sangamon  county  of  to-day  has  reason  to  be 
proud  of  the  position  it  occupies,  politically,  ed- 
ucationally, religiously  and  morally.  Its  chief 
city,  the  Capital  of  the  State,  its  people  educated 
and  refined;  evidences  of  wealth  and  prosperity 
upon  every  hand,  its  people  are  and  have  a  right 
to  be  happy. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


563 


Chapter  XXVII. 


CITY  OF    SPRINGFIELD. 


Springfield !  What  historical  associations 
cluster  around  that  name  !  Springfield,  the 
home  of  Lincoln,  Douglas,  Shields,  Baker, 
Logan,  and  a  host  of  others,  whose  names  have 
been  immortalized,  and  who  "  now  rest  from 
their  labors."  But  three  score  years  ago  and  the 
beautiful  plain  upon  which  stands  this  thriving 
city,  was  an  uninhabited  wilderness.  To-day, 
the  busy  hum  of  industry  is  heard  upon  every 
hand,  and  walking  its  streets  are  representatives 
of  nearly  every  nation  under  Heaven,  all  enjoy- 
ing the  sweets  of  liberty,  all  pursuing  the  even 
tenor  of  their  way,  worshipping  God  according 
to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience,  "  with 
no  one  to  molest  or  make  them  afraid."  What 
a  change  has  been  wrought  by  the  hand  of  Time! 
The  pen  of  the  historian  can  not  do  it  justice. 

About  the  year  1818,  an  old  bachelor  emi- 
grated from  North  Carolina  to  this  State, 
remaining  for  a  time  in  Macoupin  county,  and 
from  there  he  came  on  to  what  is  now  Sanga- 
mon county.  He  was  so  charmed  with  the 
country  in  the  neighborhood,  he  determined  to 
make  it  his  future  home.  Returning  to  North 
Carolina,  he  induced  his  father,  Henry  Kelly, 
and  four  brothers  to  join  him  in  forming  a  new 
settlement.  John  Kelly,  one  of  the  brothers, 
built  a  cabin,  near  which  is  now  the  northwest 
corner  of  Jefferson  and  Second  streets.  In  this 
cabin  the  first  court  of  Sangamon  county  was 
held. 

Several  other  families  were  pursuaded  by  the 
Kellys  to  settle  in  the  neighborhood,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1821  quite  a  flourishing  settlement 
existed — in  fact,  there  were  a  greater  number  in 
the  vicinity  of  what  now  const. tutes  the  city  of 
Springfield  than  any  other  settlement  in  the 
county.  To  this  fact  was  due  the  selection  of 
Springfield  as  the  temporary  county  seat  of 
Sangamon  county,  when  organized. 

Springfield  is  situated  uopn  a  beautiful  prairie 
stretching    from    the    Sangamon    river   on    the 


north,  to  the  timber  land  which  line  its  tributa- 
ries on  the  south.  It  is  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
five  miles  southwest  of  Chicago,  and  ninety- 
seven,  miles  distant  from  St.  Louis,  by  the 
Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Railroad. 

As  already  stated,  the  Kelly  family  were  the 
first  to  settle  in  the  neighborhood.  Another 
family  of  emigrants,  named  Doggett,  arrived  in 
the  year  1820.  They  settled  a  little  south  and 
east  of  the  old  Hutchinson's  cemetery.  No 
other  settlements  were  made  in  the  immediate 
locality  until  the  spring  of  1821,  when  several 
families  were  added  to  the  infant  colony,  which 
was  then  known  as  Newsonville. 

Prominent  among  the  emigrants  of  1821, 
were  Charles  R.  Matheny  aud  Elijah  lies.  Mr. 
Ilea  was  a  Kentuckian  by  birth,  but  had  emi- 
grated to  Missouri  some  years  previous,  but 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  that  country,  he  con- 
cluded to  locate  in  the  "country  of  the  San- 
gamo."  Ascending  the  Illinois  river  on  a  flat 
boat,  he  disembarked  at  Beardstown,  which  then 
consisted  of  a  single  log  cabin,  and  that  unoc- 
cupied. Striking  boldly  across  the  country,  he 
made  his  way  to  the  new  settlement,  and  found 
a  welcome  in  the  family  of  the  elder  Kelly. 
"Better  living,"  said  he,  "I  never  enjoyed.  Kel- 
ly's cabin  was  a  home  indeed.  Johnny  cake, 
venison  and  wild  honey  every  day,  with  roast 
pig  on  Sundays.  Ah!"  sighed  the  old  man,  as 
he  concluded,  "those  happy  days  are  over." 

The  population  of  Springfield  gradually  in- 
creased, it  being  the  most  important  town  in  the 
county. 

The  first  plat  of  the  town  was  made  in  1823, 

by  Pascal  P.  Enos,  Elijah  lies  and  , 

under  the  name  of  "Calhoun,"  the  proprietors 
of  the  town  not  being  favorable  to  the  name 
given  it  by  the  commissioners,  selected  to  locate 
ihe  county  seat.  But  the  name  of  Calhoun  was 
not  more  favorably  received  by  the  people  who 
had  located  here  than  Springfield    was  by  the 


504 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


owners  of  tlie  p'at,  and  as  a  post  cffice  had  been 
established  under  the  name  of  Springfield,  it 
never  really  became  known  by  the  name  under 
■which  it  was  platted. 

In  1825,  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  of  the 
county  was  to  be  selected,  and  the  claim  of  Cal- 
houn, or  Springfield,  was  stoutly  contested  by 
the  town  of  Sangamo,  located  on  the  river  in 
what  is  now  section  two,  Gardner  townshij).  The 
contest  was  a  warm  cne,  and  it  still  contended 
that  Sangamo  would  have  been  selected  by  the 
Commissioners  had  not  Andrew  Elliott  played  a 
little  trick  upi  n  them.  He  was  employed  to 
pilot  the  Commissioners  to  Sangamo,  there  being 
then  no  road  located,  and,  instead  of  taking 
Ihem  a  direct  route,  he  took  them  a  roundabout 
way,  through  swamps  and  over  fallen  timber. 
The  Commissioners  thought  the  difficulty  in 
reaching  Sangamo  would  not  compensate  for  its 
more  favorable  location,  and  therefore  named 
Springfield  as  the  permanent  county  seat. 

"When  Springfield  was  selected  as  the  tempo- 
rary seat  ot  justice  of  the  county  in  1821,  where 
the  site  was  marked  was  upon  an  open  prairie. 
The  closing  portion  of  the  certificate  of  location 
reads  as  follows: 

"Therefore,  we,  the  undersigned,  County  Com- 
missioneis,  do  certify  that  we,  after  full  exami- 
nation of  the  situation  of  the  present  popula- 
tion of  said  county,  have  fixed  and  designated 
a  certain  point  in  the  prairie,  near  John  Kelly's 
field,  on  the  waters  of  Spring  creek,  at  a  stake 
set  marked  Z  D.,  as  the  temporary  seat  of  jus- 
tice for  said  county,  and  do  further  agree  that 
said  county  seat  be  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of   Springfield." 

The  point  so  selected  was  near  what  is  now 
the  northeast  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Second 
streets.  Here  tlie  first  court  house  and  county 
jail  were  built,  in  the  latter  month  of  1821. 
Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  tie  price  of  build- 
ing material  then,  and  the  style  of  building, 
from  the  fact  that  the  jail  was  contracted  for  and 
actually  built  for  eighty-four  dollars. 

The  town  of  Calhoun  was  surveyed  and  plat- 
ted by  James  C.  Stevenson.  He  is  said  to  have 
received  a  deed  to  block  twenty-one  for  his  ser- 
vices. Four  lots,  however,  could  not  have  been 
very  valuable,  for  there  is  a  tradition  that  he 
proposed  to  give  Dr.  Merry  man  one-fourth  of  the 
block  for  a  pointer  dog  to  which  he  had  taken  a 
fancy.  The  offer  w-as  rejected.  The  plat  made 
by  Stevenson  was  recorded  December  5,  1823. 
It  was  probably  made   about  the   time  of  the 


opening  of  the  land  office  at  Springfield,  and  as 
shortly  after  the  lands  came  into  market. 

The  name  of  Calhoun  was  selected  in  compli- 
ment to  the  Hon.  John  C.  Calhoun,  of  South 
Carolina.  The  admiration  appears  not  to  have 
lasted  long.  In  1826,  while  in  the  Senate,  he 
voted  against  a  bill  which  was  intended  to  grant 
to  the  States  a  donation  of  lands  to  aid  in  the 
construction  of  canals.  At  that  time  this  was  a 
favorite  measure  in  several  of  the  northern  and 
western  States.  This,  no  doubt,  is  the  reason 
the  name  of  Calhoun  was  never  formally  adop- 
ted by  the  people,  or  having  adopted  it,  they 
gradually  ceased  to  speak  of  it  by  the  name,  and 
returned  to  the  one  assigned  it  by  the  commis- 
sioners. But  it  was  not  until  1833,  ten  years  af- 
ter its  origin,  that  the  town  of  Calhoun  was  fi- 
nally blotted  out  of  existence.  At  that  time 
there  was  a  re-survey  of  the  town,  under  act  of 
the  legislature,  in  which  the  town  of  Calhoun 
was  formally  made  a  part  of  Springfield. 

On  March  18,  1825,  the  final  and  permanent 
location  of  the  county^  seat  was  made  by  the 
special  commissioners.  In  consideration  of  this 
location,  Elijah  lies  and  Pascal  P.  Enos  at  once 
donated  to  the  county  some  forty-two  acres  of 
w^hat  is  now  the  most  valuable  part' of  the  city. 
The  County  Commissioners'  Court  held  a  spe- 
cial term  and  confirmed  the  location  on  the  very- 
day  it  was  made.  By  this  order  the  donation, 
with  the  exception  of  the  public  square,  which 
was  to  remain  as  then  laid  out,  was  surveyed 
into  blocks  and  lots  having  streets  and  alleys 
corresponding  with  the  original  town  plot  of 
Calhoun.  The  donation  embraced  blocks  1,12, 
13,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30  and  31  of  the 
old  town  plat.  The  first  lots  in  the  donation 
were  sold  early  in  INIay. 

The  first  State  law  In  relation  to  the  town  was 
approved  February  9,  1827.  By  its  provisions 
the  County  Commissioners'  Court  was  empow- 
ered and  required  to  appoint  a  street  commis- 
sioner for  the  town,  whose  duties  are  prescribed 
in  the  act.  They  were  also  empowered  to  levy 
a  tax  upon  the  citizens  for  improving  the  streets. 
Justices  of  the  peace  of  the  town  were  required 
upon  a  petition  of  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters, 
to  enter  an  order  upon  their  dockets  in  relation 
to  the  subject  matter  petitioned  for;  such  order 
constituted  a  sort  of  ordinance,  and  penalties 
were  prescribed  in  the  law  for  the  violation  of 
such  orders.  They  were  repealed  by  a  petition 
of  legal  voters  in  like  manner  as  they  had  been 
passed.  Such  were  the  first  specimens  of  legis- 
lation at  a  place  where  legislation  of  all  sorts 
afterwards  became  very  common. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


565 


INCORPORATION. 

Continuing  to  increase  in  population,  and 
losing  none  of  its  original  ambition,  Springfield 
became  incorporated  as  a  town,  April  2,  1832, 
under  the  general  law  of  1831.  This  town  gov- 
ernment remained  for  nearly  ten  years,  and  for 
much  of  that  time  was  administered  in  a  wise 
and  acceptable  manner.  Charles  R.  Matheny 
was  the  first  President  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, while  among  the  members  were  Abraham 
Lincoln,  Samuel  H. Treat,  and  Stephen  T.Logan 
— names  which  need  no  eulogy  here.  During 
these  years — from  1830  to  1840 — both  town  and 
county  increased  in  population  very  rapidly.  By 
this  time,  the  settlements  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  State  had  grown  to  be  of  considerable  size 
and  importance.  The  northern  part  of  Illinois 
was  principally  settled  by  men  from  New  York 
and  New  England.  They  were  farmers,  mer- 
chants, mechanics,  millers,  manufacturers.  They 
made  farms,  built  mills,  churches,  school  houses, 
towns,  and  cities.  Here,  in  Central  Illinois,  was 
where  theKentuckians  who  had  settled  Southern 
Illinois,  first  met  and  learned  to  know  the  men 
whom  they  called  Yankees.  They  had  a  most 
despicable  opinion  of  their  Northern  neighbors. 
The  genuine  Yankee  they  had  never  seen.  They 
had  seen  a  tricky,  trafficking  race  of  peddlers 
from  New  England,  who  much  infested  the  West 
and  South  with  tinware,  small  lots  of  merchan- 
dize, and  wooden  clocks.  From  these  speci- 
mens, the  whole  of  New  England  had  been 
judged.  Hence,  the  natural  conclusion  that  a 
Yankee  was  a  close,  miserly,  dishonest  getter  of 
money,  void  of  generosity  or  any  of  the  kind- 
lier feelings  of  human  nature.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  people  of  Northern  Illinois  (chiefly 
from  New  Engl.and)  formed  an  equally  unfavor- 
able opinion  of  their  Southern  neighbors.  The 
Northern  man  believed  the  Southerner  to  be  a 
long,  lank,  lazy,  ignorant  animal,  little  better 
than  a  savage — one  content  to  squat  on  land  not 
his  own,  and  spend  his  days  in  a  log  cabin,  with 
a  large  family  of  idle,  hungry,  ill-clothed,  un- 
taught children.  It  w*s  only  by  daily  contact, 
actual  intercourse,  that  prejudices  and  errors 
could  be  removed.  Here,  in  Central  Illinois, 
and,  most  of  all,  in  Springfield,  after  it  became 
the  capital,  were  these  two  classes  of  men  brought 
to  know  each  other  better,  and  finally  to  abandon 
their  erroneous  notions  of  each  other.  Then 
they  found  both  parties  were  wrong.  In  liber- 
ality and  hospitality  they  were  about  equal, 
though  these  virtues  show  themselves  in  each 
people  in  a  different  way.  The  Southerner  was, 
perhaps,  the  most  hospitable  and  liberal  to  indi- 


viduals; but  the  Northern  man  was  the  most 
liberal  in  contributing  for  the  public  benefit. 
Here,  in  Springfield,  in  later  years,  were  the  best 
specimen  of  both  classes — Lincoln,  Douglas, 
Bakei,  Hardin,  Bissell,  Trumbull,  Logan, 
Shields,  Dubois,  and  many  others,  who  gradu- 
ally came  to  consider  that  Springfield  was  home. 

As  already  stated  Springfield  was  incorporated 
under  town  government  in  1832.  The  following 
constitutes  the  Board  of  Trustees  from  1832  to 
18-10  inclusive: 

1832. — Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Cyrus 
Anderson,  John  Taylor,  Elisha  Tabor,  Mor  lecai 
Mobley,  William  Carpenter,  Trustees. 

1833.— Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Cyrus 
Anderson.  John  M.  Cabanis,  William  Carpenter, 
Samuel  Morris,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Trustees. 

1834. — James  R.  Gray,  President;  William 
Carpenter,  Edmund  Roberta,  Nicholas  A.  Gar- 
land, John  Owens,  Trustees. 

1835. — Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  .James 
L.  Lamb,  James  W.  Keyes,  William  Alvery, 
William  Carpenter,  Philip  C.  Latham,  Peleg  C. 
Canedy,  Trustees. 

1836.— Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Peleg 
C.  Canedy,  Philip  C.  Latham,  James  W.  Keyes, 
John  F.  Rague,  George  Passfield,  Trustees. 

1837 — Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Peleg 
C.  Canedy,  Philip  C.  Latham,  William  Butler, 
George  Pasfield,  Joseph  Klein,  Trustees. 

1838.— Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Peleg 
C.  Canedy,  P.  C.  Latham,  Joseph  Klein,  Wil- 
liam Butler,  Samuel  H.  Treat,  Trustees. 

1839. — Charles  R.  Matheny,  President;  Peleg 
C.  Canedy,  Philip  C.  Latham,  Joseph  Klein, 
Samuel  H.  Treat,  Abraham  Lincoln,  Josepli 
Whitney,  Trustees. 

1840. — Peleg  C.  Canedy,  President;  .Joseph 
Klein,  Jonas  Whitney,  Philip  C.  Latham,  Abra- 
liam  Lincoln,  Trustees. 

CITY  CHARTER. 

In  1840  a  charter  was  obtained  from  the  legis- 
lature for  the  formation  of  a  city  government. 
Its  first  election  was  held  in  the  spring  of  that 
year.  This  charter  was  amended  several  times 
and  in  1852  an  act  was  passed  entitled  "An  act 
to  reduce  the  act  incorporating  the  city  of 
Springfield,  and  the  several  acts  amendatory 
thereof  into  one  act,  and  to  amend  the  same." 
This  act  was  approved  March  2,  1852.  By  it  the 
municipal  government  was  to  consist  of  a  City 
Council,  to  be  composed  of  a  Mayor  and  three 
Aldermen  from  each  ward.  Under  the  old  char- 
ter there  was  only  one  Alderman  for  each  ward. 
The  other  officers  for  the  city  were  to  be  a  City 
Clerk,  City  Marshal,  City  Treasurer,  City  Attor- 


566 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ney,  City  Assessor  aud  Collector,  City  Surveyor 
and  Engineer,  and  a  City  Supervisor. 

The  city  remained  as  originally  divided,  into 
four  Wards.  As  thus  constituted,  the  following 
named  officers  were  elected: 

1840. — Mayor— Benjamin  S.  Clements;  Alder- 
men— First  Ward,  James  R.  Gray;  Second, 
Joseph  Klein;  Third,  Washington  lies;  Fourth, 
William  Prentiss. 

IS41. — Mayor — William  L.  May;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  James  R.  Gray;  Second,  Joseph 
Klein;  Third,  Harrison  A.jHough;  Fourth,  Stacev 
B.  Opdycke. 

1842.— Mayor— David  B.  Campbell;  Aldermen 
— First  Ward,  John  Williams;  Second,  William 
Carpenter;  Third,  Harrison  A.  Hough;  Fourth, 
Stacey  B.  Opdycke. 

1843.— Mayor— Daniel  B.  Hill;*  Aldermen- 
First  Ward,  John  Williams;  Second,  William 
Carpenter;  Third,  Enos  M.  Henkle;  Fourth, 
Pressley  A   Saunders. 

1844. — Mayor — Andrew  McCormaok;  Alder- 
men— First  Ward,  Jacob  Divelbiss;  Second,  Wil- 
liam Carpenter;  Third,  Enos  M.  Henkle;  Fourth, 
Pressley  A.  Saunders. 

1845. — Mayor — James  C.  Conkling;  Aldermen 
— First  Ward,  Jacob  Divelbiss;  Second,  William 
Carpentei-;  Tlurd,  Sullivan  Conant;  Fourth, 
Thomas  P.  Lauschbaugh. 

1846.— Mayor — Eli'Cook;  Aldermen  — First 
Ward,  John  A.  Keedy;  Second,  William  Car- 
penter; Third,  Sullivan  Conant;  Fourth,  Thomas 
P.  Lauschbaugh. 

1847. — Mayor — Eli  Cook;  Aldermen — First 
Ward,  John  A.  Keedy;  Second,  William  Car- 
penter; Third,  John  Fenner;  Fourth,  John  W. 
Priest. 

1848.— Mayor — Eli  Cook;  Aldermen  — First 
Ward,  Jonathan  S.  Rodgers;  Second,  Pascal  P. 
Enos;  Third,  John  Fenner;  Fourth,  John  W. 
Priest. 

1849. — Mayor — John  Calhoun;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  Jonathan  S.  Rodgers;  Second,  Oliver 
W.  Browning;  Third,  David  Sherman;  Fourth, 
John  W.  Priest. 

18o0.— Same  as  in  1849. 

1851. — Mayor — John  Calhoun;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  Jothan  S.  Rodgers,  John  Wil- 
liams; Second,  Oliver  W.  Browning;  Third,  Enos 
M.  Henkle;  Fourth,  John  W.  Priest. 
■"  1852. — Mayor — William  Lavely;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Franklin  Prleft;  Second,  Edward 
Joyce;  Third,  Enos  M.  Henkle;  Fourth,  John  W. 
Priest. 


*Resiened,  and  Andrew  McCormaok  selected  to  fill 
vacancv. 


185H. — Mayor — Josiah  Francis;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  Franklin  Priest;  Second,  Edward 
Joyce;  Third,  Samuel  Grubb;  Fourth,  John  W. 
Priest. 

In  1854,  the  amendment  to  the  charter,  already 
spoken  of,  M'ent  into  effect,  and  each  Ward  now 
elected  three  Aldermen. 

1854. — Mayor — William  H.  Herndon;  Alder- 
men— First  Ward,  Thomas  Lewis,  Morris  Lind- 
say, Allen  Francis;  Second,  William  Butler, 
Charles  R.  Hurst,  and  to  fill  vacancy,  Benjamin 
Mclntyre;  Third,  Samuel  Grubb,  Thomas  Rags- 
dale,  Henry  Yanhoff,  and  to  fill  vacancv,  Ed- 
mund G.  Johns;  l^ourth,  John  W.  Priest, 
Reuben  F.  Ruth,  Orson  N.  Stafford. 

1855. — Mayor — John  Cook;  Aldermen,  First 
Ward,  Allen  Francis,  Morris  Lindsay,  Thomas 
Lewis;  Second,  John  Connelly,  Charles  H.  Lan- 
phier,  Benjamin  Mclntyre;  Third,  Henry  B. 
Grubb,  Thomas  Ragsdale,  E.  G  Johns;  Fourth, 
Henry  P.  Cone,  Julius  H.  Currier,  Orson  N. 
Stafford. 

1856. — Mayor — John  W.  Priest;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  A.  Francis,  M.  Lindsay,  M.  M.  Yau 
Dausen,  Consul  Sampson;  Second,  Charlt'S  H. 
Lanphier,  Charles  R.  Hurst,  John  Connelly,  Jr.; 
Third,  George  L.  Huntington,  Edmund  G. 
Johns,  Thomas  J.  Dennis;  Fourth,  Henry  P. 
Cone,  Julius  H.  Currier,  William  Harrower. 

1857. — Mayor— John  W.  Priest;  Aldermen, 
First  Ward,  Allen  Francis,  R  J.  Coats,  Consul 
Sampson;  Second,  Charle-  H.  Lanphier,  Charles 
R.  Hurst,  John  Connelly,  Jr.;  Third,  Seth  M. 
Tinsley,  Thomas  J.  Dennis,  George  L.  Hun- 
tington; Fourth,  William  Harrower,  Abner  J. 
Allen,  Julius  H.  Curiier. 

1858.— Mayor — John  W.  Priest;  Aldermen-. 
First  Ward,  Allen  Francis,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Con- 
sul Sampson;  Second, John  Connelly,  Jr.,  Charles 
R.  Hurst,  Charles  H.  Lanphier;  Third,  Thomas 
J.  Dennis,  George  L.  Huntington,  Seth  M.  Tins- 
ley;  Fourth,  Dudley  Wickersham,  Abner  J. 
Allen,  William  Harrower. 

1859. — Mayor — William  Jayne;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Harrison  G.  Fiizhugh,  Ralph  J. 
Coats,  Allen  Francis;  Second,  Zimri  A.  Enos, 
John  Connelly,  Jr.;  John  J.  Clarkson,  John 
Keefner;  Third,  Henry  Grubb,  Thomas  J.  Den- 
nis, Seth  M.  Tinsley;  Fourth,  G.  B.  Simonds, 
Dudley  W^ickersham,  William  W.  Pease,  Samuel 
Long. 

1860 — Mayor — Goyn  A.  Sutton;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Charles  Fisher, 
Harrison  G.  Fitzhugh;  Second,  John  W.  Chen- 
ery,  John  Connelly,  Jr.,  Zimri  A.  Enos;  Third, 
Daniel  Morse,  Thomas  J.  Dennis,  Henry  Grubb; 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


56Y 


Fourth,  Richard  Young,  G.  B.  Simonds,  Dudley 
Wickersham. 

1861. — Mayor — George  L.  Huntington;  Alder- 
men—First Ward,  John  S.  Vredenburg,  Ralph 
J.  Coats,  Charles  Fisher,  Harrison  G.  Fitzhugh; 
Second,  Cornelius  Ivers,  John  W.  Chenery,  John 
Connelly,  Jr.,  Zimri  A.  Enos;  Third,  Christo- 
pher C  Brown,  Thomas,  J.  Dennis,  Henry 
Grubb,  Daniel  Morse;  Fourth,  A.  J.  French, 
G.  B.  Simonds,  Dudley  Wickersham,  Richard 
Young. 

1862. — Mayor— George  L.  Huntington;  Al 
dermen — First  Ward,  Oliver  M.  Sheldon,  Ralph 
J.  Coats,  John  S.  Vredenburg;  Second,  Charles 
H.  Lanphier,  John  W.  Chenery,  Cornelius  Ivers; 
Third,  Henry  Grubb,  Daniel  Morse,  Christopher 

C.  Brown;  Fourth,  Obed  Lewis,  A.  J.  French, 
Richard  Young. 

186:^. —Mayor — John  W.  Smith;  Aldermen- 
First  Ward,  Henry  Wohlgemutla,  Oliver  M. 
Sheldon,  John  S.  Vredenburg;  Second,  Charles 
H.  Lauphier  Moses  K.  Anderson,  Cornelius 
Ivers; Third,  William  J.  Conkling,  Henry  Grubb, 
Daniel  Morse;  Fourth,  Obed  Lewis,  A.  J.  French, 
Henry  C.  Myers. 

1864 — Mayor — John  S.  Vrendenburg;  Alder- 
men— First  Ward,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Oliver  M. 
Sheldon,  Henry  Wohlgemuth;  Second,  William 
Bishop,  Moses  K.  Anderson,  Charles  H.  Lanphiei ; 
Third,  William  S.  Curry,  Daniel  Morse,  Henry 
Grubb,  Robert  Officer,  William  M.  Lee;  Fourth, 
Henry  C.  Myers,  Obed  Lewis,  Peter  Berriman, 
Charles  Dallman. 

1865. — Mayor — Thomas  J.  Dennis;  Alder- 
men— First  Ward,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Henry  Wohl- 
gemuth, Daniel  P.  Broadwell;  Second,  William 
Bishop,  Moses  K.  Anderson,  Thomas  Rippon; 
Third,  Daniel  Morse,  William  S.  Curry,  James 

D.  Brown;  Fourth,  Henry  C.  Myers,  Charles  R. 
Post,  Charles  Dallman. 

1866.— Mayor — JohnS.  Bradford;  Aldermen- 
First  Ward,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Daniel  P.  Broad- 
well,  James  M.  Logan,  John  O  Kames;  Second, 
Williim  Bishop,  Thomas  M.  Rippon,  M.  K. 
Anderson;  Third,  William  J.  Conkling,  James 
D.  Brown,  J.  H.  Hough;  Fourth,  Isaiic  A. 
Hawley,  Charles  R.  Post,  Charles  Dallman. 

1867. — Mayor — N.  M.  Broadwell;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  James  M.  Logan,  John  O.  Rames, 
A.  Schwartz;  Second,  M.  K.  Anderson,  Thomas 
M.  Rippon,  John  S.  Vredenburg;  Third,  William 
J.  Conkling,  James  D.  Brown  Nicholas  Strott; 
Fourth,  Isaac  A.  Hawley,  Charles  R.  Post,  W. 
Whitney. 

1868. — Mayor — William  E.  Shutt;  Alder 
men— First  Ward,  James  M.  Logan,  A.  Schwartz, 


John  Carmody;  Second,  M.  K.  Anderson,  John 
S.  Vredenburg,  Edward  J.  Rafter;  Third,  Wil- 
liam J.  Conkling,  Nicholas  Slrott,  James  A. 
Lott;  Fourth,  Isaac  A.  Hawley.  W.  Whitney, 
Henry  Loosley. 

1869. — Mayor — N.  M.  Broadwell;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Frank  Hudson,  Jr.,  John  Carmody, 
William  Clark;  Second,  John  S.  Vredenburg, 
Edward  J.  Rafter,  George  M.  Brown;  Third, 
Nicholas  Strott,  James  A.  Lott,  John  S.  15rad- 
ford;  Fourth,  W.  Whitney,  Henry  Loosely, 
Reddick  M.  Ridgely,  Obed  Lewis. 

1810. — Mayor — John  W.  Priest;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  John  Carmody,  Frank  Hudson,  Jr., 
Frank  W.  Tracy;  Second,  Edward  J.  Raf- 
ter, George  W.  Brown,  Hobert  Bradford,  H.  N. 
Alden;  Fourth,  Reddick  M.  Ridgely,  Obed 
Lewis,  August  Linegar. 

1871. — Mayor — John  W.  Smith;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  Frank  Hudson,  Jr.,  Frank  W.  Tra- 
cy, R.  J.  Coats;  Second,  Hobert  T.  Ives, 
Charles  A.  llelmle,  Maurice  Fitzgerald;  Third, 
John  S.  Bradford,  H.  N.  Alden,  II.  S.  Dick- 
erman;  Fourth,  Obed  Lewis, Reddick,  M.  Ridge- 
ly, Lyman  Sherwood. 

18'72. — Mayor — John  W.  Smith;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Ralph  J.  Coats, Louis  Rosette,  John 
W.  Stultz;  Second,  Hobert  T.  Ives,  Charles 
A.  Helmle,  Maurice  Fitzgerald;  Third,  H. 
N.  Alden, 'H.  S.  Dickerman,  L.  H.  Bradley; 
Fourth,  Obed  Lewis,  Lyman  Sherwood,  William 
G.  Parker. 

1873. — Mayor — Charles  E.  Hay;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Lewis  Rosette,  Ralph  J.  Coats,  Rich- 
ard Roderick;  Second,  Charles  J.  Helmle,  Maurice 
Fitzgerald,  Zimri  A.  Enos;  Third,  H.  S.  Dicker- 
man,  L.  H.  Bradley,  Tingley  S.  Wood;  Fourth, 
Willian  G.  Parker,  Joseph  W.  Lane,  W.  H. 
Hummell. 

In  1874,  the  city  was  divided  into  six  wards, 
the  representation  in  each  ward  remaining  as 
heretofore — three  Aldermen. 

1874.  —  Mayor — Obed  Lewis;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  Manuel  DeSouza,  Thomas  Howey, 
William  Hunter,  II.  O.  Bolles;  Second,  Zimri 
A.  Enos,  Maurice  Fitzgerald,  Frank  Reisch,  Jr.; 
Third,  L.  H.  Bradley,  Tingley  S.  Wood,  Thomas 
G.  Prickett,  N.  W.  Edwards;  Fourth,  W.  J.  Par- 
ker, Edwin  J.  Scanlan,  Michael  Reitler;  Fifth 
Richard  Roderick,  Frank  Hudson,  Jr.,  Louis 
Rosette;  Sixth,  Joseph  W.  Lane,  H.  S.  Dicker- 
man,  John  T.  Rhodes. 

1875. — Mayor — Charles  E.  Hay;  Aldermen- 
First  Ward,  H.  O.  Bolles,  Manuel  DeSouza, 
George  W.  Krodell;  Second,  Zimri  A.  Enos, 
Frank  Reisch,  Jr.,  William  Flynn;  Third,  Ting- 


568 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ley  S.  Wood,  Thomas  G.  Prickett,  Thomas  S. 
Mather;  Fourtli,  Michael  Reitter,  Edwiu  J.  Scan- 
lau,  George  McCutcheon;  Fifth,  Richard  lioder- 
ici<,  Frank  Hudson,  Jr.,  William  H.  Staley;  Sixth, 
Joseph  W.  Lane,  John  T.  Rhodes,  John  Mayo 
Palmer. 

1876. — Mayor — William  Jayne;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  Manuel  DeSouza,  George  W.  Kro- 
dell,  John  O.  Piper;  Second,  Frank  Reisch,  Jr., 
William  J.  Flynn,  Frederick  Walther;  Third, 
Thomas  G.  Prickett,  Thomas  S.Mather,  William 
Sands;  Fourth,  Edwin  J.  Scanlon,  George  R. 
Hough,  William  WJiite;  F"'ifth,  F^rank  Hudson, 
Jr.,  William  H.  Staley,  Charles  F'isher;  Si.xth, 
John  T.  Rhodes,  John  Mayo  Palmer,  James  C. 
Conkling. 

1877. — -Mayor — William  Jayne;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  George  W.  Krodell,  John  O.  Piper, 
Manuel  Affonso;  Second,  William  J.  Flynn, 
Frederick  Walther,  [Alfred  Orendorff;  Third, 
Thomas  S.  Mather,  William  Sands,  James 
Smith;  Fourth,  George  Hough,  William  White, 
Edwin  J.  Scanlon;  Fifth,  William  H.  Staley, 
Charles  Fisher,  John  O.  Rames;  Sixth,  John 
Mayo  Palmer,  James  C.  Conkling,  John  T. 
Rhodes. 

1878. —  Mayor — J.  A.  Vincent;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,"  John  O.  Piper,  M.  Affonso,  J.  E. 
Rosette;  Second,  Joseph  Trutter,  A.  Orendorff, 
Dennis  O'Brien;  Third,  William  Sands,  J.  W. 
Smith,  B.  W.  Ayres;  Fourth,  William  White, 
Edward  J.  Scanlon,  Fred  McCarthy;  Fifth, 
Charles  Fisher,  John  O.  Rames,  William  H.  Sta- 
ley; Sixth,  J.  C.  Conkling,  J.  T.  Rhodes,  Chris. 
Wolf. 

1879. —  Mayor  —  R.  L.  McGuire;  Aldermen  — 
First  Ward,  John  Brennan,  M.  Affonso,  J.  E. 
Rosette;  Second,  Daniel  Taylor,  R.  Hellweg,  A. 
Orendorff,  Dennis  O'Brien;  Third,  Joseph  Wal- 
lace, J.  AV.  Smith,  B.  W.  Ayres;  Fourth,  Richard 
O'Donnell,  Edward  J.  Scanlon,  Fred  McCarthy; 
Fifth,  E.  S.  Johnson,  John  O.  Rames,  William 
H.  Stalev;  Sixth,  E.  P.  House,  J.  T.  Rhodes, 
Chris.  Wolf. 

1880. — Mayor — Horace  C.  Irwin;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  J.  E.  Rosette,  John  Brennan,  A. 
Vieria;  Second,  Dennis  O'Brien,  R.  Hellweg, 
James  Williams;  Third,  B.  W.  Ayres,  Joseph 
Wallace,  Henry  Grubb;  Fourth,  Frederick  Mc- 
Carthy, Richard  H.  O'Donnell,  George  Kern; 
Fifth,  William  H.  Staley,  F^dward  S.  Johnson, 
William  C.  Wood;  Sixth;  Chris.  Wolf,  Elon  P. 
House,    J.  T.  Rhodes. 

1881. — Mayor — John  McCrecry;  Aldermen — 
First  Ward,  John  Foster,  F.  Jacoby,  A.  Yieria; 
Second,  George  Ritter,  R.  Hellweg,  James  Wil- 


liams, John  Fitzgerald;  Third,  J.  W.  Smith, 
Joseph  Wallace,  Henry  Grubb;  Fourth,  B.  Con- 
lin,  Richard  H.  O'Donnell,  George  Kern;  Fifth, 
Edward  S.  Johnson,  J.  O.  Rames,  William  C. 
Wood;  Sixth,  H.  Fayart,  William  Drake,  Elon 
P.  House,  J.  T.  Rhodes. 

REMOVAL    OF    THB    CAPITAL. 

Attention  has  already  been  called  to  this  sub- 
ject in  a  previous  part  of  this  work,  but  a  few 
words  here  will  not  be  out  of  place.  The  act  for 
the  removal  of  the  capital  was  approved  Febru- 
ary 25,  18-37,  but  the  efforts  in  that  direction  had 
been  made  at  every  session  for  several  years 
previous.  The  system  of  internal  improvements 
was  then  pending  in  the  legislature  and  before 
the  people.  The  means  used  to  pass  this  system 
through  the  legislature  cannot  be  left  without 
notice.  F^irst,  a  large  number  of  the  people  were 
interested  in  the  success  of  the  Illinois  and 
Michigan  canal;  the  canal  was,  therefore,  threat- 
ened if  other  sections  of  the  State  were  denied 
the  improvements  demanded  by  them.  Thus 
the  friends  of  the  canal  were  forced  into  the 
system.  Next  the  system  was  made  to  include 
roads  and  improvements  everywhere,  so  as  to 
enlist  every  part  of  the  State;  several  efforts 
were  made  to  legalize  a  smaller  system,  and  with 
each  failure,  tlie  bill  would  be  amended  by  the 
addition  of  other  roads.  Thus  the  friends  of 
the  other  system  were  gradually  increased. 
Next,  those  counties  which  could  not  be  accom- 
modated with  a  road  or  some  other  improve- 
ment, were  to  share  in  a  fund  of  two  hundred 
thousand  dollars.  To  conciliate  and  win  over 
the  interest  and  influence  of  Alton,  three  rail- 
roads were  appointed  to  center  at  that  city. 
Then  the  people  of  Springfield  desired  to  have 
the  seat  of  government  removed  here.  Sanga- 
mon county  had  nine  representatives  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly.  It  was  by  the  efforts  and  in- 
fluence of  these  men  that  Springfield  attained 
its  present  position.  Among  them  were  some 
very  dexterous  managers  in  politics,  whose 
whole  object  %vas  to  obtain  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment for  Springfield.  This  delegation,  from  the 
beginning  of  the  decisive  session,  threw  itself 
as  a  unit  in  support  of,  or  in  opposition  to, 
every  local  measure  of  interest,  but  never  with- 
out a  bargain  for  votes  in  return  on  the  seat  of 
government  question.  Most  of  the  other  coun- 
ties were  small,  having  but  one  representative, 
and  many  of  them  had  but  one  for  a  district 
composed  of  several  counties.  This  gave  to 
Sangamon  county  a  decided  preponderance  in 
the  log-rolling  system  of  those  days.     ]\v  such 


HISTORY  OB^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


noi) 


means  the  "Long  Nine"  rolled  a  log  like  a 
snow-ball,  gathering  accessions  of  strength  at 
every  turn,  until  they  swelled  up  a  considerable 
party  for  Springtield.  This  parly  they  managed 
to  take  as  a  unit  in  favor  of  the  iut';rnal  im- 
provement system,  in  return  for  which  the  active 
supporters  of  that  system  were  to  vote  for 
Springtield  to  be  the  seat  of  government.  Thus 
it  was  by  log-rolling  on  the  canal  measure,  by 
multiplying  railroads,  by  terminating  three 
railroads  at  Alton,  that  Alton  might  become  a 
great  city  in  opposition  to  St.  Louis,  by  dis- 
tributing money  to  some  of  the  counties,  the 
system  of  internal  improvements  was  adopted, 
and  the  seat  of  government  removed  to  Spring- 
field. 

The  spring  of  ISS^  did  not  open  favorably  for 
the  new  cipital.  That  spring  the  banks 
throughout  the  United  States  suspended  specie 
piyments.  The  banks  of  Illinois  soon  followed 
the  example  of  others.  The  location  of  Spring- 
field was  made  upon  conditions.  One  condition 
was,  that  the  State  should  receive  150,000  for 
the  erection  of  the  opitol.  Another  was,  that 
the  grounds  necessary  for  the  public  buildings 
should  be  donated  to  the  State,  and  for  this 
purpose  the  county  court  was  empowered  to 
convey  the  public  square,  which  was  done.  But 
the  payment  of  the  sum  of  money  specified  was 
found  to  be  a  much  harder  task  than  was  at  first 
anticipated.  One-third  of  the  amount — 116,- 
6fjti.(j7 — was  raised  by  assessments  upon  the 
owners  of  property  within  the  town.  The  as- 
sessments were  not  paid  for  five  years,  for  the 
reason  other  satisfactory  arrangements  were 
made. 

The  persons  assessed  went  to  the  State 
Bank  and  gave  a  note,  due  in  five  years,  interest 
at  twelve  per  cent,  for  the  amount.  A  copy  of 
this  note  will  be  found  on  a  previous  page. 
The  bank  advanced  the  money,  and  the  lot 
owner,  by  paying  his  interest  annually,  was 
allowed  five  years'  time.  Another  third  of  the 
amount,  the  town,  in  its  corporate  capacity, 
agreed  to  pay.  Upon  the  written  obligation  to 
that  effect,  a  large  number  of  the  leading 
citizens  of  the  place,  perhaps  a  hundred  in  all, 
became  sureties.  When  it  became  due  the  town 
was  not  able  to  pay,  and  the  State  Bank,  which 
had  advanced  the  money  to  the  town,  was  about 
to  press  the  securities  to  payment,  when  a  com- 
promise was  made.  Men  of  capital  came  for- 
ward with  the  money  and  paid  the  bank,  taking 
city  bonds  for  their  re-payment. 

The   ottices   of    the   State   Government    were 
removed  here  in  July,  1839. 
(50— 


SPECULATION    AND    HARD    TIMES. 

It  was  in  1836  that  the  great  town  lot  specula- 
tion began  to  spread  through  the  towns  and  vil- 
lages of  Illinois.  But  it  did  not  assume  its  full 
proportions  in  Springtield  until  the  year  follow- 
ing, after  the  removal  of  the  capital  was  a  cer- 
tainty. This  speculation  in  this  State  commenced 
in  Chicago,  and  was  the  means  of  building  up 
that  place,  in  a  year  or  two,  from  a  village  of  a 
few  houses  to  be  a  city  of  several  thousand  in- 
habitants. The  story  of  the  sudden  fortunes 
made  there,  excited,  at  first,  wonder  and  amaze- 
ment, next  a  gambling  spirit  of  adventure,  and 
lastly  an  all  absorbing  desire  for  rapid  and  splen- 
did wealth.  The  example  of  Chicago  was  con- 
tagious. It  spread  to  all  the  towns  and  villages 
of  the  Slate.  New  towns  were  laid  out  in  every 
direction.  In  fact,  the  number  of  towns  multi- 
plied so  rapidly  that  it  was  a  common  remark  to 
say  the  whole  country  was  likely  to  be  laid  out 
in  towns,  and  that  no  land  would  be  left  for 
farming  purposes.  In  this  time  of  wild  excite- 
ment, Springfield  had  her  full  share.  The  judg- 
ments of  all  the  business  men  were  unsettled. 
Their  minds  were  occupied  with  only  one  idea — 
the  all-controlling  desire  of  jumping  at  once  into 
a  fortune.  As  ail  had  bought  more  town  lots 
and  lands  than  many  of  Ihem  could  pay  for,  and 
more  than  any  of  them  could  sell,  the  idea  was 
gradually  diffused  through  the  State  that  if  the 
country  could  be  rapidly  settled,  its  resources 
developed,  and  wealth  invited  from  abroad,  that 
all  the  towns  then  of  any  note  would  become 
cities,  and  that  the  other  towns,  laid  out  only  for 
speculation,  and  then  without  inhabitants,  would 
immediately  become  thriving  and  populous  vil- 
lages, the  wealth  of  all  would  be  greatly  in- 
creased, and  the  town  lot  market  be  rendered 
perfectly  secure. 

It  was  with  a  view  to  this  consummation,  that 
the  system  of  internal  improvements,  already 
noticed,  began  to  be  successfully  agitated  in  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1836.  The  system  became 
law,  and  three  years  trial  of  it  plunged  the  State 
so  hopelessly  in  debt  that  public  credit  went 
down  with  a  crash;  individuals,  of  course,  did 
not  escape  unharmed.  Many  of  the  soundest 
men  in  all  the  towns  were  driven  to  utter  ruin. 
There  were  many  in  Springfield  who  suffered  in 
this  time  of  calamity.  The  whole  community 
found  that  the  growth  of  the  town  had  been  re- 
tarded for  years  by  these  events.  As  we  have 
seen,  the  banks  were  all  compelled  to  suspend, 
and  the  money  was  paper.  So  great  was  the 
burden  of  debt  felt  to  be,  that  after  July,  1841, 
no  further  attempt  was   made  by  the  State  for 


f.70 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


several  jears  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  public 
debt.  Here  in  Springfield,  as  elsewhere  through 
the  State,  the  people  foind  they  had  enough  to 
do  in  providing  food  and  in  paying  the  debts 
they  owed  to  each  other. 

To  add  to  the  general  calamity  and  the  terror 
of  the  people,  in  February,  1842,  the  State  Bank, 
with  a  circulation  of  s3, 000, 000,  tumbled  into 
ruin  with  a  great  crash,not  only  injuring  Spring- 
field greatly,  but  carrying  wide  spread  poverty 
all  over  Illinois,  and  into  the  neighboring  States 
and  Territories.  For  the  next  ten  years  there 
were  hard  times  indeed.  Speculation  had  seen 
its  day,  and  the  people  were  done  with  it.  Hard 
work  and  economical  habits  were  ideas  fixed  in 
the  minds  of  most.  Under  such  circumstances 
it  is  no  wonder  the  city  grew  slowly.  In  eight 
years,  commencing  with  1840,  the  population 
only  increased  by  about  fourteen  hundred.  Still 
the  place  did  gradually  increase  in  numbers  and 
wealth,  year  by  year.  As  the  county  was  slow- 
ly settled  up,  and  its  resources  developed  by  the 
two  railroads,  this  growth  became  permanent,  in 
form. 

HEALTHFULNESi  OF  SPRINGFIELD. 

Springfield  is  noted  as  being  one  of  the  most 
healthy  cities  in  this  country,  and  affords  a 
pleasant  retreat  during  the  hot  summer  months 
to  those  living  in  the  cities  of  the  South.  The 
St.  Louis  (Mo.)  Republican,  noticing  the  sum- 
mer resorts  convenient  to  citizens  of  the  eastern 
cities,  says: 

"There  are  many  in  St.  Louis  who  would 
gladly  have  such  summer  advantages  at  com- 
mand, but  who  are  not  prepared,  with  their  fam- 
ilies, to  take  the  long  and  expensive  journey  to 
the  East.  Many  of  our  business  men  cannot 
afford  the  time  to  do  it.  They  must  be  within 
reach  of  their  counting-rooms  and  warehouses, 
and  so  they  pass  their  long  summers  here  with- 
out rural  recreation  or  pleasure  jaunts  of  any 
sort,  denying  to  their  families,  as  well  as  them- 
selves, the  salutary  pleasure  of  a  country  resi- 
dence during  the  summer.  But  still  there  is, 
only  one  hundred  miles  away,  a  very  agreeab'e 
spot  to  pass  the  summer.  We  mean  Springfield, 
Illinois,  which  is  quite  as  desirable  and  comfort- 
able a  place  for  summer  recreation  as  many 
others  of  greater  celebrity.  It  is  as  marked  for 
healthlulness  as  Saratoga,  and  has  as  pure  air. 
It  is  a  city,  yet  it  is  so  laid.out  and  built  that  it 
presents  a  pleasing  combination  of  town  and 
country.  There  are  many  pleasant  drives  about 
the  city,  and  livery  stables  supplied  with  the 
best  horses  for  the 'saddle  or  buggy.  It  abounds 
in  churches  and  schools,  and  is  distinguished  for 


the  intelligence,  courtesy  and  hospitality  of  its 
citizens.  With  days  no  hotter  than  at  Niagara, 
its  evenings,  nights  and  mornings  delightfully 
cool.  To  a  St.  Louisian  it  is  accessible  in  four 
hours,  and  when  there  the  telegraph  and  mails 
place  him  in  prompt  communication  with  this 
city,  or  any  other  place  requiring  correspondence. 
It  is  a  safe  and  quiet  place  for  families,  free 
from  the  costliness  of  places  of  fashionable  re- 
sorts, for  which  one  must  prepare  with  startling 
equipments  of  elegant  and  fashionable  ward- 
robes. No  city  in  the  Union  has  a  finer  hotel 
than  Springfield,  where  families  may  find  most 
desirable  accommodations.  We  refer  to  the 
Leland  Hotel.  A  St.  Louis  merchant  can  de- 
posit his  family  there,  come  down  to  the  city, 
and  pass  half  or  two-thirds  of  the  week,  and 
run  up  again  on  Friday  or  Saturday,  and  pass  a 
glad  Saturday  or  Sunday  with  his  family  and 
friends,  and  so  beguile  the  hot  weeks  with  varied 
enjoyment  for  himself,  while  wife  and  children 
are  safe,  healthy  and  happy,  all  summer  long, 
in  that  pleasant  city.  Let  no  one  ask  for  a 
place  of  summer  resort  with  one  so  accessible 
as  Springfield  right  at  hand.  We  speak  of  the 
place  knowingly,  having  passed  there  many 
weeks  and  months  during  the  past  twenty-five 
or  thirty  years,  dating  back  to  the  day  when  it 
had  only  three  thousand  inhabitants.  It  is 
really  a  most  desirable  place  to  spend  the  sum- 
mer." 

SPRINGFIELD    TO    A    STRANGER. 

Springfield  when  visited  in  the  winter,  or  in 
the  early  spring  when  the  frost  is  first  out  of  the 
ground,  does  not  present  that  attractive  appear- 
ance it  does  later  in  the  spring  and  in  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn  months.  Like  other  cities  in 
Central  Illinois  and  almost  throughout  the  entire 
State,  in  the  early  spring  and  in  open  winters  it 
is  quite  muddy,  the  mud  frequently  being  an 
embargo  to  all  travel.  Springfield  has  often  bees 
condemned  by  the  stranger  for  the  mud  upon 
her  streets,  while  at  the  same  time  it  was  no 
worse  than  hundreds  of  other  places  in  the 
State,  and  much  better  than  many.  Of  one 
thing  it  is  quite  evident,  the  cities  of  Illinois 
will  always  be  muddy  if  not  paved. 

Coming  to  the  city  in  the  summer  the  stranger 
finds  it  presenting  a  far  different  appearance. 
With  its  palatial  residences,  with  handsome, 
well  kept  lawns;  its  magnificent  business  blocks, 
with  large  store  rooms  filled  with  goods  of  every 
description  to  suit  the  tastes  and  pockets  of  all; 
large,  stately  shade  trees  lining  the  streets,  all 
going  to  make  up  one  of  the  handsomest  cities 
of  its  size  in  the  country.     In   1854,  a  corres- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


571 


pondent  of  the  Democratic  Press,  of  Chicago, 
who  chanced  to  be  in  the  city  thus  wrote  of  it: 
"Every  citizen  of  the  Prairie  State,  from 
Chicago  to  Cairo  an^l  from  the  Wabash  to  the 
Mississippi,  should  be  acquainted  with  the  real 
character  of,  and  take  a  pride  in,  our  pleasant 
and  hospitable  capital.  Pleasant  and  beautiful, 
and  nourishing  will  I  term  it,  though  verj  oppo- 
site adjectives  have  been  prefixed  to  it  by  many 
of  those  editors  and  politicians  who  have  seen 
it  during  winter's  cold  wind,  and  cloudy  sky  and 
foggy  air — when  an  unusual,  an  ill-assorted  and 
turbulent  crowd  of  visitors  are  here  from  the 
highways  and  byways  of  'Suckerdom,'  when 
bird  and  bee  and  blossom  have  given  place  to 
pelting  rain,  and  driving  wind,  and  general 
gloom.  But  Springfield  in  the  spring  time  of 
the  year  is  a  different  place.  Indianapolis 
is  famed  for  beauty  and  prosperity;  yet  with  an 
infinite  knowledge  of  all  it  has  and  a  strong 
predilection  in  its  favor,  I  am  constrained  to 
say  it  has  nothing  to  boast  of  over  our 
own  capital.  In  railroads  and  population  it  has 
a  few  years  the  start;  but  in  pleasant  places  of 
residence,  in  taste  as  displayed  in  shade  trees 
and  shrubs  and  flowers,  and  fences  and  grassy 
lawns,  Springfield  is  far  ahead;  and  in  churches, 
banks,  court  and  State  house,  it  is  at  least  her 
equal.  The  State  has  not  granted  to  Springfield 
her  buildings  for  the  blind,  insane  and  dumb, 
nor  have  the  benevolent  orders  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  Masons  done  for  her  what  they  have  done 
for  Indianapolis.  Herein  is  a  difference  against 
us.  Like  Washington,  Springfield  is  a  'city  of 
magnificent  distances.'  It  might  be  termed  the 
'Embowered  City,'  as  in  no  western  town  have 
I  seen  more  fine  elms,  maples,  locust,  oak  and 
other  shade  trees  flourishing.  '  He  who  plants 
trees  loves  othei's  besides  himself.'  Spring- 
fielders  love  and  benefit  posterity  and  all 
strangers  that  visit  the  city  and  enjoy  its  luxu- 
riant shade.  How  snug,  neat,  cool  and  com- 
fortable, says  Thrifty,  do  trees  and  shrubbery, 
which  have  been  tastefully  planted,  make  a 
dwelling  appear,  and  how  naked,  dry  and  barren 
does  a  residence  look  without  tlicm." 

CHANGE    OF    NAME. 

In  1853,  the  qustion  of  a  change  of  name  for 
the  city  was  discussed  publicly  and  privately,  for 
a  considerable  length  of  time, but  without  result. 
It  was  argued  that  Springfield  was  a  too  com- 
mon name,  that  in  the  Union  there  were  about 
forty  Springfields,  or  one  in  nearly  every  State 
and  Territory,  and  but  two  or  three  rose  above 
the  rank  of  the  most  obscure  village  in  the 
country.     Letters  destined  for  Springfield,  Illi- 


nois, were  often  mis-sent,  traveling  from  one 
State  to  another,  and  taking  months  to  reach 
their  destination.  Among  the  names  suggested 
for  the  change,  were  Sangamo  and  lUini.  The 
latter  name  was  advocated  to  perpetuate  the  re- 
membrance of  the  aboriginal  people,  from  whom 
was  derived  the  name  of  the  chief  river  of  the 
State,  and  of  the  State  itself;  the  former  for  the 
Sangamo  river,  and  because  of  its  more  musical 
sound,  especially  when  written  in  connection 
with  the  name  of  the  State.  The  efi:'orts  of  the 
advocates  of  a  change  were  unavailing,  and  the 
city  yet  retains  the  popular  name  of  Springfield, 
and  Springfield  let  it  be. 

GROWTU  OV  THE  CITY. 

Springfield,  in  common  with  every  other  city 
in  the  Union,  was  affected  by  the  hard  times  of 
1837,  which  continued  during  one  entire  decade, 
or  until  1847.  In  this  latter  year  property  which 
had  gone  down,  down,  until  it  could  go  no  lower, 
began  to  take  an  upward  stride.  The  confidence 
of  people  was  again  restored  and  they  began  to 
invest  their  savings  in  various  ways  and  prosper- 
ity again  reigned.  In  1853  there  was  such  an 
urgent  demand  for  dwelling  houses  in  this  city 
that  it  could  not  be  filled.  Says  a  local  writer  of 
that  date: 

"  Every  inhabitable  house  in  this  city  is  filled 
to  overflowing.  Even  should  one  happen  to  be 
vacated  no  one  would  dare  notify  the  public 
through  the  papers.  The  din  of  applicants 
would  destroy  the  best  nerves  in  town.  Of 
course  our  city  is  much  the  loser  by  this  deficien- 
cy. Scores  of  families  who  would  be  induced  to 
remain  in  our  city  are  forced  to  seek  other  local- 
ities. Both  men  and  capital  are  diverted  from 
our  city,  and  others  are  allowed  to  reap  the  ad- 
vantages of  our  stupidity.  Now  cannot  this  mat- 
ter be  remedied  V  Is  it  not  for  the  interest  of  our 
land  owners  and  monied  men  to  build  houses  to 
rent?  Are  not  the  inducements  sufficient  on  the 
score  of  profit,  to  say  nothing  of  patriotic  con- 
siderations? In  this  respect  we  believe  no  city  in 
the  west  can  hold  out  greater  inducements  to 
building  capital  than  Springfield.  Time  we  have 
not  been  in  the  habit  of  making  such  a  blow 
about  ourselves  as  our  neighbor,  at  Alton.  Nor 
have  we  gone  into  the  puffinggame  like  Blooming- 
ton  and  'little  Decatur.'  We  havn't  filled  all  the 
earth  with  the  cry  of  our  'corner  lots.'  Still  'lit- 
tle old  shanty  Springfield'  has  actually  done  bet- 
ter in  real  estate  transactions  than  the  tallest 
figures  can  show  at  Chicago." 

THE     POST    OFFICE. 

The  early  settlers  of  Springfield  had  little  to 
boast  of  in  the  way  of  postal  facilities.     From 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  first  settlement  of  the  place,  in  1818,  up  to 
1823.  they  had  no  postoffiee  nearer  than  Edwards- 
ville,  eighty  miles  distant,  and  were  therefore 
obliged  to  patronize  tlie  postmaster  at  that  place 
for  what  little  mail  matter  they  received.  They 
got  their  letters  semi-occasionally — sometimes 
by  the  hand  of  wagoners,  and  sometimes  by 
means  of  a  hack  which  John  Dixon  sent  to 
Edwardsville  whenever  he  could  secure  a  load 
of  passengers.  Mr.  Dixon  lived  on  Fancy  Creek, 
a  tributary  of  the  Sangamon.  He  left  here 
years  ago  and  laid  out  the  pretty  town  which 
bears  his  name,  on  Rock  river,  Lee  county. 

The  post  office  was  established  and  Major  lies 
appointed  postmaster,  in  1823,  but  while  he  held 
the  office  his  official  duties  did  not  interfere  with 
his  private  business.  Previous  to  his  appoint- 
ment, letters  addressed  to  "Springfield,  Illinois," 
would  visit  nearly  every  other  Springfield  in  the 
United  States,  and  finally  bring  up  at  Edwards- 
ville; after  his  appointment  and  the  name  of  the 
post  office  had  been  made  known  to  Uncle  Sam's 
officials,  he  received  letters  that  had  traveled 
around  the  country  for  several  months.  He  held 
the  office  for  about  three  years,  and  kept  it  in 
a  small  frame  building  about  two  hundred  yards 
west  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  depot. 

In  1824,  a  semi-monthly  mail  route  was  estab- 
lished from  Springfield  to  Kaskaskia  by  way  of 
Edwardsville  and  Belleville.  The  mail  was 
carried  on  horseback.  Letters  from  this  place 
to  St.  Louis  went  by  way  of  Edwardsville  and 
Belleville,  and  on  arriving  at  the  latter  place 
were  taken  charge  of  by  the  postmaster  and 
transferred  to  the  agent  carrying  the  mail  be- 
tween St.  Louis  and  Louisville. 

Stephen  Stillman  succeeded  Major  lies  and 
held  the  office  between  one  and  two  years.  He 
was  succeeded  by  Asa  Shaw  who  remained  in  the 
office  about  three  years. 

Edward  Mitchell  stepped  into  Mr.  Shaw's 
])lace,  and  was  postmaster  for  nearly  seven  years. 
He  died  soon  after  retiring  from  office. 

William  Carpenter  was  appointed  in  ISST  and 
remained  in  office  till  about  1839.  He  kept  his 
office  in  a  building  that  stood  on  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  square  The  same  building  was 
also  used  as  a  market  house. 

John  S.  Roberts  succeeded  Mr.  Carpenter. 
He  was  in  the  office  but  a  short  time.  The  build- 
ing occupied  by  him  wa§  located  east  of  the 
Chenery  House. 

J.  VV.  Keyes  was  appointed  to  serve  out  Mr. 
Roberts'  time,  and  he  attended  to  his  duties 
faithfully  while  he  remained  in  office;  but  the 
election  of  Harrison  in  1840  led  to  his  removal. 


He  kept  the  office  near  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  square,  and  it  was  retained  in  the  same  place 
by  his  two  immediate  successors. 

G.  W.  Spottswood  held  the  office  from  1841 
to  1844,  dying  before  the  expiration  of  his  term. 
During  a  portion  of  his  term  the  State  officers 
could  not  raise  money  enough  to  take  their 
letters  from  the  postoffiee,  and  he  was  thus  com- 
pelled to  keep  important  public  matter  for 
months  at  a  time.  Nobody  had  money  in  those 
times,  and  the  State  was  as  poor  as  individuals. 

Jonathan  R.  Diller  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Tyler  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  Mr. 
Spottswood's  death.  He  remained  in  office 
during  Polk's  administration,  and  being  a  Demo- 
crat, of  course  his  official  head  fell  when  Taylor 
became  President,  in  1849.  Shortly  after  his 
removal  he  died. 

A.Y.Ellis  held  the  office  under  Taylor  and 
Fillmore's  administration.  He  kei)t  it  in  the 
building  for  some  time  afterwards  occupied  by 
John  Williams  &  Co.  as  a  grocery  store.  Some 
time  during  the  spring  of  1853  he  was  informed 
by  the  Postmaster  General  under  Franklin 
Pierce,  that  the  department  could  dispense  with 
his  services  He  was  too  much  of  a  Whig  to 
expect  to  be  retained  in  office,  and  so  took  his 
removal  philosophically. 

Isaac  R.  Diller  succeeded  Mr.  Ellis,  remaining 
in  office  till  the  close  of  Pierce's  term.  Buchanan 
then  gave  him  a  lucrative  counsulship  at  Bremen, 
and  appointed  J.  W.  Keyes  in  his  place.  Dur- 
ing the  time  of  the  trouble  between  the  Admin- 
istration and  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  in  1858,  Mr. 
Keyes  was  removed  for  the  reason  he  was 
supposed  to  favor  the  latter. 

Morris  Lindsay  succeeded  Mr.  Keyes,  and 
retained  the  office  during  the  remainder  of  Mr. 
Buchanan's  term. 

John  Armstrong,  in  18G1,  received  an  appoint- 
ment as  postmaster  from  President  Lincoln,  and 
retained  the  office  four  years. 

Presco  Wright  was  appointed  by  President 
Lincoln  in  the  spring  of  1805,  and  held  the 
office  three  years,  being  removed  by  President 
Johnson  for  political  causes. 

J.  Taylor  Smith  was  next  appointed,  and  filled 
out  the  unexpired  term  of  Mr.  Wright. 

When  Grant  came  in  he  appointed  J.  L. 
Crane,  who  served  eight  years.  President  Hayes 
then  appointed  D.  L.  Phillips,  who  served  until 
his  death,  in  ISSO.  Paul  Selby,  the  present  in- 
cumbent, was  then  appointed. 

Springfield' was  made  a  money  order  office,  No- 
vember 1,1864.  The  first  order  was  drawn  by 
John   Brotherton,  in   favor  of  Shields  &  Co.,  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGA]\[ON  COUNTY. 


573 


Philadelphia,  for  $3.50.  During  the  first  year, 
the  business  of  the  office  was  as  follows:  Orders 
drawn,  $13,244.80;  orders  paid,  $8,430.78.  In 
1880,  there  were  drawn  $108,238.54,  and  paid 
$100,078.33,  on  domestic  orders  alone,  showing 
a  handsome  increase. 

During  1880,  the  number  of  letters  forwarded 
from  this  office  was  eiglit  hundred  and  twenty- 
three  thousand,  three  hundred  and  sixty-eight; 
postal  cards,  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand, 
five  hundred  and  thirty-six;  total  number  pieces 
mailed  in  all  classes,  two  million,  four  hundred 
and  nine  thousand,  five  hundred  and  sixty-eight. 
Of  second  class  matter,  fifty-eight  thousand, 
three  hundred  and  eighty-eight  pounds  were  for- 
warded. 

SPRINGFIELD  AS  A  MANUFACTURING  POINT. 

The  idea  is  generally  prevalent  that  interior 
cities  or  towns  can  never  be  made  manufactur- 
ing points.  But  this  theory  is  certainly  exploded; 
at  least,  so  far  as  Springfield  is  concerned.  The 
causes  operating  against  interior  cities  in  com- 
peting with  those  along  a  water  course  no  longer 
exists.  No  longer  is  the  manufacturer  depend- 
ent upon  the  steamers  of  our  lakes  and  rivers 
for  means  of  transporiation.  The  invention  of 
the  locomotive  and  the  building  of  railroads  has 
eflFectually  solved  the  transportation  problem. 
A  beginning  has  been  made  in  Springfield,  which 
is  widening  year  by  year,  and  already  it  has  out- 
stripped many  more  pretentious  river  towns  in 
the  extent  of  its  manufactures.  Another  point 
has  been  established  by  the  building  up  of  these 
manufactories  here,  and  that  is  that  a  Stiite  Cap- 
ital can  be  something  else  than  a  huge  boarding 
house,  where  the  people  all  make  their  living 
keeping  boarders. 

Springfield  Iron  Company. — This  institution 
was  organized  October,  1871,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $200,000,  which  has  been  increased  to  $393,- 
750.  The  first  Board  of  Directors  were  Charles 
H.  Ridgely,  George  M.  Brinkerhofl',  John  W. 
Bunn,  O.  H.  Miner,  and  William  D.  Richardson. 
The  first  and  present  officers  are  Charles 
Ridgely,  President;  John  W.  Bunn,  Vice  Presi- 
dent; George  M.  Brinkerhoff,  Secretary.  The 
present  Board  of  Directors  are  Charles  Ridgely, 
George  M.  Brinkerhoff,  J.  T.  Smith,  John  Wil- 
liams, Joseph  W.  Clark,  William  Ridgely,  and 
John  W.  Bunn. 

In  the  beginning  the  works  only  manufactured 
railroad  iron.  The  puddle  mill  belonging  to  the 
rail  mill  was  started  in  June,  1872,  and  the  first 
rail  was  made  in  September  of  that  year,  since 
which  time  it  has  continually  been  in  operation. 


The  claim  is  made  by  the  company  that  they 
have  made  more  rails  than  any  similar  works  in 
the  United  States.  They  now  turn  out  four 
thousand  five  hundred  tons  of  rails  per  month. 

Other  branches  of  manufacture  have  been  in- 
troduced from  time  to  time,  so  that  at  present 
the  company  is  making  rails  of  both  iron  and 
steel,  bar  iron,  fish  plates,  and  track  bolts.  The 
steel  rails  are  made  by  the  Seimeus-Martin,  or 
open  earth  process.  Charles  Kennedy  is  general 
superintendent  of  the  works. 

The  Springfield  Iron  Company  is  located 
about  a  mile  north  of  the  city  limits.  The  build- 
ings of  this  company  are  constructed  in  a  sub- 
stantial style  of  architecture,  and  present  a  pic- 
turesque appearance.  It  is  impracticable  in  this 
article  to  give  a  full  and  complete  description  of 
the  works,  and  our  only  endeavor  will  be  to 
notice  some  of  the  principal  points  of  interest. 
The  buildings  in  order  of  importance  are,  the 
rail  mill,  where  all  the  rails,  both  iron  and  steel, 
are  made,  is  eighty  by  three  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-five feet  in  dimensions.  The  rolls  of  this 
mill  are  propelled  by  a  mammoth  seven  hun- 
dred horse-power  engine.  The  steel  converting 
works  are  two  hundred  by  one  hundred  feet,  and 
devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  steel,  which  is 
cast  into  rail  ingots.  The  manufacture  of  steel 
is  under  the  care  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Roeper. 

The  Blooming  Mills  are  ninety  by  two  hun- 
dred feet,  substantially  built  and  used  for  reduc- 
ing the  ingots  to  the  proper  size  for  rolling  into 
steel  rails.  The  motive  power  being  a  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  horse-power  Corless  engine.  The 
Merchant  Mills  are  one  hundred  and  six  by  two 
hundred  and  thirty-four  feet  in  dimensions,  and 
devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  bar  iron,  mer- 
chants' iron  and  railroad  fastenings,  with  a  ca- 
pacity of  sixteen  hundred  tons  per  month.  The 
machinery  of  this  mill  is  driven  by  a  three  hun- 
dred horse-power  Corless  engine.  The  puddle 
works  are  eighty-two  by  two  hundred  and  two 
feet  in  dimensions,  and  used  for  the  preparation 
of  pig  iron  for  the  Merchant  Mills,  the  motor 
being  a  three  hundred  horse  power  Corless  en- 
gine. Besides  the  buildings  already  mentioned, 
there  are  machine  shops,  bolt  and  nut  works,  car- 
penter shops,  pattern  shops,  blacksmith  shops, 
etc.  The  company  have  introduced  the  Sie- 
mens gas  furnaces,  which  they  use  exclusively 
for  heating  purposes,  fifteen  being  in  use  in  the 
diffeient  works.  In  the  steel  works  they  have  a 
duplex  Worthington  pump,  with  two  steam 
cylinders  twenty-five  and  a  half  inches  in  diam- 
eter, with  a  twenty-four  inch  stroke  and  a 
hydraulic  piston  or  plunger  nine  inches  in  diam- 


574 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


eter,  produeuig  hydraulic  pressure  of  three  hun- 
dred and  tifty  pounds  to  the  square  inch.  The 
water  with  this  pressure  is  used  for  working 
lifts  and  cranes  in  the  steel  works  and  Blooming 
Mill.  The  works  cjnsume  three  hundred  tons 
of  coal  per  day,  which  is  obtained  from  the 
Beard-IIickox  Coal  Company,  located  some  two 
hundred  yards  from  the  works.  The  coal  is 
loaded  in  the  mines  at  a  depth  of  two  hundred 
feet,  and  carried  on  a  tramway  and  delirered  at 
the  different  works  in  the  same  cars.  The  office 
building  is  a  two-story  brick  structure.  The 
first  floor  is  devoted  to  the  heads  of  the  various 
departments  of  the  company,  while  the  second 
story  is  used  for  draughting  room  and  chemical 
laboratory.  Some  forty  clerks  are  employed  in 
the  different  departments  of  this  office,  while 
the  entire  works  give  employment  to  ten  hun- 
dred and  eighty  employes.  The  goods  manu- 
factured by  the  Springfield  Iron  Company  are 
used  by  all  the  principal  railroads  in  the  west, 
and  among  them  we  will  name  the  Wabash,  Ill- 
inois Central,  Chicago  &  Alton,  Northwestern, 
etc.,  etc. 

The  company  have  a  locomotive  of  their  own 
for  switching  purposes  and  a  store  of  general 
merchandise  is  connected  with  the  works  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  employes.  Besides  the 
four  large  engines  in  the  different  departments 
already  alluded  to,  which  are  of  themselves  more 
than  seventeen  hundred  horse  power,  there  are 
numerous  smaller  engines  used  for  running  the 
nut  and  bolt  works,  saws,  punches,  presses,  shears, 
etc.  The  master  mechanic  in  charge  is  Mr.  John 
R.  Darcy.  The  company  have  forty-five  acres 
of  ground  ujion  which  the  works  are  built,  and 
is  well  drained.  The  principal  sewer  is  three  by 
three  and  one-half  feet,  built  of  brick  and  laid 
fourteen  feet  under  the  ground,  and  is  a  half 
mile  in  length. 

It  is  interesting  to  contemplate  the  various  in- 
dustries which  cluster  around  a  business  of  so 
much  importance  to  the  laborers  and  artisans  of 
our  country.  Not  only  are  there  more  than  a 
thousand  men  directly  employed,  but  dependent 
upon  them  are  families;  then  there  are  miners  of 
ore  and  coal;  there  should  be  added  railroads  and 
much  of  their  rolling  stock,  the  products  of  the 
earth  and  their  transportation,  domestic  imple- 
ments and  household  comforts,  are  all  improved 
and  benefitted  by  all  the  legitimate  means  used 
to  foster  and  encourage  iron  industries. 

Illinois  Watch  Company. — In  1870,  after  a 
thorough  discussion  of  the  subject,  the  Spring- 
field Watch  Company  was  organized,  with  John 
T.   Stuart,    President;    W.  B.  Milier,  Secretary. 


Steps  were  at  once  taken  for  the  erection  of  the 
necessary  buidings,  and  in  March,  1872,  the  first 
watch  was  turned  out.  During  the  first  year 
three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-five 
watches  were  manufactured,  which  was  increased 
to  nine  thousand  and  ninety-five  and  fourteen 
thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-one  for  the  year 
1873  and  1874,  respectively.  In  1875,  in  conse- 
(juence  of  the  financial  troubles,  but  eight  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  fifty  were  made,  and  only 
ten  thousand  and  seventy-six  in  1876  In  1877, 
the  company  was  re-organized  with  Jacob  Bunn 
President,  and  Charles  Smorowski  Secretary, 
since  which  time  the  business  has  constantly 
increased,  so  that  up  to  this  time  (1881)  they 
have  been  unable  to  keep  up  with  their  orders. 
The  following  table  is  of  interest  as  showing 
what  has  been  done  with  the  force  employed 
since  1877,  and  the  annual  pay  roll: 


Year. 

Average  No. 
employed. 

No.  movem'ts 
annually  m'de 

Paid  annually 
for  labor. 

1872 
1873 



3,845 
9,095 
14,241 
8,.550 
10,076 
18,040 
19,035 
33,285 
47,065 

$63,000 
104,000 

1874 

121,000 

1875 

72.000 

1876 

50,000 

1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 

160 
180 
260 
400 

84,000 

96,000 

125,000 

207,000 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  since  the  re-organiza- 
tion there  has  been  a  marked  increase  in  the 
amount  of  work  done  at  this  factory.  As  this 
work  is  being  prepared  for  the  press,  steps  are 
being  taken  for  a  further  increase  in  the  cajiacity 
of  the  works.  Six  hundred  persons  are  now  em- 
ployed, and  this  number  will  be  increased  to 
eight  hundred  during  the  coming  year. 

In  brief,  the  Springfield  Watch  Cort^jany  was 
organized  in  1870.  It  was  re-organized  in  1877, 
and  adopted  the  present  name  of  Illinois  Watch 
Company  in  December,  1878.  The  building  is 
situated  on  North  Grand  Avenue,  adjoining  the 
beautiful  Reservoir  Park,  on  one  of  the  hand- 
somest lots  in  the  city,  two  blocks  square,  and 
embracing  fourteen  acres  of  land.  The  build- 
ings are  immediately  in  front  of  Tenth  street, 
and  command  a  splendid  view  from  every  ap- 
proach. 

In  the  sjjring  of  1S70,  the  operators  went  to 
work  in  the  rooms  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Kiken- 
dall,  over  the  Excelsior  machine  shop,  to  make 
the  tools  required,  and  on  Christmas  of  the  same 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


5Y5 


year  they  moved  into  the  north  wing  of  the 
present  building,  which  is  one  hundred  by  thirty 
feet,  three  stories  high.  In  1879,  the  middle 
building,  forty  by  fifty,  and  four  stories  high, 
finished  with  a  handsome  double-deck  cupola, 
was  completed.  During  the  past  year,  the  south 
wing,  one  hundred  by  thirty,  three  stories  high, 
was  built.  Each  of  the  wing  buildings  described 
are  handsomely  finished,  with  ventilating  cupo- 
las. On  the  north  and  east  side,  are  located  the 
boiler  and  engine  house,  the  dial  house,  the  gas 
works,  the  old  office,  and  other  out-buildings. 
The  stack  rises  majestically,  and  towers  above 
the  whole,  and  rolls  out  its  volumes  of  smoke 
daily,  to  proclaim  the  triumphs  of  artistic  and 
mechanical  skill,  combining  with  its  business 
sense  in  its  management  at  its  base. 

Sixteen  different  grades  of  watches  are  now 
made,  in  the  following  order  of  excellence: 
"No.  1,"  being  the  movement  known  as  "Stu- 
art;" next  in  grades  downward,  "Bunn,"  "  Mil- 
ler," "Currier,"  "  Hoyt,"  "Columbia,"  "Amer- 
ica," "103  Improved,"  "103  Adjusted,"  "103 
Plain,"  "101  Improved,"  "101  Plain."  These 
are  all  gentlemen's  watches.  The  following  are 
the  grades  of  the  ladies':  "Mary  Stuart,"  "  Rose 
Leland,"  "Sunnyside,"  "Arlington"  — all  of 
which  are  key  and  stem-winders.  The  wages 
rate  from  fifty  cents  to  $6  per  day.  The  pay 
roll  will  reach  $22,500  per  month,  at  present. 
About  one-third  of  the  employes  are  young 
ladies. 

T'he  Aetna  Iron  Works,  on  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  Second  and  Adams  streets,  succeeded  to 
the  firm  of  Lowry,  Lamb  &  Co.  John  C.  Lamb 
became  a  member,  of  the  latter  firm,  in  1848  in 
carrying  on  the  business  of  a  foundry  and  ma- 
chine manufactory.  The  firm  the  following 
year,  erected  the  main  machine  building.  In 
1853,  one  of  the  partners  died,  resulting  in  the 
dissolution  of  the  partnership.  After  an  inter- 
val of  idleness,  Mr.  Lamb  became  sole  owner  in 
1855,  since  which  time  he  has  conducted  the 
business.  The  concern  owns  157x360  feet  of 
real  estate,  on  which  are  buildings  150x157  feet, 
the  main  wing  of  which  is  of  brick,  two  stories 
and  attic.  All  kinds  of  castings,  railroad  and 
mill  work,  steam  engines  and  mill  machinery  are 
manufactured  in  the  machine  department.  An 
average  of  fifty  men  are  employed  in  the  various 
departments.  Much  of  the  work  of  the  Wabash 
Company,  and  large  quantities  of  rolling  mill 
work  are  manufactured  by  the  Aetna  Iron 
Works. 

liWe  Machine  Works  was  established  on  the 
corner  of  Fifth  and  Maditon  streets  in  1870,  by 


Albert  L.  Ide.  The  building  was  erected  by  the 
city  some  time  previously  as  a  market  house, 
and  purchased  by  Mr.  Ide.  Several  ■  dditions 
and  changes  have  since  been  made,  and  as  now 
constructed  it  coveis  50x100  feet,  one  wing 
being  two  stories  high.  The  foundry  is  100x00 
feet,  one  story  in  height.  In  addition  to  this, 
there  is  a  blacksmith  and  engine  house.  Mr.  Ide 
has  eight  patents  on  heating  apparatus,  and  has 
the  most  extensive  line  of  patterns  for  steam 
radiators  of  any  concern  in  the  United  Slates. 
He  also  makes  a  specialty  of  steam  pumps  and 
controls  a  valuable  patent  of  his  own  invention 
in  this  line.  Another  specialty  is  the  manufac- 
ture of  automatic  gas  machines,  on  which  he 
also  controls  a  patent.  He  does  a  general  ma- 
chine business  in  the  way  of  building  steam 
engines  and  of  light  and  htavy  castings  for 
buildings.  Mr.  Ide  annually  manufactures  a 
large  number  of  nut  locks  for  railroad  joints, 
making  them  for  the  railroad  companies  in  con- 
tracts for  100,000.  The  demand  for  some  time 
has  been  in  excess  of  the  supply  for  the  steam 
radiators,  coming  for  the  whole  northwest.  He 
has  supplied  most  of  the  steam  healing  appa- 
ratus for  the  State  institutions  of  the  west.  He 
works  from  sixty  to  seventy-five  men  regular  y, 
and  in  1880  did  a  business  amounting  to 
$325,000. 

The  E'xcelsior  Foundry  and  Machine  Works, 
located  on  the  corner  of  Ninth  and  Adams 
streets,  was  established  in  1854  by  John  Rippon. 
it  includes  90x157  feet  of  real  estate,  on  which 
are  a  two-story  machine  shop,  40x90,  and  a 
foundry,  about  equal  in  dimensions.  For  some 
time,  the  business  was  conducted  by  Berriman 
&  Rippon,  and  in  1877  it  was  changed  to  Rip- 
pon &  Childs.  The  following  year  Mr.  Rippon 
tjought  the  interest  of  his  partner,  and  has  since 
been  sole  proprietor.  He  does  a  general  manu- 
facture of  steam  engines  and  machinery,  all 
kinds  of  castings,  and  runs  a  general  repair 
shop.  From  twelve  to  fourteen  men  are  con- 
stantly employed. 

Booth  (b  McOosker''s  Carriage  and  Wagon 
Mumifactory,  on  the  corner  of  Eighth  and 
Washington  streets,  was  originally  established 
by  Albert  Booth,  in  I  8  14,  and  was  conducted  by 
himself  and  sou  until  his  death  in  1873.  Their 
buildings  cover  an  area  of  200x157  feet,  two  and 
three  stories  high.  The  firm  make  both  heavy 
and  light  vehicles,  spring  wagons,  carriages  and 
buggies.  From  twenty-five  to  thirty-five  hands 
are  employed  and  from  three  hundred  to  five 
hundred  vehicles  are  annually  turned  out  from 
their  shops,  which  are  sold  in  Central  Illinois. 


576 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Witheij  <(•  Eros'.  Carriage  and  Wagon  Manu- 
factorg. — William  H.,  George  D.,  and  James 
Witliey  are  proprietors  of  the  manufactory 
located  between  Seventh  and  Eighth,  on  Wash- 
ington street.  The  business  was  established  by 
the  brothers  in  1853.  They  purchased  the  lot  on 
which  the  factory  stands  of  the  renowned  Wash- 
ington Irving,  and  erected  a  frame  building 
Ot'xSu  feet.  Two  years  later  they  erected  a  brick 
22x100  feet,  three  stories  in  height.  The  latter 
was  blown  down  by  a  cyclone  in  April,  1860,  which 
destroyed  the  frame  also.  They  next  erected  a 
brick  building  SuxlOO  feet,  two  stories  high, 
whicli  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  spring  of  1861. 
There  was  a  total  loss  in  each  instance,  amount- 
ing together  to  $40,000,  leaving  the  brothers  in 
debt  about  $10,000.  Their  present  buildings  are 
100x157  feet,  two  stories  high,  and  of  brick. 
They  were  commenced  in  1861  and  completed  in 
1S6J.  The  brothers  also  now  own  a  two-story 
brick  on  Eighth  street,  40x80  feet,  which  is  used 
as  a  warehouse.  All  their  property  is  free  from 
incumbrance.  They  manufacture  a  general  line 
of  carriages,  buggies,  phaetons  and  light  spring 
wagons  of  the  best  quality.  They  employ  on 
an  average  of  thirty  hands,  and  m.ade  250 
vehicles  in  1880.  Their  work  is  all  sold  in  the 
local  market  at  retail. 

Sash  Manufactory. — John  A.  Kikendal,  man- 
ufacturer of  sash,  doors  and  blinds,  commenced 
business  on  the  corner  of  Ninth  and  Adams 
streets,  October,  1878.  His  business  has  been 
constantly  on  the  increase,  and  he  now  employs 
eight  men.  In  1880  he  did  a  business  of  $15,000. 

The  Globe  Spice  Mills. — The  business  was  es- 
tablished in  1870  by  Slemmons  &  Conkling. 
Subsequently  the  firm  name  was  changed  to 
Slemmons,  Conkling  &  Company.  In  1876,  Mr. 
Slemmons  retired  from  the  firm,  and  in  1878 
started  the  Globe  Mills  on  Adams,  between 
Fourth  and  Fifth  street,  where  he  continued  un- 
til August,  1880,  when  he  removed  to  his  pres- 
ent location  on  South  Tenth  street.  The  concern 
roasts  and  prepares  coffee,  prepares  spices,  man- 
ufactures baking  powder  and  roasts  peanuts. 
The  Globe  Cream  Tartar  Baking  Powder  is  the 
best  brand  of  baking  powder  made  at  these  mills. 
All  goods  made  by  Mr.  Slemmons  are  handled 
exclusively  at  wholesale.  He  employs  two  trav- 
eling salesmen,  besides  his  goods  are  sold  by  the 
salesmen  in  the  employ  of  John  W.  Bunn.  Six 
hands  are  employed  in  the  factory. 

Springfield  Pajyer  Company. — The  Springfield 
Paper  Mill  was  erected  by  the  Springfield  Pulp 
and  Paper  Company  in  1875.  The  Company 
was    organized     in    the    summer  of  1875,  with 


William  McCague,  President;  Nathaniel  Cov- 
ington, Secretary;  Maurice  Starne,  Treasurer. 
The  company  began  operating  the  mill  in  Jan- 
uary, 1876.  The  cash  capital  was  §50,000,  while 
the  plant,  buildings,  machinery,  &c.,  cost  be- 
tween $40,000  and  $50,000.  The  grounds  of  the 
company  comprise  one  entire  block,  and  the 
main  building  has  a  depth  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet.  The  company  confines  itself  to  the 
manufacture  of  one  line  of  paper,  the  cream 
manilla,  a  fine  quality  of  wrapping  paper,  and 
])roduce  an  average  of  four  thousand  pounds  a 
(.lay.  The  property  in  1881  changed  hands,  and 
the  mill  is  now  owned  by  S.  H.  Jones  &  Com- 
pany, with  the  title  of  Springfield  Paper  Com- 
pany, under  the  Superintendency  of  N.  R.  Nixon, 
and  Nathaniel  Covington,  Secretary. 

Wagons  and  Carriages. — The  firm  of  Myers, 
Davidson  &  Henley,  was  organized  in  1874,  and 
they  commenced  manufacturing  carriages,  bug- 
gies and  spring-wagons,  near  the  corner  of  Jeffer- 
son and  Sixth  streets,  where  they  continued  until 
January  1,  1881,  when  they  purchased  and  fitted 
up  the  old  Christian  Church  on  the  north-east 
corner  of  Jefferson  and  Sixth  Streets.  Their  lot  is 
eighty  by  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  feet,  and  is 
well  covered  with  buildings.  Ihe  members  of  the 
firm  are  all  practical  workmen,  and  each  has  con' 
trol  of  a  department.  They  turned  out  sixty 
vehicles  in  1880,  besides  doing  a  Jarge  amount 
of  repair  work. 

Machine  Works. — S.  F.  Eastman  started  in 
the  machine  business  on  Madison  street,  between 
Second  and  Third,  in  1808,  making  a  specialty 
of  the  manufacture  of  the  Benefactor,  a  two- 
horse  cultivator.  He  continued  the  business  in 
that  location  three  years,  then  moved  to  a  build- 
ing on  Seventh  street.  At  that  time  he  went  into 
the  general  repair  business  of  engines  and  farm 
machinery.  He  removed  from  there  to  his 
present  location,  opposite  the  Wabash  depot,  in 
1875,  the  building  being  erected  especially  for 
his  business.  In  1879,  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  John  H.  Stevens,  which  still  continues. 
The  firm  now  makes  a  specialty  of  the  manufac- 
ture of  small  upright  engines,  and  employ  three 
men  in  addition  to  their  own  labor. 

The  Elevator  3IiUing  Company. — Near  the 
depot  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad,  Asa 
Eastman  &  Company  erected,  in  1865,  an  ele- 
vator at  a  cost  of  $75,000.  For  some  years  Mr. 
Eastman  was  interested  in  the  business,  but  in 
1876  leased  it  to  other  parties,  and  retired.  Wil- 
liam Broeker,  George  Kern,  S.  W.  Currier,  and 
W.  P.  Grimsley  were  the  lessees.  These  gentle- 
men continued  to  handle  grain  for  shipment  unti! 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


511 


ls8U.  In  May  of  that  year  they  purchased  t-he 
property  and  determiued  to  erect  in  connection 
with  the  elevator  a  flouring  mill.  In  June,  the 
company  began  the  erection  of  the  mill,  complet- 
ing it  during  the  early  part  of  the  winter  follow- 
ing, and  in  February,  1881,  commenced  the  manu- 
facture of  flour.  The  mill  is  of  brick,  seventy- 
eight  by  fifty-six  feet,  four  stories  and  basement, 
with  an  elevation  of  one  room  (ten  by  sixteen) 
above  the  roof.  The  boiler  and  engine  room, 
north  of  the  main  building,  is  twenty-five  by 
forty  feet,  and  twenty-six  feet  high.  The  mill 
has  ten  run  of  burrs,  with  all  the  modern  im- 
provements, and  has  a  capacity  of  twelve  barrels 
per  hour,  or  three  hundred  barrels  for  a  twenty- 
four  hours  run.  The  cost  of  the  mill  was  $45,000. 
The  elevator  has  a  storage  capacity  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  thousand  bushels  of  grain. 

Excelsior  3Iills. — Douglas  Ilickox,  proprietor 
of  the  Excelsior  Mills,  is  one  of  a  family  of 
millers.  Addison  Hickox  settled  in  Springfield 
in  1833,  and  being  a  practical  miller,  began  the 
business  about  two  miles  northwest  of  the  city, 
a  small  water  mill  being  located  there,  built  by 

.      A  year  or  two  later  he  erected  another 

mill  opposite,  on  the  same  stream,  which  he 
operated  a  number  of  years.  In  the  meantime, 
he  erected  a  saw- mill,  with  which  he  sawed 
lumber  for  a  new  mill,  which  he  erected  on  the 
corner  of  Third  and  Washington  streets,  in 
184.'i.  This  new  mill  he  continued  to  operate 
until  1855,  when  he  sold  his  milling  interests, 
and  engaged  in  merchanizing  until  1859.  He 
then  bought  the  old  Lamb  mill,  on  South 
Seventh,  between  Cook  and  Edwards  streets, 
which  he  run  some  years.  About  this  time  the 
Illinois  Mill  was  burned,  but  was  rebuilt  in  1861 
and  run  by  Washington  Crowder.  It  was  a  very 
fine  mill  for  that  day,  and  cost  $27,000.  Mr. 
Crowder  ran  it  two  years,  losing  heavily,  when 
he  sold  to  Laswell  &  Broadwell,  who  ran  it 
about  one  year,  when,  in  1864,  it  passed  into  Mr. 
Hickox's  hands,  who,  in  connection  with  his  son- 
in-law,  B.  F.  Haines,  operated  it.  In  the  mean- 
time, Mr.  Hickox  had  taken  his  son,  Martin,  as 
a  partner  in  the  Lamb  mill.  In  1866,  another 
change  was  made,  Martin  purchasing  his  father's 
interest  in  the  Illinois  Mill,  and  selling  him  his 
interest  in  the  Lamb  mill.  In  the  spring  of 
1865,  Addison  Hickox  bought  the  .(Etna  mil),  on 
East  Adams  street,  between  Sixth  and  Seventh, 
which  had  been  erected  by  Ives  &  Matthews, 
some  time  previous.  Douglas  Hickox  became  a 
partner  in  the  mill  from  the  time  of  its  purchase. 
The  father  and  son  run  it  two  and  a  half  years, 
and  then  leased  it  for  ten  years.  Addison 
67— 


Hickox,  becoming  a  partner  with  his  son-in-law, 
retained  the  business  until  1871,  when  he  retired. 
That  fall  he  went  to  Florida,  as  was  his  custom, 
to  spend  the  winter,  and  there  died  in  January, 
1872.  Addison  Hickox  was  another  instance  of 
a  self-made  man.  Commencing  withouta  penny, 
by  industry  he  accumulated  a  fortune,  which  he 
left  to  his  heirs,  of  $150,000.  His  sons  and  son- 
in-law  have  ail  followed  the  milling  business. 
The  two  oldest  sons,  Marlin  and  E.  R.,are  dead; 
S.  W.  Hickox  is  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Illinois  Mills,  and  Douglas  is  proprietor  of  the 
Excelsior,  as  guardian  for  his  nephew.  The 
old  City  Mills  blew  up  in  1867,  and  the  ^Etna 
in  1879 — both  a  total  loss. 

Te  E.xcelsior  Mill  was  built  in  1860,  by 
Rippon  &  Co.,  who  leased  it  for  a  term  of  years. 
About  1867,  Martin  Hickox  j)uichased  it,  and  a 
year  later,  his  father,  Addison  Ilickox,  became 
joint  proprietor,  but  soon  sold  back  to  his  son. 
The  capacity  of  the  Excelsior  is  one  hundred 
barrels  every  twenty-four  hours.  The  building 
is  40x60  feet,  three  stories  and  basement. 

Home  Mills. — This  mill  was  ereclod  in  1861, 
by  Washington  Crowder,  who  ran  it  for  a  time, 
when  it  was  purchased  by  Addison  Hickox,  who 
operated  it  until  the  fall  of  1871.  It  was  a  part 
of  his  estate  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  January,  1872,  and  is  now  the  property 
of  his  widow,  Mrs.  Rhoda  Ilickox.  It  is  sixty 
by  forty  feet,  exclusive  of  the  engine  and  boiler 
room,  which  is  thirty  by  sixty  feet.  The  mill  is 
three  stories  and  basement,  of  brick,  and  is  equip- 
ped with  all  modern  milling  machinery,  and  has 
a  capacity  of  one  hundred  barrels  every  twenty- 
four  hours.  John  L.  Burke  and  S.  W.  Hickox 
leased  the  mill  February,  1881.  They  do  mer- 
chant work  exclusively. 

Printing  mid  Binding. — In  1865  Henry  W. 
Rokker  came  to  Springfield,  and  in  1867  com- 
menced the  business  of  book-binder,  with  loca- 
tion on  Fifth,  between  Adams  and  Monroe 
streets.  Business  flourished,  and  year  by  year 
he  added  to  his  stock  and  capital,  until  1872, 
when  he  was  burned  out,  suffering  a  personal 
loss  of  $10,000.  He  re-opened  within  a  month 
on  East  Washington  street,  where  he  remained 
until  he  remo\ed  to  his  present  location,  309 
South  Fifth  street,  in  1876.  The  building  was 
erected  by  Mr.  Rokker  especially  for  the  busi- 
ness, and  is  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  by 
twenty  feet,  three  stories  in  height.  On  his  re- 
moval to  this  building  he  added  a  small  printing 
establishment,  consisting  of  one  small  press  and 
a  few  fonts  of  type.  The  business  has  since 
rapidly  grown,  until  now  he  has  in  active  opera- 


578 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tion  four  large  and  two  small  presses,  and  is  well 
supplied  with  printing  material  for  the  transac- 
tion of  any  kind  of  work.  The  printing  establish- 
ment and  bindery  is  the  most  complete  in  Cen- 
tral Illinois.  He  employs  at  a  low  average,  sixty 
hands  in  the  two  departments. 

Boiler  and  Sheet  Iron  Woi-ks. — In  1863,  John 
M.  Wilson  commenced  the  manufacture  of  all 
kinds  of  boiler  and  sheet  iron  works.  In  1865, 
V  n  firm  became  Wilson  &  Drake,  and  in  ISYS, 
Drake  &  Palmer,  the  latter  gentleman  purchas- 
ing the  interest  of  Mr.  Wilson.  The  firm  employ, 
on  an  average,  twelve  men,  and  turn  out  §25,000 
worth  of  work  per  year.  The  business  is  grow- 
ing with  the  growth  of  the  city. 

^Sprijigfield  Trunk  Manufactory.  —  Phillips 
Brothers  formed  a  co-partnership,  and  opened  a 
trunk  factory  in  Springfield,  on  South  Sixth 
street,  opposite  the  Leland  Hotel, in  1879,  where 
they  carried  on  the  business  until  the  fall  of 
1881,  when  they  moved  to  123  North  Sixth 
street.  The  firm  is  composed  of  Chai-les  J., 
Edwin  H.,  William  O.,  and  Moreau  F.  Phillips. 
They  make  all  kinds  of  packing  and  sample 
trunks,  and  do  all  kinds  of  repairing;  also  keep 
in  stock  a  large  assortment  of  traveling  bags, 
ladies'  satchels,  straps,  and  show  case  goods. 
The  brothers  are  energetic,  thorough-going  young 
men,  possessing  a  practical  knowledge  of  the 
business,  which  has  been  quite  prosperous  and 
steadily  increased  since  established.  Five 
skilled  workmen  are  constantly  emploj-ed  in  the 
factory. 

Springfield  Woolen  Mills. — This  mill  is  the 
outgrowth  of  what  was  a  small  beginning,  in  the 
way  of  carding  wool,  by  H.  M.  Armstrong  and 
John  Dryer,  in  1834.  In  1848,  Mr.  Armstrong, 
who  was"  then  alone,  put  in  a  mill  for  "  fulling 
and  dressing"  home-made  cloths,  in  connection 
witli  wool  carding.  In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Dicker- 
man,  Mr.  Armstrong,  who  is  now  living  in 
Batavia,  says:  "At  first  we  run  our  cards  with 
ox-posver,  on  inclined  wheel,  but  when  I  added 
cloth  dressing  I  substituted  steam  power.  After 
I  commenced  cloth  dressing,  my  patrons,  (  the 
farmers)  wanted  me  to  add  machinery  for  spin- 
ning and  weaving,  and  in  1851  Joseph  and  E.  R. 
Thayer  joined  me,  and  we  built  a  house  suffi- 
ciently large  to  put  up  one  set  of  machinery  for 
that  inirpose.  We  ran  along  two  years,  added 
another  set,  and  after  a  few  years  the  demand 
for  our  goods  was  such  that  we  were  compelled 
to  i)ull  down  our  old  house  and  build  larger; 
hence  the  present  establishment.'' 

In  1857,  Henry  S.  Dickerman  entered  the  es- 
tablishment as  book-keeper.     At  this  time  it  oc- 


cupied a  frame  building  with  two  sets  of 
machinery,  and  six  looms,  with  a  capacity  of  one 
hundred  yards  of  fiannel,  fifty  yards  of  jeans, 
and  fifty  pounds  of  stocking  yarn  per  day.  In 
1860,  the  main  factory  building,  forty  by  eighty 
feet,  was  erected  of  brick,  three  stories  with 
basement  and  attic.  In  1863,  Mr.  Dickerman 
purchased  machinery  with  the  intention  of  locat- 
ing in  Rockford,  but  was  induced  to  become  a 
partner  in  this  factory,  the  firm  name  remaining 
unchanged  until  two  years  later.  This  same 
year,  an  addition  to  the  main  building  was 
erecied,  thirty-six  by  seventy-five  feet,  of  brick, 
three  stories,  with  basement  and  attic,  and  a  dry 
house  in  the  rear,  thirty-six  by  fifty  feet.  In 
1865  large  additions  were  made  to  the  machin- 
ery, and  the  products  of  the  mill  increased  four 
fold,  while  the  quality  of  the  goods  had  steadily 
improved  from  year  to  year.  Mr.  Armstrong's 
interest  was  now  purchased  by  Mr.  Dickerman 
and  Edward  T.  Thayer,  and  the  firm  name  was 
changed  to  Dickerman  <k  Company.  Gradually 
the  old  machinery  was  replaced  with  new  and 
improved  machines,  until  all  was  taken  out  of 
the  way.  In  1873,  John  T.  Capps  became  one  of 
the  partners,  the  firm  name  remaining  the  same. 
Prior  to  the  fall  of  1880,  the  mill  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  a  variety  of  fiannels, 
blankets  and  cassimeres,  but  since  that  time 
the)'  have  paid  special  attention  to  cassimeres, 
and  are  manufacturing  six-fourths  goods  as  well 
as  three-fourths  goods.  During  1880,  they  ship- 
ped their  products  to  Boston.  New  York  and 
other  eastern  cities,  but  their  heaviest  sales  are 
in  the  Northwest,  Over  one  hundred  hands  are 
employed  in  the  factory.  A  capital  of  over 
§100,000  is  invested  in  the  business,  and  the 
monthly  product  amounts  to  about  |!l 8,000. 

THE    PORTUGUESE. 

In  the  city  of  Springfield  are  many  Portuguese, 
and  as  it  is  uncommon  to  see  such  numbers  of 
this  nationality  in  this  country,  the  question  is 
often  asked,  "  How  came  ihey  here?"  T^eir  story 
is  an  interesting  one. 

About  four  hundred  years  ago,  Gonsalves 
Zarco  was  making  a  voyage  of  discovery  along 
the  western  coast  of  Africa.  He  was  soon  taken 
by  a  violent  storm,  and  all  his  crew  expected  to 
sink  into  the  deeps.  They  gave  up  all  hope, 
when  suddenly  an  island  appeared,  and  they 
made  for  its  shores.  After  landing,  they  called 
it  Porto  Santo,  or  "  Holy  Haven."  Here  a  set- 
tlement of  Portuguese  was  formed.  But  the 
people  were  afraid  to  go  to  the  larger  island  of 
Madeira.     Some  of  them  would  venture  near  it. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


579 


but  it  looked  so  gloomy,  and  they  heard  such 
strange  sounds  coming  from  its  woods,  that  they 
imagined  it  was  the  abode  of  awful  giants  and 
terrific  creatures — a  land  of  darkness. 

Gonsalves,  however,  ventured  to  pay  a  visit  to 
the  awful  island.  The  men  on  the  vessel  became 
alarmed  as  they  came  near  the  shores,  and 
thought  they  saw  monstrous  giants  on  the  coast. 
They  begged  their  commander  not  to  expose 
them  to  death.  He  kept  on  until  he  proved  to 
them  that  their  giants  were  only  craggy  rocks, 
and  the  horrid  voices  they  heard  were  only  the 
beating  of  the  waves  against  the  cliifs.  The 
shores  were  thick  with  tangled  trees  and  vines. 
He  thought  that  men  might  live  on  an  island 
where  so  much  wood  was  growing. 

A  colony  from  Portug.al  settled  on  the  island. 
They  cleared  the  land  by  setting  fire  to  the  for- 
ests, and  thus  they  robbed  it  of  its  natural  beauty. 
It  is  said  that  these  tires  kept  burning  for  seven 
years,  and  left  scarcely  a  tree  on  the  island. 

A  few  slips  of  the  grape  vine  were  brought 
from  the  Isle  of  Cyprus  and  planted  in  Madeira. 
They  grew,  and  from  them  have  grown  the  cele- 
brated vineyards  of  the  Isle  of  Wines.  The 
wealth  of  Madeira  is  chiefly  derived  from  its 
vineyards. 

For  many  centuries  the  people  in  Madeira 
were  in  deep  mental  darkness.  Few  of  them 
could  read,  and  the  Bible  to  them  was  an  un- 
known book.  The  Roman  Catholic  religion 
prevailed.  There  were  plenty  of  jails  where 
there  were  no  school  houses.  Persons  who  had 
committed  smaller  crimes  were  put  in  jail  to 
wait  their  cases  to  be  tried  in  Lisbon.  They 
kept  them  in  prison  many  years.  Their  expen- 
ses were  to  be  paid  by  those  who  complained 
against  them.  Hence,  after  a  time  accusers  be- 
came rare,  for  they  did  not  like  to  pay  for  their 
own  accusation.  This  was  not  done,  however, 
with  Bible  readers,  they  had  to  pay  for  their  own 
support  in  prison. 

Some  years  ago  the  vineyards  began  to  fail. 
The  traveler  could  no  longer  pass  along  under 
the  shadow  of  the  vines,  and  have  rich  clusters 
of  grapes  hanging  over  his  path.  The  fruit  was 
cut  o£E.  It  brought  a  famine  on  the  Island.  The 
Romanists  laid  all  this  to  Bible  readers.  They 
said  it  was  a  curse  on  the  people  for  allowing 
such  men  as  Dr.  Kalley  and  Mr.  Hewitson  to 
come  among  them  and  establish  schools,  read 
the  words  of  God,  and  have  meetings  for  prayer 
and  praise. 

The  Christians  of  the  United  States  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  famishing  people  of  Ma- 
deira, and  sent  them  supplies  and  induced  them 


to  cultivate  such  eatables  as  are  raised  in  this 
country.  The  famine  made  many  people  poor, 
and  the  people  of  the  island,  who  have  always 
done  most  of  the  labor,  began  to  turn  most  of 
their  skill  to  account  in  the  manufacture  of 
fancy  articles  for  sale. 

Robert  B.  Kalley  was  a  young  physician  in 
Scotland,  bie  felt  it  his  duty  to  go  as  a  mission- 
ary to  China,  and  was  ordained  by  the  Free 
Church  to  preach  the  Gospel.  In  1838,  he  and 
his  wife  left  their  home  to  go  to  China.  On 
the  voyage  Mrs.  Kalley  was  smitten  with  dis- 
ease. Her  friends  thought  she  would  not  live 
to  reach  China.  There  was  no  vessel  to  carry 
them  back  to  Scotland,  so  they  turned  aside  to 
visit  Madeira.  Dr.  Kalley  did  not  know  a  word  of 
Portuguese,  but  thought  that  Mhile  hindered  in 
the  work  he  had  set  out  to  do,  he  yet  might  do 
good  in  instructing  the  people  on  this  island. 
He  at  once  set  about  learning  the  language,  and 
soon  mastered  it  so  that  he  could  begin  his 
labors. 

A  co-laborer  with  Dr.  Kalley  was  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Hewiston.  The  two,  with  the  aid  of  such 
others  as  could  be  secured,  did  a  grand  work  on 
the  island.  But  a  time  of  persecution  came. 
The  Catholics  on  the  island  would  not  endure 
the  hated  Protestants.  The  life  of  Dr.  Kally 
was  threatened  and  he  had  to  flee  from  the  island 
in  disguise.  The  Portuguese  converts,  too,  had 
to  flee  for  their  lives,  or  that  they  might  wor- 
ship God  in  peace  according  to  the  dictates  of 
their  own  conscience.  Hundreds  fled  to  other 
countries.  A  vessel  was  chartered  to  take  as 
many  as  could  be  accommodated  to  Trinidad. 
But  this  was  only  to  be  of  a  temporary  place  of 
rest. 

Arsenio  Da  Silva  was  born  on  the  Island  of 
Madeira  and  educated  for  the  priesthood,  but 
would  not  take  the  vows.  He  became  a  mer- 
chant and  accumulated  a  large  fortune.  He 
married  and  had  one  child,  a  beautiful  daughter, 
who  grew  to  womanhood,  when  disease  over- 
took her.  The  best  physicians  of  the  island  were 
called,  but  could  do  her  no  good.  Finally,  Dr. 
Kalley  was  called.  The  daughter  was  healed, 
and  father  and  daughter  were  converted  to  the 
Protestant  religion.  Mr.  Da  Silva  became  a 
member  and  elder  in  the  church  under  Mr. 
Hewitson.  But  he  was  too  prominent  a  man  to 
be  permitted  to  dwell  on  the  island  and  he  had 
to  flee  for  his  life. 

In  the  early  part  of  1847,  there  were  about  five 
hundred  Portugese  exiles  in  Trinidad.  How 
were  they  to  be  supported?  They  were  in  a 
strange  land,  and  were  not  familiar  with  the  Ian- 


580 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


guage  of  their  benefactors.  They  found  all 
classes  of  people  here  from  different  nations. 
Several  of  the  planters  were  willing  to  hire  them 
to  work  on  sugar  estates,  but  they  knew  nothing 
of  that  kind  of  labor.  Some  of  them  had  been 
wealthy,  and  their  hands  were  notskillful  enough 
to  toil  for  their  daily  bread. 

A  church  organization  was  formed  in  Trinidad 
in  April,  1847,  by  Mr.  Hewitson,  who  could  not 
remain  to  care  for  them.  Mr.  DaSilva  was  at 
once  selected  and  was  ordained  as  their  pastor. 
He  had  six  hundred  in  his  flock  and  all  exiles. 
It  was  truly  a  charge.  The  labors  were  great, 
but  he  did  not  despair.  The  property  of  the  ex- 
iles, and  the  uncertain  prospect  of  abetter  con- 
dition in  Trinidad  were  truly  an  anxiety  in  his 
mind.  No  land  could  be  obtained  for  them  to 
settle  upon,  and  there  was  little  hope  of  their 
living  by  their  toils  so  long  as  they  must  become 
mere  slaves  in  the  hot  fields,  or  in  the  friendless 
houses  of  strangers. 

Like  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  in  Leyden,  they  be- 
gan to  look  toward  some  other  land  for  a  home. 
Their  cry  went  out  to  the  Christians  of  the 
United  States,  and  a  voice  of  welcome  rolled 
across  the  waters.  The  "  Great  West "  the  beau- 
tiful Illinois  countrj',  with  its  grand  prairies, 
were  pictured  before  their  eyes. 

The  American  Protestant  Society  sent  Rev.  G. 
Gonsalves  to  Trinidad  to  inquire  into  the  condi- 
tion of  the  exiles.  Mr.  Gonsalves  returned  and 
was  followed  shortly  after  b}'  Mr.  DaSilva,  who 
arrived  in  New  York  in  December,  1848.  But 
death  claimed  him  before  he  could  make  the  ar- 
rangements that  he  desired  for  his  flock.  He 
died  January  10,  1849. 

Appeals  were  now  made  for  help  to  transport 
these  exiles  to  the  United  States,  and  the  appeals 
were  not  in  vain.  Arrangements  were  made  to 
care  for  all  that  should  come  at  Springfield, 
Jacksonville  and  Waverly.  On  the  19lh  of 
October,  1849,  nearly  three  hundred  left  New 
York  for  their  new  homes  in  Illinois.  Rev. 
Albert  Ilale,  a  father  in  Israel,  thus  wrote  of 
these  exiles  shortly  after  their  arrival  in  Spring- 
field: 

"  We  are  much  occupied  these  days  in  minis- 
tering to  our  brethren,  the  Portuguese  exiles. 
They  arrived  here  just  in  time  to  enter  on  the 
severe  winter  weather,  which  now  they,  in  com- 
mon with  all  of  us,  have  to  endure.  They  are 
not  much  accustomed  to  severe  cold  weather, 
and  as  our  city  was  very  full  of  people  when 
they  arrived,  it  was  well  nigh  impossible  to  pro- 
vide them  habitations;  to  provide  comfortable 
dwellings  was  out  of  the  question,  as  everything  i 


worthy  of  that  name  was  already  crowded  full. 
But  we  have  done  what,  under  the  circum- 
stances, we  could,  and  they  are  hoping  for  better 
times.  So  far  as  I  know  they  are  contented  and 
happy.  Many  of  them  find  employment  at  good 
wages  and  ready  pay.  They  are  highly  valued 
as  laborers,  and  will  soon  be  able  to  take  care 
of  themselves  without  the  aid  of  others.  Indeed, 
the  last  thing  to  be  looked  for  is  that  such  men 
should  long  be  a  charge  to  their  fellow  men.  If 
they  maintain  their  strict  religious  principles 
and  their  habits  of  industry,  there  is  but  one 
destiny  for  them  here,  and  that  is  plenty — inde- 
pendence." 

This  is  how  the  Portuguese  came  to  be  in 
Springfield  and  Sangamon  county. 

REMINISCENCE  OF    ELIJAH  ILES. 

"My  name  is  Elijah  lies.  I  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, March  28,  1796  (now  in  my  eighty-sixth 
year.) 

"My  father,  Thomas  lies,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1765.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was 
sent  by  his  father  about  one  hundred  miles  to 
collect  some  money,  and  was  furnished  with  a 
good  horse  and  a  good  outfit  of  clothing.  After 
collecting  tne  money,  not  being  on  good  terras 
with  his  step-mother,  concluded  to  put  out  and 
set  up  for  himself.  He  went  to  Virginia  and 
emigrated  to  Kentucky,  with  a  family  by  the 
name  of  Trumbo.  The  Indians  were  trouble- 
some, committing  murder  and  stealing  horses, 
and  much  of  his  time  was  employed  in  guarding 
the  settlers,  and  driving  the  Indians  across  the 
Ohio  river  into  the  Territory  of  Ohio.  He  was 
in  several  skirmishes  with  the  Indians.  The  In- 
dians finally  stole  his  horse,  and  by  this  time  his 
clothes  and  money  was  about  used  up.  He  then 
went  to  work  for  wages  in  the  summer,  and  to 
school  in  winters,  paying  for  his  board  by  his 
work  mornings,  nights  and  Saturdays.  When 
he  got  an  education  enabling  him,  he  taught 
school  in  winter  and  worked  on  farms  in  sum- 
mer. After  occupying  himself  in  this  manner 
for  a  time,  he  married  Betsey  Crocket,  and  then 
formed  a  colony  with  my  mother's  brother,  John 
Crocket,  and  a  few  others,  and  settled  on  the 
Prickley  Ash  creek,  on  the  waters  of  Licking 
river,  in  a  heavily  timbered  section,  and  cleared 
ground  for  raising  corn.  They  relied  on  game 
for  their  living,  such  as  turke)',  deer  and  bear. 
They  could  not  raise  hogs  until  the  bear  was 
killed  out,  as  they  eat  the  pigs.  But  they  made 
good  use  of  the  bear  by  killing  them  and  cure- 
ing  the  meat  as  we  do  pork.  At  that  day  most 
everything  used  for  housekeeping  was  brought 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


581 


from  Virginia  to  Kentucky,  on  pack-horses.  We 
had  to  do  with  little.  Our  table-ware  was  pewter 
plates,  spoons  and  Japanned  tumblers.  Our 
cooking  utensils,  a  frying  pan,  skillet  and  oven; 
our  bread  was  mostly  baked  on  a  board,  set  up 
before  the  tire,  and  called  Johnny-cake,  or  in  the 
ashes  and  called  ash-cake,  the  meat  often  hung 
up  and  roasted  before  the  fire. 

"  My  mother,  with  her  wheel,  wool  cards  and 
loom,  manufactured  all  the  wearing  apparel  used 
by  herself  and  family,  other  than  buckskin  pants, 
mostly  used  by  men  and  boys. 

"My  mother  died  in  1S02,  leaving  five  child- 
ren: Polly,  Elijah,  William,  Washington  and 
Betsey,  the  youngest  eight  days  old.  We  were 
in  a  bad  fix;  but  my  Aunts  Carlyle  and  Harper, 
of  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  took  my  sisters 
and  brother  Washington  home  with  them,  and 
ray  Aunt  Crocket,  in  the  vicinity,  took  myself 
and  brother  William  until  my  father  visited  his 
sister  (  Aunt  Barnet),  at  Winchester,  Virginia, 
and  bought  and  brought  home  a  negro  woman, 
and  myself  and  William  were  taken  home  and 
put  under  her  charge  and  care;  we  were  taught 
to  call  her  Aunt  Milly,  and  to  obey  her;  she 
proved  to  be  a  good  woman.  After  living  eight 
j^ears  a  widower,  my  father  married  the  Widow 
Wheeler,  with  two  children  (Samuel  and  Eliza); 
and  my  brother,  Washington,  and  sisters  were 
brought  home. 

"My  education  was  limited;  never  advanced 
to  study  English  grammar.  My  father,  being  a 
good  scholar,  taught  me  some  at  home  in  spell- 
ing, writing  and  arithmetic. 

"At  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  1812,  my 
father  was  sheriff  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky.  I 
was  then  sixteen  years  old,  and  acted  as  his  dep- 
uty, after  which  I  bought  one  hundred  calves  at 
$3  a  head,  which  I  wintered  in  a  very  rugged 
section,  remote  from  settlements,  on  the  waters 
of  Little  Sandy,  three  summers  and  two  winters. 
The  cliffs  were  very  high  and  precipitous,  shelv- 
ing over  in  places,  so  as  to  form  shelter  for  the 
cattle  in  winter.  The  valleys  were  very  narrow, 
but  by  changing  from  valley  to  valley,  my  cattle 
wintered  vrithout  being  fed.  My  only  compan- 
ions during  the  two  years,  was  my  horse,  dog, 
gun  and  cattle,  other  than  occasional  hunters.  I 
had  an  object,  enjoyed  it,  and  did  not  feel  lone- 
some. I  then  sold  my  cattle  for  a  sum,  though 
small,  was  at  that  day  a  good  start  for  a  young 
man.  Being  then  of  age,  I  concluded  to  hunt  a 
new  country,  and  set  up  for  myself  ( although 
Kentucky  was  yet  new),  so  I  took  my  money 
and  put  out  for  Missouri. 


"Now,  for  incidents  and  events  of  some  of  my 
numerous  footsteps  wanderings  and  doings  from 
the  time  I  left  my  father  in  18 IS,  to  the  present 
year,  1881.  My  object  was  the  Boonilick  country, 
in  Missouri,  in  Howard  county.  I  started  on 
my  trip  in  October,  1818.  My  route  was  via 
Lexington,  Frankfort  and  Louisville,  Ky.,  Vin- 
cennes,  Ind.,  St.  Louis,  and  St.  Charles,  Mo., 
thence  to  Franklin,  in  Howard  county,  the  ex- 
treme western  settlement  at  that  day.  The 
towns  were  all  small,  St.  Louis  the  largest,  about 
2,0U0.  Franklin  was  the  only  town  west  of  St. 
Charles  on  the  Missouri  river.  My  object  was 
farming.  The  lands  were  not  yet  brought  into 
market.  After  getting  to  Franklin  and  explor- 
ing the  country  to  some  extent,  I  was  employed 
a  portion  of  my  time  as  clerk  in  a  store,  and  also 
to  select  lands  for  speculators.  I  made  good  se- 
lections for  myself  and  laid  out  every  dollar  I 
had,  and  in  a  short  time  on  one  tract  I  realized 
one  hundred  dollars.  I  got  home-sick  and  de- 
termined to  visit  my  old  home  in  Kentucky,  but 
bef(  re  doing  so,  I  desired  to  explore  more  of 
Missouri  so  as  to  satisfactorily  decide  where  I 
should  permanently  locate.  A  young  man  and 
myself  prepared  ourselves  for  camping  out.  We 
went  west  on  the  north  side  of  the  Missouri 
river,  and  into  the  then  Indian  Territory  more 
than  a  hundred  miles  above  the  border  line, 
then  meandered  the  river  down  to  Fort  Osage, 
twenty  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Kansas  river. 
The  officers  sent  a  boat  over  for  us.  The  fort 
was  commanded  by  Colonel  Sibley.  From  here 
we  passed  down  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
camping  out  one  night,  to  the  settlement  above 
where  Boonville  is  now  situated 

"In  January,  1821,  I  made  my  visit  to  Ken- 
tucky. About  this  time  I  heard  of  much  talk 
about  the  Sangamon  country  in  Illinois,  and  de- 
termined to  explore  it,  and  on  my  return  in 
March,  about  thirty  miles  west  of  Vincennes,  at 
a  place  called  Maysville.  When  I  got  there  I 
was  told  a  party  had  just  staked  out  a  road  to 
Vandaliaand  to  Sangamon.  It  was  easy  to  fol- 
low the  route  by  the  stakes  and  fresh  made  track 
of  the  wagon  that  had  hauled  the  stakes.  There 
were  but  few  in  Vandalia  at  that  time.  I  fol- 
lowed the  staked  road  to  Maccoupin  point,  where 
I  struck  the  trace  to  Sangamon  river,  then  the 
only  trace  from  St.  Louis  to  Sangamon.  After 
exploring  to  some  extent  I  went  to  St.  Louis  and 
then  to  my  home  in  Missouri.  I  liked  the  people 
and  the  lands  bordering  on  both  sides  of  the 
Missouri  river — could  not  be  excelled  to  the  In- 
dian border — yet,  the  distance  from  market,  and 
the  thought  that  Missouri  would  remain  a  border 


582 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


State  during  my  life  time,  determined  me  again 
to  visit  Illinois,  which   was   more   interior   and 
more   accessible  to  market.     My  route  back  to 
Illinois   was   mostly   without    a  road  or   trace. 
After  leaving  the    settlement   on   the   Missouri 
river,  I  crossed  the  prairie  to  the  head  waters  of 
Salt  creek,  or  river,  above  the  settlement.    There 
I    camped   out   one  night.     It   did  not  trouble 
me   a   bit   to    camp   out  as  I  had    been   accus- 
tomed  to  camping  out  with  my  cattle  in  Ken- 
tucky.    I  felt  at  home.     I  then  meandered  the 
river  to  the  settlement  near  New  London,  thence 
to  Louisiana,  then  crossed  the  Mississippi  river 
to  a  colony  in    Illinois,  headed  by  the  Rosses, 
(now  Atlas)  of  a  dozen  families,   who  had  just 
landed,  living  in  tents,  and  were  erecting  their 
cabins.     I  then  meandered   the   Mississippi    to 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  to  another 
colony  of  eight  families.     These   two    colonies 
were  the  only  whites  residing  on  the  Military 
Tract  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers. 
"  I  there  swam  my  hor^e  across  the  Illinois 
river  at  the  mouth,  then   meandered  the  Macou- 
pin creek,  to  a  trace  leading  to  Diamond  grove, 
now  Jacksonville.     There  I  found  three  families 
in  the  grove,  Kline,  Abrams,  Wilson,  and  Wyatt 
and  some  others  in  the  vicinity.     I  then  went  up 
the  Mauvester  creek  about    ten    miles,  until   I 
could  see  the  timber  in  the  Island  grove,  then 
crossed  the  prairie  to  the  grove.     No  one  was 
then  living  in  the  grove.     Leaving  the  timber  on 
my  right,  I  followed  the  prairie  to  a  trace  leading 
througli  the  timber  to  a  place  where  I  found  a 
stake,  set  up  for  a  temporary  county  seat,  to  be 
called  Springfield;  and  here  I  found  Charles  R. 
Matheny,  living  in  a  one-room  log  cabin,  with  a 
large   family  of  little  children,  near  the  stake. 
(Mr.  C.  R.  Matheny  was  judge  of  probate  and 
clerk  of  the  circuit  and  county  courts).     Within 
the  distance  of  two  miles  of  the  stake,  I  found 
the  families  of  John  and  William  Kelly,  Andrew 
Elliott,  Samuel  Little,  John  Lindsay,  Peter  Laut- 
erman   and  Jacob  and  Levi  Ellis.     The  reason 
given  me  why  the  temporary  county  seat  was  lo- 
cated here,  was  that  it  was  the  largest  neighbor- 
hood in  the  country,  and,  as  it  was  only  to  be 
temporary,  until  the  land  sales,  the  judge  and 
lawyers  could  get  quarters  among  the  farmers. 
This  was  in  182L      A    rough    log    house,  was 
erected  with  a  dirt  floor,  for  a  temporary  court 
house. 

No  one  had  settled  in  the  place  during 
the  first  year,  other  than  Matheny  and  myself. 
In  1822,  although  on  government  lands,  seven 
families  erected  temporary  cabins  and  moved  to 
the  town  before  the  land  sales. 


"In  1825,  commissioners  were  appointed  to 
select  and  locate  a  permanent  county  seat.  We 
had  a  hard  row  to  hoe  and  manage  to  get  the 
commissioners  to  select  this  place  for  the  perma- 
nent county  seat.  The  growth  of  the  place  was 
slow  until  after  it  was  selected  for  the  capital. 

"After  I  got  to  Springfield  in  1821,  and  ex- 
plored the  country  to  some  extent,  I  determined 
to  make  this  section  my  permanent  home;  my 
intention  was  farming,  but  as  the  land  was  not  yet 
in  market,  I  erected  a  cabin,  sixteen  feet  square, 
with  sheds,  and  went  to  St.  Louis  and  bought  a 
general  assortment  of  goods,  and  opened  the 
first  store  in  Springfield,  in  June,  1821.  (  had  no 
competition  for  two  years.)  After  I  bought  the 
goods,  I  chartered  a  boat  to  bring  them  up  the 
Illinois  river.  On  my  trip,  the  only  house  at  now 
Alton,  was  the  residence  of  the  ferryman ;  the 
next  was  at  the  mouth  of  Illinois  river;  the  next 
a  vacant  cabin  at  now  Beardstown.  At  that  day 
there  was  no  other  house  on  the  Illinois  river, 
from  head  to  mouth,  other  than  a  trading  house 
for  Indians  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Peoria  (now 
city).  INly  goods  were  landed  at  the  vacant  cabin 
and  the  boat  discharged.  I  was  alone  with  my 
goods  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  After  a  search, 
I  found  a  dim  trace  leadins  out  to  a  Mr.  Jobe, 
fifteen  miles  out,  was  the  first  house  on  the 
route;  but,  before  I  got  to  his  house, I  met  two 
teams,  driven  by  Lautermau  and  Broad  well, 
going  after  furniture  which  was  brought  up  the 
river  by  dug-outs  and  left  at  the  cabin.  As 
neither  had  a  full  load,  I  went  back  and  made  up 
their  loads  with  some  of  my  most  perishable 
goods.  It  was  more  than  a  month  before  I  got 
all  my  goods  from  the  river,  yet  nothing  was 
molested;  there  was  no  one  to  steal  then.  I  did 
a  good  business,  and  aside  from  whites,  I  had  a 
good  trade  with  the  Indians.  In  18l'3,  at  the 
land  sales,  I  bought  land,  and,  in  addition  to 
selling  goods,  opened  a  farm,  and  drove  hogs 
and  cattle  to  St.  Louis,  until  1830;  then  sold  my 
goods  to  my  clerk  John  Williams,  now  Colonel 
Williams,  and  established  him  in  business. 

"  I  then  occupied  myself  in  farming,  buying 
and  selling  hogs  and  cattle  in  St.  Louis,  and 
mules  to  Kentucky,  and  buying  and  selling 
lands  and  town  lots,  to  the  year  1838.  In  this 
year,  I  packed  hogs  at  Alton,  with  others,  and 
lost  more  than  $10,000.  This  closed  my  career 
in  pork  packing,  after  which  I  occupied  my  time 
in  farming  and  buying  and  selling  lands  and 
lots.  In  1838,  I  erected  the  American  House, 
in  Springfield,  then  the  largest  hotel  in  the  State, 
now  torn  down  and  built  up  with  large  store 
houses  by  Lawrence  &  Britton. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


583 


"In  1826,  I  was  elected  State  Senator,  and 
again  in  1830.  At  that  time,  the  Senate  con- 
sisted of  thirteen  members,  and  the  House  of 
Representatives  twenty-live.  In  1821,  when  I 
came  to  Springfield,  twenty  miles  north  were  the 
extreme  northern  settlers.  All  north  of  that 
was  occupied  by  friendly  Indians,  but  after  the 
lead  mines  were  discovered,  at  Galena,  and  set- 
tlers began  to  move  up  and  work  the  mines,  the 
Indians  became  troublesome.  This  was  in  1827. 
Troops  were  mustered,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  T.  M.  Neal,  who  marched  to  Galena,  to 
drive  them  off.  I  was  elected  Major.  This  was 
called  the  Winnebago  campaign.  A  treaty  was 
made  at  Prairie  DuCiiien,  and  we  were  disbanded. 

"In  the  Black  Hawk  War,  of  1832,  I  went  as 
a  private.  Our  route  was  from  Oquiwka  to 
the  mouth  of  Rock  river,  thence  up  Rock 
river  to  the  road  crossing  to  Galena  (now  the 
city  of  Dixon).  The  army  was  commanded  by 
General  Atkinson,  of  the  United  States  Army. 
Here  we  called  a  halt,  and  General  Stillman's 
command  advanced  fifteen  miles  above,  on  Rock 
river.  He  met  the  Indians,  had  a  battle,  and  a 
number  ol  his  men  killed,  and  his  command 
completely  routed.  We  were  ordered  next  day 
to  the  battle-field,  and  collected  and  buried  the 
dend;  then  returned  to  Dixon  and  got  news  that 
some  of  the  Indians  went  over  to  the  outer  set- 
tlement on  the  Illinois  river,  committed  mur- 
dei-,  and  took  two  young  girls  prisoners.  We 
then  crossed  over  to  the  Illinois  river  to  what 
is  now  known  as  Ottawa.  The  term  of  service 
of  this  army  havingexpired,  they  were  mustered 
out.  A  call  was  made  for  volunteers  from  the 
disbanded  army,  to  remain  and  protect  the  fron- 
tier until  new  troops  could  be  enlisted.  Several 
companies  were  organized  for  this  service  for 
twenty  days.  I  was  elected  Captain  of  one  of 
the  companies,  and  felt  proud  of  my  company. 
They  were  men  I  could  rely  on,  many  tieing 
officers  from  the  disbanded  army.  Among  them 
were  A  Lincoln,  late  President;  John  T.Stuart, 
of  Springfield,  and  others  who  afterward  became 
prominent. 

"My  company  was  mustered  into  service  by 
Lieutenant  Anderson,  Acting  Adjutant  (of  Fort 
Sumter  memory).  My  company  was  held  in 
camp  as  a  reserve,  by  General  Atkinson,  whilst 
others  were  scouting.  Colonel  Taylor,  late 
President,  was  left  stationed  at  Dixon,  with  two 
companies,  to  guard  the  road  to  Galena.  One 
companj'  was  ordered  to  Dixon  and  to  report  to 
Colonel  Taylor,  but  just  as  it  got  to  Dixon,  one 
man  made  his  appearance  and  reported  that  he, 
with  six  others,  were  on  the  road  to  Galena,  and 


not  far  from  Dixon,  the  six  wore  kilK'd,  and  he 
only,  escaped.  General  Taylor  ordered  the 
captain  to  proceed,  collect  and  bury  the  dead, 
and  go  on  to  Galena  (Captain  Snider,  of  Belle- 
ville, was  a  brave  man),  but  the  frightened  men 
disobeyed  the  orders  and  returned  to  Ottawa, 
helti-r-skelter. 

"  General  Atkinson  was  anxious  to  get  all  the 
information  possible  of  the  whereabouts  of  the 
Indians,  by  the  time  the  new  troops  were  ready 
to  march,  and  selected  my  compa,ny,  which 
was  ordered  on  the  trip,  and  to  report  to  Colonel 
Taylor.  He  ordered  me  to  proceed,  collect  and 
bury  the  dead,  and  go  on  to  Galena,  making  a 
careful  search  for  Indian  signs,  to  see  if  they 
were  aiming  to  cross  the  Mississippi  below 
Galena,  and  gather  all  possible  information  from 
inhabitants  at  Galena. 

"  On  our  route  we  saw  signs  of  Indians,  but  not 
in  large  numbers.  Fifteen  miles  this  side  of 
Galena,  the  inhabitants  were  in  a  fort,  the  day 
before  we  got  there  they  stole  some  horses  and 
shot  at  some  of  the  citizens.  We  then  went  to 
Galena  and  got  all  the  information  we  could  on 
our  trip.  All  the  houses  were  vacant  and  on  our 
return  all  were  burned. 

"I  married  Malinda  Benjamin  in  1824;  we 
had  two  children,  Louisa  E.  and  Thomas  lies. 
My  daughter  died  in  1857,  my  wife  died  in  1860 
and  my  son  died  in  1877.  After  the  death  of  my 
wife,  I  felt  mentally  and  physically  used  up  and 
quit  all  business,  as  much  as  I  could." 

SPRINGFIELD    HOME    FOR   THE    FRIENDLESS. 

"It  is  better  to  give  than  to  receive;"  so  said 
One  "  who  spake  as  man  never  spake,"  and  a 
blessing  is  bestowed  upon  everyone  who  bestows 
even  a  cup  of  cold  water  upon  the  thirsty  soul. 
In  every  community  may  usually  be  found  one 
or  more  who  are  willing  to  render  all  the  aid  in 
their  power  to  the  poor  and  unfortunate  of  the 
land.     Springfield  is  no  exception  to  this  rule. 

In  the  winter  of  1862-63,  Antrim  Campbell 
applied  to  the  legislature  for  an  act  to  incorpo- 
rate a  board  of  lady  managers  for  an  institution 
to  be  known  as  the  "Springfield  Home  for  the 
Friendless."  The  act  was  duly  passed  and  ad- 
proved  February  12,  1863.  The  ladies  named 
in  the  act,  who  were  to  serve  as  managers  until 
the  first  Monday  in  January,  1864,  were  Mrs. 
Eliza  Pope,  Mrs.  Mercy  Conkling,  Mrs.  Louisa 
Draper,  Mrs.  Susan  Cook,  Mr.".  Lydia  Williams, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Bunn,  Mrs.  Harriet  Campbell, 
Miss  Ann  Eastman,  Mrs.  Maria  Lathrop,  Mrs. 
Mary  Hay,  Mrs.  Catherine  Hickox,  Mrs.  Mary 
Ann  Dennis,  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Matheny.    The 


5S4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


act  of  incorporation  made  S.  H.  Treat  Presi- 
dent; George  Passfield,  Vice  President;  George 
P.  Bowen,  Secretary;  Jacob  Bunu,  Treasurer. 

The  object  of  the  Home,  as  stated  in  the  char- 
ter, was  for  "  relieving,  aiding,  and  providing 
homes  for  the  friendless  and  indigent  women 
and  children."  It  was  provided  that  any  person 
might  become  an  annnal  member  by  the  pay- 
ment of  $1,  and  a  life  member  by  the  payment 
of  $10  at  one  time.  The  corporation  is  author- 
ized to  receive  and  hold,  either  by  gift,  purchase, 
devise,  bequest,  or  otherwise,  any  real  or  per- 
sonal estate,  in  aid  of  its  objects.  The  Board  of 
Managers  is  the  legal  guardian  of  all  children 
placed  in  its  charge,  according  to  the  charter, 
and  may  bind  them  out  to  any  honorable  trade 
or  employment.  The  father,  if  living  and  crip- 
pled, may  surrender  his  child  to  the  Home.  If 
he  has  al>sconded,  or  is  otherwise  incapable,  the 
mother  can  make  the  surrender. 

The  first  meeting  under  the  act  of  incorpora- 
tion was  held  at  the  residence  of  J.  C.  Conkiing, 
on  the  9th  of  March,  1863.  At  this  meeting, 
both  Judge  Treat  and  Jlr.  Passfield  declined 
the  offices  for  which  they  had  been  named  in  the 
charter.  Thereupon,  S.  II.  Melvin  and  James 
Campbell  were  elected  President  and  Vice  Pres- 
ident, respectively. 

On  the  organization  of  the  Board,  steps  were 
at  once  taken  for  procuring  ground  and  build- 
ing. Elijah  lies  donated  an  entire  square  on 
South  Grand  Aevnue,  between  Seventh  and 
Eighth  streets.  A  subscription  was  started, 
among  the  citizens,  and  $5,620  obtained.  This 
was  supplemented  by  a  contribution  from  the 
city  of  iti2,0oO,  and  by  the  county  of  Sangamon 
of  $5,000. 

In  the  spring  of  1864,  a  building  committee 
was  appointed,  consisting  of  Antrim  Campbell, 
John  Williams,  John  S.  Bradford,  J.  S.  Vred- 
enburg,  John  Armstrong  and  John  A.  Chesnut. 
At  the  request  of  this  committee,  E.  E.  Myers, 
architect,  prepared  a  design  and  drawing  for  the 
building,  which  was  duly  approved.  A  descrip- 
tion of  the  building  may  be  found  elsewhere  in 
this  work. 

On  the  first  of  May,  1864,  the  managers 
opened  "The  Home"  in  a  rented  house  on  North 
Fifth  street.  Mrs.  Nancy  M.  Britton  was  the 
first  matron.  About  sixty  children  were  received 
and  most  of  them  placed,  in  homes  during  the 
first  year.  As  soon  as  the  building  was  com- 
pleted, which  was  early  in  the  year  1 865,  "The 
Home"  was  removed  to  it.  Tlie  value  of  the 
ground  was  estimated  at  $8,000,  and  the  entire 
cost  of  the  building  about  $20,000. 


In  the  year  1868,  Mrs.  II.  E.  Goodell  asked 
and  obtained  leave  to  lay  out  the  grounds  into 
walks,  and  to  ornament  them  with  shrubbery  — 
all  of  which  was  handsomely  done.  She  was 
assisted  in  this  good  work  by  other  citizens. 

The  Home  of  the  Friendless  is  now  under  the 
management  of  a  superintendent. 

WESTERN    UNION    TELEGEAPH. 

The  first  message  received  by  telegraph  in  the 
city  of  Springfield,  was  in  the  year  1848.  Then 
the  business  was  in  its  infancy,  and  none  real- 
ized the  extent  to  which  it  would  eventually 
grow.  William  Kelchner,  agent  of  the  Western 
Union  Telegraph  Company,  took  charge  of  the 
office  in  1867,  as  the  successor  of  John  G.  Con- 
nor. The  predecessor  of  Mr.  Connor  was  Fred 
G.  Smith.  The  business  has  materially  increased 
since  Mr.  Kelchner  assumed  management  in  this 
city.  At  that  time  there  were  but  two  wires 
terminating  here,  and  four  passing  through,  or 
six  in  all.  The  company  then  employed  seven 
operators  for  general  and  railroad  work.  There 
are  now  twenty-one  wires  terminating  or  passing 
through  the  city,  and  twenty-six  operators  are 
actively  engaged,  twenty  of  whom  are  on  rail- 
road work,  and  six  in  the  general  ofliee.  Then 
they  delivered  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  mes- 
sages per  day;  now  they  deliver  from  one  hun- 
dred to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five,  and  send 
about  as  many.  In  1867,  it  cost  $6.40  to  send  a 
message  to  San  Francisco;  now  it  costs  $1.00. 
Then  it  cost  $2.40  to  New  York;  now  a  message 
can  be  sent  for  twenty-five  cents.  A  million 
words  of  press  matter  are  sent  from  this  office 
now  in  one  year;  then  it  would  not  aggregate 
more  than  fifteen  thousand  to  eighteen  thousand 
words  per  year.  The  business  of  Springfield 
has  nearly  doubled  in  two  years,  and  it  now 
ranks  as  the  third  office  in  magnitude  of  busi- 
ness in  the  State. 

UNITED  STATES    EXPRESS    COMPANY. 

An  office  was  established  in  1850  in  this  city 
by  the  United  States  Express  Company,  S.  M. 
Tinsley  being  the  first  agent.  Mr.  Tinsley  occu- 
pied the  position  two  years.  He  was  then  suc- 
ceeded by  Simeon  Holliday,  who  was  the  first 
to  make  it  an  exclusive-business,  as  Mr.  Tinsley, 
being  a  merchant,  did  the  express  business  as  in- 
cidental matter.  Both  these  gentlemen  are  now 
deceased.  Mr.  Holliday  held  the  position  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  February,  1868.  The  bus- 
iness was  all  done  by  the  agent  in  Mr.  Ho  liday's 
time,  excepting  that  he  employed  Patrick  Daily, 
still  a  resident  of  the  city  in  the  private  express 


lllSTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


585 


business,  to  haul  the  express  matter  in  a  hand 
cart  in  the  early  part  of  his  connection;  but  after 
a  year  or  two  it  became  necessary  to  employ  a 
horse  and  wagon.  The  express  business  has 
since  grown  until  now  it  requires  six  horse8,four 
wagons  and  nine  men  to  do  the  work.  Express 
matter  is  handled  from  eighteen  trains  every 
twenty-four  hours. 

AMERICAN  EXPRESS  COMPANY. 

A  local  ofBce  was  first  established  in  Spring- 
field by  the  American  Express  Company  in  ISVf , 
when  the  present  Illinois  Central  Railroad  come 
into  the  city.  The  company  now  operates  over 
the  Illinois  Central  and  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Rail- 
roads, and  the  business  is  now  larger  than  ever 
before.  The  company  now  employs  six  men  and 
run  two  wagons  which  connect  with  eight  daily 
trains.  The  office  ranks  third  in  the  State  for 
the  business  of  the  company.  Montgomery  G. 
H^U  is  the  local  agent,  and  he  has  filled  the  posi- 
tion since  December  1,  1879.  Previous  to  that 
time  be  was  assistant  Superintendent,  and  had 
charge  of  the  Springfield  branch  and  main  line 
of  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  St.  Louis  Division 
of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad 
and  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi,  which  position  he 
held  five  years.  He  has  been  connected  with 
the  company  in  various  capacities  since  18(J9. 
He  was  born  in  Chicago  in  1848.  That  city  was 
chiefly  his  home  till  he  came  to  Springfield.  In 
18'79  he  was  married  to  May  Garland,  a  native 
of  Springfield,  in  the  latter  city.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  Capital  Lodge,  Number  14,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  was  Master  of  Exchequer  in  1880. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  Public  Schools  of  Springfield  will  com- 
pare favorably  with  any  other  city  in  the  State, 
while  its  private  schools  are  not  surpassed;  but 
such  was  not  always  the  case.  In  the  earlier 
days,  when  its  population  was  small  and  when 
the  people  were  possessed  of  but  little  wealth, 
the  educational  facilities  were  not  of  the  most 
magnificent  description.  No  palatial  school 
houses  then  reared  their  stately  fronts  within  its 
borders;  no  School  hoard  supervised  the  move- 
ments of  the  educators  of  youth,  and  no  army  of 
patient,  toiling  instuictors  were  here. 

The  first  school  in  Springfield  was  taught  by 
Andrew  Orr,  in  1821.  Erastus  Wright  followed 
him,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Thomas  Moffitt. 
The  school  at  that  time  numbered  about  fifty 
pupils.  His  last  term  was  in  the  old  original 
court  house.  In  1828,  a  school  house  of  rough 
logs  was  built  near  the  corner  of  Adams  and  Sec- 
ond  streets.      This  building  also  served   for   a 

68— 


church  and  other  public  purposes.  John  B. 
Watson  taught  here  until  1834.  In  1830,  John 
Calhoun  conducted  a  school  in  another  part  of 
the  city.  After  that  time  several  small  private 
schools  were  established.  Beaumont  Parks 
taught  a  private  school  from  1840  to  1853. 
Harry  C.  Watson,  in  an  article  on  the  Public 
Schools,  published  in  Power's  History  of  Spring- 
field, in  1871,  .says  of  Mr.  Parks:  "One  of  the 
earliest  teachers  who  initiated  those  boys  into 
the  mysteries  of  reading  and  writing,  and  led 
them  through  the  dark,  mysterious  ways  of 
arithmetic  and  grammar,  was  Beaumont  Parks, 
Esq.,  (forever  sanctified  be  his  memory.)  Plain 
and  simple  as  the  most  artless  boy  under  his 
direction,  he  was  one  of  the  best,  most  honest, 
and  conscientious  of  teachers.  Filled  with  a 
love  of  his  profession,  imbued  with  a  strong  de- 
sire to  instruct  the  heart  and  mind  of  the  youth 
committed  to  his  control,  that  they  might  walk 
aright  the  pathway  of  life,  he  labored  faithfully 
and  diligently  to  discharge  his  duty.  Possessed 
of  a  tine  cultured  mind,  and  of  attainments  de- 
cidedly rare  in  those  days,  be  pursued  his  unos- 
tentatious calling,  asking  not  for  public  praise  or 
high  sounding  plaudits,  but  only  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  knowing  he  had  discharged  his  duties 
faithfully  and  well.  Some  of  our  most  influen- 
tial and  prominent  citizens  were  his  pupils,  and 
the  powerful  influence  of  his  teachings  have  been 
exerted,  indeed,  for  good.  Only  a  few  weeks 
ago  and  he  was  called  hence,  full  of  honors  and 
of  years.  And  although  he  lives  not,  his  deeds 
i^main." 

Mr.  Power  in  his  "  History  of  the  Early  Set- 
tlers of  Sangamon  County,"  has  this  to  sav  of 
Prof.  Parks: 

"Beaumont  Parks  was  born  January,  1775,  in 
Norwich,  Connecticut.  He  was  an  orphan  at 
twelve  years  of  age,  and  resolved  to  educate 
himself.  In  order  t  >  obtain  the  means  to  do  so, 
he  began  trading  with  the  French  Canadians  and 
Indians.  He  worked  his  way  out,  in  company 
with  his  brotber-in  law,  Rev.  Mr.  Bacon,  father 
of  Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  D.  D.,  of  New  Haven, 
Connecticut,  through  the  rivers  and  lakes  from 
Vermont  to  the  region  of  the  Georgian  Bay  and 
Lake  Huron.  As  winter  approached  he  com- 
menced building  a  house  with  the  intention  of 
remaining  in  it  until  spring.  He  was  discovered 
by  Colonel  Dunham,  commander  of  the  United 
States  Fort,  at  Michilimacinac.  Colonel  Dun- 
ham was  astonished  at  seeing  a  boy  of  fourteen 
or  fifteen  years  preparing  to  winter  alone  in  that 
inhospitable  region,  and  inquired  what  he  was 
aiming  to  do.     On  being  told  by  young  Parks 


586 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


_^ 

that  he  was  trying  to  raise  money  to  defray  the 
expense  of  an  education,  Colonel  Dunham  of- 
fered him  a  home  in  his  own  family,  with  the 
promise  of  assisting  him  in  his  purpose.  He  ac- 
cepted the  kind  proposition,  went  to  the  Fort 
and  remained  therebetween  three  and  fouryears. 
During  that  time  his  savings  amounted  to  about 
880.  Expressing  his  determination  to  set  out 
for  college,  Colonel  Dunham  sent  some  friendly 
Indians  to  accompany  liim  a  portion  of  the  dis- 
tance. He  traveled  in  a  birch  canoe  through 
the  upper  lakes  and  portions  of  Canada,  and 
thence  east.  When  he  had  gone  about  two- 
thirds  of  the  distance,  he  was  taken  sick  with 
small-pox,  and  was  compelled  to  travel  alone 
Until  he  could  find  shelter,  although  he  was  then 
in  a  part  of  the  country  more  or  less  settled  by 
white  men.  At  Montreal,  a  French  Canadian 
took  him  in  and  nursed  him  for  nearly  a  month, 
until  he  was  able  to  pursue  his  journey-.  His 
savings  were  now  reduced  to  about  thirty  dol- 
lars, but  his  hospitable  friend  would  not  receive 
anything  for  his  trouble.  His  exhausted  condi- 
tion required  the  expenditure  of  more  money, 
and  when  he  arrived  at  his  destination  his  money 
had  all  vanished.  Notwithstanding  so  much 
time  was  lost,  after  a  journey  of  one  thousand 
six  hundred  miles,  he  found  himself  at  Dart- 
miiutli  College,  a  stranger,  and  destitute.  Yet 
he  boldly  knocked  at  the  doors  of  that  institu- 
tion of  learning  for  admittance.  That  was  about 
the  year  1798.  By  diligent  study  while  in  the 
family  of  Colonel  Dunham,  he  was  enabled  to 
teach  the  lower  branches.  He  then  made  ar- 
rangements to  continue  teaching  in  summer  and 
attend  college  in  winter,  and  prosecuted  his 
studies  while  teaching,  so  as  not  to  fall  behind 
in  his  class.  He  was  thus  enabled  to  defray  his 
expenses,  with  some  aid  furnished  by  Colonel 
Dunham,  and  in  that  way  went  through  college 
on  equal  terms  with  Daniel  Webster,  Levi 
Woodbury — the  latter  of  whom  was  his  class- 
mate—  and  other  world-wide  celebrities.  After 
passing  through  college  he  entered  the  law  office 
of  Judge  Slade,  of  Middleburry,  Vermont,  and 
in  due  time  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  was 
married  in  1811,  at  Windsor,  Vermont,  to  Nancy 
Couant.  He  soon  acquired  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice,  which  he  held  for  abotit  ten  years, 
when  —  however  others  might  think^ — he  became 
convinced  that  it  was  impossible  to  be  a  success- 
ful lawyer  and  a  thoroughly  honest  man.  That, 
with  other  causes,  induced  him  to  abandon  his 
practice  and  move  west.  He  left  Vermont,  and, 
in  August,  1821,  landed  at  Madison,  Indiana, 
where  he  opened  an  academy  for  the  education 


of  young  men,  which  was  one  of  the  earliest  in- 
stitutions of  the  kind  established  west  of  the 
Allegheny  mountains,  and  probably  the  first 
school  in  the  State  of  Indiana  where  the  Greek 
and  Latin  languages  were  taught.  It  was  at- 
tended by  many  who  have  become  distinguished 
at  the  bar,  on  the  bench,  and  in  the  councils  of 
the  Nation,  such  as  the  Hendricks,  Sullivans, 
Brights,  Sheets,  Cravens,  and  many  others.  After 
ten  years'  success  in  Madison,  he  was  appointed 
Professor  of  Languages  in  the  Indiana  State 
University,  at  Bloomington,  and  was  in  that  po- 
sition about  seven  years.  He  came  to  Spring- 
tiekl,  in  the  autumn  of  1840,  and  at  once  opened 
a  private  school  or  academy,  which  was  geneially 
supported  by  all  the  leading  citizens,  and  many 
of  the  students  have  become  distinguished  in 
the  learned  professions,  in  politics  and  business. 
When  the  city  schools  of  Springfield  were  or- 
ganized on  the  present  plan,  he  was  the  first  su- 
perintendent, and  continued  teaching  in  Spring- 
field for  nearly  twenty  years,  when  old  age 
caused  him  to  relinquish  his  chosen  field. 

"  Professor  Parks  continued  active  till  the  dav 
of  his  death.  He  died  April  8,  1870,  without  an 
hour  of  sickness,  at  the  residence  of  his  son, 
Judge  S.  C.  Parks,  in  Lincoln,  Illinois,  and  was 
buried  in  that  place."' 

lu  1829  but  one  school  had  been  sustained  in 
the  place.  During  that  year  Miss  Jane  E.  Ber- 
gen opened  a  school  in  her  father's  house,  which 
she  continued  until  the  fall  of  1832.  At  that 
time,  a  fatality,  not  entirely  unknown  to  modern 
female  teachers,  overtook  her — she  was  married. 
The  school  was  continued  under  charge  of  a  Mr. 
Chase,  who  was  at  the  same  time  rector  of  the 
recently  established  Episcopal  Church.  He  re- 
mained in  the  school  about  two  years,  and  was 
followed  by  Mr.  Clark,  who  continued  until  the 
summer  of  1836.  Thus,  for  six  years,  two  very 
good  schools  had  been  sustained,  each  number- 
ing about  sixty  pupils.  John  AValers  taught  a 
school  for  a  term,  and  also  Caleb  Williams,  in 
1838.  About  this  time,  several  smaller  schools 
were  started  by  young  ladies ;  among  others, 
one  for  misses,  by  Miss  Chapin. 

Thus  far  all  schools  had  been  sustained  by 
individual  effort.  No  good  schooi  house  had 
been  erected,  and  no  attempt  made  to  establish 
a  permanent  institution.  It  was  evident  that 
the  growing  wants  of  the  community,  its  safety 
at  home  and  its  reputation  abroad,  demanded 
better  educational  advantages.  Manv  of  the 
prominent  citizens  felt  this  want,  and  deter- 
mined to  meet  it.  Acci  rdingly,  a  joitit  stock 
company  was  organized,  and  an  act  to  incorpor- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


58'i 


ate  the  Springfield  Academy  wa8  approved 
March  1,  18.39.  In  accordance  with  that  act,  the 
following  named  con^tituted  the  fiist  Board 
of  Trustees:  Washington  lies,  F.  Webstfr,  Jr., 
S.  T.  Logan,  John  F.  Rague,  N.  H.  Ridgely, 
Robert  Allen  and  Charles  R.  Matheay. 

Under  the  auspices  of  this  association,  the 
Academy  building  was  erected.  Messrs.  Town 
and  Sill  opened  a  school  in  this  building  before 
it  was  fully  completed.  They  did  not  remain 
long,  however,  but  were  succeeded  in  the  fall  of 
1840  by  Rev.  J.  F.  Brooks.  For  two  years  the 
school  was  open  to  both  sexes,  and  theu  for  a 
few  months,  until  Mr.  Brooks'  connection  with 
it  ceased,  only  to  females.  From  the  spring  of 
1843  until  the  fall  of  185.3,  this  school  was  ex- 
clusively for  females;  first  under  the  charge  of 
Mr.  AUard,  and  then  of  Mr.  Kimball.  In  1844, 
Rev.  Francis  Springer  took  control  of  the 
school,  on  his  own  responsibility.  lie  continued 
in  charge  until  184'7,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
A.  W.  Estabrook.  In  the  meantime,  in  the  fall 
of  1844,  Mr.  Brooks  had  established  a  school 
for  young  ladies,  at  his  own  residence,  on  south 
Fifth  street. 

PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

By  the  amended  charter,  approved  March  2, 
1854,  the  city  of  Springfield  was  placed  in  the 
Springfield  school  district,  and  the  City  Council 
authorized  to  establish  and  maintain  free  schools 
for  the  education  of  all  white  persons  between 
the  ages  of  five  and  twenty-one.  The  council 
was  also  empowered  to  "  appoint  seven  inspectors 
to  be  denominated  as  the  Board  of  School  In- 
spectors, and  to  prescribe  their  duties." 

In  accordance  with  this  charter,  an  ordinance 
was  passed,  August  21,  1854,  defining  the 
powers  of  the  School  Board,  and  dividing  the 
city  into  school  districts. 

Lots  had  already  been  purchased  in  each  ward 
for  school  purposes,  and  the  initiatory  steps 
taken  for  the  erection  of  school  bnildings  in  the 
First  and  Third  Wards.  These  buildings  were 
completed  in  the  spring  of  1856. 

April,  1856,  the  Board  of  School  Inspectors 
issued  the  following  circular  : 

"  The  Board  of  School  Inspectors  take  pleas- 
ure in  announcing  to  the  public  that  the  i-chools 
in  the  First  and  Third  Wards  will  be  opened  on 
the  14th  of  this  month,  and  that  they  are  now 
ready  to  receive  applications  for  the  admission 
of  pupils,  according  to  the  ordinance  of  the  city 
in  relation  thereto.  By  order  of  the  City 
Council,  the  First  and  Fourth  Wards  are  con- 
stituted  one   district,   to   be    styled    the   First 


District,  and  the  Second  and  Third  Wards 
another,  styled  the  Third  District.  Tho-e  who 
are  desirous  of  gaining  admission  for  pupils,  in 
their  respective  wards,  must  obtain  certificates 
for  that  purpose  from   members  of  the  Board." 

On  the  14tli,  the  schools  commenced — the  one 
in  the  First  Ward,  under  charge  of  Rev.  Francis 
Springer,  and  that  in  the  Third  Ward,  under  A. 
W.  Estabrook. 

During  the  first  term  of  the  schools,  which 
was  the  last  term  of  the  school  year,  there  were 
registered  seven  hundred  and  thirty-nine  pupils. 
At  the  close  of  the  term  the  Principils,  and 
most  of  their  accociates,  were  elected  for  the 
ensuing  year.  Additional  accommodations  for 
schools  were  provided,  in  the  basements  of  the 
Baptist  and  First  Presbyterian  churches. 

According  to  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  School  Board,  there  were  enrolled  during 
the  year  1856-7  eight  hundred  and  seventeen 
pupils. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  held  July  10,  1857, 
it  was  determined  to  confine  instructions  in  the 
ward  schools  to  the  common  English  branches, 
and  to  recommend  the  establishment  of  a  central 
high  school,  in  which  the  higher  English 
branches  and  the  languages  should  be  studied. 

For  the  year  1857-8  Volney  Hickox  was 
elected  Principal  of  the  First  Ward,  A.  W. 
Estabrook,  of  the  Third  Ward,  and  Beaumont 
Parks  of  the  High  School.  February  6,  1858, 
Mr.  Hickox  presented  his  resiguation  to  the 
Board,  and  A.  M.  Brooks  was  elected  to  fill  the 
vacancy.  During  the  last  term  of  that  year 
there  were  enrolled  eight  hundred  and  fifty-three 
pupils. 

In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1858  buildings 
for  the  ward  schools  were  erected  in  the  Second 
and  Fourth  Wards,  at  an  expense  of  -110,000 
each,  and  on  the  20th  of  September,  1858,  free 
schools  were  opened  in  each  of  the  four  wards  of 
the  city.     Twenty-two  teachers  were  employed. 

In  November,  1858,  on  recommendation  of  the 
Board  of  School  Inspectors,  an  ordinance  was 
adopted  by  the  Common  Council  creating  the 
oftice  of  School  Superintendent.  S.  M.  Cutcheon 
was  appointed  to  fill  the  position. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  Superintendent 
was  made  in  the  summer  of  1859.  It  is  very  full 
and  complete,  and  his  recommendations  wise 
and  beneficial.  From  the  report  it  was  learned 
that  there  were  enrolled  one  thousand  four 
hundred  and  sevemy-six  puj)ils,  with  an  average 
number  belonging  of  nine  hundred  and  eighty- 
seven,  and  an  average  attendance  of  seven  hund- 
red and  ten.     The  following  were  the  salaries  of 


588 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


teachers  recommended  by  the  Board  to  the  City 

Council: 

Assislams,  primar.v  department,  Second  and  Fourth 

wards $275 

Principal,  primary  departments,  Second  and  Fourth 

wards  350 

All  other  female  teachers 300 

Principals  of  t^rammar  department .  800 

Principal  of  High  School 900 

The  salary  of  female  teachers  who  might  be 
re'ained  was  to  be  increased  825  per  annum  for 
four  years.  The  salary  of  each  male  teacher 
who  might  be  retained  was  to  be  increased  $50 
per  annum. 

The  cost  of  the  schools  for  1858-9  were 
$18,735.45. 

S.  M.  Cutcheon  was  re-appointed  Superin- 
tendent for  1859-60,  and  his  second  annual 
report  shows  a  gratifying  increase  in  attendance, 
there  being  enrolled  one  thousand  six  hundred 
and  thirty-nine,  against  one  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  seventy-six  the  year  previous,  while 
the  average  number  belonging,  one  thousand 
one  hundred  and  ninety,  against  nine  hundred 
and  eighty-seven  in  1858-9.  The  accommoda- 
tions for  pupils  was  altogether  insufficient. 

Rev.  Francis  Springer  was  appointed  Superin- 
tendent for  the  year  1860-61.  In  his  report  for 
the  year  he  made  many  valuable  suggestions, 
and  gave  the  following  account  of  the  buildings 
then  in  use: 

"The  First  Ward  f  chool  building  is  situated  on 
Mason,  between  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth  streets. 
The  lot  is  320  feet  fronting  on  Mason,  by  157 
feet  each  on  Twelfth  and  Thirteenth.  The 
building  is  of  brick  and  two  stories  high.  The 
lower  floor  contains  four  good  school  rooms, 
capable  of  accommodating  in  all  one  hundred 
and  eighty  pupils.  The  second  story  embraces 
one  large  hall,  two  recitation  rooms,  and  two 
small  rooms  suitable  for  library  and  apparatus. 
Its  capacity  is  for  the  accommodation  of  one 
hundred  and  forty-four  pupils,  making  for  the 
entire  building,  accommodations  for  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty-four  pupils.  Cost  of  ground 
and  improvements,  about  Si 2,000. 

"  The  Second  Ward  school  house  is  also  on 
Mason  street,  between  First  and  Second  streets. 
The  lot  is  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  fronting 
on  Mason,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  feet, 
each,  on  First  and  Second.  The  building  is  of 
brick,  and  is  thi'ee  stories  high.  When  com- 
pleted, its  capacity  for  pupils  will  be  about  four 
hundred.  Cost  of  grounds  and  improvements, 
about  Si 2,000. 

"The  Third  Ward  school  house,  situated  on 
the  corner  of  Edwards  and  Spring  streets,  occu- 


pies a  lot  measuring  three  luiridred  and  twenty 
feet  on  Edwards,  and  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
on  Spring  street.  This  building  is  in  all  respects 
after  the  same  pattern  as  that  of  the  First  VVard, 
and,  together  with  its  grounds,  cost  about  the 
same  amount  of  money. 

"The  Fourth  Ward  school  house,  on  the 
corner  of  Market  and  Twelfth  streets,  is  con- 
structed precisely  on  the  same  model  as  that  of 
the  Second  Ward.  The  size  of  the  lot  is  two 
hundred  and  forty  feet  on  Market,  by  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  feet  on  Twelfth.  The  ex- 
penditure of  grounds  and  improvements,  as  also 
the  capacity  of  the  house  are  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Second  Ward." 

The  High  School  occupied  a  building  on  Fifth 
street,  between  Monroe  and  Market,  while  the 
colored  children  were  compelled  to  atlend  school 
in  a  shanty  in  the  rear  of  the  African  church, 
on  North  Fourth  street.  This  African  school 
was  established  the  year  previous,  under  Mr. 
Cutoheon's  administration.  Says  Superintendent 
Springer  of  it  in  his  first  report:  "Humble  as 
it  is,  the  school  it  contains  has  furnished  the 
most  satisfactory  evidence  of  the  capacity  and 
aptitude  of  the  colored  children  to  acquire  the 
rudiments  of  a  good  education.  In  rapidity  of 
advancement  and  propriety  of  behavior,  these 
youthful  descendants  of  the  African  race  com- 
pare very  advantageously  with  the  more  favored 
children  of  Caucasian  blood."  The  number  en- 
rolled this  year  was  one  thousand,  six  hundred 
and  nine.  A.  M.  Brooks  was  the  Principal  in 
the  High  School. 

The  war  for  the  Union  having  commenced, 
Mr.  Springer  resigned  the  Superintendeney,  and 
J.  D.  Low  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
There  were  enrolled  during  the  year,  two  thou- 
sand and  forty  pupils,  with  an  average  number 
belonging  of  one  thousand  three  hundred  and 
twenty-four,  and  an  average  attendance  of  one 
thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty-three.  Con- 
siderable trouble  was  experienced  in  the  proper 
gradation  of  the  schools,  but  an  effort  was  made 
to  improve  the  system.  During  the  year  the 
members  of  the  school  succeeded  in  collecting  a 
library  of  over  four  hundred  volumes,  and  as 
stated  by  the  Superintendent,  the  books  were 
also  used.  He  recommended  an  annual  appro- 
priation for  the  purpose  of  procuring  new  books 
for  the  library. 

For  the  school  year  1882-3,  J.  D.  Low  was 
continued  as  Superintendent,  with  A.  M.  Brooks 
as  Principal  of  the  High  School.  Thirty-one 
teachers  were  employed.  The  entire  cost  of  the 
schools  were  §17,845.60. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAiMON  COUNTY. 


589 


J.  I).  Low  was  le-appointed  Superintendent 
for  the  3ear  18G3-4.  The  whole  numljer  of  pupils 
admitted  this  j^ear  was  two  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty  four,  with  an  average  number  be- 
longing of  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-eight, and  an  average  attendance  of  one  thou- 
sand three  hundred  and  eighty-four.  The  Super- 
intendent, in  his  rc))ort,  says:  "While  we  have 
not  accomplished  all  that  we  hoped,  we  have  yet 
made  substantial  progress." 

A.  M.  Brooks  was  made  Superintendent  for 
the  year  1803-4,  and  submitted  his  first  annual 
report  in  the  summer  of  1805.  The  whole  num- 
ber of  pupils  enrolled  was  two  thousand  two 
hundred  and  ninety-four,  with  an  average  num- 
ber belonging  of  one  thousand  four  hundred  and 
seventy,  and  an  average  attendance  of  one  thou- 
sand four  hundred  and  one;  a  better  record  than 
any  previous  year.  The  City  Council  at  last 
waked  up  to  the  necessity  of  making  an  appro- 
priation for  a  High  School  building,  and  one 
■was  erected,  an  honor  to  the  city. 

The  Springfield  High  School  building  is  situ- 
ated on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Madison  streets. 
The  building  is  seventy-five  feet  long,  fifty-eight 
feet  wide  and  three  stories  high,  with  basement 
for  furnaces,  fuel  rooms  and  other  purposes. 
The  walls  are  brick,  eighteen  and  one-half  inches 
thick  with  corners  of  dressed  stone.  The  foun- 
dations are  of  stone,  two  feet  thick.  Two  pro- 
jections 25x11  feet  contain  the  stairways.  There 
are  two  entrances.,  one  on  Fourth  street,  the 
other  on  Madison,  affording  easy  access  to  all 
parts  of  the  building.  The  school  rooms,  six  in 
number,  are  of  ample  size,  well  lighted,  heated 
by  wood  furnaces,  and  well  provided  wilh  black- 
boards. The  floors  are  deafened,  and  a  truss  is 
placed  under  each,  giving  gre.it  firmness  and 
strength.  A  Mansard  roof,  made  of  sl.ate  and 
tin,  and  .self-supporting,  allowed  the  construction 
of  a  large  and  commodious  chapel  in  the  third 
story  of  the  building.  It  is  a  fine  hall,  well 
lighted  and  ventilated.  Its  size  is  72x55  feet, 
twenty-three  feet  high,  giving  abundant  room 
for  the  public  exercises  of  the  school,  and  also 
for  lectures  and  meetings  of  every  kind  con- 
nected with  the  public  schools  of  the  city.  Two 
entrances  enable  the  audience  do  enter  or  leave 
the  chapel  wilh  great  facility.  The  rooms  are 
furnished  with  single  desks  of  the  most  approved 
pattern  and  best  material. 

The  High  School  building,  together  with  ad- 
ditions to  the  Second  and  Fourth  Ward  School 
buildings,  afforded  ample  accommodations  for 
eight  hundred  more  pupils. 


The  colored  school  was  still  forced  to  meet  in 
the  old  building  described  bj'  Mr.  Springer  as 
a  shanty. 

Thewhole  number  of  pupils  enrolled  in  1865-6 
was  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  fifty-two; 
average  number  belonging,  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  twelve;  average  number  attending, 
one  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-three. 

In  1866-7,  the  salaries  of  the  teachers  were 
raised,  the  Principal  of  the  High  School  receiv- 
ing $1500  per  year,  and  the  Principal  of  the 
ward  schools  each  $1250;  Thomas  York,  the 
Principal  of  the  colored  school,  1900.  The 
assistants  in  High  School  each  received  $700; 
and  those  in  ward  schools  from  $350  to  $500; 
generally  the  latter  sum.  The  number  of  pupils 
enrolled,  two  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sev- 
enty; average  number  belonging,  two  thousand 
and  thirty-one;  average  attending,  nineteen  hun- 
dred and  fourteen.  There  was  expended  this  year 
for  school  ]>urposes,  $642,814.41.  The  library  was 
increased  this  year,  by  a  donation  of  several 
hundred  volumes,  from  the  Springfield  Library 
Association.  The  grade  of  the  ward  schools 
was  raised  this  year  somewhat,  which  relieved 
the  High  School  of  a  large  number  of  pupils 
too  immature  for  the  requirements  usually  re- 
quired from  those  who  pursue  academical  studies. 

The  colored  school  was  also  furnished  with  a 
suitable  building,  and  provided  with  furniture 
equal  to  the  best  in  the  ward  schools.  The 
Superintendent  recommended  the  erection  of 
suitable  buildings  for  primary  schools. 

The  whole  number  of  pupils  enrolled  in 
1867-8,  was  thirty-one  hundred  and  six;  average 
number  belonging,  twenty-one  hundred  and 
sixty;  average  number  attending,  twenty  hun- 
dred and  forty,  and  the  per  cent,  of  attendance, 
nine  hundred  and  forty-four.  There  was  ex- 
pended this  year  for  school  purposes,  $36,317.86. 
Complaint  was  made  by  the  Superintendent,  of 
the  way  the  City  Council  used  school  funds. 

In  the  report  of  Superintendent  Brooks  for 
the  year  1868-9,  says:  "  The  past  year  has  been 
one  of  success  with  many  of  the  teachers,  who 
have  labored  diligently  in  preparation  for  the 
class-room,  in  carrying  out  more  fully,  methods 
already  known,  and  introducing  improved  plans 
of  instruction.  The  expenditures  this  year 
amounted  to  $34,029.85.  The  whole  number  en- 
rolled this  year,  for  some  cause,  was  less  than 
the  previous,  being  two  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  thirteen;  average  number  belonging,  two 
thousand  and  forty-eight;  average  attending, 
one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-seven.  The 
hall  in  the  High  School  building  was  fitted  up 


590 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


by  the  pupils  so  that  exhibitions  could  be  given 
without  incurring  extra  expense,  and  the  pupils 
of  the  ward  schools  were  invited  to  give  their 
future  exhibitions  in  this  hall,  i^enjamin  C. 
Suesseratt  was  Principal  of  the  High  School  this 
year." 

In  March,  1869,  the  legislature  passed  an  act 
vesting  in  a  Board  of  Education,  consisting  of 
nine  members,  "All  the  rights,  powers  and  privi- 
leges, in  relation  to  schools,  school  property,  real 
or  personal,  or  school  funds,  now  vested  in  the 
City  Council  of  the  city  of  Springfield."  The 
Board  of  Education  was  required  to  certify  to 
the  City  Council  in  June  each  year,  the  amount 
of  money  needed  and  required  for  school  pur- 
poses for  the  fiscal  year,  commencing  the  first 
Monday  in  September  succeeding  each  report. 
The  City  Council  was  then  required  to  levy  and 
collect  the  amount  of  money  so  reported,  by  tax- 
ation, and  the  Board  of  Education  alone, 
through  its  proper  officers,  were  permitted  to 
expend  it.  The  first  Board  of  Education  con- 
sisted of  Rev.  Francis  Springer,  President;  Rev. 
J.  K.  McLean,  B  M.  Griffith,  William  E.  Shutt, 
T.  W.  Dresser,  A.  L.  Knapp,  John  L.  Million, 
C.  A.  Helmle,  Charles  Ridgely. 

Samuel  Wiilard  was  Superintendent  for  the 
year  1869-70,  Mr.  Brooks  declining  a  re-elec- 
tion. Mr.  Willard's  report  was  made  in  the 
summer  of  1870.  There  were  enrolled  this 
year  two  thousand  six  hundred  and  thirty-seven 
pupils.  Rev.  Edwin  P.Frost  was  the  Principal 
of  the  High  School.  The  graduating  class  this 
year  consisted  of  twenty-one  young  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  The  expenses  of  the  school  this 
year  were  $44, 2 11. .33. 

J.  C.  Bennett  was  elected  Superintendent  for 
the  year  1870-71.  The  expenses  of  the  schools 
for  the  year  were  $43, .567  79. 

For  the  year  1871-2,  J.  C.  Bennett  was  retained 
as  Superintendent,  with  A.  M.  Brooks  Principal 
of  the  High  School.  There  were  forty-six 
teachers  employed,  and  the  total  expenditures 
were  $41,V92.05.  The  whole  number  of  pupils 
was  two  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninet}-- 
three  ;  average  number  belonging,  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  fifty-nine  ;  average  number 
attending,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  six- 
ty-three. 

In  1872-3  the  same  teachers,  including  Super- 
intendent, and  Principalof  High  School,  were 
generally  employed.  The  expenditures  this 
year  were  $50,483.03,  of  which  $32,481.84  was 
for  salaries.  The  schools  were  considered  pros- 
perous. 


J.  C.  Bennett  was  unanimously  re-elected 
Superintendent  for  1873-4,  by  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, at  their  regular  meeting,  but  declining 
the  position,  at  a  subsequent  meeting  A.  M. 
Brooks  was  elected,  with  the  understanding  that 
he  should  remain  Principal  of  the  High  School. 
Mr.  Brooks'  report  for  the  year  is  very  full  and 
complete.  There  were  two  thousand  six  hundred 
and  nineteen  pupils  enrolled  ;  average  numher 
belonging,  one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty- 
nine  ;  average  attending,  one  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  two.  The  expenditures  this  year 
were  $53,345.03,  of  which  $30,404.01  was  for 
teachers,  janitors.  Superintendent  and  clerk. 
The  library  now  numbers  three  thousand  vol- 
umes. 

For  the  year  1874-5,  A.  M.  Brooks  was  again 
elected  Superintendent,  and  F.  R.  Feithans, 
Principal  of  the  High  School.  They  were  both 
re-elected  for  the  year  187-5-6. 

The  eighteenth  annual  report  of  the  Superin- 
tendent shows  two  thousand  six  hundred  and 
sixteen  enrolled  for  the  year  ending  June,  1876; 
average  number  belonging,  two  thousand  and 
thirty-four;  average  attending,  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  seventy-seven.  The  per  cent, 
of  the  registered  number  attending  was  75.6. 
This  was  the  best  showing  in  the  history  of  the 
schools 

The  City  Schools  sent  to  the  Centennial  Ex- 
position nine  volumes  o!  written  work — seven 
Irom  the  Ward  Schools  and  two  from  the  High 
School.  The  Second  Ward  School  sent  a  vol- 
ume of  maps,  and  the  Third  Ward  two  volumes 
of  drawings;  two  volumes  of  school  reports  and 
two  of  amateur  papers  by  the  pupils  of  the  High 
School  were  also  sent,  making  sixteen  volumes 
in  all. 

The  money  paid  for  the  paper  and  binding, 
together  with  the  amount  assessed  upon  the 
city,  to  bear  the  expenses  of  the  educational 
department  of  Illinois  at  Philadelphia,  was  ob- 
tained by  an  exhibition  given  by  the  pupils  of 
the  Ward  Schools.  The  teachers  and  scholars 
exerted  themselves  to  gain  a  fair  position  among 
the  schools  of  the  country,  and  favorable  reports 
of  their  success  were  received  from  visitors  who 
had  compared  the  work  of  our  schools  with  that 
sent  from  other  cities. 

The  enrollment  for  1876-7  was  two  thousand 
five  hundred  and  fifty-nine,  with  an  average 
number  belonging  of  two  thousand  one  hundred 
and  ninteen;  average  attending,  two  thousand  and 
fifty-eight;  percent,  of  registered  members  attend- 
ing, eighty  and  four-tenths,  a  very  gratifying  in- 
crease. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


591 


As  usual,  a  large  audience  of  the  friends  of  the 
schools  assembled  to  hear  the  graduating  exer- 
cises of  the  senior  class  of  the  High  School.  Miss 
Lillie  Washburn  delivered  the  salutatory  and  Mr. 
Charles  Wilson  the  valedictory.  The  names  of 
the  class,  their  grades  and  the  programme  used 
on  the  occasion,  will  be  found  in  another  place. 
No  abatement  of  the  interest  shown  in  former  years 
was  perceived,  and  the  efficiency  of  the  public 
school  system  was  attested  by  the  number  and 
character  of  the  friends  who  were  present. 

The  most  noted  event  of  the  year  was  the  for- 
mation of  the  Alumni  Association  of  the  High 
School.  This  body  was  regularly  organized, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  year  public  exercises,  such 
as  are  usual  on  such  occasions,  were  held.  An 
oration  was  delivered  by  Mr.  George  E.  Dawson, 
of  the  class  of  18t>4,  a  poem  recited  by  Mrs.  F. 
J.  Janness  (Miss  Fedora  J.  Robinson),  and  a  bi- 
ographical sketch  of  the  members  was  also  read 
by  Mrs.  Laura  J.  Johnson  (Miss  Laura  J.  Clin- 
ton), both  of  the  class  of  186.5.  The  oration, 
poem  and  sketch  were  ordered  to  be  printed  by 
the  society.  After  the  literary  exercises  were 
concluded,  the  members  repaired  to  the  Leland 
Hotel,  where  a  sumptuous  rejjast  awaited  them. 
Regular  toasts  w  ere  given  and  responded  to  by 
Messis.  McNeil,  McClernand,  Patton,  Rourke, 
Kane,  Feitshans  and  Urooks.  The  friends  of 
the  school  regarded  this  association  with  much 
favor,  and  expect  that  in  the  future  tlie  influence 
of  the  society  will  be  feltin  promoting  the  cause 
of  education  in  our  city. 

Superintendent  Brooks,  in  the  twentieth  an- 
nual report,  for  the  year  1877-8,  says: 

"The  whole  number  enrolled  is  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-six ;  the  average 
number  belonging  two  thousand  three  hundred 
and  three  and  three-tenths;  the  average  number 
attending,  two  thousand  two  hundred  and  tifty- 
three  and  nine-tenths;  and  there  are  nine  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  tardy  marks.  The  per 
cent,  of  the  registered  number  attending  is 
eighty-one  and  two  tenths,  that  is,  more  than 
four-tifths  of  the  whole  number  enrolled  were  in 
constant  attendance.  The  per  cent,  of  the  aver- 
age number  belonging  attending,  is  ninety-seven 
and  nine-tenths,  and  the  per  cent,  of  tardiness  is 
eleven  one  hundredths.  There  is  a  gain  in  the 
registered  number  of  two  hundred  and  seventeen; 
in  the  average  number  belonging,  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty-four  and  five-tenths,  and  in  the  aver- 
age number  attending,  of  one  hundred  and  nine- 
ty-five and  nine-tenths.  There  are  ninety-one 
fewer  cases  of  tardiness,  with  an  increase  of  over 
two  hundred  pupils.      The   books   in  which  the 


permits  for  re-entrance  are  recorded,  show  a 
great  advance  in  this  important  matter  of  attend- 
ance. These  books  cover  a  period  of  nine  years, 
and  the  contrast  between  the  number  of  permits 
issued  last  year,  and  the  number  for  1871-2,  is 
very  striking.  In  a  few  of  the  best  schools  of 
our  country  a  better  attendance  is  found,  and 
this  fact  will  cause  the  faithful  teacher  to  thor- 
oughly canvass  every  ease  of  absence,  and  thus 
bring  one  of  the  chief  obstacles  to  the  pupil's 
progress  within  the  narrowest  limits  possible." 

The  entire  expenses  of  the  schools  this  year 
were  13.5,449.32. 

For  the  year  1878-9,  Superintendent  Brooks 
reports: 

"The  past  year  has  been  one  of  quiet  pro- 
gress. An  effort  has  been  made  to  advance  in 
every  direction  as  far  as  possible,  and  to  allow 
no  retrograde  movement.  No  special  effort  has 
been  attempted,  and  the  examinations  have  been 
held  with  a  view  to  have  each  division  of  the 
couise  of  study  thoroughly  mastered. 

"The  attendance  at  the  schools  has  been  good, 
as  is  shown  by  the  following  statements.  The 
number  on  the  annual  register  is  two  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-six;  the  average 
number  belonging,  two  thousand  one  hundred 
and  seventy-one;  the  average  number  attending 
is  two  thousand  one  hundred  and  four  een;  and 
there  are  eight  hundred  and  seventy-eight  tardi- 
nesses on  the  rolls.  In  many  departments,  the 
attendance  is  excellent,  in  a  few  there  is  still 
room  for  improvement." 

The  cost  of  the  schools  this  year  was  $28,- 
069.72,  of  which  $2.5,278.50  was  for  salaries. 

From  the  report  of  Superintendent  Brooks  for 
the  year  1879-80,  the  following  extract  is  taken: 

"The  attendance  during  the  past  year  was  di- 
minished, and  the  efficiency  of  the  schools  con- 
siderably impaired,  by  the  absence  of  many 
pupils  who  left  school  on  account  of  the  scarlet 
fever  in  the  city.  But  for  this  reason,  quite  an 
increase  of  numbers  would  have  been  reported. 

"The  whole  number  of  pupils  enrolled  is  two 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  forty  ;  the  average 
number  belonging  is  two  thousand  and  sixty- 
nine;  the  average  number  attending  is  two 
thousand  and  two,  and  the  number  of  tardy 
marks,  eight  hundred  and  eighty-two. 

"The  whole  amount  expended  was  |>31,055.09; 
the  whole  amount  of  scrip  redeemed  was  $48,- 
131.06.  A  debt  of  $16,175.97  was  paid,  quite  a 
number  of  repairs  made,  and  a  balance  of 
$1,512.72  left  in  the  treasury  at  the  close  of  the 
fiscal  year.  The  teachers  and  other  employes 
of  the  Board  were  paid  promptly  at  the  end  of 


592 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


each  month,  thus  securing  a  cordial  and  hearty 
co-opei-ation  in  the  work  of  tlie  schools. 

The  school  property,  before  the  close  of  the 
year,  was  put  in  good  repair.  About  all  that  can 
be  done  for  the  building  now  in  use,  has  been 
accomplished.  The  fact  is  patent  to  all  who 
have  taken  pains  to  be  informed  on  the  subject, 
that  the  present  accommodations  fall  far  short  of 
what  is  imperatively  needed;  and  that  we  should 
have  larger  school  rooms,  properly  heated, 
lighted  and  ventilated.  While  great  improve- 
ments have  been  made  in  almost  everything  else, 
most  of  our  school  rooms  are  no  better  than 
tho.se  in  use  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  The 
modern  furniture  placed  in  the  First,  Second, 
Third  and  Fourth  Ward  schools  during  the  pres- 
ent year,  forms  a  striking  contrast  with  the  an- 
tiquated and  nondescript  affairs  used  as  desks  in 
most  of  the  schools.  The  children  cannot  be 
accommodated  any  longer  with  even  the  poor 
seats  so  long  in  use,  and  a  large  amount  of  money 
as  has  been  stated  several  times  before  in  previous 
reports,  is  annually  wasted,  because  the  rooms  in 
the  lower  grades  are  not  large  enough  to  seat  as 
many  pupils  as  a  primary  teacher  is  able  to  in- 
struct. Measures  will  doubtless  be  taken  dur- 
ing the  coming  year,  to  obtain  the  improvements 
demanded  by  the  wants  of  the  pupils,  and  a 
proper  regard  for  the  economical  disbursement 
of  the  funds  raised  for  the  support  of  schools. 

The  Superintendent,  Andrew  M.  Brooks,  and 

Principal  of  the  High  School,  Professor  Feits- 
hans,  were  retained  for  the  years  1880-81,  as 
well  as  the  greater  number  of  teachers  in  the 
ward  schools.  As  showing  the  present  condition 
of  the  schools,  the  twenty-third  annual  report  of 
the  Superintendent  is  drawn  on  pretty  liberally. 
In  his  report,  he  says: 

"The  whole  number  of  pupils  registered  during 
the  past  year  was  two  thousand  s^ven  hundred 
and  ninety-two;  the  average  number  belonging, 
two  thousand  one  hundred  and  fifty  and  four- 
tenths;  the  average  number  attending,  two 
thousand  seventy-eight  and  two-tenths;  and  the 
number  of  tardinesses,  one  thousand  one  hundred 

and  seventy-three.  The  figures  show  a  gain  over 
last  year  in  the  number  of  pupils  attending.  The 
attendance  of  the  different  schools  is  given  in 
he  table  below,  and  in  another  place,  the  at- 
tendance of  each  school  is  given  in  detail,  pre- 
senting the  standing  of  each  district,  in  this  par- 
ticular, for  each  month  of  the  school  year: 


W 

f> 

> 

!? 

!2! 

■^ 

II 

§1 

TPa 

H 

SCHOOL. 

•    a> 

^ 

.    ^ 

<^o 

r* 

^^ 

rl^.a 

'     •-*» 

5'". 

o   ' 

:  i2i 

■    c 

:  3 

:  S 

:  > 

H 

:  0 
.   1 

•  CO 

•  "-J 

.      CO 

•     CO 

:  a 

•      CO 
-     tc 

First  Ward.. 

453 

363.3 

353.6 

97.3 

150 

.10 

SecondWard 

801 

610.5 

591.9 

97. 

246 

.10 

Third  Ward. 

507 

432.2 

415.5 

96.1 

353 

.20 

Fourth  Ward 

635 

473. 

455.1 

96.2 

206 

.11 

Sixth  Ward. 

180 

139.9 

134.2 

96. 

98 

.18 

High 

154 

131.5 

127.9 

97.3 

120 

.33 

Total 

2,792 

2150.4 

2078.2 

96.6 

1,173 

.13 

"The  whole  amount  expended  for  the  support 
of  thecity  schools  was  §30,181. 34.  The  receipts 
amounted  to  $37,242.18,  and  the  balance  on  hand 

is  §3, 882. 83. 

"  The  following  table  shows  the  amount  paid 
for  tuition  alone,  and  also  the  entire  expendi- 
ture in  each  school.  For  the  purpose  of  com- 
parison, the  table  taken  from  the  report  of  1880 
is  also  given: 


1880-81. 

1879-80. 

SCHOOL. 

Amount 

expended 

for  tuition 

alone. 

Entire 
expendi- 
ture. 

Amount 

expended 

for    tuition 

alone. 

Entire 
expendi- 
ture. 

First  Ward 

Second  Ward.. 

Third  Ward... 

Fourth  Ward.. 

Sixth   Ward... 

High 

General  expen- 
ses, salary  of 
Superintend- 
ent, printing, 
etc    ... 

e  4,  192  20 
5,  319  00 
3,979  23 
4,  f6S  00 
990  00 
4,  410  00 

$  li.  035  77 
7. 637  64 
5,619  54 
6,  528  70 
1,  590  95 
6,  727  30 

9,  041  44 

%  4,  034  93 
5.391  90 
3, 856  20 
4.640  13 
990  00 
4,330  00 

$  5,  OM  89 
6,  439  45 

4,  820  49 
6,416  11 

1,  565  63 

5,  333  38 

2,  359  14 

Total 

$  23,  758  52 

i  36, 181  34 

$  23, 141  46 

$  31,  955  09 

"  This  table  shows  that  the  amount  paid  for 
tuition  is  about  the  same  as  it  was  last  year,  but 
the  general  expenditure  has  increased  consider- 
ably. This  increase  was  caused  by  the  extensive 
repairs  rendered  necessary  on  account  of  so 
small  an  amount  being  expended  for  this  pur- 
pose for  several  years,  the  finances  of  the  board 
not  allowing  a  greater  appropriation  than  was 
sufficient  for  the  preservation  of  the  property, 
and  even  that  was  not  fully  done,  some  of  the 
fences  and  other  wood-work,  for  the  want  of 
paint,  being  badly  injured. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


593 


"  The  cost  per  month  t'oi-  each  jmpil  attending, 
for  tuition  alone,  for  llie  past  eight  years,  is 
given  in  the  table  below: 

187-1 $1.40 

1875  1.30 

187ti 1.40 

1877 1.3a 

1878 1.19 

1879 1.15 

1880 .• 1.28 

1881 1.27 

"The  cost  per  annum  for  each  pupil  attending, 
for  tuition  alone,  is  $11.4:^.  The  entire  cost  for 
each  pupil  is|!l7.4U.  The  cost  for  tuition  in  the 
High  School  is  §34.48.  The  entire  cost  in  the 
High  School  for  each  pupil  attending  is  $52.68. 

"The  teachers'  meeting  was  convened  regu- 
larly, as  in  thepieceding  year.  No  pains  was 
spared  in  the  attempt  to  make  the  meeting  a 
success.  The  discussions  and  other  topics  pre- 
sented in  the  programmes,  were  such  as  were 
deemed,  for  the  time  being,  most  profitable  to 
the  teachers  and  the  schools.  To  make  these 
meetings  affaiis  of  mere  enjoyment  and  enter- 
tainment, seems  desirable  to  some  who  appear 
to  forget  that  the  sole  design  of  the  Insti- 
tution is  to  improve  the  members  in  the  art  of 
teaching.  To  present  topics  of  practical  value 
in  the  school-rocm  should  be  the  sole  aim  of 
those  conducting  the  exercises.  The  points  to 
be  discussed  should  be  made  as  interesting  as 
possible,  and  this  will  not  be  a  difficult  matter,  if 
the  object  requiring  the  teachers  to  assemble  be 
fully  understood. 

"The  closing  exercise  of  the  school  year,  the 
graduation  of  the  Senior  Class  of  the  High 
School,  was  held  at  the  Opera  House  on  Friday, 
June  17.  The  following  young  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen received  their  diplomas  from  Dr.  Albert 
H.  Trapp,  the  President  of  the  Board;  Lizzie 
C.  Armstrong,  Benita  Berry,  Maggie  E.  Cobbs, 
William  D.  Carpenter,  Alice  Dallman,  Fred.  E. 
Dodds,  Henry  A.  Johnson,  Anna  Poffenbarger, 
Edwin  A.  Reece,  Helen  Saunders,  Clara  W. 
Staley,  Katie  L.  Ulrich,  Florence  Whijiple  and 
Willis  F.  Wright. 

"Fred.  E.  Dodds  delivered  the  salutatory, and 
Miss  Florence  Whipple  the  valedictory.  A  full 
programme  of  the  exercises  will  be  found  in  an- 
other part  of  the  report.  As  usual,  a  large  and 
attentive  audience  testified  by  their  presence 
their  interest  in  the  public  schools. 

"  This  is  the  twenty-first  class.  The  names  of 
three  hundred  and  forty-five  graduates  are  found 
on  the  roll  of  the  alumni  of  the  High  School. 
Of  this  number,  one  hundred  and  nineteen  are 
gentlemen,  and  two  hundred  and  twentv-eight 

69— 


are  ladies.  As  far  as  we  can  learn,  all  are  use- 
fully employed.  It  has  been  our  good  fortune 
to  sign  over  three  hundred  diplomas  presented 
to  those  who  have  finished  the  course  of  study 
of  this  school,  and  it  is  with  much  satisfaction 
that  we  note  the  fact  that  not  one  of  these  testi- 
monials is  in  the  possession  of  a  worthless  char- 
acter. To  promote  the  thoroughness  of  the 
school,  allowing  no  unworthy  person  to  take  a 
place  among  its  alumni,  should  be  the  earnest 
aim  of  those  who  are  intrusted  with  the  care  of 
the  institution. 

"  We  think  that  the  teachers  as  a  class  may  be 
justly  commended  for  an  earnest  and  successful 
discharge  of  their  duties.  In  their  work  thev 
have  given  prominence,  as  they  should,  to  the 
instruction  of  their  classes,  and  in  this  they  were 
especially  successful,  as  was  evinced  by  the  care- 
ful, searching  examinations  which  their  pupils 
j)assed  with  more  than  ordinal y  credit.  The 
range  of  the  questions  was  sufficiently  wide,  and 
enough  time  was  taken  to  show  with  accuracy 
the  attainments  of  the  scholars.  At  the  close  of 
these  examinations  it  was  a  source  of  gratifica- 
tion to  the  Superintendent  to  reward  the  labor  of 
the  teacher,  as  far  as  he  was  able,  by  commend- 
ing the  class  for  the  good  standing  acquired,  in 
most  cases,  by  diligent  study. 

"The  last  day  of  the  fiscal  year  was  signalized 
by  the  canceling  of  all  outstanding  warrants, 
leaving,  as  the  financial  statement  shows,  a 
handsome  balance  in  the  treasury.  The  teachers 
and  others  holding  the  obligations  of  the  board 
were  promjUly  paid  throughout  the  year,  insur- 
ing the  ready,  cheerful  action  which  always  at- 
tends the  cash  system." 

In  the  summer  of  1881  F.  R.  Feitshans,  A. 
M.,  was  elected  Superintendent  by  the  Board 
of  Education,  and  now  fills  the  position.  The 
schools  are  in  a  flourishing  condition,  with  every 
prospect  of  good  work  in  the  future  as  in  the 
past.  The  following  named  constitute  the  corps 
of  teachers  now  employed: 

SPRINGFIELD    CITY    SCHOOLS. 

City  Superintendent— Prof.  F.  R.  Feitshans. 

FIKST    WARD     SCHOOL. 

Principal — Mr.  J.  H.  Collins.  First  Assistant — 
Miss  H.  Anna  McCrillis.  Assistants — Mrs.  Nettie 
Buck,  Miss  Anna  Fooshee,  Miss  Lillie  Foley, 
Miss  Dora  Bennett,  Mrs.  Eliza  McManus,  Miss 
Mary  Lieber,  Miss  Eleanor  Maxwell. 

SECOND    WARD    SCHOOL, 

Principal — Mr.  A.  J.  Smith.  First  Assistant — 
Miss  Mary  J.   Sell.     Assistants — Miss  Kate  L. 


594 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Enos,  Miss  Kate  Heberling,  Miss  Anna  Kreuger, 
Miss  Maltie  Adams,  Miss  Julia  E.  Kane,  Miss 
Hannah  M.  Fisher,  Miss  Lizzie  Schlitt,  Miss 
Augusta  Schlitt,  Miss  Augusta  Trapp,  Mrs.  Etta 
F.  Stockdale,  Mrs.  Anna  Q.  Cory. 

THIRD    WARD     SCHOOL.- 

Principal — Mif^l.  A.  Johnson.  First  Assist- 
ant— Miss  Sarah  P.  White  Assistants — Miss 
Carrie  P.  Moore,  Miss  Abbie  Sutton,  Miss  M.  M. 
E.  Hansen,  Miss  M.Ella  Winston,  Miss  E.  M. 
Hughes,  Miss  Florence  Whipple,  Miss  Benita 
IJerry. 

FOURTH    WARD    SCHOOL. 

Principal — Mr.  N.  B.  Hannon.  First  Assist- 
ant— Miss  Anna  M.  Pender.  Assistants — Miss 
Nettie  Wiley,  Miss  Mary  Power,  Miss  Agnes 
Shepherd,  Miss  Carrie  Klein,  Miss  Frances 
Kusel,  Miss  Anna  C.  Stevens,  Miss  Lou  J.  Mid- 
dleton,  Miss  Mary  Sherwood,  Miss  M.  Lizzie 
Pender,  Mrs.  M.  J.  Flowers. 

SIXTH    WARD    SCHOOL. 

Miss  Jennie  Irwin,  Miss  Kate  C.  Webster. 

HIGH    SCHOOL. 

Principal — Professor  F.  R.  Feitshans.  First 
Assistant — Mr.  E.  E.  Darrow.  Assistants — 
Miss  Mary  Howard,  Miss  Emma  F.  Jones,  Miss 
Emily  A.  Hayward,  Mr.  C.  A.  Pease. 

teachers'  institutes. 
Almost  since  the  organization  of  the  graded 
system,  the  teachers  of  the  public  schools  of  the 
city  have  had  regular  meetings,  when  they  dis- 
cussed all  matters  pertaining  to  the  government 
and  success  of  their  schools.  Great  good  has 
resulted  frort?  these  meetings,  and  the  efficiency 
of  the  teachers  is  in  a  great  measure  due  to  the 
information  obtained  at  these  institutes. 

GRADUATES  OF  THE  HIGH  SCHOOL. 

It  is  but  due  to  the  young  ladies  and  gentle- 
men who  have  graduated  from  the  high  school 
in  this  city  since  its  organization,  should  be 
given  in  this  connection.  Among  the  names 
will  be  recognized  several  occupying  prominent 
positions  in  society  at  the  present  time.  The 
following  embraces  a  complete  list. 

CLASS   OF    1861. 

Mary  Hocker,       Nettie  Wiley,        Ida  Springer. 

CLASS   OF    1 862. 

Walter  Campbell,  Wallace  T.  Stockdale, 

James  F.  McNeill. 


CLASS   OF    1863. 

Laura  E.  Clark,  Annie  M.  Pender, 

Maggie  C.  Doremus,  Mollie  C.  Remann, 

Emily  W   Huntington,      Emily  Starkweather, 
Laura  A.  Lee,  Virginia  L.  Stuart. 

Benjamin  M.  Shaffner. 

CLASS   OF   1864. 


William  W.  Billson, 
George  E   Dawson, 
George  A.  Withers, 
Charles  H.  Yates, 
Alice  A.  Cutright, 
Fannie  N.  Devore, 
Lydia  M.  Gray, 

M.  Lizzie 


Elizabeth  L.  Lauphier, 
Annie  Laurence, 
Fannie  H.  McCulloch, 
Viola  F.  Myers, 
Juliet  M.  Ordway, 
Olive  L.  Priest, 
Augusta  Trapp. 
Pender. 


CLASS    of    1865. 


Alvin  B.  Judkins, 
Horatio  B.  McBride, 
Thomas  J.  Nolan, 
James  J.  Rafter, 

Fedora 


Laura  L.  Clinton, 
Almeda  B.  Milligan, 
Charlotte  M.  Moore, 
Mary  Reynolds, 
Robinson. 


CLASS  OF  1866. 

John  S.  Condell,  William  C.  Wood, 

George  T.  Enos,  Porte  Yates. 

John  C.  Lanphier,  Ella  Bushnell, 

Edward  J.  McClernand,  Mary  A.  Canfield, 
Henry  C.  Remann,         Mary  J.  Clinton, 
Patiick  J.  Rourke,  Elizabeth  M.  Correthers, 

Alfred  Wiley,  Kate  V.  Jackson, 

Howard  M.  Wood,         Elizabeth  L.  Lee, 
Sophia  A.  Phelps. 


CLASS  OP  1867. 


Samuel  A.  Fisher, 
James  L.  Smythe, 
Emma  F.  Adams, 
Sophia  I.  Bennett, 
Mary  R.  Lamb, 


Ella  H.  Mosely, 
Laura  Pickrell, 
Mary  E.  Priest, 
Annie  E.  Vredenburg, 
Emily  Watson, 


Theodosia  Woods 


CLASS 

Charles  A.  Armstrong, 
Wilbur  R.  Condell, 
William  L.  Grimsley, 
Samuel  Brooks  Ives, 
Charles  P.  Kane, 
Edward  Dow  Matheny 
Aaron  C.  Thompson, 
Frederick  Trapp, 
Annie  Adams, 


OF  1868. 

Fannie  Dunton, 
Laura  Fitzhugh, 
Mary  B.  Hubbell, 
Mattie  E.  Kane, 
Fannie  Lamb, 
Maggie  E.  Muir, 
Lizzie  Nottingham, 
Mary  E.  Til  burn, 
Addie  VanHofl'. 


CLASS  OF  1869. 


Fred.  F.  Fisher, 
R.  Officer  Newell, 
Francis  V.  Rafter, 


Mary  L.  Campbell, 
M.  M.  E.  Hansen, 
Virginia  L.  Hackney, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


593 


Kate  Anderson, 
Emma  C.  Brown, 
Annie  Bunn, 

Georgia 

CLA.SS 

John  H.  Brown, 
John  E.  Laswell, 
Clifford  R.  Bateman, 
Susie  B.  Reed, 
Itonia  L.  Baird, 
Rebecca  E.  Baird, 
Kate  G.  Brewer, 
Jennie  Dresser, 
Kate  Fitzhugh, 
Hattie  Groo, 

Martha 


Maggie  E.  Irwin, 
Callie  Loose, 
Lillie  McManus, 
A.  Reeves. 

OF  1870. 

Emma  L.  Higgins, 
Jenneta  Laswell, 
Edith  McCandless, 
Lizzie  Hood, 
Lute  Matheny, 
Emma  Post, 
Sallie  E.  Ray, 
Abbie  E.  Sutton, 
Addie  Tomlinson, 
Maggie  Vredenburg, 
C.  Mason. 


CLASS  OF  1871. 
Isaac  Diller,  Emma  Hopkins, 

Richard  Dodds,  Mary  Power, 

Jennie  Corneau,  Fannie  Shepherd, 

Lillie  Foley,  Maria  Venable, 

Julia  Herndon,  Rebecca  Hudson, 

CLASS  OF  1872. 


William  Ruggles, 
Henry  Kane, 
Grover  Ayers, 
Kate  I.  Enos, 
Kate  E.  Croley, 
Mary  Seaman, 
Mary  Irwin, 


Laura  Lloyd, 
Nettie  S.  Withey, 
Minnie  Goodwin, 
Alice  I.  King, 
Mary  Laswell, 
Jennie  Kriegh, 
Lizzie  Adams, 


CLASS  OF  1873. 

R.  Francis  Ruth,  Maggie  Leeds, 

Dennis  R.  Hageney, 

Kennedy  Brooks, 

Edward  C.  Haynie, 

Fred  W.  Sutton, 

John  P.  J.  Shanahan, 


Hannah  L.  Ives, 
Kate  Ileberling, 
Dora  Adams, 
Hannah  M.  Fisher, 
Ada  B.  Mclntyre, 


William  Henry  Walker,Ada  Fuller, 


Clarence  Bennett, 
Samuel  Grubb, 
James  M.  Matheny, 
Carrie  Klein, 
Lizzie  G.  Kidd, 

CLASS 

Eugene  Colligan, 
William  H.  Conway, 
Z.  Allen  Enos, 
Harry  L.  Hampton, 
Lloyd  E.  Johnson, 
Richard  C.  Lorrimer, 
Edward  W.  Payne, 
Ezra  W.  White, 
Nellie  C.  Barrell, 
Delia  Bunn, 
Mary  E.  Gordon, 


Rosalinda  S.  Priest, 
Anna  B.  Paynter, 
Flora  Foley,' 
Julia  E.  Kane, 
Lillie  V.  Tillotson. 
OF  1874. 
Lizzie  S.  Hesser, 
Nettie  C.  Kimball, 
Lizzie  C.  Mahoney, 
Lou.  J.  Middleton, 
Clara  Montgomery, 
Clara  B.  Ormsby, 
Julia  E.  Paine, 
M.  Olive  Porter, 
Mary  Rippon, 
Agnes  E.  Shepherd, 
Alice  L.  Watson. 


CLASS    OF    1875. 


Maurice  E.  Power, 
Charles  S.  Rafter, 
Samuel  A.  Tobin, 
Anna  L.  ]>urkhardt, 
Sadie  D.  Bateman, 
Dora  Bennett, 
Mary  Brewer, 
Mary  E.  Brooks, 
Etta  McCrillis, 


Lizzie  Hughes, 
Anna  A.  Hannon, 
Lucy  A.  Montgomery, 
Anna  L.  Power, 
Carrie  B.  Phillips, 
Nellie  W.  Queenan, 
Ella  M.  Rippon, 
Lizzie  Schlitt, 
Amanda  A.  White. 


CLASS  OF  1870. 


Edward  L.  Baker, 
Mary  Billington, 
James  W.  Brooks, 
Dora  B.  Claspill, 
Mary  E.  Giblin, 
William  E.  Gomes, 
Viola  Harris, 
Rebecca  Hammerslou 
William  Ilelmle, 
Anne  Lonergan, 
Eleanor  Maxwell, 

John 


Frank  Z.  Crane, 
Mary  L.  Croley, 
Mary  E.  Emmouf., 
Clara  C.  Fosselman, 
Nellie  Patterson, 
Lizzie  C.  Payran, 
Rachel  E.  Piper. 

ghEdward  Ridgely, 
Albert  Salzenstein, 
Amanda  Sohloss, 
Kate  Wood, 

A.  Piper. 


CLASS  OF  1877. 


William  H.  Conkling, 
John  A.  Cory, 
.Tames  W.  Johnson, 
Eugene  S.  Kane, 
Edward  McManus, 
John  W.  Reilly, 
John  H.  Ruokel, 
Frank  B.  Smith, 
Wilson  Stuve, 
Samuel  White, 
Charlie  Wilson, 
Fred.  W.  Yates, 
Enola  Adams, 
Millie  B.  Anderson, 


Fannie  B.  English, 
Emma  T.  Hartmin, 
Rosa  Hoffman, 
Nellie  E.  Holmes, 
Louisa  M.  Kavanaugb, 
Anna  K.  Krueger, 
Mary  Leber, 
Katie  Phillips, 
Isaioettia  Seaman, 
Mary  I.  Schliff, 
Ida  C.  VanGundy, 
Lillie  A.  Washburn, 
Julia  A.  Winston, 
Gertrude  Wrisrht. 


CLASS  OF  1878. 


Louis  M.  Myers, 
B.  B.  Griffith, 
Albert  R.  Cobbs, 
Lewis  H.  Miner, 
Benjamin  O.  Peai'l, 
Edward  Anderson, 
Ci  aries  E.  Hamilton, 
William  H.  Turney, 
Edwin  F.  Smith, 
Newell  Kane, 
Enoch  Johnson, 
Mary  L.  .lohnson, 

Isabel 


Nettie  E.  Brown, 
Emma  L.  Gwynn, 
Jennie  A.  Call, 
Emma  C.  Greene,    ' 
MoUie  Hamilton, 
Clara  Hamburger, 
Mollie  E.  Dennes, 
Katie  I.  Stanley, 
Isabel  M.  Churchill, 
Augusta  Schlitt, 
Lou.  Enos, 
Eloise  A.  Griffith, 
M.  Pringle. 


596 


UISTORY  OF  SANGAiMON  COUNTY. 


CLASS    OF    1879. 


J  no.  M.  Zme, 
Thomas  0.  Kimber, 
Robert  Matheny, 
Charles  L.  Sampson, 
John  A.  Conway, 
Otto  Bekemyer, 
John  O.  Sylvester, 
Charles  W.  Zane, 
Francis  A.J.  Waldron 
Hiiizinga  M.  Hurst, 
Alice  C.  Fagan, 
Zenetta  M.  Dedrich, 
Lizzie  E.  Hopping, 
Annie  J.  Conway, 

Emily 


Linnie  M.  Roll, 

E.  Eudora  Porter, 

Clara  Breusing, 

Clara  Wallace, 

Cora  B.  Ames, 

MoUie  C.  Stuve, 

Margaret  E.  Smith, 

Vannie  L.  Sheiry, 
,  Blanche  Hough, 

Mary  Raglaud, 

Rose  M.  Henckle, 

Dora  Greb, 

Minnie  A.  Blanchflowr, 

Sophie  Kreuger, 
H.  Selbv. 


CLASS    OF    1880. 


Hattie  L.  Adams, 
Ida  M.  Cantrill, 
Annie  T.  Cory, 
Mary  H.  Hartman, 
Chas.  Frederick  Helml 
Charles  \i.  Lintwed, 
Laura  Lusk, 
Lewis  S.  Miller, 
Nellie  E.  Saunders, 


Debbie  S.  Bell, 

R.  A.  Carnochan, 

Sadie  K.  Culp, 

Martin  Melvin  Hazlett, 
e,  Annie  M.  Lindsay, 

•Robert  E.  Lowe, 
John  H.  McCreery, 
Sarah  L.  Piper, 
Mary  Ellen  Winston, 


CLASS  or  1881. 

Maggie  E.  Cobbs, 
Allioe  Dallman, 
Anna  Poffenbarger, 
Helen  Saunders, 
Clara  W.  Staley, 
Florence  Whipple, 
Katie  L.  Ulrich. 


William  D.  Carpenter, 
Fred  E.  Dodds, 
Henry  A.  Johann, 
Edwin  A.  Reece, 
Willis  F.  Wright, 
Lizzie  C-  Armstrong, 
Benita  Berry, 

CLASS    SONGS. 

As  a  specimen  of  the  class  songs  of  the  gradu- 
ating classes  of  the  High  School,  the  following 
are  given:  the  first  being  by  the  class  of  1873, 
and  the  latter  by  the  class  of  1875: 

CLASS  OF  '73. 
Class-mates  dear,  with  hearts  o'erflowing, 

Breathe  we  now  our  last  farewell, 
While  the  silent  tear  is  showing 
Depth  of  feeling  none  can  tell, 
•  And  we  feel  with  deepest  sorrow. 
Broken  now  ovu'  band  must  be, 
'Till  the  dawn  of  Heaven's  to-morrow 
Wakes  the  Class  of  Seventy-three. 

Chorus — School-mates  all,  farewell,  farewell, 
May  each  life-path  shining  be; 
May  Fame's  loudest  piieans  swell, 
For  the  Class  of  Seventy-three. 

We  are  reapers  in  Life's  harvest, 

Some  of  fame  and  some  of  lore; 
Some  to  glean,  to  bind,  to  garner, 


Living  sheaves  for  Heaven's  store. 
Each  so  reap  that  when  Life's  evening 

Hangs  its  veil  o'er  land  and  sea. 
We  may  hear  the  Master's  plaudit, 

"Weil  done,  Class  of  Seventy-three." 
Chorus — School-mates  all,  etc. 

From  the  Past  and  from  the  Present, 

Joy  shall  brighten  our  life's  day, 
And  our  lives  in  thought  and  labor, 

Glide  in  usefulness  aw.ay. 
And  though  far  and  wide  we're  scattered, 

Some  on  laud  aud  some  on  sea, 
Memory  oft  shall  bring  the  triumphs 

Of  the  Class  of  Seventy-three. 

Chorus — School-mates  all,  etc. 


CLASS  SONG— '75. 

Once  more  we  stand  in  class  array — 

Yet  one  more  song  we  sing; 
For  hands  must  be  unclasped  to  day, 

That  long  were  wont  to  cling. 
With  saddened  hearts,  but  high  resolves 

Life's  battles  to  survive, 
We  hear  the  bell-call  that  dissolves 
The  Class  of  'Seventy-live. 

Chorus — But  in  our  hearts  the  golden  chimes 
Of  memory  will  ring. 
As  often  of  the  dear  old  times 
We  fondly  muse  and  sing. 

Full  oft  in  fancy's  rosy  light. 
These  scenes  will  rise  to  view; 
And  many  a  retrospection  bright. 
Will  thrill  our  hearts  anew. 
As  low,  sweet  echoes  of  a  song, 

From  distant  mountain  side, 
These  parting  notes  will  time  prolong. 
O'er  all  life's  ebbing  tide. 

Chorus — And  in  our  hearts  the  golden  chimes 
Of  memory  will  ring, 
While  echoes  from  the  dear  old  times, 
A  pensive  joy  will  bring. ' 

Our  work  is  done,  these  walls  shall  see 

Our  faces  nevermore; 
Oh!  may  we  re-united  be, 

Upon  the  Shining  Shore. 
Our  songs  are  o'er — the  curtain  falls: 

These  closing  moments  fly; 
No  more  our  feet  shall  tread  these  halls; 
One  word  remains — good-bye. 

Chorus — Yet  in  our  hearts  the  golden  chimes 
Of  memory  shall  ring. 
And  often  of  the  dear  old  times 
We'll  fondly  muse  and  sing. 

COM.MEM0RATIVK    E.YKRCISES. 

On  the  death  of  President  Garfield,  the  High 
School  held  commemorative  exercises,  in  which 
were  read  or  recited  selections  from  his  speeches 
on  facts  in  relation  to  his  life,  according  to  the 
following  programme: 

Music — Death  of  a  Hero  (  Beethoven) — Miss 
E.  Kelchner. 

The  Life  of  President  Garfield — Remarks  by 
Professor  A.  J.  Smith,  of  the  Second  Ward 
school. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


597 


Early  Life — Read  by  Ed.  Vincent. 

Domestic  Life — Read  by  Susie  Wilcox. 

Later  Life — Read  by  J.  BrinkerhofE. 

The  Family  of  the  President — Read  by  Ger- 
tie Converse. 

Resolutions  Passed  by  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion of  Chicago — Read  by  John  J.  Amos. 

Poem  Written  by  Garfield  when  at  College — 
Read  by  Lillie  Burkhardt. 

Essay — A  Short  Sketch — By  Lulu  Ames. 

Lessons  from  President  Garfield's  Life — Rich- 
mond Patterson. 

Extract  from  a  Speech — Edwin  M.  Stanton. 

Lake  View  Cemetery — Robert  Walker. 

Chant—"  Thy  Will  be  Done." 

Extract  from  a  Speech  by  General  Woodford 
— Walter  Sanders. 

Description  of  Francklyn  Cottage,  where  the 
President  dii>d — Read  by  Mollie  Fisher,  Second 
Ward  school. 

Poem  on  the  late  President — Read  by  Etta 
Morgan,  of  the  Third  Ward  School. 

The  moral  character  of  the  late  President — 
Read  by  Clara  Helmle,  of  the  Third  Ward 
School. 

Poem — On  Garfield  Death  Has  Laid  His  Hand 
— Written  by  Mrs.  Wilson,  of  Springfield — Read 
by  Ada  Barnes. 

SPIRIT   OF    THE    PRESS. 

Editorial  from  State  Journal,  September  20 — 
Read  by  Charles  Burlingham. 

Editorial  from  Sangamo  Monitor — Read  by 
May  Curry. 

Editorial  from  State  Register,  September  21 — 
Read  by  Gertie  Garland. 

Editorial  from  Evening  Post,  September  22 — 
Read  by  Ella  Garter. 

Expressions  of  sympathies  from  England  and 
other  countries — Read  by  Louis  J.  Palmer. 

Hymn — America. 

SPIRIT    OF    THE     PRESS,    CONTINUED. 

New  York  Herald — Read  by  Charles  Opel. 
.    New  York  Tribune — Read  by  Laura  Snyder. 

Boston  Herald — Read  by  Mary  Rhoads. 

A  Heavy  Day — By  Nora  Cook  and  Emma 
Billington. 

In  Memoriam — Hattie  Harris. 

Rites  at  Washington — Will  Hopping. 

Eiithanatos — John  Matthis. 

Hymn — God  Save  the  People. 

Closing  Remarks  by  Superintendent  Feitshans. 

THE  PRESENT  SCHOOL  YEAR. 

.    The  first  monthly  report   (for  September)  of 
Superintendent  Feitshans,  was  submitted  to  the 


Board  of  Education,  from  which  it  appears  that 
the  number  of  pubils  remaining  in  the  various 
schools  at  the  end  of  the  month  was  : 

First  Ward .- 399 

Second   Ward 663 

Tliird  Ward 461 

Fourth  Ward 499 

Sixth  Ward 151 

High  School 1G5 

Total 3,337 

The  registered  number  of  pupils  is,  two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  and  twenty-two  ;  average 
number  belonging,  two  thousand  three  hundred 
and  twenty-seven  ;  average  number  attending, 
two  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-six  ;  per 
cent,  of  attendance,  ninety-six  and  four-tenths  ; 
number  of  tardy  marks,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
four  ;  per  cent,  of  tardiness,  fifteen  hunredths. 

REV.  .TOHN  V.   liROOKS. 

In  connection  with  the  educational  history  of 
Springfield,  a  sketch  of  Rev.  J.  F.  Brooks  is  in 
place,  as  he  has  had  longer  connection  with  the 
schools  of  the  place  than  any  other  man.  The 
quotation  is  made  from  Power: 

"Rev.  John  F.  Brooks  was  born  December  3, 
1801,  in  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.  His  parents 
were  of  New  England  origin,  but  emigrated  to 
New  York  in  1792,  when  the  whole  region  was  a 
forest,  with  here  and  there  a  small  settlement. 
Mr.  Brooks  graduated  at  Hamilton  College,  in 
that  county,  in  1828,  and  afterwards  studied 
three  years  in  the  theological  department  of 
Yale  College,  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  by  Oneida 
Presbj'tery,  in  the  autumn  of  1831,  and  was 
married  soon  after  to  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Joel 
Bradley.  They  immediately  left  for  Illinois, 
under  a  commission  from  the  American  Home 
Missionary  Society.  They  traveled  by  canal, 
lake  and  stage  to  Pittsburg,  thence  by  steam- 
boat, down  the  Ohio  river  to  New  Albany, 
Indiana.  Any  route  to  Illinois  by  the  way  of 
Chicago,  in  those  days,  was  not  to  be  thought  of, 
as  that  place  was  just  emerging  from  the  condi- 
tion of  an  Indian  trading  station.  At  New 
Albany  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks  purchased  a  horse  and 
'Dearborn,'  as  it  was  then  called,  which  was  a 
one-horse  wagon  with  stationary  cover.  In  this 
they  continued  their  journey,  crossing  the 
Wabash  river  at  Vincennes.  After  passing  a 
skirt  of  timber  on  the  west  side,  they  entered 
the  first  prairie  of  Illinois,  in  the  midst  of  a 
furious  storm.  They  were  far  from  any  house, 
with  only  the  carriage  as  a  protection,  and  that 
in  danger  of  being  upset  by  the  gale.  They 
weathered  the  storm,   however,  by  turning  the 


598 


HISTORY  OP  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


back  of  their  carriage  to  it,  but  the  prairie  was 
fovered  with  water,  and  they  conld  only  discern 
the  path  by  observing  where  the  grass  did  not 
rise  above  the  water.  They  sought  a  house  to 
dry  their  garments,  and  that  night  arrived  at 
Lawrenceville,  where  Rev.  Mr.  B.  preached  his 
tirst  sermon  in  Illinois,  the  next  day  being  Sab- 
bath. About  three  days  after  they  arrived  at 
Vandalia,  the  State  Capital,  having  been  five 
weeks  on  the  way  from  the  vicinity  of  Utica, 
New  York.  After  visiting  several  towns  and 
villages.  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks  located  for  the  winter 
at  Collinsville,  in  the  southern  part  of  Madison 
county,  preaching,  alternately,  there  and  at 
Belleville.  In  the  spring  of  1832  he  moved  to 
the  latter  place,  wliere  be  continued  five  years, 
preaching  there,  and  at^several  other  points  in 
St.  Clair  and  Monroe  counties. 

About  the    second   year  of    his  residence   at 
Belleville,  he   and   his   wife   opened   a   school, 
which  increased  so    rapidly  they  employed    an 
assistant.     Tliey  taught  all    grades,  from  A,  B, 
C,    to    the    classics    and     higher    mathematics. 
Several   attended   that    school,  who    afterwards 
entered   the  halls   of  legislation,  and    other  de- 
partments of  public  lite.     In   1S37,  Mr.  Brooks 
was  chosen   Principal  of  a  Teachers'  Seminary, 
which  benevolent  individuals  were  endeavoring 
to  establish  in  Waverly,  Morgan  county.      He 
taught  there  with  success,  but  the  general  em- 
barrassment of  the  country,  caused  by  the  tinan- 
cial   disasters  of  1837,  compelled  the  relinquish- 
ment  of    that  enterprise.     During  the  time  he 
was  teaching  he  endeavored  to  preach  one  ser- 
mon every  Sabbath,  but  the  double  labor  induced 
bronchial    affection,  from  which    he  has    never 
fully  recovered.      In  1840,  Mr.  B.  was  called  to 
Spnngtield  to  take  charge   of   an  academy    for 
both  sexes,  though  in  different  apartments,  to  be 
taught   in  a  new  brick  edifice   erected  for  that 
purpose   on    the   west  side    of    Fifth   street,  be- 
tween Monroe  and  Market.     Here  he  continued 
his  labors,    with  the  aid  of  two  assistant.?,  for 
two  years  and  a  half.    Many  persons  now  promi- 
nent in  business  or  in  domestic  life,  received  a 
portion  of  their  education  there.      After  this  he 
labored  for  two  years  under  direction  of  Pres- 
bytery, supplying  vacant  churches  in  this   and 
adjoining  counties.     His  health  was  now  much 
impaired,  and  designing  light  labor,  he  opened 
a  school  for  young  ladies,  in  a  small  room  near 
his   own    house.     The  applications  soon  outran 
the  size  of  the  room,  which  he  enlarged,  and  his 
wife  again  assisted  him.     His  school  increased, 
his    health    improved,   and    he    purchased    the 
property  on  the  corner  of   Fifth  and  Edwards 


streets,  re-arranging  the  two-story  frame  build- 
ing internally  to  suit  the  purposes  of  a  school. 
This  he  opened  as  a  Female  Seminary,  the 
autumn  of  1849,  with  three  assistants,  and  Mrs. 
Brooks  in  charge  of  the  primary  dapartment, 
held  in  the  room  he  previously  occupied.  In 
addition  to  the  usual  course,  Mr.  Brooks  added 
drawing,  painting  and  music;  two  pianos  were 
introduced,  and  this  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
first  effort  at  teaching  music  in  the  schools  of 
Springfield.  This  seminary  prospered  for  four 
years,  when  Mrs.  Brooks'  health  failed,  and  it 
became  necessary  to  clof  e  the  institution.  Since 
her  death  in  1860,  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks  has  devoted 
a  large  part  of  his  time  to  hearing  classes,  and 
giving  private  lessons. 

He  was  one  of  seven  young  men  who  banded 
together,  while  in  their  theological  course  in 
New  Haven,  for  the  establishment  of  a  college 
in  this  State.  Illinois  College,  at  .Jacksonville, 
is  the  result  of  their  exertions.  Mr.  Brooks  has 
been  one  of  its  trustees  from  the  tirst. 

He  relates,  as  an  illustration  of  the  change  of 
times  in  attending  Presbytery  in  the  State  since 
he  entered  it,  that  a  clergyman  in  those  days 
must  have  his  horse  and  saddle  as  certainly  as 
his  Bible  and  hymn  book.  The  settlements 
were  remote  from  each  other,  and  a  ride  of 
three  or  four  days  to  a  meeting  of  Presbytery 
was  a  common  experience.  Once,  in  attending 
such  a  meeting,  Mr.  Brooks  traveled  in  an  east- 
erly direction  srom  Belleville,  for  two  or  three 
days,  and  found  a  sparse  settlement,  mostlj'  of 
log  cabins.  They  had  erected  a  frame  church 
building  and  roofed  it,  without  siding  or  floor, 
with  only  a  few  rough  boards  for  seats.  The 
Presbytery  opened  its  sessions,  several  sermons 
were  preached,  the  sacrament  administered,  but 
rain  came  on  before  that  body  adjourned,  and 
they  moved  to  a  private  house,  with  only  one 
room  and  a  small  side  apartment.  At  meal  time, 
Presbytery  adjourned,  that  the  table  might  be 
spread,  and  after  evening  service  six  or  seven 
members  lodged  in  the  same  room,  on  beds 
spread  on  the  floor.  People,  in  sustaining  re 
ligious  worship  under  such  circumstances,  made 
as  great  sacrifices,  according  to  their  means,  as 
those  who  build  their  850,000  churches  do  now. 
At  this  meeting,  Mr.  Brooks  was  entertained  at 
a  cabin  where  the  only  light  admitted  was 
through  an  open  door,  or  one  or  two  sheets  of 
oiled  paper,  in  place  of  glass  windows.  He  met 
a  man,  however,  in  that  settlement,  from  his 
native  town,  in  New  York,  and  he  had  two  glass 
windows;  but  his  neighbors  thought  him  extrav- 
agant and   somewhat  aristocratic,  to  indulge  in 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


599 


such  a  luxur)'.  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks  resides  west 
side  of  Fifth,  between  Edwards  and  Cook 
streets,  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Brooks  and  Elizabeth  C.  Bradly  were 
married  in  ]803.  Mrs.  Brooks  now  carries  on  a 
select  school  for  young  ladies  and  misses,  on 
South  Fifth  street,  being  assisted  by  Mr.  Brooks. 

URSULINB    CONVENT, 

a  chartered  Educational  Institute  founded  and 
carried  on  by  Ursuline  Nuns,  members  of  an 
order  founded  in  Italy,  by  St.  Angelaof  Brescia,  in 
the  sixteenth  century,  for  the  education  of  youth. 
The  order  is  a  very  widely  extended  one,  having 
at  least  five  hundred  houses  throughout  the  world, 
with  a  membership  of  25,000  persons. 

Three  Ursuline  ladies,  well-known  in  this  city, 
as  Mother  Joseph  Tonelfe,  Mother  Charles 
Molony  and  Mother  De  Sales  Coleman  first  came 
to  this  county  (on  the  invitation  of  Right  Rev- 
erend Junker,  U.D.,  Bishop  of  Alton.)  in  1857. 
They  first  rented  and  occupied  for  some  time, 
what  the  old  settlers  will  remember  as  the 
Franklin  House;  afterwards  purchased  the  prop- 
erty of  Mr.  Britton  on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Mason  streets.  Although  having  but  poor  and 
small  accommodations,  their  schools  were  tilled 
to  their  utmost  capacity  by  rich  and  poor,  and 
many  ladies  of  this  and  other  States  now  occupy- 
ing iiigh  social  stations,  remember  with  loving 
veneration,  the  small  class-rooms,  dormitories, 
and  rertectories  of  the  "Old  Convent." 

In  ISOV,  the  Nuns,  with  their  pupils,  removed 
to  their  present  beautiful  Convent,  just  outside 
the  city,  in  the  midst  of  a  magnificent  grove. 
The  building  is  of  brick,  103x07  feet,  three 
stories  high,  with  a  basement  and  attic,  and 
erected  at  a  cost  of  $70,000.  The  rooms  are  all 
very  lofty  and  spacious,  the  class-rooms  being 
fourteen  feet  in  height.  The  building  is  heated 
by  a  steam  furnace;  hot  and  cold  waters  are  sup- 
plied in  each  story.  Splendid  bath  rooms,  Bne 
recreation  and  dining  halls,  as  well  as  well  ven- 
tilated dormitories,  leave  nothing  to  be  desired 
in  point  of  heallhfulness,  and  the  quality  of 
tuition  and  proverbially  gentle  mode  of  treat- 
ment, makes  it  an  institution  eminently  suited 
for  the  purposes  ol  education. 

The  Convent  is  surmounted  by  a  fine  belfry, 
commanding  a  view  of  the  city  and  its  environs. 
It  contains  a  large  bell  of  mellow,  musical  tone. 

The  Convent  is  supplied  with  a  more  than 
ordinary  cabinet,  containing  some  five  hundred 
.specimens,  contributed  mostly  by  friends.  The 
walls  are  adorned  with  some  tine  paintings,  one 
especially,  the  work  of  an  old  master,  brought 


from  Rome  and  presented  l)y  Rev.  H.  I).  Junk- 
ers. The  worker's  tapestry  is  especially  fine, 
representing  on  a  large  scale  historical  and 
poetical  subjects.  The  apparatus  for  teaching 
the  sciences  is  very  good. 

To  the  Convent  is  attached  a  chapel,  formerly 
presided  over  by  Rev.  T.  J.  Cowley,  who  died 
at  the  Convent,  January  12,  1881,  much  lamented 
by  all.  The  position  is  now  filled  by  Rev.  B. 
W.  Alne,  a  clergyman  of  high  intellectual  en- 
dowments and  a  graduate  of  one  of  the  most 
celebrated  German  Universities. 

The  present  attendance  of  pupils  at  the  Acad- 
emy is  fifty-eight;  at  the  Parish  School,  one 
hundred  and  fiftj'. 

Many  of  the  early  members  have  departed  this 
life,  but  the  venerable  Mother  Joseph  presides 
over  it  as  Lady  Superior.  Mother  Joseph  is  a  pu- 
pil of  the  famous  Ursaline  Convent,  of  Black 
Rock,  Cork,  Ireland.  She  commenced  her  vows 
in  the  Charleston,  South  Carolina  Cathedral,  in 
18.35,  the  event  having  been  taken  liy  the  cele- 
brated Benjamin  West  as  a  subject  for  a  picture 
now  in  the  Galleiy  of  Art  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
There  are  at  present  twenty-six  members  in  the 
institution.  This  Convent  has  branch  houses  at 
Jerseyville  and  Petersburg,  of  this  State,  having 
charge  of  an  aggregate  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pupils,  making  the  total  number  of  pupils  under 
charge  of  Springfield  Roman  Catholic  Ursaline 
Convent,  four  hundred  and  fifty-eight. 

OBJECTS  OF  INTEREST  IN  CONVENT. 

An  autograph  letter  of  encouragement  and 
congratulation  from  Pope  Pius  IX. 

A  scriptural  pioture,  fifty-two  by  thirty-six 
inches,  done  with  the  pen  by  T.  D.  VanGehder, 
of  Amsterdam,  Holland. 

A  library  containing  fifteen  hundred  volumes. 

A  cabinet  containing  five  hundred  specimens. 

A  Correggio. 

A  fine  steel  engraving  of  West's  "  Christ  Re- 
jected." 

Several  very  fine  tapestry  pictures. 

A  piece  of  composite  statuary  representing 
"  Death  of  St.  Joseph." 

Some  very  fine  paintings  in  oil  and  water  col- 
ors, by  the  ladies  of  the  Institute. 

A  curious  little  work  of  art  repesenting  the 
first  Convent  of  the  Order  in  Quebec,  founded  by 
Mother  Mary,  of  the  Incarnation;  surnamed  by 
Bossuet  the  "Teresa  of  New  France."  The  Con- 
vent and  surroundings  are  made  of  the  bark  of 
an  old  elm,  under  the  shade  of  which  the  saintly 
lady  taught  the  children  of  the  Iroquois  and 
and  Algouquins  Indians  as  early  as   KiSO.     The 


coo 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tree  having  been  struck  by  lightning,  its  remains 
were  preserved  as  valuable  relics. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Springfield  can  boast  of  some  handsome 
church  edifices,  though  none  of  them  very 
costly,  and  probably  has  as  many  regular 
church-going  people  as  any  city  of  its  size.  In 
this  connection  are  given  historical  sketches  of 
nearly  all  the  congregations.  Imperfect  records 
sadly  interfere  with  the  historian's  work. 

FIRST    METIIOmST    EPISCOPAL. 

A  society  was  organized  in  this  city  some 
time  in  1821,  by  Rev.  James  Simms,  a  good 
man  in  every  respect,  and  possessing  the  quali- 
ties that  made  men  popular  at  that  early  day. 
The  society  was  small,  and  its  meetings  were 
held  in  the  cabins  of  its  members. 

Among  the  first  Methodists  who  settled  here 
was  Charles  R.  Matheny,who  arrived  here  in  the 
spring  of  1821.  His  house  for  several  years  was 
a  preaching  place  and  heme  for  Methodist  itin- 
erants. The  organization  of  the  church  was 
kfpt  up  from  the  commencement — the  circuit 
preachers  filling  the  appointment  every  two 
wetks.  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright  preached  quite 
often  in  1825.  There  being  no  regular  place  of 
worship,  the  society  did  not  grow  very  rapidly 
until  the  summer  of  1829,  when  the  old  log 
school  house  was  built. 

In  1829,  the  members  of  the  society  determined 
to  make  an  effort  to  erect  a  church,  and  a  sub- 
scription was  started  for  that  purpose  and  circu- 
I'ted  among  the  citizens  generally.  Pascal  P. 
Enos  subscribed  -SoO,  and  told  the  trustees  they 
could  take  their  choice  between  that  amount  of 
ready  money  and  two  city  lots,  the  same  now 
occupied  by  the  church  on  the  corner  of  Monroe 
and  Fifth  streets.  The  trustees  were  divided 
in  opinion,  some  thinking  it  best  to  lake  the 
money  and  others  the  lots,  having  no  idea  that 
the  lots  would  be  worth  more  than  §50  in  a  few 
years.  It  was  finally  decided  to  take  the  lots, 
which  were  accordingly  donated  to  the  society 
by  Mr.  Enos.  A  frame  church  was  erected  upon 
one  of  the  lots  in  the  summer  of  18.30  and  dedi- 
cated the  following  winter.  It  was  used  until 
the  completion  of  the  present  building. 

In  1833,  under  the  ministration  of  Rev.  Smith 
L.  Robinson,  quite  a  revival  took  place,  and  a 
large  number  of  persons  were  converted.  This 
was  a  marked  era  in  the  history  of  Methodism 
in  Springfield,  for  the  influence  of  the  revival 
was  such  as  to  place  the  society  upon  a  perma- 
nent basis.  Up  to  this  time  the  society  had  been 
supplied  with  preaching  by  the  circuit  preachers. 


in  connection  with  the  Sangamon  circuit,  but 
feeling  themselves  strong  enough  to  form  a  sep- 
arate charge,  it  was  so  formed  in  1834.  Rev. 
Joseph  Edmundson  was  the  first  minister  after 
the  charge  was  organized,  with  the  following 
named  Stewards:  E'lmund  Roberts,  Charles  R. 
Matheny,  John  Dickey,  Jacob  M.  Early  and 
Edward  J.  Phillips.  Mr.  Edmundson  is  kindly 
remembered  by  old  settlers  at  this  day.  He  re- 
mained in  charge  one  year,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Hooper  Crews,  who  remained  two  years, 
and  whose  labors  were  attended  with  great  suc- 
cess— the  church  nearly  or  quite  doubling  its 
members  during  that  time.  He  was  followed  by 
Rev.  Peter  Akers,  who  left  at  the  end  of  his 
first  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  T. 
Mitchell,  who  left  the  church  prosperous.  Rev. 
Orceneth  Fisher  came  next,  and  remained  one 
year. 

In  the  fall  of  1841,  Rev.  Jonathan  Stamper 
became  the  pastor,    lie  remained  two  years  dur- 
ing which  time  an  interesting  revival  took  place. 
Rev.  W.  S.  Crissey  was  the  next  preacher,  being 
succeeded  at  the  expiration  of  one  year  by  Rev. 
John    P.    Richmond,   who   remained    the   same 
length ^f  time.     His  two  immediate  successors 
were  Revs.  Chauncy  Hobartand  John  S.  Bar^n 
In  1847,  Rev.  James  F.  JacquessTiecame  pas- 
tor of  the  church.     Under  his  preaching  an  ex- 
tensive revival  took  place,  and  many  were  con- 
verted. He  was  returned  in  1848,  but  left  before 
the  expiration  of  the  year  to  lake  charge  of  the 
Female  College  at  Jacksonville.   The  remainder 
of  his  term  was  finished  by  Eev.  W.  T.  Bennett. 
!  During  the  next  three  years  Revs.  Calvin   W. 
I  Lewisand  Robert  E.  Guthrie  were  pastors  of 
1  the  church.     The  last  named  was   followed,  by 
I  Rev.   Thomas  Magee   in    October,  1862,  up  to 
which  time  the  old  frame  church,  built  in  1830, 
1  had  been  used  for  divine  worship.     An  addition 
to  it  was  built  during  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Stamper,  but  those  who  worshipped  in  it  in  1852 
considered  it  somewhat  of  a  reproach  to  Meth- 
odism, and  thought  the  time  had  arrived  for  it 
to  give  way  to  a  larger  and  more   appropriate 
building.     Soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Magee 
a    subscription    was   started,    and   a    sufficient 
amount  was  subscribed  to  justify  the  society  in 
the  erection  of  their  present  house  of  worship. 
Its  original  cost  was  about  §10,000.     It  had  a 
very  handsome  spire,  which  was  much  admired 
when  in  its  proper  place,  but  it  was  finally  re- 
moved by  a  strong  wind  and  placed  in  the  yard 
below.      Rev.  Mr.  Magee  was  returned  to  the 
pastorate  a  second  time,  and  gave  all  his  spare 
time  to  the  erection  of  a  new  edifice,  but  he  did 


ffxit:^  '^  <j^-xAxz:jz:^c^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


603 


not  remain  long  enough  in  this  woi-ld  to  witness 
its  completion.  He  visited  Eloomington  in 
March,  1854,  and  contracted  a  disease  which 
soon  terminated  his  life.  His  last  hours  were 
peaceful  and  Laiipy,  for  he  had  followed  the 
golden  rule  in  his  intercourse  with  liis  fellow 
men,  and  given  the  energies  of  his  life  to  the 
cause  of  Christ.  The  vacancy  caused  by  his 
death  was  tilled  by  Rev.  James  E.  Willson,  who 
was  followed  by  Rev.  J.  L.  Crane,  who  remained 
two  years  and  left  with  the  regrets  of  his  con- 
gregation. He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  W. 
Sears. 

In  1858,  Rev.  James  Leaton  was  appointed  to 
the  charge. 

In  1866,  Rev.  J.  S.  Davidson  was  appointed 
to  the  charge,  and  remained  three  years,  being 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  who  also  served 
the  same  length  of  time.  In  187l',  Rev.  W.  11. 
Webster  became  the  pastor,  and  remained  also 
the  full  time  permitted  by  the  rules  of  the 
church.  In  1875,  Rev.  R.  M.  Barnes  was  sent 
by  the  Conference,  but  only  remained  two  years, 
greatly  to  the  disappointment  of  the  congrega- 
tion. Rev.  J.  H.  Noble  was  then  sent,  and  re- 
mained three  years.  In  1880,  the  present  pastor. 
Rev.  T.  A.  Parker,  began  his  labors,  and  under 
his  charge  the  congregation  is  in  a  most  flourish- 
ing condition,  its  membership  active  and  zealous. 

SECOND    MBTHODIST   EPISCOPAL    CHUECH. 

The  Second  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  organized  September 
11,  1865,  under  the  following  conditions: 

The  city  was  then  notably  and  remarkably  ex- 
tending in  the  direction  of  the  nortli,  and  it  was 
thought  that  this  circumstance,  combined  with 
the  southern  location  and  over-grown  condition 
of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  a 
Providential  call  for  Springfield  Methodism  to 
move  out  and  occupy  and  "possess  the  land"  in 
the  northern  half  of  the  city.  Accordingly,  a 
noble  and  self-sacrificing  band  of  brethren  and 
sisters  from  the  First  Church,  in  a  most  peace- 
able and  amicable  manner,  withdrew  from  the 
former  fold  and  constituted  themselves  the  Sec- 
ond Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Springfield. 

Tliey  fully  conformed  to  the  law  of  the  church 
in  the  details  of  their  organization,  and  when 
completed,  they  reported  tlie  same  to  the  Illinois 
Annual  Conference,  and  asked  to  have  a  preacher 
sent  to  them.  To  this  request  the  Conference 
replied  by  naming  Rev.  W.  S.  Prentice  as  their 
first  pastor. 

The  names  of  the  first  members  of  this  church, 
as  transferred  from  the  old  church,  so  far  as  can 
be  ascertained,  are  as  follows; 

70— 


Nancy  J.  Akard,  Margaret  Akard,  Alvira 
Ayers,  George  W.  Bolinger,  Margaret  T.  Bolin- 
ger,  E.  J.  IJronson,  Adeline  Bronson,  Adolphus 
Bell,  William  Bolinger,  Belle  Bradford,  Hester 
J.  Benson,  .lohn  L.  Burke,  Jane  Burke,  Asenath 
Bradford,  Charles  Camp,  Annie  J.  Camp,  Lucy 
Camp,  Hannah  B.  Camp,  Mary  Connelly,  Julia 
Connelly,  Sarah  C.  Connelly,  John  Carpenter, 
Sarah  J.  Carpenter,  Mary  E.  Carpenter,  Eliza- 
beth Crane,  W.  S.  Curry,  Nannie  J.  Curry, 
Sarah  DeCamp,  Matilda  Edmonson,  Rosanna 
Fosselman,  Savilla  Fiske,  Metella  F.  Goodman, 
Mary  A.  Goodman,  Adelbert  Goodman,  Sarah 
E.  Gibbs,  J.  C.  Henkle,  Pamelia  Henkle,  Re- 
becca Herndon,  R.  F.  Herndon,  Charlotte  Kidd, 
Anna  D.  Kirkendall,  Mary  H.  Logan,  N.  W. 
Matheny,  Elizabeth  J.  IMatheny,  Aleta  Moseby, 
Priscilla  Megrady,  William  A.  Nixon,  Anna 
Nocker,  Priscilla  Newman,  Sarah  E.  Nixon, 
Amelia  Osborn,  Mary  Owen,  Lucy  A.  Pride, 
Sarah  E.  Pride,  Martha  A.  Frenlice,  Ella  Pren- 
tice, Henry  C.  Porter,  A.  R.  Robinson,  Eliza 
Robinson,  Joseph  M.  Ilippey,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Rippey, 
M.  O.  Reeves,  Nancy  Reeves,  Hon.  William  M. 
Springer,  Rebecca  Springer,  Sue  E.  Sell,  War- 
field  Staley,  Mary  A.  Staley,  W.  P.  Saddler,  Su- 
sanah  Saddler,  James  H.  Saddler,  Sarah  C.  Sad- 
dler, Alvira  J.  Saddler,  Martha  Spong,  William 
Troxell,  Louisa  Troxell,  James  C.  Thrall,  Dud- 
ley Wickersham,  Margaret  Wickersham,  Amelia 
Wilson,  Catharine  Wood,  Nancy  J.  Waddle, 
William  Wallace  —  a  total  of  eighty-three. 

This  church  bought  the  house  of  worship  for- 
merly used  by  the  Presbyterians,  and  which 
stood  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Sixth  and 
Monroe  streets.  This  building  they  movtd  to 
the  spot  it  now  occupies  on  Fifth  street  near 
Madison,  improved  it,  and  occupied  it  about 
October  1, 18G5.  The  church  has  been  remodeled 
and  repaired  from  time  to  time,  and  is  now  in 
excellent  condition.  In  1877-8,  the  society 
erected  a  commodious  parsonage  on  the  lot  south 
of  the  church.  The  whole  property  is  now 
valued  at  $10,000,  and  is  free  from  debt. 

The  house  now  used,  has  sittings,  in  main 
audience  room,  for  250  persons,  by  means  of 
sliding  doors  the  lecture  room  can  he  added  to 
this,  seating  in  all  nearly  or  quite  400. 

The  names  of  the  various  pastors  since  the 
organization  of  the  church,  are  as  follows: 

Rev.  W.  S.  Prentice,  appointed  September  26, 
1865,  and  serving  three  years. 

Rev.  J.  L.  Crane,  appointed  September  28, 
1868,  and  serving  one  year. 

J.  B.  Ford,  September  22,  1869,  one  year. 

E.  D.  Wilkin,  September  21,  1870,  one  year. 


004 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


W.J.  Rutledge,  September  21,  lS7l,and  serv- 
ing two  years. 

W.  H.  Reed,  September  24,  1873,  one  year. 

M.  D.  Hawes,  September  26,  1874,and  serving 
two  years. 

J.  F.  Stout,  October,  1876,  and  serving  three 
years. 

W.  S.  Matthew,  the  present  incumbent,  was 
appointed  September  17,  1879,  and  is  serving 
his  third  year. 

The  church  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  The 
membership  is  now  two  hundred  and  nineteen, 
and  during  the  two  years  last  past  it  has  had  a 
net  growth  of  fifty  members. 

The  Sabbath  school  numbers  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five,  and  is  doing  an  excellent  work. 
The  present  efficient  superintendent,  R.  F.  Hern- 
don,  was  elected  in  1865,  and  has  been  re-elected 
fifteen  times. 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN. 

Rev.  John  M.  Ellis  organized  the  Sangamon 
Presbyterian  Church,  now  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Springfield,  on  the  23d  day  of  Janu- 
arv,  1828.  The  organization  was  kept  up  during 
the  next  spring  and  summer,  but  no  particular 
interest  was  manifested  till  the  arrival  of  Rev.  J. 
G.  Bergen,  of  New  Jersey,  who,  in  November  of 
the  same  year,  became  the  first  pastor  of  the 
church.  He  took  the  right  course  to  render  him- 
self and  the  church  popular  by  making  himself 
"at  home"  with  the  people  generally,  and  in  a 
short  time  he  had  more  hearers  than  the  log 
school  house  would  comfortably  hold.  The 
school  house  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1828 
on  the  corner  of  Second  and  Adams  streets.  Its 
builders,  the  principal  citizens  of  Springfield,  in- 
tended it  for  school  and  religious  purposes,  and 
it  was  used  until  the  completion  of  the  church 
built  by  the  Presbyterians  in  the  fall  of  1830. 

The  first  elders  of  the  church  were  Jcjhn  Moore, 
John  N.  Moore,  (his  son)  Isaiah  Stillman  and 
Samuel  Reid.  Elder  Moore  and  his  son  lived 
twenty  miles  north,  Mr.  Stillman  ten  miles  north- 
east, and  Mr.  Reid  three  miles  west  of  Spring- 
field. The  first  members  were  John  Moore,  John 
N  Moore,  Andrew  Moore,  Elijah  Scott,  Mary 
Moore,  Margaret  Moore,  Phosbe  Moore,  Catharine 
Moore,  Jane  Scott,  Samuel  Reid,  Jane  Reid, 
James  White,  William  Proctor,  Isaiah  Stillman, 
Olive  Slater,  Elizabeth  Moore,  Mary  R.  Hum- 
peries  and  Ann  lies. 

When  Mr.  Bergen  took  charge  of  the  church 
there  were  but  six  members  of  it  living  in  Spring- 
field— five  women  and  one  man,  the  school 
teacher.  Soon  after  Mr.  Bergen's  arrival  he  ap- 
pointed   a  sacramental    meeting    for  the    little 


church,  and  requested  the  members  and  all  others 
interested  in  the  cause  of  religion  to  attend.  At 
the  preparatory  meeting  on  the  previous  Satur- 
day, the  following  resolution  was  passed: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  this  place  be 
invited  to  meet  in  the  school  house  at  early  candle 
lighting  to  take  into  consideration  the  expedi- 
ency of  undertaking  to  build  a  Presbyterian 
meeting  house,  and  that  Kev.  Mr.  Bergen  give 
the  notice." 

At  the  called  meeting  of  the  citizens  it  was  re- 
solved to  undertake  the  erection  of  a  church 
building,  and  the  following  named  persons  were 
appointed  trustees  and  a  building  committee: 
John  Todd,  Gersham  Jayne,  Washington  lies, 
David  L.  Taylor,  John  Moffett,  Samuel  Reid  and 
Elijah  Slater.  The  idea  of  building  a  meeting 
house  was  well  received  by  the  citizens  gener- 
ally, but  many  of  them  looked  upon  it  as  some- 
what chimerical,  and  it  is  said  that  some  who 
signed  the  subscription  paper  considered  the 
whole  matter  a  pretty  good  joke.  They  signed 
readily,  for  they  did  not  intend  to  appear  less 
liberal  than  their  neighbors,  but  while  pledging 
themselves  to  pay  the  suras  set  down  opposite 
their  names,  they  considereJ  their  money  per- 
fectly safe. 

There  was  some  question  as  to  whether  the 
building  would  be  of  wood  or  brick.  Some  con- 
tended that  wood  was  good  enough  for  the  occa- 
sion, and  that  a  frame  church  would  last  until 
the  place  became  sufficiently  old  and  wealthy  to 
warrant  the  erection  of  a  different  and  more 
expensive  building.  Others  said  that  a  brick 
building  would  last  longer  and  look  better  than 
a  wooden  one,  and  after  a  short  but  animated 
discussion,  they  carried  their  point.  The  next 
important  question  was  how  to  get  the  brick,  and 
some  were  puzzled  to  know  how  the  church  was 
to  be  built  after  the  brick  had  been  obtained. 
Clay  was  considered  by  the  advocates  of  wood, 
rather  a  scarce  article,  and  though  nearly  every 
male  resident  of  the  place  knew  how  to  build  a 
brick  chimney,  none  had  confidence  enough  in 
themselves  to  suppose  they  could  build  a  house 
of  the  same  material.  The  summer  of  1829 
was  spent  in  making  preparations  for  building, 
and  the  church  was  completed  in  the  summer  of 
1830.  It  was  dedicated  November  20th,  of  the 
same  year.  Thomas  Brooker,  of  Belleville, 
superintended  the  brick-work  and  manufactured 
the  brick.  The  entire  cost  of  the  building  was 
about  Si, 000.  It  was  twenty-eight  by  forty  feet 
in  size.  The  church  still  stands  on  the  southeast 
corner  of  Third  and  Washington  streets. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


605 


The  corner-stone  of  the  second  sijacious  build- 
ing occupied  by  the  members  of  the  First  Pres- 
l)yterian  Church  was  laid  in  1842,  asd  the 
building  erected,  and  basement  used  during  the 
ensuing  winter  and  summer.  The  main  audience 
room  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1843,  and 
dedicated  in  November  of  that  year.  The  cost 
of  the  building  was  about  $12,000.  In  1868, 
the  church  was  enlarged  and  otherwise  improved. 
After  laboring  for  twenty  years,  spending  a 
great  deal  of  his  time  in  the  missionary  work  of 
the  Presbytery,  Dr.  Bergen  resigned  the  charge 
of  the  Fiist  Church,  and  Dr.  James  Smith,  of 
Sbelbyville,  Kentucky,  was  elected  pastor. 

Dr.  Smith  was  an  eminent  Christian  divine  of 
rare  ability  as  a  preacher  and  a  controversialist, 
and  the  church  greatly  prospered  under  his 
ministry,  and  during  the  years  1854  and  1855, 
especially,  the  records  show  a  large  number  of 
additions  upon  profession  of  faith.  His  pastor- 
ate continued  for  nearly  seven  years.  He  re- 
signed, and  the  pastoral  vocation  was  dissolved 
in  1856. 

Rev.  John  H.  Brown,  D.  D.,  was  elected 
pastor.  Dr.  Brown  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  was  pastor  of  the  McCord  Church,  of  Lex- 
ington, for  twelve  years.  He  served  the  church 
with  great  ability  and  faithfulness  till  1864, 
when  he  resigned,  and  Rev.  F.  II.  Wines  was 
elected  the  pastor,  who  continued  his  ministry 
for  four  years,  resigning  in  1869,  when  the 
present  pastor.  Rev.  James  A.  Reed,  was  chosen. 
He  was  called  and  commenced  his  labors  in 
1869,  and  has  now  been  pastor  of  the  church  for 
eleven  years.  Soon  after  he  was  called  the 
necessity  of  a  new  building  became  apparent, 
on  account  of  the  limited  capacity  of  the  old 
one,  and  its  near  proximity  to  the  railroad. 
Steps  were  about  to  be  taken  in  this  direction, 
when  an  overture  came  from  the  Third  Presby- 
terian Church,  with  reference  to  the  purchase 
and  occupancy  of  their  new  and  spacious  build- 
ing, which  was  then  heavily  encumbered  with 
debt.  Arrangements  that  were  satisfactory 
were  made,  and  the  building  now  standing  on 
the  corner  of  Capitol  Avenue  and  Seventh  street, 
became  the  property  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  This  church  originally  cost  about  $90,- 
000  ;  has  a  fine  pipe  organ,  and  is  heated  by 
steam.  It  has  now  a  membership  of  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  and  has  two  missions.  It  has  a 
bench  of  thirteen  acting  elders,  viz :  C.  C. 
Brown,  D.  C.  Brown,  James  P.  Bryce,  R.  H. 
Beach,  E.  P.  Beach,  A.  M.  Brooks,  R.  W.  Dil- 
ler,  John  Dalby,  T.  S.  Ilenning,  W.  W.  Ilayden, 
George  Hemingway,  George  White. 


SECOXD    PRESBYFERIAN. 

This  church  was  organized  on  the  26th  day  of 
May,  1835,  and  recognized  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Sangamon,  June  8,  of  the  same  year.  It  con- 
sisted at  its  organization  of  thirty  members,  all 
of  whom  had  been  members  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church.  The  congregation  had  no  reg- 
ular pastor  for  nearly  a  year  after  its  organiza- 
tion. Rev.  Dewey  Whitney  was  elected  to  the 
pastorate,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1836,  and  com- 
menced his  labors  on  the  following  day.  He  re- 
mained till  February,  1839,  when  he  resigned. 
His  laboi;s  were  very  acceptable  to  his  congrega- 
tion, and  his  departure  was  generally  regretted. 
The  relation  between  him  and  the  church  was 
formally  dissolved  by  the  Presbytery  at  the 
spring  session  of  1839.  He  was  a  native  of  one 
of  the  New  England  States,  but  had  lived  in 
Kentucky  some  years  previous  to  the  commence- 
ment of  his  ministerial  duties  at  this  place. 
Some  years  after  leaving  Springfield,  he  was 
killed  in  one  of  the  Southern  States,  while  visit- 
ing near  relatives.  He  was  riding  a  horse, 
which,  becoming  frightened,  threw  him.  His 
foot  caught  in  the  stirup,  and  he  was  dragged  a 
considerable  distance.  He  survived  his  injuries 
but  a  short  time. 

In  the  summer  of  1839,  the  congregation  in- 
vited Rev.  Albert  Hale  to  become  its  pastor. 
He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  preached  his 
first  regular  sermon  here  on  the  15th  of  Novem- 
ber following.  He  was  installed  on  the  first  day 
of  July,  1840,  and  remained  as  pastor  until  Jan- 
uary, 1867,  a  period  of  twenty-seven  years.  His 
pastorate  was  a  pleasant  and  profitable  one  to 
the  congregation,  and  he  only  resigned  on 
account  of  increasing  age,  believing  that  a 
younger  than  he  might  minister  more  accept- 
ably. He  still  remains  a  citizen  of  Springfield, 
and  worships  with  the  church  over  which  he  was 
so  long  a  pastor. 

The  elders  of  the  church  at  its  organization 
were  Samuel  Reed,  E.  S.  Phelps,  Joseph  Thayer, 
Thomas  Moft'ett,  and  John  B.  Watson.  Its 
present  elders  are  E.  B.  Nawley,  R.  Pope,  .Jas. 
C.  Conkling,  Geo.  M.  Brinkerhoff,  Clinton  L. 
Conkling,  William  B.  Baker,  Fred.  Wilson,  and 
Bobert  Sniilie. 

Some  one  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty 
members  have  belonged  to  the  church  since  its 
organization,  about  eight  hundred  of  whom 
united  during  Mr.  Hale's  pastorate.  Its  mem- 
bership is  now  three  hundred  and  eighty.  Sev- 
eral revivals  of  religion  have  taken  place  in  the 
church  since  its  organization,  a  very  imjiortant 
one  being  in  the  winter  of  1840-1.     The  church 


606 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


was  crowded  at  every  meeting,  and  the  revival 
resulted  in  the  conversion  of  about  one  hundred 
persons.  Rev.  James  Gallagher  assisted  in  this 
work. 

Two  churoh  edifices  have  been  erected  by  the 
congregation,  the  first  of  which  was  commenced 
in  1839  and  finished  in  1840.  Its  cost  was  in  the 
neighborhood  of  $12,000.  It  was  situated  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  Monroe  and  Fourth 
streets,  a  very  eligible  situation. 

On  the  2l8t  of  April,  1867,  Rev.  George  H. 
Robertson  was  installed  as  pastor  of  the  church 
and  continued  as  pastor  until  September  22, 
1871.  During  his  pastorate  one  hundred  and 
twenty-four  persons  were  admitted  as  members. 

Rev.  Charles  D.  Shaw  succeeded  him  and 
commenced  his  labors  January  7,  18  72,  was 
installed  June  2,  18  72,  and  resigned  July  1, 
18"/ 4.  Sixty  five  members  were  admitted  during 
his  pastorate. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  George  H.  Fuller- 
ton,  who  began  his  work  December  17,  1874. 
His  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  by  Presby- 
tery June  26,  1879.  One  hundred  and  thirty- 
four  members  were  admitted  during  his  pastor- 
ate, of  whom  about  ninety  were  by  profession. 

On  November  9,  1879,  Rev.  L.  G.  Hays  ac- 
ccepted  a  call  from  said  church,  and  continued 
to  be  its  pistor  until  February  15,  1881,  when 
his  resignation  took  effect. 

THIRD    PRESBYTERIAN. 

This  church  was  organized  February  7,  1849, 
with  between  fifty  and  sixty  members,  who  with- 
drew from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  for 
that  purpose.  The  pastors  under  this  organiza- 
tion were  Revs.  Richard  V.  Dodge,  C.  P,  Jen- 
nings, G.  W.  C.  Burch  and  Rev.  H.  M.  Payn- 
ter.  The  building  now  occupied  by  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  was  erected  by  the  Third 
and  sold  to  the  First  in  1871. 

The  Third  Church  was  re-organized  March  30, 
187'j,  under  the  pastoral  of  Rev.  H.  M.  Paynter, 
with  forty  members.  November  1,  1875,  Rev.  J. 
J.  Gulick  was  called  to  the  pastorate  as  a 
licentiate  Previous  to  this  time,  however,  the 
present  church  edifice,  occupied  by  the  society, 
wa*  erected,  being  completed  in  October,  1875, 
and  dedicated  on  November  1,  1875. 

In  1877,  Rev.  A.  K.  Bates  was  called  and  in- 
stalled pastor.  In  April,  1877,  Rev.  P.  M.  Bald- 
win was  elected  Stated  Supply,  and  October  14, 
18S0,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  E.  S.  Mc- 
Micliael  to  become  pastor.  The  membership  of 
the  church  is  seventy-five.  A  Sunday  school 
meets  every  Sunday  at  2  p.  m.,  under  the  super- 
intendencv  of  Edwin  A.  Wilson. 


CEXTEAJt    BAPTIST. 

On  the  I7th  of  July,  1830,  a  few  members  of 
the  different  Baptist  Churches  met  in  Springfield 
a'ld  adopted  articles  of  faith  in  accordance  with 
the  sacred  Scriptures  and  the  belief  of  the  Bap- 
tist denomination,  and  eighi  persons  were 
publicly  recognized,  by  a  regular  council,  as  the 
First  Baptist  Church,  of  Springfield.  Rev.  Aaron 
Vandeveer  was  called  as  the  pastor,  and  on  the 
21st  of  August  commenced  his  labors.  He  re- 
mained about  five  years,  and  there  were  added 
to  the  church  ten  by  baptism,  sixty  by  letter,  ten 
by  experience — total,  eighty. 

In  June,  1834,  the  church  made  an  effort  to 
build  a  place  of  worship,  and  purchased  a  lot  for 
the  same.  In  June,  1835,  Elder  Vandeveer  re- 
signed, and  in  1836  Elder  Mariam  became  the 
pastor  of  the  church.  During  his  ministry  their 
first  house  of  worship  was  erected,  and  seventy 
were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism  and  twenty 
by  letter.  The  Lick  Creek  Church  was  also 
formed  by  the  dismissal  of  twenty-six  members 
from  this  church.  He  closed  his  labors  with  the 
church  November  1838,  and  was  succeeded  in 
October,  1839  by  Rev.  O.  C.  Comstock,  who 
labored  one  year,  during  which  time  four  were 
added  by  baptism  and  eleven  by  letter. 

On  the  22d  of  November,  1840,  Rev.  H.  W. 
Dodge  became  pastor  of  the  church,  and  when 
he  had  preached  about  three  years,  he  asked  and 
obtained  leave  of  absence  for  six  months,  but 
did  not  return  to  the  pastorate.  During  his 
ministry  Rev.  Thomas  Powell  assisted  him  in  a 
protracted  meeting,  which  resulted  in  a  large 
addition  to  the  church.  During  his  pastorate 
seventy-one  were  baptized,  eighteen  received  by 
letter,  and  four  by  experience.  Within  the  same 
period,  eleven  members  were  dismissed  to  con- 
stitute the  Baptist  Church  in  Decatur. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  1844,  Rev.  A.  Edson 
became  pastor,  and  preached  to  the  church  one 
year.     There  were  two  added  by  letter. 

In  October,  1846,  Rev.  G.  S.Bailey  commenced 
his  labors  as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  termina- 
ted them  in  October,  1S49.  The  additions  to 
the  church  were  thirty-five  by  baptism,  nineteen* 
by  letter,  and  one  by  experience.  Measures  were 
taken  during  this  time  to  erect  a  new  house  of 
worship,  in  which  Elder  Bailey  manifested  a 
lively  interest,  traveling  east  to  raise  funds  to 
secure  this  object.  At  the  time  he  resigned  his 
charge  the  liouse  was  nearly  completed.  The 
German  Baptist  Church,  of  Springfield,  was  also 
constituted  during  his  pastorate,  by  the  disn\i8sal 
of  members  from  this  church. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  CODNTY. 


607 


On  the  7tli  of  April,  1850,  their  new  house  of 
worsliip  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God, 
and  Rev.  T.  C.  Teasdale,  D.  D.,  who  had  previ- 
ously been  called  to  the  charge  of  this  church, 
preached  the  dedicatory  sermon  from  Acts,  5:20. 
Elder  Teasdale  having  accepted  the  call  of  the 
church,  entered  at  once  upon  his  duties  as  pastor, 
and  a  protracted  meeting  was  held,  resulting  in 
the  conversion  of  a  number  of  persons.  lie  re- 
mained a  little  over  two  years,  and  ninety  were 
adde<l  by  liaptism,  and  twenty-two  by  letter,  and 
two  bv  experience. 

In  July,  1853,  Rev.  William  Sym  took  pastor- 
al charge  of  the  church  and  remained  two  years, 
during  which  time  eleven  were  added  by  bap- 
tism, and  eighteen  by  letter. 

Rev.  N.  W.  Miner  assumed  the  duties  pertain- 
ing to  the  pastorate  in  April,  1855,  and  remained 
fourteen  years,  liev.  Nehemiah  Pierce  became 
pastor  November  1,  18T0,  and  died  March  25, 
1873.  Rev.  H.  M.  Worrell  succeeded,  acting  as 
pastor  from  November,  1874,  to  June,  1878. 
Rev.  J.  L.  M.  Young  came  next,  and  remained 
about  seven  months,  until  the  union  of  the  First 
Baptist  and  North  Church. 

The  constituent  members  of  the  church  num- 
bered eight.  The  membership  in  1838,  was  one 
hundred  and  four  ;  in  1840,  ninety-three;  in  1845, 
eighty-eight;  in  1850,  one  hundred  and  twenty-six; 
in  1855,  one  hundred  and  seventy-four;  in  1860, 
four  hundred;  in  1865,  three  hundred  and  forty- 
five;  in  1870,  three  hundred  and  thirty-three;  in 
187.5,  three  hundred  and  fifty;  in  1878,  three 
hundred  and  thirty-six. 

The  whole  number  received  by  baptism  from 
1830  to  1878,  is  one  thousand  and  thirty  nine; 
Received  by  letter,  four  hundred  and  eighty-one; 
Total  additions,  one  thousand  five  hundred  and 
twenty.  Total  number  dismissed  by  letter, 
dropped,  excluded  and  died,  one  thousand  two 
hundred  and  six. 

THE  XOllTII  BAPTIST  CIIURCU 

was  constituted,  fifty-two  members  of  the  First 
liurch  entering  into  the  organization. 
The  first  preliminary  meeting  was  held  April 
17,  1860;  Brethren  W.  W.  Watson  and  Noah 
Divelbiss  acting,  respectively  as  Moderator  and 
Clerk.  After  several  meetings;  and  most  thor- 
ough and  earnest  discussion,  the  organization 
was  afiiected  May  29.  Articles  of  faith  and 
covenant  were  adopted,  and  the  following  oifi- 
cers  elected:  Deacons,  W.  W.  Watson  and  J. 
O.  Rimes;  Clerk,  Noah  Divelbiss;  Treasurer; 
Henry  Converse.  There  was  also  appointed  a 
committee  on  pastorate,  consisting  of  Brethren 
Watson,    Foley  and    Divelliiss.     The  labors  of 


this  committee  resulted  in  extending  a  unanimous 
and  hearty  call  to  Rev.  Ichabod  Clark,  of  Rock- 
ford,  who  accepted,  and  commenced  his  pastor- 
ate in  July,  1860. 

The  new  church  was  publicly  recognized  Au- 
gust 16,  1860,  the  First  Church  of  Springfield 
and  the  churches  of  Jacksonville  and  Berlin 
joining  in  the  recognition  services.  The  sermon 
was  by  Rev.  R.  R.  Coon,  hand  of  fellowship  by 
Rev.  G.  S.  Goodnoo;  prayer  of  recognition  by 
Itev.  F.  W.  Ingmire.  For  nearly  two  years 
services  were  held  in  the  court  house,  on  the  site 
of  the  present  First  National  Bank.  A  house  of 
woi'ship  was  then  built  on  north  Sixth  street  and 
dedicated  August  31,  1862. 

Dr.  Ichabod  Clark  was  the  first  pastor,  and 
was  succeeded,  in  order,  by  Revs.  A.  C.  Hub- 
bard, William  Haigh,  N.  G.  Collins,  H.  M.  Carr, 
D.  F.  Carnahan,  Perry  Bennett,  and  C.  W.  Clark, 
the  last  serving  when  the  union  of  the  First 
and  North  Churches  was  effected.  The  mem- 
bership in  1860  was  eighty;  in  1865,  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen;  in  1870,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-three;  in  1875,  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine; 
in  1879,  two  hundred  and  nineteen.  The  whole 
number  received  by  baptism  was  one  hundred 
and  eighty-two;  by  letter,  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
nine.     Total,  three  hundred  and  fifty-one. 

THE    CONSOLIDATION. 

The  first  effort  towards  a  union  of  the  two 
churches  was  made  by  the  First  Church,  in  a 
series  of  resolutions  adopted  July  15,  1873,  and 
presented  to  the  North  Church,  July  25.  The 
resolutions  were  received  and  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee, which  after  careful  consideration,  made  an 
able  report,  in  which  they  gave  their  reasons  for 
deciding  that  the  time  had  not  yet  come  for 
such  a  movement.  The  correspondence  between 
the  churches  was  courteous  and  fraternal,  and 
the  First  Church  cheerfully  acquiesced  in  the 
decision  reached.  April  30, 1879,  in  a  full  meet- 
ing of  the  First  Church,  the  question  of  union 
was  again  advanced  for  consideration.  Resolu- 
tions were  presented  and  unanimously  adojjted, 
embodying  this  basis  of  cmsolidation,  in  briet: 
A  new  organization  was  proposed;  both  churches 
disbanding  and  dropping  their  distinctive  names; 
the  officers  of  both  churches  to  resign,  and  a 
new  election  to  be  held  by  the  united  body; 
the  property  of  both  churches  to  be  deeded  to 
the  new  organization. 

The  resolutions  were  presented  to  the  North 
Church  May  7,  1879.  They  were  very  cordially 
received  and  referred  to  a  select  committee  of 
nine,  who  were  authorized  to  meet  for  consulta- 
tion   with  a  similar  committee  from  the  Fii'st 


U08 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chinch;  the  decision  of  the  joint  ccmmittee  to 
be  reported  back  to  each  organization  for  final 
action. 

These  committees  reported  to  their  resjiective 
churches,  heartily  endorsing  and  recommending 
the  proposed  union.  The  report  was  adopted  in 
the  First  Church  by  unanimous  vote;  in  the 
North  Church  by  a  vote  of  forty-three  to  nine — 
majority  of  more  than  four-fifths. 

The  meeting  for  consolidation  and  organiza- 
tion was  held  in  the  North  Church  June  13, 
1879,  Deacon  L,  R.  Brown,  (chairman  of  the  joint 
committee)  was  Modertor,  and  Isaac  E.  Roll, 
Clerk.  The  new  body  was  named  "The  Central 
Baptist  Church  of  Springfield."  Articles  of 
Faith  and  Covenant  were  adopted,  and  the  fol- 
lowing olKcers  were  elected:  Trustees,  A.  L. 
Converse,  A.  M.  Gregory,  J.  O.  Rames,  L.  Smith, 
S.  S.  Elder,  David  E.  Roll;  Deacons,  L.  R. 
Brown,  Nelson  Neher,  D.  W.  Witmer,  George 
Gough;  Clerk,  Isaac  E.  Roll;  Treasurer,  R.  M. 
Huckey. 

The  first  public  services  of  the  new  church 
were  held  June  15,  1879.  During  the  summer 
the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  various  ministers, 
and  Rev.  F.  D.  Rickerson  was  cal'ed  to  the  pas- 
torate and  entered  upon  his  duties  November 
11,  1879. 

A  new  house  of  worship,  on  the  corner  of 
Fourth  street  and  Capital  Avenue,  has  just 
been  erected,  at  a  cost  of  Si 8,000. 

GERMAN    BAPTIST. 

In  1849,  this  church  was  organized  by  mem- 
bers withdrawing  from  the  First  Church.  They 
have  a  small,  unpretentious  house  of  worship, 
on  Capital  Avenue,  between  Fifth  and  Sixth 
streets,  and  meet  for  worship  every  Sabbath. 
Rev.  William  Papenhausen  is  the  pastor. 

COLORED    liAPTISTS. 

There  are  two  churches  of  Colored  Baptists  in 
the  city,  one  situated  on  the  corner  of  Twelfth 
and  Mason  streets,  and  known  as  the  "Union," 
Rev.  Mr.  Robertson,  pastor;  the  other  on  the 
corner  of  Ninth  and  Carpenter  streets,  Rev. 
George  Brent,  pastor. 

CHRISTIAN    CHUKCH. 

Previous  to  the  year  1832  there  was  no  Chris- 
tian Church  in  Springfield.  In  the  fall  of  that 
year,  Rev.  Joseph  Hewitt,  a  widely-known  and 
popular  Evangelist  of  the'  Christian  denomina- 
tion, came  to  Springfield  and  opened  a  protracted 
meeting  and  revival.  He  was  a  very  persistent 
and  eloquent  divine  and  soon  made  a  large  num- 
ber of  converts  among  the  citizens  of  this  place, 


and  in  1833  they  were  organized  into  the  Chris- 
tian Church  of  Springfield.  The  first  church 
edifice  erected  by  them  was  built  on  Madison 
street  opposite  the  City  High  School,  and  is  now 
occupied  and  used  by  the  Portuguese  Church. 
After  worshiping  in  that  place  for  a  few  years 
the  church  bought  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Sixth 
and  Jefferson  streets  and  erected  another  house 
of  worship  upon  it.  This  building  the  congre- 
gation have  occupied  ever  since  until  the  past 
year,  when  they  purchased  a  lot  on  Fifth  street 
opposite  the  Governor's  Mansion,  and  upon  it 
are  erecting  a  new  and  tasty  structure  for  the 
future  use  of  the  church.  It  is  an  elegant  edifice 
and  thoroughly  modern  in  all  its  appointments, 
being  octagonal  in  form,  it  presents  a  fine  au- 
dience room  which  is  to  be  seated  with  chairs  in 
lieu  of  the  old-lashioned  benches.  It  is  expected 
to  be  completed  by  Christmas  and  will  cost  about 
eighteen  thousand  dollars.  The  present  pastor 
is  Rev.  J.  B.  Allen,  to  whose  untiring  efforts  the 
congregation  is  indebted  for  the  new  house  of 
worship.  The  present  membership  numbers 
about  three  hundred.  The  music  is  on  the  con- 
gregational order,  led  by  an  organ.  The  Sun- 
day school  connected  with  this  church  has  an 
average  attendance  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  scholars  and  is  under  the  guidance  of  S.  H. 
Twyman,  the  Superintendent. 

CUURCH    OF   THE   IMMACULATE    CONCEPTION. 

The  first  Catholic  services  held  in  Springfield 
are  unknown,  though  it  was  at  a  very  early  day, 
ante-dating  the  old  settlers'  time  mark,  the  deep 
snow,  by  several  years.  It  was  made  a  station 
some  time  between  1830  and  1840,  and  remained 
such  until  1844,  when  Rev.  George  A.  Hamilton 
organized  a  congregation,  and  built  a  church  on 
East  Adams  street.  To  this  church  was  given 
the  name  of  St.  John  the  Baptist. 

In  1856,  Rev.  H.  Quigley,  D.  D.,  organized 
the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  and 
in  the  years  1857-8,  a  house  of  worship  was 
erected  on  the  corner  of  Monroe  and  Seventh 
streets.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  church  edi- 
fices in  the  city,  and  the  congregation  that  now 
worships  there  numbers  five  hundred  families. 

In  1869,  Rev.  Patrick  Brady  was  appointed  to 
the  charge,  and  at  once  assumed  the  pastorate. 
Under  his  ministration,  the  church  has  prospered 
until  it  has  a  larger  membership  than  any  other 
in  the  city. 

Becoming  too  large  for  the  pastoral  care  of 
one  man,  Rev.  Patrick  Bourke  was  assigned  to 
the  position  of  Assistant  Pastor  in  1873,  and 
the  two  reverend  gentlemen  have  labored  har- 
m.oniously  together  ever  since. 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


609 


The  German  Catholic  congregation  of  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  was  established  in  the  3ear  1858, 
by  Rev.  J.  Janssen,  afterwards  secretary  of  Rt. 
Rev.  Bishop  11.  D.  Junkers,  of  Alton.  The  first 
church  was  a  frame  building  on  Adams,  between 
Ninth  and  Tenth  streets.  In  1801,  a  mission 
given  by  Rev.  F.  A.  Weninger,  S.  J.,  raised  a 
universal  desire  among  the  members  of  the  con- 
gregation to  build  a  more  spacious  edifice,  and 
immediately  exertions  were  made  to  raise  funds 
for  this  purpose.  At  about  the  same  time  a  pa- 
rochial school  was  opened  with  about  fifty  pu- 
pils enrolled. 

In  1863,  Rev.  William  Burch  successor  to 
Rev.  J.  Janssen,  bought  of  the  Ursuline  Sisters, 
on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Reynolds  streets,  the 
ground  for  a  new  church  edifice,  for  which  the 
corner  stone  was  laid  September  21,  1865.  In 
the  autumn  of  that  year  the  church  was  com- 
pleted so  far  that  the  first  service  could  be  held 
on  the  30th  of  September. 

The  zealous  pastor,  after  four  years  of  hard 
labor  and  great  sufferings,  died  of  consumption 
July  13,  1867,  which  death  was  a  great  loss  to 
the'young  congregation.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Rev.  G.  Luecken,  who  commenced  his  labors 
September  8,  1807,  and  who  completed  and 
ornamented  the  church  building. 

In  1869,  the  school  house  adjoining  the  church 
was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,500,  and  the  pastor's 
residence  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  $3,200. 

In  1872,  the  adjacent  lot  with  dwelling  house 
was  purchased  for  $2,500,  which  was  destined  to 
be  the  Sisters'  dwelling  place.  At  this  time  the 
school  was  attended  by  about  one  hundred  and 
sixty  pupils. 

The  organ  was  replaced  in  1874,  by  the  pres- 
ent large  pipe  organ  with  twenty  stops,  built  by 
Josegh  Gratian,  of  Alton.  It  cost  the  sum  of 
$1,700. 

In  1869,  a  new  bell  was  purchased,  weighing 
one  theusaud  and  eighty-eight  pounds,  F  sharp, 
and  was  )ilaced  in  the  steeple,  at  a  cost  of  $455. 

After  Rev.  Father  Luecken  left  the  diocese 
of  Alton,  Rev.  F.  G.  Leve,  the  present  pastor, 
by  order  of  the  Bishop  of  Alton,  took  charge  of 
the  congregation  in  1875.  Tinder  his  manage- 
ment the  heavy  debt,  amounting  to  about  $11,- 
000,  has  been  reduced  to  a  nominal  sum,  and 
would  have  been  entirely  wiped  out  had  it  not 
been  necessary  to  make  some  needed  repairs 
and  improvements  in  both  church  and  school 
buildings.  lie  has  purchased  two  new  altars  at 
a  cost  of  $800;  two  chandaliers  for  $200;  and 
different  fine  vestments,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000. 


Father  Weinninger,  who  held  the  fiist  mission 
with  this  church,  held  another  in  the  spring  of 
1881,  just  before  Easter,  in  which  he  infused 
new  life  into  the  congregation,  and  filled  them 
with  zeal  for  future  work.  By  the  advice  of  the 
missionary,  it  was  determined  by  the  congrega- 
tion to  purchase  the  quarter  of  a  block  adjoin- 
ing the  old  property,  and  to  build  a  school 
house,  and  erect  a  steeple  on  the  building,  and 
make  other  needed  improvements. 
ST.  Joseph's  church, 

A  Catholic  Church,  a  little  north  of  the  city, 
having  a  resident  pastor  and  a  Catholic  school. 

In  1875,  Rev.  M.  Kane  was  commissioned  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  P.  J.  Baltis,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Alton, 
to  come  to  this  city  and  form  a  new  congrega- 
tion, to  include  all  the  Catholics  north  of  Car- 
penter street  and  those  of  the  surrounding 
country. 

By  unwearied  exertions  and  fine  business 
capacity.  Rev.  Mr.  Kane  succeeded  in  building 
St.  Joseph's  Church  and  school  house,  both  of 
brick.  The  church  is  about  one  hundred  by 
forty  feet,  stone  finished  facade,  with  a  steeple, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the  ground  to 
the  cross.  The  interior  is  beautifully  frescoed; 
ij,  is  lighted  by  gas;  has  thiee  very  fine  altars, 
Gothic  windows,  a  very  good  bell,  two  vestry 
rooms,  a  large  basement,  and  is  heated  by  hot 
air.  The  schooMiouse  is  two  stories  high,  and 
contains  four  large  well  ventilated  class  rooms. 
The  whole  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  grove,  some 
two  acres  in  extent,  making  it  one  of  the  prettiest 
and  most  attractive  spots  in  the  city  or  its  sur- 
roundings. The  congregation,  numbering  some 
three  hundred  families,  is  largely  composed  of 
farmers  and  men  employed  at  the  rolling  mill 
and  coal  mines. 

ENGLISH    LUTHERAN. 

The  first  English  Lutheran  Church  of  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  was  organized  in  September,  1841, 
by  Rev.  Francis  Springer.  The  number  of  per- 
sons entering  the  original  organization  was  eight, 
including  the  pastor  and  his  wife.  The  names 
of  the  others  were  James  Zwisler,  Thomas  Lorsh- 
baugh,  John  B.  Weber  and  his  wife,  Frederick 
Myers  and  John  Hammer.  Messrs.  Weber, 
Zwisler,  Lorshbaugh  and  Myers  were  the  first 
elders  and  deacons. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pastors,  in  the 
order  in  which  they  served: 

Rev.  Francis  Springer,  1839  to  1847;  Rev. 
Ephraim  Miller,  Rev.  Conrad  Kuhl,  Rev.  S. 
W.  Harkey,  Rev.  J.  D.  Garver,  Rev.  Francis 
Springer   (again).   Rev.  William   M.  Reynolds 


610 


HISTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


(began),  1858;  Rev.  B.  C.  Suesserott,  Rev. 
Ephraim  Miller  (.again),  1864;  Rev.  L.  M.  Heil- 
nian,  Rev.  J.  N.  Black,  Rev.  P.  G.  Bell,  Rev.  P. 
Graeff,  Rev.  B.  F.  Croiise. 

A  church  edifice  was  erected  by  the  congrega- 
tion on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Madison  streets, 
in  1856,  during  Rev.  Francis  Springer's  second 
pastoral  charge  of  the  church.  It  is  a  neat 
frame  edifice  and  cost  about  $8,000.  It  will  seat 
about  four  hundred  persons. 

GERMAN   LUTHEKAN    TRINITY    CHURCH. 

The  congregation  was  organized  under  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  pastors  of  the  English 
Lutheran  Churcli  of  this  city,  Rev.  F.  Springer 
and  llev.  S.  W.  Harkey,  members  of  the  Luth- 
eran General  Synod,  in  1851.  In  was  re-organ- 
ized in  185.5  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  a  Ger- 
man minister  of  the  Lutheran  Church — Rev.  F. 
W.  Eggerking — with  fifty  members.  In  1860, 
a  new  church  building  was  erected,  and  conse- 
crated November  11  of  that  year,  under  the  name 
of  German  Lutheran  Trinity  Church;  Rev.  Th. 
Huschmann,  pastor.  The  congregation  has  been 
in  connection  with  the  German  Lutheran  Synod 
of  Missouri,  Ohio,  and  other  States,  since  1863, 
under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  following 
named  members  of  that  Synod:  Rev.  W.  Jiavt- 
ling,  1863  to  1870;  Rev.  H.  Burckhardt,  18T0  to 
1874;  Rev.  Th.  Benson,  1874  to  1876;  Rev.  F. 
Lochner,  pastor,  and  Rev.  A.  Craemer,  Profes- 
sor of  the  German  Lutheran  Theological  Con- 
cordia College,  assistant  of  the  Rev.  Lochner, 
since  Febru.ary,  1876.     Members,  ninety-five. 

During  the  administration  of  the  Rev.  H. 
Burckhardt,  a  number  of  the  members  separated 
themselves  from  the  Trinity  Church  in  conse- 
quence of  the  resolution  of  the  congregation, 
that  no  member  of  any  secret  society  can  be  a 
member  of  the  congregation  as  a  part  of  the  true 
•Lutheran  Church.  Those  seiaarated  members 
organized  themselves  as  St.  John's  Lutheran 
Congregation,  in  connection  with  the  Lutheran 
General  Synod. 

According  to  the  principles  of  the  Lutheran 
Church,  the  congregation  established  in  1855,  by 
their  own  means,  a  German-English  Parochi.al 
School.  A  new  brick  building,  of  two  stories, 
was  erected  last  year,  and  opened  for  teaching 
in  September,  1880.  One  hundred  or  more 
children  will  attend  the  school.  Principal,  Mr. 
Benjamin  Gotsch;  Assistant,  Miss  Johanna 
Gotsch. 

St.  John  Congregation  of  the  Evangelical  Lu- 
theran Church  was  organized  in  August,  1870, 
with  about  forty  members.     They  purchased  the 


church  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Washington 
streets,  at  a  cost  of  §8,000.  The  church  edifice 
is  eighty  by  forty  feet,  and  built  of  brick.  The 
present  membership  of  the  congregation  is  sixty. 
The  names  of  the  pastors  since  organization  are 
as  follows:  Revs.  Kassmann,  Prachs,  Stark, 
Bond,  Richter,  Heinegar,  and  L.  W.  Graepp. 

FIRST   PORTUGUESE    PRESBYTERIAN. 

Tke  congregation  was  organized  in  Madeira 
in  1844,  and  its  members  emigrated  in  a  body, 
as  stated  elsewhere  in  this  work,  arriving  here 
in  the  fall  of  1849.  Services  have  been  held 
continuously  since  that  time.  The  present 
church  building  is  a  brick  structure,  situated  on 
Madison  street,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth.  Rev. 
Mr.  McGee  was  the  last  pastor  the  church  had. 
The  membership  of  the  church  is  about  one 
hundred. 

SECOND    PORTUGUESE    PRESBYTERIAN. 

This  society  was  organized  about  1857.  Its 
present  house  of  worship,  an  unpretentious  brick 
structure,  situated  at  the  corner  of  Eighth  and 
Miller  streets,  was  erected  in  1861.  Rev.  E.  N. 
Piers  is  pastor  of  the  congregation,  and  also  has 
charge  of  a  congregation  at  Jacksonville,  and 
therefore  only  spends  half  his  time  here.  Ser- 
vices, however,  are  held  every  Sunday,  con- 
ducted by  the  elders.  The  membership  is  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty. 

GERMAN   METHODIST. 

The  German  Methodist  of  the  city  have  a 
church  edifice  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and 
Mason  streets,  and  meet  for  worship  every  Sab- 
bath.    J.  P.  Miller  is  the  present  pastor. 

COLORED  METHODISTS. 

There  is  a  society  of  colored  Methodists  which 
meets  on  the  east  side  of  Fourth  street,  near 
Reynolds,  with  Rev.  J.  Dawson  as  the  present 
pastor. 

PLYMOUTH    BRETHREN. 

The  Plymouth  Brethren  meet  for  worship 
Thursday  evening  at  609  Monroe  street,  up  stairs. 
E.  R.  Ulrich  is  the  leader.  They  have  no  regu- 
lar pastor  at  present. 

ST.  Paul's  episcopal. 

This  church  was  oiganized  about  1837  by  Rev. 
Samuel  Chase.  They  own  a  fine  church  edifice 
on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Adams  street,  to- 
gether with  a  residence  for  the  pastor  adjoining 
on  the  east.  Rev.  E.  A.  Larrabee  is  the  present 
rector.  The  church  controls  two  missions  in  the 
suburbs  of  the  city. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


611 


COMiBEGATIOXAL    CHURCH. 

On  the  evening  of  December  11,  1866,  a  meet- 
ing was  held  of  those  favorable  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  Congregational  Church  in  Springfield, 
in  the  office  of  \)r.  Charles  S.  Shelton.  Those 
present  were  unanimously  of  the  opinion  the 
time  had  come  to  organize.  Two  meetings  were 
then  held  December  1 7th  and  ISth,  at  which 
Rev.  J.  E.  Roy  was  present  and  encouraged  the 
enterprise.  Among  those  favoring  the  establish- 
ment of  the  church  and  who  were  active  in  the 
work  were  Dr.  Shelton,  J.  D.  B.  Salter,  Lucius 
Kingsbury,  Herbert  Post,  Dr.  Samuel  Willard, 
R.  M.  Tunnell,  Frank  W.  Tracy,  H.  S.  Dicker- 
man,  C.  D.  Harvey,  C.  R.  Post,  J.  M.  Morse,  J. 
W.  Lane,  J.  B.  Fosselman,  Franklin  Barrows, 
Simon  Barrows,  C.  F.  Lawrence,  C.  V.  Hoag- 
land,  N.  C.  Withington,  H.  C.  Walker,  L.  W. 
Coe,  Mrs.  Julia  E.  Post,  Mrs.  H.  M.  Shelton, 
Mrs.  J.  J.  Fosselman  and  Rev.  E.  Jemey. 

Committees  were  appointed  to  procure  pledges 
of  money  tor  the  support  of  the  proposed  church, 
to  secure  a  minister,  to  obtain  a  suitable  room 
for  worship,  and  to  prepare  a  formula  for  the 
organization  of  the  church.  Rev.  F.  T.  Water- 
man, of  Monroe,  Connecticut,  accepted  an  invi- 
tation to  act  as  temporary  minister  to  the  society. 
The  first  meeting  for  worship  was  held  in  Bryant, 
Stratton  &  Bell's  Commercial  College  Hall. 
The  Constitution,  Articles  of  Faith,  Covenant 
and  Rules  of  the  new  church,  as  reported  by  the 
committee  of  revision,  were  adopted  at  a  meet- 
ing held  Januai-y  28, 1867.  Two  weeks  previous 
to  this,  C.  S.  Shelton,  Lucius  Kingsbury  and 
Frank  W.  Tracy  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
address  letters  missive  to  certain  churches  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  council,  to  assist  in 
completing  the  organization  of  the  church. 

The  Council  convened  February  6,  and  was 
attended  by  a  number  of  ministers  from  other 
places,  and  advised  the  comjsletion  of  the  organ- 
ization. 

The  new  church  had  seventy-iive  members  at 
the  start,  fifty-five  coming  from  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church.  The  first  officers  elected 
were:  Deacons,  C.  S.  Shelton,  Lucius  Kings- 
burv  and  C.  11.  Post;  Standing  Committee, 
William  M.  Baker,  L.  W.  Coe,  C.  H.  Flower, 
C.  F.  Lawrence  and  H.  S.  Dickerman;  Trustees, 
J.  D.  B.  Salter,  J.  B.  Fosselman,  H.  C.  Walker, 
F.  W.  Tracy  and  S.  C.  Willard;  Clerk  and 
Treasurer,  R.  M.  Tunnell;  Superintendent  of 
Sunday  School,  Herbert  Post;  Secretary,  Alex. 
Bunker. 

It  was  two  years  before  a  house  of  worship 
was  erected.     Rev.    T.  T.  Waterman   supplied 

71— 


the  pulpit  until  October,  1867,  when  Rev.  John 
Knox  McLean  was  called  and  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  pastorate,  December  4,  1867.  On 
Thursday  evening,  December  10,  1868,  the 
house  of  worship,  erected  and  furnished  at  a 
cost  of  $24,000,  was  dedicated  to  the  services  of 
Almighty  God.  Rev.  Mr.  McLean  served  about 
five  years,  when  Rev.  John  H.  Barrows  was 
called  to  the  work.  Mr.  Barrows  has  been  suc- 
ceeded in  turn  by  Revs.  IL  D.  Moore,  H.  B. 
Dean,  R.  Nourse  and  R.  O.  Post,  the  latter  now 
serving  the  church.  The  present  church  mem- 
bership is  one  hundi'ed  and  sixty-five,  and  that 
of  the  Sunday  School,  two  hundred. 

HEBREW    TBMPLE. 

An  organization  of  Israelites  was  effected  in 
this  city  in  186a,  for  the  purpose  of  public  wor- 
ship according  to  the  law  given  to  Moses.  Rev. 
B.  Deutch  was  the  first  to  minister  to  the  congre- 
gation, and  served  the  membership  for  nine 
years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  L.  S.  Ensel, 
who,  in  turn,  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  Burg- 
heim.  In  1875,  the  congregation  erected ,  a 
handsome  Temple  on  North  Fifth  street,  near 
the  Arsenal,  at  a  cost  of  over  $7,000.  Before 
the  completion  of  the  Temple  the  congregation 
met  for  worship  in  Hart's  Hall,  on  South  Fifth 
street.  Services  are  held  each  Friday  evening, 
and  often  on  Saturday  morning,  and  are  held  in 
the  Hebrew,  English  and  German  languages. 
The  following  are  the  names  of  the  officers  in 
1881:  S.  Benjamin,  President ;  L.  Rosenwald, 
Vice  President ;  B.  A.  Lange,  Treasurer  ;  L.  A. 
Hammerslough,  Secretary.  Each  of  the  forego- 
ing are  also  Trustees,  in  addition  to  D.  Seligman, 
D.  Phillips  and  Z.  Levy. 

THE  TOUNG  MEN's  CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION. 

J?y  Isaac  R.  Diller. 

"  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was 
organized  in  Springfield  shortly  after  the  'Great 
Revival,'  in  1S6G,  and  commenced  active  work 
immediately,  opening  reading  rooms,  and  in 
other  ways  seeking  to  reach  and  benefit  young 
men.  The  first  report  showed  a  debt  had  been 
incurred  which  increased  each  year,  and  caused 
many  to  leave  the  Association,  increasing  the 
burden  on  the  few  faithful  workers,  until  in 
1872,  they  were  obliged  to  give  up  their  rooms 
and  abandon  active  work.  The  sign  still  hung 
on  the  front  of  the  building  and  put  the  thought 
into  the  hearts  of  several  young  men,  not  yet 
out  of  their  teens  (who  had  formerly  met  in  the 
rooms  of  the  Association  in  the  capacity  of  a 
boys'  prayer  meeting,  under  the  name  of  the 
'Young  Men's  Christian  Association,  Junior,)   if 


612 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tliey  could  not  benefit  their  companions  by  or- 
ganizing a  'Young  Men's  Christian  Association.' 
Uljon  consultation  they  found  several  of  their 
friends  had  thought  the  same,  so  after  issuing  a 
call  and  holding  several  preliminary  meetings, 
they  effected  an  organization  March  2-t,  187-1. 
They  found  their  predecessors, after  abandoning 
the  active  work,  had  still  kept  up  an  organiza 
tion,  but  gladly  turned  their  books  over  to  their 
charge,  and  wished  them  God  speed  in  their 
work.  On  account  of  their  youth  and  inexperi- 
ence the  general  prediction  was,  that  a  few 
months  would  witness  their  dissolution,  but  they 
had 'put  their  hand  to  the  plow' and  dare  not 
look  back,  but  through  the  difficulties  and  dis- 
couragements that  encompassed  them  looked  up 
to  '  Him  who  was  able  to  help.'  One  of  their 
principles  was,  'avoid  debt,'  and  another  'work.' 
They  immediately  started  a  young  men's  prayer 
meeting  in  their  rooms  (having  secured  a  place 
for  meeting  in  Cook's  building,  on  Monroe  street) 
and  a  prayer  meeting  on  Monday  night  at  the 
Home  for  the  Friendless,  both  of  which  are  still 
maintained.  During  the  summer,  Professor 
Stephen  Bogardus,  proprietor  of  the  Commercial 
College,  offered  the  Association  the  use  of  his 
hall  free  of  charge,  which  offer  was  gladly  ac- 
cepted, thus  enabling  them  to  save  the  rent  for 
several  months,  which  was  no  small  item  to  the 
Association.  During  this  time  the  Association 
was  first  represented  in  a  gathering  away  from 
home,  the  occasion  being  a  district  convention 
in  Mason  City.  The  Springfield  delegate  gave 
ex]jression  to  the  feeling  of  his  fellow  workers, 
when  he  stated  their  determination  to  prosecute 
their  work  'if  we  have  to  hold  our  meetings 
under  the  gas  lamps.'  In  the  fall  the  rooms  on 
Monroe  street  were  re-rented  and  furnished,  and 
were  the  home  of  the  Association  for  over  two 
years,  when  they  accepted  the  kind  offer  of  C. 
W.  Freeman  to  lease  them  rooms  in  his  building 
on  Washington  street,  near  the  square,  for  two 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  the  time  the  rooms 
were  moved  on  Sixth  street,  opposite  the  post 
offii'e,  wheie  they  are  still  located.  The  rooms 
are  by  far  the  most  pleasant  yet  occupied,  and  it 
is  the  hope  of  the  Association  that  the  next 
move  they  make  will  be  into  a  building  of-  their 
own  for  a  permanent  home.  An  effort  was  made 
last  spring  to  secure  a  lot,  but  was  dropped  when 
they  learned  one  of  the  city  churches  was  also 
desirous  of  obtaining  it,  but  the  success  achieved 
as  far  as  the  committee  went  was  flattering. 
The  Association  have  a  Slate  charter,  and  can 
own  and  hold  property  to  the  extent  of  $75,000, 
free  from  State  or  city  taxes. 


"The  growth  of  the  Association  has  been 
steady  and  permanent,  starting  with  about 
forty  members  they  now  have  over  two  hun- 
dred. In  1875,  they  commenced  publishing  a 
monthly  gospel  paper  the  "Y.  M.  C.  A. 
Herald,"  which  was  published  regularly  till 
the  third  'iear,  and  since  then  has  been  pub 
lished  occasionally  for  gratuitous  circulation. 
Ever  since  its  publication  it  has  been  circulated 
at  our  county  and  State  Fairs,  as  many  as  six 
thousand  being  circulated  at  one.  The  Associa- 
tion has  a  tent  on  the  grounds  and  the  General 
Secretary  spends  the  week  distributing  the 
"  Herald"  Tracts,  Testaments,  etc.,  and  in  per- 
sonal work.  Much  good  has  resulted  from  this 
work,  July  1,  1877,  the  Association  secured  the 
services  of  William  F.  Bischoff  as  General  Secre- 
tary, and  for  over  four  years  he  has  performed 
the  duties  of  the  office  in  a  most  faithful  and 
conscientious  manner,  and  the  work  of  the  Asso- 
ciation has  been  greatly  developed  through  his 
self-denying  labors.  The  need  of  such  an  officer 
was  felt  from  the  first,  but|it  seemed  almost  too 
good  to  hope  they  would  ever  be  able  to  secure 
one,  but  the  way  was  opened  and  the  proper 
person  brought  to  the  field. 

"The  work  of  the  Association  opened  up  gradu- 
ally, commencing  with  two  meetings.  Two  more 
were  opened  the  first  winter,  one  of  these  being 
the  praise  meeting,  which  has  since  grown  to 
such  proportions  as  to  sometimes  fill  our  large 
churches.  Then  cottage  prayer  meetings,  open 
air  meetings,  jail  services,  daily  prayer  meetings, 
Bible  study,  boys'  meetings,  and  other  fields  of 
Christian  usefulness  being  occupied,  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty  devotional  meetings  of  various 
kinds  being  held  in  a  single  month,  reaching 
many  thousand  people  of  all  classes  with  the 
Gospel  invitation.  Different  branches  of  work 
have  been  added  from  time  to  time  till  we  have 
now  branch  work  for  boys,  railroad  men,  Ger- 
mans, Swedes,  Sunday  Schools,  and  commercial 
travelers;  under  the  direction  of  earnest  workers 
among  these  classes.  Besides  the  devotional 
work,  one  branch  of  which  is  given  to  the  eleven 
members  of  the  board  of  directors,  and  the 
branch  work,  we  have  the  following  committees: 
Finance,  Publication,  Rooms  and  Library,  Socials 
and  Lectures,  Music,  Tract  and  Invitation,  Visi- 
tation of  the  Sick,  and  Membership. 

"The  reading  rooms  have  on  file  about  one 
hundred  papers  and  magazines,  and  the  library 
contains  over  four  hundred  volumes  of  instruc- 
tive and  valuable  books.  The  object  of  this 
Association,  as  stated  in  the  Constitution, 
shall  be    the    development    of    Christian   char- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


613 


acter  and  activity  in  its  members ;  the  pro- 
motion of  Evangelical  religion  ;  the  cultiva- 
tion of  Christian  sympathy,  and  the  improve- 
ment of  the  spiritual,  intellectual  and  social 
condition  of  young  men. 

"The  Association,  though  still  in  its  infancy, 
and  has  already  accomplished  much  in  this  di- 
rection, but  having  an  object  that  all  who  love 
the  Master  can  not  fail  not  only  to  approve,  but 
heartily  co-operate  in,  when  once  understood. 
We  hope,  with  increased  means  of  usefulness, 
with  a  building  arranged  and  devoted  especially 
to  this  puruose,  and  with  ripened  experience  to 
rightly  direct  the  efforts  put  forth,  to  become  a 
blessing  and  help  to  every  young  man  and  boy 
in  our  midst,  and  direct  them  to  so  live  that 
they  may  be  useful  and  happy  lives  in  this 
world,  and  spend  an  eternity  in  bliss  at  the 
Father's  right  hand." 

IX    nONOK    OF    THE    DEAD. 

In  France,  the  memory  of  those  who  have 
died  in  the  military  service,  with  which  is  ever 
associated  national  honor  and  love  of  country,  is 
fondly  cherished  by  the  people,  and  their  love 
and  gratitude  find  a  most  tilting  expression  in 
the  custom  observed  each  spring,  when  the  grass 
is  greenest  and  the  Howers  most  beautiful,  in  the 
decking  of  graves  where  the  loved  remains  lie, 
or  of  the  tablets  erected  in  memory  of  those  lost 
on  the  fields  of  battle. 

In  1868,  General  Logan,  Commander  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  issued  an  address, 
recommending  the  30th  day  of  May  be  set  apart 
in  which  the  brave  soldiers  who  volunteered  to 
defend  the  Union  and  to  preserve  the  govern- 
ment of  our  fathers,  were  to  have  similar  remem- 
brances. The  sacred  spot  where  their  remains 
lie  were  to  be  strewn  with  flowers  by  their  sur- 
viving comrades. 

"How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest. 
By  all  a  country's  wishes  blest, 
When  spring,  with  dewy  fingers  cold 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mould, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  greener  sod 
Than  fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod! 
By  tairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung, 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung. 
There  honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray. 
To  bless  the  surf,  that  wraps  their  clay; 
And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit,  there." 

The  first  public  decoration  of  soldiers'  graves 
in  this  county  was  on  Saturday,  May  SO,  1868, 
according  to  the  recommendation  of  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic. 
The  Senate  chamber  of  the  old  State  House  was 
the  place  where  the  ladies  met  for  the  arrange- 


ment of  the  flowers  and  evergreens  into  wreaths 
and  boquets.  Tables  loaded  with  flowers,  and 
baskets  of  evergreens,  were  scattered  about  the 
room,  and  around  them  were  gathered  a  large 
number  of  ladies,  all  absorbed  in  the  delicate 
and  artistic  work  of  arranging  and  weaving  the 
rare  and  beautiful  flowers  into  forms  indicating 
that  the  fair  artists  possessed  highly  cultivated 
and  exquisite  taste  in  such  matters.  The  hearts 
of  all  were  in  the  work,  and  they  felt  it  a  duty 
thus  to  honor  the  noble  dead. 

At  one  o'clock,  p.  m.,  the  committee,  consist- 
ing of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  appointed  to  deco- 
rate the  graves  of  those  buried  at  Camp  Butler 
Cemetery,  met  at  the  State  House  and  marched 
to  the  Wabash  depot  where  a  train  was  in  readi- 
ness to  carry  them  to  the  ground.  On  the  ar- 
rival of  the  train  at  the  site  of  old  Camp  Butler, 
the  company  formed  in  procession,  and  marched 
to  the  spot  where  rests  the  remains  of  many 
Union  soldiers,  who  died  in  the  hospital  at  this 
camp.  The  cemetery  is  situated  on  rising  ground 
only  a  short  distance  from  the  old  camp  ground, 
and  is  surrounded  with  a  good  picket  fence, 
everything  about  it  being  in  excellent  order. 

The  graves,  niitnberiug  several  hundred,  are 
furnished  with  white  headstones,  upon  which  are 
inscribed,  with  few  exceptions,  the  name,  age 
and  number  of  regiment  to  which  the  deceased 
belonged.  On  arriving  at  the  entrance  of  the 
cemetery,  every  visitor  was  provided  with  flow- 
ers, and  proceeded  to  the  shade  of  a  tree,  where 
the  services  of  the  occasion  commenced  by  the 
whole  assembly  joining  in  singing  the  patriotic 
and  soul-stirring  hymn  of  "America." 

"My  country,  'tis  of  thee, 
Sweet  land  "of  liberty, 

Of  thee,  I  sing. 
Land  where  my  fathers,  died. 
Land  of  the  pilgrims'  pride, 
From  every  niountaim  side, 

Let  Freedom  ring." 

After  singing.  Rev.  Mr.  Carr  offered  a  solemn 
and  impressive  prayer.  At  the  conclusion  of 
the  prayer.  Dr.  George  T.  Allen  made  a  few  re- 
marks. He  commenced  by  referring  to  the 
scenes  he  had  witnessed,  in  which  our  soldiers 
had  shown  their  love  of  country  and  the  cause 
of  liberty,  many  of  whom  had  sealed  their  devo- 
tion with  their  lives.  The  graves  around  us,  he 
said,  contained  the  remains  of  those  who  had 
fallen  in  defense  of  the  country,  and  we  should 
remember  their  virtues  and  patriotism,  as  we 
placed  the  flowers  upon  their  last  earthly  rest- 
ing place.  The  number  buried  here  were  but 
few   compared   with   the  number  that  perished 


614 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


during  the  war,  where  death  held  high  carnival. 
He  then  spoke  of  the  great  number  that  had 
died  in  hospitals  as  being  equal  to  those  who 
had  perished  upon  the  battle-fields,  and  in  this 
connection  spoke  in  appropriate  terms  of  the 
death  of  the  noble  Lincoln,  who  perished  by 
the  assassin's  hand,  and  the  gloom  that  over- 
shadowed the  Nat'on  as  the  dreadful  news 
spread  over  the  land.  In  closing  his  brief  ad- 
dress, he  again  referred  to  the  noble  dead  which 
they  had  come  to  honor,  and  trusted  that  the 
beautiful  custom  of  decorating  the  soldiers' 
graves  with  flowers  might  be  continued  in  after 
years,  thereby  calling  up  memories  of  the  past 
which  would  result  in  good  to  all. 

General  Tyndale,  of  Philadelphia,  then  made 
a  few  remarks,  after  which  the  ladies  and  gen- 
tlemen proceeded  to  decorate  the  graves,  placing 
at  the  head  of  each  a  beautiful  boquet  or  wreath 
of  flowers,  and  in  some  cases  strewing  the 
grave  with  flowers.  Some  of  the  most  beautiful 
flowers  and  wreaths  were  placed  upon  the  graves 
of  the  "unknown"  dead,  a  touching  testimonial 
that  though  their  names  were  unknown,  their 
patriotism  was  remembered  by  grateful  hearts. 

The  ceremony  concluded,  the  people  returned 
to  the  shade,  when  Colonel  George  H.  Harlow 
requested  the  assembly  to  raise  their  right  hands, 
and  as  they  did  so,  he  read  in  a  distinct  and  im- 
pressive manner,  the  following: 

"Before  Almighty  God,  and  within  the  pre- 
cincts of  the  last  resting  place  of  our  heroic 
dead,  we  renew  our  devotion  to  the  Union  and 
the  cause  for  which  they  gave  their  lives,  and 
we  here  again  renew  our  vows  to  defend  and 
perpetuate  Freedom  and  the  Union;  to  all  of 
which  we  pledge  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our 
sacred  honor;  so  help  us  God." 

At  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  committee  appointed 
to  visit  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  accompanied  by 
several  hundred  citizens,  proceeded  to  the  ceme- 
tery, and  on  arriving  there,  assembled  around 
the  tomb  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  which  had  pre- 
viously been  decorated  with  flowers  by  a  com- 
pany of  ladies.  On  arriving  at  the  tomb,  E.  L. 
Gross  made  some  brief  and  eloquent  remarks  ap- 
propriate to  the  occasion,  when  the  committee 
proceeded  to  decorate  the  graves  of  the  Union 
so  diers  with  flowers.  The  Catholic  cemeterj' 
was  then  visited,  and  the  graves  of  the  Union 
soldiers  there  interred  were  decorated  in  like 
manner  with  the  others.  Hutchinson  cemetery 
was  also  visited  and  flowers  laid  upon  the  graves 
of  LTnion  soldiers  sleeping  there. 

In  each  succeeding  anniversarj',  since  1868, 
Decoration  Day  has  been  observed,  but  perhaps 


never  more  faitlifuUy  observed  than  May  30, 
18S1.  The  streets,  even  early  in  the  forenoon, 
began  to  evince  signs  of  a  crowded  city,  and  be- 
fore twelve  o'clock  arriving  excursion  trains 
from  all  directions  had  swelled  the  number  of 
strangers  to  several  thousands.  Most  of  the 
visitors  arrived  by  way  of  the  Ohio  it;  Mississippi 
Road,  one  train,  due  at  nine-thirty,  from  the 
east  carrying  two  thousand  one  hundred  people. 
Other  trains  were  also  crowded. 

At  8:30  the  members  of  the  Stephenson  Post, 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  a  number  of  ex- 
soldiers  and  many  citizens  assembled  in  front  of 
the  Grand  Army  Hall,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
square,  and  at  nine  o'clock  they  boarded  the  street 
cars  and  proceeded  to  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery  under 
the  command  of  Major  Chapin. 

AT    OAK    RIDGE. 

On  arriving  at  the  street  car  terminus  the 
crowd  assembled  in  line  and  with  muflled  drums 
playing  a  funeral  dirge  marched  through  the 
cemetery  decorating  in  turn  the  grave  of  each 
fallen  comrade.  The  ceremony  of  the  Grand 
Army  was,  in  short,  carried  out  in  full  with 
great  impressiveness  and  solemnity. 

After  the  decoration  of  the  soldiers'  graves 
the  procession  moved  to  the  National  Lincoln 
Monument.  On  arriving  at  the  entrance  of  the 
tomb  the  many  assembled  comrades,  with  un- 
covered heads  and  hearts  full  of  emotion, 
marched  in  the  tomb  and  around  the  beautifully 
decorated  sarcophagus  containing  the  sacred 
ashes  of  the  illustrious  dead,  depositing  cluster 
after  cluster  of  beautiful  blossoms,  until  the 
martyred  President  slept  beneath  a  wilderness 
of  flowers. 

It  seemed  that  the  hearts  of  each  and  all 
present  instinctively  turned  back  to  the  review 
of  the  life  of  that  great  man  who  had  arisen 
from  the  lower  walks  of  life  by  the  force  of  his 
own  genius  and  the  Godliness  of  a  gentle  mind, 
step  by  step,  in  spite  of  adversity,  to  the  Chief 
Magistracy  of  a  great  Republic;  and  every  mind 
seemed  sad  as  they  contemplated  the  sad  and 
tragic  end  of  that  great  man,  whose  life  motto 
had  been:  "  Charity  for  all,  malice  toward  none." 
Over  the  arched  entrance  of  the  tomb  the  name 
Lincoln  had  been  previously  entwined  in  an 
artistic  manner,  with  evergreens  and  flowers. 

After  the  passage  of  the  procession  through 
the  tomb,  they  congregated  in  front  of  the  en- 
trance, when  the  choir,  with  Miss  Minnie  Good- 
win as  organist,  sang  several  hymns  appropriate 
to  the  occasion. 

After  this,  the  comrades  returned  to  the  city, 
while  most  of  the  visitors  remained  at  the  cem- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


015 


etery,  many  of  them  going  over  and  througb 
the  monument,  under  the  genial  guardianship  of 
J.  C.  Power,  Secretary  of  the  "Lincoln  Guard  of 
Honor,"  and  Custodian  of  the  monument. 

THE    AFTERNOON   EXERCISES. 

At  12  m.,  a  train  was  prepared  to  leave  the 
Wabash  depot  for  Camp  Butler,  but,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  threatening  appearance  of  the 
weather,  portending  rain,  it  did  not  depart  until 
some  minutes  later.  It  was  completely  crowded, 
containing  the  different  classes  of  people  who 
yearly  visit  the  old  camp  ground,  many  bent 
upon  having  a  good  time,  some  to  escape  the 
confinement  of  the  stores  and  shops  for  a  short 
time,  while  not  a  few  more  wore  upon  their  faces 
the  expression  indicative  of  the  sad  and  solemn 
duty  they  were  going  to  perform.  Arriving  at 
the  station,  a  half-mile  walk  soon  brought  the 
visitors  to  the  entrance  of  the  National  Ceme- 
tery, wherein  the  ensign  waved  at  half-mast. 

It  was  raining  quite  briskly  when  the  veterans 
arrived,  and  they  took  to  shelter  until  the  storm 
was  over. 

AT  CAMP  BUTLER. 

At  3:15  the  storm  was  over,  the  train  from 
the  city  had  arrived,  and  tha  escort,  composed  of 
the  Watch  Factory  band  and  the  Governor's 
Guard,  filed  into  the  cemetery,  followed  by  the 
members  of  Stephenson  Post  and  veterans  in 
line.  The  band  played  a  dirge  until  arriving  at 
the  stand,  where  the  following  memorial  services 
were  conducted  by  Post  Commander  Chapin  and 
Comrades  of  the  Post. 

The  Post  Commander  first  spoke  as  follows  : 

"In  memory  of  the  honored  and  heroic  dead, 
whose  remains  here  find  rest  and  repose,  we  will 
deposit  these  flowers.  May  the  lessons  of  purity 
which  they  symbolize  rest  in  our  hearts,  and  in- 
cite in  us  the  emotions  of  patriotism  which  they 
exemplified  in  life  and  death. 

"In  honor  of  our  comrades  slain  in  Freedom's 
battle,  or  dying  from  wounds  received  in  defense 
of  all  we  hold  most  dear,  we  will  place  these 
flowers  upon  the  graves.  The  green  turf  above 
them  will  fade,  these  beautiful  flowers  wither 
and  die,  but  the  lesson  will  remain,  and  our 
children  and  their  children  will  be  taught  the 
duty  of  honoring  those  who  die  for  their 
country. 

"  Death  comes  to  us  all ;  none  shall  escape  his 
relentless  ri>andate.  The  highest  potentate  and 
the  humblest  toiler  must  at  last  take  their  places 
in  the  bosom  of  the  earth  ;  and  it  becomes  us  all 
to  be  ready  for  the  messenger  we  must  obey. 
Our  comrades,   upon  whose  graves  we    scatter 


flowers,  and  whose  memories  we  thus  revive  and 
celebrate,  died  in  the  performance  of  the  noblest 
of  duties,  and  met  the  Destroyer  where  every 
patriot  would  desire  to  meet  him — beneath  the 
folds  of  our  starry  banner,  and  in  defense  of 
that  cause  in  which  it  is  sweet  and  pleasant  to 
die — the  cause  of  our  country. 

"As  the  grass  will  spring  anew  from  the 
storms  and  dearth  of  winter — as  other  flowers 
will  come  to  take  the  place  of  these,  so  soon  to 
fade — so  be  it  ours  for  ourselves  and  our  genera- 
tion, to  keep  bright  the  memory  of  our  fallen 
comrades." 

The  graves  were  then  decorated  by  comrades 
detailed  by  the  Commander,  after  which  the 
choir  sang  Memorial  Hymn  and  the  Chaplain 
oS'ered  prayer  as  follows: 

"God  of  Battles,  Father  of  all,  amid  these 
monuments  of  the  dead,  we  seek  Thee,  with 
whom  there  is  no  death.  Open  every  eye  to 
behold  Him  who  changed  the  night  of  death 
into  morning.  In  the  depths  of  our  hearts  we 
would  hear  the  celestial  word,  'I  am  the  resur- 
rection and  the  life;  he  that  believeth  in  Me, 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live.'  As 
comrade  after  comrade  departs,  and  we  march  on 
with  ranks  broken,  help  us  to  be  faithful  unto 
Thee  and  to  each  other.  We  beseech  Thee,  look 
in  mercy  on  the  widows  and  children  of  deceased 
comrades,and  with  Thine  own  tenderness,  console 
and  comfort  those  bereaved  by  the  events  which 
call  us  here.  Bless  and  save  our  country  with 
the  peace  of  freedom  and  righteousness;  and 
through  Thy  great  mercy  may  we  all  meet  at 
last  with  joy,  before  Thy  throne  in  Heaven;  and 
to  Thy  great  name  shall  be  praise  for  ever  and 
ever."     [All  comrades]  "Amen." 

Post  Commander — "Adjutant,  for  what  pur- 
pose is  this  meeting  called?" 

Adjutant — "To  pay  our  tribute  of  respect  to 
the  memory  of  our  late  comrades." 

Commander — 'To-day  is  the  festival  of  our 
dead.  We  unite  to  honor  the  memory  of  our 
brave  and  beloved,  to  enrich  and  ennoble  our 
lives  by  recalling  a  public  heroism  and  a  private 
worth  that  are  immortal;  to  encourage  by  one 
solemn  service  a  more  zealous  and  stalwart 
patriotism.  Festival  of  the  dead!  Yes,  though 
manj'  eyes  are  clouded  with  tears,  though  many 
hearts  are  heavy  with  regret,  though  many  lives 
are  desolate  because  of  the  father  and  brother, 
the  husband  and  lover  who  did  not  come  back ; 
though  every  grave  which  a  tender  reverence  or 
love  adorns  with  flowers  is  the  shrine  of  a  sor- 
row whose  influence  is  still  potent,  though  its 
first  keen  poignancy  has  been  dulled — despite  of, 


(ilG 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


all,  to-day  is  a  festival — a  festival  of  our  dead — 
no  less  a  festival  because  it  is  full  of  solemnity. 

"And  now,  as  in  this  silent  campingground  of 
our  dead,  wi'h  soldierly  tenderness  and  love,  we 
garland  these  passionless  mounds,  let  us  recall 
those  who  made  their  breasts  a  barricade  be- 
tween our  country  and  its  foes.  Let  us  recall 
their  toil,  their  sufferings,  their  heroism,  their 
supreme  fidelity  in  camp,  in  prison  pen,  on  the 
battle-tield  and  in  hospital,  that  the  flag  under 
which  they  fought  and  from  the  shadows  of 
whose  folds  they  were  promoted,  may  never  be 
dishonored,  that  the  country  for  whose  union  and 
supremacy  they  surrendered  life,  may  have  the 
fervent  and  enthusiatic  devotion  of  every  citizen, 
that  as  we  stand  by  every  grave  as  before  an 
altar  we  may  pledge  our  manhood  that,  so  help 
us  God,  the  memory  of  our  dead  shall  encourage 
and  strengthen  in  us  all  a  more  loyal  patriotism." 

The  choir  then  sang  an  appropriate  hymn. 


Chaplai 


'What  man  is  thatliveth  and  shall 


not  see  death?  Shall  he  deliver  his  soul  from 
the  hand  of  the  grave?  If  a  man  die,  shall  he 
live  again?  '" 

Comrades — "Jesus  Christ  said: 'I  am  the  resur- 
rection and  the  life.  He  that  believeth  in  Me, 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live.  And  he 
that  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never 
die.'" 

Chaplain — "  'Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled. 
Believe  in  God ;  believe  also  in  me.  In  my 
Father's  house  are  many  mansions  ;  I  go  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  you.'  " 

Comrades — "  'Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in 
the  Lord.  Yea,  saith  the  spirit ;  that  they  may 
rest  from  their  labors.'  " 

Chaplain — " '  They  shall  hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more.'  " 

Comrades — "  'Neither  shall  the  sun  light  on 
them,  nor  any  heat.'  " 

Chaplain — "  'For  the  lamb  which  is  in  the  midst 
of  the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  lead  Ihem 
unto  fountains  of  water.'  " 

Comrades — "  'And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  the 
tears  from  their  eyes.'  " 

Chaplain — "  'There  shall  be  no  more  death  ; 
neither  sorrow  nor  crying  ;  neither  shall  there  be 
any  more  pain.'  " 

Comrades — "  'For  the  former  things  are  passed 
away.'" 

When  these  exercises  were  concluded  the 
choir  sang  with  good  effect  "  The  Brave,  Noble 
and  True."  The  Post  Commander  then  intro- 
duced to  the  audience  in  a  few  appropriate 
words  the  orator  of    the  occasion.  Rev.  T.  A. 


Parker,   who,   with    matchless    delivery,    spoke 
eloquently  and  impressively  as  follows  : 
3IE.  Parker's  oration. 

"Two  grand  commemorations  will  be  held 
during  the  year  1881.  The  people  of  this 
Nation,  who  love  it  in  their  inmost  hearts,  and 
feel  pride  in  its  history,  will  be  twice  gathered 
to  honor  the  memory  of  the  heroic  dead.  The 
first  of  these  two  memorial  occasions  we  are 
here  to  celebrate — to  decorate  the  graves  of  our 
Union  soldiers;  to  recall  their  services,  from 
the  hour  when  the  call  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
summoned  them  to  arms,  onward  to  that  sublime 
day  when  the  last  armed  foe  went  down  under 
the  walls  of  Richmond — sixteen  years  ago — and 
the  flags  of  the  Union  rose,  like  stars,  over  a 
hundred  victorious  battle  fields.  As  the  child- 
hood of  the  Nation  passes  by  these  graves,  its 
eager  lips  will  ask:  'What  does  it  all  mean': 
Whjr  did  the  soldiers  die?  What  story  do  these 
fragrant  flowers  repeat?  '  The  answer  will  be 
given,  to-day,  throughout  this  wide  Nation,  in 
ever-varying  fragments  of  history — from  the  day 
in  1861,  when  the  wrath  of  the  patriot  millions 
rose  like  the  sea,  and  rolled  onward  in  billows 
of  carnage  and  flame,  and  broke  at  last  into  rest 
when  the  Master  said,  'Peace;  be  still  I ' 

"The  second  memorial  ceremony  will  be  held 
at  Yorktown  in  October  next;  and  when  the 
grand  pagentry  is  over,  the  passing  generations 
will  again  ask,  'What  does  it  mean?  Why  was 
this  granite  column  erected?  What  story  of  the 
Nation's  life  do  its  dumb  stones  repeat.'  The 
answer  is  nearly  similar  to  that  of  to-day.  From 
the  pine  forests  of  Maine  to  the  uttermost  ham- 
let of  California,  the  story  will  be  told  to  the 
listening  ear  and  graven  in  the  hearts  of  the 
American  childhood.  When  the  story  of  both 
events  shall  be  heard  they  will  seem  almost  the 
same.  For  as  we  gaze  back  through  the  shadowy 
past  of  a  hundred  years  ago  to  Yorktown,  and 
then  to  the  vivid  past  of  sixteen  years  ago  to 
Richmond,  they  are  strangely  alike!  At  York- 
town  the  Colonial  Government  arose  to  its  feet 
and  stood  one  among  the  free  peoples  of  the 
earth.  At  Richmond  the  United  States  arose 
once  more  to  its  feet  and  stood  vindicated  and 
majestic  among  the  Nations  of  the  earth.  At 
Yorktown  the  starry  flag  rose  to  its  place  in  the 
sky  as  the  proud  flag  of  England  went  down. 
At  Richmond,  once  again,  the  same  starry  flag 
rose  to  its  place  in  the  sky  as  the  proud  ensign 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy  went  down  to  the 
dust.  At  Yorktown  the  last  battle  of  any  moment 
was  fought,  and  the  last  foe  of  free  government 
on   this   continent  surrendered.     At  Richmond 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


617 


the  last  great  battle  was  won,  aud  the  last  foe  of 
the  Union  submitted.  Yonder  is  the  elm  tree 
that  shaded  Washington  and  Cornw.allis,  when 
the  sword  of  the  latter  was  given  into  the  hands 
of  the  General-in-Chief  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  Colonies;  here  stands  the  apple  tree  that 
shaded  Grant  and  Lee,  when  the  sword  of  the 
latter  was  offered  to  the  hand  of  the  former,  the 
General-in  Chief  of  the  armies  of  the  United 
States,  and  with  it  passed  away  forever  the  last 
lingering  hope  of  secession.  The  living  soldiers 
on  the  ramparts  of  Yorktown  salute  their  com- 
rades on  the  ramparts  of  Richmond,  and  the 
blood  of  their  brave  comrades  flowing  from  the 
trenches  of  both  places  mingles  in  the  waters  of 
the  bricrlit  river  that  murmurs  eternally  at  their 
feet.  Hut  from  both  events,  the  most  prominent 
figures  that  shall  be  summoned  to  receive  honor, 
will  be  the  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and  the 
soldier  of  the  Union.  They  shall  march  to- 
gether along  the  fields  of  the  Nation's  history, 
while  all  the  good  shall  hail  and  crown  their 
honored  shades. 

"Therefore  we  assemble  to-day  with  a  sense 
of  increased  significance  in  the  ceremony.  We 
have  no  granite  columns  to  uncover,  newly  dedi- 
cated to  the  duty  of  perpetuating  the  memory  of 
the  services  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldier-dead; 
but  wq  do  have  a  memorial  newly  grown — for 
everywhere  is  their  monument!  It  rises  in 
annual  resurrection  at  our  feet.  Its  colors  ai'e 
painted  by  a  divine  hand,  and  its  mingled  frag- 
rance breathes  a  celestial  breath.  'Take  us,' 
they  seem  to  say,  'and  weave  chajilets  for  the 
brave.  Take  us  and  dedicate  us  to  the  memory 
of  the  heroic  dead;  we  endure  while  stone  and 
brass  shall  perish.  The  generations  as  they 
come  and  go  in  endless  procession  shall  greet  us, 
and  greeting  shall  bear  us  to  the  graves  of  the 
brave.  Year  by  year  we  shall  call  to  the  people, 
in  the  great  march  onward,  to  halt;  come  for 
awhile  and  over  the  shrines  oif  the  soldier-dead 
recall  their  heroic  \  irtues  and  their  great  sacri- 
fice.' We  take  up  our  part  of  that  duty,  and  in 
recalling  their  virtues  I  can  do  it  in  no  manner 
more  effective  than  to  bring  to  your  notice 

THE  ClIARACTEB  OF    THE  UNION   SOLDIER. 

"First,  then,  we  recall  the  element  of  patriotism 
which  decorated  the  character  of  the  soldiers 
sleeping  here.  Patriotism  has,-  indeed,  many 
definitions,  and  takes  many  forms  of  action. 
Some  times  it  is  Industry — the  hundred-handed 
giant — wielding  the  mighty  forces  of  agriculture, 
of  commerce  and  manufactures,  with  a  pro- 
found confidence  in  the  stability  of  the  govern- 
ment.    Sometimes    it   is   statesmanship,   wisely 


planning  and  safely  guiding  toward  the  future 
of  the  Nation.  Sometimes  it  is  eloquence, 
voicing  in  prophecy  the  thoughts  that  lie  dumb 
in  the  popular  heart.  Sometimes  it  is  song 
translating  the  love  of  the  people  for  their  native 
land.  Sometimes  it  is  prayer,  rising  sublime  to 
God.  Sometimes  it  is  woman's  poetical  and 
tender  ministry  at  the  cot  of  the  soldier, 
wounded,  sick  or  dying.  Sometimes  it  is  justice, 
speakiTig  the  conscience  of  the  people  against  the 
vices  that  corrupt  the  body  politic  and  the 
wrongs  that  hinder  the  free  movement  of  this 
Nation  onward  to  its  destiny. 

"All  these  forms  of  patriotism  exist  among  us. 
They  have  nothing  heroic  about  them.  But  it 
is  a  different  thing  when  patriotism  springs  to 
arms  in  defense  of  the  nation's  life.  It  is  this 
form  we  are  to  honor — for  these  soldiers  were 
patriots,  and  gave  to  their  country  and  for  their 
country's  sake  the  richest  gift  they  had — their 
life. 

"  Had  I  the  power  to  recall  one  of  the  many 
from  his  rest  in  fame's  eternal  camping  ground, 
how  gladly  would  I  do  it.  Even  now  1  see  him, 
as  he  stood  under  the  gaze  of  his  countrymen. 
Yesterday  he  was  but  one  of  the  undistinguished 
millions.  To-day  he  stands  distinguished  as  the 
volunteer  soldier  of  the  Union.  How  manly  the 
form!  How  athletic  the  strength!  How  firm 
the  poise  of  the  body!  The  pride  of  Illinois — 
the  dewy  freshness  of  her  prairies  beams  in  his 
eyes,  the  hope  of  her  glorious  future  glows  in 
his  soul,  and  her  blood  throbs  in  the  brave  hearts 
of  her  young  soldier  as  he  lifts  his  hand  toward 
Heaven  and  swears  by  Him,  who  notes  the  spar- 
row's fall,  to  be  true  to  the  Constitution  and 
laws, and, if  necessary,  todie,  that  the  government 
of  the  people,  by  the  people  and  for  the  people 
should  not  perish  from  the  earth! 

"Do  you  see  him  to-day,  O,  comrades,  as  he 
stepped  out  under  the  flying  flag,  when  the 
shrill  fife  sounded  and  the  drum  beat,  and 
marched  by  your  side,  on  and  on  over  hills, 
through  forests;  on  and  on,  through  vales  and 
brakes;  on  and  on  over  mountain  and  river;  on 
and  on,  through  swamp  and  over  bayous;  on  and 
on,  as  the  fiery  front  of  conquest  advanced;  by 
skirmish,  by  conflicts  and  siege?  Do  you  see 
him  in  the  circle  of  the  camp-fire;  hear  the  story 
and  the  song?  By  your  side  in  the  rugged  win- 
ter and  in  the  pleasant  days  of  summer.  Do 
you  see  him  when  the  bugle  sounds  'to  arms!' 
and  the  long  lines  of  battle  are  formed?  Do 
you  see  him  when  the  tide  sweeps  on  and  leaves 
him  broken  to  pieces  on  the  field,  to  breathe  his 
last  sigh   up  to  the   pitying   stars — then  to  be 


618 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


borne,  in  the  old,  old  fashion  of  the  dead  to  his 
grave  ? 

"  It  is  this  form  of  patriotism  we  are  here  to 
commemorate,  accounting  it  the  purest  and 
noblest  which  can  animate  the  citizens  of  this 
Republic  who  loves  it  and  its  freedom,  so  much 
more  than  home  or  family  or  ambition  or  self, 
and  to  dare  to  die  for  its  defense  and  perpetuity. 

"A  second  element  of  the  character  which  we 
desire  to  commemorate  by  this  beautiful  floral 
display  is  the  self-devotion  they  exhibited.  I  do 
not  mean  to  trace  this  quality  in  the  incidents  of 
twenty  years  ago — -the  muster,  the  drill  camps, 
the  weary  marches  and  the  tough  campaigns.  It 
is  the  office  of  the  historian  to  recount  these. 
Mine  is  the  more  pleasant  duty  of  tracing  the 
manifestations  of  this  noble  trait  of  the  soldier's 
character  where  it  snines  in  star-like  radiance, 
and  takes  its  place  in  constellation  of  heroic  vir- 
tues. Their  self-devotion  included  many  features. 
It  meant  the  leaving  the  farm,  the  work-shop, 
the  store,  the  office,  the  school-room,  the  church, 
the  quiet  ways  of  life,  at  the  voice  of  duty.  It 
meant  the  march  away  to  an  uncertain  fate.  It 
meant  the  separation  for  an  indefinite  time  from 
friends,  from  parents,  from  wife  and  children, 
and  not  only  the  separation,  but  on  the  part  of 
thousands  the  firm  resistance  of  tears,  of  plead- 
ing voices  and  hearts  breaking  with  their  proph- 
ecie^  of  woe.  It  was  a' path  of  painful  sacrifice 
for  many,  and  the  altar  they  used  was  dripping 
with  sweat  of  an  agony  which  could  not  be  con- 
trolled. One  incident  comes  to  me  vividly.  A 
certain  regiment  is  marching  through  the  streets 
of  a  town  where  some  of  the  soldier.-i  lived.  The 
morning  had  been  a  parting  festival.  The  new 
flag — the  gift  of  the  town — rode  proudly  over 
the  moving  column.  The  sidewalks  were 
thronged  with  crowds  of  the  patriotic  cheering 
and  weeping  as  the  soldiers  go  by.  On  the  way 
is  a  neat,  white  frame  house,  over  which  creep 
the  honey-suckle  and  clematis  vine.  The  window 
curtain  was  partly  drawn  back,  just  enough  to 
disclose  a  woman's  face,  with  eyes  .^training 
through  a  mist  of  tears,  and  pale  with  pain  of 
the  heart.  As  they  passed,  company  by  company, 
a  little  girl  sprang  from  the  pavement,  shouting, 
'There's  papa!'  On  swung  the  company.  The 
father  looked  at  his  child,  her  blue  eyes  wide 
open  with  surprise,  and  her  bright  hair  blown 
about  in  the  wind,  but  he  said  no  word.  With 
a  bound  the  little  one  flew  after  him,  now  crying 
bitterly,  and  in  broken  words  saying,  'Take  me 
papa  !  take  me!'  The  manly  soldier  kept  steadily 
on,  but  a  quiver  of  grief  shook  his  frame  and 
tiars  fell  upon  his  bosom.     The  captain  of  the 


company  took  up  the  little  one,  and  carried  her 
sobbing  and  inconsolable  into  the  cottage  by  the 
wayside,  where  the  young  mother  was.  To 
thousands  these  words  were  re-echoed  through 
the  years  of  bitter  and  bloody  strife.  And  it 
was  no  inconsiderable  feature  of  their  self-de- 
votion that  they  gave  themselves  to  the  main- 
tainance  of  a  doubtful  experimeut.  Through  the 
confusion  of  counsel  in  Congress,  and  the  con- 
tradictory theories  of  authority  in  high  places, 
they  could  but  dimly  see  how  the  interests  of 
continued  self-government  were  in  the  issues; 
but  there  was  a  principle  of  more  immediate  ap- 
plication, by  whose  aid  they  were  made  capable 
of  self-devotion  which  makes  the  heroism  of 
Thermoplae  doubtful,  and  the  glory  of  '76  as  a 
star  in  the  splendor  of  a  meridian  sun! 

"thk  supremacy  of  the  union, 
that  was  the  simple  bright  principle  which  made 
possible  the  devotion  of  these  soldiers  to  the  ex- 
tent of  its  utmost  requirements.  Like  a  mother 
stricken  by  the  hand  of  a  younger  son,  the  moth- 
er-land cried  out,  'save  me,  my  children,  I  have 
nursed  you  at  my  bosom;  I  have  dowered  you 
with  a  home  of  peace  and  plenty;  from  sea  to  sea 
your  heritage  lies,  a-nd  your  children  are  my 
treasues;  I  am  stricken,  save  me;' — and  the  cry 
of  motherland  was  as  the  voice  of  God.  With 
the  impulse  of  filial  devotion  they  rose  and  went 
to  her  succor,  not  reasoning  nor  asking  why;  for- 
getting all  else — all  other  differences  of  State 
pride  and  all  battle-cries  of  parties.  In  the  ag- 
gregate it  was  sublime  unselfishness;  in  particu- 
lars it  was  matchless  in  the  annals  of  the  world. 
Have  you  read  how  the  Hebrew  mothers  in  the 
vales  of  Palestine  consecrated  their  sons  to  the 
battles  of  the  Lord.  There  are  thousands  of  sto- 
ries of  American  mothers  who,  with  similar  lofty 
piety,  dedicated  their  sons  to  God  and  the  Re- 
public. Have  you  read  how  Greek  matrons 
buckled  the  swords  of  their  sons,  gave  them  their 
shields,  saying:  'Come  back  tcit/i  them  or  on 
them.'  There  were  thousands  of  American 
matrons  who  imitated  their  high  heroism.  Have 
you  read  how  the  Swiss  have  come  from  their 
cantons  to  breast  the  serried  tides  of  despotism? 
So  can  we  match  their  willing  devotion.  Have 
you  read  how  the  freemen  of  Scotland,  when  the 
watch-fires  blazed  from  peak  to  peak,  swept  in 
solid  array  to  defend  their  mountain  home?  So 
swept  the  mighty  host  of  our  freemen  from 
mountain  to  lake.  Have  you  read  how  the  pa- 
triots of  Ireland  went  to  death  giily  as  a  groom 
to  his  bride,  happy  in  the  faith  that  the  bannered 
green  of  their  sires  would  one  day  float  over 
their  tombs?     So  went  thousands  of  our  patriot 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


619 


Koldiers  to  death,  satistied  t1)at  the  same  starry 
banner  which  waved  over  their  cradles  woiUd 
also  wave  over  their  graves.  Worthy  of  all  ad- 
miration was  tlic  self  devotion  they  exhibited. 
It  decorates  with  beauty  like  that  of  these  May 
rtowers,  the  sacrifice  they  gave  to  their  country 
in  the  hour  of  the  country's  need.  It  shines  re- 
splendent, as  time  dims  the  record  of  march  and 
siege,  and  battles  lost  and  won. 

"  Another  trait  in  the  character  of  these 
soldiers  we  houor,  was  their  courage.  As  a  mass 
they  shrank  from  no  duty,  although  a  hundred 
difficulties  guarded  that  duty  and  thousands  of 
bayonets  opposed  them.  It  is  a  quality  of 
character  which  decorates  the  name  of  every 
heroic  leader  in  the  majestic  march  of  the  race 
onward.  That  was  a  brave  heart  that  beat 
under  St.  Panl's  serf-mantle  when  he  faced  the 
lions  in  the  arena  of  Ephesus  ;  it  was  a  daunt- 
less soul  that  animated  Arnold  Winkelreid, 
when  he  gathered  a  hundred  Austrian  spears  in 
his  bosom,  and  so  made  way  for  liberty  ;  that 
was  a  fearless  spirit  in  John  Hampden  when  he 
defied  his  king  in  the  n,  me  of  English  law  and 
English  rights;  that  was  a  gallant  heait  that 
throbbed  in  Robert  Emmet's  bosom  when  he 
plead  for  Ireland's  independence  ;  that  was  a 
resolute  spirit  in  Washington  when  he  led  the 
forlorn  hope  of  America's  freedom  through  all 
perils  to  victory.  In  fine,  to  illustrate  this 
quality  I  must  enumerate  the  long  catalogue 
which  Heaven  and  earth  have  made  us  to  exem- 
plify true  courage  in  the  fields  of  Evangelism, 
of  reform,  of  civil  and  religious  freedom.  A 
soldier  without  courage  would  be  as  a  Christian 
without  faith — the  very  life  within  would  die. 
At  some  time  in  the  future  historians  will  write 
of  the  courage  of  these  soldiers  in  that  nameless 
conflict  with  unseen  foes — The  subtle  foes  that 
crouch  in  tbe  pat'ses  of  mountains  and  lurk  in 
the  gloomy  recesses  of  dark  forests  and  venom- 
ous swamps,  of  the  courage  it  required  to  brave 
the  stoims  of  winter  on  the  lonely  scout  pacing 
the  picket  lines  ;  raiding  the  Indian  wilderness, 
or  struggling  hand  to  hand  with  the  ocean's 
wind  and  waves.  Courage  has  a  two-fold  force 
— visible  and  invisible,  physical  and  s])iritual. 
The  one  is  born  of  blood,  the  other  of  the  con- 
science. The  one  mounts  like  a  proud  rider  at 
the  first  cry  of  danger  and  with  bounding  pulse, 
set  teeth,  hft  breath  and  steely  nerves,  trans- 
forms the  timid  into  heroes.  It  is  that  species 
■which  is  most  admired  in  song  and  storied  in 
romance.  It  is  the  gift  of  God,  and  by  its  in- 
strumentality He  has  moved  man  to   conquest 

72— 


over  the  oppositions  of  nature,  in  earth  and  sea 
and  sky. 

"One  scene,  out  of  many  during  the  war,  will 
illustrate  this  virtue.  Two  armies  are  sleeping 
front  to  front,  waiting  for  the  dawn  of  the  day 
to  grapple  in  deadly  battle.  A  division  of  each 
is  matched,  as  if  a  challenge  had  been  made  and 
accepted.  With  the  light  of  the  day,  the  two 
divisions  rose  to  meet  the  conflict.  The  solid 
gray  lines  came  sweeping  down  the  slopes  to 
overwhelm  the  embattled  division  silently 
awaiting  the  deluge  on  the  brink  of  the  inter- 
vening valley.  Tlie  hills  shout  back  the  deep 
and  deadly  thunder  of  artillery;  the  valley 
counts  the  roll  of  musketry;  on,  and  still  on, 
come  the  unwavering  columns.  Not  a  step 
falters;  not  a  hand  trembles.  Faster  and  faster 
roll  the  echoes  of  their  guns;  hotter  flashes  the 
red  artillery.  Now  a  single  sound  rings  over 
the  dread  clangor;  then  there  is  a  sudden  leap 
forward;  a  swelling  shout  that  shakes  the  flying 
flags;  a  rush  as  of  a  loosened  river,  and  up!  up! 
uj)!  to  the  moveless  column  of  blue  tiiey  sweep 
— then  fall  back  from  the  hedge  of  bayonets, 
broken  and  dispersed,  to  the  sheltering  nooks  of 
the  hills.  It  is  one  out  of  many,  and  make  the 
dome  of  the  American  temple  of  fame  as  bril- 
liant as  the  sky  at  midnight. 

"Do  not  forget  that  this  floral  sacrament 
looks  also  to  that  other  phase  of  their  courage 
which  met  and  fought  with  its  invisible  foes  of 
pain,  wounds  and  death.  Is  there  need  to 
enumerate  these,  or  to  insist  that  this  species  of 
courage  has  the  finer  quality  and  nerve?  Who 
can  measure  the  infinite  variety  of  suffering 
throtigh  which  they  often  passed  on  the  way  to 
thesegraves?  Some  writhing  on  the  bloody 
field  of  battle;  some  tortured  on  the  surgeon's 
table;  some  fierce  in  the  frenzy  of  delirium; 
some  Wasted  by  fever;  others  worn  by  incurable 
disease;  some  starving  in  prison  pens;  some 
with  an  arm  or  limb  left  in  the  trenches;  some 
mangled  with  shot  or  shell;  some  wearing  away 
hour  by  hour  in  hospital  and  tent,  vainly  beg- 
ging for  the  sight  of  the  dear  ones  at  home; 
others  calm  in  the  patience  of  duty  well  done; 
dying  with  the  renewed  ideal  of  their  country 
bending  over  them— dear  as  the  sun — regretting 
nothing  of  the  costly  sacrifice  they  made,  passing 
away  under  the  soothing  of  womanly  nurses, 
and  sleeping  at  last  under  the  hemlocks  and 
pines  of  the  South. 

"  'How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest; 
Whi-n  spring,  with  dewy  lingers  cold, 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallow'd  mould, 


020 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


She  then  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Thau  fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod, 
By  fairy  hands  their  kuell  is  rung, 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung. 
There  honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray. 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay ; 
And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there!'" 

"  Lest  I  weary  you,  I  shall  give  but  a  brief 
eulogy  of  the  last  characteristic  of  these  sleep- 
ing soldiers.  It  is  the  quality  of  generosity.  'I 
have  stood  by  the  homely  cot  of  many  a  dying 
soldier — young,  middle-aged,  officer  and  private, 
but  have  never  yet  heard  one  syllable  of  bitter- 
ness for  the  foe  whose  bullets  and  steel  sent 
them  to  untimely  graves.  Generous  souls i  Many 
of  them  went  Irom  the  cot  to  Heaven  with  an 
all-embracing  charity  which  blessed  the  friends 
they  loved,  and  forgave  the  foes  who  smote 
them.'  It  makes  them  the  more  heroic,  because 
they  fell  battling  with  brave  foes — for  history 
will  write  the  names  and  deeds  of  many  South- 
ern soldiers,  who  illustrated  their  lost  cause  and 
conquered  banners  with  a  lofty  courage  and  de- 
votion. Out  of  the  graves  of  the  Blue  grows  a 
stately  flower  named  Victory;  out  of  the  graves 
of  the  Gray  grows  another  named  Submission; 
they  unite,  and  out  of  the  mingled  vitality  blos- 
soms the  beautiful  flower  of  Peace,  shedding  its 
perfumes  on  Northern  gales  and  Southern 
zephyrs. 

'■  But,  while  we  strive  to  emulate  this  generous 
spirit,  so  nobly  characteristic  of  the  soldier  dead, 
we  do  not  invite  the  childhood  of  the  country 
here  every  year  to  decorate  these  graves,  and 
not  to  learn  the  cause  for  which  they  died  was 
the  cause  of  right,  as  against  wrong;  the  cause 
of  Freedom,  as  against  slavery;  the  cause  of 
Union,  as  against  its  deadly  foe,  Secession.  No 
false  logic  of  events,  no  cunning  arts  of  poli- 
tician, no  craven  demands  of  self-interest,  shall 
ever  dim  the  keen  sight  of  the  passing  genera- 
tions to  the  wide  distinction  between  loyalty  and 
treason;  between  the  honor  due  and  paid  to  the 
patriot  soldier,  living  and  dead,  and  the  charity 
of  forgiveness  offered  to  their  foes,  sleeping 
side  by  side  in  death,  or  in  life  laboring  for  the 
peace  and  perpetuity  of  the  Nation.  We  lament, 
with  a  sorrow  never  healed,  the  loss  of  the  gal- 
lant host  of  the  Union,  who  died  that  we  might 
live,  but  pity  the  misguided  and  w'asted  host 
who  sought  to  destroy  it,  and  died  in  the  vain 
attempt.  And  the  blossoms- that  to-day  fall  upon 
their  graves  are  given  in  the  same  spirit  as  the 
soldiers  used  to  give  their  crackers  and  canteens, 
though  face  to  face  in  deadly  array.  But,  above 
all  floral  offerings  to  the  soldier  dead;  above  all 


tributes  of  eloquence  to  their  noble  deeds;  above 
all  gift  of  monumental  marble  by  a  patriotic 
people,  is  the  solemn  duty  of  here  renewing  our 
allegiance  to  the  Union,  'that  from  these  hon- 
ored dead  we  take  increased  devotion  to  the 
cause  for  which  they  here  gave  the  last  full 
measure  of  devotion;  that  we  here  highly  re- 
solve that  the  dead  shall  not  have  died  in  vain,' 
and  as  reverently  as  the  priest  before  his  altar, 
so  before  these  sacred  shrines  devote  ourselves 
to  the  task  of  building  upon  this  continent  one 
Republic,  great  and  indivisible — so  strong  that 
every  government,  no  matter  how  powerful  it 
may  be,  shall  fear  and  reverence  it,  and  so  be- 
neficent that  every  inhabitant  on  earth,  no  mat- 
ter how  desolate  he  may  be,  shall  find  it  a  refuge 
and  a  defense. 

"  To  this  great  purpose  these  soldiers  were 
dedicated;  to  defend  it  they  went  to  battle;  they 
won  at  last,  after  years  of  unutterable  sacrifice, 
and  were  borne  back  in  silent  legions  to  rest  in 
the  green  tents  whose  curtains  are  never  blown 
by  the  winds.  Sleep  on,  O  brave  men,  under  the 
sentinel  starsl  Sleep  on,  O,  soldiers  of  the  Union 
under  the  changeful  skies!  No  sound  of  war  dis- 
turbs your  dreamless  sleep  1  Softly  as  fall  the 
May  blossoms  on  your  graves,  so  softly  treads 
over  you  the  march  of  Time,  and  tlie  feet  of  pass- 
ing generations!  O,  had  I  the  power,  I  would 
make  a  festoon  of  flowers  gathered  from  the 
gardens  of  the  North,  from  the  Savannas  of  the 
South,  from  the  vales  of  the  East,  and  from  the 
prairies  of  the  West.  I  would  fold  it  around  the 
bleached  forms  of  the  sailors  of  the  Union  navy 
resting  in  the  sepulchres  of  the  sea,  or  covered  in 
the  tawny  sands  of  the  gulf,  or  swept  by  the 
mighty  current  of  the  Mississippi,  or  washed  by 
the  silver  waves  of  the  Rio  Grande.  I  would 
wreathe  it  around  the  form  of  every  soldier  of 
the  Union  sleeping  in  American  soil — some  in 
the  cemeteries  of  the  Nation;  some  in  the  long 
trenches  of  battle-fields;  some  in  secret  places; 
some  in  the  forests;  some  by  the  river  banks; 
some  in  lonely  graves,  unknown,  under  the 
shadow  of  cypress  and  magnolia  trees — and,  bind- 
ing without  the  States  of  the  Union,  would  sum- 
mon the  genius  of  the  Nation  to  say  with  priestly 
authority:  'What  God  has  joined  together,  let 
no  man  put  assunder."  ' 

Mr.  Parker  received  the  undivided  attention 
of  the  immense  audience,  and  his  splendid  ora- 
tion was  highly  commended  by  all  who  had  the 
privilege  of  hearing  it.  Upon  its  conclusion  the 
exercises  of  the  Grand  Army  were  concluded  as 
follows: 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


621 


Post  Commander — "Comrades,  how  shall  men 
live?" 

Response — "With  trust  iu  God  and  love  for 
one  another." 

P.  C— "How  should  comrades  of  the  Grand 
Army  live." 

R. — "Having  on  the  whole  armor  of  God,  that 
they  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil  day." 

P.  C. — -"The  last  enemy  that  shall  be  de- 
stroyed i-i  death-'' 

R. — "We  thank  God,  who  giveth  us  the  vic- 
tory through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord." 

After  the  close  of  these  exercises  "America" 
was  sung  by  the  throng,  and  the  exercises  closed 
with  the  benediction,  when  all  boarded  the  train 
and  returned  to  tha  city. 

MASONIC. 

The  Masonic  order  was  represented  in  Spring- 
field as  early  as  1822,  a  petition  being  presented 
to  the  Grand  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Missouri,  bearing  date  April  4,  of  that  year, 
praying  for  a  dispensation  to  establish  a  lodge 
in  this  place.  This  petition  was  signed  by 
James  Latham,  Stephen  Phelps,  Stephen  Still- 
man,  Gershom  Jayne,  Thomas  Constant,  Charles 
Wright,  Oramel  Clark  and  John  More.  Stephen 
Stillman  was  recommended  as  first  Master;  Ger- 
shom Jayne,  Senior  Warden,  and  John  More, 
Junior  Warden.  The  dispensation  was  granted 
April  5,  1822.  The  lodge  was  instituted  and 
the  following  additional  officers  elected  and  ap- 
pointed: Moses  Broadwell,  Treasurer;  James 
C.  Stephenson,  Secretary;  Oramel  Clark,  S.  D.; 
Thomas  Constant,  J.  D. 

The  lodge  did  not  seem  to  flourish  for  a  time 
in  consequence  of  their  being  no  safe  and  con- 
venient place  of  meeting,  Springfield  at  that 
time  not  being  provided  with  many  public 
buildings.  Stephen  Stillman,  the  Master  of  the 
Lodge,  undertook  during  the  summer  of  1822  to 
erect  a  building  in  which  to  meet,  but  was  pre- 
vented from  various  causes.  Still  the  Lodge 
felt  justified  in  asking  for  a  charter  from  tlie 
Grand  Lodge  at  its  next  regular  session,  which 
was  granted,  and  Sangamon  Lodge,  No.  9,  was 
duly  organized  on  tlie  23d  day  of  June,  182:^. 

For  some  cause  the  charter  of  the  lodge  was 
arrested  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Missouri  in 
1826,  the  probable  cause  being  the  failure  of 
the  Lodge  to  ask  dismissal  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Missouri  in  order  to  join  that  of  Illi- 
nois, and  failure  to  pay  its  dues.  No  effort  was 
made,  so  far  as  is  known,  to  obtain  a  renewal  of 
the  charter,  money  matters  at  that  time  being 
considerably  depressed,  and  the  Morgan  excite- 
ment following  shortly  after. 


Springfield  Lodge,  No.  \. — On  the  27lh  of 
January,  1839,  the  following  named  signed  a 
petition  adxlressed  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Mis- 
souri asking  a  dispensation  to  open  and  hold  a 
lodge  at  Springfield:  J.  Adams,  .James  R.  Gray, 
Alexander  Lindsay,  Henry  Colestock,  Pliilo 
Beers,  L.  S.  Cornwell,  Martin  Doyle,  J.  R. 
Hraucher,  Bela  Webster,  and  James  Mnxcy.  A 
dispensation  bearing  date  February  25,  1839, 
was  issued,  naming  James  Adams,  Master; 
James  R.  Gray,  Senior  Warden;  Alexander 
Lindsay,  Junior  Warden.  The  first  meeting  of 
the  Lodge  was  held  at  the  American  House, 
April  20,  1839,  when  the  following  officers  were 
elected  and  appointed:  Love  S.  Cornwell,  Secre- 
tary; Maurice  Doyle,  Treasurer;  James  Maxcy, 
Tyler;  Philo  Brown,  S.  D  ;  William  Cudmore, 
J.  D.;  M.  Helm,  First  M.  C;  M.  A.  Kelley, 
Second  M.  C.  The  Lodge  was  numbered 
twenty-six. 

A  Grand  Lodge  having  been  oganized  in  Illi- 
nois, Springfield  Lodge,  No.  26,  withdrew  from 
the  jurisdiction  of  Missouri,  and  united  with 
the  Illinois  body,  receiving  from  the  latter  a  new 
charter  designating  the  Lodge  as  Springfield 
Lodge  No.  4.  This  charter  was  received  May, 
1840.  The  lodge  during  this  year  was  (piite 
prosperous,  initiating  quite  a  number,  among 
whom  was  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  who  afterwards 
attained  a  National  reputation  as  a  politician. 

In  1841,  several  members  asked  leave  to  with- 
draw that  they  might  form  a  new  lodge.  Leave 
was  granted  and  their  lodge  dues  for  the  current 
quarter  remitted  them. 

Springfield  Lodge,  No.  4,  has  had  a  very  pros- 
perous existence. 

Since  its  organization,  the  following  named, 
among  others,  have  served  in  the  office  of  W. 
M.:  James  Adams,  Meredith  Helm,  Love  S. 
Cornwell,  James  Shepherd,  Francis  A.  McNeill, 
James  Zwisler,  William  Lovely,  William  B. 
Warren,  J.  W.  Keyes,  James  H.  Mitheny.  T.  S. 
Mather  is  the  present  W.  M.,  and  J.  B.  Ham- 
mond, Secretary. 

There  are  now  four  lodges,  one  Chapter,  and 
one  Commandery  in  Springfield. 

Central  Lodge,  No.  71,  meets  the  second  Mon- 
day in  each  month.  A.  M.  Brooks  is  the  present 
W.  M.,  and  ¥.  Cleverly,  Secretary. 

Tyrian  Lodge,  No.  333,  meets  the  third  Mon- 
day in  each  month.  H.  M.  Davidson,  W.  M.; 
H.  G.  Waldo,  Secretary. 

St.  Paul's  Lodge,  No.  500,  meets  the  second 
Tuesday  in  each  month.  L.  W.  Shepherd,  W. 
M.;  A.  R.  Robinson,  Secretary. 


622 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Springfield  Chapter,  No.  1,  meets  the  fourth 
Monday  in  each  month.  Henry  Wohlgemuth, 
E.  C;  H.  G.  Waldo,  Secretary. 

Elwood  Commnndery  No.  6,  K.  T.,  was  or- 
ganized under  dispensation,  granted  by  R  E., 
Sir  Knight  James  V.  G.  Blaney,  Grand  Com- 
mander, May  16,  1859,  as  Illinois  Comraadery 
U.  D.,  at  Masonic  Hall,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
June  28,  1859,  Sir  Nelson  D.  Elwood,  of  Joliet 
Commandery,  presiding.  The  dispensation  was 
granted  t »  Sirs  William  C.  Hobbs,  William  H. 
Turner,  Mason  Brayman,  F.  K.  Nichols,  D.  C. 
M  irtin,  James  Newman,  George  Thorp,  A.  R. 
Robinson  and  Harmon  G.  Reynolds.  Of  these, 
Sirs  Nichols,  Brayman,  Robinson  and  Reynolds 
becime  charter  members.  The  charter  was 
granted  November  3,  1S59.  At  a  subsequent 
meeting  of  the  Commandery,  it  was  resolved 
that  the  name  of  the  Commandery  should  be 
changed  to  Elwood.  Since  its  organization,  the 
Commandery  have  made  pilgrimages  to  St.  Louis, 
September,  1868;  Baltimore,  September,  1871; 
New  Orleans,  September,  1874;  Cleveland, 
August,  1877;  Chicago,  August,  1880,  partici- 
pating in  the  Grand  Conclave  of  the  Grand  En- 
campmenc  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
The  following  named  have  held  the  position  of 
Eminent  Commanders  of  this  Commandery: 
Harmon  G.  Reynolds,  18G0;  Charles  Fisher, 
1861;  Phares  A.  Dorwin,  1862;  Newton  Bate- 
man,  1863;  William  Lavely,  1865;  Andrew  J. 
Dunning,  1866;  Benjamin  C.  McQuestan,  1867; 
Phares  A.  Dorwin,  1868;  Rheuna  D.  Lawrence, 
1869;  William  Lavely,  1870;  Robert  L.  Mc- 
Guire,  18.1-2;  Rheuna  D.  Lawrence,  1873; 
Dwight  Brown,  1874;  William  D.  Richardson, 
1875;  John  Cook,  1876-7;  Samuel  J.  Willett, 
1878;  Jacob  B.  Hammond,  1879;  James  H. 
Matheny,  1880;  Henry  Wohlgemuth,  188 1.  The 
ranks  of  the  Commandery  have  been  thinned  by 
death,  as  follows;  Nelson  D.  Elwood,  Phares 
A.  Dorwin,  Walter  Whitney,  William  L.  Dough- 
erty, S.  C.  Toler,  John  Brotherton,  James  W. 
Sponsler,  Nicholas  Strott,  Lewis  B.  Smith,  Wil- 
liam A.  Turney,  Jesse  K.  Dubois,  W.  Jarvis 
Ijundon,  P.  C.  Latham,  James  L  Davidson,  F. 
J.  Martin,  J.  L.  Crane,  O.  H.  Miner,  Alfred 
Sower,  C.  W.  Matheny.  The  Commandery  now 
numbers  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  members, 
with  the  following  named  officers:  Henry  Wohl- 
gemuth, Eminent  Commander;  Joseph  D. 
Myers,  Generalissimo;  Edward  R.  Roberts,  Cap- 
tain General;  Samuel  J.  Willett,  Prelate,  Ed- 
ward T.  Smith,  Senior  Warden;  Robert  H. 
Moor,  Junior  Warden;  John  S.Fisher,  Treasurer; 
Charles  P.  Kane,  Recorder;    H.   Fayart,  Sword 


Bearer;  Richard  Young,  Standard  Bearer;  Nel- 
son D.  Lee,  Warden;  James  W.  Watson,  Cap- 
tain of  the  Guard. 

ODD  FELLOWSHIP. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  of  the 
self-governed  benevolent  and  provident  associa- 
tions. 

The  institution  originated  in  Manchester,  Eng- 
land, in  1812;  some  scattering  lodges,  it  appears, 
existed  before  this  date.  The  object  of  the  Man- 
chester organization,  it  was  declared,  wag  to 
render  assistance  to  every  member  who  may  ap- 
ply, through  sickness,  distress  or  otherwise,  if 
he  be  well  attached  to  the  Queen  and  govern- 
ment and  faithful  to  the  Order;  and  this  is  still 
the  basis  of  the  Order  in  that  country.  There 
are  about  four  thousand  lodges  in  England,  and 
the  membership  is  about  half  a  million. 

The  Order  in  the  LTnited  States  is  known  as 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
greatly  differs  from  the  English  organization, 
and  is  entirely  separate  from  what  is  known  as 
the  Manchester  Unity,  although  a  kind  feeling 
exists  between  the  societies,  and  efforts  are  being 
made  to  effect  an  arrangement  by  which  inter- 
changing visitations  may  be  made  by  the  re- 
spective membership. 

The  father  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  America,  was 
Thomas  Wildey,  who  had  been  connected  with 
similar  associations  in  England,  and  who  organ- 
"ized  Washington  Lodge  No.  1,  at  the  house  of 
William  Lupton,  Sign  of  the  Seven  Stars,  in 
Baltimore,  on  the  26th  day  of  April,  1819.  This 
lodge  was  composed  of  five  members;  the  or- 
ganization now  has  a  membership  of  nearly  half 
a  million. 

The  organization  has  a  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
composeil  of  representatives  from  every  State 
and  Territory  in  the  United  States,  from  the 
Dominion  of  Canada  and  numerous  foreign  juris- 
dictions.    The  Grand  Lodge  is  held  annually. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois  was  organized  at 
Alton  in  18:38,  but  was  re-organized  in  1842, 
since  which  time  it  has  grown,  until  it  now  has  a 
membership  of  thirty  thousand.  The  first  lodge 
in  Springfield  was  organized  in  1840,  it  being 
Springfield  Lodge  No.  6,  of  which  many  of  the 
old  settlers  of  Sangamon  county  were  members, 
N.  W.  Matheny,  L.  B.  Adams,  James  H.  Ma- 
theny, Stephen  Carman,  and  Thomas  Lushbaugh 
being  among  its  earliest  members. 

Teutonia  Lodge  No.  166  was  organized  in  1850, 
and  contains  among  its  membersliip  many  of  the 
leading  Germans  of  the  city. 

Springfield  Lodge  No.  465  was  organized  iu 
1871,  by  Hon.  A.  L.  Knapp,  as  Special  Deputy. 


HISTORY  OF  SANUAMON  COUNTY. 


623 


The  Lilla  Lodge,  of  the  Degree  of  Rebekah, 
was  organized  in  1873,  and  is  in  a  flourisLing 
condition. 

There  are  two  encampments — Prairie  State, 
organized  in  1857,  and  Schiller,  organized  in 
1871. 

The  following  are  the  principal  officers  of  the 
lodges  named: 

Sangamon  Lodge  JVo.  6. — W.  A.  Young,  N. 
G.;  Antonio  Frank,  V.  G.;  T.  A.  Withey,  R. 
S.;H  Engelskirchen,  P.  S.;  H.  O.  Bolles,  Treas- 
urer. This  lodge  has  its  meetings  every  Wednes- 
day evening,  over  the  State  National  Bank. 

Teuto)iia  Lodge,  No.  106. — William  Helmle, 
N.  G.;  Jacob  Felber,  V.  G.;  Emiel  Fritsch,  R. 
S.;  J.  M.  Strittler,  Treasurer.  The  lodge  meets 
weekly,  over  the  State  National  Bank. 

Sprinqfield  Lodge,  No.  465. — A.  Orendorff, 
N.  G.;  John  O.  Raines,  V.  G.;  John  C.  Hughes, 
R.  S.;  John  W.  Withey,  P.  S.;  O.  F.  Stebbins, 
Treasurer;  J.  O.  Humphreys,  S.  P.  G.  Lodge 
meets  every  Thursday  evening,  over  the  State  Na- 
tional Bank. 

Prairie  State  Encainjjment,  No.  16. —  David 
Simpson,  C.  P.;  W.  M.  Duggans,  H.  P.;  E.  P. 
Beach,  S.  W.;  W.  11.  Davis,  J.  W.  Encamp- 
ment meets  every  first  and  third  Mondays  in 
every  month,  over  the  State  National  Bank. 

Schiller  Enca?npment,  No.  121.  —  Rudolph 
Hellweg,  C.  P.;  Fred  Walther,  H.  P.;  Fred 
Weisz,  S.  W.;  G.  Ritler,  Scribe  and  Treasurer. 
Encampment  meets  every  first  and  third  Friday 
in  each  month,  over  the  State  National  Bank. 

The  combined  membership  of  the  order  in 
Springfield  is  two  hundred  and  fifty  in  subordi- 
nate lodges,  and  eighty  in  Encampments. 

HEBREW    SOCIETIES. 

Limes  Lodge,  No.  67,  L  0.  Benai  Herith, 
(Sons  of  the  Covenant). — This  is  a  benevolent 
society  composed  exclusively  of  Israelites,  and 
was  organized  in  Springfield,  in  1863,  with 
twenty  members.  It  has  now  increased  to  thirty- 
seven.  The  I.  O.  of  Benai  I?erith  was  first  or- 
ganized in  Philadelphia,  about  the  year  1856, 
and  has  since  extended  all  over  the  country,  with 
a  present  membership  of  twenty-five  thousand  in 
the  United  States.  It  is  au  organization  some- 
what similar  to  the  LTnited  Workmen,  giving 
the  widow  or  heirs  of  a  deceased  member  S  1,000. 
Some  lodges  give  sick  benefits,  of  which  No.  67 
is  one,  allowing  |5  per  week  in  case  of  sickness 
of  a  member.  The  present  officers  of  the  lodge 
are:  Charles  Seaman,  President;  S.  Bernheim, 
Vice  President;  A.  Friedman,  Secretary;  S.  Iless, 
Treasurer;  C.  Stern,  Mentor;  L.  S.  Ensel,  War- 
den. 


Ladies''  Benevolent  Society. — A  society,  com- 
posed of  Israelite  women,  was  organized  in  this 
city  in  1870,  its  object  being  to  minister  to  the 
sick  and  needy  and  to  help  one  another  in  a 
systematic  manner,  similar  to  the  various  benevo- 
lent orders  of  the  day.  In  case  of  sickness  of  a 
member,  sick  benefits  are  paid  by  the  society.  A 
good  work  has  already  been  accomplished.  Its 
officers  in  1881,  were:  Mrs.  S.  Hammerslough, 
President;  Mrs.  C.  Stern,  Vice  President;  Mrs. 
Charles  Seaman,  Secretary;  Mrs.  S.  Benjamin, 
Treasurer.     Meetings  are  held  quarterly. 

KNIGHTS  OF  HONOR. 

Peerless  Lodge  No.  403,  K.  of  H.,  was  organ- 
ized February  23,  1877,  with  S.  J.  Willett,  J.  D. 
Roper,  W.  H.  McCormick,  C.  G.  Averill,  T.  E. 
Shutt,  W.  H.  Staley,  A.  D.  Campbell,  J.  S. 
Doyle,  H.  O.  Bolles,  H.  B.  Graham,  O.  E. 
Dowe,  T.  C.  Smith,  P.  Bird  Price,  F.  Fleury, 
J.  L.  C.  Richards.  At  the  first  meeting  of 
the  lodge,  W.  H.  McCormick  was  elected  P. 
D.;  S.  J.  Willett,  D.;  C.  G.  Averill,  V.  D,;  J.  L. 
C.  Richards,  A.  D.;  T.  C.  Smith,  C;  H.  B.  Gra- 
ham, G.;  J.  S.  Doyle,  R.;  P.  Bird  Price,  F.  R.; 
J.  D.  Roper,  Treas.;  H.  O.  Bolles,  Guard.  The 
lodge  has  met  with  fair  success  and  now  num- 
bers thirty-two  members.  The  order  is  a  benefi- 
ciary one,  each  member  being  insured  to  the 
amount  of  $2000.  Since  its  organization  the 
lodge  has  been  called  upon  to  lay  away  in  the 
silent  tomb  three  of  its  members — T.  P.  Boone, 
Henry  Speckman  and  Henry  B.  Graham,  the 
widows  and  families  of  each  receiving  the  bene- 
ficiary of  $2000.  The  following  named  are  the 
officers  in  June,  1881:  E.  P.  Beach,  D.;  T.  C. 
Smith,  V.  D.;  M.  L.  Pearce,  A.  D.;  H.  O.  Bolles, 
R.;  J.  D.  Roper,  F.  R.;  G.  A.  Mueller,  Treas.; 
T.  English,  C;  W.  C.  Sommer,  G.;  B.  Meissner, 
Guard;  A.  D.  Campbell,  Sent. 

UNITED     WORKMEN. 

The  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
originated  in  Pennsylvania  some  ten  years  ago, 
from  a  desire  to  assist  each  other  in  case  of  sick- 
ness or  death — and  soon  partook  of  the  present 
form  of  the  society — that  is,  a  contribution  of 
$2,000  to  the  legatees  of  a  deceased  member. 
The  first  lodge  instituted  in  Illinois  was  Noble 
No.  1,  of  Rock  Island,  November  18,  1874,  with 
twenty-six  members,  followed  by  Harmony,  No. 
2,  Moline,  December  3,  1874,  with  twenty-three; 
Union,  No.  3,  Sterling,  February  13,  1875,  with 
twenty-three  ;  Island  City,  No.  4,  Rock  Island, 
April  23,  1875,  with  thirty-seven  ;  Industrial, 
No.  5,  Rock  Falls,  June  11,  1875,  with  thirty- 
two  members,  and  these  five  lodges,  with  a  total 


6l'4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


membership  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-two, 
constituted  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Illinois,  which 
was  instituted  June  28,  1875. 

Prior  to  June  1,  1877,  all  death  claims  were 
paid  through  the  Supreme  Lodge,  but  upon  that 
date,  Illinois  having  increased  her  membership 
to  upwards  of  two  thousand,  was  set  apart  as  a 
State  Mortuary  District,  and  entitled  to  collect 
and  disburse  her  own  beneticiary  funds.  Since 
that  time  the  order  in  Illinois  has  grown  rapidly, 
and  numbers  a  little  over  ten  thousand,  with 
about  one  hundred  and  ninety  lodges.  During 
this  time  there  has  been  one  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-seven deaths,  necessitating  fifty-six  assess- 
ments of  one  dollar  each,  and  as  the  legatees  of 
each  deceased  member  have  received  $2,000, 
the  grand  total  thus  collected  and  disbursed  has 
been  8354,(00. 

The  order  is  represented  in  Springfield  by 
four  lodges— Springfield,  No.  37,  instituted  May 
31,  1877;  CapitarCity,  No.  38,  February  8, 
1877  ;  Good  Will,  No.  39,  February  10,  1877; 
Mozart,  106,  in  February,  187t<.  The  total 
membership  in  the  city  is  over  three  hundred. 

EOYAL  AECANUM. 

Charity  Council  No.  236,  lioyal  Arcanum,  was 
organized  January  20,  1879,  with  fifteen  charter 
members.  The  first  officers  were:  C.  G.  Averill, 
Regent;  J.  P.  Lindley,  Vice  Regent;  Wm.  J. 
Footner,  Past  Regent;  Geo.  C.  Cole,  Orator;  J. 
F.  McNeill,  Secretary,  II.  K.  Weber,  Collector; 
J.  H.  Barkley,  Treasurer;  R.  J.  Williams,  Chap- 
lain; G.  S.  Dana,  Guide;  M.  H.  Jelley,  Warden; 
J.  A.  Jones,  Jr.,  Sentrv;  H.  B.  Buck,  G.  S.  Dana, 
J.  P.  Lindley,  Trustees;  H.  B.  Buck,  T.  S. 
Matthews,  Medical  Examiners. 

Its  present  officers  are:  John  L.  Phillips, 
Regent;  Wm.  C.  Wood,  Vice  Regent;  Wm.  C. 
Cowgill,  Orator;  Jas.  F.  McNeill,  Secretary;  H. 
K.  Weber,  Collector;  J.  II.  Barkley,  Treasurer; 
Geo.  E.  Copeland,  Chaplain;  J.  A.  Jones,  Jr., 
Guide;  Frank  Fieury,  Warden;  J.  W.  Fuller, 
Sentry;  L.  W.  Shepherd,  Louis  Souther,  J.  M. 
Adair,  Trustees;  Dr.  J.  A.  ^ones.  Medical  Exam- 
iner.    Its  present  membership  is  39. 

AMERICAN  LEGION   OF  HONOR. 

Amity  Council  409,  American  Legion  of 
Honor,  was  organized  January  28,  1881,  by 
Deputy  Supreme  Commander  J.  L.  Phillips, 
with  twenty-six  charter  members.  There  hasonly 
been  one  election  and  the  original  officers  are 
still  serving,  viz:  John  L.  Phillips,  Commander; 
Chas.  G.  Averill,  Vice  Commander;  C.  L.  Conk- 
ling,  Past  Commander;  E.  L.  Merritt,  Orator;  J. 
F.   McNeill,  Secretary;  Franz  Bode,   Collector; 


Jas.  H.  Barkley,  Treasurer;  Jno.  M  Adair,  Chap- 
lain; Wm.  D.  Baker,  Guide;  Isaac  N.Ransom, 
Warden;  J.  N.  Dixon,  Sentry;  Jas.  T.  Jones, 
Wm.  C.  Wood,  Jno.  F.  Wolgaraot,  Trustees; 
Examining  Surgeon,  J.  Norman  Dixon.  Its 
present  membership  is  29. 

Independent  Order  of  Mutual  Aid  have  a 
lodge,  in  which  many  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
the  city  are  interested.  The  lodge  is  styled  Abe 
Lincoln  Lodge  No.  5,  and  meets  second  and 
fourth  Tuesdays  in  each  month.  William  Keene 
is  the  present  Recording  Secretary. 

Springfield  Council  No.  40,  Royal  Templars 
of  Temperance  meets  first  and  third  Tuesdays 
in  each  month,  at  Knights  of  Pythias  Hall,  cor- 
ner Fifth  and  Monroe  streets.  J.  B.  Bennett, 
S.  C;  R.  S.  Hill,R.  S. 

Esperanza  Commandery,  Knights  of  LTniversal 
Brotherhood  meets  every  second  and  fourth 
Tuesday  evening,  in  Opera  House  Block,  George 
McCutcheon,  Commander;  William  L.  Gardner, 
Chief  of  Reds. 

Stevenson  Post  No.  30,  Grand  Aimy  of  the 
Republic,  was  instituted  in  Springfield,  in  the 
earl}-  history  of  the  order,  and  has  had  regular 
meetings  since  that  time.  The  post  lake  charge 
of  all  services  on  Decoration  Day,  in  Springfield. 
H.  Chapin  is  the  present  Commander,  with  A. 
Wilson,  Adjutant,  and  E.  D.  Vredenhurg,  Quar- 
termaster. 

OTHER    SOCIETIES. 

Capital  Lodge,  No.  14,  K.  of  P.,  meets  every 
Monday  evening  in  the  Library  Building.  The 
present  officers  are:  J.  P.  Lindley,  P.  C;  C.  G. 
Averill,  C.  C;  B.  F.  Talbot,  V.  C;  S.J.  Wil- 
lett.  Prelate;  J.  H.  Freeman,  M.  of  E.;  R.  A. 
Higgins,  M.  of  F.;  J.  D.  Roper,  K.  of  R.  S.; 
T.  E.  Shutt,  M.  of  A.;  J.  W.  Young,  I.  G.;  J.  B. 
Keucher,  O.  G. 

Springfield  Typographical  Union  was  oi'gan- 
ized  in  18 — .  Its  present  officers  are:  John  E. 
Allen,  President;  A.  M.  Barker,  Vice-President; 
H.  T.  Schlick,  Financial  Secretary;  Howard 
Williams,  Recording  Secretary;  Timothy  Col- 
lins, Treasurer;  Harry  Collins,  Sergeant-at- 
Arms;  John  Ankrom,  P.  J.  Doyle,  Charles 
Bradley,  Thomas  Thorpe,  Arthur  S.  Hoag,  Ex- 
ecutive Committee. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

In  another  i>art  of  this  work  is  a  chapter  on 
the  newspapers  of  the  county.  Among  the 
papers  not  mentioned  was  the  Odd  Fellows 
Herald,  a  five  column  quarto,  published  and  ed- 
ited by  A.  D.  Sandei-s.  The  Herald  was  started 
in    1877,  and    has   had   a   prosperous   existence 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


625 


almost  from  the  beginning.  As  its  name  im- 
plies, it  is  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  is  well  and 
ably  edited.  Its  circulation  is  larger  than  any 
paper  published  for  the  benefit  of  any  class  iu 
this  region  of  country. 

Edwin  A.  Wilson  also  publishes  two  Sunday 
School  papers,  one  being  "Labor  of  Love,"  the 
other,  "Food  for  the  Lambs."  The  papers  are 
undenominational  in  character,  and  are  furnished 
to  Sunday  schools  regardless  of  sect.  The  La- 
bor of  Love  has  been  issued  since  1871,  and  the 
Food  for  the  Lambs,  since  1875.  The  average 
circulation  of  the  former  is  twenty  thousand  per 
month,  and  the  latter  fifteen  thousand.  A  large 
amount  of  money  is  annually  expended  on  the 
two  sheets. 

THE    CAPITAL    RAILWAY. 

The  Capital  Railway  was  organized  under  the 
general  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  August  10, 
1865,  and  permission  was  at  once  given  by  the 
City  Council  of  Springfield,  to  locate  the  road 
on  all  the  streets  the  company  desired  to  occupy. 
They  commenced  operations  with  a  capital  of 
$18,000,  which  was  afterwards  increased  to  $28,- 
000.  The  first  Hoard  of  Directors  were:  J.  K. 
Dubois,  John  Williams,  D.  L.  Phillips,  Alex- 
ander Starne  and  J.  S.  Bradford. 

The  oflicers  chosen  were:  D.  L.  Phillips, 
President;  John  Williams,  Treasurer;  A.  W. 
French,  Secretary;  Alexander  Starne,  Superin- 
tendent. John  Williams  afterwards  resigned  as 
Treasurer,  and  Jesse  K.  Dubois  was  chosen  to 
fill  the  vacancy. 

A  portion  of  the  road  was  built  in  the  autumn 
of  1865,  commencing  at  the  old  depot  of  the 
Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western  Railw'ay,  on  the 
corner  of  Tenth  and  Monroe  streets,  and  run- 
ning west  on  Monroe  street  to  Lincoln  Avenue, 
one-third  of  a  mile  west  of  the  city  limits.  It 
was  opened  for  business  January  1,  1866;  the 
total  cost  to  that  time,  being  about  827,000. 

The  track  was  afterwards  extended  about  one- 
third  of  a  mile  further  west,  and  subsequently 
about  the  same  distance  was  taken  up  at  the  east 
end  of  the  road — from  Tenth  to  Seventh  streets. 

By  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Illi- 
nois, approved  February  25,  1867,  the  former 
transactions  of  the  Capital  Railway  Company  of 
Springfield,  were  legalized  and  its  future  rights 
and  piivileges  defined.  Its  capital  stock  was 
fixed  at  $50,000,  with  authority  to  increase  it 
indefinitely. 

THE  SPRINGFIELD  CITT    RAILWAY    COMPANY 

was  chartered  February  16, 1861,  by  a  special  act 
of  the  legislature  of  Illinois,  entitled  "An  act  to 


promote  the  construction  of  Horse  Railways  in 
the  city  oi  Springfield."  Jacob  Bunn,  John  T. 
Stuart,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Benjamin  S.  Edwards, 
C'hristopher  C.  Brown,  Thomas  S.  Mather,  and 
George  Carpenter,  were  named  as  the  first  Board 
of  Directors. 

They  were  authorized  to  organize  a  company 
under  the  name  that  heads  this  article,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $50,000,  and  permission  to  in- 
crease it  indefinitely.  The  company  was  invested 
with  authority  to  build  and  operate  street  rail- 
roads on  any  street  in  the  present  or  future  limits 
of  the  city,  and  to  extend  them  to  any  point  in 
the  county  of  Sangamon.  They  were  to  go  on 
any  public  highway,  but  were  forbidden  to  put 
any  obstruction  in  the  way  of  travel. 

March  3,  1866,  the  Springfield  City  Railway 
Company  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Hon. 
John  T.  Stuart,  President;  Asa  Eastman,  Vice 
President;  George  N.  Black,  Treasurer;  and 
George  Carpenter,  Secretary.  They  commenced 
building  the  road  at  once,  and  opened  it  for 
business  on  the  fourth  of  July. 

The  original  road  commenced  at  Monroe  street 
and  ran  north,  on  Fifth  street,  to  Oak  Ridge 
Cemetery.  The  road,  cars,  and  all  the  equip- 
ments cost  $42,000.  In  the  spring  of  1867  it 
was  extended  on  Fifth  street  to  South  Grand 
Avenue,  at  a  cost  of  $1.3,000,  making  the  total 
cost  $55,000.  The  southern  extension  was  opened 
for  business  just  one  year  from  the  first  opening, 
namely,  July  4,  1867. 

The  two  companies  were  subsequently  con- 
solidated, and  are  now  operating  under  the  name 
of  the  Capital  Railway  Company. 

This  company  owns  a  fine  park  of  twelve  acres 
adjoining  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery  on  the  east. 
This  paik  is  finely  shaded  with  native  trees.  It 
has  a  bountiful  stipply  of  pure  well  water,  and  a 
pagoda  for  refreshments.  There  is  a  stand  on 
the  ground  fitted  up  for  public  speaking,  with 
rustic  bridges  atd  appropriate  places,  and  seats 
under  most  every  tree.  These  attractions,  with  a 
green  turf  over  all  the  ground,  make  it  a  great 
resort  for  picnics. 

This  park  and  the  fine  walks  and  drives,  among 
the  sylvan  groves  of  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  forms 
a  delightful  retreat  from  the  scorching  heat  and 
dusty  streets  of  the  city,  in  the  summer  months; 
and  at  all  seasons  with  the  memories  that  cluster 
around  the  Lincoln  Monument,  it  is  one  of  the 
most  attractive  spots  in  the  West,  both  to  citi- 
zens and  strangers. 

The  company  now  have  about  six  miles  of 
track  and  are  well  equipped  with  cars  and  horses. 
The  present  officers  are:     A.  L.  Ide,  President 


026 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


George  N.  Black,  "Vice-President;  John  W. 
Bunn,  Secretary;  William  Ridgely,  Treasurer; 
George  C.  Ripley,  Superintendent. 

citizen's  street  railway. 

The  Citizens'  Street  Railway  Company  was 
organized  March  5,  1879,  by  John  Henry  Scliuck, 
Henson  Robinson,  Oscar  F.  Stebbins,  J.  N. 
Reece,  Frank  Reisch,  J.  E.  K.  Herrick,  and  A. 
H.  Saunders.  The  right  of  way  was  granted  to 
the  company  by  the  City  Council  in  April  of  the 
same  year,  and  on  the  20th  of  July,  they  began 
grading  and  track  laying  on  North  Grand  Ave- 
nue, south  on  Ninth  to  Washington  street,  and 
west  on  Washington  to  the  square.  They  then 
went  north  from  North  Grand  Avenue  to  the 
Rolling  Mills,  thence  to  the  fair  grounds.  Be- 
ginning on  the  square,  they  next  went  south  to 
Capital  Avenue, thence  west  to  the  State  House. 
From  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington,  the 
next  move  was  west  to  Second  street,  thence 
north  to  Carpenter,  west  to  Rutledge,  thence 
nortli  to  Lincoln  Park,  Lincoln  Monument,  and 
Oak  Ridge  Cemetery.  Again,  starting  from 
Ninth  street,  they  ran  east  to  Eleventh,  and 
south  to  Kansas  street.  In  October,  1880,  they 
completed  the  road  south  from  the  State  House 
to  Allen  street. 

The  company  have  a  capital  stock  of  $"7.5,000. 
They  now  have  about  eight  miles  of  track  in 
complete  running  order;  have  eighteen  cars  and 
seventy-six  head  of  mules  and  horses.  They 
have  two  stables,  one  near  the  Rolling  Mill,  and 
the  other  and  main  one,  on  the  corner  of  Wash- 
ington and  Ninth  streets.  They  employ  twenty- 
six  men. 

The  first  Board  of  Directors  were  J.  H. 
Schuck,  Henson  Robinson,  Frank  Reisch,  A.  H. 
Saunders,  W.  O.  Converse,  and  F.  W.  Tracy. 
Mr.  Tracy  subsequently  resigned,  and  George 
Reisch  was  elected  in  his  place.  The  present 
Board  are  the  same  as  the  first,  substituting  Mr. 
Reisch  for  Mr.  Tracy.  J.  H.  Schuck  was  the 
first  and  is  the  present  President. 

SPRINGFIELD  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

The  Springfield  Library  Association  was  in- 
corporated under  the  general  laws  of  the  State, 
March  15,  18G6.  Dr.  Samuel  Willard  was  the 
first  Librarian,  and  served  until  September  1, 
1870,  when  Miss  E.  Geitrude' Seaman  was  chosen 
to  occupy  that  position.  Mrs.  H.  L.  Kimball, 
the  present  Librarian,  was  appointed  in  1877. 

The  capital  stock  authorized  by  the  articles  of 
association  is  $20,000.  Fifty  dollars  paid  atone 
time  constitutes  the  person  paying  the  same  a 
life  member,  and  secures  the  use  of  the  Library, 


and  one  vote  during  life.  Shares  of  stock  are 
ten  dollars.  A  stockholder  can  have  the  use 
of  the  Library  and  one  vote,  by  paying  three 
dollars  annually.  Persons  who  are  neitherstock- 
holders  or  life  members  can  have  the  use  of  it 
by  paying  five  dollars  annually.  The  selection 
of  books  includes  the  very  choicest  works  of 
reference,  history,  geography  and  travels,  biog- 
raphy, theology,  ethics,  ecclesiastical  history, 
philosophy,  political  science  and  education, 
science  and  art,  poetry  and  drama,  novels,  juve- 
nile works  and  general  literature. 

The  Library  now  consists  of  about  seven 
thousand  volumes,  and  new  and  rare  works  are 
being  constantly  added.  During  the  year  1880, 
about  thirteen  thousand  volumes  were  loaned. 
The  Library  is  visited  daily  by  a  large  number 
of  persons,  who  avail  themselves  of  the  privilege 
of  reading  and  examining  the  books,  papers  and 
magazines. 

The  following  named  constitute  the  officers  of 
the  Association  in  18sl:  C.  C.  Brown,  Presi- 
dent; John  W.  Bunn,  Vice  President;  Ernst 
Helmle,  Recording  Secretary;  James  T.  Jones, 
Corresponding  Secretary ;  B.H.  Ferguson,  Treas- 
urer; E.  F.  Leonard,  A.  N.  J.  Crook,  Henry 
Remann,  Charles  Ridgely,  Henson  Robinson, 
George  N.  Black,  Directors;  Mrs.  H.  L.  Kim- 
ball, Librarian. 

ILLINOIS    STATE    LIBRARY. 

This  library  is  designed  for  the  use  of  the 
officers  of  State,  Members  of  the  Legislature, 
etc.,  they  being  the  only  parties  allowed  to  take 
books  away  from  the  library.  Any  citizen,  how- 
ever, can  visit  the  library  and  consult  any  work 
there. 

It  contains  four  thousand  volumes  of  miscel- 
laneous works,  and  about  ten  thousand  volumes 
of  the  publications  of  the  United  States  and  of 
the  several  States,  including  copies  of  all  the 
pullications  of  Illinois.  This  makes  the  library 
proper  about  fourteen  thousand  volumes.  These, 
with  surplus  copies  of  Illinois  publications  and 
incomplete  sets  of  duplicate  miscellaneous  works, 
swell  the  number  to  about  fifty  thousand  vol- 
umes in  the  care  of  the  Librarian. 

The  catalogue  of  miscellaneous  books  com- 
prise some  choice  selections  of  works  of  refer- 
ence, history,  biography,  philosophy,  science  and 
art,  and  a  small  number  of  volumes  in  the  Ger- 
man language. 

The  State  department  contains  the  colonial  laws 
of  manyofthe  oid  thirteen  States;  lawsoftheTer- 
ritory  and  State  of  Illinois;  laws  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  with  Senate  and  House 
reports;   reports   of  the  United    States   census; 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


627 


Congressional  Globe,  etc.,  etc.  This  library  is 
at  present  in  a  room  on  the  first  floor  of  the  old 
State  House,  at  the  west  side,  and  is  in  the  cus- 
tody of  the  lion.  Henry  D.  Dement,  Secretary 
of  State,  who  is  ex  officio  State  Librarian,  assisted 
by  Edith  Walbridj^e,  Assistant  Librarian,  who 
has  been  in  the  office  since  June,  1881. 

The  Law  Library  is  the  property  of  the  State 
also.  It  contains  about  seven  thousand  volumes, 
composed  of  the  reports  of  the  United  States 
Courts,  and  of  the  Supreme  Courts  of  the  sev- 
eral States ;  text  books,  digests  and  statutes,  and 
English,  Irish  and  Scotch  reports. 

There  is  also  a  great  number  of  Congressional 
Documents,  American  Archives,  Secret  Journals 
of  Congress,  and  a  small  number  of  miscel- 
laneous books,  among  which  are  Appelton's 
Cyclopedia  and  the  Encyclopedia  Brittanica. 
This  library  is  also  in  the  care  of  the  Secretary 
of  State. 

The  General  Assembly  in  the  winter  of  1880-81, 
made  an  appropriation  of  $5,000  for  two  years. 

BANKS. 

The  first  bank  in  Springfield  was  the  State 
Bank,  established  about  1830,  and  which  failed  in 
1842.  Since  then  several  banks  have  been 
organized,  and  there  is  now  in  the  place  four 
safe  and  reliable  institutions. 

The  Ridgely  National  Hank. — In  connection 
with  the  Messrs  Clark,  in  1851,  N.  H.  Ridgely 
organized  Clark's  Exchange  Bank,  of  which  N. 
H.  Ridgely  was  President,  and  James  Campbell 
Cashier.  In  the  course  of  four  or  five  years  Mr. 
Ridgely  purchased  the  interest  of  his  partners 
and  continued  the  institution  in  his  own  individ- 
ual name.  Shortly  after,  Charles  Ridgely  was  ad- 
mitted as  a  partner,  and  the  business  was  then 
conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  N.  H.  & 
Charles  Ridgely.  Subsequently,  William  Ridgely 
became  a  member  of  the  firm,  and  the  title  was 
changed  to  N.  II.  Ridgely  &  Co.  In  October, 
1866,  the  Ridgely  National  Bank  was  organized 
as  successors  to  N.  H.  Ridgely  «fc  Co.,  with  N. 
H.  Ridgely,  President ;  Charles  Ridgely,  Vice 
President  ;  William  Ridgely,  Cashier.  October 
1,  1875,  J.  Taylor  Smith  was  elected  Second 
Vice  President.  No  further  change  has  been 
made  in  its  ofiicers  since  organization.  When 
organized  the  capital  stock  was  placecd  at  §100,- 
000.  A  surj)lus  has  since  accumulated  of 
$100,000. 

The  Sprinffjield  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance 
Compam/s  Bank  was  chartered  in  1851  as  an 
Insurance  Company  with  banking  privileges. 
Only  the  latter  were  ever  used,  the  institution 
never  organizing  as  an  insurance  company.  The 
73— 


charter  was  granted  to  Robert  Irwin,  John  Wil- 
liams, J.acob  Bunn,  William  B.  Fonday  and  John 
C.  Lamb.  The  first  officers  were  Antrim  Camp- 
bell, President,  and  J.  C.  Sprigg,  Cashier.  In 
September,  1854,  Thomas  Condell  became  Presi- 
dent, upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Campbell.  In 
1868,  R.  F.  Ruth  became  President,  and  has 
since  occupied  the  position.  Robert  Irwin  was 
the  successor  of  Mr.  Sprigg,  as  Cashier,  Mr. 
Irwin  died  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  B.  H.  Ferguson,  the  present  Cashier. 
The  building  occupied  by  the  bank  was  erected 
by  the  old  Illinois  State  Bank,  and  was  purchased 
by  the  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company  on 
its  organiztion.  The  bank  incorporated  with  a 
capital  of  §100,000,  has  a  large  surplus,  and  does 
a  business  equal  to  any  bank  outside  of  Chicago. 

The  First  National  Bank. — This  bank  was 
organized  December  12,  186.3,  but  did  not 
begin  business  until  May  1,  1864.  The  first 
ofiicers  were  John  Williams,  President;  George 
N.  Black,  Cashier.  It  succeeded  the  private 
banking  house  of  John  Williams  &  Company, 
which  had  been  doing  a  safe  and  profitable 
business  for  some  years.  The  original  capital 
stock  of  the  First 'National  was  §125  000.  It 
has  since  been  increased  to  §250,000.  In  1866, 
Frank  W.  Tracy  succeeded  Mr.  Black  as  Cash- 
ier. In  1874,  Noali  W.  Matheny  became  Presi- 
dent. Upon  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  C.  W.  Matheny  succeeded  him. 
He  also  died  in  April,  1879,  when  Mr.  Tracy  was 
elected  to  that  position,  and  H.  K.  Weber  be- 
came Cashier.  This  banking  house  was  first 
established  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Fifth  and 
Washington  streets,  where  it  remained  until  the 
present  fine  building  was  erected  in  1878, 
especially  for  its  occupancy.  It  stands  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  Sixth  and  Washington,  and 
cost  $25,000.  This,  bank  has  been  a  United 
States  depository  since  it  was  first  opened  for 
business.  Its  deposits  average  over  $1,000,000, 
and  carries  loans  from  §700,000  to  $800,000. 
The  fine  safes  of  the  bank,  manufactured  by 
Hall,  at  a  cost  of  over  $5,000,  and  its  ability  to 
keep  valuables  in  absolute  security,  has  also  led 
to  the  doing  of  a  safe-deposit  business  for  the 
general  public,  and  money,  bonds,  securities  and 
other  valuables  are  here  guarded  and  protected 
against  the  possibility  of  loss.  As  a  depository 
of  the  United  States  the  bank  has,  it  is  esti- 
mated, received  and  disbursed  for  the  govern- 
ment, over  $50,000,000. 

The  State  NatioJial  Bank. — This  bank  owns 
and  occupies  the  elegant  building  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  public  square,  which  is  con- 


628 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sidered  the  best  located  bank  building  in  the 
city, — a  banking  business  having  been  carried  on 
at  this  corner  for  nearly  twenty-five  years.  The 
State  National  commenced  business  on  January 
1,  IS'/l.  Its  abundant  capital  of  %i200,00u  was 
subscribed  by  a  large  number  of  the  wealthiest 
and  most  prominent  business  men  of  the  city 
and  county.  Notwithstanding  it  was  the  last 
bank  organized  in  the  city,  it  has  steadily  grown 
in  public  favor  and  gained  in  profitable  business 
until  now  it  is  among  the  largest  and  strongest 
financial  institutions  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  as 
will  be  seen  by  its  last  published  statement  made 
to  the  Comptroller  of  the  Currency  at  Washing- 
ton, in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
National  Banking  law.  The  following  is  a  copy 
of  the  statement: 

RESOURCES. 

Loans  and  Discounts |713,3T8  31 

Real  Estate  and  Fixtures lli,899  OS 

Banking  House 20.000  00 

Current  Expenses 3,823  03 

Premiums 17,.500  00 

United  States  four  per  cent.  Bonds 250,750  00 

Cash  on  hand 376,237  74 

$1,398,588  76 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital $200,000  00 

Surplus  and  Profits 71,758  99 

Circulation 185,000  00 

Deposits 991,829  77 

.11,398,588  76 
It  transacts  a  general  banking  business,  draws 

its  own  drafts  on  all  the  principal  cities  of  the 

United  States  and  Europe,  receives  deposits  and 

loans  money  on  approved  security. 

Its  officers  are:    S.  H.  Jones,  President,  F.  K. 

Whittemore,  Cashier. 

BOARD    OF   TEADE. 

The  Springfield  Board  of  Trade  was  organ- 
ized in  May,  1880,  with  one  hundred  members. 
Dudley  Wickeisham  was  elected  President;  O. 
H.  Miner,  Secretary;  F.  K.  Whittemore,  Treas- 
urer. R.  D.  Lawrence  is  the  present  President, 
and  in  January,  1881,  John  G.  Ives  was  elected 
Secretary  in  place  of  Mr.  Miner,  deceased.  The 
Board  is  operated  under  the  general  system  gov- 
erning such  bodies.  Its  headquarters  are  in  the 
second  story  of  the  brick  building,  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  Seventh  and  Washington  streets. 

FIEES    AND    FIRE  DEPARTMENT. 

It  has  been  many  years  since  the  old  volun- 
teer ''bucket  brigade"  gave  way  to  the  sys- 
tematic fire  department,  with  its  engines,  hose 
carriages, and otherappliancesfor  extinguishing  a 


fire.  For  many  years  the  fire  department,  as 
originally  organized,  was  upon  the  volunteer 
plan,  and  it  was  not  until  1869,  that  a  paid  de- 
partment was  thought  advisable  by  the  "powers 
that  be" — the  City  Council.  The  following 
named  constitutes  the  department  as  it  now 
exists:  Thomas  Dunn,  Fire  Marshal;  John  H. 
Freeman  and  Julius  Cottett,  Engineers;  Merritt 
Whipple,  James  Davis,  Firemen;  Augustus  Mil- 
ler, A.  O.  Sanders,  Hosemen;  Oscar  Phillips, 
Samuel  Hunt,  Drivers;  Henry  Miller,  Thomas 
Rourke,  Hook  and  Ladder  Men;  Harry  Hooker, 
George  Hodge,  William  Donnelly,  Philip  Hoff- 
man, John  Rourke,  J.  C.  Decker,  Extra  Hose- 
men.  The  Fire  Marshal  receives  a  salary  of 
S25.00  per  month,  and  is  only  required  to  serve 
in  case  of  tire;  all  other  men,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  extra  hosemen,  receive  §55.00  permontd, 
devoting  their  entire  time  to  the  work.  The 
extra  hosemen  receive  S12.50  per  month,  and 
are  required  only  to  report  for  active  duty  in 
case  of  fire. 

The  department  has  two  engines,  with  hose 
carriages,  hook  and  ladder  truck,  and  are  sup- 
plied with  such  other  things  as  they  deem  neces- 
sary for  active  service. 

During  the  year  1880-81,  there  were  sixty- 
seven  alarms,  some  of  which  were  false  ones, 
and  fires  doing  damage  to  the  amount  of  about 
$12,000.  This  is  certainly  a  good  record,  and 
speaks  well  for  the  "boys." 

It  is  impossible  to  give  anything  like  a  record 
of  the  fires  in  this  connection,  therefore  only  a 
few  are  given  as  a  specimen  of  how  fire  can  de- 
stroy, and  to  serve  as  a  reminder  to  the  old 
settler. 

On  Saturday  evening,  February  13, 1858,  a  de- 
structive fire  occurred,  beginning  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square,  in  the  crockery  store  of 
William  McCabe  &  Company,  and  from  there 
extending  to  the  drug  store  of  Corueau  cfc  Dil- 
ler,  adjoining  on  the  north.  The  next  building 
destroyed  was  that  of  Benjamine  Piatt.  Here, 
for  a  time,  the  tire  was  stopped,  but  the  wooden 
rear  of  the  book-store  of  Paine,  Booraem  &  Co. 
having  caught  from  the  smouldering  ruins  of 
McCabe's  store,  that  house  was  consumed  in 
spite  of  all  efforts  to  save  it.  With  the  destruc- 
tion of  this  building  it  was  again  supposed  the 
fire  was  at  an  end,  as  the  remaining  store  houses 
appeared  to  be  entirely  free  from  danger,  but 
about  two  o'clock,  a.  m.,  the  alarm  was  again 
sounded,  and  it  was  discovered  that  the  dry 
goods  store  of  C.  W.  Matheny  was  on  fire  under 
the  roof.  Every  effort  made  to  subdue  it  was  in 
vain.     The  fire  rapidly  spread  until  three  more 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


629 


buildings  were  destroyed.  The  heaviest  losers 
were  McCabe  &  Co.,  Corneau  &  Diller,  Paine, 
Booraem  &  Co.,  C.  W.  Matheny,  John  Cook, 
and  N.  II.  Ridgely.  The  loss  by  this  fire  was 
about  ?!50,000. 

On  Wednesday  night,  October  Gth,  1858,  the 
freight  house  of  the  Cliicago  &  Alton  Railroad 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  the  greater 
quantity  of  freight  stored  therein.  The  build- 
ing was  a  frame  one  40x-t00  feet,  and  was  of  but 
little  value,  but  a  large  amount  of  freight  was 
then  on  hand.  The  loss  was  estimated  at 
$10,000. 

On  Sunday  morning,  April  21,  1860,  a  fire 
broke  out  in  a  livery  stable  on  Washington 
street,  and  spreading,  burned  several  other 
buildings,  including  the  wagon  and  carriage  fac- 
tory of  Withey  Brothers,  entailing  a  loss  upon 
this  firm  of  $1.5,000.  The  total  loss  by  the  fire 
was  about  $25,0iJ0. 

A  fire  occurred  Monday  evening,  March  l?j, 
1865,  commencing  in  the  drug  store  of  T.  J.  V. 
Owen,  druggist,  destroying  the  building  occu- 
pied by  Mr.  Owen  and  the  bookstore  of  A.  B. 
Mackenzie.  Adjoining  buildings  somewhat  dam- 
aged.    Total  loss  about  $35,000. 

On  Tuesday  night,  February  lil,  1870,  a  fire 
was  discovered  in  the  fourth  story  of  a  building 
occupied  by  H.  W.  Rokker,  on  the  east  side  of 
Fifth  near  Monroe  street.  The  building  was 
owned  by  Black  &  Amos,  and  was  occupied  by 
II.  W.  Rokker  as  a  book  bindery;  H.  G.  Rey- 
nolds, publisher  of  Masonic  Trowel,  and  by  the 
American  Sewing  Machine  Company.  It  was 
entirely  destroyed.  The  building  next  on  the 
north,  owned  by  Mrs.  E.  S.  Johnson  and  Mr. 
Hickman  was  also  destroyed,  except  the  walls, 
which  were  left  standing.  The  first  story  was 
occupied  by  Mr.  Hammer  for  the  sale  of  second- 
hand furniture,  stoves  and  other  articles.  The 
building  north  of  Mrs,  Johnson's  was  damaged 
somewhat,  but  not  destroyed. 

The  Masonic  Hall  building,  on  the  corner  of 
Fifth  and  Monroe  streets,  was  next  attacked  by 
the  fire  and  the  roof  and  third  story  destroyed, 
the  first  and  second  stories,  with  their  contents, 
being  saved.  The  third  story  was  occupied  by 
four  of  the  Masonic  lodges  of  the  city.  In  this 
room  were  the  records  of  the  lodges,  together 
with  the  valuable  regalias  belonging  to  the  or- 
der, which  were  destroyed.  The  estimated  loss 
of  all  parties  was  $67,300. 

THE    CITY    OP    THE    DEAD. 

"  'Earth  to  earth,  and  dust  to  dust!' 
Here  the  evil  and  the  just, 
Here  the  youthful  and  the  old, 


Here  the  fearful  und  the  bold, 
Here  the  matron  and  the  maid, 
Iq  one  silent  bed  are  laid; 
Here  the  vassal  and  the  kinf 
Side  by  side  lay  withering; 
Here  the  swouland  scepter  rust— 
'  Earth  to  earth,  and  dust  to  dust.'" 

"Man  was  born  to  die."  Day  by  day,  the 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  "city  of  the 
dead "  increases.  Here  they  remain  until  the 
resurrection.  Says  James  C.  Conkling,  in  his 
address  at  the  dedication  of  Oak  Ridge  Ceme- 
tery: "Standing  upon  the  borders  of  the  tomb, 
methinks  I  hear  the  mighty  tread  of  unnum- 
bered millions,  as  they  are  traveling  onward 
from  the  cradle  to  the  grave.  Firmly  and  stead- 
ily they  are  pressing  forward,  resistless  as  fate. 
No  obstacle  can  impede  their  progress.  Neither 
the  threats  of  power,  nor  the  blandishments  of 
love,  nor  the  influences  of  wealth,  can  check 
their  inevitable  career.  Indolence  cannot  re- 
tard, pleasures  cannot  divert,  riches  cannot  bribe 
them  to  halt  in  the  midst  of  their  onward  course. 
Inexorable  destiny  presses  them  forward,  with- 
out a  moment's  respite,  to  the  tomb.  The  heavy 
tramp  of  their  march  resounds  through  all  the 
earth.  It  maybe  heard  amid  the  frozen  regions 
of  the  North,  as  the  bold  adventurer  forces  his 
passage  across  their  icy  plains  in  search  of  glory 
or  of  gain.  It  echoes  amid  the  desert  sands, 
parched  by  the  burning  blaze  of  a  southern  sun. 
From  the  fardistant  islands  of  the  sea,  mingled 
with  the  eternal  roar  of  the  surf  that  dashes 
upon  their  rock-bound  shores,  it  comes  booming 
across  the  mighty  waste  of  waters.  It  resounds 
with  the  noise  of  the  caravan,  whose  bones  are 
left  to  bleach  upon  the  arid  plain.  It  is  wafted 
upon  our  western  breezes,  with  the  dying  groans 
of  thousands  who  rush  in  search  of  golden 
treasures.  It  follows  in  the  wake  of  the  gallant 
ship,  as  she  plows  her  lonely  course  along  the 
trackless  deep.  It  rises  above  the  din  of  com- 
merce upon  the  crowded  mart.  In  the  secluded 
valley,  upon  the  fertile  prairie, and  on  the  moun- 
tain top,  it  is  mingled  with  the  wailing  and  lam- 
entations of  the  mourner.  Amidst  the  wretched 
hovels  of  the  poor,  and  the  gorgeous  palaces  of 
the  rich;  in  the  dark  lane,  as  well  as  upon  the 
broad  avenue,  amid  the  whispers  of  affection  by 
the  dying  couch,  and  above  the  raging  tumult  of 
the  battle  field,  may  still  be  heard  that  ponder- 
ous tread  of  humanity,  as  it  marches  onward  to 
the  grave,  in  obedience  to  the  fiat  ef  the  Al- 
mighty, '  Dust  thou  art  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou 
return.'" 

The  first  place  of  deposit  of  the  dead  of 
Springfield  and  vicinity,  was  on  a  lot  of  ground 


630 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


NATIONAL  LINCOLN  MONUMENT. 


donated  by  Elijah  lies,  and  long  known  as  the 
"City  Grave  Yard."  The  second  is  the  well- 
kno-wn  Hutchinson  Cemetery,  lying  west  of  the 
City  Grave  Yard,  and  the  third  is  Oak  Ridge 
Cemetery. 

Charles  11.  Lanphier,  Esq.,  who  was  at  that 
time,  1855,  a  memher  of  the  City  Council,  repre- 
senting the  Second  Ward,  is  entitled  to  the  credit 
of  inaugurating  the  enterprise  which  has  re- 
sulted so  successfully  in  what  Oak  Ridge  is  to- 
day. 

From  the  small  beginning,  and  the  limited 
area  of  the  first  purchase,  at  a  cost  of  §350,  it 
has  now  come  to  rank  among  the  most  noted 
and  best  improved  of  American  cemeteries. 

The  original  plans  snd  plats  of  the  grounds 
were  made  by  Mr.  William  Sides,  City  Engineer. 
Under  his  plans  the  lots  were  laid  out  in  squares, 
regardless  of  natural  slopes  and  ravines,  or  of 
the  general  character  of  the  ground,  wholly  un- 


adapted  to  the  purpose  of  a  rural  cemetery,  and 
they  were  therefore  very  soon  abandoned. 

The  second  survey  and  plat  was  made  by  Mr. 
William  Saunders,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  His 
plan,  in  its  general  features,  was  more  practic- 
able, and  in  keeping  with  the  natural  features  of 
the  grounds. 

As  perfected  and  thus  far  carried  out,  it  has 
been  the  work  of  successive  Boards  of  Mana- 
gers, whose  study  and  observation  of  older  cem- 
eteries, to-wit,  those  of  Boston,  New  York,  Phil- 
adelphia and  Cincinnati,  have  enabled  them  to 
profit  by  what  has  elsewhere  been  accomplished, 
in  adapting  a  system  of  landscape  gardening  to 
the  purposes  of  cemetery  improvement. 

The  grounds  of  this  Institution  now  comprise 
seventy-four  acres.  The  first  purchase  of  a 
tract  of  land  outside  of  the  city  limits  of  Spring- 
field, for  burial  purposes,  was  made  in  June, 
1855,  and  in  May,  1856,  a  second  purchase  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


631 


made,  enlarging  the  area  to  twenty-eight  and 
one-half  acres.  The  site  chosen  was  a  most 
beautiful  one.  Situated  about  two  miles  north 
of  the  Capitol,  with  undulating  surface  and 
j)lea8ing  blending  of  hill  and  dale,  interspersed 
with  a  natural  growth  of  deciduous  trees,  the 
location  was  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  purpose  of 
sculpture.  Forest  trees  of  various  species  being 
the  prevailing  shade,  the  name  of  Oak  Ridge 
Cemetery  was,  at  the  suggestion  of  Hon.  John 
Cook,  Mayor  of  the  city,  given  to  what  has  now 
become  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cemeteries  in 
the  laud.  Previous  to  1858  but  little  improve- 
ment was  made  of  the  grounds,  except  to  enclose 
them  with  a  common  post  and  board  fence.  On 
the  18th  of  April,  of  that  year,  Mr.  George 
Willis  was  appointed  sexton, by  the  City  Council. 

Being  under  the  exclusive  control  of  the  City 
Council,  and  its  rules  and  regulations  conse- 
quently liable  to  influences  and  changes  not  in 
accordance  with  the  desires  and  feelings  of  lot 
owners,  the  cemetery  did  not  at  once  gain  the 
public  favor  which  was  desirable  and  neccessary 
to  its  proper  maintainance  and  improvement.  It 
was  therefore  deemed  advisable  by  the  council 
to  obtain  such  charter  amendments  as  would 
more  specifically  define  the  tenure  of  lot  owners. 
Such  amendments  were  obtained  from  the  legis- 
lature in  1859. 

In  April,  1860,  under  the  Amended  Charter, 
the  first  Board  of  Managers  was  chosen,  as  fol- 
lows: Turner  R.  King,  President;  James  L. 
Lamb,  Gilbert  S.  Manning,  Benjamin  F.  Pox; 
Presco  Wright,  Secretary.  George  Willis  was 
appointed  Sexton. 

On  Thursday,  the  24th  of  May,  1860,  accord- 
ing to  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Managers 
above  named,  the  cemetery  grounds  as  originally 
laid  out,  were  dedicated.  The  Mayor  and  mem- 
bers of  the  City  Council,  with  a  large  concourse 
of  citizens,  participated  in  the  imposing  cere- 
monies of  the  occasion. 

In  this  year,  1881,  the  grounds  present  a  most 
Vieautiful  appearance,  and  have  a  large  number  of 
handsome  monuments,  chief  of  which  is  the 
Lincoln  Monument,  a  fine  illustration  of  which  is 
given  in  this  work.  Next  after  the  Lincoln 
monument,  as  a  conspicuous  ornament  to  Oak 
Ridge,  is  that  erected  to  the  memory  of  Governor 
William  U.  Bissell.  Situated  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  cemetery,  this  most  elaborate  monu- 
ment stands  upon  a  limestone  base,  seven  feet 
square,  and  is  twenty-one  feet  in  height.  It  is 
constructed  of  Italian  marble,  and  is  surmounted 
by  an  eagle  holding  a  copper  scroll  in  its  beak. 


The  Soldiers'  Monument  is  in  the  northwest 
part  of  the  cemetery.  Upon  its  four  sides  are 
the  names  of  forty  Union  soldiers  who  died  in 
the  service  or  at  home  since  the  close  of  the  war. 
The  following  are  the  names: 

Alsop,  E.  Mcndell,  Noah  E. 

Ames,  Fisher  Mclntyre,  M;u-shall 

Allen,  Henry  W.  McMaiuis,  M. 

Alexander,  John  "W.  Moffett,  T. 

Bishop,  Geoige  W.  Moore,  E.  V. 

Buck,  William  H.  Orr,  S.  P. 

Burrows,  James  H.  Phillips,  T.  U. 

Busby,  A.  Phillips,  Freeman  F. 

Canfield,  Daniel  L.  Roman,  .1.  R. 

Doeujfes,  Kellinges  Rummel,  R. 

Green,  William  J.  Sherman,  W 

Harlan,  E.  B.  Sell,  Louis  D. 

Haynie,  I.  N.  Stoneberger,  George  W. 

Henrv,  Thomas  F.  Sweet,  Andrew  A. 

Hill,  *Eaten  Tjmlinson,  Charles  L. 

Ingels,  William  V.  Troxell,  Aaron 

Jones,  Heniy  Wallace,  W.  S. 

Kavauagh,  J.  P.  Ward,  William 

Keru,  John  Weber,  Andrew  J. 

Latham,  William  H.  Wilson,  Hall 

The  Edwards  monument  is  situated  near  the 
western  boundary,  and  consists  of  a  plain  obe- 
lisk and  plinth  of  Italian  marble,  supported  by 
a  limestone  base,  four  feet  square.  The  heigbth 
of  the  structure  is  fourteen  feet. 

The  Wohlgemuth  monument  is  one  of  the 
most  elaborate  and  beautiful  yet  erected  within 
the  cemetery  grounds.  It  was  executed  by  G. 
L.  Jameison,  of  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  and  the 
statue  of  Hope,  in  Carara  marble,  by  which  it  is 
surmounted,  was  executed  in  Italy.  The  base  is 
of  red  Missouri  granite,  the  second  base  of  gray 
Scotch,  and  the  plinth  and  column  of  red  Scotch 
granite.     Its  cost  was  $2,150. 

Other  monuments  which  attract  the  attention 
of  all  visitors  are  the  McClernand,  Ruth,  Gib- 
son, Kurr,  Washington  lies,  Harrower,  Colwell, 
Pasfield,  Ridgely,"  Elijah  lies.  Smith,  Flagg, 
Haynie,  Barrell,  Matheny,  and  Bates. 

SPRINGFIELD    WATER   WOEKS. 

For  the  purpose  of  establishing  water  works, 
the  city  authorities  of  Spiingfieid,  a  few  years 
ago,  purchased  thirty  acres  of  land  adjoining  the 
city  on  the  north.  From  the  business  part  of  the 
city  to  this  land,  the  surface  rises  gently  until 
an  elevation  of  eleven  feet  above  the  old  State 
House  grounds  is  attained.  For  the  purpose  of 
commanding  as  great  an  elevation  as  possible, 
the  surface  was  made  the  bottom  of  the  reservoir, 
and  an  embankment  of  one  hundred  feet  wide 
at  the  base,  sloping  equally  inside  and  out,  until 
it  was  raised  to  twenty-two  feet  in  height  and 
twenty  feet  across  the  top.  To  make  it  water 
tight,  the  bottom  and  sides  were  puddled  with 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


blue  clay  ami  concrete,  and  the  entire  inside,  ex- 
cept the  bottom,  covered  with  slabs  of  Joliet 
stone,  imbedded  in  cement.  One  tier  of  slabs, 
or  flag-stones,  are  laid  flat  on  the  top  at  the  inner 
border,  and  a  picket  fence  mounted  on  the  stone 
around  the  enclosure. 

The  reservoir  is  a  square,  rounded  at  the  cor- 
ners. It  is  two  hundred  feet  in  diameter  at  the 
bottom,  and  about  two  hundred  and  seventy-five 
at  the  top,  inside,  and  has  a  capacity  of  four 
million  gallons.  The  embankment  is  nicely 
sodded  on  the  outside,  and  presents  a  beautiful 
appearance.  The  earth  for  making  this  embank- 
ment was  taken  from  the  grounds  adjoining  on 
the  east,  west  and  north,  so  as  to  make  a  minia- 
ture chain  of  lakes,  with  islands  interspersed. 
These  islands  have  shrubbery  planted  on  them, 
and  in  time  will  form  some  of  the  most  pictur- 
esque scenery  imaginable.  There  is  what  is 
called  a  stand  pipe  in  the  centerof  the  reservoir. 
It  stands  on  the  bottom,  and  is  seventy  feet  high. 
It  is  embedded  in  a  pedesial  of  concrete  masonry 
ten  or  twelve  feet  in  diameter  and  octagonal  in 
form.  The  pedestal  rises  four  or  five  feet  above 
the  surface  of  the  water.  This  stand  pipe  is 
made  of  iron,  and  is  three  feet  or  more  in  diam- 
eter. On  the  pedestal  at  each  of  the  eight  sides 
there  is  a  sea  horse  rampant,  and  a  huge  dolphin, 
four  of  each  alternating,  the  whole  fronting  out- 
ward. Just  above  this  group  there  is  a  vase, 
twelve  or  fifteen  feet  in  diameter,  and  about  ten 
feet  above  the  vase,  four  swans,  life  size,  at- 
tached to  the  stand  pipe.  Sea  horses,  dolphins, 
swans  and  vase,  are  all  made  of  iron.  The  crest 
of  the  stand  pipe  is  a  combination  of  iron  work, 
highly  ornamental,  and  extending  outward  on 
all  sides. 

Three  and  one  quarter  miles  north  of  the  res- 
ervoir, on  the  bank  of  the  Sangamon  river,  there 
is  a  house  with  a  steam  engine  and  two  large 
pumps  in  it.  There  is  also  a  very  large  well, 
about  one  hundred  feet  from  shore,  and  con- 
nected by  a  tunnel.  A  very  strong  set  of  iron 
pipes,  fifteen  inches  in  diameter,  is  connected 
with  the  well  and  laid  under  ground ;  the  three 
and  a  quarter  miles  to  the  reservoir  passes  under 
the  embankment,  and  connects  with  the  stand- 
pipe  at  the  bottom.  These  pumps  at  the  river 
are  so  arranged  that  either  one  can  be  made  to 
form  the  connecting  link  between  the  well  and 
the  pipe  leading  to  the  reservoir.  When  con- 
nected, one  of  them  throws,  ordinarilly,  nine 
hundred  and  sixty  gallons  per  minute,  fifty- 
seven  thousand  six  hundred  per  hour,  or  one 
million  three  hundred  and  eighty-two  thousand 


four   hundred    in    twentj'-four   hours,    and    this 
quantity  can  be  doubled  in  an  emergency. 

The  top  of  the  stand-pipe  is  one  hundred  and 
seventy  feet  higher  than  the  pumps,  and  t  hree 
and  a  quarter  miles  distant.  Put  the  machinery 
in  motion,  and  we  can  soon  have  the  water  issu- 
ing on  all  sides,  in  the  form  of  spray,  from  the 
ornamental  work  at  the  top  of  the  stand-pipe, 
and  falling  over  the  swans  into  the  vase;  from 
there  it  is  connected  by  pipes  to  the  four  dol- 
phins below,  and  from  the  mouth  of  each  of 
these  a  stream  of  water  spouts  into  the  reservoir. 
In  order  to  conduct  the  water  to  where  it  is 
wanted  for  use,  there  is  a  fifteen  inch  pipe  laid 
from  the  reservoir,  under  ground,  about  one 
mile  into  the  city;  and  where  it  is  necessary  to 
branch  ofl^,  ten  inch  pipe  is  used,  and  again  four 
inch,  and  so  on  down  to  the  small  pipes,  leading 
into  the  different  rooms  of  the  houses. 

I  have  said  that  the  ground  on  which  the 
reservoir  stands  is  eleven  feet  above  the  city, 
and  the  water  in  the  reservoir  twenty-two  feet 
higher,  making  thirty-three  feet  it  will  rise — ■ 
when  the  pipes  are  properly  placed  in  the  houses 
— on  the  principle  that  water  will  find  a  level. 
Some  of  the  buildings  are  higher  than  this,  and 
in  order  to  supply  them  with  water,  the  pump- 
ing machinery  and  pipes  are  so  arranged  that 
when  the  engine  is  running  at  the  river,  water 
may  be  forced  more  than  eighty  feet  above  the 
surface,  five  miles  away  from  the  propelling 
power  at  the  river. 

The  works  are  constructed  with  the  view  of 
supplying  a  city  of  forty  or  fifty  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  as  Springfield  contains  only 
about  twenty-five  thousand,  there  is  danger  that 
too  much  water  will  be  pumped  up  and  overflow 
the  reservoir.  This,  however,  is  guarded  against 
by  an  opening  in  the  stand  pipe,  a  foot  or  more 
below  the  level  of  the  embankments.  This 
opening  in  the  stand  pipe  is  connected  by  a 
smaller  pipe,  passing  down  inside  the  stand 
pipe,  and  out  under  the  embankments,  to  the 
artificial  lake  with  the  islands  in  it,  around  the 
reservoir,  thus  preventing  an  overflow  and  sup- 
plying the  artificial  lake  by  the  same  operation. 

The  whole  work  was  designed  by  Henry 
Earnshaw,  hydraulic  engineer,  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Water  Works.  The  engine,  i)umps,  statu- 
ary, and  all  the  ornamental  iron  work,  was  made 
at  the  foundry  of  Miles  Greenwood,  in  Cincin- 
nati. The  construction  of  the  work  was  super- 
intended by  John  C  Ragland,  of  Springfield, 
under  orders  from  the  commissioners — John 
Williams,  C.  W.  Matheny,  and  Dr.  II.  Wohl- 
gemuth.    It  was  commenced  June  1,  1866,  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


633 


completed  July  1,  1868,  at  a  total  cost  of  about 
§400,000. 

John  C.  Ragland  continued  to  superintend 
the  works  for  some  years,  being  succeeded  by 
Smith  W.  Kimble,  and  he,  in  turn,  by  T.  M. 
Averitt,  and  M.  F.  DeSouza. 

In  1877,  steps  were  taken  for  the  formation  of 
the  grounds  belonging  to  the  works  in  which  the 
reservoir  is  located.  Drives  and  walks  were 
laid  out,  and  about  nine  hundred  shade  and 
ornamental  trees  were  set  out  in  conformity 
with  the  walks  and  drives  and  the  platting  of 
the  grounds. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  fiscal  year,  ending 
February  28,  1881,  there  were  in  use  nineteen 
and  a  half  miles  of  pipe.  During  the  year  the 
pumping  engine  made  three  millions  two  hun- 
dred thousand  and  ninety-one  strokes,  pumping 
four  hundred  and  eighty  millions  thirteen  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  fifty  gallons  of  water. 
There  were  received  duriiig  the  same  time  $23,- 
864.91  for  water  rents  and  assessments.  The 
Board  of  Water  Commissioners  foi  1881  is  com- 
posed of  the  following  named:  II.  O.  liolles. 
President ;  George  Withey  Treasurer  ;  and  Obed 
Lewis,  with  H.  R.  Brown,  Secretary  ;  M.  F.  De- 
Souza, Superintendent ;  F.  L.  Whe.atley,  Engi- 
neer;  William  McCabe,  Reservoir  Watchman  ; 
John  Daughton,  Tapper. 

AETESIAX    WELL. 

Pure  w.ater  is  always  desirable,  and  every 
effort  put  forth  to  obtain  a  never-failing  supply 
will  meet  the  approval  of  every  intelligent  per- 
son. In  the  year  1857  an  arrangement  was  made 
by  which  the  City  Council  and  some  of  the  pub- 
lic spirited  citizens,  agreed  to  contribute  equally 
for  the  purpose  of  sinking  an  artesian  well.  On 
the  15th  day  of  June,  18.j7,  an  ordinance  was 
jiassed  appropriating  |3,000  to  defray  the  ex- 
pense on  the  part  of  the  city,  and  on  the  20th  of 
December,  1858,  $2,000  more  was  appropriated, 
and  again  $2,000,  March  7,  1859.  This  last  sum 
was  never  used,  and  the  work  was  abandoned. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

By  J.  L.  Phillijis. 
During  the  winter  of  1 841-42,  Springfield  had 
its  regular  theatre.  In  the  early  part  of  this 
season  the  dining  room  of  W.  W.  Watson's 
restaurant  on  the  south  side  of  the  square,  in  an 
old  building  that  stood  on  the  ground  now  occu- 
pied by  the  building  used  as  a  store  room  by 
the  Smith  Brothers  was  used  as  a  theatre,  and  in 
this  room  a  company  of  performers  appeared 
who  were  managed  by  an  actor  named  Jefferson, 


the  father  of  Joe  Jefferson,  the  Comedian,  whose 
name  of  late  years  has  become  famous  by  his 
excellent  portrayal  of  Rip  Van  Winkle.  In  this 
dining  hall,  the  comedian  of  to-day,  Joe  Jeffer- 
son, made  his  first  appearance  on  any  stage. 
He  sang  songs  such  as  were  sung  at  that  time  by 
"Daddy"  Rice,  the  founder  of  minstrelsy,  and 
among  young  Jefferson's  vocal  efforts  we  men- 
tion the  following:  "The  Spider  and  the  Fly," 
"The  Steam  Arm,"and"The  Cork  J.eg."  After 
appearing  at  this  nlace  quite  a  while  the  old 
theatre  on  Sixth  street,  between  Monroe  and 
Adams,  about  where  the  Reiner  building  now 
stands,  was  opened  as  a  theatre  by  a  company 
under  the  management  of  Hastings  &  Jefferson. 

At  this  house,  young  Joe  Jefferson  acted,  and 
on  the  boards  of  this  stage  many  young  perform- 
ers appeared  whose  names  afterwards  became 
famous  in  the  dramatic  world.  After  awhile 
this  building  was  taken  for  other  uses  and  the 
young  boys  of  that  day  met  there  many  even- 
ings, before  it  was  regularly  occupied  to  "take 
gas"  and  see  its  effects  on  others,  amusing  them- 
selves in  this  way  evening  after  evening  During 
a  performance  given  at  this  theatre  Henry 
Ridgely,  then  a  young  boy,  that  had  raised  the 
anger  of  a  young  man,  much  larger  than  him- 
self (a  son  of  Colonel  May)  and  May  had  given 
young  Henry  a  slap  in  the  face.  Ydung  Ridgely 
watched  for  a  chance  when  May  was  not  looking 
and  he  ran  down  the  slightly  inclined  floor  and 
with  his  head  down,  struck  May  from  behind  be- 
tween his  knees  and  came  near  pitching  him  out 
of  a  window  which  was  open  near  by.  This  was 
his  revenge  for  the  slap  given  him  by  May. 
This  old  theatre  was  afterwards  used  by  John 
DeCamp  as  a  bowling  alley,  and  has  been  torn 
down  a  number  of  years. 

The  next  theatre  in  Springfield  was  the  old 
Metropolitan  Tlieatre,  an  old  frame  building 
which  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the 
Western  Hotel.  This  theatre  was  used  as  a  place 
of  amusement  up  to  the  close  of  the  war,  and  on 
its  stage  appeared  some  of  the  most  prominent 
people  on  the  stage. 

From  a  local  paper  published  in  the  fall  of 
1881,  the  same  writer  gave  the  following  remi- 
niscences of  the  "Amusements  of  Springfield," 
covering  a  period  of  about  twenty-five  years: 

"It  has  been  a  number  of  years  since  Spring- 
field has  had  a  place  called  an  opera  house,  but 
prior  to  that  she  was  well  supplied  with  numer- 
ous halls,  all  of  which  served  as  places  for  the 
traveling  showmen  to  exhibit  their  different 
entertainments  in  and  furnish  amusement  for 
our  people  at  that  time.     Among  the  old  halls 


CM 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


were  Capitol  Hall,  which  was  in  the  third  story 
of-  the  old  Bunn's  bauk  building,  (now  used  as 
an  Odd  Fellow's  hall,)  Concert  Hall,  on  the 
north  side  of  the  square,  now  used  as  a  photo- 
graph gallery;  Cook's  Hall,  east  side  of  the 
square,  and  liiirkhardt's  Hall,  the  last  named 
being  used  of  late  years  as  a  hall  for  danc- 
ing, and  Metropolitan  Hall,  located  in  the  old 
frame  building  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by 
by  the  Western  Hotel.  In  these  old  halls,  Maggie 
Mitchell,  Siddons,  Jennie  Hight,  Virginia 
Howard,  Laura  Keene,  Edwin  Forest,  Edwin 
Booth,  McKean  Buchanan,  Bob.  Meldrum  and 
other  stellar  attractions  made  their  appearance, 
while  the  numerous  other  traveling  attractions 
filled  engagements  at  some  one  of  the  above 
halls.  R.  Rudolph,  who  several  years  ago  was  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Springfield,  recognizing  the 
want  of  a  first-class  place  of  amusement,  erected 
on  the  corner  of  Sixth  and  Jefferson  streets, 
what  was  termed  by  him  an  opera  house,  and 
was  known  as  Rudolph's  Opera  House,  but 
which  should  have  been  more  properly  named 
and  called  Rudolph's  Folly,  for  it  was  a  great 
barn  of  an  edifice  with  no  accommodations  in  it 
either  for  the  audience  or  actor.  The  building 
was  always  considered  by  many  of  our  people 
unsafe,  and  it  is  probably  well  that  it  was  burned 
down  as  it  was,  for  it  might  have  fell  and  been 
the  means  of  destroying  many  lives  if  it  had 
remained  and  been  used  as  a  place  of  amusement 
for  any  length  of  time. 

"  When  Rudolph's  Opera  House  was  first 
opened,  the  manager  was  George  J.  Deagle,  of 
St.  Louis,  who  not  knowing  anything  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  city,  brought  a  very  poor  company 
(with  one  or  two  exceptions)  to  commence  the 
season.  The  opening  was  made  before  the  build- 
ing was  entirely  finished,  the  opening  attraction 
being  J.  B.  Studley  in  the  play  of  '  Eustache 
Baudin.'  Aside  from  Mr.  Studley  and  the 
comedy  roles  of  Edwin  Wight  and  wife,  the  rest 
of  the  company  were  very  poor  indeed,  and  the 
newspapers  being  outspoken  in  their  denuncia- 
tion of  the  ])erformance,  manager  Deagle  closed 
the  house  at  the  end  of  the  first  week — for  two 
weeks^until  he  could  engage  a  better  lot  of 
people.  At  his  opening  of  the  season  the  second 
time  his  company  was  a  much  better  one,  and  in- 
cluded among  its  members,  besides  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wight,  J.  K.  Vernon,  Frank  Rose  and  Annie 
Ward.  The  latter  named'  has  been  dead  for  a 
number  of  years  past.  Deagle  kept  the  house 
open,  playing  some  first-class  attractions  during 
the  whole  season,  and  the  next  season  R.  Ru- 
do])!),  with  J.  H.  Huntley  as  business  manager, 


gave  another  season  of  amusements  to  the  people 
of  the  city.  During  these  two  seasons  of  a  regular 
theatre  in  Springfield,  many  well  known  celebri- 
ties appeared  and  were  well  patronized  by  our 
people.  Among  those  who  filled  engagements 
at  this  house  were  Lotta,  Laura  Keene,  who  was 
the  stellar  attraction  playing  in  the  play  of  '  Our 
American  Cousin'  at  Ford's  Theatre,  the  night 
President  Lincoln  was  assassinated,  and  who 
alone  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  lift  and  hold 
up  the  wounded  man's  head  after  the  act  was 
committed;  Vestvali,  Sue  Denin,  Emelie  Mel- 
ville, Edwin  Forrest,  Mollie  Williams  and  Felix 
Vincent,  Mrs.  F'arren  and  W.  E.  Sheriden,  Es- 
telle  Potter,  Kate  Fisher,  and  others  whose 
names  are  now  forgotten.  Lotta  played  a  three 
week's  engagement  while  here,  and  strange  as  it 
may  seem  to  many  now,  her  house  was  large 
every  night  of  the  engagement.  Forrest,  who 
played  his  master-part  of  '  Richelieu'  and  ap- 
peared in  'Jack  Cade,'  also,  had  two  of  the 
largest  audiences  ever  assembled  in  the  old 
house.  The  writer  remembers  a  little  incident 
connected  with  Forrest  during  his  stay  in  this 
city,  which  goes  to  prove  that  the  man's  nature 
was  not  hard  and  cold  as  many  newspaper  writ- 
ers of  to-day  would  make  people  think.  The 
great  actor  was  walking  along  one  of  our  streets 
during  the  day  while  in  Springfield,  when,  upon 
passing  a  stairway  near  the  square,  a  little  tod- 
dling child  came  out  on  the  walk  directly  in 
front  of  the  old  tragedian.  At  the  sight  of  the 
little  one  a  smile  lit  up  the  face  of  Forrest,  and 
stooping  down  he  lifted  the  babe  up  in  his  arms 
and  with  it  walked  up  and  down  the  pavement, 
all  the  time  talking  to  the  little  one,  and  neither 
looking  at  or  speaking  to  any  one  passing  by. 
The  mother  of  the  babe  who  was  in  the  stair- 
way at  the  time  looking  on,  was  the  wife  of  a 
mechanic  in  the  city.  She  did  not  know  who 
the  old  gentleman  was  who  had  her  child  in  his 
arms,  but  seemed  to  enjoy  the  pleasure  the  little 
one's  prattle  afforded  him,  and  waited  until  For- 
rest had  tired  himself  out  with  the  exercise,  and 
placing  the  child  before  its  mother,  walked  on 
his  way  without  even  sijeaking  to  the  mother  or 
letting  her  know  who  had  been  so  much  taken 
up  with  the  little  one.  His  heart  could  not  have 
been  so  hard,  nor  was  he  so  void  of  feeling  when 
a  little  child's  prattle  could  so  thoroughly  enter- 
tain him  as  did  this  little  one. 

"Susan  Denin  was  probably  the  most  beauti- 
ful as  well  as  the  most  business-like  lady  artist 
that  ever  appeared  in  the  opera  house.  She 
would  alone  go  to  the  printing  offices  and  give 
her  own  instructions  to  the  printer  who  was  en- 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


03') 


gaged  in  composing  any  of  lier  printing;  telling 
him  just  what  lines  to  display,  and  when  her 
directions  were  carefully  followed  out  she  never 
complained  of  any  work  exectUed  for  her. 
Vestvali,  termed  'the  magnificent,'  failed  to 
keep  the  whole  of  her  engagement  here  because 
of  too  much  wine  drinking,  which  incapacitated 
her  for  acting.  This  talented  artiste  has  been 
dead  several  years.  Emelie  Melville,  one  of  the 
best  lady  attractions  at  this  house,  was  accompa- 
nied here  by  her  mother,  and  while  in  the  city, 
every  Sabbath  morning  and  evening  the  mother 
and  daughter  might  have  been  seen  in  attend- 
ance at  one  of  our  churches,  plainly  dressed, 
worshiping  the  Father  above  with  all  the  devo- 
tion of  true  Christians,  which  they  most  cer- 
tainly bore  evidence  of  being  at  all  times.  Ed- 
win Wight,  comedian  and  stage  manager  of  the 
house  for  a  long  term,  was  a  good  actor  and  a 
pleasant  gentleman.  Mr.  Wight  is  at  present 
a  resident  of  St.  Louis,  and  during  the  fall 
and  winter  seasons,  passes  his  lime  in 
managing  a  small  company  of  his  own, 
playing  in  the  smaller  towns.  Mrs.  Farren,  who, 
during  her  stay  at  the  opera  house  here,  made 
many  friends,  is  still  before  the  public,  though 
well  along  in  years.  W.  E.  Sheridan  is  at 
present  staring  in  the  legitimate.  J.  K.  Ver- 
non, who  was  leading  man  at  the  opera  house 
here,  is  at  present  acting  in  variety  houses  in  the 
larger  cities.  Annie  Ward  is  dead;  she  departed 
this  life  several  years  ago,  after  having  first  at- 
tained quite  a  high  place  in  the  dramatic  world. 
Her  old  'flame,'  Frank  Rose,  was  afterwards 
married  to  another  lady,  and  they  are  both  act- 
ing now  in  stock  companies  in  the  east. 

'■Before  closing  this  sketch,  I  wish  to  make 
mention  of  the  jolly  old  leader  of  the  orchestra 
at  this  house,  Professor  Fessenden.  The  Pro- 
fessor was  a  capital  leader,  and  as  jovial  and 
pleasant  a  man  as  one  would  wish  to  meet  with, 
and  added  much  to  the  entertainments  of  that 
time  bj'  the  excellent  music  he  furnished. 

"During  the  seasons  of  18G8-0,  the  Stock  Com- 
pany of  the  Olympic  Theater,  St.  Louis,  made 
frequent  visits  to  this  city,  appearing  here  during 
the  enaageraent  of  other  attractions  at  the  thea- 
ter in  St.  Louis.  This  company  was  managed 
by  Mr.  Frank  Evans,  the  leading  man  of  the 
company,  who  at  present  is  manager  and  leading 
man  for  the  Hartley  Campbell  Galley  Slave 
Company.  Among  the  people  who  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Olympic  Company  appearing  here, 
we  remember  Mr.  Frank  Evans,  Mr.  J.  W. 
Albaugh,  Mary  Mitchell,  (sister  of  Maggie)  Bob 
Duncan  and  Dolly  Davenport,  both  of  whom  are 

74— 


since  dead,  W.  P.  Sheldon,  the  comedian,  Miss 
Frankie  McClellan,  who  afterwards  became  Mrs. 
Dolly  Davenport,  and  Mrs.  W.  P.  Sheldon.  It 
was  during  one  of  the  engagements  of  the 
Olympic  Company  in  this  city,  that  Mr.  Frank 
Evans  tirt  played  the  role  of  Claude  Melnotte, 
which  performance  was  so  highly  praised  by  the 
local  critics  at  that  time. 

"As  before  stated  the  old  Rudolph  Opera  House 
was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  on  its  site  Jatob 
Bunn,  Esq.,  erected  a  hall  which  was  used  as  an 
opera  house  until  the  building  was  purchased  by 
George  W.  Chatterton  and  afterwards  altered 
with  enlarged  additions,  and  the  present  new  and 
elegant  Opera  House  built  in  its  place,  which  the 
people  of  Springfield  are  favored  with  at  present. 
The  new  house  was  opened  by  a  concert  of  mixed 
talent,  headed  by  M'll  Litta,  and  since  that  time 
many  of  the  best  attractions  in  the  country  have 
appeared  on  its  stage." 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

With  the  exception  of  works  on  fiction,  no 
class  of  literature  is  read  more,  or  more  sought 
after  in  public  libraries,  than  biography.  There 
is  always  a  desire  to  know  something  about 
those  of  whom  we  have  heard;  something  of  the 
life  work  of  individuals.  In  response  to  this 
general  desire,  we  give  short  biographical 
sketches  of  many  of  the  leading  men  and  women 
in  this  county.  These  sketches,  for  convenience 
of  reference,  and  to  save  the  necessity  of  index- 
ing, are  arranged  in  alphebetical  order.  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  Bar  are  found  in  connection 
with  the  Bar  history,  pages  seventy-six  to  one 
hundred  and  thirty-nine. 

Capt.  John  31.  Adair,  Sjiringfield,  111.,  was 
born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  11, 
1840.  When  eight  years  of  age  his  parents  emi- 
grated to  Carroll  county,  Illinois;  he  was  reared 
on  a  farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he 
was  employed  as  a  clerk,  which  occupation  he 
followed  till  1861 ;  he  then  enlisted  in  the  Forty- 
fifth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  Company  E, 
as  a  private;  was  mustered  in  at  Mount  Carroll, 
Illinois,  September  14tb,  1861;  thence  to  Camp 
Washburn,  Galena,  Illinois;  was  promoted  to 
First  Sergeant  November  22,  1861.  Regiment 
moved  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  vihere  it  re- 
mained until  January  12,  1862;  was  promoted 
to  Second  Lieutenant,  December  1,  1861;  irom 
Chicago  went  to  Cairo,  and  February  3,  1862, 
left  Cairo  for  Fort  Henry,  where  they  were  to 
intercept  the  rebels;  from  Fort  Henry  he  went 
to  Fort  Donalson,and  partitiipated  in  its  capture; 
remained  until  March  4,  1862,  when  they  broke 
camp  and  marched  to  the  Tennessee  river,  where 


C3C 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


they  took  boals  for  Savannah;  then  to  Pittsburg 
Lauding,  where  his  regiment  was  engaged  both 
days;  was  also  at  the  siege  and  capture  of  Cor- 
inth. During  the  summer  of  1862,  he  was  .sta- 
tioned at  Jackson,  Tennessee,  and  the  regiment 
was  detailed  to  guard  the  railroad  company, 
being  assigned  to  Toon's  Station,  twenty  two 
milts  from  .Tackson.  On  the  29th day  ot  August, 
Armstrong's  lavalry  raided  the  country  in  the 
vicinity  of  .lackson,  and  struck  Toon's  Station, 
where  a  severe  scrimmage  took  place;  November 
2,  broke  camp  at  Jackson,  and  participated  in  the 
Mississippi  campaign  to  Oxford,  under  General 
Grant,  and  whi  e  on  this  move,  the  regiment  had 
to  subsist  on  ear  corn  (allowing  three  eais  for  a 
lation,)  for  two  weeks;  they,  in  the  meantime, 
constructed  a  mill  to  grind  it  into  meal.  The 
command  returned  to  Memphis,  remained  in 
camj)  for  a  time,  and  then  proceeded  down  the 
Mississippi  river  and  participated  in  the  capture 
of  Vicksburg.  While  on  the  Mississippi  cam- 
paign, Captain  Adair  was  promoted  to  Second 
Lieutenant  November  4th,  1862,  and  soon  there- 
after to  First  Lieutenant. 

During  the  Vicksburg  campaign  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  of  the  siege,  he  was  in 
command  of  the  company,  as  Fisk,  captain  of 
the  company,  was  on  detached  duty. 

During  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  Captain  Fisk 
was  promoted  to  Major  of  bis  regiment,  and 
Captain  Adair  received  another  promotion  as  his 
successor  and  earned  his  title  of  Captain  during 
that  memorable  siege. 

After  the  capture  of  Vicksburg  and  during  the 
summer  of  1863,  Captain  Adair  was  on  detached 
service  as  Assistant  Provost  Marshal  at  Vicks- 
burg, in  charge  of  river  transportation  and 
general  business  of  the  city.  In  the  fall  of  1863 
the  regiment  veteranized,  and  the  following 
spring  was  given  a  veteran  furlough  for  thirty 
days.  Captain  Adair  was  relieved  as  Assistant 
Provost  Marshal,  and  returned  to  his  home 
with  the  regiment.  In.^pril,  1864,  he  returned 
to  duty,  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment  being  attached 
to  ilie  Seventeenth  Army  Corps,  when  they  par- 
ticii>:ited  in  the  Atlantic  campaign. 

('apt.  Adair  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health 
and  returned  to  his  home  in  Mt.  Carroll,  in  186.5. 
Shortly  after  was  employed  as  Deputy  Circuit 
Clerk  of  Carroll  county,  under  Maj.  Nase  in  Mt. 
Carroll,  where  he  remained  nntil  1868;  during 
the  term,  and  in  the  winter  of  1867,  was  Assis- 
tant Secretary  of  the  State  Senate;  in  the  summer 
of  1868,  bought  the  Carroll  County  Gazette,  at 
Lanrirk,  Illinois,  and  was  associated  with  J.  R. 
Howlett   in  its  publication  until  the    spring   of 


1871;  in  1869,  was  elected  chief  enrolling  and 
engrossing  clerk  of  the  Senate.  After  disposing 
of  his  interest  in  the  Gazette,  he  became  sole 
publisher  and  proprietor  of  the  Mt.  Carroll 
Mirror,  which  he  conducted  until  1874;  in  July 
of  the  same  year  he  was  appointed  by  Colonel 
Harlow,  Secretary  of  State,  to  take  charge  of  the 
department  of  indexes  and  archives  in  the  oHice 
of  the  Secretary  of  State,  which  jjosition  he  has 
held  since,  with  the  exception  of  the  winter  of 
1881,  when  he  was  chief  clerk  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  State.  The  work  upon  which  Captain 
Adair  has  been  engaged,  is  one  of  great  impor- 
tance to  the  public  service,  and  to  be  fully  appre- 
ciated it  must  be  understood  that  until  his 
appointment,  the  files  of  the  State  department 
were  in  utter  confusion,  and  the  records  without 
the  means  of  reference.  Out  of  this  disorder 
and  confusion,  system  and  order  have  been 
wrought,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  any  State  in  the 
Union  has  a  better  system  of  indexes  or  a  more 
ready  means  of  reference  to  its  flies  and  records 
than  Illinois,  at  least  as  far  as  the  work  has  pro- 
gressed, for  it  is  proper  to  say  that  it  is  not  yet 
complete.  It  was  organized  and  systemized 
under  the  intelligent  direction  of  Captain  Adair, 
and  perhaps  no  person  in  the  State  has  so  full  a 
knowledge  of  facts  and  State  Legislative  history 
as  he  has,  in  consequence  of  his  long  and  inti- 
mate association  with  the  public  business  an<l 
the  special  business  of  the  departments. 

In  1878,  Mr.  Adair  married  Miss  Eebecca  T. 
Halderman,  of  Mt.  Carroll,  a  daughter  of  Na- 
thaniel and  Elizabeth  Halderman, 

General  Moses  K.  Anderson,  Springfield,  was 
born  near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  November 
11,  1803;  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a 
limited  education,  having  to  go  three  miles,  on 
foot,  to  school.  The  school  building  was  a  log 
structure;  the  seats  being  made  from  slabs  of 
logs,  and  pins  put  in  for  legs.  His  father  and 
mother  died  when  he  was  very  young,  and  he 
went  to  live  with  an  uncle,  William  Anderson, 
who  treated  him  as  a  son. 

In  1827,  he  married  Miss  Cassarilla,  daugliter 
of  Thomas  and  Sarah  Strond,  of  Dixon  county, 
Tennessee,  and  the  following  year  came  to  this 
county,  where  Mrs.  A.  died,  August  17,  1850, 
leaving  six  daughters  and  three  sons.  For  his 
second  wife  Mr.  A.  married  his  wife's  sister,  who 
was  a  mother  to  his  children.  She  also  died, 
November  24,  1880.  After  coming  to  this 
county,  Mr.  A.  located  in  Cartwright  township. 
Being  without  means,  he  was  forced  to  borrow 
money  of  Eli  C.  Blankenship,  and  pay  fiftj-  per 
cent,  interest.       Having  purchased  eighty  acres 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


63T 


of  land,  he  built  a  log  cabin,  twelve  feet  square; 
it  was  their  kitchen,  parlor  and  loom-room,  his 
wife  also  spiiinins^  and  weaving  clothing  for 
the  family  and  their  neighbors.  Mrs.  Anderson 
was  a  sincere  Christian,  being  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  was  loved  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  her.  They  went  to  church  with 
an  ox  team  and  double  wagon,  leading  one  ox 
with  a  rope,  and  tying  him  to  a  sapling  during 
service.  ]Mr.  A.  remained  on  the  farm  until 
1860,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  be  has 
lived  most  of  the  time  since. 

The  General  accumulated  a  large  tract  of  land, 
and  was  the  second  largest  tax  payer  in  the 
county.  Previous  to  the  Black  Hawk  war,  he 
was  elected  Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  militia, 
and  at  that  time  was  Captain  of  a  company,  but 
was  never  ordered  out.  Shortly  after  the  war 
he  was  elected  Brigadier  General  of  the  malitia 
of  the  State,  having  competed  with  Colonel 
Dawson,  of  this  county,  and  Colonel  Bailey,  of 
Tazewell  county.  At  the  time  the  State  Capital 
was  removed  to  this  city.  Colonel  Berry  was 
Adjutant  General.  As  it  was  necessary  for  him 
to  be  a  citizen  of  the  county,  and  he  being  en- 
gaged in  business,  he  resigned  his  office,  and 
General  Anderson  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Carlin  to  till  his  place;  he  held  the  office  for 
eighteen  years.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace 
twenty-eight  years,  and  held  several  other  local 
offices  of  trust. 

Thomas  Armstrong,  of  the  firm  of  R.  B.  Zim- 
merman &  Co.,  is  a  native  of  Dublin,  Ireland; 
born  in  May,  1831.  He  learned  the  painter's 
trade  there,  beginning  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  and  pursued  it  till  he  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
in  1862,  locating  immediately  in  Springfield, 
Illinois.  He  was  employed  as  a  journeyman  by 
Mr.  Zimmerman  until  he  became  a  member  of 
the  firm,  in  1871.  They  keep  a  large  stock  of 
wall  papers,  window  shades,  glass,  oils  and 
painters'  supplies;  do  all  kinds  of  painting, 
graining,  frescoing  and  sign  writing,  at  which 
they  work  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  men.  Mr. 
Armstrong  was  married  in  his  native  country  to 
Margaret  Ostenburg,  in  1856.  They  have  five 
children. 

I.  M.  Asbunj,  M.  I).,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  McLanesboro,  Hamilton  county, 
Illinois,  July  6,  1848,  son  of  Wesley  and  Susan 
M.  (Mitchell)  Asbury  ;  father  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  and  came  to  this  State  in  1844  ;  at 
present  engaged  in  farming  ;  mother  a  native  of 
Illinois.  Her  father,  Ichabod  Mitchell,  was 
among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Hamilton  couuty, 
and  was  elected  the  first  Treasurer  of  the  county. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his 
native  town,  where  he  received  an  elementary 
school  education.  When  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  enlisted  in  the  Sixtieth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Company  A,  and  remained  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  the  march 
to  the  sea,  with  Sherman.  After  the  war  ended 
he  attended  the  High  School  of  McLanesboro, 
and  in  the  meantime  read  medicine  with  Dr. 
David  Barry  ;  in  1868,  he  went  to  Minnesota, 
wheie  he  was  employed  in  a  drug  store,  and  at 
the  same  time,  continued  his  medical  studies  ; 
in  two  years,  returned  to  Illinois,  when  he 
studied  under  his  old  preceptor;  in  1871,  at- 
tended lectures  at  Cincinnati  Eclectic  Medical 
College,  and  graduated  may  19,  1873.  The 
Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  ;  was 
Master  Mason,  and  represented  his  old  lodge  in 
McLanesboro  three  years.  January  1,  1877;  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Webb,  daughter  of  John 
Webb,  of  Hamilton  county,  Illinois,  where  she 
was  born.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  State 
Eclectic  Medical  Society. 

Willia)!!,  jB.  Baker,  lumber  merchant,  corner 
Wabash  Railroad  and  Jefferson  street,  and  pro- 
prietor of  planing  mill  on  Ninth  street,  keeps  in 
yard  a  large  stock  of  building  and  finishing 
lumber,  shingles,  lath,  sash,  doors,  blinds,  mould- 
ings, lime,  plaster,  sewer-pipe,  etc.,  in  which  he 
has  a  large  retail  and  some  wholesale  trade. 
His  sales  for  1880,  counting  lumber  by  the  foot, 
and  lath  and  shingles  by  the  thousand,  fooled  up 
between  three  and  four  million,  besides  those  of 
other  articles.  His  mill  is  a  frame  building 
erected  in  1872,  thirty  by  fifty-five  feet,  aad 
equipped  with  machinery  and  appliances  for 
doing  all  kinds  of  planing,  sawing  and  lumber- 
yard work,  with  a  capacity  for  dressing  twenty- 
five  thousand  feet  per  day. 

Mr.  Baker  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1843; 
came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  18.52;  began 
learning  the  machinist  trade  when  thirteen  years 
of  age,  and  continued  in  that  business  until  he 
went  into  the  lumber  trade,  in  company  with  J. 
H.  Schuck,  as  Schuck  &  Baker,  in  1865.  At  the 
end  of  twelve  years  he  became  sole  owner,  and 
has  since  carried  on  business  alone.  January  1, 
1881,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Ilintze, 
of  Chicago,  and  established  a  wholesale  business 
in  sash,  doors,  blinds  and  mouldings,  on  Lumber 
street  in  that  city,  which  is  doing  an  extensive 
trade.  In  June,  1861,  Mr.  Baker  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  Service  as  a  member  of  Company 
I,  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry;  served  three  years 
and  was  mustered  out  in  August,  1854.  In  De- 
cember of  that  year  was  united  in  marriage  with 


CSS 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Miss  Adelia,  youngest  daughter  of  James  L. 
Hill,  of  Springfield.  They  are  the  parents  of 
one  son,  R<alph  Norton  Baker,  thirteen  years  old. 

George  A.  Ballou,  grocer,  320  North  Sixth 
.street,  opened  the  business  in  his  present  loca- 
tion in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  is  consequently 
one  of  the  oldest  grocers  in  the  city.  His  store 
i.s  18x100  feet,  crowded  with  a  general  assort- 
ment of  family  groceries  and  provisions.  He 
also  has  a  feature  of  flour  and  feed.  He  carries 
on  a  large  retail  trade,  extending  over  a  large 
portion  of  the  city,  employing  three  to  four 
hinds  and  two  delivery  teams. 

Mr.  Ballou  was  born  and  reared  in  New 
Hampshire;  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  became 
west  and  located  near  Keokuk,  Iowa,  being  en- 
tirely unacquainted  with  any  person,  and  having 
but  one  gold  dollar  as  cash  capital.  For  about 
five  years  he  taught  school  in  Iowa  and  Illinois; 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  embarked  in  his  present  line  of  merchan- 
dising. In  186-1  Mr.  Ballou  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  J.  Robertson,  of  Jackson- 
ville, Illinois,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  San- 
gimon  county.  Six  sons  and  a  daughter  have 
been  born  to  them,  of  whom  the  daughter  and 
one  son  are  deceased.  The  five  sons  range  in 
age  from  sixteen  to  eisrht  years.  Mr.  Ballou  is 
a  member  of  Lodge  No.  46.5,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
one  of  the  Directors  of  the  Springfield  Board  of 
Trade.  Mrs.  B.  is  connected  with  the  Baptist 
Church. 

Alexander  Ballou  married  Susan  Ray;  and 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  second  of  their 
family  of  five  sons,  fourof  whom  were  soldiers  in 
the  late  civil  war;  two  lost  their  lives  in  the 
service.  Mr.  Ballou  and  one  brother  and  mother 
are  all  now  alive,  the  latter  residing  in  his  native 
State. 

George  liaiiinann,  grocer,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  the  State  of  Baden,  Germany, 
October  21,  1835.  When  fifteen  years  of  age, 
he  came  to  the  United  States;  landed  in  New 
Orleans,  then  via  boat  to  St.  Louis,  where  he 
remained  a  short  time,  thence  to  Springfield; 
worked  by  the  month  a  short  time,  then  went  to 
Dorwin  &  Dickey,  and  learned,  the  trade  of 
tinner;  remained  with  them  nine  years;  after- 
wards bought  the  interest  of  Dorwin;  formed  a 
])artnership  with  a  man  named  Robinson,  and 
remained  in  company  with  him  four  years,  when 
he  sold  out  and  went  in  company  with  a  Mr. 
Kennett,  and  was  with  him  one  year;  then  en- 
gaged with  Robinson  again,  and  continued  in 
the  business  until  1871;  formed  a  partnership 
with  Mr.  Leggott,  and  was  with  him  until   1873, 


when  he  embarked  in  his  present  business,  which 
he  has  followed  since.  He  married  Miss  Cath- 
erine Dinkel,  and  they  haveseven  children — five 
boys  and  two  girls.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
order  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge  166,  of  Springfield, 
Illinois. 

Joseph  Haum,  marble  dealer,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Colon,  German}',  October  3, 
1828.  When  seventeen  years  old  he  traveled 
through  the  principal  countries  of  Europe,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty,  was  put  into  the  Prussian 
army,  where  he  remained  four  years.  In  1848, 
he  was  in  the  Polish  war,  where  he  lost  the  sight 
of  one  of  his  eyes.  In  1854  he  landed  in  New 
York,  where  he  worked  for  Fisher  &  Beard  four 
years;  from  there  went  to  Charleston,  S.  C;  was 
there  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he 
was  doing  a  thriving  business.  With  difticulty 
he  left  the  South  with  his  wife  and  four  chil- 
dren. Through  the  influence  of  friends,  he  got  a 
passport  of  Governor  Pickens,  and  they  started 
for  Richmond;  endured  many  trials  and  hard- 
ships before  arriving  at  Richmond.  Receiving 
a  hint  that  whisky  was  better  to  buy  his  way 
than  money,  be  bought  some  for  §30  per  bottle, 
which  was  a  great  help  to  him.  He  started  out 
from  Richmond,  having  added  one  more  to  his 
number,  a  French  lady  who  wanted  to  get 
through  the  lines;  but  after  many  a  long  day, 
camping  out  nights,  and  being  robbed  by  every- 
body he  came  in  contac,  with,  he  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  crossing  the  Potomac,  paying  §10  in 
gold,  per  head,  for  ferrying  them  over,  and 
reached  the  Union  lines;  from  there  he  went  to 
New  York,  where  he  commenced  work;  m  1864 
came  to  Chicago,  where  he  was  employed  to  do 
the  fine  work  on  Crosby's  Opera  House;  remained 
there  a  short  time,  then  came  to  Springfield,  and 
has  been  in  business  here  ever  since.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Antonette  Schundy,  of  Germany;  by 
this  union  there  were  eleven  children,  ten  of 
whom  are  living,  five  sons  and  five  daughters. 

Horatio  Barclwell  Buck,  M.  D.,  is  the  youivgest 
of  a  family  of  four  sons  and  five  daughters 
of  Dr.  Reuben  and  Alice  (Jaynith)  Buck,  and 
was  born  in  York  county,  Maine,  on  January 
27,  1832.  Dr.  Reuben  Buck  sprang  from 
Scotch  ancestry,  and  was  born  near  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  in  which  city  he  was  educated, 
and  after  graduation,  married  Miss  Jaynith  and 
settled  in  Acton,  York  county,  Maine,  where 
he  passed  a  long  and  successful  professional 
life,  dying  in  his  eighty-eighth  year,  having 
lost  his  wife  ten  years  previously,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six.  Dr.  H.  B.  Buck  was  educated 
in    his   native  town,  completing  an  academical 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


639 


course;   and  early   evincing  a  strong   desire  to 
enter  his  father's  profession,  was  encouraged  to 
bend  every   circumstance  and  effort  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  calling  he  has  and  is  filling  with 
such  distinguished  ability.     In   1851,  he  began 
studying   medicine    with    his    father   and  elder 
brother,    then    partners.      During    nearly    four 
years    of  his    reading  he  taught  several  winter 
terms  of  scliool,  from  choice  rather  than  neces- 
sity.    Having  passed  through  the  full    curricu- 
lum of  the  medical  department  at  Bowdoin  Col- 
lege, Maine,  and  desiring  a  diploma  from  the 
best  college  in  the  country,  the  Doctor  entered 
Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  in  the 
autumn  of  185.5,    from    which  he    received  the 
degree  of  M.  D.,in  1856,  together  with  a  private 
letter  of  recommendation  from  Dr.  Joseph  Pan- 
coast,   then    a   very   eminent   surgeon.     Doctor 
Buck  at  once  commenced  practice  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  continued  successfully  until  the  fall  of 
1862,  when,  responding  to  our  country's  call,  he 
entered  upon    surgical  duty  under   government 
contract  at  Columbia  College  Hospital.     At  the 
close  of  six  months,  the  Doctor  wishing  to  enter 
the  army  as  a  commissioned  officer,    passed    a 
rigid  ex  iniination  before  the  Board  at  Washing- 
ton, and  with  a  Surgeon's  commission  signed  by 
President  Lincoln,  took  charge    of  the  regular 
artillery  attached  to  the  Sec  )nd  Army  Corps,  in 
March,   1863.     He  was  with  the   Army  of  the 
Potomac  in  all  the  battles  of  that  year's  cam- 
paigns, and  while  in  winter  quarters,  late  in  the 
winter  of  1863-4,  the  Doctor  made  application 
for  a  position  which  would  afford  him  more  ex- 
tensive hospital  experience.  The  request  resulted 
in   his  being  assigned   Surgeon-in-Chief  of  the 
camp  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  the  rendezvous  of 
the  troops  of  the    State,   where   he   arrived    in 
February,  1864,  and  found  the  disabled  soldiers 
in  the  care  of  eleven  contract  surgeons,  and  with 
no   hospital   buildings    but    ordinary   barracks. 
Doctor  Buck  at  once  set  about  providing  better 
accommodations  for  the  sick  and  wounded;  drew 
plans  and  specifications  for  eight  new  hospital 
buildings,  each  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  by 
twenty-four  feet  in  dimensions,  which  were  ap- 
proved by  the  government  and  speedily  erected. 
The  buildings  were  modern  in  construction,  with 
every  provision  for  cleanliness  and  ventilation, 
the  grounds  and  surroundings   were  decorated 
and    beautified.     The   wisdom    of  the    measure 
was  demonstrated  in  the  reduction  of  mortality 
more  than  fifty  per  cent,  from  its  completion. 
Doctor  Buck  also  had  control  of  the  Soldiers' 
Home  of  the  city,  and  of  the  sick  at  the  officers' 
headquarters.     In  June,   1 865,  the  necessity  for 


medical  service  at  the  front  being  diminished, 
Doctor  Buck  was  transferred,  by  order,  to  Mad- 
ison,   Wisconsin,   and,  associated  with    Doctor 
Cfilbertson,  of  Ohio,  spent  six  monihs  in  wind- 
ing up  a  large  general  hospital.     This  ended  his 
official  labors;  and  late  in  the  autumn  of  1865, 
he  settled  permanently  in   Springfield,  and  im- 
mediately engaged  in  a  lucrative  and  annually 
increasing  private  medical  practice,  by  which  he 
has    attained    an    enviable    degree  of  eminence, 
with    promise    of    an    extended    career   of    still 
greater   achievements    in    the    future.     In  1867, 
Doctor  Buck  joined   the  Illinois  State  Medical 
Societj',  and  has  since  successively  filled  several 
of  its  important  official  chairs;  was  its  delegate 
to  the  American  Medical  Association,   at  Phila- 
delphia, in    1876.     He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Tri-State  Medical  Society,  composed  of  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Kentucky,  and  the  cities  of  Cincinnati 
and  St.  Louis;  was  chosen  its  President  for  1880. 
Through  his  zeal  and  labors,  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  interesting  sessions  of  the  societ)'  ever 
witnessed  was  held  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  be- 
fore which  the    Doctor  read   an   elaborate  and 
carefully    prepared  paper   on    "  The  Science  of 
Medicine,"  which    evinced    such    erudition  and 
literary  merit  that  it  elicited  the  highest  cncon- 
iums  of  the  profession  and  the  press,  and  earned 
for  its  author  a  proud  reputation   as  a  writer  of 
clearness,  force  and  elegance.    The  Doctor  served 
for  years  as  Secretary  of  the  Sangamon  Medical 
Society,   and   is  now  its  President.     In  March, 
1863,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie,  daughterof  George 
K.  Hellei"*,  a  much  respected  and  influential  citi- 
zen of  Cheltenham,  Pennsylvania.     Her  mother 
was  Sarah  Nice,  before  marriage.     Mrs.  Buck  is 
the  third  of  their  family  of  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.     The  Doctor  and  wife  are  the  parents 
of  three   daughters    and  a   son   alive,   and    one 
daughter,  deceased. 

James  H.  Barkley,  furniture  merchant,  219 
South  Fifth  street,  embarked  in  the  business  in 
Springfield  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Nutt  cfe 
Barkley  in  1868,  on  the  north  side  of  the  square. 
In  August,  1875,  he  bought  his  partner's  interest, 
and  has  since  been  sole  proprietor.  May  1,  1881, 
he  moved  to  his  present  building,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  by  twenty-five  feet,  of  which  he  oc- 
cupies three  stories  and  the  basement.  The 
place  is  heavily  stocked  with  the  most  popular 
styles  of  parlor  and  general  household  furniture, 
and  furnishings,  fine  pictures  and  mouldings,  the 
whole  comprising  an  exhibit  rarely  met  with  in 
cities  the  size  of  Springdeld.  The  annual  sales 
amount  to  the  snug  sum  of  sixty  thousand  dol- 
lars and  have  largely  increased  during  the  past 


640 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


jear.  Colonel  Barkley  was  born  in  Fayette 
county,  Kentucky,  February  17,  1844;  parents 
moved  to  Gibson  county,  Tennessee,  soon  after, 
remaining  till  James  waa  ten  years  old;  then 
passed  a  year  in  Memphis;  removed  thence  to 
Jackson,  Mississippi,  where  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  chiefly  educated.  In  1857  the  family 
came  to  Springfield,  and  settled  on  a  farm  three 
miles  east  of  the  city.  James  engaged  in  the 
pursuit  of  agriculture  till  he  entered  the  army  in 
1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  G.  of  the  one 
hundred  and  fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry.  He 
served  three  years,  the  two  last  on  Brigadier 
General  R.  P.  Buckland's  staff.  Upon  returning 
home,  Mr.  Barkley  was  employed  three  years  as 
salesman  in  a  house-furnishing  establishment; 
carried  on  the  grocery  business  a  year  in  Chris- 
tian county;  sold  out  at  the  end  of  that  time  and 
worked  for  his  old  e'liployer  till  he  started  in  the 
furniture  trade.  He  has  been  for  a  number  of 
years  a  member  of  the  Springfield  Zouaves,  N. 
G.,  and  July  16,  1877,  was  elected  their  Colonel, 
which  office  he  now  holds.  Colonel  Barkley 
married  Ella  DeCarap,  a  native  of  Springfield, 
on  Christmas  day,  1 865.  They  have  two  children, 
Cora  Bell,  born  in  1866,  and  Kennie  Weber, 
aged  four  years;  buried  one  son.  Mr.  B.  is  a 
member  of  K.  of  P.,  Capital  Lodge,  and  A.  F. 
ancj  A.  M.,  St.  Paul  Lodge,  No.  500. 

Captain  George  Barrell,  Springfield,  Illinois; 
was  born  in  York  county,  Maine,  April  21,  1809, 
son  of  George  and  Caroline  Low  Barrell.  His 
father  was  a  merchant,  also  Consul  to  Spain  for 
a  number  of  years;  failing  in  health,  he  went  to 
Barcelona,  where  he  died.  George  was  educated 
in  Plymouth  county,  Massachusetts,  and  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  went  to  sea,  which  he  followed 
thirty  years;  was  in  the  fore-castle  a  number  of 
years;  the  last  eighteen  years,  he  was  in  com- 
mand; his  trade  called  him  to  all  parts  of  the 
world.  In  August,  1855,  he  came  to  Spring- 
field, where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  In  Jan- 
uary, 18.39,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Douglas, 
daughter  of  William  W.  Douglas,  of  Scotch 
descent;  she  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in  1821. 
They  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: S.  Francis  Georgiana,  now  Mrs.  Clinton  M. 
Conkling;  Carrie  M.,  Nellie  D.,  now  Mrs.  Joseph 
N.  Carter,  a  representative  in  the  present  legis- 
lature, and  Charlie  E. 

Edward  P.  lieach,  State,  and  local  insurance 
agent,  and  dealer  in  real  estate,  southwest  corner 
of  Sixth  and  Monroe  streets,  succeeded  James  L. 
Hill,  one  of  the  pioneer  insurance  men  of  Spring- 
field, to  the  business  in  that  office  eight  years 
ago.      Mr.  Beach  represents  the  Howard  Fire 


Insurance  Company,  of  New  York,  as  General 
Agent  for  the  State  of  Illinois;  and  is  Local 
Agent  for  Sangamon  county,  of  the  jEtna  and 
Pha'nix,  of  Hartford,  Connecticut;  the  Home, 
Howard,  and  Phcenix,  of  New  York;  the  Liver- 
pool, London,  Globe,  and  Norwich,  of  England, 
and  the  Western,  of  Canada,  all  leading  fire 
companies;  and  is  also  agent  for  the  Connecticut 
Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company.  He  does  quite 
an  extensive  business,  requiring  from  one  to  two 
active  men  besides  himself;  and  has  paid  for  the 
companies  he  represents,  8140,000  in  losses  to 
the  citizens  of  Springfield. 

Edward  is  the  only  son  of  three  surviving 
children  of  Richard  H.  Beach  and  Eliza  H. 
Baldwin,  both  natives  of  New  York  City.  They 
came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Springfield  about 
1835,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
May  27,  1841.  He  graduated  from  the  Illinois 
State  University,  at  Springfield,  in  1861,  it  being 
then  a  prosperous  school  under  the  control  of 
the  Lutheran  Church.  After  leaving  college, 
Mr.  Beach  was  actively  engaged  in  various  fea- 
tures of  mercantile  life,  until  he  started  in  the 
insurance  business.  Five  years,  from  1868,  were 
spent  in  the  drug  traffic  in  Nebraska  City,  Ne- 
braska. He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  the 
K.  of  P.,  and  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  was  at  one  time 
Grand  Recorder  for  the  State  of  the  latter.  In 
1865,  he  married  Miss  Julia  E.,  eldest  daughter 
of  the  late  Henry  P.  Cone,  of  Springfield.  They 
have  had  one  son,  now  deceased.  They  are 
members  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mifflin  E.  Bell,  Architect,  of  the  firm  of  Bell 
<fc  Hackney,  corner  of  Monroe  and  Fifth  streets, 
has  been  twelve  years  engaged  in  the  business, 
the  first  two  in  Chicago,  and  ten  in  Springfield. 
He  came  to  the  latter  city  as  draughtsman  on 
the  new  State  House,  in  1869,  and  under  the 
supervision  of  A.  H.  Piquenard,  the  architect, 
drew  the  plans  of  the  entire  superstructure, 
from  the  corner  stone  to  the  top  of  the  dome. 
Mr.  Piquenard  died  September  19,  1876,  and 
from  that  time  until  the  appropriations  were  ex- 
hausted, Mr.  Bell  acted  as  supervising  architect 
of  the  construction,  according  to  the  design  of 
his  predecessor.  He  abo  superintended  the 
building  of  the  Bloomington  court  house,  cost- 
ing about  a  quarter  of  a  million  dollars,  accord- 
ing to  the  plans  prepared  by  Mr.  Piquenard,  and 
is  now  building  the  Iowa  State  Capitol,  the  plans 
for  which  were  made  by  Mr.  Piquenard.  This 
building  will  cost,  when  completed,  $2,500,000. 
In  the  fall  of  1877,  Mr.  Bell's  plans  for  the 
Southern  Illinois  Penitentiary  were  adopted,  an^ 
he  is  superintending  its  construction,  one  wing 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


641 


and  the  centfer  building  of  which  is  completed. 
The  entire  superstructure  is  to  be  of  sandstone; 
will  be  ei§ht  hundred  and  thirty-one  by  two 
hundred  feet  in  area,  and  cost  about  $850,000. 
He  and  his  partner  are  the  architects  of  the 
Passfield  Block  and  the  Central  Block,  erected 
in  1881,  the  two  finest  business  blocks  in  Spring- 
field. They  also  furnished  the  plans  for  a  school 
building  in  Chester,  Illinois,  which  is  to  cost 
f|l '7,000.  Mr.  Bell  was  born  near  the  old  battle 
ground  on  the  Braudywine,  in  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  thirty-three  years  of  age; 
came  with  parents  to  Bloomington,  Illinois,  in 
18.5.1,  where  they  still  reside.  His  father, Chalk- 
ley  Bell,  is  a  Quaker  farmer.  The  subject  of 
this  article  married  Adda  Van  Hoff,  in  1871,  in 
Springlield,  in  the  same  house  in  which  she  was 
born.     They  have  two  children  of  each  se.v. 

Sigimuid  Benjamin,  clothing  merchant  and 
dealer  in  gentlemen's  furnishing  goods,  102 
South  Sixth  street,  has  been  carrying  on  the 
business  in  Springfield  since  1867  ;  for  about  ten 
years  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  and  since 
October,  1878,  in  his  present  store.  He  keeps 
a  large  stock  of  clothing  and  gentlemens'  fur- 
nishings, in  which  he  does  a  heavy  retail  trade, 
amounting,  in  1879,  to  about  $-36,000  ;  in  1880, 
to  845,900,  with  an  increase  in  1881  that  prom- 
ises sales  of  $50,000  for  the  year.  Before  com- 
ing to  Springfield,  Mr.  J>enjamin  was  located 
some  years  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  with  a 
prominent  firm  in  the  same  line  of  business. 
He  was  born  in  Germany,  and  is  forty-one  years 
old  ;  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of 
eighteen;  spent  two  years  and  a  half  in  Peoria, 
Illinois,  whence  he  went  to  Kansas  C!ity.  He 
landed  in  Peoria  without  a  dollar  ;  hence  his 
large  business  and  fine  residence  property  on 
North  Sixth  street,  are  the  result  of  his  individ- 
ual industry  and  enterprise.  In  1869,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  Stern,  of  Springfield.  They  have 
two  sons  and  a  daughter.  Mr  Benjamin  is  a 
Master  Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Order  of 
Benai  Berith,  Emes  Lodge,  No.  6  ;  also  of  A. 
O.  U.  W.,  and  has  passed  through  all  the  chairs 
of  Capital  City  Lodge,  No.  :J8,  of  that  order. 

Joh)i  liressmer,  dry  goods  merchant,  in  Cen- 
tral Block,  southeast  corner  of  Adams  and  Sixth 
streets,  has  been  identified  with  the  dry  goods 
trade  of  Springfield  thirty-three  years,  thirty 
years  of  the  time  in  one  store,  opposite  the  ele- 
gant new  building  he  now  occupies,  and  into 
which  his  stock  was  moved  from  the  old  store 
across  Sixth  street  in  September,  1881.  Three 
floors  and  basement  of  this  beautiful  building 
are  used  for  Mr.  Bressmer's  extensive  retail  busi- 


ness. The  first  story,  110x25  feet,  Is  devoted  to 
dry  goods,  notions  and  yarns;  the  second  floor, 
comprising  the  entire  block,  110x45  feet,  is  used 
for  carpets,  upholster  goods  and  curtains;  the 
third  floor  for  work  room  and  storage  purposes; 
the  basement  to  oil-cloths  and  mattings.  The 
Central  Block  was  erected  and  arranged  with 
a  special  view  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  is 
used,  and  is  a  model  of  its  class.  The  stock  of 
goods  in  every  department  of  this  house  is  large 
and  varied,  to  suit  the  taste  and  purse  of  pur- 
chasers in  every  station  of  life.  The  carpet 
room  is  one  of  the  finest  and'nioRt  ample  in  the 
West,  and  the  stock  of  carpets,  curtains  and 
fancy  trimmings  it  contains  is  rarely  equalled 
anywhere.  In  this  feature,  Mr.  B.  has  the  heavi- 
est trade  in  this  part  of  the  State.  John  Bress- 
nier  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  1833.  He 
crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1848,  and  came  via  New 
Orleans  to  Illinois.  Landing  at  Pekin,  Tazewell 
county,  he  walked  across  the  country  to  Spring- 
field, and  being  a  stranger  in  the  land,  without 
money,  he  worked  as  a  common  laborer  at  what- 
ever offered,  for  three  years.  He  began  his  mer- 
cantile career  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Hurst  <fc 
Taylor.  About  1858,  he  became  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Matheny  <fe  Co.,  and  ten  years  later 
became  sole  proprietor,  and  has  since  conducted 
the  business  alone.  By  upright  dealing  and  judi 
cious  management  he  has  steadily  increased  the 
volume  of  trade  until  it  is  one  of  the  largest  in 
Central  Illinois.  The  house  requires  a  force  of 
seventeen  people  to  discharge  its  business. 

George  M.  Jirinkerhoff,  Secretary  of  the 
Springfield  Iron  Company;  was  born  at  Gettys- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  August  20,  1839.  He  was 
graduated  from  Pennsylvania  College  at  that 
place  in  the  class  of  1859,  and  immediately 
came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  the  purpose  of 
teaching  in  the  Illinois  State  Universit)',  which 
position  he  held  for  two  years.  He  commenced 
reading  law  while  in  college,  and  continued  it 
while  teaching;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Springfield,  but  never  engaged  in  active  prac- 
tice. During  the  late  civil  war  he  was  disburs- 
ing clerk  in  the  oflice  of  the  Auditor  of  State 
and  had  entire  charge  of  the  war  fund,  its  re- 
ceipts and  disbursements.  He  was  elected  City 
Comptroller,  held  the  office  two  or  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  he  became  Superintendent 
of  the  Insurance  Department  of  the  Auditor's 
oflice,  retaining  that  position  until  chosen  Secre- 
tary for  the  Springlield  Iron  Company  in  1871, 
since  which  time  he  h.as  had  the  general  super- 
vision of  their  vast  business.  From  1805,  to 
the  ])resent  time,  Mr.  Brinkerhort'  has  carried  on 


Gi■^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


business  as  a  private  money  and  bond  broker, 
having  in  that  time  made  more  than  ten  thou- 
sand loans.  In  politics  Mr.  Brinkerhott'  has  al- 
ways been  a  staunch  Republican,  and  one  of  the 
party's  most  active  members  in  Sangamon 
county  for  years.  He  united  in  marriage  with 
Isabella  G.,  daughter  of  E.  B.  Hawley,  of 
Springtield,  on  August  4,  1862.  Two  sons  and 
three  daughters  are  the  result  of  their  union. 

George  JV.  Black,  is  a  descendant  from  Puri- 
tan ancestry,  and  was  born  Marcu  16,  1833,  in 
Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts.  His  parents 
were  William  M.  and  Pepsis  Black,  nee  Fuller. 
His  educational  opportunities  were  comprised  in 
the  common  schools  and  academic  course  in  his 
native  State.  From  fourteen  years  of  age  he 
became  self-supporting,  and  in  October,  1850, 
came  to  Springtield,  Illinois,  and  entered  the 
employ  of  Colonel  .John  Williams  as  clerk  in  his 
dry  goods  store,  on  a  salary  of  $15  per  month. 
Six  years  later  young  Black  was  received  as  a 
partner  by  his  employer,  the  tirm  assuming  the 
title  of  John  Williams  &  Company.  After  a 
continuation  of  a  quarter  of  a  century,  this  part- 
nership was  dissolved  by  the  sale  of  their  busi- 
ness to  C.  A.  Gehrman,  in  September,  1880.  In 
addition  to  his  mercantile  business  Mr.  Black 
has  been  prominently  identified  with  most  of 
the  public  enterprises  which  have  inured  to  the 
growth  and  prosjjerity  of  Springfield  and  Sanga- 
mon county;  and  has  zealously  labored  to  ad- 
vance the  best  interests  of  the  community.  He 
was  one  of  the  company  organized  to  build  the 
Leland  Hotel;  was  one  of  the  original  company 
that  projected  and  constructed  the  Pana,  Spring- 
field it  Northwestern  Railroad,  of  which  he  was 
made  a  Director  and  Secretary.  This  line  is 
now  a  part  of  the  O.  &  M.  Railroad.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  the  Gilman, 
Clinton  &  Springtield  Railroad,  of  which  he  was 
a  one-tenth  owner.  This  is  now  the  Springfield 
branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  movers  in  the  construc- 
tion of  the  Springtield  &  Northwestern  Rail- 
road; was  appointed  Receiver  of  the  same  in 
1875,  and  had  charge  of  it  four  years.  After  the 
road  was  sold  and  the  company  re-organized. 
Mr.  Black  operated  it  as  General  Manager  fif- 
teen months.  He  was  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Springfield  the  first  year  of 
its  existence;  was  one  of  the  organizers  and 
original  stockholders  of  the  Springtield  City 
Railway  Company,  and  acted  as  its  Treasurer 
till  the  last  two  years,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  a  Director  ^nd  Vice  President.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  movers  in  the  formation  of 


the  Illinois  Watch  Company,  in  which  be  put 
$8,000  capital  and  considerable  labor,  and  held 
the  office  of  Treasurer  about  two  years.  He  has 
been  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the  Barclay 
Coal  Mining  Company  from  its  organization  in 
1873.  Is  a  stockholder  in  the  Springtield  Iron 
Company;  is  also  the  Secretary  and  one  of  the 
Directors  of  the  Company  incorporated  for  the 
])urpo8e  of  building  the  Springfield  &  St.  Louis 
Railroad,  projected  as  an  air-line  between  the 
two  cities.  Mr.  Black  is  one  of  the  incorpo- 
rators of  the  Steam  Supply  and  Electric  Light 
Company,  and  a  Director  and  Secretary  of  the 
organization. 

In  October,  1859,  George  N.  Black  and  Louisa 
lies  Williams  were  united  in  marriage.  She 
was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  December  22, 
1840,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  Colonel  John 
Williams.  Only  two  of  their  four  children  sur- 
vive; namely,  John  W.  and  Annie  Lulu  Black. 
George,  their  younger  son,  was  drowned  while 
ill  bathing,  on  May  19,  1880,  while  attending 
Shattuck  School,  at  Farebault,  Minnesota. 

•Alfred  Uooth,  grocer  and  commission  mer- 
chant. No.  226  South  Sixth  street,  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  grocery  business  in  Springfield  as 
employe  or  proprietor  since  1868.  Over  four 
years  ago  he  opened  his  present  store,  moving 
from  Adams  street,  where  he  had  carried  on 
business  a  few  months.  He  keeps  a  general  as- 
sortment of  goods  for  the  retail  tr.adc,  and  deals 
quite  heavily  in  fruits,  produce,  and  butter  and 
eggs,  both  at  wholesale  and  retail,  and  does  a 
prosperous  business  in  the  several  branches.  He 
also  established  the  Baltimore  Oyster  House, 
near  his  store  on  Sixth  street,  m  September,  1880, 
and  did  a  prosperous  trade  until  the  latter  part 
of  December,  then  sold  out  at  a  paying  price. 
Previous  to  starting  in  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count, Mr.  Booth  clerked  for  Mr.  George  White, 
a  few  months;  for  Butler,  Lane  &  Co.,  from  the 
fall  of  1868  until  they  sold  out,  in  1872;  and  then 
for  J.  W.  Bunn  &  Co.  Having  received  no 
finnncial  aid,  his  present  tine  growing  business 
is  solely  the  result  of  his  individual  industry 
and  enterprise.  Mr.  Booth  is  the  youngest  of 
three  sons  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Berriman) 
Booth,  natives  of  England,  and  was  born  in 
Springtield,  Illinois,  in  1853,  where  his  parents 
had  settled  on  their  arrival  in  this  country,  in 
1850.  His  father  was  a  practical  machinist,  and 
was  joint  proprietor  of  the  Excelsior  Foundry 
for  some  years.  He  died  in  1860.  His  widow 
is  a  resident  of  the  city. 

Benry  M  Holle,  of  the  firm  of  R.  B.  Zim- 
merman tfeCo., general  and  ornamental  painters, 


Thomas  Foutch. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


645 


and  dealers  in  wall  papers,  window  shades,  glass, 
and  oils,  407  Adams  stieet,has  been  a  joint  pro- 
prietor in  the  business  since  18T1,  having  for 
several  years  previously  been  an  employe  of  the 
house,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  concerns  in  the 
city,  established  about  forty-five  years  ago,  and 
conducted  by  Zimmerman  &  Willard,  and  sub- 
sequently by  Zimmerman  alone,  till  the  forma- 
tion of  the  present  co-partnership.  Mr.  Bolte 
was  born  in  Germany,  in  1S38;  there  learned 
the  painter's  trade;  studied  fresco  painting  in 
the  art  schools.  After  carrying  on  business 
some  years,  he  immigrated  to  America,  in  1866, 
and  settled  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  In  1863,  he  married  Fred- 
ericke  Schumacker,  by  whom  he  has  one  surviv- 
ing son,  Henry  L.  I^olte.  Mr.  B.  and  wife  be- 
long to  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

George  W.  Holingcr,  dealer  in  stoves,  tinware, 
ci'ockery,  and  house  furnishing  goods,  -210  and 
212  South  Fifth  street,  has  been  engaged  sixteen 
years  in  that  business,  at  that  number.  Three 
floors  of  the  building,  thirty-five  by  seventy 
feet,  are  filled  with  his  large  stock  of  cooking 
and  heating  stoves,  queen's  and  glassware,  and 
general  house  furnishing  goods,in  which  he  con- 
ducts a  large  retail  trade.  He  also  manufactures 
tin,  sheet  iron,  and  copper-ware,  and  does  job- 
bing, roofing,  guttering,  and  cornice  work,  em- 
ploying an  average  of  four  mechanics.  He  has 
the  exclusive  local  agency  for  the  sale  of  the 
Omaha  coal  and  the  hot-blast  Charter  wood  cook 
stoves.  He  does  an  annual  business  of  830,000. 
Mr.  Bolinger  is  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  is 
forty-one  years  old.  Previous  to  coming  to  Illi- 
nois, he  was  carrying  on  a  harness  shop  in 
Hagerstown,  in  that  State,  having  learned  that 
trade  in  early  life.  In  1860,  he  came  to  Spring- 
field, and  continued  in  the  same  line  three  years 
here;  then  operated  two  years  in  dry  goods,  as 
a  member  of  Herndon  &  Co.,  before  embarking 
in  the  stove  trade.  He  began  in  a  modest  way, 
in  one  room,  and  sold  nothing  but  a  few  wood 
stoves.  Each  year  his  business  has  increased, 
demanding  a  larger  and  more  varied  .stock,  until 
it  is  now  one  of  the  most  comprehensive  in  Cen- 
tral Illinois.  Mr.  Bolinger  united  in  marriage 
with  Margaret  S.  Staley,  in  Maryland.  Their 
union  has  been  blessed  with  three  sons  and  one 
daughter.  Mr.  B.  and  family  are  members  of 
the  Second  M.  E.  Church. 

John  S.  JBradford  was  born  June  9,  1815,  in 
Philadelphia.  Pennsylvania.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Delaware,  and  died  in  Philadelphia  in 
1816.  John  S.  learneiJ  the  trade  of  a  book- 
binder in  his  native  city,  and  in   1835  started  on 

75— 


foot  for  the  City  of  Mexico.  He  walked  to 
Pitisburg,  thence  to  Cincinnati  by  steamboat, 
from  there  to  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  Richmond,  In- 
diana. At  Richmond  he  was  induced,  in  1887, 
to  join  a  corps  of  United  States  engineers  who 
were  then  engaged  in  constructing  what  was 
called  the  National  road.  It  was  a  wagon  road, 
built  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States  gov- 
ernment. The  road  commenced  at  Cumberland, 
Maryland,  crossed  the  Ohio  river  at  Steuben- 
ville,  passed  through  Columbus,  Ohio,  Rich- 
mond, Indianapolis  and  Terre  Haute,  Indiana, 
and  ended  at  Vandalia.  The  corps  of  engineers 
disbanded  at  the  latter  point.  The  Stale  Capital 
was  then  in  transit  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield, 
and  Mr.  Bradford  came  here,  arriving  December 
1840.  In  the  spring  of  1841  he  bought  the  in- 
terest of  Mr.  Burchell  in  the  book-bindery  of 
Burchell  &  Johnson,  and  became  one  of  the  firm 
of  Johnson  &  Bradford. 

John  S.  Bradford  was  married  July  15,  1841, 
in  Brandenburg,  Kentuckj^,  to  Miss  Adaline  M. 
Seinple,  who  was  born  October,  1817,  in  Cumber- 
land county,  Kentucky.  Her  brother,  Hon. 
James  Semple,  was  at  that  time  Charge  de 
Affaires  to  New  Grenada,  afterwards  United 
States  Senator  from  Illinois,  and  still  later  one  of 
the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  i he  State. 

Soon  after  coming  to  Springfield,  J.  S.  Brad- 
ford became  Lieutenant  in  the  ''Springfield 
Cadets."  They  were  ordered  to  Nauvoo  by 
Governor  Ford,  in  1845,  serving  two  months  in 
the  "  Mormon  war."  In  1846,  Mr.  Bradford  en- 
listed, in  Company  A,  Fourth  Illinois  Infantry, 
under  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker,  and  was  appointed 
Quartermaster  by  Governor  Ford.  As  such,  he 
accompanied  the  regiment  to  Mexico,  where  he 
started  to  go  twelve  years  before  with  a  book- 
binder's outfit.  After  his  arrival  in  Mexico,  he 
was  commissioned  as  Commissary  in  the  United 
States  army.  He  was  at  the  bombardment  and 
capture  of  Vera  Cruz,  battle  of  Cerro  Gordo, 
and  others,  returning  with  the  regiment  to 
Springfield  in  1847.  The  result  of  that  war 
securing  to  us  California  and  the  discovery  of 
gold, 

C.  U.  Uradish,  wholesale  and  retail  dealer  in 
ice,  and  retailer  of  anthracite  and  Illinois  coal 
and  wood,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  April 
6,  1850,  in  Camden,  Oneida  county.  New  York 
State,  son  of  Horace  C.  and  Elizabeth  Wade 
Bradish,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  New  York 
State.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  came  to 
Springfield  May  1st,  1869,  and  engaged  in  sell- 
ing goods  for  the  firm  of  Dickerman  &,  Co.,  pro- 
prietors of  the  Springfield  Woolen  Factory.  Mr. 


(>4<i 


mSTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Bradish  was  for  several  years  the  most  success- 
ful salesman  ever  employed  by  that  company, 
and  probably  made  the  largest  yearly  sales  of  any 
one  traveling  in  that  same  line  of  business 
through  the  Western  States.  February  1,  1873, 
he  was  taken  into  partnership  by  his  employers, 
and  was  an  active  member  of  the  firm  until  1870, 
when  he  started  with  his  brother  in  the  retail  ice 
business,  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  E.  &  W.  H. 
Bradish.  The  following  year  Mr  B.  bought  out 
his  brother's  interest  and  also  commenced  the 
wholesaling  of  ice.  He  is  now  the  Bradish  of 
Huse,  Bradish  &  Co  ,  who  have  located  at  Clear 
Lake,  this  county,  one  of  the  best  constructed 
ice  houses  in  the  West,  holding  about  eighteen 
thousand  tons  of  ice.  The  water  of  this  lake 
covers  about  forty  acres  in  area,  and  receives 
its  supply  from  numerous  springs,  making  it 
the  largest,  purest  and  best  body  of  water  in 
Sangamon  county.  From  this  Clear  Lake  the 
comi)any  fill  their  ice  houses  and  ship  to  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  Cairo,  Illinois,  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, and  many  other  Southern  cities.  Mr. 
Bradish  is  also  connected  with  Bradish  &  Mc- 
CuUough,  ill  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  supplies 
a  large  portion  of  her  citizens  with  ice  in  sum- 
mer, and  coal  in  winter.  He  is  at  the  present 
time  building  at  Sangamon  Lake,  six  miles 
northeast  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  ice  houses 
which  will  hold  ten  thousand  tons;  to  which 
they  have  already  put  in  a  railroad  track  con- 
necting with  the  Illinois  Central  railroad.  Mr. 
B.  was  married  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  Decem- 
ber -Ja,  18V2,  to  Ella,  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Colonel  George  M  and  EUenor  Chambers.  Mr. 
Bradish  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  na- 
tive State  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  when  he 
entered  the  Hungerford  Collegiate  Institute,  at 
Adams,  Jeft'erson  county.  New  York,  and  was  a 
student  of  the  same  about  two  years.  He  is  a 
sample  of  the  self-made,  practical  business  man, 
having  made  his  way  from  a  penniless  boy  of 
fourteen  to  his  present  position  in  the  world 
without  any  assistance  save  that  of  his  own  head 
and  hands.  Mrs.  Bradish  was  educated  in  the 
Presbyterian  Female  College  of  Jacksonville, 
Illn  jis. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bradish  are  both  members  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Springfield.  They 
have  been  blessed  with  four  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living,  Walter  C,  Bessie,  and 
Charhs  E.,  Jr.  The  first  named  was  born  in 
Jacksonville,  the  others  in  Springfield. 

Willimn  M.  Jireirer,  grocer  and  commission 
merchant,  415  East  Monroe  street,  settled  in 
Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business 


eight  years  ago,  at  -323  South  Fifth  street.  Five 
years  later  he  moved  to  his  present  store.  Be- 
sides keeping  a  general  stock  of  groceries,  in 
which  he  has  a  tine  retail  trade,  he  makes  a 
specialty  of  commission  jobbing  in  fruits  and 
produce,  of  which  he  handles  large  quantities, 
and  intends  to  constantly  enlarge  this  branch  of 
his  business. 

Daniel  and  Elenor  (McVey)  Brewer,  were 
Pennsylvanians  by  nativity,  and  were  the 
parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom  William  M. 
is  one  of  the  six  living.  His  father  died  when 
he  was  a  lad  eight  years  of  age,  and  his  mother 
seven  years  later.  The  former  was  of  Dutch 
and  the  latter  of  Scotch  descent.  In  September, 
1801,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  enlisted  in  com- 
pany A,  Third  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served 
under  General  Curtiss  in  the  department  west  of 
the  Mississippi,  until  discharged,  from  ill  health, 
in  the  spring  of  1863.  He  fought  in  the  battle 
of  Pea  Ridge  and  several  skirmishes.  He  did 
clerical  duty  in  the  Adjutant's  oflice,  and  as  pri- 
vate secretary  for  Colonel  E.  A.  Carr  several 
months,  and  was  subsequentlj'  made  hospital 
steward,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  he  re- 
tired from  the  army.  Mr.  Brewer  came  from 
Ohio  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1856,  and 
followed  the  avocation  of  teaching  school  about 
four  years.  He  then  bought  a  dry  goods  store 
in  Chatham,  which  he  owned  till  1860;  then  sold 
out,  and  moved  to  Yirden,  Macoupin  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  merchandising,  first  in  the 
furniture,  and  then  in  groceries,  until  he  re- 
moved to  Springfield.  In  the  fall  of  1863,  he 
married  Virginia  Sims,  of  Chatham,  and  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky.  They  have  two  daughters 
living.  Mr.  Brewer  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic,  and  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  was  Master  Workman  of  Capital  City 
Lodge,  No.  38,  last,  term. 

Evans  E.  Jirittoji,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  28,  1791.  His  father,  Elijah  Britton, 
was  a  farmer,  and  Evans  E.  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education. 
When  seven  years  old,  his  father  died,  but  pre- 
vious to  his  death  had  rented  a  farm  in  Virginia 
for  three  years,  which  his  mother,  with  a  family 
of  seven  children,  shortly  after  moved  upon, 
whf're  they  remained  until  1800.  She  then  re- 
moved to  Ross  county,  Ohio,  then  a  vast  wilder- 
ness, where  the  leased  a  piece  of  land  for  seven 
years,  and  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  went 
to  Champaign  county,  where  she  bought  a  piece 
of  land.  While  in  Ross  county,  they  had  to  go 
into  Kentucky,  something  over  one  hundred  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNT  F. 


04/ 


fifty  miles,  for  breadstuff,  on  horseback.  They 
livtd  in  a  cabin  I  OxlS  feet,  with  puncheon  floors. 
In  1818  the  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss 
Mary  England,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in 
1800,  and  in  1820  he  came  to  this  county  with 
his  wife  and  one  child,  which  was  a  renewal  of 
pioneer  life.  He  located  on  Fancy  Creek,  where 
he  took  up  land  and  made  a  farm.  St.  Louis 
was  the  nearest  point  where  they  could  t)uy  their 
farming  tools,  salt,  and  all  other  articles;  for 
grinding  meal  and  flour,  they  went  to  the  Ameri- 
can bottoms,  east' of  St.  Louis.  There  was 
plenty  of  game  in  an  early  day  for  their  meat; 
his  father-in-law,  Mr.  England,  was  an  expert 
hunter,  and  they  had  plenty  of  venison  and  bear 
meat;  the  wild  turkey  were  so  thick  that  he 
would  take  a  pole  and  knock  them  down  from 
the  trees.  Mr.  B.  remained  on  the  old  home- 
stead until  about  1870,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field, and  is  at  present  making  his  home  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Wilbur.  Mrs.  Britton  died  in 
August.  1846;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
-Church,  and  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who 
knew  her.  Mr.  Britton  is  nearly  ninety  years 
old;  he  has  seen  the  rough  side  of  life;  one  of 
his  most  severe  afflictions  was  the  loss  of  his 
left  arm,  from  the  cause  of  a  cancer.  lie  is  a 
Christian,  and  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 
Fred  D.  liuck,  dealer  in  hats,  caps,  and  gen- 
tlemen's furnishings,  527  north  side  of  the 
square,  has  been  identified  with  this  branch  of 
merchandising  in  Springfield  since  1872.  He 
succeeded  J.  H.  Adams,  the  pioneer  hat  manu- 
facturer of  the  city,  who  in  the  early  days  of 
Springfield  used  to  supply  a  large  per  cent,  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  surrounding  new  country 
with  head  gear.  Mr.  Buck  became  associated 
with  this  house,  located  at  127  west  side  of  the 
square,  nine  years  ago.  As  the  building  was 
about  to  be  torn  down  to  give  place  for  a  better 
one,  he  moved  to  his  present  number,  April  1, 
1881.  Hats,  caps  and  gloves  are  his  specialty, 
of  which  he  carries  a  large  and  complete  stock. 
In  1880-1,  his  house  sold  two  thousand  eight 
hundred  straw  hats,  and  one  thousand  six  hun- 
dred pairs  of  gloves  during  the  season.  A 
capital  of  §10,000  is  employed  in  the  business, 
and  is  turned  over  about  twice  and  a  half  each 
year.  He  started  by  purchasing  the  stock  of 
the  old  firm  for  §571,  borrowing  the  money  to 
make  the  payment.  Besides  his  stock  of  goods 
he  has  §2,500  invested  in  a  home  in  the  city. 
Mr.  Buck  is  a  native  of  Hagerstown,  Maryland; 
born  in  June,  1852.  Leaving  there  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  he  spent  three  years  in  the  con- 
fectionery business  in  Frederick  City,  Maryland. 


Came  from  tliere  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1871, 
and  soon  after  embarked  in  present  business. 
He  and  a  sister  and  brotiier  occupy  the  same 
home,  all  being  unmarried.  Their  parents, 
George  and  Eva  (Burn)  Buck,  are  deceased. 

Jacob  liunn,  President  of  the  Illinois  Watch 
Factory,  Springfield,  has  for  nearly  forty  years 
been  one  of  the  city's  most  enterprising  and 
public  spirited  business  men.  He  was  born  in 
Alexandria,  Hunterdon  county,  New  Jersey,  in 
1814;  came  to  Springfield  in  Maj-,  183G;  began 
business  as  a  grocer  July  1,  1840,  and  continued 
in  that  and  bankinguntil  January,  1878.  He  was 
very  successful  and  accumulated  a  large  for- 
tune, but  through  others,  lost  heavily  and  was 
compelled  to  make  an  assignment,  turning  over 
his  property  for  the  benefit  of  his  creditors. 
Having  been  a  heavy  stockholder  in  the  Watch 
Factory,  and  his  superior  business  qualiduation 
received  recognition  in  his  election  to  the  Pres- 
idency of  the  concern  in  January,  1879,  which 
position  he  still  fills  with  signal  ability  as  shown 
by  the  marked  success  of  the  institution  under 
his  management.  Mr.  Bunn  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Elizabeth  Ferguson  in  Spring- 
field, in  1861.  She  is  a  native  of  Washington 
county,  Pennsylvania,  but  came  to  Springfield 
in  early  youth.  They  are  the  parents  of  four 
sons  and  two  daughters. 

John  W.  liunn,  wholesale  grocer,  corner 
Fifth  and  Adams  streets,  has  been  many  years 
connected  with  the  house  of  which  he  is  now 
sole  proprietor.  The  business  was  established 
on  that  corner  by  Jacob  Bunn  in  1840.  After 
being  associated  with  his  brother  some  years 
John  W.  Bunn  became  a  partner,  in  1859,  the 
title  of  the  firm  being  J.  &  J.  W.  Bunn.  From 
1872  to  1879  Mr.  R.  J.  Roberts  owned  an  inter- 
est in  the  business,  then  known  as  J.  &  J.  W. 
Bunn  &  Co.  The  other  partners  retired,  leaving 
J.  W.  Bunn  exclusive  owner,  but  the  firm  name 
remains  unchanged.  Until  January  1,  1S80,  the 
business  was  carried  on  at  both  wholesale  and 
retail,  but  from  that  time  the  retail  feature  was 
discontinued.  The  concern  occupies  four  floors 
of  the  block,  28x7G  feet  each,  and  uses  the  build- 
ing known  as  the  Lamb  pork  house  as  a  ware- 
house for  storage  purposes.  The  sales  of  1880 
were  the  heaviest  ever  experienced,  reaching 
$450,000;  and  in  1881  will  reach  $500,000; 
chiefly  distributed  among  the  towns  in  Central 
Illinois. 

James  JBrotcn,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Queen  Anne  county,  Maryland,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1805;  son  of  James  and  Mary  Ann 
(Hackett)  Brown,  natives  of  Maryland,    where 


64S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


they  were  married  and  had  six  ohildren,  two  of 
whom  died  in  infancy;  the  mother  died  in  1821, 
and  the  father  in  1822. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  left  Maryland  and 
went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  embarked  in 
merchandizing,  and  became  acquainted  with  Miss 
Mariol  Page,  daughter  of  Jarred  Page,  of  Che- 
nango county,  N.  Y. ;  she  was  born  in  that  county. 
By  this  union  there  was  one  child,  Sherman  P., 
who  is  employed  in  the  railroad  business  in 
Pueblo,  Colorado.  Parting  with  his  first  wife 
Mr.  Brown  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Martin,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  Martin,  of  Maryland.  The  fruits 
of  this  marriage  were  nine  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  John,  of  Kansas,  Mary 
Anne,  Lida  M.,  now  Mrs.  George  E.  Copeland, 
and  Antrim  C.  In  1834  Mr.  B.'carae  to  Spring- 
field, it  being  at  the  time  of  the  cholera  epidemic, 
he  returned  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained 
until  ISZl.  Soon  after  coming  to  this  State  he 
was  appointed  clerk  in  the  mail  service,  and 
afterwards  was  appointed  Special  Post  Office 
Agent,  his  district  comprising  Illinois,  Indiana, 
Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa  and  Missouri.  This 
route  was  made  in  a  stage  coach,  being  before 
the  use  of  railroads.  After  leaving  the  road  he 
came  to  this  county  where  he  followed  farming 
seven  years,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  re- 
tired, having  been  an  invalid  for  the  last  twelve 
years. 

E.  P.  Burlinghani.  General  Agent  of  the 
Nhw  York  Life  Insurance  Company,  opened  an 
office  for  general  business  for  this  company,  in 
Springfield,  in  1879,  it  being  the  first  and  only 
general  office  representing  any  of  the  large 
Life  Insurance  Companies  in  the  State,  outside 
of  Chicago.  Mr.  Burlingham  controls  the  entire 
business  for  this  powerful  and  popular  company, 
in  Illinois,  and  has  ten  assistants  in  the  field. 
The  New  York  Life  is  one  of  the  oldest  and 
strongest  companies  in  the  United  States,  as 
shown  by  the  last  published  report.  Its  cash 
assets  are  over  645,000,000,  with  a  surplus  of 
over  §9,000,000,  with  4S,.'i4S  policies  in  force, 
and  an  income  in  1880  of  88,964,719.  Mr. 
Burlingham's  last  report  shows  his  new  business 
in  this  State  running  at  the  rate  of  more  than  a 
million  and  a  quarter  of  dollars  per  year  ;  and 
cash  collections  on  old  business  of  §150,000  a 
year.  More  than  half  a  million  dollars  of 
new  Tontine  Investment  policies  have  been 
placed  among  the  solid  business  men  of  Spring- 
field, within  the  past  year  and  a  half.  Mr.  Bur- 
lingham has  had  eleven  years  of  experience,  ten 
of  them  in  Springtield,  in  exclusive  life  business. 
He  is  a  New  Engiander  by  nativity  ;  came  to 


Illinois  twenty  years  ago  ;  pursued  the  avoca- 
tion of  teaching  school  eight  years,  and  at  the 
age  of  twenty-seven  received  the  highest  salary 
paid  to  any  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Illi- 
nois, outside  oi  Chicago,  as  Principal  of  the 
Cairo  schools.  In  the  fall  of  1869,  he  abandoned 
teaching, and  in  the  spring  of  1870  engaged  in 
the  insurance  business.  He  is  now  forty-one 
years  of  age. 

John  L.  Burke,  senior  partner  of  J.  L.  Burke 
&  Co.,  proprietors  of  the  Home  Mills,  corner  of 
Third  and  Washington  streets,  was  born  in  Ire- 
land, in  1835;  crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean  in 
1847;  settled  in  Port  Byron,  Cayuga  county, 
New  York,  and  there  learned  and  pursued  the 
milling  business  until  he  came  to  Illinois,  iu 
1856.  He  was  employed  in  a  mill  in  Cass  county 
a  year,  and  spent  two  years  milling  in  Paducah, 
Kentucky;  came  to  Springfield  in  the  spring  of 
1859,  and  pursued  the  same  line  of  business 
until  the  spring  following,  then  catching  the 
gold  fever,  he  went  to  Colorado  and  remained 
about  four  years  and  a  half  iu  the  mining  re- 
gions, prospecting  and  mining.  In  the  fail  of 
1864,  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  married 
Miss  Jennie  Fawcett,  a  resident  of  the  city,  but 
a  native  of  Ireland.  After  passing  that  winter 
in  Iowa,  they  returned  and  settled  in  Spring- 
field, which  has  since  been  their  home.  Mr. 
Burke's  first  milling  in  the  city  was  for  Addison 
Hickox,  in  the  City  Mill.  He  was  then  five 
yea^s  in  the  old  Illinois  Mills,  employed  by  B. 
F.  Haines  &  Co. ;  was  eleven  years  iu  the  Excel- 
sior Mills,  operating  for  Martin  Hickox  and  his 
successor,  W.  P.  Grimsley,  previous  to  becom- 
ing a  partner  in  the  Home  Mills.  These  mills 
are  well  fitted  up  with  modern  improvements, 
and  are  doing  a  thriving  business.  Capacity, 
one  hundred  barrels  in  twenty-four  hours.  Mr. 
Burke  and  wife  hav«  one  son  and  one  daughter. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Second  M.  E. 
Church. 

Tr.  S.  Mcliurnie,  31.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  iu  Louisville,  Kentucky,  July  10,  1844, 
son  of  Professor  James  V.  McBurnie,  of  the 
higher  branches,  and  one  of  the  oldest  teachers 
in  that  county;  he  was  superintendent  and  sec- 
retary of  the  public  schools  until  1855,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  principal  of  the  ward 
school,  and  owner  of  the  Locust  Grove  Academy. 
He  always  took  an  active  interest  in  all  the 
schools  of  the  State  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1872.  The  suliject  of  this  sketch 
was  educated  in  the  higher  schools  of  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky.  His  professional  education  was 
commenced  by  reading  medicine  with  Prof.  Dr. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


649 


J.  M.  Bodine,  and  he  graduated  in  February, 
1S67,  in  the  medical  department  oi'  the  Univer- 
sity of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  with  honors. 

His  grandfather,  James  McBurnie,  was  an 
Ensign  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Irish  Regiment  of 
English  Volunteers,  and  second  on  the  statf  of 
Sir  John  MoClintook,  who  was  also  chief  engi- 
neer of  the  Duke  of  Wellington.  He  married 
Lady  Anna  Riddle,  which  was  a  love  match; 
there  was  an  elopement  which  caused  Sir  John 
Riddle  to  di.sinherit  her.  After  marrying  he 
returned  to  the  army,  bought  his  commission, 
and  joined  the  army.  The  Doctor's  father  was 
born  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Regiment  and  was 
known  as  the  son  of  the  regiment,  being  the 
first  child  born  in  the  regiment.  His  grand- 
father afterwards  engaged  In  the  ministry,  and 
at  the  time  of  the  Protestant  War  in  1832,  came 
to  the  United  States  on  account  of  the  trouble 
between  the  two  churches.  He  left  the  family 
in  care  of  his  oldest  son,  who  supported  them  by 
teaching  school.  In  1833,  the  family  arrived  in 
the  States  and  located  at  Wheeling,  Virginia, 
where  he  was  pastor  of  the  local  church  of  that 
place.  He  was  afterwards  President  of  the 
Methodist  Theological  Seminary  at  Wheeling, 
West  Virginia.  He  returned  to  his  native 
country  where  they  both  died  in  1.S64.  His 
mother's  fatlier.  Captain  Thomas  Davidson, 
assisted  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.  He  was 
captured  by  the  Indians  when  he  was  a  boy 
three  years  old,  and  was  with  them  for  seven- 
teen years,  after  escaping,  he  located  at  Leaven- 
worth, Indiana,  which  was  known  as  Davidson- 
ville.  He  married  Miss  Butler,  who  was  the 
first  female  child  born  in  that  portion  of  Ken- 
tucky. Her  father  was  with  Daniel  Boone  at 
the  time  he  came  to  Kentucky. 

John  Susher,  of  the  firm  of  John  Busher  & 
Co.,  manufacturers  of  harness  and  saddles,  and 
dealers  in  horse  clothing,  saddlery  hardware, 
tents,  and  leather,  6-J2  Adams  street,  was  born 
in  Portsmouth,  England,  June  1,  1811.  He  was 
educated  in  a  classical  and  commercial  academy 
in  Portsmouth,  and  in  a  government  college  in 
Normandy,  where  he  took  a  three  years'  course. 
After  serving  an  apprenticeship  to  the  trade  of 
finishing  leather,  in  London,  he  immigrated  to 
the  United  States,  arriving  in  October,  1833; 
worked  a  short  time  at  his  trade  in  Brooklyn, 
and  the  winter  following  in  Zanesville,  Ohio. 
He  spent  about  seven  years  traveling  and  deal- 
ing in  hides  and  leather.  In  the  winter  of 
1837-S,  he  e.xported,  via  New  Orleans,  to  Liver- 
ponl,  the  first  shipment  of  western  hides  ever 
.sent  to  that  city.     In  1839,  he  came  to  Spring- 


field, Illinois,  and  purchased  the  lot  on  which 
their  store  now  stands.  In  1841,  he  shipped 
from  Springfield  to  London,  England,  the  first 
lot  of  furs  ever  sent  to  Europe  from  Illinois, 
direct.  In  1840,  he  erected  a  building  on  the 
site  of  his  present  shop  and  store,  and  about 
1858  built  the  three-story  brick  he  now  occupies. 
In  1842,  he  built  a  tannery  in  the  city,  and  the 
same  year,  in  company  with  his  brother,  erected 
the  old  Busher  brewery,  and  run  it  some  years. 
He  has  occupied  his  present  location  forty  years. 
The  firm,  consisting  of  himself  and  son,  does  a 
fine  business  in  manufacturing,  employing  eight 
to  ten  men,  and  beside.s  the  harness  and  saddle 
trade,  does  a  large  business  in  tents  and  awn- 
ings, the  whole  aggregating  .$25,000  to  $30,000  a 
year.  Mr.  Busher  has  been  twice  married;  first 
to  Emma  Everson,  in  1842,  in  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  a  native  of  England,  who  died  seven 
years  after,  leaving  four  children,  of  whom  three 
survive,  all  married  and  settled.  In  .January, 
1852,  he  married  his  present  wife,  Emily  B. 
Wyatt,by  whom  he  has  two  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter. Mr.  Busher  has  crossed  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
eleven  times;  was  present  at  the  coronation  of 
Queen  Victoria;  attended  the  World's  Fair  in 
London  and  the  Paris  E.xposition.  Politicalh", 
he  has  always  been  a  Democrat. 

Elizabeth  Byers,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio,  March  27,  1836, 
daughter  of  Doctor  A.  F.  and  Dilemma  (White- 
lock)  Barnd.  Mrs.  Byers  was  married  January 
6,  1801,  to  Isaac  M.  Byers,  born  in  Virginia,  near 
Harper's  Ferry,  and  was  a  farmer  in  his  native 
State  and  in  Ohio,  from  which  State  he  came 
and  located  in  Sangamon  county,  near  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  in  1861.  Mr.  Bj^ers  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  in  Virginia.  He  entered 
the  Union  army  of  the  late  war  by  joining  the 
Thirty-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  out 
his  time  for  one  year.  Mr.  Byers  died  October 
9,  1877,  after  an  atfliction  of  paralysis  for  three 
years.  He  had  four  children  by  his  first  wife, 
namely:  Mary  E.,  John  W.,  May,  and  Groves 
Byers.  Groves  Byers  lives  in  Springfield,  and 
his  sister,  Mrs  May  Shoup,  is  residing  on  a  farm 
eight  miles  south  of  Springfield.  Mrs.  Byers 
was  educated  in  Lexington,  McLean  county,  Illi- 
nois, which  was  her  home  for  eighteen  years, 
and  has  been  a  resident  of  the  city  of  Spring- 
field since  1861. 

Williatn  Carpenter  was  born  July  30,  1787,  in 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  He  immigrated  to 
Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  bis  young  manhood; 
and  in  the  fall  of  1819  united  in  marriage  there 
with  Margaret  Pence.      In  the  autumn  of  18:i0 


650 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


they  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and 
settled  about  six  miles  out  from  Springfield  on 
the  Peoria  road,  where  Mr.  Carpenter  opened 
lip  a  small  farm,  surrounded  by  the  haunts  of 
the  wild  beasts  and  the  wigwams  of  the  Indians, 
who  encamped  several  winters  near  their  cabin 
on  the  bluffs  of  the  Sangamon  river,  below  where 
the  city  water-works  are  now  located.  Some 
years  after  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  located  in 
their  wild  western  home,  a  ferry  was  established 
across  the  Sangamon  a  mile  from  their  cabin, 
and  a  short  distance  below  where  Carpenter's 
bridge  is  now  situated.  Mr.  Carpenter  eventu- 
ally became  the  owner  of  the  lands  on  both  sides 
of  the  river,  and  also  of  the  ferry,  and  conducted 
it  till  the  bridge  was  built  in  1844.  When  they 
first  settled  there  the  nearest  post  office  was  at 
Edwardsvllle,  from  whence  Mr.  Carpenter  hauled 
corn  to  feed  his  team  the  first  winter,  after  pick- 
ing it  on  shares.  In  March,  1828,  Mr.  Carpen- 
ter removed  his  family  to  Springfield,  and  occu- 
pied one  of  the  few  log  cabins  in  the  place, 
which  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  Revere 
House.  After  a  change  or  two  of  location  he 
erected  a  frame  house  on  the  corner  of  Second 
and  Jefferson  streets.  Here  he  opened  a  store 
where  he  continued  in  the  mercantile  business 
a  number  of  years.  In  184.3,  Mr.  Carpenter,  in 
company  with  Adol])hus  Wood,  a  brother-in-law, 
erected  a  Homing  and  saw-mill  on  the  Sangamon 
river,  at  Carpenter's  bridge,  which  was  known  as 
the  Rock-dam  Mills,  from  the  material  used  in 
the  construction.  This  old  mill  still  stands  on 
section  one,  of  Springfield  township,  and  is  oper- 
ated a  portion  of  the  year.  In  the  later  years  of 
his  life  Mr.  Carpenter  dealt  extensively  in  real 
estate,  investing  the  proceeds  of  the  mill  and 
business  in  lands,  of  which  he  owned  a  large 
quantity  at  his  death,  on  August  30,  1859.  Mr. 
Carpenter  served  the  people  many  years  in  an 
official  capacity,  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace 
in  Ohio  in  May,  1820;  was  appointed  to  the 
same  office  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  July, 
1822,  and  tilled  it  by  successive  appointments 
and  elections  about  seventeen  years  in  all.  He 
served  as  Representative  in  the  Illinois  Legisla- 
ture in  1834  and  1835.  Was  appointed  Post- 
master of  Springfield  October  4,  1836,  and  re- 
signed the  office  at  the  close  of  three  years  of 
service.  He  acted  as  Mayor  of  the  city  in  1846, 
during  the  absence  of  Mayor  J.  C.  Conkling. 
He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  assisted 

in  burying   the   dead   after    Stillman's    defeat. 

May  15,  1830,  he  was  made  Quartermaster  of  the 

Twentieth^Illinois  IMilitia,  and  was  Paymaster 


of  the  Fourth  Illinois  Mounted  Volunteers  on 
April  30,  1832. 

Mrs.  Carpenter  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah 
Valley,  Virginia,  February  6,  1803;  is  one  of  a 
family  of  four  sons  and  three  daughters  of  Peter 
Pence  and  Catharine  Godfrey,  who  moved  to 
Licking  county,  Ohio,  in  her  early  childhood. 
Her  paternal  grandfather  fought  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  and  her  maternal  grandsire  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio 
river.  In  those  early  pioneer  times  in  Sangamon 
county,  Mrs.  Carpenter  and  her  neighbors  used 
to  raise  small  patches  of  cotton,  which  they 
picked,  and  mixing  it  with  wool,  manufacted  it 
into  fabrics  for  the  family  clothing.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Carpenter  were  the  parents  of  eleven  child- 
ren, eight  of  whom  survive.  John,  George, 
Sarah,  Jane  and  Mary  Ellen  reside  with  their 
mother  at  the  homestead,  on  the  corner  of 
Seventh  and  Carpenter  streets.  George,  the 
youngest  son,  was  born  in  March,  1835;  read  law 
with  Stuart  &  Edwards,  in  Springfield,  beginning 
in  1858,  for  nearly  three  years,  when  failing  eye- 
sight compelled  him  to  abandon  the  profession 
and  he  has  since  devoted  his  attention  chiefly  to 
the  interests  of  the  family  estate.  He  is  now 
serving  his  second  term  in  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors from  thecity. 

John  W.  Chenery,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  West  Bovalston,  Massachusett-:,  July 
28,  1826;  son  of  William  D.  and  Abigail  (Part- 
ridge) Chenery,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in 
1831,  and  located  in  Morgan  county,  near  Jack- 
sonville; the  following  winter,  returned  to  Massa- 
chusetts on  horseback,  via  Indiana,  when  the 
snow  commenced  falling,  and  he,  in  company 
with  three  other  gentlemen,  going  east,  made 
jumpers,  and  in  them  made  their  way  home. 
The  following  summer  he  started  for  his  home 
in  the  west  with  his  family,  traveling  in  wagons 
to  Albany,  thence  to  Buffalo  by  canal,  crossing 
the  lake  to  Cleveland,  then  overland  to  the  Ohio 
river,  thence  by  boat  to  Naples,  and  finally  to 
Jacksonville.  Shortly  after  arriving  there  he 
rented  the  Westtrn  Hotel  for  eight  years.  In 
1852,  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  rented 
the  old  American  House,  one  of  the  principal 
hotels  of  the  State  at  that  time,  ami  was  the 
headquarters  of  all  the  principal  politicians  of 
the  State;  here  they  remained  until  1855;  when 
the  Chenery  House  was  built  they  entered  that, 
and  remained  in  it  until  1881.  Mr.  Chenery 
died  in  October,  1873;  his  mother  died  in  Octo- 
ber, 1880.  Mr.  C.  was  widely  known,  being 
identified  with  the  hotel  business  over  forty 
years  in  the  State.     The  subject  of  this  sketch 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


651 


married  Miss  Eleanor  M.  Holiliau,  and  they  had 
five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 
William  D.,  John  L.,  Thadius  F.,  and  James  E. 

George  W.  Cluitterttm,  Jr.,  dealer  in  watches, 
jewelry,  musical  merchandise  and  optical  goods, 
South  Fifth  street,  west  side  of  square,  repre- 
sents the  oldest  music  house,  probably,  in  Illi- 
nois. It  was  established  by  George  W.  C'hatter- 
ton,  Sr.,  in  June,  1838.  About  nine  years  ago, 
the  son  and  present  proprietor  succeeded  to  the 
control  of  the  business.  His  leading  pianos  are 
the  Knabe,  Chickering  and  McCammon;  and 
the  George  Woods  and  Loring  &  Blake  are  his 
leading  organs.  He  also  handles  the  best  makes 
of  violins,  accordeons,  and  a  complete  assort- 
ment of  sheet  music.  The  jewelry,  watch  and 
optical  instrument  feature  is  a  prominent  branch 
of  his  business.  A  practical,  skilled  optician  is 
kept  constantly  employed  by  the  house.  Two 
stories  of  the  building,  twenty  by  one  hundred 
and  forty  feet,  are  occupied  by  his  stock  of  |!25,- 
OOO,  which  his  large  and  growing  trade  demands. 

Mr.  Chatterton  is  a  Springfield  bo}',  born  in 
the  house  where  he  now  resides,  in  18.53.  He 
was  educated  in  the  city  schools,  and  early 
turned  bis  attention  to  the  branch  of  the  busi- 
ness in  which  he  is  now  engaged.  In  April, 
18T9,  he  purchased  the  Opera  House,  and  that 
season  rebuilt  it  in  elegant  style,  making  it 
the  finest  in  the  State,  outside  of  Chicago. 
It  is  heated  by  steam,  lighted  by  electricity,  and 
has  a  seating  capacity  of  one  thousand  three 
hundred.  Chatterton's  Opera  House  is  a  credit 
to  the  Capital  City  of  Illinois. 

George  TFi  Chatterton,  Sr.,  is  a  native  of 
Ithica,  New  York,  served  an  apprenticeship  to 
the  jewelry  trade  in  New  York  City;  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1838;  has  been  identified 
with  that  business  here  until  1873;  then  went  to 
New  York  and  engaged  in  the  manufacturing 
and  wholesaliTig  of  jewelry  till  1880,  when  he 
returned  to  Springfield. 

Henri/  E.  Cochran,  grocer,  517,  East  Monroe 
street,  is  a  native  of  Brown  county,  Ohio,  in 
1846.  He  became  an  assistant  in  his  brother's 
grocery  in  Ripley,  Ohio,  at  eight  years  of  age. 
Five  years  later  he  succeeded  his  brother  in 
business,  and  at  thirteen  was  sole  proprietor  of 
a  prosperous  retail  grocery.  Since  that  time  Mr. 
Cochran  has  given  that  business  his  undivided 
attention,  and  says  he  has  never  been  absent 
from  his  store  five  days  during  all  these  years, 
and  always  opens  in  the  morning  and  closes  it 
in  the  evening.  In  March,  1868,  he  sold  his 
business  in  Ripley,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  arriving  on  Friday,  March    17,  be- 


ing an  entire  stranger  iij  the  cily,  and  having 
little  idea  where  or  in  what  business  he  should 
locate.  He  bought  a  stock  of  goods  on  Sixth 
street,  in  what  was  known  as  the  American 
House  block,  and  took  charge  of  the  business  on 
the  following  Monday.  He  conducted  the  trade 
in  that  store  fourteen  years,  and  five  days,  dur- 
ing which  time  be  paid  over  |1 1,000  in  rent.  In 
March,  1881,  he  sold  out  and  opened  business 
with  a  new  stock  in  his  present  location.  Mr. 
Cochran  does  a  heavy  retail  trade,  and  in  the 
season  handles  a  large  amount  of  fruits  and  pro- 
duce at  wholesale.     The  volume  of  business  in 

1880  amounted  to  #36,000,  and  will  be  consid- 
erably larger  in  1881. 

In  1867,  Mr.  Cochran  married  Rachel  Mitch- 
ell, in  Aberdeen,  Brown  county,  Ohio.  They 
have  only  one  child,  Florence,  twelve  years  of 
age.  Mr.  Cochran's  parents,  William  and  Mary 
(Flaugher)  Cochran,  reside  in  Ripley,  Ohio.  Of 
their  family  of  four  sons,  three  are  in  mercan- 
tile pursuits  and  one  is  a  farmer. 

William  H.  Conway,  of  the  firm  of  Conway 
&  Co.,  hat  merchants  and  gentlemen's  furnishings 
and  furs.  No.  104,  east  side  square,  is  a  native 
of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  is  twenty-three  years 
of  age.  After  completing  a  course  in  the  City 
High  School,  he  learned  the  carpenter  trade  with 
his  father,  who  is  a  carpenter  and  builder.  He 
also  studied  designing  and  architecture;  drew 
the  plans  for  th^  block  in  which  the  store  is 
situated,  and  a  number  of  dwellings  in  and 
about  the  city;  still  doing  such  work  in  that  line 
as  will  not  interfere  with  his  mercantile  business. 
The  firm  opened  the  hat  and  furnishing  store  in 
February,  1880.  They  make  a  special  feature  of 
substantial,  well-made  goods;  carry  a  complete 
assortment  of  head  gear  and  gentlemen's  fur- 
nishings and  furs  for  the  retail  trade,  and  handle 
the  business  with  such  ability  and  energy  as 
assures  success.  The  house  sold  nearly  $20,000 
in  ten  months  of  1880,  and  the  monthly  sales  of 

1881  show  a  large  increase  over  last  year.  Good 
articles,  one  price,  plain  figures,  and  moderate 
profits  is  their  motto. 

William  B.  Covgill,  dealer  in  real  estate,  has 
been  actively  engaged  in  buying  and  selling 
real  i)roperly,  for  himself  and  others,  in  and 
about  Springfield,  since  1865,  and  has  been 
longer  in  the  business  than  any  real  estate  dealer 
in  the  city.  During  the  past  year  and  a  half  he 
has  sold  two  hundred  and  fifty  unimproved  city 
lots,  besides  a  number  of  pieces  of  improver! 
property.  Mr.  Cowgill  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  in  a  two-story  frame  building,  where  J. 
W.Bunn's  wholesale  grocery  now  stands, in  1833. 


65-2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Hi?  father,  William  M.  Cowgill,  was  a  native  of 
Warren  county,  Ohio ;  married  Clementine 
Sayer,  also  a  native  of  that  State.  They  came 
to  Springfield  on  their  wedding  trip,  in  1S32, 
and  fettled  here.  Mr.  Cowgill  was  engaged 
many  years  in  the  mercantile  business  in  the 
Capital  City,  a  portion  of  the  time  as  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  S.  M.  Tinsley  &  Co.,  then  one  of 
the  heaviest  firms  in  Springfield.  He  died  in  Pe- 
tersburg, Menard  county,  in  1862,  to  which  place 
he  had  moved  some  years  previous.  William 
was  brought  up  in  the  counting-room,  and  pur- 
sued the  business  of  book-keeping  before  en- 
gaging in  the  traffic  in  real  estate.  Except  a 
few  years  spent  in  Petersburg,  Springfield  has 
always  been  his  home.  He  married  Margaret 
D.,  a  daughter  of  John  C.  Sprigg,  born  in  Effing- 
ham county,  Illinois,  in  May,  1855.  Three 
sons  constitute  their  posterity.  William  C, 
their  eldest,  is  a  clerk  in  the  General  Freight 
Office  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy 
railroad,  at  Chicago  ;  John  A.  is  book-keeper  in 
the  hardware  house  of  Hudson  &  Co.,  Spring- 
field ;  Duncan  S.  is  attending  school.  Mr. 
Cowgill  has  passed  through  the  chairs  of  the 
local  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  has  served  as 
representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

John  jS.  Condell,  of  the  firm  of  C.  M.  Smith 
&  Co.,  merchants,  corner  of  Adams  and  Sixth 
streets,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1818;  came  to 
America  when  six  years  of  ^ge,  remained  in 
Philadelphia  until  1833,  then  came  to  Carrolton, 
Greene  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1840  settled  in 
Springfield,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  ever  since.  Prior  to  the 
foundation  of  the  present  partnership  with  Clark 
M.  Smith  in  1864,  he  was  for  twenty-one  years 
in  business  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Wash- 
ington and  Fifth  streets,  chiefly  as  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Condell,  Jones  &  Co.  Selling  out 
there  he  was  two  years  in  the  First  National 
Bank  before  engaging  in  his  present  relation. 
Mr.  Condell  married  Arabella  Rice  in  Spring- 
field in  1844.  She  is  a  native  of  Maryland. 
Their  family  consists  of  two  sons  and  three 
daughters  living,  one  deceased.  Mr.  C.  has  voted 
for  ten  Whig  and  Republican  Presidential  can- 
didates. He  was  forty  years  an  official  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Hansom  F.  and  3Iarion  I.  Day,  com2>rising 
the  firm  of  Day  Brothers,  farmers  and  flour 
and  feed  merchants,  404  Washington  street, 
were  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York, 
and  are  aged  thirty-five  and  thirty-three  years, 
respectively.  They  are  the  only  sons  in  a  fam- 
ily of  six  children  of  Ira  Day  and  Electa  Wil- 


son. Mr.  Day  having  died  some  twenty  years 
ago,  the  family  moved  to  Sangamon  county, Illi- 
nois, in  March,  1869;  Iwught  two  farms,  "one  a 
half  mile,  and  the  other  two  miles  east  of  Spring- 
field, and  settled  on  the  latter.  Two  of  the 
sisters  have  since  married.  The  brothers,  other 
two  sisters,  and  mother  reside  together.  The 
brothers  farm,  of  their  own  and  leased  lands, 
eight  hundred  acres,  on  which  they  harvested  in 
1881  between  seven  hundred  and  eight  hundred 
tons  of  hay,  between  two  thousand  and  three 
thousand  bushels  of  oats,  and  cultivated  two 
hundred  end  twenty  acres  of  corn,  besides  other 
crops.  They  opened  the  mercantile  branch  of 
their  business  in  the  city  in  the  fall  of  1879, 
and  have  built  up  a  trade  of  $3,000  a  month. 
The  two  brothers  own  their  property  and  eon- 
duct  their  business  in  common,  keeping  no  per- 
sonal accounts, and  making  no  division  of  profits. 
Miss  Jessie  Day  is  cashier  and  book-keeper  at 
the  store,  for  which  her  practical  common  sense 
and  broad  business  ideas  admirably  adapt  her, 
and  render  her  thoroughly  mistress  of  the  situ- 
ation. Their  mother  is  an  active,  well-preserved 
woman  of  sixty-two  years. 

George  W.  'Davis,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  111., 
was  born  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  June  25, 
1842;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  what 
schooling  the  county  afforded  at  that  time.  His 
father  was  a  pioneer  in  Macoupin  county,  coming 
as  early  as  1820,  and  was  b}'  profession  a  physi- 
cian. He  traveled  extensively  over  the  west  as 
a  Magnetic  Healer,  and  followed  it  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1870.  George  W. 
studied  with  his  father  for  several  years  pre- 
vious to  his  death,  and  since  that  time  has  taken 
his  father's  practice;  he  makes  a  specialty  of 
rheumatism,  torpid  liver,  fevers  and  all  accute 
diseases. 

Jxeni/on  JB.  Davis,  M.  D.,  Dentist,  Springfield, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  this  State  January  16,  1836. 
Practiced  medicine  five  years  and  then  turned 
his  attention  to  dentistry,  and  has  since  practiced 
this  special  department  of  medicine.  He  came 
to  this  city  as  the  successor  of  Dr.  C.  Stoddard 
Smith  in  May,  1876.  The  Doctor  is  a  member 
of  the  American  Dental  Association  of  the  Illi- 
nois State  Society,  and  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Indiana  State  Dental  Society.  He  was  Vice 
President  of  the  State  Society  in  1876,  and 
President  in  1877.  The  Doctor  has  always  been 
a  zealous  member  of  the  State  Dental  Society, 
and  has  read  many  essays  at  its  annual  meetings. 
In  1876  he  had  the  honor  of  reading  an  essay 
before  the  Iowa  State  Dental  Society,  and  also 
one  in  1877. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


653 


William  Hope  Davis,  M.  D  ,  Springlield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Genesee  county,  New  York, 
September  1,  1835;  son  of  David  and  Harriet 
(Wilder)  Davis.  His  father's  ancestors  emi- 
grated from  Ireland,  and  were  noted,  for  gener- 
ations, as  Protestants  and  Free-Thinkers.  His 
mother  was  from  the  well  known  family  of 
Wilders,  of  Massachusetts.  When  live  years 
old,  his  parents  removed  to  Michigan,  then  a 
vast  wilderness.  His  father  worked  at  the  car- 
penter's trade,  and  William,  as  soon  as  old 
enough,  was  engaged  with  him  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  attending  school  in  the  winter,  occa- 
sionally. It  became  necessary  for  him  to  depend 
upon  himself  early  in  life,  and  at  the  age  of 
seventeen,  he  left  home  to  spend  a  summer  in 
his  native  State,  and  from  there  he  went  to  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  where  he  soon  became  ac- 
quainted with  many  of  the  best  families  of  the 
city.  In  1854  he  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine under  the  instruction  of  Professor  Gabbett, 
who  had  held  a  prominent  position  in  the  Wor- 
cester Eclectic  Medical  College,  of  Massachu- 
setts. In  the  winter  of  1854-5,  he  attended  a 
course  of  lectures  in  the  Memphis  College  of 
Medicine,  after  which  he  pursued  his  studies  iu 
Barbus  Academy  until  the  spring  of  1857,  when 
he  removed  to  Paris,  Texas, and  there  commenced 
the  practice  of  his  profession;  remained  about 
two  years.  During  the  summer  of  1858,  he 
crossed  the  plains  to  California  by  way  of  Mex- 
ico, traveling  the  whole  distance  on  horseback, 
and  returning  in  autumn  of  the  same  year.  In 
August,  1859,  he  left  Paris,  on  a  Texan  pony, 
for  Memphis,  some  four  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  miles,  three  hundred  miles  being  through  a 
dense  and  almost  trackless  wilderness.  Dispos- 
ing of  his  faithful  pony  at  Memphis,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Hillsboro,  Ohio,  which  place  he 
reached  September  1,  and  on  the  tenth  day  of 
the  same  month  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Rachael  Ann  Davis,  who,  although  of  the  same 
name,  was  not  a  relative.  In  the  spring  of  1860, 
he  bought  a  book  store  in  Leesburg,  Ohio,  but 
sold  it  in  a  month,  and  returned  with  his  wife  to 
Memphis.  Soon  after  the  war  broke  out,  and  he 
returned  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  thence  to 
Goodrich,  Michigan,  where  he  successfully  prac- 
ticed medicine,  and  at  the  same  time  conducted 
a  drug  store,  accumulating  several  thousand  dol- 
lars, but  greatly  impairing  his  health  by  exten- 
sive night  practice.  Needing  rest  and  a  change, 
it  was  decided  best  for  him  to  spend  the  winter 
in  Cincinnati;  meanwhile,  he  attended  a  full 
course  of  medical  lectures  at  the  Eclectic  Insti- 
tute, at  which  he  graduated.     Subsequently,  he 

76— 


re-commenced  practice  in  Clay  county,  Illinois; 
but  on  account  of  failing  health,  he  remained 
only  one  season,  spending  the  next  in  traveling 
through  the  Eastern  States.  In  the  spring  of 
lS(i7,  he  located  permanently  in  Springfield, 
where  he  has  been  engaged  iu  an  extensive 
practice  up  to  the  present  time.  In  1869,  he 
procured  a  charter  and  organized  the  Illinois 
Eclectic  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  has  been 
Secretary  for  five  years.  He  was  unanimously 
elected  editor  of  the  journal  of  the  society,  and 
has  acquitted  himself  in  this  responsible  position 
with    honor. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  National  Eclectic  Med- 
ical Association,  in  the  city  of  Washington, 
in  1876,  he  was  elected  Secretary"  and  has  been 
a  large  contributor  to  periodical  medical  litera- 
ture, was  one  of  the  first  movers  for  the  laws 
regulating  the  practice  of  medicine  and  of  which 
he  has  been  a  firm  supporter.  Has  been  a 
member  of  Springfield  City  Board  of  Health  for 
a  number  of  years.  And  is  esteemed  among 
its  members  as  a  man  worthy  the  position. 
Dr.  Davis  is  a  self-made  man,  having  suf- 
ered  the  privations  incident  to  poverty  and 
pioneer  life.  In  his  youthful  days  he  has 
camped  with  the  savages  of  Michigan,  in  the 
Indian  Territory,  and  in  Texas;  is  familiar 
with  the  Spaniards  of  Mexico,  and  Chinamen  of 
California.  He  has  crossed  the  plains  four  times, 
twice  on  horseback,  and  twice  on  the  cars.  He 
is  generous  to  a  fault,  industrious  from  principle, 
believing  it  is  better  to  labor  without  remunera- 
tion than  to  be  idle;  is  always  ready  to  attend 
the  worthy  poor  without  hope  of  reward. 

John  DeCajiip,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Monroe  county,  Virginia,  December  22,  1800; 
son  of  Zachariah  and  Eiizateth  (Kinder)  De- 
Camp;  father  of  French  descent,  and  mother  of 
German.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  John 
was  reared  upon  a  farm,  working  suuimers  and 
attending  school  winters.  He  remained  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of  age, 
then  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  has  resided 
since;  at  the  time  he  came,  there  was  not  a  frame 
building;  he  has  plowed  corn  where  the  city 
now  stands.  After  coming  here,  immediately 
commenced  making  brick,  and  has  continued  in 
the  business  most  of  the  time  since.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Malinda  Orr,  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Sarah  Orr,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and 
came  to  the  State  in  1824.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  De- 
Camp  have  had  seventeen  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  still  living,  viz:  Sarah  Ann,  now  Mrs.  Will- 
iam DeCamp;  Helen,  now  Mrs.  James  H.  Bark- 
ley;  Armauda,  now  Mrs.  N.  Wagner;  Zachariah; 


054 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Yagninia,  now  Mrs.  Edward  \Vardhau8;  Elnora, 
now  Mrs.  Matthew  Jelly;  Albert,  Giles  W.  and 
John  G. 

John  Baptiste  Deligny,  machinist  and  en- 
gineer, Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  the 
north  of  France,  April  23,  1809.  When  twenty- 
four  years  old  he  came  to  the  United  States  with 
a  colony,  who  settled  at  Nauvoo,  Hancock 
county,  Illinois,  after  the  Mormons  had  left.  lie 
remained  there  but  a  short  time,  when  he  went 
to  St.  Louis  and  worked  at  his  trade,  building 
steamboats.  From  there  he  went  to  Warsaw, 
then  to  Springiield,  where  he  has  resided  since, 
accumulating  a  fine  home  and  property.  At  the 
time  he  eame  there  was  but  one  brick  house  in 
the  city.  For  his  first  wife,  he  married  Miss 
Elizibeth  Cassia,  who  was  born  in  France,  and 
died  in  April  1881.  Mr.  D.  is  again  married,  to 
Mrs.  Dockson,  a  native  of  New  York,  whose 
husband  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  rebellion, 
and  was  also  n  prominent  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity;  he  figured  extensively  in  poli- 
tics; she  had  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living.     Mr.  Dockson  died  in  1S71. 

Joseph  II.  Delaney,  proprietor  of  the  "  Side 
Board"  saloon,  north  corner  of  Fourth  and 
Washington  streets,  was  born  in  New  York 
State,  December  13,  1859.  When  three  years  of 
age  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Jacksonville, 
itlinois,  where  he  attended  school  and  clerked 
until  1880,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, and  took  charge  of  Dual's  French  Restau- 
rant, formerly  known  as  Blood's  Restaurant,  he 
is  manager  of  this  restaurant,  and  he  owns  and 
runs  the  Side  Board  saloon.  His  father,  William 
Delaney  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  and  came 
to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  where  he  still  resides;  he  is  a  black- 
smith by  trade.  His  wife,  Mary  Dowling,  born 
also  in  Ireland,  she  and  husband  are  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  have  a  family 
of  seven  children,  viz:  Jerry  E.  Delaney,  mar- 
ried Miss  Katy  O'Hara,  they  reside  in  Fargo, 
Dakota;  Joseph  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
John,  also  residing  at  Fargo,  Dakota;  Katy, 
Dora,  and  Billy,  residing  with  their  parents,  at 
Jacksonville,  Illinois.  Sir.  Joseph  H.  Delaney 
is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  Spring- 
field, and  is  a  member  of  the  Y.  M.  B.  C.  So- 
ciety, at  Jacksonville.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Hancock  for 
President. 

Ditidd  A.  De  Vares,  grocer,  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Reynolds  streets,  started  in  that  branch  of 
business  in  Springfield,  in  1872,  locating  on  the 
coiner  of  Tenth  and  Mason  streets.    Two  years 


after  he  erected  the  building  he  now  occupies, 
and  putting  in  a  new  stock  of  groceries,  has 
carried  on  a  fine  local  trade  since.  In  January, 
1878,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Joseph 
De  Frates.  Their  stock  consisted  of  a  general 
line  of  family  groceries,  country  produce,  and 
fiour  and  feed,  and  they  buy  all  goods  for  cash. 

Mr.  De  Vares  was  born  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
while  his  parents  were  on  the  voyage  to  the 
United  States,  in  September,  1848.  They  settled 
in  Jacksonville,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  which 
was  his  home  until  he  came  to  Springfield,  in 
1870.  He  learned  the  trade  in  the  office  of  B. 
A.  Richards,  and  subsequently  worked  as  a  press- 
man in  the  Journal  office  uniil  1864,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B.,  Tenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  served  with  the  regiment  till  the  war  closed, 
accompanying  General  Sherman  on  his  "cam- 
paign to  the  sea."  On  returning  home  he  re- 
sumed the  printing  business  nearly  seven  years 
before  embarking  in  the  grocery  trade.  In 
October,  18G8,  he  married  Mary  Nunes,  of  Jack- 
sonville, Illinois.  Two  children,  one  of  each 
sex,  have  been  born  to  them.  Mr.  De  Vares  is  a 
member  of  Knights  of  Pythias,  Capital  Lodge, 
No.  14,  and  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church 

Mr.  Henry  Dickerman  was  born  November 
19,  1835,  in  Hamden,  Connecticut,  being  the 
fifth  in  a  family  of  nine  children.  His  father 
was  a  well-to-do  farmer;  both  of  his  parents 
were  of  the  staunchest  New  England  Puritan 
type;  he  received  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  spent  one  year  in  Williston  Seminary, 
Massachusetts,  after  which  he  taught  school  in 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  for  three  terms, 
and  started  West  on  the  last  day  of  March,  1857, 
expecting  to  become  a  Western  farmer,  but  cir- 
cumstances did  not  seem  to  favor  this,  so  in  the 
fall  of  that  year  he  secured  a  school  in  Morgan 
county,  teaching  one  term,  and  returned  East  in 
the  spring  of  1858,  expecting  to  remam,  but  the 
little  fields  were  too  small  after  having  seen  the 
great  West,  and  in  about  a  month  he  retraced 
his  steps,  but  did  very  little  during  that  summer. 
He  had  become  acquainted  with  the  father  of  his 
present  partner,  and  one  evening,  on  returning 
to  Springfield  from  the  country,  was  sent  for  by 
the  old  gentleman,  upon  whom,  it  seems,  the 
Yankee  boy  had  made  a  favorable  impression. 
He  responded  to  the  call,  being  ready  to  do  any- 
thing to  help  pay  his  expenses  and  being  a  good 
book-keeper,  he  was  sent  to  the  mill  to  post  the 
books,  which,  owing  to  the  sickness  of  the  clerk, 
were  several  weeks  behind.  The  following  night 
the  clerk  died.  Being  faithful  and  industrious, 
young  Dickerman  was  hired  for  the  remainder 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


G55 


of  the  year,  and  then  from  year  to  year  until  he 
became  a  partner,  as  before  stated.  Mr.  Dicker- 
man  has  been  strictly  a  private  citizen,  though 
interested  in  all  public  enterprises,  having  at- 
tended strictly  to  his  own  business,  and  meddling 
very  little  with  outside  matters.  He  was  twice 
elected  to  represent  his  ward  in  the  City  Coun- 
cil, which  he  did  acceptably,  and  has  been  earn- 
estly solicited  to  run  several  times  since,  but 
positively  declined,  feeling  that  he  had  done  his 
part  by  serving  two  terms.  He  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  the  First  Congregational 
Church  of  this  city,  organized  in  1867,  having 
been  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  since  he  first  came  to  the  city  up  to  that 
time,  and  has  since  been  one  of  its  most  active 
members  and  officers,  having  been  elected  deacon 
several  terms,  and  serves  in  that  capacity  at 
present,  as  well  as  being  treasurer  for  the  past 
six  years,  during  which  lime  he  has  labored  with 
untiring  zeal  to  rescue  the  church  from  a  debt 
which,  though  not  large,  hung  as  an  incubus 
over  it,  and  during  the  last  year  succeeded  in 
paying  off  the  last  dollar.  April  25,  18V0,  Mr. 
D.  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Holmes,  of 
Morgan  county,  this  State.  To  them  have  been 
born  five  sons:  Edward  T.,  H.  Holmes,  Henry  S. 
Jr.,  and  John  Stewart,  (the  latter  dying  at  the 
.age  of  two  years)  and  Ralph  V.  The  family 
home  is  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Scarret 
streets,  and  it  is  there,  in  the  bosom  of  his  fam- 
ily, that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  enjoys  his 
sweetest  hours  in  the  society  of  his  loving  wife 
and  sons,  whom  he  hopes  will  grow  up  to  be  no 
less  an  honor  to  the  city  than  their  father  has 
been. 

Henry  D.  Dement,  Secretary  of  State  of  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Galena,  Illinois,  October  10, 
1840,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  L.  Dement, 
of  Dixon,  (natives  of  Tennessee  and  Missouri,  re- 
spectively) and  grandson  of  Henry  Dodge,  of 
Wisconsin.  Mr.  Dement  began  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  in  Dixon,  Illinois,  which 
was  preparatory  to  his  collegiate  education  at 
Rock  River  Seminary,  Mount  Morris,  Illinois; 
and  a  Catholic  College  at  Sinsinawa  Mound, 
Wisconsin,  and  a  Presbyterian  College  at  Dixon, 
Illinois.  The  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  at 
which  time  Mr.  Dement  was  attending  the  last 
named  College,  was  the  cause  of  his  not  com- 
pleting his  collegiate  course,  as  he  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army  and  took  an  active  part,  as  Is 
shown  by  the  service  he  rendered  his  country 
during  the  war.  Mr.  Dement  enlisted  in  the 
United  States  army  in  18G1,  and  received  his 
commission  of  Second  Lieutenant  of  Company 


A.,  Thirteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  April 
•20,  1801,  and  the  following  day  was  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant.  Lieutenant  Dement 
received  a  complimentary  commission  as  Cap- 
tain, February  3,  1803,  for  gallantry  at  Arkansas 
Post  and  Vicksburg,  which  rank  he  held  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  served  with  Generals  Fre- 
mont and  Curtis  throughout  all  their  campaigns 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  was  with  General  Sher- 
man in  his  defeat  at  Chick.as.aw  Bayou;  with 
General  Grant  when  he  marched  to  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg,  and  present  in  all  the  assaults  upon 
the  works  of  that  stronghold;  was  with  General 
Sherman's  corps,  in  both  engagements,  in  the 
capture  of  Jackson,  the  capital  of  Mississippi. 
Captain  Dement  served  until  August,  1803,  and 
subsequently,  after  his  returning  home,  was 
elected  to  the  Lower  House  of  the  Twenty-eighth 
and  Twenty-ninth  General  Assemblies,  and  as 
Senator  in  the  Thirtieth  and  Thirty-first  General 
Assemblies  from  the  Twelfth  Senatorial  District, 
composed  of  Lee  and  Ogle  counties.  Was 
elected  Secretary  of  State  at  the  election  of 
1880,  which  position  he  fills  at  present.  Secre- 
tary Dement  was  engaged  in  the  manufactory  of 
plows  from  1864-1870,  with  the  firm  known  as 
Todd  it  Dement.  In  the  year  1870  he  engaged 
in  the  manufactory  of  flax  bagging  for  covering 
cotton  bales,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  The 
factory  is  located  in  Dixon,  Illinois,  and  does  a 
flourishing  business.  Secretary  Dement  was 
married  in  Dixon,  Illinois,  October  20,  1864,  to 
Miss  Mary  P.  Williams,  of  Castine,  Maine,  who 
is  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Hezekiah  and  Eliza 
(Patterson)  Williams,  natives  of  Vermont  and 
Maine,  respectivelj'.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dement  had 
five  children,  of  whom  three  daughters  are  liv- 
ing, Gertrude  May,  Lucia  W.,  and  Nonie  E. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dement  are  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  their  residence  is  in  Dixon, 
Illinois. 

Roland  'Weaver  THller  was  born  in  Downing- 
town,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  5th 
of  October,  1822.  His  father's  name  was  Jona- 
than Diller,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name,  Ann 
Weaver.  They  were  born  near  the  Blue  Ball, 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  were  mar- 
ried in  January,  1813.  They  moved  from  Lan- 
caster to  Chester  county  in  the  spring  of  1822. 
They  had  six  children,  Weaver,  Susanna  R., 
Maria  W.,  Isaac  R.,  Roland  W.,  and  Annie  E. 
His  father  died  September  30,  1831,  leaving  his 
mother  five  children,  in  very  moderate  circum- 
stances. His  mother  moved  to  Lancaster  City, 
in  the  fall  of  1834,  and  in  the  spring  of  1835,  he 
was  sent  to   learn  the  printing  business  and  do 


656 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


chores,  with  Mr.  Caleb  Kinnard,  then  in  Down- 
ingtown,  but  he  being  rather  self-willed,  and  not 
liking  the  constraint  of  a  "boss,"  run  off,  and 
returned  home;  but  his  mother  made  him  re- 
turn, the  first  opportunity.  But,  after  a  few 
weeks'  apprenticeship,  in  which  he  learned  to 
set  type,  cut  wood,  make  fires,  and  do  "devil  " 
work  generally,  about  the  house  and  office,  he 
graduated,  by  again  returning  to  Lancaster  City, 
without  the  "boss' leave."  The  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  then  run  passenger  cars  from  Lancaster 
to  Philadelphia,  horses  tandum  (one  before  the 
other),  about  like  our  street  carf?,  which  also 
carried  the  mail,  and,  boy-like,  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  drivers,  and  thereby  stole  a 
ride  home.  About  this  time,  his  mother  married 
Morgan  L.  Reese,  of  Downingtown,  a  well-to-do 
old  bachelor,  whom  the  young  Diller  delighted 
to  hate;  but  he  in  turn  did  everything  in  his 
power  to  make  happy.  There  were  two  girls  born 
to  them,  Sarah  E.  and  Fannie  Reese.  Mr.  Reese 
died  in  180s,  much  loved  by  all. 

A  year  after  his  mother's  marriage,  he  was  put 
into  Hoopes  &  Sharpless'  store,  in  West  Ches- 
ter, where  he  remained  until  183  7,  when  he  was 
again  started  to  the  printing  trade  in  the  Re- 
publican office,  a  Democratic  paper,  published 
by  Price  &  Strickland,  in  West  Chester.  He 
was  to  serve  them  until  he  was  twenty-one,  for 
victuals  and  clothes,  and  the  last  six  months  to 
go  to  school,  which  was  a  wise  provision  for  the 
boy,  as  he  had  been  to  school  but  little  since  he 
■was  eleven  years  old.  At  the  end  of  his  ap- 
prenticeshiji,  October,  184.3,  he  borrowed  $5,  and 
started  to  Philadelphia.  After  about  a  month's 
"subbing"  at  the  different  offices,  got  a  steady 
■  case  in  the  Citizen  Soldier's  office,  published  by 
his  brother,  Isaac  R.  Diller,  and  Harry  Diller, 
his  cousin,  until  he  started  west,  in  the  fall  of 
lS4-t.  Mr.  D.  says:  "This  was  the  year  of  the 
great  political  battle  between  Henry  Clay,  the 
Whig  candidate,  and  James  K.  Polk,  the  Demo- 
cratic candidate.  Mr.  Clay  was  beaten  by  six 
thousand  abolition  votes  being  cast  for  Mr.  Ber- 
ney,  their  candidate  for  President,  and  thereby 
giving  that  State  to  Mr.  Polk  and  the  victory 
to  the  Democrats.  In  July  of  that  year,  the 
Native  American  riots  occurred  in  Philadelphia, 
costing  the  city  millions  of  dollars  for  damages 
done  churches,  etc.,  all  through  fanaticism." 
He  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Mr.  Polk, 
and  has  ever  continued  steadfast  to  that  party, 
as  he  regards  it  "a  party  of  the  people,  for  the 
people,  and  by  the  people." 

His  sister  Maria  married  R.  F.  Ruth,  August 
11,  1841,  and  moved  to  Springfield,  Illinois.     On 


the  8th  of  November,  1844,  he  left  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania,  for  the  West,  via  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad  to  Harrisburg,  then  by  canal  to 
Pittsburg,  then  by  Ohio  river  to  Cairo — up  the 
Mississippi  river  to  St.  Louis,  then  by  stage  to 
this  city,  taking  sixteen  days  to  make  the  trip 
and  nearly  two  days  from  St.  Louis  to  Spring- 
field. On  the  Ist  of  December  he  commenced 
work  in  the  State  Register  office,  conducted  by 
Messrs. Walters  &  Weber,  and  assisted  in  getting 
up  the  Statutes,  revised  by  Mason  Brayman,  in 
1845;  Edward  Conner,  Morse  Ballard,  S.  G.  Nes- 
bitt,  Mr.  Brooks,  Sr.,  and  others  as  co-laborers; 
Mr.  Farnsworth,  proof  reader,  and  Mr.  Charles 
H.  Lanphier,  State  Reporter,  whose  many  kind- 
nesses to  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land  will  ever 
be  prized. 

In  July,  1845,  General  W.  L.  D.  Ewing,  then 
Auditor  of  State,  took  him  to  Iowa,  as  a  sur- 
veyor; he  there  sub-divided  five  townships  into 
sections,  and  meandered  about  thirty  miles  of 
the  DesMoines  river,  south  of  what  is  now  Osce- 
ola. The  Sac  and  Fox  Indians  received  their 
last  payment  that  fall,  at  Racoon  Forks,  now 
DesMoines  City,  just  prior  to  their  removal 
West.  He  finished  the  conti-act  in  December, 
1845,  being  compelled  by  sickness  to  suspend 
operations  for  six  weeks — in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. When  he  returned  from  the  work,  he 
found  General  Ewing  sick,  and  soon  after  he 
died,  and  Mr.  D.  lost  all  his  work  and  the  money 
advanced  to  carry  it  on.  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Camp- 
bell was  appointed  Auditor  in  Ewing's  stead;  he 
gave  Mr.  D.  a  place  as  land  clerk,  at  $--'5.00  per 
month,  increasing  from  time  to  time,  as  he  be- 
came useful.  August  9,  1840,  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Mr.  Charles  S.  Corneau,  in  the  drug 
business,  purchasing  the  stock  and  stand  of 
Wallace  &  Diller,  on  the  same  ground  his  store 
now  occupies.  Mr.  Campbell  regret' ed  his  leav- 
ing his  office,  and  promised  to  use  his  infiuence 
to  get  him  the  nomination  for  Auditor  at  the 
next  election,  if  he  would  remain,  but  Mr.  D. 
preferred  a  steady  business  to  the  uncertainty 
of  political  life. 

On  October  31,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Esther 
C.  Ridgeway,  daughter  of  Joseph  Ridgeway,  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania — good  Quaker  stock 
— and  to  her  benign  influence  and  his  mother's 
early  teaching  he  attributes  his  success  in  life. 
Three  children,  Emma,  Isaac  R.  and  Essie,  were 
born  to  them.  Emma  married  David  B.  Ayres, 
of  Morgan  county ;  Isaac  married  Addie,  youngest 
daughter  of  W.  T.  Hughes,  of  Springfield,  and 
Essie  lives  wiih  her  parents  in  the  old  home- 
stead.    On  the  night  of  February  14,  1858,  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


657 


south  half  of  the  east  side  of  the  square  was 
entirely  consumed  by  tire,  including  Corneau  & 
Diller's  drug  store.  They  then  put  up  the  pres- 
ent building.  In  June,  I860,  Mr.  Corneau  died; 
since  then  Mr.  D.  has  carried  on  the  business. 
His  store  for  years  was  the  headquarters  of 
both  political  parties — he  was  well  acquainted 
with  ail  the  great  men  of  early  days,  and  with 
Mr.  Douglas  and  Mr.  Lincoln  he  was  very  inti- 
mate and  a  personal  friend.  During  the  great 
revival  of  1800,  conducted  by  the  Rev.  E.  P. 
Hammond  and  city  pastois,  Mr.  D.  and  his  whole 
family  embraced  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  connected  themselves  with  the  Third  Pres- 
byterian Church;  since  he  has  been  an  enthus- 
iastic worker  in  tiie  cause,  and  is  an  elder  in 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

In  1868,  on  the  re-organization  of  the  Old  Set- 
tlers' Society,  Mr.  Diller  became  identified  with 
its  work,  and  has  been  actively  engaged  in  for- 
warding its  interest.  In  1879  he  was  elected 
President  and  re-elected  in  18S0  and  in  1881. 
He  is  an  enthusiastic  "old  settler,"  and  while  he 
lives  and  is  in  active  possession  of  his  faculties, 
the  society  will  have  in  him  a  friend,  and  one 
who  will  do  all  in  his  power  to  make  the  meet- 
ings a  grand  success. 

In  all  moral  and  religious  work  Mr.  Diller  en- 
gages with  his  whole  mind  and  strength.  He 
shows  his  love  to  bis  God  by  h's  love  to  his 
fellow-men,  and  none  will  sink  so  low  but  he 
will  take  them  by  the  band  and  lift  them  up. 

Anton  Dirksen,  senior  paitner  of  the  firm  of 
Dirksen  &  Son,  manufaccurers  and  dealers  in  up- 
holstered furniture  and  mattresses,  410  Washing- 
ton street,  has  been  in  the  business  in  Springfield 
thirteen  years.  In  1879  he  admitted  his  son 
Theodore  H.  Dirksen  into  partnership,  when  the 
firm  took  its  present  name.  Until  within  the 
past  two  years  Mr.  Dirksen  directed  his  atten- 
tion to  mattress-making,  which  includes  every 
grade  from  the  cheap  husk  to  the  finest  hair 
spring  mattress.  Since  1879  the  feature  of  up- 
hostered  goods  has  been  added,  and  so  elegant 
in  design  and  finish,  and  substantial  in  workman 
ship  are  their  parlor  sets,  that  they  have  already 
built  up  a  large  demand  for  them,  and  have  fur- 
nished a  number  of  the  most  luxuriant  homes  in 
Sangamon  county,  with  goods  rarely  equaled 
anywhere.  The  product  of  their  factory  is  sold 
at  both  wholesale  and  retail.  An  average  of 
eight  skilled  artisans  are  employed  on  this  class 
of  work. 

Mr.  Dirksen  was  born  in  Germany,  in  1827, 
le  rned  the  cabinet  and  iipholstering  trade  in  his 
native  land,  commencing  at  the  age  of  fourteen; 


served  two  years  in  the  Prussian  army;  crossed 
the  Atlantic  in  1853,  and  settled  directly  in 
Springfield,  Illinois.  Worked  nine  years  for  the 
Wabash  Railway  Com])any  at  cabinet  finish- 
ing and  upholstering  their  passenger  coaches, 
and  two  subsequent  yfars  for  JacobHough,  at 
cabinet  work.  In  July,  1865,  he  married  Mary 
Elshofl^,  in  Springfield,  a  former  neighbor  in 
Germany.  They  have  six  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter, three  of  the  former  are  with  their  father  in 
the  factory.  The  eldest,  Theodore  H.,  is  twenty- 
five  years  of  age;  began  learning  the  trade  at 
thirteen,  and  is  now  a  partner.  Mr.  Dirksen  is 
one  of  the  organizers  and  a  charter  member  of 
the  St.  Vincent  De  Paul  Benevolent  Society,  and 
the  family  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Cburch. 

Richard  N.  Dodds,  druggist,  corner  of  Mon- 
roe and  Fifth  streets,  embarked  in  that  branch 
of  business,  in  Springfield,  eight  years  ago,  and 
in  his  present  locality  two  years  later.  His  store 
is  one  of  the  most  elegant  and  completely  fur- 
nished ill  the  city,  and  stocked  with  a  large  as- 
sortment of  drugs,  medicines  and  fancy  goods. 
His  prescription  business  is  very  large.  Richard 
is  the  son  of  James  C.  Dodds,  deceased,  and  was 
born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1851.  His  grandfather,  Gilbert  Dodds, 
moved  with  his  family  from  Kentucky,  and  set- 
tled in  Sangamon  county,  in  an  earlj'  day. 
James  C.  Dodds  married  Jane  S.^Boulware,  a 
a  native  of  Morgan  county,  Illinois.  She  is  also 
deceased.  Only  three  of  their  family  of  eight 
children  survive,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  eldest.  He  graduated  from  the 
Springfield  High  School  in  the  class  of  1871, 
and  soon  after  entered  the  drug  business. 

Peter  P.  O^Donnell,  confectioner,  wholesale 
dealer  in  candies  and  ice  cream,  and  general 
caterer,  529  Washington  street,  north  side  of 
the  square,  began  the  business  in  Springfield  in 
1866,  and  moved  to  his  present  location  seven 
years  ago.  He  manufactures  candies  and  con- 
fectioneries, in  which  he  has  a  large  wholesale 
and  retail  trade,  keeping  a  traveling  salesman 
on  the  road  in  the  jobbing  interest.  He  uses 
three  stories  of  the  building,  one  hundred  feet 
deep.  The  first  floor  is  occupied  for  retail  store 
and  ice  cream  parlors,  the  finest  in  the  city. 
The  second  floor  is  devoted  to  manufacturing, 
and  the  basement  to  ice  cream  and  storage.  He 
pays  special  attention  to  furnishing  supplies  for 
parties,  receptions  and  sociables, and  as  a  caterer 
is  very  popular.  He  is  doing  a  prosperous,  grow- 
ing business,  employing  in  the  busy  season  eight 
assistants.  Mr.  O'Donnell  is  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and    is  thirty-three  years  old.     He  came  to  the 


65S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


United  States  in  1860,  locating  first  in  Brook- 
lyn, New  York,  then  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania ;  spent  several  years  in  each  place,  and 
settled  in  Springfield  in  1866.  He  tias  given 
his  attention  chiefly  to  the  branch  of  businiss  in 
which  he  is  now  engaged,  first  starting  on  his 
own  account  in  Springfield.  Mr.  O'Donnell  is 
unmarried. 

Ilarry  F.  Dortein  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  August  4,  1855.  He  attended  school 
here  until  1868,  when  he  began  to  work 
as  clerk  for  the  publishers  of  the  "  Masonic 
Trowel,"  a  paper  published  here,  and  remained 
in  this  position  two  years.  Then  in  1871  he 
was  employed  as  clerk  in  the  State  National 
Bank  for  five  years.  In  January,  1877,  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  Private  Secretary  in  the  Gov- 
ernor's ofiice,  a  position  he  still  retains.  His 
father,  Phares  A.  Dorwin,  was  born  in  Jefferson 
County,  N.  Y.;he  was  a  merchant,  and  in  polities 
a  Democrat.  He  was  also  a  member  of  tbe 
First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Springfield,  where 
he  died  April  18,  1870.  His  wife,  Caroline 
Fisher,  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania; she  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian church  in  Springfield,  Illinois  was  the 
mother  of  si,x  children,  three  living — H.  F.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  Chas.  G.,  clerk  in  the 
General  Division  Freight  ofiice  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  and  Shelby  C.  Dorwin,  employed  as 
book-keeper  in  the  Joliet,  Illinois,  Penitentiary. 
Harry  F.  Dorwin  in  politics  is  a  Republican, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Hayes  for  President  of 
the  United  States. 

Adam  Doenges,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Ilesse  Castle,  Germany,  June  10,  1830;  son 
of  Martin  and  Ilallena  (Schuenky)  Doenges; 
father  was  a  soldier  in  the  French  war  of  1812 
and  1813.  Adam  attended  the  school  of  his 
native  town,  and  when  he  became  large  enough 
to  do  manual  labor,  was  employed  in  a  hotel  as 
waiter;  afterward  became  head-waiter,  and  re- 
mained there  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  of 
age,  when  he  sailed  for  America  to  make  his 
fortune;  landed  in  New  York  City,  remaining 
a  .short  time,  then  came  to  Springfield  in  1857, 
when  he  was  engaged  in  various  works;  a  por- 
tion of  the  time  was  watchman  at  the  Treasur- 
er's ofiice,  which  place  he  filled  until  1881.  In 
the   meantime    he    started  a  grocery  store.     In 

1871  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine,  and 
since  that  time  has  practiced  more   or  less.     In 

1872  he  was  ordained  a  preacher  in  the  German 
Methodist  Cliurch.  He  married  Miss  Mary  E. 
Mentemeyor,  of  Holland,  in  1858.  There  weie 
twelve   children,   eleven   of    whom   are   living: 


Mary  E.,  born  January  10,  1800;  Lydia,  July  23, 
1861;  Emma  R.,  April  16,  1803;  Henry, Novem- 
ber 23,  1804;  Ch.arles,  October  4,  1800;  Albert, 
June  8,  1868;  Katie,  March  6,  1870;  Julius,  May 
21,  1871;  Minnie,  February  21,  1873,  died  No- 
vember 14,  1875;  Wesley,  born  February  11, 
1875;  Louis,  May  28,  1877,  and  Mattie,  Decem- 
ber 14,  1878. 

JVoah  Divelbiss,  citizen  of  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, November  28,  1824;  son  of  Jacob  and 
Catharine  (Adams)  Divelbiss,  who  were  married 
in  Mercersburg,  Pennsylvania,  January  19,  1819, 
and  had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing: Cathen,  Noah  and  Amanda.  In  April,  1838, 
Mr.  D.  left  his  home  in  Pennsylvania,  coming  by 
wagon  to  Pittsburg,  thence  by  water  to  Beards- 
town,  himself  and  son  Noah  walking,  while  the 
family  came  through  by  stage.  After  arriving 
in  this  city  he  rented  for  three  years,  then 
purchased  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Eighth  and 
Mason  streets,  where  he  built  him  a  brick  cot- 
tage, and  lived  in  it  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
cured  in  1876.  He  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade, 
which  business  he  followed  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  elected  alderman,  and  was  also 
collector  and  assessor  in  1853.  Mrs.  D.  died  in 
August,  1S7S;  they  lived  together  over  fifty- 
seven  years.  Mrs.  D.  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  Mr.  D. 
was  tbe  first  member  admitted. 

Noah  Divelbiss  came  to  Springfield  when  he 
was  thirteen  years  of  age,  and  was  employed  as 
clerk.  In  1844  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  which  position  he  held 
four  years.  In  1848  he  went  to  Naples,  where 
he  clerked  for  the  firm  of  Ridgely,  Mathers  & 
Dresser,  remained  eighteen  months,  then  re- 
turned to  the  city  and  was  clerk  in  the  post 
ofiice  two  years;  in  1851,  embarked  in  the  cloth- 
ing business  with  Little,  where  he  remained  one 
year;  was  then  engaged  in  the  Mechanics'  Bank 
as  Cashier,  two  years,  and  in  December,  1854, 
was  in  the  Marine  Fire  Insurance  Bank  as  book- 
keeper and  teller,  until  1865;  when  he  went  to 
Pike  county  and  purchased  Perry  Springs, 
which  was  a  financial  failure.  In  the  fall  of 
1869,  he  returned  to  Springfield,  where  he  again 
engaged  in  the  banking  business,  until  the  fall 
of  1878,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  retired. 
He  married  Miss  Cordelia  Watson,  a  daughter 
of  W.  W.  Watson;  she  was  born  in  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  March  16,  1825.  There  were  five 
children,  one  of  which  is  living — Nellie  Chase. 
Mr.  Divelbiss  has  been  identified  with  the  inter- 
ests of   the  county  nearly  all  his  life,  and    an 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


659 


active  business  man.  Mrs.  Divelbiss  died  No- 
vember 9,  1880.  She  was  a  sincere  christian, 
and  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew 
her. 

Thos.  TFi  Dresser,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Halifax  county,  Virginia,  January 
11,  1837;  son  of  Rev.  Charles  Dresser,  an  Epis- 
copal minister,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
May,  188,s,  where  he  supplied  the  pulpit  for 
seventeen  years,  and  did  more  for  the  elevation 
of  the  church  than  any  man  in  Springfield.  He 
died,  after  an  active  life,  in  M;irch,  1865.  Ilis 
mother,  Louisa  (Withers)  Dresser,  was  a  native 
of  Virginia.  There  were  a  family  of  six  child- 
ren, Thomas  W.  being  the  second  son;  was 
educated  principally  at  Jubelee  College  in 
Peoria  county,  Illinois,  under  the  supervison  of 
Bishop  Chase,  the  founder  of  the  school.  When 
twenty-three  years  of  age  he  attended  two 
courses  of  lectures  at  Louisiana  Medical  College, 
and  afterwards  attended  one  course  at  the  New 
York  L^niversity,  where  he  graduated  with 
honors  in  March,  1864.  He  married  Miss  Mar- 
garet Dorenus,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John 
E.  C.  Dorenus,  a  graduate  at  Princeton  College, 
and  an  intimate  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 
They  have  one  child,  Katherine.  After  gradu- 
ating in  New  York,  the  Doctor  came  to  Spring- 
field, established  himself  in  his  practice,  and  has 
remained  ever  since. 

Ahner  Y.  Ellis,  mailing  clerk  in  the  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  post  office,  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  June  1,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  Abner 
Y.  and  Virginia  (Richmond)  Ellis;  the  former 
born  in  Warsaw,  Kentucky;  the  latter  born  in 
the  State  of  Vermont,  near  Montpelicr,  and  came 
to  Springfield  in  an  early  day.  The  subject  of 
this  biography  received  his  earlier  education  in 
the  private  schools,  and  then  attended  the  Illi- 
nois State  University,  in  Springfield,  and  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  ceased  to  pursue  his  studies,  as 
his  laljors  were  required  at  home.  After  leaving 
school,  was  in  a  telegraph  office  a  short  time,  and 
then  clerked  for  B.  F.  Fox,  hardware,  etc.,  then 
clerked  for  his  father  in  forwardiugand  commis- 
sion house,  in  connection  with  which  he  had  a 
grocery  store;  then  clerked  for  his  father,  who 
was  with  John  Williams  &  Co.,  dry  goods  and 
groceries,  and  afterwards  clerked  for  the  firm  of 
Hunt  »&  Ellis,  dry  goods,  groceries,  etc.,  in  which 
firm  he  clerked  until  18.57,  when  the  firm  ceased. 
On  November  10,  1858,  Mr.  Ellis  was  employed  in 
the  postoffice  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  as  paper  dis 
tributor,  and  shortly  after  promoted  to  take  charge 
of  the  letter  mailing  department,  under  Postmas- 
ter Lindsay,  which  position  he  has  held  since,  a 


period  of  twenty-three  years,  as  letter  mailing 
clerk,  (with  the  exception  of  a  short  interval,  in 
which  time  he  was  in  the  office  of  Governor 
Yates.)  All  of  the  various  places  of  Mr.  Ellis' 
employment  were  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  His 
father,  A.  Y.  Ellis,  Sr  ,  was  in  business  with  A. 
(i.  Herndon,  groceries  and  provisions;  Assessor 
under  General  Henry,  Sheriff;  was  with  General 
Henry  in  his  store,  and  with  Foley  Vaughn,  and 
next  with  Mr.  Garland;  was  with  Condell,  Jones 
&  Co.;  was  Postmaster  in  Springfield  under 
Presidents  Taylor  and  Fillmore;  was  with  Z.  A. 
Enos  in  the  feed  and  commission  business;  then 
in  partnership  with  II.  A.  Grannis  in  merchan- 
dising; next  with  John  Williams  &  Co.,  then 
Hurst  &  Ellis,  and  afterwards  merchandising  by 
himself;  afterward  general  delivery  clerk  in  the 
post  office  in  Springfield,  under  Postmaster  Lind- 
say, then  removed  to  his  farm  in  Moro,  Madison 
county,  Illinois,  in  1864,  or  thereabouts.  The 
different  firms  mentioned  with  whom  Mr.  A.  Y. 
Ellis  was  with,  were  all  of  Springfield,  Illinois. 
He  was  burn  in  Warsaw  county,  Kentucky,  No- 
vember 30,  1807,  and  died  March  10,  1878,  aged 
seventy  years.  His  wife,  Virginia,  was  born 
September,  1813,  and  resides  on  their  farm  near 
Moro,  Illinois.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Abner 
Y.  Ellis,  was  married  December  20, 1805,  in  Rey- 
nolds township.  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  to  Carrie 
L.  Flagg,  daughter  of  Willard  Flagg  (farmer) 
and  Mrs.  Lucy  Flagg,  natives  of  the  State  of 
Vermont,  came  to  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  in  an 
early  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  have  four  children, 
Richard  Y.,  Alfred  F.,  William  F.,  and  Lucy  V., 
all  born  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  Mrs. 
Ellis  was  educated  in  her  native  county.  Ogle 
county,  in  which  she  taught  school  for  one  year. 
She  has  one  brother,  Alfred  M.,  and  one  half- 
brother,  Oscar  M.  Lake,  and  two  sisters,  Mrs. 
Julia  Braiden  and  Mrs.  Antoinette  Young.  Mr. 
Ellis  has  four  brothers,  namely:  Volney  R ,  Or- 
ville  P.,  Henry,  John  C,  and  two  sisters,  namely: 
Jane  F.,  Salom  K.,  all  living.  Mr.  Ellis  is  a 
member  of  the  National  American  Association, 
Calhoun  Lodge,  No.  13.  Mr.  Ellis  has  shown 
his  integrity  to  the  people  by  retaining  his  posi- 
tion of  trust  for  a  number  of  years. 

Temp  Elliott  was  born  in  Frankfort,  Franklin 
county,  Kentucky,  December  9,  1835,  and  when 
seven  years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to  Illi- 
nois, and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Cartwright  town- 
ship, Sangamon  county.  Lived  there  on  the 
farm  until  1850,  when  hs  came  with  his  parents 
to  Springfield.  He  attended  the  Lutheran  Col- 
lege, which  is  known  now  as  the  Corcordia,  until 
1850.     During  that  time  Mr.  Springer  was  Presi- 


COU 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


dent.  In  1856  Mr.  Temp  Elliott  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  remained  in  the  mines  until  1862, 
when  he  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
opened  a  wholesale  and  retail  grocery  business 
on  the  east  side  of  the  square.  The  firm  was 
Keily  tfc  Elliott.  He  remained  in  the  business 
live  years,  then  traded  in  stock  until  1871,  when 
he  was  deputy  sheriff  two  years.  He  then 
traded  in  cattle  until  18'76,  when  he  was  elected 
Sheriff  of  Sangamon  county,  by  a  large  majority. 
He  was  Sheriff  until  1878,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  buying'  and  driving  of  Texas  cattle  from 
Texas  to  Colorado  and  Wyoming  Territories,  his 
present  occupation.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Constant,  October  8,  1862.  She  was  born 
in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  and  she  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  A.  E.  Constant,  born  in  Xenia,  Ohio,  and 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1819.  He  and  Mr. 
Lathrop  built  the  first  house  north  of  the  Sanga- 
mon river.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  died  February,  1874.  His  wife. 
Miss  Mary  (Latham)  Elliott,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky; she  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  died  in  1872.  She  was  the  mother 
of  three  daughters,  viz:  Mrs.  Margerie  Thomp- 
son, one  of  the  principal  teachers  in  the  Bettie 
Stuart  Institute,  at  Springfield,  Illinois;  Mrs. 
Temp  Elliott,  and  Miss  Kate  Constant,  who  has 
charge  of  the  Primary  Department  in  the  Bettie 
Stuart  Institute  at  Springfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Temp  Elliott  have  six  children,  viz:  Miss  Hatty 
Archie,  Rita,  Harry,  Griffith,  and  Maude 
Elliott.  Mrs.  Elliott  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

The  father  of  Temp  was  John  Elliott, 
born  in  Virginia,  and  when  small  moved 
to  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1834,  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  died  June,  1856. 
His  wife  was  Jane  E.  Taylor,  born  in  Kentucky 
in  1795.  She  is  living  with  her  son.  Temp  El- 
liott, in  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  her  87th  year. 
Her  father,  John  G.  Taylor,  born  in  Virginia, 
was  a  Baptist  minister  for  sixty  years.  He 
wrote  the  history  of  the  "Twelve  Baptist 
Churches."  He  died  in  Kentucky  in  1886. 
Three  of  his  children  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
■viz:  Judge  W.  Taylor,  for  many  years  Judge  of 
Sangamon  Coimty  Probate  Court;  Mrs.  Joseph 
Smith,  living  in  Bates,  Illinois,  the  mother  of 
Major  Smith,  of  Bates;  John  T.  Smith,  of 
the  Ridgely  National  Bant;  Mrs.  David  Brown, 
of  Bates,  and  the  mother  of  Temp  Elliott.  Mr. 
Elliott,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,,  has  a 
nice  residence  at  835  South  Sixth  street,  where 
he  resides.      In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and 


cast  his  first  vote  for  Breckenridge  for  President 
of  the  United  States. 

Sanmel  8.  Elder,  dealer  in  stoves,  tinware, 
grates,  and  mantles,  616  Washington  street,  has 
conducted  that  branch  of  merchandising  in 
Springfield  over  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Samuel 
Elder  and  Phebe  Clinkinbeard  married  and  set- 
tled in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  where  the 
subject  of  this  biography  was  born.  May  5,  1831, 
and  is  one  of  their  family  of  twenty  children,  of 
whom  fourteen  lived  to  adult  age.  They  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  November,  1834, 
and  located  two  miles  north  of  Rochester  vil- 
lage, where  they  reared  their  large  family.  Mr. 
Elder  died  there  in  18 — .  His  widow  resides  in 
the  city,  aged  eighty-three  years  in  December. 
Samuel  came  to  Springfield,  February  17,  1849; 
began  learning  the  tinner's  trade  the  following 
day,  and  has  operated  on  his  own  account  since 
1854.  He  has  a  fine  trade  in  stoves  and  grates 
and  mantles,  making  a  specialty  of  the  latter, 
and  does  an  extensive  business  in  roofing,  galva- 
nized iron  cornice,  and  general  job  work,  in 
which  he  employs  an  average  of  six  men.  He 
married  Sarah  Shives,  in  Springfield,  Illinois; 
she  was  born  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  but 
brought  up  in  Sangamon  county.  They  have 
but  one  living  child,  Gusta  J.,  now  the  wife  of 
L.  A.  Constant,  of  Springfield.  Mr.  Elder  has 
been  an  Odd  Fellow  more  than  twenty  years, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 

Zimri  A.  E}ios,  civil  engineer,  Springfield, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  Septem- 
ber 29,  1821.  He  is  a  son  of  Pascal  P.,  and 
Salome  (Paddock)  Enos,  natives  of  Connecticut 
and  Vermont,  respectively.  Mr.  E.  was  two 
years  old  when  his  parents  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  located  on  the  present  site 
of  Springfield.  His  early  education  was  re- 
ceived in  the  old-fashion  log  school  house  and 
later  enjoyed  better  school  privileges.  Has  been 
a  student  in  the  Springfield  Academy,  the  Jesuit 
University  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  the  Illi- 
nois University  in  Jacksonville.  After  this 
course  of  instruction,  he  became  a  student  in 
law  and  studied  under  Colonel  Baker  and  Albert 
T.  Bledsoe,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1845.  Mr.  Enos  entered 
into  the  practice  of  his  legal  profession  in  Spring- 
field, during  which  time  he  was  associated  with 
James  H.  Matheny  and  Vincent  Bidgely.  After 
giving  up  the  profession,  he  became  a  commis- 
sion merchant  in  Springfield  and  continued  as 
such  for  three  years.  Turning  his  attention  to 
the  original  purpose  of  his  education,  viz.:   civil 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


661 


engineering  and  surveying.  He  entered  this 
field  of  labor  in  1854,  and  ever  since  has  given 
it  his  attention.  Mr.  Enos  has  been  elected 
twice  County  Surveyor;  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Order,  Central  Lodge,  No  71,  in  Spring- 
Held,  and  associated  with  the  following  degrees 
of  the  order,  viz.:  Chapter,  Counsel,  and  Con- 
sistory. Mr.  Enos  was  married  in  Springfield 
June  10,  1846,  to  Agnes  D.  Trotter,  born  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1825,  in  New  York  City.  By  this 
union  were  born  six  children  in  Sangamon 
county,  viz.:  Pascal  P.,  George  T.,  William  P., 
Catharine  I.,  Allen  Z.,  and  Louisa  I.  who  are  all 
living. 

Orlistus  M.  Baker,  was  born  in  Prebble  county, 
Ohio,  June  30,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  John 
Baker,  native  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia, 
born  June  23,  1810.  He  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Prebble  county,  Ohio,  in  1818,  when  but  seven 
years  of  age.  He  married  Mary  A.  Freemen, 
who  was  also  a  native  of  that  county  and 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Polly  (Campbell)  Free- 
man. The  Bakers  sprang  from  German  ances- 
tors, and  were  farmers.  John  Baker  removed 
from  Ohio  to  Sangamon  county,  November  22, 
1837,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  He  then 
moved  to  Bates  county,  Missouri,  where  he  died, 
September  12,  1880.  His  first  wife's  death  oc- 
curred in  Prebble  county,  Ohio.  Orlistus  R. 
Baker  is  the  eldest  of  eight  children;  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Sangamon  county.  He  followed  farming  until 
1869,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  County 
Treasurer  of  Sangamon  county,  which  office  he 
held  for  two  successive  terms,  and  previous  to 
that,  being  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors for  eight  years.  May  29,  1854,  Mr.  Baker 
married  Polly  Ann  Duncan,  a  native  of  this 
county,  born  August  1, 1835.  She  is  thedaughter 
of  William  T.  H.  Duncan,  of  Salisbuiy  town- 
ship, who  was  one  of  Sangamon  county's  early 
pioneers.  Her  mother's  name  was  Eve  Miller 
Duncan.  Their  family  consists  of  eight  chil- 
dren, Ann  Louise,  Charles  B.,  Harriet  M.,  John 
W.,  Carrie  N.,  Minnie  A.,  Eva  B.  and  Orlistus 
R.,  who  are  living  at  the  present  time.  In  1874, 
after  retiring  from  the  office  of  County  Treas- 
urer, he  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  remained 
until  January,  1881,  when  he  removed  to  the 
city  of  Springfield,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  with  his  son-in-law,  11.  W. 
Sheiry,  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  and  Wright 
streets,  where  they  are  doing  a  prosperous  busi- 
ness. 

Louis  H.   Coleman,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born    in    Hopkinsville,  Christian    county,  Ken- 

77— 


tucky,  September  2,  1842;  is  the  son  of  H.  H. 
and  Barbra  A.  Coleman,  natives  of  the  State  of 
Kentucky.  At  the  age  of  six,  Mr.  Coleman  came 
to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  on  a  v  sit  to  his 
grandfather,  William  Hopper,  who  emancipated 
his  slaves  in  Kentucky  over  fifty  years  ago,  and 
moved  to  a  free  soil  State  and  became  an  early 
and  earnest  champion  of  the  great  principles 
upon  which  the  great  National  Republiiaii  party 
was  afterwards  founded.  During  this  visit  of 
eighteen  months,  he  became  very  much  attached 
to  a  farm  life,  and  upon  liis  return  to  Kentucky, 
entreated  his  parents  to  permit  him  to  return. 
In  1853  he  carried  his  point,  and  returned  to  the 
farm  in  Warren,  to  remain  four  years,  during 
which  time  he  farmed  in  summer  and  attended 
school  in  winter.  After  attending  f  chool  in  Ab- 
ington,  Illinois,  during  the  college  years  of  1856- 
57,  he  returned  to  Kentucky,  entered  school  in 
his  native  town,  and  continued  until  the  summer 
of  1860,  when  he  entered  Bethany  College,  Vir- 
ginia, with  the  intention  of  taking  a  thorough 
collegiate  course.  This  institution,  being  largely 
patronized  by  Southern  boys,  the  opening  up  of 
hostilities  between  the  North  and  the  South, 
made  the  students  very  nervous  and  anxious  to 
return  home.  The  school  being  virtually  broken 
up  for  a  time,  Mr.  Coleman  returned  home,  in 
the  summer  of  1861,  and  resolved  to  give  up  a 
professional  for  that  of  a  commercial  life.  So, 
in  1862,  he  entered  the  dry  goods  house  of  E  H. 
Hopper,  and  app' led  himself  closely  to  the  study 
of  the  trade.  After  remaining  in  this  house  four 
year.s,  and  filling  the  most  responsible  position 
in  it,  he  determined  to  return  to  Illinois  and 
make  it  his  permanent  home.  Arriving  in  Bloom- 
ington  in  the  spring  of  1806,  he  bought  an  in- 
terest in  a  dry  goods  house,  and  supposed  him- 
self a  fixture  of  the  place.  But  on  the  fourth  of 
October,  of  the  same  year,  he  was  married  to 
Jenny  B.  Logan,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  (daugh- 
ter of  the  late  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Logan  and 
America  Logan,)  and  at  the  earnest  solicitation 
of  the  Judge,  he  sold  out  his  interest  and  moved 
to  Springfield.  Their  children  are  Logan,  Chris- 
topher B.,  Mary  Logan,  and  Louis  Garfield.  In 
the  spring  of  1868,  Mr.  Coleman  and  G.  M. 
Brown  bought  out  the  store  of  W.  H.  Johnson  & 
Co.,  on  the  east  side  of  the  square,  in  Spring- 
field, and  commenced  business  under  the  style 
of  Brown  &  Coleman.  This  co-partnership 
lasted  two  years.  Mr.  Coleman  then  bought  out 
Mr.  Brown's  interest,  and  continued  the  business 
in  his  own  name  until  May,  1881.  Being  an  en- 
tire stranger  to  his  trade,  he  was  compelled  to 
apply  himself  very  closely  and  study  diligently 


662 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  best  means  of  building  up  a  good  and  profit- 
able business.  During  the  thirteen  years  he  was 
in  the  trade,  he  had  strong  competition  from  old 
and  well  established  houses,  and  he  never  could 
have  built  up  the  trade  he  had,  and  secured  the 
class  of  customers  that  patronized  him,  had  he 
no  attended  to  his  business  closely,  treated  his 
customers  courteously  and  served  them  honestly. 
His  business  grew  on  his  hands  every  year,  and 
having  acquired  the  habit  of  continually  looking 
after  all  the  details,  personally  serving  many  of 
his  customers,  he  discovered  that  he  was  wearing 
out  too  fast,  so  decided  to  sell  out  and  quit  the 
business  entirely.  This  he  did  in  May,  1881,  and 
in  returning  his  thanks  to  his  many  friends  and 
customers,  he  said  he  retired  from  the  trade  with 
many  regrets,  for  he  had  the  largest  trade  and 
the  best  class  of  customers  of  any  house  in  the 
city. 

SuUwan  Conant  was  born  February  26,  1801, 
at  Oakham,  Massachusetts,  and  was  married  at 
Shiuesburry,  Massachusetts,  September  10,  1822, 
and  in  November,  1830,  they  built  a  raft  and 
started  west,  and  floated  to  Pittsburg.  There 
they  took  a  steamboat  down  the  Ohio,  and 
up  the  Mississippi  river  to  Chester,  Ran- 
dolph county,  Illinois,  where  the  youngest  child 
died.  In  January,  1831,  Mr.  Conant  started 
with  his  family,  in  a  sleigh,  to  visit  some  old 
friends  near  Carrolton,  Greene  county,  Illinois, 
going  by  Illinoistown.  now  East  St.  Louis. 
They  continued  their  journey  by  Jacksonville 
to  Springfield,  arriving  February  18,  1831. 
When  they  left  Chester  the  snow  was  about  six 
inches  deep,  but  when  they  arrived  in  Spring- 
field it  was  on  four  feet  of  snow,  being  the 
height  of  the  "  deep  snow."  Mr.  Conant  is  yet 
a  citizen  of  Springfield. 

James  Fairchild  was  born  in  London,  Eng- 
land, May  9,  1834.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years, 
he  left  school,  and  was  put  with  a  jeweler  and 
gilder,  to  see  how  he  would  like  that  trade,  as 
he  cared  little  for  school,  and  was  desirous  of 
going  out  to  work.  At  fourteen  years  of  age, 
he  was  apprenticed  for  seven  years,  to  learn 
watch  gilding.  At  twentj^-one  years  of  age,  hav- 
ing served  his  apprenticeship,  and  trade  being 
dull,  he  obtained  a  clerkship  with  Thomas 
Sniythe,  Esq.,  barrister,  in  Lincoln's  Inn,  with 
whom  he  remained  two  years.  September  14, 
1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Rob- 
bins,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Robbins. 
They  had  attended  Sunday  school  together  from 
childhood,  and  were  both  members  of  City  Road 
Wcsleyan  Chapel. 


Thomas  Smythe,  Esq.,  having  retired  from 
business,  Mr.  Fairchild  got  a  situation  with 
Messrs  Biron  &  Cary,  barristers,  Lincoln's  Inn. 
Soon  after,  they  dissolved  partnership,  and  he 
went  with  Mr.  Biron,  who  removed  to  the  Temple, 
and  Mr.  George  Hunter  Cary  soon  after  this  was 
appointed  Attorney  General  of  British  Colum- 
bia. 

In  August,  1859,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fairchild  emi- 
grated to  Canada.  After  visiting  the  principal 
cities  of  Canada,  and  spending  a  month  with 
friends  at  Adolphustown,  on  the  Bay  of  Quintie, 
they  came  to  the  LTnited  States.  At  New  York 
City,  he  was  engaged  at  silver-plating.  Here 
he  remained  seven  months,  then  removing  to 
AValtham,  Massachusetts,  where  he  worked  at 
his  trade,  watch  gilding.  After  working  here 
for  twelve  months,  the  war  having  broken  out, 
and  work  being  scarce,  he  sought  and  obtained 
a  situation  at  Nashua,  New  Hampshire,  where  a 
new  watch  factory  was  started,  remaining  here 
about  a  year  and  a  half,  when  the  American 
Watch  Company,  of  Waltham,  bought  out  the 
Nashua  factory,  the  said  company  removing  the 
tools  and  hiring  the  hands.  Mr.  Fairchild  re- 
turned to  Waltham,  and  remained  about  a  year, 
till  the  National  Watch  Company,  of  Elgin,  was 
started.  Here  he  remained  five  years.  In  1870, 
the  Springfield  Watch  Companj%on  their  organ- 
ization, engaged  his  service  for  five  years,  by 
written  contract,  visiting  Springfield,  and  then 
with  his  wife  and  adopted  son  James,  making  a 
trip  to  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  visiting  his 
aged  father,  and  spending  two  months  with  his 
old  friends.  Returning,  he  took  his  position  as 
foreman  of  the  gilding  department,  in  which 
position  he  is  now  engaged. 

April  3,  18/9,  Mr.  F.  lost  his  wife,  who  died 
of  cancer.  She  was  an  earnest  Christian,  and 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  her. 

May  1,  1880,  Mr.  Fairchild  was  married  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  to  Miss  Mary  Parkes,  of 
that  place,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  ICsther 
Parkes. 

On  March  22,  1881,  they  had  a  daughter 
born  to  them.  Marian  P.  Fairchild. 

Mr.  Fairchild  is  the  son  of  Henry  Donville 
Fairchild,  who  was  a  citv  missionary  in  London 
for  twenty-three  years.  He  was  born  in  London, 
and  educated  at  the  Christ  Church  Blue  Coat 
school.  He  died  in  1873,  his  wife,  Mary  A. 
Bridges,  having  died  in  1863.  She  was  born  in 
Bury  street,  Edmonds,  Sufl^olk,  England.  She, 
with  her  husband,  were  members  of  the  Wes- 
leyan  Methodist  church.  She  was  the  mother 
of  twelve  children,  eight  only  living  at  one  time. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


633 


Mr.  James  Fairchild  is  a  Mason;  was  made 
such  iu  Rising  Sun  Lodge,  Nashua,  New  Ilamp- 
Bhire;  now  a  member  of  Monitor  Lodge,  Elgin. 
He  is  an  active  Christian  worker,  having  organ- 
ized several  Sunday  schools,  and  built  a  church 
in  Riverton,  in  this  county.  He  received  a 
license  as  an  Exhorter,  in  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  in  Waltham,  in  1860,  and  then 
licensed  as  Local  Preacher  in  Nashua,  New 
Hampshire,  in  1861,  which  license  has  been  re- 
newed every  year  since  that  time.  He  is  also 
an  ardent  temperance  worker,  having  been  Chair- 
man of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Reform 
Club  in  the  City  of  Springfield  for  the  last  four 
years,  and  also  Lodge  Deputy  of  the  Good 
Templars  of  the  above  city. 

Mr.  Fairchild  is  acknowledged  to  be  the  best 
gilder  in  America. 

Andrew  L  Favcett,  foreman  of  the  ^P^tna 
Foundry,  has  filled  that  position  since  January, 
1857.  He  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  is  forty- 
five  years  of  age.  He  emigrated  to  America 
with  his  parents,  in  childhood.  They  settled  in 
Connecticut,  and  from  there  moved  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  in  1856,  his  father  coming  as  an 
employe  of  the  Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western 
Railroad  Company.  Andrew  learned  the  trade 
of  iron  molding  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
where  he  worked  two  years  at  the  business  as  a 
journeyman,  before  coming  West.  The  ^Ftna 
works  have  grown  from  infancy  during  his  con- 
nection with  them.  He  has  from  thirty  to  fifty 
men  under  his  supervision  in  the  molding  de- 
partment. 

Mr.  Fawcett  married  in  Springfield  in  1867,  to 
Mary  A.  Delaney,  who  was  born  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  and  was  brought  by  her  parents 
to  Springfield,  Illinois,  when  two  years  of  age. 
Their  family  consists  of  four  daughters  and  a 
sou. 

Jlypolite  Fayart,  manufacturer  of  and  dealer 
in  boots  and  shoes,  and  also  dealer  in 
leather  and  findings,  416  Adams  street  settled  in 
Springfield  in  1853,  and  began  the  manufacture 
of  foot  gear  in  a  small  way.  The  business 
rapidly  grew  until  he  employed  at  one  time  six- 
teen mechanics;  now  works  five.  In  1862,  he 
put  in  a  stock  of  ready-made  goods,  in  which  he 
soon  secured  a  very  heavy  trade.  In  1860  he 
erected  the  front  part  of  the  building  he  now  oc- 
pies,  and  subsequently  built  two  extensions, 
making  his  store  and  shop  twenty  by  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  feet.  In  1879,  Mr.  Fayart 
added  a  stock  of  leather  and  findings,  of  which 
he  keeps  a  general  supply  for  the  market. 
During  1880,  the  sales  in  the  boot  and  shoe  de- 


partment aggregated  $24,000.  Mr.  Fayart  is  a 
native  of  France,  and  is  forty-nine  years  of  age; 
came  to  the  LTnited  States  in  1849,  and  with  a 
French  colony  settled  in  Nauvoo,  after  the  de- 
parture of  the  Mormons.  In  1854,  he  married 
Eugiene  Fayart,  a  cousin,  wlio  emigrated  with 
the  colony  when  he  came  over.  They  have 
three  sons  and  an  adopted  daughter.  The 
eldest  son,  Eugene,  is  twenty-four;  Joseph, 
twenty  ;  and  Jules,  sixteen  years  of  age,  all  of 
them  salesmen  in  the  store.  They  lost  their 
first  son,  and  the  youngest  child,  a  daughter. 
Mr.  Fayart  was  elected  to  the  City  C!onncil  in 
April,  1881,  from  the  Sixth  Ward.  He  is  a 
MasoH,  and  has  passed  through  the  degrees  to 
Knight  Templir. 

Fred  It.  Feitshans,  Superintendent  of  the 
Springfield  Schools,  and  Principal  of  the  High 
School,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1846.  His 
parents  were  both  natives  of  Germany.  After 
attending  the  common  and  High  Schools,  gradu- 
ated from  Pennsylvania  College,  at  Gettysburg, 
in  the  class  of  1869,  with  the  degree  of  B.  A., 
and  three  years  later,  receivedthe  degree  of 
M.  A.  He  studed  theology  under  Dr.  Henry  E. 
Jacobs,  Professor  of  Latin  Literature  in  PeTisyl- 
vania  College,  and  completed  the  course,  but  did 
not  enter  the  ministry.  He  taught  in  the  country 
schools  two  years  before  graduating;  and  after 
leaving  college,  taught  a  year  in  the  classical 
school,  at  Rochester,  Pennsylvania,  as  Professor 
of  Mathematics.  He  came  from  there  to  Spring- 
field, in  the  fall  of  1870,  and  took  charge,  for 
three  years,  of  St.  Paul's  College — the  old  Illi- 
nois State  University.  In  September,  187-3,  Mr. 
Feitshans  entered  the  Springfield  High  School 
as  Assistant  Principal;  was  promoted  to  Princi- 
pal the  same  fall,  and  has  tilled  that  position 
until  the  present  time.  In  the  summer  of  1881, 
he  was  elected  Sui)erintendent  of  City  Schools 
in  addition  to  the  Principalship.  In  1872,  Pro- 
fessor Feitshans  was  elected  to  the  Chair  of 
Mathematics,  in  Wisconsin  University;  in  1873, 
he  was  elected  to  the  Chair  of  Greek,  in  Carthage 
College,  Carthage,  Illinois;  was  elected  Professor 
of  English  Literature  in  Thiol  College,  Pennsyl- 
vania, in  1874;  and  the  following  year  was  ten- 
dered the  principalship  of  the  Newark  Acad- 
emy, Newark,  New  Jersey.  He  declined  all  of 
these  prospered  honors,  preferring  the  broad,  un- 
tramraeled  field  of  labor  afforded  in  the  public 
school  work.  Mr.  Feitshans  is  a  gentleman  of 
broad  culture  and  progressive  ideas  and  methods 
as  an  instructor.  In  September,  1876,  he  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  E.  Flanders,  then 
Assistant  Principal   of   the  Bloomington    High 


064 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


School  and  teacher  of  the  German  language  and 
astronomy.  She  is  a  native  of  Marengo,  Mc- 
Heury  county,  Illinois;  was  educated  in  Lake 
Erie  Seminary,  graduated  in  1865,  and  spent 
three  years  in  Europe,  studying  the  German  and 
French  languages.  She  taught  two  years  in 
Lake  Erie  Seminary,  and  two  in  Cleveland  Semi- 
nary. Two  children,  one  of  each  sex,  have  been 
born  to  them. 

Benjamin  H.  Ferguson,  Q>a,&\iier  oi  the  Marine 
Insurance  Bank,  Springfield,  is  a  native  of  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois;  was  born  in  December, 
\  35.  His  father,  Benjamin  Ferguson,  was 
born  in  Monongahela  City,  Pennsylvania,  where 
he  married  Sarah  Irwin,  also  of  that  State. 
They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in 
1834.  Eight  years  afterwards  Mr.  Ferguson 
died,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children,  all 
alive  but  the  eldest  son.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  passed  about  ten  years  in  the  grocery 
of  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Jacob  Bunn,  and  in 
August,  1862,  recruited  Company  B,  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  was 
elected  its  Captain,  in  which  capacity  he  served 
two  years;  participated  in  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  at  Jackson,  and  other  minor  engagements. 
Retiring  from  the  army,  Captain  Ferguson  en- 
tered the  bank,  in  the  fall  of  1864;  the  following 
spring  he  became,  and  has  since  been,  its  cashier. 
In  1868,  he  established  a  glassware  and  crockery 
store,  on  the  corner  of  Monroe  and  Sixth  streets, 
which  he  still  owns,  and  which  is  one  of  the 
largest  and  most  prosperous  houses  of  its  class 
in  Central  Illinois  doing  a  business  of  §60,000 
to  $75,000  a  year.  Mr.  Ferguson  married  Miss 
Alice,  daughter  of  Judge  B.  S.  Edwards,  in 
1865.  She  is  a  native  of  the  city  of  Springfield. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  are  members  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  city. 

Stephen  D.  Fisher  was  born  in  Charlotte, 
Vermont,  March  7,  1822.  When  a  year  old  his 
parents  moved  to  Essex,  New  York,  where  he 
attended  school,  he  also  attended  the  West 
Point  Academy.  He  left  Essex,  New  York,  for 
Springfield,  Illinois  September  1844,  and  taught 
school  one  quarter  in  the  Baker  District  and  at 
Richester  one  year,  and  in  May,  1846,  returned 
to  Essex,  New  York,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
teaching  until  the  spring  of  1850,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Rochester,  Illinois,  and  taught  during 
the  winters  of  1851  and  '53,  and  October  19, 
1852,  was  married  to  Miss  Marion  J.  St.  Clair,  at 
Rochester;  she  was  born  in  Essex,  New  York, 
Sejitember  18,  1828,  and  died  in  1867;  she  was 
a  daughter  of  L.  H  St.  Clair,  born  in  Vermont, 
!May  6,  1800;  he  was  a  farmer  and  a  cloth-dresser 


by  trade,  and  died  April  14,  1866;  his  wife.  Miss 
Lurenda  Spaulding,  born  in  Vermont  October 
31,  1799,  died  in  Rochester,  Illinois,  February 
21,  1853.  They  had  eight  children,  were  both 
members  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
Springfield.  After  Mr.  S.  D.  Fisher  was  married, 
in  1852,  he  settled  in  Waynesville,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  book-keeper  in  a  store  of  general 
merchandise,  two  years,  when  he  went  with  the 
same  firm  to  Atlanta,  where  he  was  book-keeper 
until  1875,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
and  was  elected  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of 
Agriculture,  a  position  he  has  faithfully  filled 
and  still  retains.  He  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Equalization  in  1872, 
served  three  years,  when  he  resigned  on  account 
of  his  duties  as  Secretary  of  the  State  Board  of 
Agriculture,  he  was  a  member  of  this  board  four 
years  before  he  was  appointed  secretary:  He 
was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Miss  Elzina  M. 
Benton,  October  20,  1868.  She  was  born  in 
Ohio,  November  30,  1844;  she  was  a  daughter  of 
Francis  A.  Benton,  who  was  born  in  Lenox, 
Massachusetts  April  30,  1816.  He  was  a  gradu- 
ate and  followed  teaching  as  a  profession,  he 
died  in  Lincoln,  Illinois,  November  10,  1866;  his 
wife,  Elizabeth  A.  Ketcham  was  born  in  Connecti- 
cut, April  1823;  they  were  married  in  Berkshire, 
Ohio,  November  9,  1842.  They  had  four  chil- 
dren, three  living,  Eliznia  M.,  Moretta  A.,  and 
Frank  J.  Benton.  Asa  Fisher,  father  of  S.  D. 
Fisher,  was  born  in  Vermont,  April  25,  1781, 
he  died  in  Troy,  New  York,  in  1832,  he 
was  married  to  Lavisa  D.  Smith,  in  Vermont, 
January  1,  1807,  she  was  born  in  Vermont, 
Januarv  2,  1792,  and  died  at  Whallonsburg,  New 
York,  May  25,  1838. 

Abraham  H.  Fisher,  Jeweler  and  dealer  in 
musical  instruments,  504  south  side  of  square, 
located  in  business  at  his  present  number  eight 
years  ago.  He  occupies  two  fioors  of  the  build- 
ing twenty  by  ninety-six.  The  store  is  beauti- 
fully fitted  up  and  furnished  with  several  ample 
burglar  proof  safes,  which  serve  as  depositories 
for  his  elegant  stock  of  diamonds  and  fine 
jewelry,  aggregating  -^35,000  in  value.  The 
second  fioor  is  devoted  to  musical  merchandise 
where  may  l»e  seen  constantly  in  stock  many  of 
the  best  standard  instruments,  among  them  the 
Steinway,  Weber,  Sleek,  and  Fisher  pianos,  and 
the  Esty,  Burdett,New  England  and  Taylor  and 
Farley  organs,  for  all  of  which  Mr.  Fisher  has 
the  agency  in  this  part  of  Illinois.  He  keeps 
three  traveling  salesmen  on  the  road  in  the 
interest  of  his  music  trade.  He  is  also  a  part- 
ner in  the  music  house   of  Fis-her  &    Ju<lkins, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


665 


established  in  August,  1881,  on  north  Sixth 
street,  which  carries  on  a  wholesale  and  retail 
business  in  the  same  class  of  pianos  and  organs, 
handling  all  kinds  of  small  instruments  and 
sheet  music  besides.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  Pennsyl- 
vanian  by  birth,  and  is  thirty-seven  years  old. 
He  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  April,  186!), 
and  has  been  identified  with  this  branch  of  mer- 
cantile business  ever  since.  His  parents  and 
family  came  to  the  city  with  him.  His  father, 
John  Fisher  died  here  in  1876,  and  the  widow 
and  five  sons  and  two  daughters  are  residents  of 
Springfield.  The  subject  of  this  article  remains 
unmarried. 

John  M.  Fordeti,  grocer,  112  North  Fifth 
street  and  523  East  Monroe  street,  has  been  in 
the  grocery  business  in  Springfield  since  1863. 
He  first  started  on  the  south  side  of  Washington 
street,  two  doors  west  of  the  square,  and  moved 
to  his  present  store  in  IS^o.  He  erected  his 
building  on  Monroe  street  in  1880,  and  opened 
with  a  fresh  stock  of  goods  in  January,  1881. 
The  Fifth  street  store  is  20x110  feet  in  area; 
and  the  Monroe  street  store  20x80  feet.  They 
are  both  stocked  with  an  extensive  assortmenf 
of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  and  each  has  a 
large  retail  trade. 

Mr.  Forden  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  January,  1831;  is  the  son  of  .John  For- 
den and  Evaline  Sydner,  who  married  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  three 
months  old,  settling  on  Uound  Prairie,  four 
miles  east  of  Springfield,  where  they  passed  the 
rest  of  their  lives.  His  mother  died  nearly  forty- 
five  years  ago,  father  in  1850.  Mr.  Forden  im- 
proved a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety  acres 
in  that  neighborhood,  and  tilled  it  eight  years 
before  entering  into  his  present  business.  In 
1855  he  married  Eliza  J.  Wright,  a  native  of 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  They  have  but  one 
ctild  alive,  Alice,  fourteen  years  of  age. 

Frank  Fleury,  druggist,  505  Washington 
street,  north  side  of  the  square,  established  the 
business  at  this  number  in  August,  1876.  He 
has  a  fine  store,  carries  a  large  stock  of  drugs 
and  toilet  goods,  and  has  an  extensive  trade. 
His  prescription  business,  a  special  feature  of 
this  house,  is  exceptionally  large.  The  Fleury 
Medicine  Com)iany,  of  which  he  is  chief  pro- 
]>rietor,  manufactures  several  valuable  medic- 
inal remedies  of  tried  and  acknowledged  merit. 
Among  them  are,  "Indian  Herbs  of  Joy,"  a 
remedy  for  diseases  arising  from  impurities  of 
the  blood,  of  which  more  than  four  thousand 
bottles  have  been  sold  in  Springfield  in  the  past 


year;  and  Fleury's  Tasteless  Cascarina,  a  new 
remedy  for  billiousness,  headache  and  torpid 
liver.  Of  this  over  one  thousand  five  hundred 
packages  have  been  sold  in  Springfield  in  the 
past  eight  months.  Mr.  Fleury  has  also  manu- 
factured DuFay's  Magic  Fluids  for  about  five 
years,  and  has  sold  over  ten  thousand  bottles  of 
them  in  that  time. 

Mr.  Fleury  was  born  in  Meadville,  Pennsylva- 
nia, September  28,  1841;  served  thiee  years  at 
the  drug  business  with  Carter  &  Brother,  in 
Erie,  Pennsylvania;  and  declining  an  offer  from 
the  firm  of  !5>50  per  month,  he  came  West, 
landing  in  Illinois  in  1858.  After  spending  a 
short  time  in  Alton  and  Chicago,  he  located  in 
Bloomington;  from  there  came  to  Springfield  in 
June,  1805;  was  elected  City  Clerk  on  the 
Democratic  ticket  in  1868,  and  served  till  1872, 
four  consecutive  years.  Previous  to  opening 
his  present  store  he  had  been  clerking  in  the 
drug  business.  He  married  Annie  M.,  the  eldest 
daughter  of  William  H.  Herndon,  June  26, 
1863.  She  was  born  April  9,  1843,  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  One  child  has  been  born  of  their 
union,  Annie  May  Fleur}-. 

John  Foster,  proprietor  of  Foster's  livery, 
Washington  street,  near  Ninth,  established  the 
business  at  that  location  in  March,  1872.  In 
July,  1876,  he  added  the  undertaking  business, 
and  has  since  carried  on  both,  employing  a  capi- 
tal of  about  $1 2,000.  His  stock  comprises  about 
forty  horses  and  a  corresponding  number  of 
vehicles.  He  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  acres,  three  and  a  half  miles  south 
of  the  city,  which  he  also  cultivates.  Mr.  Fos- 
ter is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  March  19,  1840; 
came  to  America  with  parents,  in  1847,  landing 
in  Philadelphia  in  January.  The  family  lived 
for  a  time  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania;  came 
to  Illinois  in  1852,  and  lived  a  number  of  years 
in    Lee   and    Whiteside    counties.     In   October, 

1862,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  came  to  Spring- 
field, and  was  employed  as  a  haud  in  the  lumber 
business  about  eight  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  started  in  the  business  of  teaming,  which 
he  carried  on  about  five  years  before  engaging 
in  livery.     Mr.  Foster  married  in  Springfield,  in 

1863,  to  Mary  Grady,  also  born  in  Ireland,  and 
came  to  the  city  about  the  same  time  he  did. 
They  have  seven  children  and  one  adopted  child. 
Mr.  F.  was  elected  Alderman  of  the  First  Ward 
in  the  spring  of  1881;  is  a  member  of  the  West- 
ern Catholic  Union,  and  of  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Hibernians. 

Ji.  Franz,  meat  market,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  May  10,  1847.    Mr. 


Ijti6 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Franz  is  a  son  of  Fred  and  Maria  Franz,  natives 
of  Germany.  In  the  year  of  1865,  at  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  left  his  home  for  America,  and 
landed  at  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  a 
short  time,  and  from  thence  to  Springfield,  in 
October,  and  began  the  work  of  butchering,  and 
in  1869  commenced  in  the  same  business  for  him- 
self on  Fifth  street,  from  which  time  was  located 
in  the  market  house,  up  to  1876  and  subseciueiitly 
in  the  same  street  where  he  built  a  brick  l)uiid- 
ing  in  which  he  is  located  at  present.  Mr.  Franz- 
is  doing  a  good  business  and  he  sells  fifteen  head 
of  beeves  each  week,  and  ships  two  hundred 
pounds  of  sausage  each  day  to  different  points. 
Was  married  in  Springfield,  October  19,  1809,  to 
Miss  Mollie  Reisch,  born  in  Germany,  1849,  and 
daughterof  Joseph  and  Josephine  Reisch,  natives 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  and  landed 
at  New  Orleans,  from  which  place  they  came  to 
Springfield  in  1855.  Mr.  Franz  was  educated  in 
Germany  and  Mrs.  Franz  in  Springfield.  They 
have  four  children  Rosalie,  Adolph,  lleinierak 
and  Louisa. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Franz  are  members  of  the  Catho- 
lic Church. 

6.  G.  French,  a  native  of  New  York,  was 
born  at  Painted  Post.  Emigrated  to  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1835.  Was  married  in 
1844  to  Elizabeth  C.  Welsh,  of  Washington 
City,  commenced  housekeeping  at  Gettysburg, 
Pennsylvania,  but  shortly  after  removed  to 
Waynesboro,  where  he  resided  for  a  number  of 
years.  From  thence  he  moved  to  the  city  of 
Washington  and  continued  to  reside  there  till 
the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  arrived  in  Spring- 
field. He  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
dentistry  about  35  years,  and  was  one  of  the  few 
engaged  in  that  profession  at  the  beginning  of 
his  professional  career  outside  the  large  cities. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  dentists  in  Illinois,  and 
has  practiced  in  Springfield  over  twenty-five 
years.  He  is  the  author  of  many  devices  and 
several  patents  pertaining  to  the  business.  His 
family  consists  of  four  daughters  and  three 
sons.  He  was  one  of  eight  brothers.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  his 
mother  from  Connecticut. 

James  furlong,  dry  goods  merchant,  has  had 
a  mercantile  experience  in  Springfield  of  about 
sixteen  years.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  thirty- 
five  years  ago;  was  educated  there  in  the  busi- 
ness of  an  iron  monger — in"  American  parlance, 
hardware  business.  He  immigrated  to  Canada 
in  January,  1865,  and  came  to  Springfield  in 
April  of  that  year;  but  before  settling  here  per- 
manently, spent  a  year  in  Omaha  keeping  books. 


He  arrived  in  Springfield  forty  dollars  in  debt, 
with  no  cash  capital;  obtaining  a  position  as 
clerk  continued  to  work  for  others  till  he  opened 
his  present  store  at  128  South  Sixth  street,  east 
side  of  the  square,  with  an  entire  new  stock  of 
goods  in  1879.  Three  stories  and  basement  of 
the  building,  one  hundred  feet  deep,  are  devoted 
to  his  large  stock,  which  embraces  every  article 
kept  by  a  first-class  dry  goods  house.  His  large 
retail  trade  requires  the  labor  of  seven  salesmen, 
and  has  grown  from  832,000  to  160,000  per 
annum.  Mr.  Furlong  married  Miss  Kate  Aim- 
strong,  a  native  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1875. 
They  have  one  surviving  son,  Thomas  Furlong, 
and  have  buried  one. 

Ernest  F.  Geldman,  contractor  and  builder, 
located  in  Springfield  in  1849,  and  has  been  car- 
rying on  his  present  business  since  1862.  He  is 
a  native  of  Germany,  and  is  fifty-four  years  of 
age.  Having  learned  the  trade  of  cabinet  mak- 
ing in  the  old  country,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic 
and  came  via  New  Orleans  to  Beardstown,  and 
from  there  walked  across  the  country  to  Spring- 
field arriving  in  Febr  lary,  1849.  Notwithstand- 
ing he  was  unable  to  speak  a  w"ord  of  English, 
he  soon  obtained  employment  and  continued 
working  as  a  journeyman  at  cabinet  and  carpen- 
ter work  about  thirteen  years.  The  first  days 
labor  he  performed  in  Springfield  was  in  making 
gates,  on  the  same  ground  where  he  erected  the 
palatial  residence  of  Hon.  James  C.  Conkling, 
twenty  years  later.  Starting  in  contracting  in 
1862,  Mr.  Gehlman's  superior  knowledge  of  the 
construction  of  buildings,  and  conscientious  dis- 
charge of  his  obligations  in  executing  contracts 
soon  earned  for  him  a  deserved  popularity,  and 
gave  him  an  extensive  business.  In  1S63,  he 
erected  the  residence  of  D.  A.  Brown,  at  Bates, 
Illinois,  costing  §4,000;  the  following  year  built 
the  elegant  farm  nouse  of  W.  B.  Huffaker, 
near  Berlin,  in  Sangamon  county,  costing  $26,- 
000.  Mr.  E.  Myers  furnished  the  plan,  which 
was  exhibited  at  the  Paris  Exposition  and  took 
the  prize.  The  Catholic  school  building,  in 
Springfield,  was  erected  by  him  in  1867,  and  in 

1868,  he  built  an  addition  to  Blackburn  Uni- 
versity, in  Carlinville,  at  a  cost  of  $32,000;  in 

1869,  built  the  dwelling  of  Hon.  James  C.  Conk- 
ling, on  South  Sixth  street,  costing  $30,000.  In 
1871,  Mr.  Gehlman  was  awarded  the  contract 
for  building  the  Illinois  State  Industrial  Uni- 
versity, at  Champaign,  which  he  completed  in 
1873,  together  with  the  Drill  Hall  and  Mechan- 
ical building.  The  main  superstructure  cost 
about  $200  000  and  the  latter  about  $20,000. 
Immediately  after  completing  these  he  built  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


667 


bank  and  a  biihiness  block  in  Champaign,  costing 
respectively,  ^U,000  and  |32,OOU;  at  the  same 
time  erected  a  building  in  Urbana,  at  a  cost  of 
$20,000,  and  two  costly  buildings  in  Chenoa. 
In  1876,  he  built  B.  F.  Caldwell's  residence 
in  Curran  township,  at  a  cost  of  gver  $20,- 
000;  in  1879,  rebuilt  the  opera  house  in  Spring- 
field, for  George  W.  Chatterton,  Jr.,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  $.50,000,  making  it  one  of  the 
finest  theatrical  buildings  in  Illinois.  Upon  the 
completion  of  this  work  Mr.  Chatterton  pre- 
sented Mr.  Gehlman  with  a  tine  watch  and  chain 
as  a  testimonial  of  iiis  appreciation  of  his  work. 
In  isso,  Mr.  Gehlman  remodled  the  St.  Nich- 
olas Hotel,  which  was  done  without  closing  or 
materially  disturbing  the  business  of  the  house. 
In  1881,  he  erected  the  Passfield  block,  corner 
of  Adams  and  Fifth  streets  at  a  cost  of  about 
#35,000,  the  most  elegant  business  block  in 
Springfield.  Besides  the  buildings  mentioned, 
he  has  erected  many  others  of  like  character  in 
this  city,  among  them  the  dwellings  of  Bluford 
Wilson  and  John  T.  Peters,  which  stand  as 
monuments  of  his  mechanical  skill  and  in- 
dustry. 

In  18.50,  Mr.  Gehlman  united  in  marriage  with 
Mary  C.  Sidener,  of  Springfield,  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  who  died  in  1865,  leaving  three  sons. 
In  1868,  he  married  Martha  Gourley.  Five 
children  have  born  of  this  union.  Mr.  Gehlman 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order  since 
185y. 

( 'hdrles  A.  Gehr/iumn,  dry  goods  merchant 
and  wholesale  dealer  in  millinery,  numbers  113 
west  side,  and  507  north  side  of  square,  started 
in  the  dry  goods  business  in  Springfield  August 
1,  1861,  and  has  continued  with  firm  name  and 
sign  unchanged  for  twenty  years.  Mr.  Gehr- 
mann  is  a  German  by  nativity,  born  in  Nord 
Hansen  in  1835.  At  fourteen  years  of  age  he 
began  mercantile  life  as  an  apprentice  in  a  store, 
and  spent  several  years  in  Berlin;  came  to 
America  in  1858,  and  after  stopping  a  few 
months  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  and  visiting  sev- 
eral other  cities,  settled  in  Springfield  in  June, 
1859.  The  first  two  years  he  was  employed  as 
salesman  in  a  dry  goods  store;  then  opened  his 
present  store  at  1 13  South  Fifth  street.  Early 
in  the  summer  of  1881  he  purchased  the  lot  and 
building  he  occupies,  20x160  feet  in  area.  In 
1880  he  bought  the  dry  goods  stock  of  the  old 
firm  of  John  Williams  &  Co.,  on  the  north  side 
of  the  square,  and  has  since  carried  on  business 
there  also  as  a  branch  house.  Mr.  Gehrmann 
keeps  a  heavy  stock  of  dry  and  dress  goods,  and 
in  connection  has  a  wholesale  and  retail  notion 


and  millinery  department,  in  which  twelve  to 
fourteen  milliners  are  employed.  "J'he  trade  in 
the  two  stores  requires  a  force  of  fourteen  sales- 
men, who  transact  a  large  volume  of  business. 
These  extensive  mercantile  establishments,  as 
well  as  his  elegant  homestead,  comprising  seven 
acres  in  the  north  part  of  the  city,  artistically 
improved  and  ornamented,  and  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  places  in  Central  Illinois,  are  the  result 
of  Mr.  Gehrmann's  industry,  economy  and  busi- 
ness tact.  He  married  Minnie  Jahnke  in  Spring- 
field, a  native  of  Berlin.  They  have  two  sons 
and  three  daughters,  Charles  A.,  aged  seventeen; 
Clara  Minnie,  fifteen;  Adele  Agnes,  twelve; 
Ella  A.,  ten,  and  Paul  Morton,  three  years 
old. 

J^rank  GocUey,  proprietor  of  the  Springfield 
Shoddy  Mills,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
and  from  ten  years  of  age  began  learning  the 
manufacture  of  woolen  goods,  and  steadily  pur- 
sued the  business  until  he  immigrated  to  the 
United  States,  in  the  fall  of  1864.  Arriving 
in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  in  October,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  David  Hay  &  Brother, 
at  Chestnut  Hill,  proprietors  of  a  woolen  and 
shoddy  mill.  At  the  end  of  a  year  he  came 
West  and  engaged  in  mining  coal  at  Du(juoin, 
Illinois;  came  from  there  to  Springfield  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1867,  and  was  employed  as  one  of  the 
foremen  to  sink  Beard,  Hickox  &  Co's.  coal 
shaft,  north  of  the  city,  in  which  he  broke  away 
the  first  entry.  Leaving  that  company,  he  opened 
a  coal  and  wood-yard  in  1868  and  continued  that 
business  nine  years,  then  sold  out,  bought  the 
site  on  which  his  factory  stands,  comprising  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  by  five  hundred  feet  of 
ground  on  the  corner  of  Madison  and  Fifteenth 
streets;  erected  buildings  and  established  his 
shoddy  manufactory  in  1877.  Under  his  skillful 
and  energetic  management  the  business  has 
rapidly  developed  until  he  now  uses  about  four 
thousand  pounds  of  rags  per  day,  the  woolen  ones 
being  converted  into  an  article  called  shoddy, 
sold  to  many  of  the  woolen  manufacturers  in 
various  parts  of  the  country,  and  used  in  small 
proportions  with  wool  in  making  cloths,  cas^i- 
meres,  etc,  Mr.  Godley  has  invested  in  the  plant 
and  promises  $16,000.  He  married  in  England 
at  twenty-one  years  of  age,  Elizal)eth  Li.ster. 
They  have  two  daughters  and  a  son.  Mr.  G.  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  fire  department  of 
Springfield  nine  years,  and  seven  years  in  Eng- 
land. In  the  spring  of  1881  he  was  elected  to 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  on  the  Democratic 
ticket.  He  is  a  Mason,  member  of  Tyrian  Lodge 
No.  333. 


6l!S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


William  H.  Good,  grocer,  Sixth  street  and 
North  Grand  Avenue,  became  proprietor  of  the 
business  at  his  present  location  in  February, 
]^i79,  purchasing  the  stock  from  D.  A.  DeVares. 
He  has  from  fifteen  years  of  age  been  connected 
with  that  line  of  trade  as  clerk,  chiefly  for  G.  A. 
Ballou.  He  keeps  in  store  a  tine  assortment  of 
family  groceries;  also  a  stock  of  queens  and 
glassware,  and  conducts  a  prosperous  local  retail 
business,  employing  two  assistants.  Mr.  Good 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  in  the  resi- 
dence still  occupied  by  his  parents,  in  1854. 
Three  sous  and  a  daughter  compose  the  family 
of  James  and  Mary  ( Fenstermaker)  Good,  of 
whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  son. 
His  school  opportunities  were  not  ample,  and 
his  education  has  been  chiefly  obtained  by  prac- 
tical business,  of  which  he  has  a  good  knowledge. 
In  September,  18'79,  he  married  Miss  Laura 
Clark,  of  Williamsville,  Sangamon  county.  One 
son  has  been  born  to  them,  Clinton  Edward 
Good.  Mr.  Good's  father  is  a  native  of  Chris- 
tian county,  Illinois;  his  mother,  of  Pennsylvania. 

George  IF.  M.  Gorclcm,  grocer,  corner  Eleventh 
and  Jackson  streets,  has  been  associated  with 
that  branch  of  merchandising  about  six  years, 
formerly  with  J.  M.  Forden  for  nearly  five  years, 
and  since  March  1,  1880,  on  his  own  account  in 
his  present  store.  It  contains  a  nice  stock  of 
goods  for  the  local  retail  trade,  of  which  he  en- 
joys a  liberal  and  increasing  share,  doing  a  busi- 
ness of  $10,000  a  year.  Mr.  Gordon  is  the  son 
of  Aaron  Gordon  and  Sarah  C.  Bickford,  of 
Maine,  in  which  State  he  was  born  in  1850.  He 
was  brought  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  when  five 
years  old.  He  was  educated  in  the  city  schools, 
to  which  was  added  a  course  in  book-keeping 
and  telegraphy.  In  September,  1878,  he  mar- 
ried Alice  Chandler,  of  Springfield,  who  ha's 
borne  him  one  son,  William  Gordon.  Mr.  G. 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Lodge  4 
and  Chapter  1.  His  parents  are  residents  of 
the  city. 

Albert  F.  Gourley,  watchmaker  and  jeweler, 
north-east  corner  of  Sixth  and  Monroe  streets, 
has  been  identified  with  this  branch  of  business 
in  Springfield  for  eleven  years  as  proprietor 
and  several  years  previously  in  the  employ  of 
others.  He  located  at  the  above  number  in 
1875.  He  keeps  in  stock  a  full  line  of  watches, 
clocks,  jewelry,  silverware  and  optical  goods, 
averaging  about  14000  in  value.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  optical  goods  and  of  watch  repair- 
ing. He  has  a  prosperous  growing  retail  trade. 
Mr.  Gourley  was  born  in  Springfield  in  1846;  is 
the  son  of  James  Gourley,  who  came  to  Sanga- 


mon county  a  youtig  man,  forty  year  ago  from 
Pennsylvania.  He  married  Lucy  A.  Poe,  who 
came  from  North  Carolina  to  Springfield  when 
quite  young.  Four  sons  and  six  daughters  were 
born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  Mr. 
Gourley  was  a  boot  and  shoe  merchant.  He 
filled  the  oftice  of  deputy  sheriff  several  years, 
and  served  as  Deputy  LTnited  States  Marshal  a 
number  of  years.  He  died  in  1876,  aged  sixty- 
six  years,  his  wife  having  died  a  number  of 
years  before.  Albert  learned  his  trade  in  Spring- 
field, and  has  steadily  pursued  it  since.  In  May, 
1871,  he  married  Jennie  Craig,  a  native  of  Ham- 
ilton, Canada.  They  have  one  son,  Roy,  aged 
seven  years.  IVIr.  Gourley  served  five  months 
in  the  army  as  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-third  I.  V.  I. 

Isaac  H.  Gray,  was  born  at  Tiverton  Rhode 
Island,  Sunday,  11  o'clock  a.  m..  May  21,  1815; 
when  some  seven  years  of  age  he  moved  with 
his  parents  to  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  attended  school,  and  graduated  at  the 
Quaker  Academy  in  1828;  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  there  until  18.32,  when  he 
went  to  Galesburg,  Michigan,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  trade  until  his  marriage 
to  "Miss  Charlotte  May  Clary,  March  :_{,  1836. 
She  was  born  at  Whitehouse,  New  Jersey,  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1810,  the  fruits  of  this  marriage  are  five 
children,  four  living,  viz:  Lotta  A.  Gray,  resid- 
ing in  Springfield,  Illinois,  Mrs.  Lou  I.  Ridgley, 
resides  in  Springfield,  and  is  the  wife  of  Henry 
Ridgley,  they  have  three  children,  George  W., 
Howard  G.  and  Miss  Kate  M.;  Charles  B.,  was 
married  to  Miss  Bell  Fisher,  whose  parents  re- 
side in  Detroit,  Michigan;  he  was  teller  in  the 
Ridgley  National  Bank,  Springfield,  for  six 
years,  and  is  now  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Fisher, 
Baker  &  Co.,  wholesale  carriage  manufacturers, 
Detroit,  Michigan;  they  have  one  child,  Edith. 
Lidia  M.,  now  Mrs.  Mason,  resides  in  Emporia, 
Kansas;  they  have  one  son,  Fred  G.  The  father 
of  Isaac  Gray,  Philip  Gray,  was  the  grandchild 
of  Philip  Gray,  who  was  one  of  the  Pilgrims, 
from  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  who  came  over  in 
the  "•  Mayflower"  and  landed  at  Plymouth  Rock, 
his  wife,  an  English  Quaker,  came  with  her 
husband  in  the  Mayflower,  from  Cologne,  on  the 
Nile  river;  they  are  both  buried  side  by  side  at 
Plymouth  Rock,  Massachusetts.  Philip  Gray, 
father  of  Isaac  Gray,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  Tiverton,  Rhode  Island.  He  was 
highly  educated  and  held  many  prominent 
offices,  he  was  a  deacon  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  forty  years.  His  wife,  Susannah  Irish, 
was  born  in  Little  Compton,  Rhode  Island,  she 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


069 


was  a  member  of  the  Quaker  Church,  and  the 
motlier  of  seven  boys  and  three  girls.  Mrs. 
Isaac  Gray  was  a  daughter  of  James  McCleary, 
born  in  New  Jersey,  and  Gertrude  Van  Horn, 
born  at  Whitehouse  town  New  Jersey,  they 
were  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
had  a  family  of  ten  children.  After  Mr.  Isaac 
Gray  was  married,  in  1836,  he  began  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  where  he  remained  until  1849, 
when  gold  was  discovered  at  Sutter's  Mill,  Cali- 
fornia. He  took  a  steamer  from  New  York  for 
California,  crossed  the  Isthmus  of  Darien  to 
Panama,  a  perilous  journey  through  canyons, 
gulches  and  the  Cbagers  river,  a  distance  of 
twenty-three  miles,  encountering  great  peril  at 
that  date;  he  took  a  steamer  from  Panama  to 
San  Francisco,  and  was  seventeen  days  on  the 
Pacific  Ocean.  From  San  Francisco  he  went  up 
the  Sacramento  river  to  Sacramento,  and  from 
there  to  the  north  and  middle  fork  of  the  Ameri- 
can river,  and  was  there  chosen  "Alcada,"  and 
held  that  office  during  his  stay  in  California. 
He  worked  a  mine  with  foiirteen  men  one  year, 
then  returned  to  his  family  at  Fall  River,  Massa- 
chusetts, where  he  remained  until  1851,  when  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Carlinville,  Illinois, 
and  bought  a  quarter  section  of  land  at  Girard's 
Point,  which  he  soon  after  exchanged  for  a  hotel 
in  Carlinville;  in  1853  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Springfield,  and  bought  the  National  Hotel, 
which  he  sold,  and  bought  the  American,  after- 
wards known  as  the  Central  House,  which  he 
sold  to  R.  D.  Lawrence,  for  §23,500  cash, 
March  1880,  and  where  Mr.  Lawrence  has 
erected  one  of  the  most  splendid  buildings  in 
Central  Illinois.  Mr.  Gray  l)ought  the  Pike 
House  in  Bloomington,  Illinois  and  ran  it  one 
year,  when  he  leased  it  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  while  on  his  second  trip  to  California  in  '64, 
it  burned  down;  the  insurance  was  ample  to 
cover  the  loss;  he  then  platted  the  ground  and 
sold  it  for  §22,600.  In  1867  he  took  his  wife  and 
daughters  to  the  Paris  Exposition,  and  traveled 
with  them  all  over  Europe,  went  through  France, 
Norway,  Sweden,  Prussia,  Russia,  Denmark, 
Holland,  Bavaria,  Scotland,  Finland,  Ireland, 
Wales,  England  and  Switzerland;  visited  Mount 
Vesuvius,  crossed  the  Alps  and  saw  where  Bona- 
parte's army  encamped;  they  stopped  at  Vienna, 
the  queer  streets  of  rivers;  was  there  during 
King  Emanuel's  visit.  From  Europe  Mr.  Gray 
and  family  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
where  he  has  since  remained.  While  away  he 
made  notes  of  dwelling  houses  in  various  coun- 
tries, and  how  built,  and  is  just  completing  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  and  convenient  residences 

78— 


in  the  city,  at  422  South  Sixth  street,  where  he 
resides.  In  politics  he  is  an  Old  Line  Whig  and 
Republican,  and  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Har- 
rison for  "  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too,"  in  the 
days  of  log  cabins  and  hard  cider. 

Bluford  S.  Graves,  confectioner  and  proprie- 
tor of  the  Farmer's  Restaurant  and  Eating 
House,  224  South  Sixth  street,  opened  business 
in  Springfield  in  the  fall  of  iHYl.  He  keeps  a 
stock  of  confectioneries,  nuts  and  cigars  for  the 
jobbing  ti'ade,  and  also  conducts  a  restaurant  and 
eating  house,  where  meals  are  served  to  order  at 
all  hours.  He  does  a  business  of  §15,000  to  §18,- 
000  a  year.  Mr.  Graves  was  born  in  Kacine, 
Wisconsin,  in  December,  1836;  was  reared  on  a 
farm  in  Vermilion  county,  Illinois,  and  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  until  he  went  into  the 
army.  In  July,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
fought  in  twenty-one  battles  and  skirmishes, 
among  them,  Perryville,  Stone  River,  Chick- 
amauga.  Mission  Ridge,  Graysville,  and  Buz- 
zard's Roost;  received  a  gun-shot  wound  in  the 
left  thigh  at  the  battle  of  Kennesaw  Mountain, 
in  June,  1864,  and  gangrene  setting  in,  he  was 
unable  for  active  duty  thereafter.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  early  in  June,  1865.  He  car- 
ried on  the  grocery  business  in  Vermilion  county 
before  moving  to  Springfield.  In  December, 
186*7,  Mr.  Graves  married  Lizzie  Smith,  of  Ver- 
milion county.  Politically,  he  has  always  been 
a  Democrat. 

Charles  W.  Green,  retired  wholesale  boot  and 
shoe  merchant,  residence  corner  Cook  and  Fifth 
streets,  was  born  in  Spencer,  Worcester  county, 
Massachusetts,  in  1828,  and  took  a  full  English 
course  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town.  His 
father,  Josiah  Green,  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
New  England  manufacturers  of  boots  and  shoes 
by  machinery,  and  carried  on  the  business  very 
extensively  in  Spencer.  A  large  stock  of  goods 
having  accumulated  in  his  father's  factory, 
Charles,  after  making  a  prospecting  tour  through 
the  West  in  1849,  proposed  to  establish  a  whole- 
sale boot  and  shoe  house  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis. 
This  met  the  approbation  of  the  senior  Green, 
the  stock  was  shipped,  and  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  opened  an  extensive  store,  in  1850,  on 
the  corner  of  Main  and  Vine  streets,  and  after 
conducting  a  heavy  business  for  a  number  of 
years,  was  joined  by  his  brother,  Jonas  H.Green, 
and  they  continued  the  house  together  until 
1873,  when  they  closed  it  out,  and  he  removed 
to  Springfield,  Illinois,  since  which  time  he  has 
not  engaged  in  any  steady  business.  During  this 
period  of  merchpndising  in  St.  Louis,  Mr.  Green 


6/0 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


traveled  extensively  through  the  Western  States, 
and  sold  large  quantities  of  boots  in  Springfield 
and  other  towns  of  Illinois.  He  and  the  other 
three  brothers,  Jonas  H.,  Henry  R.,  and  .Josiah 
Jr.,  are  all  ])ractical  manufacturers,  and  the 
brothers  are  carrying  on  large  factories  in  Wor- 
cester and  Spencer,  with  capacity  of  1,000  pairs 
of  boots  per  day,  each. 

In  December,  1850,  Mr.  Green  married  Miss 
Emily  Kibbe,  daughter  of  one  of  the  early  and 
leading  merchants  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
They  have  four  children,  namely,  Emily,  now 
Mrs.  Ryan,  Edward,  Charles,  Jr.,  and  Lillie. 

Benjamin  M.  Griffith,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of 
Shelby  county,  Kentucky;  born  in  1831;  read 
medicine  in  Louisiana,  Missouri,  beginning  at 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  after  practicing 
three  years  in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  graduated 
from  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  in  the  spring  of 
1859,  and  located  in  practice  in  Louisiana,  Mis- 
souri, remaining  there  till  he  moved  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  in  1865,  where  he  has  carried  on 
an  e-vtensive  practice  till  the  present  time.  Dur- 
ing his  twenty-six  years  of  professional  life.  Dr. 
Griffith  has  made  surgery  a  prominent  feature, 
and  has  performed  a  number  of  capital  opera- 
tions, among  which  was  that  of  dissecting  out 
the  shoulder  joint  in  the  case  of  a  compound 
fiacture  of  the  shoulder,  attended  with  a  com- 
plete recovery;  and  a  case  of  ovariotomy,  in 
which  he  removed  an  ovarian  tumor  from  a  lady 
of  Sangamon  county,  weighing  eighty-sis  pounds. 
She  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age;  the  tumor 
had  been  twelve  years  growing,  and  adhered 
throughout  the  entire  front  to  the  abdominal 
walls.  The  Doctor  is  a  zealous  advocate  of  con- 
servative practice  in  surgery,  and  has  performed 
some  remarkable  cures  by  this  method;  one  case 
just  recovered  was  that  of  a  young  man  who 
had  his  foot  crushed  at  the  Springfield  Rolling 
Mills.  The  toes  were  amputated,  and  erysipelas 
setting  in,  the  flesh  sloughed  off,  leaving  a  large 
portion  of  the  bones  of  the  foot  bare;  but  by 
conservative  treatment  the  Doctor  induced  the 
integiraents  to  grow  over  them  sound  and  healthy, 
thus  saving  the  foot.  Another  triumph  in  this 
plan  of  treatment  was  in  the  case  of  a  young 
man  whose  arm  was  mangled  in  a  threshing 
machine,  and  by  dissecting  out  the  ulna  of  the 
fore  arm  he  saved  the  hand  and  restored  its 
action  in  a  great  measure. 

Dr.  Griffith  was  one  of  the  originators  and  or- 
ganizers of  the  Sangamon  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, and  has  served  two  years  as  its  President, 
is  a  member  of  the  Illinois  District  Medical  So- 
ciety, of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Association, 


and  of  the  Tri-State  Medical  Society,  comprising 
Illinois,  Indiana  and  Kentucky;  has  filled  the 
office  of  Vice  President  in  the  two  latter  Socie- 
ties, and  President  of  the  District  Society;  in 
1877,  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Ar- 
rangements for  the  Tri-State  Society.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Alice  A.  McElroy,  a  native  of  Rawles 
count}',  Missouri,  but  a  resident  of  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  June,  1859.  Three  children 
have  been  born  of  their  union;  the  living  are 
Elsie  A.  and  Benjamin  Barret.  The  son  is  pre- 
paring for  the  medical  profession.  Mrs.  Griffith 
is  a  graduate  of  Jacksonville  Female  College, 
Illinois,  is  a  lover  and  devoted  student  to  the 
sciences  and  English  literature.  She  and  the 
daughter  are  members  of  the  Springfield  Art 
Society,  and  she  is  also  an  active  worker  in  be- 
half of  foreign  missions. 

William  P.  Grimsley,  Secretary  of  the  Ele- 
vator Milling  Company;  was  born  in  Rochester, 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  May  9,  1841;  is  the 
son  of  Alexander  Grimsley,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
who  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  jn  his 
young  manhood  in  1832.  He  married  Caroline 
McCoy, born  in  Kentucky,  of  Virginia  parentage. 
They  had  but  two  children,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  a  sister.  William  has  been  in  the 
milling  and  grain  business  from  his  boyhood, 
erected  the  old  Grimsley  Mill  on  the  corner  of 
Madison  and  Tenth  streets;  ran  the  Hickox 
Mill  on  East  Adams  street  from  1875  till  Feb- 
ruary, 1881,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Elevator  Milling  Company,  which  handles  a 
large  amount  of  grain,  and  manufactures  a  great 
quantity  of  fiour,  a  fuller  account  of  which 
appears  in  the  chapter  on  manufactures  in  this 
work.  Mr.  Grimsley  married  Mary  F.  Burch, 
a  native  of  Springfield,  in  June,  1877,  who  has 
borne  him  one  daughter,  Fannie,  aged  three 
years.  Mr.  G.  is  a  member  of  A.  O.  U.  W., 
and  is  Guide  in  Capital  City  Lodge  No.  38. 
His  parents  both  died  in  1842,  and  his  home 
through  childhood  and  youth  was  with  his  uncle, 
William  P.  Grimsley,  Sr. 

Edward  A.  Gitbitz  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  August  3,  1858.  He  attended  school 
until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he 
clerked  in  the  grocery  store  of  J.  G.  Byerline, 
two  years,  then  clerked  for  John  W.  Bunn  & 
Co.,  four  years  and  six  months,  then  opened  a 
store  of  his  own  at  northwest  corner  Fourth  and 
Grand  avenue,  where  he  carries  a  |3,0U0  stock 
of  groceries  and  provisions.  His  father,  Adam 
Gubitz,  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  in  1827, 
and  came  to  the  United  States  when  twenty-one 
years   of  age,    in  1848.     He   died   January    19, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY". 


671 


1802.  His  wife,  M.aggie  B<aker,  was  also  born 
in  Bavaria,  Germany.  She  and  husband  were 
both  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church, 
and  had  a  family  of  six  children,  four  living, 
viz :  Cornelia,  Barbara,  Edward  and  Matilda 
Gubitz.  The  mother  is  still  living  in  Spring- 
field. Edward  A.  Gubitz,  the  subject  of  the 
sketch,  is  a  member  of  the  English  Lutheran 
Church,  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  in  politics 
lather  independent. 

Louis  H.  HaJm,  meat  market,  Springfield, 
Illinois.  Among  the  business  men  of  Spring- 
field may  be  mentioned  the  name  of  Louis  H. 
Hahn,  who  established  himself  in  business  in 
1875.  He  carries  everything  usually  kept  in  a 
first-class  market;  is  a  young  man,  with  good 
business  abi)it  es,  and  one  of  the  enterprising 
men  of  the  city.  He  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  January  1 7th,  1854;  son  of  Charles  Hahn, 
also  a  butcher  by  profession,  who  came  to  this 
city  in  1864,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  busi- 
ness since.  He  married  Miss  Eliza  Hammarth, 
and  they  have  had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  living. 

JRev.  Albert  Hale,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Glastenburg,  Connecticut,  November  29, 
1799,  son  of  Mathew  and  Ruth  (Stephens)  Hale. 
In  youth,  he  served  seven  years  as  clerk  in  a  store 
in  Weathersfield,  Connecticut, but  afterwards  en- 
tered Yale  Theological  Seminary.  Among  those 
of  his  graduating  class,  were  the  late  Rev.  Henry 
Durant,  Sidney  L.  Johnson,  lawyer,  and  Rev. 
Asa  Turner,  all  residents  of  California  (the  lat- 
ter founded  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Quincy,  Illinois);  Rev.  William  Adams,  D.  D., 
of  New  York;  Rev.  Horace  Bushnell,  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut;  Judge  Edwards  and  Judge 
Gould.  The  first  ministerial  service  of  Mr.  Hale 
was  on  a  missionary  tour  in  Georgia  and  other 
Gulf  States,  preaching,  founding  Sunday  schools, 
and  laboring  in  his  might  in  the  Lord's  vineyard, 
where  he  found  work  to  do.  He  first  came  to 
Illinois  in  1831,  and  located  in  Bond  county,  as 
a  home  missionary.  When  he  reached  Shawnee- 
town,  the  Black  Hawk  war  was  in  the  height  of 
its  fury,  and  the  terrified  inhabitants  were  seek- 
ing refuge  in  log  forts. 

In  1833,  in  the  discharge  of  missionary  duties, 
he  visited  Chicago,  where  he  found  two  hundred 
and  fifty  Pottawotomies,  many  of  them  intoxi- 
cated, receiving  their  annuities  in  blankets, 
clothing,  and  money.  The  village  of  Chicago 
at  that  time  contained  about  one  thousand  in- 
habitants, including  soldiers,  and  twenty-two 
groggeries.  When  once  under  the  influence  of 
fire-water,  the  untutored  savage  became  an  easy 


prey  of  the  proprietors  of  those  vile  dens,  wiio 
robbed  them  of  their  clothing  and  money.  Mr. 
Hale  appealed  to  the  Indian  agent  to  interfere 
and  put  a  stop  to  this  iniquity  on  the  part  of  the 
rum-sellers,  but  his  suggestions  were  unheeded, 
and  no  efforts  were  made  to  ariest  the  evil. 
During  his  visit  to  Chicago,  he  preached  in  a 
school  house  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Many 
Indians,  though  imperfectly  understanding  the 
language,  gatliered  in  the  doorway  and  aronnd 
the  windows,  listening,  many  of  them  probably 
for  the  first  time,  to  the  sound  of  the  Gospel. 

About  this  time,  he  met  an  old  friend,  Mr. 
Carpenter,  who  has  since  accumulated  consider- 
able wealth  in  Chicago,  near  the  place  upon 
which  now  stands  the  Cook  county  court  house; 
and  in  conversation  upon  the  future  of  the  vil- 
lage, Mr.  Hale  said:  "You  expect  to  have  a 
city  here?"  "Yes,  some  day, "replied  his- friend. 
"What  is  the  land  worth  here?"  "Five  dollars 
an  acre,"  replied  Mr.  Carpenter,  "  but  the  diffi- 
culty is,  nobody  appears  to  want  to  buy." 

In  1839,  Mr.  Hale  accepted  a  call  as  pastor  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  Springfield, 
and  continued  in  that  capacity  over  twenty- 
seven  years,  since  which  time  he  has  labored 
and  preached  in  both  city  and  country. 

March  27,  1839,  he  married  Miss  Abiah  Chapin, 
of  Newport,  New  Hampshire,  who  died  June 
10,  1864.  She  was  a  graduate  of  Ipswich  Semi- 
nary, Massachusetts,  and  came  to  Illinois  as  a 
teacher,  in  1831.  She  was  a  lady  of  rare  ac- 
complishments, endowed  with  all  graces  which 
adorn  the  true  Christian  character.  Mr.  Hale 
is  the  senior  minister  of  Springfield,  and 
one  of  the  first  pioneers  of  the  State.  He  is 
universally  loved,  not  only  by  those  associated 
with  him  in  his  own  church,  but  by  all  people, 
of  all  phases  of  religious  faith  and  sentiments. 

He  has  been  a  faithful  worker,  speaking  words 
of  hope  to  the  dying, of  comfort  to  the  despond- 
ing, and  of  warning  to  the  wicked.  In  secular 
matters,  he  has  been  a  good  citizen,  loyal  to  the 
government  of  his  country  in  all  emergencies. 

Hall  ct  Scrrick,  clothiers  and  dealers  in  hats, 
caps  and  gentlemen's  furnishings,  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Adams  and  Sixth  streets,  is  composed  of 
Edward  A.  Hall  and  Jonathan  E.  K.  Herrick, 
who  entered  into  partnership  and  engaged  in  the 
business  in  that  location  in  June,  1876,  under 
the  firm  title  of  E.  A.  Hall  &  Co.  This  was 
changed  to  the  present  title  in  March,  1881. 
Their  stock  embraces  a  general  assortment  of 
ready-made  clothing,  hats,  caps,  and  gentlemen's 
furnishing  goods;  in  addition  to  which  they 
carry  on  a  merchant  tailoring  department,  and  a 


672 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sLirt  manufactory,  where  goods  are  made  up  to 
order  with  dispatch  in  the  most  approved  style. 
Their  establishment  employs  eight  to  ten  hands, 
besides  those  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  de- 
partments. The  house  does  a  large  retail  busi- 
ness, which  has  increased  a  hundred  per  cent,  in 
the  past  four  years. 

Mr.  Hall  is  a  native  of  Pekin,  Illinois,  born  in 
1845;  was  reared  and  educated  there,  and  from 
18G1  until  1876  was  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising, the  last  seven  years  as  proprietor  of 
the  business.  He  married  Miss  Frances  A. 
Myers,  of  Pekin,  in  the  spring  of  187.3.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Lodge,  Council, 
Chapter  and  Commandery. 

Mr.  Hei'rick  was  born  near  Montreal,  Canada, 
in  1844,  of  Vermont  parentage.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  years  he  went  to  the  city  of  Boston, 
and  for  twelve  years  was  identified  with  the 
gentlemen's  clothing  and  furnishing  trade. 
June  10,  1870,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  E. 
A.  Hall,  and  opened  the  business  in  Springfield, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Herrick  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Marie  E.  Bangle,  of  Massachusetts,  in 
1875.  One  daughter  has  been  born  of  this 
union.  Mr.  H.  is  a  Mason,  and  member  of 
Lodge,  Chapter  and  Commandery. 

3frs.  E.  JB.  Harlan  was  born  in  England, 
February  19,  1841,  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  Illinois  in  1856,  locating  in  Marion  county. 
Mrs.  Harlan  completed  her  education  in  Salem, 
Marion  county,  and  engaged  for  a  short  time  in 
teaching  in  Clay  city,  Illinois,  in  1861.  Mrs. 
Harlan,  whose  maiden  name  was  MaryA.  Crand- 
welljwas  married  toE.  B.  Harlan  on  July  4, 1864. 
She  removed  with  her  husband  to  Springfield  in 
186  .  He  died  in  18  75,  leaving  her  with  four 
children — Emma  C,  Paul  P.,  Edgar  A.,  and 
Brooks,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Springfield, 
save  the  first  named,  who  was  born  in  Louisville, 
Kentucky.  A  sketch  of  General  E.  B.  Harlan 
may  be  found  in  connection  with  "Illustiious 
Dead,"  on  page  512. 

Elizabeth  J.  Hatfield,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
widow  of  the  late  Rinaldo  B.  Hatfield,  was  born 
in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  February  18,  1836; 
is  the  daughter  of  Jonas,  farmer  and  stock 
dealer,  and  Mary  N.  (Headleston),  natives  of 
Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  Mrs.  Hatfield  was 
married  in  a  Baptist  Church  in  Scott  county, 
Illinois,  to  Rinaldo  B.  Hatfield,  deceased,  July 
20,  1856,  and  by  the  union  had  seven  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living,  viz  :  Mary  E.,  Emma 
E.,  Menter  J.,  and  Robert  L.  Mr.  Hatfield  was 
born  in  Ohio,  December  21,  1828,  and  son  of 
William  B.,    farmer,   and    Eliza    (Wilmington) 


Hatfield.  Mr.  Hatfield  finished  his  education  in 
a  public  High  School  in  Ohio,  after  which  he 
learned  engineering.  After  his  marriage  he 
turned  his  attention  to  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed one  year,  and  was  then  engaged  as  engi- 
neer in  Charles  Groves'  distillery,  Meredosia, 
Illinois,  which  position  he  held  until  he  enlisted 
in  the  late  war,  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred 
and  First  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers, 
August  6,  1862.  Mr.  Hatfield  was  taken 
prisoner  December  20,  1862,  and  retained  as 
such  for  three  months,  after  which  he  was  re- 
leased in  exchange,  June  8,  1863.  Mr.  Hatfield 
was  with  his  regiment  in  all  its  movements  and 
battles,  and  with  it  mustered  out  of  service  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  June  25,  1865,  having 
contracted  sickness  which  so  impaired  his  health 
that  he  was  unfit  for  physical  labor,  and  which 
finally  resulted  in  his  death,  March  24,  1872. 
He  was  promoted  from  the  rank  of  private  to 
that  of  sergeant,  which  he  held  to  the  end  of 
his  warfare.  Mrs.  Hatfield  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregationalist  Church,  and  her  daughter, 
Mary  E.,  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Eliphalet  Haicley,  deceased,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 17,  1782.  He  was  married  August  24,  1815, 
to  Elizabeth  McMurdy,  who  was  born  in  All  any, 
February  26,  1797,  and  of  Scotch  descent.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hawley  had  two  children  in  Albany 
previous  to  coming  here.  In  1821  he  purchased 
several  war  claims,  which  was  one  cause  of  his 
coming  West  to  locate  land.  He  started  out  with 
his  family  in  a  carriage,  hauling  their  household 
goods  in  a  wagon.  When  they  arrived  at  Olean 
Point,  on  the  Allegheny  river,  they  transferred 
their  goods  and  floated  down  to  Pittsburg,  where 
they  remained  until  the  next  spring.  Mr.  Hawley 
and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Wheelock  united  in 
purchasing  a  l)oat  in  which  their  two  families 
descended  the  Ohio  river  to  Shawneetown,  where 
they  arrived  in  April,  1822.  Mr.  Hawley  pro- 
ceeded to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  arrived 
the  last  of  April  or  the  first  of  May  the  same 
year,  and  located  in  Fancy  Creek  township. 
Previous  to  coming  west,  Mr.  IJawley  located 
his  war  claim  in  the  military  reservation  west  of 
the  Illinois  river,  and  began  improving  a  farm 
on  Spoon  river,  in  Fulton  county,  a  short  distance 
from  Havana.  June  21,  1822,  as  he  was  return- 
ing to  his  family  on  horse-back,  in  attempting 
to  swim  his  horse  across  Salt  Creek,  in  Mason 
count)-,  was  drowned.  The  horse  came  home, 
and  search  being  ma-de,  the  body  was  found  a 
week  later  and  interred.  The  widow  and  children 
removed  to  Springfield  the  next  winter.  Isaac 
A.    Hawley,  the   tecond    son   of  Eliphalet  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


673 


Elis^abeth  (McMurdy)  Hawley,  was  born  in 
Albany,  New  York,  November  •2Q,  1819.  When 
twelve  years  of  age,  he  commenced  clerking  in 
a  store,  which  he  followed,  in  connection  with 
merchandising,  twenty-five  years.  April  30,  1  8n  i , 
he  married  Miss  A.  Eliza  McCauley,  a  native 
of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  She  was 
born  .January  1 3,  1828.  They  have  one  daughter. 
In  1864  Mr.  H.  was  elected  County  Treasurer  of 
Sangamon  county,  which  office  he  tilled  with 
honor  to  himself  and  his  constituents.  He  says  he 
remembers  distinctly  when  the  mail  was  carried 
on  horseback  between  here  and  Edwardsville, 
making  one  trip  in  a  month.  He  is  at  present 
in  the  insurance  business.  He  has  lived  to  see 
Springfield  from  its  infancy  to  a  city  of  twenty- 
three  thousand  inhabitants,  and  the  wild  and  un- 
broken prairies  changed  to  beautiful  farms  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

Charles  E.  Hay,  of  Smith  &  Hay,  wholesale 
grocers,  was  born  in  Salem,  Indiana,  18 tl;  was 
brought  by  his  parents  in  infancy  to  Hancock 
coumy,  Illinois,  and  was  there  reared  and  edu- 
cated. At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  enlisted 
as  a  private  in  the  three  months  volunteer  ser- 
vice; August  5,  1861,  was  appointed  Second 
Lieutenant  in  the  Mounted  Riflemen,  whose  title 
was  changed  a  short  time  after  to  Cavalry;  Mr. 
Hay's  regiment  becoming  the  third  Illinois  Cav- 
alry, and  he  receiving  promotion  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant. From  the  fall  of  1861  till  the  summer 
of  1863,  he  served  as  a  staff  officer  on  the  staff 
of  General  David  Hunter.  He  was  then  taken 
sick,  which  necessitated  absence  from  his  regi- 
ment for  some  months;  rejoined  it,  and  at  Little 
Rock,  Arkansas,  in  October,  1865,  retired  from 
the  service  as  brevet  Captain,  and  the  same 
month  entered  the  grocery  business  in  Spring- 
field. In  the  spring  of  I  873,  Mr.  Hay  was  elected 
Mayor  of  the  city,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and 
was  again  elected  in  1875;  also  served  on  the 
Board  of  Education  one  year.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  taken  the 
Master's  Royal  Arch  and  Knight  Templar's  de- 
grees, and  is  Paiish  Clerk  in  the  Episcopal 
Church.  In  1865,  Mr.  Hay  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Mary  Ridgely,  daughter  of  N.  H. 
Ridgely,  President  of  the  Ridgely's  National 
Bank,  of  Springfield,  and  they  have  three  sons 
and  a  daughter  alive.  Mr.  Hay's  parents,  Charles 
and  Helen  (Leonard)  Hay,  reside  in  Warsaw, 
Hancock  county,  Illinois,  aged  respectively 
eighty  and  seventy-six  years.  His  paternal 
grandfather,  .John  Hay,  settled  in  Springfield 
about  1835,  and  was  a  resident  of  the  city  until 
his  death,  in  1865,  at  tiic  age  of  ninety.  I 


Williaiii  H.  JLiyden,  was  born  July  11,  1825, 
in  Boston,  Massachusetts,  and  is  the  son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Ann  Hayden,  natives  of  Massachusetts, 
and  descendants  of  Miles  Standish.    William  H. 
Hayden's  grandfather  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.     Mr.  Hayden  was  only  si.x  years 
old  when  his  parents  came  to  Alton,  Illinois,  in 
1831.  His  earlier  education  was  in  select  schools, 
and  afterwards  completed  in  Shurtleff  College, 
Alton,  Illinois,  in   1846.     After  his  school  days 
he  began  the  mercantile  business  by  clerking  in 
a  dry  goods  store  in  Alton,  and  subsequently  en- 
gaged in  the  drug  trade,  under  the  firm  name  of 
W.  A.  Ilolton  &,  Co.,  with  which  firm  he  con- 
tin\ied  until  the  fall  of  1849,  and  then  went  to 
St.  Louis  and  commenced  in  the  patent  medicine 
business,    which  he  closed  the  following   year. 
In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1850,  Mr.  Hayden 
was  given  a  position  in  the  St.  Louis  post  office, 
under  Postmaster  Archibald  Gambol,  in  which 
position  he  served  until  May,  1854,  then  he  be- 
came  book-keeper  in  the  wholesale  liquor  and 
commission   house  of  Houseman,  Smith  &  Co., 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  kept  their  accounts  un- 
til  the  last  of  June,   1857,   when  the  firm  dis- 
solved, and  Mr.  Hayden  formed  a  partnership 
with  a  retiring  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of 
J.  P.  Callahan  <fc  Co.,  as  rectifiers  and  general 
commission  merchants;  disposed  of  his  interest 
in  this  business,  June  30,  1859,  and  from  that 
time  to  the  opening  of  the  late  war,  was  engaged 
as  accountant  for  several  firms  in  St.  Louis.  Mr. 
Hayden  was  mustered  into  the   United  States 
service  with  a  military  company,   of  which  he 
was   a   member   for   three    months,  in   Reserve 
Corps,  in  Company  K,  ThirdRegiment,  and  parti- 
cipated in  the  capture  of  Camp  .Jackson;  then  the 
Coi'ps   was  ordered  to  RoUa,   Missouri,  to  hold 
that  position,  which  they  did  until  the  expiration 
of  their  time.     Before  he  was  mustered  out,  was 
detailed  to  the  Arsenal,  in  St.  Louis,  as  Instruc- 
tor in  Military  Tactics,  which  position  he  held 
until  the  middle  of  September,  1861,  when  he 
was  assigned  as  Instructor  of  Militarj'  Tactics  in 
Camp  Butler,  in  Clear  Lake,  Illinois;  remained 
there  one  month;  was  ordered  to  Camp  Dement, 
at  Dixon,  Illinois,  to  take  charge  of  the   camp 
and  assist  in  the  organization  of  a  regiment.    In 
.January,  1862,  occupied  position  of  Chief  Clerk 
in   the  Quartermaster's  Department,  in  Spring- 
Held,  Illinois,  for  southern  and   central  part  of  , 
the  State,  which  position  he  filled  honorably  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.     A  short  time  before  the 
war  closed,  he  accepted  a  position  as  chief  book- 
keeper in   the  First  National  Bank,  in  Spring- 
field, and  continued  his  services  with  the  bank 


674 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


for  tbirteen  years.  On  July  1,  ISTS,  Mr.  Hay- 
den  accepted  his  present  position  as  chief  clerk 
of  the  money  order  department  in  the  post  office, 
in  Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  Hayden  was  mar- 
ried in  St.  Louis,  January  27,  1848,  to  Margaret 
C.  Cohen,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  W. 
Cohen,  natives  of  Virginia;  Mr.  Cohen  was  one 
of  the  oldest  citizens  of  St.  Louis.  Mrs.  Hayden 
was  born  and  raised  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri;  her 
early  education  was  in  her  native  city,  and  com- 
pleted in  Monticello  Seminary,  Godfrey,  Illinois. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayden  had  seven  children,  of 
whom  three  are  living,  viz;  Albert  C,  Frank  N., 
and  Adeline  A.;  all  were  born  in  St.  Louis.  Mr. 
Hayden  located  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  May, 
1862.  United  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows  in  St.  Louis — Missouri  Lodge.  No. 
11.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayden  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Hayden  is 
an  elder;  and  he  has,  for  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen 
years,  been  actively  engaged  and  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  Sunday  school  work  of  the  city  and 
county;  and  for  the  last  eight  years,  has  con- 
ducted a  mission  at  what  is  known  as  "Grace 
Chapel,"  near  the  West  Coal  Shaft,  near  the  city. 
Miidoljjh  Hehceg,  of  the  firm  of  Helweg  & 
Snape,  plumbers,  gas  and  sieam-pipe  fitters, 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Germany,  and 
emigrated  to  America  in  1851,  and  landed  at 
New  York  City,  from  which  place  he  went  to 
Chicago,  atd  learned  the  trade  of  plumbing  and 
gas  fitting,  with  "William  Gwynn,  and  was  in 
his  employ  three  years,  then  came  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  in  July,  1854,  and  was  employed  by  the 
Springfield  (4as  Company,  which  tad  just  begun 
its  operations  at  above  given  date,  fie  worked 
with  this  company  about  seven  years,  or  till 
ISbl,  when  his  services  were  again  employed  by 
"William  Gwynn,  in  Springfield,  and  continued 
in  his  employ  till  1869,  when  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Robert  Snape,  which  partnership 
continues  under  the  title  of  Helweg  &:  Snape, 
plumbers,  gas  and  steam-pipe  fitters.  The  fiim 
deals  in  gas  fixtures,  and  is  the  leading  firm  of 
the  kind  in  Springfield. 

Carl  Albert  JJelmle,  a  native  of  Carlsruhe, 
capital  of  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Baden,  Germany, 
was  born  on  the  10th  of  September,  1827,  and 
is  the  son  of  Heinrich  Helmle  and  Carolina  wee 
Himmelheber.  The  family  was  one  of  the  old- 
est in  that  city. 

Carl  Albert  received  his  education  at  the  Ly- 
ceum of  Carlsruhe,  he  never  had  any  desire  to 
study  the  classics,  and  intended  to  enter  a  mili- 
tary academy,  but  was  finally  dissuaded  by  his 
mother,  a  highly  educated  lady,  and   influenced 


to  choose  a  mercantile  life.  Soon  after  this  he 
became  book-keeper  in  an  extensive  commission 
and  forwarding  house,  and  alter  leaving  this 
position,  accepted  a  situation  in  a  banking  house 
in  Brussels,  Belgium,  and  later  removed  to 
Paris.  Indoor  life  and  too  close  confinement 
began  to  impair  his  health,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  recuperating,  and  prompted  also,  by  his  love 
of  independence  and  liberty,  he  determined  to 
emigrate  to  America.  Accordingly  he  closed  up 
his  affairs  and  embarked,  arriving  in  New  York 
on  the  21st  of  November,  1849.  He  had  letters 
of  recommendation  to  leading  business  houses 
in  that  city,  but  feeling  that  his  health  demanded 
it,  he  went  west  to  Missouri  and  engaged  in 
farming.  Here,  on  the  20th  of  February,  1853, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Marie  Flesche.  In  June 
of  the  following  year,  not  succeeding  as  well  as 
he  had  anticipated  in  farming,  it  being  new  to 
him,  with  a  small  capital  he  removed  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  established  himself  in  the  tin 
and  stove  business,  and  continued  with  good 
success  till  April,  1857.  At  this  time  in  com- 
pany with  Frank  Reisch,  he  opened  a  general 
store,  and  later,  engaged  in  the  brewing  busi- 
ness, beginning  on  a  small  scale,  manufacturing 
only  one  thousand  barrels  during  the  first  year. 
Their  business  increased  gradually  from  year  to 
year.  In  1864  he  dissolved  partnership  with 
Mr.  Reisch  and  commenced  the  wholesale  liquor 
busmess,  in  which  he  still  continues,  having 
established  a  very  good  and  successful  trade 
throughout  the  center  of  the  State. 

He  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  has 
filled  various  public  offices,  has  had  numerous 
calls  to  accept  others,  but  his  tastes  have  led  him 
to  decline  the  honors. 

As  a  business  man,  Mr.  Helmle  is  prompt, 
systematic  and  accurate,  and  gives  his  personal 
attention  to  all  the  details  of  his  affairs.  In 
public  enterprises  he  has  always  taken  a  worthy 
part.  He  has  devoted  much  time  to  self-culture, 
and  from  his  extensive  reading  and  observation 
has  accumulated  a  most  valuable  fund  of  infor- 
mation and  experience  He  has  collected  a 
library  composed  of  many  rare  volumes,  and 
adorned  his  residence  with  valuable  paintings 
and  olher  works  of  art,  and,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  an  ample  competence,  lives  surrounded  by 
the  pleasures  and  comforts  of  a  happy  home. 

George  H.  Sehnle,  architect,  residence  430 
South  Fifth  street,  is  a  native  of  the  city  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  was  born  in  185-3,  Wil- 
liam and  Elise  (Warschutz)  Helmle,  his  parents 
emigrated  from  Germany  to  America  in  1849, 
and  settled  in  Springfield,  where  they  still  re- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


675 


side.  George  was  educated  in  the  city  schools, 
and  having  a  natural  tact  and  taste  for  drawing, 
took  lessons  in  that  art  in  the  city,  in  1867-08. 
The  following  year  he  entered  the  office  of 
E.  E.  Myers,  since  moved  to  Detroit,  Michi- 
gan, and  one  of  the  most  prominent  architects 
in  the  United  States.  Young  lie  mle  remained 
there  as  draughtsman  two  years,  when,  receiving 
an  offer  from  Helena,  Arkansas,  to  make  plans 
for  a  Masonic  temple,  which  was  to  cost  $30,- 
000,  ^he  accepted,  and  forming  a  partnership 
with  John  A.  McKay,  and  superintended  the 
erection  of  the  building.  Subsequently  he  made 
the  plan  for  the  Arkansas  State  University, 
which  drew  the  prize  of  |1,500,  won  in  competi- 
tion with  architects  from  St.  Louis  and  various 
other  cities.  During  the  two  years  of  Mr. 
Helmle's  stay  in  Helena,  he  and  his  partner 
made  plans  for  and  constructed  a  number  of 
other  buildings  in  that  and  other  towns,  that  re- 
ceived flattering  eulogies  from  the  public  press 
of  that  State.  In  1872,  Mr.  Helmle  went  to 
Chicago,  and  spent  two  years,  one  in  the  archi- 
tect's office  of  W.  A.  Furber,  and  one  in  the  of- 
fice of  W.  J.  Edbrooke,  during  the  re-building 
of  the  city  after  the  great  tire.  Returning  to 
Springfield,  in  1874,  he  has  since  furnished  plans 
for  many  elegant  dwellings  in  and  about  the 
city,  among  them  B.  F.  Caldwell,  of  Curran 
township.  Dr.  L.  Gillett's,  of  Buffalo;  Hiram  E. 
Gardner's,  of  Gardner;  Daniel  Waters,  of  Coop- 
er, in  the  country,  and  George  P.  Bowen's,  A. 
H.  Fisher's,  Frank  Reisch's,  John  T.  Peters,  H. 
K.  Webber's,  and  others  of  the  city.  He  has, 
during  1881,  made  plans  for  buildings.  Besides 
his  architectural  work,  Mr.  llelmle  has  kept  the 
books  of  the  l-irst  National  Bank,  of  Spring- 
field, for  three  years. 

In  1876,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Min- 
nie Whitehurst,  also  of  Springfield,  daughter  of 
Stephen  S.  Whitehurst  and  Maria  Matheny,  who 
i.s  a  daughter  of  Ciiarles  R.  Matheny,  and  still 
resides  in  Springfield. 

a.  F.  Ilerndoii  &  Co.,  dry  goods  merchants, 
is  composed  of  Richard  F.  Ilerndon  and  John 
T.  Grinisley.  They  established  their  business, 
which  is  now  one  of  the  largest  and  most  pros- 
perous retail  houses  in  Central  Illinois,  in  1866, 
on  South  Sixth  street,  moved  in  1871  to  the 
south  side  of  the  square,  and  in  the  tall  of  1881, 
to  the  new  Passfield  block,  northwest  corner  of 
Adams  and  Fifth  streets,  southwest  corner  of 
the  square,  where  they  have  the  most  elegant 
store  in  the  Capital  City.  The  firm  carries  a 
large  and  complete  stock  of  staple  and  fancy 
dry  goods,  dress   goods,    laces   and     millinery. 


They  also  conduct  a  large  manufacturing  de- 
partment, devoted  to  ladies'  suits,  cloaks  and 
millinery  to  orjer.  The  firm  occupies  three 
floors  of  this  splendid  building,  besides  the  base- 
ment, which  is  devoted  to  domestics.  The  first 
floor  is  a  magnificent  double  corner  room, heated 
by  steam,  and  communicating  with  stories  above 
by  elevator.  This  room  is  devoted  to  dress 
goods,  silks,  satins,  hosiery,  kid  gloves,  &c.  The 
second  floor  is  stocked  with  ready-made  suits, 
wrappings  and  millinery.  The  third  floor  is 
forty  by  ninety  feet  in  area,  and  is  entirely  de- 
voted to  manufacturing,  where  fifty  to  seventy- 
five  hands  are  employed.  This  extensive  retail 
business  is  conducted  almost  entirely  upon  the 
cash  system.  The  partners  are  both  thorough- 
going, practical  merchants. 

Mr.  Herndon  was  born  in  18-tl,  in  Kentucky; 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, in  1843.  His  father,  Richard  Herndon, 
engaged  for  a  number  of  years  in  a  general  mer- 
cantile business,  from  which  he  retired  some 
years  prior  to  his  death,  in  1857.  Richard  served 
an  apprenticeship  of  seven  years  with  Messrs 
Condell  &  Co.;  was  two  years  with  Matheny  & 
Co.,  then  in  1866  opened  the  store  on  South 
Sixth  street,  above  noted.  Mr.  Herndon  has 
never  married. 

Charles  A.  Herrmann  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany,  August,  1827, 
where  he  followed  woolen  and  silk  weaving.  He 
married  Miss  Rosetta  H.  Reddie,  who  was  born 
in  Germany,  April  29,  1829.  By  this  union 
there  were  twelve  children,  seven  of  whom  are 
living:  Charles  A.,  Emil  R.,  Matilda  F.,  Min- 
nie S.,  Louisa  A.,  Adeline  S.,  and  Flora  H. 
In  June,  18.55,  they  landed  in  New  York;  came 
in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  were  seven  weeks  mak- 
ing the  trip.  He  first  located  in  Champaign 
county  Illinois,  where  he  worked  by  the  month; 
remained  there  a  couple  of  years,  when  he  con- 
cluded to  go  to  Kansas,  or  Nebraska;  he  in- 
tended to  make  a  farm,  but  not  liking  the  coun- 
try, returned  to  Springfield,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed in  the  woolen  mills.  In  1862  he  enlisted 
in  the  Twenty-ninth  Missouri  Infantry  and  par- 
ticipated in  several  engagements;  was  wounded 
in  the  heel  by  a  piece  of  shell  at  the  battle  of 
Chickasaw  Mountain;  being  unfit  for  active  ser- 
vice, was  honorably  discharged.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  has  a 
property  in  Springfield  valued  at  $2,000. 

Thomas  C.  Jlenkle  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  January  15,  1850,  and  in 
1866  moved  with  his  parents  to  Decatur,  Illinois, 
where  he  graduated  at  the  High  School  in  1865. 


676 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


In  1  868,  he  returtied  to  Springfield,  and  January, 
1869,  was  emploj-ed  as  book-keeper  in  ilie  whole- 
sale grocery  store  of  J.  &  J.  W.  Bunn,  and  held 
that  position  ten  years,  when  he  was  made  mana- 
ger, a  position  he  still  retains,  the  firm  now  being 
John  W.  Bunn  &  Co.  The  father  of  Thomas  C, 
Enos  Henkle,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Virginia, 
February  10,  1810;  he  is  a  wagon-maker  by 
trade,  and  is  still  living  in  Springfield,  Illinois; 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
His  wife,  Martha  Condell,  born  in  Ireland;  she 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  is  also  living  in  this  city.  She  was  the 
mother  of  five  children,  four  living:  Albert  E., 
living  in  Springfield,  Superintendent  of  the 
Hominy  Mills;  Thomas  C  Henkle,  Will  H. 
Henkle,  chief  clerk  in  the  Auditor's  office,  and 
Miss  S.  E.  Prather.  Mr.  P.  C.  Henkle,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  was  married  to  Miss  E.  J. 
Huntington,  April  20,  1874.  She  was  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  April  21,  1854.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  George  L.  Huntington.  He  was  an 
old  settler  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  was 
for  many  years  engaged  in  the  lumber  business. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
his  wife,  Hannah  L.  Forbes,  was  born  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine 
children,  eight  living.  Mr.  T.  C.  Henkle  is  a 
member  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Springfield,  and  Mrs.  Henkle  is  a  member  of 
the  Episcopal  Church.  They  have  three  child- 
ren, namely:  Ella  J.,  Leonora,  and  John  B.  Hen- 
kle. In  politics,  Mr.  Henkle  is  a  Republican, 
and  a  strong  supporter  of  that  party,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grantfor  President  of  the 
United  States. 

i.  James  Hickox,  owner  of  the  Excelsior 
Mills,  is  the  only  son  of  Martin  and  Mary 
Hickox,  nee  James.  Martin  Hickox  was  boi'n  on 
Spring  Creek,  two  miles  from  Springfield,  and 
was  the  son  of  Addison  Hickox  and  Rhoda 
Stanley.  He  married  Miss  James,  a  native  of 
Atlanta,  Logan  county,  Illinois,  who  died  when 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  fifteen  months  old. 
His  father  made  milling  the  chief  business  of 
his  life,  as  did  the  graudsire  and  his  three  other 
sons.  Martin  died  March  11,  1878,  in  the  forty- 
first  year  of  his  age.  He  left  an  estate  consist- 
ing of  the  Excelsior  Mills  and  other  city  prop- 
erty. These  mills  have  lately  been  remodeled 
and  refvirnished  with  the  most  approved  machin- 
ery for  manufacturing  the  "New  Process"  fiour, 
and  have  a  capacity  of  one  hundred  barrets  in 
twenty-four  hours. 

Doiu/las  Hickox,  proprietor  of  Excelsior  Mill, 
East  Adams  street,  is  one  of  a  family  of   five 


children,  fonr  sons  and  a  daughter,  of  Addison 
and  Rhoda  (Stanley)  Hickox,  and  was  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1846.  He  graduated 
from  the  city  schools,  and  at  eighteen  years  of 
age  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  which  he 
has  continuously  pursued,  save  about  eight  years 
during  which  he  conducted  a  steam  laundry  in 
the  city.  He  was  joint  proprietor  with  his  father 
of  the  ^Etna  Mill,  for  some  years,  and  since  Feb- 
ruary, 1881,  has  run  the  Excelsior  Mill.  Mr. 
Hickox  married  Martha  J.,  daughter  of  James 
W.  Keyes,  in  September,  1867.  They  have  four 
children,  two  of  each  sex. 

Addison  Hickox  was  born  in  Jefferson  county 
New  York,  and  married  Rhoda  Stanley,  of  that 
county;  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  183.3, 
and  soon  after  erected  the  Sjjring  Creek  Mill, 
two  miles  north-west  of  the  city,  and  the  only 
ffouring  mill  within  a  radivis  of  eighty  miles  at 
that  time.  He  was  subsequently  interested  in 
the  building  and  ownership  of  a  number  of  mills 
in  the  city.  At  one  time  he  and  his  four  sons, 
all  practical  millers,  owned  three  and  operated 
two  others — five  in  all — -in  Springfield.  After 
more  than  a  third  of  a  century  of  active  life  in 
the  milling  business  in  Sangamon  county;  years, 
prolific  in  good  results  to  the  community  in  this 
branch  of  industry,  Mr.  Hickox  died  in  January, 
1872,  in  Florida,  where  he  was  spending  the 
winter.  He  left  a  valuable  estate  to  his  widow 
and  family.  Only  three  of  their  family  of  five 
children  are  now  alive. 

J.  A.  Higgins,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Crawford  county,  Illinois,  December 
23,  1831;  sou  of  James  and  Julia  Higgins, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to  this  State  in 
1818,  and  located  in  Crawford  county,  and  fol- 
lowed farming;  afterwards  engaged  in  the  dis- 
tillery business  and  buying  and  feeding  stock, 
which  he  sold  in  St.  Louis;  father  and  mother 
are  still  living  in  Missouri,  and  have  lived  to- 
gether over  fifty  years.  The)'  came  to  the  State 
when  it  was  a  wild,  unsettled  country,  previous 
to  the  Indians  leaving.  The  Higgins  family 
were  large,  powerful,  athletic  men  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  raised  on  a  farm.  When 
eight  years  of  age,  his  father  moved  to  Alabama 
and  engaged  ingrowing  cotton;  remained  only  a 
few  years.  When  ten  years  of  age,  his  father 
moved  to  St.  Louis,  where  J.  A.  was  placed  in 
the  Mound  Academy,  and  pursued  his  studies 
four  years.  In  the  fall  of  1846,  they  moved  to 
VanBuren  county,  Iowa,  then  a  Territory,  where 
he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1848,  then  returned 
to  St.  Louis,  where  he  intended  to  learn  the 
trade  of  ship  carpentering.     His  health  failing, 


(f.. 


tl-U/ra 


'O^oM^J^TfCyrn^  c4z 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


6V9 


by  gave  up  bis  trade  and  went  toJVIaooupin  county, 
Illinois.  Here  he  turned  his  attention  to  car- 
pentering, forming  a  partnership  with  Isaac  Fer- 
ris. January  25,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Nancy 
Mitchell,  daughter  of  Dr.  Ambrose  Mitchell,  an 
early  settler  of  the  State;  she  died  in  the  spring 
of  1872,  leaving  four  children — two  sons  and 
two  daughters.  After  marrying,  Mr.  H.  con- 
tinued his  business,  and  in  the  meantime  read 
medicine  with  Dr.  Mitchell,  and  finally  turned 
bis  whole  attention  to  bis  profession.  In  the 
spring  of  1875,  be  came  to  Springfield,  where 
be  has  met  with  good  success.  In  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  the  Third  Illinois  Cavalry,  Company  L., 
D.  R.  Sparks  commanding.  His  father  was  a 
Union  man,  and  when  the  rebellion  broke  out 
be  said  to  his  two  sons,  of  which  the  Doc- 
tor was  one:  "Your  great  grandfather  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War;  your  grand- 
father was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  181'i;  you  bad 
two  uncles  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  if  you  do 
not  enlist  for  the  cause  of  the  Union,  I  will 
shoulder  my  musket  and  go."  (He  was  then 
over  fifty  years  old.)  It  is  enough  to  say  that 
the  boys  went,  and  served  with  honor  to  them- 
selves and  the  cause,  participating  in  several 
engagements,  viz:  First  battle  of  Pea  Ridge, 
Yazoo  River,  where  General  Sherman  met  his 
first  defeat;  Fort  Gibson  and  Champion  Hills. 
Previous  to  the  battles  of  Fort  Gibson  and 
Champion  Hills,  the  Doctor  had  the  small-pox, 
leaving  him  in  a  weak  condition,  and  fatigue 
and  excitement  so  unnerved  him  that  he  was 
not  tit  for  active  service;  be  was  discharged  for 
disability  in  June,  186:3.  He  married  for  his 
second  wife,  Miss  Relief  Guderman,  daughter 
of  William  M.  Olney,  of  New  Jersey.  The 
Doctor  is  a  relative  of  Tom  Higgins,  an  old  In- 
dian fighter,  who  participated  in  one  of  the  most 
desperate  single-handed  combats  with  the  Indians 
ever  fought  on  the  soil  of  Illinois,  August  21, 
1814.  Mr.  Higgins  was  about  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  of  muscular  build,  not  tall,  but  strong 
and  active. 

Charles  L.  Soyt,  Superintendent  of  the  Spring- 
field Watch  Factory,  is  a  native  of  Middleburg, 
New  York,  born  in  1828;  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  was  there 
reared  and  educated.  He  learned  the  trade  of 
watch  making  in  Rochester,  that  State,  where  he 
carried  on  the  business  nine  years.  Moving  to 
Romeo,  Michigan,  he  continued  at  bis  trade  until 
the  Pike's  Peak  gold  excitement  arose,  in  1860, 
when  he  joined  the  throng  of  gold  seekers,  and 
spent  nearly  a  year  in  Colorado.  He  then  re- 
turned to  Detroit,  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 

79— 


large  wholesale  and  retail  watch  and  jewelry 
houMe  of  M.  S.  Smith  &,  Co.  While  there,  be 
invented  a  very  superior  watch,  which  he  named 
"Our  Watch,''  and  made  about  a  hundred  move- 
ments, worth  $150  each.  He  sold  his  tools  and 
materials  to  accept  the  Superintendency  of  the 
Freeport  Watch  Factory,  which  position  he  fiUtd 
till  it  was  destroyed  by  fire,  in  October,  1875. 
Subsequently,  he  had  charge  of  the  escapement 
department  of  the  Rockford  Watch  Factory  five 
years,  and  resigned  that  place  to  become  Super- 
intendent for  the  Illinois  Watch  Company,  in 
October,  1880.  Mr.  Hoyt  married  S.ifiona  A. 
Leet,  a  native  of  Genesee  county.  New  York, 
thirty  years  ago.     Flora  Hoyt  is  their  only  child. 

Lawrence  A.  Hudson,  news  dealer,  was  born 
in  Nelson  county,  Kentucky,  in  December,  1819. 
His  early  life  was  passed  in  that  and  the  Middle 
States;  was  educated  at  Elizabeth,  Kentucky, 
and  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  taught 
school  in  Pennsylvania,  Ohio  and  Virginia;  was 
some  time  a  teacher  in  Morgantown  Academy, 
in  the  latter  State.  During  the  great  excitement 
growing  out  of  the  discovery  of  gold  in  Califor- 
nia, Mr.  Hudson,  like  many  others,  was  seized 
with  a  desire  to  become  suddenly  rich,  and  act- 
ing on  that  impulse,  he  went  over-land  in  18-19, 
to  the  great  gold  fields  of  the  Far  West.  He  was 
in  Kansas  during  the  exciting  times  of  the  "  Bor- 
der Ruflian  War,"  and  was  with  John  Brown  in 
Ohio,  previous  to  bis  memorable  and  historic  raid 
on  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia.  Mr.  Hudson  entered 
the  Union  army  as  a  member  of  the  Second 
Missouri  Infantry,  Three  Months'  Volunteers,  in 
1861;  was  in  the  battles  of  Booneville  and  Wil- 
son's Creek,  Missouri,  and  was  taken  prisoner  in 
the  latter.  He  re-enlisted  April  18,  1862,  in 
an  Independent  Missouri  Cavalry  company, 
which  was  afterwards  consolidated  into  the 
Tenth  Missouri  Cavalry,  United  States  Volun- 
teers. In  August,  1802,  he  was  injured  in  a 
cavalry  charge  near  Moore's  Mill,  Missouri,  i-e- 
ceiving  a  compound  fracture  of  the  right  thigh 
and  a  fracture  of  the  right  arm.  After  having 
sufiiciently  recovered  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  assigned  to  clerical 
duty  at  post  headquarters,  until  discharged,  Sep- 
tember 10,  1863,  and  mustered  out  as  a  member 
of  the  Third  Regiment  Missouri  Cavalry,  United 
States  Volunteers. 

Mr.  Hudson  re-entered  government  employ  as 
special  agent  in  the  United  States  Secret  Service, 
and  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the 
war;  during  which  be  visited  numerous  cities 
and  important  points  within  the  rebellious  States, 
made  the  acquaintance  and   enjoyed  the  confi- 


6S0 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


dence  of  many  prominent  members  of  the 
Southern  Confederacy,  both  in  civil  and  military 
life;  and  through  their  faith  imposed  in  him  he 
learned  and  communicated  much  information  of 
great  value  to  the  government  at  Washington, 
and  the  chiefs  of  the  departments  in  the  field. 
He  unearthed  and  exposed  many  plots  and 
schemes  of  rebels,  planned  under  the  knowledge 
of,  and  in  numerous  instances  in  concert  with 
arrant  traitors  "in  blue"  and  in  government  em- 
ploy, for  destroying  Union  property,  thwarting 
the  movements  of  the  Union  armies,  encourag- 
ing desertions  and  devastating  the  Northern 
Slates,  by  erecting  a  Northwestern  Confederacy, 
that  were  startling  in  their  conception,  and  would 
have  been  terrible  in  their  results  had  they  not 
been  suppressed  in  their  infancy.  As  an  indis- 
putable evidence  of  the  important  duties  he  per- 
formed, and  the  implicit  confidence  imposed  in 
him  as  an  officer  and  a  man,  Mr.  Hudson  has  in 
his  possession  a  number  of  autograph  letters 
written  by  General  ^V.  S.  Rosecrans,  General 
G.  M.  Dodge,  General  J.  H.  Baker,  Provost 
Marshal  General  of  the  Department  of  Missouri; 
Hon.  Joseph  Holt,  Judge  Advocate  General,  and 
othei  distinguished  oificers,  which  speak  of  his 
great  efficiency  as  a  special  agent  in  the  Secret 
Service,  detail  the  valuable  services  pei-formed, 
in  strong  terms  of  commendation,  showing  him 
to  have  been  one  of  the  most  valued  and  trusted 
men  in  that  branch  of  service.  The  Bureau  of 
Military  Justice  has  reports  there  made  through 
Mr.  Hudson  to  Colonel  Sanderson,  to  General 
Rosecrans,  that  would  startle  the  Nation.  Some 
of  those  official  documents  and  duplicate  reports 
embody  a  fund  of  information  combined  with 
strange  and  startling  experiences  and  critical 
situations  which  render  them  as  entertaining  as 
any  romance. 

in  1859,  Mr.  Hudson  married  Miss  Delia  J. 
Reid,  in  Missouri,  a  native  of  Yirginia.  They 
have  three  dead  and  four  surviving  children, 
(Albert  Eugene,  Noble  Reid,  Oliver  Goldsmith, 
and  Fanny  Hale  Hudson.  Mr.  H.  first  visited 
Springfield  in  18.59,  and  made  several  subsequent 
visits  to  the  place  before  settling  here  in  1874. 
After  leaving  the  service  of  the  Government  he 
kept  books  in  Jefferson  City  and  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri. In  August,  1878,  he  engaged  in  the 
news  business  here,  handling  the  leading 
western  metropolitan  daily  and  weekly  jour- 
nals, since  which  time  he  has  by  great  industry 
and  economy  made  enough  money  to  support 
his  family  and  paj^  for  a  comfortable  home  on 
Reynolds  street,  worth  -*!2,Ono.  Owing  to  his 
entering  the  army  as  a  member  of  an  indepen- 


dent company  of  State  troops,  Mr.  H.  has  never 
yet  received  any  pension,  though  disabled  per- 
manently by  his  injuries,  but  now  hopes  to  over- 
come the  obstacle  in  the  near  future. 

William  iS.  Hunter,  clothing  merchant  and 
merchant  tailor,  125  south  Fifth  street,  west 
side  of  square,  has  been  connected  with  the 
clothing  trade  of  Springfield  as  salesman  ten 
years,  and  for  about  two  years  in  the  cajiacity 
of  manager  of  the  establishment  of  which  he 
has  been  sole  proprietor  since  July  1,  1881.  He 
carries  a  complete  stock  of  ready-made  clothing 
and  gentlemen's  furnishings,  in  medium  and  fine 
goods,  and  in  his  merchant  tailoring  department 
he  makes  a  specialty  of  the  best  grades  of  cloths 
and  suitings  in  the  market,  of  domestic  and  for- 
eign manufacture.  In  this  department  Mr. 
Hunter  employs  the  most  skilled  workmen,  and 
does  a  large  business,  occuj^ying  from  twelve  to 
fifteen  hands.  The  active  capital  invested  is 
upwards  of  |iL'0,000,  and  the  annual  sales  run 
from  $30,000  to  S40,000.  Mr.  Hunter  is  a  native 
of  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  and  is  twenty- 
nine  years  of  age.  His  parents,  William  S.,  and 
Mary  (Brown)  Hunter,  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1852,  and  several 
years  later  to  Logan  county,  where  his  father 
died  in  18'73.  His  mother  is  now  a  resident  of 
Springfield.  William  was  sent  back  to  his  na- 
tive State  and  educated  in  a  private  school.  He 
married  Bebert  Merriman  in  1879.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  George  B.  Merriman,  deceased,  and 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 

Albert  L.  Ide.  proprietor  of  Ide's  Machine 
Works,  corner  Fifth  and  Madison  streets,  was 
born  in  Waupaukenata,  Loraine  county,  Ohio, 
in  March,  1841,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  when  two  years  old. 
In  1856  he  began  learning  the  machinist's  trade 
with  Campbt-U  &  Richardson,  in  Springfield. 
He  enlisted  upon  the  first  call  for  three  months' 
troops  in  the  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry;  at  the 
expiration  of  service  was  appointed  Drill  Master 
at  Camp  Butler,  and  drilled  officers  for  a  year; 
then  enlisted  and  was  made  Major  of  the  Thirty- 
second  Illinois  Infantry,  but  soon  after,  having 
a  long  illness  with  typhoid  fever,  was  discharged. 
In  1862  he  embarked  in  the  jewelry  and  army 
supply  business,  continuing  until  several  months 
after  the  war  closed.  He  then  spent  two  years 
in  building  and  equipping  the  Fifth  street  line 
of  the  Springfield  City  Railway  Comjiany,  of 
which  he  is  now  President.  After  this  he  en- 
gaged in  manufacturing  steam-heating  apparatus 
and  has  been  continuously  in  the  business  since. 
Besides  building  up  a  verv  extensive  trade  in 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


OSl 


this  line,  Mr.  Ide  has  added  the  foundry  and 
manufactory  of  general  machinery,  emploj  ing  in 
all  sixty  to  seventy-five  men,  and  in  1880  did  a 
business  of  S3v 5,000. 

Robert  Irm'n,  deceased,  was  born  in  Williams- 
port,  Pennsylvania.  Subsequently,  he  removed 
to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  trade  with  John  and  Augustus  Carr. 
Dissolving  his  connection  with  the  firm,  in  1834, 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  formed 
a  partnership  with  John  Williams,  one  of  the 
pioneer  merchants  of  the  city,  in  the  dry  goods 
trade.  Subsequently,  he  was  connected  with 
his  brother,  John  Irwin,  in  the  same  business. 
When  the  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Company 
was  organized,  he  became  identified  with  it,  and 
became  its  secretary,  remaining  in  that  connec- 
tion until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  8, 
1865. 

Robert  Irwin  and  Clara  C.  Doyle  were  united 
in  marriage  in  May,  1833.  Three  children  were 
born  unto  them,  two  daughteis  and  one  son. 

Robert  Irwin  was  an  active  business  man,  and 
whatever  enterprise  engaged  his  attention,  he 
entered  into  it  with  his  whole  soul.  He  was  an 
intimate  personal  friend  of  that  great  and  good 
man,  Abraham  Lincoln.  Shortly  after  Mr.  Lin- 
coln was  first  inaugurated,  and  under  date  of 
March  20,  1861,  he  wrote  Mr.  Irwin  in  relation 
to  an  applicant  for  office  in  one  of  the  eastern 
States,  who  gave  the  name  of  Mr.  Irwin  as  ref- 
erence. Mr.  Lincoln  pathetically  closed  bis 
letter,  "Your  tired  friend,  A.  Lincoln."  Yes, 
he  was  tired,  poor  man,  and  never  found  rest 
this  side  the  Jordan  of  death. 

When  the  war  broke  out,  Mr.  Irwin  entered 
into  the  work,  and  ceased  not  to  labor  until 
death  claimed  him  as  his  own.  The  "boys  in 
blue"  were  ever  a  subject  of  the  utmost  concern 
with  him,  and  he  could  not  do  too  much  to  alle- 
viate their  suflPerings.  As  a  member  of  the  State 
Sanitary  Commission,  he  gave  time  and  money 
to  help  on  the  noble  work  in  which  its  members 
were  engaged.  On  his  death,  the  directors  held 
a  meeting,  and  passed  the  following  preamble 
and  resolutions: 

"Wheeeas,  The  Almighty  Disposer  of  events 
in  the  execution  of  His  wise  purposes,  has  re- 
cently terminated  the  earthly  life  and  usefidness 
of  our  late  friend  and  fellow  counselor,  Robert 
Irwin,  Esq.,  of  this  city,  by  removing  him  to  a 
more  exalted  and  holier  state  of  existence;  there- 
fore, 

"JResolved,  That  while  we  bow  with  unmurmur- 
ing submissiveness  to  thisafflictive  dispensation, 
we  cannot  but  deeply   deplore  the    severe   loss 


which  our  commission — the  sanitary  cause,  and 
society  at  large  have  sustained  in  the  death  of 
this  well-known  estimable  citizeti. 

'■'■  liesolvcd ,  That  the  ardent  and  consistent  pat- 
riotism of  Mr.  Irwin,  his  high-toned  benevolence 
and  incorruptible  integrity,  are  worthy  of  our 
highest  admiration  and  closest  imitation;  and 
the  memory  of  them  will  be  cherished  amongst 
our  fondest  recollections  of  the  mutual  endeavors 
we  have  made  during  the  last  four  years,  to  as- 
sist our  country  in  her  fearful  struggle  against 
that  gigantic  Rebellion  which  has  spread  death 
and  desolation  over  so  much  of  our  land." 

The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Marine  and 
Fire  Insurance  Company  held  a  meeting  and 
adopted  the  following: 

Whereas,  By  the  death  of  Robert  Irwin,  this 
company  has  sustained  an  irreparable  loss;  there- 
fore, be  it 

"liesolved,  by  the  Hoard  of  Directors  of  the 
Springfield  Marine  and  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany, That  in  the  death  of  Robert  Irwin,  Secre- 
tary of  this  Institution,  we  have  lost  a  capable 
and  efficient  officer,  an  honest  and  faithful  coun- 
sellor, and  the  community  a  genial  and  warm- 
hearted friend;  and  that  the  death  of  our  friend 
and  associate  has  left  an  official  and  social  void 
that  cannot  be  filled;  the  integrity  of  whoso  life 
has  left  a  noble  example,  worthy  of  all  imita- 
tion." 

The  foregoing  resolutions  show  the  esteem  in 
which  Mr.  Irwin  was  held  by  his  associates,  and 
the  resolutions  were  but  an  echo  of  the  voice  of 
the  whole  community.  Mr.  Irwin  was  laid  away 
to  rest  in  Oakwood  Cemetery. 

Elijah  lies. — On  page  580  of  this  work,  will 
be  found  a  very  interesting  reminiscence  from 
the  pen  of  Mr.  lies,  embracing  a  brief  sketch  of 
his  own  life. 

Edward  R.  Ives,  grocer,  corner  of  Eleventh 
and  Monroe  streets,  has  been  doing  a  general 
retail  grocery  business  in  that  location  more 
than  six  years.  He  keeps  in  stock  a  choice  line 
of  goods,  and  has  a  prosperous  and  growing 
local  trade.  Mr.  Ives  is  an  Eastern  man  .  born 
in  Rhode  Island,  in  1850.  His  parents,  David 
S.  and  Catharine  H.  (Thorn)  Ives,  were  born  in 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  respectively.  They 
moved  to  Springfield  in  1854.  His  father  has 
been  in  the  railroad  business  for  a  third  of  a 
century,  and  is  now  connected  with  the  Wabash 
Company.  Edward  was  educated  in  the  schools 
of  the  city,  and  started  at  the  age  of  sixteen  to 
learn  practical  civil  engineering,  on  the  Wabash 
railroad,  in  which  he  spent  two  years.  At  the 
end  of  this  time,   he  was  made  Ticket   Agent 


689 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tor  the  company,  at  Springfield,  and  held  the 
position  about  seven  years,  when  ill  health 
compelled  him  to  resign  in  May,  1875.  He 
immediately  embarked  in  his  present  business. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Capital  Lodge,  No.  14  In  1873  Mr.  Ives  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Saliie  E.  Ray,  a  native  of 
Sangamon  county,  and  one  son,  Edward  C. 
Ives,  has  been  born  to  them,  now  aged  eight 
years.  Mr.  Ives'  parents  reside  in  Springfield, 
and  have  a  family  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  second  in 
age. 

John  G.  Ives,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of 
Trade,  has  been  a  resident  of  Springfield  since 
1839.  He  was  born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York, 
in  1818;  learned  the  jeweler's  and  watch  maker's 
trade  in  his  native  State,  and  worked  at  the  bench 
there,  and  after  coming  to  Springfield,  until 
1853.  In  that  year  he  erected  the  Jlltna  mill 
and  run  it  ten  years.  He  sold  it  in  1805,  and 
the  two  following  years,  18(56  and  1807,  he  tilled 
the  office  of  Treasurer  of  Sangamon  county,  be- 
ing elected  on  the  Republican  ticket  against  a 
usual  Democratic  majority  of  several  hundred. 
Since  retiring  from  tliat  ofiice,  Mr.  Ives  has  been 
chiefly  identified  with  the  grain  traffic.  He  was 
also  twice  elected  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 
In  1843,  he  married  Miss  Abigal  Watson,  a  na- 
tive of  Nashville,  Tennessee.  They  have  three 
sons  and  a  daughter,  the  latter  married  and  liv- 
ing in  Denver,  Colorado.  One  of  the  sons  is 
there  also,  the  other  two  reside  in  Springfield. 
Mr.  Ives  is  a  Master  in  the  Masonic  (3rder.  was 
for  many  years  an  active  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  a  number  of  years  Treasurer  of  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

David  S.  Ives,  Chief  Clerk,  road  department, 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway,  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  was  born  in  Connecticut,  August 
31,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Cather- 
ine Ives,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey, 
respecti vel  y.  Mr.  Ives  received  a  common  school 
education  in  New  Jersey,  and  at  the  age  pf  fifteen 
began  to  clerk  in  a  foreign  commission  house  in 
New  York  City,  continuing  in  this  position  in 
the  counting  room  till  1837,  and  then  entered  his 
railroad  career  by  being  employed  as  clerk  in  one 
of  the  departments  of  the  Long  Island  Railroad, 
of  which  road  he  afterwards  became  Superin- 
tendent, remaining  in  the  seTvice  till  1850.  In 
18.^0,  he  came  to  Illinois,  in  the  service  of  the 
old  (xreat  Western  Railroad,  and  was  in  charge 
of  that  work  until  its  completion  to  Indiana 
Stale  line,  after  which  he  was  variously  employed 
in    the   construction    of  several    railroads    until 


1873,  he  was  offered  and  accepted  the  position 
he  now  holds — as  Chief  Clerk,  road  department, 
of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railway. 
IVilliam  Jayne,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  October, 
1826,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  is  consequently 
one  of  the  oldest  residents  now  living  in  the 
city.  Dr.  Gershom  Jayne,  his  fatlier,  was  a 
native  of  Orange  county,  New  York,  born  in 
October,  1791.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  is 
one  of  their  six  children.  He  read  medicine 
under  his  father's  preceptorship,  attended  medi- 
cal lectures  at  Missouri  University,  St.  Louis, 
from  which  he  graduated  in  1849,  and  at  once 
entered  the  practice  of  medicine,  which  was 
interrupted  at  the  end  of  ten  years  by  his  being 
elected  Mayor  of  the  city  in  1859.  In  1860  he 
was  elected  State  Senator  to  represent  the  coun- 
ties of  Sangamon  and  Morgan,  for  the  term  of 
four  years;  but  being  appointed  the  first  Terri- 
torial Governor  of  Dakota,  by  President  Lin- 
coln, he  resigned  in  1861  to  accept  that  office. 
In  1862  Dr.  Jayne  was  sent  to  Congress  from 
that  Territory,  which  he  represented  in  that 
body  two  years.  At  the  close  of  the  term  he 
returned  to  Springfield,  and  has  since  resided 
here.  He  was  appointed  United  States  Pension 
Agent  in  1869,  and  filled  the  office  four  years; 
in  the  spring  of  1876  was  chosen  Mayor  of  the 
city,  and  re-elected  in  1877,  serving  two  con- 
secutive terms.  He  has  been  a  Director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Springfield  since  1875; 
and  its  Vice  President  since  the  spring  of  1879; 
also  practicing  medicine  in  a  moderate  degree. 
On  October  17,  1850,  Dr.  Jayne  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Julia  Witherbee,  of  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  born  in  Vermont  in  1830.  Only  two  of 
their  six  children  now  survive,  namely,  William 
S.  Jayne,  who  was  born  in  October,  1851,  and 
married  jNIargaret  E.,  second  daughter  of  ex- 
Governor  John  M.  Palmer,  in  November,  1875; 
and  Lizzie  Jayne,  born  in  July,  1855,  and  mar- 
ried to  Ferdinand  Kueehler  in  October,  1878. 
They  all  reside  in  Springfield. 

Edward  S.  Johnson,  born  August  9,  1843,  in 
Springfield.  Sei-ved  four  years'  apprenticeship 
at  the  printing  business,  and  was  engaged  with 
his  father  in  the  boot,  shoe  and  leather  business 
when  the  rebellion  broke  out.  He  enlisted  at 
the  first  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  men, 
April,  1861,  in  Company  I,  Seventh  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  for  three  months;  was  ap- 
pointed First  Sergeant,  and  served  as  such  full 
time.  He  re-enlisted  July  24.  1861,  for  three 
years,  in  the  same  companv  and  regiment,  at 
Mound  City,  Illinois.  Sergeant  JohnsoTi  remained 
there  in  charge  of  the  property,  while  the  com- 


HISTORY  OB^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


683 


pany  returned  home  on  furlough.  At  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  in  Springfield,  although  absent, 
be  was  elected  First  Lieutenant,  and  served  as 
such  until  February  15,  1802,  when  he  was  pro- 
moted to  Captain,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
the  death  of  Captain  Noah  E.  Mendell,  who 
was  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  two  days  before. 
Captain  Johnson  commanded  his  company  until 
December  22,  1863,  when  he  re-enlisted  with 
his  company,  as  a  veteran.  He  continued  in 
command  until  April  22,  1804,  when  he  was  pro- 
moted to  Major  of  the  regiment.  Major  John- 
son was  appointed  by  General  John  M.  Corse, 
September  30,  1804,  Post  Commandant  at  Rome, 
Georgia,  and  served  as  such  until  the  movement 
of  the  grand  army  on  Sherman's  "march  to  the 
sea,"  in  November  following.  He  then  returned 
to  his  regiment,  and  served  with  it  until  all 
were  mustered  out,  July  2.5,  1805.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donel- 
son, Pittsburg  Landing,  siege  and  capture  of 
Corinth,  Florence,  Savannah,  Bentonville,  besides 
innumerable  skirmishes.  Major  E.  S.  Johnson 
was  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  which  he 
continued  in  up  to  1872.  In  consequence  of  im- 
paired health,  and  lor  observation,  he  planned  a 
European  tour,  and  in  company  with  Dr.  Rufus 
S.  Lord,  left  Springfield  March  30,  ISOS.  They 
visited  England,  France,  Scotland,  Russia  and 
Italy.  After  an  extended  tour  through  the  prin- 
cipal cities  named,  they  returned  to  Spring- 
field early  in  December  of  ?anie  year.  He  was 
married  August  10,  1869,  to  Laura  I.  Clinton, 
who  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  They 
have  one  child,  Edward  Russell,  born  May,  9, 
1875.  In  1872  he  gave  up  the  lumber  business, 
and  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  in  company 
with  his  father,  assuming  the  charge  of  the  same 
up  to  his  death,  in  1879,  at  which  time  he  be- 
came sole  proprietor  of  the  same. 

Smnuel  H.  Jones,  Praeident  of  the  State 
National  Bank,  of  Springfield,  is  a  native  of 
Louisa  county,  Virginia,  was  born  in  1825. 
Samuel  and  Lucy  (Dosper)  Jones  were  the  parents 
of  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  Samuel  H.  being 
the  fourth  of  the  family.  When  he  was  eight 
years  «f  age  they  moved  to  Ross  county,  Ohio, 
and  that  and  Pike  county  were  his  home  until 
he  came  to  Illinois,  in  1840.  Mr.  Jones  has  been 
a  resident  of  Springfield  since  18.')4.  From  the 
time  he  settled  in  this  State  until  elected  cashier 
of  the  bank,  January  1,  1871,  he  was  engaged 
in  buying,  feeding  and  shipping  live  stock  and 
farming,  and  up  to  the  present  time,  1881,  he 
owns  three  frms  in  Sangamon  county,  and  su- 
pervises their  cultivation.     After  officiating  as 


cashier  of  the  bank  six  years,  he  was  elected 
its  Vice  President  in  1877,  and  chosen  President 
in  January,  1880.  lie  has  been  somewhat  active 
as  a  member  of  the  Republican  party;  was  ap- 
pointed pension  agent  by  President  Grant  in 
1872,  and  served  a  year;  in  April,  1877,  was  ap- 
l)ointed  Commissioner  of  the  State  Prison  at 
Joliet,  which  position  he  now  holds.  He  married 
Miss  Emma  Jones,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  in 
1858,  who  has  born  him  one  daughter,  Mabel, 
aged  sixteen  years.  Mr.  Jone.s  is  a  Past  Master 
in  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Jolui  A.  Jones,  Clerk  of  the  United  States 
Circuit  Court,  for  the  Southern  District  of  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  May 
29,  1800.  He  was  graduated  at  Columbian  Col- 
lege, Washington  City,  in  the  class  of  1S25,  re- 
ceiving the  degree  of  A.  M.  three  years  later. 
He  came  to  Illinois  in  1835,  and  settling  in  Taze- 
well county,  edited  the  Pekin  Gazette,  later 
called  the  "  Tazewell  Telegraph,"  the  first  news- 
paper published  in  that  county,  at  the  same  time 
serving  as  justice  of  the  peace.  In  October, 
1837,  Mr.  Jones  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  Tazewell  county  by  Judge  Jesse 
B.  Thomas,  and  re-appointed  by  Judge  S.  H. 
Treat,  in  1841;  was  also  made  Master  in  Chan- 
cery of  that  court  in  1842.  Under  the  new 
Constitution,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Cir- 
cuit Court,  in  1848,  and  re-elected  in  1852. 
After  retiring  from  the  office,  upon  motion  of 
Abr.aham  Lincoln,  Mr.  Jones  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court.  In  March,  1861, 
he  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  Commer- 
cial Statistics  of  the  LTnited  States,  at  Washing- 
ton City.  His  was  the  first  appointment  made 
by  President  Lincoln  after  the  formation  of  his 
Cabinet.  In  May,  1860,  Mr.  Jones  resigned  his 
office,  and  came  to  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and  by 
the  death  of  the  former  Clerk,  was  appointed  to 
his  present  office  l)y  Judge  David  Davis,  under 
the  sanction  of  Judge  S.  II. Treat,  in  July,  1807, 
and  has  hold  it  continuously  since. 

Mr.  Edward  Jones,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
New  York,  and  the  youngest  of  five  sons,  the 
eldest  of  whom,  John  Jones,  M.D.,  was  President 
Washington's  family  physician.  Edward  Jones 
was  the  first  Chief  Clerk  in  the  United  States 
Treasury,  and  served  thirty-nine  consecutive 
years.  He  was  appointed  by  Hon.  Alexander 
Hamilton  the  first  Secretary,  in  1790,  who  in 
1795  gave  him  a  strong  letter  of  commendation, 
which  Mr.  Jones  now  has  as  a  souvenir.  The 
mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  Louisa 
(Maus)  Jones,  a  native  of  Pottsgrove,  Pennsyl- 
vania.    Her  paternal  ancestors  were  officials  of 


084 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


note  in  Eiiglaiul  and  the  United  States.  Mr. 
Jones  has  jueseived  a  mimber  of  their  com- 
missions bearing  dates  from  1691  on  down  to 
the  administration  of  Jefferson,  and  ending 
1840. 

Mr.  Jones  married  A.  Maria  Major,  of  Bloom- 
ington,  Illinois,  daughter  of  William  T.  Major, 
of  Christian  county,  Kentucky.  Their  family 
consists  of  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  one 
lately  deceased.  Four  of  these  are  married. 
Mr.  Jones  is  ]>roverbially  a  social,  companiona- 
ble man,  and  has  ever  been  a  very  active  one. 
For  three  years,  while  Circuit  Clerk  of  Taze- 
well county,  he  lived  ten  miles  from  his  office, 
and  in  pleasant  weather  walked  both  ways  each 
day,  making  twenty  miles  walk. 

George  W.  Jones,  Clerk  of  the  Appellate 
Court  for  Illinois,  was  born  in  Boston,  Massa- 
chusetts, in  1828,  and  reared  and  educated  in 
Pike  county,  Illinois,  of  which  his  parents  were 
early  settlers;  and  his  father,  Nathan  W.  Jotes, 
was  one  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Griggs- 
ville,  in  that  county,  which  is  still  the  family 
home.  George  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk  of 
Pike  county  in  1S60,  for  fourytars,  on  the  Dem- 
ocratic ticket.  In  1864,  he  retired,  and  four 
years  later  re-entered  the  office  as  deputy,  serv- 
ing until  ISVi,  when  he  was  again  chosen  Clerk 
for  another  term  of  four  years.  In  the  conven- 
tion of  that  year  he  was  nominated  by  acclima- 
tion, without  opposition,  in  a  county  giving 
about  eight  hundred  Democratic  majority.  In 
18T6,  Mr.  Jones  was  appointed  bj  the  court  of 
his  county  as  one  of  the  Board  of  Commission- 
ers to  construct  theSny  Island  Levee,  an  improve- 
ment authorized  by  the  general  drainage  law,  for 
the  reclaiming  of  overflow  and  swamp  lands. 
The  Commission  constructed  a  levee  fifty-two 
miles  in  length,  and  an  average  heighth  of  seven 
feet,  through  the  counties  of  Adams,  Pike,  and 
part  of  Calhoun,  thereby  reclaiming  about  110,- 
000  acres  of  valuable  lands.  Mr.  Jones  served 
in  the  Board  from  1872  till  18T8,  during  which 
time  they  expended  about  8650,000.  In  the  fall 
of  18'i8,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Appellate 
Court  for  the  teim  of  six  years,  and  assumed  the 
duties  of  the  office  December  4th  of  that  year. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  County  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors in  Pike  for  seven  years,  six  of  them, 
from  1860  to  ]872,  he  was  Chairman  of  that 
body.  In  1850,  Mr.  Jones  united  in  marriage 
with  Cecilia  Bennett,  born  in  Delaware  county, 
Nt  w  York.  Two  sons  compose  their  family: 
Frank  II.,  a  practicing  Attorney  in  Springfield; 
and  Fred,  associated  with  a  large  railroad  supply 
kouse  of  Chicago. 


Alvin  a.  JtiJkins,  dealer  in  musical  merchan- 
dise, of  the  firm  of  Judkins  ct  Fisher,  119  North 
Sixth  street,  has  been  dealing  in  musical  instru- 
ments since  1865.  The  partnership  with  A.  H. 
Fisher  was  formed,  and  their  fine  music  store 
in  Key's  block  opened,  August  1,1881.  Their 
stock  embraces  the  standard  makes  of  pianos 
and  organs,  and  also  a  complete  line  of  string 
and  brass  instruments,  together  with  a  large  col- 
lection of  the  latest  and  most  popular  sheet 
music.  Some  of  the  leading  instruments,  for 
which  they  have  the  exclusive  agency  in  Central 
and  Southern  Illinois,  are  the  Steinway,  Weber, 
Steck,  Kranich  &  Bach,  and  Shafer  pianos;  the 
Estey,  Taylor  &  Farley,  New  Eagle,  and  Story 
&  Camp  organs.  Mr.  Judkins,  who  has  the 
active  management,  is  admirably  adapted  for  the 
business,  both  by  nature  and  education.  Being 
a  natural  mechanic,  and  having  handled  instru- 
ments for  sixteen  years,  he  is  familiar  with  every 
part  and  detail  of  their  construction,  as  well  as 
a  critical  judge  of  their  qualities.  Alvin  B. 
Judkins  is  a  native  of  Pike  county,  Illinois,  and 
was  bom  in  1848,  on  Christmas  day.  Hiram 
Judkins  and  Doratha  Rowell,  his  parents  were 
natives  of  New  Hampshire,  and  after  their  mar- 
riage settled  in  Griggsville,  Pike  county,  from 
whence  they  moved  to  Springfield,  when  Alvin 
was  nearly  four  years  old.  He  grew  to  manhood 
in  the  Capital  City  and  graduated  from  the  High 
School  in  1865,  soon  after  which  he  entered  the 
musical  instrument  trade.  In  1811,  he  became 
the  district  agentforthe  Iron  Mountain  Railroad, 
and  has  since  sold  thousands  of  acres  of  the 
company's  lands.  He  is  also  special  agent  for 
the  Chicago  &  Alton  Company.  Mr.  Judkins 
has  taken  an  active  interest  in  local  musical  mat- 
ters, having  been  a  member  of  all  the  musical 
societies  of  Springfield  since  he  left  school,  and 
plays  any  wind  or  string  instrument.  He  mar- 
ried in  Effingham  county,  Illinois,  to  Laura 
Kagay,  a  native  of  that  county,  and  daughter  of 
B.  F.  Kagay,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Effingham 
for  twenty-six  years. 

Amlrev:  K.  Kerns,  grocer,  125  North  Sixth 
street,  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  in  1845, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  ten  children 
of  Abner  Kerns,  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
Sarah  A.  Brown,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  mar- 
ried and  lived  in  Ross  county,  where  Mr.  Kerns 
died  in  1847.  Three  years  later  his  widow 
moved  with  the  family  to  Illinois,  and  settled 
eight  miles  north  of  Springfield,  in  Sangamon 
county.  Mrs.  Kerns  died  there  in  1878.  L^^ntil 
1877  Andrew  carried  on  farming  in  Mechanics- 
burg  township,  in   Sangamon  county.      He  pur- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


685 


chased  a  farm  in  the  spring  of  18V0,  raised  a 
corn  crop  worth  -S2,T00  tliat  season,  and  sold  the 
pL-ioe  in  the  fall  for  i|500  in  advance.  In  the 
spring  of  1877  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness in  New  Jiuftalo,  continuing  one  year.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  re-purchased  the  farm  he 
formerly  owned  at  a  reduction  of  $2,700,  and 
occupied  it  till  March,  ISSl,  when  he  again  left 
it,  and  re-embarked  in  the  grocery  trade  in  his 
present  store.  Mr.  Kerns  does  a  general  retail 
business  in  staple  and  fancy  groceries  of  fil 2,000 
a  year.  In  December,  1871,  he  married  Miss 
Mary  Seeds,  of  Shadeville,  Ohio.  They  have 
four  children,  Shii-ley  K.,  aged  nine  years;  Effie, 
aged  six,  Hattie  four,  and  Lillie,  nearly  two 
years  old. 

Chufles  Kentiedy,  Superintendent  of  the 
Springfield  Iron  Company's  works,  was  born  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  December  25,  1831.  David 
Kennedy  and  Magdalena  Miller  were  his  parents, 
the  former  of  whom  died  when  Charles  was  a 
small  child.  He  began  learning  the  business  in 
Pittsburg,  at  ten  years  of  age,  receiving  a  salary 
of  twenty-live  cents  per  day.  After  having  sev- 
eral years'  experience  he  connected  himself  with 
the  Great  Western  Iron  Works,  at  Brady's  Bend, 
Pennsylva.iia,  for  four  years;  thence  went  to 
Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  associated 
for  twenty  years  with  the  Cambria  Iron  Com- 
pany's works  at  that  place;  first  in  the  capacity 
of  a  hand  in  the  mill,  but  by  tact  and  industry 
worked  up  to  the  position  of  assistant  manager, 
under  Alexander  Hamilton,  manager,  to  whom 
he  feels  a  lasting  gratitude  for  kindness  shown 
him  while  at  these  works.  Upon  leaving  there, 
Mr.  Kennedy  was  three  years  Superintendent  of 
the  Cleveland  Iron  Company,  resigning  that 
position  to  take  his  present  one,  whose  duties 
he  assumed  in  July,  1878.  In  September,  1864, 
he  enlisted  in  the  United  States  Army,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  B,  Fifth  Pennsylvania  Heavy 
Artillery;  served  a  year  as  a  private,  and  re- 
ceived his  discharge  in  1865.  Mr.  Kennedy 
united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Jones  in  185<;, 
in  Brady's  Bend,  Armstrong  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; she  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  When  about 
twelve  years  of  age,  Mr.  K.  lost  his  left  eye 
from  a  spark  in  the  rolling  mill. 

Peter  F.  Kimble,  dealer  in  wall  i>a])er,  window 
shades,  paints  and  oils,  421  Adams  street,  was 
born  in  Lycoming  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1835;  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Winches- 
ter, Scott  county,  in  1856,  and  engaged  while 
there  in  the  millinery  and  grocery  business.  Re- 
moving to  Springfield  in  the  spring  of  1805,  he 
continued  in  the  grocery  trade  till  elected  City 


Treasurer  in  1807;  was  re-elected  in  1868.  He 
also  Served  two  terms  in  the  County  Board  of 
Supervisors,  in  1874  and  1875.  Soon  after  re- 
tiring from  the  Treasurer's  office,  Mr.  Kimble 
turned  his  attention  to  his  present  business.  He 
occupies  two  floors  of  the  building,  and  keeps 
:in  extensive  stock  of  wall  papers,  window 
shades,  paints  and  painter's  supplies,  in  which 
he  has  a  large  retail  and  considerable  jobbing 
trade.  He  also  carries  on  painting  and  paper 
hanging,  employing  twelve  to  fifteen  men  in  the 
business. 

Mr.  Kimble  united  in  marriage  with  Sarah  J. 
Williams,  of  Scott  county,  Illinois.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

Eli  Jxriegh,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  Maryland,  August  10,  1810; 
son  of  Philip  and  Mary  Kriegh,  of  German  de- 
scent; was  a  farmer  by  occupation ;  father  died 
in  Maryland,  and  mother  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Eli  was  fourth  son  of  a  family  of  nine  children. 
He  came  to  Springfield  April  6, 1855,  and  started 
in  the  stove  and  tinner  business,  and  house  fur- 
nishing goods;  has  remained  in  the  business 
ever  since.  He  was  married  October  29,  1833, 
to  Miss  Ann  Willard,  who  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Maryland.  They  have  had  seven  child- 
ren, four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  Kriegh 
carries  a  $5,000  stock  of  goods.  He  came  to  the 
county  in  limited  circumstances,  but  by  industry 
and  economy  has  accumulated  a  fine  property 
and  home. 

Dr.  Allen  Latham,  Springfield,  was  born  in 
Lyme,  New  Hampshire,  November  5,  1818.  His 
grandfather,  Arthur,  was  born  in  Bridgewater, 
Massachusetts,  in  1755.  His  father  was  born  in 
Lyme,  New  Hampshire,  February  14, 1783.  The 
stock  sprang  from  two  brothers,  who  came  over 
in  the  Mayflower  in  1020,  Robert  and  William, 
and  were  of  English  descent.  (Trandfather  Ar- 
thur was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  of 
1775,  and  served  seven  yearn.  Dr.  Latham  com- 
menced reading  medicine  when  he  was  sixteen 
years  old;  in  1844,  came  to  Illinois  and  located 
in  Danville,  where  he  commenced  the  practice 
of  dentistry;  remained  there  until  1801,  then  he 
came  to  Springfield,  where  he  has  followed  his 
profession  since.  He  married  for  his  first  wife 
Miss  Clara  E.  Jenness,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  L. 
Jenness,  of  Chichestei',  New  Hampshire.  She 
died  August  18th,  1852,  leaving  two  children, 
Allen  and  Clara  E.  For  his  second  wife  he  mar- 
ried Judy  Ann  Pierce,  of  Iroquois  county,  Illi- 
no  s;  she  was  born  November  23,  1829.  They 
have  one  child,  John  William,  born  June  29th, 
1 860.     Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge, 


686 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON   COUNTY. 


No.  333;  also  a  member  of  Elwood  Oommandery, 
Knights  Templar,  No.  6. 

Philij)  C.  Luthurii,  deceased,  ■was  born  Jan- 
uary 25,  1804,  in  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky.  He 
came  with  his  father  to  Elthart  Grove,  in  1819. 
In  February,  1827,  he  entered  the  County  Clerk's 
office,  in  Springfield,  under  C.  R.  Matheny, 
County  Cleik;  remained  there  eight  years;  was 
married  in  Springfield,  May  15,  1831,  to  Cath- 
arine Tabor,  who  was  born  February  25,  1812,  in 
Champaign  county,  Ohio;  they  had  five  children 
in  Sjiringfield:  Maiy  E.,  born  in  1836,  married 
Dr.  Alexander  Halbert;  Julia  M.,  born  January 
11,  1838,  married  in  Springfield  to  B.  D.  Magru- 
der,  a  native  of  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana;  Wil- 
liam Henry,  born  November  2'i,1830,  enlisted  in 
1862,  for  three  years,  in  Company  B,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourteenth  Illinois;  was  elected  First 
Lieutenant  at  the  organization;  at  once  promoted 
to  Adjutant;  died  I3ecember,  1863,  in  Spring- 
field, of  disease  contracted  in  the  aimy;  George 
C,  born  May  16,  1842;  was  married  October  2, 
1867,  to  Olivia  Priest;  Philip  C,  Jr.,  born  July 
18,  1844;  was  married  to  Lucy  George,  a  native 
of  Canada;  lie  died  suddenly,  February  16,  1871. 
Mrs  Lucy  Latham  is  married  and  resides  in 
Nebraska.  Mr.  Latham,  Sr.,  was  killed  by 
lightning,  near  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  May  25, 
1844.  His  widow  resides  in  Springfield,  in  a 
house  that  her  husband  built  in  1838. 

James  L.  Lamb,  one  of  the  early  merchants 
and  for  many  years  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  Springfield,  was  born  in  Connelsville, 
Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  7, 
1800.  At  twenty  years  of  age  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  Kaskaskia,  formed  a  ijartner- 
ship  with  a  brother-in-law,  Thomas  Mather,  and 
I.  B.  Opdycke,  and  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising, and  also  carried  on  beef  and  pork  pack- 
ing extensively,  which  they  shipped  south.  This 
firm  shipped  the  first  cargo  of  barreled  pork  to 
New  Orleans  e\er  sent  from  Illinois.  In  1824, 
Mr.  Lamb,  returned  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  on 
June  13,  of  that  year  married  Susan  C.  Cranmer, 
born  in  Cincinnati,  in  August,  1803,  and  the 
daughter  of  Dr.  John  Cranmer,  of  that  city. 
They  settled  in  Kaskaskia,  where  Mr.  Lamb 
continued  in  business  about  eight  years.  In  the 
fall  of  1832  he  severed  his  connection  there  and 
they  moved  to  Springfield,  and  after  a  few 
months  residence  on  Jefferson  street  settled  on 
the  site  of  Mrs.  Lamb's  present  large  and  beauti- 
ful homestead.  The  hazle  brush  were  cleared 
away  to  make  room  for  their  primitive  pioneer 
home,  from  which  a  cow-path  lead  up  through 
Avhere  Adams  street  now  is.     Mr.  Lamb  assumed 


the  mercantile  business  in  Springfield  on  Jeffer- 
son street,  opposite  the  present  St.  Charles  hotel. 
From  there  he  moved  to  the  west  side  of  the 
square,  and  later  to  the  corner  now  occupied  by 
Hall  &  Herrick,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
square.  A  number  of  years  previous  to  his 
death  he  retired  from  that  branch  of  business, 
and  devoted  the  last  years  of  his  life  to  buying 
and  packing  pork.  He  departed  from  this  life 
on  December  3,  1873. 

Mr.  Lamb  was  an  extensive  reader,  especially 
of  history  and  travels;  possessed  a  vigorous, 
active  mind,  was  very  sociable  and  hospitable, 
and  particularly  fond  of  the  society  of  the  young. 
He  was  public  spirited  in  a  marked  degree,  and 
leady  to  contribute  to  whatever  inured  to  the 
welfare  and  prosperity  of  Springfield.  Descended 
Irom  Quaker  aucestiy,  the  religious  element  was 
conspicuous  in  his  nature.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  member  and  an  elder  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamb  had  one  son 
and  five  daughters  born  of  their  luarital  union, 
namely,  John  C,  proprietor  of  the  ^Etna  Iron 
M'^orks  of  Springfield;  Mrs.  Gen.  John  Cook, 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Black,  Mrs.  G.  R.  Brainerd,  and  a 
deceased  daughter.  All  the  living  are  residents 
of  Sangamon  county. 

JoJui  C.  Lu7nh,  proprietor  of  the  yEtna  Iron 
Works,  corner  Second  and  Adams  streets,  was 
born  in  Randolph  county  Illinois,  1825.  His 
father,  James  L.  Lamb,  was  a  Pennsylvanian  by 
birth,  and  settled  in  the  old  town  of  Kaskaskia, 
Illinois,  about  1822.  He  married  Susan  H. 
Cranmer,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1824.  They 
were  th^  parents  of  five  daughters  and  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch;  one  daughter  deceased.  They 
moved  to  Springfield  in  1831,  where  Mr.  Lamb 
engaged  in  perk  packing,  extensively,  and  in 
merchandising  until  he  died  in  the  fall  of  1873, 
John  C.  being  associated  with  him  in  conduct- 
ing business.  In  1848,  Mr.  J.  C.  Lamb  became 
a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Lowry,  Lamb  &,  Co.,  in 
the  JEtna  Foundry  and  Machine  Works.  In 
1853  the  firm  was  dissolved  by  the  death  of  one 
of  the  partners,  and  in  1855,  Mr.  Lamb  bought  the 
entire  concern  and  has  since  been  sole  proprie- 
tor. He  does  a  large  business  in  the  manufacture 
of  railroad  work,  mill  machinery  and  steam 
engines,  employing  an  average  of  sixty  men. 

Jamts  Latham  was  born,  October  25,  1768, in 
Ijoudon  county,  Virginia,  of  English  parents. 
He  emigrated  when  a  young  man  to  Kentucky, 
and  was  there  married,  June  21,  1792,  to  Mary 
Briggs,  who  was  born  February  3,  1772,  in  Vir- 
ginia, of  Scotch  parents.  They  had  nine  chil- 
dren in  Kentucky,  and  moved  to  Elkhart  Grove, 


1 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


687 


in  what  is  now  Logan  county,  but  was  formerly 
a  part  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in 
1S19.  Mr.  Latham  and  his  son  Richard  built  a 
horse  mill,  at  Elkhart,  in  J8;.'3.  It  was  the  first 
mill  north  of  the  Sangamon  river.  When  he 
settled  at  Elkhart,  their  nearest  mill  was  at  Ed- 
wardsville,  more  than  one  hundred  miles  south. 
When  Sangamon  county  was  organized,  James 
Latham  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Probate 
Court,  May  27,  18:21.  He  was  also  Justice  of 
the  Peace.  After  Mr.  Latham  had  served  a  year 
or  two  as  Judge  of  the  Probate  Court  of  Sanga- 
mon county,  he  was  appointed,  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States  Government,  to  superintend 
the  Indians  around  Fort  Clark.  Soon  after,  he 
moved  his  family  there,  making  that  place  his 
headquarters.  The  town  of  Peoria  was  laid  out, 
on  land  including  the  fort.  Judge  Latham  died 
there,  December  4,  1826.  His  widow  returned 
with  lier  family  to  Elkhart,  where  she  died. 

The  family  of  Judge  Latham  have  been  quite 
prominent  in  Sangamon  and  Logan  counties. 

Elizabeth,  born  November  25,  171»3,  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  was  married  there  to  James  W.  Chap- 
man. They  moved  to  Illinois,  and  settled  north 
of  the  Sangamon  river,  near  the  mouth  of  Fancy 
creek,  where  Mr.  Chapman  established  a  ferry, 
in  1818,  on  the  Sangamon  river,  near  Bogue's 
Mill.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Elkhart, 
Logan  county,  with  his  family,  when  both  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Chapman  died. 

Lucy,  born  August  18,  1797,  in  Kentucky. 
Came  to  what  was  then  Sangamon  county  with 
her  parents,  and  married  Grant  Blackwell;  re- 
turned to  Kentucky  and  died  there  in  1827. 

Richard  was  born  December  23,  1798,  in  Bowl- 
ing Green,  Kentucky,  and  came  with  his  parents 
in  1819  to  Illinois.  He  was  married  September 
16,  1824,  at  Elkhart,  Illinois,  to  Emily  Hubbard. 
They  had  one  child,  and  mother  and  child  died,  in 
1825,  at  Elkhart.  Richard  Latham  was  married 
November  27,  1825,  to  Mrs.  Margaret  Broad- 
well,  whose  maiden  name  was  Stephenson.  She 
was  a  sister  of  James  C,  John  and  Robert  Steph- 
enson. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Latham  had  thirteen  child- 
dren,  seven  of  whom  died  young.  Of  the  other 
six — Mary  A.,  born  February  25,  1829,  was  mar- 
ried November  25,  1848,  to  Dr.  Timothy  Leeds. 
Martha  E.  married  James  S.  Major.  She  died 
September  2U,  1852.  Henry  C,  born  April  11, 
1837,  at  Elkhart,  is  dealing  in  conveyancing  and 
furnishing  abstract  titles  to  real  estate.  -He  re- 
sides in  Springfield,  Lucy  lives  with  her  mother. 
Kittle  S.,  born  January  24,  1841,  at  Elkhart,  was 
married  in  Springfield,  January  30,  1868,  to 
Elder  J.  H.  McCullough,  a  minister  of  the  Chris- 
80— 


tian  Church,  and  resides  in  Denver,  Colorado. 
Nannie,  born  December  6,  1843,  at  Elkhart,  was 
married  September  i6,  1873,  in  Springfield,  to 
George  II.  Souther.  They  have  one  child, 
Latham,  and  reside  in  Springfield.  Richard 
Latham  died  June  5,  1868,  and  his  widow  lives 
with  her  fon,  Henry  C,  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Mary  L ,  born  in  Kentucky;  married  John 
Constant. 

Phillip  C,  born  January  23",  1804.  See  sketch. 

Nancy,  resides  with  Mrs.  Richard  Latham. 

Maria,  born  in  1809,  in  Kentucky;  married  to 
Archibald  Constant. 

John,  born  September  9,  1812,  in  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  was  married  in  Sangamon 
county,  to  Lucy  Bennett,  a  native  of  Kentucky. 

Robert  B.,  born  June  21,  1818,  in  Union 
county,  Kentucky,  was  married  in  Sangamon 
county,  November  5, 1846,  to  Georgiaua  Gillette, 
a  native  of  New  Haven,  Connecticut.  She  died 
in  1863.  R.  B.  Latham  was  married  July  24, 
1857,  in  Logan  county,  to  Savilla  Wyatt,  a  native 
of  Morgan  county,  Illinois.  Robert  B.  Latham 
was  elected  sheriff  of  Logan  county  in  1850, 
and  served  two  years.  He  was  elected  Repre- 
sentative in  Illinois  Legislature  for  1861-62. 
He  raised  a  regiment  and  became  Colonel  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served  twenty  months  in  the  war  to 
suppress  the  rebellion,  and  then  resigned  on  ac- 
count of  impaired  health. 

Rhmna  J).  Lmrrence,  railroad  contractor,  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  the  building 
and  contracting  business,  in  Central  Illinois, 
for  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  was  born  in 
Greene  county,  Ohio,  in  1837.  His  father, 
Lewis  W.  Lawrence,  was  a  Major  in  the  Mexi- 
can war,  and  died  before  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  reached  his  tenth  year,  at  which  age  he 
became  self-supporting.  His  mother  was  Susan 
M.,  daughter  of  Colonel  Elijah  Bell,  who  came 
from  Connecticut  and  settled  in  Ohio  previous 
to  her  birth.  She  still  survives,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight  years,  and  resides  with  Mr.  Lawrence, 
in  Springfield.  His  first  occupation  was  that  of 
off-bearer  in  a  brick-yard  ;  learned  the  mason 
trade,  and  received  a  journeyman's  wages  at  the 
age  of  fourteen,  In  1855,  after  making  a  tour 
of  the  Western  territories,  he  located  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  soon  after  engaged  in  the 
contracting  and  building  business.  His  first 
contract  was  to  erect  a  three-story  brick  build- 
ing, on  the  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Fifth  streets, 
for  some  years  used  as  the  post  office.  The  next 
was  to  lay  three  million  bricks  and  three  thou- 
sand perches  of  stone,  in  the  Jacksonville  Insane 


6)^1^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Asylum.  While  that  was  in  progress,  he  and 
his  partner.  Reuben  Kain,  also  erected  the  Uni- 
versalist  Church  edifice,  in  Springfield  ;  subse- 
quently constructed  many  buildings  in  Spring- 
field and  surrounding  towns.  In  1867,  Mr. 
Lawrence  turned  his  attention  to  railroad 
contracting,  which  he  has  pursued  to  the  present 
time,  and  has  built  many  miles  of  road  in  this 
State  and  Missouri.  In  1S72,  he,  in  company 
with  others  parties,  sank  a  coal  shaft 
and  laid  out  the  town  of  Barclay,  Colonel 
John  Williams  was  President,  George  N.  Black, 
Secretary,  and  Mr.  Lawrence,  Manager  of  the 
company's  business.  The  company  owned  one 
thou.sand  four  hundred  acres  of  coal  right  there; 
erected  about  seventy  tenement  houses,  a  store 
and  other  improvements.  Mr.  L.  sold  his  one- 
fourth  interest  two  years  ago.  la  1876,  he  was 
appointed  by  the  Governor  as  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners to  locate  and  construct  the  Southern 
Illinois  Penitentiary ;  was  re-appointed  for  six 
years,  in  1878,  but  owing  to  the  pressure  of 
private  business,  resigned  in  August  of  that 
year.  He  served  the  city  as  Superintendent  of 
Public  Works  for  some  time.  In  the  summer 
of  1881,  he  in  company  with  a  partner,  erected 
the  handsome  Central  Block,  on  the  corner  of 
Sixth  and  Adams  streets,  and  one  of  the  most 
elegant  business  blocks  in  the  city.  Mr.  Law- 
rence married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  John  C. 
Maxcy,  in  Springfield,  in  1859.  They  have  one 
child,  Susie  Lawrence.  Mr  L.  is  a  Mason,  and 
has  filled  tlie  chairs  of  the  local  subordinate 
lodge  and  Commandery ;  is  a  believer  in  the 
Christian  religion,  and  favors  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Williwn  W.  H.  i«K'to«,  wasborn  in  Hartland, 
Vermont,  September  12,  1832.  He  lived  there 
and  attended  school  until  sixteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  graduated  at  the  Thetford  Academy. 
He  was  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade 
until  1856,  when  he  went  to  Griggsville,  Pike 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  until  July  18,  1861,  when  he 
raised  Company  I,  Thirty-third  Illinois  Infantry, 
Volunteers;  he  was  chosen  Captain  of  the  com- 
pany. At  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  the  Captain 
had" his  spine  seriously  injured,  causing  paralysis 
of  the  right  side  of  his  body.  He  was  then 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and 
ordered  to  Washington,  where  he  had  charge  of 
the  recruiting  camp  until  May  24,  1864,  when  he 
was  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  took 
command  of  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  of  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf;  and  he  remained  in 
command  of  this  Corps  until  June  30,  1866, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  at  New  Orleans.    The 


Captain  returned  to  Griggsville,  Illinois,  and 
taught  school  two  years,  when  he  was  appointed 
by  Governor  Palmer  to  the  office  of  Custodian 
of  the  United  States  Surveys,  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  a  position  he  still  retains.  His  father, 
John  Lawton,  was  born  in  Hartland,  Vermont; 
he  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1865.  His  wife, 
Debora  Petrie,  was  also  born  in  Hartland,  Ver- 
mont; she  died  in  1872;  she  was  the  mother  of 
six  children;  three  are  living,  namely:  John  P. 
Lawton,  living  in  Johnstown,  Indian  Territory; 
he  is  a  Baptist  minister,  in  charge  of  a  mission- 
ary school  of  the  Chickasaw  Indians,  for  the 
government;  Miss  Abbie  M.  Lawton,  Post- 
mistress at  Griggsville,  Illinois,  and  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  Captain  W.  W.  H.  Lawton.  When 
the  Captain  enlisted  in  the  army,  he  was  a  tall, 
graceful,  fine-looking  young  man.  For  eighteen 
years  his  right  side  has  been  paralyzed,  the  re- 
sult of  injuries  sustained  during  the  charge  on 
the  rebel  forces  in  the  rear,  at  Vicksburg,  May 
2,  1863,  since  which  time  he  has  constantly  suf- 
fered therefrom,  but  like  a  brave  soldier,  he  has 
patiently  endured  the  constant  painful  reminder 
of  the  services  he  rendered  the  government.  The 
Captain  has  a  fine  gold  watch  and  chain  that  was 
presented  to  him  by  "His  Boys"  of  Company  I, 
Thirty-third  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers.  It 
was  sent  to  him  after  he  was  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  The  purse  to  buy  the 
watch  was  made  up  by  the  boys  while  they  were 
under  fire,  in  the  trenches  at  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg. 

Joseph  Ledlie,  civil  engineer,  Springfleid,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
January  18,  1812;  son  of  Arthur  and  Catharine 
(Collins)Ledlie,  of  Irish  descent,  who  emigrated 
to  the  States  in  1801,  and  were  married  the  same 
year;  he  embarked  in  merchandising,  but  that 
did  not  prove  a  financial  success;  in  1815,  emi- 
grated to  Gallia,  at  present  Meigs  county,  Ohio; 
the  following  year,  moved  upon  land  in  a  dense 
wilderness,  where  he  cleared  up  a  farm  which 
proved  successful;  he  also  followed  his  trade  of 
boot  and  shoe  making,  in  connection  with  his 
farm.  Mr.  L.  was  a  natural  mechanic,  and  could 
manufacture  any  thing  he  turned  his  attention 
to;  he  made  a  loom  in  which  they  wove  from 
flax  raised  on  the  place,  into  cloth  of  which  their 
clothing  was  made;  cut  the  children's  clothing, 
and  his  mother  made  them,  and  the  garments 
always  looked  neat  and  tasty,  on  account  of  a 
good  fit.  He  remained  there  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1838;  his  wife  died  in  1832. 
William,  the  oldest  son,  is  living  near  the  old 
homestead;  he  was  born  January  13,  1803;  John 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


es9 


C  was  born  August  22,  1804,  and  died  August 
3,  1805;  Arthur  was  born  April  21,  ISOfl,  and 
died  in  Se[itember,  1866;  Mary  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 25,  1811,  and  died  August  15  of  the  same 
year;  John  C,  born  March  7,  1810,  and  is 
living  in  California;  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  Mary  was  born  September  8,  1816,  and 
died  April  2:3,  1881;  Catharine  I.  was  born  Jan- 
uary 6,  1820,  and  died  September  13,  1839.  Mr. 
Ledlie  and  his  brother  Arthur  arrived  in  Illi- 
nois in  May,  1837.  In  the  fall  following  they 
returned  to  Galliopolis,  Ohio,  where  they  had  a 
sister;  Arthur  was  made  principal  of  the  academy, 
himself  and  sister  Mary  assisting.  The  follow- 
ing spring,  in  company  with  Arthur,  Mary  and 
Catharine,  they  moved  to  Macoupin  county, 
where  they  farmed  during  the  summers  and 
taught  school  during  the  winters.  In  the  spring 
of  1839,  Catharine  died,  which  broke  up  the 
family.  The  brothers  still  continued  on  the 
farm,  sending  Mary  to  Hillsboro  and  Jackson- 
ville academies.  In  1846,  Joseph  came  to  Spring- 
field, and  soon  after  was  appointed  Deputy 
County  Surveyor,  by  John  B.  Watson,  who 
shortly  left  for  California,  leaving  the  office  in 
charge  of  Mr.  L.  The  following  year  he  was 
elected  to  the  office.  In  1855,  he  was  appointed 
United  States  Surveyor  of  Kansas,  which  office 
he  filled  with  ability.  In  1855,  he  was  appointed 
United  States  Deputy  Surveyor  of  Kansas  and 
Nebraska,  where  he  remained  until  1857.  Mr. 
Ledlie  has  always  taken  an  active  part  in  politics, 
being  a  Democrat  in  his  views. 

William  F.  Leeder  was  born  in  Brunswick, 
Germany,  Maj'  25,  1839,  where  he  lived  until  six 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
the  United  States.  They  landed  at  New  Orleans 
and  then  took  a  steamer  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
where  he  remained  some  four  years.  His  father 
died  here  in  1849.  From  St.  Louis  he  moved 
with  his  mother  to  Waterloo,  Illinois,  and  some 
eighteen  months  after  the  family  moved  to  Belle- 
ville, St.  Clair  county,  Illinois;  lived  here  some 
three  years,  then  moved  to  Central  City,  Illinois. 
Mr.  Leeder  worked  here  in  a  brick-yard  and  on  a 
farm  some  five  years,  and  during  this  time  learned 
the  barber's  trade  and  in  the  spring  of  I860  went 
to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  followed  his  trade 
three  months;  then  went  to  Jackson,  Tennessee, 
where  he  ran  on  the  old  Mississippi  Central  Rail- 
road one  month,  then  worked  at  the  trade  until 
June,  1861.  He  then  returned  to  Central  City, 
Illinois,  and  followed  his  trade  until  May,  1862, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  has 
followed  the  barber's  trade  in  thiscity  until  1879. 
During  this  time  was  at  Lincoln,  Illinois,  one 


month.  In  is79,  he  bought  11.  Speckman's 
saloon,  at  222  South  Sixth  street,  where  W.  F. 
Leeder  &  Co.,  have  the  finest  beer  hall  and  pool 
room  in  Central  Illinois,  lie  was  married  to 
Miss  F.ora  Rippstein  January  20,  1863.  She 
was  born  in  Switzerland,  and  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Catharine  Rippstein.  They  reside  in 
Springfield,  and  are  both  members  of  the  Catho- 
lic Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leeder  had  nine 
children,  seven  living,  viz:  William  E.,  Flora 
M.,  Henry  E  ,  Louisa  M.,  Adeline,  Frank  E.,  and 
Alice  A.  The  father  of  William  Leeder,  Henry 
Leeder,  born  in  Brunswick,  Germany,  was  a  stone 
mason  by  trade,  and  died  in  1849.  Ilis  wife, 
Caroline  Leeder,  was  born  in  Brunswick,  Ger- 
many. She  and  husband  were  both  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics,  Mr.  Leeder 
is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Douglas 
for  President  of  the  United  States.  He  is  also 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  Lodge  No.  6,  in 
Springfield,  Illinois;  is  also  a  member  of  Druid's 
Lodge  No.  37;  was  a  member  of  Butler's  band 
ten  years,  and  the  German  band  seven  years. 

Obed  Levns,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Galigerville,  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  April 
25,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  William  Lewis,  a  far- 
mer, and  Margaret  Lewis,  natives  of  Chester 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Obed  Lewis  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  na- 
tive county.  When  Mr.  Lewis  was  fourteen 
years  old,  his  father  died.  At  the  age  of  sixteen, 
Mr.  Lewis  began  to  learn  carriage  making  in 
New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania, 
and  continued  there  four  years;  and  then  com- 
pleted his  trade  in  Philadelphia;  then  worked  at 
his  trade  in  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  Wilmington, 
Delaware;  then  in  Danville,  Virginia,  for  one 
year,  and  in  Milton  one  year;  and  then  returned 
to  Philadelphia,  in  1835,  and  carried  on  his  busi- 
ness in  that  city  and  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 
until  May,  1838,  when  he  came  to  Springfield 
and  pursued  his  business,  manufacturing  car- 
riages and  wagons  until  1868,  and  then  retired 
from  his  active  business.  Mr.  Lewis  was  elected 
City  Alderman  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1862, 
in  which  office  he  served  for  eight  years.  Was 
elected  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Springfield,  Illinois, 
in  April,  1874,  which  office  he  held  for  one  year. 
Has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Oak  Ridge 
Cemetery  from  1863  to  1881,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Springfield 
Water  Works.  Mr.  Lewis  was  married  Sep- 
tember 23,  1851,  to  Cordelia  M.  Ile.s,  and  by 
this  union  were  born  to  them  William  T.,  Kate, 
and  Mary.  Mrs.  Lewis  is  a  daughter  of  Elijah 
lies,  an  early  settler  of  this  county,  and  at  pres- 


690 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUiNTY. 


ent  in  his  eighty-sixth  year,  and  living  with  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lewis.  Mrs.  Lewis  received  her  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  in  Springfield.  Mrs. 
Lewis  is  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Lewis  has  been  very  active  in  his 
business,  manufacturing  carriages  and  wagons, 
in  which  he  was  successful. 

Samuel  N.  Little,  senior  partner  in  Little  & 
Sons'  livery,  corner  Fourth  and  Adams  streets, 
residence,  corner  Adams  and  Second  streets,  was 
born  in  Flemming  county,  Kentucky,  in  Febru- 
ary, 1811;  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  St. 
Ciair  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1818. 
In  the  spring  of  the  year  1819,  his  father 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  locating  at 
Little's  Point,  two  and  a  half  miles  southwest  of 
the  present  site  of  Springfield,  raised  a  crop, 
and  in  ]  S20  brought  his  family  and  settled  there. 
This  was  the  home  of  Samuel  Little,  until  the 
autumn  of  1881,  when  the  last  ninely-six  acres 
was  sold  for  $16,000,  and  the  family  moved  into 
the  city.  In  January,  1843,  Mr.  Little  married 
Eliza  M.  Morgan,  who  was  also  a  native  of 
Flemming  county,  Kentucky,  but  brought  up 
from  infancy  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 
Two  children  of  each  sex  comprise  their  family. 
Both  the  sons  are  engaged  in  the  livery  business, 
Gershom,  J.,  in  company  with  his  father,  on  the 
corner  of  Adams  and  Fourth  streets,  where  the 
senior  Little  established  the  business  in  the  fall 
of  1851;  and  Sanford,  H.,  on  south  Sixth  street, 
opposite  the  Leland  hotel.  The  Fourth  street 
stable  is  a  large  two-story  brick,  eighty  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  feet  in  size,  and  admira- 
bly constructed  and  arranged  for  the  purpose, 
furnished  with  blacksmith  shop,  washroom  and 
otijer  conveniences,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
complete  stables  in  Illinois.  Their  stock  con- 
sists of  eight  coaches,  three  barouches,  sixteen 
buggies,  three  omnibuses,  two  baggage  wagons, 
two  mail  wagons  and  fifty  horses.  S.  H.  Little 
is  sole  proprietor  of  the  other  stable,  which  com- 
prises four  coaches,  twelve  buggies  and  twenty- 
one  horses. 

(4ershom  J.  Little,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  February  19,  1847.  He  read 
medicine  and  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  Col- 
lege, Chicago,  in  186S;  but,  becoming  interested 
in  the  livery  business,  did  not  engage  in  the 
medical  |)ractice.  He  married  Maggie  Connor, 
of  Springfield,  in  1875.  Her  father,  Ed.  L. 
Connor,  was,  for  many  years,  connected  with  the 
Springfield  Illinois  State  Register. 

V.T.  LimlMifj,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Gallatin  county,  Kentucky,  August 
31,  1843;  son  of  Michael  and  Martha  A.  Lindsay, 


natives  of  Kentucky,  where  they  were  married 
and  eight  children  were  born,  six  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

In  1864,  Mr.  L  .  commenced  reading  medicine 
under  Dr.  William  Richards,  of  Napoleon  Ken- 
tucky, where  he  remained  tintil  the  winter  of 
1865-66;'  when  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures 
at  the  Miami  Medical  College,  of  Cincinnati, 
Ohio.  He  graduated  March  2,  1869,  In  1866 
he  came  to  Cotton  Hill  Township,  where  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine.  After 
graduating  he  returned  to  Cotton  Hill,  where  he 
followed  his  profession  until  1875.  He  then 
went  abroad,  visiting  the  hos])itals  of  Paris, 
London,  Vienna,  Austria,  Dresden,  Saxony,  and 
materially  benefitted  by  his  study  and  experi- 
ence. Dr.  Lindsay  has  been  twice  married;  for 
his  first  wife,  he  married  Miss  Olive  W.  Crouch, 
who  died  soon  after;  for  his  second  wife  he  mar- 
ried Miss  E.  K.  Frazer,  of  Fayetteville,  Indiana, 
a  daughter  of  Elder  E.  S.  Frazer;  she  was  born 
in  January,  1847.  By  this  union  there  was  one 
son  and  two  daughters,  Olive  C,  Nicholas  V., 
and  Isabelle. 

Charles  H.  Long,  baker,  grocer,  and  dealer  in 
garden  and  field  seeds,  225  South  Fifth  street, 
has  been  active  in  business  in  Springfield  since 
1857,  first  starting  in  the  bakery  business  where 
the  old  Jefferson  House  now  is.  In  1863,  he 
erected  the  brick  building  he  now  occupies, 
three  stories  high,  twenty  by  seventy-four  feet, 
of  which  he  uses  two  floors  and  the  basement 
for  his  trade,  the  bakery  being  in  another  build- 
ing. Soon  after  locating  in  his  present  quar- 
ters, he  put  in  a  stock  of  general  groceries,  and 
ten  years  ago  added  the  seed  department,  of 
which  he  makes  a  specialty,  and  it  is  now  a  lead- 
ing feature  of  his  business,  and  runs  over$10,000 
a  year.  His  entire  sales  in  the  vaiious  branches 
amounted  in  1880  to  $40,000. 

Mr.  Long  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in 
1838;  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  of 
1854,  settling  immediately  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, and  has  been  a  citizen  of  Sangamon  county 
since.  In  1863,  he  married  Miss  Louise  Nagel, 
in  Springfield,  who  was  also  born  in  Germany. 
Their  family  consists  of  two  sons  and  three 
daughters.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Long  are  members  of 
the  German  Lutheran  Church.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  Board  of  Trustees  of  Concordia  Col- 
lege, of  this  city. 

Joseph  L.  T^oose,  lumber  merchant,  of  the  fii'ni 
of  Spear  &  Loose,  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of 
four  sons  and  three  daughters  of  Jacob  G. 
Loose  and  Elizabeth  M.,  daughter  of  Washing- 
ton   lies,   a  very    early   settler    in   this  county. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


COT 


Joseph  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
and  is  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  He  received  a 
good  Enfjlish  education  in  the  public  schools, 
and  upon  his  father's  death  in  ISH, he  succeeded 
him  in  the  business  of  mining  and  dealing  in 
coal,  until  the  present  partnership  was  formed 
with  Joseph  H.  Spear,  to  engage  in  the  lumber 
trade  in  February,  1880.  On  the  15th  day  of 
May,  1878,  Mr.  Loose  married  Miss  Annie  M. 
Marcy,  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  who  has 
born  liim  two  sons,  Joseph  Frederick  and  Harry 
Jacob  Loose. 

John  McOreery,  proprietor  St.  Nicholas  Hotel, 
was  born  in  Rochester,  New  York,  Ai>ril  15, 
1832,  son  of  Joseph  and  Ann  (Van  Riper) 
McCreery.  His  father  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Rochester,  New  York,  and  his  mother  in  the 
town  of  Patterson,  New  Jersey.  His  father  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  came  West  in  1844, 
and  located  in  Will  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
now  resides.  His  mother  died  in  1879.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  only  a  common 
school  education  previous  to  coming  to  Illinois. 
He  was  reired  on  a  farm,  and  remained  with  his 
father  until  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
went  to  Lockport,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged 
as  clerk  for  Norton  «fe  Company,  in  the  lumber 
and  grain  business,  where  he  remained  for  two 
years.  He  then  returned  to  Flainfield,  and 
clerked  for  McAllister  &  Company,  where  he 
continued  up  to  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield  and  engaged  in  the  stove 
business,  which  he  carried  on  in  connection  with 
other  business  some  twelve  years,  and  in  1862 
he  was  connected  with  the  hotel  which  he  now 
runs.  He  was  married  in  February,  1855,  to 
Louisa  Rose,  who  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Philip  and  Caroline  Power, 
who  now  reside  in  Grundy  county,  Illinois.  In 
1881  he  was  elected  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Spring- 
field, receiving  the  largest  majority  of  any  Mayor 
elected  since  the  organization  of  the  city. 

Mr.  McCrtery  is  a  member  of  the  Tyrian 
Lodge,  No.  3-33,  and  Elwood  Commanderv, 
No.  6. 

Mrx.  Ann  S.  McCormick,  widow  of  the  late 
Andrew  McCormick,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Green  county,  Kentucky,  three  miles 
south  of  Greensburg,  on  Green  river,  January  3, 
1810.  She  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Lucre- 
tia  Short,  natives  of  South  Carolina,  and  came 
to  Sangamon,  afterwards  known  as  Menard 
county,"May  7,  1822. 

Mrs.  McCormick  was  married  to  Andrew  Mc- 
Cormick, three  miles  southeast  of  Springfield, 
.July  30,  1835,  and  by  the  union  bad  ten  children, 


of  whom  six  are  living,  viz,  Margaret  Jane,  Lu- 
cretia  B.,Mary  Elizabeth,  John  A.,  Alexander  R., 
and  Ann  C,  all  born  in  Springfield. 

A  sketch  of  the  life  of  Andrew  McCormick 
will  be  found  under  the  head  of  "  Illustrious  and 
Prominent  Dead,"  in  another  portion  of  the 
work. 

John  McCormick,  son  of  Andrew  and  Ann  S. 
McCormick,  was  born  in  Springfield,  July  28, 
1845,  and  attended  the  common  schools  in  his 
native  place.  Worked  at  painting  a  short  time, 
then  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  from  1861  to  1863. 
After  being  engaged  in  various  occupations,  he 
resumed  his  trade,  which  he  followed  till  1869, 
when  he  engaged  as  car-builder  for  the  Wabash, 
St.  Louis  tfc  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  in  Spring- 
field, and  has  continued  in  this  occupation  since. 
Mr.  McCormick  was  married  in  Springfield, 
October  10,  1868,  to  Tillie  Morroth,  of  Bloom- 
ington,  and  by  this  union  have  one  child,  Tillie 
May.  Mrs.  McCormick  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  Mr.  McCormick  is  a  mem- 
bet  of  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  San- 
gamon Lodge,  No.  6. 

Jiester  McMur2:>hy,  Assistant  Postmaster  at 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence 
county  New  York,  January  28,  1833,  and  the  son 
of  David,  a  millwright,  and  Elizabeth  McMur- 
phy,  the  former  being  born  in  Windsor  county, 
Vermont,  the  latter  in  Bedford  county  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
in  1839,  locating  at  Salisbury,  in  which  place 
the  subject  of  this  biography  began  his  educa- 
tion and  completed  the  same  in  the  public 
schools  of  Sangamon  county  and  at  home.  Mr. 
McMurphy  assisted  his  father  in  his  mechanical 
labor  of  building,  till  the  year  of  1850  when  he 
began  to  learn  carriage-making  with  his  brother 
in  Salisbury,  Illinois,  and  continued  in  this  work 
for  six  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time, 
1856,  his  services  were  engaged  as  a  clerk  in  a 
store  and  to  take  charge  of  the  Postoffice  at 
Salisbury,  in  connection  with  the  store;  this  po- 
sition he  held  for  four  years.  In  the  fall  of  1860, 
Mr.  McMurphy  was  then  engaged  to  work  in  the 
Postoffice  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  the  mailing 
department,  and  took  charge  of  the  paper  case, 
afterwards  was  given  charge  of  the  letter  case. 
During  his  position  in  the  latter,  a  vacancy  oc- 
on'red  in  the  money  order  department,  in  1870, 
which  he  was  selected  to  fill,  and  remained  in 
charge  of  the  same  till  1872,  when  he  was  pro- 
moted to  his  present  position.  Assistant  Post- 
master. 

Mr.  McMurphy's  marriage  took  place  March 
26,    1867,    when    he   was  married  to  Mary    E. 


692 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Gass,  of  Jacksonville,  daughter  of  Benjamin  F. 
Gass,  archittct  and  builder,  under  whose  super- 
vision the  Court  House  and  the  Methodist  Col- 
lege in  Jacksonville  was  constructed,  and  is  now 
superintending  the  addition  bting  liuilt  to  the 
Blind  Asylum  in  the  same  city.  Mr.  Gass  is  a 
native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  near  Paris, 
and  Mrs.  McMurphy  was  educated  in  her  native 
place,  being  a  graduate  of  the  INIethodist  College, 
in  Jacksonville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMurphy  have 
two  children  living,  Frank  P.,  and  Herbeit 
L.,  both  born  in  Sangamon  count}'.  Mr.  Mc- 
Murphy is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, 
Capital  Lodge,  No.  4,  and  a  member  of  the 
brotherhood  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  Lodge  No.  465. 

Samnel  H.  Mar&halU  pro|irietor  of  the  ]\Iar- 
sball  House  corner  Seventh  and  Adams  streets, 
was  born  on  a  faim  near  Little  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, September  13,  1846;  when  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  went  into  the  livery  and  sale 
stable  trade  in  Little  York,  and  two  years  after 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  buying  horses  for  the  Market  Street  Car  Lire 
one  year.  He  then  in  the  fall  of  1876,  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  ran  a  grocery, 
provision  and  commission  house  two  years;  he 
then  ran  the  Central  House  one  year,  when  he 
leased  the  Marshall  House,  formerly  known  as 
the  Everett  House.  Mr.  Marshall  has  given  this 
building  a  thorough  renovating  and  repairing, 
and  has  now  seventy-two  rooms,  nicely  finished 
and  furnished.  In  addition  to  the  hotel  he  has 
built  a  restaurant  and  has  also  a  nice  sample 
room.  ]\Ir.  Marshall  is  a  genial  landlord  who 
studies  the  comfort  and  pleasure  of  his  guests. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Shelenberger, 
October  18,  1872.  She  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Shelenber- 
ger born  in  Germany,  and  Mary  Maul  also  bom 
in  Germany.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marshall  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  have  one 
child,  Jessie  M.  Marshall.  S.  H.  Marshall  was  a 
son  of  Henry  Marshall  born  in  Germany,  and 
living  in  Pennsylvania,  and  Mary  (McFarland) 
Marshall,  born  in  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  Marshall 
was  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  .-fud  of  the 
American  Mechanics  and  Independent  Order  of 
Mechanics;  in  politics  is  a  Republican  and  a 
strong  supporter  of  that  party  for  L^.  S.  Grant's 
first  term  for  President. 

Noah  Mason,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  bom 
February  25,  1807,  fifteen  miles  from  Belfast, 
Maine;  was  married  in  Sangamon  county,  Feb- 
ruary 19,  18.35.  to  Martha  Nuckolls.  They  had 
six  children,  and   Mrs.   Mason   died,  March  24, 


1852.  Noah  Mason,  Jr.,  was  married  August  9, 

1853,  to  Elizabeth  Talbot.  They  had  one"  child. 
Mr.  Mason  has  met  with  some  narrow  escapes 
from  death.  He  still  exhibits  a  spot  on  his  head, 
whiter  than  the  rest,  as  the  mark  of  a  severe  fall 
in  childhood.  Once,  in  New  York,  he  accom- 
panied his  father  to  the  woods,  where  he  was 
clearing  timber  from  the  land,  when  the  weather 
was  extremely  cold.  Noah  became  slee]>y  and 
sat  down  under  a  tree.  When  his  father's  atten- 
tion was  called  to  him  he  could  not  be  wakened. 
He  was  carried  to  the  house,  and  with  the  ut- 
most exertion  of  all  the  members  of  the  family^, 
he  was  aroused  and  his  life  saved.  His  first 
business  transaction  was  in  Pope  county,  Illi- 
nois. He  was  paddling  about  in  the  Ohio  river 
in  a  boat  of  his  own  building,  when  a  stranger 
hailed  him  with  "AVhat  will  you  take  for  your 
boatV"  He  replied,  one  dollar.  The  man  handed 
him  a  two  dollar  bill,  and  Noah,  with  much  run- 
ning to  and  fro,  returned  the  change,  only  to 
find,  after  his  boat  was  gone,  that  the  two  dollar 
bill  was  a  counterfeit.  From  childhood,  Mr. 
Mason  has  been  remarkable  for  presence  of 
mind.  While  the  Mason  family  were  at  Olean 
Point,  New  York,  on  the  Allegheny  river,  Noah 
was  one  day  engaged  in  his  favorite  amusement 
of  paddling  about  on  a  slab  in  the  river,  and  had 
gone  with  the  current  some  distance  down  the 
stream,  when  suddenly  he  heard  a  noise,  and 
looking  up,  he  saw  a  tree  falling  towards  him. 
He  was  a  good  swimmer,  and  quick  as  thought 
he  jumped  off  his  slab,  diving  to  the  bottom.  He 
heard  the  tree  splash  in  the  water  above  him, 
and  he  came  to  the  surface  among  its  branches, 
unhurt.  Again,  his  father,  with  another  man, 
were  felling  trees,  aiid  the  limb  of  one  tree  had 
lodged  against  a  knot  on  another,  balancing  in 
mid  air.  Noah  was  trimming  the  branches  from 
those  that  had  fallen,  and  unconsciously  came 
under  this  loose  limb,  and  it  fell.  He  heard  it 
coming,  and  threw  himself  down  beside  a  large 
log,  which  the  limb  fell  across,  immediately  over 
his  head,  and  he  escaped  with  only  a  fright. 
Again,  he  was  hauling  stakes  for  a  fence,  when 
he  came  to  the  deep  ford  on  Sugar  creek,  San- 
gamon county.  On  driving  in,  the  load  slipped 
forward  on  the  horses,  and  Noah  landed  on  the 
wagon  tongue.  The  horses  began  kicking  and 
running,  and  he  thought  his  time  had  come;  but 
he  made  one  desperate  jump,  clearing  the  horses' 
heels  and  front  wagon  wheel,  and  landed  head 
first  in  the  water.  Fortunately,  he  took  the 
lines  with  him,  which  enabled  him  to  stop  the 
horses.  When  the  Masons  arrived  in  this  county, 
horse  mills  were  the  only  kind  in  use;  but  soon 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


693 


other  kinds  were  built.  Nearly  all  the  bread 
used  was  made  from  Indian  corn.  Mr.  Mason, 
Sr.,  raised  cotton  for  many  years  after  coming  to 
this  county,  and  there  were  two  cotton  gins  built 
near  him.  The  nearest  carding  machine  was  at 
Sangamo,  and  owned  by  a  Mr.  Broadwell.  After 
the  wool  and  cotton  were  carded,  the  different 
families  manufactured  their  own  cloth,  and  this 
constituted  the  wearing  apparel  of  both  males 
and  females.  Peaches  were  almost  a  sure  crop, 
and  jMr.  Thomas  Black  had  a  copper  still  at- 
tached to  his  horse  mill,  and  Noah  M.  assisted 
him  in  making  pure  whisky  from  corn,  and  pure 
brandy  from  peaches.  He  also  cut  hickory  wood 
for  Mr.  Bl-ack  at  thirty-seven  and  one-half  cents 
per  cord;  made  rails  the  summer  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old,  for  thiity-seven  and  one-half  cents 
per  hundred,  and  cut  corn  in  the  fall,  sixteen 
hills  square,  for  live  cents  per  shock,  or  fifty 
cents  per  day.  In  this  way  he  clothed  himself, 
and  had  sixteen  and  one-half  dollars — all  in  sil- 
ver half  dollars — when  he  started,  with  a  num- 
ber of  others,  March  19,  1829,  for  the  Galena 
lead  mines;  was  there  six  summers  and  two 
winters,  including  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow. 
Mr.  Mason  served  in  four  different  companies  dur- 
ing the  lilack  War.  In  1834  he  had  five  eighty- 
acre  tracts  of  land,  bought  with  money  earned 
ty  himself  in  the  lead  mines.  The  prairie-flies 
were  a  great  annoyance  in  the  summer,  and  in 
order  to  avoid  them  plowing  among  the  corn 
was  frequently  done  at  night.  Whisky  was 
thought  to  be  indispensable  in  early  times  in  the 
harvest  field,  but  Mr.  Mason  proved  to  the  con- 
tiary.  He  threshed  his  wheat  with  horses  and 
cleaned  it  with  a  fanning  mill.  With  the  help 
of  a  boy,  one  season,  he  prepared  one  load  of 
wheat  per  week  for  four  weeks,  and  sold  it  in 
Alton  for  forty  cents  per  bushel.  He  has  hauled 
wheat  to  St.  Louis,  selling  it  for  thirty-eight 
cents  per  bushel.  The  merchants  had  their 
goods  hauled  on  wagons  from  St.  Louis  and 
Chicago.  Mr.  ISIason  and  nine  others  brought 
goods  from  the  latter  city  for  Mr.  Bela  Webster, 
of  Springfield,  at  one  dollar  per  hundred  pounds, 
and  were  three  weeks  going  and  coming.  Mr. 
Mason  is  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  the 
county ;  he  has  retired  from  active  business,  and 
now,  in  1881,  resides  in  Springfield. 

Gen.  Thomas  S.  Mather,  native  of  Connecti- 
cut, came  to  Illinois  in  1850;  was  in  the  real 
estate  business  before  the  war;  in  18.58,  was  ap- 
pointed Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  under 
the  administration  of  Governor  W.  H.  Bissell; 
re-ajipointed  by  Governor  Richard  Yates,  and  re- 
mained in  the  oftice  until  November,  1861,  when 


he  resigned  to  take  the  field  as  Colonel  of  the 
Second  Regiment  of  Illinois  Light  Artillery; 
served  with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  and 
during  the  campaign  and  siege  of  Vicksburg, 
was  chief  of  artillery  of  the  left  wing  of  the 
army  operating  against  that  city;  afterwards  * 
served  in  the  Department  of  the  G  ;lf,  and  after- 
wards, until  the  close  of  the  war,  with  the  army 
East.  Was  brevetted  Brigadier  General  after 
the  surrender  of  Vicksburg;  served  three  years 
and  eight  months.  Returned  to  Springfield  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  real  estate  and  pension  business. 

Noali  W.  3Ialheny,  deceased,  was  born  July 
31,  1815,  in  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois.  He 
assisted  his  father  in  the  county  clerk's  office,  as 
soon  as  he  could  write.  At  his  father's  death, 
Noah  was  appointed  clerk,  pro  tern,  by  the  county 
court,  and  in  November,  1839,  was  elected  lo 
fill  the  unexpired  term  of  his  father;  he  was 
afterwards  elected  eight  successive  terms,  of 
four  years  each.  He  married  Miss  Elizabeth  J. 
Stamjier,  August  22,  1843;  a  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Jonathan  Stamper,  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  She  was  born  April  18,  182.'),  in  Bour- 
bon county,  Kentucky;  by  this  marriage  there 
were  four  children,  all  born  in  Springfield;  three 
sous  and  one  daughter.  Previous  to  1876,  he 
was  elected  President  of  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  Matheny  died 
April  30,  1877,  leaving  a  family  to  mourn  his 
loss;  he  was  a  consistent  Christian,  and  one  of 
the  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  Mr.  Matheny  was  an  honorable, 
upright  business  man,  and  had  the  confidence  of 
all  who  became  associated  with  him  in  business. 

Frederick  L.  Matthews,  M.  D.  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Caroline  Matthews,  nee  Cooper,  and 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Hereford,  England,  June 
10,  1841,  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the 
United  States  in  1844;  passed  his  youthful  years 
in  Pennsylvania.  At  an  early  age  he  entered 
Allegheney  College,  Meadville,  Pennsylvania, 
but  before  completing  his  studies,  in  1801,  en- 
listed in  the  Union  army,  following  the  fortunes 
of  one  of  the  celebrated  "Buck  Tail  "  regiments, 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  rapidly  promoted,  until 
just  before  the  "seven  days'  battle"  before 
Richmond,  was  appointed  on  the  staff  of  Major 
General  Phil  Kearney,  and  while  serving  in  that 
capacity  at  the  battle  of  Malvern  Plill,  was  cap- 
tured by  the  Confederates,  and  for  three  months 
endured  the  horrors  of  Libby  Prison.  Soon 
after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  the  last  engage- 
ment in  which  he  participated,  he  resigned  from 
the    service,   and,  shortly  after,    engaged   as    a 


694 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


teacher  in  the  Iron  City  Commercial  College  at 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania. 

In  1864,  Mr.  Matthews  entered  the  medical 
and  scientific  departments  of  the  University  of 
Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor,  with  a  view  of  com- 
jjpleting  his  education,  and  preparing  for  the 
medical  profession,  and  was  graduated  with  dis- 
tinguished honors  with  the  degree  of  M,  D.,  in 
1867,  having  been  a  teacher  of  chemistry,  and 
assistant  demonstrator  of  anatomy  in  the  insti- 
tntion,  the  latter  part  of  his  course.  Dr.  Mat- 
thews commenced  his  professional  career  in 
Carlinville,  Illinois,  enjoying  a  remunerative 
practice  until  18C9,  when  he  attended  Rush 
Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  from  which  he  was 
awarded  the  '■^ ad-eundtm"  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  Resuming  practice  at  Carlinville,  he 
remained  until  1877,  when  he  moved  to  Spring- 
field. Following  the  natural  bent  of  his  inclina- 
tion. Dr.  Matthews  early  made  a  special  feature 
of  surgery,  in  which,  from  innate  adaptation, 
and  thorough  scientific  acquirements,  he  has  at- 
tained an  eminence  equalled  by  few  physicans 
in  the  northwest. 

Ui>on  locating  in  the  Capitol  City,  he  imme- 
diately secured  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, 
which  has  steadily  increased.  In  1872,  upon  the 
recommendation  of  Governor  John  M.  Palmer, 
Doctor  Matthews  was  commissioned  by  Presi- 
dent Grant  to  represent  the  State  of  Illinois  in 
the  United  States  Centennial  Commission.  En- 
tering upon  its  duties  with  his  wonted  zeal  and 
energy,  he  soon  became  prominent  in  the  coun- 
cils of  that  body,  who  instituted,  carried  forward 
and  made  successful  the  grandest  exposition  of 
this  or  any  other  century.  As  a  recognition  of 
his  ability.  Dr.  Matthews  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Commission, 
upon  whom,  directly,  rested  the  burden  of  prepa- 
ration and  conduct  of  the  great  International 
Exhibition.  He  was  the  youngest  of  the  thir- 
teen members  of  the  Executive  Committee,  and 
his  record  reflects  honor  upon  the  great  State  he 
represented.  Dr.  Matthews  is  emphatically  a  self- 
made  man,  having  combatted  the  stern  realities 
of  life  at  every  step, and  is  a  livinginstanceof  the 
truthfulness  of  the  old  adage  that  patience  and 
persevering  effort  will  overcome  all  obstacles. 

TVilliam  Mayhew,  contractor  and  builder, 
residence  1021  South  College  street,  settled  in 
Springfield  in  1857,  and  has  been  working  at 
the  carpenter  business  evel"  since.  He  began 
contracting  in  1863,  and  from  that  time  has  em- 
ployed from  five  to  twenty-five  men.  He  con- 
structed the  wood  work  in  the  roof  of  the  new 
State  House,  under  contract  with  the   Building 


Committee.  He  also  did  the  work  by  contract  on 
the  large  wing  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum, 
at  Jacksonville,  in  18/1.  Also  did  the  wood 
work  on  the  Morgan  County  Poor  Uouse;  in 
1873,  finished  a  number  of  stores  and  a  bank 
building,  in  Lincoln.  During  1880,  he  erected 
twenty  buildings,  aggregating  $20,000  worth  of 
work  ;  and  in  1881,  about  the  same  number,  of 
equal  value.  Mr.  Mayhew  was  born  in  Canada, 
where  all  his  friends  still  reside,  and  is  of 
English  parentage  ;  learned  his  trade  in 
Chatham,  Canada,  and  came  directly  from  home 
to  Springfield.  In  1867  and  1868  he  ran  the 
Ridgely  planing  mill.  Mr.  Mayhew  has  been 
twice  married — first  in  Springfield,  in  October, 
18-58,  to  Mary  Powell,  born  in  England.  She 
died  in  December,  1874,  leaving  four  daughters 
and  a  son.  He  married  his  present  wife,  Celina 
Ingmire,  in  1876.  She  is  a  native  of  Quincy, 
Illinois,  but  was  reared  in  Springfield.  They 
have  one  son.  Mr.  M.  owns  several  pieces  of 
improved  property  in  the  city. 

James  li.  Maxcy,  dealer  in  watches,  jewelry 
and  silverware,  and  money  broker,  corner  of 
Washington  and  Fifth  streets,  established  this 
branch  of  business  in  Springfield  in  1S75,  and 
moved  to  the  above  named  location  in  1879.  His 
stock  of  goods  embraces  an  extensive  line  of 
American  and  Swiss  watches,  jeweliy  and  silver- 
ware of  every  grade  manufactured,  which  are 
sold  either  at  public  auction  or  private  sales. 
Auction  sales  are  held  every  business  day  of  the 
week.  He  also  does  a  regular  money  brokerage 
business,  loaning  in  any  sums  desired  on  all 
kinds  of  collateral  security.  Mr.  Maxcy  is  the 
son  of  one  of  Sangamon  county's  early  settlers, 
John  C.  Maxcy,  who  came  to  Springfield  in  1834, 
Irom  Kentucky,  with  his  father's  family,  being 
then  a  young  man.  He  married  in  this  county, 
to  Feinetta  T.  Lloyd,  also  a  native  of  Kentucky. 
They  were  the  parents  of  five  surviving  children, 
two  sons  and  three  daughters,  and  one  daughter 
deceased.  They  are  both  alive,  and  reside  in 
Springfield.  James  Maxcy's  first  experience  in 
the  auction  business  was  in  his  father's  store,  in 
1856.  In  1866,  he  went  to  Chicago  and  spent  a 
year,  then  returned  to  Springfield.  In  !  808,  he 
became  clerk  in  the  money  order  department  of 
the  Chicago  Post  Office,  remaining  four  years; 
spent  two  years  in  the  city  after  retiring  from 
that  position,  before  settling  in  his  present  busi- 
ness in  Springfield.  He  married  in  Chicago,  in 
1865,  to  Harriet  A.  Dickson,  a  native  of  Jack- 
sonville, Illinois.  Their  family  consists  of  four 
daughters  and  two  sons.  In  politics,  Mr.  Maxcy 
has  always  been  a  Democrat. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


695 


NeUeJ.  Jlellin,  merchant  tailor,  216  South 
Fifth  street,  has  carried  on  business  in  Spring- 
field since  1875.  He  removed  to  his  present  con- 
venient and  handsome  rooms  in  September,  1881. 
His  steels  of  piece  goods  embraces  a  choice 
selection  of  the  finest  American,  English  and 
French  suitings,  which  are  made  up  into  gen- 
tlemen's garments  in  the  most  fashionable  styles. 
Mr.  Mellin  is  doing  a  thriving  business,  employ- 
ing eight  to  ten  skilled  mechanics.  He  is  a 
native  of  Sweden,  born  in  1851;  emigrated  to 
the  United  Stites  in  the  spring  of  1871.  He 
learned  the  tailoring  trade  in  Sweden,  but  never 
carried  on  business  as  proprietor  until  he  located 
in  Springfield,  Illinois.  In  February,  1879,  Mr. 
Mellin  married  Nannie  Lyons;  born  in  New 
York  City;  a  citizen  of  Springfield.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias, Lodge  No.  14. 

Richard  Michael,  proprietor  of  the  Five  and 
Ten  Cent  Store,  227  South  Fifth  street,  opened 
his  store  in  Springfield  in  1878.  His  stock  con- 
sists of  a  large  aggregation  of  miscellaneous 
goods,  including  dry  goods,  notions,  queens- 
ware,  glassware,  and  a  great  variety  of  novel- 
ties, which  are  bought  at  special  bargainB,  and 
sold  accordingly.  The  original  plan  was  to  con- 
fine the  stock  to  only  such  articles  as  could  be 
sold  at  five  and  ten  cents,  but  the  demands  of 
the  trade  necessitated  a  departure  from  that 
rule,  and  it  now  embraces  goods  worth  all  prices. 
Mr.  Michael  employs  seven  competent  clerks 
and  besides  his  large  retail  trade  does  a 
considerable  jobbing  business.  The  annual  sales 
amount  to  between  840,000  and  $50,000.  Mr. 
Michael  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and 
is  thirty-two  years  old.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1870;  stopped  for  a  time  in  St.  Louis;  then  went 
to  Quincy,  and  was  connected  nearly  six  years 
with  the  large  dry  goods  and  notion  house  of  A. 
Derr  &  Brother,  the  last  part  of  that  period  as  a 
partner.  His  first  venture  in  carrying  on  busi- 
ness alone  was  in  Springfield.  Ilis  sales  of  1880 
were  nearly  a  hundred  per  cent,  larger  than 
those  of  1879,  demonstrating  that  he  is  master 
of  the  situation.  This  extensive  business  is  the 
result  solely  of  the  proprietor's  individual  efforts 
in  the  past  five  years. 

Colonel  Chas.  F.  Mills,  was  born  at  Montrose, 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  May  29, 
1844,  he  attended  school  and  worked  on  his 
father's  farm  there  until  eleven  ■  years  of  age, 
when  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Alton,  Illinois. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  junior  class  of  Shurtleff  College,  where 
he  enjoyed  the  reputation  of  being  a  good  stu- 
dent, and  was  recognized  as  a  promising  scholar. 

81— 


In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-fourth  Illinois  Infantry  Volun- 
teers, remained  in  that  company  until  August, 
1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  Hospital  Steward 
in  the  regular  army.  He  was  honorably  dis- 
charged at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  after  serving 
his  country  nearly  five  years  in  the  volunteer 
and  regular  army. 

He  has  been  actively  engaged  in  successful 
farming  and  fine  stock  breeding  in  Sangamon 
county  for  years. 

In  1875,  his  services  were  secured  by  the  Illi- 
nois State  Board  of  Agriculture,  since  which 
time  he  has  rendered  the  agricultural  interests 
of  the  State  valuable  service  in  connection  with 
the  work  of  the  Department  of  Agriculture, 
having  been  honored  by  the  State  Board  by 
being  unanimously  elected  Assistant  Secretary. 

The  Sangamon  County  Fair  during  the  term 
of  years  that  Colonel  Mills  was  Secretary,  en- 
joyed an  extended  popularity  and  was  largely 
patronized  by  exhibiters  and  visitors  from  a  wide 
circuit. 

The  large  and  varied  exhibit  and  the  hand- 
some receipts  of  the  Sangamon  County  Fair 
entitled  it  to  the  second  position  among  the  fairs 
of  the  State,  and  it  was  only  exceeded  by  the 
Illinois  State  Fair. 

He  has  for  many  years  been  prominently  con- 
nected with  Agricultural  organizations  both  of 
the  State  and  Nation.  He  is  at  this  time,  Presi- 
dent of  the  American  Berkshire  Association; 
President  of  the  Illinois  Swine  Breeders'  Asso- 
ciation, and  Secretary  of  the  American  Clydes- 
dale Association,  and  a  director  of  the  American 
Cotswold  Association.  He  is  a  member  of 
Elwood  Commandery  of  Knight  Templars, 
Springfield  Chapter,  and  Tyrian  Lodge,  No.  3.3.3, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  Springfield,  Illinois,  he  is  also 
a  member  of  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Soon  after  the  passage  of  the  law  organizing 
the  Illinois  National  Guard  he  joined  the  State 
service,  was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  and 
Adjutant  Fifth  Infantry  Regiment  I.  N.  G., 
August  16,  1877;  Captain  and  Quartermaster 
Second  Brigade  I.  N.  G.,  December  1,  1877; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  and  Assistant  Adjutant 
General  Second  Brigade  I.  N.  G.,  December  11, 
1877 — the  latter  position  he  still  holds. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Bennett, 
May  26,  1869,  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  She  was 
born  near  this  city,  March  1,  1845,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  William  A.  Bennett  and  Sarah  A. 
Stevenson.  He  was  from  Virginia,  and  she  of 
Kentucky.     They   were   both   members   of  the 


6!)t3 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois. He  was  the  oldest  elder  in  that  church  at 
the  time  of  his  death,  May  10,  1881.  He  had 
been  a  resident  of  the  county  for  nearly  fifty 
years.  She  is  still  living  with  Mr.  C.  F.  Mills, 
near  Springfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mills  have  three 
children,  viz:  Minnie  B.,  William  H.,  and  Carrie 
E.  Mills. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mills  attend  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian  Church  in  Springfield,  Illinois.     They  re- 
side on  their  farm,  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  two  ni  les  east  of  Springfield.     The  Elm- 
wood  stock  farm  is  one  of  the  recognized  head- 
quarters for  fine  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  pigs. 
Colonel    Mills    bretds    fine  Clydesdale  horses, 
Jersey  cattle,   Cotswold    sheep    and    Berkshire 
swine.     In   politics,  Mr.  Mills  is  a  Republican, 
and  a  strong  supporter  of  that  party.    His  father, 
B.  H.  Mills  was  born  in  Montrose,  Pennsylvania. 
He  was  a   merchant,   editor  and  farmer  and  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.     He  was  promi- 
nently connectly  in  the   temperance   cause   for 
some   twenty-five    years.     Was   Right   Worthy 
Grand  Secretary  of  the  National  Lodge  of  Good 
Templars.     He   died   August,   1877.     His   wife 
Delia  (Halsey)   Mills,  born  in  Genesee  county, 
New  York.     She  was  the  mother  of  four  child- 
ren, three  living,  viz:  Charles  F.,  Henry  E.,  an 
attorney   residing   in    St.    Louis,  Missouri,  and 
Ruth    C  ,  a  teacher   in    the  Elmira  College,  at 
Greenville,  Illinois.     Their  grandfather,  josiah 
Mi  Is.    was   born    in    Roxbury,    Massachusetts, 
October  7,    1763.     In    his   fourteenth    year    he 
enlisted  in  the  Revolutionary  army  as  drummer. 
Afier  serving  one  year,  he  exchanged  his  drum 
for  a  musket,  which  he  carried  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  and  received  an  honorable  discharge. 
He  was  at  the  battle  of  White  Plains;  was  with 
Gates  at  Still  Water  and  Saratoga,  assisting  at 
the  capture  of  Burgoyne;  was  with  Washington 
at  Trenton  and  Princeton,  and  endured  the  terri- 
ble sufferings  of  the  march  through  the  Jerseys 
and  the  fearful  winter  at  Valley  Forge.    He  was 
also  permitted  to  share  in  the  glorious  triumph 
of   the  federal  armies  at  Yorktown.     In   after 
years  he  received  a  pension  for  disabilities  in- 
curred in  the  Revolutionary  army.     Soon  after 
the  war  he  emigrated  with  his  young  wife  to  the 
wilds  of  Maine,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Joy,  Oxford  county,  where  he  remained  until 
his   removal    to    Suscjuehanna   county.     He   re- 
ceived a  commission  as  captain  from  Governor 
Caleb  Strong,  of  Massachusetts,  and  responded 
to   all    calls   for    service   against    the    Indians, 
Maine  then  being  a  province  of  that  State.     In 
181-?,   he   married   his   second    wife,  Elizabeth, 


daughter  of  Elder  Samuel  Sturdevant,  of  Brain- 
trim,  Pennsylvania.  In  1817,  Captain  Mills  set- 
tled on  a  farm  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Mon- 
trose on  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  March 
23,  1833,  in  his  seventieth  year.  His  widow  died 
in  Montrose,  September  1841. 

Ed.  A.  Million,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Pleasant  Plains,  Sangamon  county, 
November  25,  1856;  son  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Million  a 
pioneer,  and  one  of  the  oldest  practicing  physi- 
cians in  the  county,  having  practiced  over  thirty 
years.  Ed.  A.  attended  the  higher  scliools  of 
Springfield,  where  he  graduated.  In  1875,  he 
attended  the  Jones  Commercial  College,  at  St. 
Louis,  and  received  a  diploma.  He  read  med- 
icine with  his  father,  afterward  attending  lec- 
tures at  Rush  Medical  College;  also  attended  lec- 
tures at  Missouri  Medical  College,  and  he  went 
before  the  State  Board  of  Medical  Examination 
and  stood  second  best;  attended  lectures  and 
graduated  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Phila- 
delphia. 

Charles  Moody  and  James  M.  Orabh,  dry 
goods  merchants,  corner  of  Sixth  and  Jefferson 
streets,  opened  their  new  store  with  an  entirely 
new  stock  of  dry  goods  and  notions,  on  the  first 
day  of  May,  1 881.  They  keep  in  stock  a  general 
line  of  goods  found  in  a  retail  dry  goods  store. 
They  make  a  special  feature  of  ladies  cloaks  and 
dolmans  in  their  season,  of  which  they  carry  all 
styles  and  qualities.  Their  building  is  new,  their 
stock  is  fresh  and  attractive,  and  paying  low 
rent,  and  doing  a  cash  business,  the  firm  gives 
their  customers  the  benefit  of  small  expenses 
and  discounts.  The  proprietors  are  both  practi- 
cal dry  goods  men,  of  long  experience. 

Mr.  Moody  is  a  native  of  Springfield,  and  son 
of  S.  B.  Moody,  deceased,  who  setrled  here  about 
1835,  and  served  as  City  Assessor  and  Collector 
about  ten  years,  and  Assistant  Postmaster  twenty 
years.  He  was  a  native  of  Watertown,  New 
York;  came  to  Springfield  a  ytung  man,  and 
married  Latatie  Stipp,who  emigrated  from  Ohio 
about  the  same  time.  Mr.  Moody  died  in  1872. 
His  widow  resides  in  Springfield.  Charles  F. 
Moody  started  in  the  dry  goods  business  as  a 
clerk  in  Taylorville,  Illinois.  He  moved  from 
there  to  Carthage,  Hancock  county,  and  carried 
on  business  about  six  years  before  coming  to 
Springfield.  He  has  been  selling  dry  goods 
about  ten  years.  In  September,  187:3,  he  married 
Annie  J.  Goudy,  a  native  of  Christian  county. 
They  have  two  sons  and  a  daughter. 

Mr.  Crabb  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio, 
in  October,  1839;  came  to  Illinois  with  parents, 
who  settled  in  Mercer  county  in   1852.     In  1855, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


69: 


he  went  to  Taylorville  and  commenced  commer- 
cial life,  remaining  there  in  the  dry  goods  busi- 
ness until  he  moved  to  Springfield  to  open  their 
present  store.  During  the  twenty-seven  years 
that  he  sold  goods  in  Taylorville,  he  worked  for 
but  three  firms.  He  married  Miss  Charlotte 
Miller,  in  that  place,  in  1868.  She  is  also  a 
native  of  Ohio.  Their  family  consists  of  two 
daughters.  Mr.  Crabb  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Order  and  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

Henry  J.  Moore,  grocer,  of  the  firm  of  Moore 
&  Clayton,  No.  409  Monroe  street,  is  a  native  of 
Fayette,  county,  Indiana;  born  in  June,  1840; 
is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Mary  E.  (Conway) 
Moore,  both  now  deceased  ;  the  former  died  in 
1840,  the  latter  in  1873.  At  fourteen  years  of 
age  Henry  went  to  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  re- 
mained in  that  State  twenty-three  years.  The 
first  thirteen  he  engaged  in  farming,  the  four 
following  in  the  coal  business,  and  the  last  six 
years  in  the  grocery  trade.  He  came  to  Spring- 
field in  July,  1877,  clerked  two  years  in  a  promi- 
nent grocery  house  ;  in  1879  embarked  in  the 
produce  business,  near  their  present  store,  and 
January  1,  188],  formed  a  partnership  with 
Clayton  Brothers,  and  established  a  general  re- 
tail family  grocery,  carrying  a  varied  stock  of 
groceries,  provisions,  fruits  and  vegetables,  in 
which  they  have  a  prosperous  trade.  Mr.  Moore 
was  married  in  Indiana  in  March,  1856,  to 
Amanda  Conway,  a  schoolmate,  born  in  July, 
1843.  He  is  a  charter  member  of  the  National 
American  Association,  and  its  Treasurer  from 
its  organization,  of  Lodge  No.  13.  Charles  E. 
and  Henry  Clayton,  his  partners,  are  young 
men,  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  on 
April  11,  1854,  and  August  22,  1857,  respec- 
tively. They  are  the  sons  of  Alexander  Clay- 
ton and  Mary  Marshall,  early  settlers  in  Ball 
township,  where  their  mother  died,  nearly 
twenty  years  ago.  Mr.  Clayton  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and  Mrs.  Clayton  in 
New  Jersey.  The  sons  were  reared  farmers,  in 
which  they  are  still  engaged,  their  mercantile 
experience  being  limited  to  their  association 
with  Mr.  Moore.  They  were  born  on  the  home- 
stead, where  they  and  their  father  now  reside. 

G.  W.  Morgan,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Scott  county,  Illinois,  October  11, 
1838,  son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  B.  (Smith)  Mor- 
gan. His  father  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and 
was  born  in  the  Highlands,  in  1801.  When 
three  years  old  his  parents  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  locating  near  Ripley  Court  House, 
North  Carolina.  His  father  remained  there  un- 
til he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  came 


to  Illinois  and  located  in  Bond  county,  where  he 
became  acquainted  with  Miss  Smith,  daughter  of 
John  Smith,  a  prominent  citizen  and  wealthy 
farmer  of  Bond  county,  whom  he  married.  Pre- 
vious to  coming  to  Scott  county  he  read  law 
with  Judge  Vendiver,  an  eminent  jurist,  of 
North  Carolina,  and  after  coming  here  com- 
menced practicing,  which  he  followed  but  a 
short  time  after  arriving  in  Bond  county,  Illinois. 
He  then  embarked  in  the  real  estate  and  nursery 
business,  which  he  followed  very  extensively  for 
a  number  of  years,  and  to-day  the  fruits  of  his 
nursery  can  be  seen  all  through  the  central  por- 
tion of  the  State.  In  February,  1849,  liis  wife 
died,  leaving  eight  children,  all  of  which  lived 
to  adults.  He  was  again  married  to  Miss  Julia 
Schibe,  daughter  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  in 
Scott  county.  They  had  six  children,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living.  He  died  in  1861,  when 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  seventeen  years  of 
age.  He  commenced  reading  medicine  under 
Dr.  W.  Wilson,  an  Alopathic  physician,  but  re- 
mained with  him  only  a  short  time,  after  which 
he  began  the  studies  of  Homeopathy  under  Dr. 
J.  Thorne.  He  attended  lectures  at  Hahnemann 
Medical  College,  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  gradu- 
ated March  4,  1863,  with  honors.  On  the  ]|8th 
of  same  month  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in 
partnership  with  Dr.  C.  F.  Kuechler  for  one  and 
a  half  years.  December  23,  1865  he  married 
Miss  Janetta  M.  Swaringen,  the  third  daughter 
of  C.  T.  Swaringen,  one  of  the  prominent  and 
wealthy  farmers  of  Pike  county,  Illinois.  She 
was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  February  16, 
1843.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  five 
children,  four  of  whom  are  still  living.  The  Dr. 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  of  Knight 
Templars,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  of  Springfield.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Illinois  \'olun- 
teer  Infantry,  Company  I,  under  Colonel  J.  M. 
Palmer,  and  served  one  and  a  half  years,  when 
he  was  discharged  for  disability,  caused  by  sun- 
stroke. He  is  a  gentleman  of  firm  and  muscular 
build,  and  possessing  a  clear  and  vigorous  mind, 
decided  in  his  opinions,  and  emphatic  in  his 
statements.  Strong,  hearty  and  robust  in  body, 
he  seems  destined  to  live  and  enjoy  life  many 
years  to  come. 

Frank  Myers,  proprietor  of  the  "Wonder 
Store,"  No.  513,  north  side  of  the  square,  has 
carried  on  business  at  that  number  over  two 
years.  His  fine  store,  which  is  amply  fitted  up 
with  shelving,  counters,  etc.,  is  one  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  feet  in  length,  well  lighted,  and   con- 


698 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tains  an  aggregation  of  novelties  in  such  end- 
less quantity  and  variety,  as  renders  the  title  of 
the  place  eminently  appropriate;  for  it  is  a  mar- 
velous collection  of  articles  of  utility  and  orna- 
ment, which  makes  it  a  genuine  "curiosity- 
shop,"  where  may  be  found  numerous  lines  of 
goods  kept  in  other  stores,  and  many  more  not 
to  be  found  elsewhere  in  the  city,  or  indeed  in 
Central  Illinois,  as  it  is  the  only  establishment 
of  its  cUss  in  this  part  of  the  State.  Mr.  Myers 
started  in  business  in  Springfield,  in  186-1,  oppo- 
site the  northeast  corner  of  the  square,  where 
he  continued  until  the  magnitude  of  his  rapidly 
growing  trade  compelled  a  charge  to  larger 
quarters,  which  he  did  in  1879.  He  now  carries 
a  stock  of  goods  worth  about  §25,000,  and  his 
annual  sales  run  to  nearly  $00,000,  requiring  an 
average  clerical  force  of  fifteen  to  eighteen 
hands,  and  much  larger  during  the  busiest  sea- 
son. Mr.  Myers  is  a  product  of  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  born  in  August,  1847,  and  reared 
and  educated  in  Springfield.  In  1878,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Nellie  E.  Holmes,  a  native  of  Spring- 
field, and  graduate  of  the  City  High  School. 
They  have  one  daughter,  Ella,  a  year  and  a  half 
old, 

Henry  C.  Myers  was  a  native  of  Chambers- 
burg,  Pennsylvania;  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
in  Springfield  in  1838,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  about  thirty  years.  He  died 
in  this  city  in  1871.  He  married  Eleanor  D.  Ro- 
bards,  a  native  of  Lexington,  Kentucky,  in 
Brown  county,  Missouri,  in  1843.  Three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  onh'  two  of  whom,  a 
daughter,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  are 
alive.     His  mother  is  a  resident  of  Sprinsjtield. 

John  A.  JSTafev-,  Chief  Clerk  St.  Nicholas 
Hotel,  was  born  in  Troy,  New  York,  September 
17,  1837;  son  of  John  S.  and  Mary  H.  (Weaver) 
Nafew.  His  father  was  also  born  in  Troy,  his 
grandfather  being  among  the  first  settlers  of 
that  place.  He  was  a  printer  and  politician,  and 
dieil  in  New  York  City  in  1872.  His  mother  in 
Albany  in  185:!. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  started  in  the  drug 
business  in  Albany,  New  York,  where  he  re- 
mained for  four  years.  In  1855,  he  came  West, 
and  located  in  Chicago.  From  there  he  went  to 
Wisconsin,  where  he  clerked  in  a  hotel  for  one 
year.  He  then  came  to  Uloomington,  Illinois, 
and  later  held  a  position  in  the  old  Pike  House, 
located  on  the  site  of  the  present  Phoenix  Hotel. 
He  stayed  there  three  years.  In  September, 
1800,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  entered  the 
office  of  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel  as  clerk,  in  which 
he  continued  for  several  years.    In  1865,  he  went 


to  .Teffcrsonville,  In<liana,  where  he  held  the 
position  of  general  ticket  agent  for  two  yeais. 
Returned  to  Springfield,  and  again  entered  the 
St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  remaining  there  two  years. 
He  then  took  charge  of  the  American  House  and 
conducted  it  for  three  years,  after  which  he 
again  returned  to  the  St.  Nicholas,  where  he  is 
now  engaged. 

He  was  married  in  1863  to  Ella  F.  Mclntire, 
who  was  born  in  Lyons,  Massachusetts,  in  1^45. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  andRoxanna 
Stearns.  Her  father  died  in  1866.  Her  mother 
still  resides  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Nafew  is  a 
member  of  the  Central  Lodge  of  Free  and  Ac- 
cepted Masons,  No.  71,  and  Royal  Chapter, 
Arch  No.  1,  and  the  Hotel  Men's  Association 
and  Springfield  Lodge,  37,  A.  O  IT.  W. 

Dentiis  Nees,  grocer,  231  North  Fifth  street, 
corner  Madison,  established  business  on  his  own 
account  in  Springfield  about  seven  years  ago,  and 
has  been  five  years  in  his  present  location.  He 
keeps  a  general  stock  of  confectioneries,  gro- 
ceries, and  liquors,  for  the  retail  trade.  He  is 
thirty-four  years  of  "age,  was  born  in  Baden, 
Germany, and  came  to  the  United  States  in  1867, 
settling  immediately  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Before  leaving  his  native  country,  he  learned 
the  trade  of  lirick-raoulding.  L^pon  arriving  in 
Springfield,  he  was  employed  for  a  time  as  a 
laborer,  and  Ipter  for  some  three  years  as  clerk, 
at  the  termination  of  which,  in  1873,  he  started 
in  business  on  the  corner  of  Washington  and 
Tenth  streets,  remaining  thei'e  till  he  moved  to 
his  present  stand.  In  October,  1871,  he  married 
Lizzie  Stark,  a  native  of  Springfield,  of  German 
parentage.  They  have  had  four  daughters  and 
one  son,  the  latter  deceased.  The  living  are: 
Clara,  eight  years  old,  past;  Emma  and  Lizzie, 
twins,  born  July  3,  1874,  and  Minnie,  aged  five 
years.  Mr.  Nees  is  a  member  of  the  Western 
Catholic  Union,  of  which  he  was  Treasurer  for 
some  time.  His  father  died  when  he  was  six 
months  old,  and  his  mother  when  he  was  four- 
teen years  of  age,  in  the  old  country. 

Major  Alfred  A.  North,  druggist,  Springfield, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
Jnly  7,  1823;  son  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Wil- 
liams) North,  a  daughter  of  Major  E.  Williams, 
a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war;  mother,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania;  father  of  English  de- 
scent, and  born  in  London;  died  in  Philadelphia, 
in  September,  1826.  In  1831,  his  mother  moved 
to  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  to  educate 
her  children;  in  1845,  removed  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  she  died,  March  11,  1871.  ^lajor 
North,  in  1840,  went  to  Mobile,  Alabama,  for  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


099 


purpose  of  learning  tlie  drug  business;  remained 
live  years;  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where 
he  embarked  in  the  same  business.  February  9, 
1847,  he  married  Miss  America  Ann  Minor, 
daughter  of  Colonel  Gideon  Minor,  who  was 
born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  in  1775, 
and  died  in  1841.  In  1830,  he  came  to  Edgar 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  represented  his  dis- 
trict in  the  legislature  for  three  terms;  his  health 
failed,  and  he  had  to  give  up  politics;  was  what 
was  known  as  one  of  the  '-Long  Nine,"  being 
six  feet  and  four  inches  in  height.  Mrs.  North 
was  born  in  Clairmont  county,  Ohio,  September 
18,  18'J4.  There  were  five  cliildren,  four  of 
whom  are  living:  Caroline  M.,  died  May  23, 
18C7;  Catharine  C,  Emma  A.,  Milford,  and 
Alfred  A.,  Jr.  September  21,  1861,  Mr.  N.  en- 
listed in  the  Tenth  Regiment  Cavalry,  Illinois 
Volant(ers,  Company  A,  anl  was  commissioned 
First  Lieutenant;  took  the  first  Comjjauy  of 
the  Tenth  Cavalry  into  Camp  Butler;  was  ap- 
pointed Quartermaster  of  the  Second  Battalion, 
and  was  for  a  short  time  Acting  Captain  of 
Company  I).  The  Major  resigned  in  1863  on 
acci)unt  of  poor  health,  and  was  appointed  Dep- 
uty Provost  Marshalof  theEighth  District  of  Illi- 
nois; was  afterwards  re-commissioned  Captain  of 
Co.  M,  and  went  to  the  field,  where  he  was  again 
prostrated  by  disease;  again  resigned,  and  was 
honorablj'  discharged.  He  was  brevetted  Major 
by  President  Andrew  Johnson,  for  faithful  and 
meritorious  service  during  the  war.  In  1865,  he 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  Assessor  and  Collector 
of  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  re-elected  the  ensu- 
ing year.  He  is  now  operating  in  the  grain 
trade. 

.Tamest  H.  Paddock  was  born  atLockport,  Will 
county,  Illinois,  May  29,  1850.  When  three 
years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Kan- 
kakee, Kankakee  county,  Illinois.  He  attended 
school  there  until  1865,  and  that  winter  was  ap- 
pointed a  Page  in  the  State  Senate,  at  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  in  18(37  was  Assistant  Postmas- 
ter of  tlie  Senate.  In  1809-71-73-75,  was  As- 
sistant Secretary  of  the  State  Senate.  He  was 
also  Secretary  of  the  State  Senate  in  1877-79, 
and  1881.  From  1873  to  1876,  when  not  per- 
forming his  duties  in  the  State  Senate,  he  was 
em])loyed  in  the  Grain  Inspection  Department, 
at  Chicago,  Illinois.  He  was  appointed  Chief 
Clerk  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 
June  1,  1881,  a  position  he  still  retains.  He  at- 
tended the  High  School  in  Kankakee,  Illinois, 
and  was  married  in  that  place  to  Miss  May  L. 
Crawford,  October  9,  1873.  She  was  born  at 
Portland,  Maine,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Frank- 


lin Porter,  born  in  Paris,  Maine.  She  and  hus- 
band reside  at  Kankakee,  Illinois.  John  W. 
Paddock,  father  of  James  II.  Paddock,  was  born 
in  Camillus,  Onondago  county,  New  York,  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1815.  He  is  a  lawyer,  and  settled  at 
Lockport,  Illinois,  about  1845.  In  1853,  he  re- 
moved with  his  family  to  Kankakee,  Illinois. 
He  practiced  law  at  this  place,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Constitutional  Convention  in  1862. 
He  ran  for  Circuit  Judge  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  at  Kankakee,  Twentieth  District,  in  1857. 
but  was  defeated.  In  politics,  he  was  an  old- 
line  Whig,  until  the  disbanding  of  that  party, 
when  he  became  a  Democrat.  He  was  a  great 
admirer  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  When  the  war 
broke  out,  he  became  a  strong  Union  man  and  a 
supporterof  Lincoln's  administration,  and  helped 
to  raise  the  Seventy-sixth  Illinois  Infantry  Vol- 
unteers, commanded  by  A.  W.  Mack.  He  after- 
ward raised  six  companies  in  Kankakee  and  Iro- 
quois counties,  wliich,  with  four  companies  from 
Cook  county,  Illinois,  became  the  One  Hundred 
and  Thirteenth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers. 
The  regiment  was  known  as  the  Third  Board  of 
Trade  Regiment,  and  of  which  regiment  he  was 
elected  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  retained  com- 
mand of  that  regiment  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  August,  1863,  in  the  hospital  at  Mem- 
phis, Tennessee,  from  disease  contracted  on  the 
Y^azoo  river,  during  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
His  wife,  Helen  Tiffany,  was  born  in  New  York 
State.  She  is  a  member  of  tlie  Episcopal  Church, 
and  the  mother  of  ten  children,  eight  living. 
She  is  living  at  Kankakee. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  H.  Paddock  have  two 
children,  viz  ,  Harry  W.  Paddock  and  Fannie  C. 
Paddock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paddock  are  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  a  Re- 
IHiblican,  and  a  strong  supporter  of  that  party; 
cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President. 
Mr.  Paddock  was  Secretary  of  the  Railroad 
and  Warehouse  Commission  from  July  1,  1876, 
to  May  1,  1877,  and  in  the  United  States  Mar- 
shal's office  at  Chicago,  July  1,  1877,  to  January 
],  1879. 

Jmnes  J.  Parker  son,  grocer,  413  East  Monroe 
street,  is  the  son  of  Ilugh  and  Ellen  (Jackson) 
Parkerson,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  and  was  born  in  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio,  in  1848.  Ten  years  later,  the  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  He  lias  been 
identified  with  the  grocery  trade  in  Springfield, 
in  various  capacities,  fourteen  years.  In  1871, 
he  first  established  himself  in  business  on  Fourth 
street.  After  conducting  it  tliree  years,  he  sold 
out  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  traveled  a 


■700 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


year.  Was  then  some  years  with  the  grocery 
firm  of  Brasstield  &  Steele,  representing  the 
former  partner's  interest.  In  the  fall  of  1878, 
he  entered  into  partnership  with  F.  W.  Paradice, 
and  opened  business  with  a  new  stock  of  goods 
in  thtir  present  store.  They  have  a  large  retail 
trade  in  groceries,  and  quite  an  extensive  job- 
bing business  in  fruits  and  produce,  of  which 
they  make  a  specialty,  the  whole  amounting  to 
$35,000  a  year  in  volume.  They  ship  goods  to 
the  towns  within  a  radius  of  fifty  miles  of 
Springfield.  In  1873,  Mr.  Parkerson  married 
Miss  Maria  E.  Paradice,  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois, 
who  is  now  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  the 
mother  of  one  daughter,  Laura  D.  Parkerson, 
born  in  June,  1875. 

George  Pasfiekl,  III.,  capitalist  and  general 
trader,  is  the  only  son  of  George  Pasfield  II., 
who  settled  in  Sangamon  county  in  1831.  He 
was  born  in  England,  brought  by  parents  to 
America,  in  early  childhood,  and  reared  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  where  his  parents  both 
died  of  the  yellow  fever.  Before  coming  to 
Illinois  he  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping 
produce,  in  large  quantities,  by  Hat-boat,  down 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and  in  trading 
in  a  general  way.  He  resided  some  years  in 
Cincinnati,  in  Louisville,  and  in  Paris,  Bourbon 
county,  Kentucky.  In  the  latter  place  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Forden,  in  1830,  and  moved  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  the  next  year.  Here  he  embarked 
in  a  grocery  and  general  merchandising  busi- 
ness, and  also  continued  in  general  trafficking. 
He  died  November  9,  1869,  '.eaving  the  widow 
and  son  with  a  very  comfortable  estate.  His 
wife  followed  him  in  1878. 

The  subject  of  this  article  was  born  in  Spring- 
field, and  is  forty-nine  years  of  age.  He  was 
educated  in  the  Springfield  Academy,  and  the 
medical  department  of  St.  Louis  University, 
from  which  he  graduated,  receiving  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  in  1852.  But  being  inclined  to  follow 
in  the  footsteps  of  his  sire,  he  never  entered 
actively  into  the  practice  of  medicine,  save  as 
contract  surgeon  at  Camp  Butler  during  the 
war.  He  has  devoted  his  attention  to  buying 
and  improving  city  real  estate,  and  to  general 
trading.  He  has  manifested  a  zealous  interest 
in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  Springfield,  and 
has  been  financially  identified  with  most  of  the 
corporate  enterprises  looking  to  this  end,  besides 
erecting  many  business  and  other  buildings,  of 
which  he  now  owns  a  large  number.  The  Pas- 
field  block,  which  he  built  in  1881  in  honor  of 
liis  father's  name,  on  ground  purchased  by  the 
senior  Pasfield  fifty  years  ago,is  of  pressed  brick 


and  iron  fronts,  ornamented  with  trimmings  of 
stone  and  tile,  is  the  handsomest  business  block 
in  the  Capital  City.  Mr.  Pasfield  has  been  very 
successful  in  his  business  operations,  and  now 
owns  more  real  estate  than  any  other  man  in 
Springfield.  His  residence  is  the  old  homestead, 
embracing  four  blocks  on  the  corner  of  Capitol 
Avenue  and  Pasfield  street,  and  is  a  cosy  rural 
retreat.  In  1866,  Mr.  Pasfield  united  in  marriage 
with  the  daughter  of  Hathaway  M.  Pickrell. 
She  was  also  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 
Emma,  aged  fourteen  years;  George  IIII.,  aged 
11,  and  Arthur  Hathaway  Pasfield,  aged  four 
years,  constitute  their  family.  Mrs.  Pasfield  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Debokl Faulen,  Treasurer  of  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  was  born  near  Strasbirg,  Germany,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1628;  came  with  his  parents,  Debold 
and  Margaret) (Walter)  Paulen,  to  America,  when 
eight  years  of  age,  then  the  only  child  of  their 
family  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  After 
remaining  a  year  in  New  Orleans,  they  set- 
tled in  Curran  township,  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, where  the  mother  died  in  1863,  and  the 
father  in  March,  1881,  and  where  Mr.  Paulen  has 
always  resided,  until  electtd  to  his  present  office, 
in  1877.  His  school  advantages  were  confined 
to  a  few  terms  in  the  district  school.  Beg  inning 
labor  in  youth  for  twenty-five  cents  a  day,  pros- 
perity marked  his  course  of  industry  and  econ- 
omy; and  in  1877  he  had  no  difficulty  in  obtain- 
ing securities  on  his  bond  for  $1,700,000.  Neither 
he  or  his  father  ever  had  a  law  suit.  Mr. 
Paulen  married  Elizabeth,  a  native  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  McMurray,  one 
of  the  pioneers  in  the  county,  in  1857.  They 
are  the  parents  of  three  sons  and  one  daughter. 
He  was  elected  Treasurer  on  the  Republican 
ticket  in  1877,  and  re-elected  in  1879,  against  a 
Democratic  majority  of  from  eight  to  ten  hun- 
dred. His  father  came  to  the  county  in  indigent 
circumstances,  but  accumulated  a  competence 
before  his  death. 

Moreaii  J.  T/iillips,  deceased,  was  born  in  Green 
county,  Kentucky,  May  26,  1811,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1829. 
In  1831,  he  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  as  a 
member  of  the  company  from  Sangamon  county. 
In  1836,  returned  to  Kentucky  and  married 
Mali'sa  Lee,  whom  he  brought  back  to  Sangamon, 
where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
died  in  Springfield,  February  8,  1881.  He  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  spent  the  last  years  of 
his  active  life  in  superintending  the  wood  de- 
partment of  the  trunk  factory  of  his  sons.  His 
marriage  with  Miss  Lee  resulted  in  a  family  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


roi 


ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  deceased,  and  six 
sona  alive.  Mr.  Phillips  co  iibined  in  his  charac- 
ter firmness  and  decision,  with  strong  sympathy 
and  kindness  of  heart.  He  was  greatly  attached  to 
his  home  and  family,  whose  associations  formed 
the  chief  enjoyment  of  his  life. 

Four  of  the  six  sons,  Charles  J.,  Edwin  H., 
William  O.  and  Moreau  F.  Phillips  are  associated 
in  the  Phillips  Brothers'  trunk  manufactory,  and 
are  doing  a  thriving  business.  Their  mother  re- 
sides in  Springfield,  aged  sixty-four  years. 

Henry  Pietz,  photographic  artist,  221.V  South 
Sixth  street,  has  been  conducting  the  business 
in  Springfield  since  the  fall  of  1873,  and  moved 
into  his  present  beautiful  rooms,  fitted  up 
especially  for  his  purpose,  in  March,  1880.  He 
has  an  experience  of  fifteen  years  in  this  branch 
of  art,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  fine  portrait 
work  in  sun  prints,  ink,  crayon  and  oil.  His 
gallery  is  furnished  with  all  the  facilities  for  a 
high  grade  of  work  ;  and  a  survey  of  the  beau- 
tiful specimens  which  adorn  the  walls  of  his 
place  convince  the  visitor  that  Mr.  Pietz  is 
master  of  his  art.  He  is  a  German  by  birth, 
and  obtained  a  general  knowledge  of  the  photo- 
graphic art  in  the  polytechnic  schools  of  his 
native  country;  came  to  America  in  18(34,  and 
after  traveling  about  a  year  and  a  half,  stopped 
a  short  time  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio  ;  went  thence 
to  Piqua,  Ohio,  and  carried  on  the  manufacture 
of  soda  water.  In  1869,  he  went  to  Chicago  and 
engaged  in  photography.  Leaving  there,  he 
spent  two  years  in  Milwaukee,  then  came  to 
Springfield.  Mr.  Pietz  is  a  member  of  the 
Photographic  Association  of  America. 

./.  A.  W.  Pittnum,  photographic  artist.  No. 
;J23  South  Fifth  street,  learned  the  business  in 
Tennessee,  his  native  State,  beginning  in  1857; 
and  with  the  exception  of  a  few  months,  has 
continuously  carried  it  on  for  himself  ever  since. 
In  January,  1865,  he  located  in  St.  Louis;  burned 
out  in  February,  18H8,  and  moved  to  Carthage, 
Hancock  county,  Illinois,  remaining  till  he  came 
to  Springfield  in  April,  1876.  The  building  Mr. 
Pittman  has  occupied  since  January,  1881,  was 
designed  and  built  especially  for  his  use,  and  is 
admirably  adapted  to  the  purpose.  The  recep- 
tion, toilet  and  operating  rooms  are  all  on  the 
ground  floor,  and  are  tastefully  furnished  and 
supplied  with  the  finest  modern  implements  and 
facilities  for  superior  portrait  work,  of  which 
abundant  proofs  adorn  his  beautiful  rooms,  in 
the  way  of  specimen  pieces.  Prominent  among 
these  are  two  composition  groups  of  the  Thirty- 
first  and  Thirty-second  General  Assemblies  of 
Illinois;  tiie    first    was    made    in    1879,  and  the 


latter  in  1881.  They  are  four  ami  a  half  by  six 
feet  in  size,  representing  the  members  in  their 
seats  in  their  respective  halls,  are  elegantly  exe- 
cuted, and  are  probably  the  largest  composition 
portrait  pictures  in  the  world.  To  make  them 
was  a  stupendous  undertaking  which  few  artists 
would  assume,  and  fewer  still  could  produce 
with  such  marked  success. 

Mr.  Pittman  was  born  in  1833,  and  lived  on  a 
farm  till  he  began  photography.  He  has  been 
three  times  married;  first,  to  Terecy  Gililand  in 
18.53,  who  died  three  years  after,  leaving  two 
children,  both  deceased.  In  1869,  he  married 
Mary  Bryant,  who  died  in  1876;  and  in  January, 
1878,  he  married  his  present  wife,  Mary  Pat- 
terson, of  Springfield.  They  have  one  daughter. 
He  is  a  Mason  and  a  member  of  the  Royal 
Templars  of  Temperance. 

Charles  R.  Post,  Springtield,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Cornwall,  Vermont,  January  1.5,  1826;  son  of 
Truman  and  Betsy  (Atwater)  Post,  who  emi- 
grated to  Marietta,  Ohio,  in  1833,  where  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reaied  on  a  farm.  In 
1842,  he  came  to  Waverly,  Morgan  county, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  remained  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1847.  The  same 
year,  Charles  went  to  California,  crossing  the 
plains;  remained  in  the  mines  a  couple  of  years, 
then  returned  to  Waverly,  where  he  stopped  a 
short  time;  went  to  Jacksonville  and  embarked 
in  merchandising  one  year;  thence  to  Spring- 
field, where  he  engaged  in  the  grain  trade,  and 
continued  in  the  same  until  18.57;  then  engaged 
in  selling  farm  implements.  He  married  Miss 
Caroline  Lathrop,  daughter  of  Erastus  Lathrop, 
of  Ashforth,  Connecticut.  By  this  marriage 
there  were  three  sons:  Charles  William,  Aurilian 
A  ,  and  Carroll  L.  Mr.  Post  has  held  several 
local  offices  of  trust  in  the  gift  of  the  people,  is 
a  deacon  of  the  Congregational  Church.  In 
politics  a  Republican. 

James  L.  Powell,  contractor  and  builder,  resi- 
dence south  Sixth  street,  near  Vine,  commenced 
the  building  business  on  his  own  account  in 
1874,  and  ha-*  devoted  his  attention  chiefly  to 
erecting  residences  in  the  city.  He  makes  most 
of  his  own  plans,  works  from  five  to  twenty 
mechanics,  and  has  never  built  less  than  fifteen 
houses  in  any  one  year.  ]lis  contracts  for  1880 
amounted  to  $30,000,  and  in  1881  to  $35,000. 
He  began  leai-ning  the  carpenter  trade  with  his 
father  in  1868,  and  worked  for  him  seven  years. 

His  father,  Ebenezer  Powell,  was  an  English- 
man by  birth;  came  to  America  and  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  in  1845,  and  after  his  mar- 
riage with  Nancy  E.  McKinney,  a  Pennsylvania 


T02 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lady,  settled  in  Mecbanicsbiirg  township,  where 
James  was  born  a  little  over  twenty-eight  years 
ago.  He  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  sons  and 
two  daughters.  His  father  carried  on  the  car- 
penter business  in  Springfield  a  number  of  years 
before  his  death,  in  1875.  The  subject  of  this 
article  married  in  September,  18T4,  to  Miss 
Jennie  Neper,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  but 
a  resident  of  Springfield  from  early  childhood. 
They  have  three  daughters,  Bella,  Minnie 
and  Kittle.  In  politics  Mr.  Powell  is  Republi- 
can.    His  mother  resides  in  Kansas. 

J.  F.  Price,  M.  D.,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  F.  and 
Mariah  R.  (Miles)  Price,  natives  of  Kentucky; 
his  father  was  a  Presbyterian  preacher,  and  was 
connected  with  the  church  at  Pisgah  for  a  num- 
ber of  years;  died  in  June,  1847;  his  mother  is 
still  living,  at  the  age  of  seventy.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Woodford  county, 
Kentucky,  April  7, 1846;  his  father  died  when  he 
was  one  year  old;  he  was  sent  to  live  with  his 
grandmother,  and  when  thirteen  years  old  was 
sent  to  Nicholasville,  Kentucky,  to  attend  a  pri- 
vate school;  remained  there  two  years,  then 
came  to  Illinois,  and  attended  the  Normal  Uni- 
versity, at  Normal,  nearly  three  years;  then  re- 
turned to  Kentucky;  where  he  read  medicine 
with  Dr.  Sidney  Allen,  of  Winchester,  now  of 
Lewislon,  Kentucky,  one  year,  when  he  attended 
lectures  at  Louisville  University;  in  1865,  came 
to  Springfield;  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Charles 
Ryan,  the  same  j^ear;  returned  to  Louisville, 
where  he  graduated.  The  Doctor  commenced 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Clarke  county, 
Kentucky,  and  remained  there  two  and  a  half 
years.  In  1868  he  was  connected  with  the 
Soldiers'  Home,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  as  Assistant 
Surgeon,  one  year;  in  1869,  went  to  Coles  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  followed  his  profession;  the 
following  year,  went  to  New  York  City  and 
Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College;  then  went 
to  Philadelphia,  where  he  spent  a  short  time  in 
Jefferson  College.  He  returned  to  Charleston, 
Coles  county,  remained  one  year;  in  February, 
1872,  he  married  Miss  Jesse  Loose;  she  was  born 
in  this  city  November  7,  1851;  there  are  three 
children,  Jacob  L.,  Charles  R.,  and  Jessie.  The 
following  April  Mr.  P.  located  in  Springfield, 
where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  II.  B. 
Buck,  and  with  the  exception  of  a  visit  to  Kan- 
sas for  his  health,  has  remained  here  since. 

John  W.  Priest,  furniture  merchant,  north 
side  of  the  square,  is  one  of  a  family  of  twelve 
children  of  Frank  and  Maiy  (Wood)  Priest,  of 
whom  five  of  each  sex  lived  to  adult  age.  He 
was  born  in  Vermont,  October  18,  1809;  moved 


with  parents  to  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York, 
in  1816,  where  he  grew  to  raanho  id;  and  in 
August,  1835,  married  Olive  Wakefield;  starting 
soon  after,  in  a  wagon,  for  Montgomery,  Ala- 
bama, consuming  forty  days  in  the  trip.  Mr. 
Priest  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of 
tinware  in  that  place  about  fourteen  months, 
then  sold  out  and  carried  on  the  same  business 
in  Columbus,  Mississippi,  over  three  years;  leav- 
ing there,  he  spent  a  summer  in  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri. In  the  spring  of  1840,  he  and  wife  re- 
turned to  New  York  for  the  latter's  health, where 
she  died  soon  after,  leaving  a  son,  who  also  died 
at  three  years  of  age.  Mr.  Priest  came  to  Spring- 
field in  June,  1840,  and  for  thirteen  years  car- 
ried on  brick  manufacturing,  and  also  conducted 
the  stove  and  tinware  business  about  four  years 
during  the  time.  He  has  been  extensively  en- 
gaged in  farming  many  years;  owns  a  six  hun- 
dred acre  farm  in  Christian  county,  which  he 
cultivates,  and  one  of  five  hundred  acres  in  San- 
gamon county,  that  he  rents  out.  About  six 
years  ago  he  re-embarked  in  the  furniture  and 
house-furnishing  business  in  his  present  store, 
and  carries  a  large  stock  of  furniture,  stoves,  tin, 
and  wooden-ware,  crockery,  cutlery,  etc.,  and  has 
an  annual  trade  of  *:>5,000  to  ^40,000.  Mr.  Priest 
cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Andrew  Jack- 
son, and  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  He  has 
served  his  Ward — the  Fourth — as  Alderman, 
eight  years;  has  been  Mayor  of  the  city  four 
terms,  three  consecutively;  and  is  now  a  member 
of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  mar- 
ried Luoinda  M.  Stafford,  of  Rochester,  Sanga- 
mon county,  March  30,  1845;  she  died  September 
10,  1851,  having  been  the  mother  of  four  child- 
ren; two  of  whom,  OJive  Luclnda,  born  Febru- 
ary 24,  1846,  and  Mary  Eliza,  born  November  2, 
1848,  are  living.  Mr.  Priest  married  his  third 
wife,  Catharine  Wright,  in  St.jLawrence  county. 
New  York,  in  September,  1853;  she  died  child- 
less in  July,  1875.  Septembers,  1878,  he  united 
in  marriage  with  Phebe  T.  Eggleston,  of  Roches- 
ter, Sangamon  county;  she  is  the  twelfth  daugh- 
ter and  seventeenth  child  of  Seth  and  Emma 
Samson,  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Priest  has  four  grand- 
children: Olive,  Mary  M.,  and  John  Priest 
Lath.am,  and  Mary  Lucinda  Currier,  all  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois. 

John  O.  Rames,  manufacturer  of  harness  and 
saddles,  and  dealer  in  horse  clothing,  213  South 
Fifth  street,  has  been  conducting  the  business  at 
that  number  since  1860.  A  number  of  years 
ago  he  replaced  the  old  frame  building  with  the 
neat  brick  block  he  now  occupies,  eighteen  by 
seventy-four  feet,  three  stories  high.     The  first 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


703 


floor  is  used  as  a  salesroom,  and  the  manufac- 
tory, in  which  seven  to  ten  mechanics  are  em- 
ployed, occupies  the  rear  part  of  the  second 
story.  Here  all  his  harness  and  saddlery  arc 
made  for  a  trade  of  §15,000  a  year.  Mr.  Rames 
is  a  native  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  born  in  1831; 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  four  years  with  Mr. 
R.  F.  Ruth,  in  the  city,  in  whose  employ  he 
continued  several  years  afterwards,  pursuing  his 
trade  as  a  journeyman  until  he  opened  his 
present  shop.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years 
he  married  Mary  E.  Connelly,  of  Springfield, 
who  died  two  years  after.  In  April,  1859,  he 
married  his  present  wife,  Mary  E.  Redman,  of 
St.  Louis  county,  Missouri.  Six  cliildren  have 
been  born  to  them  ;  the  four  living  are  :  Martha 
M.,  Cora  B.,  Mary  J.  and  John  O.,  Jr.  Mr. 
Rames'  parents,  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  (Ogden) 
Rames,  were  Kentuokians  by  birth.  They 
moved  from  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  to  Springfield 
in  1829,  where  his  mother  still  resides,  aged 
seventy-four.  Politically,  Mr.  R.  is  a  Conserva- 
tive Democrat.  He  has  served  two  terms  in  the 
City  School  Board,  and  several  terms  in  the  City 
Council,  of  which  he  is  now  a  member,  and 
Chairman  of  the  Fire  and  Water  Committee. 
He  has  tilled  all  the  chairs  in  the  local  lodge  of 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  now  Vice  Grand.  He  and 
his  wife  and  two  eldest  daughters  belong  to  the 
Baptist  Church. 

Horace  8.  Leland,  was  born  in  Lands  Grove, 
Vermont.  July  20,  18-36,  where  he  attended  school 
until  1845;  he  then  went  to  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
and  attended  school  until  1848,  when  he  went  to 
New  York  City,  and  engaged  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness with  his  uncles,  the  Leland  Bros'.,  of  New 
York,  where  he  opened  the  Leland  hotel  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  here  and  with  his  brothers  in  the  Sturte- 
vant  House  in  New  York.  He  and  Bros',  own 
the  Leland  in  Chicago,  New  York,  and  Albany, 
and,  also,  the  Ocean  Hotel  at  Long  Branch. 
The  father  of  Horace,  Aron  P.  Leland,  was  born 
in  Vermont.  In  politics  he  was  an  old  time 
Whig,  and  he  died  in  ISYS  his  wife.  Submit 
(Arnold)  Leland  was  born  in  Vermont,  she  was 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  viz:  Louis,  Horace 
S.,  Geo.  S.,  Jerome  W.,  Chas.  E.,  Warren  F. 
and  Clarrissa  N.  Wiggins.  In  politics  Mr. 
Leland  is  ratlier  Independent.  His  grand- 
father, Simeon  Leland,  was  a  prominent  politician 
and  a  member  of  the  legislature. 

The  Leland  and  Wiggins  Hotel  was  built  in 
1864,  and  opened  in  January,  1867.  It  cost 
$320,000,   and   is  the  finest  hotel  in  the  State, 

82— 


outside  of  Chicago.  The  hotel  has  an  elevator, 
Smith,  Berg  &  Co.'s  engine  and  machinery;  and 
accommodations  for  three  hundred  and  fifty 
guests.  In  addition  to  the  hotel,  they  have  just 
built  a  building  with  engine  room,  wash  and 
drying  rooms,  with  tine  engines  and  a  nest  of 
bailers  with  four  hundred  and  fifty  horse  power 
capacity.  In  connection  with  the  hotel,  Mr.  Le- 
land owns  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres,  all 
under  good  cultivation.  On  this  farm  are  fine 
gardens,  hot  houses,  graperies,  etc.,  enabling 
them  to  raise  all  kinds  of  fruits  and  early  vege- 
tables. They  raise  their  own  pork,  milk,  cream 
and  produce. 

Fred.  L.  Heed  was  born  at  Boston,  Massachu- 
setts, April  11,  1847,  where  he  attended  school 
and  was  engaged  in  the  wholesale  boot  and 
shoe  trade  until  February,  18tJ5.  He  then  went 
to  Chicago  and  remained  in  the  wholesale  boot 
and  shoe  trade  four  or  five  years,  and  traveled 
for  the  house  over  the  States  of  Illinois  and 
Iowa.  He  then  became  a  member  of  the  Chicago 
Board  of  Trade,  in  1870.  He  went  in  the  dis- 
tillery business  in  Chicago,  but  held  his  mem- 
bership in  the  Board  of  Trade;  he  was  engaged 
some  four  years  in  the  distillery  business,  when 
he  was  employed  in  the  register  department  of 
the  Chicago  post  office  until  December,  1880; 
and  January  11,  1881,  was  appointed  to  his  pres- 
ent position  as  chief  corporation  clerk  in  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  in  Spr.ngfield, 
Illinois.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  M.  Mil- 
ler, January  11,  1870;  she  was  born  in  Buffalo, 
New  York,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Hon.  H.  B.  Mil- 
ler, born  at  Lebanon,  Pennsylvania;  he  held  the 
office  of  Treasurer  of  Cook  county,  Illinois,  and 
was  elected  a  Representative  to  the  legislature 
of  New  York  State  two  terms;  be  is  at  present 
President  of  the  Riverton,  Illinois,  Alcohol 
Works;  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a 
strong  supporter  of  that  party ;  his  wife,  Estey 
(Bowman)  Miller,  was  born  in  Ohio;  she  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  she  and  husband 
reside  at  Riverton,  Illinois.  The  father  of  Fred- 
rick M.  Reed,  William  C.  Reed,  was  born  in 
Randolph,  Massachusetts;  he  is  of  English 
descent;  he  has  for  many  years  been  engaged 
in  an  exclusive  provision  and  packing  business 
at  Chicago,  Illinois,  two  or  thi  ee  years,  and  one 
year  at  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  strong  supporter  of  that 
party;  he  is  still  living  in  Boston,  Massachusetts; 
his  wife,  Lydia  Thompson,  was  born  in  Thomas- 
ton,  Massachusetts;  she  was  the  mother  of  three 
children,  all  living,  viz:    William  C.  Reed,  Jr., 


rtu 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


who  resides  at  Boston,  Massachusetts;  Mrs.  Fan- 
nie Walker,  also  of  Boston,  aud  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  Mr.  Fredrick  L.  Reed,  who  in  politics 
is  a  Republican,  and  a  strong  supporter  of  that 
party;  east  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant,  for 
President  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  Reed  and 
wife  are  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

//.  IT'.  Reed,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Chillicothe,  Ohio,  December  14,  1843,  son  of 
Dennis  S.  and  Mary  B.  Reed,  natives  of  Con- 
necticut. In  1846,  they  moved  to  Ohio  when  L. 
W.  received  a  business  education;  in  1854,  re- 
moved to  Will  county  Illinois;  when  eighteen 
years  of  age,  L.  W.  engaged  with  Barnes  &  Smith 
as  clerk,  in  Rockford,  where  he  remained  until 
]8(;4,  then  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-First  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers  In- 
fantry, three-months  men;  remained  in  the  ser- 
vice about  six  months.  After  the  closa  of  the 
war,  returned  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  thence  to 
Connecticut.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  returned  to 
Rockford,  where  he  embarked  in  the  dry  goods 
trade  as  the  firm  of  Moulthorp  &  Reed;  in  eigh- 
teen months  sold  his  interest  and  started  a  gen- 
eral store  in  Milford;  remained  there  two  years, 
then  moved  to  Wilmington,  taking  his  stock 
with  him.  In  1873,  removed  to  Granby,  Con- 
necticut, where  he  embarked  in  the  wholesale  of 
Yankee  notions;  was  afterwards  chosen  Secretary 
of  the  Granby  Manufacturing  Company.  In 
April,  1880,  came  to  Joliet,  where  he  commenced 
his  present  business  in  February,  1881.  He 
married  Miss  Kate  J,  Adams,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Emily  Adams,  of  Will  county,  Illinois.  By 
this  union  there  are  six  children,  three  sons  and 
three  daughters.  He  is  member  of  the  Masonic 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.  orders;  also  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  R. 

M.  O.  Reeves,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Mason  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  14th 
day  of  September,  1808,  son  of  Austin  aud 
El  zibeth  (Dill)  Reeves;  father  of  Virginia,  and 
mother  a  native  of  Maryland;  was  married  in 
Mason  county,  Kentucky,  where  four  sons  and 
four  daughters  were  born,  four  of  which  are 
living  at  the  present  writing.  In  1820,  they 
moved  to  Monroe  county,  Indiana,  where  he  died 
in  1828;  mother  died  in  1858.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  went  to  Ohio  in  1824,  where  he  was 
employed  as  clerk  by  an  uncle,  John  Reeves,  in 
a  dry  goods  store  and  post  office  (in  Warren 
county),  where  he  remained  three  years;  thence 
to  Batavia,  Clcarmont  county;  thence  to  New 
Richmond,  on  the  Ohio  river.  In  1828,  went  to 
Portsmouth,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years, 
when  his  uncle   started    a   branch    store   thirty 


miles  above,  and  he  was  put  in  charge  one  year. 
He  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged 
to  the  firm  of  Reeves  &  McLean,  in  a  wholesale 
dry  goods  house,  where  he  was  employed  until 
1834.  In  1835,  bought  a  bill  of  goods  of  Reeves 
&  McLean,  and  shipped  them  to  Springfield, 
where  he  embarked  in  merchandising,  which  he 
followed  up  to  1880,  and  has  been  in  active  busi- 
ness for  nearly  forty-five  years  in  Springfield. 
In  1836,  married  MisS  Nancy  E.  Miner,  daughter 
of  Colonel  Gideon  Miner,  of  Ohio,  who  came  to 
Sangamon  county  about  1830.  She  was  born  in 
Clairmont  county,  Ohio,  April  2nth,  1816.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  was  eight  children,  two 
of  which  are  livirg,  Laura  and  Georgia.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Reeves  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  also  their  two  daughters. 

Frank  Reisch  <&  Brothers.  Of  the  brewing 
business,  may  be  mentioned  the  firm  of  Frank 
Reisch  &  Brothers,  who  constitute  the  leading 
firm  in  this  branch.  The  business  was  estab- 
lished in  1849  by  Frank  Reisch,  Sr.,  in  a  frame 
building,  20x30  feet,  three  stories  high.  Mr. 
Reisch  conducted  the  business  until  1854,  when 
he  rented  it  for  three  years  to  Andrew  Kane. 
After  the  time  expired  he  again  took  hold  of  the 
business;  in  1858,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
C.  A.  Helmle;  in  1862  Mr.  Helmle  sold  out,  aud 
Frank  Reisch,  Jr.,  was  taken  in;  in  1875  the 
present  firm  bought,  and  have  continued  the 
business  since.  The  capacity  of  the  buildings  are 
as  follows:  the  brewing  house,  80x42,  five  stories 
of  brick;  one  ice  house,  40x70,  and  one  52x100, 
both  of  brick,  having  a  capacity  of  10,000  tons; 
two  malt  kilns,  one  30x30  and  one  40x40,  two 
stories,  also  of  brick;  one  malt  house  40x80, 
three  stories;  stables,  35x80;  the  capacity  of  the 
brewery  is  one  hundred  barrels  per  day;  use 
eighty  thousand  bushels  of  barley,  employ  forty 
men  and  eight  teams. 

Leonard  Reisch,  of  the  firm  of  Reisch  ifc 
Thoma,  dry  goods  merchants,  120  South  Sixth 
street,  east  side  of  the  square,  is  a  native  of 
Springfield,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  is 
twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  was  educated  in 
St.  Louis,  and  after  leaving  school  went  to 
Bloomington,and  was  two  years  there  connected 
with  a  furniture  house.  Soon  after  returning  to 
Springfield,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Henry 
Thoma,  and  in  May,  1881,  purchased  the  stock 
of  dry  goods  of  L.  H.  Coleman,  and  succeeded 
him  as  the  proprietors  of  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  ))rosperous  retail  drj-  goods  houses  in 
Springfield.  Their  business  occupies  two  stories 
of  the  building,  twenty-one  by  one  hundred  feet, 
on  the  first  floor,  and  forty-two  by  one  hundred 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMOX  COUNTY. 


705 


on  the  second  floor.  Their  stock  invoiced 
$65,000,  and  the  sales  for  1880  were  $135,000. 
The  business  of  the  new  tirm  gives  flattering 
promise,  and  employs  seven  salesmen.  This 
house  has  the  reputation  of  carrying  the  finest 
goods  in  the  market.  They  make  a  specialty  of 
elegant  dress  goods,  trimmings,  and  notions. 

Henry  Thoma,  the  other  partner  of  this  firm, 
has  been  identified  with  the  dry  goods  trade  of 
Springfield  ten  years,  and  nine  years  with  Mr. 
Coleman,  in  the  store  of  which  he  is  now  joint 
proprietor.  He  is  a  Peiinsylvanian  by  birth,  and 
is  twenty-six  years  old.  He  came  to  Springfield 
at  eight  years  of  age,  and  commenced  his  mer- 
cantile career  at  fourteen,  as  delivery  boy.  Dur- 
ing the  years  1878  and  1879,  he  was  Deputy  in 
the  County  Treasurer's  oflice,  an  experience  of 
great  value  in  a  business  way.  In  the  spring  of 
1879,  he  married  Miss  Laura  Westenberger,  of 
Springfield. 

Frank  Reisch,  Leonard's  father,  was  a  native 
of  Baden,  Germany,  where  he  married,  and  im- 
migrated and  settled  in  Springfield  some  years 
before  Leonard's  birth.  He  engaged  in  brick 
manufacturing  and  in  the  brewing  business.  He 
died  in  August,  1875.  His  widow  still  resides 
in  the  city. 

Frank  Reisch,  deceased,  was  born  in  Baden, 
Germany,  July  24,  1809.  When  twenty-three 
years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  land- 
ing at  New  Orleans,  then  worked  his  way  up  the 
river  to  St.  Louis,  and  from  there  to  Beardstown, 
where  he  remained  about  five  years,  then  re- 
turned to  his  native  country,  when  he  married 
Miss  Susan  Mansen.  She  was  born  in  1817. 
They  have  had  thirteen  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  living,  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  After 
marrying,  they  returned  to  Beardstown,  where 
Mr.  Reisch  commenced  coopering,  and  remained 
thereuntil  18.S9,  when  he  came  to  this  county, 
locating  first  in  Cartwright  township,  where  he 
bought  land  and  followed  farming  in  connection 
with  coopering.  In  1842,  he  moved  to  Prairie 
Creek  township,  and  in  1850  came  to  Springfield. 
Previous  to  coming,  he  had  commenced  the 
erection  of  the  old  brewery,  which  he  finished 
and  occupied  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died 
in  1875,  leaving  a  large  circle  of  friends  to 
mourn  his  loss.  He  landed  in  New  Orleans  with 
but  one  five  franc  piece  in  his  pocket,  but  at  his 
death  could  count  his  dollars  by  the  thou- 
sands. 

John  W.  Meilly,  M.  Z).,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
born  in  this  city  Januai-y  20,  1859;  is  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Bridget  (Mathews)  Reilly,  natives  of 
Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  in   1855 


or  1856,  and  located  in  Springfield,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  hotel  business,  which  he  followed 
for  a  number  of  years;  is  at  present  engaged  in 
farming.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended 
the  High  School  of  this  city,  and  graduated  in 
the  class  of  1877.  He  immediately  commenced 
the  reading  of  medicine,  his  preceptor  being  Dr. 
R.  S.  Lord,  of  this  city.  In  1878  and  1879,  he 
attended  lectures  in  Rush  Medical  College,  and 
also  spent  two  years  in  Bellevue  Hospital  Medi- 
cal College,  New  York,  and  graduated  with 
honors.  The  Doctor  has  spared  no  time  or 
money  to  fit  himself  for  the  profession  of  his 
choice;  he  is  at  present  City  Physician  of  the 
city  of  Springfield. 

John  T.  Rhodes,  of  Rhodes  &  Brother,  con- 
tractors and  builders,  was  born  January  14,  1831, 
near  Frederick  City,  Frederick  county,  Mary- 
land; came  with  an  elder  brother  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  in  February,  1855.  Having  learned  the 
carpenter  trade  of  his  father  before  coming 
West,  and  being  an  expert  workman,  he  com- 
manded the  highest  wages.  His  brother  George, 
partner  in  the  firm,  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  also,  in  September,  1 833,  learned  the 
trade  there,  and  came  to  Springfield  in  1856. 
They  both  worked  as  journeymen  until  the  fall 
of  1858,  then  formed  the  present  partnership, 
and  began  contracting.  They  have  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  building  business  since,  and  have 
erected  a  great  many  business  blocks  and  dwell- 
ing houses  in  and  about  Springfield.  Of  late 
years  they  have  confined  their  attention  to  city 
contract  work  almost  exclusively.  Among  the 
business  buildings  this  firm  has  constructed,  are 
the  Springfield  Watch  Factory,  and  the  Central 
Block,  just  completed  this  fall,  on  the  corner  of 
Adams  and  Sixth  streets.  They  employ  from 
twelve  to  eighteen  mechanics,  and  did  a  business 
in  1880  of  *35,000,  and  will  run  over  ^40,000  in 
1881. 

On  April  19,  1860,  John  Rhodes  married 
Eliza  W.  Merriweather,  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  May  5,  1840.  They  have  two  children, 
William  Robert,  and  Ellie  Maria  Rhodes.  Mr. 
Rhodes  has  served  three  consecutive  terras  in 
the  County  Board  of  Supervisors;  is  now  serving 
his  third  term  as  City  Alderman,  having  been 
first  elected  in  1874,  and  is  the  only  Democrat 
ever  elected  from  the  Sixth  Ward,  it  being  Re- 
publican by  a  large  majofity.  He  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  the 
second  day  after  his  arrival  in  Springfield. 

His  parents  were  both  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Maryland;  father,  Peter  Rhodes,  in 
1795,  mother  in   1805.     They  had  ten  children. 


106 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


who  all  lived  to  adult  age,  nine  now  alive.     His 
parents  died  some  years  ago. 

James  t .  llic.kard,  manufacturer  of  buggies 
and  spring  wagons,  No.  213  and  215,  North  Sixth 
street,  established  the  business  at  that  location 
February  1,1881.  He  makes  all  styles  of  buggies 
and  spring  wagons,  and  pays  special  attention  to 
all  classes  of  repair  work.  He  occupies  a  large 
two-story  brick  building  ample  for  the  buisiness, 
and  employs  six  men  in  the  different  depart- 
ments. Mr.  Rickard  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  185o; 
immigrated  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1860;  learned  the  black- 
smith and  carriage  business  with  Myers,  David- 
son &  Co.,  for  whom  he  was  employed  as  a  jour- 
neyman until  he  opened  his  shop  in  the  early 
part  of  1881.  His  father  resides  in  the  city; 
mother  has  been  dead  some  years.  Mr.  R.  is  a 
finished  workman,  an  energetic  young  man,  and 
his  enterprise  promises  success. 

WllUtun  RIdgely,  cashier  of  the  Ridgely 
National  Bank,  of  Springfield,  is  the  eighth  of 
thirteen  children  of  Nicholas  H.  Ridgely,  and 
was  born  in  the  upper  story  of  the  old  State 
Bank  of  Illinois,  in  Springfield,  January  12,  1840. 
He  was  educated  in  the  Illinois  State  University 
of  Springfield  when  Rev.  Francis  Springer  was 
President.  In  July,  1856,  he  went  to  St.  Louis 
and  spent  a  few  months  as  shipping  clerk  in  a 
large  milling  and  wholesale  establishment;  went 
thence  to  Chicago,  and  was  clerk  in  the  commis- 
sion house  of  Burrell  Bros.,  until  they  failed, 
when  he  returned  to  Springfield.  In  the  fall  of 
1857,  be  entered  as  clerk  in  the  Merchants'  Bank 
of  St.  Louis,  and  six  months  after  was  made  pay- 
ing-teller, at  a  salary  of  ^1,200  a  year,  remain- 
ing till  December  1,  1860;  then  came  to  Spring- 
field to  go  into  his  father's  banking  house,  in 
■which  he  became  a  partner  in  1864,  under  the 
firm  title  of  N.  H.  Ridgely  &  Co.,  and  about  that 
time  succeeded  his  brother  Charles  to  the  Secre- 
taryship of  the  Springfield  Gaslight  Company. 
October  1,  1866,  the  Ridgely  National  Bank  was 
organized  and  William  was  elected  its  cashier, 
which  position  he  has  filled  to  the  present  time. 
He  has  never  failed  in  twenty-one  years  to  be 
present  the  first  of  every  month  to  make  out  gas 
bills  and  close  up  the  monthly  business.  He  has 
held  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  the  Springfield 
City  Horse  Railway  since  April,  1878.  He  re- 
mains unmarried. 

N'icholus  Ridgely,  President  of  the  Ridgely 
National  Bank,  was  born  on  his  father's  tobacco 
plantation,  near  Baltimore,  Maryland,  April  27, 
180(1;  is  the  son  of  Greenberry  and  Rachel 
Ragm  Ridgely.     He  was  educated  in  the  city  of 


Baltimore,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  business 
there  until  April,  1828,  when  he  went  to  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  and  became  a  clerk  in  the  United 
States  branch  bank  established  there  soon  after 
his  arrival.  Continuing  in  this  business  until 
May,  1835,  he  was  then  appointed  Cashier  of 
the  State  Bank  of  Illinois,  incorporated  in  that 
year.  Mr.  Ridgely  filled  that  office  till  the  expi- 
ration of  its  charter,  and  was  one  of  the  trustees 
who  finally  wound  up  the  business  of  the  bank. 
While  engaged  in  closing  the  affairs  of  the  bank 
and  afterwards,  he  carried  on  a  private  banking- 
business  on  his  own  account;  and  after  the  pas- 
sage of  the  State  banking  law,  he,  in  connection 
with  the  Messrs  Clark,  organized  Clark's  Ex- 
change Bank,  of  Springfield,  in  1851  or  '52,  and 
retained  his  connection  with  it  until  it  was  dis- 
continued, and  all  its  obligations  discharged.  In 
18C6,  Mr.  Ridgely,  associated  with  Charles  and 
William, — his  sons, — J.  Taylor  Smith  and  Lafa- 
yette Smith,  organized  "The  Ridgely  National 
Bank  of  Springfield."  He  became  its  President, 
and  has  ever  since  held  the  office.  Thus  Mr. 
Ridgely  has  been  actively  identified  with  bank- 
ing interests  for  fifty-three  years,  and  is  probably 
a  longer  time  in  the  business  than  anj'  other 
man  in  this  country.  He  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried, and  reared  thii'teen  children  to  adult  age. 
Henry  Ridgely,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  April  19, 
1832.  When  five  years  of  age  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  attended 
school  until  1848.  He  then  attended  the  Hills- 
l)oro,  Illinois,  College  two  years,  then  attended 
the  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville  six  months, 
when  he  returned  home  to  Springfield.  He 
then  run  as  engineer  on  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis 
&  Pacific,  the  Chicago  it  Alton,  and  the  Union 
&,  Galena,  now  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
Railroad;  run  on  these  roads  five  years,  when  he 
was  employed  as  teller  in  the  Ridgely  National 
Bank,  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  two  years.  During 
this  time  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisiana  I. 
Gray,  April  22,  1857.  She  was  born  in  (4ull 
Prairie,  Michigan,  August  30,  1839;  she  was  a 
daughter  of  Isaac  H.  Gray  and  Charlotte  A. 
McClary,  who  reside  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ridgely  have  three  children,  viz: 
George  Watson,  Kate  N.  and  Howard  G.  Ridge- 
ly. After  Mr.  Ridgely  was  married  he  remained 
in  the  bank  one  year,  then  bought  an  interest  in 
the  Old  American  House,  with  Isaac  R.  Gray; 
some  two  years  after  he  bought  Mr.  Gray  out, 
and  ran  the  hotel  three  years,  when  he  went  into 
partnership  in  the  Hopping  &  Ridgely  lumber 
yard;    he  bought    out   Mr.  Hopping   some  two 


HISTORY  OF  [SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


V07 


years  after,  and  he  run  the  Ridgely  lumber  yard 
and  planing  mill  until  August  11,  18S1,  when 
the  mill  burned  down.  His  father,  Nicholas 
Ridgely,  banker,  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Marj^- 
land,  Mayii,  1800.  He  was  a  merchant  in  this 
city,  and  when  a  young  man  went  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  and  was  teller  in  the  Bank  of  Missouri 
a  number  of  years.  In  183V,  he  came  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  was  appointed  Cashier  in  the 
State  National  Bank.  For  many  years  past  has 
been  running  the  Ridgely  National  Bank.  His 
wife,  Jane  M.  Huntington,  was  born  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  is  the  mother  of  nine  children, 
eight  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Henry 
Ridgely,  in  politics  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Buchanan  for  President. 

John  Rippon,  proprietor  of  the  Excelsior 
Foundry  and  Machine  Works,  corner  Ninth  and 
Adams  streets;  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  where 
he  learned  the  machinist  trade;  came  to  Illinois 
about  1850;  crossing  the  plains  to  the  mouth  of 
the  Columl>ia  River,  Oregon,  in  18.51;  consum- 
ing one  hundred  and  twelve  days  in  the  journey 
from  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  to  Portland.  He 
spent  nearly  two  years  on  the  Pacific  slope, 
returned  via  San  Francisco  and  New  Orleans. 
In  18.54,  Mr.  Rii)pon  bought  an  interest  in  the 
Excelsior  Machine  Works,  since  which  he  has 
conducted  the  business  as  a  partner  until  three 
years  ago  when  he  became  sole  owner.  At  one 
time  the  Excelsior  works  manufactured  more 
steam  engines  than  any  other  works  iu  Illinois. 
Some  twenty  engines  of  its  make  are  running  in 
and  immediately  around  Springfield.  The  works 
.•<till  does  a  fine  business  in  that  line,  and  has  a 
heavj^  trade  in  coal  shafting  machinery.  He 
employs  twelve  to  fifteen  men.  Mr.  Rippon 
married  Susan  Keeif,  a  native  of  London,  Eng- 
land, in  1853.  They  are  the  parents  of  eight 
children,  two  8on.s  and  two  daughters  alive. 
Some  twelve  years  ago  Mr.  R  ,  designed  and 
built  the  Excelsior  Flouring  Mills  on  Adams 
street  near  his  iron  works,  and  after  operating 
them  two  years  sold  them. 

George  Ritter,  hair-dresser,  319  Washington 
street,  Springfield,  Illinois,  of  the  firm  of  George 
Ritter  &  Company,  learned  his  trade  in  his  na- 
tive place,  Germany,  beginning  when  he  was 
fifteen  years  old.  He  embarked  for  America  in 
1860,  and  landed  at  New  York  in  May,  and  then 
went  to  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
opened  a  barber  shop,  and  subse<[uentl\'  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1801,  and  was  employed 
in  his  business  by  John  Dillman,  and  remained 
in  his  employ  eight  months,  and  then  opened  a 


shop  of  his  own,  and  at  the  end  of  one  year 
sold  out,  then  returned  to  Germany  in  the  fall  of 
1863,  remaining  there  till  the  spring  of  1864, 
then  returned  to  Springfield  and  formed  a  part- 
nership with  the  firm  of  Brandeberger  &  Kraft, 
which  firm  lasted  two  years  and  was  then  sold 
out  at  public  sale.  Mr.  Ritter  then  formed  a 
partnership  with  Jacob  Ritter,  and  at  the  end  of 
two  years,  1868,  the  subject  of  our  sketch, 
George  Ritter,  dissolved  his  connection  with  the 
firm,  and  the  same  year  formed  a  partnership 
with  George  B.  Ritter,  which  partnership 
continues  under  the  title  of  George  Ritter  & 
Company,  and  doing  a  good  business.  George 
Ritter  was  born  in  Grohszimraern,  Hessen, 
Darmstart,  Germany,  April  28,  1843,  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Dora  Ritter,  natives  of  Germany. 
George  Ritter  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Germany;  was  married  Decem- 
ber, 1865,  to  Lizzie  Hoose,  of  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri. By  their  union  have  six  children,  viz.: 
Dora,  John,  F'red,  Ernst,  Anna  and  Bernhart. 
Mrs.  Ritter  is  the  datighter  of  John  Hoose,  na- 
tive of  Germany.  Mr.  Ritter's  parents  came  to 
Springfield  from  Germany  in  ISVl,  and  returned 
to  their  home  in  1874.  Mr.  Ritter  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Teu- 
tonia  Lodge,  No.  166,  is  a  member  of  the  Work- 
ingmen's  Savings  and  Homestead  Association, 
and  Vice  President  of  the  same,  and  was  one  of 
the  projectors  and  directors  of  its  first  organiza- 
tion in  Springfield,  Illinois.  Is  a  member  of  the 
City  Council  from  the  Second  Ward. 

George  B.  Ritter,  hair  dresser,  of  the  firm  of 
George  Ritter  &  Co.,  Springfield,  was  born  in 
Germany,  May  18,  1840;  is  the  son  of  Konrad 
and  Catharine  Ritter,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr. 
Ritter  came  to  America  in  January,  1852,  with 
his  parents,  and  landed  at  New  Orleans,  where 
they  lived  five  years,  during  M'hich  time  the 
family  were  afflicted  with  the  yellow  fever,  in 
1853,  and  but  one  died — a  son.  Mr.  Ritter 
began  his  trade  m  New  Orleans  in  1854,  and 
worked  there  till  1857,  then  came  with  his 
parents  to  St.  Louis,  and  after  working  one  year, 
opened  a  shop  of  his  own,  which  he  sold  out  iu 
1859,  from  which  time  to  1861,  worked  in  New 
Orleans  and  Vicksburg.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Southern  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Union  army,  1863.  Taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance,  he  enlisted  in  the  Union 
army,  in  which  he  remained  to  the  close  of  the 
war,  1865  ;  was  mustered  out  of  service,  and 
returned  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  followed  his 
trade  for  two  years,  after  which  he  came  to 
Springfield    and     formed    a   partnership    with 


70S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


George  Riiter,  which  continues  under  the 
title  :  George  Ritter  &  Co.  Mr.  Ritter  was 
married  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  April  9,  1807,  to 
Louisa  E.  Yehlen,  and  by  this  union  have  seven 
children — George  F.,  Nettie,  Fred.  W.,  Lena  M., 
Ellen  and  Carrie  E.  Mrs.  Ritter  is  a  native  of 
Switzerland.  Her  mother  died  in  New  Orleans 
in  1849,  of  yellow  fever.  Mr.  Ritter  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Order,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  Teutonia  Lodge,  No.  106,  Work- 
ingmen's  Savings  and  Homestead  Association, 
and  Director  of  the  same. 

Eihcard  M.  lioberts.  Circuit  Clerk,  was  born 
in  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  in  1843;  came  to 
Springfield  in  1857,  with  his  parents,  which  has 
been  his  home  since,  save  while  he  was  in  the 
army.  Upon  the  inauguration  of  the  civil  war, 
he  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  as  a  private  in  Com- 
pany I,  Seventh  Illinois  Infantry;  received  sev- 
eral promotions;  was  made  First  Lieutenant  at 
the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  in  1864,  be- 
came Captain  of  Company  C.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  his  first  term  of  enlistment  he  veteran- 
ized; was  brevetted  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  United 
States  Volunteers,  March  3,  1865,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  in  July  of  that  year.  On  March  7, 
1864,  Captain  Roberts  was  captured  at  Florence, 
Alabama,  and  was  in  prison  at  Macon,  Georgia, 
Charleston  and  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  and 
Mobile,  Alabama.  On  the  26th  of  November, 
1864,  he  escaped  from  Columbia  prison,  and 
reached  General  Sherman's  lines,  about  the  mid- 
dle of  Georgia,  December  5th  following.  At 
the  battle  of  Corinth,  Mississippi,  October  4, 
1862,  he  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  in  his  right 
hand,  resulting  in  the  loss  of  the  index  finger 
and  stfEening  the  next  one.  After  returning 
from  the  army.  Colonel  Roberts  was  clerk  in 
the  Adjutant  General's  office  for  a  time.  In 
1868,  he  was  elected  City  Comptroller,  and  three 
times  reelected,  tilling  that  office  four  consecu- 
tive terms.  He  was  then  made  Superintendent 
of  the  Capital  Coal  Company  for  two  years,  at 
the  end  of  which  he  became  the  book-keeper  at 
the  rolling  mills  store,  and  held  that  position 
until  elected  Circuit  Clerk,  in  18'i9,  for  four 
years,  by  a  majority  of  one  thousand  four  hun- 
dred, leading  all  other  candidates  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket.  Mr.  Roberts  is  a  Mason,  a  mem- 
ber of  St.  Paul  Lodge  No.  500,  Springfield  Chap- 
ter No.  1,  and  Elwood  Commandery  No.  6,  is 
Captain  General  of  the  latter. 

Ileiison  Bobijison,  dealer  in  stoves,  tin-ware, 
mantles,  grates  and  house-furnishing  goods,  114 
North  Fifth  street,  established  the  business  in 
a  small  way,  in  that  location,  March   13,  1861. 


The  magnitude  of  trade  has  steadily  increased, 
and  he  now  keeps  a  large  stock  of  these  several 
kinds  of  merchandise  to  meet  its  demand.  He 
also  carries  on  a  manufacturing  and  job  work 
department,  in  which  he  regularly  employs  ten 
to  fifteen  men  ;  employs  a  capital  of  $16,000, 
and  did  a  business  in  1880  of  over  §35,000,  with 
an  increase  in  1881  for  corresponding  months. 
Mr.  Robinson  was  born  in  Xenia,  Green  county, 
Ohio,  March  14,1839  ;  learned  the  tinner's  trade 
there  ;  came  to  Illinois  at  nineteen  years  of  age, 
arriving  in  Springfield  July  1,  1868,  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  After  spending  about  a 
year  in  school  he  worked  as  a  journeyman  at  his 
trade  until  he  started  business  as  proprietor. 
May  8,  1861,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Hen- 
riettaM.,  daughter  of  James  W.  Keyes,  of  Spring- 
field, who  settled  here  in  1831.  Two  daughters, 
Lydia  M.  and  Slargaret  H.,  and  a  son — Charles 
Henson  Robinson — composes  their  family. 
Mr.  Robinson  has  served  three  terms  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors  ;  was  a  candidate  on  the 
National  Temperance  ticket  for  Mayor,  in  1878, 
in  opposition  to  both  the  old  political  parties, 
and  was  only  beaten  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  votes.  He  is  now  Chairman  of  the  City 
Board  of  Education  ;  is  Treasurer  of  the 
Citizen's  Street  Railway,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  projectors  and  builders  ;  in  1878  and  1879 
served  as  Treasurer  of  Sangamon  County  Agri- 
cultural Society.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  Lodge,  Chapter,  Council  and 
Commandery  ;  is  Treasurer  of  the  Lodge  and 
Chapter,  and  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the 
First  M.  E.  Church. 

Edu-ard  T.  Hoe,  Assistant  United  States  Dis- 
trict Attorney,  was  born  in  Shawneetpwn,  Gal- 
latin county,  Illinois,  November  28,  1847.  In 
1848,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  1852,  when  the 
family  moved  to  Bloomington,  Illinois.  He  re- 
mained there  and  attended  the  Illinois  Univer- 
sity until  1868,  when  he  attended  the  New  York 
State  University,  at  Albany,  and  graduated  in 
the  law  department  of  that  University,  May, 
1869,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  New  York  State.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Illinois  bar  in  1870,  and  prac- 
ticed law  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  until  1871, 
when  he  was  chosen  for  the  position  he  now  oc- 
cupies. Assistant  United  States  District  Attor- 
ney. He  was  married  to  Miss  Cornelia  B.  Glen, 
at  Monticello,  Illinois,  April  13,  1875.  She  was 
born  near  Newark,  New  Jersey,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  William  R.  Glen,  who  was  born  in 
Glasgow,    Scotland.      He    was   a    Presbyterian 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


709 


minister,  and  died  in  1880.  His  wife,  Miss  Mary 
S.  Avery,  was  born  in  New  York.  She  is  a 
meml>er  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  is  liv- 
ing with  her  son-in  law,  E.  T.  Roe.  Mr.  E.  T. 
Roe  and  wife  have  three  children,  viz ,  Jean 
Paul  Roe,  Daniel  Roe,  and  Lillian  May  Roe. 
Mrs.  Roe  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Presbyter- 
ian Church  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  The  father 
of  E.  T.  Roe,  ex- United  States  Marshal  E.  R. 
Roe,  was  born  at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  and  came 
to  Illinois  in  1841.  He  was  a  practicing  physi- 
cian at  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  nine  years.  He 
then  removed  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  and  es- 
tablished the  daily  issue  of  the  Jacksonville 
Journal.  He  was  also  editor  of  the  Blooming- 
ton  Pantagraph  four  years.  He  was  Professor 
of  Natural  Sciences  at  the  Normal  University, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  war.  He  was  a 
Major  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  Thirty- 
third  (Normal)  Illinois  Regiment  was  wounded 
at  tiie  siege  of  Vicksbui-g.  He  was  afterward 
Circuit  Clerk  in  McLean  county  five  years,  and 
was  appointed  United  States  Marshal  of  South- 
ern District  of  Illinois,  December  12,  1872,  a 
position  he  held  two  terms — eight  years.  He 
is  at  present  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at 
Blooniington,  Illinois.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Ellasan  Dunham,  in  1836.  She  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  died  Febiuary  30,  1881,  and 
was  buried  at  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery.  She  was 
the  mother  of  five  children,  viz.,  Charters  S. 
Roe,  who  is  now  mining  in  Color.ado;  Albert  J. 
Roe,  practicing  physician,  at  Decatur,  Illinois; 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Eberhart,  who  resides  at  Bloom- 
ington,  Illinois;  Mrs.  Jennie  Uhl,  wife  of  E.  C. 
Ulil,  Dixon,  Illinois,  and  E.  T.  Roe,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  who  in  politics  is  a  Rejmblican, 
and  a  strong  supporter  of  that  party,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  LT.  S.  Grant  for  President  of 
the  United  States.  He  is  of  English  descent, 
and  the  family  are  formerly  from  Long  Island. 
Charlea  W.  Roep})er,  Superintendent  of  the 
Steel  Mills  of  the  Springfield  Iron  Company,  was 
l)orn  in  Bethlehem,  Pennsylvania,  in  1848.  His 
father.  Professor  William  T.  Roepper,  deceased, 
was  a  scientist  of  considerable  eminence  in  that 
State.  Besides  the  advantages  of  the  schools  of 
his  native  town,  Charles  enjoyed  private  instruc- 
tions from  his  father,  which  were  administered 
with  special  care,  and  these  were  supplemented 
with  a  course  in  Lehigh  University.  At  the  age 
of  fifteen  years,  he  went  into  the  machine  shops 
in  that  place;  and  at  seventeen,  into  the  labra- 
tory  of  the  Lehigh  Zinc  Company,  and  filled  the 
position  of  chemist  in   their  works  until   1872, 


during  which  he  enjoyed  rare  oi)portunities  fur 
witnessing  the  practical  workings  of  the  estab- 
lishment. From  1872  to  1870,  Mr.  Roepper  was 
employed  as  chemist  for  the  Bethlehem  Iron 
Company,  and  from  that  time  until  1879,  had 
charge  of  a  blast  furnace  in  New  Jersey,  in  the 
manufacture  of  pig  and  Spiegel  iron.  In  1879, 
he  became  associated  with  the  Springfield  Iron 
Company,  and  has  since  had  supervision  of  their 
steel  mills.  Mr.  Roepper  is  a  member  of  the 
American  Institute  of  Mining  Engineers,  and  is 
a  devoted  student  of  science,  of  which  he  already 
possesses  a  wide  range  of  knowledge. 

Henry  W.  Jiokker,  proprietor  of  Rokker's 
book  bindery  and  printing  house,  309  South 
Fifth  street,  came  to  Springfield  in  1865,  and  in 
1867  opened  a  book  bindery  on  South  Fifth 
street,  between  Adams  and  Monroe.  In  1872, 
his  bindery  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire,  in 
which  he  lost  about  $10,U00.  A  month  after  he 
re-opened  business  on  the  corner  of  Washington 
and  Sixth  streets,  and  continued  there  until  he 
moved  into  his  present  quarters,  in  1876.  Mr. 
Rokker  purchased  the  lot  and  erected  the  fine 
three-story  brick  building,  20x157  feet,  that  year. 
He  then  added  a  book  and  job  printing  office, 
starting  with  one  small  press,  in  connection  with 
the  bindery.  His  business  in  both  departments 
rapidly  grew  under  his  practical  and  efficient 
management;  presses  and  material  were  put  in 
from  time  to  time,  of  the  most  approved  pat- 
terns, until  the  plant  now  contains  four  large  and 
two  small  presses,  with  ample  supply  of  the 
latest  styles  of  type.  The  bindery  is  equipped 
with  the  finest  improved  machinery,  the  whole 
constituting  one  of  the  most  complete  book 
binding  and  printing  establishments  in  the 
West.  The  concern  employs  sixty  hands,  whose 
weekly  salaries  aggregate  $500.  Mr.  Rokker 
started  business  with  a  cash  capital  of  $225.  lie 
was  born  in  Holland,  learned  the  book  binding 
trade  in  Europe,  and  was  foreman  of  an  estab- 
lishment there  at  twenty  years  of  age;  immi- 
grated to  the  United  States  when  twenty-one, 
and  located  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he 
pursued  his  calling  a  number  of  years,  the  latter 
part  of  that  period  on  his  own  account 

Samuel  Kosenwald  was  born  in  Buende,  near 
Minden,  Prussia,  June  18,  182S,  where  he  at- 
tended school  and  was  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  until  1854,  when  he  emigrated  to 
the  United  States;  he  came  alone  and  landed  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  whe;e  he  remained  one 
year,  and  peddled  with  pack;  then  went  to  Win- 
chester, Virginia,  and  kept  a  clothing  store  one 
year,  when  he  returned  to  Baltimore  and  kept  a 


no 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


store  some  nine  months;  was  married  in  Balti- 
more to  Miss  Augusta  Hammerslough,  August 
23,  1857;  be  tben  entered  into  partnership  with 
L.  Hammerslougli,  in  a  clothing  store  at  Peoria, 
Illinois,  six  months,  when  he  bought  out  Ham- 
merslough  and  ran  the  store  until  1860,  when  he 
went  to  Talledega,  Alabama,  and  lan  a  clothing 
store  one  season,  when  he  opened  a  store  in 
Evansville,  Indiana,  ran  a  store  there  one  year. 
Id  July,  1801,  be  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
where  he  went  into  partnership  with  the  Ham- 
merslough  Brothers,  at  117  west  side  of  the 
square,  and  in  1868  bought  out  the  Hammer- 
slough  Brothers'  interest,  and  has  run  the  store 
ever  since,  and  has  now  one  of  the  largest  and 
most  complete  clothing  houses  in  the  city;  this 
store  was  established  in  1876,  and  Mr.  Ros- 
enwald  established  the  one-price  system.  He 
and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Hebrew 
Church,  on  Norih  Fifth  street,  and  have  six  child- 
ren, viz:  Benjamin  S.,  Julius  S.,  Maurice  S., 
Selnia  S.,  Sophie  and  Lewis  S.  Rosenwald.  The 
father  of  Samuel  Rosenwald,  Buedix  Rosen- 
wald, was  born  in  Prussia,  Geimany;  he  was  a 
merchant  and  a  member  of  the  Hebrew  Church, 
and  died  in  1840.  His  wife,  Miss  Vogal 
Frankford,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany;  she 
is  a  member  of  the  Hebrew  Church,  and  is  still 
living  in  (Germany,  in  her  seventy-ninth  year; 
she  was  the  mother  of  four  children,  two  living, 
viz:  Samuel,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
Herman  Rosenwald,  a  dry  goods  merchant  in 
Prussia,  Germany.  Mr.  Samuel  Rosenwald  is  a 
member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Capital  City  Lodge 
No.  38,  and  of  the  I.  O.  B.  B.  Lodge  No.  67,  in 
Springfield,  Illinois.  In  politics  he  is  rather 
independent;  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Buchanan 
for  President  of  the  United  States.  Mrs.  Sam- 
uel Rosenwald  was  a  daughter  of  Salmon  A. 
Hammerslough;  born  in  Hanover,  Germany; 
his  wife,  Julia  Benjamin,  was  born  in  Hanover, 
Germany;  they  were  members  of  the  Hebrew 
Church,  and  had  a  family  of  six  children. 

Patrick  J.  liourke,  Superintendent  of  Schools 
for  Sangamon  county,  was  first  elected  to  that 
office  in  November,  1873,  for  the  term  of  four 
years,  and  re-elected  in  1877,  for  a  like  term. 
Mr.  Rourke  is  a  product  of  Sangamon  county,  born 
in  May,  1849.  He  graduated  in  the  classical 
course  of  the  Springfield  High  School  in  the 
class  of  1866,  since  which  time  he  has  pursued 
scientific  and  other  studies  privately.  Prior  to 
assuming  the  duties  of  County  Superintendent 
of  Schools  he  was  engaged  in  civil  engineering 
and  teaching;  also  served  as  Deputy  United 
States  Clerk  from  1870  till  1872.     His  parents. 


Owen  and  Margaret  Rourke,  emigrated  from 
Ireland  forty  years  ago,  and  after  living  about 
four  years  in  Vermont,  came  to  Sangamoa 
county,  Illinois,  where  they  have  since  resided. 
In  October,  1879,  Mr.  Rourke  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  M.  Emma,  daughter  of  Samuel  Ray, 
deceased,  a  prominent  citizen  of  Gardner  town- 
ship, which  he  represented  several  years  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors. 

Edward  Rutz,  State  Treasurer,  of  Illinois,  is 
a  native  of  Heidleberg,  Germany,  and  was  born 
in  1829.  When  eighteen  years  of  age  he  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  St. 
Clair  county,  Illinois.  In  1854,  he  took  a  tour 
through  Iowa  and  Kansas,  and  in  1858  went  on 
through  to  California,  remaining  there  till  the 
war  broke  out  in  1801.  He  entered  the  army 
from  that  State  as  a  member  of  Battery  C,  LL 
S.  Artillery,  and  served  chietly  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac;  fought  in  twenty-one  battles, 
among  them  were,  Yorktown,  Williamsburg, 
South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburg, 
Chancellorville,  and  others;  was  discharged  in 
October,  1804,  having  never  been  absent  from 
duty  from  inability  a  day  during  the  three  years 
of  his  service.  Upon  retiring  from  the  army 
jMr.  Rutz  went  to  St.  Louis,  and  was  employed 
there,  and  in  Tennessee  in  the  Quarter  Master's 
department  with  General  Myers,  from  Novem- 
ber, 1804,  till  April  7,  1865.  He  spent  that  sum- 
mer prospecting  through  the  South,  but  not  be- 
ing pleased  with  the  outlook,  returned  to  St. 
Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  that  fall  was  elected 
County  Surveyor  for  two  years.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of 
that  county  for  two  years,  and  was  re-elected  in 
1869  and  1871;  and  in  1873,  was  elected  State 
Treasurer  for  the  term  of  two  years.  He  was 
again  elected  to  the  same  office  in  1877  and  in 
18S0,  the  last  times  from  Cook  county,  he  hav- 
ing moved  there  about  two  years  previously.  In 
politics  Mr.  Rutz  is  a  pronounced  Republican, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  party  from  its 
organization.  He  married  in  St.  Clair  county, 
Illinois,  in  1866,  to  Miss  Mary  Mans,  a  native  of 
that  county.  Three  daughters  and  one  son  com- 
pose their  family. 

R.  Francis  Ruth  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  May  5th,  1856.  He  attend- 
ed the  Fourth  Ward  School  until  1809,  when  he 
began  in  the  High  School,  where  he  graduated 
in  the  class  of  June,  1873,  along  with  J.  H. 
Matheny,  Jr.,  Edward  C.  Hainey,  Samuel 
Grubb,  Miss  Anna  Painter,  now  Mrs.  Tudin,  and 
others.  In  July,  1873,  he  was  employed  in  the 
hardware  store  of  O.  F.  Stebbins,  where  he  re. 


y^ 


/^:2>?L^L^a,<^^^-w 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Y13 


maiued  until  July,  1877,  when  lie  went  into 
partnership  witli  his  father,  on  the  south  side  of 
the  square,  where  he  is  still  located.  His  father, 
R.  F.  Ruth,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Springfield,  where  he  died  September  28,  1881. 
His  wife,  Maria  Diller,  sister  of  R  W.  Diller, 
was  a  member  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  died  May  28, 1870;  she  was  the  mother  of  two 
children,  viz:  J.  D.  Ruth  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  R.  Francis  Ruth,  who  is  a  member  of 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  a  Sun- 
day school  teacher  in  that  church  two  or  three 
years,  and  in  1879  was  elected  Superintendent,  a 
position  he  still  retains.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
to  join  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
in  Springfield,  of  which  he  is  an  active  member. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
that  Association.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Hayes  for  President  of 
the  United  States. 

William  Ji.  Sampson,  partner  in  the  queens- 
ware  house  ot  James  A.  Rhea  &  Co.,  225  South 
Fifth  street,  was  born  in  Medfurd,  Massachu- 
setts, and  is  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  He  en- 
joyed the  advantages  of  the  superior  public 
schools  of  his  native  place;  at  the  age  of  si.xteen 
entered  the  employ  of  a  wholesale  leather  firm 
in  Boston,  and  had  become  one  of  their  leading 
salesmen  before  attaining  his  majority,  when 
they  sold  out  and  retired  from  business.  In 
August,  1874,  Mr.  Sampson  came  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  and  passed  some  four  years  as  traveling 
salesman  for  Springfield  and  Chicago  houses, 
three  of  these  years,  he  represented  the  extensive 
wholesale  queensware  establishment  of  Pitkin 
&  Brooks,  Chicago.  In  June,  1881,  Mr.  Samp- 
son formed  a  partnership  with  James  A.  Rhea 
and  A.  Anthony,  and  opened  their  present  store 
with  a  fine  new  stock  of  queensware,  glassware, 
cutlery  and  house  furnishing  goods,  which  they 
handle  at  wholesale  and  retail.  They  are  all 
practical,  thoroughgoing  business  men,  which, 
with  the  liberal  trade  the  house  has  enjoyed  dur- 
ing its  brief  history,  augurs  a  successful  future. 
Mr.  Sampson  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Min- 
nie A.  Hawk,  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  May  26,  1877. 
One  son,  Odiorne,  aged  three  years,  is  the  fruit 
of  their  union. 

Mr.  Rhea  is  a  native  of  Missouri,  but  for  the 
past  twelve  years  has  been  engaged  in  manufac- 
turing and  mercantile  business  in  Pittsfield, 
Pike  county  Illinois. 

Jonathan  H.  Saunders,  was  born  February  17, 
1802,  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky;  and  the  son 
of  Gunnell  Saunders,   who   was  born  July   27, 

83— 


1783,  in  Louden  county,  Virginia,  of  English 
ancestry.  His  parents  emigrated  to  the  vicinity 
of  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  a  year  or  two  later 
moved  to  Fleming  county,  in  the  same  State. 
Mary  Mauzy,  his  wife,  was  born  April  15,  1784, 
in  Fauquier  county,  Virginia;  her  parents  were 
of  French  descent;  moved  to  Bourbon  county, 
Kentucky;  they  were  married  in  1801,  and  had 
a  family  of  seven  children.  He  was  a  soldier 
from  Fleming  county  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
afterwards  moved  his  family  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  May  10,  1828,  and  settled  four 
miles  north  of  Springfield,  where  they  resided 
for  a  number  of  years.  Gunnell  Saunders  and 
his  wife  moved  from  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Iowa,  in  the  summer  of  1846.  Hon. 
E.  D.  Baker,  of  Ball's  Bluff  fatal  memory,  with 
whom  Mr.  Saunders  was  on  terms  of  most  inti- 
mate friendship,  visited  Mt.  Pleasant,  and  made 
a  speech  in  f.avor  of  the  election  of  General  T.ay- 
lor.  Mr.  Saunders  took  Colonel  Baker  in  his 
carriage  to  Ottumwa,  and  on  the  morning  of 
October  20,  1848,  bade  him  adieu  and  left  for 
home.  He  was  found  about  two  miles  from  Ot- 
tumwa, in  his  carriage,  dead,  with  the  lines  so 
adjusted  as  to  bring  the  carriage  on  a  cramp. 
Gunnell  Saunders  was  about  sixty  miles  from 
home,  but  his  remains  were  taken  to  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant for  interment.  His  widow  continued  to  live 
there  until  October  18,  1851,  when  she  died  from 
the  effects  of  a  dose  of  arsenic  carelessly  put  up 
by  a  druggist  in  place  of  morphine.  Jonathan 
R  ,  who  was^the  first  son  of  the  preceding,  was 
married  December  18,  1823,  to  Sarah  McKinnie. 
They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  ar- 
riving November  28,  1824,  at  Springfield.  He 
entered  the  land  on  which  the  Sangamon  county 
fair  is  held,  two  miles  north  of  Springfield,  and 
moved  there  in  1828.  His  family  consisted  of 
six  children,  of  the  number,  two  living  and  four 
deceased. 

Asbury  U.  Saunders,  son  of  the  preceding,  is 
now  engaged  in  the  grocery  business;  first  in 
April,  1854,  in  p.artnership  with  W.  T.  Hughes, 
in  a  room  adjoining  his  present  store.  The  fall 
following  they  added  a  stock  of  dry  goods.  In 
1858,  Mr.  Saunders  bought  Mr.  Hughes' interest, 
and  the  next  year  sold  out  the  business,  and  en- 
gaged in  the  live  stock  business  up  to  1866,  since 
which  time  he  has  been  carrying  on  business  in 
the  store  he  now  occupies  His  stock  consists  of 
a  large  assortment  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries, 
in  which  he  does  a  retail  business  of  about  $30,- 
000  a  year.  Mr.  Saunders  was  born  on  the  lot 
where  he  now  resides,  corner  of  Carpenter  and 
Sixth  streets,  November  7, 1828.     His  father  and 


7U 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


mother  now  reside  with  him;  his  father  is  now 
in  his  eightieth  and  his  mother  eighty-one  years 
old.  Mr.  As-bury  H.  Saunders  was  married  Oc- 
tober 20,  1856,  to  Marcia  E.  Underwood,  in 
Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa.  She  was  born  February 
T,  1837,  at  Portage,  Ohio.  They  had  four  child- 
ren; three  died  young.  His  only  daughter, 
Helen,  born  June  2,  1803,  lives  at  home  with  her 
father.  Mrs.  Marcia  E.  Saunders  died  September 
30,  1874.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  members  in 
the  Christian  Church,  and  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity.  Central  Lodge,  No   71. 

Joliti  H.  Sclmcky  lumber  merchant,  corner  of 
Ninth  and  Jefferson  streets,  embarked  in  the 
lumber  trade  in  Springfield  in  1865,  as  a  meauber 
of  the  firm  of  Schuck  &  Baker,  located  on  the 
corner  of  Tenth  and  Jefferson  streets,  where 
thev  continued  the  business  until  April  1,  1877. 
Then  Mr.  Schuck  sold  out  to  his  partner  and 
opened  his  present  yard.  He  carries  a  large 
stock  of  the  various  grades  of  lumber,  and  of 
sash,  doors,  blinds,  cement,  nails  paints,  etc, 
comprising  a  complete  assortment  of  builders' 
materials.  During  the  year  1880,  his  sales  were 
over  two  million  one  hundred  thousand  feet  of 
lumber,  one  million  five  hundred  shingles,  three 
hundred  and  sixtj'-five  thousand  five  hundred 
laths,  five  hundred  barrels  of  cement,  and  two 
hundred  and  eighty  barrels  of  plaster,  besides 
sash,  doors,  blinds,  hair,  drain  tile  and  sewer 
pipe.  His  trade  for  1881  is  running  consider- 
ably larger.  Mr.  Schuck  was  one  of  the  origi- 
inal  projectors  of,  and  prime  movers  in  building 
the  Citizen's  Horse  Railway  in  Springfield,  which 
was  accomplished  under  persistent  opposition 
and  very  harrassing  circumstances.  He  is  now 
President  of  the  company;  is  also  one  of  the 
Directors  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and  of  the 
German  American  Building  Association.  He  is 
a  native  of  Heidleburg,  Germany;  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois;  in  1848;  pursued  the  cabi- 
net maker's  trade  for  some  years,  and  since  1854 
has  been  associated  with  the  lumber  business. 
As  an  experimental  test  of  the  value  of  red  cedar 
blocks  for  street  pavings,  Mr.  Schuck  urged  that 
a  piece  of  pavement  be  put  down,  which  was 
done  in  front  of  the  Government  building  and 
Leland  Hotel  on  Sixth  street,  by  him  as  con- 
tractor, in  1878,  and  that  fine  piece  of  road  maj- 
attest  the  wisdom  of  his  suggestion  in  making 
the  trial.  Mr.  Schuck  is  one  of  the  oldest  mem- 
bers of  Springfield  Masonic  Lodge  No.  4. 

John  Schoeneman,  proprietor  of  the  Western 
Hotel,  corner  Third  and  Jefferson  streets,  was 
born  in  Wedinburg,  Germany,  February  8,  1830. 
When   sixteen   vears  of  age,  he  came  with  his 


parents  to  the  United  States,  landed  at  New 
York  City,  and  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  ar- 
riving here  August,  1847.  Mr.  Schoeneraan 
worked  here  for  different  parlies  untill  1856, 
when  he  went  to  Franklin  county,  Kansas,  where 
he  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
and  lived  for  five  years,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1863,  went  with  a  government  outfit  as  teamster, 
to  Wyoming  Territory;  remained  there  in  the 
employ  of  the  government  eleven  months,  when 
he  went  to  Montana,  and  mined  in  the  gold 
mines  three  years.  He  was  successful  in  mining, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1866  returned  to  Springfield, 
Illinois.  In  1868,  he  built  the  Western  Hotel, 
which  he  now  owns  and  runs  in  first-class  order, 
well  filled  up.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Helena 
Hoechter,  June,  1870.  She  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Baltzer  Hoechter,  born  in  Germany,  and  who 
settled  in  Sangamon  county  in  1844.  He  died 
in  1877.  His  wife,  Mary  Eck,  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, and  still  lives  in  Woodside  township.  The 
father  of  John  Schoeneman,  Andrew  Schoene- 
man,  born  in  Germany,  was  a  gardener,  and  died  in 
1878.  His  wife,  Margaret  Fischter,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  died  in  1847.  She  was  the  mother 
of  six  children,  four  living.  Mr.  John  Schoen- 
man  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

^Villian^  J.  Schroyer,  Police  Magistrate  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Fayette  county, 
Pennsylvania,  January  7,  1836;  son  of  Joseph  J. 
and  Mary  Ann  (Sparks)  Schroyer.  Joseph  J. 
was  a  merchant,  and  William  was  brought  up  in 
the  mercantile  business,  received  a  collegiate 
education  and  graduated  at  Oxford  College; 
went  to  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  where  he  read 
law  with  Philip  Spooner,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1859;  the  same  year  was  elected  Prose- 
cuting Attorney,  in  Ripley  county,  Indiana, 
where  he  remained  about  a  year.  In  1857,  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  and  distillery  business 
in  Lawrenceburg,  Indiana,  which  was  not  a  finan- 
cial success.  In  1861,  was  appointed  Bounty 
Clerk,  under  Captain  D.  W.  Cheek,  Mustering 
and  Dispensing  Ottieer,  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
of  the  Thirteenth  Regiment  United  States  In- 
fantry, where  he  remained  eighteen  months.  In 
February,  1  862,  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he 
was  in  the  Provost  Marshal's  office.  In  1880,  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  Police  Magistrate,  which 
he  has  since  held.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Roll, 
who  was  born  in  this  county  in  September,  1849. 

Lxjnian  Shericood,  deceased,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  the  State  of  Vermont,  Novem- 
ber 17,  1815;  is  the  son  of  Josiah  Sherwood,  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


715 


native  of  Vermont  State.  Mr.  Sherwood  was 
quite  young  when  his  father  moved  to  Auburn, 
New  York,  in  whicli  place  the  subject  of  tliis 
biography  was  raised,  and  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools.  He  reraainad  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  and  then  went  to 
Buffalo,  New  York,  and  then  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  worked  at  the  trade  of  cabinet- 
maker. Afterward  he  went  to  St.  Louis  and  en- 
gaged in  the  foundry  business, and  the  firm  was 
known  as  Sherwood  &  Graham.  In  this  busi- 
ness he  remained  for  twenty-seven  years,  after 
which  he  went  to  Marine,  Illinois,  and  purchased 
a  farm,  on  which  he  stayed  nine  years,  and  then 
moved  to  Springfield, Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1865, 
in  which  city  he  made  improvements  on  agricul- 
tural implements,  viz:  the  corn  cultivator  and 
sulky  plow,  which  was  a  success.  Mr.  Sher- 
wood had  some  of  his  implements  manufactured 
in  Belleville,  Illinois,  and  he  manufactured  in 
Springfield,  Illinois.  He  was  inventing  a  spad- 
ing plow,  which  was  not  completed  before  his 
death;  however,  he  gave  it  a  test.  He  was  still 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  the  plows  to  his 
death,  on  January  3,  1873,  which  was  too  soon 
for  him  to  reap  the  full  benefit  of  his  labors. 
Mr.  Sherwood's  first  marriage  took  place  in  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  in  the  year  1848,  to  Mary  Fox, 
a  native  of  Rochester,  New  York,  and  by  this 
union  were  blessed  with  three  children,  two  of 
whom  are  living,  Maria  A.  and  Mary  E.  Sher- 
wood. Mr.  Sherwood's  second  marriage  was  in 
Auburn,  New  York,  and  celebrated  on  the  26th 
day  of  March,  1853,  to  Mrs.  J.  E.  Fowler, 
a  widow,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  and  Mrs. 
Eva  HofE,  naiives  of  New  York,  in  which  State 
Mrs.  Sherwood  was  born.  Mrs.  Sherwood's 
education  was  in  the  common  schools  at  Arcadia, 
New  York,  and  subsequently  in  the  graded 
schools  in  Elbridge,  New  York.  She  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Second  Presbyterian  church  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  Mr.  Sherwood  united  with  the 
Baptist  Church  in  his  early  life;  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  City  Council  when  he  died. 

William  W.  iShruder,  boot  and  shoe  merchant, 
518  Adams  street,  south  side  of  the  square,  has 
been  engaged  in  that  branch  of  merchandising 
exclusively  in  Springfield,  ten  years,  over  eight 
years  at  the  above  number.  His  business  occu- 
pies two  floors  of  the  building  twenty  by  one 
hundred  and  fifty-four  feet  in  dimensions.  He 
makes  a  special  feature  of  standard  goods  in 
medium  and  low  priced  honest  work,  of  which 
he  carries  an  average  stock  of  $20,000  to  $25,- 
000,  and  sells  $00,000  a  year,  his  trade  having 
increased  forty  per  cent,  in  the  past  two  years. 


Mr.  Shrader  was  born  near  Fostoria,  Wood 
county,  Ohio,  in  1837,  and  was  partly  reared 
there.  John  Shrader,  his  father  was  a  farmer,  ex- 
cept the  last  few  years  of  his  life.  In  1849  lie 
moved  with  his  family  to  Knox  county,  Illinois, 
and  settling  in  Abingdon,  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  and  pursued  it  until  his  death, 
in  1857.  William  began  his  commercial  career 
in  his  father's  store  in  the  autumn  of  If 54.  In 
July,  1862,  he  entered  the  army;  recruited  Com- 
pany I,  of  the  Eighty-third  Illinois  Infantry, 
and  was  chosen  its  Second  Lieutenant,  which 
office  he  held  until  discharged,  in  July,  1865. 
The  last  year  and  a  half  he  served  as  Assistant 
Adjutaht  General,  on  the  staff  of  General  A.  A. 
Smith.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  February, 
1866,  and  was  employed  as  a  salesman  until  he 
started  as  proprietor,  in  April,  1871,  in  the  firm 
of  Sims,  Smith  &  Co.  Two  years  later  he 
bought  the  interest  of  both  partners,  and  has 
since  been  sole  owner.  Mr.  Shrader  started  with 
very  little  capital  and  limted  experience  in  this 
branch  of  trade,  succeeding  a  firm  who  had 
failed,  and  on  the  eve  of  the  general  financial 
depression  which  followed.  He  now  owns  a 
home  worth  $10,000,  and  a  half  interest  in  the 
store  building  he  occupies,  together  with  his 
stock  of  goods  and  $5,000  in  bank.  He  married 
Miss  Lute  Sims,  of  Springfield,  and  daughter  of 
A.  M.  Sims,  his  former  partner,  in  1870.  She 
was  born  in  Kentucky.  A  son  and  daughter  con- 
stitute their  family. 

Friuik  iSitnmons,  bookseller  and  stationer,  124 
South  Sixth  street,  was  born  in  1849,  in  Hamil- 
ton county,  Ohio;  is  the  son  of  Moses  Simmons 
and  Ann  Riggs.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
New  York;  mother,  of  Ohio.  They  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  when  Frank  was  four 
years  old,  and  settled  about  three  and  one-half 
miles  east  of  Springfield.  During  the  late  civil 
war,  they  removed  to  the  city,  where  his  father 
died  soon  after,  leaving  his  widowed  mother  and 
a  younger  brotLer  in  straightened  circumstances. 
Frank  began  mercantile  life  at  thirteen  years  of 
age,  as  a  bundle  boy  in  a  book  store  in  the  city, 
being  hired  on  trial  for  one  week.  He  remained 
in  that  store  seven  years.  Upon  the  death  of 
his  father  he  was  obliged  to  assume  the  posi- 
tion of  the  head  of  the  family,  and  jirovide  for 
the  household.  He  commenced  business  on  his 
own  account  in  1873,  with  about  $50  capital,  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Monroe  and  Sixth  streets. 
From  there  he  moved  to  the  Central  Hotel  block. 
In  August,  1876,  bought  the  stock  of  Patterson 
«fc  Co.,  at  assignee's  sale,  and  in  May,  1880, 
removed  into  his  present  fine,  commodious  store. 


•16 


HISTOTiY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


His  is  the  only  exclusive  book  and  stationery 
store  in  Springfield;  he  carries  the  largest  stock 
in  Central  Illinois,  and  bis  annual  sales,  which 
are  rapidly  increasing,  aggregate  between  $45,- 
000  and  850,000.  He  does  considerable  jobbing 
in  stationery  and  picture  frames.  Mr.  Simmons 
married  the  daughter  of  Judge  William  P. 
Robinson,  of  Hairison  county,  Missouri,  in  the 
spring  of  1875.  Two  sons  and  a  daughter  com- 
pr  ise  their  family. 

Clark  31.  Smith,  merchant,  corner  Adams  and 
Si.\th  streets,  was  born  in  Clarksville,  Tennessee, 
May  10,  18i0.  In  November,  1835,  he  located 
in  Carrollton,  Illinois,  and  the  following  year 
began  selling  goods  as  clerk;  in  1840,  embarked 
in  general  merchandising  on  his  own  account; 
later,  his  brother  Stephen  became  a  partner.  In 
1852,  they  came  to  Springfield,  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  William  Yates,  as  Yates,  Smith 
&  (!o.  C.  M.  Smith  became  sole  proprietor  Jan- 
uary 1,  1864,  and  the  latter  part  of  the  same 
year  Mr.  John  S.  Condell,  Senior,  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  business.  The  concern  embraces 
five  departments,  dry  goods,  clothing,  boots  and 
shoes,  groceries  and  drugs,  each  occupying  a 
sejiarate  room.  They  employ  twenty  hands,  and 
conduct  a  trade  of  over  $150,000  a  year.  Mr. 
Smith  was  one  of  the  projectors  and  prime  actors 
in  the  improvements  of  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery. 
He  married  Ann  M.,  daughter  of  Robert  S. 
Todd,  of  Lexington,Kentucky,  October  26,  1846. 
They  have  two  daughters  and  two  sons. 

Smith  d-  Brother,  fancy  bazar.  No.  405,  south 
side  of  the  square,  is  owned  and  conducted  by 
Wil'iam  F.,  and  Fred  Smith,  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts, where  William  was  born  in  April,  1833, 
and  Fred  in  November,  1835.  The  former  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  in  McHenry  county,  near 
Galena,  until  he  entered  the  army,  in  the  fall  of 
1851.  He  was  two  years  in  the  service  as  a 
member  of  the  Ninety-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
being  disabled  by  sickness,  was  discharged  in 
the  fall  of  1863.  William  began  his  mercantile 
life  in  Boston  at  the  age  of  twelve,  and  after  re- 
covering his  health  sufficiently,  formed  a  part- 
nership with  his  brother  Fred  who  had  come 
West  in  1863,  and  entered  into  business  in  Spring- 
field, in  October,  1863,  with  a  stock  of  fancy 
goo  is  and  notions  to  which  has  been  added 
druggist's  sundries.  The  firm  moved  into  their 
present  splendid  store  in  "April,  1880.  They 
occupy  two  stories  of  the  building,  twenty  by 
one  liundred  and  fifty  feet  in  area,  and  do  a  large 
wholesale  and  retail  business  in  the  lines  of  goods 
above  noted,  ranging  from  f50,000  to  |i80,000  a 
year.     In  1880,  they  established  a  school  of  de- 


signing and  decorative  needle-work,  in  which  a 
lady  superintendent  and  assistants  are  employed 
to  give  instructions  in  all  kinds  of  ornamental 
handiwork  with  a  needle.  All  orders  for  stamp- 
ing and  for  this  decorative  needle-work  are  care- 
fully and  promptly  executed  in  this  school.  This 
new  enterprise  is  meeting  with  very  encoui aging 
success. 

William  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  and  the  G.  A.  R.,  Stevenson  Post,  and  is  a 
staff  officer  of  the  Second  Brigade,  I.  N.  G.  He 
has  teen  twice  married,  first  in  1857  to  Electa  J. 
Loomis,  in  McHenry  county.  She  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  and  died  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
in  1872,  leaving  four  children.  In  April,  1881, 
he  married  Ada  Richardson,  of  Springfield,  born 
in  Connecticut. 

Thomas  C.  Smith,  undertaker  and  dealer  in 
funeral  requisites.  South  Fifth  street,  has  been 
in  the  business  at  that  point  since  1864,  and 
erected  the  building  he  now  occupies  in  1870. 
It  is  a  brick  structure,  20x154  feet  in  area,  three 
stories  high.  The  first  floor  and  the  rear  part  of 
the  second  story  are  devoted  to  his  business, 
and  admirably  adapted  to  the  purpose.  The 
store  is  furnished  with  elegant  walnut  cabinets, 
used  as  depositories  for  caskets,  coffins,  and 
funeral  goods.  These  cabinets  are  the  climax  of 
perfection  in  beauty  and  convenience  for  pre- 
serving and  exhibiting  this  class  of  goods.  They 
were  made  to  his  order  and  under  his  personal 
supervision,  and  are  the  conception  of  Mr.  Smith 
after  visiting  the  finest  undertaking  establish- 
ments in  many  of  the  Eastern  cities.  Combin- 
ing the  choice  features  of  all,  his  place  is  the 
completeness  of  harmony,  and  the  embodiment 
of  good  taste,  in  the  adaptation  of  means  to 
ends.  The  stock  of  goods  kept  is  very  large, 
and  embodies  every  grade. 

t/i  Taylor  Smith,  Vice  President  of  the 
Ridgely  National  Bank,  was  born  in  Frankfort, 
Kentucky,  in  1825  ;  is  the  son  of  Joseph  Smith, 
who  was  a  native  of  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
moved,  when  a  boy,  to  Kentucky,  and  engaged 
in  the  dry  goods  business  in  F'rankfort,  where 
he  married  Miss  Sallie,  daughter  of  Rev.  John 
Taylor,  a  Baptist  clergyman  of  renown  in  that 
State.  They  moved  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Sangamon  county,  on  a  farm,  in  1834.  A  few 
years  later,  Mr.  Smith  embarked  in  the  dry 
goods  trade  in  Springfield,  but  resided  on  the 
farm.  He  was  elected  to  the  legislature,  and 
served  in  the  session  of  1844-5,  and  died  in 
August,  18'i3.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
turned to  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  and 
took  a  course  in  the  High  School.     In  February, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


(17 


1844,  he  entered  the  employ  of  Ilawley  &  Ed- 
wards, of  Springfield,  as  store-boy  in  their  dry 
goods  house.  At  the  end  of  a  year,  he  went 
into  his  father's  store,  remaining  two  years  ; 
then  became  ihe  junior  partner  in  the  store, 
where  he  was  first  employed,  in  company  with 
Ninian  Edwards,  the  firm  title  being  N.  W. 
Edwards  &  Co.  After  several  changes  of 
partners,  Mr.  Smith  sold  out  the  business  to 
Messrs  Kimber  &  Co.  He  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  Springfield,  by  Andrew  Johnson, 
without  solicitation,  and  served  during  the  year 
1868,  till  General  Grant's  accession  to  office, 
when,  being  a  Democrat,  Mr.  Smith  retired. 
In  March,  1870,  he  succeeded  E.  B.  Pease, 
deceased,  in  the  hardware  business,  as  a  partner  of 
O.  W.  McKinstry,  continuing  until  the  death  of 
the  latter,  in  February,  1874,  soon  after  which 
the  stock  was  sold  to  S.  Mudson,  and  Mr.  Smith 
retired.  In  October  of  that  year  he  was  made 
"Vice  President  of  the  Ridgely  National  Bank, 
having  been  one  of  its  directors  since  its  organi- 
zation, October  1,  1866.  In  1872, he  was  elected 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Springfield  Iron 
Company,  a  posit'on  he  still  holds.  In  1850, 
Mr.  Smith  married  Sophia  N.,  the  second 
daughter  of  N.  H.  Ridgely,  President  of  the 
Ridgely  National  Bank.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  two  living — Frederick  E.,  an 
attorney,  in  Springfield,  who  graduated  from 
West  Point  Military  School  in  1876,  and  Miss 
Jessie  Taylor  Smith,  at  home. 

Lafayette  Smith,  of  Smith  &  Hay,  wholesale 
grocers.  East  Washington  street,  is  a  native  of 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  born  in  Springfield 
town-hip  in  1834.  Ilis  parents,  Greenbery  B. 
Smith  and  Nancy  Killen,  were  born  and  reared 
in  Kentucky.  After  marriage,  they  came  to  Illi- 
nois, and  settled  in  Sangamon  county  in  1831. 
They  both  died  in  Springfield,  he  aged  seventy- 
eight  and  she  seventy-three  years.  Lafayette 
left  his  father's  farm  and  located  in  the  city  in 
the  fall  of  1858,  and  embarked  in  business  as  a 
grocer.  At  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  married 
Harriet  A.  Buchanan,  who  was  also  born  in  San- 
gamon county.  Her  mother,  now  aged  sixtj'- 
nine,  came  to  the  county  when  eight  years  old. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  a  family  of  three  sons 
and  one  daughter.  The  eldest  Frank  B.,  aged 
twenty-two  years,  is  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago;  Edwin  F.,  eighteen  years  old, 
having  graduated  from  the  City  High  School  at 
sixteen,  is  collector  for  the  Ridgely  National 
Bank;  Harry  L.  Smith  is  eleven, and  Eloise  lona 
Smith  is  two  years  of  age.  Besides  these,  they 
have  had  several  children,  now  deceased.     Mr. 


Smith  has  been,  for  man)'  years  a  member  and 
trustee  of  the  Central  Baptist  Church  of  the 
city. 

Ethan  A.  Snively,  Clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois,  is  a  native  of  this  State,  born 
in  F'ulton  county  in  1845.  After  a  limited  at- 
tendance in  the  common  schools,  he  went  to  the 
printer's  trade,  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  in 
the  city  of  Havana,  Mason  county,  Illinois,  in 
the  office  of  the  Squatter  Sovereign.  He  spent 
about  a  year  and  a  half  there,  and  the  same 
length  of  time  in  the  Ledger  office,  at  Canton, 
Fulton  county;  sold  goods  as  clerk  a  short  time; 
was  employed  as  foreman  in  the  printing  office 
at  Lewiston,  and  in  January,  1866,  became  pro- 
prietor of  theRushville,  Schuyler  county.  Times, 
which  he  published  as  a  Democratic  journal  two 
years  and  a  half,  and  sold  it.  He  then  started 
the  Galesburg  Times,  which  continued  n,^arly  a 
year,  and  suspended.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Snively 
became  city  editor  of  the  Peoria  National  Dem- 
ocrat, retaining  that  position  during  1869  to 
1871,  in  the  fail  of  which  year  he  took  charge 
of  the  Carlinville  Enquirer,  published  it  for  the 
company  and  as  proprietor  until  the  spring  of 
1877,  when  he  sold  it.  He  then  spent  a  year  as 
traveling  salesman  for  the  Springfield  Manufac- 
turing Company.  In  the  spring  of  1879,  Sam- 
uel Reed,  his  present  partner,  issued  the  first 
number  of  the  Macoupin  County  Herald,  and 
employed  Mr.  Snively  to  edit  it.  January  1, 
1880,  [hey  purchased  the  Enquirer,  and  discon- 
tinued the  Herald.  Under  their  joint  manage- 
ment, the  Carlinville  Enquirer  is  one  of  the  live 
Democratic  journals  of  the  State.  In  1878,  Mr. 
Snively  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois  for  the  term  of  six  years,  and 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  in  Decem- 
ber of  that  year.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  the  Illinois  Press  Associa- 
tion, and  was  the  President  of  that  society  for 
the  years  1879  and  1880.  Mr.  Snively  married 
'Miss  Kate  Dubois,  a  native  of  Carlinville,  Illi- 
nois, in  February,  1876. 

Charlea  Siaorow-^Jd,  Secretary  of  the  Illinois 
Watch  Company,  was  born  in  Berlin,  Germany, 
in  1846;  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  Royal 
College,  in  his  native  city,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1863.  In  1867,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
and  locating  in  Chicago,  he  entered  the  employ 
of  R.  G.  Dunn  &  Company,  in  connection  with 
their  commercial  age;icy.  Severing  that  relation 
at  the  end  of  two  years,  he  came  to  Springfield 
in  1870.  January  1,  1878,  he  engaged  as  clerk 
for  the  Illinois  Watch  Company,  and  six  months 
later  was  jironi  ^ted  to  his  present  ])osition. 


718 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Smorowski  united  in  marriage  with  Mips 
Christina  Moore,  in  18T4,  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Legion  of 
Honor,  Amity  Council,  No.  409,  Springfield. 

Joseph  II.  Spear,  of  the  firm  of  Spear  <fc 
Loose,  lumber  merchants,  Washington  street,  be- 
tween Ninth  and  Tenth  streets,  is  a  native  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  born  in  April,  1853.  His 
father,  David  Spear,  was  born  in  Ireland;  emi- 
grated to  the  IJnited  States,  and  after  living 
some  years  in  Kentucky,  settled  in  Springfield 
prior  to  1840,  and  was  engaged  in  the  dry  goods 
business  in  the  city  about  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
He  died  a  number  of  years  ago.  Joseph  oper- 
ated in  hard-wood  lumber  quite  extensively  in 
Springfield  for  about  four  years,  before  forming 
the  present  partnership,  wnich  occurred  in  the 
early  part  of  1880,  and  their  yard  was  opened  in 
March  of  that  year.  Their  stock  comprises  a 
large  assortment  of  building  and  finishing  lum- 
ber, soft  and  hard  woods,  and  sash,  doors,  blinds, 
nails,  and  builder's  material  generally,  in  which 
they  already  have  a  heavy  trade,  their  sales  for 
the  fraction  of  the  year  1880  reaching  $60,000, 
with  a  considerable  increase  in  the  correspond- 
ing months  of  1881. 

Phil  M.  Springer  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  July  15,  1840.  Owing  to  ill  health",  after 
twelve  years  old  he  was  unable  to  attend  school. 
His  education  was  therefore  gathered  from  his 
father's  library  at  home,  during  the  eight  years 
following.  A  good  portion  of  this  time  was  de- 
voted to  the  study  of  natural  history  and  the 
making  of  collections,  chiefly  in  entomology  and 
conchology.  Pencil  drawings  and  water-color 
paintings  were  also  favorite  pastimes  with  him 
in  those  days.  After  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
improved  health  enabled  him  to  engage  in  the 
active  pursuits  of  life,  and  his  education  was 
continued  in  the  school  of  practical  business  ex- 
perience. 

In  1S64,  he  rendered  some  assistance  with  his 
pencil  in  illustrating  the  first  two  volumes  of  the 
Illinois  Geological  Survey.  The  next  year  he 
was  engaged  at  the  Chicago  Academy  of  Science, 
in  similar  work.  Indoor  confinement  and  lake 
breezes  proving  injurious  to  his  health,  he  re- 
turned to  Springfield,  in  the  summer  of  1805. 
In  November  of  that  year  he  and  his  younger 
brother  Frank  began  the  improvement  of  a  tract 
of  land  on  the  North  Fork  of  the  Sangamon, 
eight  miles  east  of  Springfield.  This  land  had 
been  entered  by  their  father,  many  years  before. 
They  commenced  by  erecting  a  small  frame 
house  in  the  midst  of  what  was  then  a  wild  for- 
est.     With  a   pair  of  yearling   mules,   a   light 


wagon,  a  cow,  and  a  few  pigs  and  chickens,  and 
the  hope  usual  to  beginners,  of  speedily  acquir- 
ing wealth,  they  were  as  happy  here  and  worked 
with  as  hearty  a  good-will  as  ever  two  young 
men  did  anywhere.  Thus  originated  the  well 
known  firm  of  Springer  Brothers,  and  the  place 
since  known  among  breeders  and  stockmen  as 
"Haw  Hill."  The  breeding  of  Berkshire  pigs, 
Cotswold  sheep  and  Light  Brahma  fowls  has  en- 
gaged the  attention  of  the  firm  ever  since.  The 
circuit  of  their  shipments  has  extended  from 
Massachusetts  to  Colorado,  and  from  Minnesota 
to  Louisiana  and  Texas. 

"Phil."  as  he  is  usually  called  by  all  who 
know  him,  resided  on  the  farm  until  the  fall  of 
1875,  when  his  business  relations  with  the 
American  Berkshire  Association  required  his  re- 
turn to  Springfield,  thus  leaving  the  farm  to  the 
immediate  care  of  his  brother;  it  being  still  con 
ducted  however,  by  Springer  Brothers,  as  form- 
erly. Since  February,  1875,  he  has  served  as 
Treasurer  or  Secretary  of  the  American  Berk- 
shire Association — part  of  the  time  in  both 
capacities.  He  is  now  Secretary  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  editor  of  the  Record,  four  volumes  of 
which  have  been  issued  under  his  care.  From 
1875  to  1881,  he  served  continuously  as  Assist- 
ant Secretary  of  the  Sangamon  County  Agri- 
cultural Board.  In  1881  he  was  elected  Secre- 
tary, by  the  Board.  He  has  been  for  many 
years,  and  is  still  Secretary  of  the  Sangamon 
County  Bible  Society. 

Besides  the  interests  above  mentioned,  which 
have  engaged  his  attention,  he  has  devoted  con- 
siderable time  to  newspaper  work,  writing  chiefly 
far  the  agricultural  press.  During  the  last  twenty 
years  he  has  been  the  statistical  correspondent 
and  reporter  of  Sangamon  county,  for  the  De- 
partment of  Agriculture  at  Washington.  His 
residence  in  Springfield,  is  on  Governor  street, 
between  Lincoln  and  Baker  Avenues. 

Joshua  Ji.  iSpraffue,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ohio, 
January  14,  1826,  fourteen  miles  above  Marietta, 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  Muskingum  river.  His 
first  occupation  was  working  on  a  farm,  and  was 
afterwards  fiat-boating,  steam-boating,  peddling 
books,  and  merchandising,  until  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age.  Desiring  more  education,  he  at- 
tended College,  at  Beverly,  Ohio.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  twenty-three  years  of  age,  to  Miss  V.  F. 
Martin,  of  Coal  Run,  Washington  county,  Ohio. 
In  1848,  went  to  Elizabethtown,  Indiana,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  re- 
mained about  four  years;  on  account  of  the  fail- 
ing health  of  his  wife,  he  returned  to  Beverly, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


710 


where  he  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Ross.  In  1866, 
he  went  to  Marietta,  Oliio,  where  he  continued 
the  reading  of  medicine;  in  the  years  of  1862-3, 
attended  lectures  at  the  Cincinnati  Medical  Col- 
lege. The  Doctor  practiced  in  various  parts  of 
Pilce  and  Christian  comities  previous  to  coming 
to  Springfield,  and  during  the  years  of  1868-9,  he 
attendee!  the  Rusli  Medical  College,  at  Chicago, 
Illinois,  where  he  graduated;  and  in  1872,  he 
went  to  Moiilicello,  Piatt  county,  where  he  prac- 
ticed previous  to  coming  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  medicine.  The  Doctor  makes  a  specialty  of 
chronic  diseases,  and  warrants  a  cure  in  all  cases 
of  epilepsy. 

Warfield  Staley,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  May  7,  1815;  was  the 
son  of  Peter  and  Edna  (Todd)  Staley;  father  of 
German  descent  and  mother  of  English.  In 
1835,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Horn,  daughter 
of  John  and  Christina  Horn;  she  was  born  in 
Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,  September  4,  1817. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  six  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  William  H  ,  born 
August  17,  1838;  Margaret  S.,  December  22, 
184"2;  Charley  E.,  September  26,  1845;  John  W., 
April  27,  1850.  Mrs.  Staley  died  April  8,  1880, 
a  sincere  Christian  and  a  kind  mother,  loved  and 
respected  by  all  who  knew  her;  she  is  mourned 
by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Staley  lived  together  over  forty  years. 

Hon.  Alexander  Starne,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia, Pennsylvania,  November  21,  1813.  His 
parents  were  Maurice  and  Mary  Stone.  Alexan- 
der attended  school  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
old,  then  entered  the  drug  store  of  T.  W.  Dyott, 
as  clerk,  where  he  remained  until  1836.  Leav- 
ing Philadelphia,  he  arrived  at  Alton,  Illinois, 
on  the  first  day  of  May  of  that  year.  He  con- 
tinued his  journey  to  Griggsville,  Pike  county, 
where  he  commenced  as  a  general  merchant. 
September  23,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Re- 
becca Hatch,  by  whom  he  had  one  daughter, 
Lucy  Ann.  Mrs.  Starne  died  March  1,  1846, 
loved  and  respected  by  a  large. circle  of  Ifriends. 
In  1847,  Mr.  Starne  was  married  to  his  present 
wife,  Mrs.  Elvira  S.  Swetland,  and  by  this  mar- 
riage there  are  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  In 
1839,  Mr.  S.  was  elected  Commissioner  of  Pike 
county  and  served  three  years.  In  1842,  he  was 
elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  and 
served  until  184-').  In  the  meantime  he  had  sold 
out  his  slock  of  merchandise  and  removed  to 
Pittsfield,  Pike  county,  here  he  was  appointed 
by  Judge  Purple,  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and 
wlien  subsequently  this  office  w^as  made  elective. 


he  was  elected  for  four  years.  \n  1852,  having 
been  elected  Secretary  of  the  State,  he  reinoved 
to  Springfield,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term,  in 
1856,  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  Hannibal 
and  Naples  Railway,  and  again  removed  to 
Griggsville  for  the  purpose  of  giving  personal 
supervision.  This  road  is  now  an  important 
link  to  ihe  Wabash  and  Western  Railway,  and 
was  completed  under  the  successors  of  Mr. 
Starne  in  1864.  In  1861,  from  the  district  com- 
posed of  Pike  and  Brown  counties,  he  was  elec- 
ted a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention, 
and  in  1862,  was  elected  State  Treasurer.  He 
again  removed  his  family  to  Springfield,  where 
he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  In  1872,  he 
was  chosen  Senator  from  the  county  of  Sanga- 
mon. 

Out  of  public  life  he  has  conducted  an  exten- 
sive business,  being  owner  of  the  West  End 
Coal  Mines  in  which  his  sons,  Maurice  and 
Charles,  are  associated  under  the  firm  name  of 
Starne  &  Sons.  The  life  of  Mr.  Starne  has  been 
one  of  great  activity.  His  public  services  have 
been  highly  appreciated.  He  has  a  cheerful  dis- 
position, makes  friends  everywhere.  Although 
he  has  taken  an  active  part  in  public  affairs,  he 
makes  no  pretentions  to  oratory;  but  his  good 
sense  and  plain  manners  of  forcibly  presenting 
facts,  has  sometimes  staggered  his  opponents  of 
more  pretention.  In  his  domestic  life  he  is  kind 
and  affectionate.  He  loves  his  home  and  family 
and  there  he  is  always  to  be  found  when  not  en- 
gaged in  business  duties. 

Oscar  F.  /iS<e^>ims,  hardware  merchaut,northeast 
corner  Fifth  and  Washington  streets,  has  been 
conducting  the  same  branch  of  merchandising 
since  the  spring  of  1863,  in  the  same  location. 
From  that  date  until  January  1, 1870,  as  a  partner 
with  J.  T.  Warne,  and  since,  alone.  De  carries 
a  stock  of  legitimate  hardware  and  house-fur- 
nishings of  $15,000,  and  does  a  business  of  $30,- 
000  to  $35,000  a  year.  Mr.  Stebbins  was  born 
in  Franklin  county,  Mass.,  in  1832;  was  brought 
up  there  ;  began  mercantile  life  at  fifteen 
years  of  age,  passed  the  first  six  years  in  a 
country  store,  then  two  years  as  an  apprentice  in 
a  store  in  Northampton,  Massachusetts.  In 
1854,  he  came  west  to  St.  Louis,  and  was  en- 
gaged nine  years  with  Plant  Brothers,  dealers 
in  hardware  and  agricultural  inple'nents,  at  the 
close  of  which  he  located  in  Springfield.  Mr. 
Stebbins  has  for  ten  years  been  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows;  in  1880  was 
chosen  delegate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
Stale.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  E  Warne,  a 
native  of  New  York  CJity,  in  St.  Louis,  in  June, 


720 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1863.  Their  family  consists  of  one  son  and  a 
daughter.  Mr.  S.  is  a  stockholder  in,  and  di- 
rector of  the  Northwestern  Railroad. 

William  Steiger,  Springfield,  Illinois;  born 
near  Freiburg,  Baden,  Germany,  May  25,  1816, 
and  emigrated  to  this  State  in  the  spring  of  1852, 
and  located  at  Springfield;  being  in  limited  cir- 
cumstances, he  worked  by  the  day  and  month 
for  John  Busher  a  butcher.  In  1854  he  embark- 
ed in  business  for  himself,  in  a  small  way;  and 
continued  till  1BC8,  when  he  retired  from  busi- 
ness; his  two  sons  then  took  hold,  and  have 
made  it  one  of  the  leading  business  firms  of  this 
branch  in  the  city,  having  four  markets  where 
they  cut  their  meat.  They  use  in  their  business 
eighteen  hundred  head  of  cattle,  eighteen  hun- 
dred head  of  sheep,  fifteen  hundred  head  of 
hogs,  besides  their  calves  and  lambs.  They  also 
do  a  jobbing  business  in  dried  beef,  hams, 
etc.  William  Steiger  married  Miss  Julia  A. 
Schneider,  of  Germany;  she  was  born  February 
16,  1816.  There  was  a  family  of  eight  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Steiger  landed 
in  this  country  without  anything,  and  had  to 
borrow  money  to  bring  him  to  Springfield;  but 
by  industry  and  economy  has  secured  a  fine 
property. 

Henry  Stork,  steam  laundry  works,- Spring- 
field, Illinois,  was  born  in  this  city  on 
April  25,  18G1;  is  the  son  of  George  and  Ma- 
linda  Stork,  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  Henry 
Stork  received  his  education  in  the  ward  schools 
of  Springfield,  which  he  pursued  till  he  was  fif- 
teen years  old,  when  he  began  to  learn  the  trade 
of  blacksmitbing  with  Drake  &  Palmer,  Spring- 
field, Capitol  Boiler  Works.  After  working  one 
year  and  a  half  he  was  given  charge  of  a  forge, 
and  co7itinued  with  this  firm  till  February  19, 
1881.  Mr.  Stork  took  charge  of  the  Springfield 
Steam  Laundry  Works,  February  21,  1881,  as 
proprietor.  The  works  were  established  1863, 
and  is  the  leading  establishment  of  the  kind  in 
Springfield,  and  has  a  large  trade,  turning  out, 
in  fine  laundry  style,  six  hundred  shirts  per  week. 
Mr.  Stork  was  married  in  Springfield  to  Katy 
Malters,  daughter  of  Mrs.  Mary  Malters,  native 
of  Germany.  Mrs.  Malters  had  three  children, 
of  whom  two  are  living,  Caroline,  who  was  born 
in  St.  Louis,  and  Katy,  a  native  of  Springfield. 
Mrs.  Stork  is  a  member  of  .the  German  Lutheran 
Church.  Mr.  Stork  is  a  member  of  the  English 
Lutheran  Church. 

James  C.  Sutton,  contractor  and  builder,  resi- 
dence 516  East  Jefferson  street,  has  been  a  citizen 
of  Springfield  since  1841.  He  was  born  in  Sum- 
merset  county,  New   Jersey,    August  22,1813. 


After  partially  learning  the  c  irpenier  trade  there, 
he  came  to  Illinois,  April,  1839,  and  completed 
it  with  a  cousin  in  Jacksonville,  Morgan  county, 
remaining  there  about  eighteen  months.  Soon 
after  coming  to  Springfield,  he  entered  into  part- 
nership with  a  brother-in-law,  Samuel  Simpson, 
and  began  building  by  contract;  and  as  no 
money  was  to  be  had  for  work,  they  made  some 
novel  trades.  On  one  occasion  they  received  as 
pay  a  lot  of  rolls  from  the  carding  machine;  on 
another  a  $25  clock  and  one  hundrtd  head  of 
geese.  The  clock  Mr.  Sutton  still  owns.  It  is  a 
good  time-keeper,  and  has  never  had  but  one 
dollar  expended  on  it.  Mr.  Sutton's  first  shop 
was  an  old  school  house,  which  stood  a  few  feet 
east  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  Washington 
street  from  the  Chenery  Hotel.  He  has  erected 
many  important  business  blocks  and  other  build- 
ings in  and  about  Springfield.  It  is  a  sufficient 
testimonial  of  his  mechanical  skill  and  business 
integrity  to  note  that  such  representative  citi- 
zens as  Col.  John  Williams,  Hon.  Milton  Hay, 
and  others,  have  employed  him  to  do  all  their 
building  for  more  than  forty  years.  He  and  his 
brother,  G.  A.  Sutton,  were  partners  in  the  busi- 
ness many  years,  and  were  contractors  for  some 
of  the  work  on  the  old  State  House.  In  those 
days  they  employed  from  twenty-five  to  thirty 
mechanics.  Mr.  Sutton  is  gradually  retiring 
from  active  labor,  having  made  a  competence  by 
industr}',  and  only  takes  small  jobs,  or  superin- 
tends work  for  others  November  23,  1843,  Mr. 
Sutton  married  Miss  Clementine  Simpson,  in 
Springfield.  She  was  also  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey, and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of 
1839.  Her  father,  John  P.  Simpson,  settled  in 
Fancy  Creek  township,  near  the  present  site  of 
Williamsville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sutton  are  the 
parents  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all 
living.  Stephen  P.,  the  eldest  son,  is  in  the 
building  business;  James  S.,  the  second  in  age, 
is  clerking  in  a  grocery;  and  George  E.  attend- 
ing the  High  School.  Maggie  is  now  Mrs.  G.  S. 
Pennir^ton,  and  resides  in  Pittsfield,  Pike 
county;  Mary  Ella  resides  with  her  parents  in 
the  homestead,  which  they  have  occupied  since 
1852.  During  the  civil  war,  Mr.  Sutton  was  for 
a  time  Assistant  Quartermaster,  under  Col.  John 
Williams.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners;  superin- 
tended the  construction  of  the  sewer  system  of 
the  city.  In  early  life  he  was  a  Democrat  in 
politics,  but  has  been  a  Republican  since  the 
birth  of  that  party.  He  is  a  stockholder  and  one 
of  the  directors  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Springfield. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


rai 


Charles  F.  Swigert,  Auditor  of  Public  Ac- 
counts for  Illinois,  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany, 
in  November,  1843,  was  brought  by  parents  to 
the  United  States  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  The 
family  settled  in  Kankakee  county,  Illinois,  in 
1854,  and  he  tliere  attended  the  district  school 
in  winters  and  worked  on  the  farm  in  summers 
until  seventeen  years  old.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
years  he  became  self-supporting,  starting  out  as 
an  ox  driver  at  four  dollars  per  month,  which 
was  increased  the  next  year  to  six  dollars,  and 
the  third  year  to  eight  dollars  per  month.  Dur- 
ing that  time  he  assisted  in  bi'eaking  over  four 
hundred  acres  of  raw  prairie  with  ox  teams.  In 
August,  18G1,  Mr.  Swigert  entered  the  United 
States  Army  as  a  member  of  Company  H., 
Forty-second  Illinois  Infantry.  On  the  9th  of 
May,  18G2,  during  the  siege  of  Corinth,  he  was 
struck  with  a  six-pound  solid  shot  which  carried 
away  his  right  arm  from  the  shoulder  to  the 
elbow,  leaving  the  hand  dangling  by  a  strip  of 
skin.  No  aid  was  at  hand,  and  he  grasping  the 
wound  tirmly  witli  his  left  hand,  thus  saving  his 
life  by  preventing  hemorrhage,  walked  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  rear,  was  then  put  in 
an  ambulance,  and  while  on  the  way  to  the  hos- 
pital was  run  away  with  for  a  mile  over  a  cor- 
duroy road  during  which  he  lay  on  the  bottom 
of  the  vehicle  still  staying  the  life-current  with 
his  remaining  hand.  After  spending  three 
weeks  at  the  field  hospital  he  was  sent  to  Jeffer- 
son Barracks,  Missouri,  thence  to  Quincy,  Illi- 
nois, from  which  place  he  was  discharged  in 
December,  1802.  Mr.  Swigert  was  one  of  the 
twenty  sharp-shooters  of  Captain  Hottenstein's 
company  who  ran  the  blockade  of  the  Island  No. 
10  on  the  "Carondelet,"  on  the  Friday  night 
previous  to  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and 
spiked  the  enemy's  guns  for  a  distance  of  twenty- 
two  miles  leaving  the  river  clear  down  to 
Memphis,  then  preparing  the  way  for  the  cap- 
ture of  7000  Rebel  prisoners  and  the  large  quan- 
tity of  supplies  on  that  island  immediately  fol- 
lowing. Upon  retiring  from  the  army  Mr. 
Swigert  spent  a  year  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's 
Business  College  as  a  student;  then  taught  two 
terms  of  school  in  Kankakee  county,  and  in  May, 
1865,  entered  the  postal  service  as  carrier  in  the 
west  division  of  Chicago,  remaining  until  Octo- 
ber, 1866,  when  he  became  Deputy  County 
Clerk  in  Kankakee  county,  till  September,  1867; 
spent  the  school  years  of  1867-8,  and  1868-9  in 
the  Illinois  Soldiers'  College  at  Fulton;  and  in 
the  fall  of  18G9  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Kanka- 
kee county,  and  re-elected  on  the  Republican 
ticket  five  times  successfully,  serving   until  he 

84— 


resignsd  to  qualify  for  liis  present  office,  Novem- 
ber 24,  1880,  to  which  he  was  appointed  by  tlie 
Governor  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  resigna- 
tion of  Senator  T.  B.  Needles.  He  was  elected 
in  November  for  the  term  of  four  years,  com- 
mencing January  10,  1881.  In  December,  1869, 
Mr.  Swigert  married  Lavina  L.  Bigelow,  in  Kan- 
kakee county,  born  in  the  State  of  Vermont. 
They  have  a  family  of  four  sons.  Mr.  S.,  is 
the  son  of  Philip  Swigert  and  Caroline  Lewen- 
der.  His  mother  died  in  1869,  father  is  a  resi- 
dent of  Kankakee  county. 

W.  S.  Thomas,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  April  22, 
1821.  His  father  was  a  botanic  physician,  and 
the  son  was  brought  up  in  the  same  school.  He 
has  made  it  his  study  for  life.  When  twenty- 
one  years  old  he  attended  lectures,  and  graduated 
in  1845.  In  1851,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  located 
in  Pike  county,  where  he  followed  his  profession 
until  1865,  when  he  came  to  Springfield; has  fol- 
lowed his  profession  ever  since.  He  married 
Miss  Anna  Courson,  of  Muskingum  county,  Ohio. 
The  doctor  thoroughly  understands  this  businei-s, 
gathering  herbs  and  plants  from  all  parts  cif  the 
country,  and  shipping  all  over  the  United  States 
and  Europe. 

Thomas  J.  Thompson,  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
was  born  in  Philadelphia,  where  his  parents  set- 
tled soon  after  their  marriage.  His  father.  John 
Thompson,  was  born  near  Belfast,  Ireland,  and 
was  of  English  ancestry,  while  his  mother,  Mar- 
garet Coleman,  born  in  Belfast,  was  descended 
from  Scottish  Covenanters.  Their  religion  was 
as  their  ancestry,  one  Episcopalian  and  the  other 
Presbyterian.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
taken  by  his  parents  when  a  child  to  Ohio,  and 
he  received  his  early  education  at  the  public 
schools  of  Dayton  (at  which  place  he  was  in- 
jured on  the  play-grounds  and  crippled  for  life,) 
and  Springfield,  in  that  State  Passing  from  the 
High  School  at  the  latter  place  to  Wittenberg 
College,  at  the  same  place,  he  finally  completed 
his  collegiate  education  at  Williams  College, 
with  the  class  of  1874.  The  succeeding  year  he 
passed  as  principal  of  the  Williamstown  Aca- 
demy, at  the  town  where  Williams  College  is 
situated.  The  next  three  years  he  spent  in  the 
study  of  law  with  S.  A.  Bowman,  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers  of  Ohio,  thence  he  came  to  this 
city,  in  the  winter  of  1879,  and  was  engaged  as 
private  secretary  for  Hon.  Bluford  Wilson,  of 
this  city.  In  the  spring  he  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  courts  of  Illinois,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the 
law  and  in  short-hand  reporting.     At  the  spring 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


elections  of  1S81,  he  was  elected  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  on  the  Citizens'  and  Democratic  tickets, 
by  a  very  complimentary  vote.  On  entering 
upon  the  duties  of  his  office  he  at  once  took  a 
stand  for  reform  in  relation  to  the  fees  charged 
in  such  courts,  and  in  consequence  of  that  and 
an  impartial  discharge  of  his  duties,  is  now  en- 
joying a  fair  compensation.  Mr.  Thompson  is 
now  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  and  expects,  at 
the  close  of  his  present  term  of  office,  to  return 
to  the  practice  of  law.  He  is,  like  most  persons 
of  Irish  parentage,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and 
was  Secretary  of  the  Democratic  State  Central 
Committee  during  the  late  campaign,  and  will, 
no  doubt,  be  on  hand  for  a  similar  work  again, 
as  with  him  it  is  a  work  of  love. 

Loui»  H.  Tirknor,  County  Clerk  of  Sangamon 
county,  has  been  in  public  life  from  fifteen  years 
of  age.  He  is  a  native  of  Morgan  county,  Illi- 
nois, born  in  lS4'i.  His  father.  Barton  P.  Tick- 
nor,  was  born,  reared,  and  married  Hannah 
Smith,  in  Brown  county.  New  York,  came  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  Morgan  county,  in  an 
early  day;  engaging  in  farming.  Louis'  mother 
died  in  his  infancy,  too  early  for  him  to  retain 
any  remembrance  of  her.  He  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools,  and  obtained  a  situation  in 
the  Circuit  Clerk's  office  of  Morgan  county,  at 
the  age  of  fifteen.  April  IG,  1861.  he  left  the 
office  to  enlist  in  Company  B,  Tenth  Illinois  In- 
fantry, the  first  company  registered  in  the  State. 
Having  completed  his  term  of  enlistment,  he  re- 
tired from  the  service  at  the  end  of  four  months, 
suffering  from  ill  health.  In  the  spring  of  1862, 
he  entered  the  Paymaster's  office,  St.  Louis,  as 
Clerk;  left  there  in  the  fall  of  186,3,  and  came 
to  Springfield,  and  soon  after  became  deputy  in 
the  County  Clerk's  office,  retaining  that  position 
until  December,  1873.  In  November,  1874,  he 
was  elected  Sheriff  of  Sangamon  county  for  two 
years,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  by  a  liberal  ma- 
jority, and  in  the  autumn  of  1877  was  chosen  to 
his  present  office  by  the  same  party. 

Mr.  Tioknor  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  E.  Deyo,  in  February,  1867.  She  was 
born  near  Fairfax  Court  House,  Virginia.  The 
fruit  of  their  union  is  one  son,  Fred,  born  Au- 
gust 9,  1868. 

.Tustits  Townsend,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Ulster  county.  New  York,  July  17,  1828, 
son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Tompkins)  Townsend, 
natives  of  New  York;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
attended  school  in  the  winter.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  went  to  the  Academy  at  Liberty, 
and  also  one  term  at  Albany.  Afterwards,  was 
engaged   in   EUenville,  New   York,  in    a   drug 


store,  prosecuting  his  studies  in  the  meantime. 
Soon  after,  he  attended  a  practical  course  of  lec- 
tures at  the  old  Crosby  Street  Medical  College. 
In  18.51,  went  to  Berkshire  Medical  College, 
Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  and  graduated  in  1852. 
In  January,  185,3,  commenced  practice  in  Sulli- 
van count}'.  New  York,  where  he  remained  two 
years;  then  to  Sioux  City,  Iowa;  from  Sioux  City, 
he  went  to  Dakota,  in  1861,  and  while  there  was 
elected  Territorial  Auditor  of  Dakota,  where  he 
remained  until  the  war  broke  out;  then  to  the 
Indian  Territories,  where  he  was  Acting  Assist- 
ant Surgeon,  and  had  charge  of  the  surgical  de- 
partment at  Fort  Randall.  In  1864,  came  to 
Springfield,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
]>ractice  of  his  profession  since.  In  1869,  he 
married  Mrs.  Clara  Brown,  a  native  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  former  wife  of  John  II.  Brown. 
There  were  two  sons  and  one  daughter  from  for- 
mer marriage,  one  son  and  one  daughter  still 
living.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  three  differ- 
ent medical  societies,  viz:  The  State,  the  San- 
gamon County,  and  the  Central  Illinois  Medical 
Society.  He  is  also  physician  of  the  St.  John's 
Hospital. 

Frank  W.  Tracy,  President  of  First  National 
Bank  of  Springfield,  is  widely  known  as  one  of 
Illinois'  ablest  business  men,  and  most  esteemed 
citizens.  His  physical  and  mental  organism  is 
of  the  finest  American  type,  embodying  the  at- 
tributes of  a  sterling  manhood — strong  bodily 
powers,  a  clear,  forcible  intellect,  great  social 
qualities,  and  high  moral  integrity.  This  rare 
combination  of  elements  has  won  for  their  pos- 
sessor the  implicit  confidence  of  the  commercial 
public,  and  the  firm  friendship  of  resident  citi- 
zens and  visiting  statesmen  and  people  of  note, 
many  of  whose  monied  interests  hejhas  been  the 
faithful  custodian.  Mr.  Tracy  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  July  31,  1834.  His 
father,  J.  P.  Tracy,  who  was  purchasing  agent 
of  the  Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad,  and  a  man  of 
superior  business  qualifications,  furnished  his 
son  with  the  most  liberal  educational  advantages 
of  that  city.  Frank  was  graduated  from  Balti- 
more College  in  the  class  of  1851,  and  soon  after 
moved  with  his  father's  family  to  Mason  county, 
Illinois,  where  the  senior  Tracy  engaged  in 
farming.  Frank  entered  the  employ  of  Mr.  Henry 
Foster,  a  dry  goods  merchant  of  Beardstown, 
Illinois,  remaining  four  years  in  the  store.  In 
1856,  he  became  |book-keeper  for  Messrs.  Nolte 
tfc  McClure  of  that  place,  in  which  position  he 
rendered  complete  satisfaction  and  formed  many 
lasting  friendships.  In  1863,  Mr.  Tracy  came  to 
Springfield  and  entered  one  of  the  city  banks  as 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


T23 


teller.  The  following  year  he  and  several  other 
gentlemen  perfected  the  organization  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Springfield,  and  he  was 
chosen  its  cashier.  The  financial  flood-tide  then 
fairly  setting  in  throughout  the  country,  resulting 
from  the  civil  war,  the  geographical  location  of 
Springfield  and  its  growing  prosperity  as  the 
capital  and  political  center  of  the  greatest  agri- 
cultural State  of  the  Union,  all  contributed  to 
usher  the  young  bank  upon  an  era  of  marked 
success,  which  is  noted  in  the  history  of  the 
banking  interests  in  another  chapter  of  this  work. 
Fifteen  years  of  uninterrupted  Faithful  services 
as  cashier,  during  which  many  millions  of  dol- 
lars of  government  and  private  funds  has  passed 
through  his  hands,  were  terminated  by  the  elec- 
tion of  Mr.  Tracy  in  1879  as  President  of  the 
bank.  Aside  from  his  duties  as  a  banker,  Mr. 
Tracy  has  been  active  in  developing  the  interests 
and  resources  of  the  State,  as  director  of  a  num- 
ber of  manufacturing  and  mining  corporations, 
which  have  proven  public  benefactions.  As  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the  city, 
he  has  for  years  been  a  zealous  friend  and 
advocate  of  libera!  education.  He  officiated  as 
a  director  of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad, 
during  which  he  did  efficient  work  in  solving 
the  transportation  problem  in  this  State.  On 
October  2.3,  1855,  Mr.  Tracy  united  in  marriage 
with  Miss  Sarah  Jones,  of  Cass  county.  They 
have  reared  a  family  ef  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters. The  eldest  son  is  now  assistant  cashier  of 
the  bank,  and  is  a  young  man  of  bright  qualities 
and  great  promise. 

Albert  H.  Trapp,  M.  D.,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Germany,  June  .30,  181.3;  the  son  of 
John  Frederick  and  Eva  Maria  (Martine)  Trapp; 
father  was  a  prominent  lawyer  and  a  man  of 
influence.  Albert  II.,  attended  school  in  his 
boyhood,  also  commenced  reading  medicine. 
Having  some  unpleasantness  in  Germany,  he 
went  to  Switzerland,  where  he  graduated  in  the 
Surick  University.  In  1836,  be  came  to  the 
United  States  and  located  in  St.  Clair  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  immediately  commenced  the 
practice  of  medicine,  and  remained  there  twenty- 
one  years;  then  came  to  Springfield,  where  he 
has  been  ever  since.  In  1854,  he  was  elected  to 
the  legislature  from  St.  Clair  county.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Minnie  Michael,  who  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, October  25,  1823;  there  are  three  living 
children,  Augusta,  born  February  21, 1848;  Fred 
erick,  born  April  9,  1851;  William,  born  October 
23,  1854.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  School 
Board  which  position  he  has  held  nearly  twenty 
years;  takes  a  great   interest  in   the   education 


of  the  young,  and  was  raised  in  the  Lutheran 
Church. 

Charlton  C.  Troxell,  of  the  firm  of  Troxell  & 
Dubois,  dealers  in  farm  implements,  buggies, 
phaitons,  spring  wagons,  farm  ami  garden  seeds, 
hides  and  pelts,  corner  of  Jefferson  and  Fourth 
streets,  is  the  son  of  William  Troxell  and  Louise 
C.  Staley,  who  were  both  natives  of  Washing- 
ton county,  Maryland.  Three  children,  (Charl- 
ton C,  Mansfield  S.,  and  Laura  L.,  were  born  of 
their  marriage.  Mrs.  Troxell  was  born  in  Octo- 
ber, 1836,  and  died  in  October,  1874.  Her  hus- 
band died  in  November,  1877.  He  established 
this  business  in  Springfield  in  1805,  and  con- 
ducted it  until  his  death,  when  for  a  short  time 
it  was  continued  by  his  son,  in  company  with 
W.  Staley,  then  was  bought  by  the  present  firm. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  been  continuously 
in  the  agricultural  implement  trade  since,  save 
a  month  or  so  spent  in  the  grocery  business. 
The  firm  keeps  a  large  stock  of  the  best  patterns 
of  farm  machinery,  buggies,  ph;ptons,  and  sj)ring 
wagons,  and  also  seeds  for  the  farm  and  garden. 
The  concern  does  an  extensive  and  prosperous 
business. 

William  Troxell  settled  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, in  1861,  and  previous  to  engaging  in  the 
sale  of  farming  tools,  carried  on  a  shoe  and  har- 
ness store. 

Joseph  Trutter,  grocer  and  butcher,  corner 
First  and  Jefferson  streets,  began  business  as  a 
butcher  in  Springfield  in  1866.  In  1874,  he  com- 
menced erecting  the  brick  building  he  now  occu- 
pies, sixty  by  forty  feet  in  size,  opened  a  grocery 
and  meat  market  in  it  the  following  year,  and 
has  conducted  both  branches  of  business  to  the 
present  time.  He  keeps  in  stock  quite  a  com- 
plete line  of  groceries,  and  has  a  trade  in  the 
two  departments  of  more  than  ^20,U00  a  year. 
Mr.  Trutter  is  a  German  by  nativity,  born  in 
January,  1841;  came  to  the  United  States  when 
twelve  years  of  age;  spent  ten  years  at  Long 
Branch,  New  Jersey,  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm.  He 
then  joined  his  father  in  the  butcher  business  in 
Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  Trutter,  senior,  also 
emigrated  in  1853,  and  settled  in  Springfield 
in  1657,  residing  there  until  his  decease,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1879.  In  April,  1866,  Josei)h  married 
Miss  Ellen  Saner,  born  in  Switzerland,  but 
brought  up  from  a  small  child  in  Sangamon 
county.  Their  family  consists  of  two  boys  and 
three  girls.  Mr.  Trutter  is  a  rrember  of  the  St. 
Vincent  Benevolent  Society,  and  he  and  family 
belong  to  the  Catholic  Church. 

Edward  R.  Ulrich,  grain  merchant,  corner  of 
Adams   and   Tenth   streets,   is    extensively    en- 


7-24 


II18TOHY  OF. SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


gaged  in  this  branch  of  merchandising,  both  in 
Springlield  and  at  several  other  railroad  points. 
lie  embarked  in  the  grain  traffic  five  years  ago, 
and  has  steadily  increased  the  volume  of  busi- 
ness until  he  shipped,  in  1880,  two  thousand 
cars  of  the  dfferent  cereals,  chietiy  over  the 
Wabash  and  Springfield  &  Northwestern  rail- 
roads, finding  a  market  in  Toledo  and  Baltimore. 
For  twenty  years  previous  to  engaging  in  this, 
he  had  devoted  his  attention  to  buying,  feeding 
and  shipping  live  stock,  mainly  cattle.  Mr. 
Ulrich  is  a  New  Yorker  by  nativity,  born  in 
Duchess  county,  in  1829.  His  father,  Augustus 
L.  Ulrich,  was  a  woolen  manufacturer  in  that 
county.  He  died  in  1841,  and  the  same  year 
Edward  came  with  his  mother  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Springfield, 
which  has  been  his  home  since.  He  was  for  a 
time  employed  as  an  errand  boy  and  sub-clerk 
in  a  general  store  ;  later  was  identified  with  the 
lumber  business  for  a  time,  and  also  carried  on 
farming,  which  still  receives  a  liberal  share  of 
liis  attention  in  the  management  of  a  large 
farm  west  of  the  city.  In  March,  1853,  he 
married  Maria  V.  Vredenburgh,  a  New  Jersey 
lady  by  birth,  and  daughter  of  a  pioneer  mer- 
chant in  Springfield.  They  have  seven  sur- 
viving children — four  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters. 

JoJrn  B.  Vasconcelloti,  of  the  firm  of  Vascon- 
cellos  &  Goveia,  grocers,  1135  North  Sixth 
street,  was  born  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  in  May, 
1858;  started  in  life  as  a  jockey  boy  before  he 
was  eight  years  of  age,  and  has  been  entirely 
self-dependent  ever  since.  He  followed  that 
pursuit  till  1869,  visiting  seventeen  States,  while 
thus  employed.  Leaving  that  he  obtained  em- 
ployment as  a  laborer  on  a  construction  train  of 
the  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Ifailroad; 
later  he  became  a  brakeman,  and  in  November, 
1875,  was  made  conductor,  which  position  he 
held  till  November,  1880,  then  resigned  to  em- 
bark in  the  grocery  business.  His  parents  were 
Manuel  Vasconcellos  and  Ida  Nunes,  natives  of 
Maderia  Island,  and  born  in  1812  and  1814  re- 
spectively. They  came  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  thirty-three  years 
ago,  being  the  first  Portuguese  to  immigrate. 
Mrs.  Vasconcellos  was  the  mother  of  twelve 
children,  nine  now  alive  Six  of  the  seven  sons 
were  at  one  time  engaged  in  railroading;  Joseph, 
the  second  son,  was  accidentally  killed  in 
Springfield  May  1,  1881,  while  performing  his 
duties  as  yard-master,  for  the  Wabash  Railroad, 
after  having  been  eighteen  yeais  in  that  com- 
pany's emplo}^     The  subject  of  this  sketch  mar- 


ried Estella  Stringham,  a  native  of  Ohio,  in 
September,  1879. 

M.  R.  Goveia,  was  born  in  Springfield,  in 
November,  1855;  is  the  son  of  Manuel  Goveia, 
who  settled  in  this  city  in  1849,  immediately 
after  emigrating  from  Sladeria  Island,  his  birth 
place.  He  is  a  painter  by  trade,  married  Mary 
DeFrates,  also  of  foreign  birth.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  has  been  identified  with  the  grocery 
business  since  1872,  as  clerk  until  1875,  when 
he  located  in  that  portion  of  the  city  where  he 
and  his  partner  are  now  doing  business.  They 
have  a  fine  local  trade. 

John  %^eUei\  grocer,  111  North  Fifth  street, 
started  in  business  at  that  point  in  September, 
1878.  He  keeps  in  stock  a  complete  variety  of 
family  groceries,  staple  and  fancy,  of  84,000 
value,  and  has  a  trade  of  is;20,000  a  year.  Mr. 
Vetter  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Hessen, 
and  is  twenty-five  years  old  He  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1873;  worked  the  first  nine 
months  on  a  farm  in  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois, 
then  came  to  Springfield.  His  first  wages  were 
$2  a  month,  which  was  soon  imcreased  as  his 
worth  was  demonstrated.  By  incessant  industry 
and  rigid  economy  he  saved  $800  with  which  to 
commence  the  grocery  business  in  1878.  His 
trade  is  quite  extensive  both  in  city  and  country 
and  rapidly  increasing.  Mr.  Vetter  obtained  a 
good  German  education  in  his  native  land. 

J.  8.  'VrodenJiurg,  deceased,  was  born  in  Som- 
erset county.  New  Jersey,  March  11,  1809. 
He  entered  a  large  dry  goods  house  in  New 
York  City,  when  a  hoy,  and  remained  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  married 
Miss  Ann  Doremus,  daughter  of  Francis  Dore- 
mus,  of  New  York  City;  the  same  year  came 
West  and  bought  land  in  this  county,  and  soon 
after  returned  for  his  family,  and  located  here 
permanently  in  1832.  The  old  homestead  is  at 
present  owned  by  his  son  Peter.  He  remained 
on  the  farm  until  1841,  when  he  came  to  Spring- 
field and  engaged  in  merchandising  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Square,  and  was  known  as  No.  4.  In 
1852  he  sold  out  and  returned  to  the  farm  until 
1856,  when  he  again  came  to  the  city  and  engaged 
in  the  lumber  business  which  he  continued  until 
his  death.  The  business  is  now  owned  and  con- 
troUtd  by  his  son,  Peter.  Mr.  Vredenburg  was  a 
memberof  the  City  Council  two  years,  and  in  1 866 
was  elected  to  the  office  of  Mayor;  was  senior 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church;  he  died  March 
9,  1879,  leaving  a  widow  who  followed  him  in 
October,  1880."  They  left  a  family  of  eight  child- 
ren, Mariah  D  ,  (now  Mrs.  E.  R.  Ulrich,  of  Spring- 
field) Francis  and  Peter  of  this  city;  Thomas  D., 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


now  of  Springfield,  who  enlisted  in  1861,  in  the 
three  months  service;  again  enlisted  in  the  Tenth 
Illinois  Cavalry  as  a  private,  arid  was  promoted 
step  by  step  until  he  became  Lieutenant  Colonel 
of  the  regiment.  He  participated  in  all  the 
engagements  of  the  regiment;  he  married  Miss 
Maria  Reynolds,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William 
M.  Reynolds,  and  they  had  one  child.  William 
R.  The  ne.xt  son  is  John  S.,  now  engaged  in  the 
wholesale  business  at  Chicago;  was  also  in  the 
game  regiment  with  his  brother,  and  was  pro- 
moted as  Captain.  Annie,  (now  Mrs.  Partridge, 
of  Missouri);  Margaret  and  LaRue,  a  graduate 
of  Ruger's  College,  New  Jersey,  and  one  of 
the  rising  attorneys  of  Springfield.  LaRue  was 
married  to  Miss  Minnie  N.  Tapping  of  New 
Jersey,  October  20,  1881. 

Hiram  Vfalker,  money  loaner  and  real  estate 
dealer,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  April  10,  1811,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Sally  (Bail)  Walker;  mother  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  whose  parents  came  over  in  the 
ship  with  William  Penu.  When  a  young  girl, 
she  went  to  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  where  she 
grew  to  womanhood  and  married.  Mr.  Walker 
was  of  Scotch  descent.  The  subject  of  this 
notice  wa.s  raised  on  a  farm  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  old,  when  he  learned  the  trade  of  iron 
worker.  In  the  spring  of  1835,  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois, and  located  on  Horse  creek,  Sangamon 
county,  where  he  commenced  farming.  His 
health  failing,  he  went  to  Taylorville,  Christian 
county,  where  he  remained  ten  years;  thence  to 
Springfield,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  his 
present  business  ever  since.  Mr.  Walker  is  one 
of  the  most  extensive  dealers  in  the  county;  has 
bought  and  sold  thousands  of  acres  of  land,  and 
is  at  present  owner  of  two  thousand  acres  of  im- 
proved lands  in  this  county. 

Robert  Webster,  grocer,  913  East  Monroe  street, 
has  operated  in  that  line  of  merchandising  since 
1870,  in  Springfield,  and  for  the  past  seven  years 
at  the  above  number.  He  keeps  a  general  as- 
sortment of  family  groceries  for  the  retail  tiade, 
and  does  a  business  of  Sii  10,000  a  year.  Mr. 
Webster  is  a  native  of  Birmingham,  England, 
and  was  born  in  1828.  In  1853,  he  came  to 
America,  and  lived  three  years  in  Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania;  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in 
Springfield  in  1856;  in  1860,  went  to  Texas  and 
spent  two  years;  thence  to  California,  and  en- 
gaged in  mining  from  January,  1863,  until  July, 
186S,  when  he  returned  to  Springfield.  Mr. 
Webster  sent  to  England  for  his  father,  James 
Webster,  who  came  over  in  1857,  and  carried  on 
the   grocery    business    in    Springfield    until    his 


death,  in  1875.  Mr.  Webster  married  Betsey 
Watson,  an  English  lady,  in  Springfield,  in  the 
fall  of  1874. 

Iloinard  K.  Weber,  cashier  of  the  First 
National  Bank,  is  one  of  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren, and  the  younger  of  two  living  sons  of 
William  and  Mary  Weber  nee  Phillips;  and  was 
born  in  Maryland,  June  27,  1843.  His  father 
was  a  Virginian  by  birth,  and  his  mother  is  a 
native  of  his  own  State.  Mr.  Weber  was  edu- 
cated in  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Owing  to  the  excitement  caused  by  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  he  left  school  in  the  junior 
year,  expecting  to  enter  the  Confederate  army; 
but  his  father,  being  a  War  Democrat,  op]iosed 
the  measure,  and  by  way  of  compromise  induced 
him  to  come  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in  1863,  to 
visit  some  friends.  He  at  once  saw  the  struggle 
in  a  different  light,  became  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  has  voted  with  that  party  since. 
Soon  after  locating  in  Springfield,  Mr.  Weber 
was  appointed  Assistant  Commissary  Sergeant  of 
the  post  of  Camp  Butler,  and  held  the  office  till 
the  war  closed;  then  left  it  to  become  messenger 
in  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1879,  he  was 
elected  to  his  present  position.  He  is  a  Master 
in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  member  in  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  In  Denver,  Colorado,  on 
September  20,  1879,  Mr.  Weber  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Kate  M.  Gaw,  of  Baltimore,  Mary- 
Sand.  They  have  one  son,  James  Horace.  Mr. 
Weber  is  a  member  and  trustee  of  the  First 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  father  and 
mother  reside  in  M.aryland,  aged  respectively 
seventy-four  and  sixty-six  years.  The  brother, 
William  E.,  is  Cashier  of  the  Third  National 
Bank,  Cumberland,  Maryland. 

William  C.  Wenzel,  grocer,  306  North  Fifth 
street,  established  the  business  at  that  point  in 
1878.  He  keeps  a  general  stock  of  goods  for 
the  retail  trade,  and  has  a  business  of  $11,000 
per  annum.  Mr.  Wenzel  was  born  in  Germany 
in  1853;  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years,  locating  first  in  Clinton  county, 
Iowa.  In  1872,  he  changed  to  Crawford  county, 
that  State,  and  in  August,  1874,  came  to  Spring- 
field. He  spent  four  years  in  the  Lutheran  Con- 
cordia College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1878; 
during  the  two  last  years  he  preached  a  ])ortion 
of  the  time,  and  continued  his  ministerial  labors 
a  year  after  leaving  the  institution.  In  the  latter 
part  of  1878,  he  retired  and  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  soon  after.  Mr.  Wenzel  mar- 
ried Katie  Annie  Maise  ,  in  May,  1879.     She  is 


726 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


a  native  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  They  are  both 
members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

Gerhard  Weslenberger,  furniture  dealer  and 
manufacturer,  4 1  7  East  Adams  street,  located  in 
the  business  at  that  number  in  1861;  first  as  joint 
proprietor,  but  has  been  sole  proprietor  for  fif- 
teen years.  His  stock  embraces  a  large  assort- 
ment of  parlor,  bedroom  and  kitchen  furniture, 
occupying  four  floors  of  his  building,  twenty  by 
seventy-five  feet  in  area.  He  is  a  piactical  cabi- 
net-maker, and  carries  on  manufacturing  in  a 
moderate  way,  employing  several  hands,  and 
conducts  a  thriving  business.  Mr.  Westenberger 
is  a  native  of  Germany;  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  when  twelve  years  of  age,  settling  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  July,  1848.  He  learned 
the  trade  early  in  life,  and  has  steadily  pursued 
it.  In  1 860,  he  married  Mary  Louise  Bretz,  in 
Springfield;  she  was  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Her 
mother  was  a  Kentucky  lady,  and  married  Mr. 
Bretz,  a  German  by  birth,  in  Frankfort  of  that 
State.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Westenberger  have  nine 
living  childreB,  four  sons  and  five  daughters,  and 
one  son  deceased.  The  eldest  daughter  is  now 
married.  He  and  family^  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  His  father  carried  on  building 
and  the  manufacture  extensively  in  Germany, 
and  moderately  after  coming  to  Springfield, 
where  he  died  about  twelve  years  ago,  aged 
nearly  eighty-two  years.  His  widow  resides  in 
the  city,  over  seventy  years  old.  Their  family 
of  four  sons  and  a  daughter  are  still  living. 

Floyd  K.  TVhittejnore,  cashier  of  the  State 
National  Bank,  of  Springfield,  is  a  native  of 
Cayuga  county,  New  York,  and  is  thirty-five 
years  of  age.  When  a  small  boy  he  came  with 
his  parents  to  DeKalb  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
there  educated  in  the  district  and  high  schools. 
Upon  the  election  of  Hon.  James  H.  Beveridge 
to  the  office  of  State  Treasurer,  Mr.  Whitte- 
more  came  to  Springfield  as  his  deputy,  and 
after  the  completion  of  his  term  of  oflice,  ac- 
cepted the  position  of  cashier  in  Jacob  Bunn's 
banking  house.  After  over  four  years  service 
in  that  capacity,  Mr.  Whittemore,  having  been 
chosen  cashier  of  the  State  National  Bank,  re- 
tired to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  present  of- 
"fice.  He  has  earned  a  place  in  the  front  rank 
among  Springfield's  business  men.  His  father, 
some  years  a  widower,  resides  in  DeKalb  county, 
Illinois.     Mr.  Whittemore  has  never  married. 

ColonelJames  White,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Adams  county,  near  Gettysburg,  Penns- 
ylvania, March  28,  1790;  son  of  James  and 
Polly  White.  He  wss  reared  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived an  elementary  school  education.     When 


twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  engaged  in  the 
stock  business,  buying  and  selling,  his  principal 
market  being  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  till 
1864.  February  4,  1830,  he  came  to  Springfield, 
where  he  still  kept  up  his  stock  business,  dealing 
in  land,  owning  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
acres  in  this  county.  The  Colonel  is  over  eighty- 
five  years  of  age;  a  man  who  has  accumulated 
large  fortunes;  but  by  endorsing  for  others,  has 
lost  heavily.  He  is  a  man  who  has  alwavs  been 
temperate,  using  neither  intoxicating  litjuors  or 
tobacco;  is  a  strong  Spiritualist,  believing  that 
he  has  communications  from  some  of  his  old  ac- 
quaintances that  have  passed  away;  has  always 
been  just  in  his  dealings,  never  taking  a  cent  that 
did  not  belong  to  him,  and  always  paying  the 
last  dollar  for  men  that  he  has  gone  security  for, 
paying  over  §50,000;  is  a  member  of  the  Good 
Samaritan,  and  Masonic  orders. 

Silas  M.  Whitecraft,  farmer,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  sixth  day  of  March,  1828;  son  of  John  and 
Rachael  (Arnet)  Whitecraft  ;  father  of  Irish 
and  mother  of  English  descent.  In  1835,  his 
parents  emigrated  to  this  county,  and  located 
in  Woodside  township,  where  he  remained  one 
winter,  then  removed  to  Christian  county,  then 
back  to  this  county,  when  Mr.  W.  entered  Gov- 
ernment lands  and  made  a  home,  where  he 
resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  July 
25,  184T.  In  1879,  while  his  mother  was  return- 
ing from  the  fair,  she  was  thrown  from  a  wagon 
and  killed.  They  were  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  died  as  they  had  lived, 
sincere  Christians.  Mr.  Whitecraft  planted  the 
first  orchards  in  this  part  of  the  country.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm.  In 
1864,  he  married  Miss  Lottie  Price,  daughter 
of  Abram  Price,  of  Madison  county.  New  York. 
They  have  four  children,  viz  :  Mattie,  Lottie, 
Mabel  and  Bessie.  jVIr.  Whitecraft  has  been 
identified  with  the  interests  of  the  county  for 
over  forty  years  ;  is  one  of  the  large  and  enter- 
prising farmers  of  the  central  part  of  Illinois  ; 
he  raises  and  feeds  two  hundred  and  fifty  head 
of  cattle  and  two  hundred  head  of  hogs.    . 

George  W.  TVhitecra.ft,  retired  farmer,  resi- 
dence corner  of  Eighth  and  Douglas  streets,  was 
born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  in  September, 
1830.  His  parents,  John  Whitecraft  and  Rachel 
Arnett,  were  also  natives  of  the  same  county, 
where  they  married  and  moved  to  Sangamon 
— now  Christain  county,  in  September,  1835. 
His  father  died  on  the  old  homestead  sixteen 
miles  southeast  of  Springfield,  in  1847.  His 
mother  was   killed   by  a   runaway    team    while 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


727 


returning  from  a  fair  at  Springfield  in  Septem- 
ber, 1875.  Tiiey  were  tlie  parents  of  six  sons 
and  a  daugluer,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  is  the  youngest.  His  active  life  was  all 
spent  on  the  farm  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
old  homestead  in  Christian  county.  In  October, 
187:!,  he  purchased  the  property  he  now  occupies 
and  moved  to  the  city.  Mr.  Whitecraft  married 
Susan  Williams,  November  10,  1853.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Josiah  Hoynton  Williams,  of  Cotton 
Hill  township,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  settled  forty-three  years  ago.  Susan  was 
born  about  three  miles  north  of  his  present 
home  in  January,  1834,  and  is  one  of  a  family  of 
five  brothers  antl  four  sisters,  eight  of  whom 
survive.  Her  parents  are  both  alive,  father  aged 
seventy-two,  mother  sixty-seven  years.  Two 
brothers  and  a  sister  of  Mr.  W.,  reside  in  Chris- 
tian county,  and  one  brother  in  Springfield.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Whitecraft  are  members  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church.  They  own  live  hundred 
acres  of  tine  farming  land  and  a  comfortable 
home  in  the  city.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can. 

Dudley  Wwkersham,  grocer,  609  Monroe 
street,  has  been  engaged  in  that  branch  of  mer- 
cantile life,  in  that  location,  twelve  years.  His 
store  is  large,  being  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven 
feet  deep,  and  amply  stocked  with  the  finest 
staple  and  fancy  groceries  in  the  market.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  the  best  grades  of  goods, 
and  his  store,  which  is  a  model  of  its  class, 
abounds  with  the  most  tempting  edibles,  in 
which  he  conducts  a  very  large  retail  trade. 
Col.  Wickersham  is  a  Kentuckian  by  nativity, 
born  in  Woodford  county,  where  the  first 
eighteen  years  of  his  life  were  passed  on  a  farm. 
At  that  age  he  began  mercantile  life  as  a  clerk 
in  the  town  of  Mortonsville.  In  1844,  he  came 
to  Springfield,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Col. 
John  Williams,  as  salesman  in  his  dry  goods 
store.  In  June,  1846,  Mr.  Wickersham  enlisted 
in  the  Fourth  Illinois  Regiment,  Col.  E.  D. 
Baker  commanding,  and  served  a  year  in  the 
war  with  Mexico.  He  started  out  as  Corporal, 
and  was  promoted  to  Sergeant  of  Company  A. 
Among  the  important  battles  in  which  he  par- 
ticipated was  that  of  Cerro  Gordo,  where  he 
helped  to  carry  General  Shields  from  the  field, 
in  what  was  then  supposed  to  be  a  dyingcondition. 
Returning  home,  Mr.  Wickersham  resumed 
work  for  C!ol.  Williams,  till  he  set  him  up  in 
business  in  Athens,  where  he  carried  on  a  gen- 
eral store  three  years,  then  closed  out  and  came 
back  to  Springfield.  He  became  a  partner  in 
the    dry  goods   firm   of  Smith,  Edwards  &  Co., 


which  relation  continued  until  he  entered  the 
army  in  September,  1861,  as  a  member  of  the 
Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  of  which  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Governor  Yates,  Lieutenant  Colonel, 
and  two  months  later  was  elected  Colonel.  He 
commanded  the  regiment  through  the  nearly 
four  years  of  his  raUitary  career.  He  was  con- 
nected with  the  army  of  the  frontier,  west  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  saw  much  hard  service.  Owing 
to  failing  health.  Colonel  Wickersham  resigned 
in  May,  1865,  and  was  unable  fo  engage  in  busi- 
ness for  nearly  a  year.  After  retiring  from  the 
service,  he  was  appointed  United  States  Assessor 
for  the  Eighth  District,  and  filled  that  office 
several  years,  at  the  termination  of  which  he 
embarked  in  the  grocery  trade.  Colonel  Wick- 
ersham is  a  Mason,  and  has  taken  all  the 
degrees  of  the  Order,  to  Knight  Templar.  In 
1847,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  Dickey,  in 
Springfield.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  but 
brought  up  from  childhood  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois.  They  have  two  si;rviving  children, 
William,  salesman  in  the  store,  and  Carrie,  at 
home. 

James  Wickershaiit,  attorney  ;it  law,  firm 
of  Wines  &  Wickersham,  is  a  native  of  Illinois, 
Ijorn  in  Marion  county,  and  is  twenty-four  years 
of  age.  After  attending  school  there,  he  came 
to  Springfield,  in  1877,  and  in  July  of  that  year 
began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  ex-Gov- 
ernor John  M.  Palmer.  In  December,  1879,  he 
was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of  Illi- 
nois, and  in  March,  1881,  opened  a  law  office. 
Previous  to  that,  and  up  to  the  fall  of  1881,  he 
and  his  partner,  Walter  B.  Wines,  have  been 
engaged  in  the  United  States  census  work,  pre- 
paring a  digest  of  the  criminal  laws  of  the 
different  States  asa  part  of  the  census  report,  on 
crimes  and  charities.  In  politics,  Mr.  Wicker- 
sham is  a  staunch  Republican,  and  was  a  zealous 
supporter  of  Mr.  Garfield's  principles  and  ad- 
ministration. Mr.  Wickersham  married  Debbie 
Bell,  in  October,  1880,  who  is  a  daughter  of 
Isaac  Bell,  deceased,  an  early  settler  of  Roches- 
ter township.  He  died  the  day  after  Mrs.  Bell 
graduated  from  the  city  High  School,  in  June, 
J880.     Her  mother  died  some  years  before. 

NohleB.  TI'7(7^TOS,ofLelandifc  Wiggins, Leland 
Hotel,  was  born  in  Newburg,  Ohio,  October  21, 
1841,  where  he  lived  on  a  farm  and  attended 
school  during  the  winters;  when  eighteen  years 
of  age,  he  attended  Hiram  College,  Ohio;  re- 
mained there  one  year,  when  he  enlisted  in  Gar- 
field's Regiment,  Company  G,  Forty-second 
Ohio  Infantry  Volunteers,  Se])teraber  19  18G1, 
and  remained  in  the  service   until   December  -2, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1864,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Columbus, 
Ohio.  He  then  returned  to  the  farm  at  New- 
Tourg,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two  years  when 
he  came  to  Springfield,  arriving  here  April  6, 
1867,  and  was  employed  as  steward  in  the  Leland 
Hotel,  a  position  which  he  held  until  1874,  when 
he  was  admitted  as  a  partner,  in  the  firm  of  Le- 
land &  Wiggins.  His  father,  Benjamin  L.  Wig- 
gins, was  born  in  Montpelier,  Vermont,  and 
when  a  young  man  drove  a  wagon  from  Vermont 
to  Ohio,  and  peddled  tinware  and  Setli  Thomas 
clocks,  finally  settling  on  a  farm  in  Cuyhoga 
county  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
July,  1864.  His  wife  was  Miss  Lucy  Bates 
Wiggins,  born  in  Newburgh,  Ohio.  She  died 
May  1868;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  the  mother  of  four  children,  three 
living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch.  Noble  B. 
Wiggins,  married  Miss  Clarissa  N.  Leland,  Octo- 
ber 21,  1869;  she  was  born  in  Cleveland,  O.,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Aaron  P.  Leland,  and  Miss 
Submit  (Arnold)  Leland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wig- 
gins attend  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
have  a  family  of  three  children,  viz.:  Horace  L., 
Louis  N.,  and  Lucy  A.  Wiggins. 

Henry  Villimns,  furniture  merchant  and  un- 
dertaker, 420  East  Washington  street,  has  carried 
on  this  branch  of  merchandising  in  Springfield 
since  1848,  and  for  six  years  previously  worked 
in  the  city  as  a  journeyman  cabinet  maker.  The 
undertaking  feature  he  has  conducted  over  thirty 
years.  His  stock  embraces  a  complete  assort- 
ment of  parlor,  bed-room  and  kitchen  furniture, 
and  undertaker's  supplies,  and  does  a  heavy  retail 
trade,  acting  upon  the  "  nimble  shilling"  motto, 
turning  over  his  capital  several  times  a  year. 
Mr.  Williams  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1824; 
came  to  Illinois  in  1839,  and  located  in  Brown 
county;  in  1842  settled  in  Springfield  and  learned 
the  cabinet  trade;  in  1850  he  married  Sarah 
Wall,  who  was  born  in  Ireland.  They  have  a 
family  of  two  sons.  The  eldest,  James  H.,  is 
with  his  father  in  the  store,  and  is  serving  his 
second  year  as  alderman  from  the  Second  Ward. 
Both  of  Mr.  Williams'  parents  were  natives  of 
Ireland.  His  mother  is  a  resident  of  Sangamon 
county,  aged  eighty  years;  father  died  some  years 
ago. 

Colonel  John  Williams,  one  of  the  pioneer 
merchants,  and  one  of  Sangamon  county's  most 
enterprising,  highly  esteemed  and  successful 
business  men,  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky, September  11,  1808.  His  paternal  ances- 
tors emigrated  from  Wales  and  settled  in  Vir- 
ginia, where  his  father,  James  Williams,  was 
born.     His  maternal  ancestors  were  Scotch-Irish, 


of  the  Presbyterian  order,  and  settled  in  Penn- 
sylvania. His  mother,  Hannah  Mappin,  was 
born  near  Pittsburg,  in  1776.  After  marrying, 
his  parents  settled  in  Kentucky,  from  whence 
they  moved  to  Illinois  in  1823,  and  settled  on 
the  farm  still  owned  by  the  subject  of  this 
memoir,  and  where  they  both  ended  their  earthly 
life  a  number  of  years  ago. 

Mr.  Williams'  school  privileges  were  confined 
to  the  primitive  log  school  house  of  Bath  county, 
and  chiefiy  to  the  winter  terms,  his  summers  be- 
ing occupied  with  labor  on  the  farm;  but  being 
fond  of  books  and  study  he  made  the  most  of 
what  advantages  offered.  At  fourteen  years  of 
age  he  began  mercantile  life,  as  store  boy,  in  the 
store  of  J.  T.  Bryan,  in  Kentucky.  He  received 
no  salary  the  first  year,  and  the  second  year  $50 
and  board  was  the  compensation.  In  the  fall  of 
182,4,  having  completed  his  engagements,  he,  in 
company  with  several  of  his  father's  old  neigh- 
bors, came  on  horseback  to  Illinois,  and  after 
visiting  at  his  father's  house  two  weeks,  pro- 
ceeded to  Springfield,  arriving  October  11,  1824, 
and  at  once  entered  the  employ  of  Major  Elijah 
lies  as  store  boy,  at  a  salary  of  $10  per  month 
and  board.  At  the  end  of  a  year,  Mr.  lies  cred- 
ited him  with  $150,  and  offered  him  for  the  next 
year's  services  $200,  which  was  accepted,  and 
this  was  the  annual  amount  received  for  five 
successive  years  of  labor.  In  the  fall  of  1830, 
Mr.  lies  wishing  to  retire  from  business,  Mr. 
Williams  bought  his  stock  on  four  quarterly 
payments,  started  out  as  proprietor  of  thestore, 
with  a  capital  of  $300,  saved  from  his  small  salary 
in  the  six  years.  By  energetic  application  and 
management,  the  payments  of  the  purchase 
money  were  promptly  met,  and  having  a  good 
credit  the  young  merchant  bought  goods  to  keep 
up  his  stock,  and  by  discounting  his  bills  before 
due,  saved  paying  interest.  Pursuing  the  plan 
of  his  predecessor  in  honorable  dealing  and  strict 
justice  to  his  customers,  success  crowned  the 
years  of  Mr.  Williams'  life,  which,  with  two 
brief  intermissions,  extended  over  a  period  of 
fifty  years,  as  proprietor  of  the  business,  begin- 
ning in  September,  1830,  and  closing  with  the 
sale  of  the  business  to  C.  A.  Gehrmann  in  Sep- 
tember, 1880.  A  part  of  this  time  he  had  sev- 
eral different  pai'ties  successively  as  partners. 
During  the  last  twenty-five  years  George  N. 
Black  was  in  company  with  him. 

In  186  4,  upon  the  organization  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Springfield,  in  which  he  was 
the  prime  mover,  Mr.  Williams  became  its 
President,  and  held  the  office  about  eleven  years, 
when  he  sold  out  his  stock.     When  the  Spring 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


729 


field  &  Northwestern  Railroad  was  being  built, 
Mr.  Williams  loaned  the  contractors  $50,000, 
and  other  amounts  subsequently,  amounting  in 
the  aggregate  to  $-200,000.  The  company  being 
unable  to  repay  the  money,  he  had  a  receiver 
appointed,  and  after  four  years  of  his  adminis- 
tration, the  road  was  sold  in  1878,  by  order  of 
court,  and  Mr.  Williams  became  the  purchaser. 
Upon  the  re-organization  of  the  company,  Mr. 
Williams  owning  a  controlling  interest,  was 
made  President  of  the  road,  which  office  ex- 
pired by  the  sale  of  his  stock  in  July,  1880,  to 
parties  in  the  interest  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis 
&  Pacific  Railway  Company.  In  the  summer  of 
1872,  Mr.  Williams,  in  partnership  with  George 
N.  Black  and  S.  II.  Melvin,  formed  the  Barclay 
Coal  and  Mining  Company.  They  sunk  the 
shaft  the  same  year  at  Barclay,  eight  miles  from 
Springfield,  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 
The  company — now  composed  of  Mr.  Williams, 
George  N.  Black  and  Samuel  Yocum — owns 
eighty-seven  acres  in  fee  simple,  on  which  they 
have  erected  over  forty  tenement  houses,  also 
the  coal  right  of  twelve  hundred  acres,  and  fifty 
coal  cars.  They  employ  from  one  hundred  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  niiners,  and  mine 
from  four  hundred  to  five  hundred  tons  per  day. 
Mr.  Williams  owns  a  number  of  pieces  of  city 
property  and  several  farms,  principal  among  them 
are  the  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  in  and  adjoining  the  corporate  limits  of 
Springfield,  and  a  splendid  farm  of  seventeen 
hundred  acres  in  Menard  county,  near  Athens, 
where  his  father  first  settled.  At  the  breaking 
out  of  the  late  war.  Colonel  Williams  was  ap- 
pointed Commissary  General  of  Illinois,  by 
Governor  Yates,  which  position  he  filled  six 
months,  till  the  United  States  Government  was 
prepared  to  take  charge  of  the  troops.  He  was 
afterwards  appointed  at  the  head  of  the  Sanitary 
Commission  for  Illinois,  to  receive  and  forward 
supplies  donated  to  the  soldiers.  He  served  in 
this  capacity,  without  compensation,  about  two 
years.  He  was  nominated  and  run  for  Congress 
in  this  district  in  185G,  on  the  Fremont  and  Fil- 
more  ticket,  and  ran  nearly  two  thousand  ahead 
of  his  ticket,  but  the  district  being  Democratic 
by  about  four  thousand,  be  was  beaten  two 
thousand  one  hundred  votes.  He  was  one  of 
the  Board  of  Water  Commissioners  during  the 
building  of  the  City  Water  Works.  Is  Presi- 
dent of  the  Barclay  Coal  Company.  Colonel 
Williams  was  one  of  the  original  Trustees  of 
the  Lincoln  Monument  Association,  and  still  re- 
tains that  position.  He  is  also  a  large  stock- 
holder and  a  Director  of  the  Springfield  Iron 

85— 


Company.  In  1840,  Colonel  John  Williams 
united  in  marriage  with  Lydia  Porter,  a  native 
of  Livingston  county.  New  York,  but  a  resident 
of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  at  that  time;  six 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  all  living,  viz: 
Louisa  L,  tlie  wife  of  George  N.  Black;  Albert 
P.,  John  E.,  Julia  J.,  the  wife  of  A.  Orendorff; 
George  and  Henry  C.  Williams.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Williams  are  members  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Springfield. 

banmelJ.  Willett,  merchant  tailor,  2:i7  South 
Sixth  street,  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  nine- 
teen years  ago,  and  entered  the  employ  of  Woods 
tfc  Henkle,  as  cutter  in  their  clothing  establish- 
ment, some  fourteen  years  ago,  continuing  in 
that  relation  until  both  proprietors  died,  when  he 
was  made  manager  of  the  business  f'oi-  the 
estate  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  opened  a  merchant  tailoring  house  on  his  own 
account.  He  moved  to  his  present  choice  loca- 
tion February  1,  1880,  and  in  August,  1881,  put 
in  a  splendid  stock  of  gentlemen's  furnishings. 
His  stock  of  piece  goods  is  large  and  elegant, 
embracing  an  assortment  of  the  finest  American 
and  imported  fabrics  for  men's  wear,  which  are 
made  up  to  order  in  the  most  approved  style. 
He  is  doing  an  extensive,  growing  business. 

Mr.  Willett  was  born  in  Cheshire,  England,  in 
1829;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  18.51; 
worked  over  eleven  years  at  merchant  tailoring 
in  New  York  City,  and  then  came  to  Springfield. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Lodge, 
Chapter,  Council,  and  Commandery;  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias;  is  Prelate  of 
Capital  Lodge,  No.  14;  is  Past  Grand  Chancel- 
lor for  Illinois,  having  served  in  that  position 
two  terms  consecutively;  is  Supreme  Represent- 
ative to  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  Knights  of  the 
World.  He  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow,  since  1853, 
and  has  passed  through  the  degrees  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  In  1860,  Mr.  Willett  married 
Miss  Emma  S.  Clark,  a  native  of  New  York 
City.  They  have  five  surviving  children,  three 
daughters  and  two  sons;  one  son  deceased. 

J^^red  Wilms,  President  and  General  Manager 
of  the  Wabash  Coal  Company,  has  been  engaged 
in  the  coal  mining  interests  of  Sangamon  county 
since  1870.  He  was  first  connected  with  the 
Western  Coal  and  Mining  Company,  a  corporate 
organization  with  an  authorized  capital  stock  of 
$500,000,  at  first,  as  its  cashier,  and  later  as  its 
manager.  The  company  operated  at  Riverton, 
this  county,  and  at  Danville,  Vermilion  county. 
At  Riverton,  it  re-equipped  the  old  shaft  sunk 
by  P.  L.  Ilowlett  some  years  before,  having  se- 
cured a  ten  years'  lease  of  the  mine,  and  worked    * 


730 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


a  force  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who 
mined  a  million  bushels  of  coal  per  year.  This 
company  closed  out  in  1877.  The  Wabash 
Coal  Company  was  organized  in  March,  1880, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $40,000,  and  Fred  Wilms 
was  made  President  and  General  Manager;  Wil- 
liam Wilms,  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  This 
company  sunk  a  shaft  at  Dawson,  twelve  miles 
east  of  Springfield,  on  the  line  of  the  Wabash, 
St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway,  in  the  spring  and 
summer  of  1880.  A  five-foot  vein  of  coal  of 
very  fine  quality  was  reached  at  a  depth  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  feet.  This  shaft  works  one 
hundred  miners,  who  take  out  one  hundred 
thousand  bushels  of  coal  per  month.  This  com- 
pany is  also  operating  the  old  junction  mine, 
situated  at  Springfield  Junction,  two  miles  south 
of  the  city,  Mr.  Wilms  having  leased  it  in  May, 
1879.  A  hundred  and  fifty  men  are  employed 
at  this  mine,  and  it  yields  an  average  product  of 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  bushels 
per  month.  The  coal  from  these  mines  finds  a 
market  chiefly  at  points  east  and  west  on  the 
line  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Rail- 
way, as  far  east  as  Toledo,  and  west  to  Quincy 
and  Hannibal.  The  company  has  two  retail 
yards,  one  in  Springfield  and  one  in  Jacksonville. 
They  also  do  a  large  business  in  hard  coals,  both 
at  wholesale  and  retail. 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in 
Quincy,  Illinois,  in  1842;  from  fourteen  to 
twenty  years  of  age,  clerked  in  a  dry  goods 
store  in  his  native  city;  was  then  six  years  in 
the  employ  of  a  wholesale  and  retail  boot  and 
shoe  house  there,  as  book-keeper  and  buyer  of 
the  stock.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he 
engaged  in  the  same  line  of  business  as  proprie- 
tor. In  1870,  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Spring- 
field and  has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  coal 
mining.  He  has  been  President  of  the  Spring- 
field Coal  Association  three  years;  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  passed 
through  all  the  degrees  of  the  order  to  Knight 
Templar.  In  January,  1867,  Mr.  Wilms  mar- 
ried Anna  Dickhut,  of  Quincy,  and  a  daughter 
of  a  pioneer  in  that  place.  They  have  two 
children,  Carrie,  aged  twelve  years,  and  Fred, 
six  years  old. 

Edwin  A.  Wilson,  real  estate  and  loan  agent, 
and  publisher  of  the  Sunday  School  journals 
"  Labor  of  Love,"  and  "  Food  for  Lambs,"  was 
born  in  Carroll  county,  Maryland,  in  June,  1840; 
passed  most  of  his  early  life  in  Baltimore  City, 
where  he  received  a  good  English  education. 
During  the  years  1863,  1864  and  1865,  be  was 
employed  on  clerical  duties  in  the  oftice  of  the 


United  States  Sanitary  Commission;  left  there 
in  November,  1865,  and  after  visiting  Boston 
and  Indianapolis,  landed  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
in  January,  1866,  and  still  being  in  the  service 
of  the  Commission,  was  engaged  in  examining 
and  classifying  the  rolls  of  Illinois  soldiers  till 
November  of  that  year,  then  resigned  to  locate 
permanently  in  Springfield.  Engaging  in  the 
real  estate  and  insurance  business,  he  carried 
both  on  till  eight  years  ago,  when  he  dropped 
the  latter,  and  has  since  chiefly  devoted  his  at- 
tention to  dealing  in  and  improving  city  real 
estate.  Besides  building  many  houses  for  others, 
he  has  erected  some  forty  residences  on  his  own 
property,  and  now  owns  thirty-seven  occupied 
dwellings.  Mr.  Wilson  was  one  of  the  publish- 
ers of  the  book  entitled  "Reminicenses  of  Old 
Settlers,"  of  Sangamon  county,  in  which  he  in- 
vested $6,000,  quite  a  large  per  cent  of  which  he 
has  never  realized.  He  is  one  of  the  elders  of 
the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  Superin- 
tendent of  Its  Sunday  School.  He  is  publishing 
two  Sunday  School  journals  of  the  above  titles, 
which  are  non-sectarian  in  character,  and  both 
are  extensively  circulated.  In  1864,  Mr.  Wil- 
son united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Cynthia  C. 
Hannon,  in  Washington  City.  She  is  also  a 
native  of  Maryland.  They  have  two  children 
of  each  sex  alive. 

George  Withey,  of  the  firm  of  Withey  & 
Brothers,  Carriage  Manufacturers,  Washington 
street,  between  Seventh  and  Eighth  streets,  was 
born  in  Sommersetshire,  England,  and  is  fifty- 
four  years  of  age.  He  is  one  of  the  five  living 
sons  of  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters of  James  and  Jane  (Stich)  Withey  of  Ger- 
man ancestry,  and  who  crossed  the  Atlantic  in 
the  spring  of  1842,  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  where  the  mother  died  about 
twelve  years  ago  and  the  father  about  seven 
years  ago.  The  senior  Withey  was  a  wagon- 
maker  by  trade;  the  sons  took  kindly  to  the 
sire's  calling,  and  the  three  who  compose  the 
firm,  William  H.,  George  D.,  and  James,  all 
learned  the  trade,  and  two  of  the  brothers  have 
five  sons  journeymen  in  the  same  business  and 
engaged  in  the  factory.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  married  Miss  M.  T.  Kimes,  born  in  Knox- 
ville,  Tennessee.  They  have  a  family  of  four 
daughters.  In  spite  of  several  serious  reverses 
of  fortune  the  Withey  Brothers  are  doing  a 
large  and  prosperous  business,  in  which  they 
employ  an  average  of  thirty  men. 

Seneca  Wood,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  October  1,  1806  ; 
his  father  and  mother  died  when  he  was  a  mere 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


731 


child,  and  he  was  left  to  take  care  of  himself. 
He  was  takcTi  by  Enos  Coles,  a  blacksmith  ;  to 
learn  the  trade  ;  but  as  he  had  a  farm,  he  was 
busy  there  instead  of  the  shop,  except  rainy 
days,  when  he  could  not  work  out-doors.  He 
remained  with  Mr.  Coles  until  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age,  then  engaged  in  Belchertown,  Mass- 
achusetts, to  work  by  the  year,  at  one  hundred 
and  twenty  dollars  ;  remained  there  three  years, 
and  accumulated  a  few  hundred  dollars.  He 
spent  one  winter  in  (Georgia,  peddling  clocks  for 
a  man  named  Kendall ;  the  following  spring  re- 
turned to  Belchertown,  when  he  hired  for  two 
years  to  the  same  party  he  had  previouly  worked 
for.  Taking  liis  hard  earned  money,  he,  in 
company  with  a  man  named  Wilson,  came  to 
Schenectedy,  New  York,  when  they  started  a 
paper.  Mr.  Wood  being  the  money-man  in  the 
enterprise,  and  being  ignorant  of  the  business, 
it  was  not  a  successful  undertaking,  and  he  sold 
out  to  Wilson,  getting  what  he  could  out  of  it ; 
came  to  Buffalo  ;  from  there  to  Painesville, 
Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  summer,  and  in  August 
started  out  with  a  team  and  light  Dearborn 
wagon    for  Illinois,   and  located  in   Springfield. 

In  1835,  he  entered  land  in  Island  Grove 
township,  which  he  sold  to  a  Mr.  Brown,  from 
Kentucky,  who  bought  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
that  county.  Mr.  Wood  then  went  to  Berlin, 
where  he  built  the  Half-way  House,  between 
Jacksonville  and  Springfield,  and  kept  it  for  a 
number  of  years.  Among  his  guests  were 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  Forquer, 
John  J.  Harding,  Daniel  Webster,  Martin  Van 
Buren,  E.  I).  Baker,  and  many  men  who  rose  to 
eminence.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Ann  Todd, 
of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  She  was  born 
May  22,  18U0.  There  were  eight  children,  four 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Wood  lield  the  oiSce 
of  postmaster  in  Berlin,  and  was  justice  ot  the 
peace  for  a  number  of  years. 

Henry  'Wohlgemuth^  M.  D.,  may  well  be 
placed  among  those  of  whom  there  are  so  many, 
so-called  "self-made  men."  He  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  was  born  on  the  22d  day  of  May,  1822, 
in  the  city  of  Hanover,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Frederick  and  Maria  Wohlgemuth,  ( parental 
name,  Boehne).  His  parents  were  of  industrious 
habits,  not  possessed  of  large  fortunes.  His 
father  died  at  the  age  of  forty-two  years,  in  Ger- 
many. His  mother  died  in  the  year  of  1850,  at 
the  age  of  fifty-four,  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  His 
brother,  Christian,  died  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  in 
the  year  of  1849,  of  cholera,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  years.  Two  sisters  are  still  surviving, 
both    married,  and   live   respectively,   one,   the 


eldest,  in  Montana  Territory,  and  the  younger 
sister  in  Illinois. 

Henry,  from  his  earliest  boyhood,  applied 
himself  to  industrious  and  steady  habits,  avail- 
ing himself  of  what  means  his  parents  were  able 
to  bestow,  in  obtaining  an  education,  and  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years,  he  chose  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  his  chief  desire  was  with  an  am- 
bition to  acquire  a  thorough  knowledge  of  his 
chosen  profession. 

In  1845,  unknown  to  him,  and  being  absent 
from  home,  his  widowed  mother  and  three  chil- 
dren, (one  son  and  two  daughters)  decided  to 
emigrate  to  America,  and  informed  of  their  ac- 
tion, though  unprepared  for  so  sudden  a  change, 
he  decided  to  go  with  them.  They  embarked  in 
a  sailing  vessel  at  Bremerhaven,  in  the  month  of 
September,  1845.  After  a  long  and  tedious  voy- 
age of  sixty-two  days  they  arrived  in  New 
Orleans  in  the  month  of  November.  Having 
friends  living  in  Illinois,  they  proceeded  on 
their  journey -up  the  Mississippi,  thence  the  Illi- 
nois river,  and  landed  at  Beardstown,  where  they 
had  friends  living.  In  the  winter  of  the  same 
year  the  Doctor  made  his  way  to  Springfield, 
laboring  first  under  many  embarrassing  disad- 
vantages, poor  in  health,  poor  in  purse,  unac- 
quainted with  the  language  and  an  entire 
stranger  among  the  people  with  whom  he  had 
cast  his  lot.  Springfield,  then,  with  not  more 
than  three  thousand  inhabitants,  now  has  grown 
to  be  a  city  of  twenty-two  thousand  or  more, 
what  was  the  woodlands  and  open  prairies  has 
given  away  to  stately  mansions  and  fine  culti- 
vated farms. 

His  determination  and  honesty  of  purpose, 
aided  by  a  sound  and  well-directed  judgment, 
soon  overcame  all  obstacles.  Although  his  health 
being  much  impaired,  owing  in  a  great  measure 
to  a  change  of  climate,  together  with  the  many 
otlier  disadvantages  and  embarrassing  circum- 
stances. Dr.  Wohlgemuth  opened  an  oltice  in  the 
spring  of  184  6,  and  began  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  Giving  himself  industriously  to  his 
work,  he  met  with  marked  success,  rapidly  ac- 
quired a  knowledge  of  the  language  and  laid  the 
foundation  of  an  extensive  and  lucrative  prac- 
tice, his  practice  extending  through  a  wide  circle 
outside  the  city,  and  he  was  called  upon  to  endure 
all  the  hardships  incident  to  a  physician's  life  of 
about  thirty-five  years  in  a  country  where  farm 
mansionSiCultivated  fields,  and  well-worked  high- 
ways with  railroads  in  every  direction,  have  sup- 
planted the  log  cabins,  dreary  prairies,  heavy 
timbers,  and  almost  impassable  roads  that  then 
existed.    The  resident  physicians,  of  whom  there 


"7:^2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


were  some  thirteen,  besides  the  scattering  ones 
throughout  the  country,  of  whom  there  were  but 
few,  have  all  passed  away  except  it  be  one  or  two 
in  the  county,  who  still  survive  but  no  longer 
engaged  in  active  practice,  which  leaves  Dr. 
Wohlgemuth,  so  to  say,  the  pioneer,  or  oldest 
physician,  in  Sangamon  county,  at  an  age  of 
sixty  years,  still  vigorous  and  engaged  in  active 
practice. 

In  August,  1849,  Dr.  Wohlgemuth  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Elizabeth  Wolgamot,  a  native  of 
Ilagerstown,  Maryland,  who  removed  to  Spring- 
field with  her  parents  in  the  year  of  1840,  when 
she  was  eleven  years  old.  They  have  had  six 
children,  twa  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The 
eldest,  a  daughter,  Mariette,  was  born  June  10th, 
1851),  and  died  on  the  22d  day  of  October,  187-', 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  her.  The  two  sons, 
Henry  I.,  aged  twenty-nine,  and  William,  twenty- 
five,  both  promising  young  men,  engaged  in  mer- 
chandise pursuits.  The  only  daughter,  Minnie 
Bell,  now  a  promising  young  lady,  was  born  July 
5,  1865. 

Generous  and  public  spirited.  Dr.  Wohlge- 
muth has  contributed  largely  to  the  interest  and 
growth  of  Springfield,  and  apart  from  his  regu- 
lar practice,  has  held  many  positions  of  confi- 
dence and  public  trust. 

In  1856,  he  was  elected  City  Physician,  in 
which  capacity  he  acted  until  that  office  was 
combined  with  that  of  County  Physician.  This 
latter  position  he  held  from  1861  to  1863. 

In  1863,  he  was  elected  Alderman,  and  held 
the  office  till  1866,  and  was  chairman  of  many 
important  committees.  He  was  for  one  year  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  in  ]  865 
was  appointed  one  of  the  Water  Works  Com- 
missioners, and  while  acting  in  this  capacity, 
rendered  valuable  service  to  the  city  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  works. 

For  many  years  past,  the  Doctor  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  Oak  Ridge 
Cemetery,  for  most  of  the  time  has  been  its 
President,  and  it  is  justly  due  in  saying,  to  him 
is  greatly  due,  as  also  the  gentlemen  who  were 
and  still  are  his  associates, in  makingOak  Kidge 
Cemetery  what  it  is,  the  pride  of  Springfield. 

He  has  been  for  many  years  an  active  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  Sangamon 
Lodge,  No.  4;  is  a  member  of  the  Chapter  and 
Royal  Arch,  also  a  member  of  Elwood  Com- 
mandery.  No.  6,  K.  T.,  since  1859,  and  is  at 
present  its  Eminent  Commander.  He  has  also 
been  a  member  of  other  associations. 

To  more  fully  prepare  himself  for  the  duties 
of  his   profession,  the    Doctor,  in    the    year   of 


1854,  upon  attending  lectures,  received  the 
degree  of  M.  D.  from  the  Eclectic  Medical  In- 
stitute, Cincinnati,  Ohio.  In  the  advancement 
of  medical  science,  he  has  taken  a  special  inter- 
est, and  at  the  organization  of  the  Medical  Asso- 
ciation, was  elected  its  President;  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  National  Eclectic  Medical  Associa- 
tion, honorary  member  of  the  New  York  State 
Aledical  Society;  and  in  all  that  pertains  to  the 
medical  art  and  the  advancement  of  science,  he 
takes  a  deep  interest.  He  has  amassed  a  liberal 
competence.  His  reputation  is  that  of  honor, 
and  unimpeachable. 

Christian  Wolf,  hatter  and  furrier,  Pastield 
Block,  southwest  corner  of  the  square,  estab- 
lished this  branch  of  mercantile  business  in 
Springfield  in  1865,  occupying  a  small  store  on 
the  north  side  of  the  square.  Two  years  after 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Hablizel, 
which  continued  until  the  spring  of  1880,  when 
Mr.  Wolf  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and 
became  sole  proprietor.  In  1869,  the  increase  of 
trade  demanded  more  room,  and  they  moved  to 
the  large  store,  109,  west  side  of  the  square, 
which  was  abandoned  for  the  present  elegant 
quarters  in  the  new  Pasfield  block  in  the  fall  of 
1881.  Mr.  Wolf  carries  a  stock  of  the  finest 
hats,  caps,  furs  and  gentlemen's  furnishings  in 
the  market,  the  largest  in  the  State  outside  of 
Chicago,  and  has  an  anntial  retail  trade  of  $40,- 
000.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  elegant  fur  goods, 
of  which  he  sells  a  large  quantity.  Mr.  Wolf  is 
a  native  of  AVurtemberg,  Germany,  born  in  1838; 
after  being  partially  educated  there,  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years; 
lived  over  five  years  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  went 
thence  to  New  Albany,  Indiana;  there  carried 
on  the  hat  business  on  his  own  account  over  two 
years,  after  which  he  located  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois. He  married  in  New  Albany  in  October, 
1861,  to  Jennie  Welch,  a  native  of  that  city- 
Their  family  consists  of  three  children  of  each 
sex.  In  1877,  Mr.  Wolf  was  elected  City  Alder- 
man from  the  Sixth  Ward  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  without  effort  on  his  part,  but  resigned 
after  a  little  more  than  two  years  of  service.  He 
is  a  member  of  Capital  Lodge  No.  465,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  and  a  member  of  Brigadier  General  I.  N. 
Recce's  staft".  I.  N.  G. 

Presco  Wright,  Treasurer  of  the  City  of 
Springfield,  was  born  in  Somerset  county.  New 
Jersey,  in  1820.  His  parents,  Presco  Wright, 
Senior,  and  Jane  McKissack,  were  also  natives 
of  that  State.  The  son  and  subject  of  this 
sketch  grew  to  manhood  and  received  an  aca- 
demical education  there.     He  began  meicantile 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


r:!3 


life  as  a  clerk  at  fourteen  years  of  age;  and  upon 
coming  to  Springfield,  in  1849,  pursued  the  same 
avocation,  Hi'st  as  salesman  for  Jacob  liunn,  then 
for  Lewis  &  Adams,  and  in  1851  engaged  in  a 
general  merchandising  business,  as  a  member  of 
the  firm  of  Wright  &  Brown,  which  continued 
five  years,  at  tlie  end  of  which  he  sold  out  and 
retired.  During  two  of  those  live  years,  he 
filled  the  office  of  City  Treasurer.  In  the  fall  of 
1856,  Mr.  \Vright  was  elected  Circuit  Clerk  of 
Sangamon  county  for  the  term  of  four  years, 
running  six  hundred  votes  ahead  of  his  ticket  in 
the  city  and  township,  and  was  the  only  Demo- 
cratic candidate  elected  at  that  time.  Being  a 
pronounced  War  Democrat,  he  was  elected  in 
1862  to  the  office  of  County  Treasurer  on  the 
Ifnion  ticket,  by  a  handsome  majority,  and  served 
two  years.  In  1865,  he  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  the  city  by  Andrew  Johnson,  and 
filled  the  position  till  1868;  was  then  appointed 
Assistant  Assessor  for  the  two  years  following; 
subsequently,  he  served  two  years  as  Deputy 
County  Clerk,  and  in  the  spring  of  1879  was 
elected  to  his  present  office,  having  been  twice 
re-elected  since  by  a  liberal  majority.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-four,  Mr.  Wright  married  Phebe 
A.  Sutton,  in  New  Jersey  They  have  an  adopted 
daughter,  Mettie  Wright.  Mr.  W.  is  a  member 
of  the  Lodge,  Chapter,  Council  and  Commandery 
in  the  Masonic  Order. 

James  T.  Wright,  grocer,  421  East  Washing- 
ton street,  has  been  identified  with  the  grocery 
trade  of  Springfield  for  many  years.  He  first 
started  as  a  delivery  clerk,  for  Forden  &  Seely  ; 
was  afterwards  employed  as  salesman  ;  in  1872 
became  joint  proprietor  with  Mr.  Forden,  and 
three  years  later,  sole  owner,  by  purchasing  Mr. 
Ford  en's  interest.  In  August,  1879,  he  located 
in  his  present  store,  which  is  one  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  by  twenty  feet  in  fi'ont,  and  forty 
feet  at  the  rear  end.  He  occupies  two  floors, 
carries  a  large  stock  of  goods,  and  has  one  of 
the  heaviest  retail  trades  in  the  city  in  family 
groceries  and  country  produce.  Mr.  Wright  is 
a  product  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  born  on 
Round  Prairie,  in  1840.  Thomas  Wright  came 
from  Kentucky  to  Sangamon  county  in  an  early 
day,  and  mariied  Sarah  Smith,  also  of  Kentucky, 
but  came  here  in  childhood.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  one  daughter,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  Thomas  Wright  died  when  James  was 
fourteen  years  of  age,  leaving  the  widow,  who 
now  lives  with  her  son.  James  left  the  farm 
when  twenty-two,  and  settled  in  the  city,  which 
has  since  been  his  home.  In  1873,  he  married 
Mary   A.    Llnyd,  a   native    of  Springfield,  who 


has    borne    him   one    son,    Elmer,   aged    seven 
years. 

Fred  H.  Zahn,  merchant  tailor,  135  South 
Fifth  street,  Lincoln's  old  law  office,  established 
the  business  in  that  room,  July  8,  1875,  with 
fifteen  dollars  capital,  having  lost  everything  in 
becoming  surety  for  friends  in  the  East.  Tlpon 
arriving  in  Springfield,  in  1873,  he  worked  as  a 
cutter  two  years.  Having  good  credit  with 
friends  in  Eastern  cities,  he  was  able  to  start 
with  a  fair  stock  of  goods,  and  keeping  nothing 
but  the  finest  grades  of  American,  English,  and 
French  suitings,  which  are  made  up  in  the  high- 
est style  of  the  art,  his  business  rapidly  grew 
from  $9,000  the  first  year  to  $3,000  to  $4,000  per 
month,  in  which  over  twenty  skilled  hands  are 
regularly  employed.  He  also  keeps  a  fine  line 
of  ready-made  clothing  for  children. 

Mr.  Zahn  was  born  in  Berlin,  Prussia,  May  25, 
1840;  from  early  childhood  was  brought  up  in 
city  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  he  learned 
the  tailor's  trade.  In  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Union  army,  in  the  Second  Maryland  In- 
fantry. In  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run  he 
was  shot  through  the  left  lung  with  a  minnie  ball 
which  he  still  carries  in  his  body.  After  remain- 
ing in  the  hospital  six  months,  he  had  so  far  re- 
covered that  he  started  for  the  front,  but  being 
seized  with  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  was  com-, 
pelled  to  return  to  the  hospital,  and  was 
afterwards  made  Hospital  Steward,  holding 
that  office  till  mustered  out  ot  service  in  June, 
1864.  Mr.  Zahn  married  Miss  Ellen  M.  Brown, 
of  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1872.  His 
father,  August  Zahn,  died  June  11,  1881,  aged 
seventy-one,  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  his 
mother  still  resides. 

Robert  B.  .Zimmerman,  of  Zimmerman  &, 
Prouty,  dealers  in  wall  papers,  shades,  paints, 
etc.,  427  Washington  street,  and  of  R.  B.  Zim- 
merman &  Co.,  painters,  and  decorators  and 
dealers  in  papers  and  paints,  was  born  in 
Center  county.  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Octo- 
ber 5,  1811,  and  is  the  son  of  Ezekiel  and  Esther 
Zimmerman,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  latter  born  in  South  Carolina.  Her 
father,  William  Swan/.ey,  was  in  General  Fran- 
cis Marion's  army  at  the  time  of  her  birth,  and  he 
did  not  see  her  until  a  year  old.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  years,  Mr.  Zimmerman  beganjlearning 
the  trade  of  chair-making  and  house-painting,  in 
Newton — now  Elmira — New  Y'"ork,  remaining 
there  four  years  and  a  half.  After  spending 
another  year  in  Tompkins  county,  he  came 
West,  stopped  three  months  in  Indianapolis,  and 
made  the  first  chairs  used   in  the  Indiana  State 


734 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Capital;  landed  in  Springfield,  November  18, 
1835;  passed  the  early  summer  months  in  St. 
Louis,  the  next  year;  returned  in  July,  and 
bought  out  Mr.  Powell,  of  Phelps  &  Powell; 
sold  out  to  Mr.  Phelps  in  1839,  and  in  company 
with  John  A.  Mason,  carried  on  a  chair  manu- 
factory, eighteen  months.  They  then  dissolved, 
and  Mr.  'L-  formed  a  partnership  with  A.  P. 
Willard,  in  the  painting  business,  in  1841.  This 
relation  lasted  until  Mr.  Willard's  death,  in 
1865,  which  occurrence  severed  a  life-long  friend- 
ship, of  the  most  fraternal  nature.  For  eight 
years,  Mr.  Z.  carried  on  business  alone;  then 
took  two  of  his  employes,  Thomas  Armstrong, 
and  Henry  Bolte,  as  partners  in  one  house;  and 
about  three  years  ago  took  Mr.  Prouty  in  part- 
nership in  the  other  establishment.  Both  firms 
do  a  large  business,  employing  from  thirty  to 
forty  men  in  the  busy  season.  Mr.  Zimmerman 
settled  in  Springfield  when  it  was  a  village  of 
nine  hundred  inhabitants,  and  has  been  an  active 
business  man  in  the  place  forty-five  years.  He 
married  Miss  Susan  P.  Seeley,  of  St.  Lawrence 
county.  New  York,  on  December  25,  1838.  She 
died  October  30,  1840,  leaving  a  daughter, 
Susan  L.,  now  the  widow  of  E.  L.  Gross,  late  of 
Springfield.  Mr.  Z.  married  Mary  C.  Townsend, 
of  Calidonia  county,  Vermont,  in  October,  1845. 
They  had  two  sons,  both  deceased.  They  reared 
an  adopted  daughter,  Lizzie  Zimmerman,  now 
the  wife  of  M.  V.  Smith,  superintendent  of  the 
rolling  mills  at  the  National  Tube  Works,  near 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania.  In  early  life  Mr.  Zim- 
merman was  a  Whig  in  politics,  and  late  years 
has  been  a  Republican,  He  has  always  been  a 
reader,  has  been  a  constant  patron  of  the  New 
York  Tribune  for  forty  years,  of  the  Evangelical 
Alliance,  forty-five  years,  and  of  the  Illinois 
State  Journal,  since  1836,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  since  1835.  Mrs. 
Zimmerman  was  very  active  in  Aid-Society  work 
during  the  war,  even  going  to  the  front  to  see 
that  the  supplies  reached  those  for  whom  they 
were  intended. 

Frank  Al.  Sperry,  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
born  at  Anna,  Union  County,  Illinois,  March  6, 
1857,  when  three  or  four  years  of  age  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Cobden,  Illinois,  remained 
here  a  short  time  when  he  went  with  his  mother 
south,  and  remained  a  couple  of  years  during 
the  war  at  Memphis,  Tennessee,  Paducah,  Ken- 
tucky, Bird's  Point,  Missouri,  and  Cairo,  Illinois. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  the  family  returned  to 
Anna,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  until  nine 
years  of  age,  when  he  moved  with  his  parents  on 
his   father's   fruit  farm,   one-half  mile  west  of 


Cobden,  Illinois.  He  remained  here  working 
on  the  farm  and  attending  the  graded  schools  of 
Cobden  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  and  cloth- 
ing store  of  H.  Blumenthal,  at  Cobden  nearly 
two  years.  He  then  attended  school  one  term 
at  Cobden  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois. 
He  worked  here  in  the  Illinois  State  Journal 
with  his  uncle,  D.  L.  Phillips,  some  fourteen 
months,  when  his  uncle  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  the  Springfield  Post  Oflice,  he  was 
then  employed  here  with  his  uncle  until  June, 

1879,  when  he  went  to  learn  railroading  at 
DuQuoin,  Illinois,  on  the  B.  &,  S.  I.  Railroad,  of 
which  his  uncle,  D.  L.  Phillips,  was  President. 
He  remained  here  as  bill  clerk  in  the  office  of 
the  I.  C.  and  B.  &  S.  I.  Railroads,  studying  tele- 
graphing until  the  death  of  his  uncle.  Major  E. 
T.  Phillips,  who  was  station  agent.  Since  that 
time  he  has  worked  for  W.  J.  Young  &  Co.,  in 
Clinton,  Iowa,  six  or  eight  months.     In  August, 

1880,  he  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  sewing  machine  trade 
some  five  or  six  months,  when  he  began  to  sell 
pianos  and  organs,  and  in  July  20,  1880,  was 
employed  by  the  Inter-State  Publishing  Com- 
pany, to  assist  in  writing  up  Sangamon  county 
for  a  history,  and  by  whom  he  is  still  employed. 
His  father.  Captain  Isaih  M.  Sperry,  was  born  at 
Hoosac  Falls,  New  York.  At  the  outbreaking 
of  the  late  rebellion  he  raised  Company  B,  Sixth 
Illinois  Cavalry  Volunteers,  and  was  commis- 
sioned Captain  of  this  company  by  Governor 
Yates.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  settled  on  his 
fruit  farm  in  LTnion  county,  Illinois,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Maggie  L.  (Phillips)  Sperry; 
she  was  born  at  Belleville,  St.  Clair  county,  Illi- 
nois, she  was  the  youngest  of  a  large  family, 
among  whom  were  Mrs.  Governor  E.  H.  Finch, 
residing  at  Anna  Illinois,  Thos.  H.  Phillips, 
lawyer  at  Anna,  Illinois,  and  D.  L.  Phillips 
deceased,  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  Captain  I.  M. 
Sperry  and  wife  have  had  twelve  children,  eleven 
living,  viz:  Frank  M.,  Ella  M.,  Fred.  B.,  in  bus- 
iness at  Anna,  Illinois,  Ralph  P.,  Aggie,  Samuel 
H.,  Don.  C,  Sadie  F.,  Maggie  L.,  Olivia  M.,  and 
Nellie  Sperry.  Captain  Sperry  is  a  Mason  and  a 
member  of  Jonesboro  Lodge.  Mrs.  Sperry  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  is  a  Republican  and  a  strong 
supporter  of  that  party,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
James  A.  Garfield  who  was  so  cruelly  assassinated. 

SPRINGFIELD    AS    A    RAILROAD    CENTER. 

Springfield,  the  Capital  of  the  State,  centrally 
situated,  is  fast  becoming  a  great  railroad  center. 
On  the  opposite  page  is  a  well  executed  map, 


^^^oad  Conn 


i36 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


showing  the  railroads  that  now  center  in  the 
city.  This  makes  the  place  easily  accessible 
from  all  parts  of  the  State,  and  serves  to  insure 
the  permanency  of  the  Capital.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
the  citizens  will  continue  wide  awake  in  this 
matter;  that  they  will  give  the  people  every  op- 
portunity of  easily  reaching  the  place,  and  af- 
fording the  manufacturers  that  are  now  center- 
ing here,  competition  in  freight  rates  to  any 
part  of  the  Union. 


THE    COLORED    PEOPLE    OF    SPEINGFIELD. 

There  was  a  time  in  the  history  of  Springfield, 
when  the  face  of  a  colored  man  or  woman  was  a 
rare  sight.  Before  the  deep  snow,  old  Aunt 
Polly,  a  colored  woman,  reigned  supreme  in 
Springfield.  It  was  not  until  and  after  the  war 
that  the  race  made  their  advent  here  in  large 
numbers.  The  first  installment  of  "  contra- 
bands" that  arrived  while  the  war  w.as  in  prog- 
ress were  almost  as  much,  objects  of  curiosity 
as  the  first  that  came.  But  time  has  passed,  and 
the  colored  people  of  Springfield  form  an  import- 
ant factor  of  it.  But  no  more  are  they  "  contra- 
bands," or  slaves,  but  American  citizens,  with 
all  the  rights  and  privileges  which  the  name  im- 
plies. They  are  permitted  to  own  property  and 
as  much  of  it  as  they  can  accumulate;  they  are 
permitted  to  testify  before  courts  of  justice;  and 
above  all,  they  have  that  right  which  is  so  dear 
to  every  American  citizen,  the  right  of  a  free 
ballot.  It  has  been  thought  proper  to  represent 
a  few  of  the  number  who  have  settled  in  Spring- 
field and  made  it  their  home,  and  who  feel  an 
interest  in  the  well-being  and  prosperity  of  the 
city.  The  greater  number  know  what  it  is  to 
experience  the  hardships  of  a  slave  life,  and  to 
enjoy  the  blessings  of  freedom. 

jRev.  Henry  Brown,  a  native  of  Raleigh,  Hali- 
fax county.  North  Carolina,  was  born  April  17, 
1823.  His  father's  name  was  Staten  Jones,  but 
he  assumed  the  name  of  Brown,  which  name  he 
retained  through  life.  He  was  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  and  died  about  1824.  Henry's 
mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  her 
maiden  name  was  also  Brown.  Henry  Brown 
left  the  State  of  his  nativity  about  1835,  for 
Ohio,  and  one  year  later  to  Rush  county,  Indiana, 
when  he  was  bound  to  a  family  of  Quakers  at 
the  age  of  fourteen,  and  assigned  to  the  ordi- 
nary labors  of  the  farm,  which  he  continued 
until  1843,  when,  at  the  early  age  of  twenty,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Roberts,  who 
lived   but  about    one    year.      Mr.   Brown  was 


licensed  to  preach  about  1846,  and  has  been  a 
faithful  and  constant  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard up  to  the  present  time,  his  ministry  having 
therefore,  extended  over  a  period  of  thirty-five 
years,  during  which  time  many  souls  have  been 
led  out  of  darkness  into  the  light  of  Christ.  In 
1847,  Mr.  Brown  met,  at  Paris,  Illinois, 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  King,  a  young  widow  lady  of 
eighteen  years,  and  the  daughter  of  Allen  Wil- 
liams, a  wealthy  gentleman  of  that  place.  A 
mutual  admiration  and  a  matrimonial  engage- 
ment was  the  result  of  their  first  meeting,  which 
culminated,  a  few  weeks  later,  in  their  marriage 
at  the  residence  of  the  lady's  parents,  in  Paris, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Brown  came  to  Springfield  as  early 
as  1847,  and  except  about  four  years'  residence 
at  Galena  and  Quincy,  has  made  Springfield  his 
home  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown 
are  the  parents  of  five  children — Louella,  now 
Mrs.  Taylor,  Nannie,  Thomas  T.,  Katie,  and 
Edward.  Thomas  T.  is  a  law  stndent  in  the 
office  of  Sterling  «fc  Grout,  and  will  probably  be 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  May  term  of  the 
Appellaie  Court,  in  1882.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  great 
admirerof  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  was  employed 
by  the  great  Emancipator  for  a  number  of  years 
in  various  capacities,  ending  only  when  Mr. 
Lincoln  removed  to  Washington,  in  the  spring 
of  1861,  to  assume  the  duties  of  President  of 
the  United  Statts.  In  1865,  when  Mr.  Lincoln's 
remains  were  brought  to  Springfield,  Mr.  Brown 
came,  by  request,  from  Quincy,  Illinois,  and  led 
Mr.  Lincoln's  old  family  horse,  "Bob,"  in  the 
funeral  procession.  At  present,  Mr.  Brown  is 
pastor  of  the  A.  M.  E.  Church  at  Milwaukee, 
Wieconsin,  and  resides  in  Springfield. 

William  Florville  was  born  about  1806,  at 
Cape  Haytien,  West  India.  When  the  revolu- 
tion, in  1821-22,  occurred,  his  god-mother  took 
him  to  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  kept  him  in 
St.  Mary's  Convent  until  her  death,  when  he  was 
bound  by  the  Orphan's  Court  to  learn  the  trade 
of  barber.  He  then  went  to  New  Orleans,  thence 
to  St.  Louis, and  went  with  others  from  St.  Louis 
on  a  hunting  excursion  up  the  Mississippi,  Illi- 
nois and  Sangamon  rivers,  to  New  Salem,  then 
into  Sangamon  county  the  fall  of  1831.  While 
approaching  the  village  of  Salem,  he  overtook  a 
tall  man  wearing  a  red  flannel  shirt,  and  carry- 
ing an  axe  on  his  shoulder.  They  fell  into  a  con- 
versation, and  walked  to  a  little  grocery  store 
together.  The  tall  man  was  Abraham  Lincoln, 
who  soon  learned  that  the  stranger  was  a  barber 
out  of  money.  Mr.  Lincoln  took  him  to  his 
boarding  house,  and  told  the  people  his  business 
and  situation.     That  opened  the  way  for  an  eve- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


uing's  work  among  the  boarders.  The  next 
morning  he  started  on  his  way  rejoicing,  and 
through  the  advice  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  Florville  was  soon 
recognized  by  Dr.  E.  II.  Merriman,  with  whom 
he  was  acquainted  in  Baltimore  and  St.  Louis. 
Dr.  M.  enabled  him  to  open  a  shop  in  Spring- 
field, the  first  barber  shop  in  the  city.  Mr.  Flor- 
ville spent  some  time  in  the  employ  of  General 
James  D.  Henry.  He  was  married  to  Phebe 
Roiintree  soon  after  his  arrival  in  Springfield. 
She  was  born  near  Glasgow.  Kentucky.  She  is 
living  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  At  the  death  of 
her  husband,  in  1808,  she  was  left  a  considerable 
property,  consisting  of  fifteen  business  and  ten- 
ement houses  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Rochester  township. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  First  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  in  Springfield.  She  is  now  in  her 
seventy-second  year,  and  resides  on  EastAdams, 
between  Tenth  and  Eleventh,  where  she  owns 
a  nice  residence.  She  is  the  mother  of  six  child- 
ren, four  living,  viz.:  Samuel  H.  Florville,  born 
in  the  city  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  May  10,  1832. 
He  lived  here,  attended  school,  and  worked  in 
his  father's  barber  shop,  until  seventeen  years  of 
age,  when  he  struck  out  for  himself.  He  worked 
in  Chicago  and  New  York  City,  and  also  worked 
in  a  hair  store  in  Buffalo,  NeAv  York,  one  year; 
then  worked  at  the  barber's  trade  in  Madison 
and  Janesville,  Wisconsin.  In  1865,  returned 
to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  nowha.s  a  shop 
nicely  fitted  up,  at  his  father's  old  stand,  602 
East  Adams  street. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  B.  Greening  in 
the  spring  of  1874.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  mother  of  one 
child.  She  died  November  2.3,  1875.  Mr.  Flor- 
ville was  again  married,  to  Mrs.  Annie  Wilson, 
January  10,  1881.  She  was  born  in  the  Maderia 
Islands.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Samuel  H.  Florville  owns  five  tenant  houses  and 
six  lots  in  the  city  of  Springfield.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  tor  A. 
Lincoln  for  President  of  the  United  States. 

George  Srent,  pastor  of  Zion  Baptist  Church, 
was  born  near  Green sburg,  Green  county,  Ken- 
tucky, July  2,  1821.  His  parents  were  both 
slaves,  the  property  of  Louis  C.  Patterson.  His 
father  in  some  manner  secured  his  freedom  and 
moved  to  Lexington,  Kentucky,  where,  by  ex- 
cellent deportment,  he  won  the  regard  of  many 
of  the  best  families  of  white  people  in  that  city. 
George  continued  to  work  for  his  master  until 
August  2,  1850,  being  placed  in  a  blacksmith 
shop  as  soon  as  he  was  able  to  wield  the  hammer. 

86— 


The  elder  Brent  enlisted  the  sympathies  of  eight 
persons,  among  whom  was  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  sub- 
sequently pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
C^hurch  in  Springfield,  and  the  eight  on  the  date 
heretofore  given  signed  a  note  for  the  sum  of 
$  I, iOO,  to  i)urcha8e  the  freedom  of  George.  In 
one  year  afterwards  they  paid  the  note,  and  in- 
sured the  life  of  George  to  secure  them  from 
loss  in  case  of  his  death.  George,  in  the  mean- 
time, secured  a  position  in  a  blacksmith  shop  in 
Lexington,  and  working  faithfully  at  his  trade, 
in  three  years  he  paid  the  entire  amount  of 
$1,200,  and  thus  became  truly  a  free  man.  The 
year  before  George  secured  his  freedom,  he  was 
married  to  Mildred  Smith,  a  free-born  woman, 
in  Campbelhville,  Kentucky.  Thirteen  children 
have  since  been  born  unto  them,  only  five  of 
whom  are  now  living — two  of  the  dead  b'  ing 
killed  by  a  stroke  of  lightning,  an  account  of 
which  is  given  on  a  previous  page.  VVliile  at 
work  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  he  endeavored  to 
learn  to  read  by  the  aid  of  a  fellow-workman, 
whom  he  paid  five  dollars  to  teach  him.  He  in 
time  was  able  to  read  the  Bible,  the  book  of 
books,  and  which  has  since  been  his  constant 
companion,  and  almost  the  only  work  he  has 
ever  read.  He  learned  to  write  since  coming  to 
Springfield.  The  efforts  made  to  secure  the 
little  knowledge  obtained,  would  have  discour- 
aged nine  hundred  and  ninety-nine  men  out  of 
one  thousand.  In  1857,  Mr.  Brent  and  family 
came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  on  Rich- 
land Prairie,  remaining  only  during  the  fall  and 
winter.  He  then  took  his  family  to  Menard 
county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  some  two 
years,  when  he  purchased  a  farm  on  Richland 
Prairie,  and  moving  on  to  it,  continued  there 
about  six  years,  when  he  purchased  a  residence 
at  1417  East  Adams  street,  Springfield,  yhere  he 
has  since  resided.  When  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  Mr.  Brent  made  a  profession  of  religion, 
and  while  living  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  com- 
menced to  talk  in  public  in  an  acceptable  man- 
ner, with  probably  no  thought  of  ever  becoming 
a  regular  minister.  It  was  not  until  May,  1864, 
that  he  was  regularly  ordained  to  preach  the 
gospel.  In  May,  1805,  he  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Zion  Baptist  Church,  where  he  has 
since  labored  to  the  best  of  his  ability  in  his 
Master's  cause. 

Johti  E.  Jackson,  was  born  in  the  City  of 
Springfield,  Illinois,  August  II,  1845,  where  he 
worked  for  different  parties  and  attended  school 
until  October,  1862,  when  he  was  employed  as 
messenger  boy  in  the  Adjutant  General's  office 
until  August  24,  1809.    He  then  went  to  Chicago, 


738 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTS. 


Illinois,  and  was  there  employed  on  the  Pitts- 
burg it  Fort  ^Yayne  and  C.  C.  &  I.  0.  Railroads 
as  porter  and  conductor  of  a  Pullman  Palace 
Sleeper.  He  remained  in  this  business  until 
1871,  when  the  big  fire  in  Chicago  broke  out, 
and  he  lost  all  he  had  in  the  fire  and  eame  back 
to  his  home  in  Springfield,  and  was  employed  in 
L.  II.  Coleman's  carpet  store,  where  he  remained 
about  three  years.  November  13, 1875,  he  began 
to  work  in  the  Ridgely  National  Bank,  where 
he  is  still  employed.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Matilda  J.  Wright,  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  July 
9,  18  74;  the  fruits  of  this  marriage  is  three 
children,  one  living,  viz:  John  T.  C.  Jackson. 
Mrs.  Matilda  (Wright)  Jackson  was  born  in 
Huntsville,  Missouri,  February  11,  1847;  she 
was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Wright,  born  in 
Kentucky;  he  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  in 
18 "56.  His  wife,  Sarah  Fortune,  was  born  in 
Virginia;  she  is  also  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  The  father  of  J.  E.  Jackson  was  born 
in  Culpepper  county,  Virginia,  July  16,  1804; 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  he 
died  November  20,  1876.  His  wife,  Matilda 
Foster,  was  born  in  Kentucky;  she  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  August  2t), 
1880.  J.  E.  Jackson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
has  a  common  school  education,  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President.  He 
owns  a  nice  residence  at  608  South  Ninth  street, 
Springfield.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
M.  E.  Church. 

Monroe  T.  Oglesby,  was  born  near  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  October,  1843.  When  five  years 
of  age,  he  came  with  his  mother  to  Carlyle, 
Clinton  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
until  1859.  He  then  went  to  Decatur,  Illinois, 
and  worked  for  a  banker  there  until  the  fall  of 
1861,  when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
worked  as  cook  at  the  Chenery  and  St.  Nicholas 
hotels,  two  years.  He  then  worked  in  a  feed  and 
sale  stable  for  Ward  Dana  one  year,  when  he 
learned  the  barber's  trade  under  Thomas  Kil- 
lion;  remained  with  him  six  or  seven  months, 
then  worked  at  that  trade  in  Decatur  one  sum- 
mer. He  then  worked  in  Springfield  some 
months;  then  run  as  porter  on  a  Pullman  sleeper 
from  Springfield,  Illinois,  to  Lafayette,  Indiana, 
on  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad, 
three  years.  He  then  worked  as  barber  a  year, 
in  Springfield,  Illinois,  then  for  different  parties 
until  the  meeting  of  the  Twenty-sixth  General 
A-sembly,  when  he  was  made  a  janitor.  He 
then  continued  his  trade  vmtil  the  meeting  of 
the  Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly,  when  he 


worked  as  janitor  for  Colonel  Harlow  six 
months.  He  then  worked  for  Governor  Bev- 
eridge  as  porter  and  messenger,  during  his  term 
of  ottice,  when  he  began  to  work  for  Governor 
Cullom,  as  porter  and  messenger  one  year  and 
some  months.  He  then  run  as  porter  ot  a  Pull- 
man out  of  Chicago,  on  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western Railroad,  six  months,  when  he  worked 
as  barber  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  one  year. 
Since  that  time  has  been  top-man  at  Starne,  Dres- 
ser &,  Company's  coal  shaft,  in  Springfield,  a  po- 
sition he  still  retains.  His  father,  William  W. 
Oglesby,  was  born  in  South  Carolina.  His  wife, 
Nancy  Oglesby,  was  also  born  in  South  Caro- 
lina. Both  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Monroe  T.  Oglesby,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Fry,  January,  1863. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  is  two  children,  viz.: 
James  W.  Oglesby  and  Annie  L.  Oglesby.  Mrs. 
Oglesby  was  born  in  Sangamon  County,  Illinois. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  Fry  and  Mary 
Stonestreet,  who  were  born  in  Kentucky  and 
both  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Monroe  T.  Oglesby  is  a  mem  ber  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  he  is  a  steward  in  Masonic  Lodge, 
No.  3,  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  cast  his  first 
vote  for  U.  S.  Grant,  for  President.  He  owns  a 
nice  residence  at  1724,  East  Adams  street,  where 
he  resides.  He  has  only  a  limited  education. 
He  had  to  work  hard  for  what  he  has. 

miliam  H.  Dulfv;?i,s  horn  in  Saline  county, 
Missouri,  May  1,  1840.  When  an  infant  he 
went  with  his  parents  to  Fayette,  Howard  coun- 
ty, Itlissouri,  and  remained  there  two  years,  then 
went  to  Randolph  county,  Missouri,  and  re- 
mained there  on  a  farm  until  1857,  when  he 
came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  stopped  here  a  short 
time,  then  went  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  where  he 
was  janitor  for  H.  II.  Brown  three  years.  He 
then  went  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  remained 
there  six  years,  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
in  1865;  he  then  worked  on  a  farm  near  River- 
ton,  Illinois,  for  Levi  Ilasbruck,  until  1875, 
when  he  returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where 
he  has  since  been  engaged  as  porter  of  the 
United  States  Internal  Revenue.  Ho  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Parthena  M.  Mausell,  September 
18,  1860,  at  Springfield,  Ohio;  she  was  born  in 
Ohio,  Januaiy  4,  1841.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John 
L.  Mausell,  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  in 
1799.  Is  now  in  his  eighty-second  year.  Is  a 
member  of  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  is  living  in  Springfield  with  his 
son-in-law,  Mr.  Dulf,  a  hale,  hearty  old  man.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth  Battles,  was  born  in  Virginia. 
She  was   a  member   of  the   African  Methodist 


HISTORY  OF  SAN  GAMMON  COUNTY. 


739 


Episcopal  Church,  and  the  mother  of  six  chil- 
dren. She  died  October,  1833.  The  fatber  of 
William  H.  Dulf,  Robert  M.  Dulf,  borir  in  West 
Virginia.  He  was  a  farmer  and  teamster,  and 
died  in  1841.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  Lewis,  was 
born  in  West  Virginia.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
the  mother  of  eight  children,  four  living,  viz: 
William  H.  Dulf,  Annie  Todd,  Lucinda  Todd, 
and  Emanuel  Todd.  All  reside  in  Springfield, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Dulf  and  wife  have  nine  children 
living,  viz:  Florence  E.,  Emily  M.,  Clara  P., 
Alice  L.,  John  W.,  George  E.,  Frederic  O.,  Ida 
A.  and  Beatrice  Dulf.  Mr.  Dulf  is  a  Mason, 
and  a  member  of  Central  Lodge,  No.  3,  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln.  He  has  a  nice  house  and  lot  at  1509 
East  Mason  street,  where  he  resides. 

George  Stevens,  was  born  in  Georgetown,  Ken- 
tucky, December,  1815.  When  two  years  old  he 
was  sold  to  Vick  Buckhart,  and  went  with  him 
to  Randolph  county,  Missouri,  and  remained 
with  him  fifteen  years,  when  he  was  sold  to  Jack 
Viley,  and  remained  with  him  until  1854,  when 
he  was  sold  to  Wm.  Eley,  and  remained  with 
him  until  the  war  broke  out;  he  then  enlisted 
under  General  Scofield  and  remained  with  him 
two  years  and  five  months,  when  he  was  detailed, 
on  a  government  gunboat,  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain's Bell  and  Hughey,  where  he  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battle  at 
Vicksburg,  and  went  in  on  the  tugboat  "Thomp- 
son" the  night  Vicksburg  was  taken;  was  in  the 
Big  Black  Battle,  Paw  Paw  Island,  and  other 
battles.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  began  to  work  in  a 
lumber  yard  for  J.  P.  Tyson  on  East  Jefferson 
street  near  the  Wal)ash  depot,  where  he  still 
remains  in  the  same  yard  but  at  present  owned 
by  Wra.  Baker.  He  was  married  to  Emma 
Danals,  December,  1849.  She  was  born  in 
Randolph  county,  Missoxiri,  her  father  was — 
Danals,  and  her  mother  Sallie  Danals,  born  in 
Virginia;  she  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  is  now  married  to  Jack  Cavanaugh,  a  Baptist 
preacher,  both  are  living  in  Missouri.  The 
father  of  George  Stevens,  Washington  Stevens, 
was  born  in  Kentucky;  he  was  a  farmer,  and  his 
wife,  Maria  Stevens,  was  born  in  Georgetown, 
Kentucky,  and  died  in  18G2.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Stevens  are  both  members  of  the  St. 
Paul  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  Church  on 
Fourth  street,  and  have  had  eight  children,  two 
living,  viz:  Harry  Stevens  and  Maria  Stevens. 
George  Stevens  was  first  married  to  Caroline 
Roberson;  she  had  three  children,  two   living, 


Alex  and  Mary  Stevens.  Gtorge  Stevens  cast 
his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President  of 
the  United  States.  He  owns  a  nice  lot  and 
house  on  Fifteenth  and  Jefferson  streets,  where 
he  resides. 

llobert  Gormn  was  born  near  Raleigh,  North 
Carolina,  June  15,  1851;  remained  there  until 
1864,  when  he  went  as  waiter  for  Chaplin  Bea- 
ger,  in  the  Fiftieth  Illinois  Infantry;  at  ihe 
close  of  the  war  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
and  worked  at  the  St.  Nicholas  Hotel  three 
years.  He  then  worked  for  John  E.  Rosette 
and  attended  school  during  the  winters  for  seven 
years.  He  then  opened  a  restaurant  near  the 
town  clock,  on  Adama  street;  sold  out  some 
eighteen  months  afterward  and  went  to  Kansas 
City,  Missouri,  and  worked  in  the  State  Line 
House  ten  months,  when  he  returned  to  Spring- 
field and  was  employed  at  the  Leland  Hotel  for 
eight  years;  he  was  appointed  to  his  present 
position  as  usher  in  Governor  CuUom's  office  at 
the  State  House  Robert  Gorum  was  married  to 
Amanda  Coleman,  October  14,  1875;  the  fruits 
of  this  marriage  is  four  children,  viz:  Robert 
C,  Thomas  E  ,  Ollie  R.  and  Essie  Gorum.  Mrs. 
Gorum  was  born  in  Missouri;  she  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Ruben  Coleman  and  Eliza  Coleman.  The 
parents  of  Robert  Gorum  were  Robert  Gorum, 
Sr.,  and  Eliza  Hinton,  who  were  both  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  Robert  Gorum,  Jr.,  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  is 
also  a  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Lodge  No  1824, 
at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  owns  a  nice  resi- 
dence on  the  southwest  corner  of  Scarret  and 
Passfield  streets.  Cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S. 
Grant  for  President. 

Thomas  Wright  was  born  at  Person  Court 
House,  North  Carolina,  March  15,  181:3;  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Fortune,  December  25, 
1840;  she  was  born  at  Fi  edericksburg,  Virginia. 
They  are  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living,  viz:  Francis,  now  Mrs. 
Rodgers;  William,  Matilda,  now  Mrs.  J;ickson; 
Gertrude,  and  Willis  F.  Gertrude  and  Willis 
F.  are  both  graduates  of  the  Springfield  High 
School,  the  latter  a  valedictorian  of  the  class  of 
1881;  they  are  both  teachers  in  Missouri.  Mr. 
Wright  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  in  Cotton  Hill  and  Rochester  townships; 
he  also  owns  a  house  and  three  lots  in  this  city; 
also  his  large  private  residence  at  204  East 
Mason  street.  In  politics  he  is  a  staunch  Re- 
publican, and  cast  his  first  vote  ior  U.  S.  Grant. 

Abner  JSTmlor,  was  born  in  Prince  William 
county,  June  15,  1856,  and  in  the  fall  of  1863  he 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  Eighth   United    States 


'710 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Infantry,  and  remained  in  the  service  until  tlie 
close  of  the  war.  He  came  to  Springfield  in  the 
fall  of  1S71.  Three  years  later  he  began  work 
in  the  Leland  Hotel,  where  he  has  remained  ever 
since.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Luella  Brown, 
October,  1871;  she  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois; she  was  a  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  Brown, 
of  this  city,  and  was  mother  of  two  children, 
namely:  Eslella  J.  and  Mary  I.  August  14, 
1879,  he  was  again  married  to  Miss  Ella  Bar- 
nette,  born  in  Paris,  Missouri.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  is  one  child,  Arthur  W.  William 
Kailor,  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  in  Virginia.  He  was  a  carpenter  by  trade, 
and  was  killed  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  and  ilrs. 
Abner  Nailor  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  mem- 
ber of  Central  Lodge,  No.  3,  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois. He  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fort 
Harrison.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant. 
Mrs.  N.  is  a  graduate  of  the  Young  Ladies' Athe- 
neura,  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois.  She  is  now 
teaching  rau>ic  in  this  city. 

John  W.  Peterson,  was  born  at  Falling  Water, 
Virginia.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  came  to 
Pana,  Illinois,  then  to  Sangamon  county,  worked 
for  different  parties  four  or  five  years,  when  he 
learned  the  barber's  trade  under  James  Rayburn, 
where  he  remained  six  or  seven  months.  He 
again  worked  for  other  parties  five  or  six  years. 
In  1 874,  he  opened  a  barber  shop  corner  of  Ninth 
and  Mason,  where  he  still  continues  business. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Smith,  March 
5,  1874.  She  was  born  in  Campbellsville,  Ken- 
tucky. The  fruits  of  this  marriage  is  three  child- 
ren, viz:  Laura,  Stella  and  Charles.  Mr.  Peter- 
son is  deacon  of  the  Zion  Baptist  Church,  of  this 
city,  a  position  he  has  held  for  thirteen  years.  He 
owns  a  fine  house  at  1422,  East  Monroe.  In  pol- 
itics, Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Grant 
in  1868.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson,  the  parents  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  were  born  in  Virginia, 
and  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 
Tliomas  Killion  was  born  at  Charleston,  Coles 
county,  Illinois,  June  17, 1830.  When  two  years 
of  age  his  parents  took  him  to  Carlyle,  Clinton 
county,  Illinois.  When  fourteen  years  of  age 
he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  learned  the 
barber  trade,  remained  there  two  years,  when  he 
opened  a  shop  of  his  own  at  112  South  Sixth 
street,  Springfield,  Illinois.  .  Has  been  a  barber 
in  this  city  for  the  past  thirty-six  years.  He  is 
now  located  at  614  East  Washington  street, 
where  be  has  a  first-class  shop.  His  father, 
Thomas  Killion,  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ken- 
tuck  v.      He  was  a  doctor.      He  went  from  Cali- 


fornia to  Europe,  with  other  physicians,  on  a 
medical  tour,  and  was  lost  at  sea.  His  wife, 
Amelia  Curtis,  was  born  in  Virginia.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  mother  of  fourteen  children, 
twelve  living,  viz:  Obedia,  Harvey  and  Henry 
Killion,  Mary  A.  Beard,  Mrs.  Francis  Scott, 
Elizabeth  Williams,  Emily  Clems,  Oliver,  An- 
drew, John  and  Thomas,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  who  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Fry, 
August  18,  1858.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Mary  Fry,  who  were  born  in  Kentucky. 
Mrs.  Killion  died  in  the  fall  of  1863.  She  was 
the  mother  of  three  children,  two  living,  Frank 
Stephens  and  Laura  Killion.  Mr.  Killion  was 
married  to  Jane  Smith,  who  was  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  Smith.  The  fr.iits  of  this  marriage  is  five 
children,  all  living,  viz:  Allie,  Georgia,  John, 
Joseph  and  Bessie.  Mrs.  Killion  had  two 
children  by  her  husband  Smith,  viz:  James  and 
Fred  Smith.  Mr.  Killion  owns  a  nice  residence 
at  1818  East  Adams  street.  He  cast  his  first 
vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President.  Mr.  Killion 
saw  the  first  man  hung  in  Sangamon  county.  It 
was  a  brute  named  Wilson,  who  was  hung  on 
Vinegar  Hill,  near  where  the  new  State  House 
now  stands.  He  was  hung  for  kicking  his  wife 
to  death.  He  also  shaved  the  last  two  men  hung 
in  Sangamon  county,  the  morning  they  were 
hung.  These  men  were  Lemon  and  Vanarsdale, 
who  were  hung  by  Sheriff  Crafton  in  the  county 
for  killing  Saunders,  at  Pawnee,  Illinois,  while 
they  were  robbing  his  store. 

Noah  Thomas  was  born  in  Hinds  county, 
Mississippi,  July  14,  1842.  When  twenty-one 
years  of  age  he  then  went  as  hostler  for  Frank- 
lyn  Fisk,  Captain,  of  the  Fourth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
He  remained  wioh  him  until  October  30,  1864, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
worked  at  the  blacksmiths'  trade.  He  was 
married  to  Harriet  E.  McDanals,  October,  1866. 
She  was  born  on  Wolf  Creek,  in  Sangamon 
county.  After  his  marriage  he  worked  for  Win. 
Chamberlin,  nearly  three  years,  then  worked 
for  J.  C.  Melton  &  Tioxell,  nearly  three  years, 
when,  in  1872,  he  opened  a  blacksmith-shop  on 
Seventh  street,  near  Everybody's  Mill,  in  which 
he  still  continues  business.  He  and  wife  have 
had  eight  children — five  living,  viz.:  Emma  L. 
Thomas,  Lizzie  A.  Thomas,  Mary  E.  Thomas, 
Nettie  Thomas  and  Josie  E.  Thomas.  Mrs. 
Thomas,  wife  of  Noah  Thomas,  was  a  daughter 
of  Mose.  McDanals,  born  in  Kentucky,  and 
Nancy  McDanals,  born  in  Kentucky  also.  The 
father  of  Noah  Thomas,  Thomas  J.  Thomas, 
was   born     in    Wayne    county,   Mississippi ;   a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


741 


member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  died  dur- 
ing the  late  war.  He  was  in  the  Sixth  Louisiana 
Infantry  ;  his  wife,  Harriet  Thomas,  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  still  living  in 
Hind  county,  Mississippi.  She  was  the  mother 
of  eight  children,  four  living.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch,  Noah  Thomas,  has  a  nice  house  and 
lot,  his  residence,  on  East  Carpenter  street.  He 
cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President. 
William  Holt  was  born  on  a  plantation  about 
seventeen  miles  north  of  Jacksonville,  North 
Carolina,  February  1,  183-6.  He  lived  there  as  a 
slave  of  Allen  Jones  until  twenty-six  years  of 
age,  when  he  was  sold  to  a  speculator,  Stephen 
Page,  who  took  him  to  Greensboro,  North  Caro- 
lina, where  he  was  sold  to  Dr.  B.  F.  Arington. 
One  year  after  he  went  with  the  Doctor  to  Ral- 
eigh, North  Carolina,  where  he  remained  until 
Sherman  was  expected,  when  he  was  sold  to 
Henry  Hazel;  remained  with  him  one  week, 
when  he  was  freed.  He  was  then  employed  at 
Sherman's  headquarters  as  cook  for  Major  Day- 
ton until  July  19,  1865,  when  he  came  to  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  and  hired  to  a  man  named 
Douglas,  and  went  with  him  to  Arkansas;  was 
at  Pine  Bluff  and  Litte  Rock  three  months,  then 
came  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  and  was  employed  as 
janitor  in  the  Judge  Bross'  building  nearly 
three  years,  then  worked  in  the  old  Richmond 
Hotel  in  Chicago,  five  months,  and  St.  James 
one  month,  then  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois, 
since  worked  in  the  Leland  Hotel  six  or  seven 
months,  then  worked  for  Jake  Strawn  on  a  farm 
twelve  miles  east  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  and 
in  Jacksonville  some  seven  or  eight  months;  then 
came  back  to  Springfield  and  worked  in  the  Le- 
land Hotel  until  four  years  ago.  Since  that  time 
has  done  janitor  work;  is  the  present  janitor  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  J.  Beatty,  July  24,  1873;  she  was 
born  in  Indiana.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Isaac 
Beatty,  born  in  Tennessee.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  A.  M.  E.  Church.  His  wife,  .Tulia  Brown, 
was  born  in  Maryland.  The  father  of  William 
Holt,  John  Holt,  was  born  on  Brice's  creek, 
North  Carolina.  He  was  a  member  of  the  A. 
M.  E.  Church,  and  began  preaching  when  he  was 
eighteen.  His  wife,  Susan  Starkey,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina.  She  was  also  a  member  of  the 
A.  M.E.  Church,  and  mother  of  sixteen  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Holt  are  members  of  the 
A.  M.  E.  Church,  at  Springfield,  and  have  one 
child,  Matilda  E.  Holt.  Mr.  Holt  is  steward  of 
the  Second  A.  M.  E.  Church.  He  cast  his  first 
vote  for  LT.  S.  Grant  for  President.  He  owns  a 
nice  residence  at  No.  1522,  East  Caititol  Avenue. 


Williatn  Fry  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  November  27,  1846.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  began 
to  work  as  assistant  miller  and  engineer  in  the 
Metropolitan  Mills;  remained  there  until  1865, 
when  he  began  work  in  the  Illinois  Mills; 
remained  in  these  mills  four  years  and  ten  months, 
then  went  to  Lincoln,  Illinois,  and  worked  in  the 
Elliott  Mills  and  Elevator  four  or  five  months, 
when  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  began 
work  at  the  Leland  Hotel  as  engineer;  remained 
there  six  months,  then  was  chief  engineer  in  the 
Illinois  Mills  eleven  months,  when  he  took  the 
position  as  chief  engineer  at  the  Riverton  Paper 
Mills,  remained  there  four  months,  then  August, 
1872,  he  began  work  in  the  Excelsior  Mills  as 
chief  engineer,  a  position  he  still  holds.  His 
father,  Henry  Fry,  was  born  in  Kentucky;  he 
was  a  farmer;  he  died  January  2,  1875.  His 
wife,  Louisa  Bell,  was  born  in  Danville,  Ken- 
tucky. She  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
and  has  had  nine  children,  five  living,  viz: 
Fannie  Dyer,  Mary  Mosby,  Annie  Fry,  Joshua 
Fry  and  William  Fry,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
is  a  member  of  the  Central  Masonic  Lodge,  No. 
3,  at  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  has  a  common 
school  education  and  attended  school  at  Spring- 
field, Illinois;  cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant 
for  President. 

Gustavus  B.  George  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Wilson  county,  Tennessee,  May  4,  1836,  when 
nineteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Clinton  county, 
Illinois,  and  worked  on  a  farm  eleven  years,  then 
worked  at  Alton,  Illinois,  as  blacksmith,  two 
years,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Fifty- 
fifth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  served  two 
years  and  six  months,  he  then  went  to  Clinton 
county,  Illinois,  and  married  Miss  Mary  Gains, 
March  7,  1865.  She  was  born  in  Carlyle  county, 
Illinois,  November  30,  1851;  she  was  a  daughter 
of  Anthony  Gaines,  born  in  Tennesse  and  Sarah 
J.  Cole,  born  in  South  Carolina;  the  fruits  of 
this  marriage  is  six  children,  viz.:  Mary  J. 
George,  Mattie,  William  A.,  Clara,  Benjamin  and 
Nettie  George.  After  his  marriage,  he  farmed 
in  Clinton  county,  Illinois,  five  or  ^ix  years, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  has 
worked  in  this  city  for  different  parties  ever 
since;  is  at  present  working  in  Elder's  tin  and 
stove  store.  He  is  a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge 
No.  3,  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President. 

Clark  Duncan,  was  born  in  Logan  County, 
Kentucky,  October  15,  1848.  In  1S62,  he  enlis- 
ted in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth   Colored 


742 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Infantry,  and  was  shortly  afterward  made  first 
Sergeant  in  Co.  B.,  Sixth  Cavalry,  (col'd.) ;  re- 
maiued  in  the  service  about  two  years,  and  when 
he  was  mustered  out  near  Helena,  Arkansas,  he 
then  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  remained 
three  or  four  months,  tlien  went  to  Russelville, 
Kentucky,  and  remained  there  nearly  three  years, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and 
remained  some  eight  mouths,  then  return,  d  to 
Russelville,  Kentucky.  Some  six  weeks  after  he 
returned  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  began  work 
at  the  Leland  Hotel,  where  he  now  is.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Julia  Chavious  April  28,  1871, 
she  was  born  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  Illinois; 
is  a  daughter  of  Malan  Chavious — born  in 
Kentucky.  He  was  a  barber,  by  trade,  and  died 
May  29,  1879.  His  wife,  Alseen  Florville,  was 
born  in  Springfield,  Illinois;  she  is  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  living  in  Springfield, 
Illinois.  The  father  of  Clark  Duncan,  George 
Duncan,  was  born  in  Logan  County,  Kentucky. 
His  mother,  Louisa  Orendoff,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky;  she  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  is  living  in  Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  Claik 
Duncan  and  wife  have  three  children,  viz:  Alsee 
M.,  Otis  B.  and  Ada  L.  Mrs.  Duncan  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church,  Mr.  Duucau  is  a  Knight 
Templar,  Mason,  and  Senior  Warden  in  Lodge 
No.  3,  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  his  wife  is 
Grand  Treasurer  of  the  Grand  Court  of  Illinois. 
He  owns  a  nice  residence  at  312  North  Thir- 
teenth Street,  has  a  common  school  education, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant,  for 
President. 

Mary  Faro,  widow  of  Joseph  Faro,  was  born 
in  Shelby  County,  Kentucky,  December,  1830. 
July  1861,  she  was  married  to  Joseph  Faro.  He 
was  born  in  Trumbull  County,  Kentucky.  His 
parents  were  Joseph  Faro,  Sr.,  and  Hannah  Faro 
Joseph  Faro,  Jr.,  was  first  married  to  Hettie 
Davis,  and  they  had  ten  children,  six  living,  viz: 
Joseph,  Daniel,  Ada,  Carrie,  Laura  and  Martha. 
His  second  wife,  Mary  Faro,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  bad  two  children,  both  dead.  Joseph 
Faro,  Jr.,  her  husband,  was  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church,  and  a  farmer — died  October  15, 1878. 
Mrs.  Faro  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  on 
Fourth  Street.  Her  father,  Abson  Taylor,  was 
born  in  Shelby  County,  Kentucky,  as  was  his 
mother,  Jane  Taylor,  they  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Faro  has  a  nice  resi- 
dence at  313  North  Tenth  Street,  where  she 
resides. 

William  Hatcher  was  born  on  his  father's 
farm  in  Chesterfield  District,  South  Carolina, 
May   13,   1817;  his   father   died    when    he    was 


some  six  years  of  age;  when  eight  years  of  age 
he  struck  out  for  himself.  He  remained  in  South 
Carolina  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then 
ran  a  cotton  boat  on  the  Fee  Dee  river.  South 
Carolina,  a  few  months,  then  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship three  years  and  learned  the  trade 
of  bricklayer.  In  1855,  he  went  to  Indianapolis, 
Indiana;  remained  there  three  years,  and  mar- 
ried Miss  Minerva  Fair,  .lune,  1856  He  then 
removed  to  Paris,  Illinois,  and  worked  at  his 
trade  seven  years;  then  moved  to  Battle  Creek, 
Michigan,  and  remained  there  until  1805,  when 
he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he  now 
resides,  and  is  still  working  at  his  trade  of  brick- 
laying. Ilis  father.  Griffin  Hatcher,  was  born 
in  South  Carolina;  he  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in 
1823.  The  wife  of  Griffin  Hatcher,  Susan  Cooper, 
was  born  in  South  Carolina;  her  father  was  a 
Frenchman  and  her  mother  an  Indian.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  William  Hatcher  are  members  of  the  M. 
E.  Church;  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Pope,  for  President  of  the 
United  States.  Mr.  Hatcher  owns  a  nice  resi- 
dence at  919  East  Carpenter,  where  he  resides. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  4, 
at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Madison  Veal,  was  born  in  Wilkinson  county, 
Mississippi,  March  9,  1844,  he  lived  there  until 
June  11,  1803,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Twenty-ninth  Illinois  Infantry,  was  mustered 
out  at  Brownsville,  Texas,  and  discharged  at 
Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  October,  1805.  He  then 
worked  at  the  Howlett  Distillery  at  Riverton 
one  winter  and  spring;  then  worked  on  a  farm 
for  J.  H.  Murphy,  at  Auburn,  Illinois,  one  year 
and  five  months,  when  he  worked  for  L.  B. 
Adams  on  a  farm  seven  years,  then  visited  his 
old  home  in  Mississippi,  returned  to  Springfield, 
and  worked  on  a  farm  for  Enoch  Snyder  one 
year;  then  began  to  work  for  F.  Tracy,  where 
he  now  remains.  His  father,  William  Yeal,  was 
born  in  Tennessee;  he  is  living  near  Woods- 
ville,  Mississippi;  his  wife,  Mary  Brent,  was 
born  at  Holly  Grove,  Mississippi,  she  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  living  in  Mis- 
sissippi. Madison  Yeal  was  married  to  Miss 
Laura  Cheetam,  May  5,  1871,  she  was  born  near 
Goodrich  Landing,  Louisiana;  she  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Henry  and  Melonia  Cheetam.  Madison 
Yeal  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Ei)iscopal  Church,  in  Springfield,  Illinois. 
He  ca.st  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  Presi- 
dent. He  lives  at  1039  Spring  street,  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois. 

Jjouis  A.  Jones,  was  born  on  Cassiday's  Plan- 
tation, near  Bowling  Green,  the  county  seat  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


74:? 


Barren  county,  Kentucky,  July  4,  1852.  When 
six  years  of  age,  he  was  sold  and  taken  with  his 
mother  to  Oakalona,  Mississippi;  two  years  after 
he  was  made  free  and  began  to  work  for  Captain 
Conover,  who  is  now  living  in  Cass  county,  Illi- 
nois. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  with  Cap- 
tain Conover  to  Cass  county,  and  remained  three 
years,  and  was  in  Livingston  county  one  year, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  worked 
for  J.  15.  Spaulding,  in  a  nursery,  at  Riverton, 
oneyeai;  then  laid  track  on  the  Wabash  Rail- 
road from  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  to  Alexander, 
Illinois,  one  summer;  then  was  messfnger  boy 
three  years  for  Charles  Matheny,  Sr.;  he  then 
worked  as  messenger  boy  for  R  F.  Ruth,  two 
years;  then,  March  2,  IStl,  he  began  to  work  as 
messenger  boy,  and  worked  for  him  two  years 
and  two  months  when  he  kept  a  provision  store 
on  Monroe,  between  Fourth  and  Fifth  streets, 
eighteen  months,  when  he  was  employed  in  the 
office  of  Railroad  and  Warehouse  Commission 
as  janitor,  a  ))osition  he  still  retains.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Ada  Chavons,  May  13,  18*79; 
she  was  born  in  Decatur,  Illinois,  December  12, 
1856;  was  a  daughter  of  Malon  Chavons;  died 
May  29,  18V9.  Tlie  father  of  Louis  Jones,  John 
T.  Jones,  was  born  in  Kentucky;  he  was  a  farmer, 
and  died  in  tha  fall  of  1859;  his  wife,  Nancy  J. 
Cassiday,  was  born  in  Kentucky.  Mr.  Jones  and 
wife  have  one  child,  Julia  M.,  born  February  29, 
1879.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of 
Blue  Lodge,  No.  3,  at  Springfield,  Illinois;  and 
his  wife  is  a  member  of  Shiloh  Court,  No.  1,  and 
Eastern  Star  Chapter,  No.  2. 

Thomas  Fry  was  born  in  Kentucky,  June  14, 
1844.  When  an  infant,  he  came  with  his  parents 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  lived  on  a 
farm  near  Springfield  with  his  father,  until  186U, 
when  he  went  to  Minnesota,  and  farmed  two 
years  there,  then  returned  to  Sangamon  county 
and  farmed  until  1807,  when  he  began  to 
work  at  the  Leland  Hotel,  where  he  still  re- 
mains. His  father,  Richard  Fry,  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  and  came  to  Springfield  in  1844.  He 
died  in  1866.  His  wife,  Mary  Fry,  was  born  in 
Kentucky.  She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children, 
six  living,  viz.,  Thomas,  Sarah  Oglesby,  Amanda 
Nelson,  Mary,  John,  and  Robert.  Thomas  Fry, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  has  a  common  school 
education.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant 
for  President. 

Elian  Rollins  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Vin- 
cennes,  Knox  county,  Indiana,  October  1843. 
When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  went  to  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana,  where  he  remained  about  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  Vincennes,  Indiana, 


and  worked  at  various  places  up  to  llie  time  he 
came  to  Springfield.  He  is  at  present  employed 
in  the  carpet  department  of  Kiraber  &  Ragsdale, 
which  position  he  has  held  for  the  last  fourteen 
years.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Oglesby,  March 
10,  1871.  She  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  died  in  1876.  He  was  again  mar- 
ried to  Mary  E.  Taborn,  May  10,  1877.  She  was 
born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  June  15,  1859.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Burton  Taborn,  who  was 
born  in  Alabama,  and  died  in  1875.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rollins  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
They  have  one  child,  Jussu  M.,  born  July  9,  1881. 
Mr.  Rollins  is  a  Master  Mason  of  Central  Lodge, 
No.  3,  at  Springfield.  Mrs.  R.  is  a  member  of 
Shiloh  Court  No.'l,  Eastern  Star  Chapter  No.  2. 
Mr.  R.  has  a  fair  education,  which  he  has  ob- 
tained by  studying  nights.  He  owns  a  fine 
residence  at  1127,  East  Mason  street. 

William  Head,  born  at  San  Domingo,  West 
Indies,  March  16,  1822.  When  eight  years  of 
age,  he  was  kidnapped  by  a  slave  ship  and  taken 
to  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  where  he  was  sold  to 
Dodson  &  Sons'  estate.  He  remained  in  bond- 
age until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  ran  as 
cook  and  second  engineer  on  the  Ohio  river 
until  1861,  when  he  went  into  the  army  as  body 
servant  for  Colonel  Veach.  While  at  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  he  was  struck  by  a  piece  of  shell,  while 
carrying  Colonel  Morgan  from  the  field,  break- 
ing both  his  legs.  He  remained  with  Colonel 
Veach  two  years;  then  went  to  St.  Louis,  where 
he  remained  for  two  years;  then  came  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  filling  different  positions,  for  about 
seven  years,  when  he  opened  a  restaurant  on 
Eleventh  and  Mason  streets,  where  he  still  con- 
tinues in  business.  He  now  owns  his  business 
building,  also  his  large  and  commodious  resi- 
dence, and  two  lots  adjoining.  He  was  married 
first  to  Miss  Martha  Lewis.  She  was  the  mother 
of  one  child.  He  was  married  to  his  present  wife 
Clarinda  Butler,  September  25,  1863.  She  was 
born  in  Kentucky  and  was  the  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Jane  Buckner,  born  in  Virginia. 
The  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were 
born  in  the  West  Indies.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Head, 
Jr.,  are  both  m.embers  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  of  this  city.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  \J.  S. 
Grant  in  1868. 

Henry  Heard  was  born  in  South  Carolina, 
March,  1833.  When  au  infant  he  was  taken  to 
the  home  of  S.  Craven,  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  twenty  year.s  of  age.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  came  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  he 
learned    the  barber's  trade,  of  Tiiomas  Killion 


744 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


remaining  with  him  about  one  year,  then  opened 
a  shop  at  625  East  Washington  street,  where  he  ! 
still  continues  business.     He  married  Mrs.  Mary  j 
A.  Truxley,   (iiee    Killion.)     The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  was  one  child,  CTCorge.      Mr.  and  Mrs.  | 
Beard  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  of  this  city.     Mr.  Beard  is  steward  of  the 
Church.      In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,    and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant  for  President, 
in  1868. 

The  biographical  sketches  of  the  colored  peo- 
ple of  the  city  of  Springfield,  given  in  this  chap- 
ter, represents  only  a  few  of  the  large  number 
who  reside  here,  but  those  selected  for  biograph- 


ical men  are  from  the  best  class  of  the  colored 
race;  many  of  whom  are  fairly  educated,  though 
not  a  few  of  them  were  born  slaves,  for  years 
suffered  and  toiled  under  the  galling  yoke  of  the 
cruelest  tyranny  ever  visited  on  any  portion  of 
the  human  race,  African  slaveiy. 

It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  mention  in  this  connec- 
tion, that  the  transition  from  slavery  and  conse- 
quent ignorance  to  a  condition  of  citizenship  and 
comparative  education  stands  without  a  parallel 
in  either  modern  or  ancient  history,  and  the 
unprejucial  observer  of  events  must  predict,  for 
the  future  of  the  African  race,  a  grand  and 
glorious  future. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


745 


Chapter  XXVIII. 


AUBURN  TOWNSHIP. 


Auburn  township  is  in  the  extreme  southern 
portion  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Chatham,  on  the  east  by  Pawnee,  on  the 
west  by  Talkington,  and  south  by  Macoupin 
county.  It  comprises  all  of  congressional  town- 
ship thirteen,  north  of  range  six  west,  and  a  part 
of  township  thirteen,  range  five  west. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  made  within  the  limits  of 
the  township  was  in  1818.  Sometime  during 
that  year  the  following  named  located  their 
claims  and  erected  their  cabins: 

Jacob  Ellis,  on  the  north  half  of  section  fif- 
teen, township  thirteen,  north  of  range  six  west. 

James  Black  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  sec- 
tion fourteen,  same  town  and  range. 

Samuel  Vancil,  on  southwest  quarter  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  eleven.  Mr.  Vancil 
was  about  fifty  years  of  age  when  he  arrived 
here,  in  November,  1818.  Mr.  Vancil  died  in 
1828. 

John  Wallace,  on  the  northeast  half  of  sec- 
tion two. 

In  1819,  a  few  more  families  came  to  the  town- 
ship, of  whom  were  the  following: 

George  Lott,  on  the  north  half  of  [the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  thirty-three. 

William  Woods,  on  the  south  half  of  sections 
twenty-one  and  twenty-two.  Mr.  Wood  has 
been  dead  many  years. 

Jesse  Wilson  and  Joseph  Thoinas,  on  the 
north  half  of  section  eighteen.  (Evidently  an 
error — not  18-6). 

In  1820,  Daniel  Kessler  made  a  settlement  on 
section  fourteen,  where  he  built  and  run  the 
first  blacksmith  shop  in  the  township. 

Edward  White,  the  same  year,  settled  on  the 
west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section 
twenty-two.  Mr.  White  in  a  short  time  sold  his 
claim  to  John  Durley,  who,  in  1821,  built  on  the 

87— 


premises  a  small  distillery.  (Distillery  part  is 
evidently  wrong). 

Thomas  Black  was  a  settler  in  1819,  and 
erected  a  cabin  on  section  6-5.  He  was  born  in 
South  Carolina,  moved  from  there  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  was  married,  and  then  to  Southern 
Illinois  in  1811.  Mr.  Black  died  in  1851,  aged  84 
ye.irs. 

Robert  Orr  came  in  1826,  as  did  also  George 
Wimmer — the  latter  is  still  living.  Andrew 
Orr  came  in  1818  and  Robert  in  1820. 

Among  others  of  the  early  settlers,  were  Is- 
rael Thompson,  William  Johnson,  Henry  Hunt. 

Henry  Gatlin  settled  on  tection  twenty-one, 
in  1818.  On  this  farm  is  a  well  known  spring, 
since  known  as  the  Gatlin  spring,  now  known  as 
the  "  Ilaydon  spring."  Mr.  Gatlin  has  been 
dead  many  years  and  his  family  scattered. 

James  Fletcher  settled  just  north  of  Gatlin,  in 
1828.     He  died  two  years  afterwards. 

Samuel  McElvain  came  in  1828,  and  settled 
on  Sugar  creek,  on  section  twenty-two.  Mr.  Mc- 
Elvain was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
was  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  January  8, 
1815.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  was  a  ruling 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Auburn 
from  its  organization  at  his  house,  in  1830,  till 
his  death,  in  18  48.  Preaching  was  held  at  his 
house  for  many  years. 

Jeremiah  Abell  came  from  Adair  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1829,  and  settled  on  section  fifteen. 
He  subsequently  removed  to  McDonough  county, 
where  he  died. 

Daniel  Kessler  came  in  1820,  and  settled  about 
a  mile  and  a  half  southeast  of  the  present  vil- 
lage of  Auburn.     He  died  in  1828. 

Micajah  Organ  came  in  1828,  and  settled  on 
section  twenty-one.  He  was  from  Jessamine 
county,  Kentucky.  After  remaining  in  the  town- 
ship a  number  of  years,  he  moved  to  Virden, 
Illinois,  and  there  died. 


740 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


James  and  George  Wallace  came  in  1822, 
from  South  Carolina.  George  died  here  iu  18-40, 
but  James,  in  1835,  moved  to  Macon  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  died  some  ten  years  later. 

Robert  Crow  was  originally  from  Virginia, 
but  came  to  Auburn  from  Christian  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1822.  He  was  a  miller  by  trade,  and 
engaged  in  milling  some  years  after  his  arrival 
here.  Mr.  Crow  died  in  Auburn  township,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1840. 

Benjamin  Kessler  came  in  1826. 

John  Roach  came  in  1829,  and  subsequently 
died  in  Logan  county. 

William  Caldwell  was  from  Jessamine  county, 
Kenuicky,  and  settled  in  Auburn  in  1836.  He 
was  a  man  of  great  public  spirit,  and  while  a 
citizen  of  Kentucky,  served  as  sheriff  of  his 
county,  and  was  twice  a  member  of  the  legisla- 
ture. He  also  served  Sangamon  county  twice  in 
the  legislature.     He  died  in  1844. 

Tliomas  Black  came  to  Sangamon  county 
April  9,  1819  He  was  born  in  South  Carolina 
in  1768,  and  went  from  there  to  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  married  to 
Edith  A.  Pyle.  From  Kentucky  they  moved  to 
Southern  Illinois,  just  before  the  "  Shakes  " — 
meaning  the  earthquake  of  1811,  that  sunk  New 
Madrid,  Missouri.  They  fled  in  terror  back  to 
Kentucky  ;  but  finding  the  earth  did  not  all 
sink,  they  returned  to  Southern  Illinois,  and 
moved  to  what  has  since  become  Auburn  town- 
ship, in  Sangamon  county.  Mrs.  Edith  A.  Black 
died  April  15,  1822,  and  Thomas  Black  was 
married  in  1823  or  '4  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  Viuey, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Shiles.  She  died  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1851,  and  Mr.  Black  died  November  3, 
18.')  1,  aged  eighty-four  years,  botli  where  he 
settled  in  1819. 

Robert  Crow  was  born  iu  1781,  in  Wythe 
county,  Virginia,  and  was  married  in  that  State, 
then  moved  to  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  and 
subsequently  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
1822  in  what  is  now  Auburn  township.  Mr. 
Crow  died  September  23,  1840. 

Alvin  Cross  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Kentucky,  and  when  a  young  man  moved  to 
Humphreys  county,  Tennessee,  where  he  married 
Margaret  Forbes.  Subsequently  he  moved  to 
Johnson  county,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to  San- 
gamon county,  arriving  January,  1829,  in  what 
is  now  called  Auburn  township.  He  lived  a  few 
years,  and  died  in  1849, 

James  Nuckolls  was  born  January  5,  1777,  in 
Botetourt  county,  Virginia,  and  the  family  mov- 
ing to  Grayson  county,  same  State,  he  was  there 
married  January  5,   1804,  to  Janey   Swift,  who 


was  born  March  2,  1781,  in  that  county.  In  1818, 
moved  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  and  moved 
to  what  became  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
1820,  in  what  is  now  Auburn  township.  Mr. 
Nuckolls  died  in  1859. 

James  Patton,  one  of  the  best  known  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  Auburn  township,  was  born 
March  17,  1791,  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  Mary 
land.  When  a  child,  his  parents  moved  to  Stan- 
ton, Virginia,  and  from  there  to  Clark  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1798.  There  James  was  apprenticed 
to  the  tanning  business,  and  in  1808  the  family 
moved  to  Christian  county,  where  he  joined 
them  in  1810,  having  finished  his  apprentice- 
ship. James  Patton  and  Polly  Husband  were 
there  married,  April,  1855.  Subsequently  they 
moved  to  what  became  Auburn  township,  in 
Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  the  spring  of 
1820.  Mrs.  Polly  Patton  died  February  15,  ^844, 
and  James  Patton  was  married  in  1846,  to  Mrs. 
Lettie  Nifong,  who  died  February  6,  1856,  and 
he  was  married  August  1,  1865,  to  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Gregory.  She  died  June  23,  1875.  He 
was  always  known  as  Colonel  Patton,  a  title  he 
acquired  in  connection  with  early  military  train- 
ing in  the  county.  He  established  a  tannery 
soon  after  he  settled  in  the  county,  and  supplied 
the  early  settlers  with  leather  for  miles  around. 
The  nearest  mill  to  him  at  the  time  he  settled 
tliere  was  at  Edwardsville,  sixty  miles  south. 
He  was  in  better  circumstances  than  most  of  the 
early  settlers,  and  when  he  saw  a  family  labor- 
ing under  disadvantages,  he  interested  himself 
in  their  welfare,  and  assisted  them  in  many 
ways.  Noah  Mason,  of  Springfield,  speaking  of 
their  early  experience  in  the  new  country,  says: 
"My  father  found  a  true  friend  in  the  now  ven- 
erable Colonel  James  Patton,  which  lasted  to 
the  end  of  his  life,  and  is  gratefully  lemembeied 
by  his  descendants."  He  was  strictly  honorable 
in  all  his  transactions,  and  was  highly  esteemed 
by  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances.  He  was  a 
generous,  noble-hearted  man;  no  one  in  distress 
ever  applied  to  him  iu  vain.  Although  not  a 
classical  scholar,  he  was  better  educated  than 
many  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  country,  and 
being  possessed  of  fine  common  sense  and  excel- 
lent judgment,  he  was  frequently  called  upon  by 
his  neighbors  to  arbitrate  their  disputes,  and  so 
keen  was  his  sense  of  justice,  and  so  correct  was 
his  judgement,  that  he  rarely  failed  to  settle 
their  difficulties,  and  thereby  save  them  much 
trouble  and  expense.  His  father  was  a  tanner, 
and  dealt  largely  in  leather,  saddlery  and  har- 
ness, in  the  city  of  Baltimore.  He  equipped 
one  of  General  Washington's  regiments  during 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


747 


the  Revolutionary  War.  Colonel  Patton  died 
where  he  locatbd  when  he  first  came  to  the 
county,  two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of 
Auburn,  September  12,  1877,  leaving  a  large 
number  of  descendants,  the  most  of  whom  re- 
side in  this  county. 

Joseph  Foley  was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ken- 
tucky. His  father  was  a  native  of  France,  and 
was  educated  there  with  a  view  of  becoming  a 
Lutheran  minister.  When  he  came  to  America 
he  abandoned  the  ministry,  married  in  Logan 
county,  and  raised  a  family.  Joseph  was  mar- 
ried there  and  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Auburn  township  in  1829.  Joseph  Foley  died 
August  17,  1866,  and  his  widow,  Mrs.  Frances 
Foley,  resides  at  the  family  homestead,  two  and 
a  half  miles  southeast  of  Auburn,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois.  Joseph  Foley  acted  as  Justice 
of  the  Feace  for  many  years;  he  was  a  man 
whose  counsels  were  often  sought  by  his  neigh- 
bors. His  advice,  when  followed,  always  led  to 
the  settlement  of  difficulties  without  litigation, 
and  in  a  peaceful  and  friendly  manner. 

Mr.  Foley  brought  some  money  with  him  to 
the  county,  but  his  greatest  success  was  after 
coming  here.  lie  left  his  heirs  the  title  to  three 
thousand  acres  of  land,  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred of  it  was  in  one  body.     He  died  in  1867. 

Nicholas  Pyle  and  wife,  with  their  two 
youngest  sons,  came  to  Auburn  township  in 
1825.     Mr.  Pyle  died  in  1829. 

Power,  in  his  history  ot  the  early  settlers, 
thus  speaks  of  Johan  Jacob  Rauch: 

Johan  Jacob  Rauch  was  born  July  25,  1796, 
in  Stutgardt,  Wirtemburg,  Germany.  He  came 
to  America  in  1818,  and  was  eleven  weeks  on 
the  passage  from  Amsterdam,  arriving  at  Phila- 
delphia in  September.  He  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment, before  starting,  with  a  man  who  came  on 
the  same  vessel,  by  which  that  gentleman  was  to 
pay  his  passage  across  the  ocean  in  exchange  for 
labor  Mr.  Rauch  was  to  perform.  He  had  ful- 
filled part  of  the  agreement  before  starting,  and 
acted  as  servant  to  the  gentleman  and  his  wife 
on  board  the  vessel.  On  arriving  at  Philadel- 
phia, he  found  that  the  money  had  not  been 
paid.  The  only  excuse  the  man  made  was  that 
his  wife  objected  to  it.  In  the  early  history  of 
the  American  colonies,  some  of  them  enacted 
laws  under  which  emigrants  might  be  sold  at 
auction  to  pay  for  their  passage  across  the  ocean. 
The  custom  still  prevailed  at  the  time  Mr.  Rauch 
arrived  in  the  country,  but  I  have  thus  far 
failed  to  learn  that  there  was  any  law  for  it  at 
that  time.  Seventy  dollars  was  the  amount  de- 
manded by  the  owners  of  the  vessel,  and  he  was 


put  up  at  auction  to  raise  the  money.  The 
lowest,  and  perhaps  the  only  bid,  was  to  pay  the 
money  on  consideration  of  his  serving  three 
years  in  return,  at  hard  labor,  as  the  following 
paper  will  show: 

PuiLAUELPHrA. 

Thin  Indenture  Witnesset/i:  That  Johan 
Jacob  Rauch,  of  his  own  free  will,  to  go  to  Ala- 
bama Territory,  hath  bound  himself  servant  to 
Francis  C.  Clapper,  of  Philadelphia,  merchant, 
for  the  consideration  of  §70,  paid  to  Lewis, 
Haven  &  Co.,  for  his  passage  from  Amsterdam; 
as,  also,  for  other  good  causes,  he,  the  said  .Johan 
Jacob  Rauch,  hath  bound  and  put  himself,  and 
by  these  presents  doth  bind  and  put  himself, 
servant  to  the  said  Francis  C.  Clappei',  to  serve 
him,  his  executors,  administrators,  and  assigns, 
from  the  day  of  the  date  hereof,  for  and  during 
the  full  term  of  three  years,  from  thence  next 
ensuing.  During  all  which  term  the  said  servant, 
his  said  master,  his  executors,  administrators, 
and  assigns,  faithfully  shall  serve,  and  that  hon- 
estly and  obediently  in  all  things,  as  a  good  and 
faithful  servant  ought  to  do.  And  ilie  said 
Francis C.  Clapper,  his  executors,  administrators, 
and  assigns,  during  the  said  term,  shall  find  and 
pi-ovide  for  the  said  servant  sufficient  meat, 
drink,  apparel,  washing  and  lodging,  and  to  give 
him,  at  the  end  of  the  term,  two  complete  suits 
of  clothes,  one  thereof  to  be  new.  And  for  the 
true  performance  hereof  both  the  said  i)artie8 
bind  themselves  firmly  unto  each  other  by  these 
presents.  In  witness  whereof  they  have  inter- 
changably  set  their  hands  and  seals.  Dated  the 
second  day  of  October,  A.  D.  one  thousand, 
eight  hundred  and  eighteen. 

F.  C.  Clapi'ke. 

Bound  before  Conrad  Wile,  Register. 

Mr.  Rauch  was  at  once  sent  to  Alabama,  and 
labored  fathfuUy  for  two  and  a  half  years,  the 
principal  part  of  the  time  at  boat-building,  and 
must  have  earned  many  times  the  value  of  the 
money  paid  out  for  him.  His  food  and  clothing 
during  the  whole  of  that  time  was  of  the  very 
worst  description,  in  addition  to  which,  he  was 
treated  to  all  manner  of  indignities  on  account 
of  his  lack  of  knowledge  of  our  language,  and 
for  any  other  cause  which  the  caprice  or  malig- 
nity of  those  with  whom  he  was  associated 
might  suggest.  Six  months  before  the  expira- 
tion of  his  time  his  hardships  became  intolerable. 
He  left  Alabama  and  made  his  way  into  Muhlen- 
bui-g  county,  Kentucky,  arriving  in  1821.  There 
he  found  German  people  who  gave  him  employ- 
ment by  which  he  was  soon  able  to  cloth  himself 
decently,  and  began  to  save  money.    He  worked 


•748 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


It  is  in  Sanjramon  county,  near  Y 


both  in  wood  and  stone  as  the  opportunity  for 
either  presented  itself.  October  24,  1824,  he  was 
married  to  Pauline  Poley,  sister  to  Joseph  Foley. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  built  a  saw-mill  on  a 
small  stream,  and  occasionally  worked  at  his 
trades,  doing  a  good  business.  As  Mr.  Ranch 
learned  more  of  the  influence  of  slavery,  he  re- 
solved to  seek  a  free  country  in  wnich  to  bring 
up  his  family.  He  accordingly  removed  with 
his  wife  and  two  children,  to  Illinois,  arriving 
October,  1820,  in  Sangamon  county.  In  Decem- 
ber he  bought  three-fourths  of  section  thirty- 
three,  which  is  in  the  southern  tier  of  sections  in 
this  county.  It  is  in  Auburn  township,  between 
the  towns  of  Auburn  and  Yirden.  The  stream 
called  Sugar  creek  ran  through  his  land,  and 
among  the  first  things  he  did  was  to  build  a  saw 
and  grist-mill,  and  for  many  years  Ranch's  mill 
was  known  far  and  near,  and  hundreds  of  weary 
emigrants  found  rest  under  his  roof,  his  house 
being  on  the  road  from   Springfield  to  St.  Louis. 

John  Jacob  Ranch  died  November  23,  1843, 
where  he  settled  in  1829;  His  widow,  Mrs. 
Pauline  Ranch,  resides  there  with  her  sun 
Charles, 
den,  Macoupin  county,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Ranch  left  his  family  with  the  title  to  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  land  to  make  a  good  farm 
for  each  one;  with  a  large  amount  of  personal 
property,  and  his  children  are  among  the  most 
respected  citizens  of  the  county.  When  we  con- 
sider that  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age  at  the 
time  he  came  to  America,  without  a  knowledge 
of  our  language,  compelled  to  lose  so  much  of 
the  best  time  of  his  life  to  pay  for  the  privilege 
of  coming,  and  that  he  died  before  he  was  fifty 
years  of  age,  his  success  was  wonderful,  and  it  is 
highly  probable  that  his  early  death  was  caused 
by  over  exertion.  Although  he  had  been  so 
treacherously  dealt  with  on  coming  to  the  coun- 
try, and  for  the  first  three  years  after  his  arrival; 
yet  his  abhorrence  of  anything  like  repudiating 
a  contract  was  such,  that  he  charged  his  sons  if 
the  duplicate  to  the  contract  by  which  he  was 
robbed  of  his  three  j^ears  time,  should  ever  be 
presented,  tbey  should  pay  the  whole  seventy 
dollars,  for  the  reason  that  he  had  not  rendered 
the  last  six  months  service,  and  that  because  it 
was  physically  impossible  for  him  to  endure  it. 
In  the  later  years  of  his  life,  when  pondering  on 
the  hardships  and  indignities  he  had  endured,  he 
wrote  in  German  oh  the  margin  of  the  contract 
quoted,  "Jacob  Rauch  says  this  indenture  was 
not  good."  He  doubtless  alluded  to  the  fact  that 
it  was  not  binding  because  it  was  never  signed 
bv  himself.     The  back  of  the  indenture  bears  an 


inscription,  also  in  German,  in  his  own  hand- 
writing. It  appears  to  have  been  more  intended 
as  an  expression  of  a  sentiment  than  an  address 
to  any  particular  one  of  his  children.  It  is  in 
these  words: 

"  Dear  child,  you  had  better  remain  in  a  low 
station  of  life;  the  higher  you  stand  the  more 
you  may  be  humbled;  and  the  Lord  will  love 
you  better,  for  He  is  the  Most  High,  and  does 
great  things  by  means  of  the  lowly. 

Jacob  Rauch." 

James  Wallace,  was  born  in  1776,  in  Pendle- 
ton district.  South  Carolina,  of  Scotch  Presbyte- 
rian parents.  They  being  Whigs,  were  driven 
from  their  home  by  the  British  and  Tories,  pre- 
vious to  his  advent  in  the  world,  and  he  was 
born  in  a  camp.  On  arriving  at  the  age  of  man- 
hood he  went  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Ann  Doole.  About  1816,  he  moved  back 
to  South  Carolina.  Having  lived  where  all  men 
were  free,  on  his  return  to  his  native  State,  it 
appeared  to  him  as  though  slavery  was  indeed 
•'  the  sum  of  all  villainies,"  and  he  determined 
to  seek  a  land  of  freedom  in  which  to  bring  up 
his  family.  He  accordingly  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinos,  arriving  November  3,  1822,  in 
what  is  now  Auburn  township,  one  mile  south  of 
the  present  town  of  Auburn.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  Macon  county,  and  died  in  184fi. 

William  Wood  was  born  in  Knox  county, 
Tenne.ssee,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county  and 
Auburn,  in  the  fall  of  1818. 

.SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  township  was 
erected  in  1828,  of  logs,  and  was  situated  on  the 
premises  of  James  Patton,  and  was  known  in 
after  years  as  the  "Patton  School  House."  The 
first  school  taught  in  this  building  was  by  Wil- 
liam Fritz.  There  are  now  eight  school  houses 
and  ten  whole  and  fractional  school  districts  in 
the  township.  The  school  houses  have  a  total 
valuation  of  *1 4,000.  Schools  are  kept  about 
nine  months  in  the  year. 

CHUBCHES. 

The  first  church  was  erected  by  the  Old  School 
Presbyterians  in  1845.  It  was  a  modest  frame 
structure,  and  was  located  in  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  just  west  of  Crow's  old  mill.  It  was  used 
some  years,  and  subsequently  moved  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Auburn  and  used  as  a  dwelling  house. 
There  are  now  eight  church  buildings  in  the 
township,  of  which  si.\  are  in  the  village  of 
Auburn. 


HISTOllY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


:4» 


It  is  not  known  where  the  first  religious  ser- 
vices were  held  in  the  township,  but  Revs. 
James  Sims,  Rivers  Oormack  and  Peter  Cart- 
wright  were  early  Methodist  Episcopal  minis- 
ters; Elder  Simon  Liudley,  the  first  Baptist,  and 
Rev.  J.  G.  Bergen,  one  of  the  first  Presbyterian 
ministers.  The  first  church  organization  was 
doubtless  that  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterians, 
organized  in  1830,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  McEl- 
vain,  whicli  yet  exists. 

FIRST    THINliS. 

The  first  marriage  in  the  township  was  that  of 
Gideon  Vancill  and  Phd'be  Wilson,  in  March, 
1820.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Rev. 
James  Sims,  a  local  preacher  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  It  was  for  many  years  sup- 
posed this  was  the  first  couple  married  in  the 
county. 

A  daughter  was  born  to  the  foregoing  couple 
in  1821,  and  supposed  to  be  the  first  birth  in  the 
township. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Walker,  daughter  of  Samuel  Vancill,  who  died 
in  the  fall  of  1819,  and  was  buried  in  what  is 
now  eallf  I  the  "Winmer  burying  ground."  An 
incident  occurred  at  the  time  of  this  death  that 
exhibits  one  of  the  dangers  that  beset  the  early 
settlers.  While  the  friends  were  gathered  around 
the  dyingbed,  it  was  discovered  that  a  prairie  fire 
was  rapidly  approaching,  propelled  by  a  strong 
westerly  wind.  The  grass,  seven  or  eight  feet  in 
height,  was  as  dry  as  powder.  By  the  most  vig- 
orous exertions  in  keeping  the  end  of  the  cabin 
near  the  fire,  wet,  the  house  was  saved,  but  all 
the  hay  stocked  for  winter  feeding,  was  de- 
stroyed. In  the  midst  of  the  excitement  the  sick 
woman  breathed  her  last. 

The  first  tan-yard  was  established  in  1826,  by 
James  Patton. 

The  first  orchards  were  planted  by  Robert 
Crow  and  Philip  Wineman,  in  1825,  and  the  first 
cider  was  made  by  the  latter  a  few  years  later. 

MILLS. 

The  early  settler  had  great  difficulty  in  se- 
curing mill  privileges,  and  the  building  of  a  mill 
in  any  neighborhood  was  hailed  as  a  joyful 
event. 

The  fir.st  grist  mill  in  Auburn  township  was 
built  by  James  Sims,  and  stood  on  the  north  part 
of  the  Wineman  farms,  east  of  the  present 
village  of  Auburn. 

The  first  water  mill  was  only  for  sawing  lum- 
ber, and  was  built  in  1825-6  by  Robert  Crow,  on 
Sugar  creek,  about  a  mile  northeast  of  the  pres- 
ent   villa"e    of    Auburn.     The  mill  was  subse- 


quently rebuilt  by  E  and  W.  D.  Crow,  sons  of 
Robert,  and  a  pair  of  burrs  attached. 

The  second  water  mill,  which  was  both  a  saw- 
and  grist-mill,  was  built  by  Jacob  Ranch,  some 
six  miles  above  Crow's,  some  years  later.  Not 
long  after  James  Wallace  erected  a  saw-mill  on 
the  creek,  between  the  two.  Nearly  all  traces 
of  these  mills  are  now  obliterated. 

The  first  steam  mill  was  built  in  1838,  by  A. 
&  G.  Eastman,  on  the  branch,  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  north  of  the  present  village  of  Auburn. 
This  was  also  a  grist-mill.  The  engine  and 
machinery  were  afterwards  removed  and  taken 
to  Springfield. 

In  1856-7,  Bond  &  Ely  erected  an  extensive 
steam  flouring  mill  in  the  village,  at  a  cost  of 
$15,000,  which  finally  ruined  the  projectors,  and 
it  afterwards  fell  into  the  hands  of  J.  U.  Grove, 
who,  in  1864,  used  the  engine,  boiler,  and 
machinery,  in  the  outfit  of  a  new  mill  in  Carlin- 
ville. 

There  are  now  two  grist-mills  in  the  town- 
ship, one  owned  by  Morris,  Harris  &  Co.,  in  the 
village,  and  the  other  situated  South  of  Auburn, 
and  owned  by  Joseph  Foley,  Jr. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

The  face  of  the  country  is  generally  level, 
except  along  the  water  courses,  where  it  is  undu- 
lating. The  soil  is  unsurpassed  in  richness,  and 
is  well  adapted  to  corn,  oats  and  grass.  Spring 
wheat  yields  well.  The  land  is  about  all  under 
cultivation. 

The  timber  land  comprises  about  one-sixth  of 
the  territory,  and  is  mostly  of  a  good  quality, 
consisting  of  white,  red,  black,  Spanish  and 
bur-oaks,  scaly  bark  and  white  hickory,  sugar 
and  white  maple,  ash,  black  walnut,  sycamore, 
cherry,  red  and  slippery  elm,  black  and  honey 
locust,  hackberry,  Cottonwood,  linden  or  bass- 
wood,  and  mulberry. 

WATEE    COURSES. 

The  principal  stream  is  Sugar  creek,  which 
rises  in.  Macoupin  county,  and  entering  the 
township  in  section  thirty-two,  flows  in  a  north- 
east course,  emerging  from  the  township  on  sec- 
tion one.  Panther  creek,  a  branch  of  Sugar 
creek,  also  runs  in  a  northeasterly  course  through 
sections  thirty,  nineteen,  twenty,  seventeen, 
eight,  nine,  four  and  three,  into  Chatham  town- 
ship, where  it  joins  Sugar  creek.  Kessler 
branch  and  Little  Painter  creek  also  water  the 
town. 

OKGANIC. 

Auburn  township  was  organized  in  1S61,  and 
the  first  election  held  in  April  of  the  same  year. 


750 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


The  following  named  were  then  elected:  Super- 
visor, Mathew  Patton;  Town  Clerk,  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth;  Assessor,  N.  C.  Brooks;  Collector,  A.  S. 
Orr;  Overseer  of  the  Poor,  W.  D.  Wheeler; 
Road  ComraisBioners,  E.  Stout,  Peter  Yates, 
John  R.  Fletcher;  Constables,  William  H.  Wine- 
man,  James  Rauch;  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
Joseph  McKinney,  A.  Rauch.  At  this  election 
there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  votes 
cast. 

On  the  organization  of  the  township  it  com- 
prised only  Congressional  township  thirteen, 
range  six  west.  In  ]  869  a  part  of  Pawnee  was 
added,  consisting  of  twelve  sections  on  the  west. 
This  change  was  made  for  the  reason  that  it  was 
more  ccnv'enient  for  the  voters  living  in  the  two 
mile  range  taken  off,  to  meet  with  Auburn  than 
Pawnee.  The  township  now  comprises  forty- 
eight  sections  or  square  miles. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  town 
officers  for  the  time  mentioned: 

1862. — Supervisor,  Mathew  Patton,  senior; 
Town  Clerk,  M.  G.  Wadsworth;  Assessor,  L.  B. 
Richardson;  Collector,  J.  G.  Spencer. 

1863. — Supervisor,  Mathew  Patton,  senior; 
Town  Clerk,  Mathew  Patton,  junior;  Assessor, 
J.  W.  Ten  Brook;  Collector,  William  C. 
Brooks. 

1804. — Supervisor,  L.  B.  Richardson;  Town 
Clerk,  E.  M.  Tucker;  Assessor,  J.  H.  Hart;  Col- 
lector, W.  C.  Brooks. 

1865. — Supervisor,  J.  W.  Ten  Brook;  Town 
Clerk,  M.  G.  Wadsworth;  Assessor,  Charles 
Rauch;  Collector,  W.  C.  Brooks. 

1866. — Supervisor,  A.  S.  Davenport;  Town 
Clerk,  John  Piper;  Assessor,  Jas.  M.  Stout;  Col- 
lector, Jesse  Plain. 

186*7. — Supervisor,  John  Buck;  Town  Clerk, 
John  W.  Hart;  Assessor,  L.  M.Bumgarner;  Col- 
lector, M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1868. — Supervisor,  Matthew  Patton,  senior; 
Town  Clerk,  John  Mclnnes;  Assessor,  D.  F. 
Kessler;  Collector,  W.  W.  Lowdermilk. 

1869. — Supervisor,  Mathew  Patton,  senior; 
Town  Clerk,  M.  G.  Wadsworth;  Assessor,  S.  P. 
Hart;  Collector,  W.  W.  Lowdermilk. 

1870. —  Supervisor,  J.  M.  Lochridge;  Town 
Clerk,  D.W.  Savage;  Assessor,  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth; Collector,  W.  W.  Lowdermilk. 

1871. — Supervisor,  J.  M.  Lochridge;  Town 
Clerk,  A.  D.  Sanders;  Assessor,  W.  H.  Wine- 
man;  Collector,  S.  P.  Hart. 

1872. — Supervisor,  J.  M.  Lochridge;  Town 
Clerk,  A.  D.  Sanders;  Assessor,  0.  J.  Sanders; 
Collector,  M.  G.  Wadsworth. 


1873.— Supervisor,  J.  S.  Organ;  Town  Clerk, 
D.  W.  Savage  (appointed);  Assessor,  W.  H. 
Wineman;  Collector,  M.  6.  Wadsworth. 

187-1. — Supervisor,  J.  S.  Organ;  Town  Clerk, 
Chas.  Scholes;  Assessor,  J.  T.  Welch;  Colleclor, 
M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1875. — Supervisor,  J.  S.  Organ;  Town  Clerk, 
Jas.  H.  Burtle;  Assessor,  J.  T.  Welch;  Collec- 
tor, M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1876.— Supervisor,  J.  S.  Organ;  Town  Clerk, 
A.  M.  Gordon;  Assessor,  J.  T.  Welch;  Collector, 
Wm.  Burtle. 

1877. — Supervisor,  F.  J.  Nuckolls;  Town 
Clerk,  J.  W.  Lowdermilk;  Assessor,  Wm. 
Brownell;  Collector,  M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1878. — Supervisor,  A.  S.  Davenport;  Town 
Clerk,  D.  W.  Savage;  Assessor,  Geo.  W.  Hut- 
ton;  Collector,  M.G.  Wadsworth. 

1879. — Supervisor,  A.  S.  Davenport;  Town 
Clerk,  D.  W.  Savage;  Assessor,  A.  S.  Orr;  Col- 
lector, M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1880. — Supervisor,  L.  B.  McCarter;  Town 
Clerk,  D.  W.  Savage;  Assessor,  A.  S.  Orr;  Col- 
lector, M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

1881. — Supervisor,  J.  A.  Able;  Town  Clerk, 
D.  W.  Savage;  Assessor,  J.  S.  Organ;  Collector, 
Elihu  Stout. 

Three  hundred  and  sixty-seven  votes  were 
polled  at  last  township  election,  April,  1881. 

OLD    AUBUKN.* 

The  original  Auburn,  of  which  the  present 
town  is  a  namesake,  occupied  some  forty  or  fifty 
acres  of  the  east  half  of  section  three.  The  spot 
where  the  public  square  was  situated  is  in  the 
northeast  quarter  of  three.  Patton  street,  in  the 
west  part  of  this  town,  if  continued  far  enough 
would  strike  the  centre  of  it.  The  town  was 
laid  out  by  Asa  and  George  Eastman,  in  1835. 
The  land  was  bought  from  Messrs.  Godfrey  & 
Oilman,  Alton.  T^ie  town  was  named  "Auburn" 
by  Miss  Hannah  M.  Eastman,  (now  Mrs.  Brown) 
sister  of  the  proprietors.  The  place  was  very 
pleasantly  located,  the  square  comprising  quite 
an  elevation,  that  commanded  a  fine  view. 

In  1840,  Auburn  contained  but  five  or  six 
dwellings.  A  two-story  tavern,  built  by  the 
Eastmans,  stood  on  the  west  side  of,  and  facing 
the  square.  This  was  occupied  by  William  S. 
Swaney,  an  Ohio  man,  with  a  large  family,  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  who  kept  a  man  working  in 
the  shop,  and  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his 
own  time  to  trips  abroad  in  his  buggy,  being 
absent,  frequently,  weeks  at  a  time.     It  was  ac- 

*From  a  Sketch  in  the  Auburn  Citizen,  by  the  Editor. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


751 


cepted  as  general  rumor  that  he  handled  cards 
■very  successfully  and  that  this  was  the  secret  of 
his  mysterious  journeys.  There  came  a  time 
when  he  failed  to  return.  Weeks  rolled  into 
months,  and  finally  the  papers  reported  the  find- 
ing of  the  body  of  a  man  who  had  evidently  been 
murdered,  near  Ewington,  in  the  east  part  of  the 
State.  The  clothing  was  described  quite  min- 
utely. The  widow  vis-ited  the  place  and  fully 
identified  the  clothing.  The  body  had  been  dead 
sometime  when  found,  and  was  already  buried. 
It  was  supposed  that  some  gambling  comrade 
whom  Swaney  had  fleeced,  had  taken  this  means 
to  obtain  revenge  and  re-secure  his  wealth,  for  no 
money  was  found  upon  his  body. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  square,  and  fronting 
it,  stood  a  story  and  a  half  house,  occupied  by 
Asa  Eastman  and  family,  consisting  of  himself 
and  wife,  and  little  boy,  his  sisters,  Misses  Ann 
H.  and  Hannah  M.,  and  brother,  George;  Wm. 
B.  Fondey,  (a  cousin  of  Mrs.  Eastman,)  who 
afterwards  settled,  married  and  died  in  Spring- 
field, was  a  boarder  there.  Rev.  Wm.  C.  Green- 
leaf  and  lady,  lived  in  a  small  house  just  north 
of  the  lattfr.  Mr.  G.  had  a  small  nursery  on  his 
premises,  from  which  fruit  trees  were  dispensed 
to  the  farmers  of  the  neighborhood,  and  the  good 
man  delivered  excellent  practical  discourses  to 
the  people  on  the  Lord's  day.  Just  west  of  Mr. 
Eastman  dwelt  Piatt  S.  Carter  and  wife;  young 
married  people,  from  Litchfield  county,  Connec- 
ticut, who  had  recently  emigrated  west  to  take 
possession  of  the  farm  that  Mr.  C.  had  recently 
opened  west  of  town.  North  of  this  house  stood 
a  log  house,  occupied  by  a  Maryland  family, 
Evan  John,  his  wife,  and  children,  Martha, 
George  and  Edith.  With  these,  boarded  Elwood 
Ewing,  a  fellow  countryman  of  Mr.  J.  lie  was 
a  cabinet-maker,  and  had  a  shop  in  the  rear  of 
the  house. 

A  family — man  and  wife — named  Daniels, 
from  Missouri,  lived  temporarily  in  the  school 
house,  (there  being  no  school  that  winter.)  This 
was  the  only  building  east  of  the  public  square. 
A  suijstantial  two-story  house  had  been  com- 
menced the  previous  summer,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  square,  for  Mrs.  Susan  Eastman,  step- 
mother of  the  Eastmans  above  mentioned,  and 
was  occupied  during  the  following  winter  by 
two  families;  Mrs.  Eastman,  her  son,  S.  F.  and 
step-daughters,  and  Daniel  Wadsworth,  who  with 
family,  four  in  number,  had  just  removed  from 
Maine.  Mr.  David  Eastman  and  family,  wife 
and  sons,  Augustus  F.,  Charles  H.  and  George 
L.  lived  just  southeast,  but  out  of  the  town 
limits. 


The  two-story  house  above  alluleJ  to,  (the 
Eastmans  having  several  years  previously  re- 
moved from  the  town,)  was  finally  purchased  by 
Peter  S.  Freeman,  a  blacksmith  of  Chatham,  who 
had  bought  a  tract  of  land  near  Elm  Grove, 
some  six  or  seven  miles  southwest  of  this.  He 
attempted  to  remove  the  house  to  said  tract, 
across  the  open  prairie,  with  ox  teams.  The 
building  was  a  very  heavy  one,  everything  being 
of  hard  timber.  It  was  a  tedious  journey,  occu- 
pying, I  think  nearly  a  whole  summer.  The 
labor  was  finally  accomplished  with  thirty  yoke 
of  oxen.  The  blacksmith's  bills  for  mending 
broken  chains,  etc.,  were  a  pretty  serious  matter 
to  Mr.  Freeman. 

It  seemed  a  pity  that  so  pretty  a  site  as  that  of 
the  old  town  should  be  abandoned  for  so  un- 
promising a  one  as  the  northeast  quarter  of  sec- 
tion ten  then  appeared — much  of  it  a  mere 
swamp — but  railroad  corporations  possess  no 
bowels  of  compassion,  the  practical  more  than 
the  beautiful  being  their  object. 

A  vigorous  and  persistent  efl:'ort  was  made  by 
the  residents  of  the  old  town  to  get  the  Alton  & 
Sangamon  Railroad  Company  (the  original  name 
of  this  road)  to  locate  a  water  tank  and  station 
directly  east  of  the  town,  expecting  that  in  that 
event  the  intervening  land  would  be  eventually 
converted  into  lots  and  connect  with  the  old 
town.  Messrs.  Roach  &  Organ  (William  Roach 
and  George  L.  Organ)  erected,  in  l.s52  or  185.3, 
what  was  then  considered  a  substantial  store 
building,  on  the  west  .side  of  the  track  on  the 
above-named  site,  hoping  that  this  would  be  a 
material  inducement  to  the  company  to  locate 
the  new  station  there.  Mr.  Philip  Wineman, 
meanwhile,  was  offering  the  company  more  val- 
uable temptations  to  locate  the  town  further 
south.  The  struggle  between  the  two  factions 
was  long  and  fierce,  many  persons  taking  sides 
one  way  or  the  other,  but  Mr.  Wineman  finally 
prevailed.  When  Roach  &  Organ  found  their 
cause  hopelessly  lost,  they  picked  up  their  build- 
ing and  moved  it  to  the  new  town,  on  the  lot 
now  occupied  by  F.  M.  Nicols'  carpenter  shop, 
from  whence  it  was  afterward  removed  to  the 
east  side  of  the  square,  and  is  the  building  now 
occupied  by  P.  W.  Jones,  as  a  grocery. 

The  residents  of  the  old  town  remained  and 
nursed  their  disappointment  as  long  as  they 
could,  and  finally  yielded  to  the  pressure,  and 
several  of  them  transported  their  houses — small 
one-story  buildings — to  the  rival  town.  Israel 
Davis'  present  residence  is  one  of  these  build- 
ings, and  I  think  one  or  two  others  are  still  ex- 
tant,   in    the   east   iiart   of   town.     As  to  the  re- 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


niaining  ones,  one  took  fire  and  burned  down, 
and  the  others  were  eventually  torn  down  and 
hauled  off,  not  a  building  being  left  except  Mr. 
D.  Wadsworth's  house  and  out-houses  in  the 
south  part.  Mr.  Af-a  Eastman,  of  Springfield, 
who  had  become  proprietor  of  the  unsold  lots, 
bought  out  the  claims  from  the  various  lot  own- 
ers, petitioned  the  Slate  Legislature  for  a  vaca- 
tion of  the  town,  and  Mr.  Eastman  sold  the  land 
to  Madison  Curvey;  it  was  converted  into  acorn- 
field,  and  thus  fades  Old  Auburn,  as  a  town, 
from  the  public  view. 

TUK    VILLAGE    OF  AUBUEK. 

On  the  24th  day  of  February,  1853,  Philip 
Wineraan  had  platted  and  recorded  a  new  vil- 
lage, comprising  the  north  part  of  the  east  half 
of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  ten,  township 
thirteen,  range  six,  west,  under  the  name  of 
Wineman.'  This  village  was  located  about  one 
mile  south  of  the  old  village  of  Auburn,  and  on 
the  line  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad.  Mr. 
Wineman  subsequently  made  two  additions  to 
the  original  plat,  one  on  the  north  end  the  other 
on  the'south.  In  1854,  John  Buck  laid  out  some 
lots  adjoining  on  the  west,  and  in  1858,  made  an 
addition  on  the  north  and  west  of  the  latter. 
These,  with  "Wineman,"  and  additions,  were 
incorporated  by  the  legislature  at  its  session  of 
1864-5,  under  the  name  of  Auburn,  the  old  vil- 
lage bearing  this  name  having  ceased  to  exist. 
The  first  election  under  this  charter  was  held  in 
the  spring  of  1865.  The  records  of  the  village 
being  lost  or  misplaced,  only  the  officers  of  the 
present  year  are  given,  as  follows:  D.  Mason, 
S.  F.  Goodwin,  J.  A.  Able,  Fred  Faust,  B.  F. 
Hutton  and  J.  K.  Harris;  William  Harris,  Vil- 
lage Constable;  A.  S.  Davenport,  Police  Magis- 
trate; W.  H.  Gibbins,  Clerk. 

One  hundred  and  fifty-six  votes  were  cast  at 
this  election. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Auburn  village  and  township  is  represented 
by  eight  religious  denominations  and  eight 
church  edifices. 

METHODIST   KPISOOPAL. 

A  class  of  this  denomination  was  organized 
at  Harlan's  Grove,  in  Chatham  township,  pre- 
vious to  1830,  which  met  for  some  years  at  the 
house  of  John  French.  Services  were  held 
here  with  more  or  less  frequency  until  1841, 
when  they  began  to  be  held  in  old  Auburn, 
where  they  were  continued  until  the  congrega- 
tion began  to  worship  in  the  present  village.  In 
1855,  the  congregation   erected  a  house  of  wor- 


ship, which  they  continued  to  occupy  until  1863. 
They  subsequently  disposed  of  it  to  the  Baptist 
and  then  to  the  Catholic  brethren,  and  built  a 
second  house,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000.  At 
present,  the  church  holds  services  every  other 
Sunday.  For  a  time  Auburn  was  in  the  Sanga- 
mon circuit,  and  then  in  Virden  circuit.  In 
1876,  it  was  placed  in  Auburn  circuit,  with  Rev. 
W.  S.  Matthews  as  pastor.  Mr.  Matthews  was 
followed  by  the  following  named,  in  order  given  : 
Revs.  Johnson,  Slater,  Beckhart,  and  Sloan,  the 
present  pastor.  Abraham  Gist,  R.  McCoy  R. 
W.  Savage,  and  Daniel  Wadsworth,  are  the 
present  trustees.  The  present  membership  of 
the  church  is  quite  large.  A  Sunday  School 
was  organized  iu  1855,  which  has  had  regular 
meetings  ever  since.  R.  McCoy  is  the  present 
Superintendent. 

CUMBERLAND    PRESBYTERIAN. 

The  Auburn  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  organized  June  3,  1854,  in  the  Baptist 
Church  building,  on  Sugar  creek,  by  Rev.  W.  C. 
Bell,  with  the  following  named  members  :  John 
Wallace,  A.  S.  Orr,  James  H.Keysler,  Benjamin 
Kessler,  Sr.,  Mary  A.  Kessler,  Elizabeth  Organ, 
t^atharine  Kessler,  Sarah  Gates,  H.  C.  A.  Viney, 
C.  Viney,  Thomas  Black,  David  F.  Kessler, 
Rebecca  A.  Kenney,  James  M.  Hart,  Evaline 
Wallace,  George  W.  Wallace,  John  Hart,  Phebe 
Hart,  Joseph  Johnson,  Wealth  Johns-on,  Martha 
A.  Storia,  Rebecca  Drennan,  Henderson  Seals, 
Levi  Johnson,  Harriet  Kessler,  James  T.  Kenney, 
Francis  Cassity,  Maria  Johnson. 

John  Wallace,  James  H.  Keysler,  and  John 
Hart  were  chosen  elders,  and  A.  S.  Orr,  Deacon. 
For  some  years  the  congregation  worshipped  in 
the  meeting  house  of  other  denominations  and 
in  school  houses.  The  first  house  of  worship 
erected  by  the  congregation  was  in  1863;  and 
was  situated  about  three  fourths  of  a  mile  south 
of  the  village  of  Auburn.  In  1874,  this  house 
was  removed  to  a  point  three  miles  south  of  the 
village,  and  is  now  known  as  the  Walnut  Grove 
Church,  and  is  occupied  by  a  part  of  the  congre- 
gation. In  the  winter  of  1874,  a  new  house  of 
worship  was  erected  in  the  village  at  a  cost  of 
$3,000,  with  a  sitting  capacity  of  five  hundred. 

Since  1863,  there  have  been  three  hundred 
conversions  in  the  church,  but  on  account  of 
removals  and  deaths  the  active  membership  has 
been  reduced  to  about  fifty. 

The  following  named  ministers  have  had 
charge  of  the  congregation:  W.  C.  Bell,  W.  C. 
Roach,  G.  W.  Reynolds  and  W.  Ivnowles.  W. 
Knowles    had    charge    from    March,    1864,    to 


<9 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COIKTY, 


"755 


March,  1SG7.  From  1807  to  1873,  the  pulpit 
was  occupied  by  the  following:  Revs.  F.  Bridg- 
maii,  W.  M.  Schenck,  W.  0.  Bell  and  S.  R. 
Shull.  W.  Kiiowles,  the  present  incumbent  has 
occupied  the  pu.pit  since  September,  1873. 

BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  building  in 
Auburn  was  sold  for  debt  in  1867,  and  purchased 
by  the  Baptists,  who  occupied  it  until  1871,  when 
they  sold  it  to  the  Catholics,  and  erected  the 
present  building  at  a  cost  of  $5,000. 

The  church  was  organized  on  Sugar  creek, 
March  23,  1843,  and  known  as  the  Sugar  Creek 
Baptist  Church,  with  the  following  named  mem- 
bers: C.  Wrightsman  and  wife,  George  Win- 
nier  and  wife,  John  Dill  and  Joshua  Mackey. 
Elder  Thomas  Taylor  was  the  minister  who 
officiated  at  its  organization.  Elder  Alfred  Brown 
was  the  first  pastor,  about  1844.  Elders — Morris 
Bailey,  Thomas  Taylor,  L.  B.  Richardson,  Wil- 
liam Meigs,  JosepLi  Wightsman,  Uarver,  Debo 
and  Kitzmiller.  The  first  house  of  worship  was 
erected  in  1851,  the  congregation  furnishing  the 
heavy  timber  and  shingles,  C.  Ewing  furnishing 
the  balance  of  the  material  and  building  the 
house  for  $300.  This  house  was  sold  in  1871 
for  S.'JO.OO,  the  congregation  having  been  trans- 
ferred to  Auburn.  Since  the  church  was  trans- 
ferred, the  pastors  serving  have  been:  Revs.  M. 
V.  Kitzmiller,  A.  Gross,  A.  H.  Scott,  M.  C. 
Clark,  Mr.  Chapin  and  Calvin  Allen,  the  latter 
being  the  present  pastor.  The  Sunday  school 
was  organized  in  1868. 

ST.  Benedict's  roman  catholic  ciiuecu. 

This  churcli  was  purchased  by  the  Catholic 
people  of  Auburn  and  vicinity,  of  the  Baptist 
denomination,  in  the  year  1871.  It  is  the  oldest 
church  building  in  the  town,  having  been  erected 
by  the  Methodists  in  the  year  of  1856.  Pre- 
vious to  its  purchase,  the  Catholics  were  obliged 
to  attend  services  at  Virden  and  Sugar  Creek, 
and  consequently  looked  forward  anxiously  to 
the  time  when  they  would  have  a  little  church 
of  their  own,  and  in  their  midst,  in  which  to 
worship  God  according  to  the  behests  of  their 
faith.  This  opportunity  came  when  the  Baptists 
resolved  to  erect  a  larger  and  more  imposing 
edifice  for  Divine  service.  The  sum  paid  by  the 
Catholics  for  the  old  church  building  was  -§750. 
It  was  immediately  fitted  up  for  Catholic  service 
and  was  dedicated  by  Rt.  Rev.  P.  J.  Baltes,  on 
April  12,  1872.  Since  that  time,  the  congrega- 
tions, though  small  and  not  possessed  of  a  very 
large  amount  of  worldly  wealth,  has  shown  re- 
markable spirit  in  the  support  of  their  church. 

88^ 


Besides  the  amount  originally  paid  for  the 
church,  over  $1,000  has  been  expended  in  im- 
proving and  beautifying  it.  The  membership 
numbers  about  two  hundred  souls  altogether, 
and  a  Sunday  school  class  of  seventy  children, 
none  of  whom  was  over  fifteen  jears  of  age, 
received  the  sacrament  of  confirmation  at  the 
hands  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bisliop  of  this  diocese, 
less  than  a  year  ago.  This  church  was  formerly 
under  the  spiritual  charge  of  the  Catholic  priest, 
of  Virden,  but  since  December,  1878,  a  regular 
pastor  has  resided  in  Auburn,  with  the  two  par- 
ishes of  Auburn  and  Sugar  Creek,  under  his 
charge.  Those  two  congregations  have  since 
purchased  a  nice  pastoral  residence,  situated  one 
block  from  the  church,  on  North  Waverly 
street,  and  furnished  it  for  occupancy  at  a  cost 
of  $2,000.  At  present  the  parishes  are  under 
the  Pastorate  of  Rev.  D.  J.  Ryan. 

CHRISTIAN    church. 

The  Christian  Church  in  Auburn  was  organ- 
ized in  1868,  with  A.  G.  Harney  and  A.M.  Black 
as  elders,  and  John  Piper  and  M.  S.  Wadsworth 
as  deacons.  There  had  previously  for  years  been 
occasional  preaching,  but  no  regular  organiza- 
tion. A  house  of  worship  was  commenced  in 
the  spring  of  1809,  thirty-two  by  fifty  feet.  The 
membership  was  small  and  financially  weak. 
With  only  $600  on  the  subscription  list,  a  part 
of  which  was  to  be  paid  in  work,  and  a  part  in 
materials,  and  a  good  part  of  it  contributed  by 
persons  outside  of  the  church,  the  work  was 
commenced  by  two  of  the  members,  who  were 
carpenters.  The  money  was  used  up,  and  the 
two  brethren  started  out  on  foot,  visiting  con- 
gregations in  this  and  other  counties  to  solicit 
money  to  carry  on  the  work.  As  fast  as  means 
could  be  procured,  it  was  worked  up.  No  debts 
were  incurred,  and  the  house  was  not  completed 
until  1876,  although  it  was  used  for  a  long  time 
in  an  unfinished  state. 

The  congregation  has  never  added  much  to 
its  membership,  and  has  not  been  able  to  keep 
up  regular  services  but  a  part  of  the  lime.  The 
following  have  been  employed  as  pastors  at  dif- 
ferent times:  Elder  John  L.Wilson,  P.  D.  Ver- 
milion, A.  P.  Sears,  Jos.  B.  Allen,  and  Dr.  J. 
U.  Smith,  though  many  others  have  held  pi'o- 
tracted  meetings. 

ADVENT    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

The  Advent  Christian  Church,  of  Auburn,  was 
organized  in  the  fall  of  1868,  by  Elder  A.  S.  Calk- 
ins, who  at  this  time  was  Pastor  of  a  church  of 
the  same  faith  and  order  at  Carliuville,  Macou- 
pin county,  Illinois.     The  organization  of  the 


I  ob 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTV. 


church  grew  out  of  a  revival  meeting  held  in  the 
old  Baptist  House,  on  the  east  side  of  the  rail- 
road. During  the  progress  of  this  meeting,  up- 
wards of  forty  professed  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  publicly  put  on  Christ  by  baptism. 
After  the  close  of  the  meeting  a  request  was 
made  on  the  part  of  several  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  town,  to  be  organized  into  a  church  of 
Gospel  order.  Accordingly  a  meeting  was  called 
to  consider  the  matter,  and  after  some  exchange 
of  thoughts,  a  short  church  covenant  was  read, 
as  follows:  "We,  the  undersigned,  believing 
the  Bible  to  be  a  sufficient  rule  of  faith  and 
practice,  do  agree  to  take  the  Bible  as  our  only 
creed,  making  Christian  character  the  only  test 
of  Christian  fellowship,  and  that  we  will  meet 
together  to  worship  God,  and  to  exhort  one 
another,  and  so  much  the  more  as  we  see  the  day 
approaching." 

After  the  reading  of  the  article  some  forty 
persons  subscribed  their  names  thereunto,  after 
which  they  chose  two  Deacons,  and  one  ruling 
Elder,  with  one  Clerk  and  Treasurer.  The  church 
thus  organized,  hired  the  lower  hall  of  the  Ma- 
sonic building,  in  which  they  worshipped  the  most 
of  the  time  until  they  built  the  present  house  in 
■which  they  now  worship.  The  house  was  built 
in  1871,  costing  about  §5,000,  Mr.  David  Martin 
taking  the  contract,  since  which  time  there  has 
been  some  changes  in  the  membership  of  the 
church.  Death  having  removed  several  from 
our  original  members,  and  quite  a  number  moved 
to  other  states,  has  reduced  the  numbers  of  the 
original  members.  But  others  having  been 
added,  the  membership  remains  about  the  same 
as  at  first.  Some  improvement  has  been  made 
the  present  year  on  the  house,  both  inside  and 
out.  The  society  is  clear  of  debt,  sustaining  a 
Sabbath  school  every  Sunday  morning,  prayer 
meeting  every  Thursday  night,  with  preaching 
every  two  weeks,  by  Elder  D.  R.  Mansfield,  the 
present  pastor  of  the  church,  assisted  by  his  wife. 
Elder  Calkins  having  had  Pastorial  charge  some 
eight  years  after  its  organization. 

BENEVOLENT    AND    OTHER    SOCIETIES. 

The  village  is  represented  by  one  lodge  of 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  one  Chapter, 
sketches  of  which  accompany  this  chapter;  also, 
one  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  one  of  United 
Workmen.  For  many  years  the  Good  Templars 
had  an  efficient  organization  in  the  village,  and 
much  good  was  the  result  of  their  efforts. 

MASONIC. 

Ark  and  Anchor  Lodge,  No.  .354,  A.  F.  and  A. 
M.,   was  organized  under  dispensation,  May  3, 


1860,  and  a  charter  granted  October  3,  of  the 
same  year.  Its  first  officers  were,  Daniel  Wads- 
worth,  W.  M. ;  Matthew  Patton,  Sr.,  S.  W.; 
Francis  H.  Clark,  J.  W.  Its  charter  members 
were  Daniel  Wadsworth,  Matthew  Patton,  Sr., 
Francis  H.  Clark,  William  II.  Head,  Thomas  J. 
Nuckolls,  John  N.  Kenney,  Thomas  J.  Inglish, 
David  Clark,  Isaac  Colean.  Its  principal  elec- 
tive officers  since  organization  have  been  as  fol- 
lows: 

18G1.— F.  H.  Clark,  W.  M.;  Matthew  Patton, 
S.  W.;  D.  Wadsworth,  J.  W-;  Joseph  McKinney, 

Secretary. 

1862.— F.  H.  Clark,  W.  M.;  Joseph  McKinney, 
S.  W.;  J.  Nuckolls,  J.  W.;  J.  M.  Nuckolls,  Sec- 
retary. 

1863. — Joseph  McKinney,  W.  M.;  J.  M.  Stone, 
S.  W.;  J.  C.  Spencer,  J.  W.;  D.  Wadsworth, 
Secretary. 

1864.— J.  W.  Stout,  W.  M.;  Jas.  W.  Patton, 
S.  W.;  A.  C.  Spencer,  J.  W.;  D.  Wadsworth, 
Secretary. 

1865.— J.  W.  Stone,  W.  M.;  J.  McNuckolls, 
S.  W.;  J.  G.  Spencer,  J.  W.;  A.S.Davenport, 
Secretary. 

186C.— J.  G.  Spencer,  W.  M.;  J.  M.  Benning- 
ton, S.  W.;  W.  H.  Wineman,  J.  W.;  A.  S. 
Davenport,  Secretary. 

1867. — J.  M.  Bennington,  W.  M.;  Joseph 
Dodds,  S.  W.;  D.  D.  Martin,  J.  W.;  A.S.Da- 
venport, Secretary. 

1868.- Jos.  Dodds,  W.  M.;  J.  G.  Spencer,  S. 
W.;  Jas.  A.  Drennan,  J.  W.;  John  Piper,  Sec- 
retary. 

1869.— J.  M.  Stonev,  W.  M.;  J.  G.  Spencer,  S. 
W.;  W.  P.  Brooker,"j.  W.;  J.  W.  Hart,  Secre- 
tary. 

1S70. — Joseph  Dodds,  W.  M.;  A.  Jamieson,  S. 
W.;  C.  M.  Caldwell,  J.  W.;  W.  H.  Coleman, 
Secretary. 

1871. — J.  M.  Stone,  W.  M.;  A.  Jamieson,  S. 
W.;  W.  H.  Wineman,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 

1872— J.  M.  Stone,  W.  M.;  D.  D.  Martin,  S. 
W.;  Jas.  H.  Ogg,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wadsworth, 
Secretary. 

1873.— D.  D.  Martin,  W.  M.;  E.  M.  Tucker, 
S.  W.;  Elisha  Foley,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wadsworth, 
Secretary. 

1874.— E.  M.  Tucker.  W.  M.;  E.  Foley,  S. 
W.;  Geo.  E  Ledgerwood,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 

1875.— J.  M.  Stone,  W.  M.;  A.  P.  Stone,  S. 
W.;  G.  E.  Ledgerwood,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


757 


187t>.— T.  J.  Nuckolls,  W.  M.;  E.  M.  Tucker, 
S.  W.;  A.  P.  Lorton,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth,  Secretary. 

1877.— D.  Wadsworth,  W.  M.;  W.  H.  Cole- 
man, S.  W.;  R.  T.  Cleavenger,  J.  W.;  M.  G. 
Wadsworth,  Secretary. 

1878. — Geora;e  Siniiiger,  W.  M.;  J.  W.  Nuck- 
olls, S.  W.;  Elijah  Bradley,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 

1879.— George  Sinniger,  W.  M.;  W.  H.  Wine- 
man,  S.  W.;  E.  Bradley,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 

1880.— J.  E.  Robinson,  W.  M.;  B.  R.  Crumpter, 
S.  W.;  E.  T.  Stone,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wadsworth, 
Secretary. 

1881. — Benjamin  R.  Crumpter,  W.  M.;  L.  C. 
Taylor,  S.  W.;  A.  P.  Lorton,  J.  W.;  M.  G.  Wads- 
worth, Secretary. 

The  remaining  officers  for  1881,  are  as  fol- 
lows: W.  Knowles,  Chaplain;  William  D.  Pat- 
ton,  Treasurer;  O.  M.  Cheney,  S.  D.;  James 
Able,  J.  D.;  George  Sinniger,  Sr.  Steward;  D.  D. 
Martin,  Jr.  Steward,  A.  Davenport,  Tyler. 

Since  its  organization  the  lodge  has  lost  by 
death,  J.  M.  Nuckolls,  W.  H.  H.  Bennington,  B. 
P.  Dodds,  D.  M.  Easley,  J.  M.  Hunter,  T.  J. 
Hutton,  J.  S.  Campbell,  Slalthtfw  Patton,  Sr.,  J. 
T.  Scott. 

The  present  membership  is  seventy-one,  and 
the  lodge  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Auburn  Chapter,  No.  92,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was 
organized  December  26,  1865,  and  charter 
granted  October  5,  1866.  Its  first  oflScers  were: 
J.  N.  Williams,  H.  P.;  Matt  Patton,  Sr.  King; 
J.  M.  Bennington,  Scribe;  A.  S.  Davenport, 
Secretary;  Wm.  H.  Wineman,  Treasurer;  Thos. 
J.  Nuckolls.  C.  H.;  J.  M.  Stout,  P.  S.;  J.  M. 
Wells,  R.  A.  C;  J.  G.  Spencer,  M.  3d  V.;  D. 
Wadsworth,  M.  2d  V.;  John  Piper,  M.  IstV.; 
Jesse  Plain,  Tyler.  Its  present  membership  is 
fifty-nine,  with  the  following  named  officers: 

George  Sinnigar,  H.  P.;  W.  H.  Wineman, 
King;  L.  B.  McCartor,  Scribe;  D.  D.  Martin, 
C.  M.;  George  E.  Ledgerwood,  R.  S.;  E.  E. 
Bradley,  R.  A.  C;  J.  A.  Able,  M.  3d  V.;  C.  M. 
Caldwell,  M.  2d  V.;  J.  N.  Kermay,  M.  1st  V.; 
W.  M.  Hummell,  Treasurer;  R.  B.  Crumpter, 
Secretary;  Rev.  W.  Knowles,  Chaplain;  A.  S. 
Davenport,  Tyler. 

ODD    FELLOWS. 

Auburn  Lodge,  No.  543, 1.  O.  O.  F.,  was  in- 
stituted February  18,  1874,  with  James  M. 
Wyatt,  J.  N.  Squier,  Stephen  1-arnam,  A.  A 
Lowdermilk,  and  J.  N.  Gibson,  as  cliarter  mem- 
bers.    Since  that  time  it  has  initiated  about  one 


hundred  persons  and  now  has  a  membership  of 
sixty-six.  This  lodge  has  paid  about  $300  for 
sick  and  funeral  benefits,  and  has  nearly  8500  in 
its  treasury.  In  1878,  two  members  of  this 
lodge,  J.  W.  Lowdermilk  and  A.  D.  Sanders, 
established  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  the  Odd 
Fellows  Herald,  one  of  the  most  influential 
society  papers  in  the  United  States.  The  pres- 
ent officers  of  Auburn  Lodge  are:  Henry  Daw- 
son, Jr.,  N.  G.;  J.  A.  Garber,  V.  G.;  H.  H. 
White,  Secretary;  Philip  Faust,  Treasure)',  and 
J.  W.  Lowdermilk,  Representative  to  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

UNITED    WOEKMEN. 

Auburn  Lodge  No.  49,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  was  in- 
stituted March  l4,  1877,  by  Deputy  G.  M.  W.  T. 
L.  Matthews,  of  Virginia,  Illinois,  with  thirty- 
three  charter  members.  The  first  officers  were 
as  follows:  W.  W.  Lowdermilk,  P.  M.  W.;  G. 
W-.  Murray,  M.  W.;  A.  D.  Sanders,  F.;  H.  M. 
Hart,  O.;  G.  W.  Hutton,  Rdr.;  A.  A.  Harney, 
Fin.,  and  W.  H.  Harris.  Rec.  Life  insurance 
being  one  of  the  prominent  features  of  this 
order,  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  reports  not  being 
satisfactory  to  some,  during  the  suromerof  '77, 
a  large  number  of  members  withdrew,  until  at 
one  time  the  roll  showed  but  thirteen  members 
in  good  standing.  By  the  united  efi'orts  of 
these,  Ihe  membership  was  increased  to  twenty, 
the  number  now  on  the  roll.  The  present  offi- 
cers are:  C.  M.  Caldwell,  P.  M.  W.;  J,  W. 
Lowdermilk,  M.  W  ;  C.  J.  Sanders,  F. ;  W. 
Knowles,  O.  and  Deputy  G.  M.  W.;  W.  A.  Wal- 
lace, Rdr.;  H.  M.  Hart,  Fin.  and  W.  H.  Hum- 
mel, Rec.  But  one  death  has  occurred  among 
the  members  of  this  lodge,  that  of  Bro.  John 
McKay  who  died  August  21,  1879.  Being 
composed  of  good  men,  this  lodge  is  in  an  excel- 
lent financial  condition,  a  good  feeling  prevails, 
its  meetings  are  well  attended  and  splendid  pros- 
pects are  before  it. 

AUBURN    BANK. 

This  bank  was  organized  in  April,  1872,  by  H. 
Stevens  and  Samuel  Lewis  as  the  Exchange  Bank 
of  Auburn,  with  the  former  as  President,  and 
the  latter  as  Cashier.  It  was  conducted  by  them 
until  May,  1874,  when  G.  W.  Hutton,  I.  J.  and 
B.  F.  Poley,  and  J.  M.  and  Samuel  Lewis  be- 
came the  proprietors,  I.  J.  Poley  succeediig  H. 
Stevens  as  President.  In  1875,  I.  J.  Poley  and 
G.  W.  Hutton  purchased  the  interest  of  J.  M. 
and  S.  Lewis,  Mr.  Hutton  becoming  Cashier. 

In  January,  1877,  T.  S,  Parks,  Esq.,  purchased 
I.  J.  Foley's  interest,  and  in  the  succeeding  April 
that  of  G.  W.  Hutton  becoming  sole  proprietor. 


;5S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


As  President  and  proprietor,  Mr.  Parks  has 
managed  the  business  since  that  time.  The 
present  officers  are:  T.  S.  Parks,  President,  and 
J.  W.  Lowdermilk,  Cashier.  When  Mr.  Parks 
first  took  charge  of  the  bank  it  was  doing  a 
limited  business,  but  by  close  attention  to  its 
affairs  and  indefatigable  energy,  he  has  suc- 
ceeded in  placing  it  on  a  solid  basis,  and  the 
bank  is  at  this  time  in  an  excellent  financial  con- 
dition with  a  constantly  increasing  deposit. 

MANTTFACTOKIES. 

Auburn  may  not  be  able  to  boast  of  extensive 
manufactories,  but  it  has  a  wagon  and  carriage 
factory  that  turns  out  more  work  than  any  like 
Ins'itution  in  the  county. 

Morse's  Wagon,  Carriage,  and  Agricultural 
Implement  Manufactory  was  established  in  1S50, 
as  a  wagon  and  repair  shop,  by  Mr.  Babcock. 
In  1857,  Robert  E.  Morse  bought  out  the  con- 
cern; and  has  since  been  the  sole  proprietor..  It 
was  then  a  small  institution,  in  which  a  few 
wagons  were  made,  and  general  repair  work 
was  done.  Immediately  after  purchasing,  Mr. 
Morse  began  to  enlarge  the  business  and  capac- 
ity of  the  factory,  and  from  time  to  time  in- 
creased'its  size,  until  in  1880  the  shop  had  at- 
tained quite  large  dimensions,  and  employed 
about  twenty  men. 

On  the  night  of  the  loth  of  May,  1868,  the 
factory  proper  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire,  with 
a  loss  in  building  and  machinery  of  §10,000. 
The  warehouse  was  saved,  in  which  was  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  partially  and  wholly  com- 
pleted work.  Mr.  Morse  began  to  re-build  in  the 
fall,  and  the  brick  portion  of  the  structure,  one 
hundred  and  eight  by  sixty  feet,  was  ready  for 
the  workmen  in<the  spring  of  1881.  The  capital 
invested  is  over  $30,000,  and  employment  is 
given  to  from  fifteen  to  twenty  hands,  with  a 
capacity  for  completing  a  lumber  or  spring 
wagon  or  buggy  per  day,  besides  carrying  for- 
ward the  large  amount  of  job  and  repair  work 
done.  A  set  of  hands  is  employed  for  carriage 
and  spring  wagon  work,  and  a  set  for  farm 
v.-agons.  A  feature  is  also  made  of  manufactur- 
ing plows,  harrows,  and  cultivators  for  the  gen- 
eral trade.  Two  traveling  men  are  kept  on 
the  road,  who  find  market  for  the  work  chiefly 
through  the  central  counties  of  Illinois. 

GROWTH    OF    THE   VILLAGE. 

Auburn  is  not  a  village  of  mushroom  growth, 
but  has  had  a  steady  increase  in  its  population 
and  business  from  the  beginning.  It  now  num- 
bers more  inhabitants  than  at  any  previous  time 
in  its  history.      It  is  the  largest  town  in  the 


county,  outside  of  Springfield,  and  the  only  one 
that  has  its  weekly  newspaper. 

THE    AUBURN    CITIZEN. 

As  a  histor3'  of  this  paper  is  given  in  the  chap- 
ter on  the  Press,  it  is  unnecessary  now  to 
repeat  in  this  connection;  but  it  is  but  due  the 
Citizen  to  s.ay  that  as  a  local  paper  it  is  superior 
to  three-fourths  of  tlie  papers  in  the  State, printed 
in  villages  of  twice  the  size  of  Auburn.  The 
columns  of  a  local  paper  are  usually  an  index  of 
the  enterprise  of  a  town.  If  filled  with  live  ad- 
vertisements of  the  business  men  of  the  place, 
the  town  is  judged  by  the  outsider  to  be  a  live 
town.  The  judgment  of  the  people  in  this  case 
is  correct  ninety-nine  times  out  of  a  hundred. 

BUSINESS    OF    AUBURN. 

The  first  merchandise  sold  in  Auburn  was  in 
1853,  by  Ham  &  Poley.  In  the  quarter  of  a 
century  that  has  passed,  many  others  have  en- 
g.aged  in  business  here,  some  of  whom  have  met 
with  success;  others  have  had  reverses. 

To  give  the  reader  of  this  volume  in  the  future, 
an  idea  of  the  business  of  the  place  in  1881,  the 
following  directory  is  appended,  as  compiled  in 
October  of  that  year: 

Dnj  Goods — Hutton  &  Wallace,  Smith  & 
Hamlin. 

Groceries — Cassity  &  Nicoles,  L.  B.McCarton, 
Gordon  &  Harvey,  Patton  &  Stone. 

Drugs,  Paints,  tCc. — Patton  &  Stone,  C.  H. 
Wineman. 

Hardware — Geo.  Sinniger,  Patton  &  Stone. 

Restaurants — Simpson  &  Epling,  Yoakley  & 
Burnett,  Harris  &  Corzin. 

Saloons — P.  W.  Jones,  W.  H.  Wineman, 
Titus  Jones. 

Stationery — Geo.  W.  Hutton,  Patton  &  Stone, 

Millineries — Mrs.  M.  S.  Hart. 

Harness  and  Saddles — C.  L.  Bridges 

Agricultural  Im2)lenients — R.  E.  Morse,  D.  D. 
Martin. 

Gentlemen's  Furnishing  House — Etrick  & 
Lerakey. 

Furniture  and  Undertaking — H.  M.  Hart. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Making— i.  P.  &  W.  H.  Nor- 
cross,  G.  W.  Giley. 

Blacksmiths— R.  E.  Morse,  Tinkle  &  Gray, 
J.  W.  Hederick. 

Auburn  Bank — Thos.  S.  Parks,  President  ; 
J.  W.  Lowdermilk,  Cashier. 

Wagon-making — R.  E.  Morse,  R.  Drury. 

liesident  Clergymen — D.  R.  Mansfield,  Ad- 
vent-Christian ;  A.  Sloan,  Methodist;  D.  J. 
Ryan,  Catholic ;  Allen,  Baptist. 


HISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


759 


r/iysiciaiis—J.  R.  Trott,  M.  S.  Wheeler,  L. 
P.  Taylor. 

Coal  Shiift,  Tile  andJBrick  Factory— T>SiV/mn, 
Foley  &  Co. 

Lumber,  Lime  ibc.—W.  H.  Hummel. 

Grrain  Elevator — P.  S.  Bronaugh  Sc  Co. 

tlonr  Mill  and  Grain — Morris,  Harris  &   Co. 

Auburn  Citizen— M.  G.  Wadsworth. 

Meat  ,Shop—F.  Faust. 

Livery  Stable — Wm.  Harris. 

Barbern — O.  M.  Cheney,  Chapman  &  Wizard. 

POST    OFFICE. 

The  Auburn  post  office  was  established  in  the 
early  part  of  18:39,  in  the  old  town,  David  East- 
man, postmaster.  Previous  to  this  date  there 
has  been  no  office  nearer  than  the  Sugar  Creek 
postoffice,  kept  at  John  L.  Drennan's  stage  stand, 
five  miles  northeast.  Mr.  Eastman  was  post- 
master until  1842,  when  Daniel  Wadsworth  was 
appointed  under  Tyler.  He  retained  the  office 
until  1852,  when  the  railroad  (now  C.  &  A.) 
drew  the  business  to  the  new  town.  Prom  that 
time  until  the  present,  the  office  has  been  filled 
by  the  following,  in  their  regular  rotation;  H. 
Tibbalt,  Henjamin  Kessler,  John  Bond,  N.  P. 
Brooks,  R.  N.  Han,  A.  M.  Black,  A.  S.  Daven- 
port, J.  W.  Avers,  W.  W.  Lowdermilk,  and 
George  W.  Hutton,  the  present  appointee.  Up 
to  Mr.  Lowdermilk's  incumbency,  the  office  has 
been  kept  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  Mr. 
Lowdermilk  removed  it  to  the  public  square, 
where  it  has  since  remained. 

This  is  now  a  third-class  office,  with  a  salary 
of  |1,U00.  Fifteen  years  ago,  the  delivering  ca- 
pacity amounted  to  fifty  boxes,  all  told.  Now 
the  office  has  upwards  of  three  hundred  and 
fifty.  The  revenue  for  the  year  ending  Septem- 
ber 30,  1881,  was  $2,332.99.  The  number  of 
pieces  of  mail  matter  during  the  first  week  of 
December,  188t)  (the  only  time  during  the  year 
that  any  record  was  kept,)  was  one  thousand  si.x 
hundred  and  twenty-one  pieces.  The  following 
letter  explains  itself: 

PuKLisuEE  Sangamon  County  Histoey. — 
Dear  Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  request,  to 
furnish  you  a  statement  of  the  amount  of  busi- 
ness at  this  office,  in  the  money  order  depart- 
ment, during  the  first  tiscal  year  and  the  last,  I 
submit  to  you  the  following: 

The  first  order  was  applied  for  July  22,  1872, 
b}'  William  W.  Lowdermilk,  then  postmaster, 
payable  to  Herman  Redlick,  Springfield,  Illinois, 
for  114. 

There  were  issued  during  the  fiscal  year's 
business",  four  hundred  and  one  orders,  amount- 


ing to  $5,377.55;  and  for  the  last  tiscal  year, 
ending  July  22,  1881,  there  were  issued  one 
thousand  one  hundred  and  !iinety-one  orders, 
amounting  to  $12,122.45. 

I  will  add  that  at  the  time  the  money  order 
office  was  established,  in  July  22,  1872,  there 
was  no  bank  here,  and  the  greater  part  of  the 
business  of  the  village  of  Auburn  and  vicinity, 
was  done  through  the  money  order  ofKce,  while 
at  the  present  time  the  heavier  part  of  the  busi- 
ness is  done  through  the  Auburn  bank. 

Yours  truly,  G.  W.  Hutton,  P.  M. 

The  history  of  Auburn  township  is  continued 
by  giving  short  biographical  sketches  of  a  large 
number  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the 
township,  many  of  whom  came  here  in  an  early 
day,  and  were  foremost  in  developing  the  wild 
prairies  into  one  of  the  finest  townships  of  ag- 
ricultural lands  in  this  great  State. 

Jacob  Anthony,  post  office,  Virdeu,  Macoupin 
county;  son  of  Jacob  and  Eva  Anthony;  father 
born  in  New  York,  about  1788;  mother  born  in 
Raenselear  county,  New  York,  in  1790;  father 
of  English  extraction;  mother  of  German  ex- 
traction. They  were  married  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  had  twelve  children — six  sons 
and  six  daughters.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  October  26,  1801,  in  Sharon,  Skoharie 
county.  New  York,  and  served  a  regular  appren- 
ticeship to  the  carpenter  trade,  following  it  most 
of  his  life.  In  the  fall  of  1843,  was  married  to 
Miss  Margaret  Lacy,  daughter  of  Elliott  and 
Sarah  Lacy;  father  born  in  North  Carolina; 
mother  born  in  Tennessee.  They  have  five 
children  living:  William,  James,  Mary,  Martha 
and  Agnes.  Mr.  Anthony  owns  two  hundred 
acres  of  valuable  land,  well  improved.  His  ad- 
vantages of  early  education  was  such  as  the 
county  schools  afforded  in  his  day.  His  son 
John  was  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-fourth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  died  from  disease  contracted  in 
the  army. 

John  Beechly,  farmer  and  real  estate  dealer, 
Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
county,  Ohio,  on  the  20th  day  of  September, 
1820,  son  of  Michael  and  Susannah  Beechly; 
father  of  German  descent  and  a  native  of  Lan- 
caster, Pennsylvania,  who  emigrated  to  Mont- 
gomery county,  Ohio,  where  be  bought  a  farm 
and  remained  there  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred about  1859.  There  was  a  family  of  eleven 
children,  seven  sons  and  four  daughters. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1868,  where  he  engaged  in  farming, 
fcince  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  various 


760 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


branches  of  business,  prominent  among  them  is 
dealing  in  real  estate,  having  charge  of  many 
farms  and  loaning  money,  etc.  Mr.  Beechly 
married  Miss  Susan  Garber,  daughter  of  John 
Garber,  of  Virginia,  where  she  was  born  in  1826. 
By  this  union  there  was  a  family  of  ten  children, 
SIX  of  whom  are  living:  Nancy,  now  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Meyers,  of  Kansas;  Hettie,  now  Mrs.  John  W. 
Hart,  ot  Auburn ;  Allen,  Susan,  Milton  and  Laura. 
Mr.  B.  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $100  per  acre.  The  entire  farm  is 
worth  §20,000;  is  a  large  farmer;  handles  consid- 
erable stock,  and  raising  in  one  year  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  bushels  of  wheat;  is  a  member 
of  the  German  Baptist  Church. 

Thomas  £lack,  Sr.,  Auburn,  Illinois,  son  of 
Thomas  and  Edith  Black  father  born  in  South 
Carolina,  October  25,  1768,  mother  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. They  were  married  in  Christian  county, 
Kentucky,  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  April 
9,  1819.  They  came  with  horse  teams,  camped 
out  at  nights,  carried  their  household  goods  in 
the  wagon  with  them,  located  in  what  is  now 
Auburn  township,  the  land  grant  settled  upon 
being  about  a  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 

Their  family  consisted  of  four  sons  and  three 
daughters,  all  born  in  Kentucky:  Sarah,  born 
July  .3,  1796;  David,  September  17,  1798;  Eliza- 
beth, March  6,  180.3;  Nancy,  August  4,  1S06; 
John,  August  8,  1809;  Thomas,  September  3, 
181.3;  Career  T.,  January  24,  1818. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  sixth  child. 
He  was  married  March  7,  1855,  to  Miss  Mary 
Jane  Wallace,  daughter  of  John  and  Eveline 
Wallace,  her  father  was  born  in  Nova  Scotia, 
June  17,  1808;  her  mother  was  born  November 
20,  1813;  Mr.  Black  was  born  November  1,  1835; 
they  have  three  children,  all  daughters:  Malah 
Edith,  born  November  8,  1861;  Mary  Francis, 
JaLuary  7,  1868;  Marchie  Ellia,  March  12,  1871; 
father  died,  November  20,  1854;  mother  died, 
August  20,  1876.  Carter  T.  Black  is  living  in 
Bates  county,  Missouri,  is  a  contractor  for  build- 
ings; he  is  the  youngest  of  the  family,  and  the 
only  remaining  brother  of  Thomas  Black,  Sr. ; 
owns  quite  a  large  farm,  valued  at  $()U  per 
acre.  Mr.  Black  is  of  German  extraction,  Mrs. 
Black  of  Scotch  and  German.  The  early  educa- 
tion of  both  were  such  as  the  country  schools  of 
their  day  would  afford. 

Charles  JV.  Srovm,  farmer.  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Kennebec,  Maine,  on  the  14th  day 
of  N(.vember,  1840;  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
(  Smily,)  Brown;  father  a  native  of  New  Planip- 
shire,  and  mother  of  Maine.  His  father  was 
twice  married;    his  first  wife  was  Maria  How- 


ard, by  whom  he  had  five  children,  one  of  whom 
has  lived  to  manhood,  Ambrose  U.,  who  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Third  Maine  Infantry,  and  was 
captured  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  was 
taken  prisoner  and  incarcerated  in  L.bby  Prison, 
where  he  starved  to  death.  The  second  family 
consisted  of  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living,  Mary,  Chai-les,  Henry  W.,  Mariah  S.,  and 
Warren  F.  Henry  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war 
and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Spotsylvania  Court 
House,  taken  to  Andersonville  Prison,  where  he 
was  kept  for  eight  months.  Charles  N.  came  to 
Sangamon  county  in  I860,  where  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  Miss  Matilda  E.  Foster  and  was 
married  in  December  1864.  Mr.  Brown  enlisted 
in  1861  in  the  Seventh  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, three  months'  service,  being  one  of  the 
first  to  enlist  in  the  regiment,  and  remained 
until  the  expiration  of  his  term,  when  he  re-en- 
listed in  the  Ninth  Volunteer  Infantry,  Company 
K.  He  participated  in  several  hot  engagements, 
among  them  were  Fort  Donalson,  Pittsburg 
Landing,  Corinth,  and  others;  was  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Fort  Donalson  in  the  arm  and  leg, 
where  he  carries  the  ball  at  the  present  time.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  UroiLmell,  druggist.  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Ball  township,  Sangamon  county, 
on  the  tenth  day  of  December,  1822;  son  of  John 
and  Nancy  (Pulliam)  Brownell,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Pulliam,  the  first  settler  in  Sangamon 
county,  coming  as  early  as  1817,  and  built  the 
first  log  cabin  in  Ball  township.  Mr.  John 
Brownell  came  to  the  State  in  1818,  and  located 
on  Sugar  creek,  where  he  embarked  in  farming 
and  in  various  other  branches  of  business.  He 
is  still  living  in  Auburn  township,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-one,  and  is  probably  the 
oldest  living  resident  of  the  county.  There  was 
a  family  of  eleven  children.  Mr.  William  Brow- 
nell, the  oldest  son,  remained  at  home,  and  on 
account  of  his  father's  health,  took  charge  of  the 
business  until  1863.  In  1848,  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  Biidges,  daughter  of  George  Bridges, 
of  Harrison  county,  Kentucky;  she  was  born  in 
Harrison  county,  Kentucky.  By  this  union 
there  was  a  family  of  six  children;  four  of  whom 
are  living,  Jane,  Isabel,  and  Columbus  V.;  John 
W.  died  October  25,  1881,  of  consumption.  She 
died  February  14,  1869.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  loved  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  her.  In  December,  1869,  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth  Vaughn;  she  was  born  in 
Harrison  county,  Kentucky,  March  3,  1840. 
There  were  two  children,  one  of  whom  is  still 
living,  Ora  Viola.     In  1863,  he  came  to  Auburn, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


761 


where  he  embarked  in  the  drug  business,  and 
bought  and  repaired  the  hotel,  which  he  run  for 
twelve  years.  Auburn,  at  that  time,  was  a  small 
place,  there  beinii;  but  two  buildings  on  the  west 
side  of  the  railroad.  Mr.  B.  has  been  identified 
■with  Auburn  and  vicinity  all  his  life;  has  seen  it 
from  its  wild,  uncultivated  prairies,  to  one  of 
the  finest  agricultural  sections  in  the  State.  Has 
held  several  local  offices  of  trust  in  the  gift  of 
the  people,  as  police  magistrate,  school  director, 
etc.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
Ark  and  Anchor  Lodge,  No.  354,  of  Auburn. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Sudden  Change. — -Reminiscences  by  Mr  Wil- 
liam Brownell. — He  says  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Welch  was  relating  how,  at  the  time  of  the  sud- 
den ciiange,  that  he  had  chickens  which  were 
on  a  fence  at  the  time  the  cold  wave  struck  them 
were  blown  off  into  the  slush,  and  as  soon  as 
they  struck  tlie  ground  would  freeze  in  their 
tracks;  when  a  Dutchman  who  heard  him  tell  it; 
said  that  at  the  time,  his  wife  was  making  a  ket- 
tle of  hominy  over  the  fire-place,  and  the  top  of 
it  was  frozen  over  about  two  inches;  he  took  a 
hatchet,  chopped  into  it,  and  found  it  boiling 
furiously  in  the  center.  Mr.  Brownell  had  a 
cousin  driving  stage  from  Springfield  to  Mechan- 
icsburg,  and  at  the  time  of  the  sudden  change, 
was  p.ssing  Clear  Lake,  and  had  driven  into  the 
lake  when  the  blast  struck  him,  and  before  he 
could  get  bis  team  out,  the  wagon  had  frozen  in, 
and  in  order  to  extract  his  team,  had  to  cut  his 
harness  and  leave  the  wagon,  and  jump  on  his 
team  with  his  mail  bag  and  make  for  Mechanics- 
burg,  which  he  reached  in  a  frozen  condition. 
On  the  following  day  he  returned  to  the  lake, 
cut  out  the  wagon  and  took  it  to  town. 

John  Suck  (deceased).  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Lanesborough,  Massachusetts,  January 
3,  1797,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Ann  Talcott, 
natives  of  Connecticut,  where  they  were  married 
and  raised  a  faiiiily  of  seven  children,  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  all  of  which  lived  to  be 
adults. 

Mr.  .John  Buck  was  married  in  Lanesborough, 
Massachusetts,  to  Miss  Cynthia  Brown,  by  whom 
there  were  three  children,  viz.,  Edwin,  Fi'anklin, 
and  Mary  N.  Mrs.  Buck  died  in  Lewis  county. 
New  York,  November  27,  18.36, when  he  became 
acquainted  with  Miss  Avis  Rich,  whom  he  mar- 
ried. She  was  born  in  Lewis  county.  New  York, 
June  15,  1819.  By  this  union  there  was  one 
child,  Mary  L.,  born  in  Lewis  county,  New  York, 
January  .3,  1S4.3. 

In  18.53,  Mr.  Buck,  with  his  family,  left  New 
York  and  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  bought 


a  large  tract  of  land  near  Auburn.  In  1854-55, 
laid  out  what  is  known  as  Buck's  Addition  to 
tlie  Village  of  Auburn.  l>eing  a  liberal  man, 
donated  several  lots,  besides  donating  the  ground 
for  a  public  square,  Masonic  Hall,  and  Metho- 
dist Church.  Through  his  influence,  has  suc- 
ceeded in  building  up  a  fiourishing  little  village. 

Mr.  Buck  died  August  23,  1880,  leaving  a 
large  number  of  friends  to  Tnourn  his  loss.  Mr. 
Buck,  in  politics,  was  a  Republican;  held  sev- 
eral local  offices  of  trust,  representing  his  town- 
ship as  Supervisor. 

Mrs.  Buck  has  a  grandchild  living  with  her — 
Miss  Jennie  Antisdale,  a  daughter  of  Nancy 
Ann  Antisdale,  who  died,  leaving  an  only  child. 

Wdlhim  Hurtle^  Esq.,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Grayson  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  9th 
day  of  August,  1822;  son  of  Wm.  Burtle  and 
Sarah  Ogden,  who  emigrated  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1826,  coming  with  a  team  and  located 
in  Ball  township.  After  renting  one  year,  pur- 
chased land  and  made  a  farm,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  24,  1S60. 
Mother  died  February  11,  1868.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  four  years  old  when  he  came 
to  the  county,  and  has  been  identified  with  the 
county  since.  September  4,  1856,  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  White,  who  was  born  in  Hopkinsville, 
Kentucky,  December  28,  1829.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  were  five  children,  one  of  which  is 
living,  he  was  born  in  Auburn,  May  9,  1864.  Mr. 
B.  came  to  Ball  township  when  there  was  but 
ten  to  twelve  families  in  the  township,  and  the 
prairies  were  unbroken,  the  deer  and  wolves 
roving  over  them,  and  has  lived  to  see  it  one  of 
the  most  thickly  populated  townships  which  now 
compose  the  county  of  Sangamon.  Mr.  B.  has 
held  several  local  offices  of  trust  in  the  county 
and  representing  them  in  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, and  is  at  present  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
Is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  being 
brought  up  as  one.  In  an  early  day  has  hauled 
wheat  to  Macoupin  Point  and  sold  it  for  six  and 
one-half  cents,  and  has  raised  pork  for  one  dollar 
and  twenty-five  per  hundred. 

Elder  Alanso7i  S.  Calkins,  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Delaware  county,  New  York,  on 
the  27th  day  of  October.  1823,  son  of  Smith  and 
Cornelia  (Foster)  Calkins;  father  and  mother 
were  of  English  descent  whose  ancestors  came 
over  in  the  Mayflower  and  Jocated  in  Con- 
necticut, where  his  father  was  born.  When  a 
young  man,  he  moved  to  Delaware  county,  New 
York,  where  he  remained  several  years  and  then 
returned  to  Connecticut,  where  he  died  in  1839, 
and    his    mother   died  the    previous  year.     Mr. 


T62 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Calkins  was  very  young  when  his  father  died 
and  was  thrown  onto  his  own  resources  to  battle 
against  a  cold  world.  December  29,  1849,  mar- 
ried Miss  Dina  C.  Bennett,  daughter  of  William 
and  Sarah  (Bronson)  Bennett,  natives  of  Con- 
necticut, where  she  vcas  born  October  10,  1832. 
By  this  marriage  there  was  one  child,  Sarah  B., 
who  was  born  in  Connecticut,  June  5,  1849. 
They  remained  in  Connecticut  a  few  years,  came 
to  LaSalle  county,  Illinois,  where  they  remained 
a  short  time,  when  they  went  to  Hancock  county, 
where  he  had  charge  of  the  church  near  Car- 
thage. They  remained  there  one  year.  They 
then  returned  to  LaSalle  county,  when  he  or- 
ganized several  churches  and  supplied  their 
pulpits.  From  there  he  came  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  where  he  held  several  meetings.  From 
there  he  had  a  call  at  Collinsville,  where  he  held 
several  protracted  meetings  and  supplied  the 
pulpit  one  year.  He  then  came  to  Auburn  where 
he  established  a  church  and  has  remained  since. 
His  first  meetings  were  well  attended  and  a  good 
number  connected  themselves  with  the  church. 
In  ISTO,  they  erected  a  church  edifice,  the  dimen- 
sions being  forty  by  fifty,  a  frame  building  large 
enough  to  accommodate  the  congregation .  There 
is  a  Sabbath  school  in  connection  with  the  church 
which  is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  The  present 
ofiicers:  Superintendent,  Thomas  Parks;  Bible 
class  teacher,  Allen  Gordon;  teachers.  Miss  Parks, 
Alice  Welch,  Caroline  Spencer,  Sarah  Conklin. 
The  average  attendance  now  is  about  twenty- 
five. 

L.  B.  McCarton,  grocer,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Shelby  county,  Ohio,  January  16,  18-3.5; 
son  of  Colin  B.  and  Mary  (Black)  McCarton; 
there  was  a  family  of  three  children,  two  sons 
and  one  daughter,  L.  B.,  Julia,  and  Colin  B. 
His  father  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  which  he 
followed  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Cass 
county,  Indiana,  in  1837.  His  mother  is  still 
living  with  Mr.  McCarton.  L.  B.  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  received  a  liberal  education;  married 
Miss  Sarali  A.  Fortney,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Ann  Fortney  of  Pennsylvania,  who  were  early 
settlers  of  Ohio;  she  was  born  September  1837. 
The  fruits  of  this  union  are  six  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living,  Oscar,  Charles  L.,  Mary, 
Frank  and  Viola.  Mr.  McC.  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  member  of  A.  O.  U. 
W.,  of  Auburn.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McC.  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Coming  to 
this  county  in  1866  he  embarked  in  farming, 
which  he  followed  until  1868,  when  he  engaged 
ill  his  present  business,  groceries  and  provisions. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  has  held  several 


local  offices  of  trust,  and  in  1880  represented  the 
town  as  supervisor. 

Royce  McCoy,  carpenter  and  joiner.  Auburn, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  In- 
diana, December  4,  1826;  son  of  Eoyce,  Sr.,  and 
Malinda  (Pouna)  McCoy;  his  father  was  a  pio- 
neer preacher,  preaching  Sunday  and  working 
on  a  farm  through  the  week;  he  died  in  Indiana 
in  1836;  his  mother  living  some  years  later, 
died  in  1866;  they  died  as  they  had  lived,  sin- 
cere Christians.  Royce,  Jr.,  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  what  schooling  the  country 
afforded  at  the  time.  When  seventeen  years  of 
age,  he  was  apprenticed  as  a  wagon-maker, 
where  he  remained  about  two  years;  he  then 
went  to  Fulton  county,  where  he  was  employed 
at  his  trade  for  a  couple  of  years.  In  1847,  came 
to  Morgan  county;  previous  to  coming,  and 
when  twenty  years  of  age,  mairied  Mary 
Ilattabough,  who  died  July  1 1,  1849.  Two  years 
later  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  Barton,  widow  of 
Henry  Barton,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and 
born  in  1827.  In  1856,  came  to  Auburn;  there 
were  two  houses  on  the  west  side  of  the  railroad, 
where  Auburn  now  stands,  and  at  that  time  the 
town  was  called  Wiueman,  after  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Philip  Vf  ineman,  who  first  laid  out  the 
town.  Mr.  McCoy  has  been  identified  with  Au- 
burn from  its  infanc}',  and  lias  alwajs  worked 
for  its  best  interest.  Is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
church,  and  has  been  identified  i>ith  it  for 
thirty  years. 

Henry  Daicson,  Jr.,  Superintendent  of  Tile, 
Brick  and  Auburn  Coal  Shaft,  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio,  on  the  1 6th 
day  of  December,  1855;  son  of  Henry,  Sr.,  and 
Rebecca  (Carvan)  Dawson;  father  a  native  of 
England;  mother  of  Ohio.  His  mother  died  in 
Indianapolis,  Indiana,  in  1875.  In  1878,  came 
to  Auburn,  where  he  was  cashier  of  the  Auburn 
Bank  over  two  years;  he  gave  up  that  position 
and  engaged  in  his  present  occupation.  Mar- 
ried Miss  Minnie  Van  Zile,  daughter  of  Abram 
Van  Zile,  of  Hancock  county,  Illinois.  She  was 
bom  in  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  in  1857.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  are  two  children — Minnie 
Inez  and  Henry,  Jr.  Mr.  Dawson  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  of  Auburn,  and  the  A.  O.  U. 
W.  In  politics  is  a  Republican.  Mrs.  D.  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Andrew  Eagan,  brickmaker.  Auburn  town- 
ship, section  twenty-eight,  was  born  in  Kilken- 
ney  county,  Ireland,  in  1842.  When  a  child  his 
parents  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  and 
landed  in  New  Orleans,  thence  by  river  to  Jersey 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  farming,  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


763 


where  his  parents  died  soon  after  coming  to  the 
State,  which  left  the  subject  of  this  sketch  an 
orphan,  and  he  was  forced  to  tight  the  battles  of 
life  alone.  In  1870,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Vancil,  a  daughter  of  Simeon  Vancil,  an  early 
settler  of  the  county,  where  she  was  born  in  1844. 
There  are  three  children — Annie  Ella,  Katie 
May,  and  Fannie  Emma.  In  1861,  enlisted  in 
the  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry,  Company  C, 
Captain  M.  M.  Warren  ;  participated  in  all  the 
engagements  of  the  regiment,  some  of  the 
principal  being  :  New  Madrid  or  Island  No.  10, 
siege  of  Corinth,  luka,  battle  of  Corinth, 
when  he  was  wounded  near  the  ear  by  a  buck- 
shot ;  also  siege  of  Vicksburg,  when  he  was 
again  wounded,  by  a 'ball,  on  the  top  of  his 
head,  being  in  the  service  nearly  four  years ; 
mustered  out  at  St.  Louis,  January  19,  18G6.  Is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

Williani  A.  McElvaiti,  farmer,  section  sixteen. 
Auburn  township,  was  born  in  Adair  county, 
Kentucky,  December  1,  1822;  son  of  Samuel  and 
Penelope  (Abell)  McElvain,  natives  of  Virginia, 
and  of  Irish  descent.  They  were  married  Janu- 
ary 4,  1816,  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  were  si.\  children,  three 
sons  and  three  daughters,  five  of  whom  lived  to 
be  nien  and  women,  viz:  Harriet  N.,  Margaret 
J.,  William  A,,  James  E.,  Theresa  M.;  Jeremiah 
A.  died  in  infancy.  In  1828,  they  emigrated  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  located  in  Auburn  town- 
ship, where  he  took  up  government  land  and 
made  a  farm  from  the  wild  prairie.  He  left 
Kentucky  with  a  four  horse  team,  coming  over- 
land, camping  out.  They  moved  into  a  log  cabin, 
sixteen  by  sixteen  feet,  with  a  dirt  chimney,  and 
their  furniture  was  of  the  plainest  kind.  They 
were  a  little  crowded,  there  being  a  family  of 
nine  who  remained  there  through  the  winter. 
At  that  time,  Springfield  was  their  nearest  trad- 
ing post,  and  for  their  milling,  they  went  to  Mr. 
Thomas  Black's,  who  had  a  mill  which  was  run 
by  a  horse,  where  they  ground  corn.  Mr.  Mc- 
Elvain says  he  has  pounded  and  grated  corn  all 
day  long  for  the  use  of  the  family;  has  hauled 
corn  to  Springfield  and  sold  it  for  six  and  one- 
fourth  cents  per  bushel,  and  also  has  hauled  wheat 
with  ox-teams  to  St.  Louis,  taking  from  seven  to 
nine  days  to  make  the  trip,  and  sell  his  load  for 
thirty-five  cents  per  bushel,  pork  selling  then  at 
11.25,  net.  At  the  time  they  came  here  there 
were  but  few  schools  and  churches,  Mr.  McEl- 
vain being  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  connection  with  Jeremiah  Abell,  a- 
Presbyterian  minister,  organized  the  first  Sab- 

89— 


bath  school  in  the  township.  His  house  wa»  a 
home  for  all  preaohers  who  traveled  through  this 
vicinity,  and  many  a  time  Elder  Cartwright  has 
stayed  at  his  father's  house.  His  father  partici- 
pated in  the  war  of  181 2,  and  was  at  the  battle  of 
New  Orleans,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  walked 
from  New  Orleans  to  Kentucky,  and  was  so 
thin  and  spare  when  he  arrived  there  that  he 
could  span  himself  with  his  hands.  He  died 
April  1,  1848.  Mother  died  September  29,  1855. 
They  were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  died  in  the  faith.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  came  to  the  county  when  he  was  six 
years  of  age  and  remained  at  home  until  his 
father's  death,  when  he  took  charge  of  his 
father's  affairs.  After  his  father's  death,  his  own 
and  mother's  health  failed,  and  they  tiaveled  ex- 
tensively through  the  northern  part  of  Maine 
and  the  Red  River  country,  being  for  days  and 
weeks  among  the  Indians.  Mr.  McElvain  has 
traveled  through  fourteen  different  States  and 
Territories.  After  spending  one  summer  they 
returned,  with  their  health  greatly  improved. 

November  1,  1853,  married  Miss  Angelina 
Lowell;  born  in  Sangamon  county,  August  29, 
1832.  There  was  a  family  of  eight  children, 
six  of  whom  are  living.  Howard  A  ,  Samuel  S., 
James  W.,  Nellie  J.,  Margaret  A.,  Elizabeth  G. 
JMr.  McElvain  has  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  all  of  which  is  under  good 
cultivation,  and  valued  at  175  an  acre. 

Mr.  McElvain  has  been  identified  with  the 
county  nearly  all  his  life,  and  has  seen  it  devel- 
oped from  the  broad,  wide  prairies,  to  a  beauti- 
ful cultivated  country. 

Philip  JFaust,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Rhine,  Prussia,  on  the  5th  day  of  February, 
1850.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  came  to 
the  United  States,  landing  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time,  then  to  Chi- 
cago, where  he  was  employed  as  a  butcher,  and 
remained  a  few  months,  when  he  went  to  Bloom- 
ington  for  a  short  time,  thence  to  Lincoln,  from 
there  to  Auburn,  where  he  commenced  his  pres- 
ent business.  In  1880,  Mr.  Faust  drew  in  a  lot- 
tery the  Patty  House,  of  Fond  du  Lac,  Wis- 
consin, valued  at  $95,000.  The  Patty  Brothers, 
who  got  up  the  scheme,  being  rascals,  he  was 
swindled  out  of  nearly  the  whole,  which  by 
rights  belonged  to  him.  Mr.  Faust  married  Miss 
Katie  Naland.  She  was  born  in  Auburn.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  are  two  children,  Julia 
and  Berdie.  Mr.  Faust  is  a  member  of 'Ark  and 
Anchor  Lodge,  No.  54  3,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  354,  Auburn.  In 
jjolitics,  is  a  Democrat. 


TCI 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


John  R.  Fletcher,  deceased,  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  September  15,  1827;  son 
of  James  and  Jane  Fletcher.  There  was  a 
family  of  sixteen  children,  eleven  of  which  lived 
to  be  men  and  women.  James  Fletcher  emi- 
grated with  his  family  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1828,  and  located  on  Sugar  creek.  Auburn  town- 
ship, where  he  died  the  following  year.  His 
mother  died  October,  1853.  They  were  members 
of  the  old  school,  Presbyterian,  and  died  as  they 
had  lived  sincere  Christians,  and  loved  and  re- 
spected by  all  who  knew  them.  John  R.  was  a 
mere  boy  when  he  came  to  the  county,  he  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. January  16,  1851,  married  Miss  Margaret 
J.  Kessler,  a  daughter  of  BenJ.  Kessler,  of 
Auburn,  where  she  was  born  September  26,  1831. 
By  tliis  union  there  was  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living,  Anna  S.,  now  Mrs. 
Wra.  H.  Hunterand  Jennie  V.  Mr.  Fletcher  died 
August  16,  18*70;  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian church.  He  was  a  kind  husband  and  an 
indulgent  father,  and  was  mourned  by  a  large 
body  of  friends. 

Nathan  Fletcher,  retired  farmer,  section  six- 
teen, post  office,  Auburn,  was  born  in  Simpson 
county,  Kentucky,  on  the  8th  day  of  March, 
1810;  son  of  James  and  Jane  (McElvain) 
Fletcher;  father  of  English  descent  and  mother 
of  Scotch  and  Irish.  They  were  married  in  Vir- 
ginia, where  one  child  was  born,  when  they  emi- 
grated to  Kentucky  in  1801,  and  located  in 
Simpson  county,  where  he  carried  on  a  farm  in 
connection  with  the  wheel-wright  business. 
Their  family  consisted  of  sixteen  children,  ten 
of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women,  viz:  Job 
L.,Mirgaret,  James  W.,  Mary, Nathan,  Elizabeth, 
Rebecca,  John,  Martha  and  Nancy,  who  were 
born  in  Sangamon  county,  three  of  whom  are 
living  at  the  present  writing.  In  1828,  his 
father  left  his  home  in  Kentucky  with  an  ox- 
team  and  wagon,  with  one  horse  in  front,  with 
his  large  family  for  the  far  West,  or  the  wilds 
of  Illinois;  traveling  slow,  camping  out  and 
cooking  their  own  meals,  taking  some  three 
weeks  to  make  the  journey,  and  locating  where 
Mr.  Organ  now  resides,  moving  into  a  log  cabin 
sixteen  by  sixteen  feet,  with  puncheon  floors, 
and  a  hole  between  the  logs  for  light,  without 
glass.  Their  bedsteads  were  of  the  Jackson 
style.  They  remained  in  the  cabin  about  eighteen 
months,  when  they  moved  to  a  larger  and  more 
commodious  house  of  hewn  logs,  where  his 
father  died  in  1830.  Nathan  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  old,  when  he 
married  Margaret  Baxter,  she  was  born  in  Adair 


county,  Kentucky,  November  27,  1827.  By  this 
union  there  were  six  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  James  B.,  born  December  5,  1849,  Thomas 
A.,  born  October  23,  1851,  Martha,  born  Febru- 
ary 11,  1853,  Henrj'  M.,  and  Lucretia,  born 
April  22,  1856.  Mr.  Fletcher  commenced  on  a 
forty  acre  tract  thirty-six  years  ago,  without 
means,  and  by  hard  work  and  good  judgment 
has  accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  is  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres  of 
land,  which  he  has  divided  up  among  his  chil- 
dren. The  family  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  F.  is  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  has  held  several  local  offices  of  trust. 
In  an  early  day  their  trading  post  was  at  Spring- 
field, twenty  miles  away,  and  he  has  known  his 
mother  to  take  a  pail  of  butter  on  horseback,  go 
to  Springfield,  do  her  trading  and  return  the 
same  day.  He  also  remembers  after  his  father 
died  that  they  had  a  field  of  five  or  six  acres  of 
wheat,  which  his  mother  and  himself  put  up, 
cutting  it  with  a  reap-hook  or  what  is  called 
a  sickle;  his  mother  being  about  fifty  years  old 
at  the  time. 

Leonard  Foster  (deceased).  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  about  1830  ;  son  of  George  and  Sarah 
Foster,  who  came  to  the  county  in  an  early  day, 
where  they  raised  a  family  of  eight  children, 
all  of  which  lived  to  be  men  and  women.  In 
December,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Elvira  Gates,  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Lucinda  Gates,  of  Ken- 
tucky, where  she  was  born  March  25,  1835.  By 
this  union  there  were  eight  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  living,  viz  :  Alice,  born  June  9, 
1859;  Flora,  born  September  6,  I860;  George 
E.,  born  November  4,  1861  ;  Mary,  born  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1865  ;  William  E  ,  born  May  30,  1867  ; 
Minnie,  born  January  12,  1870;  Etta,  born 
August  5,  1873.  Mrs.  Foster  is  living  on  the 
old  homestead,  where  they  first  commenced 
keeping  house,  where  she  has  spent  many  happy 
hours,  and  some  very  sad  ones.  Mr.  Foster 
died  May  8,  1880.  He  was  a  kind  and  good 
husband  and  father,  and  was  respected  by  all 
who  knew  him.  He  died  leaving  the  family  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  with  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $60 
an  acre. 

Heiyainin  O.  Foster,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office  Auburn,  section  27;  was  born  in  Ken- 
nebec, Maine,  on  the  nineteenth  day  of  October, 
1833,  son  of  Otis  and  Phoebe  (Goodwin)  Foster. 
In  1843,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  where  they  rented  a  farm  in 
Auburn  township,  for  three  years,  when  they 
bought  a  farm  one  and  a-halF  miles  northwest  of 


#. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


765 


where  Auburn  now  stands,  there  being  no  Auburn 
at  that  time,  and  made  a  farm  out  of  the  wild 
prairie.  Mr.  Foster  left  his  old  home  in  Maine 
in  limi'.ed  circumstances,  went  by  water  to  New 
Orleans  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  thence  by  steamer 
up  the  river.  Arriving  in  Auburn,  liis  means 
were  nearly  exhausted,  the  first  few  years  they 
lived  in  a  log  cabin,  sixteen  by  twenty,  with  split 
clapboards  for  a  roof,  through  which  the  snow 
would  sift  and  cover  their  beds  in  winter. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  boy  when  he 
came  to  the  county,  received  what  schooling  the 
county  afforded  at  the  time.  In  1864,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Caroline  Foley,  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Francis  Foley.  She  was  born  in  Auburn  town- 
ship, December  16,  18.39. 

There  are  three  children,  Florence  P.,  born 
October  7,  1865;  Amina  C,  born  Februaiv  28, 
1870;  Frank  L.,  born  October  28,  1872.  They 
commenced  their  married  life  on  a  farm  near 
Brush  Creek,  where  they  remained  four  years. 
Mrs.  Foster's  health  failing,  in  the  fall  of  1868, 
they  went  to  California,  where  he  bought  a  farm, 
where  he  remained  until  the  Spring  of  1874,  re- 
turned to  Illinois,  with  the  intention  of  selling 
out  his  interest  here  and  returning.  Being  una- 
ble to  sell  here  at  anything  near  a  reasonable 
figure,  he  returned  to  California,  where  he  had 
left  his  home  just  as  they  had  been  keeping  house, 
sold  out,  and  returned  to  Auburn,  where  he 
bought  a  home  for  the  better  chance  of  educa- 
ting his  children,  and  embarked  in  the  milling 
business,  in  company  with  the  Foley  family. 
Not  liking  it,  he  sold  his  interest  and  bought  the 
land  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Foster  is  a 
large  and  wealthy  farmer  of  the  township,  owning 
six  hundred  acres  of  land  under  good  cultivation, 
valued  at  8^0  per  acre;  raises  two  hundred  acres 
of  corn;  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  wheat; 
forty  acres  of  oats;  turns  out  fifty  head  of  hogs; 
fifty  head  of  cattle;  fifteen  head  of  horses,  and 
five  hundred  sheep. 

AndreiD  Gates,  farmer,  P.  O.  Virden.  Sec.  32. 
Was  born  in  Muhlenburg  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  l7th  day  of  January,  1807,  son  of  Michael 
and  Catherine  (Groves)  Gates.  Father  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  German  descent,  and  mother  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried, and  soon  after  came  to  Kentucky,  where  he 
embarked  in  farming.  The  family  consisted  of 
ten  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  be  men 
and  women,  of  which  at  the  present  writing 
there  are  but  two  living,  Mrs.  Fanny  Foley 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  In  the  spring  of 
1830,  his  father  and  a  portion  of  the  family 
started  for  the  far  West,  (leaving  the  older  sister 


and  Mrs.  Gates  in  Kentucky  until  the  following 
spring,)  and  located  on  the  place  where  Mr. 
John  Ten  Brook  now  resides.  The  family  com- 
ing through  with  an  ox  team  and  cart,  and  doing 
their  own  cooking.  On  February  13,  1833,  An- 
drew married  Miss  Lucinda  Wood,  daughter  of 
William  and  Polly  Wood,  who  came  to  Madison 
county,  Illinois,  in  1812,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried in  1814.  In  October,  1818,  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county.  She  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
December  31st,  1816.  The  fruits  of  this  mar- 
riage was  twelve  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gates'  early  married  life  was  spent 
in  a  log  cabin  sixteen  by  sixteen.  Puncheon  floors, 
and  a  clay  and  stick  chimney,  and  for  a  window, 
cut  out  a  log.  Many  a  time  Mr.  Gates  was  called 
to  St.  Louis  on  business,  leaving  his  young  wife 
home  night  after  night  to  hear  the  wolves  howl 
at  the  door.  Their  trading  post  was  at  Springs 
field,  generally  patronizing  Colonel  John  Wil- 
liams, and  for  their  milling  would  take  a  grist 
on  horse-back  and  go  to  Thomas  Black's  old 
mill,  run  by  horse  power.  Mr.  Gates  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Baptist  Church,  and  Mrs. 
Gates  and  children  members  of  the  Baptist. 
Mr.  Gates  has  resided  in  the  county  for  more 
than  a  half  century.  Has  seen  the  rough  and 
smooth  side  of  a  new  country.  Coming  in  lim- 
ited circumstances,  but  by  hard  work  and  good 
management  has  accumulated  a  fine  property, 
owning  at  one  time  seven  hundred  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $35,000,  leaving  his  family  comfort- 
ably located,  giving  each  a  farm. 

iT.  A.  Garber,  builder  and  contractor,  Auburn, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Ohio, 
March  1,  1853,  son  of  John  and  Susan  (Beech- 
ley)  Garber,  father  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
mother  of  Ohio,  and  were  married  in  Ohio, 
where  he  embarked  in  farming  and  remained 
until  1851,  when  he  moved  to  Miami  county, 
Indiana,  where  they  remained  ten  years,  when 
they  came  to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  still 
remains.  There  was  a  family  of  nine  children, 
five  boys  and  four  girls,  all  of  which  lived  to  be 
men  and  women.  J.  II.  worked  on  a  farm  until 
1873,  when  he  commenced  the  trade  of  carpen- 
tering, under  the  teaching  of  his  present  partner, 
Mr.  Nicols.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Josephine 
Bridges,  a  daughter  of  C.  L.  Bridges,  of  Auburn. 
She  was  born  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  July 
28,  1860.  By  this  union,  there  were  two  children, 
one  of  whom  is  living,  Arthur  B.  Mr.  G.  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge  of  Auburn. 

John  II.  McGlothlin,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
was  born  in  Alton,  Madison   county,  Illinois,  on 


766 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  24th  day  of  February,  1837.  Son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  (Kennedy)  McGlothlin,  natives 
of  Kentucky.  In  1836,  his  parents  emigrated  to 
Alton,  when  he  embarked  in  the  cabinet  business, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time,  when  he  went 
to  Carrolton,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  re- 
mained some  years;  then  went  to  Kansas,  where 
he  remained  until  1859,  when  he  came  to 
Auburn  township  and  located  on  the  place 
where  Mr.  Ten  Broek  now  resides.  He  is  at 
present  living  in  Shelby  county,  Missouri,  at  the 
age  of  eighty  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch, 
in  1863,  took  a  trip  to  California,  in  company 
with  the  Eauch  brothers,  of  Auburn  township, 
where  he  was  employed  by  the  month,  receiving 
$60  per  month,  running  a  mowing  machine.  He 
was  afterwards  employed  on  a  vegetable  ranch, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time,  bought  it  and 
peddled  vegetables  through  the  mines,  accumu- 
lating about  §3,000.  In  1866,  returned  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  rented  land,  and  in  1869,  married 
Miss  Kebeeca  Ranch,  who  was  born  in  Auburn 
township  November  6,  1839.  There  are  four 
children — Luella  B.,  Horace  G.,  Charles  A.  and 
Lena  R.  Has  been  identified  with  the  Demo- 
crat c  party  ;  has  held  the  office  of  Road  Com- 
missioner. Has  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  ^20,000.  Raises  one  hundred 
acres  of  corn,  one  hundred  of  wheat.  In  1880, 
raised  two  hundred  acres,  which  averaged 
twenty-eight  bushels  per  acre,  and  fourteen 
acres  that  averaged  forty-six  bushels  per  acre. 

Samuel  F.  Goodvnn,  retired,  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Kennebec  county,  Maine,  July  23, 
1809,  son  of  Daniel  and  Sarah  (Haskell)  Good- 
win. His  father's  family  consisted  of  seven 
children,  five  sons  and  two  d  ujghters,  all  of 
whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women.  His  father 
was  a  natural  mechanic  and  his  boys  took  to 
the  trade  and  became  thorough  workmen.  Mr. 
Goodwin  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and 
joiner  of  Daniel  Wadsworth  and  remained  with 
him  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In 
1832,  went  to  Boston  where  he  followed  his  trade 
until  1839,  when  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
when  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Caroline 
E.  Welch,  his  present  wife,  remaining  there 
three  years.  In  1842,  returned  to  Boston  and 
remained  there  until  the  summer  of  1843,  when 
he  returned  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  while  on 
the  way  to  Boston  was  married  in  Providence, 
Rhode  Island.  Arriving  in  Boston,  they  started 
out  in  their  new  life,  he  prosecuting  his  trade 
until  1852,  when  he  was  employed  by  E.  & 
G.  G.  Hook,  organ  factory,  where  his  time  was 
occupied  for  five  years.     Hearing  much  of  the 


west,  he  concluded  to  come  to  Illinois,  where  he 
located  in  Auburn,  boarding  for  a  few  months, 
until  he  had  time  to  erect  a  dwelling,  being  the 
first  of  any  size,  on  the  west  side  of  the  railroad. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goodwin  have  met  with  sad  be- 
reavements, having  a  family  of  three  sons  and 
three  daughters,  all  of  which  have  passed  away. 
Mr.  G.  has  property  in  Auburn  valued  at  810,000. 

A.  31.  Gordon,  grocer,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Rushville,  Schuyler  county,  Illinois,  on 
the  ninteenth  day  of  November,  1834.  Son  of 
W^illiam  and  Mary  Gordon,  nee  Taylor,  who  em- 
igrated from  Kentucky  to  Illinois  in  1825,  and 
located  in  Schuyler  county,  where  he  took  up 
land  and  made  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until 
1840,  when  he  moved  to  Rushville,  where  he 
held  the  office  of  deputy  sheriff;  remaining  until 
his  term  of  office  expired,  when  he  returned  to 
his  farm,  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1844;  mother  died  in  1853. 
A.  M.  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  when  he,  in  company  with 
three  other  brothers,  embarked  in  the  dry  goods 
trade,  in  which  he  continued  about  three  years, 
when  his  health  failed  and  he  went  to  Texas, 
where  he  remained  a  short  time,  when  he  pur- 
chased a  couple  of  ponies,  and  in  company  with 
a  brother  came  through  on  horseback  to  Illinois. 
The  following  spring,  in  company  with  an  elder 
brother  who  was  troubled  with  a  lung  disease, 
went  to  Texas,  where  they  remained  one  year. 
He  then  came  back  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
one  year,  and  at  the  Pike's  Peak  excitement,  in 
company  with  George  Gates,  started  out  with 
an  ox-team  for  the  gold-fields,  making  the  trip 
in  two  months,  and  stayed  in  the  mines  two 
years.  Returned  to  Illinois  in  1861;  enlisted  in 
the  Sixteenth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, Company  D;  was  engaged  in  the  battles 
of  New  Madrid,  Shiloh,  Stone  River,  with  Sher- 
man on  the  march  to  the  sea,  as  far  as  Jones- 
boro,  when  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  back  to 
Nashville,  where  he  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  under  General  Thomas;  was  mustered 
out  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  after  which  he  returned 
to  Hamilton  and  embarked  in  farming.  After 
coming  to  Auburn,  put  up  a  hay-press,  which  he 
run  two  years,  when  he  embarked  in  his  present 
business.  Married  in  1863,.  to  Miss  Mintie 
Welch.  She  was  born  in  McDonough  county, 
in  1848.  Four  children  blessed  this  union,  three 
of  whom  are  living:  Viola  F.,  Blanche  L.  and 
Eva — Grace  died  October  7,  1881.  Member  of 
the  Second  Advent  Church. 

H.  H.  Harnly,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office  Auburn,  was  born  in  Lancaster  county. 


HISTORY  OE^  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


r67 


Pennsylvania,  on  the  15th  day  of  March,  1828, 
son  of  Jacob  and  Barbara  (Herschey)  Ilarnly, 
natives  of  Switzerland.  There  were  nine  child- 
ren by  this  union,  six  of  which  lived  to  be 
adults.  His  father  is  still  living,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty  years.  His  mother  died  at  the  age 
of  fiftj'-si.x.  Mr.  H.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  August  15,  1854,  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  Horner.  She  was  born  in  the 
same  county,  May  14,  1837.  The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  were  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  living,  viz.,  Mary,  born  July  16,  ISo'i;  Eliza- 
beth, born  July  23,  1859;  Henry  J.,  born  Febru- 
ary 23,  1862;  Andrew,  born  February  13,  1864; 
John,  born  June  21,  1866;  David,  born  August 
15,  1868;  .Toseph  and  Benjamin  (twins),  born 
September  9,  1870;  Fanny,  born  December  10, 
1872,  and  died  October  5,  1876;  Susanna,  born 
in  Illinois,  March  29,  1876;  and  two  died  in  in- 
fancy. 

February  25,  1875,  came  to  Smgamon  county, 
Illinois,  and  located  in  Auburn  township,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
two  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $75  an  acre— 816,650. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  German  Bap- 
tist Church. 

John  R.  Harris,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Carrick,  Tipperary  county,  Ireland,  near  the  river 
Suir,  May  17,  1852;  son  of  Thomas  L.  and  Mary 
A.  Doran,  who  were  manied  June  15,  1840. 
Father  born  September  22,  1814;  mother,  March 
4,  1821.  Previous  to  coming  to  the  United 
States,  his  father  was  employed  in  boating  for  a 
Quaker  firm,  which  he  followed  until  he  came  to 
the  States,  being  in  1849  or  1850;  leaving  his 
family  in  Ireland.  He  landed  in  New  York, 
where  he  remained  about. six  months.  Having 
some  friends  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  he  went 
there,  where  he  remained  a  couple  of  years. 
From  there,  went  to  New  Oreans,  where  he  was 
employed  at  various  work,  and  remained  one 
year,  when  he  came  to  Chatham,  this  county,  in 
the  summer  of  1855;  the  same  year  that  his 
family'  came.  After  arriving  in  the  county,  went 
to  work  for  William  Lockard,  Sr.  He  was  after- 
wards employed  by  the  railroad  company,  and 
had  charge  of  the  pumps  at  Sugar  creek  and  Vir- 
den,  for  which  he  received  ^52  per  month, 
at  that  time  considered  good  wages;  he  remained 
in  that  business  until  the  wind-mills  took  the 
place  of  horse  power,  and  then  was  engaged  as 
switchman,  etc.,  which  he  followed  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  November  25, 1870;  mother 
died  July  1,  1880.  John  R.  married  Miss  Katie 
Young,  daughter  of  Garrard  Young,  an  early  set- 


tler of  the  county;  she  was  born  in  1861.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  is  one  son,  Garrard 
Thomas,  born  July  3,  1881.  Members  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  Mr.  Harris  has  a  beautiful 
residence  in  the  village,  valued  at  |2,500. 

William  Harris,  livery  and  feed  stable  Auburn, 
Illinois;  was  born  in  Tipperary,  Ireland,  Decem- 
ber 19,  1842;  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Doran, 
natives  of  Ireland.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  in  Auburn  township,  where  he  has 
followed  various  occupations.  In  1870,  married 
Miss  Mary  Ahern;  she  was  born  in  Frankfort, 
Kentucky,  May  20,  1852.  The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  is  six  children.  Thomas  15.,  born  Janu- 
ary 22,  1872;  William  V.,  born  March  25,  1873; 
George  O.,  October  21,  1876;  Leo  Edward,  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1877;  Francis  D.,  September  27,  1879, 
and  Charles  J.,  April  6,  1881.  Mr.  Harris  en- 
listed in  the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Company  B, 
in  1862,  and  served  four  years  and  six  days,  and 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  regi- 
ment. He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  of  Auburn. 

George  P.  Harris,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Ireland  on  the  1 0th  d<y  of  March,  1847.  His 
parents  emigrated  to  the  States  when  he  was 
quite  young,  and  first  located  in  New  Jersey. 
Shortly  afterward  they  removed  to  Auburn,  San- 
gamon county,  where  George  P.  received  a  prac- 
tical education.  In  March,  1866,  was  employed 
on  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  as  carpenter, 
and  remained  with  them  up  to  1874.  He  was 
afterwards  employed  by  the  Wabash  Railroad  as 
time  keeper  at  Litchfield;  was  afterwards  em- 
ployed as  conductor  of  a  construction  train, 
having  charge  of  a  gang  of  men  on  the  Chicago 
&,  Alton  Railroad,  between  Jacksonville  and 
Louisiana,  Missouri.  In  the  spring  of  1879, 
bought  the  Auburn  Flouring  Mill  and  the  firm 
is  know  as  Morris,  Harris  &  Co.  He  married 
Miss  Mary  E.  Cook  June  25,  1873,  daughter  of 
Francis  M.  and  Sarah  E.  (Harland)  Cook.  She 
was  born  in  Chatham  township  February  23, 
1852.  They  were  blessed  by  two  children, 
Agnes,  born  March  20,  1874,  she  died  July  23, 
1875,  Sarah  Scott,  born  November  2,  1875.  Mr. 
Harris  is  one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  the 
township,  and  has  been  identified  with  its  inter- 
est all  his  life. 

John  TF!  Hart,  stock  dealer.  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  on  the  21st 
day  of  October,  1843.  Son  of  Millington  Hart 
and  Mary  A.  Majors,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
whose  parents  emigrated  to  the  country  when 
mere  children,  and  located  in  Morgan  county, 
where  his  father  followed  farming,  and  remained 


res 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1846. 
Mother  died  December  25,  1879.  The  family 
consisted  of  four  children — three  boys  and  one 
girl — mother  keeping  her  family  together  after 
his  father's  death.  His  mother  married  Mr. 
George  W.  Wimmer,  one  of  the  early  pioneers 
of  the  county.  The  sons  remained  with  their 
mother  a  few  years,  when  they  started  out  for 
themselves,  when  nineteen  years  of  age..  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  embarked  in  school  teach- 
ing, which  he  followed  for  six  years,  when  he 
was  employed  by  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad 
as  agent,  for  a  couple  of  years,  and  afterward 
for  one  year  clerked  in  a  store,  for  Wineman  & 
Williams.  Here  he  met  and  afterward  married 
Miss  Hattie  Beechley,  whose  parents  came  from 
Dayton,  Ohio.  She  was  born  near  Dayton, 
Ohio,  in  1853.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
were  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living. 
Louisa  Earl  died  when  thirteen  months  old, 
Arthur  Albert  and  Sterling  Perry  still  living. 
In  1870,  embarked  in  the  lumber  trade,  which 
he  made  a  success,  and  sold  out  March  9,  1881, 
since  which  time  has  been  dealing  iu  stock  ; 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lodge  354, 
of  Auburn.  Mr.  H.  is  a  native  of  this  State  ; 
his  father  died  when  he  was  three  years  old, 
leaving  him  a  poor  boy,  but  by  close  attention 
to  business  has  accumulated  a  fine  property  and 
home. 

Henry  M.  Hart,  furniture  dealer.  Auburn,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  on 
the  13th  day  of  February,  1850.  Son  of  John 
M.  and  Phoebe  (Frost)  Hart.  John  M.  was 
born  in  Simpson  county,  Kentucky,  March  8, 
1816.  His  parents  emigrated  from  South  Caro- 
lina in  an  early  day  to  Kentucky,  where  he  em- 
barked in  farming.  There  were  a  family  of 
thirteen  children,  ten  of  which  lived  to  be  adults 
— five  sons  and  five  daughters.  He  emigrated 
to  Sangamon  county  in  the  winter  of  1829,  and 
located  on  Spring  creek,  coming  through 
with  teams,  camping  out  and  doing  their  own 
cooking.  He  remained  on  Spring  creek  but  a 
short  time,  when  he  went  to  Morgan  county, 
where  he  bought  land  and  made  a  farm.  John 
M.  remained  on  the  farm  when  his  father  died. 
At  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  married  Miss 
Phoebe  Frost,  daughter  of  Jedadiah  Frost,  who 
were  pioneers  of  Sangamon  county,  but  after- 
wards of  Montgomery  county.  Nine  children 
blessed  this  union,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
James  M.,  Nancy  J.,  Henry  M.,  Emma  C.  Mr. 
Hart's  people  came  to  this  county  in  limited  cir- 
cumstances, occupying  the  first  winter  a  log 
cabin,  fourteen  by  sixteen,  one  room,  puncheon 


floor,  no  window.  Mr.  Hart  is  one  of  the  old 
and  honored  pioneers  of  the  county,  and  has 
lived  to  see  it  from  its  infancy  to  one  of  the 
most  fiourishing  and  populous  counties  in  the 
State.  Mr.  Hart  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  when  fif- 
teen years  old,  was  apprenticed  with  D.  D.  Mar- 
tin to  the  carpenter  trade,  where  he  remained 
one  year.  He  was  afterwards  employed  by 
McCoy  &  Stearns  for  five  years.  He  then  em- 
barked iu  business  on  his  own  hook,  contracting 
and  building,  which  he  followed  about  two 
years,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Nichols,  and  prosecuted  the  same 
business  about  a  year  and  a  half,  when  he  pur- 
chased his  present  business,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed since.  In  1872,  married  Miss  Mary  A. 
Wrightsman.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  September  7th,  1854.  There  are  three 
childien,  Grace  T.,  Bertha  A.  and  Paul  W.  Mr. 
Hart  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  Auburn, 
Lodge  No.  49.  Also  a  member  of  the  Sugar 
Cieek  Baptist  Church. 

William  Hitmjjhrt/,  Virden,  Illinois,  son  of 
Squire  and  Sarah  Humjihry;  father  born  in 
Rhode  Island,  September  20,  1789,  mother  in 
Cherry  Valley,  New  York,  1799.  His  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Sarah  Sweet,  daughter  of 
Erastus  Sweet.  The  grandfather  and  grand- 
mother of  William  Humphry  were  born  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  both  were  of  English  extraction. 
His  great-grandfather  was  born  in  1737,  and 
served  in  the  English  army  against  the  French 
and  Indians,  and  afterwards  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war  as  Colonel  in  the  Colonial  army;  was  a 
prisoner  in  Quebec  nine  months. 

Father  and  mother  married  in  1815,  in  Ohio. 
Father  died  in  Ohio,  April  4,  1843.  Mother  died 
in  Ohio,  February,  1847.  They  had  eleven 
children,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters,  all 
growing  to  maturity:  Lydia,  Susan,  Sarah,  Han- 
nah, Cyrus,  William,  Elizabeth,  Nathan,  Emma, 
Walter,  Amelia.  Hannah  died  in  1850.  Lydia 
died  in  1873. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  sixth  child, 
and  was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  April 
16, 1824,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Stocker, 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Sarah  Stocker,  in  1844; 
remained  there  until  1850,  when  he  came  to 
Morgan  county,  this  State,  and  in  1855  came  to 
Sangamon  county, and  improved  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides.  The  fruits  of  their  marriage 
were  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daugh- 
ters: Caroline  E.,  born  January  13,  1846;  Squire 
H.,  born  December  13,  1846;  Sarah  M.,  horn 
August  31,  1848;  Otis,  born  December  30,  1850; 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


709 


Mary  J.,  born  November  4,1851;  Charles  W., 
born  August  26,   185-1;  Susan   E.,  born  August 

22,  1857;  Ida  K.,  born  January  4,  1859;  Illinois, 
born  December  18,  1860;  Lillian  A.,  born  April 
24,  1868.  Charles  W.  died  November  7,  1855; 
MaryJ.diod  December  10,  1858.  Mrs.Humphrv 
died  May  29,  1864. 

Mr.  Humphry,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven  years, 
resides  on  his  beautiful  and  finely  cultivated 
farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 

Wm  If.  Ifushaml,  Auburn,  Illinois,  son  of 
Harmon  and  Sarah  Husband.  His  father  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  April  10,  1791,  and 
mother  in  South  Carolina,  November  12,  1790. 
They  were  married  in  Christian  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  1811;  were  the  parents  of  twelve 
children:  Evelina,  born  April  1,  1813;  Eliza- 
beth, October  1,  1814;  Polly,  November  18,  1816; 
Jane,  July  18,  1818;  Martha,  January  22,  1820; 
Susan, October  29, 1821, born  in  Kentucky;  James 
E.  D.,  January  2,  1824;  Martha,  February  24, 
1826;  John  Q.  A,  February  14,1828;  Sarah  R.  and 
Wm.  IL,  July  5,  1831;  Emily,  July  17,  1834, 
born  in  Illinois;  Harmon,  died  February  14, 1848; 
Susan,  July  31,  1850;  Elizabeth  M.,  December 

23,  1851;  Martha,  March  S,  1850;  Sarah,  April 
20,  1881.  Father  and  mother  with  their  family, 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1820,  with  ceams 
across  the  country,  in  company  with  Flower 
Husbands  and  family,  James  Pat'ton  and  family, 
and  grandfather  and  grandmother  Husbands,  who 
made  their  home  with  James  Patton,  until 
the  death  of  Mrs.  Patton.  Grandfather  Hus- 
bands died  December  20,  1842,  about  eighty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  family 
burying  ground,  on  the  farm  of  Flower  Husbands. 
After  his  death  the  grandmother  came  to  live 
with  her  son  Harmon,  and  remained  there  until 
his  death,  and  then  lived  with  her  grand-daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Elihu  Stout,  and  died  there.  They 
settled  on  Sugar  creek,  and  commenced  farming, 
when  government  land  came  into  market  in  1823, 
when  they  entered  several  hundred  acres,  and 
improved  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  thirty-six 
acres,  where  his  children  now  reside.  He  made 
aspeeialty  of  raising  wheat  and  tlax  for  the  manu- 
factui'e  of  cloth  to  be  made  into  clothing  About 
1839  or  1840,  he  bought  the  first  threshing  ma- 
chine that  was  used  in  the  county.  It  was  a 
tread  power  machine.  The  school  advantages 
of  the  children  were  such  as  subscription  schools 
of  the  day  afforded. 

Benjamin  F.  Hidton,  deceased.  Auburn,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  on  the 
11th  day  of  October,  1815,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  (Levi)  Hutton,  native  of  South  Carolina. 


They  were  married  in  1835.  In  1823,  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin F.  Hutton  emigrated  to  Sangamon  county, 
and  located  on  Sugar  creek,  in  Auburn  town- 
ship, where  he  became  acquainted  with  Miss 
Lucinda  Mason,  a  daughter  of  Noah  and  Lucinda 
(Stilson)  Mason,  who  emigrated  to  the  county 
in  1824.  Soon  after  marrying,  they  left  for 
Henry  county,  Iowa.  At  that  time  the  Indians 
were  very  troublesome.  But  with  a  strong  heart 
he  made  a  claim  on  which  he  built  a  log  cabin 
sixteen  by  sixteen,  living  on  a  dirt  floor,  their 
chimney  being  made  out  of  clay  and  sticks,  and 
their  furniture  was  of  the  rudest  kind.  Thus 
Mrs.  Hutton,  who  is  still  living,  says  she  started 
out  from  Sangamon  county  with  an  ox-team, 
that  being  her  wedding  trip.  Few  at  the  present 
time  would  hardly  think  of  taking  their  wedding 
trip  with  an  ox-team  and  lumber  wagon.  They 
remained  in  Iowa  until  1845,  when  he  sold  out 
and  returned  to  Sangamon  county,  Spring  creek, 
where  he  lived  until  1850,  when  he  came  to 
Chatham  township,  where  he  purchased  a  large 
tract  of  land,  some  five  hundred  acres,  and  re- 
mained there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
July  10,  1877,  leaving  a  widow  and  seven  child- 
ren, one  of  whom  has  died  since.  The  children 
areas  follows:  Noah  M.,  Mary  A.,  Benjamin  F., 
George  W.,  and  John.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  Company  B.  and  his 
son  Noah,  enlisting  in  the  same  regiment;  was  a 
member  of  the  Advent  Church,  and  one  of  the 
principal  movers  in  building  the  church.  Mr. 
H.  came  to  the  county  in  limited  circumstances, 
and  by  good  judgment  accumulated  a  fine  prop- 
erty. Mrs.  Hutton  is  at  present  making  her 
home  with  her  son,  George  W.,  who  was  born 
on  Spring  creek,  Illinois,  August  8,  1847;  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  business  educa- 
tion. In  1874,  embarked  in  the  grain  business  as 
Poley,  Hutton  &  Co.  Two  years  later  he  was 
made  Cashier  of  the  Auburn  Bank.  He  was 
afterwards  appointed  postmaster  of  Auburn  by 
President  Hayes,  and  is  at  present  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  as  the  firm  of  Hutton 
&  Wallace;  February  4,  1879,  married  Miss 
Maggie  Harris.  She  was  born  in  Auburn, 
August  27,  1858.  There  is  one  child,  Ursula  H. 
She  was  born  July  31,  1881. 

Hoses  A.  Jones,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in 
Hart  county,  Kentucky,  July  21,  1820.  Son  of 
Alexander  and  Susan  (Woosley)  Jones,  who 
were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  farmers  by  occu- 
pation. In  1821,  moved  to  Fairfield,  Wayne 
county,  Illinois,  where  they  resided  six  years, 
after  which  he  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  in 
1827,  and  located  on  Sugar  creek.  Ball  township, 


'!10 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


where  he  engaged  in  farming.  His  mother  died 
January  20,  1844;  and  his  father  on  October  22, 
of  the  same  year.  The  si;bject  of  this  sketch 
was  raised  on  the  farm,  and  brought  up  with  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  farm,  receiving  only 
a  common  school  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  this  county,  and  January  IS,  1846,  he 
married  Nancy  Armstrong,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 16,1824;  immediately  after  their  marriage 
they  began  farming  in  moderate  circumstances; 
their  family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  of 
which  ten  are  still  living,  viz:  Caroline,  now 
Mrs.  Patton;  Elizabeth  A.,  now  Mrs.  H.  A.  Pea- 
body;  Lafayette,  Thomas  A.,  James  B.,  Robert 
W.,  John  M.,  Andrew  J.,  Eliza  B.  and  Charlotte 
F.  In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Jones  moved  to  Chris- 
tian county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  four  years, 
and  returned  again  to  this  county,  since  which 
time  he  has  continued  to  reside  in  the  county. 
He  is  the  owner  of  five  hundred  and  thirty -three 
acres  of  land  in  Sangamon  county.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1881,  he  gave  up  to  his  sons  the  charge  of 
the  farm,  and  moved  to  the  quiet  little  town  of 
Auburn,  where  he  now  is  comfortably  situated. 
In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  supporter  of  the 
Democratic  party. 

Senjamin  Kessler,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Beloit  county,  Virginia,  December  28,  180.3, 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Margaret  (Clare)  Kessler; 
father  of  German  descent,  and  born  in  Mary- 
land, and  mother  of  Virginia;  were  married  in 
Virginia  where  they  reside;  family  of  twelve 
children,  eleven  of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and 
women;  father  was  a  farmer,  lived  and  died  in 
Virginia,  and  mother  died  in  Virginia.  In  1827, 
left  his  native  State  for  the  Sangamon  country, 
having  heard  much  of  its  broad  prairies;  also, 
having  an  uncle  who  was  living  here  by  the 
name  of  David  Kessler,  who  died  while  they 
were  on  the  road  to  the  State.  After  arriving, 
he  hired  out  by  the  month  for  $10,  and  worked 
one  year  for  that  wages.  In  September,  1830, 
married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Wallace,  daughter  of 
James  and  Annie  Wallace,  wee  Duill,  who 
came  from  South  Carolina  in  1822,  and  located 
in  Auburn  township,  one  mile  south  of  where 
Auburn  now  stands.  She  was  born  in  Nova  Sco- 
tia, October  18,  1812.  In  September,  1880,  they 
had  their  golden  wedding,  having  lived  together 
half  a  century.  There  was  a  large  concourse  of 
people  and  they  were  recipients  of  some  valuable 
presents,  among  which  were  a  gold-headed  cane, 
and  an  easy  chair.  Their  family  consisted  of 
seven  children,  all  of  which  are  living.  Mar- 
garet J.,  James  H.,  Harriet  E.,  David  F.,  Mary 
A.  and  I3enjamin  L.     Soon  after  coming  to  the 


State,  purchased  sixty  acres  of  land,  where  Mr. 
Charles  Ranch  now  lives.  He  afterwards  sold 
and  purchased  other  lands,  and  at  one  time  had 
between  seven  hundred  and  eight  hundred  acres. 
Mr.  K.  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county,  and 
has  lived  to  see  it  pass  from  a  wild,  uncultivated 
wilderness  to  a  thickly  and  densely  populated 
county. 

Jacob  Kessler,  farmer,  section  twenty-two. 
Auburn,  was  born  in  Virginia,  February  5,  1820; 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Margaret  (Clair)  Kessler, 
who  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  were  twelve  children,  eleven  of  whom 
lived  to  be  adults.  The  subject  of  this  sketch, 
the  youngest,  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received 
a  common  school  education;  when  twenty  years 
of  age,  his  father  died.  On  March  3,  1842,  mar- 
ried Miss  Menerva  A.  Oliver;  she  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  James  K.  Oliver;  she  was  born  May  7, 
1826.  There  was  a  family  of  eleven,  eight  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Leanah,  William  W.,  Bar- 
nett,  Benjamin  C,  Madorah  C,  Mollie  A., 
Charles  S.,  Georgia  V.  On  the  22d  day  of  May, 
1857,  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and 
located  in  Auburn  township,  where  he  has  fol- 
lowed farming  since,  with  the  exception  of  two 
years.  Has  fifty-five  and  two-thirds  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  In  politics,  is  a 
Democrat. 

Rev.  Wiley  Knoides,  JB.  8.,  Auburn,  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Gibson  county,  Indiana,  August  17, 
18'i5.  The  sixth  year  of  his  life  found  him  in  a 
little  log  school  house,  puncheon  floor  and  slab 
seats.  In  the  fall  of  '48  his  parents  moved  to 
Menard  county,  Illinois;  from  this  time  forward 
his  opportunities  for  school  were  limited.  He 
professed  religion  in  1850,  and  being  impressed 
with  the  duty  of  preaching,  presented  himself 
to  Sangamon  Presbytery.  Being  licensed  by 
said  Presbytery,  was  assigned  the  Apple  Creek 
Circuit,  and  proved  himself  an  efficient  worker 
in  his  Master's  cause.  Many  amusing  incidents 
attended  these  labors.  On  his  first  visit  to  the 
several  congregations,  many  would  keep  looking 
for  the  preacher,  not  expecting  the  strange, 
awkward-looking  boy,  to  be  the  man.  In  the 
autumn  of  1860,  entered  the  High  School  at 
Owensville.  November  12,  1861,  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  Army — Fifty-eighth  Reg- 
iment of  Indiana  Volunteers.  Was  at  the  bat- 
tles of  Shiloh,  Perryville,  Stone  River  and 
others.  At  the  terrible  battle  of  Stone  River, 
he  was  wounded  in  both  hands,  while  nobly  de- 
fending the  cause  of  freedom.  April  22,  1863, 
was  honorably  discharged,  and  entered  again 
upon  ministerial   labor.     December  1,  1864,  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


in 


joined  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Ripson.  Was 
ordained  and  continued  three  years,  when  he 
found  his  health  failing.  Retiring  for  a  time, 
concluded  to  ent  r  Lincoln  University,  the  win- 
ter term  of  186S.  He  continued  an  earnest  and 
successful  student,  graduating  with  the  class  of 
1872.  He  grasped  readily  the  truths  of  science, 
and  made,  practically,  a  fund  of  knowledge. 
He  was  a  leader  in  the  Athenian  Society,  and 
was  often  assigned  parts  of  honor  and  trust. 
Since  graduation,  he  has  been  actively  engaged 
in  the  Interest  of  souls.  Mr.  Knowles  is  a 
pleasant  and  logical  speaker,  and  truly  zealous 
in  his  Master's  cause,  and  great  good  will  attend 
his  labors. 

Horace  Landon,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office.  Auburn,  was  born  in  Jersey  county,  Hli- 
nois,  January  16,  1842;  son  of  William  D.  and 
Alvira  (Cowan)  Landon.  In  1830,  his  father  left 
Vermont  with  team,  for  the  wild  prairies  of 
Illinoi*,  at  that  time  there  being  but  few  settle- 
ments in  the  State;  arriving  after  a  journey  of 
about  two  months,  in  Greene  county,  where  he 
located,  at  that  time  a  part  of  Jersey  county; 
wliere  he  worked  by  the  month.  In  1837  he 
married  Mrs.  Alvira  Cowan,  wife  of  William 
Cowan,  (deceased),  her  former  husband,  by 
whom  he  had  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living,  viz:  Oscar  and  Austin,  twins,  Horace, 
Alice,  now.  Mrs.  B.  F.  Workman;  Mary,  now 
Mrs  Merrian;  Emma,  now  Mrs.  Andrew  Everts; 
W^illiam,  Sarah,  now  Mrs.  T.  S  .Chapman;  an 
attorney  at  Jerseyville.  Mr.  Landon  commenced 
in  Illinois  a  poor  boy,  and  by  good  judgment 
and  iiard  work  has  made  a  large  property  and  at 
his  death  had  one  thousand  acres  of  valuable 
land  to  divide  among  his  children.  He  died  in 
1873  at  the  age  of  sixty;  mother  is  still  living. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  received  a  common  school  education.  In 
186(5,  married  Miss  Flora  A.  Converse,  daughter 
of  Uriah  C.,  formerly  of  Bridgeport,  Vermont. 
She  was  born  in  Greene  county,  December  29, 
1849.  There  was  a  family  of  seven  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living,  Ella  M.,  born  August 
9,1867;  Eugene,  born  May  22,  1869;  Charles, 
born  April  8,  1871;  Mabel,  born  June  9,  1877; 
Frank,  born  May  29,  1881.  Mr.  Landon  has  a 
fine  farm  of  live  hundred  acres,  ,all  of  which  he 
has  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  valued 
at  $05  per  acre.  His  yearly  crops  are  as  follows: 
corn,  eighty  acres;  wheat,  eighty  acres;  oats, 
thirty  acres;  some  sixty  head  of  hogs,  and  feeds 
four  car  loads  of  cattle. 

Joseph   Lnnhatn,    farmer   and    stock    raiser, 
post  office.  Auburn.     Was  born  in  Marion  coun- 
!>0— 


ty,  Kentucky,  on  the  23d  day  of  September, 
1837.  Son  of  Edward  and  Elizabeth  (Bland) 
Lanham.  The  family  consisted  of  twelve  chil- 
dren, six  of  which  are  living.  Mary,  Nancy, 
Annie,  Manda,  Thomas,  James,  Joseph.  March 
4,  1850,  his  parents  left  their  Kentucky  home 
and  started  for  Illinois,  coming  by  water  to  St. 
Louis,  from  there  to  Greene  county,  where  he 
located,  and  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  January  4,  1867.  Mother  died 
July,  1869.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  limited  school 
education.  In  1871,  married  Mrs.  Mary  Stout, 
widow  of  William  Stout.  She  was  born  in  Jer- 
sey county,  Illinois,  February  3,  1841.  There 
are  three  children:  Ida  M.,  born  July  15,  1872; 
Ollie  E.,  born  July  15,  1872;  Charles  H.,  born 
December  29,  1877.  Has  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  beautifully 
located,  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Mr.  L.  commenced  a 
poor  boy,  and  by  his  own  exertions  has  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property  and  home,  and  is  one  of  the 
large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county. 

H.  W.  Larrabee,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  sec- 
tion 30,  post  office,  Virden,  was  born  in  Som- 
erset county,  Maine,  on  the  2d  day  of  August, 
1830.  Son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Plummer) 
Larrabee.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  when  he  received  a  common 
school  education.  When  twenty-two  years  of 
age  tried  his  fortune  among  the  gold  fields  of 
California.  He  shipped  from  New  York  via 
the  Isthmus,  and  from  there  in  a  sailing  vessel, 
with  three  hundred  passengers  on  board,  which 
was  a  poor  and  rickety  old  bark.  There  were 
thirty-five  days'  rations  placed  on  the  boat, 
this  being  the  time  in  which  the  trip  should  be 
made.  It  was  some  time  longer,  and  the  rations 
and  water  running  short,  the  passengers  were 
only  allowed  one  biscuit  and  a  half  a  pint  of 
water  a  day.  They  were  at  the  point  of  mutiny, 
but  finally  landed  in  California,  after  many  of 
the  passengers  dying  from  the  heat  and  for  the 
want  of  proper  food  and  water.  He  engaged  in 
mining,  where  he  remained  one  year  and  a  half. 
Making  a  "stake,"  he  returned  to  Maine,  where 
he  married  Miss  Julia  A.  Leighton,  daughter  of 
Abigal  Leighton,  of  Maine,  in  1855.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  was  five  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living — Sadie  J.,  Ella,  Minnie  and 
Charles.  Mr.  Larr.ibee  has  a  beautiful  farm  of 
eighty  acres,  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, valued  at  $75  per  acre.  Mr.  L.  has  been 
identified  with  the  county,  socially,  for  twenty- 
one  years,  and  is  one  of  its  well-t  -do  farmers. 


■772 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


John  M.  Ziochridge,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  otiice  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Kentucky,  on  the  18th  day  of 
January,  1814;  son  of  John  and  Margie  (Kill- 
ough)  Loekridge,  who  were  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent.  They  were 
married  in  Montgomery  county.  There  was  a 
family  of  nine  children,  five  sons  and  four 
daughters,  eight  of  whom  lived  to  manhood  and 
womanhood.  In  1826,  his  parents  emigrated  to 
Owen  county,  Indiana,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm  and  remained  until  1838,  when  he  came  to 
Sangamon  county.  Previous  to  bringing  his 
family,  he  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came 
out,  purchased  three  hundred  acres  of  land,  and 
built  a  log  cabin  on  Lick  creek,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  year  1850.  Meeting  with  some 
financial  embarrassments,  he  concluded  to  go  to 
California  to  retrieve  his  losses,  but  while  on  the 
way,  died,  and  never  arrived  at  his  destination. 
His  mother  died  in  1866,  a  sincere  Christian,  and 
was  loved  and  [respected  by  all  who  knew  her. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  received  a  common  school  education .  In 
1840,  he  married  Miss  Jane  Nuckolls,  a  daughter 
of  James  and  Jane  Nuckolls,  who  were  early  set- 
tlers of  the  county;  she  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  Illinois,  in  October,  1819.  By  this  mar- 
riage there  were  seven  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living,  John  "W.,  James  M.,  Andrew  H., 
Robert  H.,  and  Charles;  two  daughters,  Martha 
J.  and  Margaret,  died  in  childhood.  In  1854,  he 
commenced  on  his  present  home,  with  no  capital 
but  good  strong  arms  and  a  strong  will,  and  by 
good  management  and  hard  work,  has  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property  and  home,  and  is  one  of  the 
large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county.  He 
owns  four  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  -S8o  per  acre,  all  of  which  is  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  and  the  premium  farm 
of  the  township.  He  raised  one  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  of  corn,  which  will  average  forty 
bushels  per  acre;  ninety  acres  of  wheat,  fifteen 
bushels  per  acre;  owns  seventy-five  head  of  hogs 
and  one  hundred  head  of  steers.  Mr.  L.  has 
held  the  office  of  supervisor  of  the  township  for 
several  years,  and  also  held  other  local  offices  of 
trust.  In  politics,  he  was  an  old  line  Whig 
until  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Republi- 
can party,  joining  that,  and  has  officiated  with  it 
since.  Mr.  Loekridge  has  been  identified  with 
the  county  over  forty  years,  and  has  lived  to  see 
the  wild  prairies  of  Illinois,  from  their  virgin 
soil  to  one  of  the  best  cultivated  and  richest 
counties  in  the  United  States.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Loek- 
ridge are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


W.  W.  JjOtcdennilk ,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  on  the  10th  day  of 
August,  1843,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Lorinda 
(Laws)  Lowdermilk,  father  of  German  descent 
and  mother  of  Scotch.  They  emigrated  from 
North  Carolina  to  East  Tennessee,  when  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  child  and  remained 
there  on  a  farm  until  he  was  thirteen  years  old, 
when  they  moved  to  Macoupin  county,  in 
1858.  He  remained  on  a  farm  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  sixteen,  when  he  enlistedin  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment  Illi- 
nois Volunteers,  Co.  B.,  under  Captain 
Furguson,  mustered  in  at  Springfield,  August  6th, 
1862.  He  participated  in  several  engagements, 
the  first  being  at  Holly  Springs,  also  Port  Gib- 
son, Cnampion  Hills,  Siege  and  capture  of 
Vicksburg,  and  battles  of  Jackson,  Miss.  In 
June  following,  went  on  expedition  against  Gen- 
eral Forrest  and  at  an  engagement  at  Guntown 
was  wounded  in  the  left  arm,  which  caused  the 
loss  of  that  member.  He  was  a  prisoner  in 
Macon  and  Andersonville  for  about  ten  months, 
where  he  sufi^ered  all  the  privations  of  those  horrid 
pens.  After  being  exchanged  at  Vicksburg  came 
home  and  attended  school,  and  in  the  Fall  of 
1865,  man  led  Miss  Elizabeth  Roberts,  by  this 
marriage  there  are  two  children,  Hattie  and 
Arthur.  In  1866  was  appointed  deputy  post 
master,  and  in  March,  1867,  received  the  appoint- 
ment under  Johnson's  administration,  and  held 
that  office  continually  up  to  and  including  six 
months  of  Hayes'  administration.  During  this 
time  he  established  the  Auburn  Herald,  the  first 
newspaper  published  in  Auburn,  which  he  edited 
and  published  for  about  six  months,  at  which 
time  the  paper  passed  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Wadsworth,  the  present  owner  and  editor.  Re- 
tiring from  the  post  office,  Mr.  Lowdermilk  con- 
cluded to  go  West  and  settle,  but  not  liking  the 
out-look  returned  to  Springfield.  In  1881,  Mr. 
L.  received  the  appointment  of  Assistant  Private 
Secretary  to  Governor  CuUom,  which  office  he 
now  fills. 

Willknn  Liith,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  section 
thirty -five,  post  office  Virden;  was  born  in 
Michaelsburg,  Germany,  September  8,  1826. 
Came  to  the  L^nited  Slates  in  1857  in  a  sailing 
vessel,  and  was  eight  weeks  in  making  the  trip, 
landed  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  a 
short  time,  when  he  went  to  Chicago,  where  he 
worked  at  his  trade  of  blacksmithing  From 
there  he  went  to  Bloomington,  Illinois,  where  he 
engaged  to  work  on  a  farm,  but  remained  only  a 
couple  of  months;  from  there  went  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  three  months,  then 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


m 


to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  married  Mrs. 
Martha  Owens,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Shutt.  She 
was  born  in  Muhlensburg,  Keutuckj',  April  30, 
1825.  By  this  marriage  there  was  three  children, 
one  of  which  is  living,  William  Luth,  Jr.,  born 
July  28,  18G6.  Mrs.  Luth  was  previously  mar- 
ried to  Elias  Owens,  by  whom  she  had  ten  child- 
ren, six  are  now  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Luth 
have  a  beautiful  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  all 
of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
valued  at  175  per  acre. 

Dauid  D.  Martin,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in 
agricultural  implements.  Auburn,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  February  28, 
1831,  son  of  David  and  Caroline  (Wilcox)  Martin, 
who  emigrated  to  Alton,  Illinois,  in  an  early 
day,  where  he  organized  the  first  I.  O.  O.  F. 
Lodge  in  Alton,  where  he  died  the  same  year. 
He  was  buried  by  the  order,  the  funeral  being 
one  of  the  largest  ever  seen,  many  lodges 
coming  from  St.  Louis.  His  mother  was  again 
marritd  to  a  man  by  the  name  of  Samuel  Avis. 
She  died  in  St.  Louis  in  1842.  Of  the  original 
family  theie  was  two  sons  and  two  daughters, 
viz:  Henry  F.,  of  Macoupin  county,  who  has 
figured  extensively  against  the  court  house  folly, 
and  was  elected  lo  the  State  Legislature  of  that 
district;  Sarah,  who  died  from  the  bite  of  a  rattle- 
snake, when  twelve  years  of  age;  David  D.  and 
Caroline. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  remained  with  his 
mother  until  her  death,  when  the  family  was 
scattered,  being  cast  onto  the  cold  world  without 
a  cent.  For  some  years  he  worked  around 
making  enough  to  keep  soul  and  body  together, 
working  two  years  for  five  dollars  per  month, 
and  paying  for  his  washing  out  of  that.  After- 
wards commenced  selling  books,  whicii  he  fol- 
lowed until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when 
he  formed  the  acqnaintance  of  Maranda  Buck 
who  was  born  June,  1833.  By  this  union  there 
were  nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Henry  J.,  David  I.,  Willie  L.,  Lillie  and  Edith. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  commenced  life  in  very 
limited  circumstances.  After  buying  his  license 
and  paying  the  minister  for  marrying  them,  had 
sixty  cents,  and  a  horse  valued  at  twenty-five 
dollars,  and  his  wife  got  a  cow  as  a  dowr}'  from 
her  mother,  and  that  they  sold  for  ten  dollars  to 
buy  their  set-out  which  consisted  of  two  knives 
and  two  forks,  a  set  of  plates  and  tea  cups  and 
saucers,  a  set  ot  chairs  made  by  hand,  and  for 
their  table,  used  a  dry  goods  box.  Their  domi- 
cile was  a  log  cabin  eighteen  by  eighteen,  with 
puncheon  floor,  an  old-fashioned  fire  place  with 
stone   jambs    and    clay  and  nlick  chimney,  etc. 


Thus  they  started  out,  and  as  Mr.  Martin  says, 
it  was  some  of  \heir  happiest  moments,  owing 
uoone,  enough  to  eat,  with  good  strong  hearts, 
they  pulled  through,  and  by  hard  work  and  good 
management,  have  accumulated  a  fine  property 
and  home.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

,/o/wi  0.  Moore,  Virden,  Macoupin  county,  son  of 
Henry  and  Mary  Moore.  Father  born  in  Som- 
merset  County,  N.  J.,  in  1801,  and  his  moth^-r 
was  a  native  of  the  same  State.  Both  were  de- 
scended from  German  ancestry.  Father's  occu- 
pation, a  farmer.  They  were  married  in  New 
Jersey,  and  had  five  children,  to-wit:  John, 
Eliza,  Sarah,  Catharine,  William.  Catharine 
and  Matilda  both  died  in  New  York  State. 
Father  again  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Allen.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Gideon  and  Mrs.  Allen .  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  first  child  of  this 
union,  born  March  25,  1825,  in  New  Jersey.  In 
October  9,  1847,  he  married  Miss  Catharine 
Compton,  daughter  of  Moore  and  Mary  Comp- 
ton.  They  have  one  child,  Howard  Malconi 
Moore,  born  Nov.  23,  1848,  in  New  Jersey. 
Came  to  Jersey  County,  111.,  in  1856,  and  re- 
mained there  about  a  year,  then  came  to  Sanga- 
mon County,  where  he  owns  200  acres  of  valu- 
able land.  Mr.  M.  attended  the  county  schools 
until  sixteen  years  of  age  and  then  entered  the 
Suffield  Literary  Institute  of  Connecticut. 
After  leaving  there  taught  school  in  New  Jersey 
for  ten  years. 

liobert  E.  Morse,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in 
wagons,  buggies  and  agricultural  implements, 
Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Sidney,  Maine, 
August  23d,  1833.  Son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah 
(Taylor)  Morse.  Father  now  living  in  Maine  at 
the  advanced  age  of  90.  There  were  a  family 
of  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  ninth  child. 
Left  home  when  a  mere  boy.  At  the  age  of  ten 
years  went  to  work  for  a  Quaker  by  the  name 
of  Captain  Sherman,  on  a  farm,  summers,  and 
receiving  three  to  four  weeks  of  schooling  win- 
ters. There  being  a  shop  on  the  place  he  soon 
became  acquainted  with  their  use.  After  leav- 
ing Captain  Sherman  he  engaged  with  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Alonzo  Davis,  where  he  remained 
two  years,  getting  for  his  first  year's  work  %\b, 
as  an  apprentice,  but  most  of  his  time  was  spent 
on  the  farm.  He  then  went  to  Bangor  with 
the  idea  of  finishing  his  trade,  where  he  became 
acquainted  with  B.  H.  Thorns,  who  manufac- 
tured and  repaired  Concord  coaches,  and  re- 
mained one  year.  Thence  to  Boston  by  steamer, 
and  a  greener  boy,  as  he  says,  never  struck  the 


774 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Hub.  From  Boston  went  to  Dedhara,  where  he 
was  employed  in  a  wheel  factory,  at  §35  per 
month,  where  his  part  of  the  work  was  driving 
spokes.  Not  fancying  the  work,  he  went  to 
Worcester,  but  remained  a  short  time,  when  he 
left  there  and  went  to  Concord,  where  he  was 
employed  by  E.  R.  Thayer,  and  remained  three 
years.  When  he  got  the  Western  fever  in  his 
head  from  what  he  had  heard  from  a  man  by  the 
name  of  E.  G.  Loring,  who  had  located  in 
Winona,  Minnesota,  and  had  returned  to  Con- 
cord for  his  family.  Taking  his  advice  he  came 
West,  and  located  in  Winona,  at  that  time  a 
small  town.  Nothing  but  small  shanties,  and 
the  chilling  winds,  and  drinking  the  Mississippi 
■water,  made  him  sick,  and  was  also  sick  of  town, 
concluded  he  would  leave.  Took  a  boat  and 
came  down  as  far  as  Davenport,  and  from  there 
went  to  Iowa  City,  where  he  made  the  acquaint- 
ance of  a  young  man,  and  he  not  being  satisfied 
started  out  for  Omaha,  Nebraska.  Being  desir- 
ous of  obtaining  land,  they  proceeded  beyond 
the  Pawnee  village,  where  they  found  land  and 
pitched  their  tents,  having  taken  provisions 
along  with  them.  They  remained  until  they  had 
eaten  up  their  provisions,  then  returned  to 
Omaha,  where  he  left  his  friend,  embarked  on  a 
steamer,  which  he  will  always  remember  by  the 
class  of  men  it  had  on  board.  B  y  the  descrip- 
tion given  by  Mr.  Morse  they  were  the  border 
ruffians.  Long  hair,  slouched  hats,  with  a  bowie 
knife  and  a  revolver  in  their  belts,  and  were 
looking  for  a  d — d  Abolitionist.  Came  down  to 
St.  Joe,  where  he  remained  over  one  night,  took 
the  first  boat  for  St.  Louis.  From  there  came 
to  Girard,  Illinois,  where  he  stopped  over  night, 
but  not  liking  the  appearance  of  the  town  went 
to  Springfield,  but  not  finding  work  engaged  to 
a  man  in  the  country  by  the  name  of  William 
Search.  He  became  acquainted  with  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Babcock,  who  persuaded  him  to 
come  to  Auburn,  where  he  purchased  a  small 
shop  of  James  Babcock,  eighteen  by  twenty- 
four,  which  he  paid  for  by  finishing  and  making 
eighteen  wagons. 

F.M.  Nicoles,  hxaWder  and  contractor.  Auburn, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Cass  county,  Indiana,  on 
the  .31st  day  of  May,  1841.  His  father,  Nathan- 
iel D.,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  left 
in  an  early  day,  and  went  to  Ohio.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  reared  "on  a  farm,  and  re 
ceived  a  common  school  education.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age,  went  to  learn  a  trade, 
and  remained  one  year,  which  he  followed  up 
until  1S62,  when  he  started  for  the  gold  fields, 
and  got  as  far  as  Deiver,  where  he  enlisted   in 


the  Third  Colorado  Cavalry.  He  was  in  one 
engagement,  under  General  Shippington,  fight- 
ing, and  was  in  the  service  over  one  year,  when 
he  received  an  honorable  discharge.  Mairied 
Miss  Mary  J.  Hollipater.  She  was  born  in  Ohio, 
November  6,  1841.  There  were  three  children, 
two  of  whom  are  living:  Eita  Adrian,  Isadore 
Jentiliska,  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.Lodge,  No. 
543,  of  Auburn,  and  also  member  of  the  En- 
campment at  Springfield.  Also  the  family  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

William  J^orcross,  boot  and  shoemaker,  Au- 
burn, Illinois,  was  born  in  Burlington  county, 
New  Jersey,  on  the  second  day  of  October,  1824; 
son  of  Samuel  F.  and  Elizabeth  (Britlon) 
Norcross.  There  was  a  family  of  thirteen 
children,  nine  sons  and  four  daughters.  The 
Norcross  family  was  well  represented  in  the 
L^nion  Army,  there  being  six  who  enlisted  in  the 
Thirty-third  Regiment  New  Jersey  volunteers. 
Samuel,  who  contracted  a  disease  and  died  in 
1865;  George,  Joseph,  Jonathan,  who  was  killed 
at  Chancellorville,  Elisha  and  Wesley.  William, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  First  Regiment  Illinois  volunteers. 
Company  G.,  and  mustered  in  at  Jacksonville, 
September  2,  186-2.  He  participated  in  the 
following  engagements:  Holly  Springs,  Missis- 
sippi, where  six  companies  were  captured  by  the 
Rebels,  companies  A,  B,  G  and  H,  only  saving 
themselves  by  retreating  to  Coldwater,  where  the 
Irish  Legion  was  then  stationed,  where  they  re- 
pelled the  attack  by  Van  Dorn,  of  seven  thousand 
cavalry.  Afterwards  was  attached  to  the  Four- 
teenth Illinois  Infantry,  and  detached  as  scouts; 
from  thence  to  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  twenty-fifth 
of  March,  run  the  batteries  on  the  United  States 
steam  ram  Switzerland,  for  which  the  men  on 
board  got  a  furlough  for  meritorious  conduct,  by 
U.  S.  Grant.  After  the  expirations  of  their  fur- 
loughs, they  joined  their  regiment  at  Union 
City,Tennessee,  being  in  September,  1863;  thence 
to  Bridgeport,  Alabama,  took  part  in  a  midnight 
fight;  from  there  to  the  battle  of  Mii-sion  Ridge; 
thence  to  Knoxville,  to  release  Buruside,  when 
Longstreet  held  him  besieged,  and  immediately 
after  the  siege  returned  to  Chattanooga,  march- 
ing across  the  country  bare-footed,  without  shoes, 
with  their  feet  bleeding  so  they  could  be  tracked 
by  the  blood  from  their  feet.  May  2,  1864, 
started  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  employed 
the  enemy  at  Kingston,  Dalton,  Ressaca,  New 
Hope  Church,  Kennesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Jonesboro,  and  entei  ed  the  city  of  Atlanta 
on  the  second  day  of  September,  1864,  being  the 
first  regiment  in  the  city.     At  the  time  of  Sher- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


man's  March  to  the  Sea  was  detailed  as  Forage 
Master  of  the  tirst  division  of  ordinance  train,  of 
the  Twentieth  Army  Corps,  and  remained  with 
Sherman  until  he  arrived  in  Washington.  Was 
mustered  out  at  Bladensburg,  Virgiuia,  Jubc  9, 
1865;  from  there  came  to  Springfield,  where  they 
were  discharged  and  paid  off  June  20,  1865.  He 
then  returned  to  Waverly,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  boot  and  shoe  business,  and  remained  there 
four  years,  when  he  worked  at  farming  for  a 
short  time;  he  afterwards  engaged  in  railroading 
for  a  short  time.  In  1872,  he  came  to  Auburn, 
where  he  has  followed  his  trade  since;  married 
Miss  Martha  H.  Pittit.  She  was  born  October  1, 
1824.  The  fruits  of  this  union  was  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Morrietta,  Job, 
Joseph  R.,  William  Jr.,  Albert,  Waller  and  Ella. 
Previous  to  coming  to  the  Slate,  Mr.  Norcross  held 
the  office  of  Assessor  and  Collector  of  Burling- 
ton township,  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Norcross  came 
to  the  State  in  1855,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time,  when  he  returned  to  New  Jersey.  In  1857 
he  returned  to  the  W^est,  where  he  has  remained 
since,  not  living  at  any  time,  over  sixteen  miles 
from  Auburn. 

W.  D.  Patton,  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
this  township  on  the  2::id  day  of  January,  1845; 
son  of  Mathew  and  Margaret  (McElvain)  Pat- 
ton,  natives  of  Kentucky.  His  grandfather  Patton 
emigrated  to  Sangamon  county  in  1820,  and  lo- 
cated about  two  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of 
Auburn.  The  family  consisted  of  three  sons 
and  two  daughters.  When  his  father  came  to 
the  county  was  a  small  boy;  was  reared  on  a 
farm  to  manhood,  married  and  settled  in  the 
township,  and  raised  a  family  of  six  grown  chil- 
dren, two  daughters  and  four  sons.  He  remained 
on  a  farm  until  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death, 
when  he  moved  to  Auburn,  where  he  died  Sep- 
tember IG,  1879;  mother  died  June  2,  1805.  On 
January  23d,  1807,  married  Sarah  J.  Mackey, 
who  still  lives.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  ou  a  farm  and  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. In  1873,  went  to  Pawnee  township,  where 
he  engaged  in  farming  for  several  years,  when 
he  embarked  in  merchandising,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1875 
came  to  Auburn  where  he  engaged  in  the  drug 
lousiness  the  following  November,  and  in  1880 
the  firm  of  Patton  &  Stout,  was  formed.  In 
August,  1865,  married  Miss  Addie  M.  Black, 
daughter  of  John  Black.  She  was  born  May  25, 
1847.  There  was  one  child,  Minnie  F.,  born 
December  24,  1867.  His  wife,  Addie,  died  Jan- 
uary 26,  1875.  loved  and  respected  by  all  who 
knew  her.    For  his  second  wife  Le  married  Miss 


Caroline  A.  Jones,  daughter  of  M.  A.  Jones  of 
Ball  township,  born  in  Christian  county,  March 
7,  1849.  The  fruits  of  this  union  was  one  child, 
Mabel  Jones  Patton;  she  was  born  in  Auburn, 
Illinois,  on  the  7th  day  of  November,  1879.  Mr. 
Patton  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
Ark  and  Anchor  Lodge,  No.  354,  and  of  Auburn 
Chapter,  No.  92.  Mr.  Patton  is  a  man  with  good 
business  abilities,  and  has  been  identihed  with 
the  county  all  his  life,  and  has  seen  it  change 
from  its  broad  wild  prairies,  to  one  of  the  best 
cultivated  counties  in  the  State.  At  this  writing 
the  firm  of  Patton  &,  Stout  are  doing  an  exten- 
sive business  in  the  line  of  drugs,  medicines  and 
druggists'  sundries,iwall  paper,  books  and  station- 
ery, pocket  and  table  cutlery,  jewelry  and  hard- 
ware; also  a  complete  line  of  groceries,  handled 
in  connection  with  country  produce. 

Daioso7i,  Foley  &  Co.,  Auburn,  Illinois,  man- 
ufacturers of  drain  tile,  brick,  and  propiietors 
of  the  Auburn  Coal  Shaft.  Among  the  leading 
business  interests  of  Auburn,  we  are  pleased  to 
mention  the  above  firm.  In  the  year  1878, 
Henry  Dawson,  Sr.,  and  James  K.  Ruder  era- 
barked  in  the  manufacturing  of  tile  and  brick, 
and  continued  up  to  February,  1881;  in  the 
meantime,  opening  up  the  Auburn  Coal  Shaft. 
In  February,  1881,  a  company  was  formed,  as 
follows:  Henry  Dawson,  Sr.,  Henry  Dawson, 
Jr.,  Benjamin  F.  Poley,  C.  M  Poley  and  L.  E. 
Ruder.  A  six  and  one-half  foot  vein  of  coal  is 
found  two  hundred  and  sixty-eight  feet  from  the 
surface,  aud  will  compare  favorably  with  any  in 
this  section  of  the  country.  Their  capacity  for 
making  brick  is  one  million  per  year,  and  tile, 
five  hundred  thousand  to  six  hundred  thousand. 
They  employ  about  forty  men.  In  June,  1881, 
the  shaft  caught  iire  and  destroyed  the  most  of 
their  buildings,  causing  a  damage  of  $5,600. 
The  capital  stock  is  estimated  at  S2o,000. 

Charles  liauch,  farmer,  postoffice  Virden, 
Macoupin  County,  Ills.,  was  born  in  Muhlenburg, 
County,  Ky.,  on  the  2Sth  day  of  December,  1827; 
son  of  Jacob  and  Pauline  (Poley)  Ranch,  who 
was  married  in  1824;  two  children  being  born  in 
Kentucky,  Andrew  and  Charles;  and  in  1829,  he 
left  his  home  in  Kentucky  and  came  to  Illinois, 
in  wagons,  camping  out  and  driving  their  stock, 
and  located  in  Auburn  Township,  where  he  pur- 
chased land  and  made  a  farm.  Soon  after 
coming  to  the  country,  built  what  was  known 
far  and  near  as  Ranch  Mills,  one  of  the  tirslgrist 
and  sawmills  in  this  part  of  the  country  that  was 
run  by  water.  Coming  to  the  country  in  limited 
means,  but  by  good  management  and  close  ap- 
plication to  business,  accumulated  a  fine  property 


776 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  at  his  early  death,  owned  2,000  acres  of  land, 
dyinsj;  at  the  age  of  forty -seven,  in  1843.  Mother 
died  February  5,1880.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
German  Baptist  church  and  died  as  she  had 
lived — a  sincere  Christian.  Mr.  Charles  Rauch 
has  been  identified  with  the  county  for  more 
than  a  half  century  and  has  seen  the  various 
changes.  Married  Miss  Mary  Brooks,  daughter 
of  Wm.  C.  and  Sarah  Brooks,  of  Delaware. 
She  was  born  June  22,  18.38.  There  are  a  family 
©f  six  children,  three  daughters  and  three  sons, 
viz:  Louise  E,  born  November  3,  1861;  Jennie 
B.,  born  April  13,  1863;  James  C, born  June  14, 
186.5:  John  B.,  February  24,  1868;  Grace,  born 
January  11,  1878;  Charles  M.,  born  August  24, 
1881.  In  politics,  a  Democrat,  and  has  held 
several  local  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people. 
Has  two  hundred  and  fifty-seven  acres  of  land, 
all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, valued  at  $75  per  acre. 

Andrew  Haitch,  farmer;  post  office,  Virden; 
was  born  in  Muhlenburg,  Kentucky,  on  the  14th 
day  of  August,  1825;  sou  of  Jacob  and  Pauline 
Rauch.  Andrew  came  to  the  county  with  his 
parents,  when  he  was  four  years  old,  and  has 
spent  over  half  a  century  in  Auburn  township. 
June  13,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  E.  Cas- 
sity  daughter  of  Alexander  Cassity,  who  was 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county;  she  was  born 
in  Kentucky,  October  13,  1833.  There  were 
nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living — Frank, 
born  August  18,  1857;  Clara,  born  February  19, 
1861;  Emma,  born  February  7,  1864;  Elmer, 
born  July  20,  1867;  Allie,  born  September  6, 
1872,  and  Edgar  G.,  born  November  8,  1876. 
Mr.  Rauch  has  held  several  local  offices  of  trust 
in  the  gift  of  the  people,  holding  some  town- 
ship office  ever  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  Mr.  Rauch  has  been  in  the  county  nearly 
all  his  life,  and  has  seen  all  the  changes,  from  a 
vast,  wild  prairie,  to  one  of  the  best  cultivated 
portions  of  the  State,  and  can  well  be  claimed 
as  one  of  its  pioneers.  Is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  Order,  Virden  Lodge,  No.  161. 

Father  I>.  J.  Ryan,  Auburn,  lUiaois,  was 
born  in  Peoria,  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
3d  day  of  August,  1852.  Son  of  William  and 
Margaret  (Keller)  Ryan,  natives  of  Ireland ; 
father  emigrating  in  1847,  and  mother  in  1850, 
and  were  married  in  1851.  There  was  born  to 
them  a  family  of  eight  children,  seven  sons  and 
one  daughter,  all  of  whom  are  living.  His 
father  died  June  9,  1880,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
four.  When  the  subject  of  tliis  sketch  was  two 
years  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Mar.shall  county, 
where  he   remained  on    a   farm   until   he    was 


thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  LaSalle, 
where  he  commenced  his  preparatory  studies, 
and  remained  there  about  a  year  and  a  half. 
Thence  went  to  Niagara  Falls,  New  York,  where 
he  finished  his  classical  and  divinity  studies. 
In  1876,  he  commenced  his  first  mission,  at 
Grafton,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
and  in  the  fall  of  1876,  came  to  Auburn,  Illinois, 
where  he  has  the  charge  of  Auburn,  Sugar 
Creek  and  Christian  county  congregations. 

Jacob  W.  Shutt,  farmer,  section  thirty-five, 
post  office  Virden,  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and 
Elizabeth  (Wagoner)  Shutt;  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  on  the  10th  day  of  October, 
1834.  His  father  was  of  German  descent,  and 
was  born  in  North  Carolina;  mother  a  native  of 
Georgia,  born  July  31,  1799.  In  1810,  came  to 
Muhlenburg,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried. There  were  thirteen  children,  ten  of  whom 
lived  to  be  men  and  women.  In  1829,  they  em- 
igrated to  Sangamon  county,  where  he  bought  a 
small  piece  of  land  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Black.  Being  in  limited  circumstances,  he  had 
to  commence  at  the  bottom  and  work  up.  Mr, 
S.  accumulated  a  fine  property  prior  to  his  death, 
owning  five  hundred  acres  of  valuable  prairie. 
He  died  in  1856.  He  had  to  put  up  with  all  the 
privations  of  the  pioneers,  going  to  Springfield 
and  St.  Louis  with  his  grain  and  to  do  his  trad- 
ing, with  ox-teams.  When  coming  from  St. 
Louis,  was  overtaken  by  the  darkness,  and  lost 
his  way,  and  had  to  remain  until  morning.  The 
country  was  full  of  wolves  at  that  time,  and  it 
was  anything  but  pleasant  to  lie  and  hear  the 
wolves  howl. 

Jacob  W.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received 
an  elementary  school  education.  When  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  went  to  work  for  himself. 
When  twenty-six,  he  married  Miss  Susan  C. 
Gates,  daughter  of  Daniel  Gates,  of  Kentucky. 
By  this  marriage,  there  were  six  children,  one 
of  which  died  in  infancy.  The  living  are  as 
follows:  Laura  C,  Charles  M.,  Elizabeth  L., 
Amos  E.,  Phineas  E.  Mr.  S.  died  April  1,  1873. 
For  his  second  wife,  married  Mist^  Fannie  Be- 
vins,  of  Kentucky,  where  she  was  oorn  in  1844. 
By  this  union,  there  were  three  children,  two  of 
whom,  James  .J.  and  Lewis  B.,  are  still  living. 
Mr.  S.  has  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, with  a  fine  home,  valued  at  $10,000.  He 
has  been  identified  with  the  county  all  his  life, 
and  has  seen  all  its  various  changes. 

George  iSew^/^er,  hardware  merchant,  Auburn, 
Ills.  Among  the  principal  business  interests  of 
Auburn  we  are  pleased  to  mention  Mr.  George 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Tt7 


Senniger,  who  embarked  in  business  in  1874,  as 
the  firm  of  Buck  &  Senniger.  The  foHowiiig 
year,  Captain  W.  li.  Hummel  bought  the  interest 
of  Mr.  Buck  and  continued  in  business  up  to 
IS'/S,  when  lie  bought  bis  interest,  and  is  at 
present  sole  proprietor.  Ue  carries  a  full  line 
of  shelf  goods,  stoves  and  everything  else  that 
is  usually  kept  in  a  iirst-class  store.  He  manu- 
factures all  his  tin-ware,  roofing  and  spouting. 
Mr.  S.  is  located  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
square,  in  a  large  and  commodious  building 
twenty  by  sixty,  two-story  frame  building,  and 
carries  a  stock  of  |3,000.  Mr.  Senniger  was 
born  in  Dauphin  county,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 28th,  18s7.  When  seventeen  years  old  he 
was  apprenticed,  where  he  remained  four  years. 
In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-seventh  Pennsylvania  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, nine  months  men,  and  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chandlorville. 
Previous  to  entering  the  army  in  1861,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  DeBaugh.  She  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1841.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
was  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living, 
Mary  F.,  George  J.,  David  V.,  Allie,  Julia,  John, 
Louis  and  Charles.  Mr.  S.  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order, 
Ark  and  Anchor  Lodge  No.  354,  Auburn,  Chap- 
ter and  Commandery. 

John  F.  tS/nith,  of  the  dry  goods  firm  of 
Smith  &  Hamlin,  Auburn,  Illinois,  is  a  native  of 
Germany,  and  was  born  in  1842.  Being  of  an 
adventurous  turn  of  mind,  be  emigrated  to 
America,  alone,  in  1856.  After  spending  a  year 
in  Chicago  he  came  to  Springfield,  and  has  since 
been  a  resident  of  Sangamon  county,  save  two 
years  (1867  and  1868)  spent  as  book-keeper  in  a 
bank  at  Carbondale,  Illinois.  In  1 869,  Mr.  Smith 
located  in  Pawnee,  Sangamon  county,  as  a  gen- 
eral merchant,  and  carried  on  business  there 
until  1876,  when  failing  health  compelled  him  to 
sell  out.  During  the  first  year  at  Pawnee  his 
sales  were  111,000,  and  in  1875  they  aggregated 
$43,000.  The  rapid  increase  of  $32,000  in  six 
years,  in  a  village  eleven  miles  from  a  railroad, 
demonstrates!  the  business  qualifications  of  the 
man.  After  closing  out,  he  settled  nearly  three 
years  on  a  farm  near  Pawnee;  when,  having  re- 
cuperated bis  health,  at  the  solicitation  of  his 
friend,  J.  A.  Abel,  he  re-entered  the  mercantile 
business  in  Auburn,  in  September,  1879,  with  a 
stock  of  general  merchandise,  embracing  dry 
goods,  boots  and  shoes,  clothing,  hats,  caps  and 
notions.  Frank  L.  Hamlin  bought  Mr.  Abel's 
interest  in  April,  1881.  The  firm  carries  a  stock 
of  $13,000  to  $15,000,  and  has  an   annual  trade 


of  $40,000;  the  sales  of  1881  being  twenty-five 
percent,  larger  than  those  of  1880.  Besides 
his  commercial  interests,  Mr.  Smith,  in  company 
with  Mr.  Abel,  has  been  engaged  in  the  buying 
and  shipping  of  live  stock,  of  which  they  ship 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  cars  a  year. 
In  1870,  Mr.  Smith  married  Mary  E.  Jarred,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana,  in  1840,  but  rear  d  in  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois.  They  have  two  child- 
ren— Pearly,  aged  eleven  years,  and  Lelia,  eight 
years  old.  Mr.  Smith  was  made  a  Mason  in 
Pawnee,  in  1869-70,  and  has  taken  the  Royal 
Arch  Degree;  is  also  a  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F., 
Auburn  Lodge.  Mrs.  Smith's  father  resides  at 
Crow's  Mill,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  Her 
mother  died  in  1869.  Mr.  Smith's  parents  both 
survive,  and  with  four  of  their  six  children,  re- 
side in  Germany.  His  only  brother  in  this 
country  lives  in  Northern  Iowa. 

Elilm  Btoxit,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office  Auburn,  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Ken- 
tucky, January  30,  1816;  son  of  Philemon  and 
Penelope  (Anderson)  Stout.  They  were  married 
in  Kentucky,  about  1810.  There  was  a  family 
of  twelve  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to  be  men 
and  women.  In  183(1,  his  father  left  his  home 
in  Kentucky  for  the  Sangamo  country,  with 
team,  where  they  arrived  in  due  course  of  time, 
camping  out  on  the  way.  It  was  custojnary  in 
an  early  day,  if  they  met  movers,  to  a.sk  them 
where  they  were  going;  remembers  of  asking  a 
party  (when  they  were  coming  through)  where 
he  was  going,  and  he  said  to  Iowa;  being  foreign 
to  him,  as  he  had  never  heard  of  Iowa  before. 
Mr.  Stout  located  in  Ball  township,  where  Phile- 
mon Stout  now  resides,  where  he  bought  an  im- 
proved farm  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres, 
with  eighty  acres  under  cultivation,  with  a  log 
cabin  with  two  rooms,  and  known  as  the  Dr. 
Dailey  place,  where  his  father  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1845.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  ]5aptist  Church.  At  his  death,  was  a 
large  land  owner,  and  one  of  the  large  and 
wealthy  farmers  of  the  county.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  married  for  his  first  wife,  Miss  Re- 
becoaP.  A.  Pattou,  daughter  of  Colonel  James 
Patton,  by  whom  there  was  three  children,  two 
of  which  grew  to  manhood,  James  M.  and  Phile- 
mon. Mrs.  Rebecca  Stout  died  September  21, 
1852;  and  Elihu  Stout  married  Mrs.  Sarah  J. 
Moore,  whose  maiden  name  was  Williams.  By 
tins  union  there  was  five  children,  Thomas  E. 
and  Charles  H.;  three  died  in  infancy.  Mrs. 
Sarah  J.  Stout  died  September  17,  1866.  For 
his  third  wife,  married  Mrs.  Margaret  E.  Davis, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Williams.     Mr.  Stout 


118 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


has  held  several  local  oiBces  of  trust;  has  been 
a  member  oF  the  Baptist  Church  for  thirty-eight 
years.  Is  one  of  the  large  and  influential  farmers 
of  the  county,  owning  at  one  time  seven  hundred 
acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Mr.  Stout 
has  been  identified  with  the  county  for  forty-five 
years,  and  has  lived  to  see  the  wild  uncultivated 
prairies  converted  into  one  of  the  finest  counties 
in  the  State. 

i.  C.  Taylor,M.  D.  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  Saiganion  county,  IlUnois,  on  the  9th  day  of 
April,  1854.  Son  of  Ninian  R.  aad  Catharine 
(Halbut)  Taylor.  Mother  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  father  a  native  of  Illinois,  who  came  to  the 
county  in  an  early  day  and  located  on  a  farm, 
which  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years.  Is 
at  present  engaged  in  the  hardware  and  grocery 
business,  at  Williamsville.  The  Doctor  received 
a  good  business  education.  In  187 2, commenced 
reading  medicine,  with  Dr.  J.  M.  West,  of 
Springfield,  where  he  remained  about  four  years; 
in  the  meantime,  attended  lectures  at  Rush  Med- 
ical College,  Chicago.  In  1874  and  1875,  attended 
Bellevue  Medical  College,  where  he  graduated. 
He  then  returned  to  Springfield,  where  he 
entered  into  company  with  Dr.  West,  and  re- 
mained one  year,  when  he  came  to  Auburn, 
where  he  has  followed  his  profession  since.  The 
Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  District  Medical 
Society  ;  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  354. 

'William  P.  Taylor,  farmer,  section  twenty- 
five,  postoffice  at  Auburn,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  December  22,  1835. 
Son  of  George  and  Poliy  E.  (Tucker)  Taylor, 
natives  of  Kentucky.  Emigrated  in  an  early  day 
to  Morgan  county,  where  he  made  a  farm  and 
raised  a  family  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living  at  this  writing,  the  youngest  being  thirty- 
one  years  old,  and  the  oldest  fifty-one.  His 
father  came  to  the  county  in  limited  circum- 
stances, but  by  good  management  and  hard 
work  has  accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  to- 
day is  living  a  retired  life  in  Jacksonville,  and 
himself  and  wife  have  lived  together  over  half  a 
century.  William  P.  married  Miss  Mary 
McKain,  in  1861.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John 
McKain,  a  native  of  Ireland.  She  was  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  August  21st,  1840.  By 
this  union  there  were  six  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living:  William  W.,  Ulysses  W.,  Mary  F., 
Laura  E.,  George  E.  Has  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  are  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation;  value,  $60  per  acre. 


John  Ten  Brook,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  post- 
office  Virden,  was  born  in  Lycoming  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  19th  day  of  February, 
1811,  son  of  Jacob  and  Richard  (Tate)  Ten 
Brook,  of  German  descent;  mother  being  born  on 
the  ocean  just  previous  to  being  landed  in  New 
York.  His  grand-fathers.  Ten  Brook  and  Tate 
were  soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  There 
were  three  children  of  his  father's,  two  of  whom 
are  living,  William,  now  a  resident  of  Douglas 
county,  Illinois,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
In  1820,  his  father  moved  to  Ohio,  near  Cincin- 
nati, where  he  followed  farming,  and  remained 
five  years.  He  then  removed  to  Parks  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  purchased  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  timber  land,  and  commenced  to 
make  a  f.arm,  remaining  there  until  his  death. 
In  1833,  married  Miss  Slary  Wilkins,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Michael  Wilkins,  of  Pennsylvania,  where 
she  was  born  in  1813.  There  were  ten  children, 
five  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Joseph,  Martha, 
George,  M.  D.,  Annie  and  Ashbell.  In  1860,  his 
family  having  a  throat  disease,  thought  perhaps 
a  change  would  be  beneficial,  he  sold  out  and 
went  to  Springfield,  Missouri.  Mr.  T.  saw  that 
there  was  trouble  brewing,  so  he  concluded  as  he 
had  considerible  gold  that  the  bushwhackers 
would  want  to  count  it  for  him,  but  not  needing 
any  help  that  way,  made  up  his  mind  to  return  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  knowing  that  it  was 
one  of  the  best  farming  sections  in  the  State,  and 
settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Mr. 
Ten  Brook  has  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and 
forty-six  acres,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  valued  at  seventy-five  dollars  per 
acre. 

J.  R.  Trott,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Lenn,  April 
22,  1837;  son  of  James  J.,  and  Rachel  (Adair) 
Trott.  His  father  was  of  Irish  and  mother  of 
Scottish  descent.  His  mother  was  a  relative  of 
Gen.  Adair,  who  wasa  soldier  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  His  father  was  a  missionary,  and  his 
field  of  labor  was  among  the  Cherokee  Indians. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  attained  only  a  com- 
mon school  education,  and  at  eighteen  years  old 
took  up  the  study  of  medicine  and  his  precep- 
tor, Dr.  J.  T.  Evans,  whom  he  studied  under 
three  years,  and  graduated  at  the  St.  Louis  Med- 
ical College  in  1857.  He  then  took  a  trip  in  the 
Western  States  and  Territories,  and  for  several 
years  was  in  the  west;  in  1863,  returned  to  Mor- 
gan county.  111.,  where^he  took  up  the  practice 
of  his  professionand  continued  up  to  1872,  when 
he  again  made  a  trip  to  the  Indian  Territory, 
after  which  he  returned  to  Virden,  Montgomery 
county.  III.,  where  he  opened  a  drug   store  in 


"'I>*. 


«---*-^. 


m. 


%^  '%f- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


781 


counection  with  his  piactice.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Clayton,  of  Vinlen;  she  was  born  in 
1848.     They  have  one  child,  Oscar,  born  March 

14,  1868. 

Daniel  Wadswot-th  was  born  of  a  Quaker  f  ami  ly 
in  Winthrop,    Kennebec    county,    Maine,  May 

15,  1799;  married  in  December,  1823,  Margaret  ¥. 
Goodwin,  a  native  of  Freeport,  Maine,  and  set- 
tled in  Hallowell,  in  the  same  State.  They  have 
raised  one  son  and  three  dausrhters,  all  of  whom 
are  yet  living.  Several  children  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Wadsworth  spent  the  winter  of  1839-40  in 
Mobile,  Alabama,  working  at  his  trade  of  car- 
penter, and  in  the  following  spring  lie  came  up 
the  river  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  stopping 
at  Auburn,  where  the  family  of  an  old  Maine 
friend,  David  Eastman,  lived.  He  bought  a 
small  piece  of  land,  worked  through  the  sum- 
mer, returned  home  in  the  fall,  sold  his  Maine 
property,  packed  up,  and  started  in  October  for 
the  far  West,  as  Illinois  was  then  called.  The 
goods  were  sent  by  ship  around  to  New  Orleans, 
and  thence  to  Alton.  The  family  were  a  little 
over  three  weeks  en  route,  much  of  the  journey 
(through  the  Middle  States)  having  to  be  made 
by  canal. 

Mr.  Wadsworth  built  him  a  home  on  South 
street.  Auburn  (old  town),  into  which  he  moved 
in  1843,  and  still  resides  there — the  only  build- 
ing left  within  the  limits  of  the  town.  The  ven- 
erable pair,  one  eighty-two,  and  the  other  eighty, 
with  an  unmarried  daughter,  constitute  the 
household. 

Mr.  Wadsworth  is  one  of  the  oldest  Masons  in 
Illinois,  having  taken  the  Chapter  degrees  about 
sixty  years  ago.  He  has  ever  been  a  very  active 
and  zealous  member  of  this  Order,  and  generally 
an  officer.  From  his  early  manhood,  he  has  been 
a  faithful  and  consistent  member  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  He  was  postmaster  at 
Auburn  for  ten  years;  has  repeatedly  held  school 
offices,  and  has  been  Notary  Public  for  several 
years. 

Willia7n  A.  Wallace,  merchant.  Auburn,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  on  the 
3l8t  day  of  December,  1808.  Received  a  good 
business  education  in  Springfield.  When  four- 
teen years  of  age  he  commenced  driving  a 
delivery  wagon  for  J.  W.  Bittenger,  of  Spring- 
field, and  remained  in  that  position  for  six 
months,  when  he  was  called  into  the  office  as 
book-keeper,  where  he  remained  two  years,  when 
Mr.  B.  sold  out  and  he  was  employed  by  his  suc- 
cessor for  a  short  time.  He  afterwards  went  to 
Mechanicsburg,  where  he  was  employed  in  a 
store  for  an  uncle  for  three  years.      Then  came 

91— 


to  Auburn,  where  he  was  employed  as  an  agent 
a  short  time,  when  he  embarked  in  his  present 
business.  Mr.  Wallace  commenced  a  poor  boy, 
and  by  his  own  exertions  has  accumulated  a  fine 
property,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business 
men  of  the  town. 

William  M.  West,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
section  thirty,  post  office  Virden,  was  born  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  30th  day  of 
April,  1828;  son  of  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  (Hen- 
derson) West;  father  of  English  descent  and  na- 
tive of  Delaware,  and  mother  of  Maryland.  They 
were  married  in  Maryland,  and  emigrated  to 
Kentucky  in  an  early  day.  There  was  a  family 
of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  be  men 
and  women.  In  1833,  with  a  four  horse  team, 
they  started  for  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  where 
they  arrived  in  due  course  of  time;  camping  on 
tlie  prairies  and  cooking  by  the  way.  The  first 
winter  was  spent  in  a  log  cabin,  eighteen  by 
twenty  feet.  The  following  spring  they  moved 
to  Macoupin  Point,  where  he  kept  a  stage  stand, 
being  twelve  miles  from  any  other  habitation; 
and  in  the  spring  following,  came  to  Auburn, 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  located  near 
Sugar  creek,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  of  a  man  named  Abells. 
Tiie  improvements  consisted  of  a  log  cabin  and 
twelve  acres  which  were  under  the  plow;  wliere 
he  made  a  farm  and  lived  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  July  8,  1840.  His  mother,  surviving 
him  some  years,  died  in  18G3.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
sincere  Christians,  and  left  a  large  family  to 
mourn  their  loss.  William  M.  was  married  in 
1855,  to  Miss  Hannah  Landes,  a  daughter  of 
David  Landes,  of  Kentucky.  She  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county,  April  22,  1838.  They  have 
six  living  children,  Cornelia,  Flora,  William  H., 
Annie  Lucretia  and  Mary.  In  1  852, he  bought 
his  present  place  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
which  was  in  its  wild  state,  and  through  his 
own  exertion  has  brought  it  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  and  it  is  valued  at  $75   per  acre. 

Mr.  West  has  held  several  local  offices  of 
trust  in  the  township,  and  is  at  present  justice 
of  the  peace.  Mr.  West  has  lived  in  the  county 
for  nearly  fifty  years;  has  seen  the  county  from 
its  infancy  and  wild  state  to  one  of  the  best 
counties  in  the  Slate. 

M.  &  Wheeler,  M.  D  ,  Auburn,  111.,  was  bora 
in  Bclfontaine,  Oliio,  on  tlie  29th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1 838;  son  of  John  and  Margaret  (Donald) 
Wheeler;  father  of  English  descent  and  mother 
of  American;  father  by  trade  was  a  ship-builder, 
which  he  followed  for  many  years;  afterwards 


T82 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


embarked  in  merchandizing,  and  owned  and 
controlled  a  line  of  stages  running  from  Cincoto 
Sandusky  Cit)'.  In  1852,  came  to  Illinois,  and 
located  at  Greenville,  111.,  where  he  purchased  a 
farm,  where  M.  S.,  received  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  commenced  the 
reading  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Wm.  P.  Brown  at 
Greenville,  III.,  where  he  remained  three  years  in 
the  time  attended  lectures  at  the  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  com- 
menced the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Tren- 
ton, Clinton  county.  111.,  where  he  remained 
until  the  fall  of  1866,  when  he  came  to  Auburn, 
and  after  practicing  one  year,  when  he  attended 
Rush  Medical  College  and  graduated  with 
honors,  since  which  time  he  has  prosecuted  his 
profession  here.  By  close  attention  to  his  busi- 
ness, has  secured  a  large  and  lucrative  practice, 
and  is  the  oldest  resident  physician  in  the 
village.  In  1869,  married  Miss  Kate  B.Harney, 
a  daughter  of  Alfied  Harney,  an  early  settler  of 
Auburn  township;  she  was  born  in  Morgan  coun- 
ty. There  are  three  children — John  A.,  Thorn- 
ton R.,  and  Frank,  members  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  354,  of  Auburn. 

Si/hanus  J.  Wiiieman,  deceased,  Auburn, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
on  the  iSd  day  of  March  1823.  Son  of  Philip 
and  Jane  Wineman,  of  this  county,  where  he 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common 
school  education  ;  June  11,  1862,  married  Mrs. 
Margaret  Kessler,  who  was  born  December  22, 
1833,  widow  of  George  Kessler,  who  died  August 
12,  1859,  leaving  a  family  of  two  children — 
John  W.  and  Florence  Bell — who  died  January 

22,  1860.  Mrs.  Wineman  is  the  daughter  of 
Eddin  and  Wintield  Lewis,  who  emigrated  from 
Kentucky  in  1818,  and  located  on  Sugar  creek, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
January  29,  1850,  leaving  a  family  of  nine 
children  to  mourn  his  loss.  Mr.  Lewis  was  an 
energetic  business  man,  coming  to  the  county 
with  nothing  but  his  hands,  accumulated  a  large 
properly,  and  at  his  death  owned  1,000  acres  of 
land.  Mrs.  Lewis  died  previously  in  1843. 
Mr.  Wineman  was  father  of  two  children, 
one  of  whom  is  still  living — Mary  A.,  born 
September  22,  1865.     Mr.  Wineman   died  July 

23,  1875.  At  his  death,  he  left  a  property  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  since  which 
time  Mrs.  W.  has  added  eighty,  making  a  farm  of 
four  hundred  acres, being  located  near  the  village 
of  Au'urn,  and  valued  at  $75  per  acre.  She  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  having 
been  connected  with  that  church  since  she  was 
sixteen  years  of  age. 


Joel  H.  Woolsey,  farmer  and  .stock  raiser,  sec- 
tion seven,  post  otfice.  Auburn,  was  born  in  On- 
ondaga county.  New  York,  on  the  25th  day  of 
May,  1834;  son  of  Joseph  and  Percilla  A.  (Bar- 
ber) Woolsey,  who  were  married  in  Onondaga 
county.  New  York,  May  4,  1831.  There  was  a 
family  of  eight  children,  of  whom  six  are  living, 
Edward  P.,  James  D.,  George  W.,  Simeon  L., 
Amos  H.,  and  Joel  B.;  two  died  in  infancy.  In 
1836,  left  his  home  in  Onondaga  county.  New 
York,  with  his  family  and  started  then  for  the 
Far  West,  and  located  near  Jerseyville,  where 
he  entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  where  he  has 
resided  since.  Joel  B.  was  reared  on  his  father's 
farm  where  he  received  a  limited  education,  re- 
maining at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one. 
When  twenty-three  he  married  Miss  Martha 
Fitzgeralds,  a  daughter  of  Jessie  and  Elizabeth 
Fitzgeralds,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to 
Jersey  county  in  an  early  d.ay,  where  she  was 
born,  April  28,  1839.  By  this  union  there  were 
nine  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  Ella  V., 
born  September  18,  1858;  Elizabeth,  A.  born 
November  26,  1866;  Clara  Z.,  born  April  25, 
1870;  Frances  S.,born  March  1 1,  1873;  Daisy  E., 
born  March  7,  1876.  Mr.  W.  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodges  of  Auburn;  has  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  all 
of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  He  came  to  the  county 
in  1859  a  poor  man,  and  rented  for  some  years 
but  finally  bought  his  present  place,  where  he  is 
comfortably  located. 

James  M.  Wyatt,  (deceased).  Auburn  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  near 
Jacksonville,  on  the  8th  day  of  April,  1829.  Son 
of  John  and  Rebecca  Wyatt,  who  came  to  that 
county  in  an  early  day.  James  M.  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  and  received  a  good  business  educa- 
tion. When  seventeen  years  of  age  embarked 
in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  followed 
for  twelve  years.  In  1856,  married  Miss  Martha 
J.  Lutrell,  daughter  of  John  R.  and  Margaret 
(Duncan)  Lutrell.  She  was  born  in  Morgan 
county,  Illinois,  in  1836.  There  was  a  family  of 
six  children,  all  of  which  are  living.  Chas.  E., 
John  W.,  Ella  M.,  Frederick  S.,  Maggie  A.  and 
James  M.  In  August,  1860,  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  and  located  six  miles  west  of  Auburn, 
on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  a  few  years,  when 
he  came  to  where  the  family  now  reside  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  27, 
1875.  Mr.  Wyatt  was  a  man  that  was  highly 
respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  the 
embodiment  of  honesty  and  morality.  The  loss 
was  severely  felt  by  his  death.      He  was  buried 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


V83 


by  Auburn  Lodge  I.  O.  O.  F.,  (assisted  by  the 
Auburn  Lodges)  of  which  he  was  a  member. 
There  was  an  appropriate  address  delivered  by 
Dr.  W.  D.  Wheeler,  in  an  impressive  manner. 
Mr.  W.  was  a  kind  and  indulgent  father  and 
husband.  He  died  leaving  a  fine  property  of 
one  hundred  and  eiglity-five  acres  of  valuable 
land,  worth  $75  per  acre. 

Mrs.  Wyalt  resides  on  the  farm,  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  been  since  she 
■was  nineteen  years  old. 

In  the  history  of  Auburn  township,  we  have 
given  short  personal  histories  of  a  large  number 
of  the  pioneers,  and  the  best  and  most  enterpris- 
ing men  and  women  in  the  township.     In  mak- 


ing selections  of  subjects  for  these  brief  memoirs 
we  are  not  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  we  have 
omitted  some — indeed,  many — who  are  worthy 
an  honorable  mention  in  these  pages.  An  end- 
less amount  of  historical  matter  found  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  has  swelled  this  volume  to  propor- 
tions much  larger  than  was  at  first  contemplated 
by  the  publishers,  and  space  would  not,  there- 
fore, admit  of  a  more  extended  biographical 
mention  of  the  titizens  of  this  township.  In  the 
notices  given,  we  were  compelled,  for  reasons 
given  above,  to  confine  ourselves  to  mere  fact, 
leaving  unwritten  much  that  is  really  due  the 
strong- hearted,  hardy  first  settlers,  and  those 
who  followed  to  round  up  and  polish  the  work. 


784 


UISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XXIX. 


BALL  TOWNSHIP. 


To   Ball   township  belongs  the   honor  of  the 
first   settlement  in   Sangamon   county.     In    the 
fall  of   1816,  Robert  Pulliam  erected  a  cabin  on 
Sugar   creek,  on  section  twenty-one,  being  the 
first  building  in  all  the  territory  now  comprising 
the  county  of  Sangamon.     Mr.  Pulliam  brought 
with  him   a  herd   of  cattle   for   the   purpose  of 
wintering  them  in  this  favored  region.     During 
the  fall  he  cut  a  large  quantity  of  grass  and  pea 
vines,  with  which  he  fed  them  during  the  win- 
ter.    Power,  in  his  history  of  the  early  settlers, 
says:     "Robert  Pulliam  was  born  April  12,  1776, 
in    Henry   county,  Virginia.     His  father,  John 
Pulliam,  emigrated  to  Kentucky   when  Robert 
was  a  boy,  and  the  family  moved  from  there  to 
Illinois,  arriving  in  1796,  in  what  was  then  called 
the  New  Design  settlement,  now  a  part  of  Mon- 
roe county.     The  next  year  they  moved  into  a 
settlement  in   the  District  of  St.  Louis,  in  what 
was  then  locally  known  as  'New  Spain.'      They 
moved  to   Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri,  and  a  few 
years  later  to  Randolph  county,  Illinois,  near 
where  the  town   of  Red   Bud   now  stands.     In 
1802,  Robert  Pulliam   improved  a  farm  a  few 
miles  east  of  Belleville,   St.   Clair  county,  and 
about  1803  he  settled   in  the  American  Bottom, 
near  the  Bluff,  six  or  seven  miles  below  the  pres- 
ent city  of  Alton.     Mary  Stout  was  born  April 
9,  1776,  but  the  locality  is  not  known.     Robert 
Pulliam  and  Mary  Stout  were  married  Septem- 
ber 13,  1804.     In  181.5  they   moved  to   St.  Clair 
county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1817,  leaving  his  fam- 
ily in   St.  Clair  county,  he,  with  two  or  three 
hired  men,  and  a  woman  by  the  name  of  Strick- 
land— sister  of  one  of  tlie  hired  men — to  cook 
for  them,  he  came  to  Sugar  creek  and    built  a 
cabin   in  the  timber,    on   the   east  side  of   the 
creek.      The  land  is  now  owned  by  James  Scott, 
and  is  situated  three-fourths  of  a  mile  west  of  a 
point  ten  and  a  half  miles  due  south  of  Spring- 
tieKl,  on   a  line    with    Sixth  street.     The  cabiu 


was  built  in  a  forest  composed  principally  of 
sugar  trees.  As  the  spring  approached,  Mr.  Pul- 
liam put  his  men  to  work  and  made  sugar.  As 
the  season  advanced,  causing  the  grass  to  grow, 
he  collected  his  horses  and  cattle  and  returned 
to  his  family  in  St.  Clair  county,  in  the  spring 
of  1818." 

Mr.  Pulliam  did  not  return  to  Sangamon 
county  until  the  Spring  of  1819.  When  he  did 
so  he  found  Zachariah  Peter  in  possession  of 
his  cabin.  Mr.  Peter  at  once  vacated  and  Mr. 
Pulliam  and  family  took  possession.  This  was 
the  home  of  Mr.  Pulliam  until  bis  death,  which 
occurred  July  31,   183S. 

A  paper  was  prepared  by  Governor  John  Rey- 
nolds, to  be  read  at  the  first  old  settlers'  meeting 
in  Sangamon  county,  in  18.59.  In  that  paper 
Governor  Reynolds  related  some  incidents  in 
the  life  of  Robert  Pulliam.  It  is  known  to  all 
the  old  settlers  that  Mr.  Pulliam  wore  an  artific- 
ial leg.  Governor  Reynolds  says  that  one  of 
Mr.  Pulliam's  legs  became  diseased,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1808  it  was  found  to  be  absolutely 
necessary  to  amputate  it  in  order  to  save  his  life. 
Dr.  Tuthill,  of  Cahokia,  performed  the  opera- 
tion. The  Governor  says  :  "I  resided  with  my 
father  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mr.  Pulliam,  and 
knew  the  circumstances  of  the  amputation.  The 
patient  possessed  such  courage  that  he^held 
his  body  as  firm  as  a  rock,  without  assistance, 
during  the  operation.  I  presume  this  was  the 
first  amputation  of  a  limb  that  occurred  in  Illi- 
nois, and  at  that  time  was  considered  a  surgical 
operation  almost  superhuman."  Governor  Rey- 
nolds describes  Mr.  Pulliam  as  a  man  of  fine  pro- 
portions and  peifect  physical  development.  He 
says  the  circumstances  of  his  life  prevented  his 
obtaining  an  education  from  books,  to  any  con- 
siderable extent,  but  his  natural  good  sense  and 
opportunities  for  studying  men,  enabled  Ijiin  to 
hold  a  place  in  the  front  rank  of  business  men  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


that  time.  He  was  fond  of  the  rude  sports  of 
the  times;  such  as  horse  racing,  hunting,  and 
games  of  various  kinds,  but  later  in  life  he  felt 
that  the  example  was  injurious,  and  changed  his 
•course.  He  first  united  with  the  Baptist  church, 
and  then,  for  greater  convenience,  connected 
himself  with  the  Methodist  church,  and  his  wife 
did  the  same.  They  continued  in  this  commun- 
ion to  the  end  of  their  lives.  Mr.  Pulliam  un- 
derstood the  advantages  of  improved  machinery, 
and  endeavored  to  introduce  it  into  the  settle- 
ment whenever  it  was  practicable.  He  was  one 
of  the  earliest  to  build  a  mill  in  the  county.  It 
was  run  by  tread-wheel,  and  the  motive  power 
was  either  liorses  or  o.\en.  All  the  early  settlers 
raised  cotton  quite  extensively,  and  he  was  one 
of  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  to  introduce  a  cotton 
gin  into  the  settlement. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Society 
was  held  on  the  site  of  the  first  cabin,  an  account 
of  which  is  given  in  the  chapter  on  the  Pioneer 
Society. 

In  the  spring  of  1818,  William  Drennan  and 
bis  half  brother,  Joseph  Drennan,  his  sou-in-law, 
Joseph  Dodds,  and  George  Cox,  left  their  families 
near  Aitoi,  and,  with  their  teams,  farming  im- 
plements, ))rovisions,  and  all  the  young  men  and 
boys  belonging  to  the  families  wlio  were  able  to 
assist  in  making  a  home,  started,  piloted  by  a 
white  man  named  William  Moore,  who  had  be- 
longed to  a  company  that  had  been  over  the 
country  before,  in  fighting  the  Indians.  He  was 
called  an  Indian  Ranger.  Arriving  at  Sugar 
■creek,  they  took  a  day  or  two  for  exploring,  and 
on  March  10,  1818,  drove  to  the  spot  on  which 
William  Drennan  built  his  cabin,  and  which 
proved  to  be  section  thirty  two,  town  fourteen, 
range  five  west,  when  the  government  made  its 
survey.  It  is  on  the  northwest  side  of  Sugar 
creek,  and  about  twelve  miles  nearly  due  south 
of  Springfield,  and  near  where  the  Sugar  Creek 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  now  stands. 
Immediately  after  their  arrival  they  built  two 
cabins.  One  was  occupied  by  George  Cox  alone. 
The  other  was  occupied  for  the  summer  by  Wil- 
liam and  Joseph  Drennan  and  Joseph  Dodds. 
That  was  the  one  spoken  of  as  belonging  to 
William  Drennan.  As  they  had  not  the  slight- 
est idea  of  cultivating  the  prairie,  these  three 
men  agreed  to  clear  all  the  land  they  could  in 
one  body,  and  have  a  croj»  from  it  that  year  in 
commi  n,  with  the  under.'tanding  that  before 
another  year  they  were  all  to  work  together  until 
an  equal  sized  piece  was  cleared  for  the  other 
two.  They  cleared  the  timber  from  about  fifteen 
acres,  fenced  it,  plowed  as  well  as  they   could 


among  the  roots  and  stumps  with  a  little  short 
wooden  mould-board  plow,  and  planted  it  in  corn 
and  pumpkins.  The  soil  in  the  timber  was  very 
light — so  much  so  that  in  some  places  they  would 
almost  sink  in  over  their  shoes.  In  fencing  this 
land  they  inclosed  about  three-fourths  of  an  acre 
of  prairie.  After  they  had  plowed  and  planted 
their  crop,  one  of  the  men  suggested  that  it  was 
quite  a  waste  to  have  that  under  fence  and  noth- 
ing growing  on  it,  and  proposed  that  they  break 
it  up  and  plant  something  on  it.  In  order  to 
make  sure  work,  they  uncoupled  one  of  their 
wagons,  hitched  four  horses  to  the  forward  wheels, 
and  fastened  their  wooden  mould-board  p'ow  to 
the  axle.     They  soon  found  this  was  a  failure. 

Try  as  they  would,  the  plow  would  not  enter 
the  sod,  and  they  reluctantly  gave  it  up.  While 
they  were  taking  ofi^  the  team  and  plow,  one  of 
the  boys,  full  of  fun  and  mischief,  took  up  a 
hoe,  and  began  to  shave  the  grass  off,  saying  he 
could  break  the  prairie  with  his  hoe.  That  sug- 
gested an  idea  to  one  of  the  men,  and  he,  also, 
took  a  hoe  and  began  shaving  the  grass.  It  was 
the  work  of  but  a  few  minutes  to  remove  the 
sod  from  a  spot  several  feet  in  diameter.  He 
then  called  one  of  the  other  men,  and  proposed 
that,  as  they  were  well  advanced  with  their 
work,  and  there  were  seven  or  eight  of  them, 
and  all  had  hoes,  that  they  call  all  hands  to- 
gether and  shave  the  grass  from  the  whole  piece, 
plant  something  on  it,  and  see  what  would  be 
the  result.  The  man  spoken  to  first  laughed  at 
the  idea  as  ridiculous,  but  after  studying  a 
moment,  he  fell  in  with  it,  and  the  men  and  boys 
were  all  called  up,  and  the  grass  shaved  off,  holes 
dug,  and  corn  and  pumpkin  seed  planted.  They 
did  not  touch  it  any  more;  that  killed  the  grass. 
The  crop  was  fully  twice  as  much,  in  proportion 
to  the  area,  as  that  planted  among  the  stumps, 
and  the  next  spring  it  broke  up  the  nicest  of  any 
land  they  had  ever  seen.  This  taught  them  an 
important  lesson,  and  caused  them  to  make 
greater  exertions  to  induce  some  one  to  invent  a 
plow  that  would  break  the  prairie.  I  have  this 
account  from  the  venerable  William  Drennan, 
who  was  one  of  the  young  men  that  assisted  in 
doing  the  work,  and  who  has  lived  in  sight  of 
the  spot  to  the  present  time.  Several  years 
elapsed  before  a  plow  was  invented  that  would 
do  good  work  at  breaking.  In  the  meantime, 
the  early  settlers  continued  clearing  their  land, 
that  they  might  have  it  to  cultivate,  and  were 
always  uneasy  for  fear  their  timber  would  be  ex- 
hausted. 

In  the  fall  of  1818,  the  Drennans,  with  Cox 
and  Dodds,  brought   their  families.     The  Dren- 


^86 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


nans  ard  Cox  had  their  cabins  built  on  arrival, 
but  Dodds  was  rot  so  fortunate,  and  therefore 
moved  into  a  rail  pen,  where  he  lived  until  a 
cabin  could  be  erected. 

While  the  men  were  gone  after  their  families, 
they  left  the  boys  in  charge  of  their  growing 
crops.  On  one  occasion  an  Indian  came  along 
and  cffertd  tie  boys  twenty-five  cents  for  as 
many  pumpkins  as  he  could  carry.  His  offer  was 
accepted  by  the  boys  and  he  was  allowed  to  take 
his  pumpkins.  He  tcok  his  blanket  and  gathered 
the  corners,  filled  it,  then  taking  up  one  and 
placing  the  stem  in  his  mouth  gave  a  grunt  and 
started  off.  This  was  probably  the  first  cash  sale 
of  produce  in  the  county. 

William  Drennan  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and 
was  "  gathered  to  his  fathers"  in  1847,  while  his 
■wife  survived  him  many  years.  Joseph  Dren- 
nan died  October  22,  1SG5,  and  his  widow,  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Drennan  in  1866.  George  Cox  died 
November,  1819.  Joseph  Dodds  died  January 
21,  1809,  and  his  wife,  Martha  Dodds,  Jacuarv 
10,  18.53. 

Ball  township  was  settled  quite  rapidly  after 
the  arrival  of  the  parties  above  mentioned. 

Louis  Laughliu  came  in  1821,  with  his  family, 
and  settled  on  section  twenty-nine,  where  he  re- 
mained about  fifteen  years,  when  he  moved  to 
Wisconsin,  and  died  since  the  war.  Mr.  Laugh- 
lin  was  one  of  the  first  persons  in  Sangamon 
county  to  advocate  the  abolition  of  slavery,  and 
lived  to  see  it  accomplished. 

James  Anderson  came  in  1820.  He  was  born 
in  Virginia,  moved  from  there  to  Kentucky, 
thence  to  Indiana,  and  then  to  Illinois.  He  set- 
tled on  section  thirty-three,  but  afterwards 
moved  to  the  north  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river, 
and  died  in  1828. 

Thomas  Black  came  in  1819,  and  settled  near 
the  Auburn  line.  He  soon  built  a  distillery  and 
horse  mill,  which  were  extensively  patronized  by 
the  surrounding  country. 

Alexander  Richie  settled  on  section  thirty- 
three  in  1822,  ficm  which  place  he  moved  to 
Texas,  ard  died  about  1844. 

John  Richie  also  came  in  1822,  and  settled  on 
the  same  section.  He  afterwards  removed  to 
Iowa  wliere  he  died.. 

Job  Fletcher,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Rockbridge 
county,  Virginia,  from  whence  be  moved  to 
Kentucky,  and  from  there  to.  Illinois,  settling  in 
this  tcwLsliip  in  ISJ9.  On  the  very  night  of  his 
arrival  in  the  settlement,  Mr.  Fletcher  was  called 
to  write  the  will  of  George  Cox,  who  came  the 
year  before  with  the  Drennan  and  Dodds  fami- 
lies.    That  was  the  first   will  from  what  is  now 


Sangamon  county,  ever  put  on  record,  and  was 
registered  at  Edwardsville. 

jklr.  F.  had  to  buy  corn  for  bread  and  to  feed 
his  stock  until  he  could  raise  a  crop.  The 
nearest  point  at  which  he  found  any  for  sale  was 
three  iniles  south  of  Edwardsville.  Mr.  Fletcher 
bought  of  Major  lies  the  first  window  glass  ever 
sold  in  Springfield,  and  the  first  ever  put  in  a 
window  in  Sangamon  county.  He  also  believed 
that  he  taught  the  first  school  in  the  county,  in 
a  log  cabin  built  for  that  purpose,  in  1820  or 
'21,  south  of  Sugar  creek.  A  Sunday  school 
was  organized  near  where  he  lived  in  1825,  by 
Rev.  J.  M.  Peck,  and  Mr.  Fletcher  taught  in 
that  school  also.  It  was  near  where  the  Sugar 
Creek  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  now 
stands.  Mr.  Fletcher  occupied  a  prominent 
position  in  the  county  at  an  early  day,  and  was 
one  of  the  famous  "Long  Nine."  He  died  in 
1872. 

Joseph  Dodds  was  born  in  Abbeville  District, 
South  Carolina,  in  the  year  1786  on  the  28th  of 
May.  He  was  taken  by  his  mother  to  Caldwell 
county,  Kentucky,  in  1797,  or  '8.  He  was  there 
married.  May  3,  1810,  to  Mattie  Drennan.  They 
had  three  children  in  Kentucky,  and  in  October, 
1817,  he  accompanied  his  father-in-law,  William 
Drennan  to  Illinois.  In  November,  they  stopped 
on  Wood  river,  in  Madison  county,  two  miles 
north  of  Alton,  and  remained  there  until  the 
next  March,  when  the  men  and  boys  connected 
with  four  families  started  for  Sugar  creek,  San- 
gamon county,  piloted  by  William  Moore,  an 
Indian  ranger.  They  reached  their  destination 
on  the  first  of  March,  1818,  stopping  in  what  is 
now  Ball  township,  northwest  of  Sugar  creek. 
There  had  not  been  any  survey  made,  but  the 
spot  selected  by  Mr.  Dodds,  and  on  which  he 
built  his  cabin,  is  now  section  twenty-nine,  town 
fourteen,  range  five  west,  and  that  of  William 
Drennan  is  section  thirty-two,  same  town  and 
range.  Mr.  Dodds  had  been  too  busy  with  his 
crop  to  build  anything  better  than  a  double  rail 
pen  for  the  protection  of  his  family.  Mr.  Dodds 
brought  his  family  to  their  new  home  November 
3,  1818.  Mrs.  Marti  a  Dodds  died  January  10, 
K^53,  and  Joseph  Dodds  died  January  21,  1868, 
both  on  the  farm  where  they  settled  in  1818. 
Joseph  Dodds  became  very  much  dissatisfied 
soon  after  coming  to  Sangamon  county,  and 
determined  to  return  to  Kentucky.  He  sold  all 
the  projierty  he  could  spare  to  obtain  money  to 
defray  the  expense,  and  loaded  his  wagon;  but 
his  horses  strayed  away  the  night  previous  to 
the  time  he  intended  starting,  and  before  he 
could  find  them  his  money  was  gone.     He  was 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


181 


thus  compelled  to  remain.  After  becoming 
reconciled,  he  often  expressed  his  thanks  to  those 
horses  for  running  away. 

Abram  Pease  was  born  July  22,  1791,  in  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard,  Dukes  county,  Massachusetts. 
The  ancestors  of  this  family  were  from  Wales, 
and  came  to  America  more  than  two  hundred 
years  ago,  settling  in  Massachusetts.  Abram 
Pease  went  to  the  State  of  New  York  when  a 
young  man,  and  was  married  there,  August  IS, 
181 1,  to  Orpha  Southwick  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  War  of  1812,  from  Cayuga  county.  New 
York.  Abram  Pease  and  wife  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county  with  the  family  of  Jesse  Southwick, 
arriving  in  1818  in  what  is  now  Ball  township. 
He  died  in  18-32. 

Joseph  Drennan  was  born  in  the  Pendleton 
District,  South  Carolina,  April  16,  1786.  He  was 
a  hall'-'  rother  of  and  much  younger  than  Wil- 
liam Drennan,  senior.  Joseph  Drennan  was 
married  in  South  Carolina  to  Rebecca  Evets. 
About  1S07,  the  family  moved  to  Caldwell  coun- 
ty, Kentucky,  and  they  moved  to  what  is  now 
Ball  township,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  com- 
ing hiffself  in  March  10,  1818,  and  bringing  his 
family  in  September  of  that  year. 

John  Taylor  was  born  in  Danville,  Kentucky. 
He  came  when  a  young  man  to  Madison  county, 
Illinois,  and  was  there  married  to  Elizabeth 
Burkhead,  who  was  born  near  Charleston,  South 
Carolina.  They  returned  to  Kentucky,  and 
moved  to  Edwardsville,  Illinois,  and  from  there 
to  what  became  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
1819  on  Sugar  creek,  in  what  is  now  Ball  town- 
ship. 

Job  Fletcher,  Sen,  was  born  November  11, 
1793,  in  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia.  His 
father  died  when  he  was  an  infant,  and  his 
mother  moved  with  her  elder  son,  John,  in  the 
autumn  of  1808,  to  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  and 
the  next  spring  to  that  part  of  Christian  which 
was  afterwards  Todd  county.  Job  remained  in 
the  family  of  his  brother  John,  attending  school 
and  teaching.  He  served  as  a  soldier  six  months 
in  the  War  of  1812,  and  as  such  assisted  in  bury- 
ing the  dead  after  the  Battle  of  Tippecanoe,  al- 
though he  was  not  in  the  battle.  Mary  Kerch- 
ner  was  born  May  25,  1878,  in  Augusta  county, 
Virginia,  and  was  taken  by  her  parents  to  Todd 
county,  Kentucky.  Job  Fletcher  and  Mary 
Kerchuer  were  there  married,  December  22, 1818, 
and  moved  to  what  became  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  November  11,  1819,  in  what  is 
now  Ball  township. 

He  died  September  4,  1872,  within  half  a  mile 
of  where  he  settled  in   1819. 


John  Brownell  was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  Au- 
gust 14,  1800.  During  his  infancy  his  parents 
removed  to  Seneca,  New  York.  He  came  west 
with  the  family  of  William  Seely.  Mr.  B.  and 
the  other  members  of  his  family  came  by  water 
to  Shawneetown,  and  from  there  in  wagons,  ar- 
riving in  what  is  now  Ball  township,  July  5, 
1819.  John  Brownell  was  married  to  Nancy 
Pulliam  in  1821. 

James  Sims  tpas  born  in  Virginia,  and  taken 
by  his  parents  to  South  Carolina,  where  he  was 
married  to  Dolly  Spillers  They  moved  to  Logan 
county,  Kentucky,  and  from  there  to  Caldwell 
county;  thence  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  and 
from  there  to  Sugar  creek,  Sangamon  county, 
arriving  in  the  spring  of  1820,  in  what  became 
Ball  township,  Sangamon  county.  He  built  a 
horse  mill  there  to  run  by  bands.  He  quarried 
stone  of  the  same  kind  of  which  the  first  [Stale 
House  in  Springfield  was  built,  and  by  the  aid 
of  his  brother-in-law,  William  Spillers,  made 
the  burrs  for  his  mill.  He  was  the  first  Repre- 
sentative from  Sangamon  county  in  the  State 
Legislature.  He  moved  to  Rock  Creek,  in  what 
is  now  Menard  county,  and  from  there  to  Morgan 
county.  He  was  a  Methodist  preacher,  and 
formed  the  first  circuit  ever  organized  in  Sanga- 
mon county. 

George  Brunk  was  born  December  22,  1804, 
in  Miami  county,  Ohio.  ■  At  seventeen  years  of 
age  he  came  to  Sangamon  county.  111.,  arriving 
in  the  fall  of  1821.  He  entered  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  what  is  now  Ball  township,  returning  to 
Ohio,  and  brought  his  mother,  and  step-father, 
Thomas  Royal,  with  his  brothers  and  sisters,  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  settled  them  on  the  land 
he  had  entered,  where  Dr.  Shields  now  resides. 
He  entered  more  land,  built  for  himself  a  hewed 
log  house,  and  was  married  Dec.  30,  1827,  to 
Mary  Boyd. 

Job  F.  Harris  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county, 
Va.,  Sept.  19,  1798,  and  was  taken  by  his  parents 
to  Barren  county,  Ky.,  in  1806.  He  was  ap- 
prenticed to  learn  the  business  of  cabinet 
making,  and  moved  to  St.  Louis,  in  1816.  Busi- 
ness being  dull,  his  master  released  him,  and  he 
spent  some  time  on  the  lower  Mississippi,  and 
went  from  New  Orleans  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
with  a  company  of  trappers, returning  in  the  fall 
of  1818.  In  the  Fall  of  1822  he  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  in  what  is  now  Ball  township.  In 
1827,  he  enlisted  in  aSangamon  county  company 
in  the  Winnebago  war.  He  died  July  29,  1866. 
His  widow  and  children  live  two  and  a  half 
miles  northeast  of  Auburn. 


•788 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Harris  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln  every 
time  he  was  a  candidate  for  any  office,  from  Cap- 
tain of  a  military  company  to  President  of  the 
United  States  for  the  second  time. 

Anthony  DeardofE  was  born  in  178C,  in  Penn- 
sylvania. Elizabeth  Powell  was  born  in  1800, 
in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania.  They  were 
married  in  1818,  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio.  The 
family  then  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  182.3,  in  what  is  now  Ball 
township. 

Thomas  Royal  was  born  about  1758,  in  Man- 
chester, England.  He  came  to  America  with  a 
comrade  about  his  own  age,  near  the  beginning 
of  the  war  for  Independence.  They  both  volun- 
teered in  the  army  of  the  Colonists,  and  his  com- 
rade at  his  side  had  his  head  blown  completely 
off.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Royal  was  severely 
wounded  by  a  charge  of  buckshot  entering  his 
ankle,  si  me  of  which  he  cairied  to  his  grave. 
After  the  Revolution  he  married  a  Miss  Cooper, 
in  Virginia,  and  rai^ed  a  family.  Mrs.  Royal 
died,  and  he  married  Rebecca  Matthews.  They 
moved  to  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  where  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Rojal  died.  Mr.  Royal  married  Mrs. 
Ellen  Brunk.  They  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  with  her  sons,  George  and  David  Brunk, 
the  Newcomer  family,  and  others,  numbeiing 
in  all  nearly  sixty-three  persons,  arriving  in  the 
fall  of  1824,  in  wtiat  is  now  Ball  township.  He 
died  in  1834. 

Joseph  Logsdon  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Kentucky,  about  1780.  He  was  married  to  a 
Miss  Simmons.  They  moved  1o  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  1824,  in  what  is  now 
Ball  township,  near  where  St.  Bernard  Church 
now  stands.  In  18-32  or  '33,  he  moved  his  fam- 
ily to  Missouri,  and  from  there  to  Texas.  He 
died  in  1848,  on  his  road  from  Texas  to  Califor- 
nia. He  is  particularly  remembei'ed  in  the 
vicinity  of  St.  Bernard  Church,  trom  the  fact 
that  the  first  religious  services  ever  conducted 
by  a  Catholic  priest  in  Sangamon  county  was 
held  at  his  hout-e  in  1829. 

Peter  Deardoff,  brother  to  Anthony,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania;  married  in  Ohio  to 
Hannah  Brunk,  came  to  Sangamon  connfy  in 
18-J4  with  George  Brunk. 

David  Brunk  was  born  December  17,  1819,  in 
Ohio  ;  came  with  his  mother  and  ste])-father, 
Thomas  Royal,  to  Sangamon  county  in  Decem- 
ber, 1824.  He  was  married  November  5,  1838, 
to  Maria  Shoup,  and  died  in  1855. 

Gilbert  Dodds,  born  in  Spartanburg  District, 
South  Carolina,  June  6,  17it3,  and  was  taken  by 
his  mother,  first  to  Tennessee,  and  from  there  to 


Caldwell  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  jnarried 
October  12,  1815,  in  Caldwell  county,  to  Mary 
Clinton.  Her  father,  James  Clinton,  was  Cap- 
tain of  a  company  in  the  Revolution.  Gilbert 
Dodds  and  wife  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  August,  1824,  in  what  is 
now  Ball  township,  and  joined  his  brother 
Joseph,  who  came  six  years  previous. 

Rev.  Gilbert  Dodds  became  a  minister  in  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  in  early  life. 
He  was  for  many  years  pastor  of  the  Sugar 
creek  church,  and  was  always  an  active, energetic 
advocate  of  temperance.  In  1847,  he  moved  to 
Menard  county,  a  few  miles  south  of  Peters- 
burg. Mrs.  Mary  Dodds  died  July  9,  1866,  and 
Rev.  Gilbert  Dodds  died  May  3,  1872,  both  near 
Petersburg;  the  latter  was  a  strong  advocate  of 
the  Abolitionist  party  up  to  his  death. 

William  Biirtle  was  born  July  1,  1780.  near 
]V[ontgomery  Court  House,  Maryland.  His  pa- 
rents moved  w^hen  he  was  a  boy  to  Washington 
county,  Kentucky.  Sarah  Ogden  was  born  in 
1786,  in  St.  Mary's  county,  Maryland.  Her 
father  died  when  she  was  a  child,  and  her 
mother  moved,  with  several  children,  to  Wash- 
ington county,  Kentucky.  William  Hurtle  and 
Sarah  Ogden  were  there  married,  about  1805. 
The  family  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  October,  1826,  in  what  is  now  Ball 
township.  Mr.  Burtle  entered  land  and  made 
improvements  for  a  permanent  home,  about  two 
hundred  yards  east  of  where  St.  Bernai'd's  Cath- 
olic Church  now  stands,  and  moved  on  it  in  the 
spring  of  1828. 

William,  Jr.,  born  August  9,  1822,  in  Grayson 
county,  Kentucky,  came  with  his  parents  to  San- 
gamon county  in  October,  1826;  was  married 
September  4,  1856,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.  Simp- 
son, whose  maiden  name  was  White.  William 
Burtle  has  been  a  school  teacher,  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  for  more  than  twenty  years  Treasurer 
and  Collector  of  Ball  township;  also  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Sangamon 
county.  He  was  also  elected  President  of  the 
Old  Settlers'  Society,  in  1874,  for  one  year.  He 
now  Jives  in  Auburn,  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  with  his  step-son,  Jerome  Simpson. 

William  Burtle,  Jr.,  remembers  that  his  father 
and  James  Simpson  sent  a  request  to  St.  Louis 
that  a  priest  visit  their  neighborhood.  Rev.  Mr. 
Dusuaswa  came  in  1829,  and  held  services  at  the 
residence  of  Joseph  Logsdon.  That  was  the 
first  service  ever  held  by  a  Catholic  priest  in 
Sangamon  county,  and  long  before  any  thing  of 
the  kind  took  place  in  bpringtield.  William 
Burtle  remembers    that    there    were    but   two 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


'789 


Catholic  families  in  Springfield.  The  next  ser- 
vices were  at  the  house  of  Wm.  Biirtle,  Sr.,  by 
Eev.  Joseph  A.  Lutz.  The  next  priest  to  visit 
them  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Van  Quickenbon.  Ser- 
vices were  held  at  the  house  of  William  Burtle, 
Sr.,  until  1849,  when  St.  Bernard's  Church  was 
built.  One  edifice  was  burned,  and  the  present 
one  was  built  on  the  same  ground.  St.  Bernard's 
church  is  associated  with  that  «t  ^'irden  in  sus- 
taining a  priest. 

Mrs.  William  Burtle  relates,  in  a  very  amusing 
manner,  some  of  her  experience  on  coming  to 
the  county.  She  had  listened  to  the  descriptions 
of  the  flowers  blooming  on  the  prairies,  and 
made  up  her  mind  that  it  would  lend  additional 
charms  to  those  she  was  acquainted  with  to  culti- 
vate them  on  the  prairie,  where  the  wild  flowers 
could  grow  around  them.  She  came  prepared 
with  seeds,  and  at  the  proper  season  armed  her- 
self with  a  hoe  and  sallied  forth  to  indulge  her 
taste  for  horticulture  on  the  raw  prairie.  The 
romance  all  vanished  at  the  first  blow,  as  the 
hoe  rebounded  without  making  the  slightest  im- 
pression. Until  that  time  she  thought  that  plow- 
ing with  large  ox-teams  was  overdoing  the  work, 
but  then  became  fully  .satisfied  that  it  was  in- 
dispensable as  a  preparation  for  the  cultivation 
of  the  soil. 

Zachariah  Ogden  was  born  November  11, 
1Y94,  near  Frederick  City,  St.  Mary's  county 
Maryland.  His  father  died  there  when  he 
was  quite  young,  and  his  mother  moved  to 
Washington  county,  Kentucky.  Zachariah  was 
married,  in  1815,  in  Grayson  county,  to  Eliza- 
beth Peerce.  The  family  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  October  13,  1827,  in 
what  is  now  Ball  township.     He  died  1869. 

.James  Simpson  was  born  about  1785,  in  Mary- 
land and  went  to  Washington  county,  Kentucky, 
when  he  was  a  young  man,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Mary  A.  Boone,  and  she  died.  He  then 
married  Monica  McAtee,  and  the  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall 
of  1828.  He  located  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  southeast  of  where  St.  Bernard 
Catholic  church  now  stands,    in  Ball  township, 

George  Moffitt  was  born  in  Augusta  county, 
Virginia,  about  1780,  was  married  to  Rebecca 
Gilkison,  and  then  moved  to  Fayette  county, 
Kentucky.  The  family  moved  to  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  what  is  now  Ball 
township  in  1829.     He  died  in  1860. 

Richard  Simpson,  brother  to  James,  was  born 
in  1790  in  Maryland,  went  when  he  was  a  boy, 
with  his   parents  to  Washington    county,  Ken- 

92— 


tucky.  He  was  there  married  to  Monica  II ig- 
dou.  She  died,  and  he  married  Ann  Vinson, 
in  Kentucky,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  1;30,  in  what  is  now  Ball 
township.  After  a  stay  of  but  one  year  in  San- 
gamon county,  Richard  Simpson  moved  his 
family  to  Christian  county,  and  both  died 
there. 

David  U.  Hermon  was  born  in  Wilks  county. 
North  Carolina,  January  12,  1805.  His  t: rand- 
father  was  German  and  his  grandmother  English. 
Sally  Mitts  was  born  February  11,  1811,  in  Grant 
county  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in  that 
county,  August  27,  1827,  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  October  26,  1830,  in 
what  is  now  Ball  township.  They  lived  in  a 
cabin  one  mile  west  of  Sugar  creek  timber,  and 
spent  the  winter  of  the  "  deep  snow"  there. 
But  one  other  family  lived  away  from  the  tim- 
ber. The  recollection  of  Mr.  Hermon  is  that 
rain  fell  for  a  day  or  two  until  the  earth  was  satu- 
rated. The  day  before  Christmas  the  rain  turned 
to  snow,  and  by  night  it  was  about  six  inches 
deep.  Snow  continued  to  fall  almost  every  day 
for  six  weeks.  February  11,  1831,  was  the  first 
time  he  saw  the  sun,  and  then  it  was  partially 
eclipsed.  He  burned  all  the  rails  and  loose 
timber  of  every  kind  near  his  house,  and  it  was 
all  he  could  do  to  keep  himself  and  family  from 
freezing. 

Jacob  Greenawalt  was  born  October  27,  1804, 
in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky.  Mary  Bradley  was 
born  August  4,  1810,  in  Larue  county,  Kentucky. 
They  were  there  married,  January  29,  1827,  and 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving 
October,  1830,  in  what  is  now  Ball  township,  and 
the  next  year  moved  to  Putnam  county.  The 
Black  Hawk  Indian  wa,r  breaking  out,  he  returned 
to  Sangamon  county.  After  the  capture  of 
Black  Hawk,  he  went  back  to  Putnam,  but  sold 
out  there,  and  returned  to  Sangamon  in  1836. 
He  died  in  1863. 

John  Fletcher  was  born  about  1774,  in  Rock- 
bridge county,  Virginia.  Was  a  brother  of  Job 
Fletcher.  Was  a  younger  brother  of  his.  John 
Fletcher  was  married  in  1803,  in  Augusta  coun- 
ty, Virginia,  to  Elizabeth  McElvain,  a  native  of 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fletcher  in  1806  emigrated  to  that  part  of  Chris- 
tian county  which  became  Todd  county,  Ken- 
tucky. They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, arriving  in  the  spring  of  1830  in  what  is 
now  Ball  township.  The  family,  including  his 
son  Job,  with  his  wife  and  child,  consisted  of 
eleven  persons,  and  their  first  place  of  residence 
was  a  log  cabin  sixteen  feet  square,  belonging  to 


790 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


his  brother  Job,  who  liad  preceded   him  eleven 
years. 

Daniel  Easley  was  born  October  18,  1773,  in 
Stokes  county,  North  Carolina.  In  1791  he 
went  to  South  Carolina,  and  in  1801  to  Cald-. 
well  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  there  married 
in  J  80.5  to  Mrs.  Margaret  Ritchie.  They  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the 
spring  of  1830,  in  what  is  now  Ball  township. 
Daniel  Easley  died  at  Auburn,  Sangamon  county, 
February  13,  1874.  If  the  date  of  his  birtli  is 
correct,  as  given  to  the  writer  by  the  old  gentle- 
man himself  about  fifteen  months  before  his 
death,  he  was  one  hundred  years,  three  months 
and  twenty-live  days  old. 

His  recollection  of  events  was  quite  distinct. 
He  related  incidents  connected  with  the  ascen- 
sion of  the  first  steamboat  on  the  Ohio  river, 
which  he  witnessed;  also  of  the  War  of  1812. 
He  united  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  when  he  was  eighty  years  of  age. 

The  Stout  family,  though  notasold  settlers  as 
many  others,  are  worthy  of  mention  in  this  con- 
neclion.  Power,  in  his  History  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  Sangamon  county,  has  this  to  say  of  the 
family: 

"The  origin  of  this  family  in  America  is  quite 
romantic.  The  principal  points  in  their  history 
may  be  found  in  Benedict's  History  of  the  Bap- 
tists. Some  of  his  statements  are  based  on  the 
writings  of  an  earlier  historian.  The  following 
embraces  all  that  is  knowu  on  the  subject: 

"Some  time  during  the  seventeenth  century, 
probably  about  1080  or  1690,  a  young  couple, 
just  married,  in  Holland,  embarked  on  a  vessel 
bound  for  America.  The  voyage  was  prosper- 
ous until  they  were  nearing  the  port  of  New 
Amsterdam,  now  the  city  of  New  York.  The 
vessel  was  wrecked  off  what  is  now  the  coast  of 
New  Jersey,  and  nearly  all  on  board  drowned. 
The  young  couple  of  Hollanders  escaped  drown- 
ing, and  with  a  small  number  of  the  passengers 
and  crew  succeeded  in  reaching  the  shore.  Upon 
landing,  they  were  attacked  by  Indians,  who  lay 
in  ambush  awaiting  their  arrival.  The  whole 
party  were  tomahawked,  scalped,  and  otherwise 
mutilated,  and  left  for  dead.  All  were  dead  ex- 
cept the  wife,  from  Holland.  She  alone  sur- 
vived, and  although  her  scalp  was  removed,  and 
she  was  otherwise  horribly  mangled,  she  had 
sufficient  remaining  strength  to  crawl  away  from 
the  scene  of  the  slaughter,  and  secreted  herself 
in  a  hollow  log,  which  was  concealed  by  under- 
brush. She  lay  there  a  day  or  two,  during 
which  time  her  menial  and  bodily  suffering  may 
be    imagined,   but    cannot   be   described.      She 


finally  made  up  her  mind  that  there  was  no  pos- 
sibility of  her  escaping  with  life;  that  if  she  re- 
mained quiet  she  would  certainly  die  of  hunger 
and  thirst,  and  if  she  attempted  to  seek  suste- 
nance, that  would  expose  her  to  the  Indians, 
who  would  be  sure  to  kill  her.  At  this  junc- 
ture, a  deer,  with  an  arrow  sticking  in  its  body, 
ran  past  where  she  was.  This  led  her  to  believe 
that  Indians  were  near,  and  she  reasoned  that  it 
would  be  a  much  easer  death  to  let  them  kill  her 
than  to  endure  the  pangs  of  starvation  by  re- 
maining where  she  was.  She  then  summoned 
all  her  remaining  strength,  and  dragged  her 
body  out  to  an  open  space,  that  the  Indians 
might  see  her,  should  they  pursue  the  deer.  In 
a  short  time,  three  of  the  savages  appeared  on 
its  trail.  Two  of  them  rushed  upon  her  with 
uplifted  tomahawks,  but  the  third  one,  a  chief, 
restrained  them,  and  saved  her  life.  It  was  not 
humanity,  but  gain,  that  prompted  him  to  this 
act  of  mercy.  He  took  his  prisoner  to  New  Am- 
sterdam, and  there  received  a  ransom  lor  her. 
That  placed  her  in  the  hands  of  friends,  who 
gave  her  the  proper  surgical  treatment  and  nurs- 
ing as  she  recovered.  The  name  of  her  husband 
is  not  known,  neither  is  her  own  family  name — 
nothing  but  her  first  and  given  name,  Penelope; 
a  name  that  has  stood  for  more  than  twenty-five 
centuries,  in  tradition  and  literature,  as  the 
highest  ideal  of  a  true  and  loyal  wife.  It  will 
readily  be  understood  that  I  allude  to  one  of  the 
creations  of  Homer,  the  father  of  Greek  poetry. 
A  brief  statement  of  the  case,  gleaned  from  his 
works,  will  not  be  out  of  place  here. 

"When  the  Greeks  declared  war  against  Troy, 
in  consequence  of  the  abduction  of  Helen,  the 
wife  of  Menelaus,  a  Greek  chieftain,  it  was 
found  that  one  of  their  number,  Ulysses, 
although  a  soldier  by  profession,  and  a  farmer 
in  time  of  peace,  manifested  great  reluctance  to 
leaving  his  young  and  beautitul  wife,  Penelope, 
and  their  infant  son,  Telemachus,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  engaging  in  war.  He  feigned  insanity, 
by  sowing  salt  instead  of  wheat.  As  a  test  of 
his  sanity,  Nestor,  whom  all  respected  for  his 
wisdom  and  probity,  proposed  that  the  infant 
son  of  Ulysses  should  be  laid  in  the  furrow  in 
front  of  the  oxen  with  which  he  was  plowing. 
The  device  was  successful,  and  caused  him  to 
throw  oft'  the  disguise  by  saving  his  child.  It 
was  expected  that  the  war  would  be  brief,  but  it 
was  extended  to  a  long  series  of  years,  and  of 
those  who  finally  returned,  Ulysses  was  the  last, 
after  twenty  year's  absence.  Meanwhile,  he  was 
supposed  to  be  dead,  and  many  suitors  for  the 
I  hand  of  Penelope,  pressed   their  claims,  and  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


791 


simple  'No'  from  her  was  not  taken  for  an  an- 
swer. The  verj'  thought  of  marrying  again, 
espec'ally  while  the  fate  of  her  husband  was  in 
doubt,  was  peeuliarly  revolting  to  her,  and  she 
announced  her  intention  of  choosing  a  husband 
among  the  suitors,  when  she  had  completed  tlie 
weaving  of  a  shroud  for  her  father-in-law. 
Her  ardent  suitors  waited  with  all  the  patience 
which  they  could  command  until  it  was  discov- 
ered thai  she  undid  at  night  what  she  had  woven 
through  the  day.  She  was  then  obliged  to  pro- 
ceed with  her  work  when  the  long  absent 
Ulysses  returned  just  in  time  to  save  her  from 
what  seemed  a  horrible  fate. 

"This  modern  Penelope  had  no  such  doubts  to 
contend  with.  The  death  of  her  first  husband 
was  only  too  sure,  having  been  witnessed  by  her 
own  eyes.  After  her  recovery,  she  b-came  ac- 
quainted with  and  married  an  Englishman  by 
the  name  of  Richard  Stout.  They  then  went 
over  into  New  Jersey,  made  themselves  a  home 
and  raised  a  family  of  twelve  sons.  One  of  them, 
Jonathan  Stout,  and  his  family  were  the  found- 
ers of  the  Hopewell  settlement,  in  Hunterdon 
county,  New  Jersey,  where  Hopewell  Baptist 
Church  was  afterwards  constituted.  Of  tlie  first 
fifteen  members,  nine  were  Stouts.  The  church 
was  organized  at  the  house  of  a  Stout,  and  for 
forty  years  their  meetings  were  lield  chiefly  at 
the  houses  of  the  Stouts;  after  whieli  they 
erected  their  first  house  of  worship.  In  1790, 
two  of  the  deacons  and  four  of  the  elders  were 
Stouts.  Jonathan  Stout  lived  until  his  de- 
scendants were  multiplied  to  one  hundred  and 
seventeen.  Another  one  of  their  sons,  David, 
had  a  son  Benjamin,  born  in  1706.  He  had  a 
son,  Jediah,  born  April  10,  1757.  His  son  Phile- 
mon, came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1836,  and 
died  some  ten  years  later.  Several  of  the 
family  yet  live  in  the  township,  and  are  well 
known. 

"  The  Stouts  very  justly  take  pride  in  their 
family  history,  and  being  mostly  Baptists,  they 
take  pride  in  their  Baptist  history  also.  When 
they  meet  a  stranger  by  the  name  of  Stout,  who 
manifests  a  disposition  to  claim  relationship, 
they  apply  one  test  only  in  their  family  history. 
They  do  not  ask  him  to  pronounce  the  word 
Shibboleth,  but  ascertain  if  he  has  any  knowl- 
edge of  Penelope,  and  if  he  knows  nothing  of 
her,  they  know  nothing  of  him.  In  other  words, 
they  do  not  cultivate  his  acquaintance  in  the 
direction  of  relationship,  any  further." 

Captain  Job  Fletcher,  one  of  the  oldest  living 
settlers  now  living  in  the  township, came  in  1830. 
(See  gketch.) 


In  1829,  a  company  of  sixty-three  iiersons 
came  from  Ohio,  among  whom  were  Absolom 
Meredith  and  family,  Isaac  Clark  and  family, 
David  Clark  and  family,  Mr.  Snell  and  others. 
Among  other  early  settlers  were  Joseph  Dixon, 
Joseph  Gaflin,  Daniel  Ford,  Mr.  Averill,  Edin 
Lewis,  William  Eads. 

MILLS. 

The  first  Tuills  in  the  township  were  the  olil 
fashionetl  horse  mills,  often  described.  Thomas 
Black  had  one  on  his  place,  and  also  Joseph 
Drennan  anel  Robert  Pulliam.  The  first  water 
mill  was  erected  in  1827,  by  A.Lathropon  Sug.ar 
creek,  on  section  two.  This  was  a  saw  mill. 
Subsequently  it  was  sold  to  John  Purvis,  who 
built  agristmill  in  connection.  Mr.  Purvis  run 
a  distillery,  which,  like  others  at  that  day,  was 
extensively  patronized.  Mr.  Purvis  sold  to 
Leroy  Hill  and  Hill  to  Robert  McCondy  about 
1840.  Mr.  McCondy  died  in  1843,  and  the  mill 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Timothy  Shoup.  In 
1850,  William  D.  Crow  purchased  it,  anei  in 
1857  tore  it  down  and  re-built  a  larger  and  more 
substantial  building.  The  mill  was  run  exclti- 
sively  by  water  until  1866,  when  steam  was  in- 
troduced. It  is  now  run  by  water  or  steam  or 
both,  as  it  pleases  the  operator.  The  mill  has 
three  run  of  stone  and  does  a  large  business, 
about  one-half  of  which  is  custom  work.  Wil- 
liam D.  Crow  died  in  1869,  and  was  succeeded 
by  his  son. 

POST    OFFICE. 

In  1862,  after  the  organization  of  the  One 
Hundredth  anei  Fourteenth  regiment  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  a  large  number  of  whom 
were  from  Ball  and  Cotton  Hill  townships,  the 
desire  sprung  up  by  many  living  in  both  town- 
ships for  a  post  ofl^ice  in  the  neighborhood,  that 
they  might  earlier  receive  news  from  the  seat  of 
war.  A  petition  was  circulated,  praying  for  the 
establishment  of  an  office,  and  the  appointment 
of  Davis  Meredith  as  postmaster.  The  prayer 
oil  the  petitioners  was  granted,  and  the  office 
was  established  with  Mr.  Meredith  as  postmas- 
ter. It  was  called  Cotton  Hill,  although  located 
in  Ball  township,  on  section  twelve.  During  the 
dark  days  of  the  war,  the  yard  of  Mr.  Meredith 
was  often  filled  with  anxious  men  anel  women, 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  mail  that  they  might 
hear  news  from  absent  ones,  fighting  their  coun- 
try's battles.  When  the  war  was  over,  Mr. 
Meredith  resigned  the  office,  and  James  Terry 
was  appointed  postmaster.  The  office  was  re- 
moved to  Mr.  Terry's  residence,  two  miles  south, 
on  section  24.     Here  is  remained  aboutone  year, 


7il2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


wben  it  was  removed  to  Crow's  mill,  and  George 
Stakey  appointed  postmaster.  Mr.  Stakey  was 
subsequently  succeeded  by  Charles  Silash,  and 
he  by  Taylor  Crow,  and  finally  Virgil  Downey 
was  api^ointed,  and  is  the  present  postmaster. 

MAZEPPA. 

I""ew  of  the  j'ouuger  generation  know  that 
Ball  township  once  boasted  of  its  village,  but 
such  was  the  fact.  In  1837,  just  previous  to  the 
financial  crash  of  that  year.  George  R.  Spotts- 
wood  had  planted  a  village  which  he  gave  the 
high  sounding  title  of  Mazeppa.  The  inquisi- 
tive reader  may  wish  to  know  who  Mazeppa 
was.  The  writer  has  seen  no  account  of  the 
person  in  any  of  the  biographical  dictionaries  of 
the  day,  and  can  only  refer  to  the  poem  of 
Lord  Byron.  The  village  had  its  store,  the 
principal  article  sold  being  a  prime  article  (at 
least  tliey  called  it  prime)  of  whisky,  distilled 
from  corn.  Here  the  annual  musters  were  held, 
and  the  brave  militia  "fit,  bled  and  died"  on  the 
gory  field.  It  is  no  mistake  about  its  often 
being  gory,  for  it  more  than  once  occurred  before 
the  close  of  the  day  there  would  be  several 
fights,  causing  bloody  noses,  and  all  for  "the 
fun  of  the  thing."  But  Mazeppa  never  had  a 
postoffice,  and  of  course  could  not  flourish,  for 
what  place  without  mail  privileges  could  ever 
exist"?  The  store  was  started  by  John  Deardorff, 
who  continued  it  but  a  short  time  and  then 
sold  it. 

WATER    COUESES. 

The  principal  stream  running  through  the 
township  is  Sugar  creek,  which  enters  on  section 
thirty-one,  from  which  it  passes  into  and  through 
sections  thirty-two,  thirty-three,  twenty-eight, 
twenty-one,  sixteen,  nine,  four,  three,  two  and 
one,  thence  into  Woodside  township,  Grindstone, 
Panther  and  Lick  creek,  are  tributaries  to  Sugar 
creek,  and  empty  into  the  latter  stream  in  this 
township.  The  first  bridge  across  Sugar  creek 
was  constructed  by  Thomas  Black  and  his  neigh- 
bors, about  1827.  It  was  of  hewn  timber,  wkh 
puncheon  fl  lor,  and  was  built  across  the  creek 
near  the  Ball  line,  but  in  Auburn  township. 

SCHOOLS. 

A  school  house  was  erected  in  1821,  on  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  nine,  which  was 
probably  the  first  school  house  built  in  the  county. 
Charles  Wright  was  the  first  teacher  in  this 
house. 

A  school  house  was  also  built  about  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  north  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  1823.  Joseph  White  was  one'of  the 
first    if  not  the  first  teacher  in  this  house. 


There  are  now  a  number  of  districts  in  the 
township.  Schools  are  held  in  the  various  school 
buildings,  six  to  nine  months  in  the  year. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  to  preach  the  gospel  in  this  township 
is  unknown.  The  Methodist  circuit  riders  were 
early  in  the  field,  and  the  Baptists  and  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  were  not  far  behind. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  situ- 
ated on  section  thirty-one,  was  organized  in  1824, 
at  the  house  of  William  Drennan,  Senior,  by 
Rev.  John  M.  Berry.  Anion*  those  comprising 
the  original  organization,  or  who  united  shortly 
afterwards,  were  William  Drennan,  Joseph 
Dodds  and  wife,  William  Wallace,  Gilbert 
Dodds  and  wife,  Lewis  Laughlin  and  wife, 
James  Anderson,  Robert  Anderson,  James  Wal- 
lace and  John  Durley.  The  congregation  wor- 
shipped for  some  years  in  school  houses  and 
private  dwellings,  and  in  1838  built  a  log  church, 
twenty-four  by  thirty,  clapboard  roof,  without 
ceiling  save  the  roof,  cracks  between  logs 
daubed  with  mortar,  the  whole  lighted  with  two 
small  windows.  The  seats  were  of  slabs,  with 
pins  to  rest  upon.  The  pulpit  was  a  board  eight 
inches  wide,  resting  upon  the  posts.  The  inside 
of  the  house  remained  in  this  condition  for  some 
years,  when  it  was  lathed  and  plastered,  and  a 
stove  put  in  by  which  to  warm  it.  No  further 
change  was  made  until  1846,  when  a  new  frame 
building  was  erected.  An  addition  was  subse- 
quently built  to  the  frame,  and  is  now  in  good 
condition,  and  near  the  same  site  of  the  old 
building.  The  church  has  now,  in  1881,  a  mem- 
bership of  one  hundred  and  one.  The  church 
at  first  was  ministered  unto  by  such  traveling 
preachers  as  chanced  to  be  in  the  neighborhood. 
Among  those  who  served  as  pastors  were  Revs. 
Dodds,  Randall,  Campbell,  Berry  and  F.  S. 
Bridgeman.  The  latter  served  the  church  for 
fourteen  years.  Rev.  George  Hudson  is  the 
present  pastor. 

The  first  Sunday  school  in  the  county,  an  1 
supposed  to  1)6  the  second  in  the  State,  was  or- 
ganized by  Rev.  J.  M.  Peck,  at  the  house  of 
William  Drennan,  Sr.,  in  1825.  It  was  placed 
under  control  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  organized  at  the  same  place.  William 
Drennan,  who  alwaj's  took  an  active  part  in 
every  good  work,  was  its  first  superintendent. 
Mr.  Drennen  was  succeeded  by  Job  Fletcher, 
who  for  twenty  years  served  in  the  same  capac- 
ity. After  Mr.  Fletcher,  a  number  of  others 
held   the    position,    the  present    superintendent 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ro? 


being  John  T.  Drennan,   a  grandson  of  its  first 
superintendent. 

The  tirst  services  held  by  a  Catholic  priest,  was 
in  1829,  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Logsdon,  and 
also  the  first  in  the  county.  Rev.  Mr.  Dusuaswa 
officiated.  The  next  service  was  at  the  house  of 
William  Burtle,  Sr.,  by  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Lutz. 
The  next  ])riest  to  visit  the  neighborhood  was 
Rev.  VaiiQuickenbon.  Services  were  held  at 
the  house  of  William  Burtle  until  1844,  when  a 
frame  church  twenty  by  thirty  was  built  and 
dedicaterl  by  Father  GifEerd,  who  resided  in 
Springfield.  The  parish  at  this  time  numbered 
about  forty  families.  The  church  building  was 
subsequentl 3' destroyed  by  fire,  and  a  large  and 
better  structure  was  erected  in  1800.  Father 
Henderson  was  the  jiastor  of  the  church  when 
the  new  house  was  erected.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Father  Grant,  and  he  by  Father  J.  Murphy, 
who  resided  in  the  parish,  the  others  residing  in 
Virden.  Father  Murphy  continued  his  labors 
three  years  and  held  services  each  Sunday. 
Father  Hickey,  of  Virden,  then  took  charge  of 
the  church  and  continued  two  years.  Father 
Ryan  followed  him  and  ministered  to  the  chuch 
for  one  year,  coming  from  Virden  once  a  month. 
Father  Kane,  of  Springfield  came  next,  and  was 
succeeded  after  the  expiration  of  six  months  by 
Father  D.   J.  Ryan.      The    present    pastor    is 

Father who  has  served  for  four  years, 

holding  services  every  three  weeks.  The  parish 
now  numbers  seventy  families.  The  trustees 
of  the  church,  while  their  new  house  of  worship 
was  being  erected  were  William  Burtle,  Garrett 
Young  and  Josiah  Gatton.  The  present  trustees 
are  Thomas  Burtle,  Garrett  Young  and  D.  J. 
Ryan.  The  present  church  building  is  thirty- 
six  by  sixty  feet,  and  cost  4i5,000.  A  cemetery 
is  connected  with  the  church  and  occupies  about 
two  acres  of  ground. 

Salim  Sugar  Creek  Church  was  first  built  in 
1843  and  re-built  in  1874. 

ORGANIC. 

At  the  fall  election  of  1860,  the  county  voted 
to  adopt  the  township  organization  law,  and 
commissioners  were  appointed  to  divide  the 
county  into  townships,  which  was  accordingly 
done,  and  township  fifteen,  range  four,  was  made 
a  political  township,  under  the  name  of  Ball,  so 
named  in  honor  of  one  of  its  principal  citizens. 
The  following  comprises  the  list  of  the  principal 
township  officers  from  1861  to  1881,  inclusive: 

StlPEIlVISOUS. 

J.  J.  Wcbpr 1S61 

.J..]    Weber 1862 

AVilliam  Burtle 1863 


William  Burtle 1864 

Philemon  Stout 1865 

Jacob  Weber 1866 

Joseph  Dodds 1867 

J.  J.  Weber • 1868 

W.  A.  Lockuer 1869 

Philemon  Stout 1870 

Philemon  Stout 1871 

Philemon  Stout 1873 

Philemon  Stout 1873 

Philemou  Stout  1874 

B.  F.  Pletther 1875 

B  P.  Fletcher 1876 

J.W.Jones 1877 

S.  J.  Stout 1878 

S,  J.  Stout 1879 

S.  T.  Matthew 1880 

S.  T.  Matthew 1881 


William  H.  H.  Bennington 1861 

L.  J.  Hire 1863 

A.  C.  Campbell 1864 

William  Burtle 1865 

Willia«i  Burtle 1866 

George  T.  Dreuuan _ 1867 

A.  C.  Campbell 1868 

A.  C.  Campbell  1869 

A.  C.  Campbell 1870 

Levi  Cassidy 1871 

Levi  Cassidy 1873 

James  M.  Burtle 1873 

James  H.  Burtle 1874 

A.  W.  Stickel 1875 

A.  W    Stickel 1876 

Z.  Burtle 1877 

Levi  Cassidy 1878 

C.  E.  Clayton 1879 

C.  E.  Clayton 1880 

C.  E.  Clayton 1881 

ASSESSOBS. 

William  Gardner 1861 

William  Gardner 1863 

William  Gardner 1863 

J.  W.  Jones 1864 

J.  W.  .Jones 1865 

Joseph  Campbell 1866 

W.  R.  Mesredy 1867 

W.  R.  Meiredy 1868 

Z.  Burtle 1369 

Levi  Cassidy 1870 

Z.  Burtle 1871 

Z  Burtle 1872 

Z.  fiurtle 1873 

Levi  Cassidy 1874 

J.  R.  Lockbridge 1875 

G.  R    Lockbridge 1876 

Levi  Cassidy 1877 

Joseph  Campbell 1878 

B    F.  McAtee 1879 

B.  F.  McAtee ' 1880 

B.  F.  McAtee 1881 

COLLECTORS. 

William  Burtle 1861 

Joseph  Campbell 1863 

William  Gardner 1863 

Z.  Burtle 1864 

H.  W.  Walker 1865 


794 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


W.  p.  Scott 1866 

E.  B.  Lawley 1867 

L.  Casaidy 1868 

Samuel  Knolls 1869 

JeU'ersoii  Clayton 1870 

Virgal  Downey. . .   1871 

J.  H.  Buitle 18W 

James  A.  Drennan 1873 

B.  G.  Simpson 1874 

R.  Q.  Simpson 187") 

Gilmer  Simpson 1876 

J.  F.  Buit 1877 

R.  G.  Simpson 1878 

G.  W.   Funderburk l«ll 

W.  E.  Jones 1880 

Joseph  Knotts 1881 

JUSTICES   OP   THE   PEACE. 

James  A.  Drennan 1861 

Daniel  Felter 1862 

Leonard  Fry 1863 

Leonard  Fry 186.') 

8.  Crane 186!) 

Joseph  Bean 1869 

R.   H .  Easley 1872 

Joseph  Beiin 1873 

William  O.  Burtle 1873 

William  O.  Burtle 1877 

Joseph  Bean 1878 

M .  P .  Loot 1879 

E.  H.  Lewis 1880 

G.  Burtle 1881 

Joseph  Bean 188 1 

HIGHWAY   COMMISSIONEKS. 

James  Wilson , 1861 

Philemon  Stout 1861 

Joseoh  Bean 1861 

J .  A.   Ball 1863 

M.  M.  Moore 1864 

J.  H.  W.  Lockridge 1865 

J .  W .  Jones 1866 

William  Patterson 1867 

Josiah  Lard 

J.  W.  Jones 1869 

Josiah  Lard 1870 

J.  A.  Drennan 1870 

N.  H.  Ingles 1870 

J.  Graham 1871 

W.  P.  Allen 1872 

Josiah  Lard 1873 

Joseph  Dodds 1873 

B.  R.  Headley 1874 

Drury  Jones 1876 

S.  N.  Shoup 1876 

Hiram  Walker 1877 

S.  T.  Matthew 1877 

J.  W.  Berry 1878 

J,  A.  Drennan 1879 

A.  Clayton ' 1880 

George  Black 1881 

TOWN    HALl. 

In  the  yearlSVe,  the  township  of  Ball  erected 
a  neat  frame  building  for  town  purposes,  at  a  cost 
of  $600. 

In  connection  with  the  history  of  this  town- 
ship is  given  short  personal  histories  of  many 
of  the  more  prominent  residents  which  will  prove 


of  interest  to  the  friends  of  those  of  whom  we 
write. 

J.  A.  Hall,  section  twenty-one,  was  born  in 
Madison  county,  Kentucky,  July  5,  1800;  his 
parents  were  John  and  Nancy  (Adams)  Ball,  the 
former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of 
North  Carolina.  They  moved  to  Madison  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1792,  where  they  lived  thirty  years 
on  a  farm;  father  died  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Virginia  while  on  a  visit  there.  In  1829,  the 
mother  of  the  subject  of  this  i-ketch  moved  to 
this  county,  where  she  died  in  1845,  at  her  son's 
house.  James  A.  was  twenty-live  years  of  age 
when  he  came  to  this  county,  and  bought  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  before  the 
township  was  named.  December  2,  1828,  he 
married  Sarah  E.  Henderson,  who  was  born  in 
Tennessee  in  1811,  and  they  had  two  children, 
Clarissa  Jane,  James  II.  Mr.  B.  lost  his  wife 
in  1832;  he  married  again,  this  time  Marinda 
Davis,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  in  1800; 
she  died  in  1855,  and  for  his  third  wife,  Mr.  Ball 
married  Melissa  Morrison,  who  was  born  in  Ohio 
in  1840.  By  this  marriage  there  were  two  child- 
ren, John  M.,  and  Fannie  M.  In  1840,  Mr.  Ball 
settled  on  his  present  farm,  where  he  now  owns 
two  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land.  He  has 
been  justice  of  the  peace  seveh  years,  and  also 
assistant  county  judge.  He  fought  in  the  Win- 
nebago war  under  T.  M.  Neal,  and  in  1831,  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  as  First  Lieutenant  under 
Captain  Morris  sixty  days,  and  in  1832,  he  again 
served  in  that  war  sixty  days,  as  Captain  under 
Major  Thomas  Long.  In  politics,  he  was  a 
Democrat. 

Joseph  Bean  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Indi- 
ana, July  27,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  Jecob  and 
Rachel  {nee  McClure)  Bean,  the  former  a  native 
of  New  Jersey,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania; 
they  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of 
1828,  arriving  one  day  before  the  election  of 
Andrew  Jackson,  President  of  the  United  States, 
and  settled  in  Cotton  Hill  township,  where  Mr. 
Beau  carried  on  farming  until  his  death,  April, 
1837.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  March,  1850.  June  1, 
1843,  Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  paragraph, 
married  Mary  P.  Spicer.  By  this  union  there 
were  two  childien — Nancy  J.,  now  Mrs.  Henry 
Ilertel,  and  Sarah  E.,  who  married  Isaac  Porter, 
and  died  in  1869.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  October, 
1850,  and  April  25,  1854,  Mr.  B.  married  Barbara 
Deardorff,  who  was  born  in  this  county  December 
23,  1827  ;  and  by  this  marriage  there  were  these 
four  children  :  Joseph  L.  and  Waldo  P.,  now 
living,  and  Thomas  W,  and  Lindsay  C,  deceased. 
Mr.  B.  owns,  in  Ball  and  Cotton  Hill  townships, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


795 


two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  worth  $45 
an  acre.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  For  the 
last  fifteen  years  he  has  been  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  has  been  almost  a  life  member  of  the 
School  Board. 

Joseph  Campbell  was  born  in  Montgomery 
county,  Ky.,  May  3,  1799;  son  of  Alexander  and 
Jane  (Anderson)  Campbell,  natives  of  Virginia, 
who  moved  to  Wayne  county,  this  State,  in  1817, 
where  they  lived  until  their  death,  the  latter  in 
September,  1844,  and  the  former  July  26,  1857. 
Joseph  was  married  May  12,  1822,  to  Elsie 
Clark,  who  was  born  in  Hopkins  county,  Ky., 
April  29,  1801.  Their  family  consisted  of  eight 
children,  of  whom  only  three  are  now  living. 
They  resided  in  Wayne  county  until  1846,  when 
they  moved  to  this  township.  May  6,  1870,  Mr. 
C,  lost  his  wife,  and  he  now  resides  on  the  old 
place,  Miss  Margaret  Jane  Campbell  keeping 
house.     Politically,  Mr.  C,  is  a  Democrat. 

W.  D.  Grow,  deceased,  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
January  24,  1812,  and  came  to  this  county  in 
1823,  locating  near  Auburn,  and  engaging  in 
farming  and  milling  until  1850.  He  removed  to 
Cotton  Hill,  Ball  township,  and  operated  a  mill 
until  his  death,  April  27,  1869.  In  1845,  he  mar- 
ried Jul  a  Messick,  who  was  also  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, September  ;7,  1823;  their  seven  children 
all  reside  in  this  county,  two  of  them  married. 
William  T.,  his  son,  and  the  present  owner  of 
the  mill,  took  charge  of  the  same  after  Mr.  Crow's 
death,  and  now  has  everything  in  running  order, 
with  three  sets  of  burrs,  run  by  steam  or  water. 
The  mill  is  furnished  with  new  and  improved 
machinery,  which  turns  out  first-class  fiour. 
William  resides  with  his  mother,  on  the  home- 
stead near  the  mill. 

Virgil  S.  Downing,  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois.,  April  2,  1842;  son  of  Jacob  and  Nancy 
(Sudduth)  Downing,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio, 
and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  both  died 
when  Virgil  was  Young,  and  the  latter,  at  thir- 
teen years  of  age,  went  to  live  with  Philemon 
Stout,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  opening 
of  the  late  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, in  August,  1862,  serving  nntil  the  Spring 
of  1865.  He  was  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  in 
the  battle  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  and  many 
smaller  engagements.  On  the  close  of  the  war 
be  returned  to  farming;  October  22,  1873,  he 
married  Susan  A.  Shields,  who  v/a.^  born  in  this 
county,  December  7,  1842;  the  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander and  Ann  (Capps)  Shields;  their  three 
children  are  Getaldine,  Anna  and  Alexander. 
In  the  spring  of  1881,  Mr.  Downing  bought  the 


store  owned  by  Mrs.  C.  W.  Sallsch,  consisting  of 
general  merchandise,  which  he  now  conducts. 
He  is  also  postmaster  at  Cotton  Hill. 

James  A.  Drennan  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  August  5,  1828,  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Drennan,  the  former  a 
native  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Vir- 
ginia, His  father  came  to  this  county  in  March, 
1818,  and  resided  in  the  county  untilihis  death, 
September  13,  1876.  Hi.s  mother  died  August 
28,  1881,  on  the  old  homestead.  James  grew 
up  on  the  farm,  and  his  education  was  received 
in  the  common  schools  of  this  county.  He 
married  in  1852,  to  Rachel  Cannon,  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  March  3,  1833,  and  came  to 
this  county  with  her  uncle,  her  parents  being- 
both  deceased  at  the  time.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  now 
living,  viz:  Jennetta  F.,  now  Mrs.  J.  F.  Burt, 
Mary"  E.,  Robert  W.,  Minnie  W.,  Ira,  and  Gil- 
bert; three  deceased,  Ida  Bell,  Ilattie  and  Fred- 
die. Mr.  D.,  moved  on  the  present  farm  De- 
cember 9,  1853,  on  which  he  has  continued  to 
reside.  His  farm  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty-one  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  and 
worth  $50  per  acre.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
road  commissioner  and  justice  of  the  peace 
for  many  years,  and  is  a  lifetime  member  of  the 
school  board.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

John  T.  Drennan  was  born  in  this  county, 
January  13,  1832.  Son  of  William  and  Marga- 
ret Drennan,  {nee  Anderson.)  He  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  enlisted  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion  in  the  Seventy-third  Regi- 
ment Illinois  Volunteers,  where  he  served  till 
September  20,  1863.  At  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  he  received  a  wound  in  his  left  ankle, 
also  a  flesh  wound  in  the  right  arm  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Perryville,  Kentucky,  and  Stone 
River,  Tennessee.  After  his  discharge  he  came 
home,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  in 
this  township,  near  the  old  home  of  his  father. 
He  has  held  the  office  of  School  Treasurer  six 
years,  is  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  is  unmarried,  and  a  staunch  Re- 
publican. 

JoJ)  tletcher  was  born  in  Rockbridge  county, 
Virginia,  Au,s;ust  27,  1801,  but  was  brought  up 
in  'Podd  county,  Kentucky.  His  parents  were 
John  and  Elizabeth  (McElvain)  Fletcher,  natives 
also  of  Virginia,  who  moved  to  Kentucky  in 
1806,  and  tollllnois  i-n  1830;  their  family  con- 
sisted of  three  sons,  four  daughters  and  two 
grand-children.  They  settled  in  a  house  sixteen 
by  eighteen,  made  of  logs,  and  owned  by  Job 
Fletcher,  his  brother,  who  came  in   1819.      He 


roe 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


built  an  addition  to  the  cabin,  planted  a  crop, 
and  lived  there  during  the  summer.  During 
this  season  John  and  his  brother,  James,  died. 
The  mother  lived  with  her  son.  Job,  until  her 
youngest  daughter  was  married.  She  then  went 
to  Montgomery  county,  Illinois,  and  from  there 
to  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  where  she  died. 
Job,  the  subject  of  this  notice,  was  married  in 
Kentucky,  to  Frances  Brown,  November  24, 
1825,  who  was  born  December  12,  1801,  in 
Augusta  covniy,  Virginia,  daughter  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Kashner)  Brown.  They  emigrated 
to  Macoupin  county,  Illinois.  Their  children 
are:  Mary  E.,  who  married  I.  N.  McElvain,  and 
died  in  18'75;  Margaret  Frances,  who  died  in  her 
tenth  year;  John  S.,  who  died  in  1854;  William 
D.,  who  died  in  his  third  year;  Preston  R.,  who 
in  1854  married  Sarah  Wright  and  now  resides 
in  Missouri;  he  had  seven  children, two  of  whom 
only  are  now  living;  Pauline  K.,  who  married 
Francis  E.  Dodds,  son  of  Joseph  Dodds,  a  well 
known  old  settler;  Benjamin  F.,  who  enlisted  in 
the  late  war,  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
mine  is  Volunteer  Infantry,  Company  B,  and 
served  three  years,  eleven  months  of  which  time 
was  passed  in  Andersonville  prison.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  E.  Drennan,  daughter  of  William 
Drennan,  and  they  had  four  children,  of  whom 
one  is  deceased.  Virginia  A.,  who  married 
Charles  G.  Brown,  and  of  their  five  children  two 
are  living.  Mr.  Fletcher  owns  two  hundreel  and 
eighty  acres  of  land,  including  the  home  place, 
whicli  he  bought  in  1833,  besides  giving  his 
children  nearly  seven  hundred  acres,  all  of  which 
he  purchaseel  since  he  came  to  this  county.  Jan- 
uary 11,  1881,  his  wife  died,  and  he  now  resides 
with  his  son,  Benjamin  F.,  who  carries  on  a 
faim  and  makesgiain  and  stock-raising  a  special- 
ty. They  have  been  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  since  1843.  Politically,  he  was 
an  oltl  Clay  Whig,  and  then  a  Republican. 

Mobert  II.  Easky  was  born  in  Ball  township, 
September  19,  1 84 1 .  He  is  the  son  of  James  B. 
and  Margaret  (Dodds)  Easley,the  former  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  the  latter  of  Illinois.  Mr. 
Easlcy's  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Ball  township,  and  at  one  time  knew  every  man 
in  Sangamon  county,  he  removing  here  in  1820, 
and  living  in  the  towiJshi]j  until  his  death,  vhich 
cccuired  September  10,  1857.  His  mother,  some 
time  after  his  tatlier's  death-,  was  married  to  W. 
Easley,  and  now  resides  in  Missouri.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  anel 
educated  in  the  cemmon  schools  of  the  town- 
ship and  the  Illinois  State  University.  In  1802, 
le  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  F.,  Twelfth 


Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  three  years,  the 
greater  part  of  the  time  in  the  Array  of  the  Po- 
tomac. Mr.  Easley  participated  in  many  of  the 
important  battles  of  the  war,  among  which  were 
the  battle  of  Stoneman's  Raid,  summer  of  JSeS; 
Gettysburg,  Boonesboro,  Upperville,  Darksville, 
and  numei'otis  others,  for  further  details  of 
which  we  refer  to  "Patriotism  of  Illinois."     Mr. 

E.  held  a  number  of  non-commissioned  otfices,  and 
was  mustered  out  as  Sergeant.  At  the  close  of 
the  war,  he  returned  home,  and  was  married,  in 
1865,  to  Mary  F.  Easley,  a  daughter  of  Ambrose 
and  Elizabeth  (Haggard)  Easley,  and  a  native 
of  Kentucky.     The  family  of  R.  H.  and  Mary 

F.  Easley  consists  of  four  children,  Laura  E., 
Henrietta  F.,  James  A.,  and  Arthur  K.  Mr. 
Easley  is  the  possessor  of  three  hundred  acres 
of  tine  land,  valued  at  $60  per  acre;  has  held  the 
offices  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  member  of 
the  School  Board.     In  politics,  is  a  Republican. 

Wil/iam  H.  Fvrd  was  bom  in  Fayette  countVj 
Kentucky,  July  3,  1824.  The  son  of  Daniel  and 
Mary  (Randolph)  Ford,  the  former  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They 
came  to  this  county  in  183S,  arriving  November 
8,  and  settling  in  what  is  now  Ball  township, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death.  May  22,  1852. 
Mrs.  Ford  died  in  1864.  William  R., 'the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  married  in  1849,  to  Minerva 
Jane  Scott,  who  also  was  born  in  Kentucky,  in 
April,  1830,  and  came  to  Morgan  county  with 
her  parents.  The  two  children  in  this  family  are, 
William  P.  and  Sarah  E.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  M. 
Shepherd.  JMr.  F.  moved  upon  his  farm,  where 
he  now  lives,  in  1856,  when  there  was  not  even 
a  rail  upon  it.  He  now  owns  two  hundred  and 
ninety-three  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  worth 
$50  an  acre.  Mr.  Ford  and  Mrs.  Ford  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Church.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

licq^ie  Funderhurk  was  born  in  this  county 
February  10,  1821,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and 
Polly  (Rape)  Fuuderburk.  The  latter  was  born 
in  South  Carolina,  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  then 
to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  finally  to  this 
county,  in  the  spring  of  1847,  with  William 
Nelson,  where  they  cleared  up  a  piece  of  land, 
planted  a  crop,  built  a  cabin,  and,  after  maturing 
the  crops,  went  back  and  brought  out  their  fami- 
lies to  their  new  home  on  Horse  creek,  in 
Cotton  Hill  township  In  Mr.  Henry  Funder- 
burk's  family  were  fifteen  children,  of  whom 
eight  are  living.  Their  mother  died  August.!, 
1841,  and  their  father  August  14,  1843,  in  Ball 
township.  In  1843,  the  subject  of  this  biography 
married  Amanda  Jones,  who  was  born  in  Wayne 


HISTORy  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


797 


county,  Illinois,  and  died  in  1845.  Their  only 
child  was  Alexander.  Mr.  F.,  in  1845,  married 
Mary  Sanders,  a  native  of  Sangamon  county, 
who  died  in  April,  1848.  In  1849,  for  his  third 
wife,  Mr.  F.  married  Caroline  Armstrong,  a 
native  of  Ohio.  By  this  marriage  have  been 
ten  children  ;  the  living  are,  Mary  J.,  Abel, 
George  W.,  Amanda,  Albert,  Melvin,  Edward 
and  Miles.  The  two  deceased  were  Thomas  L. 
and  Stephen  A.  Mr.  Fiinderburk's  farm,  in  1862, 
consista  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  well 
improved,  and  worth  4<50  an  acre.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat.  Mr.  F.'s  principal  occupa- 
tion is  trading  in  stock. 

William  Hermoii  was  born  in  this  county, 
November  20,  1842;  son  of  David  and  Sally 
(Mitts)  Hermon,  the  former  a  native  of  North 
Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They 
came  to  this  county  in  1830  and  located  in  Ball 
township  where  they  still  reside.  William  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
resided  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  1865, 
when  he  married  Emma  Mitts,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  February  12,  1851.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Jacob  and  Marinda  Mitts,  both  de- 
ceased. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hermon  have  one  child, 
David  Tilden,  born  December  21,  1876.  Mr.  H. 
moved  upon  h'n  present  farm  in  the  fall  of  1877. 
It  consists  of  fifty  acres  of  well  improved  land. 
He  is  a  Democrat. 

Nathan  H.  Ingles  was  born  January  1,  1837, 
in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky;  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Parmelia(Jacoby)  Ingles,  who  were 
both  Kentuckians.  His  fatherdied  in  Kentucky; 
in  1855,  his  mother  with  her  family,  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  settled  in  Sangamon  county.  His 
mother  died  here  February  6,  1877.  Mr.  Ingles 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools. 
In  1860,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  B.,  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  (Moore)  Lockridge,  who  was 
born  January  1,  1841.  Her  father  died  June  10, 
1879,  and  her  mother  died  November  23,  1857, 
in  Ball  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ingles  have 
been  blessed  with  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
now  living,  viz:  Sarah  P.,  Henry  G.,  Fred- 
erick B.,  John  A.  and  Jessie  N.  One  child 
has  passed  "  over  the  river" — William  B.  Mr. 
Ingles  moved  on  to  his  present  farm  in  1878,  and 
is  now  the  possessor  of  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  under  a  fair  state  of  cultivation.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

Drury  Jones  was  born  January  12,1830,  in 
Ball  township,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  Jones, 
who  was  born  September  2c,  1790,  in  Orange 
county.  North  Carolina.  In  1816,  he  married 
Sabitha   Lord,   who    was   born   June  18,    1795. 

93— 


They  moved  to  this  county  May  13,  1828,  in 
what  is  now  Ball  township,  and  he  followed 
farming  until  his  death,  May  16,  1874.  Mrs. 
Jones  died  September  22,  1861.  Drury,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  notice,  was  married  June  11,  1850, 
to  Amanda  M.  Porlerfield,  who  was  born  in  this 
county,  1831,  and  of  their  three  children,  only 
one,  James  Madison,  is  living.  Robert  Philemon 
and  Minerva  Jane  are  deceased.  Mrs.  Jones 
died  April  22,  1855,  and  on  September  11,  1856, 
Mr.  Jones  married  Susannah  Meridilh,  who  was 
born  May  4,  1837.  By  this  marriage  there  have 
been  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  now  liv- 
ing, viz:  Amanda  Jane  M.,  born  November  13, 
1857.  She  was  married  October  1,  1874,  to 
Charles  R.  McClure;  they  have  one  child,  Hattie 
A.  McClure.  Charles  Calvin  Lafayette,  born 
November  21.  1859,  married  October  20,  1880, 
to  Clara  I.  Vigal.  Davis  A.  Wasliington,  born 
March  8,  1862;  William  Arthur  E.,  born  No- 
vember 28,  1864;  Francis  M.  Josiah,  September 
26,  1867;  Sarah  Melissa  Ann,  born  August  6, 
1870,  died  May  22,  lS7l;  Mary  Ettie,  born  June 
12,  1872;  Samuel  Christopher,  born  Jan.  1], 
1875,  died  January  24,  1876;  and  Emma 
Louise,  born  January  17,  1877.  Mr.  Jones 
received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  now  resides  on  his  farm,  of  which 
there  are  eight  hundred  acres,  in  a  good  state  of 
improvement,  worth  $50  per  acre.  He  is  a 
Democrat. 

Alexander  J.  Jones  was  born  in  Wayne  county, 
this  State,  January  9,  1820,  the  son  of  Robert 
and  Tabitha  Lard  Jones;  father  was  born  in 
Orange  county.  North  Carolina,  September  25, 
1790,  and  mother  June  18,  1795;  they  moved  to 
Tennessee,  thence  to  Kentucky,  thence  to 
Wayne  county,  Illinois,  in  1819,  and  to  this, 
county  in  1828,  where  he  followed  farming  until 
his  death.  May  16,  1874;  mother  died  September 
22,  1861.  Alexander  J.  Jones,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  June 
26,  1871,  he  married  Cassandra  E.  Hunt,  a  native 
of  Tennessee:  Melissa  J.,  their  only  child.  Mrs. 
J.  died  May  5,  1875.  He  was  again  married 
January  23,  1878,  to  Artrilla  Bozant,  nee  Peddi- 
cord,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  June  17,  1837. 
Their  child  is  Robert  Alexander;  her  two  child- 
ren by  her  former  husband  are  Viola  E.  and 
Phwbe  Lillian.  Mr.  Jones  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  county  ever  since  he  first  settled  here 
except  four  years  in  Christian  county.  He  now 
owns  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
acres  of  land,  one  hundred  and  sixty  in  Christian 
county,  well  improved  and  worth  ^60  an  acre. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 


798 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


George  I/amb  was  born  December,  ]  879,  near 
Hagerstown,  Mar5'land,  and  when  quite  a  young 
man  went  to  Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoi  eland 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  learned  the  busi- 
ness of  saddle  and  harness-making.  He  was 
married  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  May  24,  1820,  to  Eliza 
H.  Hubbs,  who  was  born  in  that  place  in  1794. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  Hubbs, 
who,  althongh  a  member  of  the  Society  of 
Friends,  was  a  surgeon  in  the  American  army, 
near  the  close  of  the  Revolution.  Later  in  life. 
Dr.  Hubbs  became  a  preacher  in  the  Baptist 
church.  George  Lamb's  ancestors  were  mem- 
bers of  tlie  Society  of  Friends  also.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lamb  had  three  children  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  moved  to  Kaskaskia,  Randolph  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  spring,  1830.  Mrs.  Eliza  H.  Lamb, 
died  August  15,1834,  in  Chester,  Illinois,  and  in 
June,  1836,  George  Lamb  moved  to  Springfield, 
Mr.  George  Lamb  was  again  married,  the  second 
time,  in  1840,  to  Mrs.  Lucinda  Crowder,  and  re- 
sided in  Sangamon  county  until  his  death, 
August  26,  1867.  His  wife  Lucinda  Lamb,  died 
January  18,  1872,  both  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois. 

Charles  H.  Lamb,  son  of  George,  born  May 
19,  1822,  at  Brownsville,  Fayette  county,  Penn.; 
accompanied  his  parents  to  Illinois,  and  came  to 
Springfield  in  1832,  preceding  his  father,  to  at- 
tend schoo'.  He  remained  one  year,  and  returned 
to  his  parents,  who  had  moved  from  Kaskaskia 
to  Chester,  Illinois.  He  afterwards  learned  the 
printing  business,  in  the  Sangamo  Journal,  in 
Springfield,  with  Simeon  Francis  &  Co.  In  1341, 
Charles  II.  Lamb  started  the  Rock  River  Regis- 
ter, at  Grande  de  Tour,  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  but 
sold  out  the  following  spring.  He  was  afterwards, 
.with  his  uncle,  James  L.  Lamb,  in  the  pork 
packing  business,  and  continued  in  the  same  for 
twenty  years;  he  sold  out  to  his  uncle,  James  L. 
Lamb,  in  1S6G,  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  Ball 
township,  where  he  mostly  resides.  He  is  yet 
unmarried,  and  divides  his  time  between  this 
and  Michigan.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  B.  Lawley,  deceased,  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  June  24,  1811,  son  of  Stephen  and 
Abigail  Lawley,  natives  of  Virginia.  They 
moved  to  Tennessee,  where  they  lived  till  1828, 
then  came  to  thi-<  county,  locating  in  Si^ringfield, 
and  the  next  year  moved  to  Ball  township,  where 
they  resided  until  their  death.  The  mother  died 
January  6,  1853,  and  the  father  December  28, 
1861.  William  B.  received  his  education  in 
Tennessee,  and  at  eight  years  of  age  his  father 
moved  with  him  to  this  place.  December  25, 
18;>1,  he  married  Amy,  daughter  of  Davis  and 


Mary  Meredith,  who  were  born,  respectively, 
October  8,  1810,  and  September  12,  1838.  They 
had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living, 
David.  W.  and  Mary  E.  The  deceased  was  Stephen 
T.  November  28,  18^9,  he  was  married  the 
second  time,  to  Sarah  M.  Duncan,  who  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  September  18,  1821,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1829.  Of  their  nine  children, 
seven  are  now  living,  namely:  Ruth  J.,  now 
Mrs.  L.  Sallanger;  Elijah  D.,  James  P.,  Amanda 
E.,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  B.  Mathew;  Sarah  M.,  now 
Mrs.  W.  J.  Knotts;  Leonard  W.  and  Prudence 
A.  Nancy  A.  and  Francis  J.  are  deceased. 
March  24,  1877,  Mr.  L.  died,  and  his  widow  now 
resides  on  the  homestead,  which  consists  of  one 
hundred  and  nine  acies.  Mr.  L.  was  a  Republi- 
can. 

Jbsiah  Lard,  section  twenty-six,  was  born  in 
St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  May  12,  1819.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Lydia  Lard,  father  a 
native  of  South  Carolina,  and  mother  of  St. 
Louis  county,  Missouri,  and  farmers  by  occupa- 
tion. His  mother  died  in  February,  1824,  and 
bis  father  November  16,  1845.  His  father  moved 
to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1836,  where  he 
carried  on  farming.  Josiah  was  married  Sep- 
tember 22,  1812,  to  Jemima  Jane  Crowder,  who 
was  born  June  5,  1825,  in  Hardin  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents, 
in  1830.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lard  have  had  six  child- 
ren, five  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Job  J.,  Lydia 
E.,  Sarah  L.,  Elsie  P.,  and" George  R.  Martha 
A.  is  deceased.  Four  of  these  children  are 
married.  Mrs.  Lard  died  April  3,  1855,  and  Mr. 
Lard  afterwards  marriedMillie  Funderburk,  who 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  March  1,  1833. 
Four  of  their  children  are  living,  namely:  Jacob 
F.,  John  H  ,  Emma  and  Minnie  E.  Four  are 
deceased — Orlena  Jane,  and  three  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Lard  commenced  farming  on  forty  acres  of 
land,  but  now  owns  one  thousand,  eight  hundred 
acres,  which  he  has  obtained  by  his  own  indus- 
try. His  land  is  worth  fifty  dollars  an  acre.  He 
has  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  his 
township  for  many  years.  In  politics,  he  is  con- 
servative. 

Robert  Maker,  was  born  in  Tipperary  county 
Ireland,  August  15,  1838;  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Maher,  nee  Connors,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland, 
and  both  deceased.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
came  to  America  in  1851  and  landed  in  New 
York,  where  he  remained  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  in  1859  went  to  Iroquois  count)',  and  from 
there  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year,  where  he  engaged  in  feeding  cattle  for 
Henry  Soup,  at  ten  dollars  per  mouth,  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


199 


next  year  he  engaged  to  work  for  Philemon 
Stout  at  twelve  dollars  per  month,  and  worked 
one  year  and  only  lost  one  day,  and  in  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and"  Four- 
teenth Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served 
until  April,  186-:!,  being  discharged  on  account 
of  disability.  He  then  returned  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  resumed  his  labors  for 
Philemon  Stout,  and  March  20,  1864,  married 
Cynthia  Ann  Lard,  who  was  born  in  Wayne 
county,  Illinois,  June  14,  1828.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Lard.  Their 
family  consisted  of  two  children,  Louisa  Price 
and  John  Philemon,  deceased.  He  moved  to 
the  present  farm  in  February  1872,  and  now 
owns  one  hundred  and  seventy-four  acres  of  land 
which  he  has  under  a  fair  state  of  improvement, 
and  worth  fifty  dollars  per  acre.  His  first  vote 
in  the  Ilnited  States  was  cast  for  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  for  President.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Douglas  Democrat. 

Jo/m  M.  Matthews  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Ohio,  near  Columbus,  December  14,  1815; 
Bon  of  Simon  and  Ann  (Ueardorflf)  Matthews, 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  moved  to  Washington 
county,  Indiana,  and  in  November,  1833,  to  thi.s 
county,  where  he  followed  farming  and  cooper- 
ing until  his  death,  in  1847,  from  the  effects  of 
a  broken  leg.  His  mother  died  in  1835.  John 
M.,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  married  Mrs. 
Sarah  Crowder,  nee  Woozley.  Their  five  child- 
ren are:  James  H.,  born  October  13,  1838,  and 
married  March  28,  1860,  to  Sally  A.  Handlin; 
Simon  T.,  who  married  Mary  A.  Clayton;  Susan 
Ann,  born  August  29,  1844,  married  Marcus  D. 
Clayton;  William  O.,  who  married  Mary  E. 
Lamb;  Leonard  S.,  married  September  24,  1874, 
to  Alice  Galloway.  James  H.  has  two  children, 
Everett  S.  and  Jennie  M.,  who  live  in  Spring- 
field; Simon  T.  has  throe  children,  Etta  E., 
Luther  F.  and  Charles  Carroll;  William  O.  has 
two  children,  Ida  May  and  Fannie  A.;  Mrs. 
Sarah  Matthews  died  in  1S51,  and  in  1856,  Mr. 
M.  married  Mary  E.  Scoot,  who  was  born  in 
Kentucky.  By  this  marriage  there  are  five 
children,  Fannie,  John  M.,  Jr.,  Laura,  Lucy  and 
Josephine.  Mr.  M.  owns  two  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land,  fairly  cultivated.  Himself  and 
Mrs.  M.  are  members  of  the  old-school  Baptist 
Church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Arcltibald  J.  Megredy,  son  of  E.  and  Mary 
Megredy;  was  born  January  30,  1838,  and  re- 
sides on  his  farm,  situated  in  the  northwest  cor- 
ner of  Ball  township,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  under  a 
fair  state  of  cultivation   and   worth   $50.00   an 


acre.     His  two  sisters  reside  with  him.     He  is  a 
Republican. 

JJavis  Meredith. — One  of  the  best  known  citi- 
zens of  Ball  township,  is  Davis  Meredith,  who, 
in  company  with  his  parents,  came  to  this  county 
in    1829.     His   father,  Absalom   Meredith,  and 
his  mother,  Mary  Meredith,  and  whose  maiden 
name  was  Royal,  were  both  natives  of  the  Key- 
stone State — Pennsylvania.     Shtrtly  after  their 
marriage,  they  moved  to  Butler   county,  Ohio, 
where  they  remained  some  years,  and  from  there 
moved   to    Miami    county,    in    the    same  State. 
While  residing  in   Ohio,   the  second  war  with 
Great  Britain  took  place,  and  Mr.  Meredith  en- 
listed, and  served  his  country  faithfully  as  a  pri- 
vate soldier.     In  1829,  he  sold  his  farm  in  Ohio, 
and  emigrated  to  Illinois,  chosing   as  the  place 
of  his  future  residence  tlie  "beautiful  country  of 
the  Sangamo,"  and  Ball  township,  in  Sangamon 
county.     Here  he   arrived    October    27,  of  the 
same    year,   and    where  he  remained    until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1842.     His  widow  sur- 
vived him  two  years,  when  she  too  passed  away. 
Davis  Meredith  was  one  of  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, and  was  born  in  Butlercounty,  Ohio,  June 
14,  1812.     His  early  life  passed  without  any  in- 
cident of  special  interest.     From   the  time  he 
was  old  enough,  he  liad  to  do  his  share  of   work 
upon  his  father's  farm,  being  permitted  to  go  to 
the  common  country  schools  of  his  neighborhood 
about  three  months  in  the  year.     When  he  ar- 
rived   in    Sangamon    county,    he    was    in    his 
eighteenth  year,  and,  like  a  dutiful   son,  he  re- 
mained with,  and  assisted  his  father  in  opening 
up    a   new    farm    and   making  a  house  lor  the 
family.     When  the  call  for  volunteers  was  issued 
to  put  down  tlie  invasion  of  Black  Hawk,  he  en- 
listed, and    served  till   his   company    was   dis- 
charged.    After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  went  to 
Galena,  and  worked  for  a  time  in  the  lead  mines. 
He  then  returned  to  Sangamon  county,  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  on  section  twelve.  Ball  township, 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.     In  1836, 
Mr.  Meredith  was  married  to  Mary,  daughter  of 
Christopher  and  Susan  Newcomer,  by  whom  he 
has  had  seven  children:     Susan,  now  the  wife  of 
Diury  Jones;  Charles  N.;  Mary  Jane,  now  the 
wife  of  John  R.  Kincaid;  Sarah  Ann,  now  the 
wife   of    Lewis    R.    Iledrick;    Christopher    C, 
Luther  Osborn  and  Fannie  L.     Mr.  Meredith's 
first  son,  Charles  N.,  was  amemberof  Company 
E.,    One    Hundred     and     Fourteenth      Illinois 
Infantry,  and  served  until  discharged,  October, 
lb64,  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.     In  politics,  Mr. 
Meredith  is  a  true-blue  Republican,  and  has  been 
ever  since  the  organization  of  the  party.     In  his 


800 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


political  views,  he  has  always  been  consistent, 
and  the  opposition  always  know  right  where  to 
find  him.  On  the  establishment  of  the  Cotton 
Hill  post  office,  of  which  mention  is  made  on  a 
preceding  page,  Mr.  Meredith  was  appointed  its 
first  postmaster.  In  the  meetings  of  the  old 
settlers,  Mr.  Meredith  has  always  taken  an  active 
interest,  and  served  one  year  as  President  of  the 
association.  In  his  old  age,  he  loves  to  recount 
the  scenes  of  the  "long  ago,"  having  a  vivid 
recollection  of  past  events  dating  back  previous 
to  the  deep  snow.  Mr.  Meredith  is  a  plain,  un- 
assuming man,  one  who  believes  in  doing  unto 
others  as  he  would  be  done  by.  He  is  a  kind 
and  indulgent  father,  an  accommodating 
neighbor,  a  good  citizen  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  and  one  who  will  be  missed  when  life's 
journey  is  over.  He  has  provided  well  for  all 
his  ch'ldren,  and  is  living  comfortably  with  his 
companion  of  almost  half  a  century,  upon  the  old 
homestead. 

Samuel  O'Neal^  deceased,  was  born  October 
11,  1811,  in  Kentucky,  and  came  to  this  county 
while  young.  He  has  been  three  times  married; 
two  of  his  wives  are  deceased.  .  He  was  married 
to  Lucy  Scoot  June  5,  1847,  who  was  born  in 
Caldwell  county,  Kentucky,  March  3,  1825. 
They  had  six  children,  four  of  whom  died  under 
eleven  years  of  age,  two  are  living,  Minerva  E., 
now  Mrs.  W.  A.  Stickel,  resides  on  the  farm. 
Mr.  O'Neal  had  two  children  by  a  former  mar- 
riage, he  died  in  1803  and  bis  wife  resides  on 
the  farm  with  her  son  William.  She  owns  two 
hundred  acres  of  well-improved  land  worth  §50 
an  acre.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church. 

James  W.  Oshurn  was  born  in  Mongomery 
county,  Illinois,  August  14,  1826,  and  the  son  of 
Bailey  and  Phoebe  Osburn,  nee  Landis.  His 
education  was  received  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  married  in  1860  to  Mary  E. 
Lewis,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  They  have 
five  children,  John,  Ellen,  Belle,  Laura  and 
Nancy  I.  He  enlisted  August  9,  1862,  in  the 
Seventy-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  nearly  three  years.  He  was  in  a  number 
of  engagements,  among  which  there  was  the 
battle  of  Slone  River.  He  was  taken  sick  and 
afterwards  transferred  to  the  ordinance  train. 
He  was  with  Sherman  through  Georgia,  then 
with  Hood  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
then  came  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
milling.  He  now  owns  thirty  acres  of  land  on 
which  he  farms  and  also  runs  the  saw  mill  situ- 
ated in  the  southeast  corner  of  Ball  township. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 


Thomas  J3.  Shephard,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Maryland,  September  28,  1835;  son 
of  Thomas  C.  and  Ellen  (Miller)  Shephard,  who 
were  Jiatives  of  Virginia,  and  moved  to  this 
county  in  1830,  when  Thomas  was  but  one  year 
old.  The  latter  attended  common  schools  until 
nineteen  years  of  age,  then  attended  the  Illinois 
State  Univer^ity,  ac  Springfield,  two  terras.  He 
was  married  October  20,  1859,  to  Arminda  Pyle, 
born  October  13,  1889,  and  daughter  of  Alfred 
and  Malinda  (Padfield)  Pyle,  and  their  family 
consists  of  three  children:  Thomas  A.,  Ann  E. 
and  Mary  E.  Mr.  S.  moved  upon  his  present 
farm  February  14,  1860,  which  is  located  on 
section  thirty-six.  At  that  time  the  farm  con- 
sisted of  three  hundred  acres,  but  now  he  has 
seven  hundred  acres,  under  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation, with  good  substantial  buildings,  and 
worth  $60  an  acre.  He  is  principally  engaged 
in  stock  rai'iing;  himself  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  Mr.  S.  is  a  Republican. 

S.  N.  jShoiip,  section  two,  was  born  in  Piqua 
county,  Ohio,  May  16,  1828;  son  of  Jacob  and 
Sarah  Shoup,  nee  Downing,  who  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  engaged  in 
farming.  His  father  died  in  1849,  and  mother  in 
1850.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  only  five 
years  of  age  when  he  came  to  the  county;  his 
education  was  principally  in  the  common  schools, 
and  educated  to  farm.  In  1857,  he  was  married 
to  Alice  J.  Mourrer;  she  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county;  their  family  consists  of  seven  chil- 
dren, viz:  The  living  are,  Willie  II.,  Ettie 
IMay,  Harry  S.,  Lucii  D.,  and  three  dead,  Luella 
M.,  John  I.  and  Sarah.  In  1850,  he  came  to  the 
present  farm,  and  continued  to  farm  up  to  1803, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was 
one  of  the  same  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

In  1878,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Sheriff 
of  Sangamon  county,  and  served  two  years,  after 
■which,  he  moved  back  on  his  farm.  He  now 
owns  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  situa- 
ted on  section  two,  which  he  now  has  under  a 
good  state  of  improvement,  and  worth  $75  per 
acre. 

Andreio  Southwick  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  the  son  of  James  and 
Louisa  Southwick,  {iiee  Trumbo,)  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky.  His  father  died  January, 
1869,  and  mother'in  1875.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  received  a  common  school  education,  and 
was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  married  in  1874,  to 
Ann  Brunk,  who  was  the  daughter  of  David 
and  Maria  Brunk.  They  have  three  children: 
John  B.,  Samuel  and  George.       He  moved  on 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


801 


the  present  farm  in  187-5,  and  owns  eighty  acres 
of  land,  which  is  worth  $50  per  acre.  Demo- 
cratic in  politics. 

Samuel  J,  Stout  was  born  in  Sangamon 
eounty,  Illinois,  August  22,  1849,  and  was  the 
son  of  Philemon  and  Melissa  Stout,  nee  Shoup. 
He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  his  education  was 
recieved  in  the  common  schools,  attending 
Mount  Zion  one  year,  Lincoln  one  year.  He 
was  married  July  30,  1871,  to  Emma  L.  Brass- 
field.  She  wag  born  in  Menard  county,  Illinois, 
August  '.',  1850.  They  had  born  to  them  Edna 
May  and  Sarah  Malissie,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  He  lost  his  wife  December  20,  1875. 
He  owns  one  thousand  and  forty  acres  of  land, 
situated  in  Ball  township,  which  is  under  a  fair 
state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $50  an  acre.  Has 
held  the  office  of  Supervisor  for  two  terms,  and 
politically  is  Democratic. 

Philemon  Stout  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Ken- 
tucky, April  19,  1822,  and  was  the  son  of  Phile- 
mon and  Penelope  (Anderson)  Stout,  natives  of 
New  Jersey.  They  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  and 
afterward  to  this  county,  in  the  fall  of  1836, 
locating  in  Ball  township,  where  they  are  en- 
gaged in  farming.  His  father  died  January  21, 
184(3,  and  his  mother  in  November,  1860.  The 
subject  of  this  notice  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
remained  with  his  father  until  his  death.  In 
1847,  he  married  Melissa  Shoup,  who  was  born 
in    Ohio   March  25,   1829,  and    they   had   four 


children.  In  1855,  Mrs.  Stout  died,  and  in  1856 
Mr.  Stout  married  Louisa  P.  Brasstield,  born  in 
Claik  county,  Kentucky  ;  of  their  four  children, 
three  are  living  :  James  B.,  Joab  P.  and  Malissa 
M.  Clara  is  deceased.  Mr.  Stout  commenced 
on  his  farm  in  moderate  circumstances,  but  he 
now  owns  one  thousand  eight  hundred  acres  of 
well  improved  land,  and  has  given  large  quanti- 
ties to  his  children.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
supervisor  in  this  township  several  terms,  and  is 
an  enterprising  and  benevolent  citizen.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Democrat. 

Hiram  W.  Walker  was  born  in  tliis  county, 
April  31,  1832;  son  of  Samuel  and  Martha  (Han- 
nah) Walker,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  October,  1828,  where  they 
resided  on  a  farm  until  their  death;  the  father's 
occurring  August  31,  1834,  and  the  mother's 
in  April,  1852.  Hiram  W.  resided  on  a  farm 
until  1857,  when  he  was  married  to  Martha  J. 
Scoot,  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  February 
13,  1832;  and  they  have  had  three  children,  viz: 
Mary  Luella,  born  March  24,  1858;  Lucy  Alice, 
born  October  26,  1861,  now  Mrs.  W.  J.  Peddi- 
cord;  and  Charles  Frederick,  born  July  21,  1863. 
Mr.  W.  moved  upon  his  farm  of  eighty  acres  in 
1863;  it  is  a  well  improved  farm,  and  worth  $50 
an  acre.  He  has  held  the  office  of  Road  Commis- 
sioner, and  has  been  a  member  of  the  School 
Board.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.    He  is  a  Democrat. 


802 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XXX. 


BUFFALO  HART  TOWNSHIP. 


This  township  lies  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
the  county,  and  was  so  named  for  Buffalo  Hart 
Grove,  where  the  first  settlement  was  made.  The 
township,  with  the  exception  of  the  grove,  con- 
taining about  two  thousand  one  hundred  acres, 
is  all  prairie. 

EAELY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  in  Buffalo  Hart  township 
was  made  in  1824,  by  William  Bridges  and 
Charles  Moore.  Robert  E.  Burns  came  next,  in 
1825,  and  was  followed,  extending  over  a  period 
of  years,  by  the  following  named,  most  of  whom 
brought  their  families:  James  Lynn,  John  Con- 
stant, Robert  Cass,  William  P.  Lawson,  Thomas 
Greening,  John  Robinson,  James  F.  Robinson, 
Adam  Starr,  and  others.  Short  sketches  of  some 
of  the  earliest  settlers  will,  perhaps,  prove  not 
uninteresting. 

William  Bridges  was  born  April  28,  1T87,  in 
South  Carolina.  Subsequently  he  was  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Tennessee,  and  from  thence  to 
Green  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married  to 
Martha  Martin,  rear  Xenia.  Martha  Martin  was 
born  March  11,  1784,  in  CLirke  county,  Ken- 
tucky. She  was  the  third  child  of  her  parents. 
When  they  had  two  children  the  family  were, 
with  many  others  of  the  settlers,  in  Strcde's 
Station,  lor  protection  against  the  Indians. 
When  the  savages  attacked  that  fortification, 
which  terminated  in  its  destruction,  the  men 
were  in  the  fields.  The  women  and  children  col- 
lected in  one  of  the  blcck-houses.  The  men, 
finding  the  fort  at  the  mercy  of  the  Indians, 
thought  it  would  be  impossible  to  save  their 
families,  and  each  one  locked  cut  for  his  own 
personal  fafety.  Mr.  Henry  Martin,  of  all  the 
men,  went  alone  to  the  blcck-house,  and  by  his 
earnest  entreaties  induced  them  to  open  the 
door.     He  then  compelled  his  wife,  against  her 


protestations,  to  accompany  him  with  their  two 
children,  and  they  at  once  entered  a  cane  brake, 
eluded  the  Indians,  and  thus  saved  their  lives. 
One  old  lady  followed  them  until  they  crossed  a 
stream,  and  when  she  could  travel  no  further, 
concealed  herself  in  a  cave  until  the  danger 
passed.  The  fort  was  burned,  and  all  the  others 
were  slain.  Henry  Martin  remained  in  Ken- 
tucky until  after  the  birth  of  his  daughter,  Mar- 
tha, when  he  moved  with  his  family  to  Green 
county,  Ohio.  After  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bridges  resided  in  the  city  of  Xenia  until  they 
had  two  children.  Mr.  Bridges  served  one  year 
in  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  from  the  summer 
of  1812  to  1813.  He  then  moved  to  Fayette 
county,  Indiana,  where  they  had  one  child,  and 
next  removed  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  ar- 
riving about  1824  in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove.  Mr. 
Bridges  is  the  gunsmith  and  blacksmith  of 
whom  mention  is  made  in  this  chapter.  He 
moved  to  other  parts  about  1830,  and  died. 

Charles  Moore  came  from  one  of  the  Southern 
States,  built  a  cotton  gin  at  the  east  side  of  Buf- 
falo Hart  Grove,  in  1823  or  '4,  ran  it  for  several 
years,  and  then  moved  farther  north.  He  had 
been  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  while  going 
to  draw  a  pension,  the  stage  upset,  and  caused 
his  death. 

Robert  E.  Burns  settled  en  the  east  half  of 
the  north-west  quarter  of  section  twenty-one,  in 
October,  1825.  His  land  had  been  entered  by 
John  Parker,  and  the  deed  was  made  in  May, 
1826.  Mr.  Burns  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  Virginia,  Maich  28,  1799,  but  subse- 
quently moved  to  Clarke  county,  Kentucky, 
where  he  was  married  to  Patsy  Cass,  September 
15,  1825.  The  young  couple  immediately  set 
out  lor  Sarpamon  county,  arriving  as  alieady 
stated.  Buffalo  Hart  Grove  was  selected  as  the 
place  for  their  future  home,  and  a  better  selec- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


803 


tion  could  not  have  been  made.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Burns  raised  two  children  to  maturity:  Robert 
Franklin,  born  July  11,  1832,  and  Elizabeth  C, 
born  June  7,  1835.  Robert  died  July  11,  1852, 
and  Elizabeth  married  John  T.  Constant.  Rob- 
ert E.  Burns  lived  a  practical  and  useful  life, 
enduring  many  of  the  hardships  incidental  to 
old  age,  but  having  a  sufficiency  to  keep  him 
comfortably  in  old  age.  He  died  May  24th, 
1880.  His  widow  yet  lives  on  the  old  home- 
stead. 

James  Lynn  came  in  the  fall  of  1825.  Mr. 
Lynn  was  born  in  Rowan  county.  North  Carolina, 
February  24,  1  788.  In  1809,  he  went  to  Muhlen- 
burg  county,  Kentucky,  and  when  the  war  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  England  com- 
menced, in  1812,  he  enlisted  in  a  regiment  at 
Russelville,  Kentucky,  and  served  eighteen 
months.  He  was  severely  wounded  by  a  gun- 
shot in  Canada.  After  leaving  the  army  he  re- 
turned to  Muhlenburg county,  Kentucky.  James 
Lynn  and  Sarah  DePoysterwere  married  Novem- 
ber 27,  1814,  in  Butler  county,  and  at  once  visited 
his  parents  in  North  Carolina,  remaining-  one 
year,  and  in  the  fall  of  1815  moved  to  Barren 
county,  Kentucky,  and  subsequently  as  stated 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in 
the  fall  of  r825,  at  the  north  end  of  Buffalo 
Hart  Grove.  Mrs.  Lynn  says  that  the  country 
looked  so  new  and  wild,  it  required  three  days  to 
look  around  and  consult  before  they  could  decide 
to  unload  their  wagons.  Her  husband  would  will- 
ingly have  gone  back,  but  she  would  not  consent 
to  It.  Indians  were  very  numerous,  but  never 
did  them  any  harm.  James  Lynn  died  March 
II,  1860. 

John  Constant  arrived  here  October  7,  1826. 
Mr.  Constant  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was 
in  Clarke  county,  September  13,  1781,  and  was 
married  March  11,  1S02,  to  Susan  Edminston. 
Mr.  Constant  lived  but  nine  years  after  coming 
to  Illinois.  He  died  November  18, 1835,  and  his 
widow,  March  18,  1864. 

Robert  Cass  came  in  October,  1826,  in  com- 
pany with  John  Constant.  Mr.  Cass  was  born 
in  1  768  or  '69,  in  Iredell  county,  North  Carolina. 
His  father,  James  Cass,  was  born  in  England, 
and  when  he  was  si.v  or  seven  years  of  age,  was 
pressed  into  the  British  navy,  and  trained  to  a 
sea-faring  life.  Being  separated  from  his  rela- 
tives at  so  early  an  age,  ho  never  understood  his 
own  name,  and  called  himself  James  Cast.  He 
came  to  Philadelphia,  and  finally  settled  in  Ire- 
dell county.  North  Carolina.  After  raising  a 
family  there,  he  moved  with  his  children  to 
Clarke  county,   Kentucky,   and  there    met    two 


Englishmen  by  the  name  of  Cass.  After  becom- 
ing acquainted,  he  found  that  one  of  them  was 
his  brother,  and  the  other  his  cousin,  and  for  the 
first  time  learned  that  the  family  name  was  not 
Cast,  but  Cass.  His  son  Robert,  whose  name 
heads  this  sketch,  having  always  been  called 
Cast,  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  resume  the 
original  name,  but  related  the  facts  in  the  case 
to  his  children,  and  his  descendants  have  very 
generally  returned  to  it.  Robert  Cass  was  mar- 
ried February  26,  1790,  in  Iredell  county.  North 
Carolina,  to  Lucy  Riley.  They  had  one  child 
there,  and  moved  to  Clarke  county,  Kentucky, 
where  they  had  four  children;  and  Mrs.  Lucy 
Cass  died,  February  13,  1809.  Robert  Cass  was 
married  in  Clarke  county,  April  26,  1810,  to 
Mary  Boggs,  and  had  two  children  there.  The 
family  then  moved  to  Sangamon  county.  He 
died  .July  9,  1852,  his  wife  preceding  him  about 
twelve  years. 

William  P.  Lawson  settled  in  the  grove  in 
1828.  He  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1794.  Was 
married  February  3,  1820,  to  Priscilla  Duncan. 
Mrs.  Lawson  died  in  1824,  and  Mr.  Lawson  mar- 
ried Frances  Dunn,  October  19,  1826.  They 
raised  a  large  family  in  Sangamon  county,  and 
Mrs  Lawson  died  October  10,  1867. 

Thomas  A.  Greening  was  born  November  19, 
1798,  in  Fauquier  county,  Virginia.  His  parents, 
Reuben  Greeiiing  and  Sarah  Allen,  were  born 
and  married  in  that  county.  In  1804,  they 
moved  to  Cumberland  Gap,  Claiborne  county, 
Tennessee,  and  in  1808  moved-to  Clarke  county, 
Kentucky,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives.  Thomas  A.  was  a  soldier  from  that 
county  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was  married 
there  in  1816,  to  Elizabeth  Dawson.  She  was 
born  January  1,  1789.  They  had  six  children 
in  Kentucky;  moved  to  Montgomery  county, 
Missouri,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1830,  at  Buffalo 
Hart  Grove,  where  they  spent  the  winter  of  the 
"deep  snow."  In  the  spring  of  1631,  they 
moved  to  what  is  now  Loami  township.  Mr. 
Greening  died  in  1855. 

John  Robinson  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
married  in  Maryland  to  Nancy  Robbins.  They 
moved  to  Delaware,  where  they  had  four  child- 
ren, and  m6ved  to  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky, 
where  five  children  were  born,  and  from  there  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall 
of  1830,  in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove.  He  died  iu 
1841. 

James  T.  Robinson,  was  born  January  21, 1808, 
at  New  Malton,  Yorkshire,  England.  Of  his 
ancestors,  Thomas  Robinson,  merchant,  of  Mai- 


804 


HISTOllY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ton,  England,  died  October  23,  1779,  aged  sixty- 
eight  years.  His  son,  Marmadulje,  died  April 
28,  1797,  aged  seventy-nice.  His  son,  William 
Barton  llobinson,  married  Alice  Blackburn;  tbey 
bad  four  children;  ibeir  two  youngest  were  James 
T.  and  Barton,  sketches  of  whom  are  herewith 
given:  James  T.  came  to  New  York  in  1829, 
traveled  through  the  Eastern  States  and  Canada, 
and  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving 
in  December,  1830,  in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove,  just 
in  time  to  witness  the  "deep  snow." 

In  the  spring  of  1832,  Mr.  Robinson  having 
business  East,  embarked  on  the  steamboat  Talis- 
man, oil  the  Sangamon  river,  near  Springfield, 
and  went  as  far  as  St.  Louis,  on  that  boat,  an 
account  of  its  trip  up  the  Sangamon  river  is  given 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  James  T.  Robinson 
died  December  8,  1871. 

Barton  Robinson,  a  brother  of  Jame8  T.,  was 
born  May  19,  1819,  at  New  Malton,  Yorkshire, 
England.  He  studied  medicine  and  graduated 
from  a  medical  college  in  London.  He  came  to 
America  and  joined  his  brother  in  Buffalo  Hart 
Grove,  in  December,  1831. 

Adam  Starr  was  born  about  1777,  in  Culpep- 
per county,  Virginia,  and  went  with  his  parents 
to  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  when  he  was 
a  young  man.  He  was  married  in  Clarke  county, 
to  Mary  Carson,  a  native  of  Baltimore,  Maryland 
They  had  eight  children  in  Clarke  coiinty,  Ken- 
tucky, and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  1828,  at  Buffalo  Hart 
Grove.     Mr.  Starr  died  in  1852. 

Among  other  early  settlers  were  Robert 
McDaniel,  Thomas  Dunn,  John  St.  Clair,  and 
Aushurn  Ridgeway.  After  1832,  others  came, 
of  whom  mention  may  be  found  among  the  bio- 
graphical sketches  at  the  close  of  this  chapter. 

NAME    OF    THB    TOWNSHIP. 

The  name  of  the  township,  as  already  stated, 
is  derived  from  that  by  which  the  grove  was 
known  by  the  very  earliest  settlers.  The  name 
is  that  of  Buffalo  Hart,  a  combination  of  Buffalo 
and  Hart,  two  animals  that  once  were  plenty  in 
this  region.  A  hyphen,  in  truth,  should  sepa- 
rate the  two  words,  though  it  was  never  so  writ- 
ten, and  as  custom  makes  law,  it  must  be  known 
as  Buffalo  Hart. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  the  town- 
ship were  in  the  summer  of  1826,  at  the  house 
of  James  Lynn,  by  a  traveling  minister  of  tlie 
Methodist  Episcopal  Chuich.  Only  four  per- 
sons were  present,  besides  the  preacher — Mr.and 


Mrs.  Lynn  and  Mr.  and  Mr.  Burns.  Subse- 
quently, ministers  of  other  denominations  came 
along,  and  services  were  first  held  in  the  dwell- 
ings of  the  pioneers,  and  then  the  school  houses. 
In  1832,  two  preachers  from  Eng.and,  of  the 
Episcopal  persuasion — Dr.  Barton  Robinson  and 
Mr.  Davis — having  settled  in  the  township,  pro- 
ceeded to  erect  a  chapel  on  section  twenty-nine, 
in  which  religious  services  were  held  by  them- 
selves, and  subsequently  by  others  representing 
different  denominations.  This  house,  after  the 
failure  of  Revs.  Robinson  and  Davis  to  effect 
an  organization,  was  used  for  school  purposes  for 
many  years.  No  other  church  edifice  was  erected 
in  the  township  until  1867,  when  a  union  church 
was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $2,400,  near  the  site  of  the 
old  chapel,  in  which  the  various  religious  de- 
nominations represented  in  the  township  assem- 
bled for  worship  at  stated  times,  and  by  appoint- 
ment. The  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination 
organized  a  class  here  at  a  very  early  day.  At 
the  present  time,  four  religious  bodies  have  or- 
ganizations and  stated  time  for  worship — Meth- 
odist, Episcopal,  Christian,  Baptist,  and  Pres- 
byterian. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

In  the  summer  of  1829,  Kennedy  Kincade 
taught  a  term  of  school  in  one  room  of  the  first 
cabin  erected  by  John  Constant  This  was  the 
first  school  in  what  is  now  Buffalo  Hart  town- 
ship. The  next  school  was  in  the  summer  of 
1830,  and  taught  by  a  Mr.  Blue,  in  a  log  house 
on  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec- 
tion twenty. 

The  first  house  erected  for  school  purposes 
was  on  the  farm  of  John  Constant,  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1833.  This  was  the  old  log  school  house 
of  the  regulation  pattern.  Eliza  jyiood  held  the 
first  term  of  school  in  this  house.  Subsequently 
the  old  chapel,  built  by  Robinson  and  Davis, 
was  purchased  and  for  years  used  as  a  school 
house.  There  are  now  three  school  bouses  in  the 
township,  valued  at  86,700.  The  children  of 
school  age  number  two  hundred  and  seventy 
five. 

FIRST  EVENTS. 

The  first  marriage  in  what  now  constitutes 
the  township  of  Buffalo  Hart  was  that  of  Isaac 
L.  Skinner  and  Harriet  L.  Constant,  who  were 
united  in  marriage  August  13,  18:^9.  Their  first 
child  was  born  January  10,  1831,  in  the  time  of 
the  deep  snow.  Mr.  Skinner  went  on  a  visit  to 
his  father  in  the  summer  of  1831,  and  there  died 
on  the  26th  day  of  August.  Mrs.  Skinner  after- 
wards  married   James    W.    Langston,   he   died 


"■'"^f'-t 


*s«      V 


^^  -\.' 


yTi^^h^t-u  !7^  tdinnJ^ut^^' 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


807 


May  29,  18G0.  Mrs.  Langston  now  lives  in 
Mechanicsburg. 

Martha,  daughter  of  James  Lynn,  born  De- 
cember 29,  1826,  was  the  firstborn  in  the  town- 
ship.    She  died  September  25,  1830. 

John  Ridgeway  died  in  March,  1827,  which 
was  the  first  death  in  the  township. 

The  first  frame  house  was  that  of  the  chapel 
erected  by  Robinson  and  Davis  in  1832. 

The  first  frame  dwelling  house  was  built  by 
Robert  E.  Burns  in  1839,  and  it  yet  stands  upon 
the  old  homestead. 

John  Constant  erected  the  first  brick  dwelling 
house,  in  1829.  This  house  was  burned  down  in 
1855. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  Kennedy  Kin- 
cade,  in  the  summer  of  1829. 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  to  occupy  the 
township. 

The  first  merchandize  sold  in  the  township 
was  in  1848,  James  Haney  opening  a  store  on 
section  thirty-one. 

POST    OFFICE. 

For  many  years  the  citizens  of  Buffalo  Hart 
were  dependent  on  Springfield  and  other  points 
for  their  mail  privileges.  The  first  office  was 
established  in  1848,  near  the  present  Buffalo 
Hart  station,  with  Jaities  T.  Robinson  as  post- 
master. Mr.  Rofeinson  was  succeeded  by  Robert 
Cass,  who  held  it  until  discontinued,  on  the 
completion  of  the  Wabash  Railroad,  and  the 
establishment  of  two  offices  on  that  line — one 
at  Buffalo  station  and  the  other  at  Dawson.  In 
1871,  when  the  Oilman,  Clinton  &  Springfield, 
now  the  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  was  completed,  a  station  was  made 
near  the  residence  of  Robert  E.  Burns,  and  an 
office  established,  with  W.  A.  Mudd  as  post- 
master. Mr.  Mudd  retained  the  office  two  years, 
and  was  then  succeeded  by  Frank  L.  Priest,  who 
held  it  three  years,  W.  S.  Greening  was  then 
appointed,  and  at  the  expiration  of  one  year, 
resigned,  and  John  T.  Constant  was  appointed. 
Mr.  Constant  still  retains  the  office. 

MANUFACTOEIKS. 

Buffalo  Hart  had  its  horse  mill  at  an  early 
day,  Thomas  Skinner  erecting  one  on  his  place, 
which  answered  the  purposes  of  the  farmers,  for 
want  of  something  better.  No  other  grist  mill 
has  ever  been  erected,  but  in  1861,  Robert  Cass 
built  a  saw-mill  about  the  center  of  the  grove, 
and  in  1874  moved  it  to  its  present  location,  at 
Buffalo  Hart  station.  The  mill  is  an  excellent 
one,  and  is  a  prime  necessity  for  the  county. 

94— 


In  1879,  Farnum  Brothers  erected  works  and 
commenced  the  manufacture  of  drain  tiles. 
Their  sales  are  constantly  increasing  among  the 
farmers  of  the  neighborhood. 

PATRONS    OF   HUSBANDRY. 

Buffalo  Hart  Grange,  No.  644,  P.  of  H.,  was 
organized  September  22,  1873,  with  the  follow- 
ing named  charter  members:  G.  K.  Greening, 
Z.  T.  Greening,  William  Huffman,  John  Lee, 
George  Kuhler,  Oliver  McDaniel,  John  T.  Con- 
stant, Marcus  Costello,  Harrison  McDaniel,  Jen- 
nie Enos,  Helen  Finfrock,  Sarah  Ford,  Mattie 
McDaniel,  Hannah  Lee,  F.  M.  Merrick,  Ara- 
minta  Ford,  Lucinda  Costello  and  Elizabeth  C. 
Constant.  The  meetings  of  the  Grange  were 
held  in  the  old  chapel  in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove  for 
nearly  two  years,  when  a  hall  was  built  at  the 
station  and  occupied  for  the  first  time  the  even- 
ing of  June  26,  1875.  The  first  officers  were  G. 
K.  Greening,  Master;  J.  T.  Constant,  Secretary; 
Oliver  McDaniel,  Corresponding  Secretary.  The 
Grange  fiourished  for  a  time,  interesting  meet- 
ings were  held  and  much  good  accomp'ished. 
Since  March,  1876,  no  meetings  have  been  held, 
though  the  charter  has  not  been  surrendered. 

ORGANIC. 

Buffalo  Hart  township  was  organized  at  the 
same  time  with  other  townships,  in  1861,  on  the 
adoption  of  the  Township  Organization  Law. 
The  first  election  was  held  the  first  Monday  in 
April  of  that  year.  The  following  is  a  complete 
list  of  the  officers  holding  the  several  offices 
named,  and  for  the  time  mentioned: 

SUPEKVISORS. 

Michael  Finfrock 1861-3 

George  McDaniel ...1863 

John  T.  Constant 1864 

Thomas  Wilson 1865 

James  T.  Robinson 1866 

Thomas  Wilson 1867 

Robert  Cass 1868 

Thomas  Wilson 1869 

Thomas  Wilson 1870 

William  T.  Phares. 1871 

Michael  Finfrock 1873-75 

John  T .  Constant 1876 

Joseph  A.  Berry 1877 

John  T.  Constant 1878 

Joseiih  A.  Berry 1879 

Oliver  McDaniel 1880 

W.  B.  Robinson 1881 

CLERKS. 

James  T.  Robinson 1861-63 

John  T.  Constant 1863 

James  T.  Robinson 1864 

Levi  McDaniel 1865 

Gersham  K.  Greening 1866 

A.  M.  Ellington 1867 

George  W.  Thompson 1808 


808 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Lewis  C.  Hall 1869 

John  B.  Wright   1870-71 

Z.  T.  Greening 1873 

Z.  T.  Greening 1873-74 

Orville  F.  Priest 1875 

Frank  Phares 187G 

Frank  L.  Priest 1877 

A.  T.  Gunnett 1878 

Frank  L.  Priest 1879-81 

COLLECTORS. 

Robert  Cass 1861 

Levi  McDaniel 1863-63 

Jacob  A.  Casler 1864 

James  Cheatham 1865 

A.  T.  Ford 1866 

William  A.  Burns 1867 

Abner  T.  Ford 1868 

Thomas  Constant 1869-70 

John  T,  Constant 1871 

Abner  Pattie 1873 

G.  K  Greening 1873 

John  B   Wright 1874 

Scott  Greening 1875 

Harrison  McDaniel 1876 

*  Orville  F.  Priest 1877 

Thomas  E.  Constant 1878-80 

J.  W.  Martin 1881 

JUSTICES   OP   THE  PEACE. 

Robeit  Cass 1861 

Benjamin  P.  Edwards 1861 

William  R.  Constant 1865 

Georce  McDaniel 1865 

John  T.  Constant 1860 

John  n.  I  ucas 1867 

John  T.  Constant 1869 

William  T.  Phares 1869-70 

Garrett  Laughlin 1871 

William  H.  Langston 1873 

John  T.  Constant 1873 

G.  K,  Greening 1874-76 

G.  W.  Edwards 1877-80 

H.  McDaniel 1881 

G.  K    Greening 1881 

BUFFALO  HART  VILLAGE. 

On  the  completion  of  the  Gilman,  Clinton  and 
Springfield  railroad  a  station  was  established  on 
Robert  E.  Burns'  farm,  with  G.  W.  Edwards,  as 
station  agent.  Mr.  Edwards  held  the  position 
for  some  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  another, 
on  account  of  his  not  being  a  telegraph  operator. 
John  R.  Fielding  is  the  present  operator  and 
agent,  and  has  held  the  position  since  May,  1881. 

Around  the  station  has  grown  up  a  small  vil- 
lasre,  which  has  not  yet  been  platted. 

Jack  &  Priest  commenced  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness here  in  ISVl.  Subsequently  Mr.  Jack 
withdrew  from  the  firm,  which  is  now  composed 
of  O.  F.  &  F.  L.  Priest. 

The  other  business  of  the  place  is  now  repre- 
sented by  the  following  named:     F.  J.  Diifour, 

*Thos.  E.  Constant  appointed  to  fill  vacancy. 


groceries  and  harness;  Mr.  Dufouris  also  assis- 
tant postmaster;  Samuel  Harris,  blacksmith; 
Wm.  A.  Burns,  carpenter  and  wagon  maker;  G. 
W.  Edwards,  shoe  maker;  Mrs.  Alice  Harris, 
dress  maker;  B.  McCue,  Robert  Cass  and  J.  T. 
Constant,  dealers  in  grain  and  live  stock;  J.  T. 
Constant,  dealer  in  agricultural  implements  and 
grass  seeds. 

Following  the  general  history  of  Buffalo  Hart 
township  is  given  biographical  notices  of  a  num- 
ber of  many  of  the  early  settlers  and  pioneers  of 
the  township. 

John  Midgeicay  Hums,  born  October  19,  1803, 
in  Jessamine  county,  Kentucky;  married  in  San- 
gamon county,  April,  1828,  to  Lucy  A.  Cass. 
They  had  twelve  children,  all  born  in  Sangamon 
county;  three  of  whom  died  under  three  years  of 
age.  Mrs.  Burns  died  July  19,  1876;  of  the  liv- 
ing children,  Mary  J.,  born  March  26,  1831, 
married  to  John  Cass,  February  28,  1847;  Thos. 
F.,  born  January  9,  1833,  married  Ursula  Green- 
ing, he  enlisted  July  25,  1862,  in  Company  F, 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Infantry,  for  three 
years,  but  was  honorably  discharged  for  physical 
disability;  William  Ambrose,  born  November 
28,  1839,  married  Lucy  E.  Jones,  December  24, 
1867.  They  have  had  three  children,  William 
Elmer,  Joy  May,  and  James  Leslie;  reside  at 
town  of  Buffalo  Hart  Station;  Joy  May  died 
December  8,  ISVG;  Martha  A.,  born  February 
27,  1843;  Arminta,  born  December  30,  1844, 
married  to  William  B.  Robinson,  (see  his 
name);  Sophia,  born  February  13,  1849,  mar- 
ried James  F.  Hickman,  December  27,  1871; 
Iva,  born  March  18,  185],  married  to  James  L. 
Wright,  October  25,  1871;  John  I.,  born  January 
11,  1854,  married  Lizzie  Perry,  September  2, 
1875.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Horatio  and  Maria 
(Hill)  Perry,  natives  of  Louisville,  Kentucky. 
They  have  had  three  children,  two  are  deceased, 
Lucy  M.,  born  December  4,  1877,  is  the  only  one 
living;  Robert  B.,  born  October  26,  1856,  mar- 
ried Nettie  Moore,  October  18,  1876,  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  They  now  live  in  Decatur,  have 
one  child  living,  George  E. 

John  R.  Burns  and  Lucy  Cass  came  to  this 
county  in  1820,  he  entered  land  in  Logan  county, 
which  he  traded  for  land  in  Sangamon  county. 
Robert  Cass  entered  the  land  where  the  old 
homstead  stands.  Mr.  Burns  served  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  and  was  afterwards  captain  in  a 
military  company.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  has 
been  for  some  years,  was  formerly  on  the  other 
side  of  the  political  fence;  he  is  a  member  and 
for  many  years  deacon  of  the  Predestinrian  Bap- 
tist denomination. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


809 


Samuel  B.  Campbell,  son  of  William  and 
Nancy  (Reeder)  Campbell,  the  former  a  native 
of  Tennessee,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
Samuel  E.  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois 
December  1 3, 1  842.  He  married  Miss  Frances  A, 
Funk,  November  7,  18G7.  She  was  born  July,- 
1845,  in  Scott  county,  Illinois.  By  this  marriage 
there  were  two  children  born — Henry  L.,  born 
May,  1869,  and  Lillie  M.,born  January  27,  1871. 
Mrs.  Campbell  died  November  20,  1872.  He 
•was  married  January  22, 1875,  to  Martha  A.  Burns. 
They  have  two  children — John  W.,  born  March 
29,  1879,  and  Bertha  E.,  born  March  9,  1881.  In 
1866,  he  moved  to  Macon  county,  Illinois,  and 
purchased  a  farm,  remaining  there  until  the  fall 
of  1874,  when  he  sold  out,  returned  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  and  purchased  the  farm  on  which 
he  now  resides,  located  on  section  twenty-nine, 
DufTalo  Hart  township.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 

Alexander  Cass,  born  in  this  township,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1853,  is  the  son  of  John  R.  and  Mary  Jane 
(Burns)  Cass,  natives  of  Kentucky.  He  is  one 
of  a  family  of  thirteen  children.  He  married 
Cornelia  Fenton  November  3,  1875.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  Fenton,  of  San- 
gamon county,  and  lives  four  miles  northwest  of 
Springfield,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cass  have 
one  child,  Mary  Ethel,  born  May  12,  1880. 

Mr.  Cass  is  a  farmer  and  lives  near  Buffalo 
Hart  Station.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the 
Baptist  denomination.  Politically,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Ambrose  Bowen  C'ffss  was  born  February  11, 
1811,  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  and  is  the  son 
of  Robert  and  Mary'(Boggs)  Cass.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county  with  his  parents  and  a  brother, 
Ninian  R.,  and  a  sister,  Lucy  Ann,  1826,  arriving 
in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove,  October  2d  of  that  year, 
and  on  January  17,  1830,  was  married  to  Melinda 
Burns,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(Ridgeway)  Burns.  They  had  eleven  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  living,  as  follows: 
Elizabeth,  born  November  14,  1830,  married 
Michael  Finfrock,  November  8,  1849,  and  are 
now  living  in  Waynesville,  DeWitt  county,  Illi- 
nois. They  have  seven  children,  viz:  Bowen, 
Helen,  Charles,  Paul,  Irving,  Willis,  and  Ernest. 
Mary  C,  born  May  8,  1833,  married  to  B.  F. 
Edwards,  March  31,  1858,  (see  his  name);  Lucy 
A.,  born  August  31,  1835,  married  to  Dr.  Leslie 
Gillette,  April  20,  1859.  They  have  three  child- 
dren,  Leslie,  Fanny  and  Georgiana,  and  reside  in 
Buffalo.  Louis,  born  March  10,  1838,  married  to 
Christina  Lawson,  December  24,  1862.  They 
have  three  children  living,  four  deceased,  Clar- 


ence, Arthur  and  Fred.  Amos,  born  March  4, 
1838,  died  April  4,  1840;  Albert  born  March 
4,  1841,  died  August  28,  1842;  Paulina,  born 
October  4,  1843,  married  to  Albert  Shrieve, 
October  13,  1864,  live  in  Logan  county;  Hardin, 
born  September  16,  1845,  married  to  Harriet  N. 
Landis,  October  10,  1866,  have  three  children, 
Phil,  Louis  B.  and  Mable.  They  live  in  Otto 
county,  Nebraska;  Scott,  born  November  20, 
1847,  married  Sarah  Jones,  June  18,  1874;  she 
died  November  3,  1878;  one  child  living,  Gracie, 
born  June  18,  1875;  Marion,  born  April  1-2,  1850, 
married  Catharine  Shrimp,  March  31, 1875;  have 
two  children,  Hattie  and  William;  live  at  old 
homestead.  Harry,  born  February  3,  1854, 
married  Catharine  Cole,  September  14,  187S; 
have  one  child,  Bowen;  live  at  old  homestead. 
The  land  owned  by  Mr.  Cass  was  entered  by 
himself,  R.  E.  Burns,  Robert  Cass,  Mr.  Price 
and  others.  He  has  about  eight  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  this  township,  all  under  cultiva- 
tion. A  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
passes  through  the  farm.  Mr.  Cass  was  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war.  He  and  John  R  Burns  are 
the  only  survivors  who  participated  in  that  war, 
now  in  Buffalo  townsliip.  Mr.  Cass  is  of  English 
descent;  his  grandfather  came  from  there  and 
settled  in  North  Carolina  where  A.  B.  Cass' 
father  was  born;  his  mother  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia; they  moved  to  Kentucky  in  1793,  and  re- 
mained there  till  1826.  The  family  are  among 
the  earliest  settlers  in  Sangamon  county. 

John  T.  Constant,  the  son  of  John  W.,  and 
Lucinda  (Cass)  Constant,  was  born  February  13, 
1830,  on  section  twenty-seven,  of  Buffalo  Hart 
township,  and  was  married  April  16,  1854,  to 
Elizabeth  C.  Burns,  a  daughter  of  Robert  E., 
and  Patsy  (Cass)  Burns,  and  was  born  June  7, 
1836.  They  had  seven  children:  two  died  in  in- 
fancy. Of  those  living,  Mattie  Sybil  was  mar- 
ried December  15,  1880,  to  Thomas  A.  Jack; 
they  live  in  Buffalo.  Robert  F.,  Emma  M., 
Cora  K.,  and  Una,  Tomasa  A.  Burns  live  with 
their  parents  in  Buffalo  Hart  Grove.  John  T. 
Constant  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  also  deals 
in  grain;  now  present  postmaster  for  Buffalo 
Halt.  He  has  held  most  of  the  township  offices. 
His  grand-father,  John  Constant,  came  to 
Sangamon  county  in  1826,  settling  in  this  town- 
ship, where  he  entered  a  large  tract  of  land. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burns,  the  parents  of  Mrs.  Constant, 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1825.  They  also 
settled  in  this  township,  where  Mr.  Burns  died. 
May  24,  1880.  At  one  of  the  general  elections, 
he  voted  the  only  Democrat  ticket  cast  in  the 
township,  and  was  presented  a  cane  by  Thomas 


810 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


L.  Harris  and  John  C.  Maxcy,  two  of  the  candi- 
dates. He  eventually  succeeded  in  intlueneing 
a  Democratic  majority  in  the  township,  and  re- 
ceived a  handsome  watch  as  a  token  of  respect, 
and  acknowledgment  of  his  influence.  Mrs. 
Burns  is  still  living,  and  makes  her  home 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Constant,  on  the  old  home- 
stead. 

John  E.  Constant,  born  March  29,  1843,  and 
married  Hester  F.  King,  January  15,  1871,  they 
have  one  child    Earl,   who   was  born  November 

19,  1871.  Mr.  Constant's  parents,  Wm.  A.  and 
Mary  A.  (Starr)  Constant,  were  married  in 
Sangamon  county.  111.,  in  March,  1842.  Mrs. 
Constant  was  born  July  4,  1845,  her  parents, 
James  M.  and  America  (Elliott)  King,  live  in 
Clear  Lake  township,  this  county.  John  E. 
enlisted  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  July  20,  18(jl, 
for  three  years,  in  what  became  company  B, 
Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry,  on  account  of  Illi- 
nois quote  being  tilled  at  the  time;  re-enlisted  as 
a  veteran  in  same  company  and  regiment,  Jan- 
uary 1,  1864,  and  was  honorably  discharged  .Jan- 
uary 15,  1866,  having  served  throughout  the  war. 
He  was  in  the  battles  of  which  his  regiment 
participated,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mobile,  Nash- 
ville, luka,  &c.  After  the  war  he  attended  the 
Normal  University  at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  and 
finished  his  education.  He  then  engaged  in  his 
present  occupation,  farming.  Mr.  Constant  has 
served  as  Assessor  of  the  township  two  terms, 
when  his  present  term  expires.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  has  •ilways  voted  that  ticket.  He 
belongs  to  the  Christian  Church,  and  is  a  man 
respected  by  all  his  acquaintances. 

Benjamin  F.  Edioards  lives  on  section  twen- 
ty-seven, Buffalo  Hart  township,  is  a  farmer  and 
stock  dealer;  born  in  Madison  county.  New 
York,  July  12,  182.3;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and 
Mary  B.  (Anderson)  Edwards.  Mr.  Edwards 
left  his  home  in  New  York,  August  1,  1847,  ar- 
riving at  Springfield,  September  1st.  Same  year 
he  entered  a  section  of  land  in  DeWitt  county. 
The  land  he  now  owns  was  bought  of  William 
R.  Constant,  and  entered  by  his  grandfather, 
John  Constant.  Mr.  Edwards  was  married 
March  31,  1858,  to  Mary  C.  Cass;  she  died  April 

20,  1881.  They  had  four  living  children  (two 
died  in  infancy) — Gaylord,  born  January  12, 
1859,  now  in  California;  John  P.,  born  February 
16,  1862;  B.  F.,  born  September  7,  1867,  and 
Mary  B.,  born  September  16,'  1869,  are  all  living 
at  liorae.  Mr.  Edwards  was  engaged  as  a  drover 
and  shipper  of  cattle,  but  left  that  business  for 
farming  when  he  was  married.  He  was  educated 
at  Madison   county.  New  York.     Is  a  Republi- 


can, and  was  an  active  politician  about  the  time 
of  President  Filmore's  administration. 

William  S.  Enos,  a  native  of  Sangamon 
county,  is  the  son  of  Abner  and  Anna  (Burns) 
Enos,  and  was  born  December  4,  1832.  He  was 
married  October  12,  1865,  to  Jane  Dunn,  who 
was  born  January  29,  1847,  in  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
land. She  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Ann 
(Hood)  Dunn.  They  have  three  children: 
Annie,  Janette  and  John  Abner.  Mr.  Enos 
enlisted  August  15,  1862,  for  three  years,  in 
Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Thirtieth  lili 
nois  Infantry,  and  was  wounded  May  22,  1863, 
in  five  places,  and  again,  June  4,  1863,  by  a  shot 
through  the  foot,  all  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 
He  recovered  and  was  captured,  April,  1864,  in 
Gen.  Bank's  Red  river  expedition.  Was  placed 
in  a  rebel  stockade  prison  at  Camp  Ford,  near 
Tyler,  Texa^, remained  in  prison  thirteen  months 
and  nineteen  days,  was  released,  went  to  New 
Orleans,  St.  Louis  and  Springfield,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  June  19,  1865.  Since 
then  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising.  He  lives  two  and  a  half  miles  from 
Buffalo  Hart  station. 

John  R.  Enos  was  born  March  5,  1848,  in 
Buffalo  Hart  township,  is  the  son  of  Horace  B. 
Armiuda  J.  (Constant)  Enos.  He  was  married 
October  28,  1874,  to  Jane  F.  Wilson,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Riddle)  Wilson  (see  his 
name).  They  have  three  children  living,  Horace 
W.,  born  August  23,  1875,  Thomas  S.  born  Au- 
gust 24,  1877,  Carrie  C.  born  August  23,  1879. 
Mr.  Enos  enlisted  in  Company  F.  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
March  8,  1865,  for  one  year,  was  transferred  to 
Company  C.  Fifty-eighth  Illinois  Infantry, 
July  1865,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at 
Montgomery,  Alabama.  He  is  at  present  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  section  thirty-one,  Buffalo 
Hart  Township.  Mrs.  Arminda  J.  Enos  died 
September  11,  1857,  and  Horace  B.  Enos  lives 
two  and  one-half  miles  from  Buffalo  Hart  station. 

Gershom  K  Greening  was  born  May  31,  1841, 
near  the  city  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  When 
eighteen  months  of  age  his  parents  moved  to 
Buckhart  Grove,  in  this  township,  where  he  has 
made  his  home  since.  When  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion  broke  out,  Mr.  Greening  enlisted  in 
Company  I,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Illinois  Infantry,  for  three  years  ;  served  full 
term,  and  was  honorably  discharged  August  8, 
1865.  He  was  forty-seven  days  under  fire  at  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mississippi;  participated  in 
the  siege  of  Mobile,  battles  of  Jackson,  Gun- 
town    and   Tupola,  Mississippi,    raid  of  General 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


8U 


A.  J.  Smith  after  Price's  army,  winter  of  1864, 
and  all  the  other  many  engagements  in  which 
his  regiment  participated.  Mr.  G.  was  not 
wounded,  but  while  acting  as  color  bearer  at 
battle  of  Guntown,  Mississippi,  had  seven  shots 
through  his  clothing.  After  being  mustered 
out  of  the  service  at  Camp  Butler,  in  this  county, 
he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming.  lie 
has  the  confidence  of  the  entire  community  in 
which  he  lives  and  ha.s  had  laid  upon  him  many 
of  the  public  responsibilities  of  his  township, 
having  held  the  offices  of  Town  Clerk  and  Col- 
lector, and,  upon  expiration  of  present  term, 
will  have  been  justice  of  the  peace  eleven  years. 
Being  an  active  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  he  has  taken  great  interest  in  Sunday 
school  matters,  being  at  one  time  superinten- 
dent of  two  scliools,  thereby  being  compelled 
to  go  from  one  to  the  other,  a  distance  of 
several  miles.  At  the  organization  of  the 
Buffalo  Hart  Grange,  in  1873,  Mr.  G.  was  elected 
Master,  which  office  he  held  until  the  close  of 
the  organization.  He  is  a  temperance  advocate, 
being  a  member  of  the  Good  Templars  ;  also  a 
member  of  Masonic  fraternity.  Mr.  G.  is  un- 
married, and  makes  his  home  with  his  father, 
John  F.  Greening,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  who, 
with  his  wife,  Elizabeth  G.  (Rose)  Greening, 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  October,  18:^9. 

Mary  Ann  Leaf,  widow  of  William  Leaf, 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1854,  arriving 
New  Orleans,  November  6.  She  was  married 
to  Mr.  Leaf  in  Beverly,  Yorkshire,  England, 
January  26,  1841,  and  they  came  to  Sangamon 
county  from  New  Orleans  in  18.56,  and  located 
in  Buffalo  Hart  township.  They  were  both  na- 
tives of  England,  Mr.  Leaf  being  from  there  Oc- 
tober 19,  1819.  They  had  ten  children,  but 
three  are  living:  Charles,  born  June  19, 
1843,  married  Susan  Stevens;  have  three  chil- 
dren, Charles  W.,  Rosa  Bell  and  John  Henry. 
William,  born  December  11,  1850,  married 
Louella  Robbins;  and  Mollie,  born  May  19, 
1855.  Mr.  Leaf's  children  were  all  born  in 
England,  except  the  youngest,  Mollie.  Mr.  Leaf 
built  four  saw-mills;  one  is  yet  standing.  He 
left  an  estate  somewhat  encumbered  with  debt, 
but  which  has  been  cleared  by  the  management 
of  his  widow  since  his  decease. 

Ellen  {Hendricks)  Liickett,  widow  of  Benja- 
min Luckett,  was  born  February  8,  1833.  Mr. 
Luckett,  born  March  29,  1830,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky.  They  were  married  there,  and  came 
to  Sangamon  county  in  1856,  where  he  died, 
July  18,  1878.  They  have  two  children  living, 
Benjamin  T.,  born  November  16, 1862,  and  John 


T.,  born  April  16,  1868;  four  children  died  iu 
infancy,  three  of  them  died  in  Kentucky,  and 
one  in  Sangamon  county. 

Mrs.  Luckett's  parents  are  living  in  Kentucky. 
Mr.  Luckett  died  very  suddenly,  being  ill  but  a 
few  hours;  he  was  a  large,  corpulent  gentleman, 
and  was  highly  esteemed  wherever  he  was  known. 
Mrs.  Luckett  lives  with  her  children,  on  section 
nineteen,  this  township;  carries  on  farming  with 
their  assistance. 

WilUani,  H.  Lyon,  the   son    of   Harrison  D. 
and  Mary   E.  (Hickman)  Lyon,  lives  on  section 
eighteen,  Buffalo  Hart  township.     He   married 
Sarah    A.    Day,    March    12,   1874.      She   is  the 
daughter  of    Ira  and  Electia  E.  (Wilson)  Day, 
natives   of    New  York,  where  her  father  died 
April    12,    1860.      Mrs.    Day  is   now  living  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  with  her  sons,  who  are  of 
the  firm  of    P.  F.  Day  &  Bro.      Mr.   and   Mrs. 
Lyon   have  two  children:   Macie  E.,  born  Octo- 
ber 31,  1877,  and  May  Belle,  born  February  15, 
1879.     Mr.  Lyon's  grand-parents  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county  in  October,  1834,  and  located  north- 
east of  Springfield.    His  father  was  born  in  Shel- 
byville,  Kentucky,  May  7,  1815,  and  was  married 
April  6,  1843.     Mr.  Lyon  is  engaged  in  farming. 
Priest  Brothers,  Buffalo  Hart  station,  Illinois, 
have  the  only  general   line    of    merchandise  in 
the    place.      The   firm  consists  of  O.  F.  Priest, 
senior  and  F.    L.    Priest,   junior  member.     The 
firm  was   originally   Jack    &,    Priest,    who  com- 
menced business  at  this  place  in  June,  1873,  but 
the  following   year  Mr.    Jack   retired,   and  Mr. 
Priest's  brother,   Orville,   joined   and  composed 
the  present  firm.     Messrs.  Priest  Brothers  carry 
a  very   complete  line   of  goods,  and    enjoy  the 
confidence  of  the  public,  as  is  manifest  by  their 
continued  success.     Their   stock   of   dry  goods, 
clothing,  groceries,  boots  and   shoes  and  numer- 
ous other  articles  is  complete  in  every  particular. 
The  Priest  brothers'  parents,    Fred  W.    L.    and 
Eveline  E.  Priest,   came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
an  early  day. ,   He  was  a   native    of   New  York, 
and  she   of  Vermont.      Orville    F.    married    a 
daughter  of  Mr.  Jack,   of  Buffalo,   Illinois,    who 
died  a  few  months  after  the  marriage  with  pul- 
monary   disease     contracted    before    marriage. 
Her  death  occurred  May  11,  1878.     He   married 
May  25,  1881,  Jennie  M.  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Anna  (Thompson)    Taylor,    of   Logan    county. 
Mr.  Priest  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal  Church  and    was   chorister   for  a  long  time. 
Frank  L.    Priest  is  unmarried   and    makes   his 
Home  with  his  brother.     At  Buffalo  Hart,  he  is 
at  present  Township   Treasurer.      The  brothers 
have  held  many  of   the  local  offices  of  the  town- 


813 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ship,  and  are  among  the  enterprising  citizens  of 
the  township. 

Williani  JB.Hobmsoyi, 'bom  May  29,  1838;  is  a 
son  of  James  T.  and  Minerva  (Starr)  Robinson. 
He  was  married  to  Arminta  Burns,  February  2], 
1867,  and  they  have  two  children,  John  B.,  and 
Alice  Carey.  Mr.  Robinson  enlisted  at  Camp 
Butler,  Sangamon  county,  July  25,  1862,  in 
Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Illinois  Infantry,  Captain  King,  for  three  years; 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Jackson,  Mississippi, 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  after  the  battle  of  Gun- 
town  was  taken  prisoner  June  10,  1863,  sent  to 
Andersonville  prison,  remaining  three  months; 
thence  to  Savannah,  Milan  and  Florence,  South 
Carolina.  On  the  approach  of  Gen.  Sherman's 
army  was  removed  to  Goldsboro,  North  Car- 
olina, where  he  was  paroled  February  25,  1865, 
released  at  Wilmington  next  day,  ano  honorably 
discharged  at  Springfield,  Illinois  May  30,  1865. 
He  came  home  and  engaged  in  farming  on  part 
of  the  old  homestead  where  his  parents  lived 
and  died.  He  is  at  present  supeivieor  of  this 
township.  Mr.  Robinson's  ancestors  are  natives 
of  England,  and  came  to  America  in  1829.     His 


father,  James  T.,  was  a  surveyor  in  P]ngland, 
and  his  grandfather  a  barrister.  Of  the  land 
owned  by  the  family,  a  large  tract  was  entered 
by  James  T.  Robinson.  The  mother  of  Wm. 
B.,  died  January  5,  1881. 

Thomas  Wils07i  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1847,  settled  near  what  is  now  Riverton,  in 
Clear  Lake  township.  He  was  born  in  Dum- 
freeshire,  Scotland,  November  4,  1817,  and  is 
the  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Frood)  Wilson,  who 
both  came  to  Sangamon  county  and  died  here, 
he  died  December  1,  1875,  and  she  died  Febru- 
ary 3,  1861.  Thomas  Wilson  was  married  in 
Sangamon  county,  January  15,  1850,  to  Jane 
Riddle,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Maximilla 
(Boneman)  Riddle.  She  was  born  April  14,1828, 
in  Logan  county  Ohio,  and  came  with  her  parents 
to  Sangamon  county  when  she  was  nine  years  of 
age.  Her  parents  remained  here  from  1837  until 
1851,  when  they  moved  to  Oregon,  where  her 
mother  died  in  Douglas  county,  her  father  is 
still  living  there.  Mr.  Wilson  has  followed 
farming  ever  since  he  came  to  America,  and 
has  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty 
acres. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


S13 


Chapter  XXXI. 


CARTWRIGHT  TOWNSHIP. 


The  township  of  Cartwright  is  located  in  the 
northwest  part  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  east  by  Salisbury  and  Gardner,  on  the  west 
by  Morgan  county,  on  the  north  by  Menard 
county,  and  on  the  south  by  Island  Grove.  The 
township  is  the  largest  in  the  county,  being  eight 
by  nine  miles  in  extent,  having  seventy  full  sec- 
tions, equal  to  two  congressional  townships. 
The  soil  is  equil  to  any  in  the  county,  and  the 
township  is  well  watered  by  Richland,  Prairie 
and  Spring  creeks. 

EARLY   SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  in  the  township  was  made 
in  1819,  along  Richland  creek.  Among  the 
early  settlers  were  Roland  Shepherd,  Dallas 
Scott,  Solomon  Price,  John  B.  Broadwell,  William 
Carson,  Samuel  Irwin,  Moses  Broadwell,  Robert 
Milburn,  William  Crow,  David  S.  Purvines, 
Edward  Pirkins,  Hiram  Penney,  Maxwell  Camp- 
bell, James  H.  Doherty,  Richard  Gaines,  Samuel 
M.  Thompson,  Moses  K.  Anderson,  Wright 
Flynn,  Robert  Wilborn,  Mr.  Shoosory,  David 
Smith,  Abraham  Lingard,  Solomon  Pearce, 
Samuel  Newhouse,  Bradley  Vance,  Evans  Martin, 
Ralph  Morgan,  Wilson  Hamilton,  John  Purvine, 
Irwin  Masters,  Joshua  Crow,  Buck  Davis, 
Absalom  Baker,  Solomon  Penney,  and  Peter 
Cartwright. 

Dallas  Scott  was  born  April  6,  1T91,  in  Cum- 
berland county,  Kentucky.  Sarah  Foster  was 
born  May  1,  1793,  in  the  same  county.  They 
were  there  married  in  1815.  The  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  Novem- 
ber 1,  1819,  on  Richland  creek,  three  miles  east 
of  the  present  town  of  Pleasant  Plains.  He 
died  in  1841. 

William  Crow  was  born  March  5,  1793,  in 
Botetourt  county,  Virginia.  Three  brothers, 
John,  Thomas  and  Andrew  Crow,  came  from 
Ireland  to  America   during   the   Revolutionary 


War.  John  was  the  father  of  William  Crow. 
John  Crow  moved  to  Barren  county,  Kentucky, 
when  William  was  a  child.  William  Crow  and 
Miriam  Enyart  were  married  in  Cumberland 
county,  Kentucky.  In  18 19,  they  moved  to  Madi- 
son connty,  Illinois,  where  he  was  ordained  to 
preach  the  gospel  by  the  rec agnized  authorities 
of  the  Old  School,  or  Regular,  Baptist  Church. 
In  the  fall  of  1820,  he  moved  to  what  is  now 
Cartwright  township,  in  Sangamon  county,  north 
of  Richland  creek,  where  Mrs.  Mariam  Crow 
died,  August  7,  1823.  William  Crow  was  mar- 
ried in  the  fall  of  1824,  in  Cumberland  county, 
Kentucky,  to  Susan  Hall.  On  his  return  to 
Sangamon  county,  he  sold  out  and  settled  in 
what  is  now  the  southeast  corner  of  Cass  county. 
Mrs.  Susan  Crow  died  April  11,  1846,  in  Cass 
county,  and  Rev.  William  Crow  died  August  22, 
1865,  at  Brownsville,  Nebraska.  He  preached 
from  the  time  he  came  to  Sangamon  county 
until  about  1860,  a  minister  of  forty  years.  He 
was  known  to  all  Baptists  throughout  Central 
Illinois. 

David  Simpson  Purvines  was  born  May  18, 
1787,  in  Cabarras  county,  North  Carolina.  Eliz- 
abeth Weddington  was  born  December  25,  1790. 
They  were  married  in  North  Carolina,  and  the 
family  moved  to  Richland  creek,  in  what  be- 
came Sangamon  county  and  Cartwright  town- 
ship, arriving  in  the  fall  of  1820,  where  he  died 
in  1852. 

Edward  Pirkins  was  born  March  15,  1791,  on 
the  river  Yadkin,  Wilkes  county,  North  Caro- 
lina. His  parents  moved,  when  he  was  quite 
young,  to  Adair  county,  Kentucky.  He  was 
married  August  20,  18113,  in  Campbell  county, 
Tennessee,  to  Anna  Pierce,  who  was  born  March 
28,  1796,  in  Blount  county,  Tennessee.  They 
made  their  home  in  Campbell  county,  Tennes- 
see, and  subsequently  moved,  in  company  with 
the  familyof  his  father-in-law,  Robert  Pierce, to 


814 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Madison  ccuiily,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of 
1819.  The  next  spring,  the  two  families  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  ai riving  in  April,  1820,  on 
Richlard  creek,  in  wJiat  is  low  CanwrigLt  town- 
ship. Edward  Firkins  rerctmlers  that  when 
himself  and  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Pierce,  were 
looking  at  the  coiintiy,  they  were  at  Island 
Grove,  and  Mr.  Pierce  thought  it  ought  to  be 
called  "Lost  Grove,"  because  there  was  not  more 
than  enough  timber  for  one  family,  and,  as  or  e 
family  could  not  live  alcne,  it  would  be  lost. 
They  went  to  Richland  cieek,  because  theie  was 
more  timber  there.  Claims  wtre  laid  to  it  all 
before  it  came  into  market,  and  when  it  was 
ready  for  tntiy,  the  timber  land  was  all  taken 
very  scon.  It  had  betn  a  source  of  gieat  anx- 
iety because  there  were  no  pre-emption  laws  to 
protect  the  settlers,  and  they  felt  veiy  much  re- 
lieved when  they  had  generally  secured  their 
homes.  This  happiness  did  not  last  long,  for 
they  soon  began  to  worry  about  how  long  the 
timber  would  last.  Mr.  Pirkins  rerremlers 
meeting  four  or  five  of  his  reighbois  when  the 
timber  question  came  up.  He  gave  it  as  his 
opinion  that  he  would  cut  the  last  stick  of  his 
timber  in  twenty  years,  and  he  would  have  to 
leave  tlie  ctuntiy.  One  man  who  had  read  some- 
thing about  "peat,"  or  turf,  tried  to  console  those 
present  with  the  thought  that  before  the  timber 
was  exhausted  apian  would  be  invented  to  break 
the  prairie,  and  they  could  dry  the  sod,  call  it 
peat,  and  burn  it.  There  is  more  wood  on  his 
land  now  than  when  he  entered  it. 

Edward  Pirkins  took  the  premium  of  a  gold- 
headed  cane,  at  the  Sangamon  county  fair,  Sep- 
tember, 1875,  for  the  best  equestrianism  by  aged 
gentlemen.  There  Mere  eleven  entries,  all  over 
sixty  years  of  age.  Eev.  A.  Gross,  on  behalf  of 
the  society,  said:  "Mr.  Pirkins,  the  committee 
chosen  by  the  Sangamon  County  Fair  consider 
you  the  most  graceful  rider,  and  on  behalf  of 
the  society,  I  present  you  with  this  beautiful 
cane,  to  which  we  feel  you  are  justly  entitled." 

Hiram  Penny  was  born  October  5,  I'iOO,  in 
North  Carolina,  and  was  taken  when  quite 
young,  by  his  parents,  to  Pope  county,  Illinois. 
He  was  married  m  Kentucky,  opposite  where 
they  lived  in  Illinois,  to  Catharine  McHenry. 
They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
the  fall  of  1822,  in  what  is  now  Cartwright  town- 
ship. Hiram  Penny  died  December  10,  1852,  in 
Sangamon  county.  His  widow  died  April  30, 
1873,  in  Wilson  county,  Kansas. 

William  Penny,  the  father  of  Hiram,  was 
born  in  1751,  and  was  captain  of  a  company 
from  North  Carolina,  in  the  Revolutionary  army. 


He  moved  to  Pope  county,  Illinois,  and  from 
there  to  Sangamon  county,  and  died,  March  15, 
182],  on  Richland  creek,  in  what  is  now  Cart- 
wright  township.  He  had  two  brothers,  Solomon 
and  Robert.  Solomon  married  Jane  Renshaw, 
raised  a  family  and  died  after  leaving  the  county. 
His  widow,  more  than  ninety  years  old,  lives 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Abraham  Freeman,  in 
Springfield 

Maxwell  Campbell  was  born  October  29,  1795, 
in  Cabarras  county.  North  Carolina.  His  grand- 
father, Robert  Campbell,  came  from  Scotland, 
bringing  six  sons;  Robert,  James,  John,  Wil- 
liam, Ssmuel  and  George.  Their  arrival  in 
North  Carolina  was  not  long  before  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  aid  all  the  six  brothers  were 
soldiers  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  The  second 
Robert  was  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  Maxwell  Campbell  was  married  July 
25,  1822,  in  North  Carolina,  to  Nancy  Plunkett. 
She  was  born  June  15,  1806,  in  the  same  county. 
They  came  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
May,  1823,  and  fettled  at  the  rorth  side  of  Rich- 
land creek,  in  what  is  now  Cartwright  township. 
He  died  in  1881. 

Richard  Gaines  was  born  November  8,  1777, 
in  Charlotte  county,  Virginia.  Amy  C.  Green 
was  born  February  3,  1782,  in  the  same  county. 
They  were  married  and  moved  to  Barren  county, 
Kentucky,  abcut  1807,  then  moved  to  Christian 
county,  then  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, arriving  in  November,  182§,  in  what  is  now 
Cartwright  township,  and  settled  about  one  mile 
north  of  where  Pleasant  Plains  now  stands. 
Richard  Gaines  was  a  local  preacher  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  twenty-five  or 
thirty  years.  He  died  January  7,  1845,  and  Mrs. 
Amy  C.  Gaines  died  August  19,  1871;  both  of 
Sangamon  county. 

Samuel  M.  Thompson  was  born  February  12, 
1801,  in  Davidson  county,  eighteen  miles  west 
of  Nashville,  Tennessee.  He  educated  himself, 
and,  in  ccinnection  with  General  Moses  K.  Ander- 
son, taught  a  military  school,  having  branches  in 
Davidson  and  Dickson  counties.  Mr.  Thompson 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in' 
the  fall  of  1828,  in  what  is  now  Cartwright 
township.  He  returned  to  Davidson  county, 
Tennessee,  and  was  married  in  Felruary,  1831, 
to  Cynthia  McCrary.  He  returned  to  Sangamon 
county  in  the  spring  of  that  year.  Mr.  Thomp- 
son volunteered  in  1832,  for  the  campaign  against 
the  Indians  under  their  chief.  Black  Hawk.  He 
was  in  the  company  of  which  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  Captain,  and  was  elected  First  Lieutenant 
at  the  time  the  company  was  organized,  on  Rich- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


815 


land  creek.  Lincoln  was  elected  Captain  at  the 
same  time  and  place.  That  company  united  at 
Beardstown  with  another  from  Sangamon  county, 
under  Captain  Gooding.  They  were  ordered 
from  Beardstown  to  Rushville,  and  were  con- 
solidated with  two  other  companies  to  form  the 
Fourth  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers.  Lieu- 
tenant Thompson  was  elected  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment.  Pie  was  thus  promoted  over  Captain 
Lincoln.  The  latter,  however,  it  should  be  said, 
was  not  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  Colonel. 
The  call  was  for  thirty  days,  expecting  the  In- 
dians would  retreat  across  the  Mississippi  river, 
as  they  had  done  the  year  before.  The  savages 
did  not  retreat,  and  the  regiment  was  out  about 
sixty  days  without  an  engagement.  It  was  dis- 
banded and  mustered  out  of  service  at  Ottawa, 
June,  1832,  by  Colonel  Zachary  Taylor,  after- 
wards President  of  the  United  States.  Colonel 
S.  M.  Thompson  and  wife  had  one  child,  born  in 
Sangamon  county;  and  moved  to  Beardstown  in 
the  fall  of  1832. 

Mrs.  Cynthia  Thompson  died  in  October,  1843, 
near  Burlington,  Iowa.  Colonel  Thompson  was 
married  in  1855,  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  to 
Mrs.  Nancy  Waldon,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Sullivan.  She  was  a  native  of  Davidson  county, 
Tennessee,  also.  They  reside  in  Osage  county, 
near  Williamsburg,  Franklin  county,  Kansas. 

Colonel  Thompson  has  always  heard  that  rail- 
road trains  were  swift,  but  he  was  able  to  keep 
ahead  of  them  until  November  26,  1874,  when 
he  entered  a  car  for  the  first  time  at  Garnet, 
Kansas,  to  visit  his  old  friends  in  Illinois. 

Moses  K.  Anderson  was  born  November  11, 
1803,  in  Butler  county,  Kentucky.  His  parents 
died  when  he  was  ten  or  twelve  years  of  age, 
and  he  was  taken  by  a  relative  to  that  part  of 
Davidson  which  is  now  Cheatham  county,  on 
Hanpeth  river,  Tennessee.  Cassariller  Stroude 
was  born  November  25,  1812,  in  Dickson  county, 
Tennessee.  M.  K.  Anderson  and  Cassariller 
Stroude  were  married  in  her  native  county,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1827,  and  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  March  2,  1829,  in  what 
IS  now  Cartwright  township,  four  miles  east 
of  Pleasant  Plains,  and  south  of  Richland 
creek. 

Roland  Shepherd  settled  on  section  three, 
township  sixteen,  range  seven,  in  1819.  He  sold 
his  claim  to  Clayborn  Jones  in  1821,  and  moved 
to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died. 

Clayborn  Jones  came  in  1821,  and  remained 
until  1833,  when  he  sold  his  farm  and  removed 
to  Henry  county,  Iowa;  from  thence  to  Lynn 
county,  Missouri,  where  he  died  about  1845. 

94— 


John  B.  Broadwell  came  in  November,  1819, 
and  settled  on  section  four,  township  sixteen, 
range  seven.  He  sold  to  William  Carson,  and 
subsequently  moved  to  Kansas,  where  he 
died. 

Wright  Flynn  and  Robert  Milborn  arrived 
Christmas,  1819.  Flynn  sold  his  claim  to  David 
S.  Purvine  and  moved  to  Morgan  county  and 
died.  Milborn  sold  to  Samuel  L.  Irwin;  went 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  located  another 
claim  which  he  subsequently  sold  to  Alex  Irwin; 
moved  to  Cass  county  and  died. 

Mr.  Shoosong  settled  on  section  thirty-one, 
township  seventeen,  range  eight,  and  subse- 
quently sold  it  to  David  Repsear  and  Daniel 
Troy,  who  retained  it  two  years  and  then  sold  to 
Peter  Cartwright. 

David  Smith  came  in  the  spring  of  1820,  and 
settled  on  section  thirty-five,  township  seventeen, 
range  eight;  lived  and  died  on  the  place  about 
1840. 

Abraham  Sinyard  settled  on  the  same  section 
the  same  spring.  Subsequently  sold  to  M.  K. 
Anderson, and  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  died. 

Solomon  Pearce  settled  on  section  two,  where 
he  subsequently  died. 

Samuel  Newhouse  settled  on  the  place  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Ballard;  sold  to  Mr.  Alexander 
and  moved  to  Gardner  township. 

Bradley  Vance  settled  on  place  now  owned  by 
the  widow  Sayres,  on  same  section.  Sold  to 
William  Morga,n  and  moved  to  Morgan  county, 
Illinois. 

Evans  Martin  settled  on  section  thirteen ;  sold 
out  and  moved  to  McDonough  county,  where  he 
died. 

Ralph  Morgan  settled  on  section  thirteen. 
He  subsequently  moved  to  Cass  county,  where 
he  died. 

Wilson  Hamilton  settled  on  section  thirty; 
sold  out  and  moved  to  Macoupin  county;  thence 
to  Iowa,  where  he  died. 

Samuel  L.  Irwin  was  born  June  6,  1779,  in 
Cabarras  county.  North  Carolina,  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Rachel  Hudson,  September  23,  1802.  In 
the  fall  of  1818,  the  family  moved  to  that  part 
of  Tennessee  then  called  the  Cherokee  pur- 
chase, and  then  to  what  became  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  April  20,  1820,  and 
first  pitched  their  tents  in  what  is  now  the  north- 
east part  of  Pleasant  Plains.  After  a  few 
months'  stay,  they  moved  about  two  miles  down 
Richland  creek,  at  the  south  side.  Mr.  Irwin 
was  the  father  of  a  large  family,  several  of 
whom,  with  their  descendants,  yet  remain  in  the 
township.     Mr.  Irwin  died  in  1845. 


816 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


John  Purvine  settled  on  section  thirty-two 
and  died  on  the  place. 

Irwin  Masters  settled  on  section  twenty-nine. 
Subsequently  sold  to  Joshua  Crow  and  moved  to 
Morgan  county,  and  died  there. 

Joshua  Crow,  who  purchased  the  claim  of  Mr. 
Masters,  afterwards  sold  to  John  Baker,  and 
moved  to  Cass  county  and  died  there. 

Alexander  Purvine  made  claim  to  a  part  of 
section  thirty-three.  Lived  and  died  on  the 
place  where  he  first  located. 

Buck  Davis  settled  on  same  section,  but  sub- 
sequently sold  out  and  moved  to  Schuyler 
county. 

TOPOGEAPHICAL. 

The  surface  of  the  country  is  generally  level, 
though  sufficiently  rolling  to  afford  a  fair 
amount  of  natural  drainage.  The  soil  is  a  rich 
black  loam,  well  adopted  for  the  various  kinds 
of  grain  raised  in  this  latitude.  The  timbered 
land  of  the  township  is  about  one  mile  wide  and 
six  long. 

WATER    COUESES. 

The  township  is  watered  by  Richland,  Prairie 
and  Spring  creeks,  and  their  tributaries.  Rich- 
land creek  heads  on  section  twenty-seven,  town- 
ship seventeen,  range  eight,  and  flows  in  nearly 
an  eastern  direction  through  the  township, 
emerges  from  section  thirty-six,  township  seven- 
teen, range  seven.  One  branch  of  Prairie  creek 
heads  on  section  twenty-four,  the  other  on  sec- 
tion twenty-five,  township  sixteen,  range  eight, 
uniting  on  section  twenty-eight,  township  sixteen, 
range  seven,  flows  northeast  emerges  from  section 
thirteen,  same  township  and  range.  Spring 
creek  heads  in  Island  Grove  township,  and 
enters  Cartwright,  section  thirty-three,  township 
sixteen,  range  seven,  and  flowing  in  an  eastern 
direction  enters  Gardner,  from  section  thirty-six, 
same  town  and  range. 

MILLS. 

The  mill  privileges  of  the  pioneer  were  often 
taken  into  consideration  in  the  purchase  of  a 
place,  as  in  the  early  day  many  had  to  go  a  long 
distance  for  their  supply  of  meal  and  flour,  often 
at  great  inconvenience.  The  old  water  mills 
and  the  horse  mills  were  slow  contrivances,  and 
frequently  one  would  be  compelled  to  wait  several 
days  before  their  wants  could  be  supplied.  The 
miller  always  acted  upon  the  motto  "First  come, 
first  served,"  and  each  had  to  wait  his  turn. 
The  first  mill  in  what  is  now  Cartwright  town- 
ship was  built  in  1819,  by  Mr.  Spillars.  It  was 
the  old-fashioned  band-wheel,  run  by  horse 
l)ower.      It  had  one  set  of  burrs,  and   was  used 


for  grinding  both  corn  and  wheat.  The  second 
mill  was  built  by  J.  S.  Plunkett,  on  Richland 
creek,  on  the  place  now  owned  by  S.  T.  Plunk- 
ett. It  had  one  run  of  burrs,  and  was  first  run 
by  horse  power,  and  then  by  water.  There  is 
now  but  one  mill  in  the  township,  and  the  citi- 
zens have  choice  of  a  large  number  within  a 
short  distance  of  their  homes. 

FIRST    EVENTS. 

The  first  marriage  in  what  is  known  as  Cart- 
wright, was  that  of  Peter  Shepherd  and  Nancy 
Purvine,  July  16,  1820,  by  Rev.  Streator. 

The  first  birth,  or  rather  births,  was  three  sons 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roland  Shepherd,  in  1819. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  the  wife  of  Absa- 
lom Baker,  who  died  in  1820. 

The  first  school  was  in  1821,  John  D.  Purvine 
being  the  teacher. 

The  first  religious  services  were  at  the  house 
of  Absalom  Baker,  conducted  by  Rev.  James 
Sims,  in  the  summer  of  1820. 

The  first  mill  was  built  by  Mr.  Spillar,  in 
1819. 

A.  Sinyard  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace 
and  first  postmaster. 

The  first  brick  house  built  in  this  township 
was  erected  in  1824,  a  few  miles  west  of  Pleas- 
ant Plains,  by  Moses  Broadwell. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

In  1821,  the  first  step  was  taken  towards  the 
advancement  of  education,  by  the  building  of  a 
log  school  house  on  section  thirty-four.  John 
Purvine  was  the  first  teacher.  In  the  sixty 
years  that  have  past,  much  has  been  done  in 
this  direction,  and  Cartwright  township  has 
always  been  in  the  front  rank  in  educational 
progress.  There  are  now  in  the  limits  of  the 
township,  eleven  good,  substantial  school  build- 
ings, valued  at  Sl4,000. 

EKLIGIOUS. 

The  pioneer  preacher  is  deserving  of  great 
credit  for  the  noble  work  which  he  has  done. 
The  early  settlers  are  generally  with  but  little 
means,  so  that  they  are  unable  to  pay  the  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel  but  a  small  amount  for  his 
labor.  Nothing  but  a  love  for  the  cause  would 
tempt  one  to  engage  in  this  work. 

Rev.  James  Sims,  a  worthy  minister  of  the 
gospel,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
whose  name  often  appears  upon  these  pages, 
was  the  first  to  proclaim  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ  in  this  township.  In  the  summer  of 
1820,  at  the  house  of  Absalom  Baker,  he  delivered 
his   first   discourse  to   the   Cartwright    people. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


817 


There  are  now  seven  churches  in  the  township, 
four  outside  the  village  of  Pleasant  Plains. 

ORGANIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861,  by  the 
Board  of  Justices  of  the  county,  and  named 
"Cartwright,"  in  honor  of  Rev.  Peter  Cart- 
wright,  the  pioneer  Methodist  minister,  who  so 
long  resided  in  the  township.  The  first  election 
was  held  the  first  Monday  in  April,  since  which 
time  annual  elections  for  township  officers  have 
been  held.  The  followng  embraces  the  principal 
officers  elected,  from  1801  to  1881,  inclusive  : 

SUPERVISORS. 

The  following  named  served  from  1861  to 
1881: 

James  M.  Arnold 1861 

G.  M.  Harrison 1863 

J.  M.  Arnold,  two  years 1863-64 

Wm.  Washburn 1865 

P.  L.  Harrison 1866 

James  W.  Beekman,  two  years 1867-68 

John  Harnett 1869 

R.  F.  Hamilton,  four  years 1870-71-72-73 

Alanson  Kernoll,  two  years 1874-75 

G.  W.  Fink 1876 

A.  B.  Irwin 1877 

R.  F.  Hamilton 1878 

C.  C  Irwin 1879 

Leonaid  Hansbarger,  two  years 1880-81 

ASSESSORS. 

The  following  named  served  from  1861  to 
1881: 

M.  C.  John 1861 

P.  L.   Harrison 1862 

E.  James 1863 

Daniel  L.  Clark,  three  years 1864-65-66 

W.  R.  Crenshaw,  two  years 1867-68 

J.  C.  Bone 1869 

Daniel  L.  Clark,  two  years 1870-71 

James  W.  Beekman 1872 

John  F.  Purvines 1873 

Daniel  L.  Clark ".1874 

Daniel  Fink,  four  years 1875-76-77-78 

A.  D.  Irwin,  two  years 1879-80 

Timothy  Lahcy 1881 

COLLECTORS. 

S.  M.  Harrison 1861 

John  Foster 1863 

P.  M.  Carter,  two  years .* 1863-64 

John  Harnett,  two  years 1865-66 

H.  Smith,  two  years 1867-68 

G.  W.   Fink 1869 

Horatio  Corsan 1870 

George  Doraud 1871 

Henry  Smith 1^73 

George  Dorand,  two  years 1873-74 

S.  F.  Mastick 1875 

S.  G.  Mastick 1876 

Silas  Salzt-nsteiu 1877 

W.  11.  Dorand,  two  years 1878-79 

Sylvester  Connor 1880 

James  P.  Harnett 1881 


G.  W.  Fink 1861 

A.  Atherton 1863 

G.  W.  Fink 1863 

Wm.  S.  Cartwright 1864 

J.  M.  Weir 1865 

J.  N.  Gilhara  ...      .    1866 

Abraham  Epler,  two  years 1867-68 

J.  G    Conner 1869 

A.  N.  Sanders,  tea  years 1870-79 

W.  E.  Beekman 1880 

T.  C.   Richardson 1881 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

Daniel  Fink )  ,„,., 

William  Washburn l'^^'^^ 

G.  W.   Fink 1864 

R.  F.  Hamilton 1865 

J.  G.  McCoy 1866 

E.  A.   Aldrige 1867 

Wm.  Washburn 1868 

^^^™'" 'l869 


[l86 


E.  Mickel 

M.  A.  Cartwright '.1873 

Samuel  Heusley 1873 

F.  F.  Anderson 1874 

George  Anderson 1875 

C.  C.  Irwin 1876 

James  M.  Arnold )   ,„„_ 

C.  C.  Irwin \  ^^^^ 

J.  E.  Melick 1879 

James  M.  Arnold 1881 

VILLAGE  OF    PLEASANT  PLAINS. 

Madison  Glenn  erected  a  dwelling  house  in 
1848,  the  first  within  the  limits  of  the  present 
village.  At  this  time,  there  was  no  thought  of 
a  town  ever  .springing  up  in  the  neighborhood. 

In  1849,  Jacob  Epler  commenced  heie  the 
sale  of  merchandise,  it  being  the  first  .store  in 
this  section  of  country. 

John  Adams  came  about  four  years  later,  and 
started  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  added  one 
branch  of  business,  and  one  more  individual  to 
the  neighborhood. 

Mr.  Epler  becoming  the  owner  of  much  of 
the  land  here,  determined  to  lay  out  a  village, 
and  accordingly  had  platted  and  recorded 
March  13,  1854,  "the  southeast  quarter  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  thirty-one,  township 
seventeen,  range  seven,  west,  and  the  northeast 
quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  seciion  six, 
township  sixteen,  range  seven,"  which  com- 
prised the  original  village  plat. 

A  public  sale  of  town  lots  was  held  .shortly 
after  it  was  laid  out,  which  resulted  in  the  dis- 
posal of  quite  a  number  at  fair,  if  not  at  remu- 
nerative prices. 

The  village  had  but  slow  growth,  in  conse- 
quence of  other  village.s  springing  up  on  the 
line  of  some  newly  completed  railroads,  but 
whatever  was  gained  was  of  a  substantial  char- 


81S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


acter.  The  village  was  incorporated  in  1864. 
The  name  given  it  was  that  of  Pleasant  Plains, 
the  name  by  which  the  political  district  country 
in  which  it  was  situated  was  known  previous  to 
the  adoption  of  the  township  organization  law. 

EDUCATIONAL  AND  EELIGIOUS. 

The  first  school  within  the  limits  of  the  village 
was  ISoV,  a  school  house  being  erected  suitable 
for  the  wants  of  the  village  at  that  time,  but 
which  in  after  years  became  too  small,  and  was 
finally  remodeled  to  suit  the  increased  demands 
for  more  school  room,  it  now  being  a  neat  two 
story  edifice  with  four  rooms,  three  of  which  are 
now  used  for  school  purposes.  In  1865,  the 
school  was  divided  into  two  grades,  which  con- 
tinued until  the  remodeling  of  the  house,  when 
another  grade  was  added.  D.  P.  Johnson  is  the 
present  principal.  The  district  has  in  it  one 
hundred  and  thirty-two  children  of  school  age. 

During  the  year  the  school  house  was  built, 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  brethren,  then  under 
the  pastoral  charge  of  Rev.  Wingate  J.  New- 
man, built  a  house  of  worship  at  a  cost  of  66.000. 
In  the  winter  following  a  great  revival  was  held 
in  the  church  at  which  there  were  about  ninety 
conversions.  Rev.  John  Slater  occupied  the 
pulpit  in  1S58  and  1859,  Rev.  Newton  Cloud 
from  1859  to  1861,  and  then  the  following 
named  in  order:  Revs.  Greenbury  Garner,  Henry 
Wallace,  Ira  Emerson,  Anderson  Orr,  John 
Everly,  David  Lyon,  Mr.  Irwin,  O.  H.  P.  Ash, 
W.  E.  Johnson  and  J,  W.  Eckman,  the  last 
named  being  the  present  incumbent.  The 
church  is  prosperous. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  was  built  in  1871-72, 
under  the  supervision  of  Rev.  S.  M.  Wilson, 
who  organized  the  society,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000, 
Rev.  Mr.  Wilson  deserves  great  credit  for  the 
work  accomplished  here,  as  he  has  kept  up  the 
congregation  under  very  trying  circumstances. 
During  the  winter  of  1880-81  a  revival  was  held 
resulting  in  about  thirty  accessions  to  the 
church. 

The  Christian  Church  of  Pleasant  Plains,  was 
organized  by  Elder  John  L.  Wilson  on  the  15th 
of  September,  1869,  with  twenty-six  members,  as 
follows:  J.  C.  Irwin  and  wife,  Lewis  A.  Mowery 
and  wife,  daughter  and  son;  William  Harris  and 
wife,  John  Bruner  and  wife,  Russell  Williams, 
T.  F.  Anderson,  George  Anderson  and  wife,  J. 
WicklifE  Anderson  and  wl'e,  Mrs.  Ballard, 
Marina  Mitchel,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Childs,  Fanny 
Howard,  Sarah  Gardner,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Gardner, 
William  Jones  and  wife,  Mary  Keyes,  and 
Charles  Smith. 


The  first  elders  were  J.  C.  Irwin  and  L.  A. 
Mowery.  Deacons,  T.  F.  Anderson  and  Russell 
Williams.  A  new  frame  church  was  completed 
in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  The  preachers  in 
charge  since,  have  been  W.  E.  Nelson,  L.  L. 
Norton,  Harrison  Osborn,  J.  L.  Richardson,  J. 
T.  Burton,  Thomas  Tipton;  at  present,  A.  J. 
Kane.  Protracted  meetings  have  been  held  by 
N.  S.  Bastian,  McCorkle,  Vermilion,  Goode, 
Richardson,  Foster  and  Kane,  the  present  mem- 
bership of  the  society  (1881), is  forty-seven.  The 
church  at  present  is  in  an  unsettled  condition, 
and  has  no  legal  officers. 

Pleasant  Plains  may  emphatically  be  termed 
a  moral  town,  it  never  having  had  a  licensed 
saloon,  and  has  three  good  churches,  a  graded 
school,  has  good  sidewalks  in  various  parts  of 
the  town,  owes  not  a  dollar  of  bonded  indebted- 
ness, and  has  some  money  in  the  treasui-y. 

As  a  very  valuable  contribution  totle  history 
of  Cartwright  township,  which  will  grow  in 
interest  and  importance  as  time  passes,  we  give 
personal  sketches  of  many  of  the  best  known 
residents,  including  a  number  who  have  passed 
away. 

Edward  C  Bain,  M.  D.,  Pleasant  Plains,  was 
born  in  Nashville,  Tennessee,  on  the  20th  day  of 
June,  1842;  son  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Bain,  of  the  old 
school  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Sarah  Crockett, 
father  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  mother  of 
Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  where  children  were  born,  four  sons 
and  three  daughters,  six  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Dr.  S.  G.  D.  Bain,  a  graduate  of  Nashville  Uni- 
versity, now  practicing  medicine  in  Tennessee; 
John  S.  C.,a  farmer,  of  Williamson  county,  Ten- 
nessee; Mary  A.,  widow  of  Crockett  Sayers; 
Sarah  J.,  of  Clarksville,  Tennessee;  Martha  A., 
now  Mrs.  William  Macon,  near  Clarksville,  Ten- 
nessee. His  father  died  in  1868;  mother  died  in 
1877.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a 
classical  education  at  what  is  known  as  the  Old 
Oakes  School.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  took  up 
the  reading  of  medicine,  under  the  tutorship  of 
Professor  J,  Berrian  Lindsley,  where  he  re- 
mained three  years.  In  1861,  enlisted  in  the 
Southern  army,  where  he  served  with  distinction, 
being  promoted  to  a  captancy,  and  ranked  as 
major,  and  was  on  the  staff  of  T.  H.  Bell.  Dr. 
Bain  married  Miss  Sarah  Hardin,  of  Mississippi. 
By  this  union  there  were  two  children,  William 
II.;  and  Irvine.  In  1865,  he  graduated  at  Nash- 
ville LTniversity,  with  honors;  for  his  second 
wife  married  Miss  Matilda  Johnston,  a  daughter 
of  Thomas  Johnston,  of  Virginia.  By  this  mar- 
riage there  was  two  children,  one    of  which  is 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


819 


living,  Paul  Eve  Bain.  In  1872,  the  Doctor 
located  in  Pleasant  Plains,  Cartwright  township, 
■where  he  has  followed  his  proftssion  since. 

-B.  D.  Jiallarcl,  farmer,  post  office,  Richland, 
was  born  in  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  in  1825. 
Son  of  James  A.  and  Paulina  (Davis)  Ballard, 
a  native  of  Kentucky.  Was  married  in  Madison 
county,  Kentucky.  There  was  a  family  of  six 
children — three  sons  and  three  daughters — E.D. 
being  the  only  one  of  which  is  living.  His 
brother,  Richard,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union 
army — Twenty-sixth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry 
— and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, November  25,  1863.  Also  his  brother 
Clifton,  was  in  the  Confederate  army,  and  was 
killed  at  luka.  James  A.  is  still  living  in  Ken- 
tucky, at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-nine. 
Mr.  James  A.  Ballard  was  again  married  to  Miss 
Lucy  Martin,  of  Kentucky.  She  died  February 
10,  1881,  in  the  seventy-first  year  of  her  age; 
mother  died  September,  1835.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a 
common  school  education.  In  1849,  came  to 
Morgan  county,  where  he  made  his  home  with 
Lloyd  r>rovvn,  of  Morgan  county,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1857,  when  he  married  Miss  Cyn- 
thia Ann.  a  daughter  of  M.  K.  Anderson.  She 
was  born  in  Cartwright  township,  December  10, 
1840.  The  fruits  of  this  union  was  three  child- 
ren, viz:  Hattie,  born  June  2,  1858;  James  A., 
born  June  9,  1860  ;  Clifton  D.,  born  October  5, 
1863.  Mr.  Ballard,  in  politics,  is  a  Democrat. 
Has  one  hundred  and  thirteen  acres  of  land, 
eighty  acres  of  which  are  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  valued  at  $50.  Mr.  Ballard  came  to 
the  State  when  a  young  man,  with  nothing  but 
a  strong  constitution,  and  willing  to  work,  accu- 
mulated a  fine  property  and  home.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  B.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

C.  S.  Boynton  was  born  in  Windsor  county, 
Vermont,  June  3,  1822.  His  father,  Levi  Boyn- 
ton, was  born  in  Vermont,  and  married  Miss 
Mary  Griswohl  of  the  same  State.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  married  in  Vermont,  to  Miss 
Paulina  De  May,  who  was  born  May  30,  1828,  in 
Vermont.  They  had  two  children,  viz:  Ella 
and  Ervin;  the  latter  was  married  to  Miss  Katie 
Carrington,  and  resides  in  this  township.  Mr. 
Boynton  came  to  this  State  in  1843,  and  located 
on  a  part  of  his  present  farm,  and  lived  here 
seven  years  In  1850,  he  returned  to  Vermont, 
and  married  as  above  stated;  he  brought  his 
bride  out  to  the  West  with  him,  to  settle  on  the 
wide,  wild  prairies.  They  located  on  a  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  partially  im- 
proved.   He  now  owns  nine  hundred  and  twenty 


acres,  well  improved;  raises  lliree  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  corn  and  one  hundred  acres  of 
small  grain.  Mr.  Boynton  is  one  of  the  wealthy 
farmers  in  this  part  of  Sangamon  county.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Thomas  II.   lerry^  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office.  Pleasant  Plains,  was  born  in  St.  Law- 
rence county.  New  Y^ork,  May  3,  1818,  son  of 
Hugh  and  Fannie  Ferry;  father  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, and  mother  of  Connecticut.     They  were 
married   in    St.    Lawrence    county    about  1812. 
By  this  union  there  were  twelve  children,  five 
of  whom  lived  to  be  adults,  three  of  whom  are 
living  at  the  present  time,  viz:     Henry,  Louisa, 
of   Pleasant  Plains,  and  Thomas  H.     In  1851, 
emigrated   to    Sangamon    county,    Illinois,    and 
located  in  Island  Grove  township,  where  he  fol- 
lowed farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
July,  1864;  mother  died  November,  1867.     Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ferry  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal   Church.     Mr.  Ferry  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  received  a  common  school  education. 
In    1841,  married  Miss   Maria   Lamphin.      She 
was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county,   New  York, 
April  15,  1818.     There  were  four  children,  three 
sons  and  one  daughter,  one  of  which  is  living, 
Orl  E.     Mrs.  Mariah  Ferry  died  in  1856.     He 
again    married   Loreita   Perrine,  a  daughter  of 
Parley    Perrine,    of  Royalston,   Vermont.     She 
was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county.  New   York, 
September  16,  1825.     The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
was  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  George 
P.  and  John  T.   In  September,  1844,  left  his  home 
in  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  with  teams, 
camping  out,  and  made  their  journey  in  thirty 
days,  arriving  in  Sangamon   county,  where   he 
rented  land  for  a  few  years.     In    1849,  he  pur- 
chased land  in  Cartwright  township  where  he  has 
resided  since.   Mr.  Ferry  has  a  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres,  valued  at  fifty  dollars  per 
acre;  raises  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  corn ; 
turns  out  one  hundred  head  hogs  and  two  car-loads 
cattle  yearly.     Mr.   Ferry  came  to  the   county 
when  he  was  a  young  man.     His  only  capital 
was  a  strong  and  powerful  arm  and  a  good  will, 
and  by  hard  work  and  good  judgment  has  accu- 
mulated a  fine   property   and  home.     Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ferry  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
R.  F.   Hamilton,    farmer   and   banker,  Cart- 
wright township,  was  born  in  what  is  now  known 
as  Gardner  township,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
on  the  15th  day  of  November,  1824,  son  of  Knox  • 
and  Jane  (Coleman)  Hamilton.     They  were  mar- 
ried in   Sangamon  county,  aboTit  1823,  where  a 
family  of  three  children  were  born,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  being  the  only  living  one.    Father 


820 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNT-Y 


died  in  1827.  In  1829,  Mrs.  Hamilton  married 
Mr.  Asa  Purvines,  when  R.  F.  went  to  live  with 
them,  and  remained  until  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age,  when  he  started  out  for  himself,  hiring  him- 
self for  $10  per  month,  for  one  year.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1827,  married  Tebiatha  Purvines.  She  was 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Purvines. 
She  was  born  in  this  county  December  18,  1827. 
There  was  a  family  of  nine  daughters  and  one 
son,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz  :  Fannie  A., 
now  Mrs.  Abram  Weir;  Mary  J.,  wife  of  An- 
drew Zane;  Emma  M.,wife  of  Samuel  Ayres,  of 
Chicago;  Clara  M.,  wife  of  H.  L.  Cokenhour, 
Southwest  Iowa,  and  Willie  Lee. 

Mr.  Hamilton  has  five  hundred  and  thirty-six 
acres  of  land,  all  under  cultivation,  and  valued 
at  $65  per  acre.  He  commenced  in  the  county 
a  poor  boy,  at  the  lower  round  of  the  ladder, 
but  by  good  judgment  has  accumulated  a  line 
property  and  home.  In  1873,  embarked  in  the 
banking  business,  which  he  is  still  interested  in. 
Has  held  several  local  offices  of  trust  in  the  gift 
of  the  people.  Represented  the  township  in  the 
Board  of  ^supervisors  for  ten  years. 

M.  31.  Harnsberger  was  born  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  February  2,  1823.  He  is  a  son  of  Jacob 
and  Martha  Harnsberger,  who  were  married  in 
Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  and  moved  to  the 
State  of  Indiana,  remained  about  eight  years, 
when  his  mother  died.  His  father,  with  his 
three  sons,  then  came  to  this  county,  locating  in 
Cartwright  township,  where  be  died  in  1847. 
Mr.  H.  Si.  Harnsberger  was  married  February, 
1846,  to  Miss  M.  A.  Harrison,  who  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  March  20,  1820.  The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  were  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Mr.  H.  has  a  fine  farm  of  four  hun- 
dred acres.  Three  hundred  and  seventy  is  under 
cultivation,  valued  at  $60  an  acre.  Mr.  Harns- 
berger has  held  the  office  of  County  Commis- 
sioner for  ten  years.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Cliurch. 

Jonathan  Harnett,  lumber  dealer,  was  born  in 
Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  January  1,  1832.  His 
father,  James  Harnett,  was  born  in  Perry  county, 
Ohio,  in  1809,  and  was  married  in  1829,  to  Miss 
Mary  Pantaus,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1813.  His  father,  James  H.,  died  in  Ohio,  and 
his  mother  came  to  Illinois  with  her  son  Jonathan 
H.,  locating  in  Pleasant  Plains.  Mr.  Jonathan 
H.  was  married  November  13,  1856,  to  Miss  E. 
Fink,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Fink.  Miss 
Fink  was  born  December  17,  1830,  in  Muskin- 
gum county,  Ohio.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
•were  three  children,  viz:  George,  born  January 
21,  1868;  Mary,  born  September  6,  1864;  Libbie, 


born  March  6,  1867.  Mr.  Harnett  followed  the 
carpenters'  trade  for  twenty-four  years,  and  then 
began  his  present  business  here.  He  carries  a 
stock  worth  $3,500.  He  belongs  to  the  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  Mrs. 
Harnett  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Peyton  L.  Harrison,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office.  Pleasant  Plains,  was  born  in  Rock- 
ingham county,  Virginia,  on  the  7th  day  of 
November  1804,  son  of  Fielding  and  Annie 
(Quinn)  Harrison,  his  father  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent  and  a  native  of  Virginia,  his  mother  of 
English  descent,  also  a  native  of  Virginia.  They 
were  married  about  1780,  and  raised  a  family  of 
six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living  at  the 
present  writing.  Peyton  L.,of  Cartwright  town- 
ship; John  F.,  of  Kansas;  Peachey,  who  died 
some  years  ago;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Irvin  Randall, 
of  Edwardsville;  Simeon  Q.,  Sangamon  county; 
Martha  J.,  of  Wisconsin.  In  1800,  his  father 
left  Virginia  and  located  in  Christian  county, 
Kentucky,  where  he  remained  until  1822,  when 
he  came  to  the  Sangamo  country  with  a  four-horse 
team  and  an  old  Pennsylvania  wagon,  camping 
out  and  located  in  Cartwright  township,  where 
he  died  soon  after.  Previous  to  his  death  he 
made  a  visit  to  what  is  now  Christian  county, 
where  several  families  had  located  from  Ken- 
tucky, and  through  his  influence  the  county's 
name  was  changed  from  Dane  to  Christian.  In 
politics  he  was  an  old  line  Whig,  and  swayed 
some  influence  in  Kentucky;  in  the  M.  E.  church 
he  was  a  leading  member.  Mrs.  Annie  Harrison 
died  about  1840.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
when  twenty-one  years  of  age,  was  apprenticed 
to  a  tanner,  where  he  remained  three  years  when 
he  purchased  the  business  and  remained  six 
years.  In  the  meantime  became  acquainted 
with  Eliza  B.  Cartwright,  a  daughter  of  Elder 
Cartwright,  the  pioneer  preacher  of  the  State. 
She  was  born  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  The 
fruits  of  this  union  was  nine  children,  all  of 
which  are  living,  viz:  Francis  A.,  Wealthy  M. 
J.,  Sarah  M.,  Peachey  Q.,  Eliza  C,  Peter  L., 
Emily  W.,  Amanda  C,  and  Victoria  M.  About 
1832,  he  came  to  Richland  creek,  when  he  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  and 
moved  into  a  log  cabin  fourteen  by  sixteen, 
without  windows,  puncheon  floors,  with  a  clap- 
board door,  clay  and  sticks  for  a  chimney,  and 
for  a  light,  cut  a  log  out,  and  as  Mrs.  Harrison 
says,  her  mother  called  their  cabin  the  lan- 
tern. After  a  due  course  of  time,  a  new  one 
took  its  place,  a  hewed  one,  two  stories,  being  at 
the  time  one  of  the  finest  dwellings  in  this  part 
of  the  county.     In  1852,  he  bought  land  where 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


821 


he  now  resides.  Mr.  Harrison  is  one  of  the 
large  and  influential  farmers  of  tlie  county, 
owning  at  present  two  thousand  and  nine  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  $75.00  per  acre. 
He  raises  fifteen  hundred  acres  of  corn,  and  the 
present  season  will  average  sixty  bushels  per 
acre,  which  amounts  to  ninety  thousand  bushels, 
about  one  hundred  acres  of  wheat,  ships  one 
hundred  and  twenty  head  of  cattle,  and  one  hun- 
dred head  of  hogs  yearly.  Mr.  Harrison  has 
been  identified  with  the  county  nearly  all  his 
life  and  has  seen  the  prairies  from  their  wild  un- 
cultivated state,  to  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
counties  in  the  State. 

George  M.  Harrison,  M.  D.,  (deceased,)  was 
born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  on  the 
13th  day  of  March,  1813.  Came  to  Illinois  in 
1822,  and  settled  on  Richland  creek,  Sangamon 
county.  Was  found  dead  west  of  his  residence, 
where  he  had  lived  over  fifty  years.  Cause  of 
his  death  unknown.  Had  been  well  as  common. 
Been  to  one  of  his  neighbors  on  business.  Was 
on  his  way  home.  Came  to  a  deep  ravine,  where 
he  had  got  off  his  horse,  or  fell  off  before  cross- 
ing. VVas  found  dead  about  midnight,  Septem- 
ber 1,  1873.  Aged  sixty  years.  Dr.  II.  pro- 
fessed religion  in  his  seventeenth  year  of  age, 
at  Waters'  Camp  Ground,  on  Spring  creek, 
joined  the  Metliodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  con- 
tinued a  member  until  his  death.  He  was  ap- 
pointed class  leader  of  Cartwright  Society  three 
years  after  meeting  with  the  church.  After  the 
Richland  Society  was  formed  he  was  appointed 
leader  there,  and  remained  until  his  death. 
Sangamon  Circuit  had  lost  one  of  her  best  men. 
His  wife  had  for  years  kept  the  light  burning 
for  his  return  at  night,  for  he  came  home  when 
he  told  them,  unless  Providentially  hindered. 
This  time  God  called,  and  he  answered,  and  we 
believe  he  is  forever  with  the  Lord.  A  wife  and 
twelve  children  and  other  relations  mourn  his 
loss.  He  had  been  married  to  Miss  Houston  in 
Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  who  died,  and 
subsequently  he  had  married  Miss  Mary  A. 
Megredy.  As  a  physician,  he  was  of  the  first 
class,  and  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College, 
of  Philadelphia.  As  a  citizen,  among  the  earli- 
est settlers  for  fifty  years.  For  uprightness, 
none  excelled  him.  The  Rev.  D.  P.  Lyon  was 
called  upon  to  preach  the  funeral  sermon,  from 
Numbers  23:  10,  and  never  did  he  feel  more  forc- 
ibly the  living  character  of  the  righteous  who, 
though  he  is  dead,  yet  he  livoth  and  preacheth 
to  all  in  his  devoted  life.  Mrs.  Harrison  has 
struggled  liard  and  raised  the  family.     The  doc- 


tor  left  a  fine  property  of   about   six    hundred 
acres  of  land,  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 

There  was  a  family  by  his  first  wife  of  three 
children:  Ann  Amantha,  Reuben  H.  and  Sarah 
B.  C.  Of  his  second  family  there  were  nine 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Emma, 
now  Mrs.  Philip  Hodgden;  Jennie  M.,  now 
Mrs.  Bukman,  of  Menard  county;  Julia,  who 
married  W.  E.  Bukman,  died  June  18,  1875; 
Abbie;  Lillie,  now  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Bukman; 
John  E.,  W.  H.,  Mary  B.  and  Henrietta.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

John  II.  IIarriso7i,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
son  of  Reuben  and  Barbara  Ann  Harnsberger, 
natives  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  where 
they  were  married,  March  29,  1810,  where  there 
was  born  four  children,  three  of  whom  lived  to 
be  adults,  viz:  George  M.,  John  H.  and  Sarah 
N.  In  1818,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  where  one  daughter  was  born, 
Malinda  A.,  where  they  remained  until  the  fall 
of  1822,  when  he  moved  to  Sangamon  county 
Illinois,  coming  by  teams,  crossing  the  Ohio 
river  at  Louisville,  and  locating  on  the  place 
where  Mr.  H.  now  resides,  moved  into  a  log 
cabin  eighteen  by  twenty  feet,  without  a  window, 
making  his  claim  on  the  Seminary  grounds, 
which  he  afterwards  purchased,  where  he  lived 
until  a  few  years  previous  to  his  death.  Having  a 
sou  in  Alabama,  he  went  there  to  spend  the  win- 
ter, when  he  died  May  3,  1852.  Mrs.  Babara 
Ann  Harrison  died  August  23,  1842.  Mr.  Harri- 
son had  been  married  prior  to  marrying  Mrs. 
Barbara  Ann  Harnsberger,  to  Prathana  Harri- 
son. There  was  one  son  by  this  marriage,  Leon- 
ard C.     Mrs.  H.  died  September  20,  1809. 

J.  H.  Harrison  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  re 
ceived  his  education  in  log  cabins,  of  which  he 
says  in  the  first  one  the  only  light  they  had 
came  down  through  the  chimney  place,  there 
not  being  a  window  pane  in  the  building;  the 
following  spring,  cut  out  a  log  and  pasted  greased 
paper  over  that  for  light.  On  the  I7th  day  of 
May,  1843,  married  Miss  Sarah  Conover,  daugh- 
ter of  Elias  and  Sarah  Conover,  natives  of  New 
Jersey,  where  she  was  born  on  the  22d  day  of 
March,  1825.  The  fruits  of  this  m.arriage  was 
ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Charles  II.,  Samuel  B.,  George  R.,  Hote  T., 
John  v.,  Susan,  now  Mrs.  James  G.  Crow  and 
Annie  A.  He  has  four  hundred  and  seventy-two 
acres  of  land,  valued  at  $65  per  acre;  raises  one 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  corn,  fifty  acres  of 
wheat,  fifteen  acres  of  oats  and  turns  off  eighty 
head  of  hogs,  yearly.     Mr.  Harrison  has  been  a 


822 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


resident  of  Cartwright  township  for  fifty-nine 
years,  and  has  land  that  has  been  under  cultiva- 
tion that  length  of  time,  and  the  present  season 
will  yield  sixty  bushels  of  corn  to  the  acre.  He 
is  one  of  the  large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the 
county. 

Joseph  W.  Hayes,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office.  Pleasant  Plains,  was  born  on  the 
place  where  he  now  resides,  on  the  twenty- 
seventh  day  of  September,  1852;  son  of  Augus- 
tus W.,  and  Mary  Ann  (Wright)  Hayes,  natives 
of  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  where  they 
were  married,  and  seven  children  were  born, 
four  of  which  are  living:  Sarah,  now  the  wife 
of  Dr.  Albert  Atherton,  of  Pleasant  Plains; 
Mary  J.,  wife  of  R.  J.  Rudesall;  Charlotte,  wife 
of  I.  P.  Smith;  Rebecca,  wife  of  George  W. 
Fink.  In  1824  and  1825,  Augustus  W.  Hayes 
emigrated  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and 
located  in  Cartwright  township,  where  he  had 
previously  purchased  land,  and  commenced 
farming,  where  he  remained  until  his  death, 
which  occuiTed  September  12,  18V9;  mother 
in  1880.  Mrs.  Hayes  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  sincere  Christian 
and  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  her. 
After  coming  to  this  county  there  were  children 
born — Margaret  II.,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch;  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  received  a  practical  busi- 
ness education — attended  the  Springfield  Busi- 
ness College.  In  1872  or  1873,  embarked  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Pleasant  Plains,  in  com- 
pany with  his  father,  where  they  prosecuted  the 
business  for  four  years,  when  they  sold  their 
interests  to  William  Beakman,  since  which  time 
he  has  followed  farming.  In  1877,  married 
Miss  Fannie  M.  Pierce,  a  daughter  of  Lowell 
Pierce.  She  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1855. 
By  this  union  there  are  two  children,  Harry  D., 
and  Mary  M.  Mr.  Hayes  has  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land  under  cultivation,  valued  at 
$75  per  acre.  Raises  ninety  acres  of  corn  and 
one  hundred  head  of  hogs.  Mr.  Hayes  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Mr.  Hayes  is  a 
young  man  and  has  been  identified  with  the 
county  all  his  life. 

Lewis  Huber,  Cartwright  township,  is  the 
youngest  son  of  John  Huber,  Sr.,  and  was  born 
in  a  log  cabin  on  his  father's  farm,  in  Amanda 
township,  Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  June  30,  1810. 
His  father,  at  this  time,  owned  a  tract  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  adjoining  the 
village  of  Royalton.  Lewis' principal  educational 
advantages  were  those  usually  enjoyed  by  the 
Bons  of  pioneers,  and  consisted  of  a  few  terms 


in  the  district  schools,  held  in  a  iog  cabin,  with 
the  old  fashioned  slab  benches  and  writing  desks 
of  the  same  material.  High  schools  and  acade- 
mies were  almost  unknown. 

Lewis  continued  with  his  father  on  a  farm^ 
until  his  eighteenth  year,  and  was  hardly  off  it, 
with  the  exception  of  one  occasion  he  spent 
about  sixty  days,  in  company  with  his  half 
brother,  John  Huber,  Jr.,  in  driving  some  twelve 
hundred  head  of  hogs  to  market  at  Baltimore, 
the  principal  shipping  point  of  that  region  of 
country.  About  this  time  he  had  a  severe  at- 
tack of  billions  fever,  which  incapacitated  him 
for  farm  labor.  He  says  he  was  attended  by  an 
old  school  physician,  and  was  "bled,  blistered, 
and  purged  with  combined  doses  of  calo- 
mel and  ipecac,"  until  he  "thought  Heaven  and 
earth  was  about  to  unite,  being  refused  both 
fresh  water  to  drink  or  fresh  air  to  breathe." 
On  recovery,  as  he  could  not  labor  on  the  farm, 
he  was  sent  to  an  academy  for  three  months,  at 
Circleville,  Ohio,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time 
he  engaged  with  his  half  brother,  Isaac  Darst, 
who  had  removed  to  Circleville  with  a  stock  of 
merchandise,  as  salesman  and  book-keeper.  Here 
he  remained  from  1828  to  1832.  His  health 
still  being  feeble,  he  engaged  in  out-door  work, 
purchasing  horses  for  the  eastern  markets,  and 
cattle  for  the  Michigan  trade,  that  territory 
then  being  rapidly  settled  by  eastern  people.  He 
followed  this  business  until  the  fall  of  1833. 

The  firm  of  Drain  &  Fauger,  of  Lithopalis, 
Ohio,  being  dissolved,  by  the  death  of  the  former, 
Mr.  Huber  was  pursuaded  by  Mr.  Fauger  to  ac- 
cept a  position  in  the  store.  The  fall  trade 
being  brisk,  Mr.  Fauger  desired  a  partner,  and 
offered  the  position  to  Mr.  Huber,  who  accepted, 
for  the  double  reason,  a  good  trade  was  being 
had,  and  the  location  was  healthy.  The  firm  of 
Fauger  <fe  Huber  existed  until  the  fall  of  1834, 
when  Mr.  Huber  purchased  the  interest  of  his 
partner,  and  enlarged  the  business,  by  establish- 
ing a  branch  store  at  Royalton,  under  the  charge 
of  a  nephew,  Jefferson  Darst.  This  branch 
store  was  continued  until  the  fall  of  1836,  when 
he  sold  out  and  established  another  branch  store 
at  Jefferson,  Fairfield  county,  Jefferson  Darst 
superintending  the  business.  In  1837,  the  stock 
of  goods  was  withdrawn  to  Lithopolis.  During 
this  year,  Mr.  Huber  packed  the  first  barrel  of 
pork  in  Lithopolis,  but  rather  from  compulsion 
than  choice,  as  the  finances  of  the  whole 
country  were  so  unsettled,  and  money  so  scarce, 
that  collections  could  not  otherwise  be  made. 
The  business,  however,  proved  very  profitable, 
and   Mr.  Huber   purchased  a   large   number   of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


823 


hogs  from  the  farmers,  on  time,  as  well  as  re- 
ceiving them  on  debts.  Mr.  Huber  continued 
in  business  until  his  health  became  so  much  im- 
paired that,  in  1838,  he  sold  out  his  entire  stock 
to  certain  parties,  giving  them  time  to  make  the 
payments.  He  then  remained  out  of  business 
for  a  time,  when  the  firm  to  whom  he  sold  be- 
came involved  to  such  an  extent  that,  to  save 
himself,  in  part,  he  purchased  the  stock.  He 
has  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  the  firm  yet 
owes  him  $1,000.  Going  to  Baltimore,  Mr. 
Huber  made  a  satisfactory  comjtromise  with  his 
debtors'  creditors,  so  that  he  might  purchase  the 
real  estate,  which  was  to  be  sold  at  sheriff's  sale. 
A  bachelor  uncle  died  about  this  time,  and  left 
him  about  §3,000,  which  enabled  him  to  make 
the  necessary  transactions.  The  real  estate  then 
purchased,  with  what  he  was  owning  previously, 
gave  him  $15,000  worth  of  unproductive  capital. 
Mr.  Huber  still  remained  in  business,  but  in 
1850,  he  closed  out  bis  stock  of  merchandise 
and  began  to  settle  up  outstanding  claims  then 
due  him.  About  this  time,  his  business  trouble 
began.  Needing  about  $3,000,  circumstances 
were  such  that  neither  of  the  banks  at  Columbus 
or  Lancaster,  Ohio,  could  accommodate  him,  al- 
though his  credit  had  always  been  good  with 
them,  as  he  never  had  a  note  protested,  and  the 
cashier  of  the  Columbus  bank  complimented 
him  by  saying  that  he  was  among  his  best  cus- 
tomers. A  friend  informed  him  that  he  could 
be  accommodated  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  and  he 
went  to  that  place,  and,  unfortunatelj',  gave  a 
judgment  note  for  the  amount  he  wished  to 
borrow.  Sickness  overtaking  him,  when  the 
note  was  due  he  was  unable  to  pay.  Judgment 
was  entered  up  against  him,  and  an  execution 
sworn  out,  and  the  end  was  that  similar  to 
thousands  of  others.  Every  creditor  felt  that 
he  must  push  his  claim  or  he  would  lose  it  all. 
They  did  push.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say 
more. 

Mr.  Huber  experienced  the  joys  of  religion  in 
the  winter  of  1831,  and  united  with  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  Circleville,  Ohio,  subse- 
quently by  letter,  he  united  in  Lithopolis,  and 
was  there  elected  a  ruling  elder.  In  every  work 
of  the  church  there,  he  was  an  active  participant. 
In  1855,  Mr.  Huber  and  family  removed  to  Illi- 
nois, and  settled  in  Cartwright  township;  there 
being  no  Presbyterian  Church  near,  he  united 
with  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Springfield. 
When  the  church  at  Pleasant  Plains  was  formed 
he  and  his  wife  united  by  letter,  and  remained 
in  that  connection  until  1857,  when  by  request,  a 
letter  of  dismissal  was  given  him,  to  unite  with 

96— 


the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  at  New  Orleans, 
and  he  is  now  a  member  of  that  body. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Huber  was  originally  a  Whig, 
and  on  the  dissolution  of  that  party  was  unde- 
cided where  his  lot  shouid  be  cast,  politically. 
Finally,  after  a  visit  South,  he  concluded  his 
place  was  with  the  Democracy.  In  1860,  he 
voted  for  John  C.  Breckenridge;  he  remained  a 
Democrat  up  to  1872,  when  the  nomination  of 
Horace  Greeley  was  too  much  for  hitn.  In  1873, 
he  helped  organize  the  Anti-Monopoly  party, 
and  again,  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the 
Greenback  party,  with  which  he  now  attiliatts. 

Mr.  Huber,  for  many  years,  has  been  a  strong 
advocate  of  the  hydropathic  system  of  the  treat- 
ment of  the  sick,  and  since  1853,  has  used  no 
drugs  in  his  household. 

In  corcluding  this  sketch,  it  is  but  just  to  say 
that  Mr.  Huber  bears  testimonials  from  Hon. 
John  M.  Palmer,  Judge  C.  S.  Zane,  Governor  S. 
M.  Cullom,  Hon.  John  T.  Stuart,  and  J.  I'hayer 
&  Co.,  endorsing  .him  asa  business  man  of  integ- 
rity, and  worthy  the  confidence  of  all. 

Alexander  B.  Irwin,  farmer  and  stock  laiser, 
section  three,  post  office  Pleasant  Plains,  was 
born  in  Cabarras  county,  North  Carolina,  on  the 
7th  day  of  February,  1814,  son  of  Samuel  L  and 
Rachel  (Hudson)  Irwin;  father  of  Irish  descent, 
and  a  native  of  North  Carolina;  mother  of  Ger- 
man descent,  and  a  native  of  Virginia.  They 
were  married  in  Cabarras  county.  North  Caro- 
lina, in  1801,  where  there  was  a  family  of  ten 
children  born,  seven  daughters  and  three  sons. 
In  the  fall  of  1819,  his  parents  left  North  Caro- 
lina with  a  four-horse  wagon,  and  came  to  East 
Tennessee,  where  they  spent  the  winter,  and 
where  one  son  was  born.  In  the  followins: 
spring,  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  located 
where  the  town  of  Pleasant  Plains  now  stands. 
Their  first  summer  was  spent  in  their  wagon-bed. 
Cutting  a  couple  of  logs,  they  rolled  them  up, 
and  placed  their  wagon  between  them,  building 
their  camp-fire  in  front.  That  spring,  broke  and 
planted  twelve  acres  of  corn.  The  following 
fall,  built  a  log  cabin,  sixteen  by  eighteen,  where 
they  remained  one  year,  when  they  moved  to 
where  Mr.  Irwin  now  resides,  took  up  land,  built 
a  cabin,  which  is  standing  at  the  present  time, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred March  1,  1845.  In  politics,  was  an  old- 
line  Whig.  Mrs.  Rachel  Irwin  died  in  1866  or 
1867.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on 
a  farm,  and  received  a  limited  education.  Octo- 
ber 18,  1838,  married  Miss  Cynthetia  Broad- 
well,  daughter  of  John  B.  Broadwell,  of  Ohio. 
She  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  October  17,  1819. 


i-2i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  five  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living, viz.:  Amos  D.,  Betsey 
J.,  and  Sarah  P.  Mr.  Irwin  has  resided  on  the 
place  where  he  now  lives  forty-three  years,  and 
says  his  intention  is  to  spend  the  balance  of  his 
life  in  tlie  same  place.  Mr.  Irwin  has  held  sev- 
eral local  offices  of  trust  in  thegiftof  the  people, 
justice  of  the  peace  for  four  years,  and  super- 
visor of  the  town;  is  one  of  the  large  and  en- 
terprising farmers  of  the  county,  owning  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-eight  acres  of  land,  six 
hundred  under  cultivation,  valued  at  $75  per 
acie;  raises  three  hundred  acres  of  corn,  fifty 
acres  of  wheat,  fifty  acres  of  oats;  feeds  two  car- 
loads of  cattle,  and  the  same  of  hogs. 

Ji.  F.  Irwin,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  San- 
gamon county,  in  182'2.  His  father,  S.  L.  Irwin, 
was  b'lrn  in  North  Carolina,  1779.  He  was 
marr  ed  in  North  Carolina,  1802,  to  Miss  R.  Hud- 
son, who  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1785.  In  1819, 
they  emigrated  to  Tennessee,  resided  there  one 
year,  tlien  came  to  Sangamon  county,  April,  1820, 
and  located  where  Pleasant  Plains  now  stands; 
lived  there  two  months,  then  moved  to  a  small 
farm  where  he  resided  until  his  dea'h,  which 
occurred  in  1845;  his  wife  followed  him  in  1367; 
they  left  a  family  of  fifteen  children.  Mr.  B. 
F.  Irwin  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Combs. 
They  iiad  one  child.  Mrs.  Irsvin  died  in  1848.  He 
married  for  his  second  wife.  Miss  Martha  Huber, 
who  was  born  April  1,  1834.  The  fruits  of  this 
marriage  were  two  children,  one  son  and  one 
daughter,  the  latter  now  deceased.  Mr.  Irwin 
has  a  fine  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  in  this 
township,  and  one  of  four  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  in  Nebraska.  The  farm  in  this  county  is 
valued  at  sixty  dollars  an  acre.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  Republican. 

F.  M.  Jordan,  M.  D.,  Pleasant  Plains,  Illi- 
nois; was  born  in  Menard  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
22d  day  of  May,  1826.  His  father,  Henry  Jor- 
dan, was  born  in  Ohio,  about  1804.  His  mother, 
Ksab  Hull,  was  born  in  the  same  State  in  1808, 
where  they  were  married  in  1825.  The  follow- 
ing year  came  to  Illinois  and  located  in  Menard 
county,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1869;  mother  still  living  and  resides 
in  Kansas.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  married 
Miss  R.  M.  Michner;  she  was  born  in  Ohio, 
May  29,  1840.  Her  parents  emigrated  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  Decatur,  Macon  county, 
when  she  was  three  years  old.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  is  two  children,  viz:  Aura  D.,  born 
Ji:ly  27,  1866,  and  Frank  T.,  born  March  7, 
1870.  The  Doctor  received  a  classical  educa- 
tion at  the  Normal  University  of  Illinois.   After 


leaving  school,  commenced  the  reading  of  med- 
icine in  Decatur,  with  Dr.  W.  B.  Ilosttetler,  where 
he  remained  one  and  a  half  years,  and  the  fol- 
lowing six  years  practiced  medicine,  and  in  the 
meantime  taught  school.  In  1872,  attended  lec- 
tures and  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College, 
Chicago;  thence  went  to  Shelbyville,  Illinois, 
where  he  followed  his  profession  four  years.  He 
then  went  to  Chicago,  where  he  attended  a  post 
graduate  course,  and  practiced  in  the  free  dis- 
))en8ary  for  three  years,  when  he  came  to  New 
l^erlin,  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr. 
W.  L.  Fulton,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
when  he  came  to  Pleasant  Plains,  where  he  has 
followed  his  profession.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jordan 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Martin  S.  Mosteller,  M.  D.,  Pleasant  Plains, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Salisbury  township,  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  on  the  twenty-first  day 
of  April,  1842.  Son  of  Thomas  and  Charlotte 
(Morris)  Mosteller;  father  of  German  descent 
and  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  mother  a  native  of 
Tennessee.  They  were  married  in  Franklin 
county,  Indiana,  July  21,  1827.  There  was  a 
family  of  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  six  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Alice  J.,  now  the  wife  of 
Job  Davenport;  Dorcus,  wife  of  Dr.  F.  P. 
Antler,  of  Petersburg;  Christopher  E.,  a 
practicing  physician  of  Rising  Sun,  Polk  county, 
Iowa;  Martin  S.;  John  H.  A.;  Eliza  W.,  now 
Mrs.  Thomas  Davis,  of  Vandalia,  Missouri.  His 
father,  by  occupation,  was  a  carpenter,  and  died 


in    Cartwright    township,    February 


1881; 


mother  died  March  2,  1865.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old,  when  he  commenced  read- 
ing medicine  under  his  brother,  Dr.  Christopher 
E.  Mosteller,  and  remained  with  him  one  year. 
In  1867,  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Cincin- 
nati Eclectic  Medical  College,  and  in  1869, 
another  course,  when  he  graduated  with  honor. 
In  1864,  married  Miss  Sarah  M.  Antler,  a 
daughter  of  Leonard  Antler;  she  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  May  11,  1842.  By 
this  union  there  were  five  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Freddie  E".,  Albert  A., 
Maud  M.,  Bertie  B.  The  doctor  came  to 
Pleasant  Plains  in  1870,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  where  he  is  meet- 
ing with  a  lucrative  practice.  In  politics  is  a 
Republican. 

Lewis  A.  Mowry,  farmer,  post  office.  Pleasant 
Plain-;  wasJUorn  in  Smithfield,  Providencecounty, 
Rhode  I^iland,  May  27,  1821;  son  of  Levi  and 
Alpha  (Aldrich)  Mowry,  native  of  Rhode  Island, 
where  they  were  married,  June  12,  1814.     There 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


825 


was  a  family  of  eight,  children,  seven  sons  and 
one  daughter,  four  of  which  are  living  at  the 
present  writing:  Duty,  Lewis  A.,  Martin  C,  and 
Maranda  B.,  wife  of  Baxter  Arnold,  of  Rhode 
Island.  Mr.  I>evi  Mowry  died  in  Rhode  Island, 
October  10,  1803;  mother  died  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  July  28,  1868.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Mowry,  in  early  life,  learned  the  trade  of  boot 
and  shoe  making,  at  Waterford,  Massachusetts, 
which  he  followed  about  four  years,  when  he 
was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  a  general  store,  where 
he  remained  six  years.  In  1842,  married  Miss 
Johanna  M.  Taft,  a  daughter  of  Benona  and 
Nancy  Taft,  native  of  Rhode  Island,  where  she 
was  born,  December  28,  1820.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  is  four  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living,  Charles  L.  B.,  born  Sept.  1,  1845,  died 
Aug.  18,  1840;  Mary  M.,  born  Feb.  21,1848;  Chas. 
L.,born  Feb.  5, 1855;  Irving L., born  May  17,1861. 

Mr.  Mowry  in  politics,  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  affiliated  with  the  party  since  its  organiza- 
tion; has  one  bundled  and  thirty-four  acres  of 
land  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at 
$C6  per  acre;  raises  sixty-iive  acres  of  corn; 
twenty  acres  of  rye;  ten  acres  of  oats;  turns  out 
eighty- five  head  of  hogs,  yearly.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Mowry  came  to  the  county  in  limited  circum- 
stances, but  pulled  together,  and  they  have  made 
a  fine  property  and  home. 

llobert  S.  Plunkett,  farmer,  was  born  in  Ca- 
barras  county.  North  Carolina,  on  the  15th  day 
of  June,  1808;  son  of  John  H.  and  Elizabeth 
(Purvines)  Plunkett.  In  about  1804,  they  were 
married  in  North  Carolina,  where  there  were 
eight  children  born.,  In  1823,  left  his  home  in 
North  Carolina,  with  teams,  for  the  Sangamo 
country;  camping  out,  and  was  seven  week.s 
making  their  journey.  He  first  located  on  the 
place  where  S.  P.  Plunkett  now  lives,  and  moved 
into  a  log  cabin  about  twelve  by  fourteen  feet, 
where  he  remained  until  the  following  fall;  liv- 
ing in  it  without  any  floor  or  a  window  glass. 
He  entered  land  and  made  a  farm,  and  remained 
until  his  death.  Mr.  Plunkett,  in  politics, 
was  an  old  line  Whig.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  but  a 
limited  school  education,  in  a  log  cabin.  In  1829, 
married  Miss  Ruth  Combs,  a  daughter  of  Samuel 
Combs,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  she  was  born 
in  Green  county.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
were  six  children,  four  boys  and  two  daughters, 
five  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Martha  A.,  Asa 
W.,  Jason  D.,  Richard  M.  J.,  John  N.;  Rebecca 
J.,  Martha,  deceased.  Mrs.  Ruth  Plunkett  died 
in  1844.     For  his  second  wife,  married  Miss  Ann 


Alexander,  a  daughter  of  Joshua  Alexander. 
Mr.  Plunkett  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and 
has  lived  on  tlie  same  place,  with  the  exception 
of  one  winter.  Has  one  hundred  and  ten  acres 
of  land,  ninety  acres  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation— valued  at  S75  per  acre.  Mr.  Plunkett 
has  been  identified  with  the  county  all  his  life; 
has  seen  the  prairies,  in  their  wild,  uncultivated 
state,  covered  with  wild  game,  to  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  countries  in  the  world.  Mr.  Plunkett 
was  an  old  hunter,  and  many  a  deer,  turkey  and 
wolf  have  bit  the  dust  by  his  unerring  aim.  For 
his  third  wife,  married  Mrs.  Joseph  Gateley;her 
maiden  name  was  Hind;  she  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee. By  this  union  there  were  two  children, 
Nancy  L.  and  Ruth.  Mrs.  Plunkett  died  Feb- 
ruary, 1879. 

G.  M.  Menshaw  was  born  August  7,  1830,  in 
Sangamon  county.  W.  P.  Renshaw,  his  father, 
was  born  November  7,  1800,  near  Salisbury, 
Georgia.  His  mother,  Martha  Nesbet,  was  born 
November  8,  1794,  near  Lexington,  Kentucky. 
They  were  married  in  Bond  county,  Illinois, 
December  31,  1818,  and  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1821,  locating  in  what  is  now  Cart- 
wright  township.  Seven  children  were  born  to 
them,  viz:  Jane,  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  S.  L.  Harri- 
son; Margaret  E.,  now  Mrs.  F.  Butler;  .lames 
N.,  deceased;  Barbara,  now  Mrs.  Haughton; 
John  S.  and  William  P.  G.  M.  was  married 
October  22,  1866,  to  Matilda  F.  Parker,  who  was 
born  in  Robertson  county,  Tennessee.  They 
had  three  children,  two  daughters  and  one  son. 
Mr.  Renshaw  has  a  fine  farm  of  seventy-six 
acres,  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation. 

William  liiggins,  farmer,  post  oflice,  Rich- 
land; was  born  in  Cape  May  county.  New  Jer- 
sey, on  the  28th  day  of  July,  1812,  where 
they  were  married.  Son  of  Caleb  and  Charlotte 
(Little)  Riggins.  By  this  union  there  were  ten 
children,  one  flied  in  infancy.  The  children 
were  as  follows:  William,  Ellen,  James,  Jonas, 
John,  Jeremiah,  Samuel,  Sarah  and  Mary,  of 
which  one  is  living  at  the  present  writing.  In 
1839,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Mason  county, 
where  he  entered  land  and  made  a  farm,  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  about 
1852;  his  mother  died  some  years  later.  When 
William  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  went 
to  work  in  a  ship-yard,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  He  afterwards  rented  land,  but  not 
meeting  with  financial  success  he  came  West. 
In  1834,  married  Martha  Mosslander.  She  was 
born  in  Cumberland  county,  New  Jersey,  July 
28,  1813.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  six 
children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living:   Eliza- 


826 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


beth,  now  Mrs.  Jane  Tripp;  Mary,  now  Mrs. 
Franklin  H.  Wood.  Mrs.  Martha  Riggins  died 
April  4,  1844.  He  again  married  Mrs.  Rathsack, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Bohme.  She  was  born 
in  Germany,  January  22,  1827.  There  were  two 
children — Annie  and  William  H.  Mr.  Riggins 
is  one  of  the  large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the 
county;  has  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  $50.00  per  acre.  Mr.  Riggins 
came  to  the  county  in  an  early  day,  without 
means,  but  by  close  attention  to  business  has 
made  a  fine  home.  In  politics,  was  a  Repub- 
lican. 

Edwin  Watts,  farmer,  post  oflBce,  Farming- 
dale,  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  on  the  14th 
day  of  June,  1839;  son  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth 
(Innes)  Watts,  who  emigrated  to  Sangamon 
county,  in  1833.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  good  business 
education,  being  a  graduate  at  Bell,  Bryant  & 


Stratton's  Business  College,  at  Chicago,  Illineis. 
In  1860,  embarked  in  the  cattle  trade,  in  Kansas, 
which  he  prosecuted  some  twelve  years,  when 
he  returned  to  Cartwright  township,  where  he 
has  followed  the  same  business  in  connection 
with  farming.  In  October,  1871,  married  Miss 
Laura  E.  Rickard,  a  daughter  of  S.  P.  Rickard 
and  Sophia  Emet.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  September  G,  1847.  There  are  two  child- 
ren, Mary  E.,  born  May  21,  1875;  Laura  E.,  born 
November  2,  1879.  Mr.  Watts  has  a  beautiful 
home  with  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  valued  at 
sixty-five  dollars  per  acre;  raises  two  hundred 
acres  of  corn,  fifty  acres  of  wheat,  turns  out  four 
hundred  head  of  cattle  and  four  hundred  head  of 
hogs  yearly. 

Mr.  Watts  has  been  identified  with  the  county 
all  his  life  and  has  seen  it  from  its  infancy  to  a 
fine  cultivated  country. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


8^7 


Chapter  XXXII. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE  OP  CHATHAM. 


TOWNSHIP    OF    CHATHAM. 

The  township  of  Chatham  is  situated  in  the 
southern  part  of  Sangamon  county,  being  town- 
ship fourteen  north,  range  six  west  of  the  third 
principal  meridian.  Originally,  the  township 
was  three-fourths  prairie,  the  timber  land  being 
confined  to  points  along  Panther  and  Lick 
creeks  The  fears  of  the  early  settlers  have 
never  been  realized  that  the  timber  would  soon 
all  be  destroyed,  for  in  1881  there  is  more  tim- 
ber in  the  aggregate,  but  not  same  quality,  than 
when  John  Campbell  selected  his  land  on  Lick 
creek,  and  cleared  away  timber  for  his  farm. 

EARLY    SETTLEKS. 

The  first  settler  of  Chatham  township  was 
John  Campbell,  in  1818,  who  arrived  on  the  22d 
day  of  March,  and  located  on  Lick  creek,  in  the 
west  part  of  the  town.  John  Campbell  was  born 
November  4,  1790,  in  Carter  county,  Tennessee. 
His  father,  Jeremiah  Campbell,  settled  there 
before  the  American  Revolution,  and  was  a  sol- 
dier during  the  Revolution,  under  General 
Francis  Marion.  He  lived  to  be  about  one 
hundred  years  old.  His  youngest  son,  Jackson, 
was  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  great  rebellion.  The  farm  had 
been  in  the  family  about  one  hundred  years. 
John  Campbell  enlisted  in  a  company  from  Car- 
ter county,  in  the  second  war  with  England, 
served  six  months,  re-enlisted,  and  served  until 
March,  1815.  He  was  an  ensign  in  the  last  cam- 
paign, and  drew  a  pension  to  the  end  of  his  life. 
He  remained  in  Tennessee  until  1818,  when  he 
moved  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
there  married, November  6,  1818,  to  LavinaPark- 
ison,  who  was  born  February  21,  1803.  They 
had  six  children — Alfred  C,  William  P.,  Jere- 
miah, .Tosiah  W.,  Peter  C,  and  Caroline. 


Mrs.  Lavinah  Campbell  died  December  13, 
18.53,  and  John  Campbell  was  married  in  1855, 
to  M  rs.  Margery  Carson,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Parkison,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  died 
March  5,  1870.  John  Campbell  died  February, 
1875,  on  the  farm  where  he  settled  in  1818,  five 
miles  west  of  Chatham,  leaving  a  large  estate, 
which  he  had  accumulated  by  industry  and  econ- 
omy. He,  as  nearly  all  the  earliest  settlers,  took 
part  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  The  first  mill  in 
the  county,  built  by  Daniel  Lisle,  was  sold  by 
him,  and  after  changing  hands  once  or  twice, 
was  bought  by  Mr.  John  Campbell,  and  moved 
to  his  farm  on  Lick  creek,  where  he  put  it  up 
and  ran  it  for  years,  each  customer  bringing  his 
own  horses  to  run  it.  That  kind  of  mills  went 
out  of  use  long  ago,  and  one  of  the  burrs  was 
used  by  Mr.  Campbell  as  a  doorstep,  to  the  day 
of  his  death. 

Henry  Brown  was  probably  the  second  settler 
in  the  township.  He  arrived  in  the  summer  of 
1819,  from  the  South,  and  remained  but  a  few 
years,  when  he  left  the  State. 

John  Darneille,   another  of   the    pioneers   of 

1819,  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky, 
June  8,  1791.  He  served  fourteen  months  in 
the  war  of  1812-13,  half  the  time  as  first  Lieu- 
tenant, and  was  then  promoted  to  Captain.  Mar- 
garet Norton  was  born  October  25,  1793,  in 
Bourbon  county,  also.  They  were  married  there, 
February  20,  1814.  The  family  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  arriving  November,  1819, 
in  what  is  now  Chatham  township,  first  at  a 
place  called  Turkey  Point,  and  in  the  spring  of 

1820,  moved  further  up  Lick  creek,  and  made  a 
permanent  settlement  five  miles  west  of  the 
present  town  of  Chatham,  Mr.  Darneille  learned 
to  write  by  fire-light,  and  in  the  absence  of  paper, 
peeled  buckeye  bark  from  the  trees,  and  when 
it  became  dry,  did  his  writing  on  that,  until  he 


828 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


learned  to  keep  accounts  of  all  his  business 
transactions.  He  acquired  such  fame  as  an 
accurate  and  legible  penman,  that  he  became  the 
neighborhood  letter-writer.  He  was  on  the  first 
grand  jury  that  was  ever  empanncled  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  May  7,  1821.  They  held  their 
deliberations,  some  sitting  on  a  pile  of  rails,  and 
some  on  gopher-hills  out  on  the  prairie,  within 
the  present  limits  of  Springfield.  He  was  elect- 
ed as  one  of  the  Representatives  of  Sangamon 
county  in  the  State  Legislature  of  1840,  the  first 
that  ever  assembled  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Dar- 
neille  died  March  10,  1854,  and  his  widow  April 
30,  1875,  both  on  the  farm  on  which  they  settled 
in  1820. 

Levi  Harbur,  and  Samuel  Harbour,  broth- 
ers, (but  spelling  their  name  differently,)  also 
came  in  1819.  Levi  Harbur  was  born  Novem- 
ber 21,  1797,  in  Garrard  county,  Kentucky. 
When  he  was  a  child  his  parents  moved  to 
Christian  county,  in  the  same  State.  He  was 
there  married,  June  29,  1817,  to  Eleanor  Ashley, 
and  moved  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  in  Sep- 
tember following,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and 
his  brother  Samuel.  He  left  his  brother  in  Madi- 
son county,  and  with  his  wife  went  to  the  south- 
ern part  of  Missouri,  remaining  one  and  a  half 
years,  and  had  one  child  there.  He  returned  to 
Madison  county,  where  Mrs.  Eleanor  Harbur 
died  September  10,  1819.  Leaving  his  child  in 
the  care  of  a  friend,  he  came  to  what  is  now 
Sangamon  county,  one  and  a  quarter  miles  east 
of  the  town  of  Loami.  He  went  eighty  miles 
to  Edwardsville,  obtained  a  license,  returned  to 
the  San-ga-ma  country,  and  was  married  March 
25,  1820,  to  Mary  Sawyers.  Mrs.  Mary  Harbur 
died  September  8, 1857,  and  Mr.  Harbur  married 
Frances  Young,  October  1,  1861. 

Levi  Harbur  says  that  the  snow  of  1830-31 
was  three  feet  four  inches  on  an  average,  and 
that  he  resolved  that  if  it  ever  went  off,  Illinois 
would  not  hold  him  long.  The  snow  went  off, 
but  he  did  not.  I  have  measured  a  stump  near 
where  Mr.  H.  resides.  It  is  a  white  oak,  eight 
feet  high  and  two  feet  in  diameter  at  the  toj). 
Mr.  Harbur  says  he  cut  it  not  more  than  two 
feet  above  the  snow,  so  that  the  snow  must  have 
been  six  feet  deep  at  that  place,  but  that  was 
drifted. 

Samuel  Harbour  was  born  September  24,  1799, 
in  Garrard  county,  Kentucky,. and  was  taken  by 
his  parents,  in  infancy,  to  Christian  county.  In 
1817,  he  accompanied  his  brother  Levi  to  Madi- 
son county  Illinois,  and  from  there  he  came  to 
what  is  now  Chatham  township,  Sangamon 
county,  arriving  October,  1819.    He  was  married 


March,  1823,  to  Elizabeth  Briscoe,  who  died  Feb- 
ruary, 1824,  shortly  after  the  birth  of  their  child. 
Mr.  Harbour  married  the  second  time,  Elizabeth 
Lindley,  being  his  second  wife.  Mr.  Harbour 
died  in  1874. 

Simon  Lindley,  came  in  the  spring  of  1820. 
He  was  born  January  20,  1769,  in  Orange 
county.  North  Carolina.  Anna  Standley  was  born 
February  3,  1766,  in  Kent  county,  Delaware. 
Her  parents  moved  to  Pendleton  District,  South 
Carolina.  Simon  Lindley  and  Anna  Standley 
were  there  married,  July  14,  1789.  They  came 
to  what  became  Sangamon  county,  arriving 
April  14,  1820,  in  what  is  now  Chatham  town- 
ship. Mr.  Lindley  was  a  very  eccentric  man, 
and  many  anecdotes  are  related  of  him,  both  in 
connection  with  his  preaching  and  in  private 
life.  Mr.  Lindley  was  also  a  man  of  liberal 
education.  He  was  educated  at  some  college  in 
Philadelphia,  but  whether  he  was  a  graduate  or 
not,  I  cannot  say.  After  the  town  of  Spring- 
field was  laid  out,  there  was  a  discrepancy 
between  the  surveyors  of  that  and  the  former 
town  of  Calhoun,  and  Mr.  Lindley  was  called  on 
to  re-survey  it  and  harmonize  the  differences, 
which  he  did,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties. 
Mr.  Lindley  was  also  a  minister  of  the  Regular, 
or  Predestination  Baptist  Church,  and  preached 
the  gospel  as  the  occasion  offered.  It  is  related 
of  him  that  on  one  occasion  he  was  holding  forth 
to  a  congregation  not  far  from  his  own  house, 
and  in  the  midst  of  his  sermon  he  heard  a  noise 
to  which  he  gave  instant  attention.  Turning  to 
his  hearers,  he  said:  "Brethren,  the  trap  is 
down.  Hold  fast  to  the  text  till  I  return,  and  I 
will  finish  my  sermon."  Leaving  the  stand,  he 
went  to  the  place  where  he  had  set  a  trap,  and 
which  had  been  sprung  on  a  wolf.  He  instantly 
dispatched  it,  re-set  the  trap,  and  returned  and 
finished  his  discourse.  Mr.  Lindley  died  in  1827. 
His  widow  survived  him  many  years. 

Jacob  Miller  came  in  1824,  and  settled  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  township.  Here  he 
raised  a  large  family,  and  died  July  27,  1862. 

Thomas  and  David  Alexander,  Andrew  Starr, 
Peter  Ballon,  Randall  and  Joseph  Davis,  John 
Wychoff,  Stephen  and  John  Neal,  Joseph  Bil- 
liard, Henry  Hall,  William  and  David  Work- 
man, Eli  Harlan  and  Allen  Bridges,  w'ere  also 
among  the  early  settlers  of  the  township. 

Thomas  Alexander  was  born  about  1768,  in 
Ireland,  and  lis  parents  came  to  America  when 
he  was  about  four  years  old,  landing  at  Charles- 
ton, South  Carolina.  Lynna  Goodlett  was  born 
October  11,  1780,  in  Greenville  District,  South 
Carolina.     They  were  there  married.     In   1 806, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


829 


they  moved  to  Christian  county,  near  Hopkins- 
ville,  Kentucky,  where  they  had  two  children, 
and  moved  to  Sangamon-  county,  Illinois,  arriv- 
ing in  October,  1828,  three  miles  east  of  Auburn. 
lu  1829,  they  moved  to  what  is  now  Chatham 
township,  south  of  Lick  creek.  He  died  August 
12,  1844. 

Daniel  Neal  was  born  about  1770,  in  Bedford 
county,  Virginia.  He  was  married  there  to  Polly 
Booth,  a  n.ative  of  the  same  county.  They  moved 
to  Franklin  county,  Tennessee,  in  the  fall  of 
1808.  Died  in  1838.  The  family  then  moved 
to  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  They  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  November 
10,  1823,  in  what  is  now  Chatham  township. 

Silas  Harlan  was  born  January  5,  1781,  in 
Berkley  county,  Virginia.  He  went  to  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  1827.  He  entered  about  one 
thousand  acres  of  land,  and  improved  a  farm, 
three  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Chatham.  Eliza- 
beth Messick  was  born  March  26,  1809,  in  Rock- 
ingham county,  Virginia,  and  her  father  moved 
the  next  year  to  Christian  county,  Kentucky.  In 
1827,  Eli/ibeth  came  to  Sangamon  county  with 
the  family  of  John  French.  Silas  Harlan  and 
Elizibeth  Messick  were  married  September  10, 
1829. 

Jacob  Miller  was  born  in  1789,  in  Kentucky. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  mustered 
in  at  Winchester,  Kentucky,  and  was  in  the 
battle  of  Tippecanoe.  Lucina  Poats  was  born 
December  18,  1793,  in  Stafford  county,  Virginia, 
and  was  taken  to  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  when 
she  was  quite  young.  Jacob  Miller  and  Lucina 
Poats  were  there  married,  in  1812.  Moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  December, 
1824,  in  what  is  now  the  northwest  corner  of 
Chatham  township.     He  died  in  1862. 

William  Gibson  was  born  about  1780,  near 
Staunton,  Virginia,  and  was  taken  by  his  parents, 
at  six  or  seven  years  of  age,  to  Fayette  county, 
Kentucky.  He  was  married  in  Boone  county, 
in  1809,  to  Mary  Ilolman.  She  was  born  July 
29,  1789,  in  Woodford  county.  Her  father, 
Edward  Holman,  and  Jesse  Holman — for  many 
years  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Indiana — 
were  brothers.  She  was,  consequently,  a  cousin 
to  Hon.  Wm.  S.  Ilolman,  of  the  Fifth  Congres- 
sional District  of  Indiana.  Moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  November  I,  1829,  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  the  northwest  corner  of 
Chatham  township. 

FIRST     EVEMTS. 

The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  Alfred  C. 
Campbell,  who  was  born  July  22,  18  19.       When 


the  war  with  Mexico  broke  out  he  enlisted  in 
Captain  Morris'  company,  and  served  until  his 
regiment  was  discharged,  holding  the  commis- 
sion of  Lieutenant.  When  the  rebellion  broke 
out  he  raised  a  company,  October  2,  1861,  and 
became  Captain  of  Company  E.,  Thirty-second 
Illinois  Infantry,  under  Colonel  John  Logan, 
and  fought  in  all  the  battles  from  Fort  Donel- 
son  to  the  sea.  At  Pittsburg  Landing,  his  com- 
pany lost  thirty-two  men,  killed  and  wounded, 
out  of  fifty-six  in  action.  He  served  three  years 
and  four  months,  and  was  honorably  discharged. 
Captain  Campbell  moved,  in  1851,  to  the  vicinity 
of  Mowequa,  Shelby  county,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  Jane  Kimes,  who 
died  with  flux.  Her  coffin  was  made  from  tim- 
ber split  out  of  a  tree,  and  hewn  and  dressed 
with  a  broad-axe  by  John  Darneille. 

Samuel  Wychoff  was  the  first  justice  of  the 
peace. 

The  first  scliool  was  taught  on  section  nine- 
teen, in  1S22,  by  Ira  McGlassen. 

Simon  Lindley,  a  Baptist  minister,  already 
spoken  of  as  an  early  settler,  preached  the  first 
sermon. 

The  first  church  was  organized  by  the  Bap- 
tists in  1821. 

The  first  mill  was  the  old-fashioned  horse 
mill,  built  by  John  Campbell,  shortly  after  his 
arrival. 

The  first  water-mill  was  a  saw-mill,  built  and 
rim  by  Johnson  Hardin,  on  Lick  creek,  as  early 
as  1828. 

The  first  steam  grist-mill  was  erected  in  Chat- 
ham village,  in  1856. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school,  as  stated,  was  on  section  nine- 
teen, and  the  house  in  which  it  was  held  was  a 
small  log  one  of  a  very  primitive  style.  Im- 
provements have  since  been  made  in  this  respect, 
and  the  township  is  now  pretty  well  supplied 
with  school  houses,  with  accommodations  much 
superior  to  those  in  the  beginning.  There  are 
now  seven  school  houses  in  the  township,  out- 
side of  the  village,  and  one  in  the  village,  having 
a  total  value  of  '$6,000  or  $7,000. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  pioneers  of  Chatham  were  mostly  a  God- 
fearing people,  and  as  opportunity  offered,  as- 
sembled themselves  for  religious  worship. 
Separated  from  home  and  friends,  far  away  from 
the  sound  of  thechurch-going  bells,  they  earnest- 
ly craved  the  bread  of  life,  and  the  minister  of 
the  gospel,  of  whatever  name  or  creed,  r<  ceived 


830 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


a  royal  welcome.  Rev.  Simon  Lindley  was  the 
harbinger  who  went  before,  to  prepare  the  way 
for  other  disciples  to  follow  after.  The  meet- 
ings were  first  held  in  the  private  dwelling 
houses  of  the  pioneers,  then  in  the  school  houses, 
and  lastly  in  the  more  modern  church  buildings 
that  now  point  their  spires  Heavenward.  The 
Advent  Christians  have  an  organization  and 
meet  at  the  school  house  on  section  nineteen; 
the  United  Brethren  have  an  organization  and 
a  neat  house  of  worship  on  section  thirty.  The 
Presbyterians,  Methodists  and  Baptists  have 
each  houses  of  worship  and  effective  organiza- 
tions in  the  village  of  Chatham. 

ORCJANIC. 

The  township  of  Chatham  was  organized,  and 
first  election  was  held  in  April,  1861.  The  town- 
ship records  being  destroyed  by  fire,  in  1879,  the 
officers  of  the  township  cannot  be  given,  save 
those  of  1880  and  1881,  which  are  as  follows: 

1880. — Edward  R.  Thayer,  Supervisor;  Leon- 
ard Ledbrook,  Town  Clerk;  George  W.  Green- 
wood, Assessor;  John  G.  Ransom,  Collector; 
Jacob  Leonard,  Ezra  Barnes,  Henry  Brawner, 
Commissioners  of  Highways;  E.J.  Short,  John 

A.  Neal,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Arza  B.  Pilcher, 
Joseh  McWhorter,  Constables. 

1881. — Edward  R.  Thayer,  Supervisor;  Leon- 
ard Ledbrook,  Town  Clerk;  George  W.  Green- 
wood, Assessor;  John  G.  Ransom,  Collector; 
James  M.  Darneille,  Noah  D.  Mason,  Henry 
Brawner,  Commissioners  of  Highways;  E  J. 
Short,  John  A.  Neil,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Arza 

B.  Pilcher,  William  Decker,  Constables. 

VILLAGE    OF    CHATHAM. 

The  village  of  Chatham  was  laid  out  and 
platted  on  he  22dday  of  October,  1836,  by  Luther 
N.  Ransom.  Several  additions  have  since  been 
made  and  it  now  comprises  a  portion  of  section 
seven,  township  of  Ball,  and  section  twelve,  of 
Chatham.  The  village  is  pleasantly  situated,  and 
is  of  a  home-like  appearance. 

The  first  house  was  built  by  Mr.  Ransom,  of 
logs,  and  was  situated  where  the  post  office  now 
stands,  on  Main  street.  This  house  was  erected 
the  same  season  in  which  the  village  was  platted. 
But  little  more  was  done  that  season;  in  fact,  it 
was  not  until  1852,  after  the  completion  of  the 
present  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Railroad, 
that  the  village  began  to  grow.. 

POST    OFFICE. 

A  post  office  was  established  at  Chatham,  in 
1838,  the  mail  being  carried  by  the  stage  running 
from  Springfield  to  St.  Louis  and  return.   George 


Crocker  was  the  first  to  hold  the  commission  of 
Uncle  Sam  with  the  privilege  of  signing  his 
name  and  affixing  the  title  of  "P.  M."  to  it. 
Since  Mr.  Crocker's  day  up  to  1881,  the  follow- 
ing named  have  held  the  office  in  order  named: 
Peter  Freeman,  Henry  Chew,  Joseph  Whitney, 
Curtis  J.  Norton,  Nebemiah  Wright,  S.  S. 
Sabine,  E.  B.  Smith,  S.  S.  Sabine,  Jr.,  Francis 
Sabine. 

SCHOOLS. 

A  school  was  held  in  1837  in  the  smoke  house 
of  Luther  N.  Ransom,  by  Roxana  S.  Lyman. 
This  was  the  first  in  the  place.  A  school  house 
was  not  erected  until  1839.  This  was  a  frame 
building  and  did  good  service  for  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  built,  for  nineteen  years.  The 
house  is  now  used  as  a  grocery  store  by  Chailes 
A.  Smith.  The  next  was  a  frame  building,  two 
stories  in  height,  which  was  erected  in  1858,  at  a 
cost  of  $2,400.  It  is  yet  used  and  well  answers 
the  purpose  for  which  it  was  built.  It  has  three 
large  recitation  rooms,  with  halls  and  closets. 
The  graded  school  system  was  adopted  in   18—. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  religious  development  of  the  place  has 
kept  pace  with  other  improvements,  there  being 
now  three  good  church  buildings  and  organiza- 
tions— Presbyterian,  Methodist  and  Baptist. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  at  the 
house  of  Rev.  D.  Whitney,  two  miles  north  of 
Chatham  township,  June  21,  1835,  by  Revs.  D. 
Whitney  and  T.  A.  Spillman  The  following 
named  comprised  the  membership  on  its  organi- 
zation :  William  Thornton,  Judith  P.  Thorn- 
ton, Mary  E.  Thornton,  Emma  D.  Thornton, 
Martha  W.  Thornton,  Mildred  R.  Jones,  Louisa 
Whitney,  Alonzo  H.  Whitney,  Julia  M.  Whit- 
ney, William  H.  and  Eliza  Meteer,  Harvey  and 
Rebecca  Ann  Hall.  The  same  date  of  organiza- 
tion William  Thornton  was  elected  elder,  since 
which  time  the  following  named  have  been 
elected,  and  have  served  in  the  office  :  Luther 
N.  Ransom,  Cornelius  Lyman,  William  W. 
Meteer.  February  3,  184l",  William  Holland 
and  Ashal  Thayer;  April  7,  1844,  Cyrus  W. 
Van  Deren,  Harvey  H.  Hall,  J.  R.  Lewis  ;  Janu- 
ary 15,  1859,  John  Smith,  Henry  Thayer;  Feb- 
ruary 14,  1864,  Joseph  B.  Whitney,  James  Mel- 
vin,  John  L.  Turner;  March  5,  1876,  William 
Lockridge.  Of  the  foregoing  all  are  thought  to 
be  dead,  save  James  Melvin,  Henry  Thayer  and 
Cyrus  W.  Van  Deren,  who  are  the  present 
ruling  elders.  The  following  named  have 
served  as  pastors  or  stated  supplies  for  the 
church  :      Rev.   Dewey   Whitney,   William   C. 


-> 


'-^ySMJ  wl2^^. 


vtei^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


833 


Greenleaf,  William  Fithian,  Josiah  Porter,  A. 
M.  Dixon,  Noah  Jiishop,  E.  W.  Thayer,  W.  B. 
Spence,  John  H.  Harris,  John  D.  Jones,  H.  G. 
Pollock  and  H.  V.  D.  Nevius.  The  first  meet- 
ings of  the  church  were  held  at  private  houses 
and  school  houses,  and  it  was  not  until  1851  that 
a  house  of  worship  was  erected.  At  this  time, 
a  building  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  ^1,300.  Sub- 
sequently it  was  remodeled,  at  a  cost  of  $800. 
In  1875,  a  parsonage  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of 
$1,600.  The  church  is  now  out  of  debt,  and 
has  a  membership  of  thirty-five.  A  good  Sun- 
day school  has  been  kept  going  for  many  years, 
and  is  now  under  the  superintendency  of  Henry 
Thayer. 

FIRST  BAPTIST  CHUECU. 

The  first  Baptist  families  that  settled  in  Chat- 
ham, came  in  1854,  but  it  was  not  for  some 
years  after  that  an  attempt  was  made  to  organize 
a  church.  Rev.  A.  Stott  was  the  first  to  pro- 
claim Baptist  principles  in  the  place,  and  Rev. 
M.  V.  Kitzmiller  the  second  one.  In  February, 
1860,  a  revival  occurred  in  the  village,  in  great 
part  among  the  pupils  of  the  high  school,  arjd 
about  fifty  experienced  a  change  of  heart.  On 
Saturday,  March  31,  1866,  the  Baptists  met  in 
council.  A  confession  of  faith  and  covenant 
was  read  and  adopted.  They  met  again  April 
28,  1866,  and  Rev.  M.  V.  Kitzmiller,  of  Girard, 
and  Rev.  A.  Gross,  of  Springfield,  being  present, 
the^  First  Baptist  church  of  Chatham  was 
formally  organized,  with  the  following  named 
constituent  members:  James  Gibson,  Margaret 
Gibson,  C.  J.  DeWitt,  Helen  Smith,  Thomas 
Beerup,  Sinai  Beerup,  Jefferson  Wright, 
America  Wright,  Moses  Winslow,  Mary  Camp- 
bell, Charles  Aldrich,  Lucinda  Wright,  James 
Miller,  Hannah  Winslow,  Elizabeth  Aldrich, 
Mary  Aldrich,  Anna  Aldrich,  Melinda  Miller, 
Mary  Wright.  The  day  after  organization, 
several  parties  were  "buried  with  Christ  in  bap- 
tism," the  first  in  the  place.  Subsequently  the 
church  built  a  neat  house  of  worship,  where  they 
meet  regularly. 

MEDICAL, 

Men  will  get  sick  and  the  services  of  the  phy- 
sicians are  usually  in  demand.  One  feels  safer 
if  he  knows  the  doctor  is  within  call. 

Dr.  Alansan  Stockwell  was  the  first  physician 
in  the  place.  In  1837,  he  "hung  out  his  shingle" 
and  offered  his  professional  services  to  all  within 
call.  The  people  were  too  healthy  or  too  per- 
verse to  get  sick,  and  Dr.  Stockwell,  while  here, 
was  compelled  to  labor  as  a  mechanic  or  day 

97— 


laborer,  in  order  to  secure  a  living.  He  soon 
left  for  Tremout. 

Dr.  Fitzhugh  came  next,  in  1839.  He  was  a 
good  physician,  had  a  large  practice,  and  was  re- 
spected by  the  community.  He  moved  to  Mis- 
souri. 

Dr.  John  R.  Lewis  came  in  1843.  He  was  a 
Connecticut  man,  and  a  good  physician.  He  died 
in  1857. 

Dr.  Thomas  Spottswood  came  in  1844.  He 
secured  a  good  practice,  but  only  remained  two 
years.     He  went  from  here  to  Florida. 

Dr.  Malone  came  in  1847  and  left  in  1849. 
He  was  a  fair  physician,  and  secured  a  good 
practice.  He  moved  to  Waverly,  and  subse- 
quently died. 

Dr.  Nehemiah  Wright  came  in  1850,  and  yet 
remains.  The  estimation  in  which  he  is  held,  is 
testified  by  the  gold-headed  cane  which  he  car- 
ries— a  present  from  those  whom  he  has  profes- 
sionally served. 

Drs.  Johnson,  Fox,  Helmle,  Hammond  and 
Sprague  have  each  dispensed  powders  and  pills 
to  the  afllicted,  and  have  resided  in  the  village. 

The  following  named  are  the  present  resident 
physicians:  N.  Wright,  A.  B.  Hewitt,  S.  C. 
Hewitt,  J.  H.  Smith  and  Charles  A.  Wright. 

BUSINESS    OF    CHATHAM. 

In  the  summer  of  1837,  Luther  N.  Ransom 
erected  a  building  for  a  store-room,  which  was 
occupied  that  season  by  Daniel  MifHin,  with  a 
stock  of  general  merchandise.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  trade  in  Chatham.  Since  that  d.ate 
many  have  come  and  gone.  Business  for  a  time 
would  flourish,  and  then  hard  times  would  ensue. 
The  following  now  comprises  the  business  of 
the  village; 

General  Merchandise — B.  F.  Caldwell,  E.  B. 
Smith,  C.  A.  Smith. 

Drugs — L.  Ledbrook,  H.  F.  Thayer. 

Restaurant — William  Anderson. 

Shoemakers — L.  R.  Butler,  William  Bell. 

Meat  Shops — Joseph  McWherter. 

Ziumber — Mitchell,  Smith  &  Co. 

Hotel — George  W.  Sword. 

Blacksmiths — William  C.  Hellerman  Joseph 
Adams. 

Carpenters — Daniel  Keller,  Brown  Pilcher,  W. 
I.  Aldrich,  Wallace  Lord. 

Grain  Dealers. — Mitchell,  Smith  &  Co. 

Mill—m..  R.  Thayer. 

Stock  Men. — Job  McGredy,  David  Pyle,  Ben 
McAtee,  William  Gardner,  William  Lockridge, 
John  Lockridge,  John  Marshall,  Newton  Yutton 
«fc  Bros. 


834 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


MILLS. 

Chatham  was  without  mill  privileges  until 
1856,  when  S.  N.  FuUenwider  built  a  large  grist- 
mill, with  three  run  of  stone,  and  which  has 
from  the  beginning  had  the  reputation  of  manu- 
facturing a  superior  article  of  flour.  The 
mill  has  changed  hands  several  times,  and 
is  now  owned  and  run  by  M.  R.  Thayer 
&   Co. 

ORGANIC. 

Tlie  village  of  Chatham  is  incorporated,  but, 
as  the  records  were  destroyed  by  fire,  the  ofli- 
cers  for  1881  alone  are  given:  Village  Trustees, 
Thos.  Butler,  President;  J.  M.  Darneille,  E.  B. 
Smith,  Jas.  Headley,  D.  Keller.  Village  Clerk, 
Z.  T.  McGinnis.  Police  Magistrate,  S.  S.  Sabine. 
Village  Marshal,  W.  H.  Decker.  Street  Com- 
missioner, C.  W.  Shipley. 

BANK. 

The  Bank  of  Chatham  was  organized  in  the 
fall  of  1879,  and  opened  for  business  January  20, 
1880.  The  laws  of  the  State  being  such  as  to 
prohibit  the  organization  of  a  joint  stock  com- 
pany for  banking,  it  was  made  a  partnership 
concern.  The  following  named  embraced  the 
original  partners:  Benjamin  Caldwell,  Jesse  H. 
Smith,  Edwin  B.  Smith,  E.  F.  McConnell  &  Son, 
Peter  C.  Campbell,  John  Workman,  L.  F. 
Hamilton,  Edward  V.  Lewis,  E.  W.  Pike,  and 
M.  R.  Thayer.  The  first  election  for  officers  re- 
sulted in  the  choice  of  B.  F.  Caldwell,  President; 
E.  B.  Smith,  Vice  President;  Edward  V.  Lewis, 
Cashier.  The  officers  are  elected  yearly,  and 
in  1881,  the  old  officers  were  re-elected  but 
subsequently  E.  V.  Lewis  resigned,  and  John 
T.  Lewis  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
The  bank  does  a  general  banking  business,  re- 
ceiving deposits  and  selling  exchange  on  all  the 
principal  cities.  From  its  commencement  its 
business  has  steadily  increased,  its  success  being 
beyond  all  expectation.  The  deposits  now,  ( in 
the  fall  of  1881)  amounting  from  $50,000  to 
$60,000.  Being  an  unlimited  partnership,  and 
the  members  of  the  firm  being  among  the 
wealthiest  men  in  Chatham  and  vicinity,  makes 
it  a  specially  safe  place  of  deposit.  A  few 
changes  have  occurred  in  thenumberof  partners, 
it  now  embracing  B.  F.  Caldwell,  Edwin  B. 
Smith,  Peter  C.  Campbell,  John  Workman,  M. 
R.  Thayer,  Matthew  Cloyd  and  John  T.  Lewis, 
all  of  whom  are  well  known  business  men,  the 
aggregate  wealth  of  which  amounts  to  thousands 
of  dollars. 


MASONIC. 

A  flourishing  lodge  of  Masons  now  exists  in 
the  place,  with  the  following  named  officers  for 
1881:  B.  Y.  Smith,  W.  M.;  S.  C.  Hewitt,  S. 
W.;  E.  R.  Thayer,  J.  W.;  E.  B.  Smith,  Treas- 
urer; M.  R.  Thayer,  Secretary;  D.  McCulley, 
S.  D.;  J.  J.  Martin,  J.  D.;  Wm.  Hillerman, 
Tyler;  W.  J.  Chapin,  Chaplain.  The  lodge  is 
known  as  Chatham  Lodge,  No.  553,  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.,  and  has  a  membership  of  fifty. 

The  history  of  Chatham  township  is  contin- 
ued by  biographical  mention  of  a  number  of 
representative  citizens,  a  lack  of  space  prevents 
us  from  inserting  many  others  who  would  addan 
interest  to  the  volume. 

Hiram  Alexander. — The  early  progenitor  of 
the  Alexander  family,  in  Sangamon  county,  was 
Thomas  Alexander,  born  in  L'eland,  about  I'jes. 
At  four  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to 
America,  landing  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina; 
he  married  Lynna  Goodlett,  born  October  11, 
1 780 ;  they  moved  to  Christian  county,  Kentucky, 
in  1806,  where  they  had  two  children.  They 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  October,  1828,  and 
settled  in  Chatham  township,  1829,  on  eighty 
acres  of  land. 

Thomas  Alexander  died  December  18,  1855; 
Mrs.  Alexander  died  August  12,  1844.  Their 
daughter.  May  Ann,  born  in  Kentucky,  1810, 
married  John  L.  Drtnnan,  in  1830,  had  three 
children.     Mr.  Drennan  died  in  1842. 

David  Alexander,  born  in  Kentucky,  October 
3,  1814;  came  to  Sangamon  county,  with  his 
father,  in  1828;  married  Catharine  Darneille, 
M.arch  13,  1833;  she  was  born  in  Bourbon  county, 
Kentucky,  August  2,  1817;  was  a  daughter  of 
John  Darneille,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county 
from  Kentucky  in  1819,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
families  that  settled  in  Chatham  township. 
David  Alexander  had  fourteen  children,  seven  of 
whom  died  in  early  life. 

John  T.,  born  December  25,  1835,  was  among 
the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  seventy-five 
thousand  troops  to  crush  the  Rebellion;  served 
his  three  mouths,  re-enlisled  for  three  years,  and 
enlisted  as  veteran,  January,  1864;  he  lost  his 
right  hand  at  St.  Charles,  Arkansas,  by  prema- 
ture discharge  of  a  cannon,  in  tiring  a  salute  over 
Lee's  surrender;  lives  on  home  farm. 

David  S.,  born  November  20,  1842;  enlisted 
in  the  war,  August  13,  1861,  was  discharged 
one  year  later  for  physical  disability;  died  March 
10,  1866,  from  disease  contracted  in  the  army. 

Catharine,  born  December  20,  1844;  married 
Lafayette  Brash,  May  29,  1802;  lives  near  old 
I  home. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


835 


Iliram  Alexander,  the  subject  of  our  sketch, 
was  born  March  30,  1847;  enlisted  in  the  Missouri 
Eleventh  Infantry,  March  14,  1864 — then  seven- 
teen years  old,  for  three  years;  served  untiljuly 
14,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged  for  physical 
disability;  married  March  9,  ISl^,  to  Mary  E. 
Van  Doren,  born  December  3,  1856,  daughter  of 
P.  C.  Van  Doren,  who  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
April  18, 1818.  In  18i24,thefamily  moved  to  Ohio, 
where  he  married  Margaret  Hathaway,  and  with 
his  father's  family,  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
settling  in  Curran  township,  May  22,  1839. 

Mr.  Hiram  Alexander  is  now  living  near  the 
old  home,  four  miles  southwest  of  Chatham  vil- 
lage, on  a  farm  which  he  is  cultivating  in  the 
finest  manner.  His  farm  is  mostly  fenced  wsth 
living  hedges;  his  building.s  are  commodious, 
and  are  surrounded  with  fruit  and  ornamental 
trees,  all  of  which  bespeak  the  thrifty  farmer. 

William,  born  October  1,  1849,  married  Emma 
Price,  and  now  lives  in  Loami  township;  Mary 
Belle,  born  June  17,  1856,  lives  at  home  with  her 
mother;  Cyrus  M.,  born  January  29,  1859,  lives 
at  home,  managing  farm,  and  settling  his  father's 
estate.  David  Alexander,  died  January  28, 1S81, 
on  the  farm,  where  he  settled  with  his  father,  in 
1829.  His  educational  facilities  were  very  limited, 
yet  he  acquired  a  business  education  sufficient 
for  general  purposes,  conducting  all  with  the 
strictest  integrity.  He,  by  his  untiring  industry, 
added  over  six  hundred  acres  to  the  original 
purchase,  of  eighty  acres. 

In  his  last  will  he  made  a  very  judicious  divis- 
ion of  his  estate,  among  his  children;  giving  the 
widow  the  "old  home,"  on  which  she  now  resides, 
with  her  children  settled  near  her. 

Peter  C.  Cmnjjbell. — ^Around  the  "Campbell 
family"  cluster  many  interesting  reminiscences 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Sangamon  county.  There 
appears  to  be  several  lines  of  ancestry  in  the 
family  name  in  the  county,  and  the  nearness  to 
which  they  may  trace  their  genealogy  is  a  matter 
not  definitely  arrived  at.  The  different  lines  as 
represented  here  seem  to  have  originated  in  one 
of  the  then  "British  Isles."  Whatever  may  have 
been  their  land  of  general  ancestry,  each  line, 
from  the  earliest  knowledge  of  them,  has 
promptly  responded  to  the  country's  call  in  the 
defense  of  her  rights  and  liberties.  And  that 
love  of  freedom,  and  country's  good,  that  so 
animated  their  progenitors  in  the  old  French 
and  Indian  war — so  quickly  followed  by  our 
Revolutionary  struggle,  has  been  re-animated,  in 
the  generations  that  followed,  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  other  wars  since  that  time.  The 
rebellion  in  our  own  States  found  many  ready  to 


place  their  lives  upon  the  country's  altar,  and 
not  a  few  sacrificed  them  there.  Jeremiah 
Campbell,  the  direct  ancestor  of  P.  C.  Camp- 
bell, was  settled  in  Tennessee  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, was  in  the  immediate  command  of  the 
intrepid  General  Marion  during  the  war,  shar- 
ing alike  his  dangers  and  frugal  fare,  even  pota- 
toes baked  in  the  ashes,  and  eaten  without  any 
condiments  whatever;  he  lived  to  near  one  hun- 
dred years  of  age.  He  had  two  sons.  John  and 
Jackson;  of  Jackson  little  is  known  beyond  his 
living  in  1860  on  the  home  farm  in  Tennessee, 
which  the  family  had  owned  one  hundred  years, 
John  Campbell  was  born  in  Carter  county  Ten- 
nessee, November  4,  1 790,  he  enlisted  for  the  War 
of  1812,  into  a  company  from  that  county,  and 
served  sixmonthB,andthen  re-enlisted  and  served 
until  March,  1815.  He  was  a  Lieutenant  in 
the  last  camp.aign,  and  drew  pension  until  death. 
In  1818  he  moved  to  Madison  county,  Illinois, 
and  on  November  6,  1818,  married  Lavina  Park- 
ison,  who  was  born  February  21,  1803;  her  fami- 
ly moving  from  Tennessee  at  same  time  of  Camp- 
bell family.  Mr.  Campbell  then  mov<  d  to  San- 
gamon county,  arriving  March  22,  1819,  on  Lick 
creek,  in  Chatham  township,  and  they  had  seven 
children.  Mrs.  Lavina  Campbell  died  Decem- 
ber 13,  1853,  and  Mr.  Campbell  married  Margery 
Carson,  sister  of  his  first  wife;  she  died  March 
5,  1870,  and  Mr.  Campbell  died  January  29, 
1875, — 85  years  of  age — on  the  farm  where  he 
settled  in  1819,  five  miles  west  of  Chatham, 
leaving  a  very  large  estate,  the  accumulation  of 
years  of  hard  labor  and  economy,  preserving 
always  the  strictest  integrity,  making  his  word 
as  good  as  the  bonded  paper.  He  took  part  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  as  did  most  of  the  settlers 
of  that  day.  The  first  mill  built  in  the  county, 
built  by  Daniel  Lisle,  after  being  sold  once  or 
twice,  came  into  his  hands,  he  moved  it  to  Lick 
creek,  where  he  put  it  up  and  ran  it  for  many 
years.  One  of  the  burrs  of  that  mill  was  used 
by  Mr.  C.  as  a  door-step  until  he  died.  Alfred 
C.  Campbell,  son  of  John,  was  born  July  22, 
1819,  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  town- 
ship of  Chatham,  and  the  third  one  born  in  the 
county;  one  Joseph  E.  McCoy  being  born  March 
13,  1819,  was  the  first  one  in  the  county.  Alfred 
C.  married  Polly  Foster,  daughter  of  Peyton 
Foster,  who  had  reached  Loami  township  in 
1826,  from  Kentucky,  May  13,  1838.  June  10, 
1846,  he  enlisted  with  Illinois  Infantry  for  the 
Mexican  war,  as  second  Lieutenant  under  Col. 
Baker.  After  the  death  of  Captain  Morse  at 
Tampico,  Mexico,  he  commanded  the  company 
at  Vera  Cruz  and  Cerro  Gordo.     When  the  re- 


83C 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY- 


bellion  broke  out,  he  was  Captain  of  company  E, 
Thirty-second  Illinois  Infantry,  under  Col.  John 
Logan,  and  fought  in  all  the  battles  from  Fort 
Donelson  to  the  sea  His  company  at  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing  lost  thirty-two  of  its  fifty- 
six  men.  Wm.  P.  Campbell  was  born  Novem- 
ber 4,  1820;  also  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war, 
contracted  disease,  from  which  he  ciied,  twenty 
years  after.  Peter  C.  Campbell,  youngest  son  of 
John  Campbell,  was  born  January  19,  1832,  and 
has  always  lived  on  same  home  farm;  May  5, 
1852,  married  Amanda  E.  Carson,  who  was  born 
April  17,  1829;  her  father,  John  Carson,  was 
born  August  10,  179-1,  on  Saluda  creek.  South 
Carolina,  removed  to  Tennessee,  was  in  "VVaT  of 
1812,  came  to  Madison  county,  married,  and  in 
1820  or  '21  came  to  Chatham  township,  on  Lick 
creek.  Mr.  Campbell  has  had  three  children,  two 
died  early.  Rachel  C,  born  May  5, 1857,  married 
Geo.  W.  Hunter,  November  8,"  1880.  Mr.  Hun- 
ter is  a  man  of  energetic  business  character,  and 
as  he  has  located  with  Mr.  Campbell,  will  be  a 
very  serviceable  assistant  in  managing  his  large 
estate. 

Mr.  Campbell  had  no  advantage  for  school  be- 
yond that  offered  in  the  log  house  and  slab-seat, 
common  in  that  day.  Beside  the  verj-  poor 
facilities,  he  had  a  long  distance  co  go,  and  the 
work  on  the  farm  often  detained  him,  so  as  to 
render  his  days  at  school  very  short,  yet  he,  by 
general  business  application,  has  acquired  suffi- 
cient education  to  transact  any  business  necessary. 
He  has  never  connected  himself  directly  with 
any  church  organization,  yet  he  has  been  a  gen- 
eral attendant  with  the  Presbyterian  people. 

He  has  always  maintained  the  strictest  integ- 
rity in  his  business,  making  his  verbal  obliga- 
tion good  as  his  written  one.  He  is  now  living 
within  one  mile  of  where  he  was  born;  has  a  fine 
residence,  with  suitable  other  buildings,  and  finds 
ample  employment  in  the  general  management 
of  his  large  interests.  He  has  added,  year  by 
year,  to  his  lands  until  he  now  has  in  one  body 
fifteen  hundred  acres  of  as  well  selected  land, 
comprising  timber,  prairie  and  living  water,  as 
Illinois  can  produce. 

The  ruling  passion  of  his  life  seems  to  be 
strong  with  him  in  declining  years,  to  possess 
the  piece  of  land  that  joins  him. 

Hev.  Wm.  J.  Chapin. — The  first  settler  of  the 
"Chapin  family"  in  America,  as  far  back  as  rec- 
ords show,  was  Deacon  Samuel  Chapin,  who  set- 
tled in  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  in  1642,  and 
from  whom  all  bearing  the  name  are  presumed 
to  have  originated.  The  name  of  Chapin  is  rep- 
resented in  almost  every  profession  and  occupa- 


tion in  the  county.  Probably  no  family  name 
presents  more  distinguishe"&  men,  among  them 
eminent  clergymen,  lawyers,  doctors  and  states- 
men, and  not  a  few  prominent  capitalists,  who, 
by  dint  of  well  directed  application  in  the  vari- 
ous forms  of  business,  have  amassed  princely 
fortunes. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  native  of 
Grandville,  Washington  county.  New  York,  be- 
ing born  September  2,  1821.  His  father,  Salma 
Chapin,  was  a  blacksmith,  a  "  Stalwart  of  the 
Old  Stock."  In  the  spring  of  1832,  Chapin,  Sen- 
ior, moved  with  his  family  to  Wayne  county, 
New  York,  where  in  connection  with  his  trade, 
he  worked  a  farm. 

The  advantages  for  education  in  the  new  coun- 
try were  limited,  and  W.  J.  had  no  other  school 
than  country  schools,  except  three  terms  at  the 
Marion  Academy  in  1842-43. 

In  1839,  during  a  series  of  revival  meetings, 
he  made  profession  of  faith,  from  that  until 
1845,  when  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  He 
worked  upon  the  farm,  devoting  his  leisui'e 
hours  to  study. 

In  same  year  he  came  to  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, and  taught  one  term  of  school.  Also 
taught  one  term  of  school  in  Jo  Daviess  county, 
pursuing  his  studies  while  teaching,  and  during 
intervals  of  school. 

In  1847,  he  went  to  Sun  Prairie,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  was  formally  ordained  as  Baptist  cler- 
gyman. Here  he  remained  one  year,  showing 
good  results  from  his  labors.  Here,  February 
16,  1848,  he  married  Harriet  L.  Horton.  In 
same  year  (1848)  he  went  to  Aztalon,  where  he 
was  pastor  of  that  church,  and  preaching  also  at 
Lake  Mills,  although  there  was  but  one  charge. 
Here  he  labored,  most  successfully,  eight  years, 
holding  several  series  of  meetings,  adding  many 
to  the  church.  In  1856,  he  was  called  to  JMans- 
ton,  Wisconsin,  when  the  church  was  in  its  in- 
fancy, having  no  edifice  for  worship.  Here  he 
remained  four  years,  greatly  increasing  his  mem- 
bership; besides,  he  hfd  put  his  efforts  into 
building  a  church,  and  even  had  the  building  up 
and  covered,  when  he  was  called  to  Reedsburg, 
Wisconsin,  in  1860.  In  1863,  he  was  re-called  to 
Manston,  remaining  until  1805.  During  that 
time  he  finished  the  church,  and  awakened  the 
people  to  such  a  sense  of  dutj-  that  his  member- 
ship was  greatly  enlarged.  From  1865  to  1873 
he  did  a  vast  amount  of  hard  preliminary  work, 
at  Bangor,  Salem,  Fall  River  and  Windsor,  ( all 
in  Wisconsin),  showing  most  happy  results  in 
his  every  field  of  labor.  In  1873,  he  removed  to 
Troy,  Madison  county,  Illinois,  remaining  until 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


837 


1877,  producing  wonderful  results.  Also  sup- 
plying at  Edwardsville  and  other  occasional 
places.  In  December,  1877,  he  went  to  Chatham, 
Sangamon  county,  where  he  is  now,  ( 1881 ),  en- 
gaged in  connection  with  his  pastorate  at  Au- 
burn. 

He  has  ever  been  an  earnest,  self-sacrificing- 
laborer  in  the  ministry,  and  his  efforts  have  been 
productive  of  the  happiest  testimonials  of  good. 

Mrs.  Harriet  L.  Chapin  died  at  Manston,  Wis- 
consin, January  25,  ISGO.  Mr.  Chapin  married 
Lucinda  M.  Marshall,  at  Aztalan,  July  11,  1800. 
Children,  Lucius  H.,  born  July  2,  1849;  married 
in  August,  187G,  to  Emma  W.  Nutter;  Edwin 
L,  born  April  25,  1857;  Hattie  J.,  August  26, 
18G1. 

Thomas  G.  Cloyd. — The  first  representative 
of  the  large  and  favorably  known  '-Cloyd 
family"  in  Sangamon  county,  was  one  David 
Cloyd,  born  in  Virginiaabout  1760.  He  married 
in  Virginia,  had  three  children,  and  in  1815 
moved  to  Washington  county,  Kentucky.  In 
October,  1825,  he  settled  in  Sangamon  county, 
Curran  township.  He  died  in  1839;  his  widow 
died  soon  after.  His  son,  Thomas,  was  born  in 
Virginia,  January  14,  1798;  married  Anna 
WiUirow,  born  in  Virginia,  December  29,  1795. 
In  1811,  her  family  had  moved  to  Washington 
county,  Kentucky,  and  she  there  married.  April 
27,  1820;  moved  to  Curran  township  with  his 
father  in  October,  1825.  They  had  six  children, 
all  of  whom  became  heads  of  families,  and  all 
are  now  (1881)  living,  the  youngest  being  fifty 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Thomas  Cloyd  died  Septem- 
ber 21,  1878.  He  went  to  the  field  to  catch  a 
refractory  horse.  As  he  was  soon  after  found 
dead  in  the  field,  with  no  marks  of  violence 
upon  him,  it  was  supposed  the  effort  and  excite- 
ment attendant  upon  it  had  resulted  in  heart 
disease,  to  which  he  was  predisposed.  His 
widow  is  now  (1881)  living,  in  her  eighty-sixth 
year  of  age.  His  death  was  the  first  and  only 
one  that  has  occurred  in  Thomas  Cloyd's  family. 
Thomas  Gordon  Cloyd,  his  son,  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county  June  5,  1827.  Married  Sep- 
tember 27,  1849,  Priscilla  J.  Banscom,  born  De- 
cember 31,  1831.  Bought  a  farm  in  section  one, 
township  Chatham,  where  he  lived  till  October 
20,  1880,  when  he  moved  to  Christian  county. 
In  early  life,  he  became  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  was  an  active  mem- 
ber for  many  years.  Later  in  life,  he  took 
fellowship  with  the  Christian  Church,  of  which 
he  is  now  a  zealous  member.  They  had  two 
sons  and  one  daughter.  Thomas  C.  Cloyd  was 
born  December  24,  1850.     Lived  on  home  farm 


until  twenty-eight  years  of  age  (1878).  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  ot  the  county,  with 
one  year  in  the  excellent  schools  of  Chatham. 
In  1871,  he  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  in 
the  Normal  school  of  Kirksville,  Missouri.  His 
preparation  had  been  so  thorough,  that  he 
entered  one  year  in  advance,  enabling  him  to 
graduate  in  three  years — June  25,  1874.  He 
followed  teaching  as  a  profession  for  six  years, 
with  marked  results.  April  24,  1879,  he  mar- 
ried Julia  A.  Winston,  of  Springfield.  They  had 
one  child  born  June  6,  1880.  He  is  now  on  a 
farm  adjoining  the  village  limits  of  Chatham. 
While  engaged  in  farming  very  ardently,  he  is 
also  following  his  literary  pursuits.  John  C. 
Cloyd  born  September  3,  1853,  lived  on  home 
firm  until  April,  1881,  when  he  moved  to 
Christian  county,  and  is  still  with  his  father. 
Married  Mary  Staley,  of  Auburn,  September  2, 
1880.  His  opportunities  for  education  were 
confined  to  attendance  on  the  district  schools, 
with  addition  of  one  year's  study  at  Kirksville, 
Missouri,  Normal.  He  has  taught  several  terms 
with  success.  Annie  E.  Cloyd  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1860;  died  June  10,  1881.  Her  short 
life  was  one  of  almost  constant  sickness  and 
suffering.  At  an  early  age  she  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church.  During  her  long 
suffering  she  was  patient,  looking  forward  to 
that  blissful  immortality  beyond  the  grave. 

James  AY.  Greenwood. — The  Greenwood  family 
is  one,  around  which  cluster  many  interesting 
reminiscences,  they  being  early  identified  in  the 
settlement  and  growth  of  Sangamon  county. 
The  direct  line  of  descent  is  traced  to  William 
Greenwood,  who  was  born  near  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia, 1772;  married  Ruth  Brooks,  and  moved 
to  Cabell  county.  West  Virginia;  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  and  settled  in  Curran  township, 
October,  1824. 

Mr.  Greenwood  died  JulyO,  1837.  His  widow 
died  August  16,  1855. 

William  Greenwood's  father  enlisted  for  the 
war  of  the  Revolution.  When  marching  orders 
came,  he  was  unable  to  go,  by  reason  of  sick- 
ness. Wishing  to  have  his  place  filled,  he  sent 
his  son,  Abraham — a  brother  of  William — to 
serve  until  he  could  relieve  him.  When  sufli- 
ciently  recovered  to  do  duty,  he  went  to  his 
command — found  Abraham  unwilling  to  go  back 
— was  resolved  to  continue  in  the  service. 

We  hear  of  many  of  his  peculiar  exploits, 
many  of  them  being  upon  the  Tories.  He  con- 
stituted himself  a  forage  company,  and  made 
the  Tories  his  means  for  supplies.  One  day, 
calling  at  a  Tory's  house,  the  old  lady  ordered 


8;?  8 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


him  away  in  an  empliatic  manner.  He  had  pro- 
vided a  strong  line,  with  lish  hook  attached,  well 
baited.  He  cast  his  line  into  a  flock  of  geese; 
an  old  one  seized  it.  He,  obeying  her  command, 
rode  away,  taking  the  goose  with  him,  to  the 
chagrin  of  the  old  lady.  He  served  to  the  end 
of  the  war,  never  forgetting  to  live  upon  the 
Tories.  Of  William's  children,  all  became  heads 
of  families.  Many  of  them  attained  promi- 
nence in  the  educational  and  executive  depart- 
ments of  State.  John,  his  son,  was  born  in  West 
Virginia,  January  3,  1810;  moved  to  Sangamon 
county  with  his  father,  in  1824;  married  Eliza 
Miller,  October  20,  1832.  She  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, June  1,  1815.  Her  father,  Jacob  Miller, 
Avas  born  in  Kentucky,  1789;  was  a  soldier  in 
the  War  of  1812. 

John  Greenwood  had  three  children:  James 
W.,  born  February  2,  1834;  Leah  M.  (see  F.  M. 
Neal),  Ruth  J.  Mrs.  G.  died  February  10,  1841. 
Mr.  G.  married  her  sister,  Emily  Miller,  March 
10,  1842.  His  second  wife  died  April  21,  1806. 
Mr.  Greenwood  died  May  4,  1880. 

His  son,  James  W.  Greenwood,  was  born  in 
Curran  township,  February  2,  1834;  married  De- 
cember 18,  1856,  to  Margaret  Baker,  who  was 
born  in  Loami  township,  October  27,  1834;  was 
daughter  of  Thomas  Baker,  born  in  Campbell 
county, Kentucky, March  3,  1794;  marriedNancy 
Robertson,  December  29,  1823.  She  was  born 
in  Harrison  county,  Virginia,  October  9,  180G; 
lived  in  West  Virginia  until  1826,  where  they 
had  two  children;  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
locating  in  Loami  township,  November,  1826, 
where  they  had  eight  children .  Of  their  ten 
children,  nine  became  heads  of  families.  Some 
of  them,  like  many  others  of  Sangamon  county, 
responded  promptly  to  the  call  for  troops  in  our 
civil  war,  and  offered  their  sacred  all  upon  their 
country's  altar.  Thomas  Baker  died  January  5, 
1852.  His  widow  lives  where  they  settled  in 
1826. 

James  W.  Greenwood  now  lives  on  section 
twelve,  Curran  township,  where  he  has  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  composed  of  land 
suitable  for  all  purposes  of  farming.  He  is 
adding  year  by  year  to  the  value  of  his  farm. 
His  advantages  for  education  were  limited  to  the 
facilities  of  the  early  day.  Has  six  children: 
N.  Jennie,  born  October  18,  1857;  John  W., 
born  June  5,  1850;  J.  William,  born  August 
16,  186-;  Harriet  C,  born  February  27,  18C8; 
Thomas  S.,  born  June  10,  1870;  Joel  F.,  born 
October  3,  1873. 

James  Headly  was  born  of  English  descent, 
in  Virginia,  July,  1808.     In  1809,  the  family  re- 


moved to  Licking,  Ohio,  where  they  engaged  in 
farming  until  1815,  when  they  went  to  Butler 
county,  Ohio;  here  they  remained  until  1817, 
when  they  removed  to  Orange  county,  Indiana. 
Their  home  there  was  situated  upon  '•  Lost 
River,"  a  river  that  takes  upon  itself  many 
curious  freaks,  by  occasionally  losing  itself  in 
the  earth,  and,  at  some  distance  below,  coming 
to  the  surface  again.  This  is  repeated  at  inter- 
vals. That  district  is  also  called  "Hurricane 
District,"  by  reason  of  a  terrible  tornado  that 
swept  over  that  territory  some  years  since,  de- 
vastating dwellings  and  forests  that  came  within 
its  range.  Living  here  two  years,  in  1819  they 
moved  to  Vigo  county,  in  that  part  now  known 
as  Parke  county;  They  settled  upon  a  river  near 
a  place  known  as  "Army  Ford,"  a  point  quite 
familiar  in  history  as  the  camping  'and  fording 
place  of  General  Harrison's  army,  in  the  War  of 
1812.  During  all  these  years  his  opportunities 
of  acquiring  even  a  limited  education  was  poor 
indeed,  the  duties  upon  the  farm  engaging  all 
his  working  hours.  His  untiring  energy  and 
inate  thirst  for  learning  found  him  employing 
his  every  leisure  moment  in  pursuit  of  that  edu- 
cation he  so  longed  for.  That  assiduous  appli- 
cation, with  his  life-love  of  books,  placed  him 
quite  in  the  front  ranks  as  an  intelligent  and  suc- 
cessful business  man.  In  1832,  he  married  Miss 
E.  H.  Brown,  a  Kentucky  lady  of  tine  family. 
In  1847,  he  came  to  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  until  1856,  when  he  located  near 
Chatham,  in  Ball  township.  His  farm  there  is 
of  three  hundred  and  forty  acres,  and  is  a  fine 
specimen  of  the  home  of  the  intelligent  and 
industrious  Illinois  farmer.  At  this  writing,  Mr. 
Headly  has  retired  to  his  quiet  home  in  Chatham 
village,  where,  with  books  and  general  news,  he 
is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  an  active  life.  Mr.  H. 
in  early  life  strongly  identified  himself  in  every 
moral  and  religious  enterprise,  and  has  ever  been 
an  earnest  worker  in  them. 

Mr.  and  Mis.  Headly  have  had  eight  children, 
three  of  whom  died  in  early  life.  John  Milton 
was  born  October  20,  1835.  In  early  life  he 
evidenced  a  fondness  for  books,  and  eagerlj'  em- 
braced every  means,  however  limited,  for  self 
improvement,  and,  almost  wholly  through  per- 
sonal application  and  such  assistance  as  he  could 
obtain  at  home,  he  secured  an  education  that 
would  do  credit  to  one  of  greater  facilities. 
When  our  civil  war  began,  he  felt  the  influence 
of  that  love  of  liberty  which  was  early  instilled 
into  his  mind,  and  had  grown  with  his  growth, 
and  he  at  once  hastened  to  the  front,  ready  for 
any  duty  at  his  country's  call.      Faithfully  he 


HISTOKV  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


839 


served,  until  disease,  contracted  in  an  uncongen- 
ial climate,  prostrated  him.  He  died  at  Cape 
Girardeau,  Missouri,  December  '21,  1861.  Ma- 
tilda, born  September  27,  1838;  married  Wm. 
Scott,  a  farmer,  in  1852.  Jennie  S.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1846;  married  J.  R.  Lockridge,  March 
18,  1869;  Mr.  L.  is  an  extensive  and  successful 
general  trader  and  stock  dealer.  Columbus  C, 
born  January  11,  1849,  is  now  on  the  farm  so 
finely  improved  and  cultivated  by  the  united 
efforts  of  father  and  sons,  and  the  farm  has  lost 
none  of  its  former  attractions  under  his  skillful 
care.  Edwin  R.,  born  April  4,  1851,  married 
Minnie  Ridgeway,  in  1816.  He  early  expressed 
a  fondness  for  learning,  and  seizing  upon  every 
opportunity,  aided  by  the  father,  now  with  abun- 
dant means,  he  secured  such  an  education  that 
his  services  were  soon  in  demand  as  teacher,  and 
teaching  winters,  and  working  on  the  farm  sum- 
mers, he  acummulaled  such  an  amount  of  money 
that,  aided  by  his  ever  ready  father,  he  settled 
upon  a  farm  in  Chatham  township,  where  he  ex- 
emplifies what  an  intelligent  farmer  can  do. 

Samuel  C.  Hewitt,  M.  D.,  was  born  September 
1,  1835,  in  Harrison,  Licking  county,  Ohio;  his 
father  was  Rev.  Jeremiah  Hewitt,  a  Lutherian 
clergyman,  who,  in  connection  with  his  minis- 
terial duties,  devoted  much  time  to  teaching. 
Samuel  C.  remained  at  home  on  the  farm  until 
his  father's  death,  which  occurred  July  14, 1855; 
his  mother  having  died  September  17,  1835. 
While  at  home  he  attended  the  public  schools 
in  the  winter  season.  In  the  winter  of  1852-3, 
he  was  in  Delaware  High  School,  and  made 
marked  progress.  In  the  winter  of  1854-5,  he 
read  medicine  with  D.  Ferguson,  who  was  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  clergyman,  at  Kerkerville, 
Ohio.  May  1,  1856,  he  came  to  Chatham,  and 
continued  his  reading,  with  A.  B.  Hewitt,  until 
1858,  when,  in  company  with  A.  B.  Hewitt,  lie 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine.  August 
12, 1861,  he  responded  to  the  early  call  for  troops. 
Acompany  was  raised  and  officered,  and  marched 
to  Springfield,  atnd  there  assigned  to  the 
Third  Illinois  Cavalry,  at  Camp  Butler.  Soon 
after,  he  was  detailed  into  the  medical  depart- 
ment, where  he  remained  until  April  15,  1863, 
and  was  discharged  through  physical  disability. 
He  returned  to  Chatham.  After  one  year,  he 
regained  his  health  sufficiently  to  resume  the 
practice  of  medicine.  In  1873,  he  took  a  course 
of  lectures  in  the  Cincinnati  (Ohio)  Eclectic 
Medical  Institute,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
in  successful  jjractice  in  Chatham,  By  a  law 
passed  July  1,  1877,  every  physician  in  the  State 
was  required  to  obtain  a  certificate  of  ability  from 


the  "State  Board  of  Health;"  he  received  his 
February  16,  1878.  Dr.  Hewitt  married  Caro- 
line E.  Hawkins,  January  17,  1858.  The  Haw- 
kins family  came  to  Chatham  from  New  York, 
in  1855;  in  March,  1870,  they  removed  to  Kansas, 
and  still  live  there.  Mrs.  Caroline  E.  Hewitt 
died  November  20,  1858,  and  Dr.  Hewitt  mar- 
ried Lucy  M.  Hawkins,  sister  of  his  first  wife, 
March  24,  1862.  She  was  born  October  4,  1844, 
in  Brookfield,  New  York.  They  have  an  adopted 
daughter,  Mary  Hewitt,  born  February  15,  1867. 
The  family  are  attendant  upon  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  where  they  are  consistentand 
active  members. 

James  Irwin. — The  father  of  James  Irwin  was 
Robert  Irwin,  born  about  1774,  in  Limerick 
county,  Ireland.  He  married  Mary  Cordon,  who 
was  born  at  same  place,  about  1794.  lie  was  a 
farmer,  and,  as  usual  then,  upon  a  rented  farm — 
a  rental  he  held  most  of  his  lifetime.  They  had 
five  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  son  and  both 
daughters  died  at  their  Ireland  home,  the  four 
sons  remaining  came  to  America.  In  1866,  the 
aged  couple  crossed  the  ocean  to  visit  their  sons 
in  America.  Mr.  Irwin  was  then  ninety-two, 
and  Mrs.  Irwiu  was  seventy-two.  They  remained 
here  two  years,  when,  despite  the  entreaties  of 
the  sons  to  remain  with  them,  each  offering 
them  a  home  for  life,  they  returned  to  their  old 
home  to  spend  their  remaining  years. 

Mr.  Irwin  died  in  1877,  one  hundred  and  three 
years  of  age.  His  widow  is  now  (1881)  living, 
eighty-seven  years  of  age.  During  the  last 
year  of  his  life,  his  sons  provided  him  with  the 
comforts  and  even  the  luxuries  of  life,  and  the 
aged  mother  is  now  the  recipient  of  their  united 
care.  While  here,  the  old  people  sought  their 
regular  daily  exercise,  in  the  garden  and  else- 
where. One  part  worthy  of  note  is,  that  Mr. 
Riibert  Irwin  never  used  tobacco  or  ardent 
spirits,  in  any  form,  and  it  may  be  remarked  his 
sons  are  like  abstainers.  Mr.  Irwin  has  left  be- 
hind him  the  reward  of  a  true  Irish  gentleman. 

James  Irwin  was  born  March  1,  1833,  in  Kil- 
malloch,  county  Limerick,  Ireland,  the  county 
seat  of  Limerick,  situated  on  both  sides  of  the 
river  Shaimon — a  city  of  great  age.  We  find 
the  Danes  occupying  it  in  the  ninth  century, 
and  held  it  nearly  a  century.  In  1210,  King 
John  fortified  it.  Edward  Bruce  burned  it  in 
1314.  It  was  the  last  stronghold  of  King 
James.  King  William,  of  Orange,  besieged  it, 
without  success,  after  the  battle  of  Boyne  (1690). 
In  16'j1,  it  was  again  invested,  and,  after  a  bril- 
liant defense  of  several  weeks,  an  armistice  was 
proposed,  which    resulted  in    a   capitulation    of 


840 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


surrender.  He  remained  with  his  father  until 
1851,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  came  to 
America ;  his  first  work  being  on  the  Chicago 
&  Alton  railroad,  then  being  graded  through 
Chatham.  Here  he  worked  six  months,  then  en- 
gaged with  a  farmer  for  two  years.  He  had 
saved  all  his  earnings,  and  invested  in  land,  in 
Christian  county.  This  he  sold,  having  made 
1300  by  the  investment.  He  then  rented  a  farm, 
for  two  years;  two  good  crops  gave  him  a  fine 
beginning. 

He  married  November  19,  1854,  Rachel  Har- 
lan, who  was  born  February  6,  1840.  Her 
father  was  Silas  Harlan,  born  in  Virginia,  Jan- 
uary 1,  IVSI;  moved  to  Kentucky,  and  in  1827 
came  to  Chatham  township  and  bought  one 
thousand  acres  of  wild  land,  and  an  improved 
farm.  He  married  Elizabeth  Messick,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia,  March  26,  1809,  and  one  year 
later  moved  to  Kentucky;  in  1827,  she  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  where  she  married  Mr.  Har- 
lan, September  10,  1829.  Mr.  Harlan  died  No- 
vember 9,  1844.  His  widow  married  George 
Roberts,  September  14,  1846. 

The  farm  upon  which  Mr.  Irwin  now  lives  is 
Mrs.  Irwin's  portion  of  the  "Harlan  Estate;" 
besides  this  he  has  bought  two  hundred  acres, 
and  also  has  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  on  which  Mrs.  Roberts  (  Harlan)  has  a  life 
lease;  making  him  a  farm  of  over  four  hundred 
acres  of  finely  situated  land,  of  jJrairie  and  tim- 
ber, well  watered  by  Panther  creek.  The  farm 
has  a  beautiful  grove  for  picnics,  which  Mr.  I. 
kindly  opens  for  any  national,  religious  or  social 
gathering,  and  his  proverbial  geniality  always 
adds  to  the  enterprise,  whatever  it  may  be. 

His  opportunities  for  education  were  good, 
being  the  Parish  school — kind  to  the  poor,  where 
they  have  as  good  care  as  the  rich.  These 
schools  were  under  the  immediate  supervision  of 
the  village  priest,  who  employed  the  best  teach- 
ers. 

His  religious  tenets  are  of  the  Catholic  order, 
where  he  has  been  an  active  member.  While  he 
has  his  own  views  in  modes  of  worship,  he 
cheerfully  awards  to  others  their  particular 
tenets  and  views.  He  has  suflicient  income  to 
render  his  life  easy,  with  his  books  and  papers, 
of  which  he  is  in  daily  receipt,  he  passes  many 
an  hour,  profitably  and  pleasantly.  He  needs  no 
written  obligations  to  strengthen  his  business 
transaction. 

Mr.  Irwin,  Cincinatus  like,  left  his  plow  in  the 
field,  and  joined  the  Springfield  Light  Artillery, 
August  14, 1862,  for  three  years.  His  captain 
was  promoted  to   Chief  of  Artillery  of  Seventh 


Battery,  and  Mr.  I.  was  promoted  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant; was  mustered  out  June  20,  1865.  Was 
in  the  battles  of  Columbus,  Kentucky;  Corinth, 
Mississippi;  Bolivar,  Tennessee;  and  Little  Rock, 
Arkansas;  much  of  the  time  on  skirmish  duty. 
They  have  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three 
daughters. 

Henry  Kinney  was  born  at  Cazenovia,  Madi- 
son county.  New  York,  August  4,  1807.  His 
father  was  Henry  Kinney,  born  in  Woodstock, 
Connecticut,  March  1,  1774;  in  1795,  he  went  to 
Carzenovia,  Madison  county.  New  York.  There, 
on  March  4,  1798,  he  married  Dicey  Pond,  from 
Hartford,  Connecticut.  There  are  so  many  in- 
teresting incidents  in  the  history  of  the  Pond 
family,  that  we  propose  to  give  a  hasty  sketch 
of  them.  Early  records  states  that  two  brothers 
Pond  came  from  England,  in  1630;  after  land- 
ing here,  it  seems  Governor  Winthrop,  who  had 
been  a  neighbor  of  their  father,  in  England, 
wrote  to  his  son  in  Groton,  England,  saying: 
"Tell  old  Pond  that  both  his  sons  are  well,  and 
remember  their  duty."  We  also  find,  that  Sam- 
uel, from  whom  those  of  the  name  have  origi- 
nated, married  at  Windsor,  Connecticut,  Novem- 
ber 14,  1642,  and  he  died  March  14,  1654.  We 
also  learn  that  Nathaniel,  third  son  of  Samuel, 
was  killed  in  a  fight  with  the  Naragansett  In- 
dians, December  19,  1675.  The  will  of  Samuel 
Pond,  taken  from  the  "original  records  in  the 
State  House  in  Hartford,  Connecticut,"  all  in 
"ye  olden  style,"  and  the  inventory  of  "ye  es- 
tate, made  March  ye  19,  1654,"  all  in  that  quaint 
old  style,  are  very  curious  records.  The  "sum 
total,"  was,  "129  pounds  and  02  shillings, 
all  without  incumbrance." 

Among  those  who  first  sprang  to  arms  at  the 
"battle  cry"  at  Lexington,  on  April  19,  1775, 
were  several  of  the  name  of  Pond,  who  did  not 
lay  down  their  arms  until  peace  was  declared. 
One  Barnabas  Pond  was  a  Major  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  and  was  so  eflicient  a  soldier,  under 
or  near  the  command  of  General  La  Fayette, 
that  on  the  visit  of  that  distinguished  man  to 
this  country  in  1824,  as  he  was  pressing  his  way 
on  through  the  crowd  in  the  streets  of  Iltica, 
New  York,  his  keen  military  eye  caught  sight  of 
the  brave  Major  Pond,  he  raised  himself  in  his 
carriage  and  addressed  him  as  "  Major  Pond." 
They  afterward  met,  and  a  very  affecting  scene 
followed.  The  same  illustrious  family  held  im- 
portant places  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  in  the 
last  civil  war  many  of  the  name  won  records  of 
bravery. 

To  return  to  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  His 
early  life  was  passed  upon  the  home  farm.     His 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COirX  TY. 


841 


advautages  for  obtaining  an  education  were  in- 
deed limited;  none  other  than  a  few  weeks  each 
winter  in  the  old-time  log  school  house,  and  the 
proverbial  inefficient  teacher.  On  Febrnary  'i3, 
1822,  the  family  left  New  York  for  Illinois. 
Reached  Olean,  on  Allegheny  river;  there  they 
built  a  flat-boat,  and  taking  on  some  small  fami- 
lies with  them,  they  ran  down  to  Shawneetown, 
Illinois,  where  they  disembarked.  They  were 
then  two  hundred  miles  from  their  destined 
place;  having  brought  one  good  team  with  them 
and  had  also  been  so  provident  as  to  lay  in  a 
year's  supply  of  provisions,  they  engaged  a  good 
four-horse  team,  and  on  May  6,  1822,  they  ar- 
rived in  Loami  township.  There  they  entered 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  and  some  time 
after  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  more, 
making  four  hundred  in  all,  most  of  which 
is  still  in  the  hands  of  the  family;  is  well  selected, 
consisting  of  prairie  and  timber,  well  watered 
by  Lick  creek.  Mr.  Kinney  remained  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  until  his  majority — August 
4,  1828;  he  then  arranged  to  go  onto  one  of  the 
farms  of  his  father,  and  on  October  23,  1828,  he 
married  Miss  Margaret  Dorrance,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Dorrance,  who,  with  his  family,  consist- 
ing of  one  son  and  two  daughters,  left  Wayne 
county,  New  York,  in  the  spring  of  1822,  for 
Illinois.  They  arrived  at  Olean,  on  the  Alleghe- 
ny river,  at  the  same  time  of  the  Kinney  fam- 
ily; they  going  down  to  Cincinnati  on  a  raft  of 
lumber.  At  Cincinnati  they  took  a  boat  for  St. 
Louis,  thence  by  team  to  Loami  township,  and 
located  on  a  farm  adjoining  Mr.  K's. 

Mr.  Kinney  remained  on  his  farm  until  1833, 
when  his  father  became  infirm,  and  desired  his 
return  to  the  old  home.  He  accordingly  changed 
farms  with  his  brother  and  remained  with  his 
father  until  his  death,  on  March  18,  1859,  being 
eighty-five  years  of  age,  his  mother  having  died 
September  15,  1&50,  at  seventy-two  years  of  age. 

His  son  Daniel  was  born  August  19,  1829; 
married  Annie  Elmore,  April  7,  1856;  now  on 
farm  in  Loami  township.  Clarrissa,  born  April 
9,  1831;  married  to  James  M.  Darneille,  January 
1,  1852;  now  in  Chatham,  retired  farmer.  Caro- 
line, born  October  9,  1831,  died  March  6,  1853; 
Eliza  Jane,  born  October  9,  1834,  married  John 
R.  Shelton  November  30,  1854,  a  farmer;  Re- 
becca M.,  born  January  14,  1837,  married  David 
Van  Deren,  December  8,  1859,  who  died  after  a 
short  illness,  February  15,  1874,  leaving  his  wife 
and  daughter  in  affluent  circumstances. 

During  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in  1831,  Mr. 
Kinney  was  out  in  a  cavalry  company,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Sanders;  was  present  at  the 

98— 


burning  of  the  Indian  town,  near  Rock  Island, 
During  a  heavy  rain,  the  troops  crossed  the  river 
in  a  steamboat  that  had  been  sent  to  rescue 
them  from  the  woods  should  they  ambush  them. 
The  surprise  upon  the  Indians  was  most  com- 
plete. They  fled  in  all  directions,  leaving  many 
stores  behind  them.  The  troops  burned  the 
village,  which  was  probably  one  of  the  best  built 
ones. 

Mr.  Kinney  associated  himself  with  the  liaptist 
Church,  in  1840,  and  has  since  been  an  active 
and  consistent  member;  has  ever  been  pi-ompt 
and  eftiuient  in  every  moral  and  religious  move- 
ment. For  many  years  he  was  deacon  in  the 
church,  the  sacred  mantle  falling  upon  him  from 
his  father,  who  had  sustained  it  for  many  years 
before  him. 

Mr.  K.  has  removed  from  his  farm  to  his  pleas- 
ant home,  in  Chatham  village,  where,  surrounded 
with  many  who  have  passed  through  the  vicissi- 
tudes of  the  early  settlers'  life,  with  him,  he  is 
passing  the  remaining  years  of  his  useful  life, 
fully  assured  of  duty  done. 

Isaac  Newton  Lowe  was  born  near  Three 
Bridges,  New  Jersey,  April  2,  ]  841,  he  was  a 
son  of  Richard  I.,  who  was  born  in  Lancaster, 
Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  June  1802,  and 
who  married  for  his  second  wife  Sarah  William- 
son, who  was  born  1820,  married  about  1837. 
His  grandfather,  Isaac,  was  of  German  descent, 
and  for  many  years  was  a  "village  landlord"  of 
the  genuine  old  Pennsylvania  type.  His  wife 
died  leaving  only  one  child,  Richard  I.,  about 
1838;  they  moved  to  New  Jersey,  where  Rich- 
ard I.  engaged  for  .several  years  in  successful 
merchandising  and  manufacturing  flour.  While 
thus  engaged  he  bought  a  tract  of  land  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Jersey  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  in  the  fall  of  1847,  with  his  father  and 
family,  he  moved  upon  it,  then  a  wild  prairie. 
To  expedite  business  he  bought  a  small  piece  of 
land  with  a  house  on  it,  and  at  once  set  to  im- 
proving his  farm.  His  father  being  well  stricken 
with  years  of  active  life,  died  early  in  1848. 
Richard,  year  by  year,  continued  his  improve- 
ments until  now  (1881),  he  has  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  Jersey  county,  in  fact,  in  Southern  Illi- 
nois. His  farm  upon  its  boundary  lines  has  a 
fine  living  hedge  fence;  all  kinds  of  fruit  are 
grown  in  abundance. 

He  is  now  ( 1881),  in  his  eightieth  year,  in  full 
enjoyment  of  all  his  mental  faculties,  superin- 
tending his  great  interest.  He  has  been  rcost 
abstemious  during  his  life,  having  never  used 
tobacco,  or  used  liquor  of  any  kind  other  than 
for  medical  purposes. 


842 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


He  had  twelve  children,  five  now  living.  Two 
of  his  sons  were  among  the  first  to  respond  to 
the  call  for  troops  to  crush  the  Rebellion.  Abra- 
ham W.,  born  1839,  enlisted  in  the  Ninety- 
seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  but  before  he  was  mus- 
tered in  he  went  to  the  Springfield  Light  Artill- 
ery, August  25,  1862,  and  joined  that.  He  dis- 
tinguished hiruself  in  the  service,  but  after  a  few 
months  became  partially  disabled  by  rheumatism; 
was  detailed  as  hospital  steward,  and  served  till 
the  close  of  the  war;  mustered  out  June  30, 
1865.  Edwin,  born  April  2,  1843,  enlisted  in 
the  Ninety-seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  1862,  then 
rineteen  years  of  age;  served  with  distinction 
in  many  battles;  was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Fort 
Blakely,  Alabama,  an  out-post  of  Mobile;  the 
rebels  had  surrendered,  and  he,  a  color  bearer, 
was  planting  the  colors  on  the  walls  when  a 
rebel  in  the  trenches  shot  him;  his  body  was 
brought  home  some  months  after. 

Isaac  N.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
in  New  Jersey,  April  2,  1841,  moved  to  Illinois 
Avilh  his  father,  in  1847.  He  remained  upon  the 
farm  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-five  years 
old,  (1866)  when  he  married  Helen  E.  Davis, 
October  31,  1866,  who  was  born  October  22, 
1849.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  W.  Davis, 
of  Jer.jeyville.  ^ 

Mr.  Ij.  worked  his  father's  farm  on  shares 
until  February,  1872,  when  he  moved  into  Talk- 
ington  township,  Sangamon  county,  where  he 
lived  until  1880,  when  be  bought  the  farm  known 
as  the  W.  T.  Mason  farm,  in  Chatham  township, 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  at  $50  an  acre; 
and  is  now  (1881),  a  substantial  citizen  of  Sanga- 
mon county.  His  farm  is  finely  situated,  com- 
posed of  rolling  prairie;  his  boundary  lines  are 
living  hedges. 

Hi^  opportunities  for  education  were  good  for 
that  period.  The  Jersey  county  schools  at  that 
time  had  assumed  a  high  standard.  Like  his 
father  he  uses  no  tobacco  or  liquor.  They  have 
had  eight  children;  two  died  young;  the  others 
are  at  home  with  their  parents. 

Hufih  S.  Magill. — There  are  many  very  in- 
teresting features  connected  with  the  Magill 
family.  The  subject  of  the  sketch  was  born 
June  10,  1830,  in  the  county  of  Downs,  the  most 
northeasterly  county  of  Ireland,  separated  from 
Scotland  by  the  North  Channel.  His  birth- 
place was  near  Belfast,  the  manufacturing  city 
of  Ireland,  and  the  largest  linen  manufacturing 
city  in  the  world.  The  "Giant's  Causeway,"  so 
celebrated  in  the  history  of  Ireland,  is  only  a 
short  distance  from  his  birth])lace.  The  inhabi- 
tants are  largely   of   Scottish   descent,   and   of 


strong  religious  principles.  His  father,  James 
Magill,  was  born  in  1784;  was  a  cotton  goods 
manufacturer.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth 
Stuart,  born  October  12,  1792;  was  in  direct  line 
of  descent  from  Robert  Stuart,  of  Scotland.  On 
May  12,  1844,  the  elder  Magill,  with  a  family  of 
eight  children,  landed  in  New  York,  and  at  once 
went  to  LTtica,  where  he  again  engaged  in  cotton 
goods  manufacturing.  He  died  in  Utica,  Octo- 
ber 2,  1855.  His  widow  died  February  11,  1881, 
at  the  residence  of  her  daughter,  in  Winnebago 
county,  Illinois,  eighty-nine  years  of  age.  Her 
body  was  buried  beside  her  husband  in  Utica. 
H.  S.  Magill  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Chat- 
ham township,  March  1,  1856;  bought  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  unimproved  rolling  prairie. 
In  a  few  days  he  had  a  house  built  and  moved 
into  it.  The  house  thus  hastily  built  forms  a  part 
of  the  present  structure.  From  the  time  the  first 
blow  was  struck,  he  has  been  steadily  increasing 
his  gains,  beautifying  his  buildings  and  grounds. 
While  he  is  thus  engaged,  he  is  not  unmindful 
of  his  own  or  his  family's  mental  culture.  He 
has  a  good  library,  to  which  he  adds  from  time 
to  time,  besides  he  provides  himself  with  the 
general  news  of  the  day  by  papers  and  perio(3i- 
cals.  He  married  Charlotte  A.  Richmond,  born 
in  Madison  county,  New  Jersey,  September  7, 
1831.  They  were  married  November  24,1853, 
in  LTtica,  New  York.  Her  father  was  Dr.  Hoyt 
Richmond,  born  in  Castleton,  Vermont,  January 
15,  1805.  He  graduated  at  Castleton  Medical 
College,  and  for  many  years  was  a  successful 
physician  and  surgeon.  Her  mother  was  Lydia 
Cazier,  born  in  South  Britton,  Conn.,  June  26, 
1803.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Matthias  Cazier, 
born  1760,  on  Staten  Island,  New  York;  was  a 
Presbyterian  clergyman,  who  graduated  at 
Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  father  of 
Matthias,  and  Guat  Grome,  father  of  Miss 
Magill,  was  one  of  the  Huguenots  (a  sect  of 
Protestants)  who,  for  years,  were  persecuted  in 
France,  (see  History  of  Reformation)  and  finally, 
with  others,  fled  to  America.  Mr.  Cazier  settled 
on  Staten  Island,  and  obtained  large  possessions, 
bringing  much  wealth  with  him.  At  what  date 
they  came  is  not  defined.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  Revolutionary  war,  we  find  the  elder 
Cazier,  with  his  four  sons,  able  to  bear  arms, 
rallying  around  the  standard  of  liberty. 
Matthias  was  the  youngest,  but  when  seventeen 
years  old  he  too,  joined  the  army.  There  are 
many  amusing,  as  well  as  sad  incidents  connected 
with  their  war  history.  At  the  time  they  lived 
upon  Staten  Island,  slavery  had  been  introduced 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


843 


iuto  America,  and  theCazier  family  owned  a  few 
slaves.  Their  treatment  to  them  was  kind 
indeed,  and  a  mutual  attachment  existed  between 
master  and  slaves. 

One  day,  when  Mrs.  Cazier  was  nearly  alone 
on  the  farm  with  the  slaves,  a  number  of  Tories, 
who  knew  her  situation,  came  to  the  place,  col- 
lected all  the  valuable  stock,  and  with  several 
slaves  they  urged  to  go  with  them,  drove  the 
stock  away.  Mrs.  Cazier  sadly  felt  the  loss  of 
the  stock,  but  was  greatly  grieved  to  have  the 
slaves  she  had  been  so  kind  to,  go  away  at  that 
time  from  lier.  A  few  days  after,  she  saw  her 
faithful  slaves  returning,  driving  the  entire  stock 
back;  goingoutto  meet  them,  they  said:  "Missus, 
dat  was  de  best  way  to  fool  dem  beats."  The 
slaves  had  been  so  willing  to  go  that  the  Tories 
put  them  in  charge  of  the  stock — how  faithfully 
they  held  their  charge  is  seen. 

During  the  long  years  of  the  war,  Mrs.  Cazier 
had  died,  the  British  had  captured  New  York, 
the  Cazier  property  had  been  destroyed  or  scat- 
tered, all  of  the  heirs  except  Matthias,  had  died, 
or  been  killed.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr. 
Cazier  returned  to  his  home  to  find  desolation 
made  desolate.  The  brave  old  man,  who  had 
faced  the  bloody  carnage  of  Catholic  France  for 
his  religious  liberties,  and  for  eight  long  years 
had  stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  with  his  comrades, 
in  defense  of  the  liberties  of  his  adopted  country, 
looked  upon  the  scene — his  brain  reeled — betook 
a  last  look  upon  his  once  loved  home,  became  a 
wanderer,  and  of  his  death  no  one  knows. 

Some  kind  friend  aided  the  young  Matthias, 
he  finished  his  collegiate  course  at  Princeton,  and 
when  properly  fitted,  was  ordained,  and  settled 
at  Castleton,  Vermont;  was  the  first  settled 
minister  in  the  State. 

Vermont,  at  some  time  later,  passed  a  law, 
giving  to  the  "first  settled  minister  in  the  State" 
a  certain  amount  of  land.  After  preaching  a 
while,  (time  not  known)  in  Vermont,  he  went  to 
Pelham,  Massachusetts,  thence  to  South  Britton, 
Connecticut,  where  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Magill 
was  born,  in  180.3.  It  must  have  been  about  this 
time  the  law  in  Vermont  came  in  force,  and  he 
came  into  possession  of  his  land. 

Three  years  later,  (1806,)  we  find  he  had  sold 
the  land,  and  moved  to  Madison  county.  New 
York;  there  he  invested  his  money  in  lands 
again,  and  from  the  proceeds  made  his  own  sup- 
port. He  was  so  Calvinistic  in  his  belief,  that  he 
always  regarded  it  as  a  special  interposition  of 
Providence  in  his  behalf.  He  continued  in  the 
ministry,  preaching  regularly,  for  thirty  years, 


but  he  would  never  receive  a  cent  in  payment. 
He  died  in  1856;  was  seventy-six  years  of  age. 
Thus  closed  the  last  chapter  of  the  eventful  life 
of  that  family  of  devoted  Huguenots. 

The  Magill  family  is  equally  interesting  in  its 
ancestry.  We  find  them  for  many  generations, 
active  adherents  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterian 
Church.  Three  brothers,  Magill,  graduated  at 
Edinburg  University,  and  became  prominent 
clergymen.  The  Rev.  Magill,  D.D.,of  Philadel- 
phia, is  one  of  those  brothers.  Mr.  II.  S.  Magill 
has  now  nine  living  children. 

Noah  D.  Mason. — The  grand-father  of  Mr. 
Mason  was  born  January  15,  l7Rii,  at  Mendon, 
Worcester,  Massachusetts.  He  was  apprenticed 
to  a  hard  master,  from  whom  he  ran  away,  and 
followed  the  sea  as  a  sailor  several  years.  July 
15,  1804,  Mr.  Mason  married  Lucinda  Stetson, 
who  was  born  June  14,  1782.  She  was  born  in 
Hanover,  Plymouth  county.  After  their  mar- 
riage he  made  a  voyage  of  near  two  years  to 
China.  On  his  return  from  that  voyage  he  re- 
linquished the  life  of  a  sailor  and  moved  to  Han- 
cock county.  State  of  Maine,  near  Belfast.  This 
would  be  about  1806.  In  1814,  he  moved  to 
Genesee  county.  New  York,  and  in  the  early 
part  of  1819  he  wenttoOlean  Point,  on  the  Alle- 
gheny river.  In  1821  he  with  others  built  a 
boat,  and  their  families  ran  down  that  river  and 
the  Ohio,  and  landed  in  Pope  county,  Illinois. 
A  little  more  than  two  years  later  they  started 
for  Tazewell  county,  but  finding  Sangamon 
county  possessing  more  advantages  they  settled 
in  Auburn  township,  April  10,  1824.  Of  their 
children,  Noah,  junior,  comes  in  the  line  of 
descent  we  wish  to  follow.  He  was  born  Febru- 
ary 25,  1807,  near  Belfast,  Maine.  He  married 
in  Sangamon  county,  February  10,  1885,  to  Mar- 
tha Nuckolls.  Tliey  had  six  children.  Mrs. 
Mason  died  March  24,  1852,  and  he  married 
Elizabeth  Talbott,  August  9,  1853.  By  this  mar- 
riage they  had  but  one  child,  Noah  D.  Mason, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

Noah  D.  Mason  was  born  October  -S,  1854. 
Married  July  .31,  1878,  to  Maria  McGraw,  born 
January  19,  1855.  Her  father  was  Absalom  D. 
McGraw,  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ken- 
tucky, May  30,  1812,  Leaving  Kentucky,  he 
arrived  in  Springfield  November  28,  1836.  He 
has  a  vivid  recollection  of  the  "sudden  change" 
which  occurred  December  20,  1836. 

He  married  Rebecca  H.  Hunter,  April  30, 
1859,  in  Springfield.  She  was  born  in  Hardin 
county,  July  17,  1815.  Mr.  McGraw  died  in  the 
fall  of  1875,  on  his  farm  in  Woodside  township. 


844 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Charles  G.,  a  brother  of  Absalom,  came  to 
Springfield  about  the  same  time,  and  engaged  in 
successful  merchandise  business. 

N.  D.  Mason  lived  on  the  home  farm  until 
1866,  when,  with  his  father,  he  went  to  Spring- 
field. He  went  through  the  several  grades, 
reached  the  High  School,  took  part  of  a  course, 
took  two  terms  in  Springfield  Commercial  Col- 
lege, where  he  obtained  a  thorough  business  edu- 
cation. He  is  now  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  twenty-six,  a  farm  assigned  him  by  his 
father,  in  the  partial  division  of  his  estate.  The 
farm  is  fine  rolling  prairie,  with  sufficient  water 
from  creeks  for  all  stock  porposes. 

Mr.  Mason  is  entrusted  with  responsible  posi- 
tions on  town,  school  and  other  boards — places 
he  fills  honorably.  Has  one  child,  Lizzie,  born 
June  4,  1879. 

Edward  F.  McContiell,  son  of  James  and 
Sarah  (Smith)  McConnell,  was  born  in  Madison 
county.  New  York,  April  30,  1816.  His  early 
life  was  passed  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm 
in  his  native  county,  and  in  attending  the  com- 
mon schools,  with  one  year  at  an  academy,  in 
Clinton,  New  York.  On  the  9th  of  September, 
1840,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ann, 
dausjhter  of  Curtis  Hoppin,  of  Lebanon,  New 
York.  Six  children  were  born  unto  them,  only 
one  of  whom  is  now  living — James  S.,  now  re- 
siding in  Girard,  Illinois,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  the  milling  business. 

In  the  fall  of  1842,  Mr.  McConnell  and  wife, 
in  company  with  his  father  and  family  came  to 
Sangamon  county  with  the  special  object  of 
engaging  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  Fine- 
wooled  sheep  has  been  a  specialty  with  him,  and 
since  his  advent  in  Sangamon  county,  he  has 
sold  more  than  $110,000  worth  of  wool,  and 
thousands  of  dollars  worth  of  sheep.  When  he 
arrived  here,  the  neighborhood  in  which  he 
settled,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  Chatham, 
was  all  open  prairie.  He  was  troubled  for  some 
years  with  the  prairie  wolves  which  infested 
the  country,  and  had  a  particular  fondness  for 
mutton;  not  only  the  prairie  wolves,  but  occa- 
sionally a  large  gray  or  black  one  was  seen. 

Mrs.  McConnell  died  June  14,  18.5-3,  and  Mr. 
McConnell  was  again  married,  forming  an  alli- 
ance with  Mary  Hoppin,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife, 
March  13,  1855.  Mrs.  Mary  McConnell  died 
August  28,  1877. 

A  third  marriage  contract  was  formed  by 
Mr.  McConnell,  the  lady  in  question  being  Mrs. 
Sarab  P.  Morse,  whose  maiden  name  was  Storrs, 
a  daughter  of  Ashabel  Storrs,  of  Des  Moines, 


Iowa.     The  ceremony   was  performed  January 

18,  1878. 

Mr.  McConnell  has  never  been  a  seeker  for 
public  favors,  but  has  held  the  office  of  super- 
visor and  other  minor  ofiices  of  the  township. 
He  devotes  his  time  closely  to  his  business,  and 
has  been  in  a  measure,  quite  successful. 

James  McConnnell,  the  father  of  Edward  F., 
was  born  in  1789,  near  Belfast,  Ireland.  Sarah 
Smith  was  born  at  the  same  place,  in  1787.  They 
were  married  in  1811,  and  soon  after  embarked 
for  America,  lauding  in  New  York  City.  In  a 
short  time  he  went  to  Belleville,  New  Jersey, 
where  he  labored  in  a  powder  mill  three  years, 
without  losing  a  day.  The  war  with  England, 
from  1812  to  1815,  was  then  in  full  force,  and 
caused  a  great  demand  for  powder.  Mr.  McCon- 
nell having  learned  all  the  processes  of  manu- 
facturing the  same,  and  was  an  especial  adept  in 
the  most  difficult  part — that  of  refining  saltpetre. 
He  went  to  Madison  county,  New  York,  and  es- 
tablished works  on  his  own  account,  and  con- 
tinued to  manufacture  powder  there,  seven  or 
eight  years,  when  he  turned  his  attention  to 
farming  and  raising  fine  stock  in  the  same  county. 
After  making  several  trips  to  Kentucky,  selling 
stock,  he  was  advised  to  take  some  to  Illinois. 
Acting  upon  this  advice,  he  embarked  at  Pitts- 
burg with  a  lot  of  jacks  and  jennets,  landed  them 
at  Shawneetown,  and  drove  them  from  there  to 
Springfield,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1S40.  He  had 
no  thought  of  making  his  home  here,  but  was  so 
well  pleased  with  the  country  that  he  bought  the 
land  about  three  miles  south  of  Springfield,  mak- 
ing part  of  the  farms  on  which  two  of  his  sous 
now  reside.  He  went  back  to  New  York,  set- 
tled up  his  business,  and  came  with  his  family 
the  next  year.  His  removal  was  the  cause  of 
several  other  families  coming,  also.  Mr.  McCon- 
nell brought  a  tlock  of  about  two  hundred  fine 
merino  sheep,  and  at  the  same  time  some  thor- 
ough-bred Beikshire  hogs.  His  son,  Edward  F., 
brought  a  ttock  of  merino  sheep,  also.  This  was 
about  the  first  effort  to  introduce  fine  blooded 
sheep  and  hogs  into  Sangamon  county. 

Zachary  T.  McGinnis — The  biography  of 
Mr.  McGinnis  is  identified  with  that  of  some  of 
the  earliest  settlers  of  this  portion  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  we  refer  to  a  few  of  them. 

Mr.  David  McGinnis,  grandfather  of  Z.  T., 
was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Kentucky,  in  1798. 

December  24,  1820,  he  married  Eliza  Gibson, 
a  native  of  Boone  county,  Kentucky. 

Mr.  McG.  visited  Sangamon  county  in  1826, 
to  select  a  home.  He  returned  to  Kentucky, 
and  in  the  fall  of  the  next  year  he,  with  his  fam- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


845 


ily,  bis  brother  G.  D.  and  wife,  set  out  for  their 
new  home. 

On  November  27,  182'?,  they  arrived  at  what 
is  now  Island  Grove  township.  David  McGinnis 
stall-fed  sixty  head  of  cattle  in  1838,  the  first 
effort  of  the  kind  in  Sangamon  county.  He 
drove  the  herd  to  St.  Louis, and  sold  them  at  $18 
per  head.  The  pay  was  received  mostly  in  silver. 
This  he  placed  in  an  old  business  secretary  at 
home,  without  lock.  Neither  had  his  house  a 
lock  upon  it.  His  own  laborers  and  other  men, 
knowing  of  it,  were  passing  to  and  fro,  but 
never  was  a  penny  disturbed.  This  speaks  well 
for  the  honesty  of  early  settlers.  David  died 
July  2,  1867,  from  the  effects  of  being  thrown 
from  a  carriage.  Of  their  children  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, William,  born  in  Boor  county,  July  7, 
1823,  married,  July  19,  184.5,  Lorinda  Darnielle, 
a  daughter  of  John  Darnielle,  who  located  in 
Sangamon  county  from  Kentucky  in  the  spring 
of  1820.  William  lived  in  the  western  part  of 
Chatham  township  until  November  18,  1879, 
when  he  went  to  Kansas. 

David  and  William  invented  a  device  for 
grinding  the  prairie  plow,  by  wheels  and  levers. 
It  was  used  in  1829,  and  generally  adopted  by 
the  farmers.  They  might  have  realized  quite  a 
fortune  from  it,  had  they  secured  a  patent  on  it. 
O  '  his  children,  Zachary  T.was  born  September 
24,  1849.  He  received  an  academic  course  of 
study,  and  in  1867,  began  his  mercantile  life  in 
Loarai  township.  Afterward,  he  was  with  E.B. 
Smith,  at  Chatham,  where  he  was  most  thor- 
oughly instructed  in  everything  relative  to  mer- 
cantile pursuits. 

In  187  7,  Hon.  B.  F.  Caldwell,  knowing  his 
positive  fitness  for  business,  assigned  to  him  the 
entire  supervision  of  his  mercantile  interests  in 
Chatham,  a  position  of  trust  he  occupies  at  pres- 
ent writing  (^1881). 

Mr.  McGinnis  married,  November  24,  1871, 
Miss  Fannie, an  accomplished  lady, the  daughter 
of  Dr.  N.  Wright,  who  has  been  the  leading 
practitioner  of  medicine  and  surgery  in  Chatham 
for  many  years. 

Mr.  McGinnis  has  now  three  interesting  chil- 
dren. 

Joseph  Mc  WJierter  was  born  in  Marion  county, 
Ohio,  April  17,  1846.  Ilis  father,  James  Mc- 
Wherter,  who  was  engaged  in  farming,  died  in 
1851.  The  boy,  Joseph,  was  left  to  the  care  of 
his  mother.  In  1854,  his  mother  again  married 
and  removed  to  Knox  county,  Missouri,  in  1855, 
where  Joseph  was  employed  on  the  farm  until 
February  14,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
Second  Missouri  Cavalry,  and  hastened   to  the 


defense  of  his  country.  His  company  being 
composed  of  expert  horsemen,  they  were,  most 
of  the  time,  ordered  into  scout  or  skirmish  duty, 
and  the  record  of  the  Second  Missouri  Cavalry 
was  one  bravely  won.  Mr.  McWherter  was  in 
thirty-two  close  battles  and  skirmishes.  He  was 
wounded  but  twice — once  in  the  body,  just  above 
the  hip,  by  a  shot  discharged  in  a  close  fight,  at 
Scatterville,  Missouri.  The  wound  was  not 
severe,  only  keeping  him  off  duty  about  two 
weeks.  The  other,  by  accident,  near  Herman 
City,  Missouri,  while  on  guard  duty.  Three 
drunken  soldiers  were  put  under  guard,  one 
broke  away  and  ran,  was  rearrested,  and  while 
the  Captain  of  the  company  was  binding  him, 
he  drew  his  revolver  and  aimed  at  the  captain's 
heart.  At  that  instant,  a  bystander  seeing  the 
movement,  quickly  knocked  his  hand  up,  and  the 
ball  passed  through  the  captain's  hat  and  left  its 
mark  across  h  s  scalp.  The  captain  drew  his 
revolver,  and  in  his  excitement  and  struggle 
with  the  prisoner,  missed  his  object  and  badly 
wounded  McWherter,  who  was  off  duty  four 
months  in  consequence  of  it.  The  captain  then 
shot  the  prisoner  twice,  causing  him  to  carry 
the  remembrance  of  his  spree  to  his  grave.  He 
was  mustered  out  April  8,  1S65.  He  being  then 
near  his  majority,  he  began  work  for  himself, 
farming  about  two  years,  when  he  began  buying 
stock  and  supplying  a  meat  market,  which  he 
had  opened,  locating  at  Newark,  Missouri. 
April  1,  1870,  he  came  to  Adams  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  engaged  in  farming  and  general  stock 
trade.  In  1873,  he  went  to  Williamsville,  San- 
gamon county,  and  conducted  a  large  meat 
market,  remaining  until  1875,  when  he  came  to 
Chatham,  and  still  remains,  now  wholly  in  the 
stock  business.  In  December,  1871,  he  married 
Miss  S.  J.  Conrad,  daughter  of  Mr.  Conrad, 
proprietor  of  hotel  at  Williamsville.  Have  had 
four  children.  Mr.  McWherter  always  managed 
his  business,  from  a  small  beginning,  very  suc- 
cessfully, maintaining  an  unimpeachable  charac- 
ter for  honesty  and  integrity.  His  school 
facilities,  while  in  Missouri,  were  of  very  low 
order,  in  a  slave  district,  where  there  were  no 
advantages  except  for  the  rich,  but  by  making 
the  best  of  his  limited  means,  and  by  personal 
application,  he  has  acquired  a  fair  business  edu- 
cation. 

Fielding  M.  Real. — Mr.  Neal  is  in  direct  line 
of  ancestry  from  Daniel  Neal,  born  in  Bedford 
county,  Virginia,  in  1770;  thenhe  married  Polly 
Booth,  a  native  of  same  county.  They  had  ten 
children  in  Virginia.  In  fall  of  1808,  they  moved 
to  Franklin  countv,  Tennessee,   where  .Tohn  A, 


846 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Neal  was   born,  .July    31,    1809;    then  moved  to 
Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  where  five  children 
■were  born;  then  moved   to   Sangamon    county, 
Illinois,    and  located  in  Chatham  township  No- 
vember 10,  1828.     Daniel  Neal  died  August  26, 
1838;  Mrs.  Polly  Neal  died   in  1854.     Stephen 
B.  Neal,  father  of  Fielding  M.  Neal,  was  born  in 
Virginia,  December  25,  1807;  came  to  Chatham 
township   with    his   father,  November  10  1828; 
married  Julia  A.    Wyckoff.      Fielding   M.  was 
born  in  Chatham  township,    October  29,    1832; 
married  Leah  M.  Greenwood,  January  25,  1855, 
she  was  born  in  Chatham   township,    September 
18,  1836,   was  a  daughter  of  John   Greenwood, 
who   was   born    in   West   Virginia,   January   3, 
1810,  and    came    with   his   father  to  Sangamon 
county,  in  1824.     (See  James   W.  Greenwood.) 
Mr.  Neal's  brothers  were  among  the  first  to  re- 
spond to  the  call  for  troops    for  our   civil  war. 
Samuel   M.   enlisted   in    1862,   in    company  B, 
Eleventh  Missouri   Infantry,   for    three    years, 
served  faithfully  till  close  of  war,  was  honorably 
discharged;     married    and    lives    in    Missouri. 
William  A.  enlisted   in    Fourteenth   Illinois  In- 
fantry, for  three  years,  in  1861;  served  his  time; 
re-enlisted  as  a  veteran   in    1864;    saw  the  last 
rebel    lay   down  his   arms,  and  was  honorably 
discharged.  He  now  lives  near  Chatham.    Henry 
C.    enlisted    in    company  B,   Thirtieth  Illinois 
Infantry,  for  three  years,    August  9,  1861;    was 
captured  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta,  Georgia,  July 
22,  1864;    was   thrown   into   the  Andersonville 
prison  pen,  where   he   died    one   month    later, 
adding  another  victim  to  the  never  to  be  written 
horrors  of  that  southern  prison.    Mr.  F.  M.  Neal 
lived  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  his  mar- 
riage (1855);  then  worked  the  farm  one  year  on 
shares;  he  then  moved  to  Loami  township,  where 
he    lived  two  years;    in   1858,    he    bought   and 
moved  upon   the  eastern  part  of  present   farm. 
In    1873,    he  purchased  an    adjoining   farm  on 
which  he  now  lives,  giving  him    a  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres      His  opportunities  for 
education  were  confined   to  the   rude  log  school 
house,  with  slab   seats,   but   nevertheless,    with 
such  appliances  and  his  own  energy,  he  acquired 
sufficient  education  to  conduct  his  interests  in 
such  a  manner    that  the  balance    sheet   shows 
largely  in  his  favor.     His   children    are:     Wil- 
liam A.,  born  March  26,  1856;    Julia  A.,  born 
January  24,  1858,  died  1860;  John  F.,  born  June 
10,  1860;  Eliza  Ann,  born  March  23,  1862,   mar- 
ried   Geo.   Works,    February    11,  1881;    Ruthy 
Jane,    born    in    October    24,    1864;    Henry  E., 
born  May  2,  1867;  Cora  Louvania,  born  July  10, 
1870. 


Warren  Phinny. — At  a  date  prior  to  tl  e  Rev- 
olutionary War,  three  "Brothers  Phinny"  came 
from  England  to  Rhode  Island;  one  of  them  was 
lost  track  of;  the  other  two  had  families.  We 
find  one  of  them  able  to  bear  arms  in  active 
service  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Their  fami- 
lies were  burned  out,  and  much  property  de- 
stroyed by  the  British  and  Tories,  during  their 
absence 

His  father,  Benjamin  Phinny,  was  born  in 
Warren,  Rhode  Island,  in  1770;  married  Betsy 
Stephens;  born  at  same  place,  about  1795;  soon 
after  they  moved  to  Moutpelier,  Vermont,  where 
he  bought  a  heavily  timbered  farm,  and  began 
life  in  earnest.  Soon  he  had  felled  the  timber 
and  converted  his  wilderness  into  fruitful  fields. 
Was  in  the  War  of  1812,  at  Plattsburg.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  September  6, 
1816.  His  father  dying  when  he  was  fourteen 
years  of  age  (1830),  he  was  apprenticed  to  the 
blacksmiths'  trade,  where  he  remained  until  he 
became  an  expert  workman.  He  journeyed  in 
the  Northeastern  States,  plying  his  trade,  and 
also  in  some  of  the  Western  States.  Located  in 
Cartwright  township,  Sangamon  county,  in  1849. 
He  had  married  in  Rhode  Island,  February  28, 
1840,  Caroline  M.  Arnold,  born  in  Woonsocket, 
Rhode  Island,  September  16,  1824.  She  died  in 
Sangamon  county,  May,  1870,  leaving  three 
children.  Mr.  Phinny  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Gear,  whose  maiden  name  was  Good,  May  31, 
1880,  by  whom  he  has  one  child.  He  rented 
his  farm  in  Cartwright  township  and  moved  to 
Chatham,  in  August,  1880,  where  he  has  a  vil- 
lage residence,  living  easily  after  many  years  of 
very  active  life.  In  1861,  he  went  to  Idaho, 
where  he  mined  for  gold  one  year  with  good 
success.  Then  went  to  Portland,  Oregon,  where 
he  spent  a  few  weeks  prospecting;  thence  to 
San  Francisco,  when,  having  seen  the  sights,  he 
returned  home  by  way  of  the  Isthmus,  reaching 
home  in  the  fall  of  1863. 

JSdicin  H.  Smith,  was  born  at  Summers  Hill, 
Cayuga  county,  New  York,  March,  1824;  son 
of  John  and  Margaret  (Cooper)  Smith.  His 
father  being  an  extensive  farmer,  his  sons 
usually  spent  their  minority  at  home  on  the 
farm,  receiving  at  the  same  time  a  good, 
thorough  business  education.  After  arriving  at 
his  majority  in  1845, he  wasemployed  at  general 
farming  until  1855,  when  he  came  to  Chatham, 
Illinois,  where  he  continued  farm  work  two 
years  longer.  In  1857,  he  formed  a  mercantile 
association  with  his  two  brothers,  who  had 
preceded  him,  under  the  came  of  "  Smith 
Bros." 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


8t7 


Although  the  silver  money  of  1857  proved 
BO  fatal  to  the  interests  of  so  many,  in  the  then 
new  State,  these  enterprising  Smith  Bros.,  were 
equal  to  the  occasion,  and  by  strict  business  in- 
tegrity and  honesty  they  rode  out  the  financial 
storm  without  disaster. 

In  1S6:?  or  1864,  he  assumed  the  entire  busi- 
ness, his  brothers  retiring.  Since  E.  B.,  has  as- 
sumed the  entire  business,  he  has  been  steadily 
and  successfully  prosecuting  it,  and  at  present 
■writing  (1881)  he  is  occupying  his  fine  brick 
block,  which  has  two  large  sales-rooms,  well 
stocked  with  choicest  selections  of  all  grades  of 
goods. 

His  jilan  of  business  will  compare  very  favor- 
bly  with  those  of  much  greater  pretentions  in 
our  cities,  in  point  of  general  direction  and 
amount  of  stock.  During  the  many  years 
of  active  mercantile  life,  he  has  schooled  and 
drilled  many  young  men  into  his  present  system 
of  business,  who  are  now  occupying  places  of 
trust.  Beside  his  extensive  business  interests, 
he  has  found  time  to  give  a  helping  hand  to  the 
affairs  of  the  jvillage — was  postmaster  four 
years,  and  for  several  years  served  on  the  board 
of  trustees. 

In  December,  1861,  he  married  Betsey 
Tichnor,  a  lady  frijm  Rockford,  Illinois.  They 
have  had  two  children.  Charles,  born  September, 
1862,  was  drowned  by  falling  in  a  cistern, 
August  21,  1864;  Frank,  born  June,  1865,  died 
at  an  early  age.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Smith  are  now 
occupying  their  beautiful  home  in  Chatham, 
surrounded  by  luxuriant  groves  and  gardens, 
which  they  have  brouglit  from  the  barren  prairie. 

Dr.  Jesse  Henderson  Smith  was  born  in  Warren 
county,  Kentucky,  August  19,  182.5.  His  parents 
were  David  and  Jane  Smith.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  brought  up  under  Presbyterian 
influence  and  united  with  that  church  when  four- 
teen years  old  and  continued  with  them  until 
1852,  when  he  voluntarily  withdrew  from  that 
church  and  was  immersed  by  Elder  John  N. 
Mulkey  and  took  membership  in  the  Mount 
Zion  Congregation  of  Disciples,  four  miles  from 
his  birthplace.  He  preached  while  a  Presby- 
terian about  seven  years.  On  uniting  with  tlie 
Church  of  Christ,  he  continued  to  sound  out  the 
word  of  life,  and  has  continued  in  the  work  ever 
since.  During  his  first  year  of  labor  in  the 
Church  of  Christ,  he  assisted  Elder  T.  G.  Mar- 
shall, of  Kentucky,  in  the  baptism  of  his  aged 
father,  then  seventy-four  years  of  age.  His 
mother  made  a  profession  of  faith  in  Christ 
about  the  same  time,  but  died  of  paralysis  a  few 
months  afterward.     His  preaching    was   chiefly 


done  in  Kentucky,  Warren  and  adjoining  coun- 
ties, till  the  year  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Car- 
linville,  Illinois,  and  the  next  year  to  Girard  in 
the  same  county,  remaining  three  and  a  half 
years,  preaching  to  that  church  and  practicing 
medicine.  He  then  removed* to  Chatham,  Illi- 
nois, his  present  home,  and  has  practiced  his 
profession  there  ever  since. 

While  residing  in  Kentucky  he  had  two  oral 
discussions  with  Timothy  C.  Frogge,  a  presiding 
elder  of  the  Methodist  Church,  embracing  to- 
gether, ten  days,  and  covering  the  ground  of 
difference  between  the  two  churches. 

His  education  is  fair,  consisting  of  a  good 
English  education  and  a  few  years  study  of  the 
Greek  and  Latin  languages.  He  began  his  study 
of  medicine  in  1846,  and  attended  lectures  in  the 
E.  M.  Institute,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  the  winter 
of  1847-8,  and  has  practiced  medicine  in  con- 
nection with  preaching  ever  since,  except  four 
years  that  he  served  the  Kentucky  Christian 
Missionary  Society  as  an  Evangelist. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Norman,  of 
Cromwell,  Kentucky,  November  7,  1854,  and 
eight  children  were  the  fruit  of  this  marriage, 
four  sons  and  four  daughters.  During  the  spring 
of  1873,  he  sufiiered  a  sore  affliction  in  the  loss  ot 
his  wife  and  two  daughters,  within  a  few  days, 
three  of  his  children  having  been  called  away 
previously,  while  three  )'et  remain  on  earth  with 
him — one  daughter  and  two  sons.  Heart  and 
home  were  greatly  desolated  by  this  sad  bereave- 
ment, but  the  hope  of  a  better  life  beyond  the 
cold  river,  sustained  him. 

He  was  again  married  on  June  27,  1876,  to 
Mrs.  Margaret  A.  Taylor,  of  Carlinville,  Illinois. 
He  is  to-day  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  and 
vigor,  a  good  home,  and  is  surrounded  with  a 
multitude  of  friends  and  comforts  for  which  he 
is  truly  thankful  to  'the  giver  of  all  good  and 
perfect  gifts." 

William  Powell  Thayer. — The  effort  to  obtain 
and  arrange  the  geneology  of  the  Thayer  family 
has  been  attended  with  great  labor  and  research. 
The  work  was  assigned  to  General  B.  Thayer,  of 
Mexico,  New  York,  and  his  labors  have  resulted 
in  almost  complete  success.  While  we  can  only 
treat  directly  with  the  family  in  question,  we 
will  give  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  brothers  Thayer, 
who  first  landed  on  our  American  shores,  and  to 
whom  all  bearing  the  name,  as  far  as  is  known, 
owe  their  origin.  There  were  two  brothers — 
Richard  and  Thomas,  who  settled  in  Massa- 
chusetts. The  exact  time  of  their  arrival  is  not 
known,  but  supposed  to  be  about  1030.  Thomas 
was  found  to  have  lands  in   1636,  and  Richard 


84S 


niSTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


in  1640.  William  Powell  Thayer,  Sr.,  to  whom 
we  propose  directly  to  confine  our  attention,  was 
born  in  Petersburg,  Virginia,  March  15,  1815. 
His  father,  Martin  Thayer,  was  a  native  of  Am- 
herst, Massachusetts,  and  when  a  young  man, 
located  in  Petersburg,  Virginia,  wlien,  August 
4,  1814,  he  married  Mrs.  Marj'  C.  Mason,  whofe 
maiden  name  was  Russeil.  Mrs.  Thayer  died 
January  17,  1821.  Mr  Thayer  closed  his  busi- 
ness and  returned  to  Amhurst,  where  William, 
when  of  suitable  age,  was  placed  in  a  classical 
school,  where  he  remained  until  1830.  He  was 
then  placed  as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store,  in  New 
Y'ork. 

In  the  year  1831,  he  engaged,  with  his  father, 
in  a  dry  goods  business,  in  Philadelphia.  In 
1835,  he  went  to  Newville,  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  began  his  first  business  for 
himself.  He  was  then  married,  January  4,  1837 
to  Miss  Mary  Houston,  she  then  being  twenty 
years  of  age.  Mr.  Thayer  closed  out  his  busi- 
ness then,  and  on  January  31,  1838,  with  his 
wife,  an  infant  son,  a  few  months  old,  and  a 
servant  girl,  he  set  out  for  Illinois.  He  had 
fitted  up  a  two-horse  wagon,  with  close  top, 
with  windows  on  sides,  and  a  stove.  Thus  they 
were  enabled  to  keep  warm,  and  to  see  the 
country  as  they  passed.  The  season  selected 
for  the  journey  was,  perhaps,  the  most  inclem- 
ent of  the  year.  After  six  weeks'  tedious  travel, 
with  many  narrow  e.scapes,  from  icy  roads,  and 
rapid  streams,  they  reached  Springfield,  March 
13,  1838.  The  roads  were  so  bad  that  they  came 
near  sticking  fast,  near  the  southeast  corner  of 
Court  House  Square,  the  wheels  of  their  wagon 
sinking  to  the  axles  in  the  mud.  He  imme- 
diately settled  on  his  farm  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres,  near  the  present  village  of 
Chatham.  A  few  years  of  privations  sufficed  to 
place  them  in  fine  circumstances.  He  soon 
entered  upon  sheep  raising,  often  having  three 
thousand  at  a  time.  This  business  he  followed, 
most  successfully,  for  nearly  twenty-five  years. 
During  this  time,  he  gave  his  children  a  good 
business  education,  and  fitted  them  for  any 
business  of  life.  In  1863,  he  retired  from  his 
farm  to  his  pleasant  home  in  the  village  of 
Chatham,  where  he  has  since  engaged  in  no 
active  business,  only  looking  after  his  large 
interests,  many  of  which  are  very  efficiently 
nnanaged  by  his  sons. 

Mrs.  M.  H.  Thayer,  after  some  years  of  ill 
health,  died  June  10,  1872.  On  December  31, 
1873,  Mr.  Thayer  married  Elizabeth  Dresser, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Charles  Dresser,  D.D.,  of 
Springfield. 


Of  children,  James  H.  was  born  September 
19,  1837,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died  ttuly  25, 
1861,  in  Springfield,  Illinois;  Sarah  F.,  born 
September  2,  1839,  married  October  14,  1857, 
Thomas  P.  Boone,  of  Kentucky,  a  relative  of 
Daniel  Boone,  of  ear'y  Kentucky  history,  lives 
in  Springfield;  Martin  R.,  born  February  27, 
1842,  married  Hattie  Melvin,  a  lady  from  Penn- 
sylvania, September  19,  1867.  Martin  R.  is  now 
managing  proprietor  of  Chatham  Flouring  Mills, 
of  which  his  father  and  himself  are  proprietors. 

William  P.,  Jr.,  born  January  10,  1846,  mar- 
ried Mollie  E.  Patton,  of  Paris,  Illinois,  June 
26,  1873.  He  is  proprietor  of  a  flouring  mill  at 
Springfield. 

Archie  T.,  born  October  17,  1849,  mari-ied 
Maggie  Ricks,  May  1,  1878;  drug  business  at 
Lovington,  Moultrie  county,  Illinois. 

Edward  R.,  born  September  21,  1850,  is  in 
very  successful  drug  business  at  Chatham.  Ed. 
is  at  present  member  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors, on  his  second  term. 

Dollie,  born  March  23,  1853,  married  Joseph 
Hudson,  Agent  of  C.  &  A.  Railroad  at  Lin- 
coln, September,  1873. 

Bertha,  born  January  21,  1  S55,  married  Lee 
Hickox,  a  farmer  near  Springfield,  November  30, 
1876. 

Cyrus  W.  Van  Dercn,  the  oldest  of  nine  chil- 
dren, (five  sons  and  four  daughters)  of  Bernard 
and  (Eliza  McKee)  Van  Deren.  Was  born  in 
Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  May  6,1815.  He 
was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  early  learned  to 
labor  thereon.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  State,  attending  the  last 
three  months  of  his  school  days  when  nearly 
grown,  a  select  school  kept  in  Slillerburg,  Ken- 
tucky, by  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  the  present  Chief 
Justice  of  Illinois,  and  who  was  not  much  older 
than  himself.  Mr.  Van  Deren's  first  trip  to  Illi- 
nois was  made  in  the  fall  of  1834,  leaving  the 
old  home  in  Kentucky  the  I7th  of  September. 
He  was  twenty-four  days  on  the  road,  driving  a 
four-horse  team  to  an  old  Kentucky  wagon, 
laden  with  the  household  goods  of  an  uncle, 
who  afterwards  settled  in  Morgan  county,  Illi- 
nois. He  remained  here  until  the  latter  part  of 
November,  assisting  his  father,  (who  had  come 
through  in  advance  on  horse-back),  in  finishing 
and  completing  the  house  on  the  farm,  now 
owned  by  Nathan  Dennis,  and  to  where  he 
moved  with  the  balance  of  the  family  the  follow- 
ing spring,  1835.  (See  Old  Settlers'  book.)  He 
returned  with  his  father  to  the  old  home  in  Ken- 
tucky. He  concluded  a  pre-determined  contract, 
and  on  the  2d  day  of  April,  1835,  was  united  in 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


849 


marriage  with  Margaret,  the  youngest  and  only 
daughter  and  child  of  John  Patten,  (also  of  Bour- 
bon county,  Kentucky),  by  his  second  wife,  Mar- 
garet McClintock  Palton.  Ilia  father  and  the 
balance  of  the  family  having  removed  to  Illinois 
in  the  spring,  as  stated,  arriving  in  June,  and  liis 
father  dying  in  Jnly,  only  one  month  later.  He, 
at  the  earnest  request  of  his  mother,  who  was  so 
soon  left  a  widow  in  a  land  among  strangers, 
came  on  from  Kentucky,  and  assisted  her  in  the 
preliminary  settlement  of  the  estate,  remaining 
until  after  the  sale  of  personal  property.  And 
in  connection  with  that  sale,  jlr.  Van  Deren 
gave  us  an  incident  that  at  this  day  is  worthy  of 
mention  as  an  example  to  others.  At  the  sale 
of  the  personal  property  of  the  estate,  he,  con- 
trary to  hitherto  universal  custom  and  usage  of 
the  country,  refused  to  provide,  or  have  pro- 
vided, any  spirituous  liquor  or  beverage  of  any 
kind,  except  water,  for  those  in  attendance,  and 
although  the  auctioneer  intimated  his  refusal  to 
cry  the  sale,  and  some  of  his  friends  warned  him 
it  was  very  likely  to  cause  the  property  to  sell 
very  low.  He  still  persisted,  and  backed  up  by 
his  mother,  and  admonished  by  the  death  of  his 
recently  deceased  father,  who  had  only  within  a 
year  held  his  sale  in  Kentucky  without  liquor  of 
any  kind.  He  said  there  should  be  no  liquor  on 
the  grounds,  if  the  stock  did  not  sell  at  all. 
That  a  man  that  wou.d  not  bid  because  there 
were  no  drinks  of  that  kind,  was  one  that  he  did 
not  want  to  have  anythijig  to  do  with,  for  neither 
him  nor  his  note  would  be  worth  the  paper  it 
was  written  on.  The  sale  was  held  without 
liquor,  and  to  the  surprise  of  all,  aggregated  in 
amount  handsomely  over  the  appraisement  bill, 
and  every  note  given  at  the  sale  was  collected  at 
maturity,  one  year  later.  Mr.  Van  Deren  in- 
forms us  he  took  the  pledge  forty-six  years  ago 
to  abstain  from  the  use  of  all  distilled  or  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  and  also  the  use  of  tobacco  in 
any  way  or  form,  and  that  he  has  sacredly  kept 
it  up  to  the  present  day,  and  is  now  president  of 
the  temperance  organization  in  Chatham.  The 
early  decease  of  Mr.  Van  Deren's  father  after 
his  arrival  at  their  new  home,  leaving  his  mother 
with  six  younger  brothers  and  sisters,  (the 
brother  next  in  age  to  him  and  second  sister 
having  died  in  Kentucky,  when  young),  strang- 
ers in  a  strange  land.  He,  in  1838,  also  con- 
cluded to  remove  to  Illinois,  and  on  the  14th 
day  of  May,  of  that  year,  he  settled  on  the  farm 
in  Woodside  township,  which  he  still  owns,  and 
where  he  remained  thirty-two  years,  or  until  he 
removed  to  Chatham.  For  three  years  after  his 
settlement  Mr.  Van  Deren  and  family  were  very 


much  afflicted  with  fever  and  ague,  and  realized 
to  the  fullest  extent  the  many  discomforts  at- 
tending those  numerous  visitations  of  the  accli- 
mating diseases. 

In  1841, the  quadrennial  election  for  jus'ice  of 
the  precinct  occurring,  Mr.  Van  Deren  was 
strongly  urged,  both  by  Whigs  and  Democrats, 
to  become  a  candidate,  and  consenting,  he  was 
elected  and  re-elected  for  four  terms  in  succes- 
sion, serving  sixteen  years;  and  during  the  entire 
term  of  service,  he  never  had  a  party  to  any  suit 
commenced  before  him  to  apply  for  change  of 
venue  to  another  magistrate,  nor  but  one  a])peal 
taken  from  his  decision  in  any  case,  and  that 
single  case  never  reached  the  Circuit  Court,  the 
party  appealing,  by  advice  of  counsel,  settling 
as  decided  by  him.  And  during  those  years, 
while  acting  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  his  pre- 
cifict,  as  they  were  termed  at  that  day,  he  was 
also  elected  one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  the 
County  Court,  being  associated  with  the  late 
Thomas  Moffet,  as  the  County  Judge,  and  the 
late  Colwin  F.  Elkin  as  the  other  Associate,  and 
constituting  the  County  Court,  with  the  late  N. 
W.  Matheny  as  Clerk  (all  now  deceased),  in 
which  all  probate  and  other  business  of  the 
county  w'as  trani-acted,  and  taking  the  place  of 
one  Probate  Court  Judge  and  three  County  Com- 
missioners, as  under  the  former  Constitution. 

Mr.  Van  Deren  took  an  active  part  in  all  mat- 
ters of  public  interest — public  schools  and  rail- 
roads—  and  was,  from  the  first  organization  of 
the  schools  in  his  district,  either  director  or 
trustee  the  larger  portion  of  the  time  he  resided 
on  his  farm  in  Woodside  township;  also  in  rail- 
roads; and  when  he  was  really  hardly  able  to 
risk  or  bear  the  loss  (as  it  proved),  he  became 
one  of  the  original  stockholders  in  the  now  Chi- 
cagOjAlton  &  St.  Louis  Railroad, and  now  holds 
a  tive-huudreddollar  certificate  of  stock,  which, 
at  the  usual  interest  then  and  since  paid,  would 
amount  to  several  thousand  dollars  that  he  has 
invested  in  that  road;  and,  while  he  says  the 
road  has  advanced  his  interests,  it  has  also  much 
more  the  interest  of  others  more  able  at  that 
time  to  take  stock  than  himself. 

Mr.  Van  Deren,  politically,  was  identified  with 
the  Whig  party  during  its  organized  existance. 
But  in  1856,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Ameri- 
can, or  Fillmore,  party,  as  their  candidate  for 
State  Senator  in  the  district  composed  of  San- 
gamon and  Morgan  counties,  and,  being  accepted 
by  the  Republicans  as  their  candidate  also,  he 
was  elected,  and  faithfully  served  out  his  term 
of  four  years,  and  which,  with  the  exception  of 
school  trustee,  and   one   year   as    president    of 


850 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  village  board  of  trustees  of  Chatham,  closed 
his  official  civil  service,  and  ever  since  he  has 
been  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

In  early  life,  or  soon  after  marriage,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Van  Deren  united  with  the  church  of  their 
parents  (Presbyterian),  in  Millersburg,  Kentucky, 
and  have  maintained  that  relation  up  to  this 
time,  and  since  1844,  be  has  been  one  of  the  rul- 
ing elders  of  the  church  at  Chatham,  filling  the 
same  office  as  his  father,  who  was  an  elder  in  the 
church  at  Millersburg,  Kentucky,  for  eighteen 
years  l>efore  his  death.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Van  Deren 
have  had  four  children  born  to  them,  all  daugh- 
ters, to-wit:  Eliza  I.,  Margaret  E.,  Martha  S., 
and  Mary  Luella  Van  Deren.  Eliza  I.,  born  in 
Kentucky,  and  Jesse  F.  Taylor,  also  born  in 
Kentucky,  were  married  at  the  homestead,  in 
Woodside,  November  21,  1855;  they  had  three 
children,  all  boys,  viz;  Cyrus  W.,  Litchfield,  and 
Jesse  F.  Taylor,  the  oldest  being  born  in  Jackson 
county,  Mississippi,  and  the  two  youngest  in 
Helena,  Montana  Territory.  Margaret  E.,  born 
in  Illinois,  died  in  infancy.  Martha  S.,  the  third 
daughter,  and  John  M.  Taylor,  born  in  Kentucky, 
were  married  November  11,  1SG9;  they  have 
three  children,  to-wit:  George  W.,  Fred  V.,  and 
Luella  Taylor.  Mary  L.,  the  youngest,  is  still 
single,  and  living  with  her  parents.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Van  Deren  are  also  tenderly  caring  for  and 
raising  the  two  younger  and  motherless  children 
of  Jesse  F.  and  Eliza  I.  Taylor,  their  mother 
having  died  in  Helena,  Montana  Territory,  Octo- 
ber 31,  1874.  Since  1872,  Mr.  Van  Deren  has 
resided  in  Chatham,  where  he  owns  a  comfortable 
and  pleasantly  located  house  and  grounds,  and, 
we  presume,  financially  independent,  as  he  in- 
forms us  that  today,  with  the  exception  of  a 
store  bill  and  the  taxes  assessed  for  this  year,  $75 
would  pay  every  debt  he  owed  in  the  world,  and 
have  some  left. 

Nehemiah  Wright,  M.  Z>.— In  1641,  we  find 
one  Samuel  Wright  located  in  Springfield,  Mass- 
achusetts, and  from  him  all  bearing  the  name 
have  originated.  Said  Samuel  Wright  was  a 
deacon  in  the  early  Puritan  Church,  at  Spring- 
field. Their  first  minister,  Rev.  William  Maxon, 
returned  to  England,  and  Deacon  Wright  con- 
ducted the  services,  and  was  allowed  fifty  shil- 
lings per  month.  He  was  one  of  the  first  set- 
tlers of  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  in  1656. 
Died  in  his  chair,  October  17,  1665.  The  great 
grandfather  of  Dr.  N.  Wright,  was  Rev.  Job 
Wright;  was  born  October  15,  17.37;  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1775.  He  was  immediately 
called  to  the  charge  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Bernardstown,  Massachusetts,  where 


he  remained  as  a  pastor  forty  years,  enjoying 
the  undivided  love  of  an  united  people — discord 
among  them  was  not  known.  He  died  January 
7, 1823.  The  grandfather  was  Nehemiah  Wright, 
a  substantial  farmer,  settled  at  Derby,  Vermont, 
about  ISOO.  The  father  was  Samuel  Wright, 
M.  D.,  a  very  efficient  surgeon  and  physician,  at 
Holderness,  now  Ashland,  New  Hampshire,  for 
over  thirty  year^,  mostly  within  the  limits  of 
that  section  of  country,  although  his  consulta- 
tion cases  extended  from  over  a  much  larger  ter- 
ritory. He  died  September  20,  1854,  aged  fifty- 
nine.  The  direct  subject  of  our  sketch.  Dr.  Ne- 
hemiah Wright,  was  born  at  Ashland,  New 
Hampshire,  Februai-y  20,  1824.  His  early  life 
was  passed  at  home  and  in  the  common  school, 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  fitted  for  college  in  the 
classical  school  of  Professor  Beaumont  Parks, 
who  made  a  specialty  of  fitting  students  for  col- 
lege. In  1844,  Mr.  Wright  entered  Jacksonville 
College,  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois;  his  excellent 
preparation  and  personal  effort  enabled  him  to 
complete  his  four  years'  course  in  three  years. 
Having  completed  his  studies,  he  left  college 
without  taking  his  degrees,  and  immediately  en- 
tered upon  his  medical  course.  He  first  went 
through  the  Harvard  (Mass.)  school,  and  received 
his  finishing  course  at  Rush  College,  Chicago. 
Having  completed  that  course,  he  returned  to 
Jacksonville,  in  1849,  and  received  his  A.  M. 
Degree.  On  January  10,  1850,  he  located  at 
Chatham,  Sangamon  county,  where  he  has  since 
been  in  most  successful  practice.  In  connection 
with  his  general  practice  of  medicine,  he  has 
been  eminently  succesful  in  surgery.  For  more 
than  twenty  years  he  has  been  an  active  member 
and  officer  in  the  State  Medical  Society;  also  a 
member  of  the  Americam  Medical  Association. 
Dr.  Wright  was  one  of  the  seven  charter  mem- 
bers of  the  Phi-Alpha  Society,  at  Jacksonville, 
in  1845  (all  now  living — 1881).  The  society 
now  numbers  five  hundred.  The  poetical  pro- 
duction of  Dr.  Wright,  read  before  that  society 
in  May,  1S76,  awards  him  an  enviable  reputation 
as  a  literary  writer. 

His  children — M.  Fannie,  born  June  23,  1851, 
married  Z.  T.  McGinnis,  November  25,  1870; 
Mr.  McG.  is  Superintendent  of  B.  F.  Caldwell's 
mercantile  interest  in  Chatham;  Jesse  F.,  born 
November  29,  1853,  married  Jienjamin  J.  Det- 
rich.  May  23,  1878;  salesman  for  Van  Duyu  & 
Co.,  Springfield;  Charles  D.,  born  February  20, 
1857,  married  December  30,  1880,  Lizzie  Felch. 
Dr.  W.  read  medicine  with  his  father,  attended 
Rush  Medical   College,  and  is  now  practicing. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


S'l 


Chapter  XXXIII, 


TOWNSHIP  OF  CLEAR  LAKE. 


The  township  of  Clear  Lake  comprises  all  of 
township  sixteen  north,  range  four  west,  and  is 
BO  named  from  the  lake  of  that  name,  in  section 
twenty-two. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL.  ' 

The  township  is  almost  equally  divided  between 
timber  and  prairie,  and  is  quite  rolling.  The 
soil  is  of  good  quality,  and  large  crops  of  corn 
and  wheat  are  raised. 

WATER    COURSES. 

Clear  Lake  township  is  well  supplied  with 
streams  of  living  water.  The  north  fork  of  the 
Sangamon  river  enters  on  section  thirty-six,  and 
the  south  fork  enters  on  section  thirty-three,  the 
two  uniting  on  section  twenty-seven,  and  flowing 
northward,  emerges  from  the  township  from  sec- 
tion five,  but  returns  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 
flows  westward,  and  enters  Springfield  township 
from  section  six.  Sugar  creek  enters  the  town- 
ship on  section  thirty-one,  and  flowing  in  a  north- 
easterly direction,  unites  with  the  Sangamon 
river  on  section  twenty-eight.  Clear  Lake  is  a 
beautiful  sheet  of  water,  about  one  half  mile  in 
length  and  an  average  width  of  two  hundred 
yards.  On  the  banks  of  this  lake,  many  pic-nic 
parties  are  held  each  summer,  and  boats  are  pro- 
vided for  sailing  and  rowipg  upon  the  lake. 

RAILROADS. 

Clear  Lake  township  is  traversed  by  two  rail- 
roads, the  Wabash  and  the  Springfield  &  North- 
western. The  former  enters  from  Springfield  on 
section  nineteen,  runs  in  a  northeasterly  direction 
through  the  village  of  Riverton  to  section  ten, 
when  it  runs  due  east  into  the  township  of 
Mechanicsburg.  The  latter  from  Springfield 
enters  on  section  eighteen,  and  runs  northeast, 
enters  Williams  township  from  section  two. 


EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

The  township  was  first  settled  in  1821,  Hugh 
McGary  was  the  first  settler.  He  settled  im- 
mediately upon  the  banks  of  Clear  Lake.  He 
was  an  old  soldier  under  Harrison,  and  was  a 
man  highly  respected,  being  a  high-minded  hon- 
orable man. 

Harrison  McGary,  a  brother  of  Hugh,  came 
about  the  same  time,  and  settled  upon  the  farm 
where  Thomas  King  now  lives.  He  was  dissatis- 
fied, and  returned  to  Indiana,  from  whence  he 
came. 

Samuel  Danley  came  about  the  same  time  and 
settled  about  a  mile  from  McGary.  He  was  a 
rough  man,  but  with  a  large  heart,  and  was 
always  a  friend  to  the  poor.  He  became  a 
Christian  some  years  before  his  death  and  lived 
conscientiously  up  to  his  profession. 

John  Smith  came  also  quite  early.  He  was 
possessed  of  considerable  wealth,  but  run 
through  with  it  all  and  sold  out  to  Thomas 
King. 

Benjamin  Cherry  came  from  Tennessee.  He 
was  a  good  man  and  ultimately  died  a  Christian. 

Thomas  J.  Knox  came  and  settled  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  J.  F.  King.  He  was  County 
Treasurer  and  Collector  for  one  or  two  terms, 
justice  of  the  peace  for  several  j'ears.  He  died 
in  Springfield. 

Valentine  R.  Mallory  came  about  the  same  time 
with  the  others  already  mentioned.  He  served 
in  the  War  of  1812.     He  died  several  years  ago. 

Samuel  McDaniels  came  previous  to  the  deep 
snow,  as  did  also  Philip  Smith. 

John  Wilcox  was  born  in  Maryland,  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay.  His 
parents  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  and  to 
keep  from  being  bound  out,  he  ran  away,  em- 


S52 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


barked  on  a  sailing  vessel,  and  went  to  the  West 
India  Islands;  returning  to  Maryland,  and  when 
he  was  sixteen  or  seventeen  years  old,  went  with 
a  family  to  Virginia,  and  from  there  to  the 
vicinity  of  Danville,  Kentucky.  He  was  married 
in  Oldham  county,  Kentucky,  to  Lucinda  Ogles- 
by.  She  was  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
and  her  parents  moved  to  that  part  of  Shelby 
which  afterwards  became  Oldham  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Her  father,  William  Oglesby,  was  a  sol- 
dier in  the  Revolution.  John  Wilcox  moved  to 
Davidson  county,  Tennessee,  then  moved  to 
Logan  county,  Kentucky,  died  in  1S23.  In  1818, 
the  family  moved  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois, 
and  from  there  to  what  became  Sangamon  county, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  1819,  about  six  miles  east 
of  where  Springfield  now  stands,  and  settled  be- 
tween the  mouths  of  Sugar  creek  and  the  south 
fork  of  Sangamon  river. 

Archer  Gr.  Herndou  was  born  February  13, 
1795,  in  Culpepper  county,  Virginia;  went  to 
Greensburg,  Green  county,  Kentucky,  when  he 
was  about  ten  years  old,  and  was  there  married, 
in  1816,  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  Johnson,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Day.  Her  father  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herndon  had  one  child 
in  Kentucky,  and  they  moved  to  Troy,  Madison 
county,  Illinois;  from  there  they  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  spring  of 
1821,  settling  on  what  is  now  German  Prairie, 
five  miles  northeast  of  Springfield. 

Archer  G.  Herndon,  Sr.,  was  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  from  1825  to  1830,  in  Spring- 
field, and  during  that  time  erected  the  first  regu- 
lar tavern  in  town.  He  was  one  of  the  "Long 
Nine"  who  were  instrumental  in  having  the 
Capital  removed  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield, 
having  been  elected  State  Senator  in  1836.  He 
was  receiver  of  public  moneys,  from  1842  to 
1842,  in  the  Land  Office,  in  Springfield.  A.  G. 
Herndon,  Sr.,  died  January  3,  1867,  and  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Herndon  died  August  19,  1875. 

Larkin  Bryant  was  born  November  2,  1800,  in 
Woodford  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  married 
there  in  1820,  to  Mrs.  Harriet  Chapman,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Thornberry.  They  moved  to 
the  Missouri  lead  mines,  and  from  there  to 
Sangamon  county,  in  the  fall  of  1821,  and 
settled  five  miles  northeast  of  Springfield. 

John  Shinkle  was  born  in  February,  1 783,  in 
Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  when  he  was 
a  boy  his  parents  moved  to  Brown  county,  Ohio. 
Mary  M,  Shinkle  was  born  November  12,  1784, 
in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  May,  1805, 
her  parents  moved  to  Brown  county,  Ohio. 
John  Shinkle  and  Mary  M.  Shinkle  were  there 


married  November  7,  1805.  They  had  ten 
living  children  in  Brown  county.  The  family 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving 
December,  1826,  in  what  is  now  Clear  Lake 
township,  north  of  Sangamon  river.  John. 
Shinkle  died  August,  1827,  in  Sangamon  county, 
less  than  one  year  after  his  arrival  in  the 
country.  His  widow  raised  her  family  on  the 
farm  where  they  settled,  and  now  resides  there. 
It  is  three  miles  southwest  of  Dawson,  Illinois. 
She  is  ninetj-two  years  old,  and  has  been  a 
widow  nearly  half  a  century. 

Valentine  R.  Mallory  was  born  December  16, 
1798,  near  Paris,  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  was 
at  the  battle  of  the  river  Thames.  Nancy  Daw- 
son was  born  September  20,  1802,  in  Fairfax 
county,  Virginia,  and  in  1804,  was  taken  by  her 
parents  to  Bracken  county,  Kentucky.  V.  R. 
Mallory  and  Nancy  Dawson  were  there  married, 
June  28,  1821.  They  had  three  children,  and  in 
March,  1827,  united  with  the  Baptist  Church. 
They  moved,  in  company  with  her  brother, 
John  Dawson,  (see  his  name)  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  October  22,  1827,  in 
what  is  now  Clear  Lake  township. 

John  Dawson  was  born  November  24,  1791,  in 
Fairfax  county,  Va.  His  parents  moved  to 
Bracken  county,  Kentucky,  in  1805.  He  enlisted 
in  Bracken  county  in  the  war  against  England 
in  1812,  and  was  wounded  and  captured  at  the 
battle  of  River  Raisin.  After  being  held  as  a 
prisoner  in  Canada  by  the  Indians  who  captured 
him,  his  friend  paid  a  ransom  for  him,  and  he 
returned  home.  Cary  Jones  was  born  May  22, 
1801,  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky.  John  Daw- 
son and  Cary  Jones  were  married  in  Nicholas 
county,  October  9,  1817.  They  moved  to 
Bracken  county,  and  then  the  family  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  October  24,  1827, 
north  of  the  Sangamon  river,  in  Clear  Lake 
township.  John  Dawson  died  November  12, 
1850,  in  Sangamon  county.  His  widow  resides 
on  the  farm  where  they  settled  in  1827.  It  is 
three  miles  southwest  of  Dawson.  Mr.  Dawson 
was  Captain  of  a  company  from  Sangamon  coun- 
ty in  the  Black  Hawk  war  of  1831.  He  was 
elected  to  represent  Sangamon  county  in  the 
State  Legislature  of  1831,  and  '32.  He  was 
again  elected  in  1S35,  and  continued  by  re-elec- 
tion, to  represent  the  county  until  1840,  and  was 
consequently  one  of  the  "Long  Nine"  who 
secured  the  removal  of  the  State  Capital  to 
Springfield  at  the  session  of  1836-'7  Mr.  D.  was 
also  a  member  of  the  convention  that  framed  the 
State  Constitution  of  1848.    Theball  received  in 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


853 


his  lungs  at  the  battle  of  River  Raisin  was 
never  extracted,   and  was  the  cause  of  his  death. 

Samuel  Ridgeway  was  born  May  10,  1777,  in 
Berkley  county,  Virginia,  and  was  taken  by  his 
parents  to  the  valley  of  the  Yadkin  river.  North 
Carolina,  when  he  was  quite  young,  lie  was 
there  married,  about  1709,  to  Elizabeth  Caton, 
who  was  born  August  25,  1775,  in  Byrkley 
<50unty,  Virginia,  also.  Shortly  after  marriage 
Samuel  Ridgeway  and  wife  packed  all  their 
worldly  goods  on  one  horse,  and  each  rode 
another.  Thus  equipped,  they  set  out  for  Ken- 
tucky, and  settled  near  Stanford,  the  capital  of 
Lincoln  county.  The  family  moved  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  November, 
1829,  in  what  is  now  Clear  Lake  township,  west 
of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  live  miles  northeast 
of  Springfield.     Died  in  1847. 

John  Blue  was  born  September  9,  1777,  in 
South  Carolina.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by 
the  British  the  very  day  of  his  birth.  His  par- 
ents moved  to  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  when 
he  was  quite  young.  Elizabeth  McNary  was 
born  in  South  Carolina,  and  taken  by  her  parents 
to  Fleming,  county,  Kentucky,  also.  They  were 
there  married  about  1806.  About  1833  they 
moved  to  Green  county,  Ohio,  then  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1830,  in 
what  is  now  Clear  Lake  township. 

William  Fagan  was  born  in  1777,  in  North 
Carolina,  was  married  there  to  Peninah  Fruit, 
who  was  born  January  29,  1774,  in  the  same 
State.  They  moved  to  Virginia,  and  from  there 
to  Christian  county,  Kentucky.  In  1819,  they 
emigrated,  with  four  children,  to  southern  Illi- 
nois, thence  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in 
what  is  now  Clear  Lake  township,  in  1820.  They 
moved  next  year  to  Buffalo  Hart  Grove,  and 
from  there  to  Springfield.  In  1831  they  settled 
on  a  farm  three  miles  northwest  of  Springfield. 
He  .lied  in  1843. 

Uriah  Mann  was  born  September  17,  1810,  in 
Bracken  county,  Kentucky.  He  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  with  his  sister  Anna,  and  her  hus- 
band, Thomas  A.  King,  arriving  the  first  Sunday 
in  October,  1831. 

He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  in 
1832,  in  the  same  regiment  with  Captain  Abra- 
ham Lincoln,  with  whom  he  had  many  a  wrest- 
ling match.  Uriah  Mann  was  married  January 
6,  1832,  in  Sangamon  county,  to  Elizbeth  King. 
He  hauled  all  the  rails  and  timber  for  improving 
his  farm,  on  a  wagon  constructed  by  himself, 
without  any  iron,  the  wheels  being  hewn  each 
from  a  single  piece  of  timber,  from  the  largest 


tree  he  could  find.  His  house  was  built  by  him- 
self, of  round  logs.  His  tables,  cupboard  and 
other  furniture  were  made  from  wild  cherry 
lumber.  In  the  absence  of  saw-mills  he  split  the 
timber  into  broad  slabs,  fastened  them  into  a 
snatch  block,  hewed  them  to  a  uniform  thick- 
ness, and  after  waiting  a  sufficient  time  for  them 
to  season,  worked  them  into  his  household  furni- 
ture. The  first  meal  he  ate  in  his  own  house, 
the  meat  was  hog's  jowl,  and  the  bread  made 
from  frost-bitten  corn.  He  hauled  the  first 
wheat  he  raised  for  sale  to  St.  Louis,  and  sold  it 
for  thirty-five  cents  in  trade.  He  is  now  among 
the  most  successful  farmers  of  the  county. 

James  Frazier  Reed,  was  born  November  14, 
1800,  in  county  Armagh,  Ireland.  His  ancestors 
were  of  noble  Polish  birth,  who  chose  exile 
rather  than  submission  to  the  Russian  power, 
and  settled  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  The  family 
name  was  originally  Reednoski,  but  in  process 
of  time  the  Polish  termination  of  the  name  was 
dropped,  and  the  family  was  called  Reed.  James 
F.  Reed's  mother's  name  was  Frazier,  whose 
ancestors  belonged  to  Clan  Frazier,  of  Scottish 
history.  Mrs.  Reed,  and  her  son,  James  F., 
came  to  America  when  he  was  a  youth,  and  set- 
tled in  Virginia.  lie  remained  there  until  he 
was  twenty,  when  he  left  for  the  lead  mines  of 
Illinois,  and  was  engaged  in  mining  until  1831, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and 
at  its  termination  returned  to  Springfield,  where 
he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  made  money, 
and  bought  a  farm  near  the  latter  city.  Mr.  Reed 
was  for  several  years  engaged  in  manufacturing 
cabinet  furniture  at  a  point  on  the  Sangamon 
river,  seven  miles  east  of  Springfield.  He  era- 
ployed  a  large  number  of  men,  and  a  village 
grew  up  there,  which,  in  honor  of  his  first  name, 
was  called  Jamestown.  It  has  since  been 
twice  changed,  first  to  Howlett  and  then  to  Riv- 
erton,  the  present  name.  He  was  married,  in 
1834,  to  Mrs.  Margaret  W.  Backenstoe,  whose 
maidenname  was  Keyes,  a  daughter  of  Humphrey 
Keyes.  Mrs.  Reed  had  one  child  by  her  first 
marriage.  In  April,  1846,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed, 
with  many  others,  started  overland  for  California; 
Mr.  Reed  settled  at  San  Jose  Mission,  California, 
and  invested  in  land  from  time  to  time.  He 
was  among  the  first  who  tried  their  fortunes  at 
gold  hunting,  in  which  he  was  very  successful. 
Of  Mrs.  Reed's  child  by  a  former  marriage — Mrs. 
Virginia  E.  Murphy  writes  me,  in  December, 
1875,  that  she  never  was  taught  or  made  to 
feel,  during  Mr.  Reed's  lifetime,  that  she  was  a 
step-child  or  half-sister,  and  that  he  was  the  mo.Mt 


854 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


loving  and  indulgent  step-father  that  ever  lived. 
So  thoughtful  was  he  of  her  feelings  that  he  took 
occasion,  after  the  death  of  her  mother,  to  assure 
her  of  his  continued  affection,  and  that  he  knew 
no  difference  between  herself  and  his  own  child- 
ren, as  she  came  to  him  with  her  mother,  a  little 
babe.  He  made  no  distinction  between  Mrs. 
Murphy  and  his  own  children  in  his  will. 

John  Hoover,  Mr.  Howell,  Solomon  Blue  and 
Uriah  Blue,  settled  on  the  south  side  of  the  San- 
gamon river  in  1824  or  1825.  They  all  being  of 
German  descent,  gave  to  the  neighborhood  the 
name  of  German  Prairie. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  recollection  of  the  first  school  in  what  is 
now  Clear  Lake  township,  by  the  "  old  settlers  " 
of  1881,  dates  back  to  1828.  About  this  time 
there  were  two  school  houses  built,  one  on  the 
north,  and  the  other  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river.  Riley  Jones  taught  the  one  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river  in  the  winter  of  1828.  This 
school  house  was  similar  to  all  others  built  in  the 
county  at  the  time,  being  of  logs. 

Time  has  changed  the  course  of  things.  There 
are  now  no  log  school  houses,  but  instead,  the 
township  has  two  brick  and  five  frame  edifices 
for  school  purposes,  the  total  value  of  which  is 
$6,600. 

EKLIGIOUS. 

The  first  house  of  worship  erected  in  the  town- 
ship was  by  the  Baptists,  in  1826,  though  the 
denomination  was  not  the  first  to  be  represented 
in  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  The  Methodists 
were  here  previously,  represented  by  that  trio  so 
often  spoken  of  in  these  pages — Revs.  Peter 
Cartwright,  James  Sims,  and  Rivers  Cormack. 
Aaron  Vandever  was  the  first  Baptist  minister. 
There  are  now  four  church  edifices  in  the  town- 
ship, Mount  Zion  Methodist  Episcopal,  on  sec- 
tion twenty-four;  the  Christian,  on  section  twen- 
ty-one; and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Catho- 
lic, in  the  village  of  Riverton. 

MINERAL. 

Coal  was  first  discovered  in  this  township  at  a 
very  early  date,  and  for  many  years  surface 
mining  was  carried  on,  though  none  of  the  early 
settlers,  and  few  of  those  that  came  at  a  later  date, 
ever  imagined  that  underneath  their  feet  would 
be  found  thick  veins  of  coal  that  would  be  almost 
inexhaustible.  P.  L.  Howlett,  an  enterprising 
citizen  of  the  village,  that  for  some  years  bore 
his  name,  but  was  subsequently  changed  to  Riv- 
erton, in  1865,  conceived  the  idea  that  there  was 
an  immense  bed  of  superior  coal  at  a  great  depth 
below  the   surface.     Accordingly,  he  employed 


experienced  men  from  the  Pennsylvania  oil 
region,  to  erect  the  necessary  machinery,  and 
bored  down  two  hundred  feet  into  the  earth, 
which  resulted  in  striking  a  rich  vein  of  coal 
about  six  feet  in  thickness.  This  test  was  made 
a  few  feet  from  his  distillery,  about  eighty  rods 
from  the  railroad.  In  order  to  make  this  matter 
sure,  he  moved  his  boring  machinery  up  near  the 
railroad  switch,  and  bored  down  again  with  the 
same  results.  In  the  spring  of  1866,  he  sunk  a 
shaft  from  which  he  began  to  take  a  superior 
coal  to  any  heretofore  mined.  This  was  the  first 
attempt  at  mining  coal  in  Sangamon  county. 

ORGANIC. 

Clear  Lake  township  was  organized  in  1861. 

VILLAGE    OP    RIVERTON. 

The  village  of  Riverton  was  laid  out  and 
platted  by  John  Taylor,  December  1,  1837,  its 
location  being  described  as  "the  south  half  of 
the  northeast  quarter  of  section  nine,  township 
sixteen,  range  four,  west."  The  plat  was  re- 
corded under  the  name  of  Jamestown,  so  named 
in  honor  of  James  F.  Reed,  whose  adventures 
are  given  on  a  preceding  page,  in  connection 
with  George  Donner  and  a  trip  across  the  plains. 

The  village  grew  but  slowly  for  some  years, 
and  until  Mr.  Howlett  came  and  erected  the 
distillery  and  mill  adjoining.  Up  to  this  time, 
the  village  bore  the  name  of  Jamestown,  but 
soon  after  it  was  changed  to  Howlett,  which 
name  it  retained  until  18  7-,  when  it  was  changed 
to  Riverton — an  appropriate  name,  it  being 
upon  the  banks  of  the  Sangamon  river,  the 
principal  stream  in  the  county. 

There  being  already  one  Jamestown  post 
oifice  in  the  State,  another  name  had  to  be 
chosen,  and  it  was  called  Reed.  This  was  one 
reason  why  the  name  of  the  village  was  afterward 
changed,  as  it  was  inconvenient  to  citizens  and 
correspondents  to  call  the  town  by  one  name  and 
the  post  office  by  another.  When  the  name  of 
the  village  was  changed  to  Howlett,  the  name  of 
the  post  ofiice  was  also  changed,  it  taking  the 
name  of  the  village.  The  same  change  was 
made  to  Riverton.  Jesse  Sweatman  was  the 
first  postmaster.  The  large  correspondence  of 
the  distillery  here  gives  quite  a  large  amount  of 
mail  to  handle. 

RIVERTON    ALCOHOL    WORKS. 

The  most  noted  institution  of  Riverton  is  the 
large  distillery  of  the  Riverton  Alcohol  Works. 
In  1865,  it  was'owned  and  operated  by  P.  L. 
Howlett,  and  was  then  said  to  be  the  largest  in 
the  State,  with  a  capacity  of  2,400  bushels   of 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


855 


grain  per  day.  It  has  since  been  eclipsed  by 
some  Peoria  houses,  but  is  yet  considered  a  large 
distillery,  its  revenue,  paid  the  Government 
annually,  amounting  to  thousands  of  dollars.  In 
connection  with  the  distillery  there  is  a  large 
flouring  mill,  with  six  runs  of  burrs. 

A  MINING    VILLAGE. 

The  village  of  Riverton  is  what  might  be 
termed  a  mining  village,  its  coal  mines  afford- 
ing eraplo3'raent  to  by  far  the  larger  part  of  its 
inhabitants.  Next  to  the  mines  the  distilleries 
and  mill  furnishes  employment  to  the  greater 
number  The  cottages  of  the  miners  are 
among  the  things  to  attract  the  eyes  of  a 
traveler  as  he  passes  through  on  the  railway 
cars,  and  the  question  is  often  asked,  why  so 
many  cottages,  as  well  as  the  name  of  the  town. 

A    NEWSPAPER. 

Riverton,  like  many  other  small  villages,  has 
had  its  newspaper,  which  flourished  for  a  time, 
like  the  mushroom,  and  like  the  mushroom,  soon 
passed  away. 

CHUECHES. 

The  religious  welfare  of  the  villagers  is  at- 
tended to  by  the  Catholic  and  Methodist  Episco- 
pal brethren,  each  of  whom  have  houses  of  wor- 
shi)). 

Chas.  JieerupwdiS  born  April  27,  1841,  in  San- 
gamon county.  He  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and 
Mary  (Maltby)  Beerup,  natives  of  New  York  and 
Vermont,  and  came  to  this  county  at  an  early 
day  and  resided  until  their  death,  the  former 
occurring  in  18'72,  and  the  latter  in  181S.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
that  occupation  he  has  followed  thus  far  through 
life.  Mr.  B.  was  married,  January  14,  1864,  to 
Miss  Mary  Babcock.  Her  parents  were  James 
and  Jeanette  Babcock,  who  were  natives  of 
Ohio,  emigrating  to  this  county  in  1850.  Miss 
B.  was  born  January  14,  184.3,  in  Muskingum, 
Ohio.  By  the  union,  seven  children  were  born, 
six  of  whom  are  living:  John  R.,  Alice  J.,  Le- 
ander,  William  R.,  Jennie,  and  jiramie.  Mr. 
B.  located  in  this  township  in  the  spring  of  1881, 
on  section  thirty-two,  where  he  owns  fifty  acres 
of  land,  worth  -^80  an  acre. 

William  A.  Butler,  one  of  Sangamon  county's 
pioneers,  was  born  July  23, 1817,  in  Adair  county, 
Kentucky.  He  is  the  son  of  Nathan  M.  and 
JIary  (Hardin)  Butler,  the  former  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  who  emi- 
grated to  this  State  in  the  year  1824,  and  settled 
in  Morgan  county,  ten  miles  east  of  Jackson- 
ville, where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1831, 
at  which  time  he  sold  nut  and  located  near  Ber- 


lin, where  they  resided  until  death  ;  the  former 
occurring  April  4,  1842,  and  the  latter  Novem- 
ber, 1834.  Mr.  Butler  fought  under  General 
Jackson  in  the  fight  below  New  Orleans,  in  the 
year  1815.  He  also,  in  the  year  1831,  fought 
Black  Hawk.  So  popular  was  he  among  his 
friends  that  he  was  elected  major.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  only  received  about 
eighteen  months'  schooling,  although  he  has 
acquired  a  good  education  since  he  became  of 
age.  Mr.  Butler  began  life  a  poor  man,  in  the 
city  of  Springfield,  in  the  livery  business,  with  a 
capital  of  less  than  $300.  By  close  attention  to 
business  he  accumulated  enough  to  purchase  a 
farm,  seventeen  miles  west  of  Springfield.  Mr. 
Butler  served  as  Marshal  of  Springfield  the 
years  1860  and  1861.  Mr.  B.  was  mairied  in 
the  year  1863,  to  Mrs.  Jane  Clark,  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  A.  Trotter,  who  came  to  this 
county  1827,  and  settled  on  section  thirty-two, 
this  township,  where  the  latter  still  resides, 
the  former  having  died  many  years  ago.  Mrs. 
Clark  is  mother  of  two  children — Thomas  and 
Emma.  Mr.  B.  is  holding  the  ofiice  of  town- 
ship trustee  ;  he  owns  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  acres  of  good  land,  where  he  carries  on 
mixed  farming. 

C.  S.  Chwchillvf&s  born  June  30,  1842,  in 
Shelby  county,  Kentucky.  lie  is  the  son  of 
George  and  Sarah  (Arnold)  Churchill,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  emigrated 
to  this  county,  settling  near  Mechanicsburg,  in 
1827,  where  they  resided  a  number  of  years, 
and  then  came  to  this  township  and  settled  on 
section  eighteen,  where  they  both  died.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  which  occupa- 
tion he  has  followed  thus  far  through  life.  He 
was  married  July  31,  1845,  to  Miss  Hester  F. 
King.  Miss  King  was  born  January  21,  1825,  in 
Bracken  county,  Virginia;  by  this  union  nine 
children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  living — 
Henry,  Parmelia  A.  and  Amanda  P.  Mr.  C. 
owns  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  good 
land,  well  improved. 

John  Gromley,  farmer,  was  born  May  11, 1816, 
in  Northamption  county,  Pennsylvania.  He  is 
the  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  (Hineman)  Cromley, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased.  They  were  early 
settlers  of  Ohio,  where  they  were  residing  at  the 
time  of  their  death.  Our  subject  was  reared  a 
farmer  and  he  was  deprived  of  the  chance  for  an 
education.  Though  being  possessed  with  a  limi- 
ted education,  he  has  accumulated  a  large  amount 
of  property.  He  is  owning  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  good  land,  all  made  by  his  own 
exertions. 


856 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Cromley  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Fred- 
erick. By  her  lour  children  were  born,  three  of 
whom  are  living — Mary  J.,  Jacob  and  Charles. 
Mrs.  Cromley  was  called  to  her  resting  place, 
and  to  supply  this  loss,  he'married  Julia  Lamkie, 
in  the  year  18V0.  Miss  L.  was  born  in  Germany 
in  the  year  1839,  and  emigrated  to  this  country 
in  1866.  The  fruits  of  this  union  have  been 
three  children,  viz:  Emma,  John  and  William. 
Few  have  been  as  successful  financially  as  Mr. 
Cromley. 

Amos  Gnilh  was  born  May  26,  1826,  in  Perry 
county,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  (Smith)  Grubb,  both  of  whom  died  in 
Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  Amos  was  reared 
to  manhood  in  his  native  State,  and  emigrated 
to  this  county  in  the  year  1857,  first  settling  in 
the  city  of  Springfield,  where  he  lived  a  few 
months,  and  then  moved  one  and  a  half  miles 
east  of  Springfield.  From  this  he  moved  to  the 
present  place,  where  he  has  resided  eighteen 
years.  Mr.  G.,  until  three  years  ago,  had 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  farming.  Since 
that  time  he,  in  connection  with  his  farming, 
has  been  operating  a  tile  mill,  with  good  success, 
his  sales  averaging  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  tile  per  annum.  Mr.  G.,  was  married 
in  June  24,  1852,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Thrasher. 
Miss  T.,  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania, 
July  8,  1821.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was 
seven  children  born  to  them:  Elizabeth  A., 
wife  of  Henry  Churchill;  Michael,  Henry, 
Edwin,  Dora  J.,  Mary  C,  and  Emma  F. 

Mr.  G.,  has  held  several  offices  in  the  town- 
ship, one  of  which  he  has  held  seventeen  years 
in  succession,  that  being  the  office  of  school 
director.  He  is  owning  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
six  acres  of  good  land. 

Thomas  A.  King,  farmer,  was  born  April  22, 
1809,  in  Clarke  county,  Kentucky;  his  parents 
were  William  B.  and  Annie  R.  (Greening)  King, 
natives  of  Virginia.  The  former  was  educated 
for  a  surveyor,  but  never  followed  surveying  to 
any  extent,  farming  being  his  principal  occupa- 
tion; he  died  October  10,  1863;  the  latter  died 
March  27,  1873.  Mr.  King  emig^-ated  to  this 
State  in  October,  1831,  and  located  in  German 
Prairie,  where  he  resided  ten  years.  In  1840,  he 
purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land, 
where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  He  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Ann  Mann,  November  11, 
1830,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Gaterel, 
of  Bracken  county,  Kentucky.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  was  twelve  children,  of  whom  six 
are  living,  namely:  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Todd; 
Melvin,  now  a  resident  of  Kansas;  Uriah,  now 


resides  on  a  farm  joining  the  old  homestead; 
John  J.  resides  on  the  old  homestead;  Julia, now 
Mrs.  Turney;  Thomas  A.,  now  living  with  his 
father;  he  has  also  an  adopted  son,  Robert. 
Mrs.  King  departed  this  life  May  11,  1881;  they 
had  been  married  fifty  years  and  six  months  the 
day  of  her  death.  He  had  two  sons  in  the  war, 
Melvin  and  Uriah;  the  former  enlisted  in  July, 
1862,  for  three  years,  in  Company  I,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry;  served 
full  term,  and  was  honorably  discharged,  August, 
1865.  The  latter  enlisted  at  Springfield,  June 
17,  1861,  in  Company  E,  Twenty-fourth  Illinois 
Infantry,  for  three  years.  He  fought  at  Perry- 
ville.  Stone  River,  and  Chickamauga,  being 
wounded  in  the  latter  September  19,  1863,  and 
captured  the  next  day,  and  after  enduring  the 
horrors  of  nearly  all  the  famous  rebel  prisons,  at 
Richmond,  Danville,  Andersonville,  Savannah, 
Milan,  Thomasville,  and  back  to  Andersonville, 
was  released  March  20,  1865,  and  returned,  via. 
Vicksburg  and  St.  Louis,  to  Springfield,  and  was 
honorably  discharged  June  7,  1865,  being  within 
ten  days  of  one  year  over  time.  Mr.  King  once 
owned  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land,  but 
has  divided  it  among  his  children,  reserving  the 
old  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
valued  at  $60  per  acre.  Politically,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican; voted  for  General  Fremont;  was  for- 
merly a  Whig.  He  has  filled  a  number  of  town- 
ship offices;  was  supervisor  two  terms  and  school 
trustee  a  number  of  years;  and  other  local  oflices. 
Post  office,  Riverton.  Never  had  a  suit  in  court. 
Colonel  John  F.  hing  was  born  December 
12,  1831,  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois.  His 
parents  were  William  B.  and  Annie  R.  (Green- 
ing) King,  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  born 
in  Forquier  county  in  1779,  and  the  latter  at 
the  same  place,  1 785.  Mr.  K.  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  The  school  houses  at  that 
time  were  all  log  houses,  with  slabs  for  seats. 
The  windows  were  holes  cut  in  the  wall,  with 
planks  to  slide  back  and  forward.  He  resided 
with  his  parents  until  1857,  on  a  farm  in  Ger- 
man Prairie.  They  sold  their  farm  and  moved 
on  section  fifteen,  where  they  resided  until  their 
death.  Mr.  K.  then  followed  the  carpenter  and 
joiner's  trade,  from  1857  to  1860.  In  July,  1660, 
he  organized  and  was  Captain  of  a  company 
called  the  WideAwakes,  ninety  in  number.  In 
October  18,  1860,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  J.  Threlkeld,  of  Kentucky,  born  Jan- 
uary 5,  1838,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Melinda 
Threlkeld.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  nine 
children,  eight  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely: 
Elma  E.,  John  L.,  Jessie  V.,  Charles  W.,  Thomas 


^■J    JfcvW* 


^f^  ^   ;S?*^f 


,/^ 


I 


fi 


K 


{yi.^^^-€^c^^C^-^~ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


859 


M.,  Henry  O.,  Tillie  M.  and  William  B.  The 
deceased  was  Edgar,  died  April  3,  IS'ZS.  He 
enlisted  July  IS,  1862,  in  what  became  Com- 
pany I.,  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois 
Infantry.  He  recruited  the  company  and  was 
elected  Captain,  but  was  not  commisfiioned,  but 
when  the  regiment  was  organized  he  was  elected 
and  commissioned,  September  IS,  1862,  as  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel.  He  was  commissioned  August 
4,  1864,  as  Colonel,  but  never  mustered,  because 
the  regiment  was  then  reduced  to  a  minimum, 
and  was  not  entitled  to  a  Colonel.  He  took 
part  in  several  decisive  battles,  including  the 
lirst  tight  at  Jackson,  Mississippi,  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  siege  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  and  several 
other  engagements.  He  resigned  December  7, 
1864,  on  account  of  physical  disability.  On  his 
return  home  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Mechan- 
icsburg,  where  he  resided  about  six  months, 
when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  the  site  of  his 
present  home.  January  15,  1860,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  Assessor  of  the  Eighth  Dis- 
trict of  Illinois.  On  February  28,  1867,  was  ap- 
pointed Inspector  of  distilled  spirits  of  the 
Eighth  District.  November  22,  1869,  was  ap- 
pointed internal  revenue  store  keeper,  and  is 
now  store  keeper  and  gauger  of  distillery  num- 
ber eleven,  of  the  same  district.  He  has  held 
several  township  offices,  was  justice  of  the  peace 
four  years,  also  served  three  years  as  secretary 
of  the  Old  Settlers'  Society.  Mr.  K.  and  wife 
are  worthy  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  now  owns 
two  hundred  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  valued 
at  ^60  per  acre.     Post  office,  Riverton. 

Uriah  31ann,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bracken 
county,  Kentucky,  September  17,  1810.  His 
parents  were  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Gaterel) 
Mann,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Dutch-Irish 
ancestry.  He  emigrated  to  this  State  in  Octo- 
ber, 1831,  locating  in  Sangamon  county,  Spring- 
field township,  where  he  entered  eighty  acres  of 
land,  and  resided  there  about  eighteen  months, 
when  he  sold  his  farm  and  purchased  his  pres- 
ent home,  situated  on  section  seventeen.  His 
father  was  born  in  Virginia,  where  he  followed 
farming  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1833. 
Ilis  mother  was  born  in  1785,  in  the  same  State, 
where  her  death  also  occurred.  Mr.  M.  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  King,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1832;  she  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Annie  R.  King.  They  were  the  parents  of 
seven  children,  four  of  whom  are  now  living, 
viz:  Peter,  now  a  resident  of  Clear  Lake  town- 
ship; Sarah  A.,  now  Mrs.  George  Black;  Charles, 
now  farming  on  the  old  homestead,  and  Frances, 

100— 


now  Mrs.  Grubb.  Mrs.  M.  departed  this  life 
September  11,  1860.  Mr.  M.  married  for  his 
second  wife,  Miss  Ellen  Brumbarger,  August  5, 
1862;  she  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy 
A.  Brumbarger;  her  parents  died  when  .she  was 
two  years  of  age;  she  was  raised  by  her  uncle, 
Mr.  William  Chapman.  He  has  had  eleven 
children  by  his  second  wife,  of  whom  nine  are 
living,  viz:  Fannie,  Bettie,  Ethel,  Sonora,  Percie 
A ,  Richard  O.,  Adeline,  Celestia  and  Mary  L. 
When  he  commenced  life  in  this  State,  he  had 
the  sum  of  six  and  a  quarter  cents,  and  by  econ- 
omy and  hard  work  has  accumulated  consider- 
able property;  has  owned  at  one  time  six  hundred 
acres  of  land;  has  sold  all  but  two  hundred  and 
thirty-two  acres,  which  he  has  reserved  for  a 
homestead.  In  1832,  he  enlisted  in  the  Black 
Hawk  War,  under  General  Whiteside.  His  son, 
Thomas  IL,  enlisted  in  August,  1862,  for  three 
years,  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
at  the  battle  of  (4untown,  Mississippi,  June  10, 
1864;  was  ten  months  in  Andersonville  prison 
pen;  exchanged  about  the  close  of  the  rebellion, 
and  honorably  discharged,  June  14,  1865,  at 
Springfield,  and  died  at  home,  February  16, 
1867,  of  disease  contracted  in  the  rebel  prison. 
Politically,  Mr.  M.  is  a  Republican,  and  also  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church;  his  estimable 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church. 
Post  office,  Riverton. 

Geo.  H.  Miller  was  born  June  16,  1818,  in 
Logan  county,  Kentucky.  His  parents  were 
Geo.  and  Mary  (Owen)  Miller,  the  former  a 
native  of  Berkley  county,  Virginia,  and  the 
latter  of  Fayette  county,  Kentucky.  They  emi- 
grated to  this  county  in  the  year  1829,  and  set- 
tled on  section  nineteen,  in  this  township,  where 
they  lived  happily  together  some  eleven  years, 
when  their  happiness  was  severed  by  the  death 
of  Mr.  Miller.  Mrs.  Miller  lived  until  the  year 
1874,  when  she,  too,  was  called  to  her  final  rest- 
ing place.  They  both  died  in  the  Christian 
faith,  and  were  buried  in  the  German  Cemetery. 

Our  subject  was  eleven  years  old  when  his 
parents  came  to  this  county,  and  he  has  lived 
continuously  in  this  township  ever  since,  follow- 
ing the  avocation  of  a  farmer. 

He  was  married,  September  14,  1842,  to  Sarah 
A.  Wolf,  a  native  of  Allegheny  county,  Vir- 
ginia, and  born  May  3,  1827.  Her  parents  were 
Abram  and  Hannah  (Arritt)  Wolf,  who  came  to 
this  county  about  the  year  1836,  and  since  have 
died,  and  their  remains  were  interred  in  the 
German  Cemetery.  Our  subject's  family  con- 
sists,  at  present,  of  eight   children:    Mary  A., 


8(iO 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Geo.  H.,  Serrelda  E.,  Thos.  O.,  Ella  B.,  Lewis 
E.,  Arthur  E.,  and  Alice  I. 

Mr.  Miller's  farm  consists  of  three  hundred 
acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  Miller  has  held  several 
township  oftices,  the  duties  of  which  he  dis- 
charged to  the  satisfaction  of  all. 

Mrs.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order. 

Col.  George  B.  Michardson   was  born  Decem- 
ber 22,  1821,  in  Morestown,  Vermont,  is  the  son 
of  Eri  and  Abigal  (Bragg)   Richardson,  natives 
of  New  Hampshire;  his  father  followed  the  car- 
penter and    joiner's  trade    to   some    extent,  but 
farming   was  his  principal  occupation.     Mr.  R. 
was  educated  in  the  common  shools  and  received 
a  fair  education.     When  eight  j-ears  of  age  bis 
father  moved  to  Cornish,  New  Hampshire,  where 
he  remained  until  eighteen  years  of  age,  follow- 
ing farming  for  his  father  and  also  contracting 
and  building.      After  which    he  started  out   in 
life  for  himself,  going  to  Boston  and  hiring  out 
by  the   month  on  a  farm,  at  sixteen  dollars  per 
month  for  one  year,    then  rented  a  tarm  of  one 
hundred  acres,  of  David   Sears,    of  Boston,  and 
continued  to  raise  vegetables  on   his  own   hook, 
running  three  market  wagons  the  year  around, 
he  continued  this  business  about  two  years,  when 
the  farm  was  laid  out  in  town  lots,  and  is  now 
what   is   Brookline.      In    1847,   he   commenced 
working  by  the  day  on  what  was  called  the  Bos- 
ton and  Worcester  Railroad,  putting  in  switches 
and  laying  track,  etc.     In  the  spring  of  1848,  he 
went  on  the  old  Colony  road  following  the  same 
work,    in  1849  he  took  charge  of   the  work  as 
foreman,   laying  a  branch  of  the  Colony   road 
from  Neponset  to  Milton,  then  went  to  Bridge- 
water  and  took  charge  of  the  Bridgewater  branch, 
having  every  thing  in  his  charge,  acting  as  con- 
ductor and  superintendent  of  the  work,  followed 
the    business    between    two    and    three   years. 
About  1853,  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  then  came  to 
Springfield  and  engaged  in  railroad  work  under 
T.  J.  Carter,  on  what  was  then  called  the  Great 
Western    Railroad,    as    the    grading    was   not 
finished  he  was  engaged  in  completing  the  grad- 
ing, putting  in  the  ties  and  laying  the  rails,  also 
was    supply  agent.      Being    conductor    on    the 
construction  train,    and    as    that    train  carried 
the  first  freight  and  passengers,  he  carried  the 
first  over  what  is   now  called  the  Wabash,  St. 
Louis  &   Pacific   Railroad,   from    Springfield  to 
Danville.     In  the  fall  of    1857,  he  returned  to 
St.  Louis  and  engaged  in  the  land  business,  his 
office  was  located  at  seventy-one.  Market  street, 
in  the  meantime,  in  1858,  he  opened  a  wholesale 


general  grocery  and  liquor  store,  on  seventy-five, 
Market  street,  and  also  had  a  half  interest  with 
his  uncle.  Dr.  A.  G.  Bragg,  in  two  saw-mills  at 
Fort  Pillow,  Tennessee,  engaged  in  getting  out 
wood  for  steamers  on  the  Mississippi  and  sawing 
lumber  for  Memphis,  Vicksburg,  St.  Louis,  and 
other  principal  cities,  and  stays  to  ship  to 
New  Orleans  for  the  European  market,  he 
also  dealt  in  stock,  horses,  cattle  and  mules,  he 
followed  these  occupations  until  1862,  when  he 
went  to  Louisiana,  Missouri,  and  purchased  a 
general  store,  where  he  carried  on  business  until 
1865;  in  the  meantime  he  was  drafted  into  the 
army,  but  never  served  any  length  of  time,  as 
he  hired  a  substitute.  He  purchased  the  site  of 
his  present  home  in  1856,  then  one  dense  wil- 
derness, where  he  has  resided  since  1865.  He 
now  owns  five  hundred  and  fifty-seven  acres  of 
land  in  Clear  Lake  township,  valued  at  $40  per 
acre,  and  nine  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Mis- 
souri, also  four  dwelling  houses  in  the  town  of 
Riverton.  Politically  he  is  a  staunch  Republi- 
can.    Post  office,  Riverton. 

T'homas  llichardson  was  born  in  the  Parish 
of  Lochmaben,  Dumfrieshire,  Scotland,  July  12, 
1812.  His  parents  were  William  and  Elizabeth 
( Hannah)  Richardson.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  of  Scotland,  receiving  a  common 
school  education.  He  remained  at  home  until 
about  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  bound 
out  for  three  years  to  Sir  William  Jardine,  of 
Jardine  Hall,  to  learn  landscape  gardening;  fol- 
lowed that  business  until  1843.  On  February  3, 
1837,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jannet 
Wilson,  born  November  21,  1812,  they  are  the 
parents  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  are  living, 
William,  James  W.,  Jane  F.,  now  Mrs.  John 
Beaumont,  of  St.  Louis;  Elizabeth  A.,  now  Mrs. 
E.  Johnson,  of  Springfield;  Mary  H.,  now  Mrs. 
John  Norred,  of  Christian  county;  Thomas  B., 
John  D.,  and  John  R.  The  same  year  of  his 
marriage  he  emigrated  to  America,  (his  wife 
coming  the  next  year);  he  first  located  in  New 
Haven,  Connecticut,  working  for  Michael  Bald- 
win, of  York  Square,  as  a  gardener;  he  finished 
the  St.  John's  Conservatory,  working  there  five 
years.  He  then  went  to  New  York  city  and 
hired  out  to  Colonel  Thomas  Mathers,  now  a 
resident  of  Springfield.  Illinois,  for  two  years, 
laying  out  the  Colonel's  residence,  where  the 
StateHouse  now  stands.  In  1844,  he  purchased 
one  hundred  and  thirty-five  acres  of  land  where 
he  re.'ided  nineteen  years,  then  moved  to  the 
site  of  his  present  home.  He  Ijuiit  a  beautiful 
dwelling  in  1875,  and  has  since  laid  out  the 
front  grounds  in  mathematical  style.     He  com- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


861 


menced  life  in  America  with  one  sovereign,  and 
by  hard  work  and  economy  has  accumulated 
considerable  wealtli,  he  now  owns  seven  hundred 
and"  tifty-nine  acres  of  well  improved  land, 
valued  at  100  per  acre.  Mrs.  R.  is  a  worthy 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  His  son, 
James  W.,  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  serving  his  country  all 
during  the  war,  receiving  an  honorable  dis- 
charge. Politically  Mr.  R.  is  a  Democrat.  Post 
office,  Riverton. 

John  Wilson,  a  farmer  of  Clear  Lake  town- 
ship, is  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  at 
Dumfries,  February  1,  1821.  Hii  father  was 
James  Wilson,  and  his  mother  .Jane  (Frood) 
Wilson,  both  born  in  Scotland.  Dumfries,  the 
birthplace  of  John  Wilson,  will  be  remembered 
as  the  burial  place  of  Robert  Burns,  and  the  elder 
Wilson  was  one  of  the  number  who  attended  the 
funeral  of  the  great  Scotch  bard,  who  after  his 
death  became  famous,  as  one  of  the  world's 
greatest  poets.  They  had  a  family  of  six  daugh- 
ters and  two  sons,  all  born  in  Scotland;  emigrat- 
ing to  this  country  in  1844,  they  settled  in  Clear 
Lake  township,  where  he  bought  land.  Mr. 
Wilson  died  December  1,  1872,  in  Buffalo  Hait 
township,  and  Mrs.  Wilson's  death  occurred  Feb- 
ruary 3,  1801.  John  Wilson  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  country,  when  twenty-two  years 
of  age,  and  is  therefore  essentially  American, 
both  by  education  and  adoption.  He  was  raised 
on  a  farm,  received  a  good  education,  and  when 
quite  young  formed  a  co-partnership  with  his 
brother-in-law,  in  conducting  a  farm,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  fourth  year  severed  the  co-partner- 
ship, and  to  the  present  time  has  continued  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  On  January  30, 1851,  which 
he  well  remembers  as  being  a  very  cold  day,  Mr. 
Wilson  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary 
Cooper,  a  daughter  of  Merideth  Cooper  and 
Polly  (Witcher)  Cooper,  of  Williams  township, 
this  county,  who  were  early  pioneers,  and  came 
from  Tennessee  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  as 
early  as  1817,  where  Mrs.  Wilson  was  born  July 
28,  1822,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  in  1823.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson  are 
the  parents  of  three  children,  Annie,  now  Mrs. 
Edwin  H.  Agee;  James  M.  and  Thomas  W. 
James  M.  is  a  graduate  of  Cornell  I'niversity, 
and  at  present,  is  attending  Rush  Medical 
College,  Chicago.  Mr.  Wilson  has  held  several 
local  offices  of  crust,  as  supervisor  and  justice 
of  the  peace,  and  has  been  school  treasurer  for 
twenty-four  years;  has  always  acted  with  the 
Democratic  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.     Like  most  of  the  early   pio- 


neers of  a  new  country,  Mr.  Wilson  began  with 
almost  no  capital,  and  with  that  energy  and  in- 
tegrity so  characteristic  of  the  hardy  Scotch  race, 
from  which  he  sprung,  has  accumulated  a  tine 
estate,  on  which  himself  and  wife  live,  in  com- 
parative retirement,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their 
well  directed  efforts,  surrounded  by  a  cultured 
and  contented  family. 

John  O.  Woltz  was  born  June  5,  1818,  in 
Shepherdstown,  Jefferson  county,  Virginia,  .and 
is  the  son  of  John  B.  and  Leah  (Updegraff) 
Woltz,  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  German 
ancestry.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  town,  receiving  a  fair  edu- 
cation. When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  w.-s 
apprenticed  for  four  years  to  learn  the  carjien- 
ter's  trade,  and  followed  that  trade  more  or  less 
for  about  eight  years.  In  the  fall  of  1840,  he 
emigrated  to  this  State,  coming  on  a  stage  from 
Shepherdstown  to  Wheeling,  Virginia,  and  from 
there  by  boat  on  the  Ohio  river  to  St.  Louis, 
stopping  there  for  two  or  three  weeks,  then  on 
the  Illinois  river  to  Naples,  from  Naples  he  rode 
on  the  construction  train  (it  being  the  first  rail- 
road in  Illinois)  to  New  Berlin,  that  being  as  far 
as  the  iron  was  laid  at  that  time;  he  then  walked 
from  there  to  Springfield  on  the  rail,  the  distance 
being  sixteen  miles.  The  railroad  was  then 
built  with  what  was  then  called  mud  sills.  Laying 
lengthwise  of  the  road,  and  ties  laid  across,  about 
two  feet  apart.  The  rail  was  six  inches  high  and 
three  inches  thick,  made  of  wood,  with  a  strip  of 
iron  three  quarters  of  an  inch  thick,  laid  on  the 
top.  On  his  arrival  in  this  county  he  followed 
his  trade,  with  making  furniture,  about  two 
years.  Was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sidney 
R.  Halbert,  December  7,  1843,  daughter  of  Dr. 
James  and  Nancy  (Kennolds)  Ilalbert;  she  was 
born  February  .3,  1822,  in  Essex  county,  Virginia, 
They  are  the  parents  of  nine  children,  of  whom 
six  are  living,  viz:  Virginia  C,  now  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Summers;  Sarah  M.,  now  Mrs.  John  Riddle; 
Julia  E.,  John  C,  Maggie  H.,  and  Alice  I.  The 
deceased  are  George  A.,  James  P.  and  Andrew 
H.  Mr.  W.  purchased  eighty  acres  of  laud, 
the  site  of  his  present  residence,  but  did  not  re- 
side on  it;  he  resided  with  his  father-in-law  about 
eight  years,  improving  his  own  farm  in  the  mean- 
time. He  now  owns  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
five  acres  of  land,  well  cultivated,  and  valued  at 
S7.5  per  acre.  When  he  left  Springfield  he  had 
nothing;  but  by  economy  has  accumulated  con- 
siderable wealth.  He  helped  set  the  first  hedge 
fence  in  Sangamon  county.  Mr.  W.'-s  father. 
Dr.  Halbert,  was  a  Baptist  minister,  but  never 
preached  but  two  sermons  in  Illinois. 


863 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XXXIV. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  COOPER 


The  township  of  Cooper  was  so  named  in 
honor  of  the  Rev.  John  Cooper,  one  of  the 
early  settlers  and  most  prominent  men  of  the 
township.  It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  county,  and  is  bounded  on  the  east  by 
Wheatfield  township  and  Christian  county  ;  on 
the  west,  by  Rochester  and  Cotton  Hill  town- 
ships ;  north,  by  Mechauicsburg  township,  and 
south,  by  Christian  county. 


TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

This  township  is  quite  rolling,  but  is  pos- 
sessed, in  the  main,  of  excellent  soil.  The  tim- 
ber land  is  found  along  the  streams,  while  the 
remainder  is  beautiful  prairie. 

"WATBE    COURSES. 

The  township  is  watered  by  the  Sangamon 
river,  and  Buck  Hart  creek  and  their  tributa- 
ries. The  Sangamon  river  forms  the  southern 
boundary  for  three  miles,  separating  it  from 
Christian  county.  It  then  runs  through  the 
township,  entering  on  section  nine,  and  emerg- 
ing on  section  six.  Buck  Hart  creek  heads  in 
Christian  county,  and  enters  the  Sangamon 
river  on  section  seven,  in  Cooper  township. 

EAKLY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  in  what  now  constitutes 
Cooper  township,  was  in  1819.  Among  the  early 
settlers  were,  John  Cooper,  Jacob  Cooper,  Henry 
Giger,  Philip  Smith,  Hiram  Robbins,  Benjamin 
Giger.  John  North,  Stephen  Sowell,  Mr.  John- 
ston, William  Bragg,  Mr.  Litteral. 

John  Cooper  was  born  June  3,  1794,  in  South 
Carolina,  and  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Jeffer- 
son county,  Tennessee,  where  he  subsequently 
married  to  Susannah  Peyton,  who  died  after  giv- 
ing birth  to  one  child.     Mr.  Cooper  was  married 


the  second  time  to  Susannah  Giger.  They  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  April  2, 
1820,  in  what  is  now  Rochester  township,  and 
one  year  later  moving  to  Cooper  township,  south 
of  the  Sangamon  river.  Mr.  Cooper  was  a  local 
minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
preached  almost  as  regular  as  the  preachers  in 
the  traveling  connection.  He  solemnized  the 
marriage  of  many  couple  among  the  early  set- 
tlers. He  was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  one  of 
the  county  commissioners  for  many  years,  and 
when  the  townshifi  organization  was  effected  his 
name  was  given  to  the  township.  Mr.  Cooper 
died  January,  18(50,  his  wife  preceding  him  a 
few  months. 

Jacob  Cooper  was  born  December  18,  1800, 
in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee;  was  married 
there  to  Anna  Walden.  They  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  with  bis  brother.  Rev. 
John  Cooper,  in  1820.  Mrs.  Anna  Cooper  died 
February  22,  1830,  and  Jacob  Cooper  was  married 
to  Jane  Kelly,  daughter  of  William  Kelly,  of 
Springfield. 

Philip  Smith  was  born  about  1790,  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  North  Carolina.  He  was  mar- 
ried there  to  Nancy  Cooper.  They  had  seven 
children,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  1822,  in  what  is  now  Cooper 
township,  and  the  next  3"ear  moved  to  Williams 
township,  where  five  children  were  born. 

Hiram  Robbins  was  born  December  26,  1793, 
in  Buncombe  county,  North  Carolina.  His 
parents  moved  to  Overton  county,  Tennessee, 
thence  to  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  and 
from  there  to  Vincennes,  Indiana  territory.  At 
that  place  he  entered  the  army,  and  served  six 
months  in  the  War  of  1812  with  England.  The 
family,  after  the  war,  moved  back  to  Tennessee, 
and  from  there  to  Pope  county,  Illinois,  where 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


863 


the  father  died,  and  the  family  moved  to  Madi- 
son county.  Hiram  Robbing  was  there  married, 
December  29,  1816,  to  Elizabefi  Dean.  They 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  the 
summer  of  1821  within  one  mile  of  where  Bar- 
clay now  stands,  and  in  18'23  moved  to  what  is 
now  Cooper  township.  He  was  a  soldier  from 
this  county  in  the  IJlack  Hawk  war.  Mrs.  Eliza 
beth  Robliins  died  August  17,  1866,  and  Hiram 
Robbins  was  married  to  Mcrada  Gordon.  For 
a  third  wife,  he  married,  October  1,  1872,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  E.  White,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Strode.  They  reside  in  Cooper  township,  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois. 

Benjamin  Giger  was  born  July  25,  1803,  in 
JefEerson  county,  Tennessee.  He  came  to  San- 
gamon county  on  a  visit  in  1828,  returned  to 
Tennessee,  and  moved,  in  company  with  his 
widowed  mother  and  his  brother-in-law,  John 
North,  arriving  April  12,  1829,  in  what  is  now 
Cooper  township.  Benjamin  Giger  was  niarritd 
in  Sangamon  county,  November  18,  1832,  to 
Susannah  Todd,  who  was  born  Decembr20, 1808. 
Mr.  Giger  constructed  many  ingenius  and  use- 
ful implements.  He  would  often  study  for  days 
at  a  time,  sometimes  quitting  his  work  in  the 
daytime,  would  go  to  bed,  cover  up  head  and 
ears,  and  continue  in  the  deepest  study.  When 
a  plan  or  design  was  fully  matured,  he  would 
leave  his  work,  or  arise  from  bed,  as  the  case 
might  be,  and  write,  without  stopping  to  eat  or 
sleep,  until  his  thoughts  were  transferred  to 
paper.  He  invented  a  machine  for  heading 
grain  ;  also  some  plows  and  other  agricultural 
implements,  and  was  on  his  way  to  Washington 
with  his  models,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
patents.  He  was  taken  sick  on  board  a  steamer 
ascending  the  Ohio  river,  and  died  at  Browns- 
ville, Pennsylvania,  June  23,  1850.  His  widow 
died  November  28,  1858,  in  Sangamon  county. 

John  North  was  born  November  22,  1806, 
near  the  village  of  Bent  Creek,  on  James  river, 
Buckingham  county,  Virginia.  His  grandfather, 
Richard  North,  was  born  in  England,  and 
trained  to  the  business  of  a  cutler.  He  came  to 
America,  and  worked  at  his  business  at  Bent 
Creek.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Thornton, 
but  whether  they  were  married  in  England  or 
America  is  unknown  to  their  descendants. 
Their  third  son,  Peter,  born  in  Virginia,  was 
married  there  to  Elizabeth  Franklin,  a  daughter 
of  Robert  Franklin,  of  Campbell  county,  Vir- 
ginia. Peter  North  was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
with  England  in  1812.  In  1810  or '20,  he  moved 
to  Jefferson  county,  near  Dandridge,  Tennessee, 
taking  with  him  six  children.     The  second  son. 


John,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  was  there 
married,  September  22,  1828,  to  Anna  Giger, 
who  was  born  November  4,  1807,  in  that  county. 
They  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving 
April  12,  1829,  in  what  is  now  Cooper  township, 
north  of  Sangamon  river. 

Stephen  Lowell  was  born  February,  1785,  on 
the  river  Roanoke,  Charlotte  county,  Virginia. 
Jane  Hannah  was  born  September  12,  1795,  in 
that  county.  They  were  there  married  and  had 
three  children,  and  moved  to  Rutherford  county, 
Tennessee,  about  1817,  where  three  children 
were  born,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  April,  1828,  in  what  is  now 
Chatham  township,  thence  to  Cooper  township, 
and  from  there  to  Loami  township  in  1830.  He 
died  in  1863. 

RKLIGIO0S. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  the  town- 
ship were  at  the  house  of  Rev.  John  Cooper,  on 
the  northeast  quarter  of  section  twenty.  A  class 
was  formed  there  from  which  originated  the 
Buckhart  Methodist  Episcopal  Society.  Public 
services  were  held  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Cooper 
for  about  ten  years,  when  they  were  transferred 
to  the  house  of  Elias  Johnson,  on  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  eighteen,  where  they  were 
continued  till  a  school  house  was  built,  and 
there  held  a  number  of  years,  when  in  1853,  a 
church  edifice  was  erected,  thirty  by  forty,  of 
brick,  which  was  valued  at  11,500.  William 
Johnson  made  the  brick,  in  which  he  did  the 
greater  part  of  the  work  himself.  Mr.  Johnson 
was  a  local  preacher,  and  one  of  the  best  class 
leaders  the  church  ever  had.  He  died  in  Monti- 
cello,  in  1870.  Among  the  first  members  of  the 
class  were  John  Cooper  and  wife,  Nancy  Giger, 
Samuel  Powers  and  wife,  Elias  Johnson  and 
family.  The  present  membership  of  the  society 
is  about  fifty.  At  one  time  it  numbered  over 
one  hundred,  its  loss  being  occasioned  principally 
by  the  transfer  of  membership  to  other  and 
more  convenient  congregations. 

A  class  was  organized  from  the  Buck  Hart 
congregation  about  1856  or  1857,  known  as  the 
Nebo  class,  which  met  for  worship  in  a  school 
house  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  thirty-three.  When  the  villages 
of  Berry  and  Breckenridge  were  laid  out,  the  class 
divided  and  organized,  one  at  eacli  place,  erect- 
ing church  edifices  at  each,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$1,800  for  the  one  in  Berry,  and  $2,000  for  the 
one  in  Breckenridge.  These  churches  are  sup- 
plied with  preaching  services  from  the  Roches- 
t^r  circuit. 


8(J4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


A  society  of  United  Brethren  was  organized, 
and  a  church  built  on  the  southeast  quarter  of 
section  four,  about  1S56.  The  society  flourished 
for  some  years — until  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry 
were  formed,  and  several  of  the  members  uniting 
with  the  order,  caused  a  division  in  the  church, 
resulting  in  its  almost  entire  dissolution. 

PATRONS  OF  HUSBANDET. 

Cooper  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  was 
organized  March  31,  1874,  by  John  McConnell, 
Deputy,  with  the  following  named  as  charter 
members  and  officers:  Daniel  Waters,  Master; 
W.  R.  Ross,  Overseer;  Benjamin  A.  Giger,  Lec- 
turer; J.  M.  Cooper,  Chaplain;  George  Hicks, 
Steward;  S.  J.  Prather,  Assistant  Steward;  E. 
F.  Saunders,  Treasurer;  Squire  Campbell,  Gate 
Keeper;  W.  B.  Prather,  Secretary;  Mrs.  Harriet 
Waters,  Ceres;  Mrs.  Sarah  Hicks,  Pomona;  Miss 
Mary  Alice  Miller,  Flora;  Miss  Gittie  Prather, 
Assistant  Steward.  The  Grange  continued  in 
successful  operation  until  1876.  A  Grange  was 
also  organized  at  Berry  Station,  January  21, 
1874,  with  W.  J.  Cooper,  Master,  and  Alexander 
Lokin,  Secretary.  The  Grange  held  weekly 
meetings  until  1878,  when  they  met  but  once  or 
twice  only,  that  year;  since  which  time  it  has 
ceased  to  exist.  It  was  organized  by  Jno.  Mc- 
Connell. 

VILLAGE    OF    NEWPOET. 

Few  of  the  present  generation  know  there  was 
ever  a  village  laid  out  in  Cooper  township, 
bearing  the  high-sounding  name  of  Newport. 
In  the  spring  of  1838,  Rev.  John  Cooper  had 
surveyed  and  platted,  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  twenty,  township  fifteen, 
range  three.  The  platting  was  nearly  all  that 
was  done;  only  two  houses  were  put  upon  it.  A 
poor  man  by  the  name  of  Moses  Wood,  came 
along,  and  Mr.  Andrew  Crowl  bought  a  lot  and 
said  he  would  build  a  tabernacle  for  Moses,  and 
did  so.  Another  poor  man,  named  Parish, 
needed  a  parsonage,  and  a  kind  owner  of  another 
lot  put  up  a  house  for  him.  So  that  the  new  vil- 
lage embraced  a  whole  parish,  and  had  in  it  the 
parsonage  for  the  rector.  But  neither  continued 
a  long  time,  and  long  since,  all  vestiges  of  the 
anticipated  city  of  Newport  have  disappeared. 

OAK    HILL   CEMETERY. 

The  first  interments  made  in  what  is  now  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery,  were  before  the  land  was  in 
market  by  the  United  States  government;  the 
first  one  being  that  of  Mr.  A.  Giger,  son  of 
Henry  and  Nancy  Giger,  August  1,  1823.  Its 
location   is  about  the  center   of   the   township, 


and  the  section  line  between  section  twenty, 
and  twenty-one  passing  through  the  lot.  From 
the  year  1823  to  1876,  it  was  known  as  Cooper 
grave  yard,  and  about  the  time  of  the  former 
date,  Mr.  Cooper  entered  a  part  of  section  twenty 
and  by  tacit  consent  burials  continued  to  be  made 
till  about  the  latter  date,  the  then  inclosed  lot 
became  filled  with  graves,  when  the  people  of 
the  vicinity  conferred  together  and  agreed  to 
enlarge  the  lot  by  procuring  more  land,  and 
bought  one  acre  of  Robert  North,  who  then 
owned  the  contigious  portion  on  section  twenty- 
one,  which  was  soon  after  accomplished  by  the 
organization  of  what  is  now  known  as  Oak  Hill 
Cemetery  Association,  and  Mr.  North  deeded 
it  one  acre  for  the  purpose,  receiving  therefor 
the  sum  of  850.  The  part  previously  used  con- 
sisted of  one  acre,  one  half  of  which  was  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  North  and  the  other  by  the  heirs 
of  John  Cooper,  so  that  now  there  were  inclosed 
two  acres  and  placed  under  the  care  of  five  trus- 
tees, who  at  once  sold  a  number  of  lots  at  public 
auction  to  individuals  at  810  each,  the  fund  thus 
accruing  is  to  be  placed  at  interest,  as  a  source  of 
revenue  to  meet  necessary  expenses  in  maintain- 
ing the  organization  in  its  legitimate  outlays. 
The  first  trustees  were:  R.  A.  Hazlett,  Ben- 
jamin A.  Giger,  Edmund  Miller,  W.  B.  Prather 
and  Joseph  E.  Ross.  At  a  subsequent  election 
there  were  chosen  as  the  present  board  the  fol- 
lowing: Albert  North,  John  M.  Ross,  Samuel 
J.  Prather  Benjamin  A.  Giger  and  Daniel 
Waters.  Mr.  Waters  is  President  and  Mr.  Giger 
Secretary  of  the  Association,  and  Mr.  Prather 
Treasurer. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  this  township  was  taught 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Literal,  about  1828.  There  are 
now  three  whole  and  three  fractional  school  dis- 
tricts in  the  township,  with  six  school  houses, 
valued  at  $3,200. 

MILLS. 

Benjamin  Giger  built  a  saw  and  grist-mill  on 
the  Sangamon  river,  on  section  nine,  in  1830, 
which  was  run  by  him  and  others  twenty-two 
years,  doing  a  large  amount  of  grinding  meal 
and  flour,  and  sawing  timber  for  the  community 
around,  and  even  sent  flour  to  the  city  of  Spring- 
field. It  was  re-built,  and  subsequently  burned 
down,  when  the  property  passed  into  the  hands 
of  Daniel  Powers,  who  again  built  and  operated 
it. 

A  small  saw-mill  was  erected  some  years  later 
on  Buck  Hart  creek,  by  William  Johnson,  who 
run  it  a  few  years. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


865 


A  grist-mill  was  erected  some  years  later,  in 
Breekenridge,  in  1872  (a  steam  flouring  mill). 

TEMPERANCE. 

The  township  of  Cooper  is  emphatically  a  tem- 
perance town.  It  has  never  had  in  it  a  saloon. 
A  division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  or- 
ganized in  1858,  which  existed  about  four  years, 
until  so  many  of  the  members  enlisted  in  the 
army  that  regular  meetings  could  not  be  held. 

a"  Good  Templar  Lodge  was  organized  Febru- 
ary, 16,  ISSl,  with  the  following  named  charter 
members:  H.  Clay  McCune,  John  L.  Prather, 
William  Furrow,  Frank  Furrow,  Garrett  Don- 
ovan, Douglas  Giger,  George  Furrow,  Charles 
Waters,  Nancy  A.  Furrow,  Mary  Furrow,  Laura 
Furrow,  Margaret  McCune,  Douglas  Giger,  Ed- 
ward Furrow,  Anna  Waters,  Andrew  Miller, 
John  E.  Miller,  Ida  Waddle,  Alma  McCune, 
Noah  Ross,  Charles  Ross,  W.  F.  Ross,  Charles 
Schwartz,  Edward  Giger,  Ida  Cooper,  Emma 
Troxell,  Phoebe  Troxell,  John  Troxell,  John 
Hundorf  and  Frank  Cooper.  Its  first  officers 
were:  D.  <4iger,  W.  C.  T.;  Nancy  Furrow,  W. 
V.  T.;  Frank  Furrow,  W.  Chaplain;  H.  C. 
McCune,  \V.  S.;  Margaret  McCune,  W.  A. 
S.;  J.  L.  Prather,  W.  "F.  S.;  Laura  Furrow, 
W.  T.;  G.  Furrow,  W.  M.;  Anna  Waters, 
W.  D.  M.;  Garrett  Donovan,  T.  I.  G.;  Charles 
Waters,  W.  O.  G.;  M.  Furrow,  W.  R.  H.  S.; 
A.  McCune,  W.  L.  H.  S.;  William  Furrow,  P. 
W.  C.  T. 

The  Lodge  was  given  the  name  of  Buck  Hart 
Lodge,  No.  295,  I.  O.  G.  T.  It  is  now  in  quite 
a  flourishing  condition,  with  regular  weekly 
meetings  in  the  Buck  Hart  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

About  eight  years  prior  to  the  organization  of 
this  Lodge,  another  Lodge  was  organized  here 
known  as  4:36,  which  continued  in  active  exis- 
tance  about  three  years,  when  it  forfeited  its 
Charter. 

OKGANIC. 

The  township  of  Cooper  was  organized  as  a 
political  division  of  the  county,  by  the  Board  of 
Justices,  in  the  spring  of  1861,  its  first  election 
being  held  in  April,  of  that  year.  From  1801  to 
1881,  are  given  the  principal  officers  elected: 

SUPERATtSORS. 

Isaac  T.  Daniull 1861-6L' 

Benjamin  II.  North 1863 

Joseph  Mooncy 1864 

JohnR.  Able 1865-07 

Ration  Boyd 1868 

Isaac  T.  D'arnall 186'J 

Daniel  Waters 1870-73 

Joseph  E .   Ross 1871 


John  W.  North 1873 

William  R.Ross 1874 

John  A.  Barbre 1875 

Joseph  E .  Ross 1876 

William  Goodrnm 1877 

Daniel  Waters 1878-80 

John  W.  Wigginton 1881 

CLEKKS. 

W.  R.  G.  Humphrey 1861 

William  R.  RosB  1862-68 

Daniel  Waters ^186!) 

Benjamin  A.  Giger 1870-71 

Joseph  H.  Johnson —1   ^3 

Benjamin  A.  Giger 1873-74 

H.  C.  McCune 1875-81 

ASSESSORS. 

P.  A.  Money 1861 

A.J.  Ross 1862-64 

Benjamin  A.  Giger 1865 

A.  J.  Ross 1866-68 

Lewis  W.  Cooper 1869 

A.  J.  Ross ...1870-74 

John  W.  Wigginton 1875-78 

A.  RoDinson 1879-80 

Andrew  J.  Ross  1881 

COLLECTORS. 

.John  S.  Cooper 1861^ 

A.  J.  Ross 1865 

John  S.  Cooper 1866 

Wm.  11.  Welch 1867 

Wm.  Goodrum 1868-73 

.John  W  Wigginton 1873-74 

Jacob   Mooney 1875-76 

A.  Robinson 1877-78 

John  W.  Wigginton 1879 

Andiew  J.  Ross ....1880 

George  R.  Ross 1881 

JUSTICES  OP   THE   PEACE. 

William  R.  Ross 1861 

M.  Martin 1861 

William  R.  Ross. 1865 

Alfred  Lewis 1865 

Benjamin  A.  Giger , 1869 

R.  E.  Berry 1869 

Benjamin  A.  Giger 1873 

R.  E.  Berry 1873 

L.  J.   Burcham 1877 

R.  E.  Berry 1877 

Benjamin  A.  Giger 1881 

Charles  Stafford 1881 

CONSTABLES. 

William  Tavern erer 1861 

D.  C.  .Jones 1861 

A.  J.  Ross 1865 

W.  H.  Welch 1865 

A.  J.  Ross 1869 

A.  Robinson 1869 

A.  J.  Ross 1873 

John  Wigginton 1873 

A.  J.  Ross 1877 

V.  H.  Plummer 1877 

A.  J.  Ross 1881 

AV.  T.  McJntire _.  .1881 

VILLAGE  OF  BERRY,   OR  CLARKSVILLE. 

The  village  of  Berry  was  laid  out  and  recorded 
under  the   name   of  Clarksville,  May,  1871,  by 


860 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Robert  E.  Berry,  and  is  located  upon  a  portion 
of  sections  thirty  and  tliirty-one,  township 
fifteen,  range  three.  It  is  upon  the  line  of  the 
Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad,  and  twelve  miles 
from  Springfield. 

On  the  establishment  of  the  post  oflSce,  there 
being  one  Clarksville  post  oflice  in  the  State, 
another  name  had  to  be  taken.  It  was  therefore 
called  Berry,  in  honor  of  the  proprietor  of  the 
place.  In  due  time,  the  village  began  to  be 
known  and  called  by  the  same  name. 

Horace  Stafford  started  a  store  here  in  the 
summer  of  1871,  the  first  in  the  place.  He  sub- 
sequently sold  to  E.  E.  Berry,  who,  in  time, 
disposed  of  it  to  Batty  &  Hammer,  the  present 
proprietors.  The  village  has  now  two  stores 
,  carrying  stocks  of  general  merchandise,  the 
second  being  owned  by  Charles  Stafi^ord,  who 
commenced  business  in  July,  1881.  Mr.  Stafford 
has  also  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop,  but  has 
associated  with  him  in  the  former,  John  T. 
Evans. 

The  first  building  erected  in  the  place  was  for 
a  store. 

The  first  agent  of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi 
railroad  was  R.  E.  Berry.  The  present  agent 
is  John  T.  Evans. 

The  post  oftiee  was  established  in  1871,  with. 
B.  A.  Auxier  as  postmaster.  Dr.  A.  F.  Ham- 
mer is  the   present  postmaster. 

In  the  village  there  are  some  ten  or  twelve 
dwelling  houses,  a  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
building,  and  a  good  frame  school  house.  » 

VIULAGE  or  BEECKEXRIDGE. 

This  village  was  so  named  in  honor  of  Hon. 
Preston  Breckenridge,  its  village  plat  being  re- 
corded in  May,  1870,  being  described  as  the 
"north  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
five,  township  fourteen,  range  three."  John  W. 
Wigginton  was  the  original  proprietor. 

The  first  house  was  built  by  C.  C.  Brecken- 
ridge, and  occupied  first  by  Friend  &  Seligman, 
as  a  general  store.  It  is  now,  in  1881,  occupied 
by  Dr.  H.  G.  Wheeler,  as  a  drug  and  grocery 
store. 

A  post  office  was  established  here  shortly 
after  the  village  was  laid  out,  Alexander  Breck- 
enridge being  the  first  postmaster.  W.  T. 
Cooper  is  the  present  one. 

The  first  agent  of  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi 
railroad,  at  this  point,  was  R.  Boyd,  and  the 
present  agent  is  H.  C.  Moyer. 

In  1872,  H.  Breckenridge  erected  a  flour-mill 
in  the  village,  and  in  1876,  in  connection  built 
an  elevator  large  enongh  for  the  storage  of  four 
thousand  bushels  of   grain.     Both  the  elevator 


and  mill  are  owned  and  run  by  T.  J.  McWain. 
There  is  also  in  the  village  a  small  mill  for 
grinding  corn  alone. 

In  the  village  there  is  a  Methodist  church, 
erected  in  1872,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  an  account 
of  which  is  given  on  a  preceding  page. 

Breckenridge  is  quite  a  shipping  point  for 
grain  and  stock.  There  were  from  the  harvest 
of  1880  to  July  1  1881,  shipped  seventy-five 
thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-three  bushels 
of  grain. 

William  G.  Sroirn  was  born  in  Jefferson 
county,  Illinois.  Son  of  James  li.  and  Hannah 
D.  Brown,  who  are  now  living  in  Colciado.  He 
was  married  to  Maria  A.  Lewis,  August  17,  1876, 
in  Taylorville,  Christian  county,  Illinois,  the 
daughter  of  Alfred  and  Eliza  Jane  (Obeli) 
Lewis,  of  the  same  place,  but  formerly  of  Cooper 
township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  two  chil 
dren,  Alfred  L.  and  Esther  Eliza.  He  lives  on 
Mr.  Lewis'  farm,  and  superintends  four  hundred 
and  twenty  four  acres,  where  the  old  homestead 
stands,  section  six  of  this  township.  He  former- 
ly edited  a  newspaper  at  Taylorville,  Illinois, 
but  sold  out  his  whole  interest,  and  now  gives 
his  whole  attention  to  farming. 

His  father  served  through  the  Mexican  War 
under  General  Taylor.  Mr.  Brown  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
in  politics  they  are  Democrats.  From  1869  to 
1880,  he  was  an  earnest  and  efficient  school 
teacher  in  this  State. 

Levi  J.  Burchwrn  was  born  August  9,  1830,  in 
West  Virginia,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county 
in  1839,  thence  to  Plattsburg,  Clinton  county, 
Missouri,  in  1851,  where  he  lived  eight  years; 
thence,  in  1858,  to  Grayson  county,  Texas,  a  short 
time;  thence  to  Nodaway  county,  Missouri,  four 
years,  till  1863;  returned  to  Sangamon  and  set- 
tled on  section  five.  Cooper  township.  Here  he 
married  Lydia  McCorkle,  born  in  Clay  county, 
Missouri,  May  25,  1836.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren: Charles,  born  March  31,  1856;  Mamie 
Emma  Lord  and  Nannie  Z.,  born  in  Kansas, 
May  4,  1862.  All  live  in  this  township,  Nan- 
nie, with  her  parents.  Mr.  Burchani  and  family 
came  from  Missouri  as  refugees,  having  been 
financially  ruined  by  the  Rebellion.  His  par- 
ents, Reuben  and  Nancy  (Wheeler)  Burcham, 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1849.  Of  their 
nine  children,  six  are  living  in  Sangamon  coun- 
ty. Mrs.  Burcham's  parents,  Archibald  and 
Zerilda  (Short)  McCorkle  had  nine  children. 
Reuben  Burcham  died  April  9,  1879. 

Leu-is  TT'.  Cooper,  was  born  in  Cooper  town- 
ship,  August  5,  1822;  the  son  of  John  and  Su- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


867 


sannah  Giger)  Cooper,  who  came  to  Sangamon 
county  from  Jeiferson  county,  Tennessee,  on 
April  2,  1820,  and  settled  near  Kochester,  and  in 
1821,  came  to  what  is  now  Cooper  township. 

Lewis  VV.  died  July  19,  1872;  his  widow  lives 
at  Breckeuridge,  with  her  son.  She  left  Tennes- 
see at  the  age  of  seven  years,  and  ten  years  later 
came  to  this  county,  and  was  married  to  Mr. 
Lewis,  October  12,  1840.  He  had  spent  most  of 
his  life  in  farming,  but  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
was  a  merchant  in  Breckenridge.  They  had  two 
sons  and  two  daughters,  Mary  A.,  married  Peter 
Danitz,  and  they  live  in  Lynn  county,  Kansas; 
Jno.  D.,  died  in  1870;  Henrietta,  married  S.  L. 
Neer,  and  lives  in  Breckenridge;  W.  T.  Cooper, 
continues  the  business  commenced  in  Brecken- 
ridge by  his  father,  and  resides  there,  and  also 
buys  and  ships  large  quantities  of  grain.  He  is 
a  man  of  business  capacity  and  energy,  and  has 
the  confidence  of  all  who  deal  with  him.  They 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Mary  Ann  CVowl,  widow  of  Joseph  Crowl, 
was  born  February  22,  1804,  in  Kent  county, 
Maryland.  She  married  Mr.  Crowl  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Maryland,  January  1,  1818.  He  was 
born  September  3,  1794,  in  Sbepherdstown,  Vir- 
ginia, and  died  in  this  township,  September  8, 
1865.  They  came  to  Springfield,  this  county,  in 
the  fall  of  1834,  and  the  next  spring  to  what  is 
now  Cooper  township. 

Mordecai,  theeldestson  was  born  in  Maryland, 
July  20, 1820,  and  married  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
in  December  1869,  to  Catharine  E.  Crowl,  of 
Berkley  county,  Virginia,  and  now  lives  in  Clarks- 
ville,  this  township.  He  is  a  capitalist,  stock 
dealer,  and  farmer,  and  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful men  of  Sangamon  county.  His  brother,  Up- 
ton Crowl,  was  born  February  7,  1822,  in  Mary- 
land, anddied  attheold  homestead,  this  township, 
March  8,  1872.  His  widow,  Sarah  E.,  daughter 
of  James  and  Jane  Taggart,  was  born  in  Shelby- 
ville,  Kentucky,  in  1834,  and  came  to  Greene 
county,  Illinois,  in  1835,  and  married  Mr.  Crowl 
in  1850.  She  makes  her  home  with  her  only 
daughter,  Mary  J.,  who  was  born  April  22,  1858, 
and  her  son-in-law,  Eugene  W.  Renshaw,  who 
was  born  in  Decatur,  Illinois,  June  25,  1  851,  and 
married  Februury  10,  1874;  they  have  three 
children.  Upton  Crowl,  served  in  the  Mexican 
war,  and  hi.s  father,  Joseph  Crowl,  served  in  the 
War  of  1812.  Mrs  Crowl  has  been  a  member  of 
the  M.  K.  Church  more  than  sixty  years,  and  Mr. 
Crowl  was  a  patron  of  the  same,  and  contributed 
liberally  to  charitable  institutions. 

Menjamin  A.  Giger,  one  of  the  old  residents 
of  Cooper  township,  lives  on  section  seventeen, 
101— 


where  he  was  born,  January  8,  1827.  His  father, 
Henry  Giger,  was  born  May  14,  1799,  and  died 
November  22,  1844,  and  Nancy  (Todd)  Giger, 
Benjamin's  mother,  was  born  May  7,  1798,  and 
now  lives  with  her  daughter,  Ann  Gore,  in  Me- 
chanicsburg,  this  county.  Nancy  Giger  married 
Mr.  Giger  in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee.  They 
left  there  February  14,  1820,  and  reached  this 
county  on  April  2,  same  year,  locating  a  few 
miles  north  of  Rochester,  and  soon  moved  to 
Cooper  township,  and  were  the  first  to  settle  on 
Sand  Prairie.  They  had  eight  children,  four  of 
whom  are  dead.  Those  yet  living  are,  Anna, 
now  Mrs.  Gore,  born  April  4,  1821,  and  lives 
with  her  husband  at  Mechanicsburg  ;  Alexander 
T.,  born  June  23,  1824,  settled  in  Jewell  county, 
Kansas;  Martha  D.  Eyman,  born  January  30, 
1831,  lives  in  Macon  county,  Illinois.  Mr. 
Giger's  grandmother,  Anna  Giger,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  November  19,  1765,  and  came 
to  this  county  with  his  uncle,  Benjamin  Giger, 
and  died  October  12,  1837.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  married  Mary  A.  V.  Kirk,  November  30, 
184  8.  She  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky, 
April  15,  1820,  and  died  May  10,1853.  They 
had  two  children,  who  died  in  infancy.  He 
again  married,  October  26,  1853,  to  Margaret  J. 
Kirk,  a  sister  of  his  former  wife,  born  October 
6,  1825,  and  died  May  19,  1869  ;  by  whom  three 
children  were  born — Ida  Luella  (now  dead), 
William  Edward,  born  September  7,  1857,  and 
Henry  Douglas,  born  September  18,  1861.  The 
last  two  named  live  with  their  father.  Mr.  Giger, 
was  again  married,  March  1,  1870,  to  Mary  Ellen 
Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois, 
May  14,  1845,  but  spent  a  large  part  of  her  life 
in  Arkansas.  By  this  marriage  one  child — 
Nola  B. — was  born,  but  died  in  infancj'.  Mr. 
Giger  inherited  land  from  his  father,  which  was 
entered  by  him,  August  1,  1826,  the  patents  of 
which  were  written  upon  parchment  and  signed 
by  John  Quincy  Adams,  then  President  of  the 
United  Stales.  The  land  is  still  owned  by 
Mr.  G. 

Hehas  been  a  prominent  and  influential  actor 
in  the  local  affairs  of  the  township  government, 
and  has  been  honored  in  the  appointment  to 
most  of  the  offices  therein.  He  is  now  serving 
in  his  third  term  as  justice  of  the  pecce  ;  and 
was  personally  conspicuous  in  forming  the  Oak 
Hill  Cemetery  Association,  of  which  a  full  report 
will  be  found  in  the  history  of  the  township.  All 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  he  has 
been  so  since  1841,  and  has  held  offices  in 
the  church  the  last  twenty  years.  All  are  Dem- 
ocrats. 


868 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Dr.  A.  l'\  Hammer  was  born  and  raised  in 
Taylorville,  Christian  county,  Illinois,  and  came 
into  Sangamon  county,  June  20,  1877,  son  of  A. 
W.  and  Rebecca  A.  (Langly)  Hammer,  and 
married  Alice  Dickerson,  formerly  the  widow  of 
Jno.  W.  Allen,  and  was  born  and  raised  in  this 
county.  Her  parents  were  natives  of  Kentucky. 
Dr.  H.  has  one  child.  Pearl.  He  is  practicing 
medicine  as  a  homojopathist,  at  Clarksville,  post 
office,  Berry,  and  at  jsresent  is  post  master  in  the 
village,  and  also  one  in  the  firm  of  Batty  & 
Hammer,  general  dealers  in  merchandise.  He 
has  a  large  and  lucrative  practice  and  is  an  en- 
terprising and  popular  citizen. 

Sarah  A.  Jlicks  was  born  November  5,  1827, 
in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  and  now  the 
widow  of  Charles  J.  Hicks,  who  was  born  Sep- 
tember 24,  1824,  and  died  November  6,  1858. 
Mrs.  Hicks  moved  to  Ohio,  with  her  parents,  in 
1835,  and  thence  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall 
of  1851.  She  owns  two  hundred  and  ten  acres 
of  land,  one  hundred  and  seventy  under  cultiva- 
tion, and  conducts  the  management  of  the  same 
as  a  farmer. 

James  Lamun  was  born  December  12,1802,  in 
Ross  county,  Ohio,  near  Chillicothe,  and  is  one 
of  the  oldest  men  in  Cooper  township.  He  mar- 
ried Ann  McCafferty,  May  25,  1822,  in  Ohio, 
where  she  died.  They  had  three  children.  Mr. 
Lamun  never  married  again ;  has  been  a  widower 
over  fifty  years.  He  came  to  Springfield  in 
1839.  His  son,  John  Lamun,  was  born  July  2, 
1823,  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1843;  he  remained  in  San- 
gamon until  August,  1847;  he  returned  to  Ohio 
and  remained  there  until  October,  1S55,  when, 
in  company  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  came 
to  this  county  by  the  28th  of  the  same  month 
and  settled  here.  He  was  married  to  Nancy 
Ann  Carson,  of  Allen  county,  Ohio,  August  19, 
1852;  she  here  died  May  21,  1867.  His  children 
who  came  West  with  him,  were:  Emery  P., 
born  July  18,  1853,  and  Leslie  G.,  born  October 
20,  1854.  They  are  married  and  farming  in  this 
township.  The  children  born  here,  are:  Zodith 
A.,  born  March  8,  1857;  Anna  B.,  born  Novem- 
ber 12,  1861;  Mary  E.,  born  July  29,  1864; 
James  E.,  born  July  6,  1859,  and  John  F., 
born  June  28,  1867  (died  in  a  few  days 
after).  Mr.  John  L.  married  his  second  wife, 
Mary  Ann  Hammel,  in  this  county,  August  6, 
1869.  She  was  born  October'8, 1824,  in  Fairfield 
county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  county  the  fall 
of  1854.  She  was  the  widow  Of  Samuel  Ham- 
mel and  had  six  children.  In  1865,  Mr.  L.  settled 
on  forty  acres  of  timber  land  and  has  added  on 


until  he  has  nnw  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of» 
fine  farming  land.  In  the  fa'l  of  1856,  his  father 
gave  him  forty  acres  of  prairie  land  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile  north  of  what  he  now  owns.  He 
remained  there  until  1864  or  '65,  and  then  settled 
on  the  land  he  now  owns — one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  choice  land — all  in  timber  when 
he  took  it,  and  it  is  now  nearly  all  cleared,  and 
worth  about  $50  per  acre.  His  politics  are  neu- 
tral, and  she  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
James  E.  and  Mary  E.  are  at  home. 

Jacob  C.  Miller  was  born  April  9,  1824,  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia,  and  married  Mary 
Charlotte  Prather,  in  this  county,  June  10, 1869. 
She  was  born  January  4,  1843,  in  Washington 
county,  Maryland.  Mr.  Miller  is  the  son  of 
Christian  and  Sarah  (Neer)  Miller,  who  were 
born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia;  and  he  came 
with  them  to  Sangamon  county,  January  20,  1835. 
Her  parents.  Perry  and  Elizabeth  (Troxell) 
Prather,  were  natives  of  Washington  county, 
Maryland,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county,  June 
1,  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mitler  have  four  child- 
ren, Samuel  J.,  Don  W.,  and  Edith  E.,  and  Lotta 
Mabel  le,  born  September  13,  1881.  He  entered 
two  thousand  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
land  when  he  came  to  this  county,  of  which 
Jacob  C.  inherited  four  hundred  and  twenty,  and 
has  added  by  purchase,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
eight.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.     In  politics,  they  are  Liberal. 

James  W.  H.  Neer,  a  farmer,  living  in  section 
thirty-three,  in  Cooper  towni-hip;  son  of  Henry 
and  Lydia  (Derry)  Neer,  who  came  from  Loudon 
county,  Virginia.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  E. 
Zimmerman,  daughter  of  David  and  Matilda 
Zimmerman.  They  have  three  children,  Isaac 
11.,  born  May  24,  1867;  Freddie  Artrmr,  born 
July  29,  1872;  and  Ira  Eltoii,  born  December  28, 
1875.  Mr.  Neer  was  at  one  time  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  at  Breckenridge.  His  parents 
and  brothers  live  in  this  county.  Both  parents 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  are,  in  politics.  Republican. 

Robert  North  was  born  October,  1814,  in 
Buckingham  county,  Virginia,  and  taken  by  his 
parents  to  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  when  he 
was  a  boy.  Lie  came  to  Sangamon  county  with 
his  lirother,  John  North,  who  had  been  back  to 
Tennessee.  They  arrived  in  September,  1832, 
in  what  is  now  Cooper  township.  li»bert  North 
was  married  in  Sangamon  county,  March  29, 
1838,  to  America  Schmick.  She  was  born  Feb- 
runry  10,  1816,  in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky, 
and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  company  with 
her  mother,  brother-in-law — John  Clemons,  one 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


869 


brother,  two  sisters  and  two  nephews,  arriving  in 
the  fall  of  1829,  and  settled  three  miles  south  of 
Springfield.  Robert  North  and  wife  liad  six 
living  children  in  Sangamon  county,  all  of  wliicih 
are  married  and  reside  in  the  county.  His  first 
farming  in  the  county  was  on  Magor  Elijah  lies' 
farm,  south  of  Springfield  on  which  he  continued 
si.x  years.  In  the  meantime  he  purchased  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Cooper 
township,  which  he  moved  on  to  in  1844,  and  on 
which  place  he  continued  to  live  up  to  his 
death,  September  24,  1880.  His  first  start  in  the 
farming  and  house-keeping  was  on  a  small  scale, 
but  by  hard  work  and  close  economy  he  accumal- 
ated  thirty-five  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which  was  in  Sangamon  county.  After  his 
death  occurred  his  property  was  appraised  at 
1185.000,  leaving  to  each  of  his  children  $30,000. 
His  wife  still  resides  on  the  homestead  with 
her  daughter.. 

John  JSTorth'Ka.ti  horn  November  22,  180G,  in 
Buckingham  county,  Virginia,  and  came  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  April  12,  1829,  where  he 
died  December  15,  1880.  He  was  married  to 
Anna  Giger,  September  22,  1828,  who  was  born 
in  Jefferson  county,  Tennessee,  November  4, 
1807,  and  died  February  24,  1844.  Their  four 
children  were:  Benjamin  H.,  born  November 
19,  1832,  and  married  November  15,  1855,  to 
Minerva  A.  Miller,  born  May  18, 1836,  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia;  Nancy  N.,  born  January  26, 
1835,  married  to  Sarah  E.  Prather,  November 
13,  1856;  John  W.,  born  November  9,  1837, 
married  to  Maria  McDaniel,  March  8,  1866,"  and 
entered  the  Union  army,  August  Y,  1862,  in 
Company  A.,  Seventy-third  Regiment  Illinois 
Infantry  Volunteers,  for  three  years.  Was 
captured  at  Chicamauga,  and  was  confined  in 
Libby  and  Andersonville  prisons,  in  turn,  from 
March  20,  1864,  to  December,  1864;  Andrew  J., 
born  March  18,  1841,  and  died  April  20,  1857. 
All  live  in  this  State,  except  B.  H.,  who  is  in 
Kansas.  Mrs.  Anna  North  died  February,  1844, 
and  Mr.  North  married  again  Sejitember 
19,  1844,  to  Susannah  Eckels,  who  also  died 
July  1,  1855,  and  on  February  19,  1856,  he 
married  a  third  time  to  Mrs.  Peraelia  Woodruff', 
widow  of  Erastus  Woodruff.  She  was  born  in 
Spencer  county,  Kentucky,  May  16,  1824,  and 
was  first  married  to  Mr.  Benjamin  West,  an  ex- 
lawyer  and  member  of  the  Illinois  Legislature 
in  1846-7,  who  died  of  consumption  at  Roches- 
ter, June  21,  1847.  Two  of  her  children  met 
with  violent  deaths — her  daughter, Fanny  West, 
who  was  choked  to  death  by  her  artificial  teeth 
getting  into  her  throat  while  asleep,  and  her  son, 


Benjamin   West,  was  drowned  off  the  coast  of 
the  Phillipian  Islands,  on  Christmas,  1863. 

Mrs.  North  was  the  daughter  of  Francis  Tay- 
lor, of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  in  1834.  Her  eldest  daughter,  Mrs. 
Rice,  lives  in  Massachusetts,  and  another,  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Wilson,  resides  in  lUiopolis  township. 
By  her  third  marriage,  with  Mr.  North,  she  had 
four  children:  Peter  V.,  died  in  infancy; 
Robert  F.,  born  March  31,  1859,  lives  on  the 
old  homestead,  and  has  full  charge  of  the  estate, 
and  evidently  is  a  success  in  life;  Edward  E  , 
born  January  14,  1861;  and  Pemelia  A.,  born 
January  24,  1864.  The  last  two  are  living  with 
their  mother  on  the  home  place. 

Mr.  John  North  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  this  county,  and  in  early  d.ays  labored  hard 
to  buy  land,  mauling  rails  for  his  neighbors  and 
otherwise,  before  old  age  came  upon  him,  and 
then  farmed  the  whole  of  his  large  farm  of  one 
thousand,  seven  hundred  acres.  He  is  one  of 
the  stoutest  men  in  the  community.  In  politics, 
Mr.  North  was  always  a  Democrat.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  Mr.  and  Mrs.  North  have  been  Ad- 
venlists,  and  he  resided  on  the  same  tract  of 
land  to  the  day  of  his  death,  for  more  than 
fifty  years,  being  widely  and  favorably  known. 

ElizahetJt,  Prather,  widow  of  Perry,  daughter 
of  Abraham  and  Sarah  (Rout)  Troxell,  all 
natives  of  Washington  county,  Maryland.  She 
was  born  October  29,  1813.  Her  husband,  Perry 
Prather,  was  born  April  2,  1 798,  and  died  No- 
vember 2,  1858.  They  were  married  August  1, 
1830,  and  had  twelve  children,  six  sons  and  six 
daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Abraham 
P.,  Wm.  D.,  and  Isaac  R.  live  in  Arizona,  near 
Prescott.  The  other  sons — Washington  B.,  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war,  married  Marietta  Kline, 
and  lives  in  Cantrall,  this  county;  Samuel  James 
married  Mary  Alice  Miller,  and  has  one  child, 
Chas.  Marshal,  born  February  3,  1879,  and  live 
on  the  old  homestead;  and  John  L.  lives  at 
home,  also  single.  Of  the  daughters,  Sarah  E. 
married  Harry  II.  North,  and  lives  in  Christian 
county;  Ruth  A.  married  Mr.  Sadler,  and 
lives  in  Taylorville,  Christian  county;  Mary  C. 
married  Jacob  A.  Miller;  Gretna  married  John 
F.  Loe;  and  Rachel  T.  lives  at  home  with  her 
mother;  Jemima  J.  married  Wm.  Troxell,  and 
lives  in  Norton  county,  Kansas. 

Mrs.  Prather's  parents  were  of  German  de- 
scent, and  Mr.  Prather  was  of  an  old  Maryland 
family,  and  English  by  descent. 

The  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  are  Republi- 
cans. 


870 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Joseph  E.  Ross  was  born  October  13,  1823,  in 
Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1841.  His  father,  John  Ross,  married 
Rachel  E.  Wallace  in  Ohio,  who  died  there. 
He  then  married  Catharine  (Keyser),  then  widow 
McCurdy,  and  then  came  to  this  county,  where 
they  both  died. 

Joseph  E.  mariied  Mary  J.  Fairchild,  March 
24,  1852,  in  this  county.  She  was  born  in  Essex 
county,  New  York,  May  27,  1827,  the  daughter 
of  Moses  and  Ada  Fairchild,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1832,  near  to  Rochester.  They  have 
had  four  children,  John  Henry,  born  August  19, 
1853,  and  married  Annie  Troxell,  February  22, 
1876,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Susan  (Fiery)  Trox- 
ell. Mrs.  Ross  was  born  February  2,  1849,  and 
has  three  children,  Wilbur,  Mary  and  Homer; 
and  lives  section  twenty-eight,  Cooper  township. 
The  otlier  son,  Charles  Oscar,  born  October  27, 
1862,  is  with  his  parents.  They  have  four 
hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  land,  mostly 
under  cultivation. 

H.  B.  Jios.1,  a  farmer,  in  section  eighteen. 
Cooper  township,  was  born  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  August  7,  1844,  and  came  to  this  county 
March  15,  1855;  the  son  of  John  Ross,  born  in 
Mason  county,  Kentucky.  December  7,  1793,  and 
died  March  9,  1877,  and  Catharine  Ross,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia,  June  1,  1802,  and  died 
April  19,  1870.  '  H.  B.  married  Mary  E.  John- 
Boii,  September  23,  1868,  and  they  have  six 
children,  all  now  under  twelve  years  of  age,  viz: 
Carrie  B.,  John  E.,  Winn  J.,  Daisy  P.,  Origin 
C,  and  Orville  E. — the  last  two  are  twins.  Mrs. 
Ross  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  August  29, 
1848.  Her  parents,  Zachariahand  Delilah  John- 
sou,  are  dead.  Mr.  Ross  owns  three  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  good  land,  mostly  under  culti- 
vation. He  inherited  eighty  acres  from  his 
father,  and  all  the  rest  of  his  property  he 
has  acquired  by  his  own  means.  His  father 
died  in  1877.  Of  his  four  brothers  and  five 
sisters,  two  are  dead;  one  brother,  Charles,  en- 
listed in  Company  B,  Eleventh  Missouri  Volun- 
teers, and  served  three  years,  and  was  severely 
wounded  in  battle  at  Corinth,  being  shot  through 
one  lung,  and  his  recovery  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  on  record.  He  is  now  living  in 
Shelby  county,  Illinois,  engaged  in  milling.  A 
sister,  Lethe,  married  Dr.  Lee  and  moved  to 
California. 

Mr.  Ross  has  been  an  active  citizen  in  his  town- 
ship, and  at  present  holds  the  offices  of  school 
director  and  commisssioner  of  highways,  and 
acting  the  third  year  as  treasurer.  In  politics 
they  are  Republicans. 


William  Riley  Ross  was  born  in  Rahway, 
New  Jersey,  October  3,  1809.  His  father,  Wil- 
liam Ross,  was  born  in  P2ssex  county.  New 
Jersey,  February  15, 1769;  married  Nancy  Dunn, 
born  in  Bound  Brook,  New  Jersey,  and  moved 
to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1813;  they  were  the 
parents  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  six  were 
born  in  New  Jersey.  The  father  was  a  black- 
smith and  general  iron  worker,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  doing  an  extensive  business,  requiring  a 
large  force  of  workmen.  He  was  stricken  down 
with  the  cholera,  November  18,  1832,  leaving  a 
large,  unsettled  business.  Wm.  Riley  Ross  was 
appointed  administrator  and  after  closing  up  the 
estate  he  continued  in  his  father's  old  business 
for  two  years,  then  moved  with  the  family  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  December,  1838.  He 
soon  rented  and  settled  on  a  small  farm  in 
Rochester  township,  and  in  the  spring  of  1840, 
purchased  part  of  his  present  farm  and  moved  to 
it,  where  he  has  lived  over  forty-one  years. 
Although  farming  has  been  his  principal  occupa- 
tion, his  natural  love  for  mechanicism,  has  in- 
duced him  to  retain  his  shop  and  kit,  and  at  in- 
tervals, indulged  his  tastes  in  using  them.  From 
1850  'till  1854  he  was  engaged  as  foreman  in 
plow  manufactury  and  foundry,  of  Lowry,  Lamb 
&  Co.,  who  made  the  first  scouring  plows  in  this 
part  of  the  west.  Mr.  Ross  had  married  Miss 
A.  Flagg,  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  18,  1834. 
She  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  and 
died  with  consumption,  February  18,  1844;  was 
mother  of  three  children,  now  all  deceased.  One 
of  the  daughters,  Lauretta,  left  an  infant  daugh- 
ter three  weeks  old,  which  was  taken  by  her 
grandmother  Ross,  who  reared  her  to  woman- 
hood and  now  married,  October  26,  1881,  to 
Joseph  S.  Morris,  and  resides  in  this  township. 
Mr.  Ross  married  again  December  28,  1845,  to 
Mary  E.  Crowe,  of  Washington  county,  Mary- 
land, who  came  to  this  county  in  1833.  They 
have  three  sons,  George  R.,  Mordecai  V.,  and 
Joseph  H.  The  eldest  son  studied  law,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  law  firm  of  Palmtr,  Palmer  &  Ross,  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  He  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in 
Cooper  township.  The  other  sons  still  reside 
with  their  father,  on  the  old  homestead.  Mr. 
Ross  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  nearly  all  the 
offices  of  the  township.  Mr.  Ross  is  now  the 
only  man  remaining  that  lived  on  the  old  road 
between  Mt.  Auburn  and  Springfield,  when  he 
came  here,  in  1840. 

Henry  Sprinkel,  a  farmer,  born  January  14, 
1840,  at  Mansfield,  Ohio;  went  with  his  parents 
to   Arkansas,  and    there   remained    until    1860; 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


871 


then  came  to  Sangaiuou  couutj',  and  settled  in 
Cooper  township.  lie  married  October  20,  1861. 
to  Mary  Ellen  Buzley,  the  daughter  of  William 
M.  and  Priscilla  (Evans)  Buzley.  They  have 
had  ten  i^hildren,  namely:  James  Henry,  born 
August  21,  1862,  died  October  25,  1862;"  infant 
daughter  born  October  25,  1863,  and  died  same 
day;  infant  son  born  December  29,  1855,  died 
same  day;  Priscilla  Catharine,  born  November 
lo,  1866,  and  died  December  6,  1866;  Benjamin 
Franklin,  born  February  17,  1868;  Jesse  Davis, 
born  November  28,  1870,  died  May  22,  1877, 
from  a  wound  in  the  knee,  caused  by  his  falling 
on  an  axe,  just  one  month  after  the  accident; 
Fatiuie  Maria,  born  August  23,  1873;  William 
Otterbein,  born  March  10,1876;  Cynthia  Viola, 
born  February  24,  1879;  Mary  Josephine,  born 
December  29,  1880. 

Mrs.  Sprinkel's  father,  William  M.  Buzley, 
was  born  in  Kentucky;  and  her  mother,  Priscilla 
(Evans)  Buzley,  was  born  in  Meigs  county, 
Ohio.  Two  of  her  brothers,  Joseph  and  Chris- 
topher C,  served  in  the  Federal  army  in  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion, and  died  in  Federal  hospital  in 
Missouri.  Her  father  returned  to  Missouri  and 
purchased  land;  but  before  he  got  his  family 
upon  it,  the  bittle  of  Wilson's  Creek  was  fought, 
and  their  farm  was  near  the  battle-field.  Her 
brother  was  taken  prisoner,  but  made  his  escape, 
and  with  his  father's  family  he  hurriedly  left  for 
Sangamon  county,  where  they  arrived  in  Sep- 
tember, 1861.  One  of  Mrs.  S's.  brothers  owned 
a  nursery  in  Arkansas  during  the  war,  but  being 
a  Union  man,  he  was  constantly  in  danger,  till 
at  last  his  seighbors  put  a  rope  around  his  neck 
to  hang  him,  but  by  some  means  he  made  his 
escape  and  reached  Sangamon  county  in  Sep- 
tember, 1861,  and  afterwards  returned  to  Mis- 
souri, where  he  now  resides.  Her  father  died 
in  Missouri,  in  1880,  in  his  seventy-sixth  year; 
and  her  mother  is  making  her  home  with  her,  at 
the  age  of  seventy-four. 

Mr.  Sprinkel's  maternal  grandfather  was  born 
in  1785,  and  his  grandmother  in  1786.  He  died 
in  the  year  1836,  at  the  age  of  fifty-seven,  and 
she  died  in  1831,  aged  forty-five.  Mr.  Sprinkel's 
father  was  born  in  the  year  1813,  in  Fredeiick 
county,  Maryland,  and  died  August  13,  1867; 
and  his  mother  was  born  in  Cumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1815,  and  is  living  on  her  own 
farm  in  this  township.  They  were  married  in 
1835. 

William  P.  Sprinkel  was  born  January  7, 
1846,  in  Arkansas;  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
the  spring  of  1860,  with  his  parents,  and  mar- 
ried   Sarah    Staines,   April    16,   1871;  who  was 


born  May  9,  1854,  in  Ohio.  Her  parents  came 
to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  1805.  Wil- 
liam P.  has  four  children:  Minnie  E.,  born  June 
27,  1872;  Nora  A.,  born  February  7,  1875;  Ger- 
tie A.,  born  February  24,  1878,  and  Ina  May, 
born  July  24,  1880.  Mr.  Sprinkel's  father  and 
brother  died  in  the  Union  army  of  the  late  war. 
Joseph  M.,  born  March  1,  1841,  married  Mrs. 
Charlotte  Cre,  and  lives  in  Effingham  county, 
Illinois.  He  was  a  member  of  Company  A, 
One  Hundred  and  Seventy-third  Regiment  Illi- 
nois Infantry — three  years'  service.  John,  born 
June  22,  1844,  and  married  Rebecca  A.  Patts,  in 
October,  1869,  and  lives  in  Montgomery  county, 
Kansas.  Mrs.  William  P.  Sprinkel's  mother 
now  lives  in  Mechanicsburg  with  her  second 
husband,  Hugh  McCarty,  who  owns  in  Cooper 
township,  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land 
under  good  cultivation,  and  worth  $60.00  per 
acre.  The  family  are  members  of  the  U.  B. 
Church,  and  Mr.  S.  is  a  Republican. 

Charles  Stafford,  an  old  settler  of  Sangamon 
county,  born  October  12,  1820,  in  Essex  county, 
New  York  He  came  to  this  county  in  July  13, 
1825,  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in  Roches- 
ter township  the  same  year,  and  then  married 
Julia  A.  Stafford,  March  21,  1847.  They  had 
one  child,  Julia  A.,  born  December  6,  1847,  who 
married  Mitchell  Dickerson.  Mrs.  Stafford  died 
December  17,  1847,  and  Mr.  Stafford  was  again 
married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  (Wallace)  Stafford, 
September  27,  1848.  She  was  the  widow  of 
John  Stafford,  and  the  cousin  of  Charles.  She 
was  born  December  24,  1822,  in  Culpepper 
county,  Virginia.  They  have  had  ten  children, 
Mary  A.,  born  February  12,  1854,  and  married 
G.  Woyce;  Albert  R.,  born  September  17,  1856, 
and  married  Liza  Ramond,  September  17,  1878; 
Ida  L.,  born  January  4,  1860,  and  died  May  26, 
1874;  Wm.  W.,  born  April  6,  1868.  Mrs.  Sarah 
Stafford  had  two  children  when  married  to  Mr. 
Stafford:  Thomas  Oliver,  the  oldest,  born  April 
18,  1844,  in  Wapella  county,  Iowa,  and  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Stone  river,  or  Murfrees- 
boro,  December  31,  1862,  while  a  member  of 
the  Thirty-eighth  Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry 
Volunteers. 

Mr.  Stafford's  father,  Jewett  Stafford,  was  born 
January  13,  1795,  inKent  county,  Rhode  Island, 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  fought  in 
the  battles  of  Plattsburg,  Boquet  River,  etc.  He 
was  also  Colonel  of  the  Fifth  Regiment  of  Illi- 
nois Militia,  in  1834.  His  mother,  Harriet 
(Eggleston)  Stafford,  was  born  in  New  York. 
He  farms  about  eighty  acres  of  land,  but,  having 
also  the  largest  store  in  Clarksburg,  and  other 


872 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


interests  in  care.  His  first  crop  of  corn  was  sold 
In  Springfield,  111.,  at  six  and  one-fourth  cents 
per  bushel,  and  says  that  another  year  he  burned 
part  of  his  crop  rather  than  gather  it  at  the  mar- 
ket price.  Mr.  Stafford  is  a  public  spirited  man, 
and  looks  into  all  the  improvements  of  the  age 
with  confidence  and  success. 

Geo.  W.  Taylor,  a  farmer,  in  section  four, 
Cooper  township,  was  born  December  10,  1836, 
in  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  and  married  the 
widow  of  Isaac  T.  Darn  all,  the  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  Ann  Crowl,  who  was  born  in 
Maryland,  October  18,  1831,  and  died  September 
29,  fssi,  at  home;  was  married  in  Sangamon 
county,  December  14,  185i,  to  Isaac  Darnall, 
who  died  September  10,  18V0. 

The  homestead  was  settled  by  Hiram  Robins, 
and  Mr.  Darnall  located  upon  it  in  February, 
1857,  and  remained  there  till  his  death.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1840.  The  children  are 
H.  W.,  Benjamin  F.,  Charles  A.,  and  Maryland. 
Jos.  E.  is  a  practicing  physician  at  Mechanics- 
burg.  The  farm  upon  which  Mr.  T.  resides  be- 
longs to  the  heirs  of  Robins,  and  consists  of 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  about  the  half  of 
which  is  under  cultivation. 

Zlaniel  Waters,  was  born  in  Loudon  county, 
Virginia,  September  14,  1830,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois^ in  1852,  and  settled  in  Round  Prairie,  in 
what  is  now  Rochester  township.  He  is  the  son 
of  Levi  and  Sarah  Waters,  who  are  both  dead. 
Mr.  W.  came  to  the  county  a  poor  man,  and 
commenced  farming  and  working  at  the  carpen- 
ter business,  which  he  continued  ten  years,  and 
thereby  accumulated  a  small  capital.  He  mar- 
ried Harriet  V.  Miller,  February  9,  1862,  who 
was  born  in  this  county  October  13,  1840,  the 
daughter  of  Jno.  C.  and  Melvina  (Sattley)  Miller, 
who  settled  in    this  township,  and  so  remained 


till  the  death  of  Mr.  Miller,  January  13,  1853. 
Mrs.  Miller  is  now  living  in  Rochester,  where 
she  lived  before  her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Waters  have  had  five  children,  two  of  whom  are 
dead,  George  C,  born  February  17,  1864,  and 
died  in  his  third  year;  and  Lulu,  born  January 
29,  1878,  and  died  in  infancy.  The  three  living 
ones  are  Anna  A.,  born  December  17,  1862; 
Charles  M.,  born  February  28,  1867,  and  Lilla 
M.,  born  January  29,  1870 — twin  to  Lulu,  and 
lives  with  her  parents.  Anna  is  now  pursuing 
her  studies  at  Wesleyan  University,  at  Bloom- 
ington,  Illinois. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waters  have  accumulated  a  fine 
property,  owning  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  weU  stocked  and  handsomely  im- 
proved, where  they  reside  and  enjoy  their  pleas- 
ant home,  and  are  highly  respected  wherever 
known.  He  has  long  been  associated  in  the 
township  government,  holding  in  turn  several 
of  the  important  offices,  and  for  some  years 
trusted  and  honored  as  treasurer  of  the  school 
funds.  Both  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  politically  Mr.  Waters  i» 
a  Democrat. 

John  W.  Wiffffinton  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
January  12,  1835.  Son  of  Sidney  and  Elizabeth 
Wigginton,  who  were  born,  raised  and  died  in 
Trumbull  county,  Kentucky.  Mr.  W.  married 
Melissa  Taylor,  daughter  of  William  E.  and 
Susan  Taylor,  September  27,  1866,  in  Sangamon 
county.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  first  locat- 
ing in  Logan  county,  where  he  farmed  till  1S66; 
then  moved  to  Cooper  township,  and  has  here 
farmed  and  raised  stock.  His  land  adjoins  the 
village  of  Breckenridge,  which  he  assisted  in 
making,  and  has  held  most  of  the  town  oflices, 
and  is  now  supervisor  of  the  township.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


873 


Chapter  XXXV. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  COTTON  HILL. 


The  township  of  Cotton  Hill  lies  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded  on  the 
east  by  Cooper  township  and  Christian  county; 
west,  by  Ball  township;  north,  by  Rochester,  and 
south,  by  Pawnee  township  and  Christian  county. 
The  soil  is  of  good  quality,  and  the  township  is 
well  watered  by  Horse  creek  and  the  south  fork 
of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  Brush  creek,  and 
numerous  springs.  Horse  creek  enters  the  town- 
ship on  section  thirty-one,  and  running  in  a 
northerly  course,  passes  out  from  section  six. 
The  Sangamon  river  enters  on  section  twelve, 
and  by  a  meandering  course,  passing  through 
sections  twelve,  eleven,  two,  three  and  four,  into 
Rochest^'i  township.  Horse  creek  waters  the 
western  half,  from  south  to  north,  and  enters 
Rochester  between  sections  five  and  six. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  township  were  Henry 
Funderburk  and  William  Nelson.  The  date  of 
their  arrival  is  a  matter  of  dispute,  which  does 
not  seem  to  admit  of  settlement.  The  first  set- 
tlers of  the  township  are  either  now  dead,  or 
have  no  means  of  establishing  satisfactorily  their 
claims.  J  C.  Power,  when  compiling  ''The 
History  of  the  Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon 
County,"  claims  that  he  spent  much  time  to  cor- 
rectly fix  the  date  of  the  iirst  settlement.  Jacob 
Henkle  thinks  that  Funderburk  came  in  1817,  as 
his  father  and  family  came  in  1818,  and  he  says 
that  he  well  remembers  shocks  of  corn  on  the 
Funderburk  place,  which  must  have  been  raised 
the  year  previous.  He  does  not  remember  Wil- 
liam Nelson  so  well,  and  it  is  an  undisputed  fact 
that  they  came  about  the  same  time,  or  together, 
and  both  raised  a  crop  of  corn  that  same  season. 
Other  parties,  or  their  descendants,  maintain 
that  Funderburk  and  Nelson  did  not  come  until 
1818;  that  the  ([iiestion  was  often  discussed  as  to 


the  first  settlers  of  the  county,  and  it  was  never 
claimed  that  they  were  here  prior  to  that  time. 

Henry  Funderburk  was  from  South  Carolina, 
but  lived  for  a  short  time  in  Tennessee  before 
coming  to  Illinois. 

The  place  where  he  first  settled  was  on  section 
thirty,  of  this  township.  He  remained  here  but 
one  or  two  years,  when  he  moved  across  the  line 
into  Ball  township,  where  he  died,  in  1843. 

William  Nelson  came  here  from  St.  Clair 
county,  remained  some  years,  and  then  moved  to 
Texas. 

Mason  Fowler,  was  born  about  1766,  in  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  married  and  had  five  children  in 
that  State,  and  the  family  moved  to  the  vicinity 
of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  they  had  seven 
children.  They  moved  thence  to  Southern  Illi- 
nois, in  1816,  and  in  the  spring  of  1818,  Mr. 
Fowler,  with  his  two  sons,  Edward  and  John 
and  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Frederick  Wise, 
came  to  what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  township,  San- 
gamon county.  They  raised  a  crop,  built  a  house 
that  summer,  returned  south  and  brought  Mr. 
Fowler's  family  to  their  new  home  on  Horse 
creek,  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  Edward  and  John 
were  born  in  Virginia,  married  in  Sangamon 
county  to  two  sisters  by  the  name  of  Hale,  and 
moved  to  Wisconsin,  near  Galena.  The  two 
brothers  and  ten  other  citizens,  including  an  In- 
dian agent  and  interpreter,  were  riding  over  the 
country  without  suspecting  danger,  and  were  at- 
tacked by  Indians,  and  eleven  of  them  killed. 
Only  one  escaped — a  man  by  the  name  of  Pierce 
Holly,  who  had  the  fleetest  horse,  and  that  alone 
saved  his  life.  Thomas,  another  son  of  Mason 
Fowler,  after  the  death  of  his  brothers,  Edward 
and  John,  left  home  with  the  avowed  purpose  of 
avenging  their  death.  After  an  absence  of  ten 
years  with  the  Indians,  he  visited  his  friends  in 
Sangamon  county,  went  again  to   the   Indians, 


874 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  was  never  heard  of  after.     Mason    Fowler 
died  March,  1844. 

William  Baker  was  born  about  ITOS,  in  Sevier 
county,  Tennessee.  He  came  to  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois,  when  a  young  man.  Phoebe 
Neeley  was  born  December  14,  1109,  near 
Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  was  taken  to  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois,  when  she  was  a  young  woman. 
"William  Baker  and  Phoebe  Neeley  were  married 
about  1818,  near  Belleville.  They  had  one  child 
born  there,  and  the  family  moved  to  Horse 
creek,  in  what  became  Sangamon  county,  in  the 
spring  of  1819,  in  what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  town- 
ship, where  seven  children  were  born.  They 
then  moved  to  a  mill  on  the  north  fork  of  the 
Sangamon  river,  three  miles  north  of  Rochester. 
William  Baker  went  to  Texas  pi'evious  to  1844, 
started  from  there  to  California  about  1852,  and 
died  ou  the  road.  Mrs.  Phoebe  Baker  died, 
August,  1861,  in  Rochester. 

David  Funderburk  was  born  January  9,  1795, 
in    Orange   District,  South    Carolina,   and    was 
bound  as  apprentice  to  a  hatte*-,  but  instead  of 
teaching  him  how  to  make  hats,  his  master  put 
him  to  work  in  the  fields  with    the  negroes  and 
otherwise  treated    him  harshly,  so  he  ran  away 
and  enlisted  in  the  Third   United    States  Rifle 
Regiment  for  five  years,  from  August  15,  1814. 
It  was  so  near  the  close  of  the  war  with  England 
that  he  was  not  in  any  battle.     His  five  years 
were  spent  in  garrison  duty  on  the  frontier,  and 
was  at  Ft.  Osage,  on  the  Missouri  river,  near  the 
present  line  between  Missouri  and  Kansas,  when 
his  term  of  enlistment  expired,  August  15,  1819. 
He,   with  eight  other   discharged  soldiers,   fas- 
tened two  canoes  together,  with  a  platform  over 
them,  and  all  left  for  St.  Louis  with  their  knap- 
sacks.    Mr.    F.  says   that  they  were   somewhat 
crowded,  and  on  the  way  down  he  stole  a  canoe, 
and  taking  a  comrade  left  the  other  seven  who 
began  drinking  and  ran  their  craft  on  a  sawyer, 
which  upset  it,  and  they  lost  everything  except 
what  they  had  on  their  person,   but    the    men 
clung  to  the  sunken  log,  and  but  for  the  stolen 
canoe  they  must  all  have  drowned.     Mr.  F.  and 
his  comrade  took  them  all  safely  to  shore.     He 
has  always,  in  his   quaint  way  insisted  that  that 
was    "Providential  stealing."  On  arriving  at  St. 
Louis,  he  learned  that  his  uncle,  Henry  Fuuder- 
Ijurk,  had  moved  into  the  San-ga-ma  country,  and 
he  determined  to  visit  him.     He  found  his  uncle 
on  the  31st  of    August,  1819,  in  what   is    now 
Cotton  Hill  township,  between  Brush  and  Horse 
creeks,  and  went  to  work  to  supply  himself  with 
clothing,  in  place  of  that  which  was  lost  on  the 


river.    David  Funderbark  was  married  in  March 
1821,  to  Hannah  Ilenkle. 

Christopher  Haines  was  born  July  4,  1795,  in 
Russell  county,  Virginia.  His  parents  soon 
after  moved  to  Allen  county,  Kentucky.  He  was 
married  in  that  county,  October  12,  1815,  to 
Myrah  Gatewood.  They  moved  to  Bureau 
county,  thence  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  October  22,  1829,  in  what  is  now  Cot- 
ton Hill  township. 

John  Rape  was  born  about  1794,  in  South 
Carolina,  and  taken  to  Tennessee  by  hisparents, 
at  eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a  soldier  from 
Tennessee,  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  arrived  at 
New  Orleans  the  day  after  the  battle  of  January 
8,  1815.  His  father,  Gustavus  Rape,  was  a 
soldier  from  North  Carolina  during  the  war  of 
the  Ameiican  Revolution.  John  Rape  was 
married  August  18,  1818,  in  Tennessee,  had  two 
children  there,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  Cotton  Hill,  February,  1826. 
He  died  January  29,  1872. 

Henry  Rape  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1825,  and  settled  in  Cotton  Hill  township.  He 
subsequently  married  Polly  Snodgrass,  and  died 
November  1],  1851.  Mrs.  Ripe  never  formed  a 
letter  with  a  pen  until  her  sixtieth  year.  Her 
son,  James  11.,  was  in  the  army,  and  she  found 
it  diflicult  to  induce  others  to  write  to  him  as 
often  as  she  desired,  so  she  resolved  to  learn, 
and  commenced  by  copying  letters  and  other 
documents,  and  was  soon  able  to  communicate 
with  him.  She  continued  this  correspondence, 
to  the  great  satisfaction  of  both,  until  his  three 
years  of  service  terminated. 

Mathias  Vigal  was  born  August  28,  1779,  in 
Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  father 
died  and  his  mother  married  Adam  Mung. 
They  moved  to  Jefferson  county  Kentucky. 
Mathias  Vigal  and  Mary  Roney  were  married  in 
Jefferson  county  They  moved  in  1820,  to  Clark 
county,  Indiana,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1830,  in 
what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  township.  Mr.  Vigal 
died  December  25,  1862. 

Abraham  Viney  and  family  were  from  Ken- 
tucky, though  Mrs.  Viney  was  by  birth  a  Vir- 
ginian. He  married  in  Sangamon  county  in 
what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  township,  in  the  fall  of 
1819,  and  died  August  4,  1820. 

Elias  Williams  was  born  near  Clarendon,  Ver- 
mont, February  27,  1770.  He  there  married  and 
the  family  moved  to  Essex  county,  New  York, 
about  1804,  where  two  children  were  born,  thence 
to  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  where  one  child  was 
born,    and  from  there  to  Butler  county,  in  the 


HISTORY  OF   SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


8T5 


same  State,  where  three  children  were  born.  In 
1819,  the  family  moved  to  Wayne  or  Henry 
county,  Indiana,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  February,  1822,  in 
what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  township,  where  he  re- 
mained about  one  year  and  then  moved  into 
Rochester  township. 

Robert  W.  Sanders  was  born  April  10,  1815, 
near  Harper's  Ferry,  Virginia.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  a  child,  and  his  widowed  mother, 
with  her  eight  children,  moved  to  Rutherford 
county,  Tennessee,  in  1827.  Robert  W.  was 
married  there,  in  1834,  to  Kesiah  Johnson. 
They  had  two  children  in  Tennessee,  and  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall 
of  1838,  in  what  is  now  Cotton  Hill  township, 
where  two  children  were  born.  Mr.  Sanders  as- 
sisted in  quarrying  the  stone  for  the  State 
House, then  in  process  of  construction  at  Spring- 
field. His  family  suffered  greatly  from  sick- 
ness, and  in  18-tO  he  returned  to  Tennessee, where 
he  died  May  3],  18.57,  leaving  a  widow,  nine 
sons,  and  one  daughter.  Robert  W.  Sanders 
was  a  minister  in  the  Baptist  Church  for  thir- 
teen years  previous  to  his  death.  The  widow 
felt  that  some  great  calamity  was  about  to  be- 
fall that  part  of  the  country  where  she  lived,  and 
without  any  definite  idea  of  what  it  was,  she  med- 
itated long  upon  the  subject,  and  when  her  chil- 
dren were  wrapped  i!i  slumber,  she  resolved,  if 
possible,  to  take  them  again  to  Illinois,  as  a 
place  of  safety.  She  wrote  at  once  to  her  eldest 
son,  who  had  returned  to  Illinois  soon  after  the 
death  of  his  father.  He  was  glad  to  give  them 
such  aid  and  encouragement  as  he  could,  and 
they  all  arrived  in  Sangamon  county,  October  10, 
1859,  just  in  time  to  understand  the  situation  of 
the  country  and  add  five  soldiers  to  the  Union 
army. 

Joseph  Dixon  was  among  the  earliest  settlers 
on  Horse  creek.  He  was  the  principal  mover  in 
establishing  Zion  Chapel,  in  Cotton  Hill  town- 
ship, in  the  spring  of  1821,  to  which  he  after- 
wards deeded  five  acres  of  land  for  church  and 
cemetery  purposes.  His  family  are  buried  there, 
but  he  died  in  1844,  at  the  house  of  a  daughter, 
near  Franklin,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
buried  there. 

FIRST  EVENTS. 

The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  that  of 
Sarah  Funderburk.  This  was  also  the  first  birth 
within  the  present  limits  of  Sangamon  county, 
and  the  honor  of  being  the  first  born  is  rightly 
claimed  for  Sarah  Funderburk,  who  was  born 
April  8,  1819. 

102— 


Rivers  Cormack  preached  the  first  sermon  in 
the  township.  Mr.  Cormack  was  a  local 
Methodist  Episcopal  preacher.  Peter  Cart- 
wright  was  the  first  circuit  rider  to  visit  the 
township,  in  1821,  at  which  time  his  circuit 
embraced  Sangamon  and  Christian  counties,  and 
part  of  Macoupin. 

Timothy  Rogers  taught  the  first  school. 

The  first  blacksmith  shop  was  built  and  run  by 
Joseph  Snodgrass,  1821. 

Daniel  Lyle  built  the  first  mill  in  1819.  This 
was  the  first  mill  in  the  county,  and  was  one 
known  as  a  band  mill,  and  run  by  horse  power. 

Elijah  Henkle  and  Mary  Funderburk  were 
united  in  marriage  by  Zaohariah  Peters,  in  1819. 
'J'his  was  the  first  couple  man-ied  in  the  town- 
ship, and  he  was  the  only  justice  of  the  peace  in 
the  county,  at  that  time. 

The  first  government  land  was  entered  by 
Henry  Funderburk  and  William  Nelson,  in  1818. 

RELIfJIOUS. 

Among  the  first  religious  teachers  in  Cotton 
Hill  township,  were  Rev's.  James  Sims,  Rivers 
Cormack,  and  Peter  Cartwright,  Mr.  Cormack 
having  preached  the  first  sermon;  all  of  whom 
were  ministers  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  who  have  long  since  died;  and  this 
denomination  is  foremost  in  point  of  numbers, 
in  the  township.  This  denomination  has  two 
church  organizations  and  two  church  edifices, 
one  on  section  nine,  erected  in  1869,  at  a  cost  of 
about  12,000;  the  other  on  section  twenty,  erec- 
ted in  1864,  at  a  cost  of  $2,200.  The  Baptists 
have  a  church  edifice  on  section  thirty,  erected 
in  18—,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  Each  of  these 
churches  have  regular  services,  and  are  doing 
much  for  the  moral  welfare  of  the  community. 
There  is  also  a  Disciple  or  Christian  Church  edi- 
fice on  section  one. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Cotton  Hill  is  behind  no  exclusively  agricul- 
tural township  in  the  county,  in  point  of  educa- 
tion. There  are  now  eight  school  houses  in  the 
township,  as  large  a  number  as  in  any  other 
township  of  its  size  in  the  county.  These  school 
houses  are  valued  at  $6,500. 

VILLAGE    OF    COTTON    HILL    TOWNSHIP. 

Between  the  years  1836  and  1838,  speculation 
was  rife  throughout  the  West.  Thousands  of 
villages  were  platted  and  visions  of  untold  wealth 
floated  before  the  minds  of  many  who  were  pos- 
sessed of  small  tracts  of  land.  Paper  villages 
were  the  rage.  Johnson  Whaley,  of  Cotton 
Hill,   platted   the   southeast  quarter  of  section 


876 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


fourteen,  township  fourteen,  range  four,  the  plat 
being  recorded  June  2,  1S37.  How  many  town 
lots  were  disposed  of,  the  prices  obtained,  and 
what  else  was  done  here,  history  and  tradition 
are  silent.   The  village  plat  was  long  ago  vacated. 

The  village  of  New  City,  in  the  corner  of  sec- 
tions nine,  ten,  fifteen  and  sixteen,  originated 
with  the  building  of  the  prairie  chapel  by  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1869,  and  that  by 
a  good  school  house  in  1868,  and  that  by  a  resi- 
dence by  W.  H.  Park  about  1875,  and  a  store 
house  by  the  same  about  the  same  time,  a  black- 
smith shop  by  Zimmerly  &  Lederbrand,  and  the 
same  season  a  residence  by  Dr.  W.  B.  Smith. 
A  town  hall  was  erected  in  the  same  year.  There 
are  now  two  physicians  and  a  notary  public. 
The  place  is  pleasantly  and  centrally  located  and 
promises  to  be  a  place  of  note  in  the  far  future. 


ORGANIZATION. 


At  the  first  election  held  under  township 
organization  on  April  2,  1S61,  there  was  chosen 
for  supervisor  for  1861,  Craig  White,  and  for 
town  clerk,  E.  L.  Rusk,  and  for  assessor,  W.  H. 
Boyd,  and  collector,  Thomas  Williams;  for  com- 
missioners of  highways,  T.  C.  Spicer,  J.  B.  Wil- 
liams and  J.  H.  Colean;  for  justices  of  the 
peace,  William  C.  Williams  and  John  T.  Evans; 
for  constables,  James  Snodgrass  and  Benjamin 
Britain,  and  C.  P.  Barton  as  overseer  of  the 
poor.     The  present  town  officers  are: 

Supervisor — Hartman  Spingler. 

Town  Clerk — James  Terry. 

Assessor — T.  W.  Dozier. 

Collector — John  Underwood, 

Commissioners — James  Martin,  James  T.  Rape, 
and  L.  S.  Matthew. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Daniel  Rape  and  Dr. 
W.  B.  Smith. 

Constables — -Thomas  Williams  and  N.  C. 
Jones. 

Among  the  spirited  and  enterprising  farmers 
and  stock  feedei's  of  the  township  in  the  past 
and  present  might  be  named:  Preston  Breck- 
enridge,  George  Bronk,  Craig  White,  John  Penn 
<fc  Sons,  of  the  past;  of  the  present,  John  North, 
J.  R.  Kincaid,  D.  L.  Rusk,  David  Marshall,  W. 
H.  Vigal,  J.  H.  Colean,  L.  M.  Babb,  '  George 
Paine,  etc. 

The  township  has  produced  at  least  one  legis- 
tor,  in  the  person  of  Hon."  Preston  Brecken- 
ridge. 

As  preachers  of  the  gospel,  are  Revs.  W.  S. 
Matthews  and  George  Shake,  both  of  the  M.  E. 
Church. 


As  school  teachers,  W.  H.  Vigal  and  his  son, 
E.  A.,  and  daughter,  Marcia,  also  Miss  Sarah  A. 
Williams,  now  W.  H.  Vigal's  wife,  and  D.  M. 
Vigal,  his  brother;  W.  S.  Matthews,  Mary  Mil- 
ler, William  Shake,  Mary  Jane  Shake,  Thomas 
Williams,  Emeline  Hatler,  Rose  Hatler,  Sarah 
Lawley,  Peter  and  Benjamin  Deardorff,  brothers, 
and  Virgil  Deardoff,  J.  H.  Beam,  Joseph  Orton 
and  others,  and  thus  in  literature  and  morals  the 
township  has  acquired  a  highly  commendable 
reputation.  And  one  skillful  young  physician 
in  the  person  of  J.  D.  Mathews,  was  raised  and 
educated  here,  and  graduated  with  honors  at  St. 
Louis  as  an  M.  D.,  and  is  now  practicing  at  Mt. 
Auburn,  Christian  county. 

Jacob  Soyd  was  born  in  Franklin  county, 
Ohio,  October  30,  1807.  His  father,  John  Boyd, 
was  born  February  5,  1777,  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  mother,  Susannah  (Hyner)  Boyd,  was 
born  in  Virginia,  December  22,  1780  ;  they 
were  married  June  26,  1802,  and  had  nine 
children.  They  moved  to  Ohio  about  the  year 
1806,  and  to  this  county  in  1819  ;  they  came 
with  a  wagon,  camping  out  and  doing  their  own 
cooking.  The  father  was  frozen  to  death  in  the 
great  snow  storm  of  1830,  as  he  was  returning 
from  work  at  a  mill  on  the  north  fork.  lie  was 
a  millwright  by  occupation.  Jacob  has  always 
been  a  farmer,  and  had  limited  school  ad- 
vantages. He  was  married  December  1,  1833, 
and  by  this  marriage  there  were  seven  children 
— four  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  sons  are 
all  farmers.  Mrs.  Boyd'o  father  was  named 
Thomas  Boyal,  an  Englishman  by  birth,;  he 
settled  in  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1824.  His  first  house  was  a  log  cabin,  sixteen 
by  sixteen,  with  a  puncheon  floor  ;  the  furniture 
was  home-made.  Springfield  was  the  first 
town  where  there  was  a  store. 

William  H.  Soyd  was  born  in  Rochester 
township,  this  county,  May  1,  1837.  His  parents, 
Jacob  and  Rebecca  Boyd,  were  natives  of  Ohio, 
and  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1819,  where 
they  have  resided  ever  since,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. William  II.  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  re- 
ceived a  district  school  education.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
then  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Vigal,  daughter  of 
J'hn  T.  Vigal,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  She  was 
born  in  this  township  April  30,  1837.  They 
have  one  child,  Delilah,  born  in  this  townshi]), 
March  27,  1860.  The  family  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Boyd  has  held  several 
township  offices.  He  owns  four  hundred  and 
two  acres  of  land,  two   hundred  and  sixtv  acres 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


under  cultivation.  He  has  a  good  residence, 
costing  $2,000. 

Cleophas  Breckenridge,  son  of  Preston  and 
Catharine  (Moler)  Breckenridge.  The  father 
was  born  in  Bourbon  connty,  Kentucky,  August 
5,  180*7;  the  mother  wa.s  also  born  in  Kentucky. 
They  were  married  November  17,  182V,  and 
came  to  this  county  in  18.34.  They  had  thirteen 
children — twelve  grown  to  maturity — eight  sons 
and  four  daughters.  The  father  was  elected  to 
the  legislature  of  1851-2,  beating  Abraham 
Lincoln  for  the  nomination.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  the  year 
of  1873.  He  died  July  25,  1880.  Cleophas, 
Hugh,  Joseph  and  Preston  were  in  the  army. 
The  name  Breckenridge  was  derived  from  a 
circumstance  that  occurred  in  one  of  the  religi- 
ous wars  that  took  place  in  Scotland.  Two 
brothers,  named  Mcllvain,  were  Protestants, 
and  engaged  in  the  contiict,  when  their  party 
was  defeated.  They  took  refuge  on  a  ridge, 
under  some  shrubs  called  "brack,"  and  finally 
escaped  and  came  to  America,  settling  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  in  remembrance  took  the  name  of 
"Brack-on-ridge,"  from  whom  the  family  de- 
scended. Mr.  Breckenridge  has  in  his  posses- 
sion a  twig  plucked  from  this  brack  or  bush  in 
Scotland,  and  brought  to  America  by  John 
Craig.  Mr.  B.,  is  a  lover  of  strange  and  quaint 
old  relics,  and  of  the  many  among  his  collection 
are  two  gourds,  carried  by  his  grand-father 
through  the  War  of  1812,  one  of  which  he  used 
for  dipping  water  and  the  other  for  carrying 
priming  powder.  Mr.  B.,  also  has  a  pocket 
compass  used  by  his  grandfather  during  the 
same  war,  for  a  guide  in  cloudy  weatlier,  and  as 
a  time  piece  when  the  sun  shone. 

Tlie  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  si.xth  son, 
and  was  born  in  this  township,  at  the  old  home- 
stead, August  7,  1836.  He  was  married  to 
Lillian  T.  Cave,  from  Kentucky,  January  -30, 
1868.  They  have  two  children  living:  Inez  A., 
and  Ida  B.;  one  who  died  in  infancy.  When 
Mr.  B.,  first  settled  here,  he  purchased  one 
hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  land  and  commenced 
farming,  and  erected  a  carding  machine,  the  first 
in  this  section  of  the  country;  also  owned  and 
run  the  first  water  mill  on  the  south  fork  of  the 
Sangamon  river.  Mr.  C.  Breckenridge  now 
owns  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land 
valued  at  $50  an  acre;  two  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  are  under  good  cultivation.  He  raises 
grain,  and  feeds  cattle  for  market.  Himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  at 
the  south  fork,  which,  at  present,  is  in  a  flourish- 
ing condition.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 


James  Clay,  post  office.  New  City,  is  a  native 
of  England,  who  came  to  America  in  1844,  and 
settled  on  section  fourteen,  township  fourteen, 
range  four,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  In 
July,  1861,  he  married  Dorcas  Davy,  a  native, 
also,  of  England;  she  died  August  5,  1872,  and 
January  25,  1874,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Kearns;  she  was  born  in  Ohio,  September  10, 
1836,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Jerusha  Harman. 
She  married  Perry  J.  Kearns,  September  10, 
1854,  by  whom  she  had  two  sons  and  four 
daughters;  four  of  these  children  died  in  infancy; 
one  son,  William,  M.  D.,  died  August  17,  1878; 
Iva  El  lie,  the  only  survivor,  married  Thomas  L. 
Matthews,  December  31,  1877.  Mr.  K.  enlisted 
August  12,  1861,  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Tupelo,  Mississippi; 
he  died  from  the  effects  of  a  wound,  August  10, 
1864.  By  the  second  marriage  one  child  was 
born,  September  2,  1875,  who  died  August  19, 
1876,  named  Ola  Eva.  Mr.  Clay  owns  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy-three  acres  of  land,  valued  at 
$50  an  acre;  and  the  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  following  is 
the  record  of  the  Kearns  family:  William,  M. 
D.,  was  born  October  16,  1855;  Mary  E.,  April 
20,  1827;  Louis  II.,  June  27,  1858;  Eva  Ellie, 
August  27,  1859;  Ida  Eva,  October  6,  1860; 
Liewy  Bell,  September,  14,  1862.  Sally  M.  Clay, 
an  adopted  daughter  of  .James  and  Mary  A.  Clay, 
was  born  November  15,  1875,  and  died  October 
11,  1877;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Ashford, 
who  lost  an  arm  in  the  late  war. 

Aaron  C.  Colean,  farmer,  post  office,  Pawnee, 
is  a  son  of  Joseph  H.  and  Maria  L  (Gillham) 
Colean,  natives  of  Illinois.  They  had  nine  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  five  daughters.  Five  died 
in  childhood,  and  four  grew  to  maturity.  Aaron 
was  the  fifth  child,  and  was  born  March  4,  1848, 
in  Jersey  count)',  this  State.  He  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  county  in  1855,  and  October 
3,  1869,  married  Mary  J.  Spicer,  daughter  of 
Thompson  C.  and  Melvina  Spicer,  who  was  born 
in  this  county,  November  2,  1850.  They  had 
four  children:  Luther  E,  born  May  0,  1871; 
Etta  A.,  born  October  27,  1872;  Charles  A., 
born  February  25,  1876,  and  Mary  Melvina,  born 
November  4,  1877.  Luther  E.  died  August  13, 
1872.  Mr.  C.  owns  two  hundred  acres  of  land, 
worth  $50  an  acre.  His  antecedents  were  Spanish 
and  French;  hers  were  German.  Both  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  United  States  Reg- 
iment, served  three  years  in  the  late  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  was  discharged  in  November,  1867. 


878 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Joseph  II.  Colean,  farmer,  post  oflSce,  Paw- 
nee, a  son  of  Francis  and  Polly  (Cox)  Colean, 
the  former  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  born  July  15, 
1794,  and  the  latter  born  November  3,  1797,  in 
North  Carolina;  they  were  married  in  Madison 
county,  August  20,  1814,  and  were  the  parents 
of  fourteen  children;  ten  grew  to  maturity — six 
sons  and  four  daughters.  The  father  was  a  cor- 
poral to  General  Harrison,  during  the  War  of 
1812,  when  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  was 
at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.  Joseph  H.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  August  31, 1818, 
in  Madison  county,  this  State,  and  has  always 
followed  farming.  On  October  .3,  1839,  he 
married  Maria  L.  Gillham,  and  they  had  nine 
children;  five  died  in  childhood.  Of  the 
four  living,  three  are  sons  and  one  daughter; 
their  names  are  Aaron  C,  born  March  4,  1848; 
Mead  W.,  born  in  Jersey  county,  September  9, 
1852;  Maria  Louisa,  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
December  12,  1855;  Joseph  Harrison,  born  in 
this  county,  August  8,  1858;  they  descended 
from  Spanish  and  Fiench  ancestors.  Mr.  C. 
owns  four  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land,  worth 
$50  an  acre;  the  improvements  are  a  commodious 
dwelling  house,  a  large  barn,  and  other  build- 
ings in  good  order.  He  was  educated  in  the 
old-fashioned  log  school  house  where  there  were 
puncheon  floors  and  seats,  oiled  paper  used  for 
windows,  and  the  room  heated  by  a  mud  and 
stick  fireplace. 

Francis  Marion  Q-oss,  a  farmer,  post  office, 
Pawnee,  is  a  son  of  Alvin  and  Margaret 
(Forbes)  Cross,  whose  father  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky about  the  year  1800,  and  his  mother,  also 
born  in  Kentucky,  June  2,  1802;  they  were  mar- 
ried in  Tennessee,  and  had  twelve  children,  six 
sons  and  six  daughters;  five  song  and  three 
daughters  were  raised  to  maturity;  the  father 
died  in  1858.  Francis  M.  Cross,  was  born  De- 
cember 14,  1838,  in  this  county.  He  married 
Emily  A.  Hayden,  November  10,  1870;  she  was 
a  native  of  Pike  county,  Illinois.  They  have 
three  children,  William  F.,  born  October  5, 
1872;  Henry  Edgar,  born  April  28,  1870;  Charles 
J.,  born  February  20,  1880.  Mrs.  Cross'  mother, 
Elizabeth  (Vancil)  Hayden,  was  born  in  this 
county.  May  2,  1830,  and  her  father,  Abner 
Hayden,  was  born  in  Virginia,  December  3,  1816; 
they  were  of  German  extraction.  Mr.  Cross' 
parents  were  Scotch  and  French.  Mr.  Riley 
Cross,  a  brother,  died  in  the  army  during  the 
Mexican  war,  and  his  father  was  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  Mr.  Cross  owns  one  hundred  and 
eighteen  acres  of  land,  worth  §40  an  acre.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian   Church,  and  his 


wife  of  the  German  Baptist,  and  politically  they 
are  Democrats. 

Michael  Fay,  farmer,  post  office.  Pawnee,  was 
born  in  Baden,  Germany,  July  18,  1824,  and  was 
brought  by  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1831; 
first  settled  in  Island  Grove,  and  in  1861  came 
to  this  township,  where  he  married  Mrs.  Mary 
Greenawalt,  widow  of  Jacob  Greenawalt,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Elizabeth  Bradley.  Mrs. 
Fay  had  seven  children  by  her  former  husband: 
Francis  M.,  John  W.,  George  W.,  Sarah,  Sarah 
E  ,  William  J.,  Mary  F.,  and  James  N.  Mr. 
Fay  was  first  married  to  Jennie  A.  Youngblood, 
and  had  two  children,  Sarah  F.,  who  married 
Lewis  Clein,  and  lives  in  Burlington,  Kansas; 
Martha  married  Henry  Beel,  and  lives  in  New 
Berlin,  this  county.  By  a  second  marriage  to 
Martha  Burton,  he  had  a  son,  Andrew  J.,  who 
married  Etta  B.  Laughton,  and  lives  in  Burling- 
ton, Kansas,  and  Jacob  11.,  who  married  Mary 
Reynold",  and  lives  in  this  county. 

bavid  Funderburk,  was  born  in  South  Caro- 
lina, January  G,  17  95.  His  father,  Joseph  Fun- 
derburk,  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  about  the 
year  1769,  and  his  mother,  MoUie  (Sturkey) 
Funderburk,  was  also  born  in  South  Carolina, 
about  176 7;  both  parents  were  of  German  descent, 
the  date  of  their  marriage  was  about  1792.  They 
had  five  children,  Margaret,  David,  Joseph  M., 
Daniel  and  Henry.  David  was  the  second  child, 
and  was  apprenticed  to  Conrad  Barch,  a  hatter, 
but  instead  of  teaching  him  the  trade  they 
required  him  to  work  on  the  plantation  with  the 
negroes;  he  ran  away  and  enlisted  in  the  Third 
United  States  Rifle  Regiment  for  five  years;  this 
was  in  1814.  He  was  discharged  at  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  in  1819;  then  came  to  this  county 
and  worked  at  whatever  he  could  find  to  do  until 
the  lands  came  into  market  in  1823,  when  he 
entered  the  land  on  which  he  now  lives,  on  sec- 
tion eighteen,  town  fourteen,  range  four.  In  1821, 
he  married  Hannah  Henkle,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  and  died  September  22,  1873,  and  was 
of  German  origin.  They  had  twelve  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  still  living,  namely:  Mary 
Jane,  John,  Newton,  David,  Phcebe,  William, 
Frank,  and  Thomas  J.;  all  are  married.  Mr.  F. 
owns  three  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  land, 
mo-tly  timber,  about  one  iiundred  and  sixty 
acres  under  good  cultivation.  His  early  school 
advantages  were  very  limited,  having  attended 
only  about  four  months,  and  that  at  irregular 
periods.  The  first  school  in  his  district  was  kept 
in  a  log  house  on  Horse  creek.  The  first  camp 
meeting  in  the  county  was  held  on  the  land  now 
owned  by  Daniel   G.  Jones,  October  19,    I'^IO. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


879 


Rev.  Mr.  Walker,  an  old  man,  was  presiding 
«lder,  and  Rivers  Corniack,  preacher  in  charge. 
Mr.  Sims  and  Mr.  Randall  were  also  there  as 
preachers;  there  were  only  four  or  five  tents,  and 
about  one  hundred  people  present.  David  and 
Frank  were  both  in  the  army;  I  he  former  in  the 
Eleventh  Missouri  Regiment,  and  the  latter  in 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth.  The  Funder- 
burk  family  generally  have  been  Republicans, 
and  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

James  M.  Haines,  a  farmer;  post  office.  New 
City,  son  of  Christopher  and  Mira  (Gatewood) 
Haines;  the  former  born  in  Virginia,  in  179.5, 
and  the  latter  in  Alabama,  June  9,  1797;  mar- 
ried October  12,  1815.  They  had  seven  children 
born  in  Kentucky,  and  moved  with  them  to  this 
county,  in  1829;  entered  land  and  commenced 
farming,  which  he  continued  until  his  death, 
March  "29,  1850. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Myrah 
Ricks,  of  Kentucky,  May  24,  1853;  had  nine 
children:  Alice  E.,  born  July  22,  1854,  and 
married  Dr.  W.  13.  Smith,  June  7,  1877,  and 
with  him  resides  at  New  City,  in  this  township; 
Benetta  S.,  born  February  16,  1856;  Margaret 
Emma,  born  December  19,  1857;  William  C, 
born  February  5,  1860;  Ulysses  G.,  born  July  I't, 
1863;  Ida  M.,  born  May  4,  1865;  Newell  E., 
born  October  15,  1867,  and  died  February  17, 
1SG8;  Freddie  G.,  born  April  9,  1869,  and  died 
September  19,  1869;  Arthur  G.,  born  June  13, 
1871.  Mr.  H.  owns  three  hundred  and  eight 
acres  of  land,  of  which  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
six  are  under  cultivation,  and  worth  $50  per 
acre.  The  house  in  which  he  attended  school  in 
Sangamon,  was  a  small  log  cabin,  with  puncheon 
floor  and  split  slab  benches,  with  oiled  paper  for 
window  lights.  Thomas  Laughlin  was  his  first 
teacher,  in  1833.  His  father  was  born  July  5, 
1795,  in  Virginia,  and  died  in  Sangamon  county, 
March  30.  1850,  and  his  mother  Mira  (Gatewood) 
was  born  in  1797,  and  died  in  this  county  No- 
vember 18,  1859.  They  were  members  of  the 
Protestent  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Jas.  M. 
Haines  and  his  family  are  of  the  M.  E.  church, 
and  in  polit'cs  they  are  Republicans. 

■  John  G.  Haines,  son  of  Christopher  Haines, 
a  farmer  in  Cotton  Hill  township,  was  born, 
January  5,  1818,  in  Allen  county,  Kentucky, 
came  to  Sangamon  county  October  22,  1829, 
with  his  parents.  (See  sketch  of  Jas.  M.  Haines). 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Mary  A.  Pal- 
mer, February  20,  1840,  the  daughter  of  Ambrose 
Palmer,  of  East  St.  Louis,  and  came  to  tliis  coun- 
ty in  the  year  1835.  They  had  eight  children, 
Hester  Ann,  born  July  29,  184S,  and  married  A. 


J.  Maxfield,  and  lives  in  Springfield,  Illinois; 
Dotia  C,  born  April  15,  1843,  died  January  S, 
1873;  James  T.,  born  January  18,  1846,  and  died 
October  9,  1846;  Margaret  V.,  born  November 
22,  1841,  and  died  November  2,  1852;  Mary  F., 
born  November  8,  1852,  and  died  December  13, 
1852;  Martha  J.,  born  Jan.  15,  1854,  and  married 
June  12,  1873;  Jno.  F.,born  June  15,  1856,  and 
died  October  18,  I860;  Nancy  A.,  born  January 
10,  1859,  and  died  September  14,  1859.  Mrs.  II. 
died  January  31,  1874,  and  Mr.  H.  married  again 
September  7,  1874,  to  Eliza  P.  Criteser,  the 
daughter  of  Peter  Criteser,  of  Ohio,  and  Ann 
(Cowgill)  Criteser,  of  Indiana.  They  have  three 
children,  AVinfred  I,  born  July  19,  1875;  James 
M.,  born  March  22,  1877;  and  Samuel  S.,  born 
October  25,  1871.  Mr.  Haines  was  justice  of 
the  peace  eight  years  previous  to  1869,  and  has 
held  other  offices  of  trust  in  the  township.  He 
served  with  the  Second  Artillery,  Company  C, 
in  the  late  Union  army,  one  year,  and  was 
crushed  while  mounting  a  cannon  at  Paducah, 
Kentucky,  March  7,1862,  and  was  discharged  by 
reason  of  injury,  August  6,  1862,  and  has  never 
fully  recovered,  and  is  drawing  a  small  pension. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 
They  are  Republicans  in  politics. 

Andreie  Jones  was  born  in  Culpepper  county, 
Virginia,  January  10,  1783.  His  parents  died 
when  he  was  a  child.  About  1808,  he  went  to 
Bath  county,  Kentucky.  There  he  married 
Eleanor  Goodan,  in  1812,  who  was  born  March 
16,  1793,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  taken  by  her 
parents  to  Kentucky  when  she  was  quite  young. 
They  had  five  children  in  Bath  county,  after 
which  the  family  moved  to  this  county,  in  1825, 
and  settled  at  Round  Prairie,  in  Rochester  town- 
ship, locating  on  government  land,  where  a  son, 
John,  was  born,  October  4,  1829.  They  made  a 
home,  and  resided  there  until  their  death.  The 
father  died  in  1854,  and  the  mother  in  1859, 
leaving  five  children,  who  settled  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity. 

Daniel  G.  Jones,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  November  15,  1822,  in  Bath  county, 
Kentucky,  where  he  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
received  an  elementary  education  in  the  schools 
of  the  neighborhood.  He  remained  at  home 
until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old,  then  mar- 
ried Amanda  J.  Brunk,  in  1849.  She  died  Sep- 
tember 28,  1865,  leaving  two  children,  Laura  and 
George.  Her  parents  were  George  and  Mary 
Brunk,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1821,  and  en 
tered  land  in  Ball  township,  where  they  remained 
many  years.  She  was  born  January  1,  1830. 
Mr.  Jones  moved  to  the  place  where  he  is  now 


880 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


living  in  1855,  and  has  a  farm  of  seven  hundred 
and  ten  acres,  valued  at  $50  an  acre;  has  a  tine 
residence,  and  is  one  of  the  solid  men  of  the 
township.  His  father  came  to  the  township  in 
limited  circumstances.  Their  first  house  was  a 
log  cabin  about  high  enough  for  a  man  to  stand 
in,  sixteen  feet  in  size,  covered,  and  a  puncheon 
floor.     The  family  consisted  of  nine  persons. 

On  May  5,  1$69,  Mr.  Jones  married  Mary  F. 
Rickard,  who  was  born  near  Springfield,  Illinois, 
August  16,  1840.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
she  was  sent  to  the  Science  Hill  Female  Acad- 
emy, Shelbyville,  Kentucky,  and  took  the  full 
course  of  study.  Her  parents  were  Noah  and 
Harriett  (Talbott)  Rickard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones 
have  two  children:  Mary  R.,  born  November  3, 
18'i'O,  and  Helen,  born  January  4,  1876.  Both 
reside  at  home  with  their  parents. 

John  It.  Kincaid,  post  oflice,  Cotton  Hill,  is 
a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Gwin)  Kincaid,  who 
were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  were  married 
about  18-29.  They  had  three  sons  and  one 
daughter  ;  all  are  living  except  one — James  W. 
— who  died  as  a  soldier,  in  the  late  war.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second  child,  and 
■was  born  in  Virginia,  November  14,  1833.  He 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio,  and  came  to 
this  State  April  15,  1857,  He  taught  school  in 
the  winter,  and  broke  prairie  during  the  summer 
months,  for  several  years.  He  was  married 
January  1,  1863,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Meredith, 
daughter  of  Davis  and  Mary  Meredith,  who 
came  from  Ohio  to  this  county  in  1829.  Mrs. 
Kincaid  was  born  December  3,  1842.  They  are 
the  parents  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  sur- 
vive, viz:  Luther  E.,  born  March  23,  1864; 
Mary  J.,  born  December  28,  1865,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 4,  1867  ;  James  W.,  born  September  25, 
1868  ;  Louisa  A.,  born  August  28,  1870,  and 
died  August  11,1871;  Margaret  E.,  born  June 
14,  1872,  and  died  July  20,  1873  ;  Catalina  M., 
born  May  30,  1874;  Fred.  C,  born  June  29, 
1876;  Charles  J.,  born  October  12,  1878.  Mr. 
Kincaid  purchased  land  in  this  county  in  1874, 
and  has  resided  on  it  since.  He  received  his 
education  principally  in  the  common  schools 
of  Ohio,  and  attended  the  academy  at  Gallipolis, 
Ohio,  two  years.  He  owns  a  large  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  acres,  valued  at  $50  an  acre, 
and  has  a  neat,  commodious  frame  dwelling 
house.  Mrs.  Kincaid  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  Mr.  K.  votes  with  the  Republican 
party. 

James  M.  Martin,  post  oflice,  Springfield, 
(Evans'  Box),  is  a  son  of  George  and  Leah 
(Fahs)  Martin.     His  father  was  born  in  Hamp- 


shire county,  Virginia,  October  28,  1805,  and 
died  October  25,  1841;  his  mother  was  born  in 
same  county,  August  12,  1802,  and  died  August 
8,  1860.  They  had  six  children,  two  were  born 
in  Virginia,  one  in  Ohio,  and  three  in  this  county; 
four  lived  to  maturity.  John  Martin,  the  father 
of  George,  purchased  land  in  1834,  the  same  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  James  Martin,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biography;  they  were  of  Scotch  and 
German  ancestry.  James  married  Mary  Wil- 
liams, daughter  of  I.  B.  Williams,  who  was  born 
in  Ohio;  her  grandfather  was  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  have  had  seven 
children;  four  died  in  childhood,  and  three  are 
living,  namely:  George  B.,  Mary  Frances,  James 
H.,  John  Edgar,  William  L.,  Phcebe  Adaline, 
and  Susan  Alice.  Mr.  Martin  owns  ninety-six 
acres  of  land,  seventy  under  cultivation;  it  is 
worth  $40  an  acre.  He  is,  in  politics,  a  Demo- 
crat. 

David  Marshall,  post  oflice  Cotton  Hill  was 
born  November  6,  1843.  His  parents,  Stephen 
and  Amada  (Smalley)  Marshall,  were  natives  of 
New  Jersey,  and  came  to  this  State  and  settled 
in  Macoupin  county  in  1845.  His  father  was  a 
miller,  also  farming  to  some  extent.  They  had 
nine  children — two  died  in  childhood,  and  seven 
grew  to  maturity.  David  was  the  seventh  child 
and  came  to  this  county  about  1857.  On  Octo- 
ber 27,  1864,  he  married  Emily  C.  Spicer,  born 
August  13,  1843;  they  had  four  children,  two 
died  in  infancy  and  two  are  living,  Mary  F.» 
born  November  3,  1867,  and  Louisa,  born  May 
27,  1875.  Mrs.  Marshall's  parents,  IJ.  D.  and 
Nancy  Clifton  Spicer,  were  natives  of  Delaware. 
He  was  born  September  24,  1793,  and  died  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1855;  the  mother  born  October  30, 
1800;  anVl  the  father,  Mr.  Marshall,  owns  one 
hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land  valued  at  $50  per 
acre;  makes  a  specialty  of  cattle  and  hogs  for 
market.  He  had  limited  advantages  for  early 
education,  and  always  worked  hard;  he  used 
to  work  sixteen  days  for  a  hog,  and  worked  all 
summer  for  five  acres  of  corn.  He  bought  a 
colt,  and  the  next  year  worked  for  six  acres  of 
corn,  and  in  the  winter  worked  for  his  board. 
When  he  was  sixteen  years  old  he  worked  for 
seven  acres,  and  when  he  was  seventeen,  herded 
cattle  for  $30  a  month;  bought  calves  and  run 
them  with  the  herd,  then  sold  out,  and  had 
about  $400,  with  which  he  bought  forty  acres  of 
land,  cut  the  wood  off,  and  sold  it  in  Springfield; 
from  that  time  he  continued  to  prosper  as  a 
speculator.     They  are  Democrats  politically. 

John  Popp,  post  oflice,  Springfield,  was  born 
in  Germany.      His  parents   were   John    G.   and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


881 


Ann  Popp,  the  former  born  in  178:i,  in  Germany, 
where  he  also  died;  the  mother's  birth  is  un- 
known; she  was  born,  and  died  in  Germany; 
they  were  married  in  1821  and  liad  five  children, 
three  of  whom  died  young.  John  was  the  fourth 
child,  and  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in 
New  Jersey,  where  he  lived  four  years,  tlien 
came  to  this  county  and  settled  were  he  now 
lives,  in  1860.  He  married  Susan  J.  Billings 
who  was  born  in  this  county;  her|3arents  were 
from  Maryland,  and  of  Welsh  and  German  an- 
cestry; they  had  five  children,  Mary  E.,  born 
December  21,  1861,  and  died  March  20,  1876; 
Herschel  V.,  born  July  20,  1863,  and  died  Jan- 
uary 17,  1872;  Judith  A.,  born  September  3,  1865, 
and  died  December  1,  1866;  Theodore,  born 
March  31,  1867;  and  Julia  A.,  l)orn  January  18, 
1872.  Mrs.  Popp  died  December  1,  1874.  Mr. 
P.  owns  seventy  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  an 
acre.  He  had  good  educational  advantages,  hav- 
ing attended  the  higher  schools  in  the  old  coun- 
try, and  the  English  schools  after  arriving  here; 
he  belongs  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

James  T.  Rape,  post  office.  New  City,  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Rape,  whose  children 
were  as  follows:  Joseph,  born  January  25,  1840; 
John,  born  December  16,  1843;  James,  born 
September  27,  1845;  Mary,  born  October  18, 
1848;  Samuel,  born  January  20,  1852;  Nancy 
Eveline,  born  April  27,  1856;  and  Emily  Jane, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen.  James  T.,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  this  county, 
September  27,  1845,  and  always  lived  on  the 
farm  now  occupied  by  him.  On  January  10, 
1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  West, 
who  was  born  in  Vermilion  county,  In- 
diana, and  of  German  ancestry.  They  have  had 
five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Delia 
M.,  born  May  22,  1868;  Florence  R.,  bom  De- 
cember 15,  1869,  and  died  at  the  age  of  nine 
months;  Fred  R.,  born  September  28,  1871; 
Izora  R.,  born  March  31,  1875,  anil  Pearl,  born 
March  9,  1878.  Mr.  Rape  owns  seventy-five 
acres  of  land,  and  has  held  several  township 
offices.  In  politics  they  are  Democrats.  The 
family  are  generally  Methodists. 

Andrew  Milslngle,  post  office,  New  City,  was 
born  in  Virginia,  March  25,  1801;  his  parents 
were  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Cooper)  Mislagle,  the 
former  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania, 
They  had  eleven  children,  five  sons  and  six 
daughters.  Andrew  was  the  first  son  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1S34.  In  1832,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  Martin,  in  Virginia.  They  had  six 
children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  two 
after   arriving  at  mature   age.     The  living  are: 


Elizabeth,  wife  of  Thomas  Mopin,  and  ni>w  liv- 
ing in  Kansas;  and  Jacob  M.,  who  married 
Elizabeth  Peek,  and  resides  on  the  homestead 
with  his  parents.  When  Mr.  Milslagle  first  came 
here,  he  entered  land  and  commenced  farming, 
and  has  continued  that  occupation  ever  since. 
He  owns  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land, 
eighty  of  which  is  under  cultivation.  lie  be- 
longs to  the  U.  P.  Church.  His  son,  William, 
was  in  the  army,  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers, 
Infantry,  and  died  at  home  in  July,  1863,  from 
diseases  contracted  in  the  army.  Mr.  Milslagle 
has  been  married  twice.  His  first  wife  died  in 
1837,  and  his  second  in  1845,  and  he  is  now  a 
widower. 

William  B.  Smith,  M.  D.,  post  office.  New 
City,  was  born  in  Williamsburg,  Claremont 
county,  Ohio,  March  15,  1846;  son  of  Robert  D., 
and  Margaret  (Burkitt)  Smith,  the  former  of 
Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  lived 
and  died  in  Claremont  county,  Ohio,  the  mother 
on  July  10,  1849,  of  cholera,  the  father,  January 
15,  1862.  William  B.,  attended  the  higher 
schools  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  in  Dover,  Kentucky,  with 
his  uncle,  and  was  with  him  three  years;  after- 
ward studied  with  Samuel  Burkitt,  and  H.  Clay 
Lassing,  of  Boone  county,  in  the  winter  of  1869- 
70.  He  attended  lectures  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michi- 
gan, and  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in  the  spring  of  1878. 
where  he  graduated  with  honors.  He  practiced 
three  years  in  Kentucky  and  seven  years  in  this 
State.  He  married  Alice  E.,  daughter  of  J.  M., 
and  Myra  O.  Haines,  of  Cotton  Hill  township, 
where  she  was  born.  They  have  two  children, 
Robert  M.,  born  March  9,  1880,  and  Newell  Jay, 
born  September  13,  1881.  The  doctor  has  a 
good  practice  in  the  county;  is  at  the  present 
time  town  treasurer,  and  has  been  two  years. 
He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  but  declined 
to  serve.  He  laid  out  the  village  of  New  City, 
and  gave  it  the  name,  and  was  the  first  postmas- 
ter in  it. 

Hartman  Spengler,  post  office,  New  City,  was 
born  in  Baden  Baden,  Germany,  February  10, 
1840.  His  parents  were  Michael  and  Catharine 
Spengler  and  were  natives  of  Germany.  The 
father  was  born  April  1,  1812;  the  mother's  birth- 
day unknown;  they  were  married  in  Germany  in 
March,  1837;  they  had  five  children,  of  whom 
three  are  living,  and  all  in  the  United  States. 
Hartman  was  the  first  child,  and  came  to  this 
country  with  his  parents  in  1843,  when  four 
years  of  age.     On  May  16^  1867,  he  married  Miss 


862 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Malintla  Moyer,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
November  5,  1843,  daughter  cf  Abraham  Moyer, 
who  was  born  also  in  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Ger- 
man parentage.  Mr.  and  Sirs.  Spengler  have 
had  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living: 
Thomas  M.,  born  March  14,  1868;  Samuel  H., 
born  October  11,  1869;  Winnie  L.,  born  Novem- 
ber 6,  1870  and  died  November  21,  1879;  Arte- 
mus  L.,  born  September  9,  18V2;  Mary  M.,  born 
November  1,  1874;  Alice  J.,  born  January  21, 
1877;  Rose  A.,  born  November  23,  1878;  and 
Gilbert,  born  March  24,  1880,  and  an  infant  son 
born  November  4,  1881.  Mr.  S.  owns  forty 
acres  of  land,  valued  at  §40  an  acre.  He  has 
been  supervisor  of  Cotton  Hill,  two  terms.  Mr. 
S.  is  a  Presbyterian  and  she  a  Lutheran. 

Alfred  Vigal,  of  Cotton  Hill  township,  sec- 
tion twenty,  son  of  John  T.  Vigal,  was  born  in 
this  township,  April  28,  1835,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  and  married,  December  17,  1857,  to 
Dianna  Carpenter,  wl)o  was  born  in  Delaware 
county,  Ohio,  February  6,  1831.  She  came  to 
Shelby  county,  Illinois,  when  eight  years  old, 
and  thence,  in  1839,  to  Sangamon,  where  she 
married  and  had  eight  children — Clara  J.,  born 
October  2,  18.58,  and  married  October  20,  1880, 
to  Charles  C.  Jones,  and  resides  in  this  town- 
ship ;  John  F.,  born  January  30,  1860  ;  an  in- 
fant, born  January  29,  1861,  and  died  February 
20,  1801  ;  Adaline,  born  February  11,  1862,  and 
died  January  19,1875;  Tenia,  born  June  19, 
1863;  an  infant,  born  February  10,  1865,  and 
died  same  day;  Edwin,  born  November  2,  1867, 
and  Mary,  born  August  26,  1870.  Mr.  Vigal's 
father,  John  T.  Vigal,  was  born  near  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  April  8,  1808,  and  married  March  10, 
1830,  in  Clark  county,  Indiana,  to  Hannah 
Coble,  who  was  also  born  there.  May  20,  1811. 
They  came  to  Sangamon  county  the  same  year 
of  their  marriage,  and  settled  in  Cotton  Hill 
township,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside  since 
that  time,  and  had  nine  children — five  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Three  sons  and  one  daughter 
(Mrs.  W.  H.  Boyd)  are  yet  living,  all  in  this 
township.  Mrs.  John  T.  Vigal  died  May  12, 
1853.  Mr.  Alfred  Vigal  has  always  been  a 
farmer,  and  owns  ninety  acres  of  valuable  laud, 
well  cultivated. 

William  H.  Vigal,  farmer,  on  section  twenty- 
one,  post  office.  New  City,  is  a  brother  of  the 
preceding,  and  was  born  January  22,  1833.  He 
was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  He  married  Miss  Sarah  Wil- 
lian,  daughter  of  Thomas  Willian,of  Kentucky, 
and  was  born  in  Cotton  Hill  township,  August 
29,  1833;  they  have  had  six  children,  as  follows: 


Martha  A.,  born  September  3,  1857,  now  Mrs. 
Chester  G.  Willaims;  Everett  A.,  born  Novem- 
ber 6,  1859;  Metta  E.,  born  December  2,  1865; 
William  M.,  born  February  2,  1869;  Ermen 
C,  born  October  17,  1873;  Freddie  H.,  born 
May  16,  1871,  and  died  December  22,  1879.  Mr. 
V.  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  for  several 
years,  and  also  other  local  offices  of  trust.  He 
owns  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land, 
under  good  cultivation,  worth  §40  an  acre;  he 
raises  corn,  and  is  largely  engaged  in  feeding 
cattle.  Mr.  V.  is  a  self-made  man,  and  has 
earned  his  property  by  hard  work,  industry  and 
economy.  He  has  a  fine  residence;  his  wife 
and  oldest  daughter  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.     In  politics.  Republican. 

Jonathan  Weaver,  post  office,  New  City,  is  the 
seventh  son  of  Jacob  and  Susan  Weaver,  natives 
of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Ger- 
man ancestry.  They  had  fourteen  children, 
most  of  whom  grew  to  maturity.  Jonathan  was 
born  December  20,  1816.  Becoming  an  orphan 
at  the  age  of  six  years,  he  was  put  on  a  farm 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then 
was  apprenticed  to  carpentry  and  cabinet-mak- 
ing. In  February,  1842,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Ruth,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Elizabeth  Ruth, 
of  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  of 
English  descent.  She  died  the  following  year, 
in  January,  and  on  May  14,  1846,  Mr.  W.  mar- 
ried Mary  Hammer,  of  Washington  county, 
Maryland,  who  was  born  July  7,  1818.  By  this 
marriage  there  were  five  sons:  George  H.,  born 
July  1,  1847;  Willie  H.,  February  1,  1850;  Sam- 
uel R.,  April  24,  1853;  Jonathan  L  ,  March  16, 
1856;  and  James  B.,  October  15,  1863.  Mrs.W. 
died  November  21,  1872,  and  was  buried  at  Oak 
Ridge  Cemetery.  Mr.  Weaver's  farm  comprises 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  is  valued 
at §35 an  acre.  Heis  amemberof  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  politically  a  Republican. 

liichard  White,  post  office,  Pawnee,  was  born 
inTennessee,October  15, 1830.  His  father,  Craig 
White,  was  born  in  January,  1800,  in  Tennessee. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  married  Sally  Lane, 
of  North  Carolina,  and  they  had  thirteen  chil- 
dren. They  came  to  this  country  in  1830.  They 
had  but  little  money,  and  bought  land  at  second 
hand.  Richard  was  but  a  few  weeks  old  when 
his  parents  settled  here.  lu  March,  1866, 
he  man-ied  Hannah  Ward,  who  was  born  in 
Virginia,  March  20,1845.  They  had  two  chil- 
dren: William,  who  died  in  infancy,  and  Lilly 
Elizabeth,  born  October  16,  1869.  Mr.  White 
owns  one  thousand  acres  of  land,  valued  at  §40 
an  acre,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


883 


Chapter  XXXVI. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  CURRAN. 


The  township  of  Curran  is  situated  in  the  sec- 
ond tier  of  townships  from  the  west  and  the 
third  from  the  south,  and  comprises  township 
fifteen,  range  six  west. 


TOPOGRAPUICAL. 

The  township  or  Curran  is  chiefly  rolling 
prairie,  having  but  little  timber,  and  that  along 
the  banks  of  Lick  creek  and  Spring  creek.  The 
soil  is  of  good  quality  and  the  farms  second  to 
none. 

WATER    COURSES. 

The  township  is  watered  by  Lick  creek  and 
Big  Spring  creek,  and  their  tributaries.  Lick 
creek  waters  nearly  the  entire  southern  tier  of 
sections  entering  Woodside  township,  from  sec- 
tion twenty-five.  Spring  creek  heads  on  section 
nineteen,  and  leaves  the  township  from  section 
four.     Plenty  of  water  is  found  for  the  stock. 

RAILKOAD. 

The  Wabash  railroad  passes  through  the 
center  of  the  township,  entering  from  Spring- 
field on  section  twelve,  and  passes  out  from  sec- 
tion nineteen.  It  has  two  stations  in  the  town- 
ship— Curran  and  San  station. 

EARLY  SETTLEMENT . 

The  first  settlement  was  made  in  this  town- 
ship in  1819.  Among  the  early  settlers  were 
Joshua  Brown,  Jacob  Earnest,  Thomas  Earnest, 
William  Archer,  David  Cloyd,  Thomas  Cloyd, 
Samuel  Cloyd,  Stephen  Shelton,  William  T. 
Brawnes,  Ivins  Foster,  James  Parkinson,  John 
Smith,  Thomas  McKee,  Elisha  McKomas,  Mr. 
Lamb,  John  Kelly,  James  McKee,  Barney  Van- 
deren,  Henry  Alsbury,  Thomas  Hilliard,  Thomas 
Foster,  William  Withrow,  and  others. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  township  were  from 
the  south,  Kentucky  furnishing  the  greater  num- 

103— 


ber.  The  "Yankees"  now  inhabiting  the  town- 
ship came  at  a  later  day. 

Joshua  Brown  was  born  May  20,  1792,  in 
Davis  county,  Kentucky.  Nancy  Wilcher  was 
born  December,  1789,  in  the  same  county. 
They  were  there  married,  early  in  1812,  and  in 
November,  1818,  moved  to  St.  Clair  county, 
Illinois,  and  from  there  to  what  became  Sanga- 
mon county,  arriving  April  18,  1819,  in  what  is 
now  Curran  township,  east  of  Archer's  creek, 
and  south  of  Spring  creek,  and  later,  entered  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  south  of  Spring 
creek,  in  Gardner  township. 

Jacob  Earnest  was  born  April  24,  1799,  in 
South  Carolina,  was  married  there  to  Elizabeth 
Sims,  who  was  born  April  26,  1798.  She  was  a 
sister  of  James  and  William  Sims,  one  of  whom 
was  older  and  the  other  younger  than  herself. 
They  moved  to  that  part  of  Simpson  which  later 
became  Logan  county,  Kentucky.  In  1817,  the 
family  moved  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  and 
they  moved  to  what  became  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fail  of  1819,  on  Spring 
creek,  in  what  is  now  Curran  township. 

Thomas  Earnest  was  born  June  3,  1792,  in 
South  Carolina.  His  parents  moved,  when  he 
was  a  boy,  to  Simpson  county,  Kentucky.  In 
the  autumn  of  1819,  he  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  and  joined  his  brother  Jacob,  who  had 
previously  arrived  with  his  family.  Thomas 
Earnest  commenced  improvements  south  of 
Spring  creek,  eight  miles  west  of  Springfield, 
and  entered  land  when  it  came  into  market.  He 
was  married  October  15,  1822,  to  AUetta  Lan- 
terman. 

William  Archer  was  born  July  30,  1793,  in 
North  Carolina,  and  in  1807  his  parents  moved 
to  Tennessee,  where  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Jackson;    moved  to   Madison  county,  lUi- 


884 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY, 


noi8,  where  Mrs.  A.  died,  and  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Holt,  December  20,  1818.  She  was  born 
December  3, 1793,  in  Oglethorpe  county,  Georgia, 
and.  losing  her  parents  when  quite  young,  she 
was  taken  by  an  uncle,  Robert  White,  to  Madi- 
son county,  Illinois,  in  1811.  Wm.  and  Elizabeth 
Archer  had  twins  in  Madison  county,  and  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  April  HO,  1820,  in 
what  is  now  Curran  township. 

William  Archer  died  August  31,  1867,  from 
the  effects  of  being  thrown  from  ahorse,  and  his 
widow  resides  at  the  farm  where  they  settled  in 
1820. 

In  the  fall  of  1873,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Archer, 
then  eighty  years  of  age,  gave  to  the  writer  a 
piece  of  a  dress  made  with  her  own  hands  more 
than  sixty  years  before.  The  family  of  her 
uncle,  with  whom  she  moved  from  Georgia,  to 
St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  in  1811,  brought  some 
cotton  in  the  bolls,  for  the  purpose  of  using  the 
seed  in  growing  cotton  in  their  new  home.  Miss 
Holt,  as  her  name  then  was,  obtained  the  consent 
of  her  uncle  to  apply  the  cotton  to  her  own  use. 
She  picked  it  from  the  bolls  and  separated  the 
cotton  from  the  seed  with  her  fingers,  and  spun 
it  on  a  wheel,  borrowed  from  a  neighbor  more 
than  thirty  miles  distant.  She  had  a  rude  loom 
constructed  for  the  purpose,  and  had  just  com- 
menced weaving,  when  the  first  assassination 
among  the  white  settlers,  by  the  Indians  took 
place,  as  the  beginning  there  of  the  war  with 
England.  That  occurred  in  June,  1812.  She, 
with  her  uncle's  family,  fled  to  Fort  Bradsby,  a 
rude  wooden  fortification  near  by.  Appealing  to 
the  Lieutenant  in  command  for  protection,  he 
reported  the  case  to  Governor  Edwards,  who 
authorized  him  to  grant  her  request.  A  guard 
was  accordingly  placed  around  the  cabin,  and 
kept  there  until  the  weaving  was  completed. 
The  design  was  unique  and  beautiful.  The  cloth 
was  carefully  preserved,  some  of  it  bleached  to 
snowy  whiteness  and  made  into  a  dress.  She 
wore  it  for  the  first  time  to  a  quarterly  meeting 
in  1818,  just  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  at- 
tracted universal  attention  as  the  finest  dressed 
lady  in  all  that  region  of  country. 

David  Cloyd  was  born  about  1766,  in  Bote- 
tourt county,  Virginia.  He  was  married  there, 
moved  to  Culpeper  county,  and  from  there  to 
Washington  county,  Kentucky,  about  181,5.  He 
moved  in  company  with  his  sons,  Thomas  and 
Samuel,  and  his  daughter  Polly — who  married 
Henry  Lucas — to  Sangamon  county,  arriving 
October,  1825,  in  what  is  now  Curran  township. 
David  Cloyd  died  about  1839,  and  his  widow  in 
1844  or  '5,  both  in  Sangamon  county. 


Thomas  Cloyd,  son  of  David,  was  born  Jan- 
uary 14,  1798,  in  Botetourt  county,  Virginia, 
and  went  with  his  parents  to  Washington  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1815.  He  was  married  there  April 
27,  1820,  to  Ann  Withrow.  They  had  three 
children  in  Kentucky,  and  in  1824  moved  to 
Fayette  county,  Illinois,  where  they  had  one 
child,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon  county,  ar- 
riving Oc'ober,  1825,  in  what  is  now  Curran 
township,  north  of  Lick  creek,  where  they  had 
two  children.  Of  their  six  children — Samuel 
Cloyd,  brother  to  Thomas,  was  born  November 
20,  1802,  in  Culpeper  county,  Virginia.  He  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Washington  county  in 
1815,  and  to  Sangamon  county,  in  1825.  He  was 
married  May  1,  1832,  in  Sangamon  county  to 
Eliza  Clements.     They  had  but  one  child. 

Stephen  Shelton  was  born  1777,  in  North 
Carolina,  married  there  to  Lydia  Heath,  and  at 
once  moved  to  Ohio,  near  the  mouth  of  Sciota 
river;  the  family  moved  across  the  Ohio  river 
into  Cabel  county.  West  Virginia.  He  was  a 
soldier  from  Virginia  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
from  there  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  May,  1826,  in  what  is  now  Curran 
township.     He  died  in  1859. 

William  T.  Brawner,  was  born  August  9,  1799, 
in  Maryland.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
seven  years  old,  and  his  mother  moved  to  Madi- 
son county,  Kentucky,  when  he  was  eighteen 
years  old.  He  was  there  married,  December  25, 
1822,  to  Elizabeth  Ball;  the  family  moved  to 
Sangamon  cotmty  Illinois,  arriving  in  October, 
1 8  29,  in  what  is  now  Curran  township. 

Ivins  Foster,  was  born  November  23,  1794,  in 
Harrison  county,  Kentucky.  Margaret  McKee 
was  born  January  24,  1796,  in  the  same  county. 
They  were  there  married,  February  26,  1819; 
then  moved  to  Gallatin  county;  they  then  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  Novem- 
ber, 1829,  in  what  is  now  Curran  township,  north 
of  Lick  creek. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  early  settlers,  as  a  general  thing,  looked 
well  to  the  educational  interests  of  their  children. 
A  settlement  was  no  sooner  founded  with 
children  enough  to  form  a  school,  than  a  teacher 
was  employed.  The  first  schools  attended  by 
children  from  this  township,  were  over  the  line 
in  Chatham  A  school  house  was  erected  on 
section  thirty-two,  just  before  the  deep  snow, 
which  is  supposed  by  the  old  settlers  of  to-day 
to  be  the  first  in  the  township. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  religious  services  held  in  the  town 
ship  are  unknown,  but  it  is  thought  to  have  been 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


885 


held  by  William  Sims.  The  first  generally 
remembered  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Rice, 
in  the  summer  of  1823,  at  the  house  of  Thomas 
Smith.  For  many  years  all  services  were  held 
either  in  the  cabin  of  the  pioneers  or  in  the 
school  houses.  There  are  now  three  church 
edifices  in  the  township — two  Methodist  Epis- 
copal and  one  Presbyterian. 

A  class  was  formed  in  the  southeast  part  of 
the  township,  of  those  belonging  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  an  early  day,  which  met  at 
a  school  house  in  the  neighborhood.  Under 
the  ministerial  care  of  men  who  feared  God  and 
loved  their  fellow  man,  it  grew  until  it  became 
so  large  the  school  house  was  too  small  and  in- 
convenient to  hold  the  number  who  desired  to 
attend  the  services.  The  project  of  building 
was  discussed,  and  on  its  location  the  class 
split,  forming  two  classes,  one  of  whom  proceed- 
ed at  once  to  the  work  of  the  erection  of  a 
building  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
thirty-three.  The  building  known  as  Wesley 
Chapel  was  erected  in  1866,  at  a  cost  of  $2,600. 
Mount  Zion  Chapel  was  erected  in  1868,  at 
a  cost  of  $3,000.  Both  edifices  are  neat  frame 
buildings  and  are  an  honor  to  the  citizens  of  the 
township. 

WAK    KECORD. 

The  war  record  of  the  township  is  good,  every 
call  of  the  Government  being  promptly  re- 
sponded to,  thus  avoiding  the  necessity  of  the 
draft. 

MILLS. 

The  first  water-mill  in  the  township  was 
erected  in  1842,  by  Abraham  Foster,  on  Lick 
creek.     It  had  one  run  of  stone. 

CHEESE    FACTORY. 

A  cheese  factory  was  started  in  the  township 
in  1878,  which  is  doing  a  fair  business,  and  is 
the  property  of  John  Workman. 

RAILROAD  STATION. 

The  Railroad  company  has  had  a  flag  station, 
known  as  San  station,  on  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  thirteen.  A  large  amount  of  grain  is 
annually  shipped  from  the  station  by  the  farm- 
ers of  the  neighborhood,  for  whose  benefit  the 
station  was  made. 

FIRST  THINGS. 

The  first  frame  and  plastered  house  in  the  town- 
ship was  built  by  Ebenezer  Dove,  on  section 
twenty-six,  in  1839.  It  was  called  the  White 
House,  on  account  of  its  being  painted  that 
color. 


The  first  settlers  were  from  the  South.  Thomas 
McKee  started  a  blacksmith  shop  in  1821.  Mr. 
McKee  was  .also  a  gunsmith,  and  an  excellent 
one.  The  repairing  of  guns  was  the  principal 
part  of  his  business. 

VILLAGE     OF    CL'RRAN. 

Thomas  Moffett  and  A.  J.  VanDeren,  had  sur- 
veyed and  platted  the  north  part  of  the  west 
half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  twenty- 
one,  township  fifteen  north,  range  six  west,  the 
plat  bearing  date  September  19,  1857.  To  the 
village  thus  platted  was  given  the  name  "Cur- 
ran,"  in  honor  of  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
the  county. 

Shortly  after  the  village  was  laid  out,  a  Mr. 
Fox  commenced  the  sale  of  merchandise  in  the 
place,  being  the  first  to  engage  in  the  mercantile 
trade.  Mr.  Fox  also  received  the  appointment 
of  postmaster,  being  the  first  to  occupy  that  po- 
sition. He  was  succeeded  as  postmaster  by 
James  W.  Gibson,  Noah  Richards,  Mr.  French, 
and  O.  S.  Hotohkins,  the  present  postmaster. 

The  village  has  made  a  slow  growth,  and  has 
never  numbered  many  inhabitants.  Its  near- 
ness to  Springfield  has  tended  to  retard  its 
o-rowth.  At  present  the  business  of  the  place  is 
represented  by  the  following:  O.  S.  Hotchkins, 
dealer  in  drugs  and  groceries;  Nicholas  Powers, 
groceries;  J.  W.  Hammond,  drugs  and  perfum- 
ery; Joseph  Dickerson,  blacksmith;  William 
Search,  wagon  maker;  Nicholas  Powers,  dealer 
in  grain. 

An  elevator  was  erected  in  1877,  by  Patterson 

&   Rickard,    with    a   capacity    of  bushels. 

Another   was   erected   a    year    later    by    Isaac 
French. 

ORGANIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861.  The 
following  comprise  the  principal  township  otti- 
cers  from  1861  to  1881,  inclusive: 

SUPERVISORS. 

James  Parkinson ^^^L^o 

M    S.  Patteson 1863 

James  Parkinson 1864 

M.  S.  Palteson 1865 

Robert  Perkins 1866 

Daniel  Taylor 1867 

William  French 1868 

William  H    Parkinson 1869 

R.   L.  Perkins 1870 

Thomas  Smith -  •  IS^J 

R.  L .  Perkins 1873-3 

Thomas  Smith 1874 

Peter  Vredenhurg ^qIS  ~ 

David  Paulen ■    ^°  oZZ 

B.  F.  Caldwell 1»78 

Joseph  Dickerson 1879 

G.  M.  Davis 1880 

A.  Frey lool 


880 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


CLERKS. 

M.  S.  Patterson 1861-2 

James  A.   Poor 1863-5 

M.  S.   Patterson 1866 

Chas .  A .  .Jackson 1867-8 

J.  E.  Bradley 1869 

C.   A.  Jackson 1870 

John  Bulger 1871 

J.  H.  Taylor 1872-3 

N.  M.  Rickard 1874-5 

N.  Powers 1876-8 

J.  C .  French 187»-80 

Thos.  G.  Springall 1881 

ASBE6SOS8. 

A.  R    Washburn 1861-3 

Peter  Vredenburg 1863 

Daniel  Taylor 1864 

Wm.  H.   Parkinson 1865 

Wm .  C.  Caldwell 1866 

James  A.  Poor 1867 

James  Young 1868 

H.  Gibson 1869-70-71 

Chas.  Beerup 1872 

T.  L.  Bradley 1873 

H.   Gibson 1874-5 

James  McCasland 1876-7 

R,  M.  Foster 1878 

J.  E    Barbee 1879 

G.  W.  Blewitt 1880-1 

COLLECTORS. 

Wm   C.  Smith 1861-3 

Joseph  Cloyd 1864 

David  Miller 1865-6 

Wm.  C.  Caldwell - 1867 

H.  Gibson 1868 

C.  A.  Jackson 1869-70 

A.  L    Patteson 1871 

T.  M.  Perkins 1873 

H.   Gibson 1873 

R.  P.Smith 1874 

C.  P.  Vanderen 1875 

A.  L.  Patteson ^ 1876 

J.  S.    Smith 1877 

Ed.  Patterson 1878 

A.   Alson 1879 

R.  M.  Foster 1880 

J.  F.  Smith 1881 

^JUSTICES   OF   THE  PEACE. 

R.  C.  Smith Kofii 

Daniel  Taylor f  ^°°^ 

James  Parkenson 1 1865 

Wm.  C.  Smith ( 

A.  C.  Gaines „,-  lf:'66 

Jos.  Dickerson I^ggg 

Daniel  Taylor ) 

James  McCasland 1871 

David  Paulen 1874 

Jos.  Dickerson !  .(0.^1^ 

W.  J.  Hammond f 

Jos.  Dickerson i  ^ogj 

M.  S.  Patterson ." f 

COMMISSIONERS   OF   HIGHWAY. 

George  Trimble ) 

Wm.  French [  1861 

Thos.  Smith ) 

George  Trimble 1863 


J.  C.  Clovd  1863 

Wm.  French 1864 

George  Trimble 1865 

J.  C.^Cloy d 1866 

Thos.  Smith 1867 

M.  S.  Patterson 1868 

Peter  Vredenburg 1869 

M.  S.  Patterson 1870-72 

J.  D.  McJIurrav 1875 

P.  Murray....". 1876 

David  Miller 1877 

J,   B.  Gardner 1878 

P.  Murray 1879 

David  Miller 1880 

J.  P.  Gardner 1881 

SCHOOL  TRUSTEES. 

A.  A.   Patterson 1874 

S.  L.  Foster 1875 

B    F.  Caldwell 1876 

R.  L.  Perkins 1877 

S.  L.  Foster 1878 

G.  M.  D.  Davis 1878-79 

A.  L.  Patterson 1880 

R.  L.  Perkins 1881 

Reminiscenes  of  James  Parkinson. — "  I  was 
born  in  Ohio,  near  AVheeling,  W.  Va.,  Dec.  22, 
1805.  My  parents  removed  from  there  when  I 
was  an  infant  to  Washington  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  remained  there  till  I  was  ten  or  twelve 
years  old,  then  moved  into  Green  coimty  and 
lived  there  several  years,  and  while  there  my 
father  made  the  first  printing  press  that  was 
ever  used  in  that  county,  he  also  invented  a 
machine  for  rifeling  gun  barrels,  and  put  one 
up  at  Harper's  Ferry  for  the  United  States  Gov- 
ernment, which  proved  a  great  success  for  the 
government,  and  some  government  officials  lied 
and  swindled  him  out  of  it.  That  same  machine 
is  used  in  a  manner  in  rifeling  gun  barrels  to 
this  day.  That  machine  was  put  up  in  about 
from  1815  to  1820.  My  grandfather  (Parkinson) 
was  a  British  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  War 
with  England,  and  did  rot  return  to  England  at 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  married  a  woman  of 
Irish  descent  who  lived  to  be  nearly  ninety 
years  old.  What  little  education  I  got,  I  re- 
ceived in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania. 
I  have  worked  for  five  and  eight  dollars  per 
month.  JNIy  parents  raised  twelve  children  to 
be  men  and  women.  From  Green  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, we  moved  to  what  is  now  Marshal 
county,  West  Virginia,  and  the  family  remained 
there  until  my  father  died,  August  11,  1848. 
Some  time  after  that  my  mother  removed  to  this 
State  with  one  of  her  daughters,  Mrs.  Craig, 
near  Oquawka,  and  died  there  October  24,  1853, 
In  the  fall  of  1830,  my  elder  brother  and  I 
started  from  home  in  Virginia  for  Illinois,  on 
horseback,  with  a  model  of  a  mill  that  our 
father  had  invented,  which  would  do  the  work 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


887 


of  a  four  foot  stone  with  a  two  foot  one.  We 
carried  that  model  behind  us  on  our  horses  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  stopped  at  David  Mc- 
Coy's, (who  had  a  mill,  and  lived  about  ten  miles 
west  of  Springfield),  and  there  started  one  ot  our 
mills  and  stayed  there  all  winter,  that  was  the 
winter  of  the  deep  snow.  We  went  deer  hunt- 
ing before  the  snow  got  over  two  feet  deep  one 
day,  and  caught  two  deer  on  our  horses,  but 
when  the  snow  got  to  its  greatest  depth,  there 
was  no  such  thing  as  getting  about  on  the 
prairies. 

"We  were  happily  situated  to  what  most  of  the 
people  were,  for  we  had  a  mill  and  plenty  to 
grind  and  eat,  while  a  great  many  had  to  live  on 
hominy.  It  was  about  the  last  of  February 
before  people  could  crop  the  prairies,  for  the 
snow.  That  winter  we  sold  our  interest  in  the 
mill  business  in  Illinois,  and  went  back  to  Vir- 
ginia in  the  spring  of  1831,  and  remained  there 
till  the  next  fall,  and  then  returned  to  Illinois, 
and  stopped  at  the  same  place  that  I  did  at  first. 
That  fall  the  cold  weather  set  in  very  early,  and 
had  frosts  and  freezing  weather  so  soon  that  it 
spoiled  all  the  corn  from  seed,  so  in  the  spring 
of  18.i'2  we  had  to  send  south  for  seed  corn,  and 
pay  ^-2  per  bushel,  and  that  did  not  grow  well, 
so  we  had  a  very  poor  show  for  a  crop  that  year, 
but  made  a  light  crop.  In  January,  183.3,  I 
went  to  Arkansas  and  stopped  near  Little  Rock, 
and  started  a  mill  there,  sold  out,  and  came 
back  to  Illinois,  making  my  home  at  David  Mc- 
Coy's. I  then  began  to  think  I  was  old  enough 
to  marry,  and  thought  that  the  first  girl  I  found, 
that  I  thought  enough  of  and  would  have  me,  I 
would  marry.  I  had  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  a  Miss  Mahala  Earnest  previously,  and  had 
become  somewhat  smitten  with  her,  and  the 
longer  I  knew  her  the  better  I  liked  her,  and  so 
on  November  7,  1833,  Mahala  Earnest,  who  was 
born  December  18,  1811,  in  Kentucky,  and  was 
the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Sims) 
Earnest,  and  I,  were  married.  We  have  raised 
three  girls  and  two  boys,  viz:  Mary  Jane,  born 
November  1,  1834,  and  married  William  Bald- 
win; Grizella  Ann,  born  March  22,  1836,  and 
married  W.  T.  Bradford;  Clarinda  Adeline, 
born  January  22,  1838,  married  Thomas  B.  Pete- 
fish;  John  J.,  born  January  23,  1840,  married  Au- 
gusta Palteson,  and  William  H.,  born  October 
31,  1842,  married  Sarah  Jane  Bradford.  Mr. 
Petefish  and  family  live  in  Kansas.  William  H. 
and  family  live  in  Missouri.  My  son,  John  J., 
served  three  years  in  the  war  and  was  honorably 
discharged,  and  my  son,  William  II.,  aided  the 
cause  by  sending  a  substitute.     I   had  the  first 


scouring  plow  ever  used  on  Spring  creek,  in- 
vented and  made  by  William  Sprouse,  of  Rock 
creek.  I  became  quite  interested  in  the  success 
of  Mr.  Sprouse  and  furnished  the  money  to  aid 
him  in  procuring  the  patent.  I  Jiave  served 
twelve  years  as  justice  of  the  peace,  before  this 
county  adopted  township  organization,  and  was 
elected  first  and  second  supervisor  of  the  town. 
I  reside  one  mile  from  where  we  were  married. 
Own  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  on  the 
road  leading  from  Springfield  to  Jacksonville, 
eight  miles  from  Springfield,  under  a  fair  state 
of  cultivation.  My  wife  and  I  are  supporters  of 
the  Methodist  Church." 

We  have  thought  best  to  give  as  a  part  of  the 
history  of  Curran  township,  a  number  of  brief 
memoirs  of  the  best  known  residents,  together 
with  many  who  have  lived  here  in  an  earlier  day 
and  are  now  deceased. 

Carroll  Archer,  farmer,  was  born  in  St.  Clair 
county,  September  30,  1819,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Holt)  Archer.  His 
father  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  born 
December  3,  1793,  and  his  mother  in  Oglethorpe 
county,  Georgia,  in  December  1791.  They 
moved  from  Madison  county,  Illinois,  in  April, 
1820,  to  Sangamon  county,  in  what  is  now  Cur- 
ran township,  where  they  resided  until  their 
death.  His  father  died  August  31,  1867,  from 
the  effects  of  being  thrown  from  a  horse.  His 
mother  died  in  March  1878. 

Carroll  Archer  came  to  the  county  when  quite 
young,  and  his  educational  advantages  were 
limited,  which  has  been  a  great  trial  to  him  all 
through  life.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and 
might  be  termed  one  of  Sangamon  county's 
early  settlers.  He  remained  with  his  father  un- 
til he  was  married,  November  24,  1842,  to  Deli- 
lah Eenshaw,  who  was  born  in  St.  Clair  county, 
Illinois,  in  1822.  They  have  three  children, 
Martha  T.,  now  Mrs.  Lorenzo  Stillman,  and  re- 
sides in  Curran  township;  Ann  E.,  now  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward Robinson,  and  resides  in  Linden,  Kansas; 
Sarah  C,  now  Mrs.  Henry  Gaines,  and  resides 
near  Odell,  Illinois.  His  wife  died  May  31, 
1865,  and  he  again  married  September  4,  1866, 
Elizabeth  Houton,  who  was  born  October  25, 
1 830,  in  Menard  county.  They  have  two  chil- 
dren, Edwin,  and  Maria  Belle.  He  owns  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  on  which  he 
resides.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  General  Har- 
rison, in  1840,  for  President,  and  he  is  an  ardent 
supporter  of  the  Repul)lican  party. 

William  JBarbre,  farmer,  Curran  township, 
was  born  November  10,  1822;  second  son  of 
Eli  Barbre,  who  was  born  July  25,  1798,  in  Ken- 


888 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tucky.  He  was  married  about  1819.  in  Posey 
county,  Indiana,  to  Nancy  Wilkinson,  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  also.  Mrs.  Barbre  died  there,  in 
1828.  Mr.  Barbre  moved  to  Edgar  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  was  married  there  January  17,  1829,  to 
Anna  Wilson.  They  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1835,  in  what  is 
DOW  Island  Grove  township,  where  they  con- 
tinued to  reside  on  a  farm  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  Waverly,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1846. 
His  mother  afterwards  married  William  With- 
row,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1871.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  was 
deprived  of  the  school  privileges  on  account  of 
having  to  help  support  the  remainder  of  the 
family. 

He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  and 
was  first  married  January  15,  1845,  to  Rebecca 
Smith,  born  October  21,  1828.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Drennan)  Smith, 
who  now  reside  in  Curran  township.  They  had 
two  children — Nancy  and  Jane — the  latter  now 
Mrs.  James  IMcKee.  He  lost  his  wife  October 
18,  1847,  and  was  again  married,  February  6, 
1849,  to  Lucy  M.  Smith,  sister  to  his  first  wife, 
who  was  born  April  17,  182.3.  They  had  a 
family  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  now 
living — Mary  A  ,  Johnnie  E.,  James  W.  Richard 
S.,  Samuel  M.,  and  Martha  C. — three  dead.  Came 
to  the  township  soon  after  marriage,  and  has  con- 
tinued to  reside  in  the  same  ever  since.  He  en- 
listed in  the  late  war,  September,  1861,  in  com- 
pany B,  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  for  three  years. 
He  was  wagon-master  and  veterinary  surgeon, 
and  underwent  many  trials  ;  was  in  several 
skirmishes  in  Missouri,  and  received  a  sunstroke 
at  the  battle  of  Pilot  Knob,  Missouri,  in  1862, 
and  was  disabled  on  account  of  same.  Pie  was 
honorably  discharged,  in  June,  1863.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  land  in  Curran  township  ;  is  well  improved, 
and  worth  $60  per  acre.  In  politics,  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Caldwell. — 1  he  origin  of  the  Caldwell  family, 
now  living  in  the  town  of  Curran,  can  be  traced 
back  to  the  fourth  generation  removed.  Thomas 
Caldwell,  the  great-grandfather,  was  born  in  Ire- 
land, but  emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  Rev- 
olutionary War.  The  name  is  Scotch,  and  it  is 
quite  probable  there  was  a  union  of  Scotch  and 
Irish  blood  in  the  family.  Thomas  Caldwell 
married  in  Ireland,  Betsy  Harris,  a  Welsh  lady, 
and  the  couple  decided  to  remove  to  the  New 
World,  where  they  would  have  a  better  oppor- 
tunity of  making  tor  themselves  and  family,  a 
borne.     They  landed  at  Charleston,  South  Caro- 


lina, where  they  remained  a  short  time,  and  then 
moved  to  Virginia.  Here  they  remained  a  few 
years,  and  here  \^'illiam  Caldwell  was  born,  De- 
cember 15,  1779.  When  the  latter  was  but  a 
youth,  his  parent  removed  to  Jessamine  county, 
Kentucky,  where  they  subsequently  died,  at  the 
house  of  their  son,  William.  William  Caldwell 
was  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  and 
while  living  in  Kentucky  held  several  important 
public  positions,  being  elected  and  serving  as 
sheriff  of  Jessamine  county,  and  representing 
the  county  several  terms  in  the  State  legislature. 
William  Caldwell  was  married  in  Jessamine 
county,  Kentucky,  to  Nancy  Robards,  a  native  of 
Virginia.  Six  children  were  born  unto  them: 
George  L.,  John,  Jane  R.,  Elizabeth,  Charles 
H.,  and  William,  Jr.,  all  of  whom  are  now*  dead. 

William  Caldwell  moved  from  Kentucky  to 
Greene  county,  Illinois,  in  1831,  and  to  Sanga- 
mon county  in  1836,  locating  in  Auburn  town- 
ship. Subsequently  he  moved  to  Curran  town- 
ship, where  he  died,  August  1,  1844,  his  widow 
surviving  him  something  over  fourteen  years. 
When  he  moved  to  Curran  township,  there  wa» 
near  him  no  place  for  holding  public  worship. 
In  order  to  afford  temporary  accommodations,  he 
constructed  his  residence  in  such  a  manner  that 
it  could  be  used  for  that  purpose.  It  consisted 
of  a  large  central  room,  with  three  other  large 
rooms  opening  into  it.  Plans  were  laid,  before 
his  death,  for  building  a  church,  and  on  his 
death  bed  he  requested  that  it  be  calkd  Bethel, 
which  was  done.  He  was  a  man  of  great  public 
spirit,  and  was  Captain  of  a  company  from  Jes- 
samine county,  Kentucky,  in  the  War  of  1812, 
After  his  removal  to  Sangamon  county  he  served 
one  term  in  the  legislature. 

John  Caldwell,  the  second  son,  was  born  Janu- 
ary 21,  1807,  in  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Carroll- 
ton,  Illinois,  in  1827.  He  was  there  married, 
January  23,  1834,  to  Mary  J.  Davis,  likewise  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  who  was  born  near  Danville, 
in  that  State,  January  16,  1815.  Five  children 
was  the  result  of  this  union;  William  C,  Jane, 
Betsy,  Henry  C,  and  Ben.  F.,  three  of  whom 
are  now  dead — Jane,  Betsy,  and  Henry  C 
John  Caldwell  and  family  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  April  1853,  and  located  on  the  farm 
purchased  by  his  father  some  years  previous,  on 
section  thirty-six,  Curran  township,  one  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  village  of  Chatham,  and 
eight  miles  from  Springfield.  This  farm  Mr. 
Caldwell  further  improved,  and  here  died  after  a 
painful  illness,  August  1.  1863.  His  widow  and 
youngest  son,  yet  reside  upon  the  farm.  Mrs. 
Caldwell  when  a  young  lady  took  a  journey  that 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


889 


few  in  this  year,  1881,  would  care  ta  take.  She 
rode  on  horseback  from  Danville,  Kentucky,  to 
Tallahasse,  Florida,  returned  ^Jiie  same  way,  and 
after  a  short  stay,  continued  >n  to  Carrollton, 
Illinois,  a  distance  of  about  t\  <>  thousand  miles. 

William  C,  first  son  of  .John  and  Mary  ,T. 
Caldwell,  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Illinois, 
March  15,  1835,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
Sangamon  county,  in  1853.  He  was  raised  on  a 
farm,  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  the 
county  at  intervals,  obtaining  the  rudiments  of 
an  English  education,  and  subsequently  from 
Shurtleii'  College,  Upper  Alton,  Illinois.  He  has 
been  twice  married,  and  now  resides  in  Chatham 
township.     No  children  came  from  either  union. 

Benjamin  F.,  fifth  child  of  John  and  Mary  L. 
Caldwell,  was  born  August  2,  1848,  in  Greene 
county,  Illinois,  and  came  with  his  parents  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1853.  In  the 
common  schools  of  the  neighborhood  in  which 
he  was  raised  and  in  the  graded  schools  of  Chat- 
ham, he  laid  the  foundation  of  a  thorough  busi- 
ness education,  which  in  later  years  has  served 
him  in  good  stead.  On  the  27th  of  May,  1873, 
Benjamin  F.  Caldwell,  and  .Julia  F.,  daughter  of 
Matthew  Cloyd,  an  old  citizen  of  the  county, 
were  married,  and  immediately  started  upon  a 
wedding  trip  which  occupied  several  months  and 
traveling  a  distance  of  fourteen  thousand  miles, 
going  and  returning.  They  first  went  to  New 
York  by  way  of  Detroit  and  Suspension  Bridge, 
where,  on  the  4th  of  June,  they  took  steamer  for 
Queenstown,  Ireland,  where  they  landed  June 
14.  Passing  through  Ireland  to  Belfast;  thence 
to  Scotland;  down  through  the  center  of  England 
to  London;  from  there  through  Holland,  Bel- 
gium and  the  smaller  German  States  to  Berlin; 
thence  to  Vienna,  where  they  took  in  the  great 
World's  Exposition;  across  the  Alps  to  Italy, 
meeting  with  the  une.Ypected  pleasure  of  an 
audience  with  Pius  the  IX.  Returning,  they 
passed  through  Mount  Cenis  tunnel;  thence  by 
Geneva  to  Paris;  from  Paris  back  to  London; 
thence  to  Jjiverpool,  wl  ere  they  took  steamer  for 
Boston,  arriving  October  0,  of  the  same  year. 
Two  children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Caldwell — Mary  Jane,  born  March  20,  1874,  and 
John  Harvey,  born  September  9,  1877. 

Mr.  Caldwell,  since  arriving  at  man's  estate, 
has  been  an  active  business  man.  Securing 
quite  a  competency  from  the  estate  of  bis  father, 
by  careful  and  judicious  management  he  has 
added  largely  to  his  possessions.  For  some 
years  sifter  the  death  of  his  father,  he  personally 
managed  the  large  farm,  but  since  1871  he  has 
rented  the  land  and  turned  his  attention  to  other 


business,  principally  the  loaning  of  money,  and 
dealing  in  western  unimproved  lauds,  lie  has 
bought  and  sold  m.any  hundreds  of  acres  of  land 
in  Kansas  and  Missouri. 

In  January,  1878,  he  began  tlie  mercantile 
business  in  Chatham,  and  the  same  unvarying 
good  fortune  has  attended  him  in  this  line  of 
trade.  In  1870,  he  set  about  the  organization  of 
a  bank  in  the  village  of  Chatham,  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  villagers  and  neighboring 
farmers.  On  the  election  of  its  first  officers 
he  was  elected  president  of  the  institution,  and 
in  1881  was  re-elected  to  the  same  position. 

Politically,  Mr.  Caldwell  is  a  Democrat,  and 
has  been  an  earnest  worker  in  that  party.  He 
has  served  a  term  and  a  half  as  a  member  of  the 
board  of  supervisors,  and  was  selected  by  that 
body  as  its  chairman,  notwithstanding  he  was 
one  of  the  youngest  members  on  the  board,  and 
had  no  previous  experience — an  honor  seldom 
conferred.  In  1874,  he  was  nominated  as  a 
reform  candidate  for  the  legislature,  but  was 
defeated. 

Mr.  Caldwell,  on  arriving  at  his  majority, 
united  with  botli  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow 
lodges  of  Chatham  and  Springfield,  and  has 
since  been  an  active  worker  in  these  truly 
benevolent  orders,  having  filled  the  chair  of 
W.  M.,  in  the  Masonic  lodge,  and  N.  G.,  in  the 
Odd  Fellows. 

In  1876,  Mr.  Caldwell  and  mother  erected 
upon  their  farm  a  dwelling  house,  at  a  cost  of 
$20,000.  It  is  conceded  to  be  the  best  farm 
house  in  the  county,  and  is  furnished  with  every 
modern  convenience,  being  lighted  with  gas, 
the  rooms  all  supplied  with  water  and  heated 
with  steam.  Few  houses,  even  in  the  larger 
cities,  are  so  well  or  conveniently  constructed  or 
elegantly  furnished.  Here  with  his  family  and 
mother  he  lives  and  enjoys  life,  and  where  he 
entertains  in  a  royal  manner  friends  as  they  call. 

E.  D.  Canfield,  broom  manufacturer,  was  born 
in  the  Geneseo  Valley,  New  York,  April  17, 
1837.  Son  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Blair)  Can- 
field.  His  parents  moved  to  Ohio  and  thence  to 
Cambridge  City,  Indiana,  where  he  resided  until 
his  death.  His  mother  afterwards  moved  to 
Minnesota  where  she  resided  previous  to  her 
death.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  only 
a  common  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Indiana,  and  moved  to  Minnesota  with  his 
mother  with  whom  he  resided  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  then  came  to  Illinois  and  en- 
listed in  the  Thirty-fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  in 
August,  1861,  and  served  three  years  and  five 
months.     After   he    received    his   discharge   ha 


890 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


returned  to  Minnesota  and  followed  farming. 
In  18G6,  he  married  Harriet  Kelley,  who  was 
from  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  daughter  of 
Jonathan  and  Sarah  Kelley,  who  were  residents 
of  Sangamon  county  in  187.3.  He  moved  to 
this  county  where  he  resides,  and  carries  on  the 
business  of  growing  broom  corn,  which  consists 
of  fifteen  acres  each  year.  His  family  consists 
of  two  children,  Jonathan  and  Wellington.  His 
■first  wife  died  in  1878,  and  he  was  a  second  time 
married  to  Elizabeth  Rogers,  who  was  born  in 
Ohio.  They  own  a  small  farm  of  twenty-five 
acres  of  land  on  which  they  reside.  In  politics 
he  is  Republican. 

Charles  W.  Canfleld,  farmer,  Curran  town- 
ship, was  born  in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1826;  son  of  Robert  and  Helen  Can- 
field,  who  were  natives  of  New  Jersey.  In  1815, 
they  moved  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  dry  goods  business,  in  which  position  he 
continued  until  his  death.  Both  he  and  his 
mother  are  now  dead.  The  latter  died  with 
cholera,  while  on  a  steamboat. 

Charles  W.  Cantield  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  worked  in  the  store  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Mexican  war.  He  volun- 
teered under  General  Taylor  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  after  which  he  entered  the  New 
Orleans  Custom  House,  which  position  he  held 
three  years,  and  then  concluded  to  come  to  Illi- 
nois, and  engage  in  farming.  The  people  of  New 
Orleans  feeling  that  they  were  losing  a  faithful 
servant  and  companion,  presented  to  him  a  silver 
pitcher  in  token  of  their  respect  toward  him 
which  he  still  holds  as  an  emblem  of  gratitude 
to  them.  He  was  married  in  1864,  in  Sangamon 
county,  to  Mary  Ann  Parker,  who  was  born  in 
New  Orleans.  Their  family  consists  of  twelve 
children,  now  living.  He  is  now  the  owner  of 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  on  which 
he  resides.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

■John  C.  Cloyd  was  born  September  6,  1821, 
in  Washington  county,  Kentucky.  When  he 
was  four  years  old,  came  with  his  parents  to 
reside  in  Vandalia,  Illinois,  and  in  the  spring  of 
1826,  removed  to  Sangamon  county.  He  was 
employed  on  a  farm,  in  Woodside  town.ship, 
about  five  years.  At  the  expirat.on  of  that 
time,  his  father  purchased  a  farm  in  Curran 
township,  where  be  settled  with  his  family. 
John  C.  remained  with  his  father  on  the  farm 
until  his  marriage  with  Miss  America  Clements, 
which  event  occurred  in  Sangamon  county, 
March  25,  1841.  They  now  have  two  child- 
ren, the  eldest,  Thomas,  born  June  2,  1844,  and 
died  May  7,  1848.     Dicey  Ann  Cloyd  was  born 


October  16,  1840,  and  married  James  H.Jones, 
and  now  resides  in  Henry  county,  Illinois.  Mrs. 
America  Cloyd  died,  and  J.  C.  Cloyd  was  mar- 
ried, September,  1848,  to  Sophia  L.  Lanterman. 
They  have  eight  children,  viz  :  Charles,  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  J.  Brauham  ;  they  have  one 
child — Eliza  M. — and  are  residents  of  Curran 
township  ;  Eleanor,  was  married  to  Ashbury  M. 
Branham.  They  have  three  children — William 
C,  Cord  F.  and  a  daughter,  and  live  in  Curran 
township.  Nancy  J.,  Cordelia,  Wallace  R.,  Gor- 
don, Amanda  M.  and  John  C,  Jr.,  live  with  their 
parents,  three  «iiles  southeast  of  Curran.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.     His  wife  is  a  Methodist. 

John  Davis,  farmer,  post  office,  Curran. 

Joseph  Dickerson,  blacksmith  and  justice  of 
the  peace,  Curran,  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Ohio,  April  30,  1838,  son  of  Wells  and  Cina 
(Bessett)  Dickerson.  His  father,  was  a  native 
of  Delaware,  and  mother  of  German  descent, 
both  of  whom  are  now  dead.  Joseph  Dicker- 
son  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
raised  on  a  farm,  until  seventeen  years  of  age. 
He  then  commenced  to  learn  his  trade  in  the 
town  of  Newtonsville,  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio,  and  served  three  years  under  G.  J.  Keyes, 
for  whom  he  continued  to  work  for  one  year. 
He  then  started  for  a  new  field  of  labor,  and  lo- 
cated, first  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  where  he  continued 
to  work  at  his  trade  six  months,  and  from  there 
to  Carthage,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  six 
months,  and  from  there  to  Springfield  in  search 
of  a  better  location.  Failing  to  find  employ- 
ment there,  he  took  the  train  for  Indianapolis, 
then  Richmond,  Indiana,  thence  to  Newark, 
Ohio,  and  from  there  to  Hanover,  Ohio,  where 
he  spent  the  winter  of  1858.  From  there  he 
made  several  trips  to  New  Orleans,  by  steam- 
boat, after  which  he  again  returned  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  in  January,  186U,  where  he 
engaged  as  a  hand  on  a  farm  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  in  the  winter  worked  at  his  trade  for 
Elias  Babcock.  and  in  August,  1861,  he  came  to 
the  village  of  Curran,  and  commenced  his  trade, 
which  he  has  continued,  building  up  a  large 
business.  He  first  married  in  November,  1861, 
Jenuette  Sims,  who  was  born  in  Muskingum 
county,  Ohio,  in  1839,  and  the  daughter  of  Jef- 
ferson and  Julia  (Babcock)  Sims.  By  this  mar- 
riage they  had  six  children.  Only  two  are  living, 
Lewis  G.  and  Walter  B.  He  lost  his  wife  in 
1872,  and  in  1873,  married  Alice  Sims,  a  sister 
of  his  first  wife,  who  was  also  born  in  the  same 
county  and  State,  in  1847.  She  died  in  1877, 
and  in  1878  he   was  again   married  to  Clara  A. 


i 


'>'  -> '.  -^  4a^^^^s:^^., 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


893 


Ralston  (Conkling,)  who  was  born  in  1849,  in 
Butler  county,  Ohio,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Mary  Burch.  They  have  two  children, 
Charles  and  John  Leroy.  He  was  elected  to  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  spring  of 
1869,  which  office  he  has  continued  to  hold  since, 
and  also  school  treasurer  in  the  spring  of  1875, 
which  he  still  holds,  and  served  the  township  as 
supervisor  in  1879.  He  is  the  owner  of  eighty 
acres  of  good  land,  beside  town  property  in 
Curran.     In  politics  he  is  Republican. 

iS.  W.  Dunn,  farmer,  was  born  in  Harrison 
county,  Kentucky,  December  10,  1821;  son  of 
Elijah  and  Sarah  (Foster)  Dunn,  who  were 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  respectively. 
His  father's  occupation  was  that  of  a  farmer, 
which  he  continued  up  to  his  death,  in  Kentucky, 
His  mother  died  in  Illinois,  while  on  a  visit  to 
her  son.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received 
only  a  common  school  education  in  the  schools 
of  Kentucky,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  re- 
mained with  his  father  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age.  He  then  came  in  1845  to  Sangamon  county, 
and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in 
April,  1848,  to  Mary  Jane  Booster,  who  was  born 
in  Harrison  county,  Kentucky,  December  S, 
1821,  and  the  daughter  of  Evans  and  Margaret 
(McKee)  Foster,  who  also  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of 
1829,  and  located  in  what  is  now  Curran  town- 
ship, where  he  resided  until  their  death.  Alter 
their  marriage  they  at  once  began  to  farm  in 
Curran  township.  His  family  consisted  of  seven 
children,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living — 
Narcissa,  who  was  born  October  11,1860 — the 
other  six  died  in  infancy.  He  has  accumulated 
since  coming  to  the  county,  four  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  of  land  in  Curran  township,  and  eight 
hundred  in  Christian  county.  They  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  D.  is  a 
Republican. 

Isaac  L.  Eioell,  farmer,  was  born  in  Pecham, 
Vermont,  April  29,  1819;  son  of  Isaac  W.,  and 
Lileous  (Sanderland)  Ewell.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  born  Jure  10, 
1763;  mother  of  New  York,  born  August  22, 
1794,  and  of  Scotch  descent.  His  father  was  a 
miller  by  occupation,  which  he  followed  until 
his  death,  April  11,  1803.  His  mother  still 
resides  on  the  old  homestead,  at  which  place 
Isaac  L.,  was  born.  His  education  was  obtained 
in  the  common  schools  of  Vermont,  and  he  was 
brought  up  as  a  miller.  He  resided  with  his 
father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
after  which  he  started  out  to  do  for  himself,  and 
secure  a  new  home  in  the  West.     He  traveled 

104— 


through  Indiana,  Illinois,  Iowa  and  Missouri, 
thence  back  to  Illinois,  where  he  located  in 
Springfield  in  1837.  He  engaged  in  a  mill  as 
miller,  which  place  he  continued  in  for  two 
years,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  native 
liome  in  Vermont,  where  he  again  took  charge 
of  his  father's  mill,  and  for  five  years  remained 
with  him,  when  he  returned  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  tlie  winter  of  1845,  where  he 
again  worked  at  the  milling  business,  and  in 
September  3,  1846,  of  same  year,  he  married 
Louise  E.  Kelley,  with  whom  he  had  previously 
formed  an  acquaintance  on  his  first  settling  in 
the  county  in  1837.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  December  4,  1824,  was  the 
daughter  of  Elisha  and  Nancy  (Sims)  Kelley, 
who  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1819,  botli  of 
whom  are  now  deceased.  Immediately  after 
their  marriage,  they  moved  to  Vermont,  where 
he  again  entered  the  mill  with  his  father,  in 
which  he  continued  for  three  years,  when  he 
sold  out  and  returned  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  in  1851,  and  located  on  the  present 
place,  and  erected  a  mill  on  the  creek,  in  which 
he  made  use  of  water  power  to  do  his  grinding 
and  sawing,  and  for  twenty  years  he  carried  on 
both  branches  of  the  same.  At  the  present 
time  he  only  does  rawing.  For  the  last  few 
years  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  is 
now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres 
of  land,  which  is  under  a  fair  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  worth  $75  per  acre.  His  family  con- 
sisted of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now 
living,  Charles,  and  Emma,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  Fos- 
ter; one  deceased,  Horace.  In  politics,  he  is  and 
always  has  been  a  Republican. 

John  Foster,  farmer,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  January  29,  1833,  son  of  Ivins 
Foster,  who  was  born  November  23,  1794.  in 
Harrison  county,  Kentucky.  Margaret  McKee 
was  born  January  24,  1796,  in  the  same  county. 
They  were  there  married,  February  26,  1819,  in 
Harrison  county,  and  then  moved  to  Gallatin 
county.  They  then  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  November,  1829,  in  what  is 
now  Curran  township,  north  of  Lick  creek,  where 
they  continued  to  reside.  His  father  died  Janu- 
ary 4,  1866,  and  his  mother,  April,  1880.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  Sangamon  county,  and 
has  always  followed  farming.  He  is  now  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  is 
under  a  fair  state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $60 
per  acre.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

Arnier  T.  Gunnett,  farmer,  was  born  at  Frank- 
fort Springs,  Allegheny  county,   Pennsylvania, 


894 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


June  3,  1850,  first  son  of  Joseph  and  Caroline 
(Harford)  Gunnett,  who  were  natives  of  Beaver 
county,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  resided  on  a 
farm  previous  to  moving  to  Sangamon  county, 
in  1872,  and  located  in  Buffalo  Hart  township, 
where  they  now  reside.  Armer  G.  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio,  and  afterwards  spent  two  years  in  the 
Pikerton  Normal  school  of  Ohio.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county  in  the  spring  of  1872,  and 
engaged  in  farming;  was  married  December  25, 
1878,  to  Nannie  E.  Riddle,  who  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county,  Febiiary  20,  1852,  and  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Martha  (Archer)  Riddle. 
Her  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  Previous  to 
coming  to  this  county  he  died,  November  6, 
1878;  her  mother  was  born  in  Bond  county,  Illi- 
nois; she  now  resides  with  them  on  the  farm. 
They  own  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Gurran 
and  Gardner  townships,  which  is  under  a  fair 
state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $60  per  acre. 
His  wife  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  this  county;  she  attended  the  Female  Semi- 
nary at  Jacksonville  two  terms.  They  are  both 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  New  Salem, 
and  politically  he  is  Republican. 

O.  S.  Hotchkiiis,  merchant,  postmaster,  sta- 
tion agent,  Curran,  was  born  in  Madison  county. 
New  York,  June  0,  1S49,  son  of  Herman  and 
Mary  (Hitchcock)  Hotchkins,  who  were  natives 
of  New  York.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation. 
His  mother  died  in  1869,  and  his  father  still 
lives  in  Niagara  county.  New  York.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools  of  Madison  county. 
New  York;  remained  on  the  farm  with  his 
father  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  after  which 
he  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1876,  where  he 
first  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupation  he 
continued  in  for  four  years.  He  then  sold  out 
and  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Curran.  He 
was  married  in  February,  1876,  to  Clara  C.  Brad- 
ley, who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county  in  1852, 
and  was  the  daughter  of  Louis  and  Amanda 
(Ransom)  Bradley.  His  family  consists  of  one 
child,  Albert  L.  He  received  his  appointment 
as  postmaster,  in  1 880,  and  also  ticket  agent  and 
express  agent,  which  oflSces  he  holds  in  connec- 
tion with  his  store. 

James  Parkinson. —  An  interesting  reminis- 
cence of  James  Parkinson,  including  a  sketch  of 
his  life,  will  be  found  in  the  history  of  this 
township. 

Alexander  A.  Patteson,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
what  now  is  Appomatox  county,  Virginia,  April 
i:!,  1818.     He  was  the  second  son  of  Alexander 


and  Mar)'  (Jarrett)  Patteson.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Campbell  county,  Virginia,  and  his 
mother  a  native  of  Goochland  county,  Virginia. 
His  father's  occupation  was  that  of  staging  and 
United  States  mail  contractor,  which  business 
he  followed  for  twenty-five  years.  He  died  June 
2.3,  1836.  After  his  father's  death  his  mother 
removed  to  Franklin  county,  Kentucky,  where 
she  resided  until  her  death,  which  occurred  Oc- 
tober 23,  1845.  Tlie  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  county;  later  he  attended 
the  Academy  of  Buckingham  county,  Virginia, 
for  three  years,  and  the  State  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, one  year.  In  1835  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  with  William  D.  Christian  as  his  pre- 
ceptor. He  afterwards  attended  the  Medical 
College  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  during  the  years  of 
'36,  '37,  '38.  Upon  leaving  this  school  he  im- 
mediately began  his  practice  in  Kentucky.  In 
1839  and  1840  he  attended  the  University  of 
Transylvania,  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and 
graduated  from  the  same,  March  14,  1840.  After 
which  he  commenced  practicing  at  the  Forks  of 
Elkhorn,  Franklin  county,  Kentucky.  While 
there  he  was  married  to  Jean  Wood  Lewis,  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1841.  Mrs.  Patteson  was  born  in 
Spottsylvania  county,  Virginia,  September  22, 
1822.  She  was  a  descendant  of  Jean  Louis,  of 
a  protestant  family  who  fled  from  France  to 
England  about  the  time  of  the  revocation  of  the 
edict  of  Nantes,  in  1665,  Jean  Louis  at  this  time 
joined  the  English  army,  and  for  his  gallantry 
and  valued  services  was  made  Field  Marshal, 
Earl  Lizonier  and  Baron  Inniskillen.  He  was 
with  Marlborough  in  all  his  campaigns,  and  at 
Fontenoy  the  chief  honor  was  due  to  him  for 
the  intrepidity  with  which  he  led  the  British  in- 
fantry. He  was  in  nineteen  pitched  battles,  and 
twenty-three  sieges.  Jean  Louis  was  a  lawyer, 
and  had  three  sons  who  followed  that  profession. 
The  youngest  son  settled  in  Wales  and  after- 
ward came  to  Virginia.  Mrs.  Patteson  has  in 
her  possession  a  complete  genealogical  and 
historical  record  of  her  family,  and  has  a  just 
pride  in  their  record.  Dr.  Patteson  continued 
his  practice  at  the  Fork  of  Elkhorn,  for  three 
years:  after  which  he  moved  to  Fayette  county, 
Kentucky.  He  remained  here  until  1858,  then 
removed  to  Curran  township,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  practiced  twenty  years.  He 
has  now  given  up  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
turned  his  attention  to  farming.  He  owns  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  under 
a  fair  state  of  cultivation.  His  family  consists 
of  nine  children,  viz:     Augusta,  now  Mrs.  Park- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


SP5 


inson;  Jean  Frances,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  J.  L.  Wilcox; 
Alexander  Lilbourn,  who  married  Helen  Robin- 
son; Su«an  Archer,  now  Mrs.  Hampton  Gibson; 
Marion  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs,  R.  P.  Smith;  Lucy 
Devereaux,  Walter  Lewis,  Robert  Mills,  and 
Richmond  Cadwallader.  Dr.  Patteson  and 
wite  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Bates. 

Nicholas  Poioer,  grain  dealer  and  merchant, 
Curran,  was  born  in  Kilkenny  county,  L'eland, 
and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Fanny  (Gorman) 
Power,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  They  came 
to  America  in  1849,  and  located  in  St.  Louis, 
where  they  soon  after  died. 

Nicholas  Power  came  to  America  with  his 
parents.  His  education  was  received  in  the 
common  schools  of  Ireland,  and  he  was  raised 
on  a  farm.  He  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1854,  and  engaged  as  a  farm  hand  for  four 
years;  he  was  then  employed  on  the  old  Wabash 
Railroad,  in  which  place  he  soon  obtained  the 
confidence  of  the  company,  and  remained  in 
their  employ  a  number  of  years.  He  then  came 
to  Cuiran,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  grain 
business,  which  occupation  he  has  continued  to 
carry  on  ever  since.  He  was  married,  in  1851, 
to  Bessie  O'Brien,  who  was  born  in  Cork  county, 
Ireland,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Dennis  O'Brien. 
His  family  consists  of  two  children,  James  and 
Maggie.  He  shipped,  during  1880,  seventeen 
thousand  four  hundred  bushels  corn,  twenty-one 
thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-one  bushels  of 
wheat,  two  thousand  one  hundred  bushels  of  oats, 
and  nine  hundred  bushels  of  rye.  He  has  a  splen- 
did elevator,  with  capacity  of  shelling  two  thous- 
and five  hundred  bushels  per  day. 

Mather  Redmond,  farmer,  was  born  May  1, 
1828,  in  Wexford  county,  Ireland.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county  in  1859,  and  married  in  1868, 
Mrs.  Mary  (Archer)  Penney,  who  was  born  May 
24,  1822,  and  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Holt)  Archer.  She  had  by  her  first  marriage 
one  child — William — Ijorn  November  3,  1844. 
He  enlisted  August  14,  1862,  for  three  years,  in 
Company  F,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fourth  Illi- 
nois Infantry  ;  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Gun- 
town,  Mississippi,  June,  1864,  and  died  in  Ander- 
sonville  prison,  February  24,  1865.  Alex.  Penny 
died  in  1868.  They  are  the  owners  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres  of  land,  on  which  they  re- 
side, and  which  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  worth  $50  per  acre. 

They  now  have  in  their  possession  a  dress  of 
their  mother's,  which  she  made  with  her  own 
hands  more  than  sixty  years  before.     The  family 


of  her  uncle,  with  whom  she  moved  from  Georgia 
to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  in  1811,  brought 
some  cotton  in  the  bolls,  for  the  purpose  of  using 
the  seed  in  growing  cotton  in  their  new  home. 
Miss  Holt,  as  her  name  then  was,  obtained  the 
consent  of  her  uncle  to  apply  the  cotton  to  her 
own  use.  She  picked  it  from  the  boll'*  and  sep- 
arated the  cotton  from  the  seed  with  her  fingers, 
and  spun  it  on  a  wheel,  borrowed  from  a  neigh- 
bor more  than  thirty  miles  distant.  She  had  a 
rude  loom  constructed  for  the  purpose,  and  had 
just  commenced  weaving,  when  the  first  assas- 
sination among  the  white  settlers  by  Indians 
took  place,  as  the  beginning  there  of  the  war 
with  England.  That  occurred  in  June,  1812. 
She,  with  her  uncle's  family,  fied  to  Fort  Bradsby, 
a  rude,  wooden  fortification  near  by.  Appealing 
to  the  Lieutenant  in  command  for  protection,  he 
reported  the  case  to  Governor  Edward  ,  who 
authorized  him  to  grant  her  request.  A  guard 
was  accordingly  placed  around  the  cabin,  and 
kept  there  until  the  weaving  was  completed. 
The  design  was  unique  and  beautiful.  The 
cloth  was  carefully  preserved,  some  of  it  bleached 
to  snowy  whiteness,  and  made  into  a  dress.  She 
wore  it  the  first  time  to  a  quarterly  meeting,  in 
1815,  just  after  the  close  of  the  war,  and  attracted 
universal  attention  as  the  finest  dressed  lady  in 
all  that  region  of  country. 

Geo.  Trimble,  one  of  Sangamon  county's 
early  pioneers,  was  born  April  22,  1812,  in 
Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  and  emigrated 
to  this  State  with  his  father  in  the  year  1835, 
locating  in  Morgan  county,  where  Mr.  Trimble 
resided  a  few  years  and  then  moved  to  Adams 
county,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  George 
returned  to  Kentucky  after  a  few  months  stay, 
and  married  Miss  Nettie  Shuniake,  August  23, 
1836.  Miss  S.  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Mr.  T.  started  for  this  State  the  next 
morning  after  their  marriage,  and  located  in 
Morgan  county,  where  they  lived  two  years,  and 
then  located  in  this  county,  where  he  has  resided 
since,  except  five  years.  He  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  township  twenty-six  years.  Mr.  T.  has 
by  his  own  exertions  acquired  considerable  prop- 
erty. He  now  owns  three  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  of  good  lands.  They  had  six  children, 
namely:  Hughey  T.,  born  December  31,  1839, 
was  married  October,  1864,  to  Nancy  A.  Gibson. 
They  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  survives. 
Eliza  F.,  born  March  28,  1840;  Elizabeth,  born 
April  27,  1842;  James  A.,  born  July  27,  1846; 
George  C,  born  September  28,  1849.  Mrs. 
Lydia  Trimble  died  December  3,  1866,  and  Mr. 
Trimble  was   again   married  December  5,  1867, 


896 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  Rebecca  Drennan.  They  reside  two  miles 
south-east  of  Curran,  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois. 

W>yi.  H.  Trimble.,  farmer,  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  January  1,  1838;  son  of  George  and 
Lydia  (Sumat)  Trimble,  whose  sketch  appears 
in  this  book.  Wm.  H.,  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  has 
never  yet  been  farther  west  than  Jacksonville 
or  east  than  Decatur,  north  or  south,  always  re- 
mained on  the  farm  with  his  father,  until 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  in  1864.  He  was  first 
married  to  Nancy  Gibson,  who  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county,  and  the  daughter  of  Preston 


H.,  and  Anna  Gibson,  who  were  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
in  an  early  day.  They  had  one  child.  Anna 
E.,  his  wife,  died  February  19,  1866.  He 
married  for  his  second  wife,  October  14,  1869, 
Helen  J.  McGraw,  who  was  also  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  September  24,  1847.  By  this 
marriage  they  have  two  children,  Dora  Bell  and 
Harry.  His  farm  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
thirty-six  and  one-half  acres  of  land,  which  is 
under  a  fair  state  of  improvement,  and  worth 
$50  per  acre.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


897 


Chapter  XXXVII. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  FANCY   CREEK. 


This  township  when  originally  organized  in 
1861,  was  named  Power  township,  in  honor  of 
George  Power,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  in- 
fluential citizens  residing  in  it.  Objections  were 
raised  to  its  being  thus  named  for  one  who  was 
still  living,  and  a  petition  was  circulated  pray- 
ing the  Board  of  Supervisors  to  change  the 
name  and  suggesting  Fancy  Creek  as  a  proper 
name,  after  its  principal  creek.  The  name  was 
thus  given  it. 

The  soil  of  the  township  is  a  deep  black  loam, 
especially  along  the  banks  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  Fancy  and  French  creeks,  by  which  it  is 
watered.  The  surface  of  the  country  is  gener- 
ally rolling,  and  timber  in  large  quantities  can 
be  found  on  the  banks  of  the  streams.  Origi- 
nally the  township  was  one-half  timber,  much  of 
which  has  been  cleared  away,  though  the  quanti- 
ty is  as  great  as  ever. 

EARLY  SETTLBRS. 

The  date  of  the  first  settlement  in  what  is 
now  Fancy  Creek  township,  was  1819.  Among 
the  earliest  settlers  were  Stephen  England  and 
bis  son  David,  William  Higgins,  John  Cline, 
Robert  McClelland,  Levi,  Wyatt  and  William 
G.  Cantrall,  Thomas  Constant,  John  Strode, 
George  Power,  Eliphalet  Ilawlej^  John  Branson, 
Aquilla  Davis,  Thomas  Hargis,  Thomas  Straw- 
bridge,  Garrett  Elkin,  William  F.  Elkin, Thomas 
Brown  and  Andrew  Clamo. 

Stephen  England  was  born  June  12,  1773,  in 
Virginia.  His  parents  removed  to  Bath  county, 
Kentucky.  Stephen  was  there  married  about 
1791,  to  Anna  Harper.  In  1813,  the  family 
moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  fall  of  1818,  to  Madi- 
son county,  Illinois.  The  following  winter 
Stephen  England,  with  two  of  his  sons-in-law, 
came  up  to  the  San-ga-ma  country  to  explore  it. 
The  nearest  habitation  to  where  Springfield 
now  stands,  was  on   the  south  bank  of  the  San- 


gamon river,  near  where  the  Chicago  and  Alton 
railroad  crosses.  They  found  a  man  named 
William  Higgins  living  in  a  cabin  there,  which 
he  had  built  in  January,  1819.  They  remained 
over  night  with  Mr.  Higgins,  and  crossed  to  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  each  selecting  a  spot  on 
which  to  make  a  home.  In  order  to  prevent 
others  who  might  come  after  from  choosing  the 
same  ground,  they  cut  a  few  logs,  laid  them 
across  each  other  in  three  piles,  and  each  man 
cut  his  initials  on  a  tree  near  by,  as  evidence  that 
the  land  was  claimed.  That  was  near  what  was 
soon  called  Higgins'  creek,  but  is  now  called 
Cantrall's  creek.  They  returned  to  their  fami- 
lies, and  early  in  March,  181 9,  Stephen  England, 
his  son  David,  his  sons-in-law,  Andrew  Cline  and 
Wyatt  Cantrall,  returned  to  their  claims  for  the 
purpose  of  commencing  improvements.  The 
night  after  their  arrival  snow,  fell  about  one  foot 
deep,  and  the  weather  was  colder  than  it  had 
been  at  any  time  during  the  winter.  They  com- 
menced work,  and  Mr.  England  and  his  son  soon 
had  their  house  up,  roofed,  and  the  door  and 
chimney  place  cut  out.  The  other  two  men  had 
their  materials  on  the  gl'ound.  By  that  time  the 
melting  snow  warned  them  that  they  must 
cross  the  river  at  once,  or  they  might  be  delayed 
several  weeks.  They  returned  to  their  families, 
and  attempted  to  move  them,  but  the  ground 
was  so  soft  from  melting  snow  that  their  teams 
were  unequal  to  the  task  of  drawing  the  wagons 
with  their  heavy  loads,  and  they  again  left  their 
families.  The  same  men  returned,  accompanied 
by  two  of  the  daughters  of  Mr.  England.  They 
then  completed  their  houses,  cleared  land, 
planted  their  crops,  and  returned  to  Madison 
county  for  their  families,  bringing  them  to  their 
new  homes  about  the  first  of  June,  1819. 

Stephen  England  died  September  26,  1823. 
He  preached  the  Gospel  as  long  as  he  could 
stand,  and  delivered  his  last  sermon  sitting.    He 


S98 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


solemnized  quite  a  number  of  marriages  in  that 
early  day,  one  of  whom  was  Philo  Beers  and 
Martha  Stillman,  November  2.  1820,  which  was 
for  a  long  time  supposed  to  have  been  the  first 
in  Sangamon  county.  A  couple  once  came  to 
him  from  Fort  Clark,  now  Peoria,  to  get  mar- 
ried, and  as  they  did  not  care  to  go  to  Edwards- 
ville  for  a  license,  their  intentions  were  adver- 
tised for  ten  days,  when  Mr.  England  performed 
the  ceremony. 

William  Higgins  was  born  in  Barren  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1774,  and  in  1817,  moved  with  liis 
family  to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois.  Pie  started 
with  his  family,  in  the  fall  of  1818,  to  the  San- 
ga-ma  country.  They  stopped  on  Sugar  creek,  with 
the  Dreunans,  until  January  or  February,  1819, 
when  they  moved  about  fifteen  miles  north,  and 
built  a  cabin  on  the  south  side  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  above  where  the  Chicago  &  Alton  rail- 
road now  crosses.  While  he  was  living  in  camp, 
before  his  cabin  was  completed,  himself  and 
wife  crossed  to  the  north  side  of  the  river  on 
horseback.  They  were  belated,  and  spent  one 
night  in  the  river  bottom,  near  the  mouth  of 
Fancy  creek.  A  few  days  later,  Mr.  Higgins 
went  to  the  north  side  alone,  found  five  bee 
trees,  and  killed  a  panther  which  measured  nine 
feet  from  tip  to  tip.  He  went  over  soon  after, 
accompanied  by  his  wife  and  two  daughters,  one 
of  whom  is  now  (1876)  the  wife  of  David  Eng- 
land. These  three  are  believed  to  have  been 
the  first  white  women  who  ever  crossed  to  the 
north  of  the  river,  in  what  is  now  Sangamon 
county.  Stephen  England  and  his  two  sons-in- 
law  came  on  their  exploring  expedition,  and 
stopped  with  Mr.  Higgins,  who  accompanied 
them  to  the  north  side,  and  led  the  way  to  the 
vicinity  of  where  Cantrall  now  stands,  and  all 
four  selected  sites  for  improvement. 

John  Cline  was  from  Ohio,  though  a  Virginian 
by  birth.  In  1819,  he  prepared  to  visit  the 
■western  country  on  horseback.  Levi  Cantrall 
was  about  moving  to  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Cline 
engaged  to  drive  his  four-horse  team,  and  they 
arrived  in  the  American  bottom  in  November. 
Mr.  Cantrall  purchased  a  supply  of  corn  there, 
and  moved  to  what  became  Sangamon  county, 
arrivmg  in  December,  1819,  in  what  is  now 
Fancy  Creek  township.  Mr.  Cline  drove  the 
team,  and  arrived  at  the  same  time.  He  intended 
returning  to  Ohio  in  the  spring,  but  when  the 
time  came  he  decided  to  raite  a  crop,  and  while 
thus  engaged  he  was  married,  July  20,  1820,  to 
Mrs.  Lucy  Scott,  whose  maiden  name  was  Eng- 
land. 


Levi  Cantrall  was  born  October  1,  1787,  in 
Botetourt  county,  A'irginia.  He  was  taken  by 
his  parents  in  1789  to  that  part  of  Mercer 
which  afterwards  became  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  there  married  November  30, 
1809,  to  Fanny  England.  They  moved  to  Madi- 
son county,  Illinois,  in  October,  1819;  moved  on 
and  arrived  where  Springfield  now  stands,  De- 
cember 4,  1819,  and  reached  the  north  side  of 
the  river,  in  what  is  now  Fancy  Creek  township, 
on  the  fifth,  made  the  selection  of  a  location  on 
the  seventh,  and  commenced  building  a  cabin 
December  8,  1819. 

Thomas  Constant,  a  Virginian  by  birth,  resided 
in  Kentucky  for  many  years,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried to  Margery  Edmonson.  They  subsequently 
moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  the  fall  of  1820,  to  what 
is  now  Fancy  Creek  township. 

Jerry  Smith  came  in  the  spring  of  1819,  but 
subsequently  left  for  some  point  in  the  Military 
Tract,  and  there  died. 

Jonathan  Hodge  settled  on  section  twenty-two, 
and  soon  after  sold  out,  moved  north,  and  there 
died. 

James  S.ayles  came  in  the  spring  of  1819,  set- 
tled near  the  present  village  of  Sherman,  and 
died  on  the  place. 

Alex.  Crawford  lived  here  for  a  time  at 
an  early  day,  moved  to  Petersburg,  and  there 
died. 

The  first  winter  that  any  white  men  spent  in 
the  township  was  unusually  severe.  Levi  Can- 
trall, before  his  death,  stated  that  the  cabin  he 
commenced  December  8,  1819,  about  half  a  mile 
west  of  the  present  town  of  Cantrall,  the  mortar 
froze  so  that  he  could  not  plaster  it.  December 
24,  1819,  snow  began  to  fall,  and  continued  one 
snow  after  another  until  it  was  two  feet  deep  on 
a  level.  The  weather  continued  intensely  cold, 
and  a  company  of  seven  men  started  to  the 
American  Bottom,  for  provisions.  They  were 
Levi  and  Wyatt  Cantrall,  Alexander  and  Henry 
Crawford,  M.  Holland,  a  Mr.  Kellogg  and  John 
Dixon,  who  afterward  founded  the  city  of  Dixon, 
Illinois.  They  loaded  their  wagons  with  flour 
and  meal,  and  started  home  on  the  18th,  and  on 
the  20th  rain  commenced  falling.  The  rain  and 
melting  snow  set  the  whole  country  afloat,  and 
when  they  reached  the  Sangamon  river  it  was 
too  full  to  cross.  They  sent  back  to  Kelly's — 
where  Springfield  now  stands — for  tools,  and 
obtained  an  axe  and  grubbing  hoe.  W'ith  these 
they  made  a  canoe,  and  reached  home  twenty-one 
days  from  the  time  of  starting.  On  the  6th  of 
May,  1820,  the  frost  killed  the  growing  corn. 
The  settlers  thought  of  moving  back  south,  but 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


899 


they  hauled  up  provisions  before  the  next  winter 
and  lived  through  it. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  early  settlers  of  Fancy  Creek  did  not 
wait  long  before  they  secured  the  service's  of  a 
schoolmaster.  In  the  winter  of  1820^21,  the 
men  living  within  a  radius  of  several  miles 
gathered  together  and  erected  a  log  school 
house.  It  required  but  little  time  to  finish  the 
building,  as  the  cracks  only  recjuired  to  be 
"  chinked,"  greased  paper  being  used  for  window 
lights,  and  no  plastering  was  required.  James 
Bellows  was  the  first  teacher.  The  house  was 
located  on  section  sixteen,  a  short  distance  east 
of  the  graveyard  known  as  Britten's.  Sixty 
years  have  since  passed  and  improvements  have 
been  made  in  the  educational  facilities  of  the 
settlers  in  Fancy  Creek  township.  The  old  log 
school  house  has  long  since  given  place  to  the 
modern  frame  building,  and  the  subscription 
school  where  the  teacher  "  boarded  'round" 
among  the  scholars  is  now  unknown.  The 
present  free  school  system  now  furnishes  a  good 
English  education  to  rich  and  poor  alike — to  all 
who  will  avail  themselves  of  its  advantages. 
There  are  now  in  the  township  seven  school 
houses,  valued  at  $5,800. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  religious  element  in  the  life  of  a  pioneer 
has  often  been  commented  upon  by  the  historian 
and  essayist.  There  is  something  grand  about 
it.  The  great,  rough  man,  who  feared  no  one 
save  his  God,  with  simple,  child-like  faith,  toil- 
ing early  and  late,  making  many  and  great  sac- 
rifices for  the  sake  of  his  family,  and  yet  trust- 
ing implicitly  in  the  promise  of  an  all-wise  God. 
Stephen  England  was  a  Baptist  minister  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  when  he  brought  his  family  to  the 
new  settlement,  the  people  having  planted  their 
crops,  wished  to  have  religious  services,  so  Mr. 
England  announced  that  he  would  preach  at  his 
own  house  late  in  June,  or  early  in  July,  1819. 
Everybody  in  the  entire  settlement  came.  Two 
women  walked  five  miles  through  the  grass, 
wnicli  was  almost  as  high  as  their  heads.  The 
husband  of  one  of  them  walked  and  carried 
their  babe.  That  was  the  first  sermon  ever 
preached  north  of  the  Sangamon  river  in  this 
county,  and  probably  in  Central  Illinois.  Mr. 
England  organized  a  church  May  15,  1820,  at 
his  own  house.  There  were  eight  members  be- 
sides himself.  The  names  of  the  persons  con 
stituting  the  church  were  Stephen  England  and 
Anna,  his  wife;  .Icchoniah  Langston  and  Nancy, 


his  wife;  Levi  Cantrall  and  Fannie,  his  wife; 
Mrs.  Adelphia  Wood,  Mrs.  Sarah  Cantrall,  the 
wife  of  Wyatt  Cantrall,  Mrs.  Lucy  Scott 
(daughter  of  Mr.  England,)  afterwards  Mrs. 
Cline.  That  was  the  first  church  organized  in 
Sangamon  county,  and  the  organization  has 
never  been  broken  It  is  now  known  as  Anti- 
och  Christian  Church,  and  composed  at  present 
of  about  ninety  members.  It  is  occupying  its 
third  house  of  worship,  which  is  a  handsome 
wooden  edifice  situated  within  the  limits  of 
Cantrall.  Elder  Stephen  England  was  pastor  of 
the  church  until  his  death,  in  1823. 

There  are  now  in  the  township  five  church  or- 
ganizations— one  Christian,  one  Baptist,  one 
Methodist  Episcopal,  one  Southern  Methodist 
Episcopal. 

The  Antioch  Christian  Church  was  organized 
May  15,  1820,  a  number  of  professed  Christians 
meeting  together  and  signing  the  following 
agreement: 

"We,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ,  being  Providentially  moved  from  our  for- 
mer place  of  residence  from  distant  parts,  and 
being  baptised  on  profession  of  our  faith,  and  met 
at  the  house  of  brother  Stephen  England,  on  a 
branch  of  Higgins'  creek,  in  order  to  form  a 
constitution,  having  first  given  ourselves  to  the 
Lord,  and  then  to  one  another,  agree  that  our 
constitution  shall  be  on  the  Holy  Scriptures  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testament,  believing  them  to 
be  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice." 

The  first  house  of  worship  was  one  of  logs 
erected  in  1823,  shortly  before  the  death  of 
Stephen  England,  on  land  owned  by  Mr. 
Britton.  This  church  was  erected  after  the 
manner  of  the  first  school  houses,  the  neighbors 
gathering  and  erecting  it  because  of  its  neces- 
sity. This  house  was  used  for  a  few  years, 
when  a  more  pretentious  frame  building  was 
erected,  which  was  used  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1872,  the  present  church  edifice 
was  erected  in  the  village  of  Cantrall,  at  a  cost 
of  $1,000,  but  on  which  several  hundred  dollars 
were  subsequently  expended  in  its  improvement. 

Elder  Stephen  England  was  the  first  pastor  of 
the  church  and  served  until  his  death,  in  1 823, 
since  which  time  at  intervals  the  following 
named  have  served:  James  Hughes,  George 
Sargent,  Ebenezer  Rhodes,  William  Snodgrass, 
Rev.  Trimble,  John  Powell,  Rev.  Balls,  Sr., 
John  Hughes,  Rev.  Walter  Balls,  Rev.  Morrow, 
Rev.  Sweet,  Michael  Engle,  George.  Allkire, 
Robert  Foster,  Joel  Hughes,  John  England, 
James  Scott,  Andrew  Scott,  Willi.am  Mallory, 
John    Wilson,    John    Lemon,    William    Hally, 


900 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Clayborn  Hall,  F.  M.  Jacobs,  R.  E.Dunlap,  J.  S. 
Rose,  Leonard  Eugle. 

David  England  was  the  first  elder  elected,  and 
has  served  the  church  for  nearly  sixty  years. 
Carlisle  H.  Canterberry  served  for  many  years, 
until  his  death.  The  present  active  eldership  is 
composed  of  Henry  H.  England,  Carlisle  Mitts 
and  John  J.  Stevens.  The  present  membership 
is  one  hundred  and  eight. 

BETHEL  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 

The  church  was  organized  November,  1826,  as 
near  as  can  be  ascertained  from  the  records. 
It  goes  to  show  the  original  members  were 
Michael  Mann,  Elizabeth  Mann,  Nicholas  Steele, 
Isabella  Stelle,  Samuel  Howe,  Mary  Howe, 
Charles  Allsbury,  Jane  Allsbury,  Margaret 
Stevens  and  John  Crowder.  The  first  pastor  is 
supposed  to  have  been  Michael  Mann.  The  first 
ordained  Deacon  was'Charles  Allsbury,  and  the 
same  year  William  Keener  was  also  ordained  by 
Elders  Bowman  and  Roberts.  The  first  asso- 
ciation held  with  this  church  was  in  the  barn  of 
John  Dunlap.  A  house  of  worship  thirty-two 
by  twenty-six  was  erected  in  1832,  at  a  cost  of 
§500.  It  was  a  frame  building  and  erected  at  a 
time  when  everything  was  much  cheaper  than  at 
present.  The  present  oflicers  of  the  church  are 
as  follows:  Elder  William  J.  Wheeler,  Pastor; 
Henry  Nave,  Deacon;  John  R.  Dunlap,  Clerk. 
The  meetings  are  held  the  fourth  Saturday  and 
Sunday  in  each  month. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  congregation,  meet- 
ing at  the  Strode  school  house,  has  been  in  exis- 
tance  about  a  half  century.  After  John  Strode 
settled  in  the  neighborhood,  his  house  was  a 
preaching  place  where  such  men  as  Cartwright, 
B.  Randall,  J.  G.  Barger,  and  L.  C.  Kimber 
preached  at  different  times.  Since  1856,  the  fol- 
lowing named  have  served  as  pastors:  W.  F. 
Bennett,  J.  Taylor,  Joseph  Lane,  A.  C.  McDou- 
gall,  G.  B.  Wolfe,  H.  C.  Wallace,  Mr.  Demotte, 
S.  M.  Crags,  Peter  Stigle,  C.  Arnold,  G.  D. 
Furber,  G.  B.  Goldsmitt,  W.  S.  Clark,  M.  McK. 
Gooding,  A.  B.  McElfresh,  M.  Finity,  W.  R. 
Carr,  J.  M.  Eckman,  W.  W.  Curnutt.  The 
more  recent  Presiding  Elders  have  been,  W.  S. 
Prentice,  W.  H.  Webster,  W.  McK.  McElfresh, 
J.  L.  Crane,  Peter  Cartwright,  Peter  Akers  and 
W.  H.  H.  Moore.  Regular  meetings  for  preach- 
ing and  for  class  purposes,  are  held  in  the  Strode 
school  house. 

THE    riEST   BIRTH. 

The  first  birth  in  what  is  now  Fancy  Creek 
township,  was  that  of  Oliver  Perry  Higgins,  who 
was  born   July  — ,  1819.      He   was   the  son  of 


William  and  Rosanna  Higgins,  and  was  the  first 
birth  north  of  the  Sangamon  river. 

FIRST    DEATH. 

A  young  child  of  Jechoniah  Langston  died  in 
the  fall  of  1819,  being  the  first  death  in  the 
township.  It  was  buried  near  where  Stephen 
England  settled,  and  around  its  grave  others 
•were  afterwards  interred,  and  being  near  the  resi- 
dence of  Mr.  Britton,  it  was  given  the  name  of 
Britton's  Graveyard. 

MILLS. 

Levi  Cantrall  built  a  horse  mill  in  the  fall  of 
1820.  It  was  a  band  mill,  with  a  wheel  forty 
feet  in  diameter.  It  was  the  first  mill  ever  built 
north  of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  people  came 
thirty  miles  or  more  to  mill.  Mr.  Cantrall,  sub- 
sequently built  a  water  mill  on  Cantrall's  creek, 
near  the  present  town  of  Cantrall.  It  did  sawing 
and  grinding. 

TRUE   TO   THEIR   COUNTRY. 

In  the  War  of  the  Rebellion  Fancy  Creek 
township  nobly  did  its  duty  without  resorting  to 
draft,  or  even  levying  a  tax  to  pay  a  special 
bounty  in  order  to  secure  enlistments. 

TANNERY. 

Levi  Cantrall,  shortly  after  coming  to  the 
county,  established  a  tannery,  which  he  ran  for 
about  forty  years,  until  his  death. 

ORCHARDS. 

One  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first  orchards 
planted  in  the  township,  was  by  George  Power, 
shortly  after  his  arrival.  On  his  place  there  is 
now  an  apple  tree  about  eleven  feet  in  circum- 
ference which  was  planted  in  1824.  From  limb 
to  limb  it  is  sixty  feet.  It  is,  doubtless,  the  larg- 
est and  probably  the  oldest  tree  in    the  county. 

ORGANIC. 

Fancy  Creek  township  was  organized  at  the 
same  time  the  county  adopted  the  township  or- 
ganization law,  and  its  first  election  was  held 
the  first  Monday  in  April  1861. 

REMINISCENCE. 

In  1870,  David  England,  now  the  oldest  citi- 
zen in  Fancy  Creek  township,  delivered  an  ad- 
dress at  the  Old  Settlers'  meeting,  at  Clear  Lake, 
in  which  he  expressed  his  gratitude  that  he  had 
been  able  to  attend  the  meeting,  and  to  meet  so 
many  of  his  old  acquaintances  again.  They  had 
all  met  to  talk  over  old  and  new  times  and  things, 
and  be  would  go  further  back  than  his  own  time. 
His  father  came  to  St.  Louis  at  an  early  day  and 
from  thence  to  Edwardsville,  where  he  wintered. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


901 


Not  liking  the  country  he  came  to  what  is  now 
Sangamon  county,  after  having  received  a  glow- 
ing description  from  a  man  who  had  visited  it. 
This  was  in  1818.  His  father  came  and  ex- 
amined the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  (lantralTs 
creek,  and  was  pleased  with  all  he  saw.  When 
his  father  came  through  where  Springfield  now 
is,  there  were  no  signs  of  inhabitants,  and  no 
tracks  except  those  of  wild  beasts.  His  father 
built  a  log  house  sixteen  by  eighteen  feet,  and 
then  returned  to  Edwardsville  for  his  family. 
Not  being  able  to  move  them,  he  returned  and 
put  in  a  crop.  His  father's  family  afterwards 
came  in  July.  His  father  plowed  the  first  corn 
north  of  the  Sangamon  river.  Indians  were  iheir 
only  neighbors  at  this  time.  About  1819,8everal 
neighbors  came  in  and  took  up  land.  When 
they  first  came  to  this  country  the  price  of  salt 
was  $6  per  bushel,  and  pork  $.t  to  $6  per  hundred 
pounds,  while  shortly  after  this  pork  would  not 
bring  $1.50  per  hundred,  for  really  they  had  no 
market  for  their  produce.  They  had  an  abund- 
ance of  everything  to  eat,  but  were  obliged  to 
raise  their  own  cotton  and  make  their  own  cloth- 
ing. His  father  preached  the  first  sermon  on 
that  side  of  the  river,  and  a  woman  walked  six 
miles  and  brought  a  child  the  entire  distance. 
His  father  was  a  good  gunner  and  they  had 
plenty  to  eat.  It  was  one  of  the  best  countries 
in  the  world  until  1831.  Previous  to  that  time 
they  raised  plenty  of  cotton  without  cultivation 
— all  they  wanted — but  after  the  deep  snow, 
which  all  the  old  men  remembered,  there  was  a 
change  in  the  climate,  and  it  has  not  been  the 
same  since,  as  every  old  settler  can  testify.  His 
father  had  to  go  to  mill  at  a  place  about  four 
miles  this  side  of  St.  Louis,  but  soon  after  a  man 
put  up  a  mill  near  by,  which  was  a  "band  mill" 
and  driven  by  horse  power.  They  ground  their 
grain  with  their  own  horse.  In  this  connection 
he  referred  to  the  fact  that  his  father  had  fixed 
np  a  cotton  gin,  which  consisted  of  two  rollers 
which  were  turned  by  hand.  After  the  deep 
snow  there  was  a  great  change  and  corn  did  not 
grow  well,  and  it  was  the  same  with  cotton;  in 
fact,  other  crops  did  not  grow  as  well  as  before 
that  noted  event.  The  first  butter  made  in  his 
father's  family  was  made  with  a  churn  which 
was  cut  from  a  log,  the  bottom  of  the  churn 
being  nailed  in.  It  was  made  from  a  buckeye 
log.  The  first  wheat  they  sent  in  was  in  1819, 
and  they  got  one  bushel  per  day  for  a  day's  work. 
He  once  worked,  reaping,  three  days,  and  got  three 
bushels  of  wheat  in  payment.  In  cultivating 
the  ground  they  used  the  old-fashioned  shovel 
plow,  and  the  first  year  they  got  about  half  a 
105— 


crop,  but  the  next  year  the  yield  was  nearly  sixty 
bushels  per  acre.  At  this  time  the  files  would 
sometimes  so  trouble  the  horses  and  the  oxen  that 
the  animals  had  to  be  driven  to  the  timber,  and 
sometimes  a  fire  had  to  be  kindled  to  drive  the 
flies  away.  In  those  days  when  people  wanted 
to  get  married  they  either  had  to  go  to  Edwards- 
ville  for  a  marriage  license,  or  have  their  inten- 
tions posted  in  a  public  place  ten  days  before  the 
event. 

VILLAGE    OF   CANTEALL. 

The  village  of  Cantrall  is  an  outgrowth  of 
the  Springfield  &  Northwestern  Railroad,  and 
was  laid  out  on  its  completion  to  that  point,  its 
plat  being  recorded  under  date  of  October,  IS'/S. 
Joseph  Cantrall,  Oliver  Canterbury,  W.  H.  H. 
Holland,  Thomas  Glasscock,  Thomas  Clay  pool, 
B.  F.  Holland,  John  T.  Canterbury,  and  James  M. 
Sewell  were  the  original  proprietors,  in  whose 
names  the  plat  was  recorded.  It  embraced  the 
whole  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  southeast 
quarter,  part  of  the  west  half  of  the  north  part 
of  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  southeast  quar- 
ter, the  south  part  of  the  southeast  quarter  of 
the  northeast  quarter,  and  the  southeast  part  of 
the  southwest  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter 
of  section  eight;  also  the  southwest  part  of  the 
northwest  quarter,  and  part  of  the  west  half  of 
the  southwest  quarter  of  section  nine,  township 
seventeen,  range  five. 

The  village  is  pleasantly  situated,  but  its 
proximity  to  Springfield  has  tended  to  prevent 
its  growth  to  any  great  extent.  It  has  now  two 
church  edifices,  a  school  house,  four  business 
houses,  and  a  number  of  dwelling  houses. 

VILLAGE    OF    SHERMAN. 

The  extension  of  the  Springfield  &  Alton, 
now  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Railroad, 
from  Springfield  to  Chicago,  caused  a  number  of 
villages  to  spring  into  existance,  among  the 
number  being  that  of  Sherman,  so  named  in 
honor  of  Mr.  Sherman,  of  Sangamon  county. 
The  village  was  platted  in  September,  1858,  and 
comprised  the  north  part  of  the  east  half  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  twenty-five,  town- 
ship seventeen,  range  five. 

The  history  of  Fancy  Creek  township  is  con- 
tinued by  short  biographical  mention  of  a  large 
number  of  the  best  known  residents,  including 
their  ancestors,  many  of  whom  have  passed 
away. 

Harmonas  Alkire,  farmer,  post  office,  Sher- 
man, was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  in 
1804,  son  of  Adam  and  Margaret  (Hornbeck) 
Alkire.     By   their  marriage  there  were  eleven 


902 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


childreu,  six  sons  and  five  daughters,  viz:  Mich- 
ael, Samuel,  John,  David,  Adam,  Harnionas, 
Betsy,  Dolly,  Sarah,  Margaret,  Judy;  mother 
died  in  1812,  and  Adam  married  Miss  Bar- 
bara Cherry,  by  whom  he  had  three  children, 
Lydia,  Simon  and  Isaac;  father  moved  to  Ohio 
where  he  died.  Harmonas  left  Ohio  in  1828, 
and  went  to  Indiana  and  remained  one  year, 
when  he  came  to  Springfield,  where  he  married 
Miss  Martha  M.  McLemore,  and  then  returned 
to  Indiana,  where  he  remained  until  1832,  when 
be  moved  to  Fancy  Creek  township,  where  he 
has  followed  farming  since.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Al- 
kire  were  parents  to  fifteen  children,  nine  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Mary,  James  Y.,  Daniel, 
William,  Albert,  Margaret,  Caroline,  Percilla  and 
Martha.  Mr.  Alkire  has  been  identified  with  the 
county  nearly  fifty  years,  and  has  lived  on  the 
same  place;  has  seen  the  county  from  its  infancy 
to  one  of  the  finest  counties  in  the  State.  Mr. 
Alkire  has  been  one  of  the  large  farmers  of  the 
county,  owning  twelve  hundred  acres  of  land, 
which  he  has  distributed  among  his  children. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
Benjamin  Bancroft^  post  oflice,  Cantrall,  sec- 
tion nineteen;  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county. 
New  York,  March  3,  1821.  Son  of  Isaac  Ban- 
croft, who  was  born  April  29,  IVYG,  and  Mercy 
Coburn  who  was  born  March  12,  1781.  Native 
of  Massachusetts,  where  they  were  married 
March  5,  1799,  when  two  children  was  born, 
Meicy  and  Betsy.  In  1803,  his  parents  emi- 
grated to  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  being 
the  first  man  that  paid  for  his  land  in  the  county, 
where  ten  children  were  born,  Jonathan  C, 
Prudence,  Lucinda,  Alma  S.,  Isaac,  Joseph, 
Timothy,  Benjamin  and  Harmon  H.,  all  of 
which  lived  to  be  men  and  women,  with  the 
exception  of  one,  who  died  in  infancy.  In  1839, 
left  his  home  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  New 
York,  coming  through  with  teams  and  making 
the  trip  in  six  weeks,  and  located  in  Springfield, 
where  they  remained  until  1844,  when  he  died. 
Previous  to  his  death  he  purchased  the  land 
where  Benjamin  now  resides.  Mother  died 
February  10,  1868.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  recived  a  common 
school  education.  He  spent  two  years  in  Platt- 
ville,  Wisconsin,  \diere  he  saved  money  enough 
to  purchase  seventy  acres  of  land.  September 
19,  1854,  married  Miss  Elizabeth  C.  Cass,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Cass,  of  Ohio,  who  was  born  March, 
1830.  There  were  five  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living,  Martha  L.,  Edward  T.,  Maggie,  Lu- 
cinda C,  one  of  which  died  in  infancy,  Edward 
and  Lucinda,    of  which  are  living.     Mrs.  Ban- 


croft died  February  3,  1871.  Has  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 
Raises  forty  acres  of  corn,  fifteen  acres  of  wheat, 
turns  off  twenty  head  of  hogs.  In  politics  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

Michael  Barry,  farmer,  post  oflice,  Spring- 
field, was  born  in  County  Clare,  Ireland,  in 
1843,  son  of  Michael  and  Honnorah  Barry,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  1845,  and  located  at  St. 
Louis,  where  they  remained  a  couple  of  years; 
thence  to  Alton  and  to  Springfield,  coming  over 
the  Alton  Railroad — the  first  train  that  ever 
came  over  the  road.  His  father  died  some  years 
since;  mother  is  still  living,  in  Springfield. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss  Hon- 
norah Conners;  she  was  born  in  Ireland,  in  1845. 
There  are  two  children — Catharine  and  William. 
Has  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  acres  of  land, 
all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
valued  at  %W  per  acre;  raises  forty-five  acres  of 
corn,  thirty-five  acres  of  wheat,  turns  off  forty- 
five  head  of  hogs,  ten  of  stock,  four  horses  and 
two  mules.  Mr.  Barry  came  to  the  county  a 
poor  boy,  commenced  at  the  lower  round  of  the 
ladder,  and  by  hard  work  and  good  judgment 
has  accumulated  a  fine  property  and  home. 

Captain  John  T.  Canterbury,  retired,  Cantrall, 
Fancy  Creek  township,  Illinois,  was  born  in 
Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  27th  day  of 
August,  1819;  son  of  Asa  and  Margaret  (Horn- 
back)  Canterbury;  father  a  native  of  Virginia 
and  mother  of  Kentucky.  They  were  married 
in  Ohio,  but  commenced  their  early  life  in  Ken- 
tucky, where  seven  children  were  born:  Isaac, 
Maria,  Carlisle  H.,  Valentine,  John,  Eliza  J., 
Oliver  P.  In  1826,  his  father  left  his  home  in 
Kentucky  for  the  Sangamo  country,  arriving  in 
the  fall,  in  a  wagon  and  a  five-horse  team,  and 
located  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  one  mile  west 
of  Cantrall,  where  he  entered  land  and  built  him- 
self a  story  and  a  half  log  cabin,  being  one  of 
the  finest  stvnctures  on  the  prairies  at  that  time, 
where  he  lemained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred October  16,  1856;  mother  died  July  8, 
1857.  There  were  four  children  born  in  Fancy 
Creek,  as  follows:  Martha,  Margaret,  Julia  and 
Abraham  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  were  members  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  took  an  active  interest 
in  building  it  up.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  receiving  a  limited  educa- 
tion. February  22,  1842,  married  Miss  Maranda 
Brittain.  She  was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  township 
December  1 2,  1823.  By  this  union  there  were  six 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  John,  born 
March  24,  1843,  died  March   19,  1864;  Asa  M., 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


903 


born  November  15,  1S44;  Mary  J.,  born  August 
1,  1846;  Margaret  A.,  born  January  10,  1849; 
Evans  E.,  born  August  10,  1851;  Wm.  H.,  born 
September  1,  1853,  and  died  in  infancy.  Cap- 
tain C.  was  commissioned  as  Captain  under 
Governor  Ford.  Mrs.  Maranda  M.  died  in  1853. 
He  afterwards  married  Harriet  E.  Perkins.  She 
was  born  in  1833.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  (Janterbury  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  at  Can  trail. 
Mr.  C.  has  been  identified  with  the  councy  nearly 
all  his  life;  has  seen  it  from  its  wild  and  unculti- 
vated state,  to  one  of  the  finest  countries  in  the 
world;  came  here  a  poor  boy,  but  by  hard  work 
and  fair  dealing  has  made  a  comfortable  prop- 
erty and  home;  has  two  hundred  and  forty-tive 
acres  of  land,  valued  at  $65  per  acre;  raises  fifty 
acres  of  corn  and  fifty  acres  of  wheat.  He  is 
one  of  the  staunch  Republicans  of  the  county. 

Olive?-  /*.  Canterbury,  farmer  and  stock  raiser. 
Fancy  Creek  township,  post  office,  Cantrall,  was 
born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  July  21, 
1824.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents 
when  two  years  of  age,  where  he  was  raised  on 
a  farm.  March  9,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Council,  a  daughter  of  William  Council,  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  who  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  and  located  north  of  Springfield,  in 
1821.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  April 
3,  1830.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  eleven 
children,  Mary  E.,  born  April  10,  1849;  Margaret 
J.,  born  June  14,  1850;  Maria,  born  September 
17,  1852;  Malissa,  born  October  12,  1856;  Car- 
lisle E.,  born  October  10,  1858,  died  in  infancy; 
John  H.,  born  in  1860;  Annie  F.,  born 
June  4,  1862;  Etta  J.,  born  July  5,  1864;  Wm. 
R.,  born  July  15,  1868;  Nellie,  born  October  4, 
1871;  Mertie,  born  October  31,  1873.  Mr.  Can- 
terbury is  extensively  engaged  in  farming,  has 
thirteen  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  $60 
per  acre,  on  which  he  raises  si.\  hundred  acres  of 
corn,  three  hundred  acres  of  wheat,  turns  ofi: 
fifty  head  of  hogs,  yearly.  Mr.  Canterbury 
came  to  this  county  a  poor  boy,  but  by  hard 
work  and  good  management  has  accumulated  a 
tine  property  and  home  and  is  one  of  the  large 
and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county.  He  is  at 
present  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in 
Cantrall,  in  company  with  his  son-in-law,  Wil- 
liam Vandcrgrit't,  where  they  carry  a  general 
stock.  Mr.  C.  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 
Mr.  and  Mi-s.  C.  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  at  Cantrall,  Illinois. 

Joshua  M.  Cantrall,  retired.  Fancy  Creek 
township,  was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  I7th  day  of  December,  1810;son  of  William 


G.,  and  Deborah  (Mitts)  Cantrall,  natives  of 
Virginia,  who  emigrated  to  Owensville,  Bath 
county,  Kentucky,  where  they  were  married  and 
where  one  child  was  born — Doratha.  In  the 
year  1805-6,  he  moved  to  Ohio,  where  there 
were  nine  children  born,  viz:  Ann,  Elizabeth, 
Joshua  M.,  Thirza,  Adam  M.,  Deborah,  Mahala, 
Susann.ah,  William  M. 

In  1824,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
and  located  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  where  he 
took  up  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land, 
l)uilt  a  log  cabin,  sixteen  by  eighteen,  where 
there  was  a  family  of  twelve  persons  lived. 
After  coming  to  the  county,  two  children  were 
born,  Maranda  and  Andrew  J.  Mr.  William  G. 
Cantralldied  M.arch  6,  1868;  mother  died  in 
1855.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cantrall  were  members  of 
the  Christian  Church.  He  held  several  local 
offices  of  trust;  was  one  of  the  county  commis- 
sioners at  the  time  the  State  government  was 
moved  from  Vandalia.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  ni,arried  Sarah  Cantrall,  a  daughter  of 
Zebulon  Cantrall,  of  Clark  county,  Ohio,  where 
she  w.as  born  March  14,  1812.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  were  ten  children,  viz:  Zebulon 
G.,  William  G.,  Matilda,  Isaac,  Jacob  M.,  Joshua 
G.,  Mahala  E.,  now  Mrs.  Geo.  W.  Baily;  Sarah, 
George  A.;  four  of  which  are  living.  Mr. 
Cantrall  came  to  the  county  a  young  man,  and 
has  been  identified  with  Sangamon  county  over 
a  half  century,  and  has  seen  the  wild  and  uncul- 
tivated prairies,  broke  and  brought  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation;  has  lived  on  the  same  farm 
over  forty-six  years.  Mr.  C.  owned  a  farm  of 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  which 
he  has  distributed  among  his  children.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Samuel  Carpenter,  farmer,  post  oflice,  Sher- 
man, was  born  in  Fancy  Creek,  Sangamon 
county,  on  the  12th  day  of  November,  1824,  son 
of  William  and  Margaret  Carpenter,  who  emi- 
grated to  the  county  in  1819.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  married  Miss  Ellen  M.  J.  Kerns, 
daughter  of  Abner  and  Sarah  A.  Kerns,  of  Ohio, 
where  she  was  born  April  1,  1827.  She  died 
March  16,  1853.  He  again  married  Martha  J. 
Black,  daughter  of  Rev.  Daniel  and  Diana  Short, 
of  Ohio.  She  was  born  September  25,  1831. 
She  died  July  17,  1873,  leaving  a  family  of  six 
children,  viz.:  Annie  S.,  now  Mrs.  F.  P.  Dunlap, 
born  October  3,  1859;  William  D.,  born  Novem- 
ber 27,  1867;  Carrie  E.,  now  the  wife  of  James 
H.  Reynolds,  born  October  10,  1863;  Martha  J., 
born  February  25,  1866;  Lena  L.,  born  October 
23,1870;  Mary  M.,  born  August  2,  1868.  His 
present   wife    is   Mary   E.   II.   Meriweather,   a 


904 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


widow  of  E.  L.  M.  Johnson,  by  whom  there 
was  one  child,  Jennie  H.,  born  Februaiy  22, 
1867.  She  died  May  6,  1873.  Mrs.  C.  was  born 
in  Springfield,  Ohio,  November  15,  1835,  daugh- 
ter of  J.  H.  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Hummel)  Meri- 
weather,  who  emigrated  to  Sangamon  in  1838, 
where  he  embarked  in  general  merchandising. 
He  died  October  15,  1863;  mother  died  August 
18,  1868. 

Mr.  Carpenter  is  one  of  the  prominent  farmers 
in  the  township;  has  nine  hundred  acres  of 
land,  six  hundred  and  forty  of  which  is  under 
cultivation,  valued  at  §50  per  acre;  raises  one 
hundred  and  tiftj'  acres  of  corn,  twenty-five 
acres  of  wheat;  turns  out  one  hundred  head  of 
hogs  and  sixty  head  of  cattle  yearly.  In  politics, 
is  a  Democrat.  He  and  family  are  members  of 
the  M.  E.  Church. 

Thomas  R.  (Jlaypool,  was  born  on  a  farm,  in 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  February  19,  1826. 
His  parents  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Athens  precinct,  when  he  was 
eighteen  months  old.  He  remained  here  on  a 
farm  with  his  father  until  1857,  when  he  struck 
out  for  himself.  He  went  to  Menard  county, 
Illinois,  and  improved  a  farm  three  miles  north 
of  Sweetwater,  where  he  remained  eight  years, 
when  he  sold  out  and  returned  to  Sangamon 
county  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives,  just  north  of  Can  trail.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Fannie  Holland,  October  8,  1854.  She 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Turner  Holland,  and  Nancy  Can- 
trail.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Claypool  have  had  six 
children,  five  living,  viz:  Ida  M.,  now  Mrs. 
Van  Meter,  residing  in  Fancy  Creek;  Clara  B., 
Levi  B.,  Chloe,  and  Fred.  Charley  H.  Claypool 
died  in  infancy.  The  father  of  Thomas  R., 
Levi  Claypool,  was  born  in  Greenbriar  county, 
Virginia.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  Febru- 
ary, 1867.  His  wife,  Melinda  Rollins,  was  born 
in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky.  She  and  hus- 
band were  both  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
She  is  still  living  at  Athens,  Menard  county, 
Illinois.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  ]Mr.  T.  R. 
Claypool,  has  a  farm  of  four  hundred  and  forty 
acres  in  Cantrall  township,  all  under  good  culti- 
vation and  well  stocked,  growing  grain,  and 
raises  stock  for  the  market.  In  politics  he  is  a 
strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party,  and 
cast  his  first  vote  in  1847,  for  a  Whig  President. 

John  H.  Council,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Sherman,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  on  the  19th  day  of  May,  1822.  Son  of 
Hardy,  born  September  20,  1703,  near  Tarboro, 


North    Carolina,  was  taken    by   his    parents    to 
Tennessee,  thence  to  Barren  county,  Kentucky, 
and  thence  to  White  county,  near  Carmi,  Illi- 
nois.    He  was  married  in  1818,  to  Jane  Hanna, 
who  was  born  February  25,  1795,  in  Kentucky. 
They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriv- 
ing in  August,    1819,    in    what   is    now    Fancy 
Creek  township,  preceding  his  brother  William 
two    years.     Mrs.    Council    carried    a    sack   of 
wheat  on  the  horse  she  rode  besides  many  house- 
hold   implements.     Mr.   Council    carried    all  he 
could    in    the  way  of   tools   and    other   articles 
necessary  to  farming.     He  commenced  improve- 
ments by  building  a  camp  or  rough  cabin.     He 
was  unable  to  obtain  a  plow,  but  being  anxious 
to  raise  some  wheat  for  a  beginning,  he   took  a 
grubbing  hoe  or  old  fashioned  mattock,  and  dug 
up  about  one  acre  and  a  half  near  the  junction 
between    the   prairie    and  timber,   and    on    the 
ground  thus  prepared   sowed  the  wheat  brought 
by  his  wife,  and  raised  a  good  crop.     When  the 
land    was   surveyed    and    brought   into    market 
there  was  a  line  between  his  cabin  and  where  he 
raised  his  crop  of  wheat.     He  could  only  enter 
one  piece,  and  he  chose  that  with  the  house  on 
it.     The  land  where  the  wheat  grew  was  entered 
by  another  person  who  never  cultivated  it,  but 
allowed  a  growth  of  young  cottonwood  trees  to 
start  on  it,  which  has   made  quite  a  grove  that 
can  be  seen  for  several  miles,  many  of  the  trees 
are  more  than  two  feet  in   diameter.     Mr.  Coun- 
cil came  in  company  with   Robert  McClelland 
and    they    cut    an   ample    supply   of   grass   and 
stacked   it   for   their  horses   and   cattle.     They 
knew  nothing  of   the  prairie   fires,  and   before 
they  were  aware  of  the  importance  of  protecting 
it,  their  hay  was  all  burned.     They  kept  their 
stock  alive  by  cutting  down    elm   trees  so  they 
could  eat  the  buds.     Mr.  and   Mrs.   Council  had 
seven  children,  two  of  which  died  in  infancy. 
The   living   are   as   follows:  John    H.,  Wesley, 
William  F.,   Robert  and   George.     Robert  died 
September,    1881.     Mr.    Council    came    to    the 
county  a  poor  man  but  by  hard  work  and  good 
management     accumulated    a    large     property, 
owning   2,100  acres   of   land.     Previous  to    his 
death  he  gave  his  land  to  his  children      He  died 
July  26,  1873.     Mrs.  Jane  Council  died  March 
30,  1863.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion.    Married  Miss  Edna  Lake,  a  daughter  of 
Bayliss  Lake.     She  was  born  on  June  7,  1831. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  is  five  children,  four 
sons  and  one  daughter,  viz:     James  H.,  Charles 
F.,    George   R.,  John    W.  and   Annie    F.     Mr. 
Council   is  one  of  the  large  and  extensive  far- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


903 


iners  of  the  county,  owning  out'  thousand  one 
hundred  and.  forty  acres  of  land,  one  thousand 
and  eighty  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  and 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Mr.  C.  has  been  identi- 
fied with  the  county  all  his  life,  and  has  seen  it 
from  its  infancy  to  one  of  the  best  counties  in 
the  State.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Hardy  F.  M.  Council,  farmer,  Fancy  Creek 
township,  was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  township, 
on  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  February  10, 
1841.  Son  of  William  Council,  who  was  born 
in  Tarboro,  North  Carolina,  October  1,  1790,  and 
Mary  Growes,  of  East  Tennessee,  born  June  15, 
1802.  They  were  married  in  White  county, 
Illinois,  in  1819,  where  one  child  was  born,  and 
moved  to  Sangamon  county  in  1821,  and  located 
north  of  Springfield,  and  kept  Uie  ferry  on  the 
Sangamon  river,  near  where  Carpenter's  mill 
now  stands.  There  was  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  be  adults. 
Shortly  after  coming  to  the  county,  he  bought  a 
claim  of  Jack  Cline,  which  had  ten  acres  broke, 
and  built  a  cabin,  beginning  at  the  lowest  round 
of  the  ladder,  worked  up,  until  he  had  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property,  where  he  remained  until 
his  deatii,  which  occurred  July  8,  1846. 

Mother  died  January  95,  1869.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Council  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  received  academic  school 
education.  In  1870,  married  Miss  Charity  Ray, 
daughter  of  James  and  Susannah  Ray,  natives  of 
Ohio,  boi-n  January  22,  1849.  There  were 
three  children,  one  of  whom  is  living — Mary 
Frances,  born  November  0,1879.  In  1662,  enlisted 
in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment, 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  After  breaking  camp 
at  Springfield,  they  went  to  Memphis,  where  they 
remained  a  short  time.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  Vicksburg,  BlackRiver, 
second  battle  of  Jackson,  and  was  on  all  of  the 
marches  and  fights  of  the  regiment,  with  the 
exception  of  Guntown;  at  that  time  was  in  the 
hospital  at  Memphis.  Mustered  out  at  Vicks- 
burg and  discharged  and  paid  off  at  Springfield. 
Mr.  Council  has  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  one 
hundred  and  sixty  under  cultivation,  valued  at 
$75  per  acre. 

John  Ray  Dunlap,  farmer,  was  born  in  Carter 
county,  East  Tennessee,  on  the  24th  day  of 
April,  1821;  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Tipton) 
Dunlap,  natives  of  Tennessee,  where  they  were 
married  and  raised  a  family  of  nine  children, 
viz:  Isaic,  Margaret,  Sarah,  Tennessee,  Ruth, 
James  T.,  Susannah,  Mary  Ann.  In  1828,  his 
parents   emigrated   to    Sangamon    county,   and 


located  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  whore  J.  R. 
now  resides;  moved  into  a  log  cttbiu  sixteen  by 
eighteen  feet,  where  they  remained  one  winter, 
where  one  child  was  born,  Edna  M. 

He  entered  land,  and  made  a  home  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1856; 
mother  died  in  1857.  They  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
came  to  the  county  when  seven  years  of  age, 
and  has  lived  on  the  same  farm  for  fifty-three 
years.  He  married  Miss  Emily  A;  Brown;  she 
was  the  daughter  of  James  L.  and  Jane  Brown, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  emigrated  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  about  1824;  she  was  born  on  May 
12,  1824.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  ten 
children,  eight  of  which  are  living,  Almira,  now 
the  wife  of  Theodore  Allen,  of  Missouri;  James 
A.,  a  practicing  physician  of  Sullivan,  Illinois; 
Robert,  now  a  theological  student,  at  Lexington, 
Kentucky;  Franklin  P.,  a  farmer  of  Fancy  Creek; 
Eliza  Jane,  now  the  wife  of  George  D.  Power, 
of  Sangamon  county;  John,  who  is  attending 
school  at  Bloomington;  Clarence  P.,  and  Olive 
L.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Dunlap  has  been  identified  with  the 
county  all  his  life,  is  one  of  the  large  and  well-to- 
do  farmers  of  the  county;  has  five  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  Mr. 
Dunlap  has  held  several  locil  offices  of  trust, 
having  represented  the  township  as  supervisor 
two  terais.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dunlap  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

William  L.  England,  M.  D.,  Cantrall,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky  on  the 
first  day  of  October,  1822,  son  of  Jesse  and 
Hannah  (Mershon)  England,  father  of  English 
descent,  and  born  in  Virginia;  mother  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  married  about  1798  or  1799.  There 
was  a  family  of  nine  children  all  of  which  lived 
to  be  adults;  Cornelius  M.,  who  died  July  18, 
18:?3;  Martha,  a  wife  of  Charles  Bailey,  and 
located  in  Bath  county,  Kentucky;  Nancy,  wife 
of  Martin  Honaker,  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky; 
Cath  arine,  wife  of  P.  B.  Hord,  of  Carter  county, 
Kentucky;  Sarah,  wife  of  Chas.  W.  Honaker,  of 
Lewis  county,  Kentucky;  Eliza,  now  Mrs.  Dun- 
lavy;  Annie  L.,  wife  of  Chas.  N.  Lewis,  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  State  Senate,  of  Kentucky; 
Stephen  J., of  Kansas.  Father  was  a  farmer,  who 
died  in  Carter  county,  Kentucky,  October  12, 
1859.  The  Doctor  was  reared  on  a  farm,  his 
mother,  who  was  an  intelligent  woman  and  kept 
medical  books  to  which  the  Doctor  had  access, 
got  to  reading  and  fitted  himself.  In  1843  and 
1844,  attended  lectures  at  the  Cincinnati  Eclec- 


906 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


tic  Medical  College,  wbeie  he  graduated  in  1844 
with  honors  In  March,  1851,  married  Miss 
Sarah  R.  Everman,  she  was  born  April  14, 
1828.  The  I'ruits  of  this  marriage  was  eight 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living,  Laura  C, 
now  Mrs.  Geo.  E.Williams;  Annie  L.,  and  Wil- 
liam L.  Dr.  E^ngland  followed  his  profession  in 
Kentucky  for  twenty  years,  when  he  came  to 
Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
three  years,  he  thence  went  to  Athens  in  Me- 
nard county,  where  he  remained  four  years, 
when  he  came  to  Cantrall,  where  be  has  remained 
since  1873.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He 
owns  a  residence  and  six  lots  in  Cantrall,  Illi- 
nois. 

John  Moore  Fisk,  farmer,  po&t  office,  Cantrall, 
section   nineteen,  was  born    in   Indiana  county, 
Pennsylvania,    September  17,    1822,  son  of  Eli 
and  Margaret  (Moore)  Fisk,  natives  of  Tolland 
county,  Connecticut,  where  they  were  married. 
They  commenced  their  early  life  in  Massachusetts, 
where    one   daughter  was  born — Esther  L.     In 
about  1817  or  'ts,  they  left  Massachusetts,  and 
emigrated     to     Indiana    county,    Pennsylvania, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born,  where 
they  lived  for  some  years,  when  they  removed 
to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  another  son  was  born 
— Eli  C. — tow   of   Mason   county,  Illinois.     In 
1835,    came    to    what    is    now    Mason    county, 
Illinois,  where  he  took  up  land  and  made  a  farm 
where  he  remained  until    his  death,   which  oc- 
curred   about    1862;    mother   died  in  1859.     In 
politics,  he  was  an  old  line  Whig.     The  subject 
of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion.    The   country    was    sparsely  settled,  there 
being  only  seven  votes  polled  in  what  is  Mason 
coun"ly.     On   the    27th   day  of  February,  1845, 
married  Miss  Sarah  Ann  McReynolds,  of  Colum- 
bia county,  Pennsylvania,  where  she  was  born 
July  24,  1823.     By  this  union  there  were  seven 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living — Lucinda  F., 
now  Mrs.  A.  M.  Canterbery;  Warren  C,  of  St. 
Louis;   Margaret  J.,  Willis  E.,  Esther  E.,  who 
were  born  in  Mason  county,  Illinois,  and  Elmer 
McReynolds,  of  this  coui.ty.     In  March,  1865, 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  and  located  on  the 
place    where  he  now  resides;  has  two  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  valued  at  $50  per  acre; 
raises  fifty  acres  of  corn,  fifty  acres  of  wheat, 
twelve  acres  of  oats,  and  turns  out  forty  head  of 
hogs.     Mr.  Fisk  has  held  several  local  offices  of 
trust  in  the  township;  has  represented  the  town 
in  the  board  of  supervisors.     Himself  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Coo-ndius   Flagg,   farmer   and   railroad   con- 
tractor, Fancy  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Ox- 


ford, Butler  county,  Ohio,  on  the  l7th  day  of 
May,  1831,  son  of  Abraham,  who  was  born 
March  2,  1805,  and  Sarah  Hoffman.  She  was 
born  January23,  1801,  and  was  married  October 
11,  1823.  There  was  a  family  of  nine  children, 
four  sons  and  five  daughters,  viz.:  Anne,William, 
Albert,  Maria,  Cornelius,  Jacob,  Sarah,  Char- 
lotte, and  Ellen,  who  were  born  in  Illinois.  In 
1841,  he  left  his  home  in  Ohio,  with  his  family, 
coming  through  with  teams,  stopping  at  Moses 
Hoffman's,  where  he  remained  a  portion  of  the 
winter.  The  following  spring, moved  to  German 
Prairie,  where  he  rented  a  farm,  which  his  boy 
carried  on,  and  himself  working  at  his  trade  of 
blacksmithing,  where  they  remained  two  years, 
when  he  moved  to  Rochester  township,  where 
they  remained  two  years.  He  then  moved  to 
what  was  known  as  the  Beck  neighborhood, 
where  they  remained  until  1850,  when  he  pur- 
chased land  in  Williamsville,  where  he  made  a 
farm,  and  laid  off  a  portion  of  it  into  what  is 
now  Williamsville,  where  he  lived  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  February  17,  1858;  mother 
died  April  24,  1872.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  an  element- 
ary school  education.  October  8,  1860,  married 
Miss  Sarah  Kerns,  a  daughter  of  Abner  and 
Sarah  E.  W.  Kerns,  natives  of  Ohio,  where  she 
was  born,  December  8,  1828.  By  this  union, 
there  were  five  children,  viz.:  John  B.,  born 
December  18,  1865,  died  August  26,  1866; 
Allie,  born  February  5,  1869;  Kerns  Abraham, 
born  October  2,  1861;  Franklin,  born  September 
28,  1863;  Sarah  J.,  born  January  30,  1867.  Mrs. 
Flagg  died  March  14,  1874. 

He  again  married  Jane  M.  Kerns,  a  sister  of 
his  former  wife.  She  was  born  in  Ohio,  August 
1,  1838.  Mr.  Flagg  has  always  been  an  active 
business  man.  In  his  early  life,  he  embarked  in 
farming,  which  he  followed  for  some  years  with- 
out success,  when  he  engaged  in  railroading, 
supplying  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  with 
ties,  timbers,  and  wood  between  Pontiac  and 
Alton,  and  afterwards  followed  up  the  read  into 
Missouri. 

Mr.  Flagg  has  three  hundred  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, and  valued  at  Si  15  per  acre.  He  came 
to  the  county  a  poor  boy,  but  by  his  own  exer- 
tions has  accumulated  a  fine  property,  and  has 
one  of  the  finest  residences  and  best  barns  in 
the  county.  He  owns,  all  together,  about  eight 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Fancy  Creek,  Williams 
and  Salisbury  townships.  He  also  owns 
property  in  Sherman,  Illinois,  and  Armstrong, 
Missouri. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


907 


Christopher  Gearity,  farmer,  post  office, 
Springfield,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Meath  county, 
Ireland,  December  31,  1812,  son  of  Patrick  and 
Bridget  (Ward)  Gearity,  who  were  married  in 
Ireland,  where  eight  children  were  born — four 
«ons  and  four  daughters — viz:  Thomas,  Jane, 
Christopher,  Margaret,  Julia,  Hugh,  Mary  and 
James. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  the  United 
States  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  landed  in  New 
York,  where  he  remained  a  few  days,  and  then 
went  to  Oswego,  New  York,  where  he  was  em- 
ployed in  Kingsford  &  Son's  starch  factory,  and 
remained  three  years.  He  then  removed  to  Buf- 
falo, New  York,  where  he  worked  on  the  lakes, 
working  at  odd  jobs  through  the  winter,  where 
he  remained  two  years.  In  1851,  be  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  on 
a  farm  by  the  month  for  about  two  years.  He 
then  rented  a  farm.  In  183S,  he  married  Miss 
Catharine  Mathews.  She  was  born  in  Ireland  in 
1815.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  were  eight 
children.  They  left  four  children  in  Ireland  with 
his  wife's  father,  viz:  Thomas,  James,  Patrick 
and  Bridget.  The  children  who  were  born  in 
America  nre:  Martha,  Mary,  Catharine  and 
Hugh.  Mary  died  in  infancy.  In  1857  became 
to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  resided  since. 
He  has  eighty  acres  of  land,  sixty-eight  under 
cultivation,  valued  at  845  per  acre;  raises  thirty 
acres  of  corn,  sixteen  acres  of  wheat  and  turns 
off  eighteen  head  of  hogs.  Mr.  Gearity  came  to 
the  country  a  poor  man,  but  has,  through  good 
judgment,  accumulated  a  fine  property  and  home. 

Leicis  F.  Hiiffinan,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Sherman  was  born  in  Ross  county, 
Ohio,  September  21,  1829,  son  of  Moses  Hoff- 
man, who  was  born  in  Greenbriar  county,  Vir- 
ginia, November  24,  1798,  and  Rhoda  Turman, 
born  February  14,  1806,  a  widow  of  Richard 
Winn.  By  this  marriage  there  were  nine 
children,  seven  of  which  lived  to  be  adults,  while 
two  died  in  infancy.  In  1829,  he  left  his  home 
in  Ohio,  in  a  wagon,  to  which  were  hitched 
three  yoke  of  oxen,  for  Sangamon  county,  camp- 
ing out  on  the  way,  doing  their  own  cooking, 
and  located  on  the  place  where  they  now  live. 
Their  first  dwelling  place  was  a  camp  made  out 
of  logs,  with  three  sides,  one  end  being  left 
out,  where  they  built  a  fire  in  front,  and  re- 
mained there  a  portion  of  the  winter.  In  1830, 
he  broke  thirty  acres  of  prairie  and  planted  corn, 
which  supplied  them  with  breadstuff.  The  fol- 
lowing winter  came  on  the  big  snow,  and  the 
only  way  that  he  could  gather  his  corn  was  to 
make  snow-shoes  out  of  clapboards  which  he  tied 


to  his  feet  and  hauled  it  in  on  a  hand-sled,  and,  as 
Mrs.  H.  said,  stowed  it  under  her  bed.  Mr. 
Hoffman  was  an  enterprising  business  man,  and 
at  his  death  had  accumulited  a  property  of  seven 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  He  died  June 
8,  1842.  Was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
under  Colonel  W.  F.  Elkin,  and  was  commis- 
sioned as  Captain  in  the  State  militia.  Mrs. 
Hoffman  again  married  Solomon  Wood,  in  1847. 
One  child  blessed  this  union,  Solomon.  Mr. 
Wood  died  April  18,  1848.  Mrs.  Wood  is  still 
living  with  her  son  on  the  old  homestead,  where 
she  has  lived  nearly  fifty-two  years. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss  Han- 
nah Ann  Gamble,  January  17,  1861,  the  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Nancy  Gamble,  of  Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  where  she  was  born,  November  10, 
1838.  There  were  three  children,  two  of  whom 
are  living:  Leora,  born  February  21,  1864; 
Elmer,  born  June  5,  1868.  One  died  in  infancy. 
Has  four  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  160  per  acre;  raises  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  corn;  turns  one  hundred  and 
fifty  head  of  hogs;  has  on  his  place  three  hun- 
dred and  forty-six  head  of  hogs,  fifty  head  of 
cattle,  eleven  head  of  horses.  Mr.  Hoffman  is 
one  of  the  large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the 
county,  and  has  been  identified  with  it  all  his 
life,  and  has  seen  its  various  changes.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Taylor  for  President  of  the  United  States. 
His  father  was  an  old-line  Whig. 

John  S.  Lake,  farmer,  post  office,  Cantrall, 
section  sixteen,  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  January  9,  1840,  a  son  of  Bayliss 
G.  and  Eliza  Lake.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
married  Miss  Mary  C.  Brittan;  she  was  born  in 
Fancy  Creek  township  in  1848.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  is  three  living  children,  Dora, 
James,  and  Edith  May.  Mr.  Lake  enlisted  in 
the  army  in  1862,  in  the  One  Hundredth  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infan- 
try, Company  G;  was  in  the  Fifteenth  Array 
Corps,  under  General  Sherman.  The  first  gen- 
eral engagement  was  at  Jackson,  Mississippi; 
then  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  capture; 
then  to  Black  River,  where  they  went  into  camp 
on  Bear  creek,  from  there  went  to  Memphis, 
where  they  were  put  on  gu.ard  duty,  where  they 
remained  until  the  spring  of  1863.  From  there 
went  to  Guntown  under  General  Sturgis,  where 
they  participated  in  the  fight,  when  he  was 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner,  and  taken  to 
Mobile,  where  he  laid  in  the  hospital  two 
months,  where  he  had  to  dress  his  own  wounds 
for  some  time,  when  the  wounded   had  to  wash 


{)0s 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


their  own  bandages,  scattering  gangrene  tbrongh 
the  whole  hospital.  From  there  were  removed  to 
Cahaba,  Ala.,  three  hundred  miles  up  the  river, 
where  they  received  better  treatment,  where 
they  were  kept  a  couple  of  months.  Mr.  Lake, 
with  others,  was  sent  to  Vicksburg,  where  he  was 
exchanged,  October  24,  18C4.  He  received 
thirty  days'  furlough, after  which  he  was  ordered 
to  report  to  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  where  he 
remained  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he 
was  discharged.  He  has  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
three  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  860  per  acre. 
Raises  seventy-five  acres  of  corn,  thirty  acres  of 
wheat;  turns  off  twelve  head  of  hogs;  keeps 
twenty  cattle.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Uriah  T.  Lawrence,  farmer,  post  office,  Sher- 
man, was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Missouri, 
August  5,  1 848,  son  of  Walter  and  Charlotte 
(Watkins)  Lawrence;  he  was  born  in  Wales,  she 
in  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  Ohio, 
and  two  children  were  born — Julia  and  Jane. 
About  184U,  his  parents  emigrated  to  Iowa, 
■where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Morgan  county,  Missouri,  where  he 
remained  seven  years,  when  he  came  to  Wil- 
liams township,  where  he  rented  land  and 
afterward  purchased  a  farm  and  lived  a  few 
years,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  the  prop- 
erty where  Mr.  Lawrence  now  lives,  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1873; 
mother  died  the  same  year.  Mr.  L.  has  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  eighty  acres 
of  which  is  under  cultivation,  valued  at  850  per 
acre.  Raises  fifty  acres  of  corn,  ten  acres  of 
wheat,  and  turns  off  fifty  head  of  hogs.  The 
children  of  Charlotte  and  Walter  were  as  fol- 
lows: Julia  Ann,  born  April  18,  18.38;  E.  Jane, 
born  September  27,  1840;  William  H.,  born  July 
14,  1843;  Walter  P.,  born  December  15,  1845; 
Uriah  T.,  born  August  5,  1848;  John  J.,  born 
September  18,  1852;  Albert  D.,  born  February 
16,  1855;  Mary  K.,  born  May  1,  1857;  Joanna 
B.,  born  August  19,  1859.  E.  Jane,  died  April 
20,  1873.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Re 
publican.  His  father  was  an  old  line  Whig. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O. 
F.  lodges. 

George  McClelland,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Cantrall,  was  born  on  the  place 
where  he  now  resides,  on  the  27th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1832;  father  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  mother 
of  Kortli  Carolina.  His  father,  Robert,  was 
born  in  1780.  His  mother  died  when  he  was 
•juite  young,  and  his  father  died  a  few  years 


later.  He  went  to  White  county,  Illinois,  when 
he  was  a  young  man.  Charlotte  Council,  his 
mother,  was  born  about  1797,  and  was  taken  to 
White  county,  Illinois,  where  they  were  married 
and  two  children  were  born.  They  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  arriving  August,  1819,  and 
locating  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  where  he  took 
up  land  and  made  a  farm,  where  there  were 
thirteen  children  born,  twelve  of  whom  lived  to 
be  adults. 

Mr.  McClelland  came  to  the  county  a  poor 
man  and  lived  in  a  log  cabin,  and  by  good 
judgment  accumulated  a  tine  property,  on  which 
be  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
October  31,  1858.  In  politics,  was  an  old  line 
Whig,  and  afterwards  joined  the  Republi- 
can party.  Mother  died  May  15,  1868.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McClelland  was  among  the  earliest 
settlers  of  the  county.  George  McClelland  was 
jeared  on  a  farm,  where  he  now  resides. 
Married  Miss  Mary  C.  Brown,  a  daughter  of 
Benjamin  F.  Brown,  of  Kentucky.  She  was 
born  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  July  20,  1837. 
There  were  six  sons,  Fred,  Frank,  Paul,  Arthur, 
Melvin  and  Roy. 

Has  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  865 
per  acre.  Raises  one  hundred  acres  of  corn, 
ninety  acres  of  wheat,  and  has  on  his  place  two 
hundred  head  of  hogs. 

Mr.  McClelland  is  one  of  the  large  and  well- 
to-do  farmers  of  the  county  and  has  been 
identified  with  its  interests  all  his  life;  has  seen 
the  prairies  from  their  wild,  uncultured  state  to 
one  of  the  finest  farming  countries  in  the  world. 

Martin  McCoy,  farmer,  was  barn  in  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  January  4,  1848,  son  of  Mathew 
and  Margaret  (Yates)  McCoy,  natives  of  Penn- 
sylvania, where  they  were  married,  and  three 
children  were  born,  George,  Robert  and  Eliza. 
His  parents  emigrated  to  Ohio  about  1836,  where 
six  more  children  were  born;  Mary,  Lucinda, 
Martha,  Roenna,  Catharine  and  Martin.  In  the 
spring  of  1835,  he  removed  to  Sangamon  county. 
Shortly  after  arriving  he  returned  to  Ohio  on 
business,  when  he  died.  IMrs.  Margaret  died 
some  years  before.  They  were  members  of  the 
M.  E.  church.  Martin  married  Miss  Annie  F. 
Brown,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  Brown.  She 
was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  June  17, 
1853.  By  this  union  there  were  two  children 
living,  Walter  O.  and  Irena.  Mr.  McCoy  has 
one  hundred  and  twenty-one  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  875  per  acre.  Raises  fifty  acres  of 
corn,  twenty  acres  of  wheat,  twenty-eight  head 
of  stock,  eleven  head  of  horses.     In    the  fall  of 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


909 


1802,  enlisled  in  tlie  Seventy-fieventh  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  Company  C,and  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Fort  Donalson,  Shiloh,  Jack- 
son, Mississippi,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  was  on 
the  march  to  the  sea,  and  march  to  Washington 
and  review,  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ken 
tucky,  and  discharged  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio; 
was   in  the  service  nearly  three  years. 

David  McRoberts,  merchant  and  farmer,  was 
born  in  Williams  township,  May  19,  18£3, 
son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Gibson)  McRoberts, 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  c.ime  to  this  country 
in  1849  or  1850,  and  located  in  Springfield 
where  they  remained  a  short  time,  when  they 
moved  to  Fancy  Creek  township,  where  he 
rented  a  few  years  and  then  purchased  property 
in  Sherman  and  embarked  in  the  merchandising 
of  goods,  which  occupation  he  followed  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1869.  Mother  still 
living  in  Sherman.  There  was  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  four 
sons  and  one  daughter,  viz:  John,  Samuei,  Hugh, 
David  and  Mary.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  in  1869, 
and  carries  a  line  of  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots 
and  shoes,  and  everything  that  is  usually  kept  in 
a  country  store;  carries  a  stock  of  $2,600  and  does 
a  business  of  *10,000  per  year.  Mr.  McRoberts 
has  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  laud 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  valued  at  ^Vo 
per  acre.  Raises  twenty-five  acres  of  corn, 
twenty  acres  of  wheat,  ten  acres  of  oats.  In 
politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Suinuel  Millenger,  farmer.  Fancy  Creek,  post 
office,  Cantrall.  Son  of  Henry  and  Polly 
(Mickel)  Millenger,  natives  of  Franklin  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  January  27, 
1832.  There  was  eleven  children  of  his  father's 
family,  five  sons  and  six  daughters,  ten  of  whom 
lived  to  be  adults,  Susannah,  Polly,  Nancy, 
Williamj  Elizabeth,  Jacob,  Henry,  Sarah,  Harry, 
Samuel  and  Catharine.  His  father  died  in  Frank- 
lin county  about  180O,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
and  one.  In  J  851,  Samuel  left  Pennsylvania  and 
came  to  Ohio  where  he  remained  one  year,  and 
in  1852,  came  to  Sangamon  county,  where  he 
married  Miss  Almira  Cantrall.  She  died  in 
1857,  leaving  one  son,  Samuel  I.  He  again 
married  Maranda  Cantrall,  a  widow  of  Wm. 
Snelson,  by  whom  one  child  was  born,  Chas.  H. 
Mrs.  Millenger  was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  town- 
ship, May  12,  1826.  There  was  four  children, 
viz:  Wm.  C,  Mahala,  Debbie  and  Lucy  E.  In 
1869,  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Four- 
teenth Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
Company  C.     His  first  engagement  was  at  the 

106— 


battle  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  siege  and  capture 
of  Vicksburg,  battle  of  Guntown,  Tupelo,  Span- 
ish Fort,  F\.  Blakely— ^and  served  three  years  — 
and  was  honorably  discharged  at  Camp  Butler. 
Has  eighty  acres  of  land  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 
Raises  twenty  acres  of  corn,  twenty-five  acres  of 
wheat,  turns  ofl:  twenty-five  liead  of  hogs. 

Carlisle  Mitts,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office,  Cantrall,  was  born  in  Sangamon,  Fancy 
Creek  township,  on  the  12th  day  of  March,  1830, 
son  of  Cyrus  and  Martha  (Burbridge)  Mitts, 
who  emigrated  to  Sangamon  county  from  Ohio, 
in  1828;  father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
mother  of  Kentucky,  where  they  were  married, 
where  there  were  two  children  born,  James  M. 
and  Jesse.  He  afterwards  moved  to  Ohio, 
where  two  daughters  and  one  son  were  born, 
Jane,  Roland,  and  Elizabeth.  In  1829,  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  where  there  was  six  chil- 
dren born,  viz:  Cyrus,  Robert,  John,  Joseph, 
Martha  and  Mary.  Mr.  Mitts  purchased  land 
and  made  a  farm  in  Fancy  Creek  township.  In 
August,  1852,  was  accidentally  killed  a  short  dis- 
tance from  his  home,  by  a  runaway  team,  by  the 
tongue  of  the  wagon  striking  him  in  the  back. 
Mr.  Mitts  was  an  elder  in  the  Christian  church, 
and  done  much  in  building  up  the  same;  mother 
died  in  1862. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss 
Margaret  Hall,  of  Athens,  Menard  county,  Illi- 
nois, June  7,  1863.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
was  three  children,  all  of  which  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  Mitts  has  ninety-eight  acres  of  land,  all  of 
which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Mr.  Mitts  was  born 
here  and  has  seen  the  county  from  its  infancy  to 
one  of  the  best  cultivated  counties  in  the  State; 
can  remember  when  there  was  not  a  family  liv- 
ing between  liere  and  Elkhart.  Mr.  Mitts  has  a 
fine  farm  and  beautiful  home,  and  is  one  of  the 
well-to-do  farmers  of  the  township. 

Henry  Nave,  retired,  Cantrall,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Carter  county.  East  Tennessee,  on  the 
22d  day  of  December,  1812;  son  of  William  and 
Martha  (Williams)  Nave,  natives  of  East 
Tennessee,  where  they  were  married,  and  twelve 
children  were  born,  with  the  exception  of  one, 
which  was  born  in  Sangamon  county.  The 
children  were  as  follows:  Eliza,  wife  of  James 
Jenkins,  of  Tennessee;  Abraham,  married  Eliza 
Bowars,  and  settled  in  Missouri;  William, 
married  Jane  Crow,  and  settled  in  Illinois  in 
1839;  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Godfrey  Crow,  of 
Tennessee;  Catharine,  married  Henry  Harden 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1843;  Vina,  married  Eli 
Fletcher   and   resides   in    Tennessee;    Delilah, 


910 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


married  Eli  Underwood,  of  Missouri;  Sarah, 
married  Madison  Johnson,  and  settled  in  Illinois 
in  1844;  John,  of  Missouri,  who  was  wounded 
and  died  in  the  Union  army;  Margaret,  now 
Mrs.  Lipps,  of  Tennessee;  Elizabeth,  married 
Leonard  Bowars.  Mr.  William  Nave  emigrated 
to  Sangamon  county  in  1843,  where  he  died. 
Shortly  after,  mother  returned  to  Tennessee, 
where  she  died  about  1878.  Henry  ISTave 
married  May  29,  1830,  Miss  Margaret  Bowars,  a 
daughter  of  John  L.  and  Rebecca  Bowars,  of 
East  Tennessee,  where  she  was  born  September 
12,  1812.  They  have  lived  together  as  man 
and  wife  over  a  half  century.  There  were  two 
children,  Martha  R.,  born  February  28,  1831, 
Elizabeth,  born  March  17,  1836,  both  of  whom 
died  in  infancy.  In  1832,  he  left  his  home  iu 
Tennessee,  and  went  to  Washington  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  remained  seven  years,  when 
he  removed  to  Sangamon  county,  and  located  in 
Fancy  Creek  township,  where  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  and  built  a  cabin,  which 
stands  at  the  present  writing,  where  he  remained 
until  1876,  when  he  came  to  Cantrall.  Mr. 
Nave  left  Tennessee  with  §20  in  his  pocket,  got 
as  far  as  Indiana  when  his  means  gave  out  and 
he  had  to  stop  and  go  to  work. 

He  split  rails  for  25  cents  per  hundred  and 
boarded  himself.  While  in  Indiana  he  accumu- 
lated about  ^1,100.  Previous  to  coming,  he  sold 
out,  taking  notes,  and  by  reason  of  the  bankrupt 
law  he  lost  nearly  all  he  had,  again  being 
compelled  to  commence  at  the  bottom.  Mr. 
Nave  was  not  the  kind  of  a  man  to  set  down 
and  fold  his  arms,  but  went  to  work  with  a  good 
will  and  accumulated  a  fine  property  and  home. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Michael  I^olaii,  farmer,  post  office,  Spring- 
field, was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  May  20, 
1856,  son  of  Patrick  and  Ann  (Grimes)  Nolan, 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  the  States 
some  years  ago.  They  were  married  in  Spring- 
field, about  1827.  There  was  a  family  of  two 
children,  viz:  Matilda  and  Michael.  In  1861, 
came  to  Fancy  Creek,  where  he  purchased  land 
and  opened  up  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until 
1879,  when  he  moved  to  Springfield,  when  he 
embarked  in  the  grocery  business.  Has  two 
hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  valued  at  |35 
per  acre;  raises  thirty-five  acres  of  corn,  twenty- 
five  acres  of  wheat,  turns  out  twenty  head  of 
hogs.  Michael  Nolan  married  Miss  Ellen  Mad- 
den, daughter  of  John  Madden,  of  Springfield, 
in  1828.  There  is  one  child,  Johnny,  born 
March  6,  1881. 


Georye  Poioer,  retired  farmer,  residence  on 
section  four,  Fancy  Creek  township,  town  seven- 
teen, range  five,  was  born  in  Fayette  county, 
Kentucky,  on  February  18,  1798,  and  is  the  son 
of  James  Power  and  Eleanor  Dedman.  When 
he  was  ten  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to 
Bath  county,  where  his  father  died  three  years 
later.  Owing  to  this  and  other  causes  George's 
educational  privileges  were  very  me.iger.  On 
February  10,  1820,  he  united  in  marriage  with 
Nancy  Wilcockson.  who  was  born  in  Bath 
county,  Kentucky,  January  13,  1804.  In  the 
fall  of  1821,  they  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  on 
the  farm  where  they  now  reside,  having  occupied 
it  over  sixty  years.  Mr.  Power's  effects  when 
he  landed  in  the  then  wild  prairie  State,  con- 
sisted of  a  wife,  one  son,  William,  a  pair  of 
horses,  a  half  interest  in  a  wagon,  and  S5.00  in 
cash.  His  father-in-law,  William  Wilcockson, 
and  family  accompanied  them,  and  settled  on 
sectiou  nine  of  the  same  township.  They  erected 
a  cabin,  and  both  families  occupied  it  the  first 
winter.  When  the  land  came  into  market,  Mr. 
Power  bought  sixty-six  and  two-third  acres. 
This  purchase  compelled  him  to  part  from  his 
last  horse  and  to  borrow  §16  besides.  In  the 
year  1829,  he  erected  the  first  frame  dwelling 
north  of  the  Sangamon  river,  in  the  county, 
locating  it  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section 
four.  About  two  years  after  making  his  first 
purchase  he  borrowed  the  money  to  buy  the 
eighty  acres  on  which  his  present  house  stands. 
Other  tracts  were  bought  from  time  to  time  as 
means  and  opportunitj'  offered,  until  the  home 
farm  contains  two  thousand  acres,  and  he  owns 
some  four  hundred  acres  elsewhere,  as  the  re- 
ward of  business  energy  and  persevering  toil. 
The  present  family  residence  he  built  about 
twenty-five  years  ago;  and  it  with  the  other 
buildings  comprising  the  homestead  improve- 
ments cost  Sl0,000.  The  home  farm  is  estimated 
worth  §75  per  acre.  Besides  the  twenty-four 
hundred  acres  of  farming  land,  he  owns  pro- 
perty in  the  village  of  Cantrall  valued  at  86,000. 
Mr.  Power  served  as  Second  Lieutenant  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war,  and  held  the  office  of  Major 
many  years  in  the  militia  organization.  He 
filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  nineteen 
years,  during  which  he  never  had  a  decision 
reversed  in  the  higher  courts.  Abraham  Lin- 
coln tried  his  first  case  in  law  and  made  his  first 
plea  before  him.  He  has  always  been  a  pro- 
nounced Democrat;  voted  three  times  for  An- 
drew Jackson.  Mr.  Power  was  conscientiously 
opposed  to  the  late  war,  but  in  favor  of  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  Union,  and  contributed  liberally 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


911 


to  the  support  of  war  widows  and  soldiers'  fam- 
ilies. Having  instructed  Mr.  Irvin,  proprietor 
of  a  flouring  mill,  to  let  soldiers  families  have 
breadstuffs  whenever  they  applied  and  charge 
the  price  to  him,  he  paid  him  at  one  time  $600, 
besides  smaller  amounts  on  other  occasions. 
His  donations  to  the  cause  aggregated  $2,000. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Power  are  the  parents  of  two  sons, 
namely,  William  D.  and  James  E.  Power. 
William  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  the  jirimi- 
tive  schools,  in  the  log  school  house,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  early  life.  He  read  law  in 
Springfield  and  practiced  a  number  of  years.  He 
was  elected  County  Judge  in  1857,  andre-elected 
in  1801.  While  serving  his  second  term  he  died 
with  typhoid  fever,  March  2,  1863,  at  the  age 
of  42  years,  having  been  born  in  May,  182 J.  He 
was  very  active  during  early  years  of  the  war  in 
raising  recruits  for  the  army.  He  married 
Nancy  J.  Barnett,  January  6,  184.3,  in  Sangamon 
county;  they  had  five  children,  two  of  each  sex 
survive.  James  E.  Power  has  always  farmed 
with  his  father,  and  for  years  dealt  considerably 
in  live  stock.  He  was  born  December  1,  1824, 
and  married  Laura  Chord,  November  9,  1878. 
She  is  a  native  of  Menard  county,  Illinois,  born 
in  1850.  They  have  a  son,  James  William,  born 
October  16,  1879.  The  subject  of  this  memoir 
has  made  provision  for  his  son  James  to  have 
one  thousand  acres  of  land,  and  the  children  of 
William  to  have  two  hundred  and  sixty  each  at 
his  decease.  In  1879  he  constriicted  a  beautiful 
family  vault,  on  section  nine,  of  his  premises. 
It  is  built  of  Joliet  stone,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000, 
and  is  the  finest  sepulchre  in  Sangamon  county. 
G.  C.  Seifert,  M.  D.,  Cantrall,  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  on  the  22d  day  of 
August,  1846,  son  of  John  C.  and  Christina 
Seifert.  They  were  married  in  Germany  where 
two  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born.  In 
1849  his  parents  emigrated  to  the  United  Stales 
and  located  in  Sheboyagan  county,  Wisconsin, 
where  he  bought  a  farm  and  made  a  home.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
received  an  academic  education,  and  prepared 
himself  for  teaching,  which  he  followed  two 
years  in  Wisconsin  and  three  years  in  Spring- 
field. When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  com- 
menced reading  medicine,  nnder  William  Hope 
Davis,  M.  D.,  at  Springfield,  where  he  remained 
about  three  years,  when  he  attended  the  Eclectic 
Medical  College,  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he 
graduated  in  May,  1871,  with  honors.  After 
graduating,  he  returned  to  Springfield,  where  he 
remained  a  short  time,  when  he  went  to  Athens, 
where  he  located  and  remained  two  and  a  half 


years.  The  Doctor  then  went  to  Springfield, 
where  he  followed  his  profession  until  he  came 
to  Cantrall.  Married  Miss  Jennie  Beckemeyer, 
who  was  born  in  Springfield,  November  bO,  1853. 
There  were  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing, viz:  P^mily,  born  May  25,  1876;  Otto  H., 
born  April  16,  1880.  The  Doctor  is  a  member 
of  the  Eclectic  State  Medical  Association.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  at  Spring- 
field, and  Mrs.  Seifert  is  a  member  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Church. 

James  H.  Tliaxton,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Sherman,  was  born  in  Allen  county, 
Kentucky,  on  the  28th  day  of  November,  1823, 
son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Williamson)  Thax- 
ton;  natives  of  South  Carolina.  They  were 
married  in  Allen  county,  Kentucky,  where  twelve 
children  were  born — six  sons  and  six  daughters 
— seven  of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women,  viz: 
Williamson,  George,  Matilda,  Millie,  Thomas, 
Sarah  and  J.  H.,  who  is  the  only  one  living. 
His  father  died  in  Kentucky  about  1826.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
in  about  1840,  being  out  of  the  State  but  one 
day  since.  April  10,  1845,  married  Miss  Margaret 
Hoffman,  a  daughter  of  Moses  and  Rhoda  Hoff- 
man. She  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
January  2,  1827.  There  were  nine  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Arminda,  now  Mrs. 
O.  F.  Shepard;  Clarinda,  Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  J. 
B.  Van  Meter,  of  Fancy  creek;  Rhoda  Caroline, 
now  Mrs.  James  Pittman,  of  Springfield,  and 
Lewis.  Mr.  Thaxton  came  to  the  county  when 
a  young  man,  and  worked  for  $10  per  month. 
In  after  years,  he  bought  his  present  farm, 
and  has  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation, valued  at  $75  per  acre.  Raises  forty 
acres  of  corn,  fifteen  acres  of  wheat,  ten  acres  of 
oats;  turns  off  fifty  head  of  hogs  yearly.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

John  li.  Van  Meter,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
postoffice,  Cantrall,  was  born  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives,  on  the  15th  day  of  December,  1837; 
son  of  S.  R.  and  Catharine  (Bishop)  Van  Meter,  who 
were  natives  of  Ohio,  where  they  married,  August 
5,  1834,  and  immediately  started  for  Illinois, 
with  his  young  wife,  and  located  in  Fancy  creek 
township.  His  father  gave  him  eighty  acres  of 
land,  and  afterwards  he  entered  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  making  in  all  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land,  which  he  owned  at  his 
death,  which  occurred,  September  6,  1866;  he 
again  married,  April  3,  1860,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  E. 
Whilmore,  whose  maiden  name  was  Kaiser.  Mr. 
Van  Meter  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 


912 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


of  1831  and  '32;  was  an  old  line  Whig,  up  to 
the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Republican 
party,  with  which  he  afterward  affiliated;  at  the 
time  that  the  Know  Nothing  party  was  organized, 
he  with  others  took  an  active  interest,  holding 
meetings  at  his  house.  J.  R.  was  raised  on  a 
farm,  and  received  an  academic  education.  Janu- 
ary 22,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Eliza  J.  Cressee, 
daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Cressee,  now  of 
Springfield,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1837;  she  was  born  in  Menard  county,  Illinois, 
October  12,  1845.  There  are  two  children, 
Seymour,  born  October  29,  1872;  William  F., 
born  October  31,  187").  Mr.  Van  Meter  is  one 
of  the  large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  county; 
has  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  $65  per 
acre;  raises  forty  acres  of  corn  ;  twenty  acres  of 
wheat;  turns  out  one  car  load  of  cattle,  one  car 
of  hogs,  yearly.  Mr.  Van  Meter  makes  a  spec- 
ialty of  Cotswold  and  South  Downs,  and  turns 
his  attention  to  this  branch  of  stock;  has  three 
hundred  head  on  his  place,  and  turns  out  one 
hundred  head  per  year.  In  politics,  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  represented  his  township  in  the 
board  of  supervisors,  a  number  of  years. 

Willicmi  T.  Yandergrift,  merchant,  Cantrall, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Athens,  Menard  county, 
Illinois,  June  27,  1843;  son  of  A.  J.  and  Arminta 
(Barnett)  Vandergrift;  father  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  mother  of  Kentucky;  were  married  in 
Sangamon  county,  about  1842,  where  a  family  of 
five  children  was  born,  four  of  which  lived  to  be 
men  and  women,  Anna  Bell,  now  the  wife  of  F. 
C  Sherwood,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa;  Thos.  J., 
of  Shellsburg,  Wisconsin;  John  S.,  of  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa;  William  T.,  enlisted  in  the  Ninety- 
second  Regiment,  Infantry,  Illinois  Volunteers, 
Company  I.,  in  1862,  and  participated  in  all  the 
engagements  of  the  regiment,  some  of  the  prin- 
cipals being  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Atlanta 
campaign;  with  Sherman  to  the  sea;  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Concord,  North  Carolina,  and  dis- 
charged at  Chicago.  In  1806,  he  married  Miss 
Margaret  Canterbury,  a  daughter  of  O.  P.  Can- 


terbury, of  Cantrall,  Illinois;  she  was  born  June 
14,  1851.  By  this  union  there  are  three  children, 
Emory  C.,  Arminta  and  H.-udy  M.  Mr.  Vander- 
grift is  at  present  engaged  in  merchandising  in 
Cantrall;  carries  a  stock  of  dry  goods,  groceries, 
boots  and  shoes,  and  everything  that  is  usually 
carried  in  a  country  store;  handles  a  stock  of 
$2,000. 

In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant,  first  term,  for 
President  of  the  United  States. 

William  F.  Wolf,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Sherman,  was  born  in  Mansfield, 
Ohio,  on  the  11th  day  of  April,  1851,  son  of 
John  W.  and  Rebecca  (Wirtz)  Wolf,  natives  of 
Ohio,  where  they  were  married,  August  25,  1848. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  a  family  of  five 
children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  two  of 
which  lived  to  be  adults.  Mary  J.,  born  Janu- 
ary 8,  1850,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  The 
family  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1857,  and 
located  one-half  mile  west  of  Sherman.  Sej'- 
tember  8,  1877,  he  died;  mother  still  living  with 
her  son  William  F.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common 
school  education.  When  seventeen  years  of  age 
went  to  work  in  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad 
wood  yard.  In  1870,  married  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Cox.  She  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Ken- 
tucky, November  17,  1847.  After  marrying, 
Mr.  Wolf  embarked  in  farming,  which  he  fol- 
lowed for  six  years,  when  he  commenced  selling- 
goods  in  Sherman.  The  first  store  was  kept  by 
John  W.  Wolf  as  early  as  1860,  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  his  death  September  8,  1877.  Wil- 
liam F.  run  the  store  uatil  March,  1881,  when 
he  sold  to  Mr.  McRoberts.  The  last  year  being 
in  company  with  S.  E.  Praiher,  since  which  time 
he  has  followed  farming.  His  property  in  Sher- 
man is  valued  at  §2,000.  Mr.  \Xo\i  affiliates 
with  the  Republican  party,  and  was  elected  Con- 
stable, which  office  he  held  for  eight  years.  Mr. 
Wolf  has  twentj'-four  acres  of  corn,  which  will 
average  sixty  bushels  to  the  acre.  Mrs.  W.  F. 
Wolf  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


911 


Chapter  XXXVIII, 


TOWNSHIP   OF  GARDNER. 


The  township  of  Gardner  comprises  township 
sixteen  north,  range  six  west,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  east  by  Springfield,  on  the  west  by  Cart- 
wright,  north  by  Salisbury,  and  south  by  Curran 
townsliip,  and  was  so  named  in  honor  of  John 
Gardner,  who  was  for  many  years,  and  until  his 
death,  one  of  the  principal  citizens  of  the  town- 
ship, and  one  of  the  three  commissioners  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  of  Justices  to  divide  the 
county  into  townships.  The  surface  of  the 
country  is  mostly  rolling  prairie,  though  there 
is  mucli  timber  in  the  southern  part.  The  town- 
ship is  watered  by  Spring  creek  and  other 
smaller  streams.  The  soil  is  extremely  well 
adapted  to  the  raising  of  all  cereals,  especially 
corn. 

EAELY  SETTLEMENT. 

In  1819,  the  first  settlement  was  made  by 
Samuel  Newhouse,  A.  Inyard,  B.  Davis,  David 
McCoy,  George  Knox  Hamilton,  and  Abraham 
Duff.  Among  other  settlers  were  Edmond  Tay- 
lor, Edward  Robinson,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McMur- 
ray,  David  McCoy,  Joshua  Short,  James  Short, 
Edward  Williams,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hall,  John 
Gardner,  Hiram  Gardner,  William  and  Thomas 
Kirkpatrick,  John  Kendall,  William  Sims. 

George  Knox  Hamilton  was  born  August  17, 
1798,  in  Davidson  county,  Tennessee.  He  came, 
in  company  with  his  father,  four  brothers  and 
two  sisters,  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  the 
fall  of  1819,  and  settled  near  what  is  now  Brad- 
ford Station.  He  was  married  March  5,  1823, 
to  Jane  Coleman.     They  had  three  children. 

Abraham  Duff  was  born  May  15,  1777,  in 
South  Carolina.  Virlinda  Combs  was  born  in 
South  Cai'olina  also,  August  6,  1781.  Their 
parents  moved  on  pack  horses  to  the  vicinity  of 
Bowling  Green,  Kentucky.  A.  Duff  and  Ver 
linda  Combs  were  married  and  moved  to  St. 
Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  from  there  moved,  in 


company  with  his  son-in-law,  John  Sims ;  ar 
rived  April,  1819,  on  Spring  creek,  at  a  point 
six  miles  west  of  where  Springfield  now  stands. 

Edmond  Taylor  was  born  October  22,  1785,  in 
Christian  county,  Kentucky  ;  married  there  to 
Mary  Pugh.  She  died,  and  he  married  Constant 
Blakey,  who  was  born  June  2'2,  1791,  in  Georgia, 
They  moved  to  what  became  Sangamon  county, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  1819,  on  Sugar  creek, 
and  in  1823  or  '23  moved  to  the  south  side  of 
Spring  creek,  four  and  a  half  miles  west  of 
Springfield. 

Edward  Williams  was  born  June  3,  1789,  in 
Hardin  county,  Kentucky.  Margaret  Neal  was 
born  April,  1788,  in  Nelson  county,  Kentucky. 
The  places  of  their  birth  were  only  about  six 
miles  apart,  and  the  parents  of  both  moved, 
when  they  were  children,  to  Ohio  county,  where 
they  were  married  about  1806.  They  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  December, 
1826,  in  what  is  now  Gardner  township.  He 
died  in  1871. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hall,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Foster,  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Virginia, 
and  married  there  to  .John  Hall,  and  moved  to 
Adair  county,  Kentucky,  and  Mr.  Hall  died 
there.  His  widow  and  children  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of 
1830,  north  of  Spring  creek,  and  six  miles  west 
of  Springfield.  Mrs.  Hall  was  married  there  to 
Samuel  Willis,  and  in  1844  or  '45,  moved  to 
DeWitt  county,  where  Mr.  Willis  died.  She 
now  lives  with  her  son. 

John  Gardner  was  born  June  21,  1805,  in 
that  part  of  Gallatin  that  is  now  Trimble  county, 
Kentucky.  Mary  C.  Duncan  was  born  March 
27,  1810,  in  the  same  county.  They  were 
married  there  June  13,  1830,  moved  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  April  17,  1833,  two 
miles    west   of   Springfield,  and  early  in    1834 


9U 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


moved  to   what  is  now   Gardner  township,  two 
miles  north  of  Farmingdale. 

VILLAGE    OF    SANGAMO. 

The '  village  of  Sangamo  at  one  time  was  a 
very  flourishing  little  "place,   and  narrowly   es- 
caped being  the  county  seat  when  the  commis- 
sioners were  appointed  to  permanently  locate  it, 
in   1825.     It  is  said  the  commissioners,  if  not  a 
majority  of  the  people,  were  favorably  disposed 
toward  the  place,  but  there  being  no  road  lead- 
ing to  it,  at  least  that  was  known  to  the  commis- 
sioners, they  employed  Andrew  Elliott  to  pilot 
them  to  the  place.     Mr.  Elliott,  being  interested 
in  Springfield,  took  them  by  a  round  about  way, 
through  swamps,  and  so  made  the  commission- 
ers  believe   the   place    was   too    diificult   to  be 
reached,  and  they,  therefore,  decided  in  favor  of 
Springfield.     The  location  of  the  village  was  on 
the  northwest  quarter  section  two,  township  six- 
teen, range  six,  in  the  present  township  of  Gard- 
ner.    Moses  Broad  well  was  the  proprietor.     A 
steam  mill   was  erected    in   the  village  by  Mr. 
Broadwell,    one  or  two  stores  were  opened,   a 
blacksmith  shop  was  placed  in  operation,  and  the 
foundation  of  a  flourishing  village  was  laid.     But 
"the  best  laid  schemes  of  mice  and  men  gang  aft 
aglee."     To-day  there  is  no  evidence  that  such  a 
village  ever  existed,  a  fine  farm  taking  its  place. 

KKLIGIOUS. 

There  are,  in  1881,  three  church  edifices  in 
the  township,  in  which  assemble  for  worship  rep- 
resentatives of  three  denominations.  The  Pres- 
byterians have  a  house  of  worship  on  section  sev- 
enteen, in  the  southwest  corner,  near  the  village 
of  Farmingdale.  The  Baptists  worship  in  their 
own  house,  on  section  thirty-two,  while  the 
United  Brethren  meet  on  section  thirty-four. 

FAEMINGTON    PRESBYTKEIAN    CHURCH. 

The  Farmington  Presbyterian  Church  was  or- 
ganized at  Old  Sangamon,  on  the  second  Sab- 
bath of  January,  1834,  with  the  following  per- 
sons as  constituent  members:  Azel  Lyman,  and 
Mary  P.,  his  wife;  Azel  S.  Lyman,  Roxana  Ly- 
man; Alvin  Lyman  and  Lucy,  his  wife;  Ezra 
Lyman  and  Mercy,  his  wife;  Ezra  C.  Lyman; 
Mary  L.Lyman;  Azabel  Stone  and  Laura,  his 
wife;  William  Robb  and  Mary,  his  wife;  Phebe 
Ilobb,  Elizabeth  W.  Robb,  Jay  Slater,  Stephen 
Childs  and  Hannah,  his  wife;  Luther  N.  Ransom 
and  Zerviah,  his  wife;  Heraldus  Eslerbrook  and 
Abigal,  his  wife;  Abel  Estcrbrook,  Amanda 
Ransom,  Oliver  Bates  and  Charity,  his  wife; 
Chancy  D.  Colton,  Francis  L.  Stone  and  Laura 
A..    Stone.      Almoiit  all   of  these  persons   were 


members  of  a  colony  that  came  a  short  time 
previous,  from  Northern  New  York.  Henry  P. 
Lyman  and  Mercy,  his  wife,  united  soon  after- 
wards, members  also  ff  the  colony. 

The  first  oflicers  in  the  church  were,  Azel  Ly- 
man, Heraldus  Eslerbrook  and  Luther  N.  Ran- 
som. Since  then  the  following  persons  have 
been  oflicers  in  the  church,  Joel  Buckman,  Jay 
Slater,  Henry  P.  Lyman,  William  B.  Brown, 
Samuel  H.  Jameson,  James  E.  Hopper,  Aaron 
VanPatton,  Ezra  C.  Lyman,  Davi^  Brainard 
Pond,  James  A.  Stone,  Henry  C.  Miner 

The  first  minister  in  the  church,  and  the 
man  who  organized  it  was  Rev.  J.  G.  Bergen, 
who  was  succeeded  by  the  following  persons,  in 
their  order:  Revs.  Whitney,  Gault,  Porter, 
Plummer,  Barton,  B!  )d,  Watson,  Wood,  Kerr, 
McFarland,  Peck  an(l  Leard. 

The  church  has  always  kept  up  an  active  Sab- 
bath school.  The  total  membership  since  the 
organization,  has  been  about  three  hundred  and 
twenty-five.  The  present  house  of  worship  was 
built  in  1859.  There  is  now  a  very  fine  parson- 
age, and  ten  acres  of  land  added  to  the  church 
property,  principally  through  the  munificent  be- 
(|uest  of  Dr.  Lyman,  who,  during  his  life,  was 
one  of  the  church's  strongest  pillars.  The 
church  has  enjoyed  many  seasons  of  revival,  and 
is  to-day,  as  it  has  been  since  its  organization,  a 
great  power  for  good  in  the  community. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  earliest  settlers  united  with  those  of  Cur- 
ran  in  school  privileges,  which,  of  course,  were 
none  of  the  best.  Gardner  township,  today,  is 
one  of  the  best  in  the  county  in  this  respect. 
Thei-e  are  now  ten  good  frame  school-houses,  val- 
ued at  86,700,  school  being  held  on  an  average 
of  eight  months  in  the  year  in  each. 

NOTED    MEN. 

In  1850,  James  H.  Slater  moved  from  this 
county  and  township  to  Oregon.  He  was  then 
comparatively  unknown,  and  it  was  not  supposed 
that  be  would  ever  become  eminent.  His  father 
was  poor,  and  he  only  obtained  the  educational 
advantages  of  the  common  school.  He  now  rep- 
resents the  State  of  Oregon  in  the  United  State* 
Senate. 

J.ames  M.  Bradford  was  a  member  of  the  legis- 
lature fram  this  county,  in  1840  and  1841,  and 
served  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  county. 

EAILROAD. 

The  Ohio  &  Biississippi  Railroad  passes 
through  the  township  from  east  to  west,  almost 
on  a  direct  line,  entering  from  Springfield,  on 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


915 


section  twenty-four,  and  entering  Carlwright 
from  section  nineteen.  It  has  two  stations  in 
the  township— Farmingdale  and  Bradfordton. 

POST  offYcies. 

Cross  Plains  post  office  was  established  in 
1871,  with  J.  M.  Slater  as  postmaster.  Richland 
post  office  was  established  at  an  early  day,  on 
the  west  line  of  the  township,  with  Constantine 
Foster  as  postmaster.  On  the  completion  of  the 
Ohio  &  Mississippi  Railroad,  it  was  removed 
over  the  line  into  Cartwright  township,  at  Rich- 
land statipn.  In  1876,  an  office  was  established 
at  Bradfordton,  with  George  Shaw  as  postmaster. 
The  present  postmaster  is  Lewis  Tomlinson. 
The  office  is  at  Bradfordton  station,  on  the  Ohio 
&  Mississippi  Railroad.  <Lti  addition  to  these, 
Farmingdale  has  an  office,   c 

ORGANIC. 

Gardner  township  was  organized  in  1861.  The 
annual  elections  are  held  the  first  Monday  in 
April,  of  each  year. 

George  Gregory,  post  office,  Bradfordton; 
aon  of  Benjamin  and  Catharine  Gregory,  who 
were  both  natives  of  England,  where  they  both 
died.  They  had  eight  children,  viz:  Hannah, 
born  1806;  George,  born  1808;  Bessie,  born  1810; 
Joseph  born  1812;  May,  Catharine  and  Emma, 
d  te  unknown.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
the  second  child,  and  was  born  January  8,  1808, 
and  was  apprenticed  to  the  machinist  trade. 
After  becoming  free,  he  came  to  America  in 
1830,  and  followed  his  trade  in  the  city  of 
Springfield,  having  purchased  a  shop,  and  carried 
on  the  business  until  1840,  when  he  began  to  run 
on  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad  from  the  Illinois 
river  to  Springfield;  continued  that  business 
until  it  was  sold  to  Dunlap  and  Lamb  and  be- 
came the  Great  Western.  He  spent  two  winters 
in  Louisiana,  making  sugar.  He  purchased  land 
where  he  now  lives,  and  in  1830,  married  Miss 
Sarah  Nobis,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Nohls. 
She  was  born  in  England  in  1810.  They  have 
ten  children,  viz:  George  I.,  born  February 
2,  183-i;  Isaac,  November  o,  1834;  Samuel, 
September  30,  1836;  Jacob,  September  23,  1838; 
Benjamin,  January  12,  1842;  Elizabeth,  January 
25,  1844;  Mary,  April  24,  1848;  Emma,  April 
13,  1852;  Eliza,  January  6,'  1854;  George  J., 
December  28,  1856.  George  was  killed  by  a 
horse  running  away  with  him,  January  1,  1842; 
Samuel  was  killed  by  being  thrown  from  a  horse 
January  11,  1868;  Benjamin  died  in  his  fifth 
year.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  owns  three 
hundred  acres  of  land,  worth  llOO  an  acre.     Mr. 


(Gregory  ran  the  first  engine  that  brought  a  train 
of  cars  to  Springfield. 

Ditniel  Humphrey,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Humphrey;  father  born  in  Kentucky,  October  2, 
1809;  mother  same  State,  October  2, 1806,  They 
were  married  March  8,  1832,  in  Sangamon 
county  and  had  two  children.  Miranda,  born 
August  1,  1833,  died  December  6,  1835;  David, 
born  December  4,  1834;  father  died  July  28, 
1835.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  only 
son,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm.  June  9,  1857, 
married  Miss  Mary  H.  Chapman,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Mary  Chapman,  and  was  born 
in  Devonshire,  England,  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  this  connlry  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
county,  where  her  mother  died  September  22, 
1856.  Her  father  died  June,  1881,  aged  ninety- 
one  years.  They  have  three  children,  John  J., 
born  May  5,  1858;  Mary  A.,  November  21,  1860; 
Minnie  E.,  September  13,  1862;  owns  a  fine 
residence  in  Farmingdale,  where  he  resides,  and 
is  the  postmaster  and  the  principal  business  man 
of  the  place,  doing  general  merchandising  and 
grain  commission  business. 

Samuel  H.  Jameson,  son  of  Samuel  and  Mar 
garet  Jameson;  father  born  in  county  Derry, 
Ireland,  about  1765;  when  about  eighteen  years 
of  age,  came  to  Ohio  county,  Virginia;  was  a 
farmer,  and  died  in  1818.  Mother  was  born  in 
New  Jersey,  1772.  She  was  a  lineal  descendant 
of  Sir  William  Wallace,  of  Scottish  fame.  They 
were  married  about  1800,  and  had  seven  chil- 
dren. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  May 
5,  1839,  to  Miss  Laura  A.  Wells,  of  Licking 
county,  Ohio.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Chester 
and  Laura  A.  Wells,  and  was  born  in  1818. 
They  had  three  children. 

Samuel  H.  Jameson  came  to  this  county  from 
Virginia  in  1850,  and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now 
owns,  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  valued  at 
•S8  )  per  acre.  Mr.  Jameson  was  one  of  six  who 
built  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  Gardner 
township. 

Henry  P.  Lyman,  post  office,  Farmingdale, 
son  of  John  and  Martha  Lyman.  Father  born 
in  New  Hampshire,  April  2,  1780  ;  mother  born 
in  same  place,  in  August,  1780  ;  father  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Nathaniel  Smith,  of  Dart- 
mouth. In  1832,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
Azael,  visited  the  western  country,  returning  in 
1833,  raised  a  colony  of  fifty  persons,  and  the 
same  year  came  west  in  wagons,  being  eight 
weeks  on  the  way,  holding  divine  service 
each  Sunday  on  the  route.  The  organization  of 
the  colony  was  kept  up  after  coming  to  Sanga- 


016 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


luon  county,  and  a  house  of  worship  was  soon 
after  built.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
August  10,  1805,  and  in  August,  183.3,  married 
Mary  Saunders,  of  Rutland,  Vermont,  born 
December  4,  1805.  They  had  six  children,  viz  : 
Celesta,  born  July  4,  1834,  was  married  March 
5,  1862,  to  Ralph  A.  Curtis,  of  Waverly,  Morgan 
county  ;  Martha  S.,  born  October  29,  1836,  died 
September  13,  1838;  John  S.,  born  July  31, 
1841,  married  Carrie  M.  Happer,  September  13, 
18'70  ;  Sarah  A.,  born  January  16,  1844,  married 
Rev.  J.  D.  Kerr,  August  15,1865,  now  resides  in 
Erie,  Pennsylvania  ;  Laura  A.,  born  February  8, 
1848,  died  December  27,  1848  ;  George  H.,  born 
October  4,  1850.  Mr.  Lyman  has  been  a  success- 
•  ful  business  man,  but  now  retired.  He  still 
takes  an  active  interest  in  the  moral  and  relig- 
ious improvement  of  the  community  in  which 
he  lives.  His  son,  George  IL,  graduated  at  the 
Champaign  university  in  the  class  of  1872,  of 
the  civil  engineering  department,  aud  is  now 
located  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 

Reiihen  McDannakl,  post  office,  Springfield, 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  McDannald.  Father 
born  November  9,  1795,  mother  born  Decemlier 
15,  1802;  mother's  maiden  name  Elizabeth  lies. 
Married  October  8,  1822,  and  had  five  children. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois 
with  his  mother  at  an  early  day,  and  married 
Miss  Ann  E.  Dillon,  October  20,  1853.  She  was 
born  October  7,  1833.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  Dillon,  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  Sangamon  county  about  183:;.  They 
have  nine  children,  to-wit:  John  Ellis, Parthena 
L.,  Maiy  A.,  James,  Robert,  Thomas  J.,  Emma 
J.,  Fannie  and  Edward  R.  James  died  Novem- 
ber 4,  1861;  Robert  died  June  22,  1862;  Fannie 
died  August  17,  1871.  His  advantages  of  early 
education  were  such  as  the  subscription  schools 
afforded  in  his  day,  and  his  wife  had  about  the 
same.  Owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  §60  per  acre. 

Logan  McMin-ray,  post  office,  Farmingdale, 
son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  McMurray.  Father 
born  in  Virginia ;  mother  born  in  Virginia; 
Irish  and  Scotch  extraction.  They  moved  from 
Virginia  to  Kentucky  about  1801,  and  from  Ken- 
tucky to  St.  Clair  county,  Illinois,  in  1811. 
There  the  father  died,  and  the  family  returned 
to  Kentucky,  remaining  there  seven  years,  and 
then  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  settled  in 
what  is  now  CuiTan  township.  They  had  seven 
children,  viz:  William,  Samuel,  James,  Lewis, 
Hester,  Arthur  D.  and  Logan.  All  are  dead 
excppt  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  born 
in  Kentucky,  March  22,  1810.     He  was  married 


December  22,  1831,  to  Miss  Melissa  Robinson, 
daughter  of  Edward  and  Jane  (Henly)  Robinson. 
She  was  born  November  11,  1813,  in  Caldwell 
county,  Kentucky.  Her  parents  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county  in  1821.  They  came  from  Ken- 
tucky with  horse  teams.  The  fruits  of  this  mar- 
riage were  ten  children,  to-wit:  Edward  S., 
born  November  13,  1832;  John  L.,  Mary  E.  and 
Martha  J.,  twins;  Angeline,  Elihu  J.,  George  F., 
Sarah  A.,  Emily  F.,  Eozella.  John  L.  and  An- 
geline died.  He  owns  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  acres  of  land,  valued  at  §75  per  acre.  Ad- 
vantages of  early  education  of  both  were  not 
very  good.  His  son  Elihu  was  in  Company  B, 
Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry, 

3Iathxu&  Miller  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Ger- 
many, on  the  Rhine  river,  April  11,  1819,  where 
he  remained,  working  on  the  farm  and  at  the 
stone-mason's  trade,  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He 
landed  at  New  Orleans,  and  came  to  St.  Louis, 
Missouri,  and  to  Springfield,  in  1842.  In  1844, 
went  to  the  pineries  of  Wisconsin,  where  he 
and  one  other  man  made  twenty-four  thousand 
shingles.  He  then  returned  to  Springfield,  and 
on  May  17,  1846,  married  Miss  Martha  (Ross) 
Miller.  She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Wm.  Ross,  who  was  a  farmer,  and 
died  in  1864;  and  his  wife,  Maria  (Morrison) 
Ross  was  born  in  Kentucky. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mathias  Miller  are  both  mem- 
bers of  the  church.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  a  member 
of  the  Catholic  Church.  They  have  had  ten 
children,  four  living:  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Gards,  Mrs. 
Florence  Campbell,  Alfred  F.  and  Virginia  Mil- 
ler. The  father  of  Mathias  Miller,  Peter  Miller, 
was  born  in  Germany.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
died  in  Germany  in  1845  or  1846;  and  his  wife, 
Margaret  Derzapf,  was  born  in  Germany.  She 
died  at  Lincoln,  Illinois,  in  1868,  and  was  buried 
in  Oak  Ridge  Cemetery,  at  Springfield.  She 
came  to  the  United  States  with  her  son,  Peter 
Miller,  in  1848.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has 
a  farm  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Gard- 
ner township,  where  he  resides.  He  also  owns 
a  house  and  two  lots  in  Mouticello,  Illinois.  In 
polities,  he  has  been  a  Democrat,  but  in  future 
Avill  vote  for  the  best  man.  He  cast  his  first 
vote  for  James  K.  Polk  for  President  of  the 
United  States. 

Michael  Pfifer,  post  office,  Cross  Plains,  son 
of  John  and  Christina  Pfifer;  father  born  in 
Germany  in  1791;  mother  born  in  Germany  in 
1795.  They  were  married  about  1814,  and  had 
nine    children.     Father   died    in    1861;    mother 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


917 


died  in  1869.  Michael  Pfifer  was  born  in  1825. 
He  was  the  sixth  child,  and  came  to  America  in 
1847;  landed  at  New  York;  came  to  Springfield, 
then  to  California,  rcturniug  in  1857.  He  was 
married  November  28,  1857,  to  Miss  Anna  Rans- 
lear,  daughter  of  David  and  Anna  M.  Ranslear. 
There  were  sixteen  children  in  her  father's 
family.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  eight 
children,  to-wit:  Mary,  born  September  .15, 
1859;  John,  born  March  19,  1861;  Rosina, 
born  September  8,  1862;  Julia,  born  June  14, 
1864;  George,  born  August  12,  1866;  Earnhardt, 
born  May  25,  1869;  Michael,  born  March  10, 
1873.  George  "was  drowned  in  the  Sangamon 
river  in  1877.  Mr.  Pfifer  owns  two  hundred 
and  five  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 
Advantages  of  education,  such  as  the  common 
schools  of  Germany  afforded. 

Henry  W.  Rickard,  post  office  box  699,  Spring- 
field; son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  Rickard;  father 
born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  1787;  mother 
born  in  Hardin  county,  Virginia;  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Everhart.  They  had  ten 
children,  viz:  Lewis,  born  October  13,  1806; 
Elizabeth,  April  1,  1809;  Catharine,  July  24, 
1811;  Susan,  August  26,  1813;  Noah  M.,  March 
20,  1817;  John  G.,  October  16,  1819;  Simon  P., 
October  16,  1821;  Sarah  A., March  2,  1824;Mary 
L.,  March  16,  1827;  Henry  W.,  January  1,  1830; 
all  born  in  Virginia;  Elizabeth  and  Noah,  de- 
ceased. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  tenth  child 
and  April  4,  1852,  married  Miss  Sarah  A.  Simms, 
daughter  of  John  and  Lucinda  Simms;  born 
November  15,  1880.  They  have  six  children, 
viz:  Elizabeth  L.,  Minnie  A.,  Lewis  F.,  Wash- 
ington M.,  Robert  I.,  George  E.;  wife  died 
December  21,  1864;  married  again  June  7,  1866 
to  Miss  Henrietta  Earnest,  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Aletro  Earnest,  and  born  January  10,  1831. 
They  have  two  children — Catharine  jane,  born 
August  26,  1870;  Thomas  E.,  born  October  13, 
1872;  are  of  German  extraction;  owns  three 
hundred  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $80  per  acre. 
The  advantages  of  early  education  of  both  were 
such  as  the  schools  of  the  country  afforded. 

James  A.  Stone,  post  office,  Bradfordton,  son 
of  Ossiin  L.  and  Abigal  C.  Stone.  Father  born 
in  Madrid,  St.  Lawrence  county,  New  York, 
May  24,  1804.  Came  to  Sangamon  county  with 
his  parents  in  November,  1831.  Mother  born  in 
Senaca  county.  New  York,  May  16,  1811.  (See 
biography  of  James  Stewart,  in  Williams 
township.)  They  were  married  October  29,  18H5, 
in  Sangamon  county.  They  had  six  children,  to- 
wit:     Frances  M.,  born  November  13, 1836,  died 

107— 


August  1 1 ,  1839;  Henry  W.,  born  November  29, 
1838,  died  August  26,  1839;  Laura  L.,  born  June 
7,  1840;  James  A.,  born  May  6, 1842;  Henry  A., 
born  April  3,  1844,  died  April  21,  1861;  Charles 
O.,  born  May  4,  1847.  Father  died  June  29, 
1850;  mother  died  February  15,  1875. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth 
child,  and  was  raised  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
resides.  September  26,  1866,  he  married,  in 
Morgan  county.  Miss  Elizi  Allen,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Emily  Allen.  She  was  born  July  7, 
1844.  Miss  Allen  was  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  the  first  in  command  at 
the  battle  of  Crown  Point,  and  James  A.  Stone 
is  a  descendant  of  Colonel  Philip  Stone,  second 
in  command  at  the  same  battle.  They  had  three 
children,  to-wit:  Jessie,  born  August  16,  1868, 
died  April  5,  1879;  Percy  A.,  born  June  22, 1871; 
James  Roy,  born  September  26,  1875,  died 
April  3,  1879.  He  owns  one  liundredand  sixty- 
five  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $7S  per  acre.  At 
present  he  is  town  treasurer.  Was  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-third  Regiment  Volunteer 
Infantry.  Educational  advantages  of  himself 
and  wife  were  both  good,  having  availed  tliim- 
selves  of  high  schools  and  seminaries.  His  wife 
took  drawing  lessons  as  a  specialty. 

Thomas  Talhot,  post  office,  Springfield. 
Father  born  in  Baltimore  county,  Maryland; 
mother  born  in  Baltimore  county,  Maryland. 
They  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  had  twelve 
children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
the  sixth  child,  and  born  in  Kentucky,  February 
21,  1816,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  in  1835.  Father  purchased  land 
and  commenced  farming  where  this  son  now  re- 
sides. March  13,  1877,  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
A.  Parkinson,  in  West  Virginia.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Parkinson,  and 
was  born  June  13,  1845;  her  father  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  mother  in  West  Virginia. 
Both  her  parents  are  living,  aid  if  they  live  until 
November  6,  1881,  will  celebrate  their  golden 
wedding.  Owns  eighty-five  acres  of  land,  valued 
at  $65  per  acre.  Early  advantages  of  education 
notgood,  from  scarcity  of  books  and  inferiority 
of  teachers;  wife's  advantages  were  good,  having 
graduated  at  the  Waynesburg  College  in  the  class 
of  1865,  and  taught  about  eight  years  after- 
ward. 

David  Talbot,  son  of  David  and  Harriet  Tal- 
bot; father  born  in  Maryland  in  1786,  mother 
in  same  State  in  1788.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Nathan  and  Rebecca  Harding,  who  were  married 
in  Maryland,  and  had  twelve  children.  They 
moved  to  Kentucky  about  1796,  where  all  their 


918 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


children  were  born,  and  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1835. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth 
child,  and  born  July  22, 1813.  October  22, 1850, 
married  Susan  T.  Richard,  daughter  of  Peter 
and  Elizabeth  Richard.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Talbot 
have  had  one  child,  Ella  Bell,  born  July  5,  1855, 
and  died  August  20, 1875.  Father  died  October, 
1867,  mother  died  December,  18t57.  Mr.  T., 
owns  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Hisadvantages  of  early 
education  were  such  as  the  schools  of  the  county 
afforded  in  his  day;  was  supervisor  of  the  town- 
ship in  1875.  The  brothers  and  sisters  were: 
Lucinda,  Fletcher,  Elizabeth,  David,  Oreenith, 
Thomas,  Harriet,  Luther,  Mary  R.,  Emily,  Car- 
oline, Sarah. 

Peter  Zinuner,  post  office.  Cross  Plains,  son  of 
Daniel  and  Margaret  Zimmer,  father  born  in 
Germany,  in  1763;  mother  alsoborn  in  Germany. 
They  had  seven  children,  to-wit:  Catharine, 
Susan,  Mary,  Barbara,  Margaret,  Michael,   and 


Peter.     All  dead   except   Margaret  and  Peter 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Germany 
April   9,   1825,   and   came  to  America  in  1847 
landing  at  New  York,  and  from  there  to  Louis 
ville,  Kentucky,  where  he  remained  seven  years 
working  at  the  tailoring  business;    came  to  San 
gamon  county  in  1855,  married  Miss  Christina 
Hartman,  by  whom  he  had  two   children,  viz 
Jacob,  born    October    11,  1851,   died  August  2, 
1872;  Amelia,  born  April  28,  1853.     Wife  died 
August  28,  1853.     Again  married  Miss  Rosena 
B.  Pfifer,  December  19,  1854, had  eight  children, 
Christina,  born  September  19,  1855;  Peter,  born 
October  G,  1856;  Rosena,  born  March  13,1857; 
Elizabeth,  born  January  4,  1861;  Anna  C,  born 
July  9,    1S64;    John,  born  January    20,    1860; 
Charles  and  George,   born  September  28,    1S69; 
Peter  died  October  5,   1873;    John  and  George 
were  drowned  in  Sangamon  river,  in  1877,  in  an 
effort  to  save  the  life   of  George  Pfifer.     Was 
naturalized  in  Springfield,  1854.     Owns  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


919 


Chapter  XXXIX. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  ILLIOPOLIS. 


The  township  of  Illiopolis  is  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded  on  the  east 
by  Macon  county,  on  the  west  by  Wheattield 
township,  on  the  north  by  Logan  county,  and  on 
the  south  by  Christian.  From  the  peculiar 
shape  of  the  county,  the  old  settlers  used  to  call 
the  territory  comprising  the  township  the  coon's 
tail. 

This  is  almost  an  exclusively  prairie  town- 
ship, but  along  the  Sangamon  river,  which  forms 
the  boundary  line  of  the  township,  it  is  densely 
wooded,  the  timber  varying  in  width  from  one 
to  three  miles. 

The  township  is  five  miles  wide  from  east  to 
west,  and  its  mean  length  from  north  to  south 
about  eight  miles.  The  soil  of  the  township  is 
a  heavy  black  loam,  and  is  especially  adapted  to 
all  kinds  of  cereals. 

The  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway 
passes  through  the  township  from  east  to  west, 
entering  on  section  eight,  township  sixteen, 
north,  range  one,  west,  and  passing  into  Wheat- 
field  township  from  section  ten,  township  six- 
teen, range  two,  with  one  station — Illiopolis. 

The  name  Illiopolis,  which  is  given  the  town- 
ship, is  derived  from  a  city  of  that  name  laid 
out,  but  never  built  upon,  near  the  present 
village  of  the  same  name. 

The  first  settlement  made  in  what  is  now 
Illiopolis  township  was  in  1826,  by  Mrs.  Ander- 
son, a  widow  lady,  who  settled  on  section  thirty- 
four.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Allen,  Joel  Watkins, 
Chesley  Dickerson,  William  Gregg,  James 
Hampton,  John  Churchill,  John  and  James 
Hunter,  Josiah  Kent,  William  Bridges,  and 
others  came.  All  these  settled  in  or  near  the 
Sangamon  river  timber.  The  township  being 
mostly  prairie,  prevented  its  rapid  settlement, 
and  consequently  it  did  not  develop  like  some 


others,  and  it  was  not  until  some  time  after  the 
railroad  was  built  that  the  prairie  began  to  be 
improved  to  any  great  extent.  Now  some  of 
the  finest  and  most  highly  cultivated  farms  in 
the  county,  are  the  prairie  farms  of  Illiopolis. 

The  sparse  settlement  here  for  so  many  years 
prevented  the  employment  of  a  school  teacher, 
and  it  was  not  until  1840  that  a  public  school 
was  taught,  and  not  until  1845  that  a  school 
house  was  erected.  The  township  will  now  com- 
pare favorably  in  her  schools  with  any  in  the 
county.  There  are  now  seven  school  houses, 
valued  at  $13,800. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  was  that  of 
John  Sanders. 

The  first  religious  services,  where  and  by 
whom  held,  are  unknown,  but  it  was  probably 
not  until  quite  a  late  day,  for  the  same  reason  that 
schools  were  not  held.  There  are  now  four 
churches  in  the  township,  including  those  in  the 
village. 

FIRST    VILLAGE    OF     ILLIOPOLIS. 

In  1834,  when  the  question  of  the  removal  of 
the  State  capital  began  to  be  agitated,  a  beauti- 
ful city  was  laid  out  by  John  Taylor,  Eli  Iilank- 
enship  and  Governor  Duncan,  about  a  half  mile 
south  of  the  present  village  of  Illiopolis,  on  the 
norlhwest  quarter  of  section  eighteen,  to  which 
was  given  the  same  name — Illiopolis,  the  City  of 
Illinois.  The  location  of  .the  village  was  de- 
scribed as  the  geographical  center  of  the  State, 
and  as  such  was  entitled  to  the  Slate  capital 
when  it  should  be  removed  from  Vandalia. 
Beautiful  lithographic  maps  were  issued,  in 
which  all  the  glories  of  the  ''future  great  city" 
were  revealed,  and  the  lots  were  placed  upon  the 
market,  and  a  number  were  sold.  A  neat  hotel 
was  erected  by  the  company,  and  Jesse  Kent  was 


920 


[HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


placed  in  charge.  Whether  Mr.  Kent  got  rich 
upon  the  proceeds  of  the  hotel,  or  that  his  clerks 
all  wore  diamond  pins,  parted  their  hair  in  the 
middle  and  treated  guests  according  as  he  was 
well  or  poorly  dressed,  history  and  tradition  are 
both  silent.  The  hotel  was  sub.sequently  burned 
down,  and  never  rebuilt.  The  Long  Nine  being 
successful  in  their  efforts  to  have  the  capital  re- 
moved to  Springfield,  the  project  of  building  up 
a  great  city  was  abandoned  by  the  proprietors. 
A  traveler,  in  1837,  thus  speaks  of  the  place: 

"  We  were  reminded,  as  we  were  plodding  our 
way  over  a  muddy  road,  four  or  five  miles  dis- 
tant from  Mecbanicsburg, that  we  were  approach- 
ing the  town  of  Illiopolis,  a  town  of  no  mean 
pretensions,  and  which  has  made  quite  a  figure 
— upon  paper.  The  most  prominent  object  that 
met  our  eye  upon  the  site  of  Illiopolis  was  a 
wolf  trap,  the  location  of  which  was  most  hap- 
pily chosen,  as  being  far  away  from  common  in- 
trusion by  the  biped  race;  but  we  apprehend 
that  the  number  of  bipeds  which  have  been 
caught  by  the  Illiopolis  trap  will  far  outnumber 
the  quadrupeds  taken  in  that  designed  for  their 
especial  benefit." 

OEGANIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861,  and  from 
that,  annual  township  elections  have  been  held 
the  first  Monday  in  April.  The  following  were 
the  prineip.al  oflicers  of  the  township  from  1861 
to  1881,  inclusive: 

CLERKS. 

Ruben  Smith  1861-64 

Wm.  Boring 1865-6 

Jas  T  Kent 1867-8 

A.  C.  Derry 1869 

J.  S.  Hampton 1870 

J,  T.  McElfresh 1871-2 

J.  H.  Myers 1873 

Peter  A.  Wilcox 1874 

A.  C.  Derry 187o 

H.  P.  Hankins 1876-79 

W.  W.  Ishmael 1881) 

W  H.  Fait 1881 

COLLECTOnS. 

Jesse  A.  Pickrell 1861 

A.  C.  Ford  1862 

John  C.  Perry 1863-4 

John  Capps I860-6 

W.  N.  Streeter l^o7 

J.  S.  Hampton 1868 

A.S.  Capps --1869 

Jas.  W.  McGuffia 18/0-1 

Chas.  S.   Caiitiall .■ 1872 

John  Churchill 1873 

Chas.  S.  Cantrall 1874-5 

"Wm.  Boring 1876 

J  T.  Pcden 1877 

J.  P.  Cowdin 1878-9 

Geo.  W.  Richardson 1880-1 


ASSESSORS. 

Chas.  M.  Turner 1861 

Chas.  K.   Capps 1862 

Henry  Bough  ton , 1863 

John  C.  Perry 1864 

V.  S.  Ruby 1865 

W.  N.  Streeter 1866 

Chas.  R.  Capps 1867 

W.  N.  Streeter 1868 

A.  Houghton 1869 

S.  P.  Fullcnwider 1870-72 

H.  P.  Hampton 1873 

S.  P.   Fulleuwider 1874 

W.  N.  Streeter 1875 

J.  S.  Hampton 1876 

G.  W.  Constant 1877 

W.  N.  Streeter 1878-80 

C.  M.  Turner 1881 

SUPERVISORS. 

William  Short 1861 

Wesley  Bullard 1862-64 

Jesse  A.  Pickrell 1865-67 

Wesley  Bullard 1868 

V.  S.  Ruby 1869 

Miles  H.  Wilmot 1870-74 

Geo.  Pickrell 1875 

V.  S.  Ruby 1876 

J.  M.  Pearsou,  appointed  August  28,  3876,  served 
seven  months,  the  une.xDired  term  of  V.  S.  Ruby. 

D.  W.  Peden,  elected  in  1877,  served  live  years,  and 
is  the  present  incumbent.  He  is  also  the  present  Chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Sangamon  county. 

VILLAGE  OF  ILLIOPOLIS. 

The  present  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Rail- 
road Company  having  here  established  a  station, 
around  which  several  houses  were  built,  it  was 
thought  proper  to  lay  out  a  village.  Accord- 
ingly William  Wilson,  Timothy  J.  Carter  and 
Thomas  S.  Mather  laid  out  and  platted  the  cen- 
ter of  section  seven,  township  sixteen,  range 
one,  and  the  plat  was  recorded  under  date  Octo- 
ber 15,  1856. 

The  first  house  built  within  the  limits  of  the 
present  village  was  in  1854,  by  a  Mr.  Ganson, 
who  was  the  station  agent  of  the  railroad  com- 
pany. The  building  was  designed  and  used  by 
Mr.  Gansou  as  a  store,  the  first  in  the  village. 

This  was  t'le  beginning  of  the  village,  and 
from  this  beginning  is  now  seen  the  fiouri.'^hing 
village  of  Illiopolis,  which  wa^  first  given  the 
name  of  Wilson,  after  the  chief  justice  by  that 
name,  one  of  its  proprietors.  The  village  grew 
quite  rapidly  for  a  time.  A  local  writer  in 
1866  thus  speaks  of  it : 

"  Wilson  is  a  town  laid  out  adjoining  Illiopolis 
station,  and  contains  about  four  hundred  inhabi 
tants.  Its  original  owners  were  Colonel  Thomas 
S.  Mather,  of  Springfield,  Timothy  J.  Carter, 
now  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  of  the  Union 
Pacific  Railroad,  and  the  late  Chief  Justice  Wil- 
son.     Colonel   Mather,  laid    out   the  town  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


021 


named  it  in  honor  of  Judge  Wilson;  it  is  twenty- 
three  miles  east  of  Springfield,  and  sixteen  miles 
west  of  Decatur,  being  the  central  point  on  the 
railroad  between  these  cities;  it  is  about  six 
miles  north  of  Mt.  Auburn,  in  Christian  county, 
and  ten  miles  south  of  Mount  Pulaski,  in  Logan 
county;  it  is  connected  with  these  two  points  by 
good  roads,  Lake  Fork  and  the  Sangamon  river 
being  well  bridged.  A  mail  route  extends  from 
here  through  Mt.  Auburn  to  Buck  Hart  Grove, 
in  Christian  county.  At  this  point  the  railroad 
company  have  established  a  tank  for  furnishing 
■water  to  trains,  into  which  the  water  is  raised  by 
means  of  a  wind-mill  of  the  most  ap])roved  style, 
and  as  this  is  the  only  watering  station  between 
the  Sangamon  river,  near  Springfield,  and  Deca- 
tur, all  trains  in  passing  stop  here  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  water.  At  this  point,  too,  the 
Sangamon  river  timber  is  at  less  distance  from 
the  railroad  than  at  any  other  between  James- 
town, near  Springfield,  and  Stevens'  creek,  near 
Decatur,  being  only  a  mile  distant. 

"  Wilson  is  a  regularly  incorporated  town.  It 
contains  three  dry  goods  stores,  two  grocery  and 
confectionery  establishments,  one  drug  store, 
one  wagon  manufactory,  two  blacksmith  shops, 
one  tin  shop,  one  shoe  shop,  one  broom 
factory,  two  carpenter  shops,  one  saddle  and 
harness  shop,  one  paint  shop,  one  carriage 
factory,  two  hotels,  two  grain  warehouses, 
one  lumber  yard,  two  sorghum  factories  and 
a  commodious  school  house,  which  is  con- 
ducted under  tlie  common  school  system. 
There  are  two  physicians  in  town.  The  Metho- 
dist denomination  have  a  church  building, 
erected  during  1865,  at  a  cost  of  ^4,000.  The 
Christian  denomination  hold  their  meetings 
regularly  in  the  Methodist  building  or  in  the 
school  house,  and  the  Caiholics  have  a  church 
building  in  process  of  erection. 

"  The  Good  Templars  have  a  lodge  here.  No. 
785,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  and  seven- 
teen members,  and  its  regular  time  of  meeting 
is  every  Saturday  night,  and  to  the  credit  of  the 
town,  be  it  said,  not  a  drop  of  ardent  spirits  is 
sold,  except  by  the  drug  stores,  for  medical  pur- 
poses. The  Free  Masons  have  a  lodge  in  process 
of  organization  here,  and  during  the  present  sea- 
eon  a  large  and  commodious  hall  has  been  erected 
for  the  accommodation  of  these  lodges,  public 
exhibitions,  lectures,  etc.  At  this  station  are 
shipped  yearly,  averaging  the  last  three  or  four 
years,  about  eighty  thousand  bushels  of  corn; 
twenty-five  thousand  bushels  of  wheat;  ten 
thousand  bushels  of  oats;  two  thousand  head  of 
beef  cattle,    and   five   thousand    head    of   hogs. 


Wilson  is  the  headquarters  for  transncting  all 
township  business;  all  elections  are  held  here, 
and  here  reside  the  town  clerk  and  police  magis- 
trate. What  this  point  has  not,  and  whac  it 
needs  most,  is  a  flouring  mill,  the  nearest  estab- 
lishment of  this  kind  being  from  nine  to  twelve 
miles  distant.  Decatur,  Mechanicsburg  and  Mt. 
Pulaski  furnish  most  of  the  flour  and  meal  for 
this  township.  The  post  ofBce,  at  Wilson,  is 
'  lUiopolis  Station.'  Hard  lumber  is  procured 
from  the  mills  in  the  Sangamon  timber;  pine, 
through  the  lumber  yard,  from  Chicago  and  To- 
ledo." 

The  village  retained  the  name  of  Wilson 
until  1869,  when  it  was  changed  to  lUiopolis. 

SCHOOLS. 

In  the  winter  of  1861-2,  the  first  school  house 
was  erected  in  the  place.  It  was  a  frame  build- 
ing and  was  used  for  school  purposes  and  tor 
religious  services  for  some  time.  The  growth 
of  the  village  being  such  as  to  demand  it  in 
186V,  an  addition  was  built  to  the  first  house, 
which  was  a  great  deal  larger  than  the  original 
building.  The  addition,  which  was  built  .in 
front  of  the  old  building,  was  thirty-two  feet 
square,  two  stories  in  height,  and  was  a  brick 
building.  In  the  fall  of  1880,  the  frame  was 
torn  away  and  a  brick  building  was  erected  the 
same  size  of  the  brick  front,  with  an  addition  in 
front  for  hall  and  stairway,  of  fifteen  by  twenty 
feet.  In  this  building,  which  is  an  honor  to  the 
place,  are  four  large  school  rooms.  There  are 
now  four  teachers  employed.  The  school  was 
graded  in  1867. 

RELIGIOUS. 

There  are  three  church  edifices  in  the  village 
—  the  Methodist,  Catholic  and  Christian. 

MEDICAL. 

The  first  physician  in  the  village  was  Dr. 
Bernard  Stuve,  who  came  shortly  after  it  was 
laid  out  and  remained  about  eight  years,  when 
he  removed  to  Springfield,  and  soon  began  the 
practice  of  law.  The  following  named  comprise 
the  present  resident  physicians  of  the  place:  W. 
R.  Van  Hook,  Dr.  Wm.  Maxwell,  J.  P.  Cowdin, 
and  Joe  Lawrence. 

The  following  comprise  the  town  council  of 
lUiopolis  since  its  organization: 

1869. — David  Binkley,  John  S.  Hampton,  John 
Blain,  Miles  H.  Wilmot,  Peter  Rasar,  charter 
members,  organized  March,  1869. 

ISVO. — A.  C.  Derry,  John  L.  Lindsey,  A.  D. 
Gilbert,  John  P.  Cowdin,  V.  S.  Rubey. 

isn.— A.  D.  Gilbert,  John  L.  Lindsey,  H.  P. 
Hankins,  J.  T.  McElfresh,  V.  S.  Rubey. 


922 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1872.— John  H.  Kendall,  Peter  Rasar,  J.  T. 
Peden,  D.  L.  Davis,  W.  E.  Hill. 

181Z. — A.  C.  Derry,  A.  S.  Capps,  A.  Guyton, 
J.  T.  Peden,  W.  G.  Tinker. 

1874. — A.  Guyton,  A.  S.  Capps,  John  P.  Cow- 
din,  J.  H.  Grubb.  Henry  Baker. 

1875. — ^Reuben    Smith,    Charles   M.    Turner, 
Charles  H.  Bridges,  J.  M.  Wise,  A.  C.  Derry. 

1876.— C.  H.  Bridges.  Charles  M.  Turner,  A. 
S.  Capps,  J.  H.  Kendall,  Sr.,  W.  G.  Tinker. 

1877. — Same  as  1876. 

1878. — John  M.  Hamilton,  Peter  Rasar,  A.  C. 
Ford,  A.  S.  Capps,  H.  P.  Hankins. 

1879.— A.  S.  Capps,  J.  T.  Peden,  Chas.  Dan- 
forth,  John  H.  Kendall,  Jr.,  A.  A.  Shartzar. 

1880.— W.  N.  Streetor,  Thomas  Palmer,  A.  A. 
Shartzar,  J.  H.  Kendall,  Jr.,  A.  S.  Capps. 

1881.— Reuben  Smith,  J.  H.  Kendall,  Sr.,Thos. 
Palmer,  Chas.  M.  Turner,  W.  J.  Miller. 

Martin  E.  Baker. — James  Haker  the  father  of 
Martin  E.,  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  year  1788,  a  time  so  remote  that  the 
beautiful  territory  now  comprising  the  great 
blue  grass  State,  was  little  less  than  a  hunting 
ground,  and  while  Ueorge  Washington  was 
serving  his  first  term  as  President  of  the  United 
States.  Nancy  Squires,  the  chosen  life  compan- 
ion of  James  Baker,  and  the  mother  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  six  years  later,  1794,  in  Fauquier 
county,  Virginia.  Martin  E.  Baker  is  a  native 
of  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  born  January  27, 
1820.  He  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  his 
parents  brought  him  to  Sangamon  county,  and 
1828  was  an  early  period  in  Sangamon's  history. 
Mr.  Baker's  life  was  crowded  until  the  years 
of  manhood  by  the  stirring  events  of  the 
pioneer,  but  little  time  being  given  to  men- 
tal drill  in  the  echools.  His  education,  however, 
■was  not  entirely  neglected,  as  we  find  him  in 
1850,  in  Christian  county,  teaching  school,  in 
which  he  must  have  been  very  successful  as  he 
was  not  allowed  to  decline  an  earnest  request  to 
teach  the  same  school  the  following  year.  Mr. 
Baker  was  married  March  4,  lo52,  to  Mary  C.  S. 
Williams,  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  She  was  born 
in  Montgomery  county,  Maryland,  February  3, 
1826,  and  came  to  Springfield  in  1839.  They 
settled  on  their  present  farm  in  lUiopolis  town- 
ship, in  1856,  where  all  of  their  eight  children 
(except  one)  were  born.  In  1856,  ]Mr.  B.  was 
elected  school  trustee,  which  beheld  three  years, 
when  he  was  elected  school  director,  serving 
nine  years,  and  again  elected  trustee,  which 
office  he  still  holds,  and  is  now  president  of  the 
board.  February  16,  1S80,  Mr.  Baker  was  visited 
by  a  sad  affliction  in  the  death  of  his  wife. 


Ca])t.  Henry  /S/irct'e^foiV,  po8toffice,Illiopoli8; 
father  and  mother  both  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
were  of  Scotch  origin.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  May  21,  1818,  and  married  in  1844  to 
Miss  Catharine  A.  Read.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Margaret  Read,  but  was  raised  by 
her  uncle,  William  Read,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
and  the  dwelling  house  then  occupied  by  them 
is  now  converted  into  what  is  known  as  the  Fifth 
Avenue  Hotel.  In  1834,  he  went  to  St.  Louis, 
and  entered  as  clerk  in  the  employ  of  Vairin  & 
Reel,  extensive  steamboat  owners  and  wholesale 
grocers.  In  1842, Capt.  John  W.  Russell  received 
his  commission  as  superintendent  of  western 
river  improvements,  was  instructed  to  employ 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  as  chief  clerk,  with 
headquarters  at  Louisville,  Kentucky.  He  ac- 
cepted the  position,  and  reported  for  duty  at 
once;  in  1846  and '4  7,  was  steamboating  between 
Louisville  and  New  Orleans,  on  the  boats  Diana 
and  Mohawk. 

In  1853,  '55  and  '57,  was  elected  city  treasurer, 
of  Louisville;  resigned  the  third  term,  to  enter 
mercantile  business;  moved  to  Illinois,  in  1864, 
purchasing  the  property  where  he  now  resides. 
He  follows  farming  and  stock  raising,  giving 
especial  attention  to  raising  roadster  horses,  of 
the  "Gold  Dust"  stock.  The  children  of  Capt. 
Blair  and  wife  were  six  in  number;  two  daugh- 
ters died  in  Kentucky,  named  Katie  M.  and 
Harriet  L.,  and  one  son,  Morris  B.;  three  sons 
are  still  living,  William  Read  Blair,  of  Bunker 
Hill,  Macoupin  county,  Illinois;  Henry  A.  Blair, 
lives  adjoining  the  homestead;  and  George  L., 
who  lives  at  home,  and  is  devoted  to  the  improve- 
ment in  horses. 

Note. — While  on  the  floor  being  married,  it 
was  announced  that  New  York  State  had  given 
her  electoral  vote  for  James  K.Polk,  for  Presi- 
dent, causingquitea  commotion,  as  that  defeated 
Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky. 

Archibald  Boyd  was  born  November  15,  1813, 
at  Fairfax  Court  House,  Virginia.  His  father, 
John  Boyd,  was  born  in  same  county,  and  emi- 
grated to  Christian  county,  Kentucky,  when 
Archibald  was  a  small  boy  ;  died  when  about 
forty  years  old.  Mother  died  when  he  was  quite 
young,  in  Kentucky.  Archibald  emigrated  to 
Illinois  in  1833,  at  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  settled  in  Morgan  county  ;  went  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1850,  and  returned  December,  1852; 
was  engaged  in  mining  while  in  California,  at 
Moquelumne  Hill,  Caleveras  county.  When  he 
returned  from  California  he  came  to  Mason 
county,  Illinois,  and  in  1860  settled  in  Sangamon 
county.     He    was    married    to    Miss    Eliza  F. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


92.1 


Hampton,  of  lUiopolis,  December  14,  1875,  to 
whom  have  been  born  four  children,  viz  :  John, 
William,  Anna  and  Helen  ;  owns  seven  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  excellent  prairie  land,  under 
high  state  of  improvement.  Mr.  Boyd  also 
owns  a  nice  residence  in  lUiopolis,  where  he  now 
resides,  surrounded  by  shrubbery  that  a  Shen- 
stone  might  envy,  and  music  in  a  lovely  family, 
a  contented  and  happy  wife,  and  beautiful  chil- 
dren. 

Joshua  Canira/^,  post  office,  lUiopolis;  son  of 
Levi  and  Fanny  Cantrall;  fither  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, October  1,  1787;  mother  born  in  Kentucky, 
October  2,  1792;  father  served  in  the  French  and 
Indian  wars  under  General  Harrison;  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Fannie  England,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Stephen  and  Anna  England.  They 
were  married  in  Virginia,  November  .30,  18u9, 
and  had  thirteen  children — seven  sons  and  si.x 
daughters.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
tenth  child,  and  born  in  Sangamon  county,  July 
28,  1828;  October  6,  1847,  married  Miss  Rebecca 
Hedrick,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Julia  Hedrick. 
She  was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky. 
They  had  thirteen  children,  viz:  Lafayette, 
born  January  16,  1849;  Fannie  S.,  September  9, 
1850;  Carlisle,  May  26,  1852;  Charles,  December 
27,  1853;  Barton,  April  26,  1856;  Parthena,  May 
80,  1858;  Julia  A.,  April  11,  1860;  McDonald, 
January  1,  1862;  Laura  E.,  June  3,  1864;  Clara 
P.,  September  8,  1866;  Levi,  April  20,  1868; 
Benjamin  F.,  August  25,  1870;  Jennie,  June  3, 
1872;  Charles  died  January  9,  1854;  Parthena, 
March  20,  1860;  Fannie,  October  8,  1869;  Jennie, 
June  20,  1872;  of  Welsh  extraction  on  father's 
side;  owns  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land, 
valned  at  $60  per  acre;  farms  mixed  crops;  raises 
and  feeds  stock  for  market  purposes.  His  advan- 
tages of  early  education  were  moderate;  attended 
subscription  schools.  His  wife  bad  the  same 
advantages. 

Charles  S.  Cantrall,  post  office,  lUiopolis. 
Great  grand-parents  came  from  Wales;  grand- 
father, Joshua  Cantrall,  born  1748,  in  Virginia, 
and  died  September  9,  1800.  Served  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  on  the  side  of  the  colonists. 
Married  Ann  Graham,  who  was  born  May  3, 
1751,  died  September  19,  1819.  They  had  nine 
children,  all  sons. 

Levi  Cantrall,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  the  seventh  son,  and  was  born  in 
Virginia,  October  1,  1787,  died  February  20, 
1860.  Married  Fanny  England,  who  was  born 
October  2,  1792,  and  died  September  10,  1835. 
They  had  thirteen  children,  twelve  grew  to  ma- 
turity and  had  families.     Second  marriage  was 


to  Miss  Ann  Harnett,  May  27,  1836.  They  had 
five  children,  three  died  in  infancy.  Father  was 
in  the  War  of  1812. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  January  6,  1826,  married  January 
7,  1845,  to  Emily  Vandegrift,  who  was  born 
October  6,  1830.  Had  two  children,  Mary 
Eleanor,  born  June  13,  1848,  married  January  25, 
1865,  to  S.  O.  Price.  Had  two  children,  Emma 
and  William,  who  reside  in  Logan  county, 
Illinois;  McDonald  Cantrall  was  born  August 
20,  1851;  married  Margaret  Peden.  Have  four 
children:  Maud,  Augustus,  Bruce,  and  Joseph. 
Mrs.  Emily  M.  Cantrall  died  January  29,  1852. 
Again  he  married  June  20,  1853,  Lucy  A.  Swear- 
engen,  who  was  born  Oct.  15, 1828.  They  had  one 
child,  Minerva  A.,  born  March  25,  1853,  and 
died  August  20,  1853.  Mrs.  Lucy  A.  Cantrall 
died  April  14,  1853.  C.  S.  Cantrall  married  a 
third  time  April  26,  1855,  to  Harriet  A.  Graham, 
who  was  born  February  17,  1836,  in  Athens. 
They  have  ten  children,  to-wit:  Charles  H., 
Thomas  D.,  Alice,  John  W.,  Levi  G.,  William 
II.,  Fanny  A.,  Homer  E.,  Ida  May,  and  Ira — all 
living  except  Ida  M.,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Cantrall  has  been  an  advocate  of  the  tem- 
perance reform,  for  the  past  forty  years,  the 
effect  of  the  same  has  been  one  to  be  seen  for 
many  miles  in  every  direction  in  the  county,  and 
for  two  years  after  the  township  organization  he 
was  assessor  of  Fancy  Creek  township,  and 
since  coming  to  lUiopolis  township  has  held  the 
office  of  collector  three  terms  in  this  township, 
and  for  many  years  township  trustee  of  Fancy 
Creek  township  and  lUiopolis  township,  and  has 
been  one  of  the  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  for  thirty-eight  years. 

John  S.  OUnkinbeard  was  born  the  8th  of 
December,  1822,  in  Clarke  county,  Kentucky. 
His  father,  John  Clinkinbeard,  was  born  in  the 
same  county,  and  died  there.  Wm.  Clinkin- 
beard, grandfather,  emigrated  from  Virginia  to 
Kentucky  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Clarke 
county.  John  S.  Clinkinbeard  has  five  brothers 
and  two  sisters  sti'l  living  in  Kentucky,  viz.: 
Wm.  A.,  Mary  Jane,  married  to  Robert  Dods- 
worth ;  Jonathan  N.,  James  G.,  Thomas  B.,  Sim- 
eon II.,  and  Sallie,  married  to  W.  B.  Scott. 

John  S.  Clinkinbeard  emigrated  to  Sangamon 
coutity,  Illinois,  in  1850,  and  settled  first  in  Buf- 
falo Hart  grove,  and  moved  to  lUiopolis  town- 
ship in  1867.  Mr.  Clinkinbeard  married  his 
first  wife.  Miss  Louisa  Bryant,  of  Buffalo  Hart, 
in  1859,  to  whom  were  born  three  children,  viz.: 
John  W.,  Mary  E.,  and  infant,  which  died  when 
three    days  old.      Married    second    wife.   Miss 


9LM 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Martha  E.  Constant,  of  BufiFalo  Hart,  December 
7,  1869,  to  whom  have  been  born  lour  children, 
viz.:  Isaac,  Nancy  Ellen,  wlio  died  at  tlie  age  of 
three  years;  Sarah  Jane,  and  youngest  child, 
now  ten  months  old,  not  named  as  yet. 

aS.  Dake,  born  February  20,  ]8'34,  in  Cattarau- 
gus county.  New  York.  His  father,  Erastus 
Dake,  was  born  September  8,  1801,  near  Roches- 
ter, New  York,  now  re.sides  in  Cattaraugus 
county,  New  York,  engaged  in  the  dairy  busi- 
ness. 

S.  Dake  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  185G,  and  en- 
gaged in  railroad  business  as  engineer  on  the 
road;  first  for  Chicago  &,  Alton,  afterwards  on 
the  Wabash  railroad.  Took  the  station  at  II li- 
opolis,  1859,  and  remained  in  that  capacity  till 
1864.  Afterwards  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. lUiopolis  consisted  of  only,  one  or  two 
houses  when  Mr.  Dake  came.  He  erected  the 
first  outdoor  scales.  Mr.  Dake  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Hunter,  of  Illiopolis  tcwni-fiip,  Illi- 
nois, April  18,  1861,  to  whom  have  been  born 
three  children,  of  whom  two  are  living,  viz: 
Oscar  H.,  born  Dectmber  17,  1866,  and  Cornelia 
Frank,  born  September  IG,  16  63;  one  deceased, 
Julia.  Mr.  Dake  is  quite  extensively  engaged  in 
the  lumber  business,  at  present,  in  Illiopolis. 
Mrs.  Dake's  grandfather,  Jas.  Hunter,  was 
among  the  first  settlers  of  Sangamon  county, 
having  emigrated  from  Kentucky  to  the  county 
in  1828;  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  died  in  Illi- 
opolis at  Mr.  Dake's,  aged  eighty-nine  years. 

Aaron  C.  Ford  was  born  in  Marshall  county, 
Kentucky,  January  13,  1827.  His  father,  Boze 
Ford,  was  born  March  4,  1804,  in  South  Carolina; 
his  mother,  Susan  Ford,  was  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. Mr.  Ford,  the  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  biography,  has  been  engaged  in  farming  all 
his  life;  emigrated  from  Marshall  county,  Ken- 
tucky, to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1851;  is 
now  living  in  Illiopolis,  Illinois,  and  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Cliurch,  and  has  led  an  exemp- 
lary life  as  a  Christian.  Aaron  C.  Ford  left  the 
parential  roof  in  his  old  Kentucky  home  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  to  seek  his  foituno  in  the  west, 
and  settled  first  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and 
worked  first  for  $8  per  month,  and  remained  in 
Morgan  countv  until  1850.  The  last  work  Mr. 
Ford  done  in  Morgan  county  was  to  maul  two 
thousand  rails  for  Samuel  French,  at  seventy-five 
cents  iier  hundred.  While  in  JM organ  county, 
Mr.  Furd  availed  liimself  of  the  advantages 
afforded  by  the  common  schools;  went  to  school 
in  the  winter  and  worked  in  the  summer — at- 
tended select  school  one  term.  Settled  near 
Jlliopolis,  Sangamon  county,  in  1850.    Broke  the 


first  prairie  land  in  Big  Prairie,  outside  of  the 
old  timber  settlement  of  the  county.  Mr.  Ford 
was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Averitt,  of 
Macon  county,  Illinois,  December  19,  1852.  Mrs. 
Ford  was  born  in  Schuyler  county,  Illinois,  May 
13,  1832.  There  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ford  thirteen  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living, 
three  boys  and  five  girls,  viz:  eldest,  Emma  C, 
was  born  September  24,  1853,  is  now  teaching 
school  in  Illiopolis  with  marked  success;  has 
taught  five  terms,  and  holds  a  first  grade  certifi- 
cate; Eva  F.,  born  September  10,  1856,  and  was 
married  March  1,  1877,  to  David  Johnson,  near 
Illiopolis;  GeoTge  E  ,  born  December  28,  1858, 
is  at  home  with  his  parents,  and  engaged  in  grain 
business,  Illiopolis;  Aleil  C.,born  September  18, 
1865;  AbnerM.,  born  December  9,  1867;  Charles 
C,  born  December  13,  1868;  Minnie  M.,  born 
December  4,  1870;  Gertie  W.,  born  September 
16,  1876. 

Mr.  Ford  owns  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  in  Illiopolis  township,  nearly  all  in  one 
body,  and  is  taid  to  be  as  good  a  tract  of  land  as 
can  be  found  in  the  State,  worth  $70  per  acre. 
Mr.  Ford  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace  in  the  township;  now  resides  in  Illiopolis, 
one  and  a  half  miles  from  his  farm,  and  owns  a 
good  residence;  exercises  supervision  over  his 
farm,  and  is  taking  an  interest  in  the  education 
of  bis  children,  having  moved  from  his  farm  for 
that  purpose.  Mr.  Ford  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church  thirty-one  years,  and  his 
life  is  justly  regarded  by  all  who  know  him,  as 
exemplary  in  a  high  degree;  has  been  a  fearless 
worker  from  his  youth  in  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance, and  every  good  cause  that  enter  in  as  con- 
comitants to  build  up  society,  and  elevate  man 
in  the  scale  of  being. 

James  D.  Foster,  born  in  Crawford  county, 
Pennsylvania,  June  8,  1824.  His  father,  David 
Foster,  was  born  in  Maryland,  1776,  died  in 
Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania,  September  10, 
1840.  He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
all  his  life,  and  had  five  children,  viz:  Mary, 
William,  Alexander,  Johnston,  James  D.  and 
Wilson.  James  D.  is  the  only  one  residing  in 
Illinois.  He  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1857,  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  near  Mechanics- 
burg,  and  remained  there  nine  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Illiopolis  township  in  1863.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Malinda  Haskett,  of  Guernsey 
county,  Ohio,  January  1,  1855,  to  whom  have 
been  born  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  liv- 
ing viz:  David  L.,  married,  and  living  in  Illi- 
opolis township;  Rebecca  R.,  married  to  Web- 
ster Burch,  and  living  in  Wbeatfield  township; 


p 


1*^. 


<lj 


9-7-rz£<^ 


'^.^eyrc 


-^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


927 


James  W.,  married,  and  living  in  Illiopolis  town- 
ship; Grant,  Jane,  Benjamin,  Johnston  and 
Sarah  are  single,  and  living  at  home.  Mr.  Fos- 
ter was  married  to  his  first  wife.  Miss  Catharine 
Kerrh,  of  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  July 
4,  1842,  to  whom  were  born  five  children;  of 
these  three  are  living,  viz:  Mary,  married  to 
Robert  Donaldson,  and  living  in  Elizabeth, 
Pennsylvania;  Wm.  A.,  married,  and  living  in 
Decatur,  Illinois,  and  is  a  conductor  on  the  I., 
D.  tfc  S.  Railroad;  George  M.,  not  married,  and 
is  living  in  Decatur,  and  is  a  conductor  on  the 
same  road.  Mr.  James  D.  Foster  is  a  blacksmith 
by  trade.  Carried  on  the  trade  extensively  in 
former  years  in  Elizabeth,  Pennsylvania.  Built 
the  first  blacksmith  shop  in  Buffalo,  Sangamon 
county.  He  now  owns  a  very  fine  tract  of  land 
in  Illiopolis  township  of  four  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  equal  to  any  in  the  county,  and  under  a 
high  state  of  improvement.  Mr.  Foster  is  now 
farming  very  successfully. 

Wm.  F.  Garvey,  was  born  in  Owen  county, 
Kentucky,  August  22,  1829;  his  father,  Samuel 
Garvey,  emigi-ated  to  Kentucky  from  Virginia, 
when  a  young  man,  and  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  and  cleared  out  a  farm  in  Kentucky; 
emigrated  to  Illinois,  the  fall  before  the  great 
snow,  1830,  and  settled  near  Mechanicsburg, 
SangaiAon  county,  Illinois,  and  improved  two 
farms.  He  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children, 
eight  sons  and  five  daughters,  seven  now  living, 
viz;  Mrs.  Mary  Hampton,  Samuel  Garvey,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Jack,  Mrs.  Nancy  Hampton,  Wm.  F. 
Garvey  Mrs.  Jane  Peden,  and  John  Garvey. 
Mrs.  Jack  resides  in  Knox  county,  Missouri; 
Mrs,  Jane  Peden  resides  in  Lovington,  Illinois; 
the  others  reside  near  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois.  , 

Wm.  F.  Garvey,  the  subject  of  this  biography, 
was  married  February  2,  1854,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Ann  Williams,  of  Springfield,  Illinois,  who  was 
born  in  Maryland,  in  1829,  November  29th.  The 
family  consists  of  six  children,  of  whom  four 
are  now  living,  viz:  Horace  Overton  Garvey, 
Clara  Garvey,  Wm.  Henry  Garvey,  and  Samuel 
Garvey . 

Mr.  Wm.  F.  Garvey  has  been  always  engaged 
in  farming;  has  three  hundred  and  thirty-six 
acres  of  land,  in  Illiopolis  towns'njp — a  very  valu- 
able farm,  and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation; 
could  get  $75  per  acre;  not  for  sale.  Besides 
farming,  Mr.  Garvey  is  now  turning  his  atten- 
tion to  breeding  fine  stock,  of  Norman  horses. 

James  Johnston,  Illiopolis,  son  of  James  and 
Mary  Johnston.  His  parents  were  born  in  Dura- 
freeshire,   Scotland;    father  May   10,  1805,    and 

108— 


mother.  August  21,  1808.  They  were  married 
March  26,  1835;  mother's  maiden  name,  Mary 
Rodgerson.  She  was  the  daughter  of  James 
Rodgerson,  also  born  in  Scotland.  They  had 
eight  children,  six  sons,  and  two  daughters: 
James,  born  February  26,  1836;  Janet,  born  June 
22,  1840;  John,  born  June  4,  1842;  Elizabeth, 
born  January  19,  1844;  George,  born  March  18, 
1S4G;  William,  born  September  4,  1848;  David, 
born  September  25,  1850.  All  born  in  Scotland, 
and  Thomas,  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
June  9,  1853;  father  died  August  4,  1853; 
mother  died  September  3,  J  871.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  first  child,  and  came  from 
Scotland  with  his  parents  in  1851,  settling  in 
this  county,  where  he  now  resides.  On  April  2, 
1872,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Jane  Scroggin, 
daughter  of  Alfred  Scroggin,  of  Logan  county, 
Illinois.  They  had  one  child,  Hugh,  born  D(r- 
cember  21,  1872,  who  died  April  10,  1873.  His 
wife  died  March  2,  1874.  On  December  25, 
1879,  he  married  Miss  Ruth  Emeline  Morgan, 
who  was  born  July  10,  1854,  in  Sangamon 
county.  Her  father,  John  C  Morgan,  was  birn 
May  19,  1812,  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky, 
and  her  mother,  Elizabeth  Bridges,  November 
9,  1819,  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  His  advantages 
of  early  education  was  such  as  the  parish  schools 
of  Scotland  afforded,  and  his  wife's  opportuni- 
ties were  the  common  schools  of  Sangamon 
county.  His  farm,  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  on  which  he  resides,  is  valued  at  |50  per 
acre.  He  follows  mixed  husbandry,  raising  and 
feeding  stock  for  market  purposes. 

John  H.  Kendall,  Sr.,  was  born  February  28, 
1824,  in  Nelson  county,  Kentucky.  His  father, 
Benjamin,  was  born  July  3,  1797,  in  Nelson 
county,  Kentucky.  William  Kendall,  grand- 
father, emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Kentucky  at 
an  early  day  ;  died  in  Keiuucky  in  1835.  Mrs. 
Kendall's  maiden  name  was  Matilda  Ilobbs, 
mother  of  John  II.,  died  September  4,  18G7, 
in  Illiopolis,  Illinois.  John  H.  Kendall  spent 
his  boyhood  days  in  Kentucky,  with  his  mother, 
and  followed  farming.  Emigrated  to  Mason 
county,  Illinois,  1853,  and  remained  there  one 
year,  and  removed  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois; 
was  married  to  Miss  Laura  Brown,  of  Nelson 
county,  Kentucky,  October  1,  1848,  to  whom 
have  been  born  four  children,  of  whom  three 
are  living,  viz:  John  H.,  Jr.,  born  October], 
1849;  Alexander  M.,  born  October  1,  1849, 
(twins);  George  W.,born  June  26,  1851,  died 
July  17,1872;  Burn  H,  born  May  21,1853. 
All  the  children  born  in  Nelson  county,  Ken- 
tucky.     Mr.   Kendall  has  followed  farming  in 


928 


IIISTOKY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Illinois  up  to  1805,  since  which  time  he  has 
carried  on  the  livery  business  in  Illiopolis,  and 
has  as  few  enemies  as  any  man  in  Illiopolis. 

Isaac  Loose,  iSr.,  was  born  in  180S,  in  Berks 
county,  Pennsylvania;  his  father,  Conrad  Loose, 
was  born  in  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  about 
the  year  I'/GO;  of  German  extraction;  his  mother, 
Christina,  maiden  name  Brindle,  was  born  about 
1781.  Conrad  Loose,  died  1829,  in  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Mrs.  Christina  Loose, 
died  in  same  couaty,  1826.  The  subject  of  this 
biography  was  three  years  old  when  his  father 
moved  to  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania;  was 
married  to  Miss  Eliza  M.  Scholl,  daughter  of 
Rev.  F.  A.  Scholl,  of  Greeucastle,  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  to  whom  have  been  born 
ten  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living — five  sous 
and  three  daughters,  viz:  Elizabeth  M.,  Fred- 
erick Augustus,  dead;  Oscar  C,  Arthur  H., 
Amanda,  "Mary,  Joseph  S.,  David  A.,  Almira 
Virginia,  and  Jacob  L.  Benjamin  died  when 
quite  young — 1852.  Mrs.  Loose,  wife  of  Isaac 
Loose,  Sr.,  died  July  14,  1878,  aged  sixty-two 
years.  Mr.  Loose  emigrated  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  in  1857,  and  three  years  afterwards 
brought  his  family;  settled  near  Illiopolis,  and 
owns  a  fine  tract  of  land,  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  consisting  of  one  thousand  and  forty- 
one  acres,  surrounded  by  everything  that  is 
beautiful  in  farm  life,  and  the  result  of  his  own 
labor.  There  was  but  one  building,  and  that 
unfinished,  on  his  arrival  in  Illiopolis,  owned  by 
Ganson,  and  afterward  used  for  a  grocery  build- 
ing. Mr.  Loose  drove  the  first  hitching-post  in 
Iliiopolis  to  hitch  his  horse;  is  among  the  most 
wealthy  of  Sangamon  county. 

Wi/i.  -P.  Roberts  was  born  January  23,  1831, 
in  Schuyler  county,  Illinois;  his  father,  Norman 
Roberts,  was  born  October  19,  ISOO,  in  South 
Carolina,  and  emigrated  to  Georgia,  when  quite 
a  boy,  from  Georgia  to  Kentucky,  and  from 
Kentucky  to  Indiana,  and  from  thence  to  Schuy- 
ler county,  Illinois,  in  1830,  and  removed  to 
Sangamon  county  1853;  engaged  mostly  in 
farming,  but  traded  some  on  Ohio  river  from 
Newbery,  Indiana,  to  New  Orleans;  is  now  living 
with  his  son,  Wm.  P.  Roberts;  was  acquainted 
with  Abraham  Lincoln  when  a  boy.  Mother's 
name  before  marriage  was  Temperance  Lockhart, 
born  in  Washington  county,  Kentucky,  Novem- 
ber 17,  1796,  died  September  28,  1839.  Grand- 
father Joseph  Roberts  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
died  in  Gibson  county,  Indiana;  accidental  death 
by  gunshot.  Norman  Roberts  was  twice  mar- 
ried; by  his  first  wife  were  born  seven  children, 
(married    June    13,    1821,)    viz  :      Mary    Ann, 


Betsy  Monroe,  Amanda  Jane,  Martha  Ellen, 
Wni.  P.,  Hannah  and  Joseph;  Mary  Ann  and 
Josej)h  are  dead.  Norman  Roberts  was  married 
second  time  to  Mrs.  Lockhart,  September  13, 
1810,  to  whom  were  l>orn  four  children,  viz: 
John  W.,  Norman  B.,  Thomas  J.  and  Madeline; 
all  of  whom  are  now  living.  Wm.  P.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  biography,  in  early  life  lived  with 
his  father,  and  followed  farming;  wa^  educated 
in  the  common  schools  of  Warwick  county, 
Indiani,  school  house  built  of  logs,  and  ground 
floor;  emigrated  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
February  12,  1S52;  was  married  January  28, 
1 858  to  Miss  Nancy  E.  Boyd,  of  Macon  coutity, 
Illinois.  The  family  consists  of  nine  children, 
viz:  Joseph  D.,  born  July  14,  1859,  and 
died  July  11,  1861;  Mary"  Ann  born  May 
17,  1861;  Emma  F.,  born  April  27,  1863, 
died  August  20,  1879;  Martha  E.,  born 
October  9,  1864;  Tempa  Florence,  born  March 
19,  1867;  Ida  Belle,  born  November  16,  1868; 
George  IL,  born  February  26,  1871;  Harvey  C, 
born  May  4,  1873;  an  infant  died  December  19, 
1880.  Mr.  Roberts  has  two  hundred  and  ten 
acres  of  land  adjoining  Illiopolis  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  is  regarded  as  a  first  class 
farmer;  has  a  nice  residence;  his  family  are  tak- 
ing an  interest  in  education  and  music;  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  twenty- 
seven  years;  his  motto  in  religion  as,  in  every- 
thing else,  is,  "go  slow,  but  sure." 

W.  JV.  Streeter,  grain  dealer,  was  born  in 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  1, 
1836,  son  of  William  and  Diana  (Wilcox) 
Streeter,  who  were  natives  of  Massachusetts. 
His  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation;  he  came 
to  Pike  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until 
bis  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1838, 
while  he  was  on  his  way  to  the  Mississippi  river, 
where  he  anticipated  engaging  in  the  milling 
business.  His  mother,  in  a  few  months  after, 
moved  back  to  Exeter,  Scott  county,  Illinois, 
where  she  resided  for  many  years.  She  became 
deranged,  and  after  fruitless  attempts  on  the  part 
of  physicians  to  cure  her,  she  was  pronounced 
hopelesslv  insane,  and  sent  to  the  Jacksonville 
Asylum,  where  she  spent  four  years,  but  was  re- 
moved by  her  son,  and  is  now  in  the  County 
Poor  House  for  safe  keeping.  W.  H.  Streeter 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools, 
attending  school  three  months  during  the  winter. 
He  worked  for  Wm.  Lowry,  in  whose  charge  he 
was  placed  by  his  mother,  and  with  whom  he 
remained  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 
He  then  engaged  in  carpentering,  in  company 
with  his  brother,  one  vear;    then  worked  as  a 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


920 


farm  laborer  rfntil  1861.  -He  was  married  March 
4,  1858,  to  Mary  Jane  Hobson,  who  was  born 
October,  1833,  in  Scott  county,  Illinois.  Of  a 
family  of  eight  children  six  are  living,  viz:  Wil- 
liam O.,  Richard  A.,  John  H.,  Mary  Ada,  Chas. 
E.  and  Henry;  George  and  Louis,  deceased.  In 
1860,  he  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the 
One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Illinois  Infantry, 
Company  E,  and  served  two  years.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Fourth  Sergeant,  then  promoted  to  First 
Sergeant,  in  which  capacity  he  acted  until  he 
was  commissioned  First  Lieutenant.  He  held 
that  position  until  he  resigned  on  account  of 
sickness  contracted  on  the  Mississippi  river,  near 
Vicksburg,  while  cutting  the  canal  under  the 
supervision  of  General  Grant.  He  was  dis- 
charged May,  1863.  He  again  returned  to  San- 
gamon county  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  con- 
nection with  the  grain  business,  which  he  has 
followed  since.  He  ships  from  1.50,000  to  160,- 
000  bushels  of  grain  each  year,  and  has  an  ele- 
vator with  a  capacity  for  handling  600,000  bush- 
els. He  has  held  many  offices  of  trust  in  the 
township,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

John  W.  G.  Tiirpm,  post  office,  Illiopolis, 
son  of  Robinson  and  Rachel  Turpin.  Father 
born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  April,  1805; 
mother  born  in  Owen  county,  Kentucky,  1807. 
They  were  married  in  Kentucky  about  182'7,  and 
had  three  children  born  there.  About  1834, 
moved  to  Hendricks  county,  Indiana,  bought 
land  and  commenced  farming.  The  names 
of  their  children  are:  Melinda  E.,John  W.  G., 
born  March  13,  1830;  Anderson,  Henry,  Harvey, 
Harrison,  Doctor,  Martha,  Jacob.  Harrison 
died  January,  1865;  mother  died  July  31,  1880; 
father  died  August  31,  1880. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  second 
child,  and  was  married  in  Hendricks   county, 


Indiana,  February  i!4,  1854,  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
B.  Swain,  daughter  of  John  and  Matilda  Swain. 
Her  father  was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Ken- 
tucky, April,  1812;  her  mother  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Kentucky,  April,  1810.  Mrs. 
Turpin  was  born  in  Hendricks  county,  Septem- 
ber 17,  1834.  Commenced  farming  in  Indiana, 
and  remained  there  until  1865,  when  they  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  purchased  the 
place  where  they  now  live.  They  have  seven 
children,  to-wit:  John  R.,  born  August  10, 
1855;  James  II.,  born  May  20,  1857;  Ann  E., 
born  December  11,  1850;  William M., born  April 
29,  1861;  Bennett  N.,born  July  25,1 864 ;Lucella 
W.,  born  Jan.  21,  1869;  Tillman  A.  H.,  born 
July  21,  1871. 

Owns  three  hundred  acres  of  land,  secured  by 
the  industry  of  himself  and  family,  valued  at 
^50  per  acre;  farms  mixed  crops,  raises  cattle 
and  hogs  for  market  purposes.  Subscription 
schools  were  the  only  advantages  of  education 
for  himself  and  wife. 

Henry  Wilcox,  born  November  10,  181.3,  in 
Schoharie  county.  New  York,  in  the  town  of 
Scobelkill.  His  father,  Nathan  Wilcox,  born 
in  Middlesex  county,  Connecticut,  in  the  town 
of  Guilford,  1778,  and  died  1852,  in  Lee  county, 
Illinois.  Henry  Wilcox  emigrated  to  Illinois 
in  1851,  and  settled  in  Lee  county,  and  removed 
to  Sangamon  county  in  1857.  Married  Febru- 
ary 7,  1^841,  to  Miss  Artemissee  Luce,  to  whom 
were  born  ten  children,  of  whom  six  are  living, 
viz:  Elizabeth,  married  to  P.  P.  Lucas,  of 
Illiopolis,  Illinois;  Lucy,  married  to  John 
Pontzious;  Sylvester,  married  and  living  in 
Texas;  Henry  and  Aaron.  Olive  married  to  John 
Underwood,  and  living  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  Wil- 
cox owns  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twelve  acres.  His  son,  Sylvester,  formerly  in 
the  railroad  business  in  Chicago,  is  now  in  the 
railroad  business  in  Texas. 


9.30 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XL. 


TOWNSHIP   OF  ISLAND   GROVE. 


Island  Grove  is  one  of  the  western  tier  of 
townships,  and  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  Curran 
township,  on  the  west  by  Morgan  county,  on  the 
north  by  Cartwright,  and  on  the  south  by  New 
Berlin.  It  has  twenty-seven  square  miles  of 
land  in  the  township.  It  is  mostly  prairie  and 
quite  level.  Island  grove,  which  gives  the  name 
to  the  township,  is  an  irregular  shaped  grove, 
about  eight  miles  long,  and  averaging  one  mile 
in  width,  extending  along  one  branch  of  Spring 
creek  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  town- 
ship. There  is  also  some  timber  along  Skillet 
fork  of  Spring  creek,  in  the  eastern  part,  other- 
wise it  is  all  Drairie. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

John  Roberts,  from  Tennessee,  first  settled 
here  in  1818,  at  the  foot  of  the  grove,  in  the 
northeastern  part.  He  was  followed,  about  a 
year  afterwards,  by  his  son,  Jerry  Roberts,  and 
by  David  Troxell,  Fred.  Troxell,  Thomas  Evans, 
Andrew  Scott,  William  Hart  and  Josiah  Hedges. 
At  this  time  there  were  two  Indian  villages  in 
the  township — one  on  Skillet  fork,  and  the 
other  at  the  head  of  the  grove,  near  the  west 
line.  There  were  about  three  hundred  Indians 
in  each  village.  They  were  of  the  Pottowata- 
mie  and  Delaware  tribes,  but  were  peaceable, 
and  soon  moved  west.  Among  other  early 
settlers  may  be  mentioned  the  names  of  McCoy, 
Douglass,  Rhea,  Foutch,  Smith,  Brown,  Hursley, 
Gibson,  Yates,  Ellis,  Campbell,  Harmon,  Weger, 
Wyckoff,  and  others,  whose  descendants  and 
relatives  now  form  a  large  proportion  of  the 
present  inhabitants.  The  first  whites  here  were 
mostly  of  a  wandering  character,  and  soon 
moved  away.  Those  mentioned  came  a  few 
years  later  and  made  permanent  homes  here. 

Simon  Hensley  was  born  February  26,  1785, 
in  Washington  county,  Virginia.     He  was  mar- 


ried February  2,  1820,  near  Dayton,  Montgomery 
county,  Ohio,  to  Mary  Arnold,  who  was  born 
August  24,  1792,  in  Ohio.  They  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of 
1823,  in  what  is  now  Island  Grove  township, 
north  of  Spring  creek. 

Josiah  Hedges  was  born  about  1788,  in  Mary- 
land, and  was  taken  to  Virginia,  and  from  there 
to  Grayson  county,  Kentucky,  when  he  was 
about  twelve  years  old.  Anna  Brown  was  born 
December  2.5,  1798,  in  Davis  county,  Kentucky. 
Josiah  Hedges  and  Anna  Brown  were  there 
married,  and  made  Grayson  county  their  home 
until  they  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  1826,  at  th.e  north  side  of 
Island  Grove,  two  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of 
the  present  town  of  Berlin. 

Mr.  Hedges  moved  from  Kentucky  with  an 
ox  team.  One  of  his  oxen  was  trained  to 
work  in  shafts.  He  made  a  light  wagon,  all  of 
wood,  and  with  that  ox  did  all  his  marketing 
after  coming  to  the  county.  When  he  came, 
he  brought  money  to  enter  forty  acres  of  land. 
By  industry  aud  economy,  he  became  the  owner 
of  nine  hundred  acres  of  the  richest  land  in  the 
county.     He  died  in  1872. 

Henry  Elli*,  was  born  November  17,  1786,  near 
Lexington,  Kentucky.  His  father,  John  Ellis, 
was  born  January  29,  1749,  aud  married  October 
2,  1770,  to  Sarah  Parrish,  who  was  born  April 
20,  1757.  They  moved  from  Virginia  to  Ken- 
tucky. The  family  is  of  Welch  extraction.  The 
father  of  John  Ellis  is  said  to  have  been  with  the 
second  supply  of  emigrants  from  England  to 
America.  Martha  Marshall  Yates  was  born  (after 
the  death  of  her  father)  in  Woodford  county, 
Kentucky,  September  13,  1791,  and  was  a  sister 
of  Henry  Yates,  Sr.  Henry  Ellis  and  Martha  Yates 
were  married  January  29,  1807,  in  Warsaw 
Kentucky,  and  had  ten  children,  two  of  whom 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY 


9.31 


died  in  infancy.  The  family  moved  to  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  September, 
1825,  in  Island  Grove,  two  miles  northeast  of 
Berlin. 

John  Fontch  was  born  May,  1VV6,  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia.  Three  brothers  )iy  the  name 
of  Fontch  came  from  France  and  settled  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia,  before  the  American 
Eevolution.  Two  of  them  were  soldiers  in  that 
war,  and  one  of  them  was  Abraham,  the  father 
of  John,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch.  John 
Foutcli  went  to  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  when 
he  was  a  young  man,  and  was  there  married,  in 
1796,  to  Nancy  A.  Wherrett,  who  was  born 
March  8,  1778,  in  St.  Mary's  county,  Maryland. 
They  lived  in  Fayette  county,  near  Lexington, 
and  the  family  moved  to  Dearborn  county,  near 
Harrison,  Indiana;  they  then  moved  to  Franklin 
county,  thence  to  Sangamon  count)',  Illinois, 
arriving  in  the  fall  of  1825,  at  the  south  side  of 
Richland  creek,  east  of  where  Pleasant  Plains 
now  stands,  and  in  the  spring  of  1826,  moved  to 
Island  Grove,  Sangamon  county. 

James  Rhea,  W' as  born  in  1780,  in  Greenbrier 
county,  Virginia,  and  when  a  young  man,  went 
to  Barren  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried November  20,  1801,  to  Rachel  Joliff,  who 
was  born  October  16,  1783.  They  had  ten  chil- 
dren in  Kentucky,  and  the  family  moved  to  Jef- 
ferson county,  Illinois,  where  one  child  was 
born,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving 
in  1827,  in  what  is  now  Island  Grove  town- 
ship. 

James  Rhea  died  February  lii,  1843,  and  his 
widow  died  October  28,  1851,  both  in  Sangamon 
county.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812, 
from  Kentucky,  under  General  Harrison;  was 
on  Lake  Erie,  and  saw  the  British  vessels 
brought  in  after  Perry's  victory. 

Mrs.  Catharine  Harmon,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Sears,  was  born  about  1775,  in  North  Caro- 
lina. She  was  married  to  George  W.  Harmon 
and  had  three  children  in  North  Carolina;  and 
then  they  moved  to  Simpson  county,  Ken- 
tucky. Mr.  Harmon  died  there  about  1825. 
Mrs.  Harmon,  with  eight  of  her  children,  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the 
fall  of  1827,  in  Island  Grove. 

David  McGinnis,  was  born  in  1798,  in  Mercer 
county,  Kentucky.  He  was  married  December 
24,  1820,  in  Boone  county,  to  Eliza  Gibson, 
a  native  of  that  county.  Mr.  McGinnis  visited 
Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  1826,  selected  a 
location  for  a  home,  returned  to  Kentucky,  and 
brotlght  his  family,  accompanied  by  his  brother, 
G.    Dawson,    arriving   November    18,    1827,    in 


what  is  now  Island  Grove  township.  David  and 
William  McGinnis  were  the  inventors  of  a  de- 
vice for  guiding  prairie  plows  by  wheels  and  a 
lever.  They  put  it  in  operation  in  the  summer 
of  1829.  It  was  adopted  throughout  the  prairie 
country,  and  might  have  made  them  a  large 
amount  of  money,  but  it  was  never  patented. 

Henry  Yates  was  born  October  29,  1786,  in 
Caroline  county,  Virginia.  Dr.  Michael  Yates, 
a  native  of  England,  emigrated  to  America  before 
the  Revolution,  and  settled  in  Caroline  county, 
Virginia.  He  there  married  Martha  Marshall,  a 
sister  of  John  Marshall,  afterwards  Chief  Justice 
of  the  United  States.  Their  son,  Abner,  born 
in  Caroline  county,  married  Mollie  Hawes, 
daughter  of  Thomas  Hawes  and  Elizabeth  Fisher, 
his  wife.  They  had  two  children,  Henry,  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch,  a^d  Martha,  who  married 
Henry  Ellis.  Henry  Yates  was  taken  by  his 
parents,  in  1788,  from  Caroline  county,  Virginia, 
to  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  where  his  father 
died.  The  family  moved  to  Woodford,  thence 
to  Scott,  and  from  there  to  Gallatin  county,  in 
the  same  State,  in  1 804.  Henry  Yates,  Henry 
Eliis,  and  Colonel  Robert  Johnson  laid  out  a 
town  on  tlie  Ohio  river,  and  Colonel  Johnson 
named  it  Fredericksburg,  in  honor  of  his  native 
city  of  that  name  in  Virginia.  It  was  at  a  later 
period  changed  to  Warsaw,  and  is  the  county 
seat  of  Gallatin  county.  Henry  Yates  returned 
to  Caroline  county,  Virginia,  and  was  there  mar- 
ried, July  11,  1809,  to  his  cousin,  Millicent  Yates, 
who  was  born  May  15,  1791.  They  went  to 
Gallatin  county,  Kentucky;  Mrs.  Millicent  Yates 
died  April  19,  1830.  Henry  Yates  married  Mary 
A.  Shuff,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, arriving  in  May,  1831,  at  Springfield.  In 
November,  1832,  they  moved  to  Island  Grove, 
where  Berlin  now  stands.  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Yates 
died  May  11,  1835.  Henry  Yates  was  married 
September  28,  1835,  to  Elizabeth  McMillan. 

Joel  Maxcy  was  born  about  1759,  in  Rocking- 
ham county,  Virginia.  He  was  a  soldier  in  a 
Virginia  regiment  in  time  of  the  Revolution, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House. 
He  remembered  having  seen  Generals  Marion, 
Morgan,  DeKalb,  and  Gates.  He  was  married 
after  the  war,  in  Prince  Edward  county,  to  Mrs. 
Susan  Hill,  whose  maiden  name  was  Davis.  She 
had  five  children  by  her  first  marriage.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Maxcy  had  three  children  in  Virginia,  and 
in  1798  moved  to  Warren  county,  near  Bowling 
Green,  Kentucky,  where  one  child  was  born. 
Mrs.  Susan  Maxcy  died  there  August  27,  1812. 
Of  her  four  children,  one  only  ever  came  to  San- 
gamon county. 


9:^2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Maxcy  was  again  mairied  to  Mrs.  Betsy 
A.  Howard,  whose  maiden  name  was  Brown. 
They  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1827,  and 
settled  in  Island  Grove,  where  Mr.  Maxcy  died 
December  27,  of  the  same  year. 

Jesse  Roberts  was  from  Tennessee,  and  came 
about  1822,  but  soon  afterwards  moved  to  Han- 
cock county,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Glenn  was  from  Kentucky.  He  eame  in 
1823;  subsequently  moved  to  DeWitt  county, 
Illinois. 

Thomas  Evans  was  from  Kentucky,  and  came 
in  182.3      Now  deceased. 

E.  Jones,  also  from  Kentucky,  came  in  1824; 
subsequently  moved  to  Henderson  county,  Illi- 
nois.5 

Willis  Bledsoe,  from  Kentucky,  came  in  1825; 
returned  to  his  native  State. 

John  Underwood,  from  Tennessee.  Now  de- 
ceased. 

The  following  named  were  each  here  previous 
to  the  deep  snow,  but  the  date  of  their  arrival  is 
unknown. 

Ludlow  Maxwell,  from  Ohio;  subsequently 
moved  to  Oregon. 

Elias  Maxwell,  also  from  Ohio;  now  deceased; 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

William  Tilford,  from  Kentucky;  moved  to 
Iowa. 

Abram  Foutch,  from  Kentucky;  a  Baptist; 
moved  to  Iowa. 

Thomas  Moore,  from  Kentucky.  Now  de- 
ceased. 

M.  Publer,  from  Kentucky;  a  German  Bap- 
tist, or  Dunkard;  moved  to  Iowa. 

G.  May,  from  Kentucky;  a  Baptist. 

A.  Scott,  from  Tennessee;  a  minister  of  the 
Christian  Church;  now  deceased. 

James  Cordell,  from  Tennessee;  a  German 
Baptist;  moved  to  Oregon. 

William  Fleharty,  from  Tennessee;  a  Metho- 
dist. 

Absalom  Hadmone,  from  Kentucky;  a  German 
Baptist;  moved  to  Iowa. 

Jd.  M.  Hadmone,  from  Kentucky;  a  Christian; 
now  deceased. 

FIRST    EVENTS. 

The  first  couple  married  were  Nelson  Roberts 
and  Miss  Tabor,  at  the  house  of  Rev.  Andrew 
Scott,  the  first  and,  for  many  years,  the  only  res- 
ident minister  in  the  township. 

The  first  death  was  William  Hart,  Jr.,  who 
died  in  1822,  aged  twenty-one  years. 

The  first  store  was  at  the  head  of  the  grove 
in  1830,  by  Pruett  &  Co. 


The  first  births  were  proljably  the  twin  chil- 
dren of  Jerry  Roberts,  born  in  1822. 

The  first  mill  was  a  horse  mill  by  John  Roberts 
in  1821. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  services  held  in  this  township  by  a 
regular  minister  of  any  of  the  religious  denomi- 
nations are  unknown.  As  early  as  1825,  the 
Methodists  had  appointments  in  the  settlements 
of  the  present  township,  and  Andrew  Scott,  a 
minister  of  the  Christian  Church  was  here  prior 
to  the  deep  snow.  The  religious  welfare  of  the 
people  of  the  township  was  never  neglected  by 
any  of  the  religious  teachers,  and  the  township 
has  ever  been  noted  for  the  quiet  and  orderly 
habits  of  the  people.  There  are  now  six  churcheii 
in  the  township,  three  in  the  village  and  three 
in  the  country — one  on  section  eleven,  township 
fifteen,  range  eight  west,  and  another  on  section 
eleven,  township  fifteen,  range  seven  west,  the 
third  on  section  one,  township  fifteen,  range 
seven  west. 

SCHOOLS, 

Abner  Ellis  taught  the  first  school  in  the  town- 
ship in  1826.  Since  that  day  the  improvement 
made  in  the  means  of  obtaining  an  education 
has  been  great  indeed.  There  are  now  six  good 
school  houses  in  the  township  outside  of  the 
village  of  Berlin,  and  school  is  held  in  each  dis- 
trict an  average  of  eight  months  in  the  year. 

OBGAJflC." 

Island  Grove  was  organized  in  1861,  by  the 
Board  of  Justices  and  then  contained  all  its 
present  territory  and  that  of  New  Berlin  town- 
ship.    The  first  election  was  held  in  April,  1861. 

VILLAGE    OF   BERLIN. 

The  village  of  Berlin  is  located  on  the  State 
road,  from  Springfield  to  Jacksonville,  and  was 
laid  out  and  platted  by  Henry  and  Thomas 
Yates,  on  "  part  of  the  east  half  of  the  northwest 
quarter  of  section  seventeen,  township  fifteen, 
range  seven  west,"  the  plat  being  recorded  De- 
cember 12,  1836. 

In  1832,  Henry  Yates  opened  a  stock  of  goods 
in  a  log  cabin  erected  as  a  dwelling  bouse,  and 
situated  where  the  village  was  afterwards  located. 
Around  this  store  a  settlement  was  efl^eeted, 
other  business  was  started,  and  the  village  of 
Berlin  had  an  actual  existence.  The  store  of 
Mr.  Yates'  continued  in  existence,  and  operated 
by  himself  and  son  Thomas,  until  1857. 

A  post  ofiice  was  established  at  the  lower  end 
of  the  grove,  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of"  the 
present  village,  in  1628,  and  Henry  Ellis  was  ap- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


033 


pointed  postmaster,  and  discharged  the  duties 
of  the  office.  The  office  was  continued  at  this 
point  until  the  village  was  laid  out,  under  the 
name  of  Island  Grove  post  office.  Wiien  it  was 
changed  to  the  village,  its  name  was  changed  to 
Berlin.  Mr.  Ellis  was  succeeded  by  William 
Underwood.  Since  his  term  the  following 
named  have  held  the  office:  S.  Wood,  H.  M. 
Havenon,  S.  Wood  (second  time),  A.  Yates,  O. 
H.  Kush,  R.  Ballay,  6.  W.  Havenon,  T.  Kerlin, 
T.  Pollock,  P.  Price,  James  Ward,  W.  Whele- 
hand,  Scott  Price,  and  W.  B.  Price;  the  last 
named  being  the  present  postmaster. 

Charles  Parker  started  the  first  blacksmith 
shop  in  the  village,  in  1830. 

The  first  wagon  shop  was  not  put  in  operation 
until  1860.  Thomas  Elliott  was  the  pioneer  in 
this  branch  of  trade. 

The  religious  and  moral  condition  of  the  place 
is  represented  by  four  churches — Baptist,  Metho- 
dist Episcopal,  Christian,  and  United  Presby- 
terian, each  of  whom  have  houses  of  worship. 
The  Bsptist  Church  was  built  in  180.5,  at  a  cost 
of  $0,000.  It  is  forty  by  sixty  feel.  The  Metho- 
dist Church,  built  in  1801,  at  a  cost  of  $4,000; 
the  Presbyterian,  in  185Y,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000; 
and  the  Christian,  the  same  year,  at  a  cost  of 
^2,.500. 

Jacob  Ade.  farmer,  Berlin,  Island  Grove  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Kingdom  of  Werttenberg, 
Germany,  on  the  Slst  day  of  December,  1817. 
He  came  to  the  United  States  in  1853,  coming 
by  steam,  being  seventeen  days  on  the  water; 
landed  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  where  he 
remained  four  weeks,  then  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm,  and  through 
the  winter  he  worked  at  his  trade  as  baker,  re- 
maining there  one  and  one-half  years.  From 
there  he  came  to  Island  Grove  township,  where 
he  worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month  for  three 
years,  then  bought  property  in  town  and  started 
a  bakery,  which  he  followed  up  to  1804,  when 
he  embarked  in  the  grocery  business,  which  he 
followed  up  to  1870,  when  he  purchased  a  farm 
of  fifty-six  acres,  pll  of  which  is  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  and  valued  at  $05  per  acre. 
Mr.  Ade  married  Elizabeth  Scholl,  in  Island 
Grove,  December,  1857,  born  also  in  Germany. 
They  had  three  children,  two  are  living,  viz: 
Frederick,  who  is  in  partnership  with  his  father 
in  a  store  of  groceries  and  general  merchandise 
at  Berlin;  they  carry  a  stock  of  $2,000,  and 
Charles,  who  resides  on  the  farm  with  his 
father.  Jacob  Ade  and  wife  are  both  members 
of  the  German  Lutheran  Church  at  Berlin.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 


Charles  F.  D<ims,  harness  maker.  Island 
Grove  townsliip,  post  office,  Berlin,  was  br)rn  in 
Scott  count}',  Illinois,  on  the  fifth  da_y  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1840;  son  of  Jerome  and  Sarah  (Curry) 
Davis,  who  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  where 
they  were  married  and  where  three  children 
were  born,  Susie,  Napoleon  and  James.  He 
emigrated  to  Illinois,  in  1834,  and  located  in 
Naples,  Scott  county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed 
the  occupation  of  j)ork  dealer,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1840;  his  mother 
dying  the  same  year.  Charles  F.,  when  twelve 
years  of  age,  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a 
saddler.  In  1875,  married  Miss  Annie  Carson, 
who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  1846.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  was  two  children,  one  of 
which  is  living,  Maud.  Mrs.  Annie  Davis  died 
October,  1877.  For  his  second  wife  married 
Edna  Pease,  in  1879.  She  was  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  July  1800.  Mr.  Davis  has  held 
several  local  offices  of  trust;  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

William  J.  Douglass,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  Berlin,  was  born  in  Island  Grove 
township,  on  the  12th  day  of  March,  1841;  son 
of  Milton  and  Sarah  A.  Casselberry.  His  father 
emigrated  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  1833, 
coming  through  with  an  ox  team.  Previous  to 
his  coming  to  the  county,  he  had  worked  on  a 
farm  for  $8  per  month,  on  the  place  where  Mr. 
Douglass  now  lives;  afterwards  purchased  the 
same  place,  came  poor,  and  by  good  management 
has  accumulated  a  fine  property  of  five  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Douglass  was 
married  three  times;  by  his  first  wife  there  was 
four  children,  three  of  whom  lived  to  be  adults, 
Mary,  William  J.  andjChristiana.  Mrs.  D.  died 
about  1843;  for  his  second  wife,  he  married 
Louisa  M.  Underwood,  by  which  there  was  one 
child,  who  died  in  infancy.  She  died,  and  he 
afterwards  married  Miss  Francis  M.  Rude,  by 
whom  he  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living,  Sarah  A.,  Caroline,  Margaret,  Ellen,  and 
Stephen  A.  In  politics,  is  a  Democrat,  and  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  one  of  the 
original  members  of  Simms  Chapel.  He  came 
in  limited  circumstances,  in  company  with  two 
others,  and  the  amount  of  their  ca4i  was  twenty- 
five  cents,  all  told.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a  farm;  in  1805,  he  married  Miss 
Adeline  Rawlings,  of  Ohio;  she  was  born  in 
Lawrence  county,  Illinois,  January  3,  1841.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  were  eight  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living,  viz:  William  II.,  Milton, 
Fanr.ie  M.,  George,  Eddie,  and  Harvey,  and  a 
babe. 


934 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


He  has  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land,  all 
of  which  is  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
valued  at  $60  per  acre.  Mr.  D.  has  been  a  resi- 
dent of  the  county  all  his  life,  and  has  lived  to 
see  its  various  changes. 

John  F.  Elliott,  was  born  in  Upper  San- 
dusky, Ohio,  on  the  14th  day  of  April,  1823,  son 
of  Charles  and  Phci'be  (Leach)  Elliott,  father 
of  Irish  descent,  and  mother  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia. They  were  married  about  1821,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  immediately  left  for  Urbana,  Ohio, 
where  he  was  engaged  in  the  missionary  cause 
among  the  Wyandotte  Indians.  From  thence 
went  to  Uuiontown,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  held 
a  professorship  in  a  college,  where  be  resided  a 
few  years.  He  died  in  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa,  in  1870. 
His  mother  is  still  living  at  Mt.  Pleasant  at  the 
age  of  eighty-two.  John  F.,  when  twenty-five, 
years  of  age,  left  his  home  in  Cincinnati,  and 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  located  in  what 
is  now  Caitwright  township, where  he  embarked 
in  farming,  on  what  was  known  as  the  "Lone 
Trees,"  where  he  rema  ned  three  years,  when  he 
sold  out,  and  bought  his  present  place. 

Mr.  Elliott  is  one  of  the  large  and  extensive 
farmers  of  Sangamon  county,  owning  five  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  valued  at 
§65  per  acre.  In  politics,  is  a  Republican,  and 
has  served  the  people  as  magistrate  for  a  number 
of  years,  and  also  held  the  office  of  supervisor. 
In  1843,  he  married  Miss  Jane  Yates,  a  daughter 
of  Henry  Yates,  of  this  township.  She  was  born 
in  Warsaw,  Kentucky,  in  1825.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  were  five  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living:  Phoebe,  Charles  Y., Henry,  and  John 
F.,  Jr. 

Sryant  Fay,  Berlin,  Island  Grove  township, 
was  born  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  April  25,  1848. 
When  about  three  years  of  age,  his  father  died. 
He  lived  in  Springfield  with  his  mother  attend- 
ing the  ward  schools  until  twelve  years  of  age, 
when  he  struck  out  for  himself.  He  first  worked 
I'or  John  Keltch,  in  Champaign  county.  He 
then  returned  to  Berlin  a  short  time,  when  he 
went  to  Lincoln,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  and  j 
worked  on  a  farm  for  Dr.  Joe  Sims,  and  for  the 
Chicago  &,  Alton  Railroad  some  two  and  a  half 
years,  when  he  came  to  Island  Grove  township. 
He  married  Nannie  Skeen  February  \1,  1869. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Lidia  A. 
(Moore)  Skeen,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr. 
Fay  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
Mrs.  F.  of  the  Baptist.  They  have  three  chil- 
dren, viz:  Elizabeth  E.,  Lidia  H.,  and  Ann 
Eliza  Fay. 


John  Fay,  father  of  Bryant,  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  came  to  America  when  a  young 
man.  He  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  War,  where 
he  remained  until  its  close.  He  died  in  1851. 
His  wife,  Eliza  (Doty)  Fay,  is  a  native  of 
Indiana.  She  and  her  husband  bad  two  chil- 
dren, Bryant  and  Mary  E.  Faj',  now  Mrs. 
Lercher,  who  reside  at  Dawson.  He  and  the 
mother  still  resides  in  Berlin.  Bryant  Fay  has 
held  several  local  offices  of  trust  in  the  town- 
ship; was  town  clerk  two  terms  and  was  elected 
supervisor  of  this  township  April,  ISSO,  and  re- 
elected in  1881.  In  piolitics,  he  is  a  Democrat, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Seymour,  for  President 
of  the  United  States. 

Thomvs  Foutch,  retired  farmer.  Island  Grove 
township,  post  office.  New  Berlin,  was  born  in 
Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  on  the  25th  day  of 
November,  1799,  son  of  John  Foutch,  who  was 
born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  May,  1770,  and 
Nancy  A.  Wherritt,  who  was  born  March  8, 
1778,  in  St.  Mary's  county, Maryland.  They  had 
five  children  born  in  Fayette  county,  near  Lex- 
ington; then  the  family  moved  to  Dearborn 
county,  near  Harrison,  Indiana,  where  they  had 
four  children;  thence  to  Franklin  county,  where 
one  child  was  born;  thence  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1825,  at  the  south  side  of 
Richland  creek,  east  of  where  Pleasant  Plains 
now  stands,  and  in  the  spring  of  1820  moved  to 
Island  Grove  township.  The  sul)jcct  of  this 
sketch  was  married  December  21,  1820,  in  Fay- 
ette county,  Indiana,  to  Miss  Sarah  Wherrett, 
daughter  of  Wni.  Wherritt,  of  Kentucky,  who 
moved,  in  1817,  to  Jessamine  county,  Indiana, 
and  from  there  to  Fayette  county.  She  was  born 
in  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  November  20,  ISOO. 
There  was  a  family  of  six  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living,  viz:  Elizabeth,  Nancy,  John,  now  of 
Butler  county,  Kansas,  who  has  held  several 
offices  of  trust  in  the  gift  of  the  people,  having 
represented  his  people  in  the  legislature,  was 
one  of  the  deacons  in  the  Baptist  Church  and 
one  of  its  leading  spirits;  and  Hugh.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Foutch  have  been  identified  with  the  county 
over  fifty  years,  and  have  lived  together  as  hus- 
band and  wife  nearly  sixty-one  years,  and  at  this 
writing  Mrs.  F.  can  see  without  spectacles,  and 
can  read  the  finest  print;  she  is  hale  and  healthy 
and  bids  fair  to  live  a  number  of  years.  Mr. 
Foutch  is  also  living,  and  is  able  to  be  around 
and  enjoy  his  hard-earned  money. 

John  W.  Fugate,  farmer.  Island  Grove  town- 
ship, was  born  on  a  farm  in  Grant  county,  Ken- 
tucky, January  13,  1841.  When  some  fourteen 
years  of  age,  cime  with  his  parents  to  Illinois 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


9.35 


and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Island  Grove  township, 
where  he  remained  until  the  war  broke  out,  when 
be  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twenty-Sixth  Illinois 
Infantry  Volunteers,  and  was  shot  through  the 
face  with  a  minnie  ball  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta, 
Georgia.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to 
the  old  homestead,  in  Island  Grove  township,  and 
November  30,  1805,  married  Miss  Mary  C.  Clark. 
She  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Irwin  and  Permelia  (Boynton)  Clark; 
natives  of  Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fugate  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  have  five 
children,  viz:  William  E.,  George,  Ada,  Horace 
C,  and  Mary  Fugate.  Soon  after  his  marriage, 
Mr.  John  W.  Fugate  went  to  Madison  county, 
and  from  1870  to  1877,  ran  a  wholesale  and  retail 
store  at  Edwardsville.  He  then  returned  to  Island 
Grove  township,  where  he  now  resides.  The 
parents  of  John  W.,  are  William  and  Miranda 
(Order)  Fugate,  who  reside  on  the  old  home- 
stead, in  Island  Grove.  They  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  have  had  four  children, 
viz:  John  W.,  Eunice,  who  married  E.  M.  Pike, 
and  resides  at  Chenoa,  Illinois;  Mary  E.,  wife  of 
William  Hoag,  and  Thomas  II.,  married  and 
living  on  his  farm  near  Danville,  Illinois. 

John  W.  Fugate,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  has 
a  tine  farm  of  eighty  acres,  in  section  eight,  Island 
Orove  township,  where  he  resides.  The  farm  is 
under  good  cultivation  and  well  stocked.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  No.  28,  at 
Edwardsville,  Illinois.  In  politics,  is  rather  in- 
dependent, and  votes  for  the  best  man.  He  cast 
his  first  vote  for  A.  Lincoln,  for  President  of  the 
United  States. 

James  H.  Gibson,  M.  D.  (deceased),  Island 
Grove  township,  Sangamon  county,  was  born  in 
Gallatin  county,  near  Warsaw,  on  the  9th  day  of 
September,  1 809  ;  was  the  son  of  David  and 
Mary  (Marrow)  Gibson.  Mr.  David  Gibson  was 
a  man  of  influence,  and  represented  his  district 
in  the  legislature  for  several  terms.  The  family 
consisted  of  four  sons  and  one  daughter.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Beardstown,  and 
first  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  in 
company  with  Dr.  Chandler.  In  1840  came  to 
Berlin,  Sangamon  county,  where  he  followed  his 
profession  for  more  than  thirty  years.  He  died 
in  Berlin,  November  22,  1873,  leaving  a  widow 
and  one  daughter.  He  married  Miss  (/atharine 
Maison,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Catharine 
(Miller)  Maison,  of  Philadelphia  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  she  was  born.  May  23,  18l3, 
Dr.  Gibson  attended  lectures  in  Cincinnati 
medical  college,  where  he  graduated  with  honors. 
Dr.  G.,  at   his   death,   had   accumulated   a   fine 

109— 


property,  and  owned  four  hundred  and  forty 
acres  of  valuable  land,  valued  at  $7o  per  acre. 
The  Doctor  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
for  over  thirty  years.  As  husband,  father, 
brother,  he  was  a  true  Christian  man,  of  the 
noblest  and  truest  type.  A  large  and  sorrowing 
concourse  attested  his  worth  at  his  funeral  at 
Berlin. 

Pt^ter  Knepler,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office,  Berlin,  section  nine,  was  born  in  Loraine, 
B^ ranee,  on  the  third  day  of  February,  181G, 
where  he  worked  at  farming  until  he  was  thirty 
years  old,  when  he  came  to  the  United  States, 
landing  in  New  Orleans,  thence  by  river  to  St. 
Louis,  where  he  remained  a  few  days,  then  came 
via.  Beardstown  to  Springfield,  where  he  was 
employed  in  a  ham  factory  for  Cox  &  Billeys, 
and  remained  a  short  time.  In  1848,  came  to 
Island  Grove  township,  where  he  worked  for 
Captain  Brown  on  a  farm  and  remained  with  him 
four  years.  The  first  land  that  he  bought  was 
forty  acres,  in  1856.  He  now  owns  a  beautiful 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  acres  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  litiO  per 
acre.  Married  Miss  Catharine  Kannople,  she  was 
born  in  France,  August  10,  1809.  The  fruits  of 
this  marriage  was  seven  children  four  of  whom 
are  living,  Catharine,  John,  Charley  and  Mary; 
members  of  the  Catholic  Church  of  New  Berlin. 
Mr.  K.  came  to  the  United  States  a  poor  man, 
but  by  hard  work  and  economy,  has  made  a  good 
home  and  property. 

S.  O.  Maxcy,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office,  Farmingdale,  Island  Grove  township,  was 
born  in  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  about  1820; 
son  of  Joel  and  Betsy  Ann  (Brown)  Maxcy,  who 
were  natives  of  Virginia.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
a  Virginia  regiment  in  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  was  in  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court 
House.  He  remembered  having  seen  Generals 
Marion,  Morgan,  DeKalb  and  Yates.  He  was 
married  after  the  war  in  Prince  Edwards  county, 
to  Miss  Susan  Hill,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Davis. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maxcy  had  three  children  in 
Virginia,  and  in  1798  moved  to  Warren  county, 
near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  where  one 
child  was  born.  Mrs.  Susan  Maxcy  died  August 
27,  1812.  For  his  second  wife  married  Mrs. 
Betsy  A.  Howard,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Brown.  By  this  marriage  there  were  five  chil- 
dren. 

The  family  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  November,  1827,  in  Spring- 
field, and  soon  after  moved  to  Island  Grove 
township,  north  of  Spring  Creek,  coming  through 


93f> 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


■with  teams  and  camping  out;  moved  into  a  log 
cabin  sixteen  by  sixteen,  there  being  six  in  the 
family.  He  took  up  two  hundred  acres  of  land 
and  made  a  home,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  1th  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1847.  Mrs.  Maxcy  died  in  Shelby  county, 
Illinois,  in  185G.  In  politics,  was  an  old  line 
Whig  of  the  Henry  Clay  stripe.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Maxcy  were  among  the  early  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  were  leading 
spirits  in  the  organization  of  the  church.  S.  O. 
Maxcy  came  to  this  county  when  he  was  a  boy 
five  years  of  age,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm. 
November  16,  1848,  married  Miss  Nancy  Archer, 
daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Archer. 
She  was  born  in  Spring  Creek  township,  No- 
vember 13,  1825.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
are  two  children,  James  H.,  born  in  Island 
Grove  township  September  18, 1849,  whomarried 
Miss  Alice  Jameson,  a  daughter  of  Samuel 
Jameson,  of  Ohio.  They  have  a  family  of 
four  children:  Lee  F.,  Catharine,  Nancy  and 
Charles;  William  J.,  born  October  13,  1856.  He 
married  Miss  Ida  Reed.  There  is  one  child, 
Beulah.  Mr.  Maxcy  is  one  of  the  large  and 
extensive  farmers  of  the  county,  owning  four 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  valued  at  865 
per  acre.  In  politics,  Mr.  Maxcy  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

W.  £.  Price,  M.  D.,  Berlin,  was  born  in  Is- 
land Grove,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  on  the 
10th  day  of  August,  1835,  son  of  Charles  W, 
and  Rebecca  (Brown)  Price,  who  emigrated  to 
Jacksonville,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  from  Ken- 
tucky, about  1832,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time,  then  removed  to  this  county,  w'here  he 
purchased  land  and  made  a  home,  remaining 
here  until  his  death.  Dr.  W.  B.  Price  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  i-eceived  a  scientific  edu- 
cation at  Illinois  College,  at  Jacksonville.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  commenced  reading 
medicine  with  Drs.  Gibson  &  Brown,  where  he 
prosecuted  his  studies  one  year,  when  he  at- 
tended lectures  at  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at 
Philadelphia,  and  graduated  in  1857.  In  1862 
was  commissioned  as  Assistant  Surgeon,  and 
afterwards  promoted  to  Surgeon  of  the  Fourth 
Pennsylvania  Cavalry,  where  he  remained  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  After  leaving  the  service, 
returned  to  Berlin,  where  he  has  followed  his 
profession  since.  Married  Miss  Eliza  C.  0"Ban- 
non,  May  17,  1873.  She  wasborn  in  Kentucky. 
The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  a  member  of  the  Jacksonville  Chap- 
ter. In  politics,  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  for  President  of 


the  United   States.     Mr.  Price   is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  in  Berlin. 

James  I).  /Smith,  farmer  and  stock  dealer. 
Island  Grove  township,  post  oftice.  New  Berlin, 
was  born  in  Island  Grove  township,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  on  the  20th  day  of  December, 
1837,  son  of  James  D.  and  Ruth  (Brown)  Smith, 
natives  of  Harrison  county,  Kentucky,  where 
they  were  married  in  1829,  where  one  child  was 
born — William.  In  1833,  he  came  to  Sangamon 
county  with  his  father-in-law.  Colonel  William 
Brown,  moving  his  family  in  the  fall  of  1833  to 
Island  Grove,  where  nine  children  were  born, 
three  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  He  purchased  a 
large  tract  of  land,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  November  7,  1871,  as  fol 
lows: 

"  On  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  November  7, 
1871,  James  D.  Smith,  an  old  and  honored  resi- 
dent of  Island  Grove,  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, was  thrown  from  his  buggy  and  killed, 
whilst  returning  alone  to  his  home  from  the  town 
of  Berlin.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  Thursday 
following,  the  large  concourse  of  people,  from 
town  and  country  for  miles  around,  which  gath- 
ered at  his  grave,  spoke  impressively  of  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Dying,  he  has  left  a  strickened  family  a 
treasure  more  precious  than  his  ample  fortune 
—the  priceless  heritage  of  a  well-spent  life." 

His  widow,  Mrs.  Ruth  A.  Smith,  survived  her 
husband  exactly  ten  months,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 7,  1872.  The  remains  were  both  interred  in 
Wood  Wreath  Cemetery,  near  where  they  spent 
so  many  years  of  their  lives. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  receiving  a  classical  education,  graduating 
at  the  Illinois  College  in  his  eighteenth  year. 
In  1864,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Brown,  a 
daughter  of  Elisha  Brown,  of  BoonsviJle, 
Cooper  county,  Missouri.  She  was  born  April 
2,  1842.  By  this  union  there  were  seven  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living:  Elisha  B.,  James 
D.,  Mary  B.,  Harriet  D.,  Elizabeth  and  Annie. 

Mr.  Smith  in  company  with  his  brother,  Lloyd 
are  among  the  large  and  enterprising  farmers  of 
the  central  portion  of  the  State,  and  make  a 
specialty  of  raising  blooded  stock,  short-horned 
cattle  and  Norman  horses,  of  which  he  has  on 
his  place,  three  beautiful  imported  stallions,  viz: 
St.  Louis,  weighing  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
pounds;  Chicago,  one  thousand  nine  hundred 
pounds,  and  Grand  Duke,  a  very  promising  colt 
weighing  one  thousand  five  hundred  pounds. 
The  brothers  have  in  company  one  thousand 
eight  hundred   acres   of  land,   and  raise  seven 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


937 


hundred  acres  of  corn,  which  will  average  the 
present  year  seventy-five  bushels  per  acre,  or 
fifty  thousand  bushels. 

They  are  the  most  extensive  cattle  dealers  in 
the  State. 

Asa  Ji.  Washburn,  (deceased),  Island  Grove 
township,  was  born  in  Randolph,  Vermont,  on 
the  14th  day  of  July,  1824,  married  Miss  Barbara 
Craig,  October  17,  1852.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Rebecca  (Painter)  Craig,  natives  of 
Virginia,  who  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1840 
and  located  in  Morgan  county,  four  miles  east 
of  Jacksonville.  She  was  born  in  Shenandoah 
county,  Virginia,  December  2,  1826.  There  was 
a  family  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living,  Aurelia,  now  Mrs.  Erastus  Clark,  of  Mor- 
gan county;  Arthur  E.  and  George.  Mr.  Wash- 
burn was  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was 
one  of  the  elders,  and  was  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him.  In  politics  he  was  a  strong  Demo- 
crat. He  died  in  Vermont,  September  12,  1808, 
aged  forty-three  years,  one  month  and  twenty- 
nine  days. 

William  B  Warren,  M.  D.,  post  office,  Berlin, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  on  the 
8th  day  of  July,  1852;  son  of  William  M.  and 
Percilla  (Hitt)  Warren.  When  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  went  to  Texas,  with  Colonel  S.  H.  Hill, 
where  they  dealt  in  cattle,  until  1875,  when  he 


vi'liiriied  1.1  tliis  Stair.  He  iniiiicdiato'v  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  in  the  Missouri 
Medical  College,  at  St.  Louis,  wheie  he  remained 
two  years,  when  he  graduated,  in  1877.  From 
there  he  returned  to  New  Berlin,  where  he  em- 
barked in  the  drug  business,  which  he  is  still 
pursuing.  In  the  spring  of  1880,  he  came  to 
Berlin,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  W 
B.  Price,  and  has  followed  his  profession  since. 
He  married  Miss  Virginia  L.  Rutledge,  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Rev.  Wm.  J.  Rutledge,  appointed 
chaplain,  at  Joliet.  She  was  born  in  Jackson- 
ville, September  21,  1860;  they  were  married 
June  3,  1880. 

Thomas  Yates,  Island  Grove  township,  one  of 
its  large  and  extensive  farmers,  was  born  March 
14,  1811,  in  Gallatin  county,  Kentucky;  was  mar- 
ried March  29,  1837,  atBerlin,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  to  Nancy  Higgins,  who  was  born  May 
23,  1816,  in  Cumberland  county,  Kentucky,  and 
came  with  her  parents  to  Sangamon  county,  in 
1836.  Thomas  and  Mary  Yates  had  ten  living 
children,  six  of  which  lived  to  be  adults.  Mrs. 
Nancy  Yates  died  December  15, 1860.  Thomas 
Yates  is  a  farmer,  has  six  hundred  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $65  per  acre.  Mr.  Yates  came  to  the 
county  in  an  early  day,  and  has  been  identified 
with  its  interest  over  fifty  years,  and  has  seen 
the  prairies  from  their  wild  uncultivated  state,  to 
one  of  the  finest  cultivated  counties  in  the  State. 


938 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter    XLI. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  LOAMI. 


The  township  of  Loami  is  located  in  the  first 
tier  of  townships  on  the  west,  and  the  second 
tier  from  the  southern  boundary.  The  general 
surface  of  the  country  is  level,  and  it  is  watered 
by  Lick  creek  and  its  branches. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  first  settler  of  Loami  township  was  Henry 
Brown  and  family,  including  William  Huff- 
master  and  his  sister  Lucinda,  step-children  of 
Mr.  Brown.  They  arrived  in  March.  1819,  and 
settled  on  the  north  side  of  Lick  creek.  While 
Mr.  Brown  went  back  after  another  load  of 
goods,  Huffmaster  cut  logs,  built  a  calnn,  and 
had  it  ready  for  the  family  when  Mr.  Brown  re- 
turned. He  had  also  made  a  trough,  placed  it 
in  the  cabin,  cut  down  bee  trees,  and  filled  the 
trough  with  honey.  When  John  Campbell  came 
and  settled  on  the  south  side  of  Lick  creek,  in 
what  is  now  Chatham  township,  he  thought  he 
was  the  first  settler;  but  hearing  the  sound  of  an 
axe,  he  went  over  and  found  Huffmaster  had 
been  there  before  him.  Huffmaster's  power  of 
endurance  was  remarkable.  He  has  been  known 
to  have  split  seven  hundred  rails  in  one  day. 
His  courage  was  utidisputable,  also.  On  one 
occasion  he  was  in  the  woods  with  Samuel  Har- 
bour, when  they  discovered  a  panther  up  a  tree. 
While  Harbour  went  for  a  gun  the  panther  came 
down.  Huffmaster  urged  on  the  dogs  that  were 
with  him,  and  securing  a  large  club,  went  to 
their  assistance.  When  Harbour  returned,  much 
to  his  surprise  he  found  the  panther  stretched 
out  dead,  and  Huffmaster  and  the  dogs  standing 
around  it.  Mr.  Huffmaster  "died  October  19, 
1861. 

After  Brown  and  Huffmaster,  the  township 
gradually  tilled  up  in  succeeding  years.  Among 
the  first  settlers  were  Willis  Coley,  Pane,  Wil- 


liam and  Ebenezer  Coleman,  Daniel  Dorrance 
Isom  Folley,  William  Morris,  John  Morris, 
Henry  Brown,  John  Johnson,  E.  A.  Meacham, 
Adam  Barger,  Achilles  Morris,  John  Hudson, 
Zaza  Bowen,  Seth  R.  Cutter,  Stephen  and  Wil- 
liam Workman. 

Paul  Colburn,  one  of  the  first  permanent  set- 
tlers of  Loami,  was  born  about  1761,  in  Hills- 
boro  county.  New  Hampshire.  He  subsequently 
moved  to  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Mehitable  Ball.  In  1809,  the 
family  moved  to  Grafton  county,  New  Hamp- 
shire, where  they  remained  until  September, 
1815;  went  from  there  to  Ohio. 

In  March,  1821,  Paul  Colburn,  his  daughter 
Isabel,  William  Colburn,  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren, the  four  orphan  children  of  Isaac  Colburn, 
and  a  Mr.  Harris,  started  in  a  wagon  drawn  by 
four  oxen  for  Morgan  county.  They  traveled 
through  rain,  mud  and  unbridged  streams  for  about 
five  weeks,  which  brought  them  to  the  south 
side  of  Lick  creek,  on  what  is  now  Loami  town- 
ship, where  they  found  an  empty  cabin.  From 
sheer  weariness,  they  decided  to  stop,  and  Mr. 
Harris,  the  owner  of  the  wagon  and  oxen,  went 
on  to  Morgan  county. 

Soon  after  their  arrival,  Wm.  Colburn  gave  a 
rifle  gun  for  a  crop  of  corn  just  planted,  and  in 
that  way  began  to  provide  food.  He  secured  a 
team  and  went  after  his  brother  Ebenezer,  and 
brought  him  and  his  wife  to  the  settlement, 
arriving  in  October,  1821. 

Having  succeeded  in  bringing  so  many  of  his 
descendants  to  the  new  country,  and  witnessed 
their  struggles  to  gain  a  foothold  and  provide 
themselves  with  homes,  Paul  Colburn  died  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1825,  near  the  present  town  of  Loami. 
The  other  members  of  the  familj- lived  for  many 
years. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


9:i9' 


Adam  Barger  was  born  in  Botetourt  county, 
Virginia,  April  8,  1784,  and  when  a  young  man 
moved  to  Kanawha  county,  now  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  married  Lucinda  Nolan.  Subse- 
quently he  moved  to  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  and 
there  secured  conveyance  and  moved  to  this 
county,  arriving  in  Loami,  October,  1826.  Mr. 
Barger  died  in  1864. 

Zaza  Bowen  arrived  in  Loami  township 
December  4,  1827.  Mr.  Bowen  was  born  in 
North  Carolina. 

Henry  Hall  is  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  was 
born  near  Hagerstown,  in  1774.  He  moved 
from  there  to  Virginia,  and  then  to  Martin 
county,  Indiana,  in  1816.  From  Martin  county 
he  moved  to  Loami,  in  1828. 

After  1830,  settlers  came  into  the  town.ship 
too  rapidly  and  in  too  great  numbers  to  be 
noticed  in  this  connection.  Further  along  in 
this  chapter  will  be  found  biographical  sketches 
of  quite  a  number  of  pioneers  or  their  descend- 


ant^. 


KEI.IGIDUS. 


The  first  religious  services  held  in  Loami 
township  were  held  by  Rev.  Simon  Lindley,  a 
good  old  Baptist  minister,  who  toiled  hard,  like 
Paul,  working  with  his  own  hands  that  he 
might  not  be  a  burden  to  any,  and  preaching  the 
gospel  upon  the  Lord's  Day,  to  those  who  would 
give  him  a  hearing.  In  his  religious  services, 
Mr.  Lindley  had  no  regard  for  style,  often  be- 
ginning his  sermon  with  coat  and  vest  on, 
with  collar  and  necktie,  but,  warming  up  with  his 
subject,  he  would  first  remove  his  coat,  and  if 
still  burdened  with  the  heat,  then  his  vest;  then 
he  would  untie  and  remove  his  nectie,  and, 
lastly,  his  collar,  and  with  bare  throat  he  would 
continue  to  plead  with  sinners  to  "flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come."  Since  Lindley's  day,  many 
preachers  have  proclaimed  the  "unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ."  The  church  spire  now  points 
Heavenward,  and  the  township  is  represented  by 
seven  religious  denominations,  who  have  organ- 
ized bodies,  including  three  Methodist,  Baptist, 
Regular  Baptist,  two  Presbyterian,  with  five 
church  edifices. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  church  and  the  .school  house  are  said  to 
be  evidences  of  civilization.  The  first  settle- 
ment of  the  township  of  Loami  being  along 
Lick  creek,  near  the  line  dividing  it  from 
Chatham  township,  and  township  lines,  then 
being  unknown,  the  first  school  house  in  the 
Lick  creek  settlement  was  placed  over  the  line, 
in  the  latter  township,  on  section  nineteen,  and 


here  the  pupils  of  this  township  were  first  sent 
to  school.  The  "Yankee  settlement  "  was  with- 
out its  school  house  until  about  1824,  when  one 
was  erected,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the 
present  village.  This  was  the  typical  pioneer 
school  house,  built  of  logs,  with  clapboard  roof, 
puncheon  floor,  and  slab  seats.  Theophilus 
Sweet  was  one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  to 
"teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot,"  in  this 
school  house.  The  house  was  also  used  for 
religious  services  until  other  and  better  arrange- 
ments were  made.  The  old  log  school  house 
has  long  since  given  place  to  the  more  elegant, 
if  not  more  substantial,  frame  house,  with  such 
modern  conveniences  as  are  demanded  by  the 
times.  There  are  now  in  the  township  twelve 
school  houses,  valued  at  $15,000,  with  six  hun- 
dred children  of  school  age. 

FIRST    EVENTS. 

Todd  &  Jackson,  from  Jacksonville,  in  the 
fall  of  1831,  opened  out  a  small  store,  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  present  village  of 
Loami.    This  was  the  first  store  in  the  township. 

Colburn  &  Smith  sold  the  first  goods  in  the 
village. 

Mark  Briggins  was  the  first  blacksmith,  about 
a  mile  southwest  of  the  village. 

A  piano  was  brought  to  the  township  in  1834, 
by  a  Mr.  Goshorn,  the  first  in  this  section. 

Simon  Lindley,  a  Baptist  minister,  preached 
the  first  sermon  in  1820. 

Calvin  Goodell  taught  a  singing  school  in 
1827,  which  was  the  first  in  the  township. 

Jonathan  Jarrett  came  in  1826,  and  started  a 
tan-yard,  a  mile  and  a  quarter  south  of  the  vil- 
lage in  1831,  which  he  continued  about  five 
years,  making  nearly  all  the  leather  used  in  the 
neighborhood. 

The  first  death  was  that  of  William  Hughes, 
an  Indian  ranger,  killed  by  the  Indians,  and 
buried  by  his  comrades,  near  the  Sulphur 
Springs.  His  remains  was  the  first  interred  in 
Sulphur  Springs  Cemetery. 

The  first  school  house  was  erected  in  1824, 
about  one  mile  and  a  half  east  of  the  village. 
Theophilus  Priest  was  one  of  the  first,  if  not 
the  first  teacher. 

MILLS. 

In  a  new  country,  deprived  of  quick  and  rapid 
communication  with  the  more  densely  populated 
and  better  provided  one,  the  saw  and  the  grist 
mill,  however  poor,  are  considered  a  great  bless- 
ing, and  the  man  who  erects  either,  receives  the 
thanks  of  every  settler  within  reach.  The  Col- 
burns  and  Herediths  were  thus  regarded  as  pub- 


040 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lie  benefactors,  and  their  mills   were   well  pat- 
ronized. 

MILLVILLE. 

Andrew  Heredilh  came  from  Cincinnati,  in 
1834,  and  settled  upon  Lick  creek,  a  mile  and  a 
half  west  of  the  present  village  of  Loami,  where 
he  erected  a  large  saw-mill,  and  at  once  preceded 
to  get  out  lumber  for  a  grist-mill,  which  was 
soon  afterwards  erected.  It  was  a  large,  well- 
built  mill,  and  supplied  with  all  the  improved 
machinery  then  known,  having  four  runs  of  stone. 
The  mill  soon  secured  a  large  custom,  farmers 
coming  a  distance  of  one  hundred  milae  with 
their  wheat  and  other  grain  to  be  ground.  Quite 
a  village  grew  up  around  this  mill  which  was 
given  the  name  of  Millville.  The  mill  and  vil- 
lage both  flourished  for  awhile,  but  the  hard 
times  of  1837,  caused  the  failure  of  the  propri- 
etor of  the  mill,  and  as  a  consequence,  the  village 
ceased  to  exist.  To-day,  there  is  little  evidence 
of  the  existence  of  either. 

FOURIER    SOCIETY. 

In  1845,  a  Fourier  Society  of  about  twenty 
families  was  organized,  and  purchased  a  large 
quantity  of  land  in  the  township.  For  about 
three  years  the  society  was  in  an  apparently 
flourishing  condition.  A  large  building  was  in 
process  of  erection  for  its  use,  w^heh  dissension 
arose  and  it  was  disbanded,  the  property  being 
divided  among  its  members. 

ORGANIC. 

The  county  voting  for  township  organization, 
it  was  divided  into  townships,  and  township  four- 
teen, ranges  seven  and  eight,  was  set  off  and 
named  Loami.  The  first  election  was  held  on 
the  first  Monday  in  April,  1861,  and  has  since 
been  held  upon  the  same  Monday  in  each  year. 

CLEVELAND. 

A  village  was  laid  out  about  1832,  on  a  part 
of  the  present  village  of  Loami,  and  about  a  half 
dozen  houses,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  a  cooper 
shop  were  erected.  The  village  disappeared 
long  before  the  present  village  of  Loami  was 
laid  out. 

VILLAGE    OF   LOAMI. 

William  and  Ebenezer  Colburn  built  a  small 
horse  mill  upon  their  place  shortly  after  their 
arrival,  and  for  some  years  ground  the  grain  of 
the  neighboring  farmers  by  that  slow  process; 
subsequently  they  built  a  water-mill,  having  an 
over-shot  wheel,  which  proved  a  failure.  They 
then  erected  a  steam  saw  and  grist-mill,  in  1836. 
Around  this  mill  grew  up  the  village  of  Loami. 


The  first  name  given  the  village  was  that  of 
Lebanon,  which  was  soon  after  changed  to  Loami. 

The  village  was  laid  out  and  platted  in  August, 
1854,  by  O.  B.  Kidder.  H.  D.  Gibson  and  others, 
and  comprised  the  northwest  part  of  the  east 
half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  eleven, 
township  fourteen,  range  seven.  Prior  to  this 
time  quite  a  settlement  had  been  efliected,  as 
already  stated,  which  grew  up  around  Colburn's 
mill. 

Colburn  &  Smith  were  the  first  merchants  in 
the  village,  and  opened  a  general  stock  of  mer- 
chandise in  1858.  Other  firms  have  commenced 
business,  flourished  for  a  time,  and  passed  away. 

POST    OFFICE. 

A  post  office  was  established  about  half  a  mile 
northeast  of  the  village  in  1839,  known  as  Lick 
Creek  post  office.  John  Johnson  was  the  first 
postmaster,  and  carried  the  mail  from  Springs 
field.  In  1856,  the  office  w^as  changed  to  Loami, 
and  removed  to  the  village.  William  Colburn 
succeeded  Mr.  Johnson,  and  served  until  his 
death  in  1869.  W.  S.  Colburn  then  received  the 
appointment.  Subsequently  J.  W.  Wood  was 
appointed,  and  was  succeeded  by  Joseph  Jones, 
June,  1878. 

CHURCHES. 

The  religious  element  of  the  place  is  repre- 
sented by  one  church,  the  Methodist  Episcopal, 
which  was  organized  and  known  as  the  Sulphur 
Springs  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

colburn's  mill. 
The  most  noted  institution  in  the  place  is  Col- 
burn's Mill.  The  first  mill  was  erected  by 
Ebenezer  and  William  Colburn,  in  1836.  It  had 
two  runs  of  stone  and  was  regarded  as  an  excel- 
lent mill,  and  a  great  improvement  on  the  old 
horse-mill  that  had  served  the  purpose  of  the 
neighborhood  for  many  years.  This  mill  was 
burned  and  another  erected  on  or  near  the  same 
spot;  this  met  with  like  fate.  Another  was  im- 
mediately rebuilt,  and  strange  to  say,  it  too  was 
burnt.  Phoenix-like  the  fourth  one  arose  from 
its  ashes,  the  present  structure,  w^hich  was  erected 
in  1873.  This  mill  is  provided  with  modern  im- 
proved machinery,  and  has  two  runs  of  stone 
with  a  capacity  of  fifty  barrels  in  a  twenty-four 
hours'  run.  No  mill  in  the  county  has  probably- 
had  a  better  run  of  custom  than  the  Loami 
Mill,  its  reputation  has  always  been  maintained. 

RAILROAD. 

The  village  of  Loami  was  without  railroad 
communication  until  the  summer  of  1881,  when 
the  St.  Louis,  Jerseyville  &  Springfield  Railroad 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


941 


was  completed  to  the  plaoe.  The  advent  of  the 
cars  was  celebrated  by  the  citizens  in  a  public 
and  very  becoming  manner. 

MASONIC. 

Loami  Lodge,  No.  4.50,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was 
organized  October  4,  1865,  with  the  following 
named  charter  members:  James  E.  Dodds,  E. 
D.  Sanborn,  H.  S.  Coley,  J.  M.  Turpin,  James  A. 
Jacobs,  A.  M.  Browning,  Daniel  Kinney,  J.  L. 
Short,  R.  R.  Roberts,  Charles  Dodds.  The  first 
elective  officers  were:  J.  E.  Dodds,  W.  M.; 
J.  D.  Sanborn,  S.  W.;  W.  E.  Joy,  J.  W.  The 
following  named  have  served  as  W.  M.:  J.  D. 
Sanborn,  H.  S.  Coley,  J.  Jones,  S.  P.  Colburn, 
Thomas  Jarrett,  David  Van  Deren.  The  Lodge 
is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  with  forty- 
three  members,  and  the  following  named  officers: 
Joseph  Jones,  W.  M.;  W.  E.  Joy,  S.  W.;  J.  C. 
Stansbnry,  J.  W.;  L.  O.  Coleburn,  Secretary; 
R  E.  Short,  Treasurer;  David  Staley,  S.  D.;  R. 
D.  Campbell,  J.  D.;  J.  B.  Davis,  Tyler. 

Jesse  Broion,  was  born  in  Eaton,  Madison 
county,  New  York,  February  2,  1804,  on  a  farm 
where  he  lived  with  his  father  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age.  He  then  married  Miss  Rhoda 
Barber,  August  16,  1827,  who  was  born  in  Elton 
township.  New  York,  November  28,  180S.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Eliel  Barber,  born  in  Massa- 
chusetts, who  was  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church;  he  died 
May  13,  1838.  His  wife,  Sophia  Ellis,  was  also 
born  in  Massachusetts,  and  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church.  She  was  the  mother  of 
nine  children.  The  following  are  living:  '  Eliel 
Barber,  Jr.;  Sophia  Davis,  Marriette  Morton, 
Samuel  D.  and  Rhoda.  Mrs.  Barber  died  in 
1848.  After  Mr.  Brown  was  married  he  farmed 
in  Eaton,  New  York,  until  May,  1851,  when  he 
came  to  Illinois,  and  bought  two  hundred  acres 
of  land  in  section  thirty-three,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  father,  Peleg  Brown,  was  bom  in 
Massachusetts.  He  was  in  the  War  of  1812,  and 
died  September  20,  1840.  His  first  wife,  Han- 
nah Mason,  was  born  in  New  York;  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  the 
mother  of  five  children;  one  living — the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  She  died  July  22,  1814.  Her 
husband  then  married  Martha  A.  Hewes,  also 
born  in  New  York,  and  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational Church.  She  was  the  mother  of 
nine  children,  five  living,  viz:  James,  George, 
Samuel,  Sarah  Wilcox  and  Willis.  She  died  in 
February,  1876. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  had  nine  children, 
five  living,  viz:     Peleg,  Morrison,  Mary  Holmes, 


Daniel  and  Louisa.  Mason  and  Daniel  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry  Vol- 
unteers, in  the  late  Rebellion.  Mason  contracted 
a  fever  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  of  which 
he  died  June  6,  1862.  Daniel  was  wounded  in  a 
skirmish  at  Big  Shanty.  He  returned  to  his 
company  soon  after,  and  was  mustered  out  at 
the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Brown  has  a  farm  of 
two  hundred  acres,  all  under  good  cultivation 
and  well  stocked.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  a  strong"  supporter  of  that  cause;  cast 
his  first  vote  for  John  Quincy  Adams  for  Presi- 
dent. 

Addison  M.  Browning,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Clark  county,  Kentucky,  April  13,  1821,  on  a 
farm,  where  he  remained  until  fifteen  years  of 
age;  he  then  went  to  Lefxington,  Kentucky,  and 
attended  school  and  medical  college.  He  grad- 
uated at  the  medical  department  of  the  Transyl- 
vania University  in  March,  1842,  then  came  to 
Illinois  and  practiced  medicine  in  Old  Berlin 
seven  years;  was  a  partner  of  J.  H.  Gibson;  he 
then  came  to  Loamt,  where  he  still  practices. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Starr,  July  2, 
1851,  who  died  the  same  year.  James  Brown- 
ing, the  father  of  Doctor  Browning,  was  born  in 
Culpeper,  Virginia,  and  wasinthe  War  of  1812; 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in 
politics,  an  old-line  Whig;  he  died  in  1825. 
His  wife,  Jane  Morrow,  born  in  Clark  county, 
Kentucky,  and  was  of  Scotch  descent;  was 
also  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
mother  of  thirteen  children;  three  are  living. 
Dr.  Browning  is  an  Episcopalian,  and  in  politics 
a  Republican,  He  belongs  to  the  regular  school, 
and  is  the  oldest  physician  of  Loami.  He  enlist- 
ed in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Missouri  Volunteers; 
in  July,  1861,  and  was  the  Surgeon  of  his  regi- 
ment. 

David  S.  Burton,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Law- 
rence county,  Ohio,  August  22,  1822,  where  he 
remained  until  seventeen  years  of  age;  then  ran 
on  the  river  from  Pittsburg  to  New  Orleans  as  a 
hand  and  second  mate  until  1830;  went  into  the 
swamps  of  Louisiana,  where  he  followed  rafting, 
boating,  and  running  saw-mills,  until  1841;  then 
he  returned  to  Lawrence  county,  and  farmed 
until  October  12,  1843, at  which  time  he  married. 
He  then  went  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  remaining 
a  short  time,  then  to  Brookline,  Illinois,  (now 
called  East  St.  Louis)  where  he  chopped  cord- 
word  until  1844.  His  house  was  washed  away 
by  the  overflow  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  he 
placed  his  family  on  an  island  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet  sipiare;  stayed  there  two  days,  when  he  found 
he  must  swim  to  the  shore.    He  obtained  a  boat, 


luQ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


went  back  for  his  family,  and  took  them  to  St. 
Louis;  then  went  to  Alton,  Illinois.  He  walked 
from  Alton  to  Lick  creek,  hired  an  ox  team  and 
sent  for  his  family  at  Alton.  He  lived  in  a  house 
of  William  Shelton,  on  Lick  creek,  six  months, 
then  followed  farming  one  year,  moving  to  Cal- 
houn county,  and  settled  on  the  river  bank,  where 
he  sold  cord-wood  to  steamboats,  and  made  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  staves.  He 
then  came  to  Sangamon  county.  On  August  22, 
1862,  he  entered  in  Company  I,  Seventy-third 
Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  served  as  Cor- 
poral and  wagon-master,  and  was  made  brigade 
wagon-master  in  Sheridan's  Division.  He  made 
his  first  trip  to  Mission  Ridge  with  supplies  and 
ammunition  just  as  Bragg  left.  He  saw  Joe 
Hooker  go  up  the  mountain,  also  saw  the  big 
siege  gun  thrown  over  the  bluff,  and  the  sur- 
render. He  was  captured  at  Stephenson,  Ala- 
bama, where  he  was  kept  on  short  rations  five 
days,  then  ran  over  the  mountain  to  McMenville 
and  was  there  paroled;  he  reported  to  the  Union 
army  at  Nashville,  where  be  was  kept  in  the 
Zollicoffer  House  eighteen  days.  He  was  sent  to 
Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  where  he  took  three  hun- 
dred sick  mules  up  the  valley  and  kept  them  one 
winter;  was  then  discharged  on  account  of  sick- 
ness. He  returned  to  Sangamon  county,  where 
he  remained  until  1869,  then  sold  his  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  five  acres.  He  is  at  present 
living  on  his  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 

His  wife  was  born  in  Cabell  county,  Virginia; 
daughter  of  James  Tharp,  of  the  same  State. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  was  in  the  War  of  1812  ;  he 
is  in  his  ninety-first  year,  a  lively  old  gentleman. 
His  wife,  Elizabeth  Jenkins,  was  the  mother  of 
ten  children.  She  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  died  in  1875. 

Isaac  Burton,  father  of  D.  S.,  was  born  in 
Giles  county,  Virginia.  He  was  amemberof  the 
Baptist  Church,  and  was  in  the  War  of  1812;  was 
a  farmer,  and  died  February  4,  187.3.  His  wife, 
Ruth  Sirten,  was  born  also  in  Giles  county,  Vir- 
ginia. Mr.  Burton  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics,  a  Democrat. 
He  and  his  wife  have  had  ten  children,  five  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Mrs.  J.  A.  McCartney, 
J.  W.,  John  D.,  Louis  B.,  Reuben  and  E.  Burton. 

Wm  P.  Carson,  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Chatham,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  December 
25,  1830;  moved  to  Fayette  county,  Bowling 
Green,  in  1835;  lived  there  until  1844,  when  his 
father  died.  He  remained  with  his  mother  until 
1847,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  and  worked 
by  the  month  foi'  William  P.  Campbell;  worked 
nine  months  for  $6  per  month,  and  took  as  part 


pay  a  filly  for  ^25;  he  traded  this  tilly  fora  three- 
year-old  horse,  then  gave  thehorseanda  months' 
pay  for  a  span  of  mules,  and  sold  the  mules  for 
?;150.  This  was  the  first  §100  he  ever  owned. 
April  0,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Minerva  Work- 
man, born  near  Loami,  October  23,  1833;  she 
was  a  daughter  of  David  Workman,  who  was  a 
farmer,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church;  he 
died  in  March,  18(55.  His  wife,  Lydia  Ballou, 
was  born  in  Overton  county,  Tennessee;  she  was 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  mother  of  fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom 
are  living.  He 'bought  a  farm  of  eighty-six 
acres  in  section  twenty-nine,  Loami,  for  §1,800, 
paying  down  §600.  In  1857,  he  had  his  farm 
paid  for;  he  is  still  living  on  this  farm.  He  and 
his  wife  had  nine  children,  seven  living,  viz: 
David,  Sarah,  John  C,  Elizabeth,  Lydia  A., 
Lee  and  Amanda.  Mrs.  Carson  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  John  Carson,  father 
of  William  P.,  was  born  in  South  Carolina, 
August  8,  1794.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812, 
also  in  the  Black  Hawk  War;  he  followed  farm- 
ing, and  died  November  19,  1844.  His  wife 
was  Margery  Parkerson,  born  in  Carter  county, 
Tennessee,  October  19,  1799.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  mother  of  nine 
children;  five  are  living — three  boys  and  two 
girls.  Mr.  Carson  has  now  two  hundred  and 
ninety-three  acres  of  land,  all  under  good  culti- 
vation, in  Loami;  he  also  has  forty  acres  in 
Eftingham  county.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Frank  Pierce  in  1852. 
His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1814,  and  settled 
on  Shoal  creek,  in  Madison  county. 

Piatt  S.  Carter,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Warren, 
Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  June  29,  1815. 
He  worked  on  a  farm  and  attended  school  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  then  came  to  Waverly, 
Morgan  county,  Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  1836,  he 
worked  in  Waverly,  Illinois,  one  year,  then  went 
to  Sangamon  county,  and  entered  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres,  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
west  -of  Auburn;  lived  on  that  farm  twelve 
years,  then  bought  a  farm  of  five  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  Loami  township,  where  he  now 
resides.  Was  married  to  Flora  M.  Carter,  who 
was  born  in  Warren,  Litchfield  county,  Con- 
necticut, Jidy  25,  1815.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Adoniram,  born  in  Warren,  Connecticut.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  a 
farmer,  and  in  politics  an  old-line  Whig.  Died 
September,  1842.  His  wife,Arilla  Sackett,  born 
in  Warren,  Connecticut,  was  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  and  was  the  mother  of 
five  children,  three  living,  viz.:  Flora  M.,  Patty, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


943 


and  Homer  S.  Carter.  The  father  of  Piatt  S. 
Carter,  Colonel  Dan  Carter,  was  born  in  Warren, 
Connecticut.  He  was  in  the  War  of  1812.  His 
wife,  Lncinda  Starr,  born  in  Warren,  Connecti- 
cut, was  a  descendant  of  a  family  who  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  in  1C08.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  mother 
of  twelve  children,  viz.:  Mrs.  Emily  Hopkins, 
Geo.  Carter,  Mrs.  Jane  Starr,  Mrs.  Lucy  Tanner, 
Piatt  S.  Carter,  Dan  S.  Carter,  Darius  Carter, 
Miles  Carter,  Mrs.  Arza  Wetton,  Fredrick  S. 
Carter,  Sarah  Carter,  and  Samuel  W.  Carter. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Piatt  S.  Carter  are  members  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  at  Waverly,  Illinois, 
and  have  a  family  of  four  children,  viz.:  Adoni- 
ram,  Darius,  Lucinda  A.,  and  Piatt  S.,  Jr.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Piatt  S.  Carter  were  married  at  War- 
ren, Litchfield  county,  Connecticut,  July  25, 
1839.  Mr.  Carter  has  a  farm  of  five  hundred 
and  sixty  acres.  He  was  in  the  standing  militia 
of  the  country  from  1833  to  1836;  has  been  su- 
pervisor four  years  and  school  director  eighteen 
or  twenty  years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 
iSanmel  P.  Collmrn,  was  born  near  where 
Loami  now  is,  September  15,  1823.  He  worked 
in  his  father's  mill  until  seventeen  years  "f  age, 
when  his  father  sold  his  mill  to  David  Phelps 
and  Adna  Colburn,  when  he  began  to  work  for 
himself;  worked  in  this  mill  until  October  23, 
1845,  when  he  was  married  to  his  cousin.  Miss 
Malinda  Colburn,  October  23,  1845,  at  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  by  Wm.  Lavely,  Esq.;  she  was  a 
daughter  of  Abel  Colburn,  who  was  born  in 
Sterling,  Massachusetts,  September  20,  1790;  his 
wife,  Debora  Phelps,  was  born  in  Hebron,  New 
Hampshire,  July  1794;  they  were  married  at 
Hebron,  in  1811.  After  Mr.  S.  P.  Colburn  was 
married,  he  worked  in  the  mill  some  two  years, 
then  worked  for  his  brother-in-law,  Lewis  C'otter- 
man,  until  February,  1849,  when  he  bought  a 
stone  quarry  and  forty  acres  of  land,  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  west  of  Springfield,  Illinois.  He  sold 
out  and  returned  to  Loami,  in  1856,  and  worked 
at  the  carpenter  trade  some  two  years,  then  began 
to  work  in  a  mill  for  his  brother,  Daniel  W. 
Colburn,  and  H.  S.  Coley  worked  in  this  mill,  as 
miller,  for  twelve  years.  His  wife,  Malinda 
Colburn,  died  December  25,  1865;  she  was  the 
mother  of  one  child,  that  died  in  infancy.  Mr. 
Colburn  was  married  to  his  wife's  sister,  Mrs. 
Isabella  Lucas,  November  14, 1866.  Mr.  Colburn 
owns  sixteen  acres  of  land,  a  store-house,  and  a 
nice  residence  in  Loami,  where  he  resides.  He 
was  appointed  treasurer  of  Loami,  in  1 857,  and  has 
held  the  office  since.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Winfield  Scott. 

110-^ 


He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  member  of  Loami 
Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.;  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  Springfield,  in  1869,  and  to 
Chicago,  in  1870. 

Ehtntzer  Colhtirn  was  born  in  Loami,  Illinois, 
April  9,  1833.  He  worked  in  his  father's  mill 
in  this  place  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he 
married  Nancy  A.  Huffmaster,  August  10,  1854. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  William  Huffmaster ; 
born  in  North  Carolina,  who  died  in  1861.  His 
wife,  Clarissa  Smith,  born  in  Kentucky  ;  a 
7uember  of  the  old  school  Baptist  Church,  and 
mother  of  eleven  children,  four  boys  and  two 
girls  living.  She  died  in  1869.  The  father  of 
Ebenezer  Colburn,  William  Colburn,  was  born 
in  Sterling,  Massachusetts,  June  3,  1783.  lie 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  ;  died 
June  10,  1869.  His  wife,  Achsa  Phelps,  was 
born  in  Hebron,  New  Hampshire,  July  9,  1796. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
the  mother  of  fourteen  children.  She  died 
January  31,  1878.  The  first  wife  of  Ebenezer, 
Nancy  Huffmaster,  died  August  10,  1859.  She 
was  the  mother  of  two  children,  viz  :  Adna  P. 
and  Clarissa  A.  Ebenezer  Colbuin  was  married 
to  his  present  wife,  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Colburn, 
August,  1861.  She  was  born  near  Salisbury, 
Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henry  Davis, 
born  in  Kentucky.  He  is  living  near  Loami. 
His  wife,  Lucy  McGlasson,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. The  old  lady  is  still  hale  and  hearty. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ebenezer  Colburn  have  seven  child- 
ren, viz  :  Alpha  D.,  Julia  A.,  David  W.,  Henry, 
Ina,  Melvin  O.  and  Ora  I.  Mrs.  Colburn  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Colburn  ran  a  saw-mill  from  1854  until  six  years 
ago;  since  that  time  has  run  his  grist-mill,  in 
Loami.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

Isaac  Colhurn,  was  born  near  the  place  where 
Loami  is  located,  February  22,  1827;  he  worked 
in  his  father's  mill  and  at  the  carpenter  trade 
until  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  when  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Julia  A.  Ensley,  August  17,  1854;  she 
was  born  in  Ohio,  June  21,  1834,  and  was  the 
mother  of  three  children,  two  are  living,  Chloe 
E.,  and  Charles  K.  She  died  December  25,  1859. 
September  20,  1863,  Mr.  Colburn  was  married  to 
Miss  Maudana  Phelps,  who  was  born  in  East 
Lebanon,  New  Hampshire,  August  12,  1835; 
she  was  a  daughter  of  Adna  Phelps,  born  in 
Hebron,  New  Hampshire,  April  30,  1792,  and 
Elizabeth  Gold,  he  was  a  stone-cutter  by  trade, 
and  died  March  6,  1852.  His  wife,  Mary  (Col- 
burn) Phelps,  born  in  Sterling,  Massachusetts, 
February  23,  1792;  she  died  in  1859.  William 
Colburn  was   born    in    Sterling,   Massachusetts, 


944 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


June  o,  1703;  he  was  a  luember  of  the  Christian 
Church;  he  died  June  10,  1869.  His  wife,  Achsa 
Phelps,  born  in  Hebron,  New  Hampshire,  July 
9,  1796,  was  also  a  naember  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  mother  of  fourteen  children;  she 
died  January  31,  1878.  Mr.  Isaac  Colburn  and 
wife  have  had  three  children,  all  now  dead.  Mr. 
C.  has  held  the  offices  of  city  trustee  and  school 
director.  He  has  four  acres  of  land  and  his  resi- 
dence in  the  southwest  part  of  Loami,  where  he 
now  resides. 

William  Cruig  was  born  in  Williamson 
county,  Tennessee,  August  24,  1824.  In  1832, 
he  came  with  his  father  to  Illinois,  and  settled 
on  Spring  creek,  Berlin;  remained  until  August 
15,  1862,  then  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One 
Hundred  and  Sixth,  Illinois  Infantry  Volun- 
teers; remained  in  the  service  three  years.  He 
then  returned  to  the  old  homestead.  His  father, 
William  Craig,  was  born  in  Fayette  county, 
KentueJcy,  in  1790;  was  married  to  Mary  P. 
Swope,  April  20,  1821,  who  was  born  near  Stan- 
ford, Kentucky,  June  20,  1794.  They  moved  to 
Williamson  county,  near  Franklin,  Tennessee, 
where  they  had  five  children.  The  family 
moved  to  this  county,  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
called  Island  Grove,  south  of  Spring  creek;  had 
seven  children,  three  living,  viz:  William  Craig, 
Jr.,  Margaret  and  Mary  Chever.  William  Craig, 
Sr.,  was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Colonel  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  died  the  fall  of 
1856.     His  wife  died  December  25,  1871. 

Charles  Harris  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Morgan 
county,  Illinois,  four  miles  southwest  of  Jack- 
sonville, August  25,  1836.  When  he  was  thirteen 
years  of  age,  he  moved  with  his  father  upon  a 
farm  at  the  head  of  Indian  creek.  He  lived 
there  until  1852,  w^hen  he  came  with  his  father 
to  Sangamon  county,  and  settled  in  Loami  town- 
ship. He  was  married  to  Miss  Susan  McLaugh- 
lin, September  11,  1856;  she  was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Kentucky,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  David  McLaughlin,  also  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
who  came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1850.  He  is 
still  living.  In  politics  is  a  Republican.  His 
wife,  Elizabeth,  nee  Morris,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky and  during  life  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  the  mother  of  ten  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living.  The  father  of 
Charles  Harris,  William  P.  Harris,  was  born  in 
KentuckJ^  He  is  a  farmer  and  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  In  politics  is.a  Republican;  he 
is  living  in  Waverly,  Illinois;  his  wife,  Malinda 
(Miller)  Harris,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  she  was 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  the  mother 
of   nine  children;  five  boys  and  two   girls   are 


living,  viz:  Sarah  E.  Calvert,  Nancy  McVeigh, 
Charles,  William,  Thomas  J.,  James  M.  and 
Emberson  T. 

After  Mr.  Charles  Harris  was  married  he 
bought  forty  acres  of  land  in  section  thirty-one, 
to  which  he  has  added  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  on  which  he  now  resides.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  had  a  family  of  seven  children, 
has  five  living,  viz:  Mary  E.,  Wm.  D.,  Charles 
E.,  Clara  M.  and  George  T.  In  politics  Mr.  H. 
is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Harris  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason,  a  member  of  Waverly  Lodge  No.  118; 
is  also  member  of  Chapter  Lodge  A.  F.  and  A. 
M  ,  at  Loami. 

James  M.  Harris  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Barr's  store,  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  May  22, 
11844.  When  he  was  seven  years  of  age,  he 
came  with  his  father  to  this  county,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  section  twenty-eight,  Loami  town- 
ship, where  he  now  lives.  When  nineteen  years 
of  age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixteenth  Illi- 
nois Cavalry  Volunteers,  at  Springfield,  Illinois, 
September  23,  1863;  was  captured  at  the  battle 
of  .Jonesville,  Virginia,  and  was  a  prisoner  at 
Anderson ville,  Georgia;  Richmond,  Virginia, 
and  Florence,  South  Carolina,  eleven  months 
and  three  days;  was  paroled  December  6,  1864, 
and  sent  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  from  there 
to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where  he  was  discharged 
by  a  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  May  1 0, 
1865.  He  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Sturgis,  August 
24,  1865;  she  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Illi- 
nois, September  23,  1845,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Sturgis,  also  born  in  Illinois;  he  was  a 
farmer,  and  in  politics,  a  Democrat;  he  died  in 
1849.  His  wife,  Margaret  (Taylor)  Sturgis,  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  and  was  the  mother  of  three 
children;  two  are  living,  viz:  Mrs.  Mary  Harris 
and  John  R.  She  died  March  3,  1854.  William 
P.  Harris,  father  of  James  M  ,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church; 
in  politics,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow,  in  1830, 
and  is  living  at  Waverly,  Morgan  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  his  seventy-seventh  j-ear.  His  wife, 
Malinda  (^liller)  Harris,  was  born  in  Kentuckj-, 
and  was  the  mother  of  twelve  children;  seven 
are  living,  viz:  Elizabeth  Calvert,  Nancy  McVey, 
Charles,  William  H.  H.,  Thomas  J.,  James  M., 
and  Emerson  T.  She  died  in  1850.  After  James 
M.  Harris  was  married,  he  bought  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  section  thirty-two, 
Loami  township;  sold  out  some  two  years  after, 
and  bought  the  place  where  he  now  resides.  He 
and  his  wife  have  had  four  children,  viz:    Josie, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


945 


William  A.,  Thomas  C,  and  Mabel.  Mv.  and 
Mrs.  H.  nre  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  has  his  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  all  under  good  cultivation;  is  a 
member  of  Masonic  Lodge,  A.F.  and  A.  M.,  No. 
118,  at  Waverly,  Illinois.  In  politics,  is  a  Re- 
publican; cast  his  first  vote  for  A.  Lincoln,  in  the 
Florence,  South  Carolina,  prison.  The  soldiers 
balloted  with  black  and  white  beans — black  beans 
for  Lincoln,  and  white  for  McClelland — the  re- 
sult was  a  decided  majority  for  Lincoln. 

Willicnn  C.  Hodgeriion,  was  born  on  a  farm 
near  IJarbersville,  the  county  seat  of  Cabell 
county,  Virginia,  January  22,  1811.  When 
fifteen  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  father  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  this  township. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  C.  Hudson, 
August  31,  1830,  then  entered  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  section  seven;  remained  there  forty-two 
years,  then  sold  his  farm  and  bought  the  old 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres 
that  his  father  entered  in  1825;  sold  out  soon 
after  and  bought  thirty-three  acres  in  section 
»eight,  Loami  township,  where  he  now  lives. 
His  farm  is  all  under  good  cultivation  and  well 
stocked.  Ilis  wife,  Jane  C.  (Hudson)  Hodger- 
son,  was  a  daughter  of  John  Hudson,  born  in 
Virginia;  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  was  in  the  War  of  1812; 
be  died  in  Jul)',  18'79.  His  wife,  Margaret 
(McCray)  Pludson,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
■was  the  mother  of  eight  children; five  are  living. 
She  died  some  twenty  years  ago.  John 
Hodgerson,  father  of  William  C,  was  born  in 
Kildare  county,  Ireland;  came  to  the  United 
States  when  six  years  of  age  and  settled  in 
Virginia;  he  died  in  August,  1851.  His  wife, 
Elizabeth  Martin,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
was  the  mother  of  ten  children;  five  are  living, 
viz:  Mary  Osberry,  Margaret  Meacham, 
Rebecca  Buchanan,  John  and  William  C;  she 
died  in  November,  1830.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hodger- 
son have  had  nine  children,  eight  living,  vi/.: 
Young  M.,  Mary  M.  Liston,  Martha  A.  Buchan- 
an, Rachael  J.  Gregory,  George  W.,  William 
A.,  James  A.,  and  Nancy  G.  Mr.  Hodgerson  is 
a  Democrat. 

John  T.  JIugguis,  was  born  near  Galliopolis, 
Ohio,  April,  16,  1824.  In  18-11,  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois, and  settled  on  a  farm  in  this  county.  His 
father  died  in  October,  1846,  and  he  remained 
on  the  farm  with  his  mother,  until  he  was  mar- 
ried, March  4,  1803,  to  the  daughter  of  Mr. 
Kartlett,  Concord,  Morgan  county.  Her  father 
was  born  iu  New  York;  served  in  the  War  of 
1812,  and  died  in  1862.     His  wife,  Elain  Lozier, 


was  born  in  Ohio;  she  was  the  mother  of  six 
children;  she  died  in  1876.  John  Iluggins,  the 
father  of  John  T.,  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
died  in  October,  1846.  His  wife,  Jane  Haz- 
lett,  was  born  in  North  Carolina;  she  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living. 
John  T.  Huggins  and  wife  have  two  children, 
viz:  Osee  and  Valeria.  Soon  after  his  mar- 
riage, Mr.  H.  moved  upon  his  farm  in  Loami 
township,  subsequently  sold  out,  and  moved  to 
Missouri,  where  he  lived  nine  years,  then  re- 
turned and  purchased  his  present  farm.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Joseph  Jones  was  born  near  Loami,  May  5, 
1838.  He  worked  for  different  parties  until 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  then  began  to  work  for 
himself  at  the  carpenter  trade.  July  20,  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  what  became  Company  C,  Eleventh 
Missouri  Infantry  Volunteers,  for  three  years; 
was  wounded  in  one  knee  and  hand  at  the  as- 
sault on  the  rebel  fortifications  at  Vicksburg. 
After  recovering,  he  was  detailed  as  ward-master 
and  steward,  in  the  military  hospital,  at  Keokivk, 
Iowa;  was  honorably  discharged,  after  having 
served  a  full  term,  August  5,  1864.  He  was 
married  March  17,  1868,  to  Miss  Laura  E.  Davis, 
born  in  Loami,  June  6,  1848,  daughter  of  Major 
J.  P.  Davis,  who  was  born  April  17,  1815,  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts.  He  was  Major  of  the 
Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers,  in  the 
late  Rebellion,  was  in  the  Mexican  war  in  the 
Springfield  company.  His  wife,  Achsa  (Col- 
burn)  Davis,  was  born  in  Hebron,  New  Hamp- 
shire, was  the  mother  of  two  children,  viz: 
Melissa,  now  Mrs.  Withrow,  of  Springfield,  and 
Mrs.  Laura  E.  Jones.  Major  Davis  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Universalist  Church.  Emanuel 
Jones,  the  father  of  Joseph,  was  born  in  Flem- 
ing county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  this  county 
in  1836;  was  married  in  1837  to  Miss  Eliza 
Shane.  Their  children  are,  Joseph,  Catharine, 
William,  Thomas  and  Martha.  Emanuel  Jones 
died  in  Decatur,  August  9,  1858.  His  wife  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  and  died  in  October,  1872. 
Joseph  Jones  and  wife  have  had  five  children, 
three  living,  viz:  Harry,  Alice  and  Don  C. 
Mr.  Jones  is  a  member  of  Loami  Lodge,  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.,  No.  450,  Auburn,  Chapter  No.  92, 
Royal  Arch  Masons;  has  been  Master  of  this 
lodge  a  immber  of  years,  has  been  a  delegate  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  in  Chicago.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  justice  of  the  peace  five  years;  has  been 
tax  collector  a  number  of  times,  and  is  at  present 
notary  public  and  justice  of  the  peace.  Is  a 
Republican. 


946 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


John  Lowry  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ireland, 
county  of  Doron,  about  thirteen  miles  from  Bel- 
fast, September  15,  1837.  At  nine  or  ten  years 
of  age,  he  lost  his  father,  who  was  killed  by  his 
horse  falling  on  him.  He  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  mother  until  his  twelfth  year,  when 
they  came  to  America  in  the  sloop,  Samuel  Law- 
rence, landing  at  New  Orleans  in  ISTjI  or  1852. 
From  there  they  ascended  the  Mississippi  river 
to  Madison,  Indiana,  thence  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  worked  in  a  woolen  factory  for  S8  per 
month  and  boarded  himself.  He  remained  in 
Indianapolis  aud  vicinity  about  five  j^ears,  when 
he  and  his  brother  came  to  Illinois.  They  rented 
a  farm  near  Virden,  on  which  they  lived  about 
two  years.  He  then  came  to  this  county,  bring- 
ing with  him  his  mother,  brothers  and  sisters. 
Novembers,  1868,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Van 
Deren,  who  was  born  near  Loami.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Baker,  who  was  born  in 
Ohio.  He  was  a  farmer  and  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  died  January  5, 
1852.  His  wife  Nancy,  nee  Robinson,  was  born 
in  Virginia,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  She  was  the  mother 
of  eleven  children.  James  Lowry  and  Rosana 
(Potter)  Lowry,  father  and  mother  of  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  were  born  in  Ireland.  Tbey  had 
seven  children.  Mr.  John  Lowry  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  has  held  the  office  of  county  super- 
visor for  the  past  three  years;  also  has  been  a 
school  director  in  his  district  for  the  past  eleven 
years;  is  a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge  A.  F.  and 
A.  M.  No.  450,  at  Loami.  He  was  a  delegate  to 
Grand  Lodge  at  Chicago,  three  or  four  years 
ago.  He  has  a  good  common  school  education. 
In  politics,  a  Republican,  and  a  strong  supporter 
of  that  party;  cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln. 

Henry  3IcDevUt,  was  born  in  Derry  county, 
Ireland,  February  9,  1832.  When  eighteen  years 
of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landed  in 
New  York,  sick  and  with  only  three  or  four 
pounds  in  money,  and  very  homesick.  Prom 
New  York  be  went  to  his  aunt's  in  Brooklyn, 
from  there  to  Ohio,  and  finally  settled  in  Loami, 
where  he  was  married  May  31,  1853,  to  Miss 
Rachel  York,  who  was  born  in  England;  her 
mother,  Elizabeth  Abbott,  was  born  in  England; 
father  died  October  10,  1854,  and  her  mother 
about  the  same  time.  Hugh  McDevitt,  the  father 
of  Henry,  was  born  in  Derry  county,  Ireland, 
where  he  died  February,  1852.  His  wife,  Jane 
Stuart,  was  born  in  the  same  place,  and  was  the 
mother  of  ten  children,  three  of  whom  are  now 
living  in  the  United  States,  viz:  Henry,  Jane  and 
Robert.     She  died  August  1870.     Mr.   and  Mrs. 


DcDevitt  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  had  a  family  of  six  children,  four 
of  whom  are  living,  viz:  John  W.,  .Jane,  A. 
Mitchell,  James  H.,  and  Mary  E.  Mrs.  McDevitt 
died  February  9,  1865,  and  Mr.  McD.  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Anna  Mitchell,  born  in  England, 
and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  Mitchell,  who  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1850.  His  wife,  Sarah 
(Panter)  Mitchell  was  born  in  England.  They 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  reside  in  Loami;  they  are  the  parents  of 
nine  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  McDevitt 
are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  have  six  children,  viz:  Sarah  B., 
Samuel  H.,  Joseph  J.,  George  W.,  and  Robert 
L.  Mr.  McDevitt  has  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Stephen  M.  C.  Ho/nnson  was  born  on  a  farm 
on  Indian  creek,  fourteen  miles  northeast  of 
Jacksonville,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  February 
1,  1834  ;  lived  there  until  thirty-four  years  of 
age,  when  he  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and 
worked  three  years  for  John  Berry,  in  this  town- 
ship. June  18,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  F.  Coons  ;  bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres, 
in  section  twelve,  where  he  now  resides.  Mrs. 
Robinson  is  a  daughter  of  Geo.  M.  Coons,  born, 
in  Morgan  county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  old 
school  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics,  a  Rei»ub- 
lican  ;  he  is  living  near  Berlin,  Sangamon 
county.  His  wife,  Mary  (Sturgis)  Coons,  was 
also  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois  ;  was  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  the  mother  of 
ten  children  ;  nine  are  living,  viz  :  James  P., 
Mrs.  Mary  Robinson,  John  A.,  Albert  J.,  Martha 
J.,  Sarah  E.,  George  II.,  Margaret  A.  Stice,  and 
Charles  M.  She  died  in  September,  18C2.  Isaac 
Robinson,  father  of  Stephen,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia; was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church; 
a  farmer;  by  trade,  a  blacksmith,  and  in  politics, 
a  Whig;  died  December  24,  1854.  His  wife, 
]\lary  (McFeters)  Robinson,  was  born  in  Ireland. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
the  mother  of  ten  children  ;  six  are  living,  viz : 
Margaret  Gibbs,  Margery  Berry,  Susan  Stice, 
Sarah  Martin,  Stephen  M.  C.,  and  James  L.  She 
died  the  fall  of  1862.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen  M. 
C.  Robinson  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  have  two  children — Clara  E.  and 
George  L.  Mr.  Robinson  has  his  farm  of  forty 
acres  all  under  good  cultivation,  aud  well 
stocked  ;  grows  grain  and  stock  for  the  market. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  strong 
supporter  of  that  party. 

Thomas  Sowell,  was  born  in  Charlotte  county, 
Virginia,  July  4,  1814,  on  a  farm,  near  the  head 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


947 


of  the  Roanoke  river;  when  two  years  of  age,  he 
went  with  his  father,  to  Rutherford  county, 
Tennessee,  near  Murfreesboro;  lived  there  until 
the  spring  of  1828;  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  with  his  father,  in  this  township; 
lived  there  with  his  father  until  he  was  about 
twenty  years  of  age,  then  learned  the  cooper's 
trade;  November  10,  1836,  he  married  Theresa 
Barger,  who  was  born  in  West  Virginia,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Adam  and  Lucinda  (Brooks) 
Barger,  natives  of  Virginia.  Mrs.  Sowell  died 
December  4,  1846;  she  was  the  mather  of  three 
children,  two  living,  John  H.  and  Martha  A. 
April  20,  1848,  Mr.  S.  was  married  to  Miss  Jane 
E.  Lansden,  who  was  born  near  Lebanon,  Wilson 
county,  Tennessee;  she  is  a  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  mother  of 
Abner  T.  Sowell.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Lansden,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina;  was 
in  the  War  of  1812,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church;  died  in  October, 
1838.  His  wife,  Margaret  McLin,  was  born  in 
South  Carolina;  was  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  the  mother  of  eight  children, 
three  living,  viz:  Nancy  E.  Ashmore,  Martha  E 
Mitchell,  and  Jane  E.  Stephen  Sowell,  father 
of  Thomas,  was  born  in  Charlotte  county,  Vir- 
ginia, near  Charlotte  court  house,  on  Roanoke 
river.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  in  politics  an  old- 
line  Whig;  he  cast  his  first  vote  for  Thomas 
Jefferson;  died  in  June,  1S62.  His  wife,  Jane 
Hanner,  was  born  in  Charlotte  county,  Virginia; 
she  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
mother  of  nine  children,  viz:  Martha,  wife  of 
Wm.  Eustes,  who  was  the  first  settler  in  Talk- 
ington  township;  Thomas,  Jane  Burr,  Macky 
Colburn,  Malinda  Goodell,  Sallie  Goodell,  Nancy 
McElvain,  who  died  November  20,  1879,  Ann 
McElvain,  and  Wm.  H.;  she  died  November  18, 
1879,  in  her  eighty-sixth  year.  In  1636,  Mr. 
Thomas  Sowell  commenced  working  at  the 
cooper's  trade;  he  made  the  first  pork  barrels  in 
Sangamon  county,  for  Henry  Yates,  father  of 
Governor  Yates;  he  followed  his  trade  until 
1864;  has  a  farm  of  sixty-live  acres  in  Loarai 
township,  all  under  good  cultivation,  and  well 
stocked;  has  also  eighteen  acres  of  land,  one 
mill  building,  and  a  dwelling  house  in  the  town 
of  Loami,  where  he  resides;  has  held  the  office 
of  treasurer  of  Loami,  and  also  trustee;  in  poli- 
tics, is  a  Republican,  and  a  strong  supporter  of 
that  party.  He  is  now  in  his  sixty-eighth  year, 
a  hale,  hearty  old  man,  and  as  lively  as  a  boy. 

William  Taylor,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ox- 
ford, England,  July  8,  1827.  He  lived  there 
until   he  was  about   twenty-four  years  of   age, 


when  he  came  to  the  United  States.  He  started 
January  1,  1851,  and  landed  in  New  Orleans 
April  6,  1851.  From  New  Orleans  he  took  the 
steamer  "  Halleck  Scott "  up  the  Mississippi 
river  to  Alton,  Illinois,  remained  one  year,  then 
came  overland  to  this  county,  and  began  to  work 
for  George  Carter;  worked  for  him  five  years; 
rented  land  of  him  ten  years,  then  bought  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres,  in  section  thirty-six,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  was  married,  at  Alton,  Illinois, 
December  19,  1851,  to  Miss  Alice  Harris.  She 
was  born  in  Oxford,  England,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Harris,  born  in  England,  who 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1851.  He  is  now 
living  in  England.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Bag- 
ley)  Harris,  was  born  in  England,  and  was  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  five  living,  two  in  the 
United  States,  viz:  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
(Harris)  Taylor.  She  is  living  in  England. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  had  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren, six  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Lucy  A.,  Geo. 
H.,  Richard  E.,  Wm.  A.,  Fannie  J.  and  Alice  E. 
Mr.  Taylor  has  his  farm  of  eighty  acres  all  under 
good  cultivation  and  well  stocked.  He  raises 
grain  and  stock  for  the  market.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  A. 
Lincoln  for  President,  His  father,  Richard  Tay- 
lor, was  born  in  England;  was  a  farmer,  and  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  died  in  Eng- 
land October  6,  1870.  His  wife,  Ann  Barb,  was 
also  born  in  England;  she  was  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  and  had  nine  children;  only  one 
is  living — the  subject  of  this  sketch.  When  he 
arrived  in  this  county  he  was  without  means,  but 
by  hard  work  and  close  application  to  business 
he  has  made  himself  as  fine  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres  as  there  is  in  the  country. 

James  M.  Turpin  was  born  near  Glasgow, 
Missouri,  May  10,  1828,  where  he  lived  until 
eleven  years  of  age,  when  his  mother  died;  he 
then  went  to  live  with  his  grandfather,  on  a  farm, 
near  Savannah,  Missouri;  lived  there  until  six- 
teen years  of  age,  then  came  to  Illinois,  and 
worked  near  Loami.  He  enlisted  in  the  Mexican 
War,  in  June,  1846,  in  Company  D,  Fourth  In- 
fantry under  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker,  and  served 
one  year.  He  was  married  October  3,  1849,  to 
Miss  Charlotte  Webb,  born  near  Loami,  January 
14,  1830.  Woodford  Turpin,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, in  1796,  he  died  March  5.  1865.  The 
second  wife  of  Woodford  Turpin,  Miss  Emmasett 
Campbell,  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Campbell, 
deceased,  and  Polly  Campbell.  Mr.  James  M. 
Turpin  bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Loami 
township,  and  lived  there  until  1873;  during 
this  time,  added  two  hundred  and  sixty-f our  acres 


948 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


to  the  forty  acres,  making  a  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  four  acres.  In  1873,  he  moved  to  Loami,and 
engaged  in  tlie  mercantile  business,  firm  of  Turpin 
«fe  Joy  Mr.  Turpin  is  at  jiresent  connected  with  the 
dry  goods  and  grocery  store  of  L.  H.  Coleman,  at 
Loami.  He  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventy- 
third  Infantry,  in  August  1861,  as  second  Lieu- 
tenant, and  was  promoted  to  first  Lieutenant;  is 
a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge,  Xo.  450,  at  Loami. 
Has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  four 
years;  hag  also  been  school  director  and  super- 
visor. He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church.  Mr.  Turpin  has  four  acres  of  land 
where  he  resides.  Is  vice-president  of  the  Old 
Settlers'  Association. 

George  J.  W^alker,  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Murfreesboro,  Rutherford  county,  Tennessee, 
July  2,  1818.  When  twelve  years  of  age,  he 
came  with  his  father  to  Illinois  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he  lived  four 
years,  then  moved  on  a  farm  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  southeast  of  where  Loami  now  is;  lived  on 
the  farm  until  his  father  died,  then  lived  with 
his  mother  until  his  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
liack,  October  22,  1S42;  she  was  born  in  Garret 
county,  Kentucky,  December  25,  1826;  her 
father,  Isaih  Back,  was  born  in  Kentucky:  he 
was  a  Whig,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  the  spring 
of  1888.  His  wife,  Nancy  (Turpin)  Back,  was 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  the  mother 
of  ten  children;  four  are  living,  viz:  Elizabeth, 
Mrs.  Mary  A.  Parker,  Mrs.  Miranda  Martin,  and 
Caroline  Rose;  she  died  July  28,  1872.  After 
his  marriage,  Mr.  George  J.  Walker  lived  with 
his  mother  two  years,  then  bought  a  farm  of  ten 
acres  one-half  mile  southwest  of  Loami,  and 
lived  there  ten  years;  moved  on  what  was  called 
the  Coley  farm,  and  lived  there  eight  years; 
rented  land  near  Loami  fourteen  years;  then 
bought  a  house  and  lot  in  Loami,  where  he  now 
resiiies.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  have  had  nine  children;  four  are 
living,  viz:  Amarins  Collins,  George  W.,  Lou- 
ella  Reece,  and  John.  Samuel  Walker,  father 
of  George  J.,  was  born  in  Campbell  county, 
Virginia;  was  a  farmer  and  a  member  of  the 
Batpist  Church;  in  politics  an  old-line  Whig. 
His  wife,  Martha  Hannar,  was  born  in  Virginia; 
she  was  a  member  of  tlie  Baptist  Church  and 
the  mother  of  nine  children;  live  are  living, 
viz:  William  S.,  Thomas  H.,  George  J.,  Hiram, 
and  Mrs.  Rebecca  Smith.  George  J.  Walker  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  and  cast  his  first  vote 
for  William  H.  Harrison,  for  President. 

Art]iur  E.  Jl'as/ibvrne  was  born  on  a  farm 
live  miles  east  of   Old  Berlin,   in   Island  Grove 


townshiji,  September  25,  1858.  He  lived  on 
this  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  E.  Leaverton, 
January  1,  1879;  she  was  born  in  Illinois,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  John  Leaverton,  born  in 
Ohio.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
a  farmer,  and  in  politics  a  Republican;  he  died 
in  December,  1873.  His  wife,  Mary  Smith,  was 
born  in  Bond  county,  Illinois;  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  had  ten  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living:  John  F.,  Nancy  J.  Sale, 
Margaret  B.  Washburne,  George  W.,  Charles 
A.,  Emma  J.,  and  Effie  M.;  she  is  still  living  in 
Cartwright  township.  Asa  R.  Washburne, 
father  of  Arthur  E.,  was  born  in  Vermont;  he 
was  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  a  farmer,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat;  he 
died  in  the  fall  of  1849.  His  wife,  Barbara  C. 
(Craig)  AVashburne,  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
was  also  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church;  they  had  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living,  viz:  Aurelia  R.  Clark,  Arthur 
E.,  and  George  C;  she  is  living  in  Island  Grove 
township  on  the  old  homestead.  Mr.  Arthur  E. 
Washburne  has  a  farm  of  eighty-eight  acres, 
one  and  one-fourth  miles  north  of  Loami,  all 
under  good  cultivation  and  well  stocked;  raises 
grain  and  stock  for  the  market.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Han- 
cock.    He  and  wife  have  one  child,  Lillie  B. 

Hardin  Wilcocksov,  M.  D.,  was  born  on  a 
farm  near  Tallula,  Menard  county,  Illinois,  April 
25,  1851.  When  seven  years  old,  his  father 
moved  to  Taylorville,  Illinois,  where  he  lived 
and  attended  school  until  1863,  when  his  father 
died.  He  then  lived  with  his  brother-in-law,  W. 
T.  Hewitt,  on  a  farm  near  Taylorville,  Illinois, 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age;  then  com- 
menced to  work  for  himself,  working  for  differ- 
ent parties,  and  attending  school  during  the  win- 
ter, until  he  was  some  nineteen  years  of  age; 
attended  a  preparatory  school  at  Tallula,  Illinois. 
In  the  fall,  entered  college  at  Eureka,  where  he 
remained  three  years;  taught  school  in  Christian 
county  until  1877;  then  attended  the  American 
Medical  College,  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  where 
he  graduated  and  received  a  diploma,  in  June, 
1880;  then  came  to  Loami,  where  he  is  practicing 
medicine.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  A. 
Anderson,  November  29,  1879;  she  was  "born 
near  Taylorville,  Christian  county,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1857,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Josiah  An- 
derson, who  was  born  in  Litchfield  county.  Ken- 
tucky, April  15,  1819;  he  died  in  1862.  His 
wife,  Julia  Anderson,  was  born  in  Nashville, 
Tennessee,  July  9,  1824.     John  H.  Wilcockson, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


94!) 


father  of  Hardin,  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky, November  C,  1808;  he  was  a  memljer  of 
the  Christian  Church;  was  in  the  Black  Hawk 
•war,  and  drill-master  in  the  late  war;  he  died 
May  23,  1863.  His  wife,  Emma  C.  (Spears) 
AVilcockson,  was  born  in  Green  county,  Ken- 
tucky, April  30,  1811;  she  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  had  eleven  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Mary  E.  Hewitt,  George 
H.,  William  S.,  Hiram  P.,  Emma  C*  Cha])lin, 
Clay,  and  Hardin.  Dr.  Wilcockson  and  wife 
have  had  two  children,  one  boy  living.  Homer  B. 
Mrs.  Wilcockson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  Masonic 
Lodge,  No.  122,  at  Taylorville,  Illinois.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  strong  supporter  of 
that  party.     Cast  his  first  vote  for  Tilden. 

Isaac  Workman  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Lo- 
ami,  August  7,  1834.  He  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  father  until  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Work- 
man, February,  1856.  She  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee, and  is  a  daughter  of  John  B.  and  Martha 
(Roberts)  Workman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Workman 
were  the  parents  of  three  children,  viz.:  Sallie 
Harbour,  .John  D.,  and  Martha.  Mrs.  W.  died 
September  29,  1860.  June  30,  1862,  Mr.  Work- 
man married  Martha  A.  Weddin,  who  was  born 
in  Loami  township,  August  9,  1847.  Her  father's 
name  was  Weddin,  and  her  mother's  was  Cyn- 
thia Meacham.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Isaac  Workman 
have  had  seven  children;  six  are  living,  viz.: 
Wra.  H.,  Isaac,  Jr.,  Mayhew,  Joseph,  Elizabeth, 
and  Ada.  William  Workman,  father  of  Isaac 
Workman,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Allegheny  county, 
Maryland,  April  8,  1799;  went  to  Kentucky,  and 
thence  to  Tennessee,  and  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Loami  township  in  1829;  died  Janu- 
ary 1,  1877.  His  wife,  Sarah  Bilyen,  was  born 
in  Kentucky  November  26,  1801.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Dunkard  Church,  and  the  mother 
of  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  viz.: 
Peter,  John,  Isaac,  William  B.,  and  Samuel  M. 
She  is  still  living  in  Loami.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  Mr.  Isaac  Workman,  has  hi.s  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty  acres  all  under  good  cultiva- 
tion and  well  stocked.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  is  a  member  of  Masonic  Lodge 
A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  at  Loami;  has  also  been  school 
director  for  several  years. 

William  B.  ^ orkman,  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Loami  township,  near  where  Loami  now  is, 
August  14,  1837.  He  lived  on  this  farm  until 
October,  1875,  when  he  bought  an  interest  in  a 
store  at  Loami,  the  firm  of  which  is  Joy  &  Work- 
man.    He  was  married   to  Miss  Lydia   Bilyen, 


May  22,  1857,  who  was  born  in  Ovcridii  county, 
Tennessee,  May  5,  1845.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Andrew  Bilyen,  born  in  Tennessee; 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
in  politics  a  Democrat;  he  died  tlie  fall  of  1846. 
His  wife,  Susan  Bilyen,  born  also  in  Tennessee, 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  the 
mother  of  six  children;  four  are  living — one  by 
her  first  husband,  (Andrew  Bilyen)  viz:  Mrs. 
Lydia  Bilyen,  and  two  children  by  her  second 
husband,  (James  Cormack)  viz:  Jessie  and 
Millie;  one  child  by  Samuel  Workman  viz: 
Samuel  3.  She  is  still  living  with  her  son-in- 
law,  William  B.  Workman,  father  of  William 
B.  Workman.  William  Workman,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  Allegheny  county,  Maryland,  April  8,  1799. 
He  came  to  Illinois  in  1829,  and  settled  in  Loami 
township,  Sangamon  county.  He  died  January 
1,  1877.  His  wife,  Sarah  Bilyen,  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  November  26,  1801;  she  is  a  member 
of  the  Dunkard  Church,  and  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  five  living,  viz:  Peter,  John,  Isaac, 
William  B.,  and  Sanil  M.  Workman.  She  is 
living  with  her  son  Sanil  Workman  in  Loami, 
Illinois,  in  her  eightieth  year.  Mr.  William  B. 
Workman  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  have  had  ten  children; 
two  of  these  are  living,  viz:  William  F.,  and 
Caroline.  Mr.  Workman  carries  a  $3,500  or 
$4,000  stock  of  dry  goods  and  groceries;  he  has 
held  the  office  of  commissioner  of  highways  six 
years,  and  school  director  six  years;  in  politics, 
is  a  Republican  and  strong  supporter  of  that 
party.  He  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason  and  member 
of  Loami  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M  ,  No.  450.  He 
has  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
section  fourteen,  all  under  good  cultivation,  and 
well  stocked,  and  grows  grain  and  raises  stock 
for  the  market. 

Peter  Workman  was  born  in  Overton  county, 
Tennessee,  May  24,  1820.  He  lived  on  the  farm 
until  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  when  he  came 
with  his  father  to  this  county,  settling  in  Loami 
township,  two  miles  south  of  Loami.  He  was 
still  living  with  his  father  on  this  farm  when  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Taylor,  January 
28,  1840.  She  was  born  on  White  river,  in 
Indiana,  November  26, 1822,  and  was  a  daughter 
of  William  and  Nancy  (Hall)  Taylor.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  Mrs.  Taylor  in 
Virginia.  The  mother  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  lives  in  Christian  county. 
Four  or  five  years  after  his  marriage  he  bought 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  sec- 
tions twenty-six  and  twenty-seven,  where  he  now 
resides. 


950 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Mr.  Workman  and  his  wife  are  both  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  They  have  had  thir- 
teen children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Nancy  Bilyen,  Simon  P.,  Mrs.  Louisa  J.  Hays, 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Harbour,  Mrs.  Almira  Crawford, 
Stephen  and  Caroline.  He  has  traveled  over 
Iowa,  Indian  Territory,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Texas 
and  Tennessee.     In  his  younger  days  he  was  a 


sportsman,  being  fond  of  his  dog  and  gun.  He 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Filmore,  and  is  a  Rej/ubli- 
can  in  politics,  has  lived  on  his  farm  thirty 
years,  and  has  resided  in  the  county  fifty-two 
years;  he  is  know  as  "Uncle  Peter."  He  is  a 
member  of  Loami  Masonic  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A. 
M.,  No.  450,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  six- 
teen years. 


^%y 


•--N 


&%i; 


Jc>ccM-C  yf^.   /^/^(^V^t^-z:^^*:^^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


!)53 


Chapter  XLII. 


TOWNSHIP   OF  MECHANICSBURG. 


The  township  of  Mechanicsburg  comprises 
township  sixteen,  north,  range  three  west,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  east  by  Wheatfield,  west  by 
Clear  Lake,  north  by  Buii'alo  Hart,  south  by 
Cooper  township.  The  surface  of  the  country  is 
rolling,  and  was  originally  about  three-fourths 
prairie.  The  principal  water  course  is  Clear 
creek,  which  has  several  small  tributaries.  The 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacitic  Railroad  passes 
through  the  township,  entering  from  Springfield 
on  section  seven,  and  passing  in  an  air-line  east 
enters  Wheatfield  from  section  twelve.  There 
are  in  the  township  three  villages — Mechanics- 
burg, Bufl:"alo  and  Dawson. 

EARLY  SETTLEMENT. 

The  first  settlement  in  the  township  was  in 
1824.  Among  the  early  settlers  were  James 
Newell,  Jesse  Wilson,  William  Burch,  A. 
Churchill,  Samuel  Garvey,  William  Jack,  S. 
Cox,  Jacob  Constant,  Charles  Morgan,  Daniel 
Morgan,  David  Hall,  Jesse  Pickrell,  Slorris  Bird, 
Thomas  Fortune,  William  Pickrell,  Benjamin 
L.  Hall,  George  Churchill,  Samuel  Cox,  John 
Constant,  Josiah  Green,  J.  H.  Fullinwider. 

Jacob  Constant,  brother  to  John,  was  the 
grandfather  of  Rezin  H.  He  was  also  the 
brother  of  Isaac  and  Thomas,  and  was  born 
about  llQb,  in  Virginia.  Eleanor  Clinkenbeard 
■was  born  about  1769,  in  Virginia  also.  They 
were  there  married,  and  soon  after  moved  on 
pack  horses — that  being  the  only  way  goods 
could  be  transported  at  that  time  through  that 
mountainous  country — to  Fleming  county,  Ken- 
tucky. They  had  fourteen  children  in  that  county, 
and  in  1814  moved  to  Clermont  county,  Ohio, 
■where  they  had  two  children.  The  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  October 
26,  1826,  in  what  is  now  Mechanicsburg  town- 
ship. He  died  in  1828. 
Ill- 


Charles  Morgan  was  born  September  5,  IVSI, 
in  Hampshire  county,  Virginia.  His  parents 
moved  to  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  in  1793. 
Charles  Morgan  and  Elizabeth  Constant  were 
there  married,  in  180T.  The  family  moved  in 
March,  1S14,  to  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  and 
moved  to  Sang.imon  county,  October,  1826,  to 
Mechanicsburg,  and  died  in  ]866. 

Josiah  Green  was  born  in  1800,  in  South  Car- 
olina. •  Rebecca  Long  was  born  in  South  Caro- 
lina also.  The  father  of  each  of  them  were  Bap- 
tist preachers.  Josiah  Green  and  Rebecca  Long 
were  married  in  Kentucky.  The  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  1828,  in  what 
is  now  Mechanicsburg  township.  He  died  in 
1855. 

Samuel  Garvey  was  born  August  ;n,  1794,  in 
Culpepper  county,  Virginia.  His  father,  Job 
Garvey,  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  brought  to 
America  when  he  was  quite  young.  His  parents 
both  dying  early,  he  was  bound  to  a  man  who 
proved  to  be  a  cruel  master.  Determined  to 
escape  the  hard  servitude,  and  partly  from 
patriotic  motives,  he  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  and  served  the  whole  seven 
years.  When  Samuel  was  about  one  year  old, 
his  parents  moved  to  Woodford  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  four  or  five  years  later  moved  to 
Franklin  county,  about  eighteen  miles  south  of 
Frankfort.  Samuel  volunteered  in  a  regiment  of 
dragoons  at  Frankfort,  under  Colonel  Dick  John- 
son, and  was  in  the  battle  of  the  river  Thames, 
in  Canada,  in  which  Colonel  Johnson  is  reputed 
to  have  killed  the  Indian  chief,  Tecumseh.  After 
his  return,  the  family  moved  to  that  part  of 
Gallatin  which  is  now  Owen  county,  Kentucky. 
Samuel  Garvey  was  there  married,  December  26, 
1816,  to  Maria  Elliston,  who  was  born  July  25, 
1800,  in  Franklin  county.  They  lived  in  Owen 
county  for  some  time,  then,  with  a  family   of 


i>54 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


seveu  children,  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, arriving  in  the  fall  of  1S30,  in  the  vicinity 
of  what  became  Mechanicsburg. 

David  Hall  was  born  December  -25,  1799.  in 
Shelbv  county,  near  Shelbyville,  Kentucky. 
David  Hall  and  Juliet  Owen  were  there  married, 
December  23,  1S23;  moved  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  September  2:^,  1834,  at  Me- 
chanisburg,  and  soon  after  settled  about  four 
miles  further  west,  in  the  same  township. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Jesse  Pickrell  taught  the  first  school  in  tlie 
township  in  1828,  on  section  twenty-seven. 
There  are  now  five  brick  school  houses  in  the 
township,  valued  at  S10,500. 

ORGAKIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861,  and  an- 
nual elections  foi  township  officers  are  held  on 
the  first  Tuesday  in  April.  The  following  com- 
prise a  list  of  the  principal  township  officers,  in 
1861: 

Supervisor — J.  Dunnick. 

Town  Clerk — Samuel  Robins. 

Assessor — Samuel  Phesant. 

Collector — Thomas  S.  Kiser. 

Overseer  of  Poor — William  S.  Piokrell. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Wesle^^  Hathaway  and 
Miles  H.  Wilmot. 

Constables — Alf.  A.  Barnwell  and  Cyrus  Cor- 
rell. 

Commissioners  of  Highways — Jacob  Morgan 
and  James  H.  McDaniel. 

Officers  for  1881,  are: 

Supervisor — O.  P.  Hall. 

Town  Clerk— A.  F.  Hollenback. 

Assessor — William  G.  Jach. 

Collector — Jno.  B.  Kenney. 

Commissioners — Thomas  W.  Bracken,  H.  R. 
Riddle,  William  J.  McCann. 

Justices  of  the  Peace — Lewis  Grubb  and 
Miles  II.  Wilmot. 

Constables — L.  W.  Hicks  and  R.  T.  Dunn. 

VILLAGE    OF   JTECHANICSBUKG. 

The  village  of  Mechanicsburg  is  the  oldest  of 
the  three  villages  in  the  township,  and  was  laid 
out  and  platted  by  William  S.  Pickrell,  Novem- 
ber 1 2,  1 832,  and  was  described  as  comprising  the 
"east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
twenty-si.\',and  part  of  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  twenty-sis,  township 
sixteen,  range  three  west." 

The  village  was  very  pleasantly  situated,  and 
gave  promise  of  being  one  of  the  most  thriving 
villages  of  the  State.     A  writer  in  a  local  paper 


in  1837  had  the  following  to  say  of  Mechanics- 
burg: 

"Mechanicsburg,  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles 
from  Springfield,  contains  some  twelve  or  six- 
teen families,  twenty-five  buildings,  tavern,  store, 
and  post  office.  Lots  are  worth  from  ten  to 
thirty  dollars  eacli.  As  the  country  is  fine  and 
well  "settled  in  the  neighborhood,  it  seems  to  be 
reasonable  to  suppose  that,  with  the  start  it  has 
already  attained,  it  will  grow  to  some  import- 
ance." 

Josiah  Green  had  a  blacksmith  shop  about 
one  mile  west  of  the  village  previous  to  its 
being  laid  out.  but  William  Parks  was  among 
the  first  to  carry  on  the  trade  in  the  village. 

Wm.  D.  Spain  was  the  first  wagon-maker. 

The  first  brick  house  was  built  by  Sowel  Cox. 

John  Elkin  built  the  first  brick  store  building 
in  1867,  which  was  occupied  by  J.  W.  Alvey. 

A  Cottonwood  tree  was  planted  by  Jesse  Pick- 
rell in  1835,  shortly  after  his  arrival.  It  is  now 
four  feet  in  diameter. 

A    POST    OFFICE. 

A  post  office  was  established  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  present  village  in  1820,  under  the 
name  of  Clear  Creek  post  office,  with  Jesse 
Pickrell  as  postmaster.  This  name  was  retained 
until  the  removal  of  the  office  to  the  village, 
when  it  was  changed  to  Mechanicsburg. 
Thomas  Fortune  succeeded  Mr.  Pickrell,  and 
on  the  I7th  day  of  February,  1848,  Morris 
Bird  was  commissioned,  the  commission  being 
signed  by  Cave  Johnson,  Postmaster-General, 
under  President  Polk.  He  was  continued  in 
office  by  the  postmaster-general  under  each  of 
the  Presidents  up  to  and  including  President 
Hayes,  till  his  death,  June  11,  1879.  Mr.  Bird 
was  born  February  19,  1803,  and  came  to  San- 
gamon county  in  1835,  and  settled  in  Mechanics- 
burg. He  died  June  11,  1879;  the  oldest  post- 
master, in  point  of  service,  probably,  in  the 
State.  He  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  George 
W.  Bird,  who  was  appointed  June  24,  1879,  his 
commission  being  signed  by  Thomas  J.  Brady, 
Acting  Assistant  Postmaster-General  under 
David  M.  Key. 

SIEKCAXTILE. 

The  first  merchants  in  the  place  were  Craw- 
ford &  Peas,  in  1835.  When  they  commenced 
business  there  was  no  place  from  which  to  ob- 
tain merchandise  nearer  than  Springfield.  In 
the  fall  of  1837,  William  and  Upton  Radcliff 
also  embarked  in  the  business.  Thompson 
Brothers  commenced  business  in  1S44,  and  have 
been  doing  business  for  thsrty-seven  years. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


O.iS 


KC'IIOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  in  the  village  was  a 
frame  Iniilding,  erected  in  1837;  the  second  of 
brick,  built  in  1842;  the  third  also  of  brick, 
"built  in  185-t,  for  the  old  Mechanicsburg 
Academy.  The  school  is  now  in  a  flourishing 
condition,  and  it  is  operated  under  the  graded 
system,  which  was  adopted  in  l§6i.'. 

The  Mechanicsburg  Academy  was  incorporat- 
ed and  erected  a  handsome  brick  building  in 
1854,  two  stories  in  height,  and  forty  by  sixty 
on  the  ground.  The  school  flourished  finely  for 
a  time  under  the  care,  at  intervals,  of  Profs. 
Loomis,  Cumniings,  Hatch  and  McNutt. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  religious  services  in  the  township 
were  at  the  house  of  Jesse  Pickrell.  There  are 
now  three  churches  in  the  village — Methodist 
Episcopal  and  Presbyterian. 

STEAM    GRIST    MILL. 

A  steam  grist-mill  was  erected  in  1844,  by 
Nightingale  &  Rowell,  and  subsequently  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Dunnick  Brothers.  The  mill 
had  two  runs  of  burrs.  The  same  parties  have 
built  a  larger  and  much  improved  mill  on  the 
same  site,  having  three  runs  of  burrs,  and  doing 
a  thriving  business. 

nAXK. 

In  ISV:!,  Thompson  Brothers  commenced  a 
general  banking  business  in  the  place,  buying 
and  selling  exchange  on  the  principal  cities  in 
the  country,  and  receiving  deposits.  The  well 
known  business  integrity  of  the  firm  was  a  suffi- 
cient guaranty  to  the  people  of  Mechanicsburg 
and  vicinity,  so  the  bank  has  had  a  good  run  of 
business. 

A  TEMPERANCE  TOWN. 

The  village  has  never  had  a  licensed  saloon  in 
it.  A  certain  man,  in  1853,  started  a  saloon  in 
connection  with  his  boot  and  shoe  store.  The 
ladies  secured  funds  and  purchased  his  stock  of 
liquors  on  condition  that  he  would  abandon  the 
business.  They  poured  the  liquor  in  the  street 
and  attempted  to  set  fire  to  it,  but  it  would  not 
burn.  But  the  man  did  not  consider  his  promise 
to  the  ladies  as  being  worth  much,  and  therefore 
again  commenced  the  sale  of  the  "  liquid  fire." 
An  agreement  was  then  entered  into  by  the  citi- 
zens, neither  to  buy  or  sell  him  anything  as  long 
as  he  sold  liquor.  This  was  the  first  case  of 
"boycotting"  in  Mechanicsburg,  and  the  last  as 
well.     The  remedv  was  effectual.     The  man  left. 


VILLAGE    OF    BUFFALO. 

Buffalo  is  a  village  of  about  four  hundred  in- 
habitants, and  situated  on  the  line  of  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Railroad,  and 
was  laid  out  and  platted  in  May,  1854,  by  Charles 
R.  Wells,  the  plat  was  described  as  the  "south- 
east part  of  the  northeast  quarter,  and  the  north- 
east part  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  ten, 
and  southwest  part  of  the  northwest  quarter, 
and  the  northwest  part  of  the  southwest  quarter 
of  section  eleven,  township  sixteen,  range  three 
west." 

The  village  was  platted  and  recorded  under 
the  name  of  Buffalo,  the  railroad  company 
named  the  station  Mechanicsburg;  while  the 
post  oflice  was  called  Watson.  It  was  only  after 
several  years  of  continuous  effort  that  the  names 
of  the  station  and  post  oflice  were  changed  to 
Buffalo.  These  several  names  caused  much  per- 
plexity and  difficulty,  as  may  well  be  imagined. 

The  first  house  erected  in  the  village  was  by 
Josiah  Green  and  Harvey  Thompson,  and  a  store 
was  opened  by  them  under  the  firm  name  of 
Thompson,  Green  &  Co.     This  was  in  1S54. 

The  post  office  was  established  immediately 
after,  and  Harvey  Thompson  was  appointed  the 
first  postmaster.  The  present  postmaster  is  A. 
F.  Hollenbeck. 

The  village  has  steadily  grown  until  it  now 
contains  two  dry  goods  stores,  three  grocery 
stores,  one  harness  shop  and  hardware  store,  one 
drug  store.  There  are  three  practicing  physi- 
cians and  one  retired  physician.  Those  in  active 
practice  are  Dr.  Leslie  Gillett,  Dr.  L.  P.  Rogers, 
and  Dr.  John  C.  O'Conner.  Dr.  Peter  T.  Leeds 
is  an  old  time  practitioner,  having  been  in  the 
township  about  fifty  years,  and  has  retired  from 
active  practice.  There  are  two  blacksmiths'  and 
one  wagon  shop,  one  elevator,  and  one  steam 
flouring  mill. 

FLOURING  MILL. 

The  steam  flouring  mill  was  erected  in 
1859-60,  by  Baker  &  Enlow,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$5,000.  George  McDaniel  has  owned  the  mill 
since  186U,  and  it  is  now  rurf  by  McDaniel  & 
Sons. 

ELEVATOR. 

The  building  was  erected  as  a  warehouse  in 
1858,  l>y  John  Dikeman,  and  was  among  the 
first  buildings  in  the  place.  In  1878,  it  was  re- 
modeled, and  an  elevator  machinery  put  in.  It  is 
now  operated  by  E.  R.  Ulricli,  who  handles 
here  about  ninety  thousand  bushels  of  grain 
annually. 


956 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


TEMPERANCE. 

The  village  is  now  regarded  as  a  temperance 
one.  There  has  not  been  a  saloon  tolerated  in 
the  place  since  1875,  and  the  retail  traffic  is 
under  complete  control  of  the  authorities.  There 
were,  at  one  time,  four  saloons  in  the  place,  and 
much  drunkenness,  but  none  of  consequence  of 
late  years. 

RELIGIOUS. 

There  are  now  two  church  edifices  in  Buffa'o 
— that  of  the  Methodists  and  Christians.  In 
early  times,  the  station  at  Buffalo  was  connected 
with  the  Mechaniusburg  and  other  churches, 
forming  a  circuit  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  and  so  continued  until  the  present  house 
of  worship  was  erected,  in  the  fall  of  1807. 
The  place  of  worship  for  the  society  in  Buffalo 
previous  to  occupying  the  new  church,  was  in 
the  school  house.  The  first  preacher  who  did 
regular  pastoral  work  in  Buffalo,  was  Rev. 
Richard  Holding,  in  1860-61.  Mr.  Holding  re- 
mained one  year.  About  this  time,  Buffalo 
station  was  disconnected  from  Mechanicsburg 
and  attached  to  Dawson.  The  pulpit  was  filled 
by  several  men,  successively,  until  1866.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year.  Rev.  Mr.  Colt  was  appointed 
and  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 
He  was  very  efticientin  securing  funds  for  build- 
ing the  church.  Isom  Enlow,  as  one  of  the 
building  committee,  was  the  principal  actor  in 
the  construction  of  the  building.  The  house 
■was  dedicated  in  the  spring  of  1868,  by  Rev. 
Hiram  Buck.  The  charge  has  been  fairly  pros- 
perous, having  been  instrumental  in  breaking  up 
the  license  system  and  the  traffic  in  liquors  in 
the  village,  and  has  lent  its  combined  influence 
to  prohibit  the  retail  of  it,  for  five  or  six  years 
past.  In  1877,  the  society  erected  a  new  frame 
parsonage,  at  a  cost  of  |!  1,000.  The  membership 
of  the  church  is  about  seventy.  It  has  a  pros- 
perous Sunday  school,  with  an  average  attend- 
ance of  about  eighty  scholars.  Rev.  W.  S. 
Calhoun  is  the  present  pastor.  The  present 
trustees  are,  Isom  Enlow,  Wesley  Hathawav, 
F.  W.  Herrin,  James  H.  Dawson,  B.  L.  Hall,  J. 
C.  O'Conner,  and  Joseph  McDaniel. 

THE    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

The  Church  of  Christ  (or  Christian  Church) 
of  Buffalo,  was  organized  January  3,  1876,  by 
Elder  Samuel  Lowe.  The  following  declaration 
was  adopted  and  signed  by  those  entering  the 
organization: 

"  We,  the  undersigned  disciples  of  Christ, 
having  a  sincere  desire  for  our  growth  in  grace 


and  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  wishing 
to  observe  the  divinely  instituted  worship  for 
the  children  of  God,  and  to  hold  forth  the  gospel 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  a  perishing  world, 
hereby  band  ourselves  together  in  an  organiza- 
tion to  be  called  the  'Church  of  Christ,  at  Buffalo, 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois.' 

"  In  this  organization  nothing  is  to  be  accepted 
as  authorative  in  all  matters  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice, but  the  word  of  God  contained  in  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments." 

Twenty-six  names  were  appended  to  this  dec- 
laration of  faith,  and  George  W.  Ellington, 
Thomas  J.  LTnderwood  and  John  W.  Jacobs 
were  chosen  elders  and  Z.  T.  Greening,  Joseph 
Ellington  and  Thomas  Hegerman  deacons.  May 
21,  1876,  and  ordained  May  20,  by  Elder  G.  M. 
Goode.  Afterwards  Samuel  Garvey  was  ordained 
as  an  additional  elder. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  Elder  E. 
T.  Brooks,  who  was  called  to  ihe  charge,  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1876,  and  continued  till  July,  1878, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Elder  John  Lemons, 
who  continued  in  charge  of  the  church  three 
years,  terminating  his  connection  in  August, 
1881.  Since  the  organization  of  the  church 
fifty-three  additional  names  have  been  entered 
on  the  record. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  village  school  house  is  a  fine  two-story 
brick  structure,  containing  three  schools,  four 
cloak  rooms  and  a  hall.  The  building  is  thirty- 
four  by  forty-eight,  and  was  erected  in  1870,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $7,000.  William  A.  Robinson, 
Jonathan  Putnam,  and  one  other,  were  the 
directors,  at  that  time.  Four  village  lots  com- 
prise the  grounds.  The  enumeration  of  the 
rlistrict  is  one  hundred  and  twenty  of  school  age; 
the  average  attendance  is  about  ninety;  the 
amount  of  money  annually  appropriated  by 
the  district  now  reaches  -Si, 200.  The  present 
board  of  directors  are,  Ezra  Gamble,  W.  F. 
Herrin,  and  J.  C.  O'Connor.  The  present  prin- 
cipal is  Benjamin  F.  Wiley;  the  school  is  a 
graded  one. 

SHIPMENTS. 

As  illustrating  the  amount  of  business  annually 
done  by  the  railroad  company  at  this  station, 
the  following  is  given:  In  1880  there  were 
shipped  four  hundred  and  seventy-four  cars  of 
grain,  sixty-six  cars  of  tile,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty-six  cars  of  live  stock.  The  tickets  sold 
amounted  to  $42,000,  for  the  year. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


957 


INCUKI'OKATION. 

The  village  was  incorporated  as  a  town,  in 
1861,  and  in  1878  it  was  changed  to  a  village 
government. 

TILE    WOKKS. 

The  Buffalo  Tile  Works  were  established  in 
the  spring  of  1877,  by  Fondy,  Eyman  &  Co. — 
A.  J.  Fondy,  11.  H.  Eyman  and  Samuel  Hugen- 
berger.  The  works  manufacture  all  sizes  of  til- 
ing, and  use  a  twelve-horse  power  engine,  and 
the  tile  are  made  by  a  Tiffany  tile  machine. 
The  capacity  is  sixteen  hundred  to  two  thousand 
eight-inch  tile  per  day,  and  four  thousand  to  five 
thousand  four-inch  and  six  thousand  to  eight 
thousand  three-inch  tile  per  day. 

VILLAGE    OF    DAWSON. 

The  village  of  Dawson  is  located  on  the  line 
of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad, 
about  twelve  miles  from  Springfield.  It  was 
laid  out  in  May  and  June,  1854,  by  Thomas 
Lewis  and  Joseph  Ledlie,  on  a  part  of  the  south- 
west quarter  and  northwest  quarter  of  section 
eight,  township  sixteen,  range  three  west.  It 
was  so  named  in  honor  of  Hon.  John  Dawson, 
one  of  the  "  Long  Nine."  The  village  has  now 
two  churches,  a  good  brick  school-house,  an  ojv 
©rating  coal  shaft,  three  stores  and  one  physi- 
oian.  The  coal  company  has  given  much  im- 
petus to  the  trade  of  the  village. 

James  William  Alvey,  merchant,  Mechanics- 
burg,  is  a  native  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
and  was  born  in  Springfield,  in  1834.  William 
Alvey,  his  father,  was  a  Kentuckian  by  birth, 
and  married  Madeline  Watson,  of  the  same 
State,  in  Sangamon  county.  He  learned  the 
hatter's  trade  in  his  youth;  and  moving  to 
Springfield,  Sangamon  county  in  1835,  and  mar- 
ried in  November,  1825.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  hats  by  hand,  the  process  then 
in  use.  Being  the  pioneer  in  the  business  in 
Central  Illinois,  he  opened  a  small  store  which 
was  stocked  with  his  work  in  addition  to  that 
made  to  order.  From  the  product  of  his  skill 
and  industry  the  early  settlers  of  the  Sangamo 
country  for  many  miles  about  Springfield  were 
supplied  with  head  gear.  In  about  1846,  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Iowa  and  settled  on  a 
farm.  He  died  in  Marengo,,  that  State,  some 
eight  years  later. 

The  subject  of  the  memoir  is  the  fourth  of 
their  family  of  six  children,  three  of  each  sex, 
and  commenced  his  mercantile  life  in  Springfield 
in  the  grocery  of  J.  W.  Bates  at  twelve  years  of 
age.     After  clerking  a  year  or  two  for  him,  and 


about  the  same  length  of  lime  for  Reuben  Buch- 
anan, young  Alvey  went  with  his  parents  to 
Iowa,  where  he  continued  clerking  in  a  general 
store.  Returning  to  Springfield  he  was  em- 
ployed several  years  in  the  store  of  his  brother- 
in-law,  S.  B.  Fisher.  In  1867,  he  embarked  in 
the  mercantile  business  asproprietorof  a  general 
store  in  Mechanicsburg,  and  has  prosecuted  the 
business  there  since  that  time.  He  carries  a, 
stock  of  $10,000  to  $12,000,  and  has  an  annual 
trade  of  $20,000  to  $25,000. 

In  May,  1860,  Mr.  Alvey  married  Alzina 
Brown,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
and  came  with  her  parents  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  when  a  small  child.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Alvey  have  a  family  of  two'daughters  and 
four  sons,  namely,  Melvina,  Helen  B.,  James 
William,  Jr.,  Henry  Pickrell,  Homer  Watson, 
and  Robert  Edwin  Alvey.  Melvina  was  educat- 
ed at  the  Bettie  Stuart  Institute,  and  is  accom- 
plished in  music  and  has  a  special  talent  for  por- 
trait work.  Helen  B.  is  attending  the  Spring- 
field High  School.  Imbibing  the  political  pro- 
clivities of  his  father,  who  was  a  Henry  t'lay 
Whig,  Mr.  Alvey  has  been  a  firm  Republican 
since  1860. 

Cornelius  Everett  Christiance,  railroad  agent, 
at  Buffalo,  was  born  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  in 
the  town  of  Brooklyn,  in  1835,  and  was  the  first 
white  child  liorn  in  the  town.  Abram  V.  Chris- 
tiance, his  father,  married  Caroline  Barkydt. 
They  were  both  natives  of  Schenectedy,  New 
York,  and  were  the  parents  of  sixteen  children, 
of  whom  three  sons  and  two  daughters  are  liv- 
ing. They  were  the  third  family  to  settle  in 
Brooklyn,  Illinois.  Cornelius  started  at  rail- 
roading as  a  helper,  in  Buffalo,  in  1860.  In 
February,  1862,  he  entered  the  army  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Battery  F,  First  Illinois  Light  Artillery. 
His  regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  and  followed  its  fortunes  under  the 
command  of  Generals  McPherson  and  Logan, 
successively.  Mr.  Christiance  participated  in 
all  the  battles  of  Sherman's  army  to  Altoona. 
He  was  promoted  from  private  to  sergeant,  and 
was  acting  orderly  when  mustered  out,  March  7, 
1865.  The  first  winter  after  retiring  from  the 
service  he  was  employed  as  night  operator  at 
Bement,  Illinois,  and  March  1,  1866,  returned  to 
Buffalo,  where  he  was  made  station  agent,  and 
has  filled  the  position  to  the  present  time.  June 
1,  1865,  Mr.  Christiance  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Fannie  W.,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  Hes- 
ser,  of  Jerseyville,  Illinois.  Three  sons  have 
been  born  to  them,  namely:  Wilbur,  aged  thir- 
teen years;  Everett,  aged  eleven,  and  Harvey, 


yss 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


«ix  years  old.  Mr.  C.  was  made  a  Mason  in  Me- 
chanicsburg  Lodge,  No.  299,  in  1861;  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Dawson  Chapter,  No.  124. 

Meredith  Coojier,  son  of  M.  and  P.  Cooper, 
was  born  September  11,  1836,  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  was  married  March  18, 
1874.  He  has  one  child,  Annie  L.,  born  March 
7,  1875,  in  Williams  township,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Cooper  was  a  farmer  and  stock 
dealer  for  a  long  time,  in  that  township.  During 
the  railroad  riots  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1877,  he  lost  a  large  number  ot  sheep,  which 
were  en  route  to  eastern  markets,  which  was  an 
entire  loss  to  him,  as  no  settlements  were  ever 
obtained  from  the  railroad  company.  He  now  is 
superintendent  of  the  Sangamon  County  Poor 
liou»e,  which  position  he  has  held  since  March 
18,  1878.  Mrs.  Cooper  is  the  daughter  of  Wm. 
and  Elizabeth  Watson,  who  came  from  England 
and  settled  near  Springfield,  Illinois.  Mrs.  Wat- 
son is  still  living  in  Springfield.  Mr.  Watson 
died  there  in  September,  1873.  Mr.  Cooper's 
mother  is  still  living,  near  Williamsville,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven. 

Hertrand  Dmrson.- — Mr.  Dawson  was  born 
April  10.  1827,  in  Bracken  county,  Kentucky, 
and  came  to  Sangamon  county  with  his 
parents  in  1827.  His  father,  John  Dawson,  was 
born  in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia,  November  24, 
1791,  and  his  mother,  Cary  Jones,  was  born  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  May  22,  1801, 
where  they  were  married  October  9,  1817.  Mr. 
Dawson  and  his  wife — Katie  Rea,  daughter  of 
David  Rea  and  her  mother  (Susan  Sitz)  Rea — 
live  adjoining  the  town  of  Dawson,  it  being 
named  after  his  family.  Part  of  the  land  on 
which  the  town  was  built  was  owned  by  Mr.  I). 
It  was  entered  by  Francis  Springer  and  others, 
the  land  patent  dating  March  3,  1843.  Mr.  D. 
has  sold  ten  acres  of  his  land  adjoining  the 
town  to  a  coal  company,  who  are  engaged  in 
mining.  Coal  is  found  in  abundance  at  a  depth 
of  aliout  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet,  and  of  an 
excellent  quality.  Mr.  D.  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock  dealing,  and  one  of  the  enter- 
prising men  of  the  township. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Dunniek,  widow  of  Nicholas 
Dunnick,  who  was  born  in  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio,  November  15,  1821.  Mrs.  Dunnick  was 
born  in  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  December  3,  182(), 
her  maiden  name  being  Mantle.  They  were 
married  in  Fayette  county,  -Ohio,  in  October, 
1844.  Two  years  later  they  moved  to  Illinois, 
remaining  a  part  of  the  winter  in  Springfield,  and 
the  following  four  years  were  spent  on  a  farm 
on  Lick  creek,  north  of  Chatham.     From  there 


they  moved  to  Mechanicsburg,  where  they  bought 
the  old  Mechanicsburg  Mill,  which  was  the  first 
mill  built  in  the  township  They  have  seven 
children,  all  born  in  Sangamon  county:  George 
J.,  born  January  16,  1851;  Angie  Lee,  Decem- 
ber 2,  1862;  Fannie,  August  4,  1854;  Kate,  July 
25,  1856;  Emma  F.,  June  7,  1858;  Lennia,  June 
24,  1864;  Clyde,  August  25,  1866.  Twenty-five 
years  ago  Mr.  Dunnick  built  the  present  Mechan- 
icsburg Mill,  which  he  afterwards  sold,  and 
again  purchased  five  years  since,  and  it  is  now  a 
part  of  the  estate.  The  family  live  now  on  their 
farm  near  the  village.  Mr.  Dunnick  died  SepJ 
tember  15,  1881,  after  an  illness  of  but  four  days, 
and  a  well  spent  life  of  almost  sixty  years.  He 
was  an  energetic,  conscientious  business  man, 
and  bis  whole  life's  conduct  was  marked  by  the 
strictest  integrity  and  regard  for  the  rights  of 
others.  During  his  life  he  was  called  upon  to 
fill  a  number  of  local  offices,  and  he  and  wife 
were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  He  was  a 
steward  in  the  church  of  which  he  was  an  efii- 
cient  and  useful  member  for  many  years. 

James  II.  Freeto,  hardware  and  queensware 
merchant  mechanicsburg,  has  been  engaged  in 
business  in  the  village  about  twenty  years.  He 
carries  a  stock  of  *<4,000  to  §5,000,  embracing 
hardware,  stoves,  glass  and  queensware,  and  a 
general  assortment  of  tinware,  of  whicli  he  man- 
ufactures a  considerable  quantity,  and  also  does 
a  jobbing  business  in  roofing,  spouting,  and  cor- 
nice work. 

Mr.  Freeto  was  born  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  December  4,  1834,  and  was  reared  from 
three  years  of  age  in  Dupage  county,  Illinois, 
whence  he  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the 
spring  of  1860.  He  started  a  tin  shop  and  stove 
store  in  Mechanicsburg  soon  after  coming,  and 
ten  years  ago  added  that  of  hardware. 

James  II.  Freeto  and  Hannah  M.  Brown  were 
married  in  Dupage  county,  Illinois,  in  1858. 
Mrs.  Freeto  died  April  19,  1365,  leaving  two 
daughters,  Minnie  L.and  Florence  May, and  Mr. 
Freeto  married  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Loughridge, No- 
vember 29,  1867.  She  is  a  native  of  Arkansas, 
from  which  State  her  family  tied  as  refugees 
during  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  being  friends 
of  theLTnion.  Four  children  have  been  born  of 
this  marriage,  namely:  Evalena  S.,  born  Decem- 
ber 11,  1870;  Luella  Maud,  November  13,  1872; 
Ida  Marion,  August  4,  1877,  and  George  L.,born 
July  19,  1880. 

Mr.  Freeto  is  a  member  of  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Globe  Lodge,  No.  323, 
Mechanicsburg,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


f>59 


Jacob  N.  FtiUiniriiJer,  fariiior,  residence  sec- 
tion twenty-tive.  was  born  June  6,  1814,  in 
Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  and  there  passed  the 
first  twenty  years  of  his  life  on  a  farm.  Henry 
Fulliiiwider,  his  father,  was  a  Pennsylvanian  by 
nativity;  spent  a  portion  of  his  early  life  in 
Maryland,  and  from  there  went  to  Kentucky 
when  a  young  man,  where  he  soon  after  married 
Harriet  Neil,  who  was  born  in  ^'irginia.  Ten 
children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  seven  were 
song,  and  three  daughters.  In  the  autumn  of 
1833,  Mr.  Fullenwider  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois, purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  what  is  now 
Mechanicsburg  township,  and  returned  to  Ken- 
tucky for  his  family;  but  while  there  he  took 
sick  and  died,  in  August,  1834.  In  the  fall  of 
that  year,  the  widow  and  nine  children  moved  to 
the  new  country  of  the  Sangamon,  arriving  after 
a  thirteen  days'  journey,  on  October  11.  The 
family  settled  on  land  now  forming  a  part  of  the 
homestead  owned  by  the  subject  of  this  article, 
where  his  inother  afterwards  died,  January  31, 
1867. 

On  March  23,  1837,  Jacob  N.  Fullinwider  and 
Agnes  BuUard  were  united  in  marriage.  She  was 
born  March  24,  1814,  in  Shelby  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  is  the  daughter  of  Reuben  Bullard 
and  Elizabeth  Gill,  natives  of  Vii-ginia.  She 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  November, 
1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fullinwider  first  settled  in 
town  sixteen,  range  two  west,  about  five  miles 
east  of  the  village  of  Mechanicsburg.  Fifteen 
years  later  they  sold  that  farm  and  bought  a 
farm  which  forms  a  part  of  their  present  estate, 
and  settled  on  it  but  a  few  rods  from  the  splendid 
dwelling  they  now  occupy.  This  beautiful  brick 
residence  was  erected  by  Mr.  Fullinwider  in 
18t)2  and  '63,  at  a  cost  of  $10,000.  The  barns 
and  other  buildings  surrounding  it  cost  ^2,500. 
Mr.  Fullinwider,  being  a  thorough  going,  pru- 
dent business  man,  has  been  successful  in  a  finan- 
cial way.  After  having  bought  the  interests  of 
the  other  heirs  to  the  old  homestead,  he  purchased 
other  tracts  about  it,  until  at  one  time  he  owned 
one  thousand  four  hundred  acres  of  fine  farming 
lands.  He  has  given  each  of  his  six  sons  and 
two  daughters  $7,000,  and  still  owns  a  farm  of 
four  hundred  acres.  In  early  years  he  voted  the 
Whig  ticket,  and  since  the  birth  of  the  party, 
has  been  a  Republican,  though  he  has  not  been 
active  in  politics.  He  has  served  Mechanicsburg 
township  two  terms  in  the  county  board  of 
supervisors,  and  has  for  many  years  been  a  zeal- 
ous and  prominent  promoter  of  church  and  school 
matters.  He  has  been  a  member  and  efficient 
worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  forty- 


nine  years,  and  has  contributed  much,  both  in 
labor  and  money,  toward  its  prosperity.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  FuUinwider's  children  are  all,  but  one, 
married  and  comfortal)ly  situated  in  life;  and  for 
habits  of  industry,  thrift  and  morality,  the}'  are 
an  honor  to  their  parents,  and  an  ornament  to 
society.  They  are  all  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church, and  all  the  sons,  save  one,  are 
farmers.  Marcus  L.  graduated  from  Illinois 
Western  University,  in  1871,  and  from  Rush 
Medical  College  in  1876;  and  has  since  July,  of 
that  year,  been  extensively  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Mechanicsburg,  Sanga- 
mon county. 

J.  T.  Fullinwider,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  N.  Full- 
inwider, of  Mechanicsburg  township,  one  of 
Sangamon  county's  best  known  and  most  worthy 
farmers,  and  largest  land  owners,  who  came  here 
in  an  early  day,  and  has  been  prominently 
identified  with  the  growth  and  development  of 
Sangamon  county,  and  Central  Illinois.  Our 
subject  w^as  born  in  Mechanicsburg  township, 
this  county,  November  24,  1853,  and  is,  there- 
fore, twenty-eight  years  of  age.  Mr.  Fullin- 
wider is  essentially  a  product  of  Sangamon 
county,  having  been  born,  educated  and  married 
here.  He  married  Miss  Laura  Thompson,  daugh- 
ter of  a  prominent  business  jw.n  and  banker  of 
Mechanicsburg,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county 
in  an  early  day.  Mr.  Fullinwider  owns  a  farm 
adjoining  the  village,  and  is  at  present  engaged 
in  the  banking  house  of  his  father-in-law,  Mr. 
Thompson. 

Samuel  Garvey,  born  August  27,  1825,  in 
Owen  county,  Kentucky,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Maria  (Elliston)  Garvey,  came  to  Sangamon 
count)',  Illinois,  in  1830.  He  was  married  in 
Sangamon  county,  July  3,  1849,  to  Sarah  'A. 
Gideon;  she  was  born  .January  13,  1828,  in 
Champaign  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county  in  1845.  They  had  five  children: 
Mary  A.,  born  May  21,  1850,  married  to  David 
C.  Fletcher,  September  9,  1869;  Ann  M.,  born 
August  27,  1859,  and  remains  at  home;  Catharine 
J.,  born  October  17,  1854,  and  married  March 
7,  1877,  to  .Jacob  Rogers;  Henry  C,  born 
August  13,  1863,  now  at  home  with  his  parents; 
and  Andrew  S.,  born  December  27,  1867,  and 
died  December  6,  1871.  Mr.  Garvey  has  eight 
grand-children.     The  family  are  all  Christians. 

John  Gelling,  was  born  November  13,  1805, 
in  the  city  of  Douglas,  Isle  of  Mann,  and  came 
to  America  in  1830.  He  landed  at  New  York, 
and  went  to  the  vicinity  of  Morristown,  New 
Jersey.  Hannah  Monson  was  born  in  1797,  near 
Morristown,  New  Jersey.     She  was  of  an  old 


960 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


French  family  that  was  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers in  New  Jersey.  John  Gelling  and  Hannah 
Monson  were  married  June  23,  1833,  near  Mor- 
ristown.  They  moved  in  1638,  to  Vevay,  Swit- 
zerland county,  Indiana.  Mr.  Gelling,  his  wife, 
and  a  girl  living  in  the  family,  started  from  Ve- 
vay in  a  wagon,  and  drove  through  Indianapolis 
to  Springfield,  arriving  in  October,  1839.  Since 
that  time  he  has  resided  four  years  in  Morgan 
county.  With  that  exception,  he  has  been  in 
Sangamon  county  to  the  present  time.  They 
never  had  any  children.  Mrs.  Hannah  Gelling 
died  December  30,  1872,  and  John  Gelling  re- 
sides two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Dawson. 

In  December,  1839,  Mr.  Gelling  entered  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prairie  land  now  ad- 
joining the  village  of  Dawson,  and  settled  on  it, 
and  soon  after  traded  it  for  the  land  he  now  oc- 
cupies, on  section  twenty-nine,  in  this  township, 
three  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Mechanicsburg, 
and  twelve  miles  east  of  Springiield,  and  two 
and  one-half  miles  south  of  Dawson.  His  farm 
contains  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good 
land,  and  is  worth  $60  per  acre.  When  he  came 
to  America  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  paper 
making,  in  New  Jersey,  as  he  had  done  in  his 
native  Isle  of  Mann,  so  that  when  he  came  to 
Sangamon  county  he  knew  but  little  in  the  way 
of  farming;  but  has  become,  in  the  last  forty 
years,  skillful  as  a  tiller  of  the  soil,  and  has  been 
successful.  Having  been  a  widower  for  nine 
years,  he  has  been  favored  in  having  his  sister, 
Ellen  Charlotte,  to  care  for  his  domestic  inter- 
ests. She  was  also  a  native  of  the  Isle  of  Mann, 
■where  she  was  born  in  the  year  1818,  and  came 
to  America  in  1852,  at  the  request  of  her  brother, 
"with  whom  she  has  made  her  home  since  that 
time.  Mr.  G.  has  no  other  near  relatives  in 
America,  except  two  nephews  and  two  nieces, 
the  children  of  a  brother  Robert,  who  died  in 
this  township  a  few  years  ago.  Mr.  G.  has  been 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  about  thirty 
years,  and  his  sister  is  of  the  same,  first  in  her 
native  Isle,  and  since,  in  this  country.  In  poli- 
tics they  are  Republicans. 

O.  P.  Hall,  born  March  11,  1832,  in  Shelby 
county,  Kentucky,  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  L.  and 
Eveline  (Pickrell)  Hall,  and  the  only  one  of 
eleven  children  born  out  of  Sangamon  county. 
He  came  to  what  is  now  Mechanicsburg,  with 
his  parents,  in  September,  1833;  he  being  about 
one  year  old.  He  was  married  in  Sangamon 
county,  January  2bth,  1855,  to  Susan  M.  Short 
who  was  born  October  14,  1833,  in  Pickaway 
county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county,  in 
1846.     They  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 


living,  Wm.  L.,  Lewis  B.,  J.  Leslie,  Rena,  and 
Oscar  E.  Mr.  Hall  manages  a  large  farm,  and  is 
extensively  engaged  in  stock-raising.  At  his 
elegant  home,  surroijnded  by  his  intelligent  and 
cultured  familv,  he  enjoys  life. 

W.  T.  IlalOon  of  B.  L.  and  E.  Hall,  lives  on 
section  thirteen;  is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer; 
he  was  born  December  21,  1844,  in  Sangamoa 
county,  Illinois;  married  January  9,  1872,  in 
Jacksonville,  Illinois,  to  Florence  M.  Winn,  who 
was  born  neat  Urbana,  Ohio,  June  12,  1846,  and 
died  July  6,  1881.  Mrs.  Hall's  parents.  Dr.  Chas. 
and  Nancy  (Branson)  Winn,  are  both  dead.  Her 
father  died  August  17,  1847,  and  her  mother, 
November  4,  1852.  W.  T.  Hall  and  family 
moved  to  Salina,  Kansas,  in  1872,  and  remained 
there  until  1876,  when  he  returned  to  Sangamon 
county.  He  was  engaged,  while  in  Kansas,  in 
general  house  furnishing,  hardware,  undertaker's 
goods,  etc.,  etc.  He  now  has  a  fine  farm,  which 
occupies  his  entire  time  and  attention. 

Wm.  F.  Herrin,  born  November  18,  1836,  in 
Sangamon  county,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
A.  (McDaniel)  Herrin,  who  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  November,  1833,  and  located  in  what 
is  now  Clear  Lake  township.  They  are  both 
dead.  Mrs.  II.  died  March  -20,  1868,  and  Mr.  H. 
August  6,  1881.  Wm.  F.  married  Mary  A. 
North,  September  10, 1863,  the  daughter  of  Rob- 
ert North.  They  had  six  children:  Belle  N., 
James  E.,  Chas.  F.,  Burt  Allen,  died  May  7,  1876; 
Carrie  F.  and  Lettie  A.  Mr.  Herrin  lives  in 
Buffalo;  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  deal- 
ing. Mr.  U.  has  one  brother,  David  C,  now  liv- 
ing in  Wheattield  township,  and  one  sister,  Mrs. 
Harriet  F.  Hewitt,  residing  in  Menard  county. 

Jacob  Morgan  (deceased),  son  of  Charles  Mor- 
gan, was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky, 
May  20,  1808,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county 
with  his  parents,  in  October,  1826,  where  he 
married  Susan  Correll,  May  17,  1832,  by  whom 
he  had  four  children:  Josephus,  born  March  30, 
1833,  died  Januarys,  1877;  Minerva,  born  No- 
vember 8,  1834,  died  July  21,  1837;  Caroline, 
born  July  21,  1837,  and  married  Geo.  W.  Hes- 
ser,  and  lives  on  a  farm  in  Illiopolis  township; 
Rufus,  born  September  16,  1840,  died  May  12, 
1843.  His  wife,.Susan,  died  October  15,  1848, 
and  he  was  married  again,  November  22,  1855, 
to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Wilson,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Stickel.  She  was  born  in  York  county, 
Pennsylvania,  April  16,  1825.  She,  with  her 
parents,  who  were  of  German  descent,  had  moved 
to  Macon  county,  in  1837,  where  they  died;  they 
were  John  and  Mary  Stickel.  She  had  one  son 
by  her  former  marriage  to  Jas.  J.  Wilson,  named 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


961 


Acdi'L'W  S.  Wilson,  wlio  was  born  in  Macon 
county,  Illinois,  and  married  in  Bloomington,  to 
Mary  Hamilton,  and  had  two  children.  He  now 
resides  in  Washington  county,  Kansas,  where  he 
has  represented  that  county  two  terms  in  the  leg- 
islature, and  is  now  Judge  of  the  Twelfth  Dis- 
trict there.  Mrs.  Morgan  has  had  by  her  second 
marriage  the  following:  Luella,  born  Septem- 
ber 4,  1856,  died  October  6,  1877;  Selina  B., 
born  February  4,  1859,  is  single,  and  at  home; 
Anna  M.,  born  March  3,  1861,  also  at  home; 
Charles  W.,  born  September  4,  1863,  with  his 
mother  on  the  farm,  and  yet  single. 

Mr.  Jacob  Morgan  entered  the  land  on  which 
he  resided  for  many  years  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  October  23,  1877.  There  he  located  and 
remained  nearly  fifty  years,  being  an  influential 
and  worthy  citizen  of  the  community,  holding 
various  offices  of  trust,  and  being  a  leading  and 
useful  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  hold- 
ing various  offices  therein.  The  homestead  is 
located  on  section  twenty-one,  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  west  of  Mechanicsburg. 

William  Norred,  was  born  March  9,  1809,  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia.  He  was  married  in 
1834  in  that  county  to  Elizabeth  E.  Dowdall,  who 
was  born  there  March  9,  1814.  They  lived  in 
Frederick  county,  Maryland,  until  they  had  two 
children,  and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois, arriving  November  G,  1838,  and  settled 
three  miles  northeast  of  Rochester,  at  the  mills 
of  Darling  &  Baker,  where  one  child  was 
born. 

Charles  H.,  was  born  January  19,  1842,  in  San- 
gamon county.  He  was  a  medical  student,  but 
laid  aside  his  books  in  August,  1862,  and  enlisted 
in  Company  — ,  Oce  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  placed  in  charge  of  a 
medical  dispensary  for  the  regiment,  and  later  of 
a  hospital;  served  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  he  was  honorably  discharged;  attended 
McDowell  College,  at  St.  Louis,  and  graduated 
there.  He  was  married  in  Logan  county  to 
Elizabeth  Dalbey.  They  have  two  children, 
Charles  Elmer  and  William  Asbury.  Dr.  Norred 
commenced  practice  at  Dawson,  but  removed  to 
Lincoln,  Logan  county,  where  he  now  resides, 
and  practices  his  profession. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  E.  Norred  died  September  1, 
1843,  in  Sangamon  county,  and  William  Norred 
was  married  in  1845,  in  Loudon  county,  Vir- 
ginia, to  Mary  Ann  Daneil,  who  was  born  in 
that  county,  April  22,  1820.  She  died  October 
21,  1851,  leaving  one  child,  John  W.,  born  June 
17,  1847, in  Sangamon  county, and  married  Mary 
Hichardson,    and  lives    in    Middletown,    Logan 

112— 


county,  Illinois.  William  Nurred  was  nniried 
December  ]8,  1853,  in  Sangamon  county,  to  Mrs. 
Martha  Dowdall,  whose  maiden  name  was  Enlow, 
a  native  of  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania. 
She  has  one  child  by  her  first  marriage,  Silas  R. 
Dowdall.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norred  had  four  chil- 
dren: Fenton  M.,  Lauretta,  Mary  E.,  and  Eliza- 
beth C. 

Nelson  H.  Plvmm.er,  harness  manufacturer 
and  dealer  in  hardware  and  stoves,  Buffalo; 
opened  business  in  that  village  in  the  fall  of 
1867,  as  a  harness  manufacturer.  Seven  years 
ago  he  put  in  a  general  assortment  of  hardware, 
and  has  since  carried  a  stock  in  that  line.  He 
makes  all  grades  of  harness,  and  keeps  in  stock 
a  variety  of  styles  of  saddles,  whips  and  horse 
clothing.  His  annual  sales  aggregate  from  §5,- 
000  to  *6,000. 

Mr.  Plummer  was  born  in  1833,  in  Champaign 
county,  Ohio;  came  to  Illinois  in  1856  and 
located  a  few  years  in  Clinton,  then  moved  tp 
Decatur,  and  six  years  later  came  to  Buffalo.  In 
1876,  Mr.  Plummer,  married  Miss  Clay  Cassity, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  is  the  daughter 
of  Allen  Cassity,  now  a  resident  of  Missouri, 
formerly  railroad  agent  at  Wheatfield,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plummer  have 
two  children,  Mattie  E.  and  Lee  Plummer. 

Leonard  P.  Rogers,  M.  D.,  Buffalo  village,  is 
the  third  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  nine  living, 
•  of  Uriah,  and  Hettie  A.  Rogers  nee  Myers,  and 
was  born  April  50,  1852,  in  Fairfield  county, 
Ohio.  His  parents  who  were  both  natives  of 
Burks  county,  Pennsylvania,  were  mprried  in 
1845.'  Mr.  Rogers  learned  the  carpenter  trade 
in  youth  and  pursued  it  up  to  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  but  has  since  devoted  his  attention  to 
farming.  In  the  autumn  of  1854,  he  moved 
with  his  family  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Me- 
chanicsburg township,  Sangamon  county,  where 
they  still  reside  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of 
Buffalo.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  was 
educated  chiefly  in  Burlington,  Vermont;  read 
medicine  in  Mechanicsburg,  Illinois,  and  attend- 
ed lectures  in  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago, 
from  which  he  graduated  with  the  degree  of 
M.  D.,  February  15,  1870.  On  March  lOlh 
following,  he  opened  an  office  and  commenced 
practice  in  Buffalo.  In  June,  1877,  he  was 
elected  county  physician,  and  has  filled  that 
office  continually  to  the  present  time,  by  annual 
re-elections.  Dr.  Rogers  has  enjoyed  a  large 
and  lucrative  practice  from  the  first,  and  now 
has  all  he  can  do.  He  is  a  member  of  the  San- 
gamon county.  Medical  Association.  His  father 
was  born  in  1818,  his  mother,  in  1827, 


962 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Josiah  M.  Thompson,  dry  goods  merchant, 
Mechanicsburg,  is  one  of  a  family  of  nine  cliil- 
dren,  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  John 
Thompson  and  Elizabeth  Ferguson,  who  married 
and  settled  in  Bourbon  countj-,  Kentucky,  where 
he  was  born  October  11,  1824,  and  was  brought 
b^  his  parents  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  at 
the  age  of  eleven  years.  His  father  being  a 
farmer,  he  was  brought  up  to,  and  followed  that 
avocation  until  1857,  then  sold  his  farm,  moved 
to  Mechanicsburg,  and  in  partnership  with  his 
elder  brother,  Harvey  Thompson,  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business,  which  they  have  pursued 
to  the  present  time,  under  the  firm  title  of  H.  & 
J.  M.  Thompson. 

Harvey  &  A.  T.  Thompson  commenced  selling 
goods  in  the  burg,  in  the  fall  of  1849,  and  the 
firm  continued  till  about  1857,  when  A.  T.  sold 
his  part  to  J.  M.,  and  the  firm  of  H.  &  J.  M. 
Thompson  has  continued  since  that  time.  In 
the  year  1837,  William  and  Upton  RadclifE  had 
built  the  old  house  in  which  the  Thompson  firm 
opened,  and  continued  till  1875,  when  the  pres- 
ent firm  built  their  present  large  brick  house— 
forty-four  by  seventy-two,  in  which  they  deal  in 
9  general  line  of  merchandise,  suited  to  supply 
all  needs  of  the  community  in  these  lines,  of 
which  their  annual  sales  have  been  from  118,000 
to  $20,000.  Politically,  the  brothers  are  staunch 
Republicans. 

Josiah  M.  Thompson  and  Maggie  Muuce 
united  in  marriage  in  1860.  She  was  born  in 
Indiana,  in  1837.  Her  parents  emigrated  from 
county  Down,  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son have  three  surviving  and  two  deceased  chil- 
dren. The  living  are :  Eliza,  John  A.,  and 
Thomas  M.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Mason,  and 
member  of  Mechanicsburg  Lodge,  229. 

John  Thompson  was  born  March  28,  1783,  in 
Pennsylvania  ;  went  to  Kentucky  at  twenty 
years  of  age,  and  there  married  Elizabeth  Fergu- 
son, who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  June  18,  1791. 
They  moved  from  Montgomery  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  autumn  of  1836,  and  settled  one 
mile  west  of  the  village  of  Mechanicsburg.  Of 
their  nine  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters 
are  living.  Mr.  Thompson  died  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  October  14,  1855.  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son died  November  22,  1868,  also  in  Sangamon 
county.  He  had  previously  been  married,  and 
had  two  children,  both  of  whom,  with  the 
mother,  are  dead.     The  mother  died  when  the 


children  were  quite  young,  and  James  died  in 
Indiana,  in  1835,  and  John,  the  youngest,  in 
1837,  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 

Andrew  T.  Thompson,  banker,  of  the  firm  of 
Thompson  ifc  Broiher,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  since  the  fall  of 
1836,  and  engaged  in  the  banking  business  in 
Mechanicsburg,  in  company  with  his  elder 
brother,  Harvey  Thompson,  since  December  1, 
1873.  The  banking  house  is  a  private  partner- 
ship, established  under  the  laws  of  Illinois,  and 
does  a  general  banking,  loan  and  deposit  busi- 
ness. The  deposits  range  from  125,000  to 
880,000.  The  building  occupied  was  erected  for 
the  purpose  by  the  Thompson  Brothers,  in  the 
summer  of  1873,  and  is  a  most  substantial  brick 
structure. 

Andrew  T.  Thompson  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  (Furguson)  Thompson,  and  was  born 
in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  January  30, 1827. 
At  the  age  of  nine  years  he  was  brought  by  his 
parents  to  what  is  now  Mechanicsburg  town- 
ship, Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  which  has 
since  been  his  home.  In  1849,  Mr.  Thompson 
first  started  in  business,  on  his  own  account,  as 
a  merchant  by  opening  a  general  store  in  com- 
pany with  his  brother  and  present  partner,  Har- 
vey, in  Mechanicsl)urg.  In  1853,  they  erected 
the  second  building  built  in  the  city  of  Buffalo, 
and  established  a  store  of  the  same  class  there. 
Harvey  conducted  that  store,  and  Andrew  the 
one  in  Mechanicsburg.  In  1858,  the  firm  sold 
out  the  store  at  Bu&'alo,  Andrew  having  sold  his 
interest  in  the  Mechanicsburg  store  to  another 
brother  a  year  or  two  previously.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  subsequently,  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  engaged  in  dealing  in  live  stock  before 
opening  the  bank. 

In  December,  1850,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Elizabeth  C,  daughter  of  John  R.,  and 
Louisa  Groves,  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky, 
where  she  was  born  in  1833,  but  brought  up 
from  early  childhood  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois.  Three  children,  two  daughters  and  a 
son,  are  the  fruits  of  their  marriage,  namely: 
Laura,  now  the  wife  of  J.  T.  Fullenwider; 
Maggie  and  William  W.Thompson.  Politically, 
Mr.  Thompson  was  a  Whig  in  former  years, 
and  a  Republican  since  1856.     He  is  a  member 

of   the    Masonic   order,    Mechanicsburg  Lodge, 

No.  299. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


963 


Chapter  XLIIL 


TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE  OF  NEW  BERLIN. 


The  history  of  this  township  is  identified  with 
that  of  Island  Grove  until  1869,  when  it  was  set 
off  as  a  political  township,  under  the  name  of 
New  Berlin,  the  name  of  its  principal  village. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  were  John  and 
Thomas  Ray,  John  Foutch,  and  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Johnson.  The  latter,  about  1830,  pur- 
chased three  thousand  three  hundred  acres  of 
land  near  Bates  station.  This  land  now  in- 
cludes several  large  farms  owned  by  the  Smiths 
and  Browns,  and  includes  most  of  the  town  of 
New  Berlin. 

The  township  comprises  about  thirty-one 
square  miles  or  sections  of  land,  which  is  en- 
tirely prairie  land.  This  being  the  case,  it  will 
be  understood  by  the  reader  of  pioneer  history 
that  it  was  not  settled  at  as  early  a  date  as  other 
townships  in  the  county  where  timber  was  in 
abundance.  After  it  became  known  and  realized 
that  the  prairies  were  valuable  for  other  pur- 
poses besides  grazing  purposes,  the  land  was 
quickly  taken  up  and  settlements  made. 

For  many  years  this  township,  together  with 
Island  Grove,  was  considered  the  best  stock 
raising  field  in  the  county,  it  being  said  that  in 
1865  there  were  more  cattle-feeders  and  more 
cattle  fed  within  eight  miles  of  Berlin  than  any 
other  point  in  Illinois.  The  Browns  and  Smiths 
especially  were  noted  for  their  fine  herds. 

The  first  railroad  ever  built  in  the  State,  the 
Northern  Cross,  now  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  and 
Pacific,  passes  through  the  township  from  east 
to  west,  entering  on  section  twenty-four,  town- 
ship fifteen,  range  seven,  and  running  southwest 
about  two  miles,  it  then  passes  due  west,  enter- 
ing Morgan  county  from  section  twenty-seven. 
There  are  three  stations  in  the  township,  Island 
Grove,  New  Berlin  and  Bates. 

There  is  one  church  in  the  township  outside  of 
the  village  of  New  Berlin,  a  LTnion  Church,  sit- 
uated on   section  si.x,  township  fourteen,  range 


seven,  erected  jointly  by  the  different  denomina- 
tions residing  in  the  neighborhood. 

In  schools,  outside  the  village  of  New  Berlin, 
which  has  one  graded  public  school,  and  one 
parochial  school,  l)y  the  Catholics,  there  are  now 
two  school  houses  in  the  township,  the  three 
valued  at  $9,000. 

ORGANIC. 

As  stated.  New  Berlin  township  was  cut  off 
from  Island  Grove  in  1869,  since  which  time  it 
has  had  an  independent  existence  Annual  town- 
ship elections  are  held  the  first  Monday  in  April, 
each  year. 

VILLAGE  OF    NEV?    BERLIN. 

The  village  of  New  Berlin  was  laid  out  in 
1838,  and  its  plat  recorded  as  the  property  of 
Thomas  Yates,  and  is  described  as  part  of  the 
east  half  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section 
thirty,  township  fifteen,  range  seven.  The  date 
of  the  record  is  October  26,  1838. 

The  first  building  erected  in  the  place  was  of 
brick,  and  built  in  1836,  and  intended  for  the 
purposes  of  a  general  store,  which  was  opened 
by  Henry  Yates,  the  father  of  Thomas  and  Rich- 
ard Yates,  the  latter  of  whom  was  subsequently 
Governor  of  the  State. 

The  first  dwelling  house  was  also  built  by  Mr. 
Yates,  and  occupied  by  Phelan  Jones.  His 
daughter,  Mary,  and  William  Ratford  were  the 
first  couple  married  in  the  place.  In  this  same 
house  the  first  death  occurred  —  Mrs.  Homer 
Starks. 

The  village  of  New  Berlin  presents  a  very 
neat  and  attractive  appearance,  and  is  a  home- 
like town.  It  has  a  population  of  about  four 
hundred. 

EDUCATIONAL    AND    RELIGIOUS. 

No  better  evidence  of  the  well  being  of  a  place 
can  be  given  than  is  shown  in  its  schools  and 
churches.     New  Berlin  is  behind  no  village  of 


904 


HISTORY  OF    SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


its  size  in  the  State,  with  respect  to  both.  The 
school  house  in  the  village  is  a  large  brick  struc- 
ture, capable  of  accommodating  one  hundred 
and  fifty  pupils.  A  graded  school  has  been  in 
existence  since  1867.  In  addition,  the  Catholics 
have  a  parochial  school,  of  which  mention  is 
made  in  the  sketch  of  the  Catholic  Church;  and 
the  German  Lutherans  have,  also,  a  school. 

There  are  three  church  buildings  in  the  village, 
owned  respectively  by  the  Catholics,  German 
Lutherans,  and  Congregationalists,  the  latter 
having  no  organization,  although  a  fairly  pros- 
perous church  of  that  denomination  existed  here 
between  the  years  1869  and  1876.  The  Metho- 
dists and  Baptists  hold  services  every  Sunday 
evening  in  the  Congregational  Church,  but  have 
no  regular  or  formal  organization. 

The  following  is  a  history  of  the  Eoman 
Catholic  Congregation  and  Church,  at  New 
Berlin,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  from  1860  to 
1881,  from  writings  of  Rev.  F.  Schreiber,  to-wit: 

Although  no  written  account  of  the  fact  has 
been  preserved,  there  is  no  doubt  in  the  mind 
of  the  readers  of  Catholic  Missions  in  the  West, 
that  divine  services  were  held  at  the  private 
dwellings  of  early  settlers,  long  before  the  above 
date,  (January  1860).  But  that  is  the  date  Rev. 
F.  Schreiber  assigns  for  the  organization  of  a 
Catholic  congregation,  at  this  place;  he  says: 
"The  present  secretary,  (now  Vicar  General  and 
Chancellor)  of  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop,  of  Alton, 

ithe  Bishop  of  Alton,  at  that  time  was  Right 
lev.  H.  D.  Junker,  consecrated  April  17,  1857, 
died,  October  2,  1868;  the  present  Bishop  is 
Right  Rev.  P.  J.  Baltes,  consecrated  January  23, 
1870,)  Very  Rev.  J.  Janssen,  at  the  time  (ISOO) 
pastor  of  the  German  Catholic  congregation,  at 
Springfield,  being  requested  by  some  of  the  faith- 
ful Catholics,  to  attend  from  time  to  time,  to 
their  spiritual  wants,  at  New  Berlin,  became  the 
founder  of  this  congregation.  Inspiring  the 
people  with  holy  zeal  for  a  church  building,  he 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  it  soon  built." 

Some  of  the  oldest  settlers  still  living  here  at 
the  present  time,  (1881,)  whose  names  appear  on 
the  subscription  list,  are  the  following:  Theo- 
dore Kunst,  Ferdinand  Rustemeyer,  Frederick 
Ludwig,  Peter  KnetHer,  Joseph  Burger,  John 
Stork,  Ferdinand  Stelte,  Henry  Votzmeier,  Ber- 
nard Freitag,  Philip  Kress,  among  the  Germans; 
and  Martin  Ryan,  Patrick  Murray,  Patrick  Ryan, 
John  Haugh,  Richard  Barnes,  Sr.,  James  Sullivan, 
Thomas  Ryan,  John  Walsh,  and  others,  of  Irish 
naiionality  and  birth. 

The  foundation  of  the  church  (now  used  as  a 
school  house,)  was  laid  October  26,  1860,  and 


before  Christmas  that  year,  the  church  was  ready 
for  divine  service,  though  it  was  not  plastered 
till  1862. 

Very  Rev.  J.  Janssen  was  transferred  to  Alton 
early  in  1863,  and  was  succeeded  in  Springfield 
by  Rev.  William  Busch,  who  attended  at  New 
Berlin  for  the  first  time,  according  to  the  baptis- 
mal register.  May  10,  1863.  An  addition  was 
built  to  the  church,  during  his  three  years  at- 
tendance.    He  died  of  consumption. 

The  first  resident  pastor  of  this  congregation, 
was  Rev.  Gustavus  Miettinger,  who  took  charge 
about  the  beginning  of  February,  1866.  During 
his  attendance,  the  house  now  occupied  by  the 
teacher,  was  bought  and  furnished.  He  has 
also  died  since  then. 

The  second  resident  pastor  was  Rev.  Francis 
Schreiber,  now  located  at  Bloomington,  Illinois, 
who  took  charge  July  18,  1867.  In  this  year 
Theodore  Kunst  donated  two  acres  of  ground, 
three  miles  northwest  of  New  Berlin,  for  a 
Catholic  graveyard.  The  bell  now  in  use  in  the 
steeple  of  the  school  house  was  also  bought  at 
this  time,  costing  887.  In  1869,  the  cabinet 
organ  still  in  use  in  the  school  was  bought. 

In  1870,  the  congregation  had  increased  to 
such  an  extent  that  the  church  was  much  too 
small.  Hence  subscriptions  were  taken  up  and 
plans  made  to  build  the  present  elegant  brick 
church.  Dimensions  of  main  building,  forty-five 
by  eighty  feet;  height,  twenty-eight  feet;  height 
of  steeple  from  ground,  one  hundred  and  four 
feet;  sanctuary  and  two  vestry  rooms,  eighteen 
by  thirty-eight  feet.  Rev.  F.  Schreiber  deserves 
great  credit  for  his  labor  and  zeal  in  collecting 
for,  and  managing  the  building  of  this  church. 
Its  cost  up  to  the  time  he  left  (October  6,  1872) 
was  about  Si 7,000  of  which  he  succeeded  in  pay- 
ing about  811,000,   and  bought  the   large  bell. 

The  third  resident  priest,  who  is  still  in  charge, 
is  Rev.  John  F.  Mohr,  who  took  charge  January 
27,  1873.  During  the  first  year  (1873)  he  had 
the  church  plastered  and  painted,  at  an  expense 
of  near  -81,500,  and  had  a  pipe  organ  placed  in 
it,  and  a  gothic  alter,  also  a  number  of  ad- 
ditional pews.  In  the  succeeding  years  three 
Munich  statues  were  placed  in  the  church, 
and  other  improvements  made.  In  1879, 
the  new  pastoral  residence  was  built  and 
paid  for,  costing  81,300.  Dimensions  of  new 
pastoral  residence:  main  building,  twenty-eight 
by  thirty -two  feet;  and  twenty-two  feet  Iiigh, 
and  an  L,  (the  former  addition  to  old  church), 
fifteen  by  eighteen  feet,  used  as  a  kitchen;  one 
front  and  one  side  porch,  besides  a  little  portico 
at  east  side  of  the  residence.     During  the  year 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Oli.i 


1880,  a  picket  fence  was  erected  in  front  of  the 
new  residence  and  school,  and  furniture  for  the 
new  residence  bought,  besides  other  improve- 
ments, arid  at  the  present  time,  August  1881, 
new  fencing  around  the  church  property  are  in 
the  course  of  erection. 

From  the  above  short  sketch  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  Catholics  belonging  to  the  New  Berlin 
congregation  have  not  been  idle,  but  have,  under 
the  guidance  of  their  several  pastors,  accom- 
plished much,  during  the  last  twenty  one  years, 
tor  the  glory  of  God.  Many  who  formerly  lived 
here,  and  did  their  share,  have  removed  from 
here  further  West,  and  not  a  few  have  gone  to 
their  Eternal  reward.  The  present  number  of 
families  belonging  to  the  congregation,  which 
was  considerably  reduced  by  the  formation  of 
new  congregations  (one  at  Ashland,  north,  and 
another  at  Waverly,  south  of  New  Berlin),  is 
about  one  hundred  and  fifteen,  perhaps  a  few 
less,  rather  than  more.  The  average  number  of 
Catholic  children  attending  the  parish  school  is 
sixty  to  sixty-five,  taught  by  a  male  teacher. 

INCORPOEATION. 

For  the  better  government  of  the  village,  it 
was  thought  advisable  by  many  to  incorporate. 
Accordingl}',  on  the  12th  day  of  August,  1865, 
an  election  was  held  to  learn  the  will  of  the 
citizens.  There  were  cast  at  this  election,  for  in- 
corporation, thirty -two  votes;  against  incorpora- 
tion, nine. 

The  ordinance  describing  the  boundaries  of 
the  town  of  New  Berlin  is  as  follows:  "That 
the  boundaries  of  the  town  of  New  Berlin  shall 
commence  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  north 
quarter  of  section  nineteen,  township  fifteen, 
north  t)f  range  seven  west,  thence  east  one  mile, 
thence  south  one  mile,  thence  west  one  mile, 
thence  north  one  mile  to  place  of  beginning." 

The  date  of  the  annual  election  was  fixed  for 
the  first  Monday  of  August  in  each  year. 

The  town,  by  the  act  of  incorporation,  was 
given  all  the  authority  usually  given  in  such 
cases. 

The  following  comprises  a  list  of  the  princi- 
pal officers  elected  each  year  since  incorporation: 

1865. — Trustees — John  Lee,  President;  L.  C. 
Warren,  J.  D.  Batty,  John  Foutch,T.  D.  Smith; 
Clerk,  Frank  P.  Gillespie;  Treasurer,  T.  D. 
Smith;  Marshal,  R.  H.  Price. 

1866.— Trustees— John  Lee,  President;  T.  D. 
Smith,  J.  A.  Haney,  Wm.  Maxwell,  Thos.  Bell; 
Clerk,  H.  S.  Trigg. 

1867. — Trustees — John  Foutch,  President;  L. 
C.  Warren,  Thos.  D.  Smith,  Wm.  M.  Green, 
Haws  Yates;  H.  S.  Trigg,  Clerk. 


1868.— Trustees— M.  T.  Smith,  *  President; 
John  Hough,  Y.  M.  Hudson,  A.  A.  Lakiu,  Wm. 
M.  Green;  Clerk,  R.  W.  Price. 

1870.— Trustees— S.  B.  Matthews,  President; 
T.  Berghsnider,  Wm.  Maxwell,  Matt.  Ada,  Y.  M. 
Hudson;   Clerk,  E.  Batty. 

1871. — Trustees — Same  as  above,  save  Max- 
well, President. 

1872— Trustees— Wm.  Maxwell,  President;  Y. 
M.  Hudson,  J.  R.  Gregory,  Matt.  Ada,  S.  B. 
Matthews;  Clerk,  Frank  M.  Brown. 

1873. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
Matthew  Ada,  Y.  M.  Hudson,  John  Foutch, 
Theodore  Berghsnider;  Clerk,  J.  D.  Rearick. 

1874. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
John  Foutch,  William  Gregory,  Haws  Yates, 
L.  C.  Warren;  Clerk,  J.  D.  Rearick. 

1875. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
John  Foutch,  Matt.  Ada,  Y.  M.  Hudson,  Wil- 
lim  Gregory;  Clerk,  George  Lee. 

1876. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
George  Jarrett,  J.  V.  Thon,  Y.  M.  Hudson,  J. 
C.  Farlow;    Clerk,  George  Lee. 

1877. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
George  Jarrett,  J.  V.  Thon,  Y.  M.  Hudson, 
William  Gregory;  Clerk,  George  Lee. 

1878. — Trustees — Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
William  Gregory,  George  Jarrett,  Fidel  Detrick, 
Haws  Yates;  Clerk,  George  Lee. 

1879. — Trustees — Wm.  Gregory,  President; 
Y.  M.  Hudson,  W.  M.  Warren,  L.  W.  Fulton, 
Haws  Yates;  Clerk,  George  Lee. 

1880.— Trustees— Wm.  Maxwell,  President; 
William  Gregory,  John  Wagonsetter,  Patrick 
O'Neil,  Y.  M.  Hudson;    Clerk,  George  Lee.f 

Thomas  F.  jBevans,  merchant,  residence.  New 
Berlin,  was  born  in  Island  Grove  township,  June 
19,  1843;  son  of  John  D.  Bevans,  who  was  born 
in  Maryland,  October  5,  181 3, and  Nancy  (Foutch) 
Bevans,  born  January  23,  1824.  They  came  to 
this  county  in  1828,  and  were  married  at  Island 
Grove,  January  2,  1842.  They  had  eight  chil- 
dren, three  sons  and  five  daughters,  viz:  Thomas 
F.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mary  R.,  now  Mrs. 
Hawes  Yates,  of  New  Berlin;  John,  of  Island 
Grove;  Martha,  Rachel,  now  Mrs.  Rev.  L.  M. 
Goff,  of  Morris,  Illinois;  John  D.  died  January 
13,  1858,  in  Wapello  county,  Iowa.  In  an  early 
day  they  lived  in  Springfield,  where  he  followed 
clerking,  and  remained  there  until  1837;  came 
to  Island  Grove  after  the  death  of  his  father 
and  remained  there  until  1844,  then  moved  to 
Wapello  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  land 

*  Resigned,  and  R.  H.  Price  elected  to  fill  vacancy. 
fResigned,  and  W.  E.  Gregory  elected  to  fill  vacancj'. 


966 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  made  a  farm  and  remained  until  his  death. 
In  politics,  lie  was  an  old  line  Whig,  of  the  Henry 
Clay  stripe;  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  received  a  common  school  education.  When 
nineteen  years  old  he  commenced  clerking  for 
A.  W.  Cook,  of  Berlin,  and  remained  with  him 
one  and  a  half  years;  from  there  went  to  New 
Berlin,  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Cook,  under  the  firm  name  of  Cook  &  Bevans; 
remained  together  till  1865,  when  the  partner- 
ship was  dissolved ;  he  then  clerked  for  him  until 
he  sold  out  to  Ross,  Thon  &  Co.  In  1866,  he 
formed  a  partnership  at  Old  Berlin  with  J.  D. 
Batty;  remained  for  eleven  and  a  half  years,  sold 
out  to  W.  B.  Price  &  Co.,  then  engaged  to 
Hammon,  Merrian  &  Co.,  wholesale  grocers  of 
Chicago,  for  a  short  time.  He  married  Miss 
Caroline  L.  Collins,  March  27,  1870,  at  Carbon- 
dale,  daughter  of  Rev.  N.  G.  Collins,  a  Baptist 
clergyman.  She  was  born  in  Wheeling,  Vir- 
ginia, October  2,  1850.  They  had  one  child — 
Edwin  F.,  born  September  12,  1871. 

Henry  Hoston,  farmer,  post  office,  New  Ber- 
lin, was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  1816.  In 
1844,  he  left  his  native  country,  coming  to 
Arcerica  in  a  sailing  vessel,  being  nine  weeks  in 
making  the  trip;  landed  in  New  Orleans,  and 
from  there  went  to  St.  Louis,  by  steamer,  arriv- 
ing January  6,  184  5,  where  he  engaged  to  drive 
team.  The  following  March  he  came  to  Island 
Grove  township,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for 
Captain  James  Brown,  and  remained  with  him 
four  years;  rented  land  of  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Staley  two  years;  after  renting  three  years  of 
Dr.  Brown  he  purchased  eighty  acres  where  he 
now  resides;  since  that  he  has  bought  adjoining 
land,  that  he  has  now  in  one  body  six  hundred 
and  fifty-six  acres,  which  is  valued  at  $50  per 
acre.  For  his  first  wife  he  married  Miss  Char- 
lotte Vondi,  who  was  born  in  Germany.  They 
had  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  living: 
Louisa,  Hammon  H.  and  Sarah  Jane.  Mrs. 
Boston  died  June  27,  1801,  and  for  his  second 
wife  Mr.  B.  married  Mrs.  Minnie  Salie,  October 
5,  1871.  She  was  born  in  Frankfort-on-the- 
Rhine,  Germany,  in  1823.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  German 
Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  Boston  came  to  the 
country  a  poor  man,  but  by  hard  work  and  econ- 
omy has  accumulated  a  fine  ijxoperty,  and  is  one 
of  the  large  and  well-to-do  farmers  of  the  town- 
ship. 

J.  E.  Coons,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  post 
office,  New  Berlin ;  was  born  in  Woodford  county. 


Kentucky,  November  21,  1818;  son  of  Martin 
and  M.argaret  (Grirasly)  Coons,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. They  had  five  sons  and  three  daughters, 
five  of  whom  are  living.  In  the  fall  of  1826, 
his  father  became  dissatisfied  with  the  institu- 
tion of  slavery,  and  left  Kentucky  witli  his 
family  for  the  far  west;  came  with  a  spike  team, 
camping  out  on  the  way,  and  arrived  in  Morgan 
county  about  the  first  of  December,  locating 
eight  miles  north  of  Jacksonville,  on  Indian 
creek.  He  moved  into  a  log  cabin,  twelve  by 
fourteen  feet,  where  they  remained  one  year. 
There  were  ten  in  the  family.  He  made  a  claim, 
and  afterwards  sold  out  and  bought  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land,  made  a  home,  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1863. 
In  an  early  day  he  used  to  go  to  St.  Louis  for 
his  groceries,  taking  grain  which  be  exchanged 
for  his  goods.  Mr.  C.  came  to  this  country  in 
limited  circumstances,  having  but  8l7  in  his 
pocket,  with  a  large  family,  and  in  a  strange 
country;  but  with  a  strong  arm  and  good  con- 
stitution, he  pulled  through,  and  accumulated  a 
fine  property  at  his  death.  In  1844,  J.  E.  mar- 
ried Miss  Lacy  Hays,  daughter  of  John  Hays, 
of  Ohio;  they  had  two  children,  John  M.,  and 
Lucinda.  Mrs.  Coons  died  in  May,  1847.  For 
his  second  wife,  Mr.  C.  married  Miss  Claiissa 
McDaughlin,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky,  De- 
cember 18,  1828.  There  are  six  children:  Mary 
E.,  Susan  C,  Henrietta,  William  G.,  David  and 
Edward.  In  1847,  Mr.  Coons  came  to  this  county 
where  he  rented  for  one  year,  then  purchased 
his  present  home,  where  they  have  resided  since; 
has  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  S60 
per  acre. 

X.  W.  F^dton,  M.  J).,  New  Berlin,  was  born 
in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  on  March  6,  1837; 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Elgin)  Fulton.  He 
was  twice  married;  by  his  first  wife  there  were 
two  children:  Lee  M.,  and  Mary  E.,  who  was 
married  to  Robert  Lynn,  of  Virginia;  she  died 
in  1879.  By  his  second  marriage  there  were 
three  children,  viz:  William,  a  physician; 
Robert,  a  professor  of  elocution,  of  Kansas 
City,  and  Arthur.  His  father  was  an  old  line 
Whig,  and  at  the  time  of  the  Democrat  organi- 
zation joined  the  Democrat  party  and  afiilliated 
with  them  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July 
17,  1864.  In  early  life  Dr.  L.  W.,  attended 
school  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age, 
then  left  his  native  place  and  came  to  Pari.s, 
Illinois,  where  he  became  acquainted  with  Dr. 
Shubal  York,  and  commenced  reading  medicine; 
he  remained  two  years,  then  went  to  Kentucky, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


907 


where  he  remained  until  1863  or  'G4;  tlien  he 
attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Ohio  Medical 
College.  The  following  fall  commenced  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  New  Haven,  Kentuckj, 
iu  company  with  Dr.  J.  Gore,  where  he  remained 
until  he  came  to  this  State;  still  pursuing  his 
practice  until  1869,  when  he  attended  a  course 
of  lectures  at  Rush  Medical  College  at  Chicago. 
He  graduated  there,  since  which  time  he  has 
followed  his  profession  in  New  Berlin.  He 
married  Miss  Annie  E.  King,  a  daughter  of 
David  and  Sarah  King;  she  was  born  iu  Illinois, 
and  they  have  three  children:  Annie  Lee, 
Charles  R.,  and  Percy  K.  In  politics  the 
Doctor  is  a  Democrat,  and  Mrs.  Fulton  is  a 
memher  of  the  Baptist  Church  iu  New  Berlin. 

Sigmuml  Gihhart,  farmer  and  stock  raiser; 
post  office.  New  Berlin;  was  born  in  the  State  of 
Baden,  Germany,  April  13,  1836.  In  1854,  he 
left  his  native  country  and  came  to  America  in 
a  sailing  vessel,  being  on  the  water  forty  days; 
landed  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  two 
days;  from  there  he  went  to  Railway,  New  Jer- 
sey, where  he  worked  on  a  farm  and  in  a  black- 
smith shop.  Hearing  favorable  reports  from 
Illinois,  he  concluded  to  try  his  fortune  on  its 
prairies;  came  to  Island  Grove  township,  where 
he  worked  by  the  month  most  of  the  time,  for 
Dr.  Gibson.  In  February,  1862,  he  married  Miss 
Jennie  Fisher,  born  in  Germany,  in  1843;  there 
were  eight  children,  three  of  whom  are  living: 
John,  Martha,  and  Jacob. 

Mr.  G.  rented  land  until  1866,  when  he  pur- 
chased the  place  where  he  now  lives;  has  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  all  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation  ;  it  is  valued  at  150  per 
acre;  raises  about  seventy  acres  of  corn,  seven- 
teen acres  of  wheat,  and  fourteen  acres  of  oats. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  of  New  Berlin. 

John  Ji.  Gregory,  liveryman,  New  Berlin, 
was  born  in  Breckenridge  county,  Kentucky,  on 
the  15th  day  of  October,  1837.  Son  of  William 
and  Sarah  (Pierce)  Gregory  ;  father  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  mother  of  North  Carolina.  They 
emigrated  to  Sangamon  county  in  1848,  where 
they  stopped  on  the  head  of  Lick  creek  a  short 
time.  Thence  went  to  McDonough  county,  Illi- 
nois, where  they  spent  two  years,  then  removed 
to  Sangamon  county,  wnere  they  bought  land; 
is  at  present  living  in  New  Berlin.  Mrs. 
Gregory  died  May,  1869.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  married  Miss  Minerva  L.  Reynolds,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  Reynolds,  of  New  Berlin. 
She  was  born  in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois,  in 
1838.      The   fruits   of   this   marriage   was    one 


child — Wiliam  E.  Mrs.  Minerva  L.  Gregory 
died  in  1867.  He  again  married  Miss  Rachel 
J.  Hodgerson,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Jane 
Hodgerson,  of  Sangamon  county,  where  she  was 
born,  in  1844.  By  this  union  there  were  four 
children,  viz  :  Lee  A.,  Sarah  J.,  Nellie  and 
Maud.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  His 
property  in  New  Berlin  is  valued  at  .*i'2,500.  Mrs. 
Gregory  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  Gregory  has  fourteen  livery  horses, 
and  one  carriage,  one  hack,  and   seven  buggies. 

George  Hart,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  section 
thirty-three,  post  office  New  Berlin,  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Germany,  April  1,  1821,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  until  1853;  then  left  his  native 
country  and  came  to  the  United  States.  He 
landed  in  New  Orleans;  thence  by  steamer,  up 
the  river  to  St.  Louis;  then  to  Jacksonville,  where 
he  worked  by  the  month,  on  a  farm,  for  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Richards,  one  year;  rented  land 
until  1865.  Bought  a  farm  iu  Morgan  county, 
where  he  remained  until  1879;  then  bought  his 
present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  all 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  valued  at 
$50  per  acre;  has  a  fine  orchard  of  five  acres; 
raises  sixty  acres  of  corn,  sixty  acres  of  wheat, 
and  five  acres  of  oats;  has  one  hundred  hogs, 
fifteen  cows,  and  six  horses. 

Ferdinand  Keller,  farmer  and  stock  raiser, 
post  office,  New  Berlin,  was  born  in  Baden,  Ger- 
many, May  29,  1831.  He  followed  farming  until 
1854,  when  he  left  his  native  country  for  the 
United  States,  coming  in  a  sailing  vessel;  was 
caught  in  a  storm,  and  forced  to  run  into  Portu- 
gal for  repairs;  remained  one  week;  was  one 
hundred  and  eighteen  days  in  reaching  New 
York.  From  there  he  went  to  Easton,  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  was  employed  in  a  foundry; 
remained  six  weeks,  then  went  to  Toledo,  Ohio, 
for  a  few  months,  where  he  was  employed  by  a 
railroad  company  in  building  a  depot  and  track; 
then  came  to  this  township,  where  he  worked  si.x 
years,  by  the  month.  In  1859,  he  married  Miss 
Frances  Deitrich,  who  was  born  in  Baden,  Ger- 
many, in  1838.  They  liave  had  seven  children, 
viz.:  Thomas,  Agnes,  Mary,  Rosa,  Maggie,  Jo- 
sephine, and  Annie.  After  marrying,  Mr.  K. 
rented  near  Old  Berlin,  where  he  remained  four 
years;  then,  in  1863,  bought  his  present  place  of 
forty  acres,  which  he  has  increased,  until  now  he 
owns  two  hundred  acres,  all  of  wliicli  is  under  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  and  valued  at  §60  per 
acre.  He  came  to  this  country  in  limited  cir- 
cumstances, commenced  at  the  lower  round  of 
the  ladder,  and  by  good  judgment  has  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property  and  home,  and  is  one  of  the 


968 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


prosperous  farmers  of  the  county.    He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

Maurice  Lee,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born 
in  county  Limerick,  Ireland,  in  April,  1842.  He 
came  to  the  United  States  in  1855;  landed  in 
New  York,  where  he  remained  a  short  time; 
from  there  went  to  New  Jersey,  where  he  at- 
tended school,  and  remained  five  years.  In 
August,  1860,  he  came  to  Morgan  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  lived  two  years;  in  1862,  came  to  New 
Berlin,  where  he  rented  until  1865;  then  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on 
the  wild  prairie,  which  he  has  succeeded  in 
bringing  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He 
married  Miss  Emeline  Campbell,  who  was  born 
in  this  county,  November  7,  1848.  They  have 
had  ten  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Johnny,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Margaret,  Barbara  E., 
Annie,  and  Maurice.  In  politics,  Mr.  Lee  is  a 
Republican,  and  was  once  the  nominee  of  the 
party  for  supervisor.  He  raises  one  hundred 
acres  of  wheat  and  thirty  acres  of  corn;  has  fifty 
hogs,  ninety-seven  head  of  stock,  and  nine  horses. 
Mr.  Lee  came  to  the  county  a  poor  man,  but  by 
hard  work  and  good  management,  has  accummu- 
lated  a  fine  property. 

John  Martin,  farmer,  section  thirty-one,  post 
oiKce,  New  Berlin,  was  born  in  Cambridgeshire, 
England,  March  25,  1819;  was  a  son  of  Thomas 
M.  and  Mary  (Harrison)  Martin,  natives  of  Eng- 
land, They  had  eight  children,  seven  of  which 
are  living.  In  1850,  Mr.  Martin  came  to  the 
United  States  and  stopped  in  Morgan  county, 
where  he  worked  by  the  month.  In  1856,  bought 
his  present  place,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since;  has  forty  acres  of  land  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation,  valued  at  -560  per  acre.  In  1859, 
he  married  Miss  Nancy  Jackson,  a  native  of 
Indiana;  her  parents  came  to  the  State  in  1823, 
and  located  in  Morgan  county;  she  was  born 
March  25,  1820.  They  have  one  child,  John 
William,  born  in  this  county,  April  1,  1860. 

Mrs.  Martin  died  and  Mr.  Martin  married  Miss 
Eliza  Wonderlick,  born  in  Germany,  January  31, 
1819;  they  have  had  eight  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living,  Christ.,  William,  Caroline,  and 
George. 

In  politics  Mr.  M.  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

John  McGinnis,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post 
office.  New  Berlin,  was  born  in  County  Clare, 
Ireland,  June  24,  1824;  came  to  the  United 
States  in  May  1847,  in  a  sailing  vessel;  after 
leaving  Liverpool  was  caught  in  a  storm,  and 
was  driven  onto  the  northern  part  of  Ireland, 
■where  they  were  detained  one  week;  then  started 


out  and  made  the  trip  in  eighteen  days,  landing 
in  New  York,  where  he  remained  a  short  time; 
then  went  to  Monmouth  county,  New  Jersey, 
and  worked  for  Dr.  Arthur  V.  Conover  about 
four  years  on  a  farm;  then  came  to  Jacksonville, 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  six  months;  was  next  employed  at  Mor- 
gan Mills  for  six  months;  afterwards  was  em- 
ployed on  the  farm  of  Stephen  Dunlap;  worked 
for  Theodore  Stout  for  two  years;  rented  land 
until  1863;  then  bought  his  first  eighty  acres  of 
land.  He  afterwards  bought  ten  acres  of  tim- 
ber; in  1866  bought  an  adjoining  eighty,  and  in 
1876,  bought  his  place  where  he  lives,  of  one 
hundred  and  forty-two  acres,  making  in  all  three 
hundred  and  twelve  acres,  nearly  all  of  which  is 
under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  §55 
per  acre.  He  raises  two  hundred  acres  of  corn, 
forty  acres  of  wheat,  thirty  acres  of  oats.  Has 
forty  hogs,  eleven  cows  and  sixteen  horses  and 
mules.  In  1850,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Cain, 
She  was  born  in  Kings  county,  Ireland,  in  1824. 
There  were  nine  children  born,  seven  of  whom 
are  living,  viz:  Cornelius,  Daniel,  Mary  A., 
John,  Patrick  Henry,  James  and  Rosie  Ellen. 
They  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Mr. 
McGinnis  came  to  the  country  without  money, 
but  with  a  strong  arm  and  good  constitution,  and 
a  willingness  to  work,  started  at  the  bottom,  and 
by  hard  work  and  good  management  accumu- 
lated a  fine  property. 

Rev.  John  F.  Mohr,  New  Berlin,  was  born 
in  Ohio,  February  2,  1839;  son  of  John  and  Mary 
A.  Mohr,  natives  of  Bavaria,  Germany;  father 
came  to  this  country  in  1830,  and  mother  in 
1833;  they  vrere  married  in  Munster,  Ohio,  in 
1834.  There  were  four  children,  two  sons  and 
two  daughters,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away 
except  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  father 
died  in  1847,  and  his  mother  died  in  1864. 
When  Rev.  John  F.  Mohr  was  thirteen  years 
of  age,  he  attended  St.  Mary's  Seminary  at  the 
Barrens  for  two  years, then  went  to  St.  Thomas' 
Seminary,  Nelson  county,  Kentucky,  where  he 
spent  three  years,  then  to  St.  Frances  Seminary, 
near  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  where  he  finished 
his  course  of  studies;  was  ordained  at  Alton, 
Illinois,  November  24,  1861,  by  Bishop  H.  D. 
Junker.  His  first  charge  as  pastor  was  at 
Prairie  Du  Long,  Illinois,  where  he  remained  a 
short  time,  then  to  Red  Bud,  Randolph  county, 
where  he  remained  six  years.  During  the  last 
eighteen  months  of  that  period  was  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  St.  Patrick's  College  at  Ruma;  also  was 
President  of  the  same  institution  for  a  short 
time.     From   there   he   was   transferred   to   St. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


909 


Pe(.ei"s  and  St.  P.,ul's  CaUiudial  at  Alton,  where 
he  remained  three  years,  then  to  New  Berlin, 
where  he  is  pursuing  his  pastoral  labors  up  to 
the  present  time. 

James  li.  Morrisoti,  merchant  and  grain 
dealer,  Bates,  Illinois,  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  Ohio,  November  28,  1827.  Son  of  Wil- 
liam and  Martha  (Mathers)  Morrison,  also 
natives  of  Butler  county,  Ohio,  where  they  were 
married,  about  1824.  The  family  consisted  of 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  two  of  whom  are 
living — James  R.  and  Martha  Ann;  Mary  died 
in  1852,  and  William  P.  in  1848.  In  1853,  his 
father  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and  stopped 
one  year  in  New  Berlin  ;  bought  a  farm,  upon 
which  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1878.  Mother  died  in  1876.  In  1852,  Mr. 
Morrison  married  Miss  Sarah  V.  Auld,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Walton)  Auld,  of  Ohio. 
She  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  May  27,  1833. 
They  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  living, 
viz  :  Jsmes  P.,  William  A.,  Mary  M.,  Martha 
V.  and  Sarah  C.  B.  After  coming  to  this 
county,  he  followed  farming  four  years,  then 
was  employed  as  agent,  by  the  Wabash  railroad 
company,  at  Bates,  which  position  he  held  up  to 
1881.  In  the  meantime  he  handled  grain,  and 
various  branches  of  business.  In  1879,  he 
handled  one  hundred  and  two  thousand  bushels 
of  corn  and  twenty  thousand  bushels  of  wheat; 
since  that  time  has  shipped  about  sixty  thou- 
sand bushels  per  year.  Mr.  M.  says  he  ilever 
cast  but  two  votes  in  his  life,  and  one  of  them 
■was  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  has  one  hundred 
acres  of  land,  all  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, valued  at  iSsO  per  acre.  He  has  just  com- 
menced in  the  grain  business,  and  carries  a 
stock  of  12,000. 

Joseph  lieyvolds,  retired,  farmer.  New  Berlin, 
was  born  in  White  county,  Tennessee,  April  20, 
1810;  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Sorrels)  Rey- 
nolds; parents  left  Tennessee  in  ISlC  for  the  far 
West,  coming  on  three  packed  horses,  on  which 
they  brought  all  their  worldly  goods,  wife  and 
two  children,  and  located  near  Edwardsville. 
There  was  only  one  log  cabin  north  of  them  in 
the  territory,  where  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Starkey  lived.  They  remained  in  Madison  county 
but  a  short  time,  then  went  to  Greene  county, 
built  a  cabin  north  of  Macoupin  creek,  one  mile 
north  of  where  Carrolton  now  stands;  remained 
nine  years;  made  a  farm;  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Madison  county,  one  mile  west  of  Franklin  ;  took 
up  government  land  and  made  a  home,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862.    His  wife  survived  him  about  four 

113— 


years.  Mr.  R.  was  a  member  of  the  Uunkard 
Church,  and  Mrs.  R.  of  the  Baptist.  They  had 
six  children,  five  sons  and  one  daughter,  viz: 
Joseph,  Samuel,  Lewis,  Minerva,  Abraham — 
Levi,  Joseph  and  Minerva,  now  living.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  good  education.  He  remained  there 
until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he 
married  Miss  Mary  W.  Clark,  September  17, 1833. 
She  was  born  in  December,  1815.  They  had  six 
sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  three  are 
living,  viz:  Elzina  J.,  James  A.  and  Lewis  C. 
Mrs.  Mary  Reynolds  died  January  27,  1854.  For 
his  second  wife  Mr.  R.  married  Mrs.  Nancy  M. 
Lankston;  she  was  born  in  Scott  county  in  1828. 
They  had  six  children,  only  one  of  whom  is 
living — Jacob  T.  Mr.  R.  has  been  a  farmer  till 
1871,  when  he  retired.  He  has  held  several  local 
offices  and  has  represented  the  people  as  their 
supervisor  two  terms.  He  has  about  bix  hundred 
acies  of  land,  which  is  valued  at  ^ZO  per  acre. 

John  lihiu,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  post  office 
New  Berlin,  was  born  in  Barren  county,  Ken- 
tucky, July  14,  1817;  son  of  James  and  Rachel 
(Jolleft)  Rhea.  Was  reared  on  a  farm  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  a  log  cabin,  attending 
about  three  months  in  the  winter.  He  married 
Miss  Julia  A.  Starks,  November  14, 1839;  she  was 
born  in  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  June  21,  1821; 
was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Berlin 
Baptist  Church  in  1842,  and  retained  her  mem- 
bership in  the  same  church  until  her  death.  She 
was  deeply  interested  in  the  benevolence  of  the 
church,  in  ministerial  education,  home  and  for- 
eign missions;  she  was  a  true  Christian  woman 
of  the  noblest  type.  A  large  concourse  of  peo- 
ple attested  her  worth  at  her  funeral,  at  Berlin, 
Rev.  J.  Bulkley,  of  Alton,  officiating.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Rhea  had  seven  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living,  viz:  James  B.,  Stephen  E.,  Thomas  T., 
and  Martha  E.  Mr.  R.  has  been  identified  with 
the  interests  of  the  county  all  bis  life;  has  seen 
the  broad  prairies  change  from  their  wild  and 
uncultivated  state,  to  one  of  the  best  cultivated 
counties  in  the  State.  He  can  remember  when 
there  was  but  one  house  in  Waverly,  and  at  the 
time  it  was  called  Shurtleff  Point.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  has  been 
since  its  organization.  He  has  a  fine  farm  of 
three  hundred  acres  near  New  Berlin,  where  he 
resides. 

Thomas  F.  Rhea,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
post  office.  New  Berlin,  is  a  brother  of  the  ])re- 
ceding,  and  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Illi- 
nois, July  27,  1824;  son  of  James  Rhea,  born 
June   3,  1780,  and  Rachel   (Jolleff)  Rhea,  born 


970 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


November  16,  1783;  were  married  in  Virginia, 
November  20,  1801,  and  in  an  early  day  emi- 
grated to  Boone  county,  Kentucky.  In  1812,  he 
enlisted  in  the  war  and  was  with  Commodore 
Perry,  at  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Kentucky,  where 
he  remained  until  1820,  when  he  left  his  Ken- 
tucky home  for  the  far  west,  or  the  Sangamo 
country,  as  it  was  called  at  that  time.  He  lo- 
cated in  what  is  now  Jefferson  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  remained  until  1827,  when  he  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  where  he  bought  and  im- 
proved eighty  acres  of  land,  with  a  log  cabin 
into  which  the  family  moved,  and  remained 
until  he  could  build  a  more  commodious  one. 
He  remained  here  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred February  12,  1843.  They  were  members 
of  the  Emancipation  Baptist  Church,  and  were 
instrumental  in  organizing  the  first  Sabbath 
school  in  Berlin  township.  They  died  as  they 
had  lived,  sincere  Christians.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  came  to  this  county  when  he  was 
three  years  old;  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  pioneer  school 
house.  He  married  Miss  Lucinda  Wilcox.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  E^llis  Wilcox,  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  and  was  born  February  15,  1825. 
They  had  five  children,  viz:  Annie  L.,  born 
August  17,  1845;  Clarinda,  born  August  1,  1850; 
Eliza  E.,  born  April  3,  1852,  and  died  in  child- 
hood; Rebecca,  born  December  2,  1856,  and 
died  December  20,  1865;  Lou,  born  December 
7,  1859.  Mrs.  Lucinda  Rhea  died  December  7, 
1877,  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church;  was  respected  by  all  who  knew  her. 
For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Rhea  married  Mrs. 
Louisa  Yates,  a  widow  of  Henry  Yates,  deceased, 
who  died  October  3,  1871,  leaving  four  children: 
Henrietta,  Minnie  L.,  Grace,  who  died  July  20, 
1872,  and  Laura.  Mrs.  Rhea  was  the  daughter 
of  Francis  Arnz,  who  figured  prominently  in 
the  political  arena,  in  Cass  county;  held  several 
local  offices  in  the  gift  of  the  people,  represent- 
ing his  district  in  the  legislature;  also  was  ap- 
pointed Minister  to  Austria  and  Germany.  Mr. 
Rhea  came  to  the  county  in  an  early  day;  has 
seen  it  from  its  infancy  to  one  of  the  most  flour- 
ishing counties  in  the  State.  He  has  five  hundred 
and  five  acres  of  beautiful  land,  all  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  §50  per  acre,  and 
is  one  of  the  large  and  prosperous  farmers  of 
the  county;  has  held  several  local  offices,  and 
represented  his  people  as  supervisor. 

Juseph  S.  *S//'i<A,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  post 
oflBce,  Bates,  is  the  father  of  the  preceding,  and 
was  born  in  Frankfort,  Kentucky,  July  21,  1827; 


son  of  Joseph  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  October  3,  1794.  His  parents 
moved  to  Harrison  county,  Ky.,  when  he  was 
seven  or  eight  years  old.  At  the  age  of  fifteen 
he  entered  a  store  in  Paris,  Kentucky,  as  clerk, 
and  afterwards  became  a  merchant  in  Frankfort. 
He  was  married  April  9,  1822,  in  Franklin 
county,  to  Sally  Taylor,  who  was  born  Novem- 
ber 22,  1807,  in  that  part  of  Gallatin  that  after- 
wards became  Trimble  county,  Kentucky.  The 
famih'  residence,  at  the  time,  was  on  a  very 
elevated  site  opposite  the  city  of  Madison,  In- 
diana, and  was  called  Mount  Bird.  Joseph 
Smith  and  wife  had  four  children  in  Franklin 
county,  Kentucky,  and  moved  to  this  county  in 
October,  1834;  he  settled  on  Richland  creek,  in 
what  is  now  Cartwright  township,  where  two 
children  were  born.  The  father  of  Mr.  Smith 
followed  farming,  and  at  the  same  time  was  in 
the  mercantile  business  in  Springfield,  in  connec- 
tion with  James  F.  Bradford.  He  represented 
Sangamon  county  in  the  State  Legislature;  died 
in  August  1862,  on  the  farm  where  he  settled  in 
1834.  His  widow,  Mrs.  Sally  Smith,  resides  with 
her  son  Joseph  S.,  at  Bates,  in  this  county. 

Major  Smith  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  re- 
mained on  the  farm  until  the  fall  of  1861,  when 
he  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and 
was  commissioned  as  Captain  of  Company  B; 
before  leaving  Springfield  he  was  promoted  to 
Major,  serving  liis  country  nearly  three  years; 
previous  to  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service, 
they  veteranized  and  the  Major  resigned. 

In  the  spring  of  1865,  he  went  to  California, 
at  that  time  he  was  handling  corn,  hauling  it 
with  mules  from  the  Missouri  river  to  Salt  Lake, 
and  receiving  twenty-five  cents  per  pound,  or 
$14  per  bushel.  In  1867  he  went  to  Abilene, 
Kansas,  where  he  engaged  in  the  traffic  of 
Texas  cattle; .  since  1875,  he  has  been  buying 
and  driving  them  into  Colorado  and  other  parts, 
and  handles  ten  thousand  head  a  year.  He  has 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  valuable  land, 
which  is  located  near  Bates  Station,  on  the 
Wabash  Railroad,  valued  at  «60  per  acre. 

Zfevitt  W.  Smith,  farmer  and  fine  stock 
breeaer,  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Sally  Smith, 
who  emigrated  to  this  county  from  Franklin 
county,  Kentucky,  and  he  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  December  13,  1844.  He  re- 
ceived an  academic  education,  besides  attending 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Business  College,  in  C\n- 
cago  and  St.  Louis.  In  September,  1864,  he 
married  Miss  Adelia  McConnell,  a  daughter  of 
Andrew  B.  and  Augusta  McConnell.  She  was 
born   in  this  county,  February  22,  1845.     They 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


911 


had  four  cbildieii:  Sidney,  Eliza,  Temple,  and 
Augusta.  Mr.  Smith  is  one  of  the  large  and  ex- 
tensive farmers  of  the  county;  has  under  his  im- 
mediate supervision  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
acres  of  land;  raises  one  thousand  one  hundred 
acres  of  corn;  is  also  an  extensive  breeder  of 
fine  blooded  stock,  of  which  he  has  some  sev- 
enty-five head  of  shorthorns  on  his  place,  and 
feeds.  Ilis  corn  crop  averages  from  three  thous- 
and five  hundred  to  five  thousand  bushels  yearly. 

In  the  years  of  1876  and  1880,  be  represented 
his  district  in  the  legislature,  and  in  1879,  was 
elected  sujjervisor  of  the  township;  was  also 
elected  chairman  of  the  board.  In  politics,  is 
Democratic. 

John  P.  Stephens,  farmer,  post  office,  New 
Berlin,  was  born  in  Huntingdon  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, October  14,  1842;  son  of  George  W., 
and  Martha  (Patterson)  Stephens.  The  family 
consisted  of  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three 
daughters.  In  1848,  his  parents  emigrated  to 
Exeter,  Scott  county,  Illinois,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  fall  of  1875,  when  his  mother 
died;  they  then  came  to  this  county.  In  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-eighth  Regi- 
ment Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served 
three  years.  ParticiiJated  in  the  battles  of 
Shiloh,  Pittsburg  Landing,  siege  of  Corinth, 
Vicksburg  and  at  Jackson,  Mississippi.  After 
the  war  he  returned  to  Scott  county,  where  he 
followed  farming.  November  -3,  1864,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Eliza  Anderson,  of  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  where  she  was  Ijorn  in  April,  1843. 
They  have  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living:  Laura  B.,  Mary  A.,  Ava  L.,  Charles 
and  Nellie.  Mrs.  Stephens  died  June  22,  1879, 
in  this  county.  February  18,  1881,  Mr.  S.  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Harbour,  widow  of  Levi  Harbour, 
who  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Sangamon 
county.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Sarah  Young,  natives  of  Kentucky.  Robert 
Young  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Breeding,  in 
1818,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  John, 
Jane  and  Louisa.  John  died  while  on  his  way 
home  from  the  Mexican  War;  Mrs.  Young  died 
in  1825.  For  his  second  wife,  Robert  married 
Miss  Sarah  Vigus,  in  1828;  she  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1808.  They  had  nine  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Joan,  Sarah, 
Nathan  M.,  William  A.,  George  W.,  Robert  G., 
and  Viola.  In  18:^0,  Mr.  Young  left  Kentucky 
for  Illinois,  coming  through  with  a  team,  Mrs. 
Young  riding  on  horse-back  on  appck  and  carry- 
ing her  infant.  They  camped  out  on  the  prairies 
and  did  their  cooking  by  camp-fires.     He  located 


in  what  is  now  Scott  county,  near  Winchester, 
where  they  remained  one  year,  then  went  to 
Greene  county,  where  Mrs.  Young  remained. 
Mr.  Y.  went  to  the  Black  Hawk  War;  was  on 
the  battle-field  with  General  Stillman,  and  helped 
to  bury  the  dead.  After  the  war  he  returned  to 
Greene  county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1832  to  Ken- 
tucky, on  account  of  sickness  in  that  county. 
He  remained  uTitil  1853,  when  he  thought  he 
would  again  try  his  fortune  in  Illinois.  He  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Logan 
county,  in  1876.  Mrs.  Stephens  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-seven  acres  of  land  underagood 
state  of  cultivation,  valued  at  $55  per  acre. 

Ferdinand  Stelte,  farmer  and  stock  raiser; 
post  oflice.  New  Berlin;  was  born  in  Prussia, 
Germany,  May  15,  1830.  In  1857,  he  emigrated 
to  the  United  States  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  was 
seven  weeks  and  four  days  on  the  water.  He 
landed  in  New  Orleans;  thence,  via  steamer,  to 
St.  Louis,  from  there  to  Alton,  then  to  Spring- 
field, where  he  engaged  to  work  by  the  month. 
In  1863,  he  married  Elizabeth  Knust,  who  came 
to  this  State  one  year  previous;  she  was  born 
October  24,  1845.  There  are  seven  children: 
Mary,  born  January  31,  1864;  Gertrude,  May 
14,  1866;  Francis,  October  8,  1869;  Minnie  A., 
September  13,1872;  Ann  M.,  September  27,  1875; 
Maria  C,  April  16,  1878;  August  J.,  March  13, 
1880.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  S.  rented  for  four 
years,  then  bought  his  present  place,  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres,  valued  at  $60  per  acre. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

Francis  Taylor,  farmer  and  merchant,  New 
Berlin;  was  born  in  Fairfield,  county,  Connecti- 
cut, on  the  27th  day  of  November,  1821;  son  of 
Daniel  and  Sally  Taylor,  natives  of  Fairfield 
county,  Connecticut,  where  they  were  married, 
and  eight  children,  were  born,  four  sons  and  four 
daughters,  three  of  whom  are  living:  Edward  W,, 
now  of  Fairfield,  county,  Connecticut;  William 
II.,  now  a  resident  of  Boston,  and  Francis.  His 
father  was  a  boot  and  shoe  manufacturer  and 
farmer.  In  politics,  was  an  old-line  Whig;  his 
parents  died  in  (Connecticut,  after  living  together 
more  than  a  half  century. 

Francis  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  received  an 
academic  education.  In  1845,  he  married  Miss 
Henrietta  B.  Morehouse,  a  daughter  of  Samuel 
T.  Morehouse;  she  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in 
1827.  By  this  union  there  were  four  children, 
viz:  Mary  C,  Albert  J.,  Frank  I.,  and  Edward 
IL;  Mrs.  Taylor  died  in  1862.  He  was  again 
married,  to  Ilarriet  R.  Rumsey,  a  daughter  of 
Aaron  B.;    she  was   born    in    Fairfield    county, 


01-2 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Connecticut,  in  1839;  by  this  marriage  there  were 
four  children,  viz:  Charles  R.,  William  F.,  Har- 
riet S.,  and  Frederick  D.  Mr.  Taylor  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1851;  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  New  Berlin  was  sparsely  settled, 
there  being  but  one  store  building  in  the  village 
when  he  located  and  made  a  farm,  and  afterwards 
engaged  in  the  real  estate  business;  has  nine 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Sangamon  county,  all 
of  which  is  under  cultivation,  valued  at  $65  per 
acre;  the  present  season  he  has  four  hundred  and 
lifty  acres  of  corn  on  his  place.  In  1881,  he 
embarked  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  company 
with  his  son,  where  they  carry  a  stock  of  dry 
goods,  boots  and  shoes,  and  everything  that  is 
usually  carried  in  a  village  store;  carries  a  stock 
of  $10,000.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  large  dealer  in 
western  land,  owning  between  two  and  three 
thousand  acres. 

Mr.  Taylor  has  been  identified  with  the  county 
thirty  years,  and  has  seen  the  various  changes. 
By  good  management  he  has  accumulated  a  tine 
property,  and  is  one  of  the  large  and  well-to-do 
business  men  of  the  county.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

t7!  V.  Thou,  furniture,  tin-ware  and  stove 
dealer,  Berlin  Illinois,  was  born  in  Prussia, 
Germany,  December  12,  1833.  When  twenty- 
four  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States 
in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  was  forty-nine  days  in 
making  the  trip,  landing  in  New  Orleans.  The 
vessel,  having  cholera  on  board,  he  had  to  re- 
main on  board  for  several  days.  He  remained 
but  a  short  time  in  New  Orleans,  then  went  to 
St.  Louis,  where  he  worked  a  short  time,  then 
came  to  Jacksonville,  where  he  worked  at  any- 
thing he  could  get  to  do.  He  married  Miss  Eva 
Rodenheber,  who  was  born  in  Hesse  Darmstadt, 
Germany,  July  29,  1845;  they  have  two  children 
John,  born  January  10,  18(37,  and  Katie,  born 
June  22,  1868.  He  isa  member  of  the  Catholic 
Church  of  New  Berlin,  and  in  politics  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. Mr.  Thon  has  a  property  valued  at  $3,000. 
Carries  a  stock  of  $3,000,  of  furniture,  stoves  and 
tin-ware. 

William  AT.  IVarren,  banker,  New  Berlin, 
Illinois,  was  born  May  27,  1828.  Son  of  Wil- 
liam B.,  who  was  born  in  1802,  and  Ann  (Price) 
Warren,  born  in  1811.  They  were  married  in 
Scott  county,  Kentucky,  in  1827.  They  had 
five  sons  and  seven  daughters,  five  of  whom  are 
living,  viz:  William  M.,  Phil.,  now  of  Spring- 
field, a  farmer  and  stock  dealer;  Maria  A.,  now 
Mrs.  William  A.  Turney, of  Springfield;  Louisa, 
now  Mrs.  Thomas  Booth,  of  St.  Louis  ;  Agnes, 


now  Mrs.  V.  M.  Kenney,  of  this  county.  In 
1833,  the  parents  of  Mr.  Warren  left  their  Ken- 
tucky home,  in  wagons,  and  located  in  .lack.son- 
ville,  Morgan  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  Warren  was 
an  attorney  at  law,  but,  on  account  of  poor 
health,  never  followed  his  profession. 

Major  Warren  was  a  man  of  action  as  well  as 
words,  and  at  the  time  of  the  breaking  out  of  the 
Mexican  war,  was  one  among  the  first  to  give  his 
services.  Colonel  Hardin,  W.  B.  Weatherfield  and 
Major  Warren  organized  the  First  Illinois  Regi- 
ment. Colonel  Hardin  was  to  have  command  of 
the  regiment,  W.  B.  Weatherfield  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  and  Mr.  Warren  Major.  Mr.  Warren 
participated  in  the  Mormon  war,  and  acted  as 
Assistant  Adjutant  General.  After  the  Mexican 
war  was  over  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  which  ofiice  he  held  six  years.  He  returned 
to  Jacksonville  where  he  dealt  in  real  estate,  and 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  April 
12,  1865. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  attended  school  in 
Jacksonville  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old;  in 
the  meantime  had  fitted  himself  for  surveying, 
which  he  followed  from  1845  to  1866,  being 
employed  most  of  the  time  in  Sangamon,  Morgan 
and  Cass  counties.  In  1849,  he  married  Miss 
Prescilla  A.  Hitt,  daughter  of  Samuel  Ilitt,  of 
Kentucky,  who  came  to  Morgan  county  in  1832. 
She  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky, 
October  19,  1829.  They  had  eleven  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living,  viz:  William  B.,  a  prac- 
ticing physician  of  Old  Berlin;  Sally,  Robert  H., 
John  F.,  Maggie  and  Agnes.  In  1854,  Mr. 
W.  left  Morgan  county  and  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  where  he  located  on  a  farm,  in  the  mean- 
time, following  surveying.  In  1865,  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  practiced  in  the  circuit 
courts,  and  still  follows  his  profession.  In  1877, 
he  embarked  in  the  banking  business,  in  New 
Jierlin.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has 
held  several  local  oflices  of  trust  in  the  gift  of 
the  people;  has  been  supervisor  eleven  years,  and 
five  of  those  was  chairman  of  the  board.  Mr. 
Warren  has  fifteen  hinidred  acres  of  land  in  this 
county,  all  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  valued 
at  $50  per  acre. 

Lieutenant  James  H.  Yates,  farmer,  New  Ber- 
lin township,  was  born  in  Island  Grove  town- 
ship, this  county,  son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy 
(Iliggins)  Yates,  natives  of  Kentucky.  He  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  good  business 
education.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty- 
sixth  Keginieut  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
Company  D,  and  particij)ated  in  the  battles  of 
Island  No.  10,  siege  aud  battle  of  Corinth,  Jack- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


9(3 


sonville,  Mississippi,  and  Mission  Ridge.  At 
the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  he  re-en- 
listed in  the  Sixth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  Company  C,  and  was  commissioned  as 
First  Lieutenant.  On  the  22d  day  of  July,  he 
was  struck  by  a  musket  ball  in  the  wrist;  re- 
turned home  on  a  furlough;  while  returning  to 
his  regiment,  was  detailed  at  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, to  take  through  a  thousand  head  of  cattle 
to  Sherman's  army,  making  him  too  late  to  go 


with  Sherman  to  the  sea,but  later  he  joined  him 
at  Hilton  Head,  North  Carolina;  afterwards 
made  a  raid  through  the  State,  and  at  the  termi- 
nus of  the  war,  was  mustered  out  in  North  Car- 
olina, being  discharged  and  paid  oflP  in  Spring- 
iield.  He  married,  in  1868,  Miss  Barbara  Dei- 
bert.  She  was  born  in  Germany  in  1845.  They 
had  six  children,  four  of  whom  are  living: 
Frederick,  Philip,  Hawes,  and  Mattie.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Republican. 


9T4 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XLIV. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE  OF  PAWNEE. 


Pawnee  township  is  located  in  the  extreme 
southeastern  part  of  the  county,  and  was  one  of 
the  earliest  settled  townships  in  the  county. 
The  soil  is  a  deep  black  loam,  well  adapted  to 
the  raising  of  corn.  The  township  is  watered 
by  Brush,  Horse  and  Clear  creeks,  the  former 
entering  the  township  on  section  twenty-one, 
township  thirteen,  range  five  west,  and  passing 
in  a  northeast  direction  emerges  on  section  two, 
same  township  and  range.  This  creek  was  so 
named  on  account  of  the  brush  along  its  banks, 
which  was  so  thick  in  the  early  day  as  to  make 
traveling  quite  difKcult.  One  branch  of  Horse 
creek  enters  upon  section  thirty-five,  township 
thirteen,  range  five  west,  and  the  other  upon  sec- 
tion thirty-two,  township  thirteen,  range  four 
west,  uniting  on  section  twenty,  the  latter  town- 
ship and  range,  runs  almost  due  north,  emerging 
on  section  six,  township  thirteen,  range  four  west. 
Tradition  says  the  creek  was  so  named  from 
the  fact  that  the  dead  body  of  a  man  was  found 
on  its  banks  at  a  very  early  day  in  the  winter, 
and  the  next  spring  the  horse  was  found  upon 
its  banks  which  the  dead  man  had  ridden. 

Justus  Ilenkle  was  the  first  settler  in  the 
township.  He  was  born  about  1775,  in  Vir- 
ginia. Elizabeth  Judy  was  born  about  1778,  in 
Randolph  county.  I'hey  were  married  in  Ran- 
dolph county,  Virginia,  and  had  eleven  children 
in  Virginia,  and  moved  from  there  to  Belleville, 
Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1817.  They  moved  from 
there  to  the  San-ga-ma  country,  arriving  about 
the  middle  of  March,  1818,  at  the  west  side  of 
Horse  creek,  in  what  is  now  Pawnee  township, 
about  one  mile  north  of  Pawnee.  Mr.  Henkle 
made  improvements  there,  and  entered  the  land 
when  it  came  into  market.  ]Mr.  Henkle  died  in 
1842.  His  son,  Jacob,  now  owns  the  old  home- 
stead, and  lives  near  by. 


Martin  Baker  was  the  next  settler  after  Henkle, 
and  came  the  same  year.  He  settled  on  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  nine.  Mr.  Baker 
was  from  Tennessee.  He  only  remained  here 
about  three  years,  when  he  returned  to  his  native 
State. 

William  Baker  came  next,  and  settled  upon 

the  same  quarter  with  Martin.     He  subsequently 

moved    to    what    is   now    Rochester   township, 

where  he  remained  a  few  years,  and  then  moved 

I  to  Texas,  where  he  died. 

j  George  Dixon  was  among  the  number  who 
came  in_^  1820.  He  subsequently  moved  to 
Buck  Hart,  where  he  died. 

Joseph  Dixon  was  among  the  earliest  settlers 
!  on  Horse  creek.  He  was  the  principal  mover 
in  establishing  Zion  Chapel,  in  Cotton  Hill 
township,  to  which  he  afterwards  deeded  five 
acres  of  land  for  church  and  cemetery  purposes. 
His  family  are  buried  there,  but  he  died  in  1844, 
at  the  house  of  a  daughter,  near  Franklin,  Mor- 
gan county,  Illinois,  and  was  buried  there. 

Elisha  Sanders  was  also  among  the  early 
settlers.  He  was  born  January  1(5,  1804,  in 
Green  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  married  Jan- 
uary 17,  1824,  in  the  same  county,  to  Jane 
haucett.  They  had  three  children  there,  and 
moved  to  Sangamon  county,  December  16,1829, 
and  stopped  two  miles  west  of  Springfield. 
Elisha  Sanders  was  for  many  years  a  licensed 
preacher,  previous  to  May,  1863,  when  he  was 
ordained,  at  Horse  creek  regular  Predestinarian 
Baptist  Church. 

Joseph  Durbin  was  born  about  1776,  in  what 
afterwards  became  Madison  county,  Kentucky. 
He  was  married  there  to  Elizabeth  Logsdon,  and 
moved  his  family  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
arriving  in  1829,  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Pawnee  township. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


07  = 


The  south  half  of  Pawnee  was  entirely  un- 
settled up  to  1850,  but  is  now  thickly  settled 
and  under  a  high  state  of  imj)rovemeut. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  township  of  Pawnee  was  settled  some 
six  years  before  the  school-master  came,  the 
iirst  school  being  held  in  an  upper  room  or  loft 
of  the  log  cabin  of  Justus  Henkle,  in  1824.  John 
Johnson  in  the  summer  of  that  year  succeeded 
iu  gathering  some  ten  or  twelve  children  to- 
gether, and  in  the  room  mentioned,  endeavored 
to  instil  into  their  mind  the  difference  between 
A  and  B.  From  this  loft  the  next  step  was  the 
old  log  school  house,  a  description  of  which  has 
been  so  often  given,  where  are  slab  seats  so  high 
their  feet  could  not  touch  the  floor,  without 
backs,  and  on  one  side  the  house  a  small  opening 
covered  with  greased  paper  for  window  light, 
the  old  fire  place,  almost  large  enough  to  hold  a 
quarter  of  a  cord  of  wood,  which  the  older 
scholars  were  often  required  to  furnish,  here 
they  were  instructed  in  the  three  R's — readin', 
'ritin',  and  rithmetic.  In  reading  it  mattered 
not  what  book  was  provided,  anything  would  do; 
in  writing  the  teacher  who  occasionally  could 
scarcely  write  his  own  name,  made  pot-hooks 
and  other  symbols  for  those  wlio  were  desirous 
of  learning  how  to  write.  No  arithmetic  was 
required,  the  teacher  having  the  only  copy  nec- 
essary, and  he  would  give  out  the  "sums"  for 
one  to  figure  and  instruct  the  scholars  "how  to 
do  them."  All  this  has  been  changed  in  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century.  The  old  log  school  house 
has  given  place  to  the  more  modern  frame  or 
brick,  and  the  modern  appliances  for  the  school 
room  has  been  provided  in  nearly  all  the  school 
houses.  Outside  of  the  village  in  district  num- 
ber one,  there  is  a  graded  school  worthy  of 
almost  any  town.  Within  the  limits  of  this  dis- 
trict, in  Pawnee  township,  in  1847,  there  were 
but  two  dwelling  houses,  one  by  William  Brad- 
ley, on  the  north  side  of  the  creek,  and  the  other 
by  Elisha  Sanders,  on  the  south  side.  Between 
these  two  men  there  was  a  competition  for  the 
custom  of  the  stage  line  from  Springfield  to 
Vandalia,  by  way  of  Seward's  Point.  In  1850, 
J.  J.  Megredy  and  Colby  Smith,  settled  lower 
down  on  Brush  creek.  Smith  on  the  land  now 
occupied  by  Alfred  W.  Curtis  and  Megredy  near 
his  present  location.  In  1851,  a  log  house  was 
purchased  on  Lick  creek,  removed  to  and  erected 
on  a  lot  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  tliree, 
for  a  school  house.  The  school  section  remain- 
ing unsold,    and  there  being  no    money  in  the 


township  for  school  purposes,  it  was  necessary 
the  school  should  be  taught  gratuitously.  The 
first  term  was  taught  by  J.  J.  Megredy  in  the 
winter  of  1851-2.  He  had  some  twelve  or  fifteen 
scholars  on  his  roll.  The  spring  and  summer 
following,  school  was  taught  by  Miss  M.  A. 
Thompson,  a  niece  of  the  present  Judge  Math- 
eny,  the  principal  part  of  the  salary  being  paid 
by  Mr.  Megredy  and  Mr.  Smith.  The  second 
winter  term  was  taught  by  B.  F.  Fox,  Jr.,  and 
the  summer  term  by  Mr.  Smith. 

In  1852,  the  school  section  having  been  sold, 
the  township  was  laid  out  into  districts, _and  the 
settlement  around  Brush  creek  Vjecame  the  first 
district.  Megredy,  Smith  and  Courtney  were  the 
first  directors  of  the  district. 

A  tax  was  assessed,  by  order  of  the  directors 
of  District  No.  1,  of  thirteen  or  fifteen,  for 
the  purpose  of  raising  means  for  the  erection  of 
a  new  and  better  school  house.  An  effort  was 
made  by  certain  speculators  to  stay  the  collec- 
tion, but  without  avail.  A  house  eighteen  by 
twenty-two  feet  was  framed  and  placed  upon  the 
location  agreed  upon  by  the  citizens  interested, 
when  by  some  means  a  special  act  of  the  legis- 
lature was  secured,  providing  for  the  removal  of 
the  house  to  the  prairie,  beyond  the  reach  of  anj' 
family  living  in  the  district.  The  provisions  of 
the  act  were  carried  out,  and  the  house  was  re- 
moved. Those  interested  in  having  a  school  at 
once  took  steps  to  secure  the  passage  of  an  act 
by  the  legislature  empowering  the  directors  to 
sell  the  house,  which  was  accordingly  done,  it 
being  purchased  by  J.  J.  Megredy,  and  by  the 
district  removed  to  the  present  location  of  the 
school  building,  on  the  northwest  corner  of  sec- 
tion two,  township  thirteen,  range  five. 

In  185G,  the  district  was  named  Oak  Ridge, 
and  the  school  house  then  erected  and  occupied 
became  known  as  the  Oak  Ridge  school  house. 
It  was  used  until  1873,  when  it  was  sold  at  pub- 
lic sale,  and  purchased  by  Charles  H.  Lamb,  for 
§3  i,  and  a  new  and  more  substantial  edifice  was 
erected,  which  was  enlarged  in  1879,  to  meet  the 
increasing  demands  for  school  room.  From 
1879,  the  school  has  been  classed  as  a  graded 
school,  Thomas  McElvain  being  employed  as 
principal,  and  occupying  the  position  at  the 
present  time.  There  are  one  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  children  in  the  district,  eighty-five 
of  proper  school  age.  The  school  in  its  grade  is 
reported  by  the  County  Superintendent  as  first 
class. 

The  township  is  now  well  supplied  with  good 
school  buildings,  and  in  educational  progi'ess  is 
equal  to  any  in  the  county. 


970 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


KELIGIOUS. 

The  tirst  religious  services  ever  held  in  Pawnee 
township  was  in  1819.  The  well  known  eccen- 
tric divine,  Lorenzo  Dow,  while  traveling  in  the 
west,  and  on  a  visit  to  Fort  Clark,  now  Peoria, 
came  to  this  neighborhood  and  preached  one  of 
his  characteristic  sermons.  Revs.  Rivers  Cor- 
luack,  William  Sims,  Peter  Cartwright  and  other 
Methodist  divines  often  visited  the  township  in 
the  early  day,  and  preached  the  word  of  God  in 
the  cabins  of  the  settlers  before  even  school 
houses  were  known.  There  are  two  church 
edifices  in  the  township,  and  over  twenty  in  a 
radius  of  eight  miles  of  Oak  Ridge;  and  two  re- 
ligious denominations  represented — the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  and  Presbyterian,  each  having  a 
house  of  worship. 

The  first  regular  preaching  appointment  in  the 
Oak  Ridge  or  Brush  creek  neighborhood  was  in 
1854,  at  the  house  of  J.  J.  Megredy.  A  class 
"was  soon  organized,  embracing  the  following 
named:  Charles  Nuckolls,  Daniel  Megredy  and 
Katie,  his  wife;  Mrs.  Lucinda  Megredy,  J.  J. 
Megredy  and  A.  R.,  his  wife;  Jacob  J.  Weber 
and  Elizabeth,  his  wife;  Colby  Smith  and  Eliza, 
his  wife.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  of  the  class,  were 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  Previous  to  1857,  the  meetings  were 
held  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Megredy,  when  the  ap- 
pointment was  removed  to  the  school  house  and 
continued  until  1860,  when  a  church  was  built 
nearly  opposite,  on  the  southwest  corner  of  sec- 
tion thirty-five;  in  size,  thirty-four  by  forty-six 
feet,  at  a  cost  of  $2,300.  The  following  named 
have  served  as  pastors  since  1855:  Elder  Peter 
Cartwright,  A.  Bradshaw,  Jay  R.  Bird,  William 
Pallett,  R.  Clark,  J.  S.  Barger,  W.  P.  Paxton, 
Elder  W.  S.  Prentice,  John  Burgess,  A.  C.  Ar- 
mentrout,  S.  S.  McGinnls,  George  Stearn,  Henry 
C.  Wallace,  W.  Y.  Hickox,  J.  B.  Wolf,  S.  W. 
Druegan,  G.  B.  Wolf,  B.  F.  Hyde,  and  J.  Q. 
Roberts,  the  present  incumbent.  The  following 
named  are  the  stewards  of  the  church:  P.  W. 
Weber,  J.  H.  Colean,  W.  R.  Lockridge,  Daniel 
Jones,  W.  R.  Ford,  T.  B.  Shepherd,  and  Hiram 
Walker. 

A  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  connection 
with  this  church  about  1855,  and  has  continued 
to  the  present  time.  For  several  years  it  has 
held  sessions  during  the  entire  year.  G.  P. 
Weber  is  the  present  Superintendent. 

The  Brush  Creek  Presbyterian  Church  was 
organized  Decmber  31,  1870,  by  Rev.  W.  D. 
Saunders,  of  Springfield  Presbytery.  Those 
composing    the    membership    on     organization 


were,  R.  S.  Brown,  Sarah  A.  Brown,  Charles  G. 
Brown,  Virginia  A.  Brown;  John  Brown,  Mary 
A.  Brown,  William  Poe,  Margaret  Ann  Poe, 
Annie  H.  Poe,  James  Clark,  Jane  Clark,  Mary 
A.  Clark,  Horace  Wells,  Ellen  Wells,  Charles 
H.  Weill?,  Job  Fletcher,  Francis  Fletcher.  R. 
S.  Brown  and  Job  Fletcher  were  electsd  elders. 
A  house  of  worship  was  completed  iu  1870,  at  a 
cost  of  §2,900.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  thirty- 
two  by  forty-eight  feet.  The  following  named 
have  served  as  pastors  :  Revs.  William  T. 
Tarbet,  Aaron  Thompson,  Jones  Herbut,  and  G. 
Pollock.  Rev.  W.  A.  Dunning  is  the  present 
supply.  The  present  membership  is  forty-four. 
A  revival  of  great  power  was  held  in  Novem- 
ber and  December,  1871,  resulting  in  about 
sixty  conversions,  some  of  whom  united  with 
the  Methodists,  Baptists,  and  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians. A  Sunday  school  has  been  in  opera- 
tion since  April,  1871.  Its  average  attendance 
is  forty-five.  Charles  H.  Wells  is  the  superin- 
tendent ;  John  Brown,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
The  first  church  edifice  was  destroyed  by  fire, 
July  11.  1872.  A  second  house  of  worship  was 
erected  the  following  fall,  and  completed  January 
1,  1873,  at  a  cost  of  $2,700.  It  stands  on  the 
same  foundation  as  the  first  building. 

PAWNEE     CIECUIT,     ILLINOIS    CONFERENCE,     JI.     E, 
CHURCH. 

Pawnee  circuit  was  formed  of  the  eastern 
portion  of  Chatham,  Sangamon  county,  and  the 
southwest  of  Bethel  circuits.  Christian  county, 
iu  tlie  year  1867,  including  Zion  Chapel  on 
Horse  creek  (an  appointment  of  about  fifty 
years  standing,  and  at  one  time  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  old  Sangamon  circuit,)  Oak 
Ridge,  on  Brush  creek,  and  Pawnee  Church,  at 
the  village  of  Pawnee. 

Pawnee  Church  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  revival 
held  in  the  winter  of  186-1-5,  conducted  by  Rev. 
W.  M.  Reed,  of  the  Chatham  circuit,  and  was 
commenced  by  Rev.  James  Guner,  of  Bethany 
circuit,  and  completed  in  1S65.  Mr.  Guner  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  Orr,  in  1866.  These  ap- 
pointments were  in  the  district  of  which  Rev. 
Peter  Cartwright  was  the  presiding  elder. 

On  the  organization  of  the  circuit.  Rev. 
George  Stevens  was  appointed  as  pastor.  The 
tirst  quarterly  meeting  was  held  at  the  Mcilur- 
ray  chapel,  November  16,  1867,  and  was  in  the 
circuit  of  Rev.  J.  L.  Crane,  presiding  elder. 

The  first  official  board  of  the  circuit  was.  Rev. 
J.  L.  Crane,  P.  E.;  George  Stevens,  Pastor; 
James  J.  Megredy,  Secretary  and  Recording 
Steward;  P.   W.   Weber,   William   H.  Veatch, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


977 


Samuel  Kidgeway,  Wesley  Iliidgen,  IJiram  W. 
Walker,  James  t.  Scott,  J.  J.  Megredy,  T.  B. 
Shepherd,  Stewards;  W.  Scott  Matthew,  local 
preacher. 

In  1808,  Rev.  W.  S.  Prentice  was  the  presid- 
ing elder,  and  Henry  C.  Wallace,  pastor.  Mem- 
bership, two  hundred  and  fifty. 

In  1869,  John  B.  Wolfe  was  pastor,  and  Oak 
Kidge  Church  was  built. 

In  1871,  A.  C.  Armentrout,  pastor.  The 
value  of  the  church  property  this  year  was  esti- 
mated as  follows:  Four  churches,  $9,800;  pas- 
torage,  61,800;  total,  ■'Ml, 600. 

In  1872,  Rev.  W.  McElfresh  was  appointed 
jiresiding  elder,  with  G.  W.  Dungan,  pastor,  and 
W.  S.  Matthew,  local  preacher. 

In  1875,  George  B.  Wolfe  was  pastor;  James 
Scott  and  William  Winters,  exhorters. 

In  1876,  Rev.  W.  II.  H.  Webster  was  ap- 
pointed presiding  elder,  with  George  B.  Wolfe, 
pastor. 

In  1878,  B.  F.  Hyde  was  pastor;  membership, 
two  hundred  and  five. 

In  1879,  J.  T.  Roberts,  pastor. 

In  1880,  Rev.  W.  S.  Prentice,  presiding  elder; 
J.  T.  Roberts,  pastor. 

In  1881,  the  appointments  were  continued. 
Number  of  members,  two  hundred  and  eleven. 

Present  board  of  stewards:  P.  W.  Weber, 
W.  Weber,  W.  R.  Ford,  T.  B.  Shepherd,  A.  P. 
Curtis,  W.  R.  Lockridge,D.  G.  Jones,  J.  H.  Co- 
lean,  W.  Stickel,  William  Winter. 

MORAL. 

In  the  early  history  of  the  western  part  of  the 
township  at  Oak  Ridge,  on  Brush  creek,  whisky 
was  solcl  in  any  (juantity  by  .Jacob  Greenwalt, 
whose  house  was  a  place  of  public  resort,  and 
the  prominent  characteristic  of  the  people  was 
whisky  drinking,  which  continued  until  subdued 
by  the  steady,  moral  infiuence  of  those  who 
alterward  became  citizens  of  the  neighborhood. 
At  the  present  time  not  one  of  the  permanent 
citizens  of  Oak  Ridge  school  district  is  in  the 
habit  of  using  spirituous  liquors  as  a  beverage. 

OAK  RIDGE  POLICE. 

During  the  war  the  farmers  of  Sangamon  and 
neighboring  counties  suffered  much  from  what 
was  supposed  to  be  an  organized  gang  of  horse- 
thieves.  The  citizens  of  Ball  and  Pawnee 
townships  living  near  Brush  creek,  organized 
the  Oak  Ridge  police  force  June  14,  1864, 
having  for  its  object  the  suppression  of  theft, 
the  recovery  of  stolen  property,  and  to  secure 
the  immediate  protection  of  the  laws.  Among 
those  taking  an  active  part  in  its  organization 

114— 


were  J.  J.  Megredy,  Joseph  J.  Weber,  Jnsiah 
Lard,  Samuel  Davidson  and  J.  Campbell.  The 
following  named  were  elected  officers:  Jacob 
J.  Weber,  Chief  of  Police;  Thomas  B.  Shep- 
herd, Rape  Funderburk,  Samuel  Davidson,  John 
P.  Crocker,  Assistants;  Josiah  Lard,  Treasurer; 
J.  J.  Megredy,  Secretary.  The  organization 
continued  to  exist  and  held  its  meetings  with 
more  or  less  regularity  until  September  25,  1876. 
Between  Auburn  and  Oak  Ridge  fourteen  per- 
sons were  arrested  for  stealing  horses  during  the 
time  of  its  active  existence,  and  much  good 
was  done. 


DARK    DEEDS. 


Pawnee  township  has  been  disgraced  by  two 
foul  murders  since  its  settlement,  that  of  John 
Baker  and  John  H.  Sanders,  an  account  of 
which  is  given  in  chapter  X\,  under  the  head  of 
"Dark  Deeds." 


Justus  Ilenkle  built  a  small  water  grist-mill  on 
section  five,  town  thirteen  north,  range  four 
west,  on  Horse  creek,  in  1822,  with  one  run  of 
stone.  The  stone  was  one  picked  up  on  the 
prairie,  and  was  chipped  with  an  axe.  This  was 
the  first  water-mill  in  Sangamon  county.  Mr. 
Henkle  subsequently  built  two  horse-mills  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  the  demand. 

ORGANIC. 

Pawnee  township  was  organized  in  1861,  and 
was  composed  of  the  west  half  of  township  thir- 
teen, range  four  west,  and  all  of  township  thir- 
teen, range  five  west.  In  1869,  some  twelve  sec- 
tions on  the  west  were  taken  from  it  and  given 
to  Auburn.  The  following  named  have  sei'ved 
in  the  oflices  and  for  the  time  mentioned. 

1861. — A.  S.  Davenport,  Supervisor;  James  J. 
Megredy,  Town  Clerk;  James  Campbell,  Asses- 
sor; Edwin  Doolittle, Collector;  Wm.  Humphrey, 
C.  M.  Campbell,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  Edwin 
Doolittle,  John  W.  Nuckolls,  Constables;  W.  B. 
Fox,  Overseer  of  Poor;  Garred  Young,  T.  J. 
Nuckolls,  Wm.  Speak,  Commissioners  of  High- 
ways. 

1862. — A.  S.  Davenport,  Supervisor;  James  J. 
Megredy,  Town  Clerk;  James  Campbell,  Asses- 
sor; Edwin  Doolittle,  Collector;  James  Benning- 
ton, Constable;  Wm.  Speak,  Commissioner  of 
Highways. 

1863. — A.  S.  Davenport,  Supervisor;  James  J. 
Megredy,  Town  Clerk;  James  Campbell,  Asses- 
sor; W.  H.  H.  Bennington,  Collector;  Thomas 
Kenney,    Constable;    Garred    Young,    Commis- 


978 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


sioner  of  Highways;  C.  D.  Nuckolls,  Overseer  of 
Poor. 

1864. — -Elisha  Sanders,  Supervisor;  J.  J.  Me- 
gredy,  Clerk;  James  Campbell,  Assessor;  R.  E. 
Sanders,  Collector;  F.  M.  Ogden,  Constable;  Dr. 
W.  C.  Johnson,  Overseer  of  Poor;  James  Ben- 
nington, Commissioner  of  Highways. 

1865. — J.  W.  Lochridge,  Supervisor;  J.  J.  Me- 
gredy.  Clerk;  James  Campbell,  Assessor;  W.  H. 
H.  Bennington,  Collector;  Edwin  Doolittle,  H. 
C  Barnes,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  J.  J.  Warren, 
John  McKain,  Constables;  Dr.  John  Wheeler, 
Overseer  of  Poor;  James  A.  Able,  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways. 

1866.— James  Campbell,  Supervisor;  J.  J.  Me- 
gredy,  Clerk;  S.  C.  Pioctor,  Assessor;  W.  H. 
H.  Bennington,  Collector;  Dr.  W.  C.  Johnson, 
Overseer  of  Poor;  John  McKain,  Constable; 
Garred  Young,  Commissioner  of  Highways. 

1867. — H.  R.  Davis,  Supervisor;  James  Camp- 
bell, Clerk;  S.  C.  Proctor,  Assessor;  Geo.  Hart- 
sock,  Collector;  J.  C.  Griffith,  Overseer  of  Poor; 
M.  A.  Davis,  Commissioner  of  Highways. 

1868. — Garred  Young,  Supervisor;  James 
Campbell,  Clerk;  Philemon  Stout,  Assessor; 
James  A.  Able,  Collector;  W.  D.  Patton,  Com- 
missioner of  Highways. 

1869. — J.  J.  Megredy,  Supervisor;  S.  C. 
Proctor,  Clerk;  Edwin  Doolittle,  Assessor;  W. 
T.  McClure,  Collector;  Edwin  Doolittle,  J.  L. 
Stephens,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  J.  J.  WaiTen, 
Chas.  L.  Megredy,  Constables;  J.  B.  Ogden, 
Commissioner  of  Highways. 

1870. — Garred  Young,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey,  Town  Clerk;  S.  C.  Proctor,  Assessor; 
W.  J.  Wheeler,  Collector;  H.  R.  Davis,  Com- 
missioner of  Highways. 

1871. — W.  K.  Campbell,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey,  Clerk;  James,  Campbell,  Assessor;  I. 
W.  Porter,  Collector;  W.  D.  Patton,  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways. 

1872.— W.  K  Campbell,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey,  Clerk;  J.  B.  Ogden,  Assessor;  M.  A. 
Davis,  Collector,  W.  H.  Jones,  Commissioner  of 
Highways. 

1873. — Garred  Young,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey,  Clerk;  J.  B.  Ogden,  Assessor;  Turner 
Saunders,  Collector;  J.  L.  Stephens,  Wm.  J. 
Wheeler,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  J.  J.  Warren, 
Constable;  H.  R.  Davis,  R  E.  Sanders,  Com- 
missioner of  Highways. 

1874. — Garred  Y'oung,  Supervisor;  J.  ~  W. 
Blakey,  Clerk;  D.  M.  Hamlin,  Assessor;  J.  J. 
Warren,  Collector;  H.  R.  Davis,  Commissioner 
of  Highways. 


1875. — J.  L.  Stephens,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey  Clerk;  James  A.  Able,  Assessor;  Joseph 
Christopher,  Collector;  James  Burt,  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways. 

1876.— D.  W.  Porter,  Supervisor;  J.  W. 
Blakey,  Clerk;  James  Able,  Assessor;  Joseph 
Christopher,  Collector;  Wm.  H.  Jones,  D.  H. 
Starkweather,  Commissioners  of  Highways. 

1877. — H.  R.  Davis,  Supervisor;  J.  W.  Blakey, 
Clerk;  James  A.  Able,  Assessor;  C.  W.  Nuck- 
olls, Collector;  Wm.  J.  Wheeler,  C.  I.  PuUiam, 
Justices  of  the  Peace;  J.  J.  Warren,  Constable; 
W.  W.  Scott,  Constable;  R.  E.  Sanders,  Com- 
missioner of  Highways. 

1878. — H.  R.  Davis",  Supervisor;  J.  W.  Blakey, 
Clerk;  Wm.  K.  Campbell,  Assessor;  Wm.  L. 
Keisacker,  Collector;  Wm.  H.  Jones,  Commis- 
sioner of  Highways. 

1879.— H.  R.  Davis,  Supervisor;  J.  W.  Blakey, 
Clerk;  William  K.  Campbell,  Assessor;  L.  A. 
Seely,  Collector;  John  Dozier,  Commissioner  of 
Highways;  J.  B.  Weber,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

May  20,  1879,  M.  A.  Bridges  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  in  place  of  J.  B.  Weber, 
refusing  to  serve. 

September  25,  1879,  J.  R.  Barnes  was  elected 
constable,  in  place  of  J.  J.  Warren,  resigned; 
George  Young  was  elected  Commissioner  of 
Highways,  in  place  of  John  Dozier,  deceased. 

1880. — H.  R.  Davis,  Supervisor;  J.  W.  Blakey, 
Clerk;  William  K.  Campbell,  Assessor;  Michael 
Martin,  Collector;  Joseph  Dodds,  Commissioner 
of  Highways. 

1881.— H.  R.  Davis,  Supervisor;  J.  W.  Blakey, 
Clerk;  William  K.  Campbell,  Assessor;  Michael 
Martin,  Collector;  William  H.  Nichols,  Justice 
of  the  Peace;  Green  A.  Call,  Constable:  Duncan 
McTaggart,  D.  H.  Starkweather,  Commissioners 
of  Highways. 

VILLAGE    OF    PAWNEE. 

The  village  of  Pawnee  originally  comprised, 
according  to  the  plat,  the  south  part  of  the 
northeast  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of 
section  seven,  township  thirteen,  range  four 
west,  and  is  pleasantly  situated,  and  surrounded 
by  a  good  country.  Being  several  miles  from 
any  market,  and  the  country  being  well  settled, 
Samuel  FuUinwider  commenced  here  the  sale  of 
merchandise,  in  1854,  the  store  being  under 
charge  of  J.  R.  Mengel,  Mr.  FuUinwider  resid- 
ing at  Chatham.  The  neighborhood,  at  this 
time,  was  known  as  the  Horse  creek  precinct, 
and  its  school  house  as  the  Horse  creek  school 
house.  The  next  thing  after  starting  a  store 
here,  was  to  have  a  post  office.     The  post  office 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


979 


dcpaitmtiit  was  accordingly  petitioned  for  the 
establii-bment  btre  of  an  office,  to  be  known 
as  the  Horse  creek  post  office.  For  some  cause, 
the  department  objected  to  the  name,  and  wrote 
to  James  W.  Ke)'e8,  then  postmaster  at  Spring- 
Held,  asking  his  opinion  as  to  the  advisability  of 
establishing  an  office  here,  and  asking  him  to 
suggest  a  name.  He  suggested  Pawnee,  and 
thus  it  was  named.  Isaac  Mengel  was  made 
postmaster,  and  held  the  office  until  the  spring 
of  186ti,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  J.  "W. 
Blakey,  who  continued  to  serve  until  October, 
1869,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  J.  F.  Smith, 
who  served  until  1876,  when  James  A.  Abel  was 
appointed.  Mr.  Abel  was  succeeded,  December 
1,  1877,  by  W.  E.  Purcell,  who  discharged  the 
duties  of  the  office  to  September  1,  1878,  when 
l)r.  Charles  Kerr  was  appointed,  and  served  till 
in  February,  1881,  and  was  succeeded  by  John 
W.  McClure.  The  office  was  made  a  money 
order  office  in  August,  1881,  and  Gilbert  C. 
Drennan  secured  the  first  order,  in  favor  of  the 
Journal  Printing  Company,  Springfield. 

A  blacksmith  shop,  by  Newton  Rape,  was  the 
next  addition  to  the  village,  followed  by  a 
wagon  shop,  by  Isaac  R.  Mengel. 

SCHOOLS. 

A  log  school  house  was  built  here  at  an  early 
day,  and  succeeded  in  a  few  years  by  a  frame 
building.  The  school  here  was  known  as  the 
Horse  creek  school.  The  house  was  used  by  the 
various  religious  denominations  who  desired  to 
hold  services  therein.  The  district  was  organized 
in  1853,  since  which  time  free  public  schools 
have  been  held.  The  present  school  house  was 
built  at  a  later  day,  and  the  school  was  graded 
upon  opening  in  the  new  house,  into  two  grades. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  religious  element  of  the  place  is  repre- 
sented by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a 
sketch  of  which  is  given  in  connection  with  the 
township,  as  part  of  Pawnee  circuit. 

POST    OFFICE. 

The  post  office  was  established  here  shortly 
after  Mr.  FuUinwider  started  his  store,  and 
Isaac  R.  Mengel  was  appointed  postmaster.  He 
was  succeeded  by  J.  W.  Blakey,  who  served 
from  the  spring  of  1866  to  October,  1869.  J.  F. 
Smith  was  then  appointed,  and  served  until  1876, 
and  was  succeeded  by  James  A.  Able,  who  per- 
formed the  duties  of  the  office  until  the  appoint- 
ment of  W.  E.  Purcell,  December  1,1877.  Mr. 
Purcell  retained  the  office  until  September  1, 
1878,   when  Dr.   Charles  Kerr,  the  incumbent, 


was  appointed.  The  office  was  made  a  money 
order  office,  in  August,  1881. 

Henry  C.  Barnes,  post  office,  Virden.  Ma- 
coupin county,  was  born  in  Devonshire,  England, 
IVIarch  18,  1835;  his  father,  Arthur  Barnes,  was 
also  a  native  of  Devonshire,  England,  and  was 
born  in  1792;  he  served  under  Wellington  in  the 
battle  of  Waterloo,  as  a  commissioned  officer; 
his  mother,  Mary  (Clark)  Barnes,  was  born  in 
1608,  in  the  same  place;  she  belonged  to  the 
same  family  of  Adams  as  did  John  and  John 
Quincy  Adams;  they  were  married  in  England, 
in  18'J2,  and  had  six  children,  as  follows:  Wil- 
liam C.,  John  C,  Mary  J.,  James,  Henry  C.  and 
Emily.  Henry  C.  came  to  this  country  in  1846; 
landed  at  Quebec;  came  to  Chicago,  and  from 
there  to  Grafton,  .Jersey  county;  thence  to  Jack- 
sonville, where  he  engaged  in  the  marble  busi- 
ness, attending  school  a  part  of  the  time;  then 
went  to  Shurtleff  College,  where  he  took  a  class- 
ical course,  and  afterwards  taught  school  at 
Alton,  and  elsewhere,  April  11,1861.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  E.  J.  Dobbs,  daughter  of  John  W.  and 
Martha  Dobbs,  and  their  six  children  were: 
John  L.,  born  February  16,  1862;  Annie  E., 
March  5,  1865;  Arthur  E.,  August  24,  1866; 
Mary  Jane,  July  4,  1868;  George  W.,  September 
21,  1870,  and  Bertha  R,  February  14,  1873. 
Mrs.  Barnes  died  June  5,  1878,  and  February  2, 
1879,  Mr.  Barnes  married  Elizabeth  Dayton,  nee 
Brockman,  daughter  of  Zurrath  and  Isaac 
Brockman;  they  have  one  child,  Emily  H.,  born 
March  8,  1880.  Mr.  B.  owns  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  is  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  feeding  cattle  and  hogs  for 
market. 

John  W.  Blakey,  post  office,  Pawnee,  was 
born  December  30,  1841;  his  parents  were  John 
M.  and  Frances  Blakey,  natives  of  Culpepper 
county,  Virginia;  they  were  married  and  moved 
to  Missouri  about  1839;  they  bad  seven  children, 
four  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  living,  one  of 
whom  was  a  physician,  two  merchants,  and  one 
farmer.  JohnW.  was  the  sixth  child,  and  was 
born  in  Howard  county,  Missouri;  be  remained 
there  until  July,  1864,  then  went  to  St.  Louis  to 
attend  Commercial  College;  he  graduated  in 
October,  1864,  having  previously  attended  Cen- 
tral College,  and  was  within  six  months  of  grad- 
uating when  the  war  broke  up  the  college;  In 
1865,  be  came  to  this  county  and  settled  at  Paw- 
nee, where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits; 
this  be  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  May  7, 
1867,  he  married  Amanda  E.,  daughter  of  Philip 
W.  and  Amanda  H  Weber,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  March  3,  1846,  and  was  educated  at 


980 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Pawnee.  They  have  had  three  children,  Annie 
May,  born  April  22,  1868,  and  died  September 
5,  1868;  Edgar  L.,  born  April  16,  1871,  and 
Charles  L.,  born  May  4,  1875.  Mr.  B.  was 
elected  town  clerk  in  1870,  and  at  each  succeed- 
ing election  since. 

William  K.  Camphell,  post  office.  Pawnee, 
is  a  son  of  Charles  M.  and  Agnes  (Shank) 
Campbell,  natives  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey. 
The  father  was  born  in  September,  1796.  The 
date  of  the  mother's  birth  is  unknown.  Their 
children  were  John,  born  in  New  Jersey  about 
1820;  James,  1822;  William  K.,  1824;  Charles 
M.,  1828,  and  Cornelia,  1833.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  the  third  child,  and  came  to 
Jersey  county,  Illinois,  about  1840;  remained 
there  until  about  1853,  when  he  came  to  this 
county,  bought  land,  and  made  a  farm.  Mr. 
Campbell  has  been  three  times  married.  His 
first  wife  was  Miss  Abbie  Minier,  who  died  May 
5,  184  7,  leaving  one  child,  Agnes,  born  April  15, 
1847.  The  second  wife  was  Mary  E.  Noble,  who 
died  July  12,  1859,  leaving  five  children,  viz.: 
Julia  P.  Agnes  K.,  Charles  A.,  William  H.,  and 
John  S.  Mr.  C.  married  Miss  Clara  E.  Gale, 
July  12,  1860.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Gard- 
ner and  Sophronia  Gale,  natives  of  Vermont. 
The  father  was  born  in  1804,  and  the  mother  in 
1806.  The  children  of  Mr.  Campbell's  third 
marriage  are:  Archibald  A.,  born  February  9, 
1861;  Marv  S.,  August  3,  1863;  Gardner  G., 
April  ],  1865;  Gardner  W.,  March  21,  1867; 
Walter  E.,  January  31,  1869;  Philip  W.,  March 
21,  1871;  Clara  Lorena,  December  13,  1873. 
Agnes  died  April  6,  1849;  Mary  S.,  January  19, 
1866;  Gardner  G.,  January  29,  1866;  Gardner 
W.,  August  25,  1872,  and  Julia,  September  1, 
1874.  Mr,  Campbell  is  of  Scotch  and  German 
origin,  and  Mrs.  C.  of  English.  She  had  good 
educational  advantages,  having  attended  theBor- 
dentown  academy.  His  son,  Archie,  attends 
mostly  to  the  farm.  Mr.  C.  was  supervisor  of 
Pawnee  township  for  two  years,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent filling  his  third  term  as  assessor. 

Randolph  M.  Calliss,  post  office,  Virden,  is  a 
son  of  Randolph  W.  and  Hester  Calliss,  the  for- 
mer born  in  Virginia,  March  16,  1817,  and  the 
latter  in  Pennsylvania,  September  4,  1820;  they 
were  married  in  Ohio  in  1838,  and  had  seven 
children,  as  follows:  Randolph  M.,  born  August 
30,  1839;  Joseph  J.,  born  June  30,  1841,  and  died 
April  8,  1868;  Elizabeth  E.,  born  April  18,  1844, 
died  July  4,  1874;  Margaret  M.,  born  August  30, 
18'16,  died  April  26,  1874;  Robert  S.,  born  March 
20,  1849;  John  V.,  born  June  13,  1851;  James 
W.,  born  October  2,  1853.    They  came  to  Jersey 


county,  Illinois,  in  1846.  The  father  died  January 
25,  1855,  and  the  mother  October  9,  187o.  Ran 
dolph  M.,  was  the  first  child  and  came  with  his 
mother  to  this  county  November  15,  1858,  where 
he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Honor  Orr,  February  6,  1868,  the  former  born  in 
Virginia  May  29,  1814,  and  the  latter  in  Ten- 
nessee, May  7,  1815.  They  had  five  children, 
viz:  Cora  H.,  born  March  4,  1869;  Honor  E., 
born  October  13,  1871,  died  June  7,  1880;  Fred- 
die, born  March  26,  1874,  died  April  12,  1874; 
Edwin  J.,  born  August  26,  1875,  died  May  13, 
1 880,  and  Maggie  A.,  born  January  23,  1878,  died 
April  24,  1880.  Mr.  Calliss  is  of  English  and 
Scotch  origin,  and  Mrs.  Calliss  of  Welch  and 
German.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  land,  valued 
at  ^50  an  acre.  Mr.  C.  was  in  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-second  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
during  the  war. 

James  Clark,  post  office,  Virden,  was  the  only 
child  of  John  and  Janet  (Garrow)  Clark,  natives 
of  Scotland;  the  mother  was  bora  about  1783. 
He  came  to  America  with  his  mother,  in  1853, 
and  landed  at  New  York;  went  to  New  Jersey 
for  three  years;  came  to  Jersey  county,  this 
State,  in  1856,  and  in  1857,  came  to  this  county, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  June  20,  1843,  he 
married  Miss  Jane  Whyte,  in  Scotland,  daughter 
of  David  and  Jane  Whyte.  They  have  had  four 
children,  namely:  James  W.,  born  July  26,  1844; 
Jane,  March  7,  1847;  Mary  A.,  August  8,  1851; 
Lizzie,  July  31,  1859,  died,  August  24, 1866.  Mr. 
Clark  was  naturalized  in  1860,  and  cast  his  first 
vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  owns  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  of  valuable  land;  buildings 
large  and  commodious;  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  and  feeding  cattle  for  market;  also  deals 
in  stock  on  speculation;  both  himself  and  wife 
had  good  educational  advantages. 

Moses  A.  Davis,  post  office  Pawnee,  son  of 
Luther  and  Annie  M.  Davis,  the  former  born  in 
Vermont,  the  latter  in  New  York.  Moses  A. 
was  the  fifth  child,  and  born  in  Erie  county, 
Pennsylvania,  from  there  came  to  Indiana, 
thence  to  Tazewell  county,  thence  to  Jersey 
county,  finally  locating  in  Sangamon  county,  in 
1854,  in  Pawnee  township.  He  was  married  in 
February,  1861,  to  Miss  Emma  Lough  of  Jersey 
county;  they  are  of  English  e.xtraction.  Their 
children  are,  Frederick,  born  October  20,  1862; 
Charles,  born  September  25,  1864;  Addie  E., 
born  November  26,  1869;  Fannie,  born  Decem- 
ber 26,  1871;  Mary,  born  May  26,  1876.  He 
owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land, 
worth  $50  an  acre.  The  advantages  of  edu- 
cation of  himself  and  wife  were  limited. 


HISTORY"  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


981 


Henry  R.  Davis,  post   office,   Pawnee,   was 
born  iu  St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  Octo- 
ber  14,   1832.     His   parents    were   Luther   and 
Anna  M.  Davis;  tlie  father  born  in  Chittenden 
county,  Vermont,  and  the   motlier  in   Herkimer 
county,  New  York.     They  were  married  in  St. 
Lawrence   county,  New   York,   and    had   eight 
children,    six   son.s   and   two    daughters.     They 
came  to  Tazewell  county,  thi.s  State,  in  1841,  re- 
mained there  three  years,  then  moved  tt)  Jersey 
county,  residing   there  ten  years,  and  in    1854 
came  to  this  county,  where  they  entered  laud 
and  made  the  farm  adjoining  where  the  son  now 
resides.     November  10,  185'J,  Henry  R.  married 
Miss  Susan  Williamson,  who  was  born  in  Ohio, 
February  1,  18:j7.     She  was  a  daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin and   Catharine   S.  Williamson,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.     Children,  Luther  K.,born  Janu- 
ary 8,  1SG3;  Olive  J.,  November  19,  18G5;  Flor- 
ence N.,  February  9,  1868;  Ida  Mary,  July   14, 
1871;  Benjamin  F., February  1,  1875;" and  Edna, 
January  2i3,  1880;  Benjamin   F.  died  March  21, 
1877.     Mr.  Davis  is  supervisor  of  his  township, 
and  has  been   for  several  terms.     He  owns  six 
hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $40 
an  acre.     Mrs.  Davis,  and  infant  son,  died  Au- 
gust  18,  1881,  and  are  buried  in  Horse  Creek 
Cemetery. 

Samuel  Davidson,  post  office.  Pawnee,  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hall)  Davidson,  the 
father  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1778;  date  of 
mother's  birth  unknown.  They  had  nine 
children,  Luunie,  Samuel,  Letitia,  Elizabeth, 
William,  Martha,  John,  Rachel  and  Elisha. 
Samuel-  was  the  second  child,  and  born  in 
Tennessee,  October  19,  1821.  He  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Macon  county  in  182C,  where  his 
father  rented  land  and  commenced  farming; 
remained  there  a  short  time,  then  moved  to 
Macoupin  county.  In  1850,  Samuel  married 
Amanda  Nuckolls,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann 
Nuckolls,  who  came  from  Virginia  to  this  State 
and  settled  iu  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D. 
have  had  nine  children,  as  follows:  Ann  E., 
born  April  25,  1851;  John  D.,  January  25,  1853; 
George  W.,  March  12,  1855;  Emma  A.,  March 
25,  1858,  married  to  Samuel  J.  Stout  August  31, 
1881 ;  Samuel  M.,  September  5,  1861 ;  Thomas  J., 
March  4,  1804;  Amanda,  May  26,  1869;  Miriam 
M.,  October  5,  1868;  Charles  C,  June  5,  1872; 
John  Douglas,  died  November  26,  1869.  Mr. 
D.  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land, 
valued  a'.  §50  an  acre.  Himself  and  wife  have 
had  very  good  educational  advantages. 

David  A.  Drennan,  M.  D.,  post  office  Pawnee, 
was  born  in  this  county,  February  2,  1851.     His 


parents  were  John  L.  and  Nancy  J.  (Dodds) 
Drennan,  who  were  natives  of  Caldwell  county, 
Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent;  father  was  born 
February  18,  1808;  mother  was  born  January 
30,  1819;  they  were  married  in  this  county,  De- 
cember 15,  1842  and  had  six  children,  all  sons, 
viz:  George  L.,  Benjamin  F.,  Gilbert  C,  Charles, 
David  A.,  and  Alfred  L.  David  A.  was  the  fifth 
child,  and  was  brought  up  ou  a  farm.  September 
6,  1876,  he  married  Aliss  Fannie  White,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  White,  of  Christian 
county,  who  was  born  February  21,  1853.  They 
have  one  child,  Arthur  Ray,  born  March  27,  1881. 
Mr.  Drennan  attended  the  district  schools  until 
he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  then  Lincoln 
University  until  the  end  of  his  sophomore  year;  he 
comraenceil  reading  medicine  at  Pawnee;  studied 
one  and  a  half  years,  and  then  attended  Rush 
Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  during  the 
winters  of  18  72,  '73,  '74  and  '75,  where  he  gradu- 
ated, February  16,  1875;  since  which  time  he  has 
practiced  at  Pawnee.  His  system  of  practice  is 
known  as  the  "  regular,"  or  alopathic,  and  he  is 
meeting  with  good  success  as  a  practitioner. 

Joseph  Gattan,  post  office,  Pawnee,  son  of 
John  A.  and  Annie  E.  Gattan,  born  in  Kentucky, 
married  about  1821.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage 
was  eight  children  three  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, two  deceased.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  third  child  and  born  in  Sangamon  coun- 
ty, June  1  2,  1829,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm.  He 
married  Miss  Mary  E.  Harper,  daughter  of 
Jame.s  Harper,  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illi- 
nois. The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  five  chil- 
dren, two  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  living, 
IMartha  J.,  Ann  E.,  Sylvester  O.,  John  H.,  Etha 
A.  Occupation,  farmer.  First  wife  died,  and 
he  was  again  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  McNeally, 
now  deceased. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Griggs  was  born  in  New  Jer- 
sey, April  22,  1821;  daughter  of  John  C.  and 
Dorotha  Hamilton;  the  former  born  at  New 
Jersey,  July  17,  1788,  and  the  mother  of  the 
same  place,  in  1795.  They  had  ten  children, 
namely,  Alexander,  Martin  V.,  John,  James, 
Elizabeth,  Charlotte,  Jane,  Ann,  Mary,  and 
Phoebe;  James  died  at  the  age  of  nine  months, 
Jane  and  Ann  after  arriving  at  maturity;  Alex- 
ander died  in  1865,  and  .John,  about  1850.  Char- 
lotte was  married  in  Madison  county,  Illinois, 
March  4,  1846,  to  Mr.  Samuel  Griggs,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Sarah  Griggs,  who  were  born  in 
Hunterdon  county.  New  .Jersey,  and  they  have 
had  six  children.  John,  born  in  Jersey  county, 
Illinois,  January  2,  1848;  George  A.,  September 
4,   1850;  Edward  D.,  February  22,  1853;  Samuel 


»82 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


H.,  Septembtr  28,  1866;  Nellie  A.,  in  1862  and 
died  in  August,  1864;  and  Jerome  T.  born  in  this 
county,  December  20,  1805.  Samuel  Griggs,  Sr., 
died  March  11,  1867.  Mrs.  Griggs  was  of  Scotch 
and  French  ancestry.  They  settled  in  this 
county  in  March,  1805,  having  purchased  the 
farm  where  they  now  live.  She  owns  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  of  land,  and  is  connected 
with  the  Baptist  Church. 

Jacob  Ilenkle  is  the  eleventh  born  and  fifth  son 
of  Justus  Henkle  and  Elizabeth  (Judy)  Henkle, 
■who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  from  whence  they 
removed  to  Belleville, Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1817, 
and  in  the  middle  of  the  following  March,  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  locating  on  the  west  side  of 
the  court  house,  in  what  is  now  Pawnee  town- 
ship. Here  Mr.  Henkle  made  improvements  and 
when  the  land  came  into  market,  entered  a  tract 
and  opened  up  a  farm.  Jacob  Henkle  was  born 
in  Randolph  county,  Virginia,  July  25,  1812,  and 
was  therefore  but  six  years  of  age  when  his  father 
landed  in  the  then  uninhabited  wilds  of  Sanga- 
mon county.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  young 
Jacob  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  serving 
three  months,  from  March  1831.  Something  over 
five  years  later,  November  20,  1836,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Nancy  Hatchett.  They  have  had 
ten  children,  all  born  in  Sangamon  county,  whose 
names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  are  as  follows: 
Dicey  E.,  John  Y.,  Diana  F.,  Martin  V.,  Sarah 
J.,  Elvira,  Harrison  H.,  Mary  A.,  Amanda  and 
Laura  A.  Mr.  Henkle  is  the  oldest  resident  of 
Sangamon  county,  having  lived  here  for  over 
sixty-three  years,  and  is  classed  with  the  county's 
most  successful  and  wealthy  farmers.  He  is  the 
rightful  owner  of  five  hundred  and  five  broad 
acres,  well  improved,  and  spread  out  over  as  fine 
an  agricultural  belt  as  can  be  found  in  the  great 
grain  producing  State  of  Illinois.  Mr.  llenkle's 
first  hchool  days  were  spent  at  a  school  held  in 
the  loft  of  his  father's  house.  Soon  after  this  a 
school  house  was  erected,  the  material  of  which 
was  obtained  by  each  parent  contributing  logs  in 
proportion  to  the  number  of  children  in  the 
family,  of  school  age. 

Andrew  J  Hiner,  post  oflice.  Pawnee,  was  born 
in  Virginia,  May  23, 1816,  and  is  a  son  of  Anthony 
and  Mary  M.  Hiner,  natives  of  Pennsylvania; 
the  former  was  born  in  1781;  the  grandparents 
moved  from  Pennsylvania,  about  1788;  their 
children  were,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Joel,  Andrew  J., 
Samuel,  Rebecca,  Catharine,  Lucinda,  and  Betsy; 
Mary,  Betsy  and  Samuel  are  deceased.  Anthony 
Hiner  moved  to  Indiana  in  1831,  and  died  there 
in  1837.  Andrew  J.  came  to  Scott  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  worked  as  a  farm  hand;  died  the  same 


year.  In  1843,  he  married  Miss  Margaret,  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Elizabeth  Jacks-on,  who  came 
from  Tennessee  in  1828  or  '29;  they  were  of 
German  and  Irish  extraction.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hiner  had  one  child,  James,  who  was  born 
March  28,  1845,  and  died  November  2,  1876, 
aged  thirty-one  years.  Mr.  Hiner  owns  four 
hundred  acres  of  land,  the  accumulation  of  his 
own  and  his  wife's  industry  and  economy;  he 
came  to  this  county  in  1845,  purchased  land,  and 
entered  more  on  the  prairie;  he  is  of  German 
extraction. 

Daniel  T.  Hoppin,  post  oifice.  White  Oak, 
Montgomery  county,  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Madison  county,  New'York,  in  1819;  his  father, 
Curtis  Iloppin,  was  born  in  Guilford,  Connecti- 
cut, July  12,  17S5;  his  mother,  Mary  P.  Hoppin, 
was  born  in  Lanesborough,  Massachusetts,  Feb- 
ruary 11,  1787;  they  were  married  about  1807, 
and  had  10  children,  namely;  Chandler  V.,  Eliza- 
beth A.,  Siley  M.,  Franklin  B.,  CharKs  T., 
Daniel  T.,  Ann  M.,  Louisa  M.,  Mary  P.,  Ebene- 
zer  B.  Daniel  was  the  sixth  child.  In  1844  he 
collected  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  head  of 
sheep  in  New  York,  and  drove  them  to  this 
county  in  ninety  days,  with  a  loss  of  only  three 
head.  In  March,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Cordelia 
Bradley.  Her  parents  came  from  New  York  to 
this  county;  they  are  of  English  extraction.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hoppin  have  had  three  children:  Ann 
E.,  born  February  13,  1852;  George  B.,  born 
March  29,  1862;  and  Chester  B.,  born  April  17, 
1867;  Ann  E.,  died  January  19,  1874.  Is  a 
farmer;  makes  a  specialty  of  sheep  raising;  his 
two  brothers  were  with  him  and  they  were 
among  the  largest  sheep  raisers  in  the  Slate. 

Patrick  Ilorcurd,  post  oflice.  Pawnee,  was  born 
about  1824;  his  parents  were  natives  of  Ire'and; 
mother  was  the  daughter  of  Martin  and  Mary 
Long;  they  had  six  children:  Margaret,  Pat- 
rick, Michael,  John,  Alice  and  Jeremiah;  John 
and  Jeremiah  died  in  Ireland;  Alice  died  in 
Ohio;  Patrick  came  to  America,  lauding  at  New 
Orleans  October  28,  1851;  came  to  Ohio,  and 
lived  about  four  years;  then  to  this  county, 
working  as  a  farm  hand  for  Robert  North.  In 
1863,  he  purchased  land  in  Pawnee  township, 
and  commenced  farming  for  himself.  In  1858, 
he  married  Miss  Mary  McCue,  daughter  of  John 
and  Catharine  McCue,  natives  of  Iivland.  They 
had  five  children,  viz:  John,  born  November 
18,  1858,  died  July  6,  1859;  Jeremiah,  born  No- 
vember 24,  1860,  died  September  24,  1801;  Pat- 
rick, born  November  9,  1862;  Mary,  March  6, 
1864;  Michael,  October  13,  1867.  Mr.  Howard 
was  naturalized    about     1856.     He    owns   ei^ht 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


98S' 


hundred  and  ninety-four  acres  of  land,  known  as 
Beaver  Dam — Joe  Ledlie's  old  farm,  the  result 
of  his  own  industry;  feeds  cattle  and  hogs  for 
market;  is  quite  extensively  engaged  in  raising 
sheep  for  wool  and  mutton.  Mr.  Howard  ha.s 
been  engaged  in  business  for  twenty-three  years, 
and  during  all  this  time  has  never  had  a  law-suit 
in  any  court  in  the  United  States. 

WilliuTn  G.  Johnson,  M.  D.,  post  office. 
Pawnee,  was  born  in  Callaway  county,  Missouri, 
Decerrber  30,  1838;  his  father,  Thornton  John- 
sun,  was  born  in  Fairfax  county,  Virginia.  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1801,  and  was  of  Englisli  descent;  his 
mother,  Mildred  H.  (Lanham)  Johnson,  was  of 
English  descent;  they  were  married  in  Fairfax 
county,  Virginia,  September  20,  1821.  They 
had  thirteen  children,  namely:  Emily  P.,  born 
August  12,  1822;  Charles  E.,  September  22, 
1826;  Edward  L.,  December  14,  1828;  Thomas 
G.,  August  25,  1830;  John  H.,  March  15,  1833; 
Emeline  F.,  May  15,  1836;  William  C,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1838;  Benjamin  F.,  July  17,  1841;  Sarah 
E.,  November  24,  1843;  Joseph  L.,  June  22, 
1846;  Mildred  H.,  September  11,  1849;  Samuel 
F.,  born  August  28,  1850;  Edward  and  Samuel 
are  deceased.  William  C,  came  to  this  county 
in  the  winter  of  1858-59;  worked  on  the  farm 
for  John  C.  Whitcraft,  at  -$16  a  month;  com- 
menced studying  medicine  with  William  H. 
Veatch,  M.  D.,  and  in  1860-61  attended  Rush 
Medical  College,  Chicago,  then  returned  to 
Auburn,  where  he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Ham, 
February  13,  1861,  daughter  of  Roland  and 
Dina  Ham,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
the  latter  of  Illinois.  They  have  had  three 
children:  Alice  B.,  born  May  15,  1862,  in 
Montgomery  county,  Illinois;  Minnie  H.,  born 
September  22,  1865,  and  died  August  2,  1866; 
Carrie  G.,  born  April  11,  1872.  Dr.  Johnson 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  and  removed  to  Pawnee  in 
August,  1862;  he  graduated  February  3,  1869. 
The  Doctor  has  had  good  success  as  a  practi- 
tioner and  is  devoted  to  his  profession.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge,  No.  620. 

William  H.  Jones,  post  office  Pawnee,  was 
born  November  24,  1824.  His  father,  Samuel 
Jones,  was  born  in  Mount  Holly,  New  Jersey; 
and  his  mother,  Charlotte  (Hendricks)  Jones, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  State.  They  had  twelve 
children:  Susan,  Hannah,  William  H.,  Agnes  C, 
John,  Sarah  Ann,  Louisa,  Austin,  Samuel,  Caro- 
line, George  H  ,  Benjamin  F.;  Samuel  died  in 
186S.  They  came  to  this  county  in  1856;  the 
father  was  a  tailor.  In  1854,  William  H.  married 
Mrs.  Julietta  (Noble)  Turner,  daughter  of  James 


and  Sarah  Turner,  who  was  born  July  28,  1833. 
They  had  five  children,  namely:  Elwood  S., 
born  November  1,  1855;  Lewis  T.,  October  11, 
1857;  Charles  H.,  January  28,  1859;  William  D., 
December  24,  1860;  and  Sarah  J.,  March  21, 1863, 
and  died  July  28,  1865.  Mrs.  Jones  died  Janu- 
ary 13,  1865.  The  family  are  of  Scotch  and 
French  descent.  Mr.  Jones  owns  one  hundred 
and  tifty-two  acres  of  land,  acquired  by  the  ex- 
ertions of  himself  and  family.  His  land  origi- 
nally cost  seventy-five  cents  an  acre;  it  now  has 
tirst-class  improvements.  He  has  held  several 
township  offices. 

Albert  Lorenzo  Kuhisch,  post  office.  Auburn, 
is  a  son  of  John  and  Agnes  Kubisch  ;  the 
former,  born  in  Poland  Province,  at  Posen,  Vil- 
lage of  Neutasch,  Kries  Czarmikan,  Kingdom 
of  Prussia,  May  7,  1787.  The  mother,  a  native 
of  the  same  place,  born  October  6,  1790.  They 
were  married  in  their  native  place,  and  had 
eight  children,  viz :  George,  born  April  24, 
1812  ;  Jacob,  born  January  7,  1814;  Kristine, 
born  March  12,  1819  ;  Valentin,  born  February 
11, 1822;  Thomas,  born  January  24,  1823  Justin, 
born  July  23,  1825;  Peter,  born  A))ril  11,  1828; 
Albert  L,  born  July  30,  1831.  All  now  dead, 
except  Justin  and  Albert  L.  Father,  John 
Kubisch,  died  November  19,  1843  ;  mother, 
Hedivig  Kubisch,  died  March  21,  1851  ;  Jacob, 
March  1.  1817  ;  Valentin,  March  3,  1822  ; 
Thomas,  July  22,  1842  ;  Peter,  March  20,  1851  ; 
Kristine,  April  5,  1869  ;  George,  July  19,  1871. 
The  subject  of  this  biography  was  the  eighth 
child,  and  left  Poland  in  September,  1855  ; 
landed  at  New  York ;  from  there  came  to  Chi- 
cago, thence  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained 
two  years.  In  1857,  went  to  St.  Louis  ;  started 
for  New  Orleans,  and  was  detained  at  Grand 
Gulf,  on  account  of  yellow  fever  ;  while  there, 
was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  hospital  ;  after 
being  dismissed,  traveled  about  a  year  through 
the  Southern  States,  then  came  to  this  county, 
in  the  fall  of  1860,  and  worked  for  Reuben 
Brown  a  year,  then  went  to  Humphrey,  and 
stayed  until  March,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
Twelfth  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  was  taken  prisoner, 
with  part  of  his  regiment,  at  Harper's  Ferry  ; 
was  paroled,  and  sent,  first  to  Annapolis,  Mary- 
land, and  then  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  where 
he  was  discharged.  He  returned  to  this  county, 
bought  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  where  he 
now  lives  a  bachelor's  life.  The  farm  is  well 
improved.  Mr.  K.  is  intelligent,  and  especially 
well  informed  in  ancient  history;  reads  in  the 
Polish,  German  and  English  languages,  and  is 
very  liberal  in  his  views  of  religion.     Before  he 


984 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


was  a  soldier,  had  traveled  extensively  in  Russia. 
After  living  in  this  country  twenty-one  years,  he 
returned  to  his  native  land,  and  visited  thescenes 
of  his  childhood,  but  found  so  great  a  change 
that  he  felt  like  a  stranger.  Mr.  K.  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  lodge,  and  belongs  to  Blue 
Lodge,  No.  354,  Auburn  township,  and  also  be- 
longs to  Royal  Lodge,  No.  92. 

James  M.  Lewis,  son  of  Edden  and  Winnefred 
Lewis,both  natives  of  Caldwell  county,  Kentucky. 
They  were  married  in  Kentucky ;  mother's  maiden 
name  Winnefred  Easley,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  Easley.  They  had  eight  children: 
William  R.,  died  in  184  9,  James  M.,  John  W., 
died  in  1860,  Margaret  E.,  Sarah,  Martha  A., 
Samuel,  I\Iary,  died  in  186.'>;  parents  moved  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1829;  bought  a 
small  farm,  and  entered  other  lands;  mother 
died  in  1885;  father  in  1850. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  four 
times,  iirst,  to  Miss  BarrillaM.  Lockridge,  March 
6,  1851,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  CyrusE., 
torn  November,  1852;  James  W.,  1857;  ■wife 
died.  May  4,  1857.  Married  Mrs.  Emily  C.  Ricks, 
{nee  Simpson,)  August  30,  1860;  had  two  chil- 
dren: Belle,  born  1861;  son  died  in  infancy; 
■wife  died,  April  24,  1864.  Married  Miss  Mary 
A.  Clayton  in  1860;  had  two  children:  Julia, 
born  January  5,  1806;  Manfred  S.,  born  1868, 
died  in  March,  1877;  wife  died,  June  20,  1808; 

He  married  for  his  present  wife.  Miss  Malissa 
Jane  Burris,  and  by  this  marriage  four  children 
have  been  born:  Alice,  born  February  10,  1878. 
John  R,  June  30,  1873;  Samuel  B.,"  March  15, 
1875;  Adella  M,  February  25,  1877,  died  March 
24, 1880.  Mr.  L.  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  valuable  land. 

J/r.«.  Jennette  McTaggart,  post  office,  Pawnee, 
is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jane  Carsevell, 
natives  of  Scotland.  They  were  married  in 
1829,  and  had  seven  children — one  son  and  six 
daughters,  all  living.  Two  are  married  and  liv- 
ing in  Scotland.  Alexander  McTaggart  was  born 
ill  Scotland,  about  1834;  came  to  this  country 
■with  his  parents.  He  married  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  in  September.  1859,  and  they  have  had 
six  children:  N.  L.,  born  November  26,  1861; 
Jane,  October  16,  1863;  Margaret  R.,  December 
19,  1868;  Amanda,  October  11,  1870;  John 
Thomas,  July  10,  1873.  Margaret  died  Septem- 
ber 22,  1S67;  Jane,  October  1,  same  yaar.  Mr. 
McTaggart  died  April  15, -1874,  of  typhoid 
pneumonia.  Mrs.  McT.  owns  three  hundred 
acres  of  land,  valued  at  ^%()  an  acre.  There  are 
good  improvements.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mc- 
Tasgart  are  well  educated. 


Enoch  Megredy,  father  of  James  3Iegredy, 
was  born  in  1794,  in  Cecil  county,  Mary- 
land; of  English  and  Scotch  ancestry;  and  -was 
married  August  20,  1816,  to  Mary  S.  Jones,  who 
was  born  April  7,  1798,  in  Cecil  county,  Mary- 
land; of  English  parentage.  He  engaged  in 
merchandising,  and  about  the  year  1823,  moved 
into  an  adjoining  county  in  Pennsylvania  and 
continued  the  mercantile  business  until  1832, 
when  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Cecil  county, 
Maryland,  (located  on  the  original  Nottingham 
survey ),  with  the  intention  of  removing  to  Illi- 
nois at  an  early  date,  but  through  the  influence 
of  his  father,  was  induced  to  postpone  the  trip 
for  a  time.  His  father  died  in  1836,  and  on  April 
15,  1837,  started  for  Illinois,  and  landed  in  San- 
gamon county  June  16,  1837,  where  part  of  the 
family  have  resided  to  this  time  (1881),  on  land 
purchased  of  Z.  Peter,  who  was  one  of  the  com- 
missioners appointed  to  locate  the  present  Capi- 
tal of  the  State.  The  farm  is  on  section  four, 
township  fourteen,  range  five,  at  the  confluence 
of  Lick  and  Sugar  creeks. 

James  J.  Megredy,  son  of  Enoch  Megredy,  was 
born  in  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  February  2, 
1819.  Came  to  Illinois  with  his  father,  and  was 
married  December  30, 1841,  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  to  Anna  R.  Hall,  who  was  born  in  Rock- 
ingham county,  Virginia,  October  7,  1822.  They 
had  ten  children.  Moved  from  the  present 
Woodside  to  Brush  creek,  (Oak  Ridge),  and 
settled  on  the  present  location,  section  two, 
township  thirteen,  range  five,  in  1851.  This  part 
of  Sangamon  county  being  at  that  time  very 
sparsely  settled,  and  some  of  the  land  unentered, 
a  quarter  section  was  entered  and  improved,  and 
an  eighty  acre  tract  added,  upon  which  the  house 
was  built  in  1807,  where  the  family  now  reside, 
surrounded  by  an  intelligent  and  prosperous 
community.  In  1856  and  '57,  J.  J.  Megredy 
was  elected,  with  S.  M.  Cullom,  present  Gov- 
ernor, representative  of  Sangamon  county  to  the 
State  Legislature;  and  subsequently,  to  the  board 
of  supervisors;  and  has  been  continuously  con- 
nected with  the  educational  interests  of  the 
township  since  1857.  Post  oflice,  Pawnee,  San- 
gamon county. 

Christian  Jiichert,  post  office.  White  Oak, 
Montgomery  county,  is  the  son  of  Christopher  F. 
and  Slagdalene  Richert,  natives  of  Germany, 
the  former  born  in  1791  and  died  in  1861,  and 
the  later  born  in  1793  and  died  in  1833.  Their 
five  children  were:  Christopher  S.,  born  Decem- 
ber 21,  1821,  Gottlieb  R.,  in  1823;  Christian,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  January  6,  1825;  Fred- 
erick in  1827;  Benjamin,  in  1829.     Gottlieb  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


985 


Frederick  died  in  1 840.  Christian  came  to  tliis 
country  in  1854,  and  after  a  year  spent  at  Auburn, 
New  York,  came  to  Jersey  county,  this  State  and 
thence  to  this  county,  working  first  as  a  farm 
hand,  and  subsequently  renting  land  until  he 
bought  where  he  now  lives.  February  2,  1853, 
he  married  Miss  Catharine  Mower,  at  Jerseyville, 
also  a  native  of  Germany.  They  had  seven 
children,  viz:  John,  born  March  10,  1859;  Wil- 
helmina  P.,  born  December  22,  1860,  and  died 
the  12th  of  April,  of  the  same  year;  Carl  Wil- 
helm,  born  November  17,  1862;  Louisa  M.,  July 
24,  1864;  Pauline  S.,  June  8,  1867;  Edward  H., 
May  9,  1872;  Emma,  June  22,  1874.  Mrs.  R. 
was  born  October  3,  1832  and  died  January  10, 
1878.  Mr.  R.  was  naturalized  about  1861.  His 
early  educational  advantages  were  good.  He 
now  owns  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  val- 
uable land,  the  accumulation  of  himself  and 
family.  He  takes  great  interest  in  the  improve- 
ment of  his  live  stock. 

Daniel  H.  Stm-kweather,  post  ofhce.  Auburn, 
is  a  son  of  Asa  and  Louisa  (Harvey)  Stark- 
weather, natives  of  Vermont,  the  former  born 
January  7,  1807,  and  mother,  August  7,  1812. 
They  were  married  September  4,  1834,  and  came 
to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in  wagons.  After 
four  years'  residence  they  removed  to  Jersey 
county,  where  they  resided  until  their  death;  the 
former  in  September,  1845,  and  the  latter  in 
1856.  They  had  five  children,  two  sons  and 
three  daughters:  Daniel  H.,  born  November  13, 
1838;  Mary  L.,  May  9,  1841;  Emily,  July  2, 
1843;  Asa  and  Louisa,  May  26,  1846;  Louisa 
died  the  same  year.  The  father  entered  land  in 
Morgan  county  and  improved  a  farm.  Daniel 
IL  was  brought  up  on  a  farm.  August  21,  1862, 
he  married  Lucinda  Kirkpatrick,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children;  Emily  W.,  born  May  28, 
1863,  and  Amanda  C,  December  22,  1864,  and 
died  April  23,  1865.  Mrs.  S.  died  April  3,  1865, 
February  25,  1866,  Mr.  S.  married  Sarah  A.  Utt, 
who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Illinois.  Their 
children  were:  Walter  U.,  born  February  28, 
1807,  and  died  November  12,  1868;  Asa  E., 
March  9,  1869;  Charles,  November  24,  1871,  and 
died  December  3,  following;  Harry,  February 
18,  1873,  and  died  the  24th  of  that  month; 
James,  born  December  30,  1876;  Bessie,  De- 
cember 5,  1880.  Mr.  S.  owns  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  worth  ^50  an  acre.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Erminia  M.  Vcdentitie,  post  ottice,  Pawnee,  is 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Maddy,the  former 
born  in  Virginia,  in  1812,  and  the  latter  in  Ohio; 
in  the  latter  State,   in    1835,  they  were  married, 

115— 


and  they  had  two  children:  Erminii,  the  subject 
of  this  notice,  born  in  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  iu 
1836;  and  Hudson,  born  in  the  same  State,  in 
1838.  September  20,  1855,  Erminia  married 
Alfred  Leonard,  whose  parents  were  born  in 
Virginia;  they  immediately  came  to  this  county, 
purchased  school  land  and  improved  the  land 
where  she  now  lives.  They  had  eight  children: 
Mary  E.,  born  July  30,  1856;  Charles  W.,  born 
October  15,  1857,  and  died  August  31,  1858; 
George  A.,  born  November  26,  1858,  and  died 
September  1,  1860;  Sarah  F.,  born  August  28, 
1801;  James  E.,  born  July  8,  1863;  Effie^L.,  and 
Emma  J.,  born  September  6,  1865;  and  Olive 
B.,  August  25,  1872.  Mr.  Leonard  died  March 
21,  1873,  aged  53  years,  and  Olive  B.  Leonard 
died  October  7,  1881,  aged  nine  years,  one 
month  and  twelve  days.  In  March,  1880,  Mrs. 
L.  married  Isaac  Valentine,  who  was  born  in 
Ohio,  in  1827.  She  owns  twohundred  and  foity 
acres,  valued  at  |50  an  acre,  well  improved,  and 
everything  denotes  prosperity. 

Jb/m  H.  Weber,  post  oiSce,  pawnee,  son  of 
John  B.  and  Elizabeth  Weber;  father  was  born 
at  or  near  Nuremburg,  Germany,  in  1778,  and 
his  mother  born  in  Shepherd stown,  Jefferson 
county,  Virginia,  December  30,  1790;  father 
came  to  the  United  States  about  1800,  settling 
in  Virginia;  in  1805,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Philip  Shutt,  and  by  that  marriage 
there  were  six  children,  all  sons,  who  grew  to 
maturity,  viz:  William,  born  in  1807;  George 
R.,  John  B.,  April  7,  1810;  Philip  W.,  Jacob  J. 
and  Peter  S. ;  the  two  latter  are  deceased. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Jeffer- 
son county,  Virginia,  and  came  to  this  county  in 
April  16,  1836,  locating  in  Springfield;  Septem- 
ber 23,  1832,  in  Shepherdstown,  Virginia,  he 
married  Sarah  Ann  Waltz,  and  of  his  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  lived  to  years  of  maturity,  viz: 
George  William,  Sarah  Elizabeth,  Virginia,  An- 
drew J.,  George  P.,  James  W.,  Amanda  M., 
Cornelia  E.,  Benjamin  R.  and  Charles  E.;  the 
two  first  mentioned  died  in  Virginia  in  their  sec- 
ond year,  and  Virginia  died  in  Springfield,  also 
in  her  second  year;  Andrew  J.  was  killed  at 
Vicksburg,  June  30,  1863,  he  was  Colonel  of  the 
Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry;  James  W.  was  a 
member  of  the  Tenth  Illinois  Cavalry,  was  hon- 
orably discharged,  and  on  his  way  home  was 
assassinated.  John  B.,  the  father,  learned  cabi- 
net making  in  Maryland;  followed  the  business 
two  years  in  New  York  City,  six  years  at  Shep- 
herdstown, Virginia,  and  five  years  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  disabled  by  the 
loss  of  a  hand  by  a  buzz  saw,  after  which  he  was 


9S6 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


elected  copyist  of  the  land  records  of  the  State; 
after  following  this  business  six  years  he  went  to 
California,  in  1849;  returning  in  the  fall  of  1851, 
he  purchased  a  farm  in  Pawnee  township,  where 
he  has  since  continued  to  reside,  and  where  he 
has  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  county;  has 
been  sheriff  and  collector — 1854-6;  was  Quarter- 
master and  Commissary  during  the  Mormon 
War,  under  Governor  Ford,  in  the  fall  of  1846. 
His  first  wife  died  August  5,  1866,  and  Novem- 
ber 28,  1867,  he  married  Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Drennan, 
nee  Dodds. 

George  P.  Weber,  post  office,  Pawnee,  is  a 
son  of  John  B.  and  Sarah  A.  Weber,  and  was 
born  ill  this  country,  December  2,  1842;  his 
parents  settled  in  Pawnee  township,  where  he 
remained  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the 
First  United  States  Ritle  Regiment,  afterwards 
called  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry.  On  return- 
ing home,  he  married  Miss  Vienna  Meader, 
daughter  of  Timothy  E.,  and  Miriam  H.  Meader; 
she  was  born  in  this  county  April  21,  1842. 
They  have  had  five  children:  Mary  A.,  born 
October  5,  1864,  Sarah  A.,  January  31,  1866; 
Timothy,  June  16,  1869;  Eli,  April  26,  1871; 
and  Eva,  November  25,  1880.  Mr.  W.  is  one  of 
the  number  of  successful  farmers  of  south  San- 
gamon. He  has  the  only  herd  of  Holstein  cattle 
in  the  county;  he  also  raises  Cotswold  sheep  and 
Berkshire  swine. 

Philip  TT'i  Weber,  post  oiBce,  Pawnee,  brother 
of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county, 
Virginia,   January  28,  1812,  and  came   to  this 


county  in  1837.  He  married  Miss  Amanda  M. 
Shepherd,  who  also  was  born  in  the  same  county 
as  he,  November  8,  1811.  Their  five  children 
are  all  living,  viz:  John  P.,  born  March  19, 
1840;  Mary  E.,  January  8,  1842;  William  S., 
March  11,  1844;  Amanda  E.,  March  3,  1846; 
Sarah  C,  February  19,  1848;  Emma  S.,  Novem- 
ber 26,  1851.  Mr.  Weber  was  at  first  a  carpenter 
and  millwright;  was  in  California  in  1849-50.  In 
1851,  he  purchased  his  present  farm,  and  he 
now  owns  two  hundred  and  fifty-seven  acres, 
valued  at  !i!50  per  acre.  Raises  stock  for  mar- 
ket. His  son,  William  S.,  served  in  the  late 
war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  members  of  the  M. 
E.  Church,  also  all  their  children. 

John  Wenzler  was  born  December  25,  1840, 
the  son  of  Joseph  and  Monicha  Wenzler,  natives 
of  Germany,  the  father  born  January  5,  1805, 
and  the  mother  in  1811;  they  were  married 
about  1830,  and  had  eight  children,  Christian, 
Polly,  Catharine,  Lewis,  John,  Bertie,  Lena  and 
Mary;  Polly  and  Lewis  are  deceased.  John 
emigrated  to  this  county  in  1854,  and  worked  as 
a  farm  hand.  March  7,  1871  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Clouse,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth 
Clouse,  father  a  native  of  Germany,  and  mother 
from  Ireland.  They  have  had  three  children, 
John  Franklin,  born  July  10,  1878;  two  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  W.  owns  two  hundred  acres  of 
valuable  land,  acquired  by  his  own  industry  and 
economy.  He  received  a  good  education  in  Ger- 
many, and  two  terms  of  country  school  in  this 
county,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge 
at  Pawnee. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


987 


Chapter  XLV. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE  OF  ROCHESTER. 


The  township  of  Rochester  was  tirst  settled  in 
1818.  It  comprises  township  fifteen,  north  of 
range  four  west.  Among  the  early  settlers  were 
James  McCoy,  Archibald  Sattley,  Robert  Satt- 
ley,  Oliver  Stafford,  William  Roberts,  James 
Bowling,  .John  T.  Benham,  James  Gregory, 
Fields  .Jarvis,  John  Warrick,  Daniel  Parkinson, 
Isaac  Keys,  Levi  Gooden,  Philip  Clark,  Ed- 
wJird  Clark,  Andrew  Jones,  Andrew  St.  John, 
William  Woods,  Christopher  Payne,  Levi 
Locker,  the  Sheltons,  and  others. 

William  Roberts  was  from  Pennsylvania,  and 
moved  here  in  the  spring  of  1819.  He  subse 
quently  moved  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  and 
there  died. 

William  Shelton  was  from  Tennessee,  and  also 
came  in  the  spring  of  1819.  He  went  from  here 
to  the  lead  mines  at  Galena,  and  there  died. 

James  McCoy  was  born  July  25,  1791,  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky.  He  was  a  soldier 
in  the  War  of  1812,  from  Kentucky,  in  the  dra- 
goons under  Colonel  Dick  Johnson,  and  was  in 
the  battle  where  Tecumseh  was  killed.  He  re- 
turned to  Kentucky,  and  was  married  in  Nicho- 
las county,  September  15,  1814, to  Jane  Murphy. 
They  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriv- 
ing in  the  fall  of  1818,  on  Horse  creek,  in  what 
is  now  Cotton  Hill  township.  Mr.  McCoy  and 
Levi  W.  Goodan  owned  a  wagon  together,  and 
each  had  a  horse,  a  wife  and  two  children,  and 
both  families  moved  from  Kentucky  in  that 
wagon  together.  Their  wives  w6re  two  of  the 
six  women  who  came  to  Sangamon  county  that 
year,  the  wives  of  the  two  Drennans,  Joseph 
Dodds,  and  Mr.  Vancil  being  the  other  four. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCoy  had  twins  there.  One  of 
them  died  in  infancy.  In  the  spring  of  1819, 
they  moved  to  what  is  now  Rochester  township. 


James  McCoy  died  March  25,  1844,  and  Mrs. 
Jane  McCoy  died  January  22,  1852,  both  on  the 
farm  where  they  settled  in  1819,  adjoining 
Rochester  on  the  east. 

James  McCoy  bought  the  first  full  sack  of  salt 
ever  sold  in  Springfield.  He  paid  for  it  in  coon 
skins.  Salt  was  brought  in  sacks  of  about  four 
bushels.  His  brother,  Joseph  E.,  says  that  he 
assisted  in  catching  the  coons,  and  it  took  all 
winter  to  procure  enough  to  buy  that  sack  of 
salt.     This  occurred  in  1821  or  1822. 

Jabez  Capps,  born  September  9,  1796,  in  the 
city  of  London,  England,  came  to  America  in 
the  summer  of  1817,  arriving  near  what  is  now 
Springfield,  Illinois,  in  the  spring  of  1819,  and 
is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  school  teacher 
in  Sangamon  county.  He  was  married  in  1828, 
near  Rochester,  to  Prudence  A.  Stafford,  who 
was  l>orn  in  Vermont.  Mrs.  Capps  died  May  13, 
1836.  Jabez  Capps  was  again  married  near 
Rochester,  Illinois,  September,  1836,  to  Elizabeth 
Baker. 

Mr.  Capps  was  a  merchant  in  Springfield  from 
1827  to  1836,  when  he  formed  a  company  and 
laid  out  the  town  of  Mt.  Pulaski;  bought  his 
goods  from  Springfield,  and  continued  in  busi- 
ness until  1870.  Mr.  Capps  was  postmaster  at 
Mt.  Pulaski  for  fifteen  years,  and  county  recorder 
four  years.  He  and  his  family  reside  in  Mt. 
Pulaski. 

John  Capps  was  born  December  16,  1810,  in 
London,  England.  Came  to  America  with  his 
mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  arriving  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  in  November,  1830.  He  was 
married  there  September  5,  1833,  to  Nancy 
Clements,  who  was  born  October  2,  1817,  in 
Lincoln  county,  Kentucky.  (She  is  a  cousin  of 
Mrs.    Mathew   Cloyd);   in  1844,  moved    to  Mt. 


988 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Pulaski;  about  1850,  moved  to  Decatur,  thence 
to  Illiopolis,  Sangamon  county. 

Christopher  B.  Stafford,  was  bom  July  22, 1797, 
at  Coventry,  Kent  county,  Rhode  Island.  He 
was  married  in  Essex  county.  New  York,  in  1820 
to  Laura  Eggleston,  who  died  within  one  year, 
and  he  married  her  sister,  Sophronia  Eggleston, 
and  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriv- 
ing July  25,  1824,  at  Rochester.  Mrs.  Sophronia 
Stafford  died,  and  he  was  twice  married  after 
that.  His  last  two  wives  were  sisters,  by  the 
name  of  Shelton.  Christopher  B.  Stafford  was 
an  ordained  preacher  in  the  Bajstist  Church  more 
than  forty  years.  Thirty  years  of  that  time  he 
was  a  justice  of  the  peace,  or  rather  a  peace- 
maker, as  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  used  his  office 
to  settle  difficulties  without  law,  although  by  that 
way  of  doing  business  he  generally  deprived 
himself  of  fees.  He  died  March  17,  1870,  near 
Rochester,  Illinois. 

Jewett  Stafford,  was  born  January  13,  1795,  at 
Coventry,  Kent  county,  Rhode  Island,  was  taken 
by  his  parents  in  1804,  to  Essex  county.  New 
York.  In  1812,  he  went  as  a  soldier  from  that 
county  in  the  war  with  England,  was  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Plattsburg,  Boquet  river,  near  Willsboro, 
his  home.  Jewett  was  married  in  1818  to  Har- 
riet Eggleston,  in  Essex  county,  New  York. 
She  was  born  there  March  4,  1802.  They  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  July,  1825,  where 
Rochester  now  stands.  Mr.  Stafford  died  in 
1862. 

Nathaniel  Graham,  was  born  in  Pennsylva- 
nia. When  a  young  man  he  went  to  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  a  few  years  later  to  Fleming  county, 
Kentucky,  where  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Har- 
bor. They  had  eight  children  in  Fleming 
county,  and  the  family  moved  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1826.  In  the 
spring  of  1827,  they  moved  three  and  a  half 
miles  east  of  Springfield,  betwen  Sugar  creek 
and  the  south  fork  of  Sangamon  river. 

John  Delay,  was  l)orn  in  Virginia,  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Bath  county,  Kentucky,  and  was 
there  married  to  Elizabeth  Branch,  a  sister  to 
Edward  Branch.  She  was  born  November  25, 
1785,  near  Lynchburg,  Virginia.  They  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1829,  and  set- 
tled near  Rochester. 

.John  Lock  was  born  January  10,  1799,  in  the 
town  of  Farrisburg,  Addison- county,  Vermont. 
Maria  Jaquays  was  born  August  31,  1802,  in  the 
same  county.  They  were  there  married,  January 
5,  1820,  and  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  years,  moved 
to  Essex  county.  New  York.     The  family  moved 


to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  May  2, 
1832,  at  Rochester. 

Daniel  Parkinson  came  in  1820,  but  left  al)out 
the  time  lead  was  discovered  at  Galena,  for  the 
lead  mines,  and  there  died. 

John  and  Jacob  Warrick  were  from  Kentucky, 
and  were  large  raw-boned  men,  one  of  them 
weighing  two  hundred  and  eighty  pounds.  They 
were  as  strong  as  they  were  large.  They  moved 
to  Adams  county. 

Fields  Jarvis  came  from  the  neighborhood  of 
Edwardsville.  He  was  a  giant  in  height,  being 
six  feet  eleven  inches  in  height.  He  went  north 
about  the  time  of  the  lead  mine  excitement. 

Elias  Williams,  Sr.,  was  from  Vermont,  and 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1821;  and  died  in 
1823;  aged  fifty-three  years. 

FIRST    BORN. 

Joseph  E.  McCoy,  son  of  James  and  Jane  Mc- 
Coy, was  born  March  1,  1819,  and  was  the  first 
born  in  the  township,  and  in  the  entire  county 
of  Sangamon.  He  now  resides  in  Beloit, 
Mitchell  county,  Kansas. 

FIEST    DEATH. 

The  first  death  in  the  township  was  that  of 
George  Simpson,  who  died  in  1820,  and  was  the 
first  person  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Rochester 
village. 

FIRST   ENTRIES. 

The  public  lands  of  Sangamon  county  were 
first  surveyed  in  1821,  and  the  first  sales  made 
by  the  general  government  were  on  the  6th  of 
November,  1823,  at  which  time  Isaac  Keys,  Sr., 
entered  the  northwest  quarter  and  the  west  half 
of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  thirty-one, 
township  fifteen,  range  four  west;  this  being  the 
first  entry  in  the  township,  if  not  in  the  county. 
November  17,  Philip  Clark  entered  the  east  half 
of  the  northeast  quarter  and  the  east  half  of  the 
southeast  quarter  of  section  seventeen,  and  Ed- 
ward Clark  the  east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter 
of  the  same  section;  and  William  Chilton  the 
west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
four.  These  were  the  only  government  sales  in 
the  township  prior  to  1824. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  first  school  in  Rochester  township  was 
held  in  1823,  Samuel  Williams  being  the 
teacher.  A  description  of  the  school  house 
where  this  school  was  kejit,  is  given  by  Mr. 
WilliamH  in  his  reminiscences  in  this  chapter. 

In  the  year  1824,  the  county  commissioners' 
court  at  the  March  term,  in  pursuance  of  the 
State  laws,  organized  the  township  for  school 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


989 


purposes  by  appointing  Isaac  Keys,  Edward 
Clark  and  James  Bowling  trustees  for  school 
lands  for  township  ten,  range  four  west. 

A  petition,  duly  signed  by  seventy-three  legal 
voters  of  the  township,  was  presented  to  Wm. 
F.  Elkin,  the  Sangamon  county  agent  of  school 
lands,  ordering  the  sixteenth  section  to  be  offered 
at  public  sale  at  the  court  house  in  Springfield, 
on  the  fourth  Monday  in  April,  1832,  in  con- 
formity with  the  law — the  law  being  that  the 
section  could  not  be  sold  unless  petitioned  by 
three-fourths  of  the  qualified  voters  of  any  town- 
ship containing  not  less  than  fifty  legal  votes. 
This  petition  was  sworn  to  and  subscribed  before 
Z.  Peters,  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

The  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  sixteenth  sec- 
tion amounted  to  $1,160.  This  fund  was  loaned 
at  twelve  per  cent,  till  1846,  and  from  then  till 
1850  at  eight  per  cent,  and  afterwards  at  ten  per 
cent.  The  interest  was  distributed  by  the  com- 
missioners to  the  treasurers  of  the  school  dis- 
tricts, organized  under  the  act  of  1825,  until 
1833,  when  he  distributed  the  interest  direct  to 
the  teachers.  This  method  of  distribution  was 
continued  until  the  act  of  1845,  when  the  com- 
missioner paid  the  interest  to  the  township 
treasurer,  and  finally  the  fund  was  passed  over 
to  the  care  of  the  township. 

The  first  township  trustees  in  office  under  the 
act  of  1845,  were  Samuel  Williams,  Robert  Bell 
and  James  Bashaw.  Mr.  Williams  was  appoint- 
ed township  treasurer  September  17,  1845,  and 
was  by  virtue  of  his  office,  superintendent  of 
schools  in  the  township. 

There  has  been  great  improvement  in  educa- 
tional work  since  Samuel  Williams  taught  school 
in  the  old  log  house,  so  aptly  described  by  him. 
There  are  now  in  the  township  nine  districts  and 
nine  school-houses,  valued  at  $12,300. 

EELIGIOUS. 

Where  and  by  whom  the  first  religious  exer- 
cises in  the  township  were  held  is  unknown,*  but 
it  is  well-known  the  Methodist  circuit  rider,  and 
itinerant  preacher  was  here  at  a  very  early  day. 
The  first  now  remembered  was  a  Rev.  Mr.  Hale. 
He  was  a  rough  man,  and  feared  not  to  tell  men 
they  were  sinners,  and  preach  to  them  the  con- 
demnation. He  told  them  upon  one  occasion  that 
he  "  did  not  come  to  plaster  them  over  with  un- 
tempered  mortar,  and  he  would  tell  them  that  if 
they  did  not  repent  they  would  all  go  to  hell." 
Rice  and  Miller  were  also  early  ministers  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

*Johii  Cooper's  liouse,   seventeen    miles  north  of 
Rochester;  self  and  wife,  etc.     See  M.  D.  McCoy. 


There  are  now,  including  those  in  the  village 
of  Rochester,  four  churches  in  the  township, 
represented  by  the  following  denominations, 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Christian  and  Universalist. 

HISTOEY    OF   THE   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH 
IN    ROCHESTER   TOWSHIP, 

By  D.  G.  Kail),  from  notes  by  M.  D.  Mc  Coy. 

"As  has  very  often  been  the  case,  so  in  regard 
to  this  section  of  our  country,  Methodism 
was  introduced  here  by  local  preachers.  As 
early  as  1821,  Rev.  James  Sims  located  near  the 
spot  where  the  village  of  Rochester  now  stands, 
and  preached  the  gospel  to  the  few  early  settlers 
round  about,  some  of  whom  came  from  many 
miles  distant  to  hear  the  word;  and  soon  this 
earnest  herald  of  Christianity  formed  a  society 
of  like  faith  with  himself;  when  the  Indiana 
Conference,  learning  of  his  success,  sent  them  a 
traveling  preacher,  by  the  name  of  Rice,  the 
first  one  sent  among  them.  In  1822,  he  was  fol- 
lowed by  Rev.  John  Miller,  and  he  by  Rev.  Har- 
grave,  in  1823,  and  Glenville  Phelps  in  1824. 
In  1825,  Rev.  Peter  Cartwright  came  as  supply;, 
then  came  James  House,  in  1827,  and  Rev. 
Tarken  and  John   Sinclaire,    in  1828.     Then  in 

1830,  we  find  Revs.  French  and  Lopas;    and  in 

1831,  Rev.  Sabastian;  and  in  '32  Christopher  J. 
Houts.  Then  from  this  date  to  1848  we  find  the 
names  of  Moses  Shunk,  Peter  Akers,  David 
Mott,  Henry  Frank,  Rev.  Lucket,  and  Peter 
Ketchum  (a  local);  John  T.  Stamper,  as  pre- 
siding elder,  and  C.  W.  Lewis.  About  this  time, 
before  and  after,  these  early  preachers  supplied 
the  scattered  population  of  territory  which  now 
forms  contiguous  counties,  and  parts  of  the 
States  of  Indiana  and  Illinois.  At  an  early  day 
we  also  find  the  names  of  Richard  Bird,  Isiah 
Haines,  and  George  Fairbanks,  as  circuit  preach- 
ers, perhaps  on  what  was  then  called  Decatur 
Circuit,  and  afterwards  Sangamon;  for  in  those 
days  church  organizations  were  few  and  far  be- 
tween; and  Mr.  M.  D.  McCoy,  of  Rochester,  in- 
forms us  that  the  first  Quarterly  Conference  that 
he  attended  as  a  steward  from  that  place,  was  at 
a  distance  of  forty  miles  and  was  held  at  Deca- 
tur. Since  then  hundreds  of  Methodist  Churches 
have  been  erected  in  the  territory  then  constitut- 
ing but  one  circuit,  embracing  all  the  cities, 
town.s,  and  villages  therein;  and  we  find  along 
the  line,  down  to  the  present  time  the  names  of 
many  well-known  earnest  and  successful  ministers 
who  have  at  various  times  preached  in  and  about 
Rochester,  and  organized  and  ministered  to  so- 
cieties thus  constituted,  in  circuits  of  various 
names,  which,  at  different  times,  embraced  the 


990 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


township,  or  parts  thereof,  such  is  Methodism  at 
work — as  it  has  always  been,  everywhere.  Most 
of  the  names  we  shall  mention  are  found  else- 
where, perhaps,  in  this  volume;  but  our  township 
has  a  claim  upon  their  record:  H.  Buck,  Wm. 
Travis,  Mobley,  Sloan,  Semple,  Lane,  Hopkins, 
Wm.  Prentis,  J.  C.  Kimber,  S.  H.  Clark,  D.  P. 
Lyon,  Jonas  Dimit,  Newton  Cloud,  J.  L.  Crane, 
Wm.  T.  Bennett,  John  Nottingham,  Wm.  Mur- 
phey,  Leonard  Smith,  T.  M.  Dillon,  J.  C.  Daily, 
Wm.  Curnut,  G.  W.  Dungan;  and  the  present 
resident  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  M.  Dunavan.  Several 
of  those  named  were  here  only  as  presiding 
elders,  and  preached  at  their  quarterly  meetings. 

"One  not  yet  named  in  this  connection  de- 
serves special  mention  as  a  long  resident  pioneer 
of  this  part  of  Sangamon  county,  who  labored 
faithfully  and  successfully  as  a  local  preacher, 
and  has  left  many  seals  to  his  ministry  and 
monuments  of  his  philanthropic  benevolence. 
We  allude  to  Rev.  John  Cooper,  who  mairied 
many  couples,  and  baptized  more  persons  than 
any  other  one  man  of  his  day,  and  lived  to  see 
vast  numbers  converted  and  gathered  into  the 
Church  of  Christ.  His  record  is  found  also  in 
connection  with  the  history  of  Cooper  township, 
as  his  residence  was  in  that  part  of  the  county; 
but  his  Christian  field  was  much  wider  in  ex- 
tent. 

"The  first  society,  or  class  at  Rochester,  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  was  formed  by  him  and  of 
which  be  was  leader  in  1821;  and  the  first  M.  E. 
preacher  had  but  four  members,  John  Cooper 
and  his  wife,  Nancy  Giger,  and  one  other  not 
recollected,  and  was  the  nucleus  around  which 
grew  a  circuit,  now  composing  five  presiding 
elders'  districts.  Till  the  year  182'7,  preaching 
in  and  about  Rochester,  was  done  only  in  pri- 
vate houses,  when  a  log  school  house  was  elected, 
and  thence  on  till  18.52,  that  served  the  purpose 
of  a  church.  In  that  year  the  small  brick  one 
was  built  by  means  of  general  contribution,  but 
under  the  auspices  of  the  LTniversalists  of  the 
Tilace,  yet  used  by  consent  by  other  ministers, 
till  ISia,  when  the  present  neat  and  convenient 
frame  house  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,350. 
The  work  of  Christianity  among  them  seems  to 
be  permanently  established  in  the  community, 
and  many  of  the  best  and  influential  citizens 
are  its  supporters.  One  of  the  earliest  class 
leaders  was  Joseph  E.  McCoy,  who  is  yet  a  resi- 
dent of  the  vicinity,  and  is  known  as  '  Uncle 
Joe,'  now  quite  old,  yet  hale  and  active,  at  d 
waiting  to  be  called  home.  He  held  the  office 
of  leader  thirty-three  years,  from  1821  to  1854, 
when  his  nephew,  M.  D.  McCoy,  was  appointed, 


and  has  thus  continued  to  the  present  time, 
thirty-two  years. 

"The  Sunday  school  was  organized  at  Roches- 
ter in  1828,  and  continued  for  many  years 
during  the  summer,  and  for  the  last  twenty  years 
during  the  whole  year,  being  superintended 
most  of  the  time  by  Mr.  M.  D.  McCoy.  Dr.  E. 
R.  Babcock,  of  the  village,  held  the  position 
two  years,  and  Mrs.  G.  W.  Dungan,  the  pastor's 
wife,  was  a  very  efficient  superintendent  one 
year.  For  the  last  thirty  years  this  school  has 
been  known  as  the  M.  E.  Sunday  School  of 
Rochester. 

"At  present  there  are  four  church  buildings 
owned  by  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  township,  and  two  others  just  over  the  line 
in  adjoining  ones,  supported  by  one-half  their 
membership,  residing  in  Rochester  township. 
Round  Prairie,  in  the  northwest  quarter  of  the 
township,  has  long  been  a  point  of  some  note  in 
the  Christian  work  of  Methodism,  and  although 
at  times  embraced  in  the  work  of  Rochester 
circuit,  it  has  for  many  years  been  one  of  the 
appointments  in  the  Springfield  circuit,  and  is 
at  present  served  by  Rev.  A.  H.  Gunnett,  as 
pastor.  At  a  very  early  day  a  society  was 
formed  here  and  preaching  and  other  religious 
services  were  held  in  a  small  brick  school-house 
erected  on  an  acre  of  ground  presented  by  Mr. 
B.  S.  Edwards,  of  Springfield,  and  afterwards  in 
a  larger  frame  house,  taking  the  place  of  the 
former  one,  removed.  About  the  year  1860,  a 
good  frame  house  was  erected  upon  an  acre  of 
ground  adjoining  the  school-house  lot,  presented 
by  A.  H.  Kalb,  for  that  use,  in  accord  with  the 
will  and  precious  purpose  and  desire  of  the  for- 
mer owner,  Absalom  Kalb,  now  deceased.  This 
church  is  known  as  Round  Prairie  Chapel.  It 
cost  about  81,000.  The  house  is  deeded  to 
trustees  agreeably  to  the  rules  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  but  ministers  of  various  other  denomi- 
nations of  Christians  have  preached  in  it  at 
times  and  the  venerable  Father  Albert  Hale,  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  had  a  stated  appoint- 
ment there  for  a  number  of  years,  and  received 
the  cordial  welcome  and  liberal  support  of  the 
whole  community,  and  only  increasing  feeble- 
ness by  age  caused  him  to  discontinue  his  min- 
isterial services  at  the  place. 

,  "Such,  then,  has  been  the  history  of  Methodism 
in  this  new  field,  as  in  all  others  where  it  has 
gone  in  this  and  other  lands,  first  on  foot  and 
horse-back  by  the  early  pioneers,  then  in  gigs 
and  buggies,  and  now  more  extensively  by  rail- 
way and  steamboats. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


991 


"Its  founder  said,  'The  world  is  my  parish,' 
and  his  followers  are  now  in  all  parts  of  the 
earth,  numbered  by  many  millions  in  the  church 
militant,  and  the  church  triumphant. 

"  'And  may  her  triumplis  ne'er  grow  less, 
Nor  her  grand  virtues  ever  wane; 
With  sister  cliurchcs  onward  press, 

Till  they,  for  Christ,  the  world  shall  cfain.'  " 

CHRISTIAN    CHURCHES    OF    ROCIIESTPIR. 

By  Elder  Samuel   Williams. 

"In  the  fall  of  1831,  Elder  Hugh  Bowles,  from 
Kentucky,  with  his  family,  arrived  in  Sangamon 
county.  During  the  ensuing  winter,  and  some 
months  after,  he  abode  with  his  old  friend,  Isaac 
Baker,  Sr.  While  remaining  in  this  vicinity. 
Elder  Bowles  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  preach- 
ing the  gospel,  in  different  neighborhoods. 
Among  the  early  settlers  in  the  county,  were 
many  isolated  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ, 
of  the  denomination  called  Christians,  who,  since 
their  arrival,  had  remained  un-united,  in  a  church 
capacity.  After  consultation  with  the  brethren, 
and  due  reflection.  Elder  Bowles  resolved  to 
organize  a  church  in  this  vicinity  '  founded  on 
the  l>ible,  and  the  Bible  alone,  as  the  all  suf- 
ficient and  only  infallible  rule  of  religious  faith 
and  practice.' 

This  resolution  he  proceeded  to  carry  into 
effect,  at  a  public  meeting,  held  at  the  residence 
of  Thomas  Baker,  about  one  and  a  half  miles 
south  of  west  from  Rochester,  on  the  5th  day  of 
April,  1832.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Thomas 
Baker  and  Samuel  Williams  were  chosen  as 
Deacons  of  the  congregation. 

"The  names  of  those  who  originally  united  in 
the  organization,  were  as  follows:  Elder  Hugh 
Bowles  and  Mrs.  Bowles,  Anderson  Bowles  and 
his  wife,  Joseph,  Walter  and  Elizabeth  Bowles, 
Annie  Payne,  Isaac  Baker,  Sr.,  and  Mrs.  Baker, 
Joseph  Baker  and  his  wife,  Thomas  Baker  and 
his  wife,  James  Baker  and  his  wife,  Andrew 
Richards  and  his  wife,  Isaac  Martin  and  his  wife, 
William  Ruddell  and  his  wife,  Willi.am  Poor, 
Sr.,  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Delay,  Mrs. 
Deborah  Stokes,  Mrs.  Levi  Gooden,  Mrs.  Mary 
Williams,  Sr.,  and  Samuel  Williams,  and  per- 
haps others  whose  names  are  not  now  recollected, 
after  a  period  of  more  than  forty-nine  years, 
and  the  original  record  having  been  lost.  Near 
the  time  of  Elder  Bowles'  removal  to  his  future 
home  in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  he  committed 
the  care  and  general  oversight  of  the  church  to 
Elder  Isaac  Martin,  who,  not  many  months 
after,  with  the  approbation  of  the  members,  or- 
dained Andrew  Richards  and   Samuel  Williams 


as  elders  of  the  congregation.  By  the  services 
of  Elder  Martin  and  the  frequent  visits  of  Elder 
Bowles  and  his  zealous  son  Walter,  and  the  occa- 
sional aid  of  several  pioneer  preachers  of  the 
Gospel,  members  were  frequently  added  to  the 
church,  not  only  in  its  near  vicinity,  but  also 
from  distant  neighborhoods.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, meetings  were  frequently  held  on 
the  same  Sunday  in  Rochester,  on  the  south  fork 
of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  in  the  Richardson 
settlement  on  the  south  side  of  the  river. 

"At  a  meeting  held  by  Elder  Bowles  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1837,  near  the  residence  of  Isaac  Bell,  in 
the  grove,  he  informed  the  brethren  that  after 
due  consideration  and  counsel  with  the  brethren 
and  advised  by  himself  and  many  other  persons. 
Brother  Williams  had  resolved  to  take  part  in 
preaching  the  Gospel;  and  there  being  no  objtic- 
tions,  he  was  authorized  to  do  so.  About  that 
time,  as  my  memory  serves  me,  Robert  Bell  and 
John  Stokes,  Sen.,  were  set  apart  as  additional 
elders  in  the  church.  In  the  summer  of  18.51, 
Elder  P.  Vawter  visited  the  church  and  held  a 
meeting  four  or  five  days,  which  resulted  in 
about  thirty  additions.  During  several  years 
the  meetings  were  in  private  dwellings,  in  small 
school  houses,  in  groves,  and  frequently  in  latter 
years,  in  the  large  and  commodious  barn  of 
Robert  Bell.  In  the  summer  of  1852  our  new 
meeting  house  was  ready  for  use,  and  on  the  first 
Sunday  in  June,  as  my  record  shows,  the  first 
public  discourse  was  made  in  that  edifice,  which 
was  situated  just  over  the  line,  in  Cotton  Hill 
township  ;  Itut  a  majority  of  the  members  have 
always  resided  in  Rochester  township,  there 
being  but  two  members  residing  in  Cotton  Hill 
when  organized. 

"In  the  fall  of  1852,  William  M.  Brown  held  a 
protracted  meeting  in  this  house,  which  resulted 
in  more  than  fifty  additions  to  the  church.  The 
names  of  those  who  have  been  employed  by  the 
church  as  preachers,  since  the  year  1852,  are  as 
follows:  William  A.  Mallory,  in  the  year  1853; 
A.  McCollom,  1*54;  A.  Johnson,  in  1855;  Wick- 
lif  Taylor,  monthly  visits,  free  of  charge,  from 
1855  to  1860;  Elder  Dunkinson,  in  1864.  In  De- 
cember, 1864,  Alfred  Lewis,  Lawson  H.  Smith, 
and  John  Stokes,  Jr.,  were  ordained  as  elders; 
Benjamin  Auxier  and  J.  A.  Waddle,  as  deacons. 
In  the  fall  of  1867,  E.  C.  Weekly  and  Elder 
Moppin  held  a  protracted  meeting,  resulting  in 
about  seventy  additions.  After  that,  Elder 
Weekly  preached  during  the  year  1868;  Elder 
John  Wilson,  in  1870;  Samuel  Lowe,  in  1871-72; 
E.  C.  Weekly,  in  1873;  and  A.  J.  Kane,  from 
1874  to  1881;  since  then,  Elder  W.  W.  Weeden. 


902 


HISTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


During  the  last  forty  years,  the  number  of  mem- 
bers in  the  church  has  ranged  from  one  hundred 
to  one  hundred  and  lorty.  Its  present  number 
is  one  hundred  and  thirty.  The  elders  are  John 
Johnson  and  I.  B.  Williams;  and  its  present 
deacons  are  Benjamin  Auxier  and  Mr.  Hunter. 

FIRST    ROCHESEB    CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

"As  the  first  Rochester  church  formed  an  inte- 
gral part  of  the  old  South  Fork  Church,  its 
early  history  is  included  in  the  record  of  that 
church.  Its  territory  included  the  Round  Prairie, 
Rochester,  and  thence  south  one  and  a  half 
miles  to  the  sectional  line  running  east  and  west 
across  the  township.  After  the  year  1841,  the 
Rochester  church  was  considered  as  an  inde- 
pendent organization,  its  elders  being  Andrew 
Riohards  and  Samuel  Williams,  and  after  1842, 
its  deacons  were  Samuel  West  and  William  S. 
Bashaw.  In  August,  1842,  Elder  William  Brown 
held  a  five  days'  meeting  in  Rochester,  which 
resulted  in  about  twenty-four  additions  to  the 
church,  among  whom  were  Benjamin  West,  Sam- 
uel West,  Dr.  B.  F.  Dickerson,  James  McCune, 
and  others.  Our  meetings  were  usually  held 
either  in  Rochester  or  a  school  house  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  township.  During  about 
twenty  years,  the  church  continued  to  prosper, 
being  sustained  by  its  own  public  services  and 
the  occasional  aid  of  Elder  William  M.  Brown, 
A.  J.  Kane,  Walter  Bowles,  William  A.  Mal- 
lory,  and  several  other  preachers.  But  about 
the  year  1862,  Elder  Richards  and  other  leading 
members  having  died,  and  I  being  no  longer 
ab'e  to  preach,  in  consequence  of  failure  of 
health,  and  the  members  not  being  able  to  build 
a  house  in  Rochester,  it  was  thought  best  for 
those  who  could  be  thus  better  accommodated  to 
unite  with  the  brethren  in  the  German  Prairie, 
and  others  over  the  Sangamon  river.  A  good 
meeting  house  was  there  built  and  a  prosperous 
church  organized.  It  may  be  proper  to  add  that 
the  first  Rochester  church  was  seldom  disturbed, 
either  by  internal  strife,  or  by  contentions  with 
other  religious  organizations.  It  usually  con- 
tained from  fifty  to  eighty  members. 

SECOND  ROCHESTER  CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

"  Near  the  close  of  the  year  1874,  there  were 
some  members  in  the  South  Fork  Christian 
Church,  who  thought  it  advisable  to  sustain 
preaching  in  Rochester,  and  by  the  contribution 
of  church  members  and  other  persons  favorable 
to  the  effort,  the  services  of  Eider  A.J.  Kane,  of 
Springfield,  were  procured  one  Sunday  in  each 
month.  In  this  manner  he  served  the  brethren 
in  Rochester  four  years.     Near  the  close  of  De- 


cember, 1875,  he  continued  his  meetings  several 
evenings  and  during  the  last  two,  five  persons 
obeyed  the  Gospel.  But  instead  of  continuing 
the  interesting  meeting  he  was  under  the  neces- 
sity of  leaving  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting  of 
his  own  appointing  in  Fulton  county.  In  order 
to  continue  the  meeting  the  services  of  James 
Logan,  of  California,  were  obtained.  During  a 
meeting  of  four  weeks  continuance,  many  per- 
sons professed  faith  in  Christ,  and  were  baptized. 
Before  the  close  of  the  meeting  Elder  Kane  re- 
turned, and  before  the  departure  of  Elder  Logan 
most  of  the  new  converts  and  other  old  members 
residing  within  two  or  three  miles  united  together 
as  a  church  of  Christ. 

"In  September,  1877,  our  new  meeting  house, 
thirty-six  by  fifty-six  feet  was  ready  for  use,  and 
the  dedication  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder 
W.  W.  Everest,  President  of  Eureka  College. 
In  December,  1877,  Elder  P.  Vawter  held  a  pro- 
tracted meeting,  which  resulted  in  sixteen  or 
twenty  additions  to  the  church.  In  1878,  Henry 
P.  Clark  and  James  McCune,  were  chosen  as 
elders,  and  William  Windsor  and  Samuel  WolJ 
ford,  deacons  of  the  church.  Elder  Burton  suc- 
ceeded Elder  Kane  as  preacher  for  several 
months,  in  the  year  1879,  and  perhaps  some 
longer,  and  after  a  few  months  vacation,  Elder 
W.  A.  Mallory  hucceeded  him  and  still  continues 
to  serve  the  church  as  pastor.  Since  the  organi- 
zation of  the  chuich,  nine  or  ten  members  have 
died,  and  many  have  moved  to  distant  localities, 
while  others,  choosing  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of 
sin  for  a  season,  have  abandoned  their  religious 
profession;  yet  there  still  remains  thirty-six  or 
forty  members  faithful  to  Christ.  The  church 
is  now  out  of  debt,  and  the  present  indications 
are,  that  it  will  survive  some  of  the  degrading 
vices  of  the  present  day." 

MINERAL    SPRINGS. 

By  D.   G.  Kalb. 

By  special  request  of  the  publishers,  Mr.  K. 
visited  a  mineral  spring,  located  in  the  south- 
west corner  of  section  twenty-one,  township  fif- 
teen, range  four,  about  eight  miles  southeast  of 
Springfield,  and  writes  of  it  as  follows: 

"No  special  attention  has  been  given  to  pre- 
paring the  spring  for  public  use,  but  the  present 
owner  had  it  walled  up  with  brick  a  few  years 
ago,  and  enclosed  it  with  a  board  fence  within  a 
space  of  twelve  feet  square,  allowing  any  who 
so  wished  to  come  and  take  water  from  it  as  they 
might  desire. 

"On  the  1.5th  day  of  October,  1881,  the  writer 
visited  the  place  for  observation  and  inquiry,  in 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


995 


company  with  Rev.  A.  11.  Gunnett,  and  was  hos- 
pitably entertained  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olcott,  who 
furnished  every  facility  to  aid  him  in  his  re- 
search. The  spring  is  about  one-third  of  a  mile 
from  the  family  re.sidence,  in  a  narrow  ravine, 
through  which  passes  a  small  rill  heading  in  the 
prairie,  a  few  hundred  yards  north  of  the  spot, 
which  unites  with  another  similar  stream  a  few 
yards  south. 

"The  water  within  the  brick  wall  was  four 
feet  in  diameter,  and  about  five  feet  in  depth  at 
the  time  of  the  visit;  but  subsequently  a  small 
vein  of  water  which  seems  to  be  of  the  same 
kind  as  that  in  the  spring  is  found  issuing  from 
the  side  of  the  ravine,  a  short  distance  below 
the  junction  of  the  two  mentioned,  and,  as  is 
supposed,  has  lessened  the  amount  that  issues 
at  the  spring  above.  On  making  further  obser- 
vations at  the  spot,  the  writer  calculated  that  the 
level  of  the  water  in  the  spring  is  about  fifty  feet 
lower  than  the  general  level  of  the  prairie  a 
short  distance  north  of  the  place,  the  lar.d  slop- 
ing off  toward  the  south  fork  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  which  is  probably  not  more  than  one- 
eighth  of  a  mile  distant,  southward. 

V  There  have  been  numerous  instances  of  the 
effiicacious  uses  of  the  water  producing  satisfac- 
tory results.  Dr.  Shields,  of  Ball  township,  was 
the  owner  of  this  spring  many  years  ago,  and  re- 
lates that  he  at  times,  before  the  country  was 
settled  up,  saw  many  wagon  loads  of  persons 
from  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  else- 
where, that  came  to  the  spring  and  camped  there 
for  the  benefit  of  the  medical  qualities  of  the 
water;  so  that  more  than  fifty  years  ago  it  was 
renowned  as  valuable.  But  many  remarkable 
cures  therefrom  have  been  known  of  later  times, 
and  numerous  witnesses  can  be  obtained  to  testify 
thereto.  Mr.  Olcott  is  also  now  using  the  water 
with  good  effect,  upon  himself.  He  further  says 
that  though  he  has  fed  a  great  many  hogs,  he  has 
never  had  any  cases  of  cholera  among  them,  and 
he  ascribes  it  to  the  fact  that  they  have  always 
had  access  to  the  water  issuing  from  the  spring. 
A  similar  testimony  is  given  by  his  neighbor, 
Mr.  Dickerson,  through  whose  feed-lots  the  water 
passes. 

"The  following  is  the  testimony  of  the  State 
Assayer  and  Chemist,  of  Massachusetts: 

'Office  0¥  S.  Dajja  Hayes, 
State  Assateh  and  Chemist, 
20tuStkeet,  Boston,  Mass.,  May  «,  18G9. 
To  James  H.  Olcott,  Esq.,  Springfield,  Illinois: 

A'i>— The  sample  of  mineral  water  received  fremyou 
has  been  as  thoroughly  analyzed  as  the  small  quanlity 
would  permit,  with  the  followiDg  results:     It  is  tracs- 

116— 


parent  and  clear,  with  a  sulphuretted  odor  and  taste. 
One  United  States  standard  gallon  contains  7^'  lo-lOO 
grains  of  solid  mineral  water,  consisting  of  potash, 
soda,  lime,  magnesia,  carbonic  and  sulphuric  acids, 
chlorine  and  sulphur.  It  is  a  valuable  and  unusual 
mineral  water,  belonging  to  the  class  known  as  sul- 
phuretted saline  waters,  and  it  is  certainly  worthy  of 
an  exhaustive  analysis.  Ilespectfully, 

S.  Dana  Hayes. 
State  Assayer  of  Massachusetts.' " 

EBMINISCENCES, 

Hy  Samuel  Williams. 
The    following    incidents    the    writer.    Rev. 
Samuel   Williams,  gives  as  facts  connected  with 
the  early  history  of  Rochester  townahip: 

"In  the  fall  of  1821,  in  company  with  P^lias 
Thompson,  Orange  Babbitt  and  Samuel  Draper, 
with  their  families  and  some  stock,  we  crossed 
the  Wabash  river  near  Terre  Haute,  and  after 
traveling  a  few  miles  through  heavy  timber,  we 
came  to  the  eastern  edge  of  the  great  Illinois 
prairie.  There  we  saw  a  patch  of  cotton  and  a 
small  log  house,  but  we  did  not  see  another 
house  until  after  traveling  several  days,  when 
we  arrived  at  the  house  of  Titus  Gragg,  near 
what  is  now  called  Campbellsbnrg,  in  Christian 
county. 

"In"  March,  1822,  my  father  and  the  family 
having  arrived,  he  rented  a  part  of  Fields  Jarvis' 
farm,  situated  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town- 
ship,   on   the   farm    now   owned   by   Benjamin 
Auxier.     Further  north,  there  w.is another  farm, 
which  was  also  rented  in  1822,  by  Elias  Thomp- 
son.    At  the  north  edge  of  the  timber  were  the 
residences  of  John  Warrick  and  Daniel  Parkin- 
son, and  across  the  prairie,  further  north,  lived 
James  McCoy,  with  whom   his  brother  Joseph 
usually    resided,     Archibald     Sattley,     Robert 
Sattley,  Oliver  Stafford,  William  Roberts,  James 
Bowland,  John  T.  Benham  and  James  Gregory, 
Sr.     P^'urther  west,  Isaac  Keys,Sr.,  Levi  Gooden, 
James  Vaughn,  the  large  blacksmith,  and  Philip 
Clark,  Sr.     And  in  the  Round  Prairie,  Edward 
Clark,  Andrew  Jones,  Andrew  St.  John,  Wm. 
Woods,  Christopher  Paine,  some  of  the  Sheltons, 
Levi  Locker,  and  a  family  in  a  house  near  the 
present  residence  of  Joshua  Graham.     Andrew 
Johnson,  the  father  of  John  and  Samuel  John- 
son,  was  a  millwright  by  occupation,    and   he 
came  from  Scotland  at  an  early  date,  and  he  and 
James  Gregory,  Sr.,  were  the  principal  architects 
in   the   erection  of   Mr.  Clark's  mills.     Besides 
these,  there  may  have  been  other  settlers  in  the 
township    whom   I    did    not   know,    or    whose 
names  I  cannot  recollect  after  a  lapse  of  more 
than  fifty  years. 


906 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


"  In  those  early  times,  there  were  many  wild 
wild  bees,  wild  deer,  turkeys,  raccoons,  minks, 
muskrats,  and  some  others,  still  hunted  in  many 
places  by  small  parties  of  Indians. 

"There  were  also  many  patches  of  cotton  and 
flax  in  Sangamon  county.  The  women  spun  and 
wove  the  raw  material  into  cloth,  from  which 
substantial  clothing  for  both  men  and  women 
was  made.  But  cloth  of  a  finer  texture,  mostly 
white,  but  delicately  striped  with  bright  colors, 
was  also  made,  which  was  chiefly  designed  for 
women  and  children's  fine  dresses.  When 
clothed  with  such  dresses,  the  young  women  O/p- 
peared,  not  only  modest,  but  very  attractive. 

"  In  the  year  1822,  there  was  a  military  com- 
pany muster  in  the  township,  at  which  many 
persons  were  present, some  of  whom  lived  many 
miles  distant.  Elias  Thompson  was  captain. 
Some  of  the  men  had  guns,  others  used  various 
substitutes.  Before  proceeding  with  the  exer- 
cises, there  was  some  debating  with  reference  to 
the  choice  of  military  tactics,  some  preferring 
those  of  Scott,  and  others  Duane's.  The  per- 
formance was  awkward  and  in  some  respects 
comical.  After  the  drill  was  ended,  the  captain, 
as  was  customary  in  those  days,  treated  the  com- 
pany to  two  or  three  gallons  of  whisky.  Soon 
after,  some  of  the  men  became  very  boisterous, 
and  several  of  them  stripped  to  the  pants  for  a 
fistic  fight,  but  finally  wiser  counsels  prevailed, 
and  all  went  home  peaceably. 

"There  being  much  rain  in  those  early  days, 
there  was  much  ague  in  the  country.  Drs.  Dar- 
ling and  Jayne  were  the  first  physicians,  and  in 
later  times  "were  Dr.  James  P.  Kipper,  and  Dr. 
Todd,  of  Springfield. 

"In  the  year  1822,  Rivers  Cormack,  a  local 
Methodist  preacher,  and  William  Roberts,  of 
the  Baptist  persuasion,  were  the  only  preachers. 
Mr.  Roberts  was  rather  eccentric,  and  manifested 
considerable  antipathy  against  preachers,  who 
received  money  as  pay  for  their  labors.  He  is 
said  to  have  given  it  as  his  opinion,  that  '  the 
Gospel  cannot  be  carried  on  silver  wheels. ' 

"  In  the  summer  of  1823,  I  taught  my  first 
school,  the  first  in  the  township,  in  a  log  cabin, 
located  on  the  open  prairie,  on  the  land  now 
owned  by  Robert  Billings.  In  1824,  there  was 
a  school  taught  in  the  Sattley  settlement,  by 
Richard  E.  Barker.  In  1824-5,  there  was  a 
school  taught  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  near 
Mr.  Clark's  mills,  by  Jabe/.  Capps,  a  worthy 
man,  and  an  excellent  scholar,  but,  as  reported, 
so  easy  and  indulgent  with  children  in  regard  to 
his  discipline,  that  his  school  was  considered  by 
some  as  very  defective.     The   first  school  house 


on  Round  Prairie  was  built  in  the  year  1827  or 
1828.  William  Jones  was  the  first  employed  as 
teacher,  and  taught  one  day,  when  the  house 
was  burned  down  at  night,  supposed  to  be  mali- 
ciously, as  there  had  been  some  contention  be- 
fore it  was  built,  as  to  its  location. 

"  The  following  is  a  description  of  a  school 
house  on  Sugar  creek,  in  which  I  taught  school 
in  the  year  1824:  It  was  built  of  logs;  was  about 
fourteen  by  sixteen  feet  in  size,  very  low;  had  a 
clapboard  roof,  kept  down  by  poles;  the  chim- 
ney was  made  of  wood  and  clay,  with  stone 
back-wall,  and  jambs;  the  size  of  the  fire-plaee 
was  about  three  feet  by  six;  the  house  was 
daubed,  both  inside  and  out,  with  clay  mortar, 
up  to  the  roof.  If  I  remember  correctly,  it  had 
a  puncheon  floor  below,  but  none  above;  the 
door  shutter,  was  made  of  clapboards  fastened 
together  with  wooden  pins,  and  hung  on  heavy 
wooden  hinges.  When  raising  the  house  the 
upper  and  lower  half  of  two  logs,  in  the  south 
end  and  west  side,  were  cut  out  for  window 
spaces,  in  which,  strips  of  wood  were  placed  up 
and  down,  on  which  paper  was  pasted,  and  after- 
wards greased,  in  order  to  admit  the  light;  in 
the  lower  logs  two-inch  augur  holes  were  bored, 
in  which  strong  pins  were  inserted,  as  a  basis  for 
the  puncheon  writmg  desks  or  tables.  The  seats 
or  benches,  were  made  of  split  logs.  There 
were  two  or  three  clapboard  shelves,  on  which 
spare  books  and  the  ehildrens'  dinner-baskets 
were  usually  placed.  There  was  a  small  pun- 
cheon table  and  a  split  bottomed  chair,  for  the 
use  of  the  teacher.  This  completed  the  furniture 
of  the  room.  Now  all  was  ready  for  the  admis- 
sion of  teacher  and  pupils,  who  in  those  early 
times  enjoyed  much  pleasure,  and  seemed  proud 
when  meeting  together  in  this  very  modest  and 
humble  school  house. 

"  During  fifty-six  years,  great  changes  have 
occurred.  Then  the  Government  had  not  sold 
any  land  in  the  township;  now  it  is  all  owned 
by  individuals.  Then  there  were  no  bridges 
across  the  large  streams  and  canoes  supplied  the 
place  of  ferry-boats.  Then  there  were  no  mills, 
except  two  second-rate  horse-mills;  now  there  is 
one  good  steam  flouring  mill,  four  substantial 
meeting  houses,  nine  school  districts  furnished 
with  commodious  school  houses.  There  are  now 
two  drug  stores,  one  dry  goods  store,  two  gro- 
cery stores,  one  good  livery  stable  and  a  first- 
class  flouring  mill." 

ORGANIC. 

At  the  general  election  in  November,  1860, 
the  question  was  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  peo. 


HISTORY"  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


997 


pie,  as  to  whether  the  county  sliould  organize 
under  the  Township  Organization  Law.  The 
vote  being  favorable,  Rochester,  in  connection 
with  other  townships  in  the  county,  was  organ- 
ized in  April,  1861. 

VILLAGE    OF   ROCHKSTEB. 

The  village  of  Rochester  is  one  of  the  oldest 
in  the  county.  The  lands  on  which  the  village 
was  located  were  entered  by  Archibald  and  Rob- 
ert Sattley,  and  transferred  by  them  to  L.  V. 
Hollenbeck,  one  of  four  brothers — Lawrence  V., 
Andrew  F.,  William  Henry  and  Henry  William 
— who  came  to  what  is  now  Rochester  township 
in  1829  or  IS.'JO. 

Shortly  after  arriving  here  L.  V.  Hollenbeck 
erected  a  carding  and  corn-mill  and  distillery, 
run  by  a  tread  wheel,  and  located  on  the  small 
branch  just  at  the  north  end  of  Water  street. 

The  town  of  Rochester  was  surveyed  and 
platted  by  James  Gregory,  Esq.,  December  16, 
1831.  L.  V.  Hollenbeck  was  proprietor  of  all 
north  of  Main  street.  A.  F.  Hollenbeck,  ad- 
ministrator, acknowledged  the  plat  before  C.  B. 
Stafford,  justice  of  the  peace,  which  is  recorded 
in  book  H,  page  141  of  records. 

C.  B.  Stafford  built  a  two-story  log  cabin, 
where  he  kept  the  post  office  and  stage  stand. 
It  stood  on  the  corner  of  Main  and  Water 
streets,  east  of  the  Iron  Bridge.  Robert  Sattley 
built  his  rude  cabin  a  short  distance  to  the  west- 
waid  of  this,  and  near  the  spot  where  stands  the 
Rochester  House.  A  third  log  cabin  was  built  by 
Minas  Johnson,  on  the  lot  just  west  of  the  rail- 
road depot.  Several  of  the  primitive  cabins  of 
these  hardy  pioneers  may  yet  be  seen. 

These  buildings  were  erected  before  the  plat 
was  made,  yet  were  the  beginning  of  the  village. 

INCORPORATION. 

The  town  of  Rochester  was  incorporated  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1869,  under  the  provision  of  the  general 
town  incorporation  laws  of  the  Slate,  passed  in 
1831,  which  were  afterwards  amended  from 
time  to  time,  and  elections  have  been  regularly 
held  since  that  time. 

On  the  3d  day  of  June,  1873,  under  a  provis- 
ion of  the  general  incorpcration  act  of  1872,  en- 
titled "  An  act  to  provide  for  the  incorporation 
of  cities  and  villages,  approved  April  10,  1872  ; 
in  force  July  1st,  1872,"  the  organization  of  the 
Town  of  Rochester  was  changed  to  that  of  the 
Village  of  Rochester  under  said  act.  The  certi- 
ficate required  by  law  was  filed  in  the  office  of 
the  recorder  of  deeds,  of  Sangamon  county,  and 
■one  copy  with  the  Secretary  of  State. 


EDUCATIONAL. 

The  first  school  in  the  territory  now  compris- 
ing the  village  and  vicinity  of  Rochester,  was  in 
the  winter  of  1823-'4  and  was  taught  by  Richard 
E.  Barker,  in  a  log  house  built  for  another  pur- 
pose, and  transformed  into  a  school  house,  in 
which  religious  services  might  be  held.  In  1826, 
this  house  was  burnt  down,  and  for  a  time  the 
people  had  no  place  of  meeting,  and  the  children 
were  without  a  school  house. 

The  first  public  school  building,  proper,  was 
also  a  log  cabin,  built  late  in  the  fall  of  1831, 
eighteen  by  twenty  feet  in  size,  in  the  most  im- 
proved style  of  those  times,  having  greased  paper 
for  window  lights  and  one  whole  end  of  the 
house  for  a  fire-place.  However,  it  could  boast 
of  a  fair  quality  of  seats  and  desks  made  of 
sawed  walnut  boards.  The  lumber  of  the  house 
was  donated  by  Edward  Clark,  then  running  a 
saw-mill.  The  condition  of  the  gift  w.as  that 
the  house  should  be  used  as  a  school  house,  and 
if  used  for  any  other  purpose,  he  should  have  pay 
for  the  lumber,  at  customary  prices.  But,  to 
whatever  uses  the  house  was  put  to,  no  pay  was 
ever  given  to  Mr.  C.  for  his  lumber 

This  house  was  replaced  by  another  and  more 
improved  one  in  1837,  and  the  first  teacher  who 
occupied  it  was  Samuel  Williams,  who  had  a 
short  time  before  taught  school  in  a  private  house. 
Several  succeeding  school  houses  were  erected  on 
the  same  site,  and  for  some  years  this  was  the 
only  school  for  miles  around,  and  the  little  house 
was  crowded,  at  times,  with  sixty  and  seventy 
children. 

"The  second  school  house  in  the  village  of 
Rochester  was  of  stone  obtained  at  Samuel  Wil- 
liams' quary  on  the  south  fork  of  the  Sangamon 
river.  In  the  same  year  this  was  built,  one  of 
frame  was  also  built,  about  two  miles  west  of  the 
village,  near  the  present  south  fork  bridge,  and 
a  few  rods  west  of  the  residence  of  John  Clark, 
son  of  Edward,  and  now  constitutes  a  part  of 
John's  residence.  The  stone  house  above  men- 
tioned, was  twenty  by  twenty-four  feet,  and  was 
equal  to  that  of  any  other  village  anywhere  about. 

In  the  autumn  of  1865,  the  old  stone  house 
was  removed,  and  a  two-story  frame  one  put  iu 
its  place,  being  twenty-six  by  forty  feet,  and 
costing  $3,600.  From  that  time  the  school  was 
graded,  and  taught  by  a  principal  and  assistant. 
The  following  have  been  the  principals: 
Everett,  Hasbrouck,  Stephen  Goldsmith,  A.  O. 
Houston,  I.  K.  Bradley,  J.  J.  Berry,  D.  W. 
Binns,  W.  T.  Crow,  Robert  Bradbury,  Wm.  R. 
Corey,  Miss  L.  D.  Burroughs,  C.  P.  Johnson, 
Timothy  McGrath,  and  S.  A.  Tobin. 


99S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


On  Friday,  September,  10,  1880,  the  house 
took  fire  from  a  defective  flue,  and  was  con- 
sumed. School  had  commenced  on  the  previous 
Monday.  No  other  place  being  attainable  for 
the  school,  preparations  were  immediately  begun 
for  the  erection  of  another  upon  the  same  site, 
which  was  near  enough  finished  by  the  spring 
of  1881,  to  resume  the  school. 

The  house  is  built  of  brick,  and  contains  four 
rooms;  but  at  present  only  two  of  these  are 
needed.  It  is  thirty-two  by  fifty  feet,  and  sit- 
uated on  the  west  side  of  Main  street,  in  the 
central  part  of  the  village,  and  presents  a  com- 
manding appearance,  being  a  creditable  orna- 
ment to  the  village.  It  cost  $5,000,  which  was 
procured  by  issuing  bonds. 

Dr.  E.  R.  Bahcock  is  a  physician  and  surgeon 
in  the  village  of  Rochester,  and  was  born  in 
Lewis  county,  New  York,  March  21,  1826,  the 
son  of  Job  and  Sarah  (Williams)  Babcock. 

His  father  was  a  farmer  on  the  banks  of  St. 
Lawrence  river  till  his  death  in  1834.  His 
mother  died  in  Michigan,  1 862.  Dr.  B.  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  at  the  academy  there.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-four,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine 
under  Dr.  Bruster,  of  Jefferson  county,  New 
York,  and  in  1851  attended  the  State  University 
at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  and  for  some  years 
practiced  medicine  in  New  York,  and  then  grad- 
uated at  Burlington  University,  in  Vermont, 
1861.  In  1863,  he  came  to  Sangamon,  and  soon 
was  placed  in  charge  of  Post  Hospital  at  Camp 
Yates,  near  Springfield,  as  surgeon,  eighteen 
months,  when  he  resigned  (January  1,  1865), 
and  accepted  an  appointment  on  the  Board  of 
Examining  Surgeons  for  the  Eighth  District  of 
the  State,  which  he  held  till  the  close  of  the  late 
war.  He  spent  the  summer  of  1866  in  the  East, 
and  returned  in  the  fall  to  the  village  of  Roch- 
ester, where  he  has  continued  the  practice  of 
medicine  to  the  present  time.  He  was  married 
in  1857  to  Martha  Bruster,  who  was  born  in  New 
York,  the  d.nughter  of  Dr.  Bruster,  his  former 
preceptor,  and  has  had  two  children:  O.  B.,  who 
was  born  March  26,  185T,  in  Jefferson  county, 
New  York,  and  married  to  Emma  Merriam,  also 
born  in  Jefferson  county.  New  York,  but  at  the 
time  of  marriage  resided  in  Romeo,  Michigan. 
Young  Dr.  O.  B.  Babcock  graduated  in  the 
study  of  medicine,  and  is  now  practicing  with 
his  father.  A  younger  son,  born  September  2, 
1872,  died  March  1,  1873. 

Dr.  Babcock  has  been  avery  skillful  physician 
and  surgeon,  and   now,  in  partnership   with  his 


son,  has  a  large  share  of  patronage  in,  and  many 
miles  around  the  villages  in  which  they  reside, 
enjoying  the  confidence  of  all  who  know  them, 
both  being  good  and  influential  citizens  of  the 
county,  while  the  Doctor  and  his  intelligent  and 
amiable  wife  are  useful  members  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  Politically,  they  are  all  active  Repub- 
licans. 

James  M.  Bell,  a  farmer  in  Rochester,  was 
born  August  6,  1856,  in  Sangamon  county,  the 
son  of  James  and  Milla  (Dotson)  Bell,  whose 
skelch  appears  in  this  book.  He  was  raised  on 
a  farm,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  till 
1872.  He  then  attended  the  schools  of  the  First 
Ward,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  in  1875,  he 
entered  upon  the  study  of  medicine,  under  the 
direction  of  Dr.  H.  O.  Bolles,  of  Springfield, 
and  afterwards  graduated  in  the  State  Uni- 
versity, of  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  in  the  year 
1879,  after  which  he  practiced  medicine  at  the 
village  of  Blackburn,  in  Christian  county,  Illi- 
nois, during  one  year.  He  was  married  April 
29,  1880,  to  Laura  F.  North,  who  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county,  November  7,  1859,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  North,  who  was  born  Octo- 
ber, 1814,  in  Buckingham  county,  Virginia,  and 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Jefferson  county,  Ten- 
nessee, when  he  was  a  boy.  He  came 
to  Sangamon  county  with  his  brother, 
John  North,  who  had  been  back  to  Ten- 
nessee. They  arrived  in  September,  1832,  in 
what  is  now  Cooper  township.  Robert  North 
was  married  in  Sangamon  county  March  29, 
1838,  to  America  Schmick.  She  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 10, 1816,  in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky,  and 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  company  with  her 
mother,  brother-in-law  —  John  Clemons,  one 
brother,  two  sisters  and  two  nephews,  arriving 
in  the  fall  of  1829,  and  settled  three  miles  south 
of  Springfield.  Robert  North  and  wife  had  six 
children  living  in  Sangamon  county.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  Sangamon 
county,  and  was  a  resident  of  Cooper  township 
till  his  death,  September  24,  1880.  The  widow 
is  yet  living  at  the  old  homestead.  Since  their 
marriage  they  have  moved  to  the  farm  now  sit- 
uated in  Rochester  township,  and  now  own  nine 
hundred  and  twelve  acres  of  land  in  Rochester, 
Buck  Hart  and  Cooper  townships,  which  is  under 
a  good  state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $40  per 
acre.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.     Politically,  they  are  Democratic. 

James  H.  Bell  was  born  November  30,  1822, 
in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  the  son  of  Robert 
Bell,  who  was  born  March  8,  1795,  in  Bourbon 
county,  Kentucky.     His  father  was  born  in  Ire- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


990 


land,  and  had  but  four  children,  Robert,  and  three 
sisters.  After  his  sisters  were  mairied,  he  bad 
no  knowledge  of  any  relative  in  America,  bear- 
ing his  family  name.  He  was  a  soldier  from 
Bourbon  county  in  the  War  of  1812.  Robert 
Bell  and  Susannah  Bakerwere  married  February 
12,  1818,  in  that  county,  and  moved  to  Nicholas 
county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and 
settled  four  miles  south  of  the  present  town  of 
Rochester,  where  he  continued  farming  to  the 
time  of  his  death  on  June  25,  1872,  near  lUiopo- 
lis,  from  injuries  caused  by  a  runaway  team,  four 
days  previous.  Mrs.  Susannah  Bell  was  made  a 
cripple  for  life  by  the  same  accident.  They  had 
lived  more  than  tifty-four  years  as  man  and  wife, 
and  she  survived  him  till  February  29,  1876. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Spring- 
field, Illinois,  with  his  father,  and  was  married 
in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  May  7,  18-13,  to 
Miss  Milla  Dotson,  who  was  born  November, 
1822,  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia;  they  had  four 
children:  Eliza  A.,  born  February  25,  1844,  and 
married  September  4,  1864,  to  Benjamin  C  Gray, 
■who  was  born  August  12,  1832,  near  Hopkins- 
vllle,  Kentucky;  Mrs.  Gray  died  December,  1874; 
John  W.,  the  second  child,  died  under  two  years 
of  age;  Hiram  F.,  born  December  17,  1852;  he 
spent  two  years  in  California,  and  traveled  over 
the  greater  portion  of  the  State,  then  returned 
home;  he  is  now  unmarried,  and  lives  with  his 
brother,  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Berry  sta- 
tion, on  the  O.  &  M.  Railroad;  James  M.,  born 
August  6, 1856;  studied  medicine  in  Springfield, 
and  attended  the  Medical  College  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan;  after  graduating  he  returned  home, 
and  was  married  to  Laura  F.  North,  daughter  of 
Robert  North,  and  resides  one  and  a  half  miles 
west  of  Berry  station.  Mr.  James  H.  Bell  has 
resided  in  this  county  fifty-one  years,  and  re- 
members well  the  hardships  and  privations  of 
the  early  settler.  There  were  but  few  schools  in 
his  early  days,  consequently  his  education  was 
limited.  His  summers  were  spent  at  work  on 
the  farm,  and  the  winter  time  in  making  rails. 
To  pay  for  the  first  land  he  bought,  he  made 
rails  at  fifty  cents  ])er  hundred,  to  raise  the  first 
payment.  He  lived  on  the  farm  from  the  time 
he  was  married  until  four  years  after  the  death 
of  his  wife,  then  sold  off  his  stock  and  moved 
to  Springfield  for  the  purpose  of  schooling  his 
youngest  son,  and  remained  in  Springfield  three 
years,  and  then  returned  to  the  farm  and  con- 
tinued farming  until  the  present  season,  and  has 
spent  a  part  of  this  summer  on  a  trip  to  Mis- 
souri, Kansas  and  Colorado,  and  has  been  twice 
to  the  mountains,  traveling  on  different  roads  in 


going  and  coming,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
himself  acquainted  with  the  west;  he  has  also 
ma,de  several  trips  to  the  South,  with  stock,  trav- 
eling by  rail  and  boat,  and  at  times  by  land.  At 
one  time,  in  company  with  a  partner,  he  pur- 
chased a  flat-boat  at  Peoria,  and  loaded  it  with 
produce,  went  down  the  river  as  far  as  Vicks- 
burg,  remained  there  three  weeks  before  dispos 
ing  of  the  boat  and  cargo,  and  while  there  went 
and  viewed  the  battle-field,  and  stood  under  the 
shade  of  the  tree  that  was  said  to  be  General 
Grant's  headquarters,  and  near  by  was  the  tree 
where  he  tied  his  horse,  the  ring  and  staple  still 
remaining  as  he  left  it;  after  disposing  of  the 
boat  he  returned  home  by  rail.  He  is  now  liv- 
ing a  retired  life  with  his  youngest  brother,  two 
miles  west  of  Berry  station. 

Melvin  Bell,  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  February  9,  1843;  the  son  of  Robert  and 
Susannah  Bell,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county 
in  the  fall  of  1830,  where  they  resided  until 
their  death.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received 
a  common  school  education,  at  South  Fork, 
under  the  instruction  of  now  Doctor,  H.  O. 
Bolles,  of  Springfield,  and  was  married  October 
12,  1865,  to  Rachel  Martin,  who  was  born  in  San- 
gamon county,  now  Cotton  Hill,  September  4, 
1845.  About  two  years  after  they  were  married, 
Melvin  was  thrown  under  a  wagon  returning 
from  Springfield,  and  had  his  light  leg  broken, 
which  crippled  him  for  life.  They  have  had  four 
children,  William  J.,  Alice  N.,  Otis  A.,  and  a 
son  who  died  in  infancy.  He  owns  two  hundred 
and  seventy  acres  of  land,  which  is  a  part  of  the 
old  homestead,  and  is  in  a  good  state  of  cnltiva- 
tion,  and  worth  $50  per  acre.  In  politics  he  is 
energetic,  and  is  always  found  in  the  Democratic 
ranks. 

Preston  Sreckenridge,  a  miller  at  Rochester, 
was  born  December  2,  1858,  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Sarah  (Matthews)  Breckenridge,  and  grand-son 
of  Hon.  Preston  Breckenridge.  His  father  en- 
listed in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Illinois  Infantry  for  a  term  of  three  years,  and 
was  taken  sick  at  Camp  ]>utler,  and  died  at 
home  November  29,  1802.  His  mother  after- 
wards married  Thomas  Pike,  and  they  reside  in 
Christian  county,  Illinois,  two  miles  west  of 
Edinburg.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received 
a  common  school  education.  He  also  attended 
the  high  school  at  Taylorville  for  two  years. 
He  then  went  to  Iowa  where  he  engaged  as  a 
clerk  in  a  store  for  about  one  year.  He  then 
came  back  to  Breckenridge,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  December,  1880.  In  July,  1881,  he, 
with  Wm.  B.   Hicks,  leased  the  Rochester  mill 


1000 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


for  a  term  of  one  year.  At  the  expiration  of 
said  one  year,  they  bought  the  Rcchester  mill, 
and  also  leased  the  Athens  mill  for  a  term  of 
three  years.  They  are  now  prepared  to  do  a 
milling  business  which  demands  the  patronage 
of  the  county,  and  are  supplying  the  neighboring 
towns  with  flour  not  to  be  excelled  by  any 
other  mills.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Good 
Ttmplars  at  Rochester,  and  in  politics  a  Re- 
publican. 

Henry  P.  Clark  was  born  November  2,  1823, 
in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  was  the  son  of 
Edward  and  Nancy  Clark  whose  sketch  appears 
in  the  township  history  of  Rochester.  He  was 
married  December  15,  1853,  to  Nancy  T.  Wil- 
liams, who  was  born  February  26.  1S33.  Their 
family  consists  of  four  children,  ilary  J.,  Sarah 
v.,  Edward  S.  and  William  T.  He  now  owns 
four  hundred  acres  of  land  which  is  under  a  good 
state  of  cultivation  and  worth  $60  per  acre. 
Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.     In  politics  they  are  Republican. 

Ebenezer  Coe  was  born  August  25,  1812,  in 
Loudc  n  county,  Virginia,  son  of  Horatio  and 
Catharine  (Grubb)  Coe,  who  were  natives  of 
Loudon  county,  Virginia.  His  mother  died  in 
1837,  and  his'falher  in  1841.  In  1839,  he  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  with  George  M. 
Green,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1843, 
and  then  returned  to  Loudon  county  Virginia, 
and  was  married  September  17,  1844,  to  Jane 
Giubb,  a  native  of  that  county.  He  returned  to 
Sangamon  county  in  1851,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing near  Rochester,  where  his  wife  died  May  10, 
1860,  and  he  again  married  March  26,  1861,  in 
Loudon  county  to  Mrs.  Julia  A.  Edwards,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Conrad.  They  came  soon  after 
to  Sangamon  county,  where  they  have  had  live 
children,  Joseph  H.,  Samuel  15.,  William  C.  and 
Mary  C,  and  John  Ebie,  who  died  at  eight 
months  of  age,  August  6,  1870.  His  second  wife 
died  December  25,  1869,  and  he  was  again  mar- 
ried December  13,  1870,  to  Harriet  Lanham, 
who  was  bom  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  July 
18,  1829.  He  now  owns  four  hundred  and  six- 
teen acres  of  land  which  is  under  a  fair  state  of 
cultivation  and  worth  $50'  per  acre.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  C.  Coe,  a  retired  farmer  in  Rochester 
township,  was  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
January  5,  1825;  son  of  Hoiatio  and  Catharine 
(Giubb)  Coe,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and 
tarmers  by  occupation.  The  father,  Horatio, 
died  July  24,  1841,  in  Virginia,  and  the  mother 
in  September  of  1836,  in  the  same  State. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common 
school  education  in  Virginia,  and  was  raised  a 
farmer  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia.  In  the 
spring  of  1842,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
when  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  worked  as 
a  farm  hand  near  Mechanicsburg  one  year,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1843,  came  to  Rochester  and 
worked  by  the  day  and  month  till  the  spring  of 
1849,  when,  in  company  with  Thomas  Rucker, 
Abraham  Clark  and  Henry  Sims,  he  started  for 
the  gold  regions  of  California,  by  the  overland 
route,  with  ox  teams,  taking  a  large  quantity  of 
provisions,  and  was  six  months  on  the  way, 
arriving  at  their  destination  September  1. 

For  a  short  time  they  engaged  in  mining, 
after  which  Mr.  Coe  engaged  in  teaming  from 
Sacramento  to  the  mines  north  and  east,  until 
1851,  when  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Roches- 
ter. Abraham  Clark  died  in  California,  and  the 
others  came  back  to  Illinois.  Mr.  Coe  thinks  he 
was  well  paid  for  the  trip.  He  was  married 
August  11,  1853,  to  Charity  Grubb,  who  was 
also  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  October 
1,  1820,  the  daughter  of  Richard  and  Charity 
(Morrison)  Grubb,  both  of  whom  have  died. 

Mr.  Coe  has  hao  two  sons,  Richard  Horatio, 
born  February  21,  1855,  and  now  resides  on  his 
father's  farm;  and  Theodore  Curtis  Lincoln, 
born  July  13,  1859,  and  died  June  14,  1870.  Mr. 
Coe  now  owns  six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the 
township,  which  he  deems  worth  875  per  acre, 
and  also  one-third  of  two  hundred  and  forty- 
eight  acres  in  the  State  of  Missoiiri.  He  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at 
Rochester,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  J.  Cooper,  a  farmer  of  Rochester 
township,  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Janu- 
ary 4,  1844,  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Jane  (Kelley) 
Cooper.  His  father  was  a  Tennesseean,  and  his 
brother  of  North  Carolina.  They  came  to  San- 
gamon county,  Rochester  township,  in  1819, 
where  he  located  and  farmed  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  August  22,  1864.  His  mother  died  Au- 
gust 24,  1864.  Her  death  was  caused  by  a  run- 
away team  two  days  after,  and  both  buried  at 
the  old  Cooper  grave  yard. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common 
school  education  in  Rochester  township. 

He  was  married  first  in  1865  to  Mattie  West, 
who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county.  February 
22,  1849,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lucetta 
West.  By  this  marriage,  they  had  two  children, 
Nora  Belle,  and  Mattie.  His  wife  died  April 
25,  1873.  He  was  again  married  December  31, 
1874,  to  Leonora  O'Leera,  of  East  St.  Louis. 
She  was  born  in  England  in  1852,  and  was  but  a 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1001 


child  when  her  folks  came  to  Illinois.  Her 
father  died  about  1854,  and  her  mother  still  re- 
sides at  East  St.  Louia.  By  this  marriage  they 
have  three  children:  Josephus,  Guy  L.,  and 
Arthur  J.  He  now  owns  the  old  homestead  of 
his  father,  on  which  he  resides,  consisting  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty-five  acres  of  land,  which 
is  worth  $60  per  acre.  The  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

Robert  Dawson,  of  Rochester  township,  was 
born  in  Albemarle  county,  Virginia,  January  8, 
1800;  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Joblin)  Dawson, 
who  were  also  natives  of  Virginia,  and  farmers 
by  occupation.  His  father  moved  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  in  1828,  and  his 
mother  died  iu  Virginia  about  1811.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm.  He  was 
married  in  Kentucky  in  1832  to  Cynthia  Luny, 
who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  He  has  had  three 
children,  Louis,  Robert  and  William.  His  wife 
died  in  Kentucky  in  1840,  and  in  1844,  he  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  and  settled  in  Rochester 
township,  where  he  now  resides,  with  his  son, 
Lewis.  Their  farm  consists  of  eighty  acres 
which  is  worth  $60  per  acre.  He  is  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in 
politics  is  Republican. 

George  Deyo,  was  born  in  the  town  of  New 
Paltz  (now  Lloyd),  Ulster  county.  New  York, 
February  26,  1822,  the  son  of  Joseph  Henry 
and  Jane  (Deyo)  Deyo.  He  is  a  descendant, 
both  on  his  father's  and  mother's  side,  from  the 
French  Huguenots,  by  that  name,  who  were 
among  the  twelve  original  patentees  of  New 
Paltz.  His  father  had  four  sons  and  four 
daughters,  Enis,Noah,  Sallie,  George,  Catharine, 
Harriet,  Phoebe  Jane,  and  William  Henry. 
Harriet  died  at  the  homestead,  September  1, 
1851,  Ulster  county.  New  York.  All  the  rest 
are  now  living  and  have  families,  and  reside  in 
the  town  of  Lloyd  and  Plattkill,  except  Noah 
and  George,  who  live  near  Springfield,  Illinois. 
His  grandfather,  Henry  Deyo,  was  a  miller,  and 
owned  and  carried  on  a  grist-mill  at  Shadigee 
Pond,  in  Lloyd.  His  father,  Joseph  H.,  was 
born  in  Lloyd,  June  26,  178-3,  inheriting  from 
his  father  about  one  hundred  acres  of  land  on 
Vineyard  avenue,  about  one  mile  south  of  the 
village  of  Highland,  to  which  he  afterwards 
added  two  hundred  acres  after  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  May  28,  1812.  He  settled  on 
the  place  now  owned  by  his  son,  William  H., 
where  all  his  children  were  born.  His  wife  died 
June  7,  1847.     He  died  July  1,  1858.     Both  are 


buried  in  the  old  Highland  burial  ground.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  was  raised  on'  a  farm,  and  was 
married  first,  April  30,  1845,  to  Rachel  Delphina 
Deyo,  who  also  was  born  in  Lloyd,  March  19, 
182.3.  By  this  marriage  they  had  two  living 
children,  Ellen,  who  married  Charles  J.  Craft, 
and  died  in  May,  1873,  and  Anna  H.,  who  mar- 
ried William  Cora,  and  now  reside  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois.  His  wife  died  March  12,  1853, 
and  he  was  again  married  in  1855,  to  Mary  Ann 
K.  Deyo,  who  was  born  in  Ulster  county.  New 
York,  October  26,  1829,  and  they  have  had  five 
children,  Adison  J.,  who  married  Jerry  S.  Grub, 
of  Sangamon  county,  and  Sarah  A.,  Irwin  R., 
and  Levi  J.,  live  near  by,  and  one,  John  Wil- 
liam, died  November  10,  1862.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  February  26,  1856, 
and  located  in  Rochester  township,  where  he 
has  continued  to  live,  where  his  children  were 
born.  He  now  owns  two  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land,  which  is  under  a  fair  state  of  cul- 
tivation, and  worth  $50  per  acre.  Politically, 
he  is  Democratic. 

William  D.  Derry,  a  farmer  in  Rochester 
township,  was  born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
November  9,  1826;  son  of  Christian  and  Susan 
(Cams)  Derry.  His  father  was  born  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  and  his  mother  in  Frederick 
county,  Maryland.  They  were  farmers  by  oc- 
cupation, and  he  so  continued  until  his  death. 
May  19,  1858.  His  mother  still  resides  on  the 
farm  in  Loudon  county,  Vii'ginia.  His  father 
was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  his  mother 
still  draws  his  pension  which  he  receives  from 
the  government.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
received  a  common  school  education,  and  was 
raised  on  a  farm.  He  was  married  February  5, 
1852,  to  Mary  A.  Rhodes,  who  was  born  in 
Frederick  county,  Maryland,  March  ll,  1827,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Feas- 
ter)  Rhodes,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1863.  He  died  in  November  of  that  year.  The 
fruits  of  this  marriage  were  seven  children,  of 
whom  five  are  now  living:  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs. 
William  Cantrall;  Charles  M.,  Nora  A.,  Mary 
D.,  and  Jessie  Gertrude.  Two,  John  W.,  and 
James  E.,  have  died.  He  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1853,  and  located  iu  Rochester  town- 
ship. He  bought  land  and  began  farming.  He 
now  owns  four  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  which 
is  situated  in  Rochester,  Clear  Lake  and  Cooper 
townships,  the  home  farm  consisting  of  four  hun- 
dred acres,  situated  in  Rochester  township,  is  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation  and  well  improved,  and 
worth  about  $60  per  acre.     He  and  his  wife  have 


1002 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


been  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  since  1846, 
and  he  is  one  of  the  ardent  supporters  of  the 
Republican  party  and  its  interests. 

John  S.  IHckerson,  post  office,  Berry,  was  born 
in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky, April  2,  1824,son 
of  Isaac  and  Sally  (Smith)  Dickerson,  who  were 
natives  of  Maryland.  They  moved  to  Shelby 
county,  Illinois,  in  1836,  then  removed  to  Davis 
county,  Indiana.  His  mother  died  in  1836,  his 
father  in  1877.  John  S.  received  a  common 
school  education.  In  1847,  he  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  and  married  Mary  Jane  Bell,  born 
in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  June  6,  1828,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  Bell.  Soon  after  his  mar- 
riage, he  moved  to  Indiana, but  in  1851  returned 
to  Sangamon  county,  and  located  in  Rochester 
township,  where  he  now  resides,  on  his  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dickerson  have  had  six  children, viz  :  James  H., 
born  June  24,  1848,  is  a  practicing  physician 
near  Taylorville,  Illinois,  married  Miss  Jane 
Humphreys  in  187.5;  Isaac  S.,  born  August  28, 
1850,  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Bornhotf,  who  was 
born  Septen\ber  20,  1868,  they  have  two  chil- 
dren, Sinae  and  Emma;  Robert  P.,  born  De- 
cember 4,  1852;  Sarah  E.,  born  November  14, 
1854,  married  Alexander  Allen;  Mary  S.  born 
November  2,  1856;  Almarinda,  born  January29, 
1859,  married  Jno.  Allen,  who  died  in  1876;  she 
was  again  married  to  Dr.  A.  F.  Hammer,  and 
resides  at  Berry.  Mrs.  Dickerson  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

Charles  Fairchild,  a  farmer,  of  Rochester 
township,  was  born  in  Essex  county.  New  York, 
September  25,  1 822,  the  son  of  Moses  and  Adah 
(llolbert)  Fairchild;  father  born  in  New  York, 
August,  1793,  and  the  inother  in  Vermont,  July, 
1793.  They  moved  to  Sangamon  county  in  1 833, 
and  there  resided  till  death. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common 
school  education  and  was  raised  a  farmer.  He 
w.as  married  January  31,  1848,  to  Lovina  Sattley, 
by  whom  he  had'  eight  children:  Belle  E, 
Mary  E.,  Benjamin  S  ,Adah  E., Charles,  Robert, 
Ralph  S.  and  Winlield  S.  Mary  E.  died  August 
22,  1853,  in  early  infancy;  Adah  E.  died  August 
22,  1853,  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Mr.  F.  owns 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  well 
improved,  and  worth  §75  per  acre.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican. 

Joshua  Graham,  a  farmer  of  Rochester  town- 
ship, was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky, 
January  6,  1820;  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah 
(  Harbor)  Graham.  His  father  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  when  a  young  man  went  to  Colum- 


bus, Ohio,  and  a  few  years  later  to  Fleming 
county  Kentucky,  where  he  was  married  to 
Sarah  Harbor,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky.  He 
moved  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  of  1826; 
and  in  the  spring  of  1827  moved  to  a  farm  three 
and  a  half  miles  east  of  Springfield,  between 
Sugar  creek  and  South  Fork  of  the  Sangamon 
river,  and  there  continued  to  farm  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  this  farm.  His 
mother  died  in  Springfield,  this  county.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  but  a  common 
school  education  while  residing  with  his  parents 
upon  the  farm.  He  was  married  September  25, 
1848,  to  Elizabeth  A.  Branch,  by  whom  he  had 
eight  children,  five  of  which  died  under  the  age 
of  five  years.  Those  now  living  are  Nancy  E., 
now  married  to  Isaac  Troxell,  George  E.,  and 
Rebecca  E.,  unmarried.  After  the  marriage  of 
Mr.  G.  he  lived  on  the  f.arm  on  Fork  Pr.airie, 
and  then  moved  to  the  old  homestead,  where  he 
at  present  lives,  and  owns  four  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  land,  which  is  under  a  good  state 
of  cultivation,  and  worth  $75  per  acre,  besides 
one  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Christian  county, 
Illinois,  which  is  worth  §45  per  acre.  His  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically 
he  is  a  Democrat.  Has  lived  longer  on  this 
prairie  than  any  other  man. 

Nicholas  JIaynes,  was  born  in  Chilicothe,  Ross 
county,  Ohio,  March  7,  1815;  son  of  Henry 
and  Priscilla  (Mclntire)  Haynes.  His  father  was 
a  native  of  Little  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  his 
mother  of  Virginia;  both  died  in  Ross  county, 
Ohio.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  only 
a  common  school  education  in  the  old-fashtoned 
log  school  house,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm.  He 
was  married  in  1840  to  Elizabeth  McCarty,  who 
was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio.  They  have  had 
ten  children,  viz:  Henry,  Charlotte,  (now  Mrs. 
Reynolds)  William,  Emily,  Nicholas,  Asbury, 
Mary,  Ellen,  Isabella  and  John.  A  son,  Lewis, 
died  from  injuries  received  by  a  runaway  horse 
while  raking  hay.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  moved 
to  Sangamon  county  and  located  on  German 
Prairie,  where  he  lived  two  years,  and  then  to 
Round  Prairie,  where  he  resided  for  about  six 
years,  then  to  the  present  farm  where  he  now 
owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  which 
is  under  good  cultivation,  well  improved,  and 
worth  about  §75  per  acre.  His  farm  is  situ.ated 
on  the  banks  of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  for 
water  facilities  can  not  be  excelled.  He  had  one 
son  in  the  late  war,  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers, 
who  served  three  years.  In  politics,  heis  a  Re- 
publican. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1003 


Win.  11.  HicAs,  a  miller,  in  Rochester,  was 
born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  29, 
]849,  son  of  John  and  Fiizabeth  (Sj>eck)  Hicks. 
His  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
liis  mother  of  Maryland.  He  was  a  merchant, 
but  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  as  a  clerk 
in  Washington  county,  Maryland,  and  died  No- 
vember 28,  1869.  His  mother  yet  resides  in 
Maryland. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  '6ommon 
school  education  in  Maryland,  and  was  raised  a 
farmer  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  working  as 
a  farm  hand;  he  then  entered  a  mill  as  an  ap- 
prentice, in  which  he  served  three  years,  after 
which  he  coritinued  in  the  same  occupation  in 
Maryland  for  about  one  year.  He  was  married 
November  2,  1871,  to  Maria  Ruthraufl',  who  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1851,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1852,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county  and  en- 
gaged in  milling  in  the  city  of  Springfield;  from 
there  he  went  to  the  town  of  Breckenridge, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  same  business,  running 
the  water-mill  and  steam- mill  both  at  the  same 
time.  Here  he  carried  on  milling  until  July  1, 
1880,  when  he  came  to  Rochester  village,  where 
he  and  a  Mr.  Breckenridge  formed  a  partnership 
in  the  milling  business,  running  the  mill  there 
and  also  one  in  the  town  of  Athens,  Menard 
county,  Illinois,  purchasing  wheat  of  the  farmers 
around  about.  Their  mills  have  a  capacity  of 
fifty  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  He  has  three 
children:  Harvey  E.,  Wni.  R.  and  Grace  M. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  in  the 
city  of  Springfield.  Politically,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Charles  F.  Humiyhrtys,  son  of  Alexander  B. 
V.  and  Nancy  R.  Humphreys,  was  born  Febru- 
ary 3,  1833,  in  Woodside  township,  Sangamon 
county,  three  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of 
Springfield,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Joseph 
Shepherd.  His  school  advantages  were  very 
limited,  but  every  opportunity  was  used  to  a 
good  advantage.  On  March  20,  1850,  he,  with 
his  parents  moved  to  what  afterwards  became 
South  Fork  township.  Christian  county.  On 
August  5,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  private  in  Battery 
C,  Second  Regiment,  Illinois  Light  Artillery. 
He  passed  through  all  the  grades  of  promotion 
up  to  Senior  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  commis- 
bioned  for  that  office  June  25,  1864,  but  was  not 
mustered  as  First  Lieutenant.  Was  detached 
as  acting  ordnance  officer  of  Fort  Donelson, 
Tennessee,  serving  about  one  year.  Was  relieved 
about  the  first  of  April,  1865,  and  appointed 
Adjutant  of  the  regiment,  which  position  he 
filled    with   marked  ability    until  mustered   out 

117— 


August  5,  1865.  After  being  honorably  dis- 
charged from  the  service  he  returned  to  his  home 
in  Christian  county,  where  he  remaine<l  until 
January  19,  1875,  at,  which  time  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Jane  L.  Williams,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Williams,  who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
June  1,  1835.  After  his  marriage,  he  bought  a 
part  of  the  farm  of  Samuel  Williams,  his  father- 
in-law,  containing  the  homestead  and  lying  two 
miles  southeast  of  Rochester,  Sangamon  county. 
He  moved  on  this  farm  immediately  after  his 
marriage,  and  has  lived  with  his  father-in-law 
and  his  sister-in-law,  and  has  since  bought  the 
remainder  of  the  two  hundred  acres  on  which 
they  live.  Mr.  Humphreys  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church  nearly  four  years.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first 
Presidential  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  the  first 
Republican  candidate  for  President.  During 
his  residence  in  Christian  county,  he  held  several 
important  township  offices,  and  is  now  one  of  the 
school  tiustees  of  Rochester  township.  Mr. 
Humphreys  is  six  feet  two  and  a  half  inches  tall 
and  is  well  proportioned;  his  standing  weight  is 
two  hundred  and  fifteen  pounds.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  thelNIasonic  fraternity,  holding  his  mem- 
bership at  the  present  time  in  Taylorville,  in  the 
Blue  Lodge,  Chapter  and  Council. 

Frank  G.  Horning.,  born  in  Baden,  Germany, 
August  15,  1830;  son  of  Jacob  and  Christena 
(Borrell)  Horning,  who  were  natives  of  Baden, 
Germany,  and  both  are  dead.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  received  a  common  school  education 
in  Geimany,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  he  emigrated  to  America,  and 
landed  in  New  Orleans.  From  thence  he  went 
to  St.  Louis,  and  thence  to  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  where  he  engaged  as  a  faim  hand  for 
Samuel  Westtield.  Thence  he  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  and  located  in  the  town  of  Ri  Ches- 
ter, where  he  engaged  as  farm  hand  for  Samuel 
Jones  and  John  Highmore.  He  was  married  in 
1850  to  Frances  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1837.  They  have  had  thirteen  children, 
eleven  of  whom  are  now  living;  Christena  A., 
James  F.,  Laura  A.,  Frank  J.,  John  S.,  Lucinda 
C,  Wm.  Riley,  George  L,  Otto,  Bessie  M. 
Robert  and  Viola  have  died.  He  now  owns  one 
hundred  and  six  acres  of  land  in  Rochester 
township,  which  is  under  a  fair  state  of  cultiva- 
tion, and  worth  $50  per  acre.  Politically  he  is 
Democratic. 

John  Johnson,  a  farmer,  of  Rochester,  was 
born  in  Rochester  township,  Sangamon  county, 
October  23,  1828,  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Maiy 
(Williams)  Johnson.     His  father  was  from  Scot- 


1004 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


land,  and  his  mother  of  Vermont.  His  father 
died  wlien  he  was  but  three  years  of  age,  and  his 
mother  when  he  was  fourteen. 

The  subject  of  tliis  sketch  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm;  left 
to  his  own  resources  at  an  early  day,  he  labored 
by  the  day  and  month,  as  employment  offered, 
putting  forth  an  unusual  amount  of  energetic 
industry  to  maintain  himself,  and  also  to  lay  by 
something  for  future  need.  He  devoted  Lis  time 
industriously  to  farm  labor,  and  in  March,  1849, 
married  Ph(Ebe  Bell,  born  November  1, 1830,  the 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Susannah  (Baker)  Bell. 
By  this  marriage  they  had  live  children:  Isaiah 
B.,  John  A.,  Minnie  S.,  Lovina  J.  and  Robert  S., 
who  died  in  infancy.  His  wife  died  February 
17,  1871,  and  for  his  second  wife  he  married 
Teresa  Taff,  June  13,  1873,  who  was  born  Octo- 
ber 21,  1846,  near  Mechanicsburg.  He  is  now 
the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
land,  which  is  under  good  cultivation,  and  worth 
$50  per  acre.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church,  at  South  Fork.  Politi- 
cally he  is  a  Republican. 

Mr.  Johnson's  son,  I.  B.,  was  married  to  Anna 
Loveless,  in  April,  1871,  and  his  father  gave  him 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  one-half 
mile  distant,  worth  $.")0  per  acre.  His  daughter, 
Laura,  married  Henry  Iledrick,  in  December, 
1870,  and  he  also  gave  her  eighty  acres  of  land, 
two  miles  distant;  she  had  five  children,  all  of 
whom  yet  live,  but  Laura  died  August  29,  1881. 

Samuel  Johnson,  farmer,  in  Rochester,  was 
born  September  IS,  1831,  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  the  son  of  Andrew  Johnson,  who  was 
born  in  Dumfreeshire,  Scotland,  and  came  to 
America  when  he  was  a  young  man,  and  to  San- 
gamon county  as  early  as  1826  or  '27.  He  was  a 
millwright,  and  built  a  mill  on  the  South  Fork 
of  the  Sangamon  river  for  Edward  Clark.  An- 
drew Johnson  was  married  about  1827  to  Mrs. 
Mary  Barker,  whose  maiden  name  was  Wil- 
liams. He  died  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois. 
His  mother  afterwards  married  Greenbury 
Baker,  and  died  May  12,  1842,  and  he  died 
March  4,1873. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  was  raised  principally  on 
a  farm.  He  was  first  married  in  1852,  to  Lovina 
J.  Baker;  who  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  and  died  March  24,  1856,  aged  twenty- 
three  years,  six  months,  and  one  day;  the  daugh- 
ter of  Esquire  and  Margaret  Baker.  By  this 
marriage  he  had  two  chiklren,  Jennette  F.,  now 
Mrs.  Joseph  Sharp,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy 
June  20,  1853.     His  wife  died  March  24,  1856, 


and  he  married  again  to  Louisa  Taff,  who 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Teresa  Taff,  both  residents  of 
Sangamon  county.  They  have  had  nine  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  at  home  with  their 
parents,  Mary  E  ,  Teresa  A.,  James  E.,  Ida  F., 
Flora  A.,  Martha  C,  Arthur,  and  Ira;  Dora,  de- 
ceeased.  Mr.  Johnson  began  life  in  moderate 
circumstances,  and  has  by  industry  and  close  at- 
tention to  farming,  obtained  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  land,  which  is  situated  in 
Cooper,  Rochester  and  Cotton  Hill  townships, 
under  a  fair  state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $50 
per  acre.  He  is  also  one  of  the  strong  supporters 
of  the  Republican  party,  and  its  interests.  Mrs. 
Johnson  and  three  daughters  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

Andrew  II.  Kalh,  son  of  Absalom  and  Susannah 
(Larkin)  Kalb,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Frederick, 
in  the  county  of  Frederick,  Maryland,  to  which 
place  his  father  moved  soon  after  his  marriage 
in  1809,  and  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  January  20,  1812,  from  whence  he 
moved  with  his  parents  and  three  brothers,  in 
the  spring  of  1817,  to  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
and  in  1819,  to  Smithsburg,  in  Washington 
county,  Maryland,  and  thence  to  Trough  Creek 
Valley,  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
the  fall  of  1822,  and  thence,  in  1827,  to  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  back  to  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  in  the  spring  of  1830,  remain- 
ing with  his  parents  and  brothers,  assisting  in 
farm  operations,  and  received  a  common  schnol 
education,  as  the  winter  seasons  gave  him  op- 
portunity, till  about  the  age  of  nineteen.  He 
learned  the  business  of  saddlery  and  harness- 
making,  at  which  he  continued  for  eleven  years. 
He  was  married  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  in 
the  year  1836,  to  Ann  James,  daughter  of  Elijah 
James,  and  was  born  in  the  same  county  March 
17,  181 1,  after  which  he  changed  his  occupation 
and  engaged  in  farming  in  the  same  county  till 
the  year  1850,  when  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  whither  his 
father  and  mother,  with  four  brothers  and  one 
sister,  had  preceded  him  in  the  previous  fall. 
Here  the  subject  of  this  sketch  tilled  a  part  of  a 
large  tract  of  land  owned  by  his  father  on  the 
south  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  about  five 
miles  south  of  east  of  the  city  of  Springfield, 
till  about  the  year  1855.  He  purchased  one 
hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  the  land,  upon 
which  he  now  resides,  and  an  additional  pur- 
chase of  the  original  tract  has  increased  his  farm 
to  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  worth  about  $70 
per  acre,  while  he  also  owns  one  hundred  and 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1U0.J 


fifty-eight  acres  in  Christian  county,  of  this 
State.  Mr.  A.  11.  K.  Isas  had  twelve  chihlren, 
of  whom  George  E  ,  Mary  A.,  now  the  wife  of 
George  Waters,  of  this  county;  Elton  A.,  and 
Edwin  M.,  are  living,  while  the  following  are 
dead:  John  K.,  James  "William,  (who  was 
killed  in  the  Union  service  of  the  late  war), 
Sarah  C,  Asbury  R.,  Edgar  F.,  Charles  C,  Supan 
R.,  and  Emma  Jane.  For  fiftytive  years  Mr. 
K.,  has  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

D.  G.  Kalb,  the  subject  of  the  following 
memoir,  was  born  on  the  morning  of  the  4th 
day  of  December,  1815,  in  tlie  city  of  Frederick, 
Frederick  county,  Maryland.  His  father,  Absa- 
lom Kalb,  born  March  23,  1787,  was  a  native  of 
the  same  county;  yet,  being  born  in  a  house 
through  which  the  State  line  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland  passed,  there  were  but  about  ten 
feet  of  the  latter  that  claim  him  as  a  native  of 
the  State.  Absalom's  father,  John  Kalb,  was 
born  November  12,  1761,  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  what  is  now  the  county  of 
Berks,  at  or  near  a  place  then  called  Bottsgrove, 
not  far  from  what  is  now  Reading,  on  the 
Schuylkill  river.  Here  his  father,  also  named 
John  Kalb,  settled  at  an  early  day,  before  the 
Revolutionary  war,  having  emigrated  from  his 
native  country,  that  of  Polish  Germany,  where 
he  imbibed  the  theory  and  spirit  of  freedom 
from  political  oppression,  and  left  it  to  join  the 
struggles  then  engaged  in  by  the  British  colonies 
of  North  America.  John  Kalb,  Sr.,  was  born 
in  the  year  1733,  and  hence  was  in  the  prime  of 
young  manhood  when  the  struggle  in  the  colo- 
nies commenced,  and  found  him  in  their  midst, 
imbued  with  the  same  spirit  of  freedom,  where 
he  was  rearing  a  family  of  four  sons  and  two 
daughters  of  like  minds  and  spirits;  and,  whether 
the  elder  Kalb  enlisted  personally  in  the  battles 
of  the  Revolution  or  not,  it  is  certain  that  others 
of  his  household  did,  as  numerous  anecdotes  of 
them  go  to  show.  And,  no  doubt,  he  had  some- 
thing in  inducing  his  cousin,  the  Baron  DeKalb, 
to  cast  in  his  fortunes  with  the  people  who,  like 
their  noble  countrymen,  the  Polish  Germans, 
were  oppressed  by  stronger  powers,  and  offer 
his  gratuitous  services,  in  company  with  that 
distinguished  soldier  and  patriot,  La  Fayette,  in 
freeing  the  oppressed  Americans.  Perhaps  the 
readers  of  this  sketch  will  allow  a  digression,  in 
order  to  connect  the  history  of  Sangamon  county 
with  so  brave  and  philanthropic  a  man  as  the 
Baron  DeKalb,  from  whose  ancestors  came  at 
least  si.\  of  his  name,  who  went  out  from  San- 
gamon county  as  soldiers  in  the  late  war,  where 


they  joined  a  score  or  more  of  others  of  the 
same  name  and  lineage,  from  this  and  other 
States  of  our  Union,  to  fight  and  die,  if  need  be, 
to  maintain  what  their  ancestors  procured  by 
treasure  and  blood,  in  company  with  the  brave 
Baron  DeKalb,  during  the  struggle  for  Ameri- 
can freedom;  but  we  shall  be  brief  on  this  point. 
He  died  from  the  effects  of  numerous  wounds, 
while  fighting  at  his  post  on  the  field  of  battle 
at  Camden,  South  Carolina,  August  19,  1780; 
and  when  the  British  officer  came  to  condole 
with  him,  as  he  lay  prostrate,  DeKalb  extended 
to  him  his  hand,  saying,  "I  thank  you  for  your 
generous  sympathy,  but  I  die  the  death  I  always 
prayed  for — the  death  of  a  soldier  fighting  for 
the  rights  of  man." 

Many  years  after  his  death.  General  Washing- 
ton, when  at  Camden,  inquired  for  his  grave; 
and  after  gazing  upon  it  for  some  time,  he 
breathed  a  sigh,  and  exclaimed:  "So,  there  lies 
the  brave  DeKalb,  the  generous  stranger  who 
came  from  a  distant  land  to  fight  our  battles, 
and  to  water  with  his  blood  the  tree  of  liberty. 
Would  to  God  he  had  lived  to  share  its  fruits." 

We  find  that  there  went  out  from  the  county 
of  Sangamon,  no  less  than  a  half  dozen  men  of 
the  name  of  Kalb,  as  true  Union  soldiers,  in  the 
late  war  of  the  Rebellion,  all  of  whom  came  in 
the  same  direct  line  of  ancestry,  whose  blood 
flowed  in  the  veins  of  the  brave  Kalb  of  Revo- 
lutionary fame.  The  names  of  the  six  alluded  to 
are;  D.  G.  Kalb,  the  special  subject  of  this 
sketch,  and  his  two  sons,  already  mentioned, 
also  three  of  his  nephews — John  William,  son 
of  his  brother  Ezekiel  L.,  and  James  William, 
son  of  another  brother,  A.  H.,  both  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry,  and 
William  A.,  son  of  Jesse  D.,  in  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Thirtieth  Regiment.  James  William 
and  William  A.,  were  killed  in  battle. 

The  great  grandfather  of  D.  G.  Kalb,  moved 
from  Maryland  to  the  wilds  of  Ohio  in  1805, 
with  his  youngest  son,  George,  from  whom  a 
numerous  progeny  have  come,  and  many  of  whom 
are  yet  residing  in  Ohio,  and  in  the  late  war 
tliere  were  quite  a  number  of  chaplains  and 
soldiers  of  that  name  from  that  State. 

In  the  autumn  of  1849,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  company  with  his 
father  and  mother,  and  several  brothers.  The 
father,  Absalom  Kalb,  was  favorably  known  in 
this  county'  and  city  of  Springfield,  for  the  time 
of  over  sixteen  years,  to  the  day  of  his  death, 
January  7,  1865,  for  his  zealous  adherence  to  the 
cause  of  the  Union,  as  also  for  his  fervency  in 
the  church  of  his  early  choice.   The  M.  E.  Church 


1006 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


always  found  in  liim  a  true  friend  and  liberal 
supporter,  for  more  than  sixty  years.  After  his 
death  bis  widow,  Mrs.  Susannah  (Larkin)  Kalb, 
made  her  home  with  the  youngest  living  son,  Dr. 
A.  J.  Kalb,  in  the  city  of  Quincy,  Illinois,  and 
died  there,  April  It,  1873. 

D.  G.  Kalb  was  engaged  in  teaching  about 
seventeen  years  of  his  life,  from  September  22, 
183 7,  till  1854,  and  for  about  as  long  a  time,  from 
1847  to  1864,  he  was  a  local  preacher  in  the  M. 
E.  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member 
nearly  fifty-five  years.  He  enlisted  as  a  soldier 
in  the  war  of  the  late  Rebellion,  in  Company  G, 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Illinois  Infantry 
Regiment  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  a 
term  of  three  years. 

Mr.  K.  was  married  in  1841,  to  the  widow  of 
George  W.  Shutt,  of  Virginia,  who,  after  the 
death  of  Mr.  Shutt,  came  to  Sangamon  county 
in  1836,  residing  in  Springfield  till  1841,  and 
thus  became  an  old  settler  of  the  county,  and  on 
her  return  to  Virginia,  on  a  transient  visit,  she 
was  married  a  second  time,  thus  connecting  her 
husband,  D.  G.  K.,  with  the  Old  Settlers'  his- 
tory, till,  by  a  residence  of  thirty-two  years,  now 
he  is  a  bona  fide  old  settler.  Mrs.  D.  G.  Kalb  died 
at  their  residence  at  Willow  Dale  Farm,  on 
Round  Prairie,  Rochester  township,  February  3, 
1881.  She  bad  one  child  by  the  first  marriage, 
who  is  now  the  wife  of  Philip  Shutt,  till  lately, 
the  publisher  and  editor  of  the  Edgar  county 
Times,  in  the  town  of  Paris.  By  his  marriage 
with  the  widow,  Mrs.  Eliza  S.  (Bennett)  Shutt, 
Mr.  K.  had  three  sons,  Ethelbert,  William  Ed- 
ward B.,  and  George  B.,  and  two  daughters, 
Mary  Abner  and  Julia  Maria.  The  son,  Ethel- 
bert, enlisted  in  the  Thirty-third  Regiment,  Illi- 
nois Volunteers,  August  20,  1861,  and  served 
nearly  four  years,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  William  Edward  B., 
enlisted  in  the  company  and  regiment  with  his 
father,  March  26,  1864,  and  was  killed  in  the 
battle  of  Guntown,  Mississippi,  June  10,  1864. 
George  B.,  and  his  brother,  Ethelbert,  yet  live, 
as  also  the  daughter,  Mary  Abner,  who  remains 
single,  and  resides  with  her  father,  at  Willow 
Dale.  The  youngest  child,  Julia  Maria,  died 
January  10,  1859,  at  the  age  of  four  years.  Mr. 
K.  respectfully  declines  to  be  further  inter- 
viewed, and  refers  to  numerous  older,  and,  as  he 
modestly  says,  more  worthy  and  prominent  citi- 
zens of  the  city  and  county,  with  whom  he  has 
had  a  pleasant  and  profitable  social  acquaintance 
for  more  than  thirty-two  years. 

Stephen  T.  LavJey,  was  born  November  23, 
1836,  in  Sangamon  cmuity,  the  son   of  William 


B.  and  Amy  (Meredith)  Lawley.  His  father 
was  born  in  Smith  county,  Tennesee,  June  24, 
1811,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1828. 
He  remained  one  year  near  Springfield,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1829,  moved  to  what  is  now  Ball 
township,  where  he  farmed  until  his  death,  in 
March  23,  1876.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived a  common  school  education  in  Sangamon 
county,  and  was  raised  on  the  farm.  He  was 
married  in  1859  to  Mary  A.  Gaines,  who  was 
born  in  Indiana  June  26,  1842.  They  have  had 
eight  children,  Sarah  E.,  Amy  J.,  Mary  M.,  Mar- 
garet L.,  Albert  W.,  Charles  A.,  Laura  H.  and 
Willie  I.  Willie  died  December  23,  1879,  when 
an  infant.  Mr.  Lawley  moved  to  the  present 
farm  in  1878,  and  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  sit- 
uated in  Rochester  township,  which  is  worth 
$50  per  acre.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church  and  politically  they  are  Re- 
publicans. 

Milton  I).  McCoy,  an  old  farmer  and  highly 
respected  citizen,  adjoining  the  village  of  Roch- 
ester, was  born  on  the  spot  where  he  now  resides, 
from  which  he  has  never  moved  his  place  of  res- 
idence; his  father  settled  upon  it  in  the  year 
1818,  and  here  Milton  was  born  October  16, 1823. 
The  land  has  never  been  transferred  to  any  other 
owner  than  from  his  father  to  himself,  as  heir. 
His  father,  James  McCoy,  was  born  in  Nicholas 
county,  Kentucky,  July  25,  1791,  but  his  grand- 
parents, John  and  Mary  (Ebermen)  McCoy,  were 
born  and  raised  in  Pennsylvania,  and  were  there 
married,  and  raised  a  large  family,  being  the  de- 
scendants of  one  of  three  brothers,  who  came  at 
an  early  day,  in  the  time  of  the  American  Colo- 
nies, from  Scotland,  two  of  whom  settled  in  the 
South  and  one  in  Pennsylvania,  and  from  whom 
all  now  known  to  be  of  kin  in  these  parts  have 
descended.  John,  the  grandfather  of  him  who 
is  the  leading  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born 
July  11,  1763,  and  died  October  26,  1823,  and 
his  first  son  was  the  father  of  Milton  D.  McCoy, 
and  was  born  July  25.  1791,  as  before  stated; 
the  next  born  was  Polly,  October  13,  1793,  who 
died  October  3,  1855;  Elizabeth,  born  November 
3,  1795;  next  Joseph  E.,  born  October  5,  1797; 
John  A.,  born  September  13,  1799,  died  July  14, 
1835;  Nancy,  born  November  16,  1801;  Pru- 
dence, born  March  10,  1804;  Zillah,  born  March 
5,  1806;  Sophia,  born  October  5,  1809;  Andrew 
T.,  born  November  26,  1811;  Jessie  C,  born  Oc- 
tober 9,  1815. 

James  McCoy  was  married  in  1814,  to  Jane 
Murphy,  who  was  born  of  German  parents,  and 
raised  ten  children:  Caroline  M.,  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, Julv  16,   1815,  and  married  Jj.  A    Grims- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1007 


ley,  August  17,  1834;  Sylvester  G.,  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, April  2S,  1817,  married  Mary  Robinson, 
raised  two  children — James  B.  and  Caroline  M. 
— and  died  in  1844;  Joseph  E.,  born  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  March  6,  1819,  was  the  first  white 
child  born  within  what  is  now  Sangamon  county; 
Isaiah  T.,  born  in  Sangamon  county,  May  16, 
1821;  Milton  D.,  born  October  16,  1823,  on  the 
farm  on  which  he  has  ever  since  resided — fifty- 
eight  years — and  claims  that  no  other  man  in  the 
county  has  lived  so  many  consecutive  years  on 
the  spot  where  he  was  born . 

On  the  farm  is  a  mineral  spring,  of  considera- 
ble notoriety,  known  as  the  Sulphur  Spring,  and 
gives  name  to  the  farm.  A  further  account  of 
this  spring,  by  D.  G.  Kalb,  is  found  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  township.  Mr.  M.  D.  McCoy  mir- 
ried  Melcina  A.  Cooper,  in  Sangamon  county, 
March  29,  1848,  by  whom  he  has  had  seven  chil- 
dren; the  fourth  one,  Valmore,  born  July  31, 
1855,  and  died  September  25,  185V.  Of  the 
other  six:  Sylvester  J.,  born  May  3,  1849,  was 
married  January  8,  1874,  to  Pauline  Abel,  and 
reside  in  Rochester.  They  have  had  four  chil- 
dren: Milton  A.,  died  in  his  third  year;  Jay, 
born  March  6,  1876;  Eddie  A.,  born  December 
29,  1878;  Nina,  born  December  17,  1880.  Jicob 
C,  born  October  19,  1850,  resides  near  Cawker 
City,  Mitchell  county,  Kansas;  Louvilta  Jane, 
born  December  1,  1852,  and  married  O.  C.  St. 
Clair,  December  12,  1876,  and  has  two  children: 
Nannie  M.  and  Milton  N.,  and  lives  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  Jesse  K.,  born  May  7,  1858; 
Mary  M.,  born  May  3,  1861,  and  Lillie  C,  born 
May  9,  1865;  the  last  three  are  single,  and  re- 
side with  their  parent. 

Mr.  McCoy  has  been  an  efficient  and  valued 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  since  1840,  having 
been  a  steward  thirty-eight  years,  and  a  class 
leader  about  the  same  time.  His  first  experience 
as  a  member  of  a  Quarterly  Conference  was 
forty-three  miles  from  home,  when  Methodist 
preachers'  circuits  were  much  larger  than  at 
present.  Having  been  recording  steward  and 
Sunday  school  superintendent  for  many  years,  it 
was  his  special  duty  to  attend  these  quarterly 
gatherings  of  the  official  members  of  his  church, 
and  he  was  punctual  in  his  duties.  In  politics 
he  has  been  a  Democrat,  and  as  his  party  have 
been  predominant  in  his  township  he  has  held, 
creditably  and  efficiently,  many  of  the  offices 
therein,  and  has  been  an  advocate  of  education 
and  temperance. 

The  father  of  Mrs.  McCoy  was  Jacob  Cooper, 
and  she  was  the  oldest  daughter  by  a  second 
marriage.     He    was   born    in    Jefferson  county, 


Tennessee,  December  18,  1800,  and  married 
Anna  Burnett,  by  whom  one  child  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  named  John  Wesley,  and  they  came 
to  Sangamon  with  his  brother.  Rev.  John 
Cooper,  in  1819,  where  a  second  child  was  born. 
One  child  died,  and  the  mother  died  February 
22,  1824,  (not  1830,  as  the  Old  Settlers' book 
states,)  Jacob  Cooper  was  married  again,  to  Jane 
Kelly,  of  Springfield,  and  they  had  five  children, 
Melcina  A.,  Melvina  C,  Elzirah  C,  Almarida, 
and  Wm.  J.  Jacob  Cooper  died  August  22, 
1864,  and  his  widow,  Jane  Cooper,  died  August 
24,  1864, both  in  Sangamon.  Mr.  M.  I).  McCoy's 
home  farm  consists  of  two  hundred  and  forty- 
five  acres,  and  he  owns  some  land  in  Macon  and 
Logan  counties;  making  a  total  of  three  hundred 
acres. 

Mr.  McCoy  tells  how  they  did  in  early  times 
when  they  raited  flax  and  cotton,  and  worked 
tiieni  into  clothing  without  machinery,  and  that 
not  until  the  year  after  he  was  twenty-one  did  he 
ever  wear  a  coat  bought  from  a  store.  To  sup- 
ply themselves  with  meat  in  the  summer  time, 
they  would  stop  their  plow  a  little  while  before 
sunset  and  go  to  the  woods  and  kill  a  deer,  and 
if  they  failed  in  that  by  night,  then  thty  would 
easily  find  a  wild  turkey  roost  and  get  a  load  of 
that  kind  of  game.  To  obtain  bread  they  would 
take  a  sack  of  corn  on  each  of  two  horses  and 
trudge  off  to  a  horse-mill  and  grind  with  their 
own  team;  or,  perchance  he,  when  quite  a  small 
lad,  would  mount  "Old  Ben,"  the  white  ox, 
loaded  with  sacks  of  corn,  and  proudly  wend  his 
way  to  the  same  mill,  and,  with  the  bovine 
slowly  turn  the  creaking  mill  as  the  corn  fell 
from  the  hopper  into  the  eye  of  the  upper  rough 
mill-stone,  and  when  ground,  again  wend  his 
way  homeward  with  the  coarse  meal,  whistling 
merrily  as  he  proceeded  over  the  prairie  and 
through  the  woods.  Often  they  were  compelled, 
by  reason  of  high  waters,  and  impassable  roads, 
to  use  a  hominy-mortar  and  pestle,  to  convert 
their  corn  into  something' like  meal  and  hominy 
mixed,  and  use  a  punctured  sheep-skin  to  sepa- 
rate the  coarse  from  the  fine.  Thus  at  night 
they  prepared  bread  for  the  day  following,  and 
this  for  weeks  at  a  time. 

They  attended  meetings  and  Sunday  school  in 
their  bare  feet  and  without  coats  in  summer 
time.  The  men  and  boys  too,  and  often  the 
women,  would  go  eight  or  ten  miles  to  house  or 
cabin  raisings,  which  were  occasions  of  glee 
and  gladness  to  old  and  young.  Mrs.  McCoy's 
grand-father,  John  Cooper,  served  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  and  also  in  the  War  of  1812, 
under  (General  Jackson,   and  lior   f.ithcr,  Jacob 


1008 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Cooper,  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  from 
Sangamon  county.  James  McCoy,  Mr.  D.'g 
father,  was  in  the  War  of  3  812,  and  was  one  of 
the  two  who  captured  General  Proctor's  carriage, 
the  General  making  his  escape  by  cutting  the 
harness  loose  and  he  and  his  driver  mounting 
the  team.  He  was  also  in  many  Indian 
skirmishes  in  those  early  days,  and  was  the  first 
constable  elected  in  this,  then  a  part  of  St.  Clair 
county,  and  often  then  being  obliged  to  leave 
Mrs.  McCoy  alone  with  the  children.  She  was 
brave,  and  kept  her  gun,  axe  and  other  imple- 
ments ready  for  use  a^  occasion  might  offer,  but 
as  she  treated  the  Indians  kindly  when  they 
would  occasionally  come  to  the  cabin  to  trade 
with  her,  giving  them  food  to  eat,  she  was  sel- 
dom molested  by  them.  She  was  a  good  marks- 
man, and  would  now  and  then  shoot  a  wild 
turkey  as  it  carelessly  came  near  her  door,  but 
did  not  go  into  the  woods  to  hunt.  She  had  a 
large  family  to  clothe  by  means  of  the  cotton 
and  flax  goods  she  manufactured  by  her  own 
hands,  yet  she  had  skill,  and  found  time  to  make 
horse-collars,  back-bands,  baskets,  &c.,  of  corn- 
husks  and  hickory  bark. 

Edmond  Miller  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
February  1,  1843,  son  of  John  C.  Miller,  who 
was  born  October  19,  1812,  in  Loudon  county, 
Virginia,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1835, 
where  he  married  Melvina  Satley,  who  was  born 
September  3,  1819,  in  Sangamon  county.  John 
C.  Miller  inherited  a  part  of  his  father's  estate 
of  land  in  this  township  and  went  to  farming, 
which  he  continued  till  his  death,  January  13, 
1853.  His  widowed  mother  is  living  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Rochester.  Edmond's  grand-father, 
Christian  Miller,  died  September  14,  1842,  and 
his  grandmother  August  20,  l>-64,  both  in  Sang- 
amon county. 

Daniel  Ott,  livery,  feed  and  sale  stable  keeper, 
in  Rochester,  was  born  in  Champaign  county, 
Ohio,  November  22, 1839,  a  son  of  Abraham  and 
Nancy  (Shamblin)  Ott,  who  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming,  until  his  death,  February  1859.  His 
mother  still  resides  in  the  same  county,  in  the 
town  of  Mechanicsburg.'  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  received  a  common  school  education  in 
the  schools  of  Ohio,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm. 
In  1856,  he  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years,  and 
then  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account. 
He  was  married  April  20,  1861,  to  P]lvina  Betts, 
who  was  l)orn  in  Sandusky  county,  Ohio.  They 
have  had  nine  children,  of  whom  six  are  now 
living:     Mamie,  Hermon,  Elmer,  Dan   B.  and 


Bruce  and  Ashbury  Olen.  He  continued  farm- 
ing in  Rochester  township  till  the  fall  of  1872, 
when  he  sold  out  his  farm  and  engaged  in  the 
livery  business  in  Rochester,  where  he  now  is 
prepared  to  do  all  kinds  of  work  in  his  line  of 
business,  having  from  seven  to  ten  buggies,  and 
an  equal  number  of  horses  to  meet  the  demands, 
and  has,  beside,  some  of  the  finest  stock  in  the 
county,  which  he  has  lately  brought  from  the 
State  of  Kentucky.  In  politics  he  is,  and  always 
has  been,  a  Democrat.  His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

Homer  D.  Parker,  merchant  and  postmaster, 
the  only  child  of  Darius  Smith  and  Jane  (Stagg) 
Parker,  was  born  in  Warren,  Washington  county, 
Vermont,  May  4,  1853.  His  father  was  born  in 
Springtield,  Vermont, November  10,1810,  and  his 
mother  in  Panton,  Vermont,  September  21,  1823. 
They  were  married  July  23,  1845;  his  father's 
occupation  was  that  of  a  miller.  In  May,  1855, 
he  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  located 
at  Rochester,  where  he  was  employed  as  miller 
and  clerk  in  the  Rochester  mills  and  store.  He 
worked  in  the  mill  when  it  was  running  and  in 
the  store  when  the  mill  was  idle,  until  his  death, 
December  6,  1857.  The  widowed  mother  now 
lives  with  her  son.  He  was  raised  in  Rochester 
and  obtained  a  common  school  education  by 
working  for  his  board  and  going  to  school  of 
winters,  and  working  out*  by  the  month  on  the 
farm  during  the  summer,  from  his  tenth  to  his 
seventeenth  year,  at  which  time  he  began  teach- 
ing school  for  a  livelihood.  He  taught  school  for 
three  and  one  half  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1873, 
engaged  as  clerk  for  C.  Carter  <fc  Co.,  with  whom 
he  remained  one  and  a  half  years,  removing  from 
Rochester  at  that  time  to  engage  in  business  for 
R.  Kimball,  at  Mount  Auburn,  Illinois,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  the  29th  of  March,  1876, 
when  he  opened  a  drug  and  grocery  store,  at 
Mount  Auburn,  Illinois,  on  his  own  account.  He 
was  appoinied  deputy  postmaster  there  shortly 
after  and  held  the  post  office  in  that  capacity 
until  March  17,  1879,  when  he  was  commissioned 
postmaster.  He  was  married  September  26,1877, 
to  Margaret  Elizabeth  Lawrence,  who  was  born 
in  Catawba,  Clark  county,  Ohio,  September  24, 
1853.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Doctor  John  Heis- 
kill,  and  Sarah  Ann  (Morris)  Lawrence.  Her 
father  was  born  March  1,  1830,  and  her  mother 
February  22,  1835,  in  Springfield,  Ohio.  They 
came  to  Christian  county,  Illinois,  in  July,  1854, 
and  located  at  Mount  Auburn,  where  the  Doctor 
has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. H.  D.  and  M.  E.  Parker  have  two  children 
— Annie  J.,  born  August  16,  1878,  and  Ruth  L., 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1009 


born  June  28,  1881.  In  April,  1S80,  James  M. 
Firey  and  H.  D.  Parker  purchased  the  old  stock 
in  the  store  formerly  occupied  by  C  Carter  &  Co. 
Parker  carried  on  business  at  both  places  until 
July,  1880,  when  he  removed  the  stock  from  his 
Mount  Auburn  store,  to  the  store  in  Rochester, 
■where  they  (Parker  &  Firey)  are  now  engaged 
in  selling  drugs,  groceries,  hardware,  queensware, 
etc.,  and  have  a  large  and  lucrative  business.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

George  W.  JPofhiherf/er,  Sen.,  a  farmer  of 
Rochester,  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Maryland,  October  16,  181 7,  the  son  of  Christian 
and  Mary  (Brantner)  Pofl'enberger.  His  father 
was  born  in  Maryland  and  his  mother  in  Virginia. 
In  1826,  they  moved  to  Franklin  county,  Ohio, 
and  thence  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  Octo- 
ber 28,  1839,  and  located  in  Rochester  township, 
where  he  resided  until  1846.  He  then  moved  to 
Jefferson  coimty,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  on  a 
farm.  His  wife  died  in  February,  1853,  and  he 
died  in  October,  1857.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  received  a  common  school  education,  and 
was  raised  on  a  farm.  He  came  to  this  county 
with  his  father  and  worked  on  a  farm.  He  was 
married  February  9,  1841,  to  Rachel  Jones,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  September  10,  1814,  the 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Elenor  (Goodwin) 
Jones,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1824, 
from  Kentucky,  and  located  in  Rochester  town- 
ship, where  they  resided  until  their  deaths.  Mr. 
Poifenberger  has  had  six  children,  of  whom  five 
are  now  living;  John  A.,  Mary  E.,  George  W., 
Eliza  A.  (now  wife  of  Luther  Osborn  Meredith) 
and  Edwin.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  fine  farming  land  which  is  under 
good  cultivation  and  worth  160  per  acre.  His 
wife  and  son  Edwin  are  members  of  tlie  Metho- 
dist Church.     He  is  in  politics,  a  Democrat. 

George  P.  Sidener,  Jr.,  a  farmer,  was  born 
in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  December  10, 
183.",  and  came  with  his  father,  George  P. 
Sidener,  Sr.,  to  Sangamon  county  in  March, 
1852,  and  settled  near  his  present  residence  in 
Rochester  township,  where  his  father  died  in 
1805,  and  his  mother  in  1860.  George  P.,  Jr., 
married  Miss  Hannah  R.  Elder,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Pho'be  (Clinkenbeard)  Elder,  Feb- 
ruary 10,  1858,  and  has  continued  to  reside  in 
the  same  township  ever  since,  farming  his  own 
tract  of  forty  acres,  worth  $70  per  acre,  and  at 
times  renting  otlier  lands.  He  has  had  eight 
children,  six  of  whom  are  alive:  Charles 
Lincoln,  Ada  A.,  James  G.,  Edward  B.,  William 
A.,  and  Freddie  E.,  with  two  deaths,  Phoebe, 
died  in   ISGO,  at  two  years  of  age,  and  one  in 


early  infancy.     Mr.  S.  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  are  Republicans. 

T'hoiiius  C.  iSmilh,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  March  31,  1848;  son  of  Samuel 
B.  and  Mary  E.  (Shephard)  Smith.  His  father 
was  born  in  Virginia,  June  9,  1810,  and  died 
January  22,  1880.  His  mother  was  born  in  Shep- 
hardstown,  Virginia,  October  31,  1813.  They 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  spring  of  1845, 
and  located  near  Chatham,  on  Lick  creek,  and 
about  1867,  to  Rochester  township.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school  educa- 
tion in  this  county,  and  was  raised  on  a  farm. 
He  was  married  in  1870,  to  Anna  Craig,  who 
was  born  in  Scotland,  September  27,  1853,  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (McLaughlin) 
Craig,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1856. 
They  have  had  three  children,  Mary  E.,  born 
October  11,  1876;  Samuel  B.,  May  24,  1878;  and 
Louella,  born  January  21,  1880.  He  resides  on 
the  home  farm,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty-two  and  a  half  acres,  which  is  under  a  fair 
state  of  cultivation,  and  worth  $50  per  acre. 
His  mother  resides  with  him,  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church  fifty-three 
years.  Mrs.  T.  C.  Smith  is  a  member  of  Christ- 
ian Church.     In  politics  they  are  Republicans. 

Lavson  H.  Smith  (deceased),  was  born  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  February  20,  1831; 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Henderson) 
Smith,  who  also  were  born  in  Kentucky,  and 
both  are  dead.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  went 
to  Missouri  at  seven  years  of  age,  in  1838,  where 
he  resided  for  seven  years,  and  from  there  went 
to  Shelby  county,  Illinois,  when  he  was  twice 
seven  years  old,  where  he  remained  seven  years, 
thence  to  Jackson  county,  Oregon,  where  he 
also  remained  seven  years.  He  returned  to 
Shelby  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  in 
1859,  and  in  March,  1860,  he  was  married  to 
Caroline  M.  Bell,  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Susan  (Stokes)  Bell,  who  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  1831.  Her  mother  died  April  26, 
1877,  and  her  father  in  June  18,  1880.  After 
their  marriage  they  moved  to  the  farm  where 
she  now  resides.  Mr.  Smith  died  December  11, 
1876,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children,  Alice, 
Riley,  Anna  and  Susie.  Their  farm  consists  of 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  is 
under  good  cultivation,  and  worth  |60  per  acre. 
She  and  her  daughter  Alice  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church  at  South  Fork,  and  he  was  an 
elder  in  the  same,  fourteen  years,  to  the  time  of 
his  death. 

Robert  M.  Sattley,  Jr.,  a  farmer  in  Rochester, 
was  born  in  Sangamon  county,    September   18, 


iOlO 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1831,  the  son  of  Robert  Sattley,  Sen.,  who  was 
born  in  the  vicinity  of  Vergennes,  Vermont, 
October  21,  1788.  He  and  his  brother  Archibald 
went  w  ith  the  family  of  Mrs.  Lovina  Hawley,  a 
widow  lady  with  two  daughters  and  three  sons 
to  White  county,  near  Carmi,  Illinois,  in  the  fall 
of  1818.  He  was  there  married  in  February  1819, 
to  Eliza  Hawley,  who  was  born  March  7, 
ISO!,  near  Vergennes,  Vermont.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sattley  moved  to  what  now  is  Sangamon  county, 
in  June  1819,  and  settled  about  ahalf  mile  noith 
of  where  Rochester  now  stands,  and  then  moved 
to  the  place  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  March 
21,  1842.  His  mother  died  June  13,  18C0.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school 
education  in  Rochester  township  and  was  raised 
on  a  farm.  He  was  married  November  1,  1860, 
to  Margaret  J.  Green,  who  was  born  in  Virginia, 
May  10,  1839,  the  daughter  of  George  M.  and 
Mary  (Miller)  Green,  who  were  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  now  of  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
where  her  father  now  resides.  His  mother  died 
in  1879.  They  have  had  four  children,  two  of 
which,  Robert  and  Ralph,  died  in  infancy,  and 
Mary  E.,  Emma  J.  and  Louann  A.  yet  living. 
He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  of 
fine  farming  land,  which  is  under  a  good  state  of 
cultivation  and  worth  $50  per  acre.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Sattley  is  a  Republican. 

Asa  Sterlmg,  a  farmer,  Rochester,  was  born 
in  County  Down,  Ireland,  April  15,  1816;  son  of 
William  and  Agnes  (Irving)  Sterling,  who  also 
was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  and  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1824,  and  located  at  New- 
burg,  New  York,  where  they  resided  until 
their  death.  The  father  of  A.  Sterling  was  a 
merchant,  from  early  life  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  about  the  year  1845.  The 
mother  died  in  1824,  soon  after  they  came  to 
America.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a 
common  school  education  in  New  York,  and  at 
the  age  of  sixteen  learned  carriage-making, 
which  he  followed  until  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
when  he  entered  the  store,  and  continued  in  the 
furnishing  trade  with  his  father  till  the  death  of 
the  latter,  and  afterwards  for  a  term  of  twenty- 
two  yt  ars.  He  was  married  in  1839,  to  Phcebe  E. 
Carpenter,  who  was  born  in  Newburg,  New  York, 
October  23,  1813,  and  was  the  daughter  of 
James  C.  and  Jane  (  McVeigh)  Carpenter,  both 
of  whom  are  now  dead.  They  have  had  four 
children,  W^illiam  J.,  and  Edmond  H.  yet  live, 
while  two  named  Edmond  and  Mary  Irving,  are 
dead.  On  account  of  failing  health  Mr.  S.  quit 
merchandising  and  engaged  in  farming  in  New 
York,  until  the    year   1868,   when  he  moved  to 


Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  where  he  purchased 
two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  and  engaged 
in  farming.  His  land  is  in  good  condition  and 
worth  ^1b  per  acre,  being  well  and  successfully 
cultivated.  Plis  two  sons,  now  reside  with  him 
on  the  farm.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Springfield. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

William  A.  Whitesides,  farmer,  Rochester 
township,  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ken- 
tucky, November  5,  1815,  son  of  Charles  and 
Elizabeth  (Graves)  Whitesides.  His  father, 
CharlesWhitesides,  was  born  in  1785,  in  Virginia, 
and  taken  by  his  parents  to  Fayette  county,"Ken- 
tucky.  They  traveled  in  boats  from  Pittsburg 
down  the  Ohio  river  to  Limestone  —  now  Itlays- 
ville  —  Kentucky.  Charles  Whitesides  was  mar- 
ried in  1810,  in  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  to 
Elizabeth  Graves,  who  was  born"  in  1788,  in  that 
county.  They  had  five  children  in  Fayette 
county,  and  in  1819,  moved  to  Cumberland 
county,  same  State,  where  five  children  were 
born,  and  the  family  moved  to  Sangamon  countv, 
Illinois,  arriving  June  30,  1831,  Tn  Springfield. 
In  1833,  they  moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Williams- 
ville,  and  in  1835  moved  to  German  Prairie, 
northeast  of  Springfield,  where  he  farmed  until 
his  death,  March's),  1S36.  His  mother  died 
June  25,  1855,  in  Logan  county,  Illinois.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  common  school 
education  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  and  was 
raised  on  a  farm.  He  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside 
ever  since.  He  was  married  February  19,  1846, 
to  Honor  A.  Branch,  born  in  Nicholas  county, 
Kentucky,  March  24,  1827,  the  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward and  Rebecca  (Cassity)  Branch,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  the 
fall  of  1830,  and  resided  in  Rochester  till  the 
death  of  Mr.  Branch,  after  which  the  widow 
made  her  home  at  the  house  of  her  son-in-law, 
and  daughter  for  sixteen  years,  prior  to  her 
death,  July  25,  1876.  They  have  had  two 
children,  Albert,  born  December  27,  1846,  and 
died  December  7,  1860,  and  Louisiana,  born 
September  11,  1849,  who  was  married  October 
13,  1870,  to  Edward  Miller,  and  died  November 
23,  1871.  Mr.  Whitesides  has  been  an  active 
farmer,  and  one  of  Rochester's  best  citizens. 
He  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  fine  farming  land,  which  is  undtr  good  culti- 
vation, and  worth  §50  per  acre.  He  has  given 
up  farming  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  now 
rents  his  farm,  while  he  retires  from  active  life, 
having  recently  purchased  a  good  residence  in 
the  village  of  Rochester. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lOU 


Chapter  XLVI. 


TOWNSHIP  AND  VILLAGE  OF  SALISBURY. 


The  township  of  Salisbury  is  one  of  the 
northern  tier  of  townships,  and  is  the  smallest 
in  the  county,  being  three  square  miles  less  than 
half  a  Congressional  township. 

EARLY    SETTLERS. 

The  first  settlement  in  Salisbury  township  was 
made  in  1820.  Among  the  early  settlers  were 
Solomon  Miller,  Marshal  Duncan,  Mrs.  Abigail 
Coleman,  William  Yoakum,  Fielding  Harrison, 
William  Kirkpatrick,  Amos  Batterton,  Rev. 
John  Antle,  Christopher  Mosteller,  Job  Ratclilf, 
Jacob  Miller,  James  Fisher,  John  Duncan,  Aaron 
Miller,  Isaac  Carlcck,  John  Goodman,  John 
Davis,  Tobias  Goodman,  V.  Crite,  George  Mil- 
ler, and  Clawson  Lacy. 

Solomon  Miller  was  born  about  1796,111  Adair 
county,  Kentucky.  He  was  married  there  to 
Nancy  A.  Antle.  They  moved  to  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to  Sangamon 
county,  arriving  in  the  spring  of  1820,  at  what  is 
now  Salisbury.     He  died  in  1858. 

Marshal  Duncan  was  born  in  1783,  or  1784,  in 
North  Carolina.  He  was  brother  to  Rice  and 
John.  He  went,  when  young,  with  his  parents 
to  Cumberland  county,  Kentucky.  He  left  Ken- 
tucky with  three  children,  and  came  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois;  arrived  in  1820  or  I82I,  in 
Salisbury  township.  He  was  there  married  to 
Hannah  Miller,  a  daughter  of  John  Miller. 
Died  in  1858. 

Mrs.  Abigail  Coleman,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Robertson,  was  born  in  Surry  county,  North 
Carolina,  and  was  married  there  to  Theophilus 
Coleman,  who  was  born  in  Virginia.  They  had 
four  children  in  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Coleman 
became  a  soldier  in  the  war  with  England  in 
1812.     He  never  returned,  and  his  family  never 

118— 


knew  his  fate.  Mrs.  Coleman,  with  her  four 
children,  moved,  in  1815,  to  Cumberland  county, 
Kentucky,  and  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois;  ar- 
rived in  the  fall  of  1820,  on  Richland  creek,  in 
what  is  now  Salisbury  township. 

William  Yoakum  was  born  in  1791,  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  when  he  was  an  infant  his  parents 
moved  to  Claiborne  county,  Tennessee,  where  his 
father  died  His  mother  moved  her  family  about 
1810,  to  Madison  county,  near  Edwardsville, 
Illinois.  They  moved  next  to  Montgomery 
county,  and  then  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving 
June  10,  1819,  at  the  north  side  of  Richland 
creek,  in  what  is  now  Salisbury  township.  Wil- 
liam Yoakum  was  married  in  1821  to  Sarah 
Simmons. 

Fielding  Harrison  was  born  about  1777,  in 
Rockingham  county,  Virginia.  Anna  Quinn  was 
born  about  1779,  in  Culpepper  county,  Virginia. 
They  were  married  in  Culpepper,  and  made  their 
home  in  Rockingham  county,  until  they  had  one 
child.  They  moved  about  1805  to  Christian 
county,  Kentucky;  from  there  moved  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  arriving  November,  1822, 
at  the  north  side  of  Richland  creek,  in  what  is 
now  Salisbury  township.    Died  in  1829  or  '.'iO. 

Amos  Batterton  was  born  May  3,  1772,  in 
Loudon  county,  Virginia.  Nancy  Guthrie  was 
born  about  17  76,  in  North  Carolina,  and  her 
parents  moved,  when  she  was  a  child,  to  Madison 
county,  Kentucky.  They  were  there  married  and 
had  one  child,  who  was  drowned  in  Kentucky 
river.  They  moved  to  Adair  county  and  then 
moved  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  in  1818,  and 
from  there  to  Rock  creek,  in  what  is  now  Menard 
county,  in  1820,  thence  to  what  is  now  Salisbury 
township,  Sangamon  county,  in  the  spring  of 
1822,  and  settled  one  and  a  quarter  miles  north- 


1012 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


west  of  where  Salisbury  now  stands.     He  died 
August  4,  1835, 

Rev.  John  Antle  was  born  April  15,  1789,  in 
Cumberland  county,  Ky.  Elizabeth  Buchanan 
was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania. 
Her  parents  moved  to  Lincoln  county,  Ken- 
tucky, when  she  was  seven  years  old.  Her 
father  died  in  that  county,  and  she  went  to  live 
with  a  married  sister  in  Cumberland  county. 
John  Antle  and  Elizabeth  Buchanan  were  there 
married.  The  family  then  moved  to  Morgm 
county,  Illinois,  in  1829,  and  from  there  to  San- 
gamon county,  arriving  January  9,  1830,  in  what 
is  now  Salisbury  township.  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Antle  died  September,  1844,  and  John  Antle 
died  August  30,  18()4;  she  in  Menard  county 
and  he  in  Salisbury. 

Rev.  John  Antle  preached  to  five  churches, 
called  Separate  Baptists.  One  each  at  Salisbury 
and  McKinnie  Settlement,  in  Sangamon  county; 
Baker's  Prairie  and  Sand  Ridge,  in  Menard 
county,  and  one  in  Morgan  county.  The  only 
pay  he  received  or  expected  was  the  hope  of  a 
reward  in  a  better  world. 

Christopher  Mosteller  was  born  in  Buncombe 
county.  North  Carolina;  went  to  Butler  county, 
Ohio,  when  a  young  man,  and  was  there  married 
to  Phoebe  Sackett.  They  moved  to  Union 
county,  Indiana;  returned  to  Butler  county, 
Ohio,  and  from  there  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  arriving  in  the  spring  of  1830,  in 
what  is  now  Salisbury  township.  He  died  in 
1834. 

Jacob  Miller  came  in  1820,  and  settled  on  sec- 
tion twenty.  Moved  to  Iowa  in  1845,  and  after- 
wards died  in  1852. 

James  Fisher  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned 
by  widow  Simmes  and  Mr.  Hover  Hess;  went  to 
Arkansas  from  here. 

Aaron  Miller  settled  on  farm  now  owned  by 
Mr.  W.  H.  Rhodes.  Moved  to  Iowa  and  died 
there  in   1858. 

Isaac  Carlock  settled  on  farm  now  owned  by 
the  widow  Marshall.  Moved  away  and  his 
whereabouts  are  unknown. 

John  Goodman  bought  Oarlock's  place  and 
died  on  the  farm  in  1843. 

John  Davis  came  in  182Y,  and  died  in  the  vil- 
lage in  1881. 

Tobias  Goodman  came  and  settled  on  the 
creek  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  E.  Walker. 
Moved  to  Iowa  and  from  thence  to  Oregon  where 
he  died. 

V.  Crite  settled  on  the  Rhodes  farm  and  died 
there  about  1851. 


George  Miller  came  about  the  same  time  with 
the  rest  of  the  family  and  died  in  1880,  died  at 
Lincoln,  Logan  county,  Illinois. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  house  was  of  logs  and  erected 
in  1823,  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Mr.  Bat- 
terton.  Cassell  Harrison  was  the  first  teacher; 
John  F.  Harrison  was  the  next  teacher.  There 
are  now  three  school  houses  in  the  township, 
valued  at  $4,000. 

EELIGIOUS. 

Rev.  James  Sims  has  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  to  proclaim  the  gospel  in  this  township. 
The  exact  date  is  unknown,  but  it  was  as  early 
as  1822.  Rev.  John  Antle  was  probably  the 
next.  The  first  church  building  was  erected  by 
the  Baptists,  in  the  village.  There  is  now  one 
church  building  in  the  township,  represented 
by  three  denominations,  Methodist  Episcopal, 
United  Baptists  and  Christians. 

MILLS. 

William  Kirkpatrick  built  a  horse-mill  on  his 
place  in  1821,  which  was  the  first  mill  of  any 
description  iri  the  township.  Robert  Fielding 
and  Reuben  Harrison  built  a  water-mill,  for  saw- 
ing lumber,  on  Richland  creek,  about  a  mile  and 
a  quarter  from  the  village,  at  a  very  early  date, 
which  was  of  great  convenience  to  the  settlers. 
In  1833,  Milas  Goodman,  John  Sackett,  and  a 
man  by  the  name  of  Holmes,  built  a  saw  and 
grist-mill  on  the  creek,  about  a  mile  east  of  the 
village.  After  undergoing  several  changes  in 
ownership,  it  is  now  owned  and  run  by  John 
Miller.  The  grist-mill  has  one  run  of  liurrs.  In 
the  winter  of  1839,  Thomas  Kirkpatrick  built  a 
water-mill  on  Richland  creek,  half  a  mile  south 
of  the  village,  and  sawed  lumber.  He  abandoned 
it  about  five  years  after. 

OBGANIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861,  at  the 
time  the  county  adopted  the  township  organiza- 
tion law.  It  was  first  given  the  name  of  Sackett, 
in  honor  of  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the 
county,  but  subsequently  changed  to  that  of 
Salisbury,  from  the  village  of  the  same  name. 

VILLAGE  OF  SALISnUKY. 

The  village  of  Salisbury  was  originally  owned 
by  Solomon  Miller,  who  had  it  surveyed  and 
platted  January  9,  1832.  Previous  to  this  time 
a  settlement  had  been  formd  here,  and  as  it  was 
several  miles  to  any  other  village,  it  was  thought 
a  good  place  in  which  to  build  one  up. 

A  public  sale  of  town  lots  was  held  shortly 
after  it  was  laid  out,  which  resulted  in  the  dis- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1013 


posal  of  a  fair  number,  and  a  free  figbt  by  some 
who  had  indulged  a  little  too  freely  in  the 
spirits  provided  on  the  occasion.    » 

Simeon  Clark  erected  a  building  fora  dwelling 
and  store  in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  here  sold  the 
first  merchandise  in  the  place. 

George  Davis,  in  1825,  started  a  blacksmith 
shop  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the 
present  village,  and  was  the  first  in  the  township 
to  engage  in  blacksmithing.  In  the  fall  of  1832, 
he  removed  his  shop  inside  the  village  linuts 
and  became  the  first  of  his  trade  in  the  village 
as  well  as  in  the  township. 

Henry  Davis,  a  brother  of  George,  commenced 
the  manufacture  and  repair  of  wagons  in  1832, 
and  was  the  first  of  that  occupation  in  the  village. 

Mathew  Morehead  came  to  the  village  in 
1833,  and  opened  a  cabinet  shop,  the  first  here. 
At  this  time  nearly  all  the  furniture  used  by  the 
settlers  was  made  by  hand,  and  according  to 
order.  The  modern  style  of  running  a  furniture 
store  was  then  unknown.  Henry  Shepherd 
was  the  second  cabinet  maker  in  the  place. 

POST  OFFICE. 

A  village  without  its  post  oftice  is  like  llie 
play  of  Hamlet,  with  the  part  of  Hamlet 
omitted.  On  petition  of  a  large  number  of  the 
citizens  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village,  the 
postoflice  department  established  here  an  office, 
in  1833.  David  McMurphy  was  the  first  post- 
master. Among  those  who  have  since  held  the 
office  are  George  McMurphy,  Marion  Duncan, 
Jason  Miller,  G.  W.  Miller,  George  Brahm  and 
Thomas  Yoakman,  the  Latter  being  the  present 
incumbent. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  villagers  early  set  about  the  erection  of  a 
school  house,  which  was  built  the  first  year  after 
the  platting  of  the  village.  The  building  was 
of  logs,  and  served  the  purpose  for  several  years. 
The  second  building  was  of  brick.  It  was  used 
until  it  became  too  small  to  meet  the  wants  of 
the  district,  when  it  was  torn  down  and  a  larger 
one  erected  of  like  material.  The  building  has 
two  rooms,  and  has  been  graded  since  1868. 

RELIGIOUS. 

There  is  now  but  one  church  building  in  the 
village,  and  three  organizations — United  Bap- 
tist, Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Christian. 

The  Baptists  organized  a  congregation  in  the 
fall  of  1831,  composed  of  the  following  named 
members:  Solomon  Miller  and  wife,  Catharine 
Davis,  Mollie  Miller,  Sallie  Duncan,  George 
Miller,  Henry  Miller,   James   Miller,   Elizabeth 


Miller,  and  Polly  Miller.  In  1835,  the  congre- 
gation erected  a  house  of  worship,  in  which  they 
continued  to  worsliip  for  many  years.  They 
now  meet  in  the  Christian  Church  building, 
holding  services. 

A  class  of  Methodists  was  organized  in  1837, 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Knoll,  since  which  time  they  have 
continued  to  meet  with  more  or  less  frequency. 
Salisbury  is  now  in  Athens  circuit,  and  preach- 
ing services  are  held  hero  once  a  month.  A  class 
meeting  is  held  each  Sunday.  Rev.  Kennett  is 
the  present  pastor.  The  congregation  worships 
in  the  Christian  Church  building. 

BUSINESS  OP  SALISBURY. 

Salisbury  is  represented  in  business  as  fol- 
lows: General  merchandise,  T.  S.  Duncan,  J. 
Keltner,  D.  Stevenson;  blacksmith,  J.  K.  Mc- 
Murphy, John  Stroh;  carpenter,  S.  T.  Duncan; 
physicians,  J.  B.  Wescott,  A.  F.  Purvines. 

BIOGRAPIIIOAL. 

Geo.  TF.  Bailey  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Rogersville,  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  March 
12,1823.  He  lived  therewith  his  father  until 
nearly  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Louisa  A.  Jones,  in  1841.  She 
was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Elisha  Jones  and  Nancy  Harmon.  Mrs.  Bailey 
died  in  1851.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
Mr.  Bailey  enlisted  in  the  Me.xican  War,  under 
Colonel  McClernand,  in  the  Fifth  Tennessee  In- 
fantry, and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1848,  he 
came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Rochester  town- 
ship, Sangamon  county,  where  he  remained 
twelve  years,  when  he  moved  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides  in  Salisbury  township.  In  1860, 
he  built  a  saw-mill  here  on  the  creek,  which  he 
ran  fifteen  years.  He  then  ran  a  portable  mill 
three  years,  farmed  two  years.  In  1879,  took 
charge  as  a  partner  and  superintendent  of 
Primm's  saw  and  grist-mill  in  Menard  county, 
where  he  is  still  engaged.  He  was  married  to 
Eliza  E.  Sexton,  August  21,  1852.  She  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Thos. 
Se.xton  and  Rena  Sykes.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bailey 
had  six  children,  five  living,  viz.:  Thos.  D.,  John 
J.,  Mary  E.,  Chas.  W.,and  Vashti  Bailey.  Mrs. 
Bailey  was  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church.  She  died  October,  1871.  Mr.  Bailey 
was  married  to  his  present  wife.  Miss  Haley  E. 
Cantrall,  October  9,  1872.  She  was  born  in  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Joshua  M.  Cantrall  and  Sallie  Cantrall.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Bailey  have  one  child,  viz.,  Sarah  A.  ]5ailey. 
Mr.  Geo.  Bailey  raised  Company  H,  One  Hun- 
dred and   Fourteenth  Illinois   Infantry   V'olun- 


1014 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


teers,  in  1862;  was  appointed  captain  of  this 
company.  He  has  held  the  position  of  justice 
of  the  peace  since  1861,  a  position  he  still  re- 
tains. He  has  held  many  other  township  offices. 
He  is  at  present  school  director  in  his  townsliip. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat.  Mr.  Bailey  has 
his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  two  acres,  on  which 
he  resides,  all  under  good  cultivation.  His 
father,  Thomas  Bailey,  was  born  in  Hawkins 
county,  Tennessee.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  died 
in  1831.  His  wife,  Melvina  Moore,  was  born  in 
Tennessee.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church  and  the  mother  of  six  children,  three 
livinsf.     She  died  in  1862. 

William  Balterton,  post  office,  Salisbury,  was 
born  in  Kentucky  December  14,  1801.  His 
father,  Amos  Batterton,  was  born  in  Loudon 
county,  Virginia,  1781.  His  mother,  Nancy 
Batterton,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  1784. 
They  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  named  children:  David, 
Nelson,  Anderson,  William,  Polly,  Levi,  Susan, 
Priscilla  and  Enoch  George.  Of  whom  David, 
Nelson,  Polly,  Anderson,  Susan  and  Priscilla 
are  now  deceased.  Father  and  mother  both 
died  in  18.34. 

Wm.  Batterton  came  to  Sangamon  county  in 
1818,  and  was  married  January  1,  1833,  to  Eliza 
Gaines,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Amy  Gaines, 
who  came  from  Virginia  to  this  county  in  1822. 
They  had  thirteen  children,  viz:  Madison,  born 
October  20,  183:^;  John,  born  January  8,  1835, 
died  September  7,  1835;  Richard,  born  July  19, 
1836;  Amv,  born  February  19,  1838;  Robert, 
born  August  4,  1839,  died  August  13,  1868; 
May,  born  February  27,  1841,  died  July  6,  1844; 
Henry  C,  born  November  6,  1843;  Mildred  P., 
born  May  4,  1846;  Maria,  born  October  3,  1848; 
Sarah  Eliza,  born  March  19,  1851;  Charlotte, 
born  January  29,  1853;  George  M.,  born  May 
19,  1854.  Mr.  B.  owns  two  hundred  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  ^50  an  acre.  His  sons,  Robert 
and  Madison,  were  members  of  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fourteenth  Regiment  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  His  educational  advantages  were 
such  as  the  subscription  schools  of  his  day 
afforded. 

Joseph  S.  Cantrall,  was  born  on  Cantrall  creek, 
near  Cantrall,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  Octo- 
ber 16,  1841,  where  he  remained  until  twenty 
years  of  age,  when  he  went  into  the  cattle  trade, 
feeding  and  shipping  until  1872,  when  he  and 
two  others  laid  out  the  town  of  Cantrall,  Illinois. 
He  then  furnished  ties  and  lumber  for  the  S.  & 
N.  W.  Railroad,  from  Petersburg  to  Springfield, 
and,  in    1874,  bni't   the  Cintrall   Elevator,   and 


went  into  the  grain  trade,  his  present  occupation. 
He  is  now  building  a  large  corn-crib,  at  Can- 
trail,  with  a  capacity  of  75,000  bushels  of  ear 
corn;  it  is  two  hundred  feet  long  and  thirty-five 
feet  wide.  J.  S.  Cantrall  was  married  to  Miss 
Margaret  A.  Canterbury,  January  16,  1868;  the 
fruits  of  this  marriage  are  two  children:  Daisy 
and  Hattie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cantrall  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican;  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  A. 
Lincoln.  Mrs.  Cantrall  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  F.  Canterbury, 
born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  August  27, 
1820;  he  was  married  in  Sangamon  county, 
February  22,  1842,  to  Miranda  M.  Brittin,  who 
was  the  mother  of  six  children. 

The  father  of  Joseph  S.,  Levi  Cantrall,  was 
born  in  Botetourt  county,  Virginia.  He  was 
taken  by  his  parents  to  Bath  county,  Kentucky, 
in  1789,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie 
England,  November  30,  1809,  and  '  in  1811, 
moved  to  Madison  county,  Ohio,  and  to  Madi- 
son county,  Illinois,  October,  1819,  and  Decem- 
ber 4,  1819,  moved  where  the  city  of  Springfield 
now  stands;  on  the  5th  he  selected  a  location, 
and  commenced  building  a  cabin  December  8, 
1810;  they  had  seven  children;  he  died  Febru- 
ary 22,  1860,  and  she  resides  with  her  son, 
Joseph  S.,  who  is  a  Mason,  and  a  member  of 
Lavely  Lodge,  at  Williamsville,  Illinois. 

Francis  M.  Duncan,  was  born  on  a  farm  in 
Menard  county,  Illinois,  two  miles  northwest  of 
Salisbury,  Illinois,  October  1,  1831.  He  lived 
there  and  in  Hancock  county  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  moved  with  liis  parents  to 
the  head  of  Richland  creek,  in  Cartwright  town- 
ship, Sangamon  county,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  December  30,  1852,  he  married  Miss 
Martha  J.  Yoakum;  she  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of  William 
Yoakum,  born  in  West  Virginia.  He  was  a 
farmer.  He  died  April  26,  1880.  His  wife, 
Sarah  (Simmons)  Yoakum,  born  in  Kentucky. 
She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children;  she  died 
December  5,  1865.  Some  time  after  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  F.  M.  Duncan  were  married  he  bought  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  acres  in  sec- 
tion seventeen,  where  he  resides.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church  and 
have  had  eight  children,  viz.:  Charles  U.,  Laura 
II.,  William  R.,  and  James  F.,  (who  are  twins) 
Jenetta  A.,  George  H.,  Louisa  E.  and  Mary  J. 
Duncan.  Mr.  F.  M.  Duncan  was  a  son  of  James 
T.  Duncan,  born  in  Kentucky,  who  came  to  Illi- 
nois at  an  early  day  and  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  Salisbury  township.   He  was  a  fainur 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1015 


and  died  on  July  9,  1856,  and  his  wife  was 
Miss  Polly  (Penny)  Duncan,  who  was  born  near 
Beardstown;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Robert  Pen- 
ny, who  came  down  the  Ohio  river  in  a  dug-out, 
and  landed  in  Illinois  in  1807.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  still  living 
in  Salisbury.  She  was  born  in  1809,  and  was 
the  mother  of  eleven  children.  F.  M.  Duncan 
has  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  acres 
all  fenced  and  seventy  acres  under  good  cultiva- 
tion and  well  stocked.  In  politics  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat and  he  cast  his  first  vole  for  Buchanan 
for  President. 

3Iarion  M.  Duncan  was  boi'n  on  a  farm  near 
Salisbury,  in  Menard  county,  Illinois,  Decem- 
ber 17,  1832.  When  he  was  twenty-three  years 
of  age  he  was  married  to  Martha  McMurphy, 
April  16,  1S55;  she  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Archie  II.  McMurphy,  born 
in  New  York.  He  died  in  1877.  His  wife, 
Elizabeth  White,  was  born  in  New  York,  and 
was  the  mother  of  eleven  children.  She  is  living 
at  Salisbury,  Illinois,  with  her  son,  Joseph 
McMurphy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  M.  Duncan  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church  and  have  had 
six  children,  five  living,  viz:  Mrs.  Lucy  C.  Davis, 
Laura  A.,  Margaret  V.,  Omer  L.  and  Elizabeth 
E.  Duucan.  The  father  of  M.  M.  Duncan  and 
W.  T.  H.  Duncan,  was  born  near  Louisville, 
Kentucky,  May  18,  1812;  when  a  young  man, 
learned  the  hatter's  trade;  he  came  to  Sangamon 
county  and  settled  in  Salisbury  township,  in  1831; 
died  in  October,  1864.  His  wife,  Eva  (Miller) 
Duncan,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  was  the 
mother  of  twelve  children.  She  is  still  living 
and  resides  with  her  son,  Thomas  Duncan,  at 
Salisbury,  Illinois.  Mr.  M.  M.  Duncan  has  a  farm 
of  ten  acres,  in  section  thirty-two  where  he  re- 
sides. In  politics,  be  is  a  Democrat  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Harrison  for  President.  His  father, 
W.  T.  U.  Duncan,  was  a  Democrat,  and  for  nine- 
teen years  justice  of  the  peace,  and  held  that 
office  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  M.  M.  Duncan 
has  been  town  clerk  eight  or  nine  years,  and  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  resigned  six 
months  after  and  went  to  Springfield,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  one  year,  when 
he  clerked  for  Smith  &,  Hay  two  years;  then  ran 
the  Junction  House,  one  mile  below  Springtie'd, 
two  years,  when  he  returned  to  Salisbury. 

Balthus  Faith,  (deceased)  was  born  in  Ger- 
many July  28,  1811.  He  came  tj  the  United 
States  with  his  mother,  brothers  and  sisters 
when  a  young  man,  and  settled  in  Maryland, 
and  was  married  there  to  Miss  Emily  Gordon, 
August   10,   18,t1.     She  was  born  in  Maryland, 


and  was  a  daughter  of  George  Gordon,  born  and 
died  in  Maryland.  His  wife  was  Miss  Nancy 
(Crozier)  Gordon,  born  in  Loudon  county,  Vir- 
ginia. She  died  in  Iowa.  Mr.  F.,  came  to 
Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1857,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  Sangamon 
county,  where  he  remained  nine  years,  then,  in 
1867,  bought  the  present  homestead  in  section 
thirty-six,  Salisbury  township,  where  he  died 
and  where  his  wife  and  family  now  reside.  His 
father  was  born  in  Germany,  where  he  died.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  A.  Gable;  she 
died  in  Maryland  some  ten  years  ago.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  was  the 
mother  of  seven  children,  five  living,  viz: 
Joseph,  who  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Galligan, 
daughter  of  Barclay  Galligan,  resides  in  Fancy 
Creek  township;  and  John  F.,  Rosa  A.,  George 
H.,  and  Margaret  L.  The  mother  of  Mrs.  B. 
Faith  lives  on  the  old  homestead  with  four  of 
her  children,  and  has  a  farm  of  one  hundredand 
fifty  acres  in  section  thirty-five  Mrs.  Faith  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  as  was  her  hus- 
band until  his  death,  which  occurred  April  14, 
1848.     In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat. 

George  Gillen,  tile  manufacturer,  Cantrali, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  York  county,  Pennsylva- 
nia, June  11,  1849;  son  of  Jacob  and  Susan 
(Shenberger)  Gillen,  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  they  were  married,  and  eight  children 
were  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz: 
Augustus,  Noah,  George  and  Lucy.  In  1876, 
George  left  Pennsylvania  and  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  at  Kirkwood,  where  he  was  engaged  in 
the  post  office  department,  and  remained  one 
year.  He  then  went  to  Decatur  where  he  em- 
barked in  the  tile  business,  in  company  with  a 
relative  of  his  by  the  same  name.  They  own 
two  factories,  one  in  Decatur,  where  they  do  a 
business  of  $12,000  a  year,  and  one  in  Cantrali, 
where  they  do  a  business  of  $10,000  a  year,  em- 
ploying ten  men.  This  property,  at  Cantrali,  is 
valued  at  $4,000,  and  was  built  in  1876,  by  the 
Cantrali  Drain  Tile  Company.  In  1879,  it  was 
purchased  by  the  present  owner,  George  Gillen. 
It  is  the  largest  manufactory  in  the  county;  is 
four  hundred  by  twenty-five  feet,  with  drying 
capacity  six  hundred  by  twenty-five  feet.  It  is 
run  by  a  twenty-horse  power  engine,  averaging 
three  thousand  tile  a  day,  of  all  sizes.  They 
are  enlarging  the  factory,  and  it  is  furnished 
with  the  latest  improved  machinery,  has  two 
kilns,  thirty  thousand  tile  capacity,  and  he  is 
now  erecting  two  more  with  thirty  thousand  ca- 
pacity. In  politics,  Mr.  Gillen  is  a  Republican, 
and  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 


1016 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


William  II.  Garden  was  born  on  a  farm,  in 
Menard  county,  Illinois,  two  miles  north  of 
Salisbury,  December  8,  1836,  where  he  lived  un- 
til 1874,  when  he  moved  on  a  farm  one  half  mile 
east  of  the  old  homestead,  in  Menard  county, 
where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Gorden  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gunterman  whose  maiden 
name  was  Grant,  married  August  12,  1874.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Grant,  and  Mahala 
(Prater)  Grant,  she  was  a  member  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  died  January  18,  1872. 
Mr.  M.  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Gorden  have  three  chil- 
dren, viz:  Viola  E.,  William  W.,  and  Leslie  A. 
Gorden.  Mrs.  Gorden  had  three  children  by  her 
first  husband,  viz:  Melissa  B.,  Alice,  and  Mary. 
In  politics  Mr.  Gorden  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  James  Buchanan.  He  owns  a 
fine  farm  of  eight  hundred  acres. 

John  Hale,  was  born  on  a  farm,  near  Cbander- 
ville,  Ohio,  March  1,  1818.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age  he  hired  to  Thomas  Phillips,  to 
make  wheat  fans;  followed  that  business  until 
March  19,  1848,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  M.  Lacy.  She  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Clawson  and  Phebe 
(Force)  Lacy;  in  1850,  bought  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  land,  in  section  thirty-three,  in 
Salisbury  township,  on  which  he  still  lives.  He 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  have  had  five  children,  three  living,  viz: 
Oscar  A.,  Ellis  A.,  and  Elmore  E.  Hale.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

His  father,  John  Hale,  was  born  in  Germany, 
his  wife  Kalista  Hale  was  also  born  in  Germany. 
They  have  three  children  living,  viz.:  John  J., 
the  i^ubject  of  this  sketch,  Alexander  Hale,  living 
in  Athens,  Illinois,  Joseph,  who  went  to  Califor- 
nia, and  Oscar  Hale,  living  in  Peoria. 

Mnrsden  Hopwood,  was  born  in  Acruigton 
Lancashire,  England,  September  20,  1840,  where 
he  worked  in  the  print  works  until  seventeen 
years  of  age,  when  he  come  with  his  brother 
William  to  America,  landed  at  New  Orleans  and 
thence  to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  finally  coming 
to  ijangamon  county,  in  the  spring  of  1859.  In 
1858,  his  father,  mother  and  family  came  to 
America  and  came  to  Salisbury  township,  Illi- 
nois, and  his  father,  brother  and  himself  bought 
a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  section 
twenty-two.  Mr.  Marsden  Hopwood  now  owns 
one  hundred  and  forty-feur  acres  mostly  under 
cultivation.  His  father,  Rushton  Hopwood  was 
born  in  England,  came  to  the  United  States  and 
settled  in  Sangamon  county,  in  1859,  he  died  in 
January  1870;  his  wife,  Margaret  Cock,  was  born 
in  England.     They  had  nine  children.     She  died 


October,  1868.  Marsden  Hopwood  married  Car- 
oline E.  Jordan  March  22,  1872.  She  t  as  born 
in  Athens,  Menard  county,  Illinois,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Ellen  (Cantrall)  Jordan. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopwood  have  three  children,  viz. 
Mary  E.,  Rosa  M.  and  Henry  Hopwood.  Mrs. 
Hopwood  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  politically,  Mr.  Hopwood  is  a  Republican  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  A.  Lincoln. 

William  Mojncood,  was  born  in  Lancashire, 
England,  April  15,  1831.  In  1857,  he  came  to 
the  United  States.  Moving  about  some  few 
years  he  finally  settled  in  Salisbury  township, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Doonin,  January,  1864;  she  was  born  in 
Ireland,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Ned  and  Bridget 
(Blake)  Doonin.  The  father  of  William  Hop- 
wood,  Rushton  Hopwood,  was  born  in  England; 
he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  in 
Sangamon  county;  in  1858  he  died  here.  His 
wife,  Margaret  Cock,  was  born  in  England;  they 
were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Wm. 
Hopwood  and  wife  have  had  five  children,  one 
living,  Margaret  A.  Mr.  Hopwood  has  a  iarm 
of  one  hundred  and  six  acres,  in  sections  twenty- 
two  and  twenty-three,  where  he  resides. 

William  F.  Incin,  was  born  in  Menard  county, 
two  miles  south  of  Salisbiu'v,  Sangamon  county, 
October  21,  1837,  where  he  remained  until 
March,  1854,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  sec- 
tion twenty-three,  Salisbury  township,  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river,  and  where  he  has  remained 
since.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  J. 
Williams,  May  23,  1872.  She  was  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  August  18,  1852.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  James  M.  Williams.  He  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Spring- 
field in  1835,  and  his  wife,  Mary  Repherd,  born 
in  Pennsylvania,  July  0,  1819.  William  F. 
Irwin  was  a  son  of  Robert  S.  Irwin,  born  in 
North  Carolina.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1827, 
settled  in  Menard  county,  and  in  1854  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  and  bought  an  interest  in  a 
water-power  grist  and  saw-mill  on  Sarganion 
river.  He  afterwards  owned  this  mill  himself, 
and  ran  it  until  February,  1807,  when  it  was 
torn  down  by  the  ice.  At  the  time  of  his  death. 
May  3,  1874,  he  had  accumulated  a  farm  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Salisbury  town- 
ship. Ilis  wife  was  Cynthia  (Duncan)  Irwin, 
born  in  Kentucky;  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  died  April  6,  1872.  Wm.  F.  Irwin 
and  wife  have  had  five  children,  four  living: 
Warren  IL,  Ruth  A.,  and  two  children  not 
named.     Mr.  W.  F.  Irwin  owns  a  farm  of  one 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1017 


hundred  and  twelve  acres  in  sections  twenty- 
three,  twenty-six  and  twenty-seven,  where  he 
resides.  He  also  owns  twenty  acres  in  section 
sixteen,  Springfield  township.  He  has  held  the 
ofBces  of  supervisor,  assessor,  town  clerk,  school 
director  and  treasurer  in  his  township  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  is  at  present  supervisor 
and  school  treasurer. 

John  M.  Kcltner,  was  born  near  Jacksonville, 
Illinois,  July  24,  1830,  and  seven  years  after 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Salem,  Illinois;  at 
that  time  it  was  the  county  seat  of  Menard 
county.  His  father  kept  the  New  Silem  Hotel, 
and  Abraham  Lincoln  boarded  with  him  two 
years,  and  Lincoln  painted  the  sign  board  of  this 
hotel.  During  this  time  Mr.  Lincoln  kept  a 
grocery  store  in  Salem.  John  M.  Keltner  re- 
mained in  Salem  three  years.  When  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age  he  went  to  work  for 
himself;  he  worked  in  the  stone  quarries  on 
Rock  creek,  in  partnership  with  a  man  named 
Thompson  one  year,  when  he  married  Miss 
Nancy  0.  Keltner,  August  20,  185£;  she  was  born 
in  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  January  4,  1835;  she 
■was  the  daughter  of  Andrew  Keltner,  who  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  where  he  died  in  1845,  and 
Opha  (Self)  Keltner,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
and  died  in  ]'847;  she  was  the  mother  of  six 
children.  After  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Keltner  were 
mariied  he  ran  a  circular  saw  and  gristmill  on 
Rock  creek,  eleven  years,  when  he  sold  out  and 
bought  property  in  Salisbury,  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois  and  opened  a  store  of  groceries  and  gen- 
eral merchandise,  which  he  still  runs.  He  is  the 
present  acting  postmaster.  His  father,  Michael 
Keltner,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  died 
August,  1876;  his  wife  was  Elizabeth  (Rogers) 
Keltner,  who  was  born  in  Adair  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  mother  of  nine  children;  she  died 
December  25,  1851.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  M.  Keltner 
have  had  eight  children,  two  living:  Chas.  H. 
and  Eva  M.  In  politics,  Mr.  Keltner  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Franklin  Pierce. 

Frank  Mayer,  was  born  in  VVedenberg,  Ger- 
many, July  12,  1831,  lived  there  on  the  farm 
until  twenty-seven  years  of  age,  then  he  came  to 
the  United  States  and  landed  in  New  York,  and 
came  direct  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  arriving 
here  February  2,  1857.  He  worked  in  the  brew- 
ery now  owned  by  Frank  Reisch,  nine  years; 
kept  a  saloon  nine  years,  when  he  bought  a  farm 
of  forty  acres,  in  section  thirty-five,  Salisbury 
township,  where  he  now  resides.  He  married 
Miss  Mary  (Nowak)  Mayer,  October  17,  1SC3, 
at  Springfield, Illinois.  She  was  born  in  F>oliemia, 
Austria.     She  was  a  di\ighter  of   Peter  Nowak 


and  Kate  Laischky,  born  in  Bohemia,  Austria. 
The  fruits  of  this  marriage  was  six  children,  five 
living,  viz:  Minnie  M.,  Albert,  Lucy  J.,  Lena, 
Sand,  Frank,  Jr.  The  father  of  Frank  Mayer, 
was  Frank  Mayer,  Sr.,  born  in  Wedenburg,  Ger- 
many. He  was  a  weaver,  and  died  in  1835. 
His  wife.  Elector  (Munding)  Mayer,  born  in 
Germany.  They  had  six  children.  F.  Mayer 
has  forty  acres  of  land,  all  under  good  cultiva- 
tion. In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Seymour. 

John  A.  Miller  was  born  in  Salisbury  town- 
ship, April  8,  1823,  where  he  remained  on  a 
farm  until  his  marriage  to  Miss  Hannah  J.  Jack- 
son, February  10,  184'^.  She  was  born  in  Ware- 
ham,  Massachusetts,  February  25,  1829;  she  was 
a  daughter  of  llosea  Jackson,  he  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  in  1800,  and  a  descendant  of  the 
old  Puritan  stock;  he  came  to  Illinois  and  set- 
tled in  Gardner  township,  Sangamon  county,  in 
1839;  he  was  a  miller  and  machinist;  he  died 
January  15,  1849;  his  wife.  Silence  Harvey,  born 
in  jNIassachusetts,  she  was  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Miller,  she  died  February  12, 
1865.  After  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  A.  Miller  were 
married  they  moved  to  Salislmry,  Sangamon 
county,  where  he  now  resides.  They  are  both 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  have  had 
a  family  of  six  children,  four  living,  viz:  Allen 
A.,  Reuben  M.,  Harvey  J.,  and  Calista  A  Miller. 
The  father  of  J.  A.  Miller,  Solomon  Miller,  was 
born  in  Kentucky,  he  was  a  farmer  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife  was  Nancy 
Antle,  born  in  Kentucky;  she  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  the  mother  of  twelve 
children. 

John  A.  Miller  has  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  land,  one  half  mile  north  of  Salisbury, 
Illinois,  where  he  resides,  and  owns  two  hundred 
acres  in  Gardner  township;  he  owns  and  runs  a 
saw  and  grist-mill  on  Richland  creek,  in  Salis- 
bury township.  In  politics  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Johdnna  Mulcahy,  widow  of  Daniel  Mulcahy, 
was  born  in  the  city  of  Limerick,  Ireland,  De- 
cember 18,  1834.  She  came  with  her  sister 
Bridget  to  the  United  States  in  1858.  They 
landed  at  New  Orleans,  and  came  direct  to 
Springfield,  where  their  brothers,  John  and  Ed. 
Flynn,  were.  Mrs.  Johanna  (Flynn)  Mulcahy 
was  married  here  to  Daniel  Mulcahy,  April  14, 
1857.  They  were  married  in  the  old  Catholic 
Church,  on  the  corner  of  Seventh  and  Monroe 
streets.  Some  fourteen  months  after,  they  moved 
on  Mr.  Mulcahy's  farm,  in  Salisbury  township, 
section  twenty-four,  where  he  had    one  hundred 


1018 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  seventy-five  acres  of  land,  where  she  now 
remains  with  her  family,  and  where  he  died,  No- 
vember 11,  1880.  He  was  born  in  Limerick,  Ire- 
land, in  1812,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in 
1847.  IJe  was  a  son  of  William  Mulcahy,  born 
in  Ireland,  where  he  died,  and  Bridget  Mulcahy, 
who  died  in  Ireland.  Mrs.  Johanna  Mulcahy 
has  had  eight  children,  seven  living,  viz.:  Wil- 
liam, Patrick,  Miss  Mary  E.,  Daniel,  John,  and 
Honora.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Patrick  Flynn 
and  Mrs.  Margaret  (Mulcahy)  Flynn,  who  were 
born  in  County  Limerick,  Ireland,  where  tliey 
died.  They  had  eleven  children,  five  living  in 
the  United  States:  John  Flynn  and  Mis.  Bridget 
O'Brien  living  in  Springfield,  Mrs.  Johanna  Mul- 
cahy and  Edward  Flynn,  who  reside  in  Decatur, 
Illinois. 

Nelson  Olson  wag  born  on  a  farm  twenty  miles 
west  of  Christiana,  Norway,  June  22, 1833.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  landed  at  Quebec,  Canada,  and  came 
thence  to  Springfield,  arriving  here  in  1854; 
worked  here  in  the  Great  Western  Eailroad 
Machine  Shops,  and  for  different  parties,  until 
the  spring  of  1858.  In  about  1865,  came  to  San- 
gamon county  and  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres, 
in  section  twenty-three,  Salisbury  township,  where 
he  now  lives.  He  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Newbrew,  whose  maiden  name  was  Johnson, 
May  9,  1855.  She  was  born  in  County  Tyron, 
Ireland,  October  29,  1827.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Robert  and  A.  M.  Hamilton  Johnson.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Olson  have  had  five  children — four 
living — viz:  Oliver  R.,  Mrs.  Emma  J.  Hopwood, 
Thomas  H.  and  Newt  N.  Hopwood.  The  parents 
of  Mrs.  Nelson  Olson  were  natives  of  Ireland. 
She  died  in  Norway  in  1845.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olson 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church.  He  has  his 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  all  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation.     In  politics,  is  a  Democrat. 

Conrad  Pfoffenbach,  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
the  town  of  Woldcoppel,  Germany,  May  18,1836, 
and  when  twenty  years  of  age  he  came  to  the 
United  States.  He  landed  at  New  Orleans  and 
came  direct  to  Sangamon  county,  and  worked 
for  different  parties  in  Salisbury  township  three 
years,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  forty  acres, 
where  he  lived  two  years,  when  he  sold  this  farm 
and  bought  fifty  acres  in  Menard  county,  where 
he  now  resides.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Caro- 
line Bosey,  October,  1861;  she  was  born  in 
Prussia,  Germany;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Ferdi- 
nand Bosey,  born  in  Germany;  he  was  a  wagon- 
maker,  and  his  wife  was  Miss  Shaver,  born  in 
Germany;  she  and  her  husband  reside  in  Salis- 


bury township.  The  father  of  Conrad  Pfoffen- 
bach, Joseph  Pfoffenbach,  was  born  in  Germany; 
he  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  Germany;  Lis  wite, 
Mary  Coufman,  was  born  in  Germany,  where  she 
died;  she  was  the  mother  of  eight  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conrad  Pfoffenbach  have  had 
eleven  children,  ten  living,  viz:  Mary,  Henry, 
William,  Joseph,  Ella,  Anna,  Louisa,  Francis, 
Carrie  and  Minnie.  Mrs.  Pfoffenbach  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  Mr.  P.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Lutheran  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Douglas. 

Elisha  Primm,  was  born  in  Monroe  county, 
Illinois,  fifteen  miles  below  East  St.  Louis,  near 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  river,  October  24, 
l8l4.'  He  remained  here  on  a  farm  until  some 
five  or  six  years  of  age,  when  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving 
here  May  1,  1820.  The  family  settled  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  William  Cline.  Mr.  Elisha 
Primm  lived  there  on  the  farm  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age,  when  he  struck  out  for  himself. 
He  was  soon  after  married  to  Miss  Luoinda  C. 
Glasscock,  September  19,  1837.  She  was  born 
in  Fauquier  county,  Virginia,  August  12,  1819. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Daniel  M.  Glasscock, 
born  in  Virginia.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  died 
March  4,  1840,  and  his  wife,  Miss  Mary  (Lake) 
Glasscock,  was  born  in  Virginia.  She  and  hus 
band  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
had  a  family  of  ten  children,  six  living.  She 
died  April  4,  1840.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Primm  have 
had  one  child  —  Susan  J.  Primm — now  the  wife 
of  William  L.  Rankin.  He  was  a  son  of  James 
and  Anna  Rankin.  He  and  wife  had  eight 
children,  six  living,  viz:  Anna  M.,  George  5l., 
William  L.,  Louis  T.,  Lucinda  P.  and  Herman 
Primm,  Rankins.  The  father  of  Elisha  Primm, 
John  Primm,  was  born  in  Stafford  county,  Vir- 
ginia. He  came  to  Illinois  about  1806  or  1807, 
and  settled  in  Monroe  county,  fifteen  miles  south 
of  East  St.  Louis,  on  the  banks  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river,  and  his  father  settled  near  Belleville, 
St.  Clair  county,  in  1805.  John  Primm,  lather  of 
Elisha,  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  many  years; 
was  also  deputy  sheriff.  He  died  August  9, 
1848,  and  his  wife,  Ruth  (Cox)  Primm,  born  in 
the  State  of  Delaware.  She  and  husband  were 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  had  seven 
children,  five  living.  She  died  February  3,  1856. 
Mr.  Primm  owns  a  tine  farm  of  four  hundred  and 
ninety-two  acres,  all  under  fence,  three  hundred 
and  ninety-two  acres  of  which  is  under  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  The  farm  is  valued  at  §55 
or  §60  an  acre.  Mr.  Primm  also  owns  the  Primm 
grist   and    saw-mills,  which  was  built  in    1869, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1019 


and  has  been  running  ever  since.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Primm  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote 
for  Henry  Clay.  Mr.  Primm  is  of  English  and 
^^  elch  descent,  and  Mrs.  Primm  is  a  member  of 
ihe  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Primm  have  a 
clock  that  was  bought  and  set  up  in  18:31,  in 
Virginia,  and  has  been  running  steadily  for  fifty 
years,  and  has  never  been  out  of  order  or  had  a 
tinker.  It  is  a  weight  clock,  and  was  invented 
by  Eli  Terry,  and  manufactured  at  Bristol,  Con- 
necticut, by  George  Mitchell. 

A.  F.  Purvines,  M.  J).,  at  Salisbury,  Sanga- 
mon county,  Illinois,  was  born  on  a  farm,  near 
Pleasant  Plains,  June  11,  1839.  The  Doctor 
lived  on  this  farm  with  his  father  until  1864, 
when  he  began  to  study  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  B. 
Cloud,  at  Pleasant  Plains,  Illinois,  and  three 
years  later  attended  the  Rush  Medical  College, 
at  Chicago.  He  then  came  direct  to  Salisbury, 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  where  he  still  re- 
mains, the  leading  physician  of  his  town.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  S.  Duncan,  May 
•7,  1868.  They  have  one  child,  Gilbert  C.  Pur- 
vines. Mrs.  Dr.  Purvines  was  born  near  Salis- 
bury, Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Squire  W.  H.  Duncan,  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  a  farmer,  and  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Salisbury  township.  He  died  in 
1862,  and  his  wife,  Eva  (Miller)  Duncan,  born 
in  Kentucky.  She  and  husband  were  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  had  a  family  of 
eleven  children — all  living.  The  father  of 
Dr.  Purvines,  John  G.  Purvines,  was  born  in 
Cabarras  county.  North  Carolina.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  came  to  Cartwright  township,  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois,  in  1820,  and  in  1822, 
settled  in  this  township,  where  he  died  on  Janu- 
ary 1,  1863.  He  was  the  first  school  teacher  in 
Cartwright  township.  He  also  followed  farm- 
ing. His  wife  was  Elizabeth  (Coleman)  Pur- 
vines, born  in  North  Carolina.  She  and  hus- 
band were  meirbeis  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
had  a  family  of  eleven  children,  seven  living. 
She  is  still  living  in  Pleasant  Plains.  Dr.  A.  t . 
Purvines  owns  a  nice  residence  in  the  east  part 
of  Salislniry,  where  he  resides.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

'William  H.  lihodes  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Petersville,  Maryland,  September  23,  1828.  He 
went  with  his  parents  to  Knoxville,  Maryland, 
■where  he  attended  school  ?nd  worked  with  his 
father  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  twenty-three 
years  of  age.  He  then  went  to  West  Virginia, 
and  helped  timber  the  "Board-tree  "  and  King- 
"wood  Tunnels,  on  the  B.  &  O  Railroad.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1854,  went  to  Springfield,  then  worked  for 

119— 


Hannon  tfe  Ragsdale.  He  was  married  February 
21,  1856,  to  Miss  Anna  V.  Green.  She  was  born 
in  Virginia,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Geo. 
M.  and  Mary  (Miller)  Green,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rhodes,  in  1856,  went  to 
Rochester  township,  where  they  had  six  chil- 
dren, viz.:  John  D.,  Chas.  W.,  Geo.  W.,  Minnie 
B.,  Hattie  E.,  and  Mary  O.  Rhodes.  Mrs.  Rhodes 
died  here,  September  17,  1870.  Mr.  Rhodes 
■was  married  to  his  present  wife.  Miss  Mary  J. 
Marshall,  May  25,  1871.  She  was  born  in  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  ami  Avas  a  daughter  of  John  Mar- 
shall, born  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia,  and  died 
August  21,  1880.  His  wife,  Miss  Jane  A.  Wyatt, 
born  in  Virginia,  the  mother  of  eight  children. 
She  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Salis- 
bury township,  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  where 
she  and  husband  settled  in  1864.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rhodes  have  three  children,  viz.:  Clarence  M., 
Archibald  F.,  and  Laura  A.  Rhodes.  In  18'7V, 
Mr.  Rhodes  moved  on  the  farm  where  he  no^w 
resides,  in  section  thirty-two,  Salisbury  town- 
ship. 

The  father  of  W.  H.  Rhodes,  Peter 
Rhodes,  was  born  in  Maryland.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1864.  He  died 
November,  1876.  His  wife,  Miss  Elizabeth 
Feaster,  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Mary- 
land. She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children,  nine 
living,  five  girls  and  four  boys.  Mr.  W.  H. 
Rhodes  has  his  f.arm  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  under  good  cultivation.  Mrs.  Rhodes  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Rhodes,  in 
politics,  is  a  Democrat. 

Frederick  W.  iShaferfwa,s  born  in  Prussia,  Ger- 
many, December  31,  1834,  where  he  lived  until 
the  fall  of  1856,  when  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  landed  in  New  Orleans.  In  1865, 
came  to  Salisbuiy  township  and  bought  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  five  acres  in  section  twenty- 
two,  where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  to 
Miss  Fredolina  Schelble,  February  15,  1800;  she 
was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  she  was  a  daughter 
ot  Benedict  Schelble  and  Northburg  Spitznagel. 
who  were  born  in  Germany;  he  died  in  Germany, 
she  died  in  Salisbury  township,  October  15,  1880. 
The  father  of  Frederick  W.  Shaferf,  John  D.,  was 
born  in  Germany,  where  he  died,  September  13, 
1854,  his  wife,  Mary  A.,  was  born  in  ■  Ger- 
many, she  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  two 
living,  in  America,  viz:  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
and  Mrs.  Ferdina  Boose.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shaferf 
have  three  children,  viz.  Frederick  J.,  Frederick 
W.,  and  Mary  T.  Shaferf.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church. 


1020 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


George  Sharp,  was  born  in  Ogdensburg,  New 
York,  December  29,  1830.  He  remained  here 
on  his  father's  farm,  and  attended  school  until 
seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Salisbury  town- 
ship. He  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Duncan, 
December  9,  1854;  she  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John 
Duncan,  Sr.,  who  was  a  farmer,  and  died  in  1864 
or  '65.  His  wife,  Sallie  Miller,  was  born  in 
Kentucky;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  the  mother  of  twelve  children;  she 
died  in  1850.  In  the  spring  of  1857,  Mr.  Sharp 
moved  to  California,  where  he  remained  until 
the  fall  of  1866,  when  he  returned  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Salisbury.  In  April  17,  1874,  he  bought  a 
farm  of  thirty  acres  in  Salisbury  township,  west 
of  the  village,  where  he  now  resides;  when  he 
moved  on  this  farm  it  was  covered  with  timber; 
he  selected  a  spot,  built  a  house  and  moved  his 
family  into  it;  he  now  has  it  all  cleared  and 
under  good  cultivation  and  well  stocked.  His 
father,  George  Sharp,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Scotland, 
and  was  taken  to  Canada  when  small,  where  he 
remained  until  1827,  when  he  went  to  New  York 
State;  he  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  in  1848, 
and  died  iu  1852,  with  cholera,  at  Beardstown, 
Illinois,  on  his  way  from  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  his 
wife,  Mary  A.  Woods,  was  born  in  England,  and 
was  raised  in  Canada;  she  was  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church,  and  was  the  mother  of  eleven 
children,  seven  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George 
Sharp,  Jr  ,  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  have  had  si.x;  children,  four  living,  viz:  Wm. 
A.,  George  R.,  Kate  and  Daisy.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican. 

Enoch  Walker  was  born  in  Lowden,  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  July  17, 1820.  When  twelve 
years  of  age  moved  with  his  p.areut8  on  a  farm 
in  Wayne,  (now  Ashland  county)  Ohio,  where  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Wilson,  June  22, 
1847.  She  was  born  in  Ashland  county,  Ohio, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  Wilson  and  Mary 
Anderson.  In  1849,  Mr.  Walker  moved  on  a 
farm  in  Indiana,  where  he  remained  ten  months, 
when  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Salisbury 
township,  Sangamon  county,  the  fall  of  1850. 
Six  months  after  he  went  to  Gardner  township 
and  lived  two  years,  when  he  bought  and  moved 
on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  in  section  twenty- 
eight,  Salisbury  township.  His  wife,  Elizabeth 
M.  Walker  died  April,  1853.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  mother  of 
three  children,  viz:  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Mock,  Mrs. 
Sarah  J.  Campbell  and  ^li^s  Harriet  Walker. 
Mr.    Walker   was  again  married  November  :30, 


1853,  to  Miss  Jane  Hall.  She  was  born  in  Ohio, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Margaret  Rawlston.  Mrs. 
Walker  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
and  died  July  13,  1854.  Mr.  Walker  was  married 
to  his  present  wife.  Miss  Caroline  P.  Craig, 
December  4,  1854.  She  was  born  in  Franklin, 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
William  Craig.  His  wife,  Lillian  S.  Skinner, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  has  had  six 
children — four  living — viz:  Lillian,  John  W., 
Annie  E.  and  Enoch  W.  Walker.  The  father  of 
Mr.  Enoch  Walker,  John  Walker,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  by  trade 
a  tanner.  He  settled  in  Gardner  township,  San- 
gamon county,.  Illinois,  in  184!».  He  died  Sep- 
tember 21,  1859;  he  was  a  member  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  His  wife.  Elizabeth  Skinner, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania;  she  was  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  mother  of 
ten  children — eight  living — six  boys  and  two 
girls.  Mr.  Enoch  Walker  has  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  two  acres  in  Salisbury  township, 
under  good  cultivation. 

James  R.  Wells  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Clark 
country,  Indiana,  May  31,  1834.  July  8,  1852, 
he  was  married  near  Salisbury,  Sangamon  coun- 
ty, to  Miss  Margaret  J.  Sackett,  he  lived  on  a 
farm  in  Menard  county,  until  the  spring  of  1853, 
when  he  moved  on  a  farm  two  miles  south  of 
Salisbury,  where  he  lived  four  years  then  lived 
on  a  farm  in  the  same  neighborhood  until  1860, 
when  he  bought  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  sec- 
tions twenty-seven,  thirty-three,  thirty-four  and 
thirty-five,  where  he  still  resides.  He  now  owns 
a  farm  of  one  thousand  acres  of  fine  land  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Wells  began  a 
poor  boy,  but  by  hard  work  and  close  application 
to  business  has  gained  a  position  he  may  well  be 
proud  of.  He  and  wife  have  had  a  family  of  six 
children,  five  living,  viz.  Levi  M.,  Harriett  E., 
Harry  R.,  Leiia  and  Richard  Wells.  James  H. 
died  when  seven  years  of  age.  Mrs.  J.  H.  Wells 
was  born  in  Illinois,  she  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Sackett  and  Polly  Sackett.  J.  H.  Wells 
was  a  son  of  James  Wells  and  Balinda  (Owens) 
Wells,  the  former  born  in  Kentucky,  the  latter  in 
Indiana.  They  had  a  family  of  five  children  and 
both  parents  died  when  Mr.  J.  H.  Wells  was  a 
child.  In  politics  Mr.  Wells  is  a  Democrat,  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Buchanan  for  President  of 
the  United  States. 

George  H.  Yoakum  was  born  on  a  farm  three 
miles  northwest  of  Salisbury  in  what  is  now 
^lenard  county,  then  Sangimon  county.  June 
27,  1829,  when  four  years  of  age,  be  moved  on 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


10-21 


the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  His  parents  were 
William  Yoakum,  born  in  Virginia,  a  farmer 
who  died  April,  1 880,  and  Sallie  (Simmons) 
Yoakum,  born  in  North  Carolina.  She  was  the 
mother  of  ten  children,  seven  living,  viz.  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Penny,  George  H.  Yoakum,  Martha 
Duncan,  James  C.  Yoakum,  Milton  B.,  Isaac  R. 
and  Jesse  J.  Yoakum;  she^died  on  December  6, 
1865.  Mr.  George  Yoakum  owns  a  tine  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  five  acres  in  section  thirty, 
seventy  acres  of  which  is  under  good  cultivation 
and  valued  at  $40  an  acre.  He  is  a  Republican. 
Philo  Beers  was  born  in  1793,  in  Woodbury, 
Connecticut.  When  be  was  about  fifteen  years 
old  he  was  put  to  live  with  an  elder  brother, 
probably  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  parents. 
They  could  not  agree,  and  he  ran  away,  and  was 
gone  twelve  or  thirteen  years,  without  his  rela- 
tives hearing  from  him.  During  his  ramblings 
he  become  acquainted  with  Dr.  Joseph  Bennett 
Stillman,  who  introduced  him  to  his  mother  and 
sisters,  at  Morganfield,  Kentucky.  Mr.  Beers 
always  said  that  he  made  up  his  mind,  on  their 
first  acquaintance,  to  have  Miss  Martha  Stillman 
for  a  wife.     The  Stillman  family  moved  to  San- 


gamon county,  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Beers  went  to 
Carlyle,  Clinton  county,  same  State.  He  was 
first  elected  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  after 
serving  for  a  time,  was  elected  to  represent 
Clinton  county  in  the  legislature  of  lUiroif, 
when  it  assembled  in  Vandalia.  While  residing 
at  Carlyle  he  was  married  in  Sangamon  county, 
on  the  farm  of  John  Poorman.  In  response  to 
a  letter  of  inquiry,  the  author  of  this  book  re- 
ceived from  the  clerk  of  Madison  county,  Illi- 
nois, a  reply,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  a  license 
was  issued  at  Edwardsville,  October  2"?,  1820, 
for  the  marriage  of  Philo  Beers  and  Martha 
Stillman;  that  it  was  returned,  endorsed  by 
Elder  Stephen  England,  with  the  statement  that 
he  had  solemnized  the  marriage,  November  2, 
1820.  The  clerk  also  stated  that  it  was  the  two 
hundred  and  seventy-ninth  license  issued  from 
that  office.  They  are  believed  to  have  been  the 
first  couple  married  north  of  the  Sangamon 
river  in  the  State  of  Illinois;  certainly  the  first 
in  what  is  now  Sangamon  county.  The  first 
marriage  under  a  license  from  Sangamon  county 
was  between  Wm.  Moss  and  Margaret  Sims, 
April,  1821. 


1022 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XLVII. 


SPRINGFIELD  TOWNSHIP. 


The  histoiy  of  Springfield  township  is  identi- 
fied with  that  of  the  city,  so  much  so  that  a  his- 
tory of  the  latter  is  virtually  a  history  of  the 
former,  and  the  reader's  attention  is  directed  to 
the  latter  for  many  facts  and  incidents  that 
might  be  related  in  this  connection. 

The  township  of  Springfield  comprises  town- 
ship sixteen,  range  five  west,  with  the  exception 
of  that  part  comprising  the  city  of  Springfield. 

TOPOGEAPHICAL. 

Originally  Springfield  township,  was  about 
equally  divided  between  timber  and  prairie.  The 
surface  of  the  county  is  rolling,  especially  where 
in  close  proximity  to  its  principal  streams  of 
water.  The  soil  is  generally  the  same  as  in 
other  parts  of  the  county,  and  is  particularly 
adapted  to  the  raising  of  all  kinds  of  cereals. 

WATER    COURSES. 

Springfield  township  is  well  supplied  with 
natural  streams  of  water,  the  principal  of  which 
is  the  Sangamon  river,  which  enters  the  town- 
ship on  section  one,  and  pursuing  its  usual  tortu- 
ous course  passes  through  the  entire  tier  of  sec- 
tions on  the  north,  passing  into  Gardner  town- 
ship from  section  six.  Spring  creek  enters  the 
township  on  section  thirty,  and  running  north- 
east empties  into  the  Sangamon  river  on  section 
three. 

EAELT  SETTLERS. 

The  early  settlers  of  this  township  settled  in 
what  is  now  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  in  its 
immediate  neighborhood.  Among  the  early  set- 
tlers in  what  is  now  Springfield  township,  out- 
side the  city  limits  of  Springfield,  were  Andrew 
Elliott,  Arthur  Watson,  Elijah  Dunn,  Lewis  Mc- 
Kinnie,  William  L.  Fowkes,  David  Newsom, 
George  Donner,  Jacob  Donner. 


George  Donner,  was  born  about  1786,  in 
Rowan  county,  North  Carolina,  came  with  his 
parents  to  Jessamine  county,  Kentucky,  and 
from  there  to  Decatur  county,  Indiana.  He  was 
there  married  and  had  five  children.  Mrs.  Don- 
ner died  there,  and  Mr.  D.,  with  his  family, 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1828,  settling  about  three  miles  north- 
east of  Springfield.  George  Donner  was  mar- 
ried in  Sangamon  county  to  Mary  Blue.  Mrs. 
Mary  Donner  died  in  Sangamon  county.  Mr. 
Donner's  five  eldest  children  married  in  the  lat- 
ter county,  and  in  1838  he  took  his  two  children 
by  the  second  marriage,  and,  in  company  with 
his  son  William  and  family,  and  his  brother 
Jacob  and  family,  moved  to  Texas.  They  raised 
one  crop  fifty  miles  south  of  Houston.  Not  lik- 
ing the  country,  they  all  returned  in  1 839,  and 
George  Donner  moved  on  the  farm  he  left. 
About  two  years  afterwards  he  married  Mrs. 
Tamsen  Dozier,  whose  maiden  name  was  Eus- 
tace. George  Donner  was  a  good  man.  It  is 
said,  by  his  former  neighbors  in  Sangamon 
county,  that  it  appeared  to  be  a  pleasure  for  him 
to  do  a  kind  act.  For  an  account  of  the  sad  fate 
of  himself  and  wife,  see  sketch  of  the  Reed  and 
Donner  emigrant  party. 

Jacob  Donner,  about  the  year  1790,  was  born 
near  Salem,  Rowan  county,  N.  C,  accompa- 
nied the  family  to  Jessamine  county,  Kentucky, 
thence  to  Decatur  county,  Indiana,  and  from 
there  (in  1828)  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Hook, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Blue,  a  sister  of  his 
brother  George's  second  wife. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  first  schools  of  the  township  were  in  that 
part    now   comprising   the   city   of  Springfield. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1023 


Since  the  era  of  free  schools  and  the  adoption 
of  the  present  system  of  public  schools  by  the 
State,  much  has  been  done  by  the  citizens  of  the 
township  to  promote  the  interests  of  its  schools. 
In  1881,  there  were  five  brick  and  three  frame 
school-houses,  valued  at  $14,000.  Considering 
its  proximity  to  the  city  of  Springfield,  and  the 
advantages  afforded  for  a  common  and  high 
school  education  in  that  city,  this  may  be  re- 
garded as  a  splendid  showing. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  people  of  Springfield  township  usually 
worship  in  the  city.  Tliere  is  but  one  church, 
situated  on  section  eighteen,  the  property  of 
Pascal  Enos. 

OEGANIC. 

The  township  was  organized  in  1861.  Since 
that  year  annual  elections  have  been  held. 

BIOGEAPHICAL. 

George  Bergen,  born  at  Madison,  Morris 
county.  New  Jersey,  April  5,  1824,  was  reared 
in  Springfield,  Illinois;  is  unmarried,  and  resides 
one  mile  east  of  Springfield. 

James  W.  Brooks  was  born  in  West  Cam- 
bridge, now  Islington  county,  Massachusetts,  Jan- 
uary 26,  1822,  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Sarah  M. 
Brookf,  nee  Dunklee,  both  natives  of  that  State; 
father  died  in  Massachusetts  in  1848,  and  mother 
in  1869.  James  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and 
in  184:3,  he  was  married  to  Belvina  Crosby,  who 
was  also  born  in  the  Bay  State  in  1818.  The 
children  in  this  family  are  Emma  C,  Ella  M., 
(now  Mrs.  William  B.  Jones)  Frank,  Linda  and 
Chiste.  Ill  1850,  Mr.  Brooks  moved  to  this 
county,  locating  in  Woodside  township,  where 
he  resided  ten  years.  He  lost  his  wife  in  1858, 
and  the  next  year  he  married  Martha  Ricker, 
who  was  born  in  1S25,  and  by  this  marriage  the 
children  are  Freddie,  AUetta,  Elizabeth  and  Ida; 
Mattie  is  deceased.  Mr.  Brooks  owns  four  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  in  this  county,  most  of  which 
is  very  valuable.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  in  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

Henry  Converse,  retired  farmer,  Springfield, 
Illinois,  was  born  in  Lyme,  Grafton  county,  New 
Hampshire,  on  June  7,  1806.  Otis  and  Clarisa 
(Porter)  Converse  were  his  parents,  and  were 
natives  of  Connecticut.  Henry  enjoyed  the 
district  school  advantages,  common  to  the  far- 
mers' boys  of  that  day.  Previous  to  his  seven- 
teenth birthday,  he  moved  with  his  parents  to 
St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York,  where  his 
father  died  in    1828,  at  the  age  of  fortv-seven 


years.     In    1830,    the    subject   of    this    article 
united  in  marriage  with  Nianna  Priest,  born  in 
Pomfret,  Vermont,  November  27,  1810,  and  the 
daughter  of  Frank  and  Mary  Priest,  natives  of 
Massachusetts.    Three  sons  were  born  to  them, 
two    of  whom   still   survive.     Henry   Franklin, 
the  eldest,  was  born   during  their  three  years' 
residence   in    St.   Lawrence  county.      In    1833, 
they    moved    to    Montgomery,    Alabama,   con- 
suming seven  weeks  in   the  trip,  and  there  Mr. 
Converse  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  tinware 
about   four   years.      The   climate    not    proving 
agreeable  to  his  health,  they  removed  to  Paines- 
ville,  Lake   county,  O.     At   the   end   of   seven 
years  of  farmer  life  there,  Mr.  Converse  decided 
to  seek  the  broader  and  more  fertile  fields  of 
the  Prairie  Slate,    and    landed    in    Springfield, 
Sangamon  county,  in  June,  1846.     He  brought  a 
quantity  of  fiax  seed  with  him,  and  induced  the 
farmers  to  engage  in  the  culture  of  flax,  of  whom 
he  bought  the  seed,  and  for  three  years  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  linseed  oil  from  it,  which 
business  proved  fairly  remunerative.     In   1849, 
Mr.    Converse    purchased    three    hundred    and 
twenty  acres  of  land  in  what  is  now  the  north 
part  of  Springfield,  and   a  portion  of  which   is 
now  occupied  by  the   Springfield  Iron  Works, 
the  watch  factory  and  the  city  water-works.     A 
part  of  the  tract  was  sold  for  $300,  and  a  part 
for  $500  per  acre.     He  and  his  two  sons   still 
owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  it,  on 
which  the  homestead  stands.     In  March,  185U, 
he  and  Mr.  Mace,   Capt.   Saunders  and  others 
organized  the  first  school  district  in  Springfield 
township,    and    erected    a  small    frame    school 
house   near  the  site  of  the  present  brick  one, 
near   the    fair    grounds.      Besides    other    local 
oflices,  Mr.  Converse  has  served  his  township — 
Springfield — ten  years  on   the  county  board  of 
supervisors.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Converse  celebrated 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  wedding — their 
golden  wedding — on  the  4th  of  February,  1880. 
During  the  California  gold  excitement,  in  1850, 
their  eldest  son,  Henry  F.,  sought  that  Eldorado 
in  search  of  a  fortune.     In  less  than  a  year  after 
his  arrival  on  the  Pacific  Coast  he  was  treacher- 
ously murdered  by  a  pretended  friendly  Indian, 
being  shot  with  his  own  gun  while  stooping  to 
drink  from  a  brook.     William  Otis  and  Albert 
Luther,  the  remaining  sons,  are   married,    and 
both    reside  in  Springfield  township.     William 
O.    married    Miss    Ellen    Little,   of    Sangamon 
county;  they  have  a  family  of  three  daughters: 
Nina,  Elsie  and  Ellen;    he  has  always  devoted 
his  life  to  agricultural  jHirsuits.     Dr.  Albert  L. 
Converse  read  medicine,  graduated  in  the  same, 


1024 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


and  for  a  time  eugaged  actively  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession,  but  has  recently  turned  his 
attention  chiefly  to  farming;  he  married  Henri- 
etta Thompson,  of  Louisville,  Kentucky;  they 
have  three  children  alive,  and  two  deceased — 
Florence,  aged  sixteen,  died  September  27,1881, 
and  Olive,  February,  1872.  AH  of  the  family 
are  members  of  the  Central  Baptist  Church,  at 
Springfield,  Illinois. 

Mr.  C.  has  raised  several  children,  one  from 
childhood,  Charles  H.  Erickson,  who  is  now  lo- 
cated in  Kansas,  and  married. 

Thomas  J.  Ourry  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  October  20, 1853,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert 
J.  and  Mary  (Brooker)  Curry,  both  of  whom  are 
deceased.  He  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and 
in  1876  married  Ann  S.  Phillips,  who  also  was 
born  in  Springfield,  in  1856,  and  their  children 
are  Robert  F.  and  Normand  D.,  besides  one 
deceased,  Emma  S.  Mr.  Curry  now  owns  one 
hundred  and  two  acres  of  land,  northeast  of 
Springfield.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  W.  Dalby,  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
Virginia,  January  14,  1826,  the  son  of  Joseph 
and  Emeline  E.  (Keizer)  Dalby,  natives  also  of 
that  State;  father  died  September  4,  1877,  and 
mother  in  January,  1874,  in  Kentucky.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  brought  np  on  a  farm  and 
educated  in  the  old-time  schools.  He  came  to 
this  county,  where  he  clerked  several  years  in  a 
store,  and  then  engaged  with  his  brother  in  the 
stock  business.  In  1863,  he  married  Hannah  E. 
Kincaid,  who  was  born  in  Menard  county,  Illi- 
nois, December,  1840.  The  children  now  living 
are:  James  W.,  John  E.,  Frank  N.,  Joseph  K. 
and  Alice  E;  the  deceased  one  was  Ruth  E.  Mr. 
D.  is  now  engaged  in  the  stock  business,  on  the 
old  homestead,  where  he  annually  fattens  about 
two  hundred  head  of  cattle,  one  hundred  sheep 
and  three  hundred  hogs.  He  also  owns  a  tine 
farm  in  Logan  and  Menard  counties.  He  is  an 
elder  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Spring- 
field, and  in  politics,  is  a  Republican. 

John  A.  Doerfler  was  born  in  Germany,  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1811,  son  of  John  A.  and  Cumgunda 
(nee  Fuchs)  Doerfler,  both  of  whom  are  deceased, 
in  1852,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  arrived  in  this 
county,  and  has  followed  brick-making  ever 
since,  on  his  own  accoiintsince  lb67.  In  1838,  be 
married  Cumgunda  Fuchs,  who  was  also  born  in 
Germany,  February  17,  1817,  and  they  have 
seven  children,  namely:  John,  Conrad,  Fredrick, 
Edd,  Katie,  now  Mrs.  Ford;  Maggie,  now  Mrs. 
Becis.  George,  another  child,  died  in  1873.  He 
and  his  son  Edd  are  now  engaged  in  the  brick 
business,  under  the  name  of  John  A.  Doerfler  & 


Son.  They  are  members  of  the  German  Luth- 
eran Cliurch,  and  Democratic  in  politics. 

Frederick  Uockeiijos  was  born  in  Bad(  n.  Ger- 
many, September  12,  1828,  sou  of  George  H. 
and  Lena  {nee  Ziph)  Hockenjos,  both  of  whom 
died  in  Germany.  In  1853,  he  came  to  America, 
and  located  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  worked 
on  a  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1854,  he  came  to 
Springfield,  where  he  continued  to  work  on  a 
farm.  In  1855,  he  married  Mrs.  KateTresmann, 
who  was  born  in  Hesse,  Germany,  October  17, 
1833,  and  was  the  mother  of  two  children.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hockenjos  have  had  six  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living.  They  are  members  of  the 
Lutheran  Church.  Mr.  H.  owns  twenty-seven 
acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Jonathan  F.  Jones,  was  born  in  Caroline 
county,  Virginia,  July  21,  1833,  son  of  Henry 
and  Mary  F.  (Childs)  Jones.  He  remained 
with  his  father  until  twenty-five  years  of  age. 
He  then  married  Martha  E.  Marshall,  who  was 
born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  November  12,  1842, 
and  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Wyatt)  Mar- 
shall, who  came  to  this  country  in  1800,  where 
they  resided  until  the  father's  death,  in  1880; 
her  mother  still  resides  in  Salisbury  township. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  have  had  four  children: 
Charles  H.  and  John  Frederick  are  living;  Jen- 
nie Bell  and  Herbert  F.  are  deceased.  In  1862, 
Mr.  Jones  purchased  eighty-three  acres  of  land, 
situated  on  the  Sangamon  river;  this  land  he 
still  owns.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
both  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Bethel. 

Joseph  W.  Jones,  a  brother  of  the  preceding, 
was  born  in  Virginia,  September  14,  1825.  He 
came  to  this  county  with  his  father  when  he  was 
eleven  years  of  age,  and  remained  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  began  to  work 
for  himself.  October  26,  1854,  he  married  Miss 
Ransdell,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  July  17, 
1827,  and  was  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
(Lamly)  Ransdell.  They  have  had  seven 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Richard  N., 
John  II.,  Elijah  A.,  William  E.  and  George. 
The  deceased  were  Augusta  Ann  and  Joseph 
A.  Mr.  Jones  owns  thirty  acres  of  land,  which 
is  a  part  of  his  father's  old  homestead.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  a  Republican. 

William  H.  Jones,  another  brother  of  Jona- 
than F.,  was  born  in  Caroline  county,  Virginia, 
July  4,  1821;  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  in  the  fall  of  1834,  moved  to  this 
county,  wliere  they  located  and  entered  land  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  Springfield  township, 
and  remained  until  their  death;  his  father  died 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1025 


January  1,  1848,  and  his  mother  in  1876.  Wil- 
liam B.  was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  he  came 
to  this  county,  and  was  principally  self-educated. 
At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  united  with  the  Baptist 
Church;  he  afterward  began  to  preach,  and  has 
continued  in  that  vocation  up  to  the  present 
time.  For  many  years  he  was  pastor  of  the 
Bethel  Church,  but  on  account  of  failing  health 
has  given  up  his  labors,  to  some  extent.  In  18.34, 
he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  A.  McKinnie,  who 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1823,  and  they  had  one 
child — Maria  L. — born  in  December,  1846,  and 
died  December  12,  1850.  April  12,  1875,  Mrs. 
Jones  died,  and  August  '■A9,  1877,  Mr.  Jones  mar- 
ried Ella  M.  Brooks,  born  March  19,  1849.  He 
owns  thirty-seven  acres  of  land,  which  is  a  part 
of  the  land  entered  by  his  father  in  1834.  He 
is  a  Republican. 

Mary  W.  Johnson  was  born  in  Boone  county, 
Kentucky,  April  27,  1825,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
David  and  Sybilla  (Allen)  Johnson,  who  were 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  both  deceased.  In 
1851,  she  married  William  Carter,  who  was  born 
in  Lincoln  county,  Kentucky,  in  November,  1826, 
and  Hied  in  October,  1853,  leaving  two  children 
Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Baxter,  and  William  S.  In 
1860,  Mrs.  Cart(U'  married  Mr.  J.  J.  Johnson, 
who  was  also  born  in  Boone  county,  Kentucky, 
in  November,  1808.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  had 
five  children:  Anna  Elizi,  Lincoln  D.,  Sybilla 
S.  and  Benjamin  (twins),  and  John  Quincy. 
They  came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1877, 
and  Mr.  Johnson  died  in  April  of  the  same  year. 
Mrs.  Johnson  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  west  of 
Springfield,  worth  $60  an  acre,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  at  Bethel. 

James  W.  Keyes  was  born  in  Monroe  county, 
Virginia,  November  1,  1805,  son  of  Humphrey 
and  Sarah  (Hanley)  Keyes.  His  father  came  to 
this  county  November  10,  1830,  and  located 
east  of  Springfield  on  a  farm,  where  he  died  in 
October,  1^133,  in  hisseventieth  year.  Ilis  mother 
started  for  California  in  1846  with  her  daughter 
and  sonin-law,  James  F.  Reed,  and  died  on  the 
way.  She  was-  buried  on  the  water  of  the  Big 
Blue  river.  James  W.  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  learned  the  tailor's  trade, 
which  occupation  he  followed  thirty  years.  He 
was  married  January  9,  1827,  in  Botetourt  coun- 
ty, Vermont,  to  Lydia  Spickard,  wlio  was  born 
June  17,  1807,  in  the  county.  They  have  had 
nine  children,  namely:  Charles  A.,  Mary  C, 
now  Mrs.  William  H.  Vandoren;  Edward  L., 
Henrietra  M.,  now  Mrs.  Henson  Robinson; 
Thomas  R,  Susan  F.,  now  Mrs.  Silas  W.  Iliekox; 
Margaret  K.,  now  Mrs.  William  Day;  Martha  J., 


now  Mrs.  Douglas  Hickox.  The  two  deceased 
are  James  L.,  born  May  10,  1829,  and  died  No- 
vember 13,  1830,  in  Virginia,  and  Ellen,  born 
August  5,  1844,  and  died  May  10,  1846.  Mr. 
Keyes  moved  to  Springfield  in  April,  1831, 
where  he  continued  to  work  at  his  trade,  and  in 
1R36,  he  entered  his  present  farm,  and  in 
1861  moved  onto  the  same.  He  is  now  the 
owner  of  a  nice  farm  situated  north  of  Spring- 
field, consisting  now  of  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
four  acres.  In  1872,  he  was  afHicted  with  a  par- 
alytic stroke,  which  disabled  him  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  business. 
His  first  vote  was  cast  in  1828,  for  Andrew  Jack- 
son. He  was  postmaster  in  Springfield,  first 
under  Van  Buren,  and  then  under  Buchanan; 
was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Springfield  fourteen 
years,  and  was  also  supervisor.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

Goodrich  Lightfoot,  was  born  April  19,  1817, 
in  Adair  county,  Kentucky;  son  of  Henry  F., 
and  Mary  L.  (Jones)  Liglitfoot,  also  born  in 
Kentucky.  They  afterwards  moved  to  Warren 
county,  Kentucky, thence  to  tliis  county,  arriving 
October  23,  1830,  and  locating  one  and  one-half 
miles  west  of  Springfield,  where  his  father  com- 
menced farming,  and  in  1833  moved  to  his 
present  farm,  where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  Kentucky  while  on  a  visit  to 
that  State;  his  mother  died  November  2,  1857. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  Decem- 
ber 1,  1842,  to  Nancy  Callerman,  who  was  born 
in  this  county  March  3,  1826.  Children: 
Elizabeth  I.,  now  Mrs.  Richard  T.  Lewis;  James 
R  ,  Susan  M.,  now  Mrs.  John  L.  Callerman,  Jr.; 
John  L.,  Judith  L.,  Alice  B.,  and  Julia  Ann. 
Mary  E.,  is  deceased,  and  one  died  in  infancy. 
Mr.  L.  has  held  the  office  of  supervisor  two 
years,  and  township  trustee  ten  years.  He  owns 
one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  worth  $50 
an  acre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  Mr.  L.  is  a  Republican. 

Hitrrison  J).  Jiyon  was  born  May  17,  1815,  in 
Shelbyville,  Kentucky,  and  is  the  son  of  Henson 
and  Nancy  Lyon,  nee  McCann.  His  father  was 
born  July  28,  1790,  in  Loudon  county,  Virginia, 
and  was  taken,  about  1800,  to  Clarke  county, 
Kentucky.  His  mother  was  Nancy  McCann, 
born  Januarys,  1795,  in  Clarke  county,  Ken- 
tucky, and  they  were  there  married,  August  10, 
1814.  They  moved  to  Shelbyville,  where  they 
had  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  from  there 
they  moved  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriv- 
ing October,  1834,  in  what  was  then  called  Port- 
land, south  of  the  Sangamon  river,  and  Sfven 
miles  nortl'.cast   of  S|iringfit'ld,  where  one  child 


10-26 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


was  born.  In  March,  1835,  they  moved  to  a  farm 
two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Springtield,  wheie 
they  resided  until  their  death.  His  mother  died 
December  .5,  1845,  and  his  father,  September  29, 
1807.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  was  raised  on  a 
farm;  came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  and 
was  married,  April  6,  1843,  to  Mary  E.  Hick- 
man. Their  family  consists  of  four  children: 
Mary  E.,  William  II.,  married  March  12,  1874, 
to  Sarah  A.  Day,  who  was  born  in  New  York; 
Euclid  F.  and  James  F. 

Williarit  H.  Marsh  was  born  December  15, 
1804,  in  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania;  son  of 
Reuben  and  Ann  (Benjamin)  Marsh,  both  of 
whom  died  in  Pennsylvania.  He  was  married 
in  the  city  of  Lancaster,  May  14,  18  29,  to  Lydia 
Brady,  who  was  born  April  7,  1810,  in  Chester 
county  Pennsylvania,  and  they  had  two  children, 
Lucy  A.,  now  Mrs.  Mitchell  Graham,  and  De- 
Witt  C.  Mrs.  Marsh  died  July  24,  1835,  and 
April  9,  1835,  Mr.  Marsh  married  Mary  Lytle,  in 
Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  who  was  born  March 
17,  1808.  Their  four  children  are  Lydia  C, 
Martha  A.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  Reed;  Isabel  and 
Delia,  now  Mrs.  Albert  Gennings.  Mr.  Marsh 
moved  his  family  to  this  county,  arriving  May 
15,  1837,  and  was  engaged  by  the  State  House 
Commissioners,  as  foreman  in  the  erection  of 
that  edifice,  under  the  direction  of  the  architect. 
He  occupied  this  position  a  part  of  1837,  all  of 
1838,  and  a  portion  of  1839.  He  was  next  em- 
ployed as  foreman  on  the  abutments  of  the 
bridge  at  the  Sangamon  river  for  the  Northern 
Cross  Railroad,  now  the  Wabash  and  Pacific 
road,  at  Riverton.  When  gold  was  discovered 
on  the  Pacific  coast,  Mr.  Marsh  attempted  to  go 
to  California,  but  became  disabled  at  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  returned.  He  wag  keeper  of  the 
Sangamon  County  Poor  House  two  years,  ter- 
minating the  fall  of  1859;  then  moved  upon  his 
farm,  situated  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of 
Springfield;  the  farm  consists  of  eighty  acres, 
Worth  §150  an  acre.  He  has  for  many  years 
been  an  active  member  of  the  school  board,  and 
a  strong  supporter  of  the  free-school  system;  he 
is  also  a  member  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Springfield,  and  politically  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

Thomns  L.  McKinnie  was  born  in  Fleming 
county,  Kentucky,  February  4,  1808;  son  of 
Lewis  and  Nancy  (Saunders)  McKinnie.  He 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  Novem- 
ber, 1826,  and  located  on  the  farm  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  was  married  August  27, 
1840,  to  Sarah  A.  M.  Jones,  who  was  born   in 


Virginia  October  16,  1819.  They  have  five 
children:  Mary  E.,  now  Mrs.  AV.  F.  Heivety; 
■\Villiam  L.,  Henry  II.,  Columbia  A.,  Julia  F. 
Mr.  McK.  owns  one  hundred  and  seventy  five 
acres  of  land  which  is  worth  875  an  acre.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Bethel,  and 
is  a  Republican. 

William  P.  McKinnie,  brother  of  the  preced- 
ing, was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  May 
20,  1810;  came  to  this  county  November  15, 
1S26;  commenced  at  once  to  build  a  house  four 
miles  northwest  of  Springfield,  and  moved  into 
it  in  February,  1827,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  until  his  death,  October  7,  1841;  and  his 
wife  October  8,  1843.  William  P.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  obtain- 
ing his  education  in  the  common  subscription 
schools.  He  was  married,  May  12,  1839,  to  Sarah 
J.  Threlkeld,  who  was  born  October  16,  1817,  in 
Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1832.  They  have  had  ten  children: 
Mary  A.,  now  Mrs.  William  A.  Montgomery; 
Thomas  L.  S.,  Lucy  J.,  now  Mrs.  Charles  H. 
Judd;  Sarah  E.,  now  Mrs.  Joseph  E.  Corbin; 
William  A.,  Virgil  W.,  Nancy  E.,  now  Mrs. 
John  W.  Taylor;  Harriet  M.,  now  Mrs.  Isaac 
Ilazlett,  and  Charles  E.  Mr.  McKinnie  com- 
menced plowing  at  the  age  of  ten  years,  and  has 
followed  farming  all  his  life;  has  done  plowing 
every  season  since  he  commenced  till  this  season 
(1881).  He  also  writes  and  reads  easily,  with- 
out glasses.  He  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  land, 
besides  having  given  some  three  hundred  acres 
of  land  to  his  children,  and  aided  them  in  estab- 
lishing homes  for  themselves.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  he  is  a 
Republican  in  politics. 

/Saniiiel  H.  Meid,  Jr.,  (deceased)  was  born 
May  20,  1S18,  in  Warren  county,  Kentucky,  and 
came  with  his  father  to  this  county.  Was  mar- 
ried October  20,  1846,  to  Elizabeth  Davis,  and 
their  family  cousi(^ted  of  three  children.  His 
occupation  was  a  farmer,  which  he  continued  up 
to  his  death.  His  widow  still  resides  on  the 
home  farm,  three  miles  west  of  Springfield, 
Illinois,  on  the  old  farm  settled  by  his  father  in 
1827. 

Samuel  H.  Held,  Sr.,  (deceased)  was  born  in 
1781,  near  Richmond,  Virginia.  His  parents 
moved,  when  he  was  a  young  man,  to  Davidson 
county,  Tennessee,  near  President  Jackson's 
country  seat,  the  Hermitage;  and  from  there  to 
Warren  county,  Kentucky.  While  visiting  his 
brother.  Judge  Alexander  Reid,  at  Shelbyville, 
Samuel  H.,  became  acquainted  with   Elizabeth 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1027 


Roberts.  Thty  were  there  married,  and  lived 
near  Bowling  Green,  Warren  county,  until  six 
children  were  born.  Mrs.  Reid  and  three  of  the 
children  died  there.  Mr.  Reid  was  married  in 
Warren  county  to  Jane  Gott,  and  moved  at  once 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  Sep- 
tember, 1827,  and  settled  on  a  farm  he  had  pre- 
viously purchased,  three  miles  west  of  Spring- 
iield,  where  they  had  four  children,  sevea  in  all, 
viz:  Samuel  H.,  Sarah  T.,  (twins),  David  A., 
Adaline,  WilliaTU  M.,  Lucinda  and  James. 

Samuel  11.  Reid,  Sr.,  was  a  ruling  elder  in  the 
church  organized  by  Rev.  John  G.  Bergen,  the 
first  ever  organized  in  Springfield,  now  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  afterwards  became  a 
ruling  elder  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  continued  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  died 
September,  1836,  and  his  widow  died  sixteen 
days  later,  both  in  Sangamon  county. 

iSimon  -P.  Rickard  was  born  in  Fauquier  county, 
Virginia,  October  16,  1821,  son  of  Peter  and 
Elizabeth  (Everhart)  Rickard,  natives  also  of 
Virginia,  who,  in  the  fall  of  1830,  moved  to  this 
county,  settling  in  what  is  now  the  southeast 
corner  of  Gardner  township,  where  they  con- 
tinued on  a  farm  until  their  death,  the  latter  in 
January,  1858,  and  the  former  September  17, 
1  SCO.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  eight  years 
old  when  he  came  to  this  county;  was  raised  on 
a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  November  12,  1846,  he  married  Sophia 
J.  Ernst,  who  was  born  August  24,  1823,  in  Vir- 
ginia. They  have  had  seven  children,  of  whom 
four  are  now  living,  viz:  Laura  E.,  now  Mrs. 
Edwin  Watts;  HeTen  M.,  now  Mrs.  Sidney 
French;  Thomas  E.,  and  Alletta  E.  The  three 
deceased  are  George  E.,  Anna  J.  and  Susan  C. 
Mr.  R.  owns  seven  hundred  acres  of  land,  in 
good  condition,  worth  175  an  acre.  He  is  a  Pres- 
byterian and  a  Republican. 

C harles  J'\  Watson  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Cannon,  Connecticut,  October  23,  1827;  son  of 
William  and  JuUa  E.  (Elmore)  Watson,  natives 
also  of  Connecticut,  and  both  deceased;  mother 
died  in  1830.  Charles  attended  common  s'chool, 
and  two  years  at  the  Berkshire  county  (  Connec- 
ticut) academy;  he  was  brought  up  on  a  farm; 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  taught  school;  then 
clerked  in  a  store;  in  1852  he  went  with  o.\-teams 
to  California.  He  returned  in  1854,  when  he  re- 
entered railroad  business,  on  the  Illinois  Central 
line;  two  years  afterward  he  bought  three  hun- 
dred and  eighty  acres  of  land  near  Springfield, 
and  began  farming.  In  1876,  he  married  Saman- 
tha  A.  White,  who  was  born  in  Piqua  county, 
Ohio,  the  daughter  of  Wellington  and  Mary  Ann 

120— 


(  Primmer)  White.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watson's  chil- 
dren are  Georgia  Maj-,  Alice  C,  Charles  W.,  and 
Douglas.  Mr.  W.  has  held  the  township  offices 
of  supervisor  and  road  commissioner,  and  is  a 
Democrat. 

6'.  JO.  Whilcomb,  of  the  firm  of  Tisdale  <fc 
Whitcomb,  was  born  at  Stockbridge,  Windsor 
county,  Vermont,  June  18,  1827,  where  he  at- 
tended school  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm 
until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  went 
into  the  mercantile  business  for  himself  at 
Brookfield,  Orange  county,  Vermont.  On  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Marcella  Kilburn. 
She  was  born  in  Union  Village,  Vermont.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Kilburn,  born  near 
Union  Village,  Vermont.  He  was  a  farmer,  and 
died  about  1835.  His  wife,  Sophia  Powers,  was 
born  also  in  Vermont.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  is  still  living  at  Union 
Village,  Vermont.  In  the  spring  of  1857,  C.  L. 
Whitcomb  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  near 
Maroa,  where  he  farmed  six  years,  then  in  1865, 
came  to  Springfield  and  bought  property  on 
Monroe  street,  between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth; 
remained  here  two  years,  then  moved  to  Wil- 
mington, Illinois,  and  opened  the  Braidwood  coal 
mine,  now  owned  by  the  Chicago  and  Wilming- 
ton Coal  Company.  He  was  director  and  su](er- 
intendent  for  that  company.  In  the  spring  of 
1877,  he  came  to  Springfield  and  entered  into  a 
partnership  with  II.  T.  Tisdale,  in  the  Sanga- 
mon County  Dairy.  They  bought  out  II.  H. 
Hawley,  and  now  have  their  dairy  just  outside 
the  city  limits,  southeast  of  the  city,  where  they 
have  the  largest  and  most  complete  dairy  in  the 
county.  They  are  farming  over  eight  hundred 
acres,  on  which  they  keep  a  hundred  cows  for 
milking,  and  where  they  raise  horses,  cattle  and 
hogs.  They  raise  and  keep  the  Short  Horn 
grade  of  cows  for  dairy  purposes.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Whitcomb  have  five  children,  viz:  Nellie, 
Belle,  Louie,  Harry  and  Natty.  Mr.  AVhitcomb 
resides  on  the  dairy  farm.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  K. 
Polk,  for  President.  The  father  of  C.  L.  Whit- 
comb, Chamberlain  Whitcomb,  was  born  in 
Stockbridge,  Vermont.  He  was  a  farmer.  He 
held  many  oflices  in  his  township.  In  politics 
he  was  a  Democrat,  and  died  January,  1873.  His 
wife,  Eliza  Taggard,  was  born  in  Stockbridge, 
Vermont.  She  is  the  mother  of  six  children, 
four  living.  Mr.  Whitcomb's  mother  is  now  in 
her  seventy-seventh  year,  a  hale  and  hearty  old 
lady.  Mr.  C.  L.  Whitcomb  is  the  present  treas- 
surer  of  Commissioners  of  Highways,  in  Wood- 
side  township. 


1028 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XLVIII. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  TALKINGTON  AND  VILLAGE  OF  LOWDER. 


The  township  of  Talkingtou  is  situated  iu  the 
B0Uthw«8tern  part  of  the  county,  and  was  so 
named  in  honor  of  Job  Talkington,  one  of  the 
earliest  settlers.  The  township  comprises  town- 
ship thirteen,  lying  in  ranges  seven  and  eight, 
and  has  thirty-six  whole  and  three  fractional  sec- 
tions. The  township  was  not  generally  so  early 
settled  as  other  parts  of  the  county  for  the  reason 
that  the  greater  part  of  it  is  prairie,  and  from 
the  further  fact  that  speculators  and  others  were 
deceived  in  regard  to  the  location  of  the  land. 
Being  in  Sangamon  county  the  idea  was  that  the 
lands  would  be  subject  to  entry  from  the  Spring- 
field Land  Office,  whereas  the  record  was  in  the 
land  office  at  Edwardsville.  The  township  now 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  county,  was 
long  considered  by  the  early  settlers  as  worth- 
less, except  for  grazing  purposes.  The  vast 
prairie  would  be  fine  for  herding  cattle,  but  being 
80  far  from  timber  it  could  never  be  settled.  So 
reasoned  all  the  early  settlers,  many  of  whom 
settled  upon  the  poorest  land  to  be  found  because 
it  was  in  the  timber.  The  rich  prairies  of  Sang- 
amon county  for  many  years  were  uncultivated, 
save  a  few  acres  immediately  adjoining  a  piece 
of  timber.  Many  amusing  incidents  are  related 
of  how  the  early  settlers  avoided  the  prairie. 

One  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  township  was 
William  Eustace,  who  settled  in  the  northwest- 
ern part  about  the  year  1835.  From  1S38  to 
1840,  a  settlement  was  made  near  the  central 
part,  by  Abijah  Pete,  Theodore  Watson,  Asahel 
Coe  and  Ilezekiah  S.  Gold.  John  Allsbury, 
Jacob  Leonard,  Daniel  Leach,  Debt  Calhoun  and 
a  man  by  the  name  of  Broady,  made  a  settlement 
on  John's  creek,  somewhere  between  1840  and 
1845.  After  this  the  township  continued  to  set- 
tle up  slowly,  until  after  the  Mexican  War,  when 


a  number  of  land  warrants  were  laid-.  About 
this  time  came  in  Elisha  Tanner,  Ephriam  Wem- 
ple,  Wm.  T.  Blaney,  Americus  Blaney,  Joseph 
Talkington,  Michael  Summer,  James  A.  Sum- 
mer, Henry  Summer,  Richard  Fisher,  David 
Haddix,  Geo.  W.  Lowdei',  Enoch  Haddix,  Wm. 
L.  Deatherage,  Wm.  Post  and  others. 

From  this  time  forward  the  township  settled 
up  rapidly,  until  at  the  present  time  it  is  about 
all  under  fence,  and  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation. No  better  body  of  land  can  be  found, 
and  no  farms  are  in  a  better  state  of  cultivation, 
than  those  in  Talkington.  The  land  is  high  and 
rolling,  giving  a  splendid  drainage  without  being 
much  broken.  John's  creek  heads  near  the  cen- 
ter of  the  township,  and  runs  a  little  east  of 
north.  The  soil  of  this  township  is  exceedingly 
rich,  averaging  about  three  feet  in  depth.  The 
greater  part  of  the  land  is  included  in  a  kind  of 
elevated  jylateau,  lying  between  Sugar  and  Apple 
creeks. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  township  of  Talkington  was  settled  at 
too  late  a  day  to  boast  much  of  the  traditional 
log  school  houses,  dimly  lighted  and  well  venti- 
lated, but  primitively  rude  buildings,  though  the 
first  building  for  school  purposes  was  of  that 
material,  and  erected  in  1851,  but  at  the  time  at 
which  it  was  built,  glass  window  lights  had 
taken  the  place  of  greased  paper. 

The  first  school  in  what  is  now  Talkington 
township  was  in  the  upper  story  of  the  dwelling 
house  of  Charles  Hoppins,  and  was  taught  by 
Miss  Parsons 
houses  in  the  township 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  first  minister  of  the  gospel  to  preach 
"Christ  and  Him  crucified"  in  Talkington  town- 


There  are  now  six  good  school 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1029 


ghip,  is  unknown.  Several  ministers  of  different 
denominations  came  in  about  the  same  time. 
Among  the  first  was  John  Allsbury,  and  services 
were  first  held  in  private  dwellings  and  then  in 
the  school  house.  The  brethren  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  were  the  first  to 
organize  and  erect  a  house  of  worship,  which 
they  did  in  ISGV.  It  was  located  on  the  north- 
west corner  of  section  twenty-one,  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  from  the  present  village  of 
Lowder.  There  are  now  two  churches  in  the 
township.  Living  within  convenient  distance  of 
the  village  of  Virden,  in  Macoupin  county, 
Waverly,  in  Morgan  county,  and  Auburn,  in 
Sangamon,  the  people  have  church  privileges  in 
abundance,  and  at  their  liking. 

ORGANIC. 

Talkington  township,  as  an  organic  body,  was 
set  apart  by  a  commission  appointed  by  the  Board 
of  Justices  of  Sangamon  county  in  1861,  and  its 
first  election  for  township  officers  was  held  in 
April  of  that  year.  The  following  named  served 
in  the  several  offices  given,  and  for  the  time 
mentioned:  James  E.  Dodd,  Supervisor;  Ben- 
jamin F.  Workman,  Assessor;  William  P.  Camp- 
bell, Collector;  Robert  D.  Smith,  Clerk;  John  R. 
Spires  and  J.  W.  Lowder,  Justices  of  the  Peace. 

VILLAGE    OF    LOWDER. 

George  W.  Lowder  purchased  a  tract  of  land 
in  and  became  a  citizen  of  Sangamon  county, 
and  what  is  now  Talkington  township,  in  1850. 
A  sketch  of  Mr.  Lowder  will  appear  in  connec- 
tion with  this  chapter.  In  March,  1872,  Mr. 
Lowder  had  surveyed  and  platted  a  new  village, 
comprising  a  portion  of  the  northwestern  quarter 
of  section  twenty-six,  township  thirteen,  range 
seven  west.  To  this  village  was  given  the  name 
of  Lowder,  in  honor  of  its  founder.  It  is  sit- 
uated on  the  line  of  the  Jacksonville  and  South- 
eastern Railroad,  and  is  twenty-five  miles  from 
Jacksonville. 

The  location  of  the  village  is  an  excellent  one, 
and  it  is  surrounded  by  as  fine  a  country  as  can 
be  found  in  Sangamon  county,  or  the  State. 

The  first  building  erected  here  was  in  the 
summer  of  1872,  when  James  McCormick  erected 
a  store-room  and  dwelling  combined. 

The  first  stores  were  occupied  in  the  fall  of 
1872,  by  George  W.  Cox  and  William  White, 
and  in  June,  1873,  Mathew  Lowder  opened  a 
store.  Sanford  Peck  succeeded  Cox  &  White. 
He  sold  to  John  W.  Gray,  and  Mr.  Lowder  sold 
to  Howard  &  Co. 

In  the  same  year  the  village  was  laid  out,  a 
petition  was  unanimously  signed  and  forwarded 


to  the  post  office  department  for  the  establish- 
ment of  an  office  at  this  point.  The  application 
was  favorably  received,  the  office  established  and 
Charles  Cowan  was  appointed  postmaster.  Mr. 
Cowan  subsequently  died  and  Sanford  Peck  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy.  John  W.  Gray 
was  next  appointed  and  served  for  a  short  time, 
and  was  succeeded  by  William  H.  Beatty,  the 
present  incumbent. 

The  village  of  Lowder  has  now  about  two 
hundred  inhabitants,  and  has  a  flourishing  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  two  blacksmith  shops,  a 
wagon  shop  and  a  store  for  the  sale  of  general 
merchandise  and  two  groceries. 

At  the  depot  is  a  large  elevator  for  grain,  of 
which  a  large  quantity,  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  cars,  is  annually  shipped.  W.  H.  Beatty  is 
now,  and  has  been  for  years,  the  resident  buyer 
and  shipper  of  grain.  Mr.  Beatty  was  also  the 
first  agent  of  the  railroad  company  up  to  October 
1,  1881.     W.  S.  Warner  is  now  agent. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  building  was 
erected  in  1874,  and  is  a  neat  frame  house  of 
worship,  thirty  by  fifty  feet.  The  class  was  organ- 
ized in  the  winter  of  187.3-4.  The  regular  services 
are  held  every  two  weeks,  with  Rev.  A.  C.  Byerly 
as  pastor.  A  prosperous  Sunday  school  is  held 
during  the  summer  of  each  year. 

William  H.  JBeatii/,IjO\vder,  Illinois,  was  born 
in  New  York,  December  28,  1837.  When  about 
eleven  years  old,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  lived  on 
a  farm  in  Jersey  county  some  nine  years,  when 
he  came  to  this  county,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  and 
settled  on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
his  father  had  entered  in  1849,  for  $120.  In 
1866,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  bought  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  Prospect, 
and  went  to  farming  for  himself.  In  March, 
1872,  he  sold  his  farm,  and  came  to  Lowder, 
built  an  elevator,  and  has  bought  and  shipped 
grain  since;  has  been  postmaster  since  May  15, 
1879;  is  agent  for  the  Jacksonville  &  Southeast- 
ern Railroad  and  the  United  States  Express 
Company;  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Au- 
burn Lodge,  No.  543.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Chris- 
topher, March  8,  1866.  She  was  born  in  Jersey 
county,  Illinois,  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Sarah 
(Fisher)  Christopher,  natives  of  Ohio.  The 
father  of  Wm.  H.  Beatty  was  Francis  Beatty, 
who  was  born  in  Ireland,  County  of  Cavan.  He 
came  to  America  in  1837,  and  settled  in  New 
York  City.  His  wife,  Sarah,  7iee  Argue,  was 
also  a  native  of  Ireland,  County  of  Monaghan. 
They  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,   of    which    denomination    William   H. 


1030 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


-Beatty  and  wife  were  also  members.  They  have 
a  family  of  three  sons,  viz.:  Francis,  William, 
and  Edward  S.  Mr.  Beatty  owns  a  blacksmith 
shop,  six  lots,  and  a  nice  dwelling  in  Loami, 
where  he  resides.  He  has  held  numerous  offices 
in  his  township;  was  justice  of  the  peace  four 
years. 

WilUam  W.  Brian  was  born  October  13,  1827, 
near  Waverly,  Illinois.  He  remained  on  the 
farm  with  his  father  until  he  was  eighteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  bought  an  interest  in  a  saw-mill, 
located  in  Macoupin  county,  four  miles  southeast 
of  Palmyra,  on  Day's  Prairie.  June  25,  1856, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Duncan,  who  was 
born  April  1, 1838,  daughter  of  William  Duncan, 
born  in  Kentucky,  and  who  was  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  Her  mother  was  Clementine  French, 
born  in  Kentucky.  The  father  of  William  W. 
Brian,  James  Brian  was  born  in  Kentucky  and 
came  to  Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1832.  He  was  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat. He  died  August  3,  1853.  His  wife,  Eliz- 
abeth Stanley,  was  also  born  in  Kentucky.  Mrs. 
and  Mr.  W.  II.  Brian  have  had  twelve  children, 
eleven  of  whom  are  living,  eight  boys  and  four 
girls,  viz:  Adolia,  Authur,  Archie,  Alvin,  Al- 
fred, Athen,  Alvardo,  Anderson,  William,  Nora, 
Eva  and  Lucy.  Mrs.  William  Brian  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Church  at  Prospect.  Mr. 
Brian  has  his  farm  of  five  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

Leander  M.  Sumgarner,  deceased,  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  November  14,  1819,  where  he 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  (Lowdermilk)  Bum- 
garner,  April  14,  1848;  she  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  January  30,  1824.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  William  Lowdermilk  and  Lavina  (Robnel) 
Lowdermilk,  who  were  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina. In  the  fall  of  1850,  Mr.  Bumgarner  came 
with  his  young  wife  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in 
Morgan  county,  and  in  1858  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  and  settled  in  Talkington  township;  he 
came  to  Illinois  with  only  limited  means  but  by 
hard  work  and  close  application  to  business  had 
accumulated  at  his  death,  which  occurred  March 
17,  1^81,  a  fine  farm  of  three  hundred  and  ten 
acres,  in  section  thirteen,  Talkington  township, 
where  his  wife  and  children  reside;  he  was  a 
member  of  the  board  of  supervisors  for  two 
years,  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  he 
and  his  wife  had  a  family  of  twelve  children, 
viz:  Michael  L.,  who  married  and  resides  on 
Lick  creek;  William  T.  born  in  Illinois,  Novem- 
ber 27,  1846,  married  Miss  Mary  Loveless, 
December  30,  1869;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  A.  (Beli)  Loveless,  and  was  born 


in  Macoupin  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wm.  T.  Bumgarner  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  have  had  four  children,  two  living, 
viz:  Maria  A.,  and  Samuel  L.  Mr.  Wm.  Bum- 
garner is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Vir- 
den,  Illinois;  after  William  was  Winfield  S., 
who  married  Jennie,  daughter  of  Amons  and 
Atha  J.  (Organ)  West;  Amanda  J.,  Augustus, 
Leander  M.,  Jane  J.,  Moliie  E.,  now  the  wife  of 
James  Clayton;  Libbie  E.,  Thomas  S.,  and 
Leafy  S.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church. 

WilUam  P.  Campbell,  Talkington  township, 
section  eleven,  was  born  April  7,  1846,  near 
Loami;  lived  there  until  he  was  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  when  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Dodd, 
who  was  born  in  Bradley  county,  Tennessee, 
December  11,  1846;  he  then  bought  a  farm  uf 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Talkington  town- 
ship, section  eleven,  where  he  now  lives.  Mr. 
C.  and  wife  have  had  four  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living,  one  boy  and  two  girls.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  No.  354,  at 
Auburn,  Illinois;  has  been  township  collector 
since  1879,  and  school  director  of  the  John's 
Creek  school  for  the  past  nine  years.  In  politics 
he  is  a  Democrat.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  South  Fork  M.  E.  Church.  His  father, 
William  P.  Campbell,  Sr.,  was  of  Scotch  descent 
He  was  sergeant  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and 
died  August  24,  1868.  His  wife  was  Miss 
Elizabeth  Carson,  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
December  25,  1825,  of  Scotch  descent.  She  is 
still  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Loami  town- 
ship. The  father  of  Mrs.  Wm.  P.  Campbell, 
was  Charles  Dunn,  who  was  born  in  Knox 
county,  Tennessee,  June  19,  1811.  He  came  to 
Sangamon  county  at  an  early  day,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  liOami  township,  where  he  still 
resides;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge, 
No.  354,  at  Auburn.  His  wife  was  Mary  T. 
Jones,  born  in  North  Carolina  February  5,  1815. 
They  were  married  February  24,  1831,  and  had 
a  family  of  twelve  children. 

George  Eoans  Cole,  M.  D,,  at  Lowder,  Illi- 
nois, was  born  near  Tiffin,  Ohio,  March  3,  1848. 
He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until 
he  was  of  age;  he  attended  college  at  Tiffin 
until  1873,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  taught 
school  in  Montgomery  and  Sangamon  counties 
until  1876,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of 
medicine  under  Dr.  Spaulding,  at  Virden,  Illi- 
nois; he  graduated  and  received  his  diploma  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio,  February,  28,  1879.  He  then 
came  to  Lowder,  Illinois,  where  he  commenced 
the  practice   of   medicine.     His    father,    Elisha 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


4 

1031 


Cole,  was  born  November  28,  1801,  in  Fairfield 
county,  Ohio;  in  politics,  he  was  a  Democrat, 
and  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  died  in 
February,  1880;  his  wife,  Priscilla  (Evans)  Cole, 
was  born  in  Virginia;  she  is  still  living,  in 
Seneca  county,  Ohio,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  George  Cole  is  a  Mason,  being  a 
member  of  Eden  Lodge,  No.  310,  in  Eden  town- 
ship, Seneca  county,  Ohio.  In  politics  the  Doc- 
tor is  a  Republican. 

Charles  Coicen,  ^vas  born  in  New  Hampshire, 
November  27,  1829.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Cory)  Cowen,  of  that  State.  Charles 
Cowen  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  this 
county  in  December,  1852,  when  he  bought  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Cynthia  E.  Keller,  September 
4,  1851,  at  Jerseyville,  Illinois.  They  had  eight 
children.  Mr.  Cowen  was  a  Republican  in  poli- 
tics, and  the  first  postmaster  at  Lowder.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  died 
April  6,  18*74.  Cynthia  E.  Cowen  was  born  at 
Jerseyville,  Illinois,  February  8,  183-2.  She  is 
living  with  her  family  on  the  old  homestead;  has 
her  farm  well  stocked,  and  all  under  good  culti- 
vation. Her  father,  William  Keller,  was  born 
in  1801.  Mrs.  Cowen  says  when  she  first  came 
to  Sangamon  county  the  prairie  had  a  wild  ap- 
pearance, the  settlers  being  very  far  apart. 
They  went  to  Waverly  to  mill.  Their  first 
church  was  at  the  log  school  house,  which 
was  a  very  small  building,  door  and  ceiling  very 
low,  and  the  tall  people  had  to  bow  their  heads 
to  get  inside.  Bird  England  was  the  first 
preacher.  He  had  about  twelve  members,  of 
different  denominations.  This  church,  or  log 
school  house  stood  where  Prospect  now  is. 
Their  second  preacher  was  Balden,  who 
preached  there  a  short  time,  they  having  no 
regular  preacher  in  those  times.  Balden  was  a 
vei'y  tall  man,  and  a  loud  talker,  a  regular  old 
school  Methodist.  The  room  being  small,  the 
members  had  no  trouble  in  hearing  him.  He 
traveled  as  circuit  rider,  going  from  settlement 
to  settlement.  Mrs.  Cowen's  family  are  as  fol- 
lows; Mrs.  Laura  A.  Hamel,  living  in  Kansas; 
John  C,  also  in  Kansas;  Wilburn  E.,  Frank  W., 
Rosa  J.  Minnie  E.,  Lizzie  M.  and  James  S. 

Jesse  Danley,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born 
near  Girard,  Macoupin  county,  on  a  farm,  July 
28,  1842.  His  father  died  when  he  was  about 
twelve  years  old.  He  remained  on  the  farm 
with  his  mother  some  two  years,  then  came  to 
Sangamon  county  and  worked  out  by  the  month 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  when  he  enlisted 
as  a  i)rivate  in  Company  I,  Third  Illinois  Cavalry 


Volunteers;  was  promoted  Sergeant, _then  First 
Lieutenant,  in  Company  H,  Third  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers; was  mustered  out  in  October,  1865.  He 
then  worked  by  the  month  and  rented  land 
about  two  years,  then  married  Miss  Mary  Van 
Wormer,  in  December,  1867.  She  was  born  in 
New  York  State,  August  25,  1841.  Mrs.  Danley's 
parents  were  natives  of  Kentucky.  They  had 
nine  children,  five  sons  and  four  daughters. 
Three  sons  and  three  daughters  are  yet  living. 
Mr.  and  Mrs  Jesse  Danley  have  two  sons  and 
two  daughters. 

John  J.  Ennis,  an  agriculturalist  and  stock 
breeder,  of  Talkington  township,  is  a  native  of 
Sangamon  county,  and  was  born  January  24, 
1824.  His  grandfather,  Jesse  C.  Ennis,  was  one 
of  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  this  part  of  Illi- 
nois and  died  in  what  is  now  Jersey  county,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-five  years.  The 
parents  of  our  subject  were  AVilliam  and  Sarah 
(VVeyatte)  Ennis,  who  were  parents  of  seven 
children.  They  moved  from  Sangamon  to  Mor- 
gan county,  thence  to  Greene  county,  and  finally 
settled  near  Burlington,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Ennis 
died  when  John  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
soon  after  John  J.  Ennis  returned  with  his 
mother  to  Sangamon  county;  she  died  soon  after 
in  Morgan  county.  Some  years  later  we  find 
Mr.  Ennis  engaged  in  lumbering  and  boating  on 
the  Illinois  river,  which  he  continued  for  about 
twelve  years.  He  was  married  in  Jersey  county, 
Illinois,  in  1845,  to  Sarah  J.  Hughes;  after  this 
event  be  engaged  in  farming,  and  about  twenty- 
five  years  ago  he  came  to  his  present  farm,  in 
Talkington  township,  then  only  wild  prairie,  but 
now  one  of  the  most  beautiful  farms  in  Sanga- 
mon county;  it  embraces  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
four  acres,  for  which  he  has  declined  $70  per 
acre.  His  wife  died  about  fourteen  years  ago; 
he  has  remained  unmarried  since.  Mr.  Ennis 
has  long  been  identified  with  the  Old  Settlers' 
Association,  of  Sangamon  county,  and  at  pres- 
ent is  acting  as  vice  president  of  that  associa- 
tion for  Talkington  township.  For  the  past 
eighteen  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  Lodge 
No.  361,  of  the  Masonic  Order.  Mr.  Ennis 
stands  high  in  the  Masonic  Order,  and  enjoys 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of 
friends,  and  is  known  by  his  neighbors  as  a  man 
of  uucompromising  integrity.  In  politics,  he  is 
a  Democrat. 

SedguHC  II.  Gold  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Con- 
necticut, September  16,  1807.  He  was  raised  on 
a  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he 
went  to  Washington,  Connecticut,  and  taught 
school  one  winter.     He  then  traveled  south  two 


1032 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


or  three  years,  during  the  administration  of 
General  Jackson,  and  the  time  of  his  trouble 
with  the  Cherokee  Indians.  In  the  spring  of 
1830  he  went  to  New  York  City,  wheie  he  re- 
mained one  year,  and  sold  a  patent  cooking 
apparatus,  which  his  brother  had  invented  while 
attending  scliool  at  Yale  College.  From  New 
York  he  returned  to  his  home  in  Cornwall  town- 
ship, Connecticut,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
and  married  Chloe  Ann  Pete,  September  6, 1830. 
In  1838,  he,  with  his  father-in-law,  Abijah  Pete, 
Theodore  Watson  and  Asahel  Coe  (the  last  two 
mentioned  are  living  in  Waverly)  came  overland 
to  Waverly,  Illinois.  Sedgwic  H.  Gold  left  his 
wife  at  Waverly  and  came  to  this  county  and 
worked  with  William  Eustis,  and  helped  start  a 
settlement.  The  next  summer  he  bought  fifty 
acres  of  Eustis,  in  section  four;  he  and  wife 
moved  upon  it,  and  started  a  farm,  on  which  he 
now  lives.  His  wife  was  born  April  26,  1812; 
she  was  a  daughter  of  Abijah  Pete,  who  was 
born  in  Warren  county,  Connecticut.  He  came 
to  Illinois  in  1838,  and  his  wife,  Lucy  (Curtis) 
was  born  also  in  Warren  county,  Connecticut. 

The  father  of  Sedwic  H.  was  Benjamin  Gold, 
who  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Connecticut.  At  the 
age  of  fourteen  he  started  on  the  march  to  enlist 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolntionary  War.  The 
surgeons  examined  him  and  found  one  of  his  legs 
had  been  injured  by  his  jumping  from  a  fence  on 
a  sharp  snag,  making  it  weak.  He  afterwards 
received  a  commission  from  the  Governor,  John 
Cottonsmith,  appointing  him  Major  of  the  Civil 
Grays.  He  was  a  Federal,  and  a  deacon  in 
the  Congregational  Church.  His  wife,  Eleanor 
Pierce,  was  born  in  Cornwall.  Sedgwic  H.  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Waverly,  Illinois,  since  1839.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Republican.  He  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
Second  Artillery  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  served 
the  full  term.  His  son,  Henry  M.  Gold,  was  in 
Company  I,  Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteers  and 
died  from  a  shot  received  from  the  accidental 
discliarge  of  a  musket.  His  son,  Marion  S.  Gold, 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  First 
Illinois  Volunteers.  Mr.  G.  had  three  sons — 
Henry  M.,  (deceased)  born  July  25,  1837,  Marion 
S.,  born  December  1,  1842,  and  Ethel  E., 
born  February  9,  1847.  The  latter  is  President 
of  the  Gold  Heating  Company,  of  New  York. 
Mr.  Gold  is  now  in  his  seventy-fourth  year,  a 
hale,  hearty  old  man. 

John  Davis  Haggard  was  born  July  5,  181.5, 
on  a  farm  in  Murry  county,  Tennessee.  When 
seven  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in  Morgan  county,  near  Wa- 


verly; lived  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  married  Nancy 
J.  Clack.  He  lived  with  his  father  one  year, 
then  broke  sod-prairie  seven  years  in  Morgan 
and  Sangamon  counties;  rented  land  two  or  three 
years,  then  bought  a  farm  of  forty-one  acres, 
raw  prairie;  lived  on  this  farm  until  1877,  when 
he  sold  out  and  opened  a  grocery  store  in  Rood- 
house,  sold  his  store  one  year  later,  and  returned 
to  this  county  and  bought  four  lots  in  Lowder, 
where  he  still  resides.  He  has  been  constable 
twenty-seven  years,  and  in  politics,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat. He  was  a  son  of  Edmund  Haggard,  who 
was  a  Mason,  and  member  of  the  Christiau 
Church.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Andrews)  Hag- 
gard, was  a  member  of  Christian  Church  also, 
and  mother  of  ten  children,  seven  boys  and  three 
girls. 

Victor  M.  Kenny  was  born  at  Georgetown, 
Kentucky,  September  30,  1S46.  In  November, 
1872,  he  came  to  New  Berlin,  Illinois,  and 
opened  astoreof  general  merchandise;  remained 
there  until  March  1,  1880,  when  he  came  to 
Lowder,  and  opened  a  store.  His  father,  Joseph 
B.  Kenny,  was  born  near  Paris,  Bourbon  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1806.  His  wife,  Lavina  Lander, 
was  born  in  1808,  near  Paris  Kentucky.  She  and 
husband  still  live  at  Georgetown.  Victor  M. 
Kenny  was  married  to  Miss  Agnes  W.  Warren, 
of  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  February  24,  1869. 
They  have  four  children.  Mrs.  Kenny  was  a 
daughter  of  Colonel  W.  B.  and  Annis  (Price) 
Warren.  The  former  was  born  March  1,  1802, 
at  Georgetown,  Scott  county,  Kentucky.  He 
was  Major  in  the  Hardin  regiment  in  the  Mex- 
ican War.  Hardin  was  killed,  and  Warren  was 
made  the  Colonel  of  the  regiment;  was  Clerk  in 
the  Supreme  Court  at  Springfield  eighteen  years; 
died  April  12,  1865,  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 
His  wife  was  born  February  2,  1811,  at  George- 
town, Kentucky,  and  died  May  25,  1873.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Victor 
M.  Kenny  acd  wife  are  both  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Berlin,  Illinois, and  have 
had  four  children,  viz.:  Joseph  B.,  William  W., 
Anna,  and  Lou  B. 

Daniel  £.  Kessler  was  born  in  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  March  20,  1825;  lived  there  on  a  farm 
until  his  father's  death,  October  1828.  His 
mother  was  again  married  to  John  Kosner. 
Daniel  B.  lived  with  his  mother  until  he  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age;  August  8,  1850,  he 
married  Sarah  J.  Stuart,  who  was  born  in  Wythe 
county,  Virginia;  she  was  a  daughter  of  Robert 
Stuart,  of  Irish  descent,  born  in  the  same  county, 
and  Catharine  (Flora)  Stuart,  of  Scotch  descent, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1033 


also  of  Virginia.  D.  B.  Kessler,  was  the  son  of 
Daniel  Kessler,  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
who  was  a  farmer  and  blacksmith.  He  settled 
in  Auburn  township  in  the  fall  of  1820,  and  was 
the  first  blacksmith  in  Auburn.  His  wife, 
was  Katherine  (Black)  Kessler.  D.  B.  Kessler 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  had  thirteen  children,  nine 
are  living. 

Austin  Landon  was  born  on  a  farm  near 
Jerseyville,  Illinois,  December  23,  1839.  He 
remained  on  this  farm  with  his  father  until  of 
age,  when  he  worked  for  himself  in  Jersey 
county  some  four  years,  then  came  to  this  county 
and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
acres  in  Auburn  township;  lived  there  one  year, 
then  bought  thiee  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in 
Talkington  township,  section  twenty-four,  on 
which  he  now  resides.  He  also  owns  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Auburn  township. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Alma  Argo,  March  27, 
1866.  She  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  October 
15,  1845,  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  Argo, 
born  in  Ohio,  and  died  June  1,  1865.  His  wife 
was  Clarisa  (Bigelow)  Argo,  of  Ohio,  and 
mother  of  ten  children.  She  died  May  5,  186-3. 
Father  of  Austin,  Wm.  D.  Landon,  was  born  in 
Vermont,  and  died  February  11,  1873.  His 
wife,  Alvira  Corry,  born  also  in  Vermont,  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  mother  of 
ten  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Austin  Landon  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Lowder, 
Illinois,  and  have  one  child,  Clara '-fir  Mr. 
Landon  has  his  two  farms  of  eight  hundred  acres 
all  under  good  cultivation.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican. 

William  Lowder  was  born  near  Jerseyville, 
Illinois,  August  22,  1832.  He  remained  on  this 
farm  until  he  was  nine  years  of  age,  when  he 
removed  with  his  father  to  Jerseyville,  where  he 
attended  school  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm 
until  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  when 
he  came  with  his  father  to  this  county,  and 
settled  in  Talkington  township.  He  remained 
with  his  father  until  his  marriage  to  Miss  Sar.ih 
J.  Vanwormer,  April  14,  1858.  She  was  born 
in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  May  4,  1873.  Iler 
parents  were  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Vizer)  Vanwor- 
mer. William  Lowder  is  a  son  of  George  W. 
Lowder,  Sr.,  born  in  Kentucky,  and  Alpha  A. 
Whismon.  They  had  seven  children.  Mr. 
Lowder  had  six  children,  four  are  living,  one 
boy  and  three  girls.  He  is  a  farmer  and  has  bis 
farm  under  good  cultivation.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat. 


George  Washington  Lmcder,  son  of  William 
and  Margaret  (Harris)  Lowder,  was  born  in  1805, 
in  Harlan  county,  Kentucky.  When  an  infant, 
his  father  moved  into  Lee  county,  Virginia,  and 
settled  in  Powell's  Valley.  Here,  when  he  was 
about  ten  years  old,  Mr.  Lowder's  mother  died, 
upon  which  event,  his  father,  for  the  time  being, 
broke  up  housekeeping,  and  the  subject  of  this 
biography  found  a  temporary  home  with  his 
aunt,  Henrietta  Kelley,  at  which  place  he  had  a 
kind  of  general  home  till  of  age,  spending  the 
time  of  his  minority  in  working  as  a  laborer, 
and  in  the  winter  seasons  going  to  such  schools 
as  were  then  afforded.  So  strong  were  his  de- 
sires to  obtain  an  education,  that  he  seized  with 
avidity  upon  every  occasion  of  improving  his 
mind  and  acquiring  information.  He  succeeded 
in  obtaining  a  fair  business  education  and  a 
mental  training  equal  to  the  facilities  afforded. 

In  the  fall  of  1825,  he  came  to  the  American 
Bottom  of  this  State,  and  engaged  in  chopping 
wood  till  the  spring  of  1826,  at  which  time  he 
went  to  Boone  county,  Missouri,  with  the  ex- 
pectation of  going  to  Santa  Fe;  but,  failing  to 
make  suitable  arrangements,  he  remained  in 
Boone  county  till  fall,  then  went  to  Montgomery 
county,  where  he  spent  the  winter.  In  the 
month  of  March,  of  1827,  he  started  back  to 
Virginia,  via  Illinois.  He  stopped  with  a  friend 
in  Greene  county  (apart  now  included  in  Jersey), 
with  whom  he  remained  for  a  time,  recuperating 
from  a  former  attack  of  sickness.  While  here, 
he  abandoned  the  purpose  of  returning  to  Vir- 
ginia, being  charmed  with  the  country,  as  well 
as  one  of  its  fairest  daughters.  Accordingly, 
in  the  year  1828,  he  married  Miss  Alpha,  daugh- 
ter of  Michael  and  Anna  Whisman,  who  was 
ever  to  him  a  faithful  and  loving  wife.  This 
union  was  blessed  with  the  birth  of  eight  chil- 
dren, five  living:  Matthew,  born  January  17, 
1830;  William,  August  22,  1832;  Mrs.  Lavinia 
(John)  Squires,  October  14,  1834;  Mrs.  Harriet 
D.  (James)  Lowder,  January  14,  1838,  and 
George  Washington,  February  15,  1840.  Clar- 
inda,  Gilbert,  and  Mary  A.  died  in  child- 
hood. 

August,  1859,  Mr.  Lowder  moved  into  Talk- 
ington township,  where  he  had  entered  a  tract  of 
land,  a  part  of  section  twenty-two.  Ue  now 
resides  in  the  new  and  enterprising  town  of 
Lowder,  which  he  laid  off,  and  after  whom  it 
was  named. 

December  24,  1861,  Mr.  Lowder  had  the  mis- 
fortune to  lose  his  wife,  the  companion  of  his 
youth,  a  noble,  devoted.  Christian  woman.  She 
was    a   consistent   member  of  the    Presbyterian 


1034 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


ChiiTch.     Since  her  death,  Mr.  Lowder  has  con- 
tinued in  his  widowed  state. 

The  Lowder  tamily  is  German  in  original  na- 
tionality. The  ancestry  came  to  this  country 
before  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  were  patriots 
in  our  struggles  for  freedom  and  independence. 

John  Lowder,  Mr.  Lowder's  grandfather,  was 
a  soldier  of  the  "Continental  army."  After  the 
close  of  the  war,  be  continued  to  reside  in  North 
Carolina,  where  he  died.  He  raised  quite  a 
family  of  sons:  John,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Joshua, 
William,  Caleb,  Nathan,  and  Job. 

William,  Mr.  Lowder's  father,  raised  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Matthew,  Nathan,  George  W., 
James,  William,  and  Sarah.  Matthew  resides, 
in  Texas,  James  in  Kentucky,  and  George  W. 
in  Illinois.     The  others  are  dead. 

Mr.  Lowder  may  be  put  down  as  one  of  the 
representative  men  of  his  township,  both  on  ac- 
count of  the  time  of  his  settlement,  and  as  a 
man  of  enterprise  and  business. 

He  followed  farming  up  to  1843,  at  which 
time  he  was  elected  county  clerk  for  Jersey 
county,  and  held  the  office  fourteen  consecutive 
yea-rs.  He  served,  we  believe,  two  years  as  col- 
lector before  being  elected  to  the  first-mentioned 
oiKce.  He  has  served  a  number  of  years  as  jus- 
tice of  the  peace. 

Though  in  his  seventy-sixth  year,  he  is  hale  and 
hearty,  his  mind  clear  and  vigorous,  and  he  bids 
fair  to  live  a  number  of  years,  honored  and  re- 
spected among  his  fellow-citizens,  and  loved  by 
his  children  and  relatives. 

Few  men  have  passed  through  life  more  agree- 
ably in  associations,  or  enjoyed  to  a  greater 
degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  neighbors 
and  fellow-citizens.  This  is  to  be  accounted  for 
in  part,  if  not  entirely,  by  living  in  after-life  up 
to  a  principle  of  action,  adopted  in  boyhood, 
when  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  immedi- 
ately after  the  death  of  his  mother,  the  resolve 
was,  "  to  be  temperate,  truthful,  true  to  a  trust, 
self-sacrificing  rather  than  contend,  and  to  be 
pleasant  and  agreeable  without  yielding  any 
principle  of  conscience." 

WiUiam  S.  McConnmighy  was  born  in  Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  March  J  4,  1836,  where  he 
attended  school  and  learned  the  machinist's  trade 
until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age  ;  he  then  went 
to  work  as  stoker,  or  third  engineer,  on  steam- 
boats of  the  Pittsburg  and  Cincinnati  Union 
Line,  worked  at  this  business  eight  or  nine  years, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Sixth  United 
States  Cavalry,  this  was  in  the  spring  of  1861. 
He  iought  the  Indians  on  the  plains  under  Gen- 
eral Connor;  was  mustered  out  in  October,  1806, 


when  he  came  to  Jersey  county,  Illinois,  and  fol- 
lowed farming  some  eight  or  nine  years.  He  is 
now  running  a  grocery  and  provision  stoie  for 
H.  C.  Cooper,  at  Lowder.  Mr.  McConnaughy 
was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Cooper,  July  26,  1868*; 
she  was  born  in  Carrolton,  Greene  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  November,  1850,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Thomas  Cooper,  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
July  3,  1811,  and  came  to  the  United  States 
when  quite  young.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
Colwell,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  is  now  living 
in  Lowder.  Thomas  McConnaughy,  father  of 
William,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  he  was  a 
stock  dealer.  His  wife,  Mary  A.  Richardson, 
was  born  in  Canada,  was  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  and  the  mother  of  seven  children. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  McConnaughy  have  four  children, 
viz.:  John  F.,  William  T.,  Francis E. and  Maude 
D.  In  politics,  Mr.  McConnaughy  is  a  Republi- 
can. 

Alferd  W.  Moulton,  was  born  near  Columbus, 
Mississippi,  December  27,  1832,  among  the 
Choctaw  Indians,  his  father  being  a  missionary 
in  that  tribe.  When  two  years  old,  his  fatheV 
went  with  the  Indians  as  they  were  moved  to 
the  Choctaw  reservation  in  the  Indian  Nation. 
In  1838,  his  father  came  to  Bloomington,  Illinois, 
a  place  then  of  only  two  hundred  inhabitants. 
He  lived  there  live  or  six  years,  then  came  to 
Waverly,  Morgan  county,  where  he  worked  on 
a  farm  his  father  had  bought  in  1848.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  rented  land  in  San- 
gamon county,  and  followed  farming  for  himself 
about  three  years,  then  bought  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  prairie  in  Macon  county,  near 
Decatur,  Illinois,  for  which  he  paid  $1,600.  He 
broke  the  prairie  and  kept  it  one  year,  and  sold 
it  for  S;2,a00.  He  then  came  back  to  Sangamon 
county,  and  rented  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres  of  Theo.  Curtis  for  three  years,  when 
he  moved  to  Christian  county  and  bought  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  raw  prairie. 
He  remained  there  five  years,  then  sold  and 
bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  this  township;  lived  on  that  farm 
five  years,  sold  out,  and  bought  another  farm  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  also  in  this  town- 
ship. In  four  years  he  traded  this  farm  for  two 
hundred  and  twenty  acres,  on  which  he  now  re 
sides,  paying  82,400  difi:erence. 

He  was  married  to  Amanda  Morgan,  April  7, 
1858,  and  they  had  one  son  and  two  daughters, 
one  son  and  daughter  now  living:  Charles  P., 
and  Ida  M.  Mrs.  Moulton  was  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church;  she  died  in  1864.  December  7, 
1866,    Mr.   Moulton    was   married   to  Sarah  C. 


'y,--' 


"tt-^z^  /^ 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1037 


Metcalf,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois, 
September  30,  1S42,  a  daughter  of  Patterson 
Metcalf,  a  farmer  born  near  Jacksonville,  Illinois, 
and  Emily,  nee  ^Yilbite,  born  in  Virginia.  They 
were  both  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
had  a  family  of  five  children.  Alfred  W.  Moul- 
ton  and  his  wife  Sarah,  nee  Metcalf,  have  had 
four  sons,  one  of  whom  is  living — William  H. 
Mr.  M.  has  his  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  under  good  cultivation. 

William  Plowman  was  born  in  Sommerset, 
Pennsylvania,  November  4,  1828;  lived  there 
until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  his 
father  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  on  a  farm 
nine  miles  west  of  Jerseyville,  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  until  his  father's  death.  He  went 
to  California  in  the  spring  of  1852;  worked  in 
the  mines  some  six  years,  then  he  returned  to 
Macoupin  county,  and  bought  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres;  afterwards  improved  sixty  acres  in  the 
game  county  which  he  sold  six  years  ago,  and 
bought  eighty  acres  in  Talkington  township, 
section  thirty-six,  on  which  he  now  lives.  His 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  is  divided 
by  the  county  line,  eighty  acres  in  Macoupin 
county,  and  eighty  in  l^angamon. 

David  Plowman,  father  of  William,  was  born 
in  Maryland,  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church;  he  died  in  1849.  His  wife,  Sarah 
(Probst)  Plowman,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church;  had 
thirteen  children.  William  Plowman  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  a  Demo- 
crat. He  was  married  to  Miss  Charlotte  Wil- 
liams, March  24,  1859;  she  was  born  in  Greene 
county,  Illinois,  May  8,  18.33,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  James  Williams,  born  in  Hawkins 
county,  Tennessee.  He  was  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation.  His  wife,  Lucy  (Crittenden) 
Williams;  was  born  in  Culpepper  county,  Vir- 
ginia; was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church; 
she  had  twelve  children;  she  died  November  15, 
1854. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Plowman  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  have  six  children:  Sam- 
uel, Ellen,  Clara,  Harry,  Mollie  and   Chauncey. 

'William  H.  Moberts,  was  born  near  Jones- 
boro,  Pennsylvania,  October  12,  1817,  where  he 
remained  until  1832,  when  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Menard  county,  Illinois,  and  settled 
near  Old  Franklin,  he  remained  here  until  twen- 
ty-one years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Iowa;  one 
year  after  returned  home  and  April  6,  1840,  mar- 
ried Miss  Jane  Seymour.  The  fruits  of  this  mar- 
riage is  eight  children; 'after  his  marriage  Mr. 

121—' 


Roberts  bought  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  in  Morgan 
county,  and  in  1868,  sold  out  and  bought  a  farm 
of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Talkington 
township,  Sangamon  county,  where  he  still  re- 
sides. He  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  forty-one  years.  William 
Roberts,  father  of  William  H.,  was  born  in  1796; 
he  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  owned  and  run 
a  farm;  he  was  a  local  preacher,  and  was  in  the 
War  of  1812,  under  Old  Hickory  Jackson,  and 
died  February  26,  1858;  his  wife,  Eva  (liuble) 
Roberts,  born  in  Tennessee  in  1795,  and  died 
October  24,  1880;  she  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  eighty  years,  hav- 
ing joined  that  church  when  sijtteen  years  of 
age.  Mrs.  Roberts,  wife  of  W.  II.,  was  born 
near  Old  Franklin,  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  in 
1817,  she  died  November  25,  1865;  she  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Roberts  on  January  16, 1868,  married  Mrs.  Elsie 
Hart,  her  maiden  name  was  Elsie  Cox,  she  was 
a  daughter  of  Harris  and  Nancy  (McClelland) 
Cox,  who  were  old  settlers  of  Morgan  county, 
Illinois.  John  Roberts,  son  of  W.  H.  Roberts, 
enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  First  Regi- 
ment, Company  H,  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was 
shot  in  the  battle  at  Resaca,  Georgia,  he  died  of 
this  wound  on  July  12,  1881. 

John  Skehan  was  born  in  Tipperary  county, 
Ireland,  November  22,  1830;  worked  on  a  farm 
until  twenty-one  years  of  age, when  he  emigrated 
to  this  country  alone,  landing  in  New  Orleans, 
and  came  to  St.  Louis  on  the  boat,  Illinois.  Fol- 
lowed ihe  butcher  trade  in  St.  Louis  two  years. 
The  cholera  breaking  out,  he  took  three  butcher- 
men,  one  Irishman  and  a  Frenchman  to  Potosi, 
Wisconsin,  where  they  purchased  a  flat-boat  and 
loaded  it  with  potatoes  at  twenty-five  cents  per 
bushel,  and  cabbages  at  $2.50  per  hundred;  took 
the  boat  to  Keokuk,  Iowa,  and  there  transferred 
their  produce  to  a  steamer,  to  St.  Louis;  they 
then  sold  out,  sold  their  potatoesat  $3  per  bushel 
and  cabbages  at  $!20  per  hundred,  realizing  a 
considerable  profit.  They  then  took  the  flat-boat, 
which  had  been  towed  down  to  St.  Louis,  to 
Quincy,  and  boated  wood  down  to  that  city  from 
the  bay,  some  nine  miles  above,  for  one  year, 
when  he  returned  to  St.  Louis,  worked  in  the 
stone-yard  and  helped  build  the  old  custom 
house;  in  1856,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  bought  a 
house  and  two  acres  of  land,  at  Waverly,  Mor- 
gan county,  Illinois.  He  butchered  and  traded 
until  1865,  when  he  bought  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  Sangamon  county,  Talk- 
ington township,  section  seven;  lived  there  two 
years,  then  sold  to  Ebenezer  Saccad,'and  bought 


1038 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


one  hundred  acres  of  land  from  Uliss  Lindley,  to 
which  he  has  since  added  one  hundred  and  sixty 
making  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  all  under  cultivation.  In  politics,  he  is 'a 
Democrat.  Has  been  tax  collector  and  com- 
missioner of  highways.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  Was  married  to  Ellen  Sweany, 
in  St.  Louis,  in  December,  1856.  She  was  born 
in  Ireland,  Tipperary  county,  May  20,  1826. 
They  have  two  daughters.  The  father  of  John 
Skehan  was  Patrick  Skehan,  born  in  Ireland,  and 
died  in  September,  1879.  His  mother  was  Joanna 
(Toomay)  Skehan,  born  in  Ireland  and  died  in 
June,  1849.  Timothy  Sweany,  father  of  Ellen 
(Sweany)  Skehan,  and  Margaret  (Handerhan) 
Sweany,  her  mother,  were  born  in  Ireland.  John 
Skehan  helped  raise  Company  G,  one  hundred 
and  First  Illinois  Volunteers.  He  was  a  strong 
Union  man.  He  was  not  in  the  army,  but  did 
all  he  could  for  t'  e  cause. 

John  R.  Spires,  son  of  John  and  Melinda 
(Sturgis)  Spires,  was  born  October  13,  1835,  in 
Morgan  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  i  raised 
and  educated.  Here,  also,  he  married,  June  9, 
1859,  Miss  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Thomas 
J.  and  Eliza  (Weller)  Conley,  of  Macoupin 
county,  Illinois,  by  whom  he  has  three  children: 
Thomas  J.,  born  April  16,  1860;  Melinda  J., 
July  31,  1864,  and  Mary  E.,  May  11,  1868.  The 
eldest  two  were  born  in  Morgan,  and  the  last 
mentioned  in  Sangamon  county,  where  Mr. 
Spires  moved  in  the  spring  of  1867. 

While  residing  in  Morgan  county,  Mr.  Spires 
bought  his  first  farm,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
thirly-si.x:  acres,  which  he  sold  just  prior  to  his 
removal  into  the  county  where  he  now  resides. 
He  now  owns  a  splendid  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres,  under  good  improvements,  and  in  a  fine 
state  of  tillage  and  well  stocked;  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  this  is  comprised  in  Talking- 
ton  township,  and  forty  acres  lie  just  across  the 
line  in  Macoupin  county. 

Mr.  Spires  is  one  of  the  representative  men 
of  his  township,  being  a  teacher,  farmer  and 
stock  dealer.  He  is  kept  pretty  busy,  but  he 
manages  to  make  everything  prosper  to  a  com- 
plete success.  Though  now  only  thirty-eight 
years  old,  he  has  taught  seventeen  winter  terms, 
and  has  never  applied  for  a  single  one  of  them. 
Higher  commendations  than  this  would  be  ex- 
travagant. It  could  not,  indeed,  well  be  given. 
He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  in  which  denomination  they  have 
the  best  religious  standing. 

The  Spires  family  is  an  old  one  in  the  history 
of  the   country.     William    Spires,  Sir.    Spires's 


grandfather,  was  a  lad  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  was  also  an  old  settler  in  Kentucky,  where 
he  died,  and  where  he  raised  quite  a  family  of 
children,  viz:  John,  Polly,  Nancy,  William, 
Catharine,  James  and  Bailey,  are  the  names  now 
remembered. 

John,  Mr.  Spires's  father,  yet  living,  is  one  of 
the  old  settlers  of  Morgan  county.  He  came  into 
this  county,  in  the  year  (1832)  after  the  deep 
snow;  he  yet  occupies  the  old  home  place  on  the 
north  fork  of  Apple  creek.  He  raised  the  fol- 
lowing children:  William  T.,  Mrs.  Phebe  (Allen) 
Conley,  deceased;  Mrs.  Polly  (Joseph)  Lombard, 
Mrs.  Sarah  P.,  present  wife  of  Allen  Conley; 
John  R.,  James  B.,  Mrs.  Anna  W.  (Edward) 
Seymour,  Henry  M.,  Harvey,  and  Miss  Mary  E. 
Of  these,  WiLiam  T.,  James  B.,  Anna,  Harvey, 
and  Mary,  reside  in  Morgan,  and  John  R.  and 
Sarah  in  Sangamon  county.    The  others  are  dead. 

Henry  S.  Stone  was  born  in  Rutherford 
county,  Teun.,  February  20,  1820;  lived  there 
until  eight  or  nine  years  of  age,  when  he  came 
with  his  father  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Greene 
county,  upon  a  farm  near  CarroUton;  lived  there 
until  tlie  fall  of  1855,  when  he  moved  upon  a 
farm  in  Macoupin  county;  remained  there  some 
five  years,  then  bought  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  acres  in  this  township,  where  he  still 
lives.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  Stone,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia.  He  was  in  the  War  of  1812, 
under  Jackson.  His  wife,  Cassie  (Owen)  Stone, 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  She  has  had  twelve  chil- 
dren. Henry  S.  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Hall 
in  1855.  She  is  the  mother  of  nine  children, 
seven  boys  and  two  girls.  Mrs.  Stone  was  born 
in  •  Greene  county,  Illinois,  May  19,  1834,  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Hall,  who  was  born  in 
North  Carolina.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church;  was  in  the  War  of  1812,  and  died 
March  19,  1855.  His  wife,  Mary  (McVeigh) 
Hall,  was  born  in  Tennessee;  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church  and  the  mother  of  seven 
children.  She  still  lives  at  Virden,  Illinois. 
Mr.  Henry  Stone  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  He 
holds  the  offices  of  school  director  and  commis- 
sioner of  highways.  In  the  spring  of  1852,  he 
went  overland  to  California,  with  a  party  who 
were  three  months  on  the  road;  was  there  three 
years. 

Walter  Taylor  was  born  near  Whitehall, 
Illinois,  January  4,  1836.  In  1863,  came  to  this 
county  and  bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  in  Talkington  township,  which  he 
sold,    and    in    1870   he   bought   a  farm  of   two 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1039 


hundred  and  forty  acres,  in  section  thirty-three, 
where  he  now  lives.  He  was  marritd  to  Susan 
Thompson  December  14,  1858.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Eveline  (Bowers) 
Thompson,  who  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  had  thirteen  children;  she  died 
October  23,  18G2.  Mr.  Taylor  was  then  married 
August  27,  1803, to  Rebecca  J.  Brickey,  daughter 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Rawls)  Brickey, 
natives  of  Virginia.  James  R.  Taylor,  father  of 
Walter,  was  born  in  Anderson  county,  Ten- 
nessee, in  1810.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  died  June  2,  1880.  He 
was  married  twice.  His  fiist  wife,  Tabitha 
Akers,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  died  in  1847. 
He  was  then  married  to  his  second  wife  in  1857. 
She  was  the  mother  of  four  children;  two  girls 
and  one  boy  are  now  living.  She  died  January 
1,  1877.  Mr.  Taylor  and  wife  have  two 
daughters.  He  has  his  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  under  good  cultivation. 

lienjamin  F.  Workinan  was  born  neai'  Quincy, 
Illinois,  May,  1841.  His  father  dying  four  years 
after,  he  went  to  his  uncle  in  Quincy,  and  at- 
tended school  there  until  he  was  twelve  years 
old,  when  his  mother  married  John  Irwin,  and 
moved  on  a  farm  near  Jerseyville,  Illinois.  He 
lived  there  with  his  mother  until  December, 
1869,  when  he  bought  a  farm  in  Talkington 
township,  section  one,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
is  a  son  of  Henry  L.  Workman,  who  was  born 
in  North  Carolina;  he  was  a  farmer  by  occupa- 
tion, and  in  politics  a  Whig;  was  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church;  he  died  July  25,  1845;  his 
wife,  Nancy  Brown,  was  born  in  Jersey  county, 
Illinois,  near  Jerseyville;  she  is  living  at  Rock 
Bridge,  Greene  county. 

Mr.  B.  F.  Workman  was  married  to  Miss 
Alice  Landon,  November  20,  1862;  she  is  the 
daughter  of  William  D.  Landon,  born  in  Addi- 
son county,  Vermont;  he  was  a  farmer,  and  in 


politics  a  Republican;  he  died  in  February,  1852; 
his  wife,  Elvira  Cory,  was  born  in  Vermont,  and 
had  twelve  children^six  boys  and  six  girls — she 
is  still  living,  near  Jerseyville,  Illinois. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  W^orkman  have  had  six  children, 
four  of  whcm  are  living,  one  boy  and  three 
girls.  He  has  held  the  office  of  road  commis- 
sioner and  assessor;  in  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat; he  is  a  member  of  the  Second  Advent 
Church,  at  Auburn,  Illinois. 

William  B.  Worth  was  born  in  Adair  county, 
Kentucky,  August  4,  1825,  near  Columbia,  on  a 
farm;  father  moved  with  him  to  Morgan  county, 
near  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1829. 
He  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until 
twenty-one  years  old,  then  worked  for  Peter 
Updike  two  years;  was  then  married  to  Sarah 
Baldwin,  and  they  had  ten  children,  five  of  whom 
are  living — three  sons  and  two  daughters.  After 
his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  of  Captain  Brown, 
in  Sangamon  county,  near  Old  Berlin,  lived  there 
one  year,  then  moved  back  on  his  father's  farm 
one  year,  then  rented  a  farm  in  Macoupin  county 
one  year.  He  then  entered  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres,  in  Sangamon  county,  this  township;  lived 
there  some  twenty  years;  sold  out  and  bought  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  section 
thirty-three,  where  he  still  lives. 

His  father  was  John  D.  Worth,  born  in  Bote- 
tourt county,  Virginia,  and  was  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  and  justice  of  the  peace  eighteen  years 
in  Morgan  county.  He  died  in  1854,  in  that 
county.  His  wife,  Elizabeth  (Hopkins)  Worth, 
was  born  in  Virginia.  Mr.  Worth  has  been  road 
commissioner  seven  years.  His  wife  was  born  in 
Virginia,  September  16,  1825,  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  Baldwin,  born  in  North  Carolina, 
March  12,  1796,  and  died  November  26,  1879. 
His  wife,  Nancy  (Brizentine)  Worth,  was 
born  in  Virginia  and  died  February  13, 
1881. 


1040 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Chapter  XLIX. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  WHEATFIELD. 


The  township  of  Wheatfield  was  set  off  from 
Illiopolis  in  ISlo,  and  its  history  is  therefore 
identified  with  it  from  the  beginning,  ahnost  to 
the  present  time.  The  township  of  Illiopolis 
being  so  large,  about  seventy-two  square  miles, 
it  was  thought  best  for  the  convenience  of  all 
concerned,  that  it  should  be  divided,  and  accord- 
ingly three  and  one-half  tiers  of  sections  on  the 
west  was  set  off  and  given  the  name,  Wheat- 
field.  The  township  embraces  about  thirty- 
seven  sections. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL. 

The  whole  of  the  township,  save  a  small  part 
on  the  south,  adjoining  the  Sangamon  river,  is  a 
beautiful  undulating  prairie.  The  soil  is  a  heavy, 
black  loam,  and  is  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the 
State.  The  productions  of  Wheatfield  rank 
among  the  highest  of  the  townships  of  the 
county. 

EARLY  SETTLERS. 

Wheatfield  was  among  the  last  townships  in 
the  county  to  be  settled,  for  the  reason  so  little 
timber  was  to  be  had.  The  first  settlers  located 
along  the  edge  of  the  timber,  near  the  Sanga- 
mon river.  Among  the  first  were  Reuben  Bul- 
lard  and  his  two  sons,  John  and  Wesley;  James 
Hampton,  William  Gragg,  Samuel  Dickerson, 
John  Churchill,  and  others. 

Reuben  Bullard  was  born  December  22,  1 792, 
in  Caroline  county,  Virginia.  He  went  to  Wood- 
ford county,  Kentucky,  in  1*787,  and  to  Shelby 
countv  in  1790.  He  was  there  married  in  1803, 
to  Elizabeth  Gill,  who  was  born  October  30, 
1779,  near  Charlestown,  Virginia.  They  had 
eight  children  in  Kentucky,  four  of  whom,  Eliza, 
Lucinda,  Richard  and  Nancy  J.,  died  there,  be- 
tween the  ages  of  fifteen  and  twenty-five  years. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth    Bullard   died   Januarv  6,  1835, 


and  Reuben  Bullard,  with  three  of  his  children, 
came  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  in  Novem- 
ber, 1835,  in  what  is  now  Wheatfield  township, 
one  son  having  come  before.  Reuben  Bullard 
died  September  6,  I  836,  in  Sangamon  county. 

His  father's  name  was  Reuben  Bullard.  He 
was  in  the  Revolutionary  army  as  a  non-com- 
batant, and  lost  his  life  by  drinking  too  freely 
of  cold  water  while  he  was  overheated.  He 
made  a  gun,  whieh  he  gave  to  his  son,  whose 
name  heads  this  sketch.  It  is  now  (1874)  in 
possession  of  a  son  of  John  Bullard  —  Reuben 
S — the  fourth  generation  from  the  man  who 
made  it.  The  brass  plate  opposite  the  lock  bears 
the  inscription,  R.  B.,  1772.  It  is  a  smooth 
bore;  the  barrel  is  four  feet  eight  inches  long, 
and  the  whole  gun  is  six  feet  one  inch.  An  an- 
ecdote is  related  of  it,  that  when  the  boys  of  a 
former  generation  used  the  gun,  they  always 
hunted  in  pairs,  one  to  do  the  shooting  and  the 
other  to  see  that  the  marksman  did  not  get  the 
muzzle  beyond  the  game. 

Jesse  A.  Pickrell  was  born  June  3,  1805,  in 
Montgomery  county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  arriving  in  the  spring 
of  1828,  being  the  first  of  the  family  to  come  to 
the  State.  He  stopped  for  a  time  in  Mechanics- 
burg  township,  and  then  settled  on  section  eight, 
township  sixteen,  range  two  west,  what  is  n«w 
Wheatfield  township.  Mr.  Pickrell  was  an  en- 
terprising man,  and  was  among  the  first  to  intro- 
duce improved  breeds  of  cattle,  hogs  and  other 
stock  into  Sangamon  county,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  extensive  farmers  and  stock  raisers  in  the 
county.     Mrs.  Pickrell  died  February  2,  1878. 

EDUCATIONAL    AND  RELIGIOUS. 

Wheatfield  township  being  an  exclusively 
agricultural  one,  its  school  houses  are  somewhat 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1041 


scattered,  but  its  schools  will  compare  favorably 
with  any  like  situated  in  the  county.  There  are 
five  good  houses,  valued  at  $5,000. 

Its  proximity  to  several  villages  make  it  un- 
necessary for  the  building  of  country  churches, 
as  the  inhabitants  of  the  township  can  each 
select  their  place  of  worship  with  that  religious 
denomination  that  best  suits  their  religious  con- 
victions. There  is  one  good  church  edifice  in 
the  township,  named  Bethel,  property  of  the 
Christian  denomination. 

VFHEATFIELD    STATION. 

For  the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants,  a  sta- 
tion was  located  on  section  eight,  by  the  railroad 
company.  Several  houses  have  been  built  around 
the  station,  making  a  small  village.  A  store  was 
opened  in  1874,  by  David  O'Conner.  It  is  now 
owned  by  Jno.  T.  Sudduth,  who  carries  a  fine 
line  of  staple  and  fancy  dry  goods  and  groceries, 
such  as  are  usually  found  in  a  country  store. 

A  large  elevator  was  erected  here  in  1878,  and 
is  now  owned  and  operated  by  E.  R.  Ulrich,  of 
Springfield,  one  of  the  most  extensive  dealers  in 
grain  in  this  section  of  the  State.  The  annual 
shipments  of  grain  amount  to  about  three  hun- 
dred thousand  bushels,  equal  to  one  thousand 
car  loads. 

POST  OFFICK. 

In  1861,  an  office  was  established  at  the  sta- 
tion, with  Jesse  A.  Pickrell  as  postmaster.  Mr. 
Pickrell  kept  the  office  at  his  house  about  five 
years.  John  T.  Sudduth  is  the  present  post- 
master. 

BIOGEAPHICAL. 

Charles  Black  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Pleasant 
Black;  the  former  was  born  in  Chester  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter,  whose  maiden  name 
■was  Pleasant  Newhouse,  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 
They  were  of  Irish  and  English  extraction,  were 
married  in  Ohio  about  1815,  and  had  seven  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Mary  A.,  born  in  1816;  Eliza- 
beth, born  in  1818;  Charles,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  April  20,  1820;  Joseph,  born  in 
]82'J;  Andrew,  borii  in  1834;  Sarah,  born  in  1826; 
Pleasant  J.,  born  December  13,  1828;  Andrew 
died  about  1845;  the  father  and  mother  died  in 
Ohio,  mother  in  1830.  Charles  was  married 
September  5,  1869,  to  Alice  Sprinkle,  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Catharine  Spinkle,  and  was  born 
in  Arkansas,  June  17,  1850,  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  this  county  in  1860.  Their  three 
children  are,  Katie,  born  October  11,  1870,  Char- 
ley A.,  August  8,  1874  and  Oliver,  April  24, 
1878.  Kate  died  August  31,  1872.  Mrs  Black's 
father  died  August   h,  1867.     Mr.  Black  owns 


five  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  valued  at 
$50  an  acre.  His  early  educational  advantages 
were  not  so  good;  but  he  attended  Greenfield 
Academy  two  years  ;  wife's  educational  ad- 
vantages were  also  good.  They  are  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  in  politics 
are  Republicans. 

Wesley  Bullard  is  a  son  of  Reuben  and  Eliz- 
abeth Bullard.     The  former  was  born   in  Caro- 
line county,  Virginia,    in    1772,  and  the  latter 
in  1778,   in   Jefferson   county,   Virginia.      The 
mother's  maiden   name  was  Elizabeth  Gill,  the 
daughter  of  James  and  Nancy  Gill.    Mr.  Reuben 
Bullard    and   Elizabeth   Gill    were   married    in 
Shelby  county,  Kentucky,   in   1804.     They  had 
eight  children,  as  follows:  John,  Eliza,  Lucinda, 
Mary  A.,  Richard,   Sarah    Agnes,  Wesley,  and 
Nancy  J.     Eliza  died  in  Kentucky,  as  also  Lu- 
cinda, Richard,  and  Nancy  J.,  and  likewise  the 
mother.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Kentucky,   July    28,    1816,   and   came  with  bis 
father  to  this  county  in    1835,  and  bought  and 
entered  land  where  he  now  resides.     On  March 
23,  1843,  he  married  Sarah   Foster,  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Jane   Foster,  who  were  all  born   in 
Kentucky,  she  on  July  18,  1824,  and  came  with 
her  parents  to  Putnam  county,  Indiana,  in  1827. 
On  a  visit  to  Sangamon  county  in  1842,  she  met 
Mr.   B.   and   became   his  wife,  as  above  stated. 
They  had  eight  children,  all  sons.     Their  names 
are   as   follows:    William  H.,  born   August  16, 
1844;    James  R.,  October   10.  1846;    John  N., 
October   29,   1848;    Francis  B.,  September    19, 
1850;  Samuel  A.,  March  25,   1853;  George  W., 
July  31,  1855;  Benjamin  P.,  February  23'^  1858, 
and  Foster,  February  13,  1861.    James  diedJuly 
13,  1876.    Mrs.  SarahB.  died  Februaryl3,  1861, 
and  Mr.   B.   married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Holsman, 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Julia  Kidd,  August  6, 
1863.     She  was  born    in  Virginia,  May  7,  1828. 
They  have  had  two  children:  Julia,  born  Febru- 
ary 4,  1867,  and  Robert  A.,  August  3,  1871.   Mr. 
B.  owns  three   hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $50  an  acre.      He  has  been  supervisor 
of  lUiopolis  and  Wheatfield  townships  five  years. 
Mr.  B.'s  early  educational  advantages  were  lim- 
ited.   William  IL,  his  oldest  son,  was  a  member 
of  the  Seventy-third  Regiment  Illinois  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  during  the  late  war,  and   served 
three  years,  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

They  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  in  politics  are  Republicans. 

Win.  S.  Bullard,  was  born  January  7,  1841,  ■ 
and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  S.  (Fallice) 
Bullard,  tlie  former  born  in  Shelby  county,  Ken- 
tucky, October   10,  1805,  the  latter  in  St.  Louis 


304'i 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


county,  jVIiasouri,  in  1810.  They  were  married 
in  Kentticky,  and  came  to  Illinois  nn  horseback, 
making  a  practical  "bridle  tour."  They  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  viz.:  George  W., 
John  W.,  Nancy  F.,  William  S.,  Reuben  S., 
Edna  E.,  Lucinda  J.,  Wilber  C,  Jacob  B.,  and 
Henry  S.  William  S.,  was  married  December 
28,  1871,  to  Migs  Elizabeth  S.,  a  native  of  San- 
gamon county,  Illinois.  Her  father,  John  Zane, 
was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1805;  her  mother 
born  at  the  same  place  in  1811.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wm.  Bullard  have  had  two  children,  viz.: 
Leatha  Irene,  born  May  3,  1873,  died  in  1874, 
and  Mary,  born  March  7,  1875.  Mrs.  B.  died 
November  4,  1877.  Mr.  B.  owns,  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother  Reuben,  about  one  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  valued  at  $40  an  acre. 

John  M.  Covncil.,  jiost  office,  Illiopolis,  was 
born  in  this  county,  June  7,  1851;  his  father, 
Geo.  W.  Council,  was  born  in  White  county, 
Illinois,  in  1820.  His  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Jane  Mitts,  was  born  in  1822;  both 
were  of  German  descent;  they  were  married 
about  1842,  and  had  eleven  children,  viz:  Wil- 
liam C,  Mary  A.,  John  M.,  Nelson  L.,  Eliza- 
beth, Charles,  Henry,  Flora,  Emma,  George 
Grant  and  Anna  May;  Charles  is  deceased,  and 
the  mother  died  in  1878. 

John  M.  Council,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  married,  September  21,  1871,  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth E.  Hay,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Isabel 
Hay,  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  June  9,  1850;  she 
was  of  German  extraction;  they  have  four  chil- 
dren: Flora  Bell,  born  in  July,  1872;  Robert 
Arthur,  in  November,  1874;  Louella  Jane,  in 
March,  1876;  George  Walter,  in  March,  1879, 
and  J.  E.,  September  10,  188!.  Mrs.  Council's 
father  died  in  1873,  and  her  mother  in  1874. 
Mr.  C.  owns  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  $50  an  acre.  He  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace,  but  declined  to  serve. 
They  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Hugh  Eririn,  son  of  David  and  Rose  Erwin, 
was  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  in 
1868,  landing  at  New  York,  but  immediately 
came  to  Springfield,  and  has  lived  in  this  county 
ever  since- — mostly  on  a  farm.  His  father  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1809,  and  his  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Rose,  was  also  born  in  Ireland, 
in  1811.  They  were  married  in  Ireland,  and  had 
six  children,  viz:  William  John,  Betty  A.,  Rose, 
Maria.  Samuel  and  Hiigh.  The  mother  died  in 
Ireland.  In  February,  Hugh  married  Miss  Mary 
Collins,  daughter  of  Maggie  and  Michael  Collins, 
and  was  born  in  this  county,  September  17, 1859; 
her  parents  were  born  in  Ireland.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 


E.  have  one  child,  William  John,  born  Ffbruary 
15,  1881.  Mr.  E.  was  naturalized  about  1877;  is 
a  farmer  by  occupation  and  is  prosperous.  Post 
office,  Illiopolis.  They  are  members  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  politically,  are- 
Democrats. 

William  A.  Fulleniciiler,  son  of  J.  N.  and 
Sarah  A.  (Bullard)  Fullenwider,  was  born  in  this- 
county,  November  20,  1842.  W^illiam  was  raised 
on  a  faim,  and  on  March  4,  1875,  married  Miss 
Alice  Elkin,  daugher  of  Jthn  and  Eveline 
(McNabb)  Elkin,  who  was  born  in  this  county, 
February  20,  It 52.  They  have  had  two  children, 
Eva,  born  October  16,  1877,  and  died  July  4, 
1879,  and  William,  born  January  13,  1879,  and 
died  August  19,  1880.  Mrs.  Fullenwider's  father 
died  August  27,  1867.  Mr.  Fullenwider  owns 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  valued  at 
$50  an  acre.  Himself  and  wife  had  good  educa- 
tional advantages  in  early  life  and  are  highly  es- 
teemed in  their  community.  Post  office,  Mechan- 
icsburg.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  the  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are 
Republicans. 

Henry  T.  Fullenwider,  a  farmer,  post  office, 
Mechanicsburg,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Sarah  Agnes 
(Bullard)  Fullenwider,  was  born  in  this  county 
March  1,  1846.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
on  December  28,  1871,  married  Sarah  C. 
Lindsly,  daughter  of  Henry  C,  and  Julia  A. 
(Hickman)  Lindsly,  who  was  born  in  Christian 
county,  Illinois,  October  21,  1849;  her  father 
was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  her  mother  in  Ken- 
tucky. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fullenwider  have  had 
four  children,  namely:  Charley  W.,  born  De- 
cember 22,  1872,  died  February  11,  1873; 
Arthur  E.,  born  September  8,  1874;  Agnes,  bor» 
December  15,  1876;  and  Thomas  I.,  born  March 
8,  1881.  Mr.  Fullenwider  owns  two  hundred 
and  eighty-three  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $50  an 
acre;  raises  grain,  cattle  and  hogs,  and  feeos 
them  for  market.  The  farm  is  well  cultivated, 
with  fields  divided  by  osage  orange  hedges. 
Mrs.  F.  is  of  English  and  Scotch  extraction,  and 
he  of  German,  and  both  have  had  good  educa- 
tional advantages — Mrs.  F.  having  attended  the 
high  school  at  Springfield.  Both  are  Methodists 
and  are  in  politics  Republicans. 

Samuel  Fidlenwider,  son  of  J.  N.  and  Sarah 
A.  Fullenwider,  was  born  in  this  county,  June 
21,  1851,  and  was  brought  up  as  a  farmer.  His 
grandfather  (Fullinwider)  came  from  Kentucky, 
entered  land  near  Mechanicsburg,  returned  to 
bring  his  family,  and  was  taken  sick  and  died  in 
Kentucky  July  17,  1834;  his  wife  came  the  same 
year  with  her  nine  children,  and  improved  the 


HISTOEY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1043 


land  entered  by  her  husband,  and  this  land  is 
now  occupied  by  Jacob  Fullenwider.  On  May 
27,  1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Luella  Elkin, 
daughter  of  John  G.  and  Eveline  (McNabb)  El- 
kin, who  was  born  July  6,  1853;  her  father  was 
born  in  Xenia,  Ohio,  March  28,  1820,  and  her 
mother  in  this  county,  September  15,  1827.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  F.  have  two  children :  Jesse  Arthur,  born 
June  29,  1876,  and  John  Elkin,  December  26, 
1878.  Mr.  F.  owns  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  land,  valued  at  $50  an  acre.  He  has  had  ex- 
cellent educational  advantages,  liaving  graduated 
at  the  Wesleyan  University,  at  Bloomington,  in 
1871.  Mrs.  F.  attended  the  Female  Wesleyan 
College,  at  Cincinnati,  two  years,  and  afterward 
attended  the  Bettie  Stuart,  of  Springfield. 

William  Gragg,  farmer,  post  office,  Mechan- 
icsburg;  son  of  William  and  Sophia  Gragg,  the 
former  born  in  Kentucky,  June  10,  1818,  and 
mother  in  Madison  county,  Kentucky,  March  10, 
1815;  the  mother's  maiden  name  was  Sophia  Mc- 
Bride,  and  she  was  a  daughter  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  McBride,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 
The  parents  of  Mr.  Gragg  were  married  in  this 
county,  and  had  five  children,  namely:  Thomas 
J.,  born  January  1,  1845;  Jesse,  born  March  19, 
1840;  John  Henry,  born  August  17,  1847;  Wil- 
liam, born  June  10,  1851;  and  Harvey,  born  Jan- 
uary 21,  1853;  Jesse  died  April  10,  1846.  The 
father  died  July  30,  1875,  and  the  mother, 
December  20,  1872.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
■was  born  in  this  county  on  a  farm.  On  Febru- 
ary 8,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Hissey,  who  was 
born  in  Baltimore,  March  14,  1852,  the  daughter 
of  William  and  Harriet  Hissey.  Her  father  died 
in  Baltimore,  and  her  mother  came  to  Sangamon 
county  in  September,  1875.  Mr.  Gragg  owns 
one  hundred  and  seventy-one  acres  of  land  valued 
at  $50  per  acre.  In  early  life  he  attended  a  com- 
mercial college;  his  wife  was  educated  in  the 
high  schools  of  Baltimore,  and  before  marriage 
■was  a  music  teacher.    In  politics,  Democratic. 

Harvey  Gragg,  farmer,  post  office,  Mechan- 
icsburg,  is  a  son  of  William  and  Sophia  Gragg, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  in  this  county, 
Jan.  21, 1853;  hasalways  followed  farming.  A]>ril 
26,  ]  877,  he  married  Hettie  A.  Rodgers,  who  was 
born  in  this  county,  March  5,  1856,  daughter  of 
Uriah  and  Hettie  Rodgers,  from  Berks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  parents  of  ten  children,  nine 
of  whom  are  living,  one  having  died  in  this 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gragg  have  two  children 
— Georgia  Etta,  born  June  24,  1878,  and  Bertha 
Ella,  born  December  20,  1879.  Mr.  G.  owns 
one  hundred  and  forty-five  acies  of  land  valued 
at  $7,250.     The  farm  is  well  improved. 


Adam  Melcalf,  farmer,  post  office,  VVheatfield, 
a  son  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Linton)  Metcalf, 
were  natives  of  Maryland,  where  they  were  mar- 
ried about  1820,  and  had  four  children:  Owen 
Thomas,  Adam,  Samuel  E.,  and  Cora  Ann;  the 
mother  was  boni  about  1798.  Adam  Metcalf, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Maryland, 
November  15,  1851,  and  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  Hamm,  daughter  of  Uriah  C.  and  Vir- 
ginia Ilamm,  who  was  born  in  Butler  county, 
Ohio,  July  4,  1828,  and  came  to  this  county  with 
her  parents  about  1842.  Her  parents  were  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  but  came  to  Ohio  at  an  early 
date.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Metcalf  have  six  children: 
Thomas  F.,  born  September  26,  1852;  Samuel 
E.,  born  March  17,  1854;  Albert  M.,  born  No- 
vember 19,  1856;  Willie  U.,  born  October  22, 
1858;  Lee  G.,  born  May  9,  1861;  and  Owen  A., 
born  January  1,  1866.  Mr.  M.  owns  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land.  When  he  first  came 
from  Virginia  to  this  State,  in  November,  1848, 
he  had  to  work  very  hard  as  a  farm  hand,  but 
he  has  now  become  a  successful  farmer.  His 
early  educational  advantages  were  meagre,  as 
lie  was  left  an  orphan  and  obliged  to  help  sup- 
port the  other  children.  He  is  road  commis- 
sioner of  his  township.  She  is  a  Methodist,  and 
in  politics  they  are  Democrats. 

Thomas  Ifunce,  farmer,  post  ofiice,  Wheat- 
field,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania.  His  father, 
John  Munce,  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland, 
in  1796,  and  his  mother,  Eliza  J.  Munce,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Stockdale,  was  born  in  County 
Down,  Ireland,  in  1806.  They  were  married  in 
Washington  county,  Penn.,  in  182  7,  and  had  six 
children,  viz.:  William,  born  at  Natchez,  Missis- 
sippi; Thomas,  born  in  Pennsylvania;  Hannah, 
Margaret,  Isabel,  and  Eliza,  all  born  in  Indiana. 
The  father  came  to  America  in  1804,  and  settled 
in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania.  The 
mother  also  settled  there.  Both  were  orphans, 
and  came  with  other  families  and  their  older 
brothers.  They  afterward  went  to  Indiana, 
where  they  remained  till  1846,  then  came  to  this 
county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  C.  Haak,  May  2,  1860.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Sarah  Haak,  and  born 
in  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  in 
1839.  Their  three  children  are:  Isabel,  John, 
and  George,  all  born  in  this  county.  Mr.  M. 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Indiana 
and  Illinois.  Hi.s  wife  attended  the  ladies'  sem- 
inary at  Reading,  Pennsylvania.  He  is  at  pres- 
ent supervisor  of  his  township.  He  has  a  large 
farm  and  every  convenience  in  the  way  of  build- 
ings and  other  improvements. 


1044 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


George  A.  Piclcrell,  farmer,  post  office,  Wheat- 
field,  was  born  in  this  county  February  19,  1832. 
His  father,  Jesse  A.  Pickrell,  •was  born  in  Mont- 
gomery county,  Kentucky,  June  13,  1805  ;  his 
mother,  Elizabeth  (Churchill)  Pickrell,  was  born 
September  11,  1811.  They  were  married  De- 
cember 18,  1828,  at  Mechanicsburg,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  and  they  have  a  family  of  ten 
children,  namely:  William  O.,  born  Febiuary  27, 
1830;  George  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch; 
Willoughby  F.,  born  October  12,  1833,  and  died 
March  29,  1835;  Miller  H.,  born  March  30,  1835; 
Ann  M.,  born  September  14, 1840;  Mary  V.,  born 
December  11,  1842;  Amanda  P.,  born  August 
31,  1844;  died  June  19,  1872;  John  C,  born  Oc- 
tober 27,  1846,  died  March  25,  1873;  Sarah  H., 
born  March  6,  1855.  They  are  of  Welsh  extrac- 
tion. George  A.  Pickrell  was  married  to  Miss 
Emma  H.  Winn,  December  27,  1864;   daughter 


of  Charles  L.  and  Mary  Winn,  and  was  born 
December  29,  1842.  They  have  four  children, 
Corrilla,  born  February  11,  1866;  Alice,  born 
February  25,  1868;  Patsey  G.,  born  July  9, 1872; 
Jesse  C,  born  November  28,  1876.  Mr. P.  owns 
two  hundred  and  thirteen  acres  of  laud  worth 
$60  an  acre;  raises  mixed  crops;  makesa  specialty 
of  improving  horses  for  draft  purposes,  using 
the  Clydesdale  stock;  breeds  sheep  for  wool  and 
mutton.  On  the  second  call  for  volunteers  dur- 
ing the  war,  he  assisted  in  raising  troops,  but  the 
call  being  full,  was  not  accepted.  He  then  went 
to  Missouri  and  formed  the  B  and  C  Company 
of  the  Eleventh  Missouri  Regiment;  was  quarter- 
master with  rank  of  captain.  His  education 
was  obtained  in  the  common  schools;  his  wife 
was  a  graduate  of  the  class  of  1801  at  Jackson- 
ville Female  Seminary,  and  was  a  teacher  there 
for  some  time  after  graduating. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1045 


Chapter  L. 


TOWNSHIP  OF  WILLIAMS. 


The  township  of  WilliamB  is  one  of  the 
northern  tier  of  townships,  and  is  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Logan  county,  on  the  south  by 
Clear  Lake  township,  on  the  east  by  Buffalo 
Hart  township  and  Logan  county,  and  on  the 
west  by  Fancy  creek  township.  The  surface  of 
the  country  is  level,  while  the  soil  is  good  and 
very  fertile,  yielding  large  crops  of  grain  and 
fruit.  Fancy  creek,  W^olf  and  other  smaller 
streams  furnish  water  for  the  stock  raised  here. 
Fancy  creek  waters  most  of  the  western  tier 
of  sections,  while  Wolf  creek  and  its  tributaries 
water  the  central  portion  of  the  towni^hip. 

EARLY    SETTLBES. 

This  township  was  settled  as  early  as  1820, 
and  between  that  date  and  the  "deep  snow"  of 
1830-31,  many  families  came  in,  among  whom 
were  James  Stewart,  Mr.  Kellogg,  Benjamin 
Stillman,  Jacob  Yocum,  Oramel  Clark,  John 
Dixon,  Meredith  Cooper,  Ambrose  Cooper, 
David  Riddle,  David  Clark,  Michael  Mann, 
William  Proctor,  John  Simpson,  Captain  Hath- 
away, Solomon  Brundage,  the  Taylors  and  Con- 
stants, John  Stalings,  Samuel  Wilson,  came 
during  that  decade. 

John  Taylor  was  born  May  1,  1772,  in  Mary- 
land. Three  brothers,  Isaac,  James  and  Wil- 
liam Taylor,  came  from  England  to  America 
long  before  our  Revolution.  Where  James  and 
W^illiam  settled  is  unknown  to  the  decedents  of 
Isaac,  who  settled  in  Maryland,  and  who  was 
the  father  of  John,  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch.  The  parents  of  John  Taylor  emigrated 
when  he  was  quite  young  to  Chester  district. 
South  Carolina,  where  John  was  married  to 
Susan  Mobley.  The  family  moved  in  1818,  to 
W^hite  county,  Illinois.     In  the  spring  of  1819, 

122— 


they  moved  to  Wayne  county,  then  to  Sanga- 
mon county,  arriving  in  May,  1829,  on  Wolf 
creek,  in  Williams  township.  Of  all  the  chil- 
dren of  John  Taylor,  three  only  settled  perma- 
nently in  Sangamon  county.  Simeon,  the  eldest, 
James,  the  fifth,  and  Isaac,  the  eighth,  all  by 
the  first  marriage. 

James  Taylor,  born  November  2,  1801,  in 
Chester  district.  South  Carolina,  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Hart  county,  Kentucky,  and  thence 
to  Wayne  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  mar 
ried  to  Mary  Kelly,  who  was  born  in  Hart 
county,  also,  and  taken  by  her  parents  when 
young  to  Wayne  county.  They  moved  to  San- 
gamon count)'  in  the  spring  of  1829,  settling  in 
what  is  now   Williams  township,  near  Barclay. 

Isaac  Taylor,  born  February  9,  1807,  in  Hart 
county,  Kentucky,  came  with  his  father  to 
White  county,  and  from  there  to  Wayne  county, 
Illinois.  He  came  alone,  in  1828,  to  Sangamon 
county,  being  the  firi-t  of  the  family  to  arrive. 
He  was  married  February  13,  1834,  to  Sarah  M. 
Elliott,  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 

John  Simpson  was  born  September  30,  1801, 
in  Tennessee,  and  when  a  young  man  went  to 
St.  Clair  county,  Illinois.  Mary  Taylor  was  born 
August  25,  1803,  in  Georgia,  and  when  a  child 
was  taken  to  Looking-glass  Prairie,  St.  Clair 
county,  Illinois.  They  were  married  there  in 
1821,  and  moved  to  Shelby  county  in  the  same 
State;  from  there  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving 
in  1824,  in  what  is  now  Williams  township. 

Jacob  Yocum  was  born  December  17,  1787,  in 
a  fort  or  block-house,  in  Bourbon  county,  near 
whtre  the  city  of  Lexington,  Kentucky,  now 
stands.  Mary  Booth  was  born  February  11,  1791, 
in  the  same  county.  They  moved  to  Marion 
county,  Illinois,  and  from   there   to    Sangamon 


1046 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


county,  arriving  November  2,  1828,  in  what  is 
now  Williams  township. 

David  Clarke  was  born  August  28,  1776,  in 
Essex  county,  New  Jersey;  came  to  Kentucky  in 
1798,  and  was  there  married  in  1800,  to  Rachel 
Rutter.  Mrs.  Rachel  Clarke  died  in  1804.  David 
Clarke  moved  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1805,  and 
made  brick  for  the  first  brick  house  built  in  that 
city.  He  returned  to  Somerset  county,  New 
Jersey,  in  the  same  year,  and  was  married  there 
in  February,  1806,  to  Sally  Winans,  who  was 
born  October  25,  1788,  in  that  county.  They 
moved  to  Miami  county,  Ohio, in  1809,  and  from 
there  to  Sangamon  county,  in  1829,  settling  on 
Sugar  creek. 

Meredith  Coojser  first  settled  in  Fancy  Creek, 
and  previous  to  1830,  settled  a  mile  and  a  half 
east  of  the  present  village  of  Sherman,  and  died 
there.     His  widow  lives  near  there. 

Michael  Mann,  a  Baptist  minister,  settled  on 
section  twenty-seven,  previous  to  1830.  He  sub- 
sequently moved  to  Logan  county,  where  he 
died. 

Isaac  Constant  was  born  in  Clarke  county, 
Kentucky,  April  3,  1789.  He  was  there  mar- 
ried July  4,  1811,  and  in  1830  the  family  moved 
to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  October  7,  1830, 
in  what  is  now  Williams  township.  He  died  on 
Christmas  day,  1854,  on  the  farm  where  he  then 
settled. 

William  Proctor  was  one  of  the  earliest  set- 
tlers, arriving  here  in  1820  or  1821,  and  settled 
on  section  seven.  He  subsequently  sold  the 
place  to  Isaac  Constant,  and  moved  to  Lewiston, 
Fulton  county,  Illinois,  where  he  died  about 
1874.  Mr.  Proctor,  shortly  after  his  arrival, 
planted  an  orchard,  which  was  bearing  in  1830, 
when  the  place  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Constant. 
He  also  established  a  tannery  on  the  place. 

Captain  Hathaway  settled  on  section  twenty, 
at  an  early  day.  He  left  for  Galena  about  the 
time  lead  was  first  discovered,  and  there  died. 

WHERE    THEY    SETTLED. 

The  first  settlers  of  the  township  settled  along 
the  timber,  near  Fancy  creek.  The  same  fear 
of  the  prairie,  and  the  same  reason  that  caused 
other  early  settlers  to  locate  in  the  timber,  gov- 
erned the  pioneers  of  Wil.iams.  It  was  not 
until  1845  the  prairie  began  to  be  settled.  Some 
of  the  best  and  most  improved  farms  are  now 
prairie  farms. 

EDtrCATIONAL. 

"Knowledge  is  power,"  and  for  the  purpose 
of  disseminating  knowledge,  the  pioneers  of 
Williams  township  early  employed  the  services 


of  the  school  teacher,  and  in  educational  pro- 
gress have  since  kept  pace  with  other  sections 
of  the  county. 

The  first  school  was  in  the  winters  of  1822-3, 
in  a  log  cabin  on  Fancy  creek,  Patrick  Lynch 
being  the  teacher.  One  among  the  first  teachers 
here  was  Erastus  Wright,  well  known  in  all 
parts  of  the  county,  who  taught  a  term  of  school 
in  a  small  log  cabin  on  section  seven,  as  early 
as  1823.  The  change  made  in  the  mode  of 
teaching,  and  in  the  conveniences  of  the  school 
room,  are  great,  indeed.  There  are  now,  in 
1881,    seven    school   houses    in    the    township. 

EELIGIOUS. 

The  minister  of  the  gospel  eTer  keeps  pace 
with  the  western  tread  of  civilization,  and  a 
settlement  is  no  sooner  formed  than  some  zeal- 
ous defender  of  the  Cross  begins  to  plead  to 
sinners  to  obey  the  word  and  bring  forth  fruits 
worthy  of  repentance.  Elder  Stephen  England 
was  probably  the  first  to  conduct  religious 
exercises  with  preaching,  in  the  township.  Revs. 
James  Sims,  Rivers  Cormack  and  Peter  Cart- 
wright  were  among  the  first  ministers  in  the 
township.  The  first  meeting  conducted  by  a 
minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
at  the  house  of  David  Riddle,  in  1821. 

MILLS. 

A  Mr.  Harburt  settled  on  section  seventeen 
as  early  as  1820.  He  built  and  operated  the 
first  mill  of  any  description  in  Williams  town- 
ship, and  probably  north  of  the  Sangamon  river. 
It  was  the  old  band  mill,  run  by  horse  power. 
A  cabin  was  erected  near  the  mill  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  those  bringing  their  grain  to 
be  ground.  Mr.  Harburt  left  in  1822,  taking 
his  mill  with  him. 

David  Riddle  built  a  horse-mill  in  1826  with 
which  he  ground  wheat  and  corn,  though  he  had 
only  one  run  of  stone.  It  could  grind  about 
twenty  bushels  a  day. 

Thomas  Constant  built  a  water-mill  on  Wolf 
creek,  on  section  twenty-three,  in  1825,  which 
was  the  first  in  the  township.  The  mill  was  a 
combined  saw  and  grist-mill,  and  did  a  large 
business  in  both  branches,  having  custom  for 
many  miles  around.  The  mill  had  two  runs  of 
burrs,  one  for  corn  and  the  other  for  w-heat.  It 
was  run  until  about  1854,  and  was  owned  or 
run  by  the  following  named:  Thomas  Con- 
stant, Alexander  Edmonds,  John  Simpson, 
George  Fisher  and  John  Johnson,  the  latter  of 
whom  tore  it  down.  All  that  now  remains  of 
the  mill  are  the  stones,  which  yet  lie  upon  the 
banks  of  the  stream. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1047 


FIRST    MARKIAGE. 

As  stated  in  the  sketcli  of  Philo  Beers,  his 
marriage  with  Martha  Stillman  was  the  first  in 
the  township,  and  the  first  north  of  Sangamon 
river.  Several  of  tlie  descendants  of  this  couple 
occupy  prominent  positions  in  society. 

VILLAGE    OF    CICERO. 

On  the  15th  of  April,  1836,  Archibald  E.  Con- 
stant had  platted  ami  recorded  the  "  northwest 
part  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  twenty- 
six,  township  seventeen,  range  four  west,"  a  vil- 
lage under  the  name  of  "  Cicero."  Like  hun- 
dreds of  others  in  the  West,  the  village  existed 
only  in  name. 

FIRST   MERCHANDISE. 

William  Hamilton  and  Mr.  Mack  sold  goods 
here  on  section  seventeen,  in  1821.  Myron 
Phelps  came  in  1822,  and  purchased  their  stock, 
and  continued  the  business  about  two  years, 
when  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Lewiston,  Fulton 
county.  The  store  was  in  a  log  cabin,  and  a 
general  assortment,  usual  for  the  times,  was  kept 
for  sale. 

CURIOSITIES. 

Charles  Miller  has  in  his  possession  a  rifle 
once  owned  by  his  father,  and  brought  by  him 
from  Virginia  in  1802.  The  gun  is  a  hammered 
barrel,  full  stock,  and  finished  in  a  neat,  work- 
manlike manner,  with  engraved  brass  mountings, 
with  cap-box  apartment  in  the  stocky  It  was 
originally  a  flint-lock,  but  was  changed  when 
percussion  caps  began  first  to  be  manufactured. 

Mrs.  Rebecca  Miller  has  a  silver  half-dollar 
given  to  her  when  a  child  by  her  mother,  beai'- 
ing  date  182 2,  the  year  in  which  Mrs.  Miller  was 
born.  In  1846, her  husband  desired  to  purchase 
a  piece  of  land,  and  lacked  one-half  dollar  of 
having  the  necessary  amount  to  pay  for  it.  The 
coveted  half-dollar  was  given  to  him,  and  paid 
out  on  this  purchase.  In  1876,  the  identical 
half-dollar  was  given  to  him  in  change  by  a 
merchant  in  Williarasville,  and  by  him  returned 
to  Mrs.  Miller.  Thus,  after  a  lapse  of  thirty 
years,  she  received  back  the  precious  coin,  paid 
out  in  Jackson  City,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Maria  Chenoworth  has  in  her  possession 
a  wooden  chest  broughi.  from  Europe  in  a  his- 
torical and  noted  vessel,  the  Mayflower.  Mrs. 
Chenoworth  traces  the  chest  back  through  her 
ancestors  to  her  great,  great  grandfather,  and  the 
chest,  with  its  history,  has  been  preserved  in  the 
family. 

Mrs.  Chenoworth  has  also  in  her  possession 
two  old-fashioned  pewter  dishes  as  large  around 


as  a  flower  barrel,  which  were  brought  from  Vir- 
ginia by  her  parents. 

George  W.  Constant  has  an  old-fashioned 
wooden  clock,  which  was  purchased  by  his  father 
in  1827,  and  brought  with  the  family  to  Illinois, 
in  1830.  It  has  been  running  fifty-four  years 
and  is  yet  a  splendid  time-keeper.  It  stands  on 
a  pedestal  some  eight  feet  high,  and  marks  the 
time  by  seconds. 

Mr.  Constant  has  also  ared  cedar  churn,  bought 
by  his  parents  the  week  after  they  were  married, 
which  occurred  July  4,  1811,  and  is  in  a  good 
state  of  preservation.  He  also  has  his  grand- 
father Constant's  family  Bible,  one  hundred  and 
ten  years  old. 

ORGANIC. 

Williams  township  was  organized  at  same  time 
with  the  remaining  townships  in  the  county  in 
1861,  and  was  named  as  was  the  village  in  honor 
of  Colonel  John  Williams,  a  noted  pioneer  and 
business  man  of  Springfield.  The  first  election 
was  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  April  of  1861. 
The  following  named  being  elected  to  the 
oflBces  mentioned:  Miletus  W.  Ellis,  Super- 
visor; George  T.  Hickman,  Treasurer;  George  H. 
Brown,  Clerk;  F.  A.  Merriman,  Assessor; George 
W.  Sutton,  Collector;  Eben  M.  Douglas,  John 
O.  Towner,  Justices  of  the  Peace;  George  W. 
Sutton,  Meredith  Cooper,  Constables;  James 
Lester,  William  Yocum  and  George  T.  Hick- 
man, Commissioners  of  Highways. 

VILLAGE     OF    WILLIAMSVILLK. 

The  village  was  laid  out  in  1853,  under  the 
name  of  Benton,  so  named  in  honor  of  Hon. 
Thomas  H.  Benton,  of  Missouri.  The  plat  as 
recorded  in  the  office  of  the  Register  of  Deeds, 
describes  it  as  comprising  the  "  southwest  quar- 
ter of  section  four,  township  seventeen,  range 
four  west,"  and  owned  by  Abraham  V.  Flagg. 

The  first  public  sale  of  lots  was  on  the  ]4ih 
day  of  September,  1853.  Quite  a  number  were 
disposed  of  at  satisfactory  prices. 

The  first  house  built  in  the  place  was  a  frame 
dwelling,  by  Jacob  Flagg,  in  the  fall  of  1853. 

The  first  merchandise  sold  here  was  in  the 
spring  of  1854,  by  Peter  L.  Earnest,  who  opened 
a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  and  continued 
in  the  trade  here  for  some  years. 

But  little  was  done  in  the  way  of  building  up 
a  town  until  the  Chicago  &  Alton  Railroad  es- 
tablished a  station  here  in  the  spring  of  1854. 
This  gave  confidence  to  interested  parties  that 
their  anticipations  would  be  realized  in  the 
building  up  of  a  town.     The  growth  of  the  vil- 


104S 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


lage  has  been  slow,  but  no  real  backward  step 
has  been  taken. 

A    POST    OFFICE. 

A  petition  of  the  citizens  was  circulated,  pray- 
ing the  post  office  department  at  Washington,  to 
establish  here  a  post  office.  Their  petition  was 
granted,  and  an  office  established  in  the  spring 
of  185-1,  named  Williams ville  Post  Office,  with 
John  George  as  postmaster.  Mr.  George  was 
subsequently  succeeded  by  his  son,  Wesley 
George,  who  served  until  1858,  when  Jacob  Mc- 
Clure  was  appointed.  From  1858  to  the  present 
time,  the|,following  named  have  had  charge  of 
the  office:  George  Brown,  Jacob  McClure, 
Charles  Elder,  R.  M.  Lawrence,  William  Stew- 
art, Sarah  Stewart,  and  Jacob  McClure,  the 
second  time,  the  incumbent. 

MEDICAL. 

No  community  can  exist  without  the  aid  of 
the  doctor,  at  least  this  is  the  general  opinion. 
In  1850,  Dr.  Connery,  of  Ohio,  moved  to  the 
township,  and  commenced  here  the  practice  of 
medicine.  In  1855,  he  moved  into  the  new  vil- 
lage of  Benton,  now  Williamsville,  and  con- 
tinued to  practice,  being  the  first  physician  in 
the  place.  He  was  a  clever  man,  a  good  physi- 
cian and  enjoyed  the  respect  of  the  community 
i;i  which  he  lived.  He  secured  an  excellent 
practice,  but  died  in  1857.  Since  Dr.  Connery's 
time  there  have  been  a  number  of  physicians 
who  have  practiced  their  profession  in  the  place, 
among  whom  were  Drs.  Henry  VanMeter,  J.  M. 
West,  Thomas  M.  Helm  and  J.  Y.  Winn.  The 
present  resident  physicians  of  the  place  are:  M. 
Mathus,  J.  Y.  Winn,  A.  D.  Taylor  and  K.  E. 
McClelland. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  village  of  Williamsville  comprises  a  por- 
tion of  District  No.  5,  which  was  organized  in 
October,  1855.  The  first  school-house  erected 
in  the  village  was  that  same  fall;  it  was  a  frame 
building  eighteen  by  twenty,  one  story  in  height, 
and  only  one  room.  At  this  time  the  building 
was  amply  large  enough  to  the  demands  of  the 
district,  but  subsequently  the  addition  of  an- 
other room  was  made.  In  this  house  the  follow- 
ing named  were  employed  at  different  periods  as 
teachers;  Erastus  W.  Mills,  Jacob  Beck,  A.  W. 
Botsford,  A.  J.  Leach,  Stephen  H.  Wilbur, 
Homer  E.  Aylesworth,  Francis  Springer,  George 
P.  Carpenter,  W.  H.  Raymond,  J.  S.  McClure, 
Edmund  Rogers,  C.  H.  Mitchell  and  Henry 
Allen. 

In  ISQl,  a  large  brick  school-house  was 
erected  at  a  cost  of  §12,000.     It  contains  four 


school-rooms— three  occupied — and  is  capable  of 
accommodating  one  hundred  and  sixty  pupils. 
The  building  is  neat,  tasty  and  convenient,  and 
would  be  an  honor  to  a  much  larger  place  than 
Williamsville.  The  schools  were  then  graded 
into  three  grades,  that  system  being  in  opera- 
tion ever  since.  The  following  named  have 
served  as  principals,  the  year  given  being  that 
in  which  they  commenced  their  work,  and  serv- 
ing until  their  successors  were  installed:  H.  A. 
Allen,  1867;  B.  F.  Connor,  1870;  B.  F.  January, 
1871;  Charles  Howard,  1872;  O.  S.  Webster, 
1873;  C.  H.  Mitchell,  1875;  O.  S.  Webster, 
1876;  E.  D.  Matheny,  1877;  W.  L.  Perce,  1878; 
Charles  F.  Wilcott,  1880;  Hezekiah  Miller,  1881. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The  religious  element  of  the  place  is  repre- 
sented by  three  denominations,  each  having  a 
neat  house  of  worship,  Christian,  Methodist 
Episcopal,  and  Presbyterian. 

The  Christian  Church  was  organized  at  the 
house  of  William  T.  Jones,  November,  18-4:3, 
and  was  first  known  as  the  Fancy  Creek  Christ- 
ian Church.  A  large  pai't  of  the  original  mem- 
bership were  connected  with  the  Wolf  creek 
congregation,  and  on  account  of  the  distance 
from  the  place  of  worship,  it  was  thought  best 
to  organize  another  congregation.  The  Wolf 
creek  congregation  consented  to  s'-  many  of  its 
members  as  desired,  withdrawing  for  this  pur- 
pose.       ^ 

Miletus  W.  Ellis,  Mary  A.  Ellis,  Isaac  Con- 
stant, Amy  Constant,  James  Stewart,  Roxanna 
Stewart,  George  W.  Constant,  Martha  B.  Con- 
stant, Wm.  F.  Elkin,  Elizabeth  Elkin,  Thomas 
Elkin,  Harriet  Elkin,  Thomas  Branch,  Elizabeth 
Branch,  Mary  M.  Constant,  Wm.  T.  Jones, 
Lavina  Jones,  Lotta  McClelland,  Nancy  Mc- 
Cray,  Mary  McClelland,  Sarah  Forguson,  James 
Langston,  Harriet  Langston,  James  Stewart. 
Miletus  W.  Ellis  was  elected  elder,  and  William 
T.  Jones  and  William  F.  Elkin,  deacon. 

In  consequence  of  Mr.  Ellis  having  gone  to 
Oregon,  and  other  officers  being  needed,  in 
March,  1852,  an  election  was  held,  and  William 
T.  Jones  and  James  Lester  were  elected  elders, 
and  George  W.  Constant  and  James  Barr,  dea- 
cons. 

On  the  first  of  March,  1854,  James  Barr 
resigned  and  Andrew  Lester  was  elected  to  till 
the  vacancy.  Subsequently  Mr.  Ellis  returned 
from  Oregon,  and  was  still  recognized  as  an 
elder. 

The  congregation  met  from  house  to  house 
for  worship  until  1849,   when  the  Lake  school 


HISTORY''  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1049 


house  was  secured  for  regular  services.  Here 
they  met  until  1858,  when  a  house  of  worship 
was  erected  in  Williamsville,  and  the  services 
commenced  there  that  fall.  The  building  is 
thirty-six  by  fifty-six,  frame,  twenty-feet  posts, 
and  is  valued  at  $2,500. 

On  removal  to  the  village,  the  name  of  the 
church  was  changed  from  Fancy  Creek  to 
Williamsville  Christian  Church.  At  this  time 
J.  M.  Britton  was  elected  Deacon  in  place  of 
Andrew  Lester,  deceased.  In  April,  1866,  two 
additional  elders  were  chosen — T.  M.  Helm  and 
A.  W.  Elder,  each  of  whom  were  ordained  by 
Elder  A.  J  Kane,  of  Springfield.  At  the  same 
time  F.  A.  Merriman,  Charles  Turley  and  Isaac 
Groves  were  elected  and  ordained  deacons. 

In  June,  1879,  in  consequence  of  removals  and 
deaths,  it  became  necessary  to  elect  other  officers, 
and  accordingly  A.  J.  Bronsom,  N.  R.  Taylor, 
G.  B.  Jones  and  6.  W.  Constant  were  elected 
elders,  and  J.  B.  Taylor,  Jr.,  J.  II.  Groves,  G.  F. 
Strawn  and  W.  F.  Constant  were  elected  dea- 
cons. On  the  5th  of  October,  1879,  they  were 
each  set  apart  to  the  oftice  in  which  they  were 
called.  Elders  A.  J.  Kane  and  M.  R.  Elder  con- 
ducting the  ordination. 

The  first  regular  minister  who  served  the 
congregation  was  A.  J.  Kane.  Joel  Ethridge 
and  J.  H.  Hughes  also  preached  for  them  at  an 
early  day.  As  regular  pastors,  the  following 
named  have  served:  A.  J.  Kane,  April,  1858,  to 
October,  1859;  Alex.  Johnson,  October,  1859,  to 
July,  1861;  Charles  Berry,  July  1861,  to  Septem- 
ber, 186i!;  John  S.  Sweeny,  November,  1862,  to 
September,  1868;  A.  H.  Rice,  September,  186.3, 
to  September,  1864;  A.  J.  Kane,  October,  1864, 
to  February,  1867;  Thomas  W.  Ramey,  June, 
1867,  to  October,  1868;  Samuel  Lowe,  October, 
3  868,  to  October,  1869;  A.  J.  Kane,  October, 
1869,  to  March,  1871;  A.  J.  Kane  and  J.  M. 
Allen,  March,  1871,  to  March,  1873;  Philemon 
Vawter,  Julv,  1873,  to  July,  1874;  J.  W.  Spriggs, 
March,  1875,  to  March,  1877;  M.  R.  Elder, 
March,  1878,  to  March,  1881;  G  K.  Berry, 
March,  1881,  to  September,  1881. 

A  number  of  "revivals"  have  been  experienced 
by  the  congregation.  W.  W.  Happy  held  a 
protracted  meeting  at  Lake  school  house,  which 
was  continued  about  three  weeks  with  good 
results.  A.  H.  Rice  held  a  meeting  beginning 
November  9,  186.3,  and  closing  December  13, 
with  eighty  additions.  L.  B.  Wilkes  and  A.  .1. 
Kane  in  February,  1807,  with  a  number  of  ad- 
ditions; Charles  Rowe  in  March,  1868,  with 
about  sixty;  D.  R.  Lucas  in  October,  1873,  with 


thirty;  B.  F.  Bush  in  December,  1880,  with 
thirteen. 

An  interesting  discussion  was  held  in  this  vil- 
lage in  March,  1864,  between  John  S.  Sweeney, 
of  the  Church  of  Chri.st,  and  Rev.  Davies,  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal,  lasting  ten  days. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  one 
hundred  and  sixty,  and  the  church  is  in  good 
working  order,  with  a  Sunday  school  numbering 
one  hnndred  members,  of  which  J.  II.  Groves 
is  superintendent. 

The  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Williamsville, 
was  organized  by  the  Presbytery  of  Sangamon, 
August  26,  1857.  The  following  named  were 
enrolled,  and  became  part  of  the  original  con- 
gregation: Bryant  Purcell,  Dority  Purcell,  John 
Earnest,  Elizabeth  E.arnest,  Elizabeth  Fisher, 
Mary  Hunter,  Eliza  I.  Munce,  Hannah  Stockj 
dale.  The  first  ruling  elder  was  Bryant  Purcell. 
After  its  organization  the  meetings  of  the  con- 
gregation were  held  in  the  Methodist  Church 
for  a  number  of  years,  until  1869,  when  a  very 
neat  brick  house  of  worship  was  erected,  at  a 
cost  of  $7,000.  The  following  named  have 
served  as  pastors,  or  stated  supplies.  Revs. 
George  McKinley,  D.  R.  Todd,  R.  Rudd,  A. 
Bartholomew,  W.  G.  Keady,  Edward  B.  Mays, 
M.  M.  Cooper,  Samuel  B.  Ayres,  the  last  being 
the  present  pastor,  who  began  his  labors  in  1880. 
The  congregation  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion, with  the  following  named  elders:  Richard 
Fulkerson,  Thomas  J.  Shreve,  George  W.  Shep- 
herd, Benjamin  Donnan. 

The  Williamsville  circuit  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  has  four  appointments  and 
two  churches.  Fancy  Creek  and  Williamsville. 
Fancy  Creek  was  built  in  1856,  and  Williams- 
ville in  1857.  The  church  edifice  at  Williams- 
ville is  a  frame,  about  thirty-five  by  fifty  feet,  is 
in  very  good  repair,  has  a  good  bell^ — the  only 
one  in  the  village — and  is  valued  at  |2,000.  The 
society  also  own  a  good  parsonage,  valued  at 
!S700.  The  church  property  embraces  half  a  block, 
with  the  house  of  worship  on  one  corner  and 
the  parsonage  on  the  other.  The  society  num- 
bers ninety  members,  and  is  in  a  healthy,  pros- 
perous condition,  with  no  indebtedness.  Rev. 
James  W.  Sinnock  is  the  present  pastor.  The 
present  officers  are:  Stewards,  W.  L.  Perce,  W. 
S.  Hussey,  J.  R.  Jones,  J.  P.  Mountz,  and  John 
Nauson;  local  preacher,  Fred  Joynt.  The 
church  has  in  connection  a  flourishing  Sunday 
school,  of  about  one  hundred  members,  with 
W.  L.  Perce  as  superintendent. 

The  first  Quarterly  Conference  of  which  there 
is   any  record   extant,   was   held   November  27, 


1050 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1858,  in  Fancy  Creek  Chapel.  The  pastor  in 
charge  was  then  Rev.  W.  F.  Short;  W.  S.  Pren- 
tice, presiding  elder.  The  board  of  stewards  at 
that  time  were  William  Yocum,  W.  R.  Brass- 
field,  and  M.  M.Ramlej'.  Mr.  Short  was  followed 
by  Rev.  D.  Bardrick  in  1860,  Rev.  J.  Slater,  suc- 
ceeded him  in  1861,  before  the  close  of  the  con- 
ference year.  Peter  Cartwright  was  appointed 
presiding  elder  in  the  fall  of  1861.  Rev.  W.  T. 
Bennett  became  pastor  in  the  fall  of  1861.  He 
was  succeeded  in  the  fall  of  1863,  by  Rev.  L. 
Smith;  he  by  Rev.  George  Stevens,  in  1865.  At 
the  same  time  J.  L.  Crane  succeeded  Peter  Cart- 
wright  as  presiding  elder.  Rev.  W.  H.  Ray- 
burn,  became  pastor  in  1867,  and  was  followed 
ty  John  S.  Barger,  in  1868.  Rev.  0.  H.  P.  Ash 
was  next,  in  1869,  with  Rev.  JM.  M.  Davison  in 
1870.  In  1871,  Rev.  H.  C.  Adams  was  .sent  to 
the  charge,  and  remained  until  1874,  when  Rev. 
C  A.  Obenchain  was  appointed;  Rev.  W.  E. 
Johnson  was  the  next  appointed,  and  remained 
two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  B. 
Wolfe,  in  1878,  who  remained  until  the  fall  of 
1881,  when  the  present  pastor  was  sent  to  the 
charge . 

IXCORPORATION. 

The  village  of  Williamsville  was  incorporated 
and  its  first  election  held  May  14,  1866. 

BUSINESS    OF    WILLIAMSVILLE. 

For  the  benefit  of  future  generations,  and  not 
for  the  present,  is  the  following  directory  of 
the  business  of  Williamsville  here  given:  Mer- 
chant Tailor- — Adam  Sehy;  Wagon-Maker — Urias 
Haines;  Blacksmith — A.D.Clark;  Tinware  and 
Stoves — J.  L.  Fourmier;  Groceries,  Tinware  and 
Hardware — John  McKee;  Drugs  and  Station- 
ery— L.  W.  Perce;  General  Merchandise — 
Lemon  T.  Berryhill,  Strawn,  Mayo  &  Co.,  R.M. 
Lawrence,  G.  Groves  &  Sons;  Boot  and  Shoe- 
Maker —  Geo.  Ket/.ler;  Restaurant — D.  C.  Dun- 
can; Boots  and  Shoes — Henry  Miller;  Groceries 
and  Hardware — N.  R.  Taylor,  John  B.  Zader; 
Harness  Maker — J.  B.  Kiplinger;  Elevator  and 
Grain  Dealer — Wesley  Council;  Groceries — J. 
S.  McClure;  Postmaster — Jacob  S.  McClure. 

BAKCLAT. 

The  Barclay  Coal  Mining  Company  shipped 
their  first  coal  from  Barclay,  December  3,  1872. 
The  same  company  built  the  first  house,  the  first 
store  and  the  first  hotel.  The  first  parties  em- 
ployed to  manage  the  business  were  R.  D.  Law- 
rence, superintendent;  Michael  Palmer,  pit  boss; 
D.  C.  Robbins,  coal  agent;  H.  R.  Stevenson, 
manager  of  store;  Colonel  William  Allen,  pro- 
prietor hotel;  J.  Y.  Hussey,  agent,  G.  C.  &  S.  R. 


R.;  H.  R.  Stevenson,  postmaster.  Of  the  fore 
going  all  have  left  save  one — H.  E.  Stevenson, 
who  still  remains  with  the  company,  and  who  is 
now  acting  as  manager  of  the  store,  coal  agent 
and  postmaster.  The  mine  has  been  operated 
steadily  since  1872.  At  present  all  accounts  of 
the  business  done  in  the  mine  is  all  accounted 
for  in  the  store.  From  $7,000  to  $9,000  per 
month  is  required  to  pay  the  men  employed  in 
the  mines. 

The  Barclay  Christian  Church  was  organized 
by  Elder  Robert  Foster,  September  3,  1837,  and 
was  known  as  the  Wolf  Creek  Christian  Church, 
The  following  named  composed  the  original  offi- 
cers: Andrew  J.  Grove,  Rezin  H.  Constant, 
Miletus  W.  Ellis,  elders;  Samuel  Wilson,  James 
Taylor,  William  F.  Elkin,  deacons;  W.  W.  Ellis, 
clerk.  The  first  meetings  were  held  at  the  house 
of  Isaac  H.  Constant,  in  W^illiamsville  township 
and  at  R.  H.  Constant's  in  Clear  Lake.  After 
the  congregation  was  organized  meetings  were 
held  at  Mr.  Grove's,  about  three  miles  south  of 
Williamsville,  then  at  a  fchool  house  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  R.  H.  Constant's, 
then  at  a  school  house  on  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  two. 
They  then  built  a  church  house  at  Barclay 
at  a  cost  of  $2,700,  in  size  thirty-two  by  forty- 
four.  Since  its  organization  the  church  has  been 
ministered  unto  by  the  following  named:  Elders 
Foster,  Powell,  Sweet,  Kane,  Bowles,  Peeler, 
W^ilson,  Vawter,  Orcott,  Mallory,  Lindsley  and 
T.  J.  Burton,  ths  present  pastor.  R.  H.  Constant 
is  at  present  the  only  elder,  with  Isaac  Taylor, 
John  Taylor,  W^illiam  Dunavan  deacons.  R.  H. 
Constant  is  clerk.  Out  of  this  church  has  grown 
in  part  that  of  Williamsville,  Clear  Lake  and 
Cornland.  When  it  removed  to  Barclay  it  took 
upon  it  the  name  of  that  village.  The  present 
membership  is  sixty-five. 

George  K.  Berry,  minister  of  the  Christian 
Church,  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Vir- 
ginia, October  24,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Nathaniel 
and  Isabella  (Keys)  Berry,  natives  of  Virginia. 
Our  subject  came  from  Virginia  to  Illinois  in 
1806  with  his  parents,  who  located  in  McDonough 
county.  His  early  schooling  was  received  in  the 
country  district  schools  in  Virginia  and  Illinois; 
began  teaching  in  1873  in  McDonough  county, 
and  has  taught  about  four  terms  in  the  county — 
from  1873  to  1876 — during  which  lime  has  at- 
tended Abingdon  College,  Illinois,  and  Normal 
School  for  teachers,  in  Macomb,  Illinois.  He 
united  with  the  Christian  Church,  in  Macomb, 
Illinois,  April  2,  1876,  and  the  following  day 
entered  Eureka  Coilege,  Illinois,  a  pupil  for  one 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1051 


term.  During  his  vacation,  canvassed  for  raising 
funds  for  the  General  Christian  Missionary 
Society  after  which  spent  two  terms  in  the  above 
named  college.  Mr.  Berry  preached  his  first 
sermon  November,  1816,  in  Tazewell  county,  Illi- 
nois. His  first  regular  employment  as  a  preacher 
was  at  Antioch,  Illinois,  during  which  time  he 
taught  school  three  months.  In  1878,  returned 
to  Eureka  College  for  a  short  time;  was  ordained 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  at  Macomb,  Illinois, 
the  third  Sunday  in  June,  1878, by  G.  W.  Mapes; 
employed  at  Toulon,  Stark  county,  to  preach  for 
two  years.  In  1880,  he  visited  his  old  home  in 
Virginia,  which  is  an  event  in  his  life  never  to 
be  forgotten.  The  same  year  preached  in  Indian- 
apolis Indiana,  and  attended  Butler  University. 
The  Christian  Church  at  Williamsvilie  employed 
Mr.  Berry  in  I  881,  for  their  pastor,  and  for  whom 
he  is  laboring  at  this  writing.  His  present  position 
in  life  is  due  to  his  personal  energies  and  per- 
severance which  merits  and  receives  the  respect 
of  all  his  acquaintances. 

ATrs.  Maria  Chenoioeth,  Williams  township, 
widow  of  the  late  Gideon  Chenoweth,  was  born 
in  Sciota  county,  Ohio,  January  3,  1815.  Mrs. 
Chenoweth  was  married  to  Gideon  Chenoweth 
(deceased),  January  27,  184'2,  who  was  a  native 
of  Pike  county,  Ohio,  and  born  January  13, 
1813;  Mr.  Chenoweth  was  a  son  of  Abram  and 
Rebecca  (Car)  Chenoweth,  natives  of  Virginia, 
who  came  to  Pike  county,  Ohio,  from  Kentucky, 
in  1T9C,  where  they  remained  until  their  death. 
To  them  were  born  fourteen  children,  viz:  Wil- 
liam, Jacob,  Ann,  Susan,  John,  Joel,  Abram, 
Noah,  Gideon,  Martha,  Hannah,  Sarah,  Rebecca 
and  Mary.  Gideon  Chenoweth  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old; 
taught  school  several  years,  and  then  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  business  in  Piketon,  Pike  county, 
Ohio;  he  was  a  successful  merchant;  he  re- 
mained in  Piketon  until  his  death.  Mrs.  Cheno- 
weth is  a  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Polly 
(Headley)  Miller,  natives  of  Virginia;  Mrs. 
Chenoweth's  education  was  received  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  her  native  State;  she  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  in  1876,  and  located  in  Wil- 
liams township,  where  she  owns  a  good  farm  of 
three  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  on  sections 
nineteen  and  twenty,  and  a  good  residence;  she 
is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Williitni  F.  Constant  was  born  in  Williams 
township,  February  25,  1838,  is  the  son  of 
Nathan  E.  and  Mary  M.  (Stewart)  Constant;  the 
former  was  born  in  Kentucky,  the  latter  in  New 
York,  and  had  five  children;  William  F.,  and 
Nathan   K.  the  only  ones  now  living.     Mr.  Con- 


stant has  enjoyed  good  school  advantages.  After 
attending  the  common  school  in  his  district,  be- 
came a  student  of  Berean  College,  Jacksonville, 
Illinois  in  1856.  He  began  to  farm  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  has  continued  to  do 
80.  Mr.  Constant  was  married  in  Sangamon 
county,  October  15,  1861  to  Elizabeth  A.  Lake,  of 
Sangamon  county,  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Harriet  (Dilleu)  Lake,  natives  of  Virginia,  to 
whom  were  born  nine  children,  Ann  E.,  Bayliss 
E.,  Susanna,  James,  John  F.,  Elizabeth  A.,  Agnes 
C,  William  B.,  and  Mary  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Con- 
stant had  one  child,  Mary  E.,  who  was  born 
October  4,  1862,  and  died  February  7,  1879. 
Mrs.  Constant  died  August  7,  1881;  she  was  a 
member  of -the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Constant 
owns  two  homesteads;  one  containing  one  hund- 
red, the  other  two  hundred  acres.  Both  farms 
are  well  improved  and  under  cultivation.  Mrs. 
Constant  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
George  W.  Constant,  farmer,  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  near  Winchester,  October  23,  1818, 
and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Amy  (Dean)  Con- 
stant, natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia  respect- 
ively, and  came  from  Kentucky  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and  settled  on 
Fancy  creek,  in  Williams  township,  sction  seven. 
They  had  eight  children,  all  born  in  Kentucky, 
viz:  John,  Rebecca,  Abigal  D.,  Mary  Ann, 
Abery  G.,  Samuel  D.,  James  and  George  W. 
Mr.  Constant  came  to  Sangamon  c6unty  with  his 
parents,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  of 
the  county,  and  remained  at  home  on  the  farm 
until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  and  then  be- 
gan to  appropriate  his  earnings  to  his  own  use, 
making  rails  from  a  piece  of  timber-land  given 
him  by  his  father.  His  education  was  obtained 
in  the  country  schools  of  his  boyhood  days.  Mr. 
Constant  was  married  in  Williams  township, 
November  26,  1840,  to  Martha  B.  Stewart, 
daughter  of  James  and  Roxanna  (Stillman) 
Stewart.  The  former  was  born  at  Fort  Ann, 
New  York,  in  1777,  and  the  latter  in  Massachu- 
setts, March  22,  1786,  to  whom  were  born  eight 
children;  Mary  M.,  Roxanna,  Jane  C,  Benja- 
min H.,  William  A.,  Abigal  C,  Martha  B., 
James  O.,  and  Joseph  B  ,  the  first  two  men- 
tioned, Mary  M.,  and  Roxanna,  are  the  only 
ones  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Constant 
were  blessed  with  three  children:  William  S., 
born  October  24,1841;  James  PL,  born  Febru- 
ary 23,  1845;  Mary  A.,  born  December  12,  1847, 
all  of  whdrn  were  born  in  Williams  township, 
and  are  living.  Mrs.  Constant  was  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Cliureh,  which  membership 
lasted  till  her  death  in  June   1,  1850.     She  was 


1052 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


born    in  Illinois  March   10,  1821,  being  in  her 
thirtieth  year  when  she  died. 

Mr.  Constant  was  married  again  in  the 
city  of  Springfield,  October  7,  1852,  to 
Mary  W.  Stapleford,  a  native  of  the  State  of 
Delaware,  came  to  Illinois  in  1836,  and  spent  a 
few  months  at  Salisbury,  then  went  to  Spring- 
field. Mrs.  Constant  has  enjoyed  good  school 
privileges,  and  in  her  earlier  life  was  engaged  in 
teaching  school  for  several  years,  in  the  follow- 
ing places:  Springfield,  Illinois;  St.  Louis,  Mis- 
souri; Vermont,  Illinois,  and  at  Fancy  Creek, 
Illinois;  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  C.  while 
teaching  at  the  latter  place.  Mr.  Constant  en- 
tered the  mercantile  business  in  Williamsville, 
Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  January,  1859,  in 
which  he  remained  till  January,  1863.  After 
closing  out  his  mercantile  interests,  he  gave  his 
attention  to  farming.  He  is  in  possession  of 
three  good  prairie  farms,  one  in  Logan  county, 
the  other  in  Williams  township,  two  of  which 
consist  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  each,  the 
others  two  hundred  and  ninety-one  acres,  all  im- 
proved, and  all,  save  one  hundred  and  thirty-five 
acres,  under  good  cultivation.  The  old  home 
farm  is  partly  in  timber,  and  included  in  the 
above  farms  mentioned.  Mr.  Constant  has 
served  in  offices  for  several  years,  in  Williams- 
ville, serving  as  a  member  of  the  town  trustees, 
and  president  of  the  same  body  for  several 
years,  and  has  been  on  the  board  of  education 
in  Williamsville  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  C.  have  been  active  members  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  over  forty-three  years. 

His  children:  Wm.  S.  occupies  one  of  his 
farms  in  Williams  township;  James  H.  carries 
on  his  farm  in  Logan  county;  Mary  A.  is  the 
wife  of  James  H.  Groves,  and  resides  ,in  Wil- 
liamsville. 

George  W.  Constant  thinks  the  first  chinch 
bugs  discovered  in  Illinois  was  in  1832,  by  his 
father  and  his  uncle  and  himself  in  a  low  basin 
of  prairie  land  on  his  father's  farm,  section 
seven,  first  discovered  in  a  small  number  and 
area,  while  cutting  corn,  and  they  so  named 
them  from  their  peculiar  offensive  odor.  It  was 
several  years  before  this  pest  was  much  known 
or  did  any  damage  to  growing  crops. 

WesleT/  Vouncil,  grain  dealer,  Williamsville, 
was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  November 
21,  1824;  he  is  the  son  of  Hardy  and  Jane 
(Uanna)  Council,  born  in  North  Carolina,  1795, 
and  Kentucky,  1797,  respectively.  They  were 
married  in  White  county,  Illinois,  in  the  spring 
yf  1819,  and  settled  in  Fancy  Creek  township, 
jSangamon   county,  the   same   year;   had   seven 


children  who  lived  to  be  adults;  one  lately  died; 
the  living  are  John  H.,  Wesley,  Wm.  F.,  George 
W.;  Robert  died  this  fall.  Mr.  Hardy  Council, 
father  of  Wesley  Council,  took  quite  an  interest 
in  fine  stock,  and  kept  some  of  the  best  in  the 
county,  and  took  the  premium  on  Short-Horn 
Durhams,  at  the  Sangamon  County  Fair,  1837. 
Mr.  Wesley  Council's  education  was  received  in 
the  old-time  schools  in  his  early  life,  and  the 
work  at  home  prevented  his  attending  school 
regularly,  and  his  education  was  obtained  out- 
side the  school  by  his  own  personal  efforts;  he 
took  the  control  of  his  father's  saw-mill,  the 
first  portable  saw-mill  in  this  region,  which  he 
managed  for  five  years;  this  mill  was  estab- 
lished by  his  father  in  1849,  and  did  the  sawing 
for  a  large  area  of  country.  Mr.  Council  re, 
mained  at  home  until  his  marriage,  April  H, 
1853,  to  Martha  A.  Wigginton,  and  by  this  union 
had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  four  are  living, 
viz:  John  W.,  Willie  H.,  Nellie  and  Bessie. 
January  1,  1857,  Mr.  Council  moved  to  Wil- 
liamsville, and  soon  after  began  the  grain  busi- 
ness, acting  as  agent  for  Samuel  N.  Fullinwider; 
before  the  close  of  the  year  1857,  he  engaged  in 
the  same  business  for  himself,  in  which  he  is 
still  engaged.  Mr.  Council  has  one  of  the  best 
elevators  of  its  capacity  on  the  Chicago  and 
Alton  Railroad;  all  of  its  machinery  and  appa- 
ratus for  the  unloading  and  carriage  of  grain  to 
their  respective  departments  are  of  first-class 
modern  improvements,  thus  rendering  it  conve- 
nient for  receiving  and  shipping  grain.  Its 
spouting  capacity  is  fifteen  thousand  bushels; 
crib  room  for  ear  corn,  four  thousand  bushels. 
He  can  dump,  shell  and  ship  five  thousand 
bushel  per  day.  In  1863,  he  bought  out  Carlin 
Buffum,  who  was  dealing  in  grain  and  lumber  in 
Williamsville,  and  has  ever  since  carried  on  the 
lumber  business  also.  He  has  two  elevators  in 
the  building — one  for  corn  on  the  ear  and  the 
other  for  wheat,  oats,  rye  and  shelled  corn;  Mr. 
Council  handles  two  hundred  thousand  bushels 
of  grain  each  year;  has  a  mill  in  the  elevator 
which  will  grind  fifty  bushels  of  meal  or  sixty 
bushels  of  feed  per  hour;  the  engine  is  of  thirty- 
five-horse  power;  the  original  cost  of  the  build- 
ing is  §10,000,  erected  by  him  in  1877;  in  con- 
nection with  the  grain  business  Mr.  Council  deals 
in  lumber  and  agricultural  implements.  He  was 
the  first  president  of  the  board  of  town  trustees 
of  Williamsville,  Illinois,  and  has  held  the  office 
of  police  magistrate,  and  now  holds  the  office; 
he  is  also  president  of  the  Williamsville  Protec- 
tion Association.  Mrs.  Council  is  of  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  viz:     William,  Samuel,  Andrew, 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1053 


James,  John,  Eliza,  Dollie,  Martha,  Mary,  Eliza- 
beth A.  and  Nancy  E.,  of  whom  only  four  are 
living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Council  identified  them- 
selves with  the  Methodist  Church  in  the  early 
years  of  their  life,  and  are  zealous  believers  and 
livers  of  their  early  religious  faith. 

Mary  M.  Ellis  is  the  daughter  of  James  and 
Roxana  (Stillraan)  Stewart.  Mrs.  Ellis  was 
born  in  New  York,  April  6,  1813,  and  is  the 
fifth  of  nine  children,  viz.:  Jane  C,  Benjamin 
H.,  William  A.,  Abigal  C,  Mary  M.,  Roxana, 
Martha  B.,  James  O.,  and  Joseph  B.  Mrs. 
Ellis  came  to  Sangamon  county  from  New  York, 
and  in  1820  settled  in  Williams  township.  Mrs. 
Ellis  was  married  to  Nathan  E.  Constant, 
August  25,  1843,  and  by  this  union  were  born 
to  them  William  F.,born  February  25,  1833,  and 
Nathan  E.,  Jr.,  born  December  19,  1843.  Nathan 
E.  Jr.,  enlisted  in  the  late  war  August,  1802,  for 
three  years,  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  under 
Captain  Wilson.  Was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Guntown,  Mississippi,  June,  1864,  and 
taken  to  Andersonville  prison,  and  subsequently 
to  other  southern  prisons,  but  spending  most  of 
his  prison  life,  which  was  nine  months,  in  An- 
dersonville. He  was  liberated  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Nathan  E.  Constant,  Sr.,  was  born  April 
8,  1807,  in  Clark  county,  Kentucky,  and  is  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Margery  (Edmondson)  Con- 
stant. He  came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1820. 
He  owned  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Williams 
township.  ,  Enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  at 
Springfield  in  the  Sangamon  county  company. 
Mr.  Constant  was  a  successful  farmer,  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  loved  by 
all  who  knew  him.  His  death  occurred  August 
8,  1843. 

Mrs.  Ellis  was  married  to  Miletus  W.  Ellis, 
farmer,  and  native  of  Virginia,  is  the  son  of  Levi 
and  Cynthia  Ellis,  natives  of  South  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  respectively.  Mr.  Ellis  came  to  San- 
gamon county,  where  Springfield  now  stands,  in 
1817.  After  they  were  married  moved  on  his 
farm,  which  is  her  present  home.  Mr.  Ellis  was 
a  member  of  the  trustees  of  Williamsville.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
acted  as  elder  for  thirty-eight  years.  Mrs.  Ellis 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  is  faith- 
ful to  all  her  duties,  and  respected  by  all  who 
know  her. 

Frank  Hickman  was  born  June  25,  1845,  and 
is  the  son  of  George  T.  and  Elizabeth  (Lyon) 
Hickman,  natives  of  the  State  of  Kentucky  and 
moved  to  Sangamon  county  in  the  fall  previous 
to  the  deep  snow.    Mr.  Frank  Hickman  received 

123— 


his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  in  his 
county,  and  subse(|uently  completed  the  commer- 
cial course  in  the  Springfield  Business  College  in 
186G.  He  continued  to  farm  at  home  after  his 
return  from  college  until  twenty-five  year  old, 
then  began  to  control  his  farming  interest  for 
himself.  Mr.  Hickman  was  married  on  the  27th 
of  December,  1871,  to  Sophia  Burns,  daughterof 
John  R.  and  Lucy  Burns,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  about  1828, 
were  also  the  first  persons  married  in  Buffalo 
Hart  township,  and  to  them  were  born  Mafy  J., 
Thomas,  W^illiani  A.,  Martha,  Armentia,  Iva, 
John  T.,  Robert  and  Sophia.  Mr.  Hickman  has 
six  brothers  and  sisters,  viz.:  William  H.  enlist- 
ed in  the  late  war  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Regiment  Infantry  Volun- 
teers, August  1862,  and  died  January  19,  1863, 
in  the  hospital  in  Memphis,  Tennessee;  Mary 
E.,  Richard  O.,  Henrietta,  Thomas  C.  Mr. 
Hickman  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  May,  1864, 
in  response  to  the  government  call  for  one  hun- 
dred day  soldiers  and  was  discharged  September 
24,  1864.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hickman  had  one  child 
Arthur  Franklin,  born  February  2,  1875,  and 
died  February  14, 1879.  Mr.  Hickman  has  in  his 
possession  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  all  under  cultivation,  Mr.  Hickman  is  a 
Republican. 

William  jS.  Hussey  was  born  in  Green  county, 
Ohio,  November  2,  1809;  is  the  son  of  Nathan 
and  Mary  (Stewart)  Hussey,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Virginia,  respectively,  came  from 
Ohio  to  Sangamon  county  in  1819,  and  settled 
on  Fancy  creek,  and  this  was  the  first  settlement 
on  that  creek.  Here  he  lived  until  1845,  when 
he  moved  to  Oregon,  and  died  there  in  1858, 
being  seventy-three  years  old.  His  wife,  Mary 
Hussey,  was  born  in  1786,  and  died  1842.  Mi". 
William  Hussey  came  to  Sangamon  county  with 
his  parents,  in  1819;  his  education  was  received 
in  the  district  schools  of  Sangamon  county.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-one  he  commenced  farming 
for  himself,  by  improving  and  cultivating  new 
prairie  land  which  his  father  had  given  him.  By 
his  industry  and  untiring  will  he  added  largely  to 
his  first  farm,  and  in  1851,  had  accumulated 
twelve  hundred  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Hussey  was 
married  to  Sarah  Yocom,  in  Williams  township, 
in  1834.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing named  children:  Nathan,  Jacob  Y., Mary  J., 
William  F.,  and  Stephen,  are  living.  Mrs.  Hus- 
sey was  the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Yocom. 
Mr.  Hussey  moved  to  Oregon  in  1851,  where  he 
remained  till  1804,  when  he  returned  to  this 
county.     Mrs.  Hussey  died  the  18th  of  M<irch, 


1054 


HISTORY  OP  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1853;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church. 

Mr.  Hussey  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
in  1832,  in  Captain  Clay  well's  company,  Fourth 
Regiment,  and  Third  Brigade,  and  was  mus- 
tered out  at  Fort  Crawford,  Prairie  du  Chien. 
Wisconsin;  was  in  the  battle  of  Wisconsin 
and  Bad  Ax,  on  the  Mississippi  river. 
Mr.  Hussey  has  been  supervisor  of  Williams 
township  two  terms,  and  justice  of  the  peace 
and  collector  of  the  township.  He  was  married 
the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Jemimah  Gilbreth, 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Catharine  Thompson, 
natives  of  South  Carolina.  Mrs.  Hussey  has 
two  children  living,  by  her  first  husband,  Wil- 
liam C.  Gilbreth,  and  by  this  last  marriage  two, 
Josephine  and  Charles  A.,  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hussey  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  respected  by  all  who  know  them.  In  poli- 
tics a  strong  supporter  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  voted  first  for  President  Harrison. 

John  R.  Jones  was  born  in  Louisa  county,  Vir- 
ginia, December  18,  1827,  is  the  son  of  Samuel 
and  Lucy  (Desper)  Jones,  natives  of  Virginia; 
died  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  They  had  ten  children, 
of  whom  five  are  living,  viz:  David  G.,  Samuel 
H.,  Mary  J.,  John  R.  and  William  A.  Mr.  Jones 
came  to  Sangamon  county  in  1854  and  located 
on  his  present  home,  on  section  nine;  was  married 
January  24,  1856,  in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  to  Mary 
A.  Talbott,  of  Ohio,  born  June  24,  18.32.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jones  were  blessed  with  six  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Samuel  T.,  Nellie 
M.,  and  Milton  E.  Mr.  Jones  received  his  edu- 
cation in  Ohio.  He  began  to  work  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  and  followed  farming 
and  stock  driving.  He  has  driven  stock  to  the 
eastern  markets  of  New  York  and  Philadelphia; 
owns  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  laud  of  which  forty  acres  are  of  timber,  and 
the  remainder  prairie  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  Mrs.  Jones  of  the  Foreign  Mission  Society. 
Mr.  Jones  is  a  successful  and  enterprising  farmer. 

Stephen  King  was  born  in  Bracken  county, 
Kentucky,  March  29,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  B.,  and  Anna  R.  (Geening)  King,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
county  in  the  fall  of  1S30.  They  had  twelve 
children,  of  whom  Thomas,  James  M.,  Harry 
J.,  Stephen,  Fielding,  John  F.,  Hesther  and 
Anna  R.,  are  living.  Mr.  King  was  married  in 
Sangamon  county,  February  15,  1855,  to  Eliza- 
beth Hendricks,  and  by  this  union  were  born 
seven  children,  of  whom  Nellie,  George  L., 
Charles  H.,  William,  Kate  and  Eddie  are  living. 


Mr.  King  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  in  Sangamon  county.  When  twenty 
years  of  age,  he  began  teaching  school,  which  he 
pursued  for  seven  years.  After  his  marriage, 
began  farming  and  raising  stock  on  the  farm  of 
his  wife's  former  husband,  John  Smith,  which 
comprises  two  hundred  acres  of  good  prairie 
land,  well  improved,  and  under  cultivation.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  King  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

Ira  S.  Knights  was  born  February  9,  1833,  in 
St.  Lawrence  county.  New  York;  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Adeline  (Perrin)  Knights,  natives  also 
of  the  Emj^ire  State.  To  them  were  born  nine 
children,  of  whom  four  are  living,  viz.:  Suman, 
William,  Charles,  and  Ira  S.  Mr.  Ira  S.  Knights 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  in  his  place 
of  nativity  and  in  Williams  township;  came  to 
Sangamon  county  September,  1850,  at  which 
time  was  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  his  parents  came  from  New  York  State, 
and  resided  in  Sangamon  county  for  eighteen 
years,  farming,  at  the  end  of  which  time  moved 
to  Champaign  county,  Illinois,  where  they  now 
reside. 

Mr.  Knights  began  to  farm  for  himself  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  without  any  means  of  com- 
fortable support.  He  was  married  in  Williams 
township,  January  30,  1873,  to  Roxana  Stewart, 
born  September  8,  1818,  in  New  York,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  James  and  Roxana  (Stillman) 
Stewart,  the  former  born  September  28,  1777,  at 
Fort  Ann,  Washington  county.  New  York,  the 
latter  born  March  22,  1786,  in  Massachusetts, 
and  came  to  Sangamon  county  1820,  in  what  is 
now  known  as  Williams  township.  They  had 
nine  children. 

Mr.  James  Stewart  died  at  the  age  of  ninety- 
four  past,  April  16,  1872,  on  the  farm  on  which 
he  lived  for  more  than  fifty  years.  To  his  mem- 
ory, his  daughter  erected  a  beautiful  monument 
in  the  cemetery  near  the  old  homestead.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Knights  are  living  on  the  farm  on 
which  her  father  first  settled  when  he  came  to 
Sangamon  county  in  1820,  of  which  there  are 
three  hundred  aud  twenty  acres,  one-half  prairie 
and  one-half  timber.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knights  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Richard  M.  Lawrence,  merchant,  Williams- 
ville,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  July  4,  1827,  and  is 
a  son  of  David  B.  and  Nancy  (Ballenger)  Law- 
rence, natives  of  Tennessee.  Mr.  L.  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  near  the  time  of  the  "deep 
snow" — 1830 — with  his  parents.  There  were 
nine  children  in  the  family,  of  which  Richard 
M.,  William,  Allen,  Silas,  Hannah  and  Walter 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1055 


are  living.  Mr.  Lawrence's  school  privileges  were 
limited,  as  he  only  had  opportunity  of  attending 
the  district  school  a  short  time.  His  work  on 
the  farm  was  not  continued  long,  as  he  learned 
the  trade  of  chair-making,  which  he  followed  in 
various  places.  Mr.  Lawrence  commenced  the 
mercantile  business  in  Mountain  Grove,  Missouri, 
in  1861,  and  has  pursued  the  same  to  the  present 
time.  He  started  with  a  small  capital  and  during 
the  years  of  his  mercantile  life,  has  added  to  his 
stock  and  now  owns  the  building  which  he  occu- 
pies. Has  held  the  office  of  president  of  trustees 
of  Williamsville  two  terms;  has  been  a  citizen 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat. Was  postmaster  three  or  four  years  in 
Williamsville,  Illinois. 

I)r.  Mahlon  K.  Mathus,  Williamsville,  was 
boin  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  17, 
1824,  and  son  of  Samuel  S.,  and  Esther  Mathus, 
the  former  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
the  latter  in  Lehigh  county,  Pennsylvania.  They 
had  two  children,  Mahlon  K.,  and  Caroline. 
The  Doctor  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois, 
in  1843  with  his  parents,  who  located  in  Spring- 
field, Illinois.  His  earliest  education  was  re- 
ceived in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
State.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  his  mother 
was  married  to  Dr.  Patricius  Moran,  a  native 
of  Ireland,  and  a  practicing  physician  in  Spring- 
field eleven  years.  During  this  time,  his  step- 
son, Mahlon  K.,  became  his  pupil.  After  study- 
ing with  his  step-father  some  time,  Mahlon 
attended  McDowell's  Medical  College  at  St. 
Louis,  Missouri,  in  1854  and  1855,  and  after  re- 
ceiving the  honors  of  a  graduate,  became  a 
partner  of  Dr.  Moran.  In  1866,  he  located  in 
Williamsville,  where  he  has  practiced  success- 
fully a  number  of  years.  He  has  been  a  faithful 
student  in  his  profession,  which  is  shown  by  the 
interest  manifested  in  securing  the  latest  and 
best  medical  publications. 

Dr.  Mathus'  first  marriage  was  in  Fancy  Creek 
township,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Mount.  By  this 
marriage  there  were  three  children:  Carrie  R., 
Lulu  and  Samuel,  of  which  Carrie  is  the  only 
child  living.  Mrs.  Rebecca  Mathus  died,  and 
April  6,  1875,  Dr.  Mathus  married  Mrs.  Sarah  L. 
(Shick)  Stewart,  widow  of  William  Stewart,  and 
daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Shick.  Mrs.  M. 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Dr.  M. 
has  held  the  office  of  town  trustee,  and  is 
now  treasurer  of  Williams  township,  which 
office  he  has  held  for  twenty-five  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  formerly  a 
member  of  the  German  Reform  Church  in 
Pennsylvania.     The  homestead  of  his  first  wife's 


parents  is  in  his  possession — a  good  farm  of  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres.  The  Doctor  is  a 
respected  citizen,  and  by  his  industry  enjoys  the 
blessings  of  a  nice  home  in  Williamsville.  In 
politics,  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Taylor,  for  president. 

Robert  M.  McClelland,  Williams  township, 
was  born  in  Fancy  Creek  township,  July  12, 
1841,  and  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Brown)  Mc- 
C^lelland,  the  former  a  native  of  Illinois,  the 
latter  of  Kentucky.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
was  married  to  Miss  Lydia  A.  Groves,  Decem- 
ber 1,  1870.  She  is  the  only  living  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Barbara  Groves,  who  are  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Illinois,  respectively.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McClelland  have  two  children  living: 
Minnie  B.,  born  September  15,  1872,  and  Jacob, 
born  October  6,  1873.  Mr.  M.  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
State.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order. 
In  connection  with  farming,  he  formerly  dealt  in 
stock,  and  is  now  farming  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  fine  prairie  land,  well  improved  and 
under  cultivation. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McC.  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  and  respected  citizens. 

Robert  E.  McClelland,  M.  D.,  was  born  in 
Williams  township,  September  1,  1850,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  A.  (Mitts)  McClel- 
land, natives  of  Illinois  and  Ohio  respectively; 
had  seven  children,  of  whom  John,  Martha, 
Charlotte  F.,  Luticia  and  the  Doctor,  are  living. 
Mr.  McClelland  has  enjoyed  good  educational 
privileges.  He  attended  the  State  University  at 
wSpringfield,  Illinois,  in  1867,  and  after  four  years 
of  a  student's  life  in  the  Wesleyan  L^niversity, 
at  Bloomington,  Illinois,  graduated  in  the  eclec- 
tic scientific  course. 

In  1871,  studied  medical  works  under  Dr.  Van 
Meter,  in  Williamsville,  Illinois;  attended  his 
first  course  of  lectures  in  1872  and  1873,  at 
Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  in 
1874,  graduated  in  the  same  institution,  receiv- 
ing a  diploma.  He  begun  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  Williamsville,  and  practiced  two  years 
with  Dr.  Winn,  of  the  same  town.  At  present 
Dr.  McC.  is  without  a  partner,  and  is  reaping 
the  reward  of  his  earnest  and  faithful  research 
in  his  calling;  has  been  a  member  —  secretary  — 
of  the  town  trustees,  four  years. 

Dr.  McClelland  was  married  to  Miss  Sue  C. 
Turley,  September  8,  1874.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Louisa  Turley,  old  settlers,  and 
of  their  children,  Stephen  S.,  Margaret,  David 
C,  Amanda,  Sue  C,  James  P.,  Marshall,  Gen- 
eral Mead  and  Ina,  are  living.     The  Doctor  has 


lost) 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


two  children,  Pearl,  born  August  14,  1S76,  and 
Ila,  born  May  13,  18  78.  Dr.  MoC.  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  mani- 
fests an  interest  in  all  he  advocates,  and  is  a 
respected  citizen.  In  politics  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican and  cast  his  first  vote  for  U.  S.  Grant. 

6  harles  Miller,  was  born  in  Scioto  county. 
Ohio,  July  IS,  1820;  is  a  son  of  John  W.  and 
Polly  (Headley)  Miller,  natives  of  Virginia;  the 
former  born  1781,  the  latter  1782.  Mr.  Charles 
Miller  came  to  Williams  township,  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  October  22,  1854,  and  took  up 
his  abode,  in  a  log  cabin;  afterwards  he  pur- 
chased four  hundred  acres  of  land  on  which 
he  located,  and  has  resided  since.  To  this  pos- 
session he  has  added  five  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  Sangamon  county,  and  four  hundred  and  ten 
acres  of  land  in  Menard  county,  Illinois,  all  of 
■which  is  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Miller's  educa- 
tion was  of  that  character  which  so  many  of 
our  early  settlers  experienced,  spending  only  a 
short  time  in  the  log  school  house  during  the 
winter. 

His  marriage  took  place  in  Ohio,  October  12, 
1843,  to  Rebecca  Miller,  daughter  of  Abraham 
and  Rebecca  Miller,  natives  of  Virginia,  the 
former  being  born  in  the  historic  year  of  1776. 
Charles  Miller  and  wife  were  blessed  wath  eight 
children,  W.  H.,  born  February  8,  1845,  enlisted 
in  the  Civil  War  in  May,  1864,  at  Williamsville, 
Sangamon  county,  in  Company  I,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-third  Regiment,  Infantry  Volunteers, 
with  Captain  Orendorff  in  command.  Was  sent 
to  Rock  Island,  to  guard  prisoners,  and  died 
■while  in  camp,  August  28,  1864;  Franklin  R., 
born  March  1, 1847,  died  March  21, 1847;  Gideon 
C,  born  July  9,  1848;  Polla  H.,  born  December 
26,  1850,  died  December  7,  1875;  Edwin  B., 
born  July  30,  1853;  John  A.,  born  March  19, 
1856,  died  March  ],1881;  James  T,,  born  Decem- 
ber 28,  18 — ;  Oscar  H.,  born  December  4,  1859, 
and  was  killed  August  5,  1880,  by  a  railway  ac- 
cident, while  en  route  for  Chicago,  Illinois.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

William  L.  Perce,  druggist,  Williamsville,  is 
a  son  of  John  A.  and  Mary  J.  (Lilly)  Perce, 
natives  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Perce  was  born  in  Ohio, 
March  7, 1847.  His  early  schooling  was  obtained 
in  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen, 
entered  the  Springfield  University,  of  which  he 
was  a  student  four  years.  In  1868,  Mr.  Perce 
graduated  in  the  law  department  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  and  the  same  year  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  at  once  entered  the  legal  profession  and 
practiced  in  Springfield.     Prefering  teaching,  he 


entered  this  profession  in  1870  and  taught  five 
years  in  public  schools,  part  of  which  time  was 
principal  of  the  graded  schools  in  Williamsville. 
In  the  year  1875,  Mr.  Perce  purchased  the  drug 
store  owned  by  J.  C.  Ballow,  in  Williamsville, 
and  has  greatly  enhanced  his  stock,  and  now  has 
a  first-class  drug  store  and  carries  a  stock  of 
13,000.  Mr.  Perce  has  been  township  supervisor 
two  terms  and  is  now  president  and  treasurer  of 
the  trustees  of  Williamsville;  was  a  member  of 
militia  known  as  CuUom's  Guards,  for  five  years, 
in  which  time  he  was  promoted  from  First  Ser- 
geant to  Captain.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
Order  with  which  he  united  in  1869.  Has  passed 
through  several  gradations.  Blue  Lodge  or 
Master  Mason,  Chapter,  Council  and  Command- 
ery.  Mr.  Perce  participated  it  the  laying  of  the 
corner  stone  of  the  new  State  House  in  Spring- 
field, and  the  unveiling  of  Lincoln's  monument. 
Mr.  Perce  and  sister  Anna  are  at  home  with  his 
mother,  and  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

Isaac  D.  Poorman  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  December  25,  1851;  his  parents,  John 
M.  and  Susan  (Bush)  Poorman,  the  former  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Ohio. 
Isaac  Poorman  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm 
until  1869,  when  he  began  to  clerk  in  a  whole- 
sale grocery  store  in  lola,  Kansas.  He  continued 
with  them  until  1874.  While  clerking,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  F.  Hamblin,  in  lola,  Kan- 
sas, December  25,  1872.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Wm.  H.  and  Elenor  (Boyd)  Hamblin,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  had  ten  children,  of  whom  Eliz- 
abeth, Emily,  John,  William,  Henry,  and  Mary 
F.  are  living. 

Mr.  and  Mrs,  P.  have  two  children:  Susan  F., 
born  July  18,  1876,  and  Perry  R.,  born  Septem- 
ber 20,  'l880.  In  1875,  Mr.  Poorman  began 
farming  in  Williams  township,  on  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  good  prairie  land,  of  which 
he  now  is  the  owner.  Mr.  Poorman  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  an 
energetic  young  man,  a  good  citizen  and  merits 
the  respect  of  all. 

John  M.  Poorman  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Pennsylvania,  December  20,  1814,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Hoffman) 
Poorman,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  John  M. 
Poorman  came  from  Ohio  in  the  fall  of  1842, 
and  moved  to  Shelby  county,  Illinois,  and  the 
following  year  came  to  Sangamon  county,  and 
located  on  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  B.  B. 
Branson.  The  farm  is  located  in  the  south  half 
of  section  eight,  in  Williams  townshij),  and  con- 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1057 


eists  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres;  two 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  arc  under  cultivation. 
Mr.  Poorman  is  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  of 
whom  John  M.,  D.  L.,  Joseph  L.,  Anna  and  Re- 
becca are  living.  Mr.  Poorman  was  married  in 
Fairfield  county,  Ohio,  April  9,  1840,  to  Martha 
S.  Bush,  daughter  of  William  Bush,  a  native  of 
Virginia.  By  this  marriage  six  children  were 
born:  Mary  C,  Flora  E.,  Clara  S.,  Lillie  D., 
Isaac  D.  and  John  M.  Mr.  Poorman  attended 
school  in  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  and  his 
wife  in  the  common  schools,  of  Ohio.  In  his 
early  life  he  was  bound  out  to  serve  an  appren- 
ticeship to  a  tanner  in  Pennsylvania  for  four 
years,  after  which  time  he  turned  his  attention 
to  another  pursuit  in  life.  He  began  in  the 
etruETgle  of  life  poor,  and  his  present  accumula- 
tion is  due  to  his  energy  and  perseverance. 

John  Prather,  Williamsville,  is  the  son  of  Enos 
and  Mary  (Sargent)  Prather,  who  were  born  in 
Virginia  and  Maryland  respectively.  John 
Prather  was  born  December  16,  1813.  He  began 
the  busings  of  farming  and  stock  raising  with 
his  brothers,  Enos  and  William,  at  the  age  of  fif- 
teen years,  and  continued  with  them  sixteen 
years,  since  which  he  has  carried  on  the  business. 
Drove  cattle  from  Ohio  to  Philadelphia  and  New 
York  before  the  days  of  railroad  transportation. 
Mr.  Prather  was  married  in  Pike  county,  Ohio, 
December  11,  1836,  to  Mary  J.  Jones,  daughter 
of  Samuel  and  Lucy  Jones,  of  Virginia.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Prather  were  blessed  with  the  follow- 
ing named  children:  William,  John,  Samuel  E., 
Henry  S.,  John  F.,  and  Mary  Lucy.  Samuel  E. 
and  John  F.  are  living.  Mr.  Prather  came  to 
Springfield  in  1867,  in  which  city  he  lived  ten 
years,  and  then  moved  to  Williamsville,  Illinois. 
He  owns  twenty-two  htmdred  acres  of  good  land 
in  Sangamon  county,  part  of  which  is  in  Wil- 
liams township;  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  in  Logan  county,  and  twenty-two  hundred 
acres  in  Kansas.  Mr.  Prather  owns  the  old  home 
farm  in  Pike  county,  Ohio,  purchased  by  his 
grandfather  Sargent  about  the  year  1794,  and  in 
connection  with  said  farm  owns  fourteen  hun- 
dred acres  in  Ohio.  Mr.  Prather  was  in  connec- 
tion with  a  company  which  imported  short- 
horn cattle  from  England  and  brought  them  to 
Ohio.  Was  one  of  the  first  stockholders  in  the 
State  National  Bank  in  Springfield,  Illinois;  was 
assistant  assessor  of  the  United  States  Internal 
Revenue  for  the  Twelfth  District  of  Ohio,  in 
Waverly,  Pike  county.  His  father  was  one  of 
the  first  circuit  judges  in  Pike  county,  Ohio. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prather's  education  was  received  in 
the  common  schools.     Mrs.  Prather  is  a  member 


of  the  Methodist  Church.  Both  have  been  active 
in  life's  affairs  and  successful  in  their  accumu- 
lations. 

James  My  an  Price  was  born  in  Ohio,  Decem- 
ber 10,  1835,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Margaret 
(Ryan)  Price,  the  former  born  in  Herefordshire, 
England,  the  latter  in  Hardy  county,  Virginia. 
Mr  .J.  R.  Price  received  his  education  in  com- 
mon schools,  in  his  native  State.  Mr.  Price  has 
been  a  resident  of  Sangamon  county  for  twenty 
years;  coming  here  in  1801,  he  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  at  present  may  be  classed 
among  Sangamon  county's  most  extensive  stock 
growers.  On  Mr.  Price's  beautiful  farm  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  may  be  seen  the  only 
herd  of  Hereford  cattle  in  Sangamon  county, 
and  the  breeders  of  fine  stock  in  Central  Illinois, 
owe  much  to  him  for  his  enterprise  in  this  mat- 
ter of  introducing  many  fine  breeds  of  cattle 
into  this  section.  In  1863,  Mr.  Price  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Ellen  Flagg,  a  native  of  Sangamon 
county,  born  June  0,  1842;  A.  V.  Flagg  and 
Sarah  (Hott'man)  Flagg  were  her  parents.  The 
lives  of  James  and  Ellen  Price  have  been 
blessed  with  eight  children:  Ned,  Lorette,  May, 
Robbin,  Ella  and  an  infant  child,  are  living,  two 
having  passed  to  the  better  world.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Price  worship  in  the  faith  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and 
cast  his  first  vote  for  Lincoln. 

Ninian  P.  Taylor,  merchant,  Williamsville, 
was  born  February  13,  1825,  in  Wayne  county, 
Illinois,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Kelley)  Taylor,  the  former  born  in  South  Caro- 
lina and  the  latter  in  Kentucky.  To  them  were 
born  twelve  children,  of  whom  five  are  living: 
Ninian  R.,  Isaac  J.,  Simeon  M.,  Francis  K.  and 
Martin  V.  Mr.  Taylor  was  married  to  Catharine 
Halbert,  April  1,  1847.  She  is  the  daughter 
of  Doctor  James  and  Nancy  (Reynolds)  Hal- 
bert, born  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Taylor  had  born  to  them  eleven  children, 
of  whom  John  B.,  Lewis  C,  Ellen,  Emma  and 
Frank  H.  are  living.  Lewis  C,  graduated  at 
Bellevue  Medical  College,  New  York,  March  1, 
1875;  practiced  in  Springfield  a  short  time,  then 
located  in  Auburn  five  years  ago;  has  an  exten- 
sive practice.  Mr.  Taylor's  education  was  ob- 
tained in  the  schools  of  Sangamon  county.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  to  work  for  him- 
self, by  cultivating  and  improving  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prairie  land  on  sec- 
tion eleven,  on  which  he  located  after  his  mar- 
riage and  followed  farming,  raising  grain  and 
stock  till  1866,  and  then  moved  to  Williams- 
ville.    To  the   farm   above   mentioned,  he  has 


1058 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


added  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prairie 
land,  ard  both  farms  are  well  improved  and 
under  cultivation.  He  commenced  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Williamsville  shortly  after 
he  moved  there,  and  in  1871,  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  his  son,  John  B.  Taylor,  under  the 
film  of  Taylor  &  Son.  They  keep  a  general 
stock  of  hardware,  cutlery  and  provisions,  and 
have  a  good  trade.  Mr.  Taylor  was  elected  in 
1870  to  represent  Sangamon  county  in  the 
Twenty-seventh  General  Assembly,  of  Illinois, 
for  two  years.  In  Williams  township  he  has 
served  as  police  magistrate  for  two  teims,  trustee 
-of  the  township  three  years,  and  was  re-elected 
in  1881.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  a 
member  of  Lavely  Ledge,  No.  203,  Williams- 
ville. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  with  which  religiousbody  they 
united  at  seventeen  and  fifteen  years,  respec- 
tively. Mr.  Taylor  is  an  e]der,aEd  hisfiist  con- 
nection with  the  church  was  on  Wolf  creek.  Mr. 
Taylor  is  enterprising  and  energetic,  and  bj  bis 
integrity  has  been  successful  in  his  business, 
and  won  the  respect  of  al!  who  know  him. 

James  Taylor,  was  born  in  Chester  district,  in 
the  State  of  South  Carolina,  November  2,  in  the 
first  of  this  century,  and  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Hart  county,  Kentucky,  and  thence  to  Wayne 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  married  to  Mary 
Kelley,  of  Kentuckj'.  Mr.  Taylor  settled  in 
Williams  township,  on  section  thirty-five,  in 
1829,  emigrating  from  Kentucky  with  his  wife 
and  four  children,  over-land,  in  an  ox-cart;  en- 
tered eighty  acres  of  prairie  and  timber,  to 
which  estate  he  after  added  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  land.  He  followed  farming  and 
stock  raising.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  were  charter 
members  of  the  Christian  Church  when  organ- 
ized on  Wolf  creek,  of  which  Mr.  Taylor  was 
chosen  deacon,  and  continued  in  that  office  until 
his  death,  in  1857.  Mrs.  Taylor  died  of  cholera, 
July  27,  1852.  Mrs.  and  Mr.  Taylor  were  efllcient 
members  to  the  church  and  society,  and  he  an 
energetic  business  man;  were  parents  of  Niniau 
R.aud  Isaac  J.  Taylor,  whose  biographies  appear 
in  this  volume. 

Isaac  J.  Taylor  was  born  in  Williams  town- 
ship, Sangamon  county,  October  12,  1830,  and 


is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Kelley)  Taylor, 
natives  of  South  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  re- 
spectively. Twelve  children  were  born  to  them, 
of  whom  five  are  living:  Ninian  R.,  Isaac  J., 
Simeon  M.,  Francis  K.,  and  Martin  Y.  Mr. 
Taylor's  education  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools  of  Sangamon  county,  and  also  by  his 
own  personal  efforts.  He  began  to  work  for 
himself  while  a  young  man  oJ  twenty,  in  opening 
up  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
prairie  land  in  Williams  township,  which  was 
improved  and  put  under  cultivation.  Mr.  Tay- 
lor was  married  to  Margaret  Halbert,  October 
16,  1851.  By  this  union  there  were  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  Alexander  D., 
and  Mary  E.,  both  born  in  Sangamon  county. 
The  first  mentiored  is  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medi- 
cal College,  Chicago,  Illinois.  In  1875,  he  com- 
menced practice  at  Cotton  Hill,  Sangamon 
county;  moved  to  Williamsville  in  March,  1877. 
Mrs.  Margaret  Taylor  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
the  daughter  of  Dr.  James  and  Nancy  (Rey- 
nolds) Halbert,  natives  of  Virginia.  Mrs.  Tay- 
lor was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  until 
her  death.  May  16,  1863.  May  2  7,  1864,  Mr. 
Taylor  was  married  to  Mary  A.  McGinnis,  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  McGinnis  and  Mary  Cun- 
ningham, who  were  born  in  Ireland.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Taylor  were  blessed  with  five  children, 
four  boys  and  one  girl,  of  whom  John  E., 
Leonard  R.,  and  James  T.,  are  living.  Mr. 
Taylor  began  the  business  of  a  merchant,  by 
forming  a  partnership  with  Alexander  Fisher 
and  opening  a  general  store  in  Williamsville,  iu 
January,  1859.  This  partnership  lasted  two 
years,  and  then  Mr.  Fisher  sold  out  his  interest 
to  I.  J.  Taylor  and  John  Rush.  This  firm  con- 
tinued till  March,  1862.  Mr.  Taylor  withdrew 
from  the  mercantile  business  and  returned  to 
his  former  pursuits  the  next  spring — farming — 
which  he  i.s  still  following.  He  was  assessor  in 
1862,  and  commissioner  of  highways  two  terms. 
Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  Lavely  Lodge, 
No.  203. 

Mr.  Taylor  has  been  actively  identified  with 
the  Old  Settlers'  Association,  and  is  serving  his 
second  year  j  as  vice-president  for  Williams 
township. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1059 


Chapter  LI 


TOWNSHIP   OF  WOODSIDE. 


This  township  is  located  in  the  center  of  the 
county,  and  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  Rochester, 
west  by  Curran,  north  by  Springfield,  and  south 
by  Ball  township.  It  is  watered  by  Lick  creek 
in  the  southern  part,  and  Sugar  creek  in  the 
eastern  part,  besides  numerous  small  tributaries 
of  the  two  streams.  Three  railroads  cross  its 
borders — the  St.  Louis,  Wabash  &  Pacific,  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  and  Ohio  &  Mississippi.  The 
first  named  enters  the  township  from  Springfield, 
on  section  three,  and  passes  through  that  section 
and  sections  four,  nine,  eight  and  seven,  from 
which  it  emerges.  The  Chicago  &  Alton  enters 
on  section  four,  and  emerges  on  section  thirty- 
one,  while  the  Ohio  &  Mississippi  barely  touches 
the  northeast  corner  of  section  two  and  passes 
southeast  through  section  one  into  Rochester 
township. 

The  first  settlement  made  in  this  township  was 
in  the  spring  of  1819.  Zachariah  Peter,  who 
came  to  the  "county  the  year  previous  and  remained 
till  this  time  in  the  house  of  Robert  PuUiam 
located  a  claim  on  section  twenty-seven.  Mr. 
Peter  was  one  of  the  three  commissioners  ap- 
pointed to  locate  the  county  seat  of  Sangamon 
county,  and  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  county 
commissioners.  He  was  born  in  Amherst  county, 
Virginia,  and  with  his  parents  moved  to  Wash- 
ington county,  Kentucky,  when  but  two  years 
old,  remaining  there  until  his  removal  to  this 
State,  in  1818.  Mr.  Peter  died  August  5,  1864, 
in  Springfield,  Illinois. 

Among  other  early  settlers  were  William 
Southwick,  Nicholas  Pyle,  Alfred  Pyle,  Thomp- 
son Pyle,  George  Stout,  Joseph  Insley,  William 
Higgins,  Thomas  Cloyd,  William  Hawes,  Wil- 
liam Jones,  Joseph  Withrow,  Jessie  Southwick. 

Nicholas  Pyle  was  from  England  and  settled 
in  South  Carolina,  where  he  was  married  during 


the  Revolutionary  War.  He  removed  subse- 
quently to  Kentucky,  and  then  to  Illinois,  remain- 
ing for  a  time  in  St.  Clair  county,  and  finally, 
with  his  aged  wife  and  two  youngest  sons, 
Thompson  and  Alfred,  settled  in  1825  in  San- 
gamon county,  in  what  is  now  Woodside  town- 
ship. Mr.  Pyle  died  some  four  years  after. 
Thompson  Pyle  died  in  1870,  and  his  brother, 
Alfred,  in  1852,  in  St.  Clair  county. 

George  Stout  came  among  the  first  in  the 
township,  and  located  on  section  twenty-eight. 
Subsequently,  he  moved  to  Texas,  but  returned 
and  died  at  his  son  Cooper's  house,  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Illinois. 

Joseph  Inslee  came  in  1819,  and  settled  on 
section  twenty-seven.  He  was  a  justice  of  the 
peace  for  many  years,  and  was  a  man  well  re- 
spected in  the  community.     He  died  in  1867. 

Jesse  Southwick  was  born  about  1762,  near 
Lebanon,  Connecticut;  maa-ried  Nancy  Moore 
after  arriving  at  the  age  of  maturity,  and  moved 
to  Oneida  county.  New  York,  where  they  had 
four  children.  All  died  of  the  disease  called 
"  cold  plague."  They  then  moved  to  Junius, 
Seneca  county,  in  the  same  State,  where  they 
had  seven  children.  The  family  embarked  at 
Olean  Point,  on  the  Allegheny  river,  in  a  fam- 
ily boat,  and  arrived  at  Shawneetown,  Illinois, 
in  December,  1819.  He  was  in  company  with 
James  Stewart,  and  they  moved  in  vpagons  from 
Shawneetown  to  a  village  called  Milton,  near 
Alton,  where  they  halted  until  March,  1820,  and 
then  moved  to  Sugar  creek  and  settled  in  what 
is  now  Woodside  township,  six  and  a  half  miles 
southeast  of  Springfield.  He  died  September  25, 
1826,  on  the  old  homestead. 

William  Higgins  came  in  1830,  and  settled  on 
section  twenty-seven,  raised  a  family,  and  died 
about  1852. 


1U60 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


Thomas  Cloyd  settled  od  section  twenty-nine, 
in  1820,  and  died  in  1878.  He  came  to  the 
country  a  poor  man,  and  by  industry  accumu- 
lated a  respectable  fortune.  He  has  two  daugh- 
ters and  two  sons  yet  living. 

William  Hawes  was  among  the  first  settlers; 
became  converted  to  the  Mormon  religion;  went 
to  Nauvoo,  and  there  died. 

William  Jones,  another  of  the  first  settlers, 
was  a  good  farmer  and  practical  business  man. 
He  died  in  1854. 

Joseph  Withrow  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
lived  for  a  time  in  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and 
moved  to  Woodside,  Sangamon  county,  in  1825. 
He  died  in  1850. 

Japhet  A.  Ball  was  bom  July  5, 1800,  in  Madi- 
son county,  Kentucky.  When  a  young  man  he 
went  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  where  he  learned 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith,  with  his  brother,  John 
S.  From  there  he  went  with  his  brother  to 
Eddyville,  Caldwell  county,  Kentucky,  and  from 
there  to  Sangamon  county,  arriving  late  in  De- 
cember, 1825,  in  what  is  now  Woodside  town- 
ship. He  was  married  December  2,  1828,  to 
Sarah  Henderson. 

Woodside  has  had  its  Revolutionary  soldier  in 
the  person  of  George  Bryan,  who  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1758  in  North  Carolina,  He  went,  or 
may  have  been  taken  by  his  parents;  to  Virginia, 
and  from  there  to  Kentucky  with  Daniel  Boone, 
about  1780.  There  he  either  founded,  or  by  his 
bold  daring  as  a  leader,  gave  the  name  to  a 
primative  fortification  called  Bryant's  Station,  in 
what  became  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  a  few 
miles  from  where  the  eity  of  Lexington  was 
afterwards  established.  It  will  be  observed  that 
in  applying  the  name  to  the  fortification  a  letter 
has  been  added,  making  the  name  Bryant,  which 
is  erroneous.  There  is  a  tradition  preserved  by 
his  descendants,  that  soon  after  the  fort  was  es- 
tablished, the  young  women  belonging  to  the 
families  connected  with  it  were  washing  clothes 
at  a  stream  of  running  water  on  the  outside  of 
the  stockade.  George  Bryan  and  some  of  the 
other  young  men  stood  guard.  Not  being  appre- 
hensive of  danger,  they  permitted  the  Indians  to 
place  themselves  between  the  girls  and  the  fort. 
The  guard*quickly  secured  a  position  between 
the  girls  and  the  savages,  and  a  skirmish  ensued. 
After  making  the  way  clear,  Bryan,  in  a  loud 
voice,  announced  that  he  would  marry  the  girl 
who  would  enter  the  fort  first.  They  all  escaped, 
and  he,  true  to  his  word,  after  gaining  the  con- 
sent of  the  young  lady,  was  married  in  the  fall 
of  1781,  to  Elizabeth  Ragan,  who  was  born  in 
1760,   in    South   Carolina.      Mr.  Bryan   always 


claimed  that  it  was  the  first  marriage  of  a  white 
couple  in  what  became  the  State  of  Kentucky. 
That  was  before  the  era  of  mills  in  that  region 
of  country,  and  his  descendants  have  handed 
down  the  statement,  in  connection  with  the  wed- 
ding festival,  that  he  paid  §10  for  a  bushel  of 
corn  meal,  to  make  bread  for  the  occasion.  They 
had  at  least  raised  one  crop,  and  Mr.  Bryan 
rolled  pumpkins  into  the  fort  as  a  substitute  for 
chairs  to  seat  the  guests.  They  had  ten  or 
eleven  children,  four  of  them  sons,  and  Mrs. 
Bryan  died.  Mr.  Bryan  was  married  in  1829, 
to  Mrs.  Cassandra  Miller,  who  died  in  Kentucky, 
in  1833.  In  1834,  Mr.  Bryan  came  to  Sangamon 
county  with  some  of  his  children  and  grand- 
children. 

When  George  Bryan  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  in  1834,  he  was  in  his  seventy-sixth  year, 
but  he  continued  visiting  Kentucky,  riding  each 
way  on  horseback,  annually,  for  eleven  years. 
He  died  November  22, 1845,  and  was  buried  near 
Woodside  station,  Sangamon  county.  He  was 
eighty-seven  years,  nine  months  and  seven  days 
old. 

It  seems  almost  incredible  that  a  man  who  was 
of  sufticient  age  to  have  been  a  soldier  in  the 
American  Revolution,  and  who  took  an  active 
part  in  the  stirring  scenes  of  the  frontier  settle- 
ments in  the  second  State  admitted  to  the  Amer- 
ican Union,  should  have  become  an  early  settler 
of  Sangamon  county,  and  witnessed  some  of  its 
earliest  strides  towards  civilization;  but  the  life 
of  George  Bryan  extended  over  this  long  and 
eventful  period.  Hi*  grandson,  William  T. 
Jones,  has  a  great  fund  of  reminiscences  of  the 
life  of  his  Grandfather  Bryan,  as  he  received 
them  from  the  lips  of  the  venerable  patriarch 
while  living. 

TOPOGEAPHICAl. 

Originally,  two-thirds  of  the  township  was 
prairie,  which  lay  principally  in  the  north  part 
of  the  township,  the  remainder  being  timber  and 
openings.  The  timber  lands  lay  principally 
along  the  banks  of  Lick  creek  and  Sugar  creek, 
and  is  composed  of  the  usual  varieties  peculiar 
to  this  section  of  the  county.  The  county  is 
beautifully  situated,  and  has  in  it  some  very  fine 
farms. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  was  in  a  log  cabin  on  tne 
north  side  of  Lick  creek,  previous  to  the  big 
snow.  The  first  free  school  was  near  Woodside 
station,  in  1845.  There  are  now  eight  frame 
school  buildings  in  the  township,  valued  at 
$5,400. 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1061 


KELIGIOUS. 

It  is  unknown  who  preached  the  first  sermon 
in  the  township,  but  it  is  thought  to  have  been 
Rev.  James  Sims.  His  co-laborer,  Rev.  Peter 
Cartwright,  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  township, 
and  is  remembered  more  than  any  other  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel. 

In  the  fall  of  1837,  Daniel  Megredy,  of  Port 
Deposit,  Cecil  county,  Maryland,  while  on  a 
visit  to  his  brother  Enoch,  left  with  him  $20  as 
a  nucleus  for  a  subscription  for  building  a  church 
edifice.  During  the  next  year,  1838,  a  subscrip- 
tion was  started,  and  in  1839,  Old  Harmony 
Church  was  built  on  the  site  still  occupied  as  the 
graveyard,  near  Woodside  station.  The  princi- 
pal part  of  the  subscription  was  for  timber  and 
work,  as  money  could  not  be  had.  The  frame 
was  hewed  out,  and  the  weather-boarding  was  of 
clapboard  shaved  smooth.  This  was  among  the 
first  frame  church  buildings  in  the  county.  It 
was  twenty-four  by  thirty  feet  in  size,  a  very 
commodious  building  for  that  day.  Although 
used  for  many  years,  the  seating  arrangements 
were  never  completed.  The  building  has  long 
since  given  place  to  a  more  modern  building. 
Previous  to  the  building  of  Old  Harmony 
Church,  the  preaching  appointment  was  at  the 
dwelling  house  of  Adam  f?afley,  near  by.  This 
was  a  cabin  fourteen  by  sixteen  feet,  with  one 
small  window  in  the  west  side,  near  the  corner. 
Near  this  window  the  preacher  stood  while  con- 
ducting services,  thus  monopolizing  nearly  all 
the  natural  light  when  the  door  was  shut.  On 
one  occasion,  previous  to  occupying  his  position 
by  the  window,  the  preacher  was  engaged  in 
placing  his  saddle-bags  securely  under  the  bed, 
when  a  member  of  the  congregation,  who,  hav- 
ing just  come  in,  mistaking  him  for  a  stool,  pro- 
ceeded to  seat  himself  on  the  preacher's  back, 
much  to  the  amusement  of  the  spectators  and 
surprise  of  the  dominie.  Mr.  Safley  was  a  faith- 
ful, earnest  Christian,  and  by  his  Christian  walk 
exercised  a  moral  influence  over  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact. 

The  Bethel  Christian  Church  was  organized 
in  1839,  by  Elder  A.  J.  Kane,  of  Springfield, 
with  William  Caldwell,  William  Bridges  and 
wife,  George  Trimble  and  William  Shumate 
among  the  number  composing  the  original  mem- 
bership. The  congregation  met  for  worship  in  a 
school-house  in  the  neighborhood  until  1861, 
when  a  house  of  worship  waij  erected  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  Baptists,  who  have  a  claim  to  one- 
fourth  of  the  building.  The  house  is  a  frame, 
thirty-two  by  fifty.    Jesse  Smith,  Gordon  Cloyd 

124— 


and  Matthew  Cloyd  are  the  present  Elders,  and 
Joseph  Cloyd,  Montgomery  Crane  and  James  A. 
Trimble  are  the  present  Deacons.  Among  the 
ministers  who  have  served  the  congregation  are 
Elders  Kane,  Sweeney,  Vawter,  Mallory,  Goode, 
Smith  and  Corwin. 

PATRIOTIC. 

The  war  record  of  Woodside  is  commendable. 
Notwithstanding  the  frequent  calls  of  the  Presi- 
dent, the  immense  bounties  ofl:'ered  elsewhere, 
and  the  great  difficulty  experienced  in  obtaining 
men,  the  township  tilled  its  quota  under  each 
call,  and  never  had  occasion  to  offer  a  bounty, 
or  to  levy  a  tax  for  that  purpose. 

COAX,  MINES. 

The  discovery  of  coal  by  E.  P.  Hewlett,  at 
Riverton,  in  1865,  and  the  assurance  given  by 
the  State  Geologist  that  underneath,  probably, 
the  entire  county,  good  working  veins  of  coal 
existed,  stimulated  further  explorations,  result- 
ing in  the  fact  being  made  known  that  this 
township  was  rich  in  "  black  diamonds." 

The  Powers  coal  mine  was  first  opened  in 
1866,  but  mining  was  not  carried  on  until  the 
following  year.  A  shaft  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  deep  was  sunk,  when  a  vein  of  coal  from  five 
and  a  half  to  six  feet  in  thickness  was  discov- 
ered, which  has  since  been  continually  worked. 
At  the  present  tmie  from  eighty  to  one  hundred 
men  are  worked  in  the  mine,  and  some  ten  or 
twelve  employed  in  work  on  the  outside.  From 
three  hundred  and  fifty  to  four  hundred  tons  of 
coal  can  be  taken  out  each  day.  They  now  av- 
erage thirty  oars  per  day  of  ten  tons  each.  Three 
grades  of  coal  are  placed  upon  the  market — 
lump,  chestnut  and  nut,  which  are  supplied  to 
the  railroad  and  city  trade.  The  Wabash  Coal 
Company  are  proprietors  of  the  mine  at  the 
present  time,  with  an  office  in  the  Library  Build- 
ing in  Springfield.  Jacob  G.  Loose  sunk  the 
first  shaft  at  the  Junction  soon  after  the  war. 

The  Black  Diamond  Coal  Mine  is  located  near 
the  Junction,  and  a  shaft  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  deep  was  commenced  June,  1880,  and  by 
October,  coal  was  being  taken  out  from  a  six 
foot  vein,  which  now  yields  three  hundred  tons 
per  day.  Every  protection  is  afforded  the  men 
working  in  the  mines,  a  heavy  fan  ventilator  be- 
ing used  to  furnish  fresh  air  and  drive  out  foul 
air  when  necessary.  Speed  Butler  is  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  mines,  which  cost  the  sum  of  $30,- 
000  to  commence  operations. 

DAIRY. 

The  Sangamon  County  Dairy,  operated  by 
Tisdale  &  Whitcomb,  was  started  in  1876,  with 


1063 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


forty-live  oow-s,  llit-ir  products  netting  them 
$i,'7U0.  The  number  of  cows  has  been  incrcised 
from  time  to  time,  until  they  now  number  one 
hundred  and  twenty-tive.  The  annual  sales  foot 
up  over  $13,000,  which  includes  what  is  derived 
from  the  sale  of  milk,  cream  and  butter. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Benoni  Bell  was  born  in  Virginia  July  24, 
1822,  the  son  of  Zebulon  and  Rachel,  nee  Single, 
Bell,  natives  also  of  the  same  State,  who  settled 
in  this  township  in  1834;  mother  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1852,  but  his  father  is  still  living,  now 
eigiaty-two  years  of  age.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  and 
in  1847  he  married  Eliza  J.  Wills,  who  was  born 
in  Kentucky  in  1823,  and  died  in  1856.  Their 
two  children  were,  Cornelia,  now  Mrs.  Doake; 
and  William  S.,  deceased.  In  1859,  Mr.  Bell 
married  Anna  Taylor,  who  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania in  1823;  they  have  five  children.  Mr. 
B.  in  1856,  purchased  the  mill  which  he  now 
owns  and  forty-five  acres  of  land,  which  is  worth 
$45  an  acre.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

John  L.  Bliss  was  born  in  Bath  county,  Ken- 
tucky, August  20,  184C,  the  son  of  Charles  A. 
and  Mary  A.  (nee  Badger)  Bliss,  natives  also  of 
that  State;  father  died  in  1848.  John  L.  at- 
tended the  public  school  in  Kentucky,  and  one 
term  at  the  Commercial  School,  in  Springfield, 
Illinois,  in  1860.  In  1870,  he  married  Eliza 
Jane  Gatton,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1847;  they  have  four  children;  Luella 
M.,  Carrie  L.,  Josephus  G.  and  Charles  G.  Mr. 
Bliss  was  engaged  in  the  stock  business  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  in  1870,  bought  his  present 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  worth  $65  an  acre.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Colonel  Speed  Butler  is  the  second  child  and 
eldest  son  of  Hon.  William  Butler;  was  born  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  August  7,  1837.  He  grad- 
uated from  the  Lutheran  University,  at  Spring- 
field in  1854,  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1860.  Upon  the  inauguration  of  the  late 
civil  war  in  1861,  he  was  selected  by  Governor 
Yates  to  carry  a  dispatch  to  Washington  City 
asking  for  an  order  to  remove  the  United  States 
arms  from  the  arsenal  at  St.  Louis  to  Alton,  Illi- 
nois. Railroad  and  telegraph  communication  to 
the  capital  had  been  cut  off,  but  he  made  his  way 
successfully  to  the  capital,  performed  his  mission 
and  returned  in  safety.  The  arms  were  removed 
just  in  time  to  save  them  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  rebels.  Soon  after  completing  this 
service,  Mr.  Butler  was  appointed  commissary 
with    the   rank  of  Captain,  but   was  soon  after 


assigned  to  duty  on  the  statt'  of  General  Pope, 
and  was  with  that  officer  during  his  campaign 
through  Northern  Missouri,  at  Island  No.  10 
and  other  points.  In  September,  1861,  he  was 
appointed  Major  of  the  Fifth  Illinois  Cavalry. 
In  June,  1862,  he  was  promoted  to  Colonel  in 
the  regular  army  for  gallantry  on  the  b9,ttle-field 
of  Farmingtan,  Mississippi,  but  by  permission 
of  General  Wool,  still  remained  on  the  staff  of 
General  Pope,  and  shared  the  fortunes  of  that 
ofiicer  in  the  Virginia  campaign,  and  also  in 
Minnesota  against  the  Indians.  He  was  honor- 
ably discharged  after  the  close  of  the  war,  in 
1865.  On  May  26,  1864,  Colonel  Butler  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Jennie  McKenzie,  in 
Milwaukee,  Wisconsin.  She  was  born  Septem- 
ber, 4,  1845,  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

David  II.  Hall  was  born  in  the  "  Corn- 
cracker"  State,  January  19,  1829;  bis  parents 
were  Moses  and  Elizabeth  (Crawford)  Hall,  na- 
tives also  of  that  State,  but  now  deceased.  He 
first  married,  in  Kentucky,  Anna  E.  Delph,  who 
died  in  1860.  In  1866,  Mr.  Hall  emigrated  to 
this  county,  settling  near  Mechanicsburg,  and 
this  year  he  married  Maria  B.  Hall,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  Logan  Hall;  only  two  of  their  six 
children  are  now  living,  Eveliu  L.,  and  Anna  B.; 
the  deceased  are  Robert  Lee,  Bessie,  Franklin, 
and  an  infant.  In  1871,  he  moved  upon  his  pres- 
ent farm,  which  consists  of  four  hundred  and 
five  acres,  well  improved  and  worth  $75  an  acre. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  are  members  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  at  Springfield,  and  politi- 
cally he  is  a  Democrat. 

Elijah  F.  lies  was  born  in  this  county  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1838;  the  son  of  Washington  and  Ann 
(Foster)  lies,  natives  of  Bath  county,  Kentucky. 
His  father  first  came  to  this  part  of  the  country 
when  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  on  business 
for  another  man,  and  finding  that  the  soil  was 
rich  he  concluded  to  settle  here,  which  he  did  in 
1825.  He  was  married  May  4,  1822;  his  wife 
was  born  in  December,  1804,  near  Owensville, 
Kentucky.  Mr.  lies  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black 
Hawk  War,  and  resided  in  this  county  until 
his  death,  July  4,  1871;  Mrs.  lies  died  August 
25,  1866.  Mr.  I.  aided  in  bringing  the  steamboat 
"Talisman"  up  the  Sangamon  river  opposite 
Springfield,  the  only  steamboat  that  ever 
ascended  that  stream  so  high.  Elijah  F.,  the 
subject  of  this  notice,  was  raised  on  a  farm  and 
was  married  October  6,  1868,  to  Mildred  Steele, 
who  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  Missouri,  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1844,  and  their  seven  children  are 
Lewis  W.,  David  S.,  Elijah  F.,  Frank  B.,  Malcomb 
G.,  Joseph  and   Thomas.     Mr.  lies   owns    nine 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1063 


hundred  and  twelve  acres  of  land  near  Spring- 
field, worth  850  an  acre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I.  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  in  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

Smnuel  M.  Little  "vas  born  March  1,  1811,  in 
Fleming  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  JMary  Little,  nee  Newcomb,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia,  and  moved  to  Kentucky,  where 
he  raised  a  family  of  nine  children;  then  to  St. 
Clair  county,  Illinois,  and  tlience  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  1820,  where  he  settled  two 
and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  the  present  State 
House,  and  resided  there  until  his  death,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1847;  his  wife  died  in  July,  1823.  Samuel 
M.  was  married  January  29,  1843,  to  Eliza  M. 
Morgan;  she  was  born  in  Fleming  county,  Ken- 
tucky, August  24,  1824,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Daniel  and  Mary  Morgan,  nee  Woods,  who  came 
to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  1828;  her  father 
died  September  6,  1866,  at  the  age  of  eighty-two, 
and  her  mother  January  20,  1876,  in  her  ninety- 
first  year;  their  family  consisted  of  seven 
children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Gersham  J., 
Sanford  H.,  Harriet  C,  now  Mrs.  John  W. 
Crafton,  and  Fannie  Z.  William  H.  was  killed 
August  16,  1873,  by  an  accident  on  the  C.  cfc  A. 
Railroad,  at  Sag  Bridge,  near  Chicago;  Mary  E. 
died  October  30,  1855,  and  Miuerva  C.,  August 
1,  1857.  They  still  reside  on  the  farm  which  his 
father  settled  in  1819,  worth  $15,000.  Samuel 
M.  Little  engaged  in  the  livery  business,  in  1852, 
and  carried  on  the  same  until  he  lost  his  health, 
since  which  the  business  has  been  conducted  by 
his  two  sons. 

Jacob  G.  Loose,  one  of  the  early  and  success- 
ful business  men  of  Springfield,  was  born  De- 
cember 14,  1812,  in  Washington  county,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  there  grew  to  man's  estate  on  a 
farm.  Desiring  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of,  and 
identify  himself  with,  the  great  and  growing 
West,  he  came  to  Illinois,  and  began  his  busi- 
ness life  as  a  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store  in 
Springfield,  in  1836.  Some  years  later,  he  be- 
came a  proprietor  in  the  business,  and  was  at  one 
time,  for  a  year  or  so,  a  partner  with  Colonel 
John  Williams,  and  subsequently,  for  seven  or 
eight  years,  in  partnership  with  E.  B.  Hawley. 
Purchasing  a  tract  of  land  southwest  of  the  city, 
in  Woodsidc  township,  Mr.  Loose  withdrew 
from  commercial  pursuits,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. Meantime,  on  December  18,  1845,  he  united 
in  marriage  with  Elizabeth  lies,  daughter  of 
Washington  lies,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Sanga- 
mon county.  Prosperity  attended  every  step  of 
his  career,  and  Mr.  Loose  added  from  time  to 
time  to  his  farm  by  purchase,  until  at  his  death, 


November  4,  1874,  he  owned  seventeen  hundred 
acres  of  splendid  farming  land,  southeast  of  and 
adjoining  the  city  of  Springfield. 

Becoming  satisfied  that  his  land  contained 
coal,  he  arranged  with  P.  L.  Hewlett,  who  was 
then  boring  for  coal  at.Riverton,  to  use  his  ma- 
chinery, but  afterwards  decided  not  to  wait,  and 
sent  to  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  and  ob- 
taining a  complete  outfit,  commenced  boring  in 
June,  1806.  Coal  was  reached  in  quantities 
which  satisfied  him  that  it  would  pay  to  mine  it, 
and  he  began  sinking  a  shaft  in  September. 
The  first  coal  was  taken  out  from  the  shaft  in 
April,  1867.  This  was  the  first  shaft  within 
fifteen  miles  of  Springfield  to  sujsply  the  market 
with  coal,  and  when  the  first  load  of  coal  was 
mined  and  hauled  to  the  city  great  excitement 
and  enthusiasm  prevailed  among  the  citizens. 
It  was  decorated  with  banners  and  miners,  and 
upon  reaching  the  city,  was  sold  and  re-sold  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Home  of  the  Friendless,  a 
number  of  times,  some  of  the  philanthropic  citi- 
zens paying  as  high  as  a  hundred  dollars  for  it, 
and  re-donating  it  to  the  Home.  The  mine  is 
two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  feet  deep, and  taps 
a  vein  of  coal  five  feet,  ten  inches  in  thickness. 
The  entire  cost  of  opening  it,  including  engine, 
hoisting  machinery,  and  equipments,  was  eighty 
thousand  dollars.  It  is  located  two  miles  south 
of  the  State  Capitol,  at  the  junction  of  the  G.& 
A.  and  W.,  St.  L.  &  P.  Railways,  and  is  yet 
owned  by  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Loose.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  the  utilization  of  Nature's  under- 
ground treasures,  which  have  become  such  a  rich 
boon  to  Sangamon  county  and  the  Capital  City. 

Ten  children  were  born  to  Mr.  aud  Mrs. 
Loose,  seven  of  whom  survive,  namely:  Sallie 
C,  now  the  wife  of  Junius  D.  Crabb;  Jessie  V., 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Jacob  S.  Price;  Joseph  I.,  Frank 
E.,  George  P.,  Robert  D.,  and  Elizabetli.  Mr. 
Loose  was  a  careful,  energetic  business  man,  and 
was  noted  for  his  genial,  cheerful  disposition  and 
social  domestic  qualities.  Mrs.  Loose  was  born 
August  4,  1825,  in  Flemingsburg,  Bath  county, 
Kentucky;  was  the  second  of  a  family  of  nine 
children  of  Washington  lies  and  Ann  Foster, 
who  married  there  and  came  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  1825. 

lliomas  0.  She2}herd,  a  native  of  Jefferson 
county,  Virginia,  was  born  June  28,  1806,  at  the 
village  of  Shepherdstown,  where  he  passed  his 
boyhood  days,  received  his  education,  and  grew 
to  manhood,  and  where  he  married  Miss  Ellen 
Miller,  on  the  third  day  of  July,  1834.  Miss 
Miller's  parents  resided  at  his  own  native  town, 
at  which    place    she  was  born   June    24,    1813. 


1064 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


After  their  marriap;e  they  took  up  their  resi- 
dence at  Blackford's  Ferry,  Maryland,  where 
their  first  child  was  born.  At  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Shepherd's  father,  he  assumed  the  responsi- 
bility of  the  care  of  the  family,  and  with  that 
well-directed  energy  and  characteristic  enterprise 
which  has  marked  his  whole  life,  he  determined 
to  avail  himself  of  the  opportunity  of  hewing 
out  a  fortune  in  the  then  far  West.  Animated 
by  a  desire  to  better  the  condition  of  his  family, 
and  himself,  he  left  Maryland,  in  the  fall  of 
18ci6,  for  the  wilds  of  Illinois,  where  he  arrived 
after  a  six  weeks'  overland  journey  in  wagons, 
accompanied  by  his  family,  his  mother,  sister 
and  two  brothers,  on  the  17th  day  of  November, 
1836,  at  a  farm  purchased  some  months  before 
by  Mr.  Shepherd,  and  on  which  he  still  resides. 
The  Shepherds  have  always  entertained  a  strong 
preference  for  the  name  of  Thomas,  and  for  six 
generations  the  name  has  been  transmitted  to  the 
first  male  child,  Mr.  Shepherd's  grandson  being 
the  sixth  child  who  has  received  the  heritage  of 
tlie  name  Thomas.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shepherd  are 
the  parents  of  five  children,  all  natives  of  San- 
gamon county,  except  one;  their  names  are, 
Thomas  B.,  John  II.,  William  B.,  Charles  M., 
and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Shepherd  has  accumulated 
a  fine  estate,  being  the  owner  of  nine  hundred 
and  thirty-five  acres  of  valuable  farm  land  lying 
about  six  miles  south  of  Springfield,  Mr.  Shep- 
herd, at  the  age  of  seventy-five  years,  enjoys 
good  health  and  lives  in  comparative  retirement 
and  ease  from  active  business,  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  his  well-directed  efforts,  an  ample  for- 
tune, surrounded  by  his  family  and  a  large  circle 
of  friends.  He  and  his  wife  are  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  their 
children  are  all  married  and  own  farms  in  this 
county,  where  they  reside.  T.  Shepherd,  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  emigrated  to  this  country 
from  Wales,  in  an  early  day,  the  Government 
had  no  land  oflice,  and  the  boundary  of  lands 
was  not  made  by  surveys,  but  by  streams  of 
water,  ridges  of  rocks,  remarkable  trees,  etc.; 
lands  thus  marked  were  known  as  "  Tomahawk 
Claims." 

The  town  of  Shepherdstown,  which  bears 
his  name,  was  laid  out  in  half-acre  lots,  sold  at 
very  low  prices,  but  of  course  bearing  an  annual 
rent  of  five  shillings,  which  was  paid  for  many 
years,  but  finally  bought  off.  As  might  be  sup- 
posed, where  land  could  be  obtained  so  cheap 
that  large  bodies  were  marked  off  as  individual 
claims.  Many  of  his  descendants  were  made 
rich  by  his  large  claims  of  land  laying  border- 
ing on  the  Potomac  river;  the  father  of  Mr.  T. 


0.  Shepherd  owned  a  mill  in  Shepherdstown, 
Virginia,  where  he  died.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch,  T,  C.  Shepherd,  came  to  Illinois  when  it 
was  a  wild  country.  He  has  work  through  the 
hard  times  of  the  early  days,  and  has  always 
had  good  health,  and  has  never  regretted  com- 
ing to  Illinois.  In  1848,  was  elected  county 
commissioner,  and  served  in  that  oftice  four 
years,  being  the  last  of  the  county  commission- 
ers under  the  old  constitution,  the  county  com- 
missioners at  that  time  doing  the  same  business 
the  board  of  supervisors  now  transact,  in  addi- 
tion settling  up  estates  now  transacted  by  the 
county  judge.  After  the  revision  of  the  consti- 
tution of  the  State,  the  business  of  the  county 
was  transacted  by  a  county  judge,  and  two  asso- 
ciate judges,  until  the  township  organization 
took  effect.  Mr.  Shepherd  was  elected  the  first 
supervisor  from  Woodside  township,  and  re- 
elected to  same  office  the  second  year,  and 
served  fourteen  years  as  treasurer  of  the  school 
fund  of  his  township,  he  turned  over  to  his  suc- 
cessor an  increased  amount  of  school  fund, 
never  having  lost  a  debt. 

Joseph  Shejiherd  was  born  in  Shepherdstown, 
West  Virginia,  July  11,  1816;  son  of  Thomas 
and  Mary  (Byers)  Shepherd;  father  died  in  1832, 
and  Joseph  resided  with  his  mother;  came  to  this 
county  with  the  family  which  consisted  of  two 
brothers  and  one  sister.  He  was  married  March 
16,  1848,  to  Fanny  Smith,  who  was  born  October 
25,  1818,  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania. 
They  had  seven  children,  John  Thomas,  Jane 
H.,  Salome  C,  Joseph  T.,  Amanda  E.,  Mary  A. 
and  Fannie  N.;  the  two  latter  are  deceased. 
February  19,  1803,  Mrs.  Smith  died,  and  for  his 
second  wife,  Mr.  Smith  married  Mrs.  Lydia 
Haggard,  nee  Byers,  who  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  Virginia,  March  31,  1828.  She  had  one 
child  by  her  former  marriage — Margaret  C.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Smith  have  two  children,  William  A. 
and  Lydia.  Mr.  S.  moved  upon  his  present  farm 
in  1850,  and  now  owns  four  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  well  cultivated  land,  worth  §60  an  acre. 
Both  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
he  is  a  Republican. 

Hev.  James  Shinn  was  born  in  Harrison 
county,  West  Virginia,  August  30,  1823,  son  of 
George  and  Sarah  (Kirke)  Shinn,  the  latter  was 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Agnes  Kirke;  her 
father  came  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  landing 
at  Quincy,  May  5,  1838,  and  purchased  a  farm 
in  Fall  creek,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  1850;  then  moved  to  Hancock  county, 
where  he  purchased  a  farm,  and  resided  there 
until  his  death,  in  March,  1861;  his  wife  died  at 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


1065 


her  residence,  in  Augusta,  Illinois,  March  25, 
1872;  both  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
The  subject  of  this  notice  came  to  this  State 
with  his  parents,  and  received  his  education 
principally  in  the  common  schools  of  Adams 
county;  he  attended  the  Institute,  near  Quincy, 
about  one  year.  After  leaving  school  he  bought 
a  farm  on  section  thirteen,  Fall  Creek  township, 
and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1849,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Reeder,  born  March  19,  1831;  her 
parents  were  Daniel  and  Frances  Reeder,  who 
located  near  Quincy,  in  1831.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Shinn  had  thirteen  children,  of  whom  six  are 
living,  viz:  Maxwell  Hardin,  Wilber,  Leroy, 
Horace,  Homer  and  Pettie.  Rev.  Mr.  Shinn 
was  licensed  a  preacher  by  the  M.  E.  Church,  in 
1855,  ordained  as  Deacon  in  1859,  and  Elder  in 
1863,  since  which  time  he  has  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  disseminating  the  Gospel.  When  he 
commenced  life  he  had  very  little  means,  but 
plenty  of  energy;  he  improved  one  of  the  finest 
farms  in  the  township,  raised  large  quantities  of 
fruit,  and  dealt  in  tine  stock,  which  proved  a 
good  investment.  He  served  in  various  town- 
ship offices,  was  justice  of  the  peace  ten  years, 
and  foremost  in  the  advancement  of  education; 
he  was  one  of  the  directors  in  the  Adams 
County  Agricultural  Society  many  years,  and 
was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Quincy  College. 
His  first  vote  was  cast  for  Henry  Clay  for  Presi- 
dent. He  sold  his  farm  in  Adams  county,  in 
1816,  and  located  on  his  present  farm  in  this 
county,  which  consists  of  two  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  land,  situated  two  and  a  half  miles 
southwest  of  the  State  House;  he  is  now  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  for  three  years  has  made 
butter  and  cheese. 

(7".  D.  Smith,  merchant,  postmaster  and  rail- 
road agent,  Woodside,  was  born  in  this  county, 
September  29,  1845;  son  of  William  C.  and 
Rebecca  (Walker)  Smith,  natives  of  Virginia; 
father  now  resides  in  Curran  township.  J.  D., 
remained  on  the  farm  with  his  father  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  In  1867,  he 
married  Martha  Alsbury,  who  was  born  in  this 
county,  and  died  in  1875,  leaving  three  children: 
Anna  L.,  Bertha  C,  and  John  C.  Mr.  Smith 
carried  on  farming  till  1879,  then  sold  out  and 
bought  the  store  which  he  now  owns,  and 
is  stocked  with  goods  sufficient  to  supply  the 
demands  of  his  customers.  For  his  second  wife, 
Mr.  Smith  married  Mary  L.  Crane,  a  native  of 
Rush  county,  Indiana. 

John  Smith,  son  of  John  and  Maria  Smith, 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March   7,  1814,  and  of   German  ancestry.     His 


mother  died  in  1846,  and  his  father  in  1861,  in 
Ohio.  John  came  to  this  county  in  1841,  and 
worked  by  the  month  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  1853,  he  married  Salome  Snyder,  who  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  March  16,  1821.  He 
moved  upon  the  farm  he  now  owns,  in  1850, 
which  at  that  time  consisted  of  one  hundred  and 
seventy-eight  acres;  he  now  owns  two  hundred 
and  fifty-eight  acres  which  is  under  a  fair  state 
of  cultivation,  and  worth  $50  an  acre.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Republican. 

William,  Southwic7c  was  born  iu  Seneca  county, 
New  York,  February  9,  1907,  and  was  the  son  of 
Jesse  .and  Nancy  (Moore)  Southwick,  the  former 
born  in  1762,  near  Lebanon,  Connecticut,  and  the 
latter  in  1770,  also  in  Connecticut.  They  moved 
to  Oneida  county.  New  York,  thence  to  Seneca 
county,  same  State,  where  they  resided  for  a 
number  of  years,  then  embarked  on  the  Allegheny 
river  at  Olean  Point  in  a  family  boat  and  arrived 
at  Shawneetown,  Illinois,  in  December,  1819. 
James  Stewart  was  in  company  with  them,  and 
they  moved  from  Shawneetown  to  a  village  called 
Milton,  near  Alton,  where  they  remained  till 
March  20,  then  moved  to  Sugar  creek  and  settled 
in  what  is  now  Woodside  township,  six  and  a 
half  miles  southeast  of  Springfield,  where  they 
commenced  farming.  His  father  died  Septem- 
ber 25,  1826,  and  his  mother  in  February,  1845. 
William  received  only  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, and  was  fifteen  years  old  when  his  father 
came  to  this  county.  He  was  married  in  Septem- 
ber, 1831,  in  this  county  to  Lou v icy  Proctor,  born 
November  23, 1811,  at  Charleston,  Clarke  county, 
Indiana.  They  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom 
are  living,  viz:  Eunice,  now  Mrs.  Fox,  David, 
James  W.,  John  H.,  Philip  S.,  and  Laura  A., 
now  Mrs.  Henry  A.  Stevens;  Nancy  E.,  who  was 
Mrs.  Jeromje  Duncan,  is  deceased.  Mr.  South- 
wick is  now  situated  on  the  farm  where  he  first 
located  in  1820,  and  owns  three  hundred  and 
fifty-five  acres  of  well  improved  land  worth  i!50 
an  acre.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

Thomas  Strawbridge,  deceased,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1798,  in  county  of  Donegal,  Ireland  and 
was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Mitchell) 
Strawbridge,  also  natives  of  the  same  i:)lace. 
They  came  to  America,  landing  at  Baltimore  in 
May,  1810,  and  went  to  North  Umberland  coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania,  in  the  fall  of  1811;  they  then 
moved  to  Clark  county,  Ohio,  and  from  there  to 
this  county  in  October,  1823.  His  mother  died 
in  May,  1809,  in  Ireland,  and  his  father  died  in 
September  24,  1834,  in  what  is  now  Fancy  Creek 
township,  in  this  county,  in  the  eightieth  year 
of  his  age.     The  subject  of  this  sketch  learned 


1066 


HISTORY  OF  SANGAMON  COUNTY. 


the  saddle  and  harness  trade  in  Lebanon,  Ohio, 
and  engaged  in  that  business;  came  to  this  coun- 
ty with  his  father  in  1828  and  followed  his  trade, 
it  being  the  first  in  that  line  of  business  in  the 
place.  He  made  the  first  saddle  in  Sangamon 
county  and  Central  Illinois.  lie  worked  at  bis 
trade  many  years,  but  during  his  latter  years  he 
turned  his  attention  to  farming;  he  owned  six 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  continued 
farming  until  his  death,  in  June,  1880.  His  sis- 
ter Mary,  born  November  30,  1800,  in  Ireland, 
was  married  in  this  county,  in  April,  1824,  to 
David  Anderson,  a  native  of  York  county,  Penn- 
sylvania. Mr.  A.  died  July  16,  1825,  and  in  Oc- 
tober, 1839,  she  married  Samuel  Lyons,  who  was 
born  near  Belfast,  Ireland;  Mr.  Lyons  died  in 
this  county,  October  12,  1842,  and  Mrs.  Lyons 
now  resides  on  the  farm  of  her  brother,  Thomas 
Strawbridge,  Jr.,  situated  five  miles  south  of 
Springfield,  Illinois:  she  has  no  children;  Thomas 
never  married,  and  his  property  was  mostly  be- 
queathed to  the  Home  of  the  Friendless,  after 
his  sister  Mary's  death. 

Henry  S.  Tisdale  was  born  in  Windsor  county, 
Vermont,  June  4,  1837;  the  son  of  James  and 
Rhoda  (Whitcomb)  Tisdale;  the  former  died 
when  Henry  was  only  thirteen  years  of  age,  and 
the  latter  came  to  Illinois  when  he  was  in  his 
eighteenth  year.  In  August,  1862,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Whitcomb,  who  was  also  born  in 
Windsor  county,  Vermont,  in  August,  1835.  In 
1876,  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  with  his  brother-in-law;  they 
also  carry  ou  the  dairy  business.  His  mother 
came  with  him,  and  died  in  August,  1862.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  T.  had  one  child,  which  died  in 
infancy.     Mr.  T.  is  a  Republican. 

Harness  Trumbo,  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Woodside  township,  was  born  October  9,  1816, 
in  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  where  the  first 
twelve  years  of  his  life  were  spent.  His  father 
was  Adam  Trumbo,  and  his  mother,  Mildred 
(Foster)  Trumbo,  both  natives  of  Bourbon 
county,  Kentucky.  In  company  with  his  par- 
ents. Harness  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Woodside  township,  arriving  in  November, 
1828.  For  two  years  he  assisted  his  father  on  a 
farm,  and  in  1831  he  returned  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  spent  one  year  in  a  select  school. 
From  1831  to  1835  he  cheerfully  labored  upon 
his  father's  farm,  when  he  again  returned  to 
Kentucky  for  the  purpose  of  attending  school. 
He  remained  there  one  year,  which  ended  his 
school  life.  Coming  back  to  Sangamon  county 
he  again  resumed  his  place  upon  the  farm  and 
continued  with  his  father  until  1838.    In  July  of 


that  year  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Hall,  of  Virginia. 
The  young  couple  at  once  commenced  house- 
keeping, moving  upon  the  homestead  upon 
which  they  yet  reside.  Nine  children  were  born 
unto  them,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The 
eight  that  lived  were:  William,  born  April  10, 
1840,  died  September  14,  1862;  Sarah  C,  born 
January  26,  1843;  James  P.,  born  January  27, 
1845,  married  December  25,  1870,  to  Anna 
Staley;  Jacob,  born  July  2,  1848;  Maria  L.,  died 
at  five  years  of  age;  Harness,  Jr.,  born  Novem- 
ber 15,  1854;  Oscar,  born  February  7,  1856;  An 
drew  J.,  born  August  25,  1861,  died  September 
23,  1875. 

In  1843,  Mr.  Trumbo  united  with  the  Metho- 
dist Episcopal  Church,  (North)  and  continued 
in  that  relation  until  1865,  when  a  class  was 
formed  in  his  neighborhood  of  those  favoring 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  (South),  with 
which  he  united.  A  station  was  formed  in  his 
neighborhood  and  regular  preaching  services 
were  held  some  four  or  five  years,  when  it  was 
abandoned.  Those  belonging  to  the  class  then 
united  with  a  like  class  worshiping  at  Sherman, 
Sangamon  county,  Mr.  Trumbo  being  among 
the  number. 

Mr.  Trumbo  has  been  actively  engaged  in 
farming  ever  since  he  was  old  enough  to  do  the 
work  required.  He  is  the  possessor  of  a  com- 
fortable homestead  of  two  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  fine  land,  and  leads  a  comfortable  life, 
having  enough  of  the  world's  goods  to  secure 
him  from  want. 

In  August,  1881,  he  made  a  visit  to  his  "old 
Kentucky  home,"  his  first  visit  in  forty-five 
years.  Everything  was  strange  to  him.  In 
vain  he  inquired  for  the  friends  of  his  youth, 
his  old  classmates  in  school,  but  all  were  gone, 
some  moving  to  other  States,  and  some — the 
greater  number — having  been  called  to  another 
world.  Not  one,  in  all  that  country,  recognized 
him,  who,  forty-five  years  previous,  had  gone,  a 
young  man  of  twenty  years,  and  returned  a  man 
with  hair  whitened  by  the  frosts  of  many 
winters.  But  such  is  life.  The  youth  of  to-day 
is  the  old  man  of  to-morrow 

Frank  P.  Wiley  was  born  in  New  Jersey, 
February  22,  1849,  son  of  James  and  Hannah 
(Pooler)  Wiley,  natives  of  New  York.  In  the 
spring  of  1865,  they  moved  to  Macoupin  county, 
Illinois,  and  now  reside  in  Girard  county.  At 
the  age  of  fourteen,  Frank  went  into  a  railroad 
office,  and  began  to  learn  telegraphy,  and  in  one 
year  he  took  charge  of  an  oflice.  He  has  been 
transferred  to  some  eighty-three  different  offices; 


HISTORY  OF  SANCiAMON  COUNTY. 


1067 


was  for  some  time  engaged  iu  the  counting  de- 
partment in  St.  Louis,  also  the  train  dispatcher's 
office  at  Beardstown  nine  months,  and  in  18'71, 
to  Springfield  Junction,  where  he  has  been  en- 
gaged as  operator  and  agent,  also  postmaster. 
He  was  married  in  1872  to  Emma  F.  French, 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  Illinois.  They 
have  two  children,  Frank  F.  and  Harry  T.  In 
1876,  Mr.  Wiley  was  elected  township  clerk,  and 
has  served  in  that  capacity  ever  since.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Democrat. 

L.  £.  Williams  was  born  February  14,  1844, 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Caine)  Williams,  natives  also  of  the  Key- 
stone State;  father  died  in  1854.  In  August, 
1861,  at  the  opening  of  the  war,  L.  B.  enlisted 
in  the  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, and  served  three  years  and  four  months; 
was  discharged  in  August,  1864;  he  was  in  the 
battle  of  Bull  Run,  Fair  Oaks,  Virginia,  and  in 
the  seven  days'  fight  around  Richmond  and  Mal- 
vern Hill,  where  he  received  a  wound  in  his 


right  leg,  for  which  he  received  his  discharge;  he 
returned  to  Pennsylvania,  and  from  there  went 
to  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  where  he 
was  engaged  as  wagon-master  until  the  close  of 
the  war;  in  the  fall  of  1865,  he  came  to  Spring- 
geld  with  five  hundred  government  mules,  which 
were  sold  at  auction;  then  returned  to  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  in  December  of  the  same  year,  came 
back  and  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years, 
after  which  he  carried  on  farming  for  himself 
two  years.  September  28,  1870,  he  married 
Mary  Louisa,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Q. 
(Willis)  Insley,  who  was  born  in  this  county, 
August  4,  1850;  her  father  was  born  October  13, 
1796,  in  New  York,  and  died  January  24,  1868; 
her  mother  was  born  August  16,  1812,  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  came  to  this  county  in  1829;  was 
married  to  Mr.  Insley  Februarys,  1846,  and  now 
resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Williams,  on 
the  old  homestead.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams 
have  two  children,  namely:  Nettie  A.  and  Little 
Dot. 


